登陆注册
5265500000264

第264章 Chapter XCIX.

In the whole catalogue of those whiffling vexations which come puffing across a man's canvass, there is not one of a more teasing and tormenting nature, than this particular one which I am going to describe--and for which (unless you travel with an avance-courier, which numbers do in order to prevent it)--there is no help: and it is this.

That be you in never so kindly a propensity to sleep--though you are passing perhaps through the finest country--upon the best roads, and in the easiest carriage for doing it in the world--nay, was you sure you could sleep fifty miles straight forwards, without once opening your eyes--nay, what is more, was you as demonstratively satisfied as you can be of any truth in Euclid, that you should upon all accounts be full as well asleep as awake--nay, perhaps better--Yet the incessant returns of paying for the horses at every stage,--with the necessity thereupon of putting your hand into your pocket, and counting out from thence three livres fifteen sous (sous by sous), puts an end to so much of the project, that you cannot execute above six miles of it (or supposing it is a post and a half, that is but nine)--were it to save your soul from destruction.

--I'll be even with 'em, quoth I, for I'll put the precise sum into a piece of paper, and hold it ready in my hand all the way: 'Now I shall have nothing to do,' said I (composing myself to rest), 'but to drop this gently into the post-boy's hat, and not say a word.'--Then there wants two sous more to drink--or there is a twelve sous piece of Louis XIV. which will not pass--or a livre and some odd liards to be brought over from the last stage, which Monsieur had forgot; which altercations (as a man cannot dispute very well asleep) rouse him: still is sweet sleep retrievable; and still might the flesh weigh down the spirit, and recover itself of these blows--but then, by heaven! you have paid but for a single post--whereas 'tis a post and a half; and this obliges you to pull out your book of post-roads, the print of which is so very small, it forces you to open your eyes, whether you will or no: Then Monsieur le Cure offers you a pinch of snuff--or a poor soldier shews you his leg--or a shaveling his box--or the priestesse of the cistern will water your wheels--they do not want it--but she swears by her priesthood (throwing it back) that they do:--then you have all these points to argue, or consider over in your mind; in doing of which, the rational powers get so thoroughly awakened--you may get 'em to sleep again as you can.

It was entirely owing to one of these misfortunes, or I had pass'd clean by the stables of Chantilly----But the postillion first affirming, and then persisting in it to my face, that there was no mark upon the two sous piece, I open'd my eyes to be convinced --and seeing the mark upon it as plain as my nose--I leap'd out of the chaise in a passion, and so saw every thing at Chantilly in spite.--I tried it but for three posts and a half, but believe 'tis the best principle in the world to travel speedily upon; for as few objects look very inviting in that mood--you have little or nothing to stop you; by which means it was that I passed through St. Dennis, without turning my head so much as on one side towards the Abby----Richness of their treasury! stuff and nonsense!--bating their jewels, which are all false, I would not give three sous for any one thing in it, but Jaidas's lantern--nor for that either, only as it grows dark, it might be of use.

同类推荐
  • 慧命经

    慧命经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 地藏菩萨十斋日

    地藏菩萨十斋日

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Miss Sarah Jack, of Spanish Town, Jamaica

    Miss Sarah Jack, of Spanish Town, Jamaica

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 温公日记

    温公日记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 激书

    激书

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 核武道尊

    核武道尊

    拳打大唐第一门,脚踢西极无数城。“不止是这个大唐江湖,整个天下都将会因为我的到来而变得精彩。”钟黄对着天空道:“也许让我穿越到此,是你做出的最正确的选择。”
  • 英雄联盟之碎梦重铸

    英雄联盟之碎梦重铸

    王昊林,某款游戏的前职业选手。二年前,因种种原因与冠军失之交臂,梦碎于洛杉矶。二年后,意外遇到了一群怀揣着同样梦想的少男少女。为了达成他们的梦想,也为了重铸自己曾未完成的碎梦,再次与电竞连接……
  • 锐读(第4期·悬疑新主张)

    锐读(第4期·悬疑新主张)

    《惊奇档案》专栏编辑,觅骨寻踪,亲历惊奇与惊险,探寻神秘的不可思议,用科学的态度解读怪谈与诡闻。
  • 药师琉璃光如来消灾除难念诵仪轨

    药师琉璃光如来消灾除难念诵仪轨

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 倾城笑

    倾城笑

    战火四起,三界民不聊生。一天,一个叫顾倾城的小女孩,踏着硝烟,孤身一人,来到了小山村。从此,传奇展开。--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 某不科学的第八位level5

    某不科学的第八位level5

    一道流星划过都市的夜空,奇迹产生了,他会给未来带来怎样的风暴呢?魔法禁书目录同人作品,感兴趣的可以看看。标签:魔法禁书目录,某科学,学园都市
  • 英系悬疑推理小说精选集.1(共5册)

    英系悬疑推理小说精选集.1(共5册)

    本套装共5册,分别为《对我说谎》《从此以后》《亲爱的妹妹》《拼布娃娃》《公寓》。
  • 三国演义

    三国演义

    中国第一部长篇章回体历史演义小说,以描写战争为主,反映了吴、蜀、魏三个政治集团之间的政治和军事斗争。在广阔的背景上,上演了一幕幕波澜起伏,气势磅礴的战争场面,成功刻画了曹操、刘备、孙权、诸葛亮、周瑜、关羽、张飞等脍炙人口的人物形象。
  • 星河剑帝

    星河剑帝

    茫茫星河,一片亘古死域。大帝陨落,帝冢归路,求仙无门。少年手持重剑无锋,踏入星河古域,征战茫茫仙路,掀起一片血雨腥风。
  • 金牌特工:王妃太狂

    金牌特工:王妃太狂

    一着不慎,穿越书中世界,云若想死的心都有了,别人穿越,不是个皇后也是个王妃啊,可她呢,是王妃不假,但却是那书中炮灰王妃。作者给主角开金手指,给她留着的除了惨还是惨。云若为了自己,逆天改命。富贵险中求,我命由我不由天!灵药?抢!武功秘笈?夺!金银珠宝?拿!本想躲得主角远远的,谁知他们非要找上门来。好!既然如此,她云若只好遇神杀神遇佛杀佛。那王爷,咱婚约已经解除了,麻烦滚远点。那表哥,你不是深爱女主角吗?那神秘的路人甲,你在原作中不是只有几个镜头吗?为什么非赖上了她?【情节虚构,请勿模仿】