The Runaway; or, the Seat of Benevolence. A novel.
Author Details
Surname:Smith
First Names:Horatio
Gender:Male
Anonymous:No
Publication Details
Publisher:Printed by C. Boult, for Crosby and Letterman, Starioners-Court, near Paternoster-Row.
Place:London
Date:1800
Novel Details
Genre:Courtship; domestic; manners/society; social commentary
Setting:Gloucestershire
Period:Contemporary(?)
Plot
Somers has lost wife and daughter and is sad. He meets young man who is also sad and so somers takes him in and calls him Theodore. We hear the backstory of Clarissa whose parents married against family wishes and were disowned. Her father went to make his fortune in the West Indies but has since disappeared, leaving her in the care of her old governess, Mrs Bentley. They do sewing and sell flowers to make ends meet. Clarissa is very beautiful but rather trusting and nearly gets taken into a nunnery that is a brothel.
A reward is out for Theodore. He is captured by men hoping to get the reward. He meets Sir Charles's daughter, Augusta. There is then a lengthy set of entanglements because Augusta is promised to her cousin, Freeman, but Freeman is now in love with Clarissa and Theodore is in love with Augusta. Clarissa is abducted and taken to the house of ill repute. She manages to escape, but again this leads to a series of misunderstandings.
In Volume 2 there is some rather unpleasant material involving a girl, Sophia Bridport, being abducted and raped by Sir Thomas but then confessing that she loves her rapist. In Volume 3 she marries him. In Volume 4 (p. 150) characters express some anti-Jewish sentiment, but Isaac does prove to be a good person in the end and they are proven wrong.
Eventually all turns out well. Somers is reunited with his wife and child; Theodore finds his mother and marries Augusta; Clarissa finds her father and marries Freeman. The evil uncle is shipped off to Africa, and Isaac is proven to be a good man.
A reward is out for Theodore. He is captured by men hoping to get the reward. He meets Sir Charles's daughter, Augusta. There is then a lengthy set of entanglements because Augusta is promised to her cousin, Freeman, but Freeman is now in love with Clarissa and Theodore is in love with Augusta. Clarissa is abducted and taken to the house of ill repute. She manages to escape, but again this leads to a series of misunderstandings.
In Volume 2 there is some rather unpleasant material involving a girl, Sophia Bridport, being abducted and raped by Sir Thomas but then confessing that she loves her rapist. In Volume 3 she marries him. In Volume 4 (p. 150) characters express some anti-Jewish sentiment, but Isaac does prove to be a good person in the end and they are proven wrong.
Eventually all turns out well. Somers is reunited with his wife and child; Theodore finds his mother and marries Augusta; Clarissa finds her father and marries Freeman. The evil uncle is shipped off to Africa, and Isaac is proven to be a good man.
Overview of the Dialect
There are several characters who speak with a South West accent, although they are all pretty similar. Interestingly, one of the men doing the abducting puts on a South-West accent to disguise himself as a carter, and later Bridport employs a similar code-switch when rescuing his daughter.
There are a couple of small bits of an Irish officer.
There is quite a lengthy representation of a Jew ("Vat you shay?") who, turns out not to be the villain he initially appears and who helps to bring about the happy ending.
Unexpectedly nondialectal characters Clarissa and Mrs Bentley do not speak dialect, but then they are not originally poor but are fallen on hard times. Augusta's servant Ellen speaks Standard English, but again that is because she comes from a better background. Volume 4 housekeeper to St Aubin a tiny bit colloquial.
There are a couple of small bits of an Irish officer.
There is quite a lengthy representation of a Jew ("Vat you shay?") who, turns out not to be the villain he initially appears and who helps to bring about the happy ending.
Unexpectedly nondialectal characters Clarissa and Mrs Bentley do not speak dialect, but then they are not originally poor but are fallen on hard times. Augusta's servant Ellen speaks Standard English, but again that is because she comes from a better background. Volume 4 housekeeper to St Aubin a tiny bit colloquial.
Speaker #1:Irish Officer - Officer
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Irish Officer
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - unspecified age
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Peripheral
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Idiom, Orthographical Respelling
Social Role
Social Role Description:Officer
Social Role Category:Military
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Irish Officer
Place of Origin Category:Ireland
"Not in the street, by Jasus !" cried an Irish officer who had witnessed the preceding scene; "you had better go home with the lady abbess." "Indeed, I want none of his company," said the old lady; at the same time repeating her request that the coachman would drive on. "There may be some mistake," cried the Irish officer; "give me lave , I will spake to the young woman:" then turning to Clarissa, "Has she offered you a fair price?" said he. "Indeed, gentleman," replied Clarissa, greatly terrified at the appearance of the crowd, "she has agreed to give me all I asked, and I am perfectly satisfied." " Oh , by saint Patrick ," cried the officer, "it is a fair bargain; and let me see the man that dares be after attempting to take the old lady's goods out of her hands."
(Vol. 1,p. 56-7) " Arra ," cried the officer, who was an Irishman, "don't be after bodering us with your super snajums , clausum fregets , fiery faces or fiffararoes .
"The gentleman, you hear, has lost his lady, and suspects his friend has ran away with her.
"Take my advice, sir," said he, addressing himself to Freeman, "call him out, and damn me, pink him; whip him through the lungs, and get the secret from him dead or alive."
"Don't swear, friend," said the methodist preacher; "it shocks my ears to hear your profaneness; -- the Lord will certainly visit with you for it;-- you forget the commandment that forbids you to swear."
"And by Jasus ," cried the officer, "you forget the commandment that says, 'Thou shalt not be after committing adultery."
(Vol. 2,p. 148-149)"The gentleman, you hear, has lost his lady, and suspects his friend has ran away with her.
"Take my advice, sir," said he, addressing himself to Freeman, "call him out, and damn me, pink him; whip him through the lungs, and get the secret from him dead or alive."
"Don't swear, friend," said the methodist preacher; "it shocks my ears to hear your profaneness; -- the Lord will certainly visit with you for it;-- you forget the commandment that forbids you to swear."
"And by Jasus ," cried the officer, "you forget the commandment that says, 'Thou shalt not be after committing adultery."
Speaker #2:Countrymen - Countrymen
Individual or Group:Group
Primary Identity:Countrymen
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - unspecified age
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Peripheral
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Countrymen
Social Role Category:Respectable poor
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Gloucestershire
Place of Origin Category:Gloucestershire, South West England, England
For this purpose, after leaving the shop, he ran through several streets till he reached the fields, without ever observing that he was pursued; at length he was overtaken by two countrymen.
"Where be'est gooing ," said one of them, "that thee runs so vast ?"
Theodore stopt and endeavoured to compose his countenance.
" Thee must goo wi' me to thig housen on the hill," resumed the countryman; " Zur Charles must ha' some talk wi' thee ."
"I really do not comprehend you," said Theodore; "I desire you will leave me, and attend to your own concerns."
"What," cried the other countryman, "I zuppose thee dos'ent knaw Muster Cribble the lawyer of Thieves Inn; but Zur Charles wull make thee knaw un whether thee wull or not, zoo come along Ise tell thee ."
(Vol. 1,p. 70-71)"Where be'est gooing ," said one of them, "that thee runs so vast ?"
Theodore stopt and endeavoured to compose his countenance.
" Thee must goo wi' me to thig housen on the hill," resumed the countryman; " Zur Charles must ha' some talk wi' thee ."
"I really do not comprehend you," said Theodore; "I desire you will leave me, and attend to your own concerns."
"What," cried the other countryman, "I zuppose thee dos'ent knaw Muster Cribble the lawyer of Thieves Inn; but Zur Charles wull make thee knaw un whether thee wull or not, zoo come along Ise tell thee ."
Extract #2 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Speakers: All , Countrymen
" Look'e , vrend Tummas ," said one to the other; " thig hundred poonds wad be a main great thing vor us if we could get un ; but Ise donna like thig same lawyer, nor thig name of Thieves Inn; thee knawest all the lawyers be great rogues ; and we shall only have our pains vor our trouble; now if so be as how the young man wull ge'us any thing, sull thee take the money and let un goo ?"
" Why , Ned," replied the other, "what thee saist may be right and may be not, zo if the young man wull ge'us vorty or vivty poonds why we wull e'en let un off."
(Vol. 1,p. 72)" Why , Ned," replied the other, "what thee saist may be right and may be not, zo if the young man wull ge'us vorty or vivty poonds why we wull e'en let un off."
Extract #3 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling
" I do knaw Muster Zummers very well," said one of the men "and thee knawest nothing about un , or thee woos'ent talk about his punishing us; God bless un , he woos'ent punish a worm; he would more likely pay us vor taking thee to thy vrends who is breaking their hearts vor thee ."
"Your goodness is conspicuous," replied Theodore, "and highly deserving of a reward, since you would sacrifice the feelings of those friends, for forty of fifty pounds."
"Now," cried one of them, " vor that speech, God rat un , thou shalst goo wuther thee would or not; zoo come along."
"Your goodness is conspicuous," replied Theodore, "and highly deserving of a reward, since you would sacrifice the feelings of those friends, for forty of fifty pounds."
"Now," cried one of them, " vor that speech, God rat un , thou shalst goo wuther thee would or not; zoo come along."
Speaker #3:Sir Thomas's man - Sir Thomas's man
Individual or Group:Group
Primary Identity:Sir Thomas's man
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - unspecified age
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Minor
Dialect Features:Codeswitch, Discourse Marker, Grammar, Metalanguage, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Sir Thomas's man
Social Role Category:Servant
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:England, adopts a South West accent
Place of Origin Category:England
Extract #1 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
The day having arrived on which it was settled to take her from the cottage, a chaise belonging to Sir Thomas was ordered to be ready in a bye-lane near the place; and one of the men, having thrown a carter's frock over his clothes, called at Mrs. Bentley's cottage, and seeing Clarissa, assumed the west-country expression.
" I'se be come ," said he, "from muster Zummers : he wants to speak wi' thee for vour or vive minutes about somewhat particular."
When they arrived at the spot where it was necessary to turn, for the purpose of reaching the ferry: " Thig way," said the man; " muster Zummers is hard by , wi' a muster Morris."
Sir Thomas had heard of the affair respecting Morris, and therefore had ordered the men to make use of his name, if the occasion should require.
" Bless me! " said Clarissa, "why did not Mr. Morris come to the cottage?"
" Thee must ask un ," replied the man. " I'se was only told to bring thee to un ; zoo come along."
Clarissa, not having the least suspicion, obeyed.
They presently arrived at the place where stood the chaise.
"Come," said the man, "get thee in. Muster Zummers asked thig good man to come wi' his chaise vor thee , that thee might be wi' un the zooner ; and because as how the lane was dirty."
Clarissa hesitated.
"Come, get thee in," repeated the man; "there is good news a-brewing vor thee ; thou wilt be pleased when thee comest to hear it."
(Vol. 3,p. 72-73)" I'se be come ," said he, "from muster Zummers : he wants to speak wi' thee for vour or vive minutes about somewhat particular."
When they arrived at the spot where it was necessary to turn, for the purpose of reaching the ferry: " Thig way," said the man; " muster Zummers is hard by , wi' a muster Morris."
Sir Thomas had heard of the affair respecting Morris, and therefore had ordered the men to make use of his name, if the occasion should require.
" Bless me! " said Clarissa, "why did not Mr. Morris come to the cottage?"
" Thee must ask un ," replied the man. " I'se was only told to bring thee to un ; zoo come along."
Clarissa, not having the least suspicion, obeyed.
They presently arrived at the place where stood the chaise.
"Come," said the man, "get thee in. Muster Zummers asked thig good man to come wi' his chaise vor thee , that thee might be wi' un the zooner ; and because as how the lane was dirty."
Clarissa hesitated.
"Come, get thee in," repeated the man; "there is good news a-brewing vor thee ; thou wilt be pleased when thee comest to hear it."
Extract #2 dialect features: Codeswitch, Grammar, Metalanguage, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Speakers: All , Sir Thomas's man
"Make thyself easy," replied the man, "and I'se wull tell thee all about un . Thee seest as how muster Morris was coming to thee wi' some good news, but met wi' a mizvortune on the road, and is at a house hard by wi' muster Zummers , zo don't be alarmed."
In a few minutes they crossed a common, and arrived at a lonely cottage.
The man got off his horse, and opening the door, desired Clarissa to walk in.
Clarissa, although oppressed by a thousand fears, was necessitated to comply.
Having reached the interior of the cottage, she was conducted to a room.
"There," said the man, handing her a chair and assuming his own dialect , " sit down ."
(Vol. 3,p. 74-5)In a few minutes they crossed a common, and arrived at a lonely cottage.
The man got off his horse, and opening the door, desired Clarissa to walk in.
Clarissa, although oppressed by a thousand fears, was necessitated to comply.
Having reached the interior of the cottage, she was conducted to a room.
"There," said the man, handing her a chair and assuming his own dialect , " sit down ."
Speaker #4:Bridport - Gentleman
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Bridport
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - middle aged
Narrative Voice:1st person
Role:Minor
Dialect Features:Codeswitch, Grammar, Metalanguage, Orthographical Respelling
Social Role
Social Role Description:Gentleman
Social Role Category:Yeoman
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Gloucestershrie
Place of Origin Category:Gloucestershire, South West England, England
"I had considered on what plan was best to pursue, and concluded the most probable means to gain admittance would be by artifice.
"When I arrived at the house, I rung the bell at the outer gate; a servant attended, who demanded my business.
"I pulled off my hat, and, scratching my head, assumed the west-country dialect : " I'se be come ," said I, " vrom Zur Tummus ; he said as how he should want me, and desired I'se would wait here vor un ."
This kind of language ," continued Bridport, "and the boorish method I practised, together with my making use of Sir Thomas's name, had the desired effect."
(Vol. 3,p. 106-107)"When I arrived at the house, I rung the bell at the outer gate; a servant attended, who demanded my business.
"I pulled off my hat, and, scratching my head, assumed the west-country dialect : " I'se be come ," said I, " vrom Zur Tummus ; he said as how he should want me, and desired I'se would wait here vor un ."
This kind of language ," continued Bridport, "and the boorish method I practised, together with my making use of Sir Thomas's name, had the desired effect."
Speaker #5:Isaac Solomon - Jew
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Isaac Solomon
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - unspecified age
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Significant
Dialect Features:Grammar, Orthographical Respelling
Social Role
Social Role Description:Jew
Social Role Category:Professional
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Jewish
Place of Origin Category:Jewish
"Is your name Quibble?" said Freeman.
"No, shir ," replied the Jew, "my name is Ishaac Sholomon at your sharvice ."
Freeman produced the hand-bill.
" Vat ," said the Jew, "you vant to lodge de information, to finger de hundred paunds ? but de young man ish taken, sho you need give yourshelf no further trouble."
"Hearkee, Mr. Jew," rejoined Freeman, "let me have none of your insolence, or I shall shave your beard for you. I did not come here as an informer, but merely to ask who he is, and to render him a service if it lay in my power."
" Vat you shay ? you vill shave my beard?" cried the Jew; "you are vary goot , but my beard shall stay vere it ish , nor vill I ansher your idle questions. -- Vat I shuppose you are de person who shent de letter about him before, but did not put your name to it."
(Vol. 3,p. 205-206)"No, shir ," replied the Jew, "my name is Ishaac Sholomon at your sharvice ."
Freeman produced the hand-bill.
" Vat ," said the Jew, "you vant to lodge de information, to finger de hundred paunds ? but de young man ish taken, sho you need give yourshelf no further trouble."
"Hearkee, Mr. Jew," rejoined Freeman, "let me have none of your insolence, or I shall shave your beard for you. I did not come here as an informer, but merely to ask who he is, and to render him a service if it lay in my power."
" Vat you shay ? you vill shave my beard?" cried the Jew; "you are vary goot , but my beard shall stay vere it ish , nor vill I ansher your idle questions. -- Vat I shuppose you are de person who shent de letter about him before, but did not put your name to it."
Extract #2 dialect features: Orthographical Respelling
"Ah, poor lad," cried the Jew, "I shee how it ish wid him; vat vid pershecution on von shide , and love on der oder , de poor boy will break his heart. And sho your cousin, believing vat St. Aubin told her, informed him vere to find him."
"My cousin," replied Freeman, "would not be guilty of such a transaction."
"I know better," rejoined Solomon; "it was through her the boy vash taken to-day, and de poor lad knows it."
"If my cousin," rejoined Freeman, "said any thing to St. Aubin that injured him, it was innocently done on her side. But come, I see you are Theodore's friend; let me have answer to my question."
"Did he not tell you," said the Jew, " dat he had a fader and a moder alive? and should not he conshult dem ?"
"My cousin," replied Freeman, "would not be guilty of such a transaction."
"I know better," rejoined Solomon; "it was through her the boy vash taken to-day, and de poor lad knows it."
"If my cousin," rejoined Freeman, "said any thing to St. Aubin that injured him, it was innocently done on her side. But come, I see you are Theodore's friend; let me have answer to my question."
"Did he not tell you," said the Jew, " dat he had a fader and a moder alive? and should not he conshult dem ?"
Extract #3 dialect features: Orthographical Respelling
"Are you certain," cried St. Aubin, "the ship has sailed?"
"Positive," replied Isaac Solomon.
"Why then he is safe enough," rejoined St. Aubin "and as my brother has no suspicion, all will be well."
"I varrant he ish shafe ," rejoined the Jew; "I saw de young shentleman put into de hold; he vill soon find his vay to Africa."
"Did you tell the master of the vessel," resumed St. Aubin, "that he was a wild, extravagant fellow, and sometimes deranged in his mind?"
" Yesh ," replied Solomon, "I told him all about it: beshide, de mashter of de veshel ish my vriend ; he vill tell no tales, but vill land him on some unfrequented part of de coasht ."
(Vol. 4,p. 171-172)"Positive," replied Isaac Solomon.
"Why then he is safe enough," rejoined St. Aubin "and as my brother has no suspicion, all will be well."
"I varrant he ish shafe ," rejoined the Jew; "I saw de young shentleman put into de hold; he vill soon find his vay to Africa."
"Did you tell the master of the vessel," resumed St. Aubin, "that he was a wild, extravagant fellow, and sometimes deranged in his mind?"
" Yesh ," replied Solomon, "I told him all about it: beshide, de mashter of de veshel ish my vriend ; he vill tell no tales, but vill land him on some unfrequented part of de coasht ."
Speaker #6:Ferryman - Ferryman
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Ferryman
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - unspecified age
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Peripheral
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Ferryman
Social Role Category:Trade or craft
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Gloucestershire
Place of Origin Category:Gloucestershire, South West England, England
Extract #1 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
When he reached the ferry, and had got into the boat, "Is there not a man," said he, "of the name Somers, who lives near this place?"
" Aye , the Lord love him ," cried the ferryman; " I'se wull shew thee to his house; -- I'se be gooing thig way, and if zo be as I waunt , I'se would get up on the night to do un a sarvice ."
"The rascale has your good name," resumed Sternhold.
The ferryman had unfastened his boat, and was in the act of pushing it off. "The rascal!" cried he; " thee beest mistaken , Muster Zummers is no rascal; and zince thee thinkst un is, thee must get over as thee canst , vor God rot if I'se take thee ; I'se dount like the looks o'thee ."
(Vol. 4,p. 49)" Aye , the Lord love him ," cried the ferryman; " I'se wull shew thee to his house; -- I'se be gooing thig way, and if zo be as I waunt , I'se would get up on the night to do un a sarvice ."
"The rascale has your good name," resumed Sternhold.
The ferryman had unfastened his boat, and was in the act of pushing it off. "The rascal!" cried he; " thee beest mistaken , Muster Zummers is no rascal; and zince thee thinkst un is, thee must get over as thee canst , vor God rot if I'se take thee ; I'se dount like the looks o'thee ."
Speaker #7:Man who is fishing - Fisherman
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Man who is fishing
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - unspecified age
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Peripheral
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Idiom, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Fisherman
Social Role Category:Respectable poor
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Gloucestershire
Place of Origin Category:Gloucestershire, South West England, England
Extract #1 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Idiom, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
"A petty gentleman!" replied the man; " odds bobs he makes the great gentlemen ashamed o' themselves. I'se dount think his vortune be large , and yet it would zurprise thee to hear the main good he does, there is not a poor body for mailes round but has eaten his bread and cheese;-- no zooner ask than give ."
"So, I suppose," resumed Sternhold; "he always was a prodigal scoundrel."
" Look thee ," cried the man, " I'se dount knaw what thee meanst by calling him a scoundrel. I'se think thee beest no better than thee shouldst be , zo take thy sixpence back; I'se not ha' thy money. Master Zummers a scoundrel! I'se be half a mind to take thee to Zur Charles vor that, he'd teach thee to call names; here, take thy money, and thank thyself thee dosent catch a click o' thy head, vor I'se never had o' better mind o' my life."
(Vol. 4,p. 51-52)"So, I suppose," resumed Sternhold; "he always was a prodigal scoundrel."
" Look thee ," cried the man, " I'se dount knaw what thee meanst by calling him a scoundrel. I'se think thee beest no better than thee shouldst be , zo take thy sixpence back; I'se not ha' thy money. Master Zummers a scoundrel! I'se be half a mind to take thee to Zur Charles vor that, he'd teach thee to call names; here, take thy money, and thank thyself thee dosent catch a click o' thy head, vor I'se never had o' better mind o' my life."
Speaker #8:Man - Colliers
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Man
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - unspecified age
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Peripheral
Dialect Features:Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Colliers
Social Role Category:Respectable poor
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Gloucestershire
Place of Origin Category:Gloucestershire, South West England, England
Extract #1 dialect features: Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
When he had walked out of sight of the fisherman, he requested of a person he met, if he would inform him where to find Mr. Somers.
The man turned round to direct him, when looking towards a hill, " There be Zur Charles ," said he, "going down the hill. I'se be sworn he be gooing to zee un , as they be main thick . If thee askest un he'll shew thee."
"Who is Sir Charles?" resumed Sternhold.
"Oh, he be a main great gentleman ," replied the man, "and owns all the land about here."
(Vol. 4,p. 52-53)The man turned round to direct him, when looking towards a hill, " There be Zur Charles ," said he, "going down the hill. I'se be sworn he be gooing to zee un , as they be main thick . If thee askest un he'll shew thee."
"Who is Sir Charles?" resumed Sternhold.
"Oh, he be a main great gentleman ," replied the man, "and owns all the land about here."