Memoirs of a Cavalier | Page 7

determined as not to be
ruled by your judgment." "Truly," replied my father, "I see no war
abroad at this time worth while for a man to appear in, whether we talk
of the cause or the encouragement; and indeed, son, I am afraid you
need not go far for adventures of that nature, for times seem to look as
if this part of Europe would find us work enough." My father spake
then relating to the quarrel likely to happen between the King of
England and the Spaniard,' [1] for I believe he had no notions of a civil
war in his head.
In short, my father, perceiving my inclinations very forward to go
abroad, gave me leave to travel, upon condition I would promise to
return in two years at farthest, or sooner, if he sent for me.
While I was at Oxford I happened into the society of a young
gentleman, of a good family, but of a low fortune, being a younger
brother, and who had indeed instilled into me the first desires of going
abroad, and who, I knew, passionately longed to travel, but had not

sufficient allowance to defray his expenses as a gentleman. We had
contracted a very close friendship, and our humours being very
agreeable to one another, we daily enjoyed the conversation of letters.
He was of a generous free temper, without the least affectation or deceit,
a handsome proper person, a strong body, very good mien, and brave to
the last degree. His name was Fielding and we called him Captain,
though it be a very unusual title in a college; but fate had some hand in
the title, for he had certainly the lines of a soldier drawn in his
countenance. I imparted to him the resolutions I had taken, and how I
had my father's consent to go abroad, and would know his mind
whether he would go with me. He sent me word he would go with all
his heart.
My father, when he saw him, for I sent for him immediately to come to
me, mightily approved my choice; so we got our equipage ready, and
came away for London.
'Twas on the 22nd of April 1630, when we embarked at Dover, landed
in a few hours at Calais, and immediately took post for Paris. I shall not
trouble the reader with a journal of my travels, nor with the description
of places, which every geographer can do better than I; but these
Memoirs being only a relation of what happened either to ourselves, or
in our own knowledge, I shall confine myself to that part of it.
We had indeed some diverting passages in our journey to Paris, as first,
the horse my comrade was upon fell so very lame with a slip that he
could not go, and hardly stand, and the fellow that rid with us express,
pretended to ride away to a town five miles off to get a fresh horse, and
so left us on the road with one horse between two of us. We followed
as well as we could, but being strangers, missed the way, and wandered
a great way out the road. Whether the man performed in reasonable
time or not we could not be sure, but if it had not been for an old priest,
we had never found him. We met this man, by a very good accident,
near a little village whereof he was curate. We spoke Latin enough just
to make him understand us, and he did not speak it much better himself;
but he carried us into the village to his house, gave us wine and bread,
and entertained us with wonderful courtesy. After this he sent into the

village, hired a peasant, and a horse for my captain, and sent him to
guide us into the road. At parting he made a great many compliments to
us in French, which we could just understand; but the sum was, to
excuse him for a question he had a mind to ask us. After leave to ask
what he pleased, it was if we wanted any money for our journey, and
pulled out two pistoles, which he offered either to give or lend us.
I mention this exceeding courtesy of the curate because, though civility
is very much in use in France, and especially to strangers, yet 'tis a very
unusual thing to have them part with their money.
We let the priest know, first, that we did not want money, and next that
we were very sensible of the obligation he had put upon us; and I told
him in particular, if I lived to see him again, I would acknowledge it.
This accident of our horse was, as we afterwards found, of some use