t formed a more just opinion of him than some later critics. He
says:--

"Smollett's humour arises from the situation of the persons, or the
peculiarity of their external appearance, as Roderick Random's
carroty locks, which hung down over his shoulders like a pound of
candles; or Strap's ignorance of London, and the blunders that
follow it. There is a tone of vulgarity about all his productions."

Smollett was born in Dumbartonshire in 1721. He became a surgeon, and
for six or seven years was employed in the Navy in that capacity. This
may account for the strong flavour of brine and tar in the best of his
works--his sea sketches have a considerable amount of character in
them--sometimes rather too much. His liberal use of nautical language is
exhibited when Lieutenant Hatchway is going away,

"Trunnion, not a little affected, turned his eye ruefully upon the
lieutenant saying in piteous tone, 'What! leave me at last, Jack,
after we have weathered so many hard gales together? Damn my limbs!
I thought you had been more of an honest heart: I looked upon you
as my foremast and Tom Pipes as my mizen; now he is carried away;
if so be as you go too, my standing rigging being decayed d'ye see,
the first squall will bring me by the board. Damn ye, if in case I
have given offence, can't you speak above board, and I shall make
you amends."

Some idea of his best comic scenes, which have a certain kind of
humorous merit, may be obtained from the following description of the
progress of Commodore Trunnion and his party to the Wedding. Wishing to
go in state, they advance on horseback, and are seen crossing the road
obliquely so as to avoid the eye of the wind. The cries of a pack of
hounds unfortunately reach the horses' ears, who being hunters,
immediately start off after them in full gallop.

"The Lieutenant, whose steed had got the heels of the others,
finding it would be great folly and presumption in him to pretend
to keep the saddle with his wooden leg, very wisely took the
opportunity of throwing himself off in his passage through a field
of rich clover, among which he lay at his ease; and seeing his
captain advancing at full gallop, hailed him with the salutation of
'What cheer? ho!' The Commodore, who was in infinite distress,
eyeing him askance, as he passed replied with a faltering voice, 'O
damn ye! yo