Sigh. I think I might have discovered an anachronism in a Patrick O’Brian novel. From The Surgeon’s Mate, page 195:
‘Mr Rowbotham,’ he called to a midshipman on the leeward side, ‘jump up to the foretopmast crosstrees and tell Mr Jagiello, with my compliments, that I would like to speak to him, when he is at leisure. And harkee, Mr Rowbotham, he is to come down through the lubber’s hole, d’ye hear me? There is to be no skylarking, no sliding down the backstays.’
‘No sir. Yes sir,’ said Rowbotham, and shot into the rigging with the speed if not the grace of his cousin the ring-tailed lemur.
His cousin the ring-tailed lemur. His cousin. Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t that phrase suggest at least a passing familiarity with the theory of evolution? However, On the Origin of Species wasn’t published until 1859, long after the novel takes place. Can someone help me out with this? Is there another reasonable interpretation, or does my idol have feet of clay?
10 Comments
It could just be a slur on his family or his class. Like “son of a bitch,” maybe? But my question would be when did “lemur” enter English? This entry says 1785. When did the book take place?
Heh, I think it was meant as a compliment, not a slur. :) But anyway, this book takes place during the War of 1812, and definitely after June 1, 1813, so I think we’re okay on the lemur.
Could it just be a figurative comparison, as in, what a monkey that guy is?
A figurative comparison, yeah, but why cousin? Why not just say “with the speed if not the grace of a ring-tailed lemur”?
Last night Steve suggested that perhaps in those days the word cousin did not necessarily suggest a blood relative… ?
From the OED and in use since the Middle Ages:
4. fig. A person or thing having affinity of nature to another.
Don’t take him off the pedestal yet, Julie. :)
Awww, Susan! Perfect! You saved the day! Back on the pedestal he goes, and you right with him! ;)
Hey, you renovated your place again. I really like it. When’s the blogwarming party?
Thanks, Fred. The party is this weekend — all weekend — and you’re bringing the margaritas.
Hi, I have found this blog of yours while searching POB M&C resources. I am still puzzled about a piece of the book, and maybe a passionate person like you may shed some light on the problem.
Let me remind you the conversation about lies and frauds on board Sophie, when JD said “we swear we have not shifted any backstays, when we shift them continually”. I do understand why the backstays are shifted, but why do they swear to have not shifted them?
Well, Alex, I’m very flattered that you thought I might be able to answer such a question. As a matter of fact, I don’t even know what it means to shift a backstay, let alone why one would lie about it. You might try asking at The Gunroom. If you find out, please do let me know.