A Book of Scoundrels

第8章

forawhileheworethepinkcoatofColonelCunningham"spostillion,andpresentlywaspromotedtotheindependenceofahackneycoach.

Thusemployed,hebecameacquaintedwiththefamousCypriansofCoventGarden,who,lovinghimforhishandsomefaceandsprightlygesture,seducedhimtodeserthiscabforaneasierprofession.Solongastheskywasfair,helivedundertheiramiableprotection;butthesummerhavingchasedthesmartergentryfromtown,theladiescouldaffordhimnomorethanwouldpurchaseahorseandapairofpistols,sothatHarrywascompelledtochallengefortuneonthehighroad.Hisfirstjourneywastriumphantlysuccessful.Apost-chaiseandacoupleofcoachesemptiedtheirwealthintohishands,and,ridingforLondon,hewasabletoreturnthefavourslavisheduponhimbyCoventGarden.Atthefirsttouchofgoldhewastransformedtoafinishedblade.Hepurchasedhimselfasilver-hiltedsword,whichhedangledoveradiscreetsuitofblackvelvet;aprodigiousrunofluckatthegaming-tableskepthispursewelllined;andhemadesobrilliantanappearanceinhisfamiliarhauntsthathespeedilygainedthenameof`GentlemanHarry."

Butthemoney,lightlywon,waslightlyspent.Thetablestookbackmorethantheygave,andbeforelongSimmswasastridehishorseagain,flourishinghisirons,andcrying:`Standanddeliver"!uponeveryroadinEngland.

EppingForestwashisgeneralhunting-ground,buthisenterprisetookhimfarafield,andifonenighthegallopedbystarlightacrossBagshotHeath,anotherhewasholdinguptheYorkstagewithunbridledinsolence.Herobbed,heroared,heblusteredwithpraiseworthyindustry;andgoodluckcomingtotheaidofcaution,heescapedforawhilethenecessarypunishmentofhiscrimes.ItwasonStockbridgeDownsthathemethisfirstcheck.

Hehadstoppedachariot,andcameoffwithahatfulofgold,butthevictims,impatientofdisaster,raisedthecounty,andGentlemanHarrywaslaidbytheheels.Neverataloss,hecondescendedtoacringinghypocrisy:hewhined,hewhimpered,hebabbledofreform,hepliedhisprosecutorswithletterssopackedwithpenitence,thattheyabandonedtheircase,andinacoupleofdaysSimmshadeasedacollectoratEverseyBankofthreehundredpounds.Forthisenterprisetwoothersclimbedthegallows,andtherobber"sprideinhiscapturewasmiserablylessenedbythesheddingofinnocentblood.

Butheforgothisremorseasspeedilyashedissipatedhismoney,andsentimentalityneitherdampedhisenjoymentnorrestrainedhisenergy.EvenhisbriefvisitstoLondonwereturnedtothebestaccount;and,thoughhewouldhavetheworldbelievehimamerevoluptuary,hiseyewasbentsternlyuponbusiness.Ifhedidlosehismoneyinagamblinghell,heknewwhowonit,andspokewithhisopponentonthehomewardway.Inhiseyesafuddledrakewasalwaysfairgame,andthesternwindowsofSt.

Clement"sChurchlookeddownuponmanyaprofitableadventure.

HismostdistinguishedjourneywastoIreland,whitherhesetforthtofindamarketforhisstolentreasure.Buthedeterminedthattheroadshouldbearitsowncharges,andhereachedDublinarichermanthanheleftLondon.Inthreemonthshewaspenniless,buthedidnotbegintradeagainuntilhehadrecrossedtheChannel,and,havinggottoworknearChester,hereturnedtothePiazzafatwithbank-notes.

Withsuccesshisextravaganceincreased,and,livingthelifeofamanabouttown,hewassoonharassedbydebt.MorethanoncehewaslodgedintheMarshalsea,andashisviolenttemperresentedtheinterferenceofadun,hebecamenotoriousforhisassaultsuponsheriff"sofficers.Andthushispoorskillgrewpoorer:forgettinghistrade,heexpectedthatbrandywouldeasehisembarrassment.Atlast,soddenwithdrink,heenlistedintheGuards,fromwhichregimenthedeserted,onlytobepressedaboardaman-of-war.Freedbyaclevertrick,hetooktotheroadagain,untilapaltrytheftfromabarbertransportedhimtoMaryland.Thereheturnedsailor,andhisship,TheTwoSisters,beingtakenbyaprivateer,hecontrivedtoscrambleintoPortugal,whencehemadehiswaybacktoEngland,andtotheonlyadventureofwhichhewasmaster.Helandedwithnomoremoneythanthepriceofapistol,buthepriggedapranceratBristolhorsefair,andsetoutuponhislastjourney.Thetideofhisfortunewasatflood.Hecrammedhispocketswithwatches;hewasownerofenoughdiamondstosetupshopinafashionablequarter;ofguineashehadasmanyaswouldsupporthismagnificenceforhalfayear;andatlastheresolvedtoquittheroad,andtolivelikethegentlemanhewas.Tothisprudencehewasthemoreeasilypersuaded,becausenotonlywerethethief-takerseagerforhiscapture,buthewasadouble-dyeddeserter,whosesolechanceofquietudewasadecentobscurity.

HisresolutionwastakenatSt.Albans,andoveracomfortabledinnerhepicturedasereneanduneventfulfuture.OnthemorrowhewouldsetforthtoDublin,sellhishandsomestockofjewels,andforgetthatthecarteverlumberedupTyburnHill.Soelatedwashewithhisgrowingvirtue,thathecalledforasecondbottle,andastheportheatedhisbloodhisfingerstingledforaction.Athirdbottleprovedbeyonddisputethatonlythecravenwereidle;`andwhy,"heexclaimed,generouswithwine,`shouldthemostindustriousrufflerofEnglandcondescendtoinaction?"Instantlyhesummonedtheostler,screamingforhishorse,andbeforeRedburnhehademptiedfourpockets,andhadexchangedhisowntiredjadeforafreshandwillingbeast.

Stillexultantinhiscontemptofcowardice,hefacedtheWarringtonstage,andmadeoffwithhisplunderatadrunkengallop.ArrivedatDunstable,hewassobefoggedwithliquorandpride,thatheenteredthe`BullInn,"thegoaloftheverycoachhehadjustencountered.Hehadscarcecalledforaquarternofbrandywhentherobbedpassengersthrongedintothekitchen;andthefrightgavehimenoughsobrietytoleavehisglassuntasted,andstaggertohishorse.Inawildfuryofarroganceandterror,ofconflictingviceandvirtue,hepressedontoHockcliffe,wherehetookrefugefromtherain,andpresently,fuddledwithmorebrandy,hefellasleepoverthekitchenfire.

Bythistimethehueandcrywasraised;andastheherolayhelplessinthecornerthreetroopersburstintotheinn,levelledtheirpistolsathishead,andthreateneddeathifheputhishandtohispocket.Halfasleep,andwhollydrunk,hemadenothesmallestshowofresistance;hesurrenderedallhismoney,watches,anddiamonds,savealittlethatwassewnintohisneckcloth,andsulkilycrawleduptohisbed-chamber.

Thitherthetroopersfollowedhim,andhavingrestoredsomeninepoundsathisurgentdemand,theywatchedhisheavyslumbers.

ForallhisbrandySimmssleptbutuneasily,andawokeinthenightsickwiththeremorsewhichisbredofruinedplansandasplittinghead.Hegotupwearily,andsatoverthefire`agooddealchagrined,"toquotehisownsimplephrase,athismiserablecapture.Escapeseemedhopelessindeed;therecrouchedthevigilanttroopers,scowlingontheirprey.Athousandplanschasedeachotherthroughthehero"sfuddledbrain,andatlastheresolvedtotemptthecupidityofhisguardians,andtomakehimselfmasteroftheirfire-arms.Therewerestilllefthimacoupleofseals,onegold,theothersilver,andwatchinghisopportunity,Simmsflungthemwithaflourishinthefire.Itfelloutasheexpected;thehungrytroopersmadeadashtosavethetrinkets;theprisonerseizedabraceofpistolsandleapttothedoor.But,alas,thepistolsmissedfire,Harrywasimmediatelyoverpowered,andonthemorrowwascarried,sickandsorry,beforetheJustice.FromDunstablehetravelledhislastjourneytoNewgate,and,beingcondemnedattheOldBailey,hewashangedtillhewasdead,andhisbodythereafterwascarriedfordissectiontoasurgeon"sinthatsameCoventGardenwherehefirstdesertedhishackneycabforthepleasuresofthetown.

`GentlemanHarry"wasneitherabrilliantthiefnoracourteoushighwayman.Therewasnotouchofthegrandmannereveninhisprettiestachievement.Hispredecessorshadmadeapistolandavizardanoverwhelmingterror,andhedidbutprofitbytheirtraditionwhenhebadethecowedtravellerstandanddeliver.

Hisprofession,ashepractisedit,neitherdemandedskillnorincurreddanger.Thoughhethreateneddeathateveryencounter,youneverhearthathepulledatriggerthroughouthiscareer.

Ifhisopponentjeeredandrodeoff,herodeoffwithawholeskinandafullpocket.Onceeventhisrenownedadventureracceptedthecutofariding-whipacrosshisface,normadeanyattempttoavengetheinsult.Buthismanifoldshortcomingswerenohindrancetohissuccess.Whereverhewent,betweenLondonandYork,hestoppedcoachesandleviedhistax.Athreateningvoice,anarchedeyebrow,anarrogantmethodoffingeringanunloadedpistol,conspiredwiththecraven,indolenthabitofthetimetomakehiseveryjourneyaprocessionoftriumph.Hewascapableofperformingallsuchfeatsastheagerequiredofhim.

Butyoumissthespirit,thebravery,theurbanity,andthewit,whichmadetheadventureroftheseventeenthcenturyafigureofromance.

OnepointonlyofthegreattraditiondidHarrySimmsremember.

Hewasneverunwillingtorestoreatrinketmadepreciousbysentiment.Oncewhenhetookagoldringfromagentleman"sfingeragentlewomanburstintotears,exclaiming,`Theregoesyourfather"sring."WhereuponSimmsthrewallhisbootyintoahat,saying,`ForGod"ssake,takethatoranythingelseyouplease."Inallotherrespectshewasabully,withthehesitancyofacoward,ratherthantheproperrivalofHindorDuval.Apartfromtheexerciseofhistrade,hewasaveryMohockforbrutality.Hewouldill-treathisvictims,whenevertheirdrunkennesspermittedthefreedom,andhehadnobettergiftsforthewomenwhowerekindtohimthancrueltyandneglect.Oneofhismanyimprisonmentswastheresultofamonstrousferocity.`Unluckilyinaquarrel,"hetellsyougravely,`Iranacrab-stickintoawoman"seye";andwelldidhedeservehissojournintheNewPrison.Atanothertimeherewardedthekeeperofacoffee-house,whosupportedhimforsixmonths,bystealingherwatch;and,whenshegrumbledathisinsolence,hereflected,withachuckle,thatshecouldmoreeasilybearthelossofherwatchthanthelossofherlover.

Eveninhisgaietytherewasanunpleasantspiceofgreedandtruculence.Once,whenhewasstillseeninfashionablecompany,hewenttoamasquerade,dressedinarichSpanishhabit,lenthimbyaCaptainintheGuards,andhemadesofineashowthathecaptivatedayoungandbeautifulCyprian,whom,whenshewouldhavetreatedhimwithgenerosity,hedidbutrewardwiththelossofallherjewels.

Moreover,hehadsosmallaregardforhiscraft,thathewouldspoilhiseffectsbydrinkordebauchery;and,thoughahighwayman,hecaredsolittleforstyle,thathewouldaslieftrickadrunkengamesterasfacehismanonBagshotHeathorbeneaththeshadeofEppingForest.Youadmirenothissuccess,because,likethesuccessofthepopularpolitician,itdependedratheruponhisdupesthanuponhismerit.YouapprovenothisraffishexploitsinthehellsofCoventGardenorDruryLane.

Butyoucannotwithholdrespectfromhisconsistentdandyism,andyouaregratefulfortherecordthat,engagedinameanenterprise,hewasdressed`inagreenvelvetfrockandashortlac"dwaistcoat."Aboveall,hispicturesquecaptureatHockcliffeatonesformuchstupidity.Theresolution,waveringatthewineglass,thelastdrunkenridefromSt.Albans——theseareinventionsinexperience,whichshouldmakeSimmsimmortal.

Andwhenhesits`bythefiresideagooddealchagrined,"herecallsthearrestofafargreaterman——evenofCartouche,whowassurprisedbythesoldiersathisbedsidestitchingatornpairofbreeches.Hisautobiography,wherein`herelatesthetruthasadyingman,"seemedexcellentintheeyesofBorrow,wholoveditsowellthatheimaginedasentence,ascribeditfalselytoSimms,andthenrewardeditwithextravagantapplause.

ButGentlemanHarryknewhowtotellasimplestory,andthebook,`allwrotebymyselfwhileundersentenceofdeath,"ishisbestperformance.Inactionhehadmanyfaults,for,ifhewasahighwaymanamongrakes,hewasbutarakeamonghighwaymen.

APARALLEL

(THESWITCHERANDGENTLEMAN

HARRY)

HAGGARTandSimmsareunitedinthepraiseofBorrow,andinthegenerousapplauseofposterity.Eachresumesforhisowngenerationtheprowessofhiskind.Eachhasassuredhisimmortalitybyanexperimentinliterature;andifepicsimplicityandrapidnarrativearethevirtuesofbiography,itisdifficulttoawardtheprize.TheSwitcherpreferredtowriteintheroughlingo,whereinhebestexpressedhimself.Hepackshispageswithill-speltslang,tellinghisstoryofthieveryinthetruelanguageofthieves.GentlemanHarry,asbecameapersonofquality,mimickedthedialectwherewithhewasfamiliarinthemorefashionablegambling-densofCoventGarden.Bothwritewithoutthesmallestsuggestionoffalseshameoridleregret,andanaturalvanityliftseachofthemoutofthepitofcommonplaceontothetablelandoftheheroic.Theysetforththeirdepredation,asavictoriousgeneralmightrecordhistriumphs,andtheyexcelthenimblestOrdinarythateverpennedadyingspeechinallthegiftsofthehistorian.

Butwhenyouleavethestudyforthefield,theSwitcherinstantlydeclareshissuperiority.Hehadthehappinesstopractisehiscraftinitsheyday,whileSimmsknewbutthefag-

endofanobletradition.Haggart,moreover,wasanexpert,pursuingadifficultart,whileSimmswasabully,plunderinghisbettersbybluff.SimmsboastednoqualitywhichmightbesetoffagainsttheaccuratedelicacyofHaggart"shand.TheEnglishmangrewrichuponarollingeyeandarustypistol.Heputonhis`fiercestmanner,"andbelievedthattheworldwoulddenyhimnothing.TheScot,rejoicinginhisexquisiteskill,wenttoworkwithoutfussorbluster,andaddedthejoyofartisticpridetohisdelightinplunder.ThoughSimm"smannerseemsthemorechivalrous,itrequirednotonetitheofthecouragewhichwasHaggart"snecessity.Onhorseback,withthesemblanceofafire-arm,amanmayeasilychallengeacoachfulofwomen.Itneedsacoolbrainandasoundcouragetoemptyapocketinthewatchfulpresenceofspiesandpolicemen.WhileGentlemanHarrychosealonelyroad,orthecoverofnightforhisexploits,theSwitcheralwaysworkedbyday,hustledbyacrowdofwitnesses.

Theirhoursofleisurefurnishayetmorestrikingcontrast.

Simmswasapolisheddandydelightinginhisclothes,unhappyifheweredeprivedofhisbottleandhisgame.Haggart,ontheotherhand,wasbeforeallthingssealedtohisprofession.Hewouldhavedesertedthegayestmasquerade,hadheeverstrayedintosolightafrivolity,forthechanceoflighteningapocket.Hetastedbutfewamusementswithoutthelimitsofhiscraft,andhepreserveduntotheendatouchofthatdourcharacterwhichistheheritageofhisrace.But,withal,hewasanamiabledecentbody,whowouldhaverecoiledinhorrorfromthedrunkenbrutalityofGentlemanHarry.ThoughhebraggedtoGeorgeCombeofhispitilessundoingofwenches,heneverthrustacrab-stickintoawoman"seye,andhewasincapableofrewardingakindnessbyrobberyandneglect.Once——

atNewcastle——hearrayedhimselfinasmartwhitecoatandtops,butthesplendourillbecamehisred-headedawkwardness,andhewouldhavestoodaghastatthesatinfrocksandvelvetwaistcoatsofhimwhobroketheheartsofDruryLane.Butifheweregentlerinhislife,Haggartwaspreparedtofightwithamorerecklesscouragewhenhistradedemandedit.ItwastheGentleman"sboastthathenevershedthebloodofman.WhenDavidfoundaturnkeybetweenhimselfandfreedom,hedidnothesitatetokill,thoughhisremorsewasbitterenoughwhenhenearedthegallows.Inbrief,Haggartwasnotonlythebettercraftsman,butthehonesterfellow,andthoughhishandswereredwithblood,hedeservedhisdeathfarlessthandidthemoretruculent,lessvaliantSimms.Eachhadinhisbrainthestuffwhereofmenoflettersaremade:thisistheirparallel.

And,bywayofcontrast,whiletheSwitcherwasanaccomplishedartist,GentlemanHarrywasaroysteringbraggart.

DEACONBRODIEAND

CHARLESPEACE

DEACONBRODIE

ASWilliamBrodiestoodatthebar,ontrialforahislife,heseemedthegallantestgentlemanincourt.Thitherhehadbeencarriedinachair,and,stillconsciousofthehonourpaidhim,heflashedacondescendingsmileuponhisjudges.Hisstepwasjauntyasever;hissuperbattirewellbecametheDeaconofaGuild.Hiscoatwasblue,hisvestaverygardenofflowers;

whilehissatinbreechesandhisstockingsofwhitesilkweresplendidintheirsimplicity.Beneathacockedhathishairwasfullydressedandpowdered,andeventheprosecutingcounselassailedhimwiththerespectduetoamanoffashion.Thefellow"smagnificencewasthrownintoreliefbythesqualorofhisaccomplice.ForGeorgeSmithhadneitherthemoneynorthetastetodisguisehimselfasapolishedrogue,andhehuddledasfarfromhismasterashecouldintheragsofhismeanestate.

NorfromthismomentdidBrodieeverabateonejotofhisdignity.Hefacedhisaccuserswithacleareyeandafrigidamiability;helistenedtohissentencewithacalmcontempt;helaughedcomplacentlyatthesorryinterludesofjudicialwit;andhefacedthelastmusicwithabraveryandacynicismwhichborethestampoftruegreatness.

ItwasnotuntilafterhiscrimethatBrodie"sheroismapproveditself.Andeventhenhiswasatriumphnotofskillbutofcharacter.Alwaysagentlemaninmannerandconduct,heowedthesuccessandthefailureofhislifetothisonequality.WheninflighthemadeforFlushingonboardtheEndeavour,theotherpassengers,whoknewnothisname,straightwaychristenedhim`thegentleman."Theenterpriseitselfwouldhavebeenimpossibletoonelesspersuasivelygifted,anditsproperexecutionisatributetotheloftyqualityofhismind.TherewasheinLondon,astrangerandafugitive;yetinsteadofcrawlingfurtivelyintoacoal-bargehechartersaship,capturestheconfidenceofthecaptain,carriestheotherpassengerstoFlushing,whentheywereboundforLeith,andcompelseveryonetoconfesshischarm!Thethief,also,foundhimirresistible;

andwhilethegamelasted,theflashkensofEdinburghmurmuredtheDeacon"snameinthehushedwhisperofrespect.

Hisfinetemperamentdisarmedtreachery.InLondonhevisitedanancientdoxyofhisown,who,withherbully,shieldedhimfromjustice,thoughbetrayalwouldhavemetwithanamplereward.

Smith,ifheknewhimselfthesuperiorcraftsman,trembledattheDeacon"snod,whothusswaggereditthroughlife,withnonetowithholdtheexactedreverence.Tothissamepersonalcompulsionheowedhisworldlyadvancement.DeaconoftheWrights"Guildwhilestillayoungman,heservedupontheCouncil,wasknownforoneofEdinburgh"shonouredcitizens,andneverwentabroadunmarkedbythefingerofrespectfulenvy.Hewaselectedin1773amemberoftheCapeClub,andmetattheIsleofManArmsinCraig"sClosethewittiestmenofhistimeandtown.Raeburn,Runciman,andFergusonthepoetwereofthesociety,anditwaswithsuchasthesethatBrodiemighthavewastedhisvacanthour.Indeed,attheverymomentthathewascrackingcribsandshakingtheivories,hewasachosenleaderoffashionandgaiety;anditwastheeleganceofthe`gentleman"

thatdistinguishedhimfromhisfellows.

Thefop,indeed,hadclimbedthealtitudesoflife;thecracksmanstillstumbledinthevalleys.Ifhehadareadycunningintheplanningofanenterprise,hemustneedsbungleattheexecution;

andhadhenotbeenassociatedwithGeorgeSmith,akingofscoundrels,therewouldbefewexploitstorecord.Andyetforthecraftofhousebreakerhehadonesolidadvantage:heknewthelocksandboltsofEdinburghasheknewhisprimer——forhadhenotfashionedthemostofthemhimself?But,hisknowledgeonceimpartedtohisaccomplices,hecheerfullysanktoamenial"soffice.Innojobdidheplayaprincipal"spart:hewasmerelytoldoffbySmithoranothertoguardtheentranceandsoundthealarm.WhenM`Kain"sontheBridgewasbroken,theDeaconfoundthefalsekeys;itwasSmithwhocarriedoffsuchpoorbootyaswasfound.AndthoughthemastersuggestedtheattackuponBruce"sshop,knowingfullwellthesimplicityofthelock,helingeredattheVintner"soveragameofhazard,andletthemanpouchasumptuousbooty.

EventheonslaughtupontheExciseOffice,whichcosthislife,wascontrivedwithappallingclumsiness.TheDeaconoftheWrights"Guild,whocouldslashwoodathiswill,whoknewtheartificeofeverylockinthecity,lethismengotoworkwithnobetterimplementsthanthestolencoulterofaploughandapairofspurs.Andwhentheytackledtheillomenedjob,Brodiewasofthosewhobroughtfailureuponit.LonghadtheywatchedthedooroftheExcise;longhadtheystudiedthehabitsofitsclerks;sothattheywenttoworkinnovainspiritofexperiment.Noronthefatalnightdidtheyforceanentranceuntiltheyhaddoggedtheportertohishome.SmithandBrownransackedtheplaceformoney,whileBrodieandAndrewAinslieremainedwithouttogiveanecessarywarning.WhereuponAinsliewasseizedwithfright,andBrodie,losinghishead,calledofftheothers,sothatsixhundredpoundswereleft,thatmighthavebeenaneasyprey.Smith,indignantatthecollapseofthelong-

pondereddesign,laidtheblameuponhismaster,andtheyswung,asBrodie"sgrimspiritoffarcesuggested,forfourpoundsapiece.

ThehumoursofthesituationwerealltheDeacon"sown.Hedressedthepartinblack;hisrespectabilitygrinnedbehindavizard;andallthewhilehetriflednonchalantlywithapistol.

BreakingthesilencewithsnatchesfromTheBeggar"sOpera,hepromisedthatalltheirleadshouldturntogold,christenedthecoulterandthecrowtheGreatandLittleSamuel,andthenwentofftodrinkanddiceattheVintner"s.Howcouldangerprevailagainstthisundyinggaiety?AndifSmithwerepeevishatfailure,hewaspresentlyreconciled,andpreparedoncemoretodieforhisDeacon.

Evenafterescape,theamateurisstillapparent.True,hemanagedthetriptoFlushingwithhisancientextravagance;true,heemployedallthejuggleriesofthelawtopreventhissurrenderatAmsterdam.Butheknewnotthecautionoftheborncriminal,andhewasruntoearth,becausehewouldstillwritetohisfriendslikeagentleman.Hisletters,duringthisnightmareofdisaster,areperfectintheircarelessnessandgood-fellowship.Inthishedemandsnewsofhischildren,asbecomesafatherandacitizen,andfurnishesascheduleoftheireducation;inthatheiscuriousconcerningtheissueofamain,andwouldknowwhetherhisblackcockcameofftriumphant.Nor,eveninflight,didheforgethispropercraft,butwouldhavehistoolssenttoCharleston,thatinAmericahemightresumethetradethathadmadehimDeacon.

Buthiswastheartofconduct,notofguile,andhedeservedcaptureforhisrareindifference.Why,then,withnonaturalimpulsion,didheriskthegallows?Why,beingnobornthief,andinnocentofthethief"scunning,didheassociatewithsocleverascoundrelasGeorgeSmith,withcowardscravenasBrownandAinslie?Thegreedofgold,doubtless,halfpersuadedhim,butgoldwasotherwiseattainable,andthemotivewasassuredlyfarmoresubtle.Brodie,infact,wasofaromanticturn.Hewas,sotosay,aglorifiedschoolboy,surfeitedwithpennydreadfuls.Helovedaboveallthingstopattertheflash,todreamhimselfanotherMacheath,totrickhimselfoutwithallthetrappingsofacrimehewasunfittocommit.Itwasneverthejobitselfthatattractedhim:hewouldalwaysratherthrowthedicethanforceaneighbour"swindow.Buthemustneedshaveadistractionfromtherespectabilityofhislife.Everybodywasathisfeet;hewasDeaconofhisGuild,atanagewhereathisfellowswerestrivingtoearnareputableliving;hismasterpieceswerefashioned,andthewrights"tradewasalreadyaburden.Togouponthecrossseemedadreamoffreedom,untilhesnappedhisfingersattheworld,filledhismouthwithslang,preparedhisalibi,andfurnishedhimawholewardrobeofdisguises.

Withaconsciousirony,maybe,heburiedhispistolsbeneaththedomestichearth,jammedhisdarklanternintothepress,wherehekepthisgame-cocks,anddeterminedtomakeaninextricablejumbleofhiscareer.Drinkissometimesasufficientreactionagainsttheorderlinessofasuccessfullife.

ButdrinkandcardsfailedwiththeDeacon,andattheVintner"sofhisfrequentationheencounteredaccomplicesproperforhisschemes.Neverwassooutrageousaprotestofferedagainstdomesticity.YetBrodie"sresolutionwasromanticafteritsfashion,andwasfarmorerespectablethantheblackguardismoftheFrenchRevolution,whichdistractedhousewifelydiscontentayearaftertheDeaconswung.Moreover,itgaveoccasionforhisdandyismandhisloveofdisplay.Ifinoneincarnationhewasthecompletegentleman,inanotherhedressedthepartoftheperfectscoundrel,andthelistofhiscostumeswouldhavefilledoneofhisownledgers.

But,whenoncethepossibilityofhousebreakingwastakenfromhim,hereturnedtohisfamiliardignity.BeingquestionedbytheProcuratorFiscal,heshruggedhisshoulders,regrettingthatotheraffairsdemandedhisattention.Aswhoshouldsay:itisunpardonabletodisturbthemeditationsofagentleman.HemadeawillbequeathinghisknowledgeoflawtothemagistratesofEdinburgh,hisdexterityincardsanddicetoHamiltonthechimney-sweeper,andallhisbadqualitiestohisgoodfriendsandoldcompanions,BrownandAinslie,notdoubting,however,thattheirownwillsecurethem`aropeatlast."Inprisonitwashisworstcomplaintthat,thoughthenailsofhistoesandfingerswerenotquitesolongasNebuchadnezzar"s,theywerelongenoughforamandarin,andmuchlongerthanhefoundconvenient.Thushepreservedanuntroubleddemeanouruntilthedayofhisdeath.Alwayspolite,andevenjoyous,hemetthesmallestindulgencewithenthusiasm.WhenSmithcomplainedthatarespiteofsixweekswasofsmallaccount,Brodieexclaimed,`George,whatwouldyouandIgiveforsixweekslonger?Sixweekswouldbeanagetous."

Thedayofexecutionwasthedayofhissupremetriumph.Assomemenareartistsintheirlives,sotheDeaconwasanartistinhisdeath.Nothingbecamehimsowellashismannerofleavingtheworld.Thereisneverablotuponthisexquisiteperformance.Itissuperb,impeccable!Againhisdandyismsupportedhim,andheplayedthepartofadyingmaninafullsuitofblack,hishair,asalways,dressedandpowdered.Thedaybeforehehadbeenjovialandsparkling.Hehadchantedallhisflashsongs,andcrackedthejokesofamanoffashion.Buthesetoutforthegallowswithafirmstepandarigorousdemeanour.Heofferedaprayerofhisowncomposing,and`O

Lord,"hesaid,`IlamentthatIknowsolittleofThee."Thepatronageandtheconfessionarealikecharacteristic.Ashedrewnearthescaffold,themodelofwhichhehadgiventohisnativecityafewyearssince,hesteppedwithanagilebriskness;heexaminedthehalter,destinedforhisneck,withanimpartialcuriosity.

Hislastpleasantrywasutteredasheascendedthetable.

`George,"hemuttered,`youarefirstinhand,"andthereafterhetookfarewellofhisfriends.Onlyonewordofpetulanceescapedhislips:whenthehalterswerefoundtooshort,hiscontemptforslovenlyworkmanshipurgedhimtoprotest,andtodemandapunishmentfortheexecutioner.Againascendingthetable,heassuredhimselfagainstfurthermishapbyarrangingtheropewithhisownhands.Thushewasturnedoffinabrilliantassembly.

TheProvostandMagistrates,inrespectforhisdandyism,wereresplendentintheirrobesofoffice,andthoughthecrowdofspectatorsrivalledthatwhichpaidatardyhonourtoJonathanWild,noonewashurtsavethecustomarypoliceman.Suchwasthedignifiedendofa`doublelife."Andtheduplicityisthestranger,becausetherealDeaconwasnotBrodietheCracksman,butBrodietheGentleman.Solightlydidheesteemlifethathetosseditfromhiminacarelessimpulse.Solittledidhefeardeaththat,`Whatishanging?"heasked.`Aleapinthedark."

CHARLESPEACE

CHARLESPEACE,afterthehabitofhiskind,wasbornofscrupulouslyhonestparents.Thesonofareligiousfile-maker,heowedtohisfathernotonlyhissingularpietybuthisloveofedgedtools.Asheneverencounteredanironbarwhosescissionbaffledhim,sothereneverwasafire-eatingMethodisttowhoseministrationshewouldnotturnarepentantear.Afterahandyporticoandarichbootyhelovednothingsowellasasoul-

stirringdiscourse.Notevenhispreciousfiddleoccupiedalargerspaceinhisheartthanthatdevotionwhichtheignoranthavetermedhypocrisy.Whereforehiscareerwasnolesssuitabletohisambitionthanhisingloriousend.Forhelivedthekingofhousebreakers,andhediedawarningtoallevildoers,withaprayerofintercessiontremblinguponhislips.

Thehero"sboyhoodiswrappedinobscurity.Itiscertainthatnoglitteringprecocitybroughtdisappointmenttohismatureryears,andhewasalreadynineteenwhenheachievedhisfirstimprisonment.Eventhen"twasasorryoffence,whichmeritednomorethanamonth,sothathereturnedtofreedomandhisfiddlewithhischaracterunbesmirched.Seriousaseverinpiousexercises,hegainedascantylivingasstrollingmusician.

TherewasneverataverninSheffieldwherethetwangofhisviolinwasunheard,andtheskillwherewithheextortedmusicfromasinglestringearnedhimthestyleandtitleofthemodernPaganini.Butsuchanemploywastoomeanforhispride,andhesoongottoworkagain——thistimewithabettersuccess.ThemansionsofSheffieldwerehisearlyprey,andarichplunderrewardedhisintrepidity.Thedesignwasasmasterlyasitsaccomplishment.Thegrandstyleisalreadydiscernible.Thehouseswerebrokeninquietudeandgoodorder.Nonesawtheopenedwindow;noneheardthestepuponthestair;intruth,thevictim"slosswashisfirstintelligence.

Butwhenthebootywasintherobber"sownsafekeeping,theempiricismofhismethodwasrevealed.Asyetheknewnosecretandefficientfencetoshieldhimfromdetection;asyethehadnotlearntthatthecompleteburglarworksalone.Thistimeheknewtwoaccomplices——womenboth,andonehisownsister!A

paltrypairofbootswastheclueofdiscovery,andagoodlystretchwastheproperrewardofaclumsyindiscretion.Sofortwentyyearshewaveredbetweenthecrowbarandtheprisonhouse,nowperfectingabrilliantscheme,nowcapturedthroughrecklessnessordrink.OncewhenamistakeatManchestersenthimtotheHulks,heownedhisfailurewasthefruitofbrandy,andafterhiswontdelivered(fromthedock)alittlehomilyuponthebenefitofsobriety.

Meanwhilehisartwasgrowingtoperfection.Hehadatlastdiscoveredthataburglarydemandsasdiligentaforethoughtasacampaign;hehadlearntthatnogreatworkisachievedbyamultitudeofminds.BeforehisboatcarriedoffagoodlyparcelofsilkfromNottingham,hewasknowntotheneighbourhoodasanenthusiasticandskilfulangler.Onedayhedangledhisline,thenexthesatpeacefullyatthesameemploy;andnonesuspectedthatthemildmanneredfishermanhadunderthecloudofnightdespatchedacostlyparceltoLondon.Eventheyearsofimprisonmentwerenotill-spent.Peacewasstillpreparingthegreatachievementofhislife,andheframedfromsolitaryreflectionaswellasfromhiscolleaguesincrimemanyaningenioustheoryafterwardsfearlesslytranslatedintopractice.

Andwhenatlastheescapedtheslaveryofthegaol,picture-

framingwasthepursuitwhichcoveredthesternerbusinessofhislife.Hisdepredationinvolvedhiminnosuspicion;hischangingfeaturesrenderedrecognitionimpossible.WhentheexerciseofhistradecompelledhimtoshootapolicemanatWhalleyRange,anotherwassentencedforthecrime;andhadhenotencounteredMrs.Dyson,whoknowsbuthemighthavepractisedhisartinprosperousobscurityuntilclaimedbyacoward"sdeath?Butastormylove-passagewithMrs.Dysonledtotheunworthykillingofthewoman"shusband——acrimeunnecessaryandinnosenseconsonanttotheburglar"scraft;andCharlesPeacewasanoutlaw,witharewardsetuponhishead.

Andnowcameaperiodoftruesplendour.LikeFielding,likeCervantes,likeSterne,Peacereservedhisveritablemasterpieceforthecertaintyofmiddlelife.Hislasttwoyearswerenothinglessthanamarchoftriumph.Ifyourememberhisconstantdanger,youwillrealisethegrandeurofthescheme.FromthemomentthatPeaceleftBannercrosswithDyson"sblooduponhishands,hewasahuntedman.Hiscapturewasworthfivehundredpounds;hisfeatureswerefamiliartoahundredhungrydetectives.Hadhebeenlessthanamanofgenius,hemighthavetakenanunavailingrefugeinflightorconcealment.But,contentwithnosafetyunattendedbyaffluence,hedevisedasurerplan:hebecameahouseholder.Now,asemi-detachedvillaisanimpregnablestronghold.Respectabilityoozesfromtheduskymortarofitsbricks,andescapesincloudsofsmokefromitssoot-grimedchimneys.Nopolicemaneverdetectsadesperateruffianinademureblack-coatedgentlemanwhodayafterdayturnsanirongateuponitsrustyhinge.Andthus,wraptinacloakofsuburbanpiety,Peacewagedapitilessandeffectivewaruponhisneighbours.

HepillagedBlackheath,Greenwich,Peckham,andmanyanotherhomeofhonestworth,withanoiselessnessandaprecisionthatweretheenvyofthewholefamily.TheunknownandintrepidburglarwasaterrortoalltheclerkdomoftheCity,andthoughhewasassecretandsecludedasPeace,thetwoheroeswereneveridentified.Atthetimeofhistrueeminencehe`resided"inEvelinaRoad,Peckham,andnonewasmoresensiblethanhehowwelltheaddressbecamehisprovincialrefinement.ThereheinstalledhimselfwithhiswifeandMrs.Thompson.Hisdrawing-

roomsuitewastheenvyoftheneighbourhood;hispony-trapproclaimedhimamanofsubstance;hisgentlemannerswontherespectofallPeckham.Hitherhewouldinvitehisfriendstosuchentertainmentsasthesuburbexpected.Hismusicaleveningswererecordedinthelocalpaper,whileonSundayshechantedthesongsofZionwithazealwhichClaphamherselfmightenvy.

ThehouseinEvelinaRoadwasnomerehauntofquietgentility.

Itwaschosenwithadmirableforethoughtandwithasterneyeuponthenecessitiesofbusiness.Beyondthegardenwallfrownedarailwayembankment,whichenabledthecracksmantoescapefromhishousewithoutopeningthefrontdoor.Bythesameembankmenthemight,ifhechose,conveythetrophiesofthenight"swork;

andwhatmattereditifthewindowsrattledtothepassingtrain?

Atleastacloudofsuspicionwasdispelled.Herehelivedfortwoyears,withnaughttodisturbhistranquillitysaveMrs.

Thompson"stastefordrink.Thehoursofdarknesswerespentinlaboriousactivity,theopendaybroughtitsowndistractions.TherewasalwaysBowStreetwhereintoloaf,andthestudyofthecriminallawlostnoneofitsexcitementfromtherewardofferedoutsideforthebald-headedfanaticwhosatplacidlywithin.AndtheloveofmusicwasPeace"sconstantsolace.Whatevertreasureshemightdiscardinahurriedflight,heneverleftafiddlebehind,andsovastbecamehispilferedcollectionthathehadtoborrowanemptyroominafriend"shouseforitsbetterdisposal.

Moreover,hehadaferventprideinhiscraft;andyoumightdeducefromhisperformancethewholetheoryandpracticeofburglary.Heworkedeverwithoutaccomplices.Heknewneithertheprofessionalthiefnorhislingo;andnoassociationwithgaol-birdsinvolvedhimintheriskoftreacheryandbetrayal.

Hissinglecolleaguewasafriendlyfence,andnotevenatthegallows"footwouldhesurrenderthefence"sname.Hismasterqualitywasaconstructiveimagination.Accidentnevermarredhisdesign.Hewouldvisitthehouseofhisbreakinguntilheunderstooditsground-plan,andwasfamiliarwithitsinhabitants.Thisdemandedanamazingcircumspection,butPeacewasasstealthyasacat,andhewouldkeepsilentvigilforhoursratherthanfailfromanoverkeenanxiety.Havingmarkedtheplaceofhisentry,andhavingchosenanappropriatehour,hewouldpreventtheegressofhisenemiesbyscrewingupthedoors.

Hethensecuredtheroomwhereinheworked,andthejobfinished,heslunghimselfintothenightbythewindow,sothat,ereanalarmcouldberaised,hispony-traphadcarriedthebootytoEvelinaRoad.

Suchwastheoutlineofhisplan;but,beingnopedant,hevarieditatwill:norwashelikelytocourtdefeatthroughlackofresource.Accomplishedashewasinhisproperbusiness,hewasequallyalerttomeettheaccompanyingrisks.Hehadbroughttheartofcozeningstrangedogstoperfection;andfortheexigenceofescape,hisphysicalequipmentwascomplete.Hewouldresistcapturewithunparalleleddetermination,andthoughheshudderedatthesheddingofblood,heneverhesitatedwhennecessitybadehimpullthetrigger.Moreover,therewasnospaceintowhichhewouldnotsqueezehisbody,andtheironbarswerenotyetdevisedthroughwhichhecouldnotmakeanexit.Once——itwasatNottingham——hewassurprisedbyaninquisitivedetectivewhodemandedhisnameandtrade.`Iamahawkerofspectacles,"

repliedPeace,`andmylicenceisdownstairs.WaittwominutesandI"llshowityou."Thedetectiveneversawhimagain.Sixinchesonlyseparatedthebarsofthewindow,butPeaceaskednomore,andthussilentlyhewonhisfreedom.True,hismostdaringfeat——theleapfromthetrain——resultednotinliberty,butinabrokenhead.Butheessayedatasktoohighevenforhisendeavour,and,despitehismanacles,atleasthelefthisbootintheastonishedwarder"sgrip.