Thenhopelessoflife,Hedrewhispenknife,AndmadeasadwidowofJonathan\'swife.
Butfortypoundspaidher,hergriefshallappease,Andeverymanroundmemayrob,ifheplease.
ButJonathanrecovered,andMolly,hiswife,wasdestinedasecondtimetowintheconspicuoushonourthatbelongstoahempenwidow.
Ashiscareerdrewtoitsappointedclose,Fortunewithheldhersmiles.`Peoplegotsopeery,\'complainedthegreatman,`thatingeniousmenwereputtodreadfulshifts.\'Andthen,highesttributetohisgreatness,anActofParliamentwaspassedwhichmadeitacapitaloffence`foraprigtostealwiththehandsofotherpeople\';andintheincreaseofpublicvigilancehisundoingbecamecertain.Onthe2ndofJanuary,1725,adaynoteasytoforget,acreatureofWild\'sspokewithfiftyyardsoflace,worth
40,athisCaptain\'sbidding,andWild,havingotherwisedisposedoftheplunder,waschargedonthe10thofMarchthathe`didfeloniouslyreceiveofKatharineStethamtenguineasonaccountandundercolourofhelpingthesaidKatharineStethamtothesaidlaceagain,anddidnotthen,noranytimesince,discoverorapprehend,orcausetobeapprehendedandbroughttoJustice,thepersonsthatcommittedthesaidfelony.\'
Thusrunstheindictment,and,totheinexpressiblereliefoflessermen,JonathanWildwascondemnedtothegallows.
Thereuponhehadseriousthoughtsof`puttinghishouseinorder\';withanironicalsmilehedemandedanexplanationofthetext:`Cursediseveryonethathangethonatree\';but,presentlyreflectingthat`hisTimewasbutshortinthisWorld,heimprovedittothebestadvantageinEating,Drinking,Swearing,Cursing,andtalkingtohisVisitants.\'Forallhisbragging,drinkalonepreservedhiscourage:`hewasveryrestlessintheCondemnedHole,\'though`hegavelittleornoattentiontothecondemnedSermonwhichthepurblindOrdinarypreachedbeforehim,\'andwhichwas,inFielding\'simmortalphrase,`untotheGreeksfoolishness.\'Butinthemomentofdeathhisdistinctionreturnedtohim.Hetried,andfailed,tokillhimself;andhisprogresstothenubbingcheatwasatriumphofexecration.HereachedTyburnthroughahowlingmob,anddiedtoayellofuniversaljoy.
TheOrdinaryhasleftarecordsopreciousandsolying,thatitmustneedsbequotedatlength.ThegreatThief-Catcher\'sconfessionisamasterpieceofcomfort,andissofarremovedfromthetruthascompletelytojustifyFielding\'sincomparablecreation.`Findingtherewasnoroomformercy(andhowcouldI
expectmercy,whonevershowedany)\'——thusdoesthedevildodgerdishonourourJonathan\'smemory!——`assoonasIcameintotheCondemnedHole,IbegantothinkofmakingapreparationformysoulTopartwithmywife,mydearMolly,issogreatanAfflictiontome,thatittouchesmetotheQuick,andislikeDaggersenteringintomyHeart.\'HowtametheOrdinary\'sfalsehoodtothebrilliantinventionofFielding,whomakesJonathankickhisTishyintheveryshadowoftheTree!AndtheReverendGentlemangainsinunctionashegoes:`IntheCarttheyallkneeleddowntoprayersandseemedverypenitent;theOrdinaryusedallthemeansimaginabletomakethemthinkofanotherWorld,andaftersingingapenitentialPsalm,theycry\'dLordJesusChristreceiveourSouls,thecartdrewawayandtheywereallturnedoff.Thisisasgoodanaccountascanbegivenbyme.\'PoorOrdinary!Ifhewasmodest,hewasalsountruthful,andyouarecertainthatitwasnotthustheheromethisdeath.
EvenhadFieldingneverwrittenhismasterpiece,JonathanWildwouldstillhavebeensurnamed`TheGreat.\'Forscarceachap-
bookappearedintheyearofJonathan\'sdeaththatdidnotexposetheonlyrightandtrueviewofhischaracter.`Hisbusiness,\'
saysonehackofprisonliterature,`atalltimeswastoputafalseglossuponthings,andtomakefoolsofmankind.\'AnotherpreciselyformulatesthetheoryofgreatnessinsisteduponbyFieldingwithsolavishanironyandsomasterlyawit.WhileitiscertainthatTheHistoryoftheLateMr.JonathanWildisasnobleapieceofironyasliteraturecanshow,whileforthequalitiesofwitandcandouritisequaltoitsmotive,itislikewisetruethatthereinyoumeettheindubitableJonathanWild.Itisanentertainmenttocomparethechap-booksofthetimewiththereasoned,finishedworkofart:notinanyspiritofpedantry——sinceaccuracyinthesemattersisofsmallaccount,butwithintenttoshowhowdoublyfortunateFieldingwasinhisgeniusandinhismaterial.Ofcoursethewriterrejoicedintheaidofimaginationandeloquence;ofcourseheembellishedhispicturewithsuchinspirationsasMissLaetitiaandtheCount;ofcoursehepreservesfromthefirstpagetothelastthehighestlevelofunrivalledirony.Butthesketchwastherebeforehim,andalawyer\'sclerkhadtreatedJonathaninaveinofheroismwithinafewweeksofhisdeath.Andsinceaplainstatementisneversotrueasfiction,Fielding\'sromanceisstillmorecredible,stillconvinceswithaneasiereffort,thantheseriousandpedestrianrecordsofcontemporaries.Norcanyoureturntoitspageswithoutrealisingthat,sofarfrombeing`theevolutionofapurelyintellectualconception,\'JonathanWildisamagnificentlyidealisedandironicalportraitofagreatman.
III
APARALLEL
(MOLLCUTPURSEAND
JONATHANWILD)
APARALLEL
(MOLLCUTPURSEANDJONATHANWILD)
THEYpliedthesametrade,eachwithincomparablesuccess.Byher,asbyhim,theartofthefencewascarriedtoitsultimateperfection.Intheirhandsthehighpolicyoftheftwantednordignitynorassurance.Neitherharbouredasingleschemewhichwasnotstraightwaytranslatedintoaction,andtheyweremastersatonceofNewgateandtheHighway.Asnonemightrobwithouttheencouragementofhisemperor,sononewashangedatTyburnwhileintrigueorbriberymightavailtodragahalf-doomedneckfromthehalter;andnotevenMollherselfwasmorebitterlytyrannicalinthecontrolofarecklessgangthanthethin-jawed,hatchet-facedJonathanWild.
Theywerestatesmenratherthanwarriors——happyiftheymightdirecttheenterprisesofothers,anddeterminedtopunishthelightestdisobediencebydeath.Themindofeachwasreadierthanhisrightarm,andneitherwouldriskaneasyadvantagebyamisunderstoodorunwontedsleightofhand.Butwhenyouleavetheexerciseoftheircrafttocontemplatetheircharacterwithalargereye,itisthewomanwhoateverypointhastheadvantage.Notonlywasshethepeerlessinventorofanewcunning;shewasathome(andabroad)thebetterfellow.Thesuppressionofsexwasinitselfanunparalleledtriumph,andthemostenviousdetractorcouldnotbutmarvelatthedominationofherwomanhood.Moreover,sheshoneinagayer,moresplendidepoch.TheworthycontemporaryofShakespeare,shehadsmalldifficultyinperformingfeatsofprowessandresourcewhichdauntedtheintrepidruffiansoftheeighteenthcentury.Herperiod,inbrief,gaveheraneternalsuperiority;anditwereashopelessforOtwaytosurpassthemasterwhomhedisgraced,asforWildtoo\'ershadowthebrilliantexampleofMollCutpurse.
Tyrantsboth,theyexercisedtheirsovereigntyinaccordancewiththeirvaryingtemperament.Herswasafine,fat,Falstaffianhumour,which,whileitinspiredMiddleton,mighthavesuggestedtoShakespeareanequalcompanionofthedrunkenknight.Hiswasbutanarrow,cynicwit,notedgedliketheknife,whichwellnighcuthisthroat,butbluntandscratchinglikeaworn-toothedsaw.
ShelaughedwithalaughthatechoedfromLudgatetoCharingCross,andhervoicedrownedalltheCity.Hegrinnedrarelyandwithmalice;hepipedinavoiceshrillandacidasthetricksofhismischievousimagination.Sheknewnocrueltybeyondthenecessitiesofherlife,andnoneregrettedmorethanshetheinevitabledeathofatraitor.Helustedafterdestructionwithafiendishtemper,whichwasagrimanticipationofDeSade;hewouldevensmileashesawthenoosetightenroundthenecksofthepoorinnocentshehadbeguiledtoTyburn.Itwashisboastthathehadcontrivedrobberiesforthemeregloryofdragginghissillyvictimstothegallows.ButMoll,thoughshestoodhalf-waybetweentherobberandhisprey,wouldhavesacrificedahundredwell-earnedcommissionsratherthanseeherfriendsandcomradesstrangled.Hertemperamentcompelledhertotheloyalsupportofherownorder,andshewouldhaveshrunkinhorrorfromherrival,who,forallhisassumedfriendshipwiththethief,wasastaunchandsubtleallyofjustice.
Beforeallthingsshehadthegeniusofsuccess.Herpublicoffencesweretrivialandcondoned.Shediedinherbed,fullofyearsandofhonours,belovedbythelight-fingeredgentry,reverencedbyallthejudgesonthebench.He,forallthesacrificeshemadetoasquint-eyedlaw,diedexecratedalikebypopulaceandpolice.AlreadyBlueskinhaddonehisworstwithapen-knife;alreadyJackSheppardandhiscomradeshadwarnedDruryLaneagainsttheinfamousthief-catcher.Andsoanxious,ontheotherhand,wasthelawtobequitoftheirtoozealousservant,thatanActofParliamentwaspassedwiththesoleobjectofplacingJonathan\'sheadwithinthenoose.Hismethod,meagrethoughmasterly,lulledhimtoosoontoanimpotentsecurity.She,withherlargerviewoflife,herplumpersenseofstyle,wascontentwithnothinglessthananultimatesovereignty,andmanifestlydidsheprovehersuperiority.
Thoughbornforthewimple,shewasmoreofamanthanthebreechedandstockingedJonathan,whoseonlydeedofvaliancewastohang,terrier-like,byhisteethtoanevasiveenemy.Whilehecheatedatcardsandcoggedthedice,shetraineddogsandnevermissedabear-baiting.Heshrank,likethecowardthathewas,fromtheexerciseofmanlysports;shecarednotwhatweretheweapons——quarterstafforbroadsword——solongasshevanquishedheropponent.Shescouredthetowninsearchofinsult;hedidbutexerthiscunningwhenaquarrelwasputuponhim.Who,then,shalldenyhermanhood?Whoshallwhisperthathisstylewasthebraverorthebettersuitedtohissex?
Asbecameahero,shekeptthebestofloosecompany:herparlourwaseverpackedwiththefriendsofloyaltyandadventure.ArenotHindandMullSackworthathousandBlueskins?Moreover,plunderandwealthwerenottheonlyobjectsofherpursuit:shewasnotmerelyafencebutapatriot,andshewouldhaveaccountedathousandpoundswelllost,ifshedidbutcompassthediscomfitureofaParliament-man.Indeed,ifJonathan,thethief-catcher,limpedpainfullyafterhismagnificentexample,JonathanthemanandthesportsmanconfessedapitifulinferioritytothevaliantMoll.Thussheavengedhersexbydistancingthemostillustriousofherrivals;andifhepleadsforhiscreditatastefortheology,hersisthechuckleofcontemptuoussuperiority.Shediedapatriot,bequeathingafountainofwinetothechampionsofanexiledking;hediedacasuist,settingcrabbedproblemstotheOrdinary.Here,again,theadvantageisevident:loyaltyisthevirtueofmen;asuddenattachmenttoreligionisthelastresourceofthesecond-ratecitizenandofthetrappedcriminal.
RALPHBRISCOE
RALPHBRISCOE
ASPARE,leanframe;asmallheadsetforwarduponapairofslopingshoulders;athin,sharpnose,andrat-likeeyes;aflat,hollowchest;shrunkshanks,modestlyretreatingfromtheirsnuff-colouredhose——thesearethetokenswhichservedtoremindhisfriendsofRalphBriscoe,theClerkofNewgate.Ashelefttheprisoninthegreyairofmorninguponsomeerrandofmercyorrevenge,heappearedtheleastfearsomeofmortals,whileanawkwardlimpuponhislefttoedeepenedtheimpressionoftimidity.Soabstractwashismanner,sohesitanthisgait,thathewouldhugthewallashewent,nervouslystrokingitsgrimysurfacewithhislong,twitteringfingers.ButRalph,asjusticeandtheJugknewtoowell,wasneitherfoolnorcoward.Hischaracterbeliedhisoutwardseeming.Alargesoulhadcreptintothecaseofhiswizenedbody,andifapoltroonamonghisancestorshadgiftedhimwithanalientype,hehadinheritedfromsomenamelesswarriorbothcourageandresource.
Hewasbornineasycircumstances,andgentlynurturedinthedistantvillageofKensington.Thoughcastinascholar\'smould,andveryaptforlearning,herebelledfromtheoutsetagainstacareerofinaction.Hislackofstrengthwasneveracheckuponhishighstomach;hewouldfightwithboysoftwicehissize,andacceptthecertaindefeatinacheerfulspiritofdoggedpugnacity.Moreover,ifhisarmswereweak,hiscunningwasaskeen-edgedashistongue;and,beforehisstrickeneyehadpaled,hehadcommonlyexecutedanamplevengeanceuponhisenemy.Norwasitindustrythatplacedhimatthetopoftheclass.Areadywitmadehimmasteroftheknowledgehedespised.
Buthewouldalwaysdeserthisprimertofollowthehangman\'slumberingcartupTyburnHill,and,stillamereimpofmischief,hewouldrunthewearywayfromKensingtontoShoeLaneonthedistantchanceofacock-fight.Hewaspresent,sohewouldrelateinafteryears,whenSirThomasJermin\'smanputhisfamoustrickuponthepit.Withahundredpoundsinhispocketandunderhisarmadunghillcock,neatlytrimmedforthefray,theingeniousruffian,asBriscoewouldtellyou,wentofftoShoeLane,persuadedanaccomplicetofightthecockinSirThomasJermin\'sname,andlaidalevelhundredagainsthisownbird.SoloftywasSirThomas\'sreputethatbackerswereeasilyfound,butthedunghillroosterinstantlyshowedacleanpairofheels,andthecheatwasjustifiedofhiscunning.
ThusRalphBriscoelearntthefirstlessonsinthatartofsharpingwhereinhewasafterwardsanadept;andwhenheleftschoolhisheadwaspackedwithmanyaprofitabledevicewhichnobooklearningcouldimpart.Hisfather,however,stillresolutethatheshouldjoinanintelligentprofession,senthimtoGray\'sInnthathemightstudylaw.Heretheeleganceofhishandwritinggainedhimarapidrepute;hisskillbecametheenvyofallthelean-souledclerksintheInn,andhemighthavediedarespectableattorneyhadnottheinstinctofsportforcedhimfromtheinkpotandparchmentofhisprofession.Illcouldhetoleratethemonotonyandrestraintofthisclerklylife.Inhiseyeslawwasaninstrument,notofjustice,butofjugglery.Menwereborn,saidhisphilosophy,rathertorisktheirnecksthaninktheirfingers;andifaboldadventureputsyouinadifficulty,why,then,youhiresomestraw-splittingattorneytoshowhiscunning.Indeed,thestudyoflawwasforhim,asitwasforFalstaff,anexcuseformanyaboutandmerry-making.Helovedhisglass,andhelovedhiswench,andhelovedabull-
baitingbetterthaneither.Itwashisboast,andMollCutpurse\'scompliment,thathenevermissedamatchinhislife,andassuredlynomanwasbetterknowninParisGardenthantheintrepidRalphBriscoe.
ThecloisteredseclusionofGray\'sInngrewdailymoreirksome.
Therehewouldsit,inmutedespair,drummingthetablewithhisfingers,andbitingthequill,whoseusehesobitterlycontemned.Ofwinterafternoonshewouldstarethroughtheleadedwindow-panesatthegaunt,leaflesstrees,onwhosesummitsswayedthecawingrooks,untilservitudeseemedintolerable,andheprayedforthevoiceofthebearwardthatsummonedhimtoSouthwark.Andwhenthechainedbear,thefamiliarmonkeyonhisback,followedtheshrillbagpipealongthecuriousstreet,Briscoefeltthatblood,notink,coursedinhisveins,forgotthetiresomeimpedimentofthelaw,andjoinedthethrong,hungryforthissportofkings.Norwashethepatronofanenterprisewhereinhedaredtakenopart.Hewasasboldandventuresomeasthebravestrufflerthateverbackedadogatabaiting.Whenthebull,cruellysecuredbehind,mettheonslaughtofhisopponents,throwingthemoff,nowthisside,nowthat,withhishorns,Briscoe,lostinexcitement,wouldleapintotheringthatnotapointofthecombatshouldescapehim.
Soitwasthathewonthefriendshipofhisillustriousbenefactress,MollCutpurse.For,oneday,whenhehadventuredtoonearthemaddenedbull,thebrutemadeaheaveathisbreeches,whichinstantlygaveway;andinanothermomenthewouldhavebeengoredtodeath,hadnotMollseizedhimbythecollarandslunghimoutofthering.Thusdidhiscourageevercontradicthisappearance,andatthedangerousgameofwhippingtheblindedbearhehadnorival,eitherforbraveryoradroitness.Hewouldrushinwithupliftedwhipuntilthebreathoftheinfuriatedbeastwashotuponhischeek,lethisangrylashcurlforaninstantacrossthebear\'sflank,andthen,forallhishaltingfoot,leapbackintosafetywithasmilingprideinhisownnimbleness.
HisacquaintancewithMollCutpurse,casuallybegunatabull-
baiting,speedilyripened,forherintofriendship,forhimintolove.Inthis,thesolitaryromanceofhislife,RalphBriscoeovertoppedevenhisownachievementsofcourage.TheRoaringGirlwasnomoreyoung,andyearshadnotrefinedhercharacteruntogentleness.Itwasstillherhabittoappearpubliclyinjerkinandgalligaskins,tosmoketobaccoincontemptofhersex,andtofightherenemieswithaveryfuryofinsolence.Instaturesheexceededthelimpingclerkbyahead,andshecouldpickhimupwithonehand,likeakitten.Yethelovedher,notforanygraceofperson,norbeautyoffeature,norevenbecausehertemperamentwasundauntedashisown.Helovedherforthatwisestofreasons,whichisnoreasonatall,becausehelovedher.InhiseyesshewastheQueen,notofMisrule,butofHearts.Hadathronebeenhis,sheshouldhavesharedit,andhewooedherwithashyintensity,whichennobledhim,eveninheraustereregard.Alas!shewasunabletoreturnhispassion,andshelamentedherownobduracywithcharacteristichumour.Shemadenoattempttoconcealheradmiration.`Anotableandfamousperson,\'shecalledhim,confessingthat,`hewasrightforhertooth,andmadetohermindineverypartofhim.\'Hehadbeenbredupinthesameexerciseofbull-baiting,whichwasherowndelight;shehadalwayspraisedhistowardliness,andprophesiedhispreferment.Butwhenhepaidhercourtshewasobligedtodeclinethehonour,whilesheesteemedthecompliment.
Intruth,shewascompletelyinsensibletopassion,or,assheexclaimedinaphraseofbrilliantindependence,`Ishouldhavehiredhimtomyembraces.\'
ThesolepossibilitythatremainedwasaPlatonicfriendship,andBriscoeacceptedthesituationinexcellenthumour.`Eversincehecametoknowhimself,\'againitisMollthatspeaks,`healwaysdeportedhimselftomewithanabundanceofregard,callingmehisAunt.\'Andhisauntsheremaineduntotheend,boundtohiminaproperandnaturalalliance.Differentastheywereinaspect,theywerestrangelyalikeintasteanddisposition.NorwastheParisGardentheironlymeeting-ground.
HissorrysojourninGray\'sInnhadthrownhimonthesideofthelaw-breaker,andhehadacquiredastrangecunninginthedifficultartofevadingjustice.InstantlyMollrecognisedhispracticalvalue,and,exertingallhertalentforintrigue,presentlysecuredforhimtheClerkshipofNewgate.Hereatlasthefoundscopenotonlyforhislearning,butforthatspiritofadventurethatbreathedwithinhim.Hismeagreacquaintancewithlettersplacedhimonapinnaclehighabovehiscolleagues.Nowandthenaprisonerprovedhisequalinwit,butashewasmanifestlysuperiorinintelligencetotheGovernor,theOrdinary,andallthewarders,hespeedilyseizedandhereafterretainedtherealsovereigntyofNewgate.
Hisearlyprogresswasbarredbyenvyandcontempt.Why,askedthemeninpossession,shouldthisshrivelledstrangerfilchourprivileges?AndBriscoemettheirmalicewithaneasysmile,knowingthatatallpointshewasmorethantheirmatch.HisalliancewithMollstoodhimingoodstead,andinafewmonthsthetwainwerethesupremearbitersofEnglishjustice.Shouldahighwaymanseektosavehisneck,hemustfirstpayafatindemnitytotheNewgateClerk,but,sinceMollwastheappointedbankerofthewholefamily,shewasquicktosanctionwhateverpriceheraccomplicesuggested.AndBriscoehadahundredothertrickswherebyheincreasedhisrichesandrepute.TherewasnodebtorcametoNewgatewhomtheClerkwouldnotaid,ifhebelievedthekindnessprofitable.Supposehisinquiriesgaveanassuranceofhisvictim\'srecovery,hewouldhousehimcomfortably,feedhimathisowntable,lendhimmoney,andevencondescendtowinbackthegenerousloanbythedice-box.
Hiscivilitygavehimageneralpopularityamongtheprisoners,andhisappearanceintheYardwasasignalforasubduedhilarity.Hedrankandgambledwiththeroysterers;hebabbledacheapphilosophywiththeerudite;andhesoldthenecksofalltothehighestbidder.Thoughnowandagainhewasconvictedofmercyorrevenge,hecommonlyheldhimselfalooffromhumanpassions,andpursuedtheonesaneendoflifeinaneasysecurity.Thehostilityofhiscolleaguesirkedhimbutlittle.
AfewtagsofLatin,thefriendshipofMoll,andacasualthreatofexposurefrightenedtheGovernorintoacquiescence,buttheOrdinarywasmoredifficultofconciliation.TheClerkhadnotbeenlonginNewgatebeforehesawthatbetweenthereverendgentlemanandhimselftherecouldbenaughtsavewar.HithertotheOrdinaryhadreservedtohisownprofittherightofintrigue;heitwaswhohadreceivedthehard-scrapedmoneyofthesorrowingrelatives,anduntiedthenoosewhenitseemedgoodtohim.Briscoeinsisteduponadivisionoflabour.`Itisyourbusiness,\'hesaid,`tosavethescoundrelsintheotherworld.
Leavetometheprofitoftheirsalvationinthis.\'AndtheClerktriumphedafterhiswont:freedomjingledinhispocket;hedoledoutcomfort,evenlife,totheoppressed;andheextortedacomfortablefortuneinreturnforprivilegeswhichwereneverinhisgift.
WithoutthewallsofNewgatethehouseofhisfrequentationwasthe`DogTavern.\'Thitherhewouldwandereveryafternoontomeethisclientsandtoextortblood-money.InthishauntofcriminalsandpettifoggersnomanwasbetterreceivedthantheNewgateClerk,andwhileheassumedamannerofgenerouscordiality,itwasastrangesighttoseehimwincewhensomesturdyruffianslappedhimtoostrenuouslyupontheback.Hehadajokeandachuckleforall,andhismerryquips,dryastheywere,werejoyouslyquotedtoallnew-comers.Hislegalingenuityappearedmiraculous,anditwasconfidentlyassertedintheCoffeeHousethathecouldturnblacktowhitewithsopersuasiveanargumentthattherewasnoJudgeontheBenchtoconfutehim.Buthewasnotomnipotent,andhiszealencounteredmanyaseriouscheck.Attimeshefailedtosavethenecksevenofhisintimates,since,whenoncearuffianwasnotorious,MollandtheClerkfoughtvainlyforhisrelease.ThusitwasthatCheney,thefamouswrestler,whomRalphhadoftenbackedagainstallcomers,diedatTyburn.Hehadbeentakenbythetroopersred-handeduponthehighway.Seizedafteradesperateresistance,hewaswoundedwellnightodeath,andBriscoequotedadozenprecedentstoprovethathewasunfittobetriedorhanged.Argumentfailing,themunificentClerkofferedfiftypoundsforthelifeofhisfriend.Buttonopurpose:thevaliantwrestlerwascarriedtothecartinachair,andsoliftedtothegallows,whichcuredhimofhisgapingwounds.
WhentheCommonwealthadministeredjusticewithpedanticseverity,Briscoe\'sinfluencestillfurtherdeclined.TherewasnolongerscopeintheStateformenofspirit;eventhegaolswerehandedovertothesternmercyofcrop-earedPuritans;Mollherselfhadfallenuponeviltimes;andRalphBriscoedeterminedtomakealasteffortforwealthandretirement.Attheverymomentwhenhisexpulsionseemedcertain,anheiresswasthrownintoNewgateuponachargeofmurderingatooimportunatesuitor.Thechainofevidencewascomplete:thedaggerplungedinhisheartwasrecognisedforherown;shewasseentodecoyhimtothesecretcornerofawood,wherehisraucouslove-makingwassilencedforever.Takenoffherguard,shehadevenhintedconfessionofhercrime,andnothingbutintriguecouldhavesavedhergentleneckfromthegallows.Briscoe,hungryforhermoney-bags,promisedassistance.Hebribed,hethreatened,hecajoled,hetwistedthelawasonlyhecouldtwistit,hesuppressedhonesttestimony,heprocuredfalse;infine,heweakenedthecaseagainstherwithsoresistlessaneffrontery,thatnottheHangingJudgehimselfcouldconvictthepoorinnocent.
Attheoutsethehadagreedtoacceptahandsomebribe,butasthetrialapproached,hisavariceincreased,andhewouldbecontentwithnothinglessthanthelady\'shandandfortune.Notthathelovedher;hisheartwaslongsincegiventoMollCutpurse;butheknewthathiscareerofdepredationwasatanend,anditbecamehimtoprovideforhisdecliningyears.Thevictimrepulsedhissuit,regrettingathousandtimesthatshehadstabbedherancientlover.Atlast,biddensummarilytochoosebetweenDeathandtheClerk,shechosetheClerk,andthusRalphBriscoeleftNewgatetherichestsquireinawesterncounty.Henceforthhefarmedhislandlikeagentleman,drankwiththoseofhisneighbourswhowouldcrackabottlewithhim,andunlockedthestrangestoresofhismemorytobumpkinswhoknewnotthenameofNewgate.Stilldevotedtosport,hehuntedthefox,andmadesuchabull-ringashisyouthfulimaginationcouldneverhavepictured.Sohelivedalifeofcountryease,anddiedachurchwarden.Andhedeservedhisprosperity,forhecarriedthesoulofFalstaffintheshrunkenbodyofJusticeShallow.
GILDEROYANDTHESIXTEEN-
STRINGJACK
I
GILDEROY
GILDEROY
HEstoodsixfeetteninhisstockingedfeet,andwasthetallestruffianthatevercutapurseorheldupacoachonthehighway.
Amassofblackhaircurledoveralowforehead,andaglitteringeyeintensifiedhisvillainousaspect;nordidadeepscar,furrowinghischeekfromendtoend,softenthehorrorofhissuddenapparition.Valiantmenshudderedathisapproach;womenshrankfromthedistantechoofhisname;forfifteenyearsheterrorisedScotlandfromCaithnesstotheborder;andthemostpartialchroniclerneverinsultedhismemorywiththerecordofagooddeed.
HewasborntoagentlefamilyintheCalendarofMonteith,andwascelebratedeveninboyhoodforhisfeatsofstrengthanddaring.Whilestillatschoolhecouldholdahundredweightatarm\'s-length,andcrumpleupahorseshoelikeawispofhay.Thefleetestrunner,themostdesperatefighterinthecountry,hewasalreadyfamousbeforehisnamewasbesmirchedwithcrime,andhemighthavebeenimmortalisedastheHerculesoftheseventeenthcentury,hadnothisambitionbeenotherwiseflattered.Attheoutset,thoughtheinclinationwasneverlacking,heknewsmalltemptationtobreakthesternerlawsofconduct.Hispleasureswereabundantlysuppliedbyhisfather\'sgenerosity,andhehadnoneedtorefrainfromsuchvicesasbecameagentleman.Ifhewasnodrunkard,itwasbecausehisheadwasequaltothesevereststrain,and,despitehisforbiddingexpression,hewasalwaysasuccessfulbreakerofhearts.Hisverymasterfulnessovercamethemoststubbornresistance;andmorethanoncethepressureofhisdishonourablesuitconvertedhatredintolove.AttheverytimethathewasdenouncedforScotland\'sdisgrace,hispraiseswerechantedinmanyadejectedballad.`Gilderoywasabonnyboy,\'sangoneheart-brokenmaiden:
Hadrosestillhisshoon,Hisstockingswereofsilkensoy,Wi\'gartershangingdoon.
Butintruthhewasadmiredlessforhisamiabilitythanforthatqualityofgovernancewhich,whenoncehehadtornthedecaloguetopieces,madehimaveritableemperorofcrime.
Hisfather\'sdeathwasthetruebeginningofhiscareer.A
modestpatrimonywassquanderedinsixmonths,andGilderoyhadnopennyleftwherewithtosatisfytheviceswhichinsisteduponindulgence.Hedemandedmoneyatallhazards,andmoneywithouttoil.Forawhilehismoreloudlyclamantneedswerefulfilledbytheamiablesimplicityofhismother,whomheblackmailedwithinsolenceandcontempt.Andwhenshe,weariedbyhisshamelessimportunity,atlastwithdrewhersupport,hedetermineduponamonstrousactofvengeance.Withanobleaffectationofpenitencehevisitedhishome;promisedreformatsupper;andsaidgood-nightinthebrokenaccentofreconciliation.Nosoonerwasthehousesunkinslumberthanhecrawledstealthilyupstairsinordertoforestallbytheftapromisedgenerosity.Heopenedthedoorofthebed-chamberinahushedsilence;butthewrenchingofthecofferlidawokethesleeper,andGilderoy,havingcuthismother\'sthroatwithaninfamouslevity,seizedwhatevermoneyandjewelswereinthehouse,cruellymaltreatedhissister,andlaughinglyburntthehousetotheground,thatthepossibilityofevidencemightbedestroyed.
Henceforthhismethodofplunderwasassured.Itwaspartofhisphilosophytopreventdetectionbymurder,andtheflamesfromtheburningwallsaddedapleasuretohislustfuleye.HismarchacrossScotlandwasmarkedbyslaughteredfamiliesandruinedhouses.Plunderwasthefirstcauseofhisexploits,butthereisnodoubtthatdeathandarsonwereasolacetohisfiercespirit;andforawhilethisgiantofcrueltyknewneitherchecknorhindrance.Presentlyitbecameasuperstitionwithhimthatdeathwastheinevitableaccompanimentofrobbery,and,ashewasincapableofremorse,hegrewcallous,andneglectedthesimplestprecautions.AtDunkeldherazedarifledhousetotheground,andwiththeutmosteffronteryrepeatedtheperformanceatAberdeen.Butatlasthehadbeentrackedbyacompanyofsoldiers,who,thatjusticemightnotbecheatedofherprey,carriedhimtogaol,whereafterthebriefesttrialhewascondemnedtodeath.
Gilderoy,however,wasstillmasterofhimself.Hisimmensestrengthnotonlybursthisbonds,butbrokeprison,andthisinvincibleSamsonwasoncemorefreeinAberdeen,inspiringthatrespectablecitywithalegendarydread.Therewardofonehundredpoundswasofferedinvain.Hadheshownhimselfontheroadinbroaddaylight,nonewouldhavedaredtoarresthim,anditwasnotuntilhisplansweredeliberatelylaid,thathecrossedthesea.Themoreviolentperiodofhiscareerwasatanend.Neveragaindidheyieldtohispassionforburningandsuddendeath;and,iftheworldfoundhimunconquerable,hisself-controlisprovedbythefactthatintheheydayofhisstrengthheturnedfromhisunredeemedbrutalitytoagentlermethod.HenowdesertedScotlandforFrance,withwhich,likeallhiscountrymen,heclaimedacousinship;andsoprofoundlydidheimposeuponPariswithhisimmensestature,hiselegantattire,hiscourtlymanners(forhewascourtesyitself,whenitpleasedhim),thathewastakenforaneminentscholar,oratleastasoldieroffortune.
Prosperitymightdoubtlesshavefollowedadiscreetprofession,butGilderoymuststillbethieving,andhereapedarichharvestamongtheunsuspiciouscourtiersofFrance.HismosthighlyrenownedexploitwasperformedatSt.Denis,andtherecordofFrance\'shumiliationisstilltreasured.Thegreatchurchwaspackedwithladiesoffashionandtheirdevoutadmirers.
Richelieuattendedinstate;thekinghimselfshoneupontheassembly.ThestrangeScotsman,whomnomanknewandallmenwonderedat,attractedahundredeyestohimselfandhismagnificentequipment.Butitwasnothistobeidle,andattheverymomentwhereatMasswasbeingsung,hecontrivedtolightenRichelieu\'spocketofapurse.Thekingwasadelightedwitnessofthetheft;Gilderoy,assuminganairoffacileintimacy,motionedhimtosilence;andhe,deemingitatrickputuponRichelieubyafriend,hastened,attheservice-end,toaskhisministerifperchancehehadapurseofgolduponhim.Richelieuinstantlydiscoveredtheloss,totheking\'suncontrolledhilarity,whichwasmitigatedwhenitwasfoundthatthethief,havingemptiedtheking\'spocketattheunguardedmomentofhismerriment,hadleftthemboththepoorer.
SuchwereGilderoy\'sinterludesofgaiety;andwhenyourememberthecynicalferocityofhisearlierperformance,youcannotdenyhimthecreditofversatility.HestayedinFranceuntilhisominousreputationwastoowidelyspread;whereuponhecrossedthePyrenees,travellinglikeagentleman,inabrilliantcarriageofhisown.FromSpainhecarriedoffapricelesscollectionofsilverplate;andhereturnedtohisowncountry,fatigued,yetunsoftened,bythegrandtour.Meanwhile,aforgetfulgenerationhadnotkepthismemorygreen.Themonster,whopunishedScotlandayearagowithfireandsword,hadpassedintooblivion,andGilderoywasabletoestablishforhimselfanewreputation.Hedepartedasfaraspossiblefromhisancientcustom,joinedthemanycavaliers,whowereridingupanddownthecountry,pistolinhand,andpresentlyprovedadauntlesshighwayman.HehadnotlongriddenintheneighbourhoodofPerthbeforehemettheEarlofLinlithgow,fromwhomhetookagoldwatch,adiamondring,andeightyguineas.Beinganoutlaw,henaturallyespousedtheKing\'scause,andwouldhavegivenayearofhislifetomeetaRegicide.Onceuponatime,saysrumour,hefoundhimselffacetofacewithOliverCromwell,whomhedraggedfromhiscoach,setignominiouslyuponanass,andsoturnedadriftwithhisfeettiedunderthebeast\'sbelly.Thestoryisincredible,notonlybecausetheloyalhistoriansofthetimecausedOlivertoberobbeddailyoneveryroadinGreatBritain,butbecauseourGilderoy,hadheeverconfrontedtheProtector,mostassuredlywouldnothaveallowedhimtoescapewithhislife.
Tiredofscouringthehighway,Gilderoyresolveduponanotherenterprise.Hecollectedabandoffearlessruffians,andplacedhimselfattheirhead.Withthisarmytoaid,heharriedSutherlandandtheNorth,liftingcattle,plunderinghomesteads,andstoppingwayfarerswithahumourandadroitnessworthyofRobinHood.Nolongeralawlessadventurer,hemadehisownconditionsoflife,andforcedthepeopletoobeythem.HewhowouldpayGilderoyafaircontributionrannoriskoflosinghissheeporoxen.Butevasionwasimpossible,andthesmallestsuspicionoffalsehoodwaspunishedbydeath.Thepeaceablyinclinedpaidtheirtollwithregret;themoredaringopposedtheraidertotheirmiserableundoing;thetimidsatisfiedtheutmostexactionsofGilderoy,anddeemedthemselvesfortunateiftheyleftthecountrywiththeirlives.