第5章

类别:其他 作者:Charles Whibley字数:14193更新时间:18/12/13 13:23:52
ThusScotlandbecamealandofdread;themostrestlessmanwithinherbordershardlydaretravelbeyondhisbyre.Thelawwaspowerlessagainstthisindomitablescourge,andtherewardofathousandmarkswouldhavebeenofferedinvain,hadnotGilderoy\'scrueltyestrangedhismistress.Thistraitress——PegCunninghamwashername——lessforavaricethaninrevengeformanyinsultsandinfidelities,atlastbetrayedhermaster. Havingdecoyedhimtoherhouse,sheadmittedfiftyarmedmen,andthusimaginedafullatonementforherunnumberedwrongs. ButGilderoywastriumphanttothelast.Instantlysuspectingthetreacheryofhismistress,heburstintoherbed-chamber,and,thatshemightnotenjoythepriceofblood,rippedherupwithahanger.Thenheturneddefiantuponthearmyarrayedagainsthim,andkilledeightmenbeforetheotherscapturedhim. Disarmedafteradesperatestruggle,hewasloadedwithchainsandcarriedtoEdinburgh,wherehewasstarvedforthreedays,andthenhangedwithouttheformalityofatrialonagibbet,thirtyfeethigh,setupintheGrassmarket.EventhenScotland\'svengeancewasunsatisfied.Thebody,cutdownfromitsfirstgibbet,washunginchainsfortyfeetaboveLeithWalk,whereitcreakedandgibberedasawarningtoevildoersforhalfacentury,untilatlasttheinhabitantsofthatrespectablequarterpetitionedthatGilderoy\'sbonesshouldceasetorattle,andthattheyshouldenjoythepeaceimpossibleforhisjinglingskeleton. Gilderoywasnodrawing-roomscoundrel,novillainofschoolgirlromance.Hefeltremorseaslittleashefeltfear,andtherewasnocrimefromwhosecommissionheshrank.Beforehisdeathheconfessedtothirty-sevenmurders,andbraggedthathehadlongsincelostcountofhisrobberiesandrapes.Somethingmustbeabatedforboastfulness.Butafteralldeductionthereremainsataleofcrimethatisunsurpassed.Hismostadmirablyartisticqualityishiscompleteconsistence.Hewasaruffianfinishedandrotund;hemadenoconcession,hebetrayednoweakness.Thoughheneverpreachedasermonagainstthehumanrace,hepractisedabrutalitywhichmighthaveproceededfromagospelofhate.Hesparedneitherfriendsnorrelatives,andhemurderedhisownmotherwithaslightaheartashesentastrangewidowofAberdeentoherdeath.Hisskillisundoubted,andheprovedbythedisciplineofhisbandthathewasnotwithoutsometalentofgeneralship.Butheowedmuchofhissuccesstohisphysicalstrength,andtothetemperament,whichneverknewthescandalofhesitancyordread. Abornmarauder,hedevotedhislifetohistrade;and,despitehistravelsinFranceandSpain,heenjoyedfewintervalsofmerriment.Eventhehumour,whichprovedhisredemption,wasasdourandgrimasScotlandcanfurnishathergrimmes:anddourest.Hereisaspecimenwillserveaswellasanother:threeofGilderoy\'sganghadbeenhangedaccordingtothesentenceofacertainLordofSession,andtheChieftain,forhisownvengeanceandtheintimidationofjustice,resolveduponanexemplarypunishment.HewaylaidtheLordofSession,emptiedhispockets,killedhishorses,brokehiscoachinpieces,andhavingboundhislackeys,drownedtheminapond.Thiswasbutthepreludeofrevenge,forpresently(andhereisthetouchofhumour)hemadetheLordofSessionrideatdeadofnighttothegallows,whereonthethreemalefactorswerehanging.Onearmofthecrossbeamswasstilluntenanted.`Bymysoul,mon,\'criedGilderoytotheLordofSession,`asthisgibbetisbuilttobreakpeople\'scraigs,andisnotuniformwithoutanother,Imuste\'enhangyouuponthevacantbeam.\'AndstraightwaytheLordofSessionswunginthemoonlight,andGilderoyhadcrackedhisblackandsolemnjoke. ThissenseoffunisthesingletraitwhichrelievesthecolossalturpitudeofGilderoy.And,thoughevenhisturpitudewasmelodramaticinitslackofbalance,itisaunityofcharacterwhichisthefoundationofhisgreatness.Hewasnofumbler,ledawayfromhispurposebythefirstdiversion;hisambitionwasclearbeforehim,andheneverfellbelowit.HedefiedScotlandforfifteenyears,washangedsohighthathepassedintoaproverb,andthoughhishandsome,sinisterfacemighthavemadewomenhisslaves,hewasneverbetrayedbypassion(orbyvirtue) toanamiability. II SIXTEEN-STRINGJACK SIXTEEN-STRINGJACK THE`GreenPig\'stoodinthesolitudeoftheNorthRoad.Itssimplefront,itsneatlybalancedwindows,curtainedwithwhite,gaveitanairofcomfortandtranquillity.Thesmokewhichcurledfromitshospitablechimneyspokeofwarmthandgoodfare. Topassitwastospurnthelastchanceofabottleformanyawearymile,andtheprudenttravellerwouldalwaysrestanhourbyitsamplefireside,orgossipwithitsfantastichostess. Now,thehostessofthelittleinnwasEllenRoach,friendandaccompliceofSixteen-StringJack,oncethemostfamouswomaninEngland,andstillafterawearystretchatBotanyBaythestrangestofcompanions,themostbuxomofspinsters.Herbeautywaselusiveeveninhertriumphantyouth,andmiddle-agehadneithersoftenedhertraitsnorrefinedherexpression.Herauburnhair,oncethegloryofCoventGarden,wasfadingtoawitheredgrey;shewasnevertallenoughtoendureanencroachingstoutnesswithequanimity;herdumpyfiguremadeyoumarvelatherpastsuccess;andhardshiphadfurrowedhercandidbrowintowrinkles.Butwhensheopenedherlipsshebecameinstantlyanimated.Withaglassbeforeheronthetable,shewouldprattlefranklyandengaginglyofthepast.Strangecitieshadsheseen;shehadfacedthedangersofanadventurouslifewithcalmnessandgoodtemper.AndyetBotanyBay,withitsattendanthorrors,wasalreadyfadingfromhermemory.Inimaginationshewasstillwithherincomparablehero,anditwashersolace,afterfifteenyears,tosingthepraiseandechotheperfectionsofSixteen-StringJack. `HowwellIremember,\'shewouldmurmur,asthoughunconsciousofheraudience,`theunhappydaywhenJackRannwasfirstarrested. ItwasMay,andhecamebacktravel-stainedandwearyinthebrilliantdawn.Hehadstoppedaone-horseshaynearthenine- milestoneontheHounslowRoad——everywordofhisconfessionisburntintomybrain——andhadtakenawatchandahandfulofguineas.Iwasgladenoughofthemoney,fortherewasnopennyinthehouse,andpresentlyIsentthemaid-servanttomakethebestbargainshecouldwiththewatch.Butthesillyjade,bythesaddestofmishaps,tookthetrinketstraighttotheverymanwhomadeit,andhe,suspectingatheft,hadusbotharrested. EventhenJackmighthavebeensafe,hadnotthedevilpromptedmetospeakthetruth.Dismayedbythemagistrate,Iowned,wretchedwomanthatIwas,thatIhadreceivedthewatchfromRann,andintwohoursJackalsowasunderlockandkey. Yet,whenweweresentfortrialImadewhatamendsIcould.I declaredonoaththatIhadneverseenSixteen-StringJackinmylife;hisnamecametomylipsbyaccident;and,hectorastheywould,thelawyerscouldnotfrightenmetoanacknowledgment. MeanwhileJack\'sownbehaviourwasgrand.IwastheproudestwomaninEnglandasIstoodbyhissideinthedock.WhenyoucomparedhimwithSirJohnFielding,youdidnotdoubtforaninstantwhichwasthefinergentleman.AndwhatadandywasmyJack!Thoughhecametheretoanswerforhislife,hewasallribbonsandfurbelows.Hisironsweretiedupwiththedaintiestbluebows,andinthebreastofhiscoathecarriedabundleofflowersaslargeasabirch-broom.Hisneckquiveredinthenoose,yethewasnevercowedtocivility.`Iknownomoreofthematterthanyoudo,\'hecriedindignantly,`norhalfsomuchneither,\'andifthemagistratehadnotbeenanill-manneredoaf,hewouldnothavedaredtodisbelievemytrue-heartedJack.Thattimeweescapedwithwholeskins;andoffwewent,afterdinner,toVauxhall,whereJackwasmorenoticedthanthefiercestofthebloods,andwherehefilledtheheartofGeorgeBarringtonwithenvy.Norwasheidle,despitehisrecentescape:hebroughtawaytwowatchesandthreepursesfromtheGarden,sothatournecessitieswereamplysupplied.Ah,IshouldhavebeenhappyinthosedaysifonlyJackhadbeenfaithful.Buthehadarovingeyeandajoyoustemperament;andthoughhelovedmebetterthananyofthebaggagestowhomhepaidcourt,hewouldnotvisitmesooftenasheshould.Why,oncehewashustledofftoBowStreetbecausethewatchcaughthimclimbinginatDollFrampton\'swindow.Andshe,theshamelessminx,gothimoffbydeclaringinopencourtthatshewouldbeproudtoreceivehimwheneverhewoulddeigntoringatherbell.Thatisthepenaltyoflovingagreatman:youmustneedssharehisaffectionwithasetofunworthywenches.YetJackwasalwayskindtome,andI wasthechosencompanionofhispranks. `NevercanIforgetthesplendidfigurehecutthatdayatBagniggeWells.Wehaddrivendowninourcoach,andalltheworldmarvelledatourmagnificence.Jackwasbraveinascarletcoat,atambourwaistcoat,andwhitesilkstockings.Fromthekneesofhisbreechesstreamedthestrings(eightateach),whencehegothisname,andashepluckedoffhislace-hatthedinner-tableroseathim.Thatwasamomentworthlivingfor,andwhen,afterhisfirstbottle,Jackrattledtheglasses,anddeclaredhimselfahighwayman,thewholecompanyshuddered. ``But,myfriends,\'\'quothhe,``to-dayIammakingholiday,sothatyouhavenaughttofear.\'\'Whenthewine\'sin,thewit\'sout,andJackcouldneverstayhishandfromthebottle.Themorehedrank,themorehebragged,until,thoroughlyfuddled,helostaringfromhisfinger,andchargedthemiscreantsintheroomwithstealingit.``However,\'\'hiccuppedhe,``\'tisamerenothing,worthapaltryhundredpounds——lessthanalazyevening\'swork.SoI\'llletthetriflingtheftpass.\'\'ButthecowardswerenotcontentwithJack\'sgenerosity,andseizinguponhim,theythrusthimneckandcropthroughthewindow.Theywereseventeentoone,thecraven-heartedloons;andIcouldbutleavethemarksofmynailsonthecheekoftheforemost,andfollowmyherointotheyard,wherewetookcoach,anddrovesulkilybacktoCoventGarden. `Andyethewasnotalwaysinamadhumour;infact,Sixteen- StringJack,forallhisgaiety,wasaproud,melancholyman. Theshadowofthetreewasalwaysuponhim,andhewouldmakememiserablebytalkingofhiscertaindoom.``Ihaveahundredpoundsinmypocket,\'\'hewouldsay;``Ishallspendthat,andthenIshan\'tlastlong.\'\'AndthoughIneverthoughthimserious,hisprophecycametrueenough.OnlyafewmonthsbeforetheendwehadvisitedTyburntogether.Withhisusualcarelessness,hepassedthelineofconstableswhowereonguard. ``Itisveryproper,\'\'saidhe,inhisjauntiesttone,``thatI shouldbeaspectatoronthismelancholyoccasion.\'\'Andthoughnoneofthedullardstookhisjest,theyinstantlymadewayforhim.FormyJackwasalwaysagentleman,thoughhewasbredtothestable,andhisbitterestenemycouldnothavedeniedthathewashandsome.Hisopencountenancewasashonestastheday,andthebrowncurlsoverhisforeheadweremoreelegantthanthesmartestwig.Whereverhewenttheworlddidhimhonour,andmanyatimemyvanitywassorelywounded.Iwasaprettygirl,mindyou,thoughmytravelshavenotimprovedmybeauty;andI hadmanyadmirersbeforeeverIpickedupJackRannatamasquerade.Why,therewasaTemplar,withtwothousandayear,whogavemeacarriageandservantswhileIstilllivedatthedressmaker\'sinOxfordStreet,andIwasnotoutofmyteenswhentheoldJewinSt.MaryAxetookmeintokeeping.ButwhenJackwasby,Ihadnochanceofadmiration.Alltheeyeswereglueduponhim,andhispoordoxyhadtobecontentwithafurtivelookthrownoverastranger\'sshoulder.AtBarnetraces,theyearbeforetheysentmeacrossthesea,wewerefollowedbyacrowdthelivelongday;andtrulyJack,inhisbluesatinwaistcoatlacedwithsilver,mighthavebeenapeer.Atanyrate,hehadnothisequalonthecourse,anditissmallwonderthatneverforamomentwerewelefttoourselves. `Buthappinessdoesnotlastforever;onlytoooftenweweregravelledforlackofmoney,andJack,findinghispurseempty,coulddonaughtelsethanhireahackneyandtaketotheroadagain,whileIusedtolieawakelisteningtothewatchman\'sraucousvoice,andprayingGodtosendbackmywarriorrichandscatheless.Sotimesgrewmoreandmoredifficult.Jackwouldstayawholenightupontheheath,andcomehomewithanemptypocketorabeggarlyhalfcrown.Andtherewasnothing,afterashabbycoatthathehatedhalfsomuchasasheriff\'sofficer.``Learnalessoninpoliteness,\'\'hesaidtooneofthewretcheswhodraggedhimofftotheMarshalsea.``WhenSirJohnFielding\'speoplecomeaftermetheyusemegenteelly;theyonlyholdupafinger,beckonme,andIfollowasquietlyasalamb. Butyoublusterandinsult,asthoughyouhadneverdealingswithgentlemen.\'\'PoorJack,hewasofaproudstomach,andcouldnotabideinterference;yettheywouldneverlethimgofree.Andhewouldhavebeensohappyhadhebeenallowedhisownway.Topulloutarustypistolnowandagain,andtotakeapursefromatraveller——surelythesewereinnocentpleasures,andhenevermeanttohurtafellow-creature.Butforallhiskindnessofheart,forallhisloveofsplendourandfineclothes,theytookhimatlast. `Andthistime,too,itwasawatchwhichwasourruin.HowoftendidIwarnhim:``Jack,\'\'Iwouldsay,``takeallthemoneyyoucan.Guineastellnotale.Butleavethewatchesintheirowners\'fobs.\'\'Alas!hedidnotheedmywords,andthelastmanheeverstoppedontheroadwasthatpompousrascal,Dr. Bell,thenchaplaintothePrincessAmelia.``Givemeyourmoney,\'\'screamedJack,``andtakenonoticeorI\'llblowyourbrainsout.\'\'Andthedoctorgavehimallthathehad,themean- spiriteddevil-dodger,anditwasnomorethaneighteenpence. Nowwhatshouldamanofcouragedowitheighteenpence?SopoorJackwasforcedtoseizetheparson\'swatchandtrinketsaswell,andthusitwasthatasecondtimewefacedtheBlindBeak. WhenJackbroughthomethewatch,Iwasseizedwithashudderingpresentiment,andIwouldhavegiventheworldtothrowitoutofthewindow.ButIcouldnotbeartoseehimpinchedwithhunger,andhehadalreadytossedthedoctor\'seighteenpencetoabeggarwoman.SoItrudgedofftothepawnbroker\'s,togetwhatpriceI could,andIbethoughtmethatnonewouldknowmeforwhatIwassofarawayasOxfordStreet.Butthemonsterbehindthecounterhadaquicksuspicion,thoughIswearIlookedasinnocentasababe;hediscoveredtheownerofthewatch,andinfamouslyfollowedmetomyhouse. `Thenextdaywewerebotharrested,andoncemorewestoodinthehot,stiflingCourtoftheOldBailey.Jackwasradiantasever,theonespotofcolourandgaietyinthatclose,soddenatmosphere.WhenweweretakenfromBowStreetathousandpeopleformedourguardofhonour,andforamonthwewerethetwinwondersofLondon.Thelightestword,thefleetestsmileoftherenownedhighwayman,threwtheworldintoafitofexcitement,andaglimpseofRannwasworthaking\'sransom.Icouldlookuponhimalldayfornothing!AndIknewwhatafeveroffearthrobbedbehindhismaskofhappycontempt.Yetbravelyheplayedthepartuntotheveryend.IfthetoastsofLondonweredeterminedtogazeathim,heassuredthemtheyshouldhaveapropersalvefortheireyes.Sohedressedhimselfasalight-heartedsportsman.Hiscoatandwaistcoatwereofpea- greencloth;hisbuckskinbreecheswerespotlesslynew,andalltrickedoutwiththefamousstrings;hishatwasboundroundwithsilvercords;andeventheushersoftheCourtweretouchedtocourtesy.Hewouldwhispertome,aswestoodinthedock,``Cheerup,mygirl.IhaveorderedthebestsupperthatCoventGardencanprovide,andwewillmakemerryto-nightwhenthisfoolisholdjudgehasdonehisduty.\'\'Thesupperwasnevereaten.Throughthewearyafternoonwewaitedforacquittal.Theautumnsunsankinhopelessgloom.Thewretchedlampstwinkledthroughthejadedairofthecourt-house.InanhourIlivedathousandyearsofmisery,andwhenthesentencewasread,thewordscarriednosensetomywitheredbrain.ItwasonlyinmycellIrealisedthatIhadseenJackRannforthelasttime;thathispea-greencoatwouldproveafinalandineffaceablememory. `Alas!I,whohadneverbeenmarried,wasalreadyahempenwidow; butIwastoohopelesslyheartbrokenformylover\'sfatetothinkofmyownpaltryhardship.Ineversawhimagain.TheytoldmethathesufferedatTyburnlikeaman,andthathecounteduponarescuetotheveryend.Theytoldme(stillbitterernewstohear)thattwodaysbeforehisdeathheentertainedsevenwomenatsupper,andwasinthewildesthumour.Thisalmostbrokemyheart;itwasaninfidelitycommittedontheothersideofthegrave.But,poorJack,hewasagoodlad,andlovedmemorethanthemall,thoughhenevercouldbefaithfultome.\'Andthus,biddingthedrawerbringfreshglasses,EllenRoachwouldendherstory.Thoughshehadtolditahundredtimes,atthelastwordsatearalwayssparkledinhereye.Shelivedwithoutfriendandwithoutlover,faithfultothememoryofSixteen- StringJack,whoforherwastheonlyrealityintheworldofshades.Hermiddle-agewasasdistantasheryouth.Thedressmaker\'sinOxfordStreetwasasvagueadreamastheinhospitableshoreofBotanyBay.Soshewaitedontoawearyeld,proudofthe`GreenPig\'s\'well-orderedcomfort,prouderstillthatfortwoyearsshesharedthegloryofJackRann,andthatshedidnotdesertherhero,eveninhispunishment. III APARALLEL (GILDEROYANDSIXTEEN- STRINGJACK) APARALLEL (GILDEROYANDSIXTEEN-STRINGJACK) THEIRclosestparallelisthenotorietywhichdoggedthemfromtheverydayoftheirdeath.Each,forhisownexploits,wasthemostfamousmanofhistime,thefavouriteofbroadsides,theprimeherooftheballad-mongers.Andeachowedhisfameasmuchtogoodfortuneastomerit,sincebothwereexcelledintheirgenerationbymoreskilfulscoundrels.IfGilderoywasunsurpassedinbrutality,hefellimmeasurablybelowHindinartistryandwit,normayhebecomparedtosuchaccomplishedhighwaymenasMullSackortheGoldenFarmer.Hismethodwasnotelevatedbyatouchofthegrandstyle.Hestampedalltherulesoftheroadbeneathhiscontemptuousfoot,andcarednotwhatenormityhecommittedinhisquestforgold.Yet,thoughhelivedinthetrueAugustanage,heyieldedtonooneofhisrivalsingloriousrecognition.So,too,JackRann,oftheSixteenStrings,wasanearcontemporaryofGeorgeBarrington. Whilethatnimble-fingeredprigwasmakingabrilliantappearanceatVauxhall,andemptyingthepocketsofhisintimates,RannwasridingoverHounslowHeath,andflashinghispistolintheeyeofthewayfarer.TheveryyearinwhichJackdancedhislastjigatTyburn,BarringtonhadastonishedLondonbyafruitlessattempttostealPrinceOrloff\'smiraculoussnuff- box.AndnotevenEllenRoachherselfwouldhavedaredtoassertthatRannwasBarrington\'sequalinsleightofhand.ButRannholdshisownagainstthebestofhiscraft,withanimperishablename,whileahostofmoredistinguishedcracksmenareexcludedevenfromtheNewgateCalendar. Intruth,thereisonequalitywhichhasnaughttodowithartisticsupremacy;andinthisqualitybothRannandGilderoywererichbeyondtheirfellows.Theyknew(nonebetter)howtoimposeupontheworld.Hadtheirdesertsbeenevenlessthantheywere,theywouldstillhavebeenbravelynotorious.Itisacommonsuperstitionthatthetalentforadvertisementhasbutatransitoryeffect,thattimesetsallmenintheirproperplaces. Nothingcanbemorefalse;forhewhohasoncedeclaredhimselfamongthegreatonesoftheearth,notonlyholdshispositionwhilehelives,butforcesanunreasoningadmirationuponthefuture.Thoughhedeclinesfromtheloftythrone,whereonhisownvanityandloveofpraisehavesethim,hestillstandsabovethemodestlevelwhichcontentsthegenuinelygreat.WhydoesEuripidesstillthrowashadowupontheworthierpoetsofhistime?Becausehehadthefacultyofdisplacement,becausehecouldcompeltheworldtoprofessaninterestnotonlyinhisworkbutinhimself.WhyisMichaelAngeloaloftierfigureinthehistoryofartthanDonatello,thesupremesculptorofhistime?BecauseDonatellohadnotthetemperwhichwouldbullyahundredpopes,andextractamagnificentadvertisementfromeachencounter.WhydoesShelleystillclaimalargershareoftheworld\'sadmirationthanKeats,hisindubitablesuperior?BecauseShelleywasblessedorcursedwiththetrickofinterestingtheworldbytheaccidentsofhislife. SobyasimilarfacultyGilderoyandJackRannhavekeptthemselvesandtheirachievementsinthelightofday.Hadtheylivedinthenineteenthcenturytheymighthavebeenthevendorsofpatentpills,orthechairmenofbubblecompanies.Whatevertradetheyhadfollowed,theirnameswouldhavebeenoneveryhoarding,theirwareswouldhavebeenpuffedineveryjournal. Theyunderstoodtheartofpublicitybetterthananyoftheircontemporaries,andtheyarerememberednotbecausetheywerethebestthievesoftheirtime,butbecausetheyweredeterminedtointerestthepeopleintheirmisdeeds.Gilderoy\'sbrutality,whichwasalwaystheatrical,ensuredaconstantremembrance,andtheloftygallowsaddedtohisrepute;whilethebrilliantinspirationofthestrings,whichdecoratedRann\'sbreeches,wassufficienttoconquerdeath.HowshouldaherosinktooblivionwhohadchosenforhimselfsosplendidanameasSixteen- StringJack? Sofar,then,theirachievementisparallel.Andparallelalsoistheirtasteformelodrama.Eachemployedmeanstoogreatortooviolentfortheendinview.Gilderoyburnthousesandravishedwomen,whenhissoleobjectwastheacquisitionofmoney.Sixteen-StringJackterrifiedBagniggeWellswiththedreadfulannouncementthathewasahighwayman,whenhiskindly,stupidheartwouldhaveshrunkfromthesheddingofadropofblood.Sotheybothblusteredthroughtheworld,theoneindeed,theotherinword;andbothplayedtheirpartswithsolittlerefinementthattheyfrightenedthegroundlingstoatimidadmiration.Heretheresemblanceisatanend.IntheessentialsoftheirtradeGilderoywasaprofessional,Rannamereamateur.Theybothbullied;but,whileSixteen-StringJackwascontenttoshoutthreats,andpickuphalf-a-crown,Gilderoybreathedmurder,anddemandedavastransom.Onlyonceinhiscareerdidthe`disgracefulScotsman\'becomegayanddebonair. Onlyoncedidherelaxthetensionofhisfrown,andpickpocketswiththelightnessandfreedomofagentleman.ItwasonhisvoyagetoFrancethatheforgothisoldpolicyofarsonandpillage,andtrulytheCourtoftheGreatKingwasnottheplaceforhisrapaciouscruelty.JackRann,ontheotherhand,wouldhavetakenlifeasaprolongedjest,ifSirJohnFieldingandthesheriffshadnotcheckedhismirth.Hewasbutabunglerontheroad,withnomoreresourcethanhemighthavelearnedfromthecommonchap-book,orfromthedyingspeeches,hawkedinNewgateStreet.Buthehadafinetalentformerriment;helovednothingsowellasasmartcoatandaprettywoman.Thievingwasnopassionwithhim,butanecessity.HowcouldhedanceatamasqueradeorcourthisEllenwithanemptypocket?Sohetooktotheroadasthesoleprofessionofanidleman,andhebulliedhiswayfromHounslowtoEppinginsheerlightnessofheart. Afterall,torobDr.Bellofeighteenpencewastheworkofasimpleton.Itwasaveryprettytastewhichexpresseditselfinapea-greencoatanddeathlessstrings;andRannwillkeepposterity\'srespectratherfortheaccessoriesofhisartthanfortheartitself.Ontheotherhand,youcannotimagineGilderoyhabitedotherwisethaninblack;youcannotimaginethismonstrousmatricidetakingpleasureinthesmallereleganciesoflife.Fromfirsttolasthewasthesternandbeetle-browedmarauder,whowouldhavedespisedthefripperyofSixteen-StringJackasvehementlyashissuddenappearancewouldhavefrightenedthefoppishloverofEllenRoach. Theirconductwithwomenissufficientindexoftheircharacter. JackRannwastoogeneralaloverforfidelity.Buthewasamiable,eveninhisunfaithfulness;hewontheundyingaffectionofhisEllen;heneverstoodinthedockwithoutanosegaytiedupbyfairandnimblefingers;hewasattendedtoTyburnbyabevyofdistinguishedadmirers.Gilderoy,ontheotherhand,approachedwomeninaspiritofviolence.HisSadictemperdrovehimtokillthosewhomheaffectedtolove.Andhiscrueltywasamplyrepaid.WhileEllenRoachperjuredherselftosavethelover,towhosememorysheprofessedalifelongloyalty,itwasPegCunninghamwhowreakedhervengeanceinthebetrayalofGilderoy.Heremainedtruetohischaracter,whenherippedupthebellyofhisbetrayer.Thiswastheclosingactofhislife. Rann,also,wasconsistent,eventothegallows.Thenightbeforehisdeathheentertainedsevenwomenatsupper,andoutlaughedthemall.Thecontrastisnotsoviolentasitappears.Theoneactismelodrama,theotherfarce.Andwhatisfarce,butmelodramainahappiershape? THOMASPURENEY THOMASPURENEY THOMASPURENEY,ArchbishopamongOrdinaries,livedandpreachedintheheydayofNewgate.HiswasthegoodfortunetowitnessSheppard\'sencounterwiththetopsman,andtoshrivethebatteredsoulofJonathanWild.Nordidhefalloneinchbelowhisopportunity.DesignedbyProvidencetoadministerafinalconsolationtotheevil-doer,hepermittednofalseambitiontodistracthistalent.Assomemenarebornforthegallows,sohewasborntothumpthecushionofaprisonpulpit;andhispeculiaraptitudewasrevealedtohimbeforehehadtimetospendhisstrengthinmistakenendeavour. Forthirtyyearshissquat,stoutfigurewasamiablyfamiliartoallsuchasenjoyedtheLibertiesoftheJug.Forthirtyyearshismottlednoseandtherubicundityofhischeeksweretheineffaceableensignsofhisintemperance.Yettherewasagrimyhumourinhisforbiddingaspect.Thefustyblackcoat,whichsatilluponhisshamblingframe,wasallbesmirchedwithspilledsnuff,andtheleesofathousandquartpots.Thebandsofhisprofessionwereeverawryuponatatteredshirt.Hisancientwigscattereddustandpowderashewent,whileasinglebuckleofsometawdrymetalgavealookofodditytohisclumsy,slipshodfeet.Acaricatureofaman,heambledandchuckledandseizedtheeasypleasureswithinhisreach.Therewasneverasummer\'sdaybuthecaughtuponhisbrowthefewfaintgleamsofsunlightthatpenetratedthegloomyyard.Hourafterhourhewouldsit,hisshortfingershardlylinkedacrosshisbelly,drinkinghiscupofale,andpuffingatahalf-extinguishedtobacco-pipe.Meanwhilehewouldreflectuponthosetriumphsoforatorywhichwerehissupremedelight.IfitfellonaMondaythathetooktheair,asmileofsatisfactionlituphisfat,loosefeatures,forstillheponderedtheeffectofyesterday\'smasterpiece.OnSaturdaythegladexpectancyofto-morrowlenthimacertainjoyousdignity.Atothertimeshiseyelackedlustre,hisgesturebuoyancy,unlessindeedhewerecalledupontofollowthecarttoTyburn,ortocomposetheLastDyingSpeechofsomenotoriousmalefactor. Preachingwasthemasterpassionofhislife.Itwasthepulpitthatreconciledhimtoexilewithinagreatcity,andpersuadedhimtotheenjoymentofroguishcompany.Thosetherewerewhodeemedhiscareerunfortunate;butasenseoffitnessmighthavecheckedtheirpity,anditwasonlyinhishoursofmaudlinconfidencethattheReverendThomasconfessedtodisappointment. BornofrespectableparentsintheCountyofCambridgeshire,henurturedhisyouthupontheexploitsofJamesHindandtheGoldenFarmer.Hisboyishpleasurewastolieintheditch,whichboundedhisfather\'sorchard,studyingthatnowforgottenmasterpiece,`There\'snoJestlikeaTrueJest.\'Thenitwasthathefelt`immortallongingsinhisblood.\'Hewouldtaketotheroad,soheswore,andholduphisenemieslikeagentleman. Once,indeed,hewassurprisedbytheclergymanoftheparishinacttoescapefromtherectorywithtwovolumesofsermonsandasilverflagon.Thedivinewasmindedtospeakseriouslytohimconcerningthedreadfulsinofrobbery,andhavingstrengthenedhimwithtextsandgoodcounsel,tosendhimforthunpunished. `Thievingandcovetousness,\'saidtheparson,`mustinevitablybringyoutothegallows.Ifyouwoulddieinyourbed,repentyouofyourevildoing,androbnomore.\'TheexhortationwasnotlostuponPureney,who,chastenedinspirit,straightlyprevaileduponhisfathertoenterhimapensioneratCorpusChristiCollegeintheUniversityofCambridge,thatatthepropertimehemighttakeorders. AtCambridgehegatherednomoreknowledgethanwasnecessaryforhisprofession,andwastedsuchhoursasshouldhavebeengiventostudyindrinking,dicing,andevenlessreputablepleasures. Yetrepentancewasalwayseasy,andheacceptedhisfirstcuracy,atNewmarket,withabraveheartandagoodhopefulness. Fortunatewasthechoiceofthisearlycure.Hadhebeengentlyguidedattheoutset,whoknowsbuthemighthavelivedouthislifeinrespectableobscurity?ButNewmarketthen,asnow,wasatownofjollityanddissipation,andPureneyyieldedwithoutpersuasiontothepleasuresdeniedhiscloth.Therewaseverafiretoextinguishathisthroat,norcouldheveilhiswantoneyeatthesightofaprettywench.Againandagainthelustofpreachingurgedhimtorepent,yetheslidbackuponhispastgaiety,untilParsonPureneybecameabyword.DismissedfromNewmarketindisgrace,hewanderedthecountryupanddowninsearchofapulpit,butsoinfamousbecamethehabitofhislifethatonlyinprisoncouldhefindanaudiencefitandresponsive. And,inthenick,thechaplaincyofNewgatefellvacant.Herewastheoccasiontotemperdissipationwithpiety,toindulgethetwofoldambitionofhislife.Whatmatteredit,ifwithintheprisonwallshedippedhisnosemoredeeplyintothepunch-bowlthanbecameadivine?Therascalswouldbutrespecthimthemoreforhisprowess,andknitmorecloselythebondofsympathy. Besides,afterpreachingandpunchhebestlovedapenitent,andwhereintheworldcouldhefindsorichacropoferringsoulsripeforrepentanceasingaol?Henceforthhemightthreaten,bluster,andcajole.Ifamiabilityprovedfruitlesshewouldputcrueltytothetest,andterrifyhisvictimsbyaspiritedreferencetoHellandtothatBurningLaketheyweresosoontotraverse.Atlast,thoughthe,Ishallbesureofmyeffect,andtheprospectflatteredhisvanity.Intruth,hewonanimmediateandassuredsuccess.Likethecommonfileorcracksman,hefellintothehabitoftheplace,intriguingwithalltheclevernessofapractiseddiplomatist,andsettingonepartyagainsttheotherthathemightindueseasondecidethetrumperydispute.Thetrustedfriendofmanyadistinguishedprigandmurderer,hesointimatelymasteredtheslangandetiquetteoftheJug,thathewasappointedarbiterofallthosenicequestionsofhonourwhichagitatedthemorereputableamongthecross-coves.Butthesewerethediversionsofastrenuousmind,anditwasinthepulpitorintheclosetthattheReverendThomasPureneyrevealedhistruetalent. Astheruffianhadasenseofdrama,sohewasdeterminedthathiswordsshouldscaldandbitethepenitent.WhenthecondemnedpewwasfullofaSundayhishappinesswascomplete.Nowhisdeepchestwouldhurlsalvoonsalvoofplatitudesagainstthesounding-board;nowhisvoice,loweredtoawhisper,wouldcoaxthehopelessprisonerstopreparetheirsouls.Inaparoxysmoffeignedangerhewouldcrushthecushionwithhisclenchedfist,orleaningoverthepulpitsideasthoughtoapproachthenearertohisvictims,wouldrollacoldandbittereyeuponthem,asofacatwatchingcagedbirds.Onefamousgesturewasirresistible,andheneveremployeditbutsomepoorruffianfellsenselesstothefloor.Hisstumpyfingerswouldfixanooseofairroundsomeimaginedneck,andsodevoutlywasthepantomimestudiedthatyoualmostheardthecreakoftheretreatingcartasthephantomculpritwasturnedoff.Buthisconductinthepulpitwasduetonoferocityoftemperament.Hemerelyexercisedhislegitimatecraft.SolongasNewgatesuppliedhimwithanenforcedaudience,solongwouldhethunderandblusteratthewrongdoeraccordingtolawandthedictatesofhisconscience. Many,intruth,werehistriumphs,but,ashewouldmutterinhisgarrulousoldage,neverwashesosuccessfulasinthelastexhortationdeliveredtoMatthiasBrinsden.Now,MatthiasBrinsdenincontinentlymurderedhiswifebecausesheharbouredtooeageraloveofthebrandy-shop.Amodelhusband,hehadsparednopainsinhercorrection.Hehadfloggedherwithoutmercyandwithoutresult.Hisonedesignwastomakehiswifeobeyhim,which,astheScripturessay,allwivesshoulddo.Butthelustofbrandyovercamewifelyobedience,andBrinsden,hopingforthebest,wasconstrainedtocutaholeinherskull. Thenextdayshewasasimpudentasever,untilMatthiasroseyetmorefiercelyinhiswrath,andtheshrewperished.ThenwasThomasPureney\'sopportunity,andtheSundayfollowingthemiscreant\'scondemnationhedelivereduntohimandseventeenothermalefactorsthemovingdiscoursewhichherefollows: `Weshalltakeourtext,\'gruffedtheOrdinary`FromoutthePsalms:``Bloodthirstyanddeceitfulmenshallnotliveouthalftheirdays.\'\'Andfirstly,weshallexpoundtoyoutheheinoussinofmurder,whichisunlawful(1)accordingtotheNaturalLaws,(2)accordingtotheJewishLaw,(3)accordingtotheChristianLaw,proportionablystronger.ByNature\'tisunlawfulas\'tisinjuringSociety:as\'tisrobbingGodofwhatisHisRightandProperty;as\'tisdeprivingtheSlainofthesatisfactionofEating,Drinking,Talking,andtheLightoftheSun,whichitishisrighttoenjoy.Andespecially\'tisunlawful,asitissendingaSoulnakedandunpreparedtoappearbeforeawrathfulandavengingDeitywithouttimetomakehisSoulcomposedlyortolistentothethoughtfulministrationsofone(likeourselves)soundlyversedinDivinity.BytheJewishLaw\'tisforbidden,forisitnotwritten(Gen.ix.6): ``WhosoeversheddethMan\'sBlood,byManhisBloodshallbeshed\'\'?AndifanEyebegivenforanEye,aToothforaTooth,howshalltheMurdererescapewithhisdishonouredLife?\'TisfurtherforbiddenbytheChristianLaw(proportionablystronger). Butonthisheadwewouldspeaknoword,forwerenotyouall,O miserableSinners,bornnotintheDarknessofHeathendom,butintheburningLightofChristianEngland?