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
I
DEACONBRODIE
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.\'
II
CHARLESPEACE
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.
