INTRODUCTION
Thereareothermanifestationsofgreatnessthantorelievesufferingortowreckanempire.JuliusCsarandJohnHowardarenottheonlyheroeswhohavesmiledupontheworld.Inthesupremeadaptationofmeanstoanendthereisaconstantnobility,forneitherambitionnorvirtueistheessentialofaperfectaction.Howshallyoucontemplatewithindifferencethecareerofanartistwhomgeniusorgoodguidancehascompelledtoexercisehispeculiarskill,toindulgehisfineraptitudes?A
masterlytheftrisesinitsclaimtorespecthighabovethereprobationofthemoralist.Thescoundrel,whenoncejusticeisquitofhim,hasarighttobeappraisedbyhisactions,notbytheireffect;andhediessecureintheknowledgethatheiscommonlymoredistinguished,ifhebelessloved,thanhisvirtuouscontemporaries.
Whilemurderiswellnighasoldaslife,propertyandthepocketinventedtheft,late-bornamongthearts.Itwasnotuntilavaricehaddevisedmanyacunningtrickfortheprotectionofwealth,untilcivilisationhadmultipliedtheformsofportableproperty,thatthievingbecamealiberalandanelegantprofession.True,inpastoralsociety,thelawlessmanwaseagertoliftcattle,tobreakdownthebarrierbetweenrobberyandwarfare.ButthecontrastisassharpbetweenthesavageryoftheancientreiverandthepolishedperformanceofCaptainHindasbetweenthedaubofthepavementandtheperfectionofVelasquez.
SolongastheGothicspiritgovernedEurope,expressingitselfinuselessornamentandwantonbrutality,themoredelicatecraftshadnohopeofexercise.Eventheadventurerupontheroadthreatenedhisvictimwithabludgeon,norwasituntilthebreathoftheRenaissancehadvivifiedtheworldthatagentlemanandanartistcouldfacethetravellerwithacourteousdemandforhispurse.ButtheagewhichwitnessedtheenterpriseofDrakeandthetriumphofShakespeareknewalsotheprowessofthehighwaymanandthedexterityofthecutpurse.Thoughtheartdisplayedallthefreshnessandcuriosityoftheprimitives,stillitwasart.WithGamalielRatsey,whodemandedascenefromHamletofarifledplayer,andwhocouldnotrobaCambridgescholarwithoutbiddinghimdeliveranorationinawood,theftwasalreadybetterthanavulgarextortion.MollCutpurse,whoseintelligenceandaudacitywereneverbettered,wasamongthebravestoftheElizabethans.HertemperamentwasaslargeandasrecklessasBenJonson'sown.Neitherhertonguenorhercourageknewthecurbofmodesty,andshewasthefirsttoreducehercrafttoasetofwiseandimperiousrules.
Sheitwaswhodiscoveredthesecretofdiscipline,andwhoinsistedthateverymemberofhergangshouldundertakenootherenterprisethanthatforwhichnaturehadframedhim.Thusshemadeeasythepathforthatotherhero,ofwhomyouaretoldthathisbandwasmadeup`ofseveralsortsofwickedartists,ofwhomhemadeseveraluses,accordingasheperceivedwhichwayeveryman'sparticulartalentlay.'Thisstatesman——ThomasDunwashisname——drewupfortheuseofhiscomradesastringentandstatelycode,andhewaswonttodeliveranaddresstoallnovicesconcerningtheartandmysteryofrobbinguponthehighway.
Underauspicessobrilliant,thieverycouldnotbutflourish,andwhentheStuartssatuponthethroneitwasalreadyliftedabovethelevelofquestioningexperiment.
Everyartisshapedbyitsmaterial,andwiththevariationsofitsmaterialitmustperforcevary.Iftheskillofthecutpursecompelledtheinventionofthepocket,itiscertainthattheraredifficultiesofthepocketcreatedthemiraculousskillofthosecraftyfingerswhichweredestinedtoemptyit.Andasincreasedobstaclesareperfection'sbestincentive,afinercunninggrewoutofthefreshprecaution.Historydoesnottelluswhoitwasthatdiscoveredthisnewcontinentofroguery.
ThosetherearewhogivethecredittothevaliantMollCutpurse;
butthoughtheRoaringGirlhadwittoconceiveathousandstrangeenterprises,shehadnotthehandtocarrythemout,andthefirstpickpocketmustneedshavebeenamanofaction.
Moreover,hernicknamesuggeststhemoreancientpractice,anditiswisertoyieldthecredittoSimonFletcher,whosepraisesarechantedbytheearlyhistorians.
Now,Simon,sayshisbiographer,was`lookedupontobethegreatestartistofhisagebyallhiscontemporaries.'ThesonofabakerinRosemaryLane,heearlydesertedhisfather'sovenforalifeofadventure;andheclaimstohavebeenthefirstcollectorwho,stealingthemoney,yetleftthecase.Thenewmethodwasincomparablymoresubtlethantheold:itaffordedanopportunityofahithertounimagineddelicacy;thewieldersofthescissorswereaghastataskillwhichputtheirownclumsinesstoshame,andwhichtoapreviousgenerationwouldhaveseemedthewildestfantasy.Yetsostrongishabit,thatevenwhenthepickingofpocketswasarecognisedindustry,thesuperfluousscissorsstillsurvived,andmanyaroguehashangedupontheTreebecauseheattemptedwithavulgarimplementsuchfeatsashisunaidedforkshadfarmoreeasilyaccomplished.
But,despitetheinnovationofSimonFletcher,thehighwaywasthegloryofElizabeth,thestillgreatergloryoftheStuarts.
`TheLacedmoniansweretheonlypeople,'saidHoraceWalpole,`excepttheEnglishwhoseemtohaveputrobberyonarightfoot.'AndtheEnglishoftheseventeenthcenturyneedfeartherivalryofnoLacedmonian.Theywere,indeed,themostvaliantandgracefulrobbersthattheworldhaseverknown.TheCivilWarencouragedtheirprofession,and,sincemanyofthemhadfoughtfortheirking,aproperhatredofCromwellsharpenedtheirwits.Theywerescholarsaswellasgentlemen;theytemperedtheirsportwithamerrywit;theiravaricealonesurpassedtheircourtesy;andtheyrobbedwithsoperfectaregardfortheproprietiesthatitwasonlythepedantandtheparliamentarianwhoresentedtheirinterference.
Nordidtheirprincelymannerfailofitseffectupontheirvictims.Themiddleoftheseventeenthcenturywasthegoldenage,notonlyoftherobber,butoftherobbed.Thegamewasplayeduponeithersidewithascrupulousrespectforapotent,ifunwritten,law.Neithermightnorrightwaspermittedtocontroltheissue.Agailyattired,superblymountedhighwaymanwouldholdupacoachpackedwitharmedmen,andtakeapursefromeach,thoughavigorousremonstrancemighthavecarriedhimtoTyburn.Butthetravellerknewhisplace:hedidwhatwasexpectedofhiminthebestoftempers.Whowashethatheshouldyieldincourtesytothemaninthevizard?Asitwasmonstrousfortheonetodischargehispistol,sotheothercouldnotresistwithoutcommittinganoutrageupontradition.Onewonderswhathadbeentheresultifsomemannerlessreformerhaddeclinedhisassailant'sinvitationanddrawnhissword.Maybethesensitiveartmighthavediedunderthissharprebuff.Butnonesaveregicideswereknowntoresist,andtheirresistancewasnevermoreforciblethanavolleyoftexts.ThustheHigh-
toby-crackswaggereditwithinsolentgaiety,knowingnoworsemiserythanthefearoftheTree,solongashefollowedtherulesofhiscraft.Butletatouchofbrutalitydisgracehismethod,andheappealedinvainforsympathyorindulgence.Theruffian,forinstance,ofwhomitisgrimlyrecordedthatheaddedatie-wigtohisbooty,neitherdeservednorreceivedthesmallestconsideration.Deliveredtojustice,hespeedilymetthedeathhisvulgaritymerited,andtheroadwastaughtthesalutarylessonthatwigswereassacredastrinketshallowedbyassociation.
Withtheeighteenthcenturythehighwayfellupondecline.Nodoubtinitssilverage,thecentury'sbeginning,manyabrilliantdeedwasdone.Somethingoftheoldpolicysurvived,andmenofspiritstillwentuponthepad.Butthebreadthoftheancientstylewasspeedilyforgotten;andbythetimetheFirstGeorgeclimbedtothethrone,robberywasalreadyasordidtrade.Neithersidewasconsciousofitsnobleobligation.Thevulgaraudacityofabullyingthiefwassuitablyansweredbytheungracious,involuntarysubmissionoftheterrifiedtraveller.
FromendtoendofEnglandyoumighthearthecryof`Standanddeliver.'Yethowchangedtheaccent!Thebeautyofgesture,thedeferenceofcarriage,thereadyresponsetoalegitimatedemand——allthequalitiesofadignifiedartwerelostforever.
Asitsprofessorsincreasedinnumber,thenoteofaristocracy,oncedominant,wassilenced.Themeanestrogue,whocouldhireahorse,mightcutacontemptiblefigureonBagshotHeath,andfeelnoshameatrobbingapoorman.Once——inthatAugustanage,whosebrightestornamentwasCaptainHind——itwassomethingofadistinctiontobedecentlyplundered.Acenturylatertherewasnonesohumblebuthemightbeaskedtoemptyhispocket.Inbrief,theblightofdemocracywasuponwhatshouldhaveremainedarefined,secludedart;andnowiseisthedecaybetterillustratedthanintheappreciationofbunglers,whoseexploitswerescarcewortharecord.
JamesMaclaine,forinstance,wastheheroofhisage.Inahistoryofcowardshewoulddeservethefirstplace,andthe`GentlemanHighwayman,'ashewaspompouslystyled,enjoyedatriumphdeniedtomanyavictoriousgeneral.LordMountfordledhalfWhite'stodohimhonouronthedayofhisarrest.OnthefirstSunday,whichhespentinNewgate,threethousandjostledforentrancetohiscell,andthepoordevilfaintedthreetimesattheheatcausedbythethrongofhisadmirers.Solongashisfatehunginthebalance,Walpolecouldnottakeuphispenwithoutacomplimenttotheman,whoclaimedtohaverobbedhimnearHydePark.Yetamorepitifulrascalnevershowedthewhitefeather.Notoncewasheknowntotakeapursewithhisownhand,thesummitofhisachievementbeingtoholdthehorses'
headswhilehisaccomplicespokewiththepassengers.Apoltroonbeforehisarrest,inCourthewhimperedandwhinniedformercy;hewascarriedtothecartpallidandtrembling,andnotevenhispreposterousfineryavailedtoheartenhimatthegallows.Taxedwithhistimidity,heattemptedtoexcusehimselfontheinadmissiblepleaofmoralrectitude.`Ihaveasmuchpersonalcourageinanhonourablecause,'heexclaimedinapassageoffalsedignity,`asanymaninBritain;butasIknewI
wascommittingactsofinjustice,soIwenttothemhalflothandhalfconsenting;andinthatsenseIownIamacowardindeed.'
Thedisingenuousnessofthisproclamationisasremarkableasitshypocrisy.Wellmighthebragofhiscourageinanhonourablecause,whenheknewthathecouldneverbeputtothetest.Butwhatpalliationshallyoufindforaroguewithsolittleprideinhisart,thatheexercisedit`halfloth,halfconsenting'?
Itisnotinthisrecreantspiritthatmasterpiecesareachieved,andMaclainehadbetterhavestayedinthefarHighlandparish,whichbredhim,thanhaveattemptedtocutafigureinthelargerworldofLondon.HisfamousencounterwithWalpoleshouldhavecoveredhimwithdisgrace,foritwasignobleateverypoint;andtheartwassolittleunderstood,thatitmerelyaddedaleaftohiscrownofglory.Now,thoughWalpolewasfartoowell-bredtoopposethedemandofanarmedstranger,Maclaine,indefianceofhiscraft,dischargedhispistolataninnocenthead.True,hewrotealetterofapology,andinsistedthat,hadtheonepistol-
shotprovedfatal,hehadanotherinreserveforhimself.ButnotevenWalpolewouldhavebelievedhim,hadnotanamiablefaithgivenhimanopportunityfortheansweringquip:`CanIdolessthansayIwillbehangedifheis?'
AsMaclainewasacowardandnothief,soalsohewasasnobandnogentleman.Hisboastedelegancewasnotmorerespectablethanhisart.Fineclothesaretheembellishmentofatrueadventurer;theyhangillontheslopingshouldersofapoltroon.
AndMaclaine,withalltheostensibleweaknessesofhiskind,wouldclaimregardforthestrengththatheknewnot.HeoccupiedacostlyapartmentinSt.James'sStreet;hismorningdresswasacrimsondamaskbanjam,asilkshagwaistcoat,trimmedwithlace,blackvelvetbreeches,whitesilkstockings,andyellowmoroccoslippers;butsincehismagnificenceaddednojottohiscourage,itwasrathermeanthanadmirable.Indeed,hiswholecareerwasmarredbytheprovincialismofhisnativemanse.
Andhewastheadoredofanintelligentage;hebaskedafewbriefweeksinthenoondaysunoffashion.
IfdistinctionwasnottheheritageoftheEighteenthCentury,itsgloryisthatnowandagainagiantraisedhisheadabovethestatureofaprevailingrectitude.Theartofversewaslostinrhetoric;thenobleprose,inventedbytheElizabethans,andrefinedundertheStuarts,waswhittledawaytocommonsensebytheadmirersofAddisonandSteele.SwiftandJohnson,GibbonandFielding,wereapparitionsofstrengthinanamiable,ineffectiveage.Theyemergedsuddenfromtheimpeccablegreyness,towhichtheyaffordedanheroiccontrast.So,whilethehighwaydrifted——driftedtoavulgarincompetence,thecraftwasilluminedbymanyaflashofunexpectedgenius.ThebrilliantachievementsofJonathanWildandofJackSheppardmighthaverelievedthegloomofthedarkestera,andtheirseparatemasterpiecesmakesomeatonementfortheenvironingcowardiceandstupidity.Aboveall,theEighteenthCenturywasNewgate'sgoldenage;nowforthefirsttimeandthelastweretherulesandcustomsoftheJugperfectlyunderstood.IfJonathantheGreatwasunrivalledintheartofclappinghisenemiesintoprison,ifJacktheSlip-stringwassupremeintherarerartofgettinghimselfout,eventhemeanestcriminalofhistimeknewwhatwasexpectedofhim,solongashewanderedwithinthewalledyard,orlistenedtotheministrationsofthesnuff-besmirchedOrdinary.Hemightshowalamentablelackofclevernessincarryingoffhisbooty;hemightproveatooeasyvictimtothewilesofthethief-catcher;butheneverfellshortofcourage,whenaskedtosustaintheconsequencesofhiscrime.
Newgate,comparedbyoneeminentauthortoauniversity,byanothertoaship,wasarepublic,whoselibertyextendedonlysofarasitsirondoor.Whiletherewasnolibertywithout,therewaslicencewithin;andiftheculprit,whopaidforthesmallestindiscretionwithhisneck,understoodtheetiquetteoftheplace,hespenthislastweeksinanorgieofrollickinglawlessness.Hedrank,heate,hediced;hereceivedhisfriends,orchaffedtheOrdinary;heattempted,throughthewell-
paidcunningoftheClerk,tobribethejury;andwheneveryartificehadfailedhewenttoTyburnlikeaman.Ifheknewnothowtolive,atleasthewouldshowaresentfulworldhowtodie.
`Innocountry,'wroteSirT.Smith,adistinguishedlawyerofthetime,`domalefactorsgotoexecutionmoreintrepidlythaninEngland';andassuredly,buoyedupbycustomandtheapprovaloftheirfellows,Wild'svictimsmadeabraveshowatthegallows.
Norwastheirbraverytheresultofacommoncallousness.Theyunderstoodatoncethehumourandthedelicacyofthesituation.
ThoughhithertotheyhadchaffedtheOrdinary,theynowlistenedtohisexhortationwithatleastasemblanceofrespect;andthoughtheirlastnightuponearthmighthavebeendevotedtoajoyouscompany,theydidnotwithholdtheirearfromtheBellman'sChant.Astwelveo'clockapproached——theirlastmidnightuponearth——theywouldinterruptthemostspiriteddiscourse,theywouldcheckthetourofthemellowestbottletolistentothesolemndoggerel.`Allyouthatinthecondemn'dholedolie,'groanedtheBellmanofSt.Sepulchre'sinhisduskiestvoice,andtheywhoheldrevelinthecondemnedholeprayedsilenceoftheirfriendsforthefamiliarcadences:
Allyouthatinthecondemn'dholedolie,Prepareyou,forto-morrowyoushalldie,Watchallandpray,thehourisdrawingnear,Thatyoubeforeth'Almightymustappear.
Examinewellyourselves,intimerepentThatyoumaynott'eternalflamesbesent;
AndwhenSt.Pulchre'sbellto-morrowtolls,TheLordabovehavemercyonyoursouls.
Pasttwelveo'clock!
Evenifthiswarningvoicestruckamomentaryterrorintotheiroffendingsouls,theywereupbetimesinthemorning,eagertopaytheirfinaldebt.TheirjourneyfromNewgatetoTyburnwasatriumph,andtheirvanitywasunabashedatthedroningmenacesoftheOrdinary.Atonepointachorusofmaidenscastwreathsupontheirway,orpinnednosegaysintheircoats,thattheymightnotfacetheexecutionerunadorned.AttheCrownTaverntheyquaffedtheirlastglassofale,andtoldthelandlordwithmanyaleerandsmirkthattheywouldpayhimontheirwayback.Thoughgravitywasasked,itwasnotalwaysgiven;butintheEighteenthCenturycouragewasseldomwanting.Tothecommoncitizenaviolentdeathwasandistheworstofhorrors;totheancienthighwaymanitwastheoddtricklostinthegameoflife.Andthehighwaymanenduredtherope,asthepractisedgamblerloseshisestate,withoutblenching.Onetherewas,whofelthislegtrembleinhisowndespite:whereforehestampedituponthegroundsoviolently,thatinothercircumstanceshewouldhaveroaredwithpain,andhelefttheworldwithoutatremor.InthisspiritCranmerburnthisrecreantrighthand,andineithercasetheglamourofauniqueoccasionwasastimulustocourage.
Butnoteventhisbrillianttreatmentofaccessoriesavailedtosavethehighwayfromdisrepute;indeed,ithadbecometheprofitlesspursuitofbraggartsandloafers,longbeforetheabolitionofthestage-coachdestroyeditsopportunity.Inthemeantime,however,thepickpocketwasmasterofhistrade.Hisstrategywasperfect,hissleightofhandasdelicateaslong,lithefingersandnimblebrainscouldmakeit.HehaddiscardedforeverthoseclumsyinstrumentswhoseusehadbarredtheprogressofthePrimitives.Thebreast-pocketbehindthetightestbuttonedcoatpresentednodifficultytohisloveofresearch,andhewouldpenetratethestoutestfriezeorthelightestsatin,aseasilyasJackSheppardmadeaholethroughNewgate.Histrickofrobberywassosimpleandyetsosuccessful,thateversinceithasremainedatradition.Thecollision,thevictim'smurmuredapology,thehastyscuffle,thebootyhandedtotheaide-de-camp,whoisoutofsightbeforethehueandcrycanberaised——suchwasthepolicyadvocatedtwohundredyearsago;suchisthepolicypursuedtodaybythefewartiststhatremain.
Throughouttheeighteenthcenturytheartofcly-fakinghelditsown,thoughitsreputationpaledintheglamourofthehighway.
ItculminatedinGeorgeBarrington,whosevividgeniuspersuadedhimtoworkaloneandtocarryoffhisownbooty;itstillflourishedinasilveragewhentheincomparableHaggartperformedhisprodigiesofskill;eveninourprosaictimesomeflashesoftheancientgloryhavebeenseen.Nowandagaincircumstanceshavedrivenitintoeclipse.WhenthefacilesentimentoftheEarlyVictorianErapoisedthetearofsympathyuponeverytremblingeyelid,themostobduratewasforcedtoprovidehimselfwithasilkhandkerchiefofequalsizeandvalue.
Now,awipeistheeasiestbootyintheworld,andtheArtfulDodgermightgrowrichwithouttheexerciseofthesmallestskill.Butwipesdwindled,withdwindlingsensibility;andoncemorethepickpocketwasforceduponclevernessorextinction.
Atthesametimethemoretruculenttradeofhousebreakingwaswinningalessertriumphofitsown.Never,saveinthehandsofoneortwodistinguishedpractitioners,hasthisclumsy,brutalpursuittakenontherefinementofanart.Essentiallymodern,ithasgenerallybeenpursuedinthemeanestspiritofgain.
DeaconBrodieclungtoitastoadiversion,buthewasanamateur,withoutaclearunderstandingofhiscraft'spossibilities.ThesolemonarchofhousebreakerswasCharlesPeace.Atasinglestridehesurpassedhispredecessors;norhasthegreatestofhisimitatorsbeenworthytohandonthecandlewhichheleftatthegallows.Fortherest,thereissmalldistinctioninbreakingwindows,wieldingcrowbars,andbatteringthebrainsofdefencelessoldgentlemen.AnditistosuchmiserabletricksasthisthathewhotwocenturiessincerodeabroadinallthegloryoftheHigh-toby-splicedescendsinthesedaysofavariceandstupidity.Thelegislatorswhodecreedthathenceforththeropeshouldbereservedfortheultimatecrimeofmurderwereinspiredwithapropersenseofhumourandproportion.Itwouldbeignobletodignifythatuglyenterpriseofto-day,thecrackingofsuburbancribs,withthesamepunishmentwhichwasmetedouttoClaudeDuvalandtheimmortalSwitcher.BetterforthechurlthedisgraceofPortlandthanthechanceofheroismandrespectgivenattheTree!
Andwherearetheheroeswhoseartwasasgloriousastheirintrepidity?OneandalltheyhaveclimbedtheascentofTyburn.
Oneandall,theyhaveleapedresplendentfromthecart.Theworld,whichwasthejoyousplaygroundofhighwaymenandpickpockets,isnowtheArcadiaofswindlers.Themanwhooncewentforthtomeethisequalontheroad,nowplundersthedefencelesswidoworthefoolishclergymanfromthesecurityofanoffice.HehaschangedBlackBessforabrougham,hispistolforacigar;asleekchimney-potsitsuponthehead,whichoncecarriedajauntyhat,three-cornered;spatshavereplacedthetopsofancienttimes;andaheavyfurcoatadvertisesatoncethewealthandinactionofthemodernbrigand.NolongerdoesheroamtheheathsofHounsloworBagshot;nolongerdoeshetrackthegraziertoacountryfair.Fearfulofanencounter,hechoosesforthefieldsofhisenterprisethebywaysoftheCity,andtheadvertisementcolumnsofthesmuglyChristianPress.Hestealswithoutriskinghisskinorlosinghisrespectability.Thesuburb,whereinhebringsupablameless,flat-footedfamily,regardshimasitsmostrenownedbenefactor.
HeisgenerallyapillarorabuttressoftheChurch,andoftentimesamayor;withhisill-gottenwealthhepromotescharities,andendowsschools;hisportraitispaintedbyasecond-rateAcademician,andhangs,untildisasterovertakeshim,inthetown-hallofhisadoptedborough.
HowmuchworseishethantheHigh-toby-cracksofold!Theywereasbraveaslions;heisaverylousefortimidity.Hisconductismeanerthantheconductofthemostruffianlyburglarthateverworkedacentre-bit.Ofarthehasnottheremotestinkling:thoughhisgreedisboundedbytheBankofEngland,heunderstandsnottheeleganciesoflife;hecaresnothowheplumpshispurse,solongasitbefull;andifhewerecapableofconceivingagrandeffect,hewouldwillinglysurrenderitforapocketedhalf-crown.ThissidetheChannel,inbrief,romanceandthepicturesquearedead;andinFrance,thelastrefugeofcrime,therearealreadysignsofdecay.TheAbb——Rosslotwashisname——shoneforthapurecreator:heowedhisprowesstotheexampleofnone.ButinPariscrimeistoooftenpassionel,andacrimepassionelisacrimewithapurpose,which,likethenovelwithapurpose,isconceivedbyadullard,andcarriedoutforthegratificationofthemiddle-class.
Towhitewashthescoundrelistoputuponhimtheheaviestdishonour:adishonourcomparableonlytothemonstrouslyillogicaltreatmentofthecondemned.Whenonceaherohasforfeitedhisrighttocomfortandfreedom,whenheisdeemednolongerfittoliveuponearth,thePrisonChaplain,encouraginghimtoafinalactofhypocrisy,giveshimafreepasssotosayintoanotherandmoreexclusiveworld.So,too,themoralistwouldtestthethiefbyhisownnarrowstandard,forgettingthatallprofessionsarenotrestrainedbythesamecode.Theroadhasitsordinancesaswellasthelecture-room;
andifthethiefiscommonlyabadmoralist,itiscertainthatnomoralistwaseveragreatthief.Whythendetractfromaman'slegitimateglory?Isitnotwisertorespect`thatdeepintuitionofoneness,'whichColeridgesaysis`atthebottomofourfaultsaswellasourvirtues?'Torecognisethatafaultinanhonestmanisavirtueinascoundrel?Afterall,heiseminentwho,inobediencetohistalent,doesprodigiesofvalourunrivalledbyhisfellows.Andnonehassomanyopportunitiesofvariouseminenceasthescoundrel.
Thequalitieswhichmayprofitablybeappliedtoacrosslifeareuncommonandinnumerable.Itisnotgiventoallmentobelight-brained,light-limbed,light-fingered.Acouragewhichshallfaceanenemyunderthestarlight,orbeneaththeshadowofawall,whichshalltrackitspreytoawell-defendedlair,isfarrarerthanalaw-abidingcowardice.Therecklessnessthatrisksallforapresentadvantageiscalledgenius,ifavictoriousgeneralurgeittosuccess;norcanyoudenytotheintrepidHighwayman,whosesuddenresolutiontriumphsataninstantofperil,thepossessionofanadmirablegift.Butallheroeshavenotprovedthemselvesexcellentatallpoints.Thisonehasbeendistinguishedforthecourtlymannerofhisattack,thatotherforapresciencewhichdiscoversbootybehindacoach-
doororwithinthepocketofabuttonedcoat.IfCartouchewasamasterofstrategy,Barringtonwasunmatchedinanotherbranch;
andeachmayclaimthecreditduetoapeculiareminence.Itisonlythusthatyoumaymeasureconflictingtalents:asitwereunfairtojudgeapoetbyabriefexperimentinprose,soitwouldbemonstroustocheapentheaccomplishmentsofapickpocket,becausehebungledattheconcealmentofhisgains.
Asterntestofartistryisthegallows.Perfectbehaviouratanenforcedandpublicscrutinymayproperlybeesteemedaneffectoftalent——aneffectwhichhasnottoooftenbeenrehearsed.
ThereisnoreasonwhytheScoundrel,fairlybeatenatthelastpointinthegame,shouldnotgotohisdeathwithoutswaggerandwithoutremorse.Atleasthemightcomforthimselfwithsuchphrasesas`adancewithoutthemusic,'andhehasnotoftenbeenlackingincourage.Whathehasmissedisdignity:hispitfallshavebeenunctuosity,ontheoneside,bravadoontheother.ItwasthePrisonOrdinary,whofirstmisledhimintotheassumptionofapietywhichneitherpreachernordiscipleunderstood.ItwasthePrisonOrdinary,whopersuadedhimtosignhisnametoalyingconfessionofguilt,drawnupinaccordancewithafoolishandinexorabletradition,andtodeliversuchalastdyingspeechaswouldnotdisappointthemob.
Thesetphrases,thevainprayerofferedforothersinners,thehypocriticalprofessionofasuperiorrighteousness,wereneithernoblenorsincere.WhenTomJonesforinstancewashanged,in1702,afteraprosperouscareeronHounslowHeath,hisbiographerdeclaredthathebehavedwithmorethanusual`modestyanddecency,'becausehe`deliveredaprettydealofgoodadvicetotheyoungmenpresent,exhortingthemtobeindustriousintheirseveralcallings.'Whereashisbiographershouldhavediscoveredthatitisnotthusthatyourtrueherobidsfarewelltofrolicandadventure.
AslittleinaccordancewithgoodtastewasthelastappearanceoftheinfamousJocelinHarwood,whowasswungfromthecartin1692formurderandrobbery.HearrivedatTyburninsolentlydrunk.Heblusteredandranted,untilthespectatorshissedtheirdisapproval,andhediedvehementlyshoutingthathewouldactthesamemurderagaininthesamecase.Unworthy,also,wasthelastdyingreparteeofSamuelShotland,anotoriousbullyoftheEighteenthCentury.Takingoffhisshoes,hehurledthemintothecrowd,withasmirkofdelight.`Myfatherandmotheroftentoldme,'hecried,`thatIshoulddiewithmyshoeson;
butyoumayallseethatIhavemadethembothliars.'Agreatmandiesnotwithsomeanajest,andTyburnwasuntouchedtomirthbyShotland'sfacilehumour.
Ontheotherhand,therearethosewhohavegivenasplendidexampleofabraveanddignifieddeath.Brodiewasasorrybunglerwhenatwork,butaperfectartistatthegallows.Thegloryofhislastachievementwillneverfade.Themutteredprayer,unblemishedbyhypocrisy,thejestthrownatGeorgeSmith——ametaphorfromthegaming-table——thesilentadjustmentofthecordwhichwastostranglehim,theselastofficeswereperformedwithanunparalleledquietudeandrestraint.Thoughhehadpatteredtheflashtoallhiswretchedaccomplices,therewasnotraceofthelastdyingspeechinhisfinalutterances,andhesetanexampleofasimplegreatness,worthytobefollowedeventotheendoftime.Suchisthetype,butothersalsohavegivenproofofaserenetemper.TomAustin'smasterpiecewasinanotherkind,butitwasnonethelessamasterpiece.Attheverymomentthatthehalterwasbeingputabouthisneck,hewasaskedbytheChaplainwhathehadtosaybeforehedied.`Only,'
sayshe,`there'sawomanyonderwithsomecurdsandwhey,andI
wishIcouldhaveapennyworthofthembeforeIamhanged,becauseIdon'tknowwhenIshallseeanyagain.'Thereisabraveirrelevanceinthisveryhumandesire,whichisbeyondpraise.
ValiantalsowastheconductofRoderickAudrey,whoafterabriefbutbrilliantcareerpaidhislastdebttothelawin1714.
Hewasbutsixteen,and,sayshisbiographer,`hewentverydecenttothegallows,beinginawhitewaistcoat,cleannapkin,whitegloves,andanorangeinonehand.'Sowelldidheplayhispart,thatonewondersJackKetchdidnotshrinkfromtheperformanceofhis.Butthroughouthisshortlife,RoderickAudrey——theverynameisanechoofromance!——displayedacontemptforwhateverwascommonorugly.NotonlywashisappearanceatTyburnalessoninelegance,buthethieved,asnoneeverthievedbeforeorsince,withnootheraccomplicethanasinging-bird.Thushewouldplayoutsideahouse,whereinheespiedasideboardofplate,andatlast,biddinghisplaymateflutterthroughanopenwindowintotheparlour,hewouldfollowupontheexcuseofrecovery,and,onceadmitted,wouldcarryoffasmuchsilverashecouldconceal.Noneothereverattemptedsogracefulanartifice,andyetAudrey'sjourneytoTyburnisevenmorememorablethanthestoryofhisgayaccomplice.
Butitisnotonlythetrulygreatwhohavewonforthemselvesanenduringreputation.Therearemen,notafew,esteemed,likethepopularnovelist,notfortheirartbutforsomefoolishgift,somefaciletrickofnotoriety,whoseactionshavetickledthefancy,nottheunderstandingoftheworld.Thecowardandtheimpostorhavebeensetuponapedestalofgloryeitherbyaccidentorbythewhimofposterity.FormorethanacenturyDickTurpinhasappearednotsomuchthegreatestofhighwaymen,astheHighwaymenIncarnate.Hisprowesshasbeenextolledinnovelsanduponthestage;hisridetoYorkisstillbepraisedforafeatofmiraculouscourageandendurance;thedeathofBlackBesshasdrawnfloodsoftearsdownthemostcallouscheeks.AndthetruthisthatTurpinwasneveragentlemanoftheroadatall!BlackBessisaspureaninventionasthefamousridetoYork.Theruffian,whoissaidtohaveriddenthephantommarefromoneendofEnglandtotheother,wasacommonbutcher,whoburnedanoldwomantodeathatEpping,andwasveryproperlyhangedatYorkforthestealingofahorsewhichhedarednotbestride.
Notoneincidentinhiscareergivescolourtothesplendidmythwhichhasbeenwovenroundhismemory.OncehewasinLondon,andhediedatYork.Somuchistrue;butthereisnaughttoprovethathisprogressfromtheonetowntotheotherdidnotoccupyayear.Noristhereanyreasonwhythehaloshouldhavebeensetuponhisheadratherthanuponanother's.Strangesttruthofall,noneknowsatwhatmomentDickTurpinfirstshoneintoglory.Atanyrate,thereisagapinthetradition,andthechap-booksofthetimemaynotbecreditedwiththisvulgarerror.PerhapsitwasthepopulardramaofSkeltwhichputtheruffianupontheblackmare'sback;butwhateverthedateoftheinvention,TurpinwasapopularherolongbeforeAinsworthsenthimrattlingacrossEngland.Andinordertoequipthisbutcherwithafalsereputation,avaliantofficerandgentlemanwasstrippedofthecreditduetoamagnificentachievement.ForthoughTurpintrampedtoYorkatajourneyman'sleisure,Nicksrodethitheratastretch——Nickstheintrepidandgallant,whomCharlesII.,inadmirationofhisfeat,waswonttocallSwiftnicks.
Thisvaliantcollector,whomposterityhasrobbedforTurpin'sembellishment,livedatthehighestmomentofhisart.HeknewbyrotethelessonstaughtbyHindandDuval;hewasafearlessriderandacourteousthief.Now,onemorningatfiveoftheclock,herobbedagentlemannearBarnetof560,andridingstraightforYork,heappearedontheBowlingGreenatsixintheevening.Beingpresentlyrecognisedbyhisvictim,hewasapprehended,andatthetrialwhichfollowedhepleadedatriumphantalibi.Butvanitywastoostrongfordiscretion,andnosoonerwasSwiftnicksoutofdanger,thanheboasted,aswellhemight,ofhissplendidcourage.Forthwithheappearedapopularhero,obtainedacommissioninLordMoncastle'sregiment,andmarriedafortune.AndthencameTurpintofilchhisglory!
NorneedTurpinhavestoopedtoavicariousnotoriety,forhepossessedacertainrough,halfconscioushumour,whichwasnotdespicable.Hepurchasedanewfustiancoatandapairofpumps,inwhichtobehanged,andhehiredfivepoormenattenshillingstheday,thathisdeathmightnotgounmourned.Aboveall,hewasdistinguishedinprison.Acrowdthrongedhiscelltoidentifyhim,andonetherewaswhoofferedtobetthekeeperhalfaguineathattheprisonerwasnotTurpin;whereuponTurpinwhisperedthekeeper,`Layhimthewager,youfool,andIwillgoyouhalves.'SurelythisimpudentindifferencemighthavekeptgreenthememoryofthemanwhoneverrodetoYork!