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,andafterhiswontdeliveredfromthedockalittlehomilyuponthebenefitofsobriety.
　　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.