`Secondly,wewillconsiderthepeculiarwickednessofParricide,andespeciallytheMurderofaWife.Whatdeed,intruth,ismoreheinousthanthatamanshouldslaytheParentofhisownChildren,theWifehehadoncelovedandchoseoutofalltheworldtobeaCompanionofhisDays;theWifewholonghadsharedhisgoodFortuneandhisill,whohadbroughthimwithPainandAnguishseveralTokensandBadgesofAffection,theOliveBranchesroundabouthisTable?ToembrewthehandsinsuchbloodisdoubleMurder,asitmurdersnotonlythePersonslain,butkillstheHappinessoftheorphanedChildren,deprivingthemofBread,andforcingthemuponwickedWaysofgettingaMaintenance,whichoftenterminateinNewgateandanignominiousdeath.
`Bloodthirstymen,wehavesaid,shallnotliveouthalftheirDays.AndthinknotthatRepentanceavailstheMurderer.``HellandDamnationareneverfull\'\'Prov.xxvii.20,andthemeanestSinnershallfindaplaceintheLakewhichburnsuntoEternitywithFireandBrimstone.Alas!yourPunishmentshallnotfinishwiththeNoose.Your``endistobeburned\'\'Heb.vi.8,tobeburned,fortheBloodthatisshedcriesaloudforVengeance.\'
Atthesewords,asPureneywouldrelatewithasmileofrecollectedtriumph,MatthiasBrinsdenscreamedaloud,andashiverranthroughtheidleaudiencewhichcametoNewgateonaBlackSunday,astoabull-baiting.Truly,thethrongofthoughtlessspectatorshinderedthepropersolaceoftheOrdinary\'sministrations,andmanyarespectablemurderercomplainedoftheintrudingmob.ButtheOrdinary,otherwiseminded,lovednothingsowellasapackedhouse,andthoughhewouldinvitethecriminaltohisprivatecloset,andcomforthissolitudewithpiousejaculations,hewouldneithershieldhimfromcuriosity,nortranquillisehispathtotheunquenchablefire.
Notonlydidheexerciseinthepulpitapoignantandvisibleinfluence.Heboastedtheconfidenceofmanyheroes.HisgreenoldagecherishednomorefamousmemorythanthefriendshipofJonathanWild.HehadknowntheGreatManathiszenith;hehadwrestledwithhiminthehourofdiscomfiture;hehadpreachedforhisbenefitthatfamoussermononthetext:`HideThyFacefrommysins,andblotoutallmyIniquities\';hehadwitnessedthehero\'sawfulprogressfromNewgatetoTyburn;hehadseenhimshiveratthenubbing-cheat;hehadcomposedforhimalastdyingspeech,whichdidnotshamethekingofthief-takers,andwhosesalebroughtacomfortableprofittothewidow.Jonathan,onhisside,hadshowntheOrdinarynotalittlecondescension.Ithadbeenhiswhim,ontheeveofhismarriage,topresentMr.Pureneywithapairofwhitegloves,whichweretreasuredasapricelessrelicformanyayear.Andwhenhepaidhislast,forcedvisittoNewgate,hegavetheChaplain,forapledgeofhisesteem,thatfamoussilverstaff,whichhecarried,asabadgeofauthorityfromtheGovernment,thebettertokeepthepeopleinawe,andfavourtheenterprisesofhisrogues.
Onlyonecloudshadowedthisoldandequalfriendship.JonathanhadentertainedtheOrdinarywithdiscoursesofamiliar,theyhadcrackedsomanyabottletogether,thatwhentheirrevocablesentencewaspassed,whenhewhohadnevershownmercy,expectednone,theGreatManfoundtheexhortationsoftheilliterateChaplaininsufficientforhishighpurpose.`AssoonasIcameintothecondemnedHole,\'thushewrote,`Ibegantothinkofmakingapreparationformysoul;andthebettertobringmystubbornhearttorepentance,Idesiredtheadviceofamanoflearning,amanofsoundjudgmentindivinity,andthereforeapplicationbeingmadetotheReverendMr.Nicholson,heveryChristian-likegavemehisassistance.\'Alas!PoorPureney!Helackedsubtlety,andhewasinstantlybaffled,whentheGreatManbadehimexpoundthetext:`Cursediseveryonethathangethonatree.\'Theshiftiestexcusewouldhavebroughtsolacetoabreakingheartandconvictiontoacasuistbrain.YetforoncetheOrdinarywasataloss,andWild,findinghiminsufficientforhispurpose,turnedadeafeartohisministrations.Thushewasrudelyawakenedfromthedreamofmanysleeplessnights.Hislargeheartalmostbrokeattheneglect.
Butifhismoreprivatecounselswerescorned,hestillhadthejoyofdeliveringamasterpiecefromthepulpit,ofusing`allthemeansimaginabletomakeWildthinkofanotherworld,\'andofseeinghimasneatlyturnedoffasthemostexactingOrdinarycoulddesire.AndwhatinmateofNewgateeverforgottheafternoonofthatgloriousdayMaythe24th,1725?Mr.Pureneyreturnedtohisflock,fortifiedwithpunchandgoodtidings.HepicturedthesceneatTyburnwithabibulouscircumstance,whichadmirablybecamehisstyle,rejoicing,ashehasrejoicedeversince,that,thoughhelostafriend,thehonestroguewassavedatlastfromthemachinationsofthethief-taker.
Sohebaskedandsmokedanddrankhisale,retellingtheancientstories,andhiccupingforththeancientsermons.So,inthefadingtwilightoflife,hesmiledthesmileofcontentment,asbecameonewhohademptiedmorequarts,haddeliveredmoreharrowingdiscourses,andhadlivedfamiliarlywithmorescoundrelsthananydevil-dodgerofhisgeneration.
SHEPPARDANDCARTOUCHE
I
JACKSHEPPARD
JACKSHEPPARD
ITwasmidnightwhenJackSheppardreachedtheleads,weariedbyhismagicalachievement,andstillfearfulofdiscovery.The`jollypairofhandcuffs,\'providedbythethoughtfulGovernor,laydiscardedinhisdistantcell;thechainswhichafewhourssincehadgrappledhimtothefloorencumberedthenowuselessstaple.Notraceoftheancientslaverydisgracedhimsavetheironankletswhichclungabouthislegs;thoughmanyabrokenwallandshatteredlockmustserveforevidenceofhisprowessonthemorrow.TheStone-Jugwasallbe-chippedandshattered.
Fromthecastlehehadforcedhiswaythroughanine-footwallintotheRedRoom,whosebolts,bars,andhingeshehadruinedtogaintheChapel.Theroadthencetotheroofandtofreedomwashinderedbythreestubbornirondoors;yetnaughtstoodinthewayofSheppard\'sgenius,andhewassensible,atlast,ofthenightairchilluponhischeek.
Butlibertywasnotyet:therewasstillafalloffortyfeet,andhemustneedsrepassthewreckageofhisownmakingtofilchtheblanketsfromhiscell.InterrorlestheshouldawakentheMaster-SideDebtors,hehastenedbacktotheroof,lashedthecoverletstogether,and,asthecityclocksclashedtwelve,hedroppednoiselesslyupontheleadsofaturner\'shouse,builtagainsttheprison\'souterwall.BehindhimNewgatewascutoutablackmassagainstthesky;athisfeetglimmeredthegarretwindowoftheturner\'shouse,andbehindthewinkingcasementhecouldseetheturner\'sservantgoingtobed.ThroughherchamberlaytheroadtogloryandClareMarket,andbreathlesslydidSheppardwatchtillthecandleshouldbeextinguishedandthemaidsilencedinsleep.Inhisanxietyhemusttarry——tarry;andforawearyhourhekickedhisheelsupontheleads,ambitionstilltoouncertainforquietude.Yethecouldnotbutcatchasolacefromhissplendidcraft.Saidhetohimself:`AmInotthemostaccomplishedslip-stringtheworldhasknown?Thebrokenwallofeveryroundhouseintownattestsmybravery.
Light-limbedthoughIbe,haveInotforcedtheimpregnableCastleitself?Andmyenemies——aretheynotto-daywrithingindistress?TheheadofBlueskin,thatpitifulthief,quiversinthenoose;andJonathanWildbleedsatthethroatfromthedregsofacoward\'scourage.WhatatriumphshallbeminewhentheKeeperfindsthestrongholdtenantless!\'
Now,unnumberedweretheaffrontshehadsufferedfromtheKeeper\'simpertinence,andhechuckledaloudathisownwittyrejoinder.OnlytwodayssincetheGaolerhadcaughthimtamperingwithhisirons.`Youngman,\'hehadsaid,`Iseewhatyouhavebeendoing,buttheaffairbetwixtusstandsthus:
Itisyourbusinesstomakeyourescape,andminetotakecareyoushallnot.\'Jackhadansweredcoollyenough:`Thenlet\'sbothmindourownbusiness.\'Anditwastosomepurposethathehadmindedhis.Thelettertohisbaffledguardian,alreadysketchedinhismind,tickledhimafresh,whensuddenlyheleapstohisfeetandbeginstoforcethegarretwindow.
Theturner\'smaidwasaheavysleeper,andSheppardcreptfromhergarrettothetwistedstairinpeace.Once,onalowerfloor,hisheartbeatfasteratthetrumpetingsoftheturner\'snose,butheknewnocheckuntilhereachedthestreetdoor.Theboltwaswithdrawninaninstant,butthelockwasturned,andthekeynowheretobefound.However,thoughtheriskofdisturbancewasgreaterthaninNewgate,thetaskwaslightenough:andwithanironlinkfromhisfetter,andarustynailwhichhadservedhimbravely,theboxwaswrenchedoffinatrice,andSheppardstoodunattendedintheOldBailey.Atfirsthewasmindedtomakeforhisancienthaunts,ortoconcealhimselfwithintheLibertyofWestminster;butthefetter-lockswerestilluponhislegs,andheknewthatdetectionwouldbeeasyaslongashewasthusembarrassed.Wherefore,wearyandan-hungered,heturnedhisstepsnorthward,andneverresteduntilhehadgainedFinchleyCommon.
Atbreakofday,whentheworldre-awokefromthefearofthieves,hefeignedalimpatacottagedoor,andborrowedahammertostraightenapinchingshoe.Fiveminutesbehindahedge,andhisankletshaddroppedfromhim;and,thusafreeman,hetooktothehighroad.AfterallhewaspersuadedtodesertLondonandtoescapeawhilefromthesturdyembraceofEdgworthBess.Moreover,ifBessherselfwereinthelock-up,hestillfearedtheinterestedaffectionofMistressMaggot,thatotherdoxy,whoseavaricewouldsurelydrivehimuponadangerousenterprise;sohestruckacrosscountry,andkeptstarvationfromhimbypettytheft.UpanddownEnglandhewanderedinsolitaryinsolence.Once,saithrumour,hislitheapparitionstartledthepeaceofNottingham;once,hewaswellnighcaughtbeggingwortatabrew-houseinThamesStreet.ButhemightaswellhavelingeredinNewgateaswastehisopportunityfarfromthedelightsofTown;theoldlustoflifestillimpelledhim,andaweekafterthehue-and-crywasraisedhecreptatdeadofnightdownDruryLane.Herehefoundharbouragewithafriendlyfence,Wild\'smortalenemy,whopromisedhimasafeconductacrosstheseas.Butthedesireofworkprovedtoostrongforprudence;andinafortnighthehadplannedanattackonthepawnshopofoneRawling,attheFourBallsinDruryLane.
Sheppard,whomnohouseeverbuiltwithhandswasstrongenoughtohold,wasbetterskilledatbreakingoutthanatbreakingin,anditisremarkablethathislastfeatinthecrackingofcribswasalsohisgreatest.Itsveryconceptionwasamasterpieceofeffrontery.DruryLanewasthethief-catcher\'schosenterritory;yetitwastheFourBallsthatJackdesignedforattack,andwatches,tie-wigs,snuff-boxeswereamonghisbooty.Whateverhecouldnotcrowduponhispersonhepresentedtoabraceofwomen.Trickedoutinhisstolenfinery,hedrankandswaggeredinClareMarket.Hewasdressedinasuperbsuitofblack;adiamondfawneyflasheduponhisfinger;hislighttie-periwigwasworthnolessthansevenpounds;pistols,tortoise-shellsnuff-boxes,andgoldenguineasjostledoneanotherinhispockets.
Thus,inbrazenmagnificence,hemarcheddownDruryLaneonacertainSaturdaynightinNovember1724.TowardsmidnighthevisitedThomasNicks,thebutcher,andhavingbargainedforthreeribsofbeef,carriedNickswithhimtoachandler\'shardby,thattheymightratifythebargainwithadram.Unhappily,aboyfromthe`RoseandCrown\'soundedthealarm;forcomingintothechandler\'sfortheemptyale-pots,heinstantlyrecognisedtheincomparablegaol-thief,andlostnotimeinacquaintinghismaster.Now,Mr.Bradford,ofthe`RoseandCrown,\'wasahead-
borough,who,withthezealofatriumphantDogberry,summonedthewatch,andinlessthanhalfanhourJackSheppardwasscreamingblasphemiesinahackney-cabonhiswayhometoNewgate.
TheStone-Jugreceivedhimwithdeferenceandadmiration.Threehundredpoundsweightofironswereputuponhimforanadornment,andtheGovernorprofessedsokeenasolicitudeforhiswelfarethatheneverlefthimunattended.TherewasscarceabeautifulwomaninLondonwhodidnotsolacehimwithhercondescension,andenrichhimwithhergifts.NotonlydidthePresidentoftheRoyalAcademydeigntopainthisportrait,butafargreaterhonourHogarthmadehimimmortal.EventheKingdisplayedaproperinterest,demandingafullandpreciseaccountofhisescapes.Theherohimselfwasdrunkwithflattery;hebubbledwithribaldry;hetouchedoffthemostvaliantofhiscontemporariesinaludicrousphrase.Buthischiefdelightwastoillustratehisprowesstohisdistinguishedvisitors,andnothingpleasedhimbetterthantoslipinandoutofhischains.
Confrontedwithhisjudge,heforthwithproposedtoridhimselfofhishandcuffs,andhepreserveduntilthefataltreeanillimitableprideinhisartistry.Norwouldhebelieveinthepossibilityofdeath.Totheverylasthewasconfirmedinthehopeofpardon;but,pardonfailinghim,hissingleconsolationwasthathisprocessionfromWestminstertoNewgatewasthelargestthatLondonhadeverknown,andthatinthecrowdaconstablebrokehisleg.EvenintheCondemnedHolehewasunreconciled.IfhehadbrokentheCastle,whyshouldhenotalsoevadethegallows?WhereforeheresolvedtocarryaknifetoTyburnthathemightcuttherope,andso,losinghimselfinthecrowd,ensureescape.Buttheknifewasdiscoveredbyhiswarder\'svigilance,andtakenfromhimafteradesperatestruggle.Atthescaffoldhebehavedwithadmirablegravity:confessingthewickederofhisrobberies,andaskingpardonforhisenormouscrimes.`Oftwovirtues,\'heboastedattheself-samemomentthatthecartlefthimdancingwithoutthemusic,`Ihaveevercherishedanhonestpride:neverhaveI
stoopedtofriendshipwithJonathanWild,orwithanyofhisdetestablethief-takers;and,thoughanundutifulson,Ineverdamnedmymother\'seyes.\'
ThusdiedJackSheppard;intrepidburglarandincomparableartist,who,inhisownseparateambitionofprison-breaking,remains,andwilleverremain,unrivalled.Hismostbrillianteffortsweretheresultneitherofstrengthnorofcunning;forsoslightwasheofbuild,sodeficientinmuscle,thatbothEdgworthBessandMistressMaggotwerewonttobanghimtotheirownmindandpurpose.Andanescapesomagnificentlyplanned,sobravelyexecutedaswashisfromtheStrongRoom,isfargreaterthanamereeffectofcunning.Thosemysteriousgiftswhichenablemankindtobatterthestonewallsofaprison,ortobendtheironbarsofacage,werepre-eminentlyhis.Itisalsocertainthathecouldnothaveemployedhisgiftsinamorereputableprofession.
II
LOUIS-DOMINIQUECARTOUCHE
LOUIS-DOMINIQUECARTOUCHE
Ofalltheheroeswhohavewagedaprivateandundeclaredwarupontheirneighbours,Louis-DominiqueCartouchewasthemostgenerouslyendowed.Itwasbuthisresolutecontemptforpolitics,hisunswervingloveofplunderforitsownsake,thatpreventedhimfromseizingathroneorquestingaftertheempireoftheworld.ThemodestyofhisambitionsetshimbelowCsar,orNapoleon,butheyieldstoneitherinthegeniusofsuccess:whateverhewouldattainwashisontheinstant,nordidfailureinterrupthiscareer,untiltreachery,ofwhichhewentinperpetualterror,involvedhimselfandhiscomradesinruin.
Histalentofgeneralshipwasunrivalled.Noneofthegangwaspermittedthelibertyofafree-lance.ByCartouchewastheordergiven,andsolongasthechiefwasinrepose,Parismightenjoyhersleep.Whenitpleasedhimtojoinbattleawhistlewasenough.
Now,itwasrevealedtohisintelligencethattheprofessionalthief,whodevotedallhisdaysandsuchofhisnightsasweresparedfromdepredationtowineandwomen,wasmorereadilydetectedthanthevalet-de-chambre,whodidbutcrackacriborcry`Standanddeliver!\'onaproperoccasion.
Wherefore,hebadehissoldierstakeserviceinthegreathousesofParis,that,secureofsuspicion,theymightstillbereadytoobeythecallofduty.Thus,also,theyformedareconnoitringforce,whosevigilancenoprizemightelude;andnowheredidCartouchedisplayhisgeniustofinerpurposethaninthisprudentdispositionofhisarmy.Itremainedonlytoeffacehimself,andthereinhesucceededadmirablybyneversleepingtwofollowingnightsinthesamehouse:sothat,whenCartouchewastheterrorofParis,wheneventheKingtrembledinhisbed,noneknewhisstaturenorcouldrecognisehisfeatures.Inthisshiftingandimpersonalvizard,hebrokehouses,pickedpockets,robbedonthepad.OnenighthewouldterrifytheFaubourgSt.
Germain;anotherhewouldplunderthehumblersuburbofSt.
Antoine;butoneachexcursionhewascompanionedbyexperts,andthemapofPariswasrigidlyapportionedamonghisfollowers.Toeachdistrictacaptainwasappointed,whosebusinessitwastoapprehendthecustomsofthequarter,andthustoindicatetheproperseasonofattack.
Evertriumphant,withyellow-boyseverjinglinginhispocket,Cartouchelivedalifeofluxuriousmerriment.AfavouritehauntwasacabaretintheRueDauphine,chosenforthesanestofreasons,ashisCaptainFerranddeclared,thatthelandladywasafemmed\'esprit.Herehewouldsitwithhisfriendsandhiswomen,andthereafterdrivehischariotacrossthePontNeuftothesunniergaietyofthePalais-Royal.Afinisheddandy,heworebypreferenceagrey-whitecoatwithsilverbuttons;hisbreechesandstockingswereonafamousoccasionofblacksilk;
whileasword,scabbardedinsatin,hungathiship.
ButifCartouche,likemanyanothergreatman,hadthefacultyofenjoyment,ifhelovedwineandwit,andmistresseshandsomelyattiredindamask,hedidnotthereforeneglecthisart.Whenoncethegangwasperfectlyordered,murderfollowedrobberywithsoinstantafrequencythatPariswaspanic-stricken.Acryof`Cartouche\'straightwayensuredanemptystreet.TheKingtookcounselwithhisministers:munificentrewardswereoffered,withouteffect.Thethiefwasstillatworkinallsecurity,anditwasaprettyironywhichurgedhimtostripandkillonthehighwayoneoftheKing\'sownpages.Also,hedidhisworkwithsoastonishingasilence,withsoreasonedacertainty,thatitseemedimpossibletotakehimorhisminionsred-handed.
Beforeall,hediscouragedtheuseoffirearms.`Apistol,\'hisphilosophyurged,`isanexcellentweaponinanemergency,butreserveitforemergencies.Atclosequartersitisnonetoosure;andwhygivethealarmagainstyourself?\'Thereforehearmedhisbandwithloadedstaves,whichsenttheirenemiesintoanoiselessandfatalsleep.Thuswashewonttolaughatthepolice,deemingcaptureaplainimpossibility.Thetraitor,insooth,washissingle,irremediablefear,andifeversuspicionwasarousedagainstamemberofthegang,thatmemberwasputtodeathwiththeshortestshrift.
IthappenedinthelastyearofCartouche\'ssupremacythatalily-liveredcomradefellinlovewithaprettydressmaker.Theindiscretionwasthelesspardonablesincethedressmakerhadahorroroftheft,andimpudentlytriedtoturnherloverfromhistrade.Cartouche,discoveringthebackslider,resolveduponapublicexhibition.Beforetheassembledbandhechargedthemiscreantwithtreason,and,cuttinghisthroat,disfiguredhisfacebeyondrecognition.Thereafterhepinnedtothecorsethefollowinginscription,thatothersmightbewarnedbysomonstrousanexample:`CigitJeanRebti,quiaeuletraitementqu\'ilm