Thenhopelessoflife,Hedrewhispenknife,AndmadeasadwidowofJonathan'swife.
　　Butfortypoundspaidher,hergriefshallappease,Andeverymanroundmemayrob,ifheplease.
　　ButJonathanrecovered,andMolly,hiswife,wasdestinedasecondtimetowintheconspicuoushonourthatbelongstoahempenwidow.
　　Ashiscareerdrewtoitsappointedclose,Fortunewithheldhersmiles.`Peoplegotsopeery,'complainedthegreatman,`thatingeniousmenwereputtodreadfulshifts.'Andthen,highesttributetohisgreatness,anActofParliamentwaspassedwhichmadeitacapitaloffence`foraprigtostealwiththehandsofotherpeople';andintheincreaseofpublicvigilancehisundoingbecamecertain.Onthe2ndofJanuary,1725,adaynoteasytoforget,acreatureofWild'sspokewithfiftyyardsoflace,worth40,athisCaptain'sbidding,andWild,havingotherwisedisposedoftheplunder,waschargedonthe10thofMarchthathe`didfeloniouslyreceiveofKatharineStethamtenguineasonaccountandundercolourofhelpingthesaidKatharineStethamtothesaidlaceagain,anddidnotthen,noranytimesince,discoverorapprehend,orcausetobeapprehendedandbroughttoJustice,thepersonsthatcommittedthesaidfelony.'
　　Thusrunstheindictment,and,totheinexpressiblereliefoflessermen,JonathanWildwascondemnedtothegallows.
　　Thereuponhehadseriousthoughtsof`puttinghishouseinorder';withanironicalsmilehedemandedanexplanationofthetext:`Cursediseveryonethathangethonatree';but,presentlyreflectingthat`hisTimewasbutshortinthisWorld,heimprovedittothebestadvantageinEating,Drinking,Swearing,Cursing,andtalkingtohisVisitants.'Forallhisbragging,drinkalonepreservedhiscourage:`hewasveryrestlessintheCondemnedHole,'though`hegavelittleornoattentiontothecondemnedSermonwhichthepurblindOrdinarypreachedbeforehim,'andwhichwas,inFielding'simmortalphrase,`untotheGreeksfoolishness.'Butinthemomentofdeathhisdistinctionreturnedtohim.Hetried,andfailed,tokillhimself;andhisprogresstothenubbingcheatwasatriumphofexecration.HereachedTyburnthroughahowlingmob,anddiedtoayellofuniversaljoy.
　　TheOrdinaryhasleftarecordsopreciousandsolying,thatitmustneedsbequotedatlength.ThegreatThief-Catcher'sconfessionisamasterpieceofcomfort,andissofarremovedfromthetruthascompletelytojustifyFielding'sincomparablecreation.`FindingtherewasnoroomformercyandhowcouldI
　　expectmercy,whonevershowedany'——thusdoesthedevildodgerdishonourourJonathan'smemory!——`assoonasIcameintotheCondemnedHole,IbegantothinkofmakingapreparationformysoulTopartwithmywife,mydearMolly,issogreatanAfflictiontome,thatittouchesmetotheQuick,andislikeDaggersenteringintomyHeart.'HowtametheOrdinary'sfalsehoodtothebrilliantinventionofFielding,whomakesJonathankickhisTishyintheveryshadowoftheTree!AndtheReverendGentlemangainsinunctionashegoes:`IntheCarttheyallkneeleddowntoprayersandseemedverypenitent;theOrdinaryusedallthemeansimaginabletomakethemthinkofanotherWorld,andaftersingingapenitentialPsalm,theycry'dLordJesusChristreceiveourSouls,thecartdrewawayandtheywereallturnedoff.Thisisasgoodanaccountascanbegivenbyme.'PoorOrdinary!Ifhewasmodest,hewasalsountruthful,andyouarecertainthatitwasnotthustheheromethisdeath.
　　EvenhadFieldingneverwrittenhismasterpiece,JonathanWildwouldstillhavebeensurnamed`TheGreat.'Forscarceachap-
　　bookappearedintheyearofJonathan'sdeaththatdidnotexposetheonlyrightandtrueviewofhischaracter.`Hisbusiness,'
　　saysonehackofprisonliterature,`atalltimeswastoputafalseglossuponthings,andtomakefoolsofmankind.'AnotherpreciselyformulatesthetheoryofgreatnessinsisteduponbyFieldingwithsolavishanironyandsomasterlyawit.WhileitiscertainthatTheHistoryoftheLateMr.JonathanWildisasnobleapieceofironyasliteraturecanshow,whileforthequalitiesofwitandcandouritisequaltoitsmotive,itislikewisetruethatthereinyoumeettheindubitableJonathanWild.Itisanentertainmenttocomparethechap-booksofthetimewiththereasoned,finishedworkofart:notinanyspiritofpedantry——sinceaccuracyinthesemattersisofsmallaccount,butwithintenttoshowhowdoublyfortunateFieldingwasinhisgeniusandinhismaterial.Ofcoursethewriterrejoicedintheaidofimaginationandeloquence;ofcourseheembellishedhispicturewithsuchinspirationsasMissLaetitiaandtheCount;ofcoursehepreservesfromthefirstpagetothelastthehighestlevelofunrivalledirony.Butthesketchwastherebeforehim,andalawyer'sclerkhadtreatedJonathaninaveinofheroismwithinafewweeksofhisdeath.Andsinceaplainstatementisneversotrueasfiction,Fielding'sromanceisstillmorecredible,stillconvinceswithaneasiereffort,thantheseriousandpedestrianrecordsofcontemporaries.Norcanyoureturntoitspageswithoutrealisingthat,sofarfrombeing`theevolutionofapurelyintellectualconception,'JonathanWildisamagnificentlyidealisedandironicalportraitofagreatman.
　　III
　　APARALLEL
　　MOLLCUTPURSEAND
　　JONATHANWILD
　　APARALLEL
　　MOLLCUTPURSEANDJONATHANWILD
　　THEYpliedthesametrade,eachwithincomparablesuccess.Byher,asbyhim,theartofthefencewascarriedtoitsultimateperfection.Intheirhandsthehighpolicyoftheftwantednordignitynorassurance.Neitherharbouredasingleschemewhichwasnotstraightwaytranslatedintoaction,andtheyweremastersatonceofNewgateandtheHighway.Asnonemightrobwithouttheencouragementofhisemperor,sononewashangedatTyburnwhileintrigueorbriberymightavailtodragahalf-doomedneckfromthehalter;andnotevenMollherselfwasmorebitterlytyrannicalinthecontrolofarecklessgangthanthethin-jawed,hatchet-facedJonathanWild.
　　Theywerestatesmenratherthanwarriors——happyiftheymightdirecttheenterprisesofothers,anddeterminedtopunishthelightestdisobediencebydeath.Themindofeachwasreadierthanhisrightarm,andneitherwouldriskaneasyadvantagebyamisunderstoodorunwontedsleightofhand.Butwhenyouleavetheexerciseoftheircrafttocontemplatetheircharacterwithalargereye,itisthewomanwhoateverypointhastheadvantage.Notonlywasshethepeerlessinventorofanewcunning;shewasathomeandabroadthebetterfellow.Thesuppressionofsexwasinitselfanunparalleledtriumph,andthemostenviousdetractorcouldnotbutmarvelatthedominationofherwomanhood.Moreover,sheshoneinagayer,moresplendidepoch.TheworthycontemporaryofShakespeare,shehadsmalldifficultyinperformingfeatsofprowessandresourcewhichdauntedtheintrepidruffiansoftheeighteenthcentury.Herperiod,inbrief,gaveheraneternalsuperiority;anditwereashopelessforOtwaytosurpassthemasterwhomhedisgraced,asforWildtoo'ershadowthebrilliantexampleofMollCutpurse.
　　Tyrantsboth,theyexercisedtheirsovereigntyinaccordancewiththeirvaryingtemperament.Herswasafine,fat,Falstaffianhumour,which,whileitinspiredMiddleton,mighthavesuggestedtoShakespeareanequalcompanionofthedrunkenknight.Hiswasbutanarrow,cynicwit,notedgedliketheknife,whichwellnighcuthisthroat,butbluntandscratchinglikeaworn-toothedsaw.
　　ShelaughedwithalaughthatechoedfromLudgatetoCharingCross,andhervoicedrownedalltheCity.Hegrinnedrarelyandwithmalice;hepipedinavoiceshrillandacidasthetricksofhismischievousimagination.Sheknewnocrueltybeyondthenecessitiesofherlife,andnoneregrettedmorethanshetheinevitabledeathofatraitor.Helustedafterdestructionwithafiendishtemper,whichwasagrimanticipationofDeSade;hewouldevensmileashesawthenoosetightenroundthenecksofthepoorinnocentshehadbeguiledtoTyburn.Itwashisboastthathehadcontrivedrobberiesforthemeregloryofdragginghissillyvictimstothegallows.ButMoll,thoughshestoodhalf-waybetweentherobberandhisprey,wouldhavesacrificedahundredwell-earnedcommissionsratherthanseeherfriendsandcomradesstrangled.Hertemperamentcompelledhertotheloyalsupportofherownorder,andshewouldhaveshrunkinhorrorfromherrival,who,forallhisassumedfriendshipwiththethief,wasastaunchandsubtleallyofjustice.
　　Beforeallthingsshehadthegeniusofsuccess.Herpublicoffencesweretrivialandcondoned.Shediedinherbed,fullofyearsandofhonours,belovedbythelight-fingeredgentry,reverencedbyallthejudgesonthebench.He,forallthesacrificeshemadetoasquint-eyedlaw,diedexecratedalikebypopulaceandpolice.AlreadyBlueskinhaddonehisworstwithapen-knife;alreadyJackSheppardandhiscomradeshadwarnedDruryLaneagainsttheinfamousthief-catcher.Andsoanxious,ontheotherhand,wasthelawtobequitoftheirtoozealousservant,thatanActofParliamentwaspassedwiththesoleobjectofplacingJonathan'sheadwithinthenoose.Hismethod,meagrethoughmasterly,lulledhimtoosoontoanimpotentsecurity.She,withherlargerviewoflife,herplumpersenseofstyle,wascontentwithnothinglessthananultimatesovereignty,andmanifestlydidsheprovehersuperiority.
　　Thoughbornforthewimple,shewasmoreofamanthanthebreechedandstockingedJonathan,whoseonlydeedofvaliancewastohang,terrier-like,byhisteethtoanevasiveenemy.Whilehecheatedatcardsandcoggedthedice,shetraineddogsandnevermissedabear-baiting.Heshrank,likethecowardthathewas,fromtheexerciseofmanlysports;shecarednotwhatweretheweapons——quarterstafforbroadsword——solongasshevanquishedheropponent.Shescouredthetowninsearchofinsult;hedidbutexerthiscunningwhenaquarrelwasputuponhim.Who,then,shalldenyhermanhood?Whoshallwhisperthathisstylewasthebraverorthebettersuitedtohissex?
　　Asbecameahero,shekeptthebestofloosecompany:herparlourwaseverpackedwiththefriendsofloyaltyandadventure.ArenotHindandMullSackworthathousandBlueskins?Moreover,plunderandwealthwerenottheonlyobjectsofherpursuit:shewasnotmerelyafencebutapatriot,andshewouldhaveaccountedathousandpoundswelllost,ifshedidbutcompassthediscomfitureofaParliament-man.Indeed,ifJonathan,thethief-catcher,limpedpainfullyafterhismagnificentexample,JonathanthemanandthesportsmanconfessedapitifulinferioritytothevaliantMoll.Thussheavengedhersexbydistancingthemostillustriousofherrivals;andifhepleadsforhiscreditatastefortheology,hersisthechuckleofcontemptuoussuperiority.Shediedapatriot,bequeathingafountainofwinetothechampionsofanexiledking;hediedacasuist,settingcrabbedproblemstotheOrdinary.Here,again,theadvantageisevident:loyaltyisthevirtueofmen;asuddenattachmenttoreligionisthelastresourceofthesecond-ratecitizenandofthetrappedcriminal.
　　RALPHBRISCOE
　　RALPHBRISCOE
　　ASPARE,leanframe;asmallheadsetforwarduponapairofslopingshoulders;athin,sharpnose,andrat-likeeyes;aflat,hollowchest;shrunkshanks,modestlyretreatingfromtheirsnuff-colouredhose——thesearethetokenswhichservedtoremindhisfriendsofRalphBriscoe,theClerkofNewgate.Ashelefttheprisoninthegreyairofmorninguponsomeerrandofmercyorrevenge,heappearedtheleastfearsomeofmortals,whileanawkwardlimpuponhislefttoedeepenedtheimpressionoftimidity.Soabstractwashismanner,sohesitanthisgait,thathewouldhugthewallashewent,nervouslystrokingitsgrimysurfacewithhislong,twitteringfingers.ButRalph,asjusticeandtheJugknewtoowell,wasneitherfoolnorcoward.Hischaracterbeliedhisoutwardseeming.Alargesoulhadcreptintothecaseofhiswizenedbody,andifapoltroonamonghisancestorshadgiftedhimwithanalientype,hehadinheritedfromsomenamelesswarriorbothcourageandresource.
　　Hewasbornineasycircumstances,andgentlynurturedinthedistantvillageofKensington.Thoughcastinascholar'smould,andveryaptforlearning,herebelledfromtheoutsetagainstacareerofinaction.Hislackofstrengthwasneveracheckuponhishighstomach;hewouldfightwithboysoftwicehissize,andacceptthecertaindefeatinacheerfulspiritofdoggedpugnacity.Moreover,ifhisarmswereweak,hiscunningwasaskeen-edgedashistongue;and,beforehisstrickeneyehadpaled,hehadcommonlyexecutedanamplevengeanceuponhisenemy.Norwasitindustrythatplacedhimatthetopoftheclass.Areadywitmadehimmasteroftheknowledgehedespised.
　　Buthewouldalwaysdeserthisprimertofollowthehangman'slumberingcartupTyburnHill,and,stillamereimpofmischief,hewouldrunthewearywayfromKensingtontoShoeLaneonthedistantchanceofacock-fight.Hewaspresent,sohewouldrelateinafteryears,whenSirThomasJermin'smanputhisfamoustrickuponthepit.Withahundredpoundsinhispocketandunderhisarmadunghillcock,neatlytrimmedforthefray,theingeniousruffian,asBriscoewouldtellyou,wentofftoShoeLane,persuadedanaccomplicetofightthecockinSirThomasJermin'sname,andlaidalevelhundredagainsthisownbird.SoloftywasSirThomas'sreputethatbackerswereeasilyfound,butthedunghillroosterinstantlyshowedacleanpairofheels,andthecheatwasjustifiedofhiscunning.
　　ThusRalphBriscoelearntthefirstlessonsinthatartofsharpingwhereinhewasafterwardsanadept;andwhenheleftschoolhisheadwaspackedwithmanyaprofitabledevicewhichnobooklearningcouldimpart.Hisfather,however,stillresolutethatheshouldjoinanintelligentprofession,senthimtoGray'sInnthathemightstudylaw.Heretheeleganceofhishandwritinggainedhimarapidrepute;hisskillbecametheenvyofallthelean-souledclerksintheInn,andhemighthavediedarespectableattorneyhadnottheinstinctofsportforcedhimfromtheinkpotandparchmentofhisprofession.Illcouldhetoleratethemonotonyandrestraintofthisclerklylife.Inhiseyeslawwasaninstrument,notofjustice,butofjugglery.Menwereborn,saidhisphilosophy,rathertorisktheirnecksthaninktheirfingers;andifaboldadventureputsyouinadifficulty,why,then,youhiresomestraw-splittingattorneytoshowhiscunning.Indeed,thestudyoflawwasforhim,asitwasforFalstaff,anexcuseformanyaboutandmerry-making.Helovedhisglass,andhelovedhiswench,andhelovedabull-
　　baitingbetterthaneither.Itwashisboast,andMollCutpurse'scompliment,thathenevermissedamatchinhislife,andassuredlynomanwasbetterknowninParisGardenthantheintrepidRalphBriscoe.
　　ThecloisteredseclusionofGray'sInngrewdailymoreirksome.
　　Therehewouldsit,inmutedespair,drummingthetablewithhisfingers,andbitingthequill,whoseusehesobitterlycontemned.Ofwinterafternoonshewouldstarethroughtheleadedwindow-panesatthegaunt,leaflesstrees,onwhosesummitsswayedthecawingrooks,untilservitudeseemedintolerable,andheprayedforthevoiceofthebearwardthatsummonedhimtoSouthwark.Andwhenthechainedbear,thefamiliarmonkeyonhisback,followedtheshrillbagpipealongthecuriousstreet,Briscoefeltthatblood,notink,coursedinhisveins,forgotthetiresomeimpedimentofthelaw,andjoinedthethrong,hungryforthissportofkings.Norwashethepatronofanenterprisewhereinhedaredtakenopart.Hewasasboldandventuresomeasthebravestrufflerthateverbackedadogatabaiting.Whenthebull,cruellysecuredbehind,mettheonslaughtofhisopponents,throwingthemoff,nowthisside,nowthat,withhishorns,Briscoe,lostinexcitement,wouldleapintotheringthatnotapointofthecombatshouldescapehim.
　　Soitwasthathewonthefriendshipofhisillustriousbenefactress,MollCutpurse.For,oneday,whenhehadventuredtoonearthemaddenedbull,thebrutemadeaheaveathisbreeches,whichinstantlygaveway;andinanothermomenthewouldhavebeengoredtodeath,hadnotMollseizedhimbythecollarandslunghimoutofthering.Thusdidhiscourageevercontradicthisappearance,andatthedangerousgameofwhippingtheblindedbearhehadnorival,eitherforbraveryoradroitness.Hewouldrushinwithupliftedwhipuntilthebreathoftheinfuriatedbeastwashotuponhischeek,lethisangrylashcurlforaninstantacrossthebear'sflank,andthen,forallhishaltingfoot,leapbackintosafetywithasmilingprideinhisownnimbleness.
　　HisacquaintancewithMollCutpurse,casuallybegunatabull-
　　baiting,speedilyripened,forherintofriendship,forhimintolove.Inthis,thesolitaryromanceofhislife,RalphBriscoeovertoppedevenhisownachievementsofcourage.TheRoaringGirlwasnomoreyoung,andyearshadnotrefinedhercharacteruntogentleness.Itwasstillherhabittoappearpubliclyinjerkinandgalligaskins,tosmoketobaccoincontemptofhersex,andtofightherenemieswithaveryfuryofinsolence.Instaturesheexceededthelimpingclerkbyahead,andshecouldpickhimupwithonehand,likeakitten.Yethelovedher,notforanygraceofperson,norbeautyoffeature,norevenbecausehertemperamentwasundauntedashisown.Helovedherforthatwisestofreasons,whichisnoreasonatall,becausehelovedher.InhiseyesshewastheQueen,notofMisrule,butofHearts.Hadathronebeenhis,sheshouldhavesharedit,andhewooedherwithashyintensity,whichennobledhim,eveninheraustereregard.Alas!shewasunabletoreturnhispassion,andshelamentedherownobduracywithcharacteristichumour.Shemadenoattempttoconcealheradmiration.`Anotableandfamousperson,'shecalledhim,confessingthat,`hewasrightforhertooth,andmadetohermindineverypartofhim.'Hehadbeenbredupinthesameexerciseofbull-baiting,whichwasherowndelight;shehadalwayspraisedhistowardliness,andprophesiedhispreferment.Butwhenhepaidhercourtshewasobligedtodeclinethehonour,whilesheesteemedthecompliment.
　　Intruth,shewascompletelyinsensibletopassion,or,assheexclaimedinaphraseofbrilliantindependence,`Ishouldhavehiredhimtomyembraces.'
　　ThesolepossibilitythatremainedwasaPlatonicfriendship,andBriscoeacceptedthesituationinexcellenthumour.`Eversincehecametoknowhimself,'againitisMollthatspeaks,`healwaysdeportedhimselftomewithanabundanceofregard,callingmehisAunt.'Andhisauntsheremaineduntotheend,boundtohiminaproperandnaturalalliance.Differentastheywereinaspect,theywerestrangelyalikeintasteanddisposition.NorwastheParisGardentheironlymeeting-ground.
　　HissorrysojourninGray'sInnhadthrownhimonthesideofthelaw-breaker,andhehadacquiredastrangecunninginthedifficultartofevadingjustice.InstantlyMollrecognisedhispracticalvalue,and,exertingallhertalentforintrigue,presentlysecuredforhimtheClerkshipofNewgate.Hereatlasthefoundscopenotonlyforhislearning,butforthatspiritofadventurethatbreathedwithinhim.Hismeagreacquaintancewithlettersplacedhimonapinnaclehighabovehiscolleagues.Nowandthenaprisonerprovedhisequalinwit,butashewasmanifestlysuperiorinintelligencetotheGovernor,theOrdinary,andallthewarders,hespeedilyseizedandhereafterretainedtherealsovereigntyofNewgate.
　　Hisearlyprogresswasbarredbyenvyandcontempt.Why,askedthemeninpossession,shouldthisshrivelledstrangerfilchourprivileges?AndBriscoemettheirmalicewithaneasysmile,knowingthatatallpointshewasmorethantheirmatch.HisalliancewithMollstoodhimingoodstead,andinafewmonthsthetwainwerethesupremearbitersofEnglishjustice.Shouldahighwaymanseektosavehisneck,hemustfirstpayafatindemnitytotheNewgateClerk,but,sinceMollwastheappointedbankerofthewholefamily,shewasquicktosanctionwhateverpriceheraccomplicesuggested.AndBriscoehadahundredothertrickswherebyheincreasedhisrichesandrepute.TherewasnodebtorcametoNewgatewhomtheClerkwouldnotaid,ifhebelievedthekindnessprofitable.Supposehisinquiriesgaveanassuranceofhisvictim'srecovery,hewouldhousehimcomfortably,feedhimathisowntable,lendhimmoney,andevencondescendtowinbackthegenerousloanbythedice-box.
　　Hiscivilitygavehimageneralpopularityamongtheprisoners,andhisappearanceintheYardwasasignalforasubduedhilarity.Hedrankandgambledwiththeroysterers;hebabbledacheapphilosophywiththeerudite;andhesoldthenecksofalltothehighestbidder.Thoughnowandagainhewasconvictedofmercyorrevenge,hecommonlyheldhimselfalooffromhumanpassions,andpursuedtheonesaneendoflifeinaneasysecurity.Thehostilityofhiscolleaguesirkedhimbutlittle.
　　AfewtagsofLatin,thefriendshipofMoll,andacasualthreatofexposurefrightenedtheGovernorintoacquiescence,buttheOrdinarywasmoredifficultofconciliation.TheClerkhadnotbeenlonginNewgatebeforehesawthatbetweenthereverendgentlemanandhimselftherecouldbenaughtsavewar.HithertotheOrdinaryhadreservedtohisownprofittherightofintrigue;heitwaswhohadreceivedthehard-scrapedmoneyofthesorrowingrelatives,anduntiedthenoosewhenitseemedgoodtohim.Briscoeinsisteduponadivisionoflabour.`Itisyourbusiness,'hesaid,`tosavethescoundrelsintheotherworld.
　　Leavetometheprofitoftheirsalvationinthis.'AndtheClerktriumphedafterhiswont:freedomjingledinhispocket;hedoledoutcomfort,evenlife,totheoppressed;andheextortedacomfortablefortuneinreturnforprivilegeswhichwereneverinhisgift.
　　WithoutthewallsofNewgatethehouseofhisfrequentationwasthe`DogTavern.'Thitherhewouldwandereveryafternoontomeethisclientsandtoextortblood-money.InthishauntofcriminalsandpettifoggersnomanwasbetterreceivedthantheNewgateClerk,andwhileheassumedamannerofgenerouscordiality,itwasastrangesighttoseehimwincewhensomesturdyruffianslappedhimtoostrenuouslyupontheback.Hehadajokeandachuckleforall,andhismerryquips,dryastheywere,werejoyouslyquotedtoallnew-comers.Hislegalingenuityappearedmiraculous,anditwasconfidentlyassertedintheCoffeeHousethathecouldturnblacktowhitewithsopersuasiveanargumentthattherewasnoJudgeontheBenchtoconfutehim.Buthewasnotomnipotent,andhiszealencounteredmanyaseriouscheck.Attimeshefailedtosavethenecksevenofhisintimates,since,whenoncearuffianwasnotorious,MollandtheClerkfoughtvainlyforhisrelease.ThusitwasthatCheney,thefamouswrestler,whomRalphhadoftenbackedagainstallcomers,diedatTyburn.Hehadbeentakenbythetroopersred-handeduponthehighway.Seizedafteradesperateresistance,hewaswoundedwellnightodeath,andBriscoequotedadozenprecedentstoprovethathewasunfittobetriedorhanged.Argumentfailing,themunificentClerkofferedfiftypoundsforthelifeofhisfriend.Buttonopurpose:thevaliantwrestlerwascarriedtothecartinachair,andsoliftedtothegallows,whichcuredhimofhisgapingwounds.
　　WhentheCommonwealthadministeredjusticewithpedanticseverity,Briscoe'sinfluencestillfurtherdeclined.TherewasnolongerscopeintheStateformenofspirit;eventhegaolswerehandedovertothesternmercyofcrop-earedPuritans;Mollherselfhadfallenuponeviltimes;andRalphBriscoedeterminedtomakealasteffortforwealthandretirement.Attheverymomentwhenhisexpulsionseemedcertain,anheiresswasthrownintoNewgateuponachargeofmurderingatooimportunatesuitor.Thechainofevidencewascomplete:thedaggerplungedinhisheartwasrecognisedforherown;shewasseentodecoyhimtothesecretcornerofawood,wherehisraucouslove-makingwassilencedforever.Takenoffherguard,shehadevenhintedconfessionofhercrime,andnothingbutintriguecouldhavesavedhergentleneckfromthegallows.Briscoe,hungryforhermoney-bags,promisedassistance.Hebribed,hethreatened,hecajoled,hetwistedthelawasonlyhecouldtwistit,hesuppressedhonesttestimony,heprocuredfalse;infine,heweakenedthecaseagainstherwithsoresistlessaneffrontery,thatnottheHangingJudgehimselfcouldconvictthepoorinnocent.
　　Attheoutsethehadagreedtoacceptahandsomebribe,butasthetrialapproached,hisavariceincreased,andhewouldbecontentwithnothinglessthanthelady'shandandfortune.Notthathelovedher;hisheartwaslongsincegiventoMollCutpurse;butheknewthathiscareerofdepredationwasatanend,anditbecamehimtoprovideforhisdecliningyears.Thevictimrepulsedhissuit,regrettingathousandtimesthatshehadstabbedherancientlover.Atlast,biddensummarilytochoosebetweenDeathandtheClerk,shechosetheClerk,andthusRalphBriscoeleftNewgatetherichestsquireinawesterncounty.Henceforthhefarmedhislandlikeagentleman,drankwiththoseofhisneighbourswhowouldcrackabottlewithhim,andunlockedthestrangestoresofhismemorytobumpkinswhoknewnotthenameofNewgate.Stilldevotedtosport,hehuntedthefox,andmadesuchabull-ringashisyouthfulimaginationcouldneverhavepictured.Sohelivedalifeofcountryease,anddiedachurchwarden.Andhedeservedhisprosperity,forhecarriedthesoulofFalstaffintheshrunkenbodyofJusticeShallow.
　　GILDEROYANDTHESIXTEEN-
　　STRINGJACK
　　I
　　GILDEROY
　　GILDEROY
　　HEstoodsixfeetteninhisstockingedfeet,andwasthetallestruffianthatevercutapurseorheldupacoachonthehighway.
　　Amassofblackhaircurledoveralowforehead,andaglitteringeyeintensifiedhisvillainousaspect;nordidadeepscar,furrowinghischeekfromendtoend,softenthehorrorofhissuddenapparition.Valiantmenshudderedathisapproach;womenshrankfromthedistantechoofhisname;forfifteenyearsheterrorisedScotlandfromCaithnesstotheborder;andthemostpartialchroniclerneverinsultedhismemorywiththerecordofagooddeed.
　　HewasborntoagentlefamilyintheCalendarofMonteith,andwascelebratedeveninboyhoodforhisfeatsofstrengthanddaring.Whilestillatschoolhecouldholdahundredweightatarm's-length,andcrumpleupahorseshoelikeawispofhay.Thefleetestrunner,themostdesperatefighterinthecountry,hewasalreadyfamousbeforehisnamewasbesmirchedwithcrime,andhemighthavebeenimmortalisedastheHerculesoftheseventeenthcentury,hadnothisambitionbeenotherwiseflattered.Attheoutset,thoughtheinclinationwasneverlacking,heknewsmalltemptationtobreakthesternerlawsofconduct.Hispleasureswereabundantlysuppliedbyhisfather'sgenerosity,andhehadnoneedtorefrainfromsuchvicesasbecameagentleman.Ifhewasnodrunkard,itwasbecausehisheadwasequaltothesevereststrain,and,despitehisforbiddingexpression,hewasalwaysasuccessfulbreakerofhearts.Hisverymasterfulnessovercamethemoststubbornresistance;andmorethanoncethepressureofhisdishonourablesuitconvertedhatredintolove.AttheverytimethathewasdenouncedforScotland'sdisgrace,hispraiseswerechantedinmanyadejectedballad.`Gilderoywasabonnyboy,'sangoneheart-brokenmaiden:
　　Hadrosestillhisshoon,Hisstockingswereofsilkensoy,Wi'gartershangingdoon.
　　Butintruthhewasadmiredlessforhisamiabilitythanforthatqualityofgovernancewhich,whenoncehehadtornthedecaloguetopieces,madehimaveritableemperorofcrime.
　　Hisfather'sdeathwasthetruebeginningofhiscareer.A
　　modestpatrimonywassquanderedinsixmonths,andGilderoyhadnopennyleftwherewithtosatisfytheviceswhichinsisteduponindulgence.Hedemandedmoneyatallhazards,andmoneywithouttoil.Forawhilehismoreloudlyclamantneedswerefulfilledbytheamiablesimplicityofhismother,whomheblackmailedwithinsolenceandcontempt.Andwhenshe,weariedbyhisshamelessimportunity,atlastwithdrewhersupport,hedetermineduponamonstrousactofvengeance.Withanobleaffectationofpenitencehevisitedhishome;promisedreformatsupper;andsaidgood-nightinthebrokenaccentofreconciliation.Nosoonerwasthehousesunkinslumberthanhecrawledstealthilyupstairsinordertoforestallbytheftapromisedgenerosity.Heopenedthedoorofthebed-chamberinahushedsilence;butthewrenchingofthecofferlidawokethesleeper,andGilderoy,havingcuthismother'sthroatwithaninfamouslevity,seizedwhatevermoneyandjewelswereinthehouse,cruellymaltreatedhissister,andlaughinglyburntthehousetotheground,thatthepossibilityofevidencemightbedestroyed.
　　Henceforthhismethodofplunderwasassured.Itwaspartofhisphilosophytopreventdetectionbymurder,andtheflamesfromtheburningwallsaddedapleasuretohislustfuleye.HismarchacrossScotlandwasmarkedbyslaughteredfamiliesandruinedhouses.Plunderwasthefirstcauseofhisexploits,butthereisnodoubtthatdeathandarsonwereasolacetohisfiercespirit;andforawhilethisgiantofcrueltyknewneitherchecknorhindrance.Presentlyitbecameasuperstitionwithhimthatdeathwastheinevitableaccompanimentofrobbery,and,ashewasincapableofremorse,hegrewcallous,andneglectedthesimplestprecautions.AtDunkeldherazedarifledhousetotheground,andwiththeutmosteffronteryrepeatedtheperformanceatAberdeen.Butatlasthehadbeentrackedbyacompanyofsoldiers,who,thatjusticemightnotbecheatedofherprey,carriedhimtogaol,whereafterthebriefesttrialhewascondemnedtodeath.
　　Gilderoy,however,wasstillmasterofhimself.Hisimmensestrengthnotonlybursthisbonds,butbrokeprison,andthisinvincibleSamsonwasoncemorefreeinAberdeen,inspiringthatrespectablecitywithalegendarydread.Therewardofonehundredpoundswasofferedinvain.Hadheshownhimselfontheroadinbroaddaylight,nonewouldhavedaredtoarresthim,anditwasnotuntilhisplansweredeliberatelylaid,thathecrossedthesea.Themoreviolentperiodofhiscareerwasatanend.Neveragaindidheyieldtohispassionforburningandsuddendeath;and,iftheworldfoundhimunconquerable,hisself-controlisprovedbythefactthatintheheydayofhisstrengthheturnedfromhisunredeemedbrutalitytoagentlermethod.HenowdesertedScotlandforFrance,withwhich,likeallhiscountrymen,heclaimedacousinship;andsoprofoundlydidheimposeuponPariswithhisimmensestature,hiselegantattire,hiscourtlymannersforhewascourtesyitself,whenitpleasedhim,thathewastakenforaneminentscholar,oratleastasoldieroffortune.
　　Prosperitymightdoubtlesshavefollowedadiscreetprofession,butGilderoymuststillbethieving,andhereapedarichharvestamongtheunsuspiciouscourtiersofFrance.HismosthighlyrenownedexploitwasperformedatSt.Denis,andtherecordofFrance'shumiliationisstilltreasured.Thegreatchurchwaspackedwithladiesoffashionandtheirdevoutadmirers.
　　Richelieuattendedinstate;thekinghimselfshoneupontheassembly.ThestrangeScotsman,whomnomanknewandallmenwonderedat,attractedahundredeyestohimselfandhismagnificentequipment.Butitwasnothistobeidle,andattheverymomentwhereatMasswasbeingsung,hecontrivedtolightenRichelieu'spocketofapurse.Thekingwasadelightedwitnessofthetheft;Gilderoy,assuminganairoffacileintimacy,motionedhimtosilence;andhe,deemingitatrickputuponRichelieubyafriend,hastened,attheservice-end,toaskhisministerifperchancehehadapurseofgolduponhim.Richelieuinstantlydiscoveredtheloss,totheking'suncontrolledhilarity,whichwasmitigatedwhenitwasfoundthatthethief,havingemptiedtheking'spocketattheunguardedmomentofhismerriment,hadleftthemboththepoorer.
　　SuchwereGilderoy'sinterludesofgaiety;andwhenyourememberthecynicalferocityofhisearlierperformance,youcannotdenyhimthecreditofversatility.HestayedinFranceuntilhisominousreputationwastoowidelyspread;whereuponhecrossedthePyrenees,travellinglikeagentleman,inabrilliantcarriageofhisown.FromSpainhecarriedoffapricelesscollectionofsilverplate;andhereturnedtohisowncountry,fatigued,yetunsoftened,bythegrandtour.Meanwhile,aforgetfulgenerationhadnotkepthismemorygreen.Themonster,whopunishedScotlandayearagowithfireandsword,hadpassedintooblivion,andGilderoywasabletoestablishforhimselfanewreputation.Hedepartedasfaraspossiblefromhisancientcustom,joinedthemanycavaliers,whowereridingupanddownthecountry,pistolinhand,andpresentlyprovedadauntlesshighwayman.HehadnotlongriddenintheneighbourhoodofPerthbeforehemettheEarlofLinlithgow,fromwhomhetookagoldwatch,adiamondring,andeightyguineas.Beinganoutlaw,henaturallyespousedtheKing'scause,andwouldhavegivenayearofhislifetomeetaRegicide.Onceuponatime,saysrumour,hefoundhimselffacetofacewithOliverCromwell,whomhedraggedfromhiscoach,setignominiouslyuponanass,andsoturnedadriftwithhisfeettiedunderthebeast'sbelly.Thestoryisincredible,notonlybecausetheloyalhistoriansofthetimecausedOlivertoberobbeddailyoneveryroadinGreatBritain,butbecauseourGilderoy,hadheeverconfrontedtheProtector,mostassuredlywouldnothaveallowedhimtoescapewithhislife.
　　Tiredofscouringthehighway,Gilderoyresolveduponanotherenterprise.Hecollectedabandoffearlessruffians,andplacedhimselfattheirhead.Withthisarmytoaid,heharriedSutherlandandtheNorth,liftingcattle,plunderinghomesteads,andstoppingwayfarerswithahumourandadroitnessworthyofRobinHood.Nolongeralawlessadventurer,hemadehisownconditionsoflife,andforcedthepeopletoobeythem.HewhowouldpayGilderoyafaircontributionrannoriskoflosinghissheeporoxen.Butevasionwasimpossible,andthesmallestsuspicionoffalsehoodwaspunishedbydeath.Thepeaceablyinclinedpaidtheirtollwithregret;themoredaringopposedtheraidertotheirmiserableundoing;thetimidsatisfiedtheutmostexactionsofGilderoy,anddeemedthemselvesfortunateiftheyleftthecountrywiththeirlives.