`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.AndwhatinmateofNewgateeverforgottheafternoonofthatgloriousday(Maythe24th,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,but(afargreaterhonour)Hogarthmadehimimmortal.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.ThemodestyofhisambitionsetshimbelowC
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:`CigitJeanReb
DuCh
Inthegreymorningthirtysoldierscreptforthguidedbythetraitor,`enhabitsdebourgeoisetdechasseur,\'forthehousewhereCartouchehadlain.Itwasaninn,keptbyoneSavard,nearlaHaulteBornedelaCourtille;andthesoldiers,thoughtheylackednotnumbers,approachedthechieftain\'slairshakingwithterror.InfrontmarchedDuCh
SofellthescourgeofParisintothegripofjustice.Butonceunderlockandkey,hedisplayedallthequalitieswhichmadehimsupreme.Hisgaietybrokeforthintoalight-heartedcontemptofhisgaolers,andtheLieutenantCriminel,whowouldinterrogatehim,wascoveredwithridicule.Notforaninstantdidhebowtofate:allshackledashewas,hislegsengarlandedinheavychains——whichhecalledhisgarters——hetemperedhismerrimentwiththemeditationofescape.FromthefirsthedeniedallknowledgeofCartouche,insistingthathisnamewasCharlesBourguignon,anddemandingburgundy,thathemightdrinktohiscountryandthusprovehimatruesonofthesoil.Noteventhepresenceofhismotherandbrotherabashedhim.Helaughedthemawayasimpostors,hiredbyafalsejusticetoaccuseandtobetraytheinnocent.Nowordofconfessioncrossedhislips,andhewouldstillentertaintheofficersofthelawwithjokeandepigram.
ThushewonoverahandfuloftheGuard,and,beggingforsolitude,hestraightwaysetaboutescapewithacourageandanaddresswhichJackSheppardmighthaveenvied.Hisdelicateeardiscoveredthatacellarlaybeneathhiscell;andwiththeoldnailwhichliesonthefloorofeveryprisonhemadehiswaydownwardsintoaboxmaker\'sshop.Butabarkingdogspoiledtheenterprise:theboxmakerandhisdaughterwereimmediatelyabroad,andoncemoreCartouchewaslodgedinprison,weightedwithstillheaviergarters.
Thencameaperiodofsplendidnotoriety:heheldhiscourt,hegaveaneasyreintohiswit,hereceivedduchessesandprinceswithanairofamiablepatronage.Fewtherewereofhisvisitantswholefthimwithoutapresentofgold,andthustheuniversalrobberwasfurtherrewardedbyhisvictims.Hisportraithungineveryhouse,andhisthin,hardface,hisdry,smallfeatureswereatlastfamiliartothewholeofFrance.M.
Grandvalmadehimtheheroofanepic——`LeVicePuni.\'Eventhetheatrewasdominatedbyhispresence;andwhileArlequin-
CartouchewasgreetedwiththundersofapplauseattheItaliens,themoreseriousFran
Cartouchesetlittlestorebysuchpatronage.Hepocketedthecrowns,andthenputanendtothecomedybythreateningthatifitwereplayedagainthecompanionsofCartouchewouldpunishallsuchmiscreantsasdaredtomakehimalaughingstock.ForCartouchewouldendureridiculeatnoman\'shand.Attheveryinstantofhisarrest,allbare-footedashewas,hekickedaconstablewhopresumedtosmileathisdiscomfiture.Hislastdayswerespentinresoluteabandonment.True,heonceattemptedtobeatouthisbrainswiththefettersthatboundhim;true,also,hetookapoisonthathadbeensecretlyconveyedwithintheprison.Butbothattemptsfailed,and,morescrupulouslywatched,hehadnoothercoursethanjollity.
Lawyersandpriestshevisitedwithalikeandbitterscorn,andwhen,onNovember27,1721,hewasledtothescaffold,notawordofconfessionorcontritionhadbeendraggedfromhim.
Tothelastmomenthecherishedthehopeofrescue,andeagerlyhescannedthecrowdforthefacesofhiscomrades.Butthegang,trustingtoitsleader\'snobility,hadbrokenitsoath.
WithcontemptuousdignityCartouchedetermineduponrevenge:
proudlyheturnedtothepriest,beggingarespiteandtheopportunityofspeech.Forgottenbyhisfriends,heresolvedtosparenosinglesoul:hebetrayedevenhismistressestojustice.
Ofhisgang,fortywereintheserviceofMlle.deMontpensier,whowasalreadyinSpain;whiletwoobeyedtheDuchessedeVentadourasvalets-de-pied.Hisconfession,inbrief,wassodangerousadocument,itbetrayedthefriendsandservantsofsomanygreathouses,thattheofficersoftheLawfoundsafetyfortheirpatronsinitsdestruction,andnotalineofthehero\'stestimonyremains.Thetrialofhiscomradesdraggedonformanyayear,andafterCartouchehadbeencruellybrokenonthewheel,notafewofthegang,ofwhichhehadbeenatoncetheterrorandinspiration,sufferedalikefate.Suchthecareerandsuchthefittingendofthemostdistinguishedmaraudertheworldhasknown.Thackeray,withnobetterguidethanachap-book,wasmindedtobelittlehim,nowhabitinghimlikeascullion,nowsendinghimforthonsomepettyerrandofcly-faking.ButforallThackeray\'scontempthisfameisstillundimmed,andhehasleftthereputationofonewho,asthiefunrivalled,hadscarcehisequalaswitanddandyeveninthedayswhenLouistheMagnificentwasstillamemoryandanexample.
III
APARALLEL
(SHEPPARDANDCARTOUCHE)
APARALLEL
(SHEPPARDANDCARTOUCHE)
IFtheseventeenthcenturywasthegoldenageofthehightobyman,itwasattheadventoftheeighteenththattheburglarandstreet-robberpliedtheirtradewiththemostdistinguishedsuccess,anditwasthegoodfortuneofbothCartoucheandSheppardtobeborninthenickoftime.Rivalsintalent,theywerealsonearcontemporaries,andtheScourgeofParismaywellhavebeenfamousinthepurlieusofClareMarketbeforeJacktheSlip-Stringpaidthelastpenaltyofhiscrimes.Aseachofthesegreatmenharbouredasimilarambition,sotheircareersarecloselyparallel.Borninahumblerankoflife,Jack,likeCartouche,wasthearchitectofhisownfortune;Jack,likeCartouche,livedtobeflatteredbynobledamesandtoclaimthesolicitudeofhisSovereign;andeachowedhispre-eminencerathertonaturalgeniusthantoasympathetictraining.
But,foralltheBriton\'sartistry,theFrenchmanwasinallpointssaveonethesuperior.Sheppard\'sbraincarriedhimnotbeyondthewantsofto-dayandtheextortionsofPollMaggot.
Whoknowsbuthemighthavebeenarespectablecitizen,withneverachanceforthedisplayofhispeculiartalent,hadnothungerandhismistress\'sgreeddrivenhimuponthepad?Historyrecordsnobrilliantrobberyofhisownplanning,andsocircumscribedwashisimaginationthathemustneedspickouthisownfriendsandbenefactorsfordepredation.Hispaltrysenseofdisciplinepermittedhimtobebetrayedevenbyhisbrotherandpupil,andtherewasnocracksmanofhistimeoverwhoseheadheheldtherodofterror.EvenhishatredofJonathanWildwastheresultnotofpolicybutofprejudice.Cartouche,ontheotherhand,wasalwaysperfectwhenatwork.Themasterofhimself,hewasalsothemasterofhisfellows.Therewasnodetailofcivilwarthathehadnotmadehisown,andhestillremains,afternearlytwocenturies,thegreatestcaptaintheworldhasseen.
Neverdidhepermitanenterprisetofailbyaccident;neverwasheimpelledbyhungerorimprovidencetofightabattleunprepared.Hismeanswerealwaysneatlyfittedtotheirend,asisprovedbythetruththat,throughouthiscareer,hewasarrestedbutonce,andthennotbyhisowninadvertencebutbythetreacheryofothers.
YetfromthemomentofarrestJackSheppardassertedhismagnificentsuperiority.IfCartouchewasasorrybungleratprison-breaking,Sheppardwasunmatchedinthisdangerousart.
Thesportoftheonewastobreakin,oftheothertobreakout.True,theBritonprovedhisinferioritybytoofrequentlyplacinghimselfunderlockandkey;butyouwillforgivehiseveryweaknessfortheunexampledskillwherewithheextricatedhimselffromthestubbornestdungeon.CartouchewouldscarcehavegivenSheppardamenial\'sofficeinhisgang.HowcordiallySheppardwouldhavedespisedCartouche\'ssolitaryexperimentinescape!Tobefoiledbyadogandaboxmaker\'sdaughter!WouldnotthathaveseemedcontemptibletothemasterbreakerofthoseunnumbereddoorsandwallswhichseparatetheCastlefromthefreedomofNewgateroof?
Such,then,isthecontrastbetweentheheroes.Sheppardclaimsouradmirationforonemasterpiece.Cartouchehasasheafofworks,whichshallcarryhimtriumphantlytotheremotestfuture.
Andwhenyouforgetawhileprofessionalrivalry,andconsiderthedelicaciesofleisure,youwillfindtheFrenchman\'sgreatnessstillindisputable.Atallpointshewastheprettiergentleman.Sheppard,tobesure,hadasenseoffinery,buthewassounusedtograndeurthatvulgarityalwaysspoiledhiseffects.Whenhehiedhimfromthepawnshop,ladenwithbooty,hemuste\'encramwhathecouldnotwearintohispockets;anddoubtlesshisvulgarlackofreticencemadedetectioneasier.
Cartouche,ontheotherhand,hadanunfailingsenseofproportion,andwasnevermoredressedthanbecametheperfectdandy.Hewaselegant,hewaspolished,hewasjoyous.Hedrankwine,whiletheothersoakedhimselfinbeer;hedespisedwhateverwascommon,whilehisrivalknewbutthecoarserflavoursoflife.
Theonewasdistinguishedbyaboisteroushumour,aswaggeringprideinhisownprowess;thewitoftheothermightbeedgedlikeaknife,norwouldheeverappealforaspectacletothecuriosityofthemob.Bothweremenofmanymistresses,butagaininhisconductwithwomenCartoucheshowedanhonestertalent.Sheppardwasatoncethepreyandthewhipping-blockofhistwoinfamousdoxies,whoagreedindeformityoffeatureasincontemptfortheirlover.Cartouche,ontheotherhand,chosehiscabaretforthewitofitspatronne,andwasalwayshappyintheeleganceandaccomplishmentofhiscompanions.Onepointoflikenessremains.Thetwoheroesresembledeachothernotonlyintheirprofession,butintheirperson.Thoughtheirtradedemandedphysicalstrength,eachwassmallandslenderofbuild.`Alittle,slight-limbedlad,\'saysthehistorianofSheppard.`Athin,spareframe,\'singsthepoetofCartouche.
Here,then,neitherhadtheadvantage,andifintheshadesCartouchedespisestheclumsinessandvulgarityofhisrival,SheppardmaystillrememberthegloryofNewgate,andtwittheFrenchmanwiththebarkingoftheboxmaker\'sdog.Butgeniusisthetalentofthedead,andthewise,whoarenotpartisans,willnotdenytotheoneortotheotherthepossessionoftherarergift.
VAUX
VAUX
TOHaggart,whobabbledontheCastleRockofWillieWallaceandwasonlynineteenwhenhedancedwithoutthemusic;toSimms,aliasGentlemanHarry,whoshowedatTyburnhowaherocoulddie;toGeorgeBarrington,theincomparablywittyandadroit——totheseafullmeedofhonourhasbeenpaid.EventhecoarseanddastardlyFreneyhasachieved,withThackeray\'said(andLever\'s)
somethingofareputation.ButJamesHardyVaux,despitehiseloquentbidforfame,hasnotfoundhisrhapsodist.Yetamoreconsistentruffianneverpleadedformercy.Fromhisearlyyouthuntilin1819hesentforthhisMemoirstotheworld,helivedindustriouslyuponthecross.Therewasnoracketbutheworkeditwithenergyandaddress.Thoughhepractisedthemoregloriouscraftsofpickpocketandshoplifter,hedidnotdespisethebegging-letter,andhesufferedhislastpunishmentforreceivingwhatanother\'scouragehadconveyed.Hisenterprisewasnotseldomrewardedwithsuccess,andforadecadeofyearshecontinuedtopreserveanappearanceofgentility;butitisplain,evenfromhisownnarrative,thathewasscarceanartist,andweshallbestunderstandhimifwerecognisethathewasaPhilistineamongthieves.Helivedinanageofpocket-
picking,andskillinthisbranchisthetruetestofhistime.
AcontemporaryofBarrington,hehadbeforehimthemostbrilliantofexamples,whichmightproperlyhaveenforcedtheworthofasimplemethod.But,thoughheconstantlybragsofhissuccessatDruryLane,wetakenothisgeneralitiesforgospel,andtheoneexploitwhosecredibilityisenforcedwithcircumstancewaspitifulbothinconceptionandperformance.A
meetingoffreeholdersatthe`MermaidTavern,\'Hackney,wastheoccasion,andafterdrawingblankuponblank,Vauxsucceededatlastinextractingasilversnuff-box.Now,hisclumsinesshadsuggestedtheuseofthescissors,andthevictimnotonlydiscoveredthescissioninhiscoat,butcaughtthethiefwiththeimplementsofhisartuponhim.ByamiracleofimpudenceVauxescapedconviction,buthedeservedthegallowsforhiswantofprinciple,andnotevensympathycouldhaveletdropatear,hadjusticeseizedherdue.Onthestraightoronthecrossthecanonsofartdeserverespect;andathiefisgreat,notbecauseheisathief,butbecause,infillinghisownpocket,hepreservesfromviolencethelegitimatetraditionsofhiscraft.
ButitwasinconflictwiththejewellersthatVauxbestprovedhismettle.Itwashiswonttoclothehimself`inthemostelegantattire,\'andonthepretenceofpurchasetorifletheshopsofPiccadilly.Forthisoffence——`pinching\'theCantDictionarycallsit——hedidhislongeststretchoftime,andherehisadmirablequalitiesofcunningandcoolnessfoundtheirmostgenerousscope.Aloveoffineclotheshesharedwithallthebestofhiskind,andhevisitedMrBilger——thejewellerwhoarrestedhim——magnificentlyarrayed.Heworeablackcoatandwaistcoat,bluepantaloons,Hessianboots,andahat`intheextremeofthenewestfashion.\'Hewasalsoresplendentwithgoldwatchandeye-glass.Hishairwaspowdered,andafawneysparkledonhisdexterfam.Thebootywasenormous,andaweeklaterherevisitedtheshoponanothererrand.Thissecondvisitwastheoneflashofgeniusinasomewhatdrabcareer:thejewellerwassocompletelydumfounded,thatVauxmighthavegotcleanaway.Butthoughhekeptdiscreetlyoutofsightforawhile,atlasthedriftedbacktohisancientboozing-ken,andwastherebetrayedtoanotoriousthief-catcher.Theinevitablesentenceofdeathfollowed.Itwascommutedafterthefashionofthetime,andVaux,havingsojournedawhileattheHulks,soughtforasecondtimethegenialairsofBotanyBay.