Didactic fiction; Domestic fiction; England -- Fiction; Married women -- Fiction
“No offence I hope, sir,” said the bailiff; “I hope I have not treated
you with any incivility. I don’t ask any gentleman to call for liquor
in my house if he doth not chuse it; nor I don’t desire anybody to stay
here longer than they have a mind to. Newgate, to be sure, is the place
for all debtors that can’t find bail. I knows what civility is, and I
scorn to behave myself unbecoming a gentleman: but I’d have you consider
that the twenty-four hours appointed by act of parliament are almost
out; and so it is time to think of removing. As to bail, I would not
have you flatter yourself; for I knows very well there are other things
coming against you. Besides, the sum you are already charged with is
very large, and I must see you in a place of safety. My house is no
prison, though I lock up for a little time in it. Indeed, when gentlemen
are gentlemen, and likely to find bail, I don’t stand for a day or two;
but I have a good nose at a bit of carrion, captain; I have not carried
so much carrion to Newgate, without knowing the smell of it.”
“I understand not your cant,” cries Booth; “but I did not think to have
offended you so much by refusing to drink in a morning.”
“Offended me, sir!” cries the bailiff. “Who told you so? Do you think,
sir, if I want a glass of wine I am under any necessity of asking my
prisoners for it? Damn it, sir, I’ll shew you I scorn your words. I can
afford to treat you with a glass of the best wine in England, if you
comes to that.” He then pulled out a handful of guineas, saying, “There,
sir, they are all my own; I owe nobody a shilling. I am no beggar, nor
no debtor. I am the king’s officer as well as you, and I will spend
guinea for guinea as long as you please.”
“Harkee, rascal,” cries Booth, laying hold of the bailiff’s collar.
“How dare you treat me with this insolence? doth the law give you any
authority to insult me in my misfortunes?” At which words he gave the
bailiff a good shove, and threw him from him.
“Very well, sir,” cries the bailiff; “I will swear both an assault and
an attempt to a rescue. If officers are to be used in this manner, there
is an end of all law and justice. But, though I am not a match for you
myself, I have those below that are.” He then ran to the door and called
up two ill-looking fellows, his followers, whom, as soon as they entered
the room, he ordered to seize on Booth, declaring he would immediately
carry him to Newgate; at the same time pouring out a vast quantity of
abuse, below the dignity of history to record.
Booth desired the two dirty fellows to stand off, and declared he would
make no resistance; at the same time bidding the bailiff carry him
wherever he durst.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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