In the testimony of her contemporaries there is unanimity with regard to the beauty and wit of Margaret Rudd--the sole grudge, even of the women, being that she was clever enough to cheat the gallows. To pretend sympathy with those who were saddened because she received no punishment is superlative cant, for the penalty would have been out of all proportion to the offence. Thus the cheers that rang through the Old Bailey on that December evening long ago find an echo in our hearts to-day. Moreover, since it was needful to offer up a propitiatory sacrifice to Mammon, it was a shrewd common-sense that selected the brothers as the more deserving of the awful atonement. In the scarlet pages of the chronicles of crime there is not another dazzling figure such as the mistress of poor Daniel Perreau. Yet she walks across the dim stage in the guise of no tragedy queen as Miss Blandy. If at all, she compels our tears amidst our smiles, and such tears are the most gentle and spontaneous. Light, sparkling, joyous, she chases pleasure with reckless laughter, meeting the fate of all who pursue the glittering wisp, heedless of the deepening mire through which they tread. It is wrong to watch her dainty person with delight, but we cannot avert our eyes. Alas, _transit gloria mundi_! One of the most excellent of modern critics speaks truly of this immortal lady as a forgotten heroine of the _Newgate Calendar_, and she--the idol of princes and lord mayors--has not received a niche among the national biographies! BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE PERREAU CASE I. CONTEMPORARY TRACTS 1. _The Female Forgery_, Or Fatal Effects of Unlawful Love. J. Bew, No. 28 Paternoster Row. Price 1/6. “With a beautiful whole-length portrait of Mrs Rudd resolving whether to sign the Bond or forfeit her life. From the capital drawing of an eminent master.” (Published April 22, 1775.) 2. _Forgery Unmasked_, or Genuine Memoirs of the Two Unfortunate Brothers, Rob. and Daniel Perreau, and Mrs Rudd. A. Grant, Bridges Street, Covent Garden. Price 1/. “Illustrated with a New and Beautiful Engraving of Mr Dan. Perreau in the act of threatening to Murder Mrs. Rudd, unless she would sign the Fatal Bond.” (April 25, 1775. A pro-Rudd Tract, containing the case of Mrs Rudd, as related by herself, which appeared originally as a series of letters in the _Morning Post_ from March 27 to April 10.) 3. _Genuine Memoirs of Messieurs Perreau_; (Now under Confinement.) With many Curious Anecdotes relative to Mrs Rudd; G. Allen, No. 59 Paternoster Row. Price 1/6. Brit. Mus. (April 26, 1775.) 4. _The Genuine Memoirs of the Messers Perreau._ G. Kearsley, 46 Fleet Street. Price 1/6. (Published May 11, 1775. Second edition June 8, 1775.) 5. _The Trials of Robert and Daniel Perreau._ T. Bell, at (No. 26) the Top of Bell-Yard, near Temple Bar. Taken down in shorthand by Joseph Gurney. (June 6, 1775.)