The Surprising Adventures of Bampfylde Moore Carew, King of the Beggars: Containing his Life, a Dictionary of the Cant Language, and many Entertaining Particulars of that Extraordinary ManUnknown
General
The Surprising Adventures of Bampfylde Moore Carew, King of the Beggars: Containing his Life, a Dictionary of the Cant Language, and many Entertaining Particulars of that Extraordinary Man
Neither was he such a one as that excellent artist, Mr. Hogarth, has
depicted in his picture of a Modern Midnight Conversation;—nor such a one
as the author of Joseph Andrews has, above all authors, so inimitably
drawn to the life; nor yet was he such a one as thou hast often seen at a
quarter sessions, with a large wig, a heavy unmeaning countenance, and a
sour aspect, who gravely nods over a cause, and then passes a decision on
what he does not understand; and no wonder, when he, perhaps, never saw,
much less read the laws of his country; but of Justice Brown, I can
assure the reader, he could not only read, but upon occasion write a
mittimus, without the assistance of his clerk; he was thoroughly
acquainted with the general duties of his office, and the particular laws
of Maryland; his countenance was an awful majesty, tempered with a humane
sweetness, ever unwilling to punish, yet always afraid of offending
justice; and if at any time necessity obliged him to use the rod, he did
it with so much humanity and compassion, as plainly indicated the duties
of his office forced, rather than the cruelty or haughtiness of his
temper prompted to it; and while the unhappy criminal suffered a
corporeal punishment, he did all that lay in his power, to the end that
it might have a due effect, by endeavouring to amend the mind with
salutary advice; if the exigencies of the state required taxes to be
levied upon the subjects, he never, by his authority or office, excused
himself from bearing his full proportion; nor even would he meanly submit
to see any of his fellow-justices do so.
It was before such a justice Mr. Carew had the good fortune to be
carried: they found him in his court-yard, just mounting his horse to go
out, and he very civilly inquired their business; the timbermen told him
they had got a runaway: the justice then inquired of Mr. Carew who he
was: he replied he was a sea-faring man, belonging to the Hector
privateer of Boston, captain Anderson, and as they could not agree, he
had left the ship. The justice told him he was very sorry it should
happen so, but he was obliged by the laws of his country to stop all
passengers who could not produce passes; and, therefore, though
unwillingly, he should be obliged to commit him; he then entertained him
very plentifully with victuals and drink, and in the mean time made his
commitment for New Town gaol. Mr. Carew, finding his commitment made,
told the timbermen, that, as they got their money easily, he would have a
horse to ride upon, for it was too hot for him to walk in that country.
The justice merrily cried, Well spoken, prisoner. There was then a great
ado with the timbermen to get a horse for him; but at last one was
procured, and our hero, mounted on a milk-white steed, was conveyed in a
sort of triumph to New Town, the timbermen performing the cavalcade on
foot.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account