A Second Sunday Episode: Barnaby Rudge Chapter LVII

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A diary of Samuel Peep's 28th of October 1663 Up and at my office all the morning, and

noon Mr. Creed came to me and dined with me, and after dinner Captain Murford came to

me, and he and I disgurced highly upon his breach of contract with us. After that Mr.

Creed and I abroad, iding several errands and with him at last to the great coffee-house

and there, after some common discourse we parted and I home, paying what I owed at the

miter in my way, and at home Simpson's the joiner coming. He set up my press for my cloaks

and other small things, and so to my office a little, and to supper and to bed.

29th of October Up it being my Lord Mayor's Day,

Sir Anthony Bateman, this morning was brought home my new velvet cloak, that is lined with

velvet, a good cloth the outside, the first that ever I had in my life, and I pray God

it may not be too soon, now that I begin to wear it. I had it this day brought home, thinking

to have worn it at dinner, but I thought it would be better to go without it, because

of the crowd, and so I did not wear it. In dressing myself and wanting a band, I found

all my bands that were newly made clean, so ill-smooth that I crumpled them, and flung

them all on the ground, and was angry with Jane, which made the poor girl mighty sad,

so that I were troubled for it afterwards. At noon I went forth, and by coach to Guildhall,

by the way calling to shit at Mr. Rawlingsons, and there was admitted, and meeting with

Mr. Probe, Sir Robert Ford's son, and left Lieutenant Colonel Baron a city commander,

we went up and down to see the tables, were under every sort, there was a bill of fair,

and at the end of the table, the person's proper for that table. Many were the tables,

but none in the hall, but the mayors and the lords of the privy council, that had napkins

or knives, which was very strange. We went into the buttery, and there stayed and taught,

and there into the hall again, and their wine was offered, but they drunk. I only drinking

some hip-hop criss, which does not break my vow, it being to the best of my present

judgement, only a mixed compound drink, and not any wine. If I am mistaken, God forgive

me, but I hope, and I do think I am not, by and by, met with creed and we and the others,

went within the several courts, and there saw the tables prepared for the ladies and judges

and bishops, all great sign of a great dinner to come. By and by, about one o'clock, before

the Lord Mayor came, came into the hall from the room, where they were first led into

the Lord Chancellor, Archbishop before him, with the lords of the council and other bishops,

and they to dinner. Anon comes the Lord Mayor, who went up to the lords and then to the

other tables to bid welcome, and so all to dinner. I set near Probe Baron, and creed and

the merchant's strangers table, where ten good dishes to a mess, with plenty of wine

of all sorts, of which I drunk none, but it was very unpleasing that we had no napkins,

nor change of trenches, and drunk out of earthen pictures and wooden dishes. It happened

that, after the lords had half dined, came the French and Bacida, up to the lords table,

where he was to have sat, but finding the table set, he would not sit down, nor dine

with the Lord Mayor, who was not yet come, nor have a table to himself which was offered,

and in a discontent went away again. After I had dined, iron, and creed, rose up and

went down, the house and up to the lady's room, and their stayed gazing upon them, but

though they were many and fine, both young and old, yet I could not discern one handsome

face there, which was very strange. I expected music, but there was none, but only trumpets

and drums which displeased me. The dinner it seems is made by the Mayor and two sheriffs

for the time being, the Lord Mayor paying one half and they the other, and the whole

probe says, is reckoned to come to about seven or eight hundred pounds at most. Being

weird with looking upon a company of ugly women, creed an eye went away, and took coach

and through cheap side, and there saw the pageants, which were very silly, and thenced to

the table where meeting greater ex, he and we, to the Hercules pillars, there to show

me the manner of his going about, a great work of draining of the fins, which I desired

much to know, but it did not appear very satisfactory to me as he discussed it. I'm going to

say disgust from now on, because although it says discourse, I think by now they're probably

pronouncing it that way, and I doubt he would fail in it. 31. To the office were busy

till night, and then to prepare my monthly account, about which I stayed till ten or eleven

o'clock at night, and to my great sorrow find myself forty three pounds worse, then when

I was last month, which was then six seven hundred and sixty pounds, and now is but seven hundred

and seventeen pounds, but it had chiefly arisen from my laying's out in clothes for myself

and wife, vis for her about twelve pounds, and for myself fifty five pounds all there abouts,

having made myself a velvet cloak, two new cloth suits, black, plain, blue, both, a new

shag gown, trimmed with gold buttons and twist, and a new hat, and silk tops for my legs,

and many other things, being resolved hence forward, to go like myself, and also two periwigs,

one whereof cost me three pounds and the other forty shillings. I have worn neither yet,

but will begin next week, God willing, so that I hope I shall not now need to lay out more money,

a great while, I having laid out in clothes for myself and wife, and for her closet and other

things without, these two months, this and the last, besides household expenses of rituals, etc,

above a hundred and ten pounds, but I hope I shall with more comfort, labour to get more,

and with better success than when, for want of clothes I was forced to sneak, like a beggar.

Having done this, I went home, and afterwards to supper, and then to bed,

and then the next time we go into his diaries, it'll be November, and it'll be Lord's Day,

and it starts with this morning, my brother's man, brought me a new, black,

bays wastecoat, faced with silk.

Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens, Chapter 57

Barnaby, armed as we have seen, continued to pace up and down before the stable door,

glad to be alone again and heartily rejoicing in the unaccustomed silence and tranquility,

after a whirl of noise and riot, in which the last two days had been passed,

the pleasures of solitude and peace were enhanced a thousandfold. He felt quite happy,

and as he leaned upon his staff and mused a bright smile overspread his face,

and none but cheerful visions floated into his brain. Had he no thought of her,

whose soul delight he was, and whom he had unconsciously plunged in such bitter sorrow and such

deep affliction? Oh, yes, she was at the heart of all his cheerful hopes, and proud reflections,

it was she whom all this honour and distinction were to gladden the joy and profit were for her,

what delight it gave her to hear of the bravery of her poor boy.

Ah, he would have known that, without Hughes telling him, and what a precious thing it was to know,

she lived so happily and heard with so much pride, he pictured himself her look when they told her,

that he was in such high esteem, bold among the boldest and trusted before them all,

and when these phrase were over and the good Lord had conquered his enemies,

and they were all at peace again, and he and she were rich, what happiness they would have

in talking of these troubled times when he was a great soldier, and when they sat alone together

in the tranquil twilight, and she had no longer reason to be anxious for the morrow,

what pleasure would he have in the reflection that this was his doing, his poor foolish barnabies,

and in patting her on the cheek, and saying with a merry laugh, am I silly now, mother? Am I silly now?

With a lighter heart and step, and eyes the brighter for the happy tear that dimmed them from a moment,

barnabies resumed his walk, and singing galey to himself, kept guard upon his quiet post.

His comrade grip, the partner of his watch, they fond of basking in the sunshine,

preferred today to walk about the stable, having a great deal to do in the way of scattering

the straw, hiding under it, such small articles, as had been casually left about, and haunting

Hughes' bed, to which he seemed to have taken particular attachment. Sometimes barnabies looked

in and called him, and then he came hopping out, but he merely did this as a concession

to his master's weakness, and soon returned again to his own grave pursuits,

peering into the straw with his bill, and rapidly covering up the place as if,

might aslike he will whispering secrets to the earth, and burying them, constantly busy himself

upon the sly, and affecting whenever barnabie came past, to look up in the clouds and have nothing

on his mind, in short conducting himself in many respects, in a more than usually thoughtful,

deep, and mysterious manner. As the day crept on, barnabie, who had no directions,

forbidding him to eat and drink upon his post, but had been, on the contrary, supplied with

a bottle of beer and a basket of provisions, determined to break his fast, which he had not done

since the morning. To this end he stepped down on the ground before the door, and pushing his

staff across his knees in case of a alarm, or surprise, summoned grip to dinner. This call,

the bird obeyed with great alacrity, crying as he sidled up to his master. I'm a devil,

I'm a poly, I'm a kettle, I'm a Protestant, no popery. Having learnt this latter sentiment,

from the gentry among whom he had lived of late, he delivered it with uncommon emphasis.

Well said, grip, cried his master, as he fed him with the deityest bits. Well said, oh boy,

never say die, bow, wow, wow, keep up your spirits, grip, grip, grip,

a la, we'll all have tea, I'm a Protestant kettle, no popery, cried the raven.

Gordon forever grip, cried Barnaby. The raven raven, placing his head upon the ground,

looked at his master, sideways, as though he would have said, say that again.

Perfectly understanding his desire, Barnaby repeated the praffrees a great many times.

The bird listened with profound attention, sometimes repeating the repopular cry in a low voice,

as if to compare the two, and try if it would help at all to understand this new accomplishment,

sometimes flapping his wings or barking, and sometimes in a kind of desperation,

drawing a multitude of quirks with extraordinary viciousness.

Barnaby was so intent upon his favourite that he was not at first aware of the approach of two

persons on horseback who were riding at a foot pace and coming straight towards his post.

When he perceived them however which he did, when they were within such some fifty yards of him,

he jumped hastily up, and ordering grip within doors, stood with both hands on his staff,

waiting until he should know whether they were friends or foes. He had hardly done so when he

observed that those who advanced were a gentleman and his servant. Almost at the same moment he

recognised Lord George Gordon, before whom he stood uncovered with his eyes turned towards the

ground. Good day, said Lord George, not raining in his horse until he was close beside him.

Well, all quiet sir, all safe, cried Barnaby, the rest are away, they went by that path,

that one, a grand party, I, said Lord George, looking thoughtfully at him, and you.

Oh, they left me here to watch, to mount God, to keep everything secure till they came back.

I'll do it sir, for your sake, you're a good gentleman, a kind gentleman I you are,

there are many against you, but we all be a match for them never fear.

What's that, said Lord George, pointing to the raven, who is peeping out of the stable door,

but still looking thoughtfully, and in some perplexity it seemed, at Barnaby.

Why, don't you know, retorted Barnaby with a wondering laugh, not know what he is, a bird to be

sure, my bird, my friend, grip, a devil, a kettle, a grip, a poly, a Protestant, no popery,

cried the raven. Though indeed, added Barnaby, laying his hand upon the neck of Lord George's

horse, and speaking softly, you had good reason to ask me what he is, for sometimes it puzzles me

and I'm used to him, to think he's only a bird, he's my brother, grip is, always with me,

always talking, always marry a grip. The raven answered by an affectionate croak,

and hopping on his master's arm, which he held downward for that purpose, submitted with an

air of perfect indifference, to be fondled and turned, his restless curious eye, now upon Lord George,

and now upon his man, Lord George biting his nails in a discomforted manner, regarded Barnaby

for some time in silence, and then beckoning to his servant, said, come hither, John. John

Grooby touched his hat and came. Have you ever seen this young man before, his master asked in a low

voice? Twice, my Lord, said John, I see him in the crowd last night and Saturday. Did it seem to you

that his manner was at all wild or strange, Lord George demanded, faltering?

Mad, said John with emphatic brevity. And why did you think him mad, sir, said his master,

speaking in a peevish tone? Don't use that word too freely. Why do you think him mad?

My Lord, John Grooby answered, look at his dress, look at his eyes, look at his restless way,

hear him cry, no popery, mad, my Lord. So because one man dresses unlike another, returned his

angry master, glancing at himself, and happens to differ from other men in his carriage and manner,

and to advocate a great cause which corrupt and irreligious desert, he is to be accounted mad,

is he? Stark staring, raving, roaring, mad, my Lord, returned the unmoved John. Do you say this to

my face? Cry at his master, turning sharply upon him? To any man, my Lord, who asks me answer, John?

Mr. Gashford, I find, was right, said Lord George. I thought him prejudiced, though I ought to

have known a man like him better than to have supposed it possible. I shall never have Mr. Gashford's

good word, my Lord, replied John, touching his hat respectfully, and I don't cover it.

You are an ill-conditioned, most ungrateful fellow, said Lord George, as spy for anything I know.

Mr. Gashford is perfectly correct as I might have felt convinced he was. I have done wrong to retain

you in my service. It is a tacit insult to him, as my choice and confidential friend to do so,

remembering the cause you sided with, on the day he was maligned at Westminster. You will leave

me tonight, nay, as soon as we reach home, the sooner the better. If it comes to that, I say so to

my Lord, let Mr. Gashford have his will, as to my being a spy, my Lord. You know me better than

to believe it, I am sure. I don't know much about causes. My cause is the cause of one man

against two hundred, and I hope it will always be. You have said quite enough, returned Lord

George, machining him to go back. I desire to hear no more. If you'll let me add another word,

my Lord, returned John Gruby, I'll give this silly fellow a caution not to stay here by himself.

The proclamation is in a good many hands already, and it's well known that he was concerned

and the business it relates to. He had better get to a place of safety, if he can, poor creature.

You hear what the man says, cried Lord George, addressed addressing Barnaby, who had looked on

and wondered while this dialogue passed. He thinks you may be afraid to remain upon your post,

and to kept here perhaps against your will. What do you say?

I think young man said John in explanation, that the soldiers may turn out and take you,

and that if they do, you will certainly be hung by the neck till you're dead, dead, dead,

and I think you'd better go from here as fast as you can. That's what I think.

He's a coward grip, a coward, cried Barnaby, putting the raven on the ground and shouldering his staff,

let them come, Gordon forever, let them come. I said Lord George, let them, let us see who will venture

to attack a power like ours, the solemn league of a whole people. This is a madman. You have said

well, very well, I am proud to be the leader of such men as you. Barnaby's heart swelled within

his bosom as he heard these words. He took Lord George's hand and carried it to his lips,

patted his horse's crest as if the affection and admiration he had conceived for the man

extended to the animal he rode, then unfurled his flag and proudly waving it,

resumed his pacing up and down. Lord George, with a kindling eye and glowing cheek, took off his

hat and flourishing it above his head, bade him exultingly farewell, then cantered off at a brisk pace

after glancing angrily round to see that his servant followed. Honest John set spurs to his

horse and rode after his master, but not before he had warned Barnaby again to retreat,

with many significant gestures which indeed he continued to make and Barnaby to resist

until the windings of the road concealed them from each other's view. Left to himself again

with a still higher sense of the importance of his post and stimulated to enthusiasm by the special

notice and encouragement of his leader, Barnaby walked to and fro in a delicious trance rather than

as a waking man. The sunshine which prevailed around was in his mind, he had but one desire ungratified,

if only she could see him now. The day wore on, its heat was gently giving place to the

call of the evening, a light wind sprung up, fanning his long hair and making the banner rustle

pleasantly above his head. There was a freedom and freshness in the sound and in the time which

chimed exactly with his mood, he was happier than ever. He was leaning on his staff looking towards

the declining sun and reflecting with a smile that he stood sentinel at that moment over buried gold,

when two or three figures appeared in the distant, distance, making towards the house at a rapid pace

and machining with their hands as though they urged its inmates to retreat from some approaching

danger. As they drew nearer they became more earnest in their gestures and they were no sooner

within hearing than foremost among them cried that the soldiers were coming. At these words Barnaby

felled his flag and tied it around his pole. His heart beat high while he did so but he had no

more fear or thought of retreating than the pole itself. The friendly stragglers hurried past him

after giving him notice of his danger and quickly passed into the house where the utmost confusion

immediately prevailed. As those within hastily closed the windows and the doors they urged him by

looks and signs to fly without loss of time and called to him many times to do so but he only shook

his head indignantly in answer and stood the firmer on his post. Finding that he was not to be

persuaded they took care of themselves and leaving the place with only one old woman in it

speedily withdrew. As yet there had been no symptom of the news having any better foundation

than in the fears of those he brought it but the boot had not been deserted five minutes

when they appeared coming across the fields a body of men who it was easy to see by the glitter

of their arms and ornaments in the sun and by their orderly and regular mode of advancing

for they came on as one man was soldiers. In a very little time Barnaby knew that they were a

strong detachment of the foot guards having along with them two gentlemen in private clothes

and a small party of horse the latter brought up the rear and were not in number more than six or

eight. They advanced steadily neither quickening their pace as they came nearer nor raising any cry

nor showing the least emotion or anxiety. Though this was a matter of course in the case of

regular troops even to Barnaby there was something particularly impressive and disconcerting in it

to one accustomed to the noise and tumult of an undisciplined mob. For all that he stood his ground

not a wit the less resolutely and looked on undissu made. Presently they marched into the yard

and halted. The commanding officer dispatched a messenger to the horseman one of whom came riding back.

Some words passed between them and they ganced at Barnaby who well remembered the man he had

unhaused at Westminster and saw him now before his eyes. The man being speedily dismissed,

saluted and rode back to his comrades who were drawn up apart at a short distance.

The officer then gave the word to prime and load. The heavy ringing of the musket stocks upon

the ground and the sharp and rapid rattling of the ramrods in their barrels were a kind of relief

to Barnaby, deadly though he knew the purport of such sounds to be. When this were done other

commands were given and the soldiers instantaneously formed in single file all around the house and

stables completely encircling them in every part at a distance. Perhaps of some half-dozen yards

at least that seemed in Barnaby's eyes to be about the space left between himself and those

who confronted him. The horseman remained drawn up by the drawn up by themselves as before.

The two gentlemen in private clothes who had kept a loof now rode forward one on either side of

the officer. The proclamation having been produced and read by one of them, the officer called on

Barnaby to surrender. He made no answer but stepping within the door before which he had kept

guard held his pole crosswise to protect it. In the midst of a profound silence he was again

called upon to yield. Still he offered no reply. Indeed he had enough to do to run his eye backwards

and forwards along the half-dozen men who immediately fronted him and settle hurriedly within

himself at which of them he would strike first when they pressed on him. He caught the eye of

one in the centre and resolved to hew that fellow down, though he died for it. Again there was

a dead silence and again the same voice called upon him to deliver himself up. Next moment he was

back in the stable, dealing blows about him, like a madman. Two of the men lay stretched at his

feet. The one he had marked dropped first. He had a thought for that, even in the hot blood and

hurry of the struggle. Another blow, another, down, mastered, wounded in the breast by a heavy blow

from the but end of a gun. He saw the weapon in the act of falling, breathless and a prisoner.

An exclamation of surprise from the officer recalled him in some degree to himself. He looked

round, grip after working in secret all the afternoon and with a redoubled vigor while

everybody's attention was distracted, had plucked away the straw from he's bed and turned up

the loose ground with a zine bill. The hole had been recklessly filled to the brim and was merely

sprinkled with earth. Golden cups, spoons, candlesticks, coined guineys, all the riches were revealed.

They brought spades and a sack, dug up everything that was hidden there and carried away

more than two men could lift. They handcuffed him and bound his arms, searched him and took away

all he had. Nobody questioned or approached him or seemed to have much curiosity about him.

The two men he had stunned were carried off by their companions in the same business-like way

in which the everything else was done. Finally he was left under a guard of four soldiers with fixed

bayonets while the officer directed in person the search of the house of the other buildings

connected with it. This was soon completed. The soldiers formed again in the yard. He was marched out

with his guard about him and ordered to fall in where a space was left. The others closed up all

around and so they moved away with the prisoner in the centre. When they came into the streets he

felt he was a sight and, looking up as they passed, quickly along, could see people running to

the windows a little too late and throwing up the sashes to look after him. Sometimes he met a

staring face beyond the heads above him or under the arms of his conductors or peering down upon him

from a wagon-top or coach-box, but this was all he saw being surrounded by so many men.

The very noises of the streets seemed muffled and subdued and the air came stale and hot upon him

like the sickly breath of an oven. Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump. Heads erect, shoulder square,

every man stepping in exact time, all so orderly and regular. Nobody looking at him,

nobody seeming conscious of his presence. He could hardly believe he was a prisoner, but at the

word, though only thought not spoken, he felt the handcuffs galling his wrists, the cord pressing

his arms to his sides, the loaded guns levelled at his head, and those cold, bright, sharp, shining

points turned towards him, the mere looking down at which, now that he was bound and helpless,

made the warm, current of his life, run cold. Good night.