oral of that fate to the moral which is extorted
from the gibbet and the hulks,--which makes scarecrows, not beacons;
terrifies our weakness, not warms our reason. Who does not allow that
it is better to repair than to perish,--better, too, to atone as the
citizen than to repent as the hermit? Oh, John Wilkes, Alderman of
London, and Drawcansir of Liberty, your life was not an iota too
perfect,--your patriotism might have been infinitely purer, your morals
would have admitted indefinite amendment, you are no great favourite
with us or with the rest of the world,--but you said one excellent
thing, for which we look on you with benevolence, nay, almost with
respect. We scarcely know whether to smile at its wit or to sigh at its
wisdom. Mark this truth, all ye gentlemen of England who would make
law as the Romans made fasces,--a bundle of rods with an axe in the
middle,--mark it, and remember! long may it live, allied with hope in
ourselves, but with gratitude in our children,--long after the book
which it now "adorns" and "points" has gone to its dusty slumber,--long,
long after the feverish hand which now writes it down can defend or
enforce it no more: "THE VERY WORST USE TO WHICH YOU CAN PUT A MAN IS TO
HANG HIM!"

NOTE.

In the second edition of this novel there were here inserted two
"characters" of "Fighting Attie" and "Gentleman George," omitted in the
subsequent edition published by Mr. Bentley in the "Standard Novels." At
the request of some admirers of those eminent personages, who considered
the biographical sketches referred to impartial in themselves, and
contributing to the completeness of the design for which men so
illustrious were introduced, they are here retained, though in the more
honourable form of a separate and supplementary notice.

FIGHTING ATTIE.

When he dies, the road will have lost a great man, whose foot was rarely
out of his stirrup, and whose clear head guided a bold hand. He carried
common-sense to its perfection, and he made the straight path the
sublimest. His words were few, his actions were many. He was the
Spartan of Tobymen, and laconism was the short soul of his professional
legislation!

Whatever way you view him, you see those properties of mind which
command fortune; few thoughts not confusing each other,--simple
elements, and bold. His character in action maybe summed in two
phrases,--"a fact seized, and a str