We once again, therefore, entered into consultation upon obviating the malice of our enemies, and at last came to a resolution which had too much cunning to give entire satisfaction. It was this: as our principal object was to discover the honour of Mr Thornhill's addresses, my wife undertook to sound him, by pretending to ask his advice in the choice of a husband for her eldest daughter. If this was not found sufficient to induce him to a declaration, it was then resolved to terrify him with a rival. To this last step, however, I would by no means give my consent, till Olivia gave me the most solemn assurances that she would marry the person provided to rival him upon this occasion, if he did not prevent it by taking her himself. Such was the scheme laid, which, though I did not strenuously oppose, I did not entirely approve.

The next time, therefore, that Mr Thornhill came to see us, my girls took care to be out of the way, in order to give their mamma an opportunity of putting her scheme in execution; but they only retired to the next room, from whence they could overhear the whole conversation. My wife artfully introduced it by observing that one of the Miss Flamboroughs was likely to have a very good match of it in Mr Spanker. To this the Squire assenting, she proceeded to remark, that they who had warm (1) fortunes were always sure of getting good husbands; « but heaven help », continued she, the girls that have none! What signifies beauty, Mr Thornhill? or what signifies all the virtue and all the qualifications in the world, in this stage of self-interest? It is not, What is she? but, What has she? is all the cry ».

<< Madam », returned he, « I highly approve the justice, as well as the novelty, of your remarks; and if I were a king, it should be otherwise. It should then, indeed, be fine times for the girls without fortunes; our two young ladies should be the first for whom I would provide ».

« Ah! sir», returned my wife, « you are pleased to be facetious; but I wish I were a queen (2), and then I know where

(1) Warm tra gli altri significati ha pure quello di sufficientemente ricco, in buone condizioni, agiato.

(2) Per questa locuzione cfr. Granı. Raz. vol II, pag. 69.

my eldest daughter should look for a husband. But now that you have put it into my head, seriously, Mr Thornhill, can't you recommend me a proper husband for her? she is now nineteen years old, well grown, and well educated; and, in my humble opinion, does not want for parts ».

« Madam », replied he, «< if I were to choose, I would find out a person possessed of every accomplishment that can make an angel happy, one with prudence, fortune, taste, and sincerity; such, madam, would be, in my opinion, the proper husband ». « Ay, sir », said she, « but do you know of any such person? » « No, madam, » returned he, «< it is impossible to know any person that deserves to be her husband; she's too great a treasure for one man's possession; she's a goddess. Upon my soul, I speak what I think she is an angel ». « Ah, Mr. Thornhill, you only flatter my poor girl; but we have been thinking of marrying her to one of your tenants, whose mother is lately dead, and who wants a manager; you know whom I mean, Farmer Williams, a warm (1) man, Mr Thornhill, able to give her good bread; and who has several times made her proposals » (which was actually the case). « But, sir », continued she, « I should be glad to have your approbation of our choice ». « How, madam! » replied he, my approbation! My approbation of such a choice! Never. What! sacrifice so much beauty, and sense, and goodness, to a creature insensible of the blessing! Excuse me, I can never approve of such a piece of injustice! And I have my reasons » « Indeed, sir », cried Deborah, « if you have your reasons, that's another affair; but I should be glad to know those reasons ». « Excuse me, madam, » returned he, they lie too deep for discovery » (laying his hand upon his bosom), « they remain buried, riveted here ».

After he was gone, upon a general consultation, we could not tell what to make of these fine sentiments. Olivia considered them as instances of the most exalted passion, but I was not quite so sanguine; it seemed to me pretty plain that they had more of love than matrimony in them; yet, whatever they might portend, it was resolved to prosecute the

(1) Benestante.

scheme of Farmer Williams, who, from my daughter's first appearance in the country, had paid her his addresses.

Il piovano di Wakefield, incarcerato per debiti, vuol riformare con le sue prediche i ladri e gli assassini coi quali è costretto a vivere.

THE next morning I communicated to my wife and children the scheme I had planned of reforming the prisoners, which they received with universal disapprobation, alleging the impossibility and impropriety of it; adding that my endeavours would no way contribute to their amendment, but might probably disgrace my calling (1).

« Excuse me », returned I, « these people, however fallen, are still men; and that is a very good title to my affections. Good counsel rejected returns to enrich the giver's bosom; and though the instruction I communicate may not mend them, yet it will assuredly mend myself. If these wretches, my chilaren, were princes, there would be thousands ready to offer their ministry; but in my opinion the heart that is buried in a dungeon is as precious as that seated upon a throne. Yes, my treasures, if I can mend them I will; perhaps they will not all despise me; perhaps I may catch up even one from the gulf (2), and there will be great gain; for is there upon earth a gem so precious as the human soul? »

Thus saying. I left them and descended to the common prison, where I found the prisoners very merry, expecting my arrival; and each prepared with some gaol-trick (3) to play upon the doctor. Thus, as I was going to begin, one turned my wig awry, as if by accident, and then asked my pardon. A second, who stood at some distance, had a knack of spitting through his teeth, which fell in showers upon my book (4). A third would cry, « Amen! » in such an affected

(1) Fare onta al mio ministero, alla mia professione.

(2) Forse mi sarà dato di salvare almeno uno dal baratro.' (3) Brutto tiro da prigione.

(4) Fece schizzare tra i denti uno zampillo di saliva che venne a cadere come un rovescic sul mio libro.

tone as gave the rest great delight. A fourth had slily picked my pocket of my spectacles. But there was one whose trick gave more universal pleasure than all the rest; for observing the manner in which I had disposed my books on the table before me, he very dexterously displaced one of them, and put an obscene jest-book of his own in the place. However, I took no notice of all that this mischievous group of little beings could do, but went on, perfectly sensible that what was ridiculous in my attempt would excite mirth only the first or second time, while what was serious would be permanent. My design succeeded, and in less than six days some were penitent, and all attentive.

It was now that I applauded my perseverance and address, at thus giving sensibility to wretches divested of every moral feeling, and now began to think of doing them temporal service also, by rendering their situation somewhat more comfortable. Their time had hitherto been divided between famine and excess, tumultuous riot and bitter repining.. Their only employment was quarrelling among each other, playing at cribbage (1), and cutting tobacco-stoppers (2). From this last mode of idle industry I took the hint of setting such as chose to work at cutting pegs for tobacconists and shoemakers (3), the proper wood being bought by a general subscription, and, when manufactured, sold by my appointment; so that each earned something every day a trifle, indeed, but sufficient to maintain him.

I did not stop here, but instituted fines for the punishment of immorality, and rewards for peculiar industry. Thus in less than a fortnight, I had formed them into something social and humane, and had the pleasure of regarding myself as a legislator, who had brought men from their native ferocity into friendship and obedience.

(1) Un giuoco di carte.

(2) Pezzo di legno, in forma di zaffo, adoperato per premere il tabacco via via che ardendo si consuma nel bocciuolo della pipa.

(3) Da quest'ultima forma d'inutile industria mi venne il suggerimento di far lavorare, quanti beninteso volessero, ad allestire piuoli per tabaccai e calzolai.

And it were highly to be wished that legislative power would thus direct the law rather to reformation than to severity; that it would seem convinced that the work of eradicating crimes is not by making punishments familiar, but formidable. Then, instead of our present prisons, which find or make men guilty, which enclose wretches for the commission of one crime, and return them, if returned alive, fitted for the perpetration of thousands, we should see, as in other parts of Europe, places of penitence and solitude, where the accused might be attended by such as could give them repentance if guilty, or new motives to virtue if innocent. And this, but not the increasing punishments, is the way to mend a State: nor can I avoid even questioning the validity of that right which social combinations have assumed of capitally punishing offences of a slight nature (1). In cases of murder, their right is obvious, as it is the duty of us all, from the law of self-defence, to cut off that man who has shown a disregard for the life of another. Against such all nature rises in arms, but it is not so against him who steals my property. Natural law gives me no right to take away his life, as by that the horse he steals is as much his property as mine. If, then, I have any right, it must be from a compact made between us, that he who deprives the other of his horse shall die. But this is a false compact; because no man has a right to barter his life, any more than to take it away, as it is not his own. And, besides, the compact is inadequate, and would be set aside even in a court of modern equity, as there is a great penalty for a very trifling inconvenience, since it is far better that two men should live than that one man should ride. But a compact that is false between two men is equally so between a hundred and a hundred thousand; for as ten millions of circles can never make a square, so the united voice of myriads cannot lend the smallest foundation to falsehood. It is thus that reason speaks, and untutored nature says the same thing. Savages that are directed by

(1) Difatti fino al 1832 chi rubava un cavallo, una pecora o altro capo di bestiame, poteva in Inghilterra essere condannato a morte.