Roundabout Papers - Penn State University

Thackerayto the little transaction? Is it possible those diamondscost a thousand pounds? What a rogue the fence musthave been who only gave him so and so! And I pleasinglypicture to myself an old ex-footman and an ancientreceiver of stolen goods meeting and talking overthis matter, which dates from times so early that herpresent Majesty’s fair image could only just have begunto be coined or forged.I choose to take John at the time when his little peccadillois suspected, perhaps, but when there is no specificcharge of robbery against him. He is not yet convicted:he is not even on his trial; how then can weventure to say he is guilty? Now think what scores ofmen and women walk the world in a like predicament;and what false coin passes current! Pinchbeck strivesto pass off his history as sound coin. He knows it isonly base metal, washed over with a thin varnish oflearning. Poluphloisbos puts his sermons in circulation:sounding brass, lacquered over with white metal, andmarked with the stamp and image of piety. What sayyou to Drawcansir’s reputation as a military commander?to Tibbs’s pretensions to be a fine gentleman? toSapphira’s claims as a poetess, or Rodoessa’s as a beauty?His bravery, his piety, high birth, genius, beauty—eachof these deceivers would palm his falsehood on us, andhave us accept his forgeries as sterling coin. And wetalk here, please to observe, of weaknesses rather thancrimes. Some of us have more serious things to hidethan a yellow cheek behind a raddle of rouge, or a whitepoll under a wig of jetty curls. You know, neighbor,there are not only false teeth in this world, but falsetongues: and some make up a bust and an appearanceof strength with padding, cotton, and what not? whileanother kind of artist tries to take you in by wearingunder his waistcoat, and perpetually thumping, an immensesham heart. Dear sir, may yours and mine befound, at the right time, of the proper size and in theright place.And what has this to do with half-crowns, good orbad? Ah, friend! may our coin, battered, and clipped,and defaced though it be, be proved to be Sterling Silveron the day of the Great Assay!307