Chapter V: Part 5

“Aye, he’ll meet his punishment, no doubt,” resumed Corsan: “why when I knew Mrs. Arnot fifteen years ago, she had as good a house and furniture as you shall see; and what makes it worse, she gave this fellow his learning, and bound him to a printer, where he might have done well:--he got into debt, however, and she was forced to help him; then he came home to live with her--this was her ruin: from one thing to another she parted with all her property, and at last took to selling garden-stuff. But it is so hard to think, that just when she might have been comfortable, through the goodness of your family, this wicked man should come and destroy her.”

Matthew was deeply sensible of the worth of my mistress, and said all that was humane and considerate to her truly firm friend.

“Well, if this scroundrel appears,” said he, “it might be as well to give him a hint that we suspect him; for I confess, _I_ should not like to have any hand in bringing him to justice, on poor Mrs. Arnot’s account. But, do you know, one of our maids said she was sure he was an impostor, and when the butler gave him the wine in charge, she saw something shine in his pocket as the bottle was being put in.”

“I’m afraid it is like him,” sighed Corsan.

Matthew took a melancholy leave of this good woman, and as he patted me, said, “I wonder if this poor fellow is sold or not: our young ladies would willingly have him again, I’m sure.”

Mrs. Corsan could give him no information on the subject, and he departed.

Think what my feelings were at the bare suggestion of such happiness, when I knew how I really was engaged. The sketch I had heard of Jenkins’s history was truly painful: that sullenness I had observed in him when in the service of Dr. Manton, now appeared characteristic;--to a man of his vicious turn of mind, good humour must ever be a stranger. There must be a sort of harmony between the actions and the feelings of the person in whom this gracious charm of character is discernable. For my own part, I should as soon expect to meet forbearance in a hungry tiger, as equability of temper in the being whose conscience is his constant (though secret) accuser.

What a singular fate was mine!--again to be a the disposal of this wretched man. But the actual misery he had occasioned my late respected mistress, would not permit me to think of self. There was some consolation in knowing I should not be _his_ slave:--thus I looked to the morrow, if not with pleasure, at least with calm resignation.

My purchaser arrived at an early hour next morning. Mrs. Corsan vehemently opposed my removal until she could send for her husband. The man waited patiently, and upon hearing a detail of Jenkins’s conduct, seemed to regret having had any dealings with him: but he had paid three guineas in advance, and had appointed an hour to conclude the bargain. Mr. Corsan joined us, offered his opinion, and strongly advised the man to get off his bargain. This did not suit my new master; he wanted a cart and Donkey, had made a fair proposal, which had been accepted, and producing a written agreement signed by Jenkins, the Corsans had nothing further to say: I was harnessed to the cart, and bade adieu to Somer’s Town as a residence.

CHAP. XIV.

_A Summer in London._

London is a little world of itself. I declare I thought myself well acquainted with the metropolis, but I found I was quite a novice in this respect; and as we journeyed southwards towards Westminster, I was sensible of a striking difference in the air. The month of May, in a clear atmosphere, is an enchanting season. In a close, populous neighbourhood, where poverty is conspicuous, the luxuriances of nature seem almost an inconvenience. I am certain, from all I have seen, other animals besides Asses, have an antipathy to water; it must be so--or we should not be disgusted by the sight of those thousands of squalid beings with which the city of London abounds. My new master and his family were of this class, and to my utter surprise, neither pasture nor stable awaited me in this service. Some varieties I had seen; but it had never occurred to me that I should be led through a house, and destined to consider a space not exceeding twelve feet, a place for repose and refreshment after the toils of the day. I literally shuddered as the cart was backed upon an adjacent dunghill, and I was introduced through the family mansion.

Did I say the family mansion?--it was an egregious mistake; the dwelling contained at least half a dozen families, equally elegant in their habits and manners. I believe they were industrious, but it did not appear to me that the best consequences of industry attended their exertions. The younger branches were uniformly idle, wandering the streets from morn to night; while the seniors when their appointed labour was over, were chiefly employed in eating and drinking. To me, this was a strange perversion of common sense in creatures who know all the necessity of providing against the approaches of old age; the attacks of disease, and those thousand ills to which “flesh is heir.” Thus, while I say there was an influx of money amongst these people occasionally, they yet lived in a state which while it implied poverty, scarcely, deserved commiseration. My situation was truly deplorable, my immediate duties being of so hazardous a description as to keep me in constant alarm.

You have seen those slight carts decorated with crockery ware: well, it was a vehicle thus ornamented I was doomed to lead. I had made the discovery, that the sun could shine in London, as my half-roasted body could have attested. We began our travels at an early hour, and seldom got home before nine o’clock at night.

A few mouthsful of hay, were thought sufficient for my support during the day, and though I was really tantalized by the sight of a green field, many temptations presented themselves in the course of my peregrinations: for instance, could I see those long bags suspended to the mouth of a Hackney-Coach horse, and not sigh for such a charming appendage?--See them drink from the offered pail, and not feel my own deprivations? It will be said, I am mistaken; that Hack horses are by no means so well treated as I imagine. Granting that individual suffering leads us to magnify the comforts of others; you cannot deny, that we are an abused race. The simple fact, that there are men appointed to attend to the feeding of Horses, places this in an unequivocal point of view. Who thinks of an Ass; momentarily releases him from his harness and suffers him to feel a glimpse of liberty; slakes his thirst; or, in the most trivial particular seems to consider him endowed with feeling?

O if nature had not been more provident, and kindly bestowed on us the virtue of abstemiousness, how much more wretched had been our lot! But, as man possesses the power (did he feel the inclination) to improve our condition, it is surely a disgrace to him, and somewhat impugns that high character of justice with which he too frequently invests himself. Old Balaam used to say, “that _rational_ animals occasionally mistook the meaning of the word justice, and while pride influenced their actions, really thought they were acting equitably.” I am not disposed to refute this assertion, more especially as I have seen some instances of quickness of feeling, a dread of being under obligation, which forcibly corroborate the remark of my friend Balaam. Yet how can we reconcile the contradiction of that stately _biped_ called _man_ owing obligations to creatures like us, and taking no account of our services? The stronger the contrast between the obliged and the obliger, the more imperiously does it claim the regard of the former.

But here again all-beneficient Providence has befriended us:--we are patient, submissive; not prone to resent injuries;--and surely these qualities should endear us to beings to whom authority is so invaluable.

We ask no special favours, nor require a code Assinine to be enacted for our benefit. No; it is the simple exercise of humanity to which we think we have undoubted claims; and these pretensions will ever remain in force amongst Asses, until MAN, by a reference to the religion he professes or the laws under which he lives, disproves our appeal by convincing us, he is licensed to wound and maltreat the defenceless.

Forgive this digression; the subject is one in which I am too feelingly interested to be concise.

To return to my perishable burthen. Our success was various; there were days in which I was scarcely sensible of any diminution in my load, and others when a brisk trade gave mutual satisfaction to my master and your humble servant. Attentive, and open as my ears always were to receive information, it will not be supposed I could exactly comprehend those nice distinctions between the names of persons and things, only to be acquired by intense study, deep research. My ignorance in this particular led to a painful result: we were in Piccadilly, had just received payment for some of our goods, a gentle touch of the whip apprized me I was expected to proceed, when words, which to me sounded like “Plates off,” caused me to stop suddenly; a jingling, or rather a concussion amongst our crockery convinced me I had done mischief. My master seized my reins, struck me violently across the mouth, yet evidently expected me to bear his brutality with Spartan indifference. How far my natural hardihood might have helped me at this juncture I know not, for the whole street was in commotion. I shared in the agitation, and in endeavouring to recede from my master’s grasp plunged the cart into one of those holes so frequently left open for the good of the public.

Like other erring animals I stood still when the mischief was done;--but as I looked around me, and saw the people running to and fro, I said to myself, “this is surely a very extraordinary proof of sympathy; these people can feel upon occasion, yet I really had no idea that a few plates slipping off my shelves could have had such an effect!” And, conscious that my second error must have proved more extensively injurious to my master, I fully expected the crowd would now surround us. Conceive my surprise when my master forgetting his rage, inquired which was Platoff!

“That’s him,” said a coachman from the box, “that’s the Don Cossack!”

“Ah,” thinks I to myself, “this then is the trumpeter of some king! I suppose nations differ in the animals they select for this office. The king of Spain prefers Asses, I should say Donkeys.” My limited education did not allow me to judge of this personage by his dress; as good fortune would have it, a gentleman with a little boy (who had mounted behind a carriage to get a sight of this Hero) in a few words set me right.

“That is Platoff,” said he, “General of the Cossacks, called Don Cossacks from their inhabiting the neighbourhood of the river Don, in Russia.”

“I think,” said the young gentleman, “that the Emperor of Russia should be styled Alexander the Great; I am sure he is a better man than the son of Philip was. But when will they write a history of these times? I want to read an exact description of the entrance of the Allies into Paris.”

“Fame will do justice to their magnanimous conquests,” replied the elder stranger; “but my dear boy, there are already printed documents which may help to assist your laudable curiosity. It will require time and reflection to give such a history of late events, as shall be worthy of the men it is to immortalize.”

“Oh,” thinks I, “what an Ass have I been; history, is to be the trumpeter of these men!”

The plan appeared excellent according to my idea, for I had heard so many amusing anecdotes quoted from books of Natural History, I could not doubt that a natural history of great and good men, must tend to the edification of the whole species. I shall be dubbed a jealous Ass when I add, that my nationality was a little touched as these high encomiums on foreigners reached my ears. “What” said I, “are we to be overlooked? Are the English people a degenerate Race?” And looking round (somewhat pettishly I own,) my murmurs yielded to a contrary conviction. All was enthusiasm, loud shouts! “hats off!”--The warmest gratulations spontaneously uttered!

“I understand it now,” said I, exultingly. “An inferior people would not know how to receive these warriors. It is only the brave, that participate the achievements of the valorous.”

But to descend from _my_ Heroics; the streets were in a few minutes deserted, and my master found leisure to resume his resentment. Many degrading epithets were bestowed on my stupidity, but not one word was said of the bad state of the pavement.

Whether our gravity is against us in some situations, or that we really want that physical animation which when opposed to passion, will sometimes awe even a tyrant, I cannot determine; I rather fear our timidity is mistaken for insensibility; and we suffer for that very deference we observe towards our masters. Mr. Carter (my then owner,) had not sustained any material injury from my accident, but he had lost time, and though this was perfectly optional on his part, it was attributed to me, nay, the flight of the populace added to his ill humour,--there was nothing to be done in the way of business. Men of a certain character (aye and children too,) must have something to quarrel with--I, an unresisting Ass stood before him,--could any thing be more opportune? Forgetting the chances were against his brittle merchandize, he seized his whip and lashed me so unmercifully that contrary to all precedent, I made a desperate effort, broke from his hold, and running with all my might reached the top of St. James’s Street, amidst the clattering of my demolished burthen and the cheering of two or three gentlemen who had witnessed our contest. There, an unexpected obstacle presented itself,--the poles of a sedan chair stopped my progress,--the chair was rescued from destruction by the activity of one of those herculean animals who carry these leathern vehicles; but I fell, and my knees received an injury never to be recovered. Carter arrived furious almost to madness: by this time a small but select crowd were assembled--one or two persons lamented the poor man’s loss in his broken crockery, but a gentleman who had been chiefly instrumental in assisting me to rise, declared, “the scoundrel is justly punished. I have watched you for some minutes,” said he, addressing my master. “Do you know Sir, you are liable to imprisonment for maltreating this wretched animal? and I am strongly inclined to make you an example.” Carter looked alarmed, and as it is the custom to call every thing that looks timid, an Ass. I suppose it would be proper to say, he looked like an Ass. I confess, I never beheld a more striking contrast than the countenance my master exhibited while under this gentleman’s censure, and that which had distorted his features when exerting himself to wound me. It may be that personal fear is not becoming to man, for certainly I never saw a human face that carried less of dignity in it than my master’s did at this moment. Referring to the board on which Carter’s name and abode were painted, the gentleman drew out his pocket-book and made a memorandum; then, in an impressive voice bade him be cautious how he conducted himself, for that he would not lose sight of him.

We moved on slowly. I was now for the first time, suffering under bodily infirmity; and conscious that my misfortune was of a nature to lessen my usefulness, the future filled me with horror.

I could not but observe, however, that in the late instance the interference of the stranger, seemed to have an effect somewhat different from the doctrine of Balaam.--My master really appeared humbled, and once or twice stopped to examine my knees without uttering any of those murmurs, I anticipated from concealed, rather than subdued anger. We reached home, and our adventure was related to the assembled family. I had heard of such a thing as embellishment of style, figures of speech, &c. &c.; but certainly never was tale more partially amplified, than that in which I was the unfortunate Hero.--“Oh,” thinks I, “if my actions are thus trumpeted by one who knows me, what a portrait will be handed down to posterity!” I really believe it was the injustice of this story-teller, that first led me to think of writing my own memoirs. It was too bad to hear myself called an obstinate brute, not worth my feeding! Nay more, that I had brought ill luck into the family, and now, was good for nothing!--Whatever truth there might be in the last remark, I thought I had some claim on their humanity; my lameness was got in their service, and if more tenderness had been shewn me, I might yet have retained the full use of my limbs. How to get rid of me was the thing;--my knees were bound up, and for nearly a week, I was a prisoner. The natural vigour of my constitution was yielding to this unwholesome confinement, when a clean respectable looking woman was introduced into my presence.

“Poor thing! he’s been sadly maimed,” said she; “to be sure, he wont be hard worked with me, but if I buy him, and he don’t answer my purpose, that would be a great disappointment.”

Carter strongly recommended the animal “that was good for nothing!”--he would gladly keep me himself, for he knew I should soon be as strong as ever, only he had met with a horse, a great bargain; and indeed, his work was too much for a Donkey!

After some demurs on the part of the woman, they agreed, and he was to send me to Kensington next day.

I felt it was impossible to change for the worse, and resigned myself to the vicissitudes of fortune with all the calmness of philosophy. My spirit was broken, that vivacity which had supported me under so many difficulties no longer lent its aid, nor did I ever hope to find a service that should restore me to my former self. It was therefore, with a listless indifference I obeyed the summons of Jack Carter, my master’s son, who was deputed to convey me to Kensington. On his mounting my back, I was fully sensible of the injury I had sustained in my legs. I rather tottered than walked,--my rider perceived it, and with that cunning which belonged to his family, dismounted, in order to avoid giving me the appearance of being what I really was at the time; a worn out, melancholy Donkey. Mrs. Dawes received me kindly; the agreeable situation of her house, and the comfort of the open air, were quite a regale to me, who had been suffocating in Westminster for three months. I saw she was a laundress, and recollecting with pleasure my former service with a person of this calling, adjourned to a field at the back of the drying-ground, more composed and happy than I had felt since the death of the excellent Mrs. Arnot.

CHAP. XV.

_More than one Surprise._

I should deeply regret, if any thing I have said of myself should dispose my readers to think me a censorious Ass; nay, it would vex me if I thought any one could justly accuse me of caprice. Yet, I know not how far I shall stand acquitted to the juvenile world, when I declare, that in less than a week after my arrival at Kensington, my renovated health and improved spirits, by leading me to look out of myself, presented objects which called forth my disapprobation, and exceedingly offended my ideas of propriety. It may be argued, that having associated, with the Carter family and other Westminster gentry, I ought to have been lenient towards less conspicuous personages. Allow me to say, that in proportion as people are removed from the more immediate pressure of poverty, we expect to see some of that gratitude, those attentions to the wants of others, which make prosperity doubly valuable. My mistress was what is called a hard-working woman, viz. she employed a number of hands, and in order not to lose money, made no difference between Sunday and other days. Though she paid her assistants regularly, it was always at a lower rate than others paid; and such was her fear of being cheated, I really think she was more miserable while gaining money, than thousands who are in actual want of a shilling. I soon learned, it was to her taste for bargains I owed my station in her family: consequently, my increasing strength was matter of triumph to one who placed all to the account of her own foresight, rather than the real cause. I could not respect this woman: she had not an atom of sympathy in her nature. And though I fed well, I did not feel in the smallest degree, indebted to her care; the season was luxuriant, and the field in which I resided was not her entire property.

The Donkey of a neighbour shared my pasturage; a circumstance which helped to restore me to cheerfulness. He was intelligent and amusing, and used to relate the occurrences of each day as they arose. His immediate employment was that of carrying goods for a small grocer. It was from him I learned the character of Mrs. Dawes. Once put upon one’s guard, every thing tends to confirm or controvert our suspicions. I was soon convinced he was right. If my mistress was called away for half an hour, her poor servants took a little respite, or enjoyed a laugh amongst themselves; for I should have told you, Mrs. Dawes was an enemy to mirth in every shape. I used to watch these poor labourers with lively emotion, and often as I stood gazing at them, have I heard them say, They worked harder than horses, but never could give satisfaction to their employer. My own fate compared with these women’s was bliss; in fact, there were only three days in the week in which my services were required; and though my knees never acquired their former strength, I was then fully able to get through my appointed duties. The natural character of any animal is frequently obscured by the circumstances of situation; the creature himself often doubting whether he has not mistaken his own feelings and tastes.

Poverty and low life had given me this sort of impression. I had sedulously avoided the contamination too often produced by “evil communication,” but with that ennui inseparable from an English Ass, believed it impossible I could ever be cheerful again. Vivacity was certainly a striking feature in my character; it must have been a radical quality in my disposition,--for neither broken knees nor past experience could teach me to be grave when I felt myself equal to a frolic. One sunny morning, perceiving the drying ground full of linen, whose whiteness almost dazzled the sight, I walked round the field admiring the regularity of the lines; on a nearer approach, I observed that some of the articles were of an immense size, suspended over two lines, forming beautiful avenues beneath. The whim seized me, that I should like to walk in these lovely alcoves: when, opposing my shoulders to some weak palings, they gave way and in I marched. Nothing could exceed my delight on finding myself enclosed within these tents; I wandered from one path to another, snuffing the freshness of the gale which gently wafted my covering to and fro, when a screaming amongst the women startled me. I stood transfixed, hoping I was screened from detection, and not quite certain that my vagary had caused their alarm. Could any thing be more silly than my conduct? I forgot that my legs were exposed to view; and not until I was compelled to exert them in running from my assailants did I discover my error. Perhaps a more laughable scene has seldom been witnessed. Figure to yourselves half-a-dozen women armed with mops, clothes-sticks and wet linen, and think you behold me, running up one path and down another, the women laughing all the time as though they enjoyed this part of the frolic as much as I had done the former. In the midst of our contest Mrs. Dawes returned from an errand. Her voice struck terror into the cheerful group; each was accused of having left the gate open. I grieved at this, and making a sudden spring rushed through another part of the palings, effecting my escape, but at the expense of my poor knees, which were again seriously injured. Mrs. Dawes followed, and reviling me as a mischievous brute, gave me some severe blows with one of the broken palings. Resistance was out of my power--I could scarcely stand; and indeed such was my consciousness on this occasion, I almost thought I deserved the chastisement she inflicted on me.

There was nothing miserly in the blows of this lady: she dealt them most liberally, I assure you. But when I heard her say, “all the bed-furniture must be re-washed,” I cannot describe my regrets. It was in vain the women examined and declared they were not in the least soiled--she would be obeyed. This tyranny completely disgusted me; and I believe I should have taken a resolution never again to indulge in a frolic, however innocent, had not Mrs. Dawes received a letter which caused her immediate departure for Town. The women took advantage of this, and she had scarcely left the house, when the curtains were replaced on the lines. I had now leisure to think of the consequences of my folly. My lameness was really very painful: ah! how I dreaded the idea of dragging a load; convinced as I was, that my mistress would not fail to reproach me, if I experienced not more lively proofs of her temper.

My mode of life at this period might be called purely domestic--I saw so much of the household arrangements, and was constantly within hearing of its concerns. Task-masters and mistresses owe little to the zeal of their slaves; and though in this happy country the whip is reserved for unfortunate quadrupeds, the tongue, that goading weapon (when unfeelingly exercised,) though it enforces obedience never claims esteem.

The character of Mrs. Dawes was now severely handled by her assistants. I had heard an old adage, viz. “When the cat’s away, the mice will play.” “I must just run and see if my boys are come from school,” said one of the women; “and I,” said another, “must tell the baker to save me a stale loaf:” to be brief, all, save one woman, departed.

This was undoubtedly wrong; but there was some apology for these persons, inasmuch, as I have good reason for thinking they were actually employed as they said. I stood looking at the chasm I had made in the palings, when I saw a man enter the drying-ground: he walked upon tip-toe, and began to clear the lines. I thought this good-natured, being always pleased to see women spared unnecessary fatigue. An enthusiastic Donkey, like other animals of a similar description, is apt to evince its approbation in some way or other. I thought I could do no less than regard this kind stranger attentively: I dare say there was a strong expression of sensibility in my countenance at the moment. I wished to catch his eye, not in the vain hope of exciting his sympathy--that I positively deny: no, it was a simple tribute of silent admiration I intended to bestow on him. I ran forward--he started a few paces--then turning, with a ferocious grin menaced me, but it was by action only. Conceive my dismay, when I discovered in this active personage the features of the villanous Jenkins! What could a poor Donkey do?--It was not a case in which braying could be serviceable. Unintentionally I adopted a line of conduct which rescued my mistress from an immense loss. This man had always been my terror; his threatning aspect on the present occasion revived that fear he was but too well calculated to inspire:--hastening from his scowling glance I ran towards the house--startled the solitary woman, who, raising her eyes, beheld the depredator, and instantly gave the alarm.

Jenkins had carried off a large bundle, and would have escaped detection, had not the other women been near at hand, and hearing the cry of “Stop thief!” actually seized his person. I saw him brought back, followed by a mob; all was confusion: no one knew how to act till an officer of justice was summoned. The guilty Jenkins was then conveyed to a place of confinement, and the frightened women were left to account for their absence. The exact result of this business never reached me: I conclude their excuses were not accepted, as I saw strangers in their place next day. Jenkins only escaped condign punishment from the circumstance of the linen he had stolen being _dry_:--a point in law certainly beyond my comprehension, though highly grateful to my feelings when I recollected his amiable aunt. He was transported for seven years. When this sentence reached my ears, I could not help breathing a wish, that a change of climate might produce that alteration in his conduct that might ultimately lead to reformation. My Donkey friend on this evening appeared much depressed: I delicately sought his confidence, when, with a sigh, he exclaimed,

“Your present life leaves you at liberty to enter into the concerns of man, while I am wholly occupied by the oppressions under which my own species languish.”

“My dear friend,” I replied, “surely you cannot doubt my Donkeyish sympathy? I am an Ass, and nothing that relates to Asses is indifferent to me.”

“Spoken like yourself,” resumed Bobby. “I met an old friend to-day whose sufferings have touched me keenly: I remember him one of the strongest Asses I ever saw--indifferent to labour, cheerful, patient; in short, quite a perfect animal. This morning I saw him feeble and almost sinking for want of sustenance, dragging a load of wood, under which his legs trembled, yet he had some miles to go. When I expressed my sorrow at seeing him in this situation, he smiled calmly; said, there was nothing remarkable in his fate, that we were destined to labour, and should endeavour to bear it with gratitude.”

“Such characters make one ashamed of oneself,” replied I; “but if your friend has escaped broken knees, he is probably as equal to his station as I who am young and apparently healthy.”

Bob smiled. “Then you take no account of age,” said he, “nor think perhaps that quiet and repose would be acceptable to an old Ass?”

“You mistake me, my dear Sir; I only suggested the possibility of your friend’s good constitution supporting him under difficulties my shattered limbs could not endure.”

“The truth is, my dear Jemmy, we are all prone to consider our own misfortunes too deeply. I grant yours is a case that must excite fears for the future, but we must not rob the present hour of its enjoyment in order to speculate on an issue which may never arrive. There is a degree of selfishness in this, unworthy of your character: forgive my freedom; did I esteem you less, I should not have presumed to reprehend your sentiments.”

“A thousand thanks, my kind Mentor,” sighed I, and I rubbed my nose against his neck in token of my perfect gratitude. “I stand corrected; I fear it is too true that debility renders us irritable and partially selfish; but I am a fortunate Donkey in meeting such a friend, I could almost think, while I listen to you, that my early instructor the excellent Balaam, was before me.”

“Balaam!” exclaimed Bobby, “did you say Balaam?”

I answered in the affirmative.

“O Jemmy,” continued my friend, “it is for that inestimable Ass I am now grieving! Yes, it was he whom I met with this morning; but give me the history of your acquaintance; I am impatient to hear when and where your friendship began.”

As well as my feelings would permit, I complied. Bob was all attention, only interrupting me to express his approbation of the justice with which I delineated the character of our mutual friend.

“My mother should have been his wife,” resumed Bobby. “I have heard he was the most lively Ass imaginable, until disappointment somewhat soured his temper. I owe him infinite obligations; forgetting the injury he had sustained in my mother’s broken faith, he has ever shewn me the greatest tenderness; and when my father deserted us, by constantly making me his companion, attracted the notice of his master, who eventually received me into his service. Fate removed me from his protection, but I have never ceased to retain a just sense of his virtues. But what are words,--or what will gratitude avail?--He is doomed to incessant slavery! Alas! if his own strong mind were not his best support how pitiable were his situation! As it is, I question whether he would not reprobate that sensibility which leads us to lament irremediable evils, rather than strive to bear up against them.”

You may be sure I listened to this admirable model of my esteemed old friend with all the attention he deserved. Yet, such was my natural love of inquiry, I could not help wishing to be informed respecting those circumstances that had brought Balaam to London.

Bobby could give me no light on this subject, further, than that he now resided at Hampstead.

In this instance, as in many that preceded it, I felt the disadvantage we labour under in being ignorant of geography. I believe few animals are more sagacious in finding their homes than Asses: but this is a species of local sagacity that scarcely soars beyond instinct. What am I saying?--Instinct is at once our limit and our bliss: did we possess higher attributes, Nature, jealous of her rights, would lead us to rebel, and counteract those separations to which we are invariably doomed. But as vague wishes are confined to no particular species of animal, I hope mine will meet indulgence; more especially when it is remembered, that friendship is an active principle, “never easy when a friend’s distressed,” bold in its designs, and however well-intentioned, not always reasonable in its speculations.

Had I known how to find my way to Hampstead, and entertained no fear of being stopped on the road--not by highwaymen nor footpads--but as a strayed Ass, and perhaps put into the pound, I certainly should have decamped that evening in spite of my broken knees: but I was a hired slave, and was yet to endure my share of Mrs. Dawes’ tyranny.

There was a luxury however in talking of dear Balaam: Bobby promised me, that if chance again brought them together, he would not fail to convey my dutiful remembrances to the worthy old Ass.

It is surprising to think, with what different sentiments one regards the same character at distinct periods of time. I who had presumed to arraign the justice of Balaam--who had thought him severe if not illiberal--I now saw him as he really was, a very superior Donkey. His cautions were the result of observation--his warnings, invaluable lights to those who had sense enough to heed them--and that peculiar art with which he drew aside the veil that concealed follies which escaped the notice of less sagacious Asses, was well calculated to repress the simple credulity of the trusting, inexperienced Donkey. I blush to think I ever breathed a censure against this venerable animal.

CHAP. XVI.

_A Fair and an Elopement._

When the head of a family is distinguished for ill humour, it rarely happens that the dumb dependants escape its influence. I had felt the utmost commiseration for a poor dog that was chained to his kennel and most sparingly fed by a mistress, who yet expected him to be vigilant in his office of watching the clothes; and in the simplicity of my heart, wondered he made no effort to absolve himself from so vile a bondage, when I was doomed to experience a similar kind of confinement. I beseech you not to suppose I incurred this punishment by any new frolic--in fact, my spirits at this period were particularly low:--no, it was the parsimonious disposition of Mrs. Dawes that led to this result. The palings remained some time as I had left them, until her landlord, paying her a visit, made some remarks which compelled her to have them repaired. The expense could not be considerable, though I heard her tease the carpenter and declare, he was making a job of it because she was a lone woman. The man denied the charge, and hastened his work, glad no doubt to be released from her voluble complaints: but, in order to prevent any future transgressions on my part, a rope was thrown over my neck and tied to a tree--thus confining my exercise within its limits. I felt this as the most pointed insult I had ever encountered, nor could I bear the idea of meeting Bobby under so painful a degradation. I was boisterous at first, kicked up my heels, brayed, and in short, shewed every disposition to resist: alas! what imbecile creatures we are! What is our strength opposed to the ingenuity of the rational creation! But it was hard to reflect that the very quality which made us useful to our employers, should thus be rendered negative when our own comfort was the consideration. Nor could I look around me without anticipating the day when, having eaten to the length of my rope, I might be starved in the view of plenty.

I knew Mrs. Dawes practised this sort of self-denial, scarcely allowing herself the necessaries of life: this was no rule for me; I was not a glutton, but most assuredly I had no liking to the Pythagorean system. Ere evening arrived I had changed my mind, and longed to consult with Bob respecting this new misfortune. So true it is, that the consolations of friendship are a balm for almost every ill. Bobby came home later than usual--I heard his footsteps--but could not, as was my custom, meet him half way. The worthy fellow was grieved to find me under such a restraint: but here his good sense did not forsake him; he would not allow that I was the most unfortunate Donkey in existence, nor listen to my passionate regrets at the loss of my liberty.

“This is weak in the extreme,” said he; “liberty is undoubtedly a privilege of incalculable worth; but you breathe the fresh air, are in no immediate want of food, and your occasional duties will vary the scene a little. Think of the female Ass, so often doomed to drag a chained log not only within a limited space, but frequently is this chain connected with the head, thus holding her in a state of inconceivable uncomfortableness!”

“I have heard of such things,” said I; “thank fortune I never saw a lady Ass in this situation, nor can I understand why such a refinement in cruelty should be inflicted on a female.”

“She is thus punished,” resumed Bobby, “because her maternal feelings would lead her to pursue her purloined offspring. There is no danger nor difficulty from which a female Ass would shrink, where the safety of her young ones is concerned. That her estate on many occasions is deplorable, no one will deny: it of course excites our sympathy; but even rational animals have taken note of it. I heard our friend Balaam repeat some lines on this subject which pleased me excessively.”

I besought Bobby to recite them. He complied as follows:--

“----is thy sad heart thrill’d with filial pain
To see thy wretched mother’s shortened chain?
And truly, very piteous is her lot!
Chained to a log, within a narrow spot,
Where the close-eaten grass is scarcely seen,
While sweet around her waves the tempting green.”

“Very natural,” sighed I, “yes, yes, I can feel the full force of this description, ‘the tempting green,’ beyond the reach of a hungry Donkey, must be a most fascinating prospect.”

“Poor Balaam,” retorted Bobby in an impressive tone, “how does he fare to-night? Possessing this coveted liberty, he perhaps wants strength to seek the requisite nourishment.”

I felt myself blush, from the tip of my ears to the point of my chin, which is giving an uncommon latitude to this most becoming of all beauties.

“Say no more,” said I with emotion, “you shall be spared the trouble of reproving me on this subject again; have you heard of dear Balaam? Is he better?”

“I did not see him,” replied Bobby, “but his fellow-labourer Mr. Juba, overtook me this morning in Oxford Street, and tells me our friend was too ill to come to town to-day.”

In spite of my promise to bear my present inthralment patiently, this intimation threw me into an agony not to be described.

“Help me to break these ignoble fetters,” said I, “that I may flee to my suffering friend!”

“I am afraid Juba knew you better than I thought he did,” retorted Bobby,--“I have been your defender Jemmy; but he is right, your heart may be, I believe it is good, your judgment is very defective.”

“Juba was always my enemy,” I replied; “he, is a Donkey of the meanest capacity, grovelling in his ideas, and can never hope to rise in the world;--I confess, I should not have expected you to listen to such an Ass.”

“I did not give entire credit to his assertions,” continued Bobby, “not for the reasons you assign, for though Juba is an unpolished Donkey, he possesses that most essential of all qualifications, useful or common sense, and will succeed, where hundreds would starve--but he was angry, and I never rely too implicitly on the depositions of angry Donkeys.”

“I shall never be wise,” said I. “O! most excellent pupil of my respected old friend, bear with my follies,--and tell me, if it is utterly impossible for me to reach the residence of Balaam!”

Bobby could not encourage me to hope such a scheme was practicable; but his natural goodness of heart led him to applaud my zeal in this particular, and ere I closed my eyes to dream the usual dream of a prisoner, namely, of liberty, he quieted my scruples respecting himself.

“You are not singular,” said he, “it may require some courage to speak simple truths; but the listener who is to profit by advice must possess a species of courage seldom to be met with at your time of life:--nothing but a perfect knowledge of self, can render us patient of reproof; and I am afraid this is an acquaintance we rarely make until the benefits to be derived from it become inconsequential--because we adopt the means when the end must be too transient to do us credit.”

This home appeal produced the most unqualified candour on my part.--I am not conscious that I concealed the most trivial failing in my temper or dispositions. Bob applauded my ingenuousness, and thus ended our conference.

Well, next morning while we were at breakfast, Mrs. Dawes brought a man into the field who, approaching me, began to examine my knees.

“I’ll warrant I deliver him up as sound as I found him,” said he, “so then the bargain’s struck, missus.”

“Why as for that, if you’ve a mind to have him for good and all, I don’t care; I can always hire a horse when I want one,” replied my mistress.

“Why that wouldn’t suit me ye see; I’ve no pasturage, and as I say, it’s a mortal sin to keep a dumb beast and not give it enough to eat.”

Mrs. Dawes was silent--and the man proceeded--“No! for three days, I should like to have him, the fair only lasts three days.”

I felt a cold shiver at the bare mention of a fair. “Oh!” thinks I, “if there are Races at this place as at Tunbridge, what shall I do?--And again, if it really was the _penny trumpet_, that caused my failure, what may I not expect to meet in the environs of London, where, of course, every species toy is on a more grand scale!”

“His knees are terribly broken to be sure,” resumed the man, as he released me from the rope.

My vanity instantly fled--who would think of proposing a broken-kneed Donkey as a Racer?

I wonder whether rational beings make mistakes of this nature, and reckon upon their beauties and attractive qualities, when they no longer exist:--if so, they, and they only will understand the awkwardness of my feelings at this moment. Bobby smiled significantly. “You are vastly clever indeed, Mr. Bob,” thought I, “if you can guess my secret thoughts;”--and I raised my head in the expectation of being reproved, when the kind creature in a half whisper informed me--that if my destination was West-end Fair, it was in the neighbourhood of Hampstead, and I might probably meet Juba, and gain some intelligence respecting Balaam.--Again I blushed, and it was a blush of shame, to think I had judged this amiable Donkey’s feelings by my own disappointed, or rather humbled vanity. We parted,--and I had soon the pleasure to hear, West-end was to be the theatre of my actions. Mr. Ford my temporary master, soon harnessed me to a miserably shattered looking vehicle; but though I doubted its security, there were four full-grown persons who held a contrary opinion, they ascended the cart by a ladder--to use the language of Gilpin,

“Four precious souls, and all agog
To dash through thick and thin.”

Dashing, however, was out of the question with me. Fortunately my driver was humane; and as he walked by my side, my incapacity was not suspected for some time. At length a lady exclaimed, “you had better come in, we can make room for you, Mr. Ford, and then we can whip up the Donkey.”

Ford declined the offer, perhaps conscious that I should disappoint their expectation if he complied, though his answer carried a better interpretation. “No! no!” said he. “We must think of the Donkey too, four to one, is enough in all conscience, besides, _I_ shall want him when I get there.”

The party were very impatient, continually inquiring how far we had to go, &c. &c. Ford was civil in his replies, and by hinting, that it was better to go at an equal pace, than to hurry and perhaps have me founder on the road, reconciled them to my certainly tedious pace. A case in point soon presented itself,--we had past through Kilborn Turnpike, when a crowd of people in the road obstructed our progress. I heard a whip used with great vehemence,--Ford stepped forward, the crowd made way for him,--when I saw a wretched Donkey writhing beneath the hand of its cruel owner. A party of men, women and children stood around, who it appeared had been the load with which this creature’s strength could not contend; and for this, his master chose to wound him, almost to flaying, in order of course, to increase his capability.

I admit, that there was a great degree of obstinacy in this animal, at least, what you would call stubbornness. For, so every opposition of an irrational animal is termed by your genus; with us, it has a different meaning,--we call it self-defence: and though greatly varying from your acceptation of this natural right, we think obstinacy at times stands us in good need. The master, who finds blows do not answer his purpose, will adopt another line of conduct. Granting that we suffer in these amiable indulgences of our owners, I speak from conviction,--it is better to get one or two sound drubbings in the way of experiment, than to erect our masters as licensed savages by patiently bearing every blow, that temper or malice can inflict. The poor Ass in question, was quite a Spartan in his way, he stood immoveable, neither heeding the taunts of his master, nor the impatient complaints of the party whose pleasure he retarded.

“Why master Dawson,” said Ford--“is this the way to get any service of this poor beast? Lend me the reins; I’ll warrant he’ll go quiet enough with kind usage.”

“You don’t know him,” replied Dawson, “but come let’s see what you can do with him:” and he resigned the bridle with a sneer. Ford began by patting the Ass on the head, coaxing him, and then with a gentle flap of the whip, ran by his side. The Donkey instantly accommodated himself to this pace, to the no small surprise of the by-standers. Dawson was vexed; he had been proved incompetent to manage an Ass--and no doubt the poor fellow paid for it when we left them, which we soon did, I, mentally eulogizing the judicious and humane Mr. Ford, with whom I should have thought myself happy to pass the remainder of my days. That was not to be.

But to proceed--we reached the fair, Ford during the remainder of our journey, enforcing the policy as well as the justice of treating dumb beasts with kindness.

“I always find my account in it,” said he, “slow and sure is my way, and if the beast wont work with good words, why I am sure he wont with bad.” And unloosing my harness, he gave me an excellent feed of Hay, which tended greatly to raise my spirits and renew my strength.

The fair was excessively amusing, and might have captivated any Donkey whose thoughts were given to the scene,--mine were intent on Balaam, or in the event of his inability to appear in public, on Juba, whom I resolved to meet with all possible cordiality. But a rustic Donkey is quite a novice in a certain sphere. It is only in London, we acquire a knowledge of life. I had never heard of penny rides in a donkey cart,--nor knew that a dozen children might be crammed into a carriage scarcely large enough to hold half the number conveniently. It was at West-end fair I was feelingly taught to understand this item.

Though my master superintended these gambols, and was really very considerate, he could not shield me from the fatigue and lassitude attendant on such constant exertion. And as each new load I took up, brought fresh spirits, and expected proportioned enjoyment, I dreaded, least my failure should injure Mr. Ford. While I was anticipating disgrace, a friendly shower of rain compelled every body to seek shelter; and I was unloosed from the cart and placed under a canvass shed. Here I found Juba, who like myself, looked fagged to death. I soon discovered I was indebted to Bobby’s good offices, by the graceful manner in which Juba met my advances--Yes, I say graceful manner, for never surely was Ass so much improved as Juba since I saw him last. We talked of Balaam, and I heard with delight, he was rather better that morning. Juba described his residence, and when I found it was not much above a mile from West-end my active mind was planning how to catch a glimpse of my respected old friend.

Great therefore was my delight, when upon the re-appearance of the sun, and my resumption of my toil, I heard Ford tell a friend, he should remain at West-end till the fair was over. I weighed my projected elopement by every bearing of gratitude, and could find none sufficiently powerful to deter me from its prosecution. Mr. Ford was a good man, but he was a new friend. Balaam claimed my utmost deference and esteem; I owed him obligations innumerable; and as I fully proposed returning to my new master, felt I was acting no dishonourable part.