friend, when the diversion is over; for, as it is the belief of the
writer that a person may get to heaven very comfortably without knowing
what's o'clock, so it is his belief that he will not be refused admission
there because to the last he has been fond of healthy and invigorating
exercises, and felt a willingness to partake of any of the good things
which it pleases the Almighty to put within the reach of His children
during their sojourn upon earth."

It is quite evident then that Borrow does not advocate the open air, the
tinkers' trade, and a-roving-a-roving, for the sons of gentlemen. It is
not apparent that the open air did his health much good. As for
tinkering, it was, he declares, a necessity and for lack of anything
better to do, and he realised that he was only playing at it. When he
was looking for a subject for his pen he rejected Harry Simms and Jemmy
Abershaw because both, though bold and extraordinary men, were "merely
highwaymen."

On the other hand, when he has known a "bad man" he cannot content
himself with mere disapproval. Take, for example, his friends the
murderers, Haggart and Thurtell. He shows Haggart as an ambitious lad
too full of life, "with fine materials for a hero." He calls the
fatalist's question: "Can an Arabian steed submit to be a vile
drudge?"--nonsense, saying: "The greatest victory which a man can achieve
is over himself, by which is meant those unruly passions which are not
convenient to the time and place." Then he exclaims:

"But peace to thee, poor David! why should a mortal worm be sitting in
judgment over thee? The Mighty and Just One has already judged thee, and
perhaps above thou hast received pardon for thy crimes, which could not
be pardoned here below; and now that thy feverish existence has closed,