We have necessarily branched off from the more immediate purpose of our story for the purpose of putting the reader in possession of many noteworthy facts connected with the history of crime and criminals. The commixture of ignorance and knowledge—ignorance of good and knowledge of evil—brought to light by the examination of prisoners, is astounding even to those who might be supposed accustomed to it—viz., to governors and chaplains of gaols—while it is unfortunately a matter of incredulity or indifference to those who, would they only believe it or look into it, might exercise great influence in bringing about a better state of things.
Many of the great pickpockets, whose names we have recorded, were associates of Peace, who, however, was never known to work with them in their vocation; he never practised this branch of the profession, but confined himself to robberies in dwelling-houses.
Even while working out his sentence in gaol, Peace had an opportunity afforded him of indulging his natural fondness for birds.
For some unascertained reason, two squares of glass had been removed from the window-frame of his cell. Peace placed some crumbs of bread on the ledge, and these soon attracted the notice of the birds.
First of all a few sparrows found out the dainty crumbs, and alighted on the stonework and picked them up.
The prisoner inside was greatly cheered by the companionship of his little feathered friends, who, in a short time, understood that food was placed there for them, and therefore paid regular visits to the grating of the prisoner’s cell.
There is a well-known print called “Liberty and Captivity,” in which a bird is depicted singing outside the window of a prison, while the captives within are listening to his matin.
This might apply to Peace. His sparrows did not sing, but they chirruped most incessantly. By degrees they got bolder, and sharpened their beaks against the iron bars of the grating. These saucy little creatures afforded him considerable amusement.
Throughout his life he had always evinced a fondness for birds and animals, which, to say the truth, was a remarkable characteristic for a man of his hardened nature.
Any change from the daily routine of prison life was, as a matter of course, a great boon to the convicts, and when M‘Pherson informed the men under his charge that many of them would be told off to whitewash the gaol they were much pleased at the prospect of the new employment.