The Headsman | Page 7

a corresponding effect on most of the
listeners, who murmured their applause in a manner sufficiently
significant to convince the patron he was not about to dispose of the
difficulty, simply by virtue of fair words. In this dilemma he bethought
him of a plan of overcoming the scruples of all present, in which he
was warmly seconded by the agent of the police, and to which, after the
usual number of cavilling objections that were generated by distrust,
heated blood, and the obstinacy of disputation, the other parties were
finally induced to give their consent. It was agreed that the examination
should no longer be delayed, but that a species of deputation from the
crowd might take their stand within the gate where all who passed
would necessarily be subject to their scrutiny, and, in the event of their
vigilance detecting the abhorred and proscribed Balthazar, that the
patron should return his money to the headsman, and preclude him
from forming one of a party that was so scrupulous of its association,
and, apparently, with so little reason. The Neapolitan, whose name was
Pippo; one of the indigent scholars, for a century since learning was
rather the auxiliary than the foe of superstition, and a certain Nicklaus
Wagner, a fat Bernese, who was the owner of most of the cheeses in the
bark, were the chosen of the multitude on this occasion. The first owed
his election to his vehemence and volubility, qualities that the ignoble
vulgar are very apt to mistake for conviction and knowledge; the
second to his silence and a demureness of air which pass with another
class for the stillness of deep water; and the last to his substance, as a
man of known wealth, an advantage which, in spite of all that alarmists
predict on one side and enthusiasts affirm on the other, will always
carry greater weight with those who are less fortunate in this respect,
than is either reasonable or morally healthful, provided it is not abused
by arrogance or by the assumption of very extravagant and oppressive
privileges. As a matter of course, these deputed guardians of the
common rights were first obliged to submit their own papers to the eye
of the Genevese.[1]

[Footnote 1: As we have so often alluded to this examination, it may be
well to explain, that the present system of gend'armerie and passports
did not then prevail in Europe; taking their rise nearly a century later
than that in which the events of this tale had place. But Geneva was a
small and exposed state, and the regulation to which there is reference
here, was one of the provisions which were resorted to, from time to
time in order to protect those liberties and that independence, of which
its citizens were so unceasingly and so wisely jealous.]
The Neapolitan, than whom an archer knave, or one that had committed
more petty wrongs, did not present himself that day at the water-gate,
was regularly fortified by every precaution that the long experience of a
vagabond could suggest, and he was permitted to pass forthwith. The
poor Westphalian student presented an instrument fairly written out in
scholastic Latin, and escaped further trouble by the vanity of the
unlettered agent of the police, who hastily affirmed it was a pleasure to
encounter documents so perfectly in form. But the Bernese was about
to take his station by the side of the other two, appearing to think
inquiry, in his case, unnecessary. While moving through the passage in
stately silence, Nicklaus Wagner was occupied in securing the strings
of a well filled purse, which he had just lightened of a small copper
coin, to reward the varlet of the hostelry in which he had passed the
night, and who had been obliged to follow him to the port to obtain
even this scanty boon; and the Genevese was fain to believe that, in the
urgency of this important concern, he had overlooked those forms
which all were, just then, obliged to respect, on quitting the town.
"Thou hast a name and character?" observed the latter, with official
brevity.
"God help thee, friend!--I did not think Geneva had been so particular
with a Swiss;--and a Swiss who is so favorably known on the Aar, and
indeed over the whole of the great canton! I am Nicklaus Wagner, a
name of little account, perhaps, but which is well esteemed among men
of substance, and which has a right even to the Bürgerschaft--Nicklaus
Wagner of Berne--thou wilt scarce need more?"
"Naught but proof of its truth. Thou wilt remember this is Geneva; the

laws of a small and exposed state need be particular in affairs of this
nature."
"I never questioned thy state being Geneva; I only wonder thou
shouldst doubt my being Nicklaus