Memoirs of Major Alexander Ramkins (1718)

by Daniel Defoe

Brother. This Point once clear'd, I was resolv'd to find outthe Person who had personated my Brother, that I might bring him tocondign Punishment, as also to clear a Suspicion I had, that my Servanthad a Hand in it, for otherwise I thought it impossible one that was aStranger should know whose Hands my Money was in. In the first place Icunningly interrogated my Servant at a distance, and found enough by hisCountenance that he was not entirely Innocent, however, not being ableto prove it upon him, I in the next place made a diligent Search aftermy Sham-Brother; for he had told the Banker at his last Visit that hewou'd return again in Seven or Eight Days, and Six of 'em were nowexpired. The Gentleman was as good as his World. He came to the Bankerwith a good Assurance, and demanded both Principal and Interest. I wasthen at my Lodging, but being sent for, I was strangely surpris'd to seethe Clerk of my Company, who was also a Sergeant, metamorphos'd into myBrother. He shrunk two Inches lower at the Sight of me; but dissemblingthe matter, I am glad to see thee alive Sergeant said I, for I took itfor granted you were kill'd at the Battle of _Launden_; and I, reply'dthe impudent Villain, thought you had, otherwise I had not been here:but if you please, noble Captain, to walk into the next Tavern and giveme leave to wait upon you, I will discover to you the occasion of mycoming to _Amsterdam_. My Fears as to my Money being now all over, Icomply'd with the Rascal, and went along with him. But he dress'd upsuch a Narrative in favour of his good Intention, and strengthen'd itwith such plausible Circumstances, That he and my Servant, whom heconfess'd to be one of the Party, had no other Intention but to get theMoney out of the Banker's Hands for the Use of my Relations; for thatthey had Reason to suspect I had made no Will, and so no body wou'd havea Right to demand the Money. Now though this Stratagem was very probablyall a Fiction, yet it wrought so much with me, that I did not Prosecuteeither of 'em; for as I was acquainted with both their Friends in_Scotland_, so I had some regard for them, and dismissed them to go homeor whither they pleas'd, not thinking it safe to entertain Persons whohad been involved in such mysterious Practices.

  My Affairs being settled at _Amsterdam_, we had the Curiosity to see_Antwerp_, which is a City where a Stranger may employ his Time veryagreeably, for a longer Term than we cou'd conveniently spend there. Welodg'd at a House where an _English_ Nobleman also had an Apartment. Hehad been in that City about two Months, kept a handsome Equipage, wasvery young, and a well bred Gentleman, of great value among the Ladies,and had he been able to support the Character he bore at firstappearance here, it would have convinced the World there is very littledifference between a Footman and a Nobleman, where neither Sense norMoney are wanting to carry on the Resemblance. I must anticipate thedismal Exit of this unfortunate Gentleman which happen'd not till abouttwo Years afterwards. While he was in his Splendour at _Antwerp_, andcou'd answer every bodies Expectations as to Money matters, it was notany Mans Business to pry into his Pedigree; but when his Conduct beganto be observ'd, and taken Notice to be full of Shuffling and Demurs inthe Payment of small Bills, there was a Jealousy spread about the Townthat the Lord G---- would prove a Cheat, so his Credit began to sink inthe Shops, but it held up still among the Ladies, where a handsomePersonage, and a charming Tongue is often ready Money. But it was notlong before he began also to be suspected from this Quarter; his Visitswere not so frequent, his Treats much more sparing; and especially oneLady, who was his greatest Admirer, and most capable to make Him Happyon all Accounts, was oblig'd to expose him, and make this Phantom ofNobility evaporate. In the frequent Visits he pay'd this Lady, he hadobserv'd a very handsome Diamond Ring upon her Finger, which was noless remarkable for its uncommon Form, than intrinsick Value, at a lowEstimate being judg'd to be worth 80_l_. Sterling. The Gentleman hadoften thrown out a great many Compliments upon it, which usually tendedtowards extolling the Ladies Judgment and Fancy in the choice andordering of that Jewel, for she wanting to her self, let him and everybody else know, it was a Thought of her own. The Gentleman in the midstof one of his Panegyricks upon this little Charmer, begg'd the Favour ofthe Lady that he might borrow it for a Day or two till he had shewn it aJeweller, for he design'd to have one made in the same Form. The Ladywas not a little pleas'd that her Fancy was like to become a Pattern tothe Town, willingly drew it off her Finger, not in the least suspectingany Trick, for as yet his Fame was untouch'd. I think he made two orthree Visits without returning the Ring, pretending the Workman wasdilatory in taking a Pattern; but 'tis suppos'd he wanted time toprepare himself for a Flight, and brush off with the Ring. However, noneof these Suspicions enter'd the Ladies Head, he not being her Aversion.About three or four Days after, a Lady visiting her, told her the_English_ Nobleman had parted with his Chariot, pawn'd his best Suit ofCloaths, and that his Credit was not only very low, but it was suppos'dhe wou'd in a Day or two be oblig'd to Decamp, or take up his Quartersin a Jail. 'Tis obvious to imagine that the first Thing that came intothe Ladies Mind upon this Occasion was her Diamond Ring; but, as sheconfess'd afterwards to a Friend, the Compassion she had for theGentleman's Circumstances had so large a Place in her Heart, that shedoes not remember to have had any concern upon her in Relation to theJewel; from whence we may gather that Evil Fate that hangs over somePersons Heads, for had but this unfortunate Person pursu'd the Interesthe had with that Lady, whilst he was in flourishing Circumstances, hemight easily have carried it to the _non plus ultra_, and became Master,of 15000, as she her self own'd when she recover'd her Passion and beganto think calmly. However, the Diamond Ring was not to be neglected, forthough she had been willing to have parted with her Interest in it toSuccour the Gentleman in Distress, it was too large an Alms, and wouldperhaps have been judg'd by the World rather an Instance of herForwardness and Indiscretion than of her Charity. Her Friends beforeadvis'd her to demand the Ring, which she did that Evening, butunderstood he had pawn'd it for the full Value; upon which she was(though much against her Inclination) oblig'd to Arrest him, and had himclap'd up in Prison: But however, she was a very kind Jailor. It is aCustom, having the Force of the Law in the _Netherlands_, that when aDebtor is kept in Prison, it shall be at the Charges of the Creditors;in which also they observe a kind of Proportion, that a Gentleman is tobe allow'd like a Gentleman, and a Mechanick is to be content with asmaller Allowance. The Lady comply'd very willingly with the Custom, andher Prisoner being reputed a Person of Quality, it was an excellentDisguise to show her Liberality. But afterwards being weary of theCharge, and finding by the Information of several _Englishmen_ thatpass'd thro' _Antwerp_, that her Prisoner was not the Person hepretended to be, but a meer Sharper and Knight of the Post, sheslacken'd in her Charity, and gradually brought him down to a commonAllowance, and at last discharg'd him. His Life after that was a meerRomance; He first went into _Gaunt_, here he took up a large Apartmentof four or five Rooms well furnish'd, which he sold after a Fortnight,taking an advantage of the Landlady's Abscence. With the strength ofthis Plunder, he made a Figure for two or three Months at _Brussels_,where he fought a Duel with _H.S._ an _English_ Gentleman. This Accidentdrove him from _Brussels_, but finding he was not secure in the _SpanishFlanders_, he crossed the Lines, spent the remainder of his Substance at_Lisle_, and he directed his Course to _Dunkirk_, from whence 'tis saidhe design'd to take Shipping for _England_. But here he finish'd hisMisfortunes as I was inform'd upon the Spot, by a Merchant who residedin that Town, and saw his Exit. This _English_ Merchant walking upon theKey according to Custom, observ'd a young Gentleman walking in aMelancholy Posture, and thinking he knew him, though the poor Dress hewas in would not suffer him to make a positive Judgment; however, hestept up towards him, and upon a nearer View, was convinc'd he was thePerson he took him for. This Merchant had been acquainted with him at_Antwerp_, when he bore the Character of an _English_ Nobleman and livedwith great Splendor. The Gentleman more dash'd, as I suppose, to jumpupon one who had heard of his Tricks, than for the meanness of hisCircumstances, told the Merchant he was an unfortunate Man, and Thingswere now so desperate with him, that he had no way left to relievehimself but by a Halt
er. The Merchant having a charitable regard for hisCircumstance, though he knew him to be a very undeserving Object, toldhim, he wou'd provide him with a Lodging and Diet till he had a Returnof Money, the Gentleman answer'd frankly he expected no Returns, nor didhe know of any Body that wou'd Assist him, nor you'd he make anyDemands. This Account encourag'd the Merchant to be more Charitable, sohe conducted him to an Inn, desiring the Master of the House to furnishhim with Diet and Lodging till further Orders. Two Days after, theMerchant coming to Visit him about Ten in the Morning, when theyimagin'd he was still in Bed, a Servant being sent up to call him,