
English Library - VOL. XII - JACK SHEPPARD A Romance - BY W. Harrison Ainsworth
Internationale Bibliothek G M B H Berlin - 1922
Transcribers Note: Obvious typesetter errors from the original corrected in this etext. If they are not obvious errors, they are left as in the original.
EPOCH THE FIRST. - 1703. - JONATHAN WILD.
JACK SHEPPARD.
CHAPTER I. - The Widow and her Child.
CHAPTER II. - The Old Mint.
CHAPTER III. - The Master of the Mint.
CHAPTER IV. - The Roof and the Window.
CHAPTER V. - The Denunciation.
In the soot‑streaked back streets of early‑18th‑century London, a desperate widow clutches her infant as a well‑dressed stranger offers a flicker of kindness. Their brief exchange in a crumbling loft hints at the fragile line between charity and crime, setting the tone for a tale where survival often demands daring improvisation. The opening scenes paint a vivid portrait of a city teeming with poverty, corruption, and the restless energy that will soon stir a legendary outlaw.
From these grim beginnings, the narrative follows a young man whose quick wit and fearless spirit launch him onto the notorious stage of England’s underworld. As he learns the art of burglary and the code of the street, his exploits grow ever more audacious, pulling readers into a world of daring escapes, tangled loyalties, and the relentless chase of law and fate. The novel balances vivid historical detail with a pulse‑pounding romance of rebellion, inviting listeners to experience the raw grit and unexpected compassion that define the early chapters of this infamous figure’s life.
Language
en
Duration
~15 hours (884K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
Internationale Bibliothek G M B H Berlin 1922
Credits
Produced by Jason Isbell, Ben Beasley and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2005-07-06
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1805–1882
A hugely popular Victorian storyteller, he turned English history into fast-moving fiction packed with drama, crime, and atmosphere. His novels helped bring highwaymen, rebels, and royal intrigue to a wide nineteenth-century audience.
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