Chapter Royal Style of Address to Rudge of R by Brewer's Readers Handbook

in a basket, a most knowing imp, which used to cry out in a hoarse voice, “Halloa!” “I’m a devil!” “Never say die!” “Polly, put the kettle on!”

Barnaby joined the Gordon rioters for the proud pleasure of carrying a flag and wearing a blue bow. He was arrested and lodged at Newgate, from whence he made his escape, with other prisoners, when the jail was burnt down by the rioters; but both he and his father and Hugh, being betrayed by Dennis the hangman, were recaptured, brought to trial, and condemned to death, but by the influence of Gabriel Varden the locksmith, the poor half-witted lad was reprieved, and lived the rest of his life with his mother in a cottage and garden near the Maypole.

Here he lived, tending the poultry and the cattle, working in a garden of his own, and helping every one. He was known to every bird and beast about the place, and had a name for every one. Never was there a lighter-hearted husbandman, a creature more popular with young and old, a blither and more happy soul than Barnaby.—Ch. 1xxxii.

Mr. Rudge, the father of Barnaby, supposed to have been murdered the same night as Mr. Haredale, to whom he was steward. The fact is that Rudge himself was the murderer both of Mr. Haredale and also of his faithful servant, to whom the crime was falsely attributed. After the murder, he was seen by many haunting the locality, and was supposed to be a ghost. He joined the Gordon rioters when they attacked and burnt to the ground the house of Mr. Haredale, the son of the murdered man, and, being arrested (ch. lvi.), was sent to Newgate, but made his escape with the other prisoners when it was burnt down by the rioters. Being betrayed by Dennis, he was brought to trial for murder, but we are not told if he was executed (ch. 1xxiii.). His name is not mentioned again, and probably he suffered death.

Mrs. [Mary] Rudge, mother of Barnaby, and very like him, “but where in his face there was wildness and vacancy, in hers there was the patient composure of long effort and quiet resignation.” She was a widow. Her husband (steward at the Warren), who murdered his master Mr. Haredale, and his servant, told her of his deed of blood a little before the birth of Barnaby, and the woman’s face ever after inspired terror. It was thought for many years that Rudge had been murdered in defending his master, and Mrs. Rudge was allowed a pension by Mr. Haredale, son and heir of the murdered man. This pension she subsequently refused to take. After the reprieve of Barnaby, Mrs. Rudge lived with him in a cottage near the Maypole, and her last days were her happiest.—Dickens: Barnaby Rudge (1841).