Moonfleet

I have just read J.M. Faulkner’s Moonfleet, yet another book that 14-year-old-me found the money to buy but not the time to read. A tale of derring-do, two smugglers go in search of Blackbeard’s hidden diamond. The local parish sexton, Mr Ratsey, is himself a smuggler, but quotes scripture at each opportunity:

I wondered how Master Ratsey could quote Scripture so pat, and yet cheat the revenue -though, in truth, 'twas thought little sin at Moonfleet to run a cargo and perhaps he guessed what I was thinking, for he added,

"Not that a Christian man has aught to be ashamed of in landing a cask of good liquor, for we read that when Israel came out of Egypt, the chosen people were bid trick their oppressors out of jewels of silver and jewels of gold; and among those cruel taskmasters some of the worst must certainly have been the tax gatherers."

This justification for theft against the state made me smile. Still, the theme of the book is the curse of Blackbeard’s diamond. Whoever possesses it acquires ill-fortune, unless it be spent for the common good. Truly, there are millions today seeking that diamond, and just as many who are as ill-served by it.

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,

Loving favour rather than silver and gold.

Proverbs 22:1