Dickens again tells graphically (in Barnaby Rudge) about
the " harmonious blacksmith." " From the workshop of the ' Golden Key'
there issued forth a tinkling sound, so merry, and good-humoured, that
it suggested the idea of some one working blithely, and made quite
pleasant music. No man who hammered on at a dull monotonous duty could
have brought such cheerful notes from steel, and iron ; but he might
have been a Coppersmith, and still been musical! ' Tink, tink, tink,'
clear as a silver bell; and audible at every pause of the street's
harsher noises, as though it said, ' I don't care ; nothing puts me
out; I am resolved to be happy.' Who but the locksmith (Gabriel Varden)
could have made such music ? There he stood ; working at his anvil, his
face all radiant with exercise, and gladness, his sleeves turned up,
his wig pushed off his shining forehead ; the easiest, freest, happiest
man in all the world. Beside him sat a sleek cat, purring, and winking
in the light, and falling every now and then into an idle doze, as from
excess of comfort. Toby (Fillpot) looked on from a tall bench hard by ;
one beaming smile from his broad nut-brown face down to the slack-baked
buckles in his shoes. The very locks that were suspended around had
something jovial in their rust; and seemed like gouty gentlemen of
hearty natures, disposed to joke on their infirmities. There was
nothing surly,
