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 got an itch of thieving, could in no manner leave it off.

I had an opportunity of commencing a coiner, but that was such a beggarly and yet so dangerous a business, that I would never embarken in it. Nor could I ever yet be bought into the society of house-breakers. No person could be more dexterous in stealing gold watches than I from the ladies’ sides, either at the park, play-house, or at church. I was also very dextrous at gaming, and at one time cleared 73 guineas. The uncommon success I had made me go into the country, where at Cambridge, Sturbridge fair, and at New Market, I expertly performed the same pranks over again; and at Ipswitch I robbed a Dutchman of a portmanteau, by pretending to be his wife in an inn, and in which was a very large quantity of gold and silver.

But afterwards coming up to London, and venturing boldly into a fine silversmith’s shop, while none were there, I was perceived by a shop-keeper over the way; but as I had a glance of him,