Page:London spy, or, The frauds of London described (2).pdf/12

(12) and ſo qualifying him for the ſame laudable profeſſion on the expenditure thereof, to enable him to rab through life by the art of calculation.—Being, by theory, as well as conſtant practice, complete proficients in the different games they play, theſe cheats are ſeldom deceived in the ſkill and management of their antagoniſts, and in a very ſhort time can diſcover whether they are accomppliſhed profeſſors, or only novices, and accordingly play the game to advantage.

your entering the tavern, coffee or gaming-houſe, the ſharper views you with attention, and is not long before he becomes acquainted and very intimate with you: If you agree to his propoſal to play, if he cannot beat you by fair, he will by foul means; rather than loſe, he will elude your attention, or raiſe your paſſion ſufficiently to put you off your guard, while he plays his underhand game, and cheats you before your face: and though you are ſenſible of being cheated, yet you ſhall not be able to diſcover by what methods it is effected.—So fallacious are theſe Sharpers, that they will prey on their friends and nearest relations, rather than be idle and unemployed; yet ſeldom engage each other unleſs for inſtruction, and to keep