Page:London spy, or, The frauds of London described (2).pdf/20

(20 making an inciſion with a knife or ſciſſars and letting out the contents into their hands without diſcovery, which they immediately deliver to their aſſociates without ſtirring from the place, to prevent detection.

do not confine themſelves to London, but travel all over the country, to fairs and horſe-races; and are to be met with on the ſtands, and in the booths, to the experience of many gentlemen and others, who have loſt purſes, watches, rings, and pocket-books, of which they never received any account. Pocket-books are only ſecure in the inſide pockets, and the coat buttened. Watch-chains ſhould be run through a ſmall loop, contrived for the purpoſe of ſecuring the watch in the fob, which may practiſe. But, at theſe public places, it is neceſſary for all perſons to be upon their guard, as they cannot be ignorant of the gentry they have amongſt them, from the many loſſes ſuſtained by them.