Page:London spy, or, The frauds of London described (3).pdf/11



The Sharper who has got a general education, and has a good address and conversation, has more the power of delusion than the unlettered cheat, devoid of address, and other requisites, to complete the pretended gentleman, and therefore should he more carefully avoided. These villains, having run through their fortunes at an early period of life, by associating with professed gamblers and sharpers, who having eased them of their money, in return complete them for the profession by which they have been ruined; thus qualified they set up for themselves, throw aside honor and conscience and quote the lex talionis for deceiving others as they themselves have been deceived.

These gentry are to be met with at all public places of diversion, the Horse-race, Cock fight, Billiard, and Hazard tables.—They pretend to be men of quality, or independent fortunes; many of whom keep their equipages and filles de joye, without a foot of land, or shilling in the funds, merely by dint of industry, in taking in the unthinking spendthrift, just come to his possessions,