Page:London spy, or, The frauds of London described (3).pdf/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 accomplished professors or only novices, and accordingly play the game to advantage.

On 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 instructions, and to keep