Page:London spy, or, The frauds of London described (3).pdf/13

 themselves in practise.—The generous and unsuspecting gentleman is often fleeced of his birth-right and inheritance, by entering into partnership with the Sharper, who is artful and industrious, in losing to his associates, and cheating the friend that instrusted him, who paid a regard to his instructions, thoroughly convinced of his pretended rectitude and honesty.—The game being over, and the gentleman gone, the Sharpers divide the spoil amongst them and laugh at the inexperience and folly of the deluded, ending with, "He does nor yet know life"—Some Sharpers, in high life, will invite their acquaintance and neighbours to dine or sup with them, for no other purpose than to make them pay severely for the treat, by proposing a game at cards after supper, which is generally done by one of the accomplices, and agreed to by another, the master upon these occasions, sometimes is left out, the better to carry on the design, and prevent suspicion of foul play, or, at least, of his having a hand in it at the time; that he sometimes make one, but generally loses with every partner he engages, till the company are bankrupts, and the Sharpers the only gainers thereby. Many a round sum is revised by them in this