Page:Malefactor reformed, or, The life of Philip Parson, of Birmingham.pdf/3

3 especially in a fit of sickness which I once had, when I thought there was but a step between me and death. I then began to ask myself, "What if the Bible should be true?" I invariably answered, "I shall be miserable to all eternity."

On my recovery, however, I was more profligate than before; and as I worked but little, I found myself very much embarrassed. On mentioning my situation to one of my companions, he told me he could relieve me, if I would engage to keep a secret; which I promised to do. He He said, if I would give him half-a-guinea, he would put me in possession of a box, containing something of considerable value; though he did not inform me what the box contained, yet I easily understood by his manner, that it was base coin It was delivered to me in the street, when it was quite dark. On returning home, I found it contained a considerable number of pieces of base coin, in imitation of half-crowns and shillings. I was much pleased with my bargain; it so much resembled the current coin of the kingdom, that I thought I should have but little difficulty in paying it away.

My confidants finding I was likely to be staunch in their cause, proposed to me a scheme much more lucrative, viz. to pass forged notes, which I was to have upon very advantageous terms. In putting off which, I was sometimes in danger of being discovered.

At times I was so much alarmed with the fear of detection, that I could not compose myself to sleep for several nights together; and when