Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/129

Rh cause of complaint if they feel now and then a little nibbling at it. But for those who steal books, we do not say that they are fascinated with learning—they would learn better else; perhaps we shall be nearer the fact, when we attribute the fascination, mostly, to the money they may obtain for them at the Fences.

These fellows will join in a bullock-hunt, or purloin sheep from the drove—hold the clothes at a novice-fight, and rua away with the man's covering; they will snatch off a woman's cloak—run off with a hat—lift up a sash for whatever may be within reach—or mizzle with umbrellas, that may be left to dry, or what not! If there is a riot on account of provisions, this class of people, women as well as men, are the most clamorous, although they never buy any; when the cheese and bacon dealers were visited so often, some twelve to sixteen years ago, these fellows stole the money in the shops at Clare market, Chiswell Street, and Cow-cross; but it is worthy of remark, that when one of them was recognised, he had the address to say, he took money to keep the people quiet outside, who threatened to pull the house down: no less so is it, that the sufferer put up with his loss silently, for fear of that very man! Is the criminal law of