Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/199

Rh, and threatening informations against illegal games of chance, then very prevalent; receiving in return for his trouble, and to purchase his silence, sums proportioned to business done;—this profitable trade continued as long as the evil lasted. Until Silver commenced auctioneer, to amuse his customers, and Bettison sung with the same view. Mr. B. with his pall, Wy, (then in practice as an attorney) went their rounds, collecting tribute with as much ease as the Dey of Algiers collects his,—and in a similar manner.

About the year 1803, these two Worthies went to work by wholesale, informing against eleven newspapers on the same day, for having inserted advertisements, in which it was proposed to take back a watch which had been lost at Stroud fair, without asking any questions. As this offer was liable to a fine of 50l under what is called Jonathan Wild's act, they had a good pull. However, the whole of the parties stood so firmly, that very little good came of it; on the contrary, one of them took the attempt so ill, that he contrived to upset their apple cart, when afterwards they laid a