Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/207

Rh this description, all on the same side of the way; and these may serve as a sampler of a great proportion of all the rest.

Money is paid at most of them upon entering the name, but very few of the pilfered servants obtain what they seek,—a good place; most of them go without any, or are referred over to such as it would, be beneath them to accept of. This is done to amuse them; and the poor deluded creatures exhaust their little stocks in subsistence, and are driven on the town; whilst the shark, who pockets the deposit money, and laughs in his sleeve, sends them to houses which never thought of employing him, nor of discharging their present servants.

But there is reason to believe worse practices than these prevail at some of them: of one we can speak with certainty, that not long ago the same house was a by house, and a receptacle for female servants out of place, as well as a Register office for servants,—most of whom are females. We often pass the end of Maiden lane; and if upon enquiry we find there is cause to do so, this passage shall be softened before it goes to press.

Very few register offices for servants occur within the city of London proper; but among