Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/236

220 These attempts were made fifteen and twenty years ago, respectively; but were surpassed in conduct, ingenuity, judgment, and do, by one which was opened at Ipswich half that time since; as the whole are in burlesque by that which was set up at Hammersmith, that drew upon its founder—a coal-shed man in Fleet Lane!

We forbear to put names to these latter ridiculous, but not unsuccessful attempts; but the Ipswich peoples' fracas about their character;—the regularity with which their notes were paid for a time by the agent, or accomplice, in Change Alley,—his theatrical demeanour, and shew of business, which went even to the fittings up—show altogether that this was not the plan of a half witted fellow.

Bankers issue their own notes with the most laboured assiduity, and much expence, in order to make a show of business at their correspondent's in town, or to obtain an evanescent character for their names. A Welch banker, one Frs Fe kept a traveller at vast expense to journey from London to the Land's-End, solely to disseminate his cash notes for bills on London. Vide John S*m*rs.

At times the industrious efforts of Swindlers