Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/30

14 of the absolute necessity there is of taking the number of a hackney coach as soon as it is called. Servants ought to have this salutary precaution impressed on their minds; as also, that as soon as any company comes to the door of their masters in a hackney coach, they should set down in their memories, if not in chalk or in ink, what number it bears. If a reward were paid for such vigilance, when any thing has been recovered by that means, it would add to the stimulus, and have an increasing good effect.

As well as riding is effected more securely by affecting an ease or knowingness, which deters imposition in a great degree. We spoke higher up of assuming an air of authority in giving orders to hackney coachmen; no less serviceable is it to appear like a thorough bred cockney in your gait and manner, by placing the hat a little awry, and with an unconcerned stare, penetrating the wily countenances of the rogues, you attain one more chance, at least, of escaping the snares that are always laid to entrap the countryman or new comer: these latter are easily recognised by their provincial gait, dialect, and! cut of the cloth; by the interest they take in the commonest occurrences imaginable, and the broad stare of