Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/35

Rh third or a fourth still farther behind gives one more shove, rams his flat hand against the belly of the person marked out to he done, and pulls out his watch. If it be his pocket-book they are after, they lift up the skirts of his coat to come at his inside pocket; but should it lie on his breast, then the rogue, who is next to the victim, seizes his collar and drags, until the buttons give way, or there is space enough between the coat and the body for the accomplice to thrust in his arm. So situated, it is clear that every other pocket must be liable to a visit, the breeches not excepted. As he in the rear is generally a short man, or a boy, he thrusts in underneath the arms of the accomplices, who make room for him on purpose, and he is thus enabled to pick two or three pockets at leisure, especially in large crowds; such as a boxing match, or my Lord Mayor's Show. Upon the last mentioned occasion, the chief place for the sport is Ludgate Hill, though the whole range from Blackfriars to Guildhall aifords a fine harvest, from the moment my lord takes water to his return home. On that day the gangs assemble regularly, and enter the city at various points. For many years the practice has been to station two women, of good stout growth, near the place of operation, who receive