Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/38

22 inimical to my repose." What is more, they can mostly fight a bit, and some are armed with knives, which they would not hesitate to use in a scuffle.

Strangers, and silly persons, who are the chief objects with the pickpockets, are not better known by their first appearance, than from the ill-advised custom of asking the way, and standing gaping at the names of the streets, as if in doubt which road to take. This being a sure indication that they are at a loss, and of course confused, such a person is perhaps accosted, and misdirected into some street or lane more adapted to the robbers' purpose; and there met again, or overtaken by one, two, or three others, he is either hustled, or his pockets neatly picked, or he is knocked down with a bludgeon. Therefore it is recommendable, that no one should ask his way in the streets, but in decent shops, or, at most, of persons carrying small parcels, which indicate they are shopmen or porters: thieves do not go about encumbered in that manner, at least not hitherto; but they might possibly adopt it hereafter, from this hint, as the best method of catching flats. Never ask your road of a gentleman, in appearance; if he be a real one, he either will not condescend to answer, or more probably