Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/48

32 might otherwise call out "pickpockets," or some such stuff, when he felt the things going from his person.

Notwithstanding the generally received notion, that pickpockets are an innocent race of mortals, who merely purloin a little of your pelf, yet nothing can be more contrary to the real fact. No means of escape would be left untried, in case of detection, even although that should cost the life of an individual or two. They are invariably taught boxing, scientifically, women as well as men; I mean, so far, as how to place a blow or two with the happiest effect. Indeed, picking of pockets frequently assumes the character of footpad robbery, having all its characteristic features of force, and violence of conduct on the part of the perpetrators. This brings me to speak of that next species of robbery by those who are appropriately termed Scamps, called

Which is performed in various ways, as suits the present situation of both parties. Higher up, I described the way in which the persons to be done, are crannued together, in order to be robbed. The next degree of violence is that where the arms are seized from behind by one, whilst the other frisks the pockets of their contents.