III. The shopkeeper on seeing such methods as this made use of, should remove the handkerchief from off their goods; which will give the sharper reason to suspect his design is seen through.
IV. It is very common at haberdashers and other shops, which deal in small articles, for every one that is wanted to be paid for, the tradesman applies to his till for change; his eyes being fixed thereon, then is the time something the nearest at hand on the counter is moved off.
V. It is very easy to discover a thief or sharper from an honest person; for the sharper asks for fifty things, none of which will do, tosses them backwards and forwards, shuffles what can conveniently be done aside, and moves off with the prize, promising to come again.
VI. Watch-makers and silver-smiths are imposed on principally thus; in a morning or evening the sharper, well dressed, as a sea-officer, will go to their shops, look at watches, buckles, rings, &c. when a variety of these are laid on the counter, if opportunity offers, the handkerchief is made use of with great advantage: should that fail, then the goods are ordered to a tavern, coffee-house, or private house, as best suits for ellegance or honesty; then the person is instantly sent back for something omitted, whilst the prize is secured, and the sharper moved off another way. Though this is an old and stale trick, it is amazing how successful the practitioners in it still are.
VII. Watch-makers should be extremely careful of strangers in their shops; as many watches are always lying on the work-board, and others hanging up, they should never have their eyes off the person: the handkerchief is here made use of to great advantage; if the watch is hung up, it damps any sound or tattling that might be made, and screens it intirely from the sight of the owner.
VIII. There is something in the very aspect of a cheat and sharper, which may be easily seen through: I know from experience, he continually has his eyes fixed on the shopkeeper, or person he has to deal with; has his body always in motion, whether standing or sitting. The eye of a thief continually follows the person he intends to deal upon.
IX. Dyers, scourers, and other persons, who have the property of many in their possession, should not let the appearance of a sharper, be it as genteel as it will, ever be parted with, but first by enquiring the name, and looking in their books for it; and should they by chance hit on a name, be sure to send the things in question home to the owner’s house yourself, or send them with necessary cautions, not to part with them on any account, but to the right owner. Women and servants should never act on these occasions, in the absence of the master; or be against sending for him from a neighbouring tavern, coffee-house, &c.
X. Pickpockets are the most easily guarded against, of any kind of thieves; it is people’s carelessness makes so many of this kind of rogues; nor is there more of any kind detested than of these. Whether through pride or negligence, I cannot say, but if people will go with their coats loose, a good handkerchief hanging half way out of their pocket, or the pocket flap thrust within, so that the contents, as pocket-books, &c. may easily be seen, and as easily taken away. The fob made so wide, and the chain and seals hanging down so long, that the watch will draw out as easy as water run through a pipe. People who go into crowds, or frequent the publick offices, should have their pockets open on the inside of the coat, which can easily be done; or else, as is customary with many, to have them on each side the coat, breast high; and to have a small strong strap, to button over the watch-chain, on the waistband of the breeches, will effectually and for ever prevent picking of pockets, and the loss of things of so much value. The smaller way in cutting women’s pockets, &c. is but little practiced now; so that warning all people to take care, and be on their guard in churches and publick assemblies, and they will scarce have cause to complain.
XI. Footpads and street-robbers are neither to be guarded against, or prevented, in my opinion, but by the vigilance and continual care of the magistrates, in putting down bad houses, seizing suspected robbers, and clearing the streets of whores. None of this kind of thieves can expect to continue in their trade above a month or six weeks, and the greatest part of them not half so long.
XII. Highwaymen are also very easily detected, by the method made use of by Justice Fielding, for stable-keepers to fend an account to him of the suspected robber’s horse, and a necessary description of his person, especially if it answers that of the described robber. But the method of thief-taking rather increase than diminish the number of robbers. And large rewards for taking highwaymen, &c. is certainly wrong, as old robbers are left unpunished, or taken, and young raw thieves hanged in their stead. The former are thief-makers, and who furnish business for the thief-takers.