‘_Abram Wood_ had a Writ against an _Engraver_, who kept a House opposite to _Long Acre_ in _Drury Lane_, and having been several times to serve it, but could never light on the Man, because he work’d at his business above Stairs, as not daring to shew his Head for fear of being arrested, for he owed a great deal of Money, Mr. _Bum_ was in a Resolution of spending no more Time over him; till, shortly after, hearing that one _Tom Sharp_, a House-breaker, was to be hang’d at the end of _Long Acre_, for murdering a Watchman, he and his Follower dress’d themselves like Carpenters, having Leather Aprons on, and Rules tuck’d in at the Apron Strings: then going early the morning or two before the Malefactor was to be executed, to the place appointed for Execution, they there began to pull out their Rules, and were very busie in marking out the Ground where they thought best for erecting the Gibbet. This drew several of the Housekeepers about ’em presently, and among the rest the _Engraver_, who, out of a selfish humour of thinking he might make somewhat the more by People standing in his House to see the Execution, in Case this Gibbet was near it, gave _Abram_ a Crown, saying, ‘“_I’ll give you a Crown more if you’ll put the Gibbet hereabouts_;” at the same time pointing where he would have it. ‘Quoth _Abram_: “_We must put it fronting exactly up_ Long Acre; _besides, could I put it nearer your door, I should require more Money than you propose, even as much as this_” (at the same time pulling it out of his pocket) “_Writ requires, which is twenty-five Pounds._” So, taking his prisoner away, who could not give in Bail to the Action, he was carried to Jayl, without seeing _Tom Sharp_ executed.’ * * * * * ‘_William Browne_ had an Action given him against one _Mark Blowen_, a Butcher, who, being much in debt, was never at his Stall, except on _Saturdays_, and then not properly neither, for the opposite side of the way to his Shop being in the Duchy Liberty[44] (with the Bailiff whereof he kept in Fee) a Bailiff of the Marshal’s Court could not arrest him. From hence he could call to his Wife and Customers as there was occasion; and there could _Browne_ once a week see his Prey, but durst not meddle with him. Many a Saturday his Mouth watered at him; but one Saturday above the rest, _Browne_, stooping for a Purse, as if he found it, just by his Stall, and pulling five or six guineas out of it, the Butcher’s Wife cry’d “Halves;” his Follower, who was at some little distance behind him, cry’d out, “Halves” too.