Bad as this mirror of her sex was, she had an ancient grey-headed life guardian, for her privy-councellor, confident, and servant, yet far worse than she: with this old fellow she had lived in adultery previous to the acquaintance above-mentioned, which continued, as opportunity offered, to the time the pious old soldier assisted the woman to rob her benefactor of all his property, with which they retired, as to a place of refuge, among the foot-guards, and black-guards, in Peter street, Westminster. This man makes vast pretentions to religion, and a good name; yet it is plain, as the account saith, he has no just pretentions to either. _Maxims, Hints, and Remarks, by way of Caution to the Public, to prevent or detect the Designs of Thieves and Sharpers from being carried into Execution._ I. Never place many different articles on the counter at one time; nor turn your back on the pretended customer, but let some other person put the different articles up, whilst you are intent upon the business before you. II. It is in general to be suspected if a person pulls out a handkerchief, lays it down, and takes it up often, some ill is intended; this was my constant practice with milliners and others, in what lay in a small compass. It never failed of success. 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.