I went one day to Mr. Brogden, in Long-lane, West-smithfield, who lent out wearing apparel, of him I hired a suit fit for any little master in London; bought at the same time a satchel to put some books in, thus equipped, I went to Mr. Greg, a watch-maker in St. James’s street; on going into the shop, I perceived there was but one man therein; upon his being told my father had bespoken a watch for me, and I wanted to know if it was ready, he replied, as indeed well he might, that he knew nothing of the matter, but that Mr. Greg his master, being at the coffee-house, he would go to him, and ask the question; the minute he was gone, I fixed my eye on a gold watch, chain and seal, with which I marched off with all speed, took a hackney coach in Pall-mall, away to Holbourn, and sold the watch, though it was worth fifty-five, for seven guineas only, to Mary Keen, a woman who understood that business much better than myself. She has been transported four times. At this time, and with this money, I went down to Reading in Berkshire, where I took great delight in going out with my gun; at length money falling short, I went to a milliner’s shop, under pretence of buying some lace, to go round a cap and handkerchief, for my sister; the milliner asked if I was not too young a man to be a judge of lace? I replied, being young I should hope for better usage, and left it entirely to her generosity to serve me of that which was best of the kind; at this moment I fixed my eye on a particular piece; pretending to have a bad cold, took my handkerchief out to wipe my nose, laid it down on this piece of lace, which repeating again, I took the lace up with my handkerchief, and put it in my pocket, and then told the milliner, I would stay till I was grown older; though it is clear I was too old for her now. I took my leave, and marched gravely off, without the least suspicion; and went directly to the Crown, the grand inn in Reading, hired a horse for Maidenhead, but pushed on for London, sold the horse in Smithfield for five pounds ten shillings, and the lace to a milliner at Charing-cross, at a very decent price; at the same time cheapening some of her lace, made bold to steal one piece. Thus I found a method to deal among the milliners, without much danger of detection, women being less on their guard than men, and always delighted with any one who will hear them prate and chatter. Very few milliners escaped my dexterity, for my youth, simplicity of manners, and engaging behaviour, caused me always to pass without suspicion; nay, on many occasions, I have been treated with extraordinary marks of civility and politeness, and with the best the house afforded, even after I had robbed them, which sometimes has squeezed my heart a little, but I was too far gone in the road of perdition to think of returning back.