FILCH. When a Gentleman is long kept in suspence, Penitence may
break his Spirit ever after. Besides, Certainty gives a Man a good
Air upon his Trial, and makes him risk another without Fear or
Scruple. But I'll away, for 'tis a Pleasure to be the Messenger of
Comfort to Friends in Affliction.

[Exit Filch.]

PEACHUM. But 'tis now high time to look about me for a decent
Execution against next Sessions. I hate a lazy Rogue, by whom one
can get nothing 'till he is hang'd. A Register of the Gang,
[Reading.] Crook-finger'd Jack. A Year and a half in the Service;
Let me see how much the Stock owes to his industry; one, two, three,
four, five Gold Watches, and seven Silver ones. A mighty clean-
handed Fellow! Sixteen Snuff-boxes, five of them of true Gold. Six
Dozen of Handkerchiefs, four silver-hilted Swords, half a Dozen of
Shirts, three Tye-Periwigs, and a Piece of Broad-Cloth. Considering
these are only the Fruits of his leisure Hours, I don't know a
prettier Fellow, for no Man alive hath a more engaging Presence of
Mind upon the Road. Wat Dreary, alias Brown Will, an irregular Dog,
who hath an underhand way of disposing of his Goods. I'll try him
only for a Sessions or two longer upon his Good-behaviour. Harry
Paddington, a poor petty-larceny Rascal, without the least Genius;
that Fellow, though he were to live these six Months, will never come
to the Gallows with any Credit. Slippery Sam; he goes off the next
Sessions, for the Villain hath the Impudence to have Views of
following his Trade as a Tailor, which he calls an honest Employment.
Mat of the Mint; listed not above a Month ago, a promising sturdy
Fellow, and diligent in his way; somewhat too bold and hasty, and may