"{6}

"What have we here?" said Bob, who observed a concourse of people
surrounding the end of Fetter Lane.

"Only a couple more of striking figures," replied Tom, "almost as
intelligent as those we have just seen."

1 Translator of Soles--A disciple of St. Crispin, alias a
cobbler, who can botch up old shoes, so as to have the
appearance of being almost new, and who is principally
engaged in his laudable occupation by the second-hand shoe-
sellers of Field Lane, Turn Stile, &c. for the purpose of
turning an honest penny, i.e. to deceive poor purchasers.

2 Crab-shells--A cant term for shoes.

3 Whole boding of 'em--The whole kit of 'em, &c. means the
whole party.

4 Bloody Jemmy--A cant term for a sheep's head.

5 Three sheets in the wind--A cant phrase intending to
explain that a person is more than half drunk.

6 This was a hint well given by Dashall; for, in the present
times, it is scarcely possible to be aware of the numerous
depredations that are committed in the streets of the
Metropolis in open day-light; and it is a well-known fact,
that Fleet Street, being one of the leading thoroughfares,
is at almost all times infested with loose characters of
every description, from the well-dressed Sharpers, who hover
round the entrances to billiard-tables to mark new comers,
and give information to the pals in waiting, somewhere
within call, and who are called Macers-to the wily Duffers
or Buffers, willing to sell extraordinary bargains, and the
_Cly-faker_, or Pickpocket.

~252~~Bob bustled forward, and looking down the lane, perceived two
Watchmen, one on each side the street, bearing poles with black boards
inscribed in white letters, "Beware of bad houses," and a lantern
hanging to each.

"These," said Tom, "are not decoy ducks, but scare crows, at least they
are intended for such; whether their appearance does not operate as much
one way as it does the other, is, I believe, a matter of doubt."

"Beware of bad houses," said Bob--"I don't exactlY see the object."

"No, perhaps not," continued his Cousin; "but I will tell you: this is a
method which the Churchwardens of parishes sometimes take of shaming
the _pa-pa_ or _fie fie_ ladies from their residences, or at least of
discovering their visitors; but I am half inclined to think, that nine
times out of ten the contrary effect is