n the shy and suspicious Look he casts
over his Shoulder upon every one he hears treading behind him, are the
infallible Tokens by which they form their Judgment. Having pitch'd
upon their Man, they pursue him at a proper Distance, till they find
an Opportunity to speak with him alone, and then tell him a Person has
hired them to watch diligently the Route he shall take for that Day,
and upon giving notice thereof, they are to be rewarded; but that,
being an unfortunate Man himself, and owing much Money, he would not
for his Right-hand set a Gentleman into the hands of a Bailiff. The
Information carrying such an honest Face with it, cannot fail of being
received with due Gratitude. The Insolvent is now obliged to look to
himself, and instead of stealing to _Chelsea_ or _Kensington_ for a
little Air, is forced to confine himself to bad Punch and worse Wine
at some blind Hedge Coffee-house or Tavern within the Verge of the
Court. The Rascal by whom he has thus been impudently imposed upon and
terrified, never meets him but begs a Shilling or Six-pence; and
having brought, perhaps, a dozen unfortunate Gentlemen more under the
same Apprehensions, makes a comfortable Livelyhood of them.

Sometimes they are really employ'd by the Bailiffs to keep a Look-out
upon a Gentleman that is appointed to be unharboured; then they betray
their Masters by giving him timely Notice of what is intended, and so
get more by the Discovery than the Officer would have done by
executing the Writ.

A Gentleman had once taken Sanctuary in the Verge, but such pressing
Importunities were made to the _Green-Cloth_, that he was left to the
Mercy of his Creditors, if they could get him into their Power: As his
Debts were large, so large Rewards were offered to any Officer who
should undertake his Reprizal. A Bailiff for the Sum of Twenty Guineas
at last undertook the Job. The Insolvent confined himself close to his
Chamber, and had all his Eatables dressed at a Tavern: Having one
Night ordered an elegant Supper for a few Ladies at his Lodgings, the
Bailiffs got Intelligence of the Hour it was directed to be ready; and
having equipp'd himself with a black Callimanco-Waistcoat and
Napkin-Cap like a Cook, and his two Followers like Drawers, and
furnish'd themselves with cover'd Dishes, Plates, and every thing
necessary for Eating: A few Minutes before the time appointed they
were all admitted into the Chamber, the Ladies were all in a Hurry to
get themse