I Have been often desir'd to visit the Condemn'd Prisoners; and have heard some passages, which I could have wisht had been publisht for the prevention of Mischief to many Per­sons and Families, but was unwilling to be the Pen-man of them; well knowing what Censures many Men lye under, for doing those things which were designed for the Good of others. I have therefore visited some Persons, both in the City and some adjacent places, who have been accused by Condemned Malefactors, as most destructive Abetters and Entertainers of them and other Robbers: And I have some reason to hope it was with good Success.

I was under a Special Obligation, to attend upon a young Man who was Executed yesterday, in the Prime and Strength of his years: And being satisfied, that what he said was True, and that it proceeded from a great Sense which he had of his de­plorable Condition; I am willing to adventure the publication of some Discoveries he made to me, which tend to the reforming of some Mens Lives, and the securing of other Mens Goods and Properties.

It was his earnest Desire, at the time of his Execution, That all, Young Men especially, should take Warning by him, that they avoid the Company of those who lay wait to ensnare them: That in order to it, they should take care they mispend not the Lord's day, and (especially) that they entertain not wicked Com­pany, by which they become the Servants of the Devil, when they should be serving GOD in His publick Worship; which is the common in-let of all wickedness, and one of the first Steps towards that dismal End which he brought to himself. I do not know that ever I observ'd any Repentance in a Condemn'd Malefactor, who did not bitterly lament his Neglect of his Duty to God on that Day. Those young Persons who make the Lord's day a day of Idleness, little think what Advantage they give the Tempter, by degrees, to make that, and all other, to be days of Wickedness. He acknowledged, that there is no Pleasure, but in a Sober and Religious Life; and that the ways of Wickedness do not only tend to the Destruction of Soul and Body, but are the occasions of such Fears and Perplexities, as out-weigh all the Profit of Ungodliness. And that is not all, but they bring most in­tolerably-wounding Grief and Sorrow to tender Parents; which was a great aggravation of his Trouble, and occasion'd his ear­nest Request, that all good Christians would pray to God to comfort his Religious Father and Mother, who had it all respects discharged their Duties of Love towards him: And I am sure there is great need of such Prayers. These Considerations had prevailed with him to avoid all ill Company, for the space of a Moneth (or more) before he was taken; and if he had escaped this Sentence, it is very probable, that he would have changed the Course of his Actions. Early Piety is the best Security against all Evils. Young Men may chuse the Fear of God, and his easie and pleasant Yoke, but if they break loose, and begin an Ungodly Life, they can not tell to what Degree of Wickedness they shall en­crease, [Page 3] when they shall come off from it, or at what time the Judgment of God will overtake them.

But my design is not now to enlarge upon those Arguments which hardned Minds can resist, though they come from Dying Men, when in the Bitterness of their Souls; And therefore shall proceed to that which may alarm House-keepers, to beware of Thieves whose numbers are so great, that another Condemn'd Malefactor told me it is impossible they can ever be supprest: And that there is an incredible number of Boys and Girles that are train'd up by those that are skilful in that Mystery of wickedness. I think he said there were some Hundreds.

This young Man told me of some Houses which have been lately robb'd by Day-Thieves, who have all sorts and sizes of Pick-Locks, by which they can unlock any Door, Trunk, or Cabiner, and lock them again with such expedition, that the Person injured shall conclude that it must be done by Servants, or other Inhabitants with them, and not by those that come only as Guests to their Houses. I was likewise inform'd by another, that they do not value any Lock that is made in England; and therefore ad­vised me to fasten my Doors with Barrs or Bolts.

This Person call'd to mind some Houses which were robb'd by his wicked Acquaintance, of which I make particular men­tion, for fear that Innocent Persons have been accus'd, of which I knew, and was concern'd in one very remarkable instance. There was one Imprison'd for One Hundred Pounds, which a Con­demn'd Malefactor told me he had stolen. One of them is a Victualling-House in Aldersgate-street, at the going into Falcon-yard. Another is a Victualling-House within Aldgate, into which there is a Passage through a long Entry, near Northumberland-Alley. A Third is a Cook's House near the Arch, at the passage out of Lincolns-Inn-Fields towards Drury-Lane.

He likewise inform'd me of three Houses, which a Man and Woman intend to robb, and have made some attempt, but were prevented, by going at a time when there was Company in other Rooms. One is the Red Bull in Shoe-Lane: Another is the Chequer without Aldgate, on the Butchers-side of the Street: The third is a Cook without Bishops-gate, near the Katherine-Wheel, directly opposite to a yard, where there was a Robbery not long since committed: I hope that this publication may pre­vent it.

He likewise told me, that there was a Thief brought into New­gate on Saturday last, who was taken at the Sign of King James in or near Spittle-Fields; and that if the Mistris of the House hath lost so much Money as she pretended, she may find it by empty­ing her Vault.

I may likewise give a Caution to the Gentry who live in Lincolns-Inn-Fields, to which the Thieves have a great resort. It hath been usual with them to go in at Seven or Eight of the Clock in the Evening, and to go up the Stairs, where they take what they find, and carry it away without being discovered. If they happen to meet any person, they ask for a Lodger or Servant by Name; and when they are told that there is none such, they beg pardon, and say, that they mistook the House. It is almost unimagi­nable, that there should be so many bold Attempts pass undisco­veted as he mention'd, that he knew of, though he could not exactly remember the Houses.

I hope it will be granted, that I have publisht this for a General as well as a Particular Good. And that those who keep Houses of Entertainment will either be cautious of their Guests, or commit their Money, and most valuable Goods, to the Custody of a private House-keeper. It is, it seems, usual for Thieves to desire privacy, for the dispatch of a Writing, or some other urgent business; and whilst one looks to the Stairs, the other make haste into other parts of the House, especially into those Rooms that are on the same Floor.

That this publication may answer the End for which it was made, is the desire of

Licensed, May the 26. 1687. Ro. L' Estrange.