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THE
Third and last part of Conny-catching.
With the new deuised knauish arte of
Foole-taking.
The like coosnages and villanies never before discouered.
By R.G.
[Illustration]
Printed by T.Scarlet for C.Burby, and are to be solde athis shop vnder S.Mildreds Church in the Poultrie. 1592.
TO ALL SVCH AS HAVEreceiued either pleasure or profite by the twoformer published bookes of thisArgument:And to all beside, that desire to know the wonderfullslie deuises of this hellish crewof Conny-catchers.
[Illustration: I]
In the time of king Henrie the fourth, as our English Chronicles hauekept in remembrance, liued diuerse sturdie and loose companions insundrie places about the Citie of London, who gaue themselues to nogood course of life, but because the time was somewhat troublesome,watched diligently, when by the least occasion of mutinie offered,they might praie vppon the goods of honest Citizens, and so by theirspoyle inrich themselues. At that time liued likewise a worthieGentleman, whose many verie famius deeds (wherof I am sorie I may heremake no rehearsal, because neither time nor occasion will permitte me)renowne his name to all ensuing posterities: he, being called sirRichard Whittington, the founder of Whittington Colledge inLondon, and one that bare the office of Lord Maior of this Citie threeseuerall times. This worthie man wel noting the dangerous dispositionof that idle kinde of people, tooke such good and discreete order(after hee had sent diuers of them to serue in the kings warres, andthey loath to doe so well returned to their former vomite) that in noplace of or about London they might haue lodging, or entertainment,except they applied themselues to such honest trades and exercises, asmight witnesse their maintaining was by true and honest meanes. If anyto the contrarie were founde, they were in iustice so sharplyproceeded against, as the most hurtfull and dangerous enemies to thecommonwealth.
In this quiet and most blissefull time of peace, when all men (incourse of life) should shew themselves most thankfull for so great abenefit, this famous citie is pestered with the like, or rather worsekinde of people, that beare outward shew of ciuill, honest, andgentlemanlike disposition, but in very deed their behauiour is mostinfamous to be spoken of. And as now by their close villanies theycheate, cosen, prig, lift, nippe, and such like tricks now vsed intheir Conie-catching Trade, to the hurt and vndoing of many anhonest Citizen, and other: So if God should in iustice be angrie withvs, as our wickednesse hath well deserued, and (as the Lorde forsend)our peace should be molested as in former time, euen as they did, sowill these be the first in seeking domesticall spoile and ruine: yeaso they may haue it, it skilles not how they come by it. God raisesuch another as was worthie Whittington, that in time maybridle the headstrong course of this hellish crew, and force them liueas becommeth honest subiects, or els to abide the rewarde of theirloosenesse.
By reading this little tratise ensuing, you shall see to whatmarueilous subtil pollicies these deceiuers have atteyned, and howdaylie they practise strange driftes for their purpose. I say no more,but if all these forewarnings may be regarded, to the beneft of thewell minded, and iust controll of these carelesse wretches, it is allI desire, and no more then I hope to see.
Yours