_
He told Mr. _Robins_, the _City Smith_, _That he had procur'd him a_
_small Job, and that whoever it was that put the Spikes on the
Condemn'd-Hold was an honest Man, for a better peice of Metal,_ says he,
_I never wrought upon in my Life._
He was loth to believe his frequent Robberies were an Injury to the
Public, for he us'd to say, That _if they were ill in one Respect, they
were as good in another, and that though he car'd not for Working much
himself, yet he was desirous that others should not stand Idle, more
especially those of his own Trade, who were always Repairing of his
Breaches._
When serious, and that but seldom, he would Reflect on his past wicked
Life. He declar'd to us, that for several Years of his Apprenticeship he
had an utter abhorrence to Women of the Town, and us'd to pelt them with
Dirt when they have fell in his way; till a _Button-Mould-Maker_ his
next Neighbour left off that Business, and set up a Victualling-house in
_Lewkenhors-Lane_, where himself and other young Apprentices resorted on
_Sundays_, and at all other Opportunities. At this House began his
Acquaintance with _Edgworth Bess_. His sentiments were strangely
alter'd, and from an Aversion to those Prostitutes, he had a more
favourable Opinion, and even Conversation with them, till he Contracted
an ill Distemper, which as he said, he cur'd himself of by a Medicine of
his own preparing.
He inveigh'd bitterly against his Brother _Thomas_ for putting him into
the Information, for Mrs.
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