tone, the one beginning where the other leaves off. They are to keep opposite each other on different sides of the street, each singing his own misfortunes; they may afterwards divide their profits as they please.

7. It is permitted that a beggar wear an old dishclout round his head in winter instead of a bonnet, that while he is protected from the cold he may at the same time appear an invalid. He is likewise at liberty to walk with crutches, or to have one leg tied up behind him.

8. Every beggar may have a purse and a pocket, but must receive alms in their hats only.

9. We command that no beggar be so indiscreet as to divulge any of the mysteries of our trade to any but such as belong to our society.

any

10. Should any beggar be so fortunate as to discover any new trick in the art of begging, he shall be obliged to communicate the same to the company, which ought to enjoy in common the benefit arising from the genius of of its members. As a recompense, however, to the inventor, and to stimulate his genius to new discoveries, we decree that he have an exclusive privilege to make the most of his device for three months, during which time we peremptorily forbid any other belonging to our fraternity from interfering with his practice, under pain of confiscating to his use all the profits that may be derived therefrom.

II. We exhort the members of this society, freely and faithfully, to make known to each other all the houses where they know that either private or public alms are likely to be dispensed, especially those in

which gaming or courting is going forward, for in such places large receipts are certain.

12. We command that no beggar presume to keep or lead about with him any hunting, setting, or other dogs; blind men only being allowed to be conducted by a little cur with a string round its neck. This prohibition is not meant to extend to such of our fraternity as may chance to possess dogs of talent. These may be allowed to exhibit their performances as usual by making their dogs dance or jump through hoops; but they must not presume to take their station at a church door, where other beggars of the society may be assembled, on account of the great advantage they will have over them.

13. We command that no beggar venture to buy meat or fish in the market on his own account, except in a case of extreme necessity, as very ill consequences may arise from so doing.

14. We permit all such beggars as have no children of their own to hire as many as four to lead about with them into the churches on festivals; these should not be above five years old, and, if possible, should appear to be twins. If a female conduct them, she should never fail to have one always at her breast; and if a man, he must be sure to carry one on his arm, and lead the other by the hand.

15. We command that those beggars who have any children, instruct them, up to the age of six years, in the best mode of making collections in churches; that after having taught them to ask charity for their father and mother who lie on their beds at home most

dangerously ill, they allow them to go alone, though it were better not entirely to lose sight of them. As soon, however, as these children shall have attained their seventh year, we command that they be left to shift for themselves, as being already majors, and that their parents be content to restrict and compel them to return home at stipulated hours.

16. Beggars of the old stamp, who consider it a point of honour to walk in the footsteps of their ancestors who have trained them to the profession of begging, will never allow their children to take any other trade than their own, nor to degrade themselves by entering into the service of any one; and if these children wish to be thought worthy of their parents, they will hold every other condition in abhorrence.

17. Although idleness be the principal divinity worshipped by us beggars, we nevertheless think proper to prescribe certain hours of rising. Every one should dress and turn out by seven o'clock in winter, and by five in summer, or even sooner, if he feels so disposed; and should be in bed again by the same hour in the evening, except on extraordinary occasions, and according to the directions of the veterans of the society.

18. Be for ever declared infamous, and banished from our society, all such as shall presume to steal, v harbour stolen goods, strip little children, or commit any such villanies.

19. As it is our wish that all young persons who embark in our profession be treated favourably, we will and ordain that, for the future, any brother who

shall have attained the age of twelve years shall be obliged to pass a noviciate of three years only instead of five; and we insist that after the said term of three years he be considered a graduate in the profession, and as a subject who has duly complied with and fulfilled all the laws of our institution.

20. At the same time, we require of the said brother that he make oath never to desert our society, but continue attached to it, and never think of withdrawing himself from our service without our especial leave; promising to pay due submission and obedience to our statutes, under pain of our highest displeasure.

CHAPTER XXIII.

OF THE DISAGREEABLE ADVENTURE POOR GUZMAN MET BEGGING IN THE CITY OF ROME

WITH WHILE

DURING THE HEAT OF THE DAY.

In addition to these laws, this famous doctor in the art communicated to me others which he told me had been established by the most celebrated beggars of Italy, and particularly by the renowned Albert, surnamed Messer Morcon-in other words, Mr. Bigguts who was looked upon as Generalissimo of the beggars at Rome. In truth, he well deserved that title, and even that of Prince of the Beggars, or rather the Archbeggar of Christendom.

He was worthy to be Emperor of the Idlers, as well on account of his appearance as of his manners

and understanding. He would devour at a single meal the whole of the tripe and trotters of two good sheep, a cow's udder, and ten pounds of bread, not to mention the scraps that he collected, which he generally applied solely to his own use. He would drink in proportion. It is true that he alone would scrape up as much in begging as ten of the most deformed and crippled of our society; but then he had occasion for all this, as I before told you, for although he consumed every scrap that was given him, and spent all his money in drink, he was frequently obliged to have recourse to the larders of other beggars, who, considering themselves his vassals, were always well pleased to contribute to his subsistence. He never seemed satisfied either with wine or victuals. He always went, both summer and winter, open breasted, and never wore either shirt or stockings. His head was always bare, his chin always well shaved, and his skin was as white and shining as if it had been rubbed with lard.

Among other rules made by this famous Messer Morcon during his reign, there is one which is well worth repeating: he ordained that every beggar should sleep on the ground, without either mattress or pillow, and that they should leave off begging every day as { soon as they had gained sufficient for the day's necessities; for, said he, a true beggar ought to depend entirely upon Providence, and think not of the

morrow.

I got all the laws of begging by heart, but was content to observe the most essential only. Never