CHAP. XXII. The Laws of begging.

As beggars of every nation are distinguished from each other by their different modes of imploring alms; as the Germans beg by singing, and in troops, the French by their praying, the Flemings by their respectful bowings, the Bohemians by fortune telling, the Portuguese by their crying, the Italians by long harangues, the English by abusing, and the Spaniards by their haughty growlings: we hereby command them all to observe the following Statutes under pain of our heavy displeasure.

1. We forbid any lame or wounded beggar, of whatever nation he be, to appear in the quarters frequented by others full of health and vigour, on account of the advantage they will have over the latter. We also ordain, that all such as are in perfect health, form no manner of connexion with blind men, field-preachers, mountebanks, poets, musicians, redeemed captives, nor even with old soldiers that have escaped from a rout, or seamen saved from a shipwreck. For although it is generally allowed, that all these must subsist by imploring charity, their manners of begging being different, it is necessary that each society keep to its own particular rules.

2. We ordain that beggars have certain taverns assigned them in every country, where shall preside three or four of their ancients with staves in their hands as emblems of their authority. Which said ancients are hereby empowered to canvass, in the aforesaid taverns, all the affairs of the world, and to give their opinions as freely as they please. At the same time, we permit the other beggars to relate their own heroic exploits, as well as those of their ancestors, and even to illustrate the conversation by boasting of battles they were never in.

3. We command, that every beggar carry a good cudgel in his hand, with a spike at the end of it if possible, to be provided against emergencies, lest they repent of their neglect.

4. That each beggar take especial care never to presume to wear any thing new; that all his clothes be worn out, torn, or patched; nothing bringing more scandal on our profession than begging in good clothes. Be it, however, well understood, that if in the exercise of his professional duties, a beggar chance to obtain some new garment, he is at liberty to deck himself out in it for that day, but no longer. We positively will, and command, that he dispose of it the following morning.

5. To prevent any dispute that may arise between comrades for certain posts, we ordain that the more ancient possessor prevail and take precedence, without regard to persons.

6. It is permitted that two infirm or sick persons beg in company, if they please, and call each other brothers; provided they beg by turns and in a different 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 dish-clout 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.

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 any of its members. As a recompence, 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.

11. 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 honor 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 feel 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, 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 favorably, 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.