of a Man who was committed for
certain odious unmanlike Practices, not fit to be named, were giving him various
Kinds of Discipline, and would probably have put an End to him, had he not been
rescued out of their Hands by Authority.
    When this Bustle was a little allayed, Mr. Booth took Notice of a young
Woman in Rags sitting on the Ground, and supporting the Head of an old Man in
her Lap, who appeared to be giving up the Ghost. These, Mr. Robinson informed
him, were Father and Daughter; that the latter was committed for stealing a
Loaf, in order to support the former, and the former for receiving it knowing it
to be stolen.
    A well-drest Man then walked surlily by them, whom Mr. Robinson reported to
have been committed on an Indictment found against him for a most horrid
Perjury; »but«, says he, »we expect him to be bailed Today.« »Good Heaven!«
cries Booth, »can such Villains find Bail, and is no Person charitable enough to
bail that poor Father and Daughter?« »Oh! Sir,« answered Robinson, »the Offence
of the Daughter, being Felony, is held not to be bailable in Law; whereas
Perjury is a Misdemeanor only; and therefore Persons who are even indicted for
it, are nevertheless capable of being bailed. Nay of all Perjuries that of which
this Man is indicted, is the worst: for it was with an Intention of taking away
the Life of an innocent Person by Form of Law. As to Perjuries in civil Matters,
they are not so very criminal.« »They are not,« said Booth; »and yet even these
are a most flagitious Offence, and worthy the highest Punishment.« »Surely they
ought to be distinguished,« answered Robinson, »from the others: for what is
taking away a little Property from a Man compared to taking away his Life, and
his Reputation, and ruining his Family into the Bargain? - I hope there can be
no Comparison in the Crimes, and I think there ought to be none in the
Punishment. However, at present, the Punishment of all Perjury is only Pillory,
and Transportation for seven Years; and as it is a traversable and bailable
Offence, Methods are often found to escape any Punishment at all.«4
    Booth exprest great Astonishment at this, when his Attention was suddenly
diverted by the most miserable Object that he had yet seen. This was a Wretch
almost naked, and who bore in his Countenance, joined to an Appearance