out of Doors, and left to provide for my self and a Child.  Which, when I was brought a Bed, I dispos’d to a poor Woman, who got her Living with it, by begging in the Streets.  And then finding I cou’d’nt be free from Mens solicitations whilst a Servant, I e’en betook my self to the present Employment, wherein I meet with Men enough, and am at no care, to provide for Children.—­When she had given an Account of her Life, said the Constable, I then thought it was time to reprove them.  And, addressing my self to the Wench, said I, Would it not now have been a great Mortification to you, if instead of following you to your Lodgings, I had deliver’d you to a Constable, who had made you sit up all Night in the Round-house, and sent you next Morning to Bridewell, to beat Hemp for your Living.  The young Slut nothing daunted by what I had said (says the Constable) presently pluck’d up her Coats, and told me she’d find me other Business to do.  I seeing that pull’d out my Short Constables Staff, and told her she didn’t know her Danger, and had therefore best forbear her Impudence, or I should quickly make her sensible that I had Power to punish her.  This put both the Old Woman and her self into a great fright; and altering her Tone, she prayed me not to molest ’em and they would gratifie me any way imaginable.  And the Old Woman prayed me not to be severer to her then others of my Office had formerly been:  For, said she, this is not the first time that I have been threatted in this manner, and I never yet found a Constable, nor indeed scarce a Justice of Peace whom it was not in my Power some time or other to oblige, either by my Purse, or in the way of my Trade.  For I have such fine Women at my Command, continued she, as are able to Charm the most insensible Persons.  I then told them, says the Constable, That good Advice was meerly thrown away upon ’em, but I wou’d take another Course that was more effectual; and so (says he) calling the Watch, they were both sent that Night to the Counter> and the next day to Bride-well; where they are still beating Hemp.  And this Course (said the Constable) I intend to take, as often as I meet with any of them.

When the Constable had made an End, my Husband and I both applauded his Conduct.  And tho’ I have once been overcome; yet I resolve never to be guilty of the like Folly again.  Nor is it yet too late for you to repent said the Goldsmith’s Lady to the Bawd; tho you have run through so long a course of Wickedness; which if you still continue in, will sooner or later bring you to certain ruine.

Well, said the Bawd, I thought to have serv’d you, by the way of Gratitude, for your kindness and Liberality to me, in my way of Business:  But seeing you are otherwise determined, I thank you for your Advice:  and am very glad that by my Discourse and seeing the Errors of my Life, you may come to rectifie your own:  My advice herein being the same with that of a late great Debauchee, that writ a Book of his Life,