No efficient police existed in London; at night the streets were
infested with brutal ruffians, and, as late as Queen Anne's time, by
bands of "fine gentlemen" not less brutal, who amused themselves by
overturning sedan chairs, rolling women downhill in barrels, and
compelling men to dance jigs, under the stimulus of repeated pricks
from a circle of sword points, until the victims fell fainting from
exhaustion. Duels were frequent, on the slightest provocation.
Highwaymen abounded both in the city and without, and, unless one went
well armed, it was often dangerous to travel any distance in the
country.