(Vol. ix., p. 15.)
In a curious old pamphlet of twenty-three pages, entitled _Everybody's
Business is Nobody's Business answer'd Paragraph by Paragraph_, by a
Committee of Women-Servants and Footmen, London, printed by T. Read for the
author, and sold by the booksellers of London, and ... price one penny
(without date), the following passage occurs:
"The next great Abuse among us is, that under the Notion of cleaning
our Shoes, above ten Thousand Wicked, Idle, Pilfering Vagrants are
permitted to stroll about our City and Suburbs. These are called the
_Black-Guard_, who Black your Honour's Shoes, and incorporate
themselves under the Title of the _Worshipful Company of Japanners_.
But the Subject is so low that it becomes disagreeable even to myself;
give me leave therefore to propose a Way to clear the streets of those
Vermin, and to substitute as many honest and industrious persons in
their stead, who are now starving for want of bread, while these
execrable {154} villains live (though in Rags and Nastiness) yet in
Plenty and Luxury."
"A(nswer). _The next Abuse you see is_, Black your shoes, your Honour,
_and the_ Japanners _stick in his Stomach. We shall not take upon us to
answer for these pitiful Scrubs, but in his own words_; the Subject is
so low, that it becomes disagreeable even to us, _as it does_ even to
himself, _and he may_ clear the Streets of these Vermin _in what Manner
he pleases if the Law will give him leave, for we are in no want of
them; we are better provided for already in that respect by our Masters
and their Sons_."