_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.