* * * * *
THE SELECTOR; AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS.
* * * * *
VIDOCQ. (Concluded.)
We have a vulgar book called _Frauds of London laid open_, and
Vidocq's fourth volume will serve for Paris, since he defines the
nomenclature--nay the very craft of thieves with great minuteness:
thus--
_The Chevaliers Grimpants_.
"The Chevaliers Grimpants, called also _voleurs au bonjour_, _donneurs
de bonjours_, _bonjouriers_, are those who introduce themselves into a
house and carry off in an instant the first movable commodity that falls
in their way. The first _bonjouriers_ were I am assured, servants
out of place. They were at first few in number, but, soon acquiring
pupils, their industry increased so rapidly, that from 1800 to 1812,
there was scarcely a day that robberies were not committed in Paris of
from a dozen to fifteen baskets of plate.
"The _Almanach du commerce, l'Almanach royal_, and that with
twenty-five thousand addresses in it, are, for bonjouriers, the most
interesting works that can be published. Every morning, before they go
out, they consult them; and when they propose visiting any particular
house, it is very seldom that they are not acquainted with the names of
at least two persons in it; and that they may effect an entrance, they
inquire for one when they see the porter, and endeavour to rob the other.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25