The canting academy, or, The devils cabinet opened wherein is shewn the mysterious and villanous practices of that wicked crew, commonly known by the names of hectors, trapanners, gilts, &c. : to which is added a compleat canting-dictionary, both of old words, and such as are now most in use : with several new catches and songs, compos'd by the choisest wits of the age ...

Of the Low Pad.

A Low-Pad is a base Sheep-stealing half-penny Rogue; the lowness and meanness of whose Spirit will stoop for two shillings, though he hang for his pains.

He is not of ability to ride on Horse-back, and therefore skulks under hedges in the Road, and with a long Pole knock a man down as he rides a∣long, or immediately and suddenly starts out from his covert, and seizing the bridle another comes and dismounts him, and so rob him.

The Fields about the Suburbs of the City, in Winter-season, use to be very much pester'd with these Vermin, these dangerous Villains: the most noted places are between Anniseed-Clear and Newington, between Hollow-way and Islington, between the Pinner of Wakefield and Kentish-Town, between Red-Lyon Fields and Totnam-Court, and lastly, Woods-Close hath been very remarkable for these pilfering Rogues, skulking and lying up and down in ditches, and like Quails calling on one the other with a sharp and loud return they will answer each others shrill whistle; this they do to give notice to each other where they lie, so that they may commodiously join with each other in the assaulting of any person they intend to rob. They make choice of Winter Evenings, as most conveni∣ent to obscure their dark purposes.