LONDON THIEVES. 333 



soul and body. What thousands from among these 

 semi-heathen will rise up to bless such men as 

 Dr. Bowman Stephenson, Dr. Barnardo, and young 

 Charrington. 



There is still a lower grade than those who are 

 brought under the influence of philanthropic effort 

 I mean the thieves. There are in London, it is esti- 

 mated, not less than twenty-five thousand professional 

 thieves. Some of these, while quite beyond the reach 

 of Christian influence, may yet appear respectable 

 enough upon the street. I have often been astonished 

 at the cleverness exercised by these people in the 

 prosecution of their wicked business. 



The story is told of Sir Morton Peto, well known as 

 one of the first promoters of our Grand Trunk Rail- 

 way, one day mysteriously losing his watch. He 

 suspected that it had been stolen, and put into the 

 papers an advertisement : " Watch Lost I If any gentle- 

 man, who may have found it, will kindly return it to 

 such a street and number, he will receive five pounds 

 reward." 



In a day or two a man called, when Sir Morton 

 was at dinner with some friends. He excused himself 

 and went to the door when told that there was a 

 man outside with his watch. " Good morning, Sir 

 Morton. Is this your watch ? " " Yes," said Sir Mor- 



