LIFE OF THE EAT-CATCHEE. 53 



of some filthy drain, and very often near a 

 water-closet, the abominable smell arising 

 from these places being sufficient to cause a 

 fever. 



I remember being once employed at a 

 hospital, and I was paid at the rate of 5s. per 

 visit for trapping Eats. Well, I found that 5s. 

 per visit did not pay me (I had about 120 traps 

 set all over the place), so I went before the 

 committee and requested 8s. per night. The 

 committee said they thought 5s. per visit was 

 enough, and one or two of them said they 

 thought 8s. per night was above a Eat- 

 catcher's pay. Now, as I was not depending 

 on that particular job at the time, I turned 

 round and told them what I thought. I told 

 them I considered Eat-catching was a skilled 

 occupation, and I also offered any of them 

 a" five-pound note if they would only follow me 

 under the floors at midnight, not to speak of 

 taking the live Eats out of the traps in 

 the dark; but I can assure you that none of 

 these gentlemen would venture to undertake 

 the task. 



Now, if any of these gentlemen had to do 

 this a few times they would not refuse to pay 

 the Eat-catcher the sum he asks, viz., 8s. per 

 night. 



I remember more than once in big places 



