Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-08-18
General SnteIli0entt.
BEGGING AS A FINE AR.
Experiences In n "SchOOl for Beggars"
"A scholar Taken in and Done For

mine what institution London still LACKS,
since it is easy for one at all acquainted
with the city, to count upon his fingers the
ones it already has. Stealing begging and
pocket-picking are systematically taught in
secret, but up to very recent period no
one had dared to establish upon the Thames
a school where begging, as profession, is
actually taught, and where the pupils have
the advantages of lectures and the use of
disguises.
'What do you mean? Is that hum bug
or notH" 1 asked of my friend, who was
ali adept in city ways.
''Ne, that is the truth" he replied, and
continued making lis toilet, as though dis
cussing one of the commonest questions of
the day. "There is the name of the pro-
fessor and his residence, No. 21 Princess
street, st. Giles"
"What is his name2"
''Roonay."
81 have the greatest desire to take q
course of lessons, in order to give to the
world the result of my observations"
"Why not do it, them"
"In that case must hurry"
"WhyP Do you fear that the seats will
be all engaged"
"Not that, but rather that the police will
be apt to close the academy MS soon aspos-
sible."
1.-The police2 oh, mol Roonay keeps
within the law, so asnot to come in contact
with it."
On the next day / sought Prof Roonay.
did not in the least believe in his exist
ence, but thought that the announcement
of his having opened such an academy was
one Of those bold assertions so often made
by the press in order to fill their empty
columns. After considerable hunting | ut
last found myself face to face with Profess
sor Roonay, whom / found dressed in ele-
giant style.
"How can I serve you?" he asked, on my
entrance, rising from his seat.
The sudden question rather disconnected
me.
Il wish to take q course of lessons in the
art of begging with snccess," said l, after
a short pause.
At the words "with success" could
not suppress SMILE
"You did not come here TO make the art
of begging, in the true sense of the word,
means Of your future support; it was your
curiosity which led You here, was ii not?''
"Yes, that is So" answered. "Never-
theless, l, II have sought you with the
earnest desire of hearing you lecture, and
securing seat. can pay the required
fee now"
Saying this, took out my purse.
keep your money in your pocket, said
Roonay, with gesture of contempt. 81
cannot allow your name to be placed upon
the register Of my academy, for take none
here but those having firm determination
to pursue for the future the paths 1 show
them.
"But WILL" continued he, "make an
exception for once in your case, in order
to convince you that there is not so much
humbug in London as the foreign press
would have appear. Please follow me-"
had scarcely time to recover from my
astonishment at his words, when Roonay
led me into wide hall which opened into
q wide hall which opened into largo room
the academy proper-the rear of which
was handsomely decorated, and at this end
was placed desk for the lecturer. On the
wall were hung many well executed paint
ings, representing many devices of beggars
in foreign countries, from the earliest DAYS
to the present time. The collection was
one of considerable merit in historical
point Of view.
'That side of the room represents Lon
don only" said Roonay, pointing to col
lection showing the ways of London beg
gars.
We then entered second room, which
contained the appliances of the profession.
Here were closets with glass doors, con-
tanning pieces made of what appeared to
be pdpier mache, representing shot and slab
wounds in various stages of healing. These,
by simple mechanical contrivances, could
be applied to any part of the body. In
other parts of the room were to be seen
many disguises, coats, little wagons for the
use Of pretened cripples, beggar clothing
covered with medals for deeds of imapin.
ary bravery and heroism, boxes with vari-
ous inscriptions on them, umbrellas which
looked as though made in the early days Of
art, and which could be used as weapons
OF defense, etc. Upon the table were strewn
certificates for the use of pupils, testifying
to their poverty or misfortune; these were
all signed by Roonay, and had the seal OF
the academy attached.
The third room we entered was the most
interesting of Ill. Here we found kennels
of dogs of various kinds
"This dog can alone earn more than n
hundred guineas q month";" said the pro-
fessor, pointing TO small hound, whose
ugly countenance would alone move one TO
pity. "There, Moss, beg OF this gentle
man." continued he, placing on the dogs
back one Of the small boxes we had seen
before.
The dog began by loud yelps, which he
soon changed to low whine, at the same
time approaching me nodding his head
then stood ON his hind legs, and reaching
out his paw, pulled at my coat-tail. This
he kept up, and would not be quiet until
placed piece Of money in the box.
'His neighbor, Armstrong, begs in n
different way from that" said Roonay, nj
tho same time opening the kennel and
letting out large bulldog, upon whose
back was huge box, on which was paint.
cd, 'Your money or your life"
DO not be afraid; he will not hurt You
You only place your purse in the box"
When in the street again, was about Ia
call carriage, but was reminded of my
empty purse. The modern professor OF
begging and highway robbery had relieved
me OF my last penny, and had no redress.
On the contrary, had commenced an nc.
tion against him, doubt not that he would
have recovered his tuition from me, forhe
had given me private lessons.
AN international exhibition 10 10 be