What hatred the effect of his Feates purchased, the quaintness of them palliated.

They will rather joke upon this want of security on their roads, if you reproach them with it, than own it is a scandalous thing…. There are some Englishmen not less vain in boasting of the address of their highwaymen, than of the bravery of their troops. … a noted thief is a kind of hero, in high repute among the populace.

What we are still more to wonder at, is, that … People should delight to hear the Actions of these Men rehearsed, and be even pleased with a Highwayman, who robs like a Gentleman.

When such a gallant Man as our Captain robs only for Necessity, and then makes Choice only of such Persons to collect from, as he of whom we have been last speaking, the Reader is not much displeased with him. There appears something so agreeable in the Manner and Circumstances of such a Story, as takes away a great Deal of the Resentment, which would otherwise arise against the Felony.

What think you of a Newgate Pastoral, among the whores and thieves there?

We must … use some illusion to render a Pastoral delightful; and this consists in exposing the best side only of a shepherd's life, and in concealing its miseries.