him much Education, and all he could do for him was to instruct him in his own Trade. This did not agree with his Disposition, and at a very early Age he got loose from his Father. Having thus thrown himself on the wide World, with little to subsist on, Company-keeping soon put away what he had; which not being of the better Sort of People, they soon taught him how to get more. However, in a little Time after, having by Ways and Means procured as much Money as would buy him tolerable Cloaths, and defray the Expences of his Passage, he set fail for Parkgate . Arriving there, he travelled to Coventry , and hired himself to a Peruke-Maker, who treated him very well; and here he might have lived happy, if his natural Propensity to Evil had not led him away; but first he robb'd his Master, and making his Escape came to London .

He was not long inactive here, but soon fell into such Company as he looked for, and began regularly first with picking of Pockets, and was noted for it, before he proceeded to Sharping, or House-breaking, in which of late he excelled most of his Associates. And tho' he went upon these Expeditions, yet till within these few Years, scarce any one imagined he got his Living as he did; being always well dress'd, and every Thing about him seemingly bespoke the Gentleman. At length he was committed to Newgate , for stealing Linen, and Handkerchiefs, and received Judgment of Transportation; but the Ship he was put on Board not clearing the Land's End, e'er it sprung a Leak and sunk, he, with a few more, with much ado, saved their Lives.

He returned to Town, and kept private for some Time; but the same Itch to Wickedness still remaining in his Blood, with two chosen Companions he broke and entered a Dwelling-house in Soho-Square , and robb'd it of Goods to a considerable Value. Flush'd with this Success, he resolved to pursue the Game, and shortly after in the Night ran down a Gentleman in Fleet-Street , whom he robb'd in like Manner of what he had about him. Several other Robberies and Burglaries he had a principal Hand in, besides resorting to all Places of publick Diversion; so that he made very great Booty, and got a deal of Money.

In this Manner he went on for several Years; and being a Favourite of the common Women of the Town, never wanted Occasions of squandering his ill-got Treasure; yet notwithstanding he has been charged with several Robberies within twelve Months past, he found Means to gain an Influence over those he had injured, otherwise his Fate had not been deferred so long as it was.

Masterson was committed to the Gatehouse , and afterwards brought to Newgate , charged with breaking and entering a House in Drury-Lane , and stealing a Quantity of black Silk, &c. August 1, 1750 . Masterson and three Women were indicted for this, and tried at the Old Bailey , but the Prosecutor would not positively swear to the Goods, tho' some of them he owned had been Years in his House; so they were acquitted for Want of his speaking the Truth, and whole Truth, to compleat