His enterprise was not seldom rewarded with success, and for a
decade of years he continued to preserve an appearance of gentility; but
it is plain, even from his own narrative, that he was scarce an
artist, and we shall best understand him if we recognise that he was
a Philistine among thieves. He lived in an age of pocket-picking, and
skill in this branch is the true test of his time. A contemporary of
Barrington, he had before him the most brilliant of examples, which
might properly have enforced the worth of a simple method. But, though
he constantly brags of his success at Drury Lane, we take not his
generalities for gospel, and the one exploit whose credibility
is enforced with circumstance was pitiful both in conception and
performance. A meeting of freeholders at the 'Mermaid Tavern,' Hackney,
was the occasion, and after drawing blank upon blank, Vaux succeeded at
last in extracting a silver snuff-box. Now, his clumsiness had suggested
the use of the scissors, and the victim not only discovered the scission
in his coat, but caught the thief with the implements of his art upon
him. By a miracle of impudence Vaux escaped conviction, but he deserved
the gallows for his want of principle, and not even sympathy could have
let drop a tear, had justice seized her due. On the straight or on
the cross the canons of art deserve respect; and a thief is great,
not because he is a thief, but because, in filling his own pocket, he
preserves from violence the legitimate traditions of his craft.
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