After a woodcut, England, 1608. Since unemployment was illegal, the night watchman, or belman, along with the ratcatcher, represented the lowest level of English society. With his heavy pike, lantern, bell, and dog, he made his rounds of the city and called the hours. This is the title page illustration from Thomas Dekker’s book that describes various kinds of villains, rogues, and vagabonds, and includes a glossary of underworld slang terms, “Bringing to Light the Most Notorious Villanies that are Now Practised in the Kingdome. Profitable for Gentlemen, Lawyers, Merchants, Cittizens, Farmers, Masters of Householdes, and All Sorts of Seruants to Mark, and Delightfull for All Men to Reade.”

A limited edition (200) linoleum block print