'[William] Page [born in 1730] was apprenticed to a haberdasher, but
he was a consummate coxcomb, who neglected his shop to dress in the
fashion and frequent public places.
His relations turned him adrift, and when in the last stage of
distress he accepted a footman's place. It was while in livery that
he first heard of what highwaymen could do, and conceived the idea
of adopting the road as a profession. [...]
His plan was to drive out in a phaeton and pair. When at a distance
from town he would turn into some unfrequented place and disguise
himself with a grizzle or black wig and put on other clothes. Then
saddling one of his phaeton horses, he went on to the main road and
committed a robbery. This effected, he galloped back to his
carriage, resumed his former dress, and drove to London. He was
often cautioned against himself; but laughingly said that he had
already lost his money once and could now only lose his coat and
shirt.
He was nearly detected on one occasion, when some haymakers
discovered his empty phaeton and drove it off with his best
clothes. He had just stopped some people, who pursued the haymakers
with the carriage and accused them of being accomplices in the
robbery. Page heard of this, and throwing the disguise into a well,
went back to town nearly naked, where he claimed the carriage,
saying the men had stripped him and thrown him into a ditch. The
coach-builder swore that he had sold him the carriage, and they were
committed for trial, but Page did not appear to prosecute.'