Preindustrial beggars manipulated appearances to increase alms

Evidence

Its most skilled players were to be found among the various beggars of the preindustrial city. Masters of the appearential order, these ingenious individuals “practiced to deceive” in any way that seemed likely to increase their take. And the ways that seemed most likely primarily involved some manipulation of identity. — Lyn H. Lofland, World of Strangers_ Order and Action in…, 950