Rogue

is said to be used in former English law in a sense somewhat different from the vernacular one, now very common, of an ingenious swindler: viz., in that of an idle, sturdy beggar, who wanders from place to place without license, after he hath been by justices bestowed, or offered to be bestowed, on some certain place of abode. Cowel. Rogues and vagabonds. A general term, used in English police administration, for various persons who may be summarily dealt with by the magistracy, much as disorderly persons, tramps, or vagrants may be, under various laws of the states. The term is said to include, by force of various statutes, persons of the following sorts: persona persons using subtle arts to deceive any of her majesty's subjects; persons wandering abroad, and lodging in barns or out-houses, or in any deserted or unoccupied building, or in the open air, or in any tent, cart, or wagon, not having any visible means of subsistence, and not giving a good account of themselves; persons guilty of indecent exhibitions, or indecently exposing the person; persons exposing wounds to obtain or gather alms; persons collecting alms under fraudulent pretences; persons running away, leaving their families chargeable to the parish; women who desert their bastard children, leaving them so chargeable; persons playing or betting in a public highway, or in any place to which the public are permitted to have access, with any instrument of gaming, &c.; persons having picklocks, &c., with intent feloniously to hreak into a house; persons armed with a gun or other offensive weapon, or any instrument, with intent to commit a felonious act; persons found on any premises for an unlawful purpose; reputed thieves, frequenting public places with intent to commit felony; persons resisting their apprehension as idle and disorderly persons.