subs. phr. (thieves’).—An entertainment (as a sing-song) got up to assist a companion in TROUBLE (q.v.), or to raise money for the wife and children of a ‘quodded pal.’
1871. Daily Telegraph, 4 Dec. This was the secret business, the tremendous conspiracy, to compass which it was deemed necessary to act with infinitely more caution than the friends of Bill Sikes feel called on to exercise when they distribute tickets for a FRIENDLY LEAD for the benefit of Bill, who is ‘just out of his trouble.’
1889. Cassell’s Saturday Journal, 5 Jan. The men frequently club together in a FRIENDLY LEAD to help a brother in distress.
1892. Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday, 2 April, p. 106, col. 3, My father takes the chair at FRIENDLY LEADS.
