Ward first published the story as a series of 16-page periodicals in 1698–1700,[1] comprising 18 folio editions.
How of Gracechurch Street, London, 1 mi (1.6 km) from where Ward had his public house.
[2] The parts are arranged topographically, the story being told in the first person by the author under the persona of "The London Spy".
[3] They travel about London, visiting inns and tourist attractions and meeting the people who live there.
The work depicts vividly the lower classes of the day and how they made ends meet – including prostitution, robbery, burglary and other felonies.