Chapter I: Front Matter

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[Transcriber's Note: This book was published in 1800 and contains some inconsistent spelling, capitalization, hyphenation, and punctuation typical of that era. These have been retained as they appear in the original, including the inconsistent use of a period after the pound symbol (e.g., L.100 and L100). Inconsistent italicizing of _l._, _s._, and _d._ has been normalized to italics. Long-s has been normalized to s. The pointing hand symbol has been rendered as [-->]. Printer errors have been resolved with reference to a later and apparently corrected printing of the same edition, available at the Internet Archive, http://www.archive.org/details/atreatiseonpoli03colqgoog. Unresolved printer errors have been noted with a [Transcriber's Note].]

A

TREATISE

ON THE

POLICE OF THE METROPOLIS;

CONTAINING A DETAIL OF THE

VARIOUS CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS

_By which Public and Private Property and Security are, at present, injured and endangered:_

AND

SUGGESTING REMEDIES

FOR THEIR

PREVENTION.

THE SIXTH EDITION, CORRECTED AND CONSIDERABLY ENLARGED.

BY P. COLQUHOUN, LL.D.

_Acting as a Magistrate for the Counties of Middlesex, Surry, Kent, and Essex.--For the City and Liberty of Westminster, and for the Liberty of the Tower of London._

Meminerint legum conditores, illas ad proximum hunc finem
accommodare; Scelera videlicet arcenda, refraenandaque vitia
ac morum pravitatem.

Judices pariter leges illas cum vigore, aequitate,
integritate, publicaeque utilitatis amore curent exequi; ut
justitia etvirtus omnes societatis ordines pervadant.
Industriaque simul et Temperantia inertiae locum assumant et
prodigalitatis.

_LONDON:_

PRINTED BY H. BALDWIN AND SON, NEW BRIDGE-STREET, BLACKFRIARS;

FOR JOSEPH MAWMAN, IN THE POULTRY,

SUCCESSOR TO MR. DILLY.

M.DCCC.

TO THE SOVEREIGN,

_Who has graciously condescended to approve of the Author's
Efforts "To establish a System of Morality and good Order in
The Metropolis:"_

AND TO HIS PEOPLE;

_In every Part of the British Dominions; whose favourable
Reception of these Labours, for the Good of their Country,
has contributed, in a considerable degree, to the Progress
which has been already made, towards the Adoption of the
Remedies proposed for the Prevention of Crimes, the Comfort
of Society, and the Security of the Peaceful Subject:_

This Improved and Enlarged Edition of

THE TREATISE ON THE POLICE OF THE METROPOLIS,

_is humbly_

_and respectfully_

DEDICATED.

LONDON,
Jan. 1, 1800.

ADVERTISEMENT.

Occupied in a variety of laborious pursuits, which afford little time either for study or recreation, the Author once more presents this Work to the Public with an unfeigned Diffidence, arising from his consciousness, that under such circumstances it must require their indulgence. This, he trusts, will be granted when it is considered, that his employments are of a nature unfriendly to that critical accuracy and precision, the necessity of which is impressed on his mind, not less by a sense of his own personal character, than of his obligations to the long-experienced candour and liberality of his readers.

In the present Edition much new matter has been brought forward, and considerable improvements have been attempted by the introduction of official facts, and authentic details calculated to elucidate and explain the general system first placed by the Author under the review of the Public. Their extensive approbation (although his only reward) is of a nature which can never be too highly estimated. That approbation has not only been confirmed by many of the first and most respectable characters in these kingdoms, not less conspicuous for talents and abilities than for that genuine patriotism which distinguishes the good subject, and the valuable member of Society; but also by several Foreigners eminent for learning and virtue.

While we deplore the miserable condition of those numerous delinquents who have unfortunately multiplied with the same rapidity that the great wealth of the Metropolis has increased: while their errors and their crimes are exposed only for the purpose of amendment: while the tear of pity is due to their forlorn state, a prospect happily opens through the medium of _the Report of the_ SELECT COMMITTEE _of the_ HOUSE _of_ COMMONS, for the adoption of those remedies which will unquestionably give a seasonable check to immorality and delinquency; so as by their prevention not only to protect the rights of innocence, but also increase the number of the useful members of the community, and render punishments less frequent and necessary.

To witness the ultimate completion of legislative arrangements, operating so favourably to the immediate advantage and security of the Metropolis, and extending also similar benefits to the country at large, will prove to the Author of this Work a very great and genuine source of happiness.

To the Public, therefore, in general, and to the Legislature in particular, does he look forward with confidence for that singular gratification which, by giving effect to his well-meant endeavours for the prevention of Crimes, will ultimately crown with success the exertions he has used in the course of a very intricate and laborious investigation, in which his only object has been the good of his country.

LONDON,
_1st January_, 1800.