Chapter XIX: Act 32: Geo. III. cap. 53. and continued for 5 years by 36 (2)

5th. The expences incurred in
the employment of
Convicts by the Navy
and Ordnance Boards,
probably amounting to
not less than from 10_l._
to 20_l._ per Man per
annum, were by computation 1,498 14 10-1/4

6th. The annual average of
cloathing, victualling,
and transporting Convicts,
and of the Civil,
Military, and Marine
Departments of New
South Wales, and Norfolk
Island, from 1786
to 1797 86,457 12 11-1/2
----------------
120,036 7 9-3/4
-----------------
155,869 13 10-3/4
To which add the farther sums
annually charged on the
County Rates, or incurred
in places having peculiar
Jurisdiction in England 50,000 0 0

Borne by the Sheriffs in
England 10,000 0 0 60,000 0 0
----------------- -----------------
Total for all England 215,869 13 10-3/4]

By the consolidation of the two Boards of Hackney Coaches, and Hawkers and Pedlars, the functions of the Commissioners will become very extensive and laborious, since in addition to the inspection and control of the different suspicious trades proposed to be licenced, it will be useful to the Public, and, indeed, the System will be incomplete, unless they not only keep constantly in their view the general Calendar of delinquency; but also carry into effect such plans as, on mature deliberation, and (many will unquestionably be found practicable), shall, in a great measure, prevent the terror--dangers--losses and inconveniences which arise from foot-pad and highway robberies, burglaries, and other atrocious offences, which are so prevalent in and near the Metropolis at present.--This duty will naturally attach to the Central Board, and which the Commissioners, (from the accurate information their situation will enable them to procure, and the Civil Force they may have at their disposal,) will be well qualified to execute with advantage to the Community; and while competent pecuniary resources will arise from the Licence Duties imposed, aided by legislative regulations, applicable to this, and other objects tending to the general prevention of Crimes, blame may fairly be imputed wherever a considerable degree of success is not manifest, by the gradual diminution of the more atrocious, as well as the minor offences.

The Select Committee of the House of Commons having stated it as their opinion, that the principle upon which the plan which has been brought under their review is founded, "_if liable to no error; and that supposing it faithfully executed it gives the fairest prospect of success_:" the Public will naturally become anxious for an enjoyment of the benefits which may be expected to result from its adoption.

As its leading feature is the security of the _rights of the innocent_, with respect to their Life, Property, and Convenience, the measures of this board must, in a peculiar degree, be directed with prudence and discretion to this particular object. This will be effected not only by increasing the difficulty of perpetrating offences, through a control over those Trades by which they are facilitated and promoted, but also by adding to the risk of detection, by a more prompt and certain mode of discovery wherever crimes are committed. Thus must the idle and profligate be compelled to assist the State, by resorting to habits of industry, while the more incorrigible delinquents will be intimidated and deterred from pursuing a course of turpitude and criminality, which the energy of the Police will render too hazardous and unprofitable to be followed up as a trade; and the regular accession of numbers to recruit and strengthen the hordes of criminal delinquents, who at present afflict Society, will be in a great measure prevented.

These objects (in the opinion of the Select Committee) are to be attained by the establishment of a _Central Board of Police Revenue_; the views of the Members of which should be directed to the means of adding "Security to the Person and Property of the peaceful Subject; the Morals of the People, and the general Finances of the Country; by those powers of action which are likely to operate most beneficially towards the prevention of Crimes."

To accomplish these purposes it would seem, (after mature deliberation), to be necessary not only to extend the Licensing System over the whole Kingdom; but also to form _a chain of connection_ between the Central Board, and every district of the Country, with a view as well to a more effectual Control ever those suspicious Traders, who are to become immediate objects of attention on the part of the Police, as to establish a more correct and certain mode of collecting the proposed Revenue.

This chain of connection would appear to be only attainable through the medium of Select local Magistrates,[172] to whom a certain degree of responsibility would attach, and who by means of Stationary Surveyors, (being Constables), appointed by themselves, and under their immediate Control, would be enabled to superintend the collection of the Licence Duties, and in a particular manner to inspect into, and regulate the general Police of the District, while in conjunction with other Justices in the division, they granted the Annual Licences to the different Dealers upon the same plan which is at present pursued with respect to Alehouses.

[Footnote 172: It is presumed, that the distinction of _Select Magistrates_, joined to the patronage arising from the appointment of inferior Officers of Police in the respective Districts of the Country, (as Surveyors and Collectors of Licence Duties), would be considered as a sufficient inducement to men of Property, talents, and respectability, to undertake this very honourable Trust: to which it may reasonably be hoped, that many would be stimulated, in a particular degree, by the impulses of patriotism, and a desire to introduce a correct and improved System of Police in their respective Districts.]

From this general rule, however, on account of the peculiar situation of the Metropolis, a deviation might be necessary and useful to the Public. It would, therefore, seem that the Dealers resident within a certain distance round the Metropolis, should receive their Licences from the Central Board, and be immediately under its control.--The advantages resulting from this arrangement are obvious.--The chief part of the Receivers, and Criminal Dealers, who contribute in so great a degree to the increase and concealment of the numerous offences, which are committed in and near the Metropolis, require that the superintendance should not be divided, but that it should be confined entirely to the Board, where all intelligence is supposed to center; and whose peculiar duty it will be to watch the progress of Crimes in all their ramifications, and to adopt measures for preventing the growing corruption of Morals, by which every species of delinquency is generated.

For the purpose therefore of compassing this and every other object in the view of the Select Committee, it is suggested that the proposed Board should be authorized to exercise the following

FUNCTIONS:

I. To manage that branch of the Police which relates to
Hackney Coaches and Chairs.--To enforce strictly the laws
now in being for the better ordering this system so
necessary to the comfort and convenience of the
Metropolis.--To obtain new powers (where wanting) to compel
a greater degree of cleanliness and security, with respect
to these vehicles.--To banish, if possible, from the
fraternity those criminal characters denominated _Flash
Coachmen_, and to secure civility, and prevent
imposition.--For this last purpose a department should be
continued, as at present, (a part of the Institution,)
having a concurrent jurisdiction with other Magistrates, for
the purpose of hearing and determining disputes between
Coachmen and the Public.

II. To execute the laws relative to Hawkers and Pedlars.--To
regulate and improve the System respecting this suspicious
class of Dealers, and more effectually to extend the control
over them by means of the Select Magistrates in each
District of the Country where they travel, for the purpose
of more narrowly watching their conduct.

III. To grant Licenses in the Town District (_i.e._ within
the limits of the Penny-Post, while the Select and other
Justices grant similar Licences in the Country;) under the
authority of the proposed general Police Bill, to the
following Traders, and others,[173] viz.

[Footnote 173: Nothing can exceed the pains and labour which
have been bestowed in settling the description of the
persons, proposed to be licenced, with a view to an accurate
system of Legislation. A regard to this accuracy made it
necessary to abandon [Transcriber's Note: blank in original;
probably 'two'] classes recommended by the proposer to the
Select Committee; because on attempting to frame a Bill, it
was found impracticable in one case, and impolitic in
another, to apply Legislative rules that would not either be
defeated or invade the privileges of innocence.[J]]

[Footnote J: Persons keeping Crucibles, and Auctioneers.]

1st. Purchasers of second-hand, and other Household goods,
for Sale.

2d. Wholesale purchasers of Rags, and unserviceable Cordage,
for Sale to Paper-makers.

3d. Retail Purchasers of Rags, and unserviceable Cordage,
for Sale to Paper-makers.

4th. Purchasers of second-hand Apparel, made-up Piece-Goods,
and Remnants for Sale.

5th. Walking or Itinerant Purchasers of second-hand Apparel,
made-up Piece-goods, and Remnants for Sale.

6th. Purchasers of second-hand Naval Stores, for Sale.

7th. Wholesale Purchasers of second-hand Metals, for Sale.

8th. Retail Purchasers of second-hand Metals, of persons in
general, for working up.

9th. Every Worker of second-hand Metals purchasing the same,
from persons in general, and not from Licensed Dealers.

10th. Purchasers of second-hand Building Materials for Sale.

11th. Persons keeping Draught-Carts for second-hand goods,
purchased for Sale.

12th. Persons keeping Hand or Truck Carts for second-hand
goods, purchased for Sale.

13th. Sellers of Unredeemed Pledges, otherwise than by
Auction: and also to control and inspect the conduct of
these dealers, so as if possible to confine them to the
innocent part of their Trades; and to collect and receive
the respective Licence Duties.[174]

[Footnote 174: If Twine Spinners and Rope Spinners of a
certain class could be brought under similar regulations, it
would prove extremely beneficial, inasmuch as the small
Manufacturers in this line are known to give considerable
facilities to the Stealers of Hemp on the River Thames.--A
number of small Rope and Twine Manufacturers have undersold
the fair trader, by working up Stolen Hemp, purchased at
half price; and it is but too evident from discoveries which
have recently been made, that this evil has gone to a very
great extent, and that considerable benefits would be
derived to the Public, by placing _Twine and White Rope
Spinners_ under the control of the Police, at least within
the proposed District of the Metropolis.]

IV. To grant Licences also in like manner to other Traders,
which are already under some degree of Legislative
regulations; (but which require a more efficient Control),
provided it shall be thought expedient by the Legislature to
transfer these branches to the proposed Board, as requiring
in a particular degree the superintendance of the Policy
System, viz.

1st. Pawnbrokers in Town and Country.

2d. Persons keeping Slaughtering-houses for Horses, and
other Animals, not for the food of Man.

3d. Dealers in Horses, and persons hiring, keeping at
Livery, and transferring Horses from hand to hand, with a
view to establish a check against Highway Robberies, and to
defeat those subtle tricks which prevail in the Sale of
Horses.

And also to collect the Licence and other Duties, (which
might, in respect to the transfer of Horses, be rendered
extremely productive without being felt as a burden), and to
inspect the conduct of these classes with a view to the
prevention of Frauds, and other offences.

V. To grant Licences in like manner to all persons (except
those employed in his Majesty's Mints), who shall erect or
set up any cutting Engine for cutting round Blanks by the
force of a Screw; or any Stamping Press, Fly, Rolling Mill,
or other instrument for Stamping, flatting, or marking
Metals, or Bank Notes; or which, with the assistance of any
Matrix, Stamp, Die, or Plate, will stamp Coins or Notes--so
as to prevent the enormous evils constantly experienced by
the Coinage of Base Money, and the counterfeiting of Bank
Notes:--A System whereby the criminal part of ingenious
Artists could be kept under the immediate view of the
Police, is so obvious in a Commercial Country, as to require
no elucidation. And the measure is the more desirable, as
the reputable part of the Artists and Manufacturers who have
occasion to keep Presses for innocent and useful purposes,
have no objection to such regulations.[175]

[Footnote 175: See the Chapter on the subject of Base Coin,
in this _Treatise_; and the remedies ultimately proposed for
suppressing this enormous evil.--The Author has great
satisfaction in stating that a Bill is now nearly prepared,
grounded chiefly on his suggestions, for improving the
Coinage Laws; and that sanguine hopes are entertained of its
passing during the present Session of Parliament.--The
proposition now made of bringing this feature of Police, so
far as relates to _Presses_, and other _Machinery_, under
the inspection of the proposed _Central Board_, will
certainly have a powerful effect in deterring evil-minded
persons from following the Trade of Coiners of Base Money,
or Engravers and Stampers of forged Bank Notes.--In this
kind of Control, the Police Revenue Board would have an
advantage arising from the nature of the System, which may
be considered as _invaluable in a national point of view_,
since no part of the Country, however remote, could be said
to be out of their reach, as Officers, under their immediate
direction, would be found every where.]

VI. These Commissioners, after deducting the necessary
expences, should pay into the Exchequer weekly, through the
medium of a Receiver, the whole Revenues collected by them
for Police purposes; and it is to be hoped, notwithstanding
the very low Rates of the Licence Duties proposed, that,
_including the Horse Police_, the aggregate Collection would
go very far towards easing the resources of the Country of
the expence of what the Select Committee of the House of
Commons denominate, _a very inefficient System of
Police_.[176]

[Footnote 176: From an estimate which has been made, the
three Classes mentioned in division IV. might be made to
produce above 100,000_l._ for Police purposes, in addition
to what is received at present from Pawnbrokers, and Horse
Dealers.--The chief part would arise from the transfer of
Horses.]

VII. It would be the duty of the Commissioners to
superintend, with great strictness, the conduct of their
Subordinate Officers, both in the Town and Country
Districts, and to be careful that those who were entrusted
with the collection of the Licence Duties gave proper
Security;[177] and that in their conduct, in Surveying and
Watching the Movements of the different Dealers, they
manifested the greatest degree of vigilance, prudence, and
discretion.--Above all, that they were regular in their
Payments, and remittances, so as not to incur the penalties
inflicted by the proposed Act on defaulters.

[Footnote 177: The most oeconomical mode would,
apparently, be to consolidate in one person the office of
_Constable_ and _Collector of the Licence Duties_ in the
respective Districts; having it understood that the poundage
received on the money paid to the Board, should not only be
considered as a remuneration for the Collection, but also as
a reward for occasional Services in the general Police
Department.--By such an arrangement, a chain of Select and
reputable Officers may be established all over the Country,
without being felt as a burden of any kind on the Community;
while those Services under the general arrangements of the
Board, could not fail to be productive of infinite benefits
in the well-ordering of Society.]

VIII. To correspond with the Select Magistrates in every
District in the Kingdom, and not only to receive from them
useful information, relative to offences which have been
committed, and all other matters within the scope of the
Functions of these Select Magistrates; but also to give them
their advice and assistance in every case where it is found
necessary, for the purpose of the preservation of peace and
good order, and the due administration of the Laws; and
particularly as it may apply to those Select Magistrates
who reside near the Sea-Coasts of the Kingdom, that in all
cases of Shipwreck, measures may be pursued, and the laws
enforced, to prevent those horrid barbarities, pillage and
spoliation, which have, to the disgrace of civilized
Society, prevailed on such melancholy occasions.[178]

[Footnote 178: The Registers of our Courts of Record, and
other well-attested accounts, have developed scenes of
unfeeling Cruelty and Rapacity, in cases of Shipwrecks,
which would have disgraced the rudest and most ferocious
Savages, and would lead a Stranger to suppose that we have
no Laws for the prevention of such outrages.]

IX. To make arrangements with the Select Magistrates in the
Country, relative to the due execution of the proposed
General Police Act, with respect to the Control over the
persons Licenced, and all other Duties which may be required
under such a Legislative System.

X. To obtain accurate Information, by means of regular
returns from Clerks of Assize, Clerks of the Peace, Keepers
of Prisons, Houses of Correction, Penitentiary Houses, and
other places of Confinement; and to have constantly in view
the state of delinquency in the Metropolis, and in every
part of the country; preserving such accounts in registers
for the purpose of reference, as occasions might arise to
render them useful to public Justice.--To assist the acting
Magistrates in Town and Country by conveying all useful
information applicable to their local situations,
respecting the commission of crimes, and the detection of
offenders, and which might tend to the prevention of
disorders, or offences meditated against the Laws.

XI. To watch the proceedings of the herds of criminal
delinquents who generally leave Town every year in the month
of March, after the drawing of the English Lottery, for the
purpose of attending _fairs_, _races_, and other places of
amusement and dissipation in the country, carrying with them
quantities of _base Money, and EO Tables_, with a view to
commit frauds on the unwary--And to give notice to the
Select local Magistrates, that they and their officers may
be upon their guard in defeating the nefarious designs of
these miscreants, who are often disguised as farmers and
labourers, the better to enable them to effect their
purposes, by cheating and stealing, particularly _horses_,
to the great loss and injury of the country.

XII. It is recommended by the Select Committee of the House
of Commons, that the Commissioners of this Central Board
should have it in their power to distribute rewards to
Constables or others for meritorious services, through the
medium of the Magistrates of Police, and to use such other
means as should best promote the ends of Justice, and the
general utility of the Institution to the community.

XIII. Under the direction of the principal Secretary of
State for the Home Department, these Commissioners should
avail themselves of the knowledge their situation would
afford them of the degree of depravity and danger attached
to the character of the different convicts; to select such
as they thought proper objects for transportation to New
South Wales; and to follow any other instructions they may
receive for oeconomizing this branch of the criminal
Police of the nation, so as, if possible, to reduce the
annual expence.

XIV. These Commissioners being authorized by the Lords of
the Treasury, might take under their management all matters
relative to the Lottery; not only with a view to a more
oeconomical mode of drawing the same, but also for the
purpose of rendering the Revenue productive to the State,
without the evil consequences which at present arise from it
to the morals of the lower orders of the people, and the
distresses and miseries to which its fascinating delusions
subject them.

XV. It would be the duty of the Board, availing itself of
the practical knowledge which may be obtained by means of a
System of general superintendence in the Police Department,
to attend closely to the operation of the whole of the
present code of penal Laws, with respect to its efficacy and
utility; and where imperfections are discovered, to suggest
from time to time such improvements as may appear useful and
beneficial to the Police, and to the Revenue.

XVI. The Select Committee in their Report recommend, that
the proposed Board should have power "to make Bye-Laws for
the regulation of such minor objects of Police as relate to
the objects of their superintendence, and to the control of
all Coaches, Chairs, Carts, Barrows, and the conduct of all
Coachmen and Chairmen, Carters, &c. and the removal and
prevention of all annoyances, and the correction of all
offences against the cleanliness and quiet, and the free
passage of the streets of the Metropolis, in like manner as
is now possessed, by the Commissioners of Hackney Coaches,
and subject to the approbation of the Superior Judges."

XVII. To superintend the general receipts and disbursements
of the Establishment, and to report the same quarterly to
the Treasury, and to the principal Secretary of State for
the Home Department.

XVIII. To receive and execute the instructions of the
Treasury in all matters respecting Finance and Revenue; and
the instructions and directions of His Majesty's Secretary
of State for the Home Department in all matters of Police.

XIX. To establish a more correct System through the medium
of the Select Magistrates, whereby the Laws for the
prevention and punishment of offences may be more
effectually and universally carried into execution, and not
in many instances remain a dead letter, as at present, to
the great injury of the community; or be partially carried
into effect in particular parts of the country, against a
few individuals, or for mere temporary purposes.

XX. Finally, it will be the duty of the Board to report to
his Majesty in Council, and to Parliament (if required) the
State of the Metropolis and the Country, with respect to
criminal _Police_ in all its branches, so as to bring under
the review of the Executive Government _the whole
criminality of the Country_, at a given period each year,
where it will be accurately discovered whether it increases
or diminishes.

Such are the functions apparently necessary to be assigned to the proposed Board of Commissioners, for the purpose of accomplishing the objects of improvement in the Police System, which have been recommended to Parliament by the Select Committee.

These objects are of too much importance to the Public, to the Security of the State, and to the peace and good order of Society, to be lost sight of, even for one moment.

While the morals and habits of the lower ranks in Society are growing progressively worse and worse--while the innocent and useful part of the Community are daily suffering evils and inconveniences originating from this source--while crimes multiply in all instances under the existing systems, (the Thames Police only excepted[179]) it becomes of importance to apply a remedy. In legislating with this view, the same disadvantages and difficulties do not present themselves as in many other cases, since much previous labour and investigation has been bestowed in forming a ground-work for the proposed General Police System.

[Footnote 179: Nothing can be offered as a more irrefragable proof of the utility of a Police Institution, such as has been recommended by the Select Committee on Finance, than the effect of the Marine Police Establishment upon the River Thames; where, in spite of a crippled System, and deficient Laws, the energy of the superintendence, and the strength of the Civil force, has, at a very trifling expence, applied with strict oeconomy, worked such a change in the Port of London, both with respect to the security of commercial property, and the Revenue, as would scarcely have been conceived possible. For an Account of this System, see the 8th Chapter of this Work: but for a more enlarged and comprehensive view of the nature and effect of the design, recourse must be had to the Author's _Treatise on the Commerce and Police of the River Thames, &c._ now in the press; in which the whole plan is developed, together with the Legislative System necessary to give permanent effect to the design.]

Under the Sanction of his Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department, a Bill has been prepared, in which, while every attention has been paid to the means of accomplishing the views of the Select Committee, nothing can exceed the pains which have been bestowed _in preserving the rights of innocence, and in divesting power of the faculty of abuse_.

A line has been carefully drawn between the _noxious_ and the _blameless_ and useful part of the community; and while the injuries arising from the pursuits of the former are checked and restrained, the privileges of the latter are extended and enlarged. This, when properly contemplated, will be found to be the _true essence of good Police_--and this explains in the shortest compass that is possible, the _ultimate object of the design_.

The Bill comprehends five divisions:--The _first_ authorizes _the imposition of Licence Duties on certain classes of Dealers already enumerated_:--The _second_ establishes a _Board of Police Revenue, and explains its powers and functions_:--The _third_ explains _the powers and regulations which apply to the Licensing System_:--The _fourth_ relates to _penalties_ and _procedure_: and the _fifth_ transfers the functions of _the Commissioners of Hackney Coaches and Chairs, and Hawkers and Pedlars, to the new Establishment, and makes provision for such Officers as may cease to be employed_.--While the proposed duties, although light upon the individuals, promise to be productive to a certain extent; the Licensing System is likely "to purge the occupations placed under control from the imputations which are now but too deservedly cast upon them; and to make them by gradual steps the instruments of detection, instead of the means of concealment, of every species of fraud and violence."[180]

[Footnote 180: See the 28th Report of the Select Committee, page 4.]

The functions of the Board, by comprehending whatever relates to the delinquency of the country, will establish a general responsibility which does not now exist, and which never has existed, with respect to the evils arising from the multiplication of crimes, while their diminution will depend on the zeal, ability, and discretion to be manifested by those to whom this important duty may be assigned.

By this establishment of a general Police System, will it become the duty of one class of men to watch over the general delinquency of the Metropolis, and the country;--to check its progress by lessening the resources of the evil disposed to do injuries, and to commit acts of violence on the peaceful subject; and gradually to lead the _criminal_, _the idle_, and _the dissolute_ members of the community into the paths of innocence and industry.

The collateral aids to be derived from this System of Control over Dealers and others of loose conduct, in pursuit of evil courses, will give considerable strength to the Legislative measures which are in contemplation, with respect to the _Police of the River Thames_: _The frauds and plunder in the Naval and other public departments_:--_The Coinage of base Money_, and the _fabrication of counterfeit Bank Notes_.--Whatever has been contemplated for the purpose of checking and preventing these evils cannot be complete or effectual, until the proposed Board is established, and the Licensing System in full action. The control of this Board is absolutely necessary to contribute to the success of the measures proposed, and to the security of public and private property against the present extensive depredations. In fact the whole System is linked together, and its energy and success will depend on the passing of the respective Laws applicable to each object of which the Police Board may not improperly be denominated _the key-stone_.

It is this responsible superintendance which is to give _life_, _vigour_, and _effect_, not only to the Laws which are in contemplation, but to many other excellent Statutes which remain at present as _a dead letter_.--Let it once become the duty of one body of men to charge themselves with the execution of the Laws for the prevention of crimes, and the detection of offences--let them be armed with proper and apposite powers for that purpose, and the state of Society will speedily become ameliorated and improved; a greater degree of security will be extended to the peaceful subject, and the blessings of civil liberty will be enlarged.

A new aera in the world seems to have commenced, which imperiously calls for the adoption of such measures; not only in this country, but all over Europe. The evil propensities incident to human nature appear no longer restrained by the force of religion, or the influence of the moral principle.--On these barriers powerful attacks have been made, which have hitherto operated as curbs to the unruly passions peculiar to vulgar life: they must therefore be strengthened by supports more immediately applicable to the object of preserving peace and good order.

The period is approaching when to the phalanx of delinquents who at present prey upon Society, will be added multitudes of idle and depraved characters discharged from the Army and Navy on the return of Peace.--Policy and humanity require that an adequate remedy should be provided for such a contingency.--_Qui non vetat peccare cum possit, jubet._ Where the powers of a State are not employed to avert apparent and threatened evils, a tacit assent is given to the commission of crimes. On the contrary, where means are used to check the progress of turpitude and vice, and to compel obedience to the Laws, the comfort of Society is promoted, and the privileges of innocence are secured.

If in the accomplishment of the design which has been recommended by the highest authority, these objects shall be gradually attained--If it shall operate in preventing acts of violence and fraud from being committed upon the peaceful subject; while means are discovered through the medium of a well-regulated Police, whereby the unfortunate, and even the idle and the dissolute, may possess a resource for subsistence by honest industry, without having any pretended plea of necessity for resorting to Crimes; great, indeed, would be the benefits which would result to the Public. This would be at once the triumph both of reason and humanity.

The first step is, to attend to the Morals and the Habits of the rising Generation; to adapt the Laws more particularly to the manners of the People, by minutely examining the state of Society, so as to lead the inferior orders, as it were, insensibly into better Habits, by gentle restraints upon those propensities which terminate in Idleness and Debauchery;--to remove temptations, in their nature productive of evil, and to establish incitements to good and useful pursuits.

Among a variety of other Functions which would devolve on the proposed Commissioners, perhaps one might be to offer suggestions to the Executive Government, with respect to such useful Regulations as might arise from the extensive knowledge which they must necessarily acquire as to the condition and pursuits of the labouring People; and hence would result one of the greatest means of preventing Crimes, and improving the Condition of human Life.

But while it is acknowledged to be a vain hope to reduce the tumultuous passions of Men to absolute regularity, so as to render the Commission of offences impracticable; it is equally clear (and it is even proved by the State of Society, where Public Morals have been more effectually guarded,) that it is possible to diminish the Evil very considerably.

By the establishment of a well-conducted Board of Police, a confident hope is entertained that this purpose is attainable; and in this view (although it is to take nothing from the present Resources of the State), it is a blessing to the Nation, which could scarce be too dearly purchased at any price.

CHAP. XIX.

_The unparalleled Extent and Opulence of the Metropolis,
manifested in the number of streets, lanes, alleys, courts,
and squares, estimated at above 8000;--containing above 4000
Churches and Places for religious Worship,--more than 400
Seminaries of Education;--several Institutions for promoting
Religion and Morality;--11 Societies for promoting Learning,
and the useful and the fine Arts;--a great number of
charitable Asylums for the indigent and forlorn;--Hospitals
and Dispensaries for the lame, sick, and diseased;--and
above 1700 Institutions of various other kinds for
Charitable and Humane Purposes.--A detail of the Courts of
Law, and other Establishments connected with the
distribution of Justice.--The public Prisons in the
Metropolis.--A View of the number of Persons employed in the
different departments of the Law, estimated in all at about
7000.--Suggestions for improving the civil Jurisprudence in
the Metropolis, so far as relates to the recovery of small
Debts.--The Evils arising from the present System,
exemplified in the multiplicity of actions for trivial sums
in the course of a year; the enormous expence, and the ill
effects of the severity of the punishment in such cases;
debasing the mind, and proving the destruction of many
families, in their morals; and injuring the State.--The
necessity of an Alteration of the System, farther enforced
by the propriety of relieving the supreme Judges from a
weight of labour unreasonable in the vast increase of
business, which the extensive and growing intercourse of
Commerce occasions.--The same Observations extended to the
great Officers of State; and the necessity and utility of a
division of labour, in proportion to the increase of public
duty, explained; as a means of preventing inconveniences.--A
view of the Municipal Regulations which have been
established in the Metropolis for the accommodation and
convenience of the inhabitants; grounded on various acts of
the Legislature, passed at different periods, during the
last and the present century.--Each district of the
Metropolis a separate Municipality; where the power of
assessing the inhabitants for the purposes of paving,
watching, lighting, cleansing, and removing nuisances, is
placed in the hands of Trustees, under a great number of
local acts of Parliament.--These regulations mostly founded
on Laws made in the last and in the present Reign.--The
principal public acts detailed, viz:--The General Act of the
2d William and Mary, cap. 8, for paving the Metropolis;--the
10th Geo. II. cap. 22, for watching the City of London; 11th
Geo. III. cap. 29, for removing signs, and establishing a
complete System of Municipal Police.--The Acts relative to
Westminster and Southwark for similar purposes.--The
Statutes relative to Common Sewers detailed; their origin,
and the great advantages resulting from them.--The Laws
relative to Hackney Coaches and Chairs--also to Carts and
other Carriages.--The Acts relative to Watermen on the
Thames.--The Law for restraining bullock-hunting. And
finally, the Regulations by the 14th Geo. III. cap. 78,
relative to the Mode of building Houses, and the Rules laid
down for extinguishing Fires. Concluding Observations, on
the advantages which would result to the Metropolis at large
from these numerous Acts of Parliament being rendered
uniform, and conformable to the excellent Regulations
established for the City of London.--The advantages of
simplifying the System.--The burden upon the Inhabitants
equal to one million a year for the expence of Municipal
Police.--Suggestions for improving the System and reducing
this expence.--Concluding Reflections.--The present epoch,
more than any other, presses for arrangements calculated to
amend the Morals of the People, by improving the Laws of the
Country._

It cannot fail to prove an interesting inquiry, not only to the inhabitants of the Metropolis, but also to Strangers, by what means that department of its oeconomy and government, which may be denominated _Municipal Police_, is regulated; so as to convey the comforts, and procure the various accommodations and conveniences which, with some few exceptions, are felt to exist in every part of the Capital and its environs.

When it is known that this great City, (unparalleled, as will be hereafter shewn, in extent and opulence, through the whole habitable Globe,) comprehends, besides _London_, _Westminster_, and _Southwark_, no less than forty-five Villages, now exceedingly inlarged, independent of a vast accession of buildings upon the open fields in the vicinity; it becomes less a matter of surprize, to learn, that it extends to nearly eight miles in length,--is three miles at least in breadth, and not less than twenty-six in circumference; containing above eight thousand streets, lanes, alleys, and courts, and sixty-five different Squares; in which are more than one hundred and sixty thousand houses, warehouses, and other buildings; besides _Churches_ and _Chapels_ for religious worship, of which the following enumeration is imagined not to be very distant from truth:--

For Religious Instruction.

Of the Established 1 Cathedral, dedicated to St. Paul.
Religion. 1 Abbey Church of St. Peter, Westminster.
120 Parish Churches.
120 Chapels, and Chapels of Ease.
---
242

Meeting-houses for { Consisting of Chapels for Methodist
Dissenters. { Nonconformists, Presbyterians,
150 { Independents, Anabaptists,
{ Quakers, and English Roman
{ Catholicks.

{ Consisting of Chapels for French,
{ German, Dutch, Swedish, Danish,
Chapels and { and Helvetic Protestants,
Meeting-houses for 30 { for Foreign Roman Catholics,
Foreigners. { and those of the Russian or
{ Greek Church.

Synagogues 6 for the Jewish Religion.
---
_Total about_ 428 _Places of Public Worship._

The number of Inhabitants of this great Metropolis, occupying these various houses and buildings, may, under all circumstances, be rationally estimated at one million at least; for whose accommodation, convenience, and security, the following Institutions have been formed, _namely_,--1st. _For Education_;--2d. _For promoting good Morals_;--3d. _For useful and fine Arts_;--4th. _For objects of Charity and Humanity_;--5th. _For distributing Justice_;--and 6th. _For punishing Offenders_.

EDUCATION.

1st. For Education.

16 Inns of Court and Chancery, for educating Students to
the profession of the Law, &c. &c.

5 Colleges--viz. One for the improvement of the Clergy,
London Wall; one for Divinity and Astronomy,
called Gresham College; one for Physicians, Warwick
Lane; one for the study of Civil Law, Doctors-Commons;
and the Heralds College.

62 Schools, or public Seminaries; the principal of which
are Westminster School, Blue-coat School or Christ's
Hospital, St. Paul's, Merchant Taylors, Charter-house,
St. Martin's School, &c. &c. &c. where
about 5000 young persons are educated.

237 Schools belonging to the different Parishes; where
about 9000 male and female Children are educated
in Reading, Writing, and Accompts.

3730 Private Schools, for all the various branches of male and
female Education; including some for Deaf and
Dumb.
----
4050 Seminaries of Education.

_The following Schools seem to deserve particular Enumeration; though probably there are many others which might equally deserve notice:--_

For Education.

1 Asylum for poor friendless, deserted girls, under
twelve years of age, Vauxhall Road 1758

2 Orphan Working-School, for Children of Dissenters,
City Road.

3 Philanthropic Society, St. George's Fields, for
children of criminal parents, and young delinquents.

4 Freemasons' School, for Female Orphans, St.
George's Fields 1788

5 Marine Society, for educating poor destitute boys
to the Sea, in Bishopsgate-street 1756

6 British or Welsh Charity School, Gray's Inn
Lane 1718

7 French Charity School, Windmill-street, Tottenham
Court-Road 1747

8 School for Soldiers' Girls, at Chelsea, supported
by Ladies 1709

9 Neal's Mathematical School, for teaching Navigation,
&c. to poor children, King's Head
Court, Gough-Square, Fleet-street 1715

10 School for Children of the Clergy; the Boys at
_Thirsk_, Yorkshire, the Girls at _Lisson-Green_,
Paddington.--Secretary, J. Topham, Esq.
No. 5, Gray's Inn Square 1749

11 Day-School of Industry, for Boys and Girls,
Paradise-street, Mary-le-bone 1791

12 Another, No. 68, Edgware-Road, for Girls 1784

13 Ladies' Charity School, King-street, Snow Hill 1702

14 Walworth Female Charity School.

15 Saint Anne's Society, hitherto at Lavenham,
Suffolk, about to be removed to Camberwell,
for Boys and Girls, (extended in 1733 and
1791) 1709

16 Grey Coat Hospital, Artillery Ground, Westminster.

17 Green Coat Hospital, Ditto.

RELIGION AND MORALS.

2. For promoting Religion and good Morals.

1 The Society for giving effect to his Majesty's
proclamation against Vice and Immorality 1787

2 The Society for promoting Christian Knowledge,
Bartlett's Buildings, Holborn 1699

3 The Society for propagation of the Gospel in
Foreign Parts, Dean's Yard, Westminster 1701

4 The Society for promoting Religious Knowledge,
by distributing books among the poor.--Secretary,
Mr. Watts, Founder's Hall, Lothbury 1715

5 The Society for promoting Charity Schools in
Ireland, Merchant Seaman's Office.

6 The Society for Religious Instruction to the Negroes
in the West Indies 1793

7 The Society for preventing Crimes, by prosecuting
Swindlers, Sharpers, and Cheats; Gough-Square,
Fleet-street 1767

8 British Society for the Encouragement of Servants,
No. 27, Hay-market 1792

9 Society for giving Bibles to Soldiers and Sailors,
No. 427, Oxford-street 1780

10 Dr. Bray's Charity for providing parochial Libraries,
No. 5, Ave-Maria Lane.

11 Society for Relief of poor pious Clergymen 1788

12 Queen Anne's Bounty for the Augmentation of
small Livings of Clergymen.--Secretary, R.
Burn, Esq. Duke-street, Westminster 1703

13 Sunday Schools, in various parishes.

14 Sunday School Society, for giving Bibles, &c.
and otherwise furthering the purposes of Sunday
Schools.--Sec. Mr. Prestill, No. 47,
Cornhill 1785

THE ARTS.

3. For learning, and the useful and fine Arts.

1 Royal Society, incorporated for promoting useful
Knowledge;--_Instituted_ 1663

2 Antiquarian Society, Somerset Place 1751

3 Society or Trustees of the British Museum 1753

4 Society of Artists of Great Britain, Strand 1765

5 Royal Academy of Arts, Somerset Place 1773

6 Society for the encouragement of Learning,
Crane-Court, Fleet-street.

7 Society for encouragement of Arts, Manufactures,
and Commerce, Adelphi Buildings.

8 Medical Society of London, Bolt-court, Fleet-street 1773

9 Society for the improvement of Naval Architecture.

10 Veterinary College, near St. Pancras Church.

11 Royal Institution for applying the Arts to the
common purposes of Life 1799

4. Asylum for the Indigent and Helpless.

107 Alms-houses endowed at different periods, where 1352
old men and women are supported; the principal of these
houses are,--_The Trinity Alms-houses_, for 28 decayed
Ship Masters, in Mile End; _Bancroft's Alms-houses_,
Mile End, for 24 Poor Men; _Fishmongers' Alms-houses_,
Newington Butts; _Haberdashers' Alms-houses_, in Hoxton;
_Jeffries' Alms-houses_, Kingsland Road; _Sir John
Morden's College_, for decayed Merchants, at Blackheath;
_Emanuel_, or _Lady Dacre's Hospital_, Tothilfields,
Westminster.

1 London Workhouse, Bishopsgate-street, for decayed old
Men.[181]

1 Bridewell Hospital, an Asylum for Apprentices to different
trades, Bridge-street, Blackfriars.

1 Charter-house Hospital, an Asylum for 80 indigent
persons, in Charter-house Square, _founded_ 1611

1 Scottish Hospital for decayed Natives of Scotland,
in Crane-court, Fleet-street.

1 Welsh Hospital, for decayed Natives of Wales,
in Gray's Inn Lane.

1 French Hospital, for decayed Frenchmen, in St.
Luke's, Middlesex 1719

1 Foundling Hospital, for deserted Infants,
Lamb's-Conduit-street 1739

1 Magdalen Hospital, for the admission of seduced
Females, St. George's Fields 1769

1 Lock Asylum, for penitent Female Patients, cured
in the Lock Hospital 1787

1 Chelsea Hospital, for worn-out and disabled Soldiers 1670

1 Greenwich Hospital, for worn-out and disabled
Seamen 1694
---
118
---

[Footnote 181: London Workhouse is a large building, which might, with great advantage, be turned into a house of industry, or Penitentiary House for Petty offenders, for which purpose it was used in ancient times. Although it is said to be sufficient to lodge about 500 people, it is now used only as an asylum for a few old persons; and is a sinecure for the Keepers and Officers, who live comfortably as the servants of the Community without doing any good. This house is amply endowed by a power of levying contributions on all the parishes for its support.]

ASYLUMS FOR SICK, LAME, DISEASED, AND FOR POOR PREGNANT WOMEN.

Hospitals for Sick, Lame, and Diseased, and Pregnant Women.

1. St. Bartholomew's Hospital, in West Smithfield, for
the reception of afflicted and diseased Persons 1539

2. St. Thomas's Hospital, Southwark, for the reception
of sick and lame, especially sailors 1553

3. Guy's Hospital, Southwark, for sick and impotent
persons; and lunatics 1721

4. London Hospital, Whitechapel Road, for the reception
of all persons meeting with accidents 1740

5. St. George's Hospital, Hyde Park Corner, for the
reception of sick and lame 1735

6. Westminster General Infirmary, James-street, Westminster,
for sick and diseased persons 1719

7. Middlesex Hospital, Charles street, near Oxford-street,
for sick and lame, and pregnant women 1745

8. Lock Hospital, Hyde Park Turnpike, for persons
afflicted with the venereal disorder 1746

9. Hospital Misericordia, Goodman's-fields, for the
same purpose 1774

10. Small-pox Hospital, St. Pancras, for inoculation
of poor persons 1746

11. London Lying-in Hospital, Aldersgate-street, for
poor _married_ women 1750

12. City of London Lying-in Hospital, Old-street, City
Road, _Idem._ 1751

13. British Lying-in Hospital, Brownlow-street, Long-Acre,
_id._ 1749

14. Westminster Lying-in Hospital, Surry Road,
Westminster Bridge, for poor pregnant women
_generally_.

15. Queen's Lying-in Hospital, Bayswater Hall, Oxford
Road, _id._

16. Lying-in Hospital, Store-street, Tottenham Court
Road, _id._ 1767

17. Lying-in Charity, for delivering pregnant women
at their own houses; _W. Manning_, Esq. Governor;
Physician, Dr. _Sims_, Blackfriars 1757

18. Society for delivering married women in their own
habitations, by whom 32 midwives are employed,
No. 18, Strand 1757

19. Bethlem Hospital, for Lunatics, Moorfields 1558

20. St. Luke's Hospital for Lunatics, Old-street Road 1751

21. Samaritan Society for relieving Persons discharged
from Hospitals 1791

22. Society for visiting and relieving the Sick in their
own Houses.

Dispensaries for Sick, Lame, and Diseased.

1 Eastern Dispensary, Whitechapel

2 Western Dispensary, Charles-street, Westminster

3 Middlesex Dispensary, Great Ailiff-street

4 London Dispensary, Primrose-street, Bishopsgate-street

5 City Dispensary, Bevis Marks

6 New Finsbury Dispensary, St. John-street, Clerkenwell

7 Finsbury Dispensary, St. John's Square, Clerkenwell

8 General Dispensary, Aldersgate-street

9 Public Dispensary, Cary-street, Lincoln's Inn Fields

10 Infant Poor Dispensary, Soho-square

11 St. James's Dispensary, Berwick-street, Soho

12 Westminster Dispensary, Gerard-street, Soho

13 Mary-le-bone Dispensary, Well-street, Oxford-street

14 Ossulston Dispensary, Bow-street, Bloomsbury

15 Surry Dispensary, Union-street, Borough

16 Royal Universal Dispensary, Featherstone Buildings,
Holborn

Institutions for Charitable and Humane Purposes.

Humane Society, for the recovery of drowned and suffocated
Persons, Spital-square and London Coffee-house 1773

Society for the Relief of Clergymen's Widows, Paper
Buildings, Temple

Society for the Relief of Widows and Orphans of Medical
Men, founded by Dr. Squires and Mr. Chamberlaine 1788

Laudable Society, for the benefit of Widows, Crane-Court,
Fleet-street

Society for the support of Widows, Surry-street, Strand

Society for the support of poor Artists, and their Widows,
Strand

Three Societies for the support of decayed Musicians,
their Widows and Children

Society for the Relief of decayed Actors

ABC-darian Society, for the Relief of decayed
School-masters

Society for the Relief of Authors in distress

Society for the Relief of Officers, their Widows, Children,
Mothers, and Sisters

Society for Annuities to Widows, Old Fish-street,
St. Paul's, No. 25

Society for the Relief of sick and maimed Seamen in
the Merchant's Service 1747

Society for the Relief of poor Widows and Children
of Clergymen, instituted by Charter 1768

Rayne's Hospital for 40 girls, who receive 100_l._ portion
on their marriage 1736

Society called the Feast of the Sons of the Clergy, for
apprenticing their indigent Children, No. 5, Gray's
Inn Square

Freemason's Charity

Society for the relief of Persons confined for Small
Debts, Craven-street, Strand

Society for bettering the condition, and increasing
the comforts of the Poor

Society for improving the condition of Chimney-Sweepers

Five Soup Societies

Workhouses

Private Asylums for Lunatics

91 Public Companies in the City of London, who give
in charity above L.75,000 a year

Stock's Blind Charity, distributed by the Painters-Stainers'
Company 1786

Hetherington's Blind Charity, payable at Christ's
Hospital 1787

Asylum for Deaf and Dumb Poor, Grange Road,
Bermondsey 1792

Charitable Society for Industrious Poor, School
House, Hatton Garden

Society for Charitable Purposes, Wardour-street,
Soho 1773

1600 Friendly Societies in the Metropolis and its vicinity,
of which about 800 have enrolled themselves
under the Act of Parliament, 33 Geo. III. cap.
54. They are composed of mechanics and labouring
people, who distribute to sick members,
and for funerals, sums raised by monthly
payments, amounting on an average to 1_s._ 8_d._
a month, or 20_s._ a year, and consisting of
about 80,000 members, who thus raise annually
80,000_l._

Reflecting on the foregoing list of various laudable Institutions, which it cannot be expected should be altogether perfect, but which may be said to be unparalleled in point of extent, as well as munificence, and conferring the highest honour on the National Character for Charity and Humanity; the mind is lost in astonishment, that greater and more extensive benefits have not arisen to the inhabitants of the Metropolis; not only in improving their morals, but in preventing the lowest orders of the People from suffering that extreme misery and wretchedness, which has already been stated to exist in so great a degree in London.

When it is also recollected, that large sums are annually expended by Societies instituted for promoting religion, virtue, and good morals, it must be evident, as human misery does not appear to be alleviated, and the morals of the People grow worse--that there must be some cause to produce effects so opposite to what might have been expected from such unparalleled philanthropy; the cause, indeed, may easily be traced to that evident deficiency in the general System of Police, which has so often been mentioned in the course of this Work.[182]

[Footnote 182: But particularly that branch of it, which relates to the management of the Poor, than which nothing in a greater degree requires immediate improvement; since it is unquestionably true, and has, indeed, been already shewn, that from this source incalculable evils have arisen, which must proportionately increase, until some effectual remedy is applied.--See Chapter 13th, where a remedy is proposed.]

In the next place, it may be useful, and certainly cannot be improper, in a Treatise on the Police, to insert a brief detail of the different Courts of Law, and public Prisons, established in the Metropolis; for the distribution of Justice, and the punishment of delinquents, for civil as well as criminal offences; together with the number of professional men attached to these various Law establishments.

COURTS OF JUSTICE

IN THE

_METROPOLIS_.

Supreme Courts.

The High Court of Parliament.

The House of Lords; being the Appeal in the last resort in
all causes criminal and civil.

The Court of Exchequer Chamber, before which Writs of
Error are brought on judgments in the Court of King's Bench
and other Courts; it is composed, in certain cases, of all the
Twelve Judges, and the Lord Chancellor; but sometimes of
a smaller number.

The High Court of Chancery--at Westminster Hall--and
Lincoln's Inn Hall.

The Court of King's Bench, held in Westminster Hall.

The Court of Common Pleas, held in Westminster Hall.

The Court of Exchequer--a Court of Law, Equity and
Revenue; held at Westminster Hall and Serjeant's Inn.

The Court of Appeals in Colonial and Prize Causes; before
the Lords of his Majesty's Privy Council at Whitehall.

The High Court of Admiralty, for Prizes, &c. at Doctor's
Commons; and in criminal Cases, twice a year, at the Old
Bailey.

Four Ecclesiastical Courts. Doctors' Commons.

Prerogative Court, for Wills
and Administrations

Court of Arches, for Appeals
from inferior Ecclesiastical
Courts in the Province of
Canterbury; the Court of
Peculiars is a branch of this
Court.

Faculty Court, to grant Dispensations
to marry, &c.

Court of Delegates for Ecclesiastical
Affairs.

The Court of Oyer and
Terminer and Gaol-Delivery
for trying
Criminals at the Justice
Hall, Old Bailey

Held by His Majesty's Commission
to the Lord-Mayor, Judges, Recorder
and Common Serjeant, &c.

Seventeen Courts in the City of London.

Court of Hustings

The Supreme Court of the City for Pleas of
Land and Common Pleas

The Lord-Mayor's Court

For Actions of Debt and Trespass, and for
Appeals from inferior Courts and for foreign
attachments; giving decisions in all
cases whatsoever, in 14 days, at an expence
not exceeding thirty Shillings; held in the
King's Bench, Guildhall, by the Lord-Mayor,
Recorder, and Aldermen.

Court of Requests

Held by two Aldermen and four Members of
the Common Council, appointed by the
Lord-Mayor and Aldermen; three of
whom form a Court for the recovery of
small debts under 40_s._ at the expence of 10_d._

Chamberlain's Court

Held every day to determine differences between
masters and apprentices; and to admit
those qualified to the freedom of the
City.

Sheriff's Court

Held every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,
and Saturday, at Guildhall; where Actions
of Debt and Trespass, &c. are tried by the
Sheriff, and his Deputy, who are Judges of
the Court.

Court of Orphans

Held before the Lord-Mayor and Aldermen,
as Guardians of the Children of deceased
Freemen under twenty-one years of age, &c.

Pie Poudre Court

Held by the Lord-Mayor and Stewards, for
administering instantaneous Justice between
Buyers and Sellers at Bartholomew Fair, to
redress all such disorders as may arise there.

Court of Conservancy

Held by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen four
times a year, in Middlesex, Essex, Kent,
and Surry; who inquire by a Jury, into
Abuses relative to the Fishing on the River
Thames, and redress the same; from Staines
_West_, to Yenfleet _East_.

Court of Lord-Mayor, and
Aldermen.--Court of Common
Council.--Court of
Common Hall.--Court of
Wardmotes

These relate to setting the Assize
on Bread and Salt--to the municipal
Officers of the City--to
the Elections of Lord-Mayor,
Sheriffs, and Officers of the
City--and to the Management
of the Public Property of the
City, and removing Nuisances.
The Wardmotes are held chiefly
for the Election of Aldermen
& Common Councilmen.

General and Quarter Sessions of the Peace, held by the Lord-Mayor
and Aldermen, eight times a year.

Petty Sessions for small Offences, &c. held at
the Mansion House by the Lord-Mayor
and one Alderman: and at Guildhall by
two Aldermen in rotation

Daily, in the forenoon

Coroners' Court

To inquire into the causes of sudden deaths,
when they arise.

Court of the Tower of London

Held within the verge of the City by a Stewart
appointed by the Constable of the
Tower, before whom are tried Actions of
Debt, Trespasses, and Covenants.

Courts of Justice within the City and
Liberty of Westminster.

Court of the Duchy of Lancaster

A supreme Court of Record, held in Somerset
Place, for deciding by the Chancellor of the
said Duchy, all matters of Law or Equity belonging
to the County Palatine of Lancaster

Quarter Sessions of the Peace