Vice is a monster of such frightful mien, For the purpose of understanding more clearly by what means it is possible to lessen the evils arising from female prostitution in the metropolis, it may be necessary to view it in all it's ramifications. In point of extent, it certainly exceeds credibility; but, although there are many exceptions, the great mass, whatever their exterior may be, are mostly composed of women who have been in a state of menial servitude, and of whom not a few, from the love of idleness and dress, with, in this case, the misfortune of good looks, have, partly from inclination, not seldom from previous seduction and loss of character, resorted to prostitution as a livelihood. They are still, however, objects of compassion, although, under the circumstances incident to their situation, they cannot be supposed to experience those poignant feelings of distress, which are pecuJiar to women who have moved in a higher sphere, and who have been better educated. The whole may be estimated as follows: 1. Of the class of well educated women, 2,000 3,000 ping and the streets adjoining the river, there may not be less, who live wholly by prostitution, than 4. Of those, in different ranks in society, who live partly by prostitution, including the multitudes of low females who cohabit with labourers and others without matrimony, there may be in all, in the metropolis, about 20,000 25,0000 25,000 Total 50,000 When a general survey is taken of the metropolis, the great numbers among the higher and middle classes of life who live unmarried, the multitudes of young men yearly arriving at the age of puberty, the strangers who resort to the metropolis, the seamen and nautical labourers employed in the trade of the river Thames, who amount at least to forty thousand, and the profligate state of society in vulgar life—the intelligent mind will soon be reconciled to the statement, which at first view would seem to excite doubts and require investigation. But whether the numbers of these truly unfortunate women are a few thousands less or more is of no consequence in the present discussion, since it is beyond all doubt, that the evil is of a magnitude that is excessive, and imperiously calls for a remedy.-Not, certainly, a remedy against the possibility of female prostitution, for it has already been stated, that it is a misfortune that must be endured in large societies. All that can be attempted is, to divest it of the faculty of extending it's noxious influence beyond certain bounds, and restrain those excessess excesses and indecencies which have already been shewn to be so extremely noxious to society, and unavoidably productive of depravity and crimes. Colquhoun. PUBLICATIONS, IMMORAL AND INDECENT. Nothing can exhibit in a stronger point of view the deficiency of the police system than the number of immoral books which are published and circulated, and the indecent prints which are exhibited and sold in the various streets of the metropolis, all tending, in no inconsiderable degree, to the corruption of morals. Let it once become a part of the functions of the proposed board of police to take cognizance of these abuses, and they will soon cease to convey that poison to young minds which ultimately leads to dissolute manners and loose conduct in the general intercourse of life. Ibid. The society for suppressing vice have frequently prosecuted the venders of indecent publications, and by their laudable exertions this evil has been in a great measure remedied. Editor. PUBLIC GARDENS. The corruption of morals has been in a considerable degree promoted, not only by the assemblage of lewd and debauched company who have of late years crowded to public gardens, but also by the unrestrained licence which has been permitted in these places of amusement. This circumstance has not only called upon the magistrates to refuse the renewal of the licenses to several of the occupiers, lessees, and proprietors, but it has precluded the more decent and respectable part of the public, in the |