of this class of men, after the expence is incurred in rearing them to maturity, which, during a period of 36 years of adult labour, at 251. a year, establishes a deficiency to the Community of Twenty-five Millions sterling: independant of the numerous other train of evils, which arise to a nation from idle, dissolute and immoral habits, by which the rising generation is contaminated, and great inconvenience imposed on the innocent and peaceful subject, from the increase of crimes which are generated through this medium. It is to be lamented, that in pursuing this subject, new sources giving origin and progress to crimes press upon the mind in the course of the inquiry. To the catalogue already detailed may be added, GamingHouses of every description, particularly houses of the lower cast; but as this subject has been very fully handled in a preceding Chapter, it will be unnecessary to do more than place it in the general list of causes, which have contributed exceedingly to the evils, which have afflicted Society in this Metropolis, and which can only be remedied by a Responsible. Police, attaching particularly upon this baneful propensity by appropriate regulations,

Next to Gaming, Illicit Trade or Smuggling may be mentioned as a very productive source of criminality. The vast extent of the trade and Revenues of the country; its insular situation, and the temptations arising from the magnitude of the duties, contribute exceedingly to the corruption of morals, not only of these engaged in illicit pursuits, but it is to

be

be lamented also of the inferior officers themselves, whose duty it is to prevent this evil.

Severe and pointed as the laws unquestionably are with an immediate view to the prevention of this evil, experience proves how ineffectual they have been, since every idle and profligate character becomes a smuggler. But it is not merely the offence of smuggling as it relates to the revenue, which is to be deplored as a grievance to the Public, since those on the Sea Coasts of the kingdom, concerned in such pursuits, are generally of ferocious habits, which produce such excesses and depredations upon the unfortunate, when suffering the calamity of shipwreck, as would disgrace the rudest savages.

With contaminated minds, depraved hearts, men given up to such warfare upon helpless humanity, become fit instruments for every species of criminality.-Vagabonds by trade, the transition from one offence to another is easy, and hence through this medium many culprits are added to the general catalogue of delinquency, which nothing can check or prevent but a System of Police, attaching responsibility some-where instead of no-where as at present.

Crimes are also generated in no inconsiderable degree, by the evil examples exhibited in Prisons, and by the length of time persons charged with offences are suffered to remain in gaols previous to their trial, particularly in the counties adjoining the Metropolis, where they frequently are in confinement five or six months before the assizes.-If they were novices in

villainy

villainy before, the education they receive in these seminaries, in the event of their escaping justice, returns them upon Society completely proselyted and instructed in the arts of mischief and depredation.

Nor have the unequal scale of punishments, and the ultimate unconditional pardons, dictated no doubt by the purest motives of humanity, a less tendency to generate new crimes. Encouraged by the chances of escaping free, even after conviction, many delinquents pursue their evil courses, trusting ultimately to this resource, if other devices shall fail.

To shew mankind that crimes are sometimes wholly pardoned, and that punishment is not the necessary consequence, is to nourish the flattering hope of impunity, and is the cause of their considering every punishment which is actually inflicted, as an act of injustice and oppression.

Let the Legislator be tender, indulgent, and humane; but let the Executors of the Laws be inex orable in punishing;-at least to a certain extent.

СНАР.

CHAP. XII.

The Consideration of the causes of the progress and increase of Crimes pursued.-The condition of the unhappy Females, who support themselves by Prostitution-Their pitiable Case.-The progress from Innocence to Profligacy explained.—The morals of Youth corrupted by the multitudes of Prostitutes in the streets.-These temptations excite desires which suggest undue means of obtaining money.— Apprentices and Clerks are seduced-Masters are robbed-Parents are afflicted. The miserable consequences of Prostitution explained.-The impossibility of preventing its existence in a great Metropolis.-The propriety of lessening the Exil:-By stripping it of its indecency and much of its immoral tendency.The shocking indecency which has lately been suffered by Prostitutes at the Theatres.-The number of Prostitutes in the Metropolis estimated-Suggestions for rendering the consequences arising from Female Prostitution less noxious to Society.The advantages of the measure in reducing the mass of turpitude.-Reasons offered why the interests of morality and Religion will be promoted by prescribing Rules with respect to Prostitutes.-The example of Holland, Italy, and the East Indies quoted.Strictures on the offensive manners of the Company who frequent Public Gardens:-Imputable to the want of a proper Police-Tea Gardens under a

proper

proper Police might be rendered beneficial to the State.-The Ballad Singers might also be rendered instruments in giving a right turn to the minds of the Vulgar.-Crimes generated by immoral Books and Songs.-Responsibility as it relates to the execution of the Laws rests no where at present.—The nature and advantages of the Police System explained.

IN

N addition to the prominent causes, which contribute to the origin and the increase of crimes, which have been developed in the preceding Chapter, there are other sources of a minor nature still to be traced, from which.infinite evils to the Community spring.

Among these the most important is, the state and condition of the unhappy Females, who support themselves by Prostitution in this great Metropolis.

In contemplating their case, it is impossible to avoid dropping a tear of pity.-Many of them perhaps originally seduced from a state of innocence, while they were the joy and comfort of their unhappy parents. Many of them born and educated to expect a better fate, until deceived by falsehood and villainy, they see their error when it is too late to recede. In this situation, abandoned by their relations and friends; deserted by their seducers, and at large upon the world; loathed and avoided by those who formerly held them in estimation, what are

they