which have been beheld with detestation, abhorrence and astonishment, by every civilized nation in the world.

Let it be recollected, at the same time, that Mankind, in a state of depravity, arising from a long course of criminal turpitude, are nearly alike in every country; and that it becomes us to look with a jealous eye on the several thousand miscreants of the same description which now infest London; for they too, upon any fatal emergency, (which God forbid !) would be equally ready as their brethren in iniquity were, in Paris, to repeat the saine atrocities, if any opportunity offered.

As the effectuating such an object has become so great a desideratum ;-and as it is to confer those blessings which spring from a well-regulated Police, calculated to extend a species of protection to the

inhabitants

In mentioning what regards the protection of the Metropolis, with the inefficiency of the existing Civil Force in Constables, it is impossible to overlook those eminent advantages which have arisen from the excellent institutions of the Honourable Artillery Company, the Light Horse Volunteers, and the other associated Corps, who have so nobly stood forth in the hour of danger to support the deficient Police of the Country.

To these Patriotic individuals, the inhabitants of the Metropolis are under infinite obligations.

Regardless of their own ease, convenience, interest, or personal safety, the members of these public-spirited associations have ever stood forward in the hour of tumult and disorder, gratuitously, and at their own expence, for the protection of their Fellow citizens and for the preservation of the Public peace.

The

534

CRIMINAL POLICE OF METROPOLIS.

inhabitants of this great Metropolis, which has never been heretofore experienced ;-it can scarcely fail to be a matter of general satisfaction to know that the Select Committee of the House of Commons on Finance, have strongly recommended to Parliament a System of Police, similar to that which had been submitted to the consideration of the Public in the former editions of this Work.

In order that improvements, sanctioned by such high authority, and the adoption of which are so im portant to the best interests of Society, may be fully explained and elucidated; a detail of the measures, which have been recommended, with general observations on the proposed System, are reserved for the ensuing Chapter.

The assistance they have, on every occasion, afforded the civil power, and the sacrifices of valuable time which they have made, at the risk of health, and under circumstances where they were compelled to forego that ease and comfort, which in many instances, from their opulence and rank in life, are attached to their particular situations-it is to be hoped, will never be for gotten by a grateful Public.

CHAP

PROPOSED SYSTEM OF CRIMINAL POLICE. 535

CHAP. XVIII.

The System of Police recommended by the Select Committee on Finance explained.-A proposition to consolidate the two Boards of Hawkers and Pedlars, and Hackney Coaches, into a Board of Police Revenue. The whole Revenues of Police from Fees, Penalties and Licence Duties, to make a common Fund.-Accounts to be audited.-Magistrates to distribute small rewards.-A Power to the Board to make Bye-Laws.-A concurrent jurisdiction recommended-also the Penitentiary House for reforming Convicts.-Other measures proposed after the Board is established—namely, a Public Prosecutor for the Crown.-A Register of Lodging Houses.-The establishment of a Police Gazette.-Two leading objects to be attained. The prevention of Crimes: and raising a Revenue for Police purposes.-The enumeration of the Dealers who are proposed to be Licenced. A General View of the annual expence of the present Police System. Observations on the effect of the System recommended by the Finance Committee, with respect to the Morals and Finances of the Country.--Suggestions respecting a chain of connection with Magistrates in the Country, and the mode of effecting it.-Licences to be granted by select Magistrates in the Country, and by the Central Board in London and the neighbourhood.-The Functions

of

of the proposed Board explained.-Specifications of the Trades to be regulated and Licenced.-General Reflections on the advantages likely to result from the adoption of the plan recommended by the Finance Committee. Concluding Observations.

IMPRESSED with a deep sense of the utility of investigating the nature of the Police System, the Select Committee of the House of Commons on Finance turned their attention to this, among many other important objects in the Session of the year 1798: and, after a laborious investigation which occupied several months, (during which period the Author of this Treatise underwent several examinations) * they made their final Report-in which after stating it. as their opinion, "that the general tendency of our "œconomical arrangements upon this subject is ill "calculated to meet the accumulating burdens, "which are the infallible result of so much error in "our System of Police"-they recommended it to Parliament to reduce or consolidate the two offices "of Hawkers and Pedlars, and Hackney Coaches, "into a Board of Police Revenue, under the direc"tion of a competent number of Commissioners, "with such Salaries as should bid fair to engage

See Appendix to the 28th Report of the Committee.

"talents.

"talents adequate to the situation, and as should "be sufficient to command the whole exertion of "those talents.-That the Receiver of the Police "offices, should be the Receiver-General of the "funds proposed to be collected by this Board,--"That the superintendants of aliens should form a part of its business.-That the fees and penalties "received at the several offices of Police, together "with the Licence-duties and penalties, if any, "which shall be in the collection of this consoli"dated Board, shall make one common fund, out "of which all salaries and expences of the several "offices of Police should be defrayed, as well as all "those of the Consolidated Board, and that all pay"ments whatever should be made by the Receiver, "under the sanction of this Board, subject to the approbation of the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury.-That the accounts of the "Receiver should be audited and signed by the "Board before being delivered to the Treasury, or "the office for auditing accounts.-That the ba"lances in the hands of the Receiver, after retain"ing what may be sufficient for current expences, "should be paid into the Exchequer at frequent "and fixed periods.-That Magistrates of Police "should be empowered to distribute small rewards "to Constables or others, for meritorious services, "to be paid by the Revenue, after receiving the "sanction of the Board: And further, that the "Board should have power to make Bye-laws, for

46

the