A Treatise on the Police of the Metropolis Part 55

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.

BALLAD-SINGERS.

Since it has never been possible, under the existing Laws, to suppress the herd of Ballad-Singers which are to be found in such mult.i.tudes in every part of the Metropolis, and, indeed, in all the large Towns in the Kingdom: and which at present are under the controul of a very feeble Police, which does not, and indeed cannot, restrain effectually the immoral, and often seditious tendency of the Songs sung to the listening mult.i.tude--Why might not this lowest cast of amus.e.m.e.nt be turned to good purposes, tending to counteract and prevent the corruption of Morals, which are at present generated through this medium? Under a responsible Board of Police such an object is certainly attainable[194] and the present state of things points out the policy and necessity of carrying it into effect.

[Footnote 194: See page 349.]

FEMALE SEDUCTION.

In contemplating the excessive evils, and the dreadful consequences which result from Female Seduction, whether it applies to married or single women,[195] it would seem to be a matter of astonishment that no punishment has been inflicted by the criminal Law, by which the destroyers of innocence, and of the peace of families, could be held up as public examples of infamy.--A corporal punishment, accompanied with circ.u.mstances of obloquy and disgrace, is certainly not too severe where a delinquent plunges a Female (whether married or single) into a situation, in most instances, worse than death itself; since when abandoned by her Seducer, she is not only exposed to the reproach and contumely of the World, but subjected to herd with the phalanx of Prost.i.tutes who contribute so much to the corruption of Morals, and where the miserable victim may be said to die, perhaps, _a thousand deaths_ before her actual dissolution.--Surely an offence producing such dreadful consequences should, as a mean of prevention, be marked not only as an object of _Criminal Punishment_, but of _pecuniary retribution_ to _the injured party_.--Were such a law in force, the numerous instances of Female Seduction would be greatly diminished; while the injured woman, under such unhappy circ.u.mstances, might, after the Conviction of a Jury, have a fair prospect of being again restored to her friends, and, perhaps, to Society.

[Footnote 195: See pages 33, and 34.]

FEMALE PROSt.i.tUTION.

In the 12th Chapter of this Treatise,[196] a general view is given of the shocking corruption of Morals, which is generated by the vast increase of common Prost.i.tutes in the Metropolis.--It now becomes necessary to explain the specific remedies which the Author had in view for the purpose of lessening this enormous and afflicting evil.

[Footnote 196: See pages 333 to 345.]

Its magnitude, and the wrongs that result from it, are too vast and extensive to admit of any common remedy.--The excellent Inst.i.tution of the Magdalen Hospital in the course of 40 years, has only been able to reform or reconcile to their friends 2,217, out of 3,250 who have been actually admitted within that period--and even some of these have relapsed into their former errors: though others, who have been discharged at their own request, have behaved well.

But when a survey is taken of the aggregate number of unhappy women who have entered the walks of Prost.i.tution within the last 40 years in the Metropolis, succeeding one another perhaps, every 13 years upon an average, it is probable that from 80 to 100,000 have pa.s.sed through a miserable life, the irreclaimable victims to this debasing turpitude, without the means of rescuing themselves from a situation so pitiable and calamitous.

The fact is, that the evil is of too great a magnitude to admit of a cure through the medium of private benevolence.--Relief without _reform_, and _reputable employment_, or reconciliation to relations, will do nothing towards a diminution of the evil.--It will require an extensive System and a corresponding expence, which can only be compa.s.sed by a Police applicable to this particular object, aided by appropriate regulations.

After the maturest consideration of the subject, the Author ventures to offer the following Propositions as the most likely, in the first instance, to excite a desire in many of those unhappy women to alter their degrading course of life, and to facilitate their introduction into situations, where, through the medium of a reconciliation with their friends, or otherwise, at least a considerable part might be restored to Society who are lost at present; while, under the regulations hereafter proposed, the streets of the Metropolis will no longer hold out allurements to vice and debauchery, ruinous to the Morals of youth, and disgraceful to the Police of the Metropolis.

1st. It is proposed, with a view to prevent common Prost.i.tutes from walking the streets to a.s.sail pa.s.sengers, and promote the Seduction of Youth, that a Select Body of discreet Officers should be appointed, under the direction of the Central Board, who should apprehend all who can be clearly ascertained to be in pursuit of objects of Prost.i.tution.--That each should be conveyed to their respective homes, and when the Landlord's name, or the person to whom they pay rent or lodging, is by that means ascertained; that such person's name and place of abode, and the names of his or her lodgers be registered, and a penalty of 10_s._ for the first, and an advance of 5_s._ more for every additional offence, be inflicted on each hirer of Board or Lodgings for every Female apprehended in the Streets, upon proper proof of an overt-act leading to Prost.i.tution.

In all cases where Prost.i.tutes refuse to discover their real place of abode, they shall be detained in a house to be provided for their reception until such discovery be made.

2d. That every male person who shall be proved to have made, or to have accepted, overtures from any Female walking the Streets, shall in like manner be apprehended, and shall give security for his appearance before a Magistrate next day, or be detained in the Watch-house, and shall, on conviction, forfeit and pay a penalty of _Twenty Shillings_.

3d. That for the purpose of holding out encouragement to that cla.s.s of unfortunate Females who have been abandoned by their Seducers, and whose minds are not yet debased by an indiscriminate intercourse of Prost.i.tution; and also such others as may have friends likely to a.s.sist them, _Twelve_ or more _sensible and discreet Matrons_ shall be appointed, under the Board of Police, with a moderate Salary, and residing (with proper accommodation) in different parts of the Town, on whom it shall be inc.u.mbent to receive into their houses, and to provide a temporary residence for every unfortunate Female who may apply, for the purpose of stating her case, with a view to a reconciliation with her friends, and to the exposure of her Seducer, as a check upon such acts of villainy hereafter.--That it shall be the duty of the Matron, after being mistress of the whole case, to open a negociation with the nearest relations or friends of the unfortunate Female, and to use every means to effect a reconciliation; or where that is found impracticable, to endeavour to procure her some reputable employment.

And as an encouragement to such Matrons, to use all diligence in promoting the object in view, they shall be ent.i.tuled to a certain premium from the Police funds, (independent of what private Societies of benevolent Individuals may be induced to bestow,) for every unfortunate Female who shall be thus rescued from the walks of Prost.i.tution: to be paid at the end of 12 months, in case such Female shall then be in society with her relations, or in some reputable employment, and shall not have relapsed into her former course of life.--That these Matrons shall be distinguished for talents and humanity, and shall be capable of exercising such powers as could, in other instances, be employed to promote reconciliation with relations and friends; and also to devise employments by which the unfortunate persons, _ad interim_, under their care should be able to subsist, by taking in _Military Shirts_, _Slop-work_, and other branches of Female labour; to procure which, it is not doubted, but Societies of benevolent Individuals would contribute their aid, so as to secure, at all times, the means of full employment for all the various applicants in succession.

In so n.o.ble a work of humanity, especially when it is understood that the labour of the Matrons would be remunerated by such a moderate Salary, as might be an object to many deserving well-educated women, little doubt can be entertained of there being many Candidates for such Situations, who, from having no family, would be perfectly competent to the execution of so benevolent a design.

4th. That with a view to the reformation of Prost.i.tutes who have no relations or friends, or in cases where a reconciliation is hopeless, and who may be disposed to abandon their evil courses, _Houses of Industry_ shall be provided in different parts of the Town, with large Kitchens for the purpose of preparing wholesome and nourishing food at a cheap rate, into which all who apply for an asylum will be received; on condition that a true and faithful account of the various circ.u.mstances of their lives shall be given, and that they agree not only to submit to the discipline of the Establishment, but also to perform such labour as shall be a.s.signed them for their subsistence, lodging and apparel.

That these _Houses of Industry_ shall also be superintended by _discreet Matrons_, who shall receive a moderate Salary, and a certain portion of the profit, arising from the work done, and a premium for every Female restored to Society, or to their friends by their means; and in honest employment or living with relations, for the s.p.a.ce of 12 months, in addition to such other premiums as benevolent Societies of Individuals may choose to bestow, in consequence of the impression made on their minds of the utility of such Establishments, and the success which may appear to attend them.

5th. That all the laws now in being against Prost.i.tution, and against the Keepers of Brothels, shall remain in full force; with this alteration only, that instead of proceeding against Offenders in the latter case, by the difficult, expensive, and circuitous mode of Presentment and Indictment, which has heretofore proved so ineffectual, the proceedings shall be _summary_ before two Magistrates, as in Lottery and other offences, and the Delinquents if convicted shall be subject to immediate punishment.

These are the regulations which the Author would humbly propose, as a mean [Transcriber's Note: means] of preventing the disasters and miseries which arise from Seduction, and of diminishing the number of Prost.i.tutes in this great Metropolis.--Perhaps, after the experiment is tried of the House of Industry, it might be expedient to convert the whole into a large Penitentiary House, where only unfortunate women should be admitted.--The suggestions which are now offered, appear to be not only easy with respect to their execution, but likely to be compa.s.sed at a moderate expence.--They are, however, to be considered as mere outlines of a practicable design, which should certainly precede the removal of the unfortunate Females from the Streets, as humanity points out the necessity of offering them asylums: since by suddenly abridging their present resources, however iniquitous and reprehensible they may be, without such asylums, it would certainly be the means of many of them perishing for want.

The object to be attained is of vast importance; but it is too unwieldy for the efforts of private benevolence, and certainly cannot be accomplished through any other medium than that of _Public Inst.i.tutions_, under the protection of a Superintending Police.

MENIAL SERVANTS.

Among the various evils, which, in the present state of Society, tend to the corruption of Morals, the state and condition of Menial Servants, Male and Female, are none of the least; particularly those who are out of place, and who swarm in mult.i.tudes, idle and unemployed, at all times in this great Metropolis.--This is chiefly to be attributed to the want of those legal restraints and punishments for improper behaviour, which apply to other cla.s.ses of labourers.

Such regulations, independent of infinite advantages which must, in other respects, arise to the Community, would be _an act of great humanity to the Individuals_ who compose this cla.s.s; since they would check, or in most instances prevent, those indiscretions which are the result of being under no controul, and by restraining the influence of ungovernable and ill-regulated pa.s.sions, would produce that degree of steadiness which is the characteristic of a good Servant; and of course the constant disposition to shift about would not be felt, while they would be rescued from the vices which are generated at those intervals of idleness, when Servants, Male and Female, out of place, are exposed to every species of Seduction, till at length, by loss of character, they too frequently become Thieves and Prost.i.tutes.[197]

[Footnote 197: It is calculated that there are seldom less than Ten Thousand Servants of both s.e.xes, at all times out of place in the Metropolis. This shews, in strong colours, the importance of the regulations which are proposed.]

It would certainly promote in an eminent degree the cause of Morality, if the whole Laws respecting Servants of every description were revised, and accommodated in a greater degree to the present state of Society. Some of them might perhaps be stript of their severity; while the penalties or breaches of moral duty, and a refusal to fulfil a civil contract, or Conspiracies and a.s.sociations for mischievious purposes, ought certainly to apply to menial Servants, in the same manner as to Servants in Husbandry, Handicrafts and Labourers. A general exclusive Register of Servants out of place, under the inspection of an appropriate branch of the general Police System, would also have an excellent effect in bringing to light the evil pursuits of bad Servants; while it operated favourably to those who were deserving of confidence. Much might be done through this medium, favourable both to the interest of the Master and Servants; and this with many other benefits are to be attained, by means of a Superintending System of Police. In no other way can it be effected.[198]

[Footnote 198: See page 150.]

THE LOTTERY.

In spite of the persevering efforts of Government, who incur a great annual expence[199] for the purpose of restraining the baneful effects of illegal Insurances among the lower cla.s.ses of the people, the evil still continues; _its consequences are lamentable_, for the delusion of this infatuation tends, in a very eminent degree, to the corruption of morals, producing scenes of distress, by which thousands suddenly descend from a state of comfort to extreme indigence.--In the 6th Chapter of this Treatise, a general view is given of the effects of this contagion, and various remedies are proposed, which, under the conduct of a Board of Police, would certainly be effectual; while the Revenue drawn from the sale of Tickets might certainly be preserved.

In the mean time, the following are suggested as useful expedients:--

1st. That in every Parish and District in the Metropolis, Masters, and heads of Families, should sign and publish an engagement to discharge all Servants who shall be concerned in Insurances in the Lottery; to be printed and hung up in every Servants' Hall and Kitchen, that none might pretend ignorance.

2d. That all Members of Friendly Societies, should, by a regulation of their own, and enforced by Parliament, be excluded from the benefits of such Societies, on being convicted of any concern whatever in such Insurances.[200]

[Footnote 199: Said to be above Two Thousand pounds a year.]

[Footnote 200: See page 151 to 170.]

GAMING.

The magnitude and extent of the pernicious propensity to Gaming have at all times proved a prolific source from whence has sprung an extensive corruption of morals. The reader is referred to the 6th Chapter of this work for details, which will fully elucidate the baneful effects of this evil, in generating _Cheats, Swindlers and Sharpers of every description_. For the purpose of more effectually checking this mania, and the consequences which flow from it, it might be expedient to extend the Laws now in being respecting Lottery vagrants, _to the Proprietors or Keepers of Gaming-Houses, and also to the Waiters, Servants and a.s.sistants, who, on being apprehended, should, on proper proof, be punished as rogues and vagabonds_.--It is, however, by the operation of the General Police System, that this and other evils are to be checked or remedied.

THE LOWER CLa.s.sES OF THE JEWS.

Nothing would be more desirable than the adoption of some effectual plan, through the medium of the opulent and respectable individuals of the Jewish persuasion, whether of the Dutch or Portuguese Synagogues, by which the lower cla.s.ses, particularly of the German Jews, might be regularly trained to some useful employment, since their present pursuits not only tend, in an eminent degree, to the corruption of Morals, but also to the commission of Crimes; and under circ.u.mstances, where the necessity of the case imperiously calls for a remedy, Legislative regulations might be resorted to; which might not only better the condition of this miserable cla.s.s of the community, by compelling parents to bind their children to some employment, but also render them useful, instead of being too generally noxious members of the Body Politic,[201] from the idle and useless pursuits in which they are engaged.

[Footnote 201: See pages 319 to 323, Chap. 11th.]

INDIGENCE AND BEGGARY.

The various causes which produce Indigence in the Metropolis, discoverable through the medium of Beggary or Idleness, tend, in an eminent degree, to the corruption of Morals, and the consequent increase of Crimes.--In the 13th Chapter of this Treatise this subject is examined, and _a remedy proposed_, through the medium of a _Pauper Police_, for the purpose of examining into the circ.u.mstances of the numerous cla.s.s of individuals who have no parochial settlements in the Metropolis, or perhaps in any part of England, and are, from that circ.u.mstance, denominated _Casual Poor_.--There could not be a greater act of humanity to these often afflicted, and sometimes oppressed individuals, or of greater utility to the Public at large, than the establishment of a System whereby the most deserving could be propt up, rescued from despondency, and enabled to help themselves; while by discriminating between the _virtuous_ and _vicious_ poor, a proper line might be drawn, and the streets of the Metropolis freed from the mult.i.tude of Beggars, without doing violence to humanity.[202]

[Footnote 202: See pages 351 to 380.]

Various other causes might be a.s.signed for the general corruption of Morals, which has in so great a degree increased the calendars of delinquency.--Among these might be mentioned _Smuggling_, or illicit Trade; the evil examples arising from an indiscriminate _mixture in Workhouses_ and Prisons; the profligate examples of parents, and the want of religious and moral education, so universal among the children of the labouring people.--And the too frequent cohabitation without marriage among the lowest cla.s.ses of the Community. These, like other evils, which have been more particularly detailed, are objects to which the proposed Police System would gradually attach, and through which preventive medium the Public are to expect those ameliorating designs, which are to secure the privileges of innocence, and better the condition of Society.

PREVENTION OF OFFENCES.

_MISDEMEANORS_.

CHEATING AND SWINDLING.

The 5th Chapter of this Treatise developes the extensive mischiefs and evils which arise from the phalanx of Cheats and Swindlers who infest the Metropolis.--There appear to be two remedies, namely--