In accomplishing this object, while the Author ventures to indulge a hope that these which have been suggested, or at least a part of them, may be brought in due time, under the consideration of the Legislature, for the purpose of being enacted into Laws, or otherwise carried into effect; they are now presented to the Reader under the following heads, viz.
I. The Prevention of the present Corruption of Morals; as originating from ill-regulated Public Houses, Tea Gardens, Theatres, and other places of Public Amusement; indecent Publications; Ballad-Singers—Female Prostitution—Servants out of Place—The Lottery; Gaming—Indigence, and various other causes.
II. The Prevention of Offences; and first of those denominated Misdemeanors; such as Cheating and Swindling; Robbing Orchards; Petty Assaults, and Perjury.—Next of Counterfeit Coinage; River Plunder; Plunder in Dock-yards, &c. Lastly, of the Prevention of Crimes in general, under twelve different heads, specifying the Remedies proposed on this subject in the course of the Work.
III. Amendment of the existing Laws; respecting the obtaining Goods and Chattles under false pretences—Pawnbrokers—Forgeries—Receiving Stolen Goods—Arson—Lodgers—Registering Lodging Houses—Plunder on Houses—Gypsies—Milk—Speedy Trial of Offences committed within five Miles of the Metropolis—Imprisonment for Debt, and Recovery of Debts under 50l.
Concluding Observations.
SUMMARY VIEW
OF THE
REMEDIES PROPOSED.
The First Step to all improvements in Civil Society is that which relates to the Morals of the People.—While in the higher and middle ranks of life a vast portion of Virtue and Philanthropy is manifested, perhaps in a greater degree than is to be found in any Country or Nation in the World, it is much to be lamented, that among the lower Classes a species of profligacy and improvidence prevails, which as it applies to the Metropolis of the Empire, is certainly not exceeded in any other Capital in Europe.—To this source may be traced the great extent and increasing multiplication of Crimes, insensibly generating evils calculated, ultimately, to sap the foundation of the State.
The grand object, therefore, must be to devise means for the purpose of checking, and gradually preventing the evils arising from the