7th. As a means of controlling many offences, which are generated by an assemblage of loose and immoral characters, who are constantly afloat in the Metropolis, a General Register of Lodging-Houses, would certainly be attended with very beneficial effects: and to use the language of the Select Committee of the House of Commons in their 28th Report, page 31,—would also "be a Regulation, which, if discreetly used, might probably afford the means of materially assisting both the Police and the Revenue."[207]
8th. The extensive Plunder committed on the Farmers round the Metropolis, under the pretence of Gleaning in Harvest is a very serious evil, and calls aloud for a remedy.—The practice is pernicious and ruinous to the Morals of the Families of the Labouring People in every part of the Country, since through this medium children learn pilfering habits, before they know that it is a crime.
A slight punishment on all who gleaned in any case previous to a complete removal of the corn or vegetables, and on every occasion, without first obtaining leave of the Proprietor, would prove a very salutary Regulation—for it appears that every Thief charged with stealing corn pretends it was obtained by Gleaning.
9th. The existing Laws being found ineffectual in controlling the habits, and in turning into a course of useful industry the labour of the herds of Gypsies, who surround the Metropolis, and commit depredations in every part of the Country, it would be exceedingly desirable,[208] both with respect to policy and humanity, to provide some effectual Legislative Remedy, since the idle, vagrant, and miserable life of this profligate community can be as little desirable to themselves as it is hurtful to the Public.—Compelling a residence which shall be stationary, and obliging them to bind out their children apprentices at a certain age, so as to incorporate them with the mass of the people, would certainly prove a very salutary Regulation.
10th. The frauds and adulterations in the article of Milk sold in the Metropolis, as detailed in the [3d Chapter] of this Work, pages [89] to [92], seem to justify the interference of Parliament for the purpose of placing Milk Dealers under the inspection and controul of the Police: Here the injury is not merely confined to the frauds thus practised on the Public, but the healths of the Consumers are in some measure endangered from the infamous devices which are practised.
11th. For the purpose of saving much unnecessary expence, and also to remove the inconvenience arising from the length of time, which frequently elapses before persons charged with offences, in Southwark, Greenwich, and the villages surrounding the Metropolis, make it lawful to try offences committed in Surry, Kent, and Essex, within five miles of the three Bridges, at the Justice Hall of the Old Bailey, which may be done before a Jury of the Vicinage, with great advantages to Public Justice, and without touching on the rights of the Accused.[209]
12th. To establish certain Legislative Regulations, for the purpose of preserving the Morals of unfortunate unoffending families, by restoring to them such parents whose misfortunes and not their crimes, have doomed them to the horrors of perpetual Imprisonment.—And to establish arrangements for the improvement of what may be denominated Civil Police, by adopting inferior Tribunals for distributing Justice in all actions of Debt under 50l. for the purpose of reducing the present enormous expence, and extending relief to traders in general.[210]
Thus has the Author of this Work endeavoured to develope that infinite variety of crimes and misfortunes, which have been long felt and deplored as a pressure upon the innocent part of the Community.