The Essex constabulary was also the first to undertake the supervision of Weights and Measures, thus saving the salaries previously paid to the old inspectors who were inefficient, and saving the pockets of labouring men who were the chief sufferers by short weight. The extent to which false measures used to be employed can only be conjectured; but it is a fact that, when in 1845 the rural police of Wiltshire took charge of this department, in no less than 14,942 instances were defective weights and measures discovered. Further savings were effected in Essex under the headings of, conveyance of prisoners, prevention of fire, excise duties, etc., etc., whilst private associations for the apprehension of felons died a natural death wherever the maintenance of the peace was entrusted to the new police. The effect of the admirable force established in Essex was to compel the adjoining counties of Suffolk, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire reluctantly to follow suit, and in other parts of England and Wales rural police were gradually appointed. By May 1853, twenty-two counties had adopted the Permissive Act, seven counties had partly adopted it, and twenty-two counties (including two Ridings of Yorkshire) continued the parochial system, with or without Superintending Constables. A return dated 1853 shews the progress that had been made-- _For the whole County_--Bedford, Cambridge, Durham, Essex, Gloster, Hertford, Lancaster, Leicester, Norfolk, Northampton, Nottingham, Salop, Southampton, Stafford, Suffolk, Surrey, Wilts, Worcester, Cardigan, Carmarthen, Denbigh, Montgomery. _In parts only_--Cumberland, Dorset, Rutland, Sussex, Warwick, Westmoreland, York. _Counties not adopting the provisions of the Permissive Act_--Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cornwall, Derby, Devon, Hereford, Huntingdon, Kent, Lincoln, Monmouth, Northumberland, Oxford, Somerset, Anglesey, Brecon, Carnarvon, Glamorgan, Merioneth, Radnor, Flint, Pembroke. Three years later the distribution was still much the same, only two counties having remodelled their police in the interval. Unfortunately there was little uniformity of system throughout the twenty-four police forces now established: some counties framed their regulations on those of the Royal Irish Constabulary; others adopted an independent attitude; Lancashire was unlucky; Cheshire was unique; and only Hampshire and Cambridgeshire were humble enough to take full advantage of the excellent model designed by Captain M'Hardy.