_The present state of the Police on this subject explained.--The necessity of having recourse to known Receivers.--The great utility of Officers of Justice.--The advantages of rendering them respectable in the opinion of the Public.--Their powers by the common and statute Law.--Rewards granted to Officers in certain cases of Conviction.--The Statutes quoted, applicable to such rewards.--The utility of parochial Constables, under a well-organized Police.--A Fund for this purpose might arise from the reduction of the expences of the Police, by the diminution of Crimes.--The necessity of a competent Fund.--A new System for prevention and detection of Crimes proposed.--The functions of the different classes of Officers.--Salaries necessary to all.--Improvements in the system of Rewards suggested.--1040 Peace-Officers in the Metropolis and its vicinity, of whom only 90 are stipendiary Constables.--Defects and abuses in the system of the Watch explained.--A general Plan of Superintendance suggested.--A view of the Magistracy of the Metropolis.--The inconvenience of the present System._ 381 CHAP. XV. ON THE PROSECUTION OF OFFENDERS. _The prevailing Practice when Offenders are brought before Magistrates.--The duty of Magistrates in such cases.--Professed Thieves seldom intimidated when put upon their Trial, from the many chances they have of escaping.--These Chances shortly detailed.--Reflections on false Humanity towards Prisoners.--The delays and expences of Prosecutions a great discouragement to Prosecutors.--An account of the different Courts of Justice, for the trial of Offences committed in the Metropolis.--Five inferior and two superior Courts.--A statement of Prisoners convicted and discharged in one year.--Reflections thereon.--The advantage which would arise from the appointment of a Public Prosecutor, in remedying Abuses in the Trial of Offenders.--From 2500 to 3000 Persons committed for trial, by Magistrates, in the course of a year.--The chief part afterwards returned upon Society._ 422 [Transcriber's Note: should be p. 421] CHAP. XVI. ON THE SYSTEM OF PUNISHMENTS: CONSIDERED PRACTICALLY.