Crimes have been generated in a considerable degree both by immoral and seditious books and songs.--It is true the laws are open to punishment. The road however to justice, with respect to the former, is circuitous and difficult, while in the latter case their execution is felt to be _harsh_, _severe_, and _ultimately ineffectual_: hence licentious and mischievous Publications prevail, and Ballad-singers are suffered often to insult decency, and to disseminate poison in every street in the Metropolis. Like many other evils they remain in spite of the statutes made to prevent them.--They were evils suffered centuries ago where the laws proved equally unavailing: but the state of society and manners rendered them less dangerous. In the Machine of Government there are many component parts where responsibility attaches;--_but with respect to objects of Police, it would seem at present to rest no where_, and hence is explained at once, the want of energy in the execution of our laws, and why so many excellent Statutes remain a dead letter.--To live encircled by _fears_ arising from uncontrolled excesses of the human passions, either leading to turpitude or terminating in the commission of crimes, _is to live in misery_.--Police is an improved state of Society, which counteracts these excesses by giving energy and effect to the law. It is like the Mechanical power applied to an useful Machine, devoid of which, it remains without motion, or action, and without benefit. "Government," _says the benevolent Hanway_, "originates from the love of order.--Watered by Police it grows up to maturity, and in course of time spreads a luxuriant comfort and security.--Cut off its branches, and the mere trunk, however strong it may appear, can afford no shelter." CHAP. XIII.