The common Law, as well as the ancient Statutes of the kingdom, having placed extensive powers in the hands of _Constables_ and _Peace Officers_;--they are, in this point of view, to be considered as _respectable_;--and it is the interest of the Community, that they should support that rank and character in society, which corresponds with the authority with which they are invested.--If this were attended to, men of credit and discretion would not be so averse to fill such situations; and those pernicious prejudices, which have prevailed in vulgar life, and in some degree among the higher ranks in Society, with regard to _thief-takers_, would no longer operate; for it is plain to demonstration, "_that the best laws that ever were made can avail nothing, if the Public Mind is impressed with an idea, that it is a matter of infamy, to become the casual or professional agents to carry them into execution_." This absurd prejudice against the office of Constable, and the small encouragement which the major part receive, is one of the chief reasons why unworthy characters have filled such situations; and why the public interest has suffered by the increase of crimes. The office of Constable is as old as the Monarchy of England;--and certainly existed in the time of the Saxons.[99]--The law requires that he should be _idoneus homo_: or in other words, _to have honesty to execute the office without malice, affection, or partiality; knowledge to understand what he ought to do; and ability, as well in substance or estate, as in body_, to enable him to conduct himself with utility to the public. [Footnote 99: Fineux.] The Statute of Winchester, made in the 13th year of Edward the First (anno 1285) appoints two Constables to be chosen in every Hundred; and such seems to have been the attention of the Legislature to the Police of the Country at that early period of our history, "_that suspicious night-walkers are ordered to be arrested and detained by the watch_."[100] [Footnote 100: Winton, chap. 4.] The Statute of 5 Edward III. _cap._ 14, (anno 1332) empowers Constables "_to arrest persons suspected of man-slaughter, felonies, and robberies, and to deliver them to the Sheriff, to be kept in prison till the coming of the Justices_:" and another Act of the 34th of the same reign, _cap._ 1, (made anno 1361,) empowers Justices, (_inter alia_) "_to inquire after wanderers, to arrest and imprison suspicious persons, and to oblige persons of evil fame to give security for good behaviour; so that the People may not be troubled by rioters, nor the peace blemished; nor Merchants and others travelling on the highways be disturbed or put in peril by such offenders_."