Thus circumstanced, and thus encouraged, what can be expected from such watchmen?-- Aged in general;--often feeble:--and almost, on every occasion, half starved, from the limited allowance they receive; without any claim upon the Public, or the least hope of reward held out, even if they perform any meritorious service, by the _detection of Thieves and Receivers of stolen Goods_, or idle and disorderly persons: and above all, _making so many separate parts of an immense system, without any general superintendance, disjointed from the nature of its organization_, it is only a matter of wonder, that the protection afforded is what _it really is_.[118]--Not only is there small encouragement offered for the purpose of insuring fidelity, but as has been already shewn innumerable temptations are held out to dishonesty, by Receivers of stolen Goods, to the watchmen and patroles in their vicinity; as well as by thieves and housebreakers in all situations where they contemplate the commission of a burglary. [Footnote 118: This proves how highly meritorious the conduct of the _Managers_ and _Trustees_ of this branch of the Police of the Metropolis must, in many instances, be. There can indeed be no manner of doubt, but that great advantages arise from dividing the labour, where all the benefits of local knowledge enter into the system.--So far as this goes, it ought not to be disturbed. But it is also necessary to consider the Metropolis as a _great Whole_, and to combine the organs of Police which at present exist, in such a manner, by a general superintendance, as to give equal encouragement, and to instil one principle of universal energy into all its parts.] Money is also received from disorderly persons in the night, to permit them to escape from the just punishment of the Laws; while on the other hand, unfortunate females are often cruelly oppressed and laid under contribution, for permission to infringe the very laws, which it is the duty of these nocturnal guardians of the Police to put in execution. Excepting in the city of London, under the jurisdiction of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, (where there are, in the 25 wards, 765 watchmen, and 38 patroles) and the parishes and liberties combined by the act of the 14th Geo. III. cap. 90, it will not be easy to ascertain the exact number of watchmen, &c. employed by the great variety of different Trusts, in every part of the Metropolis; more especially, as in several instances they vary in their numbers according to the season of the year, and other circumstances; but the following statement is believed to be very near truth:-- _Beadles, Watchmen, and Patroles._ 25 Wards in the City of London 803