Doubtless, the fundamental principle of good legislation is, rather to prevent crimes than to punish.--If a mathematical expression may be made use of, relative to the good and evil of human life, it is the art of conducting men to the _maximum_ of happiness and the _minimum_ of misery. But in spite of all the efforts of human wisdom, aided by the lights of Philosophy, and freed from the mist of prejudice or the bigotry of darker ages;--In spite of the best laws, and the most correct system of Police which the most enlightened Legislature can form: it will not be altogether possible, amid the various opposite attractions of pleasure and pain, to reduce the tumultuous activity of mankind to absolute regularity:--We can only hope for a considerable reduction of the evils that exist.--_Let the Laws be clear and simple;--let the entire force of the Nation be united in their defence; let the Laws be feared, and the Laws only._ CHAP. III. _The causes and progress of small Thefts in London explained and traced to the numerous Receivers of stolen Goods, under the denominations of Dealers in Rags, Old Iron, and other Metals.--The great increase of these Dealers of late years.--Their evil tendency, and the absolute necessity of Regulations, to prevent the extensive Mischiefs arising from the Encouragements they hold out, to persons of every age and description, to become Thieves, by the purchase of whatever is offered for sale.--A Remedy suggested.--Petty Thefts in the country round the Metropolis--Workhouses the causes of idleness--Commons--Cottagers--Gypsies--Labourers and Servants; their general bad character and propensity to thieving small articles from their Masters, encouraged by Receivers.--Thefts in Fields and Gardens--Their extent and amount throughout England--Frauds in the sale and adulteration of Milk in the Metropolis._ In a preceding Chapter the small thefts committed by persons not known to belong to the fraternity of Thieves, are estimated to amount to the enormous sum of £.700,000 a year. This discovery (except what relates to embezzled silk, cotton, and worsted) was originally made through the medium of a considerable Dealer in Rags and Old Iron, and other Metals, who communicated to the Author much interesting information, respecting Receivers of stolen Goods, confirmed afterwards through other channels, the substance of which has been already alluded to; and of which the following are more ample details: That there exists in this Metropolis, (and also in all the towns where his Majesty's Dock-Yards are established) a class of Dealers, of late years become extremely numerous, who keep open shops for the purchase of _Rags, Old Iron, and other Metals_.