[Footnote 30: There appears to be a deficiency in the Act of 30th George the Second, cap. 24. in omitting to add _Bank Notes_ after the word _Money_, and also _Horses, Cattle, Sheep, or other Animals_, after goods, wares, and merchandise; since, (as has already been noticed, ante page 9,) it has been held that Bank Notes are not Money, nor are horses, cattle, &c. considered as goods, wares, or merchandise, according to the legal construction of any existing Statute.--An amendment of the Law with regard to these and other objects is the more necessary, as _Bank Notes_ and _Horses_ are, perhaps, more the objects of swindling, than other species of property.] We shall next proceed to particularize the various classes of Sharpers who thus prey upon the public: reserving all that relates to those more immediately connected with _Gaming Houses_ and _Lottery Insurances_ to the subsequent chapter. I. _Sharpers who obtain Licences to become Pawnbrokers_,[31] and bring disgrace upon the reputable part of the trade, by every species of fraud which can add to the distresses of those who are compelled to raise money in this way; for which purpose there are abundance of opportunities.--Swindling Pawnbrokers, of this Class, are uniformly receivers of stolen goods; and under the cover of their licence do much mischief to the Public. The evil arising from them might, in a great measure, be prevented by placing the power of granting licences in a general Board of Police; and rendering it necessary for all persons to produce a Certificate of character, before they can obtain such licence; and also to enter into recognizance for good behaviour.[32] [Footnote 31: Number of Pawnbrokers within the Bills of } Persons £. Mortality, paying a licence of £10. a year. } 213 2130 In the Country, paying £5. a year. 432 2160 --- ---- Total 644 4290 --- ----] [Footnote 32: A regulation of this kind is of great importance; as the property of the poorest and most distressed part of the community, to the amount of nearly one million sterling, is constantly in the hands of Pawnbrokers in the Metropolis alone! and although it is of the utmost consequence that they, above all others, should be _honest, correct_ and even _humane_ characters, (and it is to be hoped many of them are of that description,) yet certain it is that any person, even the most notorious rogue or vagabond, who can raise ten pounds to pay for a licence, may at present set up the trade of Pawnbroker; and it is even said that some have got licences who have actually been on board the Hulks!--a thing unavoidable under the present circumstances.]