Every phase of vice has been investigated and treated of, in order that all possible information that can prove interesting to the moralist, the philanthropist, and the statist, as well as to the general public, might be afforded. In a word the veil has been raised, and the skeleton exposed to the view of the public. In order to inspire hope and confidence in those who would shudder and lose heart in the perusal of such a record of crime and misery, the volume is prefaced by a comprehensive account of the agencies in operation within the Metropolis for the suppression of crime and vice, in which is detailed the aim and scope of the numerous religious and philanthropic associations now actively following the footsteps of that Divine Saviour, Whose chief mission was to the poor and guilty. These brave workers now abound in all the dark places of the Metropolis, and the fruits of their labours, particularly in the case of youthful criminals, are becoming, through the blessing of Providence, abundantly apparent. A vast amount of statistical information, compiled from authentic records, is contained in the body of the work, and in the Appendix, and a few illustrations are introduced, graphically showing the extremes of vice and crime. The publishers have to thank Sir Richard Mayne and the authorities at Scotland Yard, as well as the Secretaries of the various charitable societies, for much valuable information and assistance. _Stationers’ Hall Court; December, 1861._ CONTENTS. THE AGENCIES AT PRESENT IN OPERATION WITHIN THE METROPOLIS, FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF VICE AND CRIME. BY THE REV. WILLIAM TUCKNISS, B.A. PAGE UNIVERSAL DESIRE FOR INVESTIGATION xi MERE PALLIATIVES INSUFFICIENT TO CHECK THE GROWTH OF CRIME xi DECREASE OF CRIME DOUBTFUL xii GENERAL DESIRE TO ALLEVIATE MISERY xiii GUTHRIE ON GREAT CITIES xiv SOCIAL POSITION OF LONDON xv AGENCIES AT WORK IN LONDON xvii Their Number and Income xvii