50 brothels containing women 230 Private prostitutes 203--433 In addition to this, there were of notorious illicit prostitutes known to the police (60 of whom were stated to have disease in its worst forms) 400 And also reasonably suspected of prostitution 67 --- Making an aggregate known to the authorities of 900 There were also seventy dance-houses, which were known as places of accommodation. The population at this time was about 150,000. The figures thus given, from an official enumeration, are the best practical commentary upon the effects of the abandonment of a tried system of _surveillance_. The state of affairs disclosed by this inquiry called forth a ministerial rescript, dated May 8, 1809, which we copy: "The brothel-houses are, by reason of the great influence they have on morality and health, a very important branch of police administration. _We should desire to be satisfied whether it is more desirable to suppress or tolerate them._ In any case, it is, however, improper and injurious to license them, and thus to give them a certain sanction; still less can they be tolerated in public neighborhoods of a city. It is rather to be desired that, upon every convenient and properly occurring opportunity, they should be stamped with the well-merited brand of the deepest depravity and infamy. We have therefore commanded the Police Directory to effect the removal of all such houses into quiet, retired streets of the suburbs and liberties, and we direct you to take into consideration whether a like regulation can not be accomplished here in the city of Berlin; whereupon you will make to us a well-considered report. You are also to take into consideration what can be done to brand such places with the deepest depravity and infamy." In obedience to this order, which had doubtless emanated direct from royalty itself, Herr Von Gruner, the head of the Berlin police, communicated a report containing his conclusions, as follows: "1. That closing, or even limiting the brothels, would lead to very general ill health." "2. That, in consequence of the exertions of the police, illicit prostitution had been diminished very much, and even the number of the registered women had decreased." "3. That in 1809 there were in Berlin 1 first class brothel containing women 6 20 second " " " " 75 22 third " " " " 117--198 Private prostitutes 113 --- Total registered 311