Early eighteenth century England saw the criminal element bargaining with magistrates and lawyers to be released or receive lenient sentences. Neither party could be trusted and the situation grew worse. Enter famed author Henry Fielding, who had a strong social conscience and served as a magistrate. In addition to this treatise, he began a register of convicted criminals, and recruited six full-time, paid constables - known colloquially as "The Bow Street Runners" and hailed as the forerunners of the modern police force. - Summary by Lynne Thompson
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Chapters
- Chapter 1
Introduction
05:27 - Chapter 2
Section 1 - Of too frequent and expensive diversions among the lower kind of people
19:07 - Chapter 3
Section 2 - Of drunkenness, a second consequence of luxury among the vulgar
19:49 - Chapter 4
Section 3 - Of gaming among the vulgar; a third consequence of their luxury
18:25 - Chapter 5
section 4 - Of the laws that relate to the provision of the poor
26:03 - Chapter 6
Section 4 - Of the laws that relate to the provision of the poor part 2
27:07 - Chapter 7
Section 4 - Of the laws that relate to the provision of the poor part 3
13:26 - Chapter 8
Section 5 - Of the punishment of receivers of stolen goods
15:08 - Chapter 9
Section 6 - Of laws relating to vagabonds
37:38 - Chapter 10
Section 7 - Of apprehending the persons of felons
24:22 - Chapter 11
Section 8 - Of the difficulties which attend prosecutions
08:54 - Chapter 12
Section 9 - Of the trial and conviction of felons
13:25 - Chapter 13
Section 10 - Of the encouragement given to robbers by frequent pardons
07:20 - Chapter 14
Section 11 - Of the manner of execution
14:16