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plaints expressed by some of their sons, excited
by ill-designing persons, who are as much enemies
to those whom they try to seduce, as to their
country. There is another description of persons
who will require more trouble to be shown the
great advantage of cultivating a small portion
of land for themselves and their family ; but the
example of others will soon show them the use of
the spade an easy instrument to wield. I mean
those unfortunate persons out of work, who, for
want of employ, are compelled to quit the trade or
occupation to which they have been accustomed,
and apply to their parish for relief. But there is
a third description of persons still more dan-
gerous and irreconcileable,— the offspring of pro-
fligate parents, or those who, being from their
infancy in a state of destitution, are plunged into
the most vicious habits : *men and boys who have
no livelihood or occupation, except stealing, pil-
fering, and committing depredations on every
property within their reach. Thousands, and
tens of thousands of this description infest this
Metropolis, and are more dangerous to the peace
of it than seems to be apprehended. Much to
be feared is it that nothing but the severe lash
of the law will be a remedy for this corrupt
nuisance of our population. But should there
* See two pamphlets written on this subject by Captain Edward
P. Brenton, R. N.