sound judgment could be found to advocate a measure so entirely opposed to right policy and true principle, as that here recommended. It has ever been the cherished system of the worst governments, in the worst times, and has tended more than any other policy, to debase and to lower the character of nations. Venice and France, in the most degraded periods of their history, were distinguished by the flagrant treachery of their governments; and there are few persons who do not remember, with disgust and abhorrence, the unhappy times, when, for political purposes, similar measures were resorted to in our own country. The results of such a system are what may naturally be expected. Fraud is met by fraud, and deception by deception; the worst means are put in practice, in order to force from the offender the desired information; and at last the spy, whose duty it is to provide the expected number of criminals, is compelled, for his own professional credit, to create the crimes himself. No advantages gained in the detection of offenders can counterbalance the demoralizing influences of such a system.

We have no space for a further examination of Mr. Wakefield's book; which, together with the evidence given by him before the Select Committee of the, House of Commons, appointed to report upon the subject of secondary punishments, we recommend to the attention of those whose inquiries are directed to the state of our criminal jurisprudence.

PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS.

No. I.

The following are Summary Statements of the Number of Persons charged with Criminal Offences, who were committed to the different gaols in England and Wales, for trial at the assizes, and sessions, held for the several counties, cities, towns, and liberties therein, during the years 1823-1829 inclusive, distinguishing the number in each year; and showing the nature of the crimes respectively of which they were convicted, acquitted, and with which these were charged, against whom no bills were found, and who were not prosecuted; the sentences of those convicted; and the number executed who received sentence of death :

Number of Persons charged with Criminal Offences, committed to the different Gaols in England and Wales, for Trial, in each County.

* The prisoners for Trial at the Special Assizes commencing in December, upon the Home Circuit in each year, are included in the numbers in the following Year. The prisoners for Trial at the Assizes commencing in December 1829 are therefore not included herein.

Number of Persons Committed, Convicted, Sentenced, Acquitted, &c. &c.

*968 *1,066*1,036 *1,203 *1,526 *1,165 *1,385 *8,349 116 117 126 133 198 317 396 1,403

78

to be Whipped, Fined, kept to Hard Labour, &c.

Imprisonment, and severally

1

3 Years

Whipping and Fine

Total Convicted
Acquitted

No Bills found, and
not Prosecuted.

1,074 1,218 1,193 1,204 1,433 1,117 1,277 8,516

4,040 4,861 5,408 5,819 6,251 5,991 6,646 39,016

266 214 281 310 321 322 336 2,050

8,204 9,425 9,964 11,107 12,564 11,723 13,261 76,248. 2,480 2,611 2,788 3,271 3,407 3,169 3,614|| 21,340

1,579 1,662 1,685 1,786 1,950 1,672 1,800 12,134

Total 12,263 13,698 14,437 16,164 17,921 16,564 18,675 109,722 Of whom were Executed *54 *49 *50 *57 *70 *79 *74 433

*See pages 137 and 138 for their Crimes and also for the Number Executed.