therein. But such facts and figures throw only a very dim light upon the dark and dangerous mass of criminality which literally exists, though partially concealed from view, and which statistics can never reach nor reveal. On this subject Mr. Worsley eloquently and truly observes:-"The statistics of crime cannot develope in half or in a quarter of its fearful extent the general state of depravity among the lower classes in the great metropolis, or one of our manufacturing towns ; can never trace the monster roots of vice, how widely they spread and diverge themselves, or how deep they penetrate in the congenial soil. Even the imagination is overtasked when called upon to exert her powers, so as to produce a picture of demoralized humanity that shall be adequate to the truth. The real condition of many parts of such localities is not merely barbarism and heathenism, but can only be fitly designated by some term which includes those, and yet more of degradation; it is, what is worse, civilization uncivilized; humanity with its external opportunities of action enlarged to be the more imbruted; a scene in which the knowledge of religion is only proved by blasphemy; and the resources of an enlightened and emancipated age are perverted to sin.”*

The following tables, based on the Home Office Returns for 1856, give the relative criminality of * Juvenile Depravity, pp. 119-20.

five groups of counties in England and Wales, and the ratio of criminal offenders to population, according to the Census of 1851. The tables are so arranged, that the reader may obtain these interesting results with the greatest facility :SIX MANUFACTURING COUNTIES.

CHAPTER IX.

NATURE AND COST OF CRIME.

"Crimes are only to be measured by the injury done to society. Some crimes are immediately destructive of society or its representative; others attack the private security of the life, property, or honour of individuals; and a third class consists of such actions as are contrary to the laws which relate to the general good of the community."BECCARIA.

"I am convinced that the cost of juvenile criminals in and out of prison amounts annually to some millions."REV. EDWIN CHAPMAN, Hon. Sec. to the Bristol Ragged School.

THE nature of the various offences periodically committed is quite as fluctuating as their number. Not only so, but particular classes of crime seem to follow some serial law, and to prevail at certain times and in fixed localities, with the regularity and fury of an epidemic. This uniform recurrence of particular descriptions of offences is as curious as it is true, and may well give rise to deep thought and philosophical surmisings.

According to the Home Office arrangementswhich, however, possess not the advantages of the

French tables-all crimes are placed under and embraced in six divisions, viz. :

Class I.-Offences against the person.

II. Offences against property, with

violence.

III.-Offences against property, without violence.

IV.-Malicious offences against pro

perty.

V.-Forgery and offences against the

currency.

VI.-Miscellaneous offences.

On comparing the quinquennial period 1851-55 with the previous five years, 1846-50, a small increase is observable in the first class of offences; the chief increase, of 21.7 per cent., appearing in manslaughter; concealing the birth of infants, about 26 per cent.; rape and assaults to ravish, 8.1 per cent.;, all other offences under this head being stationary. In the second class there appears a decrease on the total of 2.7 per cent. which had arisen in burglary and housebreaking; the robberies having increased 21.2 per cent. In the third class there is a decrease of 1·4 per cent. In simple larceny, 7.9 per cent. The increase has arisen upon larceny from the dwelling-house, 30.3 per cent., and from the person, 9.3 per cent. In the fourth class there is an increase of 14.3 per cent. In the fifth class the increase amounts to