The Sun.
London, England, 1823-09-24 00:00:00

DEMORALIZATION OV THE ritvislen POLICE.

'A Journal announces, that on the night of the
10th or 19th of September' some thieves got into the house of
N. the Count de £habrol, Prefect of the Seine, and stole, jewel-
lery to the value of 80,000 francs. This audacious robbery was
preceded by a great number of robberies, committed in private
houses ; and it was rein:tilted that these offences had of late.
been unusually frequent. The trial which has just ended at the
Court of Assizes may account for this increase, at the same that
the disclosures which it has produced must lead to measures cal-
culated to check it, Hitherto we have heard only of incitements
to commit political offences, but now the accused declare that
they have been excited to commit robberies by the very men
who have afterwards denounced them, and what is more im-
portant, agents of the police confirm iese depositions, and de
Clare that they have given in their resignation from the horror
they have &kat these infamous proceedings. Such facts prove
great demoralization, but here at least they are confined to some
subordinate agents, and there is roason to hope that it may be
promptly, and effectually repressed. It will be said, no dotibt,
that the., individuals charged to watch the 'conduct of thieves,
MUM. from the very nature of their fupetions, be initiated in
all the-arcana of depravity, and cannot therefore furnish gua-
rantees of their own morality. This objection appears to be
well founded, and may be admitted so long as these agents of
'the police avail themselves of their experience no further, than
to bailie the designs of depraved characters and bring them to
justice ; but the moment they suppose that it is their province
td furnish the tribunals with as large a number of criminals as
possible, and act upon that principle, the end for which they
are employed is wholly perverted : it, was supposed that their
'practical knowledge of their former connections, would give
'them means of,investigation and of discovery, and would be
Ja..guarantee of 'security to the citizens but, far front' this,
we have heard it declared before the Tribunal that they made
•use of it to increase the number of crimes, to the Injury of
individuals who, perhaps, would have restated the influence
of temptation, if they had not been led on, and above all to
•the injury of individuals and merchants, whose property is the
matter on which experiments are made in these practical essays
of some agents, anxious to make a display of their zeal and uti-
lity. We do not pretend to point out tl' remedy which ought to
be applied to this state of thigs' for wo are unacquainted with
police matters; but there neust be a remegy, and the superior
authority will no doubt sea that it is applied. Perhaps it
would' be better to employ individuals, whose past conduct
not having procurtkl them so much experience and so nuich
special knowledge wpuld be, both for cite Illacistratai mid the
public, a better guarantee. It is not becaute alikh functionary
has suffered from the dexterity of some robbers, but because
the property and the safety of the citizens hi frequently com-
promised, that we trey hope to see the Goyernment employ
energetic means to 11,t an.vnd to the marceuvres brought to
light before the CottiVot A ifeize.—(Courier Prancaie.)

STr,AM PAcarrs.7—The first engine used with
success in America was on the Hudson in If
The description of the astonishment excited by
the appearance and pregressiVe motion of this
ignivomousr monster, on the water, is thus de.
Scribed by an intelligent writer :—" She had
the most terrific appearance from other vessels,
• which were navigating the river, when she was
waking her passage. The. first steam-boat, us
others yet•44lo in America, used dry pine wood
for fuel, which sends forth a column of ignited
-vapour many feet above the fire ; and when.
ever the tire is stirred, a galaxy of sparks
flies oir, which in the night have a very bril-
liant and beautiful appearance. This uncommon
light first attracted the: crews of other vessels,
Notwithstanding the wind and tide were adverse
to its approach, they saw with astonishment that
ft was rapidly coming towards them.; and
wheu it approached so near as that the noise
of the machinery and paddles was heard, the
crews in some instances shrank beneath their
decks from the terrific sight, and left theirves-
sels to goon shore, while others prostrated them-
selves and besought Providence to protect them
from the approaches of the horrible monster
which was marching on the waters, and lighting
its path by the fires'which it vomited."