The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1845-02-18
PARIS POLICE.

There are troubles in Paris, as well as in other
places, and not every in that beautiful city is
considered entirely honest. correspondent of the
Courier DIES Eats Unis sets forth the difficulties Of the
capital Of France in such strong coors, that feel
disposed to translate part of his letter. dated Paris,
goth December, 1874.
The resources OF the police no longer suffice to
keep IN check the robbers that stain with blood the
streets Of Paris at night; all that has been
rated by the chronicles Of the Forest of Bondy and
the Black Forest, is nothing in comparison with what
takes place in the bosom of the most fourishng city
in Europe. The forests have been purged Of the
banditu that infested them, but Paris carefully pre-
serves her own, which every year increases in num-
Der and audacity. Instead of going and stationing
themselves upon the highway, and waiting the doubt
tul approach of unarmed travellers, the honorable
fraternity of robbers find it much convenient TO
exercise their industry in the city. This permits
them to labor upon much more extensive scale -
They do much handsomer business their profits
and greater, and they lead more comfort
able life altogether
Passengers, after seven O'Clock in the evening are
safer in the streets of Paris. than they were
in the time of Boileau, notwithstanding the progress
of light The police officers, the gas, and the watch,
can do nothing.
A formidable grdle of Qualifications has been made:
high walls, deep pitches, detached citade nothing
is left undone Paris is perfectly defended against
the Prussans and the Cossacks, who without doubt,
will not be caught there again. But Paris is without
defence against herd of villains, who every year
take the city by assault. Every year Of these
banditti are taken and the public officer takes care
to announce that incalculable number yet remain
at large.
You are informed, at is all that can be done for
you. n ow take your measures TO avoid the signal
peril. Do not tarry too late in the streets Return
home before dark you will gain thereby every way
You will taste the charms Of domestic life, and tue
delicacies Of the fire-slde circle"
"But there are some people who are obliged TO &c
out of an evening"
every well, let them tahe CABS carriages are
rarely stopped"
But suppose their income will not admit OF such
an expense :"
Why, if they poor, if they really have no
money, they need not be afraid of robbers
But he robbers commence by knocking man down
and then search his pockets when he is stretched
upon the pavement Fourier told the story the other
day in the Criminal Court.
Is il possible" said one OF the Judges, with great
Indignation "a that you killed man for thirty cents?
Pon my word,' said the robber, I" when kill
ed him, did not know that he hadn't more than hr-
ty cents. was most disagreeahy surprised in find
ing only that small sum in his pocket"
And then the amiable scoundre added, in an under
tone, and with smile,
"l GU see, therefore, that ought not TO suffer for
the decreased, for il is really who have been robbed
uuutI an CHCuHlStdHCtSf ltdllN ldlt blc "pI'l
This Fourier was the chief of the band Of stran-
glers.
We have, also, some real stabbcrs, those who kill
with Bowie knife; some maulers, who use n great
club; and finally, have a new species, the sfers,
who clap upon your face mask daubed with pitch.
Is it not strange that the police, powerless to put
down banditt, forbid citizens TO go armed and abso
lutey prohibit the bearing of pistols or sword canes
so that respectable man, convicted of having used
IL
may legally be dragged before the Criminal Court,
and be made TO undergo fine and imprisonment But
between two evils people choose the least, and so
many excellent citizens arm themselves TO the teeth,
if they 90 out after nightiall.
young painter Of my acquaintance, who resided
in the laubourg OF St German, and passed his
ings on the opposite side, hit upon pleasant expedi-
ent TO render himself secure from both robbers and
the law. He armed himself with two or three guns
powder and shot, with pistols in his pocket, and when
challenged by the watch declared that he had been
into the country to shoot birds.