The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-05-09
Tho World Of Rogues.

/ seen IN france, Is very curious, ana orlnBs ior-
ward some novel suggestions. It is strange, in
deed, for Instance. that almost the Same number
OF villains and rogues every year should ma ke
| themselves amenable to the law:
| STATISTICS OF CRIME IN FRANCE.
In France the courts Of justice take cognizance,
ono year with another, OF 207 500 crimes OF every
kind, and there is an exceedingly slight variation
in tho numbers presented by any two years,
| OF either OF the great divisions-crimes against
| property, and crimes against tho person-or the
subdivisions: 175,6oo attempts on property, and
81, 800 against tho person, arc yearly made, and
| constitute steadily at these figures. from year to
year, with very slight deviations. Each class em
braces si1teen divisions and the proportion of the
| every 1000 and to every 5900
To raise our wonder higher still, tho returns Of
tho annual murderors remain at nearly tho same
figures eyery year, oven Of tho Instruments
by which thoy arc respectively achieved. There
is wonderful similarity in the other categorios
Of crime, oven In their prcdisposing causes and
other oiroumstanoen, and the amount OF money
twelve months.
Together with tho fright and annoyance given
to tho honest and virtuous portion Of tho French
people by knaves and Villains, and tho amount Of
property they extract from them, they cost the
state ttwonty millione Of francs pcr annum (say
bringing them to justice The long and mutitu-
dnous array OF state Gamekeepers, custom house
officers, police commissaries projects OF depart
peace, magistrates. attorneys general and partcu-
lar, gaoers, sheriffs, DC, &c, is awful to con-
template, thatwe turn our eyes from the bead-roll
wondering where Jacques Bonhonme can find a
franc to buy broad and wine and garlic for his
family and himself, after providing for the main
tenance Of all these guardians OF the lives and
properties OF the honest portion Of the communi-
ty, and being pillagod by beggars and thieves to
the tune Of two hundred millions and upwards.
Two hundred thousand offenders are annually
put under lock and key in France, and out of this
number fifty suffer tho extreme penalty of tho law.
Many escape their deserved punishment by that
ingredient in French criminal procedures known
can relax the deserved penalties. The retired in
spector finds greattr fanit with this privilege and
shows tho superior advantage Of the English sys-
TEN, where the foreman merely recommends to
mercy. For it would appear that in many cases
those circumstances presented by tho French iu-
ries as extenuating often belong to the opposite
or aggravating class.
DENs OF THE ANCIENT THIEVES.
There existed in France in tho middle ages and
even to the days of Louis XIV, an association of
mslefactors known by the generic title of 7rua,ds
from 4ru, tribute, probably because they paid
none, but rather extortcd it from the society
which had the misfortune to be contemporary
with them. In Paris they collected into dens
called at first tours, then cours then by way of
extorted money from the charitable in the course
OF the day by exhibiting decayed or ulcerae
members, became healthy and brisk at their
nightly reunions in the Cours as il by miracle;
hence the addition to the name. The cSief resort
OF tho community was situated near Porte St.
Denis, and it was at the risk Of Wounds and some-
tunes desth, that the police Of the day ventured
into this or the other retreats Of the society.
These worthless had supreme chief, q social or
ganjzation, and a peculiar language, but never
entered church for devotional purposes, were
never married in presence OF q Clergyman, nor
ever presented child to receive baptism.
Ediots OF the most severe character were put
IN torce against them from time to time from the
ing imposter was confined for four dsys. and re-
galed with bread and water; for continuing his
eri. ne was put in the plory, and for persis-
tence after this ceremony he was branded with a
hot iron and banished. Still the community held
under their Grand Coere and their self-im pt sed
laws. Since the first revolution the knavish chief
and his laws have lost their prestige, and gone is
the high officers, called gentlemen Of the short
sword, fscissors tor cutting purses out OF the
girdles), who gave instructions in the art OF pre-
pairing plaaters to produce cores, and salves to
heal them, and taught argot, and other useful
sciences.
THE DIsaUIsER.
Here Is picture OF tue residence and hopeful
occupation OF q worthy of this class:
"When had the inspection of the prisons OF
Paris, there lived in dark old house, Rue Beau.
treillis, near the Arsenal ingenious Jew, whose
! profession was to change n ragged rogue into a
| respectable man. NOT for long, however; the
change would be too rksomc to the thief
| "fhe TRANSFORMATION was effected for thirty sous
|
Kept mp a wardrobe embracing every category
and speciality. At every nail in his Gazin huns
used and damaged more Or iess-a whole socia
| condition. Here was the costume of q mapis
| trate, OF priest, OF IL banker; in q corner thu
uniform of an officer OH halt pay; near it the dres.
| OF man OF letters; farther off that OF q membe,
| OF the Government.
"There was one Inconvenience about his eee
tunes they did not fit. Not being made TO order
they were too tight for this too loose for that Gus
| toner. He had taken measure by some begga
~ a Ia war; of0t,k ,,Al.-
too shof nor too tall. Hence some troublesem,
alterations, 'fnrte@ ~ the pstrons Of the shop a,
well as as circnmstanoes permitted.
| The ragged rascal arrived, deposited his 81
| sous, selected the costume needed for the dxy
| and descended the stairs q respectable man. Mex
day he returned and resumed his rags. Neve
| was the Chaageurs confidence in the honor of hi
| thlevlsh customers abused.
THE WOLF, THE DOC, AND THE aAzELLR.
"In inspecting the prisons OF the department O
the Var, found three curious types. One wa.
that OF man-woif, very meagre, with email di
verse -colored eyes, his jaws furnished with loDl
| projecting uog-teeth, and seeming affected by
convulsiye jerks. His gestures were IN accordance
| His hands snatched at hs food, instead of taking
it in the ordinary way. He had been accused O
numbering a child in a wood, and then burninr
| the body.
"Near him sat, or rather crouched, anothe,
figure with large and long nose, ,receding fore.
locks, two OF which descending at each side of liz
face, gave to the whole the contour OF spaniel'f
head. ae was accused of completely in the muir.
der Of the wood with the nian:yolf from whom II.
received sometimes bread, sonietlmeb 4 ciidgell.
ing, while assisting him In faggot-cutting. When
! Expressed my surprise that he should have as.
sisted in such deed, he asked innocently, sWhai
| could dof He always made me follow him like
| q dog Here the moral conformation thoroughIJ
| responded to the physical.
| cat one side remarked a.young creature with
b small head, the long ana grisy ears OF which
spread sideways and upwards, announcing mild
ness and tmidity, and well setting off the delicate
and gentle countenauce; Rnd indeed the natura a