The New York herald., 1870-12-19
ENGLISH THIEVES.
Night Visit to the Haunts Of
Crime in Liverpool.
Whsrs the Robbers Reside and How They
Livc-vies at Midnight-The Training
Schools Of Eurder and Their Inmates.
from the LIyernool Jonrnal Nov all

lFrom the Liverpool Journal, Nov ALL
We Know not how many breakers Of the eighth
commandment there are In Liyerpool; but the
police report Issued last year by Major Greig showed
that during the previous twelve months no less than
l0,SS4 cases OF offences against property were re.
becoming a very common onence in this country,
and in proportion to the population Is In excess OF
raowswaaynS fAIed 70 so nrodnce anv oa aeoS
results among crlminals-was abolished and
the device Of appointing besdles for .,,ds ths
In 1851 Rector Fleetwood established . body Of de-
is, to hunt up these characters who then pestered
the CITY, Not very long afterwards, In spite Of de-
s r q bda
Queen Elizabeth's coach while she was riding
abroad In the evening 70 eaKe o the ar" Later On
events led to regular crusade being made against
robbers, street prowlers and Known rogues. More
lamps were hung in the streets, ana from that mo.
mcnt the offences decreased. With the growth or
population, however thieves, pckpockets, burglars,
Hharpers ana the other species OF scoundrels have
once more become more numerous; robbery and
housebrcaking nave been made scientific pursuits
for the mastering or which schools were founded,
and tney are sGlll existing In many parts Of the
country Cutpurse establishments were opened for
the training OF lads IN the arr discovering In dexter
Gus manner the pockets OF ladies and elderly gentle
men nom their outer garments
Similar establishments were not unknown In Liv-
erpool and although the police have been instru-
mental in breaking up the most notorious, we are
not at all certain that few schools for thieves do not
account for the large NUMBER Of juvenile dsprc-
dators who annually make their appearance IN our
i7Ss, more c' than double What they wers in lsoi.
the majority Of them were adopts at the art Of
tnievng, and did credit TO the schools in which they
CRIME AND CRIMINALS AT MIDNIGHT.
The writer Of this article very recently spent Q
night among the thieves OF Liverpool Under the
pilotage OF detective constabies B0yes and Jones'
two Of the cleverest and most discreet members OF
the force who were specially retained Ter the pur.
nv Al
dians Of the peace-a visit which extended
over several hours, was N de to the demciles
Of the eight fingered fraternity" Although
they are to bo found in almost every quar-
ter OF the town. 1t was manifest that our
sumed Influences birds Of feather in rockng to-
gethel = They take up their residences In certain
localities ana avoid as much as possible intruding
upon districts where their presence would create
general suspicion. These houses are we known to
the police authorities. and those members of the
force who have had any experience III their business
eau tell, the very moment man Is .wanted,u
where to pitch upon him.
Leaving the Central station In Dale street lust as
the chimes at the Municipal 0nices struck hal.past
ten, our party-our In all including the governor Of
thieves resort for temporary reliemade the cicuir
OF vauxha road, and stoopIng low, crept down a
precipitous night Of steps into dark and dismal
court. II brought OBVIOUSLY and bindf0lded to this
place within call almost OF the Town Hail. should
scarcely have known it for not remote part Of the
slckening smells, wretched dwelling houses, with
their vie contents. animate and inanmate, presented
ceremony was observed by our guides-brought to
light lowering foreheads salow cheeks brutal eyes.
matted halr, and dirty, vermin-haunted heaps Of
rags We were In the presence OF those who, 1t was
conhdentally whispered, are first class thieves.
"Wel, my lads how are your Here's some com.
Is the answer, given in tone that belied the SIN
certy OF the speaker. While these words are hur.
a aoy he q %
Who's wanted p' breaks in one OF the company.
'Not You, my Lad, !" and finding we are not bent on
nf fhau al.
state OF utter indifference One could not help be-
ing struck with the perfect nonc'dance with which
Although surrounded by gang OF runians who could
have done US serious bodily injury. not sign OF
trarv sunrg thtas was MADE; on the con-
IN the presence OF his master. Probably the hands
Of our guides have been laid upon the collars OF
the majority OF the fellows; and yet they remained
masters Of the position. Let them but produce
their wand OF oiice-the ghostly truncheon or the
"My lad want your and we venture to think the
whole gang would be stricken as with paralysis,
while not finger would be moved as the liandcuiis
were being fitted on. Before the power of tine law
tne thieves bowed with an abject air, and made, In
deed, skalking show. "Good night, my lads"
Good night and thank'ee, Mr.. Jones' tins is for
the coppers which the rascals impo tuned for becr)
and number of baleful faces attend to the door,
smoking the pipe Of peace while waiting the arrival
OF his dodgers, was acc0sted. "BusnesS,n we
mas so uye wsasSsp a might but
asked the smoker IN half doubtful half Indifferent
manner. The words, Nothing much" seemed to
lift burden from his mnd, while his breathing be-
came more regular and measured than before. A
returned convict was our friend, who owed his
experience OF jail life to or his visitors against
whom. however he entertained no feeling OF resent
saend, msnd, or a. oil events, had too much good
wen furnished room, but did not press his
hospitality on hearing that we had 'other hsh to
was as courteously responded to, and the convict
was LETT to rumnate, II he chose, over the vicss-
tudes which DeSet the burglars he.
IN THE BEER HOUSES.
Midnight had nearly arrived, and before the
twelve bells struck we made eur way TO beer house
little more than stones throw from the yelling
ton monument. This was the resort OF some OF our
noted thieves, and entering by the side we |
q score OF corners and smashers, pckpockets |
and burglars, tramps and begsars, the |
mot r very genie here,. Although te es visit was Ga
an unexpected one they always are, al |
though the breakers of the law live in
lians were not discounted. on the contrary, we |
were smiled upon by all, ana few Of the motley |
which at some time or other are likely to be laid |
upon them In anything but friendly manner. Tho |
attention shown to the officers was Of the most OBJ |
6equouS character the proered glasses starting up
In every direction. and blessings falling from ps |
which, doubtless, but few moments De.ore had |
which was inadvertently taken from the pocket dur
ina the temporary absence OF our guides became the
object OF general attention. aud but lor the reap
whose possession IL would have come. The land |
lord was not In the least dscomposed at the visit,
Tor ne continued drawing for the half drunken lags |
ana maudng lads his pots OF beer and quarterns OF |
gin as though the customers belonged to the most
portion of the community Evidently |
the company were delighted at finding the officers
did not "want" any body, and as retired chorus
OF laughter rang upon the midnight air.
"TRAMPS'" LODGING HOUSES DRUNKENESs, GAMB-
LING, SICKNESS.
Turning down narrow street the tramps' lodg-
ny houses were reached and entering one which |
was the resort OF card shaypers, woman and her
two children were seen sleeping on a truckle bed
The door was not locked, and as candle was still
burning ON side tatle, our party entered and |
aroused the beldame from her slumbers. After |
rubbing her eyes for moment she sat upright, and
without waiting to be questioned, said her master
was a. shrewsbury, attending the races and she did
not expect MN nome until the end OF The week-'f
he came then.u There was eyidently world OF
meaning conveyed In that word 'ifj' the woman
uttcrng IL as though conscious OF the uncertainty OF
her wishes being realized. None of her lOlgers had
vet returned; but the gentlemen were at liberty to |
go up stairs and SEQ iof themselves IL tIey DOUBTED
ri ~ N mr.