. The dawn of the XIXth century in England, a social sketch of the times. WATCHMEN GOING ON DUTY—iSoS. to use the alarum which is their signal of distress in casesof emergency. Thus we see that even contemporaries were not enthu-siastic over their protectors ; and a glance at the twoaccompanying illustrations fully justify their Microcosm of London, from which they arc taken,says: The watch is a parochial establishment supportedby a parochial rate, and subject to tlie jurisdiction of the WATCHMEN. 437 magistrates: it is necessary to the peace and security ofthe Metropolis, and is o
. The dawn of the XIXth century in England, a social sketch of the times. WATCHMEN GOING ON DUTY—iSoS. to use the alarum which is their signal of distress in casesof emergency. Thus we see that even contemporaries were not enthu-siastic over their protectors ; and a glance at the twoaccompanying illustrations fully justify their Microcosm of London, from which they arc taken,says: The watch is a parochial establishment supportedby a parochial rate, and subject to tlie jurisdiction of the WATCHMEN. 437 magistrates: it is necessary to the peace and security ofthe Metropolis, and is of considerable utility: but that itmight be rendered much more useful, cannot be the watch should consist of able-bodied men, is, wepresume, essential to the complete design of its institution,as it forms a part of its legal description : but that thewatchmen are persons of this character, experience willnot vouch ; and why they are so frequently chosen from. WATCH-HOUSE. MARYLEBONE—iSoS. among the aged, and incapable, must be answered bythose who make the choice. In the early part of the lastcentury, an halbert was their weapon; it was then changedinto a long staff; but the great coat and the lantern arenow accompanied with more advantageous implements ofduty—a bludgeon, and a rattle. It is almost superfluousto add, that the watch-house is a place where the appointedwatchmen assemble to be accoutred for their nocturnal 438 THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. rounds, under the direction of a Constable, whose duty,being taken by rotation, enjoys the title of Constable ofthe night. It is also the receptacle for such unfortunatepersons as are apprehended by the watch, and where theyremain in custody till they can be conducted to the tribunalof a police office, for the examination of the magistrate. The following little anecdote further illustrates theinefficiency of these guar-dians of the peace—MorningHerald, October 30, 1802: It is said that a ma
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectgreatbr, bookyear1890
