476 



STATISTICS. 



[Sect. XV. 



Sec 



more convenient summary proceeding, satisfied tlicir view. 

 of justice, and let the culprit go. It is very desirable to 

 knr among what classes of people offenders are chiefly 

 found : whether among labourers in agriculture, or handi- 

 craftsmen, or others r 



and also whether educated persons 

 add in any, and in what degree, to the list of culprits. 

 It is highly important to draw a distinction between male 

 and femah offenders, since their proportionate numbers 

 will throw light upon the general character of the com- 

 munity in some of its features. In the early part, of the 

 present century there were 40 females to each 100 males 

 committed for trial in England and Wales : but during 



from 1838 to 1847 inclusive, the average 

 ^ roportion has not been quite equal to 24 in each 100, 

 indicating a change in condition, manners, and morals' 

 favourable to the present day. It is equally desirable tJ 

 -now the proportionate numbers of juvenile otfenders 



the 10 vea 



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classing under that head all under 15 years of age, or 

 sucii other period of life as, under the influence of climate 

 or any other cause, may determine the date at which the 

 youths of the country generally assume an independent 

 position and provide for their own support. It will be 

 well to distinguish the sexes of these young offenders. 



By making inquiries of intelligent residents it raav be 

 learned whether, with the progress of time, criminalitv 



T 



has increased or diminished in the country. The crimind 

 records, if such exist, will by no means ftirnish data upon 

 which reliance can be placed fbr judging upon this point, 

 smce it often, or it might be said, most frequently happens 



that with advancing civilisation 



a coimtry are more strict; besides' which 



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