TlilNIPAD : THEN AND NOW. 



127 



men, of whatever rank, would have made an ideal 

 Chief of Police. As he in no other way enters into 

 these sketches, I here officially take leave of him, 

 retaining nothing but the kindest feelings in memory 

 of him. 



My first duty was the formation of a detective 

 branch to the Police Force, — no small task with the 

 material at my disposal ; but time, in this as in other 

 things, remedies all defects. I was also entrusted 

 with the task of forming the town into a proper beat 

 system ; but of this anon. 



Before fully accomplishing these tasks, I 

 thought it advisable to have a careful look around 

 the town and its surroundings, so as to make myself 

 acquainted with all their bearings ; for experience 

 had taught me that this is even more important than 

 a knowledge of men and manners, although it must 

 occupy the second place ; and it is in consequence of 

 these ramblings at this early date, that things seen 

 for the first time made the deep impression on my 

 memory, and which enables me to write at this dis- 

 tant day the subject that forms this chapter. 



My office, which overlooked Brunswick Square 

 and its surroundings, caused it to be one of the first 

 objects that attracted my attention, and I often won- 

 dered why it was then in such a wretched condition. 



This square, if properly laid out, and properly 

 kept would have been a credit to any town or city in 

 the United Kingdom. I could not help admiring its 

 situation, fine proportions, and stately trees, all com- 

 bining to form a health-giving lung to the centre of 



