HUE AND CRY

by Patrick Pringle ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

The Story of Henry and John Fielding and their Bow Street Runners"" is backgrounded in the shocking conditions of 18th century England and the reluctance, in spite of the lawlessness, the severe restrictions, laws and punishments, of the country to inaugurate a police force. The inefficiency of the constable system, the corruption, the thief takers, preceded the efforts of the first Bow Street police-magistrate, Sir Thomas De Vell, but it took the inquiry of Henry Fielding and his unrestrained attempts at reform and preventive measures to keep ""Mr. Fielding's People"" at their helpful work of tracking down criminals and protecting victimized citizenry. His blind brother, John, (the Big Beak) carried on his work and the two were the instruments for the beginnings of the British police system. The detailed workings of the Bow Street runners, the court over which the brothers presided, the remedial work with children, prostitutes and brutalized men and women, the increasing efficiency of their methods, their experiences with riots, etc., etc., all are of real interest to true crime and penology fanciers and are substantially docketed.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Morrow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1955

Categories: NONFICTION