London: Printed by H. Fry for C. Dilly, 1797. [London Policing] FINELY BOUND FIFTH EDITION, revised and enlarged. Octavo (22 x 14cm), pp.[4] xxxvi; 444; xxviii [6]. With the folding table of prisoners facing p.230. Recent full speckled and panelled calf, with raised bands and gilt titles to a red morocco label on spine. Edges recently trimmed. Spotting and thumbing to preliminary and final few leaves. Black ink ownership to title page, preface to the fourth edition, and contents page. Light even browning throughout. Very good. First published in 1796, this is a key theoretical text in the development of the modern London Metropolitan Police, in which the author attempts to assess the costs of theft, damage to property, death and injury, and immoral practices leading to mass social deprivation in the Pool of London, where merchant ships docked. In 1798, together with philosopher Jeremy Bentham and Master Mariner John Harriot, he organised the first trial of a River Thames Police force, which was endorsed by Parliament and made a publicly funded organisation in 1800 — the first of its kind in the English-speaking world. Item #57391

Price: £395.00