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 officers of the Roman senate took Cincinnatus from his plough. There are always in the lives of great men, deeds of similarity, and perhaps madame Cincinnatus also sold dresses for the accommodation of the young ladies of her time. This is now the trade of the legitimate better moiety of Coco-Lacour. But "something too much of this." I have said enough about my successor, and now to return to the history of the 'Brigade de Sureté.'

It was in the course of the years 1823 and 1824 that it received its greatest increase of numbers, the amount of agents of which it was then composed being, on the proposition of M. Parisot, extended to twenty, and even twenty-eight, including eight individuals supported by the profits of gambling tables, which the préfet authorised them to keep in the public streets.

When millions (francs) were allowed for the expenses of the police, it is scarcely conceivable how recourse can be had to such pitiful measures. From the 20th of July to the 4th of August, the gambling-tables held under the authority of M. Delavau produced 4,364 francs 20 cents. This was the money of mechanics and apprentices, who were thus inoculated with a lust for the most destructive of all passions. It will scarcely be believed, that a functionary, a magistrate professedly so religious, could lend himself to such immorality; but the perusal of the following document will remove all doubts:—

"PREFECTURE OF POLICE.

"Paris, 13 Jan. 1823.

"We, councillor of state, préfet of police, &c. ordain as follows:—

"To include from this date, the Sieurs Drissenn and Ripaud, formerly authorized to keep in the public streets a gaming-table of 'trou-madame,' in the