ROUGH ON THE FORCE.

Evening Star, Issue 4043, 10 February 1876, Page 3

ROUGH ON THE FORCE.

" John Peerybingle," in the 'Town and Country,' is severe on some policemen. Our special detective informs us that the phrase to "make" a thing is thieves' slang for stealing anything, and hence John's italics as to " making " a watch, which is a play on the judge's words, as timing the going oh and closing of a "watch," say at sea: John writes- thus:—"l remember once being present during the examination of a pottceman in the Central Police Court, Sydney. The magistrate asked him at what time a certain event took place. 'As well as I can guess, yer,worship, it was about tin o'clock,' answered the bobby. 'Guess!' echoed the magistrate, regarding him fixedly, 'pray, how long:have you been in the force?' 'About six months, yer worship,' replied the policeman. ' Six months !' repeated the magistrate, lifting his hands with a gesture of pity and astonishment. 'Six' months! ancr do you mean to tell me, sir, that you have been six months a policeman, and haven't yet learned how to make a watch 1 You wonjt suit, sir, believe me.' This was gently suggestive. The constables present sniggered with a thorough appreciation of the joke; and I doubt not that the innocent tyro saw through it ere long, and took the hint to his advantage. And, in truth, the police have some exceptional advantages- in respect to the acquisition of portable property. The marvel, which innocent bushmen find it So difficult to solve, as to what became of the loose change they recollect possessing up to the moment of the approach of oblivion, is, after all, a problem ;a little knowledge of police human nature will enable anyone to.demonstrate. 1, for one, am never surprised at the success in life of the inevitable policeman. j I know of one who owns numerous houses, whose wife dresses like a duchess, and whose children are bedecked in'the most expensive raiment, and who himself comes out in grand mufti. Moreover, he is very fond of whisky —*nd whisky, as we all know, costs money. Well, I suppose he gets about eight shillings p ?^/ la, y» w k ic k gives him a weekly income of fifty-six shillings per week. I am not a curious person, but I'd like to fyrow how he does it. How can-he accumulate property, and bedeck himself and his womankind with costly garments on two pounds sixteen shillings per week? That's, what's .the matter with me ; and I say that it is an economic marvel, of which 1 should rejoice to get the key. Believe me, regarded merely as an investment, there are worse specs than joining the police force."