A hundred years ago
From the 'Spectator', 2 January 1869—Sir Richard Mayne, Chief Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, died on Sunday, at the age of 73. When only 33 years old, and a rising barrister, he was selected by Sir Robert Peel to organize a Police for London, till then almost unprotected. In the teeth of the most bitter criticism he, in conjunction with Colonel Rowan, organized the Force on its present basis, making London from 1829 to about 1862 the most secure capital in Europe, or perhaps in the world. . . . For more than a generation the cool barrister maintained real peace and security through a city which is a kingdom at an expense of 3s. 6d. a head a year. In his youth, and prime, and green old age, we doubt if the country ever had a more successful servant than Sir Richard Mayne, to whom it gave nothing but a moderate salary, a K.C.B., and some strictly official esteem.
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