>From a Royal Commission of 1839 on policing. Various witnesses were examined on crime and policing. Thomas Burt examined - We are informed you are a straw-hat manufacturer, residing in Holborn, and that you have been accustomed to travel as a commercial traveller P—Yes, throughout England during the last 10 years. Have you read Mr. Elliott’s evidence —Yes, I have, and I perfectly concur in it as a statement of the general condition of the roads and of the feeling of insecurity of travellers in travelling after dark. Have you yourself been ever robbed —No; but I have been shot at. I was shot at some time ago near Harpenden; the shot missed me, but the report of the pistol started the horse which I had, which was a blood horse; it galloped away and I did not attempt to stop it. I was then going to Luton market (as is the usual practice), with money to purchase straw plait. When I related the circumstance at Luton, I was told that a robbery had been committed near the same spot a short time before. Do you