; in Zurich, since 1897, prostitution is
prohibited, but care is taken to put no difficulties in the path
of free sexual relationships which are not for gain. With these
different regulations, morals in Switzerland generally are said
to be much on the same level as elsewhere (Moreau-Christophe, _Du
Probleme de la Misere_, vol. iii, p. 259). The same conclusion
holds good of London. A disinterested observer, Felix Remo (_La
Vie Galante en Angleterre_, 1888, p. 237), concluded that,
notwithstanding its free trade in prostitution, its alcoholic
excesses, its vices of all kinds, "London is one of the most
moral capitals in Europe." The movement towards freedom in this
matter has been evidenced in recent years by the abandonment of
the system of regulation by Denmark in 1906.

Even the most ardent advocates of the registration of prostitutes
recognize that not only is the tendency of civilization opposed rather
than favorable to the system, but that in the numerous countries where the
system persists registered prostitutes are losing ground in the struggle
against clandestine prostitutes. Even in France, the classic land of
police-controlled prostitutes, the "maisons de tolerance" have long been
steadily decreasing in number, by no means because prostitution is
decreasing but because low-class _brasseries_ and small _cafes-chantants_,
which are really unlicensed brothels, are taking their place.[160]

The wholesale regularization of prostitution in civilized centres is
nowadays, indeed, advocated by few, if any, of the authorities who belong
to the newer school. It is at most claimed as desirable in certain places
under special circumstances.[161] Even those who would still be glad to
see prostitution thoroughly in the control of the police now recognize
that experience shows this to be impossible. As many girls begin their
career as prostitutes at a very early age, a sound system of regulation
should be prepared to enroll as permanent prostitutes even girls who are
little more than children. That, however, is a logical conclusion against
which the moral sense, and even the common sense, of a community
instinctively revolts. In Paris girls may not be inscribed as prostitutes
until they have reached the age of sixteen and some consider even that age
too low.[162] Moreover, whenever she becomes diseased, or grows tired of
her position, the registered woman may always slip out of