or **THEFT**, by contraction for latrocinium, is distinguished by the law into two sorts: the one called simple larceny, or plain theft, unaccompanied with any other atrocious circumstance; and mixed or compound larceny, which also includes in it the aggravation of a taking from one's house or person.

I. Simple larceny, when it is the stealing of goods above the value of twopence, is called grand larceny; when of goods to that value, or under, is petit larceny; offences, which are considerably distinguished in their punishment, but not otherwise. See **THEFT**.

II. Mixed, or compound larceny, is such as has all the properties of the former, (see **THEFT**); but is accompanied with either one or both of the aggravations of a taking from one's house or person. First therefore of larceny from the house, and then of larceny from the person.

1. Larceny from the house, though it might seem to have a higher degree of guilt than simple larceny, yet is not at all distinguished from the other at common law: unless where it is accompanied with the circumstance of breaking the house by night; and then it falls under another description, viz. that of burglary, (see **BURGLARY**). But now by several acts of parliament (the history of which is very ingeniously deduced by a learned modern writer, who hath shewn them to have gradually arisen from our improvements in trade and opulence), the benefit of clergy is taken from larcenies committed in an house in almost every instance: except that larceny of the stock or utensils of the plate-glass company from any of their houses, &c. is made only single felony, and liable to transportation for seven years. The multiplicity of the general acts is apt to create some confusion; but upon comparing them diligently, we may collect, that the benefit of clergy is denied upon the following domestic aggravations of larceny; viz. first, in larcenies above the value of twopence, committed, 1. In a church Blackfriars or chapel, with or without violence, or breaking the fame: 2. In a booth or tent in a market or fair, in the day-time or in the night, by violence or breaking the same, the owner or some of his family being therein: 3. By robbing a dwelling-house in the daytime (which robbing implies a breaking), any person being therein: 4. In a dwelling-house by day or by night, without breaking the same, any person being therein and put in fear; which amounts in law to a robbery: and in both these last cases the accessory before the fact is also excluded from his clergy. Secondly, in larcenies to the value of five shillings, committed, 1. By breaking any dwelling-house, or any out house, shop, or warehouse thereunto belonging, in the day-time, although no person be therein; which also now extends to alders, abettors, and accessories before the fact: 2. By privately stealing goods, wares, or merchandise in any shop, warehouse, coach-house, or stable, by day or by night; though the same be not broken open, and though no person be therein: which likewise extends to such as assist, hire, or command the offence to be committed. Lastly, in larcenies to the value of forty shillings in a dwelling-house, or its out houses, although the same be not broken, and whether any person be therein or not; unless committed against their masters by apprentices under the age of 15. This also extends to those who aid or assist in the commission of any such offence.

2. Larceny from the person, is either by privately stealing, or by open and violent assault, which is usually called robbery.

The offence of privately stealing from a man's person, as by picking his pocket or the like, privily, without his knowledge, was debarred of the benefit of clergy so early as by the statute 8 Eliz. c. 4. But then it must be such a larceny as stands in need of the benefit of clergy, viz. of above the value of 12 d.; else the offender shall not have judgment of death. For the statute creates no new offence; but only takes away the benefit of clergy, which was a matter of grace, and leaves the thief to the regular judgment of the ancient law. This severity (for a most severe law it certainly is) seems to be owing to the ease with which such offences are committed, the difficulty of guarding against them, and the boldness with which they were prac- LAR, a town of Persia, in the province of Fars, with a castle. It carries on a great trade in silk; and its territory abounds in oranges, lemons, and very large tamarinds. E. Long. 54° 15'. N. Lat. 27° 30'.

LARACHA, an ancient and strong town of Africa, in the kingdom of Fez. It is seated at the mouth of a river of the same name, with a good harbour. It was once in the possession of the Spaniards; but the Moors took it from them. W. Long. 5° 55'. N. Lat. 35° 0'.