berate their bodies from afflictions, bashed before their own idol, experiworse and more degrading than of bonds. Of late years, a strong and steady light has been thrown on the true principles of prison-discipline. Men have reflected more deeply on the great end and aim of the punishment of crime and the whole nation seems to be convinced that the maintainance of health is nothing, unless accompanied by the reformation of morals and that society suffers incalculable evils from that kind of imprisonment from which not only do unreclaimed offenders return to their former wicked ways-but with hearts more fatally hardened against the voice of conscience, and with minds more ingeniously skilled in all the mysteries of iniquity. ence. All minds that have any profound knowledge of human nature know, that they who seemingly or in reality cling closest to their wretchedness, are often those whom a gracious word or look of timely comfort would make most willingly relax their hold—that the real state of a wretch's heart is not to be truly read in the tones of his wrathful voice, or in the lines of his wrathful aspect-that all the most agitating passions of men's hearts, anger, fear, shame, remorse, and despair, do undergo most awful alternations in the tumult and uproar of a prison-that the eye of God, shining on him at midnight, when the clanking of chains is hushed, sees how these passions chase each other, like the shadows of a storm, over the perilous depth of wo in a criminal's soul That crime should be increased by punishment, is indeed a deplorable consideration; and if, after the hi--that they who, by daylight and bedeous evils generated by that system of punishment have been clearly pointed out, no great efforts are made by the nation to establish a better-then what may have hitherto been carelessness or inattention, will have to be pronounced irrationality and wickedness; and society will be absolutely training up a vast number of wretched creatures to prey on its own bosom, and to bring death upon themselves, both in body and in soul. Nothing can be more hostile to the improvement,and consequently the happiness, of our species, than that blind and narrow creed, whose apostles are constantly holding up and magnifying the difficulty of reclaiming the wicked from their ways, and seeking to ridicule, by the name of enthusiasts, those who believe in the weakness and instability of vice even in its most fearful and formidable forms. "What! seek to reform incorrigible villany! to talk reason to the mad, and religion to the atheist! Human nature will be human nature still, and prisons will continue to be the scene of vice and profanity in spite of prayer and preaching." But this kind of language will not pass now; and that which might once have been thought wisdom, when uttered with an imposing shake of the head, would now be thought only unfeeling folly-for they who could not of themselves discover the truth, have had it shewn to them, and these wretched moralists stand silent and a fore human faces, seem, sternly, or fiercely, or sullenly the same, pass through many appalling changes, many direful metamorphoses, when left alone in the dark silence of their dungeons-that fierce curses and imprecations are followed by weepings and prayers-that remorse dries up the rueful tears that may have flooded the eyes of penitence and that, in the the cell of the robber or the homicide, there is a constant conflict between the spirits of bliss and of bale for possession of an immortal spirit. Fearful, therefore, as is the congregation of the wicked within the walls of a prison, it is plain that nature, even in her most fallen and degraded state, abhors the conflicting principles by which such miserable communities are held together and that they may all be made to break asunder, like the growling ice, when thawed by the sunshine of the Religion of Peace. This has been sublimely exemplified within the terrible walls of Newgate, where we have seen one fearless and beneficent woman restore to a tranquil and hopeful penitence a tumultuous crowd of the most deplorable sinners, who had seemingly lost the shame of sex, the fear of God, and all the feelings of nature. Oil was poured on the fierce trampling waves, and a calm spread over that sea of passion. The experiment was tried where the evil seemed incurable to all but to her who saw into the darkest holds of the human heart, by the intuitive light of woman's virtue, and henceforth it must be held, even in the extremest cases of guilt and misery, weak to doubt, and wicked to despair. Fortunately there is little mystery in the system of inspection, classification, instruction, and employment by which the punishment of criminals may be made to reform and diminish crime. There is no vague and misty enthusiasm in this simple plan the great principles on which it proceeds are obvious and undeniable-indeed, so free is the system from any air of novelty or invention, that we are apt at first to think that its benevolent advocates are insisting on truths universally known and acknowledged, till reflection tells us that, bright and paramount though these truths be, they have never yet been brought into active operation on the black masses of human wickedness and corruption. We strenuously recommend this little volume to the perusal of all friends of humanity. It is an admirable supplement to Mr Buxton's book on Prison Discipline the same important general truths are enforced with equal earnestness and power of reasoning, and illustrated by a vast number of facts collected by that calm, accurate, and penetrating spirit of observation, whose inward and sleepless eyes nothing can either jaundice or bedim. We shall, for the present, content ourselves with stating some of the most important facts collected by Mr Gurney and his excellent sister, Mrs Fry, concerning the state of some of our prisons in Scotland. Dunbar Jail-consists of two small rooms-one for debtors, the other for criminals of all descriptions-in a state of extreme filth-no court or airingground. No prisoners in it. Haddington Jail.-The part allotted to criminals and vagrants consists of four cells on the ground-floor, each thirteen feet by eight, and one on the second story, eleven feet by seven. These cells were dark-excessively dirty-clay floors-no fire-placesstraw in one corner for a bed, with a a single rug—a tub in each of them the receptacle of all filth. No clothing is allowed-no medical man attends it no chaplain. There is no change of rooms, or airing-ground and the jailer lives away from prison. The prisoners can keep up an almost unchecked communication with the people of the town through the grated windows of their cells, which all look into the street. This prison, owing to a late riot, was crowded-and they all seemed hardened and indifferent. Kinghorn, Fifeshire.- Dilapidated and disused. Kirkcaldy Jail.-A good room for debtors-and a small apartment up stairs for criminals. In the latter, a woman and her son confined together. No clothes allowed-straw beddingno privy nor airing-ground-no religious worship or instruction. Six pence per day prison allowance. Cupar in Fife-County Jail.-New -debtors have comfortable apartments, and a yard to walk in-criminals no airing-ground. Good bedding allowed them-prison allowance sixpence per day-no chains used-no chaplain. Only one offender in the prison-a poor girl for stealing a few potatoes out of a field. Dundee Jail.-Small-debtors' apartments commodious-no airingground-no chaplain. The jailer lives away from the prison. Not a single criminal in this jail, nor had there been for seven months before, though it is not only for the town of Dundee, but for a considerable district of the county of Forfar. Arbroath Jail.-A cell for crimi nals, nine feet by nine-but no criminals. Debtors' rooms not uncomfortable-but no airing-ground. Montrose Jail.-Two miserable rooms up stairs-one for debtors-one for criminals-black hole on the ground-floor. No bedding-clothing or fire allowed-sixpence per day jail allowance. Only one prisoner-a de serter. Stonehaven, Kincardineshire.-The cells for criminals dark and dirtywithout fire-places. Comfortable apartment and hall for debtors. Only jail in the county-but one criminal. Aberdeen County Jail.-A bad jail in every respect. The prisoners pass their whole time in their cells; there is no airing-ground, and no separate accommodation for sleeping. In one room were four women and a child, and the husband of one of the women. It is dirty, diseased, and insecure. Aberdeen Bridewell.-In all things the reverse of the jail; and scarcely any thing wanted to render it a school of reform, but more religious instruction. Upwards of sixty criminals in the jails of Aberdeen, while only one in all the jails of Forfarshire. This attributed to the large cotton-manufactories of Aberdeen, in which upwards of 5000 persons of both sexes work together in large companies. The manufacturing poor at Dundee work separately, each in his own cottage, and at Dundee there are no criminals. Brechin. -Criminal cells damp, dark, and dirty; and in one an open grating to the street-no court-yard no criminals. Forfar County Jail.-Cells for criminals not so miserable as in most jails in Scotland. No criminals-no prisoner had been executed from the county of Forfar for twenty years. Perth County Jail.-The accommodations of this new prison are lamentably inadequate. The tried and untried, the misdemeanant and felon, the juvenile offender and veteran criminal, all associate together in a common day-room. This want of classification applies both to male and female prisoners. In the prison there is an excellent infirmary, in which the sick are not placed; and an excellent airing-ground, in which no one may take exercise. No place of worship no provision for religious care over its inmates. Kinross County Jail.-Only one debtor in this small jail, who continues there by preference-and not a single criminal. Edinburgh Jail.*-Here we shall quote Mr Gurney's own words : "The plan of this new and extensive building is very similar to that of the prison in Horsemonger Lane, London. The ground-floor is divided into seven compartments, each containing a good dayroom and a court-yard, the court-yards meeting in a point, at which is placed an octagonal watch-house. Above the watchhouse, on a steep hill impending over the prison, is the governor's house, from which there is a complete inspection over the several yards, but not into the day-rooms. Of the seven compartments to which I have alluded, one is attached to the infirmary, one is for debtors, one for women criminals, one for untried men, and three for male convicts. In the upper stories of the building are the night cells ranged on both sides of long gal Visited ninth month (Sept.) 5th, in company wth the Lord Provost Mackenzie nd other gentlemen, leries. These cells are airy, and the bedding sufficiently plentiful. Some of them are allotted to prisoners under sentence of death, and are distinguished from the others by a long iron bar fixed in the wall, to which these unhappy persons are fastened by chains. The jailer considers this provision necessary to his own safety: the experience, however, of almost all other prisons is sufficient to prove him mistaken; and so cruel a mode of confinement appears to be particularly objectionable in Scotland, because in that country six weeks elapse, in capital On being introduced to the kitchen, which cases, between condemnation and execution. is much too small for its purpose, we tasted the food prepared for the prisoners, and found it excellent. They have porridge and half a pint of beer in the morning, porridge again in the evening, and for dinner broth composed of barley, garden-stuff, and oxhead. Besides their food, they have threepence per day in money, and are allowed firing; also shirts, stockings and shoes, but no other articles of clothing, except in cases of emergency. The prisoners in this jail are not ironed, except in case of refractory conduct, and when under sentence of death. The infirmary is commodious, and is regularly attended by the surgeon: there is also a small room fitted up for the reception of infectious cases. "A Bible is placed in every sleeping-cell; the clergyman attends twice a week to offithose who are ignorant of reading should ciate in the chapel, and care is taken that have the opportunity of being instructed. Much pains are taken in this prison to ensure cleanliness. The prisoners wash themselves every morning, and have a change of shirt weekly; their blankets are cleaned monthly. The whole prison is white-washed once every year: it appeared to us in all its parts exceedingly clean and neat. "The divisions of the building on the ground-floor afford very considerable opportunity for classification, which however does not appear to be carried to so great an extent as is desirable. "The juvenile offenders, of whom we were much concerned to observe a large number, were not separated from those of maturer years and more confirmed criminality. Neither was there any classification attempted with the women, who were all together day and night; for in consequence of their night cells being so placed as to afford the opportunity of conversation with the men, they were under the necessity of sleeping in their day-room. This was an evil of no small magnitude, and, I am happy to understand, is now corrected. "Much as there is in this large prison of order and good management, it is quite deficient in one great point of vital importance. There are no work-rooms in it, and no provision for the employment of the prisoners. The consequence is, that they pass their tedious days in total idleness; and as they are necessarily kept in companies, there is no criminal in the jail, who has not the fullest opportunity of corrupting and being corrupted. The Lord Provost (who was so obliging as to show us the prison) and other gentlemen who accompanied us, appeared fully sensible of the magnitude of this evil; and it is highly probable that some plans will ere long be devised, by which in part at least it may be remedied. Edinburgh Bridewell.-We cannot afford to quote the very favourable description of it, but shall give Mr Gurney's remarks :— "Admirable as are many of the regulations of this Bridewell, and vastly superior as it is to those more miserable prisons where criminals are herded together in total idleness, there are nevertheless connected with it some unfavourable circumstances, which have hitherto prevented its being, in so great a degree as might be desired, a house of reformation. The first is, that the semicircular arrangement of the working cells, at the same time that it is so well calculated for the purpose of inspection, enables the prisoners to see out of one cell into another, and thus gives the opportunity, notwithstanding much watchfulness on the part of the keepers, of improper and dangerous conversation. The second is, that the doors and windows of every two nightcells are so near to one another, that the prisoners can converse freely together after they are locked up for the night. This of course they do, and without the possibility of detection or prevention. The third and principal source of evil is the inadequacy of the prison in point of size. There are in it only 52 working-rooms, and 144 sleepingcells; it being intended for not more than 144 prisoners; but the persons committed to the Bridewell are at all times so very much more numerous, that both sleeping and working cells are very improperly crowded. This gives rise, of course, to much evil communication, and greatly impedes the system of labour, on the regularity of which the use of the Bridewell mainly depends. To meet this exigency, additional buildings are absolutely necessary. Were the present Bridewell appropriated to females, and another house of correction built for the men, the existing want of accommodation would be remedied, and that complete separation between the sexes, which is of such essential consequence, would in the best possible manner be effected." 66 Glasgow Jail. This prison, which I visited ninth month, (Sept.) 9th, in company with Anthony Wigham of that city, though built but a few years ago, is exceedingly defective, and in its present state may truly be said to teem with mischief, consists of two courts, between which is the jailor's house, and round them the buildVOL. IV. In ings allotted to the various classes of prison- "The day-rooms were on the whole cleanly, and are severally fitted up with a pipe of good water. There is also attached to each of them a water-closet-a provision, which from its rarity as well as importance, reflects no small credit on the architect. In most of the flats we observed a great many prisoners, amongst whom no other classifi cation is attempted than the separation of the tried from the untried. These prisoners are allowed sixpence per day, but no firing and no clothing. Many of them were miserably clad; they appeared in a remarkable degree careless and hardened, and far otherwise than healthy. They receive no instruction whatever, and live the miserable life of total idleness. As the windows of the several parts of the prison in each division look upon the same court-yard, the prisoners of all descriptions-debtors and felons, males and females-can see and hear one another, and maintain perpetual parley. I never witnessed a more melancholy spectacle. Idleness, clamour, and dissipation prevailed on every side of us; and when we first entered the prison, the mixed din of fiddling, laughing, and riotous vociferation, was truly appalling. "Only one flat is allotted to female criminals of every description. We found in it sixteen women, who appeared much crowded for want of more space; yet within the same limits are not unusually confined as many as thirty females. When this is the case, the sleep four together, and, from the excessive want of ventilation in the sleeping-cells, must experience sufferings very nearly allied to suffocation. To the debtors' part of the prison the most material objection is the want of suffi4 H cient separation between the men and the women. During the whole day they have the freest opportunities of intercourse together. There is no bath in this prison. An infirmary there is, but it is so insecure that it cannot be used. Exactly similar is the case with the chapel. The consequence of this last defect is lamentable in the highest degree; for although there are seldom less than two hundred prisoners in the jail two hundred persons, who of all others probably in the city stand most in need of spiritual help no public worship ever takes place amongst them; nor is any instruction known to these unhappy beings, but that, by which they contaminate and corrupt one another. "The result of the whole is, that this prison is become a fruitful source of very extensive evil. Vast numbers of offenders pass through it in the course of the year the number of criminals committed during the last three years amounting to three thousand and sixty-eight; and the jailer assured us that they uniformly leave the prison worse than when they entered it; settled in habits of idleness, devoted to their own corruptions, more than ready for the perpetration of new crimes. He reckons, that of those who have been once committed, two-thirds come back again. "Crimes have of late been rapidly increasing in Glasgow. The fact may be accounted for, partly by the vast increase of manu facturing establishments, partly by the those labours of Christian charity that are now directed throughout the British empire, and in so many other countries also, to these unspeakably important objects!" Yet can there be a stronger proof of the sad abuses and defects in prisons in less enlightened countries, than that even in Scotland, the land of universal intelligence and piety, so many prisons exist in which religion is a thing forgotten, and the wretched inmates left to pine away without the only sure means of consolation and amendment. In some instances, indeed, the decay and dilapidation of prisons is owing to the best of all causes their long-continued disuse; and nothing could so forcibly awaken the mind of the reader to the general happiness and virtue of our countrymen than the picture which Mr Gurney has occasionally drawn of some solitary criminal lying unthought of in a prison, whose cells have been long deserted, and who hopes in vain for the comfort of one wretch like himself to share his confinement and his guilt. We conclude with remarking, that though the state of many prisons in Scotland is certainly such as demands scrutiny and reformation, yet is the evil to be remedied insignificant in large accession of uneducated Irish; but, perhaps, chiefly by the powerful machine of corruption which I have now described." Of the Glasgow Bridewell Mr Gur-comparison with that which has for ney speaks most favourably--and he thus concludes: "It gave us great satisfaction that an opportunity was afforded us, through the kindness of the magistrates, of forming in this city a Committee of Ladies, who have benevolently undertaken to visit and superintend the females both in the Jail and in the Bridewell. The object of the Committee is to instruct the ignorant, to provide the unemployed with work, to promote a daily reading of the Scriptures, and to watch over these criminals individually, not only when in prison, but, as far as possible, after they leave it." We have no room for any reflections on these statements. Mr Gurney seems to have been struck, as he well might, with the paucity of crime throughout most of the districts which he visited. This he attributes truly "to the universal religious education of the lower orders, and to the general dissemination among them of the Holy Scriptures." "What encouragement," he well observes, may be derived from such an example, for 66 so long nurtured the growth of crime in England. In her mighty capital, and in some of the manufacturing counties, crime has been perfectly systematized; and the highest schools, in which the children of iniquity are taught, are within the walls built for their punishment. The beneficent plans of philanthropists will have to contend there against all the veteran power of wickedness intrenched within its strongest holds. But in Scotland, notwithstanding the melancholy increase of crime during the last ten years in most of her principal towns, prisons have not become the great national seminaries of vice. It is much easier to prevent than to remedy. The gorgon face of inveterate evil may palsy the efforts of those who seek to expel her from her old hereditary reign; but the righteous resolution of a reforming philanthropy would be indeed cheered in its course, were the ills it sought to remove, being but of young growth, to be seen falling asunder at every step of its progress, and were |