The Express.
London, England, 1846-11-13 00:00:00

\ %I\

PARLIAMENTARY PAPER.
government
evcro:cmLz psisoN.—T Commissioner, for the
of this prison, soh he
ich has bun appropriated
for the reception of male convicts between the ages of 18
and 35, under sentence of transportation for periods not
exceeding 16 years, announce, in aisle Fourth Report (for
be ear 1845), that a most important and be change
the disposal of the prisoners has come into operation
within the last year ; namely, the recognition on the pert of
the government of a class, to be termed " Exiles" as contra-
distinguished from convicts, men who appeared to have pro-
ited by the penal and reformatory discipline of the prison.
sd who, on being landed in ohs or other of the settlements
kustralia, were to receive a " conditional parkin ;" the
condition being, that they should not return to this countay
during the term of their original sentence. In parsuance of
this arrangement, 255 prisoners, who had their
period of probationer/ discipline and redlrriens indestrial
dim
training, were selected by the comairimasteod three
eat periods, between Jul-y, 1844 and 1846. and mat to Port
Philip, instead of to Van Diemen's Lend, as Daman had
and
been
previously received of the existing financial di
depression in the price of labour in that colony, which
accounts led to the reconsideration of the subject, and
same
to the
recommendation of the " conditional pardo." Tho
vessels conveyed to Van Diemen's Lend 126 second elms
prisoners, having " tickets of leave," which confer
third
• the advantages of freedom in the colony, and 92
Ansa prisoners, termed " Probationary Paisholders" who are
enabled, under certain restrictions, to work for themselves.
.2e commissioners state that they have received very satisfee-
.ory accounts of the conduct of the prisoners generally, both
during the voyage and after their arrival in the colonies,
,t more particularly as those who were landed at
• Philip, the raperinter= of which, in a dispatch to
i Stanley, obeerves, " it will be gratifying to your 10rd-
....p to learn that not the slightest difficulty has arisen in the
sway of the Exile' finding immediate
of emploumyment.
Before the general landing took place, their number
(their nnmber being on the occasion alluded to 170)
'd been engaged at rates of wages varying from 181. to
per annum, and in 7 days after I am informed that there
re only 19 of the entire body awaiting engagements." The
is
committee of the Geelong Emigration Society, (Geelong
', the district of Port Philip,) in considering the conduct of
ae Pentonville men formally declare that " they have been
generally unexceptionable in their conduct and respectful in
their demeanour ; have been found useful and efficient
workmen, and that the trades they had been taught
end in the
prison are of decided advantage to their employers,
source of profit to themselves." The committee further
observe :
With reference to the questions, whether the majority of the
respectable settlers are dimmest to rendes favourably, sod to encou-
rage further impodatkes of the Pentonville oats, did what number
would anounly find employment ; it is stated, these questions must
be wondered with reference to two moot important cootingeneles—
vis., the damsel far labour winos from the flow of capita to this
colony, and Ow Mar ouggly of fres immigrants. The imPowion
that 1,200 edditiand wonkl find remunerative employment
annualy.lly inter distrhit seireent to and westward of Geelong (mail-
and poi( Ws ressamtion of free emigration on a scale ode-
, to the de men at the whole colony, that this number of Penton-
, exiles wend be reashed to the general rati-faction and benefit of
.e diatrist; bet the Oemmtnee would wish it to be distinctly under-
stood, that Ws die benly for a clam of men equally reformed and
respectable as die somber already sent, and that under no &cum-
stanoeo, whinier arising from the supply of free immigrants, or a re-
duction in the dome for labour from any cause, is it expedient to
mood hither Pentonvillt exiles at a time that the labour market is ade-
quately supplied from other sources. The Committee would
between▪
ectly suggest, that the disproportion at present existing
the exec
in Port Php, forms a material subject for consideration,
and that whatever number of male exiles the borne government may
consider it expedient to send to the colony! their wives and families,
' • suitable proportion of females, should be sent out to count...rLes-
this great and Increasing evil.
A account given of the prisoners whe wefe landed atoners Van
Diemen's Land is not so satisfactory, the commissi
stating, with regret. "that they were placed on their arrival
in circumstances so unfavourable to a continuance of good
conduct that there is yea. on to fear that the benefits they
unquestionably derived from the discipline and instruc-
...on at Pentonville Prison have in a gr. at majority of cases
bran nearly effaced. The want of employment for ticket-of-
leave and probation-pus hol.'ers in that colony, the social
degradation and contaminating influence% to which they were
exposed, and the disheartening difficulties with which they
had to contend in Van Diemen's Land, sufficiently account
for the unfavourable results to which we refer, especially
when contrasted with the advantageous settlement and ex
emplary conduct of the ' Exiles' in Port Phillip. These
ircumstances have induced the commissioners to recommend
the government that no mere Pentonville prisoner may
Jr the present be sent to Van Diemen's Land. A further
number of 200 have nearly completed their probationary
terms ; and the result of the discipline is such as to justify
our recommending to the Secretary of State that almost the
Attire number shall receive' conditional pardons.'" The
report speaks very favourably of the general conduct of the
inmates of the prison, amongst whom, it says, there is ob-
servable a spirit of contented and grateful obedience and of
cheerful industry. During the past year, upon a population
of 616 prisoners, 468 were never punished at all ; and of the
remainder, 99 were punished but once, 28 twice, and 21
oftener: there having been no occasion in any of these in-
stances, nor indeed since the prison has been opened, to resort
to corporal punishment. Of the discipline of the prison the
commissioners give the following description :
On the admission of a prisoner, and after he hanbeen examined and
pained by the medical officer, he is placed in a cell, when the roles
relating to Risco uluct and treatment are fully explained to him. lie
is strictly sentirated from bin fellow prisoners, but he is supplied with
imitable books, both of a religious and generally useful thwarter, and
is instructed In a trade. Ilia cell is fitted with all necessary conve-
niences. He is frequently and regularly visited by the superior and
other officers of the prism, has always the means of communicating
with the officer of his ward, and on making a npecial application. he
never fails to see a commissioner, the governor, chaplains, or medical
officers, at other than their prescribed visits, to any of whom he may
communicate any complaint or request be may have to make. He
"as sufficient diet, clothing, and bedding, in allowed to attend school
a days in each week, and is at other timeavialted and taetruc'ed by
ate chaplains and schoolmasters. He daily attends prayers in the
chapel, and divine service on the iiunday. He has daily exerckoe in the
en air when the weather permit, It is allowed to lee his friends.,
ad to write and receive letters from them once in each quarter.
4y all theme arrangements separate confinement, although still retain-
ing its penal and deterring character, is divested of undue 'severity. or
injurious influences, and produces the most beneficial effects upon the
mind, feelings, and character of the prisoner.
The commissioners conclude their report by reiterating the
opinion, that the adoption of separate confinement, so estab-
lished at Pentonville prison, promises to effect a most salu-
tary change in the treatment of criminals; that it is well
calculated to deter, correct, and reclaim the offender ; that
it is safe and efficient ; and that it is capable of general ap-
plication. The chaplain of the prison, in his report upon the
Meet, says.
I hew conversed on this subject with a great many intelligent pri-
soners under my care; men who, from previous character, were en-
titled to no amail credit, and from what I have heard from them. I
have cone to the conclusion that prisons, as they are throughout the
country, generally speaking, arc *chi ohs in which everythirg wicked,
deceitful, impious, and abominable is practised. taught, and propa-
gated. at the great expense of public money and public morals. Its a
remark constantly made to me by men who have been several times in
confinement "If the first hod been like this I should never have been
here; I learned more wickedness in one month there, than I did all
my life before.. A boy commits a trespass, steals some fruit, runs
away from his minter, or ken prime mischief he in committed to pri-
son, be forms acquaintance., learns generally some art in thieving,
and get, the impression that the life of a thief is better than that afire
honest, hardworking labourer, and, if clever and succennfol, one of
distinction. He comes out of prison in a few yreeks with his in-
structors, or at least new acquaintances; they invite him to their
haunts and amusements; he is seen in their company, and suspected ;
Inds a difficulty in getting hack to the factory, or farm, or shop, if he
make the effort at all, and often hart no bane to goo ; he commences
the tour of the vagrant, or the trade of the Pilferer,r both.
The total expenses of the prison for the year 1845 amounted
..4) 19,4331., deducting f:om which 2,8501., the receipts of the
prisoner:' earnings, and 161. for the sale of old stores, leaves
the nett expenses for the year, 16,5671.
JOINT STOCK COMPANIES.—A return, to an order of the
AOUNS of Commons, made up to the Ist of June, 1846, of
the Joint Stock Companies, which have been registered in
conformity with the provisions of 7 and 8 Vic.. c. 110, com-
prises, under distinct heads, a list of existing, of provisionally
registered, and of completely registered companies. The
first is a return of companies registered, as having been in
existence previous to sth September, 1844. It merely gives
the title and the cl ate of the registration of these companies,
of which there are 994. The second is a return of 1,833 pro-
misionally registers 1 companies, the formation of which was
begun siiequently to September 5,1844. In 1,112 of these
there has been no registry of directors. The names of the
directors of the remaining number form the subject of a
separate branch of the return. In 883 out of the 1,633 protects
no capital hes been declared, and in the 770 in which there
is a return of the amount of capital, it reaches the enormous
figure of 634,127,5501., of which 40,000,0001. was required
for ' Cooke's National Railway," and 35,000,0001. for the
" British and Irish Granary Corn-mill Company and Pro-
vident Institution." The third part of the return contains
a list of the companies which have been completely regis-
tered since September, 1844. They number 115, and
their joint capital (excepting one, e " New Protecting
Society." which does not propose to raise any), amounts
to 29,774,220/. Of these 24 are gas, 16 railway, 14 insur-
ance, 7 steam-packet, 7 building, 7 loan or investment, 6
mining, 5 glass, 3 mill, 3 cemetery, 2 coal, 2 salvage, 2 iron,
2 brewery, 2 market-house, 1 bonding-warehonse, 1 smelt-
ing, 1 tontine, 1 bath, 1 emigration, 1 cork-cutting, 1 screw-
ship, 1 baking, 1 Deoca sugar, 1 commercial, 1 railroad-
carriage, and 1 oyster computes. The names of the direc-
tors of thole several companies are set forth in a separate
branch of the return.

FATRA atzE'rTE.—Another extra Gazette was
published last evening. The majority of notices it contains
relate to railways, though several refer to various other public
works, such as docks, canals, improvements in towns, water-
works, piers, and harbours. The number of these notifica-
tions portends a busy session in the select committee, and
private bill branches of parliament.
SMALL COINAGE.—A correspondent of the Athen-
eum having suggested that postage stamps might be con-
veniently substituted for our cumbrous penny-rieees
in small payments, another observes, that it would be
liable to the serious objections of the stamps being easily lost
and srJrn out, and of introducing, in fact, a penny paper cur-
rency. lie conceives a much better plan would be to call in
the whole of our present stopper coinage--which, from its
weight, is such a nuisance to every one, but especially to the
poor, rho have often, in the case of their selling small
ll
wares, to lug home pounds of it for miles—and to replace
by a coinage of penny and half-penny pieces of the size and
weight of the coins of the same value which every continental
traveller must have found so convenient in Germany. The
penny. pieces should be rather larger than sixpences, and the
half-pennies than fourpences; but each thinner, and with
darken that would not admit of their being confounded with
each other, or with the Over coins if electrotyped. The 7
should be fabricated, not of the continental bilks (which is
merely copper worked with silver), bet of bronze, or some
other metallic compound (which surely our chemists are
competent to suggest) at once herd, handsome, and coating
so nearly the cireulating value of th? coins as to preclude
falsifying.

BENCH PLAYS.-ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.,
E. FIRST NIGHT OF THE SISSON.—THIS EVENING (Friday),
,I, the Enkerikhwiests willeteunence at Half-past Sewn o'clock,
with the laleuriee Onaddis et Lk JEUNESSE DE HENRI V.
Hero T., M. Use& ; co.Ow M. Canines' ; Betty. Mae.
Celine
S. Mer i lea at LES POLIES tr.=
REUSS. Leeds. Mae. (IteeNre loweretta eta
Franceis, bee Int sowserseset tee Emig, the Natiorl
Anthem, "000 FM TEE LW Ira le swav_lle etwiewis
with Le Emil Mee Oteatells et LW EIVALUX DWI =HES.
• Masi ureesesell et tir4sAhresiewsweewm" sad et e
=ge ;Ale preere& tbe ewe" way be thed
Berg Lafity, SE; Oldi ; and at the Bon.odlos
et the Theatre, white is epos edly bee Mena till The.

THEATRE ROYAL COVENT GARDEN.—
M. JULLIVCS ANNUAL BHRI of OONCERTS.—IIeat
positively for sera mooth only.—M. Jaime Was bomb: to asommos
that his New grand deeeriptive swim ARMY Ossilda (leitibi
by Poor Military Bands) will le perisrmd, kw thi MIMS Time. i
TIIIB EVENING (Friday), November lg.
PROGRAMME.
Pot? L Overture, La Oaraa Lars, Roodal ; ire
~ la
Diable k Qualm, Jullkm ; Solo, Cornm.-I-P=ry limmM4yte
celebrated air from Patted, es sung by lam
perm
C minor, the Allegro. Fugue, Isd Thayer jibs*
; Wm% the Hyacinth. limn* ; greet and Carolina, trail
Emig, Mice Birch, Verdi ; Polka, the original. MINI; Quadrille,
British Army, hillien.
PART U. Opera, Robert le Diable, Meyerbeer ; Soto, Violin, M.
gaintoo, 11. Tremolo, Beethoven ; Air and Variatiom. lodes lib'
bested Air and Variations, sung by Mien Birch, Bodo; Mazurka. the
Original Xasurta, Jullien ; Polka, the Comic American P. Janina.
Commence at Eight, terminate before Mom.
The Wet Concert will take place on Saturday, November 24 and tal
season be terminated on Mooday B, November 30, by
A GRAND AL MASQUE.

YCEUM THE A TRE.-Mr. ALLCROFT'S
PROMENADE CONCERTS will commence on MONDAY next,
T
month only. The Band will oondst of eighty first-rate artists.
The celebrated vocalist, Mr. Henry Russell, is engaged for twelve
MOM; the eminent Distln Pantile, and Mr. Sinclair. Conductor, M.
need; Leaders, M. Thirlwail sad Thomas. Pit, Promenade end
vp,rer Boxes, Is. • Drees Circle, 2s. 6d.: Private Boxes, One Guinea.
r...ces and Print/. Boxes may be had at the Box-ofllor
62 Regen, and astreet.t Mr.
enemies Establishments, IS, New Bood.street, and , t-