The Express.
London, England, 1850-05-16 00:00:00

THE EUREERIES OF CRIME.

TO INC ILOITOD OF Tin DAILY WSW..
filar—The growth of vagrancy and crime has, for
many years past, formed a favourite subject of in-
quiry with the newspaper peer, and your columns
have always been epee to prey new and important
light on this interestiag topic. Many people have
home wits's, to the grievousness of the disease, yet
few have roe forward with prescriptions. Many
have quarrelled with the present treatment of crime
and 'agrees;; but few have natured to suggest en
improved system. I allude not to the treatment of
confirmed criminals, but to the machinery in
operation for the eradication of crime. There
are data before the world that may be safely
taken as the basis for a strict roconsiderati
of the inflaters which tend to set a certain clue
of the population at war with the properties and lives
of their neighbours. The humane theories of Berrie,
Fdangieri Liviagstone, Howard, Bambara, Rossi,
and Maeoizotthie, have done their large meanies of
good; have softened the rigour of soerety towards its
outcasts, and spread abroad the spirit of the good
Boerhaave, who never saw a criminal dragged to exe-
cution without asking himself " Who knows whether
this man is not less culpable than me?" The historian
of civilisation cautions the world spinet writing its
modern laws in milk and water, in its anxiety to
get rid of the barbames code of blood ; but
the reading public will, I apprehend, be at a
loss to reoonoile this fear, with the results of
mercy which the progress of mankind exhibit,.
Every onward step has been one towards mercy.
The creed of kindness is the enlightened creed :
Faith in the human heart rather than in the animal
instincts. Civilisation ruts the sword ; and the dawn-
ing light will, ere long, be replenished by the ruins of
the scaffold. We have only to look back a few years
to call to mind the hideous butcheries of the Old
Bailey end Tyburn ; and it is impossible to read the
history of our prisons without being struck by the
great progress that has been made within a compara-
tively short specs of time in the treatment of
criminals. These advances have undoubtedly been in
the right direction, as tending to pat the criminal in
the position of a diseased person, rather than in the
unchristian light of an outcast.
The world, after conning the maxims for many cen-
turies, has at last fairly begun to allow that "the
wise man punishes," as Seneca said, " not because an
offence has been committed, but that offences may
cease." Still it appears to me that greater attention
has been paid to the treatment of criminals than to
the prevention of crime. It is well to reform the
felon, but it is wiser and better to prevent felony.
The afoot course is to follow the criminal back to his
cradle—to determine when and how the healthy plant
became diseased. If we proceed to notice the train-
ing of the children of the very poor, we shall at once
light upon at least one fruitful nursery of crime.
It Wands to reason that mere reading and writing
have little to do with the prevention of felony, inas-
much as a large proportion of the London pick-
pockets have received these rudiments of education ;
yet these elements are potent weapons in the pursuit
of reform, inasmuch as it is a far easier task to incul-
cate a sense of duty and religion in the mind of a boy
who can read, than in the mind of a boy who cannot.
You may direct him to good bake, and give him
pride in the acquisition of sound knowledge ; all
this is very important, and not to be hastily dis-
missed; but still reading and writing aro only
weapons. They may be need for degrading as well
as for elevating purposes: the boy may read " Jack
Sheppard" instead of his Bible. Therefore it is im-
portant, while placing these two potent instruments
to the power of a youth, to give him what is of
infinitely more advantage—a sense of dependence in
self—a courageous industry, in which he may take
pride. The schoolmaster may teach the child to
spell, but, after all, his associates form his charac-
ter, and fit or unfit him for the honest battle
of life. It is from his associates from the
examples constantly before his eyes —that he
learns to do well or ill that he learns to
accept cheerfully or to loathe the only honest
means Gad has given him to satisfy the cravings of
his stomach ; and, in proportion as he accepts with
cheerfulness or his allotted share of labour
will he become a good or a bad citizen. To stay ju-
venile depravity, to root out the canker from the bud,
it is necessary so to train the child that he may enter
upon his manhood, prepared by his education to
labour without murmuring—without repugnance, for
his daily bread. To a man so trained, idleness is insuf-
ferable, and labour a necessity of his being. This, it is
reasonable to suppose, is the natural etate of man.
Idleness is the root of all evil—the germ of crime.
Could the thousands of children who swarm
about the bye streets of London, contaminating and
harming one snother, be made to learn habits of
healthy industry, to feel that to their own honest
labour they must owe their bread, when their powers
shall be fully matured, a great inroad would be
effected in the criminal class of the country. I would
not stunt the child by overtaxing his strength; but,
without spoiling the child, I would fortify the man
to labour. It cannot be denied that the best features
of ragged schools are their industrial clams ; and I
believe that it is more important to give a child a
dignified self-dependence than it is to teach him
reading and writing. These refining agents should
surely be given, but they should follow the
habit of self-dependence. The finest scholar is
a pitiable object at beat who can rely for
nothing upon his own exertions. Therefore, I say,
sir, first make good workmen, then set about teach-
ing them that knowledge which may dignify and
elevate their character. I agree with Emerson in
liking a man who can do something well—whose
hands are trained for some remunerative object.
It is not unreasonable to believe that, in the course
of the present year, Mr. Milner Gibson's County
Expenditure Bill will come into operation. As this
bill will secure to those who pay county rates a voice
in county expenditure, it is very probable that at
an early period many reforms will take place at the
instigation of those who will be called to power.
Of course the ratepayers will consider, at any early
period of their proceedings. the best method of
economising their pockets. The county prisons and
criminal expenses generally will be found to
form no small item in the accounts ; and
it appears to me that an early result of
the meetings of the county boards will be, a reconsi-
deration of the criminal state of the country. With-
out venturing to touch upon ground which has been
so ably maintained in your columns for some years
past, I may be permitted to doubt the entire success
of the m ichinery now in action for the prevention of 1
crime. Sympathising very heartily with the patri-
otic endeavours of Lord Ashley and other active men
in the matter of education in the popular sense of the
word, I cannot bat believe that they have miscon-
ceived the origin and nursery of crime. Boys are not
bad by nature, but by habit and education. They
steal because stealing is the method of satisfying their
wants with a minimum of labour. Their crime is the
indulgence of an idle habit. Labour is insupportable to
them. They have never been taught the honesty of
giving a certain amount of their labour for a given
quanuty of food. Instead of exchanging, they wage
war. As I see the question, the matter stands simply
thus. Is it possible to ensure the practice of
industry in the children of the industrial community ?
Sir, it appears to me that this end might be in a
great measure ensured by the institution of county
industrial colleges, to which all poor men should be
at liberty to send their children on payment of an
annual trifle. The cost to the county should not ex-
ceed that of building the allege—the proceeds of the
labour of thechildren and the payments of the parents
defraying all current expenses. In theme industrial
colleges the children should be taught to rely for every
meal upon the labour performed in the interval
receding each meal. A sense of self-dependence is
the main object in view, and all should tend towards
it. These establishments would be, in fact, indus-
trial boarding-schools for the children of the poor.
It would be impossible, within the ordinary limits of
a letter, to trace the details of such establishments as
I propose; the ramifications of such a plan must be
extensive and intricate ; but I think that the county
boards would do providently in taking such a propo-
sition into their early consideration. I am confident,
moreover, that the working classes would hail the
foundation of such colleges as a boon ; and that such
institutions would clear the by-streets of our large
towns of the thousands of idle, ragged, abandoned chil-
dren who now crowd them. With such establishments
in operation throughout the country, the poor would I
have no excuse for the vagrant habits of their !
children; and the legislature would be justified in '
visiting the consequences of a child's misdemeanour
upon the parent. As the law stands, a father is in
se way affected by the sots of his ohikton--(nay, the

law allows the parent to prosecute his infant)--ex-
cept in a matter of debt; and, if through puental
negligence children fall into error, the country is
bound to maintain and reform them; but if they be.
come simply destitate, the parish has a claim upon
the parental purse. A child in prism costs a negli-
gent father nothing; bet a child in the union he is
called upon to maintain. Whether it is not expedient
to change such a conflict of laws. I will leave it to the
common menu of the public to decide: it will appear to
I most people a hsurdous pinciple, at best, to put s pet-
mitt= upon crime. As the law stand', the degraded
father may rid himself of his (Andres by urging then
to steal : while they remain virtuous he must provide
for them. This contradiction to common sense his
not, so far u I eau learn, been publicly noticed; but I
am satisfied, from observation, that it has a most in-
jurious teedeney.-4 am, &o. W. B. J.

MR. BERKELEY'S MOTION.—Mr. HONIMAN was pre-
vented be illness from voting on Mr. Grantley Berkeley's
motion.—Mr. Alderman H paired of with Mr.
Ws. Cabin against Mr. Grantley Berkeley's motion for a
tesnamithes on the corn laws.
GARDENERS' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.—Yester-
day the anniversary festival of this charity was held at the
London Coffee-house, Ludgate-hill. This is one of the
met modern of the various chariti. a connected with the
trade of the metropolis, its establishment dating beck only
some deem years. As stated in the report, it owed its
origin to a few private individualt, who, having seen with
regret that gardeners as a clam, from the smallness of their
worts and their peculiar avocations, were generally unable
to make a provision for their old age, and who, alter • life
spent la • diligent active and faithful service, were reduced
to many anforessen necessities, instituted this charity in
1833 to provide for this clips of men and their widows. In •
short time the committee were enabled from the subscriptioas
received to elute 34 pensioners upon their funds, and to esta-
blish • reserve fund, which now amounts to upwards of
2,0001, invested in government securities. One feature in the
charity is that those who are likely to become its rot ipients are
encouraged to contribute to its funds, wills they are in •
position to do so, by a rule which gives to gardeuers who
ma; have contributed for 16 year', and who after that
period become destitute, the first claim upon the institution.
Oa this occasion the chair was 611. d by the Earl of Carlisle,
who wee supported by H. T. Hope, Esq., M.P., H. Pownall,
Esq , J. Paxton, Esq , Dr. Lindley, and others of the stewards.
The chairman detailed the objects of the institution, and ap-
pealed for further support, stating at the same time that,
though there were 20 applicants for relief, the state of the
funds would allow them to elect ocly two. The amount of
subscriptions reported by the secretary during the evening
was nearly 4001, in addition to whim' 1661. 19s. was an-
minuted as received for the sale of a collection of plants
given by the Duke of Northumberland.
THE SUICIDE FROM THE DUKE OF YORK'S COLCMN.
Yesterday afternoon Mr. Bedford, the coroner fcr Westmin•
suer, held an inquest at St. Margaret's workhouse, on the
body of M. Henri J,,seph Stephan, aged 38, who destroyed
himself by leaping from the gallery of the Duke of York's
column. The jury having been sworn, proceeded to view
the body, which was that of • fine and well grown man. No
traces of injury presented themselves beyond a slight contu-
sion on the forehead, and a psrtia destructim of the arm,
although almost every bone in the body was broken. (The
ii,serepancy between this account of the rate of the body and
that which appeared in the Express on the day on which the
occurrence to k piece, ie the result, doubtless, of the reporter
having then bad hut a hasty glsnce at the body
prior to its removal to the hospital.) On the re-
turn of the jury, the following evidence was seduced:
William Pleb, 01 Kennington, stated that he was hall keeper
of her Majesty's Theatre. He knew the deceived, whose
name wee Henri Joseph Stephan. lie was employed ea
horn player in the theatre. Withers saw him
there on Monday, when he appeared dull. He
had of late appeared more dull than he did last
year. Witness bad no con Lion with him on Monthly.
M. Emile Petit, of Gerarthstreet, S said he was ballet-
muter at her Majesty's Theatre. Deceased W..b hi. brother-
in-law, and resided with him. He had been in an unsettled
state for &time a week Noe hating become gloomy and
satred in his appearance. He expressed • wish to leave his
peofessioo, but did not appear in full possession of his mental
tacu.ties when he said so. There was no reason for his de-
ur-lying himself, as ter as *lineal knew He was not in
nad circumstances, and WAS SUbICCS to no diseare.—William
Smith, 01 9, Cleary street, Vincent-square. deposed that he
was the keeper of the York Column. He saw eseemeth on
Tuesday moraine, about • quarter past 10 o'clock. He
looked at the tweed over the monument gate and asked
what was the charge for admission. Witness told him it
was 6d., whereupon the deceased went up. The remainder
of the witness's testimony WAS confirmatory of the
account given in our paper of Tuesday. Henry
Hutton, of Mortimer-street, Cavendish-square, stated that on
Tuesday morning, about haltpast 10 o'clock, he was pro-
ceeding stone Waterloo-place, and happened to to k up to
the Duke of York's Column. lie saw a man in the gallery
put his leg over the ratting and push himself f reward into
the air. He turned over two or three times in the descent,
struck terminal the base of the column, and fell on the pave-
moot on his face, with his arm doubled under him. Several
persons were near the column at the time. Want et fetched
assistance, and ran to the spot. Robert Ilutehinion
was passing under the column when tee deceased threw
himself over. He corroborated the lest witners's testimony.
The jury returned a verdict of "Temporary insanity," and
recommended that there should be some railing round the
top of the column, to prevent such occurrences in future.
The Coroner inquired whether many persons had been per-
mitted to amend the column since the fatal cceorrerce ?
Smith, the officer, replied that no one had been admitted on
Tuesday after M. Stephan leaped from the column, but largo
numbers had visited the I lace that day ( Wednesday). In
reply to a question from • juryman, Smith said a railing
would prevent persons tbrawtng them,elve. over, and would
not interfere with a view of the surrounding scenery. The
proceedings then terminated.
THE SEIZURE OF FOREIGN WATCHES AT SOUTH-
iirrrow.—As the case of commercial fraud committed by
some foreigner in attempting to export fur. ign-maae
watches as British, reported in the; apress a few days
since, has excited considerable attention, and as the circum-
stances attending the seizure of the watches at Southampton
have not been explained, the following particulars will
p owe of interest : Just prior to the sailing of the Royal
West India Mail packet Dee, on the 17th ult., • ewe of
watches was entered by Mr. Lefevre, the French Consul
and one of the principal shipping agents at Southampton,
for exportation by the packet to Chartres. The export docu-
ments stated that the watches (20 in numb-r) were of
British manufacture. On being exunined, however, by the
Custom-house officers it was found that the whole of them
were of German make, that a portion of them were apparently
stamped with the Gildsmiths'-hall
names of two eminent English chronometer makers—viz.,
French, of London, and Roskell, of Liverpool. The other
portion had no maker's name upon them. Now, as the law
requires that all clocks and watches of metal of foreign manu-
facture imported into the United Kingdom must have the
name of some forego maker upon the lice and on the frame,
and also prohibits the importation of any watch or clock of
foreign make having any mark or name purporting to be
that of an English manufacturer, it was evident that the
watches had been smuggled into this country, and they
were seized and sent to the London customs, in order that
the parties implicated in the fraud might be exposed and
punished. There was • case of jewellery entered for exporta-
tion by the same packet, and which acne from the
same foreign house as the watches. Now it is known
from the documents which accompanied the jewellery
when and by what ship it was imported into London from
Hamburg, and the police are endeavouring to discover by
what means the watches came into this country. It often
happens that there is not time to examine minutely every
thing that is entered for exportation, and the customs autho-
rities are occasionally satisfied with a guarantee from some
known and respectable party that goods are what they pur-
-1 port to he. There does not appear the slightest round for
believing that Mr. Lefevre was aware that any (mod had
been committed, or was attempted. In teM there is not
much doubt but what he was selected as an agent bemuse
his respectability would disarm suspicion, and would cause
' minute examination to appear unnecessary. Previ.us to the
passing of the law above alluded to respecting the importation
of foreign manufactures into this country the most extensive
fonds need to be committed in the exportation from England
of foreign made cutlery, atockinge, cloths, cloche, watches,
and a variety of other articles, as British manufactures, to
the most serious Wary of the manufacturers of this country
and their foreign customers.
CURIOUS SCENES AT A METHODIST CHAPEL.--
Some disclosures of ea extraordinary cherubr were elicited
at the Linton Petty Sessions (Cambridgeobire), where a
person named James Tilbrooke was charged by George
Stsading, minister of a congregation of primitive methodists,
with have disturbed the congregation at the meeting-house
at Weston Colville. The charge against the accused was of
having laughed when the preacher was holding forth, be-
cause the latter made • mieteke, and spoke of the " electric
telescope." On being remonstrated with, he used
abusive language. The magistrates dismissed the
case, bat during the inquiry some curious facts came
out. Several witnesses deposed that the people in the neigh-
bourhood wire in the constant habit of thronging to the
chapel to see the extraordinary practices of the cumulation
—that the constable frequently cleared the place to quell
disturbances—that one of the members, a woman with a
wooden leg, (of the name of Gino), when down on the
floor of the meeting had defended herself against the
constable by " sticking up her wooden leg "—that men
and women had been frequently seen down on their backs
during service, and the clothes of the women flyiog up—
end alt gather it war proved that the indecency and vio-
in the
lent conduct of the congregation (to use the words of
their minister, " under the influence of a supernatural
Colville, stated he had been often sent for to keep puce at
meeting."wer") pldroral". Ceas.anCraYme
the chapel. It was occasionally not closed till 12 or 1
thic.gnibialltear arendligernuestafbeelei,inofg Weston
o'clock in the morulag. This witness added, " What I have
witnessed there you would scarcely believe If you were to
see. I have seen people jumping about, and the women
lying down on their backs and their be Ilia, sometimes kicking
up one leg, and then the other, with their clothes Hying up."
DIABOLICAL Ac'.—On Saturday evening, some
villains had laid a large sleeper anus the rails of the down
line from Chesterfield, near the bridge which crosses the bye
lane from Birmingham to Whittinoton, causing • delay of
twenty minutes to the 6.30 down tram filled with paaset.gen,
it for tastily being observed la time. The engine driver
saw it only just is time to mve the train and stop; had it
not beat observed, the coseequeners would undoubtedly
hays been awful, es the train mast inevitably have gone over
the aaboakasst.—Derby Jterywy.