The National Register.
London, England, 1819-10-11 00:00:00

PRISON REGULATIONS.

Mr. George Boulton Mainwaring, one of the
Magistrates for the County of Middlesex, has ad-
dressed a Letter to the Chairman of the Magistrates
for that County. We cannot•write the name with-
out painful recollections of his father's conduct
before his dismissal from office ; nor do we forget
that his son had some unpleasant traits id his
public character ; as all, however, are open to
amendment, we charitably hope this gentleman has
felt its influence ; at all events, as we judge of
doct.ments on their own merits, without allowing
ourselves to be biassed, either way, by the signatures
appended to them, and as we consider this a useful
sensible letter, we proceed to enable our readers to
judge of it.
i•IY DEAR SIR,—I venture to trouble you upon a sub-
ject which has for sonic time most seriously engaged any
attention ; and 1 do so with the more confidence, from
the conviction that your opinion is somewhat in unison
with my own, and that the sanction of your auttiority
and co-operation will go very far indeed towards effect-
ing au oqject, in which the interests of the county of
Middlesex are essentially co.icerned.
1 allude to the state ofour prison discipline, and more
especially to that of the House of Correction.
flie deur 111 l i i lotion of this, and of siu,ilor receptacles,
most emphatically expresses the object or their institu-
tion—that it was to ',mush and to reform.

Of the expediency and the duty of carrying this, the
intention of their founders and of the Legislature into
effect, there.can be no dotthi ; bit 1 fear that there exists
much doubt upon the means of doing so, and the slow
progress which has been hitherto niade in a:iy elketwil
s!, stem of primal discipline Is but a too decided cothirlllJ-
-11011 of this fact ; however, when we consider the subject
in iu consequences to the public, and its lasting 1111-
port:nice to the individuals concerned, 1 mist that one
common minion:tit will prevail as to the objt et in sicw,
and that as far as talent and ex.•rono Citit avail, we may
depend upon the individual and collective zeal of the
uosistrdey iu their aiiilicittiun.

OUT.

I have been led to the /beeping reflections, from Ote
confident persuasion, that Aloe prison under considetitinn
is not apace either of punishment or reform ; that it
excites no terror or apprehension of its discipline ; and
that it has consequently little influence in • preventing
crime ; nor has it, 10 its actual oration,op any tendency
to reform the criminal ; 1 also fear that it has a more
positive evil than this, and that it aggravates the tins-
chief which it attempts to remedy.
-in the general intercourse of society, the most aban-
doned may have the chance of virtuous relatives or
friends to withdraw them from their criminal career;—
but, in a place where the whole-society is vicious, and
where the most corrupt, from idleness and communica-
tion, have the uninterrupted means, from morning till
night, of more deeply infecting those comparatively pure,
it is absurd to look for punishment, or to calculate upon
reformation.

From my intimate acquaintance and friendship with
the magistrates who visit this prison, I know that they
are fully sensible of these evils, and that they most
anxiously wiih ictiiemedy them. I am aware that
criminal of the metropolis is, in many respects, of a
different character from one of any other place in the
kingdom ; that he is possibly the offspring of crime--
trained and disciplined in its pursuit, and that 'Amulet
is his profession ; and it may be said, that his reforma.
tiun is impracticable—that he must return to his former
associates and calling; without friends, without money
or character, iwhither, or to whom, can he go?
Discouraging as this view may be, are there not fa-
vourable circumstances, even in the cases of these delin-
quents ? •In distant parts of the kingskitn, where popu-
lation is scattered, cr i ttt inals have not (as with us) the
same ineatis of unobserved association, their temptations
are fewer, facilities less, escape more difficult. In these
situations, therefore, where adventitions and external
circumstances are less liable to act, it is reasonable to
conclude, that the sins of a culprit are more exclusively
his own : if, then, in prisons, to which lie is consigned,
we find that his heart and life can acgoire a new direc-
tion (as experience begins to teach us it may), are we in
this county to despair? With us, large as is the cata-
logue of offenders, the mmiber of those must be great,
whose vices were not originally their own ; and may we
not hope, that in many, seeds may have been sown, that.
with care and culture will yet quicken into virtuous life.
• From this description of persons there is, undoubtedly,
ground fur hope ; but I further contend, that with the
worst, tinder an efficacious system, mere is a probabi-
lity of amendment.
" Idleness," we are told, " is the root of all evil.'
Speaking-of its force upon criminal habits, we may truly
say, that it is the Consequen-ze, as well as the source of
crone. The feverish life of a criminal so debilitates and
impairs body and mind, that he becomes idle almost
against his will, and unable to follow ap the better re.
solutions of a transient remorse; therefore, the sorest
means of his reformation, will be found in giving him a
habit (a mechanical habit) of industry, and in reprodu-
cing energies which hare been lost by crime and debau-
chery.
I might 'here, I think, safely leave this subject; but
if I am asked in what manner I would produce this
habit, I say, by hard labour, and that that labour is the
best which is the most active—labour, which shall
really work the body and subdue (properly discipline) the
mind : and considering (as we must at first do) the ob-
jects of our attention to the unwilling agents, we should
place them in a situation, where, however unwilling,
they nest (whilst employed) be working. For this
purpose, of all the labour that I have seen or heard of,
as a primary means of industry, as well as an actual
(punishment, the stepping-mill work is the most desira-
ble. I have recently hail an opportunity of observing its
efficacy in the gaol at Bury, which at the same time
that it shows a prison combining punishment and re-
form, exhibits a thriving and cheerful manufactory,
where there is not an inmate, without an entire, or an
useful and profitable occupation. Subsidiary eini.loy-
mons will soon be found, when the first praiciple of
labour is understood, end its effects are proved-. and in
the prison just mentioned, the 'intervals between th.s
severe task of mill duty are cheecully occupied iu lighter
works, suited to the taste, inclinations, and former ha-
bits of prisoners. It may s ill be observed, that this is
compulsion—that when the powers ceases, its effee s
will be lost ; and when upon deliberation, free ageney
returns, former propensities will return with it: I an-
swer with sonic confidence, that this has been the case
to a very limited extent where an effective prison disci-
pline has been adopted; and I apprehend that reasoning
and analogy from the nature and constitution of man
will confirm -such a result.

Man, especially in the laborious classes of society, is,
and eliould be, mechanical in his habits ; it; therefine, ha-
bits he given him, from which lie acquires health, strength,
peace of mind, and the honest meatus of support, timely it
is not beyond probability, that many, even the worst of
men, may pull' by the acquisition of such habits. Even
should it be thought, that the term of some imprisonments
is too shot I to effect a radical improvement, still the sys-
tPIII is good; and we may in such east's infer romparaloes
inn cence, and consequently comparative amendment.
The concurrent influence of solitary confinement, (if
necessary ),aud of spicitssal admonition and guidance, most
also,.when rightly suit earnestly directed, imam fully aid
the course of personal correction.
In emit:avoiding to remove the reasonable grounds of
doubt to *which I have adverted, I have throughout been
sensible of the•expense of an effectual change of system,
and of the fin Mailable objection to a Inch it may give
the benefit of climige, it may be asserted, is rowel tam ;
the expense cei tail,. This observation is applicable to
almost all eases in %hie', money is necessary to improve-
ment, mid would at once produce it : but the right coast•
iteration is, whether, according so common reasoning, and
from actual experience, the Chollar be like') to succeed:
the former I have been set ivlug to enforce ; to the latter,
facts will speak, and the es:eerniteins of other places a ill,
I think, satisfy our scruple's, and direct us to du our duty.
The first extreme stay he considerable, the labour may
not pay itself, the amnia expenditure may for a time he

.~

OCT. I t.

increased ;-. bite if the culprit l ' .lse reclaimed avid society
irxil
bewailed. (1101figh the e isin
... • he aewbat increased )
will manor country, deep ed as it is in the suppres.
stun of crime, cheerfully and thankfully einiirlhate to the
promotion of its ado servility, and to the trefoils; u(tbuse by
a hunEtinit security li is !seen invaded ?
I 'hist that at uo very tbstaiit period, the euenniniell
operivion of A new system would be felt ; a ill uut the otitis-
r;eiy ulna uomitioted discipline, in it. spread and •
iiiration, if it deter the criminal, I.lVe us front his chare?
The ceinuniption of our prison is great, and with proper and
vigilant superintendence, in the primary necessary of life,
by HIM-work alone, a great saving may be erected; the
I.ender's profit should be ours; and in every thing possible
..he prison should contribute to itself; but labour, profitable
or not, is the principle upon %hie% we should act, as the
means of punishment and of reformation.
I have ihu, taken the libort) of conveying my thought* to
:. ou, feeling that it was dm: to your station, that you should
have the Illeallb 4.11 giving them sour serious consideration; if
taere be any thing good or th, r.l in c hat I hive sugge,ted,
1 know that it n ill :..tve the benefit of your representation
and recoininendat 00000 , and that it will reciete an influence
and is eight ft OM )4/11, which no effort of mine could pro-
duce; if not, I am sure In a frien 4, that you will at least
appreciate the motives with *hid. I live achienised you ; •
they wilt be mail iciitly explained in the evils skies 1• have
dc,ci ILA, and in the obli,:ati )))) to remove then.
I nm, dear air, every ino.t truly you's,-
Staple-inn, Sept. I I, 11s19. G. li. MAIN WAKING.

Mud ill Serdlund.— reproaches which Dr. John-
son, its his journey to the Ilebrides, threw out against
Scotland for its Want of wood, though perhaps a little
exa',,,erated, were probably nut very tar loom the truth.
That country, about a century before, Exit been cowered
with old await! ; which, being considered by the pro.
prietors as of no value, was allowed to fall two decay,
wit' t any efTort to preserve it, while the introduction
of sheep ellecitidly prevented the growth of young wood,
Accorniti4ly, when the old trees fell down front age,
the country became quite bare. But the reproachs:a of
Dr. Joan-on, turned the attention of the Senish laud-
lord, to planting; arid Wassarty pins of Scotland, par-
tarly in Perthshire, be defect of which, Dr. John-
son complained has been .eointletely removed. The
two greates planters of trees hi that county, and per-
Italia mu Scotland, arc the Duke of Athol mid the Earl
of Breatlalbane. Easalt-al- these noblemen, we arc in-
formed, has planted at least 61,000,000 of trees. .
V o LENT ()tarmac B.—On Tuesday, about 2 o'clock,
two ladies walking in the Regent's-park, were attacked
ist indecent manner by one of those vile
wretches who infest the town. A gentleman- coming
in sighr, they called upon him for protecnon, but the
miscreant bail got to a distance not to be overtaken ;
however, he kept him in stew, and when he got into
the New-road, induced a groom to take hint into a
chaise, and pursued the fellow ; he soon C3IIIC Ur With
111:11, when he seized the scoundrel, and gave hint a
most severe beating, to the satisfaction of a her of
persons, who were very desirous to throw hint into the
canal. The wretch is about 4u years of age, slow, and
low of stature, marked with the small-pox; had on a
blue coat, striped waistcoat, and white apron, and had
the appearance of a porter or upholsterer's man. This
description of hint is given to guard We pualic against
the fellow w hereever he appears.
Some time ago, a gentleman in Galloway, while
walking over his estate, observed a peasant boy rapidly
mounting to the top of a very bight tree, in search no
(lout of a crow's or a pye's neat. Being concerned for
t!te•little fellow's safety, as well as anxious to banish
such usischievous intruders from his plantations, he
bawled out ".Iloy ! you little scoundrel ! what are you
at*it there? Come down immediately, and never let
tit ilisee your face its this place again." The climber,
alarmed at this address, rested himself upon a
branch, and answered very " N 3! I was
to collie (loon, you wad lick me." " No," said the
entleman, " although yon well deserve to be punished,
I wolit brat sou for this ofTence—so come down imme-
diately." "jay' as sore's deeth ye'll na lick me," re-
joined the ctilprit,7olatid I'll come dorm." " What !
yip., impudent rogue, do you presume to doubt my word,
mid treat me like one of our )C411(101fellOWS:"
Len," whimpered fire periinacions boy, "but unless
l/11 say as sore's deem, I'll mix come (loon the day." The
g,,lnkt.lan, Who is a distitignished liumourist,.and is a
member of the present Parliament, had now great diffi-
culty in preserving his gravity, and finding further re-
inowtrance vain, Ile at last fairly capituhaed with the
eieitiy, and agreed to let him march WY with all the
1: moms of war. It is almost needle's to add, that the
tyrins (alibis capitulation were better observed than some
of those that have wade a greater noise in the world.
The boy was disini,sed, with a trifling reward, and a
strung injunction Hoer again to climb a tree, or bre.ik
throtlgh 311 iilekbole—an injunction which, nu the
part to the rising generation, will probably be attended
to, when the birds cea,e to build, amid the wild clic:tries
to r,pett.

Au iuqui,ition wns taken on WedneAay at gibe floe
A 1101,11* m F.a,t Smithtirl I, before J. W. Cowin, 1.,q.
Connor, on the bud) of FA her Par;ont,

It appeared that the deceased cohabited milli a young
than of the name of James Bennett. hut some altercation
having taken place, caused a separation; she came al stir-
fereitt (nines to Id- lilgin,o, entreating of hint to g,se bcr
admittance, stating', that she had 1111 way of support, floor
place tor rt.itleure ; he %%mild not heal keit 10 her entreaties
but alums ordered her ell; she at lcoi,th, despairing of hi.
dlisiz any thing for her, told him that site ss ould c • and
hang herself at his door. Aloud:ly last he had occosion 111
I..ave home very eat I) in the morning; 011 golug out lie
locked his door, and iu the interim the deceased cant.• and
tiskrd thr 11.114,11,1,1 if lie ( neon. It) was at home; the Lind-
said twat he is as 1,1 /I, hot that he a ould be iu soon to
break hist. 'l'll, deceased said I hat ,Le would go and sit on
the sitlir•case ut roe r ttttttt door until he (ante 111 she acco, -
tli:,4ly went op stairs, and the lantilad) took no further
toe.ll I: Or ; 1144 1 CIIIIIC 50011 tlflrrNalds,llllll 011 going
upstairs, the first anal? that presented itstll hi I wits
Qtr deceased siepended hy it cord at the door. She has lin-
sucdastely cut noun, awl Air. Price, u surscuu, rcaiJiuY in