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London, England, 1820-05-24 00:00:00

do evil." This was to be effected by a new con.
at nction of prisons, to admit the application of
tha principle of classification. He would wish to
encourage all Gentlemen who travelled in foreign
countries to visit the prisons. of different States, for
tliont;!I the) might exliGte themselves to many it
painful spectacle, and frequently et feel what
wretre,e. feel," yet it was probable that in the
course of the experiment they would experience
an improvement it) their own hearts,—(/hear.)-1t
was by making these things public it was slots! pos-
sible .topreveist the practice of oppression—{Near)
—widths the walls of gaols. Most of the Powers
of Europe were now fully impressed with the nee
cessity of proceeding on a more rational us well as
a min.:Christian met hoil,(iltar.)-e.This necessity
had led to a communication with seine of the mast
enlightened cloiracters in Eurore, who were all
'Undoes and zealous to cw.operaie with them. Be-
fore sitting down he had only to draw their 'melt-
lion to the effects. as then Intnifesteil, cf the exer-
cise of benevolent and Christian principles—
its effect was such as when any great object was to
be ',netted like that for which they were assembled,
to unite, not the professors of one sect only, but of
all Christians, and accordingly they had the satis-
faction of observing, at the pretend meeting, inch.
vidnels of the most various relignitis opinions-4ln.
seiner. of many denominations, stud dignified
(leer:yawn of the Established Church; because
they were all acting on Christian principle., and on
that ground felt that they could unite together..—.
(Warm cheering.)—The Revolution was theta care
Tied without any opposition.
Mr. iir.NRT GRATTAN DOUGLAS. an active
'ember of the Dublin Society for the Improve.
meat of Prison Discililine, and the Reformation of
Juvenile Offenders, stated that its exertions were
not confined to Dublin, but were extended to
many Bridewells and Penitentiaries in the rest of
the kingdom, where there was ample scope for the
exercise of their benevolent view.. He described
the case of a present executed in Wand for. a
murder, who in his dying moments imputed the
corruption of his good principle, to being confined
in the same room with robbers and murderers when
committed to prison some time before by going
bail for a friend. Mr. Douglas then read. few lines
from the first report of the Swirly (we believe) to
which he belonged, stating, among other matter,
the establishment of school*, and the association of
ladies in various parts of Ireland, fix parsons& coo.
peered with the object cf the Institution. -
Mr. licenser, 'no rising to propose the fifth Re.
solation, said, that he was most anxione to put it, '
because he bail beets himaelf a witness of the truth
of its statements, and of the utility of the exertions
of that class of Gentlemen (the Magistracy) to
whom it expressed the thanks of the Meeting.—
The Hon. Gentleman then read the Resolution—
(for which see Adeertisement)—after which he de.
clued, that, having lately traversed a great number
of counties, from east to weal, and from north to
south, lie hail silt rioted through one in which he
did not hear of associations of Gentlemen and Ma.
gistrates entered into for Purposes similar to those
of this lianitutiots ; and lie could state, that there
was no rrison which he hart visited that slid not on.
dictate some improvement in its economy 'and disci-
pline. Snipe had been materially clumpd for the
better. A fter im•isti lig (as we understood) on the Ise-
cessily of classification, said adverting to the system
pursued at Bury and .another ga01,,• he observed that
among-the regulations requisite for an improved
prison discipline, labour was the most essential. if
they suffered the best part of the day to be passed
in idleness, moral and religious instruction would
le- eseelee., sell the individual would be sent out
worse Vitals when be had been committed.—
There was one observatino he wished to offer, which
lie had not hearil made before. The Parliament
had been employed last year, and he hoped they
would he employed in this, its taking away capital
punishments in many offences.; Its place would li
lieresnirile lie supplied by 'treenail/ punishments,
among which imprisoutnent would prellably hold
a considerable place. It was therefore most dories.
ble that prisons should be changed from being scenes
of mots' contagion and *dipole of vice, to schools of
reformation. because otherwise. when the numbers
of male and female prisoners would be greatly
augmented, they would do barns instead of good
by the removal of capital punishments. After a
few further remarks, Mr. Bennett proposed the
Resolution.

Mr. J. J. Gramm in seconding the 'Resole.
tion, said that he cordially united and heartily
concurred in its object and sentiments. particularly
because the progress and future success of the So.
tidy depended entirely on the liberality and pro.
(fence of 'the Magistrates, who alone Possessed the
power of introducing any practical reform into our
prisons. The old and the bad system of discipline
was distinguished by the wont of classification, of in.
straction, and of employment; the new and good one
by due claudication, instruction mid employment.
There were now fifty-eight prisons in the country iq
which male and female prisoners were not separat.
ed. surely it was in such • state impossible to pm.
vent the dreadful evil of contagion. lie then re.
ferred to the labours of the Ladies' Committee in
Newgate, and to the marvellous reformation 11wy
hail accomplished, in a prison in every respect su
unfavourable to classification. lie thought that
after en great Ho example those Ladies ought to have
allowed them for their benevolent purposes a prison
built upon the new plan, in which they could solely
devote themselves to bring their plans respecting
females into complete maturity.—(//ear, 11~4—
Them respecting instruction here, he thought the
want of religious instruction was one of the most
obvious causes of crime. With respect to that
j point, lie thought it most advisable that the con.
solution of seek iostruction should be diffused WI
widely us possible. and the best means for effecting
it would be found to consist in th. efforts of Com-
mittees all otter the kingdom, super:trending the
pinticiihr gaols in the vicinity of their residence.
lie next particularly urged the necessity of provid.
log empinyment for prisoners ;,lint it would perhaps
be ,*id, " IVill you impose heavier burdens upon
the public to provide this employment r Certainly
not ; but the employment, tf ivet! urrunged, would
ley's), the cost.—(litar, hear.)-113 (ila.gow the
expense of providing labour for the Brieleivell .cost
only 451. 90. 2il.—(llear.)-4n Munich and chef
lances on the Comment, the.,cost 'was nothing;
the produce repaid the expense of providing too
materials for work. lie agreed, and so did the

. .
whole of the Committee, that ft prison ought net *to
be a place of comfort and relaxation, neither ought
it of niineceoury harshoesr or cruelty ; it ought to
he a place of discipline. He then pointed out in
forcible terms the benefits which a ',stem of kiwi.
nc,tiond reciwolotion would create in the prison dis-
cipline of the country if taken np generally, and
concluded by miffing the Resolution he bad to pro.
pore to the Meeting.
A Gentleman, who.e name we regret we were
unable to learn, said, lie was one of the oldest visit.
ing Magistrates in the part of the county of Devon
where he reviled. Ile gave the meeting the grafi.
fying intelligence• that a Ladle.' Committee had
been there formed on the plan of this Society, and
their enjoyment of the good they were enabled to
tfreet amply rlinid the labour which prodked it.
—(applaw7c ) worthy Gentlenian expressed
the cardiAl gratification be would feel in giving
efTret in every way in his power to the views of the
Society, which were calculated to realise a God-
like eireet —to dry up the source of crime, and di-
minish the mitt of human misery.—(applause.)
Lord !le inaA'/E, propoviiig the Resolution
put into his hand, took the opportunity of ea-
pressiig the high opinion be entertained of the be-
nevolent and philanthropic plan of the Society,
which was vo admirably calculated to withdraw
erring periion% from the paths of vice, and prevent
their bring a disgrace to themselves and a burden
to their countrY.

The Hun. ai►J Rey. ChM RD NoEr.. im second-
ing this Resolution, spoke ii, high terns of the
v►ew of the Society.

Lord NUGENT detailed the excellent effects pro-
duced at the county gaol of Buckinghamshire by
the formation of a Committee of Magistrates for
superintending and improving its economy, sod
stated, that since the adoption of the new regula-
tidos no fare had appeared within it twice. The
Noble Lord, after a variety of other remark., which
the limits to which we now feel ourselves confined
preclude us from ("Toning, proposed the seventh
Itcoolosior3.
It was seconded by T. S. Rice, Esq. and car•
vied utraninsoysly.
Lord AUCKLAND then said, he had been in-
structed to apologia, for the absence of the Earl of
Liverpool—(Hear, hew--from the meeting, and
to state that it would hare been caused by nothing
bat in attendance on official duties. He had hero
further requested to say, that the Noble Earl fully
concurred an the object! for n Inch the meeting was
held, and wet Most anxious to offord his stipport
for their attaioasest.—(Cheeriag.)
The thanks of the meeting were then, on the
motion of Lord LILFOND, presented to Lord Auck-
land, for his kisidnets in taking, and conduct while
filling the chair.
-The Meeting was then dissolved.
In the course of the proceedings several handsome
subscriptions were read by the Gentleman who acted
us Secretary.

TRIUMPH OF WKSTIWINSTER,

AND
PURITY OF ELECTION.

The Thirteenth Anoiveteary waa celebrated yeaterdiy at
the Crown and Anchor Tavern ;

Sir F. LICIIDETt in the Chair.

As some complaint, not altogether iintoutided, was made
reapeciiiiz the last political dinner lush, at this tavern, we
think it but justice to state, that the dinner on the present
orClsion was as ea. ious and ploilitial as could be wished,
tad the wints received general commendation.
As soon as the cloth was removed the following toasts
succeeded :

' The only source of legitimate power—the People."—
Tune, " Britons, strike home."
" The King; and may he ever recollect the derlaralion
of the Prince of Wales, that the Crown is only held in trust
for the benefit of the people."—Tuue " Rule Britanoia."
Sir F. Bwantre said, that at the request of a large
portion of the electors then assembled he was induced to
propose the health of—
is TN, Queen"—drunk with loud cheers, and followed by
shouts and conliuued applause.
" The only remedy fur the unprecedented grievances, the
onperalleled distresses, and lamentable degradation of the
British people—a radical Reform in the Commons House of
Parhament."—Tune, " Kick the Rogues out."
At this juncture the Stewards led up to the cross-table a
depilation of the electors anal parishioners of St. James's,
beaded by Mr. Dean, one of whom bore a silver vase, which
was placed tin the cross-table.
Mr. DtAll then, un behalf of the parishioners, requested
Sir F. Burdett's arceptanceof it, as a tribute of the gratitude
entertained towards the Baronet by the Electors of Westicio-
stet. and those of St. James's especially.
The vase is aster the design of Sir Win. and
in 'sac it is sufficiently capacious to contain six quarts,
wine measure. The bore has a richly embossed handed
wreath of oak I , immediately above the eareffo, and
ibe bottom and cover of the vessel areentirely covered with
intertwined roses, thistle., end shamrocks of dead silver
richly chased in offo•rslicat ; the cap surrounded by a
forms, clused in imitation of the Itures. Two female
ligiirre, each bolding iu one hand a cluster of grapes, in
Ike other a bowl, and terminating in a rich flowing
awintlius and honeysuckle, form the handles; and the
cover is surmounted by another winged female Arne, em-
blematic of the guardian genius of the liberties of England,
presenting the civic wreath itl its Champion in the Senate.
Ho one side of the body of the vase is a group of figures,
beautifully executed in bat-relief, representing the woe-
Illy Baronet hahited in the Roman toga, and mounted upon
a rostrum, from which he is tisiangning an assembly of Mi-
lian'', and pointhig at the same time to the insignia of the
British Constitution—the Crown, the Knee, the Sword and
Scales ofJostice, 3lagna Charts, and the Bill of Rights, en-
twined with chaplets, oak and laurel, and placed above his
head. Among the group of eitieens are seen two soldiers,
in the act of applauding the speaker, by waving their bet-
mete, trampling on the instrument of pimisbnsent, in allu-
sion to the lion. Baronet's opposition to the flogging system
in the army. The opposite side of the vase bean the arms
of the Hun. Baronet, richly embossed and chased ; and be-
neath is the following inscription :
To

Sir FRANCIS BURDETT, Bart.
For four successive Parliament. the freely-chosen Repre-
sentative of the City of Westminster, •
Whose tindatinted courage and persevering consistency,
Hosting a permed of twentv•foor years,
111 a struggle fur the recovery of the Rights sad Liberties of
the People,
Have long been the admiration,
And wow form the chief hope of his oppressed Countrymen,
sod will leave to ■ll posterity ■ rare eitample of
disinterested Patriotism,

THIS (:UP IS PRESENTED
As a token of respect mid grist Rade by his Fellow.Eititeas
and Constituents of the Parish of St. James, Westinintler,
18i0,
Mr. MI X concluded by proposing as a toast—
" The brave !Supporter of our cavil lights and the an.
anunird Deft:oder of 14e people from military execution—.
Oar tretnewl Heoresesitstive. —Drank with three times dire,
and fullowoll by shouts waving of haudtteichiells, and whet
I,thniulies of vprobation which lasted several minutes.
Amidst them--
Mr F. IluasisTr rose.—lt enus with feelings of onbessaded