The Sun.
London, England, 1855-10-10 00:00:00

the opinion which may be entertained of a convict by the
chaplain. It is assumed that 'the 'chaplain will be very
much guided by what he may suppose to be the depth and
sincerity of religious impressions mace cipon'therbeart of
the prisoner; and, reasoning on such presumption, it is
argued that the life of a prisoner, subjected as his actions
are to minute' regulation and constant 'suPeriiiien, affords
no, tests by which it could be ascertained how far such im-
pressions are genuine and' of a,Peritiiinent character. If,
gentlamen, the preini;es_are well-ionaciel;;l:stell be com-
pelled to concur in the conclusion at which -cthp objectors
have arrived, at least until more freedom sof liction is
allowed to prisoners than they at present enjoy. But is
my good fortune to know several of the able and exemplary
men who fill the office of gaol chaplain ; and judging of the
body by those of its members with whom I am acquainted,
I hold them as little disposed to depend ou.such fallacious
tests as the most jealous objector can himself be. It
is so obvious that the fate of the prisoner should not
depend .upon a vague general opinion, but should be founded
oa an accumulation of facts day by day recorded, that
I should require strong evidence against the authorities
id any prison before I could baled , to. believe tb at. they
had fallen into an error so glaring.. Doubtless, gentle-
ni3o, a punctual attention to religious observances, wh( re
the prisoner has an, option to fulfil or neglect them mulct
tv,t be omitted in the account. But there 'is danger in
giving any very great weight to manifestations' of this
kind, inasmuch as even when they are based in sincerity
the prisoner is tempted to exaggeration in their display ;
so that, what is pure in its inception becomes corrupt
through the hope of temporal advantage. This danger is
felt so strongly at blettray that a provision is made against
it which perhaps will startle those to whom the treat-
ment of.prisoners and its difficulties is a novel study. The
conductors, When they have Confidence in the individual,
I aru well ple,ase.dlo see hi

ra_begin tojoin in the sacrament of
the Lord's Supper, having found by experieuce that after
this.eventalrimprovamenkie:generally visible in his moral
conduct. But as such an effect can only be produced when
the communicant is acting from pure Motives and on sett ed
()solutions, not only is it provided that no secular b :neat
shall accrue to him from taking part in this communion,
bat, as an admonition not to approach the table in a rash •or
presumptuous spirit, every fault he may commit for the
week following receives punishment of double severity. Yet,
gentlemen, although it has not been given to us to search
the heart of the prisoner, and to distinguish by any sire
criterion between those manifestations of his spiritual con-
dition which are sincere and those which are merely ape-
ciou4, still we are not left without tests on which we may
safely rely. "By their fruits ye shall know them" is one
the value of which the highest authority has taught us to
prize. We may rejoice that it is of easy application to that
quality which, of all others, it is most essential should be
acquired by the prisoner to insure him against relapse. I
mean industry. We can measure the quantity of labour
and estimate its value, especially if it be of the simpler
kinds, with some approach to accuracy. Let, then, an so
count be opened with each prisoner, placing to his credit
~.he value of his labour—the real value, if productive labour
can be found; an assumed value, or rather a value upon
an assumed scale, if his labour be not of a productive kind.
Let him clearly understand that each day's labour will tell
upon his liberation. If large in quantity and good in
quality, it will materially advance him on his way. Oa
die other hand, if deficient in either of these attributes
his progress will be retarded. But a distant future, how •
ever bright—and no brighter prospect can °panto the eyes
of a prisoner than that of liberty—will not suffice without
some hope of benefit nearer at hand. Let the prisoner,
ben, be allowed to expend a part of his earnings in the

improvement of his diet. By acting on these principles
we shall have provided for training him in habits of
industry. But, although industry will, when he leaves
his prison, furnish him with the means of honest main-
tDance, yet, unless he has learnt the art of self-
government, he will not be effectually protected against
the temptations to fall back into evil courses by which
he will be assailed. Let him then be inforMed that
every subtraction from the fund created by his 'labour 'for
the indulgence of his palate will, like indolenc-e, retard the
hour of freedom. Thus he will be taught economy. Gen-
tlemen, other habits are very desirable, but these are essen-
tial ; and, having explained how they may be induced, I
must not dwell on the means of reformation at greater
lmgth. Those among you who desire to give full scope to
your inquiries upon this interesting subject, to learn :nto
how manT ramifications reformatory science of necessity
runs—how its difficulties are to be overcome and' ow Con-
tending claims are to be adjusted—must consult the works
of Captain Maconochie. The principle that the convict
should be detained until by industry and good conduct he
has earned his right to be free was first enunciated by Aral
bishop Whately ; but it was developed into a system. and
bus rendered capable of practical application, by Captain
Maconochie. May his services even yet, late though it be,
obtain for him some recognition from his country, before
'he day shall arrive when earthly recompeuce will avail
him nothing !