The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-19 00:00:00

061 OFI, ICE PARLIAMENTARY and
POSTAL DIRECTORIES, with SUPPLEMENT AL NAMES
to London Directory, Now ready, price One Shilling.
Kelly and Co., 19, 20, and 21, Old Boswell-court, Clement's-inn,
Strand.

avoiding one evil by the toleration of another—
this other, in many respects, perhaps worse than its
predecessor, by reason of the home ticket-of-leave
system substituted for that hitherto in vogue in
our penal settlements. Frenchmen may kayo had
qualms formerly about the forces evades, the
VAUTRINS and MACAIRES of the drama, born
of the galleys, and fostered into celebrity
by the genius of DE BALZAC and LE
MAITRE—but Englishmen begin now to wince
more shudderingly over the notion of select
bands of skilled rascality, and half-educated in-
famy, and partially-reclaimed ruffianism—what
the author of Firmilian designates,
"The rag and tag and bobtail of mankind,"
being set loose upon society at intervals from the
bagnea of Dartmoor and the galleys of Ports-
mouth. While our Allies are looking askause,
with a modified sense of remorse, in the direction
)f Cayenne and Nuka-hiva, we are beginning,
some at least amongst us are beginning, with very
different feelings, actually to revert to thoughts of
Botany Bay, and even of that lovely and horrible
Norfolk Island, which seemed during so many
dreadful years at once a Paradise and a Pande-

DRIIRY-LANE.—Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith,
Redac,icl Prices as usual.

THIS EVENING,
Will be performed GUY MANNERING. Henry Bertram, Mr.
Bowler ; Meg Merrilees, Mrs Selby.
To conclude with THE ARTFIL DODGE.

THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARXET.
Under the management of Mr. Buckstone.
THIS EVENING,

Will be presented THE SECRET AGENT. Principal characters
by Mr Backetone and Miss E. Chaplin.
Senora Perea *Lena and Senor Marcos Diaz will appear in a new
Ballet, UNA NOCILE DE FIESTA EN SEVILLA.
To be followed by THE BALANCE OF COMFORT.
Sr To which will be added the new Ballet by the Spanish Dancers,
called THE GALICIAN FETE.
Atter which MIKE YOUR WILLS.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE., OXFORD-STREET.
Under the Management of Nfr. CHARLES Kraig.
THIS EVENING,
Will be presented the original adaptation of Casimir Delavigne'e
Historical Play, entitled LOUIS THE ELEVENTH. Principa'
character by .11r. C. Keau.
To be followed by (7th time) a new Farce, entitled A GAME
OF ROMPS Principal characters by fltessrs. Harley and Chester:
Mrs. iVinstanley, Mhses Heath, Murray, C. Leclereq, Daly, and
Tetuan.

To .onclucto with AWAY WITH MELANCHOLY.

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.
Under the Management of Madame Vestris.
THI3 EVENING,
Will be performed TAKE THAT GIRL AWAY.
To be followed by A COZY COUPLE.
To conclude with the new Comic Drama, called TO) MUCH OF
A GOOD THING. Principal characters by Mr. Rozby and Mrs
F. Mathews.

monium.
Already much has been accomplished, neverthe-
less, in spite of an apparently chaotic jumble of
theories, and experiments towards the amelioration
of the social state, so far as that can be at all
•Tected, through the better management of our
criminal population. Advantageous results have
been arrived at, chiefly, however, it must be con-
fessed, through the medium of a rather costly
experience. Scarcely a project has been passed
over without its being subjected to trial by the
way—the working of each iew scheme being
watched the while with a scrutiny as minute and
vigilant as we believe it to have been throughout
impartial and conscientious. It is thus that the
public has been enabled to attain something like a
correct estimate of the effects of the several
methods of treatment brought successively under
examination. Whatever benefits could possibly
be extracted from each have been effectually
searched out, whether those benefits were derivable
from the plan of the convict association, upon public
works, as at Portland, or from that of separate
confinement, as at Pentonville. Insomuch have
the authorities advanced steadily towards the solu-
tion of the problem thrust upon them by a for-
midable necessity for the chance at least of its
ultimate elucidation, that (even when they may
have appeared to the undiscerning to have become
in some measure bewildered, if they have not
seemed to have positively and. enormously retro-
graded) they have so contrived matters that we
are by this time enabled to estimate precisely at
their true value the different means adopted for
the improvement of criminals bath under the
separate system and under that of association.
So that we can nowadays, so to speak, place our
finger, at pleasure, upon any numeral in the
tabular statistics recording the results of Training
and Discipline, of Badges and Classification, of
offering gratuities to the well-conducted and
holding out incentives to the industrious.
Under the influence of these generous en-
deavours to extract good from evil, the Prisons
of England have risen to the dignity of being
nothing less than grand reformatary establish-
ments, instead of remaining, as they had done
previously, mere grim abodes of impenitent ex-
piation. They are somewhat of a contrast,
indeed, it will doubtless bo admitted, to the foul
and pestilential dens of punishment. in which the
guilty wretches of the last century were huddled
together in filth and darkness, when HOWARD
first directed his herculean benevolence to the
cleansing of those Augean pits of infamy, disease,
despair, and all imaginable and unimaginable
kinds of suffering. Under any circumstances, the
graphic and luminous records penned by the
truthful hand of Mr. FIELD, or of Mr.
DlXON—descriptions comprised in the me 7
,norials drawn up by those intelligent
biographers of the Life and Labours of
our Master-Philanthropist--read to us less
like the account of a reality than like the
drearaings of some distempered imagination. It
must especially appear so to those who may chance
to have examined for themselves the organisation
of the Hulk Establishments at Woolwich, or to
those, again, who may happen to have observantly
traversed the galleries and examined the whole of
the beautifully-systematised arrangement of the
Mil'bank Penitentiary.

Box-office open from 10 until 6.
Sole agent for Private Boxes, Mr. Allcroft, 15, Now-Bond-strect

THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI.
Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste.
THIS EVENING,
Wilt be perfbrmed a new and original Drama, preceded by a Pro-
bgne, and called JANET PRIDE.
After which, BETTY MARTIN.
To conclude with THE FETE OF NATIONS.

ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE.
Lessee and Managar. Mr. A. Wigan.
THIS EVENING. _

Will be presented the new Cornedietta, called TIT FOR TAT, In
which Messrs. F. Robson, A. Wigan, and Miss Maskell will appear.
Followed by A LUCKY FRIDAY.
After which, a new Fairy Extravaganza, entitled THE YELLOW
DWARF AND THE KING OF TIIE GOLD MINES. Character!
Ly Mr. F. Robson, Miss Julia St. George, Miss E. Ormonde, 1111 s,
Marston, Miss Bromley, and Mrs. Fitzallan.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Lessee and Manager, Mr. Wm. Cooke.
THIS EVENING,
The Complimentary Benefit of Mr. WILLIAM COOKE. The
Gran I Equestrian Spectacle called TIMOUIt THE TARTAR.
Also, a novel series of SCENES in the CIRCLE. The performance
of Herr Endersohn, le Fil-de-Fer, with l'Entree du Clown a is
Francalse.

Box-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W
West. Acting Manger, Nr. W. 11. Cooke. Equestrian Director,
Mr. w. Cooke, Jun.

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE.
Under the direction of Miss Rebecca Isaacs.
THIS EVENING

Will be performed THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH. Cha.
Meters by Messrs J, Raiford, Rogerson, and Kinloch ; and Miss ltt
becca Isaac, Miss Beaumont, and Miss Somers.
To be followed by THE PET OF THE PUBLIC.
To conclude with CITY FRIENDS.

GREAT NATIONAL STANDARD THEATRE, SUOREDITCH
Proprietor, Mr. John Douglass.

This Magnificent Theatre, unrivalled in splendour, in elegance,
and harmony of effect, capable of containing 5,000 persons, is open
every evening.

Miss GLYN, the popular Shakspearian Actress, will appear every
evening (Wednesday excepted) in her unrivalled personation o
CLEOPATRA. ANTONY by Mr. Henry Marston, of Sadlers Wells
Theatre.

The scenery, dresses, and appointments, from the best authorities,
are gorgeous and appropriate.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tina DAY —Morning4l mtnatter 2 I Craning 0 min.ift. 3
To• Aosinow -Morning22 mtn.after 3 Evontng 30 tnin.aft. ;-t

TUB WRLTHZR.—Stri ONNCI, March. IS.
Til/iRMOKIETZB, IN THZ SHADE.
52—highest sinco noon yesterday.
38 -lowest this morning and during the nit ht.
50—tilis day, at noon,
BAROMETER, clown to 29'53, now 29'80.
WIND, S.W. to W.S.W. and W. by N.—Blowing fresh,
with fine sunshiny weather, but cloudy, and occasional
rain. Heavy rain in the night.
MARCH 19.
52—highest since noon yesterday.
41—lowest this morning and during the night.
54 —this day at noon.

BAROMETER, 30'01.
WIND, S.W.—Light breeze, with mild weather.

Tbt

§AtAt

LONDON, MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1855,

Although every other home question has been
effectually set aside by the War, there is one
which of necessity still commands the most earnest
and vigilant observation. The vast and important
question, that is, the paramount and dominant
difficulty, the bewildering and apparently inextri-
c able problem—relating to a comprehensive modi-
fication of the Criminal Code, with a view to the
repression of vice and the diminution of crime
through the reorganisation of our whole system of
secondary punishments. Whether we happen to
be in arms or at peace, the laws of the land are
liable, of course, to be perpetually violated, and
equally as a matter of course in every such
instance their outraged majesty must re-
quire some immediate and adequate vindi-
cation. How this may be most readily and suc-
cessfully accomplished, has during many years s
past been the projected discovery of the more We have all been repeating the observation that
philanthropic among the heads of the people, Aristocracy is on its last trial, Lord PALMERSTON
Whether in the Legislature or in the Administra- being leading counsel for the culprit. If so, it
Eon —hitherto, unhappily, without their re- stands very jauntily in the dock, and gives no
searches arriving at any distinct or positive con- sign of fearing an unfavourable verdict. It has
elusion. Insomuch, indeed, have the endeavours shown none in the construction of its Cabinet,
thus made to arrive at some definitive result of a and no fear whatever of relying on its old pleas of
satisfactory character proved abortive, that actu- reserve and secrecy. It claims the right to con-
allyd at the present moment, in the latter half of duct the business of the nation with as much pri-
the nineteenth century, the whole scheme of cri- vacy as if its past secret delinquencies wore veiled
mina' jurisprudence may be described without rather than exposed by Mr. ROEBUCK'S Commit-
exaggeration as being in process of transforma- tee. With like nonchalance it gives the coup de
_ grace to each measure of honestly liberal charac-
tion, as undergoing the distracting and dig
ter which comes before the House of Commons.
locating agony of a complete and radical
It will maintain the reign of privilege to the last.
metamorphosis. Literally, at this present
juncture, the entire system of the Criminal Code It will boldly assert that the Aristocracy,
i 4 in a state of transition. Nay, it so happens, by which is answerable for Crimean manslaughter
a singular coincidence, that the two foremost on the wholesale scale, and for spending
Powers now in existence, that the two chief mem- even millions of our money on work which might
hers in the great family of civilisation, that France have been better done for two, is the most pre-
and England are not only agitated simultaneously cious gem in our constitution ; that it is beyond
by the progress of this extraordinary movement, all comparison the most costly one we admit.
but that the transition state at which it has pre- Two illustrations of this truly aristocratic de-
visely at this instant arrived on either side of the meanour were furnished by the debates on Thurs-
Channel, presents to the world a spectacle in day night. Mr. LOCKE KING brought forward
which the issue, as far as it has gone, is dia- again his bill for the better settling of the real
metrically contrasted. Our neighbours have to a estates of intestates. He proposes that when the
certain extent abolished the bagnes, in other deceased has not by will indicated his wish that
words, the galleys, and have almost entirely done the eldest son should absorb the portions of all the
aw ay with the system of travauxfo sees, otherwise con- other children, that the law should divide the
♦.
et hard labour, in the dockyards and other public estate in the same manner which has long been
otabus litm _
ents—getting rid of the vicious masses considered fair in the case of personal property.
fears. te
t 0 popul ,ation by deporting them beyond the The Chiefs of the Cabinet, as Mr. L. KING
Cayenne end -
a-hi
On the contrary,
have virtually
We ourselves, complained, disdained to do battle with such a
virtually broken up the reasonable proposition ; they put forward their
entire system of our
ofpenal settlements— we no Solicitor-General as of quite adequate rank to
longer send the scum Shoreditch and the dregs light the battle for them against vulgar notions
of Whitechapel, to the Cap, of '
Hope and of justice, and it must be owned ho fulfilled the
Van Diemen 's Land ; instead of Goodt,
retain duties of his lieutenantcy in orthodox, aristocratic
the whole of our indigenous race eeni.i3fx"
within style. Primogeniture was an established institu-
the boundaries of the United Kingdom
at our tion of the country ; to measures for destroying,
own expense—(the words have a twofold . sisnis
s u not amending the law, he could never consent ;
cance)—at our own expense, saving our remote the House had refused the measure last session by
nig the treatment '
a majority of three to one (a rather hopeful omen,
colonies from the perils of wholesale demoralise_
A.se Should have thoueht, for Mr. KING, consider-
tion. Every one is, in consequence, completely
dissatisfied—both among ourselves and among our
most popular measures have
able House);
neighbours. In France, the popular outcry hay- 1 a!ways received fur some few years in the Honour-
ing been vociferously raised against the bagnes
property especially, wa,
natural
Justice, in matters of real
all a fallacy ; and the
and the forcats evades, or escaped convicts, ,
s of the country were
alfec.. 1 whole political institution
and in favour of penal so,ttlesuents,
I lug is now spreading, , bound up with giving
the clas-
not perhaps favourable
and sending the other
s. son all the real
to the restoration of the galleys and the trao (MX ! property, children forth to
forces, but certainly to a considerable degree in:- I vet their living by their wits
mical to the broader and ruder scheme of !trans-
'%" have given an honest resume-, not a car:-.
portation. In England, on the other hand, where i cature, of the Honourable Member's arguments.
the national judgment had long since recognised I Indeed with the latter one he was--and even in
the injustice of emptying the outscourines of our ,I these days of Crimean delinquency—quite can-
jails promiscuously on the shores of our f •
and unoff •
whom the law
fruitful moured. He expatiated on the blessing to the coma-
. endleg colonial possessions, the national try of flocks of aristocratic eaglets,
In -
stilact is beginning
to revolt from the notion of ofprimogeniture treats as the old eagle is said to

itt