The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-06 00:00:00

BAKER, in this letter referred to, sets forward se

veral statements which seem to be very conclusive
in so far as regards the advisability of the
Australian scheme, and it would be well if
proper regard were given to those reflections, and
heed paid to the suggestions, instead of merely
glancing at them in a cursory fashion, and declaring
that they will not do, and that we had better keep to
the old course of procedure, which has worked very
well on the whole. The plan here proposed, that the

length of a sentence should depend more upon the
number of previous convictions than on the amount
stolen, or the manner of the theft, is a very admir-
able one. What can be more inconsistent than the

practice now in vogue of sentencing the same pri
soner scores of times, and at last finding out, after
the lapse of years, that the adminis-
tration of the law has proved a mockery
of justice, and that far from holding
out a deterring influence, imprisonment is rather
sought after occasionally as affording a temporary
refuge or refreshment when funds are low and pros-
pects dull with the professional thief and the har-
dened offender. A more strict set of rules would in
reality be the most merciful thing that could be
done for the criminals themselves, and must in time
effect a beneficial change. Setting aside particular
cases, where more stringent measures will be requ-
site at the outset, it is proposed that the duration
of the sentences should run as follows :—" All first
convictions to receive a sentence of ten days; all
second convictions should entail a very long impri-
sonment, say one or two years; a third conviction
should be met by seven years penal servitude, a
fourth by penal servitude for life, and a fifth by
transportation to Western Australia." There seem
great advantages in this suggestion, and it is of
paramount importance that some very decisive steps
be taken to prevent the habits of the criminals from
becoming so confirmed as they unhappily ara at
present. The certainty, that each time he is
brought up before the Court, he will greatly aug-
ment his punishment, must exercise a great influ-
ence on the mind cf the lawless outcast, and so far
as human means can work on the hardened heart,
the corrupt mind and the perverted under•
standing exercise a preventive power and
work a remedial agency that in itself
will do wonders. The evils of the present system
are aptly displayed in the statistics of the prisons
as regards the cases of reconvictions. Thus, we
learn that in one year, " 1,085 males and 2,963
females were committed for the eleventh time and
oftener, and that 9,256 persons had been convicted
for more than a fifth time." Surely such proofs are
sufficient to show that some change is imperatively
called for; and the sooner some remedial measure
is adopted the better for the interests of society
and the wiser and kinder for the unhappy
individuals themselves. To remain quies-
cent under a state of things that seems
to hold out a premium for crime is a serious
error, and the precepts of divine inculcation,
added to the best evidences of human wisdom,

enjoin and urge upon us to put aside ignorant pre-
judice and banish slothful indifference, and to rise
up and fight the good fight against evil, which is
the highest and holiest struggle in which human
nature can take part. All successes gained in that
cause are benefits and blessings bestowed on man-
kind ; and they who trample down the vices that
degrade, and crush out thu sins that defile the souls
of their fellow-creatures, are gaining a vietory
whose results will not end with the finite things
around them. Greater than him that taketh a city
are they who assail the strongholds of vice, and
drive forth the destroyer of all that is good from the
society in which it has taken a fatal hold. To do
this is to be " more than conqueror" in so far as
regards the general acceptation of that term.

DEATH OF MR. TILBURY, the CO2ADIAN.—Our
readers will receive with great regret the intel-
ligence of the ditcease of Mr. Tilbury, the popular and re-
spected comedian, after a few weeks' severe illness. He
had so long secu red the regard of a great number of friends
that inquiries aft er his health were mt •.de daily by those who
knew him persor tally, and ',hose only t tcquainted with him
in his profession al capacity evinced almost equal interest
in their old favor vite.—Era.