The Sun.
London, England, 1850-10-23 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

THE ANNIVERSARY OF TRAFALGAR.
We briefly noticed in our yesterday's impression
the various professional celebrations of the anniversary
of the battle of Trafalgar. To-day we are enabled
to give the names of the members of the Royal Naval
Club of 1765, who assembled at the Thatched-house
Tavern.

The chair was taken by Captain W. J. T. Hood,
who served in the battle of Trafalgar as a midship-
man in the Achille • and the guest of the Club on this
occasion was Dr. Hartley Kennedy, late physician-
general to the Indian army of the Bombay Presi-
dency.
The Galant Chairman was well supported, as the
annexed list of the officers present will, show :—Vice-
Admirals Sir Charles Malcolm and Sir Samuel Pym,
K.C.8.; Rear-Admirals Sir E. C. Strode, K.C.8.,
and Sir W. H. Dillon, K.C.H. ; Captains Appleby;
Currie, Chappell, Dickinson, Drew, Edell, Hay,
G. St. V. King (son of the late Sir R. King, who
commanded the Achille in the battle), Sir B. Mac-
namara, Pridham, Quin, Stanley, 'Wallis, and
Young. Commanders—Bond, Bran ford, Blair, Cogh-
lan, Cammilleri, Carr, Clarke (Thos. P.), Dalyell,
Douglas (R.), Gordon (James b), Gayton, Geary,
Huggins, Hudson, Herbert, Jay, Miller, Michell,
M'llwaine, Paulson, Bayley, Rich Sykes (Thomas),
Savage, Smith (Thomas), Spong, and Wood. Sec-
retary, Mr. Allen. We have printed the names of
the Trafalgar officers in italics. It is gratifying to
know that this club (which dispenses in the most un-
ostentatious
way an immense amount of good in the'
form of donations to widows and orphans of deceased
members) is in a most flourishing condition, and con-
stantly on the increase in numbers an popularity.
The following list of surviving officers of the battle
of Trafalgar was omitted in yesterday's paper:—
Commanders.—E. W. Garrett, Greenwich Hos-
pital) ; P. G. Pickernell, W. Kelly, T. Sykes, T.
Colby, C. West, A. Dixie, H . Parker, H. B. Mason,
J. R. -Walker, G. Bignell, W. Grint, D. Dent, T. L.
Robins, W. Martin, D. J. Woodruff, R. Maclean, R.
Douglas, W. Carleton, S. Smyth, J. W. Pritchard,
G. F. Herbert, T. P. Robinson, W. E. H. Allen, J.
Reeve, J. Geary, W. H. West, C. Hall, W.
H.
Symons, J. C. Gill, C. A. Johnston, G. Kennicott,
J. R. Woodruff, E. Herrick.
Retired Commanders (1816)—A. B. Howe, R.
Bastin. (1830)—G. Bague, J. Barclay, J. Spratt,
T. Coakley, J. Eaton, S. Elton, H. Entwistle, F. S.
Price, N. Colthurst, J. H. Sanders, J. Salmon, J. P.
Blennerhasset, C. Chapell, M. Anthony, V. Lanphier,
H. Rich, T. Chrystie, W. Loucay, W. Wollcock, J.
Phepoe, John Waterman, J. Treeve, G. 'White, D.
R. Seger, J. H. Johnston, W. Walford. (1846)
W. ,Wilkinson, J. Seymour, J. W. Trotter.
Lieutenants—W. Rivers, J. W. Parches, W. H.
Boyce, J. Carslake F. Beckett, S. Spencer, J. Pol-
lard, G. Haydon, C. Wolrige, H Garrett, W. Dum-
breck, F. D. Lauzun, A. T. Hickes, G. Tardrew, A.
Mackenzie, J. Adamson, R. Cock, A. Martin. W.
Snell, J. Blandford, L. Dennys, A. Gallaway, E.
Knapman, J. Poad, Sir T. W. Holburne, Bart., J.
C. Chesnaye, G. E. Patey, H. Lancaster, P. Deuchar,
C. Lambert, J. St. Quintir, A. Brenan, P. J. Elms-
burst, G. Barker, W. W. Eyton, J. H. Brown, F.
Gray, W. Pilch, J. B. Elliott, J. Parsons, J. Lech-
mere, J. Mawbey, W. Vicary, 11. B. Bowden, R.
Hemer, B. G. S. Day, J. Fenemore, E. Blight, W.
Weaver, H. Davis, T. Jackson, F. Harris, C. Cris-
wick, G. Corky.
Masters—H. Andrews, J. Roberts.

Medical officers—Director-General Sir W. Bur-
nett, K.C.H. Inspector—J.-Mortimer. Surgeons—
T. Robertson, P. Lyon, P. Sather.
Paymasters and Pursers—W. Holman, H. Wells,
J. N. Jewell, J. Page Bailey, J. Maxon, R. M.
Wichelo, G. Starr.

ROYAL MARINES.

General-Lawrence.
Colonels-J. Owen, C. 8., J. M'Cullum, J. R. Co-
ryton, D. Marley.
Lieutenant-Colonel-T. Wearing.
Majors-J. A. Phillips, J. Fynemore, T. Lemon.
Lieutenants-L. Rokeley, W. Magin, T. Brattle,
J. J. W. Tane, J. Cumamond, Lewis Rooke, G. D.
Hawkins, P. H. Nicolas, L. B. Reeves, H. B. Feist-
lough, J. Mackintosh, J. Lister.
OPENING THE NEW GATES AT GREENWICH
floserrAL -Monday being the anniversary of the
battle of Trafalgar, the new west gates of Greenwich
Hospital were opened by Admiral Sir James Gordon,
K.C.8., Lieutenant -Governor, and Lieutenant Rivers.
These gates, with the lodges and celestial and ter-
restrial globe-capped pillars, have been removed in
the course of the improvements to their present position.
Much as the public admires the improvements of
the grounds about the hospital, it is to be regretted
that they were accomplished without giving any com-
pensation to the many officers who were thereby de-
prived of an important portion of their conveniences.
When we hear of canes like those which lately occa-
sioned the benevolent to subscribe for the relief of
the distress of the families of old officers of Green-
wich Hospital, we are satisfied that those veteran
officers can ill afford to be deprived of any part of
their scanty privileges.
CAPTAIN AUSTIN'S ARCTIG EXPEDITION. - Al-
though we have had later dates from Captain Austin's
expedition, no few letters have been received from the
ships, that the following from an officer is perhaps
worth reading :-
" Her Majesty's ship Assistance, lat. 73 30,
near Cape Shackleton, July 1, 1850.
" Here we are, made fast to a berg. We entered
the ice this morning, and our tenders have towed us
so far ; we have made fast for a few hours. The sea
appears well clear from the tops of the hills. We shall
proceed almost immediately. We left the Whale
Islands on the 23d, called at Upernwick on the 25th,
and the same nightswe made the pack. In the morning
stood in where we saw several vessels at anchor;
fOund Penny's expedition amongst them. We made
fast to a berg until this morning, having been told
that the ice was not open ; this morning we made a
bolt for it, and passed Penny's vessels at noon. They
are nice-looking craft, were under sail and towing.
" We are all well and in great spirits, as you may
suppose, at being ahead of all the whalers, &c. The
opportunity Of sending this has occurred very unex-
pectedly ; we had given up all idea of another chance,
but to our joy we fell in with a whaler's boats re-
turning to their vessel, by which I send this ; she be-
longs to the Chieftain."
PRIZE MONEY FOR THE AMPHITRITE.-Mr. Du-
faur has given notice to the representatives of the
late Captain Eden and the crew late of the Amphi-
trite, that the tonnage bounty for the slave-vessel
Triunopho de Brazil, captured 19th May, 1848, also
the slave and tonnage bounties for the Secundo de
Julbo, captured the 2d of July, 1848, will be paid to
those who are entitled to share, or to their repre-
sentatives duly authorised to receive the same on
Tuesday, the 29th inst., at No. 13, Clement's-inn,
Strand, and the shares not then demanded will be re-
called, at the same place, for three months.
Triumpho de Brazil.-Commodore, 8/. 15s. 2d. • first
class, 26/. 13s. 4i.; third, 2/. 13s. 4d. ; fourth,
li. 6s. Bd. ; fifth, 1/. 4s. ; sixth, 16s. ; seventh, 13s. 4d.;
eighth, 10s. Bd.; ninth, Bs.; tenth, ss. 4d.; eleventh,
4s. ; twelfth, 2s. Bd. ; thirteenth, 2s. Secundo de
Julho-Commodore, 87/. 16s. 3d.; first class,
2721. ls. Bd.; third, 27/. 44. 2d.; fourth, 131. 12s. ld.;
fifth, 121. 4s. 10d.; sixth, 8/.31.3d. ; seventh, 6/. 16s. ;
eighth, Si. Bs.; ninth, 4/. ls. 7d.; tenth, 2/. 14s. 5d.;
eleventh, 21. Os. 91.; twelfth, ; thirteenth,
1/. Os. 41.
acboomvepainnyt)hethfoaltiotwhelitigonpiaraogpdorbtoiounnsty:_focrotmhe.
and crew of the ship (her Majesty's ships Star and
Dolphinbe paid
as
sn
1. Notice
o:8r.0 50d:as also been given to the officers
1848, will
.c;apfitrustreedla2sB4th46Jl.un7e4,
fourth, 2/. 6s. 4,1.: fifth, -2/. is'. Bd.l
slave-vesselrd,
4rn 10. do2rse., 8 4. ;
sixth, 11.75. ; seventh, 1/. 3s. 2d. ; eihth, 18s. 6d. ;
ninth, 13a. 10d.; tenth, 95. 3d. ; eleventh, 6s. 1 ld. , •
twelfth, 4s. 7d. ; thirteenth, 3s. sd.
The French fleet, which sailed from Cherbourg a
fortnight since, some to Brest, and Others to the Medi-
terranean, have been driven back to the former port
by stress of weather.
Banshee, steam -packet, Master Commander
Smithett, left Holyhead on the 20th, for Chatham, to
be paid off and refitted, it is said, for the Mediter-
ranean service, to supersede the " slow coaches" at
present on the station.

Bellerophon, 78, Captain Baynes, C. 8., has sent
letters from Gibraltar on the 10th inst. She may
now be hourly expected at,Devonport. She arrived
at Gibraltar on the 9th.
Fearless steam-tender, Second Master-Commander
Wells, returned to Devonport on Sunday.
Fury, 6, steam-sloop, Captain Wilcox, was at La-
buan August 12, and was to leave for England im-
mediately. Coal operations are steadily progressing.
The agent had a stock of 200 tons on the beach, and
400 at the pit's mouth. The Fury had coaled at
Labuan. The officers state "she never steamed better
since she was a ship."
Hamoaze lighter, Wood master, who has been em-
ployed on moorings at Liverpool for four months,
caving completed the work, went to Holyhead, took
in a cargo of old stores, and returned to Devonport
on Saturday evening.
Lightning steam-tender, Master-Commander E.
Petley, arrived at Devonport on Monday morning
with supernumeraries from Chatham for the Portland.
She took in a supply of coals and sailed again in the
afternoon on her return to SVoolwich.
Meander 44, Captain the Hon. H. Keppel, arrived
at Valparaiso from China, Sydney, and Tahiti, on the
23d of August. She is ordered home.
Rattlesnake surveying Vessel, Lieutenant Yule
acting commander, arrived at the Bay of Islands,
New Zealand, from Sydney, May 16, on her way to
England.
PORTSMOUTH, OCT. 22.—Admiral the Hon. Sir
Bladen Capel, K.C.8., entertained a gallant circle at
the Admiralty House last evening in honour of the
anniversary of the battle of Trafalgar, in which me-
morable engagement and glorious victory he com-
manded a frigate.
The Vengeance, 84, Captain Sir Henry M. Black-
wood, moved over to the west shore yesterday, to lie
at anchor probably for the winter.
The Birkenhead iron steam-frigate, Master-
Commander Aylen, fitting out to carry stores to
Ascension, bent sails and had - her compasSes ad-
justed to-day. She will probably leave 'the harbour
to-morrow.

The Hecate steam-sloop, Commander Hand, is
ready for sea.
The Inconstant, 36, Captain Sheppard, sailed from
Valparaiso for England with a small freight on
merchants' account on the 2d of August. The
Meander, 44, Captain the Honourable 11. Keppel,
had arrived at Valparaiso from the East Indies
and New South Wales, and was refitting at the above
date.

UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE.
CAMBRIDGE, OCT. 22.
DEATH OF THE PROVOST or KING'S COLLEGE:-
Intelligence was received here yesterday of the de-
cease, on Monday morning, at his residence, in Wim-
pole-street, Cavendish-square, of the Rev. George
Thackeray, D.D., F.L.S., Provost of King's College,
at the age of 73.
The subject of the present notice was born in 1777,
at Harrow. His grandfather was head master of
Harrow School, and the father of a numerous family,
whose sons have achieved distinction in various pro-
fessions. The father of the late Provost became an
eminent physician, and removed to Windsor, where he
was the favourite attendant upon George 111.
The late Dr. Thackeray was entered at Eton School,
where he speedily acquired distinction, and in due time
proceeded to King's College. Here he was created
8.A., 1802, M.A., 1805, and in the same year was
made a Fellow of the College. lie was shortly
afterwards appointed one of the assistant-masters of
Eton, where be continued until he was appointed,
in 1814, Provost of King's College, on the decease of
Dr. Sumner. lie was created B.D. in 1813, and D.D.
in 1814 (by royal mandate), on his election to the Pro-
vostship, and in the same year he served the office of
Vice-Chancellor of the University. The same year
Dr. Thackeray espoused Miss Cottin, whom he sur-
vived, and by whom he leaves issue one daughter, who
is heiress to his great wealth. The deceased held the
appointment of chaplain in ordinary to George 111.
and the succeeding Sovereigns, including her present
Majesty. He was an erudite classic, and had the re-
putation of having effected great improvements in the
University examinations and course of studies in that
respect. Dr. Thackeray was in addition an eminent
naturalist, and his collection and library in connexion
with that study are reputed (as private ones) to rank
among the best in England. Dr. Thackeray suffered
for some years before his decease from an internal
complaint, which finally carried him off, and had for
some time incapacitated him from taking an active
part in the administration of the of of the college.
CORPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE.—Messrs. Saunderson
and Pratt have, after examination, been declared the
successful candidates for sizarships at this college, and
have been elected accordingly.
GEOLOGY.—The_Woodwardian Professor will com-
mence his course of lectures on this subject on Mon-
day, October 28, at twelve o'clock, in the Geological
Museum, and continue every Friday.
COMPARATIVE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.--The
professor of Anatomy will commence a course of lec-
tures on comprrative anatomy and physiology in the
courseia
physiologygra m
of will
and
man,
Anatomical School on Wednesday, October 23, at one
t
o'clock. The lectures to be delivered on Mondays,
Wednesdays, and Fridays, at one o'clock, will be 24
f
commencea
ptlr.hieeeswean,
anatomy
aitloltumesrytmra.
anded The
diagrams by
twoi
o with thetnhsa review, e
of
term of comparison; and will then proceed to the
anatomy AO physiology of animals according to the
ascending series. Gentlemen who purpose to attend
these lectures with the intention of obtaining the Pro-
p eaps
the
r.
Pro-
fessor's certificate, which by grace of the Senate (Oc-
tober 31, 1848) is now required under certain condi-
tions fur the degrees of 8.A., honorary M.A., and
8.C.L., must be provided with the professorial lecture
ticket, for which they are requested CO apply to the
registrary, or to their college tutor.
DIVINITY.—The Regius Professor of Hebrew will
resume his public lectures on the Psalms, at the Di-
vinity Lecture Room, on the 26th of October, to be
continued on the following Wednesdays
and Satur-
days, at one P.M. The Professor will resume his
elementary lectures, at his rooms, in Trinity College,
on Wedndeday the 30th of October, at half-past
eleven A.M., to be continued at the same hour every
Wednesday and Saturday during term.
B A. EXAMINATION, 1851.—There will be a meet.
ing on Monday morning, the 28th instant, at eleven
o'clock, at Christ's College Lodge, to consider the
cases of those undergraduates who have degraded,
and are desirous of becoming candidates for honours.
Cases not presented to the Syndicate at the above
meeting will be precluded from consideration till the
next regular meeting in October, 1851.
VLAW.—The Downing Professor of the Laws of
England will deliver his introductory lecture in
Downing College, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at half-
past twelve o'clock. Tickets will not be required for
this lecture, but gentlemen desirous of certificates
may obtain tickets of the registrar.

THE GREAT PLATE ROBBERIES.
Application was made yesterdays to Lord Chief Jus-
tice Jervis, at Judge's Chambers, Sergeant
admit to bail Mr. Charles Thomas Sirrell , thes lnn, to
smith, of Barbican, who stands commitltoeodinbnyg
intothe
Liverpool magistrates on the great plate robbery
Mr. Bodkin appeared for the
charges.
after
The Learned said—Upon again
some discussion, .
prisoner, and
the depositions, I think I shall admit the prisoner to
bail.
Mr. Bodkin—Perhaps your Lordship will fix the
amount, We are ready with four of the most respect-
able gentlemen in the city of London.
The Judge—l will order the prisoner to enter into
his own recognisances in 2,0001., and four sureties in
1,0001. each.
Mr. C. Lewis—Will your Lordship now take the
bail ; notice has been given, and no opposition made ?
Judge—l am certainly not going to travel out of
the ordinary course in this case; the prisoner must be
brought 'up, and notice previously given to the prose-
cutors of the day, to afford them an opportunity of
1 objecting to the bail.
—...

party of the
Sins are like circles in the water, wherka
thrown into it; one produces another. When anger was in
Cain's breast, murder was not far off.—Eliza Cook's Journal.
CLERICAL ANECDOTE.--A Rev. Doctor, Dow in
Edinburgh, when minister of Inverbrothock Chapel of Ease,
Arbroath, was as much admired for his temperament, affa-
p assemblede
: t er e d ilisarleavregreence for a song,
bility, and humour, as for his public ministrations.
applause for his
mae l
Ia noe
iniofvfai
cv,
t,
uar
brl
er party, rt thy,
wherewa at
h o t 1
nwh he
rc tei al b l e of one of our most eminent
for which he was famed, he at last consented, on the condi-
tion that they would pay hire for his trouble. This created
not a little laughter at the humour of the Rev. Gentleman,
but they all consented, when Mess John put round his hat,
Nbvahni
kc h.
niont
eas
.6 h oHr ti
s timerev ebreecnacten became pe
cl eetilNi:ehde dgrweiatth gold,
condescension and music, be, at the same time, bowing his
acknowledgments, and emptying the hat of its contents into.
his pocket. Some short time thereafter, the party, think-
ing the ~ lark" had been carried far enough, began to give
sundry hints as to returning the money, when Mr. L. arose
amidst breathless silence and returned them his most sincere
thanks for their liberality (naming the turn he had received)'
which would make a handsome addition. to the funds of the
Destitute Sick Society, which were at that time in a very low
condition. Need...we add the Rev. Gentleman was not re-
quired a second time to give a specimen of his musical abi-
lities.—Dundee Courier. 2 si
BltNO,eeni
rn,eganiasdt

time.
A residence of several years in the very interior of
the most important of our West Indian islands, Ja-
maica, gives me some claim at least to be beard upon
this subject. We have, in this country, been accus-
tomed to hear chiefly the evil reports of the planters
and the West Indian interest generally, and, probably
from this circumstance,' the opinion seems to have
gained almost universal acceptance, that the fai-
lure of the emancipation scheme' in so''far as its
pecuniary results are concerned, is owing entirely to,
the inherent indolence of the negro character.
We hear constantly of the impossibility, on free-
trade principles, of the competition of free with slave',
labour. We are recommended by one party, as the
only remedy, to put on again the protective duties,
and by another, to do virtually the same thing by
enforcing the slave treaties with Spain and Brazil, al
matter which could not possibly be carried out so,
long as Cuba and Brazil enjoy such an extensive and'
profitable trade, without the interference of war, to'
which the advocates of this scheme are for most'
part strenuously opposed. Or, again, we are recom-
mended to pursue a new tide f emigration, as if facts'
had not long since proved the uselessness of any such
remedy. What we have to complain of chiefly is,
that we have seen no practical recommendation with
regard to the improvement of the present internal re-'
sources of our West Indian islands, in which alone We
the foundations of all health. It is generally taken for'
granted that no such remedies are possible, a conclu-
sion which all our experience most amply contradicts.;
It is surely remarkable that more inquiry has not
been made into the management of West Indian pro- ,
perty after the period of emancipation. Every one i
who can have any pretension to a knowledge of the
subject at all, must know that property at that period ,
was involved to an immense extent, so much so that
by far the greater part of the redemption money was
'paid to mortgagees; so far, indeed, was it involved at
that time, that it is a question, whether, if the old
slave institutions had been maintained in all their
pristine vigour, property would not now have been
nearly in the same state that it really is. The pre-
valence, all but universal, of absenteeism, and the in-
troduction of a most expensive and reckless system of
management, perhaps sufficiently account for such a
state of, matters. But, leaving these questions out of
view, it is surely our duty to inquire whether, after
the passing of the Emancipation Act, matters were so
conducted by the West India planters as to give that
Act any, fair chance of success. This is not a question
which involves only past interests, and which
it is therefore unnecessary and uncharitable to inves-
tigate ; it is one which must be discussed and decided,
to enable us to act wisely in time to come—it is one
on which binges the whole question of the propriety,
in a pecuniary point of view, of the Emancipation
Act; and, therefore, one which may influence much
the continuance of American slavery at least. It is
especially important at present, as, if it can be proved
that the free negro is unable to compete, under any
circumstances, with the slave, in sugar cultivation,
we may reasonably conclude that an attempt to in-
troduce the cultivation of cotton, or any other new
material, would prove equally a failure.
Now, Sir, it appears to me that any party residing
in the 'West Indies, with a mind free from prejudice,
during the early operation of the Emancipation Act,
could not but conclude that the method pursued by
the planters was of a kind that could not possibly have
been expected to succeed in any free country.
Every means was used in most cases—for of
course no charge of the kind can be made univer-
sally—to_keep the people still as far as possible under
a system of oppression ; every petty annoyance that
one could imagine was given, SO that one might have
supposed that the managers had some interest in
'driving the negroes far from the properties. Exor-
bitant rents were charged for their huts; the trees,
which they or their fathers had planted, wore in
many cases cut down before their doors, or they
were forbidden to touch the fruits ; their gardens
were not unfrequently destroyed ; wages were gene-
rally paid most irregularly, and advantage taken in
numerous cases of the ignorance of the people, and
their powerlessness in the inferior law courts to de-
prive them of them, either in part or. altogether.
Such causes as these, as might have been certainly
expected, soon drove all who had industry and energy
enough to lay up capital to procure settlements of
their own, in which to take refuge. Other induce-
ments of a positive class to migrate in this way
were also at this time very great. The
growth of ground provisions for the markets
of the neighbouring towns, was found both a more
profitable and more certain method of acquiring
money, than labour on the sugar estates. When the
family was too large for this work alone, the younger
members still continued to cultivate sugar on the
Plantations. The natural love of independence, no
doubt, formed also a powerful motive. All these
causes, but especially the ,first, the irksomeness of
being exposed to the continual annoyances of the
planters, early induced a most extensive system of
migration, probably extending in a few years to above
a' half of the labouring population, and now much
more. This, though seldom taken into account in
any plans of improvement, seems to me the class on
which we must ground almost our entire hopes for
the revival of West Indiari prosperity. They have
been constantly misrepresented in this country as
idle squatters, who have betaken themselves to their
fastnesses to spend their lives in indolent and sottish
pleasure. This conclusion seems to me one at utter
variance witu the real facts of the case. Coming in
contact with every class, I have found them, univer-
sally, by far the most industrious, moral, and
thbp
eeee
a vsseaon peasantry
rhy comparedapoa fs:
t
I
dnnlyb.uuctlTeiifhtechyfeyinsudacyoh,
indaeed,
detheel intel-
lectualiaennddd wretched
industrious,
rhrt tieeooyhufe
st
sd,hh eoi
neglect,npu squattingodi
arising
upb le ean t
independent,
00ei
ffenpnfo
viewed
trso:Rmet
newdaaae
inert
t misrepresentation,
scree lyrhtrai
at:
ahesepepf
atteheinmtoimunetatointshe
itrl
ao m i
ominhabit. seemsT t
no e mo
he a thatrgo
enfo
indolence they, buite ourselves,refuted
b ywtihl will beve
very
bfact of the purchases of land they have made. The
portions'iit
surelyh t
hes me
,r
eapqyauibidre
ebdsy mnaoll and the sums trifling compared
wt
buyerssma
small
lf
amountlan a. ino f
this
industry and
bpt
energy to lay up in a few years,
,put of wages at the
rate of is. sa: per day, sums averaging from 101.. to
109/., and even upwards. Of course more than Is. Gd.
might be obtained by taskwork, but this only by
.pro-
th;cing more than an ordinary day's labour. ,And
not only so, but this class, in so far as we were ac-
quainted with their, proceedings, continued year
by ' year to improve their. ,
houses and to lay
up money to procure more land. Many of their
cottages, which I have myself visited might bear
comparison with the abode of any ordinary
English labourer. " The neatly shingled roof,
the well-boarded floor,' the number of apart-
mepts,' all bore witness to 'the industry and desire of
improveinent of the inhabitants. I may say that I
have seen 'a whole mountain side smile with such
cottages as these. Besides this, almest all these
settlers were possessed 'of either a horse or mule for
personal use and the carriage.Of provisions to market,
animals which in Xamaica cost fully the average price
that they do in this country. The desire and inten-
tion cif' these settlers, at least same four or five years
since, Was 'to extend their properties as quickly as
poasible. They were most anxious too to obtain some
article for which there might be a demanitin the
English market, to cultivate for themselves, and thus
to open up limitless prospects of irnproven3en
was so much the case that, when the demand
ginger had one year suddenly increased, the amount
Tr
liois
planted the year following far exceeded the demand.
The charge of sottish' indolence
be seems thus winthoground.many p
heeleaeerst,
because
It m
se.
they are
se
prejudiced believed b
against of t
independent
labour, or rather against the independent labourers,
as to shut their eyes to any of its favourable charac-
teristics.
Surely, then, we may hope for brighter days by an
entire change of system. It is scarcely to be expected
r attempt
lately t o p r ocla
that the prosperity of Jamaica is to be revived by
anything like an attempt to put down these indepen-
dent settlements, and to force back things to the
position which they occupied when emancipation was
proclaimed. I
im
such a result, which
recom-
mended, would be generally fraught with mischief.
Besides its manifest cruelty and injustice, the same
believe
some that
writers t an e
rs
have
causes as ever are to a large extent at work to prevent
its success. ..I believe, on the other hand, that if the
cultivation, be now entirely thrown into the hands of
the negroes themselves, whether on bought or rented
land, the more of the former the better, and if we our-
selves are satisfied to assume the position of merchants
and manufacturers alone, our colonies would soon re-
cover their diminished strength and be able to com-
pete with any slave country in the world.
We all know how much enthusiasm is imparted by
the feeling of working directly for ourselves; all
history, too, shows that an independent peasantry has

THE PORTLAND CONVICT
ESTABLISHMENT.
REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JEBB, C. 8., SUR-
VEYOR.GENARAL OF PRISONS, ON TUB DISCIPLINE
AND CONSTRUCTION OF PORTLAND PRISON.
[Presented to. Parliament by command of her
Majesty.]
The subject of prison discipline has for very many
years engaged the attention of philanthropists and
statesmen, and that higher branch of it which affects
more especially the convict population, has, even of
late, threatened to be a formidable difficulty to the
Government of the country. It would, we fear, be
too much to say that, the mild and enlightened prin-
ciples that now regulate the treatment of criminals
are such as to remove every feeling of doubt from
the mind of the philanthropist, or every difficulty
from the path of the statesman, but, after a careful
perusal of the very instructive report which Colonel
Jebb has made upon the discipline and management
of convict prisons, we must confess that we think we
have approached as near perfection in convict disci-
pline as is possible. We have left far behind us the
days when Howard mourned and Hunt anathemised
the old county gaols; and men, having learnt their
duties to themselves, are discovering that they owe
duties to society. The convicted offender against the
law is no longer flung into the hulks and left to
be swept off by cholera, or infected with
that fearful moral pestilence which made
a convict ship a mundane hell. Even those
whose offences or whose vices have placed them
altogether without the pale of society, are now the
objects of the highest solicitude and care, and—para-
doxical as it may seem—the man who has been
banished for life from his kindred and country, has
now lavished on him the most attentive and consi-
derate kindnesses, that he may be presented, reformed,
and renewed, to that society from whence he had been
altogether expelled.
The Convict Establishment at Portland, in this
county of Dorset, is designed to occupy a conspicuous
part in the grand moral effort that is being made for
the reclamation of convicts. The punishment of
transportation is now divided into three successive
I stages, in which punishment and discipline are inge-
niously interwoven with encouragements and rewards.
The first stage is separate confinement, of which every
convict must feel the pangs for a period not exceeding
.eighteen months. Here he is first taught that his own
'conduct may materially influence his position; for the
duration of his confinement depends entirely upon
his behaviour. This stage is usually passed in Pen-
,tonville prison. The second is undergone at Portland,
'where the convict is employed upon public works.
IThe third and last stage is passed abroad, either with
a ticket of leave or under penal discipline, according
to the character and conduct of the convict whilst in
confinement in this country.
To show how very much a prisoner may influence
his sentence, we may state that seven years' transports
may recommend themselves by their behaviour for a
ticket of leave, immediately after serving their proba-
tionary term 'of separate confinement, and may alto-
gether avoid the second stage ; and a prisoner who is
engaged on public works may shorten his term of
detention at the second stage by two, three, or even
four-and-a-half years. The ticket of leave permits
him to remain at liberty within a prescribed district,
and to work for wages, and the families of well-con-
ducted convicts are assisted by Government in the ex-
pense of a passage to the colonies.
We have, however, to deal principally on this cc-
easion with the admirable establishment which is in
operation in this county, and which, as most of our
readers know, was designed for the twofold object
of securing convicted offenders in a situation of soli-
tude, and of usefully employing their labour upon a
Work of national importance. The Portland prison
is erected upon a very comprehensive design, and em-
braces as much comfort and accommodation for the
840 prisoners which it can contain as could possibly
be blended with, rigid discipline. The buildings are
well ventilated and warmed, and the convict is so far
at liberty that he can control the atmosphere of his
cell. his daily routine is :—rise at six ; work till
eight ; attend morning prayers, occupying ten
minutes immediately before or after breakfast; labour
till dinner (at twelve), and from breakfast till supper,
at six, when evening prayers and the daily lecture are
delivered. Each prisoner is allowed half-a-day a
week in school, besides attending the evening classes.
" The course of imprisonment of the convicts at
Portland—(we now quote from the report of Captain
Whitty, the excellent governor)—consists generally of
a combination of associated labour by day, with sepa-
ration (by means of cells) during the night and even-
ings, and at meal times. When in their cells at the
above times, strict silence is enforced upon the pri-
soners ; but during the hours of labour (which is al-
ways carried on under the immediate superintendence
of the prison officers) they are allowed to converse to
such an extent as not to interrupt the progress of
their work. The effect of maintaining this greater
degree of restraint while actually within the prison
walls is to cause the convicts to proceed without unwil-
lingness to their daily labour, as relieving them from
the irksomeness of separation, of which they have had
so much experience during the previous probationary
period of their sentences. The frequent recurrence of
this restraint acts also as a wholesome check on the
natural tendency of the labour outside the walls to
relax strict prison discipline."
In order to stimulate the convicts to proper beha-
viour, good-conduct badges are given to the deserv-
ing ; and a register is kept of every prisoner in the
" character book." To encourage the men to in-
dustry,.a small gratuity is added—the men in the first
class getting 9d., the second class men 6d., and the
third class 4d. per week out of the shilling per week
allowed by the Lords of the Admiralty for each con-
vict employed en the Breakwater. The amount of a
prisoner's gratUities are forwarded to the Governor of
the colony to which he is sent, and applied to his be-
nefit in the manner that is considered by the authori-.
ties most desirable.
"'The inexperience of the officers," remarks Cap-
tain Whitty, " and generally of the convicts them-
selves (whose trades were not brought into operation),
has doubtless acted unfavourably on the amount of
profitable labour performed during the first year.of
the establishment. The value.ef the convicts' labour
"
which however, within the year, even under these e
unfa-
vourable circumstances,
av beenehraasgem
upwardsnube
ro
f of
480 men),
over 1
every convict in the prison ; and I think there can
be no doubt that as the system becomes more per-
o
feated, the value of the convict' s labour will be con-
siderably increased. The allowance 0f.4d., 6d., or
9d., by way of weekly earnings, to the convicts in
161 givesas the annual average value of the labour of
,(n tb
the different classes, with power on their parts to in-
crease it by extra exertion, in beginning, I feel, satis-
fied, to have a very stimulating effect on their
industry. Some of them have already learned to ap-
preciate the advantage of having a small sum laid by
to promote their future welfare in the colonies ; and
the attention of the convicts generally appears to be
drawn with beneficial effect to the reality of this kind
of encouragement.
" The minor punishments inflicted have been bread
and water (not exceeding three days), stoppage of a
meal, privation of light in the evening, close confine-
ment, work within the prison walls, removal to a
lower class, forfeiture of a month's good-conduct
badge, and separate confinement for a period not ex-
ceeding twenty-eight days in the stone cells provided
for the purpose. This latter punishment is found to
have the salutary effect in making a prisoner feel the
danger of his losing, in case of his own misconduct;the
privileges placed within his reach by the present pro-
bationary system. The most common offences against
the rules are—speaking in the cells, tricks about food,
bartering it with each other for books or other ar-
ticles, and having prohibited articles in possession.
With respect to the last offence, this establishment is
under considerable disadvantage, as compared with a
prison in which the prisoners are constantly within
the walls. Workmen and others outside the boun-
dary walls wishing for opportunities (often, perhaps,
from mistaken motives of pity) of giving tobacco or
other prohibited articles to the convicts, have here the
means of effecting it with less chance of detection,
and, if they act warily, of evading the law by which
e
they could be punished for attempting totintru
such articles within the walls of the prison.
" Who present establishment is calculated to contain

We are glad to find on the. authority of Colonel
Jebb's valuable report., that the prejudice formerly
felt by the colonies to the importation of convict
labour is completely wearing away, • no.w that we do
our duty by the convicts we sent! abroad
,We are
assured that so far
,froM. there being a rePugpance ex-
hibited towards convict labour " the conditional par-
don men are held at Pert Philip in high 'estiniation."
Upon this pOint Wong Jebh remarks —1
" I do not hesitate to state my pwn conviction that
if there be established for all, convicts_ a sound and
uniform system of discipline and industrial'Oaining
in this country, for periods such' as are:now contem-
plated (averaging, perhaps, from three to three and
a half years), so favourable an effect on thecharacter
of a large proportion will be produced that, taken as
a body, they will be found more valuable in any colony
where there exists an adequate 'demand .for labour,
than an equal number of emigrants taken indiscrimi-
nately from the large towns and country districts. I
am borne out in this opinion by some experienceP
We find from nearly all the prison authorities who
are introduced by Colonel Jebb into his report a con-
current testimony to the importance of keeping faith
with the prisoner, and, granting the leave ticket at
the period when he has been led to expect it. • The
effects of. the uncertainty . Colonel Jebb declares to
be a 'great check in the way of reformation, and he
earnestly presses upon the attention of the Govern-
ment the question; whether it. would be 'possible to
diminish the number to be transported, by releasing
them in this country, on their showing that they had
the means of earning their livelihood or obtaining
security ,tor their future good oonduct:l He also
suggests that a probationary term should be passed in
the colonies, for." there is too wide a distinction be-
tween the full privileges of a ticket of leave, and the
penal gangs in Norfolk Island." This report and the
very many important facts that are appended to it
will afford the Government abundant material for
future regulations ; and, under the attentive superin-
tendence of Colonel Jebb, we may rest assured that
in the discipline of our prisons everything will be
effected that a wise and watchful care for the interests
of criminals, no less than for the ends of justice, and
the benefit of society can suggest.