The Sun.
London, England, 1850-10-12 00:00:00

THE PREVENTION OF CRIME.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR GEORGE
GREY, BART., M.P., &c., &c., &c.
not
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Sir,— I propose addressing to you a few letters
seals of the Home Department, but because the public
recognise in you the most able colleague of Lord John
Russell in supporting those reforms which long neglect
have rendered necessary.
The subject is "The Prevention of Crime," and, as
usual, the Government, instead of being in the van,
are far behind the people ; for, it seems either to be
the bad or good fortune of our institutions that re-
forms are never brought forward by those in office
until the public, wearied with the growing evil, re-
solve to extinguish it, if not in the best manner, at
least with celerity, and generally succeed, although
the idleness of the Government in permitting so long
an accumulation increases the difficulty, and renders
the remedy less effective than it would have been if
earlier applied.
The proposal I am about to offer has not, that I am
aware of, ever before been made; but this fact will not,
I hope and believe, prevent your examining it with
the care which is demanded by the importance of the
subject. To minds less vigorous than yours its ex-
treme simplicity will be a great objection. Can any
good come out of Nazareth? is a question daily put
by those who cannot believe that much benefit can
arise from simple measures, or surely, they say, it
would have been discovered before—vanity and igno-
rance uniting in a happy combination.
The remedy I propose will be found in accordance
with the spirit of the age, which abhors severity of
punishment—nay, it would remove the greatest ob-
jection which I entertain, in common with many
others, against the abolition of the punishment of
death; assuredly it would tend to diminish those
heavy crimes which lead to the infliction of that
punishment.
If I succeed in establishing beyond the possibility
of doubt, to minds capable of. grappling with the
question, that the following results must follow the
adoption of my plan, I might conclude my labour
and leave you to adopt the best mode of working it
into successful operation ; but I will go farther, and
show you that I have considered the subject in all its
bearings by proposing the means by which it could
be easily and safely carried out, and, although I con-
sider the point of very minor consideration, at a much
less cost than the present system.
The results which I believe must follow from the
adoption of my proposal are-
-Ist. It will secure to the criminal that which
should be the end of all punishment, the best possible
means of reforming his conduct, and becoming an
honest man.
2d. It will be, beyond doubt, most effectual in
preventing the increase of crime.
Keeping these propositions steadfastly in view,
without reference to other benefits which will cer-
tainly flow from its adoption, my plan is, that
every person should upon his second conviction of any
crime be transported for life.
Do not for an instant suppose that my proposal carries
along with it anything so absurd as to visit with the
same punishment crimes of different degrees, or com-
mitted under circumstances of almost opposite cha-
racter. No ; but I would inflict the proper extent of
punishment in the colony instead of in this country,
according to the character of the crime for which the
party was transported.
By adopting this plan, you inflict on the prisoner
no more punishment than that to which he was sen-
tenced; by pursuing the present plan, after he has
suffered the punishment imposed by the law, you in-
flict upon him one infinitely greater, and the more
cruel, because just in proportion to the man's sincere
desire of reformation, so is your second punishment
more heavy, more difficult to be borne.
This is clear to all who have reflected upon the
subject, but it is so important in reference to the
remedy I propose, that I trust you will excuse me if
I occupy your time by the statement of a case which
must appear to yourself and others a work of supere-
rogation, as it is of daily, nay, I am justified in saying,
of hourly occurrence.
A man is convicted of a theft, and sentenced to im-
prisonment; the time has passed away, his prison-
doors are open, and again he is a free man : say also
that he is sincerely convinced, if not of the wicked-
ness, at least of the folly of crime, and is resolved
never again to commit it. Destitute of resources, he
applies for employment, and the answer he receives
is, Show me your character.
It he speaks the truth the answer either harshly or
kindly given is, I cannot employ you ; if he begins his
task of reformation by a cunningly devised lit-, and
succeeds in obtaining employment and bread, how
wretchedly does he live for fear of being detected and
ignominiously discharged.
I will not at present pursue the subject, and follow
the criminal, destitute of food, unable to obtain em-
ployment, again resorting to his old haunts and vicious
companions, again and again convicted of crime, and
sentenced, and punished, and again pursuing the
same course, with a mind more and more hardened
as he progresses in crime until at last he commits a
fearful murder for which he suffers death upon the
gallows.
Sir George Grey—That man was made a murderer
by the Government of his country.
Adopt the proposal I have offered, and trace the
probable conduct and fate of the very same individual,
having committed the same crime. He is transported
—the time during which he would have suffered im-
prisonment in this country—he is bound to work
either for the Government or for a settler without
wages. This is his probationary period ; if he conducts
himself well, at the expiration of his term of punish-
ment his services are eagerly sought for in a colony,
the chief want of which is labour.
Every day he becomes more and more confirmed in
his new life, and sees more clearly the folly of crime,
to say nothing of the all-important fact, that even it
he wished, he has not that opportunity of committing
it, which is hourly presented to his view in this
country. The pickpocket, the thief, and the burglar,
still resolved to follow a vicious course, would in
vain seek for a subject, and if one did present itself,
would find great difficulty in using or disposing of
the spoil.
To sum up the whole in a truthful sentence, the
present plan throws every difficulty in the way of a
criminal desirous of abandoning his former practices
and to become a virtuous member of society, and at
the same time affords every facility to the criminal
resolved to continue in his vicious course. The adop-
tion of my proposal would reverse this infamous
system, would give every facility to the former, and
throw much difficulty in the path of the-latter.
I have the honour to remain, Sir,
Your most obedient and faithfservant,
Corwar, Oct. 9. RIGBY WASON.

OPENING OF THE NEW POST OFFICE.—Our post-
office staff have at length taken possession of the new post-
office in the Market-place, built expressly by his Grace the
Duke of Norfolk for the purpose of a post-office. The edifice
does not form so ornamental a feature in the architecture of
the town as we had hoped to see occupying so important and
conspicuous a situation. A great improvement, it strikes us,
would be effected by the addition of lateral wings, an addi •
tion which possibly will be made at some future time. The
old premises were finally vacated on Sunday night, and the
transfer was effected so judiciously as to occasion no incon-
venience whatever to any of the numerous parties and
interests with which so important a public institution
is identified. The ample space afforded by the new office,
which is replete with appointments and conveniences which
were not to be found in the former office, places it far in ad-
vance of the many buildings successively used for the same
purpose, while in point of situation it ranks second to none
of them. The new Post-office occupies the whole of the
space between the two arched avenues at the west end of the
Shambles. The external arrangements are as follows :—The
three boxes for the postage of letters, late letters, and news-
papers are placed at the south end of the building, in the
archway next to the Fruit Market. In the archway next to
King-street is the private entrance. 'There is also a passage
at the front of the building, at the left extremity, within
which the money-order department will be conducted. The
passage is to be fitted up with benches for the convenience
of parties waiting to transact business. The window imme-
diately to the right of this passage is for private bags and
for the sale of postage stamps; the centre window is for the
general delivery and for the receipt of paid letters; and the
window to the right is for the posting of letters when the
boxes are closed for the dispatch of mails while the letters
brought in by the mails are being sorted.—Sheffield Times.
CHARGE OF POISONING AGAINST A SOLDIER.-011
Monday week William Dowling, a private in the Bth Ilus-
.sars, a detachment of which regiment is stationed in the Dor-
chester Barracks, was brought bef re the borough magistrates,
charged with attempting to pcison Corporal Michael Riley.
It appeared from the evidence that the corporal was in the
habit of putting away overnight a basin of tea for the next
mom in g, which he kept in a black bottle, on a shelf over
his bed. The prisoner was seen to take the bottle down,
and shake something into it, on the night of the 24th 01
September. The same night the corporal had his tea made
and put into the bottle; some of which he shortly after-
wards drank, as did also a private named Lennon; and the
next morning both of them felt violent pains in their sto-
machs and heads. The bottle containing the liquid was
then taken to Mr. Panful], surgeon, of this town, for exahni-
nation, and on his tasting it he immediately said there was
sugar of lead in it. The prisoner was remanded for a week
to afford time for the contents of the bottle to be analysed.
lie was brought up from the county gaol on Monday last for
further examination, when other evidence was adduced, and
he was then fully committed to take his trial on'the charge
at the next assizes. —Sherborne Jouriece.

Captain Herbert Wynne Was yesterday returned
without opposition, on Protectionist principles, for the county
of Montgomery. Ile has forwarded a cheque for one hun-
dred pounds to the chairman of the Protectionist Society
(R. Bonuor Maurice, Esq.), to be applied in aid of tLe
funds thereof.—Nortli Wales Chronicle.

THE FRENCH NAVY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.
_ _ _

Sir,—The President of the French republic, the
French squadron, and the gigantic works, finished and
in progress, whichl have been seen by many British
officers, by the yacht club, and by numerous English
gentlemen, together with the articles in the press,
have done more to open the eyes of the people of
England to cur unprotected state than the celebrated
letter of the Duke of Wellington, and the various
communications myselfland others have made to diffe-
rent members of her Majesty's Government both
publicly and privately and through the medium of the
press. They have seen, almost within sight of our
own shores, a splendid breakwater of nearly three
miles long rise from the bottom of the sea, 60 feet

deep, under which can lie at moorings .50 sail of the
line with perfect safety, almost frowning on England.
That breakwater, ere long, will be defended by three
tremendous fortifications, independent of movable
guns without number, to protect either entrance that
may be attacked. On the Isle of Pelee, opposite the
breakwater on the eastern entrance, is Fort Royal
(now Fort National), mounting 90 guns caseinated,
and guns pointing out of ports like a ship. Opposite
this on the main land is Fort de Flamands, mounting
many heavy guns ; in its rear is the redoubt of Tour-
laville.
Opposite the breakwater, to the west, are the forts
of Querqueville, St. Anne, and linnet, and one in-
tended to be built on a rock, between the west end of
the breakwater and Querqueville. These forts will
mount upwards of 150 guns. There are also strong
batteries to the left of the basin, bearing on the roads.
Within the breakwater, excavated out of rock, and
faced with stone, is the avant port, capable of con-
taining ten sail of the line alongside the quay, 30 feet
deep at low water spring tides. In this port is a dock
and four slips ; in a line with this, and communicating
with it, is an inner basin, in which ten sail of the line
can also lie alongside the quay. On two sides of this
basin are magazines; and here also lies the sheer
hulk. In the rear of Fort Honet there is another
small basin, and two building slips. This serves as a
ditch to the fort, which is cut off from the main land
and island by a drawbridge ; from the lower tier of
guns, another bridge conducts you over a ditch to a
large barrack-yard, casemated ; and two small stairs
lead up to the second tier of guns.
In the rear of the avant port and the inner basin
inland, there is another basin in construction, which
communicates with both. This basin when finished
can accommodate 20 sail of the line alongside the
quay. Here are four docks and five slips. To the
left of the great avant port, there is another avant
port, which leads to the steam-basin, where there are
three slips. The store-houses are large, well-ar-
ranged, and close to the basins. There is also a port
of refuge, leading to another steam-basin, where, as in
the other basins, the steamers can coal alongside the
wharf.

This splendid dockyard is surrounded by a high
wall, and the wall is again surrounded by regular
fortifications, with a wet ditch ; and to protect the
works, the heights in the rear, and, indeed, all round
from Tourlaville, there is a double chain of strong re-
doubts. Independent of all these there is a corn-
mercial basin, with gates, in which merchant vessels
lie afloat. Two piers project a considerable distance
beyond the gates. Both the town and basin are out-
side the fortifications.

Under this magnificent breakwater lay the French
squadron, consisting of two ships of 120 guns, three of
100 guns on two decks, two of 90 guns, and one of
96 guns, one frigate of 60 guns, three large steamers
of 16 and 12 guns, but pierced for 28, and capable of
transporting to a short distance upwards of 2,000 men
each; one screw brig, one corvette, and three smaller
steamers.

The ships as far as we could judge were in high
order, lowered and furled their sails as well as we
could do, shifted maintopsail and foresail by signal—
the Inflexible, the best of the squadron, in 5i minutes.
They also fired five broadsides with blank cartridge.
In the Friedland, where we were, some of our
officers thought they fired slow, but half of ber crew
had only been on board two months, and this the
President took care to explain. The mode of passing
the powder was perfect, and well worth copying.
Boats were then manned and armed, but not so
quickly as I expected. They attacked the steamer,
and kept up a good fire, the boats more numerous than
ours, and, except the launches, much larger. This
fleet mounts more guns, and, generally speaking,
throws a heavier broadside than our ships, with the
exception of the Queen. Their crews are also larger ;
in the Friedland there are 184 men to pass along the
powder and shells.
It is commanded by Vice-Admiral Parseval
Duchesne, a young-looking man, about 60; the se-
cond in command, Rear-Admiral Dubourdien, about
45, has lost a leg. The captains and officers are
young men, and experienced men, inasmuch as they
are almost constantly employed, and it requires more
interest for a French officer to get out of employment
than for an English officer to get into it. Promotion
is by selection, except to lieutenants, where one-half
by seniority, and, as far as I could learn, with
little favouritism. lam justified in saying they are
commanded and officered by experienced men, for
they are almost alwa3 s afloat, while we, on the other
hand, are commanded by men who are employed
about once in ten or fifteen years, when little justice
is shown in selection for promotion, and nut much for
employment. *

Napoleon said Cherbourg was an eye to see and an
arm to strike. We had better take care, or some day
it will strike with a vengeance. We have Russia on
our I,ft flank with a large fleet in the Baltic, and
France with a harbour capable of holding a large
fleet in our front, waiting only a railroad from Paris
to make it complete. Should these two Powers at
any time fall out with us, I do not think they will
pay much attention to Cobden's Peace Congress. One
wants to go to Constantinople, the other wants to go
to the Rhine, and we want to prevent both; and when
the pear is riper Cobden's preaching at Frankfort will
not prevent them.