Star.
London, England, 1820-05-24 00:00:00

PRISON DI SCIPLINE.

SOCIETY FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF PRISON
DISCIPLINE, AND THE REFORMATION
OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS.

Yesterday a Meeting of the Friends of this excel-
lent
Society took place at the Freemasons' Hall.
Upwards of 1,200 persons, among whom were many
Noblemen and Gentlemen of the highest distinction,'
were assembled upon this occasion. Both the gal-
kites and the body of the Hall were crowded ith
Ladies, many of whom belonged to the Society of
Friends. Among the latter, was pa:licularly noticed,
the benevolent Mrs. FRY, whose exertions in the be
tevolent objects of this Institution are so well known
and appreciated. On the platform were the Marquis'
Of LANSDOW Lords GROSVI;NOR, BELGRAVE,„AUCK
LAND, *Mid the Lord Bishop of ST. ASAPR ; Messrs.
BENNETT, WIIITBREAII,

At about half-vast one o'clock his Royal Highness
the Duke of GLOUCESTER took the Chair. His Royal
Highness shortly after add: essod the Meeting, and
said, that he kit an anxious desire to testify the warm
interest which he felt for the objects of this most
ex-
cellent Institution; but he was at that moment lab Jur-
ing under severe indisposition, and he feared the state
91 his health would not permit him to stay during
the whole of the proceedings. lie could have wished
to eater into a detailed statement of the objects of the
Society, but be had the satisfaction of reflecting that
Len should be followed by an Honourable Friend, who
Lad devoted much of his time to the promotion of
those objects, and who would, not only state them to
the Meeting, but also detail the steps which had
already been taken for the purpose of carrying them
into effect. It was a most gratifying and satisfactory
reflection, that wherever the objects of this Institution
had been stated, they had nut only not met with any
opposition, but had been uniformly received with the
most cordial approbation and support. His Honour-
:ds'e Friend would now state to the Meeting the
osjects of the Institution.
T. F. BUXTON, Esq. in addressing the Meetingofelt
some hesitation in being- called on before those Gen-
tlemen who were around him. Mr. Buxton; in an
able speech, then proceeded to give a detailed ac-
count of the rise and provess of the Society, which
had already effected much goodt as it was well known
that those persons who were reclaimed by the So-
ciety seldom or never relapsed. A similar Society to
the one which the Meeting were met to celebrate,
had been established at St. Petersburg h, the forma-
tion of which was principally owing to the represen-
tations of a Gentleman belonging to the Society, who
posed the state of thektils to tl Emperor Alexander.
Mr. Buxton then proceeded to state, that there were
8,090 juvenile offenders in the metropolis, and it
was highly desirable to have a Juvenile Penitentiary,
for many young offenders on being discharged from
prisons again returned to their wicked practices.—
Ihc Honourable Gentleman then recapitulated the
objects of the Institution, which were—first, to esta-
blisli a central tOcus of communication upon its gene-
ral views and interests ; next, to form a Penitentiary
for j•avenile delinquents; and, lastly, if it should be
tl.e opinion of this Meeting, in furtherance of those
objects, to keep up the temporary Refuge for the
Destitute. Mr. Buxton concluded an able speech,
by refuting many of the arguments brought against
the prison discipline.
The Marquis of LANSDOWN, in a short speech, in
which he went over nearly the same grounds as the
last speaker, moved a Resolution of considelable
length, the purportof which was, the supporting of the
Society, and stating the want of discipline in jails.
Lord AUCKLAND seconded the Motion.

Tile Duke of GLoucEsmit, after putting the Mo•
tion, said he was now under the necessity of leaving.
the Meeting. His Noble Friend (Lord Auckland)
would take the Chain
The Marquis of LANSDOWN rose and said, before
his Royal Highness left the Chair, he should pro-
pose a vote of thanks for his condescension in visiting
and supporting the Scciety—(Applause).
The motion was carried with bleat applause.
His Royal Highness briefly returned thanks, and
then left the Hall amid the cheels of the Meeting.
Lord AUCKLAND then took the Chair, after which
Mr. VliouLeroncE, Lord GROSVENOR, and several
other Gentlemen, ably addressed the Meeting in be-
half of the Society. s

A series of Resolu!ions were also unanimously
paned, in furtherance of the objects of the Society,
and of the utility of erecting a Juvenile Penitentiary.
• A large subscription was received.

At the Old Bailey, yesterday, .Edward
M.& was capitally indicted for uttering two forged £1 notes,
k r)' vlig them to be forged, with intent to defraud the Governor
a, Company of the Bank of England. The facts were clearly
pi wed to the satisfaction of the Jury, and a verdict of Guilty
pronolneed. The prisoner was the last of those eapitallr
indicted for passing forged notes.

I:Amic