Star.
London, England, 1817-08-12 00:00:00

IEMAZ.2 coNtrith'S VPWGATP.

gram a Coerespon&nr.)
11% public attention Navin; been lately called to
the attempt-now making by an ascociation of persons
imptcve the condition of the female prisoners in
Newgate, a pl in statement of facts may prove in-
tereqt;ng, and pl ire the subject in its proper l:ght.
Ati individual having t sewrai years past paid
ccettional visits to the female lido of the prison,
!trved, with feelinvs rf deep concern, the injurious
consequences arising from a nurnber of unhappy fe-
males, of characters and habits more or less depraved,
constantly mixing together, ‘v:thout object, and with-
out emplorriet,t : ample opßostunity brine Otos
afforded for the hardened in Vice farther to
begintrtt s into the mysteries of crime I and to until
their poison even into the tender minds i.f the chil-
,dren who were confined with thrir .vrttched mothers.

The depl.:rable state of thcsr children chiefly ar.
T•esied her attention ; and she established, with the
vitt:it:re of some others who now joined her, a
so.ool in wh:ch they were instructed in reading, knit-
ting, and needle-work ; the whole under the lull Con-
currence of ..he Sheriffs. and with the friendly co-
operation of the C' lain, and of the late Governor.
The improved c-ndition t f the children, and some
adults who wt re instructed in common with then),
attracted the notice of the other female prisoners,
most of whom expressed a wish to become partakers
of a similar benefit. This led to the idea of a snore
extensive plan, the principal object of which was to
introduce regular work and useful employment,
among them all, and such rules as would tend to
their moral and religious ift.provement. For this
purpose a well-disposed and respectable woman was
appointed matron, and rooms were assigned to her in
the prison, to act the part of a constant superinten-
dent, and to read to them a portion of Scripture
morning and evening. Monitors were selected from
amongst themselves, to whom the care of the whole,
and the inspectic.n of the separate classes, were con-
fided ; and small rewards were given to the most in-
iustrious and orderly. Daily visits were paid to the
prisoners by Members of the Association, in order to
assist and support the matron, to inspect the various
branches of work and of education, and to stimulate
the more promising by their friendly counsel and
encouragement.
A decided improvement in the conduct and de
portment of the prisoners soon became apparent ;
their regular employment prevented many a scene of
riot and contention ; and a reasonable hope may be
entertained that many, through the Divine blessing,
may become better subjects of the State, and valuable ,1
members of society.
The execution of this plan was at first attended
with some exprnse. which was defrayed by, the bene-
volence of private individu..l), aided by a sibs) .ip-
tion from the Grand Junes at the Spring and Sum-
rut yes.lons ; 11,4 will the expenehture cease, though
in future it may be considerably diminished by the
sale of the v.rrtuus articles made by ti,e prisoners.
The members of the association are fully sensible
e;at, while in some respects even their own expecta7
lions have been greatly exceeded, much mote might
be done by a further classification of the prisoners,
which the want of room render, impracticable.
. In conclusion, they consider tt right to state that
the hays' school had been previously established by
the ordinary, and a few benevolent gentlemen ; and
that otht r c osiderable improvements had taken place,
iu consequence of the laudable exertions of the Gaol
Committee, consisting of the Lord Mayor, and many
at the Court of Aldermen t and it is with pleasure
they ackhowledge thegreat k•nduess and attenticnwith
Which their requests have been received, not only by
that Committee, and by the sheriffs, but also by the
higher departments of the Government.
Within a period of little more than three months,
the women and girls have made nearly 4,000 shirts,
*c. &c. they have knitted '220 pairs of socks and
stockings, and have lately commenced the spinning
of flax.

THE EVENING STAR.

LONDON.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1817.
Ps INCL itiOSPIT aoax.—licaiday at the Public Offices.
. .

The Paris Papers of Saturday arrived this morning.
1 A Royal Ordonnance of the 6th instant, contains
a number of new nominations to Prefectsbips of De-
partments, vacated by individuals, who, in the courtly
language of dismission, are said to have been tann
milted so Mire. Tbe approaching Election of Depu-
ties, has, there is little doubt, a very intimate connec-
tion with these official changes. The- situation of
prefect is one of the greatest avail in determining the
.character of the Representative returned, and Minis
ten, it is known, have ever since the last dissolution
'of the Chambers, been most assiduously active to
settre that all the Prefectships shall be filled by per-
sons devoted to their interest.
I An article from Leghorn states, that the Commo-
dore of the American squadron which has been for
some time past lying in that port, has been on a jour-
ney to Florence, the sole object of which was to ne-
gotiate the purchase of the. Island of Elba, for the
American Government. The fact of such an appli-
cation having been made, is not unlikely ; but of its
success we have little apprehension. The same views
of sound policy which so lately dictated the refusal of
the King of Names to cede the Island of Latnpedosa
to the Americans, will doubtless be equally impera_
• live on the Tuscan Court, in regard to a station
of so much greater importance as that of ills; is in
every respect. Tbe experience of the One twenty.
years has proved that its chief harbours, Porto
Fetrajo and Porto Lougone, are nest to impregna- 1
ble, and that with a competent naval foicOthe island
may be maintained against ail invaders. The cession
of such a point of strength is a thing we hope se-
,., ewe from any pecuniary temptation which it is in the
power of the Americans to offer.
The negotiations between France and the Papal

Court are antis:A:need to have ietthlinated. M.
EYRAND•PERTCORD, Grand Alnioner of France, and
ancient Archbishop of Rheims ; M. de la LUZIRNS,
anci,su Bisht:p of Langres; and M. de lIKAUSSET,
ancient Bishop of Alais, are created Cardinals.
French Funds, 7th August-68 fr. 60 c.

• HAMBURGH MAIL.
Vsre have received by this conveyance the Journals
of au North of Europe to the 6th instant.
L. rd Voctmnt STRANGIPottD, the new Ambassador
from our Court to that of Sweden, I inded at Got-
•tenburgh on the 20th ult. after a fine pass Age from
Harwich, accompanied by his Secre►ary, Mr. Ousit.tv.
The fire which consumed the theatre at Berlin, is
believed to bare been wilful. Twelve suspected per-
sons have been arrested. The fire broke out during
a rehearsal, and one of the performers lost his life.
The building was 24 feet lung, 155 broad, and 1.55
high within the walls.
The loan negociated for Denmark at Genoa, for
eight millions of dollars (English crowns) has been
concluded.

The greatest house At Nyborg, thaf of Juan, has
failed, in consequence of unsuccessful speculations
in corn.

AMERICAN PAPERS.

American Papers to the 16th ult. have come to
hand, bitt they present little that is new. The ship
Philadelphia had arrived from Holland with 400
emigrants, none over 80 years of.age. Among the
passengers is the name of General JORDAN (late Aid.
de-Camp to BONAPARTE), who WAS taken prisoner
at Waterloo.