The Statesman.
London, England, 1820-05-24 00:00:00

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Convicts to see their friends, on the Itight previous to

•
transportation ; but upon u late •occasion it was nut
deemed prudent to extend the usual indulgence,

considerable tumult t0...k place iu consequence of the
prohibition. It ought, however, in candour to have
been stated, because it afforded a striking proof of tFe
improved state of Newirate, which was mainly owing
to :he exertions of these Ladies, that only eight of
e iouvicts were i►uplicated in the tumult, aml that
0 ref..sed to juin in it. In adverting to the foreign
e.ations of the Society, the Ilonourar:e Gentleman
.:ereed, that the Emperor Alezauder bad giten his
umbt cordial support to the objects of the Society, and
t..at as Institution of a similar nature had been formed

at St. P..teriburgh sal Moscow, of which Vac Emperor
had mined him,elf Paron, ;.:141 his Prim! Minister,
Pr u e Qrtitao, President. The Ilonoureole fieutle-

tuaS then recapitulated the objects of the Institution,
which were-11-st to establish a central focus of cont-

munication upon its general views and interests; next
to form a penitentiary for juvenile delinquents ; and
lastly, if it should be the opinion of this meeting, ill
fortheranc.. of those objects, to keep up the temporary
tetuge for the destitute.
The Marquis of LANSPOWN, in proposing the first
Resolution, said that it was unnecessary to occupy the
time of the meeting, after the Hon. Gentleman had so
ably and distinctly stated the course which Lad b..ett
pa..sueil, and that which remained to 1).• pur.eml. lle
t. at, confident tf.at there would be but one sentiment

i.. this meeting as to the propri, tv of Mims ing
those paths, which he bad pursued with so lunch ho-
nour to himself, and benefit to the country, and of
adopting his snggestions, with that vigour anti perse-
I mance which would alone give them the due effect.
Lord Att kLANI, seconded the Resolution.
The Duke of lltoucesvea expressed his regret that
the state of his health would nut permit I to con-
tiuue in the I hair, and rrs'rt.ed l.is abillrolletS of the
%berm interest he Wok in the welfare of the Society.
Hi- Noble Friend, Lord Auckland, had obligingly con-
sented to take the Chair.
'1 he 3tarquis of LaNSDOWN said, it was impossible
the meeting could permit his Royal Highness to leave
the Chair, until they had expressed the crateful sense
they entertained of his condescension, in presiding
upon this occasion.
His Royal Highness then left the Chair, amidst the
enthusiastic applause of the meeting.
Mr. Wit.nans once proposed the next Resolution;
and, in commenting upon the objects of the Institu-
t:ou, regretted that the attention of the Legislature
Lati not hers' sufficiently directed to the moral and re-
ligious improvement of the people.
Mr. Svcituss Bot•asts seconded the mu ion. After
what had beee so ably and eloquently stated by his
lion. Friends who had addressed them, he should con-
sider himself as not only trespassing on their time, but
:.so weakening what had been s forcibly urged. He
must cordially concurred in all that had been men-
ti.;ned relative to the necessity of pri ins being pro-
perly constructed. Without that, in vain would ame-
lioration of conduct he expected ; fur the young, by
!taxing indiscriminately with the veteran class of de-
i,retiaturs, would themselves become hardened and
practised in every species of vice. He had seen the
effects which heti happily resulted Loin his Honour-
aVse Friend's (Sir '1 houses Raring) exertions in a
county where be was a 31agistrate, and in the prison
4,:* which an almost incre,:i'ale reformation bad taken
place. This led him to be the inure sanguine in his
h of the practical good which might be elected hr
this Society ill their labunr of love. 1:e concluded by
s.conding the Resolution, which w.s then put said
B.:ireed to.
Earl OPOSVENOft, in rising to move the third Reso-
lution, observed, that the able speeches of his friends
vAo had preceded him had nearly left him nothing to
say. '1 here were one or two points en which, how- :
Leer, he should beg leave to say a word or two. He
sincerely regretted that the Royal Personage, who had
just lett the Unair, had been obliged to do so Lon)
indisposition, and he perfect:y agreed with the remark
wade by his Hon. Friend, that while-the Society was i
h.r.oured by having such a President as the Duke of
4iionceeter, still, considering the nature of the Society
itself, the objec4 it was to accomplish, and the persons
who composed be thought the holding sub an of-
6:A was equally creditable to the Duke, who was well
known to be a distinguished benefactor to all chat+,
,toble institutions ; and while saying so, it was utterly
iesiossible to surrey the portraits in that hail, of se-
veral illustrious Members of that Royal House, without
wiling to recollection the many and inestimable advan-
tages which had resulted to public charities and other
societies from these individuals. lie would say for
himself, that from not being in the habit of attending
meetings like the present, though he trusted he had
never been backward in supporting charities, be would
bare felt considerable embarrassment had it not been
tor the easy task he had now allotted to him. There
was here no topic to excite controversy, as often was
the case in matters of political economy. In the Re-
st.lution which he held in his hand, he saw It was stated
that the youth were, in many instances, made the vic-
tims of vice even by their own parents. A more me-
lancholy considerati ,n could hardly be entertained,
and yet th. re was nothing more true. Parents, it was 1,
well known, not only urged their offspring to the corn-
mission of crime, but even threatened and punished
them, unless they regularly brought home some fruits
r.
.w Of their depredations. AntiWiii it then to be wondered
at that the perpetration of vice and crime wits so pre-
valent among juvenile characters? 'the prevailing dis-
tress of the country might also in some cases be as-
signed as a cause for urging many to crime. Without
inquiring at present into the causes of that distress, or
whether it would continue long or short, it was the
slaty of all who had the welfare of the public at heart
to endeavour to do something to produce a remedy.
'1 his the Society accoroltigly did, for they confined
D 1 their operatiois .o the mere recommendation of im-
provements in priuns, but they had provided a tempo-
far,' refuge for reclaiming the young. At present
their funds were not, however, sufficient to enable them
to carry their benevolent efforts into the fall and much
d 'sired effect. He trusted that, when this was known.
they would cheerfully contribute their aid in rescuing
from destruction those who might be reclaimed, from
their not having far advanced in a carver of limo-
frailty.
sirs LUSIIINGTON seconded the mot:ou.

Frugal Lay.

THE Si A'

AN.

portunity of ascertaining the nature of the ease, and It was well known, that amongst those nations which
hoe alarming evil which existed. One great cause of were most renowned for arts and acme, and, above all,'
the increase of juvenile offenders was their being cow- for the sacred love of liberty, the testimonies of
witted to Newgate, and at their discharge left desti- estimation from their country were regarded as
Lute of all means of support. If he a hose character die highest reward which virtue could receive.—
was unblemished could with diffictily find employment, Amongst the Greeks and Romans, it was the good opi-
haw was the pe.aon to find it whose character was nion of their csountrymen to which heroes, philoso-I
tainted, whose reputation was infrisans, and who was phers, statesmen, and warriors aspired. Those rewards
an outcast from ...defy ? Ont set 'elle who had been which were beseewed by Government, merely as Go-
under the care of the Society, only 2il had miscon- vernmentavithont the concurrence of public sentiment, ,
darted theniselves; yet had there been even more, still I were nothing compared to those which were the result
that was no reason why the Society should not perse-I of the -approbation of the peupk. Upon this occasion, 1,
vere in its lahonrs. Childremit had been already well therefore, he was not ashamed to feel proudly, stand-
observed, had been trained to tire by their parents ing high, as he believed he did, in the estimation of
sad relatives, an instance of which he wonld mention. ! the people of Westminster, who were not the least en-
There was one child of right years old, who had only lightened portion of the enlightened people of England.
a mother alive, awl tint infant, as he might justly he j Having been joined with the electors of Westminster
railed, h. 141 been nit less than eightccps times in lin an exertion to recover the liberties and Constitution
different public oiliers on different criminal charges. `to which the pets; le laid claims, he felt, at the close
How email tile 1.4,i• be (ahem ise ? for these children I of a long interval of time, confirmed in the opinions
Were accustomed to hear vice extolled and virtue ridi- whieh his early judgment taught him to apt. He
1.
ailed and Olitkiitited. I never looked to the right hand or to the leftdo—without
Sir Ttiosiae liaaixie in moving the third Resolve- I participating in the intrigues of parties—((arrest op-
tioa, said, that he felt much euillarra,seel in addressing plane)—but keeping his eyes steadily fixed -on the
them, but allusion havieg been made to him by his Day Star of Liberty, and relying on the support
Right Hon. Friend (Mr. itourne), lie could not help which he derived from the sentiments of the people of
assuring them that the greatca4 change bad takes England, he did anticipate the eventual success of
place in the !.riuti wkich that lientleinan had tnen- I their cause, however mortifying and alarming were
tinned, he the introduction of employment, classifica- the present appearance:.—(Applause.)--It was a
Lion, and instruction. He strongly recommended the matter of the deepest satisfaction to him that the
Society to the public support. letter of regard, which he had the honaur just to re
Mr. W. a Lies/ observed, that front having recently ceive, came front those who were most able to ap-
i
visited some of the prisons abroad, be was prepared ; predate his condnct. It was equivalent to a verdict'
to say, that hr highly apploved of the Society and of on his character, because it proceeded from his par-
its object. In one prison abroad, he had seen an in- , ticular neighbours, his fellow-citizens, who were, en
dividual with nearly 100 weight of irons on him, the I account of the opportunities they had, as well as on
bolts 4:f which were of • use thickness. He was , account of their enlightened minds, best enabled
happy to asy, that in Sweden the number of criminals to appreciate the motives of his conduct. The
was few ; but this was owing to pains having been j honours which were bestowed at Courts were not al-
taken to bring up the youth in virt'aous habits. In ways the rewards of good conduct, but t. o often the
one place the gaoler was an old wotnan—(laughter)— recompense of bad conduct. Many of those wh•
and in another district In that country, containing a receive titles would, if the proper reward were
population of t:410,0011, there were only 90 prisoner:a given to them, he gifted with very different things
The King of Sweden, the Emperor of ItusAia, the Sli- from honour. Many were presented with coronets,
misters of the King of Naples, the Grand Duke of Ins- I who, in the public estimation, deserved to have re-
eany, lac. all (enflamed in the object of the Society.leei'ved halters. 1 here wear many reasons why the
Indeed this was not a question of mere party feeling,: manifestations of approbation on the part of the pub-
for it was teie in which all parties might unite, sad of lie were lees equivocal titan those rewards which pro-
this they hail th.tt day a striking. instance, in seeing' seeded from the hand of power. liovernments have
the dignified Clergy of the Church and Dissenters alt had bad passions and bad interests to serve, and they
uniting. He concluded an anitean ti address by strongly ' never wanted bad interests to support them. In pro-
urging the necessity of new prisons in which females portion to the wickedness which was required to be
might exclusitely I.e colifitied and properly datelined. performed by these instruments was the extent of the
Mr. H. f;. Dorohas stated the improvement which' rewards and honours granted to them. But with the
had been recently effected in the pri-tuts of Ireland. public the case was very different. They had no bad
The Honourable H. ti. BENNILT said, his object ini passions to indnige; their motives were always ho-1
rising was to more the thank' of the Meeting to the nonrable and honest, and, though a false pretender to
Country Magist-atex, for the liberal spirit they had their patronage might at intervals claim their atten-1
evinced. He recently traversed a considerable part of tion, still they never swerved from their homage to
England, and in not one county w.is there not some, virtue; and if any disgrace could po3sibly arise, it
improvement going on in the prisons. He was glad I was to be attached to those only by whom the public
that there was a prospect of labour being introduced i was deceived.--(Applauee.)---a he ancient Romans,'
into the Middlesex gaol, because this might formerly who appointed to all the great offices of the State
have b.ien called an academy of vice. Employment I during a period of three hundred years, while they
was essentially nccessaty to give effect even to moral enjoyed their liberties, and while they continued
and teilgintlS instruction. Tut. lion. Gentleman then, their prtper influence in the Government, never
a! some length, enter' d into the state of the case, and 1 wade, during all that space of time, a single op-
how loudly a remedy was called for. , pointment which they had creme to regret.—(Ap-
Mr. (Jitney, Lord Nugent, Lord Uelgrave, the Hon. plause.)—How seldom it was that in history could
and Reverend G. Noel, &r. severally addressed the !he traced a comparison between the conduct of
Sleeting, after which thanks being voted to the Noble (kings and that of the people. From what he could
Chairman, the Meeting brake up at half-past fire I collect In history, he was convinced, that the greater
o'clock. !the power and influence of the people, not in the execo-
-Ihe great room wasexcessively crowded, particularly the power of the Government, but in the appointment 11
by Ladies, among whom we observed a very great ito the executive, the greater was the share of general
number of the Society of Friends. The galleries were I happiness and prosperity. In this country, however, it
equally crowded, and there was not even standing happened, that we were struggling to bring about a
room at the door. On the platform we noticed the • system, according to which, every man was to have a
Marquis of Lansdown ; Lords Grosvenor, Belgrave, I share iu the appointment of the persons who were to dis-
Auckland, and the Lord Bishop of St. Asaph ; Messrs. pose of his property and person ; and yet so low was
Bennet, Whitbread, latshington, &c. the scale of opinion in favour of freedom, that this claim
A large Subtcription was received. was considered, he feared, by a majority of those pee-
-1 sons, who were above the labouring classes, as a wild,
impracticable, and insolent demand. Notwithstanding
all this, the people will go on in the course they had
begun. Light had gone forth. There was not a col-
lectiun of Englishmen—always excepting the assem-
bly within the walls of St. Stephens—which was not I
in complete possession of the whole bearings of the
question—who were not perfectly alive to the indefea-
sible right of the people to a share in the representa-
tion. Even the necessity of Reform was allowed in
the House itself to be n..ceseary. He thought, that
last year some attempt would have been made towards
the reformation, of the House of Commons. Even Lord
Castlereagh himself, who had been detected in the
foulest attempt at corruption that ever was practised—
even he was supposed to have admitted, that where in-
stances of notorious corruption occurred there should
be a Reform. But this notion turned out to be a mis-
take. Nevertheless it was admitted, that there was
no hope of extricating the country front the diffieul-
ties in which it was involved, except a reform of the
reprepresentation. It would be improper, at a public
auesting, to omit noticing some of the late trainee-
doss which occurred in the country. He believed
there was scarce a company in England where spies
were not introduced; and thought Sir Charles Wol-
seley was subjected to tho punishment of a pri-
son for having uttered certain words, he could not
but remark, that the country must be reduced to
a sad pass when words were looked upon as crimes
yet all this would not deter him from speaking
and writing whatever useful truths be thought it his
duty to present to his countrymen.—(Loud applause)
—He could not het. remarking, as a subject of as-
tonishment, that Mr. Hunt, who had been the peace-
able, but ill.-gal conductor of an orderly, peaceable,
and legal meeting, was sentenced to two years and a
half imprisonment.—(Shame, shame !)--He saw stated
in the public papers, that two other defendants, of the
names of Johnson and Healy, were marched hand-
cuffed, through town to be sent off--he supposed hand-
cuffed—to some distant gaol. Those who were capable
of affording any service to such persons, be hoped,
would feel the violation of justice and liberty in the
.persJas of those individuals, and if they entertained
any regard for the old and mild administration of the
law in this estuary, they would apply some alleviation
to seethe the sufferings of those persons.---{Applause.)
—Tao offence of those persons was what the electors
and Linsself, and many others in the country, had often

DI.V.VER AND IRE:IENT TO SIR F. BURDETT.

Yesterday a dinner was held at the Crown and An-
chor Tavern, to celebrate the anniversary of the return
of Sir F. Bartlett. A little after fire o'clock, the Hon.
Baronet, accompanied by Mr. llohhouse and several of
the electors. entered the room, and took the chair amidst
the loudest applause. There were about three hundred
persons present. .After dinner, the following toasts
were drank
•, The people, the only source of legitimate power."—
Three times three.
• The king, way he recollect the declaration of the Prime
of Wales, that the Crown is held solely for the benefit of the
people."—Three times three.
The only remedy for the unprecedented grievanees, the
unparalleled dietres'es, and lamentable degradation of the
people—a Radical Reform of the Commons House of Par-
liament."—Three times three.—Tune, Kick the ropes oat
I The CHAIUDIAN said, that he was called upon by a
very large portion of the company to give the health
of the Queen. He then gave her Majesty's health,
which was drank with enthusiam.
The opportunity now arrived at which ft was all
ranged the silver vase was to be presented to Sir P.
Burdett, by the Electors of the parish of St. James's.
A number of gentlemen now entered the room in pro-
cession, in the midst of colours. Mr. Dean bore the
silver vase, elevated above his head, and, approaching
the cross tattle, deposited it before the Choirmsn„ wham
lie add d in the following terms.—
" Sir—The Electors of the Parish of St. James's request
that you will be kind enough to accept this silver vase, as a
testimony of the sense they witertain of the services you have
rendered to them, as well as to the cause which they have
been assiduous to support. I have the honour then to pro-
pose the health of the bras e supporter of our civil rights. sod
the undaunted defender of the people against military men-
tion—our beloved Representative Sir Francis Burdett.**

The toast was drank with enthusiasm.
Upon S r FkANCIB lICRDIETT'S health being drank,
the Worthy Baronet came forward, and said, that it
was with feelings of unbounded satisfaction, and with.
he trusted, a justifiable pride, he received this freak
mark of the esteem of the Electors of Westminster.
Nothing could be so gratifying to the feelings 120
lie men as the unbought, unbiassed, and int
testimony of their countrymen, to the integrity of
their conduct. He was proud to say, that it was slot
in the power of any other person to convey to his butt
the satisfaction which he then felt, or to confer on the
mind of a patriotic man any Impose so great at that
which the E:ect sof 'tt tstininster bad bestowed on Mid