however, were not convicted of such offences as had the penalty of transportation for life annexed.

Fourthly. For all other offences, we would have imprisonment with hard labour inflicted; and when the term of imprisonment was long, would supply instruction in some useful trade, and in moral and religious truths; we would mingle strict discipline with uniform kindness; we would appoint food of a wholesome but coarse quality; we would exact, on the part of the officers, unremitting attention to the habits and manners of the prisoners; and on that of the magistrates, we would urge their jealous and vigilant inspection; and, finally, would secure the controul of public opinion by a general circulation of the details of every prison."

By a confinement thus close and rigorous, we do not say that all crime would be repressed, but we feel convinced that there would be less impunity than exists at present, and that the criminal who had once suffered such a penalty for his offence would be slow in incurring it a second time.

It is no fair objection to urge the expense which a large increase of places of confinement would occasion. That cost is already incurred; the 300,000l. which is now annually voted to the colony of New South Wales, would, in a short time, supply the means of constructing as many additional houses of correction as might be required. That money is now expended for a purpose which no man living can contend has ever had the smallest salutary effect in repressing the commission of crime. Ask any thief, if the choice were given him, whether he would prefer transportation to six months at the stepping-mill, and we will venture to affirm that nine out of ten would choose to go to New South Wales, rather than pass even that short period in continued bodily labour. No one, who has ever learnt the ways of thinking among persons of that mode of life, can doubt the correctness of this statement.

With this knowledge, then, of the feelings of criminals, is it not plainly to further the commission of crime, to continue a code of laws which corrects no evil propensity; which reforms no bad habit; which deters no man from the criminal indulgence of his passions, or his avarice, or his vice, but which affords by its severities protection and impunity? Let us then labour in the pious hope of reaping the fruits of our own exertions, and, advancing in wisdom as we advance in knowledge, retrace our steps, review our laws, adapting them to the feelings and character of the age in which we live; and while we reject, not hastily, that which has been bequeathed to us by our ancestors, yet let us so use their bequest as to turn that experience which we alone could gain, to the amelioration of those laws themselves which can only be successful in governing

governing mankind, when they rest on the foundations of reason and justice.

"Blessed shall he be," says Lord Coke, "that layeth the first stone of the building, more blessed that proceeds in it, most of all that finisheth it, to the glory of God, and the honour of our King and Nation."

WHATEVER

ART. XIII.-Society for the Relief of the Peasantry of Ireland. HATEVER tends to bring together the extremes of society, must eventually prove beneficial to the moral qualities of the community. The late sufferings of the Irish peasantry awakened a degree of sympathy in this country, never before felt for that degraded cast. All classes were forward to pour in their contributions to supply the exigencies of existing famine. The famishing sufferers were rescued by ample supplies in the most critical season of their affliction, and were thus irresistibly impelled to respect their benefactors. So prompt and abundant were these supplies, that those who administered them were enabled not only to relieve the more obvious distress, but encouraged to search for the misery, which, though more retired, was to the full as deep. Scenes of poverty of unbounded extent were discovered by new ministers of benevolence, and relief was thrown in where and whence it perhaps never came before. Sympathy on the one side, and grateful recollections on the other, have broken through the obstructions to a mutual understanding. The desire is strong on the part of the good and wealthy to promote the permanent benefit of this miserable people, and they in return to listen to the suggestions of their superiors, and to yield them a willing acquiescence. An opening like this must not be suffreed to close again-an acquaintance thus fortunately begun must be ripened into a more durable connexion. The exertions of individuals, extending to the interior of the cottage, acting in conjunction, or at least simultaneously, with the efforts of the Government, and the remissions of the landlords, and the forbearance of the clergy, may work together to the conversion of a neglected and thoughtless population into a race of careful and comfortable labourers. What is the state of the Irish poor? One at once of oppression and of abandonment! Subject to the iron rule of inferior agents-the man without occupation, or with scarcely half an employment-his wife without any-and his children without education or discipline. He has no bond of connexion with a master, nor tie of kindness with a landlord; he has neither the encouragement of protection, nor the stimulus of labour. Ignorant

alike of the common principles of economy, neither he nor his wife sees the virtues and advantages of cleanliness, or regularity, or parental authority. They have none to teach these first of virtues. We use the term advisedly-till comfort pervades the cottage, neither will the mind be awakened nor the temper be influenced by higher considerations. In the present state of things, they have none to please, they have no pride in appearance, they abandon themselves to sloth and filth; the sum of their cares is food and a brutal enjoyment of animal life.

To rescue a million of human beings from this horrible condition, is surely a worthy and an engrossing object for philanthropy; and seems, indeed, to cast a shade of reproach upon exertions, which, though so promptly and laudably, are sometimes so doubtfully, spent, in uncertain projects in the remotest corners of the world; whilst within our own country, there seems enough, and more than enough, to occupy the whole-a capaciousness that would absorb the full streams of the most unbounded benevolence. This million is steeped in misery and ignorance :-misery and ignorance are the great evils of life, which it is the very object of philanthropy to remove; and here they are close at home-a rich and a promising harvest. We shall not be thought to depreciate the labours of Christians, in what part of the world soever they may be exerted; but we cannot forbear giving vent to convictions which press upon us, that to expend our efforts upon our fellow countrymen is, after all, the "weightier matter," and that this is what we ought to do —and not to leave the other undone.

A society of English and Irish ladies, including some of illustrious name and influence, and others equally distinguished for benevolence and activity, are at this moment engaged in the warm pursuit of this great object-the improvement of the Irish Peasantry. We are happy to give to their views all the publicity in our power, and present to our readers their Prospectus, and the Resolutions adopted at their first meeting; which are already, we believe, in a state of assiduous and vigilant execution.

"PROSPECTUS. In considering the intercourse which has lately taken place between Great Britain and Ireland, it is apparent that the events of the last six months are of the greatest importance to both countries. It is to be hoped that the two parts of the empire are bound together by the strongest and most affectionate ties-the pleasure of relieving, and the gratitude with which relief has been received. Nor is it too much to say, that the acknowledgements of the Irish people have been as warm and as sincere as the British subscription has been freely afforded. Correspondence has been opened between the charitable and benevolent on both sides of the channel; the nations have been made better known to each other, prejudices have been forgotten, new sources of sympathy are opened, enlarged powers of usefulness are created. This kind spirit of benevolence will, it may be hoped,

long

long survive the calamity which gave it birth, and Ireland may perhaps find, in her season of adversity, not only lessons of virtue, but the spring of permanent improvement. Indeed, the present opportunity is one so peculiarly suited to the commencement of the great work, of improving the condition of the Irish poor, that it would be lamentable if it were to be lost. The hearts of the peasantry are now opened by kindness, and their minds are now softened, to receive any impression made upon them by intelligence and experience. A moral impulse may now be given; advice and assistance may now be offered; and the beneficial effects produced on the peasantry may be rendered both strong and permanent.

"All classes in the community have cordially united in this work of Christian affection. The Government and the Legislature have lent their aid, -the rich out of their abundance, the poor out of their poverty, have contributed towards the relief of Irish distress. Nor have the ladies of England beheld without sympathy, sufferings, which, pressing upon the destitute of their own sex, as wives, as daughters, and as mothers, entitled the afflicted, in a peculiar manner, to their compassion. They have been endeavouring, by providing supplies of clothing, to mitigate the misery, which to a peasantry, forced to sacrifice clothes and bedding for food, the approaching winter cannot fail to produce.

"But the ladies of England do not wish to confine their efforts to this temporary benefit. Without overstepping those bounds of reserve, which duty and inclination prescribe to their sex, or without undertaking a task which belongs to the more powerful part of society, it has appeared to them, that if they can unite with the countrywomen of the unhappy sufferers, they may assist in the great work of general improvement in Ireland, so desirable in the opinion of every one acquainted with the condition of the people of Ireland, and awake to the feelings of humanity. In promoting the comforts of the poor,-in giving an useful excitement to their industry,—in endeavouring to remove the difficulties, which at present dispirit and discourage the Irish cottager,-in suggesting plans of domestic economy, of industry, of cleanliness, and of good order,—it is conceived that much may be effected in the minds of the female peasantry, by the advice of persons of their own sex. These minor, though important, sources of improvement are peculiarly within the province of female benevolence; and in the extensive correspondence, lately received from Ireland, it is clearly demonstrated, that through these various channels the greatest possible benefits may be made to flow. Among the female peasantry of Ireland is to be found the greatest anxiety for occupation, combined with almost a total want of employment; hundreds and thousands of hands are idle for want of means of working; poor females, who, if possessed of a spinning-wheel, would be enabled to clothe their children, and even to contribute to the maintenance of their families, are without the means of procuring the implements required for their domestic manufacture of linen. In some instances, spinningwheels are hired by the poor, to enable them to prosecute their industry; and wherever the experiment has been tried, of assisting the female poor, by instruction in useful labour, it appears to have been successful.

"It is for the purpose of creating, and gradually diffusing improved habits among the female peasantry of Ireland, for the purpose of rendering their habitations more healthful, and of assisting them in the prosecution of do

mestic

mestic industry, that it is proposed to the ladies of Great Britain and Ireland to form a permanent association of benevolence in both countries. That the object is one of the greatest importance, cannot be denied; that it falls within the range of female duty, appears unquestionable; that it is an object within the reach of performance, if undertaken, and persevered in, with active zeal, and with calm good sense, would seem almost equally certain.

"Such are the principles, on which it is proposed to institute the British and Irish Ladies Society; and on those principles its promoters make their appeal to the public for countenance and support. The Society is not founded upon any sudden impulse of enthusiasm, or of overwrought sensibility. It is simple, practical, and supported by experience; and when among its effects may be anticipated the improved habits of the mothers of families, and the consequent improvement of the young, it will be seen that few subjects of greater importance have been presented to public attention. Great as are the advantages of education of the male population, in morals, industry, and necessary information, there are circumstances which may render the instruction of the females still more important. The instruction of the sons of an Irish peasant too often extends no further than the individuals themselves; but the improvement of females in industry and intelligence, is handed down by them, as mothers of families, to their offspring, and becomes interwoven and co-extensive with the frame of society itself." In conformity with this Prospectus, a society was formed, at a Meeting held at Downing-street, on the 11th October, 1822, at which the following Resolutions were passed, and Rules adopted for the management of the Society: :-

"1st Resolution,-That the principles of the Prospectus, which has been read, being entirely approved by this Meeting, a society be now formed, for the purposes therein stated, and that it be designated The British and Irish Ladies Society, for improving the condition, and promoting the industry and welfare, of the female peasantry in Ireland.'

"2d Resolution,-That this society shall consist of a Central Society in London; of County and District Associations in Ireland; and of Local Associations in Great Britain, formed for the purpose of collecting funds, and increasing the general interest in the designs of the society.

"3d Resolution,-That the following be the rules of the Central Society: "1. The society shall consist of persons of all religious denominations. Every annual subscriber of one pound or upwards, and all persons who shall collect weekly in its behalf, one shilling or upwards, shall be considered as members.

"2. Benefactors of ten pounds or upwards shall be deemed members for life.

"3. The business of the society shall be conducted by patronesses, a president, vice-patronesses, a vice-president, a treasurer, two or more secretaries, and a committee of 24 ladies, resident in and about London. The committee shall meet on the second Tuesday in every month, five members being competent to act, or oftener if necessary.

"4. The purpose of the committee shall be to correspond with the ladies in Ireland, inviting them to form county and district associations, and thus to draw into combined exertion the benevolence of the respective districts, and secure its operation upon the poor; to communicate any information