174 REPORT — 1855. 



300 to 400 young persons were huddled together in one of thera, three-fourths of 

 whom, according to the testimony of an experienced officer, hved by thieving. The 

 scene for the night was a fair representation of what usually occurred ; and yet the 

 licentious inuendos introduced, the low profligate character of the songs sung, and 

 the whole moral atmosphere, was charged with a pollution which could not but 

 exert the most deadly effect on all that we hold sacred and virtuous. There were 

 173 boys in the House of Refuge who stated these pests as the principal cause of 

 their being led astray. 



As a substitute for these places, he suggested the throwing open of botanic 

 gardens, museums, and works of art and industry, at the lowest charge to the 

 working classes. The opening of public parks, to furnish abundance of pure air 

 and recreation. The encouragement of cricket, bowling, and other athletic games, 

 by offering premiums. The furnishing of lectures on scientific, industrial, and 

 other popular subjects. The opening of schools of design, and free public libraries ; 

 and the supplying of abundance of sound, substantial, and cheap education to the 

 very poorest of the people. To encourage education, he suggested that our ca- 

 pitalists, mill-owners, and other extensive employers, shotdd take no youth into their 

 works excejjt he be furnished with a certificate of education, which ought to be a 

 condition of leaving school. That this would be a sufficient motive for the most 

 neglectful parents to see their children educated. That the law affecting pawns 

 should be remodeled. That such minor theatres and shows as are found conducive 

 to immorality should be suppressed. That the sale of ardent spirits should be 

 restricted. That the houses of the working classes should be made more comfort- 

 able, by extending the benefits of Dunlop's admirable Act ; and that by the home 

 enjoyments thus secured, the increased intelligence, the taste for elevating and en- 

 nobling pursuits, most, if not all, of the debasing habits now prevalent, at once our 

 social bane and disgrace, would speedily disappear. 



The writer then proceeded to mention certain 



Remedies. — That short imprisonments had totally failed in reforming juvenile 

 delinquents, was self-evident. Some, while in confinement, purpose an amendment 

 of life ; and, were they then taken by a friendly hand, might be rescued ; but 

 when, on the day of liberation, they meet with bands of their former associates in 

 crime, can we feel astonishment that these resolutions will be overcome ? This is 

 the uniform testimony of those who have the amplest means of knowing, and expe- 

 rience confirms the fact. In Glasgow prison, during last year, according to the 

 Report for the Prisons of Scotland, the re-committals were — 665 once; 363 twice; 

 247 three times; 190 four times; 135 five times; 191 from six to ten times ; 71 

 from ten to twenty times ; and 26 from twenty to fifty times. Edinburgh is no 

 better. In that gaol there were — re-committed, 1001 once; 544 twice; 234 three 

 times ; 226 four times ; 142 five times ; 375 from six to ten times ; 337 from ten to 

 twenty times ; 218 from twenty to fifty times ; and 23 upwards of fifty times. 



Thus we see that short imprisonments only aggravate the evil they are designed 

 to cure. The reformatory element, then, must predominate in our treatment of the 

 young. But the remedy must be commensurate with the disease. We would have 

 every juvenile delinquent brought before the police court for the first time, to be 

 handed over to his parents, or guardian, if he has any, who should be charged to 

 keep him from infringing the law. Upon being convicted a second time, he should 

 be sent to the Reformatory School, at the expense of his parents, and kept there 

 till his majority, or till such time as the Directors of the House were satisfied that 

 he would conduct himself, if discharged, as a proper member of society. The objec- 

 tion will be raised against this treatment, that it interferes with the liberty of the 

 subject, and that the punishment is out of proportion to the crime committed. To 

 this it is answered, first, that there is no punishment at all inflicted, the object 

 being solely the child's welfare ; and, secondly, that society has rights and privi- 

 leges which should ever be held sacred ; thirdly, that there is no injury done to the 

 person who has transgressed the rights of society, should that society declare that a 

 certain period must elapse before his full privileges be restored to him ; and, lastly, 

 to the objection that parents will become indifferent to their children, when they 

 know they will be cared for, and that children will be found to commit crime to 

 qualify them for admission ; — the time proposed to keep them in the Reformatory, 



