TRANSACTIONS OP THE SECTIONS. 17^ 



Industrial Schools. 



Table XIII. Showing the Number of Boys and Girls admitted and disposed of, 

 from 1st December 1853, till 1st December 1854. 



Boys. Girls. Total. 



In School on 31st December 1853 155 85 240 



Admitted during 1854 101 56 157 



Deserted but re-admitted 18 . . 18 



Left during the year l6l 75 236 



Remaining on 31st December 1854 113 66 179 



Employment was found for 49 27 76 



Removed by parishes and sent home to relations, &c. 23 46 69 



Deserted 85 1 86 



Died 4 1 5 



On Measures relating to the adoption of the Family and Agricultural System 

 of Training in the Reformation of Criminal and Destitute Children. By 

 James M'Clelland, Esq., F.E.S., President of the Institute of Account- 

 ants, and Actuary of Glasgow. 



The author gave a sketch of the origin and progress of Institutions for the recla- 

 mation of the fallen, which from time to time have been established throughout 

 various countries in Europe, under the enlightened guidance of some of the best and 

 most philanthropic men of the day. One of the first pioneers in this great work 

 was M. de Fellenberg of Hofwyl*, near Berne, a name known throughout the civilized 

 world for his unwearied interest taken in the cause of education. About the year 

 1810 this gentleman instituted, on his own estate at Hofwyl, a labour school, which 

 began with teaching and training beggar boys and criminals. The high principle 

 with which he set out was, by the training the children received at his hands, to 

 attempt to create an improved race of men, according to his means, and thus to 

 infuse new blood into the veins of society. To do this he resolved to isolate his 

 pupils, to guard them from contamination with any outward form of vice, and, on 

 their attaining the requisite education and training, to send them into the world as 

 models for their associates to follow. He then hoped that, like so many loadstones, 

 they would attract others around them, and thus be the means of doing good to 

 others as he had attempted to do good to them. In this way this little leaven might, 

 he thought, in process of time leaven the whole social lump. The peasantry were at 

 first offered the benefit of his institution, but they had a feeling of distrust in his 

 plans, and, unwilling to lose the labour of their children, they either refused or 

 omitted to come forward to adopt the views he had placed before them. Being a 

 man of firm and undaunted resolution, he was not to be bafiled by such an obstacle. 

 His next movement was to try the beggar boys of his neighbourhood. He took this 

 class even in their most neglected state of body and mind. Young criminals he did 

 not refuse as his pupils, and this class of the " fallen" he fed, clothed, instructed, 

 and trained, and instilled in them habits of industry, truthfulness, and order. The 

 means he had at command for the promotion of his views were excellent. On his 

 estate at Hofwyl M. de Fellenberg carried on extensive farming operations, and in 

 this way advantage was taken for the development of his scheme, and the labour of 

 the children made an accessory in promoting it. The author notices the valuable 

 aid given by M. Vehrli in carrying out these noble ideas. 



According to the report of M. M. Ruggett, the establishment was partially kept 

 up by the labour of the children. This is estimated at half a kreutzer an hour, 

 which is equal to the sixth of a penny, for the youngest child ; a kreutzer and a half 

 for the eldest, or one halfpenny ; and one kreutzer for the middle class, or one third 



* I have been reminded by a correspondent, Isaac Weld, Esq., Vice-President of the Royal 

 Dublin Society, that the labours of Pestallozzi took the precedence of those of De Fellenberg. 

 I am glad to have an opportunity of making this correction. No man of his time ever exer- 

 cised so great and philanthropic an influence on his countrymen as veas done by Pestallozzi. 

 By his powerful mind, by his devotion, his example, and his labour, he gave an impulse to 

 the elevation of all classes of society in Switzerland, while he helped to alleviate and improve 

 the condition of the poor of the district in which he resided. 



12* 



