Influence of Instruction on Crime. 



361 



It is quite true that these results do not invalidate M, G.'s proofs that 

 on a comparison of larger districts, their moral condition does not corres- 

 pond very closely to the degree in which they enjoy elementary instruction. 

 But on the other hand, were we even to admit, as M. M. Beaumont and De 

 Tocqueville say, "that it is in the nature of instruction rather to increase 

 than to diminish the number of crimes," we should be justified in looking 

 upon this as only a temporary and incidental consequence. The balance 

 of good would still remain on the other side : nor are we to regard the 



kingdom of the Netherlands, which Mr. Greg divides statistically into four divisions 

 according to the degree of instruction in each : — 



DISTRICTS. 



In the 5 first provinces where , 

 5 next 

 5 next 

 . . 4 last 



Per Centage of the 

 Popul" at Schools. 



One Murder, Rape, or Violent 



Assault to Inhabitants. 



13.9 



11.5 



10.3 



7.9 



52.960 

 43.380 

 31.700 

 20.720 



"Thus we do find," adds Mr. Greg, " that where the greatest quantum of education 

 exists, the more heinous crimes of violence diminish in frequency. Upon crimes of 

 fraud I should doubt any effect being produced, (appreciable by similar tables) as 

 the causes of these depend often less on the individual, if we may so speak, than on 

 the circumstances by which he is surrounded. 



"The fairest and most satisfactory mode however of ascertaining the efiect of 

 education in diminishing crime, is to ascertain the proportion of offenders who have 

 received instruction. M. Guerry thinks that even in this way no accurate or gratify- 

 ing result can be arrived at. Let us examine the state of matters in France, Belgium, 

 and America. The data for constructing the following table are taken from M. 

 Qu^telet and Dr. Lieber, and reduced to centesimal proportions. 



" Two conclusions are to be drawn from this table which has been constructed 

 with the greatest care. 



" 1. That 81 per cent, of the crimes are committed by persons having received no 

 education, or a very imperfect one ; and only 19 per cent, by those having had the 

 benefit of a decent or a superior one. 



" 2. That the best educated commit ;;ro/)or/ioMa% more crimes of violence than of 

 fraud. This is natural, inasmuch as while their passions are equally strong, their 

 temptations to theft are incomparably less than those of the ignorant, who are gene- 

 rally also the poor. Nor must this be considered as in any way contradicting the 

 last table. The two combined prove : — 1. That crimes of violence diminish in pro- 

 portion as education increases. And 2. That crimes of fraud diminish in a still more 

 rapid ratio."— Report, &c. pp. 26, 27. 



