CONVICT DISCIPLINE. 507 



and those moral sentiments, the loss of which brought 

 them to their degraded position of prisoners. Hav- 

 ing constantly before their eyes the garb and stamp 

 of their infamy, reformation, if not impossible, is 

 extremely difficult. Pass them on the high-ways 

 at any time ; and, in obedience to an irresistible im- 

 pulse, they will leave off their work to look at you, 

 and the comparison of your dress and condition, 

 with their own distinctive costume and forced occu- 

 pation, instead of awakening a spirit of hope and a 

 determination to regain freedom, induces melan- 

 choly and despair. A dogged and sullen silence 

 soon becomes the characteristic of these men ; their 

 features are stamped with the worst passions of our 

 nature ; and in many cases despondency is triumph- 

 ant, and they make no proper or continued efforts 

 to reclaim themselves. 



Even when a probation pass has been obtained, 

 it is grievous to reflect that, in numerous instances, 

 except in the single quality of industry, not only 

 has no improvement taken place in the character of 

 the prisoner, but that he has become more har- 

 dened and corrupt than when he left England. 

 The horrible scenes of depravity he has witnessed 

 in the barracks whence he has emerged, must have 

 produced their natural effect on his mind. I can- 

 not help thinking that this system of concentration 

 is extremely impolitic. We all know what a detri- 

 mental influence the associating of men, punished 

 for an offence comparatively trifling, with others 



