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on tlie contrary, as was long ago clearly proved by Mr. Roscoe in bis 

 admirable papers on the subject, that excess of punishment above 

 what is appropriate to the offence, and tends in other ways to good 

 purposes, never has the effect of deterring from crime ; that men in 

 general, constantly led to regard determination and bravery as noble 

 qualities, and readily hoping that they shall in some way personally 

 escape the threatened danger, and especially the criminal class which 

 is trained to daring, cannot be frightened from their course, whilst 

 extreme severity always enlists public sentiment in favour of the suf- 

 ferers, so that those additions to punishment which are especially in- 

 tended to make it exemplary, always fail in their intended effect, and 

 are productive of more evil than good. This being so, as we firmly 

 believe that both reason and experience will prove, we have no 

 resources left to us but in judicious efforts to limit the causes of crime, 

 and in a determination to make the punishment which is in our power, 

 imprisonment, effectual both in creating a strong desire to avoid it, 

 and in improving, and in a large proportion of cases, restoring the 

 character of those subjected to it. If we judged of what may be done 

 from what is done we should indeed be driven to despair, but besides 

 what is suggested by an acquaintance with our common nature, which, 

 if it exhibits much frailty and imperfection, also plainly shows capacity 

 for good and susceptibility to the influence of motives, there are 

 happily experiences, though as yet comparatively few and limited in 

 their influence, which establish to an absolute certainty, the possibility 

 of making punishment a great power in society for checking crime 

 and reforming those who have been guilty of it. That we may see 

 how this can be done we must begin by ascertaining the actual facts 

 respecting the condition of our criminal population, and the influences 

 to which they are ordinarily exposed, and we must then examine what 

 reason and experience suggest respecting better methods than have as 

 yet been generally adopted. Plain, well-authenticated statements of 

 fact are of all things most effectual for rousing indifference, overcom- 

 ing prejudice, and stimulating to exertion in contending with tremen- 

 dous evils. All who desire the most valuable information on this 

 great subject are deeply indebted to Miss Carpenter for the work now 

 before us. It may possibly occur to many that it cannot be to a lady 

 that we must look for useful information on such questions as relate 

 to crime, criminals and the means of practically dealing with them. 

 To such we can only say, try and judge for yourselves before you 



