REVIEWS. 425 



to surmount the difficulties which were adopted with the Irish ConTicts were per- 

 manently successful, there]|caa be no doubt that they would be so with the Coa- 

 Ticts of Great Britain, 



'' The means employed were not mere outward appliances. When the Irish 

 Convict System is spoken of, mere mechanical arrangements are not intended; 

 these might be adopted elsewhere and fail, if the spirit were not infused into them 

 which animated all concerned in working it in Ireland. There, from the first day 

 of his entrance, the Convict was taught and gradually led to feel, that though he 

 had, through his own misdoing, lost his personal liberty, yet that it was for him" 

 self to control his own will and bring it into conformity with law and duty ; and 

 though he had apparently lost the power of shaping his own destiny, yet that in 

 reality, he still possessed it, and that his future, whether for good or for evil, 

 would depend absolutely on himself. The Convict, by degrees, felt hopes of him- 

 self, and remembered he was a man, a member of society, one who might fill an 

 honourable place in it, because he perceived that those put in authority over him 

 remembered it too, and had hopes of him, and confidence in him. How could 

 those Convicts fail to comprehend that there was a true human sympathy with 

 them, when the Chief Director devoted his time and labour to converse individu- 

 ally with each one of the four thousand thus incarcerated, learn his difficulties' 

 trials and temptations, study his character, and thus be prepared to give him the 

 friendly advice he needed when again in the world 'i Combined with this sym- 

 pathy was strict justice ; to every one the inevitable consequences of hia own 

 actions were sure to follow, whether good or bad. Here was a law established 

 founded on right and equity and truth, and every one was bound to obey it, whe' 

 ther officer or prisoner. There was no favour, co partiality, no bribery, no indul- 

 gence for any one, whether high or low. How could the Convicts do otherwise 

 than respect this justice, and feel willing to obey a righteous law, when they knew 

 that any one of them might appeal to the Director if he thought himself aggrie- 

 ved, and that his case would certainly receive an impartial investigation ! 



" A pei'fect freedom from religious differences constitutes another important 

 feature in the Irish Convict System. This is at all times difficult to attain, wher- 

 ever persons of different religious denominations are working together in the same 

 establishment ; it would be particularly so in Ireland, where unhappily, glaring 

 instances of hostility, arising from religious differences, are continually occurring 

 The true spirit of Christ should display itself in mutual forbearance, and in that 

 respect for the religious opinions of others which we desire for ourselves. Such 

 has been found in the Irish Convict Prisons, where judicious regulations, strict 

 justice, and mutual courtesy have enabled Catholic and Protestant officers to work 

 in their respective spheres, without interference in their duty, and with mutual 

 courtesy. This is evident in the Reports of the officers ; — we have personally 

 witnessed it. The effect of such genuine religious toleration cannot be too highly 

 estimated. 



" May these be ever the features of the Irish Convict System, and may it con- 

 tinue, as it has done, thus to blend justice with mercy, and to bring back the err- 

 ing and wandering into the fold of Christian eociety ! " 



