426 REVIEWS. 



The excellent chapter on Female Convicts we can but recommend 

 to attention, having no space either for analysis or comment. The 

 chapter on improvements suggests three, as likely to produce a very 

 great change : 1st., Strict registration of criminals, aided by photo- 

 graphy ; 2nd., Greater certainty and uniformity of judicial sentences ; 

 and, 3rd., Cumulative sentences. The last is of peculiar importance. 

 It was the opinion of Mr. Roscoe, that to make discipline effectual, 

 there must be a power of retaining convicts in confinement until they 

 give reasonable proofs of reformation. So Captain Maconochie, in 

 his evidence before Lord Caernarvon's committee, says, as quoted by 

 our author : — 



*' If he did not become good with one such punishment, he would become bet- 

 ter with a second, and better still with a third, and progressively he would be an 

 altered man, I am confident. He would either be an altered man, or (which is 

 'another point that I wish very much to impress upon the Committee) he would bs 

 shut up, through his own fault, for life ; because in the administraiion of punish- 

 ment I would show extreme severity to frequent reconvictions^ 



And Mr. Recorder Hill gives strong and decisive testimony to the 

 same principle. The next chapter is on prevention. Since habits of 

 drunkenness and debauchery, a corrupt literature, a neglected and ill- 

 trained childhood, and even special schools for instruction in crime, 

 are principal causes of criminality, we know well against what evils we 

 have to guard, in order to prevent the extension of crime. There is 

 not one of these causes which may not, to a considerable degree, be 

 restrained or counteracted. Much may be done by good legislation, 

 and even more by the voluntary efforts of the better part of society. 

 One of the most important agencies is that of Reformatory Institu- 

 tions for juvenile offenders, under the authority of Government. The 

 success which has already attended these institutions is great and en- 

 couraging. Then we have the improvement of the condition of pau- 

 per children, and the general extension of education among the peo- 

 ple. This last has for many years been an object of intense desire to 

 enlightened patriots and philanthropists, who well know that without 

 universal and even compulsory education, no great improvement in 

 the condition of the neglected classes can be accomplished ; but, all 

 efforts in this direction have hitherto been thwarted by the sectarian 

 feelings of rival churches. Canada is, happily, thus far exempted 

 from this great difficulty, though there are many of our people who 

 are recklessly endeavouring to bring it upon us ; but, in offering edu- 

 cation to all, we have done but half our work, well-knowing how many. 



