8 A VOYAGE TO 
c H^A P. £Jen, and Mr. Howard, was adopted by Parliament ia 
""■^-^ the year 1779. Diflicidties however occurred which 
prevented the execution of this defign : a circumftance 
which will be foraetliing the lefs regretted when it fhall be 
confidered, that it is perhaps the fate of this theory, in com- 
mon with many others of a very pleafing nature, to be more 
■ attra6live in contemplation than elFicacioiis in real pradlice. 
A perfecl defign, carried on by imperfecl: agents, is liable 
to iofe the chief part of its excellence ; and the bed di- 
gefied plan of confinement mull in execution be com- 
mitted, chiefly, to men not much enlightened, very 
little armed againft corruption, and conftantly expofed 
to the danger of it. The vigilance which in the infancy 
of fuch inftitutions effectually watches over the conduct 
of thefe public fervants, will always in a little time be 
relaxed; and it will readily be conceived that a large 
. . penitentiary houfe, very corruptly governed, vv^ould be, 
of all affociations, one of the moft pernicious to thofe 
. ' confined, and moil: dangerous to the peace of fociety. 
-. In fome countries, malefa6lcrs not capitally convided, 
are fentenced to the gallies or the mines ; punilhments 
often more cruel than death^ and here, on many accounts, 
impra6licable. In other places they are employed in public 
works, under the care of overfeers. This method has 
been partially tried in England on the Thames, but has 
/ been found by no means to produce the benefits ex- 
pe6led 
