PRISON DISCIPLINE. BY LYDIA MARIA CHILD. course of a month; now there are not as many hnudreds; and the conviction is constantly growing stronger, that it will be wisest, as a mere matter of policy, to dispense with coporeal punishment altogether. This is somewhat gained in the course of the eighteen centuries, which have rolled away, through rivers of human blood, since Christ said, "If thy brother offend thee, forgive him. I say unto thee not until seven times, but until seventy times seven." If our religion is not practicable, honest men ought not to profess it. A very great change has taken place in the women's department of the prison; under the firm but A Society has lately been organized here, for the Reform of Prisons and their inmates. Their first object is to introduce into our prisons such a mode of discipline as is best calculated to reform criminals, by stimulating and encouraging what remains of good within them, while they are at the same time kept under strict regulations, and guided by a firm hand. Their next object is to render discharged convicts such assistance as will be most likely to guide them into the paths of sober and successful industry. John W. Edmonds, President of the Board of Inspectors at Sing Sing Prison, pleaded for the benevo-kind administration of Mrs. Farnham, and her collent objects of the institution with real earnestness leagues, who do not discharge their arduous duties of heart; and brought forward abundant statisties, merely as a means of gaining a living, but who feel carefully prepared, to show the need of such an asso- a sincere sympathy for the wretched beings intrusted ciation, and to prove that crime always diminishes to their care. The difference between their governin proportion to the amelioration of the laws. He ment and the old fashioned method, cannot perhaps urged the alarming fact that from 200 to 250 con- be more concisely indicated than by the following victs a year, from Sing Sing, were returned upon anecdote: Two minister in the Society of Friends society, nearly without money, without friends, travelled together, and one was much more success(except among the vicious) without character, and ful in his labours than the other. How dost thou without employment. Of these more than half be- manage to take so much more hold of the hearts of long to the cities of New York and Brooklyn; with- the people, than I do?" said the least efficient preachout taking into account the numbers that pass er. "I can explain it in few words," replied the through, and often stop for a season, on their way other: "I tell people that if they do right they to other destinations. Poor, unfriended, discour-shall not be whipped. Thou sayest that if they don't aged, and despised, in a state of hostility with the do right, they shall be whipped." world, which often has in reality done them more grievous wrong than they have done the world, how terribly powerful must be the temptation to new crimes! In answer to the common plea, that most of these wretched people were old offenders, hardened in vice and not likely to be restored by Christian efforts, he stated that of the 934 now in the prison, only 154 had been in prison before; 599 of them, about twothirds of the whole number, were under thirty years of age; 192 were under twenty-one years of age; and 27 were not seventeen years old, when they were sentenced. Of thirty-one now confirmed lunatics, twenty-two were so when they were committed. In other words the system now begun at Sing Sing is to punish as sparingly as possible, and to give cordial praise and increase of privileges, for every indication of improvement. The wisdom of such a course was suggested to my mind several years ago, by an intelligent, well educated woman, who had, by intemperance, become an inmate of the almshouse at South Boston. "Oh!" said she, if they would only give us more encouragement and less driving; if they would grant increased privileges for doing well, instead of threatening punishment for doing wrong; I could perform my tasks with a cheerful heart, if they would only say to me, Do your task quickly, and behave well, and you shall hear music one evening in the week, or you may have He said he had no faith whatever in the system one day of the six to read entertaining books.' But of violence, which had so long prevailed in the instead of that, it always is, If your task in not world; the system of tormenting criminals into what done well, you will be punished.' Oh! nobody, that was called good order, and of never appealing to any-has never tried it, knows how hard this makes work thing better than the base sentiment of fear. He had seen enough, in his own experience, to convince him that, degraded as they were, they still had hearts that could be touched by kindness, consciences that might be aroused by appeals to reason, and aspira. tions for a better course of life, which often needed only the cheering voice of sympathy and hope, to be strengthened into permanent reformation. Of late there has been a gradual amelioration of discipline at Sing Sing. Three thousand lashes, with a cat of six tails, used to be inflicted in the go off" I thought of this woman when I read Barry Cornwall's lines, called THE РOOK-HOUSE: "Enter and look! In the bigh walled yards And not a laugh or a song goes round. Dwells in the pauper's breast of care; Acting upon the principle to which I have alluded, | ly, then, you will not wish to give me pain." She the President of the inspectors at Sing Sing, last said it was rare, indeed, that this simple and affec Fourth of July, sent each of the seventy-three wo- tionate appeal was unavailing. Alas, for the wrongs men prisoners a beautiful boquet, with a note, ask- that have been done to human hearts, under the mising them to receive the flowers as a testimonial of taken idea of terrifying and tormenting sinners out his approbation for their good conduct. When the of their sins. Satan never cast out Satan. We take matrons passed through the galleries, every woman back precisely what we give; hardness for hardness, came to the door of her cell, with the flowers in her hatred for hatred, selfishness for selfishness, love for hand, and earnest thanks, and the whispered " God love. bless you," met them at every step. Being afterward assembled in the chapel, they brought their flowers; and while the matron talked with them like a mother, about the necessity of forming habits of self-government, and of the effect of their present conduct on their future prospects in life, the tears flowed plentifully, and convulsive sobs were audible. One of the matrons writes: "The effect of this little experiment has been manifest in the more quiet and gentle movements of the prisoners, in their softened and subdued tones of voice, and in their ready and cheerful obedience. It has deepened my conviction that, however degraded by sin, or hardened by outrage and wrong, while Reason maintains its empire over the Mind, there is no heart so callous or obdurate, that the voice of Sympathy and Kindness may not reach it, or so debased, as to give no response to the tones of Chris tian Love." On Thanksgiving day, one of the matrons, as a reward for the good behaviour of the prisoners, caused her piano to be removed to the chapel, and tunes of praise and worship were mingled with friendly exhortations. We, who live freely amid the fair sights and sounds of our Father's creation, can hardly imagine how soothing and refreshing is the voice of music to the prisoner's weary and desolate soul. And then the kindness of bringing music and flowers to them! of offering to the outcast and degraded those graceful courtesies usually appropriated to the happy, the refined, and the beloved!—this touched their inmost hearts, even more deeply than the blessed voice of music. They wept like children, and one of them said, "It does not seem as if we could ever want to do wrong again." I am well aware that this will sound very sentimental to many readers. Very likely some wag may jestingly describe these suggestions, as a new transcendental mode of curing crime by music and flowers.". If so, he is welcome to his mirth. For my own part, I cannot jest about the misery or the errors of any of my fellow-creatures. The doctrines of forgiveness and love, taught by Jesus, are not, as men seem to suppose,mere beautiful sentimental theories, fit only for heaven.: they are rational principles, which may, not only safely, but profitably, be reduced to practice on earth. All divine principles, ifsuffered to flow out into the ultimates of life, would prove the wisest political economy. The assertion that society makes its own criminals, interferes with the theological opinions of some. They argue that God leaves the will of man free, and therefore every individual is responsible entirely for his own sin. Whether the same action is equally a sin, in the sight of God, when committed by individuals in totally different circumstances, I will not attempt to discuss. Such questions should reverently be left to Him who made the heart, and who alone can judge it. But I feel that if I were to commit a crime, with my education, and the social influences that prop my weakness in every direction, I should be a much worse sinner than a person guilty of the same deed, whose childhood had been passed among the lowest haunts of vice, and whose after years had been unvisited by outward influences to purify and refine. The degree of conviction resisted would be the measure of my sin. The simple fact is, human beings stand between two kinds of influences, the inward and the outward. The inward is the spirit of God, which strives with us always. The outward is the influence of Education, Society, Gɔvernment, &c. In a right state of things, these two would be in perfect harmony; but it is painfully obvious that they are now discordant. Society should stand to her poor in the relation of a parent, not of a master. Nor are repentant words their only proofs of gratitude. Instead of riot, blasphemy, and obscenity, they are now distinguished for order, decorum and cheerful industry. The offences against prison discipline, in that department, formerly averaged fortyseven a month; they now average only seven. This favourable change is attributed mainly to friendly in. People who are most unwilling to admit that exstruction, and improved classification; not classifica- ternal circumstances have an important agency in tion according to crimes committed, but according to producing crime, are nevertheless extremely careful obedience, and indications of a sincere wish to re- to place their children under safe outward influences. form. One of the keepers told me that she now sel- So little do they trust their free will to the guidance dom had occasion to resort to anything harsher than of Providence, they often fear to have them attend to say, "It will give me great pain and trouble if you schools, taught by persons whose creeds they bedo not obey me. I am trying to do you good, and to lieve to be untrue. If governments took equally pamake you as happy as circumstances permit. Sure-ternal care, if they would spend more money to pre the wise and good. "The soil of Vesuvius has been explored," says Schiller, to discover the origin of its eruptions; and why is less attention paid to a moral than to a physical phenomenon? Why do we not equally regard the nature and situation of the things which surround a man until the tinder within him takes fire?" vent crime, they would need to expend less in punishing it. In proportion as Hamburg Redemption Institutes increase, prisons will diminish. The right of Society to punish, or restrain, implies the duty to prevent. When Bonaparte objected to a woman's talking politics, Madame de Stael shrewdly replied, In a country where women are beheaded, it's very natural they should ask the reason why." And if Poulmann, lately beheaded in Paris, for robbethe children of poor and ignorant men are branded, ry and murder, when his head was under the axe, and ruined for life, by the operation of civil laws, it said: "I owe society a grudge, because it condemnis reasonable that they should be early taughted me to the galleys when I was only seventeen. Afthose moral obligations on which laws are based. ter the expiration of the term for which I was senFew are aware how imperfectly most criminals tenced, there was still enough stuff left in me to make understand the process by which they are condemn-an honest man. But I was always pointed at as a ed, and how very far it is from impressing them as liberated galley slave.” a moral lesson. A young girl of seventeen was condemned to the State Prison for three years, on charge of being accomplice in a theft. Her trial occupied but one hour, and she had no counsel. The account she gave me of this brief legal performance, touched my heart most deeply. They carried me into another room," said she, "and there were a great many strange fares; and one gentleman said something to me, but I did not understand what he meant; and another gentleman talked a good deal. It seemed to be all against me. They did not ask me anything, and nobody said anything for me; and then they told me I must go to Sing Sing for three years." Do half the criminals understand the proceedings against them any better than this? That certain things are punished, they indeed know very well; but this seems to them a mere arbitrary exercise of power, to be avoided by cunning; for early education, and the social influences around them, have confounded the distinctions between right and wrong. In connection with this subject, I would most urgently entreat all who will listen to me, to be very cautious how they treat a first crime, in any person. I have known young girls of sixteen sent to Blackwell's Island, for stealing property valued at twentyfive cents. Once there, seen by visitors in company with prostitutes and thieves, haunted by a continual sense of degradation, is their future course likely to be other than a downward one? To employers, who take such harsh measures with erring domestics, instead of friendly exhortation, and Christian interest in the welfare of a human sou!, I always want to say, Ah, if she were thy own daughter, dependent on the kindness and forbearance of strangers, is it thus you would have them treat her? If she once had a mother, who watched her cradle tenderly, and folded her warmly to a loving heart, treat her gently for that mother's sake. If her childhood was unnurtured, and uncheered by the voice of love, then treat her more gently, for that very reason; and remember the saying, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me." I repeat that Society is answerable for crime, because it is so negligent of duty. And I would respectfully suggest to legislators, what probably I would likewise entreat those who happen to will have more power to attract their attention, than know of some delinquency in a fellow-being, to keep any considerations of human brotherhood, viz: that a the secret faithfully, so long as his life gives assupractical adaptation of our civil institutions to Chris-rance of sincere amendment. A very young man, tian principles would prove an immense saving of who is now in Sing Sing, when tried for his second money to the State. The energy spent in commit-offence, told a story at the bar, which was in subting crime, and in punishing crime, is a frightful stance as follows: "My first offence was committed waste of human labour. Society calculates its mechanical forces better than its moral. They do not observe, that "on the occasion of every great crime, a proportionally great force was in motion; and they do not reflect how different would be the product of the social sum, if that force had been wisely instead of unwisely employed. Add to this, the alarming consideration that crime hardened by severity is continually sent back upon society; that society thrusts at it with a thousand spear points, and goads it to desperation, to be again punished by a renewal of the hardening process. Inquiry into the causes of crime, and the means of prevention, cannot receive too much attention from more in thoughtlessness, than with deliberate wickedness. But I felt that I was to blame, and was willing to bear the penalty like a man. In prison, I formed the strongest resolutions to atone for my fault by a life of honest usefulness. When my time was out, I succeeded, after a good deal of difficulty, in obtaining employment. I did my best to gain the confidence of my employer, and succeeded. Every day I felt my manhood grow stronger. But at last a person came into the store, who eyed me keenly, and I turned pale under his gaze. He told my employer that he had seen me among the convicts at Sing Sing; and I was sternly dismissed from his service. I went to Philadelpha to seek for any honest employment I could find; but a man, who saw me there, told me if I did not quit the city in twentyfour hours, he would expose me. I came back disheartened to New York. I had spent my last dollar. Christians wouid not give me a home; gamblers and thieves would; and here I am again on my way to Sing Sing." Isaac T. Hopper, agent of the benevolent association I have mentioned, related several highly interesting incidents, which occurred while he was one of the inspectors of the Philadelphia prison. He said that Mary Norris, a middle-aged woman, who had been frequently re-committed, on one occa. sion, begged him to intercede for her, that she might go out. I am afraid thou wouldst come back again soon," said he. brother, his heart was evidently touched by the voice of kindness. Afterhis release, he returned to his trade, and conducted in a very sober, exemplary manner. The inspector often met him, and spoke words of friendly encouragement. Things were going on very satisfactorily, when a robbery was committed in the neighbourhood, and Patrick was immediately arrested. His friend went to the Mayor, and inquired what proof there was that he committed the robbery. No proof; but he is an old convict, and that is enough to condemn him," was the answer. "Then where will be the good of letting thee ed the answer, "He is an old convict; and that is out?" "I should like to go out," she replied. “It would seem good to feel free a little while, in the open air and the sunshine." "But if thou enjoys thy liberty so much, why dost thou allow thyself to be brought back again?" "How can I help it? When I go out of prison, nobody will employ me. No respectable people will let me come into their houses. I must go to such friends as I have. If they steal, or commit other offences, I shall be taken up with them. Whether I am guilty or not, is of no consequence: nobody will believe me innocent. They will all say, She is an old convict. Send her back to prison. That is the best place for her.' O, yes, I expect to come back soon. There is no use in my trying to do bet ter." Much affected by her tone of utter hopelessness. Friend Hopper said," But if I could obtain steady em ployment for thee, where thou wouldst be treated kindly, and paid for thy services, wouldst thou really try to behave well?" enough." The poor fellow, hung his head and said, in tones of despair, "Well then, I must make up mind to spend the remainder of my days in prison." "Thou wert not concerned in this robbery, wert thou?" said Isaac, looking earnestly in his face. "Indeed, I was not. God be my witness, I want to lead an honest life, and be at peace with all men. But what good will that do? They will all say, He is an old convict, and that is enough." Friend Hopper told him he would stand by him. He did so; and offered to be bail for his appearance. The gratitude of the poor fellow was overwhelming. He sobbed like a child. His innocence was afterward proved, and to the day of his death, he continued a virtuous and useful citizen. What would have been his fate. if no friend had appeared for him? If every human heart had refused to trust him? The venerable speaker told the story of two lads, one fifteen and the other seventeen, who had been induced by a bad father to swear falsely, to gratify Her countenance brightened, and she eagerly re- his own revengeful feelings. They were detected, plied, "Indeed, I would." and sent to prison. When Friend Hopper saw them The kind hearted inspector used his influence to arrive at dusk, hand-cuffed and chained together, procure her dismissal, and provided a place for her, their youth and desolate appearance touched his as head nurse in a hospital for the poor. She remain- compassionate feelings. Be of good heart, my poor ed there more than seventeen years, and discharged | lads,” said he ; " You can retrieve this one false step, the duties of her situation so faithfully, that she gained the respect and confidence of all who knew her. if you will but try. You may make useful and respectable men yet." He took care to place them away from the contagion of those more hardened in Patrick McKever, a poor Irishman in Philadelphia, vice, and from time time to time he praised their was many years ago sentenced to be hung for bur- good conduct, and spoke to them encouragingly of glary. For some reason or other he was reprieved the future. After a while, he proposed to the Board at the foot of the gallows, and his sentence changed of Inspectors to recommend them to the Governor to ten years' imprisonment. He was a man of few for pardon. He met with some opposition, but his words, and hope seemed almost dead within him; arguments finally prevailed, and he and another genbut when Friend Hopper, who became inspector dur-tleman were appointed to wait on the Governor. ing the latter part of his term, talked to him like a | His request was granted, after considerable hesita On one occasion, this missionary of mercy was earnestly cautioned not to approach a raving maniac. He yelled frightfully, day and night, rent his garment, plucked out his hairs, and was so violent, that it was supposed he would murder any one who ventured within his reach. Miss Dix seated herself at a little distance, and, without appearing to notice him, began to read, with serene countenance and tion, and only on condition that worthy men could be found, who would take them as apprentices. Friend Hopper took the responsibility, and succeeded in binding one of them to a respectable turner, and the other to a carpenter. After giving them much good advice, he told them to come to him whenever they were in difficulty, and to consider him a father. For a long time, they were in the habit of spending all their leisure evenings with him, and were well pleas-gentle voice, certain passages of Scripture, filled ed to listen to the reading of instructive book s. These brothers became respectable and thriving mechanics, married worthy women, and brought up their families in the paths of sobriety and usefulness. In the days of their prosperity, Friend Hopper intro-longed season of worship, she said, “I must go away duced them to the Governor, as the lads he had been so much afraid to pardon. The magistrate took them by the hand, most cordially, and thanked them for the great public good they had done by their excel-tained permission to depart. "Give me your hand," lent example. with the spirit of tenderness. His shouts gradually subsided until at last he became perfectly still. When she paused, he said meekly, "Read me some more; it does me good." And when, after a pro now;' he eagerly replied, "No, you cannot go. God sent you to me; and you must not go." By kind words, and a promise to come again, she finally ob said he. She gave it, and smiled upon him. The wild expression of his haggard countenance softened to tearfulness, as he said, «‹ You treat me right. God sent you." Out of as many as fifty similar cases, in which he had been interested, Friend Hopper said he recollected but two, that had resulted unfavourably. The dungeon and the scourge were formerly con- On another occasion, she had been leading some sidered the only effectual way of restraining maniacs, twenty or thirty maniacs into worship, and seeing but experience has proved that love is the best con- them all quiet as lambs gathered into the Shepherd's trolling power. When Pinel, the humane French fold, she prepared to go forth to other duties. In physician, proposed to try this experiment in the leaving the room, she passed an insane young man, bedlam at Bicetre, many supposed his life would fall | with whom she had had several interviews. He stood a sacrifice. But he walked fearlessly into dungeons with hands clasped, and a countenance of the deepest where raving maniacs had been chained, some ten reverence. With a friendly smile, she said, “Henyears, some forty years; and with gentle words, hery, are you well to-day?" " Hush-hush!" replied convinced them that they were free to go out into the sunshine and open air, if they would allow him to remove their chains and put on strait waistcoats. At first, they did not believe it, because they had been so often deceived. When they found it true, nothing could equal their gratitude and joy. They obeyed their deliverer with the utmost docility, and finally became very valuable assistants in the management of the establishment. he, sinking his voice to a whisper, and gazing earnestly on the space around her, "Hush!-there are angels with you! They have given you their voice." But let not the formalist suppose that he can work such miracles as these, in the professed name of Jesus. Vain is the Scripture or the prayer, repeated by rote. They must be the meek utterance of a heart overflowing with love; for to such only do the angels "lend their voice." THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. Dorothea L. Dix, our American Mrs. Fry, the God-appointed missionary to prisons and alms-houses, told me that experience had more than confirmed her faith in the power of kindness, over the insane and If maddened by oppression, men have torn vicious. Among the hundreds of crazy people, with whom her sacred mission has brought her into companionship, she has not found one individual, however fierce and turbulent, that could not be calmed by Scripture and prayer, uttered in low and gentle tones. The power of the religious sentiment over these shattered souls seems perfectly miraculous. The worship of a quiet, loving heart, affects them like a voice from heaven. Tearing and rending, yelling and stamping, singing and groaning, gradually subside into silence, and they fall on their knees, or gaze upward with clasped hands, as if they saw through the opening darkness a golden gleam from their Father's throne of love. BY WILLIAM H. BURLEIGH. Their shackles off, and in an evil time Spurned all restraint, and steeped their souls in crime, Trampling laws, customs, creeds, in utter scorn, Giving the reign to license, and through blood Till Earth the frenzy of her sons doth mourn— The terrible retribution wise and just! |