The Works of the Rev Sydney Smith

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1844. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... PRISONS. (edinbuboh Review, 1821.) 1. Tfioughts on the Criminal Prisons of this Country, occasioned by tie Bill now in the House of Commons, for Consolidating and Amending the Laws relating to Prisons, - with some Remarks on the Practice of looking to the Task-Master of tlie Prison rather than to the Chaplain for the Reformation of Offenders, - and of purchasing the Work of those whom the Law Itas condemned to Hard Labour as a Punishment, by allowing them to spend a Portion of their Earnings during their Imprisonment. By George Holford, Esq. M. P. Rivington. 1821. 2. Gurney on Prisons. Constable and Co. 1819. 3. Report of Society for bettering the Condition of Prisons. Bensley. 1820. There are, in every county in England, large public schools, maintained at the expense of the county, for the encouragement of profligacy and vice, and for providing a proper succession of housebreakers, profligates, and thieves. They are schools, too, conducted without the smallest degree of partiality or favour; there being no man (however mean his birth, or obscure his situation, ) who may not easily procure admission to them. The moment any young person evinces the slightest propensity for these pursuits, he is provided with food, clothing, and lodging; and put to his studies under the most accomplished thieves and cut-throats the county can supply. There is not, to be sure, a formal arrangement of lectures, after the manner of our universities; but the petty larcenous stripling, being left destitute of every species of employment, and locked up with accomplished villains as idle as himself, listens to their pleasant narrative of successful crimes, and pants for the hour of freedom, that he may begin the same bold and interesting career. This is a perfectly true picture of the pris