Part 5

“The cost of getting up a complete system of hot-water warming and exhaustive ventilation in a country where few examples or approximate specimens are to be found--in a climate which nullifies all European experience--where all parties, suggesters and mechanics, are obliged to acquire a certain experience as they go along, must be much greater than when this subject shall be well understood and generally adopted, as it eventually cannot fail to be. Independent of making the flues and ventilating chimney, items which in new undertakings would naturally come under the head of construction account, the expense of our undertaking will fall considerably below a thousand dollars, and we are satisfied that with the experience acquired in this single trial, it could be gone over again at a very considerable reduction of cost.”

We have left ourselves but a finger’s breadth of room for a notice of the report of the _N. Jersey State Lunatic Asylum_ at Trenton, rendered December 1848. It is accompanied by a view and ground plan of the buildings, which were opened for patients on the 15th of May last, under the superintendence of Dr. H. A. Buttolph. They are designed for the accommodation of 200 patients, and in their general structure and arrangement accord with those of the Pennsylvania Hospital already noticed. The asylum occupies a most eligible site, about two miles north-west of the public buildings, surrounded by a choice farm of 111 acres, with an unfailing supply of fine soft water, and a beautiful grove in the rear, thus affording abundant room for hospital purposes, and embracing every variety of scenery and spacious pleasure grounds for the use of the patients. The various fixtures for warming, ventilating and lighting, as well as the arrangements for cooking, washing, bathing, &c., are after the most improved models, and are described with interesting and intelligible minuteness in the report, an examination of which we would recommend to all who are seeking information on the subject. The number received during the year was 86, of whom 83 remained in the asylum at the date of the report. A large proportion of the number received were chronic cases, which are generally very numerous at the opening of such institutions. Of the 86, 27 were under middle age; 52 were single and 30 married. Of their occupations, 22 of the men were farmers, and 16 of the women were house-keepers. An hereditary tendency to insanity was traced in 18 of the 86 cases, or about as 1 to 5.

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL FACTS.

====================================================================== | Admitted | Discharged | Remaining | | | during | or died | at date | | | the | during | of | Cured. | Deaths. | year. | the year. | report. | | ---------------+----------+------------+-----------+--------+--------- Pennsylvania, | 215 | 203 | 200 | 120 | 17 New Jersey,[5] | 86 | 3 | 83 | 3 | 0 New York, | 405 | 382 | 495 | 174 | 86[6] Massachusetts, | 261 | 246 | 409 | 136 | 30 ======================================================================

VIRGINIA.--The Eastern Insane Asylum of Virginia is established at Williamsburg, and the Western at Staunton. At the former were received in 1848, 34 patients, 15 males and 19 females. The number under care, October 1, 1848, was 165. Aggregate of inmates during the year 198; discharged 6 males and 10 females; deaths 17, (8 males and 9 females.) Spacious additions to the buildings are now in progress, a portion of which will be appropriated to colored patients. The receipts of the year were $41,350 64, and the expenditures $29,716 89.

At the latter institution were received during the year ending October 1, 1848, 70, (39 males and 31 females,) making an aggregate of 277 under care during the year. There were discharged in the same time 50 patients, of whom 40 were recovered, (21 males and 19 females,) and 7 more or less improved; 2 were unimproved, 1 eloped, and 22 died.

Among the causes assigned for insanity, we notice hard study is given in the case of 11 males and 1 female, intemperance 16 males, and domestic affliction 6 males and 18 females. Seven thousand dollars have been expended lately in new buildings.

No. 2.--_The precise present character of transportation explained, with suggestions by Ignotus._

We observe in our English papers a brief notice of a pamphlet of fifty pages, published in London a short time since, advocating some important modifications of the transportation system. As we regard the system itself too near extinction to render any modifications of it particularly valuable or interesting, we notice the publication only for the sake of what the author says about _convict-separation_. We take, by piece-meal, the whole extract of the English reviewer, venturing a brief comment on some passages.

“This sort of confinement (separation) has, of late years, been extravagantly commended by some, and as loudly reprobated by others. The truth seems to lie between the two extreme opinions. (A position which truth has long been supposed to occupy.) We are led, by our own observations, to value it but little as an _active agency_ for reforming criminals, but to allow it a high place as auxiliary, in general, to that which is reformatory in the highest degree, _Christian instruction in the hands of Christian men_.”

We are not aware of any system of prison discipline that possesses or pretends to possess an “active agency for reforming criminals,” independent of Christian instruction. We imprison men to punish them, and we think the “_active agency_” of punishment is quickened by separation. And hence we hold, that apart from reformatory influences, separation during imprisonment is preferable to association, considered merely as a punishment. When, however, we introduce the agency which is “reformatory in the highest degree,” (to wit, “_Christian instruction in the hands of Christian men_,”) the comparative fitness of the two modes of imprisonment to receive and employ it, is at once revealed, and, as “Ignotus” says, the separation of the convicts is then seen to occupy a high place as an auxiliary to its influence.

“The separate system is free, certainly, from many things which impede the reformation of criminals; from the perpetual distrust and perpetual punishment which are necessary to enforce _silence_ in _association_, and from the grosser vices of the older style of prisons, mutual contamination and hardening in villany. It allows a return to feelings of self-respect. It removes all possibility of combination for evil purposes, and prevents the exertion of that fascinating influence which the practised villain exerts so destructively over the novice in crime. It protects the penitent, in his first desires and efforts to return to God. It is something, also, as regards others less hopeful, even for a time, effectually to break the chain of their evil habits, and to compel the mind, however reluctant, to turn inwards and reflect, until the dormant powers of conscience be aroused. Beyond this it does not seem to go in producing amendment; and we are persuaded, that if the benign and saving influence of our divine religion were withdrawn from a prison on the separate plan, not a single inmate would ever leave its walls a whit more reformed than from any other.”

We think the friends of separation could scarcely ask for a more favorable exhibit of its advantages than _Ignotus_ gives. It certainly places that system far in advance of any and all others as the basis of reformation. And while we readily admit that it is but a basis, and that higher and better influences must be relied on to make it efficient as a means of reformation, we cannot agree with the author, that convicts from a separate prison are not likely to leave its walls a whit more reformed than convicts from Newgate or from Blackwell’s Island. To keep bad men apart must always, under all circumstances, be more conducive to their reform, than to suffer their intercommunication. If “the benign and saving influence of our divine religion,” were withdrawn from the city of London or New York, it would become a pandemonium; but no one would say, that if each man, woman and child, were separated from every other man, woman and child by an impassable gulf, the degree of corruption would not be essentially reduced. Close association breeds the plague of cities--comparative separation keeps the country clean and wholesome. The analogies of the moral and natural world are very obvious in this respect.

“If it be thought, from what has been written of late years on the subject, that a greater efficacy should be attributed to separate confinement, let it be borne in mind, that cotemporaneously with its adoption in any prison, there has been very much greater care taken than ever used to be in the selection of officers to superintend the discipline, and to convey moral and religious instruction to the prisoners. Wherever Christianity has been brought to bear upon criminals, in its real power and blessedness, good has been accomplished under the most untoward circumstances; sinners have been brought to Christ and salvation; and the mass, if not converted unto God, have been marvellously civilized. This was manifested by the success which followed the self-denying labors of Mrs. Fry, and other pious persons in Newgate; of that eminent man Dr. Browning, in so many convict ships; of Sir Edward Parry, who labored like a missionary amongst his _assigned_ convict servants, at Port Stephen’s; of Colonel Demaresq, also acting in the same spirit, under the same circumstances, at St. Helier’s and St. Aubyn’s; and of Sarah Martin, in the gaol of Yarmouth, of whose unwearied and blessed labors the Government Inspector, Captain Williams, makes such honorable mention in several reports. The superior mind of a person invested with authority, may exercise a most salutary influence upon any class of human beings, but Christian doctrine, and Christian character _consistent enough to stand the scrutiny of the bad_, accomplish greater things; and the lower any are sunken, the more commanding is this influence upon their minds.”

We presume the prevailing sentiments of this passage, will meet a hearty response from all our readers. We are in no danger of attributing too much efficacy to the power of the truth over the mind when it has access to it. It may be questioned, however, whether its influence is not greatly hindered, and sometimes completely obstructed, by the debasing vices of convicts. We are not quite prepared to admit, that the lower the human mind sinks, the more commanding is the influence upon it of Christian doctrine and Christian character, though we would regard no case as beyond the reach of such an influence.

“The _combination_ of pious Christian zeal with good judgment and a knowledge of human nature, in the head of any prison establishment, we are convinced is more likely to lead to the reformation of its inmates, than any _system_ of discipline _without it_. It has the blessing of God, “without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, nothing is perfect.” But, whatever may be thought of the influence of separate confinement, as _a means of reformation_, there should be no doubt about its utility as a punishment, if not carried to an extreme. It is a most severe one, certainly; but this is not without great advantages, even in an economical point of view; for in proportion as it is severe, the sentence may be abridged, and its heaviest pressure is upon those who deserve it most. Criminals, of all men, can least bear to be alone. A thoroughly bad man, by himself, is the greatest coward, and without his accustomed stimulants, the most wretched of beings; we have no hesitation, therefore, in stating, that such a man would prefer even the scanty food, the vermin and the sloth of such a place as Newgate, where he might gamble for his supper, learn new tricks or instruct the novice, sing, play, and quarrel by turns in the night-room, than the very best treatment and the most abundant diet of a prison on the new plan. The _reformatory character_ of such a gaol is, to such persons, an object of real terror. A visiting justice of the gaol of Reading, stated before Lord Brougham’s Committee (p. 478-9,) that full 50 per cent of the vagrant class had actually fled out of Berkshire, lest they might be immured in so horrible a place. It is however, an expensive plan for the treatment of criminals; its _individuality_ and severe pressure creating a necessity for better occupation of the mind and body, a more liberal diet and a greater number of teachers than where prisoners are associated.”

We regard the features of separation which Ignotus delineates in the foregoing passage, as most highly commendatory of it as a means of discipline and reform. This better occupation of the mind and body, a more liberal diet, and the greater number of teachers, which become so needful, indicate just what the desire for wholesome food does in a convalescent patient. His vices had made wholesome occupation of either mind or body irksome; and the attempt to teach him good knowledge was to annoy, if not to offend him. If separation from the haunts and fellowship of the wicked makes him long for what he once loathed, the public are “penny-wise and pound-foolish,” if they grudge the supply. It is the token of returning health and should be hailed with joy and gratitude.

No. 3.--_Statistics of Truantry and of Juvenile Vagrancy in the City of Boston._

By the kindness of Mr. Tukey, City Marshal at Boston, we are furnished with an interesting report, which he prepared at the instance of the late efficient Mayor, (Mr. Quincy,) respecting the number, character, social circumstances, &c. of the street-children, in habits of vagrancy, wandering about and contracting idle and vicious habits. We draw largely from this interesting document, and earnestly wish the like investigation might be made into the condition of other cities in this respect.

The whole number of the class of children designated between six and sixteen years of age, is 1066; arranged as follows:

Male children, 882 Females, 184 Children of American parents, 103 Children of Foreign parents, 963 Children who belong to some school, but are truants, 106 Boys regularly employed in Bowling saloons, 139 Children who do not attend any school nor have any lawful calling, 821 Children who do not attend school for want of clothing, books, &c. 129 Children of widows, 238 Children with fathers but no mothers, 29 Children, orphans, 54 Their ages are as follows: Six years of age, 39 Seven “ “ 53 Eight “ “ 79 Nine “ “ 77 Ten “ “ 121 Eleven “ “ 111 Twelve “ “ 176 Thirteen “ 141 Fourteen “ 143 Fifteen “ “ 80 Sixteen “ “ 56

“My opinion is, that of the whole number, from eight to nine hundred (from neglect and their bad habits) are not fit to enter any of our present schools.

“From the best information which I can obtain, I am satisfied that the whole number in the City at the present time, (including the above number,) is not less than fifteen hundred of the same class as those described.

“And I earnestly call your attention to them, and the necessity of providing some means to have these children properly brought up, either at public or private expense; for I am satisfied that it will cost the State and City more for Police, Courts and Prisons, if they are suffered to go at large, than it would, to take them now, maintain them and make them useful citizens.

“The State Reform School at Westborough, will be a great benefit. Out of fifty-eight boys that have been sent there, thirty-four have gone from this City. But I am of opinion that the law is defective that waits until the child ‘_shall be convicted of any offence known to the Laws of this Commonwealth and punishable by imprisonment_’ before he can be sent there.

“Very few parents are willing to complain of and testify to the bad conduct of their children, knowing that such testimony will deprive them of their services.

“I am satisfied that the system heretofore pursued by the City Government of licensing minors to sell papers, and other small articles, is an injury to them.

“During the year 1846, out of 112 minors arrested for larceny, and carried before the Courts, 46 were news-boys. During the year 1847, out of 112 minors, 58 were news-boys.

“During the year 1847, out of 30 licensed, six were brought in for larceny during one week.

“There is evidently a great increase of crime among minors. The Police books show that the number arrested and brought in, is more than one hundred each quarter.

“The following extract is from the City School Report for the year 1847.

“‘Does the instruction provided by the City reach all those persons for whom it is intended? This question suggests itself to every one who observes the apparently great number of children, at large, in school hours, in almost every part of the City.

“‘It is not difficult to find out what are the occupations of many of these children. They are hawkers of papers, or sellers of matches,--most of the time occupied in quarreling and gambling. They are beggars, male and female, strolling from street to street, through lanes, by-ways and alleys, practicing the elementary lessons of pilfering, lying, deception and theft. They may be seen wherever wooden structures are in the process of building, repairing, or tearing down;--seeking for fragments of wood to which they evidently feel they have a very questionable right. They are the loafers on wharves and in all the modes of juvenile vice. Are these children in the way to become useful citizens or happy and respectable men? Are they not growing up to be the occupants of jails and almshouses? Are they not in a course of education for worthlessness and crime?

“‘Let us see what answer the records of the courts of justice make to these questions.

“‘There are, on an average, 74 inmates of the House of Reformation; nearly the same number in the school on Thompson’s Island; and, for the year ending in November last, 456, under age, had been inmates of the jails.

“‘In reference to providing instruction for this great mass of uneducated children, our _system_ is not defective. Sufficient provision is now made for the instruction of those children who have passed the age at which they are admissible into the primary schools, and who are not qualified for the grammar schools. The number of this class is rapidly increasing, and is likely to increase still more. Our system was contrived and adapted to a small city, peopled by persons born in New England, and always enjoying and disposed to avail themselves of the advantages of the free-school system of these States. But some (no?) provision has been made for the vast accessions to our population by immigration from foreign countries of persons of every age, and of every condition of ignorance. Our system of government supposes educated citizens; and will not be safe unless our citizens are more or less educated. Now there are great masses coming in upon us who are not educated, except to vice and crime; the creatures or the victims of the justice or the oppression, or the over-population of the old world. For the education of these, adult and juvenile, not only must provision be made, but means must be used to render the provision effective. It is not enough to say that provision is made for their education, if they will avail themselves of it at a proper time. Unless they are made inmates of our schools, many of them will become inmates of our prisons; and it is vastly more economical to educate them in the former than to support them in the latter. The annual cost of educating an individual at the public schools is from six to twenty dollars. The annual cost of the support of an individual in the House of Reformation, the cheapest of all such institutions, is forty-four dollars, and in the House of Correction probably not less than one hundred dollars; and in this estimate is not included the great expense of the administration of criminal law, much of which might be prevented by the proper education of these children.

“‘It is a defect in the organization of this (School) Board, that there is now no person connected with and acting under direction of the Board, to ascertain what children of the legal age are not in the schools, and to use measures to bring them there. This Board is the only one which has, officially, a knowledge of the numbers of children in the schools and of those who ought to be there. It is the one whose duty it is to provide means for the education of all the children. It would be well if it could have authority not only to use means to bring wandering children into the schools, but to provide for the instruction of those portions of the adult population who are without, and who desire elementary instruction,--that is, instruction in reading, writing and accounts.’

“I know of no one thing,” says the City Marshal, “that is so much needed as a proper home for idle and vagrant _female_ children, the ascertained number of which class is 184. There are, undoubtedly, 300 of the same character now in the City, they may be seen at the entrance of every public building and every great thoroughfare, peddling small articles or begging, and insulting every person who refuses to buy, or give when asked. Many of them have been so long neglected, that they are familiar with crime in its worst forms, but against whom it is difficult to procure evidence, and when procured, the only place they can be sent to, is to the House of Correction or House of Industry for short terms, and then they are suffered to go at large without a proper home or friends to care for them.