Second Annual Report of the Board of Managers of the Prison Discipline Society, Boston, June 1, 1827. pp. 164. The first Report of this Society was the subject of a brief notice in one of the numbers in our last volume. That document disclosed facts which the public could not have suspected to exist, in relation to American prisons, till the researches of the Prison Discipline Society brought them forth. The second Report contains a further developement of the same general character. The great objects of penal justice, in a Christian country, are the prevention of crime and the refomation of the guilty. But as most of our prisons have been managed, they have not only failed of these objects, but have, in the most direct and efficient manner, promoted the evils they were designed to cure. Instead of being penitentiaries, in the good sense of the word, they have been schools of mutual instruction in the arts of villany, and have been more dangerous to society in proportion as a community of villains is always more dangerous than an individual knave. Öld offenders instead of being reformed have initiated the younger convicts into the mysteries of their own wickedness, and have thus prepared juvenile offenders to go forth veterans in guilt; the crimes for which many of the prisoners were brought hither, are repeated within the prison walls with peculiar facility; and plans have been laid which have been horribly executed as soon as the perpetrators were discharged. Some of the boldest crimes which have astonished the community within a few years past, have been traced to the night rooms of our penitentia ries. These evils are in a great measure to be attributed to the bad construction of prisons, which ren ders it impossible to prevent the mutual intercourse of the convicts. In all the old prisons, the convicts are turned together in considerable numbers into the night rooms, and are then beyond the inspection of their keepers. We ourselves, several years since, visited one in which forty-nine miserable wretches were lodged together in one apartment!—and the literal filthiness of the place equalled the moral pollution of its occupants. What hope of reformation in such circumstances ? Who would not look for any thing rather than the moral improvement of men thus nightly brought together into one mass of gloomy and concentrated depravity, where their desperation could only vent itself in heart-hardening imprecations, or seek relief in the most vile and polluting abominations? This greatest of evils in the pententiary system-the intercommunication of the convicts, cannot long be suffered to remain. The old prisons will be abandoned, and new ones be constructed on the principle of that at Auburn. In that prison, as well as at Sing Sing, and at Wethersfield, the convicts sleep apart in solitary cells, and are so arranged during the day, as to prevent any degree of intercourse among themselves. benefits of this system are evident from such facts as the following. The old prisons, instead of reforming their inmates, prepare a great proportion of them for a speedy return within their walls. In the old County Prison in Philadelphia, the recommitments are about one in three; while in the Auburn prison they are less than one in twenty. The In respect to one means, and probably the only effectual means of the reformation of convicts, namely, faithful religious instruction,-there has been, and is, a criminal neglect on the part of our state legislatures. In none of 'our prisons have they made adequate provision for this object, and in many of them, none at all. On this subject the following facts were exhibited in the last year's report of the Prison Discipline Society. In the New-Hampshire Penitentiary, which has afforded to the State, from one to five thousand dollars income, for the last six years, twentyfive dollars only are appropriated annually, to supply the institution with the means of grace. It is worthy of remark, however, that the warden, of his own accord, causes the Scriptures to be read publicly to the men, twice every day; and on the Sabbath, if no clergyman can be obtained to perform the service of the sanctuary, the warden does it himself. The influence of these measures, which have been adopted voluntarily by the warden, has been powerful in raising the institution to its present elevated character. In the Vermont Penitentiary, which has nearly defrayed all the expense of its management for five years, one hundred dollars only, are appropriated for religious instruction. The chapel has been converted into a weaver's shop. The service on the Sabbath is irregular, and the Scriptures are not daily read to the assembled convicts. This may be one reason why there are so many more recommitments in Vermont, than in New-Hampshire, and why there are so many more prisoners in proportion to the population. In the Massachusetts Penitentiary, which has given an income to the State, of more than thirteen thousand dollars in the last two years, two hundred dollars a year only, are appropriated for the religious instruction of more than three hundred convicts. There is only one short service on the Sabbath, and the remainder of this holy day, the men are locked up in their cells and left to their wicked inclinations. There is no reading the Scriptures daily to the men, nor is such provision made by the State for the chaplain, as to enable him to devote much of his time during the week, to the appropriate duties of his profes sion. In the Connecticut Penitentiary, which has been a continual and heavy burden to the State, from its first establishment, a liberal provision, in proportion to the number of convicts, has been made for their religious instruction; but the chaplain has not resided in or near the prison, and for various causes not suitable to mention, the moral and religious influence exerted over the prisoners has been very far from what it should have been. In the State Prison in New-York city, the duties of the chaplain have devolved upon the Rev. Mr. STAN FORD, a venerable man, more than seventy years of age, who has been relied upon to supply the following institutions, containing the following number of inmates: State Prison, more than six hundred; Penitentiary, more than three hundred; Bridewell, from one to two hundred; Debtors' Jail, number variable; City Hospital, from one to four hundred; Alms House, from one to two thousand. Vast as is the praise and honour of this worthy and venerable man, who preaches regularly, at least ten times a week, how inadequate is the provision of religious instruction for all these humane and criminal institutions. Clergymen from the city sometimes preach at the State Prison. In the New-Jersey Penitentiary, there is no provision whatever by the State, for the moral and religious instruction of the convicts, and not unfrequently month after month has passed, without a religious service on the Sabbath. In Pennsylvania, no provision is made by the State for the religious instruction of the wretched inmates of their almost incomparably wretched County Prison. The Prison here spoken of, is the old County Prison in Philadelphia, used by the State as a State Prison, for which the new one now building, but not yet finished or occupied, is intended as a substitute, In this old Prison, almost four hundred men were found occupying sixteen rooms, which in the night were an emblem of the pit, and on the Sabbath the men came forth from their rooms into the yard, and were there seen engaged in various sports, without regard to the sanctity of the day, or the presence of the officers. All the religious instruction given to these men is given gratuitously, by benevolent individuals or societies. In the Baltimore Penitentiary, no provision is made by the State for moral and religious instruction. The friends of the Methodist church have gratuitously, and very regularly suplied most of the instruction which has been communicated. In the Virginia Penitentiary, no provision is made by the State of religious instruction; the Scriptures are not read to the men daily; nor has there been a religious service on the Sabbath, sometimes, for three months together. The chapel has been converted into solitary cells. It is believed that the exhibition of the condition of the Penitentiaries, in regard to moral and religious instruction, furnishes the second, if not the first great cause of the partial failure of the Penitentiary system. pp. 51 53. This great deficiency, it is hoped, will not long remain unsupplied. The Prison Discipline Society sent chaplains last year to Auburn and Sing Sing; and the good effects of their labors cannot escape the attention of our enlightened legislators. In relation to one of them, we will quote the testimony of the keeper at Auburn. In November, 1825, the Rev. JA RED CURTIS was employed, and sent here as a resident chaplain, by the Massachusetts Prison Discipline Society, since which he has continued with ability and zeal, to discharge the duties before referred to; and although strong prejudices were to be encountered, his knowledge of human nature, correct views of public policy, the penitentiary system, and prison discipline, with a steady and uniform devotion to his duties, has not only enabled him to overcome those prejudices, but the favorable results of his labors fully justify what is said above on this subject. Under the immediate superintend ence of the chaplain, assisted by the students in the Theological Seminary, as teachers, a Sabbath school has been instituted for young convicts; concerning which the keeper says, "in the early part of the summer of 1826, measures were taken to ascertain the number of convicts who were unable to read, or who had received so little instruction that they could read only by spelling most of the words. The number was found to be between fifty and sixty. Besides these, there were many others, who, though they were able in a measure to read, were still grossly ignorant." Out of the whole number, fifty of the most ignorant were placed in the school. During the exercises of the school, great pains have been taken to impress upon their minds a deep and abiding sense of moral and religious obligation. The privilege was embraced with the greatest avidity and apparent thankfulness. Their conduct has been uniformly good, and their industry and application unremitted; and it is very gratifying to be able to state, that their progress has exceeded the most sanguine expectations-nor is this all -an influence of a very salutary nature and tendency, it is believed, has been exerted on the minds of many of the members of this school-an influthrough the whole course of their fuence which it is hoped will be felt ture lives. pp. 71, 72. At Sing Sing, since the chaplain was sent there, they have not only but reading the Scriptures and had public worship on the Sabbath, prayer every evening. The Prison Discipline Society is accomplishing a good work. Its philanthropic and indefatigable secretary, at an expense of several thousand miles travel, besides an extensive correspondence, has collected a most valuable mass of facts; and these facts communicated to men of distinction and office, have either originated or hastened important measures. Legislatures have promptly acted upon information which has been thus imparted to them. This is a gratifying circumstance, and one which ought to be turned to good account by all enlightened friends of the publie welfare. There are other evils of at least equal magnitude with the penitentiary system, which probably will never be driven from the community, but by an array of facts against them. Such are lotteries. Such are theatres-which send ten felons to the penitentiary where the penitentiary sends one reformed convict back to society. Let these and every possible evil be thorough ly explored. Let facts be collected, by individuals, by ecclesiastical bodies, and by associations formed for the purpose. Let these facts be presented to our intelligent legislatures, and there is reason to believe, from the history of the Prison Discipline Society, that the legislative remedies will not be withheld. LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL INTELLIGENCE. A Gazetteer of Massachusetts is about to be published, by Charles Whipple, Newburyport, Mass., in a duodecimo of 350 pages: Containing a general view of the State: A Geographical Description of its Situation, Soil, Mountains, Rivers, Roads, and Canals; Literary Institutions, Commerce and Manufactures; with the Constitution of Government, and a Historical Sketch of Events, from the first settlement to the present time; a List of all the Towns and places of consequence, alphabetically arranged; with the number of Inhabitants, Ďate of Incorporation, Boundaries and Distance from Boston; also, Lists of Churches, Ministers, Physicians, Lawyers, and Men of eminence; together with a great variety of Geographical and Historical Notices of many of the towns. By Jeremiah Spofford, M. M. S. Soc. The Life of Dr. Ledyard, the interesting American traveller and poet, which has been promised for some time from the pen of Mr. Jared Sparks, editor of the N. A. Review, is now in press, and will shortly be published by Messrs. Hilliard and Brown of Cambridge. Dugald Stewart is engaged in preparing for publication, a work on "the active and moral powers of man." during his campaigns in Italy and Egypt; all his proclamations as General in Chief, Consul, and Emperor; the history of the Hundred Days;" his opinions on war, religion, the clergy, the nobility, history, morality, the revolutions in France and England; curious anecdotes, confidential letters, and other productions. Society of the Alumni of Yale College. -A Society with this name was formed at the late Commencement, the object of which is "to sustain and advance the interests of the College." A Committee, appointed for the purpose at a former meeting, reported an address, and the Constitution of a Society, which, after mature deliberation, was unanimously adopted. The Constitution provides that every alumnus who pays two dollars annually, shall be a member of the Society; every one who pays 15 dollars shall be a member for ten years; 25 dollars, a member for life; 50 dollars, a director for life; and 250 dollars, an honorary vice president for life. After the adoption of the Constitution, it was voted that it be printed, with the address of the Committee, in the form of a Circular, and that a copy be forwarded to every alumnus of the College. At the close of the meeting the books were opened, and the subscriptions received were very liberal.-The following gentlemen were elected officers of the Society for the ensuing year.Hon. John Cotton Smith, President.Hon. Jeremiah Mason of N. H., Sam The complete works of Napoleon have recently appeared at Paris, containing three pieces written by him at the respective ages of 20, 21, and 23, a selection of the reports to the directory, uel Hubbard, Esq. of Mass., Hon. Ol iver Wolcott, His Excellency Gideon Tomlinson, Con. Charles Chauncey, Esq. of Penn. and Hon. J. C. Calhoun of S. C. Vice Presidents.-Hon. Josiah Stebbins, of Maine, Hon. Asher Robbins, of R. I. Hon. Horatio Seymour, of Vt. Rev. Lyman Beecher, D. D. and Hon. Isaac C. Bates, of Mass. Rev. Gardiner Spring, D. D. Rev. Dr. Chester, Wiliiam Maxwell, Esq. and William Jay, Esq. of N. Y. Rev. Ezra Stiles Ely, D. D. of Pennsylvania, J. P. Devereux, Esq. of N. Carolina, Hon. Stephen Elliott, and Thomas S. Grimke, Esq. of S. Carolina; the Rev. President Day, Thomas S. Williams, Esq. Professor Silliman, Oliver D. Cooke, Hon. R. M. Sherman, Hon. James Gould, Hon. Lyman Law, Hon. Judge Baldwin Eneas Munson, Esq. Hon. Martin Wells, and Hon. David Daggett, of Connecticut, Directors. At a meeting on the day of Commencement, it was resolved;-That the next annual meeting be held in the Chapel at 7 o'clock on the evening preceding the Commencement of 1828, and that public notice of the meeting be given in the newspapers; That an address be delivered, on that occasion, by an Alumnus, on the interests of learning, the appointment to be made by the Board of Directors; That the Alumni now present will make efforts to extend the influence of the Society of the Alumni of Yale College, and to aid the efforts of any agent who may be employed by the Board of Direct ors. The Western Reserve College has been founded at Hudson, Ohio, and a commodious edifice erected. Most of that part of the state is settled by people from the New England states, and agents have been sent into those states to obtain assistance, to enable the institution to supply itself with the necessary professors.-It is obvious to every one who has reflected on the subject, that if our western states are ever to be supplied with preachers, with habits and feelings suited to the exigences of the country, they must be supplied from Colleges and Theological Institutions, established within their own territory; and every such Institution has a claim upon the patronage of those who feel an interest in the political and religious welfare of our rising country. Kenyon College was founded in June last, at Gambier, Ohio. It has received donations of considerable amount, in money and lands. The college building now commenced is the centre, or connecting part, in the form of the letter H, and is 110 feet. long by 40 feet wide: this is to receive two wings of 174 feet each. NEW PUBLICATIONS. RELIGIOUS. Simplicity in the Christian Faith, alike Scriptural and Powerful: A Sermon, delivered July 1, 1827, at the Second Independent Church, Charleston, S. C. By Mellish J. Motte. 12mo. pp. 24. Charleston, 1827. A Discourse on denying the Lord Jesus: By Bernard Whitman of Waltham. 12mo. pp. 47. Boston: Bolles & Dearborn, 1827. An Inquiry into the Nature of Sin: in which the Views advanced in "Two Discourses on the Nature of Sin," are pursued, and Vindicated from Objections stated in the Christian Advocate. By Eleazar T. Fitch. pp. 96. NewHaven: A. H. Maltby, 1827. Hymns of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, set forth in General Convention of said Church, in the years of our Lord 1789, 1808, and 1826. The Importance of the Study of the Old Testament. By Augustus Pholuck. Translated from the German by R. B. Patton, Professor of Langua ges at Nassau Hall. A Sermon on the Perdition of Judas. By Nathaniel Emmons, D.D. of Franklin, Mass. With a review of the same. By David Pickering, of Providence, R. |