who manifest a desire to amend, and show by
their exemplary conduct that they are anxious to regain once more a fair
position in society. Some anonymous writers have recently treated the
public to books bearing on the convict system of our country; and
professedly written, as they are, by men who have endured longer or
shorter periods of penal servitude, their opinions and suggestions
certainly count for something. The author of _Five Years' Penal
Servitude_ seems to entertain very decided opinions upon the present
system and its faults. He speaks strongly against _long_ sentences for
first offences, but urges that they should be made more severe. He
thinks that short sentences, made as severe as possible, consistent with
safety to life, would act as a deterrent more effectually than the long
punishments, which are, to a certain degree, mild to all well-conducted
prisoners. He also most strongly advocates separation of prisoners;
insisting that "the mixing of prisoners together is radically bad, and
should at all costs be done away with. Men who are imprisoned for first
offences, whether it be in a county jail or a convict prison, should
most certainly be kept perfectly distinct from 'second-timers,' and not
on any account be brought into contact with old offenders, who, in too
many cases, simply complete their education in vice." He further states,
in a concise form, what, in his estimation, should be the aim of all
penal measures. 1st. The punishment of those who have transgressed the
laws of the country, and the deterring others from crime; 2d. The
getting rid of the troublesome and criminal class of the population; 3d.
The doing of this in the most efficient and least costly way to the
tax-paying British public. He even quotes the opinion that New Guinea
would be suitable as a place of disposal for the convict class. But many
and good reasons have been given against shipping off criminals to be
pests to other people; this system has been already tried, and failed to
a large extent, although it certainly had redeeming features. Looking
at the matter all round, it seems utterly impossible to devise a convict
system which shall meet fairly and justly all cases. Could some system
be set in operation which should afford opportunity for the thoughtless
and unwary criminal, who has heedlessly fallen into temptation, to
retrace his steps and attain once more the height whence he has fallen,
it would be a boon to society. On t