the most hopeful sign
in our educational system, and the establishment of ethical education
will be the last and most glorious change. But that is a task for the
next century which will understand how to save and reform criminals.
The thought is already entertained, and the new _Princeton Review_
says, that in coming time "the world will look back with amazement
upon the days when it let known, determined criminals run at large,
only punishing them occasionally, by a temporary deprivation of their
liberty in short and determinate sentences. We can see to-day that it
is a thoroughly illogical proceeding. The man determined upon a life
of crime is of no use to himself at large, and he is both a danger and
expense in his community. He commonly gives evidence in his character
and his acts of this determination--evidence sufficient for the court
which tries and sentences him; but if that is too uncertain, then
conviction for a second offence may be legally taken to define his
position. After the second offence the criminal should be shut up, on
an indeterminate sentence, where he will be compelled to labor to pay
for his board and clothes and the expense of his safe-keeping."

AFRICAN POPULATION.

We have another disturbing element in the negro population, a large
portion of which is unfitted for a republican government by ignorance
and social debasement, but fortunately free from the violence and
turbulence of the lower class of immigrants. This degradation is fast
being removed by education and the ambition inspired by freedom. The
latter is shown by the formation of the Afro-American League for the
protection of the blacks, especially in the Southern States, and the
advancement of their interests and influence. This idea originated
with Mr. Fortune, the editor of the _New York Freeman_.

Few are aware of the progress of negro education. We have already
16,000 colored teachers. In the Southern States alone there are said
to be 1,000,000 of pupils,--in the male and female high schools,
15,000. There are sixty normal schools, fifty colleges and
universities, twenty-five theological seminaries, and in the churches
3,000,000 worshippers. The colored population pays taxes on from 150
to 200 millions of dollars.

The black race will be free from slavery at the close of this century.
The Brazilian Parliament passed a law for gradual emancipation in
1871, when there were about 2,000,000 slaves. In 1885, the number was
redu