o think that Mr Nash does not stand alone in his
disinterested course. There is a Mr Ellis, a shoemaker in Albany Street,
Regent's Park, who, under the impulse of religious feeling for the
unfortunate, has taken a number of delinquents into his care, with a
view to reforming them. Four years ago, he began with two, to whom he
assigned certain rations. The first movement was an act of self-denial
on their part. In order to secure the admission of a companion, who
could not otherwise have been provided for, they agreed that their
rations should be divided with him; and on these terms he was admitted.
Soon after, the number was increased to fifteen; and with this number Mr
Ellis has gone on most successfully. The boys have been industrious, and
only one has been guilty of any offence. The prosperous man of the
world, who thinks himself entitled to use all his own for his own sole
gratification, will hear of these things with incredulity, and pity
Ellis and Nash as enthusiasts, who foolishly sacrifice themselves for a
whim; but we greatly doubt if the worldling's proudest or most luxurious
hour gives one-half the true satisfaction which these men enjoy in the
midst of their ragged adherents, under the blessed hope of rescuing them
from destruction in this world and the next.
The subject of juvenile delinquency is beginning to attract a good deal
of attention, for it is now clearly seen that the root of most of the
predatory crime by which the country is afflicted lies here, and till
the root is struck at, the branches will continue to flourish. It
appears that for some years the number of juvenile criminals has been
on the increase; auguring, of course, an ultimate increase in the number
of adult offenders. Some vigorous measure for the reduction of juvenile
delinquency is felt to be now required. Amidst all the alarms which it
is exciting, and amidst the expressions of hopelessness which we often
hear from those who give little attention to the subject, it is
gratifying to find, that there are some glimpses of what appears to be
the right course to be taken. First, one great point is very clearly
established--that it really is possible to reclaim juvenile criminals.
It cannot, however, be done by punishments of any kind. It is to be done
by kindness, religious influence, and industrial occupation, along with
the holding forth of a hope of transition into a better course of life.
Those who may be incredulous on this point,
|