_Considerations in relation to Penal System._—There is no reason to believe that the Society, when it first entered on its benevolent labors, contemplated directing its efforts towards the introduction of any new system, or effecting any general change in the then prevailing principles of prison discipline; but as their arrangements for securing efficient and comprehensive action within their own body embraced from the outset, a standing committee to visit the prisons and prisoners, they not only carefully examined and considered the provisions of the penal laws, but they had full opportunity of observing their practical operation upon the prisoners, and also of judging whether the gaols were so constructed and arranged as to adapt them to their proper purposes. On entering the prisons, the Committee saw in close association those of the various ages, from the comparatively far advanced in life, down to mere children; and from those long practised and utterly hardened in crime, down to such as had made their first serious misstep, which may have been more from want of thought than from actual depravity of heart, and they soon became convinced, that if the community desired the spread of vice and wickedness, they here had schools admirably adapted to their purpose. Exactly in accordance with their conviction of what must be the result of this state of things, crimes were found to increase in number and boldness, and this association of convicts was apparently the only adequate cause which could be assigned for it. “This being the evil (to adopt the language of the ‘Sketch’ referred to), _separation_ was the obvious remedy; and on this, therefore, as we shall soon see, they ultimately fixed, as the grand point to be aimed at. Thenceforth, _separation_ and _employment_ were felt to be the cardinal features of convict discipline; and even at that day it was maintained, that though the structures which this principle demanded, might be somewhat more expensive in the outset, they would, nevertheless, in the end, pay for themselves with large interest. In saving in police force; in the avoidance of conspiracies and insurrections; in the dispensing with violent and exciting modes of punishment; in the power to adapt the means of improvement and reformation to individual character and circumstances; in the exemption of the discharged prisoner from recognition by prison acquaintances; and in the moral and disciplinary virtue of seclusion in itself considered, were to be found a generous compensation for any extraordinary outlay.”