CHAPTER VI.

Working of the system-Court of investigation-On the enactment and enforcement of laws-Punishments.

A VERY short period suffices to familiarize the people with the daily routine; and the required duties are speedily executed with a regularity and precision which cannot fail to gratify every enlightened and benevolent observer. No sooner is the machinery put into motion, than it seems to work by an inherent power—as if, indeed, its primum mobile were nothing short of a vital principle. Every hour brings with it its own duties; and the only thing required is, that the petty officers should be occasionally reminded of the demands which the approaching hour will make upon them, and that the people should sometimes feel the influence of my voice, in order to secure that punctuality and despatch so essentially requisite to the "carrying on," with efficiency and comfort, "of the public duty."

The working of "the school system" is, if possible, more delightful and interesting than "the plan of management." Much, however, depends on the character of the schoolmaster. The differ

ence in the effects produced on the same class of pupils, by teachers furnished with different degrees of skill and zeal, is great, and shows the value of efficient instructors, and their vast influence on the advancement of useful knowledge, and therefore on the future character and destinies of men. The pupils of a dull and indolent teacher betray, in a marvellous degree, the unhappy characteristics of their master; and the spirit and life of the ardent and industrious schoolmaster, who has an abiding sense of the importance of his office, are as visibly imbibed by the pupils whose privilege it is to be committed to his care. I am of necessity shut up to the choice of such teachers as the people themselves supply. All that I can do myself personally is, occasionally to instruct them how to proceed, and to lecture them seriously, in reference to the momentous character of the duties they are called to perform. When it is remembered, that besides "the entire management of the prisoners," the whole of the medical duties of the transport devolve upon the surgeonsuperintendent, unassisted, it will readily be conceived that a large portion of my time cannot possibly be devoted to the schools; all I can daily attempt is, an occasional and often hasty visit, the influence of which is perhaps increased by the circumstance, that it is always expected by the people, and liable to be made at any moment.

However brief and rapid these visits are, they help to maintain a constant intercourse between

myself and the schools; they afford me an opportunity of making my observations at once on the teachers and their pupils; of speaking a word in the way of direction, reproof, or encouragement; and of manifesting a proper interest in the people, and the work in which they are engaged.

In order to prevent my time from being occupied with the minute investigations required by cases of petty delinquency, (an evil of no ordinary magnitude, considering the important purposes to which the time so consumed might be applied,) I have found it necessary to form a sort of "Court of investigation," whose prerogative it is, to hear all the complaints forwarded by the chief captain and inspector of schools. This court consists of five members; namely, four of the most intelligent, judicious, and trustworthy of the petty officers; and my clerk, who acts as clerk of the court. They are empowered to cite before them the parties accused, and to call and examine witnesses, in order to ascertain the nature and extent of the alleged offences. They are intrusted with the power of administering exhortation, warning, admonition, and reproof; and of remonstrating closely and solemnly, with such as may be brought before them; with a view always to the improvement of the offender, and the prevention of all impropriety of conduct in future. When the offence, upon inquiry, seems to be of a minor character, and attended with palliating circumstances; and the culprit appears penitent; the court are authorized

to dispose of the case, by the administration of reproof and advice, as their judgment may direct; the reprimand constituting the punishment. When the accused exhibits a state of mind not quite satisfactory to the court, besides being reproved, duly advised, and cautioned, he is given to understand that he must consider himself as in a state of probation, under close observation; and is dismissed for the present with the assurance, that his next offence will subject him to a more serious punishment, and make it necessary to bring him before the surgeon-superintendent.

This is the severest punishment the court are empowered to inflict; a punishment, too, which they are rarely called upon to administer; and when a case does occur, requiring to be brought to the "quarter-deck," it has been so well sifted, and the evidence so completely made out, that, in order to dispose of it at once, I have only to cause it to be stated in the presence of the offender; to hear the testimony of the witnesses, who are all assembled at the barricade, ready to appear on the quarterdeck the moment they are called; and to listen to anything which the accused may have to say, whether it be matter of confession, contrition, or exculpation. Thus no time is lost, all is prepared, the witnesses are at hand, the case is made to appear as clear as the day, with scarcely a single exception the prisoner confesses his offence, and nothing remains to occupy my time, but to place

the delinquency in a just and impressive point of light, with a view to practical improvement, and to write upon a slip of paper, the punishment which I may think it expedient to award.

The people seem to entertain precisely the views of the court, which I desire they should. The dealing with them of men of their own class, manifestly produces a species of effect different, if not in kind, at least in intensity, from that which results from my own personal adjudications. The case is placed before them by their own companions, and its character determined as it were by themselves, and appears to be seen by a light which the law itself, and reason, and a sense of justice supply. The influence produced upon the minds of the prisoners, is purely referable to their perceptions of truth, and their convictions of right and wrong, unmixed with any impressions produced by my immediate presence and authority. Another beneficial tendency of the working of this court, is to lead the people to sit in judgment upon themselves, and to form a just estimate of their own character and conduct.

As the minds of the people become enlightened, their esteem of my approbation, and dread of incurring my displeasure, increase. Instead of the mere apprehension of punishment, both affection and gratitude soon begin to exert a happy influence: they perceive and feel that I am their friend; that my sole aim is their improvement