[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR. ") SIR, —The problem of the
punishment of children demands serious notice at the present time. While the prison stigma should be avoided on the one hand, sufficiently deterrent punishment should be awarded on the other. In this neigh- bourhood, a gang of young roughs, varying from ten to four- teen years of age, frequently hold the streets. They are a terror to the inhabitants. Girls are indecently assaulted ; children beaten, robbed, and ill-used ; windows constantly broken, and incessant annoyance suffered by interruption in the parish schools, and by the shopkeepers. The petty larceny from the vans while unlading is serious. The sugar-bags are ripped open, and the contents pilfered and wasted. The streets swarm with these children on the days when these carts unlade, and it seems to be a " matter-of- course " holiday. The School Board has not succeeded in clear- ing the streets in this part of London, and the children are preparing to swell the criminal classes hereafter. If by chance one is caught, the punishment is so nominal, that it is worse than useless. For instance, for cutting open a boy's nose (a surgical case), the mother of the offender had to pay the cost of the summons (2s.), and the gang were incited to fresh outrages by the result. It is in Roman Catholic districts that these gangs of disorderly children are found, and one can but con- clude that the indifference of the priests in enforcing attendance at school, and looking after these young people out of school, has much to do with the evil. The language and habits, even of the young children are appalling in foulness and blasphemy. Some strong action ought to be taken for the protection of society, to deter others from imitating the evil example, and for
the sake of the children themselves.—I am, Sir, &c., M.
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