The following interesting letter, shews the position of the Roman Catholic Reformatory Schools in England :

Dear Sir Robert Throckmorton-I cannot do better than address you as Chairman of the meeting held last winter at Birmingham for founding a Catholic Reformatory at Mount St. Bernard, and over which you so ably presided, in order to make a few observations upon the progress of the undertaking, and the prospect of its speedy

success.

Three weeks ago I had the opportunity of seeing the Colonie Agricole of Mettray, in France, the first, I believe, of this kind of Institution which was founded; and I also had the pleasure of seeing its founder, Mons. De Metz, from whom I obtained a great deal of information about the system on which the Colony of Mettray was founded and conducted with the most undeniable beneficial results. The success of the system is clearly expressed by the significant fact that out of every 100 boys sent to Mettray 90 are reformed. Mons. De Metz has been in England since then, and I have had further opportunity of conversation with him with especial reference to the Mount St. Bernard Reformatory, and I am desirous that the opinion he expressed in its favour should be generally known.

In my humble opinion a very wise step has been taken in discarding the name of Reformatory School, and substituting for it that of Agricultural Colony, a title which was entirely approved of by the Home Secretary, at the suggestion of the Government Inspector, Mr. Perry; and it is accordingly styled, in the paper of certification, "The Agricultural Colony at the Abbey of Mount St. Bernard." There is something grating to the feelings in the title Reformatory, while, on the other hand, that of Agricultural Colony will not preserve in the minds of the boys any idea of being sent there as criminals, but will rather stir up a sentiment of honourable pride and interest in the Institution which they will never lose.

The reasons assigned by Mons De Metz for his warm approbation of a Colony undertaken by the Cistercian Monks, and for his sanguine expectation of its success under their superintendence, are principally three :—

1st. That religion was the basis, for without it no human power can work out the reform of criminals. It has been well observed that without religion the reform of prisons may be effected, but without religion we shall never arrive at the reform of prisoners.

2. That the teachers, instructors, and masters of trades, were themselves brothers (of the third order), receiving no stipend, but serving as unpaid volunteers in this noble work, for the glory of God and the love of souls, desirous to devote themselves wholly to the active work of reforming others.

3. That the example of the Monks cannot fail to exercise a great influence over the boys, who will see that they derive no gain whatever from the Colony, but are themselves daily employed in the cultivation of their own lands, working harder and faring poorer than even the colonists themselves, who will soon learn to love and respect those who have sacrificed themselves for their benefit.

B

A fourth reason which Mons. De. Metz pointed out is, that under the care of Religious, who receive no remuneration, but perform the laborious task for the love of God and their neighbour, a colony can be established and maintained at a much less cost than one which is conducted by paid superintendents and teachers, which is a matter of some consideration.

Another great advantage in favour of the Colony at Mount St. Bernard is its locality. This is a point on which Mons. De Metz lays considerable stress, considering it to be highly conducive to the success of these Institutions that they should be placed in the country, in a retired situation, to avoid, as much as possible, communication with towns, which is not likely to prove of any benefit to them, and because in the country there is more freedom and less need of restraint, and fewer temptations to boys who are, as it were, prisoners on parole. Moreover, there is no doubt that the health of the bojs would be better in the open country, employed in agricultural labour, than in the confined precincts of a town school.

All these advantages are remarkably well combined at Mount St. Bernard, where the Colony is placed in a retired position, with a great extent of uncultivated land around, distant from towns, apart from villages, in the very picturesque district of Charnwood Forest, The soil is sufficiently easy to work (which is very important for boys), and the climate is particularly healthy. I regret that Mons. De Metz was unable to visit the Colony during his stay in England, or I am sure he would have approved very highly of its situation. He had fixed a day for going to visit it, but was prevented by indis position.

With so many important elements of success, and such favourable means already existing to work them, it may justly be hoped that the Mount St. Bernard Colony may become one of the first in England. A staff of ten brothers has been organized, and the Institution has been certified by the Government. The first colonist was sent there yesterday, I believe by the magistrates of Birmingham, and official notice has been received that several other boys will be sent very shortly. All that is wanted is the help and support of the public to provide the requisite funds.

At the meeting held at Birmingham last December-one of the most well-conducted, business-like meetings I ever attended-for which we were greatly indebted to your able presidency-it was resolved to purchase fifty acres of land adjoining the Abbey Farm, and for this purpose, as also for building and other initiatory expenses, to raise a sum of 4,000l. The land has been bought for 2700%, for which a deposit of 2001. was paid when the contract was entered into at the wish of the Committee of the Catholic Association at Birmingham, and the remaining 25007, will have to be paid by the 1st of November next. The building is rapidly advancing, and part is even now ready. The Abbot has done all that is possible to expedite it, even, I believe, to the extent of advancing some of the Monastery funds; and it now remains for those who organized that meeting, and promoted the foundation of the Colony, to use their exertions to complete the sum of 4,000l. which they voted should be raised.

Up to the present moment I am informed that not 1000%. has yet been paid, and as it is important that the whole should be obtained before next November, I understand the Bishops of the four Midland dioceses-Birmingham, Northampton, Nottingham, and Shrewsbury -have requested Father John Jackson to proceed as soon as possible to the midland counties for the purpose of collecting donations and subscriptions.

The Colony has received the warm approbation of those Bishops who gave their active concurrence at the meeting, and no doubt will be equally supported by the cordial generosity and liberality of the nobility, gentry, and clergy, and all classes of the people.

Believe me to remain, dear Sir Robert Throckmorton,
Your's faithfully,

London, June 10, 1856.

CAMPDEN.

In our last RECORD we referred to the proposed plan of holding an exhibition of the various industrial products of the Reformatory Schools of the United Kingdoms. We subjoin an account of the exhibition, which we condense from The Philanthropist, of July 1st:

The Industrial Exhibition, to which we called attention in our last number, was held at Willis's Rooms, on the 19th and 20th of June last. It was a happy thought on the part of the Reformatory and Refuge Union, to have an exhibition of the articles made by the inmates of some of the principal Reformatories and refuges of the country; and by carrying this thought out, they enabled the metropolitan public to judge of the progress the reformatory movement was making. Though we knew that many trades were being taught and many useful arts cultivated in several institutions, we were not prepared to see such results as were exhibited at Willis's rooms. The large room contained thirty stalls, on which was arranged various articles of human use, which had been made by the boys and girls of the following institutions: The Refuge for the Destitute, Royal Female Philanthropic, School of Discipline, Grotto Passage, Albert-street Refuge, London Reformatory, Brook-street Refuge, Maida Hill Refuge, Elizabeth Fry's Refuge, Training Refuge for Girls,Industrial Home, Bryan-street Refuge, Ragged School Shoeblack Society, Field-lane Night Refuge, Female Refuge and Cripples' Home, North West London Reformatory, Boys' Home, Wandsworth, St. Giles' and St. George's Refuges, Home in the East, Home for Female Children, Dolphin Court Girls' Refuge, Metropolitan Industrial Reformatory, Belvedere Crescent Ragged Factory, Britannia-court Refuge, Boys' Refuge, School for the Destitute, Paddington Home, East London Shoe-black Society, South London Shoe-black Society, Westminster Industrial School.

These institutions not only exhibited specimens of their manufac turers, but some of them sent specimens of their inmates, who were

shown in different parts of the room, plying the different avocations they had been taught.

Prince Albert, who has thought over the subject of exhibitions as much as any man living, and who fully appreciates their industrial and moral advantages, visited the exhibition soon after it was opened. He examined minutely the various articles shown, and in several cases expressed his admiration. He took several things, such as mats, with him to Buckingham Palace, to be used by the Royal household. A goodly number of the nobility and gentry visited the exhibition during the two days it was opened. Many articles were sold, and more were ordered to be manufactured. We might mention, for instance, that Mr. Sidney Turner ordered one hundred iron bedsteads from the North-west London Reformatory.

One peculiarity of the exhibition was the variety of articles produced. The Redhill Farm School sent specimens of grass and crops now growing, also specimens of bread, butter, and cheese, produced on the farm. In another part of the room was a copy of Dr. Gill's Commentary, in six large volumes, which had been printed by youths. But perhaps one of the most encouraging things present was the copy of a religious newspaper, printed and edited in one of the cities of the United States by two young men, who, having passed through prisons, and afterwards through a well-known reformatory in Lon. don, subsequently crossed the Atlantic, and commenced business for themselves. The copy of the said newspaper, which was shown to us, was well printed, and exhibited encouraging signs of editorial ability. We have since seen a letter written by one of the young men themselves, addressed to a gentleman in London who formerly felt an interest in their welfare. The letter was full of gratitude and hope. It is almost impossible accurately to estimate the benefit which the reformation of these two young men may be instrumental in conferring on the world. They were first rescued from a life of crime in England, taught a useful trade, and what is of greater importance, they were deeply impressed with those solid and lasting obligations of duty and right which conserve human society, and those saving truths of the Gospel, which can alone fit them for citizenship in the kingdom of our Lord. They then crossed the Atlantic, and found a home in the new world, and new associations, where they are now encouraged by new aspirations, sustained by new resolves. They are now printers, proprietors, and editors of a journal, which advocates social progress and inculcates religious duties. A curious fact in relation to the exhibition is worth recording. Almost every article of dress which Mr M'Gregor wore on the day of the exhibition was made by the boys or girls of various refuges and reformatories in England, Scotland, and Ireland. His trousers were made by the boys of the Boys' Refuge, Whitechapel; his waistcoat by the boys of the Ragged School, Cork; his shirt by the girls of the School of Discipline, Chelsea ; his neck-tie was made by the girls of the Training Refuge, Lisson-street, London; his pocket-handkerchief by the girls of the Industrial School, Aberdeen; one sock by the St. Giles's Refuge, the other sock by the girls of the House of Refuge, Glas

gow; his pocket-book by the boys of the Home in the East; his shoes by the boys of the Metropolitan Reformatory, Brixton; and his shoes were blacked by the boys of the Ragged School Shoe-black Society, Maiden-lane, London.

Perhaps we shall be promoting the interests of the reformatory movement in general and the various institutions in particular, by mentioning in detail some of the articles made at some of the reformatories and their prices. We have insufficient materials by us to do this in anything like a lengthened or elaborate manner; but we turn to the best account the facts and information we possess.

It will be a hopeful day in the history of this country when all our reformatories and industrial schools will be self-supporting; and to bring them as closely as possible to that culminating point should be the desire, of all interested in the movement. The poet has said, "A fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind." The directors of schools, knowing the difficulties with which they have to contend, may imagine the condition of kindred institutions. We therefore think that reformatery schools should mutually buy from and assist each other. In one school, it may be, bedsteads are manufactured, and in another boots, and if by any arrangements bedsteads may be exchanged for boots, a mutual advantage might be realised. Imagine another case. Let us suppose a new reformatory school is about to be established in some part of the country. Boots, clothes, bedsteads, and other articles, are by necessity wanted; and if they could be obtained at advantageous terms from any institution or institutions where such things are manufactured, it is desirable that they should. In order to facilitate any arrangements of the kind, we have deemed it advisable to give the following facts, which we collected at the Industrial Exhibition :

THE CRIPPLES' HOME, Hill-street, Dorset-square, supplies bonnets, from 1s. to 6s.; window mats, 4s. to 16s. ; boys' hats, from 1s. 6d. to 2s. 6d. ; table mats, at 4s. 6d. per dozen; fancy baskets, Is. 6d. and 4s.; soup ditto, from 1s. 6d. to 2s.; small mats, at 1s. each; carriage baskets, 4s. and 4s. 6d. each.

THE REFUGE FOR HOMELESS AND DESTITUTE BOYS, 17, Arthurstreet, St Giles's, sent the following articles to the exhibition: I screw dining table, price 147.; 1 double desk, I. 15s. ; 6 forms, at 6s. 6d. each, 17. 19s.; fancy mats, at 5s. 4s. 3s. and 25. a pair; 6 pair of boots, at 7s. 6d. per pair, 21. 5s. ; 8 suits of cord, at 25s. per suit, 107; specimen firewood, at 5s. per 100.

THE REFUGE FOR DESTITUTE BOYs, Paddington-street, Marylebone, supplies Mats, from 2s. 6d. upwards; Church hassocks, 7s. each ; ottomans, from 4s. each; wood, 4s. per. hundred ; Shoe-black boxes, 3s 6d. ; fire aprons, 5s. ; hair picking, at three-farthings per pound. THE HOME IN THE EAST produces scrubbing brushes from 3s. to 14s. per dozen; stoves from 5s. to 10s. each; cocoa sacks for exportation, 42 inches by 291, at 92d. each, with 24 discount, and boys' clothing at manufacturers' prices.

The KILMARNOCK REFORMATORY SCHOOL sent the following articles: Collars from 28. to 4s. 6d. ; pairs of sleeves, from 3s. 6d. to 7s. ; collar and a pair of cuffs, at 6s.; handkerchief at 7s. These