Memorial into Russ, that it might be presented to the Prince Galitzin. The Princess Mestchersky, accompanied him in his first visit to the prisons of Moscow, and remained his warm supporter in all his benevolent labours.

After spending one whole year in this Empire, his grateful heart sets down the following memorial: “ An uninterrupted state of health, so as not to prevent me on one occasion from visiting the prisons or attending to any engagement; although exposed to the severe frost of winter, and the no less dangerous heat of summer, cannot be forgotten, especially when I consider the weak state of my lungs when I left England, and the occasional spitting of blood to which I was subject."

It is an interesting sight to behold this devoted. Christian disengaging himself from all secular concerns, and consecrating his whole time and property to the cause of suffering humanity: endeavouring by every means in his power to lighten the fetters, and mitigate the woes, of our unhappy fellow men. Such prodigies of benevolence are rarely seen, but that Mr. Venning was one of these prodigies is evident, from the following extract: "I assured Prince Galitzin, upon his giving me such encouragement, that I should

think of nothing else besides prisons-I therefore deemed it necessary to decline all commercial business, and even to avoid the appearance of it, by not attending the Exchange."

His solicitude for the perfecting of his plan can only be known by those who have engaged in similar labours. But the time now drew near when his hopes were to be consummated, by seeing a Prison Society established in the Metropolis of the largest Empire in the world. The following representation will shew what a deep interest was excited on the occasion.

TRANSLATION.

"To His Imperial Majesty,

From the Minister of Spiritual Affairs and National Instruction, Privy Counsellor, &c. PRINCE GALITZIN.

REPRESENTATION.

Mr. Venning, a Member of the London Prison Society, well known to your Imperial Majesty, presented a Memorial, containing general remarks, respecting the best system of prison discipline; with a description of the plan upon which the London Society proceeded in its management

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of prisons. In consequence of this, agreeably to the command of your Majesty, I have had conferences with him as to the manner in which a Society formed upon similar principles and adapted to the Constitution, might be instituted in Russia. Accordingly, rules were framed for the establishment of a Society in this City, for the care of prisons; these rules which I had the honour previously to present for the inspection of your Majesty, I sent agreeably to your commands to the Military General Governor of the City, requesting to know his sentiments on the subject.

The General of Infantry, Count Meloradovitch, the Governor, returned them to me, with the declaration, not only, that he found in the rules nothing whatever objectionable, but he considered that the establishment of such a Society, founded on such principles, would prove very beneficial. Accordingly, I herewith present a Memorial drawn up from the remarks of Mr. Venning, on the subject of prison discipline, and the proposed plan of a Society for the care of prisons; and I beg leave to implore your Majesty's confirmation of them, in order that they may forthwith be carried into execution.

In conformity with the Rules, I now submit to your Majesty, to appoint a President to this Society, according to your pleasure."

(Signed)

PRINCE ALEXANDER GALITZIN.

St. Petersburg, July 19, 1810.

The original is signed in his Imperial Majesty's own hand writing. "Be it so, and in the following manner: I appoint the Minister of Spiritual Affairs, and National Instruction, Prince Galitzin, the President.

ALEXANDER."

The Illustrious President immediately ordered the cheering news to be made known to Mr. Venning, and he lost no time in conveying it to his friends in England. On the 25th July, 1818, he writes to Samuel Hoare, Junr. Esq. "I have now to communicate to you, and our London Prison Society, the following important and welcome intelligence.

"His Imperial Majesty, whose heart is ever alive to the best feelings of our nature, has been graciously pleased to establish a Prison Society in this City, on the plan I had the honour to recommend about eighteen months ago. It was con

firmed and ratified last Saturday by the Emperor. This Society is denominated," The Society for the care of Prisons." There are two Committees, one of Gentlemen, and the other of Ladies. The lists of persons whose names I ventured, by permission, to propose as Members of these Committees, have been all approved by his Majesty-and if rank and dignity both civil and ecclesiastical, combined with active benevolence, will give efficacy to their labours, none of these qualifications will be wanting.

"His Imperial Majesty, who has most wisely reserved to himself the exclusive right of choosing the President, has been pleased to appoint the pious Prince Galitzin, who is, I may truly say, no less dignified by his humanity and other christian virtues, than by his exalted rank and station-and allow me to add, that this is a just tribute of praise which I pay not to the rank but to the man. His Majesty has been graciously pleased to place this Institution, of which he himself is Patron, under the Prince's immediate paternal care.

"Whatever funds this Society may require for the execution of its benevolent objects, his Majesty will provide.