nonsensical shades of difference between vice and misfortune, and its
peculiar method of protecting the honest being to make as many rogues as
possible in as short a space of time.




CHAPTER VIII.

_Common Sense._ What is the end of punishment as regards the individual
punished?

_Custom._ To make him better!

_Common Sense._ How do you punish young offenders who are (from their
youth) peculiarly alive to example, and whom it is therefore more easy
either to ruin or reform than the matured?

_Custom._ We send them to the House of Correction, to associate with the
d--dest rascals in the country!

_Dialogue between Common Sense and Custom.--Very scarce._


As it was rather late in the day when Paul made his first _entree_ at
Bridewell, he passed that night in the "receiving-room." The next
morning, as soon as he had been examined by the surgeon and clothed in
the customary uniform, he was ushered, according to his classification,
among the good company who had been considered guilty of that compendious
offence, "a misdemeanour." Here a tall gentleman marched up to him, and