No More Learning

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4. 2 9
England ('72-7 )--not over 24) . . . . . . . . . . . . 27. 4 14. 8
Scotland ('72-7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 7. 8
Ireland ('72-7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 3. 2
Belgium ('74-5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20. 8 ---
Holland ('72-7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22. 8 3. 7
Sweden ('73-7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19. 7 17
Switzerland ('74) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6. 6 7
Denmark ('74-5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9. 9 9. 6
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More recent figures show that the yearly average in France, for
1876-80, out of 4,374 persons brought to trial, was 1 per cent.
under sixteen years of age, and 17 per cent. between sixteen and
twenty-one; whilst in 1886 the same percentages were . 60 and
14. Out of 146,217 accused before the tribunals there were 4 per
cent. under sixteen, and 14 per cent. between sixteen and twenty-
one. Out of 25,135 females there were 4 per cent. under sixteen,
and 11 per cent. between sixteen and twenty-one; whilst in 1886
the percentages were 3 and 14 of males, 2. 5 and 14 of females.

In Prussia, of persons accused of crimes and offences in 1860-70,
4 per cent.
were under eighteen years.

In Germany, of persons condemned in 1886, 3 per cent. were between
twelve and fifteen, 6 per cent. between fifteen and eighteen, and
16 per cent. between eighteen and twenty-one years.

In Italy, out of 5,189 persons condemned at the assizes in 1887, 3
per cent. were between fourteen and eighteen, and 12 per cent.
between eighteen and twenty-one. Out of 65,624 tried before the
tribunals, 1. 2 per cent. were under fourteen, 5 per cent. were
between fourteen and eighteen, and 13 per cent. between eighteen
and twenty-one. There is a continual increase of precocious
criminals in Italy. Prisoners condemned at the assizes under the
age of twenty-one stood at 15 per cent. from 1880 to 1887, whilst
those of a similar age who were tried before the tribunals rose
from 17 to 20 per cent.

To these numerical data may be added others of a qualificative
character, showing that precocity is most frequent in respect of
the natural crimes and offences which are usually observed amongst
born and habitual criminals.

In France the younger prisoners in 1882 had been sentenced in the
following proportions:--

Male. Female.
For murder and poisoning . . . . . . 0. 9 per cent. . 5 per cent.
'' homicide, assaults, and wounding 1. 6 '' 1. 5 ''
'' incendiarism. . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 8 '' 2 ''
'' indecent assault . . . . . . . . . 3. 5 '' 11. 8 ''
'' specified thefts, forgery, uttering
false coin . . . . . . . . . . . . 5. 2 '' 2. 4 ''
'' simple theft, swindling . . . 60. 8 '' 49. 7 ''
'' mendacity and vagrancy . . . 23 '' 20. 5 ''
'' other crimes and offences . . . 2. 7 '' 8 ''
'' defiance of parents . . . . . . 1 '' 10. 5 ''


These figures, showing a greater frequency amongst females of
precocious crimes against the person, and amongst males against
property, are approximately repeated in Switzerland, where young
prisoners in 1870-74 had been sentenced in these proportions:--

For crimes and offences against the person . . . 12. 1 per cent.
'' '' '' morality . . . 5. 7 ''
'' incendiarism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4. 3 ''
'' theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65. 5 ''
'' swindling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5. 4 ''
'' forgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 9 ''
'' vagrancy . . . . . . . . . . . .