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248 LETTERS.
care of the destitute children; to save them, and, at the
same time, to insure the future of our native country, in as
far as this is dependent upon them. It is this more imme-
diate, practical purpose, which here and there calls forth
agitations and echoes, which I also would have wished to
have seen revealed in another way. But they may perhaps
be allowed without inconvenience to resound, and as far as
their power goes, to strike the chords — or expire.
The superfluous will adjust itself, and from under the
perishable flowers a really fresh, life-giving stream of spring
water may gush forth.
The before mentioned purpose, warmly advocated by
many, has, however, amongst several earnest people of
both sexes, raised some scruples, which I also find stated
in your letter. Let us therefore speak of the rescue of the
destitute children, and of the “ Refuge and Reformatory ” as
a means to this end. Some of your objections against the
same, especially with respect to the depraved children, and
their seclusion in a separate Institution, may be best met
by a little historical sketch of the origin of the “ Reforma-
tory ” in Stockholm.
In the year 1813, when Major Venus was Superintend-
ent of the House of Correction here in Stockholm, several
boys from twelve to sixteen years of age, were imprisoned
in it for various crimes committed by them. ‘The author-
ities were uncertain what to do’ with them, as it was
considered dangerous to let them remain at large, with
their evil propensities, in a world where they found
no more protection or guidance than the birds in the
air. In the course of his conversation with these boys,
the Superintendent began to perceive that their misfor-
tune might have been prevented, if they, instead of being
driven out of their homes, in consequence of the vices or
misfortunes of their parents, had been early taken care of
by the charity of society, and properly trained; and that
they might still be saved from utter ruin, if placed under
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