[George Combe, Scottish lawyer and phrenologist.] Autograph Draft, Signed ('Geo Combe'), of part of article or paper on the 'leading object' of the punishment of offenders in prison.

Twelve lines of text, on one side of an 11 x 13 cm piece of paper, with 'Messrs. Neill & Co' deleted on the reverse. Part of a draft of an article or paper, with deletions and corrections, signed at foot 'Geo Combe'. The final text reads: 'but until a certain sum be redeemed by the labour, attended by the good conduct, of the prisoner. The leading object should be to cultivate habits of moral & intellectual activity, & self-restraint, by an appeal to the interest & understanding of the offender, - rather than by regulations enforced merely by the lash or other forms of suffering, leaving the will unmoved, or in a state of hostility to the discipline imposed.'