one eye, and very little light in that, took to handling my clothes; then
inquired if I had any money "up above?" Upon my answering in the
affirmative my popularity immediately increased. They soon made me
understand that I could "draw" upon the pigeon-hole bank to indulge in
any such luxuries as beer or tobacco.

People breakfast early in Vienna; and, as I had tasted nothing since that
meal, I was very hungry; but I was not to starve; for soon we heard the
groaning of bolts and locks, and the police-soldier who guarded the door
appeared, bearing in his hand a red earthen pot, surmounted by a round
flat loaf of bread "for the Englishman." I took my portion with thanks,
and found that the pipkin contained a thick porridge made of lentils,
prepared with meal and fat; in the midst of which was a piece of fresh
boiled beef. The cake was of a darkish colour; but good wholesome bread.
Altogether, the meal was not unsavoury. Many a greedy eye watched me as
I sat on the end of the hard couch, eating my dinner. One wretched man
seeing that I did not eat all, whispered a proposal to barter his dirty
neckerchief--which he took off in my presence--for half of my loaf. I
satisfied his desires, but declined the recompense. My half-emptied
pipkin was thankfully taken by another man, under the pretence of
"cleaning it."

One of my fellow-prisoners approached me.

"It is getting late," said he; "do you know what you have got to do?"

"No."

"You are the Zuwachs (latest accession), and it is your business to empty
and clean out the 'Kiefel'" (the sink, etc.)

"The devil!"

"But I dare say," he added, carelessly, "if you pay the Vater a
'mass-bier,'" (something less than a quart of beer), "he will make some
of the boys do it for you."

"With all my heart."

"Have you a rug?"

"No."

"You must ask the Corporal, at seven o'clock; but I dare say the Vater
will find you one--for a 'mass-bier'--if you ask him."

I saw that a mass-bier would do a great deal in an Austrian prison.

The Vater, who was a prisoner like the rest, was appealed to. He was a
tall, burly-looking young man, with a frank countenance. He had quitted
his honest calling of butcher, and had taken to smuggling tobacco into
the city. This is a heavy crime; for the growth, manufacture, and sale
of tobacco is a strict Imperial monopoly. Accordingly, his punishment
had been proportionately severe--two years' imprisonment. The sentence
was now approac