uestions which bear largely
on the public weal. From the days of Howard, the philanthropist, they
have been rising in the public estimate, now to stand among the more
prominent of the age.

On these, widely differing theories are brought face to face in earnest
antagonism; some contending for the sterner type of the vindictive, for
rendering the condition of the wrong doer as repulsive as possible, thus
to terrify him from erring,--others contending that they have found a
better and more effective way in humane, reform, gospel
efforts,--efforts prompted by the principles of enlightened
Christianity.

The writer, while touching upon a somewhat wide range of points, will
constantly aim at as great brevity in statement as may be consistent
with perspicuity, go into detail only so far as shall appear needful to
the end in view, and feel amply compensated for his labors, if the
developments and suggestions here made shall in any degree aid the cause
of prison reform.

2. _Our first meeting for worship._ In assembling, while the ladies and
gentlemen, admitted from the city, were taking their places at my left
and front, the female prisoners were being arranged at my right, closely
facing the wall, with the matron and assistant beside them, that they
might not indulge in looking about upon others, for such an act was held
as a misdemeanor. This done, and the south door securely bolted, that
leading to the hall was unbarred, and the male prisoners, some one
hundred and twenty, were marched in by divisions and regular file,
taking their seats with perfect order before me, and filling every
available foot of otherwise unoccupied space in that small and ill
ventilated room called "the chapel," thus packing it as closely
apparently as could be.

What a sensation thrilled every nerve on this my first experience in
attempting to dispense the gospel, thus locked within walls of granite
and iron, with a military guard at each window ready to deal summarily
with any who should attempt escape, or commit a disorderly act. Then
what mingled emotions of sorrow and pity at the thought of so great an
amount of talent present, which had been devoted to crime, and the
depths to which their iniquities had sunk the wrong doers,--enough to
make angels weep.

The singing by the prison choir, a young lady of the city presiding at
the instrument, was exhilarating, voices good, all in time, and movement
spirited, the whole having a peculi