ut never, during the whole time, did I so forcibly feel the want
of a home, and the solace and care of friends, as now. How did I long to
be once more under my father's roof, with an affectionate mother and kind
sister! I had a sad forboding that I should soon be numbered among the
multitude whose spirits had ascended from their prison-house, and whose
bodies were deposited outside the walls, in the ground assigned for that
purpose.

The small-pox had also appeared in our midst, spreading havoc on all
sides; and despair seemed to rule triumphant. Of those who left for the
hospital, but few returned to their comrades. Among those taken ill, was a
young man who had been brought up on a farm. Like many others, he had left
home to 'go a-privateering,' and was taken prisoner. He never saw home
again. He messed just opposite to me, and was I think one of the most
exquisite amateur performers on the violin that I ever heard. For hours
have I listened with rapture to his delightful music. He was absent a day,
and his instrument was silent. The next day I enquired for him; he had
been taken suddenly ill, was removed to the hospital, and the second
evening brought me tidings of his death. There was another one, who had
been for weeks sullen and gloomy. Despair seemed to have thrown its pall
over him. He conversed with none, but shunning his companions, spent the
day muttering to himself. Early one morning he was discovered in a
secluded part of the prison, cold and stiff. He had hung himself.

And was there no one to look after the spiritual or temporal welfare of
this mass of isolated beings? Was there none to soothe the troubled mind,
to cheer the drooping spirit, nor to whisper hope in the ear of the
desponding? Was there none of God's 'messengers of glad tidings' to offer
consolation to the dying, and a prayer for mercy on the departing spirit
of his suffering fellow-being? No; not one minister of the gospel, of any
denomination, did I see while I was there; nor did I hear of any having
been there, at any time; nor was there any person to see that the
prisoners had suitable beds and clothing, or that their food was
wholesome, during the many months that I was there. I was told that REUBEN
G. BEASLY, who was appointed by our government, and who received its pay
to see to American interests, had been there some months before, but had
done nothing for them; and to the letters of remonstrance written to him,
stating their wants,