jail?"

"Not long; for we do not, since we have been there, suffer them to be a
day without being clothed?"

"What is the average space allowed to each woman to lie upon, taking the
average number in the prison?"

"I cannot be accurate, not having measured; from eighteen inches to two
feet, I should think."

"By six feet?"

"Yes. I believe the moral discipline of a prison can never be complete
while they are allowed to sleep together in one room. If I may be
allowed to state it, I should prefer a prison where women were allowed
to work together in companies, under proper superintendence; to have
their meals together, and their recreation also; but I would always have
them separated in the night. I believe it would conduce to the health
both of body and mind. Their being in companies during the day, tends,
under proper regulations, to the advancement of principle and industry,
for it affords a stimulus. I should think solitary confinement proper
only in atrocious cases. I would divide every woman for a few weeks,
until I knew what they were, but I would afterwards regulate them as I
have before mentioned."

"Has gaming entirely ceased?"

"It has of late: they have once been found gaming since we had care of
the prison, but I called the women up when I found that some of them had
been playing at cards, and represented to them how much I objected to
it, and how evil I thought its consequence was, especially to them; at
the same time I stated that if there were cards in the prison, I should
consider it a proof of their regard if they would have the candor and
the kindness to bring me their packs. I did not expect they would do it,
for they would feel they had betrayed themselves by it; however, I was
sitting with the matron, and heard a gentle tap at the door, and in
came a trembling woman to tell me she had brought her pack of cards,
that she was not aware how wrong it was, and hoped I would do what I
liked with them. In a few minutes another came up, and in this way I had
five packs of cards burnt. I assured them that so far from its being
remembered against them, I should remember them in another way. I
brought them a present of clothing for what they had done, and one of
them, in a striking manner, said she hoped I would excuse her being so
forward, but, if she might say it, she felt exceedingly disappointed;
she little thought of having clothing given her, but she had hoped I
would give her a Bible, that she