iderably
the solution of the problem; and indeed, after two or three weeks had
elapsed I arrived simply and even unexpectedly at my great discovery.
I confess frankly that before telling my discovery to the Warden of the
prison I experienced moments of a certain hesitation, which was quite
natural in my position of prisoner. To the reader who may still be
surprised at this hesitation, knowing me to be a man of a clear,
unstained conscience, I will answer by a quotation from my "Diary of a
Prisoner," relating to that period:

"How difficult is the position of the man who is convicted, though
innocent, as I am. If he is sad, if his lips are sealed in silence,
and his eyes are lowered, people say of him: 'He is repenting; he is
suffering from pangs of conscience.'

"If in the innocence of his heart he smiles brightly and kindly, the
keeper thinks: 'There, by a false and feigned smile, he wishes to hide
his secret.'

"No matter what he does, he seems guilty--such is the force of the
prejudice against which it is necessary to struggle. But I am innocent,
and I shall be myself, firmly confident that my spiritual clearness will
destroy the malicious magic of prejudice."

And on the following day the Warden of the prison pressed my hand
warmly, expressing his gratitude to me, and a month later little holes
were made in all doors in every prison in the land, thus opening a field
for wide and fruitful observation.

The entire system of our prison life gives me deep satisfaction. The
hours for rising and going to bed, for meals and walks are arranged so
rationally, in accordance with the real requirements of nature, that
soon they lose the appearance of compulsion and become natural, even
dear habits. Only in this way can I explain the interesting fact that
when I was free I was a nervous and weak young man, susceptible to colds
and illness, whereas in prison I have grown considerably stronger and
that for my sixty years I am enjoying an enviable state of health. I am
not stout, but I am not thin, either; my lungs are in good condition and
I have saved almost all my teeth, with the exception of two on the left
side of the jaw; I am good natured, even tempered; my sleep is sound,
almost without any dreams. In figure, in which an expression of calm
power and self-confidence predominates, and in face, I resemble somewhat
Michaelangelo's "Moses"--that is, at least what some of my friendly
visitors have told me.

But even more