which sometimes occurs, and then two are put into one cell.

The building is handsome and substantial, well ventilated, and warmed by furnaces, the whole structure fire-proof. Each cell is furnished with a hydrant and watercloset; cell, bed, clothing and bedding, scrupulously clean. In conversation the prisoners generally profess themselves satisfied with their treatment. The convicts have work, generally weaving and making shoes and boots, arts which are taught to them if their sentence is for a year. They are well fed; their sanitary condition is excellent; in the last year only one death occurred, and that from disease not contracted in prison. "This," says the report, "may be attributed in part to the cleanliness of the premises, but it is chiefly due to the fact that prisoners are kept separate, not crowded into small cells, to breathe impure air, vitiated by many breaths."

"Out of thirty-seven convicts remaining in prison on the 31st of December, 1866, twenty-seven were habitual drunkards, and ten claimed to be moderate drinkers.

"Punishment of refractory prisoners is by confining them in a darkened cell, with loose straw for a bed. But the Warden assured me that the cell was seldom used.

"In many points," continues Mr. Dickenson, "the Schuylkill County Prison is all that can be desired for a county jail. It is well built, and governed by officers who seem to understand their duty, and perform it well." "There is one great objection," Mr. D. adds, "and that is, occasionally placing two prisoners in a cell. This

can only be avoided by an additional corridor, which could be easily added, as the grounds are ample. If it is not done, it will be impossible to preserve the present very excellent discipline of the institution, no matter how much the officers may desire it."

The account which Mr. Dickenson gives of the Lancaster County Prison, shows that institution to be deserving nearly the same commendations that are bestowed on that of Schuylkill County. It is ably conducted, well supplied with good food, and the prisoners receive moral instruction, have Divine service each alternate Sunday, and are taught to read and write.

The report of Mr. D. on Lancaster County Prison, shows that nearly all that can for the present be expected of a prison is attempted there; and that the Inspectors of that Institution are greatly in advance of most of those who direct the prison administrations in Pennsylvania. But the number of prisoners exceeds the number of cells, and to that cause is to be traced the failure which the Inspectors and the Commission deplore.

The officers, and all concerned, understand their duties, and endeavor to discharge them.

"The officers," says Mr. Dickenson, in reply to my interrogatory, “say that the defects of the prison are in the occasional want of more cells, and the only plan whereby this can be remedied, is an additional wing, in which to keep the convicts separate from those who are awaiting trial, and from vagrants."

The Report from YORK COUNTY shows that an excellent prison-house, well planned, well constructed, and

well supplied, fails of its purpose for want of proper administration. While there is abundance of cells for separate confinement, prisoners are crowded together without employment, without occupation, without instruction, without religious exercises on any day in the week, in a borough where there are so many clergyThe failure here commences with the neglect of the law relative to separate confinement.

men.

INDIANA COUNTY.-The account which Mr. Dickenson gives of the prison of Indiana County, should awaken the Legislature of the State to some action toward creating a system for jail direction. The place is not even a safe depository of criminals. We forbear particularizing; but Mr. D. thus sums up his account of that place:

"The Black Hole' in Calcutta has a world-wide reputation. The jail of Indiana County is deserving of a like notoriety. Brute beasts would pine away and die in such a place. Nothing having life could exist there any length of time, the place is in such a bad condition that it is impossible to keep it clean. Of all the jails I ever visited, this is the filthiest. The County has no Poor House, and consequently, no place for the insane. There are two insane persons in this jail at the present time. What a place for an insane man! The Sheriff may be a very humane man, but he cannot, in this place, give this class of prisoners the kind attentions they ought to have."

It is hardly necessary to add, that the answers to the interrogatories, declare that the prison has no ventilation, no employment, no instruction or work, none in

trades, no religious service, no physician, and that the prisoners associate day and night.

The painful subject of misconstructed and mismanaged prisons, must come before the people of the State; and we believe that the publication of Mr. Dickenson's whole report, by the Legislature, will do a great and a good work. We cannot follow him in detail, but we may say that the responses to the interrogatories which he propounded to the keepers of the County Prisons, are pregnant with suggestion. With a few exceptions, almost all the keepers declare that the only remedy for the evil of erroneous construction lies in the erection of new buildings. As many state that their prisoners are without the means of literary and moral and religious instruction, and as a conclusion, it is evident that the State needs a supervisory power for the jails, that shall recognize in the prisoner some of the qualities of humanity, and that shall see that while the malefactor is punished for his offences, he shall have at his use the means and the inducement for improvement.

ALMSHOUSES.

Humanity has as much to do with the construction and administration of Almshouses as with those of the prisons. Justice demands that the felon shall be punished in prison or by other means; justice no less demands that the innocent poor shall be provided with comforts; that in health they shall be fed and clothed, and in sickness tended and nursed. It is the right of society to have the felon punished; it is the right of the

poor to have decent provisions for his well being. Philanthropy will see that the convict is not over punished by the circumstances of his imprisonment; philanthropy will see that the unfortunate is not under supplied with what his citizenship or his humanity may rightly claim. Mr. Dickenson made diligent inquiries into the construction, administration, and condition of the almshouses. Many of them he found in excellent order; and he praises with liberal commendation all that he finds good. It is gratifying that he found so much to praise. Generally, where the prison arrangements of the County were good, the almshouse accommodations were also good. In some Counties, where special praise is not bestowed upon the prison, warm commendations are given to the almshouse.

York County almshouse is well ventilated and warm, has a good hospital, and everything about the establishment bears evidence of kind treatment by the Steward and other officers. "It is the cleanest, best arranged, warmed and ventilated that I have visited in the State."

Lancaster County has an almshouse which is rather deficient in its provisions for the insane. Even a new wing being put up for the insane, is deficient in the improvements approved for such purpose.

Adams County Poor-house is connected with a farm. The administration of the place fails for want of knowledge of the duties toward the inmates. "There seems to be no separation of the sexes; nothing to prevent them from associating by day or night."

We would willingly copy much of Mr. D.'s report upon the various almshouses, but we have no space.