of whatever plan he resolved to aid, clear and prompt in the expression of his appreciation of any measure, he never failed of courtesy to those who might advance and defend varient propositions.

The withdrawal of such a man from the institutions of benevolence which he so honored, is an occasion of personal and social regret, and in that general regret the "Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons," believing that it has unusual cause, makes herewith profession of special and deep participation, and thinks that it does service to the cause of humanity when it proclaims its appreciation of the quiet and unobtrusive services of so good a man; and it does nothing more than simple justice to the feelings of every member of the Association, when it places on record its profound respect for the active virtues and pure life of Isaac Barton, and its deep regret at the death of so worthy a member.

Mr Barton, as a token of his respect for the objects of this Society, and his approval of its use of means, bequeathed a goodly sum to aid in the work of ameliorating the miseries of public prisons. While accepting the bequest with gratitude to God for putting it into the heart of the deceased to continue his good works even after his death, the Society is rather gratified than surprised at the bequest, because "the liberal man deviseth liberal things."

Resolved. That this short memorial be spread at large upon the record of the evening's proceedings, and that a copy thereof be transmitted to the representatives of Mr. Barton as a token of the respect which the members entertain for the beautiful life of the deceased, and as an evidence of deep sympathy in the sorrow of his bereaved friends.

OTHER SOCIETIES AND EFFORTS.

We learn with pleasure that the spirit which actuated our fellow-citizens in several counties of this State to establish "Prison Societies" under various names, but with the end of aiding to alleviate the miseries of public prisons, and improving the lives of prisoners, has not ceased to be profitable in stimulating the members to good words and works in promoting the great and good objects for which they associate.

We are glad to state that a society, recently formed in Wilmington, (Del.,) has commenced its labors with enlarged views of usefulness in both branches of the work that belongs to Prison Societies. It has its members busy in the cells of the prisons, and it has its Committee active in trying to procure from the State Legislature the establishment of a system for their penal and charitable institutions, and the erection of a State Penitentiary.

There is in Delaware ample grounds for labor; and any well directed action there is certain to produce favorable changes. When once a "system" for the administration and responsibility of public prisons, from a penitentiary to the lock-up house shall have been established, modifications of penal laws will follow. Surety of punishment is a better preventive than cruelty, and the reform of the criminal is of more value to the community than his punishment. The great object is to have the reform a consequence of the punishment; Delaware continues the old system of whipping and

the pillory. The advocates of that punishment seem to think that they deter the incipient rogue from doing more wrong, (not often, we think,) or they say that the lash and the pillory, will at least prevent the offender from committing depredations within the operation of such penal statutes. If that is really so, and the man who smarts under the legal cat-o'-nine-tails of Delaware comes no nearer his old theatre of action than Philadelphia or Baltimore for fear of a renewal of the punishment, then it would seem that Delaware has a sort of ticket-of leave by which she drives (or aids) her convicts to follow their depredations beyond her territorial limits.

INDIVIDUAL WORK.

RICHMOND (VA.) PRISON.

Among those who have done honor to our Society by their disinterested and efficient labors in the cause of alleviating the miseries of public prisons, may be reckoned as eminently prominent, Jeremiah Willits, Esq., a record of whose observations on visiting prisons and almshouses has several times appeared in our Journal. Mr. Willits, in 1867, moved from this city to Richmond, Va., but cælum, non animam mutat-he changed his residence, but not his habits, and among the earliest of his visits in the capital of Virginia, was one to the prison of that city. A letter which Mr. Willits recently

addressed to the President of this Society, shows what he found in the prison and what he felt it his duty to undertake, and how he advanced in the work:

RICHMOND, Eleventh Month 13th, 1868.

James J. Barclay, President, &c.

In 1867, having settled in Richmond, I received a permit from Governor Pierpoint to make regular visits at the Penitentiary, with the object of instructing those prisoners who were willing to receive instruction. Upon first entering on my volunteer duties, it was evident there had been much labor extended in re-organizing, rebuilding, and repairing the waste places, yet very defective in cleanliness and comfort. Some overrun with vermin, some of the cells so open, and without fires in the winter, the inmates complained. of being frost-bitten and rheumatic, the cause of which was in some measure remedied when attention was called to it. I was received and aided by the then Superintendent with much kindness and fellow feeling. He gave me the keys, to have free access to all the cells, which opened to me a field of labor unlooked for. More than three-fourths of the inmates were colored, and mostly freedmen, without the knowledge of letters, numbering altogether over 400many of the white as well as colored were uneducated. We were indebted, in our first effort, to the American Tract Society, for Primers, Spelling Books, Testaments, and Tracts, liberally bestowed, which were distributed in the cells, and where one was found among them who knew his letters, or could read, he was appointed teacher of the others. It was interesting to witness their eager pursuit of learning. In a few months numbers could read intelligibly. Application was then made to the Bible Society for Bibles and Testaments. The Governor, and Superintendent Pendleton signed the application. The number-I think three hundred-was promptly supplied with fifty copies of the New Testament, of large type, through the instrumentality of J. B. Crenshaw, which are placed with those who have defective vision.

To the Freedmen's Bureau we are indebted for three hundred Spelling Books. Our teaching heretofore had been from cell to

cell, but the material placed in our hands induced us to open on a larger scale-a Sabbath afternoon School was suggested, and Superintendent Pendleton joined heartily in it, and gave his personal aid on the opening. Having a fear of bringing too many prisoners into one collection, thought it prudent not to have more than forty to sixty brought into School the same day. The same policy was pursued when Ministers of the Gospel visited there. But subsequent experiments by the new Superintendent, B. Wardwell, has proven his mistake. He, a whole-hearted philanthropist, an original character in the field, has worked up a reform which I trust will redound to his praise, not only here but in other similar institutions. The introduction of cleanliness, which is akin to godliness, was the first step, through white-wash, paint, and other appliances in the cells, made them places of comfort. The walks ornamented with vines and shrubbery, giving an air of cheerfulness-with a kind word to the prisoner are auxiliaries in the reform of the criminal, and renew in him a self-respect, and hope that all is not lost with him. In this place the prisoners are brought, not by fifties, but the whole four hundred or more at the same time, to hear words of kindness addressed to them. Then, on Sabbath afternoon, they are collected in a large room, fitted up for a place of worship, with seats and chairs of their own manufacture, to seat the whole. The order and decorum there are praiseworthy. There seems to be combined in the person of B. Wardwell, that of Superintendent, Moral Instructor, the Friend of Prisoners, and Teacher, with firmness to maintain discipline, and order in carrying out the objects of a Penitentiary, keeping an eye to a higher object, that of a School of Reform. Teachers from outside are invited to attend, and many among the prisoners are rendering valuable assistance. The Bibles and Testaments donated are used as class-books and spelling-books for the spelling-class, making the best of the material at our command. We are greatly in need of Readers, Slates, &c., which we hope some benevolent body may supply. A benevolent individual has started a library, presenting eighty volumes, which has been increased by others, making at present over one hundred, but they are of a standard of literature too high for common readers. If some of our prisoners' friends would be so kind as to send us some