re assured me that my place would not be disturbed, especially as
I was doing so much for the prisoners; and one of their leading men
undertook to attend to the matter when the Governor and council should
come to the prison questions, and present the general wish from all
parties that I remain. I proceeded with my usual work for six weeks,
when, just at night, one day, I received word that I had been dismissed.
Directly referring this to that gentleman, "Why," said he, "that is a
mistake. This very afternoon, not two hours ago, at the council chamber,
they assured me they should not act on the prison offices till their
next meeting some two weeks ahead." But notwithstanding his assurances,
the step was taken just on the heel of their adjournment.

On inquiring of a councilman, if, in this dismissal, they had been
influenced in any measure by the aspersions in the Report, he said they
had not; that they did not doubt but that I had been faithful in my
duty, assuring me that the reason was wholly political; to which I had
no excuse to offer, as I had been guilty of voting the Republican
ticket; and if I must be dismissed on that ground, of course no more
words were needed. But there did seem a lack of straightforwardness for
them to move as they did in the matter without giving this gentleman the
opportunity of presenting what he wished.

The gentleman appointed was a good man, but feeble, and acknowledged to
a friend that he could not do what had been done for the prisoners the
previous year. But the idea seemed to prevail that he could do what was
desired by the warden. Hence, as is understood, the secular school is
largely a thing of the past, and finally the Sabbath school is given up.
Now, this is a very nice place for him in his advanced years, he being
over seventy, where he has no care, and but little labor.

But what of the effects upon the inmates thus left with so much idle
time on their hands? Anything but good. A young man, the previous year,
was quiet and orderly, closely attentive to his studies, making good
advancement; but, when left with all these unemployed moments, he turned
his thoughts to planning an outbreak, was arrested in the execution, and
for months condemned to the ball and chain. Whereas, had his mind been
kept employed as formerly, no doubt he would have continued quiet. Does
it pay thus to cut off educational and moral privileges and share such
results?

51. _Prison fare under the