ould not
have done to one in whom they could not confide. A very few would plead
innocence, some, no doubt, rightfully; three probably having been
victims of fiendish plots. Two or three were very reticent, one saying,
"No one here shall ever know my real name, native place, or business of
life."

It was heart-sickening to listen to their tales of wrong and suffering,
clearly showing that "the way of the transgressor is hard." Sin has a
most debasing effect upon its victims. Three-fourths or more doubtless
came to prison directly or indirectly through strong drink. True, in
many cases, more remote causes lay back of this, a native inclination to
sin, loss of parents, parental neglect, family infidelity, vicious
associates, ignorance, Sabbath-breaking and the like. A very few had
used no strong drink. A large share were young, some mere boys on their
alternate sentence. Many, on entering, could neither read nor write.

The crimes were various, extending from the worst murder cases down to
the lower grades of iniquity, some perfectly fiendish, horrible. It
would seem impossible for men and women to do such deeds.

But these inmates were evidently not all the wrong doers of the State
who merited punishment. In a few cases, no doubt, the prosecutor rather
deserved the doom. Then there are those rum-sellers, keepers of billiard
saloons, gambling dens, and houses of ill fame, all inciting to crime.
Numbers of them stand really in the light of _particeps criminis_ to our
inmates, and perhaps were more deserving of this confinement. How long
will the people see this class making criminals of our sons and
brothers, yea, of our daughters and sisters too, and remain inactive?
Why do not the very stones cry out?

I found all the prominent religious persuasions here represented, from
the Universalist to the staid Quaker; a number had been Sabbath school
attendants, one quite an Advent speaker, who seemed positive he would be
able to convert us all to his notions could he have the stand for a
suitable time, a privilege he earnestly strove for. More came from the
Catholics than from any other sect, and more from the shoe-makers than
from any other business class.

When introducing the subject of personal piety to each, no little care
was required to bring it forward in such a manner that it should not
strike the mind repulsively, and thus fill it with needless prejudice,
but rather conciliate and convince, leading to free convers