his home affairs, his history, &c. He answered her
inquiries with apparent frankness, said that he was then under an alias,
not wishing by his wrongs to disgrace his friends or real name,
purported to give his true name, which she was not to reveal, the name
of his minister and thus on. Mrs. D. F. had been acquainted with this
minister, wrote to him, as she thought best, and in due time received an
answer conclusively showing that E. had been truthful in his personal
statements. She then conversed with him concerning his religious
interests with about the same results as in the former case, except that
he did not give so clear an evidence of a thorough work as did B.

The warden was particular to have the prison visits of these ladies in
his presence, and sometimes that of the chaplain, too, not only that
there should be no deviation from the rules of strict order, but also as
a safeguard against evil reports. He well knew that there were
ill-disposed persons who were ready to distort and misrepresent all his
efforts at reform; and had a lady been admitted to private interviews
with a prisoner, it would have given them just such stock to work with
as would have delighted them.

21. _Experience with noble appearing heads in prison._

Facts have shown that, in meeting an assembly, whether in prison or out,
we can not always judge correctly in regard to the mental caliber of
those composing it by the view of their heads. The apparent superior
development may be deceptive, the work of disease. Among the "noble
appearing heads" alluded to on a previous page, a part were of that
class, or at least contained diseased minds. We will look at two cases,
using substituted letters for the names, as previously.

H. is of good form, head finely proportioned, forehead high, eyes
bright, all indicating, at a little distance, that he might possess no
small share of intellect. Occasionally he will make pertinent, well
timed remarks, but is greatly wanting in mental ability. I have been
informed that his mother was intemperate, and had the delirium tremens
just previous to his birth. He, also, years before, had at times
appeared as though Satan himself possessed him, and was evidently
insane, which, passing off, would leave him all right for a season. He
has some remembrance of learning to read a little, can count almost one
hundred, but has no power to combine numbers otherwise, at least none
that I could find after persis