zed nations. Nor is it any the less important to a well conducted
prison than elsewhere. Proper funeral observances will tend to the good
of the prisoners as well as to that of others, and help impress upon
them the idea of their own mortal career and accountability. How much
more like men they will cause the inmates to feel than would putting the
body in a rough box and hauling it off the back way, in a cart, like a
dead dog.

27. _Educational and S. school summing up._ The year closed upon our
educational efforts with a good measure of success, though of necessity
limited in comparison with what ought to be accomplished by a like
number in our public schools outside. For, it will be borne in mind,
that all our pupils had to perform their daily tasks at manual labor
from early morn till night; that their cells are not the most
advantageous rooms for study; that what they obtained they had to gain
in these pent up places, in the odds and ends of their time, as best
they could. Then, again, we could have our school only when the guards
could be spared from their common prison duties. Still, with all the
drawbacks, a number of the inmates made commendable proficiency. They
did what they could. They had become inspired with the idea of putting
themselves earnestly to the task of cultivating their intellects and
hearts, so far as they could, and thus be prepared, on leaving prison,
for common business. Some had really waked up to what they had lost by
their sinful courses, and now appeared determined to do their best, in
the future, at making amends. Thus spurred on, they were diligent. And
it was truly a pleasure to be permitted to help forward these minds,
arousing, as they were, to a higher and better life. Sordid indeed must
be that heart which would not fire up with energy for encouraging such
to go on.

Some forty of the young were among those who were striving in this
direction, a very few others of that class not possessing sufficient
mental capacity for learning. Then others had obtained a good education
previously, and chose to spend their time in reading from the library,
except that some would wish a better knowledge of arithmetic, and
perhaps other branches, when about to close their term.

We had been favored with a few interesting lectures from outside
gentlemen, with three readings by lady elocutionists, and a number of
drill exercises in singing. A gentleman also gave us a number of lessons
in penm