f offenders in separate cells, in order to
prevent the effects of evil communication among persons who had
not all attained an equal degree of depravity. This object,
however, was not effected here; for, being within hearing of
each other, they could, by sitting up over the door as I have
described, converse each with his opposite neighbour, and even
form a line of communication, where the discourse became
general, from one end of the gallery to the other. As a proof
of what I have advanced, I knew several of the prisoners, then
confined with me in this passage, who were at that time but
striplings, and novices in villainy, and who, after several
years continuance in their evil courses, at length became
notorious offenders, and, having narrowly escaped a shameful
death, are now prisoners for life in this colony."

As this subject is of great importance, we shall give a few more
extracts connected with it. Crime, as Mr. Buxton has shown in his
valuable Inquiry, is promoted, instead of being repressed, by such
indiscriminate association. Corruption spreads by it, as surely as
decomposition is assisted by heat and moisture. Ward thus describes the
Baltimore jail:--

"About this time, I was ordered by the sheriff to be put into
the criminal apartment, along with untried prisoners, hardened
offenders, debtors, and among characters of the most abandoned
and vicious stamp;--men of all nations and all colours. Among
this mass of vile and depraved men, I had to take up my abode.
There was no example of moral rectitude here exhibited _but
that of my own_! No restraint was put by our keepers, on their
profane and vile language and conduct. Every one indulged to an
excess in every species of the most disgusting practices,
profaning and scandalizing every thing holy."

Vidocq's description of the Bagne at Brest, corresponds with the
above:--

"The Bagne is situated in the bosom of the bay; piles of guns,
and two pieces of cannon, mounted at the gates, pointed out to
me the entrance, into which I was introduced, after having been
examined by the two guards of the establishment. The boldest of
the condemned, however hardened, have confessed, that it is
impossible to express the emotions of horror, excited by the
first appearance of this abode of wretchedness. Every room
contai