others who hear them; and, moreover, too frequently leads
them to add sin to sin, by uttering the grossest falsehoods. And
those who engage in the interesting task of visiting criminals must
not be impatient if they find the work of reformation a very slow
one.... Much disadvantage will accrue generally from endeavors on
the part of visiting ladies to procure the mitigation of the
sentences of criminals. Such endeavors ought never to be made
except where the cases are remarkably clear, and then through the
official channels. Deeply as we must deplore the baneful effects of
the punishment of death, and painful as we must feel it to be that
our fellow-creatures, in whose welfare we are interested, should be
prematurely plunged into an awful eternity, yet, while our laws
continue as they are, unless they can bring forward _decided facts_
in favor of the condemned, it is wiser for the visiting ladies to
be quiet, and to submit to decrees which they cannot alter."

In reference to the choice of officers, she strongly insists that all
officers--superior and inferior--shall be females. She prefers a widow
for the post of matron, because of her superior knowledge of the world
and of life; and never should she or her subordinates be chosen "because
the situation is suited to their wants, but because they are suited to
fill the situation." She holds it of the first importance that the
matrons should not only be of a superior station in life, but that they
should be decidedly religious. This little book was written in 1827, but
from her insistence upon this as a first requisite in proper dealing
with female prisoners, it appears likely that the then recent act of
George IV., had not been commonly complied with. This act provides that
a "matron shall be appointed in every prison in which female prisoners
shall be confined, who shall reside in the prison; and it shall be the
duty of the matron constantly to superintend the female prisoners."
Again, another clause of the Act says, "Females shall in all cases be
attended by female officers." That these provisions had only been
partially carried out, is proved by her words relative to this clause:
"Since the passing of the late Act of Parliament for the regulations of
prisons, our large jails have been generally provided with a matron and
female turnkeys; but it is much to be regretted that in many smaller
prisons no