HEREFORD JAIL. 247 



ness, snugly and neatly made up as if by the joint labor of a 

 tasteful upholsterer and a skillful laundress ; warmed on the hot- 

 water plan ; furnished with a wash-bowl, and constant pure water 

 by pipes ; softly lighted by filtrated beams of sunshine by day, 

 and a batswing burner at night ; provided also with a bell or 

 signal, by which the interesting inmate may at any time, in case 

 of bodily ailment, summon a well- diplomaed physician to his 

 relief, or a perfectly authenticated, veritable and legitimate " de- 

 scendant of the apostles," in case he should be taken suddenly 

 aback with repentance during the night : at every bed-head, too 

 regularly as the crucifix in the dormitories of monks, or the 

 squat, yellow "Josh" in Chinese cabins a bible. "The Bible ! 

 ah, how must his heart melt, and his dark mind be enlightened, 

 as in his retirement from the wild temptations of the wicked 

 world, the prisoner is left to be absorbed in its glorious tidings. 

 What a feast, what a treasure, what a " Nay, the shining 

 leather and sticking leaves tell us that even Bible Societies may 

 throw pearls before swine. 



" Aye," says the turnkey : "He can't read a young chap in 

 for two months ; petty larceny." 



"We open and read : " He that knew not, and did commit 

 things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For 

 unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required ; 

 and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask 

 the more." 



It was given him to have a mind uneducated, except in igno- 

 rance and criminal contrivance, and it was required of him, he 

 might tell us, either to starve or to steal ; and then there is given 

 him good, comfortable, clean, wholesome air, water, food, lodging, 

 and exercise (not work). Moreover, there is added this sealed 

 book. 



But we are not allowed to moralize or criticise. We are ex- 



