308 



AUBURN PRISON. 



sionaries it is said, practise this method of 

 obtaining castor oil in Africa with perfect 

 success. 



On my arrival at Auburn, 1 was much grati- 

 fied in visiting the state prison, which exhibited 

 the best example, both as it respects construc- 

 tion and management that I had ever witnessed 

 or read of. The whole establishment was a speci- 

 men of neatness, and contained within its walls 

 four hundred and forty-four male, and seven 

 female prisoners. Through the kindness of the 

 governor, who afforded me every information on 

 the subject of discipline, I visited their work- 

 shops. The first was that of Blacksmiths ; the 

 second, Carpenters ; third, Tailors ; fourth, 

 Shoemakers ; fifth, Weavers ; sixth, Coopers. No 

 prisoner in health was ever permitted to be idle ; 

 and if he knew no trade at his commitment, he 

 was taught one within the prison walls. Some 

 of the knives, and rifles, manufactured in the 

 workshops were of a highly finished description, 

 and it was mentioned, that the sale of the 

 various articles made by the prisoners, was 

 expected soon to defray the greater part of the 

 expenses, if not nearly the whole of the esta- 

 blishment. Such was the perfection of disci- 

 pline, by means of silence being imposed upon 

 the convicts, that I passed through the several 



