310 AUBURN PRISON. 



they rose from the table at the ringing of a 

 little bell of the softest sound, formed again the 

 solid column, and returned with the same 

 march, under the eye of their turnkeys. At 

 night they were marched in the same order, 

 and each locked up in a solitary cell, with no 

 other book but the Bible, till the sun rose on 

 the following morning, when they were led to 

 resume their accustomed labours. The general 

 appearance of the prisoners was clean and 

 healthy, and no corporal punishment was in- 

 flicted on them, except the lash of the raw 

 hide, as prompt punishment for any breach of 

 discipline, or stubborn and refractory conduct. 

 The effect of the whole system was stated to 

 be most encouraging and salutary, as few who 

 were discharged were brought under its disci- 

 pline a second time. It appeared to me to 

 approach a system of perfection in the manage- 

 ment of criminals ; and for unremitted 

 industry, entire subordination, and subdued 

 feelings of the prisoners, the state prison of 

 Auburn is probably without a parallel, among 

 an equal number of convicts, in any other 

 prison in the world. 



We had an opportunity of hearing in the 

 Presbyterian church at Auburn, a celebrated 

 preacher of the name of Finney. His labours 



