ave him.
The life of prisoners is not so severe as might be expected. The bell rouses them at five to seven a. m., accorclino- to the season, and ten minutes later the cells are" opened by the turnkey, permitting the men to roam in the yard for half an hour. Fifteen min- utes are allowed for breakfast, and then on to work- shops, brickyard, or offices. .-,. M V
The signal for dinner is given at half past Ho clock. Those who possess tea or coffee are given facilities to prepare the beverage, and at a sign the men fall into line for the dining-room, where two rows ot tables p-roan under the abundant rations of meat and bread, with soup ad libitum. The turnkey overiooks the huno-ry army from behind an elevated desk, and gives the order to be seated. All are now on the qui vive for the next signal, to begin eating, which is obeyed with a will. Silence prevails, broken only by the oc- casional clatter of spoons, with which the more par- ticular have provided themselves, for the dangerous knives and forks have been replaced by the more nat- ural implements of the paradise era. A last rap closes the banquet, and the convicts march out witii abated eagerness, removing the glossy evidence ot the tooth and nail combat by a complacent wrist
movement. i • i n
The supper call is at half-past four, after which all are locked in. Those who have lamps or candles may read, play, or work, till nine, when hghts are extin- guished, except on the lower story, where they burn all ni'Tht to reveal any attempts at bormg the wall.
Th? work was largely in the hands of contractors, manufacturers of furniture, saddles, shoes, clothing cigars, barrels, bricks, etc., each of whom employed frSm 25 to 200 men. The prison provides all the needed shops, power, and guard. The custom ot sending gangs to work outside the prison has been much restricted. .
Task work is most common, and on completing Ins share the convict may while away the time, or, by
