第7章

Intheoutskirts，standsagreatprison，calledtheEasternPenitentiary:conductedonaplanpeculiartothestateofPennsylvania。Thesystemhere，isrigid，strict，andhopelesssolitaryconfinement。Ibelieveit，initseffects，tobecruelandwrong。

Initsintention，Iamwellconvincedthatitiskind，humane，andmeantforreformation；butIampersuadedthatthosewhodevisedthissystemofPrisonDiscipline，andthosebenevolentgentlemenwhocarryitintoexecution，donotknowwhatitisthattheyaredoing。Ibelievethatveryfewmenarecapableofestimatingtheimmenseamountoftortureandagonywhichthisdreadfulpunishment，prolongedforyears，inflictsuponthesufferers；andinguessingatitmyself，andinreasoningfromwhatIhaveseenwrittenupontheirfaces，andwhattomycertainknowledgetheyfeelwithin，I

amonlythemoreconvincedthatthereisadepthofterribleenduranceinitwhichnonebutthesufferersthemselvescanfathom，andwhichnomanhasarighttoinflictuponhisfellow-creature。

Iholdthisslowanddailytamperingwiththemysteriesofthebrain，tobeimmeasurablyworsethananytortureofthebody:andbecauseitsghastlysignsandtokensarenotsopalpabletotheeyeandsenseoftouchasscarsupontheflesh；becauseitswoundsarenotuponthesurface，anditextortsfewcriesthathumanearscanhear；thereforeIthemoredenounceit，asasecretpunishmentwhichslumberinghumanityisnotrouseduptostay。Ihesitatedonce，debatingwithmyself，whether，ifIhadthepowerofsaying"Yes"or"No，"Iwouldallowittobetriedincertaincases，wherethetermsofimprisonmentwereshort；butnow，Isolemnlydeclare，thatwithnorewardsorhonourscouldIwalkahappymanbeneaththeopenskybyday，orliemedownuponmybedatnight，withtheconsciousnessthatonehumancreature，foranylengthoftime，nomatterwhat，laysufferingthisunknownpunishmentinhissilentcell，andIthecause，orIconsentingtoitintheleastdegree。

Iwasaccompaniedtothisprisonbytwogentlemenofficiallyconnectedwithitsmanagement，andpassedthedayingoingfromcelltocell，andtalkingwiththeinmates。Everyfacilitywasaffordedme，thattheutmostcourtesycouldsuggest。Nothingwasconcealedorhiddenfrommyview，andeverypieceofinformationthatIsought，wasopenlyandfranklygiven。Theperfectorderofthebuildingcannotbepraisedtoohighly，andoftheexcellentmotivesofallwhoareimmediatelyconcernedintheadministrationofthesystem，therecanbenokindofquestion。

Betweenthebodyoftheprisonandtheouterwall，thereisaspaciousgarden。Enteringit，byawicketinthemassivegate，wepursuedthepathbeforeustoitsothertermination，andpassedintoalargechamber，fromwhichsevenlongpassagesradiate。Oneithersideofeach，isalong，longrowoflowcelldoors，withacertainnumberovereveryone。Above，agalleryofcellslikethosebelow，exceptthattheyhavenonarrowyardattached(asthoseinthegroundtierhave)，andaresomewhatsmaller。Thepossessionoftwoofthese，issupposedtocompensatefortheabsenceofsomuchairandexerciseascanbehadinthedullstripattachedtoeachoftheothers，inanhour"stimeeveryday；andthereforeeveryprisonerinthisupperstoryhastwocells，adjoiningandcommunicatingwith，eachother。

Standingatthecentralpoint，andlookingdownthesedrearypassages，thedullreposeandquietthatprevails，isawful。

Occasionally，thereisadrowsysoundfromsomeloneweaver"sshuttle，orshoemaker"slast，butitisstifledbythethickwallsandheavydungeon-door，andonlyservestomakethegeneralstillnessmoreprofound。Overtheheadandfaceofeveryprisonerwhocomesintothismelancholyhouse，ablackhoodisdrawn；andinthisdarkshroud，anemblemofthecurtaindroppedbetweenhimandthelivingworld，heisledtothecellfromwhichheneveragaincomesforth，untilhiswholetermofimprisonmenthasexpired。Heneverhearsofwifeandchildren；homeorfriends；thelifeordeathofanysinglecreature。Heseestheprison-officers，butwiththatexceptionheneverlooksuponahumancountenance，orhearsahumanvoice。Heisamanburiedalive；tobedugoutintheslowroundofyears；andinthemeantimedeadtoeverythingbuttorturinganxietiesandhorribledespair。

Hisname，andcrime，andtermofsuffering，areunknown，eventotheofficerwhodelivershimhisdailyfood。Thereisanumberoverhiscell-door，andinabookofwhichthegovernoroftheprisonhasonecopy，andthemoralinstructoranother:thisistheindexofhishistory。Beyondthesepagestheprisonhasnorecordofhisexistence:andthoughhelivetobeinthesamecelltenwearyyears，hehasnomeansofknowing，downtotheverylasthour，inwhichpartofthebuildingitissituated；whatkindofmenthereareabouthim；whetherinthelongwinternightstherearelivingpeoplenear，orheisinsomelonelycornerofthegreatjail，withwalls，andpassages，andirondoorsbetweenhimandthenearestsharerinitssolitaryhorrors。

Everycellhasdoubledoors:theouteroneofsturdyoak，theotherofgratediron，whereinthereisatrapthroughwhichhisfoodishanded。HehasaBible，andaslateandpencil，and，undercertainrestrictions，hassometimesotherbooks，providedforthepurpose，andpenandinkandpaper。Hisrazor，plate，andcan，andbasin，hanguponthewall，orshineuponthelittleshelf。Freshwaterislaidonineverycell，andhecandrawitathispleasure。

Duringtheday，hisbedsteadturnsupagainstthewall，andleavesmorespaceforhimtoworkin。Hisloom，orbench，orwheel，isthere；andtherehelabours，sleepsandwakes，andcountstheseasonsastheychange，andgrowsold。

ThefirstmanIsaw，wasseatedathisloom，atwork。Hehadbeentheresixyears，andwastoremain，Ithink，threemore。Hehadbeenconvictedasareceiverofstolengoods，butevenafterhislongimprisonment，deniedhisguilt，andsaidhehadbeenhardlydealtby。Itwashissecondoffence。

Hestoppedhisworkwhenwewentin，tookoffhisspectacles，andansweredfreelytoeverythingthatwassaidtohim，butalwayswithastrangekindofpausefirst，andinalow，thoughtfulvoice。Heworeapaperhatofhisownmaking，andwaspleasedtohaveitnoticedandcommanded。HehadveryingeniouslymanufacturedasortofDutchclockfromsomedisregardedoddsandends；andhisvinegar-bottleservedforthependulum。Seeingmeinterestedinthiscontrivance，helookedupatitwithagreatdealofpride，andsaidthathehadbeenthinkingofimprovingit，andthathehopedthehammerandalittlepieceofbrokenglassbesideit"wouldplaymusicbeforelong。"Hehadextractedsomecoloursfromtheyarnwithwhichheworked，andpaintedafewpoorfiguresonthewall。One，ofafemale，overthedoor，hecalled"TheLadyoftheLake。"

HesmiledasIlookedatthesecontrivancestowhileawaythetime；

butwhenIlookedfromthemtohim，Isawthathisliptrembled，andcouldhavecountedthebeatingofhisheart。Iforgethowitcameabout，butsomeallusionwasmadetohishavingawife。Heshookhisheadattheword，turnedaside，andcoveredhisfacewithhishands。

"Butyouareresignednow!"saidoneofthegentlemenafterashortpause，duringwhichhehadresumedhisformermanner。Heansweredwithasighthatseemedquiterecklessinitshopelessness，"Ohyes，ohyes!Iamresignedtoit。""Andareabetterman，youthink？""Well，Ihopeso:I"msureIhopeImaybe。""Andtimegoesprettyquickly？""Timeisverylonggentlemen，withinthesefourwalls!"

Hegazedabouthim-Heavenonlyknowshowwearily!-ashesaidthesewords；andintheactofdoingso，fellintoastrangestareasifhehadforgottensomething。Amomentafterwardshesighedheavily，putonhisspectacles，andwentabouthisworkagain。

Inanothercell，therewasaGerman，sentencedtofiveyears"

imprisonmentforlarceny，twoofwhichhadjustexpired。Withcoloursprocuredinthesamemanner，hehadpaintedeveryinchofthewallsandceilingquitebeautifully。Hehadlaidoutthefewfeetofground，behind，withexquisiteneatness，andhadmadealittlebedinthecentre，thatlooked，by-the-bye，likeagrave。

Thetasteandingenuityhehaddisplayedineverythingweremostextraordinary；andyetamoredejected，heart-broken，wretchedcreature，itwouldbedifficulttoimagine。Ineversawsuchapictureofforlornafflictionanddistressofmind。Myheartbledforhim；andwhenthetearsrandownhischeeks，andhetookoneofthevisitorsaside，toask，withhistremblinghandsnervouslyclutchingathiscoattodetainhim，whethertherewasnohopeofhisdismalsentencebeingcommuted，thespectaclewasreallytoopainfultowitness。Ineversaworheardofanykindofmiserythatimpressedmemorethanthewretchednessofthisman。

Inathirdcell，wasatall，strongblack，aburglar，workingathispropertradeofmakingscrewsandthelike。Histimewasnearlyout。Hewasnotonlyaverydexterousthief，butwasnotoriousforhisboldnessandhardihood，andforthenumberofhispreviousconvictions。Heentertaineduswithalongaccountofhisachievements，whichhenarratedwithsuchinfiniterelish，thatheactuallyseemedtolickhislipsashetoldusracyanecdotesofstolenplate，andofoldladieswhomhehadwatchedastheysatatwindowsinsilverspectacles(hehadplainlyhadaneyetotheirmetalevenfromtheothersideofthestreet)andhadafterwardsrobbed。Thisfellow，upontheslightestencouragement，wouldhavemingledwithhisprofessionalrecollectionsthemostdetestablecant；butIamverymuchmistakenifhecouldhavesurpassedtheunmitigatedhypocrisywithwhichhedeclaredthatheblessedthedayonwhichhecameintothatprison，andthatheneverwouldcommitanotherrobberyaslongashelived。

Therewasonemanwhowasallowed，asanindulgence，tokeeprabbits。Hisroomhavingratheraclosesmellinconsequence，theycalledtohimatthedoortocomeoutintothepassage。Hecompliedofcourse，andstoodshadinghishaggardfaceintheunwontedsunlightofthegreatwindow，lookingaswanandunearthlyasifhehadbeensummonedfromthegrave。Hehadawhiterabbitinhisbreast；andwhenthelittlecreature，gettingdownupontheground，stolebackintothecell，andhe，beingdismissed，crepttimidlyafterit，Ithoughtitwouldhavebeenveryhardtosayinwhatrespectthemanwasthenobleranimalofthetwo。

TherewasanEnglishthief，whohadbeentherebutafewdaysoutofsevenyears:avillainous，low-browed，thin-lippedfellow，withawhiteface；whohadasyetnorelishforvisitors，andwho，butfortheadditionalpenalty，wouldhavegladlystabbedmewithhisshoemaker"sknife。TherewasanotherGermanwhohadenteredthejailbutyesterday，andwhostartedfromhisbedwhenwelookedin，andpleaded，inhisbrokenEnglish，veryhardforwork。Therewasapoet，whoafterdoingtwodays"workineveryfour-and-twentyhours，oneforhimselfandonefortheprison，wroteversesaboutships(hewasbytradeamariner)，and"themaddeningwine-cup，"

andhisfriendsathome。Therewereverymanyofthem。Somereddenedatthesightofvisitors，andsometurnedverypale。Sometwoorthreehadprisonernurseswiththem，fortheywereverysick；andone，afatoldnegrowhoseleghadbeentakenoffwithinthejail，hadforhisattendantaclassicalscholarandanaccomplishedsurgeon，himselfaprisonerlikewise。Sittinguponthestairs，engagedinsomeslightwork，wasaprettycolouredboy。

"IstherenorefugeforyoungcriminalsinPhiladelphia，then？"

saidI。"Yes，butonlyforwhitechildren。"NoblearistocracyincrimeTherewasasailorwhohadbeenthereupwardsofelevenyears，andwhoinafewmonths"timewouldbefree。Elevenyearsofsolitaryconfinement!

"Iamverygladtohearyourtimeisnearlyout。"Whatdoeshesay？Nothing。Whydoeshestareathishands，andpickthefleshuponhisfingers，andraisehiseyesforaninstant，everynowandthen，tothosebarewallswhichhaveseenhisheadturngrey？Itisawayhehassometimes。

Doesheneverlookmenintheface，anddoeshealwayspluckatthosehandsofhis，asthoughhewerebentonpartingskinandbone？Itishishumour:nothingmore。

Itishishumourtoo，tosaythathedoesnotlookforwardtogoingout；thatheisnotgladthetimeisdrawingnear；thathedidlookforwardtoitonce，butthatwasverylongago；thathehaslostallcareforeverything。Itishishumourtobeahelpless，crushed，andbrokenman。And，Heavenbehiswitnessthathehashishumourthoroughlygratified!

Therewerethreeyoungwomeninadjoiningcells，allconvictedatthesametimeofaconspiracytorobtheirprosecutor。Inthesilenceandsolitudeoftheirlivestheyhadgrowntobequitebeautiful。Theirlookswereverysad，andmighthavemovedthesternestvisitortotears，butnottothatkindofsorrowwhichthecontemplationofthemenawakens。Onewasayounggirl；nottwenty，asIrecollect；whosesnow-whiteroomwashungwiththeworkofsomeformerprisoner，anduponwhosedowncastfacethesuninallitssplendourshonedownthroughthehighchinkinthewall，whereonenarrowstripofbrightblueskywasvisible。Shewasverypenitentandquiet；hadcometoberesigned，shesaid(andI

believeher)；andhadamindatpeace。"Inaword，youarehappyhere？"saidoneofmycompanions。Shestruggled-shedidstruggleveryhard-toanswer，Yes；butraisinghereyes，andmeetingthatglimpseoffreedomoverhead，sheburstintotears，andsaid，"Shetriedtobe；sheutterednocomplaint；butitwasnaturalthatsheshouldsometimeslongtogooutofthatonecell:shecouldnothelpTHAT，"shesobbed，poorthing!

Iwentfromcelltocellthatday；andeveryfaceIsaw，orwordI

heard，orincidentInoted，ispresenttomymindinallitspainfulness。Butletmepassthemby，forone，morepleasant，glanceofaprisononthesameplanwhichIafterwardssawatPittsburg。

WhenIhadgoneoverthat，inthesamemanner，Iaskedthegovernorifhehadanypersoninhischargewhowasshortlygoingout。Hehadone，hesaid，whosetimewasupnextday；buthehadonlybeenaprisonertwoyears。

Twoyears!Ilookedbackthroughtwoyearsofmyownlife-outofjail，prosperous，happy，surroundedbyblessings，comforts，goodfortune-andthoughthowwideagapitwas，andhowlongthosetwoyearspassedinsolitarycaptivitywouldhavebeen。Ihavethefaceofthisman，whowasgoingtobereleasednextday，beforemenow。Itisalmostmorememorableinitshappinessthantheotherfacesintheirmisery。Howeasyandhownaturalitwasforhimtosaythatthesystemwasagoodone；andthatthetimewent"prettyquick-considering；"andthatwhenamanoncefeltthathehadoffendedthelaw，andmustsatisfyit，"hegotalong，somehow:"andsoforth!

"Whatdidhecallyoubacktosaytoyou，inthatstrangeflutter？"

Iaskedofmyconductor，whenhehadlockedthedoorandjoinedmeinthepassage。

"Oh!Thathewasafraidthesolesofhisbootswerenotfitforwalking，astheywereagooddealwornwhenhecamein；andthathewouldthankmeverymuchtohavethemmended，ready。"

Thosebootshadbeentakenoffhisfeet，andputawaywiththerestofhisclothes，twoyearsbefore!

Itookthatopportunityofinquiringhowtheyconductedthemselvesimmediatelybeforegoingout；addingthatIpresumedtheytrembledverymuch。

"Well，it"snotsomuchatrembling，"wastheanswer-"thoughtheydoquiver-asacompletederangementofthenervoussystem。Theycan"tsigntheirnamestothebook；sometimescan"tevenholdthepen；lookabout"emwithoutappearingtoknowwhy，orwheretheyare；andsometimesgetupandsitdownagain，twentytimesinaminute。Thisiswhenthey"reintheoffice，wheretheyaretakenwiththehoodon，astheywerebroughtin。Whentheygetoutsidethegate，theystop，andlookfirstonewayandthentheother；notknowingwhichtotake。Sometimestheystaggerasiftheyweredrunk，andsometimesareforcedtoleanagainstthefence，they"resobad:-buttheyclearoffincourseoftime。"

AsIwalkedamongthesesolitarycells，andlookedatthefacesofthemenwithinthem，Itriedtopicturetomyselfthethoughtsandfeelingsnaturaltotheircondition。Iimaginedthehoodjusttakenoff，andthesceneoftheircaptivitydisclosedtotheminallitsdismalmonotony。

Atfirst，themanisstunned。Hisconfinementisahideousvision；

andhisoldlifeareality。Hethrowshimselfuponhisbed，andliesthereabandonedtodespair。Bydegreestheinsupportablesolitudeandbarrennessoftheplacerouseshimfromthisstupor，andwhenthetrapinhisgrateddoorisopened，hehumblybegsandpraysforwork。"Givemesomeworktodo，orIshallgoravingmad!"

Hehasit；andbyfitsandstartsapplieshimselftolabour；buteverynowandthentherecomesuponhimaburningsenseoftheyearsthatmustbewastedinthatstonecoffin，andanagonysopiercingintherecollectionofthosewhoarehiddenfromhisviewandknowledge，thathestartsfromhisseat，andstridingupanddownthenarrowroomwithbothhandsclaspedonhisupliftedhead，hearsspiritstemptinghimtobeathisbrainsoutonthewall。

Againhefallsuponhisbed，andliesthere，moaning。Suddenlyhestartsup，wonderingwhetheranyothermanisnear；whetherthereisanothercelllikethatoneithersideofhim:andlistenskeenly。

Thereisnosound，butotherprisonersmaybenearforallthat。

Herememberstohaveheardonce，whenhelittlethoughtofcomingherehimself，thatthecellsweresoconstructedthattheprisonerscouldnotheareachother，thoughtheofficerscouldhearthem。

Whereisthenearestman-upontheright，orontheleft？oristhereoneinbothdirections？Whereishesittingnow-withhisfacetothelight？orishewalkingtoandfro？Howishedressed？

Hashebeenherelong？Ishemuchwornaway？Isheverywhiteandspectre-like？DoesHEthinkofhisneighbourtoo？

Scarcelyventuringtobreathe，andlisteningwhilehethinks，heconjuresupafigurewithhisbacktowardshim，andimaginesitmovingaboutinthisnextcell。Hehasnoideaoftheface，butheiscertainofthedarkformofastoopingman。Inthecellupontheotherside，heputsanotherfigure，whosefaceishiddenfromhimalso。Dayafterday，andoftenwhenhewakesupinthemiddleofthenight，hethinksofthesetwomenuntilheisalmostdistracted。Heneverchangesthem。Theretheyarealwaysashefirstimaginedthem-anoldmanontheright；ayoungermanupontheleft-whosehiddenfeaturestorturehimtodeath，andhaveamysterythatmakeshimtremble。

Thewearydayspassonwithsolemnpace，likemournersatafuneral；andslowlyhebeginstofeelthatthewhitewallsofthecellhavesomethingdreadfulinthem:thattheircolourishorrible:thattheirsmoothsurfacechillshisblood:thatthereisonehatefulcornerwhichtormentshim。Everymorningwhenhewakes，hehideshisheadbeneaththecoverlet，andshudderstoseetheghastlyceilinglookingdownuponhim。Theblessedlightofdayitselfpeepsin，anuglyphantomface，throughtheunchangeablecrevicewhichishisprisonwindow。

Byslowbutsuredegrees，theterrorsofthathatefulcornerswelluntiltheybesethimatalltimes；invadehisrest，makehisdreamshideous，andhisnightsdreadful。Atfirst，hetookastrangedisliketoit；feelingasthoughitgavebirthinhisbraintosomethingofcorrespondingshape，whichoughtnottobethere，andrackedhisheadwithpains。Thenhebegantofearit，thentodreamofit，andofmenwhisperingitsnameandpointingtoit。

Thenhecouldnotbeartolookatit，noryettoturnhisbackuponit。Now，itiseverynightthelurking-placeofaghost:ashadow:-asilentsomething，horribletosee，butwhetherbird，orbeast，ormuffledhumanshape，hecannottell。

Whenheisinhiscellbyday，hefearsthelittleyardwithout。

Whenheisintheyard，hedreadstore-enterthecell。Whennightcomes，therestandsthephantominthecorner。Ifhehavethecouragetostandinitsplace，anddriveitout(hehadonce:

beingdesperate)，itbroodsuponhisbed。Inthetwilight，andalwaysatthesamehour，avoicecallstohimbyname；asthedarknessthickens，hisLoombeginstolive；andeventhat，hiscomfort，isahideousfigure，watchinghimtilldaybreak。

Again，byslowdegrees，thesehorriblefanciesdepartfromhimonebyone:returningsometimes，unexpectedly，butatlongerintervals，andinlessalarmingshapes。Hehastalkeduponreligiousmatterswiththegentlemanwhovisitshim，andhasreadhisBible，andhaswrittenaprayeruponhisslate，andhungitupasakindofprotection，andanassuranceofHeavenlycompanionship。Hedreamsnow，sometimes，ofhischildrenorhiswife，butissurethattheyaredead，orhavedesertedhim。Heiseasilymovedtotears；isgentle，submissive，andbroken-spirited。

Occasionally，theoldagonycomesback:averylittlethingwillreviveit；evenafamiliarsound，orthescentofsummerflowersintheair；butitdoesnotlastlong，now:fortheworldwithout，hascometobethevision，andthissolitarylife，thesadreality。

Ifhistermofimprisonmentbeshort-Imeancomparatively，forshortitcannotbe-thelasthalfyearisalmostworsethanall；

forthenhethinkstheprisonwilltakefireandhebeburntintheruins，orthatheisdoomedtodiewithinthewalls，orthathewillbedetainedonsomefalsechargeandsentencedforanotherterm:orthatsomething，nomatterwhat，musthappentopreventhisgoingatlarge。Andthisisnatural，andimpossibletobereasonedagainst，because，afterhislongseparationfromhumanlife，andhisgreatsuffering，anyeventwillappeartohimmoreprobableinthecontemplation，thanthebeingrestoredtolibertyandhisfellow-creatures。

Ifhisperiodofconfinementhavebeenverylong，theprospectofreleasebewildersandconfuseshim。Hisbrokenheartmayflutterforamoment，whenhethinksoftheworldoutside，andwhatitmighthavebeentohiminallthoselonelyyears，butthatisall。

Thecell-doorhasbeenclosedtoolongonallitshopesandcares。

Bettertohavehangedhiminthebeginningthanbringhimtothispass，andsendhimforthtominglewithhiskind，whoarehiskindnomore。

Onthehaggardfaceofeverymanamongtheseprisoners，thesameexpressionsat。Iknownotwhattolikenitto。Ithadsomethingofthatstrainedattentionwhichweseeuponthefacesoftheblindanddeaf，mingledwithakindofhorror，asthoughtheyhadallbeensecretlyterrified。IneverylittlechamberthatIentered，andateverygratethroughwhichIlooked，Iseemedtoseethesameappallingcountenance。Itlivesinmymemory，withthefascinationofaremarkablepicture。Paradebeforemyeyes，ahundredmen，withoneamongthemnewlyreleasedfromthissolitarysuffering，andIwouldpointhimout。

Thefacesofthewomen，asIhavesaid，ithumanisesandrefines。

Whetherthisbebecauseoftheirbetternature，whichiselicitedinsolitude，orbecauseoftheirbeinggentlercreatures，ofgreaterpatienceandlongersuffering，Idonotknow；butsoitis。

Thatthepunishmentisnevertheless，tomythinking，fullyascruelandaswrongintheircase，asinthatofthemen，Ineedscarcelyadd。

Myfirmconvictionisthat，independentofthementalanguishitoccasions-ananguishsoacuteandsotremendous，thatallimaginationofitmustfallfarshortofthereality-itwearsthemindintoamorbidstate，whichrendersitunfitfortheroughcontactandbusyactionoftheworld。Itismyfixedopinionthatthosewhohaveundergonethispunishment，MUSTpassintosocietyagainmorallyunhealthyanddiseased。Therearemanyinstancesonrecord，ofmenwhohavechosen，orhavebeencondemned，tolivesofperfectsolitude，butIscarcelyrememberone，evenamongsagesofstrongandvigorousintellect，whereitseffecthasnotbecomeapparent，insomedisorderedtrainofthought，orsomegloomyhallucination。Whatmonstrousphantoms，bredofdespondencyanddoubt，andbornandrearedinsolitude，havestalkedupontheearth，makingcreationugly，anddarkeningthefaceofHeaven!

Suicidesarerareamongtheseprisoners:arealmost，indeed，unknown。Butnoargumentinfavourofthesystem，canreasonablybededucedfromthiscircumstance，althoughitisveryoftenurged。

Allmenwhohavemadediseasesofthemindtheirstudy，knowperfectlywellthatsuchextremedepressionanddespairaswillchangethewholecharacter，andbeatdownallitspowersofelasticityandself-resistance，maybeatworkwithinaman，andyetstopshortofself-destruction。Thisisacommoncase。

Thatitmakesthesensesdull，andbydegreesimpairsthebodilyfaculties，Iamquitesure。IremarkedtothosewhowerewithmeinthisveryestablishmentatPhiladelphia，thatthecriminalswhohadbeentherelong，weredeaf。They，whowereinthehabitofseeingthesemenconstantly，wereperfectlyamazedattheidea，whichtheyregardedasgroundlessandfanciful。Andyettheveryfirstprisonertowhomtheyappealed-oneoftheirownselectionconfirmedmyimpression(whichwasunknowntohim)instantly，andsaid，withagenuineairitwasimpossibletodoubt，thathecouldn"tthinkhowithappened，butheWASgrowingverydullofhearing。

Thatitisasingularlyunequalpunishment，andaffectstheworstmanleast，thereisnodoubt。Initssuperiorefficiencyasameansofreformation，comparedwiththatothercodeofregulationswhichallowstheprisonerstoworkincompanywithoutcommunicatingtogether，Ihavenotthesmallestfaith。Alltheinstancesofreformationthatwerementionedtome，wereofakindthatmighthavebeen-andIhavenodoubtwhatever，inmyownmind，wouldhavebeen-equallywellbroughtaboutbytheSilentSystem。WithregardtosuchmenasthenegroburglarandtheEnglishthief，eventhemostenthusiastichavescarcelyanyhopeoftheirconversion。

Itseemstomethattheobjectionthatnothingwholesomeorgoodhaseverhaditsgrowthinsuchunnaturalsolitude，andthatevenadogoranyofthemoreintelligentamongbeasts，wouldpine，andmope，andrustaway，beneathitsinfluence，wouldbeinitselfasufficientargumentagainstthissystem。Butwhenwerecollect，inaddition，howverycruelandsevereitis，andthatasolitarylifeisalwaysliabletopeculiaranddistinctobjectionsofamostdeplorablenature，whichhavearisenhere，andcalltomind，moreover，thatthechoiceisnotbetweenthissystem，andabadorill-consideredone，butbetweenitandanotherwhichhasworkedwell，andis，initswholedesignandpractice，excellent；thereissurelymorethansufficientreasonforabandoningamodeofpunishmentattendedbysolittlehopeorpromise，andfraught，beyonddispute，withsuchahostofevils。

Asarelieftoitscontemplation，Iwillclosethischapterwithacuriousstoryarisingoutofthesametheme，whichwasrelatedtome，ontheoccasionofthisvisit，bysomeofthegentlemenconcerned。

Atoneoftheperiodicalmeetingsoftheinspectorsofthisprison，aworkingmanofPhiladelphiapresentedhimselfbeforetheBoard，andearnestlyrequestedtobeplacedinsolitaryconfinement。Onbeingaskedwhatmotivecouldpossiblyprompthimtomakethisstrangedemand，heansweredthathehadanirresistiblepropensitytogetdrunk；thathewasconstantlyindulgingit，tohisgreatmiseryandruin；thathehadnopowerofresistance；thathewishedtobeputbeyondthereachoftemptation；andthathecouldthinkofnobetterwaythanthis。Itwaspointedouttohim，inreply，thattheprisonwasforcriminalswhohadbeentriedandsentencedbythelaw，andcouldnotbemadeavailableforanysuchfancifulpurposes；hewasexhortedtoabstainfromintoxicatingdrinks，ashesurelymightifhewould；andreceivedotherverygoodadvice，withwhichheretired，exceedinglydissatisfiedwiththeresultofhisapplication。

Hecameagain，andagain，andagain，andwassoveryearnestandimportunate，thatatlasttheytookcounseltogether，andsaid，"Hewillcertainlyqualifyhimselfforadmission，ifwerejecthimanymore。Letusshuthimup。Hewillsoonbegladtogoaway，andthenweshallgetridofhim。"Sotheymadehimsignastatementwhichwouldpreventhiseversustaininganactionforfalseimprisonment，totheeffectthathisincarcerationwasvoluntary，andofhisownseeking；theyrequestedhimtotakenoticethattheofficerinattendancehadorderstoreleasehimatanyhourofthedayornight，whenhemightknockuponhisdoorforthatpurpose；

butdesiredhimtounderstand，thatoncegoingout，hewouldnotbeadmittedanymore。Theseconditionsagreedupon，andhestillremaininginthesamemind，hewasconductedtotheprison，andshutupinoneofthecells。

Inthiscell，theman，whohadnotthefirmnesstoleaveaglassofliquorstandinguntastedonatablebeforehim-inthiscell，insolitaryconfinement，andworkingeverydayathistradeofshoemaking，thismanremainednearlytwoyears。Hishealthbeginningtofailattheexpirationofthattime，thesurgeonrecommendedthatheshouldworkoccasionallyinthegarden；andashelikedthenotionverymuch，hewentaboutthisnewoccupationwithgreatcheerfulness。

Hewasdigginghere，onesummerday，veryindustriously，whenthewicketintheoutergatechancedtobeleftopen:showing，beyond，thewell-remembereddustyroadandsunburntfields。Thewaywasasfreetohimastoanymanliving，buthenosoonerraisedhisheadandcaughtsightofit，allshininginthelight，than，withtheinvoluntaryinstinctofaprisoner，hecastawayhisspade，scamperedoffasfastashislegswouldcarryhim，andneveroncelookedback。

CHAPTERVIII-WASHINGTON。THELEGISLATURE。ANDTHEPRESIDENT"S

HOUSE

WEleftPhiladelphiabysteamboat，atsixo"clockoneverycoldmorning，andturnedourfacestowardsWashington。

Inthecourseofthisday"sjourney，asonsubsequentoccasions，weencounteredsomeEnglishmen(smallfarmers，perhaps，orcountrypublicansathome)whoweresettledinAmerica，andweretravellingontheirownaffairs。OfallgradesandkindsofmenthatjostleoneinthepublicconveyancesoftheStates，theseareoftenthemostintolerableandthemostinsufferablecompanions。UnitedtoeverydisagreeablecharacteristicthattheworstkindofAmericantravellerspossess，thesecountrymenofoursdisplayanamountofinsolentconceitandcoolassumptionofsuperiority，quitemonstroustobehold。Inthecoarsefamiliarityoftheirapproach，andtheeffronteryoftheirinquisitiveness(whichtheyareingreathastetoassert，asiftheypantedtorevengethemselvesuponthedecentoldrestraintsofhome)，theysurpassanynativespecimensthatcamewithinmyrangeofobservation:andIoftengrewsopatrioticwhenIsawandheardthem，thatIwouldcheerfullyhavesubmittedtoareasonablefine，ifIcouldhavegivenanyothercountryinthewholeworld，thehonourofclaimingthemforitschildren。

AsWashingtonmaybecalledthehead-quartersoftobacco-tincturedsaliva，thetimeiscomewhenImustconfess，withoutanydisguise，thattheprevalenceofthosetwoodiouspracticesofchewingandexpectoratingbeganaboutthistimetobeanythingbutagreeable，andsoonbecamemostoffensiveandsickening。InallthepublicplacesofAmerica，thisfilthycustomisrecognised。Inthecourtsoflaw，thejudgehashisspittoon，thecrierhis，thewitnesshis，andtheprisonerhis；whilethejurymenandspectatorsareprovidedfor，assomanymenwhointhecourseofnaturemustdesiretospitincessantly。Inthehospitals，thestudentsofmedicinearerequested，bynoticesuponthewall，toejecttheirtobaccojuiceintotheboxesprovidedforthatpurpose，andnottodiscolourthestairs。Inpublicbuildings，visitorsareimplored，throughthesameagency，tosquirttheessenceoftheirquids，or"plugs，"asI

haveheardthemcalledbygentlemenlearnedinthiskindofsweetmeat，intothenationalspittoons，andnotaboutthebasesofthemarblecolumns。Butinsomeparts，thiscustomisinseparablymixedupwitheverymealandmorningcall，andwithallthetransactionsofsociallife。Thestranger，whofollowsinthetrackItookmyself，willfinditinitsfullbloomandglory，luxuriantinallitsalarmingrecklessness，atWashington。Andlethimnotpersuadehimself(asIoncedid，tomyshame)thatprevioustouristshaveexaggerateditsextent。Thethingitselfisanexaggerationofnastiness，whichcannotbeoutdone。

Onboardthissteamboat，thereweretwoyounggentlemen，withshirt-collarsreversedasusual，andarmedwithverybigwalking-

sticks；whoplantedtwoseatsinthemiddleofthedeck，atadistanceofsomefourpacesapart；tookouttheirtobacco-boxes；

andsatdownoppositeeachother，tochew。Inlessthanaquarterofanhour"stime，thesehopefulyouthshadshedaboutthemonthecleanboards，acopiousshowerofyellowrain；clearing，bythatmeans，akindofmagiccircle，withinwhoselimitsnointrudersdaredtocome，andwhichtheyneverfailedtorefreshandre-

refreshbeforeaspotwasdry。Thisbeingbeforebreakfast，ratherdisposedme，Iconfess，tonausea；butlookingattentivelyatoneoftheexpectorators，Iplainlysawthathewasyounginchewing，andfeltinwardlyuneasy，himself。Aglowofdelightcameovermeatthisdiscovery；andasImarkedhisfaceturnpalerandpaler，andsawtheballoftobaccoinhisleftcheek，quiverwithhissuppressedagony，whileyethespat，andchewed，andspatagain，inemulationofhisolderfriend，Icouldhavefallenonhisneckandimploredhimtogoonforhours。

Weallsatdowntoacomfortablebreakfastinthecabinbelow，wheretherewasnomorehurryorconfusionthanatsuchamealinEngland，andwheretherewascertainlygreaterpolitenessexhibitedthanatmostofourstage-coachbanquets。Ataboutnineo"clockwearrivedattherailroadstation，andwentonbythecars。Atnoonweturnedoutagain，tocrossawideriverinanothersteamboat；

landedatacontinuationoftherailroadontheoppositeshore；andwentonbyothercars；inwhich，inthecourseofthenexthourorso，wecrossedbywoodenbridges，eachamileinlength，twocreeks，calledrespectivelyGreatandLittleGunpowder。Thewaterinbothwasblackenedwithflightsofcanvas-backedducks，whicharemostdeliciouseating，andaboundhereaboutsatthatseasonoftheyear。

Thesebridgesareofwood，havenoparapet，andareonlyjustwideenoughforthepassageofthetrains；which，intheeventofthesmallestaccident，woundinevitablybeplungedintotheriver。

Theyarestartlingcontrivances，andaremostagreeablewhenpassed。

WestoppedtodineatBaltimore，andbeingnowinMaryland，werewaitedon，forthefirsttime，byslaves。Thesensationofexactinganyservicefromhumancreatureswhoareboughtandsold，andbeing，forthetime，apartyasitweretotheircondition，isnotanenviableone。Theinstitutionexists，perhaps，initsleastrepulsiveandmostmitigatedforminsuchatownasthis；butitIS

slavery；andthoughIwas，withrespecttoit，aninnocentman，itspresencefilledmewithasenseofshameandself-reproach。

Afterdinner，wewentdowntotherailroadagain，andtookourseatsinthecarsforWashington。Beingratherearly，thosemenandboyswhohappenedtohavenothingparticulartodo，andwerecuriousinforeigners，came(accordingtocustom)roundthecarriageinwhichIsat；letdownallthewindows；thrustintheirheadsandshoulders；hookedthemselvesonconveniently，bytheirelbows；andfelltocomparingnotesonthesubjectofmypersonalappearance，withasmuchindifferenceasifIwereastuffedfigure。Inevergainedsomuchuncompromisinginformationwithreferencetomyownnoseandeyes，andvariousimpressionswroughtbymymouthandchinondifferentminds，andhowmyheadlookswhenitisviewedfrombehind，asontheseoccasions。Somegentlemenwereonlysatisfiedbyexercisingtheirsenseoftouch；andtheboys(whoaresurprisinglyprecociousinAmerica)wereseldomsatisfied，evenbythat，butwouldreturntothechargeoverandoveragain。Manyabuddingpresidenthaswalkedintomyroomwithhiscaponhisheadandhishandsinhispockets，andstaredatmefortwowholehours:occasionallyrefreshinghimselfwithatweakofhisnose，oradraughtfromthewater-jug；orbywalkingtothewindowsandinvitingotherboysinthestreetbelow，tocomeupanddolikewise:crying，"Hereheis!""Comeon!""Bringallyourbrothers!"withotherhospitableentreatiesofthatnature。

WereachedWashingtonatabouthalf-pastsixthatevening，andhaduponthewayabeautifulviewoftheCapitol，whichisafinebuildingoftheCorinthianorder，placeduponanobleandcommandingeminence。Arrivedatthehotel；Isawnomoreoftheplacethatnight；beingverytired，andgladtogettobed。

Breakfastovernextmorning，Iwalkaboutthestreetsforanhourortwo，and，cominghome，throwupthewindowinthefrontandback，andlookout。HereisWashington，freshinmymindandundermyeye。

TaketheworstpartsoftheCityRoadandPentonville，orthestragglingoutskirtsofParis，wherethehousesaresmallest，preservingalltheiroddities，butespeciallythesmallshopsanddwellings，occupiedinPentonville(butnotinWashington)byfurniture-brokers，keepersofpooreating-houses，andfanciersofbirds。Burnthewholedown；builditupagaininwoodandplaster；

widenitalittle；throwinpartofSt。John"sWood；putgreenblindsoutsidealltheprivatehouses，witharedcurtainandawhiteoneineverywindow；ploughupalltheroads；plantagreatdealofcoarseturfineveryplacewhereitoughtNOTtobe；erectthreehandsomebuildingsinstoneandmarble，anywhere，butthemoreentirelyoutofeverybody"swaythebetter；callonethePostOffice；onethePatentOffice，andonetheTreasury；makeitscorchinghotinthemorning，andfreezingcoldintheafternoon，withanoccasionaltornadoofwindanddust；leaveabrick-fieldwithoutthebricks，inallcentralplaceswhereastreetmaynaturallybeexpected:andthat"sWashington。

Thehotelinwhichwelive，isalongrowofsmallhousesfrontingonthestreet，andopeningatthebackuponacommonyard，inwhichhangsagreattriangle。Wheneveraservantiswanted，somebodybeatsonthistrianglefromonestrokeuptoseven，accordingtothenumberofthehouseinwhichhispresenceisrequired；andasalltheservantsarealwaysbeingwanted，andnoneofthemevercome，thisenliveningengineisinfullperformancethewholedaythrough。Clothesaredryinginthesameyard；femaleslaves，withcottonhandkerchiefstwistedroundtheirheadsarerunningtoandfroonthehotelbusiness；blackwaiterscrossandrecrosswithdishesintheirhands；twogreatdogsareplayinguponamoundofloosebricksinthecentreofthelittlesquare；apigisturninguphisstomachtothesun，andgrunting"that"scomfortable!"；andneitherthemen，northewomen，northedogs，northepig，noranycreatedcreature，takesthesmallestnoticeofthetriangle，whichistinglingmadlyallthetime。

Iwalktothefrontwindow，andlookacrosstheroaduponalong，stragglingrowofhouses，onestoryhigh，terminating，nearlyopposite，butalittletotheleft，inamelancholypieceofwastegroundwithfrowzygrass，whichlookslikeasmallpieceofcountrythathastakentodrinking，andhasquitelostitself。Standinganyhowandallwrong，uponthisopenspace，likesomethingmeteoricthathasfallendownfromthemoon，isanodd，lop-sided，one-eyedkindofwoodenbuilding，thatlookslikeachurch，withaflag-

staffaslongasitselfstickingoutofasteeplesomethinglargerthanatea-chest。Underthewindowisasmallstandofcoaches，whoseslave-driversaresunningthemselvesonthestepsofourdoor，andtalkingidlytogether。Thethreemostobtrusivehousesnearathandarethethreemeanest。Onone-ashop，whichneverhasanythinginthewindow，andneverhasthedooropen-ispaintedinlargecharacters，"THECITYLUNCH。"Atanother，whichlookslikeabackwaytosomewhereelse，butisanindependentbuildinginitself，oystersareprocurableineverystyle。Atthethird，whichisavery，verylittletailor"sshop，pantsarefixedtoorder；orinotherwords，pantaloonsaremadetomeasure。AndthatisourstreetinWashington。

ItissometimescalledtheCityofMagnificentDistances，butitmightwithgreaterproprietybetermedtheCityofMagnificentIntentions；foritisonlyontakingabird"s-eyeviewofitfromthetopoftheCapitol，thatonecanatallcomprehendthevastdesignsofitsprojector，anaspiringFrenchman。Spaciousavenues，thatbegininnothing，andleadnowhere；streets，mile-long，thatonlywanthouses，roadsandinhabitants；publicbuildingsthatneedbutapublictobecomplete；andornamentsofgreatthoroughfares，whichonlylackgreatthoroughfarestoornament-areitsleadingfeatures。Onemightfancytheseasonover，andmostofthehousesgoneoutoftownforeverwiththeirmasters。TotheadmirersofcitiesitisaBarmecideFeast:apleasantfieldfortheimaginationtorovein；amonumentraisedtoadeceasedproject，withnotevenalegibleinscriptiontorecorditsdepartedgreatness。

Suchasitis，itislikelytoremain。ItwasoriginallychosenfortheseatofGovernment，asameansofavertingtheconflictingjealousiesandinterestsofthedifferentStates；andveryprobably，too，asbeingremotefrommobs:aconsiderationnottobeslighted，eveninAmerica。Ithasnotradeorcommerceofitsown:havinglittleornopopulationbeyondthePresidentandhisestablishment；themembersofthelegislaturewhoresidethereduringthesession；theGovernmentclerksandofficersemployedinthevariousdepartments；thekeepersofthehotelsandboarding-

houses；andthetradesmenwhosupplytheirtables。Itisveryunhealthy。FewpeoplewouldliveinWashington，Itakeit，whowerenotobligedtoresidethere；andthetidesofemigrationandspeculation，thoserapidandregardlesscurrents，arelittlelikelytoflowatanytimetowardssuchdullandsluggishwater。

TheprincipalfeaturesoftheCapitol，are，ofcourse，thetwohousesofAssembly。Butthereis，besides，inthecentreofthebuilding，afinerotunda，ninety-sixfeetindiameter，andninety-

sixhigh，whosecircularwallisdividedintocompartments，ornamentedbyhistoricalpictures。Fourofthesehavefortheirsubjectsprominenteventsintherevolutionarystruggle。TheywerepaintedbyColonelTrumbull，himselfamemberofWashington"sstaffatthetimeoftheiroccurrence；fromwhichcircumstancetheyderiveapeculiarinterestoftheirown。InthissamehallMr。

Greenough"slargestatueofWashingtonhasbeenlatelyplaced。Ithasgreatmeritsofcourse，butitstruckmeasbeingratherstrainedandviolentforitssubject。Icouldwish，however，tohaveseenitinabetterlightthanitcaneverbeviewedin，whereitstands。