The tableware is of tin and somewhat meager. The tables themselves present the appearance of the modern school-desk, being long enough that twenty men may be comfortably seated at each. No table-linen is used. When eating, the convict is not permitted to call for anything he may wish. When a dish is empty it is held aloft, and an officer or a convict waiter replenishes it.
Ample time is given to eat.
All have a sufficiency of food such as it is. Every thing is clean. After the meal is over, the prisoners, in ranks, return to their work-shops, or to their cells in case it is the last meal of the day. These are days of freedom. Officers, of course, are among them to see that no fighting occurs, and also to prevent any from effecting their escape by scaling the walls.