The Litchfield County post., 1828-05-08

sounds tn this immense hall like voice from
 the sepulchre. There they take their meal,
 and in solitude and silence, have an oppor-
 tuniIy to reflect upon the portion of Scrip
 tures, the exhOrtation. and the address to the
 Throne of Grace in their behalf which they
 have heard. They are alone, no companion
 is present to turn of their minds from them
 selves, their crimes, ,and their future prospects.
 What can better conduce tO the reformation.
 or be more likely to subdue the Obduracy Of
 wicked men Here they are left to their own
 reflections, each with a bible and supply of
 tracts selected for them. It IS gratifying in
 passing through the galleries, to see them at
 their grated doors with their bibles or tracts
 reading with attention and apparently wilh
 deep concern. Is it surprising that all this
 should produce great change, and indeed
 an entire rev 0IutiOn in the character and con-
 duct of these men ?--Such is certainly the
 fact. When they first came from Newgate,
 they had bold, ferOciOus, unsubdued look,
 apparently watching every opportunity that
 might offer to escape, and feeling that they
 were injured men, whose righTs and privileg
 es had been wrested from them by the arm
 nf law that they were Outcasts, neglected
 and despIsed. Now they are calm, subdned,
 pursuing their labour with alacrity and even
 cheerfulness. They now feel they have in-
 lured society, trampled under foot the laws
 of their country, done violence to the com
 mands of God,and stands guilty before earth and Ht aven: they now feel that the officers of the institution are their friendst bound to be sure to punish item, but anxious to reclaim them, to restore them to society reformed men, and anxious to awaken them to a sense of their great sinfulntss in the sight of their Maker, and the importance of reconciliation to Him, to secure their eternal happiness. Such are the feelings they now express and
 it would seem that they are desirous to con- duct themselves in such a manner as to make as little trouble to their officers as possible. In all this it must be expected there will be few indeed, is evident from the fact, that not to do his task. Irons which were found on all the prisoners when they arrived, have been taken off for some months; not an ounce of iron is at present worn by any pris oner. While in the shops, they lahour as well and as faithfully as any men whatever; perfect stiffness reigns, interrupted only by the sound of the instruments of men. Four kinds of business are pursued; there are a. bout 30 shoemakers, 10 carpenters and wag- gon makers, 30 nailers and blacksmiths, and 10 coopers; cooks, walters, and aged men, and females, swell the number to about 100. It is uncertain whether these kinds of of en- pIoyment will be continued. It was thought best for the winter, as the prisoners had the trades. and the State a large quantity of ma terials on hand. The profit of the labour may be known from the fact. that for the first six months, the institution considerably more1 than met all its expenses!
 Brickmaking, which is intended as prin- cipal business, has not yet been commenced this spring sufficient trial was made of it in the fall, to satisfy all concerned of the profit and feasibility of the business.
 The food of the prisoners is the hashed breakfast above mentioned, half pound of beef with sufficient quantity of potatoes, and one third of pound of bread for dinner; & an excellent porridge made of ground peas & corn meal with the remaining third of pound of bread, constitutes the supper. Water is their only drink. No ardeut spirits is allow ed either to officers or prisoners, none is ad- mitted within the walls unless directed as a 
 The healthfulness of the diet and labors is evinced by the fact, that not single patient has not been confined in the Hospital of any disease whatever. Few only have been sick, and those generally of slight complaints. A Physician examines all who complain, and the prompt administration of medicine may have saved some from severe diseases. A room 20 feet square and well ventilated, is provided for hospital, stores are kept in con stant readiness for the sick. The prisoners are well clad. in dark mixed sattinett cloth with cloth caps, and course shoes and socks their cells are clean, well ventilated with good cots made of sackng; beds or mats, and each three blankets, they are cOmforta- bly, lodged, and warmed. The area around the block of cells, is constantly kept warm in winter by Lehigh stOves and lighted at night by lamps. Whenever the prisoners are in their cells, watchman patroles the a req and galleries day and night; such is the of the guard room, that in case of emergency, all the watchmen may be a. |armed and ready for duty at q moments warning and there is no nook nor hiding place in the area or in the yard. where prisoner is out of the reach of the musket of the watchmen. When the prisoners are at work. two watchmen are on the walls and here are regularly relieved by others in the day time, as are those in the area in the night, and for meals.
 The officers of the institution are War den, Deputy Warden, Physician, three O. of shops, and five watChmen: Al the head of the institution as Warden, is l Moses c. Pillsbury, Esq. gentleman whose talents, and character. and great experience | in Prison discipline, eminently qualify him |