The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1843-12-29
EVENING PRAYERS IN A PRISON AT
WEATHERSFIELD.
HY MRS. LYDIA II. sIGoURNEY.

All researches into the history of earlier ages
result in giving prominence in prisons, as among
the strongest engines of tyranny. Despotic
princes found them convenient retreats for the
conquered foe, the noble, whose estates they
wished to confiscate, or the rival whose eye was
upon their throne. The legends of baronial dun
geons sleep in the darkness of feudal times. In
every age the oppressor hath at his will held the
body bound--and none may compute the number
of the souls, whose only liberator was death.
Though the progress Of civilization and refine
ment mitigated the savage features Of these penal
Institutions, vet it was long ere humanity dream
ed of making their discipline salutary. Disre-
gard 10 the moral health Of those who as gan
creme had been divided from society, still pre-
vailed; and promiscuous associations rendered
the novice in guilt as hardened as the hoary Of
fender.
For the praise Of modern times, and for the
mild nature of our own government, has been re-
served that benevolence, which in sequestrating
the criminal, keeps before his eyes the bright
image of returning virtue, and baptizes his place
of punishment with the hope of heaven. II, to
appease the anger Of an offended community.
Justice must purge as it were, with fire. the soul
that hath sinned, mercy fcrgets not to sit by as
re6ner, pronouncing when the dross is fully se-
parated, and in the sacred words of inspiration,
g counting the law as schoolmaster, that bring
ioiced had such prospect dawned upon him,
while hazarding his lfe to dive into the depths
Of dungeons, to plunge amid the infection Of hos
pitfalls, to survey the mansions Of sorrow and
pain to take the gaze of misery, depression, and
contempt to remember the forg often, to attend
the neglected, TO visit the forsaken, to compare
and collate the dstresses Of all men Of all coun-
tries" ies
The pens of some of our most distinguished
writers have enforced the feasibility of making
prisons adjuncts in the reformation of vice, and
in several Of our States buildings have been
erected on this principle, and theories in some
measure reduced to practice. Among these in
situations, that of Weathers6eld stands conspicu-
Gus in the opinion of foreigners, as well as ma
tives, for the adaptation of its structure, the wis
dom Of its policy, and the results Of its discip-
line.
1t was at the close of a long, cloudless sum-
mers day, when first attended, with small
party of strangers and friends, its hours Of eve
ming prayer. The riches Of the surrounding
landscapes, the beauty of the prospect from its
elevated, mural promenade, the broad. quiet
river, the distant gliding sails, the wavering TO
liage, the hallowed spire, embosomed amid grace
full elms-all seemed to soothe the mind into
calm delight rather than prepare it for painful
contemplation. But the harsh sound Of locks
and bolts convinced us that guilt was near, guilt
which defaces both the fair creature and the inn
mortal soul. .ssfs
A bell struck, and the convicts came from their
respective workshops, and arranged themselves
in lines in the spacious, and strongly inclosed
area. There they underwent strict examIna-
ton from the guard, who ascertained that none
had secreted about his person any weapon OF
destruction or offence. 1t was humiliating to see
powerful and athletic men, holding out their
arms for their search-with the subdued look Of
helpless child. Methought salutary lessons
might be gathered for the young and tempted,
and they be taught to wage trmer warfare
with vice, after thus witnessing its degradation
and misery.
Then each prisoner placed his hands upon the
shoulders of the one who preceded him-and all
marched rapidly, with the lock-step, toward the
chanel. There seated side by side, were seen
the man of full strength, the boy Of fourteen
summers, and him Of hoary hairs, who, senten-
cod for life, surveyed motionless and passionless
objects to which his dim eye, and scared heart
had been long Injured. l bent scrutmizing
glance upon the mass Of heads and faces in this
prison home, to discover if possible, some indi-
cations of talent and nobleness, for we know that
the whrlwind Of passion hath but too often driv-
en- into crime, those whom nature and education
had fitted for higher destiny. But there was an
absence of those lineaments which reveal the
higher developments Of intellect, or the prompt-
ings Of a heavenward soul Sin had been there,