Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-12-13
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

SUNDAY AT TIE PBsrrENrrARY.-We were
present on Sunday last, at religious service
Of much interest, being nothing less than that
held on each Sabbath ct the chapel Of the
penitentiary for the benefit Of the convicts. On
entering the chapel shortly before 10 O'Clock,
a. m we found the male prisoners gathered
at the penitentisry library for the purpose of
exchanging the books taken out the previous
Sabbath for others. These books, We learn
from Mr.. Thornley,, are sought for with great
eagerness by the convicts, and indeed the worn
and thumbed condition of the volumes show
that they have been in constant use. We trust
that the recommendation Of the w arden Tin
bis report) for the expenditure Of a few hun
dred dollars for the purchase of additional
books will be carried out As the convicts re.
ceived their books they retired to their seats,
guard mounted upon raised seat, meantime
keeping supervision over them with a watch
full eye.
The male prisoners, black and white were
separated right and left, and the female pris.
oners were hidden from view by cloth screen
THIS screen seems of doubtful utility, serving
it would appear only to pique feminine Gu
riosity, as 1t has been pierced with holes in
Vulnerable by fair finger nails, to enable their
owners TO solsce themselves with an occasional
pesp at the lords Of creation.
The services were commenced with prayer
by the chaplain of the institution, Rev. r.
Richards, which was followed by a hymn
sung-snd we'll sung by the convict choir
The singing was led and mainly sustained by
colored convicts, who entered upon the SER
vices with the same zealous JUNCTION which
usually chsracterizes the religious exercises
Of colored congregations.
The white convicts on the other side Of the
aisle preserved external decorum, but exhib
tied at the Same time callous apathy.
A portion Of scripture was next read which
was followed by another hymn.
The sermon was delivered by Rev. j. Z.
Parker, of the Michigan (Methodist) Confer
ference, and was plain practical teaching
well adapted to the comprehension of the au
dience. The text was from the parable Of tho
rich man-12th chapter of Luke, 10th verse
The three points commented upon by the
preacher were-lst. Mans discOntentment
with his position in life; ID. The folly of t1e
means adopted by him to better his condition
Sd. The disappointments resulting therefrom.
A more attentive congregation we never saw.
TO be sure there were no distractions in the
shape of late corners, Operatic singers or new
bonnets; almost perfect silence reigned, and
the grim uniformity of the parti-colored pris-
on dress afforded nothing for the eye to dwell
upon.
After the sermon the convicts spent some
time In singing, aud were then drawn into line
and marched to their dinner. The meal on
this occasion consisted Of bread, boiled beets
cOrned beef, and black tea. The beets wore
grown upon the grounds of the penitentiary,
and are substituted occasionally as a change
of diet from the usual allowance of potatoes
Dinner over, the prisoners were drawn up into
line again after which the guards passed
down the ranks, passing their hands rapidly
over the person Of each convict to ascertain if
any weapons were concealed upon them. This
done, the prisoners were marched to their
cells and locked in for the day.
tremendous roaring, jarring and banging
stunned the loOker-on, for q season, while the
convicts were tramping along the wooden gal.
Ienes, followed by the guards locking and
barring the cell doors with crash. Then
again all was silent; and on peering into the
dusky recesses of the cells the prisoners were
seen reclining on their cots, examining the
books procured from the library.
One convict alone was confined to his bed
through indisposition, and the physician
seemed doubtful if he were not shammine ill.
ness. Considering the locality Of the peni-
Tertiary the good health of the convicts for
the year past is remarkable.
Our visit confirmed US in the opinion ex-
pressed on another occasion, that the prisoners
are attended to by the officers with all care
and humanity consistent with security and the
requirements Of the law.
HOTEL RoBBzRIEs The recent robbery OF
one or two guests in a Washington hotel re-
minds Us Of the duty of cautioning hotel
boarders everywhere Of the necessity Of COM
plying with the now invariable rule of all
sach establishments, rs we'll as the law, which
makes their proprietors responsible for no
valuables stolen, unless the regulation Of the
house in that connection has been strictly
complied with. That regulation notifies the
guest that to fix such responsibility on the
100
vlluables which, left unguarded, will be
likely TO tempt hotel thieves to commit bur
glaries or larcenies. Experienced hotel thieves
Will enter a locked room, open a locked trunk
and be on In safety, in two minutes at most
Not one in twenty such robbers are caught,
and not once In a hundred times are valuable s
spirited away by them recovered So long as
hotel guests will leave valuables in trunks, in
defiance to proprietors' printed notices to the
contrary, just SO long win the former be heavy
losers by their want Of due caution The fault
oy no means lies with the hotels, but alone
with their careless or obstinate guests.
PggFUNED BREATH Who would have a
disagreeabie breath, when, By using De La
C0Hrs Balm Of tie IVhtte Water Lilly as a
dentlfrice, II can be rendered sweet and leave
the teeth white as alabastsr? Put drop on
your toothbrush and wash the teeth night and
morning.
A Bea~ttfn! Complexion may easily be ac-
9uired by using De La C0ur's Balm of TIE
IYhts Water Lilly. 1t will remove tan.
pimPles, and freckles from the skin, leaving
II soft and rosy. Wet a towel, pour on two OF
three drops, and wash the face night and
morning.
Sharing Made EaJy Wet your brush and
pour on two or three drops of DE La Cour',
Balm Of ue White Water Ltllv, rub tn,
beard well, and it will make beautiful soft
Iather
Price hfiy cents. For sale by Charles Stott
Washington, and by druggists generally
REsIsTISG OYFIcZRs.-Last MICH. oT.s,
May and Degges undertook TO arrest a eanc
OF persons for disorderIy conduct in the Firs
Ward. The officers had to contend aoains
the crowd, and, in order to secure the prison.
ers, called on " all good citizens 10 sss;s,
then. The bystsnders seemed to apnrs,ists
:.