The Portland daily press., 1866-01-23

, we entered; whereupon the little gate
was ciosed and locked again. We found our
se'eS witnin highly cultivated and beauti-
completely shut out from the
"orio' consisting, perhaps. of half a dozen
acfes' IN the centre ofwhicb was a largo hond-
some brick ediice, three stories biob v,t, &C. 10
nous necessary outbuildings contiguous. This
ironted upon the clean avenue that led from
tne great gate. On ither side of this ava
nue. were beds of flowers, shom lawns. trim
med shrubbery and trees, water-fountains. lets
&c.
On reaching the Penitentiary we were con-
Quoted through the hall to a spacious room.
where after being seated, we were soon waited
upon by the Matron of the establishment, Mrs.
Cooper, an elderly lady, who bade us welcome
and explained to US the character and design
OF the Institution. She had held charge there
twenty years, and has eight female assistants.
NO males are connected with the Asylum but
sucn as are necessary to attend to certain out
door service. Of all descriptions OF crime or
wee, which aftiict poor human nature, Mrs,
Cooper thought this the very worst to reform
or cure; and she did not give us so encourae-
ing an account of the permanency of the re-
form after the patients had been graduated, as
wecould have wished to hear. Many, however
are saved.
We noticed in the reception-room the mar
BILE statue of Magdalene-pale and hopeful.
1t was significant of the design of the Peni-
tentiary. In short time the Matron rang a
bell, and servant girl appeared bearing
waiter that contained decanter of brandy, a
pitcher of water, couple of goblets with
spoons and bowl of sugar, all of which were
laid upon the centre table and we were DO
litely invited to refresh ourselves before pro-
ceeding to the chapel for the Sabbath exer-
cises. This appeared singular to us, and very
contrary to our principles and habits at home
or abroad. Of course we respectfully declined
the profered hospitality. The honest matron
appeared at loss at first and almost disposed
to regard our refusal as an offence against
the laws of good breeding; but on assuring
her that our abstinence was intended as no
disrespcct to her, but that we were pledged
against the use of intoxicating beverages, she
yielded the point, and complImented our trans
Atlantic fashion. "Would all the ministers Of
this country (she said) follow the same fashion,
our churches would not be what too many
pastors and people now are"
At a proper time the bell rang, and we
were conducted up stairs to the spacious chap
ell of the institution. 1t would accommodate,
perhaps, two or three hundred persons, seat
ed on benches with desks before them. The
room was plainly finished; the floors were not
painted, but secured and sprinkled with white
beach sand. Directly the harlots, entering by
pairs, appeared in companies, each led and
governed by a proper officer as attendant, and
marched to the several seats allotted to them.
All stood till the whole number of classes were
in, when, at signal, the girls got down, COW
cred their eyes with their open hands, and
rested tAsir toreheads upon the desk in front,
as if engaged in short ejaculatory prayer;
after which each one took the Bible before
her, opened to the lesson for the day, which the
matron read aloud, all who could read pronomc-
ing in concert with her. The Scripture thus
read was Johns Gospel, viii, liz, to which
the reader ,viu do aoeH to turn. After this a
hymn was given out, and certain singers
amongst the Magdalens constituted the choir,
all of whom sang the air in unison. After
some remarks by the writer, our friend, the
invited chaplain of the day, ascended the pull
pit which was in one corner oft he chapel, and
preached sermon, 1t was a pertinent dis
course, But such congregational 1t was
what we had never looked upon before. It
consisted entirely Of street prostitutes from IA
to IS years of age, mostly about 20. They
had wan, haggard, ,forlorn look as If they
had lost all selfrespect, or perhaps never
knew what it was; some, however, appeared
fresh and fair. An were clad in uniform,
which consisted of checked calico gown,
covered by short brown merino cloak, long
white apron and plain cap with plated lace
in front During the addresses all were silent
and orderly; butfew, however, were attentive,
or seemed to care for what was said. Some
of our friends appeals were very touching;
but we could perceive no sensation produced,
or q tear shed, except in a few instances, once
or twice when allusion was made to the days
of ckildhooPs ianocency and a mothers ,ove
and care. Then, indeed, we did notice few
that seemed affected; and Of such we thought
there might be hope. The sermon being end
ed, a printed prayer was read by the matron,
to which the harlot congregation responded; /;
after which the Magdalene choir sung another
hymn in unison; the Benediction was pro-
nounced, and the several companies or classes
were marched in order out of the chapel to
their respective apartments.
When discharged, none are ever re-admit-
ted. We thought this wrong. The Christian
rule is, till seventy times seven we should be
willing to receive contessing penitent. This
institution, however, and all kindred ones In
London, are amongst the happy results of
Queen Victoria's reign, and cannot but have q
good effect in correcting that opposite most Il
centious influence which proceeded from her
throne whilst occupied by her male predeces-
sors. TRAU,
The Pleasant Side Of the Picture.