The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-25

The following interesting correspondence on the
subject Of libraries for prisons VIII commend and
explain itse:-
MISS GILBERT TO Mr.. HEPwoRrH.
Rev. GEORGE ii. HEPwoRrH:-
DEAR SIR desire TO tHank you FOR the kindly
interest you have shown In the late or the orlni-
nails OF this country There is no class concerning
whom the Christian pu0lic know 50 little, aud TINS
Is perhaps the reason Why thsE are lett 10 tle
doubtful mercy OF circnnst
My object, az you may be aware, IA twofoid In
the first plaza, am very anxious 10 furnish every
jan anu house OF detention, where men and
women VINO are more or less criminal are con-
hned, with a library. Prisoners have nothing 10
LOOK at out the blank walls OF their cells, and
nothing TO think OF except their sins, ana
Though lois latter may be o very fruitiui
theme n is not always profitable one.
IueJ would GLADLY read gooa works, aud tae yaine
of sucn an influence cannot he overestimate1.
You muss not Iofset thst man VINO would care
nothing Tor book wnen he ~ with MS boon COM
panlons is ofcnt,mes Very graceful Tor lt waen he
rs aone. l have known Cases AGAIN and again
where men nave not only beeL brought 10 fcpcht-
auce Tor tue past tut 70 radical reformation. W
means OF tue lew DOCKS ano PICTURES 20 which
they have mad access. am not asking aha 20 Try
an experiment; 4 am seekIng help 10 pat a
plan INTO operation tue value oi wpich
has been fuzzy tsLud. Libraries nave Uecn
st. Louis County Jatl. No.: The Sprnsnel County
JAN, Ill. the Chicago House OF DetenuoBi the New
YORK city IomDs aud n other places Of cOniine-
ment. and II ~ the unanimous opinion o. those
VINO have chlfgs u sucn tnstitutI0nS that THESE
libraries nave made ~ easier TO maintain dlsci-
pine ana have been ~ tncacuiaDle Denent In 0tner
ways. NV OJuer OBJECT Is even more ImpOr tant,
ana ~, fear. attended ~ seTI0us difficulties.
have .onnd many golden opportunity 10 AFFORD
released prisoner tue IneaHs VI an honest ltYclt
hood. They ought not 70 oe cut OH rom all nope
and yet now pUwerieSs we are 10 do them
good. Tney come out rom the routine OF prison
lie into the wIld wEirl, aud the more men know
\ 81 them ne less they trust them. IL seems as
though every mans hand we're against them, aud
Ia very trutn that IL pretty Desry the case. COD
nelp tnem, seems TO Oe all we can say. You do
I not DOUBT that TINS state OF things IS wrong III
GOD can plty we ought to De WlIilng TO forgive. 1t
\ n not IigAt 10 roo even crilulnal OF aus last
Il chance. have known May instances ia which,
/ II mad possessed tne requisite luBds 4
4 could have insured tie sfiYation OF some
! three men. have spent very largely
OF my personal Income, Tor somehow dare not
thrust these pitiable crea lures out CD the coli
charity 0i the wOrla. Al some OF Lhe wealthy gen-
tlelnen VI New YORK would cOnsecrate even an in.
significant rOrtiOn 0l TIER money 10 ms object
untold good might be accOmph5ned. have n eat
hopes that inc books Tor tie projected hprarles
viii be iui nishCd, and am n ~ without Iatth that
the money needed viii ue forthcoming.
Thanking you again Tor your interest IN the
Cause, remain, very truly yours,
LINDA GILgEaF
| NEW YORK, Aprl q, 1875.