The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-05-18

1
| the country in which it is now practised The
building itself is enclosed by wall of solid
stone masonry 80 feet in height, and 70 feet in
| thickness, supporting huge towers with mar
row Sits of windows, that bring to mind the
picturesque Norman castles of the old country
1t covers ten acres of ground and the approach,
with view of its terrible strength, strikes
gloomy terror even to the visitor. What must
it be to the criminal? The entrance between
the enormous towers is filled by massive graf
ed portcullis and enormous oaken gates, thick
ly studded with iron. Between these Goube
gates visitors are udmtted-the one by which
they enter being secured before the other Is
opened. 1t chlls the blood Of the sensitive Wis
itor to he ar the clang Of these enormous gates,
as they are secured by the stout keepers.
The interior arrangements of this prison are
peculiar. The offices are exactly n the centre,
from which the wings radate like the spokes
OF wheel. These wings are arched, with two
rows OF cells either hand. The cells are
made secure by a grated iron door, swinging
INTO the CELL and solid door swinging out
ward. the two keeping the prisoner sealed
from communication with the outer world
INV thSAI, HC hljOhS LIO IuOIC vi lHe Ildpptb~
mgs outside. He is cut off from humanity, its
hopes, purposes and aspirations. He does not
cross the threshold until his sentence has ex-
pireC. tie has not even q name bat is known
as humber $50, or some like designation. He
ayes hope behind, and is shut in with his sin
and sorrow. The great world moves on, but
he Is lost to it. Suns rise and set, days grow to
weeks, weeks to MONTHS and months engthen
into years, as he counts their tagging lapse.
Cheerful spring comes, bright summer, fruitful
autumn, and snowy winter - but he knows
only the four walls of his dungeon. Once q
day, for three -fourths Of an hour, he can go
out into walled yard the size OF his CELL and
get q glimpse of little square Of the sky
above. It is only an unroofed dungeon-a liy-
ing grave. And yet men have endured it for
more than thirty years-have changed from
stawart youth 10 broken down and gray
haired old age.
was permitted by the keeper to 90 into one
of the cells and converse with the innate-a
harmless old German, confined for robbery. He
was reading one Of two or three books that had
been brought from the prison library, and arose
with pleasant SMILE rs though it was boon
to see human face. The whiteued walls of the
cell were painted in queer figures, which he
said he had done himself, with brush made
from his own hair, and evidently took pride in
his work. The cell seemed almost luxurious for
prison, with running water, gas, steam heat
ing, and other conyeniences. The solitary sys-
TEN, under which the prison was begun, has
been relaxed in some degree, and prisoners now
oil il said that tho yrlu-
sion from all human companionship produces
insanity.
On Sundays religious services held
Preachers conduct services in the corridor of
each wing, the outer doors of the cells being
opened about foot, and secured i'll that position
by heavy hook. Whether Christianity eau be
introduced through such an opening is doubtful
The prisoners work at various trades, inelud-
ing weaving, shoemaking, cigar making, chair
work and small coopersge-but much less eff
ciently than in other prisons, where they work
in shops.
This prison contains $40 prisoners, some of
whom are very hard cases. Among the prison.
ers are over il hundred convicted Of murder iu
the second degree, and other very serious
crimes. Many OF them are old Offenders who
understand how to escape from prisons, but
here all their skill seems hopeless against the
nigh and massive walls and other means of Sc
curity. At night huge rehectors throw gas
light into every part of the yard, making 1t a.
bright as day, and enabling the guard to detect
anv person therein. Huge and savage dogs are
also let loose at night. The result of these pre-
cautions is that only uine prisoners have es-
IL, Of thaSn SiI rot oil Ion
Some years ago three negro prisoners got into
IL sewer and after terrible journey escaped into
the street through q man-hole. After being re
taken they declared that nothing would tempt
them to make the attempt again, as their jour
ney was continuous fight with huge rats, by
which they were severely bitten, besides being
nearly sutlocuted by foul air.
This is undoubtedly the best and most efi-
cent institution in the country for the care and
reformation of offenders, and is 4 credit TO the
great state that designed and supports ii.
This is the day for the ceremonies Of opening
the Great Exposition As | write, ut early
morning, the sky is overcast and threatening,
with great danger Of rain. The crowds that
yesterday poured into the city hotels was i'm
mense but the unfavorable weather to day
will greatly diminish the attendance. The
President and all the distinguished guests are
here, with large military escorts. Gov. Con
nor of Maine, with hi, staff is quarterei 1T the
Exposition Hotel, accompanied by Mrs Con
nor. Col Ifersey and wife of Belfast, Dr. small
and wife of Portland, Col. SpaulGing and wife
of Richmond Col. Newcomb of Suco, Col.
Peaks of Pittstield, and Gen. Ciey of Thomas
ton, of the staff are here.
Tonight there is to be grand illumination
of the city. During the day the sober houses
and stores of the Quaker City have blossomed
out in an universal display Of flags, bunting,
streamers and patriotic devices Of every kind
For 4 week past, homewarl bound Phiadel-
phians have crowded the streets, bearing stats
on which to hoist tiags above their household
gods Locomotives and cars, carriages and
horse railroads have been similarly adorned.
Men, women and children have partaken of the
spirit in their personal adornment. The cham
bermuids Of ,he hotel have broken out in Il fer
vor Of patriotism, with miniature flags at the
necks of their dresses, and aprons of red, white
and blue. One, l notice. has decorated the
fashionable bay window extension at the rear
of her dress with the stars and stripes, thus an
nouncng, in the words of the national anthem
that our flag is there"
PHILADELPHIA, May 11th.
Providence, that has SO generally taken care
of our country in the past century, did not neg
lect us yesterday. AS the sun mounted in the
heavens the dark masses of heavy clouds broke
away, the sunshine streamed through, leaf and
turf and flowers gittered in the beams, and
glorious day WAS assured. The gates were TO
open at 9 O'clock and long before that time the
avenues of approach were swarmng with peo-
Pile in coaches carriages, omnibuses and on foot
Trains from radius of nearly u hundred miles
brought immense crowds, who were speedily
swallowed up by the ull-devouriug gates OF
the enclosure. Guests specially invited were