The Washington times., 1904-08-14

OF the regime. this rule which forbids a
prisoner TO touch the lips or even the
hands of the dear ones who come to see
her. l suppose II is a necessary one.
In the case of a lawyer the wardress is
placed in sight but out of hearing of her
charge. Very few cOnvicts have visi-
tors. For the most part they are
poor, many are frtendless and only
a small number seem to be able to bear
the expense OF railway fares. Besides
the regular board Of visitors and the
directors l saw Lord Russell many
times. Lord ROthschild and two Of the
Matthew White Ridley, on their way
past my cell. They used to call in and
look at my books and talk to me.
Grateful to Lord Russell.
Lord Russell was a splendid man.
How glad l am I was able to thank
him for his efforts for me before he died!
The last time I saw him he stayed talk
ing with me in my cell for nearly half
an hour. When he was leaving me he
took me by the hands and said: BE
brave. be strong. I believe you to be
an innocent woman and I have done and
shall continue to do all I can for you.
Wasn't II generous of him? l believe
he did more TO sustain me than any
thing
You know we hear news in prison,
and I was terribly distressed when l
was told of his death. l felt that nv
greatest companion was gone.
1T was interesting to hear the kind
OF news which travels fastest through
Jails. The first place seemed TO be taken
by Information affecting royalty. Next
came the British army successes or re-
verses in South Africa, and then the
notifications ana history Of new arrivals.
The channels through which it came va
ried.
Death of the Queen.
The lowering Of the prison flag"
said Mrs. Maybrick. told us OF the
death % the Queen. although we had
heard she was sinking several days be-
fore. When the King was dangerously
III II was talked Of among the officers
and prisoners. who through me asked
that special prayers might be said in
the chapel We put out banners when
Mafeking was relieved and when peace
was signed with the Beers
Coronation and jubilee days were the
only occasions ! remember when we
had any relaxation OF prison rules, and
tnen there was much disappointment
Ihey gave US extra meat and plum pud-
ding in lieu OF mitigation Of portion
OF our sentences, as we had hoped for
This was granted in India TO the Eng
llSh prisoners.
Most of the news is brought in by
prisoners and 1t soon gets round. I re
member hearing all about Mrs Penrud-
Cooke case don't think I altogether
shared the Indignation over her 1t
might have been more due TO her health
than people think.
1t Is extraordinary how the mind
is affected by the condition OF the body.
and when they are III there IS no ac-
counting for the peculiar things some
women do.
One of the convicts at Aylesbury.
when l left, was a woman whom I be-
lleVe you called the Swami She had
been in the hospital almost from the
time she came III prison, and Is dying
1t Is said. IN the hospital
News gets distributed The discipline
as 10 taking is In allegiance. and. indeed,
cary yCu?"
We talked OF the difficult lot of officials
and their own dark and uneventful lives.
and this led TO the point which I had
been trying to bring Mrs. Maybrick to
Have you read Lord William Neyilrs
book on his experiences" was her an
swer TO my question I had not.
He tells truly of the agony OF a per-
son OF finer mold in constant associa-
ton with the baser kind of men; but he
was a man, and 1 never heard that he
complained Of the injustice Of his pun
ishment.
Her Reason Tottered
IT was a woman, and an innocent
woman, too How can tell you Of the
horror of il all, For the first part OF
my sentence I was too stunned to do
more than bear my burden as one In
dream. Then. when II ell dawned on me,
feared my reason would break under
IL, as my health had done. At this space
Of time I can give you little idea of the
torture Of those first flve years. But
my mother has been showing me some
early letters her and thew