The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-08-16
FICTION READ IN
BRITISH JAILS
Among the Novelists Miss
Braddon Comes First and
"0uida" Next in Line.
THIRD COMES EDNA LYALL
EDUCATED PRISONERS ASK FOR
THACkERAY.

London, Augustine Tribune of this
city has been investigating in regard to
what books are most popular with per-
sons behind the bars. The subject came
up through the report of the librarian
of Jail in New South Wales in regard
to reading matter for prisoners. The re-
suit of the inquiry here shows that
piled with fiction and that the men IN
the cells display a variety of tastes.
Twice a week the schoOlmaster makes
his rounds with a well-filled basket of
oners are able to secure books of their
own choosing, for the prison library is
generally very well equipped.
1t is a curious circumstance that among
of her books "lshmael' is more in de
mand than any other. Next to Miss
Braddon in point of prison popularity
comes "Ouida," whose Under Two
Flags" and ''StrathInore" are in contin-
uous demand. Third on the list comes
Edna Lyall whose Donovan is a prime
favorite, but ali of whose books are IN
demand.
Will1ie Collins is perhaps the most sought
after by the average prisoner. His
':Armadale' and Woman in White are
in general demand. Striking evidence OF
the popularity of Mrs. Henry Wood is the
constant demand for East Lynne.
Had there been a hundred copies of this
book in the library they could scarcely
have satisfied all who wished to read it.
Monte Cristo" is not neglected Its
vogue especially among the better edu-
Gated prisoners, is great. and rarely, in
deed, does it happen that Dumas great
romance is found in the basket when
the schoolmaster has finished his rounds
for the day. So with lola The Dram
Shop is always in demand. and when,
as frequently happens, that is not avail
able The Downfall' is gladly accepted
! and eagerly read.
The position of Thaekeray among pris-
Oners is perhaps unique The more edu-
Gated class ask for him as an old and
valued friend He is understood by them,
enjoyed by them and regretfully. parted
from at the end of the time book is
| allowed to be kept. Dickens, too, IS
read, fingered over and read again and
I yet again
David Christie Murray is not without
| his admirers. His ''Josephs Coat" with
| its lesson that rogUery does not pay. Is
| as much . favorite with the ''Uld timer
as with the star man, or first offend
/ eT. George Eliot must not be forgotten.
| II not 50 frequently asked for as Miss
| Braddon. Ouida or Mrs. Henry Wood, yet
/ she has a vogue. ''Romela," THE Mill
/ on the Floss and Adam Bede'' are
| asked for and kept as long as the regu-
| latiOns allow by the men who outside
/ the walls Of the prison were accustomed
! to think and prefer even in their degra-
! dation to Keep in touch with old ideals.
/ Among the mi1OI noN6llSlS NlH d pIiSOii
| sense Rolf Boldrewood may be said tC
rank first His Robbery Under Arms
/ is always in request. In Bad Company
/ Is frequently asked for, and 1.-The Seal
| skin Cloak is looked upon with favor,
| though considered too long drawn out.
| Max PembertOn is another writer appre-
| ciated by some of the younger prisoners,
/ but seldom asked for by those of adj
/ vaneed years; and the same may be said
| of Frank Barrett. His pleasant, chatty
! novels are liked. but they are not read
| by those who regard prison as an "epi-
! sode," and not a usual state. Thomas
! Hardy is not much in demand, though
his Under the Greenwood Tree is a
| favorite with a few. Once, however II
was scornfully rejected. A prisoner
being out, Under the Greenwood Tree
| was left in his cell On going around in
| the afternoon to make any required
| changes, the schoolmaster found Hardy
book placed outside the cell door, anC
| on the prisoners slate the message writ
! ten: please change this book and give
| me one by an author with little more
| sense than Thomas Hardy" The diff
Guilty was met by leaving Max Pember-
! toms ''Kronstadt," and the prisoner wa!
| satisfied.