New-York tribune., 1907-08-12
UH1T PRISONERS READ.
The Fiction Most Popular 7cith WeH
IN ENGLISH Jails.

1ord,n Aug 2-''TTie Tribune of this city. has
been investigating in regard to what books are
most popular with persons behind the oarS- Inc
subject came up through the report Of the librarian
Of a tail in New South Wales in regard to reading
matter for prisoners. The result of the inquiry
here shows that prison libraries are generally wei
supplied with fiction and that the men in the cells
disnIav a variety of tastes Twice week the
schooInaster makes his rounds with well hled
basket of books and within reasonable limits prs
oners are able secure books OF their own ch""s-
ing. for the prison. horary Is se"e'ai'S 'eiS "
equipped. 49,.
II is a curious circumstance that among novehS's
Miss Braddon is easily first. and or her DOORS
..IshmaeT' is in demand than any other
Next to Miss Braddon in point of prison popularity
comes "Ouida" whose Under Two Flass ana
.'Strathmore' are in continuous demand Ihlru on
the list comes Edna I4yalI. whose Donovan Is d
prime favOrite. but all of whose BOOKS are III "e-
mand.
Among writer's of a past generation Wikie COL
Iins is perhaps the sought after by the aver
apa prisoner His "Armadale and Woman IN
White are in general demand. Striking evidence
of the popularity Mrs. Henry Wood is the con
slant demand for East Lynne Had there been a
hundred copies of the book in the library they could
scarcely have satisfied all who wished TO read H.
Monte Cristo'' is not neglected. Its vogue, es-
peciay among the better education prisoners; Is
great and rarely. indeed, does 1t happen that Du-
mass great romance is found In the basket when
the schoolmaster has finished his rounds Tor the
dav So with Zola. The Dram Shop is always
In demand. and when. 40 frequently happens. tnat
is available The Downfall Is SiadiS "e-
cepted and eagerly read
The position. of Thackeray among prisoners is
nerhans uniuue The more educated class ask for
him as an old and valued friend. He is under
stood by them. enjoyed by them. and reSretfully
narted from at the end of the time book is al
lowed 10 be kept. Dickens. too. is read fingered
over and read again and yet again.
David Christie Murray is not without his ad
mrers His ''Joseph's Coat" with its lesson that
roguery does not pay. is much favorite with
the .'old timer with the star man. or first
offender George Eliot must not be forgotten. IL
not so frequently asked for as Miss BraddOn.
Ouida or Mrs. Henry Wood, yet she has vogue
.sRomola' 1.-The Mill on the Floss. and Adam
Bede'' are asked for and kept long as the regu
Iations allow by the men who outside the walls OF
even in their degradation to keep IN touch with old
ideals.
Among the minor novelists Gin prison sense)
Rolf BoIdrewood may be said to rank first. His
Robbery Under Arms Is always in request. I'm
Bad Company is frequently asked for, and The
Sealskin Cloak is looked upon with favor. though
considered long drawn out. Max Pemberton IS
another writer appreciated by some of the younger
prisoners but seldom asked for by those of adj
yanced years. and the may be said of Frank
Barrett His pleasant. chatty novels are liked, but
they are not read by those who regard prison
.episode" and not a usual state Thomas Hardy is
not much i'm demand, though his Under the Green
wood Tree is n favorite with a few. Once, how
ever il was scornfully rejected A prisoner being
ont s'JJnder the Greenwood Tree was left in his
cell on going around in the afternoon to make
anv required changes. the schoolmaster found
Harly's book placed outside the cell door, and on
the prisoners slate the message written: please
change this book, and give me one by an author
MIN q little more sense than Thomas Hardy. The
diaicul.y was met by leaving Max Pembertons
.kronstadt." and the prisoner was satisfied