Intheoutskirts，standsagreatprison，calledtheEasternPenitentiary:conductedonaplanpeculiartothestateofPennsylvania。Thesystemhere，isrigid，strict，andhopelesssolitaryconfinement。Ibelieveit，initseffects，tobecruelandwrong。
　　Initsintention，Iamwellconvincedthatitiskind，humane，andmeantforreformation；butIampersuadedthatthosewhodevisedthissystemofPrisonDiscipline，andthosebenevolentgentlemenwhocarryitintoexecution，donotknowwhatitisthattheyaredoing。Ibelievethatveryfewmenarecapableofestimatingtheimmenseamountoftortureandagonywhichthisdreadfulpunishment，prolongedforyears，inflictsuponthesufferers；andinguessingatitmyself，andinreasoningfromwhatIhaveseenwrittenupontheirfaces，andwhattomycertainknowledgetheyfeelwithin，I
　　amonlythemoreconvincedthatthereisadepthofterribleenduranceinitwhichnonebutthesufferersthemselvescanfathom，andwhichnomanhasarighttoinflictuponhisfellow-creature。
　　Iholdthisslowanddailytamperingwiththemysteriesofthebrain，tobeimmeasurablyworsethananytortureofthebody:andbecauseitsghastlysignsandtokensarenotsopalpabletotheeyeandsenseoftouchasscarsupontheflesh；becauseitswoundsarenotuponthesurface，anditextortsfewcriesthathumanearscanhear；thereforeIthemoredenounceit，asasecretpunishmentwhichslumberinghumanityisnotrouseduptostay。Ihesitatedonce，debatingwithmyself，whether，ifIhadthepowerofsaying'Yes'or'No，'Iwouldallowittobetriedincertaincases，wherethetermsofimprisonmentwereshort；butnow，Isolemnlydeclare，thatwithnorewardsorhonourscouldIwalkahappymanbeneaththeopenskybyday，orliemedownuponmybedatnight，withtheconsciousnessthatonehumancreature，foranylengthoftime，nomatterwhat，laysufferingthisunknownpunishmentinhissilentcell，andIthecause，orIconsentingtoitintheleastdegree。
　　Iwasaccompaniedtothisprisonbytwogentlemenofficiallyconnectedwithitsmanagement，andpassedthedayingoingfromcelltocell，andtalkingwiththeinmates。Everyfacilitywasaffordedme，thattheutmostcourtesycouldsuggest。Nothingwasconcealedorhiddenfrommyview，andeverypieceofinformationthatIsought，wasopenlyandfranklygiven。Theperfectorderofthebuildingcannotbepraisedtoohighly，andoftheexcellentmotivesofallwhoareimmediatelyconcernedintheadministrationofthesystem，therecanbenokindofquestion。
　　Betweenthebodyoftheprisonandtheouterwall，thereisaspaciousgarden。Enteringit，byawicketinthemassivegate，wepursuedthepathbeforeustoitsothertermination，andpassedintoalargechamber，fromwhichsevenlongpassagesradiate。Oneithersideofeach，isalong，longrowoflowcelldoors，withacertainnumberovereveryone。Above，agalleryofcellslikethosebelow，exceptthattheyhavenonarrowyardattachedasthoseinthegroundtierhave，andaresomewhatsmaller。Thepossessionoftwoofthese，issupposedtocompensatefortheabsenceofsomuchairandexerciseascanbehadinthedullstripattachedtoeachoftheothers，inanhour'stimeeveryday；andthereforeeveryprisonerinthisupperstoryhastwocells，adjoiningandcommunicatingwith，eachother。
　　Standingatthecentralpoint，andlookingdownthesedrearypassages，thedullreposeandquietthatprevails，isawful。
　　Occasionally，thereisadrowsysoundfromsomeloneweaver'sshuttle，orshoemaker'slast，butitisstifledbythethickwallsandheavydungeon-door，andonlyservestomakethegeneralstillnessmoreprofound。Overtheheadandfaceofeveryprisonerwhocomesintothismelancholyhouse，ablackhoodisdrawn；andinthisdarkshroud，anemblemofthecurtaindroppedbetweenhimandthelivingworld，heisledtothecellfromwhichheneveragaincomesforth，untilhiswholetermofimprisonmenthasexpired。Heneverhearsofwifeandchildren；homeorfriends；thelifeordeathofanysinglecreature。Heseestheprison-officers，butwiththatexceptionheneverlooksuponahumancountenance，orhearsahumanvoice。Heisamanburiedalive；tobedugoutintheslowroundofyears；andinthemeantimedeadtoeverythingbuttorturinganxietiesandhorribledespair。
　　Hisname，andcrime，andtermofsuffering，areunknown，eventotheofficerwhodelivershimhisdailyfood。Thereisanumberoverhiscell-door，andinabookofwhichthegovernoroftheprisonhasonecopy，andthemoralinstructoranother:thisistheindexofhishistory。Beyondthesepagestheprisonhasnorecordofhisexistence:andthoughhelivetobeinthesamecelltenwearyyears，hehasnomeansofknowing，downtotheverylasthour，inwhichpartofthebuildingitissituated；whatkindofmenthereareabouthim；whetherinthelongwinternightstherearelivingpeoplenear，orheisinsomelonelycornerofthegreatjail，withwalls，andpassages，andirondoorsbetweenhimandthenearestsharerinitssolitaryhorrors。
　　Everycellhasdoubledoors:theouteroneofsturdyoak，theotherofgratediron，whereinthereisatrapthroughwhichhisfoodishanded。HehasaBible，andaslateandpencil，and，undercertainrestrictions，hassometimesotherbooks，providedforthepurpose，andpenandinkandpaper。Hisrazor，plate，andcan，andbasin，hanguponthewall，orshineuponthelittleshelf。Freshwaterislaidonineverycell，andhecandrawitathispleasure。
　　Duringtheday，hisbedsteadturnsupagainstthewall，andleavesmorespaceforhimtoworkin。Hisloom，orbench，orwheel，isthere；andtherehelabours，sleepsandwakes，andcountstheseasonsastheychange，andgrowsold。
　　ThefirstmanIsaw，wasseatedathisloom，atwork。Hehadbeentheresixyears，andwastoremain，Ithink，threemore。Hehadbeenconvictedasareceiverofstolengoods，butevenafterhislongimprisonment，deniedhisguilt，andsaidhehadbeenhardlydealtby。Itwashissecondoffence。
　　Hestoppedhisworkwhenwewentin，tookoffhisspectacles，andansweredfreelytoeverythingthatwassaidtohim，butalwayswithastrangekindofpausefirst，andinalow，thoughtfulvoice。Heworeapaperhatofhisownmaking，andwaspleasedtohaveitnoticedandcommanded。HehadveryingeniouslymanufacturedasortofDutchclockfromsomedisregardedoddsandends；andhisvinegar-bottleservedforthependulum。Seeingmeinterestedinthiscontrivance，helookedupatitwithagreatdealofpride，andsaidthathehadbeenthinkingofimprovingit，andthathehopedthehammerandalittlepieceofbrokenglassbesideit'wouldplaymusicbeforelong。'Hehadextractedsomecoloursfromtheyarnwithwhichheworked，andpaintedafewpoorfiguresonthewall。One，ofafemale，overthedoor，hecalled'TheLadyoftheLake。'
　　HesmiledasIlookedatthesecontrivancestowhileawaythetime；
　　butwhenIlookedfromthemtohim，Isawthathisliptrembled，andcouldhavecountedthebeatingofhisheart。Iforgethowitcameabout，butsomeallusionwasmadetohishavingawife。Heshookhisheadattheword，turnedaside，andcoveredhisfacewithhishands。
　　'Butyouareresignednow!'saidoneofthegentlemenafterashortpause，duringwhichhehadresumedhisformermanner。Heansweredwithasighthatseemedquiterecklessinitshopelessness，'Ohyes，ohyes!Iamresignedtoit。''Andareabetterman，youthink？''Well，Ihopeso:I'msureIhopeImaybe。''Andtimegoesprettyquickly？''Timeisverylonggentlemen，withinthesefourwalls!'
　　Hegazedabouthim-Heavenonlyknowshowwearily!-ashesaidthesewords；andintheactofdoingso，fellintoastrangestareasifhehadforgottensomething。Amomentafterwardshesighedheavily，putonhisspectacles，andwentabouthisworkagain。
　　Inanothercell，therewasaGerman，sentencedtofiveyears'
　　imprisonmentforlarceny，twoofwhichhadjustexpired。Withcoloursprocuredinthesamemanner，hehadpaintedeveryinchofthewallsandceilingquitebeautifully。Hehadlaidoutthefewfeetofground，behind，withexquisiteneatness，andhadmadealittlebedinthecentre，thatlooked，by-the-bye，likeagrave。
　　Thetasteandingenuityhehaddisplayedineverythingweremostextraordinary；andyetamoredejected，heart-broken，wretchedcreature，itwouldbedifficulttoimagine。Ineversawsuchapictureofforlornafflictionanddistressofmind。Myheartbledforhim；andwhenthetearsrandownhischeeks，andhetookoneofthevisitorsaside，toask，withhistremblinghandsnervouslyclutchingathiscoattodetainhim，whethertherewasnohopeofhisdismalsentencebeingcommuted，thespectaclewasreallytoopainfultowitness。Ineversaworheardofanykindofmiserythatimpressedmemorethanthewretchednessofthisman。
　　Inathirdcell，wasatall，strongblack，aburglar，workingathispropertradeofmakingscrewsandthelike。Histimewasnearlyout。Hewasnotonlyaverydexterousthief，butwasnotoriousforhisboldnessandhardihood，andforthenumberofhispreviousconvictions。Heentertaineduswithalongaccountofhisachievements，whichhenarratedwithsuchinfiniterelish，thatheactuallyseemedtolickhislipsashetoldusracyanecdotesofstolenplate，andofoldladieswhomhehadwatchedastheysatatwindowsinsilverspectacleshehadplainlyhadaneyetotheirmetalevenfromtheothersideofthestreetandhadafterwardsrobbed。Thisfellow，upontheslightestencouragement，wouldhavemingledwithhisprofessionalrecollectionsthemostdetestablecant；butIamverymuchmistakenifhecouldhavesurpassedtheunmitigatedhypocrisywithwhichhedeclaredthatheblessedthedayonwhichhecameintothatprison，andthatheneverwouldcommitanotherrobberyaslongashelived。
　　Therewasonemanwhowasallowed，asanindulgence，tokeeprabbits。Hisroomhavingratheraclosesmellinconsequence，theycalledtohimatthedoortocomeoutintothepassage。Hecompliedofcourse，andstoodshadinghishaggardfaceintheunwontedsunlightofthegreatwindow，lookingaswanandunearthlyasifhehadbeensummonedfromthegrave。Hehadawhiterabbitinhisbreast；andwhenthelittlecreature，gettingdownupontheground，stolebackintothecell，andhe，beingdismissed，crepttimidlyafterit，Ithoughtitwouldhavebeenveryhardtosayinwhatrespectthemanwasthenobleranimalofthetwo。
　　TherewasanEnglishthief，whohadbeentherebutafewdaysoutofsevenyears:avillainous，low-browed，thin-lippedfellow，withawhiteface；whohadasyetnorelishforvisitors，andwho，butfortheadditionalpenalty，wouldhavegladlystabbedmewithhisshoemaker'sknife。TherewasanotherGermanwhohadenteredthejailbutyesterday，andwhostartedfromhisbedwhenwelookedin，andpleaded，inhisbrokenEnglish，veryhardforwork。Therewasapoet，whoafterdoingtwodays'workineveryfour-and-twentyhours，oneforhimselfandonefortheprison，wroteversesaboutshipshewasbytradeamariner，and'themaddeningwine-cup，'
　　andhisfriendsathome。Therewereverymanyofthem。Somereddenedatthesightofvisitors，andsometurnedverypale。Sometwoorthreehadprisonernurseswiththem，fortheywereverysick；andone，afatoldnegrowhoseleghadbeentakenoffwithinthejail，hadforhisattendantaclassicalscholarandanaccomplishedsurgeon，himselfaprisonerlikewise。Sittinguponthestairs，engagedinsomeslightwork，wasaprettycolouredboy。
　　'IstherenorefugeforyoungcriminalsinPhiladelphia，then？'
　　saidI。'Yes，butonlyforwhitechildren。'NoblearistocracyincrimeTherewasasailorwhohadbeenthereupwardsofelevenyears，andwhoinafewmonths'timewouldbefree。Elevenyearsofsolitaryconfinement!
　　'Iamverygladtohearyourtimeisnearlyout。'Whatdoeshesay？Nothing。Whydoeshestareathishands，andpickthefleshuponhisfingers，andraisehiseyesforaninstant，everynowandthen，tothosebarewallswhichhaveseenhisheadturngrey？Itisawayhehassometimes。
　　Doesheneverlookmenintheface，anddoeshealwayspluckatthosehandsofhis，asthoughhewerebentonpartingskinandbone？Itishishumour:nothingmore。
　　Itishishumourtoo，tosaythathedoesnotlookforwardtogoingout；thatheisnotgladthetimeisdrawingnear；thathedidlookforwardtoitonce，butthatwasverylongago；thathehaslostallcareforeverything。Itishishumourtobeahelpless，crushed，andbrokenman。And，Heavenbehiswitnessthathehashishumourthoroughlygratified!
　　Therewerethreeyoungwomeninadjoiningcells，allconvictedatthesametimeofaconspiracytorobtheirprosecutor。Inthesilenceandsolitudeoftheirlivestheyhadgrowntobequitebeautiful。Theirlookswereverysad，andmighthavemovedthesternestvisitortotears，butnottothatkindofsorrowwhichthecontemplationofthemenawakens。Onewasayounggirl；nottwenty，asIrecollect；whosesnow-whiteroomwashungwiththeworkofsomeformerprisoner，anduponwhosedowncastfacethesuninallitssplendourshonedownthroughthehighchinkinthewall，whereonenarrowstripofbrightblueskywasvisible。Shewasverypenitentandquiet；hadcometoberesigned，shesaidandI
　　believeher；andhadamindatpeace。'Inaword，youarehappyhere？'saidoneofmycompanions。Shestruggled-shedidstruggleveryhard-toanswer，Yes；butraisinghereyes，andmeetingthatglimpseoffreedomoverhead，sheburstintotears，andsaid，'Shetriedtobe；sheutterednocomplaint；butitwasnaturalthatsheshouldsometimeslongtogooutofthatonecell:shecouldnothelpTHAT，'shesobbed，poorthing!
　　Iwentfromcelltocellthatday；andeveryfaceIsaw，orwordI
　　heard，orincidentInoted，ispresenttomymindinallitspainfulness。Butletmepassthemby，forone，morepleasant，glanceofaprisononthesameplanwhichIafterwardssawatPittsburg。
　　WhenIhadgoneoverthat，inthesamemanner，Iaskedthegovernorifhehadanypersoninhischargewhowasshortlygoingout。Hehadone，hesaid，whosetimewasupnextday；buthehadonlybeenaprisonertwoyears。
　　Twoyears!Ilookedbackthroughtwoyearsofmyownlife-outofjail，prosperous，happy，surroundedbyblessings，comforts，goodfortune-andthoughthowwideagapitwas，andhowlongthosetwoyearspassedinsolitarycaptivitywouldhavebeen。Ihavethefaceofthisman，whowasgoingtobereleasednextday，beforemenow。Itisalmostmorememorableinitshappinessthantheotherfacesintheirmisery。Howeasyandhownaturalitwasforhimtosaythatthesystemwasagoodone；andthatthetimewent'prettyquick-considering；'andthatwhenamanoncefeltthathehadoffendedthelaw，andmustsatisfyit，'hegotalong，somehow:'andsoforth!
　　'Whatdidhecallyoubacktosaytoyou，inthatstrangeflutter？'
　　Iaskedofmyconductor，whenhehadlockedthedoorandjoinedmeinthepassage。
　　'Oh!Thathewasafraidthesolesofhisbootswerenotfitforwalking，astheywereagooddealwornwhenhecamein；andthathewouldthankmeverymuchtohavethemmended，ready。'
　　Thosebootshadbeentakenoffhisfeet，andputawaywiththerestofhisclothes，twoyearsbefore!
　　Itookthatopportunityofinquiringhowtheyconductedthemselvesimmediatelybeforegoingout；addingthatIpresumedtheytrembledverymuch。
　　'Well，it'snotsomuchatrembling，'wastheanswer-'thoughtheydoquiver-asacompletederangementofthenervoussystem。Theycan'tsigntheirnamestothebook；sometimescan'tevenholdthepen；lookabout'emwithoutappearingtoknowwhy，orwheretheyare；andsometimesgetupandsitdownagain，twentytimesinaminute。Thisiswhenthey'reintheoffice，wheretheyaretakenwiththehoodon，astheywerebroughtin。Whentheygetoutsidethegate，theystop，andlookfirstonewayandthentheother；notknowingwhichtotake。Sometimestheystaggerasiftheyweredrunk，andsometimesareforcedtoleanagainstthefence，they'resobad:-buttheyclearoffincourseoftime。'
　　AsIwalkedamongthesesolitarycells，andlookedatthefacesofthemenwithinthem，Itriedtopicturetomyselfthethoughtsandfeelingsnaturaltotheircondition。Iimaginedthehoodjusttakenoff，andthesceneoftheircaptivitydisclosedtotheminallitsdismalmonotony。
　　Atfirst，themanisstunned。Hisconfinementisahideousvision；
　　andhisoldlifeareality。Hethrowshimselfuponhisbed，andliesthereabandonedtodespair。Bydegreestheinsupportablesolitudeandbarrennessoftheplacerouseshimfromthisstupor，andwhenthetrapinhisgrateddoorisopened，hehumblybegsandpraysforwork。'Givemesomeworktodo，orIshallgoravingmad!'
　　Hehasit；andbyfitsandstartsapplieshimselftolabour；buteverynowandthentherecomesuponhimaburningsenseoftheyearsthatmustbewastedinthatstonecoffin，andanagonysopiercingintherecollectionofthosewhoarehiddenfromhisviewandknowledge，thathestartsfromhisseat，andstridingupanddownthenarrowroomwithbothhandsclaspedonhisupliftedhead，hearsspiritstemptinghimtobeathisbrainsoutonthewall。
　　Againhefallsuponhisbed，andliesthere，moaning。Suddenlyhestartsup，wonderingwhetheranyothermanisnear；whetherthereisanothercelllikethatoneithersideofhim:andlistenskeenly。
　　Thereisnosound，butotherprisonersmaybenearforallthat。
　　Herememberstohaveheardonce，whenhelittlethoughtofcomingherehimself，thatthecellsweresoconstructedthattheprisonerscouldnotheareachother，thoughtheofficerscouldhearthem。
　　Whereisthenearestman-upontheright，orontheleft？oristhereoneinbothdirections？Whereishesittingnow-withhisfacetothelight？orishewalkingtoandfro？Howishedressed？
　　Hashebeenherelong？Ishemuchwornaway？Isheverywhiteandspectre-like？DoesHEthinkofhisneighbourtoo？
　　Scarcelyventuringtobreathe，andlisteningwhilehethinks，heconjuresupafigurewithhisbacktowardshim，andimaginesitmovingaboutinthisnextcell。Hehasnoideaoftheface，butheiscertainofthedarkformofastoopingman。Inthecellupontheotherside，heputsanotherfigure，whosefaceishiddenfromhimalso。Dayafterday，andoftenwhenhewakesupinthemiddleofthenight，hethinksofthesetwomenuntilheisalmostdistracted。Heneverchangesthem。Theretheyarealwaysashefirstimaginedthem-anoldmanontheright；ayoungermanupontheleft-whosehiddenfeaturestorturehimtodeath，andhaveamysterythatmakeshimtremble。
　　Thewearydayspassonwithsolemnpace，likemournersatafuneral；andslowlyhebeginstofeelthatthewhitewallsofthecellhavesomethingdreadfulinthem:thattheircolourishorrible:thattheirsmoothsurfacechillshisblood:thatthereisonehatefulcornerwhichtormentshim。Everymorningwhenhewakes，hehideshisheadbeneaththecoverlet，andshudderstoseetheghastlyceilinglookingdownuponhim。Theblessedlightofdayitselfpeepsin，anuglyphantomface，throughtheunchangeablecrevicewhichishisprisonwindow。
　　Byslowbutsuredegrees，theterrorsofthathatefulcornerswelluntiltheybesethimatalltimes；invadehisrest，makehisdreamshideous，andhisnightsdreadful。Atfirst，hetookastrangedisliketoit；feelingasthoughitgavebirthinhisbraintosomethingofcorrespondingshape，whichoughtnottobethere，andrackedhisheadwithpains。Thenhebegantofearit，thentodreamofit，andofmenwhisperingitsnameandpointingtoit。
　　Thenhecouldnotbeartolookatit，noryettoturnhisbackuponit。Now，itiseverynightthelurking-placeofaghost:ashadow:-asilentsomething，horribletosee，butwhetherbird，orbeast，ormuffledhumanshape，hecannottell。
　　Whenheisinhiscellbyday，hefearsthelittleyardwithout。
　　Whenheisintheyard，hedreadstore-enterthecell。Whennightcomes，therestandsthephantominthecorner。Ifhehavethecouragetostandinitsplace，anddriveitouthehadonce:
　　beingdesperate，itbroodsuponhisbed。Inthetwilight，andalwaysatthesamehour，avoicecallstohimbyname；asthedarknessthickens，hisLoombeginstolive；andeventhat，hiscomfort，isahideousfigure，watchinghimtilldaybreak。
　　Again，byslowdegrees，thesehorriblefanciesdepartfromhimonebyone:returningsometimes，unexpectedly，butatlongerintervals，andinlessalarmingshapes。Hehastalkeduponreligiousmatterswiththegentlemanwhovisitshim，andhasreadhisBible，andhaswrittenaprayeruponhisslate，andhungitupasakindofprotection，andanassuranceofHeavenlycompanionship。Hedreamsnow，sometimes，ofhischildrenorhiswife，butissurethattheyaredead，orhavedesertedhim。Heiseasilymovedtotears；isgentle，submissive，andbroken-spirited。
　　Occasionally，theoldagonycomesback:averylittlethingwillreviveit；evenafamiliarsound，orthescentofsummerflowersintheair；butitdoesnotlastlong，now:fortheworldwithout，hascometobethevision，andthissolitarylife，thesadreality。
　　Ifhistermofimprisonmentbeshort-Imeancomparatively，forshortitcannotbe-thelasthalfyearisalmostworsethanall；
　　forthenhethinkstheprisonwilltakefireandhebeburntintheruins，orthatheisdoomedtodiewithinthewalls，orthathewillbedetainedonsomefalsechargeandsentencedforanotherterm:orthatsomething，nomatterwhat，musthappentopreventhisgoingatlarge。Andthisisnatural，andimpossibletobereasonedagainst，because，afterhislongseparationfromhumanlife，andhisgreatsuffering，anyeventwillappeartohimmoreprobableinthecontemplation，thanthebeingrestoredtolibertyandhisfellow-creatures。
　　Ifhisperiodofconfinementhavebeenverylong，theprospectofreleasebewildersandconfuseshim。Hisbrokenheartmayflutterforamoment，whenhethinksoftheworldoutside，andwhatitmighthavebeentohiminallthoselonelyyears，butthatisall。
　　Thecell-doorhasbeenclosedtoolongonallitshopesandcares。
　　Bettertohavehangedhiminthebeginningthanbringhimtothispass，andsendhimforthtominglewithhiskind，whoarehiskindnomore。
　　Onthehaggardfaceofeverymanamongtheseprisoners，thesameexpressionsat。Iknownotwhattolikenitto。Ithadsomethingofthatstrainedattentionwhichweseeuponthefacesoftheblindanddeaf，mingledwithakindofhorror，asthoughtheyhadallbeensecretlyterrified。IneverylittlechamberthatIentered，andateverygratethroughwhichIlooked，Iseemedtoseethesameappallingcountenance。Itlivesinmymemory，withthefascinationofaremarkablepicture。Paradebeforemyeyes，ahundredmen，withoneamongthemnewlyreleasedfromthissolitarysuffering，andIwouldpointhimout。
　　Thefacesofthewomen，asIhavesaid，ithumanisesandrefines。
　　Whetherthisbebecauseoftheirbetternature，whichiselicitedinsolitude，orbecauseoftheirbeinggentlercreatures，ofgreaterpatienceandlongersuffering，Idonotknow；butsoitis。
　　Thatthepunishmentisnevertheless，tomythinking，fullyascruelandaswrongintheircase，asinthatofthemen，Ineedscarcelyadd。
　　Myfirmconvictionisthat，independentofthementalanguishitoccasions-ananguishsoacuteandsotremendous，thatallimaginationofitmustfallfarshortofthereality-itwearsthemindintoamorbidstate，whichrendersitunfitfortheroughcontactandbusyactionoftheworld。Itismyfixedopinionthatthosewhohaveundergonethispunishment，MUSTpassintosocietyagainmorallyunhealthyanddiseased。Therearemanyinstancesonrecord，ofmenwhohavechosen，orhavebeencondemned，tolivesofperfectsolitude，butIscarcelyrememberone，evenamongsagesofstrongandvigorousintellect，whereitseffecthasnotbecomeapparent，insomedisorderedtrainofthought，orsomegloomyhallucination。Whatmonstrousphantoms，bredofdespondencyanddoubt，andbornandrearedinsolitude，havestalkedupontheearth，makingcreationugly，anddarkeningthefaceofHeaven!
　　Suicidesarerareamongtheseprisoners:arealmost，indeed，unknown。Butnoargumentinfavourofthesystem，canreasonablybededucedfromthiscircumstance，althoughitisveryoftenurged。
　　Allmenwhohavemadediseasesofthemindtheirstudy，knowperfectlywellthatsuchextremedepressionanddespairaswillchangethewholecharacter，andbeatdownallitspowersofelasticityandself-resistance，maybeatworkwithinaman，andyetstopshortofself-destruction。Thisisacommoncase。
　　Thatitmakesthesensesdull，andbydegreesimpairsthebodilyfaculties，Iamquitesure。IremarkedtothosewhowerewithmeinthisveryestablishmentatPhiladelphia，thatthecriminalswhohadbeentherelong，weredeaf。They，whowereinthehabitofseeingthesemenconstantly，wereperfectlyamazedattheidea，whichtheyregardedasgroundlessandfanciful。Andyettheveryfirstprisonertowhomtheyappealed-oneoftheirownselectionconfirmedmyimpressionwhichwasunknowntohiminstantly，andsaid，withagenuineairitwasimpossibletodoubt，thathecouldn'tthinkhowithappened，butheWASgrowingverydullofhearing。
　　Thatitisasingularlyunequalpunishment，andaffectstheworstmanleast，thereisnodoubt。Initssuperiorefficiencyasameansofreformation，comparedwiththatothercodeofregulationswhichallowstheprisonerstoworkincompanywithoutcommunicatingtogether，Ihavenotthesmallestfaith。Alltheinstancesofreformationthatwerementionedtome，wereofakindthatmighthavebeen-andIhavenodoubtwhatever，inmyownmind，wouldhavebeen-equallywellbroughtaboutbytheSilentSystem。WithregardtosuchmenasthenegroburglarandtheEnglishthief，eventhemostenthusiastichavescarcelyanyhopeoftheirconversion。
　　Itseemstomethattheobjectionthatnothingwholesomeorgoodhaseverhaditsgrowthinsuchunnaturalsolitude，andthatevenadogoranyofthemoreintelligentamongbeasts，wouldpine，andmope，andrustaway，beneathitsinfluence，wouldbeinitselfasufficientargumentagainstthissystem。Butwhenwerecollect，inaddition，howverycruelandsevereitis，andthatasolitarylifeisalwaysliabletopeculiaranddistinctobjectionsofamostdeplorablenature，whichhavearisenhere，andcalltomind，moreover，thatthechoiceisnotbetweenthissystem，andabadorill-consideredone，butbetweenitandanotherwhichhasworkedwell，andis，initswholedesignandpractice，excellent；thereissurelymorethansufficientreasonforabandoningamodeofpunishmentattendedbysolittlehopeorpromise，andfraught，beyonddispute，withsuchahostofevils。
　　Asarelieftoitscontemplation，Iwillclosethischapterwithacuriousstoryarisingoutofthesametheme，whichwasrelatedtome，ontheoccasionofthisvisit，bysomeofthegentlemenconcerned。
　　Atoneoftheperiodicalmeetingsoftheinspectorsofthisprison，aworkingmanofPhiladelphiapresentedhimselfbeforetheBoard，andearnestlyrequestedtobeplacedinsolitaryconfinement。Onbeingaskedwhatmotivecouldpossiblyprompthimtomakethisstrangedemand，heansweredthathehadanirresistiblepropensitytogetdrunk；thathewasconstantlyindulgingit，tohisgreatmiseryandruin；thathehadnopowerofresistance；thathewishedtobeputbeyondthereachoftemptation；andthathecouldthinkofnobetterwaythanthis。Itwaspointedouttohim，inreply，thattheprisonwasforcriminalswhohadbeentriedandsentencedbythelaw，andcouldnotbemadeavailableforanysuchfancifulpurposes；hewasexhortedtoabstainfromintoxicatingdrinks，ashesurelymightifhewould；andreceivedotherverygoodadvice，withwhichheretired，exceedinglydissatisfiedwiththeresultofhisapplication。
　　Hecameagain，andagain，andagain，andwassoveryearnestandimportunate，thatatlasttheytookcounseltogether，andsaid，'Hewillcertainlyqualifyhimselfforadmission，ifwerejecthimanymore。Letusshuthimup。Hewillsoonbegladtogoaway，andthenweshallgetridofhim。'Sotheymadehimsignastatementwhichwouldpreventhiseversustaininganactionforfalseimprisonment，totheeffectthathisincarcerationwasvoluntary，andofhisownseeking；theyrequestedhimtotakenoticethattheofficerinattendancehadorderstoreleasehimatanyhourofthedayornight，whenhemightknockuponhisdoorforthatpurpose；
　　butdesiredhimtounderstand，thatoncegoingout，hewouldnotbeadmittedanymore。Theseconditionsagreedupon，andhestillremaininginthesamemind，hewasconductedtotheprison，andshutupinoneofthecells。
　　Inthiscell，theman，whohadnotthefirmnesstoleaveaglassofliquorstandinguntastedonatablebeforehim-inthiscell，insolitaryconfinement，andworkingeverydayathistradeofshoemaking，thismanremainednearlytwoyears。Hishealthbeginningtofailattheexpirationofthattime，thesurgeonrecommendedthatheshouldworkoccasionallyinthegarden；andashelikedthenotionverymuch，hewentaboutthisnewoccupationwithgreatcheerfulness。
　　Hewasdigginghere，onesummerday，veryindustriously，whenthewicketintheoutergatechancedtobeleftopen:showing，beyond，thewell-remembereddustyroadandsunburntfields。Thewaywasasfreetohimastoanymanliving，buthenosoonerraisedhisheadandcaughtsightofit，allshininginthelight，than，withtheinvoluntaryinstinctofaprisoner，hecastawayhisspade，scamperedoffasfastashislegswouldcarryhim，andneveroncelookedback。
　　CHAPTERVIII-WASHINGTON。THELEGISLATURE。ANDTHEPRESIDENT'S
　　HOUSE
　　WEleftPhiladelphiabysteamboat，atsixo'clockoneverycoldmorning，andturnedourfacestowardsWashington。
　　Inthecourseofthisday'sjourney，asonsubsequentoccasions，weencounteredsomeEnglishmensmallfarmers，perhaps，orcountrypublicansathomewhoweresettledinAmerica，andweretravellingontheirownaffairs。OfallgradesandkindsofmenthatjostleoneinthepublicconveyancesoftheStates，theseareoftenthemostintolerableandthemostinsufferablecompanions。UnitedtoeverydisagreeablecharacteristicthattheworstkindofAmericantravellerspossess，thesecountrymenofoursdisplayanamountofinsolentconceitandcoolassumptionofsuperiority，quitemonstroustobehold。Inthecoarsefamiliarityoftheirapproach，andtheeffronteryoftheirinquisitivenesswhichtheyareingreathastetoassert，asiftheypantedtorevengethemselvesuponthedecentoldrestraintsofhome，theysurpassanynativespecimensthatcamewithinmyrangeofobservation:andIoftengrewsopatrioticwhenIsawandheardthem，thatIwouldcheerfullyhavesubmittedtoareasonablefine，ifIcouldhavegivenanyothercountryinthewholeworld，thehonourofclaimingthemforitschildren。
　　AsWashingtonmaybecalledthehead-quartersoftobacco-tincturedsaliva，thetimeiscomewhenImustconfess，withoutanydisguise，thattheprevalenceofthosetwoodiouspracticesofchewingandexpectoratingbeganaboutthistimetobeanythingbutagreeable，andsoonbecamemostoffensiveandsickening。InallthepublicplacesofAmerica，thisfilthycustomisrecognised。Inthecourtsoflaw，thejudgehashisspittoon，thecrierhis，thewitnesshis，andtheprisonerhis；whilethejurymenandspectatorsareprovidedfor，assomanymenwhointhecourseofnaturemustdesiretospitincessantly。Inthehospitals，thestudentsofmedicinearerequested，bynoticesuponthewall，toejecttheirtobaccojuiceintotheboxesprovidedforthatpurpose，andnottodiscolourthestairs。Inpublicbuildings，visitorsareimplored，throughthesameagency，tosquirttheessenceoftheirquids，or'plugs，'asI
　　haveheardthemcalledbygentlemenlearnedinthiskindofsweetmeat，intothenationalspittoons，andnotaboutthebasesofthemarblecolumns。Butinsomeparts，thiscustomisinseparablymixedupwitheverymealandmorningcall，andwithallthetransactionsofsociallife。Thestranger，whofollowsinthetrackItookmyself，willfinditinitsfullbloomandglory，luxuriantinallitsalarmingrecklessness，atWashington。AndlethimnotpersuadehimselfasIoncedid，tomyshamethatprevioustouristshaveexaggerateditsextent。Thethingitselfisanexaggerationofnastiness，whichcannotbeoutdone。
　　Onboardthissteamboat，thereweretwoyounggentlemen，withshirt-collarsreversedasusual，andarmedwithverybigwalking-
　　sticks；whoplantedtwoseatsinthemiddleofthedeck，atadistanceofsomefourpacesapart；tookouttheirtobacco-boxes；
　　andsatdownoppositeeachother，tochew。Inlessthanaquarterofanhour'stime，thesehopefulyouthshadshedaboutthemonthecleanboards，acopiousshowerofyellowrain；clearing，bythatmeans，akindofmagiccircle，withinwhoselimitsnointrudersdaredtocome，andwhichtheyneverfailedtorefreshandre-
　　refreshbeforeaspotwasdry。Thisbeingbeforebreakfast，ratherdisposedme，Iconfess，tonausea；butlookingattentivelyatoneoftheexpectorators，Iplainlysawthathewasyounginchewing，andfeltinwardlyuneasy，himself。Aglowofdelightcameovermeatthisdiscovery；andasImarkedhisfaceturnpalerandpaler，andsawtheballoftobaccoinhisleftcheek，quiverwithhissuppressedagony，whileyethespat，andchewed，andspatagain，inemulationofhisolderfriend，Icouldhavefallenonhisneckandimploredhimtogoonforhours。
　　Weallsatdowntoacomfortablebreakfastinthecabinbelow，wheretherewasnomorehurryorconfusionthanatsuchamealinEngland，andwheretherewascertainlygreaterpolitenessexhibitedthanatmostofourstage-coachbanquets。Ataboutnineo'clockwearrivedattherailroadstation，andwentonbythecars。Atnoonweturnedoutagain，tocrossawideriverinanothersteamboat；
　　landedatacontinuationoftherailroadontheoppositeshore；andwentonbyothercars；inwhich，inthecourseofthenexthourorso，wecrossedbywoodenbridges，eachamileinlength，twocreeks，calledrespectivelyGreatandLittleGunpowder。Thewaterinbothwasblackenedwithflightsofcanvas-backedducks，whicharemostdeliciouseating，andaboundhereaboutsatthatseasonoftheyear。
　　Thesebridgesareofwood，havenoparapet，andareonlyjustwideenoughforthepassageofthetrains；which，intheeventofthesmallestaccident，woundinevitablybeplungedintotheriver。
　　Theyarestartlingcontrivances，andaremostagreeablewhenpassed。
　　WestoppedtodineatBaltimore，andbeingnowinMaryland，werewaitedon，forthefirsttime，byslaves。Thesensationofexactinganyservicefromhumancreatureswhoareboughtandsold，andbeing，forthetime，apartyasitweretotheircondition，isnotanenviableone。Theinstitutionexists，perhaps，initsleastrepulsiveandmostmitigatedforminsuchatownasthis；butitIS
　　slavery；andthoughIwas，withrespecttoit，aninnocentman，itspresencefilledmewithasenseofshameandself-reproach。
　　Afterdinner，wewentdowntotherailroadagain，andtookourseatsinthecarsforWashington。Beingratherearly，thosemenandboyswhohappenedtohavenothingparticulartodo，andwerecuriousinforeigners，cameaccordingtocustomroundthecarriageinwhichIsat；letdownallthewindows；thrustintheirheadsandshoulders；hookedthemselvesonconveniently，bytheirelbows；andfelltocomparingnotesonthesubjectofmypersonalappearance，withasmuchindifferenceasifIwereastuffedfigure。Inevergainedsomuchuncompromisinginformationwithreferencetomyownnoseandeyes，andvariousimpressionswroughtbymymouthandchinondifferentminds，andhowmyheadlookswhenitisviewedfrombehind，asontheseoccasions。Somegentlemenwereonlysatisfiedbyexercisingtheirsenseoftouch；andtheboyswhoaresurprisinglyprecociousinAmericawereseldomsatisfied，evenbythat，butwouldreturntothechargeoverandoveragain。Manyabuddingpresidenthaswalkedintomyroomwithhiscaponhisheadandhishandsinhispockets，andstaredatmefortwowholehours:occasionallyrefreshinghimselfwithatweakofhisnose，oradraughtfromthewater-jug；orbywalkingtothewindowsandinvitingotherboysinthestreetbelow，tocomeupanddolikewise:crying，'Hereheis!''Comeon!''Bringallyourbrothers!'withotherhospitableentreatiesofthatnature。
　　WereachedWashingtonatabouthalf-pastsixthatevening，andhaduponthewayabeautifulviewoftheCapitol，whichisafinebuildingoftheCorinthianorder，placeduponanobleandcommandingeminence。Arrivedatthehotel；Isawnomoreoftheplacethatnight；beingverytired，andgladtogettobed。
　　Breakfastovernextmorning，Iwalkaboutthestreetsforanhourortwo，and，cominghome，throwupthewindowinthefrontandback，andlookout。HereisWashington，freshinmymindandundermyeye。
　　TaketheworstpartsoftheCityRoadandPentonville，orthestragglingoutskirtsofParis，wherethehousesaresmallest，preservingalltheiroddities，butespeciallythesmallshopsanddwellings，occupiedinPentonvillebutnotinWashingtonbyfurniture-brokers，keepersofpooreating-houses，andfanciersofbirds。Burnthewholedown；builditupagaininwoodandplaster；
　　widenitalittle；throwinpartofSt。John'sWood；putgreenblindsoutsidealltheprivatehouses，witharedcurtainandawhiteoneineverywindow；ploughupalltheroads；plantagreatdealofcoarseturfineveryplacewhereitoughtNOTtobe；erectthreehandsomebuildingsinstoneandmarble，anywhere，butthemoreentirelyoutofeverybody'swaythebetter；callonethePostOffice；onethePatentOffice，andonetheTreasury；makeitscorchinghotinthemorning，andfreezingcoldintheafternoon，withanoccasionaltornadoofwindanddust；leaveabrick-fieldwithoutthebricks，inallcentralplaceswhereastreetmaynaturallybeexpected:andthat'sWashington。
　　Thehotelinwhichwelive，isalongrowofsmallhousesfrontingonthestreet，andopeningatthebackuponacommonyard，inwhichhangsagreattriangle。Wheneveraservantiswanted，somebodybeatsonthistrianglefromonestrokeuptoseven，accordingtothenumberofthehouseinwhichhispresenceisrequired；andasalltheservantsarealwaysbeingwanted，andnoneofthemevercome，thisenliveningengineisinfullperformancethewholedaythrough。Clothesaredryinginthesameyard；femaleslaves，withcottonhandkerchiefstwistedroundtheirheadsarerunningtoandfroonthehotelbusiness；blackwaiterscrossandrecrosswithdishesintheirhands；twogreatdogsareplayinguponamoundofloosebricksinthecentreofthelittlesquare；apigisturninguphisstomachtothesun，andgrunting'that'scomfortable!'；andneitherthemen，northewomen，northedogs，northepig，noranycreatedcreature，takesthesmallestnoticeofthetriangle，whichistinglingmadlyallthetime。
　　Iwalktothefrontwindow，andlookacrosstheroaduponalong，stragglingrowofhouses，onestoryhigh，terminating，nearlyopposite，butalittletotheleft，inamelancholypieceofwastegroundwithfrowzygrass，whichlookslikeasmallpieceofcountrythathastakentodrinking，andhasquitelostitself。Standinganyhowandallwrong，uponthisopenspace，likesomethingmeteoricthathasfallendownfromthemoon，isanodd，lop-sided，one-eyedkindofwoodenbuilding，thatlookslikeachurch，withaflag-
　　staffaslongasitselfstickingoutofasteeplesomethinglargerthanatea-chest。Underthewindowisasmallstandofcoaches，whoseslave-driversaresunningthemselvesonthestepsofourdoor，andtalkingidlytogether。Thethreemostobtrusivehousesnearathandarethethreemeanest。Onone-ashop，whichneverhasanythinginthewindow，andneverhasthedooropen-ispaintedinlargecharacters，'THECITYLUNCH。'Atanother，whichlookslikeabackwaytosomewhereelse，butisanindependentbuildinginitself，oystersareprocurableineverystyle。Atthethird，whichisavery，verylittletailor'sshop，pantsarefixedtoorder；orinotherwords，pantaloonsaremadetomeasure。AndthatisourstreetinWashington。
　　ItissometimescalledtheCityofMagnificentDistances，butitmightwithgreaterproprietybetermedtheCityofMagnificentIntentions；foritisonlyontakingabird's-eyeviewofitfromthetopoftheCapitol，thatonecanatallcomprehendthevastdesignsofitsprojector，anaspiringFrenchman。Spaciousavenues，thatbegininnothing，andleadnowhere；streets，mile-long，thatonlywanthouses，roadsandinhabitants；publicbuildingsthatneedbutapublictobecomplete；andornamentsofgreatthoroughfares，whichonlylackgreatthoroughfarestoornament-areitsleadingfeatures。Onemightfancytheseasonover，andmostofthehousesgoneoutoftownforeverwiththeirmasters。TotheadmirersofcitiesitisaBarmecideFeast:apleasantfieldfortheimaginationtorovein；amonumentraisedtoadeceasedproject，withnotevenalegibleinscriptiontorecorditsdepartedgreatness。
　　Suchasitis，itislikelytoremain。ItwasoriginallychosenfortheseatofGovernment，asameansofavertingtheconflictingjealousiesandinterestsofthedifferentStates；andveryprobably，too，asbeingremotefrommobs:aconsiderationnottobeslighted，eveninAmerica。Ithasnotradeorcommerceofitsown:havinglittleornopopulationbeyondthePresidentandhisestablishment；themembersofthelegislaturewhoresidethereduringthesession；theGovernmentclerksandofficersemployedinthevariousdepartments；thekeepersofthehotelsandboarding-
　　houses；andthetradesmenwhosupplytheirtables。Itisveryunhealthy。FewpeoplewouldliveinWashington，Itakeit，whowerenotobligedtoresidethere；andthetidesofemigrationandspeculation，thoserapidandregardlesscurrents，arelittlelikelytoflowatanytimetowardssuchdullandsluggishwater。
　　TheprincipalfeaturesoftheCapitol，are，ofcourse，thetwohousesofAssembly。Butthereis，besides，inthecentreofthebuilding，afinerotunda，ninety-sixfeetindiameter，andninety-
　　sixhigh，whosecircularwallisdividedintocompartments，ornamentedbyhistoricalpictures。Fourofthesehavefortheirsubjectsprominenteventsintherevolutionarystruggle。TheywerepaintedbyColonelTrumbull，himselfamemberofWashington'sstaffatthetimeoftheiroccurrence；fromwhichcircumstancetheyderiveapeculiarinterestoftheirown。InthissamehallMr。
　　Greenough'slargestatueofWashingtonhasbeenlatelyplaced。Ithasgreatmeritsofcourse，butitstruckmeasbeingratherstrainedandviolentforitssubject。Icouldwish，however，tohaveseenitinabetterlightthanitcaneverbeviewedin，whereitstands。