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。