The inspectors of the new Penitentiary in Rhode Island, where this system was introduced about four years since, say, in their report to the legislature, in October, 1841, that

"The experiment of solitary confinement has not, since the Prison has been in operation, proved perfectly satisfactory. They fear the effect is to injure strong minds, and to produce imbecility or insanity in those that are weak. They recommend your honorable body to consider if you ought not to direct the erection of work-shops, in which the convicts may be compelled to labor under constant supervision."

This report is signed by seven inspectors - Thomas M. Burgess, Roger M. Potter, Barzillai Cranston, George Rice, Martin Stoddard, Christ. Rhodes, Amherst Everett.

The physician of the same Prison, in his report to the legislature, which is printed in the same Legislative Document,

says,

"No. 6 and 22 are laboring under mental derangement, and it is feared No. 24 will be a case of the same character."

This document is signed by Richmond Brownell, and published on the 31st page of Legislative Document, for October, 1841.

The physician of the new Penitentiary in New Jersey, which is built on the Pennsylvania plan, says, in his last report, October, 1841,

"The opinions expressed heretofore on the effects of solitary confinement, are strengthened by every year's experience. The more rigidly the plan is carried out, the more the spirit of the law is observed, the more its effects are visible upon the health of the convicts. A little more intercourse with each other, and a little more air in the yard, have the effect upon mind and body, that warmth has upon the thermometer, almost every degree of indulgence showing a corresponding rise in health of the individual. That an opinion to the contrary should have been advocated at this time, when the influences that control the animal functions are so well understood, seems like a determination to disregard science in the support of a mistaken but favorite policy."

The physician of the new Penitentiary in Philadelphia, in the Thirteenth Annual Report of that institution, submitted to the legislature in February, 1842, says that the cases of mental disorder in the Eastern Penitentiary, in 1839, were 26; in 1840, 21; in 1841, 11.

The disorder, he says, "is now designated Erotic Enervation, a term demanded by the necessity of the case." "The instances of mental disorder and of erotic enervation, are in inverse proportion to each other, the former becoming fewer with the more frequent detection of the latter."

COMPARATIVE MORTALITY OF PRISONS.

In New Hampshire, the average number of prisoners, for 13 years, has been 76. The number of deaths, in the whole

time, has been 8, giving a mortality of less than 1 in 100, annually.

In Connecticut, the average number of prisoners, for 12 years, has been 183. The average number of deaths, each year, has been 3, giving a mortality of less than 1 in 50.

In Massachusetts, the average number of prisoners, for 14 years, has been 282; the number of deaths, 76; the average number of deaths annually, 54, or less than 1 in 50.

In New York, at Auburn, the average number of prisoners, for 14 years, has been 657; the number of deaths, 175; the average number of deaths, 12 annually, or less than 1 in 50.

In Pennsylvania, in the new Penitentiary in Philadelphia, the average number of prisoners, for 12 years, has been 256; the whole number of deaths, 127; the average number of deaths, 102, or more than 1 in 25.

In all the Prisons and states here named, except the last, the Prisons are built and managed on the Auburn plan of solitude at night, and labor in shops by day. In the last, the Prison is built and managed on the Pennsylvania plan of solitude day and night with labor. It has always been urged against this plan, that it was injurious to health, and destructive of life. We see in the above results, from the experience of all the years since it went into operation, that the bill of mortality is unfavorable. In no one of the Prisons mentioned, on the Auburn plan, is the mortality 1 in 50, or 2 per cent. In the new Penitentiary in Philadelphia, it is more than 1 in 25, or more than 4 per cent.; making the difference of more than two lives, annually, in every hundred prisoners. The average number of prisoners, in the five Penitentiaries from which the above results of experience are drawn, is 1454. It makes a difference, therefore, of TWENTY-NINE lives, annually,, on this average number of prisoners, between the Auburn and Pennsylvania systems.

There is another aspect, not less important, in which to view the facts in the table from which the above conclusions are drawn. The number of deaths, in the four Prisons on the Auburn plan, exhibited in the table, for the term of years mentioned, was 297. If the deaths had been in the same proportion as in the new Penitentiary in Philadelphia, the number of deaths would have been 685, instead of 297, making a difference, in the term of time mentioned, of THREE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-EIGHT LIVES.

The following table is the one from which the above results are drawn:

The following extract from the presentment of the grand jury of the city and county of Philadelphia contains weighty and important statements:

"The Grand Inquest, in closing their labors for the September term of the Court, do report:

"As a matter of courtesy to the Grand Jury, we visited the Eastern Penitentiary; but having no legal right so to do, we deem it improper to make any comments on the manner in which the institution is conducted, or the treatment of the prisoners. By the 3d section of the Act of Assembly passed the 23d of April, 1829, the Grand Jury of the City and County of Philadelphia were allowed to visit the prisoners therein confined; but by the 5th section of the Act of Assembly passed the 27th day of February, 1833, the right was taken away. The reasons for so doing do not appear obvious to us, and we would earnestly recommend to the legislature, at its next session, to restore this right, as it may be productive of much good, and have a tendency, if not to correct abuses, at least to bring them legitimately before the public, so that proper measures can be taken to secure the requisite inquiry."

Signed by sixteen jurors and the secretary.

5. ASYLUMS FOR LUNATICS.

ASYLUMS WHICH HAVE ATTAINED A HIGH DEGREE OF EXCELLENCE.

Maine Insane Hospital, at Augusta.

New Hampshire State Lunatic Asylum, at Concord; in location, construction, and opening prospects.

Vermont Asylum for the Insane, at Brattleboro'.
McLean Asylum, at Charlestown, Mass.

State Lunatic Hospital, at Worcester, Mass.
Boston Lunatic Hospital, at South Boston, Mass.
Connecticut Retreat for the Insane, at Hartford.

Bloomingdale Asylum, N. Y., seven miles from the city of New York.

Asylum for the Insane Poor of the City of New York, on Blackwell's Island.

Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, two miles west of Philadelphia.

Asylum at Frankford, Penn., five miles north of Philadelphia.

Maryland Hospital for the Insane, in Baltimore.

Western Lunatic Asylum, at Staunton, Virginia.
Ohio Lunatic Asylum, at Columbus.

These Asylums are, without exception, beautifully located. They are all supplied with good gardens; most of them, with many acres of fertile and cultivated land; a considerable number, with large and productive farms. They are constructed of good materials,-stone or brick, -on the general plan of a centre building with wings. They are under the superintendence of very superior men. This remark scarcely admits of an exception. The assistant physicians, stewards, matrons, and attendants, have been chosen with great care, and are, many of them, the very salt of the earth. The principles of government and conduct are religious and Christian to an admirable degree. The employments, recreations, amusements, instructions, and influences, are very various, and well fitted to soothe the excited, cheer the desponding, guide the erring, check the vicious, raise the fallen, and restore the insane. The restraints are very few. Who can look upon these institutions, without gratitude to the God of heaven, and the Savior of the world, for what has been done, in a few years, to provide such Asylums for the Insane, in the United States; many of whom,

in former years, have been confined in cellars, cages, dungeons, and Prisons?

"Her wilderness shall become like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord."

ASYLUMS IN PROGRESS, BUT NOT YET COMPLETED.

In Rhode Island, the Hon. Nicholas Brown, deceased, has bequeathed 30,000 dollars for the establishment of an Asylum for the Insane in Rhode Island. He enjoins it upon his executors, J. Carter Brown, Moses B. Ives, and Robert H. Ives, men of great public spirit and philanthropy, to proceed in the execution of his design as soon as it can be done consistently with a wise settlement of his estate. The deceased was one of America's great men. This act of his last will is only one

among many proofs of it.

The following is an extract from one of the codicils, dated July, 1841:

"Whereas it has long been deeply impressed on my mind, that an Insane or Lunatic Hospital, or Retreat for the Insane, should be established upon a firm and permanent basis, under an act of the legislature, where that unhappy portion of our fellow-citizens who are, by the visitation of Providence, deprived of their reason, may find a safe retreat, and be provided with whatever may be most conducive to their comfort, and to their restoration of a sound state of mind; Therefore, for the purpose of aiding an object so desirable, and in the hope that such an establishment may soon be commenced, I do hereby set apart and give, devise and bequeath, the sum of thirty thousand dollars towards the erection or endowment of an Insane or Lunatic Hospital, or Retreat for the Insane, or by whatever other name it may be called, to be located in Providence, or its vicinity; and I do hereby order and direct my said executors to pay the said sum of thirty thousand dollars in the promotion and advancement of an institution for that object; trusting and fully confiding in my executors, that they will carefully examine and be satisfied that the establishment is placed on a firm and legal basis, and that the payment of the above amount be made at such times, and in such sums, as will best promote the desired object, and be least prejudicial to the settlement of my own estate; hoping that my sons and other friends will coöperate in the humane and benevolent design, that the benefits of the institution may soon be realized."

In Connecticut, the legislature, at the last session, in 1842, authorized the governor to expend 2000 dollars a year for the support of the insane poor of the state at the Retreat in Hartford. Dr. Brigham, the superintendent of the Retreat, after the passing of this act, writes as follows:

"This sum, with such aid from towns and friends as they will be able and willing to afford, will probably maintain from 20 to 30 at the Retreat constantly, and, if they are judiciously selected, (and no doubt they will be,) great good will result. We have not, at present, accommodations for this number; but I trust the directors of the Retreat will make the requisite additions. I