of Pennsylvania. The prison in Pentonville, near London, the Mazas in Paris, the prison in Perugia, may also be mentioned as among the latest examples of this method. The former plan, however, has been so almost universally adopted among us as to justify the name of American. It is needless to say that it has grown out of the "congregate" system of prison-discipline, as the latter has grown out of the "separate" system. Here, again, is a question which might lead to a long discussion. The advocates of the two systems are very earnest in the support which they give to their respective views and opinions, and each can bring an array of statistics to strengthen the position which he holds. In the State of Rhode Island, both systems have been tried, and the result of the experiment has been such as to warrant the adoption of the system which is common in New England of combining the features of the two, that allow of working in company during the day, and of occupying separate cells. by night. The practice of taking meals together is a comparatively recent feature of prison discipline. It would require the construction of a mess-room.

Whatever system be adopted, it is necessary that the prison be built strongly and securely. Accepting the first-named method of construction, it may be decided that the blocks of cells be built of brick laid in Portland cement; and the outside walls of stone, having an inner lining of brick, with an air-passage between. The walls of the new prison of Massachusetts are of brick, as are also those of the new prison in New Hampshire. The walls of the new prison in Rhode Island are of a hard, compact blue stone, with granite quoins for the windows and corners, and with granite belting-courses. The blocks of cells should rest on a foundation of solid masonry. The floors of the cells are generally of stone, and this material is recommended by the Prison Association of New York. But other materials can be used to advantage. The floors of the Pentonville Prison are composed of asphalt laid upon brick arches, and the material is exceedingly strong and cleanly. The increasing adaptability of iron to the various uses of life has recommended it to the attention of builders; but its resonance is a decided objection in the case of the construction of cell-floors or corridor-floors. It may serve as a substruction, upon which can be placed a concrete of cement and sand; but in this case the difficulty is in the lack of the power of adhering to the iron. The material of the Pentonville floors is undoubtedly the best, but it is also the most expensive.

An abundance of light and sunshine is best secured by placing the building on a meridian-line. At some time in the day the sun will shine into every part of the prison. Darkness and cold are effective agents for punishment; and, if the infliction of pain were the chief object in the imprisonment of criminals, they might well be used in prison-construction. I do not agree to methods of weak indulgence, or to any plan of construction which would make a prison attractive; but light and sunshine are the dues of all, and even the worst criminal is not to be wholly deprived of them. Next to these, and kindred with these, is the need of complete ventilation. This need can only be fully supplied by a direct communication with the outside air, the current being controlled by the application of heat. Cells and corridors cannot be thoroughly ventilated by passing the impure air into a chamber to be thence discharged, as there will be currents and counter-currents, re-acting upon and neutralizing each other. Ventilation demands a

constant supply of fresh air, and a constant discharge of the air which has become vitiated and impure. For this discharge the influence of heat is necessary, and a current of cold air is drawn in to supply the place of the bad air which has been carried away. It is not sufficient simply to open ducts. The air itself must be set in motion. In some cases fans can be very effectually used both for forcing pure air and drawing impure air out, one set at the bottom and the other at the top of the building. But a more simple arrangement can be made by bringing the air from without in contact with the heating apparatus upon one side of the corridor or cell, and creating a current by opening upon the other side ducts which pass through the roof, and thus carry off the air whose vital properties have been exhausted. But these discharging ducts must be heated to make their action effective. An open fireplace, with a fire burning in it, is admitted to be the best means of ventilating the rooms in which we habitually live. We have simply to apply the principle to the ventilation of prisons and other buildings of the kind. Yet, after all, no infallible rule can be given, as the cases under consideration are modified by the configuration of the adjoining land, the relative situation of neighboring structures, and the like. The most that can be done is to apply the well-known principles that govern the flow of air under the impulse or the attraction of heat, so far as the circumstances of the particular case will allow. In some prisons the foul air from each cell is carried into a central shaft or chimney, to be

thence discharged; and this, unquestionably, is one of the most effectual means of ventilation.

A full supervision is the next desideratum. This must be had from the guard-room. The general plan of a prison, as is well known, is to extend wings in different directions from a central structure. I have indicated the need of making these extensions on a meridian line. The wings contain the cells; the central building contains the guard-room, offices, and if possible the chapel and hospital. The offices may be upon the first floor. The guard-room occupies the second floor, and for protection should be separated from the wings by iron gratings; but from this room there should be an unobstructed view of all the corridors and blocks of cells. Its position upon the second floor gives the a lvantage of supervision of both the lower and upper tiers. The corners of the central building should be cut at such an angle and to such extent as to allow the introduction of windows looking into the yard and giving a full view of every part of it. One or two officers in the guard-room can thus keep advised of every movement made in the prison-building and in the yard outside. The iron grating is a sufficient protection against any sudden assault, while the certainty of being seen from the central building at any and all times would tend to prevent any action on the part of the prisoners having an assault in view. Fore-warned is fore-armed. The assurance of detection is the preventive of any infraction of the law. Prisoners should not be allowed in the guard-room. For moving to and from their cells, a door in each wing opening into the yard will be sufficient. In this connection the question of size deserves at least a passing notice. Large prisons are not desirable, as increasing the difficulty of management, the risks of escape, and the liability to the evil results consequent upon collecting and confining large bodies of prisoners together. Three hundred prisoners are a sufficient number to be well cared for, or congregated within the walls of a single institution. Two or three prisons of moderate size are better than one of large dimensions.

It is not necessary to speak at length upon the subject of heating. Steam has come into so general use as to make its employment for heating and cooking purposes a matter of course. The boilers for generating steam will naturally be placed in a fire-proof building; and, by using proper precautions against cooling and condensing, the steam itself can be carried in pipes for a long

distance. In the Eastern Penitentiary of Pennsylvania, "five and one-half miles of iron pipe are employed in conducting steam through various parts of the premises." An equable temperature is thus maintained, and there is a complete immunity from accidents by fire.

3. The highest success in architecture must come from the complete adaptation of the building to the purposes for which it is intended. A prison is built for restraint and security, and the structure should bear the marks which will certainly indicate its uses. As a church or a cathedral should show that it was meant for worship, a dwelling-house for habitation, a mill or factory for work, a ship for sailing the seas, so a prison should be known at once by its architectural characteristics. Ornamentation is out of place. Simplicity in outline, massiveness in form, strength of construction, should be everywhere evident in a plain and unpretentious exterior. The interior arrangement should be such as to allow of modifications in size while retaining the same general features throughout. It is not necessary that the cells should all be of the same dimensions. The hope of reward has been generally conceded to be an important factor in prison-discipline, for the improvement of the prisoner. The promise of better accommodation becomes an encouragement to good behavior. The cells, therefore, can be built of different dimensions, with more light and space in some than in others. A prisoner, behaving well and deserving confidence, can be removed from a small cell into a larger one, with the understanding that a lapse will cause the forfeiture of the better and more commodious cell, and a return to his former narrow quarters. An opportunity for classification and grading upon the basis of moral improvement is also presented in this way. It will soon be known, that the best and most orderly and most trustworthy prisoners will have the largest and best cells. The removal from the poorest to the best will be a mark of distinction, worthy of some effort for attainment. Some prisoners may need solitary confinement and possibly the discipline of the dark cell; but it is hoped that the administration of prisons may find some means as effectual as either of these for the punishment of a violation of the prison-rules. A well-selected library, moral and religious instruction, evening schools, and occasional religious meetings of a social character during the week, will be found effective in promoting good discipline and an improvement in the morale of the prison. Provision will be made for these in the construction of the buildings.

Sanitary requirements will demand personal cleanliness, the proper care of the sick, the prevention of epidemics, and the preservation of health. The hospital will be light, airy, well ventilated, and capable, if necessary, of being isolated. Bathing-arrangements will be ample and convenient, and the laundry will be supplied with every facility for washing the clothing and keeping it in proper order. The question of introducing a water-closet into every cell, as in the new prisons in Europe, in the new prison in Massachusetts, in the Eastern Penitentiary in Pennsylvania, and elsewhere, has lately become a subject for discussion. It is difficult to see how sewer-gas can be prevented from coming into the cell in which such an arrangement has been made. A night-bucket is objectionable on many accounts, unless it be kept clean. A very good kind of bucket, made of cedar and porcelain-lined, has recently come into use. The objection of having the bucket in the cell constantly emitting odors may be obviated by having it placed in an iron box built into the wall and ventilated by a duct communicating with the main ventilating shaft or pipe. Whatever mode may be adopted, personal cleanliness should be insisted upon. The prison premises will be kept scrupulously clean, and every thing needful for that purpose and for providing for the cleanliness of the person both of officers and convicts, must be supplied.

4. Economy in construction is now imperatively demanded, especially in the matter of all public works; but sometimes a generous expenditure may be the best economy in the end. It is quite certain that no one can have good and thorough work without paying for it. Cheap work in the construction of a prison is not to be thought of for a moment, if in consequence of the cheapness thoroughness is to be sacrificed. There is no need of extravagant expenditure; but there must be care, lest, in the demand for economy, a mistake be made in the other direction. Work slightingly done, or done without close attention to details, is not in the interest of economy. A want of thoroughness is becoming the characteristic of our modern construction. If it should prevail in our public buildings, it would be fatal to our public repute. Thoroughness, combined with a true economy, which sometimes is obliged to expend largely at first, to accomplish the most desirable results, must certainly characterize prison-construction above all. A true economy must also have regard to the future and prospective needs of the administration. A very thoroughly-built prison may yet be inconvenient in arrangement, and expensive of