NEW-HAMPSHIRE STATE PRISON.    537

the Street, and, in imagination, remind one of an old French Bas-
tile, or an ancient Englishman’s castle, built more as a defence to
guard against attacks from without, than for any beauty or taste,
which in these days are frequently combined with strength.

The central part and south wing of the prison were built in 1812,
at which time the Institution went into operation, having one pris-
oner, the number in 1813 being increased to twelve. In 1833, the
north wing was added, to correspond with the improvements of the
age. In this building is a hall with 120 cells for the convicts. It
is lighted by gas, and warmed by steam, but all men of humane
judgment who have visited this prison hall, acknowledge that the
cells are one third too small for human beings to sleep in, and en-
joy good health, without great inconvenience to the overseers, and
continuous watchful care as to sanitary regulations. The individual
convenience of convicts should never be consulted only as to their
physical health, but no law, formed    either by legislative act or long

continued practice, has any moral    right to inflict punishment on

_i    any person, however great his crime, that will impair his health,

^r    especially when a fair day’s work is demanded at his hands. The

whole number of convicts in the prison, April 30, 1873, was 88—
white males 78. black males 6, and 4 females. 16 were under 20
years of age when committed; 40 between 20 and 30 ; 20 between
30 and 40; 5 between 40 and 50, and only 7 over 50 years. Of
i    this number, 23 were married and    65 single. 28 convicts claimed

-■    to be temperate men in their habits    before their commitment, while

60 acknowledged themselves to have been intemperate, and were
under the influence of wine when they committed the deeds for
which they are now paying the penalty. 77 can read and write;

7 can only read, and 4 can neither read nor write. 6 were committed
for murder, 3 for murder in the second degree, and one for man-
slaughter. The rest were convicted of various crimes, but the
larger portion for stealing in different forms, but in such small

V    sums, as not to be in keeping with the moral sentiments of the day

in relation to stealing.

Rockingham County furnishes of the present number of convicts,

8 ; Strafford, 11; Belknap, 2 ; Carroll, 3; Merrimack, 14 ; Hills-
borough, 29 ; Cheshire, 8 ; Sullivan, 1; Grafton, 7 ; and Coos, 5.

i    The prison yard including about two acres, is inclosed on three

sides by a heavy granite wall. Within this inclosure, is one of the
finest brick work shops in the State, and no doubt is the saving