lature, to make inquiry respecting our prisons, &c.;
some part of this report I think thou wilt find inte-
resting. The state penitentiary at Auburn

, mentioned
in the report, I believe is the best constructed of any
in this country, and the superintendant most remarka-
bly well qualified to conduct such an establishment;
and under his management I think the penitentiary
will succeed, and fully answer the expectations of
those who are friendly to the system of reform. I
sent thee some time ago, a report to the legislature of
Louisiana, by Edward Livingston, on the plan of a
penal code for said state. I have been informed this
report has been printed in London. I now send
thee, as above, a system of penal law, prepared by
my friend Livingston, containing codes of offences
and punishments, &c. &c.

I am, with great regard and respect,
Thy affectionate friend, THOMAS EDDY.
To WILLIAM ROSCOE. New York, 12th month, 15th, 1825. MY DEAR FRIEND,

Thy very kind and acceptable favour of 31st
March, came to hand some time ago, and I feel not a
little mortified that it has remained so long without
acknowledging its receipt; and also thy last publica-
tion on penal jurisprudence which accompanied it,
together with remarks on the report of the commis-
sioners, and the verses on solitary confinement, with
which I was very much delighted.

Though the state of society of latter years has been
greatly improved, yet daily experience teaches us,
that we are very far from that degree of perfection
on various subjects, we are capable of attaining; the
work goes on slowly, and mostly imperceptibly to
all human observation; we may, however, rest assu-
red, that all principles and practices, no matter how
long they have been continued and supported by