real punishment, and yet perfect order was complete-
ly preserved. He, however, persists in his notion,
that it is impossible to preserve order without whip-
ping. I am firm in the belief, that Captain Lindes

will, in time, alter his opinions. He is a complete
enthusiast in favour of the penitentiary system, and
has those peculiar qualifications, that will enable
him to carry it to a degree of perfection that it has
never yet attained. The quietness of the prisoners
subject to his care and management is much to be
admired. Some months ago, in company with our
mutual friend, Professor Griscom, I visited Sing Sing,
situated on the Hudson River, about thirty miles from
New York. At this place is erecting a state prison,
within a hundred yards of the margin of the river—
the banks are about one hundred feet high, and con-
tain large and extensive marble quarries, of excellent
quality, which is excavated, and hammered, and
formed for the building, which will contain eight
hundred cells;—the state has purchased about one
hundred and fifty acres of fine land adjoining the
building—the erecting the prison is committed solely
to the care and management of Captain Lindes—the
plan is his own, and, in my opinion, the best in the
world. The flooring, ceiling, and sides of each cell,
are entirely of marble, and the doors iron. He has
with him one hundred and thirty convicts, which he
brought from Auburn prison—besides these, he has
one master carpenter, one mason, and one black-
smith—no other persons except convicts are employed;—
he commenced last spring, and next year the work
will probably be completed. There is no wood used
in building this prison—it is all of stone. Convicts
are employed in quarrying, burning lime, (from mar-
ble,) forming the stone, mason work, and making
iron doors for the cells, &c. The whole cost of the
building will not exceed $75,000, about £16,500 ster-
ling. The decent order and conduct of the convicts
is wonderful; they are allowed plenty of beef and