Miscellany

Duriiig our srijourn in Pluladelphin, last summer, we one dny occcpted an invilalion to visit ihe Peuitentiaiy, there. We had leners to the kind-hearted Wurden, Mr. Scattergood, (a most appropriate name by the way) who extended to us all ihe courtesy we could have desired. We were conducted tlirough the Prison, land in comp.iny with Air. S. we eniered several of the cells. The superintendeul learning we were from Boston, inIfbrmed us tliat a prisoner as ccnfined ! there for passing counterfeil money, who hailed from Massachuselts. He had been there some two or ihree years, and we found him a very intelligent man. IJis cell was excerdingly cieanly, and upon the table in the corner, we discovered several standard books, a Bible, &c, which gave evidence of being thoroughly read by the prisoner. He was Baid to be very industrious, ar,d certainly appeared! comfonable, under the circumstances. His name was Geoi ge He remarked tliat he was very glad to see any one from Boston, and seriously regretted that he should ave been one of the few Bostonians, comparativo! v, who had disgraced the honored name of the " Old Bay State." He was happy apparenily, and as we parted, we shook his hand, and remarked that it wns possible we miglit cali on him again in a fevy weeks. "You will be sure, Sir, to fmd me at home," said he, with a smile, aa we left the door of his cell ! As we entered the reception room once more, a bulky despatch was hended to the Warden by one of deputies, and upon opening t, he informed us thal it was a pardon for one of the convicts. We enquiied ifit wouid encroach upon the prison rules, under such circumstances, to accompany the Warden to the cell, while he should read t to the prisoner, and were kindly inftvmed that we could join him. We soon reaclied the cell, wliere we found a fresh faced young man, of perhaps twenty-fuur, who was busily engaged at a liille oom, weaving. "Good morrow, John," said the Warden, blandly, as we eniered. "Good morning, Sir." "Thee keeps busy. John." "O yes, Sir - but it's very dull." " Does thee lire of work, John I" "No but I tlunk of home." "And thee would like to visit home once more ?" "Oh, Sir- if 1 could but do so" " An thee would not return again V' " I would try to deserve beller, Sir." " Well, John, what would thee say, if [ should teil thee I had a pardon for thee V' "Oh, Sir, eucFï news woold be loo goed. " " Butthee would like to hear it V' 11 1 care nol for myself, so much" said the poor prisoner, and tears filled his eyes - " but for my wife and child, I would be so liappy" ' And thee would shun wicked company John V' " Oh yes - and I would labor for my wifo and liule one." " Well, John, here is the pardon," continued the good old man - and he read the document, which freed the unfortúnate being, who had been ihe dupe of other knaves. We had the pleasure of seeing hita released, níter a three years confinemont, and of learning tliat hejoined his young family, to whomhe has since been a faithful guardián. We passed out to the ante-room again - where we encountered a nw comer, who had just reached the prison as we reentered. He had been sent up five years, on a charge of embezzlement. He was elegantly atlired in the latest style of fnshion, and possesscd all the non chalanee and devil me care appearance of a genteel rowdy. He twirled 'nis watch chain,looked particulariy kr.owing at a couple of ladies who chanced to be present, and seemed utterly indifferent about himselfor the predicament he was placed in ! The Warden read his cotnmiitnent, and addressed him with - " Charles, 1 am sorry to see thee here." " It can't be helped old fellow !" " What is thy age, Charles?" " Twenty-three." " A Philadelphian !" " Well- kiiider, and kinder not !" ': Thee has disgraced thyself, sadly." " Well [ ain't troubled, old cook." " Theu ooks not like a rogue." " Matter of opinión !" " Tliee was wel! situated" - " Yes - well enough" - " In good employ." " Well- so so."' " And thee has arents V' Yes." " Perhaps thee has a molhet, Charles." i The convict had been standing during this brifif dialogue, perfeclly unconcerned and reckless, uritil this last interroga j tory was put. Had a thunderbnlt struck him, he could not have fallen more suddcnly than he did when the name of " mother" feil on his ear ! He sunk i into a chair - a torrent of tears gushed from his eyes - the very fountain of his heartseem !o have burst, on the intant ! He recovered, parlially - and said imploringly to the Worden - " Don't you, Sir- for God's sake dort cali her name in this dreadful place !- - j Do what you mny with me but don't mention that name to me !" There were tenrs in other eyrs besides the prisoner's, nnd an aching silencfi pervaded tlie group who surroünded the iinfortunnte convict. The black cap was, drnwn over his eyes, he was led to an adjoining apartment and stripped, and shortly afterward he renppeared upon the corridor. He passed sileutly on, in ichnrgeofa Deputy keeper, to a lonely cell in a distant part of the prison, the door creaked on its hinges, he disnnpeared, the chain dropped from the outside I bolts, and Charles -, was a close prisoner for five years to come ! We lefi the prison with heavy hearts relieved however, by the reflection that tha was one of the best devised institutions of its kind in the world (nat withstand ing the libéis of Charles Dickens,) and that its administration in the haids of Mr. Scattergood, secured to its unfortunate inmates the most 'equal and exact justice.'