"So. A long, narrow and lofty building, stove-heated as usual, with four galleries, one above the other, going round it, and communicating by stairs. Between the two sides of each gallery, and in its center, a bridge for the greater convenience of crossing. On each of these bridges sits a man, dozing or reading, or talking to an idle companion. On each tier are two opposite rows of small iron doors. They look like furnace doors, but are cold and black, as though the fires within had all gone out. Some two or three are open, and women with drooping heads bent down are talking to the inmates. The whole is lighted by a skylight, but it is fast closed; and from the roof there dangle, limp and drooping, two useless windsails.
"A man with keys appears to show us round. A good-looking fellow, and in his way civil and obliging.
"'Well, they're pretty nigh full, and that's a fact and no two ways about it.'
"'Those at the bottom are unwholesome, surely.'
"'Why, we do only put colored people in 'em. That's the truth.'
"'Well, it's rare they do. They keep pretty bright without it.'
"'But suppose a man were here for a twelve-month? I know this is only a prison for criminals who are charged with some grave offenses, while they are awaiting trial, or are under remand, but the law affords criminals many means of delay. What with motions for new trials, arrest of judgment and what not, a prisoner might be here for twelve months, I take it, might he not?'
"'Do you mean to say that in all that time he would never come out at that little iron door for exercise?'
"'He might walk some, perhaps--not much.'
"The fastenings jar and rattle, and one of the doors turns slowly on its hinges. Let us look in. A small, bare cell, into which the light enters through a high chink in the wall. There is a rude means of washing, a table, and a bedstead. Upon the latter sits a man of sixty, reading. He looks up for a moment, gives an impatient, dogged shake, and fixes his eyes upon his book again. As we withdraw our heads the door closes on him, and is fastened as before. This man has murdered his wife and will probably be hanged.
"'In England, if a man is under sentence of death even, he has air and exercise at certain periods of the day.'