are also to be movable ventilators in the ceiling of the hall. The grates for the windows and the cell doors are to be of cast-iron lattice work.

The principal novelty of the plan consists in the arrangement of the end buildings for dwellings, offices, &c., and connecting them by spacious covered ways or halls, which make convenient halls for the keepers, and prevent any ingress or egress without their knowledge. In that climate, too, the convenience of such an arrangement is of much importance. The plan shows the ground floor of the dwellings and offices, and the basement of the building, where the dining-room, &c., are located. The chapel is above the dining-room, and the hospital directly over that; so that there shall be no noise over the heads of the sick.

It will be seen that this plan does not admit of increasing the number of cells beyond those contemplated without disarrangement. But gentlemen of experience and reflection have become convinced that from four to five hundred convicts are the greatest number that should ever be confined in any one prison; regard being had to their moral improvement or economical employment.

The first section of cells, 126 in number, is now erected, and covered by a temporary roof, to enable the mason work to dry, while the building to enclose the cells is in progress. About 300 feet of foundation work is laid, and the outer wall for the same distance nearly ready for setting the window frames and grates to the first story. Apprehensions were entertained by some, when this location for the prison was chosen, so remote from civilization, and buried in the profound depths of a primeval forest, that it would constitute a temptation to the convicts to rise upon the keepers in the hope of making their escape in the woods. The agent now, however, seems to have become convinced that the woods rather protect the prison than expose it to this danger. While he was absent at Auburn, on the occasion we have before referred to, two convicts who were at work in the yard, in which as yet there was much standing timber, erected a pole against the pickets, by which they climbed to their top, and then dropped on the other side. They were discovered by a guard, who gave the alarm,

and the signal gun (which is a twentyfour pounder,) was fired, in order to give notice to the few inhabitants of the surrounding country. The escape was made immediately after dinner, and the following is substantially the account they afterwards gave of their experience in the woods:

As soon as they were over the pickets, they ran up the mountain to the north, intending to make their way through the wilderness to Canada, the line being about twenty miles distant. They continued to run almost constantly until about dark, when they found themselves near the south-east corner of the prison yard-some fifty rods farther south than the place from which they had started-while they supposed they had been constantly travelling north. Wearied and hungry, their feet badly wounded and bleeding, as they had left their shoes behind in their flight, the flies annoying them on every side, with the prospect of a cold stormy night before them, they discussed the project of going up to the pickets and asking admittance. the fear of punishment finally determined them to make another effort, and as they were now near the south side of the prison yard, they imagined that it would be an easy matter to travel south and enter the road by which they had been taken to the prison. By the time they had decided on their course, a heavy fall of hail and rain commenced. After travelling about an hour, they found themselves in an extensive cedar swamp, in which they travelled around all night, much of the time in mire knee deep, the storm continuing unabated.

But

After taking a view of the swamp by daylight, they abandoned the idea of penetrating through it, and concluded to take an easterly direction, by which they hoped eventually to reach Lake Champlain.

They were this time more fortunate in their course, as the weather was clear. In the afternoon they approached a road, about seven or eight miles east of the prison. But at the time they discovered the road, they also discovered groups of men with guns and sticks, who were evidently on the lookout for them. The convicts lay still in the woods, concluding to take the road in the night, and conceal themselves during the day time, until they could

reach the lake. They were, however, so exhausted by hunger and fatigue, that they could scarcely move. After lying quietly until dusk, and seeing no person in the road, they found themselves unable to travel without first obtaining some food. After reconnoitering a cottage, which they believed at the time contained only a woman, they entered and enquired the road to Plattsburgh, telling her they had been lost in the woods, and were very hungry. The woman appeared to suspect them, and exhibited much alarm. She however, set before them a large quantity of johnny-cake, as they call it. Just as the famished creatures were commencing upon it, they heard a man running towards the house, and calling for his gun. The convicts sprang out at the door. One of them ran behind a hovel, and crawled under it, the other sped for the woods. The invader pursued him instantly, with a large stone in his hand, which he threw with such dexterity as to strike the convict upon the leg, and bring him to the ground. Still the pursuer dared not seize the man, but returned to the house, where, with assistance, the convict who had concealed himself under the hovel was secured. The one left in the woods crawled a short distance from the place where he fell, and lay there during the night. In the morning his hunger became so intolerable that he came out and surrendered himself to the men who were still watching along the road.

When returned to the prison they could scarcely stand. They were so spirit-broken and exhausted, that no flogging was inflicted upon them. They were, however, told that the punishment was suspended only until their ill behaviour should provoke it. Since that time, however, we are told they have conducted themselves with such perfect propriety as not to have deserved even a reproof.

Mr. Cook has very wisely, in our judgment, adopted the system practised at Auburn, of permitting men to eat at one common table.

He has also thus far purchased the provisions himself, without the intervention of contractors-undoubtedly the wisest and most economical course, where the fidelity of the agent can be ensured.

Mr. Cook is a firm believer in the efficacy of kind and considerate treatment of the convicts, and we have abundant reason for believing that every proper opportunity is embraced to cultivate their self-respect, to subdue their excessive propensities, and to awaken to a new action their more elevating sentiments. The punishments have only averaged one a week. A constant improvement of the convicts, both morally and intellectually, has been remarked by all the officers since their arrival.

Doubtless the novelty of their situation, and of their work, and the remoteness from all objects which remind them of their previous life and associations, contribute not a little to the im. proving moral condition of these unfortunate wretches, which is perceptible to the most casual observer. But more, much more, is due to Mr. Cook's habitual respect for what in them remains immortal and God-created-his habitual recognition of their rights as moral and accountable beings, which rights are paramount to all laws of man's devising. He looks upon those haggard outlaws, all scarred as they are with vice and suffering, more in sorrow than in anger; and leads them to the culture of virtue, by exemplifying in his own demeanor toward them some of her most beneficent influences.

We have confined ourselves to the history of this important enterprise, as it has thus far transpired. It would be premature to discuss its practical or anticipated results at present; but when the prison shall have gone into efficient operation, we shall hold ourselves at liberty to recur to this subject, and to state more at length the reasons for, and nature of, the success which we have now no hesitation in predicting to the labors of Mr. Cook.