And who, In pursuing the same plan At Cherfon, on the Black Sea, To fhew Mankind That in the Eye of Providence PREFACE. Perufal of the travels and benevolent labors of Mr. Howard gave rife to a train of Sentiments, which, in the following publication, the Author has attempted to purfue. It is evident from the authentic accounts, given by that humane man, of the state and manner of confinement in prisons, that their Inhabitants are the moft miferable as well as the most helpless of Mankind; it is certain, alfo, that they are the most abandoned. It was not his intention, neither would it be confiftent а fiftent with policy or propriety, to render their Situations fo commodious, as to take away the Idea of punishment. But, furely, it must be the wifh of every feeling heart, and particularly of those, who profess themselves followers of the compaffionate Saviour of the world, to remove every obftacle out of the way of reformation; to confult the fpiritual as well as the bodily health of those who are under confinement, and to promote that serious thought and reflection among them which may ultimately conduce to render them ufeful members of Society here, and joyful Expec Expectants of Happiness hereafter. Speaking of the treatment of prisoners in Switzerland, Mr. Howard fays, * "The principal Object here "is to make them better men. "This indeed fhould be the 66 leading view in every House "of Correction. As rational "and immortal Beings, we "owe this to them; nor can any criminality of theirs, justify our neglect in these particulars." How very beneficial these researches of Mr. Howard have been, are too well known to be recounted; nor would * Append. to the State of the Prifons. P. 89. the Author of the following pieces of Inftruction have ventured to have taken up his pen, had he not thought it the duty of every Chriftian, much more of every Chriftian Minifter, to fecond, to the utmost of his Abilities, fo glorious an Example. Let it not be faid, that the Object is too large to hope for Succefs. The World is ftill larger; and yet the Founder of our Religion fent forth his difciples to teach, or make converts of, all nations. In our prifons are collected, within a small compass, men of the most unprincipled, and often infamous, Characters. They appear, |