第7章

类别:其他 作者:佚名字数:18411更新时间:18/12/14 13:57:00
Intheoutskirts,standsagreatprison,calledtheEasternPenitentiary:conductedonaplanpeculiartothestateofPennsylvania。Thesystemhere,isrigid,strict,andhopelesssolitaryconfinement。Ibelieveit,initseffects,tobecruelandwrong。 Initsintention,Iamwellconvincedthatitiskind,humane,andmeantforreformation;butIampersuadedthatthosewhodevisedthissystemofPrisonDiscipline,andthosebenevolentgentlemenwhocarryitintoexecution,donotknowwhatitisthattheyaredoing。Ibelievethatveryfewmenarecapableofestimatingtheimmenseamountoftortureandagonywhichthisdreadfulpunishment,prolongedforyears,inflictsuponthesufferers;andinguessingatitmyself,andinreasoningfromwhatIhaveseenwrittenupontheirfaces,andwhattomycertainknowledgetheyfeelwithin,I amonlythemoreconvincedthatthereisadepthofterribleenduranceinitwhichnonebutthesufferersthemselvescanfathom,andwhichnomanhasarighttoinflictuponhisfellow-creature。 Iholdthisslowanddailytamperingwiththemysteriesofthebrain,tobeimmeasurablyworsethananytortureofthebody:andbecauseitsghastlysignsandtokensarenotsopalpabletotheeyeandsenseoftouchasscarsupontheflesh;becauseitswoundsarenotuponthesurface,anditextortsfewcriesthathumanearscanhear;thereforeIthemoredenounceit,asasecretpunishmentwhichslumberinghumanityisnotrouseduptostay。Ihesitatedonce,debatingwithmyself,whether,ifIhadthepowerofsaying\'Yes\'or\'No,\'Iwouldallowittobetriedincertaincases,wherethetermsofimprisonmentwereshort;butnow,Isolemnlydeclare,thatwithnorewardsorhonourscouldIwalkahappymanbeneaththeopenskybyday,orliemedownuponmybedatnight,withtheconsciousnessthatonehumancreature,foranylengthoftime,nomatterwhat,laysufferingthisunknownpunishmentinhissilentcell,andIthecause,orIconsentingtoitintheleastdegree。 Iwasaccompaniedtothisprisonbytwogentlemenofficiallyconnectedwithitsmanagement,andpassedthedayingoingfromcelltocell,andtalkingwiththeinmates。Everyfacilitywasaffordedme,thattheutmostcourtesycouldsuggest。Nothingwasconcealedorhiddenfrommyview,andeverypieceofinformationthatIsought,wasopenlyandfranklygiven。Theperfectorderofthebuildingcannotbepraisedtoohighly,andoftheexcellentmotivesofallwhoareimmediatelyconcernedintheadministrationofthesystem,therecanbenokindofquestion。 Betweenthebodyoftheprisonandtheouterwall,thereisaspaciousgarden。Enteringit,byawicketinthemassivegate,wepursuedthepathbeforeustoitsothertermination,andpassedintoalargechamber,fromwhichsevenlongpassagesradiate。Oneithersideofeach,isalong,longrowoflowcelldoors,withacertainnumberovereveryone。Above,agalleryofcellslikethosebelow,exceptthattheyhavenonarrowyardattached(asthoseinthegroundtierhave),andaresomewhatsmaller。Thepossessionoftwoofthese,issupposedtocompensatefortheabsenceofsomuchairandexerciseascanbehadinthedullstripattachedtoeachoftheothers,inanhour\'stimeeveryday;andthereforeeveryprisonerinthisupperstoryhastwocells,adjoiningandcommunicatingwith,eachother。 Standingatthecentralpoint,andlookingdownthesedrearypassages,thedullreposeandquietthatprevails,isawful。 Occasionally,thereisadrowsysoundfromsomeloneweaver\'sshuttle,orshoemaker\'slast,butitisstifledbythethickwallsandheavydungeon-door,andonlyservestomakethegeneralstillnessmoreprofound。Overtheheadandfaceofeveryprisonerwhocomesintothismelancholyhouse,ablackhoodisdrawn;andinthisdarkshroud,anemblemofthecurtaindroppedbetweenhimandthelivingworld,heisledtothecellfromwhichheneveragaincomesforth,untilhiswholetermofimprisonmenthasexpired。Heneverhearsofwifeandchildren;homeorfriends;thelifeordeathofanysinglecreature。Heseestheprison-officers,butwiththatexceptionheneverlooksuponahumancountenance,orhearsahumanvoice。Heisamanburiedalive;tobedugoutintheslowroundofyears;andinthemeantimedeadtoeverythingbuttorturinganxietiesandhorribledespair。 Hisname,andcrime,andtermofsuffering,areunknown,eventotheofficerwhodelivershimhisdailyfood。Thereisanumberoverhiscell-door,andinabookofwhichthegovernoroftheprisonhasonecopy,andthemoralinstructoranother:thisistheindexofhishistory。Beyondthesepagestheprisonhasnorecordofhisexistence:andthoughhelivetobeinthesamecelltenwearyyears,hehasnomeansofknowing,downtotheverylasthour,inwhichpartofthebuildingitissituated;whatkindofmenthereareabouthim;whetherinthelongwinternightstherearelivingpeoplenear,orheisinsomelonelycornerofthegreatjail,withwalls,andpassages,andirondoorsbetweenhimandthenearestsharerinitssolitaryhorrors。 Everycellhasdoubledoors:theouteroneofsturdyoak,theotherofgratediron,whereinthereisatrapthroughwhichhisfoodishanded。HehasaBible,andaslateandpencil,and,undercertainrestrictions,hassometimesotherbooks,providedforthepurpose,andpenandinkandpaper。Hisrazor,plate,andcan,andbasin,hanguponthewall,orshineuponthelittleshelf。Freshwaterislaidonineverycell,andhecandrawitathispleasure。 Duringtheday,hisbedsteadturnsupagainstthewall,andleavesmorespaceforhimtoworkin。Hisloom,orbench,orwheel,isthere;andtherehelabours,sleepsandwakes,andcountstheseasonsastheychange,andgrowsold。 ThefirstmanIsaw,wasseatedathisloom,atwork。Hehadbeentheresixyears,andwastoremain,Ithink,threemore。Hehadbeenconvictedasareceiverofstolengoods,butevenafterhislongimprisonment,deniedhisguilt,andsaidhehadbeenhardlydealtby。Itwashissecondoffence。 Hestoppedhisworkwhenwewentin,tookoffhisspectacles,andansweredfreelytoeverythingthatwassaidtohim,butalwayswithastrangekindofpausefirst,andinalow,thoughtfulvoice。Heworeapaperhatofhisownmaking,andwaspleasedtohaveitnoticedandcommanded。HehadveryingeniouslymanufacturedasortofDutchclockfromsomedisregardedoddsandends;andhisvinegar-bottleservedforthependulum。Seeingmeinterestedinthiscontrivance,helookedupatitwithagreatdealofpride,andsaidthathehadbeenthinkingofimprovingit,andthathehopedthehammerandalittlepieceofbrokenglassbesideit\'wouldplaymusicbeforelong。\'Hehadextractedsomecoloursfromtheyarnwithwhichheworked,andpaintedafewpoorfiguresonthewall。One,ofafemale,overthedoor,hecalled\'TheLadyoftheLake。\' HesmiledasIlookedatthesecontrivancestowhileawaythetime; butwhenIlookedfromthemtohim,Isawthathisliptrembled,andcouldhavecountedthebeatingofhisheart。Iforgethowitcameabout,butsomeallusionwasmadetohishavingawife。Heshookhisheadattheword,turnedaside,andcoveredhisfacewithhishands。 \'Butyouareresignednow!\'saidoneofthegentlemenafterashortpause,duringwhichhehadresumedhisformermanner。Heansweredwithasighthatseemedquiterecklessinitshopelessness,\'Ohyes,ohyes!Iamresignedtoit。\'\'Andareabetterman,youthink?\'\'Well,Ihopeso:I\'msureIhopeImaybe。\'\'Andtimegoesprettyquickly?\'\'Timeisverylonggentlemen,withinthesefourwalls!\' Hegazedabouthim-Heavenonlyknowshowwearily!-ashesaidthesewords;andintheactofdoingso,fellintoastrangestareasifhehadforgottensomething。Amomentafterwardshesighedheavily,putonhisspectacles,andwentabouthisworkagain。 Inanothercell,therewasaGerman,sentencedtofiveyears\' imprisonmentforlarceny,twoofwhichhadjustexpired。Withcoloursprocuredinthesamemanner,hehadpaintedeveryinchofthewallsandceilingquitebeautifully。Hehadlaidoutthefewfeetofground,behind,withexquisiteneatness,andhadmadealittlebedinthecentre,thatlooked,by-the-bye,likeagrave。 Thetasteandingenuityhehaddisplayedineverythingweremostextraordinary;andyetamoredejected,heart-broken,wretchedcreature,itwouldbedifficulttoimagine。Ineversawsuchapictureofforlornafflictionanddistressofmind。Myheartbledforhim;andwhenthetearsrandownhischeeks,andhetookoneofthevisitorsaside,toask,withhistremblinghandsnervouslyclutchingathiscoattodetainhim,whethertherewasnohopeofhisdismalsentencebeingcommuted,thespectaclewasreallytoopainfultowitness。Ineversaworheardofanykindofmiserythatimpressedmemorethanthewretchednessofthisman。 Inathirdcell,wasatall,strongblack,aburglar,workingathispropertradeofmakingscrewsandthelike。Histimewasnearlyout。Hewasnotonlyaverydexterousthief,butwasnotoriousforhisboldnessandhardihood,andforthenumberofhispreviousconvictions。Heentertaineduswithalongaccountofhisachievements,whichhenarratedwithsuchinfiniterelish,thatheactuallyseemedtolickhislipsashetoldusracyanecdotesofstolenplate,andofoldladieswhomhehadwatchedastheysatatwindowsinsilverspectacles(hehadplainlyhadaneyetotheirmetalevenfromtheothersideofthestreet)andhadafterwardsrobbed。Thisfellow,upontheslightestencouragement,wouldhavemingledwithhisprofessionalrecollectionsthemostdetestablecant;butIamverymuchmistakenifhecouldhavesurpassedtheunmitigatedhypocrisywithwhichhedeclaredthatheblessedthedayonwhichhecameintothatprison,andthatheneverwouldcommitanotherrobberyaslongashelived。 Therewasonemanwhowasallowed,asanindulgence,tokeeprabbits。Hisroomhavingratheraclosesmellinconsequence,theycalledtohimatthedoortocomeoutintothepassage。Hecompliedofcourse,andstoodshadinghishaggardfaceintheunwontedsunlightofthegreatwindow,lookingaswanandunearthlyasifhehadbeensummonedfromthegrave。Hehadawhiterabbitinhisbreast;andwhenthelittlecreature,gettingdownupontheground,stolebackintothecell,andhe,beingdismissed,crepttimidlyafterit,Ithoughtitwouldhavebeenveryhardtosayinwhatrespectthemanwasthenobleranimalofthetwo。 TherewasanEnglishthief,whohadbeentherebutafewdaysoutofsevenyears:avillainous,low-browed,thin-lippedfellow,withawhiteface;whohadasyetnorelishforvisitors,andwho,butfortheadditionalpenalty,wouldhavegladlystabbedmewithhisshoemaker\'sknife。TherewasanotherGermanwhohadenteredthejailbutyesterday,andwhostartedfromhisbedwhenwelookedin,andpleaded,inhisbrokenEnglish,veryhardforwork。Therewasapoet,whoafterdoingtwodays\'workineveryfour-and-twentyhours,oneforhimselfandonefortheprison,wroteversesaboutships(hewasbytradeamariner),and\'themaddeningwine-cup,\' andhisfriendsathome。Therewereverymanyofthem。Somereddenedatthesightofvisitors,andsometurnedverypale。Sometwoorthreehadprisonernurseswiththem,fortheywereverysick;andone,afatoldnegrowhoseleghadbeentakenoffwithinthejail,hadforhisattendantaclassicalscholarandanaccomplishedsurgeon,himselfaprisonerlikewise。Sittinguponthestairs,engagedinsomeslightwork,wasaprettycolouredboy。 \'IstherenorefugeforyoungcriminalsinPhiladelphia,then?\' saidI。\'Yes,butonlyforwhitechildren。\'NoblearistocracyincrimeTherewasasailorwhohadbeenthereupwardsofelevenyears,andwhoinafewmonths\'timewouldbefree。Elevenyearsofsolitaryconfinement! \'Iamverygladtohearyourtimeisnearlyout。\'Whatdoeshesay?Nothing。Whydoeshestareathishands,andpickthefleshuponhisfingers,andraisehiseyesforaninstant,everynowandthen,tothosebarewallswhichhaveseenhisheadturngrey?Itisawayhehassometimes。 Doesheneverlookmenintheface,anddoeshealwayspluckatthosehandsofhis,asthoughhewerebentonpartingskinandbone?Itishishumour:nothingmore。 Itishishumourtoo,tosaythathedoesnotlookforwardtogoingout;thatheisnotgladthetimeisdrawingnear;thathedidlookforwardtoitonce,butthatwasverylongago;thathehaslostallcareforeverything。Itishishumourtobeahelpless,crushed,andbrokenman。And,Heavenbehiswitnessthathehashishumourthoroughlygratified! Therewerethreeyoungwomeninadjoiningcells,allconvictedatthesametimeofaconspiracytorobtheirprosecutor。Inthesilenceandsolitudeoftheirlivestheyhadgrowntobequitebeautiful。Theirlookswereverysad,andmighthavemovedthesternestvisitortotears,butnottothatkindofsorrowwhichthecontemplationofthemenawakens。Onewasayounggirl;nottwenty,asIrecollect;whosesnow-whiteroomwashungwiththeworkofsomeformerprisoner,anduponwhosedowncastfacethesuninallitssplendourshonedownthroughthehighchinkinthewall,whereonenarrowstripofbrightblueskywasvisible。Shewasverypenitentandquiet;hadcometoberesigned,shesaid(andI believeher);andhadamindatpeace。\'Inaword,youarehappyhere?\'saidoneofmycompanions。Shestruggled-shedidstruggleveryhard-toanswer,Yes;butraisinghereyes,andmeetingthatglimpseoffreedomoverhead,sheburstintotears,andsaid,\'Shetriedtobe;sheutterednocomplaint;butitwasnaturalthatsheshouldsometimeslongtogooutofthatonecell:shecouldnothelpTHAT,\'shesobbed,poorthing! Iwentfromcelltocellthatday;andeveryfaceIsaw,orwordI heard,orincidentInoted,ispresenttomymindinallitspainfulness。Butletmepassthemby,forone,morepleasant,glanceofaprisononthesameplanwhichIafterwardssawatPittsburg。 WhenIhadgoneoverthat,inthesamemanner,Iaskedthegovernorifhehadanypersoninhischargewhowasshortlygoingout。Hehadone,hesaid,whosetimewasupnextday;buthehadonlybeenaprisonertwoyears。 Twoyears!Ilookedbackthroughtwoyearsofmyownlife-outofjail,prosperous,happy,surroundedbyblessings,comforts,goodfortune-andthoughthowwideagapitwas,andhowlongthosetwoyearspassedinsolitarycaptivitywouldhavebeen。Ihavethefaceofthisman,whowasgoingtobereleasednextday,beforemenow。Itisalmostmorememorableinitshappinessthantheotherfacesintheirmisery。Howeasyandhownaturalitwasforhimtosaythatthesystemwasagoodone;andthatthetimewent\'prettyquick-considering;\'andthatwhenamanoncefeltthathehadoffendedthelaw,andmustsatisfyit,\'hegotalong,somehow:\'andsoforth! \'Whatdidhecallyoubacktosaytoyou,inthatstrangeflutter?\' Iaskedofmyconductor,whenhehadlockedthedoorandjoinedmeinthepassage。 \'Oh!Thathewasafraidthesolesofhisbootswerenotfitforwalking,astheywereagooddealwornwhenhecamein;andthathewouldthankmeverymuchtohavethemmended,ready。\' Thosebootshadbeentakenoffhisfeet,andputawaywiththerestofhisclothes,twoyearsbefore! Itookthatopportunityofinquiringhowtheyconductedthemselvesimmediatelybeforegoingout;addingthatIpresumedtheytrembledverymuch。 \'Well,it\'snotsomuchatrembling,\'wastheanswer-\'thoughtheydoquiver-asacompletederangementofthenervoussystem。Theycan\'tsigntheirnamestothebook;sometimescan\'tevenholdthepen;lookabout\'emwithoutappearingtoknowwhy,orwheretheyare;andsometimesgetupandsitdownagain,twentytimesinaminute。Thisiswhenthey\'reintheoffice,wheretheyaretakenwiththehoodon,astheywerebroughtin。Whentheygetoutsidethegate,theystop,andlookfirstonewayandthentheother;notknowingwhichtotake。Sometimestheystaggerasiftheyweredrunk,andsometimesareforcedtoleanagainstthefence,they\'resobad:-buttheyclearoffincourseoftime。\' AsIwalkedamongthesesolitarycells,andlookedatthefacesofthemenwithinthem,Itriedtopicturetomyselfthethoughtsandfeelingsnaturaltotheircondition。Iimaginedthehoodjusttakenoff,andthesceneoftheircaptivitydisclosedtotheminallitsdismalmonotony。 Atfirst,themanisstunned。Hisconfinementisahideousvision; andhisoldlifeareality。Hethrowshimselfuponhisbed,andliesthereabandonedtodespair。Bydegreestheinsupportablesolitudeandbarrennessoftheplacerouseshimfromthisstupor,andwhenthetrapinhisgrateddoorisopened,hehumblybegsandpraysforwork。\'Givemesomeworktodo,orIshallgoravingmad!\' Hehasit;andbyfitsandstartsapplieshimselftolabour;buteverynowandthentherecomesuponhimaburningsenseoftheyearsthatmustbewastedinthatstonecoffin,andanagonysopiercingintherecollectionofthosewhoarehiddenfromhisviewandknowledge,thathestartsfromhisseat,andstridingupanddownthenarrowroomwithbothhandsclaspedonhisupliftedhead,hearsspiritstemptinghimtobeathisbrainsoutonthewall。 Againhefallsuponhisbed,andliesthere,moaning。Suddenlyhestartsup,wonderingwhetheranyothermanisnear;whetherthereisanothercelllikethatoneithersideofhim:andlistenskeenly。 Thereisnosound,butotherprisonersmaybenearforallthat。 Herememberstohaveheardonce,whenhelittlethoughtofcomingherehimself,thatthecellsweresoconstructedthattheprisonerscouldnotheareachother,thoughtheofficerscouldhearthem。 Whereisthenearestman-upontheright,orontheleft?oristhereoneinbothdirections?Whereishesittingnow-withhisfacetothelight?orishewalkingtoandfro?Howishedressed? Hashebeenherelong?Ishemuchwornaway?Isheverywhiteandspectre-like?DoesHEthinkofhisneighbourtoo? Scarcelyventuringtobreathe,andlisteningwhilehethinks,heconjuresupafigurewithhisbacktowardshim,andimaginesitmovingaboutinthisnextcell。Hehasnoideaoftheface,butheiscertainofthedarkformofastoopingman。Inthecellupontheotherside,heputsanotherfigure,whosefaceishiddenfromhimalso。Dayafterday,andoftenwhenhewakesupinthemiddleofthenight,hethinksofthesetwomenuntilheisalmostdistracted。Heneverchangesthem。Theretheyarealwaysashefirstimaginedthem-anoldmanontheright;ayoungermanupontheleft-whosehiddenfeaturestorturehimtodeath,andhaveamysterythatmakeshimtremble。 Thewearydayspassonwithsolemnpace,likemournersatafuneral;andslowlyhebeginstofeelthatthewhitewallsofthecellhavesomethingdreadfulinthem:thattheircolourishorrible:thattheirsmoothsurfacechillshisblood:thatthereisonehatefulcornerwhichtormentshim。Everymorningwhenhewakes,hehideshisheadbeneaththecoverlet,andshudderstoseetheghastlyceilinglookingdownuponhim。Theblessedlightofdayitselfpeepsin,anuglyphantomface,throughtheunchangeablecrevicewhichishisprisonwindow。 Byslowbutsuredegrees,theterrorsofthathatefulcornerswelluntiltheybesethimatalltimes;invadehisrest,makehisdreamshideous,andhisnightsdreadful。Atfirst,hetookastrangedisliketoit;feelingasthoughitgavebirthinhisbraintosomethingofcorrespondingshape,whichoughtnottobethere,andrackedhisheadwithpains。Thenhebegantofearit,thentodreamofit,andofmenwhisperingitsnameandpointingtoit。 Thenhecouldnotbeartolookatit,noryettoturnhisbackuponit。Now,itiseverynightthelurking-placeofaghost:ashadow:-asilentsomething,horribletosee,butwhetherbird,orbeast,ormuffledhumanshape,hecannottell。 Whenheisinhiscellbyday,hefearsthelittleyardwithout。 Whenheisintheyard,hedreadstore-enterthecell。Whennightcomes,therestandsthephantominthecorner。Ifhehavethecouragetostandinitsplace,anddriveitout(hehadonce: beingdesperate),itbroodsuponhisbed。Inthetwilight,andalwaysatthesamehour,avoicecallstohimbyname;asthedarknessthickens,hisLoombeginstolive;andeventhat,hiscomfort,isahideousfigure,watchinghimtilldaybreak。 Again,byslowdegrees,thesehorriblefanciesdepartfromhimonebyone:returningsometimes,unexpectedly,butatlongerintervals,andinlessalarmingshapes。Hehastalkeduponreligiousmatterswiththegentlemanwhovisitshim,andhasreadhisBible,andhaswrittenaprayeruponhisslate,andhungitupasakindofprotection,andanassuranceofHeavenlycompanionship。Hedreamsnow,sometimes,ofhischildrenorhiswife,butissurethattheyaredead,orhavedesertedhim。Heiseasilymovedtotears;isgentle,submissive,andbroken-spirited。 Occasionally,theoldagonycomesback:averylittlethingwillreviveit;evenafamiliarsound,orthescentofsummerflowersintheair;butitdoesnotlastlong,now:fortheworldwithout,hascometobethevision,andthissolitarylife,thesadreality。 Ifhistermofimprisonmentbeshort-Imeancomparatively,forshortitcannotbe-thelasthalfyearisalmostworsethanall; forthenhethinkstheprisonwilltakefireandhebeburntintheruins,orthatheisdoomedtodiewithinthewalls,orthathewillbedetainedonsomefalsechargeandsentencedforanotherterm:orthatsomething,nomatterwhat,musthappentopreventhisgoingatlarge。Andthisisnatural,andimpossibletobereasonedagainst,because,afterhislongseparationfromhumanlife,andhisgreatsuffering,anyeventwillappeartohimmoreprobableinthecontemplation,thanthebeingrestoredtolibertyandhisfellow-creatures。 Ifhisperiodofconfinementhavebeenverylong,theprospectofreleasebewildersandconfuseshim。Hisbrokenheartmayflutterforamoment,whenhethinksoftheworldoutside,andwhatitmighthavebeentohiminallthoselonelyyears,butthatisall。 Thecell-doorhasbeenclosedtoolongonallitshopesandcares。 Bettertohavehangedhiminthebeginningthanbringhimtothispass,andsendhimforthtominglewithhiskind,whoarehiskindnomore。 Onthehaggardfaceofeverymanamongtheseprisoners,thesameexpressionsat。Iknownotwhattolikenitto。Ithadsomethingofthatstrainedattentionwhichweseeuponthefacesoftheblindanddeaf,mingledwithakindofhorror,asthoughtheyhadallbeensecretlyterrified。IneverylittlechamberthatIentered,andateverygratethroughwhichIlooked,Iseemedtoseethesameappallingcountenance。Itlivesinmymemory,withthefascinationofaremarkablepicture。Paradebeforemyeyes,ahundredmen,withoneamongthemnewlyreleasedfromthissolitarysuffering,andIwouldpointhimout。 Thefacesofthewomen,asIhavesaid,ithumanisesandrefines。 Whetherthisbebecauseoftheirbetternature,whichiselicitedinsolitude,orbecauseoftheirbeinggentlercreatures,ofgreaterpatienceandlongersuffering,Idonotknow;butsoitis。 Thatthepunishmentisnevertheless,tomythinking,fullyascruelandaswrongintheircase,asinthatofthemen,Ineedscarcelyadd。 Myfirmconvictionisthat,independentofthementalanguishitoccasions-ananguishsoacuteandsotremendous,thatallimaginationofitmustfallfarshortofthereality-itwearsthemindintoamorbidstate,whichrendersitunfitfortheroughcontactandbusyactionoftheworld。Itismyfixedopinionthatthosewhohaveundergonethispunishment,MUSTpassintosocietyagainmorallyunhealthyanddiseased。Therearemanyinstancesonrecord,ofmenwhohavechosen,orhavebeencondemned,tolivesofperfectsolitude,butIscarcelyrememberone,evenamongsagesofstrongandvigorousintellect,whereitseffecthasnotbecomeapparent,insomedisorderedtrainofthought,orsomegloomyhallucination。Whatmonstrousphantoms,bredofdespondencyanddoubt,andbornandrearedinsolitude,havestalkedupontheearth,makingcreationugly,anddarkeningthefaceofHeaven! Suicidesarerareamongtheseprisoners:arealmost,indeed,unknown。Butnoargumentinfavourofthesystem,canreasonablybededucedfromthiscircumstance,althoughitisveryoftenurged。 Allmenwhohavemadediseasesofthemindtheirstudy,knowperfectlywellthatsuchextremedepressionanddespairaswillchangethewholecharacter,andbeatdownallitspowersofelasticityandself-resistance,maybeatworkwithinaman,andyetstopshortofself-destruction。Thisisacommoncase。 Thatitmakesthesensesdull,andbydegreesimpairsthebodilyfaculties,Iamquitesure。IremarkedtothosewhowerewithmeinthisveryestablishmentatPhiladelphia,thatthecriminalswhohadbeentherelong,weredeaf。They,whowereinthehabitofseeingthesemenconstantly,wereperfectlyamazedattheidea,whichtheyregardedasgroundlessandfanciful。Andyettheveryfirstprisonertowhomtheyappealed-oneoftheirownselectionconfirmedmyimpression(whichwasunknowntohim)instantly,andsaid,withagenuineairitwasimpossibletodoubt,thathecouldn\'tthinkhowithappened,butheWASgrowingverydullofhearing。 Thatitisasingularlyunequalpunishment,andaffectstheworstmanleast,thereisnodoubt。Initssuperiorefficiencyasameansofreformation,comparedwiththatothercodeofregulationswhichallowstheprisonerstoworkincompanywithoutcommunicatingtogether,Ihavenotthesmallestfaith。Alltheinstancesofreformationthatwerementionedtome,wereofakindthatmighthavebeen-andIhavenodoubtwhatever,inmyownmind,wouldhavebeen-equallywellbroughtaboutbytheSilentSystem。WithregardtosuchmenasthenegroburglarandtheEnglishthief,eventhemostenthusiastichavescarcelyanyhopeoftheirconversion。 Itseemstomethattheobjectionthatnothingwholesomeorgoodhaseverhaditsgrowthinsuchunnaturalsolitude,andthatevenadogoranyofthemoreintelligentamongbeasts,wouldpine,andmope,andrustaway,beneathitsinfluence,wouldbeinitselfasufficientargumentagainstthissystem。Butwhenwerecollect,inaddition,howverycruelandsevereitis,andthatasolitarylifeisalwaysliabletopeculiaranddistinctobjectionsofamostdeplorablenature,whichhavearisenhere,andcalltomind,moreover,thatthechoiceisnotbetweenthissystem,andabadorill-consideredone,butbetweenitandanotherwhichhasworkedwell,andis,initswholedesignandpractice,excellent;thereissurelymorethansufficientreasonforabandoningamodeofpunishmentattendedbysolittlehopeorpromise,andfraught,beyonddispute,withsuchahostofevils。 Asarelieftoitscontemplation,Iwillclosethischapterwithacuriousstoryarisingoutofthesametheme,whichwasrelatedtome,ontheoccasionofthisvisit,bysomeofthegentlemenconcerned。 Atoneoftheperiodicalmeetingsoftheinspectorsofthisprison,aworkingmanofPhiladelphiapresentedhimselfbeforetheBoard,andearnestlyrequestedtobeplacedinsolitaryconfinement。Onbeingaskedwhatmotivecouldpossiblyprompthimtomakethisstrangedemand,heansweredthathehadanirresistiblepropensitytogetdrunk;thathewasconstantlyindulgingit,tohisgreatmiseryandruin;thathehadnopowerofresistance;thathewishedtobeputbeyondthereachoftemptation;andthathecouldthinkofnobetterwaythanthis。Itwaspointedouttohim,inreply,thattheprisonwasforcriminalswhohadbeentriedandsentencedbythelaw,andcouldnotbemadeavailableforanysuchfancifulpurposes;hewasexhortedtoabstainfromintoxicatingdrinks,ashesurelymightifhewould;andreceivedotherverygoodadvice,withwhichheretired,exceedinglydissatisfiedwiththeresultofhisapplication。 Hecameagain,andagain,andagain,andwassoveryearnestandimportunate,thatatlasttheytookcounseltogether,andsaid,\'Hewillcertainlyqualifyhimselfforadmission,ifwerejecthimanymore。Letusshuthimup。Hewillsoonbegladtogoaway,andthenweshallgetridofhim。\'Sotheymadehimsignastatementwhichwouldpreventhiseversustaininganactionforfalseimprisonment,totheeffectthathisincarcerationwasvoluntary,andofhisownseeking;theyrequestedhimtotakenoticethattheofficerinattendancehadorderstoreleasehimatanyhourofthedayornight,whenhemightknockuponhisdoorforthatpurpose; butdesiredhimtounderstand,thatoncegoingout,hewouldnotbeadmittedanymore。Theseconditionsagreedupon,andhestillremaininginthesamemind,hewasconductedtotheprison,andshutupinoneofthecells。 Inthiscell,theman,whohadnotthefirmnesstoleaveaglassofliquorstandinguntastedonatablebeforehim-inthiscell,insolitaryconfinement,andworkingeverydayathistradeofshoemaking,thismanremainednearlytwoyears。Hishealthbeginningtofailattheexpirationofthattime,thesurgeonrecommendedthatheshouldworkoccasionallyinthegarden;andashelikedthenotionverymuch,hewentaboutthisnewoccupationwithgreatcheerfulness。 Hewasdigginghere,onesummerday,veryindustriously,whenthewicketintheoutergatechancedtobeleftopen:showing,beyond,thewell-remembereddustyroadandsunburntfields。Thewaywasasfreetohimastoanymanliving,buthenosoonerraisedhisheadandcaughtsightofit,allshininginthelight,than,withtheinvoluntaryinstinctofaprisoner,hecastawayhisspade,scamperedoffasfastashislegswouldcarryhim,andneveroncelookedback。 CHAPTERVIII-WASHINGTON。THELEGISLATURE。ANDTHEPRESIDENT\'S HOUSE WEleftPhiladelphiabysteamboat,atsixo\'clockoneverycoldmorning,andturnedourfacestowardsWashington。 Inthecourseofthisday\'sjourney,asonsubsequentoccasions,weencounteredsomeEnglishmen(smallfarmers,perhaps,orcountrypublicansathome)whoweresettledinAmerica,andweretravellingontheirownaffairs。OfallgradesandkindsofmenthatjostleoneinthepublicconveyancesoftheStates,theseareoftenthemostintolerableandthemostinsufferablecompanions。UnitedtoeverydisagreeablecharacteristicthattheworstkindofAmericantravellerspossess,thesecountrymenofoursdisplayanamountofinsolentconceitandcoolassumptionofsuperiority,quitemonstroustobehold。Inthecoarsefamiliarityoftheirapproach,andtheeffronteryoftheirinquisitiveness(whichtheyareingreathastetoassert,asiftheypantedtorevengethemselvesuponthedecentoldrestraintsofhome),theysurpassanynativespecimensthatcamewithinmyrangeofobservation:andIoftengrewsopatrioticwhenIsawandheardthem,thatIwouldcheerfullyhavesubmittedtoareasonablefine,ifIcouldhavegivenanyothercountryinthewholeworld,thehonourofclaimingthemforitschildren。 AsWashingtonmaybecalledthehead-quartersoftobacco-tincturedsaliva,thetimeiscomewhenImustconfess,withoutanydisguise,thattheprevalenceofthosetwoodiouspracticesofchewingandexpectoratingbeganaboutthistimetobeanythingbutagreeable,andsoonbecamemostoffensiveandsickening。InallthepublicplacesofAmerica,thisfilthycustomisrecognised。Inthecourtsoflaw,thejudgehashisspittoon,thecrierhis,thewitnesshis,andtheprisonerhis;whilethejurymenandspectatorsareprovidedfor,assomanymenwhointhecourseofnaturemustdesiretospitincessantly。Inthehospitals,thestudentsofmedicinearerequested,bynoticesuponthewall,toejecttheirtobaccojuiceintotheboxesprovidedforthatpurpose,andnottodiscolourthestairs。Inpublicbuildings,visitorsareimplored,throughthesameagency,tosquirttheessenceoftheirquids,or\'plugs,\'asI haveheardthemcalledbygentlemenlearnedinthiskindofsweetmeat,intothenationalspittoons,andnotaboutthebasesofthemarblecolumns。Butinsomeparts,thiscustomisinseparablymixedupwitheverymealandmorningcall,andwithallthetransactionsofsociallife。Thestranger,whofollowsinthetrackItookmyself,willfinditinitsfullbloomandglory,luxuriantinallitsalarmingrecklessness,atWashington。Andlethimnotpersuadehimself(asIoncedid,tomyshame)thatprevioustouristshaveexaggerateditsextent。Thethingitselfisanexaggerationofnastiness,whichcannotbeoutdone。 Onboardthissteamboat,thereweretwoyounggentlemen,withshirt-collarsreversedasusual,andarmedwithverybigwalking- sticks;whoplantedtwoseatsinthemiddleofthedeck,atadistanceofsomefourpacesapart;tookouttheirtobacco-boxes; andsatdownoppositeeachother,tochew。Inlessthanaquarterofanhour\'stime,thesehopefulyouthshadshedaboutthemonthecleanboards,acopiousshowerofyellowrain;clearing,bythatmeans,akindofmagiccircle,withinwhoselimitsnointrudersdaredtocome,andwhichtheyneverfailedtorefreshandre- refreshbeforeaspotwasdry。Thisbeingbeforebreakfast,ratherdisposedme,Iconfess,tonausea;butlookingattentivelyatoneoftheexpectorators,Iplainlysawthathewasyounginchewing,andfeltinwardlyuneasy,himself。Aglowofdelightcameovermeatthisdiscovery;andasImarkedhisfaceturnpalerandpaler,andsawtheballoftobaccoinhisleftcheek,quiverwithhissuppressedagony,whileyethespat,andchewed,andspatagain,inemulationofhisolderfriend,Icouldhavefallenonhisneckandimploredhimtogoonforhours。 Weallsatdowntoacomfortablebreakfastinthecabinbelow,wheretherewasnomorehurryorconfusionthanatsuchamealinEngland,andwheretherewascertainlygreaterpolitenessexhibitedthanatmostofourstage-coachbanquets。Ataboutnineo\'clockwearrivedattherailroadstation,andwentonbythecars。Atnoonweturnedoutagain,tocrossawideriverinanothersteamboat; landedatacontinuationoftherailroadontheoppositeshore;andwentonbyothercars;inwhich,inthecourseofthenexthourorso,wecrossedbywoodenbridges,eachamileinlength,twocreeks,calledrespectivelyGreatandLittleGunpowder。Thewaterinbothwasblackenedwithflightsofcanvas-backedducks,whicharemostdeliciouseating,andaboundhereaboutsatthatseasonoftheyear。 Thesebridgesareofwood,havenoparapet,andareonlyjustwideenoughforthepassageofthetrains;which,intheeventofthesmallestaccident,woundinevitablybeplungedintotheriver。 Theyarestartlingcontrivances,andaremostagreeablewhenpassed。 WestoppedtodineatBaltimore,andbeingnowinMaryland,werewaitedon,forthefirsttime,byslaves。Thesensationofexactinganyservicefromhumancreatureswhoareboughtandsold,andbeing,forthetime,apartyasitweretotheircondition,isnotanenviableone。Theinstitutionexists,perhaps,initsleastrepulsiveandmostmitigatedforminsuchatownasthis;butitIS slavery;andthoughIwas,withrespecttoit,aninnocentman,itspresencefilledmewithasenseofshameandself-reproach。 Afterdinner,wewentdowntotherailroadagain,andtookourseatsinthecarsforWashington。Beingratherearly,thosemenandboyswhohappenedtohavenothingparticulartodo,andwerecuriousinforeigners,came(accordingtocustom)roundthecarriageinwhichIsat;letdownallthewindows;thrustintheirheadsandshoulders;hookedthemselvesonconveniently,bytheirelbows;andfelltocomparingnotesonthesubjectofmypersonalappearance,withasmuchindifferenceasifIwereastuffedfigure。Inevergainedsomuchuncompromisinginformationwithreferencetomyownnoseandeyes,andvariousimpressionswroughtbymymouthandchinondifferentminds,andhowmyheadlookswhenitisviewedfrombehind,asontheseoccasions。Somegentlemenwereonlysatisfiedbyexercisingtheirsenseoftouch;andtheboys(whoaresurprisinglyprecociousinAmerica)wereseldomsatisfied,evenbythat,butwouldreturntothechargeoverandoveragain。Manyabuddingpresidenthaswalkedintomyroomwithhiscaponhisheadandhishandsinhispockets,andstaredatmefortwowholehours:occasionallyrefreshinghimselfwithatweakofhisnose,oradraughtfromthewater-jug;orbywalkingtothewindowsandinvitingotherboysinthestreetbelow,tocomeupanddolikewise:crying,\'Hereheis!\'\'Comeon!\'\'Bringallyourbrothers!\'withotherhospitableentreatiesofthatnature。 WereachedWashingtonatabouthalf-pastsixthatevening,andhaduponthewayabeautifulviewoftheCapitol,whichisafinebuildingoftheCorinthianorder,placeduponanobleandcommandingeminence。Arrivedatthehotel;Isawnomoreoftheplacethatnight;beingverytired,andgladtogettobed。 Breakfastovernextmorning,Iwalkaboutthestreetsforanhourortwo,and,cominghome,throwupthewindowinthefrontandback,andlookout。HereisWashington,freshinmymindandundermyeye。 TaketheworstpartsoftheCityRoadandPentonville,orthestragglingoutskirtsofParis,wherethehousesaresmallest,preservingalltheiroddities,butespeciallythesmallshopsanddwellings,occupiedinPentonville(butnotinWashington)byfurniture-brokers,keepersofpooreating-houses,andfanciersofbirds。Burnthewholedown;builditupagaininwoodandplaster; widenitalittle;throwinpartofSt。John\'sWood;putgreenblindsoutsidealltheprivatehouses,witharedcurtainandawhiteoneineverywindow;ploughupalltheroads;plantagreatdealofcoarseturfineveryplacewhereitoughtNOTtobe;erectthreehandsomebuildingsinstoneandmarble,anywhere,butthemoreentirelyoutofeverybody\'swaythebetter;callonethePostOffice;onethePatentOffice,andonetheTreasury;makeitscorchinghotinthemorning,andfreezingcoldintheafternoon,withanoccasionaltornadoofwindanddust;leaveabrick-fieldwithoutthebricks,inallcentralplaceswhereastreetmaynaturallybeexpected:andthat\'sWashington。 Thehotelinwhichwelive,isalongrowofsmallhousesfrontingonthestreet,andopeningatthebackuponacommonyard,inwhichhangsagreattriangle。Wheneveraservantiswanted,somebodybeatsonthistrianglefromonestrokeuptoseven,accordingtothenumberofthehouseinwhichhispresenceisrequired;andasalltheservantsarealwaysbeingwanted,andnoneofthemevercome,thisenliveningengineisinfullperformancethewholedaythrough。Clothesaredryinginthesameyard;femaleslaves,withcottonhandkerchiefstwistedroundtheirheadsarerunningtoandfroonthehotelbusiness;blackwaiterscrossandrecrosswithdishesintheirhands;twogreatdogsareplayinguponamoundofloosebricksinthecentreofthelittlesquare;apigisturninguphisstomachtothesun,andgrunting\'that\'scomfortable!\';andneitherthemen,northewomen,northedogs,northepig,noranycreatedcreature,takesthesmallestnoticeofthetriangle,whichistinglingmadlyallthetime。 Iwalktothefrontwindow,andlookacrosstheroaduponalong,stragglingrowofhouses,onestoryhigh,terminating,nearlyopposite,butalittletotheleft,inamelancholypieceofwastegroundwithfrowzygrass,whichlookslikeasmallpieceofcountrythathastakentodrinking,andhasquitelostitself。Standinganyhowandallwrong,uponthisopenspace,likesomethingmeteoricthathasfallendownfromthemoon,isanodd,lop-sided,one-eyedkindofwoodenbuilding,thatlookslikeachurch,withaflag- staffaslongasitselfstickingoutofasteeplesomethinglargerthanatea-chest。Underthewindowisasmallstandofcoaches,whoseslave-driversaresunningthemselvesonthestepsofourdoor,andtalkingidlytogether。Thethreemostobtrusivehousesnearathandarethethreemeanest。Onone-ashop,whichneverhasanythinginthewindow,andneverhasthedooropen-ispaintedinlargecharacters,\'THECITYLUNCH。\'Atanother,whichlookslikeabackwaytosomewhereelse,butisanindependentbuildinginitself,oystersareprocurableineverystyle。Atthethird,whichisavery,verylittletailor\'sshop,pantsarefixedtoorder;orinotherwords,pantaloonsaremadetomeasure。AndthatisourstreetinWashington。 ItissometimescalledtheCityofMagnificentDistances,butitmightwithgreaterproprietybetermedtheCityofMagnificentIntentions;foritisonlyontakingabird\'s-eyeviewofitfromthetopoftheCapitol,thatonecanatallcomprehendthevastdesignsofitsprojector,anaspiringFrenchman。Spaciousavenues,thatbegininnothing,andleadnowhere;streets,mile-long,thatonlywanthouses,roadsandinhabitants;publicbuildingsthatneedbutapublictobecomplete;andornamentsofgreatthoroughfares,whichonlylackgreatthoroughfarestoornament-areitsleadingfeatures。Onemightfancytheseasonover,andmostofthehousesgoneoutoftownforeverwiththeirmasters。TotheadmirersofcitiesitisaBarmecideFeast:apleasantfieldfortheimaginationtorovein;amonumentraisedtoadeceasedproject,withnotevenalegibleinscriptiontorecorditsdepartedgreatness。 Suchasitis,itislikelytoremain。ItwasoriginallychosenfortheseatofGovernment,asameansofavertingtheconflictingjealousiesandinterestsofthedifferentStates;andveryprobably,too,asbeingremotefrommobs:aconsiderationnottobeslighted,eveninAmerica。Ithasnotradeorcommerceofitsown:havinglittleornopopulationbeyondthePresidentandhisestablishment;themembersofthelegislaturewhoresidethereduringthesession;theGovernmentclerksandofficersemployedinthevariousdepartments;thekeepersofthehotelsandboarding- houses;andthetradesmenwhosupplytheirtables。Itisveryunhealthy。FewpeoplewouldliveinWashington,Itakeit,whowerenotobligedtoresidethere;andthetidesofemigrationandspeculation,thoserapidandregardlesscurrents,arelittlelikelytoflowatanytimetowardssuchdullandsluggishwater。 TheprincipalfeaturesoftheCapitol,are,ofcourse,thetwohousesofAssembly。Butthereis,besides,inthecentreofthebuilding,afinerotunda,ninety-sixfeetindiameter,andninety- sixhigh,whosecircularwallisdividedintocompartments,ornamentedbyhistoricalpictures。Fourofthesehavefortheirsubjectsprominenteventsintherevolutionarystruggle。TheywerepaintedbyColonelTrumbull,himselfamemberofWashington\'sstaffatthetimeoftheiroccurrence;fromwhichcircumstancetheyderiveapeculiarinterestoftheirown。InthissamehallMr。 Greenough\'slargestatueofWashingtonhasbeenlatelyplaced。Ithasgreatmeritsofcourse,butitstruckmeasbeingratherstrainedandviolentforitssubject。Icouldwish,however,tohaveseenitinabetterlightthanitcaneverbeviewedin,whereitstands。