J.G.  Seymour mentioned one of the English prisoners to me, whose heart had been softened, and his reformation commenced, through the kindness of his prosecutor, who had spent both time and money in endeavoring to procure his release.  This statement was fully confirmed in an interesting conversation I had with the individual himself, who was subsequently permitted, as well as another Englishman, to send letters by me to their relations in this country.

An extract from the correspondence of one of my unfortunate fellow-countrymen, which I am permitted to make, will afford an interesting view of the internal administration of the Sing Sing prison, by one of its inmates.  After alluding to the absolute monotony of prison life, he gives one day as a specimen of every day.  “Monday morning, the large prison bell rings at five o’clock, when we all rise; half an hour after, we all go out to work, to our respective shops, till breakfast, the keepers all the time seated upon a high seat, overlooking—­seeing that everything is ordered and going on in a proper manner:  no talking allowed upon any occasion, or under any pretence whatever.  When the breakfast-bell rings, we all go in to breakfast, each one to a separate room, (which are all numbered, one thousand in all;) every man’s breakfast is ready for him in his room,—­one pint of coffee, with plenty of meat, potatoes, and rye bread.  After one hour, the prison opens again, and we work in a similar manner till twelve—­dinner hour—­when we go in again.  Dinner is set ready as before,—­an ample quantity of meat, potatoes, and bread, with a cup of water, (the best beverage in the world—­would to God I had never drank any thing else, and I should not have been here;) one hour allowed for dinner, when we go out and work again till six o’clock, when we come in and are locked up for the night, with a large bowl of mush, (hasty pudding with molasses,) the finest food in the world, made from Indian meal.  Thus passes each day of the week.  Sundays we rise at the same hour; each man has a clean shirt given him in his room, then goes to the kitchen, brings his breakfast in with him, the same as before, and is locked up till eight, when Divine service is performed by a most worthy and able chaplain.  After service, through the pious and benevolent efforts of Mr. Seymour, we have an excellent Sabbath School.  Bible classes, where from three to four hundred attend, about half to learn to read, and the others to receive instruction in the way to attain everlasting life, under the immediate inspection of Mr. Seymour; and I am happy to say, that the greatest attention is paid by scholars of both classes:  many, very many, know how to appreciate the value of these privileges, and benefit by them accordingly.  Mr. Seymour has obtained a large library for us, and one of the prisoners is librarian.  At eleven o’clock we are locked up for the day, with an extra allowance of food and water sufficient.  The librarian and an assistant are left open, to distribute the books; that is to go to each man’s cell, get the book he had the previous Sunday, and give him another in exchange, generally supplying them with a small tract, of which we mostly have a great plenty.”