old associates.  If our example causes others to rise up and make efforts for reaching and reforming these classes, who would not rejoice?  At present it is a sad fact that throughout India the native criminals are debarred from all opportunities of being reached by the softening influences of religion.  The Europeans have their Chaplains,—­the Natives are allowed to have no one to minister to their souls’ needs, or to bring to bear upon them those moral influences which might, and we know often would, lead to their reform.  There seems no reason whatever why the following rules, which have been drawn up by the Ceylon Government, should not be adopted likewise in India:—­

General Rules made by His Excellency the Governor, acting under the advice of the Executive Council for the Government of Prisons, for the guidance of the prison officers, under and by authority of Section 26 of the Prisons Ordinance, 1887.

226.  Ministers of religion and religions instructors shall be entitled to visit prisoners under commitment for trial and prisoners undergoing sentence after trial, and to give religious and moral instructions to those who are willing to receive the same on Sundays and other days in which prisoners are usually allowed freedom from work, between the hours of eight in the morning and four in the afternoon.

227.  Such ministers or other persons shall be allowed access at all times (but between the hours specified) to all prisoners who shall be certified by the medical officers of the prison to be seriously ill.

    228.  In prisons where such an arrangement can conveniently be made,
    a suitable room shall be set apart where religious instruction can
    be afforded to prisoners and the rites of religion administered.

229.  If, under the directions of Government, Christian services be held in any Jail, on Sundays and on other days when such services are performed, all Christian criminal prisoners shall attend the same unless prevented by sickness or other reasonable cause—­to be allowed by the Jailor—­or unless their service is dispensed with by the Superintendent.  No prisoner, however, shall be compelled to attend any religious instruction given by the ministers or religious instructor of a church or persuasion to which the prisoner does not belong.

230.  It shall be lawful for the Superintendent in charge of any prison to prohibit any particular minister or instructor visiting any prisoner in such prison, if it shall appear to him that such minister or instructor is an improper or indiscreet person, or likely to have improper communication with the prisoner, provided that such Superintendent shall without delay communicate his reason for doing so, to the Inspector General for report to Government.

231.  No books or printed papers shall be admitted into any prison for the use