French prisons long lagged behind advanced practices abroad, not only in respect of their structural fitness and physical condition, but also in the measure in which the method of conducting them effected the morals of those who passed through them. When the question was at last presented, it was considered with the logical thoroughness and carried out with the administrative efficiency characteristic of the French government, when impressed with the necessity for action in any given line. The question for the French prison authorities--as indeed it is the question of questions for the prison government of all nations--is now: “What can be and shall be done for the reform of the convict rather than for his mere repression and punishment?” The material aspects of the French prison system have attained almost to perfection. These, as well as the moral aspects of the subject, which that very physical perfection inevitably presents, it is the purpose of this volume to consider. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE INTRODUCTION 5 I. AFTER THE REVOLUTION 11 II. THE GREAT SEAPORT PRISONS 46 III. CELEBRATED FRENCH CONVICTS 69 IV. THE FIRST GREAT DETECTIVE 92 V. THE COMBAT WITH CRIME 112 VI. CELEBRATED CASES 131 VII. THE COURSE OF THE LAW 154 VIII. MAZAS AND LA SANTÉ 171 IX. TWO MODEL REFORMATORIES 197 X. A MODEL PENITENTIARY 222 List of Illustrations MADAME ROLAND INCARCERATED IN SAINTE PÉLAGIE _Frontispiece_ THE CONCIERGERIE, PARIS _Page_ 28 HOSPICE DE LA BICÊTRE, PARIS “ 53 SAINTE PÉLAGIE “ 113 HOSPICE DE LA SALTPÊTRIÈRE, PARIS “ 200 MODERN FRENCH PRISONS CHAPTER I AFTER THE REVOLUTION The Old and the New Régime divided by the Revolution--Changes in prison system introduced by the Legislative Assembly--Napoleon’s State prisons which replaced the Bastile--Common gaols which still survived--Bicêtre--St. Pélagie--Saint Lazare--The Conciergerie and La Force--Account of La Force from contemporary records--Béranger in La Force--Chenu--His experiences--St. Pélagie described--Wallerand, the infamous governor--Origin of Bicêtre--As John Howard saw it--Inconceivably bad under the Empire--Vidocq’s account of Bicêtre--The Conciergerie--Marie Antoinette--Political prisoners in the Conciergerie--Marshal Ney and Le Comte de La Valette--His wonderful escape.