Not to approve of a society whose object is so _benevolent_ and whose motives are so _heavenly_, may at first thought, be regarded by many as an evidence of inhumanity and impiety. Such is the opinion of the society, and it denounces as _guilty_, "_those who neglect or oppose the performance of the duties in which it is engaged_." This is courting patronage in a style rather too arrogant and damnatory. Its simple meaning is this--All mankind must think and act in concert with _us_, in relation to prisons, or be _guilty_. As one, I am willing to incur the guilt of dissenting from this society; nor shall I fear that this will expose me to the condemnation of "the Saviour of the world," till the object shall be changed from "THE IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC PRISONS," to the improvement of PRISONERS. A society for the _moral_, and _spiritual_, and _temporal_ improvement of prisoners, that should seek these ends by moral and _merciful_ means, and continue its guardian care over them _after_ they are released, by furnishing them with _employment_, and treating them with _respect_, I should consider it criminal to neglect or oppose; but such is _not_ "THE PRISON DISCIPLINE SOCIETY." The great object of this society is, to introduce solitary confinement into all our prisons during the night season, and hard labour during the day. Another part of the discipline of prisons, recommended by this society, is--STRIPES!-- In respect to both these branches of prison discipline, the reader shall have the language of the society, that he may be sure my representations are correct. In the FIRST REPORT, pages 25-28, the views of the society in respect to the practice of confining several convicts in one room at night, is expressed as follows:-- "We find great unity of opinion among all well informed and practical men, in regard to the evils of this miserable system,[2] and the importance of solitary confinement, at least by night. [Footnote 2: That of confining several prisoners in one cell at night.] The superintendent of the New Hampshire Penitentiary, MOSES C. PILSBURY, who has been seven years in that institution, says, he has thought much of the benefits, which would result from solitary confinement at night. The plots which have been designed, during his term of service, have been conceived, and promoted, in the night rooms. He has spent much time in listening to the conversation of the convicts at night, and thus has detected plots and learned whole histories of villany. Judge COTTON, the superintendent of the Vermont Penitentiary, says, I feel satisfied, that great evils might be avoided, could our State Prison be so constructed, that the convicts might lodge separately from each other. Solitary confinement, during the night, would be an effectual bar, and have a great tendency to suppress many evils, which do exist, and ever will exist, so long as prisoners are allowed to associate together in their lodging rooms.