_Instruction of Prisoners._—In the same year, the duty of _instructing ignorant prisoners in useful knowledge_, which previously to that time had been almost wholly neglected, both in Europe and this country, took such hold of our Society that it not only drew forth warm expressions of sympathy in such efforts, but resulted in an agreement to allow compensation for services rendered in that behalf. _Vagrants._—In 1800, the _employment of Vagrants and Convicts_, and the expense of their support, were made a subject of inquiry, and resulted in some interesting statistical and other facts being brought into view. _Pardons._—The subject of Pardons, also, at this early stage of reformatory movements, was discussed by the Society with much interest, and it was its settled judgment that the exercise of the prerogative at all, excepting in some rare and peculiar cases, was of very doubtful expediency; and that in the manner in which, in point of fact, it was generally exercised, it was a positive evil, both as regards the prisoner and the community. Pardons, it is believed, are nearly, if not quite, as frequently extended to undeserving, as to deserving cases; and beside this objection, the mere impression on the mind of the prisoner that, by effort and importunity, and the aid of the requisite agencies, he may succeed in obtaining a discharge before the expiration of his sentence, keeps him in a state of unsettlement, which entirely unfits him for the wholesome influence which the prison discipline is intended to exert. _Prison Library._—One of the next prominent measures was the establishment of a _prison library_. The Inspectors agreed to pay the cost of a book-case, and a Committee of the Society was appointed to purchase proper books and frame rules for their circulation. In referring to the list reported, we find a large proportion of the selection was from the higher and more refined department of didactic literature, which, though intrinsically of undoubted value, we apprehend that many of the volumes were not adapted to the greater part of the class of persons for whose use they were intended. Even down to the present time, although the press is so prolific in its issues, and great judgment has been displayed in preparing books adapted to the various grades of mind, the task of making a selection is found to be very difficult. A large proportion of the prisoners, on entering, prove to be very nearly, if not quite, without literary culture; and their previous associations have been such, that the feelings and modes of expression which pervade refined society, are to them totally incomprehensible. As regards many of these, although they have in years fully attained to manhood, they are still merely children in mental capacity and training, and consequently books of the most simple and elementary character are alone suited to their condition.