or encouragement of perhaps the first friend he ever knew. It seems as if God had raised up men on purpose for the work. We are personally acquainted with some Gaol Chaplains, and have read the Reports of many, and believe, in most cases they are men of energy, discernment and piety. If we have a fault to find with them, it is, that from their experience of visible effects speedily and uniformly produced on those who are under their charge, they come to speak and write as if the reformation of a sinner were a matter of certainty, provided only a sufficient time is allowed. We are aware, that this is only an apparent error, for no man would be more ready than Mr. Field to acknowledge the absolute necessity of the power of the Holy Spirit in any work of genuine reformation.” No. 5.--_Kentucky State Penitentiary._ A friend has kindly forwarded to us a copy of the annual report of the keeper, clerk, &c., of the Kentucky Penitentiary, for the year 1848. It is located at Frankfort, and as the reports indicate, is administered with much success. We have noted a few items of general interest. It was formerly the custom to _shave the head_ of every convict _once a week_. This humiliating process was required by law, but, at the suggestion of the present keeper, it was so modified, as to leave it to the discretion of the keeper to shave or not to shave. The good effects of the measure were at once manifest. We are not told to what extent the practice now prevails, but are left to infer that it is only adopted as a mode of punishment. There can be no doubt, we think, that all methods of humbling or subduing a convict which savour of vindictiveness, or occasion a needless violation of a natural and proper self-respect, are to be deprecated. External badges of infamy and degradation may be needful sometimes as a precaution against escapes, or for the recapture of convicts, but it is a great advantage to be able to dispense with them. The average number of convicts in confinement at the date of the report, was 161, and the clear profits upon their earnings during the year, were eight or nine thousand dollars. The bagging business has been found dull, and very extensive preparations are now made for coopering.