Of _moral improvement_, however, as regards the _many_, embracing change of principle and _real amendment of character_, he feels (he says) considerable diffidence. Bearing in mind the circumstances of the prison,--the period of separate confinement, rarely exceeding six months, being somewhat brief to be _permanently effective_ for reformatory purposes--the danger of any good impressions made during that period (the seed-time of reformation) being effaced when prisoners are transferred to the _large rooms and general ward_, where the opportunity is withdrawn from those under incipient convictions of being ever _left alone with their conscience_, and the spiritual exercises of the more advanced in religion, both meditation and prayer, are subject to disturbance. If this opinion is the result of intelligent and long continued observation, (as we suppose it to be,) it is certainly very conclusive as to the value and indispensableness of convict-separation as a means of reform. The italic words are all found of the same character in the original document. They form, when read by themselves, a memorable sentence, and one which we respectfully commend to all those who stand in doubt on the subject. "Moral improvement or real amendment of character, to be permanently effective among the many, is not to be expected in large rooms and general wards. They require to be left alone with their conscience." From _Pentonville_, we have a very favorable report, especially as it regards the health, physical and mental. Only two cases of insanity have occurred during the year among 561 prisoners, and of these one had low intellectual development, which made him incapable of learning a trade; and the other, though only 26 years of age, had been previously convicted and imprisoned three times. He was suddenly seized with mania three weeks only after commitment, and cerebral disease was presumed by the physician to have been upon him when received. Concerning both of the cases the physician remarks, that the "insanity was not traceable to the operation of separation on the minds of the prisoners."--p. 11. We venture to say that no prison on any plan or system can show cleaner papers respecting the health of an equal number of convicts.