Page:California Inter Pocula.djvu/431



with rows  of  bunks,  the  rest  of  the  floors  are  pa.rti- tioned into  double  hues  of  cells,  chiefly  nine  feet  long by four  wide,  and  eight  high,  opening  on  a  central passage. The cells  contain  one  to  two  bunks,  a  straw tick, two  pairs  of  blankets  and  a  bucket. Many are, besides, neatly  furnished  with  tables,  stools,  toilet  ar- ticles, and ornaments  made  or  bought  by  the  inmate.

The block  also  contains  workshops  of  several  sto- ries, one costing  $130,000,  and  a  number  of  offices;  the whole having  rather  a  patchy  appearance  owing  to the  irregular  additions  made  at  various  times. In the centre  is  an  open  space  cultivated  as  a  flower  gar- den, with a  hewn  stone  fountain — an  oasis  in  the desert.

A number  of  guards  are  on  the  watch  against  re- volt ; sentinels  patrol  upon  the  walls ;  and  the  frown- ing muzzles of  primed  guns  appear  in  different  direc- tions. Upon the  two  parallel  hills  which  enclose  the narrow tract  there  are,  besides,  several  stations  or guard  houses  with  grape-charged  cannon. There are also situated  the  prison  reservoirs,  one  of  250,000 gallons. A large  brick  yard  borders  on  the  bay.

Convicts are  brought  hither  by  country  sheriffs; and to  judge  by  the  mileage  allowed,  the  task  must be rather  attractive  to  the  more  distant  officials. The new arrival  is  conducted  to  the  turnkey's  office  to  be measured,  and  to  undergo  a  physical  and  moral  ex- amination for fitness,  for  place,  and  identification  in case  of  escape;  whereupon  he  receives  the  striped uniform, and  his  hair  is  clipped  very  short.

A second  and  less  agreeable  initiation  awaits  him at the  hands  of  the  old  residents,  consisting  of blanket-tossing,  rail-riding,  and  other  persecutions and indignities,  regulated  according  to  his  tempera- ment. Those who  take  the  fun  in  good  humor  are soon released  and  become  favorites. But woe  to  him who shows  obstinacy  or  cowardice  ;  his  sufferings  are aggravated and  prolonged  in  proportion ;  complaints will not  s