disturbed by the peculiar rattling of the large
wool spinning- wheels; the repulsive faces of
many of my new comrades; the whole house-
of-correction atmosphere, made, quivering yet
under the impression of the toilette, a very
strong impression upon my mind.
Everything whirled before my eyes.

By-and-by I recovered, and could look
about. They had not. on that first day,
given me any work. One of the convicts
attracted me, with noble features and a high,
beautiful forehead. It was Dr. K. of Heidelberg,
spinning wool with the earnest mien of
an old Roman senator. His neighbour to
the right looked like a student; but he was
an incendiary.

Near a spinning-wheel at the opposite side
there stood a young man like a Theseus,
with long-lashed eyes, and a mouth delicate
as that of a girl; it was a young student of
medicine from Mayence. He had been only
three days in Baden, and, being ill while
there, had never seen a fight, or carried
arms. Intending to return to Mayence, he
passed Heidelberg, and there he was arrested
by a clever gendarme, who sagaciously
concluded that the perfectly new cap he wore
must have replaced quite recently the hat of
a rebel. Young R. had indeed belonged to a
patriotic corps which was formed in his native
town, but had dispersed before it reached
Baden. He was sentenced to imprisonment
for ten years, like myself. After two years
of punishment, he obtained pardon. His
parents and relations being well off, spared
no money, and applied it in the right directions.

In the afternoon, we were permitted to
walk for half an hour in the yard. During
this time I became acquainted by sight with
many of my fellow patriots. Thousands of
them still languished in the casemates; where
they were perishing by hundreds, neglected
and forlorn. The government of Baden showed
so little concern in coming to a speedy end
with the examinations, that only three judges
were appointed to this business in Rastadt;
where no less than five thousand six hundred
accused men were held in durance.

At seven o'clock we had our supper. It
consisted of a pint chopin of soup made of
water, very mouldy black bread, and less
than half an ounce of a detestable fat, called
smear; generally used for the greasing of
carriage-wheels. This horrible soup was not
seldom given thrice a day— for breakfast,
dinner, and supper. After supper, we
proceeded directly to the bedroom; in which
there might have been some forty beds.
After the gaoler had said prayers for us all,
he locked the door and went away. He could
always look into the room by a wicket, where
lights were burning all night.

I had managed to have my bed at the side
of Dr. K., with nobody on the other side. K.
had a mind to talk; but this was impossible
to me. During all the day I had forcibly
held back the tears; now I hid my head
under the blanket, and wept like a child.

At half-past four in the morning we were
awakened by the ringing of a bell. Everybody
rose, and made his bed and his toilette.
The latter was a curious proceeding; for it
was a toilette without glasses, basins, tooth-
brushes, or even soap. The washing apparatus
for these forty people consisted simply in one
tub of water and an empty tub, together with
a small tin drinking-cup. Since, for the whole
business, to forty persons, only a few minutes
were allowed, our ablutions were always very
incomplete.

After a prayer spoken by a gaoler, the
workroom was opened, and we began our
labour by the help of dim oil-lights. I
was ordered attend a large spinning-
wheel, and received a quantity of wool to
convert into thread. One of the work-
masters showed me how to proceed, and I
began my task. When my wheel got
entangled, my neighbour to the right came and
put it in order, without speaking a word.
This was a young Italian, who, in animated
dispute, had thrust his knife into the body of a
Baden subject. I could see how excitable he
was. His blood was always in extraordinary
motion, and when he came to help me he
blushed like a girl.

My neighbour to the left was a venerable
old poacher, who sometimes offered me
stealthy pinches from his little bark snuff-
box; and I could not find it in my heart to
refuse this little kindness. The director had
taken care to place me betwixt the two most
honest knaves of his collection. Generally,
the common criminal felt that the political
offenders did not belong to their set. They
forbore to show any intimacy; although all
wore the same dress, and did the same work.
If any one of us spoke to them, they were
pleased, and showed their acknowledgments
by many little services.

Before the breakfast, half loaves of very
coarse black bread were brought in baskets,
and, when the gaoler called a name, each of
us went forth to fetch one. In the first
days, I was always struck by my name as by
a dagger-thrust. The bread was very bad,
for it was mixed with common field-beau
meal; but it was not safe to complain too
loudly; a few common criminals who had
done so having been punished. None being
permitted to have knives, every one that
desired to cut a bit of bread (one pound and a
half was the daily allowance) had to go to one
of the pillars, against which a blunt knife
hung by a short chain.

The dinner at twelve o'clock consisted of a
chopin of soup and a chopin of potatoes;
lentils, peas, or another vegetable: meat was
given only twice a week, four ounces at a time.

On the Saturday came a gaoler, and asked
which of us desired to write a letter. I was
of that number, for I had promised to my
wife to write to her as soon as possible.