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At the request of Mrs. McFarland, the Doctor finally consented to my going into the sewing-room for the half of each day, while other prisoners can go all day, if they choose. Thus, by sewing for the State, as its imprisoned slave, I can buy the privilege of exchanging the putrid, loathsome air of the ward, for the more wholesome, purer atmosphere of the sewing-room for half a day.

But instead of this being a relief, it seems to be only an aggravation of the evil, for the air of the hall seems doubly grievous and unendurable by contrast, and the incessant noise and uproar of the maniacs, seems heightened every time I return to the roar of the tempest after a short calm.

I think I can well pay my way, by making a vest or pair of pants daily, to swell the aggregate of Dr. McFarland's report of the pecuniary profits arising solely from this slave labor. This is my only alternative to get better air for my health!

If I were a male prisoner, I might perhaps be allowed, under a watchful keeper, to go on to the Doctor's great farm, and hoe his corn and potatoes, with his sixty other day laborers, which this house furnishes, without cost to himself, for his exclusive benefit.

And thus, by Dr. McFarland's granting me the right to breathe the fresh air of heaven, I might help fill his coffers, by my unpaid labor.

I might thus help Dr. McFarland to publish his benevolent deeds to the world, that he gives to the poor around him yearly, a bushel of potatoes from his own farm!

Or it might help to buy some of the costly wines, and cigars, and confectioneries with which the asylum feast tables are loaded, at the State's expense, to the credit of Dr. McFarland's great hospitality!

Yes, it may pay for the intoxicating drinks the company of soldiers to which his eldest son belonged, used on that memora-ble occasion, when they, after this drunken debauch, stalked through our halls, headed by their drunken leader, to see us, the boarders of the house, put off with nothing but bread and molasses to eat, and nothing but a single saucer left to eat it from; for we were deprived of every cup, spoon, knife and fork, and chair, to supply the table of Dr. McFarland's guests.

If we could have had one raisin, or cake, or candy, or apple, or any thing, left in the shape of fragments from that groaning table of luxuries, in exchange for the vegetables, strawberries, butter, sugar, and tea, they took from our table, we should have felt better satisfied.

I could not help sympathizing with the remark made by our kind attendant, Miss Tomlin, on that well-remembered occasion -- as we stood around our table, dipping our bread into our black molasses. The Doctor seemed inclined to shut this scene from the soldiers' view who followed after; but Miss Tomlin, instead of granting this wish, said, as she opened the door:

"No, let them, see us as we are. Let them see how our table comforts compare with their own!"

It may help too, to pay for the costly wine which Mrs. Coe told me she had seen carried, by the pail full, into the cham-ber of his eldest son, to treat his companions with, taken from the asylum storehouse of luxuries, charged for the "good of the patients."

Seldom, very seldom, did a drop of these wines ever pass the lips of a patient, for his "good" or evil either.

Dr. McFarland's mode of "impressing" free citizens of these United States into his service is truly profitable, if not novel, in that it pays him well, as a public financier.

CHAPTER XXVIII.
Record of a Day.

The record of one day is a record of all, since I came to this ward. I rise with the breakfast bell, which rings about fifteen minutes before we are called to the table. I first drop upon my knees and offer a short prayer for protection and guidance, and then drink a tumbler of rain water, which, in connection with my other health regimen, proves effectual in producing good digestion, which habit is so indispensably necessary to perfect health and mental vigor.

I wet my head in soft water, and wash my hands and face and dress myself as quickly as possible.

I then throw off my bed clothes, article by article, giving each a shaking to air it, and stir up the husks of my mattress, and then leave them all airing while I eat my breakfast. I sleep with my window wide open, both summer and winter.

After breakfast, I finish making my bed, sweep and dust my room, and then invite the ladies of our hall to my room, to prayers, leaving each entirely free to come or not just as they choose.

There is but one chapel service daily, and that is at night. Sometimes one, sometimes three, and oftentimes no one re-sponds to my invitation by coming to prayers.

After reading and praying I commence my studies, by first writing in my diary and journal. I pursue a systematic course of studying the Bible and writing out my conclusions, and then read some scientific book requiring thought and close attention, until eleven o'clock.

I then take a full bath of cold water, and follow it with vigorous friction, accompanied with gymnastic exercises, adap-ted to the expansion of the chest and muscles of the system. I pursue this vigorous exercise before my open window until I find it a sweet relief to sit down and comb my hair thoroughly.