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[XIII]

of the first importance to be considered in every system of prison discipline.

Further to promote this benevolent object, it is recommended that the prisoners should be kept separate from each other, so far as possible, especially during the night; lest by communicating together, the old and most hardened offenders should become active instructors in crime, and the prison, instead of being a place for reform, should be converted into a seminary for the teaching of every kind of vice.

For further information in detail, as to the concerns of this prison, I refer to the reports of the Inspectors and Warden, which will be laid before you.

Our literary institutions are in a prosperous state, and under the fostering care of the government, spreading the influence of mental light and good morals among the people.

For the correct management and progressive improvement of these institutions we cannot feel too anxious, since on education depends so much of our happiness, and the security of our free governments.

The Colleges at Brunswick and Waterville have heretofore partaken largely of the public munificence.

Their usefulness and prosperity have been promoted and sustained by the annual donations which have been granted to them, agreeably to that provision of the constitution, which imperatively makes it the duty of the Legislature to encourage and suitably to endow, from time to time, as the circumstances of the people may authorize, all academies, colleges and seminaries of learning within the State.

That this public bounty has not been injudiciously bestowed, or misapplied, is to be inferred from the flourishing condition of these colleges, the ability and diligence of their several professors, and the increasing number of their students, a great proportion of whom are enabled to obtain their instruction gratuitously by the aid afforded them