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their pristine course, but he, after two years service, ceased to act in the cause. Soon after the state prison was built in the city of New-York, Mr. Eddy began to think that if he had not committed an error in his plan, it certainly was susceptible of improvement. He found, from careful observation, that several confined in a cell corrupted each other, for each one told to his companions his career of vice, and all joined by sympathetic villany to keep each other in countenance. This, to the eye of the shrewd philanthropist was not long conceal-ed ; and like a man of moral intrepidity, he avowed his error and condemned it. There can be no doubt but this single-cell plan now in use, was conceived and made known to the public by Mr. Eddy, before it was thought of either in this country, or in Europe, by any other person. In March, 1802, he visited Al-bany, solely for the purpose of prevailing upon the Legislature to pass a bill for erecting a prison in the city and county of New-York, and by degrees to ex-tend the plan to other districts in the state, whichprison was to contain solitary cells. These prisons were to be used for all those who had committed minor crimes, and no one was to be sent to the state prison for a less term than three years. Into the solitary cells in these, the prisoner was to be confined according to his crime. So situated, he would have time to reflect upon his past conduct, and to begin the work of reformation. A bill was passed for this purpose, but by making it optional with the city and county, instead of being imperative, the plan was not carried into effect, notwithstanding every exertion of Mr. Eddy and his friends, in urging it upon the corporation. One committee after another took it into consideration, and seemed highly pleased with the plan, being convinced that it would be a means of preventing crime, yet they did not comply with the requisition. Mr. Eddy was not to be dis-couraged by the failure. He mentioned his plan in