Amidst it all, however, there were several light-hearted and laughing groups walking from cell to cell to whom all this misery appeared matter of amusement.

The doors of several of the wards were thrown open for these parties, and as Jack passed, he could not help glancing at the wretched inmates.

Here was a poor half-naked creature, with a straw crown on his head, and a wooden sceptre in his hand, seated on the ground with all the dignity of a monarch on his throne.

There was a mad musician, seemingly rapt in admiration of the notes he was extracting from a child's violin.

Here was a terrific figure gnashing his teeth, and howling like a wild beast;--there a lover, with hands clasped together and eyes turned passionately upward.