CHAPTER V.
PRISON LIFE.
Mostowski's note.—Every hope vanished.—Severities towards Niemcewicz.—His occupations.—His dreams.—Mostowski sends him books.—Anecdote.—He is allowed to write.—His literary labours.—The fare of the prisoners.—Niemcewicz's health is impaired.—He plays at ball.—Salutary influence of this exercise.—He becomes intimate with the soldiers.—Character of their officer, Praporszczyk, or ensign.—His atrocities.—Fate of the unfortunate soldiers composing the guard of the prisoners.—Niemcewicz succeeds in forwarding by them two notes to General Kosciuszko.
Mostowski, on leaving our prison, had promised me the influence of his lady, and every possible endeavour to snatch me, at least, from the prison in which I was, and to obtain permission to remove me to that in which he was himself. Eight or ten days after he left,
