I admit that the illustration above is a tad misleading (click on the drawing to see full size). It came from a book published in Germany in the year 1898, two years before this letter was publish. Nevertheless, it accurately depicts the typical discipline dispensed in prisons ruled by autocratic regimes at that time. Now the letter itself is dated July 25, 1880, but was publish in a book written by a Frenchman named Jean de Villiot in 1900. There exists a very old English translation, but I've only seen fragments of it. What's posted here is my translation and while not perfect, I believe I've captured the essence of the good doctor's letter.
