London : Methuen & Co., 1905. Second edition. Octavo, publisher's gilt-lettered red cloth over boards (damp staining to boards, pastedowns and endpapers); a presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free-endpaper for the Governor of Pentonville Prison 'To Major O. E. M. Davies, with best wishes from the Author, J. H. M. Abbott, August, 1908'; pp xiv, 296, 40 (publisher's catalogue, July 1907); although the condition of the book could only be rated as poor, loosely inserted is an interesting 4-page holograph letter (in fine condition) signed in full by Abbott to Major Davies at Pentonville, commenting in detail about his book, England, and prisons: 'it was a strange experience for me', writes Abbott about his observations of confinement, suggesting the benefits of 'soldiering in comparison', and asking Davies whether he should approach the Home Office in order to gain access to other such institutions. 'J. H. M. Abbott(1874 ? 1953) was anAustraliannovelist and poet who was