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 •<
 
 J.\MES XEILD Esqf 
 
 ^f>t,n/,^.t „^ JirCKlIVOlIAM, Kent rt^^/ <, M31>l>I.ESJiX^ n>7o Me
 
 AN 
 
 ACCOUNT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE 
 
 OP THE 
 
 SOCIETY 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 DISCHARGE AND RELIEF 
 
 OP 
 
 PERSONS IMPRISONED FOR SMALL DEBTS 
 THROUGHOUT ENGLAND AND WALES, 
 
 By JAMES NEILD, Esa. Treasurer. 
 
 ONE OF HIS majesty's ACTING JUSTICES OF THE PEACE FOR 
 
 THE COUNTIES OF BUCKINGHAM^ KENT, AND MIDDLESEX, 
 
 AND THE CITY AND LIBERTY OF WESTMINSTER. 
 
 Ah ! little think the gay- 
 
 Whora pleasure, power, aiul affluence surround. 
 How many pine in want, and dungeon glooms; 
 Shut from the common air ! 
 
 Thomson. 
 
 LONDON. 
 PRINTED BY JOHN NICHOLS AND SON, 
 
 RED LION PASSAGE, FLEET STREET. 
 1808.
 
 3tacK 
 Annex 
 
 5 
 
 ( py:. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 Dedication "" ^" 
 
 Preface to the Third Edition ^ 
 
 13 
 Introduction * * * * 
 
 Observations on the Law of Civil Imprisonment .... 19 
 
 Table of Calculations on Bailable Process 40 
 
 Account of the Society ^2 
 
 Rules and Orders • • • • • • • ^^ 
 
 Forms of Application for Relief ^4 
 
 Directions to the Prisoners 56 
 
 Forms of Bequests, &c ^^ 
 
 Account of Piisonsi alphabetically arranged j and of 
 
 Persons confined for Debt 65 
 
 Coxirts of Conscience; with their ameliorated State, 
 
 through the Influence of this Society 550 
 
 Postscript S®2 
 
 Cursory Hints, for the Internal Regulation of Prisons, 
 under the ejusting Laws, respecting Persons com- 
 mitted for SmaU Debts • • • • 571 
 
 Obser\'ations on Arrests upon Mesne Process . . :.. ... . . 575 
 
 Number of Debtors discharged from 31st March^ 1807, 
 
 to 31st March, 1S08 579 
 
 List of Benefactions 580 
 
 Summary View of Money annually- expended 595 
 
 a 
 
 .20GG6S6,
 
 TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 CHARLES MARSHAM, EARL OF ROMNEY, 
 VISCOUNT MARSHAM, 
 
 LORD LIEUTENANT AND GUSTOS ROTULORUM 
 
 OF THE COUNTY OF KENT, AND CITY OF CANTERBURY, 
 
 PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY FOR DISCHARGE 
 
 AND RELIEF OF PERSONS IMPRISONED FOR 
 
 SMALL DEBTS, 
 
 MY LORD, 
 
 Whilst the loyal Volunteers of Kent wefe 
 ^mulously demonstrating their high esteem 
 of your patriotic spirit ; and not only raised up 
 a monument to perpetuate its memory, but 
 presented you also \^ith the insignia of your 
 profession as their Commander * ; whilst 
 
 * On the spot where their Majesties dined, a pav-llion was 
 erected in his Lordship's park, inscribed, " A Tribute of Respect 
 *' from the Volunteers of Kent to the Earl of Rortiney, Lord 
 " Lieutenant of the County." On this occasion 5319 Volunteers 
 were entertained at the tables, after having been reviewed by 
 his Majesty on the 1st of August 1799, at his Lordship's seat 
 near Maidstone. And on the 21st of April, 1803, an elegant 
 Sword was unanimously voted at Maidstone to the noble Earl, by 
 the officers of the West Kent Militia, " as a token of the deep 
 * * sense they entertained of his Lordship's uniformly polite attentiba 
 *' towards them, and of tho zeal he has ever displayed in promoting 
 " the real interest and welfare of the regiment," 
 
 a 2 justly
 
 IV DEDICATION. 
 
 justly they recorded your Lordship's splendid 
 entertainment of our most gracious Sovereign, 
 his Roval Consort, his Nohles, and his People, 
 and bore their own animated testimony to your 
 ability and your merits ; an humble incUvi- 
 dual rejoiced at the several occasions : he feel- 
 ingly participated in the satisfaction which 
 they could not but afford : he added his mite 
 to the general applause of millions ; and in 
 a former edition of this Work presumed to offer 
 his most cordial tribute of respect for your 
 Lordship's character and conduct. 
 
 Permit me now, my Lord, the honour of 
 presenting to you, not, as in my former dedi- 
 cation, " the slowly ripening fruits of my re- 
 " searches and labours ;" but an ampler pro- 
 duce, which hath been matured from year to 
 year, under such cultivation and assiduous 
 management as I have been able to bestow 
 upon the indigent soils and \ arious states of 
 every prison in this kingdom. 
 
 Yet while I thus address your Lordship with 
 ;i dc«;ice of gratification almost inexpressible, 
 
 allow
 
 DEDICATION. Y 
 
 allow me to add, that in visiting those prisons 
 I have still, and lamentably to regret, that 
 the medical aid so generally afforded to Felons, 
 and to other Culprits, is, in many instances, 
 withheld from the poor Debtor. He is thus too 
 ojften left to languish, without any meliora- 
 tion of his condition whatever ; a boon, how- 
 ever, which, from recent circumstances, it is 
 earnestly hoped that the humanity of our 
 Magistrates will, in future, be zealous to 
 supply. 
 
 Our Courts of Judicature, my Lord, were 
 perhaps never filled with men of greater abili- 
 ties for their high office, or of more approved 
 integrity, than at the present peiiod. May it 
 prove a glorious addition to the dignity of 
 their character, that under their auspices the 
 laws received improvement, and the oppresstffl 
 captive for debt his liberty, when found wor- 
 thy of so inestimable a blessing. Be it their 
 generous object, their unceasing aim, and ul- 
 timately their essential honour, to have aided 
 
 the
 
 VI DEDICATION, 
 
 tlie subject in the speedy re-establishment 
 and recovery of his rights ; and at the same 
 time to protect the unfortunate honest debtor 
 from merciless rigour and destructive confine- 
 ment in a gaol ! Thus will they diffuse the 
 most unspeakable consolations to the mournful 
 wife and hapless progeny of a once \^Tetched, 
 because inevitably necessitous, husband and 
 father ; causing the hearts of thousands, lan- 
 guishing under every privation, to rejoice, and 
 bless such venerable preservers as the authors 
 of their restored happiness ! 
 
 To your Lordship, as its rightful patron, this 
 little Tract again presents the narrative of 
 pecuhar sufferings and hardships ; lessened, in- 
 deed, as to some interesting particulars, but 
 still loudly calling for the alleviation of god^ 
 like Pity. It is an offering, my Lord, of gra- 
 titude, to which your well-known humanity 
 and beneficence are most justly entitled ; and 
 which have so long and highly exalted the noble 
 name of Romney. It includes the united 
 
 suffrage
 
 DEDICATION. Vli 
 
 ^suffrage of thousands of our fellow creatures ; 
 and inscribes on the tablet which your Lord- 
 ship's own virtues have raised, those indelible 
 characters which Horace* go splendidly pour- 
 trays : 
 
 Exegi Monumeatum, cere perennius f . 
 To the patronage of your Lordship's vene- 
 rable Father, the Society of Debtors, from 
 small beginnings, owes its first establishment. 
 To your philanthropy, my Lord, founded on 
 so propitious a principle, must he attributed 
 its present and yearly increasing prosperity^ 
 You have not only aided the good work by 
 your pecuniary services, but especially by un- 
 remitted perspnal attentions, and the nourish- 
 ment best adapted to its advancing age. 
 
 You have brought it forward, my Lord, to 
 pubhc observation and general notice, as the 
 beloved child of a large body of the commu- 
 nity, who have generously assisted by their 
 
 * Lib. III. Od. 30. 
 
 f 1 have raised a monument more durable than brass: 
 
 labours,
 
 Vlll DEDICATION". 
 
 labours, to rear it to maturity, under your 
 Lordship's uin^earied vigilance and care. 
 
 "^ I was in prison, and ye came unto me, * 
 are words, my Lord, that dignify a coronet, 
 and ornament a crown. The honours which 
 they confer are truly a robe and a diadem ; 
 and cannot be applied to your Lordship but 
 with a striking reference to that elegant de- 
 scription of Job : '^ ^Vhen the ear heard me, 
 *' then it blessed me ; and v/hen the eye saw 
 *' me, it gave ^^itIless to me : because I de- 
 *^ livered tlie poor that cried, and the father- 
 '* less, and him that had none to help him : 
 ** The blessing of him that was ready to pe- 
 ** rish came upon me ; and I caused the wi- 
 *' dow's heart to sing for joy." 
 
 May that pleasure and satisfaction which 
 are the constant associates of a benevolence 
 like your Lordship's, accompany your humane 
 exertions through a long old age ; and \\\\c\\ 
 the period shall arrive, wherein our accounts 
 must be given, may you, my Lord, receive 
 
 that
 
 DEDICATION. \X 
 
 that sentence which shall then he pronounced, 
 " Good and faithful Servant, enter thou into 
 " the joy of thy Lord/' 
 
 Such Is the prayer of him, who, 
 with the highest respect, 
 
 has the honour to be, 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 Your Lordship's faithful, 
 
 and most obedient servant, 
 
 Chelsea, 
 1st January, 1808. 
 
 JAMES NEILD.
 
 ( 10 ) 
 
 PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. 
 
 I CANNOT present to the Public another 
 edition of this Book on Debtors, \^^thout ex« 
 pressing my grateful sense of the great assist- 
 ance which I have derived from my benevo- 
 lent friend Doctor Lettsom ; as also for the 
 pecuniary support in aid of the Charity, to a 
 considerable amount *, which appears to have 
 been sent me in immediate consec^uence of my 
 Remarks on Prisons appearing in the Gentle* 
 man's Magazine, with the introductory observa- 
 tions of his liberal and enlightened mind. I 
 wish to give honour where honour is so justly 
 due. Had it not been for his energetic sine- 
 tures on my faithful communications, from 
 time to time, I fear that the prisons, in many 
 instances, would not only have remained with- 
 out farther improvement, but, what is worse, 
 th^t, in lamentable gradation, the improvement 
 
 * Amounting, when this Work went to press, to 328^ 2s. 9rf. 
 
 which
 
 ./'„/./,.,■/„;> ,ij i/i, A,i ,/,;■,,/.., s,>.-i:ij_,)i. i.y /://t-//'!w,ij.
 
 PREFACE, \l 
 
 which had commenced in some of them, vould 
 either have dwindled, or have heen wholly done 
 away. 
 
 After having tried, in various joumies, and 
 during the space of thirty years, what private 
 conference with magistrates could effect, I had 
 the discouragement, in some districts, to find, 
 that the alterations I had presumed to suggest, 
 were omitted or forgotten. Tlie great refor- 
 mation produced by Howard, was in several 
 places merely temporary : Some prisons, that 
 had been ameliorated under the persuasive in- 
 fluence of his kind advice, were relapsing into 
 their former horrid state of privation, filthiness, 
 severity, or neglect : many new dungeons had 
 aggravated the evils, against which his sagacity 
 could not but remonstrate : The motives for a 
 transient amendment were become paralyzed ; 
 and the effect had ceased with the cause. 
 
 At length, the arguments of my Friend pre- 
 vailed ; and I consented to the insertion of 
 some of my letters to Dr. Lettsom in the above 
 Magazine, as the best channel, in order to as- 
 certain the feelings of the publick at large, on 
 so important a subject as imprisonment for 
 
 DEBT. 
 
 The
 
 12 PREFACE. 
 
 The result -v^as propitious and highly pleas- 
 ing : Scarcely three months had elapsed, when, 
 upon my return home, I found many letters, 
 urging me to go on ; and success has exceeded 
 my most sanguine expectations. The humane 
 and considerate magistrates of various districts 
 have cordially adopted and enforced the plan 
 of refoi*m. Tlieir active energies have now, for 
 five years past, been happily employed in effect- 
 ing so salutary a change. Every journey I now 
 take affords me the most reasonable hope that 
 it \\ill soon be completed. I esteem its ad- 
 vances among the amplest blessings of my life ; 
 and trust that I shall be able to reHsh the re- 
 trospect of them even in the nearest views of 
 Death itself. 
 
 J. N.
 
 ( 13 ) 
 
 ACCOUNT 
 
 OF THB 
 
 SOCIETY 
 
 FOR THE DISCHARGE AND RELIEF OF 
 
 PERSONS THROUGHOUT ENGLAND, AND WALES, 
 IMPRISONED FOR SMALL DEBTS. 
 
 INTRODUCTION- 
 
 ± HE Charity derives its origin from the bene- 
 ficial consequences of a Sermon preached at Char- 
 lotte-Street Chapel, Pimlico, and afterwards at 
 Bedford Chapel, Bloomsbury, in the month of Fe- 
 bruaiy, 1772. 
 
 The collection made at these chapels amounted 
 to the sum of eighty-one pounds one shilling. 
 
 To procure relief for the miseries of those unfor- 
 tunate persons who were secluded from society by 
 imprisonment for inconsiderable debts, was the de- 
 sign of the preacher ; and it most certainly operated 
 upon his humanity as a powerful incentive to h\% 
 
 exertions.
 
 14 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 exertions. Ilis laudable endeavours engaged the at- 
 tention of a set of Gentlemen to assist in the appli- 
 cation of the money thus collected ; when the sum 
 of ONE HUNDRED POUNDS having been sent to them 
 by an unknown hand *, they extended their views, 
 and formed themselves into a Committee, to search 
 out for the objects it afterwards relieved, and to 
 form plans for its future permanent and beneficial 
 establishment. They visited the prisons ; and dili- 
 gently, and impartially, enquired into the distresses 
 of those miserable objects of misfortune, who had 
 been separated from their families, rendered useless 
 to society by a deprivation of their liberty, and had 
 no friends to undertake their cause. In this visita- 
 tion the distress and extreme Wretchedness to which 
 they were unavoidably eye-witnesses strongly af- 
 fected their minds ; and they determined therefore 
 to give the publick an account of their proceedings, 
 and of their examination into the state of the pri- 
 sons of the metropolis ; in hopes that it might ope- 
 rate upon the generous part of the community, as 
 an incitement to their endeavours to forward the 
 humane undertaking, and enable them to accom- 
 plish their design on a more extensive plan than in 
 the commencement seemed to be suggested. 
 
 Accordingly, in April, 1772, they advertised their 
 report, specifying the manner in which they had 
 
 * The late Earl of GodolpUin. 
 >■ ' expended
 
 fNTRODUCTlb>?. 15 
 
 feipended the small sums they had thus collected ; 
 and, "that with these, namely, the fourscore pounds 
 they h^d happily released thirty-four prisoners ; 
 most of whom had large families, and appeared to 
 be worthy and useful members of society ; some of 
 whom were confined for their^ees only. But the 
 Committee expressed a great regret at the thought of 
 leaving behind them various other imprisoned sup- 
 pliants ; nineteen of whom appeared to be very great 
 objects of compassion, and might all be discharged 
 for less than one hundred poUiids. Of the rest, 
 many were evidently such, as well deserved to share 
 the attention and benevolence of the Publick." The 
 Committee therefore solicited the aid of the liberal 
 and well disposed, and had soon the satisfaction of 
 finding themselves enabled to extend the charitable 
 hand to a very large number of miserable sufferers in 
 confinement ; for early in May 1773 (wdthin fifteen 
 months from the commencement of the undertaking) 
 the following statement was published as their 
 
 « GENERAL ACCOUNT, M?^ 12, 1772. 
 
 £. s. d. 
 Benefactions to this day - - - - 2922 11 10 
 
 Disbursements to discharge nine hun- 
 dred and eightt/six prisoners - -2 89 2 19 4 
 
 Leaving in their hands a balance of £.29 12 6." 
 
 la
 
 l6 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 In the early infancy of their plan, the Committee 
 were hardly sanguine enough to expect so liberal an 
 encouragement, and therefore did not at first take 
 an accurate account of the iviues and children of the 
 prisoners released. However, it since appears, that 
 at the period in question, to the gS6 prisoners 
 above mentioned as discharged, there belonged 566 
 wives, and 2389 children, making in all 3941 souls, 
 essentially relieved by means of this public Institu- 
 tion. 
 
 Far the greater, number of objects released were 
 manufacturei^Sj seamen, and labourers, whose ser- 
 vices, for a long time withheld from the publick by 
 confinement, were now restored to the community. 
 The charity, of course, was found to claim a serious 
 attention, not merely from the avowed hiimaniti/ of 
 its purpose, but also politically, from the advan- 
 tages which it afforded to society at large ; and 
 which, in a commercial country like ours, could not 
 fail to produce conviction in every judicious mind. 
 
 In a very short time after its commencement, as 
 appears from the books of the Society, the Com- 
 mittee had the satisfaction of seeing that various 
 -considerable debts, to the amount of twelve thou- 
 sand pounds and upwards, had been, by this means, 
 compounded for, and reduced ; and thus a two-fold 
 benefit was secured to the creditor and his helpless 
 debtor, by an equal attention to them both. 
 
 The
 
 INTRODUCTION. I J 
 
 The Committee became more animated by their 
 success ; and their expectations were more highly 
 raised, when they perceived what GREAT EVENl S 
 from LITTLE CAUSES might succeed. Tliey ex- 
 pand the human heart, and hft the soul in gratitude 
 to Heaven. The rich seeds of benevolence were now 
 largely thrown out, as upon a once barren soil, and 
 the desert became a fruitful field ! 
 
 Thus encouraged to persevere in the good work 
 so kindly adopted, they determined to omit no 
 means, under the blessing of Providence, of making 
 it prosperous, and adding to it dignity, stability, 
 and success. 
 
 At a meeting, therefore, on the 5th of May, 1773» 
 the RULES and ORDERS hereafter mentioned 
 were settled and confirmed. 
 
 Such were the exertions of the Members of this 
 benevolent Listitution. The little spark which was 
 casually cast among such materials, had now 
 kindled into a flame ; and many gentlemen, of truly 
 philanthropic minds, stept forward, to render it not 
 only their pecuniary, but their personal assistance 
 also. 
 
 By these means was the SOCIETY for Discharge 
 and Relief of Prisoners for small Debts most 
 completely established ; and their Office is now held 
 (where it has been for thirty-five years,) at No. 7, 
 
 B Craven-
 
 l8 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Craven-street, Strand, London, under the direction 
 and management of the following Noblemen and 
 Gentlemen ; viz. 
 
 PRESIDENT, 
 The Right Hon. the EARL of ROMNEY, 
 
 (who has devoted much of his time and attention 
 to its welfare and prosperity.) 
 
 VICE PRESIDENTS, 
 
 TheMostNobletheMARQUISofHERTFORD, 
 
 Right Hon. EARL RADNOR. 
 
 The Right Hon. LORD BARHAJVL 
 
 The Hon. PHILIP PUSEY. 
 
 TREASURER, 
 JAMES NEILD, Esa. 
 
 Mr. R. Grasswell, No. 7, Craven-street, Secretary ; 
 to whom applications are to be made by the 
 debtors suing for relief.
 
 ( 19 > 
 
 OBSERVATIONS 
 
 ON THE 
 
 LAW OF CIVIL IMPRISONMENT. 
 
 xVN esteemed Writer on the principles of Penal 
 Law considers imprisonment, when inflicted for pu- 
 nishment, as not according to the principles of wise 
 legislation. If this position %e true in respect to 
 crimes committed against positive institutions (and 
 it seems too firm to be shaken,) how much more 
 forcibly will it apply to civil arrests, and imprison- 
 ment for debt, when the multiplied and intricate 
 concerns of extended society make the path of the 
 most intelligent in matters of trade a course of con- 
 siderable uncertainty. If then the political wisdom 
 of confining the persons of debtors for debt be 
 matter of doubt, how important is it that, whilst the 
 practice is allowed to continue, it should be sub- 
 jected to such general regulations, as are best calcu- 
 lated to lessen the resulting inconveniences, and pre- 
 vent the necessity of resorting, at least so frequently 
 
 B 2 as
 
 20 OBSERVATIONS ON THE 
 
 as of late years, to the legislature, for acts of parlia- 
 ment to relieve insolvent debtors ; which, while 
 they do honour to the feelings of those friends of 
 humanity who introduce and promote them, it 
 must be admitted are too often perverted to screen 
 a fraudulent debtor from the just demands of his 
 injured creditors. It is the fate of whatever is human 
 to be slow in its progress to perfection ; nor is it 
 matter of surprize, when rightly considered, that 
 the laws of a country should move the slowest, where 
 rectitude is their aim. 
 
 In the early ages of society the mind of man is 
 less complicated than when advanced into the refine- 
 ment of later governments. The laws at first laid 
 down for his regulation are, like his li^bits, plain, 
 and intelligible to the most ordinary capacity, being 
 httle more than moral rules or maxims, against which 
 he is not to offend ; and having few temptations to 
 lead him astray, he readily forms himself to their 
 government : But, when luxuries, the never-failing 
 attendants upon successful commerce, break in upon 
 his primitive habits, new laws become necessary to 
 restrain the too free indulgence of his acquired 
 propensities. These laws are not framed in the anti- 
 cipation of new events, which a prospective eye may 
 view as likely to arise in the progress of society, but 
 to check what have already taken place, and to pre- 
 vent their recurrence : Hence it follows, that laws 
 
 so
 
 LAW OF CIVIL IMPRISONMENT. 21 
 
 SO formed will always be somewhat behind the actual 
 state of the people, their proneness to vice consi- 
 dered ; and it frequently happens that laws calculated 
 to suit one state of society, are permitted to con- 
 tinue in another, and to remain as law at a period, 
 in which, if they were then introduced for the first ^ 
 time, they would be unanimously rejected, as im- 
 politic, and inapplicable to the condition of the 
 jDeople to be governed by them. In this view of 
 the subject, arrests for debt may be considered ; and, 
 although when England was the lowest amongst 
 the commercial nations of Europe, arrests for debt 
 might have been less impolitic, it can hardly there- 
 fore be argued, that their continuance should be suf- 
 fered, when England, as at present, is the first 
 trading country in the world. 
 
 In a commercial country the hazards attendant 
 upon justifiable commerce entitle the unsuccessful 
 adventurer to greater indulgences, than a debtor, 
 under almost any circumstance, could have a right 
 to expect in a country purely military. But, leav- 
 ing the policy of the question, as to whether arrests 
 for debt ought or ought not to be continued, to the 
 judgment of those who are better able to consider 
 it, and without venturing to anticipate what would 
 be the decision, it seems a more useful appropri- 
 ation of the time of an humble individual, to con- 
 sider the law as it stands at present; and to inquire, 
 
 whether
 
 22 OBSERVATION'S ON THE 
 
 whetlier a superstructure may not be raised, to 
 answer many f^ood and salutary }3urposes, without 
 materially affecting the fabric, which, whatever 
 may be its defects, has the venerable shield of time 
 to protect it against the grasp of hasty innovation. 
 Secondary causes, or inducements, to cast the un- 
 fortunate debtor into prison, or to continue his 
 confinement when there, beyond what naturally arise 
 between him and his creditor, should be watched 
 with jealousy, and removed, if possible ; and it 
 would be desirable indeed, when a returning gleam 
 of liberty presents itself to the prisoner, if he could 
 be ^found no further encumbered with debt than 
 when he first became an inhabitant of the gaol. At 
 this moment of hope the debt can be arranged for ; 
 but, alas, the costs are of equal amount, and pre- 
 sent an insuperable bar to his liberation ! It would 
 be deemed a wicked oppression, on the part of a 
 government that transported a subject to slavery for 
 a period of years, to say, at the end of the term, 
 " Your labour was ours by the offence which you 
 *^ committed : We have now p. demand upon you 
 " both for the clothing we have supplied, and for 
 *^ the provision you have consumed ; and as you are 
 " unable to pay us, you must return again to slavery 
 " for the debt you have contracted." His reasoning, 
 that the origin of the debt was involuntary on 
 his part, would be of no avail ; the hand of power is 
 
 against
 
 LAW OF CIVIL IMPRISONMENT. 23 
 
 against him ; and as well might the debtor say, the 
 costs were not incurred by his act, nor with his 
 consent, and he ought not to be detained for them. 
 When a disappointed and offended creditor applies 
 to his attorney, he hardly desires his advice, but ra- 
 ther directs the proceedings to be taken with his 
 debtor ; and, indeed, if he did otherwise, what an- 
 swer could be expected ? Is not law the business of 
 the attorney ? and is it found that men, generally 
 speaking, who have the greatest temptation thrown in 
 their way are the best ? Individuals may be, and are 
 not unfrequently, so found ; because from tempta- 
 tion alone can self-denial and forbearance be disco- 
 vered : but experience proves that it is not so with 
 the great bulk of mankind. " Just debts ought to 
 " be paid, or the laws must be enforced for their 
 " recovery," is the language of the irritated creditor, 
 re-echoed by his attorney; with this only dif- 
 ference between them, that the one is unconscious 
 of the result of what he directs, while the other, 
 with the knowledge, has the satisfaction also of 
 knowing that the plaintiff is a solvent man, and 
 that, be the event what it may, the attorney must 
 be paid. Thus, regardless of their operation on 
 the unfortunate debtor, proceedings commence : 
 in a short time considerable costs are incurred ; 
 the already angry creditor finds himself exposed 
 to a new loss, which he never anticipated; and 
 
 become?
 
 24 OBSERVATION? ON THE 
 
 becomes not only confirmed in his first resent- 
 ments, but furnished with fresh occasion for their 
 inveteracy. Is a man so circumstanced fit to judge 
 in his own cause ? Is he cajDable of deciding, with 
 moderation and temjDer, upon the portion of impri- 
 sonment his debtor ought to endure ? It will be 
 readily answered, " Certainly, no I" The hardened 
 creditor will triumph in the imprisonment which he 
 lias power to inflict, — regardless of the suflTerings of 
 the man, whom, perhaps, he at first solicited to take 
 the credit he has abused, and equally unmindful of 
 {he wretched complainings of a forlorn wife and 
 starving children ; while the man less cruel, or 
 perhaps indolent in his nature, as also the man 
 basking in thfe sunshine of prosperity, will put away 
 the prisoner from his thoughts. But, should his 
 complaints or humble solicitations be obtruded upon 
 him, he will endeavour to excuse his want of hu- 
 manity, by the pretence that the confinement of the 
 prisoner is an act of the law, for which he is under 
 no responsibility. Can a more vn'etched state of man 
 be conceived ? Nay, more, does even the fraudulent 
 debtor merit this peqDCtual, undefined punishment, 
 in all the wantonness of its tyranny ? 
 
 In further pursuit of these observations let it be 
 supposed, that an unfortunate man, unable even 
 to pay a debt of lo/. is arrested on the eve of a law 
 term, and thro\'<n into prison for his inability ; 
 
 and
 
 LAW OF CIVIL IMPRISONMENT. 25 
 
 and that, in the same number of days as he owes 
 pounds, he will be involved in a fresh debt, of 
 equal or greater amount, for the costs of his detainer 
 in prison ; what will be the exclamation of the 
 voice of Reason ? But, carry the enquiry a little 
 further, and let us suppose, that his attachment 
 by one creditor alarms the rest (nor is it unna- 
 tural that it shoiild do so), and that he has ten de- 
 tainers laid against him for debts of the same amount ; 
 what will then be his situation ? Why, he will 
 in a few days be encumbered with additional debts, 
 for costs of a greater amount than all his original 
 debts put together, at the very time that he is im- 
 mured in prison, without subsistence, or the means 
 of earning any for himself, or the wretched depen- 
 dents on* his affections, and, without having done a 
 single act to occasion the expences which he is 
 wholly unable to prevent. And what then will be 
 the exclamation ; and where, as the law now stands, 
 is he to look for mercy ? The Bankrupt Laws, which 
 to the fair trader, who has had the good fortune to 
 deal with humane creditors, afford relief, are not 
 open to his assistance : he has been too modest in 
 all his transactions in trade, to have ventured suf- 
 ficiently to come within their purview ; his debts 
 are not of the required amount to entitle him to 
 their relief. His creditors, — most probably of the '^ 
 same class in hfe with himself, and who can but ill 
 
 afford
 
 26 OBSERVATIONS ON THE 
 
 afford to pay the expences that have been incurred, 
 — will they commiserate his sufferings, and restore 
 him to hberty ? or will they not rather be acted upon, 
 in the fulness of their resentments at the loss of 
 their debts, and having, as they unfortunately ex- 
 perience, thrown away good money after bad, and 
 (apprehensive, if they liberate the prisoner, they can 
 have no pretence for suspending the payment of 
 their attorney's costs,) be more likely to continue his 
 confinement, and endeavour to throw the odium of 
 the expences being incurred upon the pretended 
 obstinacy of the unfortunate victim, for whom no 
 one considers it his interest, or feels any incitement, 
 to drop a word of kindness or mitigation ? And yet, 
 in a Country boastful of its laws and its freedom, 
 these are the persons who are to pronounce on this 
 imprisonment of their fellow-subjects, perhaps for 
 the period of their lives, without the right of appeal 
 to their country, or the hope of relief ! Power in 
 the hands of man is always subject to abuse ; but 
 what is to be expected from him, when he is suf- 
 fered to judge his own cause, under the influence 
 of conceived injuries, and agitated by resentment ? 
 The highest advocates for the dignity of human na- 
 ture must admit, that, in practice, the result will 
 not be found to elevate their subject. 
 
 In support of what is here stated, the ordinary 
 and allowed Bills of Fees and Disbursements in 
 
 cases
 
 LAW OF CIVIL IMPRISONMENT. 27 
 
 cases of arrests for 10 1, have been made out ; by 
 which it appears, that at the commencement of a 
 term they will, within ten days, in London, amount 
 to near 12 1. 
 
 In the case of an arrest, where the defendant is 
 taken to prison. 
 
 Hilary Vacation. 
 
 /. s. (1. 
 19th April. Instructions and warrant to sue 12 
 Affidavit of debt .... 7 2 
 Drawing Precipe for original 
 
 fol. 25 150 
 
 Copy for the Cursitor . . 12 6 
 Paid for original . . . 5 (J 
 
 Fee thereon 6 8 
 
 Paid the King's fine, and at- 
 tending to compound it . 10 
 Returning and filing original 2 4 
 Capias and fee .... 16 
 Warrant and messenger .020 
 Attending to instruct officer 3 4 
 Paid officer for arrest . . 10 6 
 Letters and messengers ,020 
 
 Hilary Term. 
 23d April. Motion for a rule to return 
 
 the writ . . .034 
 Paid for the rule . .066 
 Copy and service . .020 
 
 Instruc-
 
 2S OBSERVATIONS ON THE 
 
 /. S. d. 
 
 Instructions for declaration G 8 
 Drawing same, fol. 25 .0168 
 Entering on the roll, and paid 
 
 Prothonotary . . 1 5 
 
 Copy declaration on stamps, to 
 deliver to defendant, and 
 duty . . .098 
 
 Attending to deliver same .034 
 Affidavit of service, duty, and 
 
 oath . . . .072 
 Copy declaration to annex to 
 
 affidavit, and duty . 9 8 
 
 Copy affidavit and declaration, 
 
 and stamps . : I3 4 
 
 Sptli, Paid filing affidavit and decla- 
 ration ' . . . 2 
 Attending to file same '.034 
 Term fee, letters and messen- 
 gers . . . . 12 
 
 11 15 8 
 
 And in the country, if the arrest is made at a con- 
 siderable distance from the county gaol, they will 
 perhaps amount to 20/. in the same period of 
 time. 
 
 The Lords' Act, w^iich subjects the creditor to 
 make his prisoners an allowance while he detains 
 thera in prison, may be considered by some as a 
 
 sufficient
 
 LAW OF CIVIL IMPRISONMENT. 29 
 
 sufficient check on the inconveniences here de- 
 scribed ; but, upon investigation of the practical 
 effects of this Act, it is apprehended it will not be 
 found to possess the advantages which its humane 
 advocates attribute to it. Five terms are allowed 
 to the plaintiff to proceed to judgment against his 
 debtor, and to charge him in execution ; and, until 
 the proceedings against the prisoner are in this 
 advanced state, he cannot apply for the benefit of 
 the Lords' Act. The creditor, informed of this 
 operation of the Act, instructs his attorney to do no 
 more than comply with its directions ; and the 
 attorney, in the course of the first ten days, having 
 secured the greatest part of his expected harvest, 
 is found obedient to his instructions ; and slowly 
 protracting the remaining forms of proceeding 
 against the unfortunate prisoner, spins out the five 
 terms by measured distances, to retard his applica- 
 tion for relief as long as he possibly can. Thus the 
 prisoner pines at least a twelvemonth in prison, 
 under the heavy afflictions of poverty and want, by 
 the protracted course of legal proceedings, which 
 might and would be completed against him within 
 the first term, but for the provision (it may almost 
 be said the tantalizing provision) made for him 
 by this Act. 
 
 What is here stated seems chiefly applicable 
 to the unfortunate, yet honest, sufferer. But we 
 
 will
 
 30 OBSERVATIONS ON THE 
 
 ^vill now turn to the fraudulent and designing 
 debtor, and see how the Act operates with respect 
 to him and his injured plaintiff. Conscious 
 of the time which he is aware will be con- 
 sumed before he is put into a situation to seek 
 the benefit of the Act, he takes care to retain to 
 himself the means of subsistence during the pro- 
 tracted period ; then fraudulently makes over the 
 rest of his property, to put it out of the reach of 
 bis creditors ; and when the time arrives for making 
 his claim under the Lords' Act, he audaciously takes 
 the prescribed oaths, and is ordered to receive its 
 benefit. 
 
 The duty of the Judges, it is possible, may 
 sometimes interfere with their judgments, whilst 
 ordering the relief intended by the Legislature for 
 the impoverished debtor, to many applicants, whose 
 conduct, even in the face of the Court, almost 
 amounts to a conviction, that their applications are 
 made in the confident expectation of their plaintiffs* 
 neglecting to make the due payments at the appointed 
 times. It is the natural consequence attendant upon 
 an order for the payment of an allowance to a pri- 
 soner, that it should not only be made in the current 
 coin of the country, but punctually also, on a fixed 
 day, and at a stated period ; and that any omission 
 or non-compliance with the order should be fol- 
 lowed by the prisoner's liberation : Ilence it may 
 
 be
 
 LAW OF CIVIL IMPRISONMENT. 3I 
 
 be seen, that the payment of a counterfeit six- 
 pence, (and who, in the present state of the silver 
 currency of England, can be certain that their money 
 is not counterfeit ?) or the forgctfulness of the 
 plaintiff to make his payment at the prison on the 
 appointed day, or till one minute after the prison is 
 shut for the night, must be followed by the imme- 
 diate discharge of the debtor. What a promising 
 speculation this, on which the fraudulent debtor 
 may realize his hopes ! A plaintiff situate many 
 miles from the prison, will but in few cases con- 
 tinue his payments for several weeks : most likely 
 he will fail in the first week ; and the greatest rogue 
 be thus cast upon society, to renew his depreda- 
 tions on the fair trader, without being in the least 
 reclaimed by his imprisonment. Voluntary con- 
 finement, the basis of a contrivance to defraud, can 
 produce no improvement in the moral habits of a 
 prisoner. 
 
 From this view of the Lords' Act it seems fairly 
 deducible, that the honest debtor may be starved 
 before he can have the benefit of its provisions ; 
 whilst the fraudulent debtor finds in it the very pro- 
 bable, if not certain prospect of his liberation. 
 
 To remedy these evils as much as circumstances 
 will admit. Insolvent Acts are devised. But, 
 much as the principle of these Acts must be ad- 
 mired by every friend of society, and great as is 
 
 the
 
 32 OBSERVATIONS ON' THE 
 
 the care of their humane framcrs to govern their 
 operations by the wise and numerous provisions 
 they contain, it must be admitted, that though 
 productive of much general good, they will at times 
 be found to extend their influence in favour of the 
 profligate and designing debtor. 
 
 A modification of the existing laws respecting 
 
 debtor and creditor, would, it is conceived, aflford 
 
 a remedy for the present inconveniences, without 
 
 the necessity, in the first instance, of framing a 
 
 , new code. 
 
 The practice of the Courts may, in all cases, 
 remain the same as it now is : But, surely, it will 
 not be too great a boon for the unfortunate debtor 
 to solicit of his country, that, whilst he remains in 
 actual confinement, through incapacity to pay his 
 debts, he should stand excused from contributing to 
 the necessities of the state ; and that all legal pro- 
 ceedings against him, when a prisoner, should be 
 exempted from stamp-duty. 
 
 The Judges of the land, not more elevated by 
 their wisdom than their humanity ; and, mindful of 
 the liberal and well-bestowed salaries they receive 
 from the country, can have no hesitation in ordering 
 the subordinate proceedings of the courts, conducted 
 at their chambers, to be transacted gratuitously, 
 without taking any fees for the same. 
 
 The
 
 LAW OF CIVIL IMPRISONMENT. 33 
 
 The Barristers, educated to fill, and in the hope 
 bf discharging at some future period of life, one 
 of the niost important trusts in human society, can 
 be influenced by no mercenary motives. It is 
 but justice therefore to the known liberality of 
 the bar, to conclude, that they will, with one voice, 
 consent to a privation of their fees, in all cases, where 
 proceedings are to be taken against the unfortunate 
 debtor, whilst in custody. 
 
 The Officers of the Courts, in the multiplicity of 
 their other daily business, will find a remuneration, 
 for their trouble, sufficient to put them beyond the 
 desire of taking any thing from a prisoner, abso* 
 lutely denied the means of protecting himself and 
 family, through the heavy inflictions of poverty. 
 
 The Attorney, — who principally labours in the 
 business, — must perhaps receive some reward for his 
 personal trouble ; but he should be removed, far 
 as possible, from the influence of interested views. 
 The best mode of securing so desirable an end 
 seems to be, the reducing his fees to half their 
 present amount, in all proceedings against debtors 
 under actual confinement. By this means the 
 mercy of the plaintiff will not be restrained by 
 the recollection of considerable law expences, in 
 addition to his debt ; and his resentments having 
 subsided, he may in time think more favourably of 
 hig unfortunate debtor, and restore him to the 
 
 C blessing.
 
 34 OBSERVATIONS ON TlIE 
 
 blessings of Liberty. Nay, it seems not too much 
 to apprehend, that the adoption of this plan, alone, 
 would reduce the number of prisoners confined for 
 debt, at least in the proportion of six out of ten. 
 
 But, to guard against the effect of a contrary 
 temper in an}- plaintiff, who, careless or unmind- 
 ful of his debtor, may incline to leave him to the 
 laws of the country, and the imprisonment which 
 they inflict, — a further remedy presents itself, under 
 which an Apportionate Imprisonment might be in- 
 flicted according to the nature and extent of the. 
 debts, and of the particular circumstances under 
 which they were contracted. 
 
 Tbe first feature of a plan, professing to allow of 
 temporary imprisonment for debt, should be the pro- 
 viding necessaries of life for the impoverished debtor, 
 in order to protect the man, now rendered unable 
 to protect himself, from the painful claims of un- 
 satisfied nature. This allowance might be pro- 
 vided out of the county-rate : and, to prevent its, 
 misapplication, might only be furnished to those 
 prisoners, whose necessities oblige them to live on 
 the poor side of the prison, (deprived of all associa- 
 tion with the prisoners whose better circumstances, 
 or friends, place them above the necessity of seeking 
 so lumible a relief,) and who are, also, in a situation 
 to declare themselves upon oath not to be possessed 
 of the value of 20/. 
 
 This
 
 LAW OF CIVIL IMPRISONMENT. 35 
 
 Tliis would prevent the recurrence of wliat liu- 
 manity dreads to record ; although it may be 
 asked, " What else can be expected, when certain 
 prisons in (jreat Britain for confinement of debtors 
 are without any allowance o^ food whatever ; nay, 
 some even without access to ivater ! and have no 
 more than the keeper, or his servants, think fit to 
 bring them ? — In one place they paid a halfpenny 
 for a jug of water; in another, a penny for a pail- 
 ful! 
 
 The next object to be considered is. At what 
 period of time the prisoner for debt, against whom 
 no imputation can be brought of dishonesty or in- 
 tentional misconduct, may, with safety to the state, 
 be restored to his liberty. How obligatory soever it 
 may be upon every man to pay the debt which he 
 owes to another man, there is still a higher duty 
 which he owes to his country at large, in the appli- 
 cation of his labour and talents for the general good 
 of the community ; and of his power to i)erform 
 which no man, under any circumstances, ought to 
 possess the means of arbitrarily depriving him. It 
 seems difficult to reconcile to any principle of sense 
 or policy, that a man, to whom a debt of only lo/. 
 is due (a sum very inadequate to the claim, which, 
 in these times, the country has upon the annual 
 exertions of the humblest of her individuals) shall 
 possess the power of depriving the state of his 
 
 c 2 debtor's
 
 36 OBSERVATIONS ON THE! 
 
 debtor's services for a long course of years — nayj 
 for ever, without limitation of time in his favour 
 to restore him to liberty. Surely, in like manner, as 
 the less the nature of a mail's crimes is who offends 
 against the Criminal Law, the lighter is his punish- 
 ment ; so the smaller a man's debts hoimjide con- 
 tracted are, the shorter should be the period of his 
 confinement. And here it may not be amiss to 
 observe, that, generally speaking, the man who is 
 cast into prison for a debt of lO/. may really be i 
 more useful member of the country, by the due 
 application of his labour, than the prisoner who 
 is confined for lO.OOO/. A period of three months 
 may reasonably be considered as a suihcient length 
 of confinement to induce a more cautious conduct 
 in the future dealings of a man, whose debts may 
 not exceed \ol. ; and proportionate progi'essive scales 
 of time and money may be formed to produce the 
 same good eflfect with debtors, whose debts arc 
 from that sum up to 2000/. And after these, per- 
 haps, it might be as well to suffer all debts of a. 
 higher amount to be placed in the same scale. 
 
 But as the creditor ought not to possess an un- 
 controuled power over the person of his debtor, so 
 perhaps the debtor should not be enabled to deter- 
 mine the quantum of punishment in the power of 
 his creditor to inflict upon him : And, for this rea- 
 son, Ills liberation at the periods proposed might 
 
 not
 
 LAW OF CIVIL IMPRISONMENT. 37 
 
 not stand as matter of right, but only times assigned, 
 when he may have the power of submitting his con- 
 duct, — in regard to the contracting of debts for 
 which he is charged in custody, — to the conside- 
 ration of a Jury, summoned by the proper officer, 
 at the instance of the prisoner, and upon notice 
 ^o be duly served on the plaintift^'s attorney. 
 
 If, upon this investigation of the prisoner's con- 
 duct, nothing should transpire to induce the jury to 
 remand hini back to prison, their verdict might give 
 him his hberty ; and the law might thereupon vest 
 his property in the clerk of the peace, or other 
 officer, for the beneiit of his creditors, in like manner 
 as the insolvent's property is now vested under the 
 Acts for relief of insolvent debtors. But should the 
 jury be of opinion that the conduct of the debtor 
 merits a prolongation of his imprisonment, it might 
 be safely left with them to determine the extent of 
 its continuance according to their judgment, founded 
 upon the facts disclosed in evidence ; and for this 
 purpose th? plaintiff might hittiself be examined on 
 oath. Or, the power of the jury, in case of their 
 remanding the prisoner, might be modelled according 
 to the better judgment of Magistrates, or other 
 more experienced persons, so as to do justice 
 between the country and the parties. 
 
 The operation of such a plan as this upon the 
 fraudulent debtor, i§ too obvious to require explana- 
 tion.
 
 38 OBSERVATIONS ON TIIL: 
 
 tion. He would be remanded to an increase of 
 punishment, proportioned to his misconduct ; while 
 the honest, though unfortunate debtor, would be re- 
 stored by the voice of his countrymen to his liberty, 
 to his family, and to those social blessings, of which 
 perhaps the becoming security for a friend in an 
 unguarded moment, may have deprived him. 
 
 Another advantage also might be made to result 
 from an appeal to a jury. The fraudulent debtor, 
 who prefers remaining in gaol to the payment of 
 his debts, and who lives in confinement, surrounded 
 with luxuries,-— whilst his plaintiff may pine with- 
 out, scarce able to provide himself and family with 
 the ordinary necessaries of life, — might be sum- 
 moned before a jury, at the desire of any of his cre- 
 ditors, after he had remained the apportioned time 
 in confinement, according to the amount of his 
 debts : and, unless he could shew a satisfactory 
 reason why his effects should not be assigned for 
 the benefit of his creditors, the jury might by 
 their verdict, find for, and direct such assignment 
 to take effect, and that the prisoner should be set 
 at large. Thus the fraudulent debtor would be 
 prevented from wasting that substance in confine- 
 ment, which his creditors would gladly receive in 
 satisfaction of their debts ; but upon which, as the 
 law at present stands, they can have no claim. 
 
 If
 
 LAW OF CIVIL IMPRISONMENT. 3g 
 
 If the princijjles here humbly laid (l(nvii were 
 a])j)roved of, a bill, \\ ith no more elauses iii it than 
 are oidinarily introduced into an Insolvent Act, 
 would furnish all the requisites necessary to carry it 
 into eflect ; and which, it is imagined, would at once 
 render Insolvent Acts unnecessary ; deprive the frau- 
 dulent debtor of the means of diverting the Lords' 
 Act from its humane object, to the worst of pur* 
 poses ; enable the unfortunate debtor to restore 
 himself to pursuits of industry, for the support of 
 himself and family ; and deter the evil-minded from 
 levelling their fraudulent practices against the fair 
 trader : or, — in case they should be found hardy 
 enough to continue their evil courses, — by exemplary 
 and not indiscriminate punishment, teach them to 
 adopt a better plan of life when liberated, and to 
 cease from defrauding their neighbours, under a 
 daringly pretended sanction of British Law. 
 
 A TABLE
 
 ( 40 ) 
 A TABLE of Bailable Process against Pebtprs *, for ONR 
 
 THE PARTICULARS. 
 
 WRITS for the Arrest of Debtors on Mesne Process 
 
 ARRESTS of ditto on Mesne Process 
 
 BAIL BONDS given on Arrests ----- 
 
 PRISONERS remaining for Want of Bail ----------- 
 
 * For this Table of Calculations I beg leave to express my acknowledge- 
 ments to Joseph Burchell, Esq. the present worthy Under- Sheriff of Mid- 
 dlesex. 
 
 Note, The disproportion against the first and lowest class, on a comparison 
 tvith the second, is two to one j on a comparison with the third, is increased j| 
 and on a comparison with the fourth class, is twenty to one. 
 
 Middlesex is reckoned only at one fifteenth of the whole kingdom;
 
 { 41 ) 
 
 yjJAR, from Michaelmas, l8oi, to Michaelmas, iSo^, 
 DIVIDED INTO FOUR CLASSES. 
 
 First Class. 
 
 Debts uuder 
 £30. 
 
 NUMBERS. 
 
 In 
 
 Middlesex. 
 
 In the 
 Kingdom. 
 
 7638 
 
 114.570 
 
 4000 
 
 60,000 
 
 2200 
 
 33,000 
 
 823 
 
 12.345 
 
 Second Class. 
 
 Third Class. 
 
 Debts above <:^30. 
 and under ^50. 
 
 Debts above ^50 
 and under ^500 
 
 NUMBERS. 
 
 NUMBERS. 
 
 In 
 
 Middlesex. 
 
 In the 
 Kingdom. 
 
 In 
 
 Middlesex. 
 
 3134 
 
 In the 
 
 Kingdom 
 
 3860 
 
 57.900 
 
 47,oio 
 
 1 100 
 
 16,500 
 
 1720 
 
 25,800 
 
 711 
 
 10,665 
 
 1100 
 
 16,500 
 
 221 
 
 3315 
 
 308 
 
 4620 
 
 Fourth Class, 
 
 Debts above 
 
 NUMBERS. 
 
 In 
 
 Middlesex. 
 
 In the 
 
 Kingdom. 
 
 355 
 
 3325 
 
 200 
 
 3000 
 
 130 
 
 1950 
 
 36 
 
 540 
 
 The number of Debtors, consisting of the capital Merchants and Traders to all 
 parts of the world, is reckoned greatly to exceed the number of those whose 
 credit is limited to the sums of Thirty Pounds ; the disproportion is therefore 
 much greater against the lowest class than is apparent. 
 
 In 1793 the number of bailable writs and executions for debts from ten to 
 twenty pounds, in Middlesex only, amounted to five thousand seven hundred 
 and nineteen ; and the aggregate amount of the debts sued for was j^S 1,791. 
 
 Jt will scarce be credited, yet is most unquestionably true, that the mere costs 
 of these actions, although made up, and not defended at all, would amount to 
 ^68,728. ; and if defended, the aggregate expence to recover ^^81,791. (strange 
 and incredible as it must appear) can be no less than twa hundred and eighty- 
 jive thousand nine hundred andfijty pounds, being considerably more than three 
 |imes the amount of the debts sued for or defended.
 
 ( 42 ) 
 
 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 OF 
 
 THE SOCIETY. 
 
 THE Committee of this Institution observe with 
 pleasure, that no charitable establishment hath met 
 with a more universal approbation than that in 
 which they have so earnestly engaged. In the com- 
 mencement of their plan the sums collected amounted 
 to no more than eighty-one pounds one shilling; 
 which the Committee having expended, were under 
 much anxiety for the success of its future welfare, 
 and greatly feared that the business must have ter- 
 minated together with their labours. 
 
 However, the benefits they have since by the pub- 
 lic bounty obtained, and been instrumental in dif- 
 fusing among numbers of the distressed orders of 
 mankind, aflford them the most heartfelt satisfaction ; 
 and these benefits appear from the Geiieral Accompts 
 annexed to this little tract. 
 
 As
 
 ACCOUNT OF THE SOCIETY. 43 
 
 As many advantages may be derived from a pub- 
 lic Institution, which are not to be obtained by 
 Individuals, several executors, and public bodies, 
 the guardians of propert}^ to be appropriated to the 
 discharge of debtors, have annually transferred it 
 to the funds of the Society ; convinced of the highly 
 superior benefits arising from their mode of proce- 
 dure ; who are enabled to settle for the discharsre of 
 each debtor on an average regulation or payment of 
 about two pounds fourteen shillings, which formerly 
 cost them from four to six pounds. 
 
 The benefactions annually received are upwards of 
 two thousand pounds, including legacies^ with which 
 the Society discharge about eight hundred debtors. 
 But the Committee observe with concern, that the 
 distresses of the poor have greatly increased, perhaps 
 in proportion to the advanced price of provisions, 
 and the decrease of trade and manufactures. They 
 have, however, the great satisfaction to observe, that 
 no objection worthy of the least notice has ever been 
 urged against the plan or the measures they have 
 adopted. Indeed they speak to the heart; for at the 
 same time that they appeal to every man's feelings, 
 both his reason and judgment must approve them, 
 and his humanity must plead for their continuance 
 and prosperity. 
 
 The utility of the Society for the Relief of Insol- 
 vent Debtors will appear, from the consideration 
 
 that
 
 44 ACCOUNT OF THE SOCIETY. 
 
 that every poor man s labour may be estimated at 
 an average value of two shillings and sixpence per 
 day, or three pounds five shillings per month. 
 Now, the Society having set at liberty 848 impri- 
 soned debtors, within the last year, the benefit im- 
 mediately resulting to community will amount to 
 5512/, supposing each of these persons to have 
 obtained his liberty only two months sooner than 
 he would have obtained it without the assistance of 
 the Society. And if to this benefit should be added 
 the advantages derived by the prevention of such 
 numbers of prisoners and their families from be- 
 coming burthensome to their parishes, the aggre- 
 gate emolument drawn from tlie Institution will 
 appear to be of vast magnitude and value. This, 
 surely, is of great moment ; and ought to claim 
 the individual attention of the tradesman and the 
 merchant, the patriot and the senator, to unite 
 their efforts in so general an undertaking for the 
 good of the community at large. 
 
 As such, therefore, it is, that the Committee are 
 again solicitous to submit to their consideration a 
 Society, which, since its very humble commence- 
 ment, has conducted this cause of humanity with 
 diligence and care ; which has the honour of being 
 joined and assisted by the pecuniary and personal 
 efforts of many of the most respectable and illustri- 
 ous personages gf the kingdom, without whose aid 
 
 and
 
 ACCOUNT OF THE SOCJETt. 45 
 
 Sind exertions the Institution could not have been 
 supported, nor the wretched inmates of a prison 
 S'estored to their hberty* 
 
 The books of the Society, their account of re- 
 ceipts, disbursements, and other proceedings, are 
 always open for general inspection. By many of 
 the nobihty and gentry who have taken the trouble 
 <of examining them, the most honourable testimony 
 has been paid ; and, actuated by the purest prin- 
 ciples of Christian Philanthropy, they have set a 
 noble example of generous liberality, for others to 
 imitate and follow* 
 
 The number of debtors relieved and discharged 
 within twelve months, from March I8O7, amounted 
 to 848 ; who had 567 wives, and 1548 children; and 
 the expence attending the same was 339f>^« ^7^- 5d» 
 The average therefore paid, including every inci- 
 dental expence of rent^ printings advertisements, 
 books, &c. requisite for conducting the business^ 
 appears to be about 4/. 0^. id. for each debtor. 
 Nor have the exertions of the Society been con- 
 fined to the gaols of the metropolis alone, but 
 extended to the various prisons of England and 
 Wales : No respect was paid to their locality ; 
 the calls of distress were alike heard and attended 
 to, from whatever part ot prison they came ; and 
 the magnitude of the debt was no object with the 
 Society, provided it could be compromised and 
 
 brought
 
 46 ACCOUNT OF THE SOCIETY, 
 
 brought within the avowed scope and intention of 
 their design. 
 
 Upon the Society's investigation into the state 
 and distress of the debtors, many were found to 
 have been imprisoned for years together for very 
 inconsiderable sums : hopeless of any relief from 
 a charity so humble in its finances, and not 
 professing to take cognizance of very large con- 
 cerns. 
 
 Upon these plain grounds, therefore, it is sub- 
 mitted to the consideration of the judicious and feel- 
 in"* mind, whether an undertaking, thus arduous in 
 itself, and kind to the community at large, doth not 
 merit the warm encouragement of a Nation like 
 ours, the most eminently and nobly distinguished 
 for its policy and commerce, its liberality, and 
 genuine love of benevolence. 
 
 The applications made to the Society, notwith- 
 standing all its past exertions, increase ; and espe- 
 cially from the county gaols, where the unfortunate 
 debtor, who appears to liave been long forgotten by 
 every friend, now seems well informed of the nature 
 of their plan. Objects like these have surely a large 
 demand on public munificence ; and there is no 
 doubt but that they will be attended to with 
 suitable regard. 
 
 So widely, then, as the Governors of the Institution 
 shall be enabled, by the public bounty, to throw 
 
 open
 
 ACCOUNT OF THE SOCIETY. 47 
 
 open the doors of the prison ; so long as they can 
 wipe away the tears of the helpless sufferer, by 
 restoring him to his liberty and his family ; — in such 
 proportion, and with an alacrity suited to the claim 
 which shall be made, will this Charity be impar- 
 tially extended throughout the kingdom of Great 
 Britain to the poor and destitute debtor in his 
 prison, who otherwise might have cried in vain, 
 and found no hand to help him.
 
 ( 48 ) 
 
 SOCIETY FOR THE DISCHARGE AND RELIEF OF 
 PERSONS IMPRISONED FOR SxMALL DEBTS. 
 
 Craven-street J Feb. n, 1801. 
 
 AT a Meeting of this Society, held on Wednesday the 
 1 1th instant, Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of 
 this Society be given to their Noble President, the Right 
 Honourable the Earl of ROMNEY, for the honour hi* 
 Lordship has done them, in presenting the Treasurer's 
 Report of the State of Prisons to his Majesty ; and also 
 for the unremitting attention his Lordship has been 
 pleased to shew, upon all occasions, to the interests of 
 this Institution. 
 
 Ordered, That the same be published in the Daily 
 Papers. 
 
 R. Grasswell. Secrctarj/r
 
 ( 49 ) 
 
 RULES AND ORDERS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SOCIETY 
 
 FOR THE DISCHARGE AND RELIEF OF 
 
 PERSONS IMPRISONED FOR SMALL DEBTS. 
 
 I. NAME OF THE CHARITY; 
 
 THAT this Institution be called The SOCIETY 
 Jor the Discharge and Relief of Persons im- 
 prisoned for Small Debts. 
 
 II. officers. 
 That this Charity do consist of a President, four 
 Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, Secretary, and Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 III. committee. 
 
 I. That the Committee be open to, and consist of, 
 all such persons as are qualified to be Governors. 
 
 II. That of the Committee three members con- 
 stitute a quorum. 
 
 D IV. meet-
 
 50 RULES AND ORDERS OF THE SOCIETr 
 
 IV. MEETINGS. 
 
 I. Tliat there be an Annual Meeting, on the first 
 Wednesday in April *. 
 
 II. That there be four quarterly general meetings 
 in every year. 
 
 III. And also a meetino; of the Committee on the 
 first Wednesday -j- in every month, at Twelve 
 o'clock. 
 
 IV. Of all which several meetings, due notice 
 shall be given by advertisement in the public news- 
 papers ;};. 
 
 V. That the place for holding all such meetings 
 be in Craven-street §. 
 
 V. OF THE TREASURER. 
 
 I. That he receive all benefactions, keep an ac^ 
 count of all receipts and payments, and adjust the 
 same at the four general quarterly courts, or oftener, 
 if required by the rest of the Governors. 
 
 * Originally it was on the 5tb of May. 
 
 f Weekly meetings were necessary in the itifancy of this 
 Charity j but such forms have been adopted, from the experience 
 of the Committee, that, in its maturity, their meeting once a 
 month at noon is found to be fully sufficient. 
 
 X The Advertisements have since been confined to the jQunr- 
 terly Courts cnly. 
 
 § The Society, soon after their establishment, took an office 
 at No. 7, Craven-street, Strand, where the business of the Cha- 
 rity is transacted; but originally it was held at the Thatched- house 
 Tavern, St. James's-street. 
 
 II. He
 
 FOR RELIEF OF SMALL DEBTORS. 51 
 
 II. He is to advance no monies en account of 
 the Charity, unless authorised thereto by writing, 
 under the hand of three of the Committee at their 
 meetings. 
 
 VI. OF THE SECRETARY. 
 
 He is to be present at all the meetings of the Go- 
 vernors, to take the minutes ; receive and prepare all 
 petitions ; make the necessary enquiries, and report 
 to the Committee concerning them : To draw up the 
 accounts, and carry on the correspondence and bu- 
 siness of the Charity, under the direction of the 
 Committee, 
 
 VII. OF GOVERNORS IN GENERAL, AND THEIR 
 GLUALIFICATIONS* 
 
 I. That this Charity be supported by annual sub- 
 scriptions, or other voluntary benefactions. 
 
 II. That all annual subscribers of or above the 
 sum of two guineas, are^ and shall be esteemed 
 Governors, and of the Committee. 
 
 III. That if any annual subscriber shall be more 
 than two years in arrear, his power as a Governor 
 shall cease, until such arrears are paid. 
 
 IV. That all benefactors of or above the sum of 
 twenty guineas, now are, and shall be esteemed 
 perpetual Governors. • 
 
 V. That the nomination of Officers be in the 
 Governors, and determined by a majority. 
 
 D 2 VIII. OF
 
 52 RULES AND ORDERS OF THE SOCIETV 
 
 VIII. OF THE OBJECTS TO BE RELIEVED. 
 
 I. They shall be persons acfuallif imprisoned, 
 whose respective debts, or the composition for 
 whose debts, shall not exceed the sum of ten 
 
 POUNDS. 
 
 II. That women shall be equally entitled to the 
 benefit of this Charity as men. 
 
 III. That such debtors shall have the preference, 
 as are most aged or infirm ; have the largest famihes 
 unprovided for ; are the most likely to be useful ta 
 the community ; and appear to Have lost their 
 Uberty by unavoidable misfortunes ; as least, not by 
 fraud, vice, or extravagance. 
 
 IV. That as to such imprisoned debtors as have 
 helpless families, who suffer by the faults of their 
 principal, and are undeservedly reduced to poverty, 
 the Committee shall be at liberty to give the families 
 some assistance, in proportion to their distress, ,^j[| 
 ao'reeably to the intentions of the Charity. 
 
 V. That no person be delivered a second time ; 
 unless it shall appear to the Committee, that their 
 
 ■ second misfortune cannot be imputed to their own 
 fault. 
 
 VI. That an account be annually published, of 
 the number of persons discharged and relieved ; but 
 their names not mentioned: together with an ac- 
 count of the sums paid for them, and of the 
 
 prisons
 
 FOR RELIEF OF SMALL DEBTORS. 53 
 
 prisons from vvhicli they were respectively dis- 
 charged. 
 
 IX. OF PETITIONS, AND PETITIONERS. 
 
 That, at their respective meetings, the Committee 
 refer all the petitions then received to the Secretary, 
 for his examination and enquiry, during the current 
 month. That the report he shall make on them, 
 with the vouchers for their respective characters, be 
 considered at the next Committee meeting ; and 
 that they be proceeded on accordingly, in prefer- 
 ence to any other applications. 
 
 FORMS
 
 ( 54 ) 
 
 FORMS OF APPLICATION 
 
 TO THIS SOCIETY 
 FOR RELIEF, 
 
 THE Debtor receives gratis from the Gaoler a 
 printed Petition, of which the following is a copy : 
 
 To the Right Honourahle the President, the Vice 
 Presidents, and other Members of the Societi/ 
 for Discharge and Reliff of Persons imprisoned 
 for Small Debts. 
 
 The humble Petition of 
 late of street, in the parish of 
 
 in the County of - 
 
 Sheweth, 
 
 That your Petitioner — hath not received any hene- 
 
 jit from your Society heretofore : That he is in the 
 
 Year of his Age : by profession a 
 
 and hath * * Insert the 
 
 Wife, and 
 number of 
 Children, if 
 any, under 14 
 j/cars of age. 
 
 That
 
 f Insert the 
 side of the 
 prison where 
 the debtor is 
 confined. 
 X Insert the 
 plaintiff's 
 name, pro- 
 fession, and 
 abode. 
 
 § Insert what 
 kind of value 
 the prisoner 
 had of his 
 plaintiff for 
 the Debt. 
 II Here men- 
 tion the Court 
 whence the 
 writ issued : 
 also the dates 
 of the decla- 
 ration, trial, 
 or judgment, 
 as the case 
 may be, and, if 
 supersedable, 
 thetimewhen, 
 and for what 
 reason. 
 5[ Insert the 
 names, pro- 
 fessions, and 
 places of a- 
 bode of two 
 housekeepers 
 who are ac- 
 quainted with 
 the prisoner's 
 case ; but if a 
 country peti- 
 tioner, refer- 
 ence must be 
 made to the 
 clergyman, 
 church-war- 
 dens, 8(c. of 
 the parish 
 wherein he or 
 she lately re- 
 sided. 
 
 ACCOUNT OF THE SOCIETY. 55 
 
 That he was committed to the prison 
 
 of on day of 
 
 and continues confined 
 
 on the '\' 
 
 of the said prison, for a debt of /. 
 
 sworn to by J 
 
 of 
 street, in the parish of 
 
 for "^ 
 
 H Attorney is Mr. 
 
 who hath proceeded against 
 your petitioner in the Court of || 
 
 That it may require /. s. d. 
 to pay for and 
 
 also to pay the prison-fees, to obtain your 
 petitioner's hberty : who having no ef- 
 fects, or power, to discharge the same, 
 most humbly prays to partake of your 
 bounty, in such away as to you may seem 
 meet : and refers to ^ 
 of 
 in the parish of 
 
 and 
 of 
 
 street, in the parish 
 of 
 
 for a character of his sobriety and in" 
 tegrify, 
 
 DIREC-
 
 5^ ACCOUNT OF THE SOCIETY 
 
 DIRECTIONS TO THE PRISONERS. 
 
 I. DEBTORS who desire to partake of this Cha- 
 rity, must apply hy printed Petition only ; a form 
 of which, as above, may be had of the respective 
 Keepers, gratis. 
 
 II. No Petition will be attended to, unless filled 
 up fully and exactly, as directed in the margin; 
 those directions being so plain, that no difficulty can 
 arise. It is therefore desired that every Petitioner 
 will fill up his, or her, own Petition. 
 
 III. Those who apply for their liberty by Super- 
 sedeas, or for Sixpences, must send a copy of their 
 cause, or causes, with the Keeper s certificate. 
 
 IV. All Letters, Petitions, &,c. are to be for- 
 warded to the Letter-Box, No. 7, in Craven-street, 
 Strsiud, post-paid. 
 
 N. B. jin attempt to impose on the Society, in 
 any particular, will prevent the Petitioners being 
 relieved. 
 
 §3» A letter of thanks will be expected from every 
 person discharged : and it is desired that no Bond, 
 Note, Warrant of Attorney, or Obligation what- 
 ever, be given to such Plaintiffs as receive a com- 
 position from this Society. 
 
 Upon
 
 FOR RELIEF OF SMALL DEBTORS. 57 
 
 Upon tlie proposed composition being accepted 
 by the plaintiff, the gaol-fees are immediately paid, 
 and the debtor set at liberty ; with some small do- 
 nation, according to the number and distress of 
 family, &c. 
 
 And, in order to prevent imposition by Swind- 
 lers, the Society have found it sometimes neces- 
 sary to apply to the Plaintiff, for his testimony con- 
 cerning the debtor, by the following address. 
 SOCIETY for the Discharge and Relief of 
 Persons imprisoned for Small Debts, 
 Craven-Street, Strand, 
 the of 180 
 
 a Prisoner at your suit, in the Gaol 
 of for a debt of ^. s. d. hath 
 
 jpetitioned this Societi/for their charitable assistance; 
 who, being desirous of' distributing the benevolence of 
 the Publick to every ivor thy object {and to such only), 
 request to be informed by you, of the manner in ivkich 
 the debt was contracted : whether in the common and 
 ordinary course of business, or on specious pretences ; 
 and of such other circumstances, as may enable the 
 Society to judge of the Petitioner'' s true character, 
 and of his qualif cation to partake of the public 
 bounty from this Charity. R. Graswell, Sec, 
 
 Be pleased to write your answer on the back of 
 this paper ; and direct it 
 
 To be put in the Letter-Box, No. 7, Craven- Street^ 
 Strand. 
 
 FORM
 
 58 ACCOUNT OF THE SOCIET\' 
 
 FORM OF BEQUESTS OF LEGACIES. 
 
 1 A. B. do give and bequeath unto 77ie Treasurer 
 of the SOCIETY for the Discharge and Relief 
 of Persons imprisoned for Small DebtSy hnown hy 
 the name of the Thatched- House Society, in Craven 
 Street, the sum of 
 
 to he paid out of my personal estate, and to be by 
 him apphed (with the consent of the Governors 
 thereof) for the sole uses and purposes of that bene- 
 volent Institution. 
 
 N. B. Any Legacy arising from Lands is void, 
 by the Statute of Mortmain.
 
 FOR RELIEF OF SMALL DEBTORS. $g 
 
 THE foregoing Rules and Orders, and other 
 documents for carrying into execution the benevo- 
 lent designs of the pubHck, have been honoured by 
 general approbation ; insomuch that some of our 
 great City companies, executors, and others, trustees 
 for sums annually distributable for the discharge of 
 debtors, have made the Society their Almoners ; 
 fully convinced, that, from the long experience ac- 
 quired, " it can discharge as many for ONE hun- 
 dred pounds, as tkei/ themselves can for TWO, 
 or more." The Society, however, are always de- 
 sirous to effectuate the general directions of such 
 trustees, and to render them an accurate account 
 both of the debtors so liberated, and of the monies 
 so intrusted to their distribution. 
 
 TIME has, of course, occasioned some changes 
 in the administration of the Society : but Christian 
 Humanity is still the same : so that, although many 
 of the NOBLE, the GREAT, and the GOOD, 
 have been removed, others have kindly become the 
 friends of the distressed Debtor, in their stead. 
 
 Know, there are found, on whose dilated breasts 
 The heaven-descended dove of pity rests : 
 Souls, that delight with fost'ring smiles to cheer 
 The broken heart, and dry affliction's tear ; 
 Pluck the wan Debtor from his noisome den. 
 And launch him on the cheerful walks of men." 
 
 CUMBERLAND, Epilogue.
 
 60 ACCOUNT OF THE SOCIETl 
 
 The present Officers of the Society arc, 
 
 PRESIDENT, 
 The Right Hon. the EARL of ROMNEY j 
 
 VICE PRESIDENTS, 
 
 TheMostNobletheMARQUISofHERTFORD, 
 
 Right Hon. EARL RADNOR, 
 
 The Right Hon. LORD BARHAM, 
 
 The Hon. PHILIP PUSEY ; 
 
 TREASURER, 
 JAMES NEILD, Esa. 
 
 R. Grasswell, Secretary. 
 
 THE business of the Society being reduced to a 
 regular plan, the Committee hold their meetings at 
 No. 7, Craven-street i Strand, the first Wednesday 
 of every month, at noon. 
 
 The Committee is composed of all such annual 
 Benefactors as choose to attend : their company, 
 therefore, will at all times be esteemed a kindness 
 to the Society ; more especially, if any Gentleman 
 should have any thing to propose, for rendering this 
 Institution more advantageous to the publick, or 
 essentially conducive to its prosperity. 
 
 ^^^ Persons desirous of establishing similar Socie- 
 ties in other parts of the kingdom, may have copies 
 of the modes of business which the Society have 
 adopted, gratis.
 
 FOR RELIEF OF SMALL DEBTORS. 6l 
 
 THE following stanza from our celebrated 
 SPENSER, is too striking not to claim a record in 
 this place ; and is inserted for the noble sentiment 
 which it is calculated to impress on every humane 
 and Christian heart. Speaking of the IioIt/ Beads- 
 men in the House of Mercy, Jie says : 
 
 " The fourth appointed by his office was 
 Poore Prisoners to relieve with gratious ayd. 
 And Captives to redeeme with price of bras^ 
 From Turkes and Sarazins which them had stayd j 
 And though they faulty were, yet well he wayd. 
 That God to us forgiveth every howre 
 Much more than that, why they in bands were layd." 
 
 FAERY QUEEN, Book I. Cant. X, Stan. 40.
 
 ACCOUNT 
 
 VARIOUS PRISONS 
 
 OF 
 
 ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, and WALES; 
 
 TOGETHEl^l WITH THE 
 
 PROVISIONARY ALLOWANCE, &c. TO PRISONERS 
 DURING CONFINEMENT: 
 
 AS REPORTED TO THE 
 
 SOCIETY FOR THE DISCHARGE AND RELIEF OF 
 SMALL DEBTORS, 
 
 IN APRIL, 1808. 
 By JAMES NEILD, Esa. Treasurer, 
 
 I:(§TriTUTEii' ^SSis- 2^ i^ya. 
 
 The horrors of a gloomy Gaol, 
 
 Unpitied and unheard, where misery moans ; 
 Where sickness pines ; where thirst and h\mger bum^ 
 Aod poor misfortune feels the lash of guilt. 
 
 Thomson.
 
 ( 65 ) 
 
 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS, 
 
 AND OF 
 
 PERSONS CONFINED FOR DEBT. 
 
 " I was in prisoUf and ye came unto we." 
 
 Matthew, xxv. ver. 35, 
 
 ABINGDON ; Berhhire. 
 
 Gaoler, James Goldhy^ a baker, and Serjeant at 
 Mace. Salary, 10/. Fees, none. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 1 8th August 1803, and 3 1st 
 August 1806, none. 
 
 Allowance ; now sixpence per day. 
 
 Remarks. — This Prison is the old gateway : the 
 ground-floor, about 14 feet square, is for debtors^, 
 committed by a Borough process, who are entitled 
 to their sixpences in six weeks. This room has a 
 glazed window, and a fire-place. Up-stairs are three 
 small sleeping-rooms, the straw in which, when I 
 was there, was worn to dust. No court-yard. No 
 water. A tub in one corner serves as a privy, and 
 is emptied once a month, for which the Gaoler charges 
 eightpence. It is a fortunate circumstance, that no 
 prisoners are long detained in this wretched jilace, 
 
 E
 
 66 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS TOR DEBTORS 
 
 ANDOVER ; Hampshire. 
 
 Gaoler, Thomas Coiclei/, a shoe-maker by trade. 
 No Salary. But he is likewise Town Crier, 
 Keeper of the Town-hall, and Collector of the 
 Market Tolls ; from each of which appoint- 
 ments he derives some casual fee. 
 Fees ; Debtors, 35. 4^. No Table. 
 
 Surgeons, Messrs. Poore and Co. ; they make 
 a Bill. 
 
 Number of Debtors H §02, Dec. 28th, . 1 
 
 \ 1807, Sept. 25th, . 0- 
 
 Allowance. Very poor prisonei's have sixpence 
 j)er day ; and in extreme cold weather, a fire. 
 
 REMARKS, 
 
 This Gaol consists of two rooms with boarded 
 floors. That for men is about 16 feet by 14- The 
 upper room, for women, 14 feet by 12. The 
 Borough allows straw only on bedsteads. No deb- 
 tors sent here but by process out of Andover Town- 
 court. The gaoler's house being under the same 
 roof, a bedchamber in it is appropriated to prisoners, 
 if more than tlie gaol will conveniently accommo- 
 date. The court is in front of the house, and se- 
 parated from the street by a very low paling ; so that 
 the prisoners have no use of it.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND^ AND WALES. 6'7 
 
 APPLEBY ; rrestmorelmid. 
 
 Gaoler^ James Beu\sher. Salary, 20L He is a 
 blacksmith, and his workshop is at the foot 
 of the bridge, nearly opposite the gaoL 
 Fees; see Table. Garnish, is. 
 Chaplain, Rev. James Metcalfe. Salary, 15/. 
 Duty, Sunday afternoon. Prayers and Sermon> 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Busiihif ; makes a BilL 
 
 r 1 800, March 3 ist, S 
 Number of Debtors < 1801, Feb. 2d, - 2 
 
 ^1802, Sept. 24th3 - 4 
 
 Allowance ; Debtors, none whatever. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol was built by the County. ITie Earl of 
 TJianet is Hereditary Sheriff, and pays the gaoler 
 his salary. The prison itself is out of the reach of 
 the floods, but the river sometimes overflows 
 part of tlie court-yard. In the lower part of the 
 prison are four vaulted w^ards for felons, 14| feet by 
 13 ; a small iron-grated window in each, but no 
 chimney : and over them are three good rooms, with 
 fire-places, for debtors. Divine service is performed 
 in the debtors' day-room. Only one courts 32 yards 
 by 22 ; so that men and women prisoners mi?i pro- 
 
 E 2 misscuously
 
 6S ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 miscuously together in the day-time. There being 
 no kitchen, the prisoners are obhged to dress their 
 victuals under the landing-place of the flight of stone 
 steps, which lead to the debtors' apartments. A 
 pump in the court-yard. The Act for Preservation 
 of Health, and Clauses against Spirituous Liquors, 
 are both hung up ; as is also the Table subjoined, of 
 which I took a Copy. 
 
 " At the Midsummer General Quarter Session of 
 
 the Peace holden at Appleby, in and for the said 
 
 County, on Friday the 24th day of July 1797 ; the 
 
 following Table of Fees to be taken by the keeper 
 
 of His Majesty's Gaol at Appleby aforesaid, were 
 
 unanimously agreed to by the Bench of Justices 
 
 then present, viz, 
 
 s. d. 
 
 For the discharge of a debtor . . 13 4 
 
 For every person committed by a Warrant 
 
 of a Justice of the Peace . . .68 
 
 For a Copy of Commitment, when de- 
 manded . . . . . .10 
 
 For a Certificate of Commitment, in order 
 
 to obtain a Writ of Habeas Corpus - 2 6 
 
 For sifrninn; a Certificate, in order to obtain 
 a Supersedeas, or a Rule or Order of 
 Court . . . 2 6? 
 
 For the discharge of a prisoner by Procla- 
 mation at the Assizes, or General Ouarter 
 Sessions . . - , 13 4,"
 
 IN ENGLAl^D, SCOTLAND, AND WALE-S* 6^ 
 
 AYLESBURY ; Ruchlnghamshire, 
 The County Gaol. 
 Gaoler, Henrij Sheriff. Salary, for the Gaol 140/. ; 
 for the Bridewell 30/. 
 Fees, abolished. But the Under-Sherift' takes 
 from each debtor 2*. 6d. for his liberate. 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Hopkins. Duty, Prayers audi 
 
 Sermon every Sunday. Salary, 50/. 
 Surgeon, Mr. Hay ward. Salary, 35/. for every 
 class of prisoners. 
 
 Number of Debtors. 
 
 1800, June 2d, 
 
 14 
 
 1803, Jan. 30th, 12 
 
 1801, Aug. iGth, 
 
 18 
 
 1804, April 15th, 17 
 
 1802, Jan. 20th, 
 
 8 
 
 1805, July25th, 17 
 
 Allowance. To \3ebtors and prisoners of eveiy 
 description, one pound and a half of best 
 w heaten bread every day, and a pint of soup 
 twice a week. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 This Gaol adjoins the back part of the magnificent 
 Shire Hall. In the floor of the Prisoners' Bar a 
 door opens, through which, by means of a ladder, 
 they are brought up into Court. 
 
 The original construction of the buildings was 
 faulty in the extreme; but the Marquis of Buch^ 
 ingham,e\ev attentive to the interests of this County, 
 having humanely interfered in its prison concerns^ 
 
 the
 
 JO ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTOR? 
 
 the loathsome Dungeon has been bricked up, and thr 
 gaol has received many and great improvements. 
 
 There is but one court- j'^ard for debtors, 54 feel 
 by 26, paved with flag-stones, and a sewer in one 
 comer. Two day-rooms, with fire-places and glazed 
 windows, the largest room 20 feet by 14- 
 
 Up-stairs are seven good bed-rooms, all free 
 wards, fitted up with wooden bedstead.'^, flock beds, 
 a blanket, and coverlet, at the County expence: 
 one of tlie smallest rooms is set apart for women 
 debtors, A liberal supply of coals is allowed to the 
 day-rooms, from the l6th of October to the l6th of 
 April ; but, if the weather be very severe, the time 
 is extended by the considerate Magistrates. 
 
 The Infirmary is a neat detached building, and 
 consists of two large rooms on the ground-floor ; in 
 one of which is an excellent mill, with a pair of 
 mill-stones for grinding corn, and an apparatus for 
 dressing the flour. Above are two spacious rooms 
 for the sick, with boarded floors, glazed windows, 
 both light and airy; and a small cooking-room, with 
 suitable conveniences for sick persons. 
 
 Books are kept in the prison, in which the Visit- 
 ing Magistrates, Chaplain, and Surgeon, enter their 
 respective reports. There being no stated Chapel, 
 divine service is |)erformed in the Shire-hall. Wheu 
 I attended it, January 13th, 1805, thirteen crinii- 
 aals and four debtors received tliO sacrament, vvhicli 
 
 is
 
 In ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 7 I 
 
 is administered four times a year. Many persons 
 also from the town are accustomed to attend upon 
 this occasion ; and the money collected is distri- 
 buted among the criminals. All prisoners are re- 
 quired to attend divine service. A Chapel within 
 the prison, properly partitioned off, so as to exclude 
 the classes from the sight of each other, is an ac- 
 commodation much wanted. It would afford their 
 exemplary Chaplain an opportunity of selecting, 
 occasionally, passages in scripture the most appro- 
 priate to each class of prisoners ; of admonishing the 
 profligate, exhorting the thoughtless., and comfort- 
 ing the afHictedi. 
 
 The alterations proposed are not yet [1807] com- 
 pleted : But new work-rooms are built ; and it is in- 
 tended to establish a manufactory, so that the pri- 
 soners may be usefully and beneficially employed. 
 
 It would likewise be of considerable advantage, if 
 Rules and Orders were made by the Justices, and 
 <:onfirmed by the Judges of Assize, for the direc- 
 tion of the gaoler, and good conduct of the prison- 
 ers ; and hung up in conspicuous parts of the pri- 
 son, agreeably to the Act 3 2 Geo. II. cap. 28. 
 
 At the Summer Assizes prisoners are removed 
 from hence to Buckingham, 
 
 The following memorial of a Legacy is hung up 
 in the church, and the donation regularly paid. 
 
 ^f William
 
 72 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 "William Findall, in tlic year lGo4, g^ve 
 6L 135. 4d. to be paid on ]Midlent Sunday annually, 
 into the hands of the Churchwardens of the parish 
 of Aylesbury for the time being, for ever, out of 
 Summer Leys, in the parish of Weston Turville, 
 for the following purposes ; viz. 
 
 s. d. 
 To the Poor of Weston Turville . 6 8 
 
 To the Prisoners in Aylesbury Gaol 13 4 
 
 To a Scavenger, to keep the Church-ways 
 
 clean 13 4 
 
 The remainder, after deducting 15.?. 6^. for the 
 Land Tax, is distributed to the widows and dis- 
 tressed poor of the parish of Aylesbury." 
 
 There are likewise other donations which ought 
 to be recorded ; viz. The Earl of Chesterfield gives, 
 every Christmas, two pounds of beef, and one shil- 
 ling in money, to each prisoner. It is distributed 
 by Mr. Curry, his Lordship's steward at Eythorp, 
 in the County of Rucks. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Hopkins, for the 27 years during 
 his officiating as Chaplain, has given to the prison- 
 ers, every Christmas, one guinea, which is equally 
 distributed amongst them by the Gaoler. 
 
 The Act of Parliament for the Preservation of 
 Health, and Clauses against Spirituous Liquors, are 
 here conspicuously hung up.
 
 tN Ei^GLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 75 
 
 BANBURY ; Oxfordshire. 
 Toivn Gaol, 
 
 Gaoler, Joseph IVise. Salary, 15/. 
 Fees, Debtors and Felons, 13*. 4^. 
 
 Sursreon, from the town, when wanted. 
 
 Number of Prisoners, 20th August 1 803, 
 Debtors, none. Felon, 1 woman. 
 
 Allowance. To Debtors, none ; to Criminal Pri- 
 soners, four-pence a day. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Prison was built, as appears by the date, im 
 1706. It has two dark and offensive rooms below; 
 one of which is called The Gaol, the other The 
 Bridewell. Straw upon the floor to sleep on. The 
 debtors confined here are by process issuing out of 
 the Borough court. 
 
 In the Keeper's house there is a room above- 
 stairs, for such debtors as can pay 2s. 6d. per week. 
 No court-yard ; but one might be made from the 
 garden behind the house. No water accessible 
 to the prisoners. No employment for them. 
 Neither the Act for the Preservation of Kealth, 
 nor Clauses against Spirituous Liquors, hung 
 up. No Rules and Orders. The whole Prison 
 dirty.
 
 74 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 BATH City Gaol 
 
 Gaoler, George Griffin ; a SherifTs Officer ** 
 
 Salary, 30/. Fees, 7^. 8c?. No Table. 
 Chaplain (first appointment), Rev. Mr. MarshalU 
 Salaiy, 20 /. 
 
 Duty; no stated time. At my visit in l80^> 
 it was morii than two months since divine 
 service had been performed. 
 Surgeon (first appointment), Mr. Kitson» 
 Salary, 20l. 
 
 Number of Debtors. 
 
 1800, March 30th, . 1 I 1803, Oct. 7th, . 1 
 
 1801, Dec. 22d, . 2 I iSoG, Sept. 19th, . 2 
 Allowance ; none whatever. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Prison is situated in Grove-street, to which 
 the ascent is by a fine flight of stone steps. On the 
 entrance-floor are the keeper's apartments. Above 
 are three stories, five good-sized rooms on each ; 
 two of which are used by the keeper, the rest for 
 debtors. One bed in a room, for which the pri^ 
 soner pays 3*. 6d. per week. Two rooms on the 
 second story Tire free wards ; one for men, the other 
 
 * No Keeper of a prison should be a Sheriff's Officer, He 
 must frequently be from home, and his business is incompatible 
 with the duty of a Gaoler. 
 
 fur
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 75 
 
 ioY women ; to which the Coqyoration allows loose 
 straw on the floor. The City sends coals for the 
 prison. There is no Chapel : divine service [ivhen 
 performed) is in a front room, 17 feet by 14, one 
 half of it taken up by a large barrack-bedstead. 
 Previous to my visit 1803, there had been no 
 divine service for many years; though at one 
 of my visits tliere were 31 |>i"isoners. The 
 I'olice of this City appeai-s to be well regulated in 
 ^very respect, except its prison. The Act for the 
 Preservation of Health not hung up ; but there is 
 painted on a board, " No Strong Liquors admitted, 
 ^' under the penalty of ten pounds, or three months 
 "' imprisonment." There is a small court, 52 feet 
 long and 16 feet wide, for debtors and petty offen- 
 ders, with a passage to the felons' court, Mrs. Dick- 
 enson, ^^iio i'esides at Bath, has sent every year, 
 for the last seven years, at Christmas, Easter, and 
 Whitsuntide, one pound and a half of meat, a half- 
 <.|uartern loaf, and potatoes, to every prisoner. 
 Debtors are sent here from the Court of Requests 
 for Bath, and its Liberties, the parish of IFalcot, the 
 several parishes and places in the Hundreds of Bath- 
 forum and JVellow, the Liberties of Hampton, da- 
 vevton, Easton and Amrill, all in Somersetshire ; 
 which Court takes cognizance of all debts not ex- 
 ceeding ten pounds. The imprisonment for debts 
 above five pounds, is 200 days !^
 
 ye ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTOR^ 
 
 BEAUMARIS ; Isle ofJnglesea. 
 The County Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, heretofore William Hopson, now Thomas 
 
 Ashurst, 
 
 Salary, in l802, was Ten Pounds ; now 5/. 
 
 from the Sheriff, and for the Bridewell 30^. 
 
 Fees, Debtors "js. Felons 13*. ^d. No Table ; 
 
 see the Note in p. 78. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Thomas. 
 
 Salary, heretofore lO/. now 20l. 
 
 Duty, at my visit, in 1803, divine service 
 had been discontinued for two years ; but 
 the salary having increased, as above, there 
 are Prayers and a Sermon once a week. 
 
 Surgeon, till lately, Mr. Sparrow : but since his 
 death none has yet been regularly appointed. 
 When a Surgeon is wanted, he is sent by the 
 town, and makes his bill. 
 
 Number of Debtors* 
 1800, April 24th, . 4 I 1803, Sept. 15th, . 3 
 1802, Jan. 26th, . 5 I 1806, Nov. 13th, . I 
 
 Allowance j four-pence a day. 
 
 RE^
 
 JN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES, 7? 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol is also the Countif Bridewell. It 
 stands on the strait, or narrow channel, called Tht 
 lilenaij and near the old castle fortified by 
 Jxlward I. 
 
 For Debtors here is a court-yard, an oblong 
 %quare^ of about 4S feet by 39 ; and on the second 
 sjtory they have six good-sized sleeping-rooms, with 
 fire-places and glazed windows ; for which, if the 
 debtor brings his own bed, he pays nothing: 
 otherwise straw, in lieu of bedding, is furnished by 
 the County ; but if the keeper furnishes a bed, the 
 charge is 2*. per week. 
 
 On the ground-floor there is a common kitchen, 
 with a fire-place, and a pantry. There being no 
 phapel, divine service is performed in the keeper's 
 parlour. The window of this room commands the 
 debtors' part of the prison ; but of the felon's part 
 there is no viev/ whatever, except through the iron- 
 palisaded gate hereafter mentioned. 
 
 The Felons' court-yard is about the same size 
 as the debtors' ; a day-room with a fire-place, and 
 five sleeping-cells on the ground-floor, 8 feet 4 
 inches by 7 feet two, and 7 feet 9 inches high. These 
 have arched roofs, with brick floors, and are dark, 
 damp, and insecure ; supplied with plank bed- 
 steads, chafl" in ticking beds, two blankets, and a rug. 
 
 A wall
 
 75 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS fOK DilBTOKJ 
 
 A wall, intended as a separation, divides th^ 
 debtors' court-yard from that of the felons ; but a 
 constant communication is kept up, by means of 
 two iron-palisaded gates,, through one of which j^'ou 
 must pass to the felons' part of the gaol. This 
 however is insecure, a felon having made his escape 
 about three weeks before my visit in 18Q3. At that 
 period, the court-yards, day-rooms, pantiy^ and 
 common kitchen, had all of them mud-floors, which 
 have since been paved with flag- stone. 
 
 For the conversance of Traus}X)rts the Gaoler 
 makes a bill. I remember he told me, that the 
 whole of his fees in 1800 amounted only to 
 12L 13 J. lOd. so that, his salary included, he had 
 no more than 47^. 13*. 10^/. to maintiiin himself, 
 and support a wife and seven children ; adding, 
 that Lord Bulkeley humanely employed him at 
 times amongst his labourers, or he must be in a 
 state bordering on starvation *. 
 
 This Prison is said to be whitewashed once in 
 two or three years ; but the good effects of that 
 wholesome process are destroyed, as every chimney 
 in the place is smoky, 
 
 * It is but an act of humanity and common justice toobservCj 
 that every where in Wales, in Cornwall, and some nearer [xirts 
 of England, the s, Varies of Gaol-keepers are very small, arwl 
 :nadcquate to the failhfitl dlscliarge of so important a trust. 
 
 No
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 79 
 
 Ko water, but what the Gaoler fetches from a 
 fine spring 96 yards distant, and then pours into a 
 square box Hned with lead, which holds about 22 
 gallons : a task easily to be prevented, as the water 
 might be laid on at a small expence. 
 
 No fuel allowed the prisoners : no separate court- 
 yard, day-room, or kitchen, for women-debtors, 
 who therefore must mix with the Bridewell pri- 
 soners : no mops, brooms, pails, towels, or soap, 
 to keep the prisoners or their prison clean ; so that 
 I was not surprized at finding the gaol dirty. 
 
 Neither the Act for preserving the Health of 
 Prisoners, nor the Clauses against Spirituous Li- 
 quors hung up. Ao Magistrate, the keeper said, 
 had been within side the Gaol for seven years. 
 
 The Keeper told me in I803, that the Under- 
 SherifF had reduced his salary as Gaoler to Five 
 Pounds. By the Statute of 24 Geo. III. it is clearly 
 expressed, " that the Justices of the Peace are to 
 order and direct the salaries to be paid out of the 
 County-rate, by the Treasurer of such County."
 
 so ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 BEDFORD. 
 
 The Comity Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, John-Moore Howard. Salary, 100/. ; 
 and for the House of Correction QOL 
 Fees, Debtors 13^. 4c?. 
 Garnish, aboHshed. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Thotnas Cave. 
 
 Duty, Prayers and Sermon on Sunday, ancl 
 Prayers on Thursday, 
 Salary, 40/. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Champion. 
 
 Salary, for Debtors, Felons, and House of 
 Correction, 40 /. 
 
 Number of Debtors. 
 
 1801, August 19th, 5 I 1806, July 14th, . 11 
 
 1802, Jan. 26th, . . 4 I 1807, Sept. 1st, ... 4 
 
 Allowance. Debtors, two quartern loaves per 
 week each, sent from the baker's, which I 
 have always found full weight. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol was first inhabited June 17, 1801, and 
 stands in a good situation, being just out of the 
 town. The entrance to the prison is the turnkey's 
 
 house
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 81 
 
 house, a handsome stone building, with a sitting- 
 room on one side ; and on the other a warm and 
 cold bath, with an oven to purify infected or of- 
 fensive clothes. Up-stairs is the turnkey's sleeping- 
 room, and another in which the County-clothing 
 is put on, and that of the prisoners ticketed and 
 hung by, till discharged. Here is likewise a recep- 
 tion-cell for the newly-arrived prisoner, till he is 
 examined as to his health, previous to admission 
 into the interior. At the top of the building is the 
 flat roof, the place of execution. 
 
 After passing through the lodge, the way to the 
 keepers house is through a small garden, of 32 
 feet in length. The Keeper resides in the centre of 
 the prison. On the ground-floor are his parlour, 
 kitchen, and pantry ; and behind them an open 
 space, called The Hall, in which I now found both 
 the Act for the Preservation of Health, and the 
 Clauses against Spirituous Liquors, conspicuously 
 painted on a board, and hung up ; with weights 
 aiidscale s likewise, for the use of the prison. Into 
 this Hall three lobbies open, of five feet wide: 
 over the entrance-gate of one is inscribed in stone, 
 *' Men Felons and Convicts ;" of a second, '' Women 
 Felons, and Debtors f and of the tliird, " House 
 of Correction." 
 
 The above three lobbies contain two day-rooms 
 each; which open into six court-yards for the several 
 
 F classes ;
 
 $2 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS . 
 
 classes ; one da)'- room for men, tlie other for 
 women ; having glazed windows and tire-j^laces, to 
 which coals are allowed during the six winter 
 months : they are fitted up with benches and cup- 
 boards for provisions ; and cooking utensils, 
 toweb, &c. are very considerately provided by the 
 magistrates. In each lobby there are four working- 
 cells. 
 
 Criminals are here employed in beating hem.p, 
 but receive no part of their earnings. Debtors 
 ^sometimes procure employment from without, and 
 have all they earn. 
 
 Over the Hall is a room of the same size, in 
 which the articles of County-clothing are depo- 
 sited: also three lobbies, like those below; two 
 for criminal prisoners ; and the third has six 
 sleeping-rooms for poor debtors,- tv.o of which 
 rooms are of 13 feet by 8, and the other four 10 
 feet by 8, having fire-places and glazed \^'indows» 
 and fitted up with iron-frame bedsteads *, sacking 
 bottoms, straw in canvas bed, blanket, and rug, 
 furnished gratis at the County's expence. i:j 
 
 * In the course of the ensuing Work, the Reader wilt re- 
 peatedly rtieet with bedsteads of this, and other descriptions. 
 The present sort needs no explanation : but it may be proper to 
 note, that barrack bedsteads (or beds) are low stages of boards, 
 raised on the floor, and uiade more or less sloping from tlie wall 
 towards the middle of the room J and us^'l in the barracks for 
 ■soldiers. Crib bedsteads take the name from their cradle form. 
 
 For
 
 IN EN6LAND,. SCOTLAND, A>D WALES. S^-, 
 
 For those who can pay, here are rooms of better 
 accommodation, which are supphed by the keeper 
 at 2y. 6V/. a single bed per week ; or, if two sleep 
 together, at 2s. weekly each. If the debtor finds 
 his own bedding and sheets, he pays Vs. 6d. per 
 week. 
 
 The Chapel is in the centre, on the second, or 
 attic story, where the prisoners are properly seated 
 according to their respective classes ; and all, under 
 pain t)f chastisement, are required not only to 
 attend divine service, unless prevented by illness^ ^ 
 but to deport themselves reverently there. Two 
 rooms are set apart for infirmaries, with boarded 
 floors, 14 feet 8 inches by 10 feet 6, and 9 feet 8 
 inphes high ; also with fire-places and glazed 
 windows. At the top of the building is an alarm- 
 bell. The before-mentioned six court-yards for 
 the different classes are, upon an average, 54 feet by 
 30, with open wood palisades, about 17 feet distant 
 from the boundary wall ; but only one of them is 
 appropriated to men and women debtors. 
 
 There is a pump in every court-yard, and the 
 whole prison well supplied with water, and I^ept 
 very clean. 
 
 i 2
 
 84 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 BERWICK ; Tow?i and County Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, George Rlchnrclson ; Salary, 40/. 
 
 He lives distant, and keeps a piibiic bouse. 
 Fees ; freemen, none ; non-freemen, 2*. 6d. 
 
 Chaplain, none. Surgeon, none : if the parish 
 surgeon attends, he is paid by the Treasurer of 
 the Corporation. 
 
 Number of Debtors. 
 ,1801, Nov. 9th, ... 1 I 1802, Sept. 7th, ... 3 
 
 Allov^ance. At a Guild, held Jan. 18th, 1800, it 
 was agreed (on account of the dearness of pro- 
 visions) that every prisoner, being a freeman, 
 should have nine-pence 'per day, and everj 
 non-freeman six-pence. 
 
 Remarks. This gaol is over one end of the grand 
 Town-hall. For debtors there are three rooms, 
 all free wards, two with fire-places, to which 
 the town allows coals ; and one bed is fur- 
 nished by the Corporation. No court-yard; but 
 the Lojig Room, into which the debtors' apart- 
 ments open, has on each side four lift-up sash 
 windows ; and they are also permitted to walk 
 on the leaden roof. No water : it is carried up by 
 the beadle, and put into a cistern daily. No em- 
 ployment.
 
 IN* ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALESi S^ 
 
 BEVERLY HALL GARTH ; Yorkshire. 
 
 Gaoler, H'm. Lundie ; Salary, none. Fees, 4s. 1 d. 
 Debtors; 1802, Aug. 25tli, none. Allowance, none. 
 
 Remarks. The Ilnll Garth, for Debtors, in the 
 Liberty of .V^. John of Beverley, is a Manor-gaol, or 
 Court Baron, held by Lord Yarborough. Over the 
 hall it has five rooms (16 feet by lO) ; two have fire- 
 places, some of them brick, and the rest boarded 
 floors. Debtors pay \s. ^d. each -per week for a 
 bed furnished by the keeper. No court. There are' 
 said to be 11 3 towns, or parts of towns, within this 
 Liberty of St. John. The keeper, together w ith the 
 prison, has about three acres of ground, for which he 
 pays 12^. a year. He told me " he was going to 
 leave it, as all he had to depend on was selling a 
 little ale, and being in a bye place out of the town, 
 he was a great loser. The reason," he said, " that 
 he had no prisoners was, that the Steward of the 
 Court was onhj an Attorney^ and could not act 
 without a barrister, v»'hich was too expensive, so 
 that his saol was nei^lected. Tliat when he first 
 came there, Mr. BeatnifF, harristcr, was chief- 
 steward, and Mr. Ramsa} , attcrney at law, deputy 
 steward ; that at that time he had many prisoners, 
 and was doing very v/ell ; but Mr. Beatniff being 
 dead, and Mr. Hall, the present chief-steward, not 
 Iteing a barrister, he very seldom had any prisoners/*
 
 S6 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 BEVERLY ; Toicn and Liberty Gaol, 
 
 Gaoler, Timothy Lundie, Serjeant at JMace. 
 Salary, 14/. 4*. Fees, 46'. 4d. 
 
 Surgeon, from the town, if wanted. 
 
 Number of Debtors 1802, August 2(3tli . 
 
 Allowance to certificated debtors, 6d. a day. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 For debtors here are three rooms ; one below, fur- 
 nished by the Gaoler, at 2.9. 6d. per week ; and a 
 small one, where, if the debtor finds his own bed, 
 he pays 6d. a week : the third room is up-stairs, 
 where the Keeper furnishes a bed at Is. sd. per week. 
 Here is one small court-yard for all descriptions of 
 prisoners, with a work-shed in it, but no water ; 
 the Gaoler fetches it from over the way. A Table 
 of Fees payable to the Attorneys and Clerk of the 
 Court, and signed by the Mayor, Recorder, and 
 Aldermen, is hung up; and likewise a Table of the 
 Antient Customs. Debtors are committed to this 
 prison by the Court of Requests, as well as those 
 prosecuted in the Court of King's Bench, and in the 
 Town court. Neitlier the '/ict for preserving 
 Healtli, nor the Clauses against Spirituous Liquors, 
 hung up. The whole prison dirty.
 
 JN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. HJ 
 
 BIRMINGHAM ; JVaridchshire. 
 
 The Court Prison. 
 
 Keeper, John Doiuucs. 
 Salary, none. 
 
 Surn-eon, from the Workhouse, as wanted. 
 
 /-1802, Nov. 5th. . 1 
 Number of Debtors < 1803,Aug. 23d, 2 
 
 I18O5, Nov. 1st, . 2 
 
 Allowance, none whatever at my two former 
 visits; but in Nov. 1805, I was informed 
 that poor prisoners had an allowance of three 
 pence per day, from their respective parishes. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This receptacle for Debtors is situate in Philip- 
 street :-a dark dirty dungeon, about 3 yards and half 
 square, led down to by seven steps, to receive men and 
 women ; and one sleeping-room above it, about 12 
 feet square, with straw upon the floor. It is in a 
 little back court-yard, 13 feet 10 inches by 13 feet, 
 belonging to the Keeper s house. There are three 
 other rooms, to which lie furnishes beds for those 
 
 whQ
 
 88 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOU DEBTORS 
 
 who can pay 2.9. per week. The dungeon is used 
 as a day-room, on account of the Httle court-yard ; 
 and I was informed, there have frequently been 
 four, and, at one time, fifteen prisoners in it ! 
 
 Strange as it may appear, debtors in this place 
 are not allowed to work ; which seems cruel, inas- 
 much as their confinement may last forty days. 
 
 "The Keeper told me, that were he to permit a 
 debtor to work, he should make himself liable to pay 
 both debt and costs. This reminds me of Mr. How- 
 ard's remark, " that when he visited this Gaol in the 
 year 1782, the Keeper informed him, he had been 
 obliged to pay a shoe-maker's debt of sixteen or 
 seventeen shillings, and costs, for permitting him to 
 Jinlsh a piece of work, ivhich the man had begun 
 before his confinement.^'' 
 
 It has been well said, by a Biographer of my re- 
 vered predecessor, that we may hope his plans will 
 terminate in such general regulations, as to make 
 judicial confinement the means of amendment in 
 morals, and of acquiring habits of imhistry ; whilst 
 the few criminals, who may be too depraved for 
 amendment, will be compelled to become beneficial 
 hy their labours, and suffer nothing more than that 
 restraint v%hich is needful for society, and that 
 
 exertion which they ought never to have abandoned.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND,, AND WALES. 89 
 
 BODMIN; Cornwall 
 
 County Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, James Chappie. Salary 30/. with Fees 
 as per Table : and if both together do not 
 amount to lOO/. the County liberally makes 
 good the deficiency *. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Morgan. 
 
 Duty ; Prayers and Sermon every Sunday. 
 Salary, 50/. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Ilamhy. 
 
 Salary 30/. for debtors and felons. 
 
 {1801, November 3d, 14 
 1 803, October 1 0th, 1 2 
 1805, September 30th, 8 
 
 Allowance, to -such debtors as are poor, and peti- 
 tion the Magistrates, one pound eleven 
 ounces of bread daily, made of wheat and 
 barley meal, in equal proportions ; half a 
 pourd of beef on Sundays, and coals for all 
 the prison. 
 
 * The active and ingenious Keeper ernploj-s the prisoners 
 at his own risk of sale ; and the considerate Magistrates allow 
 him that j ortion of earnings which was formerly paid to the 
 Count)-. 
 
 RE-
 
 90 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol, builCon a iine eminence, at a little 
 distance iVom the town, fronts tlie South ; and the 
 steepness of the ground appears to be of advantage 
 in many points, by placing the sevend buildings 
 above each other, and thereby, giving to ail a full sun, 
 and fresh air. A copious stream of excellent water is 
 brought in above the Gaolers house, distributed 
 through every ward, to supply the baths, and other 
 uses, and ultimately carried off by the sewers. 
 The Prison was first inhabited in June 177.9. The 
 (jaoler's house, in the centre, has a turret, 
 with an alarm bell and clock, and four good rooms 
 well-furnished, for ^Master s-side debtors, who pay 
 as per Table. They have likewise a very neat 
 semicircular garden on the North side of the 
 Keeper's house, where they take the air. For 
 the common -side debtors, there are in the pri- 
 son nine small sleeping-rooms, 10 feet by 7, and 
 S feet 9 inches high, for which they pay as per 
 Table, Second Class. A court-yard 54 feet by 20, 
 with arcades 24 feet by 14, and two daj'-rooms, 
 one 30 feet by 14, the other 20 feet by 12, with a 
 fire-place in each ; an oven, benches and stools to 
 sit u])on, with cupboards, and other conveniences 
 for frugal cookery, and for which the considerate 
 Magistrates allow coals. 
 
 The
 
 IN ENGLAND^ SCOTLAND, AND WAI.ES. ()l 
 
 » The Cliapel is in the centre-building^, 30 feet^ 
 by 20 : the criminal prisoners seated below, where 
 the women are out of sight of the men. The debtors 
 and gaoler's family occupy the galleries : all are re- 
 quired to attend divine service : their behaviour at 
 my several visits was orderly and devout, and the 
 duty impressively performed by the worthy Chap- 
 lain. Their intelligent Keeper furnishes employment 
 to all who are willing to work, by which many 
 have been enabled to send relief to their families ; 
 and Others, by learning to sav/ timber and stone, 
 have created a new source for their industry, when 
 discharged. The Surgeon is humane, and attentive 
 in the discharge of his duty. Tlie prison is fre- 
 quently visited by the Magistrates, and very clean. 
 It is worthy of remark, that there have been but 
 fifteen deaths in 27 years, out of 3877 prisoners ; 
 .strong proofs of a healthy situation, and good 
 government. 
 
 Table of Fees and Rates to be taken by the 
 Gaoler and Turnkeys at BODMIN. 
 From Debtors. 
 First Class. I. s. ri. 
 
 Every Debtor voluntarily going into the 
 Master s Ward, to ])ay the Keeper at 
 Entrance 
 To the Turnkeys 
 To Keeper at Discharge » 
 
 
 
 3 4 
 
 
 
 1 6 
 
 
 
 6 8 
 
 
 To
 
 s. 
 
 u. 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 Q2 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR. DEBTORS 
 
 /. 
 
 To the Turnkeys . . O 
 
 Every Debtor lodging in the Master's 
 
 house, a bed to himself, pc?' week O 
 Two such Debtors in a bed, each . o 
 Every Debtor in the Master's house bri ng- 
 
 ing his own bed, for lodging-room O 1 3 
 Second Class. 
 Every Debtor lodged over the Arcades, 
 
 to the Keeper at entrance . 2 6 
 
 To Turnkeys . . .010 
 
 To Keeper at discharge . 5 O 
 
 To Turnkeys . . .020 
 
 Every such Debtor over the Arcades 
 lodged in the Keeper's bed, and room 
 to himself, per week . O 1 6 
 
 Two such Debtors in a bed, each per week 9 
 Common Debtors having only straw, 
 mattress, or their own bed, to Keeper 
 at discharge . . .060 
 
 To Turnkeys . . .020 
 
 Debtors in general. 
 For signing every certificate to obtain a 
 Supersedeas, or Rule and Order of 
 Court . . . 016' 
 
 For copy of SherifrsWarrant,if demanded 1 o 
 For registering any Declaration against 
 
 a Prisoner . . . 10 
 
 For
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 93 
 
 /. S. d, 
 
 Fordischarge of every Debtor on compo- 
 sition, or b}'- Act of Insolvency, or for 
 want of prosecution (of which 2s. 5d. 
 is to be the Turnkey's fee) except 
 where otherwise directed by Statute 12 6 
 
 Fee from every such Debtor charged with 
 more actions than one, not exceeding 
 five, (of vvliich lOd. is tobetheTurn- 
 key's fee.) on each , , O 6 O 
 
 Epi])hany Sessions, held at Lostwithiel the 15th 
 January, 1789, for the County of Cornwall, the 
 above List of Fees was produced, examined, and 
 approved of, by us, His Majesty's Justices of the 
 Peace for the said County, 
 
 Thomas Graham, 
 
 John Coryton, 
 
 H. Hawkins Tremayne. 
 
 IFe the Judges of Assize on the Western Circuity 
 have perused and examined the above List of 
 Fees; and do approve and confirm the same. 
 Dated 25th March, JTSp. 
 
 W. H. ASHURST, 
 F. BULLER. 
 
 *« Rules
 
 94 • ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS ' 
 
 " Rules and Orders. 
 
 I. No Garnish, or other exactions at entrance;, 
 permitted to be taken. 
 
 II. No abuse, ill-treatment, or affray,, to be 
 suffered between the prisoners : if such do happen, 
 the actors .4nd abettors to be punished at the (j|is- 
 cretion of the Head Gaoler, by closer confinement, 
 harder labour, or reduced allowance. 
 
 III. All sorts of games for money or liquors, are 
 strictlv prohibited, and must be prevented ; and in- 
 nocent exercises, and sucli as are conducive to 
 health, only to be allowed. 
 
 IV. Master, or principal debtors of property, are 
 to be lodged at their own request and choice, in the 
 Keeper's house, paying the established rates, and no 
 more, for rooms, beds, and diet*. Ordinary debt- 
 ors are to be lodged over the arcades, in beds of 
 the Keeper's, or their own, according to their choice 
 or ability of paying the established rates." 
 
 I beg leave here to pay a tribute of respect to the. 
 memoiy of my learned friend Dr. Hall, the much- 
 lamented physician of this town. At my first visit 
 to the prison, I found this excellent man visiting 
 and gratuitously prescribing for the sick, which I was 
 informed had been his constant practice ; and it 
 continued till September 180(), when an accident 
 deprived society of one of its most useful members. 
 
 * Men la *. per week 3 women ts. per week.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. Q^ 
 
 BOROUGH COMPTER ; Soicthwarh 
 
 Keeper, Sir fVatk'm Lewes, Knt. and Alderman, 
 Bailiif of the Borough ; appointed by the 
 Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen. 
 
 Deputy, Jolm Bullevant, Sherifi'^s Officer for 
 Surry. No Salary. 
 
 Fees, Debtors, "Js.Gd. Felons, see Table. 
 Garnish, 2s. No Chaplain nor Surgeon. 
 
 Number of Debtors. 
 
 ISOl, Sept. 14th, . ^ 
 1802, Feb. 9th, . . 5 
 
 lR04, Dec. 8th, . 8 
 1805, rJec. 10th, . 5 
 
 1803, Jan. 2d, • • 8 | 180^, May 28th, . 7 
 
 Allowance to Debtors, a two-penny loaf* per day 
 from the City ; and every eight weeks, sixty-^ 
 five penny loaves, horn Mv^. Margaret Stjm- 
 cott's Gift, more comqionly known as Eleanor 
 Gwymi's Legacu ; a memorial whereof is fixed 
 up in the prison. Also twenty shilHngs every 
 Christmas iroxii the Archbishop cf Canterbury. 
 
 * The weight of" this loaf, on the loth March i8oi, was 
 ^.r ounces, iu August 1783, the two-pt-nny loaf weiglied 
 twenty-one ounces. — The allowance of bread ought everywhere, 
 and at all tlm-s, to be in weighi ; rot according to its casual 
 value in mciey, bee:: use of tiic frequent; variation of price ia 
 tills vtyy iiu]jQ;t3D.t article. 
 
 BE-
 
 g6 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The Borough Compter (vulgarly called Tlie 
 Clink) is under the jurisdiction of the Bailiff" of 
 Southvvark, but controulable by the City of Lon- 
 don ; and extends its influence over five parishes. 
 
 Debtors have one small court-yard, about I9 feet 
 square. On the ground-floor, on the right hand, 
 is the women's day and sleeping room, 24 feet by 
 9 feet 6 inches. On the left hand is another, intended 
 for men, 41 feet by 10 ; but the floor of this room 
 being only of earth or 7nuJ, and unfit to sleep on, 
 no use has been ma.de of it for many years ; so that 
 the men and women associate promiscuously to- 
 gether in the womeris apartments, during the day 
 
 time. 
 
 Above stairs are two rooms of the same size as tlie 
 
 former; and these, in 1801, were in good repair. 
 
 All these rooms have fire-places ; but no coals are 
 
 allowed ; no kettles or saucepans to cook provisions ; 
 
 no mops, brooms, or pails, to keep the gaol clean ; 
 
 no bedsteads, bedding, nor even straw to lie upon, ! 
 
 Hence the debtors are obliged every night to sleep 
 
 in their clothes upon the dirty boards. 
 
 All who are arrested by process issuing out of 
 
 the Borough Court, are sent to this miserable 
 
 prison ; and in the house there are two rooms, of 
 
 about 8 feet square, for such as can pay ^d. per 
 
 night
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 97 
 
 night for a bed. The following is a list of com- 
 mitments hither, for six years, from 1801 to 1806, 
 inclusive : In 1801, — 180. In 1802, — l6o. In 
 1803,— -170. In 1804,-125, In 1805,-131. 
 In I8O6, — 147. 
 
 The extreme distress and wretchedness which I 
 had often witnessed in this place, particularly in the 
 years 1801, 1802, I8O3, and 1804, induced me, 
 at length, to address the Lord Mayor by letter, of 
 which the subjoined is a transcript : 
 
 " MY LORD Chelsea, nth December, 1804. 
 
 " I BEG pardon for the liberty I take in addressing 
 myself to your Lordship ; but, when the importance 
 of the subject, and the object it has in view, are 
 considered, they will, I trust, plead excuse. It is 
 now more than three years since I made my first 
 report to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, 
 of the state of the Borough Compter. A Committee 
 was appointed to inspect it. The windows were 
 repaired and glazed : it was white-washed, and swept. 
 This being all the improvement it has received, 
 permit me to trespass on your Lordship's patience, 
 and that of the Honourable Court, whilst I describe 
 its present state. 
 
 " Sir Watkin Lewes, as Bailiff of the Borough, is, 
 I presume, the Keeper. His Deputy, John Bul- 
 levant, has no salary. This prison extends its juris- 
 
 G diction
 
 yS ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DKBTORS 
 
 diction over five parishes. Men and women debtors 
 liave one small court-yard, about 19 feet square, 
 and they appear to me at all times to associate 
 together, lliey have 'nothing but the dirty boards 
 to sleep upon. No bedding, nor even straw allowed. 
 No fire, even in this cold and damp season. No 
 medical assistance in sickness. No religious atten- 
 lions whatever. The few remaining boards in the 
 men-debtors' room (mentioned in my former report) 
 are now taken away, as are the joists on which they 
 were laid. The room is useless ; the floor is earth. 
 Neither mops, brooms, or pails are allowed to keej) 
 the Prison clean. Soap and towels are not afforded 
 to the prisoner: so that a man may, for a debt of one 
 guinea, remain in this wretched place forty days, 
 without once taking off his clothes, or washing his 
 hands and face. 
 
 " Pei'mit me now, my Lord, to submit to your 
 consideration the Allowance to this prison. It is a 
 two-penny loaf a day : weight, 10th March, 1801, 
 SIX ounces ! and 7th December, 1804, ei^ht ounces. 
 This scanty provision, without any nutritious liquor, 
 only water, is not sufficient to support the cravings 
 of nature ; and the prisoner at his discharge may be 
 fit for an hospital, but he cannot be fit for labour. 
 The County of Middlesex allows to prisoners of this 
 description, in Cold Bath Fields, a loaf of bread of 
 one pound weight every day, a pint of gruel every 
 
 morning.
 
 In ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. QQ 
 
 morning, a quart of broth made of rice and oat- 
 meal for dinner, and every other day six ounces 
 of meat for dinner, instead of broth. They have a 
 common room, with a fire-place, and a peck of coals 
 per day ; a sleeping-cell 7 feet by 5|, M^ith plank 
 bedsteads, straw in ticking beds, a blanket, and a ruo-. 
 What a contrast ! what shall I say to a system still 
 continued, though respectfully submitted to the 
 Court more than three years ago ? I am informed 
 there has been no resident Alderman in this ward 
 for many years, which may in some measure account 
 for the total neglect of this miserable place. The 
 65 penny loaves every eight weeks (from Mrs. 
 Syihcott's gift) might, if distributed at proper pe- 
 riods^ according to the number of debtors, be of 
 real service ; but they are sent all at one time ; and 
 the late Keeper informed me, when there was only 
 one debtor, he had the whole, and sold them. 
 
 " No enquiry ever appears to be made about the 
 state of this prison, and there being no resident 
 Magistrate, the cries of the miserable never reachThat 
 Court, where distress seldom supplicates in vain. 
 The annual donation of 20^. by the Archbishop of 
 Canterbury, is distributed in the same inconsiderate 
 manner as the bread. Liberality, Benevolence, 
 and Humanity, are the characteristics of the City, 
 and on all public occasions she extends them in a 
 manner worthy the first city in the world. The 
 G 2 Gaols
 
 100 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 Gaols of Newgate, Ludgate, Giltspur-street, and 
 Poultry, are ample partakers of its bounty, whilst 
 the miserable one I have been describing, situate in 
 Surry, has no claim to the provision made by that 
 liberal County. Forgot by the City ; out of reach of 
 being heard ; it seems a wretched ccist-ojf, and may 
 be numbered among the worst prisons in the King- 
 dom. At my visits the 7th and 8th of this month 
 (Dec. 1804) the number of prisoners, eight; viz. 
 6 men, 2 women ; their condition ragged and dirty, 
 starving, and (except one) without employ. In this 
 extremity 2s. garnish is exacted from every new 
 comer: That this picture is not overcharged, I am 
 ready to prove, and will attend the Court of Alder- 
 men any time they please to appoint, to interrogate 
 the Keeper as to Jacts. Mr. Alderman Combe, when 
 Lord Mayor, honoured my remarks on the Poultry 
 Compter with the most prompt and effectual relief ; 
 and I humbly hope, my Lord, for a like exertion of 
 your high authority, and for the exercise of a like 
 compassion towards the unhappy objects of it. I 
 have the honour to be, with great respect, my Lord, 
 your Lordship's most obedient and faithful humble 
 servant, James Neild." 
 
 " To the Right Honourable 
 Peter Perchard^ Esq. Lord Maifor'" 
 
 To the above letter I had not the honour of re- 
 ceiving any answer. 
 
 Bene-
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 101 
 
 Benevolence, however, occasionally, though very 
 rarely, has sometimes found its way to these dreary 
 walls. At Easter 1804, two legs and two shins of beef 
 were sent. On the 15th of March, 1805, there 
 were three men and one woman prisoners : the 
 woman was extremely ill of a bloody flux, and the 
 poor men had raised eighteen pence amongst them, 
 and bought a truss of straw, of which they had 
 given their sick associate a large portion. This act 
 of sympathy pleased me much : the deputy- keeper 
 too had lent her an old blanket, and humanely per- 
 mitted her to come into his house, during the day ; 
 by which means, and with some other charitable 
 assistance, she recovered. 
 
 On the 9th December, I8O5, two legs and two 
 shins of beef were sent, the number of prisoners being 
 four ; and also, the same year, two pair of blankets, 
 and two rugs. On the 25th March, I806, were 
 sent three legs of beef, the number of prisoners at 
 that time eleven. At my visit on the 28th, I found 
 here five men-debtors, who had with them in the 
 prison three wives and nine children ; and that some 
 humane gentleman had sent them eight small flock 
 beds, and he also the same year liberated eight 
 prisoners. On the 28th May, I8O6, there were 
 seven debtors, who had with them in prison five 
 infant children. 
 
 The
 
 102 ACCOl NT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 The felons' court-yard is about 14 feet and a half 
 by 1 1 feet, and separated from the debtors by a brick 
 wall. Their day-apartment, called the Stone Rooniy 
 of 17 feet by 12, has a fire-place, but no coals are ■ 
 alloyved. Over this is their sleeping room, 16 feet 
 by 14 : no bedding, nor straw. 
 
 Criminals are confined here only for a night or 
 two, till they are fully committed. 
 
 The following Table is hung up in the house : 
 
 " A Table of Fees 
 To he taken hy the Keeper of' the Borough Compter. 
 
 s. d. 
 For the admission of every Prisoner for 
 felony, trespass, assault, or other mis- 
 demeanour . • . 11 4 
 For every night's lodging . , 6 
 To the Turnkey, for the admission of 
 
 every such prisoner , 1 
 
 For every person brought by any peace 
 officer for safe custody, until hearing can 
 be had before a magistrate . 2 
 
 "And, for the better information of such prisoners, 
 the Court doth further order and direct, that a Table 
 of the said Fees be fixed up in the most conspi- 
 cuous part of the said prison, for the perusal and 
 inspection of the said prisoners, and others resorting 
 to the said gaol. 
 
 '^ By the Court, '' Man." 
 
 When
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 10^ 
 
 When any provisions are sent in here for the 
 debtors, the deputy-keeper's wife, Mrs. Bidlccanty 
 kindly lends them vessels for cooking them. 
 
 I have been assured tliat the head keeper hatl not 
 visited this prison for eighteen months together. 
 
 The lowest sum for which I have seen any record 
 of commitment to the Borough Clink was one 
 shilling and seven, pence ; the costs, three shillings 
 and twopence : But the late under-keeper, Mr. Frost, 
 told me there had been an instance of one person 
 committed for seven pence ! 
 
 In the year 1785, the fees and expences, on a 
 debt of one shilling only, were 15.V. 11^. for the 
 payment of which the debtor might remain in 
 prison for life, associated with felons, and other 
 criminals of every description. But, by the per- 
 severing representations of "The Society for the 
 Discharge and Ivelief of Persons imprisoned for 
 Small Debts," the fees for Court-of-Conscience 
 debtors have long been every where abolished ; ex- 
 pences are lessened ; imprisonment limited ; and, 
 I wish I could add, an entire separation of such 
 prisoners from felons. But, in almost every County 
 Bridewell, or House of Correction, I find the men- 
 debtors associated with criminal prisoners ; and 
 women debtors consigned to promiscuous mixture 
 with the most lewd and depraved of their sex !
 
 104 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 BOSTON TOWN GAOL ; Lincolnshire. 
 
 Gaoler, fVilliam Vaux. Salary, 31/. 
 
 Chaplain, none. Surgeon, if wanted, ordered by 
 the Mayor. Allowance, none. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This wretched Gaol, which is also the Bridewell, 
 seems to have been made under the arches of an old 
 monastery, on the ground-floor of which are two 
 damp offensive rooms, 14 feet square, with a privy. 
 Adjoining to the rooms above for female criminal 
 prisoners, are two rooms for debtors, who are sent 
 here from the Court of Requests for the Borough of 
 Boston, Shirheck Quarter, and parishes of Boston 
 and SkirbecJi. No thorough air. The debtor who 
 was confined here, complained of excessive heat ; 
 he appeared to be in the last stage of a consumption ; 
 and, being a medical man, said it was owing to want 
 of air. Debt, one guinea ! Commitment, 40 days, 
 which were nearly expired when I was there. No 
 water ; the Keeper fetches what he wants for his 
 own use from the adjoining street. No court-yard. 
 It did not appear ever to have been whitewashed : 
 and its filthy state did not surprize me when I con- 
 sidered the communication with the street. August 
 11th, 1802, debtor, one.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES, 105 
 
 BRADFORD ; Yorhshire. 
 Gaoler, IVilliam Lee. Salary, 20/. 
 Surgeon, if wanted, sent for from the town. 
 Number of Debtors, Oct. 19th 1805, - - 2. 
 Allowance. Four-pence a day, if petitioned for, 
 at the discretion of the Commissioners. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Prison receives debtors from the Court of 
 Requests for Halifax, Bradford, &c. It is situate 
 on an eminence, called the North Wing, and was 
 jfirst inhabited in the year 1797. The Gaol stands 
 on the left of the keeper's house, and consists of a 
 court-yard for men, of about 34, feet by l6, which 
 has a sewer in it. 
 
 On the ground-floor are two rooms, about 20 
 feet square, with fire-places and glazed windows ; 
 and above them is a room set apart for the sick, about 
 14 feet square, accommodated in the same manner. 
 
 The women have a separate court-yard, 23 feet 
 by 17, with a sewer; also a sleeping-room 14 feet 
 square, with fire-place and glazed window. 
 
 To all these rooms the keeper furnishes beds, at 
 1*. per week each ; but if the prisoner finds his own 
 bed, he pays nothing. No fuel nor bedding is 
 allowed by the town ; nor any employment fur- 
 nished. The Act for Preservation of Health, and 
 the Clauses against Spirituous Liquors, not hung up.
 
 lOG* ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 BRECON ; South finales. 
 Comity Gaol and Bridewell. 
 
 Gaoler, Thomas Gitt'nis. Salary 105/. out of which 
 he provides a turnkey, to whom he pays ZSI. 
 Fees ; as per Table. 
 Chaplain, Rev. John Jones. 
 
 Duty, Prayers on Thursday, and Sunday ; 
 and once a month a Sermon. Salary, 20/. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. IF'iUiams : Salary 26I. ^s. for 
 felons only. 
 
 Number of Debtors. 
 1800, March 31st, - 6\ 1803, Sept. /th, - 3 
 1802, Jan. 28th, - 7 I 1806, Sept, 12th, - 
 Allowance ; one pound and half of bread /?er day. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol and Bridewell was finished in 1/82; 
 but Bince my visit in 1803, has undergone many im- 
 provements. There is now a boundary wall of 5 1 
 yards by 37, and the Gaol is in the centre of the 
 area. The ascent to the Keeper's house is by a flight 
 of steps, and his apartments are on the ground-floor : 
 on the right of his kitchen is the intirmary-room, 
 and on the left a room for female debtors. Men 
 debtors have a court-yard, with a pump and a sewer 
 in it, a large day-room with a fire-place and glazed 
 windows ; and on each side a large sleeping-room 
 (which is a free ward) with a fire-place and glazed 
 
 windows.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 1 O7 
 
 windows. Up-stairs are four sleeping-rooms with 
 glazed windows, and fire-places in two of them. 
 If the debtor brings his own bed, he pays nothing ; 
 if the Keeper furnishes one, 2s. Gd. a week. 
 
 Table of Fees, established 13th March 1805. 
 
 /. ,v. d. 
 
 ^' For entering of every fresh Action or 
 
 Process, whereon a Prisoner shall or 
 may be charged . . 036 
 
 For the Turnkey, or Under Turnkey, on 
 
 each fresh Action . . 10 
 
 For the entering of the Discharge, or for 
 
 the Discharge of every Prisoner O 7 
 
 To the Turnkey, for the Discharge of every 
 
 Prisoner . - • 10 
 
 For the receiving and entering every De- 
 claration against a Prisoner in custody 2 
 To the Turnkey on every Declaration O G 
 For a Certificate for want of a Declaration, 
 
 in order to take out Writ of Supersedeas 3 5 
 For a Copy of the Warrant or Commit- 
 ment against each Prisoner , 10 
 Edward Morgan, Chairman. 
 Walter Jeffreys. 
 Penry Williams. 
 Approved, George Hardinge, 
 
 Abel Moysey, 
 Justices of the Great Sessions of the Counties, &c,"
 
 108 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 BRECON, Town Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, David Morgan, Serjeant at Mace, and 
 a shoemaker. Salary, 5/. Fees, ^s. 6d. Chaplain, 
 none. Surgeon, if wanted, from the Borough. 
 
 Remarks. Up-stairs were four roQms for debtors, 
 who furnish their own beds, or pay the Keeper 1*. 
 per week for the use of one. At my visit 12th 
 September, 1806, the keeper told me that the 
 allowance was now one pound and a half of bread 
 per day ; and that his salary had been discontinued 
 two years. There are only two rooms now for 
 debtors, who are committed by process issuing out 
 of the Borough-court, from 1^. to any amount. 
 Prisoners, none. 
 
 BRIDGEWATER ; Somersetshire. 
 Samuel Slocomb, Gaoler : Salary, none. Fees, 
 3s. 4d. Surgeon, from the town, when wanted. 
 Allowance, none. 
 
 This Gaol is the Cross-keys public-house, situate 
 near the bridge, down a long narrow passage at the 
 end of the Council-room. A small court-yard ; and 
 the Keeper furnishes beds to those who can pay 1^. 
 or Is. 6d. per week. Debtors are sent here by 
 process issuing out of the Borough-court, to any 
 amount. Debtors, October 5th, 1803, and Sept. 
 2d, iSq6, none.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 10^ 
 
 BRISTOL. 
 
 City and County Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, PFiUiam Humphries. 
 
 Salary, 200/. and 2/. a year gown-money. 
 Fees, first action, 6s. Sd. ; second, and every 
 other, 3a'. 4d. ; a London action, ()s. 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Day. 
 
 Duty, Sermon every Sunday ; and Prayers on 
 Wednesday and Friday. Salary 35/. 
 Surgeon, Mr. Safford : makes a Bill. 
 Number of Debtors. 
 
 1800, April 15th, - 15 I 1803, Oct, 4th, - 24 
 
 1801, Dec. 16th, - 18 I 1S06, Sept. 20th, - 33 
 
 Allowance, none. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol is built on a declivity in the midst of 
 the city. It is much too small for the general 
 number of prisoners. For debtors there are about 
 fifteen large and airy rooms, two of which are free 
 wards, for poor debtors who find their own beds. 
 Those on the Master's side pay 2s. 6d. per week 
 each ; two sleep in a bed. No proper separation of 
 men and women. Only one court-yard, 13 yards 
 by 6 yards, into which debtors and felons are, at 
 different hours of the day, separately admitted for 
 air and exercise, and in which, when I was there, 
 
 the
 
 110 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 the linen was hung to dry. There are many narrow 
 passages, and the utmost attention is requisite to keep 
 the prison healthy. I found it clean, considering 
 the felon-side was so crowded and close. No table 
 of Gaoler's fees ; but the Rules and Orders to be 
 observed are stuck up in several parts of the prison ; 
 four of which I shall mention as particularly re- 
 specting the debtors ; viz. 
 
 " The debtor's room doors to be opened at six 
 o'clock in the morning, and locked at ten at night, 
 from the 25th of March, to the 29th of September ; 
 and to be opened at eight o'clock the remainder of 
 the year. 
 
 " No garnish to be paid : and if any prisoner 
 demand garnish, or take any thing in lieu thereof, 
 he shall be punished with close confinement. 
 
 " The debtors to wash, or cause to be washed, 
 their rooms once a week at least. 
 
 " Instead of the debtors being allowed to beg at 
 the grate, a box will be put out for the relief of those 
 who are most in want, and who conduct them- 
 selves properly ; and the money so collected will be 
 distributed by the Keeper." 
 
 Mr. John Heydon left lOOl. to be lent to two 
 merchants, each paying annually to the Corporation 
 for the debtors, as the interest of his moiety, 
 1/. 136. 4d. 
 
 A Society
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. Ill 
 
 A Society is instituted in Bristol for the relief of 
 Persons imprisoned for Small ]^ebts;and this money 
 of Mr. Heydon's is paid over to the Treasurer of 
 that Society. 
 
 Mr. Freeman left 4/. 9s. to be laid out in bread 
 and beef, and distributed on Christmas-eve, to pri- 
 soners of all descriptions. To this Mrs. Freeman 
 makes a yearly addition of eleven shillings. 
 
 The churchwardens have for many years past 
 annually paid 4I. 2s. two thirds of which are given 
 to the debtors, and one third to the felons. No 
 memorial in the gaol of any legacy. Besides the 
 service noticed in its place, here are thirteen ser- 
 mons in the year ; for which the rector of the parish 
 receives 4/. from a legacy. 
 
 The debtors' attendance on divine service is 
 optional, and I was sorry to observe only 9 out of 
 33 there. So little regard is paid to the chaj>el, as a , 
 place of worship, that at almost all my visits, the 
 prisoners have been smoking and drinking in the 
 galleries ! No employment whatever : such, indeed, 
 is the confined situation of the prison, as to exclude 
 the possibility of work. Young beginners atid bid 
 offenders associate promiscuously together ! An Act 
 passed several years ago to build a new Gaol: 
 Why not carried into effect in this rich com- 
 mercial City ?
 
 113 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 BUCKINGHAM Town Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, Samuel Danhy, a collar-maker, who 
 works at the opposite side of the street. 
 Salary, 5/. 5-^. Fees, none. 
 
 Surgeon, from the town, when wanted. 
 
 Number of Debtors. 
 
 1801, Aug 18th, - I 1804, July 16th, - 2 
 
 1802, Nov. 25th, - 1 I 1805, Sept. 16th, - 1 
 
 Allowance, one shilling /?er week. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 Over the gate is the following inscription : 
 
 " The Right Honourable 
 
 Richard Grenville Temple, 
 
 Lord Viscount Cobham, 
 
 caused this Edifice to be erected, at his own expence, 
 
 for the use of this Town and County ; 
 
 the Summer Assizes being restored to this place, 
 
 and fixed here by Act of Parliament, 
 
 in the year 1748." 
 
 Behind the keepers apartments is a court, 10^ 
 yards by 10|, and two rooms, which open into it, 
 of about 16 feet by 12 each : one is the Bridewell, 
 the other for felons. Over these are two rooms for 
 debtors. No water ; the Gaoler fetches it from over 
 the way. The prison is in a dilapidated state : 
 the boarded floors rotten, and full of holes.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 11$ 
 
 BURY ST. EDMUND'S ; Sufolh 
 
 County Gaol and Bridewell. 
 
 Gaoler, John Orridge; who is also Keeper of 
 the Bridewell, or House of Correction. 
 
 Salary, 300/. and coals and candles ; together 
 with other perquisites specified in the Rules 
 and Regulations. 
 
 Fees ; as per Table. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Simon Pryhe. 
 
 Duty, Prayers three times a week, and a Ser- 
 mon on Christmas-day and Good Friday. 
 Salary, 60I. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. George Hubbard. 
 
 Salary, 60I. for Debtors and Felons. 
 
 rOctober 15th, 1801, 6 
 Number of Debtors < August 8th, 1802, - 9 
 
 vAugust 20th, I8O5, 10 
 
 Allowance. One pound and a half of bread per- 
 day, and one pound of cheese per week, both 
 to Debtors and Felons : But prisoners and 
 convicts employed by the County have an 
 addition of a quart of small beer per day, 
 and three-quarters of a pound of meat for 
 Sunday's dinner. 
 
 H RE
 
 114 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS 1 OR DEBTORS 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 Tills new (iaol is situate at the end of the South 
 gate, near a mile from the centre of the town ; and 
 the prisoners were removed into it December 8th, 
 1805. The buildings are inclosed by a boundary- 
 wall 20 feet high, built in an irregular octagon form, 
 the diameter of which is 292 feet. 
 
 Four sides of tliis Gaol are 192 feet each, and the 
 other four 70 feet 6 inches each. The entrance to 
 the Prison is the Turnkey's lodge, a liandsome stone 
 building, which consists of the entrance-room, sit- 
 ting-room, and bed-room for the Turnkey. On the 
 right hand is a room, with a fire-place, 12 feet by 7, 
 and 9 feet 6 inches high, used as a reception-room, 
 into which all prisoners are brought and confined, 
 till they have been examined, properly cleaned, and 
 proved to be free from any infectious disorder, before 
 they are admitted into the interior of the Gaol ; and 
 there is a water-closet adjdining, for the use of this 
 room. There are also two cells up one pair of stairs 
 in the lodge, fitted up with iron bedsteads on stone 
 bearers, into which all prisoners are put when 
 brought in at night. The size of each cell 9 feet 6 
 inches by 6 feet, witli arched roofs, and 7 feet 6 
 inches high. The Turnkey's sleeping-room, and a 
 large store-room, are also on this floor. On the left 
 of the entrance, within the lodge, there is a conve- 
 nient workhouse., fitted up with an oven, copper, 
 
 wanu
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. II5 
 
 warm and cold bath, for the use of the prison ; and 
 adjoining is also the brewhouse. On the lead fiat of 
 the Turnkey's lodge, which extends l6 feet, execu- 
 tions are performed. After passing through the 
 lodge, the way is down an avenue paved with flag 
 stone, with posts and chains, inclosing on each side 
 a beautiful shrubbery border, that leads to the 
 Keeper's house, which is also an irregular octagon 
 building, situated in the centre of the prison, and 
 from which the several court-yards are completely 
 inspected. 
 
 The Prison consists of four wings, 69 feet long, 
 and 32 feet wide, detached from the Keeper's house 
 by an area of 15 feet, which, with the different 
 court-yards, completely surround it. In all the 
 wings there is a partition-wall 14 inchesthick, run- 
 ning along the centre ; so that each wing contains 
 two prisons. The wing numbered 1 and 2 is the 
 prison for male-debtors, in which there are two 
 kitchens, fitted up with every convenience for fruo-al 
 cookery ; the size of each 18 feet by 14, with arched 
 roofs 10 feet high. There are also two passages 44 
 feet long, and 3 feet &' inches wide, which commu- 
 nicate with their different rooms, of which there are 
 twenty. Eighteen of these are 9 feet by 8 feet 6 
 inches, with arched roofs, and 10 feet high; fitted 
 up with iron bedsteads on stone bearers, sash win- 
 dows, and fire-place in each room. Every debtor 
 
 n 2 has
 
 Il6 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 h IS one of these rooms to himself. Eioht are on the. 
 ground floor ; the others on the upper story, to 
 which } ou ascend by a stone staircase at the end of 
 the loblty, or passage. On this story are two rooms 
 intende I for the sick ; size of each 1 8 feet by 8 feet 
 6 inches, with two bedsteads and a fire-place in each. 
 There are also two courts attached to this wing, 
 which are an irregular polygon ; the one 64 feet by 
 42, and the other 6'4 feet by 34- Every court-yard 
 has a pump with shy-boards in the centre of it, and 
 to which all prisoners have access in the day-time. 
 Number 8, the prison for female debtors, has a 
 day -room 14 feet by 13, with a fire-place ; one cell, 
 9 feet by 6, on the ground-floor ; and one cell, the 
 same size, on the upper story. A room, 13 feet 
 by 9, with two bedsteads and a fire-place, for the^ 
 use of the sick in this division. The court ad- 
 joining is 40 feet by 22. Every court-yard has a 
 bench for the prisoners to sit upon ; and there 
 are water-closets at the end of each wing, so con- 
 trived, that the water runs all the time the person 
 is seated. These wings being detached 15 feet from 
 the Keeper's house, and the open fences inclosing 
 tiie coil it-yards being the same distance from the 
 house, forms a court round it, by which means all 
 the prison and prisoners are conveniently attended 
 to, or visited by their friends, without going into 
 any of the rooms or court-yards. The ground-floor 
 
 of
 
 IN EI4G LAND, SCOTLAND, ,^'D UALE9, 11? 
 
 of the Keeper's house is raised six steps above tlie 
 level of the other buildings ; and the windows of 
 the house are so placed, that all the prisoners in tlie. 
 different court-yards are under constant inspection, 
 as well as all persons coming into the Gaol. Ihe 
 chapel is in the centre of the Keepers house, up one 
 pair of stairs: prisoners go to it by means of 
 stone galleries, which lead from each wing to the 
 chapel ; and it is partitioned off, so that each class 
 is separated the same as in the prison. 
 
 All poor debtors have the County allowance ; and 
 from the 5th of November to Lady-day, the debtors 
 receive four bushels of coals per week, and forty 
 shillings every Christmas from the feoffment. Here 
 is also a most excellent charitable fund, called Pem- 
 hertons Charity, (being left by a gentleman of that 
 name) which fund is directed by the do lor s will, 
 *' To he applied hj the Trustees towards the relief 
 of such poor, distressed, insolvent Debtors, as should 
 be imprisoned ivithin any of the Gaols of the County 
 of Suffolk, either for delivering them out of pri- 
 son, or i^elieving their necessities y^ hi 1st there, as 
 the Trustees shall think ft ; provided such poor 
 Debtors be persons born in Suffolk, and no way in- 
 debted to any of' the Trustees" The Trustees under 
 this charity frequently allow 3 /. or 4 I. and some- 
 times 5 l. to poor deserving debtors, towards obtain- 
 ing their discharge ; they also allow to each debtor two 
 
 pounds
 
 118 ACCOUNT OF PRISON'S FOR DEBTORS 
 
 pounds of beef, a pint of porter, and a two-penny 
 loaf, every Sunday ; under this condition, that every 
 debtor receiving it shall regularly attend chapel, 
 unless prevented by sickness : But no croum debtors 
 partake of this charity. 
 
 Extracts from the Rules, Orders, 
 and Regulations. 
 
 XIII. The Gaoler shall not permit persons^to visit 
 debtors before Nine in the morning, nor to remain 
 longer than Four in the afternoon, from October 1st 
 to March 31st; nor before Nine in the morning, 
 nor to remain longer than Seven in the evening, 
 from. April 1st to September 30th. 
 
 XIV, He shall cause the debtors' sleeping-rooms 
 to be unlocked every morning at Six o'clock in the 
 Summer, and as early at other times as the day-light 
 vi^ill allow them to work ; to be locked at Nine 
 o'clock at night, throughout the year ; and the door 
 from the day-room into the court-yard to be fastened 
 every evening before dark. 
 
 XVI. He shall, at his own expence, provide 
 proper bedding for the debtors, which, for each 
 room, shall consist of a feather-bed, mattress, pair 
 of blankets, coverlet, and sheets ; the latter to be 
 changed once a month. The charge to he paid for 
 the use of the room, including the above, with the 
 expence of cleaning, shall be painted over each door. 
 
 XX.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLANL^ AXi> WALES. 119 
 
 XX. The Prohibitory Clauses contained in tlie 
 Act of the 24th Geo. II. c. 40, against Spirituous 
 Liquors, and the Act of the 14th Geo. Hi. c. 59, 
 for preserving the Health of Prisoners, sliall be 
 painted on a board, and hung up in the Prison. 
 
 XXXHI. All Prisoners shall be compelled to put 
 on clean linen every Sunday ; which, if they have it 
 not of their own, shall be provided by the County. 
 
 XXXIV. lliere shall be provided proper scales, 
 weights, and measures, duly stamped, for the use 
 of the Prisoners, to weigh and measure their allow- 
 ances, whenever it shall be required by them : notice 
 of which, and likewise their different allowances, 
 shall be painted on a board, and hung up in the 
 courts of each division. 
 
 XXXV. Convenient places being made where 
 the prisoners are to wash themselves, clean towels 
 shall be provided in each division, twice a week ; 
 and the men shaved every Saturday. 
 
 XLII. " A Table of Fees and Rates, to be 
 
 paid by Debtors: being regulated as directed by the 
 
 Act of the 32d Geo. II. and 31st Geo. III. 
 
 »s. d. 
 
 To the Gaoler, for Commitment Fee and 
 Discharge of every Debtor, on each Ac- 
 tion - - - _ 8 8 
 
 To the Sheriff, for Discharge on each Action 2 
 
 To
 
 120 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 To the Gaoler for a Certificate in order to 
 
 sue for a Supersedeas - - 3 6 
 
 To the Gaoler, for each Copy of a Warrant 2 O 
 
 Tlie following Rates to be paid to the Gaoler for 
 room-rent, l9dging, &c. 
 
 s. d. 
 Every Debtor occupying one of the rooms. 
 
 No. 1, 2, 3, and 4, shall pay each week 2 O 
 Every Debtor occupying one of the rooms, 
 
 No. 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, shall pay each week 1 6 
 Every Debtor occupying one of the other 
 rooms appropriated for the use of Debtors, 
 shall pay each week - — 1 
 
 Every Debtor finding his own bedding, 
 
 shall pay for his room each week - 1 O" 
 
 This Gaol does honour to the County, and is 
 superior to most in this Kingdom ; whether I con- 
 sider its construction to answer the three great pur- 
 poses of security, healthy and morals, or the libe- 
 rality of the Magistrates, in providing every comfort 
 which can attend imprisonment. 
 
 The Keeper, Mr. Orridge, is well qualified for the 
 discharge of his important trust, being active, in- 
 telligent, and humane.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 121 
 
 CAERMARTHEN CASTLE ; South JVaks. 
 Couhti/ Gaol and Bridewell. 
 
 Gaoler, Thomas Calkin ; Salary, 31/. 10*. from 
 the County, and 61. 6s. from the Borough. 
 Fees, 13*. 4d. No Table. 
 Garnish, 2s. 6d. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Thomas Price. 
 
 Duty, every Sunday and Holiday. 
 Salary, 12/. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. IFilliam Price. 
 Salary, 20/. for felons only. 
 
 Number of Debtors l^^^^' March 30th, 5 
 
 (.1803, Sept.2()th, 6 
 
 Allowance, none ; except upon application to 
 tlie parish as- paupers. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol, finished 1792, is also the County 
 Bridewell. Here is a spacious court, 38 yards by 
 22, for men and women debtors. A well is sunk 
 in it, and a reservoir prepared to supply the prison 
 with water ; but having been out of repair four 
 months, at my visit in 1803, the prisoners had been 
 without that necessary article during that time, ex- 
 cept what they bought at a half -penny a jugfulL 
 For debtors here are five rooms below and five above, 
 
 each
 
 122 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 each about 12 feet by 9, with fire-places, but the 
 windows were much brokeUj and out of repair. '1 hey 
 are all free wards. The County allows iron bedsteac/s 
 with straw in sacking beds, and five pounds for 
 coab yearly, to be distributed amongst all the pri- 
 soners. Amono; the debtors was one John Williams : 
 he told me he was confined for a debt of 18/. 10*. : 
 that he was security for another for the payment 
 of 245. which he thought had been paid ; and the 
 attorney had proceeded against him in the Borough- 
 court, and from thence removed it to a superior 
 Court, till the law expences increased an original 
 debt of 24*. to 18/. 10*.! The Borough-gaol is now 
 consolidated with the County ; the old gateway 
 pulled down, and shops built there. Act and Clauses 
 not hung up. Loads of ashes and rubbish in the 
 several courts, and the whole prison dirty. Here 
 is a very long range of excellent work-rooms, but no 
 employment. 
 
 Amonsf the convicts was one woman, so ill as to 
 be unable to turn herself in bed, and without me- 
 dical assistance ; though frequently sent for, I was 
 informed the Surgeon had not been in tlie Gaol for 
 two months. Another female convict, who had been 
 two years under sentence of trans])ortation, had a 
 young cliild, of which she said the late Gaoler was 
 the father. A similar instance I met with in Dover 
 Town-gaol in September 1801.
 
 IK ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 123 
 
 CAERNARVON; North Wales. 
 County Gaol, 
 
 Gaoler, IVilUam Griffiths. Salary, 15/. 
 
 Fees, 7^. (no Table) ; besides which the Under 
 Sheriff demands S*. 6d. for his liberate. 
 
 Chaplain, none. Surgeon, none. 
 
 Number of Debtors P^^''^^^-7t^^' " " ^ 
 I 1803, Sept. 21st, - - 3 
 
 Allowance. To those who are very poor, 2*. a 
 w€ek from the County. 
 
 Remarks. Men and women debtors have one 
 court-yard, 72 feet by 3I ; and one large day- room 
 with a fire-place, 27 feet by 14 ; over which is the 
 chapel, the same size, with three pews, and benches 
 for the prisoners. Up-stairs are six sleeping-rooms, 
 all free wards, to which the County furnishes iron 
 frame bedsteads with sacking bottoms, straw in 
 ticking bed, a pillow, two blankets and a rug. None 
 of the courts paved, and fowls were kept in them. 
 No water ; the pump being out of repair. No coals 
 allowed by the County. Act and Clauses not hung 
 up. The Keeper is a shoemaker, and works in a 
 front room. In the centre of tlie building is an 
 inspection-room, 18 feet by 13, in which the Gaoler 
 and his family ought to live, as it commands all the 
 courts. A lunatic was confined with a felon.
 
 124 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTOR* 
 
 CAMBRIDGE CASTLE, 
 
 County Gaol and Bridewell, 
 
 Giioler, Robert Orridge. 
 
 Salary, 200/. Fees, and Rules and Order* 
 not yet settled. 
 
 Chaplain^ Rev. Mr. Homeff, 
 
 Duty, Prayers and Sermon every Sunday, 
 Salary, 2jL and 20/. from the l^arl of Hard- 
 wicke, as Lord Lieutenant of the County, 
 
 Surgeon. Mr. Ohes. 
 
 Salary, 20/. for Felons only. 
 
 {1802, August rth, - 6* 
 1805, August 25th, - 14 
 1807, August 30th, - 11 
 
 Allowance. To poor debtors one pound of bread 
 per day, and four pounds and a half of potatoes^ 
 ^ per week. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol, which in 1807 was not quite finished, 
 is built in the centre of the old castle-yard. The 
 boundary-wall encloses an acre and quarter of 
 ground ; and, being on an average about 30 feet 
 from the prison, affords the keeper a convenient 
 garden for the growth of vegetables. The Turnkey's 
 
 lod2;e
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. ISJ 
 
 iodtre is in front, and the Gaoler's house in the 
 middle of the area. 
 
 On the first story is the Chapel, which has ten divi- 
 sions for the different classes of prisoners ; the whole 
 lare in view of the Minister and the Gaoler, and each 
 class out of sight of the others. At my visit 25th Au- 
 5^ust 1805, twelve out of the fourteen debtors, and all 
 the criminal prisoners, attended divine service. 
 Above the Chapel are three infirmary-rooms, about 
 15 feet square, and g feet high, with a room for 
 the nurse ; each has a water closet and sink, and 
 there is a reservoir with a warning pipe, which 
 supplies the whole prison with water. At the top 
 is a lead fiat, about 40 feet square, (with a parapet 
 wall) for convalescents to take the air upon. 
 
 I'he prison itself consists of four wings, detached 
 from the Keeper s house by an area of 16 feet; and has 
 ten different court-yards, the average size 55 feet by 
 40, with open fences at each end, so that a thorough 
 air is preserved. There is a pump and sink in thf 
 centre of each court, and a water-closet in all. 
 One wing is appropriated to the debtors, and has two 
 courts for men and one for women- Master s side 
 debtors have a day-room l6 feet by 14, and two 
 sleeping-rooms, 9 feet by 7 feet 6, with a fire-place 
 in each. Over these are four sleeping-rooms, of the 
 «ame size ; all have glazed sash windows, and iron 
 bedsteads, and are furnished by the Gaoler as the 
 
 prisoners
 
 126' ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 prisoners can afford to pay : all are single beds, and 
 the whole have arched roofs. 
 
 Common-side debtors have a day room, 23 feet by 
 14 ; and four sleeping-rooms, of 9 feet by 7, with a 
 iire-place in each. Over these are seven sleeping- 
 cells, of the same size, with glazed sash windows, 
 fire-places, and iron bedsteads : to these the County 
 furnishes straw in sacking beds, two blankets, and a 
 coverlet. 
 
 Women Debtors have a day-room on the ground- 
 floor, 14 feet by 13 feet 6\ and two sleeping-rooms 
 above, fitted up the same as the men s. 
 
 Debtors have relief from legacies and donations 
 paid by several colleges. From Sldnei/ college four 
 pounds annually, which ts given at Christmas to 
 poor debtors ; and in 1801, was distributed as 
 follows, viz. to six poor debtors a shirt each, and 
 the rest in coals and bread : from *S'^. John's sixteen 
 penny-worth of bread every Saturday morning. A 
 collection is sometimes made in the town at Christ- 
 mas, which has amounted to one guinea each : And 
 \6s. a year is paid from an estate at Croxton in this 
 county. No memorial in the Gaol. Allowance of 
 coals not yet fixed. Mops, brooms, pails, soap, &c, 
 to keep the prison clean, are allowed by the County.
 
 IN ENOLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 127 
 
 CAMBRIDGE Town Gaol. 
 Gaoler, TJiomas Adams. Salary, 12/. He is 
 bellman to the Town. Fees; none. 
 Cliaplain, none. Surgeon, none. 
 
 ^'1800, May l6th, - 1 
 
 - 1 
 
 - 
 
 Number of Debtors } 1801, Aug. 20th, 
 
 L 1 802, Aug. 7th, - 
 Allowance, none. See Remarks. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 A small court'-yard, with a pump and sewer in it, 
 for all description of prisoners. Up-stairs are three 
 separate rooms for men and women debtors, who 
 pay 2>v. per week for a single bed ; and if two sleep 
 together Is. ^d. each. Water is accessible to all 
 the prisoners 7ww. Some relief is received from SL 
 John's College, upon the Gaoler's solicitation ; and 
 Trinity College sends three sacks of coals yearly 
 for debtors and felons, which are used to cook their 
 victuals in the house, and occasionally to warm 
 themselves by, there being no common room or 
 fire-place for either. There is likewise bread from 
 the Colleges, to the amount of one shilling and seven 
 pence per week ; and the Town furnishes straw for 
 poor debtors, but no employment for anv. The 
 Gaol clean, but not secure. Neither the Act for 
 Preservation of Health, nor Clauses against Spi- 
 rituous Liquors hung up. No Rules and Orders. 
 No room set apart for the sick.
 
 128 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 CANTERBURY City Gaol 
 
 Gaoler, Evan Jones. Salary, 15/. 
 Fees, 6s. Sd. No Table. 
 
 Chaplain, none : the Rev. Mr. Gosling attends^ 
 if any prisoner is under sentence of death. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Trimnel ; makes a bill. 
 
 Number of Debtors. 
 
 1800, March 26th, - 1 | I8O3, Sept. 24th, - 2 
 
 1801, Sept. 20th, - 2 I I8O6, Aug. 12th, - 2 
 
 Allowance. To those who are poor a 4(1. or 6d. 
 loaf a day, as bread is cheap or dear. 
 
 Remarks. This Gaol is over the West gate. 
 Here is only one day-room, about 2/ feet square. 
 No court. There is a room in each of the two towers, 
 for debtors to sleep in (l H feet in diameter), and the 
 Keeper occasionally permits them to walk upon the 
 leads. Only old mats to lie upon. The Keeper 
 lives in a house adjoining, in which is a room or two 
 for debtors, who can afford to pay for a bed. An 
 old man goes about the City with a basket every 
 Saturday, to collect from the butchers and green-stalls, 
 meat and vegetables. He receives one third of what 
 he collects, and the remainder is equally divided 
 amongst all the prisoners. The Corporation likewise 
 give him yearly a great coat, and a laced hat.
 
 !>" £NGLAND^ SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 13^ 
 
 CARDIFF ; Glamorganshire. 
 County Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, Thomas Morgan. Salary, lOO/. 
 
 Fees ; none ; except admitted to bail, 6s. Sd. 
 
 Chaplaiii, Rev. John Evans. Salary, ^oL 
 Duty, Sunday, Prayers and Sermon. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Williams. Salary 20/. 
 
 Number ofDebtors,!'^^^'^^^^'-^^^^' ' "^ 
 I 1803, Oct. 2d, - - 6 
 
 Allowance. 2.9. 6d. cacli/'cr week, by the county. 
 
 Remarks. There is only one court-yard for - 
 debtors, size 26 yards by I3, and a pump in it ; but 
 the well not being deej) enough^ and the season very 
 dry, they had been without water four months at 
 iny visit in i803. One common sleeping-room, 
 which will hold four beds, for men-debtors >\ ho are 
 unable to pay for bedding", and to whom the County 
 allows straw. There are six rooms, each about 1 G feet 
 by 14, for those who can pay 2s. per week for a bed. 
 A commodious chapel, where debtors and felons are 
 kept apart during divine service. No employment 
 furnished by the County. Two rooms set apart for 
 the sick, and a bath. Act and Clauses both hung up. 
 Debtors are not confined in the town -gaol now, 
 
 I
 
 1^0 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 CARDIGAN. 
 
 County Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, Wm. Ldngdoji. Salary, 30/. ; fees, 6s. Sd» 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. John Evans. Salary, 20/. 
 
 Duty; Sunda3-s, and at other times if required. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. WiUiatns. Salary, lo/. ; for debtors 
 and felons. 
 
 Kumber of Debtors, 1'^"^' Nov. 30th, - -6 
 1 1803, Sept. 26th, - - 3 
 
 Allo^vance. None whatever. If a debtor is poor, 
 he must apply to his jiarish for relief. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol, finished 1797> i^ situate at the North 
 end of the town ; has a paved court in front, 42 feet 
 by 2/, with cast-iron palisades, which give it a 
 handsome appearance. On one side of the entrance 
 is the Gaoler's kitchen, and on the other his office ; 
 beyond which, and in the centre of the building, 
 is the Great Hall*, or inspection-room^ 38 feet by 
 
 * If the Gaoler \vere to live in the great hall, he would hare a 
 complete command of the whole prison j but at my visit, 1803, 
 it was filled with corn, and two men were thrashing it. 
 
 30.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. I3I 
 
 30, of a circular shape ; with a flagged floor, two 
 Jire-places, and four windows, which command the 
 four different courts, each of which is 20 yards by 
 16. The six passages which lead to the criminals' 
 sleeping-cells open into this room. For debtors 
 there are four rooms on the ground floor, and four 
 Ubove, each 12 feet by 11, with Ji re-places, but no 
 fuel alloived. Straw only is furnished by the County 
 for the debtors to sleep upon. The chapel is pro- 
 perly partitioned oW, so that the sexes are out of sight 
 of each other, and their respective lobbies lead to 
 their seats. Over the chapel are two good rooms for 
 the sick, the size of the great hall below, both light 
 and airy, with a fire-place in each. There is no 
 water on the premises ; the Keeper fei ches it from 
 a well a quarter of a mile distant: even the inhabitants 
 buy it for their own use. No bath. The whole 
 Prison very dirty. Geese, ducks, and poultry, in the 
 courts. Neither the Act for Preservation of Health, 
 nor the Clauses against Spirituous Liq^iors hung up. 
 A lunatic confined with a felon ! No care is taken 
 of maniacs ; although it is probable that, by medi- 
 cines and proper regimen, some of them might be 
 restored to their senses, and usefulness in life. No 
 Rules and Orders. Seldom visited by the magistrates^. 
 
 I 2
 
 152 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS! 
 
 CARLISLE, Citij and County ; Ciunherland. 
 
 Gaoler, Joseph Mullender ; Salary, 40l. and to 
 a Blacksmith 2l. 2s. for his attendance. 
 
 Fees, 1 1.9. No table. Garnish, 1*. 6d. 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Marh. Salary, 20/. 
 
 Duty, Sunday, Prayers and Sermon. 
 Surgeon, Mr. Hodgin. Salary, 5/. ^s. and paid 
 
 for medicines. 
 
 XumberofDcbtor,,|'8°'''^l'""''' " " ^« 
 I 1802, Sept. 20th, - 10* 
 
 Allowance. One shilling and three pence pei^ 
 ^veek each, if poor, on application to tl*e 
 magistrates, 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The T3ebtors' Court is spacious, 85 yards by ^G ;■ 
 and has a pump with fine water. It Nvas formerly 
 common to all prisoners, but now a part is appro- 
 priated to the felons, 15 yards by 8, and separated 
 by iron palisades ; through which they can con- 
 verse with the debtors, or any |>ersons who visit 
 there. The gaoler's house is at the upper end of 
 the court. The chapel (built,, as appears by the 
 date, in 1/34) adjoins, and the prisoners mix in- 
 discriminately to hear divine service. 
 
 Master's-side debtors have five rooms in the 
 keeper's house, for which they pay 2s. 6d. per 
 
 week ;
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. I33, 
 
 week ; and two sleep in a bed. Common-side 
 debtors have four Jree wards, -2^ ft?et by l8, and a 
 small room : but they are in a very dirty and ruinous 
 state ; witii windows opening to the court : for- 
 merly they looked into the street. The sexes ar.- 
 s.e])arate at night, but together all the day. 
 
 No intirnrary ; no bath :_ Aet for preservino- the 
 Health of Prisoners, and Clauses against Spirituous 
 Liquors, not hung up. 
 
 This Gaol is in a very ruinous and dilapidated 
 state ; but there is an excellent situation near the 
 Castle, where I was informed a new Gaol was pro- 
 posed to be built. The Sessions-house might like- 
 wise adjoin, the present one being very old and 
 inconvenient, from its being in the middle of the 
 City, and distant from the prison. 
 
 « 
 CARLISLE Cltj/ Gaol is over tlie Scotch Gate. 
 
 It is only one ruinous room, about 20 feet square, 
 
 with a fire-place, and a window 4 feet by 1 J. No 
 
 allowance. No court. No water. L was filled 
 
 with lumber when I was there : no prisoner had 
 
 been confined in it for 10 years. The prisoners 
 
 from the City are kept in the County Gaol, by 
 
 agreement between the Corporation and the 
 
 Keeper. No toirn liehtor can now be imprisoned 
 
 for less than lo/. : they seldom exceed 2 or 3 in a 
 
 year, and those only for a short time.
 
 334 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 CHELMSFORD; Essex, 
 County Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, Thomas Archer. Salary, 1 8 o/. 
 Fees *, 13^. 4d. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Morgan, who constantly 
 attends twice a week ; and every day, when 
 prisoners are under sentence of death. 
 Salary, 50/. to which the magistrates have lately 
 added 20l. as a reward for his attention to 
 the House of Correction, which he had for 
 many years visited gratuitously. 
 
 Medical Attendants -}-, for criminals only, 
 
 Henry Menish, M. D. and his partner Mr. 
 Giison; lFUUamJVelc'n,M .J), and his partner 
 Mr. Bird; and Mr. Gtbbs. Each house at- 
 tends alternately every third year. Salary 
 ^Ol. for Gaol and House of Correction. 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1800, March 27th, 17 | IS03, July 31st, - 2t 
 
 1801, Oct. nth, - 13 I 1805, Sept. 18th, - 21 
 
 Allowance. One pound and a half of bread, and 
 a quart of small beer daily. A bushel of coals 
 per day, from Nov. 1, to May 1. 
 
 * It would be an act worthy the humanity of this opulent and 
 respectable county, \i Del tors' Fees were abolished. 
 
 •f- JNIcdicai assistance in this Gaol dues not extend to prisoners 
 for de..t : a note to that effect is stuck up in the prison. 
 
 RE-
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND \VALE#. 1.35 
 
 re:^iarks. 
 
 This elegant Gaol, erected on a very liberal plan, 
 at the County expence, was first inhabited in 1777- 
 Its handsome appearance cannot fail to excite the 
 admiration of every passenger : but the original 
 plan, in many parts, was found defective. It was 
 too much crowded by a large chapel, a needless 
 tap-room, a spacious kitchen, and other domestic 
 offices. These defects, however, have been since 
 very judiciously remedied, by the abolition of the 
 tap, and removal of the chapel to a more eligible 
 situation ; by which many single cells have been 
 added, and the salubrity of the prison increased. 
 
 Debtors and felons are here kept entirely separate. 
 The former, men and women, have only one court- 
 yard of .99 feet by 14, in which is a day-room, with 
 a flagged floor, 22 feet by 14 ; jand eight separate 
 sleeping-rooms, 18 feet by 14, and .9 feet 1,0 inches 
 high, with fire-places and sash-windows : likewise 
 a straw room, or free ward, 1.3 feet by 16, with 
 three sashed windows, and furnished with straw for 
 those who cannot aflford beds, A large upper room, 
 called the stmigglers-room, 42 feet by 16', with iron- 
 grated windows, and furnished with good beds, is 
 also appropriated to debtors, who can pay for the 
 use of it. The whole G^ol is well .supplied vvitli 
 excellent water. 
 
 Some
 
 1.3^ Account of prisons for debtors 
 
 Some veal's since, Mrs. Herris gave lands in trust 
 to the incumbent of Chelmsfonlj out of the rents 
 of which 5/. are distributed annually on Christmas 
 eve, in equal portions, to the debtors. A memorial 
 of this is hung up in the gaol. The Act for pre- 
 servation of Health, and Clauses against Spirituous 
 Liquors, are conspicuously placed. 
 
 All prisoners are required to attend chapel ; their 
 behaviour when I was there was attentive and orderly. 
 The felons * are classed according to their offences, 
 separated bv w'ainscot partitions, with an iron screen 
 before their seats. I cannot help expressing the 
 pleasure I received from the worthy chaplain's se- 
 lecting passages of scripture, the most appropriate to 
 the class he was addressing. He admonished the 
 profligate, exhorted the thoughtless, and comforted 
 the afflicted. Not content with the formal discharsre 
 of required duty, he a})peared to be, in principle, 
 a Christian. 
 
 * There wants a separation of young beginners from old 
 offenders: and at my visit in 1803 a man committed for bastardy 
 was in the Felons' Court. The two infirmaries areinjudicjpusly 
 on the trround- floor.
 
 IS ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALKS. I37 
 
 CHESTJ:U CASTLE. 
 
 County Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler and Constable *, Matthew Hudson, 
 
 Salary, 400 /, 
 
 Fees, ^s. 8//. wliich are accounted for by the 
 Keeper. 
 Debtors pay 4.9. \d. to the stock for coals, 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Rowland Hill. Salary 30/. 
 Duty. Sunday, Prayers and Sermon; Wed- 
 nesday and Friday, Prayerg. 
 
 ^^ A debtor officiates as clerl; for which the 
 County iallows 2l. a year. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Hughes. The County pays to the 
 Infirmary 60 /. for attendance and medicines, 
 out of which the Surgeon receives 10 1, for 
 his attendance. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1801, Nov. 7th, - 26 I I8O3, Dec. 28th, - 28 
 1S02, Oct. I6th, - 31 I 1805, Oct. 2(jth, - 38 
 
 Allowance, To debtors, seven pounds of good 
 wholesome bread per week, which is to be at 
 least one day old, viz. 3l lbs. on Tuesday and 
 Friday. See Remarks. 
 
 * Salary from the Crown, 18/. ^s. 
 
 RE-
 
 138 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTOR* 
 
 REMARKS: 
 
 This Castle, which by its magnificence does ho- 
 nour to the County, is, I am informed, one of the 
 finest pieces of Grecian architecture in this king- 
 dom. The architect, Mr. Harrisony of whose pro- 
 fessional abilities the Bridge and Castle at Lancaster 
 xvill stand as lasting records to posterity. I'h^ 
 grandeur of the design, the elegance of its appear- 
 ance (being all of white stone), and the convenience 
 with which every part of Chester Castle is con- 
 structed, render it equal, at least,, to any gaol in the^ 
 kingdom. 
 
 Its front extends about 1 00 yards, in the cei^tre 
 of which stands the County hall. Before it is a 
 colonnade projecting about fifteen feet, composed of 
 twelve solid pillars, six in a row, each 21 feet long, 
 without a joint. The Court itself descri lies a semi- 
 circle, round which thei-e are 12 other solid pillars, 
 1 8 feet long. On these rest the stone beams which 
 support the roof. The Court of Justice is well cal- 
 culated for seeing and hearing ; the audience being 
 raised one above another upon steps 18 inches 
 broad, in the manner of the Greek and Roman, 
 Theatres. 
 
 From the prisoners' bar here is a private passag-e 
 into the Gaol, for bringing them into Court. On 
 the left hand of the Hall is the entrance to the Gaol, 
 
 anUi
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. I39 
 
 and the Turnkey's lodge. After passing the vesti^ 
 bule is the Debtor's yard, which is both spacious 
 and airy, 72 feet by 63, exclusive of the Terrace, 
 63 feet by l", and overlooks a large tract of country. 
 Over the Turnkey's lodge and a small arcade of 
 nine feet, is a day-room, 24 feet 6 by 18 feet 6, 
 and 13 feet high, with a cistern of water, a stone 
 sink, and stone shelves to set the provisions upon. 
 Also a sleeping-room adjoining, 26 feet by 18 feet, 
 and 13 feet high, well lighted and ventilated: under 
 the stairs is a small cellar for coals. On the right 
 side of the yard is another day-room, 24 feet by 20, 
 and 12 feet 6 inches high, with a water cistern, 
 stone sink, a pantry, and stone shelves for provi- 
 sions. Above this is a sleeping-room, 3 2 feet by 20, 
 and 13 feet 6 inches high, v/ell lighted and venti- 
 lated. The four rooms here noticed are for Corri' 
 mon-side Debtors, who are allowed a straw bed, two 
 blankets, and a coverlet lined with flannel, by the 
 County. At the top of the stairs is a large cistern of 
 water, used for cleansing the sewers in this part of 
 the prison. 
 
 On the left side of the yard are two stories 
 of small sleeping-rooms, twelve in number ; ten of 
 which are I3 feet 6 by 7 feet 6, and 12 feet high : 
 the end room oh each landing-place, 19 feet by 8, 
 and 12 feet high, with fire-places. Two pleasant 
 day-rooms also adjoin to each, 19 feet (> by 15 feet, 
 
 and
 
 140 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 and 13 feet h'vj^h, v.ith two Avindows in each room: 
 these are for Master. s-side Debtors. They have no 
 water-cisterns in these apartments, hut there is a 
 pump well suppHed with spring water in the centre 
 of the yard. Each sleeping-room contains one bed, 
 for which, if found by the Keeper, the prisoner 
 pays 2s. per week ; if the prisoner finds his own bed 
 he pays is. per week, which is accounted for to the 
 County by the Keeper. Debtors have no access to 
 their sleeping-rooms during the day ; the bedsteads 
 on which they sleep are two iron tressels with boards, 
 painted and varnished. 
 
 At the extremity of the yard, on the right 
 hand, is a passage, 81 feet by 6, leading into 
 another yard, 63 feet square, exclusive of the 
 terrace, which is 63 feet by I7. On the further 
 side is the Infirmary, 42 feet by 1 8, with conva-r 
 lescent rooms adjoining, I3 feet high, airy, and well 
 ventilated. At the end of the yard is a large cistern 
 of water supplied from the river Deva, or Dee. 
 
 Opposite to these are the IVomen Debtors" apart^ 
 inents ; of which description there are at present but 
 two. A sitting-room, 20 feet by I7, and a sleep- 
 ing-room, 23 feet by 20 : both airy, and well ven- 
 tilated. A large cistern with water to cleanse the 
 f^ewer ; and in the centre of the court-yard a pump^ 
 well supplied with spring water. 
 
 The
 
 ly^'ENGLAND, SCOTLAND,' AND AVALfiS. l4l- 
 
 The Chapel, which stands directly under the front 
 room and terrace of the Keeper's house, is a very 
 neat little building, ornamented with seven solid 
 pillars 18 feet long. The felons sit in five seats or 
 boxes, 12 feet by 6 feet 8, corresponding with their 
 respective court-yards, over which is a gallery 
 erected for the debtors. The Keeper's pew is be- 
 hind the clergyman, and the communion table be- 
 low, ivhere the sacrament is adfnhustered from Jour 
 to six times a year. On each side of the chapel, in 
 a straight line, are \% solitary cells, 7 feet 8 by 6' 
 feet 4. Each has a small anti-room, 8 feet 2 by 7 
 feet 8, and 8 feet 6 inches high ; three of v/hich 
 anti-rooms are now made into \vork-sbiO])s, and of 
 the rest seven may be heated by a stove for that 
 purjiose. Over these cells on each side are work- 
 rooms for debtors, the roofs of which, being of' 
 ilagged stone, form the terraces in the debtors' and 
 infirmary courts ; and in front of them are two rows 
 of iron railing, placed a little distant from' each 
 other, in order to prevent the debtors, or their 
 friends, from seeing or conversing with the felons 
 below. 
 
 Here is a warm and cold bath, and a stove to 
 purify the prisoners' infected cloaths, which are taken 
 from them on coming into prison^ and the gaol uni- 
 form put on. Such debtors as work have two thirds 
 of their earnings ; but there are few, except taylors 
 
 and
 
 142 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 and shoe-makers, that can get employ, as Chester 
 is not a manufacturing city. 
 
 There is a book kept in the prison for visiting 
 magistrates to enter their remarks ; and the earnings 
 of the prisoners are accounted for at each Easter 
 session. I cannot help here -expressing my regret 
 for the loss to this City of that able and upright 
 magistrate, the Rev. Dr. Peploe Ward (who by the 
 late Act is obliged to reside nine months in the year 
 at Ely). By his active energies and unremitting at- 
 tention, Industry and Morality were encouraged and 
 inculcated ; and, possessing temporal authority to 
 make his spiritual advice respected, its influence was 
 felt through every department of this very interest- 
 ing Gaol. 
 
 The only legacies I find on record are the two 
 following. " Mr. John Norney, Citizen and Mer- 
 " chant-taylor of London, by his will, 10th Octo- 
 *' ber, 1615, left 6s. %d. to be distributed on Can- 
 " dlemas yearly, for ever, by the Mayor, to the poor 
 *^ prisoners, in money or bread.'* 
 
 " Valentine Broughfon, of Chester, Alderman, by 
 « his will 16th June, 1603, left 13a-. 4d. to be dis- 
 *' tributed at Michaelmas and Lady-day yearly, for 
 " ever, by the Mayor, to the prisoners in the Castle, 
 *' by equal portions, or 20 days after." 
 
 The above written list of gifts a true copy. 
 
 Tho. Tagc, CI. Pads, 
 N. B,
 
 IK ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WaLSS. I45 
 
 N, B.' These are regular!}^ paid (I8O5) by the 
 Mayor. 
 
 Of the debtors (when i was liere iiilSOj), I3 
 were at work, and ot^ie of them, a shoe-maker, had 
 saved upwards of 1 0/. Of the felons seven were em- 
 ployed. Every one of the prisoners attended Chapel 
 the next day : their apisiearance was clean, their 
 fcehaviour orderly, and they were very attentive to a 
 serious and appropriate discourse. Their worthy 
 Cliaplain has a discretionary power to distribute 
 among them moral and rehgious books, as he think$ 
 necessary. 
 
 Every Christmas the Ladies and Gentlemen of 
 Chester are waited upon by the Turnkey ; and their 
 subscriptions, foi' relief of prisoners, generally amount 
 from 14 to 18/. part of which is distributed in money 
 and coals, as the visiting magistrates direct. Out 
 of this fund the worthy keeper is authorized 
 to allow any very poor debtor the same quantity 
 -Qf potatoes and salt weekly, as the felons receive. 
 Also, from the same annual donations he assists 
 snany poor debtors to obtain their sixpences ; and, 
 frequently, to effectuate their discharge, by a small 
 addition to the sums voted them by the SOCIETY 
 for Small Debts, in London; A book is kept for the 
 purpose of entering all donations, and the manner 
 m which they are applied, which is under the con- 
 stant inspection of the Magistrates. 
 
 The
 
 144 AlCOUNT OF PRISON'S FOR DEBTOR? 
 
 JThe excellent Rules and Regulations here 
 established are printed, and stuck up in various parts 
 of the prison, which is kept remarkably clean. The 
 County Magistrates have evinced great liberality, in 
 providing every comfort which can attend the pri- 
 vation of liberty ; and in shewing pity to the misery 
 of even the most guilty. In the choice of a Gaoler 
 the qualities of the I\Ian seem to have been particu- 
 larly attended to : mild of temper, patient in man- 
 ners, humane and firm in conduct, he is much re- 
 spected by all ; and satisfaction is visibly demon- 
 strated in the countenance of every prisoner. 
 
 The Exchequer at Chester is a very antient Courts 
 In all probability it had its institution from one of 
 the first Earls of Chester, soon after the Conquest, 
 v\ ho were possessed of absolute and regal power ; for 
 the Conqueror gave his nephew Hugh Lupus, as 
 the words of the Grant express, " Totum hunc comi- 
 tatum, tenendum sihi et hasredihus suis ita liherc, per 
 gladiutn, sicut Rex ipse tenehui AngUce Coronam.''* 
 The officers of the Court are the Chamberlain, 
 Vice-chamberlain, Baron, Deputy-baron, Seal- 
 keeper, Examiner, Bailiff Itinerant, Filacer, Mes- 
 senger, Cryer, the County and City Gaolers, and 
 the Clerks in Court. Its jurisdiction extends only 
 over the County and City of Cliestcr : Persons 
 living out of the same are not compellable to appear 
 by process, unless they have lands or effects within. 
 Qne or the other of them. 
 
 The
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 145 
 
 The Court is of a mixed nature, taking cogni- 
 zance not only of equitable matters, but also of cases 
 purely legal, so far as respects the recovery of 
 debts. 
 
 The proceedings are by subpoena, bill, and an- 
 swer, the same as in the Court of Chancery. 
 
 Ttie bills which are for the recovery of debts, 
 suggest, that tiie bond, note, &c. is lost, or that 
 the complainant has no witnesses to prove his de- 
 mand. 
 
 If a defendant neglect to appear at the return of 
 the subpoena, he is committed to gaol by attachment 
 for contempt, till he either enters an appearance, or, 
 (if for want of an answer), till he puts in his answer. 
 
 A person may be held to bail in the first instance 
 for a debt of lOl. or upwards, upon adding to the 
 usual affidavit of the debt, " that the complainant 
 *^ well knows the defendant, and believes that he 
 *•' will not appear by the ordinary process of sub- 
 *' poena of the Court, and perform the orders thereof 
 *' without surety ; for that he is a person of weak 
 *' estate, and much indebted, as the deponent hath 
 " heard, and verily believes to be true." 
 
 This mode of proceeding is not resorted to, but 
 in cases where the defendant is in the circumstances 
 stated in the affidavit. 
 
 K The
 
 146 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 The following is entered in the Magistrates' books. 
 
 " By order of the Visiting Magistrates, 
 
 " 10th April, 1805. 
 '' We the publicans permitted to serve the pri- 
 " soners confined within the Castle of Chester with 
 " ale, &c. do hereby publicly declare, that from the 
 " date hereof, we will exonerate every prisoner, on 
 '' his discharge, from all debts whatever we may 
 "^ have permitted him to contract with us, either for 
 *' ale, porter, or wine. 
 
 " Witness our hands, 
 
 " Rob. Oldham. 
 
 t 
 
 " Rob. Goff.**
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 147 
 
 CHESTER CITY, North Gate, 
 
 Gaoler, John Wilbraham ; Salary, 6ol. Fees 95. 8c/. 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Larden. 
 
 Duty ; Prayers twice a week, and a Sermon 
 three times a year. Salary, 12/. 125. 
 Surgeon, Mr. fVilkmson ; makes a bill. 
 
 Number of Debtors. 
 
 1800, March 3 1st, - 4 
 1802, Oct. 19th, - 4 
 
 18 03, Dec. 28th, - 2 
 
 1805, Oct. 26th, - a 
 
 Allowance. One pound of bread per day each: 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol has four rooms for debtors. 'No free 
 ward. Those who have a single bed pay 35. 6d. 
 If two in a bed, two shillings per week each. Only 
 one small court-yard ; insecure, and not used but as 
 a passage to the Chapel. There is a legacy of 
 \L 135. 4t/. paid annually by the Corporation. All 
 debtors who receive the bread, are obliged to at- 
 tend chapel, or forfeit their allowance. Mr. Larden 
 is Chaplain to the Blue Coat School ; and officiates 
 in little St. John's chapel. A canal parts it from 
 the prison-yard ; and a foot-bridge made for the 
 purpose, gives the prisoners an opportunity of at- 
 tending divine service, A new City Gaol is just 
 
 finished. 
 
 K 2
 
 14S ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS^ 
 
 CHESTERFIELD; DerhjsJdre, 
 
 Gaoler^ Thomas Shepherd. Salary, none. 
 
 Fees, \s. Garnish, 1,9. 
 Number of Debtors, Oct. llth, I8O5, - 1 
 Allowance. None whatever. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol, for debtors in the hundred of Scars- 
 dale, is under the Town-hall, the property of the 
 Duke of Devonshire, and is let to Mr. Gosling, to- 
 gether with the tolls of the market, for 18/. 12,9. per 
 annum. It consists of two rooms, which open into 
 a close passage, 25 feet long, and 5 feet wide. That 
 for men, 18 feet by 15. The women's 25 by 14, 
 with a copper in it : both have fire-places, and iron- 
 grated windows towards the street. If the debtor 
 brings his own bed, he pays nothing ; and there are 
 some rooms in the house, to which the Keeper fur- 
 nishes beds, at 1,9. 6d. and 2s. per week. 
 
 COLCHESTER; Essex. 
 
 Gaoler, John Hardy. Salary, 12/. Fees, 2s. 6d. 
 
 Allowance. Four pence per day. 
 
 r 1801, Dec. 12th, - 
 dumber of Debtors | ^g^^^ g^^^^ ^^^^^ ^ , 
 
 Remarks. One miserable room. Court insecure. 
 
 I
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 149 
 
 COLD-BATH FIELDS; London. 
 
 Gaoler, Thomas Aris ; Salary 400/. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Evans. Salary 50/. 
 
 Duty, Sermon on Sunday, and prayers twice 
 a week. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. f^Febb ; Salary 300/. for this prison 
 ^ and Clerkenwell Bridewell. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1800, August 1st, - 2 
 
 1802, Feb. 8th, - 2 
 
 1803, Nov. 4th, - 3 
 
 1805, Feb. 15th, - 1 
 
 1806, Oct. 31st, - 1 
 
 1807, March 3d, - 2 
 
 Allowance. A loaf of one pound weight ev^ry 
 day, a pint of gruel every morning, and a quart 
 of broth made from beef, with oatmeal, celery, 
 onions, leeks, pepper, and salt, for dinner ; 
 and every other day six ounces of meat, instead 
 of broth, for dinner. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol is also the County House of Correction. 
 Debtors from the Courts of Conscience are sent 
 here. A court-yard 35 feet by 20, a day-room about 
 12 feet square, and two sleeping cells 7 feet by 5| ; 
 wooden bedsteads, a straw in ticking bed, a blanket, 
 and rug. The County humanely allows a peck of 
 coals per day.
 
 150 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 COVENTRY ; iraniicMilre, 
 
 Gaoler, Basil Goode. Salary, 120/. 
 
 Fees, 15*. 4(1.; besides which the Under- 
 Sheriff demands 4*. for his liberate. 
 
 Chaplain, only to those under sentence of death. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. IVhitwell; makes a bill. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1802, Jan. 26th, - 7 
 
 1803, August 22d, - 3 
 
 18 05, Nov. 1st, - 2 
 I807, July 2rth, - 2 
 
 Allowance. A 4d. or 6d. loaf per day each pri- 
 soner, as bread is dear or cheap, if very poor, 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol, built 17/'2, is in a very close part of 
 the city. For Debtors and Felons, one common 
 court-yard, O'O feet by 40, and a separate day-room 
 14 feet square. There is a common ward for })oor 
 debtors, who are allowed straw, a blanket, and a 
 rug, and pay Gd. a week. Master-side Debtors 
 have seven lodging-roomys, to which the keeper fur- 
 nishes beds at 3.s\ a week, or if two sleep together, 
 2*. each. The horrid diingeous still remain a dis- 
 grace to the citij. This (iaol might be improved, by 
 enclosing a small piece of waste ground adjoining, and 
 making a separate court for the women : to which, 
 if a few old houses in Popes-head Alley weread^ledj 
 it might be made sufficiently large for the cit}\
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 15 1 
 
 DERBY, Borough Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, Charles Smith. Salary 50/. 
 Fees 12^. 8^/. Notable. Garnish, Is. 
 
 Chaplain, none. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Haden; makes a bill. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1801, Nov. 16th, - 1 
 
 1802, Jan. 29th, - 3 
 
 1803, Aug. 24th, - 2 
 1805, Oct. 9th, - 1 
 
 Allowance. Three twelvepenny loaves per week. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The gaoler's house fronts the street, and his back 
 room commands the court-yard, which is 33 feet by 
 24, with a pump, and cistern for a cold bath. 
 Debtors have a day-room on the ground-floor, 12 
 feet by 11, with a fire-place; and up-stairs three 
 sleeping-rooms, about the same size ; to which the 
 corporation allows wood-bedsteads, loose straw, two 
 blankets, and a rug each ; and two tons of coals 
 yearly for the whole Gaol. All may work who can 
 procure it, and have what they earn, added to the 
 town allowance. One debtor was cutting skewers 
 for Butchers, at ^d. the thousand. Court of Con- 
 science debtors are sent here, who must apply to 
 their parishes for an allowance.
 
 152 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 DERBY, County Gaol 
 
 Gaoler, U^iUiam Eton. Salary, 170/. and for 
 House of Correction 30/. 
 
 Fees, 17^. 4d. ; besides which the Under- 
 
 SherifF demands 6s. Sd. for his liberate. 
 Garnish, aboHshed. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Nicholas Baileif. 
 
 Duty, Sermon on Saturday ; and prayers 
 Monday and Wednesday ; and every day to 
 prisoners under sentence of death. 
 
 Salary, 35/. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr, Fox. Salary 40/. for debtors and 
 felons. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1801, Nov. l6i\\, - Q 1803, Aug. 24th, - 8 
 
 1802, Jan. 29th, - 12 \ I8O5, Oct. f)th, - I3 
 
 Allowance ; two twelve-penny loaves per week, 
 sent from the baker\ weight Oct. 9th, I8O5, 
 four pounds each. When a debtor receives 
 his sixpences, he has not the County bread. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol is situate on Nuns Green, the front of 
 which is occupied by the Keeper, and extends 126* 
 
 feet;^
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. I53 
 
 feet, including the passage which leads to the gar- 
 den, of five feet wide ; the depth is 1 2 1 feet ; so 
 that when the width of the passage is taken ofij it 
 forms a complete square. It was finished and in- 
 habited 1757 ; the situation airy and healthy. The 
 Keeper s back rooms command all the Courts, ex- 
 cept the vagrants'. There is one large court-yard, 
 82 feet by 43, well supplied with hard and soft 
 water, common to the debtors, and men in the 
 house of correction ; but debtors have the exclusive 
 privilege of walking on the flat roof, which is QO 
 feet by 26. A large day-room, 20 feet by 15, and 
 10 feet 6 inches high, with an oven and utensils for 
 frugal cookery. They have eight sleeping and 
 work-rooms above stairs : the- average size about I7 
 feet 6 inches by 11 feet, and f) feet 3 inches high, 
 . with fire-places, glazed windows, and wooden bed^ 
 steads. ChafF beds, two blankets, two sheets, a bol- 
 ster, and a rug, are furnished by the Keeper, at 
 sixpence each per week ; but if a debtor brings his 
 own bed, he pays nothing. There are likewise con- 
 venient water-closets at the end of the lobbies, to 
 which they have access in the night-time. The hu- 
 mane Keeper frequently employs them in weaving 
 calico ; they are furnished with looms from the town 
 at four-pence per week, and receive all they earn. 
 Women debtors have a separate Court, 23 feet 9 
 inches by 12 feet 6, will} hard and soft water in it, 
 
 ancl
 
 154 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 and a sewer. Their four lodging-rooms are up a 
 flight of 18 steps: each has a fire-place and glazed 
 window ; the average size about 1 2 feet square, and 
 g feet high ; they are fitted up with bed and bed- 
 ding, the same as the men's. Two guineas and a 
 half in coals is allowed yearly. The Act for Preser- 
 vation of Health, and Clauses against Spirituous 
 Liquors, both hung up. The whole prison very 
 clean, and frequently visited by the magistrates. 
 An exceeding good cold bath, with a copper for 
 warm water. 
 
 There is a man (Thomas Jetwei/) goes about the 
 country at Christmas with a book, soliciting relief 
 for the debtors, in which the donors enter their 
 names and subscriptions. The amount at Christ- 
 mas 1804, thirty-tivo pounds, one fourth of which 
 he receives for the trouble of collecting. At chapel, 
 the sexes are out of sight of each other, and all are 
 required to attend, except Roman catholics. Bibles, 
 prayer-books, and religious tracts, are furnished by 
 the County. Over the chapel are two rooms set 
 apart for the sick, 35 feet by 11, and 9 feet 3 inches 
 high, with fire-places and glazed windows. All de- 
 scriptions of prisoners have a hot dinner on Christ- 
 mas and New-year's day. Bread and cheese for 
 supper, and each one pint of ale.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 155 
 
 DEVIZES ; JViltshire. 
 
 Gaoler, Joseph Draper. Salary lOOA 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Leddiard. 
 
 Duty, every Sunday. Salary, 20/. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. G'lhhs. Salary, 15/. 
 
 {1801, Dec. 15th, - 2 
 1804, July 27th, - O 
 ISOG, October 15th, 2 
 
 Allowance, none^ except to paupers. 
 
 RExMARKS. 
 
 This is also the Town Gaol, and house of correc- 
 tion. Debtors sent to this prison are committed by 
 the Court of Requests for the adjacent hundreds of 
 Bradford, Melhsliam, and IJ^horlsdown, the costs 
 of which frequently exceed the original debt : tlie 
 charge of bringing to prison is 10^. 6d. though only 
 from Calne, at seven miles distance. There is no 
 separate court, and I have sometimes found men 
 debtors with the felons. No bedding provided by 
 the Corporation : the Keeper furnishes straw at his 
 own expence. No firing allowed in winter. If a 
 latticed partition and door were made in the crimi- 
 nals court, about six feet from the Keeper's door, it 
 would prevent the prisoners from rushing out, and o,f 
 which, he told me, he was sometimes afraid.
 
 1^6 . ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 DOLGELLY ; .Merionethshire. 
 
 Gaoler, Rice Edwards. Salary, 20/. 
 Fees ; 6'^. 8d. No Table. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. jMr. PFilUams. Salary, 1 2l. 
 Duty. Prayers every Saturday. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Ellis Evans. Salary, 12/. 
 
 j-lSoo, April 2d, - 5 
 Number of Debtors, } 1802, Jan. 30th, - 5 
 
 tl803, Sept. 23d, - 2 
 
 Allowance. Eighteen pence or two shillings per 
 week. 
 
 Remarks. There is only one small court-yard 
 for all descriptions of prisoners. No day-room. Five 
 miserable lodging-rooms on the first floor for debt- 
 ors, to which the County allows neither bedding, 
 straw, nor fire. Private benevolence enabled me to 
 release a debtor, who had been in confinement near 
 20 years, for a debt of 2//. 5*. 5r/, He was eighty 
 years of age, and his wife, older than himself, was 
 with him : they were carding and spinning, by 
 which they earned about three pence a day each, 
 which, with two shillings allowed to him by the 
 parish, was what they had to subsist upon. 
 
 ^ new Gaol is building here, 
 
 •
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 157 
 
 DONCASTER ; Yorhshire. 
 Town Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, Joseph Farrington, Serjeant at Mace. 
 
 Deputy, Thomas Hill, Town-Beadle. 
 
 Salary, lo/. 10*. Cloaths and laced hat, yearly. 
 Fees, debtors 2^. 6d. ; felons Is, 4d, ; con- 
 veyance of transports 1a*. per mile. 
 
 No Chaplain, or religious attentions. 
 
 Surgeon, from the Dispensary, when wanted. 
 
 Prisoners, 14th August, 1802, one Debtor, 
 one Felon : both together ! 
 
 Allowance, 4(1- or 6d. per day, as bread is cheap 
 or dear. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol is a detached building in St. Sepulchre 
 Gate street. The keeper's house overlooks the court. 
 Inscribed on its front, in stone, is, " John Whita- 
 KER, Esq. Mayor, 1779." For all kinds of prison- 
 ers, one small flagged court, with a pump. 
 
 Felons
 
 158 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 Felons have two good-sized rooms below; one totally 
 dark, except a small aperture in the door : the other 
 has an iron- grated window, not glazed. Above-stairs 
 are two rooms with iron-grated and glazed windows, 
 for debtors. The rooms have fire-places. The 
 Borough allows fuel in Winter; straw on wooden 
 bedsteads, two blankets, and a rug. 
 
 Debtors are brought here by process on Borough 
 Writs, to any amount; as, likewise, for smaller sums, 
 from the Court of Requests. No sewer, nor means for 
 decent cleanliness ! The prison most intolerably of- 
 fensive. The gaoler told me, " it was usually so. 
 " It had been white-washed but twice in ten years 
 " by the Corporation ; but the prisonei^s had some- 
 " times bought wkite-wash, and done it themselves.^*
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 15y 
 
 DORCHESTER, County Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, George Andrews. 
 
 Salary, 21 8/. for himself and two turnkeys. 
 Fees, l^s. Act which is paid to the treasurer ot 
 the county stock. Besides this fee, the 
 Under-Sheriff demands 2*. for his liberate. 
 
 Garnish. Abolished. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Bryer. 
 
 Duty, Sunday, and Wednesday. 
 Salary, 50/. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Arden. Salary, 40L for both 
 Debtors and Felons. 
 
 A Task Master, 60L per annum. 
 
 {1800, March 31st, - 7 
 1801, Dec. 29th, - 3 
 1803, Oct. 21st, - - 9 
 
 Allowance, One pound and a half of wheaten 
 bread (made with the whole of the bran in 
 it) to poor debtors, by order of the magis- 
 trates, but not otherwise ; and a quart of 
 broth per day each, to those who work on 
 account of the Gaol Fund ; and they like- 
 wise receive half their earnings. Mastefs- 
 side debtors, who do not work, maintain 
 themselves. 
 
 RE-
 
 l60 ACCOUNT OF PRISON'S FOR DEBTORS 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The situation of tliis gaol is most judiciously 
 chosen, on the North side of the town of Dor- 
 chester, on a piece of ground still called the Castle, 
 and which was formerly the site of a building of 
 that description, at the foot of which flows the river 
 Froome. It is bounded by a wall twenty feet high, 
 which, from the Turnkey's lodge, situate at the 
 North side of it, completely surrounds the whole of 
 the buildings. 
 
 The ground on which it is erected was, in a most 
 handsome manner, given by Francis John Browne, 
 Esq. one of the members for the county. Men 
 debtors have two airy court-yards, each 70 feet by 
 35, and over the South front of the South- West 
 wing are their sleeping-cells, five on each side of 
 the two upper stories, ten in the whole, 8 feet 6 
 inches by 6 feet 6, and 9 feet high, to the crown 
 of the arch. Two day-rooms, each about 6 yards 
 by four and a half, and near 12 feet high. Overthese 
 are two airy sleeping-rooms, with three beds each, 
 in case the number should exceed what can be ac- 
 commodated in the debtors' wing. 
 
 On the second story are two rooms for female 
 debtors, without communication with the floor 
 above it or below it, with beds, &c. the same as 
 the men ; and over these the Infirmary, 
 
 The
 
 IN ENGLAND^ SCOTLAND, AND WALES. l6'J 
 
 The County provides an iron crib bedstead, a 
 straw-bed, two blankets and a ru^ for each prisoner. 
 
 There is no allowance of coal, either to male or 
 female debtors, except ia the winter season in very 
 cold weather, and except an especial order is made 
 for that purpose by the visiting magistrates : and the 
 coals so ordered are not paid for out of the Countif 
 Stock, but out of the Gaol Charity Fund. 
 
 Debtors, male or female, who arc content to sleep 
 in the county beds, have them free of expense ; 
 otherwise they nmst provide their own beds and 
 bedding (which they are allowed to do) ; or else 
 pay the- gaoler 2a\ 6d. a week for bed and bedding, 
 with one sheet, or ^6. 6d. with a pair of sheets. 
 The following notice is stuck up in the different 
 day-rooms : " If any prisoner does any wilful damage 
 to his or her palliasse, blankets, or rugs, he or she 
 shall be immediately punished by close confinement 
 in one of the refractory cells, and there fed on bread 
 and water only, for a space of time in proportion 
 to the damage done." 
 
 When visitors come to see the debtors, they 
 are introduced to a narrow space, or slip, the 
 inner door of which is kept constantly locked, the 
 outer one open. There are two windovvs opening 
 from it, one into each debtor's day-room : these win- 
 dows are iron grated, but a table goes through each 
 of them, one half being in the debtor's room, the 
 
 L other
 
 t6t ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 other half in the narrow passage, or slip. TIius 
 debtors are not excluded from the society of tlieir 
 relations or friends, nor are visitors allowed in 
 general to come into their rooms ; by which means 
 irregularities are prevented. In particular cases, the 
 Keeper, where he finds it pn^per, unlocks the inner 
 door, and suffers the debtor to take his friend into 
 his cell, or court. The friends of debtors are i)er- 
 niitted to stay with them, if they please, from ten 
 o'clock in the morning, till four in the afternoon, 
 after which time no stranger is to remain within 
 the walls. Prisoners of all descriptions, debtors as 
 well as felons, work together in the manutactory. 
 The chapel is in the centre building, into which 
 doors open from the several wings ; the prisoners are 
 seated in classes, and all are required to attend di- 
 vine service, unless prevented by illness, 'i'he kind 
 donation of Edward Morton Plei/dell, Esq. who 
 for many years sent each prisoner at Christmas six- 
 pence in money, and two })ounds of beef, has been 
 discontinued since his death in 17J1J)- i-<^i*(l ^>^'c% 
 formerly sent at Christmas two guineas to this gaol^ 
 and one to the Bridewell, which I was sorry to find 
 also discontinued. The legacy of Mr. John Derhi^ 
 of twenty shillings a year for bread, to be distributed 
 among the debtors on the lour quarter days, is re- 
 gularly paid and apphed to the Gaol Charity Fund, 
 which is placed in the hands of the Chaplain, 
 
 but
 
 tN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 1 ^ o 
 
 but under the direction of the visiting Justices. It 
 arises from the humane contributions of individuals 
 und from it an additional quantity of coals is pur- 
 chased in extreme hard weather, for the different 
 classes of prisoners. The debts also of such as 
 upon enquiry are found to be truly objects of com- 
 passion, are compounded and liquidated out of the 
 same Fund. 
 
 Though Dorsetshire is not a manufacturing coun- 
 ty, yet through the exertions of its magistrates, who 
 alternately superintend the concerns of the prison, 
 employment is found for all. Here is a consider- 
 able edifice for the manufacture of hats *, in which 
 1 saw numbers at v^'ork ; others were employed in 
 shoe-making, tayloring, carding, spinning, &c. 
 These manufactures have been tried for several years 
 with success. The produce of the work is divided 
 into shares, of which the debtor has one half; the 
 keeper a sixth part, to encourage his attention ; and 
 the remaining third part is accounted for to the 
 County, and defrays a considerable propor^tion of 
 the expences of the prison. 
 
 Upon enquiry made into the characters of all 
 the Dorsetshire prisoners, on charges of felony, 
 during a period of fourteen years, it pppears, that 
 out of 393, of both sexes, no less than 242 have been 
 
 * The manufacture of hats I fouiid discontlnacd at ray visit 
 In 1805. 
 
 L 2 found
 
 l64 ACCOUKT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 found reclaimed, and maintaining themselves by 
 honest industry. A striking example this of the 
 beneficial effects of employment in prison; and which, 
 it is to he hoped, will be seriously considered by 
 every county, but more especially those, where 
 manufactories have been introduced, and discon- 
 tinued, on account of being, in their infant state, 
 unproductive. Expectations of County emolument 
 from the labour of a prisoner ought not to weigh so 
 forcibly, as the credit of restoring to society a >vor- 
 thy and useful member. 
 
 It always gives me pleasure to find prisoners em- 
 ployed, because, in the first j)lacc, they are then 
 more healthy. It also diverts them ; and is a means 
 of procuring them clean linen, or stockings, or a 
 little milk, or meat to their bread, or other articles 
 limited by the magistrates, and an account of which 
 should be hung up in the prison, such as tea, coffee, 
 butter, cheese, vegetables, &c. It has likewise this 
 further and political advantage over idleness, that 
 it prevents the prisoners from combining together to 
 effect escapes. 
 
 ITiis County, with a liberality which reflects 
 upon it the highest honour, rewards those who, 
 twelve months after their discharge, can produce cer- 
 tificates, properly attested, of their having honestly, 
 soberly, and industriously served those who kindly 
 afforded them employment.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. IC5 
 
 DO\ ER CASTLE. 
 
 Gaoler and Bodar *, PJ'iUiam Colli nson. 
 Salary, 30/. Fees; see the Table. 
 Garnish, is. 6cL 
 
 Chaplain, rone. Surgeon, none.. 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1800, May 20th, - 6 
 1802, Jan. 27th, - 2 
 
 1804, Sept. 24th, - 4 
 18 Of), Aug. 4th, - 6 
 
 Allowance. None whatever. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 Tliis Gaol is for debtors in the Cinque Ports, viz. 
 Hustings, Dover, Hythe, Romneij, and Sandwich. 
 The Right Honourable IVilliam Pitt was Consta- 
 ble ; now Lord Hawheshurij, 
 
 Here are three rooms for debtors ; one 1 8 feet by 1 2 ; 
 another 1 3 feet by 1 1 ; and the third, called the New 
 room, 15 feet by 1 2. Each prisoner pays 2*. 4^. per 
 week for a bed ; two sleeping together. The court- 
 yard is 50 feet by 30, and the wall 28 feet high, the 
 sun and air thereby almost totally excluded ; a very 
 small part paved ; the ground is consequently damp, 
 and the place unliealthy. It is bounded on one side 
 by the gaoler's house ; on another by the rock or 
 cliff; and on a third by the military stabling. 
 
 * Bodar, or INIessenger, and Bailiff iox the Cinqut Ports, 
 
 It
 
 l66 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTOR"? 
 
 It would be a considerable improveinentj if a 
 grated window were opened on the fourth side, 
 which looks towards the South, and the public path ; 
 by which means the sun and fresh air would be ad- 
 mitted, and the prisoners might see their friends, 
 and passengers, with other visitors of the hill, and 
 occasionally solicit charity. The court-yard, also, 
 should be wholly paved, both for exercise and com- 
 fort ; and some enclosed place provided to deposit 
 the putrid vegetables, dirt, and ashes, which I have 
 constantly seen thrown in one coiner in cart loads, 
 till it had formed a most offensive dunghill. 
 
 The gaoler told me he sent his boy every day to 
 Dover, to fetch what the prisoners wanted : But, as he 
 himself is the Bailift'for the Cinque Ports, and some- 
 times necessitated to be absent for several days toge- 
 ther on business, debtors are frequently obliged to 
 pay a man for bringing them the common necessa- 
 ries of life from tVie town, which, in consequence, 
 stand them in i20/. per cent, above their value, and 
 sometimes a penny for a pailful of water ! They are 
 alsD obliged to pay a woman for washing their rooms, 
 having neither mops, pails, or brooms, fire or can- 
 dle allowed. It would be an act of mercy to those 
 confined in this singular kind of gaol, if the fees 
 were abolished, or at least lowered ; for, besides those 
 specified in the following table, there is one guinea 
 charged for the latitat writ ; and if the prisoner 
 
 is
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. l6j 
 
 h brought from Margate, l/. 1 Ls\ 6d. for a chaise 
 making together, 4/. iy.s\ lod. 
 
 Table of Fees. 
 
 /. .9. fl. 
 Arrest - - -110 
 
 Commitment -- - o 1.3 4 
 
 Guard money and bed for a night c> 4 
 
 Discharge - — — G 8 
 
 Yeoman porter ~ —026 
 
 Clerk of Dover Castle - - 3 6* 
 
 2 7 4 
 
 When it is considered how difficult of access the 
 situation of this prison renders it, how seldom it is 
 visited in Winter, and that the debtor must be in 
 confinement three terms" before he can sue for his 
 six-pences ; he may, before the expiration of that 
 period, unless sustained by charity, be no more. 
 It is much to be regretted, that prisons in privileged 
 places are not put on the same footing with the 
 County Gaols. 
 
 I found no instance of any debtor's having received 
 the benefit of the Lords' Act in this prison. 
 
 A great and good Writer, who once lived an or- 
 nament to human nature, has observed, " that there 
 " should be an uniform Code of Laws framed for the 
 *' Police of all Gaols. The laws of a kingdom 
 " ought to be general in a well-regulated state.'*
 
 l68 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 DOVER Town Gaol 
 
 Gaoler, John Mitchell. 
 
 Salary, 30/. a chaldron of coals, and a suit of 
 clothes. 
 
 Fees, Ss.. 2d, discharge. Is. 6d. Garnish, 1.5. 
 Chaplain, none. 
 Surgeon, Mr. Kirtg. Makes a bill. 
 
 /-1801, 
 
 5, } 1804, 
 
 1 1806, 
 
 1801, Sept. ir)th, - 1 
 Number of Debtors, ^ 1804, Sept. 24th, - I 
 
 Aug. 6th, - 
 
 Allowance. None whatever. 
 
 Remarks. This Gaol is also the ^/vV/eu-e//. For 
 debtors, there are three rooms above ; to which, if 
 the Gaoler furnishes a bed and bedding, he charges; 
 seven shillings per week. Neither the Act for Pre- 
 servation of Health, nor Clauses against Spirituous; 
 Liquors are hung up here, or at the Castle. The 
 Gaol is in a close part of the Town, and the Corpo- 
 ration allow annually four gallons of vinegar to fumi-. 
 gate it; 12 lb. of whiting, six pounds of soap, mops, 
 brooms and pails, to keep the prison clean, and 
 straw when the Gaoler requires it. At my visit in 
 1801, Isabella Mode, who had been three years 
 under sentence of transportation, had a young child 
 born in the prison, of which she said that Harrisj^ 
 ^9 late Kee|)€r, was the father.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALEl. 1^^ 
 
 DUNBAR ; Scotland. 
 
 Gaoler, John Carrs. Salary, none. 
 
 No Surgeon. 
 
 Prisoners, 10th September, l802, none. 
 
 Allowance. Four pence a day, till alimented, ac- 
 cording to the discretion of the Magistrates, 
 which is in 14 days after commitment. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The ascent is by a jflight of fourteen steps, which 
 lead to two large rooms about seven yards square : 
 one of which is for felons ^ the other for debtors, 
 who are not burgesses : Both were in the most filthy 
 state imaginable ; and the debtors' room was occupied 
 by the gaoler and his family. Up-stairs is a large 
 room for debtors who are burgesses. The dark room 
 below, called Thieves Hole, the keeper said was not 
 4ised now. No court. No water. 
 
 DUMFRIES; Scotland. 
 A new gaol is building : not yet finished.
 
 IfO ACCOUNT OF PRiyON? FOR DEBTORS 
 
 DURHAM. 
 
 Gaoler, JoTin fFolf'e (by patent from the Bishop, 
 durante benepladto). In the patent it i» 
 called the Outer Gate. 
 
 Salary, 200/. for the Bridewell 35/. and I7/. 
 from the rents 'of four small adjoining 
 houses. Out of this salary the Gaoler pay* 
 30/. per annum to a Turnkey and assistants, 
 and likewise provides them a house to live in. 
 
 Fees and Garnish abolished. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. James Deasnn. Salary, 40I. 
 
 Duty, Prayers and Sermon every Sunday. 
 Surgeon, Mr. Green. Salary 61. 6s. and his bill 
 for medicines. 
 
 iTiSOO, April 1st, - - 14 
 Number of Debtors, <J 1801, Nov. 8th, - - 15 
 
 t.1802, Sept. 5th, - - 18 
 
 Allowance. (See Remarks.) If certificated as 
 paupers fourpence a day* 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The High Gaol is the property of the Bishop. 
 By patent from Bishop Talbot, 1723, Sir Hed worth 
 fi^ilUaimon, Bart, was appointed Sheriff, with a 
 salary of lol. per annum ; and it has continued in 
 
 the
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. l/l 
 
 the family ever since. There is a small room over 
 the North front of the gateway, 12 feet 6* inches 
 by 9 feet 10, and ,9 feet 9 inches high. This was 
 formerly the felons' day-room, but which the active 
 and intelligent keeper has converted into a soup- 
 kitchen ; the establishment and support of which 
 arises as follows : viz. There are twelve prebendaries 
 and a dean ; three of the prebendaries have 
 dispensations, and do not keep any residence, nor 
 contribute to the soup establishment. The preben- 
 daries, who, for many years past, had sent a profuse 
 dinner to the prisoners in the gaol at the time they 
 severally kept their residence, have, for the four last 
 years, given, in lieu of such dinner, five guineas, 
 which is paid to Mr. Wolfe, who supplies both the 
 Gaol and the Bridewell with a good dinner twice 
 every week in the year. The benevolent Bishop of 
 Durham also gives ten guineas at Christmas, and 
 the same at Lammas, for the like purpose ; and 
 the Dean of Durham (Bishop of Lichfield) ten 
 guineas yearly. At this time (I8O5) there is a surplus 
 in Mr. Wolfe's hands of 37/. It gave me great plea- 
 sure to be informed that this fund is increased, so 
 as to enable the Gaoler not only to furnish his 
 prisoners with dinners, as above, but occasionally 
 also to release persons imprisoned for small debts, 
 and assist often in obtaining their sixpences. 
 
 Here is a court-yard, 62 feet by 59, the 
 
 only
 
 112 ACCOUNT OF PRIJ^ONS FOR DEBTOHS 
 
 only one for all descriptions of prisoners : it is 
 open all day for the accommodation of Debtors, 
 except when the Felons are in it, which is for an 
 hour or two in the day, when they think fit ; and 
 then the door is locked, to prevent any communi- 
 cation between them. 
 
 The Low Gaol consists of two rooms, 10 feet 
 4 inches square, by the gateway, under which, out 
 of a door, are conveyed the dirt, ashes, &c. which 
 formerly lay for many months. Both these rooms 
 SireJ'ree wards. There are likew ise three others at 
 the top of the gaol ; the largest of which contains 
 seven beds, the others one bed each. To all these 
 the County furnishes iron bedi^teads and straw mat- 
 tresses gratis. These rooms are now ceiled and 
 lime-whited ; but the debtors complained much of 
 that great nuisance, bugs, which tlie straw mat- 
 tresses harbour, and preclude all possibility to get 
 rid of. Two rooms, former)y set apart for Infir- 
 maries, are now a})propriated to Women Debtors. 
 Masters-side Debtors have six separate rooms fur- 
 nished by the Keeper, at ^s. 6d. a week, or, if two 
 sleep together, Is. Gd. each. Two of these rooms 
 look to the street, and open into the chapel, for- 
 merly the Debtors'-hall. There is a double-barrelled 
 pump, which raises water about seventy feet, and 
 supplies the High Gaol. Half-a-crown a quarter is 
 paid to a woman for supplying the Debtors in the 
 
 Low
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 1/3 
 
 Low Gaol with water. The County provides no 
 work ; but the humane Keeper told me, he con- 
 stantly procured (for such as are not of handicraft- 
 trades) employment in spinning, picking oakunj, 
 beating flax, &c. and that every prisoner, however 
 employed, receives the whole of his earnings. The 
 Rules and Orders, as settled in I796, I transcribed ; 
 viz. " Chamber Rents to be received by the Keeper of 
 Durham Gaol of and from the Prisonei's for Debt. 
 
 per week. 
 ^. s. d. 
 In an entire chamber in the High Gaol, 
 
 without a bedfellow ~ - 3 6 
 
 Ditto, with a bedfellow - - 1 6 
 In the common chamber, without a 
 bedfellow, the Gaoler providing the 
 bedding, bedcloaths, and sheets -026 
 In the common chamber, the prisoner 
 providing his own bedding, bed- 
 cloaths, and sheets, and not admitting 
 a bedfellow - - - -000 
 
 In the common chamber, tlie prisoner 
 providing the bedding, &c. to admit 
 ^ bedfellow, who shall pay the 
 Gaoler - - - - 1 3 
 
 The said Prisoner to pay himself 
 
 to the Gaoler - - - 4 
 
 Visitors to Debtors shall be admitted on week or 
 
 working days, from the hour of nine o'clock in the 
 
 morning
 
 174 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 morning till twelve at noon, when (on bell ringing) all 
 visitors and strangers whatsoever shall leave the prison. 
 All debtors shall retire to their respective rooms 
 at nine o'clock in the evening in the Winter, and 
 at ten in the Summer ; when all lights shall be ex- 
 tinguished, and their wards secured. And that tio 
 visitors shall be admitted on Sunda}-?. 
 
 No description of prisoners shall be permitted to 
 go upon the leads. That, as far as the situation of 
 the Prison will admit, Felons be classed and sepa* 
 rated. And that any Charity given to the Prisoners 
 confined in the Gaol shall be funded, and distri- 
 buted to them in addition to their earnings ; and a 
 regular account of such distribution kept by the 
 Governor, which shall be produced when any 
 Magistrate shall require the same. 
 
 " Durham {to wit.) We his Majesty's Justices of 
 *^ the Peace, present in open Court, at the Ge- 
 " neral Quarter Sessions of the Peace, holden at 
 ^^ the City of Durham, in and for the said 
 "County, the thirteenth day of July, 17^6, 
 *' do approve and allow of the foregoing Rents 
 " and Rules. 
 " John Eden. Ralph Ord. Hen. Hopper. 
 " C. Spearman. R. Burdon. Cha. Eggerton. 
 
 " H. MeTHOLDE. Ra. MlLBANKE. HeNRY MiLLS. 
 
 Rob. Green." 
 " July 23d, 1796. We his Majesty's Justices of 
 " Assize for the Northern Circuity having inspected 
 
 " the
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 17fJ 
 
 •* the above account of Chamber Rents and Rules, 
 ** do allow, approve, and confirm the same. 
 
 "G. ROOKE, 
 *' S.LAWRENCE." 
 
 Debtors in the Low Gaol receive, from a legacy. 
 Is. 6d. a week in M" inter, and Is. a week in Sum- 
 mer. No memorial of it in the gaol. From the 
 Mayor of Durham's book it appears, that he charged 
 the Corporation of Newcastle with having paid the 
 above sums ; and it also appears, that the Corpo- 
 ration of Newcastle reimbursed him. By an entry 
 in the Common-Council Books of Newcastle-upon- 
 Tyne, it is recorded as follows : ^' December 23d, 
 l6i)f) — 3/. 6s. Sd. is paid, out of the revenues of 
 the Corporation of Newcastle, to the Mayor of 
 Durham, for the use of the prisoners, annually on 
 St. Andrew's-day." (See Brand's History of New- 
 castle, vol. IL pp. 1^3, 1.94-) It is the donation 
 of a Mr. Frankland. How the distribution of this 
 charity became changed from St. Andrew's day to a 
 weekly payment, and that to prisoners in the Low 
 Gaol solely, does no where appear ; but if neither 
 of the low rooms in the gateway is occupied 
 (which has frequently been the case), the arrears 
 have never been paid : on this account, the Keeper 
 takes care to have one prisoner at least there, to 
 secure the regular payment. There is another do- 
 nation, of 15^. per annunii viz. 55. at Christmas,
 
 176^ ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 5^. at Easter, and 5*. at Whitsuntide. This is a 
 charge on lands late belonging to Mr. Jackson, of 
 Witton-le-Wear, in this county. The estate has 
 been lately purchased by Mr. John Wood, of Bi- 
 shop's Auckland, subject to the said charge, which 
 is regularly paid to the Gaoler as it becomes due. 
 Of this legacy there is no memorial in the Gaol. 
 
 The legacy of " Bishop Crewe ^^ mentioned by 
 Mr. Howard, must be a mistake with respect to the 
 name. It is not in his will (which I have read) ; 
 but there is a similar donation to that of Bishop 
 IVood left to the debtors in Durham Gaol by Dr. 
 Hartwell; and in the copy of his will (in the pos- 
 session of Mr. Wolfe) there is, after several other 
 bequests, '* Item, I give and bequeath to the Gaol 
 of Durham, for the use and benefit of insolvent 
 debtors there, 20/. per annum, to be disposed of 
 under the same restrictioyis and limitations with the 
 charity of the like kind by Bishop Wood; and 
 that, in the application of it, respect he first had 
 to the parishioners of Stanhope." This bequest, as 
 well as several others mentioned in his will, 
 amounting to 8oA per annum, are chargeable upon 
 an estate at Fishbouin, in this county. 
 
 The estate at Fishbourn, out of which this le- 
 gacy is paid, as well as several others, is somewhat 
 more than sufficient for the discharge of the ordi- 
 nary demands made on the Treasurer, according to 
 
 tlifi
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOtLAND, AND V/ALES. I'/f 
 
 the will. The rents are regularly paid by the Tenant 
 to the Treasurer ; there is therefore a yearly surplus 
 in hand. If the demands of the year do not equal 
 the 20/. the will has not provided for the dis- 
 posal of the surplus. It of course remains in the 
 hands of the Treasurer of the Charity. Out of this 
 accumulating surplus the Trustees have occasionally 
 relieved very great distress ; as they did a few years 
 since, in the case of the tenant of the estate, whose 
 corn crops had been destroyed by the treniendous 
 hail-storm, which did so much mischief in the neigh- 
 bourhood of Sedgefield, in the year 17^)'^. They 
 allowed him sixty pounds, at two difierent pay- 
 ments, towards repairing the loss of his corn crop. 
 There w^ere four debtors released by this charity 
 in 1797, one in 1798, e;?e in 1800, four in 1802, 
 and^re in 1805. 
 
 The persons to be released are nominated by the 
 Mayor and Corporation. If none are released, it is 
 because none are nominated. The Mayor and Cor- 
 poration are not the Trustees ; but they nominate 
 objects, as directed by the will, and recommend to 
 the charity; and their recommendation is always 
 accepted. 
 
 Thfe Trustees in Dr. Hartwell's will are the Dean 
 and Chapter of Durham, or any three of them. 
 The acting Trustees have been for many years the 
 Dean and four of the Prebendaries : as vacancies 
 
 M happen
 
 l78 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 happen in the trust by death, other Prebendaries 
 are elected by the surviving Trustees. 
 
 Besides the Bishop of Lichfield, who is the Dean, 
 the present elected Trustees are, the Bishoj) of Ro- 
 chester, the Bishop of St. David's, the Bishop of 
 Norwich, and the Kev. R. G. Bowyer. 
 
 By the following account of Dr. Hartwell, it ap- 
 pears, he was Rector of Stanhope, in this county ; 
 which accounts for that part of his bequest, " that 
 " respect be first had to the parishioners of 
 " Stanhope ;" meaning, if any such were in prison. 
 
 Dr. William Hartwell was formerly secretary to 
 Lord Crewe, when Bishop of Oxford. In the year 
 1681, he was made Rector of Wickham, in this 
 county ; in 1685 was removed to tlie Rectory of 
 Stanhope ; and in 1709 was made Prebendary of 
 Durham. He died in June 1725, and was interred 
 in the cathedral church here. His will bears date 
 March 9, 1724. 
 
 The accounts relating to Bisliop fVood's legacy 
 appear to be very intricate and perplexed ; but, 
 from the respectable characters who are at present 
 engaged in the business, there is hope of ultimate 
 success. Bp. Wood, by will made 169O, charges his 
 estate or manor of Ecclescliff, in the Bishoprick of 
 Durham, with the payment of 20/. annually, for 
 ever, \.o be applied for the relief and discharge of 
 poor prisoners, that then were, or hereafter might 
 
 be.
 
 IN ENGLAKD, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. l^jy 
 
 be, in the Gaol at Durham for debt ; each poor 
 prisoner's debt not exceeding 5/. And, by the said 
 will, the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Dur- 
 ham, for the time being, were appointed Trustees 
 of the said Charity. It appears by the books (now 
 in possession of Mr. Wolfe) that this estate, charge- 
 able with the said legacy, was, in the year 175O, 
 purchased by Anthony Hall, of Flass, in the 
 county of Durham, esq. and subject to this 
 devise : that, between the year 1750 and lj66, there 
 were arrears due from the said Mr. Hall to the 
 charity, to the amount of 54/. 4*. lljd. ; that a 
 suit in Chancery was instituted by the Bishop's 
 attorney-general against the said Anthony Hall for 
 the said arrears, together with a further sum of 
 165/. loS. which had been paid into the hands of 
 the then Mayor and Aldermen of the city of 13ur- 
 ham. Trustees of the said charity, by the said An- 
 thony Hall, according to the will of the said Bishop 
 Wood ; but had never been accounted for to the said 
 Charity by the said Mayor and Aldermen : And that, 
 in the year 177^? it was decreed by the said Court, 
 that the said Anthony Hall should pay the whole of 
 the arrears due to the said Charity, together with 
 the costs. That in the Michaelmas Term after- 
 wards, the said Anthony Hall filed a Bill in the 
 Exchequer against the said Mayor and Aldermen, 
 charging them with an abuse of the said Charity ; 
 
 lyi 2 and
 
 180 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS TOR DEBTORS 
 
 and it was decreed, thattbe said Mayor and Aldermen 
 should account for the arrears before stated : That, 
 in 176'S, the Corporation lost their charter; and 
 other Trustees were then duly appointed by the 
 Court of Chancery at Durham, to manage the said 
 Charity ; and the said Trustees have from time to 
 time, as any of thorn have died, or declined acting, 
 been replaced by others, according to the directions 
 of the said will *. The balance of the account due 
 to the Charity at Midsummer lS02, as appears by 
 the books of the late treasurer, is 205/. and at Mid- 
 summer 1804 had increased to 245^- 
 
 Bishop Wood was Chaplain to King Charles I. 
 and in l5'35 Rector of Wickham ; in 1680 Pre- 
 bendary of Durham ; in l66s Dean of Lichfield • 
 and in 1671 consecrated Bishop of Lichfield, with 
 ivhich he held a prebendal stall at Durham. He 
 died April 18, 1692, and was buried at Uffbrd ia 
 Suffolk. His will, by which he bequeaths several 
 other charities, as well as that to the Gaol at Dur- 
 ham, is dated Nov. 11, 1690. 
 
 Eleven out of seventeen debtors only attended 
 divine service; but all the felons, except one. Their 
 behaviour was orderly, and attentive to a very 
 a])propriate discourse. 
 
 ^ The present acting Trustees are. Sir Ralph IMilbankc, Bart, 
 Sir Jului Eden, Bart. Henry Mills, Esq. Ralph Orde, Esq. 
 Rowland Burdon, Esq. Charles Spearman, Esq. Rev, John 
 HuUun, Rev. W. Nesfield, Arthur Mowbray, Esq. f . Joha- 
 son, Ebq. Wui. Russell, Esq^ and R. J. Fenwick, Esq.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTL.\ND, AND WALE". 1 S J. 
 
 EDINBURGH TulOoot/t. 
 
 Gaoler, or Captain, James M'^ehk. Salary, lool. 
 Fees, Gd. coming in, and (id. going out ; one 
 half paid by the creditor, the other by the 
 debtor. See Table. 
 
 Licence for Porter : he likewise furnishes bread 
 and small beer. 
 
 Garnish, none allowed. 
 
 Chaplain, ^qw^Iy. Port eons. Salary, I5/. 
 Duty, once a Sunday, to debtors only. 
 
 Surgeon. When one is wanted, application is 
 made to the Deacon of the Surgeons' Company, 
 
 Number of Debtors, 1802, Sept. 13th, - 17, 
 
 Allowance. According to the discretion of the 
 Magistrates. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol, and a large mass of old buildings which 
 adjoin it, (but since taken down) nearly block up 
 one of the most spacious streets in the City, by 
 being built in the centre. There is no court-yard, 
 and the Gaoler has no apartments in the prison. 
 If a prisoner for debt declares upon oath, that he has 
 
 not
 
 1S2 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 not wherewithal to maintain himself, the creditor 
 must aliment him, within ten days after notice 
 given for that purpose, with at least three-pence a 
 day. By an Act of King William's first Parliament, 
 l6i)6, sixth Session, Chap, 32, Debtors are ali-^ 
 mented by their creditors at the discretion of the 
 Masristrates. The lowest order I could find on 
 record was four-pence a day ; the debt was only one 
 guinea ; the highest order w'as eighteen pence ; 
 this principally depends on the rank of life in which 
 the debtor has been accustomed to move. When 
 I was in the prison, the 13th Sept. 1802, the Keeper 
 received five pounds from the creditor of a Mrs. 
 Stuart, being one hundred days' aliment, at one 
 shilling per day (the debt was three pounds, 
 costs three shillhigs,) to commence from the 1st of 
 September, the da}^ of her commitment. By the 
 process of Cess to honoriim '' , a debtor, after being one 
 month in prison, may obtain his liberty, and be se- 
 cured against execution for any previous debts, by 
 makino; a surrender of all his etFects to be divided 
 among his creditors ; though, if he afterward come into 
 better circumstances, his eflfects may be attached for 
 the payment of those previous debts. This compas- 
 sionate la\v prevents a creditor from putting his debtor 
 
 * See " Principles of the Lnw of Scotland," 5th edition, 8vo. 
 Edinburgh, 1777, pp. 462 and 463. 
 
 in
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 183 
 
 III j)nson, unless there be good reason to think that 
 lie is acting fraudulently. Perjury is not frequent ia 
 Scotland. The oath, and form of administering it, 
 are very solemn. The witness, holding up his right 
 hand, repeats the following words after the Judge : 
 ^^ By Ciod himself, and as I shall answer to God 
 at the great day of judgment, I shall declare the 
 truth, and nothing but the truth, in so far as I 
 know, or shall be asked at me." The depositions 
 are then read over, and signed by the witnesses and 
 Judge *'. There seems, however, to be very little 
 attention paid to reforming the prisoners ; the atten- 
 dance on divine service being optional with debtors, 
 and not permitted to felons ! No firing allowed, 
 except in the common-liall, or day-room, which 
 is also the Chapel. Debtors and felons, men and 
 women, mix promiscuously together in the morning, 
 when they fill their tubs with water. The Gaol had 
 been whitewashed about six months before my visit, 
 being the only time in twenty years. As every 
 prisoner may have as much beer as he can pay for, 
 the tap-room was full, and niaiw persons from the 
 town were drinking with the prisoners. There are 
 six rooms with glazed windows for men, and one 
 room for women-debtois, furnished with wood bed- 
 
 * " Louthian's Form of Process, before the Court of Justi- 
 ciary in Scotland." Edin. i/jz, p. 109. 
 
 steads,
 
 lS4 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 steads, straw mattress, a blanket, a rug, and two 
 pillows, for which they pay as per Table. No em- 
 ployment, except for handicraft trades, whose tools are 
 not dangerous. There are two tubs in each room, 
 tlie smaller one is tilled with water, and the other 
 serves the pui-pose of a sewer. There were four 
 women felons confined in the same room with four 
 women debtors. The Clauses against Spirituous 
 Liquors were stuck up, but not the Act for Preser^ 
 vation of Health. Prison clean. 
 
 There is a plot of ground, where some old 
 buildings have been taken down, and at present 
 useless, wel! calculated for building a new Gaol with 
 proper court-yards, and which might communicate 
 ■with tlie Court of Session. The front of the prison 
 and Gaoler's house to form a part of tlie street, and 
 the present Tolbooth taken down, would leave the 
 street sjmcious and airy. 
 
 *' ACT OF COUNCIL regulating the fees payable to the 
 jailor and clerk of the Toibooth of Edinburgh. — 
 Edinburgh seventeenth July, seventeen hundred and 
 l.venty-eiglit. The which day the Lord Provost, bailies, 
 council, deacons of crafts, ordinary and extraordinary, 
 being convened in council, and taking into considera- 
 tion the present state of their Tolbootii, and particularly 
 the fees that have been in use to be exacted by the jailor 
 and clerk of the said prison, both from creditors at in- 
 carceration of prisoncri, and from the debitor, or person 
 himself itnprisoned ; and judging it highly reasonable, 
 ^hat these fees should for the future be publicly ascer- 
 tained.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. ISJ 
 
 tained, by authority of tlio Council, for tlie benefit of all 
 concerned : Therolbre the Council do tax and settle the 
 game as follows, riz. 
 
 Fees payable to the Jailor. 
 The incarceiator of any debitor for any sum of money 
 shall pay at iucarceration one halfpenny sterling for each 
 pound Scots, and another halfpenny sterling of eacli 
 pound Scots, to be paitl by the debitor at his liberation ; 
 and this in place of one penny sterling of each pound 
 Scots in use to be paid by creditors at incarceration, and 
 of the like sum of oiie penny sterling of each pound Scots, 
 usually paid by the debitor at liberation, as relief money. 
 
 Scots. 
 I. s. d. 
 Item, Each person imprisoned for a civil debt, 
 
 or otherwise, not being a burgess, shall pay 
 
 to the jailor of house dues each night attour 
 
 what is above -r - - 6 8 
 
 Item, Each burgess imprisoned for a civil debt, 
 or otherwise, shall pay also to the jailor of 
 house dues each night attour what is above 3 4 
 
 Item, The incarcerator of any person or per- 
 sons by the Lords' Letters of Laburrovvs shall 
 piay at incarceration - - 3 
 
 Item, the incarcerator of any person or per- 
 sons on Laburrows by a magistrate, sheriif, 
 or justice of peace, shall pay at incarcera- 
 tion - - - - 1 10 
 
 Item, The incarcerator of g,ny person for exhi- 
 bition of papers, or for implementing of 
 writs (captions of reproduction of processes 
 before the inferior courts excepted) shall pay 
 at incarceration - « - 1 10 
 
 The
 
 186 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 The Council ordains and declares ^vl]en any frentleman 
 or other person shall be incarcerate in the Tolbooth, and 
 shall desire to have a room in the prison, by him or her- 
 self, such persons shall be liable for the conveniency of 
 such room, to pay to the jailor ten shillings sterling weekly, 
 in place of prison fees, or such as they and the jailor shall 
 agree, but not to exceed ten shillings. 
 
 That all prisoners shall be liable to pay the under- 
 keepers, and the woman who cleans the house, as prisoners 
 were in use to do before the Act of Council the 17th day 
 of July 1728 : But if any dispute shall arise thereanent, 
 the magistrates, for the time being, shall have the full 
 power of determining the same. 
 
 Fees payable to the Clerk of the Tolbootk. 
 
 Scots. 
 I. s. d. 
 Impriynis, Each person incarcerate upon any 
 
 Laburrows, shall at his liberation pay - 12 
 
 Item, Each person incarcerate by warrant 
 from the magistrate, shall at his liberation 
 pay - - - - O e 
 
 Item, Each person incarcerate by warrant 
 from sheriff or justice of the peace, shall at 
 liberation pay - - - 12 
 
 Item, All government prisoners shall pay each 
 
 at liberation - - - 2 
 
 Item, For each petition by a prisoner for the 
 benefit of the act of grace, and for the clerk's 
 declaration thereto subjoined, shall be paid 6 
 
 Item, For the borrowing or delivering up of 
 any diligence by which prisoners are incar- 
 cerate (all magistrates' warrants at or within 
 ten mercks excepted) shall be paid - 4 
 
 Item,
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. I87 
 
 Scots. 
 L s. d. 
 Item, All persons incarcerated or arrested for 
 
 a sum or sums at or below 120/. Scots, shall 
 
 pay to the clerk at liberation four pennies 
 
 for each pound Scots ; and for sums above 
 
 120/. Scots, sliall pay at hberation to the 
 
 clerk two pounds Scots, and no more. 
 
 Item, All persons incarcerate for exhibition 
 of papers, or for implementing of writs (cap- 
 tions for reproduction of processes before 
 the inferior courts excepted) shall pay to the 
 clerk at liberation - - - 1 10 
 
 Item, All creditors or incarcerators of persons 
 for civil debt, or otherwise, shall be free of 
 all fees to the clerk at incarceration. 
 
 And the Council statutes and declares, that if any fees 
 shall be demanded or exacted in time coming, by the 
 jailor or clerk of their Tolbooth, other than thci>e above 
 set down, they shall incur the deprivation of their re- 
 spective offices ; and ordains these presents to be printed 
 and published, that none may pretend ignorance. 
 
 And the Council hereby ordains James 6Ye/(/«£^, principal 
 jailor, and his successors in office, to affix a copy hereof 
 in the Tolbooth-hall^ and in his own office, under the pe- 
 nalty of 5/. Scots, toties quoties. 
 
 Extracted (Signed) John Dundas. 
 
 Edinburgh, the Sixth Day of July, Seventeen Hundred 
 and Seventy-nine Years. These do certify, by me William 
 Gilles, clerk to the Tolbooth of Edinburgh, that the above 
 is a true and exact copy of the Act of Council of the city 
 of Edinburgh, by which the keeper of the said Tolbooth 
 and me as clerk thereof are governed. 
 
 William Gilles:'
 
 188 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 EDINBURGH, Canongate Tolbooth. 
 
 Gaoler, JVilllam Pursell. Salary, none. 
 
 Fees. See Table. Licence, Porter and Beer. 
 Garnish, none allowed. 
 
 Chaplain. None. 
 
 Surgeon, when one is wanted application is made 
 to the Deacon of the Surgeons' Company. 
 
 Number of Debtors, Sept. 12th, l802, - 8 
 
 Allowance. According to the discretion of the 
 Magistrates. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol, like the other Tolbooth, is ill situated, 
 and has no court-yard. Here are six rooms for 
 Debtors and Criminals, one of which is called the 
 Iron-room : they have glazed windows and fire- 
 places, but no >coals are allowed to any part of the 
 prison, except the common-hall, or day-room ; 
 where prisoners and towns-people associate together, 
 and by their drinking compensate the Gaoler for the 
 want of a salary. No bedsteads or bedding fur- 
 nished ; every prisoner must bring his own. Prison 
 very dirty. 
 
 TABLE
 
 IS ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 18j) 
 
 TABLE OF FEES. 
 
 ACT OF COUNCIL, anent the Fees and Regulations 
 of the Canongate Prison. 
 
 At Canongate, the Seventeenth day of June, in the 
 Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-five. 
 
 The which day Wilham Coulter, Esq. Baron BaiHc, 
 Messrs. Daniel Miller, and Bohert Scot, resident Bailies, 
 and William Murray, Treasurer of Canongate, sitting in 
 Council ; having taken into their consideration the many 
 complaints and disputes anent the Prison-Fees of Canon- 
 gate, owing to there being no public authorized copy of 
 these Fees in use : And considering that the Right Ho- 
 nourable the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Town Coun- 
 cil of Edinburgh, as proprietors of the said prison, by 
 their Act of Council, dated the 4th November, 1789, 
 •' authorized the jailor of Canongate to exact the same 
 <' Fees as are exacted by the keeper of the Edinburgh 
 *' prison, and contained in an Act of Council, dated the 
 •' nth July, 1728 :" Therefore the said Baron, resident 
 Bailies, and Treasurer, hereby statute and ordain the Fees 
 mentioned in the said Act of Council, of date the 17th 
 July, 1728, and no other, to be exacted by the keeper of 
 the Tolbooth of Canongate ; and which are as follows, viz. 
 
 Fees payable to the Jailor, of Cakongate. 
 
 The Incarcerator of each Debtor shall pay at 
 incarceration to the Jailor two and one half 
 per cent, of the sum for which the prisoner 
 shall be booked. 
 
 Item,
 
 igO ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 Scots. 
 I. i; d. 
 Item, The incarcerator of any person or per- 
 sons by the Lords' Letters of Lawborrows, 
 shall pay at incarceration, - - 3 
 
 Item, The incarcerator of any person or per- 
 sons, upon Lawborrows by a JS'agistrate, 
 Sheriff, or Justice of the Peace, shall pay at 
 incarceration, - - - 1 10 
 
 Item, The incarcerator of any person for ex- 
 liibition of papers, or for implementing of 
 writs (captions for reproduction of processes 
 before the inferior courts excepted) shall 
 pay at incarceration, - - - 1 10 
 
 Each person imprisoned for a civil debt, or 
 otherwise, not being a Burgess, shall pay to 
 tlic Jailor of House Dues each night, - 6 8 
 Item, Each Burgess of Canongate or Edin- 
 burgh, imprisoned for a civil debt, or other- 
 wise, shall pay to the Jailor of House Dues 
 each night, - - - 3 4- 
 
 Item, Each Prisoner for Civil Debt shall pay 
 at liberation, over and above the foresaid 
 House-dues, two and one half per cent, of 
 t},e sum for which he or she hath been booked, 
 as relief-money, unless liberated by Decreet 
 of the Act of Grace, or Cessi'o Bonorum. 
 Creditors consigning Aliment-money for Pri- 
 soners, shall pay to the Jailor five per cent, 
 on the same. 
 All Deserters shall be free of Prison-dues to the 
 Jailor, in terms of the Act of Parliament, 
 called the Mutiny Act, Sect. 5\. 
 
 Any
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 1<)1 
 
 Afty Prisoner, chusing a room for more conve- 
 niency (if such can be spared at the time), 
 shall pay for tlie same, in place of Prison- 
 fees, according to agreement with the Jailor, 
 not exceeding ten shillings sterling /)er week. 
 
 Kegulations for the Jailor. 
 
 The said Tolbooth to be keeped clean, and opened at 
 nine in the morning, and shut at ten at niglit ; and fur- 
 nished with sufficiency of water. 
 
 All malt liquors sold by the Jailor shall be good of the 
 kind, and of no higher price than what is 'commonly 
 charged for the same in taverns. And he is hereby pro- 
 hibited from exacting, or allowing to be exacted, what is 
 called Garnish-money from prisoners. 
 
 The Jailor, by Act of Parliament, 24th Geo. IL 
 Cap. 40, is prohibited from selling Spirituous Liquors, 
 under the penalty of one hundred pounds sterling : and 
 also from allowing spirits to be brought into the prison, 
 except by way of medicine, ordered by a physician or 
 surgeon, and allowed by a magistrate. 
 
 Fees payable to the Clerk for keeping the Prison 
 Records. 
 
 The names and designations of all prisoners, with the 
 diligences or warrants on which they are imprisoned, 
 together with the acts and warrants of liberation, shall 
 be regularly entered into a book, to be kept by the 
 Clerk, or Assistant Clerk of Court, and reported to the 
 Sitting Magistrate each Court-day, and for whicij 
 there shall be paid the Fees mentioned in the Clerk of 
 Court's Table of Fees, viz. 
 
 Sterling.
 
 152 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 Sterling'* 
 I. s. rf. 
 
 The incarcerator of each person shall pay at 
 incarceration lor booking the diligence, &c. 
 along with the Jailor's Fees, - - 1 
 
 Each prisoner for a civil debt, or otherwise, 
 shall pay at liberation, for entering the order 
 or warrant of liberation, &c, - -010 
 
 For each certificate of imprisonment, to be 
 sio-ned by the Jailor, or Clerk, in applications 
 for the Act of Grace, &c. - -^ 1 
 
 For each certificate, attested by the Magis- 
 trates, in processes of Cessio Bonorum, and 
 for writing the same, - - 2 6 
 
 For Borrowings, and inspection of the War- 
 rants of Record, - - - 6 
 
 Ordaik this Act of Council to be extracted ; and a 
 printed copy thereof to be affixed on the wall of every 
 room in the prison, for the inspection of all concerned ; 
 and the Jailor and Clerk to regulate themselves thereby, 
 under the penalty of ten pounds Scots, toties quoties, 
 payable to the Charity Work-house of Canongate. All 
 disputes, relative to the premises, to be determined by 
 the Magistrates for the time being. 
 
 Extracted by 
 
 JAMES TAIT."
 
 In ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. I93 
 
 EDINBURGH. 
 
 HoLYRooD House, 
 Of ivhich Ills Grace the Duke of Hamilton is 
 Ilercditivy Keeper. 
 Wai*den, iniliani Petrlc : To whom half a merk 
 (sixpence three fartliings a day) is paid 
 by each debtor. 
 
 There were no prisoners at my visit j l6th Sept. 
 
 1802* 
 Allowance. Tliey are alimented as in the Tol-* 
 
 booth. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This aritient Royal Palace, once an Abbey, con- 
 tains in it both a Prison, and an Asylum. 
 
 One room above-stairs, with a fire-place in it, 
 arid a window looking into the court-yard, is set 
 apart for confiaing those who contract debts within 
 the Abbey. 
 
 It has also the privilege of exempting from ar- 
 rest all who flee hither for protection, from any 
 part of the kingdom, on first applying to the Re- 
 corder, and paying fifteen shillings each for the 
 registry of their names. 
 
 The boundaries of security, or Verge, are, ori 
 the Park side, of considerable extent. But who- 
 ever, thus privileged, originates a debt here, may 
 be arrested for the same, and confined in the prison, 
 
 as above. 
 
 N
 
 194 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 ELY GAOL. 
 
 Gaoler, Beujamin Barlcw ; Sheriffs Officer. 
 Salary, 40/. and \l. \s. a year to furnish straw; 
 Fees, Debtors, l6s. Sd. No Table. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Charles Mules. 
 Salary, 20L Duty, once a week. 
 
 Surt^eon, Mr. Muriel; who makes a bill. 
 
 ^1801, Aug. 20th, - 1 
 
 Number of Debtors, J 1802, Aug. 8th, - 2 
 
 L18O5, Aug. 25th, - O 
 
 Allowance. To Debtors who are very poor, a loaf 
 of wheat bread, weight 2k lbs. every day. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol is the property of the Bishop, who is 
 Lord of the Franchise of the Isle of Ely : It was, 
 in part, rebuilt by Bishop Mawson, in 1768, upon 
 complaint of the cruel method which, for want of 
 a safe gaol, the Keeper took to secure his prisoners. 
 " This" Mr. Howard informs us, '^ was done hi/ 
 chaining them down on their hacks upon a floor y 
 across lohich were twenty-six-iron-harSf with an iron 
 collar with spikes about their necks^ and a Jieavy 
 iron bar across their legSi 
 
 This prison is much improved since my visit in 
 l802. Too much praise cannot be. given to the 
 
 visiting
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALE3. I95 
 
 visiting Magistrates, for causing all unnecessary se- 
 verity to be discontinued ; for its better ventilation, 
 county-clothing, and bath ; for the regular entry of 
 their visits in a book ; and for the great cleanliness 
 and good order in which every part is kept. Tor 
 Debtors there are three good-sized rooms up-stairs ; 
 and another, called, the Nursery room, set apart 
 for the sick, with a fire-place in it. One iron bed- 
 stead (made a present of to the Gaol by the Bishop's 
 Lady), and one wooden bedstead for the Nursery. 
 The Keeper furnishes beds at 1^. 1*. 6d. and 2s. per 
 week, accordingto the circumstances of the prisoner. 
 The windows are glazed, and have sloping boards, 
 to jirevent prisoners' looking to the street. Only 
 one court, about 15 yards by 13 ; it is well supplied 
 with water. If a Debtor behaves well, he is in- 
 dulged with the liberty of the Keeper's garden ; and 
 the two debtors were walking in it when I came 
 there. Every Sunday a begging-box is carried about 
 the two parishes. Trinity and St. Mary, for all the 
 prisoners ; and the collection, when 1 v/as there, 
 amounted to ^d. each. Debtors from the Court of 
 Requests are sent here ; and the costs 6s. id. to re- 
 cover a debt of ten shiHtnfrs. No Chapel : divine 
 service is performed in the Keeper's house. 
 
 N 2
 
 196 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 EXETER Cihj and Country Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, Richard Tarbarf. Salary, 30/. 10^. 
 Fees, Debtors, l6'.y. 8r/. No Table. 
 
 Under Sheriff's liberate 3s. 
 Garnish, Debtors, 2s. 
 
 Chaplain. None. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. IFalJter ; fur Felons only. 
 Salary, none ; makes a bill. 
 
 ^1802, Feb. 1st, - ^ 
 Number of Debtors, J 1803, Oct. 6'th, - 3 
 
 I I8O6', Sept. 26'th, - 4 
 
 Allowance. See Remarks. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Prison is in the South Gate, from tvhich it 
 takes its name ; and has, in the Keeper's house, two 
 rooms (the Long Room and Shoe). A shoe was for- 
 merly suspended by a string from the iron-grated 
 window towards the street, for passengers to put 
 money in ; but is now discontinued, by order of the 
 magistrates. The room called the Shoe is for debt- 
 ors who bring their own beds, and pay €d. a week. 
 The Long Room is for debtors to walk in, there- 
 being no court-yard. There are also nine rooms, to 
 which the Gaoler furnishes beds and bedding, from 
 3a\ to 105, 6d. per week, according to the prisoner'* 
 
 civcum-
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 1^7 
 
 circumstances. Here are sent G'O fcnmj loaves 
 (weight Cth October, iSo.S, 9| oz. each) every week 
 to the debtors : if only one, he has the whole batch ; 
 if more, they are equally divided amongst them. 
 From what legacies they come is not known in the 
 Gaol ; but the Keeper gave me the following ac- 
 count. '' jNIr. and Mrs. Seldon's legacy, 2s. <jd. 
 Mrs. Pengelly, is. Mrs. Reed, Gd. and the Chamber 
 of Exeter, Is. Total, •>••" Besides this weekly 
 allowance, the Tailors' Company give \s. 4(1. on 
 Easter Eve ; and at the same time debtors receive 
 from the Chamber ^G penny loaves, and the like 
 number at Christmas. There are two painted 
 boards, which contain memorials of sumhy bequests : 
 they ai;e not dated ; one of them seems very antient. 
 
 Legacies. 
 " A Memorial of certayne Guyftes, to the yecrlie 
 " value of Twenty Poundes, geeven by Launmce 
 " Seldon and EUzubefh his wife, to be distributed 
 " by the Maior and Baylifles of the Citieof Exofi 
 " for ever : as followetli : /. ^» d. 
 
 " In bread, weeklie, to the Poore 
 " Prisoners in the Kinge's Gaol 
 *^ near the castell of Exon, - a 6\' 
 3i\ (^^^ P^^^^ these many years)., 
 
 *' Prisoners in the Sherive's warde,. 
 *^ gaole, and county of the cittie 
 «^ of Exon, ~ - - 2 $r 
 
 Th«
 
 1<)8 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 The other Memorial, on the second board, is as 
 follows : 
 '* Exon^ l " Mrs. Hester Reed gave six- 
 South Gate. J pence a week for ever to tliis pri- 
 son ; to be paid out of a tenement called f-^en, in the 
 parish of Cullumton^ and laid out in middling wheat 
 bread, and distributed always to the prisoners in the 
 Shewr 
 
 The following memorial is framed and hung up : 
 
 " Francis Peugelli/, of this city, apothecary, by 
 deed, dated the 1st of January, 1/00, gave two 
 pounds twelve shillings a year, to be laid out in 
 bread, for the use of the debtors in this prison for 
 ever ; issuing out of his estate called the Dolphin 
 Inn, and premises adjoining, situate in the parish 
 of St. Mary Major, in the said city." 
 
 This estate was sold in I8O5, and 1095^- I9s. 6d. 
 3 pe^- Cent. Consolidated Annuities purchased with 
 the produce, in the names of fK B. Kennawayy 
 Thomas Smith, A. Tozer, and G. Gijford. Debtors 
 likewise receive ten shillings yearly from the Cham- 
 ber of Exeter, on the Monday fortnight following 
 St. Michael's day. Ten Shillings a year from the 
 Church, at the disposal of the Keeper; and six- 
 pence a year from the Lay- Vicars of the Church the 
 day their Court is held at JVoodherrjj. 
 
 There is no memorial in the prisons at Exeter of 
 the following donations, mentioned in Richard 
 
 Jzackes
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. I99 
 
 IzacJies Alphabetical Repster, he. printed in I'J'^fi, 
 Such valuable registers of persons' last wills, grants, 
 &c. in other cities, would prevent the misapplica- 
 tion of many charities. 
 
 Reynold Ilayne, in 1354, bequeathed all his 
 hinds and tenements, lying in the suburbs of the 
 said city, to the Cathedral Church of St. Peter there, 
 for the relief of those imprisoned in the conmioa 
 gaol. This legacy appears to be lost. 
 
 Pfllliam Paramore, by will, 22d February, 15;^0, 
 bequeathed to the needy prisoners of the King's 
 Gaol in Exeter, in the South Gate there, and in 
 the Counters, to every of them, ten shillings for 
 ever, yearly, to be paid out of his lands in the Cook 
 Row, in Exeter. 
 
 This is regularly paid to the prisoners in the 
 South Gate. 
 
 Thomas Bridge/nan, by will, ^d April, 164I, 
 gave to the said city the sum of sixty pounds, to be 
 continued as a jjerpetual stock ; whereof the interest 
 of forty pounds to be bestowed upon the prisoners 
 in the upper prison ; and the interest of the other 
 twenty pounds to be bestowed upon the prisoners in 
 the lower prison ; and this likewise to continue for 
 ever. This legacy appears to be lost, 
 
 Edward Voimg, D. D. Gth June, 1663, by will, 
 gave twenty shillings a year to the prisoners oi the 
 Castle, to be distributed, by the Dean of Exeter lor 
 the time being, on the 29th of May.
 
 500 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 EXETER. 
 
 Sheriff's IVard, St. Thomas s. 
 The County Prison for Debtors. 
 
 Gaoler, Richard Rice. 
 
 Salary, 25/. Fees, as per Table. 
 Garnish. Prohibited by the Rules, but gene- 
 rally exacted by the prisoners. 
 
 Chaplain. None, nor apy religious attentioii 
 whatever ! 
 
 Surgeon. None \ 
 
 Number cf Debtors, 
 
 i8o0, April 1st, - 33 
 1802, Jan. 20th, - 45 
 
 1803, Oct. Gth, - 32 
 1806, Sept. 13th,- 19 
 
 Allowance. None at my first visits ; but now, in 
 cases of extreme poverty, upon appHcation 
 to the Magistrates, two shillings per week, 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The Sheriff's Ward, or Prison, is in the parish 
 of St. Thomas the Apostle. The boundary-wall is 
 of mud, with a thatch coping, except a small 
 part of brick, which fronts the street. It encloses 
 about an acre of ground, and from the Turnkey's 
 
 Lodge
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 201 
 
 Lodge to the Prison is a walk of 6o yards, sliaded 
 hy a double row of large elms, and well suj)plied 
 with water. At the left entrance of the prison is a 
 room 19 feet by l8, which still retains the name of 
 Church : the reading-desk remains, and on the 
 wnlls are portions of scripture ; but it is now the 
 common day-room. On the right of the passage 
 is a room called the Pin-hole, with a fire-place and 
 glazed window, where debtors dress their provi- 
 sions; and adjoining to it is the Strong Room, which 
 lias a fire-place and small glazed window, a barrack 
 bedstead, but no bedding, not even straw, to sleep 
 upon : this is the only free ward in the prison. 
 For Master's-side Debtors there are seven roouis, 
 with beds and bedding furnished by the Keeper, for 
 which they pay as per following Table : one of the 
 rooms has seven beds, and two slept in each bed. 
 Common-side debtors have six rooms, and each pays 
 6d. a week ; but neither bedding, nor straw. T\\o 
 were sick in bed ; another had the jaundice, and a 
 fourth was in the last stage of a consumption, at my 
 visit in I8O3, wlthoid am/ medical assista}ice. 
 The building is very old, the rooms dirty, and 
 swarming with bugs. It is fortunate, in so crowded 
 a prison, that the court is spacious and airy. Here 
 are Rules and Orders, signed by the Under-Sheriif 
 only, and no attention is paid to them. There are 
 constant broils between the keeper and his prisoners ; 
 
 and
 
 202 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 and it is difficult to determine where the fault most 
 lies. The Gaoler says, wo magistrate ever comes 
 there, without being sent for ; and any one visiting 
 this prison must see the necessity of Rules and 
 Orders for Prisoners and Keepers being fixed by the 
 Legislature. The Gaoler adds, that his salary is so 
 small, his whole dependence is on the hire of his 
 beds and prison-fees. It is difficult to conceive the 
 extreme wretchedness and misery this Gaol exhibits, 
 the debtors, for the most part, being mechanicks 
 and labourers. No employment, nor rooms to work 
 in, if it were procured. One prisoner (Anne Fisher, 
 committed for contempt, 13th Nov. 179 1) I saw 
 here in I8O3 : but at my last visit she was discharged. 
 
 Table of Fees, for the SherifTs Ward, 
 
 Settled and established at the General Quarter 
 
 Sessions of the Peace, held 14th April, ISOl. 
 
 £. s, ft 
 " For the Commitment Fees of every 
 Prisoner for debt, damages, and con- 
 tempt, though it be for several actions 
 or processes only — - 13 4 
 
 *' For every liberate - - 2 
 
 *' For the Turnkey - -010 
 
 " For the use of a bed in a single room 
 
 for one person per week - 3 
 
 *' For
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES, ^0'' 
 
 " For the use of a bed in a room wherein 
 are two, or beds and two lodge in 
 each bed, then for each prisoner - 1 2 
 
 "For the use of a bed in a room wherein 
 are two or more beds, and one only in 
 each bed - - - 2 -C 
 
 " For the use of the Common Room, 
 if the Keeper finds bedding, each 
 person ^er week - - 10 
 
 " If the prisoner finds bedding - O 6 
 
 "^ Devon. Easter Sessions, 1801. We allow and ap- 
 prove of the above Table of Fees to be taken at 
 the Sheriffs Ward of the said County. 
 
 J. B. CiiOLwiCK, Chairman, 
 
 W. F. Hall. 
 
 J. Newcombe." 
 
 Lammas Assizes, 1801. 
 
 *' We do allow and confirm the above Table of Fees, 
 
 S. Le Blanc. 
 Rob. Graham* 
 
 FISHERTON ANGER GAOL. 
 See SALLSBURY,
 
 ^04 ACCOUNT or PRISONS FOR DEKTOK& 
 
 FLEET PRISON ; London. 
 
 Warden, John Eyles, Esq. 
 Deputy Warden, and Clerk of the Papers, 
 Mr. Nicholas Nixon. 
 
 Commitment Fees, \l. 6s. 8d. to the Warden, 
 and - - 2s. - to the Turnkey. 
 Discharge Fees, - 7*. 4d. to the Warden, 
 and - ' 2s. 6d. to the Clerk of 
 the Papers for every discharge of every action. 
 Licence : Beer and Wine to Robert Richards j 
 
 who is Tapster to the Warden. 
 Garnish, abohshed. 
 
 Chaplain, Kev. John Manleij f Food, M.A. 
 
 Duty. Sunday, Prayers and Sermon ; and on 
 Good Friday and Christmas-day the Sacra- 
 ment is administered. 
 
 Salary, 30/. paid by the Warden. 
 
 Surgeon . None. No medical assistance in cas^ 
 of sickness. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 1802, Jan. 11th, in the Prison, - - 230 
 In the Rules, - - 75 
 
 Total, 305 
 1803^
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 20' 
 
 803, Dec. 10th, in tlie Prison, 
 
 - 229 
 
 In the Rules, 
 
 - - 6'7 
 
 
 Total, 296 
 
 Tlie average number within the walls - 230 
 
 III the Rules, - 70 
 
 Allowance. See Remarks. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The Fleet became a Prison for Debtors, and for 
 persons charged with contempt of the Courts of 
 Chancer}^, Exchequer, and Common Pleas, in the 
 16th of Charles I. after the abolition of the Star 
 Chamber. 
 
 In 1728, many abuses practised by the Warden 
 were the subject of Parliamentary inquiry; and Mr. 
 Oglethorpe, from the Committee appointed to 
 enquire into the state of the Gaols, made several re- 
 ports of many grievous abuses practised in the Fleet, 
 Marshalsea, and King's-Bench ; in consequence of 
 which many useful regulations were enacted. 
 
 In the front is a narrow court-yard. At each 
 end of the building is a small projection, or wing. 
 There are four floors, called Galleries ; besides the 
 cellar-floor, called Barthohmeiv Fair. Each gallery- 
 consists of a passage in the middle, the whole length 
 <5f the prison, sixty-six yards ; and of rooms on each 
 
 side
 
 206 ACCOUNT OF PRISON'S FOR DEBTORS 
 
 side of it, about fourteen feet and a half by twelve 
 and a half, and nine feet and a half high. A chim- 
 ney and window in every room, except three, called 
 Slip Rooms, and without a chimney. The passages 
 are narrow (not seven feet wide) and dark, having 
 only one window at each end. 
 
 On the first floor, the hall-gallery, to which you 
 ascend by eight steps, are a tap-room, a room called 
 the Cellar-head, another for one of the turnkeys, 
 and nineteen rooms for the prisoners ; at the North 
 end of which is the Chapel. 
 
 The Cellar Jioor is sixteen steps below the hall- 
 gallery. It consists of the public kitchen, four large 
 beer and wine-cellars, sixteen rooms for prisoners, 
 ^nd one for another of the turnkeys. 
 
 When I was there (22d March, I807) I was sur- 
 prized to find only eleven debtors attended divine 
 service ! the excuse being, that the chapel was cold 
 and damp. A fire-place in it, and coals allowed, 
 would be a very great improvement ; and I have no 
 doubt the chapel would be then well filled to hear 
 the excellent preacher. 
 
 In the Coffee-room gallery (the next above the 
 hall), are the Coflfee-room, made out of two, the 
 Strong-room, for refractory prisoners, and twenty- 
 two more for those of other descriptions. 
 
 In the third gallery j above the coffee-room, are 
 
 twenty-
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 20/ 
 
 twenty-six others, and a room at the North end. 
 Over the chapel is an Infirmary. 
 
 In the top gallery are twenty-seven rooms ; 
 some of which, being over the chapel, are larger 
 than the rest. 
 
 All the rooms I have here mentioned are for 
 Master-side Debtors, at the weekly rent of 1a-. 2>d, 
 unfurnished. 
 
 They fall to the prisoners in succession, (except 
 those called Bartholomew-fair, which are in theentire 
 disposal of the Warden) that is, when a room become* 
 vacant, the first prisoner upon the lift of such as have 
 paid their commitment-fees succeeds to it. When 
 the prison was built, the Warden gave each prisoner 
 |iis choice of a room, according to his seniority. 
 
 If all the rooms be occupied, a new-comer, upon 
 the payment of his commitment-fees, is chummd 
 (as they term it) on the next room in rotation^ 
 beginning at No. 1 in the hall-gallery. 
 
 The apartments for Common-side Debtors ar^ 
 only part of the right-wing of the prison. Besides 
 the cellar (which was intended for the kitchen, but 
 is now occupied with lumber, and shut up), ther^ 
 are four floors. On each floor is a room near twenty- 
 five feet square, with a fire-place ; and on the sides 
 seven closets, or cabins, to sleep in. 
 
 Such of the prisoners as swear in court, or before 
 9i Commissioner, that they are not worth five 
 
 pounds,
 
 i08 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTOR?^ 
 
 jTOunds, and cannot subsist without charity, j)artakff 
 of the casual donations which are sent to tlie prison 
 and the begging-grate. Of this description there are 
 generally about eight or ten prisoners. In the report 
 of the Committee of the House of Commons, 17 28, 
 there is a table of some charities; and it was ordered, 
 by the Judges Eyre, Price, Page, and Denton, 
 "That a Table of Gifts and BsauESTs made for 
 the Prisoners in the Fleet, expressing the particular 
 purposes for which they were given, should be 
 prepared by the Warden, and hung up in the halL 
 of the said prison." (See Table of Fees, Trin. Term^ 
 1727, in the Report of the Gaol Committee, p. iG.) 
 It is hung up in the hegghig-grafe room instead of 
 the hall, that being the proper place. 
 
 Here is plenty of water, both from the river and 
 pumps, and a spacious yard behind the prison, where 
 the prisoners play at skittles, fives, tennis, &c. ; and 
 not only the prisoners, but strangers, who are admitted' 
 here as at any other public place of amusement ! 
 
 On Monday and Thursday nights here is a Wins 
 and Beer Club, vyhich sometimes is kept up even till 
 two or three o'clock in the morning: ! Those strangers 
 who frequent these gross compotatjons *' must de- 
 part at eleven, or remain all night." g3=» Surely 
 this Jrequenting of a Gaolj must lessen the salutary 
 dread of being confined in one ! 
 
 Seeing the place always crowded with ivomen 
 and children, I procured an accurate list of them^ 
 
 and
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 209 
 
 find found that in February, 1801, there were 230 
 prisoners. Their wives (including women of an ap- 
 pellation not so honourable) and children were about 
 200 ; and, on the 10th December, I803, the num- 
 ber of prisoners 229, their wives, &c. 148, and 
 children, 391. In all 768 men, v/omen, and chil- 
 dren, living in the prison. One poor man had his 
 wife and five children with him there. On every visit 
 to this prison I found the staircases and lobbies 
 very dirty ; and that every one preserved that de- 
 gree of cleanliness in his own room which satisfied 
 himself. 
 
 There is a Table of Fees to be taken by the Clerk 
 of the Papers and Clerk of Enquiries, in the ofiicc^ 
 but not hung up in the prison. It is as follows : 
 
 *^ Table of Fees to be taken by the Clerk of the 
 Papers and Clerk of Enquiries of the Fleet 
 Prison, pursuant to the Resolution of the Ho- 
 nourable Court of Common Pleas, in the Easter 
 and Trinity Terms, 13 George 1. I'^r* 
 
 Resolution^ 
 
 £. s. d. 
 That there is due, and ought to be paid, to the 
 Clerk of the Papers, for every discharge of 
 every action, - - - - --026 
 
 And for the copy of every cause, not exceeding 
 
 three, - - - - - --01Q 
 
 O Aad
 
 210 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 £. s. d. 
 And for each and every cause, exceeding three 
 causes, besides the one shilling a])iece for 
 each of tlie said first three causes, - -004' 
 [* Tliat there is due, and ought to l>e 
 paid, to the Clerk of the Papers, for 
 liis certificate of the prisoner's dis- 
 charge, delivered to the prisoner him- 
 self, without any regard to the number 
 of causes he stood charged with, - - 2 6' 
 And for his certificate to the Warden of 
 
 such discharge, - - - -02^ 
 
 That there is due, and ought to be paid, 
 to the Clerk of the Enquiries, on the 
 discharge of a prisoner by the creditor, 
 and not by supersedeas, - - - 2 6j 
 That there is a fee of 5s. ^d. due to the Clerk 
 of the Papers, for the allowance of every 
 Writ of Habeas Corpus ; and 4?. for the re- 
 turn of the first cause, and 2^. for every 
 other cause, and no more." 
 
 The Warden's and bis officers' duty are in the 
 Rules and Orders of Hilary Uenn, ^ George II. 
 1729. They consist of 29 article?, signed 11. Eyre, 
 Robert Prlee, Alej:amler Denton, J. Fortescue ; and 
 are hung up in the Cofttn^-rooni and Tap-room. 
 
 The Clauses against Spirits are hung up on the 
 large door entering into tlie prisonv 
 
 * None of these three Fees are taken ; the Clerk of tlie Paper* 
 thinkhig them unieasonuble and unnecessarjr. The rest in this 
 Table are taken. 
 
 The
 
 iN ENGLAND, SCOTLANDj AND WALES. JH 
 
 The following Table of Fees is correct, and liun«r 
 Up in the prison. 
 
 *' A Table of Fees, to be taken by the \yarderi of 
 the Prison of the Fleet, for any prisoner or pri- 
 soners' commitment, or coming into Gaol, or 
 Chamber-rent therC) or discharge from thence, 
 in any Civil Action ; settled &f\d established the 
 1,9th day of Jannary, in the third jear of the 
 reign of his Majesty King George the Second, 
 A. D. 1729, pursuant to an Act lately made, in- 
 tituled, " An Act for the Relief of Debtors, in 
 tespect to the Imprisonment of their Persons." 
 
 Every prisoner charged with one or more ac- 
 tions, who, al his own desire, shall go on tlie 
 Master's Side, to pay to the Warden, for 
 a commitment-fee, - - ---ICS 
 
 Every prisoner charged with one or more 
 actiotis, who shall go on the Common Side, 
 not being entitled to partake of the poor's 
 box, to pay - - - - '•-0134. 
 
 Every person entitled to partake of the poor's box 
 l*]very prisoner to pay for his discharge - - T -l- 
 Every such prisoner on the Master's Side, wlio, 
 at his own desire, shall have a bed to him- 
 self, to pay for chamber-room, use of bed, 
 bedding, and sheets, to the Warden, per 
 week, - - - - - - -026 
 
 If two in a bed, 'and no more, for chamber- 
 room, use of bed, bedding, slieets, each to 
 pay to the Warden per week, - - 13 
 
 « 2 If
 
 212 ACCOUNT OF PRISQKS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 £ s. d. 
 If the prisoner tiiuls his own bed, bedding, 
 and sheets (which the Warden is in no sort 
 to hinder liim of), tlien he shall pay for 
 chamber-room to the Warden /Jf?' week, - 1 3 
 If there be two prisoners in one bed, finding 
 their own bed, bedding, and sheets, then 
 each of them to pay to the Warden /JtT 
 
 week, - - 11 
 
 Every prisoner not being entitled to partake of 
 the poors box, to pay to the porter and 
 gaoler, now called Tm-nkeys, on his com- 
 mitment, - - - - - -020 
 
 Every prisoner, on a commitment upon a sur- 
 render at a Judge's chaipber, to pay to the 
 Tipstaff - - - - - - - 6 8 
 
 Every prisoner, on a commitment upon a 
 Habeas Corpus at a Judge's chamber, to pay 
 to the Tipstaff - - - - - 042 
 
 Every prisoner on a commitment in court to 
 
 pay to the Tipstaff - - - - 7 6 
 
 No other Fees for any prisoner, for the use of 
 chamber, bed, bedding, or sheets, or upon com- 
 mitment or discharge of any prisoner in any civil 
 action ; nor any commitment-fee to be taken of any 
 prisoner intitled to partake of the poor's box ; nor 
 any chamber-rent to be taken of any prisoner on the 
 Common Side. R. Raymond. 
 
 R. Eyre. 
 Ed. Bellamy. * Tho, Pengelly.** 
 
 John Thompson. 
 PiOR. Alsop. 
 John Barnard, iLi^T
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND ^YALES. 21^ 
 
 A List of Donations paid to the Prisoners on th(> 
 Begging Grate of the Common Side of the Fleet 
 Prison. Copied from the board huug up. 
 
 ri^. s. d. 
 ^^ 1. From the Court of Chancery, IliJurv, Tri- 
 nity, and Michaehnas Terms, 5/. 5s. each 
 Term, - - - - - -15150 
 
 2. From the Court of Common Pleas, 3/. 
 
 every Term, - - - - 12 
 
 3. From the Court of Exchequer, 6^. Sd. 
 
 every Term, - - - - -16S 
 
 4. From the Company of Drapers, annually, 
 
 at Christmas, - - - - -1100 
 
 B. From the Company of Leathersellers, at 
 Lady-day, Midsummer, .ind Michaehnas 
 Quarters, 4^. each ; and at Christmas 6vf. ; 
 and Bread, 2s. 6d. each *, - - 18 
 
 6. From the Company of Merchant "^aylors 
 
 at Christmas, - - - - -1100 
 
 7. From the Company of Sadlers, 2^?. 6d. each 
 
 Quarter, - - - - - -0 10 
 
 8. FromtheAbp. of Canterbury, at Christmas 1 
 
 9. From St, Bartholomew's Hospital at ditto, 1 13 
 
 10. From St. Ethelburg's parish at ditto, - 9 
 
 11. From a person unknown, every Easter ^Mon- 
 
 day, from the Grange Inn, Carey-street f, 2 
 
 12. The Gift of Mr. Thomas Stretchly, every 
 
 three years, - - - - -200 
 
 13. Executors of Mrs. Misson, in lieu of forty- 
 
 eight stone of Meat, at 2s. 8d. per stone, 
 at Christmas :}:,--- - 4 6 1 
 
 14.-Wardenof the Fleet, at Christmas, - 1 1 o" 
 
 * 2s. 8d. is received in bread. 
 
 f This is paid in January. 
 
 + Mrs. Misson's legacy, by the copy of her will in my pos- 
 session, is the produce of 200/. India Annuities, now changed 
 lino 3 per Cent. Consols. Not regularly paid,
 
 214 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS I OR DEBTORS 
 
 FLINT ; North Wales. 
 
 Gaoler, Robert JFUliams. Salary 45^- 
 
 Fees ; ()S. besides which the Under-SherifT 
 
 demands 3.9. 6d. for his liber ate. 
 Garnish ; none. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. George Davies. 
 
 Duty, once in every month ! Salary, 20l. 
 
 Surgeon, INIr. Joseph Inglebi/. Salary, 30/. 
 
 Number of Debtors, ( ^^^^^ '^"^'"'^ 3d, - - ^ 
 
 t 1802, Oct. 23d, - - 3 
 
 Allowance. Four shillings jicr week ; out of 
 ^^ hich one shilling is paid for a bed. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol, built on a fine spot near the old castle, 
 is also the Bridewell. The Keeper's apartments are 
 in front. One court, about 15 yards square, with a 
 sewer and pump in it for debtors : those on the 
 Common Side have difree ward on the ground- floor, 
 about 24 feet by 15, which is also their day-room. 
 Master Side debtors have five spacious rooms, light 
 and airy, up-stairs ; there are fire-places in four of 
 them. A room set apart for the sick ; and two baths. 
 Rules and Orders, and Clauses against Spirituous 
 Liquors, hung up, but not the Act for Preservatiou 
 uf Health, The Prison clean.
 
 IN ENGLAND^ SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 21 f 
 
 GILTSPUR STllEET COMPTEK. 
 
 Gfloler, John Teaaue. 
 
 Salary, 150/. by the Court of Aldermen, and 
 30/. by the Common Council. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Edmands, 
 
 Duty, Prayers and Sermon on Sunday. 
 Salarj^, 50/. 
 
 ^Surgeon, ]Mr. Hodgson. 
 
 Salary, 80/. for the two Compters, and Ludgate. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1800, April 15th, - 28 
 
 1801, Sept. iGih, - 26 
 
 1802, Feb. 27th, - 30 
 
 1803, July 10th, - 54 
 
 1804, Aug. 31st, - 30 
 
 1805, April 13th, - 35 
 1 Soe, May 26'th, - 4 J 
 1807, Feb. iGth, - ^1 
 
 ' Anowance. (See Remarks.) 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The origin of tiiis p-ison is somewhat enveloped 
 in obscurity ; but, according to Stowe's Survey of 
 London, wherein the following record, made in the 
 reign of Edward the First, is recited, vh. " Rex vie, 
 ** London, salutem : ex graii quercdd B. capt. et 
 *' detent, in prisond nostrd de Cripksgate pro x/. 
 
 " ^uas
 
 2X6 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 '^ qiias coram Radulpho de Sandwico, tunc cusfod. 
 *' Civifatis mstrcc London, et I. de Bluchcell ckis 
 " recognit. debit. &:c." it appears that Cripplegate, 
 ^vhicli \\as one of the four original gates of this city, 
 was then a prison, as the Compter now is, for citi- 
 zens and others, for debt or trespass; and was rebuilt 
 in the year 1244, and again in 1491 ; and was last 
 repaired in the year l66^. In the mean time, and 
 in the 13th century, a prison was built for the re- 
 ception of night-walkers, and other suspicious per- 
 sons ; which, from its shape, was called the Tun, 
 and was situated upon Cornhill. Afterwards there 
 was a prison in Bread-street, pertaining to the She- 
 riffs, which was called the Compter ; and, in the 
 year 1518, seems to have been recognized by ^the 
 Act for establishing the Court of Conscience, which 
 empowered its Conmiissioners to commit to one of 
 the Compters, for debts not exceeding forty shillings; 
 but now, by subsequent acts, extended to five 
 pounds. In this Compter prisoners were rec-eived 
 until the year 1552; when, by reason of the keepers 
 misconduct, they were removed to a new Compter 
 in Wood-street, provided by the city, and built for 
 that purpose. This was burned in the general con- 
 flagration of l66'6, and being rebuilt more commo- 
 diously than before, continued to receive prisoners 
 until April 2d, 1791, when they were transferred 
 to the present Compter in Giltspur-street: 
 
 It
 
 IN ENGLAND^ SCOTLAND^ AND \VALE,S, SJI7 
 
 It appears necessary here to remark, that the 
 Sherifts of London have each a Court of Record, as 
 well as a Compter, where each Sheriff, in his resj)cc- 
 tive court, presides. These courts are now held at 
 Guildhall, every Wednesday and Friday, for actions, 
 &c. entered at this Compter ; and on every Thurs- 
 day and Saturday for actions entered at the Poultry, 
 excepting holidays, and a vacation in the month of 
 August ; and each Sheriff lias his office at his re- 
 spective Compter, where his clerk- sitter attends for 
 entering actions, &c. and also to discharge such 
 debtors as become entitled to their release. 
 
 This Compter is now appropriated for the recep- 
 tion of debtors ; of felons, and other offenders ; and 
 also of vagrants and night-charges (the watch-houses 
 in this city not being permitted to retain prisoners 
 there) : But the constable of the night must forth- 
 with commit them to the Compter in his district ; 
 from whence a list of the night-charges so com- 
 mitted, is, the next morning, returned to the Lord 
 Mayor, or one of the Aldermen ; in order that they 
 may be examined touching the cause of their com- 
 mitment, and be either discharged, bailed, or re- 
 committed, to answer for their respective offences, 
 according to due course of law. 
 
 The prisoners are divided into four classes ; viz. 
 Debtors, Felons, Misdemeanors and Assaults, and 
 Vagrants; and the prison into nine separate and 
 
 distinct
 
 218 ACCOLNT OF PKISON'S lull DEBTORS 
 
 distinct yards : that is to say, The Master's Side, 
 South-yard, 28 feet by 20, containing a pump, 
 affording soft water from the river Thames, and from 
 whence a stair-case leads to two galleries, having 
 each a sink and a cock supplying Thames-water ; 
 wliich is thrown by a forcing-pump from a reservoir 
 in the main yard to a large cistern on the top of 
 that part of the prison, and descends from thence 
 to the galleries : but here a difficulty sometimes 
 occurs, from the forcing pump being out of the reach 
 of the persons to be benefited thereby. These gal- 
 leries lead to six rooms (exclusive of the Turnkey's- 
 room on the ground-floor), having fire-places, capa- 
 ble of conveniently accommodating two persons in 
 each, male or female, as it may happen, provided 
 that a man-prisoner is not lodged in the same apart- 
 ment with a woman-prisoner : and these apartments 
 are at present occupied by Master-side debtors, who 
 pay for the same according to the Table of Fees 
 hereafter mentioned. 
 
 2d. The Master s Side, North yard, 30 feet by 
 l8, beiniT similar to the South in its construction 
 and accommodations, but containing only five 
 rooms with fire-places ; (exclusive of another Turn- 
 key's room on the ground-floor,) and is at present 
 occupied by persons under commitment for assaults, 
 or trivial ofTences ; as also, occasionally by the 
 better sort of night-charges. 
 
 Tlie
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 219 
 
 The Women Debtors' Ward has no yard, hut 
 attaches immediately to an arrlied passage, that 
 leads to the Keepers domestic Apartments, liis 
 Office, the Outer Turnkey's Lodoe, and the office 
 wherein is transacted the Sheriiis' business with 
 respect to matters relating to his Court, and to this 
 Prison. This passage also contains all the main 
 gates, or first entrances to tlie Master's Sid(% and to 
 the interior of the prison. 'I'he Women Debtors* 
 Ward is supplied with four turn-up bedsteads, (which 
 are inclosed in the day-time), a table, and moveable 
 benches, a water-closet, and a large cistern of 
 Thames water, with a good stone sink beneath it. 
 The Wai'd has three windows next the street, a 
 good fire-place, and is capable of lodging eight 
 persons. 
 
 .3d. The Common Side^ Men Debtors' Yard, 
 75 feet by 18, contains two pumps, the one supply- 
 ing spring water from a well in this yard, and the 
 other afl[brdino; soft water from the river Thames. 
 It has a room ^t each end ; one of them occupied by a 
 Turnkey, for the better security of the prison, and 
 the other by the Steward of the Charity-wards. 
 The wards appertaining to this yard are built upon 
 arches, and divide the same into two parts ; having 
 communication by arcades under one part, and a 
 common room, used as a workshop for those Debt- 
 ors who chuse to work, under the other : in which 
 
 shop
 
 320 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 shop is a large table fixed, whereon the prisoners 
 belonging to these wards divide such provisions as 
 they receive by charitable donation. From this 
 yard is a stone staircase, closed with doors at the 
 bottom, and leading to four wards; two on the first 
 storj^, and two on the second. The two upper wards 
 are used as bed-rooms, and are fitted up with six- 
 teen low stump bedsteads in each (which lay upon 
 barrack-forms, easily removed for the purpose of 
 cleanliness), and a supply of rugs for the use of the 
 prisoners. The other two wards are used as sitting- 
 rooms, from eight in the morning until ten at night, 
 when strangers are excluded, and the prisoners locked 
 up for the night. The Sleeping-wards would be 
 much improved, if all the beds were separated by 
 dwarf partitions, having a door to each, but not 
 reaching to the cieling : Thus a free circulation 
 of air would not be impeded, and the quiet prisoners 
 would be protected from the insults of the disorderly 
 in the night-time ; an evil which has sometimes oc- 
 curred, but the offenders are seldom discovered. 
 The Sitting-wards are fitted up with tables and 
 benches. 
 
 These wards, together with that of the women 
 debtors, are denominated the Charity-wards; to 
 which each prisoner, at his or her entrance, pays 
 five shillings, to be applied to the conmion stock ; 
 eight pence to the steward, and six-pence to the 
 
 scavenger ;
 
 IN" ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 221 
 
 scavenger ; after which, the prisoner is at no further 
 expence, but becomes a partaker of all the benelits 
 appertaining to the Charity-wards. The Court of 
 Conscience Debtors, for six weeeks or less, have the 
 same benefits, upon payment of fourteen pence only. 
 4th. The Main Yard, 35 feet square, leading to 
 all the rest, except the Master's Side and Women 
 Debtors, into which all persons in the adjoining yards 
 (except debtors) are occasionally admitted in tlie 
 day-time, at their own request ; and upon behaving 
 themselves orderly, but not otherwise. This yard 
 contains two pumps, one of spring- water, the other 
 from the Thames ; also two forcing pmnps, for 
 the service of the Master s side, and a cock supplied 
 with Thames-water upon the Main ; to which, by 
 means of a screw, can be applied a long leathern hose, 
 and thereby plenty of water is conveyed to all the 
 yards, to wash both them and the cells. For this 
 purpose mops and brooms are occasionally allowed 
 by the benevolence of the Committee of City Lands, 
 &c. On the North and South sides are 'two large 
 rooms facing each other, and having communication 
 with the arched passage before mentioned ; which 
 rooms are occupied in the day-time by those who 
 desire it, and at night are the common recep- 
 tacles for night-charges*. They are fitted up with 
 * These two rooms are now, 1807, appropriated to debtors j 
 and night-charges and criminals sent to the Poultry, till a nc;v 
 prison is built. benches
 
 222 ACCOUNT Ot PRISONS I OR DtBtORS 
 
 benches all round, and a large German stove in 
 both. They have detached privies, and are capable 
 of containing about twenty persons each, for 
 one night only ; such night-charges being afterward 
 classed as aforesaid, having first undei'goue their 
 e'xamination before a magistrate. These rooms have 
 stone floors ; they are spacious, and very airy ; and have 
 a number of rugs laid on the benches, for the use of 
 such persons as unfortunately may become inhabi- 
 tants in the night-time. Under another arched 
 passage leading from this yard, is the Inner Turn- 
 key's Lodge, and a staircase leading to a very con- 
 venient Chapel ; over which are four good rooms, 
 for the use of the sick prisoners, fitted up with iron 
 bedsteads, good tickings, blankets, and rugs ; and 
 canvass cases, to be stuffed for making beds, as 
 occasion may require. 
 
 From this yard are two other staircases ; each 
 leading to three small bed-rooms, fitted up at the 
 keeper s expence, for the use of such night-charges, 
 or others, as may desire to occupy them; having one 
 bed in each room. 
 
 The above passage communicates with five other 
 yards, separate and distinct from each other : one 
 being a small yard, with a pump of Thames-water, 
 and containing three scanty rooms, or cells, capable 
 of lodging six persons. Another small yard, equally 
 supplied from the Thames, contains five rooms 
 
 or
 
 IN KNGLAND, S( OTI.^M^. AND WALK"'. 22 i 
 
 or cells of the same dimensions. At the hack of lour 
 of these rooms is a passage, with a tire -place at 
 the end; which communicating, by means ot an iron- 
 grating, to each cell, thereby renders them dry 
 and warm. 
 
 The next yard, furnished in lil>e manner with 
 water, has a room with a fire-place, and four cells 
 of the same dimensions ; and near to tliis are 
 two larger yards, having six cells of the like size, 
 together with similar passages, and lire-places to 
 keep them comfortably warm : The cells are all fitted 
 tip with barrack bedsteads, raised about three feet 
 from the ground ; each provided witli a canvass 
 case stuffed with straw, and two or three rugs, or 
 blankets, allowed by the City. 
 
 These last five yards are for the reception of all 
 prioners, except debtors. No persons here, or in 
 the Charity-wards, pay any thing for lodging ; 
 and garnish is prohibited in every part of this prison. 
 Here are also very convenient cold and hot baths, 
 to which all prisoners have free access, as necessity 
 jequires, and at convenient seasons. There are two 
 rooms set apart for the sick, one IS feet by 14, the 
 other 14 feet by 12, and 12 feet high ; and two other 
 rooms of the same size, which can easily be converted 
 into Sick wards, if necessary. 
 
 The allowance to prisoners, of all descriptions, is at 
 
 present
 
 224 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 present — ten ounces of wheaten bread daily, one 
 pound of rice, and about five pounds of potatoes 
 each weekly : coals and other gifts by the Right 
 Honourable the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs ; and 
 broken victuals from the Old and New London 
 Taverns frequently. 
 
 Paupers, brought to fhi^ Compter (as such) in 
 order to be removed to their parishes, or otherwise 
 relieved, are especially subsisted, and frequently 
 clothed. 
 
 The gifts by the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, at 
 Christmas, New-year's day, Easter, and some un- 
 certain day after, are the same as mentioned in my 
 ' subsequent description of " LudgateT 
 
 Here are also some permanent Donations of bread 
 and meat at stated periods ; which, together with 
 the Sheriffs* seven stone of meat weekly, belong to 
 the Charity-wards only ; and are distributed among 
 such prisoners in the said wards as have attended, 
 and properly demeaned themselves in the chapel, 
 during divine service on the preceding Sunday. 
 These, in the way of ridicule, are c?i\\Qi\ Beef -eaters, 
 by the profligate few who absent themselves : But 
 nearly the whole attended divine service when I was 
 here in March, 1807, and their behaviour was 
 orderly, and attentive to a very appropriate discourse. 
 The chapel clerk is Mr. John Peter Lawrence, who 
 
 receives
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 2J2 
 
 receives half a crown every Sunday, for assisting the 
 Chaplain, and setting the psahn, by order of the 
 Court of Aklermen. 
 
 Money is paid by several of the City Coiipanies, 
 by the Common Council of Farringdon Within, by 
 the Trustees of Mrs. Ashton's charitv, and by others, 
 towards the release of debtors in this and other pri- 
 sons ; and is applied as stated in the account of 
 Ludffate. 
 
 GiLTSPUR Street Compter Donations. 
 Christmas Quarter. 
 
 When paid. 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Quarterly.... 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Quarterly.... 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto ,.. 
 
 Half-Yearly. 
 Quarterly.... 
 Yearly 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Every 3 years 
 
 Donors' Names. 
 
 Sir John Kendrick, Knt, 
 
 Mr. Meridith 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Mr. Peter Blundell ...... 
 
 Mr. Peak 
 
 Mr. Chapman 
 
 Mr. John WooUer 
 
 Mr. William Parker .... 
 
 Mrs. HolUgrave 
 
 Mr. Shields 
 
 Mr. Clarke 
 
 Mr. James Hodgson . . . . 
 Sir William Middlcton 
 Sir Thomas Gresham . .. 
 \rchbp. of Caiiturl>uiy 
 
 Mr. Thomas Dawson . . . 
 
 Mr. Thomas Stretchly... 
 
 By whom paid. 
 
 Drapci-s Company 
 
 Lfalaersellers Company 
 
 Ditto .". 
 
 Skinners Com))any 
 
 Ditto ..". 
 
 Mr. Dunnage 
 
 St. Pancras Pari.sh 
 
 Merchant TaylorsComp. 
 
 Ditto '. 
 
 Clothworksrs Company 
 
 Cooks Company 
 
 Mr. Hodgson 
 
 St. Sepulc'irci's Parish... 
 Chamoerlain's Office ... 
 
 Ditto 
 
 At Lauimth Palace 
 
 Churchwardens of > 
 St. Ethel butgh \ 
 Christ's Hojpiiai j 
 
 
 
 4 10 
 6 
 
 5 6 
 10 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 11 3 
 10 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 £.\9 7 
 
 Every other 
 year in Beef 
 
 I S Mr. Joseph Carter ITs. Id. ) S^.'lf'^l'}- 
 HMr.Ru/hCartorns.ld.5^-taft. 
 
 Regularly paid by Church- 
 of St. And:f\v Un- 
 at Christmas. S ^ ■"''■ ''"^'' ''"'"'■' ""'"•> ^ d.rshaft and Alihallows. 
 Amiually Nov. 5. Of Bread, Mrs. Margaret Dane. One quarter of Beef, and 
 live dozen Penny Loaves. 
 Quarterly, Leathersellers Company, Ninety -one Penny Loaves. 
 
 E^r, em we.ks, \ "^.^^^^'X' i '" ""'" ■""" 
 
 Ladx
 
 226 accou^t of prisons for debtors 
 Lady-Day Quarter. 
 
 Whon paid. 
 
 Quarter'.y... 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Half-Yeailj'. 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Half Yearly , 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Half- Yearly . 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Donors' Names. 
 
 Mr. Meridith 
 
 Mr. Peter Blundell 
 
 Mr. iMeridith 
 
 Mr. Peak 
 
 5 Kob<rt .'^lartin and } 
 l John March ^ 
 
 Alderman John Hoydon 
 { Robert M.irtin and 
 I John March 
 
 RichardJacob 
 
 Mrs. Joan Sanbaek ... 
 
 Mr. Peter Blundell ... 
 
 Sir Thomas Gresham 
 
 Lady Ramsey 
 
 Mr. John Loards 
 
 Mr. Jolin Corbett 
 
 By whom paid. 
 
 rA-athersellers Company 
 Skinners Company ....... 
 
 Ditto 
 
 .Mr. Dunnage ......; 
 
 Mercers Company 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto. ..V ■".:.; 
 
 Mrs. Ann Starling 
 
 Parish of St. Bride's... 
 Goldsmiths Company ... 
 Chamberlain's Ofiice ... 
 
 Christ's Hospital 
 
 Ditto ; .;, 
 
 Cooks Company 
 
 Amount. 
 
 4 10 
 10 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 7 1 
 
 a 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 1 2 6 
 
 1 12 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 2 10 
 1 5 
 
 1 10 a 
 
 2 O 
 
 of.l9 10 II 
 
 
 
 MiDsiTMMER Quarter. 
 
 When paid 
 
 Quarterly... 
 Ditto......... 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ilalf-Yearly 
 
 Donors' Names. 
 
 Mr, Mcridith 
 
 Mr. Peter Blundell.... 
 
 Mr. Meridith 
 
 Mr. Peak 
 
 Sir Thomas Gresham . 
 Sir William Middleton 
 
 By whom paid. 
 
 I.«athersellers Company 
 
 Skinners Company 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Mr. Dunnage 
 
 Chamberlain's Office . . . 
 Ditto 
 
 Amount. 
 
 4 10 
 
 10 
 
 5 
 
 1 4 
 
 £.6 5 7 
 
 Michaelmas Quarter. 
 
 When paid. 
 
 Donor's Names. 
 
 By whom paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 Quarterly. 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Half- Yearly. 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Quarterly.... 
 Half-Yerirly. 
 Qwiiiterly,... 
 
 Mr. Meridith 
 
 Mr. Peter Blundell..., 
 
 Mr. Meridith 
 
 { Robert Martin and 
 I John March 
 .Mr. Peter Blundell..., 
 Sir Thomas Gresham 
 
 Lady Ramsey 
 
 Mr. Peak 
 
 Leathersellers Company 
 
 Skinners Company 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Mercers Company 
 
 Goldsmiths Company .. 
 Chamberlain's Office .. 
 
 Christ's Hospital 
 
 Mr. Duanage 
 
 4 10 
 
 10 
 
 5 6 
 
 1 2 6 
 
 1 
 
 2 10 a. 
 
 1 5 
 
 1 4 
 
 .^.8 1 10 
 
 All
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 227 
 
 All the donations belonginjj^ to the Charity-wanis 
 are delivered to one of the prisoners, who acts as 
 • steward ; in whose name, \a itnessed by the Keeper, 
 all the receipts are signed, and given under the 
 common seal of tlie prison. This steward receives 
 also the subscriptions before mentioned ; and him- 
 self piys a rent to the general stock, for the use oi' 
 two closets, which he again lets to his own advan- 
 tage : He advances money upon the credit of the 
 donations, out of which he reimburses himself as 
 they become due ; jmys five per cent, to a collector ; 
 furnishes the Charity-wards with a constant suppl}' 
 of coals, wood, salt, candles, &c. besides paying a 
 weekly ' allowance to a basket-woman, to collect 
 troken victuals at the taverns ; and for other mes- 
 sages, on account of the said wards : also contri- 
 butes towards the support of such common-side debt- 
 ors as may, by the surgeon's order, be placed in 
 the Sick-ward ; pays also a weekly allowance to the 
 scavenger, and his assistant, called the Twelver ; 
 and is of real use to the prison at large. This plan, 
 of the application of the donations, was first adopted 
 by Mr. Kirby, when keeper of Wood-street-Comp- 
 ter ; and appears to be most beneficial to the unfor- 
 tunate, as every comfort to be procured by the do- 
 nations is thereb}^ equally and impartially aflforded ; 
 no disputes can arise from the quarterly division 
 of money ; nor can the prison be defrauded, as 
 
 p 2 the
 
 228 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 the steward is obliged to submit his accounts to be 
 audited by four of the senior prisoners ; and, though 
 elected by the general suffrages of the Charity- wards, 
 cannot be dispossessed, so long as he shall act so- 
 berly and honestly, for the general advantage, and 
 not be guilty of breach of the trust reposed in him 
 by the keeper. 
 
 There is no expence attending the commitment 
 of prisoners to this Compter, either upon civil or 
 criminal process ; nor does any ex})ence attend any 
 person s confinement, unless, at his own request, he 
 is admitted on the Master s side. Upon Civil Ac- 
 tions the fees are as follows: For entrance, three 
 shillings to the Keeper, and two shillings to the 
 Turnkeys ; for rent, two shillings and six-peiige per 
 week : But if there are two in a bed, then each pays 
 one shilling and threg pence : For the discharge of a 
 Master's side debtor, eight shillings and ten pence ; 
 and for the discharge of a Common-side debtor, 
 eioht shillings *. Debtors discharged by the Lords* 
 Act pay no fees. 
 
 An expence is incurred by prisoners of all descrip- 
 tiojis, upon their discharge, exclusive of prison-fees 
 above mentioned : And first, of Debtors ; each of 
 whom, being entitled to be discharged, must pay as 
 follows, if upon one action only : To the Secondaries 
 
 * 6i. to the Keeper, and 25. to the Turnkry : This Is called 
 iKe Gate-Jte.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 229 
 
 six shillings, to the Clerk -sitter of the Poultry Comp- 
 ter one shilling; to the Clerk-sitter of this Compter 
 four shillings and eight pence, and to the Messenger 
 one shilling. If more actions than one, the expence 
 varies, according to the number and nature of the 
 writs ; which, if in execution, entitle the Seconda- 
 ries to one shilling for every pound under the sum 
 of one hundred pounds, and six-pence for every 
 pound above that sum ; and this is called SherifTs 
 Poundage *, The Fees paid by other prisoners 
 are' as follo\\'s ; 
 
 Fees during Confinement. 
 Every night-charge, or other prisoner upon Crimi- 
 nal Process, who, at his own desire, shall be ac- 
 commodated with bed and bedding, must pay 
 for the first night two shillings, and for every 
 other night one shilling ; unless formally admitted 
 on the Master's Side : when, in lieu thereof, they 
 each pay ten shillings and, six-pence entrance, 
 and three shillings and six-]«ince per week after- 
 wards. 
 
 Fees upon Discharge. 
 
 For every niglit-charge who shall be dis- 
 charged before a Magistrate, - - 3 ^ 
 
 * An instance of 97/. lov. being paid for pciindngc^ is in roy 
 possession. 
 
 For
 
 230 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 For every commitment after the first exa- s. d, 
 
 mination, discharged or bailed, - 14 8 
 
 To the Turnkey, for every copy of com- 
 mitment or detainer, - - 2 
 
 The Rules and Orders for the government of this 
 prison were signed the 27th of November, 1792, 
 by Lords Kenyon and Loughborough, and by Al- 
 dermen Crosby, Anderson, and Combe : They re- 
 late principally to Debtors ; the execution thereof 
 is vested in the Keeper and his Turnkeys ; and they 
 are as follows, that is to say : Directions concerning: 
 the payment of six-pence to the Scavenger, or to 
 assist him six days, and eight pence to the Steward ; 
 directions for dividing provisions ; for persons under 
 judgment of fine and imprisonment to partake, in 
 certain cases, with the Debtors ; to promote clean- 
 liness ; for due attendance on divine service ; for 
 cleanliness of prisoners' persons ; against opprobrious 
 language ; against protiineness and drunkenness ; 
 against molesting visitors, and to prevent visitors 
 from molesting prisoners ; to prevent women from 
 lodging in men's apartments, and vice versa ; against 
 keeping dogs ; to determine who shall not partake 
 of donations; to prevent tippimg; time of retiring 
 to rest, and rising in the morning ; against striking 
 the steward, or defacing orders ; more concerning 
 performance of divine service; against disposal of 
 
 prison-
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALLS. 2.31 
 
 prison-rugs; Masters-side prisoners to clean ihcir 
 stairs, passages, and rooms ; not to quarrel, or use 
 opprobrious language : concerning the placing of 
 MasterVside prisoners in their rooms ; to prohibit 
 the admission of wine, or beer, after eight o'clock in 
 the evening, &c. 
 
 The mode directed by the foregoing llules and 
 Orders to enforce obedience thereto, is by fining, or 
 by confinement in a cell for any time not more than 
 twelve hours, nor less than three, for one oflence, at 
 the discretion of the Keeper. 
 
 These Rules and Orders have, in some few in- 
 stances, been inadequate to preserve t\}^ peace ; in- 
 asmuch as a prisoner possessing persoi^al strength 
 has beaten and ill- treated his fellow-prisoner, and 
 has afterwards preferred imprisonment in the cells 
 to making any apology, for his misbehaviour ; and 
 has come out of the cells with a determination to re- 
 peat bis offence. 
 
 This Prison, from its structure, affords the means 
 of a further improvement, respecting the first im- 
 prisonment of persons arrested upon mesne process 
 for debt ; whose separation from their families is 
 likely to be but of short duration, and who might 
 (if they chose) be accommodated on the Masters- 
 side, and be thereby saved from the necessity of 
 being suddenly plunged into the interior of the pri- 
 son, among persons, who, it may sometimes hai)i>en, 
 
 are
 
 232 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 are not of the purest manners^ whereby the minds of 
 many heretofore honest men, may have been con- 
 taminated ; and thus they have been rendered worse 
 members of society than before such incarceration ; 
 This seems to be the true intent and use of Mas- 
 ters'-sides in gaols, so far as relates to debtors. But 
 such accommodation is, under the present system, 
 liable to impediment from the occupancy of the said 
 Master s side by persons under execution ; who may, 
 if they please, ronain therefor sevei^al years toge^ 
 tJier, to the exclusion of unfortunate and, perhaps, 
 innocent persons, taken upon mesne process, with- 
 out the ability of procuring bail, till the cause of 
 arrest can be determined; many of whom, from 
 the dread of a common gaol, may have submitted 
 to unjust demands, and become the easy prey of the 
 profligate and designing: examples of this, it is 
 much to be feajed, have not been wanting. Ano- 
 ther evil respecting prisons is, the wilful staying-in 
 of debtors, when they might obtain their discharge ; 
 thus, by their seniority, filling the most eligible 
 situations, and crowding the prisons, already too 
 full of miserable and unfortunate objects.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLANDj AND VVA%ES. ^30 
 
 GLASGOW Tulhooth. 
 
 Gaoler^ Rohert Hamilton. Salary, 70/. 
 Fees. Felons, none. Debtors, see Table. 
 Licence. Beer. 
 Garnish. Prohibited ; but see Remarks. 
 
 Chaplain. None. 
 
 Surgeons, Messrs. Cowan and Voting* 
 
 Number of Debtors, l802, Sept. 1 8th, - sS 
 
 Allowance. From 8d. to iSd. per day, according 
 to their situation in life, at the discretion of 
 the Magistrates. 
 
 *t)' 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The Gaoler lives in a house adjoining the prison, 
 ivhich communicates with the Court of Session. 
 On the first flat (or floor) there are nine rooms about 
 seven feet square, four of which are totally dark, and 
 without ventilation, except what is admitted through 
 a very small aperture in the door. The other four 
 have each a small iron-grated window : the ninth is 
 called the iron-room, where prisoners under senT 
 tence of death are chained (as at Edmburgh) to a 
 strong iron bar, and cannot lift that foot from the 
 
 floor.
 
 3g4 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 floor. Tlie second flat has one room for criminals, 
 and two for debtors, about eight feet square ; and 
 the tap-room, which is about sixteen feet square, 
 with a fire-place and window. The third flat has 
 five rooms for debtors, eight feet square, and a 
 larger one sixteen feet square. The fourth fiat has 
 five rooms for women.. Debtor*' find their own 
 beds ; but felons are allowed a mattress, two blan- 
 kets, and a rug. Though my second visit to this 
 prison was before ten o'clock ni the morning, the 
 tap-room was filled with men and women drinking. 
 
 The Keeper s salary is only "JOL but his payments 
 are as follows : 
 
 To a Clerk per week, 10^. - 
 
 To the Inner-turnkey jaer week, 12*. 
 
 To the Outer-turnkey 8a\ per week. 
 
 To two women for fetching water and, .^ , , 
 
 cleaning buckets, 4*. per week - 10 8 
 For the water, which is fetched from a 
 
 well at a distance, per annumy -040 
 
 ^.88 12 O 
 
 /. 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 26 
 
 
 
 
 
 31 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 20 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 Thus is the Tap made a source of finance to the 
 Prison, which I found filthy and nauseous in the 
 extreme. Large quantities of ashes, to the amount of 
 several loads, were in various parts of the Gaol, and 
 
 rendered
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALEf?. 2.3.-, 
 
 rendered almost intolerable, from fish in a ])ntri(l 
 state having been thrown amongst them. The cells 
 were so very offensive, that I wonder any human 
 being could exist in them ; the uncovered half-tubs, 
 which served the purpose of necessaries, were three 
 parts full ; and, upon my asking the women if they 
 were not ashamed to let them be in such a state 
 one of them (turning her head over her shoulder 
 towards me) replied, " They are not full yet.'* 
 '' 'T is true," said I, " they will hold a little more.'* 
 <( We generally empty them once a fortnight," said 
 she. It was two years since the Gaol had been 
 white-washed ; and in the debtors' room there was a 
 paper stuck up, " Garnish Eighteen Pence/' in de- 
 fiance of the Prohibition. 
 
 '' Fees and Regulations to be exacted and ob- 
 served in the Tolhooth at Glasgow ; as appointed 
 by Act of the Magistrates and Town Council of 
 Glasgow, dated the 31st of August, 17G9. 
 
 Sterling. 
 I. s. d. 
 
 1. Every burgess incarcerated, shall, during 
 
 his confinement, pay for jaylor-fee, for 
 each night, at the rate of - 2 
 
 And every person, not a burgess, sliall pay 
 for jaylor-fee, during his or her confine- 
 ment, each night, at the rate of - 4 
 
 2. Every person imprisoned by virtue of an 
 
 act of warning, shall pay to the javlor, 
 exclusive of the dues in 1 St article - 1 4f 
 
 And
 
 9^6 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEliTORS 
 
 Sterlings 
 l. s. d. 
 And every person incarcerated by virtue of 
 a written warrant, from a magistrate, a, 
 justice of peace, or a sheriff, shall pay - 1 S 
 5. Every person incarcerated by virtue of a 
 caption, pr a justiciary, or admiral war- 
 . rant, shall, exclusive of the dues in 1st 
 
 article, if a burgess, pay - - 2 9-^ 
 
 If an unfreeman, - - - . q ^ qz 
 
 4. The jaylor, on signing an attestation of a 
 
 commitment, shall receive - 10 
 
 >■ And on the delivery up of diligence to per- 
 sons neglecting to require the same, 
 vithin eight days. after the prisoner's libe- 
 ration, he shall receive - - - 1 
 Rules to be observed by the Jaylor and his servants. 
 
 1. The ja3-Ior shall not, by himself or any of his ser- 
 vatits^ directly or indirectly, demand or receive from any 
 prisoner, or from any person in his or her name, at entry, 
 or during his or her confinement, any sums of money 
 under the name of entry-mone}', garnishiug, or any other 
 denomination, separate from, and over and above the fees 
 stipulated as above. Further, the jaylor shall not sujlr 
 any of the prisoners to viake demands of ononey or drink 
 
 from persons nrj)ly incarcerated ^ on^ any pretence •what- 
 soever. 
 
 2. The jaylor shall, all the year, open each day the 
 prison at nine, and shut it at three in the afternoon ; then 
 open at five, and shut it at nine for the night : only on 
 Sundays, the prison shall be shut during public worship, 
 any thing in this rule to the contrary. And the jaylor is 
 always to keep the whole keys of the prison in his own 
 
 custody
 
 IN ENGLAND^ SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 2^7 
 
 custody while it is shut up, and not entrust thcni with any 
 oi' his servants. 
 
 3. The jaylor, every mornino; and evening, at tl»c 
 opening- of, and before shutting iip the prison, shall per- 
 sonally visit every room and place therein, carefully in- 
 spect the windows, cliimnics, and walls thereof, in order 
 to prevent and discover all attempts to cut the iron stan- 
 chers, or to break through the stone -walls, joists, and 
 floors of the prison ; and he shall take particular care 
 that no instruments be conveyed to, or be in the posses- 
 sion of, any of the prisoners, whereby they ma}' effectuate 
 their escape, or hurt one another : And in case the jaylor 
 shall, through indisposition, be prevented from the exe- 
 cution of his duty, he shall take care to employ some 
 faithful person in his absence. 
 
 4. The jaylor and his servants are expressly pro- 
 hibited, on any account, to sell, or suffer to be broui^ht 
 in, to any of the prisoners, spirits or strong liquor, whereby 
 they may be in danger of being intoxicated ; and to use 
 their utmost endeavours to promote sobriety amongst those 
 under their charge. 
 
 5. The jaylor shall keep the prisoners for debt in the 
 best rooms, and separate from criminals and disorderly- 
 persons ; and prevent, as much as possible, their associat- 
 ing and conversing together ; and the friends and servants 
 of debtors shall be allowed, at all convenient times, to 
 bring in vivers * for their own support. 
 
 6. In order to make the prison more healthy and clean, 
 the jaylor shall, at his own expencc, cause pare and 
 clean the stairs, sweep the rooms, and remote and earru 
 aiaaij alljilth and nasiiness, at leu^ii three times in the rtvc/-. 
 
 * Provisionsj victuals, 
 
 7. The
 
 538 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 7, The jaylor, in the event of his exacting, by him- 
 self, or his servants, more fees than stipulated as above, 
 or in the event of transgressing any of the nules or In- 
 structions foresaid, shall be dismissed from his office, or 
 otherwise punished as the magistrates, for the time being, 
 and council, shall judge proper. 
 
 It is recommended to the magistrates, frequently to 
 examine and enquire into the fidelity of the jaylor and his 
 servants ; and the Council hereby ordains these dues and 
 regulations to be printed and published, that none may 
 pretend ignorance ; and ordains John Rowan, jaylor, and 
 his successors in office, to affix a copy hereof in the most 
 public part of the Tolbooth, under the penalty of ten 
 pounds Scots." 
 
 There are no court-yards to the Gaols in Scotland 
 where debtors are confined. The original cause of 
 this seems to have been the following very coolly 
 weighed, but severe maxim, in the Scotch law : 
 *' After a debtor is imprisoned, he ought not to be 
 " indulged with the benefit of the air, not even 
 " under a guard ; for creditors have an interest that 
 *' their debtors be kept under close confinement, 
 " that, by the squalor carceris they may be brought 
 "to pay their debt." Act Sess. 14 June, 1671. 
 See the Principles of the Law of Scotland. 5th edit, 
 p. 461.
 
 IN EKCLAND, SCOTLAND, AVT> WALES. $00 
 
 GLOUCESTER Counfi/ Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, Thotnas CunmngJiam. Salary 300/. f(jr 
 Gaol, Bridewell, and Penitentiary j)risons. 
 Fees. See Table. The Under-sherili'demancU 
 6*6'. ^d. for his liberate : which is paid by 
 the Committee of Prison Charity, in all cases 
 of distress. 
 Garnish. Abolished. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev Edward Jones. 
 
 Salary, 50^- 
 
 Duty ; prayers every Wednesday and Friday 
 morning, and a sermon every Sunchu-, 
 Christmas-day, and Good-Friday. And like- 
 wise to keep a journal, in which he shall 
 enter the times of his attendance, and such 
 observations as may occur to him in the 
 general execution of his duty ; and to con- 
 sider it as his duty, frequently to see all the 
 prisoners, without the Governor or other 
 officer being present ; to enquire into their 
 situation, to assist them with his S])iritual 
 advice, aiKl to administer the sacrament at 
 such times, and to such persons, as he shall 
 think proper. It is likewise expected of the 
 Chaplain, that he do attend the Visiting 
 Justices, on notice of their visiting the 
 prison, and lay his journal before them. 
 
 Sur<reon»,
 
 040 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. JVUtoti ; Salary, 4//. To find 
 medicines for all classes of prisoners ; to visit 
 the patients in the sick-ward once every day, 
 and twice a week to see every prisoner. At 
 every visit, to enter his observations and di- 
 rections in a journal to be kept for that pur- 
 pose ; likewise to attend immediately, on 
 notice from the Governor of any sickness that 
 may require examination of a prisoner, before 
 passing into the prison. He must report to 
 the Justices, at each quarter sessions, the 
 state of the health of the prisoners under his 
 care; and attend the Justices (on notice 
 given) when visiting the prison. The Sur- 
 geon to write in his journal what extra bed- 
 ding, cloathing, food, or liquors, are neces- 
 sary for the use of the prisoners ; and such 
 orders shall be considered as authority to 
 the Governor to procure the same, and shall 
 be a necessary voucher for such articles in 
 his account. 
 
 Number of Debtors, [ ^^^^^ ^'^^- ^^^^^ " ^^ 
 
 \ lS0(?, Sept. 3d, - - 5^8 
 
 Allowance. One pound and a half of good house- 
 hold bread jt?er day, and one penny in money, 
 to those debtors vvlio are certificated as de- 
 serving objects, 
 
 RE-
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALLS. 241 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The situation of tliis prison is juHiciousIv clioscn, 
 a little way out of the town : the boundary-wall 
 encloses nearly three acres of ground ; and the build- 
 ings consist of three prisons, for three separate and 
 distinct purposes. The Turnkey's Lodge, in front, 
 has on the ground floor a guard-room, porter's-room, 
 pantry, and bakehouse, a fumigating-room, and 
 warm and cold baths. Up-stairs, two rooms for flour 
 and wheat, and four reception-cells, 7 feet 6 inches 
 by 6 feet. Two rooms for prisoners' clothes ; one 
 for irons, locks, bolts, &c. ; and the porter's sleeping- 
 room. On the flat roof above is the place of execu- 
 tion. A small court-yard leads to the Gaoler's house, 
 in which is the maoistrates' committee-room. The 
 prisons are surrounded by eleven separate courts, of 
 an irregular polygon shape ; and between each is a 
 small space of garden-ground, to prevent conversa- 
 tion between the different classes : They have open 
 wood palisades, by which a thorough air is admitted, 
 and the ground being an inclined plane is constantly 
 dry. The distance, of about fifteen feet from the 
 boundary wall, affoi-ds a convenient garden for the 
 growth of vegetables. 
 
 The Debtors have a spacious airy court, 70 yards 
 in length, and 19 wide, with a colonnade at each 
 
 O end,
 
 242 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 end, 16 yards by 3f, and two smaller courts. A 
 day-room, 15 yards by 12, ^vith two fire-places, fitted 
 up vvitb every accommodation for frugal cookery; 
 and two large commodious work-rooms, wherein to 
 carry on any trade for their sole henefif, if they can 
 procure employment from without. If not^ they 
 are supplied with work, on application to the manu- 
 facturer, and paid two third parts of the estimated 
 value of their daily earnings; and the risque of 
 sale of the articles so manufactured remains with the 
 county. 
 
 The prisoners for debt are in two divisions, or 
 classes* ;. one under the Magistrates protection, to 
 which all are admitted on their' first commitment ; 
 vet in which none are suffered to remain, but on 
 
 ml 
 
 conforming to rules intended for the preservation of 
 their health and morals, and for promoting that de- 
 cency and good order which must tend to their 
 common benefit. 
 
 The second division is (as it is termed) the She- 
 riffs ward. With prisoners in. this class the magis- 
 trates no otherwise interfere, than to protect tliem 
 against the ordinary means of extortion. Tiie 
 debto\"S in it are liable to all siich claims and conse- 
 quences, as the gaoler may, by law or usage, have 
 authority to impose. 
 
 Each debtor desiring to live unddr the magistrates' 
 protection, has a separate bed-room » fire-proof, 
 
 fitted
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 243 
 
 fitted up with an iron bedstead, a hair mattress, 
 blankets, quilt, and sheets, at the County cost ; 
 those confined in the Slieriff's ward have the hke 
 accommodation, paying the regulated room-rent. 
 Such as are for removed from, or totally destitute of 
 friends, and without the power to procure their six- 
 pences ; such as are not able to work, or, being 
 able, cannot procure employment sufficient to find 
 themselves in necessary sustenance ; such, and such 
 only, are relieved from the public stock, on producing 
 a certificate from the minister, and some other 
 respectable inhabitants of tlie place of residence 
 <?f any such debtor, that he is so destitute of friends, 
 and a deserving object of the public bounty. An 
 unlimited construction of the clause of the Lords* 
 Act, which allows debtors, at their will and pleasure, 
 to send for, or to have brought to them, any ale, 
 beer, &c. is the source of all that riot and disorder 
 which happens in their prisons, and is probably a 
 principal cause of their distress. By the Gloucester 
 Bye Laws, the power to send for victuals and small 
 beer is not only unrestrained, but a messenger is 
 paid by the public to procure it for them, at all hours 
 in the day-time. But, in respect to strong liquor, 
 no prisoner is allowed to " have and receive, for his 
 own use, more than a pint of wine, or a quart of 
 strong beer in any one day, 
 
 ft 9. "Table
 
 244 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 ' Table of Fees to be paid by the Debtors ; re- 
 vised and regulated as directed by the Act of 
 3 2d (jeorge II. and 25th George III. 
 
 £. s, (I 
 '*For entering the action whereon each pri- 
 soner is brought into custody, either on 
 process, capias, latitat, or execution, - 1 
 " For entering and discharging every se- 
 cond or other action, upon process, 
 capias, latitat, or execution, - 13 4 
 
 " For the certificate of the want of a decla- 
 ration, in order to sue out 'a writ of 
 supersedeas, - - - - 6 8 
 
 N. B. The above demandable of the 
 prisoner. 
 ^^ For receiving and entering every decla- 
 ration against a prisoner in custody, - 2 
 " For each copy of a warrant against a 
 
 prisoner, - - - - -054 
 
 N. B. To be paid by persons making 
 the declaration, or demanding the 
 warrant. 
 " Attending upon every prisoner, to give 
 bail, special bail, habeas, or other ne- 
 c 3ssary attendance, out of the gaol, as 
 directed by statute, per mile, - 10 
 
 *' That
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALKS. ^.'-l;-; 
 
 " That all the above fees (except for the keeper's 
 attendance out of gaol), when paid by any prisoner 
 to the keeper, shall be accounted for by him to the 
 public fund, in aid of the debtor's maintenance. 
 
 " Every debtor, who, during his confinement, has 
 behaved orderly in prison, and submitted to tlie 
 regulations with decent respect and attention, on his 
 discharge is entitled to a certificate of such good 
 behaviour from the Chaplain and a Visiting Justice, 
 or Chaplain and Governor : and this certificate is a 
 complete acquittal from all and every fee payable to 
 the keeper." 
 
 " Table of charges for lodging, bedding, &c. 
 
 £. s, d. 
 " Every person confined in the She- 
 
 rlff'^s ward, finding his o\^ n bedd- 
 ing, per week, - - - 1 
 " Ditto, wdth bedding allowed by the 
 
 comity, - - - 2 6 
 
 [The certificate of good behaviour is 
 a dischar":e from all demands on 
 account of the two preceding ar- 
 ticles.] 
 V '^ Every prisoner occupying a room in 
 
 the keeper's house shall pay;?er week, 2 6 
 "Furnished, - - - - 7 ^j'*
 
 24'5 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 By the police of this prison respecting debtors, it 
 is considered as the best expedient to guide them to 
 good, by the prospect of benefits ; and no other- 
 wise to punish their irregularities, than by removing 
 them from a participation of those benefits. Had 
 the exemption from fees been unconditionally given, 
 the); would soon have claimed it as their right, and 
 forgotten it as a hene faction ; and this negative, 
 influence on their conduct would have been lost. 
 
 For male debtors there are 34 single sleeping-cells, 
 20 on the first stor)^, and 14 on the second: and a 
 large room, with five beds, should those be insuf- 
 ficient ; besides three rooms in the keeper's house, 
 for which they pay as per Table. 
 
 For Common Side debtors there are two rooms on 
 the first story, and one on the second, each contain- 
 ing five beds : and a largeyoom, with five beds for 
 female debtors, on the first story. 
 
 The sleeping-cells are 8 feet by 6, with arched 
 roofs, and well ventilated. There is a dispensary, 
 two hospital rooms, and a large convalescent ward 
 adjoining, and the roof has leads for these prisoners 
 to take tha air upon. There is a court where coals 
 are deposited, and a large wheel for forcing wat^ into 
 four reservoirs, from which every part of the prison 
 is well supplied. The goods manufactured here are 
 Jinen and woollen cloth, bottle- stands, boots, shoes, 
 slippers^ weaving, &,c, 
 
 tfle
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 24 ' 
 
 The chapel iy a neat building: T^ach class enters 
 by a separate door to the place assigned, which is 
 out of the view of others. Their names arc called over 
 l)efore divine service begins, and none arc per- 
 mitted to absent themselves, except on some special 
 occasion or sickness. I was much pleased with 
 the appropriate discourse of the worthy chaplain to 
 the several classes as he addressed them. Besides 
 the service, noted in its place, prayers are read the 
 four other days in the week by the Gaoler ; who then 
 distributes the daily allowance, of bread and money, 
 to every prisoner who appears clean, and has be- 
 haved decently at chapel. 
 
 These prisons exhibit the highest pitch of perfec- 
 tion in Polity I ever witnessed, and the greatest care 
 and discernment in the choice of officers: every 
 one seems peculiarly adapted for the situation he fills. 
 Silence, obedience, and decorum reign in every 
 department, and satisfaction is demonstrated in the 
 countenance of every prisoner. The most humane 
 treatment in the articles of food, lodging, &c. joins 
 with strict regulations to prevent vain and riotous 
 amusement. Confinement is neither destructive to 
 health nor morals ; but it is sufficiently irksome to 
 the idle and profligate. The Rules and Orders are 
 worthy the excellent Magistrate * who framed them; 
 and his zeal for the public gocfl is fully equalled by 
 his powers of judgment in execution. 
 * Sir George O. Paul, Bart.
 
 I 
 548 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 GLOUCESTER, Clfij and County Gaol. 
 Gaoler, JVilUam Dunn. Salary, 31/. 10^. 
 Fees. See Table. Chaplain, None, 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Milton, 
 
 Salary, none ; makes a bill. 
 
 Number of Debtors, <^ "' ^ * » ** 3 
 
 L 180(?, Sept. 3d, - 5 
 
 Allowance. The city pays to the prison three 
 shillings per week for debtors in common, 
 which is divided amongst them, be the num- 
 ber great or small : if only one, he has the 
 whole. When a debtor is certificated as a 
 pauper, the magistrates allow him six pence 
 a day in bread. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol, which is likewise the City Bridewell, 
 was first occupied 24th November, 17^4:, and is 
 situate in South-gate Street. The Keeper^ apart- 
 ments front the street, and his kitchen commands 
 the court, which is of an oval shape, 1 2 yards by 
 8|, with sewers and two pumps in it, and is the 
 only one for all descriptions of prisoners. The straw- 
 room, or free ward, for poor debtors, is over the 
 felons' day-room : it is about twelve feet square, with 
 a fire-place and glazed window. Master's Side debt- 
 ors have a day-room up-stairs, and one bed-room, 
 
 for
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLA^ID, AND WALES. 24y 
 
 for which they pay as per Table. On the 13th of 
 December, prisoners have ten shilHngs worth of 
 bread from an estate in Hemstead, near this city. 
 It is sent in two-penny loaves. No memorial of it 
 in the Gaol. 
 
 A TABLE of the Chamber Rent and Fees. 
 
 Chamber Rents. 
 No. 2. Debtors' Rooms, 2^. per Mpek each. 
 No. 3. Straw Debtors' Rooms, nothing. 
 
 Fees. 
 
 /. s. d. 
 For every Debtor discharged by liberate 
 
 from the Sheriff - - 13 4 
 
 Every Prisoner discharged by liberate 
 
 from a Justice of the Peace - I3 4 
 
 Every certificate of Debtor, signed by 
 
 the Gaoler, - - O (> 8 
 
 Every copy of warrant - - 034 
 
 ^' General Quarter Sessions holden at the Tolsey for 
 the City of Gloucester, 15th January, 179O. 
 
 Signed, James Sadler, 3Ia?/or, 
 Abraham Saunders, 
 G. Greenaway. 
 
 Allowed and confirmed this 28th day of March, 1 7.90, 
 by us, J. Heath. J. Wilson."
 
 550 ACCOUNT OF PRiSONSr FOR DEBTORS 
 
 HADDINGTON ; ScofJaml 
 County Gaof. 
 
 Gaoler, Peter Coates. Salary, 61. 
 
 Fees ; Debtors, a Burgess, 2d, a night, 
 not a Burgess, ^d. 
 
 Chaplain, or Surgeon, none. 
 
 Number of Debtors, l802, Sept. 12th, - O 
 Criminal, _ — - — i 
 
 Allowance. To Criminals, 6d. per day. Debtors 
 are alimented, at the discretion of the magis- 
 trates, fifteen days after commitment. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 iTiis prison is over the Assembly-hall. Here are 
 two rooms for Criminals, about three yards square, 
 lighted by one small iron-grated window each: 
 Straw on the floor, worn to dust. Over these is one 
 for Debtors, ig feet by 1 3. Dirty, and never wdiite- 
 washed. No court. No water. Neither the Act 
 for Preservation of Health, nor Clauses against 
 Spirituous Li(juors hung up. Their tubs emptied 
 once a fortnight. The Keeper is a Town's Officer 
 or BailiflT, and lives distant. In most Prisons of 
 Scotland the Gaolers have no apartments there.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WaLE^. 2jl 
 
 HALIFAX; YorUilre. 
 
 Craoler, Joseph Scoff. Salarv^ none. He pays, 
 a rent to the Duke of Leeds of 24/. a year, 
 and also window-tax for the Gaul. 
 Fees. See Tahle. 
 Garnish, 3^. 6(L 
 Chaplain, none. Surgeon, none. 
 
 ^1800, March 3 m, - 13 
 Number of Debtors,*^ l802, Feb. 4th, - 17 
 
 1 1805, Oct. 20th, - 7 
 
 Allowance. Forty shillings worth of bread per 
 anmim, be the number of debtors great or 
 small ; one twelfth part of which is sent in 
 every month. See Remarks. If a Debtcjr 
 is very poor, and cannot support himself, 
 the parish to which he belongs orders him a 
 weekly allowance. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol, foi* the manor of Wakefield, is the 
 property of the Duke of Leeds. For Master s Side 
 debtors there are four rooms in the Keeper s public 
 house, for which they pay as per Table. It is the 
 sign of the Leeds' Anns, and under it is inscribed, 
 " Neat Wines. The Jail Ilousei' 
 
 Through this you pass to a Court sixteen }aid& 
 by eight ; at the further end of which is a good- 
 sized room on the ground-floor for Common Side 
 
 debtors.
 
 252 ACCOUNT OF PRLSONS I OR DEBTORS 
 
 debtors^, called the LoJu Gaol ; and from it there is 
 an aperture to the street, about a foot square, to re- 
 ceive provisions. Over this room is another, 28 feet 
 bv 19, aiid 8 feet liigh (the Low Gaol Chamher), 
 with an iron-grated glazed window and fire-j)lace ; 
 and six sleeping-rooms, for which is paid as per 
 Table. The whole prison out of repair: Neitlier 
 the Act for Preservation of Health, nor Clauses 
 against Spirituous Liquors hung up. No employ- 
 ment furnished. Here is distributed to the prison- 
 ers 3*. 4/'/. in bread the first Saturday in every 
 month. Jonathan Turner of Hali&x, butcher, left 
 by will forty shillings yearly to the poor prisoners 
 in Halifax Jail, to be given them in bread. This 
 annuity is charged on some houses in Cheapside, 
 \ Halifax. (See fVatsoix's Ilistorij of Halifax.) They 
 are in the possession of Miss IVaterhouse, who con- 
 stantly pays the legacy. 
 
 Bradford Sessions, ijth Juli/, iSoo. 
 Orders and Fees allowed by the Justices of the 
 Peace assembled at the above Sessions, held at 
 Bradford, the 1/th of July, 1800, to be paid, 
 observed, and kept by the Gaoler and Prisoners 
 of the Gaol of Halifax, kept in and for the manor 
 of Wakefield, in the said Riding, and hy all other 
 persons whatsoever that are or shall be thereunto 
 committed, until just cause be shewn for altering 
 
 the same. 
 
 Every
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 2j^ 
 
 s. d. 
 Every Commitment Fee, - - -64 
 
 Every Gentleman shall pay lor lijs commons at 
 
 table per day, - - . 'j fj 
 
 Every Yeoman, Tra,clc.smar., or Ariificer, - i 
 
 Every person shall pay for his bed in the rooms 
 
 marked No. 3. and 4. per night, - C 
 
 If two persons sleep together in No. 3. and \. 
 
 each of them shall pay per night, - o 44 
 
 Every person sleeping in the roc: is ma.ked I. 
 
 and 2. shall pay for his bed /;er night, - 4 
 
 If two or more sleep together in No. l. and 2. earh 
 
 of them shall pay per night, - _ o 3 
 
 Every person sleeping alone in the lou gaol AvA\ 
 
 pay for his bed per night, - - i 
 
 If two or more sleep together in one bed in tUe 
 loxv gaolf each of them shall pay for hi ; bed per 
 night, - - - 2t 
 
 Persons bringing their own beds must pay Ijalf 
 the sum they would otherwise have paid if they 
 used the Gaoler's beds. 
 Persons coming to visit the prisoners, and sleeping 
 
 in the Gaol, to pay for their beds each per night, u .'. 
 One Fee only shall be taken by the Gaoler for any 
 prisoner's discharge, although there may be 
 more than one action against him oi her, whicii 
 Fee shall be, - - - 17 4 
 
 And to the Turnkey, - - l o 
 
 For allowing every supersedeas in every action, 6 a 
 For allowing every writ of Hal)eas Corpus, be- 
 sides conduct-money, to be paid and allowed ac- 
 cordino- to the distance from the said Gaol to the 
 place where the body is to be removed, - o 8 
 
 No
 
 254 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 No prisoners, of whatever dc:jcription, shall be allowed 
 to stop ill the kitchen, without tlie consent of the Gaoler. 
 All prisoners in the loxe gaol must clean their own apart- 
 ments, and make their own beds. Every person shall 
 have libertv to provide for him or herself whatever neces- 
 saries he or s!ie may want, from any person or place 
 whatsoever. Every person sliall be furnished with neces- 
 saries by the Gaoler, paying a reasonable price for tho 
 same. 
 
 And that every person and persons, of whatever degree, 
 estate, or condition, being or r, maining a prisoner or 
 prisoners within the said Gaol of Halifax aforesaid, who 
 shall use any unlawful swearing, cursing, or railing, or 
 anv other indecent behaviour, that every person or per- 
 sons so offending siiall forfeit for every such offence twelve 
 pence, to be paid to the Gaoler, or his deputy, on de- 
 mand ; and on default of payment to be levied by way of 
 distress on the goods of the party so offending, or to stand 
 in charge upon such prisoner, to be paid to the said 
 Gaoler, before he, she, or tliey, be discharged out of 
 custody : the said forfeitures so collected to be bestowed 
 and distributed amongst tl-e most needful in the low gaol ^ 
 at the discretion of the said Gaoler. 
 
 And that every person who shall be suspected to break 
 the Gaol, and make tecape, and all others in the Gaol wit^ 
 such prisoner, who shall be suspected to be aidii;g and as- 
 sisting therein, shall be by the Gaoler ironed*, to secure 
 them from making their escapes. 
 
 And that if the prisoners in the loco gaol shall at any 
 time mutiny against or upon the Gaoler, (^r his deputie3 
 
 * Whoever reads these rules and orders v/ill be astonibhed to 
 find, that in the year iSoo, such power was given to a Gaoler 
 over the person of a Deltor. Sec ELY GAOL, p. 194. 
 
 or
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND UAJ.KS. 25 j 
 
 or servants, going amongst them to regulate abuics, or 
 any distuH- him or tiiem, he or they shall lor every such 
 oftence be kept in close confinement, at the discretion of 
 the said Gaoler. 
 By the Court, 
 
 John Fuljambe, Deputy Clerk of the Peace. 
 
 In this town, formerly, the barons (as in many other 
 places), and after them various proprietors, hiul power of 
 life and death. The method of execution was decollation, 
 by an axe in an engine, similar to tiie Guillotine in France. 
 Abraham Wilkinson, John Wilkinson, and Anthonv Mit- 
 chell, were the last who suffered by it, in I\Iay 16.-50. I 
 saw the axe ; it is preserved in the Gaol. 
 
 When any felon was here found guilty, tlie bailiff im- 
 mediately returned him back to prison, for the space of 
 one week, or thereabouts ; and on every market-dav, 
 there being three in a week, the felon was set in the pub- 
 lic stocks ; and either upon his back, if the thing .stolen 
 was portable, or if not, then before his face, the goods 
 •were so placed, that they might be noticed by all passen- 
 gers. The manner of execution : The prisoner being 
 brought to the scaffold by the bailiff, the axe being drawn 
 up by a pulley, and fastened with a pin to the .^ide of 
 the scafioid,^ if it was a horse, an ox, or cow, t<cc. that wa-< 
 taken with the prisoner, it was t'nither brought along with 
 him to the place of execution, and fastened by a cord to 
 the pin that stayed the block ; so that, Avhen the time of 
 execution came (wiiich was known by the jurors, holdin<r 
 up one of their hands), the bailiff, or his servant, wliip- 
 ping the beast, the pin was plucked out, and execution 
 done. But if there was no beast in the felon's case, then 
 l^e bailiff, or his servant, cut the rope. 
 
 See IlalifaXy and its GibbJ-La:c, 
 
 \
 
 2^6 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 HAVERFORDWEST ; Pembrokeshire, 
 
 County Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, Samuel Howell. Salary 30/. 
 Fees, 13*. Ad. No Table. 
 Garnish, 1.^. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. IVilUam Thomas. 
 
 Duty, Prayers, IVednefiday and Friday. 
 Salary, 20 /. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Tlwmas. 
 
 Salary, 15/. for Criminals only. 
 
 r 1800, May 4th, - 3 
 Number of Debtors, | ^g^^^ g^^^^^ ^Qth, - 1 
 
 Allowance. None whatever. 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol, built within the walls of the old Castle, 
 has a spacious and airy court, about 3C yards square, 
 where men and women, debtors and felons, associate 
 together during the day time. Here are five cells 
 and a kitchen for felons ; and a Bridewell-room for 
 men. Over these are five rooms fof debtors, who 
 are allowed straw on wooden bedsteads ; a room 
 called the IVomens Bridewell, and a store-room. 
 The felons' sleeping- cells (12 feet by 6 feet 9' inches) 
 
 open
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND \VALE3. 25/ 
 
 open into a passage four feet wide, and being three 
 steps under ground, and damp, makes it absolutely 
 necessary to have bedsteads ; but at my visit, 1803, 
 there was nothing but straw on the brick-floors ; 
 and the Gaoler told me that eight or ten prisoners 
 had been crowded every night, in each cell, a month 
 together. ^ Here is a Chapel : no Infirmary, oi Bath. 
 A fine well of water in the centre of the court-yard. 
 Neither the Act for Preservation of Health, nor 
 Clauses against Spirituous Liquors, hung up. 
 
 Mrs. Matiha Bowen declared in her will, that 
 100/. Iiad been deposited in her hands by an un- 
 known person, about the year I75I) for the benefit 
 of insolvent debtors and the poor; which said sum 
 of 100/. was invested in New South-Sea Annuities, 
 in trust, to the Rectors of St. Mari/s, Haverford- 
 west, I found the Rector, Mr. Aijlewaij, quite 
 superannuated, and incapable of giving me any 
 account of its distribution. The Gaoler told me no 
 debtor had received the bread from the l(jth of 
 August, 1802, to January 1803, when two six- 
 penny loaves were sent ; and he afterwards informed 
 me by letter, that he had received the bread in De- 
 cember 1804. Formerly a sixpenny loaf was given 
 weeUy to each poor debtor, and the remainder in 
 twopenny loaves to the poor in the town. The 
 county allows a common fire from Michaelmas to 
 Lady-day; but no employment is furniihed. In 
 
 R . the
 
 -25^ ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 the great dearth, 1800 and 1801, the sufferings of 
 the poor debtors induced Lord Cawdor to order 
 the surplus of the soup distributed on that occasion 
 to be sent to the Gaol ; which proved a great reUef. 
 
 HAVERFORDWEST, Town and County Gaol 
 
 Gaoler, PafricJc Banner (a Shoe-maker). 
 Salary, 2l. 10s, 
 
 Prisoners, 1803, Sept. 29th, none. 
 
 , Allowance, 2d. per day. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This miserable Gaol, which is likewise the Bride- 
 well, has one large room below for felons ; and two 
 above, one of vvhich is for debtors ; and the other, 
 about 13 feet square, is the Bridewell. These last 
 are used, however, as the Keeper and prisoners 
 make choice. Straw is allowed, on wooden bed- 
 steads. No court-yard, nor water.
 
 TN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALLS. 259 
 
 HEREFORD, Cltu Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, John Thomas. Salary, 13/. 
 
 Fees, 6'*. Sd. No table. 
 
 Garnish, 2s. Cd. 
 Chaplain. None. 
 Surgeon. When wanted, sent by the Mayor. 
 
 Number of Debtors, | ^^'^"^' ^'^^- ^^^1^' " ' 
 
 (.1803, Aug. 20th, - o 
 
 Allowance. Formerly none, Jiow four pence a 
 day in bread. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol is the Bye-street Gate, and one room 
 in it is called the Bridewell. It has a small court 
 with a sewer in it, and tlie whipping-post. For 
 Common Side debtors here is ajree icard, to which 
 the Corporation allow straw : they have a little court 
 about 15 feet square, with a sev.vr: and it is well 
 suppHed with water. 
 
 Master's Side debtors have two rooms in the 
 Keeper s house, for which they pay 2s. 6(1. per week 
 for a single bed ; or, if two sleep together, l*. 6d. eacii. 
 Debtors are committed here by process issuing out 
 of the Mayor's Court. Neitlier tlie Act nor Clauses 
 hung up. The whole prison very dirty. 
 
 One shilling is given to each prisoner by the 
 Chamberlain at every quarter session. ^
 
 250 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 HEREFORD, County Gaol 
 
 Gaoler, John Preece. 
 
 Salary, 182/. for Gaol and House of Correction; 
 out of which he provides a Turnkey. 
 Fees, Debtors, see Table; besides which the 
 
 Under-sheriff demands 45. 8d. for his liberate! 
 
 Garnish, abolished. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Underwood. 
 
 Duty. Prayers and Sermon every Sunday, 
 Christmas-day, and Good Friday; and 
 prayers everv' Wednesday and Friday. 
 Salary, 50/. Twenty of which is a legacy from 
 William Bridges, Esq. of Tiberton, in this 
 County. 
 Surgeon, JVIr. Cam. 
 
 Salary, 42Z. for Debtors and Felons. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1800, March gOth, - 10 
 1S02, Nov. 10th, - S 
 
 1803, Aug. 28th, - € 
 18 Of), Nov. 28th, - 8 
 
 Allowance. One pound of bread jter day each, 
 and sometimes an allowance from the Charity 
 Box. If debtors procure work for themselves, 
 they have the whole of their earnings ; but if 
 the County furnishes employ, see Remarks. 
 
 RE-
 
 ^ IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 2Cl 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Prison is built upon the site of the old Priorv. 
 The Turnkey's lodge in front has, on each side, two 
 reception-cells for the confinement of prisoners, till 
 examined by the Surgeon, previous to their being 
 admitted into the interior of the gaol ; and two 
 small court-yards for their use : Also a warm and 
 cold bath, and an oven to fumigate and purify the 
 prisoners' clothes. The flat-roof above is the place 
 of execution. The court is flagged, and in it is 
 the engine-house, and a well, by which the whole 
 prison is supplied with excellent water. A house 
 for the manufacturer, or task-master, and a very 
 neat shop for the articles manufactured in the prison, 
 viz. shoes, slippers, gaiters, stockings, gloves, gar- 
 ters, flaxen yarn, and nets of all sorts ; the sale of 
 which is promoted by advertisement, at the county 
 expence. At the upper end of this court is the 
 gaoler s house, on the ground-floor of which is the 
 magistrates' committee-room : A passai^e leads to the 
 great-hall, or inspection-room, which is about IS 
 yards diameter, and nearly circular, with windows 
 opening into every court, and has a complete com- 
 mand of the whole prison. 
 
 The Rules and Orders, vviiich are painted on 
 a board, and hung uj) in every lobby, anjong other 
 things recite, — " Any person wishing to work, may 
 
 " have
 
 262 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 *• have raw materials of the Keeper, who will dis- 
 *' pose of the v»ork on the best terms lie can ; and, 
 " after deducting the prime cost of the raw materials, 
 " pay the remainder to the prisoner who has per- 
 " formed the work ; except one fourth thereof, which 
 " is to be reserved for the county. Any person to 
 " whom work is refused, or w^hose money is kept 
 " back, or has suffered any imposition from the 
 " Keeper, or his servants, is particularly enjoined 
 ^' to make complaint thereof to the Magistrate, at 
 " his next visitation *." 
 
 Men and women debtors have each a separate and 
 spacious court-yard, but no daj^-room. '^The men 
 have twenty sleeping-rooms, ten below and ten 
 above, twelve feet by nine each, furnished w^ith 
 beds and bedding by the Gaoler; for which they 
 pay, as by the following Table. The women have 
 eight rooms of equal size, four below and four above, 
 all free w'ards ; and if a debtor is too poor to provide 
 his own bed, the County humanely furnishes him 
 an iron-bedstead with sacking bottom, a straw- bed, 
 two blankets, and a coverlet, gratis. There is a 
 fire-place is every room, but no fuel allowed. 
 
 In several of the courts vegetables are grown for 
 the use of the prisoners, in addition to the allowance 
 above stated. 
 
 * A letter from the Keeper just received, dated 14th I'eb. 
 180S, has given me equal surprize and concern, by informing 
 rne that the working system is in a great measure discontinued. 
 
 Here
 
 IN ENGLAND^ SCOTLAND, AND WALLS. 26*3 
 
 Here are four excellent infirmary-rooms, and the 
 sick are as well attended to as in ;iii liosnitul. 
 The humane Surgeon having a discretional p(j\vcr to 
 order all things necessary, every page of the prison- 
 books bears witness to liis tireat atteiition. 
 
 The Chapel is a very neat building, and the pri- 
 soners are seated in their different classes ; all are 
 required to attend divine service, which is most 
 devoutly and impressively performed by the excel- 
 lent and exemplary Chaplain ; by whose serious dis- 
 courses I was much edified at mv several visits, and 
 with pleasure remarked the number of communi- 
 cants when the sacrament was administered. 
 
 IViUiam Bridges, Esq. bequeathed eight pounds 
 a year to poor prisoners : and on St. Thomas's day, 
 one shilling is given to each debtor, and one shilling 
 to each felon, by a legacy of Sir Thomas I flute. 
 
 No table of bequests kept in the Prison. The 
 Act for Preservation of Health, and Clauses against 
 Spirituous Liquors, are painted on aboard, and con- 
 spicuously fixed up. 
 
 T.^BLE OF Fees. 
 
 County of Hereford. At the General Quarter 
 Sessions of the Peace, held at the City of Hereford, 
 in and for the county, on the 15th of January, I'Oih 
 after reciting the preamble of the Act, it is ordered, 
 
 *' that
 
 t64 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 '^ that the several sum and sums of money herein- 
 '' after particularly mentioned, and no more, shall 
 '' from henceforth be taken, in manner herein-after 
 *^ expressed ; that is to say, 
 
 I. s. d. 
 
 For the entering of every action or process 
 
 M'hereon a prisoner shall or may be charged, 3 6 
 
 To the Turnkey, or Under Turnkey, on each 
 
 action, - - - -010 
 
 For the entering of a discharge, and for the dis- 
 charge of every prisoner, - - 1 S 4 
 
 To the Turnkey, on the discharge of every 
 
 prisoner, - - - - 1 
 
 For the receiving and entering every declara- 
 tion delivered against the prisoner in custody, 2 
 
 To the Turnkey, upon every declaration, - 6 
 
 ior a certificate for want of a declaration, in 
 
 order to take out a writ of Supersedeas, - 3 6 
 
 For copy of warrant, or commitment against 
 
 each prisoner, - - - 2 6 
 
 Lodgings. 
 
 Every prisoner who lies in the Keeper's lodg- 
 ings, in the Sheriff's Ward, on a single bed, '^ 
 per week, - - - - 2 6 
 
 For two in a single pairof sheets, ;jer week each, 16 
 
 Ja. Phillips. H. Morgan. W, Parry. 
 
 March 21st, 1799, approved by us, Justices of 
 Assize and Gaol delivery for the said county, 
 
 G. ROOKE. 
 
 S. Lawrence.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALK*. ^Cj 
 
 HERTFORD. 
 
 County Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, Charlotte IFllson. Salary, 180/. and for 
 the Bridewell 24/. 
 Fees, 155. 4^. ; besides which the Under-sheriff 
 demands 6s. Sd. for his liberate ! 
 
 Garnish, " None to be taken," painted on a board. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. James 3loore. 
 
 Duty, Prayers and Sermon every Sunday. 
 Salary, 40/. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Bradley. Salary, 20/. 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1803, June 2Gth, - 11 
 
 1804, Sept. 9th, - 12 
 
 1800, March 26th, - 8 
 
 1801, Aug. 14th, - 7 
 Allowance. None whatever. 
 
 . REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol is situated just out of the town, and 
 surrounded by a wall 15 feet high ; which, being at 
 a considerable distance from the buildings, admits a 
 free circulation of air ; and the Keeper has within 
 it a convenient garden. For men and women debt- 
 ors there is only one court, 20 yards by 12. Their 
 infirmary-room, which is spacious and lofty, is on 
 the ground floor : but they have no day-room. For 
 
 Common
 
 26^ ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 Common Side Debtors there are ten sleeping-rooms, 
 16 feet 8 inches by 11 feet 7, which ^rej'ree waj^ds: 
 But the county allows neither bedding nor straw ; 
 so that, if a debtor cannot provide himself with a 
 ])edj he must sleep on the bare boards. The lobby 
 which leads to these roon:is is on\y four Jeet ivlde, 
 and the pillars, being square, and of brick, make 
 them both dark and close. The door-ways are only 
 twenty-tii'O inches wide, so that no crib-bedsteads 
 can be introduced. There are two other rooms, 12 
 feet by 10, which are furnished for those who can 
 pay "Is. a week each, and two sleep together. No 
 firing allowed. No employment is furnished. The 
 County attempted to establish a manufactory ; but, 
 the expence * exceeding the earnings of the prison- 
 ers, it was soon discontinued. The Chapel is very 
 close : it has no cupola ; and the debtors, who are 
 verv neslijrent in their attendance on divine service, 
 frequently interrupt it: only three out of eleven 
 were present at my visit in 1803. ^ There is a want 
 of cleanliness and regularity in the government of 
 this Gaol. The Clauses against Spirituous Liquors 
 are hung up, but not the Act for Preservation of 
 Health. 
 
 * Thai employment might be made productive, under proper 
 regulations, see Dorchester, p. 163, Gloucester, p. 239, and 
 various other prisons ; as has already been and will be shewn, in 
 the course of ibis work.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WM.lS. 2('q 
 
 HORSHAM ; Sussex. 
 
 County Gaol. 
 Gaoler, Samuel Smart. S<\lary, 120/. 
 Fees. Abolished. 
 
 Garnish; prohibited, but sometimes a pot of 
 beer, or a pint of wine, is paid by new-comers. 
 Chaplain, Rev. IFilllam Jameson. 
 
 Duty, Prayers ever if day, and a Sermon once 
 
 a week. 
 Salary, 50/. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Dubbins ; for Felons only *. 
 Salary, 20l. 
 
 /-1801, Sept. 3d, - 7 
 Number of Debtors, J 1802, Feb. 4th, - 5 
 
 llSOC, July igth, - i>.S 
 
 Allowance. None, except to paupers, who have 
 
 one pound of bread per day, sent in loaves 
 
 from the baker, and weighed by the Gaoler. 
 
 RExMARKS. 
 
 The situation of this prison, judiciously chosen, 
 is a little way out of the town : a small garden ex- 
 tends along the front.. In the door of the Keeper's 
 house there is a poor's box, for obtaining prisoners' 
 sixpences. Here are two spacious courts (about half 
 an acre each), with gravel walks surrounding a Tuic 
 
 * As medical relief does not extend to poor debtors, the hu- 
 mane Surgeon has hitherto attended tliem gratuitouili/. 
 
 grass-
 
 26S ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 gras»-plat : both are well supplied with excellent 
 water, and a wall encloses the whole prison. The 
 debtors' apartments are over arcades, to which the 
 ascent is by a stone staircase skirted with iron rails. 
 There are two floors, each of which has ten rooms 
 (five on each side a passage five feet wide) ; besides 
 a day-room (28 feet by 12 feet three inches) ; and 
 a lodging-room for the turnkey. To each room are 
 two doors, one of wood, the other iron-latticed. 
 Every room has a shutter for the window, with a 
 pane of knobbed glass in it, a wood bedstead, a 
 straw in canvas bed, and two blankets. ' The county 
 is so considerate as to allow half a bushel of coals 
 pej' day to each common room during the six winter 
 months, two tin kettles, and a wooden scuttle. A 
 Turnkey, paid by the County, goes twice a day to 
 purchase provisions and liquors for the debtors ; and 
 it is properly fixed they shall not exceed each one 
 pint of wine, or one quart of strong beer a-day. 
 The Justices have sent in scales and weights, which 
 is a check on the baker ; and I have always found 
 the loaves full weight. There is no Infirmary ; but 
 two rooms, with fire-places, are set apart for the 
 sick. The Act for Preservation of Health is not 
 hung up. Tlie Gaoler's house has not a proper view 
 of the court-vards : a window should be made in Iiis 
 kitchen towards the Debtors' court, and in his par- 
 lour to that of the Felons. There should be benches 
 
 in
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. QCQ 
 
 in the day-rooms to sit upon, and shelves for debtors 
 to deposit their plates and provisions ; instead ol" 
 which, at present, there are only the naked walls. 
 
 Tlie Clauses against Spirituous Li(iuors, and the 
 Rules and Orders, are hung up. The sewers are 
 judiciously placed. The Chapeh which is in the 
 Keeper's house, has a gallery for the Gaoler and hi!^ 
 family. The pulpit is on the same level : the area 
 below is 17 feet by 15, and has benches for tTie 
 prisoners ; so that debtors and felons sit opposite 
 each other, but almost close together. Any prisoner 
 absent from divine service, without a proper cause, 
 is punished by close confinement, or short allow- 
 ance. Religious books, at the county-expence, are 
 distributed by the worthy Chaplain : all the pri- 
 soners attended when 1 was there (20th July, 1S06), 
 and their behaviour was orderly and attentive. The 
 County, at my former visits, allowed those debtors to 
 work who could procure it, by which many sup- 
 ported themselves comfortably, and assisted their 
 families. I was sorrv to be informed that this indul- 
 gence was now denied them, and the whole num- 
 ber (twenty-eight) in a state of idleness ; no work 
 whatever being permitted in the Gaol. It is a 
 maxim in many of our best-governed prisons that 
 every attention be paid to the means of industry. 
 Sir George Paul justly observes, " that Debtors 
 and the Unconvicted should doubtless be allowed 
 
 to
 
 2.70 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS TOR DEBTORS 
 
 to employ the wages of their own industry, to make 
 life more comfortable ; but under such restrictions 
 as the good government of the prison renders indis- 
 pensable. What is it less than a palpable absurdity, 
 to commit a pennyless offender, till he pays a fine, 
 and deny him the exercise of his art and industry, 
 to enable him to redeem his liberty * T 
 
 Every Christmas a man goes about the county 
 to collect donations for the relief of poor Debtor^; 
 and the money thus procured is distributed amongst 
 them, at Is. each per week, till the whole is ex- 
 pended. The contribution in 1805 amounted to 
 67/. 25.; and in 180S, to 84/. 11^. H^. ; out of 
 which the collector had one fourth for his expences, 
 time, and trouble \, 
 
 * Since writing the above I have been informed that some 
 Debtors had attempted to escape, and that others would not 
 conform to the rules of the Gaol, which caused an order for pro- 
 _ hlbiting work. 
 
 f At my several visits I have always seen one Simon South- 
 ward, a debtor here, who was committed the 22d of February, 
 1767. He is now allowed by the parish 6s. a week. He styles 
 himself -SzTWow, Earl of Derby, King in Man; is very orderly 
 and inoffensive, but evidently deranged.
 
 In ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALKS. 27 1 
 
 HULL; rorhshire. 
 Town and Counfi/ Gaol, 
 
 Gaoler, Robert Raines Baincs. 
 
 Salary, lOO/. out of which he provides a Turn- 
 key. Fees, 'Js. 6d. Garnisli, abolished. 
 
 Chaplain. None ; but the Rev. Mr. TiromlcUy 
 Vicar of Holy Trinity, frequently attends. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Clarke. Salary, 8/, 8^. 
 
 Number of Debtors, ( ^«^^" ^"-- ^^^^^^ " ^^ 
 
 t 1805, May 7th, - n 
 
 Allowance. Four pence per day to pau])ers. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol is in a fine situation, just out of the 
 town, and refreshed by the sea-breezes. It w ould 
 be a good one, if the Turnkey's Lodge were re- 
 built, in front of the prison ; and the boundary- 
 wall, at present only 13 feet 6 inches, raised five 
 feet higher. Under the same roof with the Turn- 
 key's apartments are an oven, a bath, and a work- 
 room for debtors. These are injudiciously buill 
 in the court, and near the prison-wall, obstructing 
 the keeper s view, and seeming to invite escapes : 
 Htnce four have been eftected in ten years; felons are 
 
 tlieiefore
 
 £72 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 therefore prohibited the use of it. The ground-floor 
 of the gaol is occupied by the keeper, except one 
 room for women-convicts, which looks to the garden, 
 ■where they can see and converse with the debtors. 
 Here is one spacious court, 60 yards by 20, for male 
 and female debtors ; and a day-room, 22 feet 8 inches 
 by 14 feet 4, with many conveniences for working. 
 Rooms are provided for the manufactory of garters, 
 laces, &c. for those who are of no trades, but willing 
 to work. Master's-side debtors have three rooms on 
 the second, and three on the third story ; and pay 
 1*. 6d. a week for a single bed, or if two sleep to- 
 gether, l<s. 3c/. each. Common-side debtors have a 
 room on the third story, for which they pay 6d. a 
 week, and find their own bedding. In the depth of 
 winter the magistrates humanely order a bushel and 
 half of coals per week to every room which has a fire- 
 place. In the centre of the building is a square room 
 (too small) with a reading-desk in one corner, used 
 as a Chapel, where all prisoners indiscriminately mix 
 when divine service is performed. Both Act and 
 Clauses are conspicuously hung up. Water at all 
 times accessible. The prison is well ventilated, heal- 
 thy, and clean. From the quantity of Junk I saw in 
 this busy maritime town, it is evident that constant 
 employ in picking oakum might be furnished for 
 every prisoner, if convenient work-rooms were built, 
 which may easily be done.
 
 In ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. Q-o 
 
 HUNTINGDON, Counhj Gaol, 
 Gaoler, l^illlani AveUng. Salary, lOj/. and 
 from the Corporation 4/. 
 Fees, 10*.; to the Turnkey 2*. Gd, The Under- 
 
 SheriiF demands 4-y. for his liberate ! 
 Garnish, 2** 6d. bij order of the magistrates. 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. fVilliams, 
 
 Duty, Prayers and Sermon every Wednesday. 
 Salary, 20/* 
 Surgeon, M.v. Deshorough. Salary, 15^.15*. 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1801, Aug. 20th, - 12 I 180^, Aug. 2, - - 3 
 
 1802, Feb. 1st, - - 8 I 1807, Aug. 31st, - 4 
 
 Allowance. Nine pounds of bread iveehly, 
 
 RExMARKS. 
 
 The Gaoler's house is situate in the High Street, 
 and has no appearance of an appendage to a prison. 
 The Gaol is behind it ; through a passage leading 
 Immediately to the felons' day-room. This is about 
 \6 feet square, and 10 feet high ; has a fire-place, 
 with two iron-grated windows ; and here, as there 
 is no chapel, divine service is performed. The 
 attendance of Debtors I understand to be optional 1 
 
 Men debtors have a court-yard 53 feet by 2(j, a 
 day-room 30 feet by 14, ^*^^^ 10 feet 5 inches high, 
 with a fire-place. Their sleeping-room above is -26 
 feet by 14 feet^, 9 feet 6 inches high, and has four 
 bedsteads for two persons each. 
 
 JS At
 
 ^74 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 At my Summer visits the debtors complained to me 
 of excessive heat, from want of ventilation ; the two 
 small iron-grated apertures, made to admit a thorough 
 air, being nearly stopped up on the outside. The 
 County allows straw only, so that debtors in general 
 bring their own beds, and pay nothing, or else the 
 Keeper furnishes a single bed at 2s. Ad. per week ; 
 •if two sleep together, ?t Is. gd. each ; and for those 
 who can afford it, there are two other rooms in the 
 house, at S*. 6d. per week. 
 
 Women debtors have a separate court-yard, 33 
 feet by 19 ; a day-room 21 feet by 16, with a fire- 
 ,place ; and over it their sleeping-room, nearly of the 
 same size, with four bedsteads for two persons each. 
 They furnish their own bedding. The windows of 
 this room formerly commanded a fine view of the 
 country, which made it both pleasant and healthy ; 
 but at my last visit, the wall of the court-yard had 
 ' been raised so high, as to intercept the scenery. 
 
 No firing allowed, but to felons in severe weather. 
 No employment furnished by the County ; but such 
 debtors as are of handicraft trades, and can procure 
 it from without, are permitted to work, and receive 
 all they earn. There is a pump in every court- 
 yard, but no bath, or oven, which are much wanted. 
 Both Act *and Clauses are conspicuously hung up. 
 1 found the whole of this ill -constructed prison very 
 clean, and well supplied with water.
 
 tN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES, 27$ 
 
 ILCHESTER; Somersetshire. 
 
 Gaoler, Edivard Scadding. Salary, 1:25/. 
 
 Fees, l4sAd. See Table. Besides which tlie 
 Under-Sheriff demands G^. 8^/. forh'is liberate! 
 Garnish, aboUshed. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Tliomas Rees. Salary, 50/. 
 Duty, Prayers and Sermon every Sunday. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Poole, Salary, none : but makes 
 his bill. 
 
 Number of Debtors, (^«^^^^P"^'^^^* " " ^^ 
 t 1801, Dec. 27th, - - 29 
 
 Allowance. A six-penny loaf per day each ; 
 weight, Dec. 27th, 180I, 2lb. 7 oz. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The Turnkey's lodge fronts the river. On the 
 ground-floor is a warm and cold bath ; over which, 
 and the gateway, are his sleeping-rooms. A small 
 garden leads to the Keeper's house ; which, though 
 placed in the centte of the buildings, commands but 
 a very small part of the prison. It has a cupola on 
 the top, which serves either for the chapel, or for 
 alarm, if needful. Great part of the Ciaol is sur- 
 rounded by an outside wall, about 16' fott hi[;h, 
 which, while it adds to its securit}-, aiibrds the 
 
 s 2 keeper
 
 2j6 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 keeper a convenient kitchen garden. Master's Side 
 debtors have a spacious court-yard, where they play 
 at fives, tennis, &c. a day-room and mess-room 
 20 feet by 12 each ; and 17 lodging-rooms, that ac- 
 commodate 30 prisoners, for which they pay as per 
 Table. 
 
 For Common-side debtors there are two stories 
 over arcades, each containing five sleeping-cells, 8 
 feet by 7, and 8 feet 6 inches high, fitted up witli 
 perforated iron bedsteads ; straw, changed once a 
 month, a blanket, and a coverlet. Every cell has 
 a double door, the outer iron-grated, the inner 
 wood, opening into a passage four feet wide ; the 
 windows of which (four) look into the court. These 
 cells are lighted and ventilated by a semicircular 
 window, half of which is glazed, the other half open, 
 and an aperture in the wall, 18 inches by Q. In the 
 day-time they are allowed the use of the Master's-side 
 debtors' court, and likewise of the mess-room and fire. 
 
 The Women debtors' court is 18 yards by 6, and 
 intended for the use of sick prisoners. It is sepa- 
 rated from the Men-felons' court by a dwarf-wall, and 
 iron palisades, through which they can see and 
 converse with each other. They have arcades, under 
 which they may walk in wet weather; and over these 
 are their two sleeping-rooms, and two infirmary- 
 rooms. The Chapel, to which the access is through 
 the keeper's house, is on the felons' side of the 
 
 prison.
 
 IN ENGLA'ND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 277 
 
 prison. It is not well partitioned for the cliHerent 
 classes of prisoners ; and as debtors are not ohliged 
 to attend divine service, only eight (out of twenty- 
 nine) were present when I was there. 'Hie Act for 
 Preservation of Health, and Clauses against Spi- 
 rituous Liquors, are conspicuously hung up ; and 
 the prison very clean. 
 
 On the debtors'-side is a pump with excellent 
 spring-water ; and in the garden the engine-house, 
 from which the reservoirs are filled, and the whole 
 prison supplied with soft-water, through pipes con- 
 veyed into the different courts. The sewers are ju - 
 diciously placed, and not offensive. No employment 
 is furnished by the County ; and only three debtors, 
 who were of handicraft trades, had any work. 
 
 The fifty shillings, formerly paid from a legacy 
 of Mr. Kelson, of Norton, has been long discon- 
 tinued : I could get no information concerning it. 
 No memorial is hung up. 
 
 Somersetshire (to wit.) At the General Quarter- 
 Sessions held the 31st day of March, at Ivelchester, 
 1761, before Edward Phelips, Esq. &c. 
 A Table of Rates and Fees, settled and allowed to 
 
 be taken by the Keeper of the Common Gaol, in 
 
 and for the said County, by virtue of an Act 3 2d 
 
 of George II. 
 
 For the discharge of every debtor, 
 
 To the Turnkey, 
 
 For 
 
 /. s. d. 
 13 4 
 1
 
 27S ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 For every debtor lodging singly, weekly, in- 
 cluding the use of bed and bedding, -016 
 
 ]But if two debtors lodge together, both weekly, 3 
 
 The Gaoler is not to compel any debtor to lodge 
 single. 
 
 If a debtor has a bed and bedding of his own, 
 
 then - - - - -010 
 
 If he lodges in tlie outside ward, then weekly 
 
 only - - - - -006 
 
 If a bed of his own, then nothing for it, 
 
 Edward Phelips. John Brickdale. 
 Thomas Camplin, William Rodbard. 
 Giles Strangwav, 
 
 29th July, 1701, We do hereby approve and 
 ratify the Table of Fees above written, pursuant to 
 %he said statute. 
 
 Eardley Wilmot. 
 
 William Noel. 
 
 At my visit in December 1801, I paid the feesqf 
 a debtor, whose plaintiff had forgiven him his debt : 
 but there was another demand of 6s. 8d. by the 
 Under-sheriff for his liberate, which I was obliged 
 to pay before the prisoner could be set at liberty !
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 279 
 
 IPSWICH, Toiim and Borough Gaol. 
 
 Oaoler, William Brame. 
 
 Salary, 50/. also two chaldrons and a half of 
 coals, and eight dozen lbs. of candles. 
 
 Fees, 6s. 8d. Garnish, abolished. 
 Chaplain, Rev. fFm. Howorth. Salary, 30/. 
 
 Duty, Sunday, Prayers and Sermon. 
 Surgeon, Mr. Sechamp : makes a bill. 
 
 {1801, Oct. 13th, - - 2 
 I8O5, Sept. 14th, - - 4 
 I8O6, July 19th, - - 3 
 
 Allowance. To Debtors who are poor, and not 
 able to support themselves, one pound and 
 a half of bread /?er day ; and from Pember- 
 ton's * Charity a two-penny loaf, one shil- 
 ling's worth of meat, and a pint of strong- 
 beer on a Sunday, once in three weeks. 
 
 REMARKS: 
 
 This Gaol, situate in St. Matthew's Street, is so 
 much improved since my visit in 1801 and I805, 
 that I can now give some account of it with pleasure. 
 The Gaoler's house fronts the street, and in it are 
 rooms for Master's-side debtors, to which he furnishes 
 beds at 2s. per week each. Behind the house is the 
 
 * See Bury St, Edmunds, p. n;. 
 
 debtors*
 
 280 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 debtors' court-yard, 90 feet by 27, with a gravel 
 walk ; and at the end of it is a small court for them 
 to converse with their friends. Common-side 
 debtors have a day-room 16 feet square, with a tire- 
 place ; and four rooms up-stairs, to which the Cor- 
 poration furnishes bedsteads and bedding. Women 
 debtors have separate apartments. The infirmary- 
 room is 17 feet by 12, and 7 feet 9 inches high, 
 with a fire-place and glazed window. 
 
 At the West end of the prison is a neat little 
 Chapel, 22 feet by 18, where the prisoners are placed 
 in separate classes, but in sight of each other during 
 divine service. At my visits some were employed in 
 cutting skewers, at 2s. a thousand, others spinning 
 and making garters : they have all they earn, and the 
 considerate Magistrates allovy fire, soap and towels 
 for the use of the prisoners. Each debtor is permitted 
 to send for a quart of strong beer a day, but not more. 
 
 Debtors are confined here by writs of Capias 
 issuing out of the Court of Small Pleas holden for 
 the town and borough every fortnight, on a Monday: 
 No debtor in execution in this gaol had ever reaped 
 the benefit of the Lords' Act until the 30th De- 
 cember, I8O5, when Mr. Pulham, a very worthy 
 and respectable SoHcitor at Woodbridge, obtained 
 the sixpences for them at his own expence, after an 
 application had been made by him to the Court of 
 King's Bench; for a Mandamus to have them allowed.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 281 
 
 IPSWICH, aunty Gaol, 
 
 Gaoler, Samuel Johnson. Salary, 200/. and coals 
 ai>d candle for his own use. 
 Fees, aad Garnish, abolished. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Lee. Salary, 50/. 
 
 Duty, every Wednesday, Prayers ; and on 
 Sunday, Prayers and Sermon. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Sfebbmg. 
 
 Salary, 60/. for debtors, felons, &:c. 
 
 Number of Debtors, ^ ' ' "^ / 
 
 I 1805, Sept. 14th, - - 20 
 
 Allowance. Two pounds of beef per week each ; 
 and on Sundays a pint of porter and a two-' 
 penny loaf: But if a debtor is very poor, and 
 cannot support himself, he is allowed by 
 the County, in addition to the above, four 
 loaves of 1 1 lb. each, and half a pound of 
 cheese per week. I weighed the loaves, and 
 found them full weight, and of the best 
 wheat. Each debtor has a cupboard, num- 
 bered as his sleeping-room, with lock and 
 |iey, to secure his provision. 
 
 RE-
 
 282 ACCOUNT OF PRISOXS FOR DEBTOR* 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The boundary-wall encloses about an acre and 
 half of ground : the Turnkey's lodge is in front ; his 
 sitting-room is on the ground-floor ; and there is also 
 a warm and cold bath, with an oven to piirify in- 
 fected clothes. Up-stairs are two reception-cells, 
 where prisoners are confined till examined by the 
 Surgeon ; a room where their clothes are ticketed, 
 hung up, and the county-clothing put on ; and the 
 Turnkey's sleeping-room. The lead roof above is 
 the place for execution of criminals; After passing 
 through the lodge, an avenue, qG feet by 18, leads 
 to the Keepers house, in the centre of the prison ; 
 and from which the several court-yards are com- 
 pletely inspected. 
 
 The prison consists of four wings, to which are 
 attached eight spacious and airy courts, of 75 feet by 
 45 ; and three smaller ones, about 44 feet square 
 in one of which is the engine-house. Men debtor 
 have the use of two of the larger court-yards, and on 
 the ground-floor, a day-room, 22 feet by ;4, with 
 a fire-place, and utensils for frugal cookery, a pan- 
 try for provisions, and four work-rooms. One of 
 the small courts, and two cells, 8 feet by 6, and 10 
 feet high, on the ground-floor, are appropriated to 
 refractory debtors. The first and second story have 
 each eleven sleeping-cells. . Women debtors have ^ 
 separate court-yard, and a day-room, 1 4 feet by 8 
 
 feet
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 2S3 
 
 feet 6 inches, fitted up as the men's, with ten sleepin^^- 
 cells, five on the fii-st story, and five on the second. 
 Each cell has two doors, the outer iron-grated, the 
 inner of wood, (opening to a lobby 46 feet long and 
 five feet wiue ;) and is S feet 6 inches by feet 6\ and 
 J.) feet 6 inches high : lighted and ventilated by au 
 iron-grated and glazed sash-window, 3 feet 6 by 2 
 feet 4 inches, with an aperture near tb.e door 1 5, 
 inches bv 3 . These cells are all fitted up with a wood 
 bedstead, fiock mattress, two blankets, two sheets, a 
 bolster and coverlet, provided at the count)- expence. 
 Every debtor has a bed to himself ; Coals are allowed 
 both summer and winter, to cook their provisions ; 
 and each is permitted to purchase one quart of strong 
 beer per dav, but not more. The county provides 
 no employment ; but those who can procure it from 
 without are allowed to work, and have the whole of 
 their earnins^. Tlie Chapel is in tlie centre of the 
 Gaoler s house, up one pair of stairs ; well contrived, 
 and easy of access from the several lobbies. The 
 prisoners are seated in their respective classes, out of 
 siiiht of each other, but in fall view oi' the Minister 
 and the Keeper. On the second story are four neat 
 infirmary-rooms, IJ) feet square, with fire-places, 
 sash-windows, and water-closets ; and over them is 
 a lead-flat for con\-alescents to take tlie air on. 
 
 At a meetino- of the trustees of Mr. Peml^rtons 
 Charitv, JuU IT, 17 SO, it was ordered, - That tiie 
 
 •• trea-
 
 284 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 *^ treasurer should provide, as the trustees shall 
 " fit, for the debtors imprisoned in any of the Jails in 
 " the county of Suffolk, either for theiri'elief' therein^ 
 " by a proportion of bread, meat, and beer, as he 
 *• shall think necessary, or for the delivering them out 
 " of prison, until the treasurer shall receive further 
 '^ orders. Nevertheless, such debtors in Ipswich Jail 
 '^ as do not regularly attend divine service (unless pre- 
 " vented by sickness, or some reasonable cause to be 
 *' allowed of by the Chaplain), and behave decently 
 *^ and reverently, shall not have any benefit or 
 *^ allowance from this charity." Trustees, Geo, 
 Drury, Lott Knight, Ph. B. Brooke, Edw. HaselL 
 
 This excellent prison is well supplied with both 
 hard and soft water: the sewers are judiciously placed, 
 and not offensive : mops, brooms, and pails are pro- 
 vided to keep the prison clean, and towels allowed to 
 the prisoners. When any are sick, the Surgeon has 
 a discretionary power to order wine, and such diet as 
 he deems necessary. It is frequently visited by the 
 Macristrates, who have their committee-room in the 
 keeper's house. The Act and Clauses are conspi- 
 cuously hung up, and the Gaol is kept very neat 
 and clean. 
 
 The Gentlemen of this county, both here and at 
 Burv, have erected a striking monument of their 
 humane attention to the health of the wretched, and 
 the morals of the prisoner.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. SS; 
 
 KENDALL ; IVestmorland. 
 
 Gaoler, Miles Hayton. 
 Salary, 30/. 
 
 Fees, 25. 4c?. on discharge. 
 Garnish. Abolished. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Briggs. 
 Salary, lO/. 
 Duty, Sunday afternoon. 
 
 Surgeon. From the Dispensary, when wanted. 
 
 TVT u cr»w f 1801, Nov. 23d, - - 3 
 Number of Debtors, <^ ^ ' ' 
 
 1 1802, Sept. 25th, - - 3 
 
 Allowance. None ; but any debtor arrested by 
 process issuing out of the Borough Court is 
 allowed 6d. a day after three court-days : a 
 court is held every three weeks. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 Tliis is the Town Gaol and Bridewell, and judi- 
 ciously situated on an eminence a little way out of 
 the town. Debtors have a spacious airy court 23 
 yards by 12, with pump-water, and six sizeable 
 rooms, with sash-windows, and fire-places in four of 
 them. They are airy, clean, and open into a lobby 
 near five feet wide ; For the use of these rooms the 
 
 debtor
 
 286 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 debtor pays nothing, in case he finds his own bed i 
 but if the keeper furnishes one, he is paid Sd. per 
 week for a chafF-bed, and 1^-. per week for a feather- 
 bed. Two sleep together. Looms are humanely 
 sent from the workhouse, for the use of the prisoners 
 during confinement. Each prisoner is allowed three 
 fourths of his earnings for maintenance, and the 
 other remaining fourth goes to the keeper. 
 
 Here is a very neat Chapel, which has two separate 
 doors of entrance, with a folding screen in the mid- 
 dle, so that the women can neither see nor be seen 
 by the men. Every part of this gaol is well supplied 
 with water, and the whole very clean. The Act for 
 Preservation of Health, and Clauses against Spi- 
 rituous Liquors, are conspicuously hung up. 
 
 Here is no bath, nor oven to purify infected or 
 offensive clothes. No county-clothing is yet allowed. 
 The door of the Felons' Court-yard opens into 
 that of the Debtors. ' 
 
 It would be an act of kindness and humanity if a 
 messenger were paid by the public to procure for 
 the prisoners victuals and s?nall beer from the town ; 
 of which, they sometimes stand greatly in need.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 287 
 
 KING'S BENCH PRISON. 
 
 Marshal, JVilUam Jones, Esq. the Fees and 
 Emoluments of whose office appear, from the 
 printed Report of the Select Committee of 
 Finance, to be 23 00/ *. 
 
 Deputy, Mr. Hughes ; whose income is staterl in 
 the same Report to be 210/. This office may- 
 be considered as a sinecure; for I am in- 
 formed that the duties of it are executed by- 
 Mr. Brooshoofj as Clerk of the Day Rules, 
 as well as Clerk of the Papers. 
 
 Licence, Beer and Wine. Tap let. (see Remarks.) 
 Allowance, None. 
 
 Prisoners, in the House, on an average number 
 
 of ten years, from - - 500 to Coo. 
 
 Prisoners in the Rules, on an average, 70 to 100. 
 
 Surgeon. None -j-. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Evans ; whose salary arises 
 from proceeding^ in suits against prisoners, 
 
 * If the account of Fees and Emoluments of the Marshal's 
 Office, which I have had sent to me, is correct, they appear ty 
 be upwards of 7900/. per annum. 
 
 f When sickness attacks prisoners in this place, their misery 
 and sufferings must be very great, from a want of medical as- 
 sistance J for sickness^ accompanied with poverty, finds here 
 
 neither pity nor relief. 
 
 which
 
 2S8 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 which are taken for and paid to him by the 
 several Judges' clerks at the Judges' cham- 
 bers. I am informed the amount is about 
 lOOl. per annum. 
 
 Duty, Prayers and Sermon on Sunday ; and 
 Sacrament once a month. 
 
 N. B. Attendance at Chapel being optional, 
 but few attended when I have been there ; 
 and devotion was extremely interrupted by 
 the continual noise occasioned in opening 
 and shutting the Chapel-door during divine 
 service. 
 
 The office of Marshal of this Prison was formerly 
 hereditary in a private family, by grant from the 
 Crown; but in the 27th George II. it was suggested 
 as improper for a private family to hold such an 
 office ; and that it would be the means of more 
 effectually preventing extortion and impositions on 
 the prisoners, if the appointment were vested in the 
 Crown, subject to removal for neglect of duty, non- 
 residence, or improper coyiduct. A Bill therefore 
 passed, to enable his Majesty to purchase the future 
 appointment to the office of Marshal of the King's 
 Bench Prison, and 10,500/. was voted for that pur- 
 pose. By this act the King appoints the officer to 
 hold his office quamd'iu se bene gesserit. Con- 
 stant residence seems required, either within the 
 
 IFalls or the Rules. 
 
 The
 
 In England, Scotland, and \\ales. 2S<} 
 
 The Marshal is to keep the piisoii in rtpair, and 
 pay his servants out of the fees and emoluments. 
 The power of continuance and removal is vcstctl in 
 the Chief Justice, and the other tin-ee Jud{^a's of tin; 
 Court of Kintr's Bench. 
 
 By the Act 32 George II. the courts were re- 
 quired to meet, and to settle a table of fees, &.c. to 
 be taken of all prisoners for debt ; and the prisoners 
 were protected by that Act from the imposition and 
 extortion of Gaolers. The Court of King's Bench 
 settled the following Table of Ff:ES, to be taken of 
 all prisoners for debt, &c. ; and by the said Act they 
 are directed to send at certain times in the year, to 
 see that this Table of Fees, as well as a List of all 
 Bequests, are hung up in some conspicuous part of 
 the prison, and that the said Act is in ever}^ other 
 respect complied with ; and that eight days' public 
 notice should be given of this visitation. Any vio- 
 lation of the clauses in this Act subjects Gaolers and 
 servants to a penalty of 50/. The limits and boun- 
 daries, or as they are commonly called, " Rules" 
 of the Prison, are very extensive, forming a circle 
 of nearly three miles round the walls of the prison » 
 The purchase of these Rules, I am informed, is 
 seven guineas for the first hundred pounds every 
 prisoner is charged with, and five pounds for every 
 hundred afterwards ; and such security is given to 
 the Marshal as he appi-oves of; but all taverns, 
 
 T al«-
 
 290 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 ale-bouses, and places of public amusement, are 
 excluded. 
 
 Day Rules 
 
 Are allowed, to tlie number of three days in every 
 term, unless tlie prisoner can sbew good cause to 
 tlie Court wby a greater number of days should be 
 granted him. Those in the Rules who have given 
 to the Marshal two sufficient securities, pay for the 
 first day-rule 4^. 2^. and j.y. \OaL for every other 
 day. The expence attending an application for a 
 greater number is about a guinea and a half. Those 
 who are within the walls, and are too poor to pur- 
 chase the Rules, and unable, from the general de- 
 sertion of tlieir friends, to find security, cannot ob- 
 tain this indulgence of the da}'-rules without paying 
 a Judge's tipstaff 1 Os. 6(1. to attend him, and a fur- 
 ther sum of l6s. Sd. to induce the tipstaff to be- 
 come security to the Marshal, in case of an escape. 
 As the tipstafls give to the Marshal security to the 
 amount of 500/. only, those who are charged with 
 demands or debts for more than that sum can have 
 no indulo:ence of this kind. 
 
 Of the Prison itself. 
 
 It is situated at the top of Blackman-street, in 
 the Borough of South wark. The entrance to it 
 from St. George's Fields is by a handsome court- 
 yard,
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, ASh WA.'.ES. *2.'jl 
 
 yard, where there are three good hun-^cs. i'in.- 
 largest of them is the proper residence of the Mar- 
 shal ; one for tlie Clerk of the pai)ers with his ortice 
 on the ground-floor ; a)i(l the tliird is generally let 
 to persons of rank and fortune, who are coniniitted 
 by the Court for challenges, libels, or other mis- 
 demeanors. From this court-yard the ascent is by 
 a few stone steps into a lobby, which has a good 
 room on the right-hand, and over it several good 
 a])artments, which, I was informed, usually let at 
 five guineas a week ; also tv^ o rooms, called Strong 
 Rooms, to secure those who have attempted to 
 escape. These Strong Rooms are about 1 2 feet by 8 : 
 one of them has a flagged floor, and is occasionally 
 used as a coal-hole ; the other has a boarded floor. 
 No fire-place in either; no casements, or shutters, 
 to keep out the weather. 
 
 From the lobby is a descent by a few stone steps, 
 into a small square yard, where there is a pair of 
 great gates and a small door, with a lodge for the 
 turnkeys, and a room over it, generally let at one 
 guinea a week. On the right-hand of this gate, on 
 entering the inner part of the prison, there is a brick 
 building, called " the State House," containing eight 
 large handsome rooms, let at 2s. 6d. each jjcr week 
 to those who have interest to procure one. Oppo- 
 site to the State House is the Tap-room, where from 
 J2 to 24 butts of beer are drawn weekly. In thi^ 
 
 T 2 tap-
 
 292 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 tap-room is a bar ; and on one side is a very neat 
 small parlour, belonging to the person who keeps the 
 tap. On the other side is a room on a larger scale, 
 called the Wine-room, where prisoners and their 
 friends occasionally resort. The residence of the 
 prisoners is in a large brick building, about 120 yards 
 long, with a wing at each end, and a neat uniform 
 chapel in the centre. There is a space of ground 
 in front of the building, of about forty yards_, in- 
 cluding a parade of about three yards paved with 
 broad flag-stones. In the space between the build- 
 ing and the wall are three pumps, well supplied with 
 spring and river water ; also another pump, at the 
 side of the further wing, with a spring of very line 
 water. Part of the ground next the wall is appro- 
 priated for playing at rackets and fives ; and there 
 are also, in different ])arts, frames of wood, with 
 nine holes in each frame, c<>lled Binnhle-puppy 
 groitnds, where the prisoners amuse themselves with 
 trying to bowl small iron balls into the holes marked 
 with the higliest numbers. 
 
 The building is divided into sixteen staircases, 
 with stone steps and iron railings. No. 1, at the 
 further \v\n^, contains 21 rooms ; and on each stair- 
 case the ranges of rooms are divided by a passage, or 
 gallery, about two yards wide. In the staircases 
 No. 2, 3, 4, and 5, there are four rooms on each 
 floor, making \6 in each staircase, separated from 
 
 oach
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALLS. 293 
 
 each other by a passage of about a yard wile. The 
 staircase No. 6, contains 12 rooms, besides two 
 small cabins. No. 7, 8, and .9, contain eight rooin^; 
 each. No. 10, contains ,S0 rooms, separated from 
 each other by a passage, about 20 yards long and two 
 wide. The staircases No. 11, 12, 1,3, 14, and 1^, 
 have eight rooms each, and are at the back of the 
 building, but separated from the wall by a space of 
 about eight yards. Each staircase has eight rooms, 
 with a passage of about a yard wide. No. 16' is also 
 in the further wing:, at the back of the building;; 
 has a spacious wide staircase, with passages or gal- 
 leries on each floor, four yards wide ; and contains, 
 in the whole, 20 rooms. 
 
 The whole number of rooms, including the eight 
 state rooms, is 224 ; the size of them, in general, is 
 15 to l6 feet by 12 or 13 feet: some few are on a 
 little larger scale. In each room is a strong iron 
 range, and on each side a recess, either for a bed or 
 a cupboard. All the rooms that were destroyed by 
 the fire, some years ago, are now arched witii 
 brick, to prevent in future any fire from extending 
 beyond a single room. In the passage from the en- 
 trance to the back of the building is a Coffee House *, 
 where there was formerly an ordinary every day, at 
 2s. per head, with a pint of porter included. 'Ihe 
 
 * Here a prisoner may be accommodated with a bed by tlic 
 pight qx week (as he can agree) till he gets chummaj^e, or a room. 
 
 Marshalj
 
 1>94 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 Mai-shal, I am told, receives an annual rent of 105/. 
 from the person who keeps it. 
 
 Beyond the coffee-room is a Bake-house, which 
 pays also a rent of 3G guineas j)er annum. And on 
 the opposite side of the way is the Public Kitchen, 
 ivhere the prisoners may have their meat roasted 
 and boiled gratis, before one o'clock. After that 
 time the cook charges 2d. or 3<f. for each joint, ac- 
 cording to the size of it. Between the cotFee-house 
 and the public kitchen, there are generally two or 
 tliree butcher's stalls, a green-market, and persons 
 selling fish : and in the further wing is a large tap- 
 room, called the Brace, from its having once been 
 kept by two brothers, whose names were Pay^f ridge. 
 Over this tap-room is another room of the same size, 
 occupied b}^ a prisoner, where the news-papers may 
 be read, and tea, coffee, &c. may be had ; but the 
 man having been detected in selling spirituous li- 
 quors, the Marshal turned him out, and gave the 
 room to another prisoner. The lower rooms on the 
 parade are, many of them, converted into chandlers 
 shops, kept by prisoners *. 
 
 The management and government of this prison 
 is in the hands of a Marshal ; who has under him a 
 
 * I was informed by a prisoner, in January 1804, that there 
 were fiiTteen whiPle-Jhops in the prison, where debtors could buy 
 gin, which was sold under various names, viz. Moonshine, Sky- 
 blue, Mexico, &c. and that a hogshead of gin was consumed 
 weekly in it. 
 
 Deputy
 
 IN ENGLAND^ ^COThAND, AND WALKS. ii^;"! 
 
 Deputy Marshal, a Clerk oi the 1\ij)ims, several 
 Clerks, three Turnkeys, and their Assistants. As 
 the Marshal, Deputy Marshal, and Clerk of the 
 Papers, I am informed, seldom come into the j)rison, 
 every complaint must be made by lettctr, or by a 
 personal application at the ollice of the Clerk of the 
 Papers. If it relates to any qiia:'rel or disturbance, 
 it is generally settled in a sunmiary wav. The 
 Marshal is a Magistrate, and also armed with a Kule 
 of Court, authorizing him to commit any person 
 to the New Gaol for riotous or disorderly conduct ; 
 one month for the first offence, and three months 
 for a second : But, the prisoner may appeal either 
 to the Court, or to a Judge out of term. 
 
 No spirituous liquors are allowed to be sold within 
 the prison : and, by a llule of Court, no women or 
 children ought to stay in the prison after ten o'clock. 
 At half past nine, therefore, a man goes round with 
 a bell, and at certain places calls out, " Strangersy 
 ivomen, and children, out /" The number of 
 prisoners, before the act of insolvency of 17.97 ^vas 
 upwards of 6oo ; about 200 of wiiom \\ ere ex- 
 cluded by the limitations of the sum, and time. 
 After the act of 1801 about 150 were letl in ])rison ; 
 many of those who had been a gre.it ntimber nl' 
 years confined w^ere excluded from benetit, on ac- 
 count of the limitation oF the sum ; and others, who 
 were not within the term specified by (he act. >»(>t 
 
 more
 
 296 ACCOl'NT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 more than three or four were remanded under the 
 act, for fraud, &c. March 10th, 1802, the numbers 
 within the walls were 315, and 57 within the Rules : 
 Jan. 13th, 1804, within the walls and Rules, 520. 
 
 When a debtor is first committed to this prison, 
 he is entitled to have what is called a Climnmage, as 
 soon as he has jjaid his fees. This Chummage is a 
 ticket given him by the Clerk of the Papers, to go 
 to such a room ; and whether it be to a whole room, 
 the half, or the third of a room, must entirely de- 
 pend on the number of prisoners within the walls. 
 But, as it is more convenient for persons, when they 
 first come to this prison, to hire a bed for a week or 
 two, there are always great numbers of distressed 
 persons willing to hire out their beds, on being paid 
 two or three shillings per night. Others, who are 
 distressed, let their right to half' a j^ooni at 55. per 
 week, and sleep in the tap-room, on the benches, 
 in hammocks, or on matresses. The Clerk of the 
 Papers has the entire management and disposition 
 of the rooms. He is assisted by the eldest Turnkey, 
 who goes round every Monday morning, and re- 
 ceives the weekly rent of one shilling. 
 
 The Poor Side of the prison now consists of six- 
 teen rooms, at the back of the building. The num- 
 ber seldom exceeds 30. They are governed by a set 
 of Rules of Court, made in the year 1729, as follows. 
 
 Rules
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALKS. 2^7 
 
 KuLES and Orders, for the bett(T (iovernnicnt, &c, 
 made and signed the 25th November, l^^y. 
 
 1. The stocks to be kept up, for punishment of blasjihc- 
 
 mers, swearers, rioters, Ike. 
 
 2. Against illegal methods of confinement. None to be 
 
 confined in an unusual place, or manner, unless for 
 attempting to escape. And such may appeal to the 
 Court, or a Judge. 
 
 3. Marshal not to remove any to the Fleet by Avrit of 
 
 Habeas Corpus. 
 
 4. INIarshal not to remove any one from the Common- 
 
 side, and its benefits, without three days notice ; 
 during -which time the prisoner may appeal to a 
 Judge, ^ 
 
 5. Coroner's Inquest upon the dead. 
 
 6. Against Garnish, and partial distribution of dividends. 
 
 7. Prisoners to send out for necessaries ; and to bring in 
 
 their own bedding, he. 
 
 8. Table of Fees, these Rules, and a List of Charities, 
 
 to be hung up in a public room. 
 
 9. Marshal and Servants to behave with the utmost ten- 
 
 derness. 
 
 10. Turnkey always to attend at the door. 
 
 1 1 . No servants to partake of, or even distribute the Cha- 
 
 rity. 
 
 12. Chapel to be kept in repair. Chaplain duly to per- 
 
 form. 
 
 13. The abusive to the stocks. 
 
 14. Dining-room to be kept in repair, for devotion, or 
 
 conversation ; with a fire. Two rooujs for the sick. 
 
 15. Those who make oath before, kc, that they have not 
 
 5/. &c. to be admitted to the charities, offices in the 
 
 prison, &c. 
 
 16. No
 
 298 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 16. No person committed for any criminal matter to vote 
 
 for Steward, &c. or to partake of any charity, but 
 the baskets. 
 
 17. Lodging in a cabin of any ward, gratis, 
 
 18. Any prisoner may be chosen Assistant, and enjoy the 
 
 benefit of that station. 
 
 19. The seal of the Common side to be kept by the Mas- 
 
 ter of the King's Bench office ; and not put to any 
 deed without the approbation of JIarshal, Steward, 
 and Assistants. 
 
 20. One superscdable action may be superseded with 
 
 Common side money : more than one, not without 
 application to the Court, or a Judge. No Judge's 
 clerk to take a fee on the occasion. 
 
 21. The sick to be taken care of by the SteAvard and As- 
 
 sistants, who are to be reimbursed out of the first 
 county-money. 
 
 22. Debts contracted by the Steward and Assistants, widi 
 
 the iNIar^hal's-and Master's consent, for support o& 
 the poor, to be paid out of the next dividend. 
 23 Steward and Assistants to have no pay for common 
 business, or adjusting differences. 
 
 24. Prisoners entered after the first day of Raster-term, 
 
 to have but one quarter of the Midsummer divi- 
 dend. 
 
 25. All money brought in by the basket-men, or brought 
 
 in at Christmas, Easter, and Whitsuntide, to be 
 divided immediately, after paying the basket-men 
 for their trouble. 
 
 26. If the Marshal advance money for a supersedeas, he 
 
 is to be reimbursed out of the next county- 
 money. 
 
 27. Com'
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND^ AND \VALK>. 'Jjjrj 
 
 27. Common side prisoners may elect uii anmial Steward ; 
 
 who is not to be deposed, but on application t>) the 
 Court, or a Judge. No prisoner in the lvule< may 
 vote. 
 
 28. The Steward to enter in books tlie Tables of Kees, 
 
 these Rules, and a List of the Charities. All, to- 
 gether with his Accounts, for inspection uf the 
 prisoners. 
 
 29. A prisoner, wronged by the Steward and Assistants, 
 
 on applying to the Court or a Judge, shall be paid 
 his damages out of the next dividend of the Steward 
 and Assistants. If he complains unjustly, he shall 
 make satisfaction from his own next dividend. 
 
 30. If the Steward or Assistants embezzle the monej', suc- 
 
 cessors may call them to account, and stop their 
 dividends of the grate-money, &c. for reparation 
 of the injury. 
 
 31. These orders to be read publiclv every third Monday. 
 * 32. Marshal, servants, and prisoners, to observe these 
 
 Rules, under pain of the utmost punishment of 
 law. 
 33. No clerk or servant of a Judge to take any fee, on oo- 
 casion of a petition founded on these Orders. 
 (Signed) R. Raymond. 
 
 James Reynolds. 
 E. Probyn. 
 
 Further Rules and Orders for the Government, kc. 
 made and signed the 10th day of May, 1759- 
 
 1. No person to bring any v.'eapon. 
 
 2. Those on the Master's side wlio demand Garnish, to 
 
 be turned to Common side for a time,^not longer 
 );han a month. Those on the; Commou side are, 
 
 for
 
 300 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 for the like offence, to be excluded, not longer 
 than a fortnight, from all profits, except share of 
 the baskets. 
 
 3. Doors of the great garden to be shut at dark : doors 
 
 of the wards at nine. 
 
 4. The chambers at disposal of the Marshal, &c. 
 
 5. If a Master's side prisoner neglect for a month to pay 
 
 his chamber-rent, he may be turned over to the 
 Common side till he pays. His goods to be deli- 
 Tered to him by a witnessed inventory. If dis- 
 charged by the Plaintiff, he may yet be detained 
 for fees, and a month's chamber-rent. 
 
 6. None to sell in the prison victuals or drink, without 
 
 consent of Marshal. A prisoner thus offending may 
 be turned over to the Common side for a month. 
 Marshal to take care that those who sell do keep 
 good order, &c. 
 
 7. Confirms the 14th Rule preceding; i.e. the great 
 
 room for exercise, and the two rooms for the sick.- 
 
 8. Prisoners turned to Common side for offending, or 
 
 non-payment, to have no profit, but share of the 
 baskets : to bear no office ; nor vote for officers. 
 
 9. These Rules to be fixed in the most public places, 
 
 for inspection. 
 
 (Signed) Mansfield. 
 T. Dennison, 
 
 M, FORSTER, 
 E. WiLMOT.
 
 IN ENGT.AND, SCOTLAND^ AND WALES. 30I 
 
 A further Rule and Order, &c. 
 
 made lythMay, 1760. 
 Those who attempt or assist an escape ; who sell or pro- 
 mote the sale of victuals or liquors, \vithout le;ivt' of the 
 Marshal ; who assault another ; who blaspheme the 
 name of God ; swear, or make a riot ; may be sent byr 
 the Marshal to any one of the following prisons in 
 South wark ; vU. the County Gaol for Surry, the 
 Bridewell for that county, or to the Marshalst^a ; and 
 there confined, for the first offence, not exceeding 
 one month ; for a second offence, not eiceeding three 
 months. 
 This Rule to be hung up. 
 
 (Signed) Mansfield. 
 T. Denni<on. 
 
 M. FORSTER. 
 E. WiLMOT. 
 
 On the same sheet is, 
 A Table of Fees, to be taken by the Marshal of 
 the King's Bench Prison, in the County of Surry, 
 for any Prisoner or Prisoners' Commitment, or 
 coming into Gaol, or Chamber Rent there, or dis- 
 charge from thence in any Civil Action. Settled 
 and established the l6th day of June, in the 33d 
 year of the reign of his Majesty King George the 
 Second, and in the year of our Lord 17()0, pur- 
 suant to an Act for the relief of Debtors, with re- 
 spect to the imprisonment of their persons ; vh. 
 
 I. s. d. 
 1. To the Marshal, for every Prisoner com- 
 mitted on any Civil Action, - - 4 8 
 
 2. To
 
 302 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 /. S. d, 
 
 2. To the Turnkey on the Master's side, - 1 6 
 
 3. To tlie ^larsluil, on the discharge of every 
 
 such prisoner, _ j _ _ 7 4 
 
 4. To the Deputy Marshal, upon the discharge 
 
 of one or more actions, executions, or 
 other charge ; and no further fee, though 
 there be ever so many actions, - 4 
 
 5. To the Clerk of the Papers, for the first 
 
 action upon the discharge, - - 3 
 
 6. To the Clerk of the Papers, for every action, 
 
 execution, or other charge, to he paid on 
 the discharge, - - - - 4 
 
 1. To the Deputy Marshal, upon a commit- 
 ment of a Prisoner in Court, or at a 
 Judge's Chambers, in any civil action, 
 if carried to the King's Bench Pri'son, 10 
 
 8. To the Clerk of the Papers for the same, 10 
 
 9. To the said Deputy ISrarshal, for a sur- 
 
 render in discharge of bail, be there 
 
 ever so many actions, - v. - 1 
 
 10. To the Clerk of the Papers, for each action 
 
 upon such surrender, - - - 6 
 
 11. To each of the four Tipstaffs, 2s. 6d. for 
 
 each Prisoner's commitment by the 
 Court, and carried to the King's Bench 
 Prison, in the whole, - - - 10 
 
 12. To the Tipstaff that carries any prisoner 
 
 committed at a Judge's Chambers to the 
 
 said Prison, - - - - -060 
 
 13. To the Marshal, for the use of chamber, 
 
 bed, bedding, and sheets, for eacli Pri- 
 soner, if provided by the Gaoler at the 
 < Prisoner's
 
 IN ENGLA-NDj SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 3O3 
 
 /. i. (/. 
 Prisoner's request, for the first night, in 
 
 the Common side of the said Prison, - G 
 
 14. For the like use, every night the Prisoner 
 
 remains in custody after the first, - 1 1 
 
 15. And if two lie in a bed, Ic/. each - - u u 2 
 
 16. For the like use, of every Prisoner that goes 
 
 on the INIaster's side, for the first night, 6 
 
 n. For the like use, every night after the first, 3 
 
 18. And if two lie in abed, 2</. each, - 4 
 
 19. And if the prisoner finds his own bed, bed- 
 
 ding, and sheets (wliich the Marshal is 
 in no sort to hinder him of), then he 
 shall pay for chamber-rent to the Mar- 
 shal, per week, - - - - 1 
 
 No other Fee for the use of Chamber, Bed, 
 Bedding, and Sheets, or upon Commit' 
 ment or Discharge of any Prisoner on 
 yjiny Civil Actioii. 
 
 Thomas Howard. Mansfield. 
 
 Anthony Thomas Abdv. T. Parker. 
 William Hammond, 
 
 I copied
 
 304 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 I copied the following List of Benefactions, on 
 the 6th of March, l802, from the Book kept on 
 the Common Side of the Prison. It is intituled, 
 " An Account of Gifts and Donations to the poor 
 " Prisoners, on the Common Side of the King's 
 " Bench Prison." 
 
 /. s. d. 
 
 County-money *, paid quarterly by the Clerk 
 to the Chief Justice of tlie Court of King's 
 Bench, at 15/. p^r quarter, - - 60 
 
 The Gift of Sir Tlionnas Gresham, paid by the 
 Chamberlain of London, at 2/. 105. 'per quar- 
 ter, - - - - -10 00 
 
 Lady Bertie, at Lady-day yearly, deducting 
 
 Land-Tax, - - - - 2 
 
 ^Ir. John March, \l. and interest of Old South 
 Sea Annuities, 125. bd. paid at Michaelmas, 
 by the Mercers' Company, - - 1 12 5 
 
 Mrs. Smith, at Christmas yearly, paid by Fish- 
 mongers' Company, - - - 3 4 
 
 Mrs. Hackett, ditto, by ditto, - - 13 4 
 
 Arthur Mouse, Esq. by ditto, - -034 
 
 Parish of St. Sepulchre, yearly, - - 10 O 
 
 Sir John Peachy, Christmas, yearly, by Gro- 
 cers' Company, - - - - 5 
 
 Mr. Garrett, by Salters' Company, ditto, an- 
 nually, - - - - 6 8 
 
 Mr. Home, ditto by ditto, - - 5 
 
 * 
 
 By the 43d Elizabeth, Chap. IL Sect. 15. 
 
 Robert
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 30j 
 
 /. i. d. 
 Robert Rampston, Esq. called Brass Money *, 
 
 deduct Land Tax, - - -10 
 
 Lady Osborne, quarterly, 10.?. - - 2 
 
 Lady Ramsey, every Christmas, lOOlb. of beef, 
 sent by Allhallows and St. Andrew's Under- 
 shaft, alternately. 
 
 Mrs. Margaret Deane, nine and a half stone of 
 beef, and five dozen of bread yearly, by Iron- 
 mongers' Company. 
 
 Mrs. Margaret Sy mcott, (Eleanor Gwyn's) 
 sixty-five penny loaves every eight weeks. 
 
 The Leathersellers'Company in bread 2s. 8d. and 
 in cash sometimes 46'. sometimes 85. quarterly. 
 
 St. Dunstan in the East, a fore quarter of beef, 
 weight 27 stone, 6 lb. and a peck of oat- 
 meal, yearly, at Midsummer. 
 
 Company of Parish Clerks, yearly, on 1st of 
 November, - - - - 1 1 
 
 The Company of Drapers, sixty penny loaves 
 
 annually, in December, - - 5 
 
 The Company of Cutlers, annually, in Decem- 
 ber, the Gift of Mr. Craythorne, - 15 
 
 The Gift of Thomas Dawson, Esq. paid annually 
 
 by theparisbofSt. Ethelburg, - 9 
 
 His Grace the Archbishop^of Canterbury usually 
 
 gives at Christmas, - - - 1 
 
 The Sadlers' Company, a free donation of 2^. &d. 
 ^er quarter, - - - - 10 O 
 
 The City of Norwich, annually, - 110 
 
 * So called, from a memorial engraved on a brass plate, and 
 fixed in the wall of the prison, by order of ihc donor, to perpe- 
 tuate his gift 3 but, since the wall has been rebuilt, it is taken 
 awayo 
 
 U ' When
 
 ^06 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 When once Prisoners are admitted on the poor- 
 side, they become entitled to their share of all chari- 
 ties, bequests, gifts, and donations ; a list of which 
 ought to be put up in some conspicuous part of the 
 prison, but which, for some reasons, is not com- 
 plied with. Every person, as soon as he is admitted 
 on this charity, must also take his turn to hold the 
 begging-box at the door ; which prevents many, 
 who have lived in respectable situations, from ap- 
 plying for relief in this way: Nay, there are instances 
 of men that have held situations in the army and 
 navy, respectable merchants, and tradesmen, who, 
 (sunk into misfortunes, and abandoned by their for- 
 mer friends,) rather than submit to this degrada- 
 tion, have shut themselves up for months in their 
 rooms, and become so emaciated, from the want of 
 wholesome and necessary food, as to lay the founda- 
 tion of those disorders, which have ended in their 
 death. 
 
 The staircases and lobbies are in the most filthy 
 state imaginable ; and, in respect to the prisoners' 
 rooms, some are very dirty, others tolerably clean ; 
 but, each preserving that degree of cleanliness 
 which satisfies himself!
 
 IN ENGL.4NDj SCOrLAXn, AND W AL£J. 507 
 
 KINGSTON ; Sitrnj. 
 
 Gaoler, IFilllani lJ\dtc.r. Salaiy, None, 
 Fees, As. 2d. No Table. 
 
 Chaplain. None, 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Taylor ; maktt a bill. 
 
 J- 1802, Jan. U)tb, - 1 
 Number of Debtors, } I8O5, June 30th, - 1 
 
 1 1806, May 11th, - o 
 
 Allowance. None. The late Keeper infornried 
 me he had frequently made application to 
 the Bailiff of the Borough for a daily allow- 
 ance, but was always told there was none Jar 
 them. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This prison belongs to the Bailiff and Corpora- 
 tion, and debtors are committed by jjrocess issuing 
 out of the Court of Record. A Court is held every 
 Saturday; but application for the sixpences, or a 
 supersedeas, can only be made at a Court in Term- 
 time, upon fourteen days' notice. The prisoner, 
 on application, obtains a rule for the plaintift' to 
 appear at the next court; who may then object to 
 the prisoner's schedule, and will have till the next 
 court to make his objections ; which, if not satis- 
 
 u 2 factor/
 
 30S ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 factory, the prisoner will be ordered his sixpences^ 
 or superseded. For poor debtors there is one roon^ 
 on the ground-floor, l8 feet by 14, and 6 feet 6 in- 
 ches high ; and adjoining to this room there is a 
 narrow shp, or lobby passage, 14 feet long by 3 ^^^^ 
 wide, with an iron-grated window towards the street, 
 where the prisoner solicits relief from casual charity. 
 
 As the Corporation allows neither bed nor bed- 
 ding, the Keeper had humanely furnished the poor 
 debtor with a bedstead, mattress, blanket, and a 
 rug ; in return for which the prisoner did any little 
 jobs which the nature of his confinement would ad- 
 mit of. Above stairs are four rooms, one of which 
 is well furnished, for those who can pay 'Js. 6d. per 
 week. Another room furnished in an inferior maur 
 ner, at 2^. 6d. a week. The two other rooms have 
 no bedsteads nor beds in them, but are appropriated 
 to felons at the assize. The Gaoler is a Sheriff 's- 
 officer ^, and, in lieu of salary, is allowed to keep a 
 Tap. ■ , 
 
 Thus is a licensed alehouse become a necessary 
 part of the prison establishment, by being made a 
 means of its finance. The whole prison out of re- 
 pair, and dirty. No court-yard. No water acces- 
 sible to the prisoners. It is in contemplation to 
 build a new gaol, with a court-house, &c. 
 
 lUNGSTON UPON HULL. See HULL, 
 
 * See note, p. 74.
 
 iN SNGLAND, SCOtLAKD, AND WALES. ^0<) 
 
 KNARESBOROUGH ; rorkshhe. 
 Castle Gaol. 
 
 tSaoler, PFilUam Ellison, who officiates by ft 
 deputy, Edward Jeffery, 
 
 Salary. None. 
 
 Fees, 6s, Sd. No Table. 
 
 Surgeon. None, 
 
 1800, May 17th, - 1 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 {louu, iviay i/in^ - 1 
 1802, Jan. 28th, - 2 
 1802, Sept. 2cl, - - 
 
 Allowance. None. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol is in the honour or forest of Knares- 
 borough ; and the Liberty includes nineteen town- 
 iships, &c. It is the property of the Duke of Devon- 
 shire) lessee to his Majesty, and almost the only 
 remains of a castle granted by king Edward III. 
 to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. It formerly 
 consisted of one room, 12 feet square, with a chim- 
 ney and glazed window ; and an inner room 8 feet 
 square, which had no window. A new gaol was 
 built in 1794, within the castle yard. 
 
 Tliig
 
 $10 ACCOrNT OF PRISONS J70R DEBTORS 
 
 Tills prison now consists of two sleeping-room^j 
 each -a}x)ut 15 feet by 8, with lofty and arched 
 cielin^, in one of which is a fire-place, and a sewef 
 hi one coj^ner : The doors have each an iron cyhn- 
 der to admit the debtors' provisions. The window, 
 placed very high, is of a semicircular shape, close 
 giaze<i, and without a casement, so that I did not 
 wonder to find the prisoners had broken the glass 
 to prevent suffocation : the only place for the ad- 
 mission of air is an aperture in the wall, 9 inches 
 by 2|, and even that is almost stopped up by an 
 iron l>ar, one inch, thick, placed lengthwise. Venti- 
 lation might be introthiced by an iron-grated win- 
 dow in the wall towards the castle ; and it would 
 have this farther convenience, that the debtor might 
 see his friends, and receive victuals, w^ithout the 
 trouble of taking the gaoler from his workshop, and 
 passing th?'ough sljc doors to gain admittance. 
 
 A begging-box, suspended from this iron-gi'ated 
 wndow, would, in all probability, compensate for 
 No ailowance ; by soliciting the notice of the nu- 
 merous gentry who resoi't hither, to see the ruins of 
 this once famous castle. At present it bears no ap- 
 pearance of a prison, and thousands may go away, 
 without knowing it to be a place of confinement. 
 Here is a small flagged court, 1 7 feet by 8, but of 
 which, the woman told me, the prisoners liad sel- 
 dom the use, on account of its being insecure, and 
 
 not
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 3 1 1 
 
 tiot under the keeper s view. No water, but what is 
 fetched from the town. When the prison was built, 
 a door opened into the castle-yard ; but this I found 
 bricked up. 
 
 There is something so affecting in the following 
 detail, that I cannot help transcribing it here, 
 though already published in the second edition 
 of my " Account of Debtors." 
 
 By a letter to me, dated 29th June, 1800, the 
 only prisoner here was William Elmsley, (committed 
 for debt 30th June, I799 ;) who says, " Any per- 
 son wishing to see him, upon obtaining the gaoler's 
 leave, must pass through sij: doors. He has only 
 the yard above described to walk in ; the win- 
 dow and wall so high, that he has very little light 
 or air. That, since he came in, he had a fellow- 
 prisoner ; but he only lived ten weeks ; he himself 
 had been ill for seven weeks ; and that the preser- 
 vation of his life was owing to the gratuitous attend- 
 ance of Mr. Day, surgeon at Harrogate, and Mr. 
 Dent, surgeon at Knaresborough." Elmsley's debt 
 was 17/. 5^. and the Costs amounted to III. 7s. lid. 
 
 Neither the Act for Preservation of Health, nor 
 the Clauses against Spirituous Liquors, were hung 
 up in 1802 ; but I found the gaol both light and 
 clean. 
 
 KNARES-
 
 312 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 KNARESBOROUGH,. 
 
 Prison for Town Debtors. 
 
 This Prison is vulgarly called Nine Holes, from 
 as many spaces betwixt the nine Bars in the win- 
 dow, which give it all the light it can receive. 
 
 It stands under the Town-hall, and consists of 
 one wretched room, 12 feet square, and 6 feet high; 
 with the above mentioned window, of 17 inches by(). 
 
 Here is no Court-yard : No allowance: No water! 
 In so sad a place as this, a few years ago, two debt- 
 ors, named Harrison and JJ^^etherhallj were con- 
 fined for six months. 
 
 ** Formerly," says Mr. Howard, " the common 
 " sewer of the town ran through this prison, um^ 
 " covered ; and an officer, who was confined in it 
 ^' for a few days only, in the spirit of precaution, 
 '* took with him a dog, to defend himself from the 
 *' vermin. The dog was soon destroyed, and the 
 ** prisoner's face much disfigured by them. The 
 " floor, however, is now paved, and the drain is 
 ** covered. 
 
 The prison very dirty. At my visit, 2d of Sep- 
 tember^ 1802, there were no prisoners.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 3I3 
 
 LANCASTER CASTLE. 
 
 County Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, John Higgin. 
 
 Salary, Gool. out of which he pays three Turn- 
 keys. 
 Fees and Garnish, abolished. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. John JVoodrow. 
 
 Duty, Sunday, prayers and Sermon ; fVedneS' 
 
 day and Friday, prayers. 
 Salary, 50/. Also from the Dutchy, 4/. and 
 from the Sheriff 155. for his attendance on 
 every Protestant malefactor who sufiers death. 
 Roman Catholicks are attended by a priest 
 of their own persuasion, who receives the 
 like sum from the Sheriff. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Baxendale. Salary, 261. and al- 
 lowed for medicines. 
 
 Number of Debtors, -J ' ^^ , ' ' 
 
 I I805, Oct. 24th, - 74 
 
 Allowance, 1*. each per week, in bread. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Castle, first built for a place of defence by 
 the Romans, afterwards became the palace, or feu- 
 dal residence of the Dukes of Lancaster ; and at an 
 early period was converted into a County Gaol. 
 
 llie
 
 314 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 The situation is elevated and healthy. The Gaol- 
 er's house, which is a handsome building, and well 
 situate for commanding a view of the spacious court- 
 yard, fills up the space between the gateway and 
 the well-tower to the right. The Female Debtors' 
 Prison is a room within the gateway, and their 
 court-yard is in common with the men. 
 
 The area of that part of the Castle-yard which is 
 appropriated to debtors only, contains about 2792 
 square yards. On the West side is a large arcade, 
 for exercise in wet weather, or air in summer ; and 
 over it are six day-rooms, each 14 feet 9, by 12 feet 
 3. In a wing adjoining are three rooms, each 40 
 feet by 14 : That on the ground-floor is used as a 
 workshop for debtors. 
 
 In the Well Tower are four rooms ; one of which 
 is 20 feet square, and the average size of the rest is 
 23 feet by eleven. 
 
 In the gateway-tower are eight rooms, and an 
 apartment for the Turnkeys : over which is a room 
 for Debtors, called the Pigeon-Bojc, 3S feet 8 in- 
 ches by 12 feet 10 ; and two very spacious recep- 
 tion-rooms, where diseased prisoners are put, until 
 examined by the Surgeon. 
 
 Above the entrance is the ancient Court-room, 
 now occupied by the Female Debtors, in size 25 
 feet 8 inches, by 15 feet 3. Also a narrow wind- 
 ing
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. ^l^ 
 
 ?ng staircase to the attick story, on which are 
 three ample rooms, of about 3;j feet each by lij. 
 
 Every Debtor, on liis commitment, pays 7*. 6d. 
 towards coals, and 2s. for pots and pans. I'he 
 Magistrates formerly allowed a mop for each room ; 
 •but, from the insolence and extravagance of some of 
 the debtors, that indulgence is now discontinued. 
 When a poor debtor cannot pay for coals, he gene- 
 rally does the domestic work of the room instead of 
 it; and if he cannot immediately pay for a bed, 
 fie obtains half a bed on credit, which is occa- 
 -sionally paid for by tlie Keeper out of tlie Cha- 
 rity Fund. 
 
 When the number of Debtors does not exceed 
 seventy or eighty, many sleep in single beds ; but 
 when more, they are under the necessity of assign- 
 ing a bed for two persons. At my visit tliere were 
 only three single beds in the whole of the debtors' 
 apartments. 
 
 All tlie u'arJ.? are free ; and poor debtors who hire 
 beds from the town, pay fi'om six-pence to eighteen 
 pence a week for the use of one. 
 
 That part of the Great Tower, or Citadel, for- 
 mei-ly called tlw Lungess, is now the Cliapel, in size 
 55 feet by 26 ; where there is a commodious gallery 
 for the Debtors, and seven separate divisions in the 
 area below for criminals, vv ho are placed in classes, 
 ami out of sicjht of each other,- 
 
 ) re-
 
 V 
 3lS ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 I remarked with pleasure, that the men and wo- 
 men felons were particularly clean at Chapel, when 
 I attended Divine Service on Wednesday the 22d 
 September, 1802 ; and was informed that they were 
 oblioed to wash their hands and face everv mornins:, 
 before they can receive their allowance. The whole 
 number {iiinety) were present at prayers, except two 
 or three, employed on necessary business : their 
 behaviour was silently attentive, and the counte- 
 nances of all clearly shewed their love and respect 
 for Mr. H'lgghiy the Gaoler, who, to great humanity 
 and firmness of character, adds those religious re- 
 gards which do him honour. 
 
 List of Charitable Legacies to the Debtor 
 Prisoners in Lancaster Castle. 
 
 £, s. do 
 
 " From IMrs. Henrietta Rigb^/s Executor, to 
 twelve of the most necessitous and well-be- 
 haved prisoners, five shillings each ; paid by 
 the Alayor of Lancaster^ on the first day of 
 March every year - - - 3 
 
 " From Mrs. Langfon, paid by Lawrence Raws- 
 thorn, Esq. at each Assize - - 2 
 
 *' From Sir Thomas Gerrard, of Gartswood i 
 paid by Mr. Pinsick, Steward to the present 
 family ; due about the 1st of August, - 8 
 
 *' Paid, under a Decree of the Court of Chan- 
 cery of this County, out of an Estate in 
 Skermisdale, called Sand, late belonging to 
 Peter Latharriy deceased ; distributed every 
 
 August
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALtfB. .'jl/ 
 
 cL s. d, 
 August Assize, by the Trustees of the said 
 
 Peter Latham, or their order : paid hy 
 
 Messrs. Greaves and Co. of l^reston, -GOO 
 
 ^' By the Will of William Edmondson, of Oiilii- 
 waite, half the Rent of a Field in Scotforth, 
 purchased by the money left for such pur- 
 pose by the said Will ; paid b}' the County 
 Treasurer, in Bread. — N. B. This Field is 
 now (October, 1805), in the tenure or occu- 
 pation of Mr. G. Marshall, at the yearly rent 
 of Five Pounds ; and the other half of the 
 rent is paid to the Prisoners at Preston, - 2 10 
 
 *' From Mrs. Abigail JRighij^s Executors, paid 
 by the Mayor of Lancaster every St. Tiio- 
 mas's Day - - - - 2 0." 
 
 There are excellent Rules and Regulations for 
 the government of the Criminal Side of this prison, 
 which are printed and stuck up in different parts of 
 the building: and the worthy Chaplain is em- 
 powered, at the expence of the County, to purchase 
 Bibles and Common Prayer Books, and distribute 
 them at his discretion, for the instruction of the 
 poor prisoners. 
 
 The humane Surgeon, Mr. Baxendale, is fre- 
 quent in his visits, and particularly attentive to the 
 sick. He/nakes a regular entry of the state of his 
 patients, in a book kept for that very useful pur])ose, 
 
 The Act and Clauses are conspicuously hung up j 
 ^nd the prison kept exceedingly clean.
 
 318 ^'COUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS, 
 
 I^VNCASTER. 
 
 Ihrm Gaol, 
 Keeper, the Town Sergeant, 
 
 No Prisoners^ at my visits in Sept. 1802, arid 
 Oct. I8O5. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This temporary place of confinement Is a roora 
 under the staircase of the Town Hall, 15 feet 8 in- 
 ches long, by 11 feet 5, and 8 feet 10 inches high. 
 It has a fire-place, with a window about three feet 
 square, and contains two barrack bedsteads. 
 
 The door has an aperture of twelve inches square; 
 and over it, on a stone Tablet, is inscribed, 
 
 *' Executio Juris millifacit Injiniam, 
 1669." 
 
 Prisoners are sent hither before examination. 
 When a debtor is taken in custody on a Borough 
 process, the officer is under the necessity of keeping 
 his prisoner in the Town Sergeant's house, until the 
 business is settled.
 
 IK ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES JIQ 
 
 LAUNCESTON ; Cornwall, 
 
 Town Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, the Town Sergeant. 
 
 Salary, none. Fees, none. 
 Surgeon, from the Corporation, when wanted. 
 No debtors here at my visits in 1803 and 1S0&. 
 Allowance. Two-pence per day. 
 
 Remarks. This Gaol, called the Dar}:-hon£€, is 
 over the South-gate : the ascent to it is by a fliglit 
 of steps. The room for criminals has an iron-grated 
 window to the street, and two sleeping-cells, which 
 open in the room, about 7 f*&^t square ; the doors 
 only 4 feet high, and 1 5 inches ivide. The room 
 above is the Gaol for Debtore ; and its only light is 
 from two apertures in the wall, about 3G inches by 
 9, almost totally obstructed by an iron bar placed 
 lengthwise : straw on the floor, and a lire-place, but 
 no fuel allowed. A half-tub sujiplies the place of 
 sewer. No court. No water ; the Constable brings 
 it thrice a day. Debtors are sent here by process 
 of the Borough Court, for sums to any amount. 
 About a fortnight before my visit in 1803, a debtor 
 had escaped, and none have been sent there since. 
 The prison is much dilapidated, and very filthy. On 
 asking the Keeper when it had been white-washed, 
 he told me he had often applied to the Mayor to 
 have it done ; but the answer was, " The blacker it is, 
 f' the better: it has more the appearance of a Gaol.'\
 
 320 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 LEICESTER, County Gaol 
 
 Gaoler, John Simons, 
 
 Salary, 130^. out of which he allows every 
 
 prisoner a quart of small-beer daily. 
 Fees ; see Table. Besides which the Under- 
 
 SherifF demands a fee of 6s. ^d. for his liberate! 
 Garnish. Abolished. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Anderson. Salary, 60I. 
 Duty, Prayers four days ; Sermon on Sunday. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Maule. 
 
 Salary, 15/. for debtors and felons. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1800, March 28th, - 18 
 
 1805, Sept. 26th, - S 
 
 1803, Aug. 23d, - 12 1807, July 30th, - 11 
 
 Allowance. One pound six ounces of bread, sent 
 every other day, in loaves of 2 lb. 12 ozs^ 
 each ; and one quart of small-beer daily. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This County Gaol, without, looks as it should 
 do : it has a prison-like appearance. The architect^ 
 Mr. Money penny y has shewn his knowledge of grand 
 design, bordering on the terrific. It was first in- 
 habited
 
 I5j ENGLANDj SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 321 
 
 ^labited in 1793; ^^^^^ ^^^s four airy Court-3ards, witli 
 Water in all, and a day-room to each. The Coiut 
 for debtors is 74 feet by 32, and the day-roorn 2[) 
 feet by 131 • For those oh the Master*s side there 
 are ten rooms, to which the Keeper furnishes becl<i, 
 iat 2S. 4d. per week, for a single bed ; and if two 
 sleep together. Is. 6d. a week each. Common-side 
 debtors have a free-ward, with ten good-sized sleep- 
 ing-rooms, bver the Men Felons' cells, to which 
 they furnish their own beds. One room is set apait 
 for an Infirmary, 30 feet by 16, with opposite win- 
 dows, and a fire-place. 
 
 The Clauses of the Act against the use of Spiritu- 
 ous Liquors are painted on the same board as the 
 Table of Fees. The Act for preserving the Health 
 of the Prisoners not hung up. No firing allowed. 
 Those prisoners who work receive all their earnings, 
 but no county allowance of bread. Six of the debt- 
 ors and two criminals were weaving stockings, and 
 one making shoes, at my visit in 1803. Here, as 
 in many other Gaols, is an useless tub, and two cold 
 baths never used. 
 
 Formerly there used to be an annual collection, 
 by a kind of voluntary brief. The Gentlemen of 
 the Grand Jury recommended it to the Clergy, who 
 promoted the good work in their respective parishes. 
 A Table was kept of the sum received from each 
 parish ; a list of debtors clothed or discharged ; and 
 
 X aa
 
 S2S ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 an account of the expenditure of the remainder in 
 feeding and warming all the prisoners during the 
 inclement season. The collection in 1774 was 74/. 
 In 1779, it amounted to 12/. 5*. 6d. In 1780^ to 
 61. Is. gd. ; and in 1781, only to 3/. iSs. Mr. Gre- 
 gory informed me by letter dated 28th August 1803, 
 that no collection had been made for several years ; 
 that from 1795 to 1803 the whole amount was only 
 5/. Is. 6d. ; and that the balance then in his hands 
 was 32/. 6s. lid. 
 
 " Table of Fees 
 to be taken by the Keeper of this Gaol, 
 
 s. d. 
 
 ** For lodging of every prisoner /)0' weeky - 2 4 
 
 For Gaol-fees for discharge of every prisoner 13 4 
 
 For the Turnkey, - - - - 2 
 
 For the copy of every warrant or commitment, 1 O 
 For signing the certificate in order to obtain a 
 supcrsedtaSy - - - - - -10 
 
 Thomas ^ Becket Sessiom, July 10th, 1759. 
 
 " "We, his Majesty's Justices r>f the Peace for the 
 County of Leicester, do hereby allow of the above 
 fees. 
 IV. IVrlghte, CL Ilufchinson, J. Danvers, JV.Cant. 
 
 " We, the Judges of Assize, have reviewed, and 
 do hereby confirm, the above Table of Fees, this 
 17th day of August; I759. 
 
 T. Parker, Ja. Hewitt."
 
 !n ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 323 
 
 LEICESTER Toivn Gaol 
 
 Gaoler, IVelhorn Owston. Salary, ^ll. \0s. 
 Fees. 155. Ad. besides which the Under-sheriflf 
 demands 6s. 8^. for his liberate ! 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Thomas Robinson. Salary, lO/. 
 Duty, Prayers and Sermon once a month. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Mauls ; makes a bilU 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 IS03, Aug. 23d, - - 5 
 1805, Sept. 26th, - 4 
 
 1807, Feb. 17th, - 4 
 1807, July 30th, - n 
 
 Allowance, One pound six ounces of bread, sent 
 from the bakers' every other day, in loaves of 
 2 lbs. 12 oz. each. 
 
 HEMARKS, 
 
 This Gaol, built in 1793, has on each side a 
 narrow slip of ground, partitioned off by open iron 
 palisades, and divided into Courts for the different 
 classes of prisoners. The Court-yard for debtors is 
 32 feet by l6, with a day-room, 13 feet by 12, 
 and up-stairs eight lodging-rooms ; to which, if 
 the debtor brings his own bed, he pays nothing ; 
 the Keeper furnishes a single bed at 2*. 4c?. per 
 week ; and if two sleep together. Is. gd. each. The 
 Qhapel is veiy small ; No proper separation of the 
 
 X 2 pri*
 
 ^24 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 prisoners. A room is set apart for an infirmary ; 
 and such care and humane attention to the sick is 
 ever laudable, and a bounden duty : But the healthy 
 also and the diligent require equal consideration. 
 Instead, however, of encouraging industry, the very 
 disposition to it seems here to be repressed, by a 
 curious mode of penalty. Every prisoner, debtor, 
 or criminal, in the Town-gaol of Leicester, that 
 procures himself the means of labour, has not only 
 his County allowance of bread stopped, but is even 
 obliged to pay the Gaoler one shilling, or two shil- 
 lings per week, for permission to work ! A novelty 
 of tliis kind seems severe ; and is such as I have 
 never before met with, in my wide perambulation 
 of the gaols. The Bath never used. Prison seldom 
 visited. No Rules and Orders. Formerly a regular 
 Table of Fees, but not visible for these many years. 
 Act and Clauses not hung up. The Gaol clean, 
 and well supplied with water. 
 
 LEOMINSTER; Herefordshire. 
 Gaoler, James Morgan. He is the Town-crier. 
 
 Salary, 67. No Fees. 
 Allowance. Sixpence a day on petition. 
 The Gaol consists of two rooms up-stairs, one of 
 which is for debtors, the other for criminals. Here 
 is a small court-yard, but of which prisoners have 
 seldom the use. At my visits June l802 and Au- 
 gust 1 8 03, no prisoners.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 325 
 
 LENTON (late BASFORD), Nottinghamshire. 
 
 Gaoler, George iromhweU. Salary, none. 
 Fees, 135. 4(1. by the Court-roll. 
 Licence. Wine, Beer, and Spirituous Liquors. 
 Garnish. One shilling, spent in liquor. 
 
 Chaplain, or Surgeon, none. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 1805, July 20th, one, 
 
 Oct. 3clj none. 
 
 Allowance. Formerly none; but now three 
 pence a day in bread, 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This is his Majesty's Gaol or Prison of the Court 
 of Record of his honour of Peverel, and additional 
 limits of the same, in the Counties of Nottingham and 
 Derby. Henry Lord Middleton, by grant from 
 Queen Anne to his ancestor, Sir Thomas PFil- 
 loughby in fee, is the High Steward of this Honour, 
 and its limits. 
 
 The prison, formerly at Basford, in this County, 
 was afterwards removed to Lenton ; and being in a 
 decayed state, a new gaol was built in the back 
 yard of the Keeper's public house, and first inha- 
 bited in 1805. It consists of a Court-yard, 30 feet by 
 16, paved with flag stones, and in it is a pump, and 
 sewer. Here are two sleeping-rooms below, and 
 
 tWQ
 
 326 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 two above, each 14 feet 6, by 12 feet 6, with fire* 
 place and iron-grated glazed window in each. To 
 these the Keeper furnishes beds at 2^. per week ; or 
 if two sleep together, Is. 6d. each. Here is a work- 
 room, 12 feet 6, by 9 feet 6, with a window the 
 whole length of the room. No employment fur- 
 nished; but those who can procure it receive the whole 
 of their earnings. Neither Act nor Clauses hung up. 
 The practice of this Court is trial before judge and 
 jury, similar to the superior courts in Westminster- 
 hall, but most resembling the Common Pleas : pro- 
 ceeding by capias, &c. and the suits are in like man- 
 ner carried on to judgment and execution, except 
 that every Tuesday in the year is a Court-day, or 
 Term, so that the proceedings are quickly dispatched, 
 unless the defendant files a plea, or demurrer, in which 
 case the business is argued before Mr. Balgi^i/, Bar- 
 rister at Law, the Steward and Judge, and a respec- 
 table Jury, at two general courts in the year, which 
 Mr. Balguy appoints about Michaelmas and Easter. 
 The debt and costs are from forty shillings * up to 
 fifty pounds. The Keeper informed me that the 
 annual average of commitments was twelve; and that 
 one IFilUam IVinson had been here confined for au 
 original debt o^J'oiir shillings and sixpence ! 
 
 I.EOMINSTER; seep. 324, 
 f See 19 Geo. III. cap. LXX,
 
 IN ENGLAND^ SCOTLAND, AND WAI.CS. 37; 
 
 LICHFI ELD ; Stafforihhhe. Citi/ and Count y Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, John Pricket. Salai-}', 50/. 
 
 Fees, 13^. 4cl. ; besides which the Under-sheriff 
 
 demands 2*. 6d. for his liberate. 
 Garnish, Is, 
 
 Chaplain, none ; the Rev. Mr. Prohtj attends 
 when one is desired. 
 
 Surgeon. From the Corporation, if wanted. 
 
 Number of Debtors, { ^^^J r\? ., .^ 
 
 ' I IS05, Oct. 31st, - 
 
 Allowance. 6d. a day from the parish, if paupers; 
 
 Remarks. Here is only one Court, 14 yards by 
 10, for debtors, felons, and all descriptions of pri- 
 soners, with a pump of excellent water in it, and a 
 sewer. Up-stairs are two rooms with bedsteads, for 
 which, if the debtor brings his own bed and bedding, 
 he pays nothing. If the Keeper furnishes a bed, 
 and two sleep together, they pay \s. per week each. 
 Debtors are allowed the use of the Keeper's kitchen, 
 or else find their own coals in their apartments. The 
 three parishes allow 30*. ayear (lO.v. each) for coals; 
 and the Corporation 205. per annum for straw. 
 Neither the Act nor Clauses hung uj). The (iaol 
 white-washed once in two or three years.
 
 3.28 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 LINCOLN CASTLE GaoL 
 
 Gaoler^ John JMcrryweather. 
 Salary, 300/. See Remarks. 
 Fees. None ; but the Under-sheriff demands 
 
 6s. Sd. for his liberate ! 
 Garnish. Abohshed. 
 
 Chaplain^ Rev. George Davies Kent, 
 
 Duty. Twice a week Prayers, and a Sermon 
 
 on Sunday ; and to attend daily those under 
 
 sentence of death. 
 Salary, 50/. 
 
 Surgeons, Messrs. Parnell and FranTdijn^ 
 Salary, 30^. for debtors and felons. 
 
 /-ISOO, March 26th, - 14 
 Number of Debtors, <J 1801, Nov. 20th, - i6i 
 
 1 1802, Aug. 12th, - 11 
 
 Allowance. Debtors obtaining a certificate of 
 their having no visible estate or effects, under 
 the hands of the minister, churchwarden, 
 and overseers of the parish they last lived in, 
 are allowed by the County a pound and a 
 half of good household bread per day, and 
 one pound of good beef without bone per 
 week. The bread is delivered three times
 
 JN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 3 2^ 
 
 in the week in loaves of three pounds and a 
 half each : the whole furnished hy contract. 
 Also four chaldron of coals every year, which 
 are distributed half-quarterly. 
 
 N. B. Those debtors who receive their six- 
 pences have no county allowance of food. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This excellent Gaol for the County of Lincoln is 
 situate in the Castle-yard,* containing about seven 
 acres of land, inclosed by a high wall. The premises 
 are held by lease from the Dutchy Court of Lancaster, 
 for a term of 30 years, at an annual rent of 10*. The 
 new Gaol has been built about 18 years ; is a good 
 brick buikhng, with stone facings. The front (which 
 contains the gaoler's and debtors' apartments) is about 
 46 yards long, with near two acres of grass-plat fenced 
 off in the front of it, ifor the use of the debtors, who 
 enjoy the privilege of walking there during the day- 
 time ; with a well of good water in it. The sexes 
 are completely separated by day and night. 
 
 One halfoi this building is occupied by the male 
 debtors, having three day-rooms for Master's-side 
 debtors, average size 20 feet by 15 feet 6 inches, 
 and 12 feet 9 inches high ; and one for Common- 
 side debtors, 21 feet by l6, and the same heiglit. 
 pn the first floor are five lodging-rooms with 
 
 an
 
 ^$0 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 an airy passage communicating to them ; average 
 size 1 7 feet by 1 5 feet 6. On the second-floor are 
 five other lodging-rooms of the same dimensions, 
 one of which is for Common-side debtors. 
 
 The other half of the building is the Gaoler's 
 house, excepting two attic rooms for female debtors, 
 one a day-room, the other a sleeping-room, l6 feet 
 square, and each 10 feet high. In this story are 
 also two large infirmary-rooms, 20 feet by 10, and 
 12 feet high. The chapel is 31 feet by 28 : it is 
 neatly pewed : the debtors and felons are properly 
 separated by a high framing, and the women out of 
 view of the men; Here is no communication at 
 any time between debtors and felons. The County 
 furnishes no employment, but those of handicraft 
 trades are allowed to work on their own account. 
 Debtors and felons are all obliged to attend chapel. 
 The prison is white-washed twice a year. 
 
 The Gaoler is required, out of his salary, to find 
 three turnkeys, and a caterer, who attends every 
 day at nine o'clock and three, to purchase in the 
 town whatever prisoners may want (liquor ex- 
 cepted) : He also supplies eight chaldron of coals a 
 year, and straw, mops, tubs, buckets, &c. for the 
 use of the prison. 
 
 The worthy Magistrates of this division are not 
 only very humanely, but very religiously attentive 
 to the comforts of the prisoners ; having ordered any 
 
 sunij
 
 IS ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 33 1 
 
 sum, not exceeding 5/. a year, at the discretion of 
 the chaplain, to be laid out in the purchase of reli- 
 gious tracts for the use of all the prisoners. They 
 are numbered and entered into a book when deli- 
 vered out ; are called in once a week, and then re- 
 delivered in the same manner ; by which thoy get a 
 change of readers ; and their being lost or destroyed 
 is prevented by the regularity with which it is done. 
 
 I can form, by long practice, a tolerably good 
 judgment of a gaoler, from the countenances of his 
 prisoners. Complacency and good order were visi» 
 ble in every part of this well-regulated Gaol ; a sure 
 proof that the keeper is intelligent, and humane. 
 
 The county does not allow bedding to the poor or 
 certificated debtors ; but has set apart a spacious 
 day-room and a large sleeping-room, free of rent or 
 any charge whatever, for the use of those who chuse 
 to find their own bedding. 
 
 Masters-side debtors, or those who can afford it, 
 may go into rooms furnished by the gaoler; for 
 which they pay, if two sleep together, Is. sd. per 
 week each : if a debtor has a bed to himself, 2.y. 6d, 
 weekly. The number of debtors committed to Lin- 
 coln-castle in the last seven years was 3^5 : of these 
 ' 1 22 were for sums from lO/. to 20/. ; and, of the 
 whole number, 1 19 were discharged ivithout their 
 plaintiff"' s oltaining one farthing either of debt or 
 fQsts; a proof of the folly of being so stimulated by 
 
 their
 
 their passions, as to go to law with fellow-creatures 
 too poor and miserable to afford them any prospect 
 of payment ; for such those must be, who are certw 
 Jicated as Paupers / 
 
 Mrs. Rebecca Hussey, by her will, proved in Lon- 
 don 10th May, 17155 bequeathed the interest of 
 1000/. to release poor debtors from this castle: but 
 no debtors have received the benefit for many years 
 past. I could get no account of it, and it seems to 
 be entirely lost. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Hesleden, by his will, proved Sept, 
 21st, 1^20, bound his estase called Worhs Chant ri/ 
 (a house now in the occupation of Mrs. Alary Cnt- 
 len) at Lincoln, with the payment of 3/. a year, for 
 the better maintenance of poor prisoners in the 
 Castle ; which is regularly paid. 
 
 Thomas- Robert JenMnson, by will, proved Fe- 
 bruary 13th, 1772, left the interest of 120/. to the 
 debtors, equally to be divided among them on Easter 
 Monday : with this proviso, " that if the whole year's 
 " interest is siifficient to discharge any one debtor 
 « within fourteen days of the time of payment, 
 'f it shall be applied for that purpose, at the dis- 
 " cretion of his trustees."* From this legacy 5/. a 
 vtar is paid out of a farm at Ripham (now in the 
 tenure of W. Glossop), left by Mr. Jenkinson to 
 John Harrison, Esq. of Norton-place. The trustees 
 were Dr. Hunter and Mr. Dealt ree of York.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 333 
 
 LINCOLN City and County Gaul, 
 
 Gaoler, Samuel Tuhe ; Salary, 40/. 
 
 Fees, on discharge, 6s. 8d. Sue Table. 
 
 Garnish. Abolished. 
 Surgeon, when wanted : makes a bill. 
 
 Number of Debtors, ( ^^^^' ^"S" ^^^'^^ ' ^ 
 
 I 1804, Aug. 13th, - i 
 
 Allowance. To poor debtors is. 6d. per week. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol, at the Stone Bow-Gate ^ has one large 
 room, 10 yards by 5, for men debtors; and one 
 gmaller, for women ; both up-stairs, with iron- 
 grated windows towards the street ; in each a fire- 
 place, a wood bedstead with straw, two blankets 
 and a rug. These rooms are occasionally used fur 
 criminal prisoners. No Court-yard. They have 
 now (1806) good water accessible, and a sewer. 
 The Clauses against Spirituous Liquors hung up, 
 but not the Act for Preservation of Health *. The 
 whole prison dirty and dilapidated in the extreme. 
 A new prison is nearly finished, which will render 
 this wretched Gaol unnecessary. 
 
 * The Gaoler told me, that in July iSoi he had nearly lost hU 
 life by four intoxicated felons, to whom a soldier's mfisket had 
 been conveyed through the grating ; and observed. How is it 
 possible for us to prevent liquors being handed in at the street- 
 windows ? 
 
 *' Table
 
 ^34 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 *^ Table of Rates and Fees settled by tlie Justices 
 at a General Quarter Ssssions, held at the Guild-' 
 hall, Lincoln, 14th July, IJiJO- 
 
 ** Every debtor that lies in a bed belonging to the keepeif 
 is to pay one shilling weekly, and no more. 
 
 Any debtor that finds a bed, and places it in the common 
 room, is to pay nothing for his lodging. 
 
 Every prisoner for debt is to pay one fee to the keeper for 
 his discharge out of prison, though he stands committed 
 in several actions ; and that fee no more than six shil- 
 ■ lings and eight pence. 
 
 Every felon is to pay to the gaoler for his discharge out of 
 prison six shillings and eight pence, and no more. If 
 not continued in prison above a week, then to pay only 
 three shillings and four pence. 
 
 Every prisoner that will eat with the gaoler is to pay for 
 his lodging and diet w'cekly four shillings and six-pence^ 
 having three meals a day. 
 
 Every prisoner committed from the bar, by the Judges of 
 Assize or Sessions, is to pay the gaoler for his discharge 
 three shillings and four pence, and no more. 
 
 Rob. Ohbinson,Msiyor. Geo.Glhson. Roh.Dreivri/, 
 Jno. Hut ton. Edw. Fowler, John Brown, 
 
 Rob. ThicJxston, John Wilson. Brox. Brown, 
 
 Jno. Dalies. Edw. Let her land. 
 
 ** We the Judges of Assize have revised this Table 
 of Fees, and do hereby confirm the same ; 9th day 
 of August, 1/59' 
 
 T. Parker. 
 
 Ja, Hewitt*"
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 335 
 
 LIVERPOOL Borough Gaol. 
 
 o 
 
 Gaoler, Edward Frodsham, Serjeant at Mace. 
 
 Salary, 130/. 
 
 dB s. d. 
 Fees; Debtors, from lO/. to 20/. o 7 G 
 
 20 to 30 10 
 
 30 to 40 12 G 
 
 40 to 50 15 
 
 50 to Go 17 G 
 
 Go to 100 1 
 
 100 to 200 1 5 
 
 200 and upward 110 
 
 And the Under-sheriff demands one shilling 
 for his liberate. 
 Garnish, 4*. 6d. 
 Chaplain, Rev. George Monk. Salary, 31/. io.y; 
 Duty, Prayers and Sermon on Sunday, and 
 Prayers on Thursday. 
 
 Surgeon, from the Dispensary; for which 12/« 
 j)er annum is paid by the Corporation. 
 
 Number of Debtors, (1»°2, Oct. nth, - 71 
 
 1 1805, Oct. 24th, - 34 
 
 Allowance. To paupers a threepenny loaf per 
 day, weight, October I805, 1 lb. 3 oz. ; and 
 a dinner from the Mayor eveiy Christmas- 
 day. See Remarks, *^ Legacy:* 
 
 RE.
 
 33^ ACCOUNT Of prisons toft DEBtOkS 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The castle of Liverpool, built by Roger de Pdic- 
 tiers, was pulled down in the reign of George thei 
 Second ; but the Earl of Derby's castellated man- 
 sion has been for many years used as the Borough 
 Gaol. Here is only one Court for all descriptions 
 of prisoners: it is 20 yards by 10, paved with brick; 
 and has a pump of excellent water, and two sewers. 
 There are five day-rooms ; three intended for mert 
 debtors, one for women, and the fifth for criminal 
 prisoners ; but they are now used indiscriminately 
 by all. One small room is set apart for the sick. 
 
 The prison is surrounded by old buildings, called 
 the Tower Garden, and without taking ihem down 
 it cannot be made healthy or convenient. A dung- 
 hill, in the Court-yard, is cleared away 6nce a 
 month. Common-side debtors have seven rooms, 
 called /ree icarcls, in one of the towers, to which 
 the Corporation allows straw. Master s-side debtors 
 have three rooms in the other tower ; and to these 
 the keeper furnishes beds, at one shilling per week 
 each, two sleeping together. 
 
 At my visit in 1805 a gallery was built in the 
 chapel ; and five new sleeping-cells added, for men 
 debtors, 7 feet 6 inches by 6 feet, and 7 feet 6 in- 
 ches high ; to which the keeper furnishes beds at 
 one shilling per week each : also two new rooms 
 
 over
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. ^of 
 
 bver the Pilot's Office, for women ; one of wliich 
 liolds three beds, the other a single bed, fire-place, 
 and glazed windows. To these latter rooms the 
 Gaoler furnishes beds at th'e same price. 
 
 From the licentious intercourse between the sexes 
 I imagined that little attention was paid to the mi- 
 nister ; and therefore requested Mr. Sfan'iforlh (ati 
 able and active Magistrate of the borough) to accom- 
 pany me ; when, out of 109 prisoners, six only at- 
 tended divine service, 11th Oct. 1802. 
 
 All persons arrested for debt by process issued oilt 
 of the Borough Court of Liverpool are sent to this 
 Gaol ; and if the debtor intends to take the benefit 
 of the Act of 32 George II. he must appear by his 
 attorney in Court, which is held every Thursday, 
 and get a rule for declaration : The plaintiff has two 
 full Courts afterwards to file his declaration ; and 
 when that is done, the defendant obtains a rule to 
 confess the declaration, and is inconsequence brought 
 into Court the court-day but one following; con- 
 fesses the declaration, and then obtains a rule for 
 the plaintiflf to enter up his final Judgment, and 
 charge the defendant in execution ; which must be 
 done the Court but one following. The defendant 
 then gives fourteen days' notice to the plaintifi^ of 
 his intention to take the benefit cf the Act, and at 
 the same time delivers a copy of the schedule of Ins 
 effects. On the Court-day following his fourteen 
 
 Y days*
 
 335 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DtBTORS 
 
 days' notice, the defendant presents a petition to tlie 
 Court, with a schedule of his eftects, and an affida- 
 vit of the service of same on the plaintitF; and ob- 
 tains a rule to be brought into court the next court- 
 day, to take the oath prescribed by the statute, and 
 have the benefit of the same : In which court the 
 defendant takes the oath, and affidavit being made 
 of the service of the Rule, the defendant is dis- 
 charged ; unless the plaintifl' appears in person, and 
 declares that he is dissatisfied with the schedule, 
 U'hich, if he does, the Court remands the defendant 
 until the next court : at which court, unless proof be 
 made of the insufficiency of the defendant's schedule, 
 or the plaintifT gives his note for 3*. 6d, a week, 
 the debtor is discharged. 
 
 Abstract of a Deed in the Old Church at LiverjDool, 
 respecting the distribution of the Legacies of f OO/. 
 and 300/. left by Mrs. Ann Molyneux, in the year 
 1727, to poor prisoners for debt, &c. iri the Bo- 
 rough Gaol ; also to poor sailors, and sailors' wi- 
 dows, especially those in the Alms-houses. 
 
 •* This Indenture, quadripartite, &c. made the 
 9th day of October, in the year 1732, between 
 Ralph IVilliamson of Liverpool, &c. Merchant, and 
 Robert H^hittle of Knowsley, &c. Gentleman, exe- 
 cutors of the last will, &c. of Ann MoUjneux, late 
 of Liverpool^ ^c. widow, of the first part ; George 
 
 T<jrer
 
 m ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 33() 
 
 T:t/rer of Liverpool, &c. MtTchaiit, of the second 
 part ; Hannah Tyrer of Low Hill, kc. widow, of 
 the third part; and Richard Gildart, Mayor for I he 
 time being, John Stanley, and Thomas Baldicin, 
 Rectors of the parish, &c. of the fourth part* 
 Whereas the said Ann Molyneux, being charitably- 
 disposed, by her last will, &c. dated the lyth day 
 of January, in the y6ar 1727, gave, devised, and 
 bequeathed to the said Mayor and Rectors, the 
 sum of 200/. for the support and maintenance of 
 poor prisoners for debt (or otherwise) in the gaol 
 or prison for the Borough of Liverpool ; and it was 
 also declared to be her will and mind, that the said " 
 Mayor and Rectors should place the said sum of 
 200/. out at interest upon land security, if sucii 
 could be had, and dispose of the said interest 
 yearly, for the support and maintenance of the said 
 prisoners." 
 
 In a subsequent part of her last will, as referred 
 to in the said indenture, she also bequeathed to the * 
 said Rectors for the time being, the sum of 300/. the 
 interest of which was directed to be distributed by 
 the said Rectors to poor sailors, and sailors' widows, 
 especially those in the Alms-houses. It is after- 
 wards mentioned in the said Indenture, that with 
 the said sums of 200/. and 300/. were purchas"^d thrte 
 closes of land in Mosslahe, containing seven acres 
 of land, of the large measure ; which were subjected 
 
 Y 2 to
 
 340 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 to tl)e payment of two fifth parts of the rents and 
 produce to the said Mayor and Rectors, for the sup- 
 port and maintenance of the said poor prisoners for 
 debt (or otherwise) in the Borough Gaol ; and the 
 remaining three fifth parts of the rent and produce 
 were to be paid to the Rectors, and distributed yearly 
 to the said poor sailors and sailors* widows, especially 
 those in the Alms-houses, by the said Rectors. 
 
 The foregoing statement was faithfully extracted 
 from the original Deed, (kept in St. Nicholas's 
 Church, Liverpool,) the 5th Jul^, I798, by 
 
 R. H. Roito;hsed"e, 
 
 Produce of the Poor s Fields 
 in Mosslake, Liverpool, 1802. 
 
 From Mr. Carson, tenant, '^Gl.Mr. IVhitlow, do. 41/. 
 Clear yearly Rent - - - - 11 7/. 
 
 The above Legacies appear to have been most 
 judiciously laid out ; and from the local situation of 
 the land, so contiguous to the town, it will, in all 
 probability, be soon built upon ; when the revenue 
 must be immense. 
 
 A new gaol was built here by Mr. Blachhurn, a 
 little way out of the town ; on which the Corpora- 
 tion spared no expence. It is upon a large scale, 
 with a proper separation of the cle^ses and sexes ; 
 
 and
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND^, AND WAI-ES. 34 I 
 
 and for security, healtli, refcjrniation, and conve- 
 nience, appears to be one of the best gaols in llie 
 kingdom. Unluckily it was let to Government many 
 years since for the confinement oi' French prisoners, 
 who wantonly so damaged the building, tliat in 
 1807 it was not repaired nor inhabited. 
 
 The unhealthy Dungeons at the Town Gaol are still 
 in use ; of which, that the reader may form some 
 idea, I will describe them, viz. Seven close dun- 
 geons, in a passage 11 feet wide, and 10 steps under 
 ground ; each 6| feet by 5 feet 9 inches, and 6 feet 
 high. The grated apertures in the doors are only 
 11 inches by 6, When I was here, in l802, four 
 prisoners were locked up at night in each dungeon, 
 which could allow 20 inches only for each person ; 
 and yet, in 1805, I found three new additional 
 dungeons, all of the same size ! ! ! — Could the con- 
 structors of such scanty repositories but reflect, how 
 very irksome it must be to aggravate the sorrows of 
 the helpless, 1 flatter myself the above Remarks 
 would tend to do away an evil so palpably injurious. 
 When will those who sit at ease learn to grieve for 
 the added affliction of fellow creatures ? Justice is a 
 gacred thing ! but the extreme of its exertipns i^ 
 syrely no less needless than deplorable.
 
 342 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTOR^ 
 
 LOSTWITHYELL ; Cornwall. 
 
 Gaoler, IViUiam Bleivatt, Town Serjeant. 
 
 Salary, none. Fees, 13^. 4c?. No Table. 
 Number of Debtors, Oct. 1803 and 1S06, none. 
 Allowance. None. 
 
 RE.\rARKS. 
 
 This is a Stannary Prison for Debtors, and the. 
 property of the Duke of Cornwall, Lord of the Stan- 
 naries. A large vaulted room below, called the 
 Dungeon, was at my visit in 1806 filled with lum- 
 ber. The room abgve is now called the prison ; 
 it is 14 yards by 6, having iron-grated windows to- 
 wards the street, with inside shutters, and straw on a, 
 tarras floor, for men ; and three rooms over it for 
 women. There are several small sleeping-rooms, 
 (to which the keeper furnishes beds at Is. per 
 week :) used one year as the SherifTs ward for the 
 County. Here were formerly Rules, as at the 
 Kind's Bench and Fleet Prisons, and said to extend 
 over the whole Borough. On the 14th Nov. 1805, 
 Salathiel Harris, committed the 11th July pre- 
 ceding, was liberated by nonsuiting his plaintiff. 
 There being no allowance, the prisoner was brought 
 to the grated window ; from whence he solicited 
 casual charity, by means of a shoe suspended by a 
 cord, which the keeper had humanely provided for
 
 JN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 343 
 
 LUDGATE; LonduH. 
 
 Gaoler, John Teague. Salary, lOo/. 
 
 Fees. The prison-fees now taken are, on com- 
 ing in Is. going out 2a'. ; and 3^. per week 
 during confinement. The expence attend- 
 ing a commitment to Ludgate, exclusive of 
 the prison-fees, is, To the clerk-sitter of one 
 of the Compters, for making out the Duct 
 facias (as it is called) 2s. 6cl. if in execution, 
 and \s. 4d. if on mesne process. To the 
 Serjeant at mace for conduct fee, 5.9. Upon 
 discharge it is various, being according to 
 the number of writs ; but if only one writ, 
 then at the secondaries office js. 4d. ; to the 
 clerk-sitter at each of the two compters 
 3*. Sd. ; and to the messenger one shilling. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. John Rose. Salary, 50/. 
 Duty. Prayers and Sermon every Sunday. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Hodgson. 
 
 Salary, 80/. for Ludgate and the two Compters. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1800, April 15th, - 28 I 1804, Sept. (jth, - 9 
 
 1801, Sept. 16th, - 12 ! -1805, Nov. 13th, - 26 
 
 1802, March 14th, - 22 | 1S06, May 24th, - 18 
 X803, Nov. 12th, - 25 I 1807, Feb. l6th, - 23 
 
 Allowance.
 
 344 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTOR^ 
 
 Allowance. A loaf of bread, weight 20 oz. every 
 other day to each prisouer, and 1 lb. of rice, 
 S lbs. of beef, and 5 lbs. of potatoes weekly, 
 la each. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Prison was formerly one of the Gates of the 
 City of London, and situated on Ludgate-hill, near 
 the spot where the London Coffee-house now stands. 
 It is at present appropriated for the reception of 
 debtors, being Freemen of London, Clergymen, 
 Proctors, Attorneys, or such other persons as the 
 Court of Lord Mayor and Aldermen shall from 
 time to time think fit to be removed hither. It is 
 believed to have formerly had the privilege of per- 
 mitting prisoners to go out (with a Keeper) for the 
 purpose of calling upon their several creditors, to 
 compromise their debts, or otherwise obtain their 
 discharge : But that custom, whatever might have 
 caused its origin, has many years been discontinued, 
 and cannot now be traced. 
 
 About forty-six years ago, when old Ludgate (to 
 which the Table of Fees, and Rules and Orders for 
 its Government, were adapted) was pulled down, 
 the prisoners were removed to the London Work- 
 house, in Bishopsgate- street, a part whereof was 
 fitted up for that purpose, and where Ludgate pri- 
 soners continued to be received until the year 1794; 
 
 when
 
 IN PNGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WVI tS. ^45 
 
 ■^vlien they were removed to the present prison of 
 Ludgate, adjoining to, and partly encircled by, the 
 Compter in Giltspur-street. 
 
 ^udgate has one small yard, 25 feet by 10 ; con- 
 taining a pump, which supplies spring-water from jv 
 well in the Compter ; another, atibrding soft-water 
 from the river Thames ; and a shed, under which is 
 ^ bathing tub. 
 
 The yard leads to eight rooms ; viz. the Hall, 
 fitted up with benches and tables, for the general 
 accommodation of all the Prisoners, as a sitting- 
 room in the day-time, and until they usually retire 
 to rest : It is the custom of this Gaol for the 
 prisoners to have access to the yard at all times, 
 either by day or night. The hall has one fire-place, 
 which is supplied by a subscription from the prisoners 
 of six shillings at their entrance, and seven penc^ 
 weekly afterwards : aided by charitable donations, 
 the surplus of which, after payment of certain 
 salaries hereafter described, is divided quarterly 
 among such prisoners as have been in custody for 
 the space of one month before the same became 
 due. 
 
 The next is a long room over the hall, which will 
 conveniently contain six persons, as a bed-room. 
 The room over the long room will contain t^vo 
 persons, exclusive of two little rooms, partitioned 
 
 |i-om it, for the use of the sick. 
 
 There
 
 34^ ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 Tliere is a small room over the chapel (which 
 is on the ground-floor,) and this^ together with another 
 room over it in the second story, are convenient 
 bed-rooms for three persons each : likewise two ca- 
 bins, used as bed-rooms for one person each. 
 
 Two other rooms are upon the ground-floor on the 
 other side of the yard ; one of which is the bed-room 
 of the steward and secretary, and the other a bed-room 
 for three prisoners. The women's ward, over the 
 steward's room, will contain three persons. There 
 are fire-places in the rooms, to which two chaldrons of 
 coals a year are given by the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs. 
 
 All the pj^soners here find their own beds and 
 heddlng, except one rug yearly, which the City 
 allows to such as need it. 
 
 At Christmas every debtor receives one pound of 
 beef, a pint of porter, and a loaf value three half- 
 pence, or potatoes in lieu of it. On New Year's day, 
 at Easter, and some uncertain day after, the same 
 gift is made by the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, who 
 also occasionally give coals according to their discre- 
 tion. Michael Angelo Taylor, Esq. M. P. on 
 Christmas-eve gives eight pounds of beef, a half-peck 
 loaf, and a sack of coals, to each prisoner, and the 
 same also to the turnkey. A society of gentlemen 
 give quarterly a pound of beef and a two-penny 
 loaf both to each prisoner, and to the out-door- 
 sfetvard (a person whose ofllice it is to collect the 
 
 perma-
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 347 
 
 permanent donations ;) and one shilling for coals 
 to dress the meat so given. 
 
 There are also certain established donations, of 
 bread and meat, at stated periods, besides some pri- 
 vate gifts. Money is likewise paid by several of the 
 City Companies, and others, for the release of dcbtoi*s 
 from this and other prisons ; which is most frequently 
 applied towards the discharge of such prisoners as 
 cannot obtain the same without undertaking to -pay 
 some further sum * in addition to the money raised 
 by such donations, and who are thereby prevented 
 from availing themselves of the bounty of the Ho- 
 nourable and Benevolent Society for Relief of 
 Debtors, held in Craven Street in the Strand ; of 
 which description are, the legacies of Mr. Ilunihle, 
 (paid by the Leathersellers' Company, to the amount 
 of eight pounds per annum)^ Mrs. Ashtun, and 
 others. The legacy of Lady Rich is usually applied 
 in aid of the legacies of Mr. Hianble, Mrs. Ashton, 
 or any other benevolent donor, for the release of 
 prisoners at one moiety by each legacy ; and if the 
 sum of twenty-four pounds has not been advanced 
 for such release, before the payment of Lady Ridis 
 legacy, then the remainder is divided among those 
 prisoners, who were in gaol on the Christmas-day 
 preceding, and still remain in custody. 
 
 * The Society for the Relief and Discharge of Persons con- 
 fined for Small Debts admit of no such undertaking, but always 
 j^cquire a receipt in full from the creaitor. 
 
 A Lis^
 
 148 
 
 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 A List of Benefactions to Ludgate Prison, 
 Christmas Quarter. 
 
 When paid. 
 
 Donors' Names. 
 
 By whom paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Quaiterly 
 
 Half-Yearly. 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Half-Yearly. 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Quarterly.... 
 Half-Yearly. 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Quarterly 
 
 Yearlj"^ 
 
 Quarterly.... 
 Ditto 
 
 Yearly.... 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Quarterly. 
 Yearly .... 
 
 Fishmoiiijers Company 
 Sir Thomas Kneesworth 
 
 Mrs. Lettioc Smith 
 
 Sir Thos. Grcsham, Knt. 
 
 Mr. Middlcton 
 
 Sir John Kendrick, Knt. 
 SirW. Peacock, Knt. ... 
 
 Mr. W.Parker 
 
 Mr. JohnWooler 
 
 ^ Lady Maurice and 
 
 l Mr.Benniitt 
 Mr. Peter Blutidell.... 
 Sir Wm. Home, Knt.. 
 
 Mrs. Cook 
 
 Mr. Peter Blundell.... 
 
 Mr. James Hodgson.... 
 
 Mr. AJeridith 
 
 Mr. John Draper 
 
 Mr. Thomas Dawson . 
 
 .Mrs. HoUigrave 
 
 SadlcrsCompany 
 
 Archbji. of Canterbury 
 
 Fishmongers Company 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Chamberlain of London 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Drapers Company 
 
 Haberdashers ditto 
 
 MerchantTaylors Comp. 
 
 Ditto 
 
 5 Annourersand Bra- 
 l ziers Company 
 
 Salters Company 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ironmongers ditto 
 
 Churchwardens of 
 St. .Sepulchre's 
 
 Skinners Company .... 
 
 Ditto 
 
 k Churchwardens of 
 I St. Etbelburgh 
 
 Clothworkers Company 
 
 Sadlers Company 
 
 At Lambeth Palace 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 11 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 a 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 c£.18 4 11 
 
 Lady-Day Quarter. 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Quarterly 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Half-Yearly. 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Half-Yearly. 
 
 Quart/'rly.... 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Quarterly 
 
 SirThomasCullum, Knt, 
 Mr. AldermanHoydon. . , 
 Sir Roger Martin, Knt... 
 
 Mr. John Marsh 
 
 SirThos. Grcsham, Knt. 
 
 Mr. John Corbett 
 
 Mr. Richard Jacob 
 
 Mercers Company* , 
 
 Lady Ramsey 
 
 Mr";. Joan Sanback 
 
 ^ Lady Maurice and 
 
 ( John Bennett 
 .Mr. Peter Blundell ... 
 
 Ditto 
 
 .VIr. Meridith 
 
 •Mr. John Draper 
 
 Sir John Pi!ach«:y, Knt 
 .Sadlers Company 
 
 Drapers Company.. . 
 .Mercers Company.., 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto , 
 
 Chamberlain of London 
 
 Cooks Company 
 
 Mrs. Starling 
 
 MercersCoinpany 
 
 Christ's Hospital 
 
 5 Churchwardens of 
 I St. Bride's 
 
 3 AnxiourersandBra- 
 l ziers Company 
 Ironmongers Company 
 
 Salters ditto 
 
 Skinners ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Grocers ditto 
 
 Sadlers ditto 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 O 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 12 
 
 7 I 
 
 5 
 
 I 
 
 15 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 5 6 
 
 3 4 
 
 3 O 
 
 2 (J 
 
 of.21 ^ 
 
 * Betngvthc produce or interest of -ii/. 4^. Id, Old South Sea Annuities.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. •)4<) 
 
 Midsummer Quarter. 
 
 When paid. 
 
 Donors' Names. 
 
 r.y whom paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 Quarterly 
 
 Half-Yearly... 
 Ditto 
 
 Sir Tlios. Gresham, Knt. 
 .Mr. ISliddleton 
 
 Cliauiberlain of London 
 Ditto 
 
 •2 lU 
 1 11 3 
 
 Mr-Willinin I'arktr 
 
 Mr. John Wook-r 
 
 .MtrrhantTaylorsConip 
 
 Ditto 
 
 1 '» 
 
 Ditto 
 
 u 10 
 
 Quarterly 
 
 .Mr. Peter HiunduU 
 
 Sir William Home, Knt. 
 
 -Mr. Peter Hlundell 
 
 Mr. Meridith 
 
 Salt(.i>dilt( 
 
 ID U 
 
 Half-Yearly... 
 
 Quarterly 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 '2 6 
 
 IrouinonRersditto 
 
 10 
 '» 6 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Mr. Jolin Draper 
 
 Ditto 
 
 :} 4. 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Sadlers Conipany 
 
 Sadl«r:> ditto 
 
 0-6 
 
 .f.7 u I 
 
 
 Michaelmas 
 
 Quarter. 
 
 
 When paid. 
 
 Donors' Names. 
 
 By whom paid. 
 
 .Amount. 
 
 
 Sir Thos. Gresham, Knt. 
 
 Chamberlain of London 
 
 'J 10 U 
 
 Half-Yearly... 
 Yearly 
 
 1 .S 
 
 Mr. William Koapcr 
 
 Mr, Peter Blundell 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Parish Clerks Comi)aiiy 
 Ironmongers Company., 
 ."^alters ditto 
 
 1 
 
 Quarterly 
 
 Ditto 
 
 10 
 ID 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Mr Meridith 
 
 .Skinners d itto 
 
 5 6 
 
 Ditto . . 
 
 
 Ditto 
 
 3 4 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Mr. Thomas Chapman. . . 
 Sadlers Company 
 
 Parish of St. Paneras 
 
 Sadlers Company 
 
 5 
 
 Quarterly 
 
 '2 6 
 
 .r. G 11 4. 
 
 Mr. TJwynas Cottle, Tallow Chandler, gave yearly, for 
 ever, a hind quarter of beef and a peck of oatmeal, rated 
 at one pound, by the Cimrchuardens of St. Dunstan 
 in the East, to be sent in on Michaelmas Eve, 
 
 Lady North gave yearly in bread thirteen pence every 
 Friday for ever, out of the King's Head Tavern, near 
 Newgate ; and twelve loaves every quarter. This i> 
 sent from the bakers, in threepenny loaves, every fort- 
 night, 
 
 yixi. Margaret Dane, widow, gave yearly, for ever, eigh- 
 teen stone of beef and five dozen of bread, \-aluc one 
 
 pound,
 
 ^50 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 pound, by the Ironmongers' Company to be paid at 
 Allhallows-tide, Michael mas quarter. 
 
 Mr. Robert Rogers, Leatherseller, gave yearly by the 
 Leathersellers Company, twentj^ shillings, to be paid 
 quarterly in bread. 
 
 IVIrs. Margaret Svmcoit, every eighth Aveek for ever, by 
 the Chamber of London, sixty-five pentiy loaves. This 
 is Eleanor Gwynn^s Gift, under that name. 
 
 Mrs. Frances Ashton, by will dated 30th March 1727, gav& 
 ninety-five pounds per annum towards discharging out 
 of prison such and so many of the poor prisoners in 
 Ludgate, the two Compters, and the Marshahea, whose 
 respective sums, for and towards such discharges, shal! 
 not amount to two pounds each. In 1803 seven pounds 
 were paid from this legacy to discharge four prisoners 
 from the Poultry Compter. In 1805 two pounds 
 eleven shillings and sixpence to discharge two prisoners 
 from Giltspur-street Compter ; also two pounds ten 
 shillings to discharge one prisoner from Ludgate : and 
 in 1807 two pounds two shillings to discharge another 
 from Ludgate. 
 
 Mr. Richard Jacob, vintner, gave yearly for 257 years, 
 by Joseph Howell and Susannah his wife, their heirs, 
 fexecutors, and assigns, out of five tenements situate in 
 Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, two pounds, payable at Easter. 
 Will dated Oct. 13th, 1612. This is subject to land- 
 tax. See the foregoing List of Benefactions in p. 348. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Sirctchley, by his will dated August 6, 1678, 
 gave for ever forty shillings, to be piaid every three 
 years, by the Treasurer of Christ's Hospital. This is 
 regularly paid. He likewise gave four pounds to dis- 
 charge two prisoners every fifth year. This is not 
 paid. 
 
 Th6
 
 In ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND UM.KS. QT.i 
 
 The Chamber of London, in lieu of 250/. being the gift of 
 Mr. Aliddlcton, payable at (.'liristiuas and Midsummer 
 3/. 2s. 6d. See List of Benefactions, pp. 348, 3U>. 
 
 George Ilimibky Esq. gave yearly fourteen pounds per 
 </?j;22/7«, for the release of two prisoners at five pounds 
 each, and two others at forty shilUngs each ; payable 
 by the Leathersellers' Company. 
 
 Lad}/ Rich gave jearly, for ever, towards relief and release 
 of prisoners thirty pounds, payable at Christmas ; this 
 is subject to land-tax, six pounds. If the money ha.s 
 not wholly or in part been appropriated to release 
 prisoners, the remainder is divided among as many 
 debtors as were in confinement at Christmas, and not 
 discharged on Lady-day. Twenty-four pounds were 
 divided the 6th April 1807 among ten prisoners, 2l. Ss. 
 each, who had remained in custody since the preceding 
 Christmas ; no person having, in the course of twelve 
 months prior to the payment thereof, been released 
 thereby. This legacy is paid on Lady-day old style, 
 by Mr. John Jicberts of Oakingham, Berks, attorney 
 at law. 
 
 Mr. Robert Firebrace, Leatherscllcr, gave yearly by the 
 Leathersellers' Company 6s. Sd. to be paid quarterly 
 in bread. 
 
 Mrs.Elizabeth Misson gave by will dated 23d May, 1770, 
 six pounds, the annual produce of two hundred pounds 
 three per cent. India Annuities, to be expended in 
 meat, bread, and coals. There has lately been some 
 irregularity in the payment of this legacy. 
 Legacies not received. 
 
 Hugh Offiey 5s. John Symonds ^s. Richard Jacob \0s. 
 Lady Carew 40^. John Jackson 20s. Sir Ralph Freeman 
 51. John Hobby, Esq. 22/. annually, for ever, for tlwj 
 release of eleven poor prisoners, at 40^. each. 
 
 llie
 
 ^52 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 The Rules and Orders for the government of tlii^ 
 prison have been made by the several lord mayors 
 and court of aldermen, and sometimes by the sheriffs 
 for the time being, and the execution of them vested 
 in the keeper and eight of the prisoners^ under the 
 title and description of "the Court of Keeper, Steward, 
 and Assistants ;" who are thereby empowered to make 
 such further orders as are necessary for the good 
 governing and quiet behaviour of the prisoners : But 
 such further orders ire never enforced, until they 
 have first been approved by the lord mayor, or court 
 fof aldermen, or sheriffs, to whom an appeal lies 
 against any improper decision of the court of steward 
 and assistants. The principal Orders at present in 
 force are — against profaners of the Sabbath, and neg- 
 lecters of divine service : for chusing stewards, as- 
 sistants, chapel-warden, reader, scavenger, and se- 
 cretary ; and to declare the duty of each ; and for 
 settling their several salaries : that is to say, Twenty- 
 one pence weekly to the steward, whose business 
 h is to keep good order, and be accountable for 
 Tvhat monies are received from casual benefac- 
 tions, or otherwise ; and to divide the same 
 amongst the prisoners : Three pence weekly to 
 each of the assistants : Ten pence halfpenny /?er 
 week to the secretary, for keeping the accounts ; and 
 one shilling and nine-pence /jer week to the scji- 
 venger, to keep clean the house, court-yard, &c. &c. ; 
 
 but
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND U A1,KS. ;;;,,^ 
 
 but these salaries, and the quarterly and partial 
 division of money, seem to militate against the bene- 
 volent intention of the donors, and prove a grievance' 
 to some of the poor prisoners, wIkj are deprived of 
 many of their benefits, if they fail in the pajincMt of 
 seven-pence j9er week. This might he reniedied, 
 by allowing a certain weekly sum, to the amount of, 
 and to be repaid by, the (uwual amount of the do- 
 fiations, whereby the prisoners would be equally re- 
 lieved, and animosities prevented from arising, in 
 consequence of trivial benefits in favour of some, to 
 the privation of their fellow suflferers. i he remaining 
 Orders are, to deprive offenders of their votes ; 
 against slandering, or using o])probrious words ; 
 against stealing ; against cursing and swearing ; 
 against drunkenness ; against singing and ranting; 
 against abusing strangers ; against retailing sjji- 
 rituous liquors ; against keeping dogs ; to enforce 
 cleanliness, &c. &c. 
 
 The mode directed to enforce obedience to these 
 Rules and Orders is by fines and privations : This, 
 in some cases, is peremptory ; and in others, is left 
 to the discretion of the before-mentioned Court. 
 
 The accounts of Receipts and Disbursements of 
 this prison are kept with great accuracy : ami the 
 brd^r and decorum obsei-ved in it do nmch credit to 
 Mr. Teague, the keeper.
 
 354 ACCOUNT OF PRISOKS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 LYNN REGIS ; Xorfolh 
 Town Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, IVilliam Ilanes. 
 
 Salary, 35/. for gaol, and house of correction, . 
 
 which adjoins. 
 Fees, 6s. Sd. Garnish, none. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Upwoody as surgeon for the poor, 
 chosen annually. 
 Salary, lOO/. for the Gaol and Poor of the 
 parish. 
 
 Chaplain. None ; but one attends occasionally. 
 
 -vT t r -Tk u^ f 1802, Jan. 28th, - 3 
 
 Number of Debtors, J ' ' "^ 
 
 \ 1805, Aug. 30th, - 1 
 
 Allowance. None ; except to paupers, and that 
 varies, according to the price of provisions. 
 In August 1805 it was %d. a day. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol is nearly opposite to St. Margaret's 
 church, and was built in 17&4, as appears by the in- 
 scription in front. The ground floor is occupied by 
 the keeper ; and the Gaol is separated by two iron- 
 grated doors, in a passage four feet wide. The 
 Gaolers kitchen commands the only court-yard 
 for all descriptions of pri£oners, and is 82 feet by 
 
 15.
 
 JJ 
 
 IN ENCLA>-D, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 35 
 
 15. On the left hand is the only day-room in the 
 prison, 19 feet by 13, with a fire-pl;icc and stone 
 sink. At the end of tlie court, and under arcades, 
 are two sleeping-cells, about 8 feet square, with 
 arched roofs, lighted and ventilated by two iron- 
 grated windows each, with crib-l)edstead.s, straw, and 
 three; or four coverlets, as the weather re(juires. Poor 
 debtors and petty offenders sle^'p in these cells ; and, 
 if they bring their own beds, pay Od. a week. At 
 the end of the day-room a staircase leads to two in- 
 firmary-rooms, which have each a fire-place and two 
 glazed windows, crib-bedsteads, straw, and coverlets. 
 On the attic story, and in front of the keeper's 
 house, are three good-sized rooms, about 1 (J feet by 
 11, and () feet high each, for Masters-side debtors; 
 with glazed sash-windows, and fire-places in two of 
 them. To these the Gaoler furnishes a single bed at 
 2s. per week ; or, if two sleep together, 1*-. sd. each. 
 Debtors from the Courts of Conscience are sent 
 liither, and have the same allowance as other pri- 
 soners : But it decreases on a second commitment ; 
 and a watch-maker, who had been confined before, 
 had only six-pence a day. Act and Clauses both 
 hung up. Here is a pump of excellent spring- water ; 
 and soft- water is laid on by a pipe. 
 
 z 2
 
 35^ ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBT0R5 
 
 MACCLESFIELD ; Cheshire. 
 The Town Gaol 
 
 Gaoler, Maurice Jones. Salary, none* 
 Fees, 7^. 6d. No Table. 
 Garnish, 2s. 6d. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 l80C, March 30th, - 1 I 1805, Sept. 15th, - 1 
 1S02, Feb. 17th, - 1 I 1808, Jan. 6th, - - 3 
 
 Allowance. None whatever. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This prison, for the liberty of the hundred, manor, 
 and forest of Macclesfield, in the Pinfold, or pound 
 of that hundred, is the property of the Earl oiDerhy, 
 who holds a court twice in the year, viz. in April 
 and October. 
 
 Debtors are committed hither for indefinite sums, 
 from one shilling up to any amount : And, as they 
 cannot obtain their sixpences, by virtue of the sta- 
 tute, called *' the Lords' Act," before the holding 
 ef the Court next after their commitment, it may 
 
 be
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 257 
 
 be their hard lot to be immured in this dreary abode 
 for several months together, without a chance of 
 speedier dehverance. 
 
 Here is a court-yard, or area, of 24 feet h}- 18. 
 The prison consists of four rooms ; two on the 
 ground-floor, about 1 1 feet square ; and two above, 
 6 feet square. 
 
 No bedding, not even straw is allowed. The keej)er 
 furnishes those prisoners who can pay, with a da}- 
 room, bed-chamber, and fire, at 3>v. 6d. each per 
 week. 
 
 The Old Dungeon, which is seven steps down, 
 in size 1 1 feet by 9, and lighted by a window only 
 6 inches square, was formerly used for the confine- 
 ment of Deserters : But, at my visit in I8O5, it was, 
 happily, in a state of total ruin, and G inches deep 
 in mud. 
 
 The Gaoler, who is a Bailiflf or Sheriflf's Officer, 
 keeps the Eagle and Child publick house (the Derhy 
 Arms), and pays twenty-six pounds annual rent, 
 with all taxes. He told me that one Isaac fFylde 
 was confined here six months, for a debt of five 
 shillings and three pence ! 
 
 Of the three Debtors, (all women,) who have been 
 here confined subsequent to the lat of October I8O7, 
 the names and circumstances are as follow. 
 
 1. EUza^
 
 35S ACCOUNT OF PRISON'S FOR DEBTORS 
 
 /. s. d. 
 1. Elizabeth Goslings widow, aged 48, a 
 washerwoman, who has two children 
 under fourteen years of age. Her debt, 
 for linen and cotton goods, was - - 1 10 6 
 Costs - - 9 3 3 
 Prison fees - i 15 — 10 18 3 
 
 Total 12 8 9 
 Committed to Macclesfield Goal, 2d Oct. 1807. 
 
 2. Mary Marslandy widow, aged 65 ^ and in- 
 capable of gaining a livelihood. Ker 
 debt, for linen and cotton goods, - 7 
 Costs - - 9 15 11 
 Prison fees - 1 15 0— 11 10 11 
 
 Total II 17 11 
 Committed to Macclesfield Gaol, 23d Dec. 1S07. 
 
 3. Margaret Ashton, widow, aged 5^^ a cot- 
 ton-weaver. Debt, for flour, cheese, - 
 and butter, - - - - -074 
 Costs - - 9 15 11 
 Prison fees - 2 10 0—12 5 11 
 
 ♦ Total 12 13 
 
 Committed to Macclesfield Gaol, 21st Nov. 1807. 
 
 So thafthe three Debts together were 2 4 10 
 Costs, arid Prison Fees, ditto - - 34 14 1 
 
 Total, ^.36 IS 11. 
 
 These are facts verified, which need no comment. 
 
 How
 
 In England, Scotland, and wale«. 359 
 
 How desirable then must it be, in sucli very ex- 
 treme cases of poverty and woe, — of female poverty 
 and female woe, — if a more lenient exeeution of 
 British Law could so operate, as to attach upon the 
 goods only^ not on the person of lielpless, widowed 
 debtors * ! 
 
 I should liave mentioned that Elizabeth Gosling's 
 debt, 1/. lOs. 6(L was accepted from the Society for 
 the Discharge and Relief of Persons imprisoned for 
 Small Debts, and she was soon discharged, after 
 presenting her petition at the office in Craven- 
 Street. Mayy Marsland and Margaret Ashton 
 were ordered two shillings and sixpence each per 
 week, for their support in prison, till the Committee 
 should hold their next monthly meeting. 
 
 All these poor women had excellent characters 
 given of them respectively ; which renders the con- 
 sideration of their distresses doubly painful. 
 
 Marsland has a son, who should have been her 
 greatest helper, 
 
 *' To rock the Cradle of declining Age," 
 but he enlisted for a soldier. Her goods have been 
 seized and sold for rent ; and having no allowance 
 in gaol, misery must have sunk her there, but for 
 the incidental charity of some well-disposed persons 
 
 * See my remarks on Penzance Prison, in a following page ; 
 which is now humanely done away by Lord Arundel, and the 
 \yretchpd place turned into an innocent anilk cellar. 
 
 (of
 
 ,SGO ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 (of whom one was a gentleman actually in the gaol 
 as a fellow prisoner at the time), who felt for her ac- 
 cumulated trials. 
 
 From one of the Plaintifls (a woman also) the 
 Society received a letter, dated the 17th of March 
 last, which is pointedly expressive. " I could not," 
 says the writer, " make up my payments ; there- 
 *^ fore, was obliged to sue some, to make others pay 
 " me : but, little thought what the expence would 
 " he. I have since been told that Macclesfield 
 '' court are allowed very liberal fees. When I went 
 " to jMacclesfield on Goslings account, I saw this 
 " woman [MarslandJ, and was very much shocked 
 " at her appearance. The weather being extremely 
 "^ cold, and having little to eat, she had been very 
 " ill ; but some of her neighbours had subscribed 
 " 85. and sent her ; and Mr. Jones, the gaoler, has 
 " been very humane to her, in giving her a little 
 *'^ broth now and then ; for there is no allowance, 
 ^^ not even fire, nor so much as straw for a bed." 
 
 Neither the Act for preserving Health, nor Clauses 
 against Spirituous Liquors, are hung up. Tiie prison 
 rooms dirt}', and out of repair. 
 
 g;^ There is every reason to hope, as it is sin- 
 cerely to be wished, that a radical and very benefi- 
 cial change will ere long take place in the Town 
 Gaol of Macclesfield.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. ^C)l 
 
 MAIDSTOXE; Kent, 
 County Gaul. 
 
 Gaoler^ Thomas JJ^atson. 
 Salary, 300/. 
 
 Fees, 12^.10^. No Table, 
 Garnish, 26, Sd. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Evans, 
 
 Duty. Prayers and Sermon to debtors and 
 felons ; and that on alternate Sundaijs only. 
 Salary, 50/. 
 
 Surgeon, jVIr. Coleman. 
 
 Salary, 50/. for Gaol and Bridewell, debtors 
 and felons. 
 
 Number of Debtore, 
 
 1801, Sept.22d, - 30 
 1804, Sept. 2()th, - 23 
 
 1S06', Aug. 14th, - 2G 
 180;, Sept. Sth, - 2.9 
 
 Allowance. A half-quartern loaf every other day, 
 and one quart of small-beer daily. What- 
 ever the baker's bill amounts to weekly in 
 bread, one half of that sum is allowed for 
 table beer. But, when a debtor has obtained 
 his sixpences, the allowance of bread ceases. 
 
 RE-
 
 ^62 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 REMARKS, 
 
 This Gaol was erected in 1 "^46, as appears by the in- 
 scription on a stone in front, " C. Shane, architect." 
 The keepers house separates the debtors^ prison 
 Irom that of the felons ; but he has no proper view 
 of the prison at large. For men debtors here are 
 two court-yards ; the upper one, paved with flag* 
 stones, is 43 feet by 38 ; the lower one, 96 feet by 
 48, with a hard gravel bottom : Also a common 
 day-room, 26 feet by 19. The women debtors have 
 no court-yard, and only one room, 13 feet by 10. 
 
 On the first floor are eight spacious rooms for debt- 
 ors, opening into a lobby 6 feet 2 inches wide. ?ilaster's- 
 side debtors pay l.s. id. per week ; those who have a 
 room to themselves 2s. 6d. per week ; and there is 
 one, handsomely furnished, for which a prisoner paid 
 5*. per week. For Common-side debtors here are two 
 rooms, 26 feet by 19 each, called, by a singular fancy, 
 " the Penniless wards,"" because each poor debtor 
 who sleeps there pays one penny per week. The In- 
 firmary has two rooms, one 20 feet by 18, the other 
 15 feet by 12, and very improperly situated, in the 
 common felons' court -^ard, in the centre of'theprison. 
 No bath, but an old useless tub. The prison-wall 
 is three feet thick, with double wooden bars, three 
 inches and a half broad (instead of single iron ones), 
 at the windows both of debtors and felons, by which 
 
 the
 
 IK ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. ^C,'^ 
 
 the air and light are greatly obstructed. Pravcrs are 
 read by the Chaplain, on the staircase, to the cri- 
 minals, who are within the iron gate ; but not one 
 third of them can either see the minister, or hear the 
 divine service. Iliose under sentence of death are 
 brought intoasmall open court, and the minister prays 
 by them Jrom the keepers parlour. Debtors have 
 prayers read in a large room at the end of the loi^by. 
 
 Six windows of the debtors' rooms, and three 
 of the felons', are towards the street, and occa- 
 sion many inconveniences to the neighbourhood. 
 Here are no rules respecting the quantity of liquor 
 which may be admitted to the debtors : indeed, rules 
 would be almost useless, where the windows are so 
 situated; and their irregularities frequently set the 
 keeper at defiance, for want of knowing how to 
 treat them. 
 
 The county allows three chaldrons of coals to the 
 debtors yearly. No employment furnished ; but 
 those of handicraft-trades, such as shoe-makers, 
 tailors, &c. sometimes procure work fi-om the town. 
 No Rules and Orders. No books for the Chaplain, 
 Surgeon, or visiting Magistrates to enter their re- 
 marks. The keeper is humane and attentive, and 
 the whole prison kept very clean.
 
 3(>4 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 IMAHSHALSEA, SoufJncarh, London. 
 
 Sir James Bland Burgess, Bart. Knight-Marslia!. 
 
 Salary, 500/. 
 Substitute, Mr. WdUamJenluns. Salary, QoL 
 
 Fees: 10.y. 10^. See the Table. 
 
 Garnish, 15. Ad. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. ]Mr. Trollope, who officiates by a 
 
 deputy, the Rev. Mr. IFehster, 
 Duty, every Sunday. 
 Salary, 50/. and 1*. from every prisoner, on dis- 
 
 charore. See Table. 
 
 Surgeons, Mess. Sawmarez and Dixon. 
 
 Salary, One Shilling from each Prisoner, on dis- 
 char2:e. See Table. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1800, April 15th, - 50 I 1804, Jan. 7th, - 50 
 
 1801, Dec. 7th, - 36 I I8O5, Mar. l6th, - 39 
 
 1802, Dec. 2d, - - 34 I 180^, Mar. 28tlr, - 5^ 
 
 1803, May 28th, - 4/ 1 1 807, July 2d, - - 57 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 To this prison of the Court of the Marshalsea, and 
 of the King's Palace-Court of Westminster, are 
 brought debtors, arrested for the lowest sums, any 
 where within twelve miles of the Palace, except in 
 the city of London. 
 
 King
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. *jVj 
 
 King Charles I. in the sixth year of his reign, by 
 his letters patent, erected a new court of ivcoid, 
 called the Curia Palatii, or Palace-Court, to be 
 held before the Steward of the Iloust^hold and 
 Knight Marshal, and the Steward of the Court, or 
 his deputy; with jurisdiction to hold plea in all 
 manner of personal actions whatsoever, which i-hall 
 arise between any parties within twelve miles of his 
 Majesty's palace at Whitehall. 
 
 The Court is now held once a week, together with 
 the antient court of INIarshalsea, in the Borough of 
 Southwark : and a writ of error lies from thence to 
 the court of King's Bench. But, if the cause be of 
 any considerable consequence, it is usually removed 
 on its first commencement, together with the cus- 
 tody of the defendant, either into the King's Bench 
 or Common Pleas, by a writ of Habeas Corpus cum 
 Causa. The inferior business of the Court also hath 
 of late years been much reduced, by the new Courts 
 of Conscience erected in the environs of London ; 
 in consideration of which, the four counsellors 
 belonging to these courts had salaries granted to 
 them for their lives, by the statute 23 Geo. II. 
 cap. 27. 
 
 It is under the particular custody of the Suhsfi- 
 
 iute, who has his appointment from the Knight 
 
 Marshal of the King's Houseliold for the time 
 
 being. 
 
 The
 
 ^66 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 The great abuses practised by a predecessor of this 
 officer were reported to parliament by the Gaol 
 Committee ml] 29. 
 
 This prison is held, under lease, by Mr. Crack- 
 low, a Surveyor, One half of it is already fallen 
 down in ruins ; and of the remainder it may be al- 
 most said, with our Poet, that 
 
 " The Castle topples o'er the Warder's Head." 
 
 The court-yard is spacious, and contains near 
 fifty rooms, six of which only are for Common-side 
 debtors *. There are two or three rooms for women ; 
 but as there is only one court-yard, men and women 
 mix together in the day-time. No Infirmary. 
 There is a Tap in the prison, which was let to 
 William Matthews, a prisoner, at 40s. per iveek ! 
 The Court is well supplied with water. The prison- 
 ers sometimes employ themselves in cutting pegs 
 for the Brewers, and are paid 2*. the thousand. 
 
 ■* If more debtors are on the Common-side than six rooms 
 \\\\\ contain, at three in a room> other rooms are allowed from 
 the Master's side. No pirates have been committed to this pri- 
 son since the year 17895 but several persons have bpen, and 
 still are, committed in execution, under sentence of courts mar- 
 tial, to suffer imprisonment for a limited time ; they are com- 
 mitted by the Lords of the Admiralty, pursuant to the sentence. 
 Of this description I have found from Four to Eight at my seve- 
 ral visits within the last seven years. The whole building is in 
 a most ruinous and insecure state ; and the habitations of the 
 debtors are wretched in the extreme. 
 
 At
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WaLE^. 3G7 
 
 At my visit, 28th December 1802, I IovukI tlie 
 court-yard very scanty, a wall being built across the 
 end of it, and twenty new rooms in tlie centre «jt ilic 
 court, about 11 feet by 10, and 7i feet high, for tlie 
 better accommodation of tlie prisoners to live in, and 
 also to sleep in, if they can. 
 
 In 1786 there was a delay in the distribution of 
 the Oxford Charity. The Court of Chancer}', on 
 application made, gave its directions : the arrears 
 were paid up; and I have heard of no complaint since. 
 
 The average number of prisoners, about thirty years 
 ago, was 200, as appears by the books ; but, since 
 the act of the 19th George III. cap. lxx. it has 
 teen reduced to 50. 
 
 The object of the Act for restraining arrests under 
 10/. is " That no person shall be held to bail, or taken 
 *^ to prison in the first instance, unless his debt 
 *' amount to lO/. :" But, a creditor may still sue 
 out a writ for any sum above 2/. prosecute his action 
 against his debtor to a judgment; and then take 
 him in execution for debt and costs, be that sum 
 under or above ten pounds. 
 
 It is not necessary, where there is a judgment 
 obtained, that the sum should exceed lO/. : If it 
 were so, a person having 5^. or 61. due to him would 
 be without a remedy. 
 
 If an action be originally brought in the Marshal- 
 sea Courts and removed to any other by the ckbtor, 
 
 (for
 
 3^8 ACCOUNT OF rnisoNs for debtors 
 
 (for the creditor cannot remove it), the plaintiff 
 must follow the removal, or lose his debt : and when 
 the said creditor, or plaintiff, has obtained a judg- 
 ment, the debtor cannot be imprisoned in the Mar- 
 shalsea, but in the prison of the court where the 
 judgment was obtained. 
 
 ^^ Mr. Henry Allnutt, who was many years 
 since a prisoner here, had, during his confinement, a 
 large estate bequeathed to him. He learned sym- 
 pathv by his sufferings ; and left One Hundred 
 Pounds a year to discharge poor debtors from hence, 
 the payment, or composition, of whose debts does not 
 exceed 4/. As he bound his manor of Goring, in 
 Oxfordshire, for charitable uses, this is called " The 
 " Oxford Charity.'' The present Trustees are> 
 Hemy Harding, Esq. of Abingdon, and 3Ir. JoJm 
 Bowles, 
 
 List of Legacies 
 to the prison of the Marshalsea and Palace Courts. 
 
 Per annunu 
 I. s, d. 
 
 1. The legacy of Henry Allnutt, Esq. for the 
 
 release of debtors, whose respective 
 plaintiffs will accept of a small sum in 
 full satisfaction for debt and costs - - 100 
 
 2. There is paid by the Treasurer of every 
 
 County-town and Place Corporate in 
 England and Wales, the sum of 20i-. 
 
 6IJ
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. pC)f) 
 
 Per annum, 
 
 on the first day of Trinity Ttrin; wliicli 
 is advanced monthly, at 5/. per month : 
 out of which 1 0^. per month is deducted 
 by the receiver, as a renmneration for 
 his trouble, - - _ G5 O 
 
 3. The legacy of Frederick Ashjield^ Esq. to 
 
 provide 2 lbs of meat per week, for 
 from ten to twenty prisoners, is paid 
 by Mr. W. Milton, of Clifford's Inn, oO 
 
 4. The legacy of Mrs. Frances Ashton, for 
 
 the release of prisoners who are proper 
 objects, is paid by Robert Long, Esq. 
 of Symond's Inn, Chancery-lane, in 
 such proportions as the Trustees think 
 proper. N. B. The last payment I ha\ e 
 any account of, was on the 8th July 
 1803, when two guineas were received 
 for the discharge of Jeremiah Ewer. 
 
 5. The legacy of Dr. John Felling, for the 
 
 like purpose, paid by Messrs. lloarc. 
 Fleet-street, - - - - 9 
 
 6. The legacy of Sir Thomas Gresham, paid 
 
 quarterly, by the Chamberlain of Lon- 
 don, at //^T quarter, 'll. \0s. - 10 
 
 7. The legacy of Mrs. Margaret Sijmcott, paid 
 
 by the Chamberlain of London, is 
 &5 penny loaves every eight weeks, 
 (Eleanor Gwynn's gift). 
 
 8. The legacy of Mr. Jacob, left in 1609, is 
 
 paid yearly, by the proprietors of the 
 Grainge Inn, Carey-street, at Easter, 2 
 A A 9. The
 
 S70 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 Per annum. 
 £. s. d. 
 9, The legacy of Mr. John Marks is, per 
 
 ann. 1 /. and the interest of 21/. 1 8^. 1 Od, 
 
 S. S. Stock, paid by the Company of 
 
 Mercers, - - - -~ _ 1131 
 
 10. The quantity of bread and monei/ sent by 
 
 the Company of Lcathersellers, is, at 
 
 the rate of Gs. 8d. qiiarterlj-, - 16 8 
 
 1 1 . The legacy of Robert Rampsfon, Esq. paid 
 
 at Christmas, - - - - 1 
 
 12. The gift of W. Roper, Esq. paid by the 
 
 Company of Parish Clerks, yearly, - 1 
 
 13. The legacy of Mr. John Craijthorne, by 
 
 theCompanyof Cutlers, at Christmas, 15 
 
 14. The legacy of Mr. T. Daxesony paid by 
 
 the Churchwardens of St. Ethelburn-h, 
 Bishopsgate, - - - - 9 
 
 15. The legacies of Mrs. Je.ttke Smith and 
 
 Mr. Arthur Moses^ by the Company of 
 Fishmongers, - - - - 6 8 
 
 1 n. The Company of .Saltera send annually - 6 8 
 
 1 7. The gift of Mr. Thomas Carter^ paid by 
 
 the Churchwardens of St, Dunstan in 
 the East, at Lady-day, yearly, is a 
 quarter ojberf and a peck of oatmeal. 
 
 18. The^ gift of tlfc late Mr. Baron ^wj/Mc, 
 
 was 1 5 stone of beef, yearly, at Christ- 
 mas. N. B. This was regularly sent for 
 some time by his Lady, but it seem* 
 now lo be discontinued, none having 
 been received these eight years. 
 
 19. The'
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND^ AND WALES. 371 
 
 Per aymuuu 
 
 19. The Company of Drapers send yearly 60 
 
 three-penny loaves. (Legacy of Mr. 
 John Stokes.) 
 
 20. The legacy of Mr. Ralph Carter^ is a quan- 
 
 tity of beef, at Christmas, paid one 
 year by the Churchwardens of Allhal- 
 lows, and the next by those of St. An- 
 drew Undershaft. 
 
 1801, 80 lb. 1804, 46i lb. 
 
 1802, 84 lb. 1805, 102 lb. 
 
 1803, 90 lb. 1806, 72 lb. 
 
 21. The Company of Ironmongers send yearly, 
 
 on^the 15th November, a quantity of 
 beef and bread. 
 Beef. Bread. Beef. Bread. 
 
 1801, 18 lb. 14 2d. loaves. 1804, 14^ lb. 13 2^. loaves. 
 
 1802, ditto. ditto. 1805, 21 stone. 17 ditto. 
 1803,17 1b. ditto. 1806, 2 st. 1 lb. 11 ditto. 
 
 THE following Voluntary Donations are generallij 
 paid yearly ; 
 
 Her late Royal Highness the Duchess of Glou- 
 cester used to send at Christmas, yearly, two 
 chaldrons of Coals. 
 
 His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, - 1 
 
 The Lord Steward of his Majesty's Household, 
 
 "per amiwn^ - - - - 5 5 
 
 The Steward, Deputy Prothonotary, Council, 
 
 and Attornies of his Majesty's Palace Court, 5 3 6 
 
 Henry Thornton, Esq. M. P. for the Borough 
 
 ofSouthwark, 5 5 
 
 A A 3 Table
 
 375 ACCOUNT or prisons for debtors 
 
 Table of Fees to be taken at the ]\Iarshalsea Prisoiij 
 on any Civil Action. Settled l7tli May, I765. 
 
 £. s. d. 
 
 To the Knight-Marshal, upon the discharge of 
 
 every prisoner cliarged with one or more actions, 18 
 
 To the Keeper, for his care and safe custody of 
 every prisoner, upon the discharge of such pri- 
 soner, ou the first action, - - 4 8 
 
 To the Keeper, upon the discharge of such pri- 
 soner charged with one or more actions after 
 the first, - - - - - -038 
 
 To the Surgeon, or Apothecary, on discharge of 
 
 ever}' prisoner charged with one or more actions, 10 
 
 To the Chaplain, on the like discharge, - 1 
 
 To the Turnkey, upon the discharge of every 
 
 prisoner, on the first action, - - 1 6 
 
 To the Turnkey, upon the discharge of every 
 prisoner charged with one or more actions after 
 the first, - - - - - -010 
 
 To the Clerk, for entering the discharge of a pri- 
 soner, on one or more actions, - - 10 
 
 To the Keeper-, for the use of a bed, bedding, 
 and sheets, for every prisoner, if found b}- the 
 Gaoler at the prisoner's request, for the first 
 night, on the Master's side of the said prison, 6 
 And every night after the first night, - 3 
 
 And if two lie in a bed, 2d. eacli, - - 4 
 
 No other fee for the use of chamber, bed, bedding, or 
 uj)on the discharge or conunitmeiit of any prisoner on 
 any Civil Action. 
 
 W. Richardson. -Mansfield. 
 
 Elliot Bishop. C. Pratf. 
 
 J.eonard Howard. 7\ Parker^
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALKS. 37^ 
 
 MONMOUTH, Count,/ (iauL 
 
 Gaoler, Thomas Plull'ips ; (now liis widow.) 
 Salary, 105/. 
 Fees, none ; but the Under-Shcrifl" dciuaiids 
 
 105. 6d. for his I'/hernlc ! 
 Garnish, abolished. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. John Powell. 
 
 Duty, Prayers and Sermon on Wednesday, 
 ^nd Prayers on Sunday. Salary, 30/. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. JViUiam Powell. Salary, 20I. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1801, Nov. nth, - 7 
 
 1802, Nov. 15 th, - 3 
 
 1805, Sept. 5th, - 1 
 
 1806, Sept. nth, - 3 
 
 Allowance. To debtors, who are paupers, one 
 pound and half of bread per day, and one 
 penny per day in money ; the bread is sent 
 in from the baker's in loaves of 3 lbs. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol, which is also the County Bridewell, 
 has much the appearance of a castle. It is situated 
 on a fine eminence : the boundary wall incloses 
 about an acre of ground, given by the Duke of 
 Beaufort. The outer gate has, on one side, the 
 Turnkey's Lodge, and a small room. On the other 
 side are the wash-house and oven, and cistern for 
 
 soft
 
 374 ACCOINT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 soft water ; and up-stairs a sleeping room for the 
 Turnkev. Over these is a flat roof, where crimi- 
 nals are executed. The Gaol is in the centre of 
 tlie area, and the Keeper s court-yard and house front 
 the Turnkey's lodge. On the ground-floor are the 
 Visiting Magistrates' room, two rooms for the 
 Keeper, and twelve sleeping-cells, 8 feet 9 inches by 
 6 feet, with glazed windows ; five of which are for 
 Common-side debtors, to whom the County allows 
 a wooden bedstead, a straw in sacking bed, a pair of 
 sheets, a blanket, and a rug ; and in the winter an 
 additional blanket or ruy;. Five other cells are for 
 solitary confinement, and two, totally dark, for the 
 refractory. The Master s-side Debtors have Jb. court- 
 yard, 57 feet by 45 ; a day-room 28 feet by 19 ; , 
 and above, a sleeping- room of the same size ; to 
 which if the debtor brings his own bed, he pays one 
 shilling per week, or else the Keeper furnishes the 
 beds at 2s. 6(1. per week each, for two sleeping 
 together. If any debtor has a bed in the Keeper's 
 house, he pays 5.y. per week. 
 
 Mr. Juines Gahnel, of this town, who died 
 March 26, 1754 {o't. 75.) had been very kind to 
 the prisoners in his life-time ; and at his death he 
 left them lOO/. whicii is invested in the turnpike- 
 security, from which each prisoner receives every 
 quarter-day a six-penny loaf. A memorial of this 
 legacy is fixed up in St. Mary's church. 
 
 In
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 375 
 
 In the centre of the building is the Chapel ; to 
 which the prisoners enter, from their respective di- 
 visions, to the seats appropriated for them ; and all 
 are required to attend divine service. 
 
 The attic story has two good-sized infirmaries, 
 one for men, the other for women : and there are 
 four circular rooms on the top, one in each tower, 
 12 feet diameter, and 7 feet high, totally dark, 
 with straw on the floor, for refractory prisoners. The 
 space between the court-yards and boundary-wall is 
 from 15 to 30 feet, and affords the Keeper a conve- 
 nient garden. Rules and Orders printed, but not 
 stuck up. The Act for Preservation of Health, and 
 Clauses against Spirituous Liquors, not hung up. 
 
 Prayer-books are supplied to those who can read ; 
 and the Magistrates nowvislt frequently, as appears 
 by their entries in the book. The Gaol very clean. 
 I weighed the bread, and found every loaf full 
 weight. The County allows firing to all parts of the 
 prison, when used with discretion. 
 
 At my visit in 1805, I found the Gaoler was dead, 
 and that the magistrates continued his widow in that 
 situation; with an assistant, at 50/. per annum, and 
 likewise allowed ^s. a week to a Turnkey, to which 
 Mrs. Phillips has added ^s, per week. 
 
 MONMOUTH, Town Gaol 
 No debtors are confined here nowo
 
 376 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 MOMC-OMEKY. 
 
 County Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, JoJni Davics. Salary, 3j/. 
 
 Fees, 8^. 4^/. ; besides which the Under-sherifF 
 demands is. 6d. for his liberate ! 
 
 Garnish, abolished. 
 Chaplain, Rev. Charles fflUiams. Salary, 20l. 
 
 Duty, every Sunday, Prayers and Sermon. 
 Surgeon, Mr. Jones, for felons only. Salary, 8/. 
 
 /'1 800, April 5th, - - 5 
 
 Number of Debtors, < 1802, Jan. 30th, - - 6 
 
 tl803, Sept. 8th, - - 3 
 Allowance. Six-pencQ /^er day in bread. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol is finely situated on a rising ground. 
 One court-yard for men and w^omen debtors, 44 feet 
 by 32, wilii a sewer in it, A day-room 14 feet 
 square, and a small room adjoining, with a bath, and 
 a boiler, l^p-stairs are eight good-sized rooms for 
 debtors, three of which are free wards. The County 
 allows no bedding, but straw on the floor : the keeper 
 furnishes beds at 1.9. Gd. jier ^veek a single bed, and 
 2s. per week, if two sleep together. A large room over 
 the entrance-door of the prison is used as a chapel, 
 and a small room is set apart for the sick. The well 
 was out of repair, and no water. The Rev. Thomas 
 Powell left by will the interest of 2()l. to be laid out 
 ill coals for the use of the prisoners.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 377 
 
 MORPETH ; Northumberland. 
 
 Gaoler, John Blake. Salary, 8o/. 
 
 Fees, I2s.6d. (No Table.) Besides which the 
 Under-sheriff demands a fee of 2s. 6d. for 
 each liberate; and if upon a supersedeas, 
 6^. 8d. 
 Garnish. A gallon of ale on coming in, and 
 another on discharge out of prison ! 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Edward NicMson. Salary, 40/. 
 Duty, Prayers and Sermon, Sunday afternoon. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Douglas Sands ; makes a bill. 
 
 Number of Debtors, P^^^^ ^^^-1^*^ " " » 
 I 1802, Sept. 9th, - - 11 
 
 Allowance. Four-pence per day to poor debtors, 
 on petition to the Magistrates. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 On the left entrance is the debtors' day-room, 2$ 
 feet by 19, and 12 feet high. This is also the 
 chapel. In the centre of the building is a small 
 court, about 25 feet square, with a pump in it, 
 principally used for the debtors to wash them- 
 selves: It is likewise a passage to the keepers 
 large garden, of which debtors have the daily use; 
 
 In
 
 57S ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 In this court are five sleeping-cells, two below, (not 
 used on account of their dampness,) and three above, 
 each 9 feet by 6 feet / inches, with arched roofs. 
 
 The middle tower, over the dungeon, is about 23 
 feet square, and occasionally used by debtors and 
 felons, but not at the same time. It has a fire-place 
 in it and a sewer. The two windows are glazed and 
 iron- grated, 3 feet 7 by 3 feet each, with an aperture 
 in the door about 8 inches square. 
 
 On the debtors' side of the prison, there is on the 
 first floor one room for women, about 14 feet square, 
 and another, iSfeet by 15. The second story has five 
 rooms, to which the keeper furnishes beds from two 
 shillings to one shilling /?er week. The upper story 
 has two rooms, the largest of which, 18 feet square, is 
 used as a free-ward, whenever the middle tower is 
 occupied by felons. The other room, used as an infir- 
 mary, is 14 feet by 10, having a large closet, well lighted 
 and ventilated. Water, accessible to debtors at all 
 times, is carried to the felons. It was intended to 
 present the want of a proper infirmary, bath, and 
 oven, at the General Quarter-Sessions. I found the 
 prison kept as clean as the bad construction of it 
 would admit.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 379 
 
 MUSSELBURGH; Scotland. 
 
 Gaoler, Urn. Robertson ; keeps a public house. 
 Salary, 5*. per week from the town. 
 Fees, 4d. per night. No table. 
 
 Surgeon, from the town, when wanted. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 1802, Sept. 17th, none. 
 Criminal, - ^- - - - one. 
 
 Allowance. To Criminals, 6d. a day. Debtors 
 from ^d. to \B>d. a day, according to their 
 rank in life. 
 
 Remarks. This prison is ovei' the guard-house, and 
 has, on the first floor, a large room for debtors, with 
 two iron-barred windows towards the street: at the end 
 is a room for criminals, about 9 feet by 6, with straw 
 on the floor, and lighted by a pane of glass in the 
 roof. Over these a room the length of the building ; 
 the boarded floor very rotten and unsafe : it has four 
 iron-grated windows, and an oflTensive sewer. No 
 court-yard. No water. Very dirty ; never white- 
 washed. Act and Clauses not hung up. Over the 
 door of the Magistrates' room is this inscription : 
 ^^Magistrates! do justice, in the fear of God. 
 " He that God doth fear 
 " Will not to falsehood lend an ear.'*
 
 380 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE ; Nor t/mmber land. 
 County Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, Jolin Gale. He is a tallow-chandler, and 
 lives near the prison. Salar^^, lOO/. 
 Fees, debtors, \4s. -^d. of which 1 5. is to the 
 Turnkey ; besides which the Under-sheriff 
 demands 2.9. 6d. on discharge of a writ from 
 the Court of Kins:'s Bench or Common 
 Pleas ; and ^s. on a supersedeas ! No Table, 
 
 Garnish, abolished. See Remarks. 
 
 Chaplains. The Rev. Mr. Moiser, and 
 The Rev. Mr. Perkins. 
 Duty. On Wednesday and Friday, Prayers ; 
 and once a month a Sermon. The chaplains 
 officiate alternately a month each. 
 Salary, lO/. the Corporation, and 
 10/. Sir Walter Blacket, 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. JVUiiam Fife. Salary, nc/ne : he 
 makes a bill, which is allowed by the Ma- 
 gistrates in Sessions, 
 
 Number of Debtors, Sept. Cth, l802, - - 12 
 
 Allowance ; 2d. a day, on petition to the mayor. 
 
 RE-
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 38 1 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This prison is the Gate at the upper end of the 
 town, and was formerly a fortified gateway. Here is 
 no court-yard ; but one might be made of the vacant 
 ground West of the Gaol, at a little expence, as the 
 town wall is on one side of it *. 
 
 The left side of the gateway is the gaol for debtors ; 
 on the staircase leading to whose apartments is the 
 following inscription, framed and glazed. " Friends 
 " visiting the debtors in this prison are to take notice, 
 " that the following are the hours of admission, which 
 " cannot be departed from, except on very particular 
 " occasions. From eight to nine in the morning : 
 *' from twelve to one at noon : from four to five in the 
 '' evening. Those who neglect to come out at the ap- 
 " pointed hour, must remain till the next opening.'* 
 
 Debtors, having no court-yard, walk on the battle- 
 ment above the gaol, which is nearly 34 feet square, 
 with a flagged floor, and a sewer in one corner ; and 
 also on the flat leads, about 40 feet square : To these 
 two places they have access at all times, from morning 
 till niucht. Here is no distinction of debtors. The 
 Corporation allows an iron bedstead, a bed-ticking 
 filled with new chaff" every three months, one under 
 
 * It is in contemplation to build six new rooms, and an Infir- 
 mary, at the West end of the prison j and to enclose the vacant 
 groundfor a debtors' court,, which will be a great improvetnent. 
 
 blanket,
 
 382 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 blanket, two upper blankets, and two coverlets, 
 scoured every three months, to debtors, felons, and 
 all descriptions of prisoners. Here are eight lodging- 
 rooms for debtors ; and every one sleeps single, if the 
 prison will admit it. They succeed to the best rooms 
 by seniority of confinement, and every one is required 
 to attend divii;ie service, except prevented by illness, 
 or professing himself to be of a different persua- 
 sion. All prisoners are allowed as much firing as 
 they can consume without waste ; and mops, brooms, 
 pails, &c. to keep the gaol clean. Any one who 
 misbehaves is tried by a prison-court, (at which the 
 senior debtor presides,) and fined, according to rules 
 laid down for preserving good behaviour in the gaol. 
 All communication with him is interdicted till the 
 fine is paid. If he conceives himself hardly judged, 
 he applies to the keeper, who examines into the 
 matter, and settles it accordingly. The above relates 
 solely to petty offences committed against the peace 
 of the prison. 
 
 This is one of the very few gaols, that have what 
 are called in London " the RULES." They extend 
 South of the prison to a running water, arched over, 
 called Execution Dock, and on the East of the Prison 
 down High Fryer-street about 200 yards, to a rivulet 
 called Lork Burn, now arched over with stone. 
 As the keeper cannot find by what authority these 
 Rules were granted, no debtors are indulged in the 
 
 use
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 3^S 
 
 use of them, but those of good character who are 
 confined for small sums. 
 
 The debtors' day-room (in which divine service is 
 performed) is 27 feet by 21 ; and here, conspicuously 
 painted on a board, the following notice is hung up. 
 " BE it understood, that no debtor, on his entrance 
 into, or departure from this prison, is liable to the 
 payment of any sum of money for the purchase of 
 beer, heretofore exacted under the title of Garnish, 
 No money, under any pretence whatever, can be 
 levied on the relations and friends of debtors visiting 
 them in this prison." 
 
 Every debtor committed by process issuing out of 
 the mayor's or sheriff's court, for a debt exceeding 
 lol. is entitled to his sixpences in about six months ; 
 but, as he must employ an attorney of the court, , 
 whose charge hfour guineas, they are seldom ob- 
 tained. It is a pity that, in so respectable and opu- 
 lent a town, there is not a fund established for that 
 purpose, as at Wincliester, Gloucester, &c. &c. If 
 the debt be under lol. by serving the plaintiff with 
 14 days notice, he is entitled to his sixpences the first 
 sheriff's court, which is held twice a week. Debtors 
 are sent here from the Court of Conscience. Act 
 and Clauses hung up. The whole prison very clean; 
 
 NEW GAOL, See SURRY COUNTY GAOL,
 
 384 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 NEWGATE, London. 
 
 Gaoler, JoJin-Addlson Newman, 
 
 Salary, 45 o/. 
 
 Fees ; Debtors, see Table. 
 
 Garnish. On the cabin-side, a subscription of 
 one guinea for coals, candles, mops, brooms, 
 &c. at entrance ; and a gallon of ale on 
 quitting the prison. On the master s-side, a 
 subscription of thirteen shillings and four 
 pence for coals, &c. and a gallon of beer at 
 entrance. On the common-side, a subscrip- 
 tion of eight shillings and ten pence for 
 coals, &c. and a gallon of beer. Those who 
 from their poverty cannot pay this last men- 
 tioned sum, are to wash and clean the w ards. 
 
 The Stewards of the wards have each a double 
 allowance of bread. 
 
 In a room, formerly the tap, Anne Sell (a free 
 vintner) supplies the criminal prisoners with 
 wine, and serves out the beer which is sent 
 to the prison from the publicans, and for 
 which she is allowed two pence per gallon. 
 
 Chaplain (or Ordinary), Rev. Dr. Forde* 
 
 Salary, 200/. and a house adjoining to the 
 gaol ; 67. per annum from Lady Barnardis- 
 torCs legacy ; and 1 oA a year from an old 
 
 legacy
 
 i 
 
 \.A
 
 m 
 
 m 
 
 GftOUND I'l^lsr (IV NKWliATE. 
 
 o
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 385 
 
 legacy paid by the Governors of St. Bartho- 
 lomew's Hospital ; over and above which, 
 sundry sums have been presented to the 
 Ordinary by the Court of Aldermen. 
 
 Duty, Prayers and Sermon on Sunday morning, 
 and Prayers in the afternoon ; also Prayers 
 every Wednesday and Friday morning ; and 
 private Prayers, on Tuesday and Saturday, 
 to those under sentence of death. After the 
 Report, he attends each condemned Convict 
 twice a day, and on the morning of execu- 
 tion ; as does a Catholic priest also those 
 who are of the Romish church. 
 Surgeon, Mr. IFlll'iam Box, jun. who visits the 
 prison daily. 
 
 Salary, lOO/. and medicines, paid for by the 
 City, for debtors as well as criminals. There 
 is no Surgeon's book kept in Newgate : But 
 I am informed he makes a recfular return to 
 
 o 
 
 the Court of Aldermen ; and also another 
 return to the Justiciary Court every day, 
 during the Sessions at the Old Bailey, of the 
 prisoners' state of health. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1800, June 14th, - 199 
 
 1801, April 27th, - 275 
 
 1802, April 3d, - 221 
 
 1804, Feb. 10th, - 204 
 
 1805, April 22d, - 149 
 
 1806, May 24th, - 198 
 
 1803, July 2d, - - 191 I 1807, March l6th, 175. 
 
 B B There
 
 386* ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEUTOKS 
 
 There were in Newgate, at tlie time of passing the 
 Insolvent Bill, 
 
 
 Debtors. 
 
 Di 
 
 scharged. 
 
 
 Left, 
 
 1794, 
 
 209 
 
 - 
 
 78 
 
 - 
 
 131 
 
 1797, 
 
 182 
 
 - 
 
 45 
 
 - 
 
 137 
 
 iSoi, 
 
 - 273 
 
 - 
 
 143 
 
 - 
 
 130 
 
 1803*, 
 
 180 
 
 -. 
 
 42 
 
 - 
 
 138 
 
 1806*, 
 
 . 184 
 
 - 
 
 63 
 
 - 
 
 121 
 
 Allowance. To every debtor fourteen ounces of 
 the best wheaten bread daily. The debtors 
 on the poor and iromeiis side have eight 
 stone of beef divided weekly among them, 
 without bone, such as clods and stickinfrs. 
 which is paid for by the Sheriffs. 
 There are also sundry donations to the poor vien 
 and women debtors, paid at different times, 
 some of which are regularly paid, and others 
 discontinued. See tlie following List. 
 
 * In four months after the discharge by the Act in 1804, I 
 found 145 debtors in prison j and during the nanie period, after 
 tlic Act in 1806, 171. 
 
 *^* Through the cxertionjof the attentive Keeper a very ex- 
 cellent arrangement has now (1807) taken place in the distri- 
 bution of the Prison -Charities ; by which every prisoner is 
 equally benefited, and the money arising therefrom laid out in 
 necefsaries for their use, instead of the quarterly distribution (as 
 formerly) in money ; which was too frequently spent in liquor by 
 tlioic prisoners only, who happened to be detained at the time tlie 
 said charities became payable. 
 
 A List
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 
 
 383; 
 
 A List of Donations to the Poor Debtors 
 CONFINED IN Newgate. 
 
 Lady-Day Quarter* 
 
 When paid. 
 
 Donors' Names. 
 
 By whom paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 Quarterly 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto.. 
 
 Half- Yearly. 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Mr. Ro,s:ers 
 
 Mr. John Mcridith 
 
 Mr. John Draper 
 
 Sir Thos. Gresham, Knt, 
 Lady Ramsay , 
 
 Lady Maurice 
 
 Yearij' 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto... 
 
 Half-Yearly.., 
 
 Quarterly 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 End of Term.., 
 
 Aid. Sir .lohn Heydon. 
 Sir Roger Martin, Knt. 
 
 .South Sea Annuitj' 
 
 IVir. John March 
 
 Mr. JohnWooller. 
 
 Mr. Peter Blundell.... 
 Mr. Peter Blundell.... 
 
 Sadlers Company 
 
 Barons of Exch«quer., 
 
 Leathersellers Company 
 
 Skinners ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Chamberlain of London 
 
 Christ's Hospital 
 
 { Armourers and Bra 
 I ziers Company 
 
 .Merceris Company 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 MerchantTaylors Comp 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Haberdashers ditto 
 
 Sadlers Company 
 
 Exchequer Office/l'cmp 
 
 4. 
 
 5 
 
 3 4. 
 
 10 
 
 5 
 
 f 15 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 2 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 2 6 
 
 6 8 
 
 £A6 2 2 
 
 Midsummer Quarter. 
 
 When paid. 
 
 Donors' Names. 
 
 By whom paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 Quarterly... 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto.... 
 
 Two Terms. 
 
 Mr. Rogers , 
 
 Mr. John Mcridith 
 
 Mr. John Draper 
 
 Sir Thos. Gresham, Knt 
 
 Mr. Peter Blundell 
 
 Mr. Peter Blundell 
 
 SadlersCompany 
 
 Barons of the Exchequer 
 
 Leathersellers Company 
 
 Skinners ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Chamberlain of London 
 Merchant TaylorsComp. 
 
 Haberdashers ditto 
 
 Sadlers ditto 
 
 Exchequer OfficCjTemp. 
 
 10 
 2 
 13 
 
 £.i IS 8 
 
 * And eight dozen of Bread. 
 X And eight dozen of Bread. 
 
 f And five dozen of Bread. 
 
 B B 2 
 
 Michaelmas
 
 ;88 
 
 ACCOLNT OF TRISONS lOR DEBTORS 
 
 Michaelmas Quarter. 
 
 When paid. 
 
 Quarterly 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Half- Yearly.. 
 
 Ditto 
 
 .Ditto 
 
 Quarterly 
 
 Ditto.....' 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Donors' Names. 
 
 Mr. Rogers 
 
 Mr. John Drajjor 
 
 Mr. JohnMeridith 
 
 Sir Tlios. Gresham, Knt. 
 Lady Kaiiisay 
 
 Lady Maurice 
 
 Mr. JohuWooller , 
 
 Mr. Peter Blundeli 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Sadlejs Company 
 
 By whom paid. 
 
 Lcatherscllers Company 
 
 Saltcrs ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Chamberlain of London 
 
 Christ's Hospital 
 
 { Armourersand Bra- } 
 ( ziers Company \ 
 -M erchunt TaylorsComp. 
 
 Ditto ". 
 
 Haberdashers Company 
 Sadlers ditto , 
 
 Amount. 
 
 * tJ 4 
 
 3 4 
 
 3 6 
 2 10 
 
 1 5 
 
 t 15 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 2 6 
 
 of. 6 15 4 
 
 Christmas Quarter. 
 
 WTien paid. 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 End of Term. 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Quarterly 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 ■ ♦iiiartiTJy.... 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Ditto." 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Quarterly. 
 
 Donors' Names. 
 
 Comp. of Parish Clerk- 
 KeceiverOon. ot Ld. Tax 
 
 Mr. .John Kendnek 
 
 Barons of the Exchequer 
 
 Mr. Rogers 
 
 Mr. John Meridith 
 
 Mr. John Draper 
 
 SirThos. Grcsham, -l-int. 
 Fishmoug. Extra Bounty 
 Mr. 'I'homas Kneesworth 
 
 Mrs. Letitia Smith 
 
 Sir Samuel Pcaeock 
 
 Mr. Peter Blundell 
 
 Ditto 
 
 .Mr. W'm. Parker 
 
 .Mrs. Marg.Crawthorn... 
 
 .Mrs. Marg. Harirrave 
 
 Archbp. of Canterbury 
 
 .^Ir. John Gerard 
 
 Sir VVm. Home 
 
 Sir John Peachey 
 
 Mr. Thomas Dawson.... 
 
 Sir Richard Ramsay 
 
 Sadlers (Company 
 
 By whom paid. 
 
 Drought to Prison Nov. 1 . 
 
 Auditor's Ofliee, Pal.Va. 
 
 Drapers Company 
 
 I>xehet|uer Otti<'e,Temp. 
 
 Leathorsellers Company 
 
 Skiimers ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Chamberlain of Louilon 
 
 iMshmctngers Company.. 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Haberdashers Company 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Merchant Taylors ditto. 
 
 Ditto ." 
 
 Cutlers ditto 
 
 Clothworkers Company 
 
 .\t Lambeth Palace 
 
 -iidters' Company 
 
 Ditto .' 
 
 Grocers ditto 
 
 \ Churchwardens of / 
 ( .St. p;thelliurL:h \ 
 
 31, Orchard Str. Port. Sq. 
 
 Sadlers Company 
 
 Amount 
 
 1 
 
 3 4 
 
 
 
 6 8 
 
 14 
 5 G 
 .3 4 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 4 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 5 
 
 
 6 2 
 f> 
 5 
 
 9 
 
 
 2 6 
 
 c£'.23 14 10 
 
 * And eipht dozen of Bread, 
 t Anil eiL'ht do/.en of Bread. 
 
 f And five dozen of Bread. 
 
 Pro^
 
 IN ENGLAND, S( OTLAND, AND WALES. 389 
 
 Provisions, with additional Donations, 
 and to what purpose they are apphed. 
 
 Mrs. Margaret Dean, from the Ironmongers' Company, 
 18 stone, 6 lb. of beef, and five dozen penny loaves, 
 sent for to the Hall on the 5th of November. 
 
 The parish oi St. Dunstan in the East, 20 stone of beef 
 and a peck of oatvneal, sent to the prison on Christmas 
 Eve by the Churchwardens. 
 
 Allhallows, Lombard-street, 17^. laid out in beef every 
 two years. Brought to prison. 
 
 St. Andrew Undershaft, lis. laid out in beef every two 
 3'ears. Brouglit to prison. 
 
 St. Ethelburga, 9s. laid out in beef every two years. 
 Brought to prison. 
 
 Mrs. Margaret Sim.cott, (Eleanor Gw7n) 65 penny loaves, 
 to be delivered every 56 days. Brought to prison. 
 
 Mr. Samback, \L at Lady-day, provided none can be 
 discharged at Ludgate for 4/. (l^. paid by the Church- 
 wardens of St. Bride's.) 
 
 Mr, Thomas Stretchly, 2l. every third year, paid by 
 Christ's Hospital. 
 
 Mrs. Fisher, executrix of Mrs. Eliz, Misson, 6l. yearly, in 
 February, being the produce of 200l. now 3 per Cent. 
 Consols. Will, dated 23d May, mO, proved at Lon- 
 don 9th March, 1774. This legacy is very irregularly 
 paid. 
 
 The following Donations are painted on the board, 
 
 but not received, 
 Mr. Firebrace, 6s. 8d. at Christmas. (See Leathersellers* 
 
 Company.) 
 Leathersellers' Company, 4^. 
 
 Mr.
 
 390 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 Mr. Knobham, at Bull and Butcher, Smithficid, 4/. lOi, 
 
 yearly, at Christmas. 
 ^Ir.Thomas Stretchly,3A every five years, at Christm.O.S. 
 Black Boy, St. John Street, 16/. yearly, paid by the 
 
 tenant, George Rowland, in 1758, l)ut not since. 
 Mr. Carter, 12^". 6d. every 2 years, at Christmas, not paid. 
 
 The Debtors are also especially relieved ^by the 
 humanity of the SpciETV, held at No. 7, Craven 
 Street, in the Strand, who monthly vote large sums 
 of money towards procuring their discharge, and 
 paying their fees. Money is likevv'ise paid for the 
 same purpose by some of the Cifi/ Companies, hy 
 a Society at Mile End, and, for unfortunate inhabi- 
 tants of Christ-Church parish, by the Common 
 Council-men there. 
 
 Twice in a year the Pebtors have also a share of 
 One hundred pounds laid out, first by the Lord 
 Mayor, and secondly by the Sheriffs, in provisions 
 and coals ; and distributed to all the prisoners in 
 Newgate, Ludgate, and the two Compters, according 
 to the number of persons in each of those prisons. 
 
 Broken victuals are sent by the masters of the 
 London Coffee-house, and by Mr. Alderman Birch, 
 in Cornhill ; of which .the more distressed debtors 
 ggfmetimes partake. The masters of the City of Lon- 
 don Tavern also give broken victuals to the debtors, 
 ■who have lately appointed a person to collect the 
 t^am^ daily. 
 
 The
 
 IN ENGLANDj SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 
 
 391 
 
 The folio wine; document is a List of what are called 
 Court of Conscience Debtors ; of the times of 
 their commitment to Newgate ; and of the charges 
 accumulated for costs upon very inconsiderable 
 demands. Reverence for existing laws precludes 
 from saying more than, 
 
 
 . luy 11, lo, no ti '_i\^ 1 
 
 
 
 
 Date of Warrants. 
 
 Defendants* Names. 
 
 Debts. 
 
 Costs. 
 
 1797. 
 
 February 7 
 May 11 
 October 15 
 
 John Allen 
 William Gough 
 Thomas Blackburn 
 
 s. 
 3 
 3 
 
 1 2 
 
 d. 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 s. d. 
 8 8 
 
 8 10 
 
 6 10 
 
 
 Ditto 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 6 10 
 
 December 14 
 
 Ann Jones 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 3 10 
 
 1798. 
 April 1 2 
 September 20 
 
 Charles Burnet 
 Thomas Blackburn 
 
 3 
 2 
 
 10 
 6 
 
 8 10 
 8 10 
 
 November 9 
 
 Elizabeth Irvine 
 
 3 
 
 9 
 
 8 8 
 
 1799. 
 August 15 
 22 
 
 Caleb Only 
 Thomas Dobson 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 
 8 10 
 8 10 
 
 September 1 
 
 October I 
 
 17 
 
 John Hyder 
 Susannah Evans 
 William Owen 
 
 3 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 10 
 2 
 
 
 8 8 
 
 6 8 
 ' 8 & 
 
 1800. 
 March 13 
 
 Abraham Slater 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 6 10 
 
 July 24 
 
 John Jones 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 € 10 
 
 RE-
 
 392 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 Newgate, formerly one of the gates of the city 
 of London, was first erected in the reign of Henry 
 the First, or of King Stephen, for the conveniency 
 of such as had occasion to pass from the North- 
 East part of the city to Holhorn^ the passage being 
 much obstructed by the enclosing of ground for 
 the building of St. PaiiFs cathedral, so that the way 
 became very circuitous and dangerous from thence 
 through Ludgate, which had tlieretofore been the 
 usual thoroughfare. 
 
 This New Gate, having for upwards of 6oO years 
 been used as a prison for felons and other oftenders, 
 was, about 38 years ago, pulled down, and the 
 present gaol erected ; which having been destroyed 
 by the rioters in 1780, has since been rebuilt, 
 and appropriated (as before) for the reception 
 of persons charged with offences committed in 
 London and Middlesex ; and also for the reception 
 of all manner of persons committed by either House 
 of Parliament, by the Secretary of State, by the 
 Court of King's Bench, or either of the Judges 
 thereof; by his Majesty's Judges of Assize ; by the 
 several Courts of Sessions ; by the several Com- 
 missioners of Bankrupts, Customs, Excise, &c. and 
 by the Magistrates in and for the City of London 
 and County of Middlesex ; as also of Debtors ar- 
 rested by the Sheriff of Middlesex; — no London 
 
 debtor
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 393 
 
 debtor being brought there without being also 
 charged with an offence cognizable by some Court 
 or Magistrate having criminal jurisdiction, or unless 
 sent by the Sheriff's of London from the Compter, or 
 Ludgate, by Duci facias. 
 
 The Mayor and Commonalty of London, or their 
 deputies, may also arrest and take felons, thieves, 
 &c. who are found in the Borough of Southvvark, 
 and commit them to Newgate. 
 
 The prison is divided into eight separate and 
 distinct Yards ; of which two, on the North- West 
 angle, are appropriated for debtors : viz. 
 
 No. 1. The men's yard, 49 feet long by about 3 1 
 feet wide, leading to three wards, called the Cabin- 
 side ; each ward being S7 feet long by 14| wide, and 
 having four cabins in each, of about seven feet and 
 an half square, and capable of containing twenty- 
 four persons within the three wards, reckoning two 
 to each cabin ; also leading to two other wards, called 
 the Master's Side, being each 23 feet long by 14| 
 wide, capable of containing about twenty persons ; 
 and to a day-room of the same dimensions, fitted 
 up with benches and settles, after the manner of a 
 tap-room in a public-house; and also leading to 
 eight other wards, called the Common Side, one of 
 which is 36 feet ; six others about 23 feet ; and the 
 other eighteen feet in length ; all of these are about 
 15 feet wide, and together capable of containing 
 about 90 persons. 
 
 No. 2,
 
 594 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 No. 2. The women debtor's court-yard, about 45^ 
 feet lonp by l6* feet wide, leads to two wards, one of 
 which is 36 feet lonj^ by I5 feet wide, and the other 
 18 feet long by 15 wide : and these calculated to con- 
 tain about 22 persons. All the before-mentioned 
 wards are about 1 1 feet high. These yards are sepa- 
 rated from each other by a stone wall, 1 5 feet high, 
 and both well sup})lied with water. The debtors all 
 find their own beds and bedding ; but the poor, as 
 well debtors as criminals, are sometimes supplied 
 with rugs by the City. 
 
 The greatest number of debtors ever confined 
 here at one time, has been 285 men and 40 women. 
 But, astonishing as it may appear, I have been in- 
 formed there have been near 9 00 criminals, making 
 altogether upwards of 1200 * prisoners. 
 
 An excellent opportuuity was afforded to the City, 
 of building a detached prison for Dkbtors on the site 
 where Surgeons Hall stood. Indeed, unless the 
 debtors be removed, to give room for the separation of 
 criminal prisoners, I fear it will be very difficult to 
 restrain that licentious intercourse, which every where 
 presents itself, and which the utmost vigilance of the 
 
 * Newgate will conveniently accommodate 94 men and 16 
 women debtors, and 500 men criminals and 80 women, making 
 a total of 493 persons. The gaol is capable of containing about 
 750 persons in the whole, allowing a space of 7 feet 6 inches by 
 3 feet for every criminal, and rather more (according to the size 
 aud shape of the room), lor every debtor. 
 
 w^orthy
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 395 
 
 worthy keeper cannot prevent ; whilst an audacious 
 spirit of profaneness and vice will continue to prevail 
 in the lower classes of the people. 
 
 A Table of Fees, to be taken by the Gaoler or 
 Keeper of the prison of Aetvgate, within the City 
 of London, for any prisoner or prisoners com- 
 mitted or coming into Gaol, or Chamber-rent 
 there, or discharge from thence, in any Civil 
 Action. Settled and established the 19th of 
 December, in the 3d George II. AD. 1/29, pur- 
 suant to an Act of Parliament lately made, in- 
 tituled, " An Act for the Relief of Debtors, With 
 respect to the Imprisonment of their Persons." 
 
 se» s. d. 
 
 Every prisoner on the IVTaster's Side shall pay 
 
 to the Keeper for his entrance-fee, - 3 
 
 Every prisoner on the Master's Side shall pay 
 for chamber-room, use of bed, bedding, and 
 sheets, to the keeper, there being two in a 
 bed, and no more, each per week - - 13 
 
 Every prisoner on the said Master's Side, Avho, 
 at his own desire, shall have a bed to him- 
 self, shall pay to the keeper for chamber- 
 room, use of bed, beddrng, and sheets, 
 per week - - - r - -0 26 
 
 Every debtor shall pay to the keeper, for his 
 
 discharging-fee - - - - -0610 
 
 And to all the Turnkeys 2^. and no more - 2 
 
 Nq
 
 39^ ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 No Other fee for the use of chamber, bed, 
 bedding, or sheets, or upon the coirimit- 
 ment or discharge of any prisoner on any 
 Civil Action. 
 
 Edw. Becher. Rob. Raymond. 
 
 Rob. Alsop. R. Eyre. 
 
 Jno. Barnard. Tho. Pengelly. 
 
 The Fee to the Middlesex Sheriff's Office, for 
 
 every debtor's discharge, for one action, is 4.9. 6d. 
 And for every additional action - - 2s. 6d. more, 
 
 Messrs. Burchell, the present humane Deputy 
 Sheriff, frequently remit this fee, upon the Keeper's 
 certificate of the debtor being poor, and unable to 
 pay the same. The warrant of such discharge is 
 given under the hand and seal of the Sheriff of Mid- 
 dlesex, and is called the Red Seal *. 
 
 The fee for a London debtor's discharge from the 
 Sheriffs, is the same as before stated in my descrip- 
 tion of LUDG ATE ^mow, p. 343, 
 
 * A Seal in which are quartered the arms of both the Gen- 
 tlemen (appointed by the City to be Sheriffs), who together 
 make one Sheriif of Middlesex j the impression of which seal 
 is always placed after the names of the Sheriff upon the said 
 warrant in red sealing wa,\, from which it has obtained the name 
 of the Red Seal. 
 
 Frona
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 397 
 
 From the frequency of my visits to tliis jjrison, I 
 have so often witnessed the very distressful state of 
 clothing, and filtliy appearance of the poorer fe- 
 males, particularly convicts, crowded like sheep in 
 a pen in a few rooms, that it was matter of sur- 
 prize to me there were so few on the sick list, or 
 that the gaol-fever did not prevail ! One half of the 
 prisoners, particularly the women, are miserably 
 poor, and having pawned or sold their clothes, are 
 covered (scarcely covered) with rags. To prevent 
 which every c?^hnhml should be clothed in some uni- 
 form, which could not be disposed of ; and their own 
 clothes tied up in a bundle, to be exchanged for the 
 same upon their quitting the prison. This also 
 might be very beneficial to the dehtors, who, in any 
 prison, are with difficulty kept in a state of clean- 
 liness. 
 
 Here are two rooms set apart for the sick felons, 
 and lately, a room on the attic story has been fitted 
 up, with four iron bedsteads and bedding, for the 
 use of the debtors ; who, before, had no such ac- 
 commodation, and were therefore necessarily ob- 
 liged to be in the Felons' Infirmary. Upon this 
 subject I had a conference with that truly philan- 
 thropic character, Dr. Lettsom, who humanely ac- 
 companied me several times, visited the sick, ex- 
 amined every part of the prison, and gave it as his 
 
 opinion
 
 ^^^ Account of prisons for debtor^ 
 
 opinion that an additional convalescent- room ;vas 
 absolutely necessary. 
 
 The want of a sufficiently fhorough a'lr is a very 
 great inconvenience to this prison : and although j 
 from its structure, the evil may in some measure be 
 irremediable, yet, at the back part of the building 
 towards the East, there is a yard belonging to the 
 College of Physicians, which, if that learned body 
 could be induced to part with, would be a great ac- 
 quisition to Newgate. A space ntight thus he ob- 
 tained to make every practicable improvement to 
 "ifriis prison : a wall about twenty or thirty feet dis- 
 tant from that part of the prison might then be builtj 
 and back windows might be made in those wards ; 
 and if some premises in Warwick-square were also 
 taken in, it would allow room sufficient for more 
 spacious Infirmaries, together with warm baths, and 
 another cold hath ; the present one being very in- 
 convenient, since no person can use it, without 
 coming into the Press-yard amongst the capital 
 convicts. 
 
 There are no established Rules and Orders 
 hung up in this prison for its government (the whole 
 resting with the Keeper) ; but the Court of Alder- 
 men have a[)pointed a Committee, for the purpose 
 of framing some Rules to be observed by the debt- 
 ors ; and, in the mean time, several regulations have 
 been judiciously adopted, and attended with such 
 
 salutary
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 309 
 
 salutary effects, that the Keeper says he has now 
 no complaint to make against the debtors. 
 
 The Chapel is plain and neat : the prisoners si-» 
 lently attentive: no noise in the court-yard, noi* 
 devotion interrupted by opening and shutting the 
 door during divine service, as in the King's Bench 
 prison. Below is a pew belonging to the Chaplain ; 
 and adjoining to it a larger pew for men criminals ; 
 opposite to which are three benches, inclosed with 
 an iron-railing, set apart also for men of that class, 
 capital convicts excepted, who sit in a pew about 
 the middle of the chapel, with a large table in it, 
 whereon a coffin is placed, whenever any persons, 
 but murderers *, are ordered for execution. Facins: 
 the communion-table are the pulpit and reading 
 desk. On the South side is a gallery for debtors, 
 and on the North side another for women criminals ; 
 in which last-mentioned gallery at the West end, 
 and over the Chaplain's pew, is an enclosed seat for 
 the Sheriffs. The chapel being not large enough to 
 contain all the prisoners in the gaol, they are left to 
 their own option : Those, however, who do not at- 
 tend divine service on Sunday are generally detained 
 in their several wards, and not permitted to hinder 
 the edification of such as are better disposed. 
 
 * Persons to be executed for murder are kept on bread and 
 water, and confined in the ceils,, where the minister attends 
 them. - 
 
 The
 
 400 ACCOINT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 The danger in point of Iiealth to the prisoners, 
 and to the City, has at times been very imminent, 
 from the great number of persons crowded together 
 in a space comparatively small. The number of 
 prisoners here in May 1802 was 86^ ; and the aver- 
 age number for some years previous had beeh from 
 600 to 700. The number of deaths between the 
 first of January and the first of May in the year 
 1803was49, many of whom, we may reasonably 
 suppose to have died of putrid disorders, as I have 
 been informed that some very hale and robust men, 
 who had been removed from the Poultry Compter 
 in a perfect state of health, but a few daj's before, 
 were among the number above mentioned. Since, 
 however, a more frequent removal of convicts has 
 taken place, the deaths have happened more among 
 the debtors than the criminals ; because the average 
 number of them has not been so much reduced (ex- 
 cept immediately after the passing of an Insolvent 
 Act) as the felons, whose average has been reduced 
 by nearly one half, and of whom two only have died 
 within the last two years : And of the whole Gaol 
 List, whether debtors or felons, not one died of pu- 
 trid or infectious fever within the same period. 
 Here let me observe, that if all the SherifT's debtors 
 in the vicinity of London were taken by Habeas 
 Corpus (as formerly) before a Judge, to be charged 
 in execution, their average number in the commoa 
 
 gaols
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 401 
 
 gaols would be much reduced, as there would then 
 remain none but those upon mesne-process, together 
 with the Court of Conscience Debtors ; and a still 
 greater security from the danger of contagion might 
 be expected. 
 
 Heretofore, the gaol was not sufficiently supplied 
 with soft water to cleanse the court-yards, and the 
 well of the pump was frequently dry : But the City 
 have now (1807) caused the supply of water to be 
 daily, instead of three times a week ; and have also 
 erected an engine, by which the water can easily be 
 forced through leathern hose into every part of the 
 prison. 
 
 The Act and Clauses are conspicuously hung up ; 
 and the Gaoler is equally intelligent and humane. 
 
 Prisoners discharged by Procla//,ation are libe- 
 rated in a morning, and have one shilling each given 
 them. Others are discharged, as acquitted on Trials 
 in the day time, or the evening, without any money 
 beincr o-iven to them. This is the more to be re- 
 gretted, as I am credibly informed that an instance 
 has occurred, of a woman's having been discharged 
 peyinyless on one day, and brought in again en the 
 next. 
 
 The number of prisoners on Mesne Process for 
 want of bail in Newgate, on the 4th May 1807, 
 for debts under 20l was forty-eight, having 85 
 
 children» 
 
 C c Number 
 
 #
 
 403 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 Number of prisoners for debts above 20/. and 
 under 30/. at the same time, twenty-five, having 57 
 children. Ditto, for debts above 30/. and under 
 40/. thirteen, l]avini>; 2') children. 
 
 Since writing the above account of Newgate, I 
 am informed that the College of Physicians have 
 determined to dispose of the whole of their premises 
 in Warwick-lane ; and it is hoped that so ex- 
 cellent an opportunity will not be lost by the City ; 
 as every means will thus be afforded, to build a se- 
 parate Gaol for the debtors, and thereby render that 
 for the felons far more commodious and wholesome. 
 
 g3* There seems to be some deficiency in the 
 mode of conducting the Chapel-service, from the 
 \Aant of a discreet and steady person, able to lead 
 the Responses, and to set, and join in singing the 
 Psalm. This, I should conceive to be an essential 
 business, and especially worthy of attention in all 
 Gaols ; inasmuch as the neglect of religious duties, 
 both in principle, and in manner, is generally the 
 first fatal step towards a feprobate and dishonest 
 course of life. Criminals iniprisoned, being for the 
 most part ignorant of their most important duty, 
 are often at a loss how to conduct themselves at 
 Cliapel, without having some person in the La^ 
 Clerk's Desh, to whom they may look up, as a 
 guide for their jiroper demeanour.
 
 iN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 4O3 
 
 NEWPORT, in the Me of Wight. 
 The Town Gaol and Bridewell. 
 
 Gaoler, James Reynolds, who is hkewise a Ser^ 
 jeant at Mace. 
 Salary, 40/. Fees, none. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. IVaterstvorth. 
 Salary, none ; makes a bill. 
 
 Number of Debtors, /March 1 8th, 1802, - i 
 
 I Sept. 19th, 1807, > I 
 
 Allowance to cTebtors and criminals, Qd. per day, 
 in bread or money. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 Debtors are confined in this Gaol by process 
 issuing out of the Borough Court ; ^nd have the al- 
 lowance of sixpence per day after two court days, 
 which are generally held in a fortnight. No court- 
 yard, nor water accessible to the prisoners. Two 
 rooms, 14 feet by 8, with beds furnished by the 
 Keeper, for the use of which the debtor pays 6d, 
 per night. This gaol is also the County Bridewell ; 
 and there are four rooms for petty offenders, of the 
 same size as those for debtors. Neither the Act nor 
 Clauses hung up. 
 
 C C 2 
 
 ^
 
 404 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTOR* 
 
 NORTH AM ITOX, Countif Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, John IFriglif. 
 
 Salary, 170/. for Gaol and Bridewell. 
 
 Fees. See Table. Besides which the Under* 
 
 sheriff demands 8*. 8f/. for his liberate ! 
 Garnish; Abolished. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Jofm IVatts. 
 
 Duty. Prayers twice a week, and Sermon every 
 
 Sunday. 
 Salary, 50/. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Hardin. Salary -267. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1801, Aug. 18th, - 10 I 1805, Sept. 26th, - G 
 
 1802, Jan. 31st, - 10 I 1807, July 24th, - I3 
 
 Allowance, to Debtors, none whatever. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 Tliis Gaol is also the County Bridewell, and ad- 
 joins theTown-IIall. The Turnkey's lodge in front, 
 the Grand Jury-room on the first floor : three rooms 
 for men debtors on the second floor, each about 23 
 feet by 14, and a smaller one for the women debtors. 
 To these the Keeper furnishes beds at 2*./;er week ; 
 
 and
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 405 
 
 and two sleep together. If the debtor finds his own 
 bed and bedding, he pays Is. per week. 
 
 On the ground- floor is a day-room, about 28 feet 
 by 20, and a work-room 15 feet by 10. The court 
 for men and women debtors is 17 yards by 14, well 
 supplied with water, which is laid on. 
 
 Common-side debtors are allowed a straw bed, a 
 sheet, and a rug. 
 
 The Keeper's house, which is in the middle of 
 the prison, has on the first floor the Chapel, 31 feet 
 by 25, where the prisoners are seated in sight of each 
 other ; and over it two infirmary -room?, the same 
 §ize, w!^h a fire-place in each. There is a warm 
 and cold bath, and an oven to purify infected 
 clothes. 
 
 The whole prison very clean ; mops, brooms, 
 pails, and soap being allowed for that purpose. In 
 the centre of the building is an alarm-bell. 
 
 No work furnished by the County 7iow. In some 
 of the rooms I saw work in the looms half-finished, 
 at my visit in 1801 ; but the expence exceeding the 
 profits caused the County to discontinue it. 
 
 N. B. For the beneficial eflTects of employment in 
 prisons. See Dorchester, p. 16'4, Gloucester, 
 p. 242, and many others in the course of this work. 
 
 A Table 
 
 i
 
 406 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 A Table of Debtors' Rates and Fees, allowed by 
 the Justices for the County of Northampton ; 
 l6th January, 177^. Approved by the Judges 
 of Assize, 4th March, 1777- 
 
 Ordered, by this Court, that the following Rates 
 and Fees be taken by the Keeper of his Majesty's 
 Gaol for the said County ; and no other : 
 
 s. d. 
 For the lodging of every prisoner for debt, in his 
 
 house, per week, - - -20 
 
 for the discharge of every such prisoner out of cus- 
 tody for debt, - - - 13 
 Ditto to the Turnkey, - - - 2 
 For the copy of every warrant, - - 10 
 For signing a certificate, in order to obtain a super- 
 
 sedeaSf - - - -20 
 
 For resristerinsT a declaration, - - 10 
 
 For attending with every prisoner, in order to give 
 bail, or be otherwise discharged for debt, within 
 the town of Northampton, - - 2 
 
 4 
 
 \Ve, the Judges of Assize for the County of Nortli,- 
 omptori, have reviewed, and do hereby confirm, 
 thp above written Table of Fees. 
 
 S. S. Sm\the. 
 G. Nares.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 40/ 
 
 NORTHAMPTON, Toicn Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, Robert Roberts; Sheriff's Officer, and 
 bellman for the town. 
 Salary, 10 1. 
 
 Fees, 10s. 6d. on commitment; 13*. 4^/. on dis- 
 charge. No table. 
 Chaplain. None. See Remarks. 
 Surgeon, Mr. Blissa?'d ; who makes a bill. 
 
 {1800, March 31st, - 2 
 1805, Sept. 26th, - 
 18O/, July 24th, - O 
 
 Allowance. None. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol, which is also the town Brideweli, is 
 situate in Fish-lane, and was built in IJ92. The 
 Keeper is a tobacco-pipe maker; his house fronts 
 the street, and the windows command a view of the 
 two court-yards for criminal prisoners, which are 
 both 19 feet by 15, with cisterns for pump- water, 
 and a sewer in each. 
 
 Here is one court-yard for all descriptions of 
 prisoners, 21 feet by 18. Debtors have only one 
 room up-stairs, adjoining the Bridewell-room, 14 
 feet by 1 1 , and 9 feet high, witih a fire-place, and 
 two glazed iron-grated windows: the sewer in one 
 corner. 
 
 The
 
 408 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 The Town allows to poor debtors, one blanket, 
 and straw upon the floor. Neither the Act for Pre- 
 servation of Health, nor Causes against Spirituous 
 Liquors, hung up. 
 
 No room set apart for an Infirmary. 
 
 As there are no mops, brooms, or pails allowed 
 to keep the prison clean, the cells were very otfen- 
 sive, for want of proper drains. 
 
 Debtors are sent here by process issuing out of 
 the Borough Court ; and the Gaoler told me that 
 no debtor had received the six-pences during thq 
 time (eight years) which he had kept the prison. 
 
 Divine service was occasionally performed by the 
 Rev. Jolin Stoddarf, without a stipend ; but that 
 gentleman becoming blind, no religious attentions 
 have been paid to the prisoners for several years. 
 
 83^ Here, as in too many other Gaols^ I found 
 a poor Lunatkk. This melancholy state I have 
 commented upon in various instances ; and most 
 heartily wish it were well considered by aji hupiane 
 Majijistracy, and some effectual improvement 
 adopted.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES, 40.') 
 
 NORWICH CASTLE ; Norfolk, 
 County Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, John Johnson. Salary, l6o/. 
 
 And allowed two Turnkeys, to whom the 
 
 County pays 105. 6d. per week each. 
 Fees and Garnish, abolished. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Hansell. Salary, 50/. 
 
 Duty, Prayers and Sermon on Sunday ; and 
 Prayers Tuesday and Friday. 
 
 Surgeon, Edward Righy, Esq. * 
 Salary, 40/. for Debtors and Felons. 
 
 r 1800, April 1st, - SO 
 Number of Debtors, | ^^^^^ g^^^ ^^j^^ _ ^^ 
 
 Allowance. One pound and a half of bread per 
 day : and half a pound of cheese per week to 
 each. One bushel of coals to each room per 
 week in Winter, and half a bushel in Sum- 
 mer ; to be increased or diminished at the 
 discretion of the Visiting Justices. 
 
 * Mayor of Norwich. I beg leave here to pay my respect- 
 ful acknowledgments to the worthy Chief Magistrate, for his 
 politeness in accompanying me to the prisons, hospital, and 
 work-houses of this City, 
 
 RE-
 
 410 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The Castle is situated on the summit of a hill, 
 and the prison has been enlarged by additional 
 buildings. The Gaoler's house is on the right of 
 the entrance, and on the ground-rfloor is his par- 
 lour, and the Visiting Magistrates' committee-room ; 
 but seldom used, on account of the drain under 
 the window, which, at times, makes both rooms 
 extremely offensive. A small area, l8 feet 6 inches 
 by 15, divides the Keepers house from the Turn- 
 key's lodge on the left ; and over it is the Chapel, 
 the lower part of which is appropriated to criminal 
 prisoners, and the Gallery for Debtors. The Mas- 
 ter*s-side, or better order of Debtors, who are on 
 tlie Keeper's side of the prison, have five rooms, 
 12 feet by 7, with fire-places in each, and glazed 
 windows; but the casements (20 inches by 12) are 
 too small. 
 
 On the Chapel side are three rooms, 10 feet square, 
 with glazed windows, but no fire-place : and four 
 others, I5 feet by 10, with fire-places, and glazed 
 windows. I'he debtors' court-yard is 37 feet by 26, 
 with a pump in it, which is supplied with water 
 from another pump in the felons' court. The ivonwi 
 debtors, of the master's side, have three cells, each 
 g feet by 7, with a day-room 12 feet square ; a fire- 
 place in it, and glazed windows : their court-yard is 
 
 . 17
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 411 
 
 17 feet by 7. To all the above rooms the Keeper 
 furnishes beds and bedding, and the price per week 
 is painted on the doors, from 1^. 6d. to 4*. each ; 
 but none of the rooms have sufHcient air to be 
 wholesome. Common-side debtors, men and w^o- 
 men, have six sleeping-rooms, each 9 feet by 7 ; a 
 day-room, 12 feet square, with a fire-place, and all 
 the windows are glazed. These rooms are furnished 
 by the county with a bedstead, rush mat, two blan- 
 kets, and a i*ug, with the addition of another blan- 
 ket in the winter. Their court-yard is 24 feet 
 square, with an arcade of 1 8 feet square ; and the 
 pump there is likewise supplied from that in the 
 felons' yard. Male and female debtors have only 
 one day-room. Every debtor is allowed to purchase 
 one quart of ale or porter daily, but not more : no 
 other liquor is permitted, except by order of the 
 burgeon, in case of sickness. The Clauses prohibit- 
 ing Spirituous Liquors are hung up in the gaol, but 
 the Act for preserving Health is placed in the 
 Crown Court of the Shire-Hall adjoining ; so that pri- 
 soners have no opportunity of seeing it. Debtors are 
 allowed to work, if they can procure it from with- 
 out ; and they have all they earn. The general em- 
 ployment is shoemaker s and taylor's work, cutting 
 pegs, skewers, and making nets. 
 
 Here is a nurse, or matron, who is paid Qs. per 
 \yeek by the County : her duty is to attend the sick, 
 
 as
 
 412 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 as well poor debtors as criminals, and to provide for 
 them broth, gruel, milk-pottage, wine, &c. by or- 
 der of the Surgeon ; of whose professional abilities, 
 humanity, and assiduous attentions^ the hospital 
 and prison-books bear ample record. 
 
 Many are the comforts here afforded, to soften the 
 sorrows of imprisonment, by the considerate Magis- 
 trates : But, the defects in the construction of this 
 gaol are many and great. Frequent escapes prove 
 that it is not secure ; hence almost all the prisoners 
 are in irons. The court-yards are small, and the air 
 is impure : every chimney smokes ; the sewers are 
 all dead wells, about five feet deep, most intolerably 
 fetid, and sufficient to poison the whole build- 
 ing. The situation and construction of these recep- 
 tacles of hlth are of the greatest importance in pri- 
 sons, and have always engaged my peculiar atten- 
 tion, as a principal cause of unhealthiness in many 
 of our gaols. 
 
 The two cells for refractory debtors, 9 feet by 7 
 each, are made under two of the arcades in the felons' 
 court. 
 
 The lobbies, or passages, are scarce wide enough 
 for a single person. No projxT separation by classes ; 
 and the Gaoler s house commands but a very small 
 part of the prison. 
 
 The worthy Chaplain has a discretionary power 
 to purchase (at the expcnce of the County) bibles 
 
 and
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, ANt) WALES. 41o 
 
 and common prayer books, and such pious tracts 
 as he may think conducive to the religious instruc- 
 tion of the prisoners, and distribute them. 
 
 Every prisoner attended divine service when I was 
 here, on the 8th September 1805 5 and their be- 
 haviour was orderly, and attentive to a very suit- 
 able and impressive discourse. 
 
 Mops, brooms, pails, towels, washing-bowls, 
 coal-boxes, &c. are ordered by the liberal magis- 
 trates for the use of the prisoners, so that their 
 persons, and all parts of the prison, may be kept in 
 a state of cleanliness : and their orders I found lite^' 
 rally obeyed by the attentive Keeper. 
 
 Mrs. Frances Kempe (an extract of whose will I have 
 by me) formerly bequeathed three pounds to the poor of 
 Norwich and Heydon : thirty shillings, for preaching three 
 sermons a year, and thirty shilHngs to the prisoners in the 
 Hall and Castle Gaols, annually, for ever. For the pay- 
 ment she bound an estate in Heydon, left her by her 
 father, John Mingay, Esq. 
 
 The payment of these legacies to the poor prisoners 
 has for many years been cruelly withheld. The Gaolers 
 could furnish me with only one solitary instance of 5s. 
 being paid by the parish of St. Stephen. 
 
 Extract from the Will of the late J. Nqrris, Esq. 
 of JFitton. 
 
 *' AND I do also give and bequeath, out of my per- 
 sonal estate, unto the Dean of the cathedral church of the 
 Holy and Undivided Trinity of Norwich, of the founda- 
 tion
 
 414 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 tion of King Edward the Sixth, and the Chapter of* thi 
 said Church, so much money as shall and will purcliasi^ 
 so much three per Cent. Consols, transferable at the Bank 
 of England, to be transferred into the names of the said 
 Dean and Chapter, as will annually produce the sum of 
 five pounds and five shillings, for the interest or dividend 
 thereof; upon trust, that the said Dean, and the then 
 resident Prebendaries of the said cathedral church, shall 
 and do annually, within ten days after the feast of the 
 Nativity of our Lord, in every year (except the feast 
 happening after my decease), lay out so much of the said 
 annual sum of five pounds and five shillings as shall be re- 
 quisite in purchasing the New Testament, and a book 
 called the *' Great Importance of a Religious Life," and 
 also some manual of Devotion for each and every of the 
 prisoners within the county gaol of Norfolk, (called the 
 Castle,) who can read ; and shall and do pay and distribute 
 the overplus of the said annual sum of five pounds and 
 five shillings to and an)ong.st such of the said prisoners 
 confined for felony in the said gaol, as shall be most ne- 
 cessitous, or as the said Dean and resident Prebendaries 
 shall think most deserving objects of such charity ; in such 
 shares and proportions as they shall, in their discretion, 
 think fit ; or shall lay out and expend such overplus in the 
 purchasing beef, weekly, for all and every of the prison- 
 ers confined for felony in the said gaol indiscriminatel}', 
 as the i.aid Dean and resident Prebendaries shall, in their 
 discretion, best please." 
 
 An addition was made to this legacy 28th Nov. 1797, 
 by the purchase of 75/. 3 per Cent. Consols, so tliat seven 
 guineas is now annually allowed by the Dean and Chapter 
 to be expended as aforesaid. 
 
 The annual average number of Debtors confined 
 in tlie Castle tlie last seven years, Jifft/seveth
 
 IN ENGLAND^ SCOTLAND, AND WALES, 415 
 
 NORWICH, City Gaol. • 
 
 Gaoler, Edward Sharpe. 
 
 Salary, heretofore 6oL now lOOl. 
 
 Fees, 4*. 4d. entrance ; and 3*. 4d. on discharge. 
 
 Garnish, prohibited ; but debtors sometimes 
 
 pay a gallon of beer on entrance : It is called 
 
 the welcome pitcher. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Millard. Salary, 30/. 
 Duty ; prayers and sermon every other Sunday. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Keymer. 
 
 Salary, 8/. 8 a*, for debtors and felons. 
 
 r 1800, March 28th, - 6 
 Number of Debtors, I jg^^^ g^p^^^^j^^ - 7 
 
 Allowance. One pound and half of best wheaten 
 bread, sent in loaves from the baker's, which 
 I found full weight. See Remarks. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This prison is opposite the Town-hall, and the 
 gaoler's house fronts the street. At the back part is 
 the debtors' court, which is of an irregular form, 
 about S3 feet by 3^, with a pump in it. It is 
 paved with pebble stones, and has a gravel-walk in 
 the centre. A small garden, 33 feet by 21, divides 
 
 it
 
 416 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 it from the male felons' court, but it is separated 
 from that of tlie female felons' by open palisades only. 
 Master-side debtors have twelve good-sized rooms ; 
 ten of which have Hre-places : these are furnished 
 by the Keeper with beds and bedding, from 2s. to 
 5.9. per week ; the price of each room is painted on 
 the door. Here are also two spacious and well-ven- 
 tilated infirmary-rooms, 22 feet by 17 each, and 11 
 feet 8 inches high, with fire-places and glazed win- 
 dows, iron bedsteads, and bedding. 
 
 Common-side Debtors had heretofore a room, or 
 more properly a cellar, 10 steps below their court- 
 yard, 17 feet by 13I, and 7 feet high, with a fire- 
 place : it was lighted and ventilated by a small iron- 
 grated window, 24 inches by 22, with straw on the 
 damp brick-floor. This room, or cellar, has since 
 been discontinued, and over it Common-side debtors 
 have now a good day-room, 20 feet by 14, and 8 
 feet high : also above it a good lodging-room, 19 
 feet by 14, and 8 feet 9 inches high ; and a third 
 room, 22 feet by 14, and 8-| feet high, with glazed 
 windows. 
 
 These three are ^WJ'ree-wards, in case the debtor 
 brings his own bed : but if the Keeper furnishes one, 
 he is paid 1^. 6d. per week for a single bed ; and if 
 two sleep together, 1*. each. The old Chapel, which 
 was a small room in front of the street, is now ( 180()) 
 converted into a wash-house, and a new chapel made 
 
 at
 
 IN ENGLAND^ SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 41 7 
 
 at the upper end of the Court, over a room called 
 Potters Cellar: it is 27 feet by I5, and 11 feet 
 8 inches higii. There Is an excellent cold and warm 
 bath, with coppers, &c. The Keeper's house com- 
 mands every Court. The Act and Clauses are conspi- 
 cuously hung up ; and the whole prison kept very 
 clean. 
 
 The City allows to Debtors one chaldron of coals 
 yearly. A begging-box is sent about the town, 
 which averages about one shilling per day, and a 
 basket to collect broken victuals : The person thus 
 employed is a pauper from the workhouse, who re- 
 ceives one penny out of every shilling he collects, and 
 one shilling per week from the city. Ten shillings 
 are annually paid on New-year's day, the legacy of 
 Mr. Blackhead, of which there is a written memo- 
 rial in the gaol. Ten shillings annually from the 
 Corporation, 10th May, 4th June, 2 2d September, 
 525th October, and 5th November ; and nine pence 
 to each prisoner upon the Saturday before Shrovetide, 
 Easter, Whitsuntide, and Christmas. 
 
 On New-year's day 55. paid by the parish of St. 
 Stephen ; and on the 10th May 5 5. by the parish of 
 St. John Sepulchre : this had been discontinued for 
 more than sixteen years , and both seemed to be 
 the legacy of Mrs. Kempc. See Remarks on Nor-' 
 wiCH Castle i p. 413. 
 
 Dd ,
 
 4l8 .ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTOKsJ 
 
 NOTIINCaiAM. 
 Countif Gaol, 
 
 Gaoler, Johi Holt. 
 Salary, I40/. 
 Fees, 13.V. 4</. and to the Turnkey 1.9. 4(L 
 
 Besides which the Under-slieriff demaild& 
 
 four shiUings for his liberate ! 
 Garnish. AboHshed. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. IVilllam GUI, 
 
 Duty, Prayers every Thursday ; and Prayers 
 
 and Sermon evefy Sunday, Christmas-day, 
 
 and Good Friday. 
 Salary, 50/. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Partridge, 
 
 Salary, for debtors and felons. Sec. 30/. 
 
 NumberofDebtors,!^^^^'^^^^^^^^^^^^ " ^ 
 I 1805, Sept. ii(>th, - - & 
 
 Allowance. Sixteen ounces of bread per day, 
 ?ent in loaves from the baker's. See Remarks. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol adjoins to, and stands on the South side 
 of the County or S/iire Halt. It is situate on the 
 declivity of a hill. The entrance to it is down a pas- 
 sage
 
 IN EJJGLAMD, SCOTLANt), AND WALES. 419 
 
 Sage from the street, leading to the Turnkey's lodge ; 
 and close to this is the dehtor's Court-yard, of 100 
 feet by 41, with a flagged terrace, and handsome 
 iron palisades, commanding a view of three 
 tounties. 
 
 On the East side of the debtors' court is their 
 day-apartment, or connnon mess-room, seventeen 
 feet by ten ; with a glazed window, a fire-place, 
 and side-oven ; and also three good-sized sleeping- 
 rooiiis. 
 
 On the North side are three other sleeping-rooms ; 
 one of which, near the Bath, was lately converted 
 to this its proper use, out of the Keeper s stable, now 
 disused. The average size of these tooms is 22 feet 
 S inches by 10 feet. At present there is no place set 
 apart for an infirmary. Women debtors have a room 
 20 feet squarcj which has a flagged floor, arched 
 roof, a fire-place, and a .large window, that very 
 improperly looks into the men's court. 
 
 To all the above-mentioned rooms the Keeper 
 supplies beds and bedding, at Ss. per week for a 
 single person ; or at 2s. per week, if two sleep to- 
 gether. Over the mess-room is a small chapel, 23 
 feet by 20 feet 6' inches ; which has four glazed 
 windows. The sexes are separately placed, and all 
 attended divine service when I was here. 
 
 Those poorer debtors who cannot afford to pay 
 for a bed, are most uncomfortably provided for in 
 
 J) D 2 this
 
 420 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR pEr>T0R3 
 
 this Count}' prison. Their uescent is by twenty- 
 eight steps, to thre 'liserable sleeping-rooms, called 
 free wards : the t\v , largest, ab'^at twelve feet by 
 Q, have fire-places ; the third, which formerly was 
 tlie condemned room, or place assigned for convicts 
 under sentence of death, is about Q feet square, 
 with a wooden bedstead in it ; and all have a small 
 iron-ixrated and glazed window. The debtors here 
 confined are obliged to furnish their own beds, which 
 yet necessity only in the extreme can induce, or 
 rather compel, them to occupy. 
 
 A considerable part of the North side of the 
 debtors' court-yard is still occupied by a large dust- 
 hole and dung-yard, leading to arcades, under which 
 are a capacious and convenient bath, with a co})per 
 to warm it when necessary ; but they are seldom 
 used. Two pumps and three cisterns supply the 
 bath, the Gaoler's house, and the whole prison, with 
 soft water from the river Leen : It is sometimes 
 muddy, and at otlier times must be fetched from the 
 bath. 
 
 Tliere is a well sunk in the felons' old court- 
 yard, near the Keeper's parlour ; wliich, if a pump 
 wtre put down, would supply the whole gaol with 
 excellent spring-water. The well was covered over 
 ill the year 1 79.9 ; for which the only reason I could 
 Ije^ir assigned was, that some prisoners, then here, 
 })iul t.hioun ini])roper things into it. 
 
 g3^The
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 4-1, 
 
 ^3^ The arcades under the County-hall -.v^nild 
 afford good room for workshops, and comfortable 
 free-wards for the poor Common-side debtors : and 
 adjoining to the Turnkey's lodge there is sufficient 
 space for a small court-yard, to accommodate the 
 women debtors. 
 
 List of Legacies, and other Donations, 
 to Nottingham County Gaol. 
 
 John Shencui, Esq. of Nottingham, four pounds per 
 annum, now paid quarterly by John Ijongdon, Esq. out 
 of an estate at Kramscote, purchased by Mr. Sherwin of 
 the descendants of Henry Handlcy, Esq. the donor. 
 
 Samuel Smiih, Esq. M. P. for Nottingiiam, pur- 
 suant to the will of Mr. Abel Coliings, four shillings 
 monthly to the prisoners, for coals, 
 
 John Elliott, Esq. of Nottingliain, sends to all the pri- 
 soners beef, bread, and ale, at Christmas. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Gill, Chaplain, sends a large piece of 
 beef at Christmas. 
 
 Lady JVarren sends twelve stone of beef at different 
 times to the debtors. 
 
 The High-Sheriffs, for the three last years, have sent 
 five tons of coals j and also bread, beef, and ale, to all 
 the prisoners. 
 
 The Grand Jury, at the Assizes, make a collection for 
 the criminal prisoners, to the amount of from thirty to 
 forty shillings. 
 
 Here, as I have before noticed at Derby, Horsham, 
 &c. a man goes round the country about Christmas, and 
 collects money at gentlemen's houses for the Debtors. 
 
 In
 
 ^22 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 /. S. d. 
 In 1802, the colliTtion amounted to - 52 4 10 
 Paid to John Branderith tlie collector, 
 being out 12 weeks and four days, at 
 two guineas /?fr week, - 26 8 Q 
 
 Nett amount, - 25 16 IQ 
 
 Distributed as follows : 
 
 /. s. (1. I. s. d. 
 
 1802,Dcc.26th,4debtors, 1 14 11 each, 6 19 8 
 
 lS03,Jan. nth,5debtors, I 15 4 8 16 8 
 
 Feb.26th, 6 debtors, 1 3 4 7 
 
 INIar. 3d,7debtors,0 6 6 2 5 
 
 1 debtor, 15 6 15 ^ 
 
 25 16 10 
 
 In 1803, collection - - 28 2 2 
 Paid collector, being out ten weeks, at 
 
 one guinea and half per week, - 15 15 
 
 Nqtt amount, • - 12 7 2 
 
 Distributed as follows ; 
 
 /. s. d. l. s. d. 
 
 J803,Dec.24th,4debtors,l 2 0each,4 8 
 
 1804,Jan.l4th,3dcbtors, 2 2 6| 6 7 8 
 
 Feb. Uth, 3 debtors, 10 6 1116 
 
 12 7 2 
 
 In 1804, collection - - 56 10 10 
 
 Paid collector, beir)g out 12 wc;;ks and 
 
 2 days, - - - - 26 2 Q 
 
 Nett amount, • , 30 8 10 
 
 The
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 42^ 
 
 Distributed as follows : 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 /. s. 
 
 d. 
 
 
 /. s. 
 
 ('.- 
 
 
 l801.,Dec.24tli,7tlebtors, I 5 
 
 Oe 
 
 acli 
 
 ,8 1.5 
 
 
 
 
 Jiin. lotli, 5 debtors, 1 9 
 
 6 
 
 
 7 7 
 
 6 
 
 
 Feb. 7th,7 debtors, 13 
 
 
 
 
 4 11 
 
 
 
 
 Mar. 2d, S debtors, I 2 
 
 li 
 
 
 9 1 
 
 
 
 
 1 debtor, it 
 
 4 
 
 
 14 
 
 4 
 
 8 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 — JU 
 
 The Surgeon has a discretionary power to order 
 the indulgences of extra clothing, linen, food, wine, 
 &c. for sick and iutirin prisoners, as he finds 
 essentially necessary. 
 
 The Act for Preservation of Health, and Clauses 
 against Spirituous Liquors, are hung up in the 
 debtors' mess-room. ^ 
 
 Some years since the following singular incident 
 happened with respect to this prison, which is 
 vouched by good authority. On the 19th of Fe- 
 bruary 178/5 two women {Mabel 3To?'ris -dnd Eli^ 
 zabeth 3Iorris) were committed to this gaol, by 
 virtue of a Bishop's writ, and confined there till 
 the 25th of February IJ99 ; when some repairs 
 being wanted at the prison, their doors were thrown 
 open : they sent for a cart, in which their goods 
 were loaded, in the day-time, and the women went 
 out unmolested. Application was made to the 
 Sheriff, to know if they were to be brought back to 
 prison^ but nothing was done ; and at my last visit, 
 
 in
 
 424 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 in September 1805, 'they resided at Calverton, in 
 this count}'. The sanction for the confinement of a 
 prisoner upon the above-mentioned process runs 
 thus : " Forasmuch as the Roy^l Power ought not to 
 be wanting to the Holy Church in its complaint, 
 you are commanded to attach the said * * by 
 his [or her] body, according to the law and custom of 
 England, until he [or she] shall have made satis- 
 faction to the Holy Church, as well for the con- 
 tempt, as for the injury by him [or her] done unto 
 ii." One cannot help wishing, however, that the 
 Refomnation, or the Revolution, or any other ade- 
 quate and legal interference, had done away the. power 
 of such imprisonment. 
 
 I here beg leave to pay my respectful acknow- 
 ledgements to William-Elliott Elliott, Esq. of Ged- 
 ling House, late High-Sheriff of this county, who 
 humanel}^ accompanied me to the prisons, hospital, 
 and work-houses : And also to the worthy Magistrates 
 in general, for the polite notice they were pleased 
 to take of my suggestions, relative to the state of 
 the gaols at Nottingham and Southwell.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 42$ 
 
 NOTTINGHAM, Town-Gaol. 
 Gaoler, Philip Bailey. A Peace-officer for the 
 Town. Salary, 50/. and 30/. per annum 
 for a Turnkey. 
 
 Fees, 135. 4^. Besides which the Uader- 
 
 sheriff demands 4*. for his liberate ! 
 Garnish. Abohshed. 
 
 Chaplain. None; nor any religious attentions. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Basnet, 
 
 Salary, lol. 106'. for gaol, andhouse of correction. 
 
 dumber of Debtors, ( l^""' ^'^'"^ '"th, - 5 
 • 1 1805, Oct. 1st, - - 7 
 
 Allowance. A threepenny loaf per day each ; 
 weight, in October 1805, 1 lb. 1 oz. and 
 when a debtor has obt^iined his sixpences, he 
 continues to receive the County bread. 
 
 REMARKS, 
 
 This Gaol is partly under the Guildhall: The 
 Keeper's house fronts the street ; and his windows, 
 as well as those of the Turnkey's lodge, command a 
 view both of the debtors' and criminals' courts. For 
 debtors here are two court-yards ; the upper one, 33 
 feet by 23, has a flagged floor, and is over the Felons' 
 Pit, which receives its light and ventilation from a 
 circular iron-grating, 1 1 feet in diameter, placed in 
 
 the
 
 426 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 the centre of this con it. The. lower yard is 385 
 feet by 23, with a dust-hole and a sewer at the upper 
 end. They have nine good-sized sleeping-rooms, 
 with fire-places and glazed windows, well fumished 
 by the Gaoler ; for which they pay, if two sleep in 
 one bed, 2*. per week ; or if the debtor has a bed 
 to himself, 3^. The debtors were employed in 
 weavin^i:, making shoes, cutting pegs, &c. and re- 
 ceive all they earn. The whole prison is well sup- 
 plied with river-water, and there is a pump in the 
 adjoming street, from which excellent spring-water 
 is fetched by the Keeper for all his prisoners. 
 Debtors have, from a legacy, one shilling a week for 
 coals. A collection is annually made through the 
 town at Christmas for the prisoners in general, which, 
 in 1804, amounted to f)/. 6s. The collector was paid 
 for four days trouble l^s, and the remainder was 
 divided among the sixteen prisoners, 105. 9J. each. 
 
 Colonel Elliott humanely gives here, as at the 
 County Gaol, one pound of beef, a threepenny loaf, 
 and a pint of ale at Christmas, to each prisoner. The 
 Mayor of Nottingham likewise gives to this prison 
 one ton of coals at Christmas. The Table of Fees, 
 and Clauses against Spirituous Liquors, are hung up ; 
 but not the Act for Preservation of Health.
 
 IN ENCLAMD, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 427 
 
 OAKHAM ; Rutlandshire. 
 
 Gaoler, George Gould. Salary, 50/. 
 
 Fees. See Table. Besides which the Under- 
 sherift' demands 9s. 2d. for hjs liberate ! 
 Chaplain, Rev. Richard JVillianis ; who only at- 
 tends on prisoners under sentence of death. 
 Surgeon, Mr. William Keal ; Salary, 5/. 
 
 ^ 1800, April 22d, - 3 
 Number of Debtors, J 1802, Jan. 28th, - 5 
 
 I18O5, Sept. 27th, - O 
 Allowance. Thr^e half-quartern loaves per week 
 each, 
 
 REMARKS. 
 This Gaol is also the County Bridewell: the 
 Keeper's house fronts the street, and his back win- 
 dows command a view of the different Court-yards. 
 That for the debtors is 48 feet by 10, with a day- 
 room 1 5 feet square ; a glazed window to the street, 
 ^nd a fire-place, Up-stairs is a work-room, 25 feet 
 by 14. On the other side the court, up a flight of 
 ten steps, are two lodging-rooms, strongly planked 
 with oak : in each of them are two beds, for which 
 they pay as per Table. Here is a free ward for com- 
 mon-side debtors, to whom the county allows a straw 
 mat, two blankets, and a rug. No room set apart 
 for the sick. Clauses against Spirituous Liquors are 
 hung up, but not the Act for Preservation of Health. 
 
 The whole prison is thatched. 
 
 Table
 
 42S ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 Table of Fees and Chamber Rent, settled 1784. 
 
 For lodging, every Debtor per week, - -024 
 If two lie in one bed, each per week, - -016 
 If they find their own bed, and lie in the room 
 called the Debtors' Room, wherein there are 
 bedsteads of the Gaoler's, each />er week, -010 
 For every Debtof that lies on the Common Side 
 
 'per week _.- >- -000 
 For the copy of every Warrant or Commitment 10 
 For the Delivery of every Declaration - 10 
 
 For signing a Certificate, in order to obtain a 
 
 Supersedeas - - - - - -0 2Q 
 
 For the :•• charge of ev'uy Debtor - - 14 10 
 Attending upon every Prisoner to give Bail, 
 Special Bail, Habeas, or any thing necessary 
 to go out of Gaol, for every mile travelling -0 1 Q 
 
 We the Judges of the Assize, do hereby confirm 
 the above-written Table of Fees. 
 
 J. Skynner, 
 
 W. H. ASHURST. 
 
 A new Gaol is building here, on a good plan, by 
 the ingenious Mr, Sandys. 
 
 OUSEBRIDGE Gaol; See YORK.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 42^ 
 
 OXFORD, Castle Gaol. 
 
 <jaoler, Daniel Harris. 
 
 Salary, 105/. and a gratuity annually from the 
 Magistrates, of 52/. 10*. 
 
 Fees, see Table; Besides which the Under- 
 sheriff demands ^s. 6d. for his liberate ! 
 
 Garnish. Abolished. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Richard Graham, 
 
 Duty, Sunday, Prayers and a Sermon : Sacra- 
 ment four times a year. 
 Salary, 4 2/. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Rawlins. Salary 30/. Ss. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 1800, April 29th, - 17 I 1802, Nov. 23d, - 17 
 i 801, Jan. 30th, - 16 I 1806, Aug. 30th, - 2G 
 
 Allowance. See Remarks. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol has a very castellated appearance. The 
 boundary wall encloses about three acres of ground ; 
 and, being at a considerable distance from the pri- 
 son, affords the Keeper a convenient garden, which 
 supplies, not only his family, but the whole prison, 
 with sufficient vegetables. On one side the entrance 
 
 is
 
 430 ACCOUNT OF Prisons for debt6rs 
 
 is the Turnkey's lodge, about l6 feet square, with 
 a room above, for himself and assistants to sleep in, 
 an office, and a store-room. On the other side, cor- 
 responding therewith, is a reception-room for pri- 
 soners, when first brought to Gaol, and above it a 
 Lazaretto. There is a warm and cold bath, a gene- 
 ral kitchen and bake-house for the use of the Gaol, 
 and rooms above for the prisoners' clothes, and the 
 Gaol uniform. Up-stairs is a remarkably neat Cha- 
 pel, where the prisoners-are seated in classes, out of 
 sicht of each other : and the flat roof above is the 
 place of execution. 
 
 In the centre of the area is the keeper's house, 
 which overlooks all the inner court -yards, and the 
 visiting Magistrates' committee-room. The wing 
 to the right of the Keeper's house is attached to the 
 •old tower. The bottom part contains three day- 
 rooms for debtors, l6 feet by 12, with a fire-place irt 
 each, a])j)ropriated to the three classes, two for males, 
 and one for females : also nine sleeping-rooms, 1 1 
 feet by 8 each, with boarded floors and glazed win- 
 dows, to which the debtor brings his own bed, or 
 hires one from the town. No room-refit ichatever 
 is paid. The first story contains twelve sleeping- 
 rooms, the same as those below. 
 
 At the East end is a circular bastion, 28 feet cliame" 
 ter, at present (iSoG) unfinished, four stories high, 
 each containing two rooms of a semicircular form, 
 
 30
 
 is ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, A^SD WALES. 43 1 
 
 SO feet by I5, with a fire-place in each: these are 
 intended for work and sleeping-rooms. No em- 
 ployment is furnished by the County ; but those 
 who can procure it from without, are allowed to 
 work, and receive the whole of their earninos. 
 
 r) 
 
 At the end of this building, and adjoining the old 
 tower, are four cells, 1 1 feet by 8 each, to which there 
 is a day-room, of an irregular polygon shaj)e, about 
 25 feet by 13. These are intended for the separation 
 of prisoners, such as king's evidence, refractory, &c. 
 The ground-floor of the old tower is the dungeon, 
 20 feet square and 20 feet high, the floor of which 
 is mud, and it receives a glimmering light through 
 a small treble-bar iron-grating, 15 feet high, just 
 sufficient to make darkness visible. This is used as 
 a Black Hole, for the short confinement of those 
 taken in an actual attempt to escape, or the very 
 unruly and turbulent. 
 
 The first floor contains a room of the same size as 
 the dungeon below : it has a boarded floor, with one 
 treble-bar iron-grated window, and is called the Con- 
 demned Room. The second and third stories contain 
 each one room, the same size as those below ; but 
 the keeper assured me they had not been used these 
 fifteen years. The upper room of this tower is of 
 the same size as the others : it has a boarded floor, 
 one window, and a large lanthom light; and is 
 intended for the use of debtors (as formerly), if found 
 necessary. An engine throws water into a leaden 
 
 cistern
 
 432 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 cistern, from which every part of the gaol is well 
 supplied. The sewers are conveniently constructed, 
 and not offensive. 
 
 The following Table is hung up in the 
 
 Turnkey's Lodge. 
 
 '•'Oxfordshire, to icit. Michaelmas Sessions, 
 
 8th George II. 1734. 
 
 A Table of Fees and Chamber-rent, settled in 
 
 pursuance of an Act for the Relief of Debtors, &c. 
 
 I. s» d* 
 To the master-keeper, for every warrant charged 
 
 upon any debtor, - - . » 6 8 
 To the under-keeper - - - - -026 
 To him, for every other warrant, - - 10 
 To the master-keeper, for every prisoner com- 
 mitted by any justice of peace for treason, 
 felony, or any other misdemeanour, or com- 
 mitted in court - - - - - 13 4 
 To the under-keeper - - - - 2 6 
 To the master-keeper, for receiving and en- 
 tering every declaration against any debtor 2 
 For his certificate of no declaration filed -010 
 For a copy of every sheriff's warrant - 10 
 For a copy of every other warrant - - 1 6 
 
 [There are four other articles ; but as they relate 
 to bedding, and chamber-rent, which are now 
 (1S06) done away, I do not transcribe them.] 
 *' We, his Majesty's Justices of the Peace of the 
 
 County of Oxford (whereof some of us are of 
 
 the
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 433 
 
 tlie Quorum), have perused the Fees and Cham- 
 ber-rent above-mentioned, and do allow there- 
 of; and direct the same to be hung up in a 
 Table, in some open and public room, or place, 
 in the said Castle ; there to remain, and be re- 
 sorted to by every prisoner, as occasion shall 
 require. 
 
 rVm. Holmes, Tho. Blaehall Tho. Pardoe. 
 Vice Chancellor. John IVillis. Philip Powys. 
 John Dewe. - 
 
 Seen and allowed, 
 
 E. Probyn, 
 
 J. COMYNS." 
 
 Donations to the Castle Gaol. 
 
 Thomas Horde, by will, dated August ^th 1709, 
 left 24/. a year to be distributed among prisoners 
 of both sorts, at 2/. a month. For the payment he 
 bound an estate in Oxfordshire: and to makeup 
 any deficiency of that estate, he bound an estate in 
 Berkshire. But this estate having been recovered 
 against the charity since his death, the prisoner^ 
 have now only thirty-three shillings a month, which 
 is paid by the President of Trinity College. 
 
 There is another legacy to prisoners of both sorts, 
 Ss. Sd, paid quarterly from Magdalen-college. 
 
 E E From
 
 434 ACCOU^-T of prisons for debtors 
 
 From which also, in Lent, there is about forty 
 shiUings, csWed J'urfeif mouey. From Merton-col- 
 leo"e six-pence per week in bread to debtors. Cor- 
 pus Christi College, and other colleges, send 7*. ^d, 
 every month in bread, and a peck of oatmeal for 
 debtors. Soup is sent from several colleges fre- 
 quently in the winter, but at no stated periods. 
 
 Christ Church College sends fifty shillings every 
 Christmas, and six pounds of mutton every Satur- 
 day, of which debtors partake in common ; and the 
 Vice Chancellor gives annually thirty shillings, at 
 Christmas. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Swinton, formerly Chaplain to this 
 Gaol, bequeathed the interest of One Hundred 
 Pounds, three per cent. South Sea Annuities, to be 
 distributed in bread (three penny loaves) every Sun- 
 day, while it lasts, to each prisoner who regularly 
 attends chapel. 
 
 Every prisoner was present at divine service on 
 my last visit (31st August 1806), and their beha- 
 viour was orderly and attentive. 
 
 It is pleasing to add, that this Gaol is in a con- 
 tinued state of improvement.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 435 
 
 OXFORD, City Gaol 
 
 Gaoler, Thomas Wharton. 
 
 Salary, was 30/. now (i8q(>) 52/. 10*. 
 
 Fees, Qs. 2d. 
 
 Garnish, none. 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Penson. 
 
 Duty, Prayers and Sermon on Sunday. 
 
 Salary, 10/. 105. 
 Surgeon, Mr. Rawlins; makes a bill. 
 
 /■I 800, April 29th, - 1 
 J^umber of Debtors, < l802, Nov. 23d, - O 
 
 L1806, Aug. 30th, - 1 
 
 Allowance, none. See the Remarks. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol is surrounded by a boundary wall 20 
 feet high, inclosing about an acre of land ; and being 
 at the distance of 25 feet from the prison, the 
 Keeper has within it a convenient garden for th*^ 
 growth of vegetables. There is an alarm-bell 
 at the top of the prison. The Gaoler's house, in 
 the centre of the building, fronts the outer gate ; 
 and has on each side a small flower-garden, 40 feet 
 by 20, enclosed with open wood palisades. At the 
 entrance is a room, about ten feet square, in which 
 the Act for preserving Health, and Clauses against 
 Spirituous Liquors are conspicuously hung up. 
 
 E E 2 In
 
 43^ ACCOL'NT OF PRISONS lOR DEBTORSl 
 
 In till? small room is an old door, with the tollovving 
 lnscri})tion, engraved on a hr;iss })late, " This door 
 " was at the entrance of a cell in the old city gaol 
 *' BoccARDOj called the Bishops' Room ; wherein 
 " the Bishops Ci'anmer, Ridlct/, and Latimer were 
 *' confined, and from whence they were taken to 
 *' suffer martyrdom in the town-ditch, behind the 
 '^ houses opposite Baliol College, in the reign of 
 ''^ (2ueen Mary." r)ver the door are the heads of 
 tlie three prelates, burnt in ivood. 
 
 Here are five court-yards, each about 54 feet by 
 Sy, enclosed with wooden palisades, three for cri- 
 jninals, and two for male and female debtors. 
 
 The ground-floor of the prison consists of the 
 visiting Magistratcs'-room, the Gaoler s kitchen ; a 
 place called the Hall (an irregular octagon of 23 
 feet diameter), and two day-rooms for criminal 
 prisoners, one for men, the other for w^omen, with a 
 fire-place in each, and shelves for putting their pro- 
 visions on. The hall has on each side a lobby, 43 feet 
 long and 5 feet w ide, with three work-cells, 8 feet 
 by 6, and 9 feet high to the crown of the arch ; and 
 both terminate with a cold bath, and a staircase 
 leading to the Chapel ; which is on the first story, 
 and being over the hall, is the same size, and open 
 to the top of the building, with a sky-light in the 
 roof: the debtors sit bc'cw, and the felons in the 
 gallery. On each side the chapel is a lobby, similar 
 
 to
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 43^ 
 
 to those below, each contauung eight sleej)ing-cell9, 
 of the same size as the workshops. Two day-rooms 
 for debtors, about 14 feet square, with fire-places, 
 and a sleeping-room, to which the Keejjer furnishes 
 beds at Is. 6d. per week each. Common-side debt- 
 ors sleep in cells, to which the CorjK)ration allows 
 a plank-bedstead, 22 inclies wide and 6' feet long, a 
 straw mat, and two blankets. The second, or attic 
 story, contains two dark cells for refractory prison- 
 ers, two lazarettos, and 1 6 sleeping-cells. Two hos- 
 pital-rooms, with fire-places, one for men, the other 
 for women, I5 feet gquare, and a water-closet in 
 each. 
 
 Here is a dispensary, v\ith a door opening into 
 the chapel ; and ovet it is a large cistern, filled 
 with water by a forcing-pump at the back of the 
 ^ol, which supplies the whole prison. Towels, 
 soap, &c. are allowed by the City for prison clean- 
 liness. Coals in the Winter, and meat and soup, 
 are frequently sent by the considerate Magistrates ; 
 and when a prisoner is ill, the Surgeon has a discre- 
 tionary power to order such food, &c. as he thinks 
 necessary. 
 
 Here are seldom any debtors ; none being sent 
 but by a writ issuing from the City Court. The 
 Magistrates visit in monthly rotation, and enter their 
 yemarks in a book at the Gaol.
 
 43 S ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 PENZANCE ; Cornwall. 
 
 Gaoler, Humphrei/ Brldgeman (who is also a She- 
 rifTs Officer). 
 
 Salary, none : he pays rent 'J I. 75. to the land- 
 lord of the public-house. 
 
 Fees, 8*. 4:d. every action, and 2*. \d. entrancg. 
 
 No Table. 
 
 /-1800, 
 
 ;, J 1803, 
 
 1 1806, 
 
 1800, April 16th, - \ 
 Number of Debtors, <J 1803, Oct. 14th, - 
 
 Oct. 4th, - - 
 
 Allowance, none whatever. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This prison, for the hundred and liberties of 
 Penwith, is an appurtenance to the manor of Con- 
 nerton, which is the property of Lord Arundel ; 
 who, in right of the manor, is bound to provide 
 such prison. This right is delegated by his Lord- 
 ship to his Steward, or to his Bailiff; who gives 
 security for the safe custody of all prisoners confined 
 there for debt, taking the whole responsibility upon 
 himself. 
 
 The Court of Penwith is a Court of Record, hold- 
 ing picas of debt to any amount. 
 
 This
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 439 
 
 This wretched prison (which is in the stable-yard 
 of a pubHc-house) is 13 feet by 10 feet 5 inches, and 
 6 feet high, with an ofiensive sewer at one corner. 
 The floor is very damp, paved with pebble-stones 
 like the street, and without a fire-place ; and the 
 only light or ventilation it receives, is from an iron- 
 grated aperture, two feet square, without casement 
 or glass to keep out the cold. No court-yard. No 
 water. In December 1801 two debtors, Nicho- 
 las Basset and Thomas Nicholas (a carpenter aged 
 70), were released from this miserable gaol by the 
 Society for relief of persons confined for Small Debts, 
 aj'ter suffering twelve months imprisonment. Their 
 letter of thanks I have preserved. The number of 
 debtors committed to this prison is about 10 or 12 
 in the year. The last pitiable inhabitant was 
 Thomas Hoshin, farmer, of Mardon parish, aged 64. 
 He was committed the 25th of March I803, for a 
 debt of 20l. or thereabouts, and released the 6\h of 
 May following. Here is no allowance, even of 
 bread ; so that if his friends and soine neighbours 
 had not been charitable, he must have perished with 
 hunc^er. He never but once was let out for fresh 
 
 o 
 
 air, and then only for half an hour, to speak with 
 his children. The Gaoler lives half a mile off; 
 and in case of sudden illness, or fire, he might have 
 perished before relief could come. His provisions 
 were given to him through the centre bars of the 
 
 small
 
 440 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 small iron grating (five inches apart), and so the 
 Keeper had no occasion to come near the prison. 
 Hoshin had a bed supphed him by his friends, or 
 he must liave slept upon the scanty pittance of 
 i«traw on the floor ! 
 
 The Gaoler has for many years received from 
 the butchers in tlie hundred of Penwlth, at Christ- 
 mas Market, one shilling each for every bullock killed- 
 The amount at Christmas lS02 was as follows : 
 
 '- IMarazion, - - - 
 Penzance, — — _ 
 Redruth, - — - 
 St. Ives, 1 05. St. Just, f)s. 
 Hundred-Pound, - - 
 Manor-Pound, per aniiun\. 
 
 Total, 
 
 /. 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 19 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 14 
 
 
 
 ") 
 
 17 
 
 
 
 The Bailiff may choose any place for his prison 
 where he can hire a room the cheapest. At my visit 
 in iSoC I was glad to find this prison turned into a 
 milk-cellar. 
 
 The Gaoler informs me, by letter dated Janqary 
 1808, that he is not likely to have any more prison- 
 ers, '' because execution is )iow issued against the 
 good^', instead of the person of the debtor *." 
 
 * An example worthy of imitation. See Macclesfield, p. 359.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 441 
 
 PETERBOROUGH; Northamptonshire. 
 
 Gaoler, IFUllam 3Mtvood, Sheriffs Officer. 
 Salary, 30A Fees, 6^-. 8(/. 
 
 Chaplain, none. But when a prisoner lies under 
 sentence of death, the Vicar of St. John's, 
 for the time being, is required to attend him. 
 Salary, none. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Beetham, who makes a bill. 
 
 XT u c r^ v.. r 1802, Jan. 28th, - 1 
 
 JN umber 01 Debtors, i 
 
 C , Aug. gth, - o 
 
 Allowance to debtors, nope. Felons, &c. Gd. ;?er 
 day. 
 
 Remarks. — This Gaol, for the liberty called the 
 Sohe, which contains thirty-two towns, is the pro- 
 perty of the Marquis of Exeter. It is now also the 
 prison of the Dean and Chapter of Peterborough. 
 Jlere is one court-yard only for prisoners of all de- 
 scriptions, 63 feet by 21, with a pump and sewer; 
 find a day-room 19 feet 6 inches, by 13 feet 6. 
 
 Master s-side debtors have a spacious good room 
 labove stairs ; for which, if the Keeper furnishes a 
 bed, they pay each 2*. Ad. per week ; if the debtor 
 finds his own bed, 1*. per week. Common-side 
 debtors are allowed a bedstead only and straw. No 
 employment provided. The gaol was very clean.
 
 442 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 PLYMOUTH ; Devonshire. 
 
 Gaolers, Tho. Tatam, Geo. Pat don, Tho. Towfon, 
 who are likewise Serjeants at Mace. 
 Salary, Ijl. per annum each. 
 Fees : Arrest, 1 js. Dicharge, 1 ^s. 4d. No table. 
 
 Chaplain, none. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Richardson ; makes a Bill. 
 
 i l8o6, Oct. 9th, - 
 
 Allowance. A three-penny loaf per day, on pe- 
 tition, weight (9th Oct. 1803 and 1806) 
 1 lb. 5 oz. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol adjoins to, and is partly under the Town 
 Hall. A door from hence opens into it, through 
 which the prisoners are brought into court for trial, 
 by a flight of seventeen steps. The three lower- 
 most cells, 9 feet by 5, with arched roofs, have two 
 iron-grated and opposite windows ; one of which 
 looks into the corn-market, and the other into a 
 lobby, or passage, three feet wide, that has a grated 
 window opening toward Bowl Hill. 
 
 The next story has two cells, about 12 feet by 10, 
 and 7 feet high. 
 
 The story above this is called the Womens 
 Gaol, containing two rooms with boarded floors,. 
 
 glazed
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 443 
 
 glazed windows, and a fire-place in each. Over 
 these are three rooms for debtors, with fire-places ; 
 but tio Jiring is allowed. Their accommodation 
 is straw in sacking on crib-bedsteads, one blanket, 
 and two rugs. They have also the use of the attic 
 story, which is 19 feet by 12, and 7 feet liigh, and 
 likewise of the flat roof, 21 feet by 12, to take the 
 air upon. It is enclosed by a wall 14 feet high, and 
 a wooden chevaiix-de-frise. 
 
 The prisoners hold a constant communication 
 with passengers in the street, and, by /letting down 
 a canister or hat, receive money, &c. 
 
 The whole prison very dirty : the lowermost cells 
 filthy in the extreme, with urine and excrement. — 
 In the Women's Gaol there are two rooms ; yet in 
 I8O6 three female criminal prisoners were put to- 
 gether into one of these rooms, although one of them 
 had a young child ; another had the itch ; and the 
 third said that the straw in her bed had not been 
 changed in seven months: it was indeed literally 
 worn to dust. 
 
 The Gaolers live distant. There is no court-yard, 
 and the prison is ill supplied with water. 
 
 The respectable Mayor of Plymouth, who politely 
 accompanied me, said it was in contemplation to 
 jbuild a new prison.
 
 444 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 POOLE ; Dorsetshire, 
 Town and County GaoJ, 
 
 Gaoler, IViUiam Arney. 
 Salary, Ss. per week. 
 Fees, 13*'. 4f/. No table. 
 
 T.T , f r» kf / 1802, Jan. 28th, - O 
 
 Number of Debtors, < ' 
 
 11803, Oct. 22d, - 
 
 Allowance, Six-pence per day. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 A court-yard, 5 1 feet by 47 ; and a day-room 
 1 1 feet by 9. Four rooms above-stairs, for which 
 debtors pay one shilling per week each. 
 
 The County allows firing from November till 
 ^lay, to debtors ; but not to felons. 
 
 Neither the Act for Preservation of Health, nor 
 the Clauses against Spirituous Liquors, are hung up. 
 The prison very clean. 
 
 Felons have a court-yard, the same size as that of 
 the Debtors ; but no day-room ; and two sleeping- 
 cells, 9 feet by 5 feet 10, and 8 feet 10 inches high^, 
 with wood crib-bedsteads, straw, two blankets, and 
 a rug. Both Courts are well supplied with water.
 
 IN England, scotLAND, and wales. 445 
 
 POiN'TEFRACT; rorhshlre. 
 
 Gaoler, Francis Fryer. He lives at a distance, 
 and keeps a public-house : is also Sergeant 
 at Mace, and a Sheriff's Officer. 
 
 Salary. One Guinea per annum. 
 
 Fees, 13*. 4^^. No Table. 
 
 Chaplain^ none. 
 Surgeon, none. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 1802, Aug. 16th, - - - 1. 
 
 Allowance, none whatever; 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 Debtors are sent hither by process issuing out of 
 the Borough Court, for any sum, great or small. 
 
 This prison is under the Town Hall. The pas- 
 sage to the Felons' Cells is 33 feet by 12, with a 
 fire-place at one end. It is lighted and ventilated 
 by three very small iron-grated windows, nearly at 
 the top of the lofty roof : And this is called " the 
 Room for Debtors r 
 
 The
 
 440 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 The one debtor whom I found here in 1802, was 
 a shoemaker by trade. The debt for which he suf- 
 fered confinement was of his son's contracting:, for 
 whom he had been security. His case was much 
 commiserated in the town : he had constant employ- 
 ment, and the Corporation had humanely allowed 
 him to work in one corner of the Town Hall, the 
 stone passage below being too dark. 
 
 Without these indulgences he must have been in 
 a miserable state ; especially should the Gaoler have 
 been from home, on a caption, or other business, 
 so as to have forgot him ; as he could neither see, 
 nor be seen by, any person for relief. 
 
 The felons have two cells, each 12 feet by 9 ; the 
 windows of which are toward the street, and the 
 doors open, as I mentioned, into the debtors' room. 
 They were very offensive, from the want of means 
 for decent cleanliness. The roofs of the cells are of 
 stone, arched, and lofty. Straw laid on the floor. 
 
 No firing allowed : No court-yard : No water.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 44/ 
 
 PORTSMOUTH. 
 
 Town Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, Edward Hunt ; Serjeant at Mace. 
 
 Salary, 8o/. 
 
 Fees, Caption ^s. 4d. Discharge 6s. 2d, 
 Chaplain, none. Surgeon from the Parish. 
 
 _ , X. -n. 1. / 1^02, March 17th, - 5 
 
 JN umber of Debtors, ) ,0^,, c . . .1 
 
 ' I 1807, Sept. loth, - 2 
 
 Allowance. To paupers, on petition, one penny 
 in money, and a three-penny loaf j»er day ; 
 and every Wednesday 1 lb. of meat, with 
 vegetables. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 This despicable gaol has but one small court-yard, 
 45 feet by 1 5, for prisoners of all descriptions ; so 
 that, on my visit in 1802, I found the five debtors 
 (four of them women), twenty felons, and twelve 
 for misdemeanors, all promiscuously crowded toge- 
 ther ! The Debtors' Ward, or day-room, opens into 
 the court-yard, and is 17 feet by 9 feet 6. Above 
 stairs is a sleeping-room for female debtors. The 
 Corporation allows a wooden bedstead, with straw 
 in sacking bed, and a rug, each. In the Keeper's 
 house are five rooms with beds, for which those 
 who can afford it pay 6d. per night. The Act and 
 Clauses are hung up. A new Gaol was greatly 
 wanted, and is now (1807) nearly finished.
 
 44S ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 POULTRY COiNlPTER ; Londoiu 
 
 Gaoler, Edward Kirhij. 
 
 Salary, ISO/, of which IjO/. paid by th^ 
 
 Court of Aldermen, and 30/. by the Common 
 
 Council. 
 Fees. See the Table. 
 Garnish, 4s. 8J. called " IVard Dues ;" and 
 
 paid for coals and candles, to the Steward. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Davis. 
 
 Duty, Sunday, Prayers and Sermon, 
 Salary, 50^* 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Hodgson. 
 
 Salary, 80/. for the two Compters, and Lud- 
 gate, debtors and felons. 
 
 1800, April 21st, - 32 
 
 1801, Dec. 3d, - S6 
 
 1802, May 3d, - 34 
 
 1803, Nov. 12th, - 34 
 
 1804, Dec. 15th, - 39 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1805, Nov. 13th, - 33 
 
 1806, May 24th, - 35 
 
 1807, Feb. 16th, - 37 
 
 1808, March 12th, - 
 
 Allowance. To poor debtors, ten ounces of bread, 
 and one pound of j)otatoes each, daily. Also 
 six stone (48 lbs.) of beef, divided amongst 
 
 them
 
 In ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 449 
 
 them every Saturday ; besides a quantity of 
 broken victuals, collected from the different 
 taverns and eating-houses about the Royal 
 Exchange. For Legacies, and other Dg- 
 '/lations. see Remarks. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 Ill a former edition of this work, I have spoken of 
 this 7'mnou^ receptacle for debtors, felons and other 
 criminal prisoners, as it once stood, in spite of age 
 and debility. Its whole history is now singular; 
 and it must, hereafter, become incredible, whenever 
 its locality is considered to have been in the centre 
 and very heart of the British Metropolis ! 
 
 For Masters-side debtors heretofore there were 
 fifteen rooms betwixt the inner and the outer gates ; 
 for the use of which each prisoner paid as per Table. 
 For Common-side debtors, six wards within the 
 inner gate ; two of them on the ground-floor, called 
 the Kinsfs IVard, and the Princes Ward ; in the 
 former of which, Nov. 12th 1803, were seven 
 debtors, and in the latter the same number. . 
 
 On the first floor, or story, were the Women's 
 Ward, with two debtors ; the Middle Ward (so 
 called, as I conceive, from its being between the 
 women's and jews' ward) containing six debtors; 
 andthe Jeit"/ Ward, in which were two jew debtors, 
 
 F r with
 
 450 ACCou^•T OF prisons for debtors 
 
 with a separate staircase leading to it. g3» This, 
 let me pointedly observe, is the only prison I ever 
 visited, in which persons of their persuasion were 
 allowed to have the generous, humane, and just in- 
 duloence of being kept entirely distinct from the 
 other prisoners : And very sincerely do I hope, 
 that, in the projected change and improvement of 
 this building, some similar allotment will be as- 
 signed, of a place of retirement, security and com- 
 fort, for debtors, or others, of their peculiar de- 
 scription. Reason suggests the motive for such a 
 hint ; and Christian principle sanctions its adoption. 
 It may easily be done, as no great space will be 
 requisite. 
 
 On the second story/ or floor above, were also the 
 Queen's IVard, which had ten debtors ; and a small 
 room adjoining to it for the sick. 
 
 The 34 debtors whom I found here at my visits, 
 had ten wives and fifteen children living with them 
 in the prison. All are allowed one rug each by 
 the City, but are expected to provide their own 
 beds. 
 
 To each ward there is a fire-place. In one of the 
 rooms on the second floor, called the Pump-room ^ 
 the debiors had the convenience of water. The 
 court-yard here is very small, paved with flag-stones, 
 and had water continually running through it. In 
 the passage-court was a day-room for felons, and a 
 
 small
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 45 1 
 
 small one adjoining to it for debtors. They have 
 iron-grated windows, opposite the public house, 
 kept within the gates of the prison ; and from which 
 they were constantly supplied with liquor. 
 
 Men Felons slept in two " Strong Rooms,'* 
 planked with oak, and studded with large broad- 
 headed nails, on boards raised about three feet from 
 the ground ; having each a rug allowed them : And 
 up-stairs was another large room for men, and one 
 for women. 
 
 The Chapel, which was below, had a gallery for 
 Master's-side debtors ; and the felons, and other 
 criminals, were seated on forms or benches in the 
 area beneath. 
 
 At the top of the whole building are spacious 
 leads, where the Master's-side debtors were occa- 
 sionally allowed to take the air. The Keeper, how- 
 ever, or Turnkey, was always v/ith them ; because 
 the adjacent houses were thought capable of furnish- 
 ing the ready means for escape. 
 
 SUCH was this prison in the year I8O3 ; but the 
 building being in a very dilapidated state, and in many 
 parts sheared up with props, it became at length so 
 dangerous, not only to the lives of the prisoners, but 
 of other persons resorting thither, that in July lS04, 
 
 F J 2 an
 
 452 ACCOUNT or prisons for debtors 
 
 an Act passed, (with a degree of uncommon expedi- 
 tion, suited to the sujiposed pressure of the occasion,) 
 for the removal of " all the Debtors and Prisoners 
 *' liere in custody to the Gilt-spur Street Compter, or 
 " to such other safe, secure, and convenient place 
 " within the Cit\', as should be approved of by the 
 " Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons thereof, ia 
 '^ Common Council assembled." It was also or- 
 dained to " be lawful for the SherifFs, from time to 
 ^' time, and until tlie Poultrij Compter shall have 
 " been rebuilt, or made secure, and ft, and co7)i- 
 " modious for the reception of j)riso)iers, or another 
 "'^ Compter shall be i)rovided, to receive, keep, and 
 "detain them in such place of intended removal." 
 This took place in consequence without delay, and 
 prisoners continued to be receieved in the Gilt-spur 
 Street Compter till the 20th of May 1805 ; when 
 the very crowded state of that temporary receptacle 
 occasioned a necessity of sending all the night- 
 charges to their old place of destination in the 
 Poulti'i/. 
 
 Nor was this step sufficiently adequate ; for in 
 August 180C, the (rilt-spur Street Compter not 
 being found large enough to contain the criminal 
 prisoners of both Gaols, they likewise were re-con- 
 signed to the Poultry. This ruinous and tottering 
 pile, therefore, (so long before deemed hardly tenable) 
 has now, for above eighteen months, been made the 
 
 only
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 453 
 
 only place of confinement for tlie criminals of the 
 two Compters ; and th,e Chapel of the present, being 
 turned into a A'/eejom^ room, for want of space, no 
 divine service is performed there. 
 
 The result is, that GUt-spuv Street Compter is 
 now wholly appropriated to the confinement of the 
 debtors only belonging to both prisons, until a 
 new Poidtrij Compter shall be provided, or the old 
 one rendered " safe,"' for we can hardly say, ''Jit, 
 and commodious for the reception of prisoners." 
 
 More than three years have now elapsed : the 
 circumstances above narrated are matter of noto- 
 riety ; and yet, how little, if any thing is done ! ! ! 
 
 The two rooms already mentioned, as fronting 
 the public house, the one set apart for debtors, tb.e 
 other for felons, are at present both shut up : and the 
 Queens JVard, with nearly the whole East end of 
 the prison, have been takcu down, to prevent their 
 falling. 
 
 Masters-side felons, or those who can pay for 
 beds, sleep in strong-rooms above stairs, to which 
 the access is from the Keeper's house. 
 
 Common-side felons have, within the wooden 
 gate, a small court, paved vvith flag-stones, and a 
 miserable room, called the Rat Hole, with an iron- 
 grated unglazed window ; and two dismal cells to 
 sleep in, upon boards raised about a yard from the 
 floor, with a rug or two each; according to tlieir 
 
 number,
 
 454 ACCOU-NT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 number, but no straw. One of these cells is for 
 four prisoners, and the other for two : Above which 
 are two other rooms, of a similar description. The 
 Chapel, since its conversion into a dormitory, has 
 barrack bedsteads laid on the floor. 
 
 The women felons are shut up in a dreary place 
 below, called the Mouse -hole. This will hold six- 
 teen prisoners, and is fitted up in the same manner 
 as the above are for the men. Over it is that which 
 was formerly called the Jeivs" Ward for debtors, but 
 now set apart for the sick. 
 
 TABLE OF FEES, 
 
 to be taken from Debtors in 
 
 the Poultry Compter ; as 
 
 settled by the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen: 
 
 /. s. d. 
 
 ;Master's-side debtors pay on coming in, 5s. 
 
 to the Keeper, and 2^. to the Turnkeys T O 
 
 Common-side debtors pay nothing- on coming in 
 
 Common-side debtors pay on discharge 20^. Sf/. 
 •which is disposed of as foilou's : to the Keeper 
 Is. at the Sheriff s office. Poultry, Zs. hd. at 
 the Sheriff's office, Gilt-spqr Street, \s. at 
 the Secondary's office, Lothbiiry, es. to the 
 turnkeys i.s. and messenger 1^. - 10 8 
 
 Master*s-side debtors pay on discharge \s. more 
 
 tljan Common-side debtors - 118 
 
 Master's-side debtors pay for the use of a room, 
 
 bed, bedding, sheets, &c. per week - 2 6 
 
 List
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 
 
 4'yS 
 
 List of Legacies and Donations to the 
 Poultry Compter- 
 
 Christmas Quarter. 
 
 When paid. 
 
 Donors' Names. 
 
 By whom paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 Half- Yearly... 
 Ditto 
 
 Mr. Peter Bluudell 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Sir James Peachy 
 
 Mr, Ralph Carter 
 
 Drapers Company 
 
 Fishmongers Company.. 
 KxL'ise Office 
 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 L 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Yearly 
 
 
 
 Ditto 
 
 ^ ClmrchwardensofSt^ 
 \ Andrew Under.shaft/ 
 •c/aad AUhallows, one > 
 /year beef, and theV 
 *- otlier money -^ 
 
 Draj)L'rs Company 
 
 Chamberlain of London 
 ^ Mr. Buckeridge,13, ) 
 I < >rchard-st, Oxf. ro. ^ 
 .^t Lambeth Palace 
 
 17 3 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Sir John Kendrick, Knt. 
 Sir Wm. Middletou, Knt. 
 
 Sir Robert Rampson 
 
 Archbp. of Canterbury 
 Mr. John Shields 
 
 
 
 Half- Yearly... 
 Yearly 
 
 11 3 
 10 
 
 Ditto 
 
 
 
 Ditto 
 
 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Mr. Thomas Dawson.... 
 Mrs. Mary Holligrave... 
 
 Mr. James Hodgson 
 
 .Mr. Wm. Parker 
 
 \ Churchwardens of ) 
 j St. Ethelburgh 5 
 
 Clothwoi-kers Company.. 
 5 Churchwardens of ) 
 ( St. Sepulclire's ^ 
 
 .Merchant TaylorsComp. 
 ^ l/.lOi. Mr.bunnagc ) 
 I (pays land tax, 6j.) ^ 
 
 MerchantTaylors Comp. 
 
 9 
 
 Ditto 
 
 5 
 
 Ditto 
 
 10 
 
 Ditto 
 
 
 
 Quarterly 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Mr. Wm. Peake 
 
 •i 
 
 Mr. JohnWooller 
 
 
 
 Every 3 years 
 
 Quarterly 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Mr. Thomas Stretchly... 
 
 Mr. John Meridith 
 
 Ditto 
 
 
 
 Skinners Company 
 
 I.eathersellers Company 
 Ditto, "doz. penny loaves 
 
 5 6 
 
 4 10 
 
 Ditto.. .^ 
 
 Ditto 
 
 
 £AS 16 10 
 
 Annually, on the 5th of November, the Gift of Mrs. 
 Margaret Dane, one quarter of beef, and fi^e dozen 
 penny loaves. 
 
 Lady-
 
 45^ 
 
 ACCOUNT or PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 Lady-Day Quarter. 
 
 When paid. 
 
 Donors' Names. 
 
 Half- Yearly... .Sir Francis Clark 
 Yearly R. Martin and J. March 
 
 Ditto. 
 Ditto. 
 
 Sir Thos. CuJluni. 
 Sir Edw. Corbett . 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Half. Yearly... 
 
 Quarterly . . 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Quartcrlv . 
 Yearly..'... 
 Quarterly. 
 Ditto 
 
 Richard Jacobs, 21. . 
 Lady Ramsay 
 
 -Mr. Wm. Peake, 1/. lOs 
 
 Mrs. JoanSanback..., 
 
 Mr. Jolwi Meridith 
 
 Alderman J. Haydon.. 
 
 DiUo , 
 
 Ditto 
 
 By whom paid. 
 
 Mercers Company b 
 
 Ditto 1 
 
 Drapers ditto .'< 
 
 Cooks ditto 
 
 Mrs. Starling ; paid 
 from the rent of 
 houses in Lamb's 
 Conduit-street. 
 (Pays land tax, Ss.) 
 
 Christ's Hospital 
 
 Mr. Dunnage ; paid 
 fromthe ground rent 
 of some houses in 
 Gloucester-street, 
 Hoxton. 
 
 (Pays land tax, 6^.) 
 
 Churchwardens of 
 
 St Pride's 
 
 Skinners' Company 
 
 Mercers ditto I 4 
 
 LeatherscUers ditto I 
 
 Ditto,7do2.pennyloaves. | 
 
 Amount. 
 
 1 12 
 
 1 5 
 
 1 4 
 
 
 
 .£".20 13 10 
 
 Midsummer Quarter. 
 
 M'hen paid. 
 
 Donors' Names. 
 
 Yearly Sir Thos. Gresham, Knt 
 
 Kali- Yearly... .Mr. Peter Blundell 
 
 Ditt/> 
 
 irWm. Middleton, Knt. 
 
 Ditl-) 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Quarterly, 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Py whom paid. 
 
 Ivkrccrs Compaiiy 
 
 Drapers ditto 
 
 Fisliraonjeri ditto 
 
 Chamberlam of London 
 
 Ir. John Meridith LSkinncra Companj' 
 
 Mr.Wm. Peake, 11. loJ \ ^^'\ i>"n'iuse (pays J 
 } lantl tax, os.) \ 
 
 Ditto 'L'^athersellers Company 
 
 Ditto iDittOjIdoz.pcnnyloaves. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 10 rt 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 11 .-3 
 
 5 6 
 
 4 
 4 10 
 
 ^. 15 ,■) 7 
 
 The Drapers' Company allow annually fourteen pounds 
 for the discharge of small cLebts, to the amount of forty 
 shillings each, fees included, the gift of Mr. John Ken- 
 drick. 
 
 Michaelmas
 
 ik england, scotland, and wales. 457 
 Michaelmas Ouarter. 
 
 When paid. 
 
 Donors' Names. 
 
 By whum paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 Half- Yearly. 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Yearly 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Half-Ycarly 
 
 Quarterly,.. 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Pitto 
 
 Sir Francis Clail; 
 
 R. Martin and J. March 
 
 Hobson, lisq 
 
 ( Interest on "i 
 
 j 247/. 18.. 9d. S- 
 ( S. S. Annuities. 3 
 
 Lady Ramsay 
 
 Mr. Wm. Pcake, 1/. 10*. 
 
 Mr. John Mcridith 
 
 Ditto ; 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Mercers Company 
 
 Ditto '. 
 
 Houses inGrocer's-allev 
 
 ft 
 1 2 
 
 Mercers Company. 
 
 Christ's Hospital 
 
 < Mr. Dunnage (pays ^ 
 I land tax, 6s). J 
 
 Skinners Company 
 
 I.eathcrsellers ditto , 
 
 Ditto,7doz.pennj'loaves. 
 
 4 6 8 
 
 7 8 9 
 
 1 5 
 
 1 4 
 
 5 6 
 
 4 10 
 
 ^.20 17 3 
 
 Sheriffs' Court, two pence each judgment, from the 
 Clerk of the Judgments, Mr. Higden, Curriers Hall, at 
 Christmas. 
 
 The prisoners receive 65 penny loaves every eio-ht 
 wreeks, as the gift of Mrs. Margaret Symcott ; but which 
 is Eleanor Gwijn^s gift under that name. 
 
 N. B. Master' s-mde Debtors ^Avt^eoiwoClidirity, 
 except it be particularly ordered by the donor. 
 
 The Public House within the passage leading to 
 this prison, is rented from the City at Thirty 
 Pounds per annum. I was constantly assured that 
 it had nothing to do with the Compter, although I 
 as constantly saw that the iron-grated rooms of th* 
 Debtors and Felons were supplied from thence with 
 liquors, the windows of both being opposite to it. 
 It is wortny of remark, that this public-house was 
 shut up, as soon as tlie Poultry j)risoners were re- 
 moved to Giltspur Street Compter, but was opened 
 again immediately, on their being returned hither.
 
 458 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 PRESTEIGN, Radnorshire, South IVales^ 
 
 Gaoler, Robert Lewis. Salary, 20/. 
 Fees, 6s. Sd. No Table. 
 Garnish, abolished. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. S?mfh. Salary, lOl. 
 
 Duty, Prayers once or twice a week, as re- 
 quired ; and a sermon four times a year. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Coo A\sey ; for felons only. 
 Salary, lol. 
 
 Number of Debtors, ( >««'' ^'°^'- ^4*, - 
 
 I I803, Sept. 9th, - 
 
 Allowance, A sixpenny loaf every other day. 
 
 5 
 S 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol adjoins the County Bridewell. Besides 
 the Keeper's apartments her^ are five rooms, about 
 1 2 feet square, for debtors, to which the Keej^er fur- 
 nishes beds at Is. 6d. per week ; and if two sleep to- 
 gether, l.s. each. Common-side debtors have a free 
 ward, and straw is furnished by the County. The 
 day -room, or hall, is 22 feet by 14, and used as a 
 chapel. Act and Clauses both hung up : a useless 
 tub for a bath. The Gaol seldom visited, very dirty, 
 and out of repair. Only one court-yard, 66 feet by 
 46, for men and women, debtors, felons, and all 
 descriptio.ns of prisoners.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 459 
 
 READING, Berkshire. 
 
 Gaoler, George Eastaff. 
 
 Salary, 200/. for gaol and bridewell. 
 
 Fees. See Table. The Under-sherifT demands 
 
 3*. 6d. for his liberate. 
 Garnish, abolished. 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. HodgMnson. Salary, 50/. 
 Duty, Sunday, Prayers and Sermon, and 
 Wednesday, Prayers. 
 Surgeon, Mr. Bullet/. 
 
 Salary, 20Z. for gaol and bridewell, debtors and 
 felons. 
 
 /'ISOO, March 24th, - 10 
 Number of Debtors, <J 1801, Dec. 12th, - 12 
 
 1 1806, Oct. 16th, - 8 
 
 Allowance. Ten ounces of bread, half a pound 
 of rice, or two pound of potatoes, to each 
 debtor, daily, on proof of his being a pauper, 
 and willing to work *. 
 
 * This was the allowance in 1801 : but on my subsequent 
 visits I found it altered to a contract with the Gaoler, who re- 
 ceives 5(/. per day, and ^d. per week each ; for which he sup- 
 plies the prisoners on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, with 
 i§ lb. of bread 3 Tliursday, Ub. of meat, and i lb. of potatoes, 
 made into soup ; Friday and Saturday, i^ lb. of bread ; and on 
 Sunday (for which the additional ^d. is allowed), with a dinner 
 of oflfal meat, made into soup, with vegetables. 
 
 RE-
 
 4^0 ACCoirs'T or prisons ran dehtors 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol and Bridewell is situated in a very 
 healthy place, a little way out of the town, and en« 
 closed by a boundary wall, 210 feet in length, and 
 327' in depth ; which, being about 30 feet from the 
 prison, the Keeper has within it a very convenient 
 trarden for the gro^vth of vegetables. The wall 
 which encloses the buildings is 28 feet high, 
 with a chevaux de frise about four feet from the 
 coping. The Keeper's house, in the centre, has an 
 alarm-bell at the top, and the visiting ^lagistrates' 
 committee-room fi'onts the entrance-gate. 
 
 The men-dehiors have two courts : The front is 
 69 feet by 5 7 ; the back yard 28 feet by 9, with 
 arcades to both. They have also a hall, or common 
 day-room, with two iron-grated glazed windows, a 
 fire-place, seats, two tables; and proper conveniences 
 for fru""al cooker3^ Here are hkewise two day-rooms 
 for debtors, who maintain themselves ; over which 
 are six sleeping-rooms, fitted up with wood bedsteads, 
 and sacking bottoms, a straw-in-sacking bed, a sheet, 
 a blanket, and two rugs, at the county cost. Those 
 who furnish their own beds are not charged for 
 room-rent ; and tliero are accommodations in the 
 Gaoler's house for those who can pay as/7e/' Table. 
 
 Every debtor inclined to work may be employed, 
 on application to the Keeper, and allowing him one 
 third of his earnings. But if the debtor can procure 
 
 work
 
 £N England, Scotland, and WALts. 46*1 
 
 t^'ofk from witliout, he receives the whole of \\ hat 
 he earns. 
 
 fVomen- debtors have a small garden to walk in, 
 about 14 yards square, and a sleepiug-room, 16 feet 
 by 9, fitted up like the men's ; or, if they can pay 
 as per Table, they may be accommodated in the 
 Keeper s house ; at the back of which, in the centre 
 of a spacious court, is the Chapel, a very neat 
 building. The debtors are seated in the galleries, 
 iind the felons, &c. below ; and all are required to 
 attend divine service who receive the county al- 
 lowance. Above the chapel are rooms furnished by 
 the Keeper with beds, at '2s. 6d. per week each ; of 
 wliich the county receives 1 s. 6d. . There are a warm 
 and cold bath, and four separate infirmary-rooms. 
 The Act and Clauses conspicuously hung up : the 
 ■courts well supplied with water; and the prison cleai*.- 
 The worthy Chaplain is empowered to purchase 
 books of moral and religious instruction, and distri- 
 butes them at his discretion to the prisoners. 
 
 Mrs. Elizaheth Deane (who died on the 5th 
 July 1787) widow of //. A. Dearie, Esq. late of 
 Reading, by will bequeathed I50/. to tlie Corpora- 
 tion, upon trust to buy fire-wood for the County- 
 gaol. Accordingly, on the 24th November I787, 
 with this legacy X^jGl. l^s. ^d. was purchased 
 in the 4 per cents ; and the dividends arising are 
 to be laid out in the purchase of fire-wood, ''' for the 
 
 '^ sole
 
 462 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 " sole use and benefit of the prisoners, who shall from 
 " time to time be confined in the county-gaol of 
 •' Berkshire, situate in Reading." This is regularly 
 received, and appropriated according to the will of 
 tlie donor. 
 
 " Table of Fees 
 to be paid by the Debtors. 
 
 For discharging every action upon Process, 
 
 Capias, Latitat, or execution, - - - 2 6 
 
 For Certificate of the want of a declaration, 
 in order to sue out a writ of supersedeas^ - 2 6 
 
 N. B. The above demandable of the prisoner. 
 
 For receiving every declaration against a pri- 
 soner in custody, ----- 10 
 
 For each copy of the three first warrants against 
 
 a Prisoner, - - - - 10 
 
 And for each other, - - - 4 
 
 N. B. To be paid by persons making the de- 
 claration, or demanding the warrant. 
 
 Attending upon every prisoner to give bail, 
 special bail. Habeas, or other necessary at* 
 tendance out of the gaol, as directed by sta- 
 tute, per mile, - - - 10 
 
 Every person confined in the Sheriff's, or Ma- 
 gistrates' Ward, finding his own bedding, 
 per week, - _ . - 10 
 
 Every person confined in the Sheriff's, or Ma- 
 gistrates' Ward, with bedding allowed by the 
 County, - - - -26 
 
 Every
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 46^ 
 
 s. d 
 Every prisoner occupying a room in the Keep- 
 er's house, shall pay per week, - - 2 G 
 
 A. MACDONALD, 
 J. HEATH. 
 
 Every Prisoner who, daring his confinement, shall 
 have submitted to the regulations with a decent respect 
 and attention, and who has not been guilty of swearing or 
 drunkenness, of an}^ attempt to acquire more hquors than 
 is allowed, or of other disorderly practices, shall receive a 
 certificate of such good conduct from the Chaplain, or any 
 one visiting Justice, or the Chaplain and Governor ; 
 which certificate shall be a discharge of all and every fee 
 payable to the Keeper or Gaoler, except those for extra 
 bedding, and for the room in the Keeper's house. 
 
 Extract from the Rules and Orders settled hy 
 the Magistrates, UhJdyj 1796. 
 
 READING, Town Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, Thomas-Moore Davies, Serjeant at Mace. 
 Salary, 9 1. Fees, none. 
 
 One room in a public-bouse (the Five Maidens' 
 Heads). Out of repair, and a new one building-
 
 4()'4 AOC-OUNT OF PRISONS rOR DEET0K3 
 
 RICHxMOND ; Vorhshire. 
 The Liherfy Gaol. For Debtors ouly. 
 
 Keeper, Robert UYiiiJit. 
 Salary, 5/. 
 
 Fees, 6s. Sd. ; aud Is. to the Turnkey : Besides 
 which the Under-sheriif demands three 
 shiUings for his liberate ! 
 Garnish, 2^. 4d. I copied the following order 
 from a Table of Fees hung up in the Prison. 
 It is dated 17th August l6jl, and signed 
 /r. Ifji/lde and T. Lyttelton : 
 " Every person, or persons, that shall be 
 '' committed upon any warrant, upon 
 ^' his, her, or their commitment to 
 '^ gaol, shall pay to the rest of the pri- 
 " soners 2^. 4d. for their garnish.'' 
 
 Chaplain, or Surgeon, none. 
 
 Number of Debtors, ( ^«^^^ f^- ^3tl^^ " "^ 
 
 I Sept. 4th, - S 
 
 Allowance, one shilling per week to those who 
 are certificated as paupers. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This prison, for the very extensive Liberty of 
 Richmond and Richmondshire, was formerly the 
 
 property
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 4^)5 
 
 property of Lord Holderness, afterwards of Sir 
 lipomas Dundas, and now belongs to the Duke of 
 Leeds. It is solely appropriated to debtors. 
 
 It consists of two courts : the outer; of 29 yards 
 by 13, is occupied by the keeper's garden : the walls 
 but BIX feet high ; so that those only, who are de- 
 tained for small sums, and in \vhom the gaoler places 
 confidence, can be indulged with the use of so be- 
 neficial an accommodation i 
 
 The inner court is 21 yards by eight, and has a 
 well in it. The prisoners have a day-room, with a 
 large work or sleeping-room, which opens into the 
 court. This is a free ward, for which they pay 
 nothins:, but find their own beds. There is likewise 
 a free-ward for women in the keeper's house. 
 
 Master's-side debtors have good rooms in the 
 house ; to which the keeper furnishes bed and lodging 
 at Is. 6d. per w^eek ; or, if the debtor finds his own 
 bedding, he pays 2s. per week. 
 
 The poorer class have beds supplied by the keeper at 
 Is. 6d. per week ; and all have the use of the gaoler's 
 fire. As the County allows no fuel, it is a very for- 
 tunate circumstance that the keeper is compassionate 
 and humane, for his salary is evidently not sufficient 
 to provide coals even for his own use. 
 
 The prison is clean. Neither the Act for Pre- 
 servation of Health, nor the Clauses against Spi- 
 rituous Liquors, are hung up. 
 
 G G
 
 466 ACCor>rr of prisons for debtors 
 
 IIICHMOXD, Corporation or Borough GaoL 
 
 Gaoler, Thomas Redford. Salary, 5/. 
 Fees, Gs. Sd. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 1802, Sept. 4th, none.. 
 
 Allowance, none. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol is likewise the poor house ; placed in a 
 fine situation, with a corn-field in front. 
 
 For debtors here are two good rooms, if properly 
 ventilated, up-stairs. These are /r ee it'arc?,y, in case 
 the debtor finds his own bed ; but if the Gaoler fur- 
 nishes one, his charge is 2s, per week. To this 
 prison all those debtors are consigned, who are ar- 
 rested by process issuing out of the Borough Court. 
 
 For felons there are two cells, ill-ventilated, 
 of about four yards square, with straw to lie upon. 
 Each cell is lighted by a semicircular window, and 
 has a small court attached to it, separated from that 
 of the Poor-house by a wall. The criminal is let 
 down into his cell, through a trap-door in the floor- 
 ing above ; and the ladder, of seven rounds, or 
 staves, is then drawn up ! 
 
 Here is no employment, ^o water accessible to 
 prisoners. Neither the Act nor Clauses hung up. 
 The Gaol very clean.
 
 tN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 4G7 
 
 RIPON, Vorhshire; Liberty Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, Robert Bra'ithwaite, SherifTs Officer. 
 Salary, none. Fees, 10*. 6d. 
 
 Surgeon, when wanted, sent by the Mayor, and 
 paid by the Liberty. 
 
 Prisoners, Sept. 3d, 1803, none. Allowance, none. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol is the property of the Archbishop, by 
 charter from King Edward IV. His court, adjoining, 
 is called the Cotirt MiUtary. The liberty includes 
 24 parishes. For debtors here are four good rooms 
 in the keeper s house, and a large room for the Grand 
 Jury, to which the ascent is by \2 stone steps. This 
 is called the High Gaol. ISoJ'ree ward. If the 
 debtor furnishes his bed, he pays 1*. per week ; if the 
 keeper provides one, each debtor pays 2*. per week. 
 
 On the ground floor, called the Low Gaol, are 
 two cells for felons, dark, damp, and offensive ; one 
 5 yards by 2|, ventilated by a small iron-grating in 
 the door ; the other, about four yards and a half 
 square, has a small iron-grated and glazed window. 
 Straw on the floor. No sewer. No water. The 
 Act and Clauses conspicuously hung up. 
 
 The court spacious and airy, being 80 yards by 
 50 ; but the wall is only six feet high, so that the 
 prisoners have no use of it. 
 
 GG 2
 
 468 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 RIPOX, Gaol and Bndcivell. 
 
 Gaoler, George Idle, a Sheriffs officer. 
 Salary, 2l/. 
 Fees, Debtors, \^s. -^d. No Table. 
 
 Sureeon, none. When one is wanted, he is or- 
 dered by the Mayor. 
 
 Number of Debtors, Sept. 3d, lS03, none. 
 Allowance, none. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This gaol for the Canon Fee Court, belongs to 
 the Dean and Chapter of Ripon. It is n^t only a 
 gaol for that court, but a house of correction for the 
 Liberty. Three upper rooms for debtors, but no 
 free ward. If the debtor finds his own bed, he pays 
 6d. a week ; if the keeper furnishes a bed, each 
 debtor pays 1^. 6d. per week. 
 
 The Bridewell part, two rooms on the ground- 
 floor, 8 feet by 7, one of which is totally dark, the 
 other has no light but what is admitted through a 
 small hole in the door. No court. No water. 
 
 Neither the Act for the Preservation of Health, 
 nor the Clauses against Spirituous Liquors are 
 hung up. The whole prison very dirty. No reli^ 
 gious attentions whatever.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND ^VALES. 40"Cj 
 
 ROCHESTER, Kent. 
 City Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, Eihnuml Baker. 
 
 Salary, 30/. as Serjeant at Mace. Fees, none. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Thompson : makes a bill. 
 
 {1800, April 21st, - 1 
 1801, Sept. ^iOth, - O 
 l804; Sept. 25th, - 1 
 
 Allowance, Sixpence per day; 
 
 REMARKS: 
 
 Two close offensive cells on the ground-floor, 15 
 feet by 5 feet 6 inches, with a bedstead in each. No 
 $ewer. No court-yard. No light, nor air, but what 
 is admitted through the iron-grated door. No water. 
 One room in the keeper's house (10 feet by 9), for 
 such debtors as can pay. This prison, not being 
 large enough at my visit in 1804, I found a woman 
 debtor in one cell, three felpns in the other cell, and 
 a woman, with a child at her breast, and also a boy, 
 coniined in the house. 
 
 I was informed that the city intended to build a 
 new gaol ; but at my visit in 1807, I found this 
 Avretched prison continued as the sole place of can^ 
 linement for debtors and felons.
 
 470 ACCOUNfT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 KOTHWELL, r\e;xY Leeds; rorhlure. 
 
 Gaoler, William Carrett, wlio is also Chief Bai- 
 liff of the Honour of Pontefvact. 
 
 Salary, none. Being obliged to provide a pri^ 
 son for debtors, he rents this building of Mr. 
 Wilson, of Loftus, in this parish, at l8/. 
 per annum. 
 
 Fees ; see Table. 
 
 Garnish, 6s. 2(1. which is spent in liquor t 
 Chaplain, or Surgeon, none. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 J 800, May 18th, - 31 
 J 802, Aug, iGth, - 30 
 
 1804, Jan. 18th, - 30 
 1807, March 17th, 3^ 
 
 Allowance, none whatever. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 Tliis prison, for debtors only, belongs to the 
 Liberty of the Honour of Pontefract, in the dutchy- 
 court of Lancaster. There is only one court both 
 for men and women, about 30 yards by 14, which 
 is not paved, and has a pump and sewer in it. 
 
 Here are two day-rooms, one about six yards, 
 the other about five yards square. Common-side 
 debtors have seven rooms, witli beds and bedding, 
 furnished by the Keeper, as per Table. 
 
 Master's
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 47 1 
 
 Master's-side debtors have six rooms, with bed- 
 ding supplied by the gaoler to each prisoner also, 
 as per Table. 
 
 There is one room iip-stairs for women, with two 
 beds in it. At the top of the house is a work-room, 
 with spinning wheels, and looms for weaving, &c. 
 
 The average number of prisoners confined here is 
 $6: they are principally mechanics and manufac- 
 turers from Leeds and Huddersfield. No employ- 
 ment is furnished ; and only four were able to pro- 
 cure work when I was here in August l802. With- 
 out firing in Winter, without any allowance of food, 
 except casual charity, the distress of the poor deb- 
 tors must at times be very great, 
 
 I cannot omit the Fees to be paid in this private 
 prison at Roth well, because some of them are high. 
 It is much to be regretted that they are not abolished, 
 and a proper salary allowed to the Gaoler, in lieu 
 thereof. The document is curious. 
 
 West-Riding \ At the Michaelmas General Quarter Ses- 
 ofYorlcsiiire. j sions, held at Leeds, the 4th of October, 
 in the 44th of George III. 1804. Before MicJiael-Angdo 
 Taylor, William Dawson, Esquires, and others, their Fel- 
 lows, of our said Lord the King, &c. 
 
 Orders and Fees. 
 
 £. s. d. 
 Every commitment fee - - - 9 4 
 
 Every person shall pay for his bed in the 
 
 rooms No. 1, 2, 3, and 4, ^xt night, 6 
 
 If
 
 472 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 /. s. a. 
 
 If t\ro persons sleep together in No, 1, 2, 3, 
 
 and 4, to pay each per night - - 4 
 
 Every person sleeping alone in the Low Gaol 
 
 to pay per night - - - 4 
 
 If two or more sleep together, to pay each 2| 
 
 Persons bringing their onwi beds to pay half 
 the snni they would otherwise have paid, 
 if they had used the gaol beds. — Persons 
 coming to visit tlie prisoners, and sleep- 
 ing in the gaol, to pay per niglit - € 
 
 One fee only shall be taken by the gaoler 
 for any prisoner's discharge, although there 
 may have been more than one action 
 against him or her ; which fee «liall be 17 4 
 And the turnkey - - 10 
 
 For allowing every supersedeas in every 
 
 action - - - - 6 S 
 
 For allowing every m rit of Habeas Corpus, 
 besides conduct mone}', to be paid and 
 allowed according to the distance from 
 the said gaol to the place where the body 
 is to be removed - - - G 8 
 
 No prisoner allowed to stop in tljc kitchen, without the 
 consent of the gaoler. All persons in the Low Gaol must 
 clean tlieir o'.vn apartments, and make their own beds : 
 Every prisoner shall have the liberty to provide necessa- 
 ries from any person or place whatsoever : Every prisoner 
 vithin the gaol of ilcthwell, w]:o sliall use any unlawful 
 swearing, cursing, railing, or other indecent behaviour, 
 siiall forfttit ior every such offence twelve-pence, to be 
 paid to the gaoler cr his deputy on demand : and in de- 
 fault of payment, to be levied l;y v/ay of distress on the 
 
 goods
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 473 
 
 goods of the party so offending, or stand in charge upon 
 Buch prisoner, to be paid to the said gaoler, before he, 
 she, or they be discharged out of custody : the said for- 
 feitures to be distributed amongst tlie most needy in the 
 Low Gaol, at the discretion of the gaoler. 
 
 That every prisoner who shall be suspected * to break 
 the gaol, and make his escape, and all others in the gaol 
 Tvho shall be suspected to be aiding and assisting therein, 
 shall be by the gaoler ironed^ to secure them from making 
 their escapes. 
 
 And that, if the prisoners in the Low Gaol shall at any 
 time mutiny against the gaoler, or his deputies, or 'ser- 
 vants going amongst them to regulate abuses, or any way 
 disturb, him or them; he or they siiall, for every such 
 offence, be kept in close confinement, at the discretion 
 of the said gaoler. 
 
 All prisoners shall attend divine sem'ce everj/ Sundaj/ 
 Tnorning at eleven o'clock (except those unavoidably left 
 to cook for themselves and messmates), or forfeit for each 
 neglect one shilling, to be levied and applied in the man- 
 ner before specified f. 
 
 By the Court, Foljambe, 
 
 Deputy Clerk of the Peace. 
 
 * Thi? power lodged with a Gaoler is what I have no where 
 met with, except at Halifax. 
 
 f There is neither Chaplain nor Chapel. The keeper told 
 jiie he read prayers ; and J was pleased with the manner in 
 which the prisoners spoke of him j the more so as Mr. Carrclt 
 was not present.
 
 4'/4 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 RUTHIN; Denbighshire. 
 
 Gaoler, Humphrey Jones. 
 
 Salary, 50/. and 7/. in lieu of fees: But the 
 Under- sherift' claims ^s. 6cl. for his liberate! 
 Garnishj 2s. 6d, 
 
 Chaplain. Rev. Richard Jones. 
 
 Duty, every Sunday, Prayers and Sermon. 
 % Salary, 30/. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Alchoh. Salary, 30^. 
 
 Number of Debtors, j'^""' ^^''^^'' ^Ist, - 5 
 
 I 1802, October 23th, 4 
 
 Allowance. Two shillings per week each. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This'Gaol is also tlie County Bridewell. In front 
 are the gaoler's apartments. Backwards, on the 
 ground-floor, is a day-room for debtors, 27 feet by 
 15 ; and another the same size for criminals : for the 
 latter only 4 cells, 7I feet by 6| ; 2 on each side of 
 a passage only 3 feet wide. The cells are arched 
 with brick, and lined with oak-plank : in each a 
 bedstead, with two blankets and a coverlet. A 
 window in each, 3 feet by 1. In both debtors' and 
 felons' day-rooms are 8 cujjboards, with separate 
 locks and keys, to secure their provision. Above 
 
 are
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 475 
 
 are 9 rooms for debtors, about 13I feet by ll|, and 
 a neat chapel. These are d\\ free-war ch, the County 
 allowing to the keeper 1*. per week for room-rent ; 
 but, if he furnishes a bed, each debtor pays \s. 
 weekly for the use of it. In each of the debtors' 
 rooms are an iro?i-bedstead, two chairs, and a table. 
 Here are separate Courts for debtors and criminals, 
 about 29 yards by 14: in each a pump, with excel- 
 lent water, and a bathing-room, with a copper, &c. 
 No infirmary. Men and women, debtorsand felons, 
 associate together daily. Act and Clauses hung up. 
 To the honour of the County, this gaol is under- 
 going very considerable improvements. New apart- 
 ments are building for the gaoler ; a separate 
 kitchen, rooms, and court-yard, for female debtois ; 
 the like for female felons ; an infirmary, with rooms 
 above, for males and females; three penitentiary 
 cells, each 10 feet by 6: and work-rooms for the 
 prisoners ; which, when finished, will make it very 
 respectable. 
 
 At the front of the gaol, on an oval white mar- 
 ble, is this Inscription : 
 
 " The Magistrates, 
 
 sensible of the miserable state of the antient Prison, 
 
 in compassion to the Unfortunate, 
 
 paused this building to be erected, in the year 
 
 M DCC LXXV. 
 
 J. Turner, Architect."
 
 47(J ACCOUNT OF TRITONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 ST. ALB AX'S, Herts : Borough Gaol 
 
 Gaoler, James Dcayfon. 
 Salary, 20 /. 
 
 Surgeon, if wanted, is ordered by the ]Mayor, and 
 makes a bill. 
 
 Allowance. None whatever to debtors. Felons 
 and other criminal prisoners, have one pound 
 of bread per day, cut from the Keeper's loaJ\ 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol is situate in the middle of the town. 
 Those debtors who can pay, have very good 
 lodo-insr-rooms, and sometimes the use of the Town 
 Hall, to which it adjoins, for air and exercise, there 
 being no court-yard. 
 
 Debtors from the Courts of Conscience are con- 
 fined in two very dirty, close, offensive rooms be- 
 low, with an iron-grating toward the street. No 
 fire-place. In these two rooms felons are also con- 
 fined. Neither the Act for Preservation of Health, 
 nor Clauses against Spirituous Liquors are hung up. 
 Debtors remain here but a very short time. I have 
 not met with one at my several visits during the last 
 six years.
 
 tS ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 477 
 
 ST. ALBAN'S, Libertij Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, John Cooke. Salary 50/. 
 
 Surgeon, ordered by the Mayor, when wanted. 
 
 Number of Debtors. Criminals, 
 
 1800, May 14th, one. - 2. 
 
 1801, Aug. 15th, none. - 5. 
 
 1802, Feb. 4th, none. - 4. 
 1804, Sept. 8th, none. - 2. 
 1807, July 31st, none. - 3. 
 
 Allowance. Debtors, none. Criminals, 1 lb. of 
 bread per day ; cut from the keeper's loaf, 
 and which he furnishes out of his salary. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Liberty Gaol, for twenty-two parishes, is 
 the property of Lord Sallshiiry. One court-yard, 
 36 feet by 30, with flagged floor, a pump and sewer, 
 and a day-room about 12 feet square. A spacious 
 airy room for debtors, with a fire-place, but no 
 bedding, not even straw allowed. No Infirmary. 
 Neither tlie Act nor Clauses hung up. For men 
 criminals, four dark sleeping-cells, the largest 12 
 feet by 8, with straw on the boarded floor, a blan- 
 ket and rug. Women criminals have a large room 
 up-stairs, with two sleeping-cells, 9 feet by 7. 
 Under the gateway two offensive sleeping-rooms, 
 one totally dark ; the other lias a post, to which re- 
 fractory prisoners are chained.
 
 4/^8 ACCOUNT OF TRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 SAINT BRIAVEL'S GAOL. 
 
 Forest of Dean ; Gloucestersldre* 
 
 Gaoler, IVilliam Closs, 
 
 Salary, Fees, none. 
 
 TVT 1, f -n u^ ri804, Oct. 21st, - 1 
 Number of Debtors, < „ ' , 
 
 I iSoG, Sept. 9th, - 2 
 
 Allowance, none whatever* 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This gaol, for Debtors only, is part of the old 
 castle, within the Forest of Dean. The castle i^ 
 the property of the crown ; and was formerly sur- 
 rounded by a moat, which enclosed about a quar- 
 ter of an acre of ground. It is now held by lease, 
 as I am informed, granted to Lord Berkeley, who 
 is chief Ranger of the Forest, and Constable of the 
 Castle. 
 
 Over the prison gateway is a painted board, in- 
 scribed " The Castle Inn : Spirituous L'lqiiors.^^ 
 Company resort to it as to a common ale-house. 
 
 Here is one dismal room for men debtors above 
 stairs, 17 feet 10 inches by 16 feet eight; and ano- 
 ther for the women ; both greatly out of repair. No 
 bedding allowed, not even straw to sleep on : but 
 
 the
 
 \ 
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 479 
 
 the gaoler furnishes beds, at Is. per week, to those 
 who can afford to pay for them. 
 
 Of the two poor objects, both sickly, whom I 
 found here in 1806, one was Richard Jordan, a 
 labourer, who told me he had a wife and seven chil- 
 dren; and that, since his confinement, three of 
 them were sent to the work-house. His debt was 
 for rent, 61. ^s. ; Costs of prosecution, 5/. 11a". 6d.\ 
 Levy-pence 195. 8d ; and bringing to gaol, 5^. So 
 that the expence exceeded the debt by eleven shil- 
 lings and two-pence ! Such cases cannot be known 
 to Earl Berkeley, who I understand seldom, if ever, 
 visits the town. 
 
 This is the only gaol remaining in the respecta- 
 ble County of Gloucester, that, for construction 
 and polity, is not worthy of imitation ; and 1 have 
 hopes that, through the humane exertions of the 
 great presiding genius of reform here. Sir George 
 Paul, the dreary abode in question will ere long be 
 abolished. 
 
 No court-yard. No water, but what is brought 
 by the gaoler. 
 
 Neither the Act for the preservation of Health, 
 nor the salutary clauses against the use of Spiritu- 
 ous Liquors, are here hung up. The whole prison 
 very dirty. 
 
 ST, PETER'S; see York,
 
 480 ACCOUNT or prisons foA debtors 
 
 SALISBUKY; JViltshire. 
 
 County GaoL 
 
 Gaoler, John Willis. 
 
 Salary, 150^.; and for turnkeys, 50^- 
 Fees, \l. the first action ; 105. for every other j 
 and \s. to the turnkey for every action: 
 (No table.) Besides which, the Under- 
 sheriff demands 6s. 8d. for his liberate! 
 Garnish, 25, master's-side ; and Is. the com- 
 mon-side. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Harrison. 
 
 Dutv, Prayers and a Sermon every Sunday, 
 Salary, 50/. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. i^/^/icr. Salary, 21^. 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1800, Junegth, - 17 I 1803, Oct. 26th, - lO 
 
 1802, Jan. 1st - 12 I 1806, Oct. 6'th, - 14 
 
 1807, Sept. 25th, 14. 
 
 Allowance. Formerly none; but in 1804 the 
 Mao-istrates humanely allowed the common- 
 side debtors if lb. of bread per day ; and at 
 Easter Sessions 1 807 increased their allowance 
 to 1| lb. It is sent in loaves from the 
 baker's, and I found them full weight. 
 
 RE-
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 481 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The prison in this city, called Fisherton Anger 
 Gaol (from the name of the parish in which it 
 stands) near a fine stream, is also one of the County- 
 Bridewells. On the outer ^ate, towards the street, 
 is painted " Prai/ remember the Poor Debtors' Box.'' 
 
 The debtors' court-yard, which is separated from 
 that of the felons by a double iron palisade, placed 
 at such a distance as to prevent their conversing 
 with each otiier, is sufficiently large to admit of the 
 debtors' playing at tennis, fives, &c. There is no 
 day-room either for them or felons ; but two might 
 be very conveniently made, where the cart-house 
 and stables now stand. 
 
 For master's-side debtors there are four rooms in 
 the keeper's house ; one of which, 17 feet square, 
 has a fire-place in it, and four beds, at 2s. 6d. per 
 week : two sleep in a bed. If any debtor has a 
 room and bed to himself, he pays 5.9. per week. 
 Common-side debtors have only one room to eat and 
 sleep in, size 20 feet by l6\ formerly without bed* 
 ding, or even straw : but in 1 8 04 the County hu- 
 manely allowed a straw in canvas bed, and two blan- 
 kets to every poor debtor, gratis. There is a Jire- 
 place, but no ^firing allowed; the room was ex- 
 tremely dirty, not having been white-washed many 
 years. Over this are two rooms (to which tlie 
 
 H H ascent
 
 4S2 ACCOUNT OF rillbONS FOR debtohs 
 
 ascent is by a stone staircase from the court-yard) 
 set apart for intirmaries : These also have fire-places, 
 but were equally dirty, and filled with lumber : in 
 the smaller room women-debtors are confined. At 
 my vis^t in 180/ I found this room clean, and a 
 woman in it. 
 
 Twenty pounds a year of the Chaplain's salary 
 are paid by Lortl JFeipnoiith, as the bequest of Tho- 
 maa Thymic, Esq. who bound for the payment the 
 manor of Wrobly and Ross, in the County of Here- 
 ford. The bequest was recognized by iiis Lordship 
 in a deed of settlement, dated 2d November 1709.^ 
 The Bishop of Salisbury sends every Christmas 40^. 
 worth of meat, and 203. worth of bread. Lord 
 Pembrohc pays a legacy of 5/. a year, out of the 
 manor of Swallow Cliff in this County; part to the 
 chaplain himself ; viz. a guinea for a hat; the re- 
 mainder to be by him distributed amongst every de- 
 scription of prisoners. One pound fifteen shillings, 
 being the interest of 50/. left by Mr. Smith of Salis- 
 bury, is likewise divided amongst them, in meat 
 purchased by the keeper. No memorial of any le- 
 gacy hung up in the gaol. Every Christmas one of 
 the turnkeys goes through the city and adjacent 
 parts with a box : the collection, when I was here 
 in 1802, amounted to 9L i8a\ 4d. which is laid out 
 by the keeper (as he informed me) in purchasing 
 meat for tlie felons. 
 
 Any
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 483 
 
 Any debtor refusing to attend chapel is locked up 
 durins divine service : And it is the custom here 
 to lock every debtor in his room from two till four 
 on a Sunday, that the turnkey may go to church. 
 
 The chapel, on the debtor s side of the prison, 
 has a pew for the gaoler, but no gallery : the felons 
 sit on one side, the debtors on the other ; and the 
 women in the middle ; in sight of, and almost close 
 to, each other. 
 
 I could obtain no accounts of the several monies 
 arising from donations since my visit in l802. The 
 Gaoler said they were lost or destroyed. From the 
 only book extant, I copied as follows : 
 
 " I. s. d. 
 
 31st Dec. 1806. Balance due to the prisoners, 18 8f 
 1807. Collected by the turnkey's 
 
 box, - - - - 10 8 
 Rev.Dr.Ekins, Deanof Sarum, 110 
 
 A Lady unknown, - - 1 1 
 
 Interest of Mrs. Smith's legacy, 1 15 
 
 Grand Jury Lent Assize, - 1 13 6 
 Mr. Beeby, expences of a 
 
 prosecution, - - 1 1 
 
 John Paul Paul, Esq. High 
 
 Sheriff 1S0(5, - - 5 5 
 
 May 7th, Members for the Count}^, 
 
 5l. 5s, ditto for City, 51. 5^. 10 10 O 
 
 Grand Jury Summer Assize, 15 6 
 
 £. 52 8i 
 ii H 2 There
 
 484 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 There does not a})pear to be any examination 
 made either into receipts or disbursements in thia 
 Gaol : the whole seems to rest with the Keeper. 
 
 I cannot close this account without a few remarks 
 on the Felons' Gaol. Their cells are very damp ; 
 the lobbieS) or passages, only 3 feet wide. Young 
 beginners and old offenders, vagrants and faulty 
 apprentices, are alike confined here, and let out for 
 air only one hour in the day. 1 happened to be 
 there during that hour in January 1802: it was a 
 heavy fall of snow, sleet, and rain, and most ex- 
 tremely cold ; yet the prisoners, (17 felons and 7 for 
 misdemeanors,) rushed out into the midst of it, 
 eagerly gasping for a mouthful of fresh air. Some 
 of them were cruelly ironed with fetters called bolts 
 and sheers : With the former the prisoner cannot 
 move either foot four inches before the other ; but 
 the latter having a joint in the middle, the prisoner 
 can walk with difficulty, though his feet are kept 
 both night andday thirteen inches asunder. 
 
 This wretched gaol is now (1807) presented: the 
 County intend to build a new one ; and it is to be 
 hoped that Ruler and Orders will be not only esta- 
 blished, but enforced.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 48 S 
 
 SCARBOROUGH; rorkshir^. 
 Town Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, Mary Grant. 
 Salary, 20/. 
 
 Chaplain, none ; nor any religious attentioiL<; 
 whatever. 
 
 Surgeon, none. When one is wanted, he is paid 
 by the town. 
 
 Numberof Debtors, 1802, Aug. 28th, - 2. 
 
 Allowance, none, except certificated i|s paupers ; 
 and then, the same as the poor of their re- 
 spective parishes. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol is over the Newborough Gate, at the 
 entrance into the town. The apartments below are 
 occupied by washerwomen, employed by the gen- 
 try visiting this place, and the small court-yard is 
 used to dry clothes in ; so that the debtors have no 
 use of it. The only place they have to walk in is a 
 lobby, about 9 yards long, and 4 feet wide. 
 
 Debtors have four well-ventilated and airy sleep- 
 ing-rooms, to three of which the keeper furni-iies a 
 bed, at ^d. per night each : the fourth is for those 
 who find their own bed, and pay 6d, a week. No 
 
 water
 
 4^6 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 water accessible to the prisoners, nor any to the gaol, 
 but what is bought. The Felons' prison is upon the 
 ground-floor, on the other side the gateway, and con- 
 sists of four cells, about g feet square and 7 feet high : 
 two of these are dungeons, four steps below the 
 ground, with straw on plank bedsteads, very damp 
 and dirty, but whitewashed while I was there. The 
 iron-grating of the farthest dungeon is just over an 
 open and very offensive drain. A small court for the 
 felons might be made from the waste ground ad- 
 joining : and the common sewers being arched over 
 would make this part of the prison more healthy. 
 
 I copied the following Rules and Orders, which 
 
 were hung up in the gaol ; viz. 
 
 General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, held in and 
 for the Borough of Scarbro' and Liberties thereof, in 
 the Common Hull of the said Borougli, on Tuesday 3d 
 April, in the 6th year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord 
 George 11. and so forth. 
 
 Gaoler's Fees 
 J Settled in pursuance of the late Act of Parliament : 
 
 s. d. 
 For the discharge of every debtor, for the first action, 5 4 
 And for every other action - - - -10 
 
 To the Turnkey, for the first action, is. and for 
 
 every other action, 6d. - - - ~ i e 
 For the discharge of every person from the Session, 
 
 6^. BrI. and to the Turnkey, Is. - - 7 8 
 
 For the first week's diet of all the prisoners, - 7 
 
 Anc!
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WAL^S. '4^7 
 
 And for all further time 3s. Gd. a week, or as tl e prisoner 
 and gaoler can agree : but the gaoler is to permit the pri- 
 soner to provide his own meat after tiie first week, if ho 
 pleases. For lodging, if the gaoler find bed, bedding, 
 and sheets, for the" first night 6d. and for every other 
 niglit 3^/. If two in a bed, 2d. each : and every prisoner 
 shall have the liberty of finding the same, if he think 
 proper. The gaoler shall have the liberty, if he see oc- 
 casion, to have two beds in each room, but no more. 
 Every prisoner committed from the bar by the IJailiHs 
 shall pay the gaoler 5s. and the turnkey Is. Every person 
 committed on suspicion of felony, or misdemeanour, 5s. 
 and to the turnkey Is. For allowing every supersedeas, 
 in every action, 6s. Sd. For allowing every writ of IIaf>eas 
 Corpus^ besides conduct-money to be paid and allowed 
 according to the distance from the said gaol to the place 
 where the body is to be removed, C)S. 8 J. 
 
 Perused, examined, and allowed by us, Ihnrij Coitcrill^ 
 and William Batty, esrjrs. Bailiffs oi Scarbro'. 
 
 The Clauses against Spirituous Liquors were 
 hung up, and underneath them was written : 
 
 " Ordered, \>s the Bailiffs, that the gaoler do provide 
 fresh water for the prisoners every morning, and that the 
 same be placed in such convenient part of the oaol as 
 the prisoners may have access to. That such of the pri- 
 soners as are unable to work, or cannot find emplovment, 
 and have no other means of subsistence, shall, on appli- 
 cation to the magistrates, he supplied with provision from 
 the poor-house. 
 
 John Traxis, Town Clerk.'"
 
 4S8 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 SHEFFIELD; Vorkshire. 
 
 Gaoler, Godfrei/ Fox. Salary, none. 
 
 Fees, in the High Court, for commitment, and 
 turnkey, l/. 5.s\ In the Low Court, 6d, 
 
 Garnish, 2^. 6d, for High Court debtors ; Low 
 Court debtors \s. 2d. This is expended 
 in coals, candles, and soap, for their mu- 
 tual benefit. 
 
 Chaplain, none; nor any religious attention paid 
 to the prisoners. 
 
 Surgeon. Mr. Moorhome attends the sick in 
 prison, as surgeon for the overseers of the 
 poor, from whom he has a salary. 
 
 Number of Debtors, High Court. Low Court. 
 
 1801, Nov. 14th, - - 4. - - - 14. 
 
 1802, Aug. 14th, - - 5. - - - 17. 
 1805, Mar. 30th, - - 7. - - - 15. 
 
 Allowance. None, but casual relief from the 
 overseers of the poor to tliose who cannot 
 work ; in which case the High-Court debtors 
 have 35. and Low-Court 2s. jKr week. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This gaol, for the liberty of Hallamshire, is the 
 property of the Duke of Norfolk, Chief Bail iff of that 
 
 liberty,
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 489 
 
 liberty, and lord oftlie manor of Sheffield : It is for 
 debtors only, and those of two descriptions, commonly 
 called the High Court and Low Court prisoners. 
 
 The High Court prisoners are detained for debts 
 above ten pounds, by process from the courts at 
 Westminster, directed to the chief bailiff of the li- 
 berty of Hallamshire, &c. ; and are entitled to the 
 same legal privileges as the prisoners in York Castle. 
 They have a day-room, about five yards square, which 
 has two windows that look into the street : and four 
 rooms up-stairs, two for men, and one for women 
 to sleep in : the fourth is a work-shop. The keeper 
 furnishes beds at lO^d, per week each ; and two sleep 
 in a bed. 
 
 The Low Court prisoners are detained for debts 
 under 40s. by virtue of a process from the court- 
 baron of the manor of Sheffield, held under a par- 
 ticular act of parliament obtained for that purpose, 
 directing that three months' imprisonment shall dis- 
 charge the prisoner from debt and costs, if the same 
 be not sooner paid or satisfied. They have two 
 rooms, about 5 yards by 4 each, with fire-places : 
 the iron-grated windows look into the court. In 
 these they work and sleep, which makes them filthy 
 beyond description : and four rooms were lately added 
 at the top of the house, one of which is for the 
 women at night. Prisoners find their own straw 
 and firing. The court- yard has a damp earth fxcor, 
 
 and
 
 4<)(\ ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DKBTORS 
 
 and is 36 feet by IS. It is the only one, aiul here 
 llie sexes associate together. At my visit on Sunday, 
 15th Aivust 1S02, the Low Court prisonei-s were 
 busy sifting cinders in it ; the ashes of which they 
 sell for three shillings per load. There were then 
 about two cartloads, which were to be fetclicdaway 
 next day. On conversing w ith the civil and eoni- 
 niunicative Gaoler, I found tltat their debts were fre- 
 quently for the non-payment of alchoiise-scores ; 
 and this I have observed to be the case in most large 
 manufacturing towns, where idleness and drunken- 
 ness prevail. It would operate a good effect, if, in 
 liills for the recovery of small debts, there were 
 a clause to proJiibif arrests for those contracted in 
 puhltc-liouses. The actions entered in Sheffield 
 Court every three weeks are on an average three 
 hundred ! and, the gaol being small, it frequently 
 happens that there are more warrants against the 
 persons of defendants than can be executed between 
 
 court-day and court-day. 
 
 Here is no difference in the length of time of 
 
 commitment between one penny damages and 39*-. 
 
 1 id. ; to either of which the costs are always added, 
 
 and are of the same amount ; viz. ll. 3*. 6rf. on 
 
 trial, and 17.?. 6d. on enquiry. 
 
 Water is accessible to all during the day, and to 
 
 fill their pitchers at night.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 49 1 
 
 SHEFFIELD Town Gaol. 
 
 Tlie Lobbies under the Town-hall. 
 
 Three dark cells, which open into a narrow pas- 
 sage, the largest eight feet square, and six feet 
 high. Each door has an aperture of six inches 
 diameter. Plank bedsteads with straw. An offen- 
 sive sewer in the corner of each cell. When the 
 quarter-sessions are held at this town, offenders are 
 locked up a night or two in this prison. I went 
 into it (though in day-time) with a lighted candle. 
 
 Prisoners, 14th August, 1802, none. 
 
 SHEFFIELD GAOL, 
 
 for the Manor of Eccleshall, 
 the property of Earl Fitzwilliam, built 1/22. 
 Gaoler, IFilUam Needham. Salary, none. 
 
 Fees, on discharge, 6d. ■ Garnish, 1*. 2d. 
 Allowance and Regulations, the same as for the 
 Low Court debtors in the town. 
 
 A court, 18 yards by 15, with a pump : a day- 
 room, about 14 yards square, in which debtors work ; 
 and two lodging-rooms, 6 yards by 3, with two large 
 glazed windows. The rooms are partitioned off, to 
 receive six debtors, singly, who find their own beds. 
 The average number of prisoners here is five: There 
 were none at my visit in August 1802.
 
 492 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 SHREWSBURY, Shropshire, 
 County Gaol, 
 
 Gaoler, Richard Cartwright. 
 
 Salary, 300/. for gaol and bridewell. 
 
 Fees, as per Table : But the Under-sheriff de- 
 mands a fee of 7*. 6d. upon discharge of a 
 common writ ; and from those under execu- 
 tion 15. in the pound, if less than lOO/. if 
 above lOO/. then 6d. in the pound. 
 
 Garnish. Abolished. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. ^. G. Roivlaiid. Salary, 70/. 
 Duty. Prayers on Thursday, and Sermon on 
 Sundays, Good Friday, and Christmas-day. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. IVilliam Thomas. 
 Salary, 50/. for debtors and felons. 
 
 /^ 1 800, May 2dy - 2$ 
 Number of Debtors, < 1802, Nov. 3d, - 12 
 
 1 1803, Sept. nth, - 11 
 
 Allowance. Debtors, 1 lb. 8 oz. of wheaten bread, 
 made by the female convicts, and baked in 
 the gaol. When wheat is at 1 Is. the strike 
 (or bushel), a loaf of 1 lb. 8 oz. costs two- 
 pence half-penny. 
 
 RE-
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 493 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This gaol, which is likewise the house of correc- 
 tion, is near the castle, and was first inhabited 1753. 
 The boundary-wall encloses two acres of ground, 
 and is 16 fq.et high. The entrance in front, is called 
 the Porter s Lodge, and over the gate is a bust of 
 Mr. Howard. In the door are two apertures to re- 
 ceive donations, iHZ. " To Debtors, in a state of In- 
 dustry," and " To Prisoners in a state of Reforma- 
 tion." The ground-floor, on the left, has the Turn- 
 key's apartments, and his sleeping-rooms are above. 
 On the right hand is the Lazaretto, a hot and cold 
 bath, with an oven to fumigate and purify prisoners* 
 clothes, which are taken from them on admission, 
 and the gaol uniform put on. 
 
 Up-stairs are two reception-rooms, a room for the 
 irons, and a sitting-room (with a fire-place) for the 
 Clergyman, where he performs his last oflfices to 
 persons under sentence of death, who suffer on the 
 flat roof above. 
 
 The court fronting the Keeper's house is about 20 
 yards square, and the inner Turnkey's lodge adjoins. 
 MasterVside debtors have a court-yard 36 feet 
 square, a day-room 14 feet by 12, and eleven sleep- 
 ing-rooms with boarded floors. They sleep single, 
 and pay 4s. per week for County furniture ; but if 
 they find their own beds, 2s. per week. 
 
 Common-
 
 494 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 Common-side debtors have a court-yard 70 feet by 
 39, and a day-room 20 feet by 14, fourteen sleeping- 
 cells 7 feet by G, with arched roofs and boarded floors; 
 to whichtheCounty allows a bedstead, a hair mattress, 
 a pair of sheets, one blanket, and a rug in Summer, 
 and two blankets in Winter. No firing allowed, 
 except the debtor is very poor ; but in severe 
 weather they have frequently coals given them, the 
 cost of which is only 7^/. per hundred weight. 
 
 Table of Fees, 
 
 to be paid by the Debtors 
 
 in Shrewshiry County Gaol. 
 
 s. d. 
 
 ** For entering every action whereon each prisoner 
 is brought into custody, either by Process, Capias, 
 Latitat, or Execution, - - - 
 
 For discharging every action upon Process, Capias, 
 
 Latitat, or Execution, - - - 2 6 
 
 For Certificate of the want of a declaration, &c. 
 
 in order to sue out a writ of supersedeas, - 2 6 
 N. B. The following sums to be paid by persons 
 delivering the declaration, or demanding the 
 warrant respective)}. 
 
 To the Turnkey, for receiving and entering every 
 
 declaration against a prisoner in custody, - 10 
 
 For each of the three first causes against a prisoner, 1 O 
 
 And for every other, - - - 4 
 
 Attending every prisoner to give bail, special bail, 
 habeas corpus, or other necessary attendance 
 
 out
 
 IX ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 4^5 
 
 •cut of the gaol, as directed by the statute, per 
 mile, - - - - _ I 
 
 And no greater or other fee shall be tnkcn by 
 the governor from or on account of any prisoner. " 
 
 Tile name of every prisoner who does not attend 
 Divine Service is inserted in a book kept for that pur- 
 pose. A manufacturer is employed by the Count}-, 
 witli a salary of 40/. per annum, who furnishes work, 
 and deducts one-third of the prisoners' earnings, 
 which is j3aid to the County-treasurer : but, if tl)e 
 Debtor can have the i»eans of labour brought to him 
 from without the prison, he receives the whole of 
 his earnings. Female debtors have a court-yard, and 
 eight sleeping-rooms, and are under the same regu- 
 lations as the men. 
 
 Here is a detached Infirmary, with separate 
 courts, two day-rooms, and four sleeping-rooms, for 
 male and female sick prisoners, where extra food and 
 wine are provided by direction of the surgeon. Th ere 
 are no sleeping-cells on the ground-floor. 
 
 The Chapel is in the centre of tlie buiUhng. 
 The 8e^^eral classes enter at difierent doors, and are 
 separated by partitions. Debtors are in the gallery^ 
 
 All the cells are well ventilated, and divided by 
 passages 6 feet wide. The whole jjrison is amply 
 supplied with spring water from a pump, and with 
 river water thrown by a forcing engine into a large 
 reservoir at tlie top. There are several work-rooms, 
 
 for
 
 4^6 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 for men and for women, with store-house, store-rooms, 
 bake-house, bread-room, and wash-house. Awatch- 
 man with his dog, goes round the prison, and cries 
 the hour. 
 
 There is a committee-room for the Visit- 
 ino" Magistrates, who are appointed at the Sessions. 
 The Act for Preservation of Health, and Clauses 
 against Spirituous Liquors, are conspicuously hung up. 
 
 The w^iole prison is very clean, and has excellent 
 Kules and Orders for its good government ; some 
 of which, however, do not appear to have been yet 
 put in execution. For instance, I never heard of 
 any School within the prison, nor of any prisoners* 
 being instructed by a School-master there. 
 
 When I attended divine service in September 1 803, 
 all the prisoners were present ; their behaviour silent, 
 and they were attentive to a very impressive dis- 
 course. 
 
 The employment here consists in making shoes, 
 slippers, gloves, and bottle -stands. There are 
 looms likewise for weavers, and the iron machinery 
 for a corn-mill ; but, for want of a pair of mill'* 
 stones, it is useless.
 
 1^' ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES* 497 
 
 SOUTHAMPTON; IhmpsJi'ire. 
 
 Gaoler, Jeffery Truss ; Serjeant at Mace. 
 Salary, none. 
 
 Fees, entrance 4^. discharge 20^. fifst action ; 
 1 0*. the second, and every other action ; 
 and 2s. to the Turnkey. No table* 
 
 - Surgeon, when wanted, sent by the Mayor, 
 
 /-1802, March 19th, - 4 
 Number of Debtors, <[ 1S03, Oct. 23d, - 1 
 
 L1807, Sept. 22d, - 1 
 
 Allowance. Six pence a day to paupers ; and a 
 bushel of coals per week, for the whole prison. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol, for debtors only, is a part of the old 
 tower, at the lower end of the town. Here is a small 
 court^yard, 46 feet by 3^, well supplied with water, 
 not paved, and ducks, fowls, &c. are kept in it. 
 Two rooms with glazed windows and fire-places, 16 
 feet by 12 each, to which the Corporation allows a 
 wood bedstead, woollen mattress, two blankets, and 
 a rug. A room at the top of the tower is furnished 
 by the Keeper at 2s. Qd. per week. Act and Clauses 
 not hung up.
 
 49^ ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBT0lt3 
 
 STAFFORD. 
 
 Gaoler, John Harris. Salary, 200^. 
 Fees ; see Table. 
 Garnish, abolished. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Henri/ Ratlibone. 
 
 Salary, 30/. 
 
 Duty, Prayers every Wednesday ; and a Ser- 
 mon every Sunday, Christmas-day, and 
 Good Friday. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Hughes, Salary, 42/. 
 
 ^1800, Nov. 19th, - 
 Number of Debtors, <J 1802, Nov. 1st, - - 
 
 1 1805, Oct. 30th, - - 
 
 1800, Nov. 19th, - 18 
 20 
 20 
 
 Allowance. To debtors vi'ho are poor, and have 
 no work, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 
 4 lbs. of potatoes. Tuesday, 2 lbs. of bread 
 and I lb. of cheese. Thursday 2 lbs. of bread. 
 
 ^ Saturday 3 lbs. of bread, and | lb. of cheese* 
 Sunday, meat and vegetables. N. B. Debtors 
 who receive the Sixpences from their plaiiv- 
 tiffsj have no County Allowance. 
 
 RE-
 
 IN ENGLANii, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 4<)9 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This prison is surrounded by a boundary-wall, 
 inclosing three acres of ground. In tlie centre (de- 
 tached by a neat garden, of 30 yards by I4) is the 
 gaoler's house, through the hall of which lies the pas- 
 sage to every part of the prison. On the ground floor 
 is the Visiting- Magistrates' Room, the (laoler's par- 
 lour and office, and a sniall room, used by the debtors 
 to see their families and friends, no one being permit • 
 ted to go into their day-room, or court-yard. Behind 
 the keeper s house is the inner court, 6'5 feet by 40, 
 which leads to the men debtors' day or mess-room, 30 
 feet by 26, fitted up with two lire-places, coppers, &c. 
 for the purposes of frugal cookery ; and on each side 
 are eight small work-rooms, and two narrow spaces, 
 or slips, where the relations and friends of the pri- 
 soners are allowed to see them at stated times. 
 
 Men debtors have a spacious court, 56 yards by 
 50, the greater part of which they are allowed to 
 cultivate for their own use, and there are arcades for 
 their accommodation in wet weather. Near this are 
 fifty sleeping-cells, each 9 feet by 8 feet 6, with 
 arched roofs, well ventilated, and divided by pas- 
 sages, or lobbies, 6' feet wide. 1 o each cell there is an 
 iron bedstead, a straw mat, three blankets, and a 
 coverlet, allowed by the County. 
 
 Female debtors have a separate court, 30 yards by 
 6, a day-room 24 feet by 15, and over it a sleeping- 
 
 II 2 room,
 
 500 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS iOR DEBTORS 
 
 room, of the same size. I'hey have the same allow- 
 ance of bedclins as the men, but their bedsteads are 
 wood, nith sacking bottoms. 
 
 On the first story is a neat chapel, properly pewed 
 off, to separate the sexes and the classes. 
 
 In the keeper's house, on the second story, are 
 two large rooms set apart for the sick. 
 
 Tliere are about three acres of ground belonging 
 to the gaol without the walls, which is cultivated 
 with vegetables, for the use of the prison, by those 
 who are sent to the House of Correction. Many 
 jjarts of this gaol are very damp : the considerate 
 Map-istrates humanely allow to the men debtors' day- 
 room 2 cwt. of coals 'pQv week, from the 1st -Octo- 
 ber to the 1st Ajiril, anfl 1 cwt. fer week the re- 
 mainder of the year : but, if the number of debtors 
 exceed 20, they are allowed the above quantities to 
 each fire-place in the room. Female debtors have 
 1 cwt. 'per week throughout the year. 
 
 Table of Fees. 
 
 c£. s. d. 
 For entering the action \vlierein each prisoner is 
 
 brought into cnstocly on any Writ or Process, 10 6 
 For every second, or other action, - -060 
 Jor the certificate of a declaration not having 
 been delivered, in order to sue out a writ of 
 Supersedeas, -__ _ _ 06S 
 
 The above demandable of the prisoner. 
 
 For
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 501 
 
 !i^. S. cl. 
 
 For receiving and entering every declaration 
 
 against a prisoner in custod}', - - 2 
 
 For each copy of a warrant against a prisoner, li 4 
 
 These to be paid by the persons deUvering the de- 
 claration, or demanding a copy of the warrant. 
 
 For attending upon every prisoner to give bail, 
 or special bail, or on a Habeas Corpus, or on 
 any other necessary occasion, outof the gaol, 
 as directed by the statute, per mile, - - 1 
 
 No greater or other fee shall be takeji by the keeper of 
 the gaol. And all fees hitherto demandable by him 
 from the county, shall totally cease and determine. 
 
 AH the said fees (except for the keepers attendance out 
 of the gaol), when paid by any prisoner to the keeper, 
 shall be accounted for by him to the public fund, in aid 
 of the debtor's maintenance. 
 
 Every prisoner, who, during his confinement, shall have 
 duly submitted to tiie regulations, and -who has not 
 been guilty of swearing, drunkenness, or other dis- 
 orderly conduct, shall receive a certificate of good 
 behaviour from a visiting Justice, or from the Chaplain 
 and Governor ; which shall be a discharge of all fees 
 payable to the keeper cr gaoler. 
 
 Table of Charges for Lodging, Bedding, &c. 
 
 £. s. d. 
 Every person confined in the Sheriff's Ward, 
 
 finding his own bedding, per week, - - I 
 • Everyperson,withbeddingallowedbythe County, 2 6 
 
 Every person occupying a room ui the keeper s 
 
 house, shall pay /Jer week, - - - 2 6 
 If with bedding furnished by the keeper, -040 
 
 " The
 
 502 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 " The foregoing Rules and Regulations, for the 
 " government of the New Gaol for the County of 
 " Stafford, were approved and confirmed ; and the 
 " Chairman was requested to lay the same before 
 " the Judges at the next assize. 
 
 J. Sparrow, Chairman."* 
 Stafford, 14 March, 1793. 
 
 Allowed, J. Wilson, 
 N. Grose." 
 
 The following Order was made and confirmed : 
 - " That debtors shall be permitted to send for, or 
 '^ have brought to them, at seasonable hours, any ' 
 "victuals or clothing;- but, in respect to liquor, 
 *' no prisoners shall be allowed either to send for or 
 ** to drink more than one pint of wine, or one quart 
 ^" of beer, in one day, or twenty-four hours: And 
 ^' if any prisoner shall be detected in making use of 
 ** the name of any other prisoner, for the purpose of 
 " obtaining any greater quantity of wine, or beer, 
 " the prisoner consenting to lend his name, and the 
 ** prisoner using it, shall be incapable of receiving 
 *' a certificate of good behaviour ; and the gaoler 
 *' shall be required to remove them into the Sherifi"'s 
 "or common ward." 
 Stafford, 1st August, 170S, Allowed b}/ us, 
 
 Kenyon, 
 N, Grose." 
 The
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALLS. 5O3 
 
 The Rules and Orders (which are excellent) di- 
 rect that a Journal shall be kept by the Chaplain and 
 Surgeon, stating the times of their attendance, and 
 observations ; and books are provided tor that pur- 
 pose : But, I was sorry to observe a total neglect of 
 attention to this very important branch of duty, no 
 such entries having been made in the books for ten 
 years past. 
 
 It appears, that on the lltli of October, I79C1, 
 there was a balance of l/l/- ^dS- remaining in the 
 hands of the County Treasurer, out of a sum which 
 had been subscribed for the benefit of the unfortu- 
 nate prisoners, at the time a fever raged in the old 
 gaol : on which day Mr. Wright, the late County 
 Treasurer, bought 300/. 3 per cent. Consola, 
 in the name of Mr. Hinckley, the Clerk of the 
 Peace. The dividends thereon have been regularly 
 received, and applied to the use of th^ prisoners, 
 under the direction of the visiting Magistrates. 
 
 The Act for Presei-i'ation of Health, and 
 Clauses against Spirituous Liquors, are conspi- 
 cuously hung up. So small a portion of the court- 
 yards is paved, as to prevent this gaol from being 
 kept properly clean.
 
 ;04 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTOR* 
 
 SURRY COUNTY GAOL ; Borough, 
 
 Gaoler^ James Ives, 
 
 Salary, 300/. ; and if the Debtors' fees should 
 not amount to an additional lOOl. per ammm, 
 the County to make up the deficiency. Also 
 for the Bridewell, 50^. 
 
 Fees ; see Table. Garnish, abolished. 
 
 Chajjlain, Rev. IVilliam Mann. 
 
 Duty, every Sunday, Tuesday, and lliursday. 
 Salary, 50/. ; and as Secretary to the Visiting 
 Committee, 30/. 
 
 Surgeons, Messrs. Samnarez and Dixon. 
 
 Salary, 75^' ^or prisoners of every description 
 in the gaol and house of correction ; and 5/. 
 for travelling charges, to report, at the Quar- 
 ter Sessions, the state of the prisoners. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1800, April 15th, - 46 
 
 1801, June iGth, - 51 
 180;2, Dec. 28th, - 52 
 1803, Nov. 13th, - 62 
 
 1804, Jan. 7th, - 44 
 
 1805, Jan. 28th, - 32 
 
 1806, May 27th, - 49 
 
 1807, Oct, 2d, - - 38 
 
 Allowance. One pound of bread per day, to 
 Common^side debtors only. Master's side 
 debtors have no allowance whatever, 
 
 RE-
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 5O5 
 
 REMARKS, 
 
 This noble building does honour to the County of 
 Surry. It is situate in an open and airy part of 
 Horsemonger-lane, in the Borough of Southwark. 
 The boundary-wall encloses about three acres of 
 ground : The Sessions-house adjoins it, to which 
 there is a communication from the prison, and a 
 housekeeper appointed to keep it clean, with a sa- 
 lary, and apartments for her use. 
 
 The Gaol, which is likewise the County Bridewell, 
 was first inhabited the 3d of August 179S, and has 
 in front the Turnkey's Lodge, on the ground-floor 
 of which is a day-room ; another room with a cold 
 bath ; and a third is the wash-house, with an oven, 
 &c. Over these are four rooms, 18 feet by 15, for 
 the turnkeys to sleep in ; and at the top of all is a 
 spacious lead-flat, where criminals are executed. 
 After passing through the lodge, an avenue paved 
 with Yorkshire-stone leads on to the keeper's house, 
 which is in the centre of the prison, and from which 
 the several court-yards are inspected. 
 
 For master's-side debtors there is a court-3'ard 
 paved with flag-stones, 75 feet by 30, enclosed by 
 handsome iron-palisades, so that a thorough air is 
 admitted : and arcades, paved in the same manner, 
 31 feet by 26, under which to walk in wet weather. 
 Close to these is a day-room, 2] feet by 20, with a 
 
 flre-^
 
 50^ ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 fire-place ; and they have Hkewise sixteen sleeping- 
 rooms, each 14 feet 6 inches by 9 feet 3, with an 
 iron-^ated and glazed window. For these they pay 
 as per '1 able here subjoined, which I found printed, 
 and properly put up on the master s side, for general 
 inspection. 
 
 Common-side debtors have also a court-yard with 
 arcades, a day-room, and twelve sleeping-rooms, 
 the same as those on the masters-side : but they 
 sleep in hammocks, and find their own bedding. 
 
 Women debtors have a court about 20 feet square, 
 a day-room l8 feet square, and four sleeping-rooms, 
 oi the same size as the men's ; to which they also find 
 their own bedding, and pay nothing. 
 
 Pumps are fixed in all the Courts : Thames-water 
 is laid on ; and at the top of the four corners of the 
 oaol is a reservoir, each containing about 800 gallons 
 of water, supplied from a well by a forcing pump. 
 There are four spacious airy rooms, each 25 feet by 
 iG, set apart as infirmaries, fitted up with flock-beds, 
 blankets, pillows, and rugs ; and adjoining to them 
 are court-yards, 30 feet square, for convalescents to- 
 walk in. Also two rooms for the nurses ; another 
 for the surgeon ; and a fourth with a warm- bath. 
 
 'llie Chapel is a very neat building, where pri- 
 soners are seated in tlieir difierent classes ; and all 
 are rec(uired to attend divine service who receive the 
 
 ( ounty allowance. 
 
 The
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALKS, 507 
 
 The lobbies are well ventilated, 6 feet 3 inches 
 wide. Rules and Orders excellent. The Magistrates 
 visit in rotation, and enter their remarks in a book. 
 The Act for Preservation of Health, and the Clauses 
 agj^inst Spirituous Liquors, conspicuously hung up. 
 The whole prison is remarkably clean. 
 
 '* Legacies and Donations to the Common-side 
 Debtors of the County Gaol, Surry, formerly 
 called '^ White Lion Prison." 
 
 ^ s. d. 
 Gift of the Archbishop of Canterbury, to be 
 
 applied for every Christmas, - - - 1 
 Thomas Dawson, a legacy every Christmas, 
 
 paid by the Churchwardens of St. Ethelburga, 9 
 Arthur Mouse, ditto, ditto, paid by the 
 
 Fishmongerb' Company, - - - 13 4 
 
 Joan Hackett, ditto, ditto, paid by ditto, 3 4 
 John Stokes, ditto, in bread, yearly, paid by the 
 
 Drapers' Company, between All Saints and 
 
 Christmas, - - - - - -050 
 
 Richard Jacobs, ditto, every Easter, payable 
 
 formerly at the Grange-Inn, near Lincohi's- 
 
 Inn, but now (1807) by jNIrs. Ann Starling, 
 
 Long-yard, White-Conduit Street, - -200 
 Margaret Dane, ditto, 5th of November, four 
 
 stone three quarters of beef, and two dozen of 
 
 bread. 
 The parish of Allhallows, every two years, at 
 
 Christmas, one hundred weight of beef. 
 The Leathersellers' Company, every quarter, 5si 
 
 in bread, and 2s. in money, 
 
 Eleanor
 
 50 8 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 Eleanor G-.vyn's Jegacy, sixty-five penny loaves 
 every eight weeks, sent from the Chamber- 
 lain s Office. 
 
 Table of Fees, payable to the Gaoler by the Debtors, 
 
 £. s. d. 
 For the discharge of every prisoner for debt, - 10 10 
 For his conduct warrant on attending prisoners 
 
 on returns of Habeas Corpus - - 10 6 
 
 For attending with prisoners b}' Rule of Court, 
 
 &c. to be bailed, or receive judgment - 10 6 
 For the use of bed, bedding, and sheets, for 
 
 every debtor on the master's side of the prison, 
 
 for the first night, 006 
 
 For every night after the first, - - - 3 
 For a room, bed and bedding, pi:r week, - 3 6 
 
 I beg leave here to pay my acknowledgments to 
 
 the Right Honourable Lord I^slie, Sir Thomas Tur- 
 
 ton, Bart. M. P. for the Borough, and the Visiting 
 
 Magistrates, who did my worthy friend Dr. Lettsom 
 
 and myself the honour to accompany us over every 
 
 part of this excellently well-regulated gaol. Its 
 
 cleanliness and good oi'der I have noticed in the 
 
 first and second editions of this work ; and to 
 
 these, probably, may be ascribed its healthiness: 
 
 twelve persons, only, having died by illness since it 
 
 was first inhabited in August 17^8, although 
 
 the average number of prisoners in it lias heeu 
 
 annually, from 1^0 to 200.
 
 In ENGLAI^D, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 50fl 
 
 TOTHILL FIELDS; Westminster. 
 
 Gaoler, Henrij BothweU. 
 
 Salary, 400/. if room-rent, bedding, and fees 
 amount to that sum ; otherwise the County 
 makes up the difference. 
 Fees, felons, 5 a*. 2d. Garnish, Is. 2d. 
 Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Bennett. Salary, 20/. 
 
 Duty, Sunday, Prayers and Sermon. 
 Surgeon, Mr. Henhury ; Salary, 30/. 
 
 Number of Debtors committed from the Courts of 
 Conscience in nine years. 
 
 1798. Sixty-two. 
 
 1799. Fifty-six. 
 
 1800. Sixty-one. 
 
 1801. Seventy-two. 
 
 1802. Forty- three. 
 
 1803. Fifty-five. 
 
 1804. Fifty-eight. 
 
 1805. Thirty-seven. 
 1806. Sixty-nine. 
 
 Allowance, to debtors none: to criminals one 
 pound of bread per day. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 Over the gate is this Inscription : 
 
 *^ There are several sorts of Work for the poor of 
 " this Parish of St. Margaret's, Westminster, as 
 •"^ also the County, according to Law : and for such, 
 " as will beg, and live idle, in this City and Liberty 
 *' of Westminster. Anno 1655." 
 
 At the entrance, on the left hand, is a room, in 
 which are deposited the bonnets and other articles 
 
 of
 
 510 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTOltS 
 
 of clothing, taken from the women prisoners at theif 
 coming in. 
 
 The room over the gateway is called Newgate- 
 ward, and contains five beds, for the use of which 
 each prisoner pays 6d. a night : two sleep in a bed; 
 If a prisoner has a bed to himself, he pays 1.9. 
 ver night. The turnkey's sleeping-room adjoins. 
 
 Almost the whole area of this prison is engrossed 
 by the Keeper s melon and cucumber garden ; and 
 on the sides of it are four narrow court-yards. The 
 first of these, for Felons, has a day-room, with a 
 fire-place; and two rooms, which are free wards, 
 with barrack-beds, and one or two blankets each> 
 as the weather is mild or severe. The doors open 
 into the court-yard, and the iron-grated \f indows 
 are not glazed. 
 
 The second, called the Sick Court, is very small : 
 the door of the men's infirmary opens into it : the 
 room is about 20 feet by 11, and 6 feet 8 inches 
 high, with a fire-place, and two iron-grated win- 
 dows not glazed ; barrack-beds, straw-mattress, and 
 two or three blankets each. The sick must sufter a 
 continual disturbance in this miserable room. 
 
 The third court is for Vagrants, and has a day- 
 room and two sleeping-rooms on the gi-ound-floor ; 
 one of which is about 25 feet by 12, and the other 
 1 8 feet by 1 2. Both have barrack-beds, and in the 
 winter, blankets are allowed. 
 
 The
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 511 
 
 The fourth court fs for men debtors, and ihosxj 
 ■who are committed for 'assaults or bastardy. Tliree 
 sleeping rooms open into this court, which 3ircjree 
 wards, with barrack-beds, loose straw, and a blan- 
 ket each : those who can afford to jjay Gd. a ni^^ht 
 for a bed, sleep in a part of the gaol, called the Old 
 Bridewell ; in which there are two rooms, with three 
 beds each. 
 
 Women debtors have the narrow passage which 
 leads to the keeper's house to walk in ; which being 
 separated from the felons' court by a low paling only, 
 they can at all times converse with them ; and at 
 my visit (llth April 1805) the two debtors were in 
 the felons' court. They have a small day-room, 
 with a fire-place : those who cannot afford to pay 
 for a bed, sleep in the solitary cells, and a blanket 
 is allowed to each. 
 
 For faulty apprentices there are four solitary cells 
 on the ground-fioor, about 9 feet 7 by 6' feet Q, and 
 6 feet y inches high : the upper and lower door-pan- 
 nels are iron-latticed, and open into a lobby paved 
 with flagstones, about 3 feet 1 1 inches wide, which 
 separates them from the other parts of the prison. 
 Above these are four other cells, with iron-e:rated 
 windows and wooden blinds, to prevent their looking 
 into the courts. A blanket is allowed to each prisoner. 
 Here is plenty of water at all times, and the whole 
 prison is washed twice a week : mops, brooms, 
 pails, &c. being allowed by the considerate Magistrates. 
 
 AYomen
 
 5 12 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 Women have a comfortable room up-stairs, with a 
 fire-place and two glazed windows, at the North East 
 corner, set apart for an Infirmary; with barrack-beds^ 
 straw mattress, and two or three blankets each : and 
 adjoining are two sleeping-rooms, with glazed win- 
 dows and two beds each, at Ss. 6d. per week. 
 
 The Chaplain's access to his desk is from the top 
 of the staircase ; and he has a full view of the two 
 rooms where men and women assemble at divine 
 service. A better chapel is much wanted. 
 
 The old Gate-house, Westminster, (a prison, the 
 property of the T3ean and Chapter,) having been 
 taken down, another prison is erected in Tothill- 
 fields, joining to the Bridewell, first inhabited in 
 1789. It is now entirely aj)propriated to the wo- 
 men, and has two spacious airy courts, about 19 
 yards by 14 each, and three rooms for dressing pro- 
 visions, &c. about 1 ') feet by 10. To these courts 
 there are four/ree tvards, near 20 feet square, with 
 barrack-beds ; and one blanket each is allowed du- 
 ring the winter. Seven chaldrons and a half of coals 
 are allowed to both prisons; besides which coals 
 have occasionally been sent by the Dean and Chap- 
 ter, from a legacy of Mrs. Letltia Cormvallis. Her 
 will bears date 13th December I731, and through 
 the politeness of Mr, Gel), I was favoured with the 
 following extract. 

 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 513 
 
 *' 1797, June 9th. Kcccn-ed at the Bank eight lialf- 
 ycars dividends of 5/. is. id. each, ending 5th Jan. 1797 
 on 358/. 1 5s. 3d. three per Cent. Cotisvls, being the produce 
 of the legacy of iOO/. given by the will of Letitia Corn- 
 M'alJis, spinster, dated 13th December 1731, the interest 
 Avhereof to be for ever apphed, on tlie 7th of November 
 either in discharge of, or for other relief of such poor 
 prisoners in the Gatehouse-prison, Westminster, as the 
 Dean of Westminster for the time being shall think fit. 
 Which said sum of 358/. 15^. 3d. was transferred by the 
 Accountant General of the High Court of Chancery (by 
 order of the said court) to the Dean of St. Peter's, West- 
 minster, and the Chapter of the same Church, who, by 
 deed-poll, under their common seal, dated 25th January 
 1786, acknowledged to have accepted the said stock, in 
 trust for the purposes mentioned in the said will ; which 
 said sum of 358/. 155. 3d. standing in the transfer books 
 under the title of the Dean of St. Peter's, Westminster, &c. 
 and under the letter P. occasioned divers searches, before 
 the same was found : And therefore, in order to prevent 
 the like trouble in future, it was transferred, on the 2d of 
 June 1797, by Anthony Gell, Esq. the present Receiver, 
 by power of Attorney from the present Dean and Chapter 
 of Westminster, from and out of the name of the Dean of 
 St. Peter's, Westminster, into the name of the Dean of 
 the Collegiate Church of St. Peter, Westminster, and the 
 Chapter of the same Church." 
 
 " 1804, July 20th. Received half year's dividend on 
 458/. 1 5s. 3d. one hundred pounds stock having been 
 bought 22d January 1804." 
 
 It is ill contemplation to enlarge the Bridewell 
 from some waste ground adjoining: But I would 
 submit to the magistrates, if it might not be better 
 to build a new one, so, as that the keeper's house 
 may have a command of the different courts, &c. 
 
 Kk
 
 514 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 WARWICK, 
 
 County GaoL 
 
 Gaoler, Henri/ Tatnall. 
 Salary, 300/. 
 Fees. See Table. 
 Garnish. Abolished. 
 
 Chaplain. Rev. Hugh Laugharne. 
 Duty, Sunday and Wednesday. 
 Salary, 50/. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Birch. 
 
 Salary, 20/. for Gaol and Bridewell. 
 
 /-ISOO, April 6th, - 32 
 Number of Debtors, } l802, Jan. 28th, - I9 
 
 L1803, Aug. 20th, - 15 
 
 Allovvanre. One pound and a half of bread per 
 day. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 At the entrance is the turnkey's lodge, the room 
 over which, denominated the " Dead Room," is so 
 culled from the executions which take place out of 
 it. A small court-yard fronts the gaolers house, 
 which is nearly in the centre of the building. 
 
 Master's-
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 51^ 
 
 Masters-side debtors have a court-yard 82 feft 
 by 3/ ; a day-room 20 feet by l6'; and nine lodjj- 
 ing-rooms about 10 feet square, for wliich they pay 
 as per Table. Above stairs are fifteen rooms, of 
 about the same size, which open into passages only 
 three feet wide. 
 
 Common-side debtors have a court S2 feet by 37; 
 a day-room about 14 feet square, and up-stairs 
 three sleeping-rooms, furnished with chaff-beds, 
 for which they pay nothing. Women debtors have 
 two rooms, each \6 feet by 14. 
 
 Table of Fees, 
 
 As settled by his Majesty's Justices of the Peace, at the 
 General Quarter Sessions held at Warwick, the 30th 
 
 day of July, 1759. 
 
 s. d. 
 Every prisoner that lies on the keeper's side, if he 
 
 has a bed to hintiself, pays by the veek - 2 6 
 
 Those prisoners on the keeper's side, who have a 
 
 bed between two, pay each by the week - 16 
 For entering every action against each prisoner 3 
 
 For discharging every action against each prisoner 10 G 
 To the Under-sheriff for every discharge - - 4 
 For receiving and entering every declaration - 1 
 For a copy of each warrant against each prisoner 1 
 For every certificate of the cause of a prisoner's 
 being detained in prison, in order for being dis- 
 charged - - - 3 
 
 F.Stratfcrd. M. Wise. Wm. Huddesford, J. Bird. C.JSean. 
 
 K K 2 W<i,
 
 5 If) ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 We, the Judges of Assize for the County of Warwick, 
 have reviewed, and do hereby confirm, the above 
 Table of Fees, Given under our hands this 24th day 
 of August, 1759. 
 
 T. Parker. 
 
 Ja. Hewitt. 
 
 Tlie chapel is so partitioned off, that the sexes are 
 out of sight of each other ; and all the prisoners at- 
 tended divine service u^hen I was there (21st August 
 I8O3). Under the chapel are two work-rooms, in 
 one of which the men weave, and eight looms were 
 employed : in the other, the women spin, and mend 
 and wash for the men prisoners. Here is a warm 
 and cold bath. 
 
 Formerly, the debtors, in common, received 30^. 
 a year, the rent of a house in the town ; and from 
 another legacy eight three-penny loaves twice in 
 every month. No memorial of either is hung up in 
 the gaol ; and I learnt that the legacy of 30a'. per 
 annum has been discontinued many years. 
 
 The following donations at Christmas I copied 
 from the gaoler s book : 1798, in money 28/. besides 
 meat and coals. 1799, 26/. 1800, 261. 1801, 
 24/. 1802, 25/. 
 
 Tlie Act for the preservation of Health, and 
 Clauses against Spirituous Liquors, are conspicuously 
 hung up ; and the whole prison is very clean.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 51/ 
 
 WELLINGTON ; Shropshire. 
 
 Gaoler, Edward Tonge, a Sheriff's Oificer. 
 Salary, none. 
 Fees, 7*. 6d. 
 
 Allowance, none whatever. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The prison is in a very dilapidated state, and 
 filthy in the extreme. There are five rooms in 
 the Keeper's house, three of which are totally 
 dark : The gaoler, paying window-tax, has stopped 
 them up. 
 
 No court-yard ; no water ; no sewer ; no Table of 
 Fees. The Act for preserving Health, and Clauses, 
 not hung up. Seven years since the gaol was white- 
 washed. The straw allowed for bedding was worn 
 to dust upon the floor. 
 
 Debtors from the Hundred of Bradford are 
 brought here. The gaoler told me that two prisoners 
 had been released from hence by the Insolvent 
 Act, after a confinement, in such a placCj for two 
 years ! 
 
 1802, November 4th. No prisoners.
 
 5l8 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 WHITECHAPEL; London. 
 
 Gaoler, John Simpson, Sherif!''s Officer. 
 
 Salary, none. Pays 15/, rent, with window- 
 tax, and all other taxes. 
 
 Fees, 8^. \d. Garnish abolished. 
 Chaplain, or Surgeon, none. 
 
 Number of Debtors committed from the Baron- 
 Court, in four years. 
 
 1803, 
 1804, 
 
 Eight 
 Eleven 
 
 1805, " 
 
 180?, 
 
 - Eleven 
 Seventeen. 
 
 Allowance, 
 
 none whatever. 
 
 • 
 
 
 REMi^ 
 
 lRKS. 
 
 
 This is a prison of the Baron Court, for the 
 Liberties and Manors of Stepney and Hackney, and 
 is private property. It consists of four rooms front- 
 ing the high-road, two on each story, of about fif- 
 teen feet by thirteen, and eight feet high. Every 
 debtor who sleeps in any of these rooms, pays to the 
 keeper for the use of a bed, one shilling the first 
 night, and sixpence per night afterwards. The 
 court-yard is 40 feet by 20, in which is the men's 
 day- room, of 12 feet by 10. From the court is an 
 ascent by a wooden staircase to a gallery ; in which 
 are two sleeping-rooms, and the women's day-room, 
 of equal size with that below. These latter are 
 free wards. 
 
 In
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 5 19 
 
 In this prison are contiiied those whose debts are 
 43hove two pounds, and not exceeding Jive pounds. 
 
 By statute of 21 Geo. III. intituled " An Actl'or 
 *' diminisliinj]j the Fees payable, and alterini; tlje 
 " Mode of proceeding, in the Court of Record within 
 *' the Manors of Stepney and Hackney," &c. iin- 
 })risonment is tixed for a time, not exceeding one 
 week for every pound of the total debt and costs : 
 by which salutary statute no prisoner can be con- 
 fined here for more than five weeks. Ilie court is 
 held every Thursday ; and a regular general court 
 once in six weeks. 
 
 §3-- The very excellent mode of adjusting the 
 duration of custody, and diminution of debt, in this 
 gaol, is worthy the attention of considerate Ma<;is- 
 trates, and particularly of those in ugnciiltural 
 counties ; where a debtor is frequently committed 
 at the commencement of the Hay or Corn Harvest : 
 By which means the country is denied his labours, 
 when most essentially requisite, and husbandmen, 
 in too manv instances, are forced to pay exorbitant 
 wages for getting in the produce of their lands. 
 Nor is this the only grievance. It too frequently 
 happens that the fannly of the debtor, during his 
 confinement, mus-t inevitably tall as a burden upon 
 their parish; and thus an increase of the Poor's 
 Rate is occasioned, which it is matter of surprize 
 should have so long been suffered to escape the vigi- 
 Jance of the Magistracy.
 
 520 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 WINCHESTER ; Hampshire. 
 Coutity Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, John JVhite. 
 
 Salary, 200/. and two guineas a year for keep- 
 ing a check-account of bread delivered. 
 
 Fees. See Table: Besides which the Under- 
 SherifF demands 6s. Sd. and oie shil/hig to 
 his Clerk, for his liberate ! 
 
 Garnish, abolished. 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. Nic/iolas Pf^estcomh. 
 
 Duty. Prayers and Sermon f)n Sunday; and 
 
 Prayers on Wednesday and Friday. 
 Salary, 70/. for Gaol and Bridewell. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Giles Lyford, 
 
 Salary, lOO/. for Felons, poor Debtors, and 
 Bridewell prisoners. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1800, March 30th, 1.9 
 
 1801, Jan. 10th, - 42 
 
 1802, Jan. 3d, - 26 
 
 1802, March 29th, 23 
 1S03, Oct. 24th, - 18 
 1807, Sept. 23d, - 23 
 
 Allowance. Master s-side Debtors, none. Tiiose 
 on the Common-side have each 17 ounces 
 of Bread per day, in loaves ; which, though 
 two days old, I found to be full weight : also 
 a pound of Mutton each on every Sunday. 
 
 RE-
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALLS. jJl 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 To prevent encroachments by the coirstruction of 
 other buildings, the ground purchased by the county 
 extends about twelve feet beyond that which is oc- 
 cupied by the gaol. The prison is enclosed on three 
 sides by a low fence wall, ten feet high ; in the cen- 
 tre of which, on the East, or principal front, is the 
 entrance. This is rendered very conspicuous by a 
 noble and spacious gate, of the Tuscan order, con- 
 structed from a design of Vignola at tlie Farnese 
 Gardens' gate, or entrance into the Campo Vslc- 
 cini ; and adorned with rustick columns and pilas- 
 ters, supporting a handsome entablature. 
 
 On a Tablet over the entrance is the followinf 
 Inscription : 
 
 " This County Ga^^l 
 was erected in the Forty-fifth Year of the RcUni of 
 
 His Majesty, King George the Thikd, 
 , and in the Year of our Lord, MDCCCV. 
 
 MoNEYHENNY, Architect." 
 
 At sixty feet distance on each side of the gate, 
 are rustic piers, connected with the gate bv an 
 iron railing. The principal front of this buildinc is 
 220 feet in length, and is designed to form three 
 advanced structures. The chief entrance is in tb.e 
 middle structure ; and on each side are the publick 
 
 entrances
 
 5?2 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS TOR DEBTORS 
 
 entrances to the Turnkey's rooms and the court- 
 yard adjoining. 
 
 The spaces between the advanced structures are 
 ornamented with niches, finished in a style of 
 chaste simpUcity, and the angles are embossed with 
 rustic quoins. The parts of which all are composed, 
 are large, few in number, and of a bold relief, cha- 
 racteristic of the purpose of the building. 
 
 Over the niches are moulded square compart- 
 ments, which give a simple and easy relief to the 
 space between the crowning of the niches and the 
 beautiful Doric cornice ; which is a grand and strik- 
 ino" object, imitated from the theatre of Marcellus 
 at Rome, excepting in the dentil band, which here 
 remains uncut, and the soffit of the corona is di- 
 vested of its ornaments* 
 
 The keeper s house, a large and convenient dwel- 
 ling, is in the centre of the building ; and affords 
 from each floor an entire communication, by ar- 
 cades, all round the prison, without the necessity 
 of passing the courts. These arcades are likewivse 
 very commodious for the debtors ; giving them an 
 easy and open avenue to their apartments, and a 
 great accommodation for walking and exercise in 
 bad weather. 
 
 The ascent to the floors of these arcades, which 
 B.y'i paved with flag-stones, is by stone staircases, 
 cnarded by iron- railing. Over each arcade, on the 
 
 master-
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 523 
 
 master-debtors' side, are six sleeping-rooms, iG ieet 
 square, and nearly 1 1 feet liigh ; and a kitclien or 
 mess-room 24 feet by 22, with a large fire-place, 
 dining table, shelves, and cupboards for provisions. 
 They have also two rooms on the ground floor, of 
 the same size ; one of which is a day-room, and 
 the other for the debtor to see his friends in. The 
 bed-rooms are furnished with a wood lath bedstead, 
 straw mattress, feather-bed, blanket, sheets, and 
 rug, at 2s. 6d. each per week. 
 
 The court for common-side debtors is separated 
 from that of the master's side by iron-railing, and 
 of equal size, viz. 84 feet by 74. They have like- 
 wise three floors of arcades, that lead to their sleep- 
 ing-rooms ; three of which are on the ground-floor ; 
 three on the first-story, with a mess-room, the same 
 as on the master's side ; and three on the attic-story, 
 with an infirmary. To these sleeping-rooms, which 
 are similar to those on the master s side, the county 
 allows a straw-in-sacking-bed, a blanket, and cover- 
 let gratis. 
 
 In the women-debtors' court, which is 80 feet by 
 
 35, and situated on the South side of the prison, 
 are four spacious rooms, of like construction with 
 those for the other debtors. One of these rooms is 
 furnished by the keeper, at 2*. 6d.per week ; and the 
 others have a straw-in-sacking bed, blanket, and 
 coverlet, at the County's expence. Every room has 
 
 a Bath-
 
 524 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 a Bath-stove grate, an iron shovel and poker, and u 
 coal-box, to hold two bushels : the recess on each 
 side the chimney has a shelf 18 inches wide, for 
 placing their provisions, &c. x\ll the debtors' rooms 
 are boarded, with each a sash window, 5 feet 6 by 
 3 feet 6, and a grated unglazed aperture over the 
 door, 3 feet by 1 8 inches. This court has no ar- 
 cades: a door out of it communicates with the 
 chapel. 
 
 Here is a reservoir, filled by an hydraulic pump, 
 from a well of fine water adjoining ; which being 
 judiciously placed in the centre of the men debtors' 
 court*', is both convenient and ornamental, forming 
 an elegant arcade beneath the cistern. Within this 
 arcade are placed two large stone troughs, with 
 each a pipe and cock, so that the debtors may en- 
 joy all the use of a constant supply of water under 
 cover from the reservoir. Pipes are also laid on to 
 the keeper's house, and to the court assigned for 
 women debtors. 
 
 The various sewers are placed at the end of the 
 several wings of the Prison, on the outside of the 
 staircases, the vaults of which are Go feet deep. 
 There are also pens adjoining the sewers, for 
 ashes, &c. forming together little buildings, equally 
 useful and ornamental. 
 
 The court-yards here are so extensive and open, 
 that the paving of them entirely with flag stone 
 
 was
 
 In ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. f,25 
 
 was thought unnecessar}^ ; yet, in order tliat prison- 
 ers may enjoy the free use of them, spacious foot- 
 paths of stone are laid out in various directions, and 
 the intermediate parts are covered with fine gravel. 
 
 It is to be regretted, that when this addition was 
 made to the prison, a new Chapel also was not built. 
 The present old one is 28 feet by 25, and 12 feet 
 high ; therefore low and inconvenient. And al- 
 though tlie sexes are separated in the area of the 
 building^, thev sit on benches, or forms, ver\' near 
 to, and in full view of each other. 
 
 Debtors have the option of attending Dlvhw Ser- 
 vice : but, if they neglect, are locked up in their 
 rooms till it is over. The Rev. Jo/m Lee, a Romish 
 Priest, gratuitously attends those prisoners who are 
 of the same persuasion. 
 
 Underneath the Chapel is a large store-room, in 
 which are deposited the fuel, &c. granted for the 
 use of the prisoners. 
 
 The day-rooms have coals allowed, with kettles 
 and other utensils for cooking. Common-side debt- 
 ors have about forty bushels of coals for Winter 
 consumption. 
 
 Within the Gaol is hung up an Account of Fees, 
 which, after a recital of the preamble of the statute 
 enjoining it, is as follows : , 
 
 Table
 
 526 account of prisons for debtors 
 
 Table of Fees 
 for Debtors in the County Gaol of Winchester. 
 
 /. s. d, 
 ** At the Entrance of every Debtor, for cleans- 
 ing the Gaol, and tiiitling Candle, and other 
 necessaries, - - - 4 
 
 ** Of every Debtor for each^^'eek's Lodging in 
 
 the Gaoler's Bed, on the Master's Side - 2 6 
 ** For each Debtor discharged, to the Gaoler 10 
 *' Of him, for the Second and every other 
 
 Action, - - - - 10 
 
 ** To the Turnkey, at the Discharge of every 
 
 Debtor, - - - - 2 
 
 " To him, of such Debtor, for the Second and 
 
 every other Action, - - -010 
 
 ** For Copy of every Warrant for a Debtor 10 
 *' Certificate, to obtain a Supersedeas - 3 4." 
 
 Hants, Lent Assizes, March 2d, I790. 
 
 " We have reviewed, and do confirm this Table 
 of Fees. 
 
 T. C. Shirley. B. Hotham. 
 
 J. Harrington. R. Perryn. 
 
 T. Hall. 
 
 DuRNFORD, Clerk of the Peace." 
 
 No employment has hitherto been provided by 
 the county : but such prisoners as are of handicraft 
 
 trades
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND "WALES. * 527 
 
 trades are permitted to procure work from without, 
 and have the whole of their earninf;s. 
 
 Saint Cross's Hospital Bread, called the Dole, is 
 a small loaf, given to each of the prisoners at six 
 times in the year : viz. Easter Eve, Whitsun Eve, 
 May the 3d, August the 10th, Oct. the 31st, and 
 Christmas Eve. Upon sending thither the number 
 of prisoners in custody, on each of those days, the 
 same number of loaves is put by, and they arc sent 
 for the day following. 
 
 The prisoners are obliged to wash their hands 
 and face every morning : they have clean linen once 
 a week, and are shaved twice weekly. 
 
 Mops, brooms, brushes, soap, and all other re- 
 quisites for prison cleanliness, are provided for the 
 whole gaol by the considerate Magistrates ; and 
 every prisoner must sweep his room, and wash it 
 daily in Summer, and weekly in Winter. 
 
 Here is no gaol uniform provided ; but if a 
 prisoner be ragged or filth)^, he is furnished with 
 suitable clothing. A large tub is provided as a bath. 
 
 No Rules and Orders. The Act for Preservation 
 of Health, and Clauses against Spirituous Liquors, 
 are conspicuously fixed up. 
 
 @3=» All prisoners are prudently discharged in a 
 morning, and have money given them according to 
 the distance from home. 
 
 The
 
 0^8 ACCOtJNT OF PRISON'S FOR DEBTORS 
 
 The vvortliv keeper is humane, intelhgent, and 
 attentive ; and the prison remarkably clean. 
 
 Through the exertions of that active and excel- 
 lent Magistrate, Sir Henry St. John Mildmay *, 
 Hart. M. P. for the County, a fund has been esta- 
 blished here, for the relief of those poor debtors, 
 who are unable to sue for their sixpences, superse- 
 deas, &c. and likewise for giving them the pecu- 
 niary assistance before-mentioned, to enable them 
 to return to their respective homes. 
 
 If similar Institutions were set on foot throughout 
 England and Wales, it would be productive of great 
 advantage to the helpless prisoner, both whilst under 
 durance, and at his enlargement : in Wales particu- 
 larly, where many poor debtors are confined for 
 three or four pounds, and the expence of suing for 
 their aliment is neater than the original debt. 
 
 1 
 
 * My worthy friend, and able coadjutor in an examination 
 into, and report of the state of Convicts in Portsmouth and 
 I.angblon Harbours, drawn up i6th March, 1802 ; and to whom 
 it will give great pleasure to be informed, that since the new 
 systcni has been adopted, the Convicts are in every respect more 
 healtliy and comfortable.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. j2d 
 
 WINCHESTER. 
 
 Clfi/ Gaol and BrideivelL 
 
 Gaoler, filliiam Forster. 
 Salary, none. 
 Fees : No Table yet settled by the Corporation. 
 
 No Chaplain, nor Surgeon. 
 
 Number of Prisoners. , 
 
 1 802, March 19th, Debtors Felons, &c. 2. 
 
 1S03, Oct. 24th, - * 1. 
 
 1807, Sept. 23d, - O - 1. 
 
 Allowance, to debtors, none. To felons, &c. a 
 quart loaf o^ bread every other day ; which, 
 in 1802, weighed two pounds four ounces. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This prison is a neat brick building, erected in 
 1800, during the Mayoralty of t/o^ejo/i Barkei\ Esq. 
 Debtors arrested on process issuing out of the 
 Borough Court may be here confined for any sums 
 great or small ; but at my several visits I have not 
 found any in custody. 
 
 A court-yard, paved with flag-stone, of about 20 
 feet by I4, and two rooms about I3 feet square and 
 9 feet high, were at first set apart for debtors. 
 
 h L They
 
 530 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 They are now, however, chiefly appropriated, the 
 one to petty ofl'enders, and the other to female cri- 
 minals, or deserters. 
 
 The felons have also two rooms on the opposite 
 side of the building, and below stairs, opening into 
 their two paved court-}ards, and of the same di- 
 mensions as those before mentioned. The four 
 rooms, which have all of them boarded floors, with 
 glazed windows and fire-places, are ventilated by 
 iron gratings over each door, and a small aperture 
 in the doors, of 9 inches by 7 : and to each room 
 the city allows a straw-in-sacking bed, without bed- 
 stead, a bolster, blanket, and rug. A bushel of 
 coals also j?er week, is granted in Winter for the 
 common uce of all. 
 
 At my visit in l802, there being only one fire 
 allowed, the two prisoners, a man and a woman, 
 were locked up together during the day-time. 
 
 No employment. No Rules and Orders. The 
 Act for Preservation of Health, and Clauses against 
 . Spirituous Liquors not hung up. 
 
 The court-yards well suppligii with water, and the 
 prison very clean.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. S3X 
 
 WORCESTER CASTLE Coiinti/ Gaol. 
 
 Caoler, IFilUam Davis. 
 
 Salary, 200/. for Gaol, and Bridewell which 
 
 adjoins. 
 Fees, as joer Table : Besides which the Under- 
 sheriff* demands 35. 6d. for his liberate ! 
 
 Chaplain, Rev. JVilUam Faulkner. 
 
 Duty, Prayers Wednesday and Friday ; and 
 Prayers and Sermon every Sunday, Christ- 
 mas-day, and Good Friday. 
 
 Salary, 40/. 
 
 Surgeon. Mr. Rai/ment, for felons only. 
 Salary, 20l, and paid for medicines. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1800, May 1st, ' 
 
 - 10 
 
 I8O3, Aug. 26th, 
 
 - S 
 
 1802, Nov. 7th, 
 
 - 12 
 
 1806, Sept. 10th, 
 
 - 14 
 
 Allowance, none : But, in ISOG, the considerate 
 Maoistrates ordered an allowance to every 
 poor debtor having no property, and the bill 
 to be brought in every (Quarter Sessions. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The Castle-yard \?> spacious: the county members 
 are chosen in it : but the wood and iron work of 
 the entrance gates are so much decayed, as to render 
 
 L L 2 the
 
 0$2 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 the court very insecure and unsafe. The debtors* 
 side of the prison is separated from that of the crimi- 
 nals by a brick-wall, and divided into two classes, 
 luz. the musters ward and the common ward. The 
 ample court-yard allotted for the use of both, is one 
 hundred and eleven feet by sixtv-five. Master s side 
 debtors have a day-room, sil feet by 13 feet 3 inches : 
 they pay 2^. 6d. per week for a single bed ; if two 
 sleep together 1^. Gd. each ; and there are eleven 
 good lodging-rooms in the gaoler's house. Common- 
 side debtors have a free ward, 18 feet by 17, to 
 which the County allows straw, but no bedding nor 
 fa*l. Tlie cooking-room, which is common to both, 
 is 19 feet square. Here is no distinct or separate 
 apartment for male and female debtors ; they are 
 confined tooether in one common ward. Those fe- 
 males who can afford to pay for a bed, sleep in the 
 gaolers house. The poor debtors complained griev- 
 ously that, as they had no allowance, and were both 
 able and willing to work, there should be no attention 
 paid to the means ojindustrij: tliat they had no place 
 or room to work in ; (but which the compassionate 
 gaoler told me he should find no difficulty to pro- 
 cure in this manufacturing city ;) adding, that they 
 were often poor and pennyless, in a miserable state, 
 bordering even on starvation ; and that many must 
 have perished from want, had they not been relieved 
 by casual charity. This shews how full of empha- 
 
 tical
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. r\;^^ 
 
 tical meaning is that malediction of a severe creditor, 
 who pronounces it as his debtor's doom, " to starve 
 and rot In gaol T There are (very improperly) two 
 windows in this ward, through which the dei)t()rs 
 may converse with the felons, or even assist them 
 with tools to effect their escape, as practised at 
 York, &c. and which the utmost attention of the 
 keeper cannot prevent. 
 
 The Chapel is between the Bridewell and the 
 Gaol. The debtors' attendance on divine service is 
 optional; and at my visit, in l802, only three of 
 them, out of 12, were at chapel : but all the felons 
 and other criminal prisoners were there, and their 
 behaviour was orderly and attentive. 
 
 The sick ward of the malejelons is in the debtors' 
 court ; and as it consists of two rooms, which commu- 
 nicate with each other, the males and females are 
 obliged to be put therein, because the other ward 
 intended for sick females is both very remote from 
 the house, and an insecure place of confinement. 
 There is also but one privy for the sick debtors, to 
 which the male and female felons, whatever may be 
 their disease, resort. 
 
 " Table of Fees. 
 
 I. s. d. 
 
 *' For entering the action wherein a prisoner is 
 
 brought into custody on any writ or pvoccis 6 8 
 For entering every sccojkI or other action - 3 4 
 
 Tor
 
 534 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 For the certificate of a declaration not having 
 been delivered, in order to sue out a writ of 
 Supersedeas - - - - 3 4 
 
 The above are demandable of the prisoner. 
 
 For receiving and entering every declaration 
 
 against a prisoner in custody - - 3 4 
 
 For each copy of a warrant against a prisoner 3 4 
 
 These to be paid by persons delivering the 
 
 declarations, or demanding the copy of the 
 
 warrant. 
 
 Tor attending upon every prisoner to give bail, 
 or special bail, or on an Habeas Corpus, or 
 on any other necessary occasion out of the 
 Gaol, as directed by the statute, per mile - 1 
 
 Charges for Lodging, Bedding, &c. 
 
 Every person confined in the Sheriff's Ward, 
 
 finding his own beddmg, for a M^eek, - 10 
 Every person who is found lodging and a bed, 
 
 bedding and sheets, for a week - 2 6 
 
 If two persons in one bed, each for a week ] 6 
 
 Signing every certificate - - 10 
 
 Copy of every Habeas Corpus, and return thereof 5 0" 
 
 The gaolers house, which forms a considerable 
 part of the prison, is not only insecure for custody, 
 but in a very dilapidated and uncomfortable state to 
 reside in. Under all these circumstances, however, 
 it is fortunate for the prisoners, that their keeper is 
 a man of benevolence and humanity, and accommo- 
 dates them as well as he can.
 
 WORCESTER CITY Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, James Griffiths. 
 
 Salary, 50/. He is likewise the parish clerk, 
 and clerk to the House of Industry. 
 
 Fees, debtors, Os- 2d. The Under-sheriff 
 
 demands 2s. 6d. for his liberate t 
 Garnish^ abolished. 
 
 Chaplain. Rev. Mr. Faulkner. 
 
 Duty, Prayers every Friday morning. 
 Salary, 10 1. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Rayment. 
 Salary, 61. 6s. 
 
 Number of Debtors, 
 
 1800, May 1st, - - - 8 
 1802, Nov. Sth, - - 2 
 
 1803, Aug. 26th, - - 9 
 1806, Sept. 10th, - -4 
 
 Allowance. None; except to pauj^ers; then 
 three pence a day, the same as felons. 
 
 ^3^ No person arrested by a writ issued out of 
 the Court of Pleas of the City of Worcester 
 has ever been able to derive any advantage 
 under the Lords' Act, for procuring the six- 
 pences. 
 
 RE-
 
 536- ACGOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This Gaol, situate in Fryer Str^t, is also the 
 City Bridewell. Debtors have a court about l8 
 yards square, with a day-room 14 feet square ; and 
 there are five rooms on the Master s side, to which 
 the Keeper furnishes beds, at 3^. per week, if single ; 
 if two sleep together, 2^. per week each. 
 
 One large room, which serves as a chapel, is the 
 debtors' free ward ; to which the City allows straw 
 and a rug each. 
 
 Criminal prisoners have a small court-yard, a day- 
 room, and a sleeping-room, on the ground-floor ; to 
 which straw and two rugs for each are allowed. 
 
 Bridewell-prisoners have a small day-room up- 
 stairs, and a large sleeping-room, separated off for 
 men and women. 
 
 The prison is well supplied with water. No room 
 set apart for £n Infirmary. The prisoners procure 
 work for themselves, and have all they earn. 
 
 Neither the Act for the Preservation of Health, 
 nor the Clauses against Spirituous Liquor?, are 
 hung up.
 
 IN-ENGLANDy SGOTLANDy AND AVALES. 537 
 
 YARMOUTH ; Norfolk, 
 
 Town Gaol. 
 » 
 
 Gaoler, Thomas King, Sabry, 40/. 
 
 Fees, 6s, 8d. 
 
 Garnish, 15. 
 
 Chaplain, none : nor any religious attentions. 
 
 Surgeon, Mr. Bateman ; or whoever attends the 
 poor. 
 Salary, none ; he makes a bill. 
 
 1802, Feb. l6th, - - 2 
 
 3 
 
 Number of Debtors, \ ' o i ' 
 
 l 1805, Sept. 9th, - - ^ 
 
 Allowance. One pound of bread per day each 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 Here is only one court-yard, 30 feet 6 inches by 
 19 feet 6y for all descriptions of prisoners : it has a 
 passage 18 feet long and 4 feet wide, which leads to 
 the pump and sewer. 
 
 The Masters-side debtors have 4 rooms above stairs, 
 to which the keeper furnishes beds at 2*. 4d. and 
 35. 6d. per week, and 4d. per week to the turnhey. 
 Common-side debtors have a free-ward, to which 
 the Corporation furnishes straw-in-sacking-beds, two 
 blankets, a pillow, and a rug. Here is a common 
 day-room, lOf feet by 9, to which a peck of coals y^er 
 
 day
 
 538 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTOR5 
 
 flay is allowed throughout the year. Mops, brooms, 
 pails, &c. are supplied, to keep the prison clean ; oil 
 for the lamp, and saucepans, kettles, gridirons, &c. 
 to cook their provisions. One room is set apart for 
 the sick, 20 feet by 12, with a large iron-grated and 
 glazed window, but no fire-place ; wood bedsteads, 
 straw-in-ticking beds, two blankets, a pillow, and 
 rug. 
 
 Debtors from tlie Courts of Conscience are sent 
 here, and have the same allowance as other prisoners. 
 
 Mr. Reynolds, the Mayor of Yarmouth in 18 05, 
 generously added two shillings />er week, in money or 
 provisions, to the prisoners in common ; and he po- 
 litely accompanied me over the gaol : when I pointed 
 out to him, that by purchasing the adjoining public 
 house, the Bridewell might be consolidated ; work- 
 rooms made ; the sexes kept separate in courts dis- 
 tinct from each other, and the loathsome Cells 
 bricked up. 
 
 No Rules and Orders. Act and Clauses not hung 
 up. No employment ; though plenty might always 
 be procured, if there were work-rooms. 
 
 This prison adjoins the Toll-house Hall, where 
 prisoners are tried by the Recorder ; and the court 
 is said to have the power of life and death.
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND. AND WALF.^. 53.0 
 
 YORK CASTLE. 
 
 Gaoler, JFiUiam Staveley. Salary, 4j0/. 
 
 Fees, 12*. ; Besides wliich the Under-sheriff 
 demands, if the debtor is discharged by 
 plaintiff, 5*. Ad. if by supersedeas, 7*. 8t/. 
 Garnish. Every debtor pays a bag (containing 
 a bushel) of coals, and a bag of turf, to the 
 room which he inhabits ; also two shillings 
 to be spent amongst the other debtors. 
 Chaplains, Rev. Mr. Broicn, and Rev. Mr. Ri- 
 chardson. 
 Duty. Mr. Brown, Prayers every Monday, 
 Tuesday, and Friday ; and, in Summer, on 
 Sunday afternoon : Sacrament administered 
 three times a year ; also attends twice a day 
 persons who are left for execution. Mr. Ri- 
 chardson, Prayers and Sermon on Thursday, 
 Salarv. Mr. Brown 50/. from the County. 
 Mr. Richardson, 23/. 15*- from a legacy. 
 See Remarks. 
 Surgeons, Messrs. Champney and Brahc. 
 Salary, none : They make a bill. 
 
 ^1800, March 31st, - 72 
 Number of Debtors, ^ 1802, Jan. 28th, - - 73 
 
 ^^1802, Aug. 23d, - - Go 
 Tlie average number is from 80 to 90. 
 
 Allowance.
 
 540 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 Allowance. To debtors certified as paupers^ a 
 nine-penny loaf each on Tuesday and Friday ; 
 ^^ eight (23d August 1802) 3 lb. 10 oz. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 Within the ample area, of about four acres, that 
 surrounds this antient Castle, stands a noble Count}''- 
 Hall, in which are two courts ; one for the trial of 
 criminals, the other for Aisi Prius, or civil causes. 
 The prison for debtors is in the centre of the 
 area, to which the ascent is by a fine flight of stone- 
 steps, to a floor, on which are eight rooms, 16 feet 
 square, and 12 feet high. Above these are eleven 
 rooms for common-side debtors, which are all^ree- 
 wards, airy, and healthy ; the passages leading to 
 them spacious and lofty. The County furnishes 
 neither bedding nor straw for the debtor ; and he 
 that chooses to have a room to himself, pays for 
 the furniture, bedding, &c. three pence a day. If 
 a single bed amongst other debtors, two pence a da}'. 
 If two debtors sleep together, one penny each. 
 Their court-yard is about an acre of ground. jNIr. 
 lfafso7i, Clerk to the Justices, attends all their 
 meetings held at the castle, and regulates the weight 
 of the bread : Salary 2l/. per annum. 
 
 The County finds no employment for any ; But 
 Mr. Stavcley, the present humane Keeper, is active 
 in procuring em])loymcnt for handicrafts, such 
 
 as
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. .'',41 
 
 as taylors, shoemakers, saddlers, weavers, wool- 
 combers, &c. and those who cannot follow tlu^ir own 
 profession soon learn to make laces, garters, ])urses, 
 &c. which they expose to sale in the Castle-yard ; 
 and thus many of them comfortably maintain 
 themselves, and assist their families. As there is 
 no work-room, this manufacture (in rainy weather) 
 is carried on in the passages, or lobbies, which are 
 wide and airy. 
 
 The origin of tlie salary for prayers and a sermon 
 evfery week is interesting and exemplary. Having, 
 through the politeness of Mr. Gray, been favoured 
 with a copy of the writing of endowment, I give 
 with pleasure the following extract, viz. 
 
 " 16th January,'* [1634] " 10 Charles I. Phineas 
 Hodgson, D. D. Chancellor of the Cathedral Church of 
 York, by his deed of t'lat date, (after expressing his de- 
 sire, out of comnmeration and piti/ to the souls if such 
 prisoners as then were, or should be, in the Castle of 
 York, to provide that they, for ever afterwards, might be 
 instructed in the knowledge of God, to their eternal bliss 
 and happiness, which he hoped would be by providing 
 some godiv minister, or preacher of God's word, to preach 
 unto them in the said castle, which, by reason of their im- 
 prisonment, they leere hindered elsen'hcre to hear ; and, in 
 regard that "Richard" [Neile] " then late Archbishop of 
 York, did license, or allow, that godly preachers, for ever 
 thereafter, might be allowed to jDreach there to that pur- 
 pose, although there was no church or chapel,) Grants 
 to John Scott, D.D. the then Dean, and to George Stan/wpe, 
 D. D, and JJemy Wickham, D.D. Prebend Residentiaries 
 
 of
 
 542 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 of the cathedral of York, A yearly rent-charge of 
 THIRTY POUNDS, issuing out of a niessuage in Bempton, 
 alias Benton upon the Wouids, in the County of York, 
 and out of the Chapel and tithes of Bempton, alias Benton 
 and Newsam, (parcel of the possessions of the late monas- 
 tery of Bridlington,) and all the lands and tenements of 
 the grantor in Bempton, alias Benton and Newsam, pay- 
 able half-yearly, at Whitsuntide and Martinmas, at Hax- 
 bi/^s Tomby in the cathedral church of York (with the 
 usual clauses of nomine poeme, and distress on default of 
 payment) In trust, to pay t-ji-enty-five pounds /^fr anyium, 
 parcel of the said 30). to such minister or preacher of 
 God's word, according to tlie true religion then esta- 
 blished in the Church of England, as should be nominated 
 and appointed by the Grantor , and after his death, by the 
 Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral of York, to preach 
 li'eeklij in the Castle of York to the prisoners there for the 
 time being ; such minister preaching there once every 
 week throughout the year, except only in the assize weeks, 
 and at such times, by reason of any infection or otherwise, 
 as he shall be dispensed with by the Grantor during his 
 life, or the Dean, and Chapter after his death. And, to 
 the intent that fr^e pounds, residue of the 30l. should 
 be distributed weekly, (by two shillings a week), in bread, 
 amongst the poorer sort of the prisoners, upon the sermon 
 days, to such of them as should be present at the said 
 sermons : Hoping and desiring that some others would at- 
 tend to this pious and charitable work, and, in time, in- 
 crease the allo'dCajice and stipend ; and that the work might 
 be acceptable to God, and profitable and comfortable to 
 many distressed and poor souls." 
 
 The instrume.iT then goes on to make provision for 
 continuing and perpetuating the trust, on demise of the 
 then trustees. 
 
 The
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 543 
 
 X. s. d. 
 
 The rent-charge as within (now, 1802, paid 
 by the representatives of the late Robert 
 Burton, of Hotham, in Yorkshire, esq. as 
 owners of the estate and tithes mentioned 
 in the deed), is - - - 30 
 
 Out of which is deducted and applied 
 
 for the purposes directed by the sB. s. 
 deed, - - - 5 
 
 And for land-tax on the 25/. per ami. l 5 
 
 G 5 
 
 Clear receipt £23 15 
 
 N. B. This writing mentions that Mr. William Hart, 
 merchant at York, had formerly bequeathed 100/. to the 
 like use. Nothinir certain can be obtained concerninfr 
 this legacy ; which, {like many others I have heard of in 
 jny different visits to prisons,) is probably lost, or diverted 
 to some other purpose ; and, from the lapse of time, it is 
 not likely that any thing can now be made out. 
 
 Charitable Donations 
 to the prisoners in tlie Castle Gaol of York. 
 
 ** Lady Lumley ; to be given yearly, on St. Thomas's 
 day, formerly 6/. Is. is now (1802) increased to lO/. paid 
 to the gaoler every Christmas, and ordered by theTrustees 
 to be laid out in discharging poor debtors out of custody, 
 in the same manner as the money left in his hands by the 
 High Sheriff and gentlemen of the Grand Jury : for which 
 he produces, at each Assize, proper vouchers, &c. 
 
 The honourable and antient city of York, weekly, in 
 bread, 2s. ed. 
 
 Mrs.
 
 5^ ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 Mrs. Frances Tliornhill, for straw, (the Lord ^Mayor 
 of York has 30/. in his hands for that purpose] 1/. 10*. * 
 
 Doctor Phineas Hodgson, paid weekly in bi-ead to all 
 that hear sermons, 2s. 
 
 Alderman White's and Mr. Bowes's legacies seem to be 
 both lost."; 
 
 The debtors have, from the lobbies or passages, 
 and also from their sleeping-rooms, a full view into 
 , the felons' cour,t and the solitary cells; by which 
 means dangerous implements have been conveyed to 
 them, and the regularity and orderly conduct of the 
 cpaol frequently disturbed. Sloping boards placed 
 before the windows, in the manner I have seen them 
 in other gaols, w^ould prevent this hazardous com- 
 munication. 
 
 '^ No firing allowed to any part of the gaol, except 
 for sick prisoners ; to whom every comfort is admi- 
 nistered, which, in the opinion of the Surgeons, is 
 judged necessary. 
 
 It is matter of option with the debtors either to 
 attend chapel, or not. If this may be deemed an 
 indulgence, it is surely a very faulty one. 
 
 ■* The 30s. for straw aie now laid out in other articles, for iBe 
 '{ood of the prison, by the Clerk to the Justices. 
 
 .''-•-■*. • ■, .
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. 545 
 
 YORK, Ctty and County Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, Mary Meggeson, widow of the late 
 Gaoler. 
 Salary, 110 1. 
 ^ Fees; debtors 6s. Sd. Besides which the un- 
 der-sheriff demands 7*. 4d. for his liberate ! 
 Garnish, 1*. 
 
 > No Chaplain, nor any religious attention what- 
 ever, except when a prisoner is under sen- 
 tence of death. 
 
 Surgeons, Messrs. Cliflmpney and Drahe. 
 Salary, 10/. 
 
 {1800, May 31st, - 5 
 1802, Feb. 1st, - 8 
 1802, Aug. 20th, - 7 
 
 Allowance. Debtors, none but legacies. See 
 Remarks. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This gaol upon Ouse-bridge, and called the Kid' 
 cots, has on one side of the bridge ei^ht convenient 
 rooms for debtors, about 1 1 feet square, with a fire- 
 place in each : these are ?\\ free-wards : But if the 
 keeper furnishes a bed, he is paid is. 6d. per week 
 each. Below them are two other rooms, with brick- 
 floors; one of which, 15 feet by I3, has a window 
 
 M M looking
 
 546 ACCOUNT OF PRISONS FOR DEBTORS 
 
 looking to the river, and was used as a lumbar- 
 room when I was here: the other, II feet by 8, is 
 a shop for the sale of articles manufactured in the 
 prison, such as nets, parses, laces, &c. the window 
 of which fronts towards the street : in each of them 
 a fire-place. No court-yard. There is a stone- 
 tablet fixed in the wall, on which is inscribed, 
 *^ Remember the poor debtors. He that givetli to 
 *' the poor lendeth to the Lord.^ All debtors com- 
 mitted by process issuing out of the Sheriff's court 
 are sent to this prison, and on application are en- 
 titled to their six-pences the third court-day. A 
 court is held every week. The Act and Claused are 
 conspicuously hung up. 
 
 Legacies and Donations 
 
 to the Prisoners in Ouse-bridge Gaol, York. 
 
 Mrs. Eliz. Taylor, by will, 21st Oct. 1580, gave 3^. -id, 
 
 yearl}'', among them on Lady-da}-. 
 The Corporation of York pay yearly Peacock's <Tift, 
 
 being ol. As. to be divided among the poor prisoners, 
 JMr, William Edmonson's gift, being I/. 6^. is distributed! 
 
 weekl}' in bread to the; prisoners. 
 Mrs. Bowes gives every Christmas one guinea, and a 
 
 chaldron of coals." 
 
 A memorial of these Legacies and Donations is 
 . painted on a board, and hung up in the prison.
 
 is El«JGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES. S^f 
 
 YORK, St. Petei-'s Gaol. 
 
 Gaoler, John Molser ; \vlio is also Sheriff's Offi- 
 cer for the Liberty. 
 
 Salary, 2\l. and 2/. 8^. ^^e?' annum to furnish 
 straw. 
 
 Fees, 6s. Sd. * besides which the Chief Bailiff 
 demands a fee of 8^. 4d. for his liberate ! 
 
 Garnish, a met (or sack) of coals, a bag of 
 turf, and 1*. for liquor. 
 
 Chaplain, none : nor any religious attentions. 
 
 Stirgeon, none. 
 
 /-1 800, March 31st, - 
 Number of Debtors, < 1802, Aug. 20th, - 2 
 
 1 1805, Aug. 5th, - 
 
 Allo\\'ance, none, except certificated as paupers. 
 See Remarks. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 St. Peter's Gaol, for the liberty of St; Peter 
 at York, near the Minster Gate, is the property of 
 the Dean, who holds his Courts here. 
 
 * I am informed, that since the gaoler's salary has beet^ 
 rabed from lol. to 2il. his fees have been abolished. 
 
 M M 2 There
 
 548 ACCOUKT OF PRISONS FOR DEETORS 
 
 There is no court-yard for the use of prisoners. 
 The debtors have four sizeable rooms up-stairs, 
 which the keeper furnishes with bed and bedding, 
 at 6s. and 105. per month. 
 
 Do\^^ eleven steps are two- dungeons for felons, 
 each 19 feet by 8, and 6 feet high, lighted and ven- 
 tilated by an iron-grated window, which looks to 
 the street: These dungeons had several loads of 
 ashes and other filth in them, which appeared to 
 have km a long time. One of the debtors, who 
 had his wife and four small children with him, occu- 
 pietl the room above, for which he paid 25. 6d. per 
 week. He complained to me of the very offensive 
 cells below, which, together with the crowded 
 3tate of his room, made it (in that hot weather) al- 
 most unbearable. The boards of the floor were rot- 
 ten ; and the roof of the cells not being cieled, there 
 was a fissure of communication a foot long. 
 
 The next morning I waited on the Dean (the Rev. 
 -INIr. Markham) who politely accompanied me to the 
 prison, and gave orders to the gaoler to take away 
 the rubbish immediatehfy and to whitewash and 
 -cleanse the whole prison : which the gaoler promised 
 should be set about the next da3% 
 
 The only prisoner in the cells at that time was a 
 run-away apprentice; and he was pounding tile- 
 iherds. On my return in September I found nothing 
 had been done : the prison was in the same state of 
 
 tilth;
 
 IN ENGLAND, SCOTLANP, AND WALES. r^^jQ 
 
 filth : and two leivd women were confined in the 
 same cell with the boy before-mentioned ; and with 
 them several persons in the street were conversing. 
 
 The Act for preserving Healtli was not hung 
 up; but the Clauses against Spirituous Liquors 
 were. This, however, must be of little effect, when 
 spirits can be so easily handed to the prisoners from 
 the streets, and which, if the gaoler were ever so 
 vigilant and attentive, he could not prevent. 
 
 Water is accessible to all the prisoners, and there 
 is now a sewer. 
 
 In 1801, Doctor Fountayne, the late Dean, gave 
 100/. and the four Residentiaries 25/. each, making 
 together 200/. for the benefit of this prison : which 
 sum is invested in the public funds, and the dividends 
 are directed to be applied towards the relief of debt- 
 ors and felons confined in the said gaol, in such 
 proportion as the Dean and Chapter shall from time 
 to time tliink proper. 
 
 There is also a donation in bread, of twelve shil- 
 lings, given every Christmas amongst the debtors 
 and felons. 
 
 SHORT
 
 ( 550 ) 
 SHORT ACCOUNT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 antient 3ln0titution 
 
 O F 
 
 COURTS OF CONSCIENCE, 
 
 WITHIN THE 
 
 METROPOLIS AND ITS VICINITY; 
 
 AND OF 
 
 THEIR PRESENT MUCH -IMPROVED CONDITION, 
 
 EFFECTED BY 
 
 THE SOCIETY FOR RELIEF OF SMALL DEBTORS. 
 
 Courts of Conscience, anciently denominated 
 Courts of Request, had their origin in 15 18 (the 
 0th of Henry VIII) ; when the Common Council 
 of the City of London issued an Act for the Re- 
 covery of Debts under Forty Shilhngs due to Citi- 
 zens, by a court to be called a Court of Conscience, 
 and to be held in Guildhall : and those debtors vA\o 
 failed to obey the award of that Court were to be 
 imprisoned in one of the City Compters, until they 
 complied with such award ; even though it were 
 durante vita. In 1()05 (the 3d year of James I.) 
 
 the
 
 INSTITUTION OF COURTS OF CONSCIENCE, ^[^l 
 
 the powers of the Court so formed in 1518 by the 
 Common Council of London, were estubHshed by 
 Act of ParHament. 
 
 In 1750, Alderman Dickenson brought in a -Bill 
 for extending similar po\vers to the whole County 
 of Middlesex ; but with this difference, that all 
 persons refusing to submit to the decision or award 
 of the Court, were rendered liable to imprisonment, 
 . in Newgate, for three calendar montJu;, which can- 
 celled the debt. 
 
 Thus it seems evident, that different degrees of 
 punishment were inflicted for one and the same 
 offence, contrary to true policy, justice, and com- 
 mon sense : as will appear by stating the various ex- 
 pences and fees that wei-e incurred to recover a debt 
 from one shilling * up to forty shillings ; and which 
 were nearly the same in all the Courts of Conscience : 
 
 .9. d. 
 
 For three Summonses 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 The Order 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 The Hearing - 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 The Execution - 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 The Officer 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 8 U. 
 
 On this original document are formed the follow- 
 ing statements ; viz. 
 ♦ See my Remarks on NEWGATE, Thomas Dubson, p. jpr, 
 
 At
 
 5q5 account or the ikstitction of 
 
 At the City Comptefs, 'mlVood Street and the 
 
 Poultry. 
 
 s. d. I. s. d. 
 
 Debt of one shiUing - - 10 
 Expences to recover it, as above 8 1 1 
 Fees exacted by the Gaoler when 
 cleared - - 15 8 
 
 1 5 7 
 
 which the debtor must pay, or be imprisoned 
 
 for life, with felons. 
 
 At the Borough Compter, Southwayk. 
 
 Debt, as above - - 1 
 
 Expences, ditto - - 8 11 
 
 Fees exacted by the Gaoler when 
 cleared - - 7 
 
 16 n 
 
 which the debtor must discharge, or incur im- 
 prisonment for life, with felons. 
 
 At Newgate, the County Gaol. 
 
 Debt - - 10 
 
 Expences - - 8 11 
 
 Fees exacted by the Gaoler when 
 "„'^, .cleared - - S lo 
 
 o 18 9 
 
 which the debtor must pay, or be imprisoned 
 with felons, for three calendar months. 
 
 At
 
 t' xouRisciF:cQ>sciEKc]tC"':A ^"^5^3 
 
 At ClerhenwelL 
 
 s. d. I i: d. 
 Debt - -10 
 
 Expences - - 8 11.— 
 
 Fees exacted by the Gaoler when 
 cleared - - - 5 
 
 ^ ■ 14 11 
 
 which the debtor must pay, or be imprisoned 
 with felons Jhi^ty days. 
 
 At Tothlll Fields,' •". ' 
 Debt - - 10 
 
 Expences » — 8 II . 
 
 Fees exacted by the Gaoler when 
 
 -. -- • T 
 
 cleared - - 5 0" 
 
 -^-- O 14 11 
 
 which the debtor must pay, or be forty days 
 imprisoned with felons. ' 
 
 ^3" Such was the legally-sanctioned, the severe, 
 and miserable lot of these poor, unthinking, and 
 unfortunate classes of mankind, at the time of the 
 institution of our Society: Nor was it till near 
 fourteen years after its auspicious establishment, that 
 their repeated applications were so attended io, as 
 to effect a total change in the horrid system. At 
 length, however. Truth and Humanity prevailed. 
 The exactions before specified were published by 
 order of the Society in February 1785 ; and in the 
 same year an Act of the legislature passed "for re- 
 " ducing the Time for Imprisonment of Debtors 
 
 " committed
 
 554 ACCOUNT OF THE INSTITUTION OF 
 
 " committed to Prison upon Prosecutions in Courts 
 *' of- Conscience in London, Middlesex, and the 
 " Borough of Southward, to the same Periods in 
 " each Court ; and for abohshing Fees paid by 
 ^' those Debtors to Gaolers, or others, on Account 
 " of such Imprisonment." Tiie happy result has 
 been, that all Fees to Gaolers on these petty and 
 injurious prosecutions are every where abolished; 
 expences are reduced ; the term of imprisonment is 
 restrictecj (as hereafter mentioned) ; and in most 
 of our county gaols, throughout the kingdom, a due 
 separation is observed betwixt unhappy debtors and 
 the most flagitious offenders. 
 
 The perfect completion of so salutary a reform 
 cannot fail to excite the just hope and warm ex- 
 pectation of every feehng heart. Particular care 
 ought to be taken, that Debtors of the kind here 
 specified, should never be suffered to mix with Cri' 
 minals : but in my various tours of visitation to the 
 Houses of Correction, and Bridewells, in places re- 
 mote from the metropolis, I have but too ofteu^ 
 found them associated with Felons, and other offen- 
 ders of the worst description ^ who, both by instruct 
 tion and example, frequently make them as aban- 
 doned as themselves ; nay, and even extinguish 
 every spark of modesty in the females, by daily ha- 
 bits of iiitimacy with the lewdest of their sex. 
 
 Another
 
 ^ COURTS OF CONSCIENCE. 555 
 
 Another consideration, of much importance, de- 
 mands also the pecuHar attention of every con- 
 scientious Magistrate. Whilst the law ordains im- 
 prisonment, there ought to be a County Allowance of 
 Food, and of Bedding for every indigent and friendless 
 prisoner: instead of which, I have sometimes found 
 debtors, who have in prison become indebted to 
 felons for their food ; and, in some instances, have 
 painfully witnessed, that when liberated from a gaol, 
 they were fitter for an hospital than for labour. 
 
 The followino; observations of Mr. Justice Black- 
 stone demand a peculiar attention. He tells us, 
 that " divers trading towns, and other districts, had 
 "obtained Acts of Parliament, for establishing in 
 ^' them Courts of Conscience, upon nearly the same 
 " plan as that in the City of London- The anx- 
 " ious desire that has been shewn to obtain these 
 *^ several Acts, proves^ clearly, that the nation in 
 ^'general is truly sensible of the great inconvenience 
 ^^ arising from the disuse of the antient County and 
 /^Hundred Courts; wherein causes of this small 
 "value were always formerly decided, with very 
 " little trouble and expence to the parties. But, it 
 " is to be feared, that the general remedy which 
 ^' of late hath been principally applied to this in- 
 f' convenience (the erecting these new jurisdictions) 
 " may itself be attended, in time, with very ill con- 
 f' sequences : as the method of proceeding therein 
 
 IS
 
 55^ ACCOUNT OF THE INSTITUTION OF 
 
 " is entirely in derogation of the common" law ; as 
 " their large discretionary jx)wers create a petty ty- 
 *' ranny in a set of standing Commissioners ; and as 
 *^ the disuse of the trial by jury may tend to estrange 
 *'' the minds of the people from that valuable pre- 
 ''^ rogative of Englishmen, which has already been 
 *' more than sufficiently excluded in many instances. 
 *' How much rather is it to be wished, that the pro- 
 f^ ceedings in the County and Hundred Courts could 
 " again be revived, without burthening the free- 
 1^ hald^s with too frequent and tedious attendances ; 
 ■f^ and at the same time i-emoving the delays that 
 *' liave insensibly crept into their proceedings, and 
 r^Mhe power that either party have, of transferring 
 -" at pleasure their suits to the Courts at Westminster! 
 " And we may with satisfaction observe, that thii 
 -*f experiment has been actually tried, and has suc- 
 -65 ceeded^ in the populous county of Middlesex ; 
 :^'c:^icb might serve as an example for others. Fbr, 
 ^khy Statute 23 George H. c. 33. it is enacted, 
 ^/ t. That a special County-court shall be held, 
 i^. at ieast once a month, in every hundred of the 
 -i county of Middlesex by the county clerlT. 
 ^'tdi That twelve freeholders of that hundred, qua- 
 V-iified to serve on juries, and struck by the sh^- 
 " riff, shall be summoned to appe^tr at such 
 " court by rotation, so as none shall be sum- 
 " moned oftener than once a year. 3. That in all 
 
 ** causes
 
 COURTS OF CONSCIENXE. 5;,; 
 
 *^ 'causes not exceeding tlie value of R)rty sliillings, 
 '■"^ the county clerk and twelve suitors * shall pro- 
 /;' ceed in a summary way, examining the parties 
 *' and witnesses on oatli, without the formal pro- 
 "-cess antiently used ; and shall make such order 
 ^* therein, as they shall judge agreeable to con- 
 " science. 4. That no plaints shall be removed 
 " out of this court by any process whatsoever ; but 
 " the determination herein shall be final. 5. Tliat 
 *Mf any action be brought in any of the superior 
 " courts against a person resident in Middlesex for 
 *' a debt or contract, upon the trial v/hereof the jury 
 " shall find less than 40s. damages, the plaintiff 
 " shall recover mo costs, but shall pay the defendant 
 " double costs ; unless upon some special circum- 
 ** stances, to be certified by the Judge who tried it. 
 4y^. Lastly, a Table of very moderate Fees is pre- 
 *' scribed and set <lown in the Act ; which are not to 
 *' be exceeded upon any aceount whatsoever. This 
 *^ is a plan entirely agreeable to the Constitution and 
 " genius of the Nation : calculated to prevent a 
 ^^ multitude of vexatious actions in the superior 
 " Courts ; and at the same time to give honest cre- 
 " ditors an opportunity of recovering small sum* ; 
 ** which now they are frequently deterred from hf 
 
 * Sic Orig. Q. Jurom, or Jurats ? 
 
 " the
 
 558 ACCOUNT OF TH£ INSTITUTION OF 
 
 *' the expence of a suit at law: apian, which, in 
 " short, wants only to be generally known, in order 
 *•' to its universal reception *." 
 
 It may be necessary here to observe, that my Re- 
 marks on the Borough Compter (See p. 96) were 
 prepared for publication on the 28th of May 1806'r 
 But in August of that year an Act passed, extending 
 the limits of jurisdiction beyond the parishes to 
 which I there alluded, and enlarging the powers of 
 the Commissioners, by the style and title of " The 
 Court of Requests for the Town and Borough of 
 Southwark, and Eastern Half of the Hundred of 
 Brixton, in the County of Surry:" Three Commis- 
 sioners to have jurisdiction over debts not exceeding 
 Forty shillings ; and live over debts not exceeding 
 Five pounds. 
 
 By the above Statute it was enacted. That t|j^ 
 several Fees and sums of money following, and no 
 other, should be taken by the Bailiff] Clerks, and 
 Officers of the said Court of Requests, for their 
 respective services in the execution of the Statutes 
 22d and 32d of King George II. instead of the fees 
 limited and expressed in the former of those two 
 Acts ; viz. 
 
 * Commentaries, edit. 4to. vol. III. pp. 81 — 8j, 
 
 To
 
 COURTS OF CONSCIENCE. 
 
 :.9 
 
 To the Bailiff. 
 
 Tor every Summons -^ - - ... 
 For every Summons for the Atteadaacc 
 
 of not more than two Witnesses - - 
 For every Hearing on Trial - - . . 
 For every Order, Decree, or Jud<;meut, 
 
 on Hearing ------... 
 
 For paying Money into Court - - - 
 For every Attachment --.-.-- 
 
 For every Execution - - 
 
 For every Nonsuit 
 
 For receiving Money out of Court, in part 
 For receiving Money out of Court, iu full 
 For every Search in the Books - - - . 
 For swearing every Witness - . - - - 
 For calling the Defendant before the Court 
 
 To the Clerks. 
 
 For every Summons ---..... 
 For every Summons for the Attendance ) 
 
 of not more than two AVitnesses • - \ 
 
 For every Hearing on Trial 
 
 For every Order, Decree, or Judgment, } 
 
 on Hearing ----^.-...^ 
 
 For paying Money into Court - - - - 
 
 For every Attachment ------. 
 
 i^r every Execution ---.-.. 
 For every Nonsuit -----... 
 
 For receiving Money out of Court, in part 
 For receiving Money out of Court, in full 
 For every Search iu the Books - - . . 
 For swearing every Witness - - - . . 
 For calling the Defendant before the Court 
 
 To the'^FFICERS. 
 
 J'or serving every Summons on Defend 
 
 ant, or Witness -.--... 
 For serving Notice of Attachment on Dc' / 
 
 fendr.nt --...J 
 
 For giving Notice of such Service to the ) 
 
 Plaintiif *, 
 
 For levying Executions on Debts uc^t e."*:- ) 
 
 ceeding 15s. ----»-. ..j 
 Above ISf. and not exceeding 20.v. - - - 
 Above 20.y. and not exceeding 4 Oj-. - - - 
 Above 40,?. and not exceeding 60a-. - - - 
 Above GOs. and not exceeding aOs. - - - 
 Above SOs. .... - - .,.. 
 
 On D.bts m.t <^ii D.b'* 
 excewJiU^ 40.. ,bovo 4(J,. 
 
 •v. d. 
 - - 4 
 
 -.0 4 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 8 
 10 
 1 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 •0 8-- 
 
 - 8 -- 
 
 - 8 -- 
 
 - S -- 
 
 - 8 - - 
 -14-- 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 f. 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 
 2 - - 
 
 - 
 
 8 
 
 - 1 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 G 
 
 ' 1 
 
 
 
 - 1 
 
 6 
 
 - 2 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 U 
 
 
 
 H 
 
 
 
 S 
 
 
 
 S 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 y 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 y 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 u 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 1 4 
 
 1 4 
 
 1 4 
 
 1 4 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 1 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 Thi.
 
 5^0 ACCOUNT OF THE INSTITUTION OF 
 
 The foreo^oing Tables of Fees were ordered to be 
 conspicuously bung up in the Court-house, or where 
 the Commissioners meet, that all concerned may see 
 and peruse them at all times. 
 
 In consequence of the said Act, the term of im- 
 prisonment was ordained to be thenceforth limited 
 as follows ; and accordingly it now is, upon each 
 action. 
 
 For all sums under, and up to 205. - Twenty days. 
 Above twenty, and not exceeding 405. Forty days. 
 
 Above forty shillings, and not exceeding 3/. Sixty days. 
 Above 3/. and not exceeding 5/. - One hundred days. 
 
 Courts of the kind in question are deemed, 
 I know, of indispensable necessity, and much 
 convenience, in populous and commercial towns. 
 But one thing I cannot forbear to ui^e on the 
 subject, as highly worthy of legislative sanction: 
 I mean, some positive clause unalterable, to prevent 
 the coercive recovery of debts contracted for ale- 
 house scores. 
 
 As to Courts of Conscience in agricultural Coun- 
 ties, they certainly are of the most injurious ten- 
 dency.
 
 COURTS OF CONSCIENCE. ^61 
 
 dency. The plaintiff often loses more time in pro- 
 secuting his demand, than it is worth if recovere<l ; 
 wh ich however is very seldom the case. The debtof 
 is locked up during the harvest, or other important 
 season, and loses that gain which he had looked to 
 for the support of his family in the short winter-days : 
 and durmg his absence, they are thrown on the 
 P^nsh for relief. Meanwhile, all the creditor's sa- 
 tisfaction is fruitless revenge : and to this he not only 
 sacrifices his time, but his money too : For costs he 
 must pay^ in the first instance. 
 
 ,^'S J ".■".■ 

 
 ( 562 ) 
 
 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 X HE approbation with which my former narra^ 
 lives of Debtors have been honoured by the Pub- 
 lick, and the essential benefit which some of them 
 have in consequence received by County Allowances, 
 again induce me to present a continued statement, 
 equally, as I hope, adapted to sanction the favours 
 of the one, and to lessen, all we can, the miseries 
 of the other. 
 
 With respect to Bridewells, or Houses, as they 
 are called, of Correction, it may truly be said that 
 
 " much yet untouch'd remains ; 
 
 Much is the Patriot's weeding hand requir'd." 
 
 All, in short, that hath hitherto been advanced from 
 experimental investigation and well-founded know- 
 ledge, exhibits (I am sorry to repeat jt,) but a very 
 faint picture of the great misery, and the still greater 
 corruption and depravity, which exist in the wretched 
 
 abodes
 
 i*osTscKirT. 563 
 
 abodes alluded to. I do not include all ; there arc 
 some very excellent exceptions to this censure : hut 
 I most seriously and painfully point at several of the 
 kind, to which I was led by accident ; and wliicli 
 therefore constitute a part of my Report^ as result- 
 ing from my personal inspection into prisotis. 
 
 Of these forlorn retreats, it appears undoubted, 
 that the great increase of immorality is principally 
 owing to the useless, and therefore injurious, state 
 of our Bridewells. They afford little indeed, or 
 nothing, of " Correction" but the name. In Hol- 
 land they were called Perheter huizen ; that is, 
 " Bettering; Houses." 
 
 The proper management of such legal asylums 
 from rapidly increasing Vice, is now become matter 
 of more than ordinary concern. For instance. 
 
 Offenders liable to this mode of punishment, 
 are sometimes committed to a Bridewell, even for 
 so long a term as two years I 
 
 The prisoner, sentenced, for whatever term, '* to 
 " hard labour," often finds no employment. 
 
 And to the very important point of separating the 
 prisoners into suitable and safe classes, as little at- 
 tention too frequently is paid, as to the means of 
 profitable and wholesome industry. 
 
 A young creature, male or female, guilty of some 
 petty theft, is often sent to a Bride\\'ell, where the 
 term of commitment is spent in idleness and filth, 
 
 N N 2 amidst
 
 5^4 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 amidst company the most profligate and abandoned! 
 What is this, but devoting the victim of Ignorance 
 to the destruction of Vice and Infamy ? Yet, how 
 many are there, who may date the total loss of every 
 principle of virtue from the hour of their confine- 
 ment in those schools of wickedness ! 
 
 The keeper of every Bridewell should be master 
 of, or well instructed in, some kind of simple manu- 
 facture ; the better to enable him to set his prisoners 
 to a suitable employment. 
 
 But, surely, it argues a reprehensible neglect in the 
 Magistracy, where such employment is not provided. 
 Imprisonment, in the abstract, implies idleness, which 
 wisdom should mercifully preclude. In honest 
 work, most certainly, should every oflfender be em- 
 ployed. This is so indispensably requisite, that no 
 one should be idle who is not sick. Confinement 
 in idleness not only ruins the morals, but even fre- 
 quently destroys the capacity for labour. 
 
 Happy, or peculiarly fortunate, shall I esteem 
 myself, if the result of my investigations prove suf- 
 ficiently powerful to call forth the attention of the 
 Magistrates. It cannot fail, if duly persevered in, 
 to lessen abundantly the misery of many a confined 
 fellow-creature. It will tend to correct, and possi- 
 bly to remove, those vices, which are ruinous to the 
 interests and welfare of our country ; and which, if 
 unrestrained by wholesome correction, must com- 
 bine,
 
 POSTSCRIPT. 56'5 
 
 bine, with other causes, to precipitate its decline 
 or fall. 
 
 I do not presume to tread passibus acquis with 
 that great and good Howard, whose steps it is my 
 honour and my wish to follow in the faithful inspec- 
 tion of Prisons. With respect to Bridewells and 
 Houses of Correction, however, my labours have 
 been great and unwearied ; and the fruit of my ex- 
 perience may be summed up in few words. 
 
 If such places as I have above scrutinized are to 
 be continued as the receptacles of Convicts from 
 gaols ; if those convicts are to have a constant com- 
 munication with young offenders, whose misdeeds 
 are comparatively light, and for the chastisement of 
 which, and the prevention of greater ones. Bride- 
 wells and Houses of Correction were originally and 
 solely designed ; if also, offenders consigned to 
 such abodes are not classed and separated according 
 to the nature and degree of their transgressions ; 
 and, lastly, if no religious attentions are paid to 
 them, as in too many instances is flagrantly the 
 case ; then vice and corruption must increase their 
 malignity, through the sanction of neglect : Bride- 
 wells and Houses of Correction must become the 
 surest nurseries for our Gaols ; and the melancholy 
 hst of Executions will be swelled to a degree of 
 horror, ten fold more shocking than humanity has 
 at present to deplore, 
 
 TO
 
 $66 POSTSCRIPTv 
 
 TO THE 
 
 RE FE REND WEED EN BUTLER, 
 
 Rev. Sir, 
 
 I AM unwilling to close these pages without em- 
 bracing the opportunity they afford me of thus 
 publicly expressing the ardent gratification I feel, 
 in common with you, at the success and stability 
 of this benevolent Society ; and of uniting my con- 
 gratulations with yours on the incalculable benefits 
 which the publick have long derived, and, under 
 Divine Providence, through the most remote periods 
 of time, will, I trust, continue to receive, from its 
 establishment, and the extension of its objects ; 
 aided by the bounty of the Christian, the Philan- 
 thropist, and the Man of the World, to all of whom 
 the great end of relieving human misery, the 
 peculiar object of the Institution, is of equal consi- 
 deration. 
 
 When I look back to the distant period of our 
 lives, and observe that of the first Committee of the 
 Society, you, Reverend Sir, and myself, remain the 
 only survivors ; I cannot but feel the most power- 
 ful, and at the same time, the most humble grati- 
 tude to the Great Disposer of all human events, for 
 having suffered me to live, and witness the happy 
 
 result
 
 POSTSCIIIIT. 5G7 
 
 result of our early and vvell-meaut enclcavours. And 
 when I pursue the course of retlection, and find, 
 that in addition to the consequences natural!) at- 
 tendant upon an advance in years, 1 labour under 
 painful infirmities, that hasten to plunge me into 
 that awful, yet hopeful, gulph of death, which has 
 already absorbed our fellow-labourers in the vine- 
 yard ; I confess I feel an irresistible impulse to em- 
 brace this, perhaps the last and only opportunity 
 I shall ever have, of publicly commemorating, as far 
 as the feeble efforts of an humble individual will be 
 allowed to extend, our joint exertions in the same 
 great cause ; and of 'testifying the sincere pleasure 
 with which I at all times recur to the early intimacy 
 and long-continued friendship, which has formed 
 one of the unfeigned sources of the comfort and 
 happiness of my life. 
 
 With growing and well-merited esteem. Sir, I 
 witnessed your successful exertions in behalf of the 
 Society, at its earliest institution : Often have I 
 felt the influence acknowledged by all who have 
 heard the eloquent and impressive Discourses which 
 you have delivered from the pulpit, in recommen- 
 dation of the objects embraced by this Chanty ; and 
 never, whilst I am permitted to retain the power 
 of memory, can the gratifying recollection be 
 effaced, of the glow of surprize and pleasure, which 
 beamed from every countenance around you, upw^ 
 
 the
 
 5^8 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 the receipt of one hundred pounds * sent by a 
 then unknown, though eminent advocate for suffer- 
 ing humanity ; no more than can the impression of 
 that active zeal with which you personally assisted, to 
 search out the objects of misery, who were relieved 
 from the deepest affliction by its timely application. 
 
 The leading share you took in forming the plan, 
 which has afforded such permanent benefit to this 
 enlarged and improving establishment, bespeaks the 
 soundness of your judgment, while it pourtrays the 
 natural goodness of your heart. It has left those 
 impressions of gratitude and respect on the Society, 
 and upon the mind of 3'our humble and faith Wl 
 friend, which cannot be described ; and can only be 
 felt by a due appreciation of the manifold benefits 
 which the publick derive from the establishment of 
 the institution itself. 
 
 The happy effects produced on society by the ex- 
 emplary conduct of a good and virtuous man, has 
 been often the subject-matter of your pathetic and 
 convincins: discourses. But in no instance, Reve- 
 rend Sir, under the grace of God, does the doctrine 
 appear more mrinifcstly established, than in the gene- 
 ral character of the offspring with which you are 
 blessed ; and whose su})erior excellence, at the same 
 time that it rcfiects splendour on themselves, distincth- 
 
 * See the List of Benefactions^ at the end of this volume, 
 under "Godolphin." 
 
 emanates
 
 POSTSCRIPT. jiiii 
 
 emanates from the virtuous exaniple of the parent. 
 And here, suffer me, Sir, without disparagement to 
 the rest of your family, who have equal claims to 
 your commendation, most sincerely to congratulate 
 you on the promotion of your son Doctor Butler to 
 the eminent situation he fills ; the reward of his 
 virtues ; of those early advances w hich your tuition 
 enabled him to make in literature ; and which can 
 only be surpassed by the modesty of his deportment, 
 the liberality of his sentiments, and the purity of his 
 Christian principles *. 
 
 * George Butler, born 1774, and educated solely at his father'* 
 seminary, till 1790 ; when he was admitted a scholar on the foun- 
 dation of Sidney-Sussex College, Cambridge, and in that capacity 
 obtained, repeatedly, exhibitions and prizes, classical and mathe- 
 matical. In 1794 he took the degi-ee of B.A. when, after a public 
 examination, he was named the Senior Wrangler and Senior 
 Prizeman of his year J and being, thereupon, chosen Mathema- 
 tical Lecturer of his own College, became soon afterwards a fellow 
 of that Society. In 1797, he took the degree of M.A. and was 
 soon after appointed Classical Tutor. In 1804, he took the de- 
 gree of B. D. with great credit, and was elected a Public Ex- 
 aminer in the University. In 1805 he was nominated one of the 
 eight Honorary University Preachers, and in April of the same 
 year, chosen Head Master of Harrow: after exhibiting to the 
 Governors of the School, and to his Grace the Archbishop of 
 Canterbury, such honourable testimonials of character, from 
 the chief dignitaries and school-men of Cambridge, as perhaps 
 were never before bestowed on any member of that leaincd body. 
 He received the degree of D.I). by Royal Mandate, bearing 
 4ate 27th April, 1805. 
 
 ' That
 
 570 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 That you may both, with the rest of your chil- 
 dren, long continue reciprocally to reflect honour on. 
 each other, on your households, and our common 
 nature, is the sincere and earnest wish of. 
 
 Reverend Sir, 
 
 Your faithful Friend, 
 
 JAMES NEILD. 
 
 If to any of my present readers the above tribute 
 of esteem appear irrelevant, and unnecessary to the 
 end proposed by the publication of the work, it is 
 upon the candour of those readers, and of posterity, 
 who may hereafter deem these sheets deserving of 
 their consideration, that I am willing to throw my- 
 self: indulging the hope, that the same regard for 
 mankind which induces them to the perusal of the 
 work, will not be denied to its frail author ; who 
 fondly imagines, that his humble record of an un- 
 reserved attachment which, through all the vicissi- 
 tudes of human life, has continued with unabated 
 zeal for forty years, will not be read without some 
 of those emotions of pleasure which glow in his bo- 
 som when he recurs to them.
 
 57 
 
 CURSORY HINTS 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 INTERNAL REGULATION OF PRISONS, 
 
 UNDER THE EXISTING LAWS RESPECTING 
 PERSONS CONFINED FOR DEBT, 
 
 I. That there should be a general and total abo- 
 lition of Fees and Room-rent ; and a proper salary, 
 in lieu thereof, allowed to the Gaoler by the County. 
 Because, " no man should derive emolument 
 from misery ;" and, as the practice now 
 prevails, even though a poor debtor may 
 obtain his right to be discharged by super- 
 sedeas, or through the lenity of a merciful 
 creditor, he is yet liable to be detained at 
 the arbitrary will of a Gaoler for his Fees, 
 or till an Act of Insolvency is passed for ge- 
 neral relief : And thus the Gaoler is allowed 
 to be both Judge and Jury, and to inHict a 
 punishment for enforcing his own demand. 
 
 XL
 
 572 CUUSORY HINTS FOR TilE 
 
 II. That in all cases of pauper-debtors^ the pri- 
 soner should be suffered to verify his condition on 
 oath before a Magistrate ; who may thereupon 
 make an order for a weekly allowance to be paid 
 the prisoner out of the County -rate. 
 
 Because, in some gaols the county allowance 
 is two shillings weekly ; in others eighteen 
 pence ; and in others one shilling per week ; 
 whilst in many prisons there is no allowance 
 at all ; to the great hazard, not of health 
 : only, but of life. 
 
 III. That encourasjement should be afforded to 
 debtors for working at some manufacture, to be 
 provided by the county, by giving them two thirds 
 3t least of the estimated value of their daily labour *. 
 
 IV. That a Chaplain be appointed to every Gaol, 
 and the debtors indispensably required to attend di- 
 vine service, except in case of illness duly certified. 
 
 V. That a proper Medical Assistant he assigned 
 for every Gaol, to afford relief to those indigent 
 prisoners, who are afflicted with sickness. 
 
 VI. That there should be an entire separation of 
 the debtors from the felons, 
 
 * See my Remarks on DORCHESTER, p. 165, and 
 GLOUCESTER, p. 347. 
 
 Because
 
 INTERNAL REGULATION OF PRISONS. 573 
 
 Because (to adopt the language of a threat moral 
 writer,) *' From such an association springs 
 every corruption which poverty and wicked- 
 ness can generate, with all the shameless 
 and profligate enormities that can he pro- 
 duced by the impudence of ignominy, the 
 rage of want, and the malignity of despair. 
 In a prison, the awe of the public eye is 
 lost, and the power of the law is spent : 
 -* there are few fears, there are no blushes : 
 
 the lewd inflame the lewd ; the audacious 
 harden the audacious. Every one fortifies 
 himself as he can, against his own sensi- 
 bility ; endeavours to practise en others the 
 arts which are practised on himself; and 
 gains the kindness of liis associates by simi- 
 <•- iitude of manners. Thus some sink amidst 
 their misery, and others survive, only to pro- 
 pagate villainy -j-." 
 
 VII. That salutary provisions, for the internal 
 government of prisons throughout the kingdom, be 
 generally prescribed and enacted by the Legislature. 
 That, in the mean time, a Committee of Visiting 
 Magistrates be appointed at the Quarter Sessions of 
 every district, to frame proper Rules and Regu- 
 L-\tions for their several gaols, acc9rding to their 
 
 * Dr. Samuel Johnson, " Idler," No. 38. 
 
 locality
 
 574 CURSORY HINTS. 
 
 locality and peculiar circumstances ; to be afterwards 
 confirmed at the Sessions, and duly approved by the 
 honourable Judges of Assize : That, for better ac- 
 complishing the important end proposed, 2i Journal 
 of occurrences be punctually kept by the gaoler, 
 for the inspection of the worshipful Committee, and 
 all other Magistrates of the county immediately con- 
 cerned : And, lastly, that such Rules and Regu- 
 lations (equally extending their view to the dejDort- 
 ment of the Gaoler, or Keeper, and of \he prisoners, 
 of every description, under his charge) be conspi- 
 cuously printed, and placed in various parts of 
 every prison ; so as that all parties alike may know 
 the clear lines of duty by which to regulate their 
 respective conduct.
 
 OBSERVATIONS 
 
 ON 
 
 ARRESTS UPON MESNE PROCESS, 
 
 FOR 
 
 SMALL DEBTS, &c. 
 
 X HE prisons, notwithstanding the recent Act of 
 Insolvency, are ah-eady crowded with debtors on 
 mesne process, for sums under 30/. About four 
 fifths of the debtors sent to prison are for debts 
 under 20l. and of this class, on the 4th May 1 807, 
 there were, forty-eight in Newgate. 
 
 As to a farther restriction of the law of arrests on 
 mesne process, we are not left without a guide : our 
 ancestors, above eighty years ago, restrained the 
 law of arrests, on process from the superior courts at 
 IVestminster, by preventing them for sums under 
 ten pounds *. 
 
 By this law, thousands of debtors have been 
 saved from imprisonment ; and, if revised, it might 
 be the means of avoiding the enlargement of prisons, 
 or of passing more frequent Acts of Lisolvency. 
 As money decreased in value, the benefits intended 
 by this law gradually diminished. We may re- 
 
 * 12 Geo. I, c. ajo 
 
 member.
 
 57b* AURESTS OM MkSNL PROCESS, 
 
 member, that, above 30 years ago, Newgate, 
 the King's-Bench, the Fleet, and other prisons, 
 were considerably enlarged ; but their future di- 
 mensions must depend upon how long it shall please 
 the wisdom of Parliament to keep this law stationary ; 
 on the increase of poverty and population ; or, on a 
 speedier recurrence to Ini^olvent Acts, to make room 
 for fresh prisoners. 
 
 The pressure of the times urges many to run in 
 debt, without a reasonable prospect of payment; 
 but, whatever may occasion Insolvency, the means 
 of payment are not increased by arrests for small 
 debts : it will, therefore, excite no surpnze that the 
 poor debtor cannot escape imprisonment. 
 
 It has been argued, that arrests, even for small 
 debts, were useful, as a stimulus to settle the action, 
 and prevent much expensive litigation. Thus the 
 evils, though great, are supposed to be productive 
 of more than a counterbalance of good ; but the 
 evils are certain, while the advantages proposed are 
 doubtful, and refuted by experience *. The number 
 of actions settled is less, and the executions more, 
 in bailable actions, than in actions 7101 bailable ; 
 a clear proof, that an arrest (particularly for small 
 debts) carmpt be the chief motive to a compromise 
 of the action, much less to payment, in the event of 
 Insolvency ; and in that case, the process is severe; 
 
 * See Table on Bailable Process, pp. 40^ 41. 
 
 the
 
 rOR SMALL DEbTS, &.C. ")7 7 
 
 the speculation must fail : no stimulus can work au 
 impossibility. In the case of disability, from indi- 
 gence, the man. arrested, and destitute of friends, 
 cannot find bail : The produce of the arrest, there- 
 fore, is a fruitless imprisonment. 
 
 If ten pounds seventi/ years ago were e([ual in 
 value to thirtji/ pounds at this dai/, the letter of 
 the statute may remain, while its benevolent in- 
 tentions, founded in legislative wisdom, may be de- 
 feated. To shew the policy of a further restriction, 
 proportioned to a decrease in the value of money 
 since that period, suppose the law against arrests 
 under ten pounds repealed : the number of prisoners 
 would be increased, by embracing a still larger class 
 atl poor debtors, and prisons would soon overflow. 
 
 By a statute of the present reign, to check such 
 arrests in the mferior courts *, j>erhaps more than 
 200,000 arrests have been prevented, within the 
 last 20 years ; but it never has been contended that 
 the credit and commerce of tlie country have thereby 
 been in the least impaired : on the contrary, during 
 thi- ' eriod they have attained to the highest pitch of 
 
 prosperity. 
 
 ts/ery creditor shares in the speculation of an 
 arrest (whilst the chance of success is ckarly dimi- 
 nished, when the party has neither money nor 
 friends) ; but the practice is pursued from habit, 
 
 * ip Geo. III. 
 
 ^ O o although
 
 57 S ARRESTS ON MESKK PROCESS, 
 
 although often with reluctance, lest one lenient 
 creditor should lose an advantage, which another 
 gains by seveTit\'. It is but too common to find in 
 the sheriffs hands several writs against the same 
 man, at the same time, for trifling debts, from lo/. 
 to 12/. ; so that by theexpencc of the i-emedy upon 
 this class of debtors, their mear.s of payment are 
 reduced m proportion. If, therefore, only for 
 small sums the speculation were destroyed (which, 
 fix)m experience, can serve no other purpose tiian to 
 encourage desperate games of chance) ; the debtor, 
 left at his liberty, before he could be reached by an 
 execution^ and freed from the expence oj' such arrests, 
 might be able to com})romise the action ; from which 
 he is now totally prevented, by incurring costs, 
 that eat up inevitably all his funds. 
 
 The evils of an indiscriminate system must, in. 
 many cases, bear hard. The extension. of the Law 
 of Arrests to simple-contract debts (although, as a 
 general rule, wise and just) was an innovation on the 
 antient law of the land ; and yet, for the security of 
 creditors in a commercial country, it is universally 
 admitted as necessary. Principally, however, it 
 affects the inferior class, the most helpless and 
 numerous, by a continuance of imprisonment, for 
 want of bail, (consequent on practice, different from 
 the course originally pursued ;) and stands in need 
 of let^islative correction. 
 
 The
 
 FOR SxMALL DEBTS, S^M. [^J j 
 
 The true question is. Can the evils be diminislied 
 without lessening the security of creditors ? If so, 
 necessity requires the interference of the Legislature ; 
 and, if lessening those evils would tend to augment 
 such security, Justice seems to require a law so per- 
 fectly consistent with humanity. 
 
 The Law of Arrest may remain general, for the 
 protection of creditors, that every one may enjoy its 
 advantages ; but when it is seen to fail of that effect, 
 (as it will in all cases of poverty, which may still 
 abound), the Law should inter})ose in ftivour of the 
 honest, though unfortunate Debtor, by limiting the 
 time of im])risonment, under certain restrictions. 
 
 For general securitij, therefore, Let an imprisoned 
 debtor be considered as a party in delicto, suftering 
 a punishment occasioned by his own misconduct ; 
 but let provisions be made to check the scverifi/ of 
 the general rule, so as to connect the Law with hu- 
 manity and substantial justice. See the preceding 
 *' Observations on the Law of Civil Imprisonment," 
 
 p. 34—37. . 
 
 Let the Law of Arrest be open to every class of 
 creditors, when the debt is of 2i certain amount * : 
 and when the object of the Law, so far as respects 
 coercion of payment, evidently fails, let the Law 
 (allowing an attack on personal liberty for that par- 
 ticular purpose) rescue the debtor from imprisonment, 
 
 * Suppose not less than 30I, 
 
 002 by
 
 5 So ARRESTS ON MESNE PROCESS. 
 
 \)y wholesome provisions, not counteracting, but 
 operating as excepfioiis to tlie general rule. 
 
 Let the uebtor''s person be discharged, on evidence 
 of insolvency, within a Hmited time, — the future 
 property to remain hable : and let these exceptions 
 operate only in favour of the honest and unfortunate* 
 For this end, the creditor should make out a case of 
 fraud, or of gross mlseonduct, to authorize a coih- 
 tinuance of the imprisonment, at the discretion of 
 the Court, or of some tribunal authorized to take 
 cognizance of the charge ; and aided, if necessary, 
 by a Jury *. 
 
 Thus, while the Law of Arrest is allowed without 
 limitation, for the security of creditors, as a mean; 
 to enforce payment, when it fails in that object, it 
 will, in the event of a continuance beyond the time 
 limited by general rule, be deemed a pwiishvient 
 for inisconduct. Humanity will thus be reconciled 
 to Justice, and the Innocent will be separated from 
 the Fraudulent ; not by chance or caprice, but by 
 the sure Operation and Effect of Law. 
 
 ■* Suppose Three Commissioners.
 
 ( 581 ) 
 
 Number of Debtors Discharged and Relieved^ 
 from the 31st March 1807 to the 31st March 
 1S08 ; distinguishing each Prison in Alphabetical 
 Order. 
 
 vAppleby 4 
 
 Aylesbuiy 6' 
 
 jBedfoicl 5 
 
 Bodmin 10 
 
 Borough Compter .... 36 
 
 Biistol 1 
 
 Bury St, Edmund's .... 5 
 
 Cambridge 4 
 
 CardiiF 7 
 
 Carlisle 1 
 
 Chelmsford ........ 4 
 
 Chester 9 
 
 Cold Bath Fields 2 
 
 Carmarthen . 3 
 
 Denbigh 1 
 
 Dorset 4 
 
 Dover 4 
 
 Exeter, St. Thomas's ... 39 
 
 Exeter, Southgate .... 5 
 
 Fisherton ^nger 1 
 
 Fleet 71 
 
 Giltspur-Street Compter . 21 
 
 Gloucester 1 
 
 Halifax 4 
 
 Haverfordwest 2 
 
 Hereford 10 
 
 Hertford 2 
 
 Horsham .......:. 1 1 
 
 H'.^ntingdon 2 
 
 llchest* 30 
 
 Ipswich 2 
 
 Kingston-upon-HuU ... :i 
 
 King's Bench Ifi 
 
 Lancaster 28 
 
 Lfcicester 17 
 
 Lincoln 1 
 
 Liverpool 1 
 
 Lndgate lo 
 
 Macclesfield 4 
 
 Maidstone 14 
 
 Marshalsea 55 
 
 Monmouth I 
 
 Morpeth 2 
 
 Newgate 192 
 
 Northampton 8 
 
 Nonvich H 
 
 Nottina,liam 1 
 
 Oxfonf 3 
 
 Poult ly Compter 27" 
 
 Reading 3 
 
 Richmond, Yorkshii-e . . I 
 
 RothwtU 23 
 
 Shrewsbury 7 
 
 Stafibrd 14 
 
 Surry 43 
 
 Tothill Fields 32 
 
 \\'ar«'ick 1 
 
 V\'iuchcster 17 
 
 ^Vhitechapel 3 
 
 '^\'orcester 3 
 
 (ireat Yarmouth 1 
 
 York Castle 3 
 
 X U Lcll 
 
 848.
 
 ( 582 ) 
 
 LIST 
 
 OF 
 
 GENERAL AND ANNUAL 
 BENEFACTIONS, 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 INSTITUTION OF THE SOCIET\^ IN FEBRUARY, 1772, 
 TO THE 31st of march, 1808, 
 
 Those marked with ** are Governors for Life. Jnnual Bene- 
 factors may at any time reqommend objects. 
 
 Benefaction's. 
 
 A. 
 
 I. s. d. 
 
 Anon-ymous : including Donations of less than Ten 
 
 Guineas, long since sent in, either \\ith proper 
 Names or various Initial Letters : Also Sums, of 
 whatecer Amount, whether with Initials, Names, 
 or Symbols, that have been regularly adver- 
 tised in Ne\vs-papei's, after the Meetings of the 
 Society, or noticed in the Books of Report, 
 publiihed with its Sar.ction ; and whose Donors 
 are supposed to be deceased. All which sums 
 (like those hereafter specified) remain indi\'i- 
 duaJly eniered in the Records of t'.ie Society, 
 togethcrwith the Dates and Circumstances under 
 
 which they were respectively received 19,592 7 5 
 
 Anon\mous : P. by Isaac and John Walker, Esq. . . . 1,575 
 ^•The Tni tees of Bishop Andrews's Charity 2,6^6 D 
 
 Atwick.
 
 LIST OF BENEFAexrONS. 
 
 58s 
 
 Atwick, \Vm. Ksq. .5 Q p 
 
 **Aubrey, Moiy, Esq. 21 
 •**Agutter, Paul, Esq. 50 8 
 
 A. H ... 160 
 
 A. C. St. Thomas's 240 
 A Lady, by Rev. Dr. 
 
 Trotter '21 GO 
 
 A Lad)-, by llev. An- 
 thony Natt 40 18 
 
 ^*Acland, Rev. John. . '25 15 O 
 
 **Angerstein, J. J. Esq. 4'^ O 
 
 **Antiobus, Edm. E!,q,'21 
 
 A.'B; by Tretisurer 800 O O 
 
 A.B.byDornen&Co.50 O 
 
 A. B. by Biddulph and 
 
 Co 100 O 
 
 A.B. in Letter Box .'iOO O 
 
 A.E 20 
 
 A.G.byFiillerandGo.40 O 
 
 A. X 20 
 
 A.B.X -.20 
 
 A. B. C 200 O 
 
 A. H. per Hoares . . 60 O O 
 
 A. F 21 O O 
 
 A. Y. S. 51. each.. 15 O 
 
 A. B. Y. X 20 
 
 A Philanthropist, by 
 
 Mr. Dojnford,.. 100 
 
 A Ladv iniknown . . 40 
 
 Ditto,byHon.P.Pusey3 
 Ditto, by J. Bourne, 
 
 Esq '20 
 
 Adams,. John, Esq. . . 15 
 
 Abbott,Rt. hon.C. . 15 15 
 
 A Friend 53 14 G 
 
 Ditto, bvRev.T.Thirl- 
 
 wall ' 85 
 
 A Friend to Honesty in 
 
 Distress 20 
 
 A Friend 7 
 
 Aust, George, Esq. 14 14 O 
 
 **Anberton, P. Esq. . . '27 10 
 
 Askew, Adam, Esq. 18 18 
 
 ' Askew, Arden, Esq. 3 3 
 
 Ambeok, Maria .... 55 
 
 Adair, Dr. James M. 3 3 
 
 Allen, L. B. Esq 8 8 
 
 Asheton, Mrs 6" 6 
 
 3 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 (t 
 
 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 (> 
 
 u 
 
 A Widow, per Messrs. 
 
 H(;aro.s 5 
 
 A Donation, ])er iJid- 
 
 dnlph and C(j. .' . lOO 
 
 Ar-ill, Mr. J 
 
 A Lady, jier Bi(klul))h 
 
 and C"u K(> 
 
 A Lady tio 
 
 A Quaker, (so called) 1 0(J 
 
 DiTto 50 
 
 A Lady, from Manchcs- 
 
 ter-square ...... 35 
 
 Aminadab 20 
 
 Alpha 10 
 
 B. 
 
 Barham, Right Hon. 
 
 Lord, V.P 103 l'.> O 
 
 BelgraM', Lord ^'isc. 20 O O 
 " ^'Butkn-, Rev. W'eeden 4 4 
 **Broadhcad, Theodore- 
 
 Heni-y, Esq 162 17 O 
 
 **Bradney, John, Esq. 95 10 
 Bradney, J. jim. E.sq. 6" 4 O 
 Bradney,Mi-s.ofHam25 3 O 
 * ^Browne, Isaac - Hau - 
 
 kins, Esq 178 10 O 
 
 *-Bi(klulph, Cocks, and 
 
 Riflge, Messrs. . . OS 5 O 
 Biddulph, R.M. Esq. 
 
 M.P 5 5 
 
 Buckinghamsliire, 
 
 Countess of 20 10 O 
 
 Bunbiuy, Sir Charles, 
 
 Bart 10 10 O 
 
 Bouverie, Hon. B. . . 10 
 -^v'Bo.^anfpiet, H. Esq. 21 O O 
 **Bulkr, J. Esq. M.P. 35 10 O 
 **Brewster, Mr.W. ..39 IS O 
 B^L^sett, Rev. John .10 10 O 
 *^Burgess, Hvigh, Esq. 
 
 pcrTix^uier . . 2300 O O 
 '^^Boultbee, Jos.' Eyq. f(9 15 O 
 ^•••Brereton, Clia. Tre- 
 
 lawnev, Esq. . . . . 94 10 O 
 B. bv the Rev. Dr. 
 
 Gaskiu 5 5 
 
 Brown,
 
 ■M 
 
 LIST 6t^ EEyEFACTlOKS. 
 
 Bro^vn, James, E^q. 10 
 **Bro\vn, George, Esq. 21 
 Browu, Rol^it, Esq. 
 
 Ajlcsbun- 3 5 
 
 ■>**BoonejThonjas,Esq. 81 15 
 **Bo('ne, Charles, Esq. 40 
 Brunton, M..-.E. . . 29 SO 
 **Blacle*, Mr John ..S3 12 
 Bath, Rt. Hon. Lady 63 
 *<^Brook, Rev. I. K. S. 22 12 
 
 ^*Baltye, J. Esq 25 
 
 ■**Bree", Maitin, Esq. . . 22 10 
 **Barclav, David, Esq. 35 
 Barclay, Edw. Esq. 5 
 Biner,' William, Esq. 2 2 
 Brickwood, J. Esq. 10 10 
 Brickwood, N. Esq. 2 2 
 Brickwood, L. Lsq. 5 6 
 Brodic, A. Esq. M.P. 5 
 Bowness, Major .... 5 50 
 Blackslone, Rev. C. . . 1 10 
 
 Barrow, Mr 1 10 
 
 **BeU, Rcv.Dr 70 
 
 Bell, J;unes, Esq. . . 10 10 
 Baldwin, Wni. Et-q. 6 6 
 Blakesley, Wm. Esq. 5 
 **Blackinan;Geo. Esq. 25 5 O 
 Broughton, Lady . . 5 5 
 Eoak, Jacob, Esq. . . 15 
 Beck, James, Esq. . . 5 5 
 
 Eettsv.orth, Mrs 3 
 
 , Baker,PeterWm.E?q.5 5 
 
 B B^ 20 O 
 
 **Bootk, Edxvai'd-VVii- 
 
 braham,Esq. M.P. 51 
 Bulkeley, G. T E.^q. 10 
 B. C. ' per Messrs. 
 
 Hoares 1»X> O 
 
 B. G 100 
 
 *«Ba:.kerfield, T. Esq. 21 
 , Biiigi'iam, Lacly Ann 3 
 ',Booti>, Fred. Esq. 10 10 
 ^ Bathoniensis, perTrea- 
 
 surer 10 
 
 Bibo 10 
 
 Benigno Nnmine .... 2 00 
 
 Burdett, Sir Francis, 
 Ban . the Annual 
 Dividends of 1000 /. 
 3 per Cent. Ccmch, 
 for ever f. 
 
 C. 
 
 Collection.s at sundry 
 Churclies, Qiopels, 
 &c. since the i::sU->. 
 tut ion of the Society 
 
 in 1772 2358 16 S 
 
 **Cremorne, Rt. Hon. 
 
 Lord Viscount . . 21 
 Carlisle, Rt. Hon. Earl 
 
 of 20 
 
 Curtis. SirWm. Bart. 10 10 O 
 
 **Cujtis^Thoinas, Esq. 35 
 
 Caldwell, Wm. Esq. .5 5 
 
 Cald\vell,George, E,sq.2 2 O 
 
 C^Id\veli,Andivw,Esq.2 2 O 
 
 **Charle\vood,Rev.C.B.57 16 O 
 
 **Chamness,Ja~.Esq. 107 15 O 
 
 Cranmer, Mrs 27 6 
 
 **Cottrell, John, Esq. 35 14 O 
 **Currie, William, Esq.72 10-0 
 
 Clementina 16 
 
 Crowder, Mr. J 13 13 O 
 
 Corbett, Peter, Esq. 12 12 O 
 Cornwall, J. jun. Esq. 5 5 O 
 Clarke, Mr. William . . 9 9 0. 
 Coxe, Daniel, Esq. . . 3 3 
 Crofts, Mr. Daniel ..220 
 Cotton, Sir Cha. Bart. 2 2 
 Cock, Mr. Alexander 110 
 Clive, Henry, Esq. . . 1 10. 
 Cn.yke, Govenaor . . 13 13 O 
 ^'^Colpoys, Admiral Sir 
 
 John, K.B. .... 22 8 
 
 *^Coney,Bicknell, E6q.36 15 O 
 
 Camming, Geo. Esq. 16 16 O 
 
 *-^Crawshay,R.ich.Esq.21 O O 
 
 CM. an.. ^-.D. per Sec. 20 
 
 *^CIarke, W m. Esq. 100 O 
 
 Colquhoun, Patr. Esq. 2 2 
 
 t N. B. The Stock purchased, and vested in Trustees, 1808. . , 
 
 Chatiieia,
 
 LIST OF BENEFACTIONS, 
 
 585 
 
 Chatfield, Mrs. Al. . . 8 
 Charlett, Ilich.Bourne 
 
 Esq G 
 
 Chaiieson, Mr. Liuvr. 1 
 Calveit, Peter, Esq. 10 
 Calvert, Miss Maria . . 5 
 Chatteris, Wm, Esq. 8 
 Cator, Jolin-Augus- 
 
 tus, Esq .4 
 
 **Craster, Shafto, Esq. 40 
 Cooper, R. B. Esq. 2 
 Clarke, Tho. T. Esq. 10 
 Cotton, John, Esq. . . 2 
 **CampbcU, Capt. Pa- 
 trick, R.N 30 
 
 **Cra\vford, Cha. Esq. 21 
 Crawford, Mrs. Robt. 5 
 Cruttenden, Captain 5 
 Cruttendeu, J. Esq, . . 5 
 
 C. B. R 50 
 
 C. S. E 15 
 
 Clifford, Henry, Esq. 1 
 
 Coape, , Esq. . . 2 
 
 Cadby, William, Esq. 2 
 Cla'idge, John-Fellows 
 
 Esq 2 
 
 Coote, Mr. per Blox- 
 am and Co 1 
 
 D. 
 
 **De Dunstanvilie, Rt. 
 
 Hon. Lord 30 
 
 Dimsdale, Hon. Baron 
 
 dec 62 
 
 **Dornford, Jos. Esq. 54 
 **Dimsdale, Tho. Esq. 24 
 **Dolbcn, J. Eng. Esq. 40 
 Darrell, Andrew, Esq. 2 
 ■**Darrell, Edward, Eaq.33 ' 
 **I)u-Pr6 Porcher, Jos.**^ 
 
 Esq ■ 38 
 
 . Du-Prc, Mrs 10 
 
 _ Dawson, Mr 5 
 
 **Dawson, Wm. Esq. 29 
 Dawson, W. Esq. Batli 2 
 
 Dawson, Mrs .6 
 
 •**Di"umniOnd, J. E.-q. 94 
 
 s 
 
 
 
 G 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 f> 
 
 
 15 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 19 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 17 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 10 0| 
 
 *''Dinnnmond,A.B.Esq.84 
 Dnmnnond. H. Esq. 5 
 
 Ditk-ion, Mi-s 74 
 
 ])( )Ut;l;Lss,Lady E. dec.'ZCi 
 
 **Don^bias, J. J. Esq. 30 
 Dennf, Cornel. Esq. 15 
 Driukwatcr, Lt. Cul. 2 
 Di-nnisnn, \\ m. E^(l. iJo 
 Down, Richard, K.'iq. .'> 
 Dohree, MissJudith 1.".0 
 
 **Daw, WilUam, E^q. 30 
 
 Duist, Mr 2 
 
 Donivillc, Wm. Esq. 4 
 Devonjjort, John, Es(j. 5 
 Dahyniple, Robt. Esq. 4 
 
 D. S 10 
 
 Diana, per Treasurer 10 
 
 E. 
 
 **EardIey, Right Hon. 
 Lord 130 
 
 E. L Esq. dec. St. 
 Thomas's 760 
 
 **Edmonston, Sii- Ar- 
 chibald, Bart. . . 21 
 EUiston, Rev. Dr. dec. 42 
 
 **E}les, John, Esq. . . 42 
 
 E. N. .. 465 
 
 E. B. byMr.WeL^rdlO 
 E.G.byFullerandCo. 40 
 E. per Messrs. Ho; .res 90 
 
 *-Etwall, Ralph, P:sq. 26 
 Edmonstone, C. Esq. 18 
 Ednionstone, Sir E. 4 
 
 •^"EUiott, Wm. Elliott, 
 
 Esq. 21 
 
 Enderby, Charles, Esq. 4 
 Enderbv, George, Esq. 4 
 
 ^^*Evton, Rf V. John .21 
 Eiv, Lord Bishop of 20 
 
 **Evei-sIield,V\'m. Esq. 17 
 
 o a 
 
 5 
 
 5 o 
 
 11 (>- 
 
 o o 
 
 15 O 
 2 
 O O 
 5 O 
 O O 
 O 
 2 O 
 
 4 O 
 
 5 O 
 4 
 
 10 O 
 
 
 O 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (f 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 18 
 
 .0 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 0.0 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 -4 
 
 .0 
 
 0.0 
 
 00 
 
 2^ -a 
 
 **Fadcn, Mr. . - 
 Field, Lady . 
 
 .73 10. 
 
 .2 
 Fi-etuian,
 
 rySe 
 
 LIST OF BENEFACTIONS. 
 
 . Freeman, Thomas-Dl- 
 v.ai'ds, Esq. y/^c. for 
 the Gaols ol^' (ilouces- 
 ter, Woreestei", aiid 
 
 Wniw ick 300 O 
 
 Free man, Tlxomas-Ed- 
 VwUtis, Esq. dec. for 
 
 Gerwial Purposes 41 18 
 
 Fletcher, Walter, Esq. 10 10 
 
 Foster J John, Esq, . . 15 15 
 
 P. B 50 O O 
 
 **Farrer, James, Esq, 31 10 
 
 Free, ?\athaniel, Esq. 10 O 
 
 Free, John, Esq. t/ec. 25 15 O 
 
 **Free, Peter, E.>q. . . 21 
 
 **Foibes, Jamei=, Esq. 31 10 
 
 Forljes, Charles, Esq,. 5 5 
 F. G. i)er Messrs. Gold- 
 
 ney 10 
 
 Fawcett, Rev.Thomas 2 2 
 
 **Frcneh, George, Esq. 23 2 O 
 
 Foxton, Wm! Esq. . . 1 10 
 Forbes, Sir Wm. Bart. 
 
 dec 10 10 
 
 Fiiend, Rev. \V. M. . . 5 
 
 Francklin, John, Esq. 8 8 
 
 Fr\er, IMr 4 4 
 
 Feilitzcch,theCaroness 
 
 ,de 9 
 
 ijpthergill. Dr. A 5 5 
 
 Forrester, Peter, Esq. 2 2 
 
 F) dell, 11. Samuel, Esq.5 5 
 
 Flower, Richard, Esq. 2 2 
 
 Frewin, Rev. Dr 4 4 
 
 Fletcher, Rev. Heniy 5 5 O 
 
 Faiishaw, John, Esq. 5 
 
 ** Fiv, William, Esq. . . 21 
 
 FuUerton, G.A, Esq. 5 5 
 
 Fellowes, Mrs 2 
 
 Fcllowcs, Miss F. L. 1 1 
 
 , Fatima,perTreasurer20 O O 
 
 Flora, per ditto 20 
 
 '^ Felix Spes 2 O () 
 
 GiWweii, Mr. Sec. 10 10 C 
 
 GoDOLPHiN, Rt. Hon. 
 
 Earl of, dec 100 O 
 
 **Gloncester, H. R. H. 
 
 the Duke of, dec. 52 10 O 
 Gloiicefter, 11. R. H. 
 
 the Duchess of, rfeo. 70 O 
 ■'■*Gra{'toi:, His Grace the 
 
 Dulte of, 30 10 O 
 
 Guildi'ord, Right Hon. 
 
 F-iri of, dec 94 10 O- 
 
 **Gv\vdir, Right Hon. 
 
 Lord 21 
 
 Galloway, Lady Dow- 
 ager Frances, .... 21 O O 
 Gardiner, W. Esq. c?ef.84 O 
 
 (iai'dincr, Mrs 5 5 (>■ 
 
 Greville, Mi-s. Hester 1 1 11 O 
 
 Greville, Mr G 6.0 
 
 Greenwood, Wm. Esq. 4 4 
 G. W. Z. dec. by Mr, 
 
 Gra-sswcU -105. 4. 6 
 
 **Gnmston, H. Es<j. . . 2^4 3 
 Gasl'iilUMrsJ. flftr. 160 OO 
 Grindiay, Rev. Dr.. . 12 12 O 
 "^^Gunning, Sir Robert, 
 
 Bart 20a O 
 
 Godwin, George, Esq. 15 O' O 
 "*Gregg, Francis, Esq. 21 O () 
 
 Gamiiier, J. Esq. . . 10 
 **Gambier, Vice-Adm. 35 
 Green, \A'illiam, Esq. 5 
 **Gof)dman,Geo. Esq. of 
 
 Leeds. 21 
 
 Glxnn, LadyCarr .... 4 
 G'l-cmt, Heniy, Esq. . . 2 
 Gay, Nicholas, Estj. . . 2 
 Ciiige, HonMjk' Mrs. 1 
 Goldney, Mr. Tiiomas 2 
 **Gordon, Alex. Escp per 
 
 Rev. Sydney Smith25 5 O- 
 **Gordon, Alex. Esq. 31 10. 
 
 Gooch, Mr.T. S 6 6 O 
 
 >^><Gold9uud, A. Esq. . . 21 O O 
 
 Ga\ in, Mr L 1 O 
 
 G. S. a Lady; 19 12 (> 
 
 G. X ' 20 O O 
 
 Gnithma, per Treas. 20- O O 
 
 
 
 O 
 
 
 
 O 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 O 
 
 O 
 
 o 
 
 2 
 
 o 
 
 1 
 
 a- 
 
 2 
 
 o- 
 
 H. Hcrt.
 
 LIST OF BENEFACTIONS. 
 
 :>87 
 
 H. 
 
 HertforJ, the Most 
 Noble Miu-quis of, 
 
 dec. 310 
 
 Hertford, the Most 
 Noble Marquis of, 
 
 V. P 116 5 
 
 Hardwicke, ]i)arl ol^ 
 
 dec 80 10 
 
 **Herrics, Sir Robert 
 
 and Co 105 5 O 
 
 Henies, Robt. Esq. 18 18 
 
 Herrie?, Francis, Esq. 4 4 
 
 Hume, Alexander, E>q.'2 2 
 
 Haimkon, SirR. dec.23 2 
 
 Hamilton, Lady. ... 56 14 O 
 **H()are, Henry, Esq. and 
 
 Co 25 7 
 
 Hoare, Wm. H. Esq. 20 O 
 
 Hoare, William, Esq. 1 10 
 Hoare, Mrs. Becken- 
 
 ham, 30 
 
 Hoare, Wm. Esq. Dur- 
 ham, 2 20 
 
 Hoare, Wm. Esq. per 
 
 Vere and Co 1 10 
 
 Hovard,Rt.Hon.Ld.20 O O 
 
 .**Harman, John, Esq. 30 
 
 Harman, Mrs 10 
 
 Hardcastle, Jos. Esq. 10 10 O 
 
 Hammer-ley, T. Esq. 20 O 
 
 Hunter, Robert, Esq 8 S O 
 
 H\de, Mrs. dec. . 112 li) O 
 
 Holder, Mrs. Bath . . 8 8 
 *^Holder, Ja. Hooper, 
 
 Esq 31 10 
 
 Harrison, Mat. Esq. 6 6 
 
 Harrison, Mrs 3 3 
 
 •**Hamilton, Arch. Esq.48 6 
 
 **Hatsell, John, Esq. 57 15 O 
 
 Hodgson, Miss .... 21 00 
 
 Hodgkinson, Rev. H 5 5 
 
 Hallifax, Saville, Esq.lO O 
 
 Harper, R.I. Esq.. .13 13 O 
 
 Horton,Eusebiu=,Esq.3 3 O 
 
 **Horton, S. Esq 25 5 
 
 ■**HaliburLon, E>. Esq, 47 5 
 
 **Harris,Cjuarles,Ksq.4.'S0 O 
 
 Holland, Richard, i;s(|. 6 6 o 
 Holland, Mr. per Dr. 
 
 IvctL^om 1 o O 
 
 Holland, Edw. Esq. 1() o o 
 
 Ha\don,WilH:un, jun.y \) o 
 
 Haydon, Miss 1 I o 
 
 H'.ij'ij^erston, J. ]•;>,(;. . . 6 6 O 
 
 Hapi'v, Mr. Richard, I O O 
 
 Herv.^y, \\. Avlcshuiy 2 
 
 H. S " 12 lO 6 
 
 Hamian, Eflw, K.icp 10 lo O 
 
 H. D. Y 30 10 () 
 
 H. G 20 O () 
 
 **Hopeton, M. C. Esq. .30 O O 
 
 Hart, W. Nevil, Esi^. 2 2 O 
 
 ^ Hughes, Rev. Dr. . . 6 6 O 
 
 Hei bert, Mr .10 
 
 **Hak', Thomas, Esq. 21 
 
 ^:^Halc, I. E.sq 30 
 
 Hare, Mrs. Henrietta 5 5 
 
 Heneker, Hon.Gen.B. 5 5 
 
 •"■•jiarrlson, Benj. Esq. 21 O 
 
 Harbord, Lady Carol. 20 O O 
 
 Hodgkiason, E. PZsq. 10 10 O 
 
 Hoouian, Miss, S. . . 3 3 O 
 
 L and J. 
 
 LP 120 
 
 ■^^^I\ cs, William, Esq. 23 2 O 
 
 Ives, E. Esq 1 10 
 
 I\es, Cornelius, Esq. 7 7 
 L G. per Treasuier 20 
 LLperMcs?rs.Hoares50 O 
 Jeffery, George, Esq. 15 10 
 
 Joyce, Mi-s 80 O 
 
 Jeifeiys, Nath. Esq. 18 18 O 
 Jenner, Rev. Dr. . . 14 14 O 
 
 LX 100 
 
 *>^ Jacques, Mr 48 6 
 
 James, Mr. Jos. jim. 5 5 
 James, Houghton, Esq. 5 5 O 
 Jack-,; Ml, James and Co. 
 
 Moii:adore, 5 5 O 
 
 JacL-mi, J. G. Esq. . . 9 P O 
 •^- Jos^gurnal, M. Esq. 100 O O 
 
 LD forW. G 13 6 3 
 
 ^' Jenkins,
 
 5SS 
 
 LIST OF BENEFACTIONS. 
 
 ^-^ ■•Jenkins, Rich. Esq. liO 
 
 **Johnion, ^^'m. Esq. 50 O O 
 
 **Johnson, Jas. Esq. 330 O 
 
 - Johnson, G. Esq 3 3 
 
 Johnson, Mrs. ...... 2 20 
 
 Johason, Mr 10 
 
 Johnston, Mrs 2 2 
 
 Johnston, Miss 2 2 
 
 J.J 60 
 
 Jones, Mrs. A 4 10 
 
 Jones, Mr 1 10 
 
 Jones, JMr.C.P 12 12 O 
 
 Jones, Uv 5 
 
 1. K. per Hoares . . 100 
 1. S. G. per Fuller and 
 
 Chatteris 20 
 
 • Idle, Messrs 10 10 
 
 " Jack gives this" . . 10 
 
 K. 
 
 'i'Kerrv, Rt. Hon. Earl 
 
 of' 2G0 
 
 **Kmghtly, Rev. Sir J. 
 
 Bart 56 11 O 
 
 Kcmpentek, G. A. Esq. 
 
 dec. .......... 500 O 
 
 Kelham, Robert, Esq. 15 15 O 
 
 KneUcr, Mrs 1 10 
 
 Kerr,W.Esq.Edinbur.3 3 O 
 
 Kcppel, Hon. Mrs. . . 19 19 O 
 
 Keate, Mi^ 2 2 
 
 Knightly, Mrs 1 10 
 
 **Kirkman,J)hn, Esq. 75 
 
 Kestevan, Mr. James, 2 2 
 
 **Kindei'sley,N.E.E.sq. 35 15 
 **Knatchbull, Wyndham 
 
 Esq 21 
 
 Kimpton, Mr. W'm. . . 2 2 
 Keddington, R. Esq. 110 
 
 Leicester, Rt. Hon. 
 
 Eail of 5 5 
 
 Lu^hington, Sir Ste- 
 
 pht II, Bart, c'cc, . . 15 15 
 
 L. W. a Lady 10 10 O 
 
 Lady H. W 10 10 
 
 Lady M. W 10 10 O 
 
 Lady A. B 2 2 
 
 Leiieup, P.jun.Esq.lOO 
 
 Leheup, IMi-s CO 
 
 Leheup, S 2 2 
 
 Leheup, Mrs. Jane. .15 15 O 
 **Law, Ewan, Esq. . . 66 3 O 
 
 L. VV. Ciericus 54 7 
 
 **Lettsom, Dr. J. C. . . 29 8 O 
 Le-Fevre, C. S. Esq. . . 6 6 
 **Lock, ^\ illiaui, Esq. 36 15 O 
 Lownds, Thos. Esq. 15 5 
 Lownds, Rich. Esq. 20 O 
 Low-nds, ]Milnes, Esq. 5 
 
 **Lind, F. Esq ... 74 10 
 
 *^:Lane, Mr. Thomas 27 6 O 
 Langham, Sir Wm. 
 
 Bart 20 
 
 Leicester, Ralph, Esq. 5 5 O 
 Lewis, Thomas, Esq. 2 2 
 Lillington, A. S. Esq.l6 16 O 
 Le\vLs, James, Esq. 14 14 O 
 
 Lington, Mr 2 10 
 
 **Leigh, Rev. Thomas 36 15 O 
 
 Leigh, Rev. INIr 10 10 O 
 
 Leigh, Thomas, Esq. 
 
 Isle of Ely 2 2 O 
 
 Leigh, Mr. of Sutton 110 
 Lloyd, Ladv, per Bid- 
 
 d'ulph and Co 2 2 
 
 Lvnne, Mrs. per Mr. 
 
 'Goldney 2 2 
 
 Lucan , DowagerCoun- 
 
 tessof 12 
 
 And 5/. per annum, 
 for ever. Dividends 
 of 125/. 4 per cents. 
 Lewis, Izi-ael, Esq. . . 2 2 © 
 Lee, Rev. Sir George, 
 
 Bart 3 30 
 
 Lcc, James, Esq 4 4 O 
 
 Lee, Mrs 2 2 (> 
 
 Larkin, I. P. Esq. . . .2 2 
 Le^'ardly,Hemy,Ebq.lO 10 O 
 Lomas,'Rev. J. E. . . 10 O 
 Livina 5 O o 
 
 LLGACIIii
 
 LIST OF BENET-ACTIONS. 
 
 5S9 
 
 LEGACIES received, viz. 
 
 I^ady Osborne 209 
 
 Mr. Daniel Rcmy .100 60 
 Mrs. Heniietta- Maria 
 
 Tonilinson 405 
 
 John Cale, Esq. . . *200 .0 
 
 A Lady 50 
 
 Mv. John Bispham. .50 
 Mr. IV>bcrt Clee. . . 50 
 Mi-s. Man- Bourne. 100 
 luady Cath.Noel. ... 10 00 
 W. Congreve, Esq. 1000 
 Mrs. Ann Campbell. 10 
 Mrs. Mary Wylde . . 100 
 Mrs. Eliz. Cumyns.lOO 
 Wra. Crewe, Esq. . . 7-4 16 
 John Darker, Esq. 50 
 
 Mrs. Cutts 37 
 
 Rev. Isaac Cooper. .50 
 John Barnard, Esq.300 
 L. D. Nelrae, Esq. . . 10 
 Tho. Tolson, Esq. 200 
 John Boldero, Esq. 50 
 James Harley, Esq.^OO O 
 John Corbyn, Esq. . 52 7 
 Mrs. Maiy Wikon, 
 
 10001. Consols, .631 5 
 Charlewood Lawton 
 
 Esq 20 
 
 Mrs. Culling 200 O 
 
 LillieAynscombe,Esq20 
 Mrs. Marianne Hayes 20 
 
 Mrs. Gastril 200 
 
 Lady Grant 735 9 7 
 
 John Howard, Esq. 50 
 William Poolev,E';q. 100 
 John Baynard',E£q. 1000 
 George Stainbiidge, 
 
 Esq 182 10 
 
 John Sweet, Esq. . . 30 
 Nathaniel George Pe- 
 
 tv , Esq SI 
 
 Mrs. Rebecca Lee 246 
 CharlesSelwyn,Esq. 100 
 Bercher Bz til, Esq. 100 
 Edwai-dheylyn, Esq.lO 10 
 
 Thomas I^ine, Escj. 17 00 
 Mrs. Kiiuptoii ... 10 
 KalphKirkliani.K-qIMO () (> 
 Mr. ( harU-s Iklhard'i") o o 
 
 Mi-^. bcliank 400 o o 
 
 William Sliambrooke, 
 
 Esq 5(K) O (I 
 
 Wilson IVai;3on,E'b(i.47 O 
 William Fuller, I'^q. 1 1 7 () (j 
 John Pcto IX'bell . . 10 o o 
 Mis. Ann 0>wa]d. . 25U 17 6 
 Thomas Fidler, Esq. 47 O O 
 Mrs. Martha Spagg. 94 O 
 Mi-s. Miirgavet Sqiiiixis, 
 lOOOl. 3 per Cents. 
 
 Red 625 O O 
 
 James Pell, Esq, . . IbS 
 Peter Du-Cane, Esq. 10 O 
 Miss Anna Maiia Rey- 
 nolds 200 
 
 Ja. Hawkins, Esq. 525 
 JosephGalloway,E3q.94 O 
 Mrs Maltha Fletcher 1 3 16 O 
 Tho. Binstead, Esq. 18 8 O 
 Jolm Walton, Esq, . 92 O 
 Mrs. Ann Taylor ,183 
 Gen. George WanlelOj 16 
 Benjamin Allen, F^sq. 90 
 WilliamChiveis/Esq.90 O 
 
 J. H. Esq 100 
 
 Ja. Preston, Esq. .4170 2 6 
 Mr. Cha. Toinlinson 46 
 Mrs. Kath. Hyde. . . 45 
 
 Mrs. Whetham 180 
 
 Thos. -Edwards Free- 
 man, Esq 100 
 
 LEGACIES in expectancy } 
 ana which, depending on con- 
 tingencies, cannot \ct be as- 
 certained. 
 
 Rev. William Scott, late of 
 TiKvv^f'h, in the county of 
 bufiolk. 
 
 William ScuUai-d, Esq. late of 
 bt.
 
 590 
 
 LIST OF B£KEFACTIONS. 
 
 St. Giles's J Cambenvell, in 
 
 Sum'. 
 Archibald Stewart, Esq. late 
 
 of Mile-end Old Town, St. 
 
 DunsUins, Stepne\, IVlid- 
 
 dlesex. 
 John Shanibrooke, Esq. late 
 
 of Croydon, Sui n . 
 
 M. 
 
 *^Marsham, Rt. Hon. 
 
 Lord Viscount. . . 2G 5 
 
 Marsham,Hou.Mri. 74 11 O 
 
 *^jMavnard, Rt. Hon. 
 
 Lord 21 
 
 Molcswoitli, Hon.W. 10 O 
 
 Mauger, Joshua, E.sq. 16 16 O 
 
 Micklewaite, J. Esq. 10 
 
 **Marnott, Wxn.Esq. .31 10 
 
 Marriott, Dr 11 11 
 
 Marriott, Mr 10 10 
 
 Marriot, Rev. Dr. ... 5 00 
 Morland, Wm. Esq. 10 
 Morland,Francis,Es(i. 2 2 
 ^ MiUer, Lady, per Trea- 
 surer 37 16 
 
 Marrissal, N. Esq. .20 
 
 **Mavor, John, Esq. .61 10 
 Mangles, Messre. John 
 
 and James 29 SO 
 
 **Mitchell,Gilbert,Esq.52 10 O 
 
 M'CuUoch,H.E.Esq.lO 10 
 
 Matcham, Mrs S 8 
 
 Musens,Solomon,Esq.2 2 
 
 Marrdtt, John, Esq. 14 14 
 
 Wello, Arnold, Esq. .5 5 
 
 Malkin, T. Esq 12 12 
 
 Malkin, Wm. Esq. . 10 10 O 
 
 Middleton, Nath. Esq.5 5 
 M. B. Mi-s. by Rev. 
 
 Mr. Babbs 10 10 
 
 Moore, Lady 75 6 
 
 Moreton, Rev. Wm. 10 O 
 
 Marsliall, Rev. Edw.l2 12 
 
 **Mui-^h, John, E.sq. 
 
 Cliichester 23 2 
 
 Mansbv, Robert, Esq. 14 14 O 
 Martin, /Vmbrose, Esq. 4 4 O 
 Macdonald,FeHx, Esq.5 5 O 
 Mc Clelami, Mr. ... 2 2 O 
 Methold,Henr}',Esq.lO 5 O 
 
 *^*Musgiwe, Ja. Esq. .25 4 
 
 Musgi-ave, RIrs 10 10 O 
 
 March, Mrs 2 2 
 
 M. N 40 
 
 "Myself and Friends." 5 O O 
 Manning, Mr. George 2 2 O 
 
 **Majoribanks, S.Esq.23 2 
 
 **Meyer, James, Esq.121 O O 
 
 **Meycr, Mr.H 21 
 
 Martin, Heniy, Esq. 4 4 O 
 Martin, Mrs. Penelope 8 8 
 Martin, Mattliew,Esq.2 2 
 
 ■**Miller, Sir John Riggs, 
 
 Bart 76 
 
 **Mil]er, John, Esq. .35 
 M. E. Y. per Biddulph 
 
 and Co 10 10 0' 
 
 **Mildmav, SirHemy St. 
 
 John^ Bart. M. P. 25 5 
 Milchiiav, Lady 10 5 O 
 
 **Milner, 'George, Esq.22 1 
 Maud, John, Esq. . . 8. 8 
 Mitclitll, II. C. Esq. . 5 ' 5 O. 
 Marter, Wm. Esq. . . 9 9 
 Metcalte, Rev. Wm. .2 2 0- 
 
 Maxwell, Capt 4 
 
 Montague Baril, Esq. I 
 Mestacrs, J. F. Esq. . 2 
 Montag-ue, G. Esq. . . 2 
 Mendham, John, Esq.l 
 
 **Master, Rev. L. H. .31 
 
 M. E. A 30 
 
 Mevrick, Rev. T 5 
 
 M.'C. H 21 
 
 M. P. P 10 
 
 M.E.H. per Lucailou 
 
 and Co 10 
 
 Mon'ina, per Trea- 
 surer 20 
 
 Mole, per ditto. ... 10 
 Montagu, Hon. Mi-s. 
 9th Benefaction. . 10 
 
 4 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 10 O 
 10 o 
 
 
 
 o 
 10 o 
 
 10 
 
 O 
 o 
 
 
 
 •N.,
 
 1-lST OF BENEFACTIONS. 
 
 r>yi 
 
 N. 
 
 '^'^'Nfeild, J;imcp, Ksq. 
 
 Treasurer 7'> 1'2 O 
 
 Norman,George,Esq.lO 10 O 
 Nixon, Mr. Niclioliuil8 18 
 
 Morris, Mrs 2 ^ O 
 
 Ncalc, Mr It) O 
 
 Nunn, ^Vm. Esq 7 7 
 
 Newman, Wni. Lewis, 
 
 Esq 2 2 
 
 Newman, Mr. John 10 O 
 Nnmps,per rreasurer25 
 
 Nemo, ditto 10 
 
 Nab, ditto 20 
 
 t). 
 
 O. P. L. Rev. Dr. .14 14 
 
 Oliver, Mrs 20 
 
 Oliver, D. Esq 10 
 
 Owen, Hugh, Esq. . 4 
 
 Oakes, Mv. 10 
 
 O'Brien, Dennis, Esq.2 
 Ommancv, Edward, 
 
 Esq.. .' 5 
 
 Olive, Jeremiah, Esq.4 
 
 Olive, Miss 4 
 
 OldNoll (Letter-box) 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Pusey, Hon. Philip, 
 
 V.P 170 3 O 
 
 Pusey, Lady Lucy. .47 5 
 
 »*Plumer, Tho. Esq. 21 
 
 Pearce, W. Esq. ... 12 12 
 **Pepperell, Sir Wm. 
 
 - Bart. 27 60 
 
 Pulteney, Hon. Mre.30 10 O 
 
 Pulteney,SirJas.Bart.5 5 
 
 P.A 21 
 
 **Pattle, Thomas, Esq .23 2 
 
 Powell, Mr. David. . 11 11 
 
 **Paxton, Arch. Esq. 44 2 
 
 «*Paxton, Sir Wm. . . 39 18 
 
 **Primatt, l^icey, E.sq..'i3 
 ^*Pepvs, Sir \Villiuii» 
 
 \\Vller, Bail. . . . D8 
 *n'Uvk, Jiums - Allan, 
 
 Esq ;n 
 
 Polt, John, V>q. (/t( . lu 
 *'^l'hiliipps, T. !VLurh, 
 
 Ks(i :i3 
 
 Plnllipps, Mrs. March 7 
 *'^" Parks, Richard, E!s(j,r>7 
 Pitt, Thomas, Escj. . 12 
 1\ :ir»on, \\ il-on, Esq. 4 
 Pell, Janus, Esq. rftc.'-iO 
 Piatt, Thomas, Esq. . 20 
 Pinnock, James, Esq. 17 
 ^•'^Pigou, Robert, E.^q.GO 
 Polhill, Charles, Esq. 
 
 dec 12 
 
 Proctor and Brownlo\v5 
 Pitt, Wm. Morton, 
 
 Esq. M. P 12 
 
 Paton, Cicorae, Esq. 5 
 
 *>Pack\vood, Mr 2G 
 
 Persse, P. Esq G 
 
 Persse, Mi^s .5 
 
 Precious, Robert, E:,([.G 
 Penyn, Rev. Riclraril 2 
 Pote, Edward, Esq. . 13 
 Plumptre, Rev. James, 
 
 Clare-hall 3 
 
 *^*Pieschel], Charles, 
 
 Esq 21 
 
 **Powell, John Qarke, 
 
 Esq 21 
 
 •• *Prmie, Sanuiel, E^q. 52 
 **Pepys, Charles Christ. 
 
 Esq 21 
 
 Plunimer, Tlio. Esq. 
 per Treasu.er . . 10 
 Vigott, Rev. James. . 1 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 IJ 
 
 O 
 
 lo 
 
 i) 
 
 b 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 o 
 
 7 
 
 o 
 
 i.n 
 
 o 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 10 O 
 
 O 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 K.) 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 r^ 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 G 
 
 
 
 '.) 
 
 
 
 G 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 11 
 
 G 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 10 o 
 
 1 o 
 
 R. 
 
 Romncy, the Right 
 Hon. Lord, dec. late 
 President of tlus So- 
 ciety 99 15 O^ 
 
 Romney/
 
 592 
 
 LIST OF BENEFACTIONS. 
 
 Romney, the Right 
 Hon. the Earl of, 
 
 President 1*27 16 
 
 Riidnor, the Right 
 Hon. the Earl of, 
 
 \.P 213 3 
 
 Radnor, Right Hon. 
 
 Countess of 5 5 
 
 Rich, Sir Robert, Bart. 
 
 (]rc 200 
 
 *^* Rainier, Admii-al. .117 4 
 
 •'5"Ultukes,^niomas,Esq.54 O 
 
 Rovind, James, Esq. .5 
 
 R. S. per Secretary 100 O 
 
 Rowe, Mi-s*. 10 10 
 
 Rayner, Rob. Esq. .15 15 
 ^*Robiason, L. Esq. . 50 O 
 * -^Robinson, R. Esq. .31 10 
 **Ro\vcroft, Alderraan49 5 
 **Reeve, Joshua, Esq.SS 17 O 
 **Ra\vson, Sam. Esq. .47 5 
 Runquest, P. A. Esq. 1 10 
 Redhead, Tho. Esq. 10 O 
 
 Redhead, Mrs 1 10 
 
 Row, Mr. William. . .2 2 
 
 Raper, C. C. Esq 2 2 
 
 Rolle, Rt. Hon. LordlO 10 
 Redway, Mrs. Bath. .1 
 Khoda, perTreasurerlO 
 
 Rural 2 2 
 
 Rebecca 5 50 
 
 ■**Stamford and ^'ar- 
 lington, the Right 
 Hon. the Earl of 155 
 **Stanhope, the Right 
 
 Hon. Earl 21 
 
 St. Vincent, Rt. Hon. 
 
 Countess of. 18 
 
 Smith, SirJohn,Bart.l5 
 :**Stanhope, C. Esq. . .80 
 Sykes, Rev. Sir Mar- 
 tin, Bart. dec. . . 170 
 ♦'^Smith, Mr. Johii. . 240 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 IS 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Speaker, J. Esq. dec. 100 
 Schutz, Francis, Esq.8 
 
 Schutz, Mi-3. H 4 
 
 Salway, Mre. Jane 
 
 Constance 7 
 
 Saltonstall, Mrs 8 
 
 Saltonstall, Miss 55 
 
 Samford, Mrs 10 
 
 Sunderland, J. Esq. . 2 
 **Serra, I.saae, Esq. . .21 
 ■^'*Slroud, Wm. Esq. and 
 
 Lady 191 
 
 Strode', Wm. Esq. Bath 3 
 S. M. Lady, per Bid- 
 
 dulph and Co 20 
 
 ^^Smith, Jos. Esq. ... 21 
 * ^Smith,Thomas,Esq.250 
 
 Smith, T. Esq 15 
 
 Smith, Mr. Thomas . 2 
 **Smith, Drmnmond, 
 
 Esq 31 
 
 Smith, Mrs. Sarah, 
 
 Chichester 12 
 
 Smith, John, Esq. ... 1 
 Smith, Rev. Sydney. . 6 
 Smjth, Esq. Camb. . 2 
 
 Smith, Mrs. C 1 
 
 Smith, Edward, Esq. 2 
 Sharp, Mr. John, of 
 
 Dover 2 
 
 Shaq), Mr. jun 12 12 O 
 
 Stralton, George, Esq. 
 
 dec 15 
 
 Smart, Richard, Esq. 8 
 
 Spirling, Mr 10 10 O 
 
 Sprangcr,John,Esq. 20 O O 
 Sqixire, Mr. William. .2 2 O 
 Squire, Mrs. Ehzabeth 4 4 O 
 
 Shipman, Mrs 21 
 
 Scott, Da%-id,Esq.dcf.lO 10 O 
 Sidgraves,James,Esql5 
 Sidgraves, Sullivan, 
 
 Esq 2 2a 
 
 Shiffner, Mrs 42 7 O 
 
 Shiffner, Mr. T 35 
 
 Seeker, Rev. George 12 6 O 
 
 Seeker, Henry, Esq. .1 1 O 
 
 Stockwcll, John, Esq.6 6 
 
 Stafford^ 
 
 
 
 d 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 O 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 2 O 
 
 5 O 
 
 8 O
 
 LIST OF Bl.NEFACTIONS. 
 
 j<)3 
 
 Stafford, Lady 3 
 
 S. P. Mi-s 42 
 
 S. G. per Fuller and 
 
 Co 20 
 
 Stevenson, Rob. Esq. 10 
 Sturgei-Bouine, V\ m. 
 
 Esq. M. P '2 
 
 Swiney, Vice-Adiniral 4 
 Snow, Robert, Esq. . 5 
 Sansoni, Ph. Esq. ... 8 
 ■Soltau, \^'m. Esq. ... 6 
 Soltau, George, Esq. 6 
 
 Soltau, Mrs 3 
 
 Saumarez, Sir James, 
 
 Vice- Admiral 2 
 
 Saumarez, R. Escj. . . 4 
 Sykes, Rev. R. West- 
 Ella 20 
 
 Sykes, R. jun. Esq. . 10 
 
 Talbot, the Rt. Hon. 
 
 Earl, dec 57 
 
 Tufton, the Rt. Hon. 
 
 Lady Charlotte. . 230 
 Temple, Hon. Mrs. 21 
 Taylor, Sir Rob. dec. 23 
 **Tievor, Right Hon. 
 
 John 52 
 
 Trevor, Hon. Mrs. . . .3 
 Tliornton, John, Esq. 
 
 dec 156 
 
 **Tliornton, Hen. Esq. 70 
 
 Tliornton, Mrs. H. . 10 
 
 **Thornton, Rob.Esq.21 
 
 **Thornton, Sam. Esq.? 7 
 
 Thoi-nton, Wm. Esq. 4 
 
 Tilson, the Rev. Geo.G 
 
 »*Thompson, Robert, 
 
 Esq 37 
 
 TwoLadies,fron\ Man- 
 chester-square. . . 49 
 Two Ladies of Dor- 
 setshire 5 
 
 »*Tamez, James, Esq. 
 of Moscow 45 
 
 3 
 
 01 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 0' 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 15 O 
 
 O O 
 O 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 
 
 10 
 
 O 
 
 15 
 
 4 O 
 
 6 
 
 15 
 19 
 
 5 
 
 
 '^Taylor, James, Esq. 23 2 O 
 Theakstonaud W el'-h- 
 
 nuui 71 HO 
 
 TrelHwny,Rev.SirH. 10 10 
 Thompson, And. E.sq. 1() o O 
 Thomp>on, J Kxj. . 20 O O 
 Thompson, Sit h, Esq. 7 7 o 
 **Tyr\vhitt, the Rev. 
 
 Robert BO 
 
 T. X 100 
 
 Thellusson, Peter, Esq . 
 
 dec 31 O 
 
 Trigge, Mrs 15 15 O 
 
 Trigge , Gen .Sir Tho . 
 
 K. B 10 10 
 
 Taylor, Capt. John, 
 
 Madras 5 50 
 
 Tomlia-on, Capt. \. 
 
 Royal Navy 1 10 
 
 TiU, Mr. Henry 2 2 
 
 Trevelvan,Jolin,E<q.lO 10 
 Trovelvan, Mr- . . 10 10 O 
 Trevelyan, ^V. B. Ivq.7 7 O 
 Toplis, John, Esq . . r> O 
 
 Tagg, Mr 2 2 
 
 Thomas, W. Escj. .. b' O O 
 Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. S 
 Tooke, John - Home, 
 
 Esq 1 10 
 
 **Vy%Tan, Rev. Sir Ca- 
 
 "rew, Bart 30 10 
 
 **Vansittart, Geoi^e, 
 
 Esq. M. P 21 
 
 Vansittart,Hon.Mi-s 14 14 
 A'ernon, J. G. Esq 12 12 
 Viner, \MUiam, Es< 14 14 O 
 Vere, Lucadou, and 
 
 Company 21 
 
 Unwin, ^i!"s 5 
 
 Vibilia, byTreasui-er % 
 Vcnoni, ditto 5 
 
 Vita. 
 Pp 
 
 
 O O 
 O 
 
 18 
 
 ^'"knowD,
 
 594 
 
 LIST OF BENEFACTIONS. 
 
 Unknown, sent in a 
 penny-post letter, to 
 the Treasurer at 
 Chelsea 1000 
 
 W. 
 
 *^Willoughby de Broke, 
 
 Lord 330 15 
 
 **\Vatson, Mr. W 76 6 
 
 **\Vilberforce, Wm.^psq. 
 
 M. P 99 15 
 
 Walker, Isa. Esq. f/ec. 41 10 
 W'. H. by Treasurer 100 
 **Wooltf, George, Esq. 44 2 
 Waddington, Mcasrs. 
 
 of Nottingham. . . .2 2 
 **Waddington, B. Esq.36 5 
 **Ward, John, Esq. .37 16 
 *"WaUer, Mr. John. . 37 16 
 **Wedgu"Ood and Byer- 
 
 ly, Messrs 94 10 
 
 Wansey, Wm. Esq. . . 5 5 
 
 Wansey, J. Esq 12 12 
 
 Wood, Richard, E.«q. 5 5 
 
 W.H 120 
 
 W. H. of Newcastle. 50 O 
 WeUs, Mr. J. Smith 16 16 
 Walker, Mr. Charles. 16 16 
 
 WaUace, Mr 12 11 
 
 **Woods, Edm. Esq. . 52 11 
 ** Whitfield, John, Esq.33 12 
 Wi'angham,Rev.Fra..4 4 
 Wcbb^Mis.s,Glouceste»^2 2 
 ■**Uilbmhani, R. Esq 55 5 O 
 Wilbi-ahani,Tho. Esq.5 5 O 
 Williams, Rev. \V. of 
 
 Wateibeach lO 10 O 
 
 WainwTight, Mr 3 3 
 
 Wain\vright,Mr.Wm. 3 3 O 
 V/ilson, Mrs. Mar\- .21 
 Wilson, Mrs. Sarah 21 
 Ware, James, Esq. . 14 14 O 
 5t*VVright, Wm. Esq. .21 
 
 **Watt5, D. P. Esq. . . 42 
 
 Warren, Aug. E^q. .6 6 
 *nV\nne, Cha. W. WU- 
 
 lianis. Esq 36 15 O 
 
 Woi>ds, John, Esq.. 3 3 O 
 
 Wad, Wm. Esq 10 
 
 Winter, Matthew, E.sq.8 8 O 
 
 Webb, Richard, F^q. 2 2 
 
 WorraU, Mis 2 2 
 
 Winslow, Mr 2 O O 
 
 Worniiick, Rev. Dr. .2 2 
 
 •nVarre, Thos. Esq. . 25 
 
 Wil.son, Lady 50 
 
 W. S. M. O. D. 201. 
 
 each, per Messi-s. 
 
 Hoares 100 
 
 Wcguelin, J. C.Esq. 10 10 
 
 Wintour, Cha. F. S:sq. 2 2 
 Wittington, Mr. Rd. 10 
 W. L. per Dorrienand 
 
 Co 25 
 
 X. 
 
 X. X. Z 100 
 
 X.X. per Treasurer 1 00 O O 
 
 X . A . per Biddulph and 
 
 Co 100 
 
 X. Y 70 
 
 X. X. X. X. a bank- 
 note, per i^enny- 
 post 10 
 
 Y. 
 
 Yorke, Hon. Mr 20 10 
 
 Young, Hon.Do\\ager 
 
 Lady 40 
 
 Yonge, Rev. Duke. . 10 10 
 Yonge, Rev. Jame.?. .3 3 
 Y.Z.perMess. Hoares 50 O O 
 
 Y. Y. Y 20 
 
 Y. Y. 100 
 
 Y. G 15
 
 ( 595 ) 
 
 A Summary View of the Money Annually Ex- 
 pended by the Society for the Discharge and 
 Rehef of Persons imprisoned for Small Debts, 
 from its Institution in 1772, to the jist of 
 March, 1808. 
 
 PRESIDENT, 
 The Right Hon. EARL of ROMNEY. 
 
 FICE-PRESIDENTS. 
 The Right Hon. Earl of Radnor. 
 The Most Noble MARauis of Hertford. 
 The Hon. Philip Pusey. 
 Right Hon. Lord Barham. 
 
 James Neild, Esq. Treasurer. 
 
 AUDITORS. 
 
 Arch. Hamilton, Esq. Thomas Smith, Esq 
 
 Robert Pigou, Esq. 
 
 R. Grasswell, Secretary. 
 
 j^^yg No. of Debtors Expended. 
 
 ^O discharged and relieved. df . s. d. 
 
 1774 1772 for the Sum of 4622 17 1 
 
 1775 996 1724 1 11 
 
 1776 673 1842 13. 3 
 
 1777 877 1729 19 7 
 
 1778 779 : 1764 Oil 
 
 1779 811 1611 15 3 
 
 1780 628 1288 17 1 
 
 1781 321 S28 15 9 
 
 1782 389 935 3 9 
 
 1783 547 1121 12 q 
 
 1784 535 996 12 3 
 
 1785 463 904 9 1 
 
 Carried over 8791 £. 19,370 17 11 
 
 1786
 
 596 
 
 VIEW or THE SOCIETY S 
 
 1786 . 
 
 1787 . 
 
 1788 . 
 
 1789 . 
 1790 
 1791 . 
 1792 
 1793 
 1794 
 1795 
 1796 
 1797 
 1798 
 1799 
 1800 
 1801 
 1802 
 1803 
 1804 
 1805 
 1806 
 1807 
 1808 
 
 No. of Debtors 
 discli.irgetl and relieved. 
 Brought over 8791 
 
 Expended. 
 ^. s. (f> ' 
 
 £. 19,370 17 11 
 
 339 715 8 9 
 
 343 719 9 
 
 710 1566 4 
 
 612 1926 3 
 
 798 2303 9 
 
 666 1777 O 
 
 460 1297 14 
 
 568 1870 1 
 
 540 1844 14 
 
 434 1438 6 
 
 481 1756 
 
 490 1606 15 
 
 645 2(X)1 13 
 
 578 1553 14 
 
 648 2106 16 10 
 
 885 2870 4 4 
 
 1125 2607 11 
 
 927 2892 14 
 
 916 2.586 2 
 
 794 2707 8 
 
 6.57 2283 10 
 
 839 2817 9 
 
 848 3395 17 
 
 10 
 2^ 
 3^ 
 3^. 
 6 
 7 
 5 
 
 9;- 
 1 
 
 5 
 O 
 6 
 5 
 
 24,094 
 
 a^. 66,015 7 6i 
 
 The 24,094 Debtors ^ ^ 
 liad 14,446 
 and 40,795 
 
 Debtors ^-9 335 Persons immwliately benefited 
 O^iclLj for ^.66,015 7.. 64.L 
 
 Present in an Annual General Court, held the 
 6th of April, 1808. 
 
 The Right Hon. the EARL of ROMNEY, P. 
 The Hon. Philip Pusey, V. P. 
 James Neild, Esq. Treasurer. 
 
 W.Morton Pitt, Esq. M. P. 
 Rev. Weeden Butler. 
 Arch. Hamilton, E.'^q. 
 /rhomas Pitt, Esq. 
 jigTliomas Smiths Esq. 
 
 George Vansittart, Esq. 
 Robert Pigou, Esq. 
 Mr. Wclchman. • 
 Mr. Faden. 
 Mr. ^Valker 
 
 M. P. 
 
 THE
 
 ANNUAL EXPENDITURES, &.C. ^Q"^ 
 
 THE Average for Debts of the before mentioned 
 24,094 Debtors, is £.2. I4a\ lO^d. each ; and for 
 every Individual l6s. Jjd. 
 
 *^* These Averages include every incidental 
 Expenditure attending the Management and Dis- 
 tributions of the Charity. 
 
 It is probable, that the public Benevolence has 
 been dispensed to double the Altmher of real (Ob- 
 jects ; because the Families of many Creditors being 
 themselves in very necessitous Circumstances, were 
 all essentially benefited by the Composition nhich 
 they accepted instead of the Debts due to them. 
 
 The Society never pay the ivhole Debt ; yet, to 
 prevent future Litigation, the Creditors are required 
 to give Receipts infuU for Debt and Costs. 
 
 From the great Number of Debtors dischart^ed, 
 compared with the small Sums paid for each, it is 
 manifest, that those poor Manufacturers, Seamen, 
 and Servants, who have been the peculiar Objects 
 of the Society's Attention, are in the humblest Rank 
 of Society. Their Debts were too small and too few 
 to entitle them to the Benefits derived from any of 
 the Acts hitherto calculated to relieve Insolvent 
 Debtors ; the Society have therefore generally com- 
 pounded their Debts, and paid their Fees, after a 
 -Writ of Execution had issued. 
 
 The Time of Imprisonment may be Months, or 
 even Years, before such Objects can have Relief 
 
 from
 
 598 VIEW OF THE society's 
 
 from Insolvent Acts of Parliament : Jt follows, there- 
 fore, that so long a Confinement from their Families 
 and Employments, would be attended with Conse- 
 quences very fatal to those Families, injurious to 
 their Employers, and particularly burthensome to 
 their several Parishes ; who, whilst the Husband is 
 in Prison, must relieve, and often maintain, the un- 
 happy Wife and Offspring. 
 
 In some Prisons, the distressed Debtor is obliged 
 to associate with Felons ; the Depravity of whose 
 Morals, in every view, but too frequently influences 
 those Dispositions of the Debtors with whom they 
 converse ; and who, until such destructive, fascinat- 
 ing connections, were not abandoned to Vice, 
 though perhaps imprudent. 
 
 To such Debtors the Society have ever shewn a 
 fraternal regard, by rescuing them as soon as pos- 
 sible from an Imprisonment infectious both to Body 
 and Mind: thus preserving their Families from be- 
 coming Vagrants, or chargeable to the Parish, and 
 restoring to Manufacturers, to Agriculture and IVade, 
 many laborious Hands ; who, with regard to their 
 Exertions in Society, are ultimately the A^erves and 
 Strength^ and Riches of' a Nation ; inasmuch as 
 their Labour efficiently, though almost impercep- 
 tibly, contributes to the welfare of every Individual 
 in the superior Orders of Life. 
 
 Influenced
 
 ANNUAL EXPENDITURES, Cc. yjf) 
 
 Influenced by^ these clear principles, founded, 
 not only upon sound Policy, and true Philanliiroj)y, 
 but, above all, upon the benevolent principles of 
 genuine Christianity, the Society hope, Uy the 
 Bounty of the Public, to be enabled to })ersevere in 
 relieving those Debtors, who may be found worf/u/, 
 distressed, and friendless : Men, whose Earnings, 
 even when in Employment, can often aflbrrl but a 
 bare Subsistence ; but who, unemployed, must either 
 contract Debts, or fly with Despondency to illicit 
 Means, as the only Resource from Starving ! 
 
 It is a very material Wish of the Society for Dchf- 
 ors, to diffuse the public Liberality so far, as to 
 extend to all the Country Gaols ; where a Prisoner is 
 frequently confined at a Disti'.nce of l8 or 20 Miles 
 from his Place of Abode ; the Creditor, for want of 
 Importunity, forgets him ; and the miserable Being 
 himself can receive no temporary Relief from his 
 Family or his Friends. 
 
 The Mode of Apphcation is by printed Petition, 
 to be had of the respective Keepers, gratis, whicli 
 the Petitioner is directed to send. Post-paid, to 
 Craven-Street : full Information for filling up the 
 Blanks is therein contained in the marginal Notes. 
 
 To obtain Benefit from this Charity, each Peti- 
 tioner is obliged to name two reputable Housekeep- 
 ers, as Vouchers for his Integrity, Sobriety, and 
 Industry; to whom the Society constantly refer 
 
 their
 
 600 VIEW OF THE SOCIETY'S 
 
 their Inquiries, and by this Means preclude ahnost 
 
 the Possibility of Imposition. 
 
 No Debtor can be reheved a second Time, unless 
 
 it be evidently made appear that his Confinement 
 
 arises not from his own Fault. 
 
 It is a Jixed Rule of the Society, never to pay 
 
 more than a Composition for any Debts, wherein 
 
 the Lawyers' Bills are not included. 
 
 Plaintiflfs must always be Losers by Prosecution 
 for Debt, though more or less so, according to their 
 Circumstances. This the Society ever take into 
 Consideration : and it is a principal Object of their 
 Attention, to demonstrate to the lower Class of 
 People the exceeding Folly of being so stimulated 
 by their Passions, as to go to Law with Fellow- 
 Creatures, poor and miserable as themselves ! 
 
 Every annual Benefactor of Two Guineas is 
 eligible to be on the Committee. — ^The Sum of 
 Twenty Guineas constitutes a Life-Governor. 
 
 Persons disposed to contribute to the Support of 
 this Charity, may see the Books of the Society's 
 Transactions, and receive any further Informa- 
 tion, by inquiring of the Secretary, at No. 7, 
 Craven-Street, Strand. 
 
 BENEFAC^
 
 ANNUAL EXPENDITURES, &C. 60l 
 
 BENEFACTIONS ARE RECEIVED BY 
 
 James Neild, Esq. Cliej; ne-Walk, Chelsea. 
 Messrs. Hemes, Farquhar, and Co. St. James's- 
 
 Street. 
 Messrs. Hoares, Fleet-Street. 
 Messrs. Fuller and Chatteris, Lombard-Street. 
 Messrs. Biddulph, Cocks, and Uidge, Charing* 
 
 Cross. 
 Messrs. Dorrien and Co. Finch-Lane, Cornhill. 
 Messrs. Hammersley and Co. Pall-Mall. 
 Messrs. Vere, Lucadou, and Co. Lombard-Street. 
 Messrs. Goldneys, St. James' s-Street. . 
 Sir Matthew Bloxam and Co. Gracechurch- 
 
 Street. 
 
 And by the Secretary, No. 7, Craven-Street, 
 Strand. 
 
 a Q.
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 P, 68, 1. 13, for were read was. 
 95, 1, 7, for 7s. 6d. read none. 
 124, 1. 6, read Rev. Mr. Holmes. 
 151, 1. 23, read 3s. 
 278, 1.14, read 1761. 
 282, 1. 19, read Debtors. 
 358, 1. 24, for 14, lead 15. 
 1, 25, for 18, read 19. 
 386, 1. 7, for 1803, read 1804. 
 509, 1. 7, for Mr. read Dr. Bennett. 
 
 THE END.
 
 Printod bv J. Nichols and Sori, 
 R«d Lion Passage, Fleet Street.
 
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