The Express.
London, England, 1859-01-10 00:00:00

PRISON ACCOMMODATION IN MIDDRIUYIL

Oa Saturday, at the Mar) lebone vestry, Mr.
Churchwarden TATZILMZR presiding, a question, relative to
a threatened imposition of 413,000/. upon the ratepeyere of
Middlesex by the county magistrates, for prison purposes,
was brought under the notice of the board for consideration.
Mr. D'IrIANCIER, PAU, moved—" That the proposed ex.
pendlture by the county justices of the pesos for Middlesex of
the sum of 38,0001. for the enlargement of the Middlesex
House of Correction appears to be unnecessary, in conse-
quence of the number of prisoners having grottly de-
creased." Mr. lrlffsnger observed that, in July, 1867, the
county megistrates, in consequence of an increase of pri-
soners, resolved upon an outlay of 48,0001. for providing
increased accommodation in the goal. The prison at pre-
sent accommodated 1,398, but the alterations would have
made room fur GOO menu. Although the money was
voted for the alterations, the carrying out of the plans
was delayed, until in October hut, owing to the gradual
decrease of priwiners since December, 1857, the visiting jut-
tires reported that there was no necessity for the bogs de-
creased scovmmodation that had been resolved upon, at the
same time attking leave to build 300 erparate new cells for
carrying out the solitary system in the gaol, the oust of
which would be 38,0001. To this proposed new outlay he
(Mr. D'lffanger) dieetored, as her did not consider it called
for, with a dare.* of prisoners to the extent of 600 below
the number generally contained Is the gaol, this demesne
being attributable to increased labour, cheapness of provi-
sions, and the requirement of men in the militia; and
looking to the present boavy burdens on the ratepayer., the
threatened (usher increase of tsxation during the present
year, the probable coat of 200,0001. for a new county lunatic
raylum in the course of s few yeare, and the musty debt
having been increasing during the lest tett years until it was
now above half a million, he trusted the magistrates of the
Marylebone division would do their utmost to prevent the
threatened outlay end that, as a body, the magistrateswould
not agres to it. (Hsar.).

Mr. SMART seconded the motion.
Mr. Skov ouvox (magistrate) pointed out that the pro-
posed expenditure appeared to be not for enlarging the prison,
but for the purpose of adopting the separate ',totem in the
gaol. He used the words "separate system," as that WWI
what was now intended, and not the system of solitary con-
finement; and it ...steed to be a qunnion with the magis-
trates whether or not it would be advieable to adopt the sepa-
rate system, which had worked so well in other prisons.
Mr. WILLIAMS. M.P. (Lambeth), observed that the wor-
thy magistrate was guile right as to the intention of the
county justices. The Secretary of State for the Home De-
portment had urged the magistrates throughout the United
Kingdom to adopt the silent or separate system ; and by the
proposed expenditure of 38,0001. it was iottioded to erect 318
new cells in the Bliddlests House of Correction, fur carryiog
out this system of punishment, the dormitory system having
proved very objectionable.
Tee resolutior esa edupted nem. eon , and it we. resolved
to seek the aupport of the hlaryieenes division of county
megistralos thereon, as sloe the co-operation of the several
metropolitan parishes.

ROYAL DRAMATIC COLLEGE.-1n pursuance of
resolutton, pared on Saturday, she Ist In tart, eta meeting
of the committee of ibis charity, a sub-committee—ornuesting
of 11. Webster. Creawick, Sem., &wring, Jerwood,
and Dr. Boylan Childs—proceeded on Thursday to view the
site offered by the Rev. Edward Moore, for the Royal Era-
matM College and Asylum for Deisqvd Actors. The spot—
which Mr. Moot, generously left the committee to select
from ant portion of his evtare—is picturesquely situated neer
Garrard e-crew. on Gold-hill, from whence an extensive view
of the beautiful country surrounding la obtained.
Within a short distance of Uxbridge, the old &cease home
will be found in the midst of literary associations. Stoke
Fog* chunk', dove by, is the 'erne of Gray's immortal
"Elegy in a Country Churchyard;' hers lie the bones of
William Peen ; and at Bexley, Milton was bora. Mr. Moore
met the gentleman of the sub-committee at the railway
station, and displayed the utmost courtesy in conducting
them over hla estate and pointing out the most eligible sites
for the college—Sunday Times.
ROTAL FREE HOSMITAL, GRAT'S-INN-ROAD.
The number of patlente relieved at this hospital during the
week ending Jan. ff, wee 2,207, of which 639 Were new
arm

CITY OF LONDON HOSPITAL FOR DISEASES OF
THII Cunt, VlcrenuA•rAkK.—The number of potlesm
relieved at this motow ion during but week was 941, of
which 141 were sew cease.