The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-01-12 00:00:00

PRISON REGULATIONS.

Mr. M All F. LYin i;l;;OCll;;llihltinoicoii,oi;served, that at this
late hour, he would not trespass on the time and patience of the
Court. In consequence of the treatment of Mr. O'Callaghan;
he inspected Ilorsemonger-lane prison, and found that
misdemeanants were subjected to punishments which no man
ought to be made to suffer for an accidental quarrel. The cells for
such persons were damp, small, ill-contrived, and only calculated
to engender disease. A prison should not be so constructed—it, in-
mates should at all events be kept warm, which could be effected at
so very small an expense. He orly wished for inquiry, and should
therefore move, that it be referred to a Committee to ascertain sand
report to this Court, how far it is necessary and expedient to pro-
cure a due degree of heat in the different prisons of this county.
Sir T. Twurow wished that the expense should be stated in the
report.
r. Ratscor.—Does this extend to the House of Correction ?
Mr. 111 ADERLY—To all prisons.
Mr. BRTlCOZ—Prisons generally?

Mr. MARERLY—Yes.
Mr. Tiowr. a—lf the prisons require heated air, let them hsve
it ; buta prison should never be made a place of comfort. I wish
not for cruelty, but no comfort.
Sir T. Tuor ow—ll'hat, no comforts for persons sent to pri-
sons ? What, no comforts for persons as innocent as any one of
yourselves I The law presumes all persons innocent until they are
found guilty. And are we now to be told that the health of pri-
soners is not to be considered ? •
Mr. 11. SUMNER and Mr. TaowEß here both rose.
Sir T. Tuarow—As two gentlemen are on their legs, I shall
sit down ; I am in no hurry.
Mr. H. Striesza—l oppose the motion altogether. Where are
the returns from the surgeons ; what do they say ? Why, that the
health of the prisoners in the county gaol is better than that of the
same number of persons not in prison. With respect to Mr.
O'Callaghan, he had no great favour for him ; but he thought that
a little severity was very wholesome in his case. All the proof
offered to our notice is, that the health of the prisoners, as well as
their diet, are both better than those of the same persons when pur-
suing their ordinary occupations out of prison.
Mr. PoLotett coincided with the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Mo-
berly) that the construction of the county prisons was calculated to
injure the health of their unhappy inmates. He had filled the
office of High Sheriff': he consequently visited the different pri-
sons, and lie found that they were damp, cold, and productive of
disease.
Mr. Moseitor..—l only wish for inquiry, and will the lion.
Member fur Surrey say, that the health of the prisoners should not
be considered by the Surrey Magistrates? What, no inquiry, no
investigation? lam sure I shall 'netted. notwithstanding the
op iron of the very humane Member for Surrey, Mr. Sumner.
Mr. DRUMMOND supported the motion fur inquiry.
Mr. H. SUPINE& contended, that the sick returns from the dif-
ferent prisons evidently showed that this motion was altogether un.
necessary. Tha very size of the cells must keep the prisoners
warm, in place of tending to produce damp or cold,
Mr. BRISCOE thought that the motion should be carried, par.
titularly as applied to the gaol of HoesemongerJane, which was
built on a morass. . _

Mr. have no wish to extend inquiry, and shall
be satisfied with its application to liorsemonger-lane. Let this
but once take place, and I have no doubt that inquiry will be in-
stituted in every county in the kingdom.
Mr. SPEER opposed the motion. He had been many years
visitor of the gaol, and 'sever found that the prisoners ever suf.
fend from the damp or cold of the cells. Upon this, as well as
upon other grounds, he should most decidedly object to the coo,
lion. •

Mr. R. Jaeisoni was friendly to inquiry. The necessity for
insroducing apparatus to draw off the foul air, showed that some-
thing was necessary in the way of inquiry. It could do no harm,
and would tend to disabuse the public of certain opinions which
they entertained on this subject.
Mr. LETT said, that so many improvements had taken place
in the improved system of drainage which is now going on in the
neighbourhood of the gaol, that he considered nothing more was
necessary.
For Inquiry 10.1 Against it 14.
filajority against the Motion 4.
THE TREAD-AVHEEL.
Mr. BRTSCOE said, that widely as he differed upon the general
use of the tread-wheel with his brother Magistrates, lie felt the
ground of difference would he now narrowed by his present motion.
He wished to avoid any further hindrance to his plan, and there-
fore proposed to shape his motion in such a manner as to secure its
success. Every nation pretending to civilization or Christianity
had vied with each other, as to their treatment of women ; and
perhaps mildness or cruelty towards the sew gave the strongest
proofs of noble or ignoble minds. The character and consti-
tution of women, end particularly of those who formed the prison
population, required the care and attention of this Court. In fact
he had often felt that these unfortunate creatures were more fit to
be received as the inmates of a Penitentiary, than to be subjected
to the degrading punishment of the Tread-wheel. Often, too, when
they were released from it, they had no metes of support, and
were either obliged to submit to starvation, or pursue their
former abandonedeourse of fife. To prove this lie could state.
that the number of re-committals of such persons was as 9 to 1
above other prisoners; which shows that as a moral corrective
it was of hide value. At the head of the last re-committals
stood the name of Lydia Jor.cs, who had. been nine times com-
mitted to the treed-witeel ; and, as far as regarded her, he
thought tket the wannest admirers of that punishment could not
say it produced a moral effect. However, she was not entirely
Inas; a plus of refuge was established by his lion. Friend
(Mr. Druniniondi she was placed there fbr some months, and
' lefttlt with every promise of reformatioo. Such a fact evinced


the necessity of giving encouragement to similar establish-
ments. At this late hour (nearly six o'clock), he would
occupy but little of their time ; but there was one thing to which
he would call their attention, and that was, that his opinion upon
the punishment of the tread-wheel. as improperly applied to
women. was fully borne out by that of the great body of the ma.
gistracy throughout the kingdom. In twenty-four houses of cor-
rection, where the tread-wheel was used as a punishment for men,
it was disused Rr women. And from the Fifth Report of the
Committee on Prison Discipline it appeared, that it was so dis-
used at Reading, Cambridge, Koutsford, Rodmin, Chelmsford,
Gloucester. Hertford, Lancaster. Louth, Southwell, Stafford,
Ipswich, Lewes, Warwick, Wakefield, and other places. At
Ipswich its disuse deserved particular notice, as the originator of
the tread-wheel resided there—as there its operation must be con-
sidered more complete than elsewhere—and as there women were
not put to work it. The Committee on Prison Discipline also
favoured his view of the subject, and they objected to the em-
ployment of women on the tread-wheel, while so many other
employments congenial to female habits could be resorted to.
The Irish Committee on Prison Discipline entertained similar sen-
timents, and they added that they generally found the mildest
treatment of a female prisoner produce the 11110AIdesirable results.
Residevall these authorities, he had another of great weight—an
authority to which he was sure this Court would readily bow assent.
He meant the recorded opinion of their late able and lamented Chair.
man, 51r. Harrison. in his examination before a Committee of the
House of Lords. l/e there said, that the male prisoners should
grind their own corn, and do all they could by means of manual
labour ; but that lie thought it best for the females to be employed
upon the plan of that gifted and philanthropic lady, Ales. Fry. In
consequence of acting on that plan, the re-commitals were reduced
at least 40 per cent., and surely it would not be too much to say,
after inch gratifying results, that this Court would be justified in
attempting to introduce a similar system. He had already stated
he would not occupy their attention for any length of time, and he
would perform his promise. Ile could easily cite more authorities,
and urge other topics of argument ; but he would not now do so,
as he trusted he hail made out a sufficient case to call for the ap.
I prove! of the Court, and ensure the success of his motion. Those
who approved of the punishment of the tread-wheel for male et.
fenders, might, without any inconsistency, vote for the motion ;
and as fathers and husbands must have a feeling for the sex, he en.
treated them to accede to it. Humanity and mercy alike prompted
such a course ; for no one could deny how much we all owe to
women, to whom all were under obligation, from the cradle to the
grave. The worthy Alagistmete concluded by moving, that all
females be exempted from the punishment of the tread-wheel in the
diffe.ent prisons in this county"
Mr. 11. Sumgait said that the feelings which dictated theme.
tion were creditable to the worthy Magistrate who brought forward
this subject ; but after the subject had been so often discussed, and
motions like the present had been so often negatived, it was a little
hardy again to urge them on those very persons who had before so
decidedly expressed their opinions. The diminution of re-cam.
metals since the use of the tread-wheel had been above 200 per
cent., a fact which spoke volumes as to its utility. He had for-
merly seen 90 women at work upon it, and now the average num-
ber was not more than 20 or 25. He admired the plan of tars.
Pry, but Mrs. Frye were not to be had every day. (Laughter.)
He really meant no joker he admired Mrs. Fry, he was astonished
at her real and her success ; but without such a lady as the stimu-
lus, the plan would not have succeeded. The opinion of Mr.
Harrison was alluded to, but it should be remembered, that at the
time it was given there were no tread-wheels. (Hear, hear.)
There was no indelicacy in the punishment, as the women were not
exposed to the view of the men ; and he could add. that he heard
one of the physicians say, in point of its exercise, that if gentlemen
had a wheel at home, their wives and daughters would not thrive
the worse for if. (Loud laughter). On every ground he must op-
pose the motion.
Sir T. TI:117 ow observed, he would not have seconded the
tion, if it were the same as that which was before negatived by this
Court. The question formerly wanes to the utility of such a mode
of punishment, and lie could honestly say, that neither ingenuity
nor humanity ever invented a better. (Hear, hear, hear.) On the
wheel, men were taught that honesty was the best policy, and that
they must not lead lives of violence, fraud, and crime. The fear
of such a punishment materially checked vagrancy ; but with all its
merit, he thought it an improper punishment as used towards wo-
men. Rut the women now made a joke of it ; they ascended dressed
in fine ribbons, and with gaiety, at least the more abandoned did
so, and the example on the less contaminated mnst prove injurious
in the extreme. With respect to the opinion of Mr. Harrison, it
had been said that he gave it before the existence of the tread-
wheel ; but whether that were so or not, he (Sir T. Turton) was
quite sure he would have given the same opinion had he nct mixed
so much with those red-hot admirers of the punishment, of :which
they were so pre-eminently the humane and merciful advocates.
He hoped the worthy mover would be satisfied to have it referred to
a Committee, and to that course of proceeding he saw no just or
valid objection.
- - - I

Mr. Amcor said he would willingly accede to the proposition
of the Hon. Baronet.
The Rev. SIT. COURTEWRT said, that no proof of injury had
been offered to females from this mode of punishment, and he
should therefore oppose the motion. The opinion of Ale. Harris-
son had been given before the introduction of the tread-wheel, and
generally he thought the lion. Mover had dealt candidly by this
Court, in again bringing forward the subject. The case of Eliza
Shepherd had, on a former occasion, been much dwelt on, and he
now called upon the lion. Mover to admit that he had been im-
posed upon as to that transaction, and that he had unwittingly im-
posed on others. The account of that transaction, reported in a
Sunday Paper, was a libel upon the Magistracy for the county of
Surrey. The tread-mill punished the mini rather than the body,
and he was of opinion that it was a very excellent moral corrective.
For these reasons he should oppose the motion. It required some
nerve to speak one's mind on this subject but it was on the score
of humanity as well as morality that be wished the continuance of
this mode of punishment.
Mr. CHAMBERS admitted the punishment was severe; but it
was calculated on that account to prevent persons from wishing to
try it a second time. The exercise of the wheel promoted health
end strength, and those who lost any thing. only loot their gin and
gross fat, and well it was that they did. One growing girl gained
16Ibs.—how much of this arose (min her growth, and how much
from the exercise, he would not undertake to say. Ile had no ob-
jection to a qualified motion ; but this was so extended that he
felt himself obliged to oppose it.
The motion was then put_
For it - . - 41 Against it . . . 12
The Court then adjourned at half-past six o'clock.

DREADFUL CATASTROPHE IN WHITECHAPEL.

On Monday morning, between nine and ten o'clock, the greatest
confusion prevailed, In consequence of the inhabitants in the im-
mediate neighbourhood of Ale. Major Rohde's sugar-house, in
llooper's-square, Rosemary-lane, Whitechapel, experiencing •
most severe shock, as if caused by an earthquake. It was soon
found that the shock was produced by the explosion of a quantity
of hydrogen gas, or foul air, that was confined in one of the stead-
boilers on Mr. Rohde's premises, in consequence of a lightial can-
dle, and that an unfortunate young man, named 1l m. I.aidon, had
been blown almost to atoms.
Information of the unfortunate circumstance was instantly lent
to Mr. Linwin, the Coroner, and an inquest was held on the same
evening on the body, at the White Hart, llooper's-square, when
the tesumonv of the following witnesses was taken by the Coroner:
James !'Murdoch, an engineer employed at Mr. Rohde's su-
gar-house, deposed that on Monday morning, between nine and,
teat o'clock, the deceased and another man, employed in the re.
finery, were ordered to clean out an extensive tank or steam boiler,
which hail been emptied out on Saturday. The deceased, while
preparing to enter the boiler by the man hole, or opening on the
top, held a lighted candle in his hand, and in consequence of a
quantity of hydrogen gas being confined in the boiler, it ignited by
the introduction of the candle, and in an instant the whole explod-
ed, and the deceased was blown up • height of at least 80 feet, and
fell lifeless to the ground. Such was the violence of the explosion,
that had the boiler been inside the building, the whole would have
inevitably been reduced to ruins, but it was fixed in the yard. NFit-
ness never recollected an accident of the kind happening before,
though the boilets were cleaned out every month. There was some
water remained in the boiler at the time, but it did not seem to be
impregnated.
In answer to aquestion from a Juror, witness said that there was
no person appointed expressly to clean out the boilers ; all the men
in the yard did it in their turns.
Juror—From your experience as an engineer, do you think that
if the precaution of cleaning the boilers oftener had been taken, the
accumulation of foul air would be sufficient to cause an explosion ?
Witness said that he supposed so; but the same precaution
being used on the present as on former occasions, he was not at all
prepared to say what the real cause was.
Edward (lauds, a labourer in the sugar-house, deposed, that,
being directed to assist the deceased in cleaning out the bailer or
tank, he went with hint for that purpose, and when they had un-
screwed the lid or cover of the man-hole, or place that admits
persons into it, witness was called away to another part of the
premises, awl while crossing the yard lie heard a dreadful expto.
Won, and on taming round he saw the deceased whirling in the air
at the height of at least eighty feet. On recovering the shock he
hastened to the spot, and found the deceased about five yards from
where he had been blown, quite dead. When witness left him (the
deceased) he was preparing to enter the boiler, and had • lighted
candle in his band. rite boiler, which is made of cast iron, is
about seventy feet long, ten deep, and the opening at the top is
about three feet by two. Witness did not think that there was any
blame attributable to any person ; it was purely accidental.
Mr. Rohde attended the inquest, and expressed a wish that the
witnesses might be strictly interrogated by the Coroner and Jury,
that the fullest and most satisfactory account of the unfortunate
occurrence might be elicited from them. For his own part, lie
thought that the eccumulation of gas, or foul air, which occasioned
the explosion, was produced by the impregnated state of the water
that remained in the boiler.
One of the Jury said, lie hoped that store precaution would be
used for the Future.
Mr. Rohdes replied, that it was impossible to be more particular
than lie in general was ; and so anxious was he to ascertain the real
cause of the explosion, that be intended consulting an eminent
chyniist on the subject.
The Coroner remarked, that however uneccountable it might be
that an explosion should take place at one time and not at another,
it did not appear that there was the least blame attributable to
any person belonging to the establishment; he therefore thought
, it was a case of mere accident.
The Jury were of the same opinion, and returned their verdict
I accordingly.