The Sun.
London, England, 1823-08-08 00:00:00

FOR THE SUN.

THE TREAD 11IILL.
MR. EDlTOR—Though I am not acquainted
Oith your opinions on the subject of the Tread
Mill, I am so thoroughly aware of your Editorial
impartiality, that I have little fear of your de-
nying this letter a place in your columns. Be-
fore ever I read a single line against this engine
of punishment, or even met with a single indivi-
dual adverse to its use, I had made up my mind
against it from the instinctive sensations I expe-
rienced on visiting the wheels in Cold Bathfields
prison. I not only thought the punishment of a
degrading nature, but anticipated that it. would be
attended with serious physical mischiefs. I
though t, moreover, that it was too indiscriminating,
both as far as the different degrees of crime were
concerned, as well as the different degrees of
'physical strength or health. The prisoners that
I saw- descend from the wheels seemed debilitat-
ed and overworked, mid I judged from their
downcast spirit-broken, yet, sulky appearance,
that however sorry they might be to have de-
served imprisonment, with bard labour ; this la-
bour would only breed in them a. more rooted
aversion than ever to all kinds of toil and honest
employment. If idleness and slothful habits
bring a man to prison, the labour he there en-
counters should neither be of that oppressive
and wearisome kind which shall confirm him in

his longings after a state of comparative ease, not
of that unprofitable sort, as far as he is personally
concerned, which shall instruct him in no laborious
exercise that can turn to account, or even be prac-

Used, when he is released. Full of these senti-
ments, and eager to express them, I happened to
have put into my hands Sir John Cox Hippesley's
Letter on Prison Labour, in which the Baronet
not only himself attacks the discipline of the
Tread Mill, from his' own observation and expe-
rience, as physically, morally, and in all regener-
ated policy pernicious ; but from his extensive
means of corresponde9ce and information, brings
into a focus the hostility to this discipline of a
large number of intelligent, philosophic, and mat-
ter of fact men, among whom are to be reckoned
five or six of the highest medical eminence. If,
Sir, my opinion is worth any thing, Sir John
makes out his case more clearly, impartially, and
incontrovertibly, than I have ever seen any case
made out, but as his pamphlet will doubtlessly be
consulted by all those who take an interest in
matters of real public importance, it would be a
work of supererogation to quote from it in this
place, at large, yet a few sentences are of such
a decided and convincing nature, that they can-
not meet the eye too frequently : A. very long let-
ter from Dr. Mason Good, the learned transla-
tor of Lucretius, and the experienced author of
the History of Medicine, is incorporated in
the Pamphlet, in which among a complete
choice of arguments and facts are the fol-
lowing There is no end of, answering all
the follies and caprices to which the tread mill

must give rise from its intrinsic demerit. It may
be altered again and again and varied ad infiniluns,
but whether the supposed improved form ad-
verted to, as taking place in a northern county or
any other, become the rage of the day, it must
still be essentially objectionable, as founded upon
an essentially. wrong principle, and which there.
fore no modification can right : I mean that of

subverting the order of nature, and making the
feet take place of the hands." Again, " The
question which I understand, is very often put
forth, whether any of the maladies that are pre-
dicted so freely and confidently by
medical prim-
titioners against the tread mill, have any where
yet taken place, is at first sight plausible ; but it
is nothing more, for it will not bear reflecting
uponte mischievous a
effectsmoment.e b a
v Ine be
theen
accatsuenoi
braved.
But by far the greater number of the predicted evils
are such as could not have taken place from the
shortness of the gave the machines have been at
work in any prison' ; but which to the eye of a
Pathologist arc as certain, as if they were at this
moment in full force. Such I mean, as lumbago,
weakness of the kidnies, cramps, and stiff joints
of all kinds, as well of the hands from an
uniformly fixed position as of the legs and
feet." Sir William Blizard, speaking of the
hand-crank mill as the proposed substitute for
the Tread Mill, says " The preference is found-
ed well on the consideration of filling the muscu-
lar power of the arms to future labour, and, hence,
the more ready performance of duties for sub-
sistence, and a preventive of inducement to cri-
minal means of obtainiag it. The hand labour
can be better graduated to all the relative cir-
cumstances of age, condition, health, disease,
power, &c. than that of the feet." Dr. Good, in
a letter written subsequently to a second visit to
Coldbath.fields prison, states the result of an ex•
amination of the prisoners, which slims that they
all complained of pains and aches in the legs,
loins, and other parts, and that their hands were
sore, blistered, or horny from healed wounds,
which, in the case of the females, heavers, unfits
them entirely for a return to needle or other de-
licate and light work peculiar to women. As to
women's being again employed in the Mill, after
their temporary exemption from it, on account
of the effects it produced, it is matter of national
shame and disgrace. The precautions of having
female overseers, and skrews to hide (heir ankles,
speak more than a 1000 volumes to the reproba-
tion of those who would employ females in the
Tread Mill. None but miserably unthinking
men, or mere beasts, who care not to see human
nature unfathomably degraded, would dream of
such a mode of torturing and abasing the weaker
sex—a punishment that requires the pre-
cautions just mentioned ought never to be
used. It is unutterably revolting to the feel-
ings, it makes the blood boil with indignation
to think that its known ,consequences should not
mark out as improper to flue last degree such a
mode of chastising female folly or crime. After
Sir John's Book has been circulated among the
Magistracy and the Public, I am convinced that
thtlatterwill esteem any individual of the former
body, who should condemn a woman to the
Tread-mill, a filthy and barbarous monster.—
My language, Mr. Editor may be strong, but it
is not too strong. Let those who would, find
fault with it read attentively Sir Johu's Pamph-

let,. and I am certain they will see the proprietyl
necessity, and humanity, of such expressions. I.
do trtist, Sir, that the public are beginning to re-
cover from one of the many manias into which
they suffer themselves to fall, from too hasty a
view of things, and from the impetuosity which
besets their desires, for what is of general utility,
or what may be a desideratum of national tm-,
portance. If the Treadmill be proper for fe-
males, then did our Senators very prematurely
and absurdly abolish their liability to be whip-
ped ; if it be proper for men, let us then return
to the good old barbarous times of branding, the
pillory, &c. &c. I am, Sir,_

A betermined Enemy of the Tread-mill,
But your very sincere friend,
August 6th, 1823. MANUAL LABOUR.

POLICE .OF THE METROPOLIS.

Extract from the REPORT of the SELECT COMMITTEE OIT
the POLICE of the METROPOLIS. Ordered to 13e printed
by the House of Commons, June 17, 1812 ;
' Your committee are so strongly impressed with a convic•
tion of the advantages which have resulted from the establish.
Aleut of the hors and dismounted patrol, and the increase of
the Bow-street foot patrol, that they earnestly recommend the
further extension of the principal' on which they are founded,
and the application of a system of patrol by day to those parts
of the metropolis which offer the greatest temptation or fecillty
to the commission of crime.
" They are satisfied, that no check so effectual can be 'dew
vised upon the evil designs of those who gain their livelihood
ind speetion of
characters,
persons
and are
by habitual plunder, as an impression that they are under the
vivant
a n
atw hand
hoartoac
defeatquainthteeir dwiththeir
persons purposes,
or to assist in their apprehension.
" Your Committee consider that the chief recommendation
of a patrol consists in its tendency to harass and banish the
offender, by a persevering and annoying scrutiny, and thus to
prevent the commission of crime. They consider a day-patrol
advisable, because robbery from the person is probably more
frequent by day than at any other time, and because it is by
day that many of the robberies intended to be committed by
night are concerted, that premises are surveyed, and facilities'
of approach and attack ascertained.
" he propose to make the experiment on a limited scale, in
the first instance; because, if successful on that scale, it can
very easily be extended, and because they are anxious to avoid
every expence which it is not,necessary to incur.
cs They doubt, however, considering the great expenditure
. which is required in providing the means of punishment for
oil offenders, who do not incur the extreme severity of the law,
whether an effective police, employed in the prevention of
crime, would not be an establishment consistent with the.
strictest economy, as well as with the soundest policy.
" The day patrol ought, in their opinion, to be connected
with the present night patrol, and placed under the same su.
perintendence. Most of the Police Afagistrate.s who have been
examined, have recommended an increase to the number of
constables at present attached to the police offices, and that
each office should undertake the duty of patrolling its own,
district. But as a night patrol for the streets of the Metro.
polls is at present established, the Committee think that by
connecting with it the proposed day patrol, the arrangement
will be most economically made ; and that concert and co-ope-
ration, which it is so peculiarly desirable to maintain, will be
best secured.
• " Your Committee are of opinion, however, in order that
the several offices of police may have full information of what
passes within. their respective districts, that there ought le bet
a full and unreserved communication on every material circum-
stance between the Magistrates and the officers under whose
superintendence the patrol is placed ; and particularly that, in,
each case in which an application to magisterial authority may
be necessary on the part of the patrol, it ought to be made to
the office within the district in which the case may have oc-
curred." -
in
We understand, that upon the recommendation contained
the above Report, the Home Secretary of State directed that
measures should be immediately taken to carry the same into
effect, and accordingly in October last the establishment of the
" Day Patrol" commenced, undertake
.superintendence of Mr.
of the Night Petrol" of the Me-
Stafford, the Superintendent been
experienced and that the moat beneficial effects have already
experienced by this new establisment.

and
CGar(aiett".-3Araiewestdidesinfghetoof ipnface at
,o'nfolniulyt.llll:oiangdnes64l;it, which excited a great degree of in
populouS town, from the notorious celebrity of the
-
serest in that
happy couple ; each of whom we believe to be tar down the lad- •
der of life, at the moment they have perched themselves on the •
pinnacle of Hymen's temple :—The name of the bridegroom is-
William Hewitt, and that of the bride Mary Hemming. They
have for years possessed, exclusively, the titles and privileges
of King and. Queen of the Brummagem Cadgers. They joined
interests on the day stated above in at. Martin's Church when
upwards of 5,000 persons attended, to honour` one of the' reli-
gious institutions of the country, and to gratify their own inor-
dinate curiosity. A gentleman named Stoor signed his name
as witness, and we believe officiated upon the occasion as father •
to her most gracious Majesty. We believe this gentleman to be.
a respectable cloth-factor, carrying on business in Basinghall.
street.

TIIE BIRMINGHAM BANK NoTR Roaar.ltY.
At the Manchester Sessions, on Thursday, Griffith Loyd
Turner and Lot Carilege were indicted for the robbery in the
coach, at the Swan Inn, Lad-lane, London, in December last,
of a parcel of Birmingham bank-notes, containing about 8,0001.,
the particulars of which have often been before the public.
Another indictment was also preferred against them, for hav-
ing in their possession, at Manchester, part of the stolen pro•
perry, knowing it to be stolen. Before they were put on trial,
Itir. Coltman, on their behalf, applied to the Court to make
the prosecutors elect upon which indictment they would pro.
ceed, and that the other indictment should be quashed. I.,he
Bench, without finally deciding whether the prosecutors were
bound to elect, expressed an opinion that they thought it more
proper for them in do so. Mr. Courtenay, on behalf of the pro—
secutors, said, if they were compelled to elect, they should
proceed upon the indictment for the robbery. The trial
then commenced ; and after six hours mid a half's dura-
tion, the jury returned a verdict of—Not Guilty. The
cause of the acquittal was, the difficulty of proving that several
of the notes uttered by the prisoners were in the identical parcel
stolen in London. On Friday morning the discussion was
renewed on the subject, whether the other indictment for the
offence of receiving should be quashed. The Bench finally i
determined, that as the question was one of great doubt, and
no inconvenience could 'ensue to the prosecutors by the course
theyintended to take (the prisoners being entitled to traverse
duiindictment to the next sessions), they would quash the in-
dictment, and the prosecutors might apply in the usual way
before a Magistrate to retain them, until they found bail for
the offence of receiving. On behalf 'of the prosecutors, it was
said this course would be immediately taken. The two pri.
sorters will, therefore, be tried at the next Sessions for the of-
fence of receiving.
• On Tuesday George Aldridge, found guilty of
the wilful murder of his own brother, by a Co•
rotter'ss Inquest, at Uxbridge; arrived in town by
the Uxbridge stage, in custody of an officer, and
was conveyed to Newgate. Ile is quite a young
Man, of a very placid countenance, and .of .man.
tiers so quiet, that he was not even handcuffed.--
1 On his arrival, lie htirst into tears, and took air
affectionate farewell of his conductor.

BIRTHS.
On. the 31st ult., at Prospect Cottage, Windmill-Hats%
Newettitle.upon-Tyne, the wile of Robert Marshall, Esq., ‘-'1
a son.

On Saturday last, the 2d h.st., at Albury, Hats, 31P.
Sheepshanks, of a daughter.

MARRIED. •• -
.On Tuesday, the sth inst., at Atherstone, Warwickshire'
Stafford Stratton Baxter, eldest son of Dudley Baxter.' bet
of Atherstene, to Mary Ann Wright, only daughter of the
William Wright, Esq., of Eaton...ha,. Staffordshire, ra
On the 6th met., at Whitechapel Church, the Rev. bdwaor
Mannering; of Plumsted, Kent, -to Mary, eldest daughter
Mr. John-Hill, of Whitechapel. •

DIED.
On Sunday, August 3, at her house, at Highgate, Mrs. A-far-V
Robertson, aged W.
On Tuesday, the sth inat., Nr. Richard PhilliFpsl cf 11,
Hungerford-stairs, Strand.
On the 6th inst., Francis Travers, M.D. late of Newark'
Notts, in the 38th year of his age.

Printed anti Publichettfor the PuoißtEstotto, at the SUN'

OFk'ICE., 112,,Strand,_ by J. B. CARSTAIIIB.

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