Star.
London, England, 1823-10-23 00:00:00

~. •~1

THE PENITENTIARY AT MILLBANK.

- --- -
The Report Report of the Committee of the House of Com-
mons appointed to inquire into the state of the Peniten-
tiary, has been printed. After various details, the Re-1
port concludes with the following :
" Much conflicting testimony has been Oven upon
tke subject of dietary ; and in general the best medical
opinions appear to consider the plan adopted as not only
deficient in quantity, but injurious in the mode in which,
it was administered. The same quantity of animal
matter given in a solid form, twice a week, would, how-
ever, in the opinion of some, have been sufficient nutri-
ment ; and examples have been cited from other prisons
in England and in France to demonstrate the truth of
this statement.
" Tlis is a queoion which, in the opinion of your
Committee, is of very difficult solution. There are cir-
cumstances in all the prisons referred to which altoge-
ther unfit them to be compared tii the Penitentiary. In
France, except in those cases Where bread and water is
the punishment for idleness, the prisoners almost uni-
versally enjoy the practical privilege of purchasing ad-
ditional food. In England, the mere fact of the weight
of the prisoners being increased by confinement, is, of
itself, no proof that their strength is not diminished :
the body may increase in size and bulk, but the fibre
may be reduced, and that which may be taken for health,'
may be a proof of real debility. In all these prisons
the moral causes so peculiarly operative in the Peniten-
tiary do not exist in the same force.
" In France, the general intermixture of aU prisoners!
—the young with the old, the dissipation and licen-
tiousness of their lives, the free enjoyment sir all amuse-
ment consistent with safe custody, preserve the minds of
those who are confined there from the irksome mono-
tony which a well regulated prison is so calculated to
produce; and thus the health of prisoners may be better
preserved under a less quantity of food than when they
are subjected to a severe moral discipline. In these
places of confinement noise and tumultuous gaiety drive
away care and thought; yet while their morals are viti-
ated, the minds cif the prisoners may be amused, and thus
. kept from sinking under feelings of sorrow and remorse.
—A prison so managed,•whatever May he its effects on
the manners and habits of its inmates, is yet calculated
to preserve them from the inroads of the diseases which
..arise from the moral causes above refertird to. It was
eviJently under these impressions Mr. Howard remarks,l
." that persons in prison require more fo d than those'
-who are free;" that is to say, the moral auses which
*rise depression of spirits, and consequent) , when long
Tiontinued, a decay of health can only be lessened by'
`copping up the strength of the prisoner, and enabling
friar, through a full prison diet, to resist the effects of
the mind upon the body.
;Jr ..The m isoners in the Penitentiary are, in the opinion
orraor Committee, peculiarly liable to the operation of
moral causes : the strict discipline of the place ; the
silence and solitude prevailing there; theentire absence
of amusement of all kinds ; the rigorous observance of
the rules laid down to check all demonstration even of
natural gaiety ; the fact, that nearly one-half of the pri-
soners are almost in a state of perpetual seclusion, ex-
cept for a short period in the 24 hours when they walk,'
with measured steps, round a court ; the long and cer-
tain confinement to which they are sentenced, varying
from ten to five years ; the feelings of remorse which
the absence of all other thoughts is so calculated to
produce ; the monotony of their existence ; the remem-
brance of better days, of their homes, and their families ;'
and that weariness of life which is the result of long
imprisonment ; all these causes most peculiarly dispose
the inhabitants of the Penitentiary to the inroads and
effects of disease.
o For these reasons your Committee consider it essen-
tial to the health of the prisoners confined there, that
they should be fed upon a full prison diet, varied ac-
cordtug to the suggestion of some of the medical prac-
titioners who have been examined before them, and that
some means should be devised by which every prisoner
iu the establishment should be employed in active exer-
cise for some portion of the day.
" Vow Committee have also inquired into the causes
of the.disisrissal of the late Medical Superintendent, as
sell as into the accusations preferred against him in May
inist Au /set 022. On the first part of the subject y urn Com-
mittee thilikittheir duty to observe, that the testimony of
aU the menibers of the Managing Committee, who have
been examined, speak most favourably of the skill,
kinsiness, and attention of that officer: he has received,
also, from persons of the highest rank in his profession,
testimonials of character the most flattering ; yet at the
same time, there does appear to have arisen between
him and the Managers of the Establishment differences
which, fur the good of the institution, rendered his con-
tinuance in the situation he filled inexpedient. Your
Committee give no opinion on the cause of these differ-
ences; but the mere fact of their existence is to them a
sufficient proof that the parties could not go on -toge-
ther amicably, or with that cordial union and confidence
which their respective situations of necessity demand.
(To BE CONTINUED.)

lebe enthronementof ol,e eo Xll. was fixed for
last, Sunday, the sth of this- month. His Holiness has
narheid Cardinal SEVEIIINI Vicar of Rome. Cardinal
GoNSALVI, 'it is said, intends to retire, and fix his resi-
dence at Naples.
NAIIKOW ESCAPE FROM AN ELEPIIANT.--The Born•
hog Gqadle of the 14th May gives the following:—
" Ilse friends of Captain Gambier, R.N. will peruse with
the following account of a 11:19A miraculous
escape from immediate destruction. On a tecent ele-
phant shooting patty at Ceylon, Captain Gambier.and
Mr. Flay, of the Royal Engineers, had separated from
their companions, and were following a large female
elephant; when pretty close to her, she suddenly and
unexpectedly turned upon them; escape appearing im-
possible, they both filed, but with little effect. The
animal immediately charged, knocked Captain Gambier
down, - id pursued Mr. Hay, who fell. Capt. Gambier

THE EVEI)IIpG smut.
LtiONDON.
tA
THORIinA,VOCTOBER 23, ism
THE FUND&

STOCKIIIKCI-1 AN GE. TWKL VIC O'CLOCK.
Consols opened this morning at 85j, j, with scarcely any •e'
tuation up to this hour.
Although a general report prevailed that an Expitss had arrived
this morning, and brought the French Rentes at 90f. BSe. and Spa-
nish 274, we cannot learn that, up to this hour, any Express has
actually arrived. We have not ourselves received' any.
The general expectation is, that when Fziontann arrives in laic
Capital, and the new Cortes is installed, his former Decrees will'hge
revoked, and new ones adopted. There is also a talk of an Alliance
between France, Spain, Portugal, and Russia, by which means the
above Powers will secure to themselves the commerce of the Me-
diterranean.
FOREIGN FUNDS.

Scarcely any business doing except in Spanish Bonds, and that
to no great extent. All other Foreign Securities remain statioaa7
this mot fling.
Current Prices :—New Spanish 20, Old ditto 25 to Russian
831 84, Chilian 67, Colombian 551, Poyais 10 (nominal).

7 .
, VumA, Oct. 9.—Aletalliques, 81. a. Bk. Sh. 915. 3.5.
PRICE OF STOCKS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Bank Stock 224%; . .
3 per Cent. licduced 83 82%8
3 per Ct.Cons.B3s/8 1/2-3 th per.Cts. 96%. . .
4 per Cent. Old 1001/2 1/2 100
4 per Cents. New 103%8 104 103%
Bank Long Anns. 20 15.16—India Bonds 70s.
Exclieq. M115(1:1,000) 38s. 365. pr.—Small 935. 375..
Consols for Acct. 835/8 5/8.

The following are some additional accounts of the
progress of affairs in Spain:

MADRID, OCTOBER 6.

The Regency has not yet published the Decree of
the Ist of this month. It is printed, but not a single
copy has found its way from the printing-office. Besides
this, as an uninterrupted suite of persecutions is ex-1
petted, every one fears for himself, his friends, or rela-
dons, so that there is only the very lowest clask oho
have shared the joy of the Regency. The Marshal ex?
pressed the most lively indignation, with regard to the
Decree in question. He said that all the force of France
would not be sufficient to support a cause, which begun
by such an unheard of specimen of perfidy and perjury.

Riego is still at the Seminary for Nobles, and is very
shamefully treated by his infamous jailors. The day of
his arrival he received no food for twelve hours; he
asked for water, and was made to drink out of a pail.
For several days he slept on a plank, till at length he'
received a soldier's mattrass. His jailor is the fatuous
Torrealla, who, when confined by the Constitutionalists,
was treated' in the mildest manner, so that he was able
to effect his escape. A Royal Volunteer, who was sen-
tinel at the door of Riego's dungeon, said to him the day
before yesterday, " If you were nor. where you. are, I
would load you with abuse." " 111 wAs not here," replied
Riego, " you would not dare to look me in the face."
Velasco is still at Badajos. It is supposed that he
will be attacked bythe Portuguese army ; but this at my
is almost dis.olved, and the few regiments retained are
in the greatest anarchy.
OCTOBER 9.—Very important news from Cordova
has arrived here. The army of Ballasteros is in a state
of complete revolution. The soldiers, exasperated at
the news of Ferdinand's perfidy, have murdered the
Royalists, and plundered the churches, and have com-
mitted other excesses equally setious. Several of the
militia of the neighbourhood have joined them, and the
Royalist Authorities at Cordova 'expect to see a con-
spiracy break out at Cordova itself. It seems certain
that General Bourck is.to retire to'Toleao. Who will
then oppose Palencia, who is at the head of eight thou-
sand men, and who looks for support to a whole pro-
vince, the inhabitants of -which have never swerved
from Constitutional sentiments ?
From Xeres they write that the King is particularly
gracious to Pantirio, a Royalist Chief, and formerly a
highway robber, who was condemned to death by the
Courts of Seville and Cadiz.

Some serious mutinies are spoken of as having taken
place in the province of Cuenca at the news of the De-
cree of October 1.
CORUNNA, OCTOBER 12.

The King's arrival at Port St. Mat, was announced
here by a general salute from• the -batteries, illumina-
tions were ordered byl' the Ayuntatitiento, and the
Cabildu Pcicsiastico sang a solemn le Annie of thanks..
giving, at which all the Public Authorities assisted.
His Majesty's Proclamation.previous to leaving Cadis
was instantly reprinted and profusely circulated among'
the troops; peace was hailed all parties with much'
apparent satisfaction; Motillo's olneers publicly di-,
elated they had attained the object of all their wishes;'
that it was never their intention to support an absolute,
but a moderate monarchy, to unite the desires of the
people with the instruction of the age; amnesty, forgive,'
nes:, and oblivion, they. said (in all. the coffee-110604,
had been conceded by his Majesty, and Spain would
now be happy. In the midst ...of these rejoicings, a
Correo de Gabineti arrived ; we -an anticipated good
Teif

they would not bear of despotism, Inquisition, or allow
themselves to be governed by the Fregies ; there was
•Comiderable agitation amotig thetroops, sosue of the
jeants and subalterns of the regiment of Eiranada,
ho tried out, " Flock Constitution r were arrested,
• :towards night several French patrols paraded the
streets and preserved order. Should such violent Inca-
", continue something serious will ensue.
-7.11. Mail from Flanders has brought us to-day Papers
tq tote 22d inst. The following are extracts:
• • VIENNA, OCTOBER U.
Ainording to accounts from Czernowitt of the 4th
instant,. his Majesty the Emperor arrived there at nine
in the morning of that day, in good health, where he
was received by the Governor of the Province, Colonel
Von Mae, the General in Chief, Count Von Fresnel,
and the cirri' and military officers.
His Majesty. the Emperor of Russia was expected to
arrive at C.iernowita-on the 6th: —• • •
.; lit. FRANKFORT, OCTOBER 1.4 k
Thetttait 'Gazette publishes the dismisial of Baron
Ito* Leper, Minister of the Interior. This event, which
is ascribed to the influence of the Great Powers over
the smaller States of the Confederation, has surprised
many persons, considering the services which the Elec-
tor, during his exile at Prague, received from Baron
Lepel, who is almost the only one, of all the Hessian
public functionaries, who aid not accept any employ-
ment under the Government of Jerome Bonaparte,
Es-King of Westphalia.
The events that have lately occurred at Cassel have
induced the Elector to choose for his winter residence
his country seat Wilhelmshohe,which is situated about
aleigue from Cassel. This circumstance has caused
a great sensation. . . .
It should seem Irons • this_that the Elector wishes to
avoid as much as possible skewing himself in public
places, where his person might be exposed to the at-
tacks of his enemies. • ,
Professor tut, who after."... ihe.su ppression of the Ger-
ion Observer had taken refuge in Switzerland, has re-
ceived notice to quit- Bale and retire to Arau.
'FRANKFORT, OCTOBER 16.
Letters [rim Constantinople say that Ibrahim Pacha
is recalled from Asia Niuor to Constantinople. He is
to bring back to•Bujukdere the ccrps of troops with
which he some time ago went to Brussa. It is known
that these troops are devoted to him, and that they
have always lived on bad terms With the Janissaries.—
Notwithstanding the very unsatisfactory accounts that
have been received by the Porte from *several parts of,
Greece, the Sultan is resolved to make further efforts
to subdue the Greeks.- . .
It is intended totting .ovfi:tO Greece many Asiatic
troops, who have hitherto been employed against the
Persians. Other troops from Asia are to remain in
garrison at Constantinople, Irons which city the Janis-.
saries are to be removed.
• BRUSSELS, OCTOBER so.
Monseigneur Nasalli, Papal Nuncio, left this city this
morning, for•the Hague, whence there is every reason
to suppose that hejs going to enter into negotiations for
the conclusiowof a Concordat between our Government
and Rome.
An Fasts!) Ca then Messenger passed through here
yesterday, with di.patches from London to Vienna.

.~ ~.

The.Conimittee ofthe.Foreign Stock Exchange met
yesterday on the subject of the Spanish Bonds, but came
to the determination tbetithet,iould not with propriety
interfere on behalfortheireleteririn Snaking any repre-
sentation to Goviritnieni. AVe approve of their deter-
mination. Such a measure that proposed would only
embarrass his it rjeSV's G6vernment,,pitaout advancing
one step the claims of the hriemorialists. On the coptrary,
it would most materially injure their interests; for their
best chance of success lies in our Cabinet not moving an
inch, and appearing not to interfere at all in this business.
They may rest assured that, if- they'have any just title
to the interference of Governmetit, it will be employed,
without their • solicitation. Bat, if their Memorial
should not be-attended to, the knowledge of its rejec-
tion would evidently confirm the King of Same in the,
resolution he has taken. It would be, therefore, much
the wiser course to leave that. Monaich in suspense as
to the views acid feelings of our Court, as it might pre-
vent bins, hem coming to .an irrevocable decision ;
Whereas,- were he to knew that alhlensorial had been
presented' and rejected, he svntild, of course, make up
his nsind to reject all 'arrangement::

• - , • •
The Great Council of Geneva has, by a majority of
two thirds of the votes, just passed a law, suspending the
liberty of the press for the space of one year. All pub-,'
lications, whatever be the subject of which, they treat,
are to undergo a previous censorship. '
Mr. FopiE• the merchant of Cologne, whose sentence
of deaths pp 4sl on him by the Tribunal of Cologne,
was lately revoked by his Majesty the King of PRUSSIA,
ris gone to. Perlin. It is Supppsed: that the object of his
jonrney is to solicit the remission of the costs of the suit,
which be hit to pay, and •epbicb atoolutt to above
"00 44417114.4901. ste4l.oo- , +.l 11.7