Star.
London, England, 1816-04-18 00:00:00

THE PEN! FENTIARY.

An observer walking upon Milbank, will-be struck
by the remarkaßle change in that quarter. In case
he has been abscat a tow years from the metropolis,
he will be the more amazed. Uplin the site, once a
mere swamp, a lofty edifice is raised, which is to
become a riceptach: fur the vicious ; with a view to
reclaim them and prevent their association with cha-
racters pronounced incorrigible. Entering the great
gates we find the structure present an imposing exte-
rior. The quadrangular buildings containing the
apartments to be allotted to those devoted to seclu
sion, recall to the mind all the miseries of confine-
meat, and the spe‘tatur feels the secret dread that
such a building must always inspire. The round
towers at the angles give it the appearance tat a
fortress, and add to the general gloom. The whole
range of buildings is roofed in with slate; and the
houses in The west front intended for the Gave:Yule
and officers rPT the Inaltutton are nearly finished..
At a short distance in front of those houses, they
have erected a circular chapel, the exterior of which
is curious. It has octagon projections which form
private entrances. The principal doors are differently
constructed. The psoitents will enter at the private
clouts passing their respective stations between
walls communicating with the chapel. The interior
will be furnished with seats on the ground•floor, and
a gallery supported by pillars. It appears capable
of holding at.least 1000 persons. The windows,
which are large and numerous, have iron bars, with-
out glass, the better to give light and ventilation.—
The fabric seems well adapted to the purpose for
which it is intended, but many parts of the plan re-
main to be executed, and the architect only could
give a correct description of the whole.

THE NEW CUSTOM-HOUSE.
To THE EDITOR.

Sin—Observing the large and extensive scale on
which the new Custom-House in Thames street is
building, I beg to offer a few remarks which may
prove ot public advantage. Many ot the articles that
ate to Excise duties are liable to Custom dues
for Mgt:ince, Spirits, Wine, Tobacco, Coffee, Tea,
Spices, and many other articles too voluminous to
enutnerabs. Now as the duties of these offices are so
closely connected, they might be very easily conduct-
ed by one set of Officers, and under one roof, by
which a saving of not less than 4150,000 per annoni
might be effected, and great facilities be peen to the
Commercial Interest and the Public at large. At
present, al n I person entering or clearing Goods that
at.: liable to Excise and Custom Duties. are obliged
to pass an Entry, and obtain a Certificate from Cus-
tom or Excise, and this generally takes a day or two.
The like process is necessary at both Offices, and fee.
quently impediments are raised. In some cases the
Excise will keep things back for months, in one de-
partmeet or another. Often an application to tbe
Treasury fee relief is rendered necessary, and in many
cases six or twelvemonths delay elapses. As both of
these Offices come under the immediate directions of
the Treasury, I would proposse that both should be
conducted by one set of Commissioners, in one and
the same building. I sbould think she new Build-
ing in Thames-street quite large enough for both,
with one set of Officers and Watchmen. At pre-
sent, Vessels that have Excise articles have two
Custom-House Officers, and two Excise Officers.
Are not two men enough to do that duty I
I believe 1201 less than 100 Clerks, 60 Burveyoraand
Inspectors, 1000 men, and 9 Commissioners, might'
be dispensed with—say
Nice Commissioners, at 41000 • £lO,OOO
Solicitors, Secretaries, and laspeeton 10,000
Fifty Surveyors - - 25000

One Hundred Clerks, at ‘2OO each £0tooo
IGO* Othcors and Watchmen, at S 3 or Ms. 15,000
Reit for ?remises . 40,000

Tots/ - X 150,400
By consolidating these offices one Clerk would answer
tor two..-tor example.
138. 4d. Ani.o Duty; 24.41 Custom Duty; 6d. Walnut.
Total. 34. Yd. per Palluo Spirits.
Your obedient Swam, A SWUM MERCHANT.