Page:Archaeologia Volume 13.djvu/88



HERE is a room in Beauchamp's Tower, in the Tower of London, antiently the place of confinement for state prisoners, and which has lately been converted into a mess-room for the officers of the garrison there. On this alteration being made a great number of inscriptions was discovered on the walls of the room, which probably have, for the most part, been made with nails, and are all of them, it should seem, the undoubted autographs, at different periods, of the several illustrious and unfortunate tenants of this once dreary mansion. For the discovery, as well as the preservation, of these most curious memorials, the Society stand indebted to the unremitted zeal and attention of their respectable member, Colonel Smith, F.R.S. major of the Tower of London.

Of the severity of the restrictions these state delinquents in old times were put under, and who, being generally denied the use of books to alleviate the horrors of imprisonment, seem to have substituted this singular species of amusement, in recording, in the best manner they were able, on their prison-walls, their names, arms, crests, devices, &c. with the dates of their confinements. We have a striking picture in the Anecdotes of Distinguished Persons, lately edited by another respectable member of this Society. At page 103, Vol.