Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 06.pdf/347

 316

iron collar with spikes about their necks, and a heavy iron bar over their legs. Other tortures and cruelties were practiced in the Marshalsea prison, as suggested by the skull cap, the collar, the fetters, and shears which are figured in the illustration. In Newgate the cells were arranged in tiers, about nine feet by six. In the upper part of each cell was a window double grated, the

over the chapel, kept by the prisoner who slept there. One night there was a wine club, the next night a beer club, and so on alternately, each lasting until one or two o'clock in the morning. In this prison there were two hundred and forty-three prisoners and their wives, including women not so honorable, and four hundred and seventyfive children.

b. Skull-Cap; e. Collar : c!. Heavy Fetteis; c Sheers. THE CRUELTIES IN THE MARSHALSEA PRISON! THE SICK MEN'S WARD.

doors were four inches thick, and the strong stone wall was lined all round with planks studded with broad-headed nails,, A bar rack bedstead was in each cell. It was said that the boldest criminals, who had affected an air of indifference even at the moment of sentence, were struck with horror, and burst into tears when brought to these darksome, solitary abodes. In the Fleet there were coffee rooms and tap rooms, with large beer and wine cellars, and " a dirty billiard table " in a large room

THE

CRUELTIES IN THE MARSHALSEA PRISON INSTRUMENTS OF TORTURE.

In the King's Bench Prison there were seven hundred and twenty-five children, and three hundred and ninety-five prisoners, men and women, who were charged five shillings a week for half a bed. The Clerks of the Assize charged all pris oners who were burnt in the hand four shil lings and eight pence; the same sum was charged to those who were whipped, while those who were acquitted or discharged by proclamation were compelled to pay eight shillings and four pence; while for every one