GILTSPUR STREET COMPTER,

Gaoler, John Addison Newman.

Salary 150l. by the Court of Aldermen, and
30% by the Common Council.

Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Edmand.

Duty, Prayers and Sermon on Sunday.

Salary 50l.

Surgeon, Mr. Hodgson.

Salary 80l. for the two Compters and Ludgate.

The origin of this prison is somewhat enveloped in obscurity; but, according to Stowe's Survey of London, wherein the following record (made in the reign of Henry the First) is recited, viz. "Rex vic. "London. salutem: ex gravi querela B. capt. et detent. "in prisona nostra de Criplesgate pro £. 10. quas coram "Radulpho de Sandivico tunc custod. Civitatis noftræ "London. et I. de Blackwell civis recognit debit. &c." it appears that Cripplegate, which was one of the four original gates of this city, was then a prison, as the Compter now is, for citizens and others for debt or trespass, and was rebuilt in the year 1244, and

again in 1491, and was last repaired in the year 1663. In the mean time, and in the 13th century, a prison was built for the reception of night walkers, and other suspicious persons, which, from its shape, was called the Tun, and was situated upon Cornhill. Afterwards there was a prison in Bread-street, pertaining to the Sheriffs, which was called the Compter, and, in the year 1518, seems to have been recognized by the act for establishing the Court of Conscience, which empowered its Commissioners to commit to one of the Compters for debts not exceeding forty shillings; but now, by subsequent acts, extended to five pounds. In this Compter prisoners were received until the year 1552, when, by reason of the keeper's misconduct, they were removed to a new Compter in Wood-ftreet, provided by the city, and built for that purpose, which was burned in the general conflagration of 1666, and rebuilt more commodious than before, and continued to receive prisoners until the second day of April 1791, when the prisoners were removed to the present Compter in Giltspur street.

It appears necessary here to remark that the Sheriffs of London have each a Court of Record, as well as a Compter, where each sheriff in his respective court presides which courts are now held at Guildhall, every Wednesday and Friday, for actions, &c. entered at this Compter; and on every Thursday and Saturday for actions entered at the Poultry, excepting holidays, and a vacation in the month of August;

August; and each Sheriff has his office at his respective Compter, where his clerk-sitter attends for entering actions, &c. and also to discharge such debtors as become entitled to their release.

This Compter is now appropriated for the reception of debtors, felons, and other offenders, and also for vagrants and night-charges (the watch-houses in this city not being permitted to retain prisoners therein); but the constable of the night must forthwith commit them to the Compter in his district; from whence a list of the night-charges so committed is the next morning returned to the Lord Mayor, or one of the Aldermen, in order that they may be examined touching the cause of their commitment, and be either discharged, bailed, or re-committed, to answer for their respective offences, according to due course of law.

The prisoners are divided into four classes; viz. Debtors, Felons, Misdemeanors and Assaults, and Vagrants; and the prison into nine separate and distinct yards, that is to say, the Master's-side, South-yard, 28 feet by 20, containing a pump affording soft water from the river Thames, and from whence a stair-case leads to two galleries, having each a sink and a cock supplying Thames-water, which is thrown by a forcing pump from a reservoir in the main yard to a large cistern on the top of that part of the prison, and descends from thence to the galleries; and here a difficulty sometimes occurs, from the forcing pump being out of the reach

of

of the persons to be benefited thereby. These galleries lead to six rooms (exclusive of the Turnkey's-> room on the ground-floor), having fire-places capable of conveniently accommodating two persons in cach, male or female, as it may happen, provided that a man-prisoner is not lodged in the same apartment with a woman-prisoner; and these apartments are at present occupied by Master-side debtors, who pay for the same according to the table of fees, which are as hereafter mentioned.

2d. The Master's-side. North yard, 30 feet by 18, being similar to the South in its construction and accommodations; but containing only five rooms with fire-places; (exclusive of another Turne key's room on the ground-floor), and is at present occupied by persons under commitment for assaults, or trivial offences; as also occasionally by the better sort of night charges.

The Women Debtors Ward, which has no yard, attaches immediately to an arched passage, to which is also attached the Keeper's Apartments, the Keeper's Office, the Outer Turnkey's Lodge, the office wherein is transacted the Sheriff's bufiness with respect to matters relating to his Court and to this Prifon. This passage alfo contains all the main gates, or first entrances, to the Master's side, and to the interior of the prison. The Women Debtors Ward is fitted up with four turn-up bedsteads, which are inclosed in the day-time, a table, and moveable benches, a water-closet, and a large cistern of

Thames

Thames water, with a good stone sink beneath it. This Ward has three windows next the street, a good fire place, and is capable of lodging eight persons.

3d. The Common-side. Men Debtors Yard, 75 feet by 18, contains two pumps, the one supplying spring water from a well in this yard, and the other affording foft water from the river Thames; has a room at each end; one occupied by one of the Turnkeys, for the better security of the prison, and the other by the Steward of the Charity Wards. The wards appertaining to this yard are built upon arches, and divide the same into two parts, having communication by arcades under one part, and a common room, used as a workshop for those Debtors who chuse to work, under the other; in which shop is a large table fixed, whereon the prisoners belonging to these wards divide such provisions as they receive by charitable donations. From this yard is a stone stair-case, closed with doors at the bottom, and leading to four wards; two on the first story, and two on the second. The two upper wards are used as bed-rooms, and are fitted up with sixteen low stump bedsteads in each, (which lay upon barracks, and are easily removed for the purpose of cleanliness,) and a supply of rugs for the ufe of the prisoners. The other two wards are used as sitting rooms from eight in the morning until ten at night, when strangers are excluded, and the prisoners locked up for the night. The Sleeping-wards would be

much