C 130 ]
But the plan and arrangements of the castle court, now formed into a prison, are still more interest- ing. The area being divided into separate com- partments, the different gradations of crime are here judiciously distinguished from each other, and vil- lains of a greater or lesser dye confined to their own proper society; which prevents at least that amal- gamation of the more with the less heinous de- grees of vice, that takes place in prisons where the criminals promiscuously mix together. To avoid, also, that deterioration which idleness naturally encourages in the mind of the ignorant or the vi- cious, the magistrates wisely employ the prisoners in weaving coarse calico, and other easy labours; and to encourage the spirit of industry, and teach them to relish the toils of honest employment, a proper proportion of their earnings is always given to themselves, to be expended in what manner they please. The allowance of the felons is at once judicious and liberal; on Sundays, half a pound of solid beef without bone, one quart of broth, and half a pound of bread; on other days, one ounce of mutton, and one pound of bread. It was me- lancholy to reflect, that large and commodious as the building appeared to be, it had notwithstanding been overstocked; and that, on pouring out its numbers at the last assizes, eleven had been stopped
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