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dlesex jury; and several of the spectators. In consequence of this disaster, and a representation made to the court of aldermen by lord chief justice Lee, a machine was soon after placed on the top of Newgate to supply a circulation of fresh air; the prison was well cleansed, and every other precaution taken to preserve the health of the prisoners.

Though the city had such very cogent reasons for rebuilding the gaol, thirty years elapsed before any resolution passed for carrying it into execution; and the first stone of the present structure was laid by Mr. Alderman Beckford, during his second mayoralty, in 1770. It is a massy, and rather superb building, and many of the inconveniences of the old prison are avoided in the present; but there are still some manifest errors; so that "without more than ordinary care, the prisoners will be in great danger of the gaol fever."

The plan of the whole is an area of three squares; the north quadrangle for debtors of both sexes, a wall dividing the men from the women. A large quadrangle behind the keeper's house for men felons; on one side of which is a plain and neat chapel. The south quadrangle contains apartments for state prisoners, &c.; a wall divides these from the women felons. The cells, built in addition to the old prison for condemned malefactors, continue for the same use at present. We subjoin Mr. Howard's account of them: "There are upon cach of the three floors five; all vaulted, near nine feet high to the crown. Those on the ground floor measure full nine feet by six; the five on the first story are a little larger, on account of the set-off in the wall; and the five uppermost still a little larger, for the same reason. In the upper part of each cell, is a window double grated, near three feet by one and a half. The doors are four inches thick. The strong stone wall is lined all round each cell with planks, studded with broad-headed nails. In each cell is a barrack bedstead. I was told, contimes Mr. Howard, by those who attended me, that criminals who had affected an air of boldness during their trial, and appeared quite unconcerned at the pronouncing sen

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tence upon them, were struck with horror, and shed tears, when brought to these darksome solitary abodes" *.

The street before Newgate, from Fleet Lane to the pump, formed a triangular range of buildings, denominated the Great Old Bailey, the Little Old Bailey, and Hart Row Street. The opposite side of the main street formed another triangle, called Giltspur Street, Pie Corner, and a narrow alley adjoining St. Sepulchre's, called Church Lane. Upon the removal of the firft of these ranges of building, the space was appointed for the place of execution for condemned criminals, on a stage with a gallows, before the debtor's door. X

A broad yard divides Newgate from the THE SESSIONS HOUSE; a very handsome stone and brick building. A court is held here eight times in the year for the trial of criminal offenders in London and Middlesex. The judges are the lord mayor, the aldermen past the chair, and the recorder, attended by the sheriffs, and one of the national

judges.

* Mr. Robert Dow, of whom we have made mention in Vol. II, p. 384, appointed, in the year 1612, the sexton of St. Sepulchre's church to pronounce two solemn exhortations to the persons condemned; for which, and for ringing the passing bell, as they were carried to the place of execution, he left 17. 6s. 8d. yearly for ever.

"The following is the exhortation to be pronounced to the candemned prisoners in Newgate, the night before their execution.

"You prisoners that are within,

"Who for wickedness end sin,

"After many mercies shewn you, are now appointed to die to-morrow in the forenoon: give ear, and understand, that to-morrow morning the greatest bell of St. Sepulchre's shall toll for you in form and manner of a passing bell, as used to be tolled for those that are at the point of death, to the end that all godly people hearing that bell, and knowing it is for you, going to your deaths, may be stirred up heartily, to pray to God to bestow his grace and mercy upon you, whilst you live; I beseech you, for Jesus Christ his sake, to keep this night in watching and prayer, for the salvation of your own souls, while there is yet time and place for mercy: as knowing to-morrow you must appear before the judgment seat of your Creator, there to give an account of all things done in this life, and to suffer eternal torments for your sins

committed

judges. Here are two juries; one of citizens, to try such as have offended in the city; and another of housekeepers of the county of Middlesex, to try offences committed in the county. The crimes cognizable in this court are high and petty treason, murder, felony, forgery, petty larceny, burglary, cheating, &c. The court is empowered to inflict corporal punishments, transportation, and loss of life.

A vacant piece of ground, intended for an extension and improvement of the Sessions House, was lately covered by an elegant structure, erected for the corporation of Surgeons; but on their quitting the premises, the whole was converted to barracks for the city militia regiments.

In the Old Bailey stood SYDNEY HOUSE, in which that family resided, till they removed to Leicester House. The site was after the fire, the dwelling of the notorious Jonathan Wild; of a coachmaker; and at present is a broker's shop.

committed against him, unless upon hearty and unfeigned repentance, you find mercy, through the merits, death, and passion of your only mediator and advocate, Jesus Christ, who now sits at the right hand of God, to make intercession for as many of you, as penitently return to him."

On the day of execution, as the condemned criminals pass by St. Se pulchre's church, in their way to Tyburn, the following words were appointed to be spoken: All good people, pray heartily unto God for these poor sinners, who are now going to their deaths, for whom this great bell doth toll."

"You that are condemned to die, repent with lamentable tears: ask mercy of the Lord, for the salvation of your own souls, through the merits, death, and passion of Jesus Christ, who now sits at the right hand of God, to make intercession for as many of you as penitently return unto him."

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The latter exhortation has been discontinued since the executions have taken place before the prison; and instead of the passing bell of St. Sepulchre's, one which belonged to St. John, Southwark, and sold by that parish, when they set up their new bells, was fixed on the top of Newgate, warns to prayers in the chapel, and is used as the knell for criminals awaiting their wretched fate.

PRUJEAN

PRUJEAN SQUARE, is so denominated from a knight of that name, who, was the proprietor.

Turning out of the Old Bailey, eastward, we arrive at

LUDGATE.

We do not attempt to barrass ourselves, or our readers, in hunting out the etymology of this place; or whether or not there was such a king as Lud. The name of the gate, whilst it stood, was with great appearance of probability derived from the Flood, Flud, Vloat, Fleote or Fleet, which ran into Fleet Ditch.

In the year 1373, it was constituted a prison for poor debtors, who were free of the city; and it was afterwards greatly enlarged by Sir Stephen Forster.

This gentleman had been a prisoner, and was begging at the gate, when a rich widow passing by, asked him what sum would procure his discharge; and on his answering twenty pounds (which at that time was a considerable sum) she generously advanced the money.

His liberty being obtained, his benefactress took him into her service, in which, by his indefatigable application to business, and his obliging behaviour, he gained her affections, and married her; after which he had great success in trade, became lord mayor of London, and obtained the honour of knighthood.

In the midst of his prosperity, Sir Stephen thought of the place of his confinement, and acquainting his lady with a design he had formed of enlarging the prison, she also determined to contribute to the execution of so benevolent a plan.

They caused several of their houses near the gate to be pulled down, and in their stead erected a strong square stone building, containing the porch, the paper house, the watch hall, the upper and lower lumberies, the cellar, the long ward, and the chapel; in the last of which were the following inscriptions:

"This chapel was erected and ordained for the divine worship and service of God, by the right honourable Sir Stephen Forster,

knight,

knight, some time lord mayor of this honourable city, and by dame Agnes his wife, for the use and godly exercise of the pri soners in this prison of Ludgate, anno 1454."

Devout Soules, that passe this way,

For Stephen Forster, late Maior, heartily pray, And Dame Agnes, his Spouse, to God consecrate, That of pitie this house made for Londoners in Ludgate. So that for lodging and Water prisoners here nought pay, As their keepers shall all answere at dreadful doomes-day. These venerable founders not only settled a salary for a chaplain of this prison, but ordered that all the rooms in these additional buildings should be for ever free to all unfortunate citizens, and that they, on providing their own bedding, should pay nothing at their discharge for lodging or chamber rent: but the keepers have long since broke through this appointment, and for many years past took rent for the rooms built for the sole use of the poor, contrary to the express order of the generous donor.

Concerning the prison we have already made mention. The gate was taken down about the year 1760.

Close to where this gate stood is situated the parish church of

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