'Being now both tired with, and amaz'd at the Confidence and Loose Behaviour of these Degenerate Wretches, who had neither Sense of Grace, Knowledge of Vertue, Fear of Shame, or Dread of Misery, my Friend reconducted me back into the first Quadrangle, and led me up a pair of Stairs into a spacious Chamber, where the Court was sat in great Grandeur and Order. A Grave Gentleman, whose Awful Looks bespoke him some Honourable Citizen, being mounted in the Judgment Seat, Arm'd with a Hammer, like a Change-Broker at Lloyd's Coffee House—and a Woman under the Lash in the next Room, where Folding Doors were open'd, that the whole Court might view the Punishment; at last down went the Hammer, and the Scourging ceas'd; that I protest, until I was undeceiv'd, I thought they had sold their Lashes by Auction. The Honourable Court, I observ'd was chiefly Attended by Fellows in Blew Coats, and Women in Blew Aprons. Another Accusation being then deliver'd by a Flat Cap aginst a poor Wench, who having no Friend to speak in her Behalf, Proclamation was made, viz. All you who are willing E—th T——ll should have present Punishment, Pray hold up your Hands; which was done accordingly; And then she was ordered the Civility of the House, and was forced to shew her tender Back and Breasts to the Sages of the Grave Assembly, who were mov'd by her Modest Mein, together with the whiteness of her Skin, to give her but a gentle Correction.'
The Houses of Correction at Clerkenwell, White Lyon Prison at Southwark, and Westminster, were similar institutions. The new prison at Clerkenwell was simply a House of Detention, where the prisoners awaited trial, and was intended to ease Newgate.
Wood Street and Poultry Compters received not only 'debtors upon Actions in the Lord Mayor's and Sheriffs Courts, but such as disturb the Peace of the City in the Night.' Ward describes at considerable length a night spent in the Poultry Counter. He says, 'The Turnkey was so civil to offer us Beds, but upon such unconscionable terms, that we thank'd him for his Love, but refus'd his Courtesie.' Afterwards he was put in the Common Side of the prison, and this is what it was like. 'When first we enter'd this Apartment, under the Title of the King's Ward, the mixtures of Scents that arose from Mundungus-Tobacco, foul Sweaty Toes, Dirty Shirts, stinking Breaths, and uncleanly Carcases, Poison'd our Nostrils far worse than a Southwark Ditch, a Tanner's Yard, or a Tallow Chandlers Melting Room. The Ill looking Vermin, with long Rusty Beards swaddled up in Rags, and their heads, some cover'd with Thrum Caps, and others thrust into the tops of old Stockings; some quitted their Play they were before engag'd in, and came hovering round us, like so many Canibals, with such devouring Countenances, as if a Man had been but a Morsel with 'em all crying out Garnish, Garnish, as a Rabble in an Insurrection, crying Liberty, Liberty. We were forc'd to submit to their Doctrine of Non resistance, and comply with their demands, which extended to the Sum of Two Shillings each. Having thus Paid our Initiation Fees, we were bid Welcome into the King's Ward, and to all the Privileges and Immunities thereof.'
We will not follow Ward through his night's experiences, which are far too graphically told—but in the morning, he says,'Now I must confess, I was forc'd to hold my Nose to the Grate, and Snuff hard for a little fresh Air; for I was e'en choak'd with the unwholesome Fumes that arose from their uncleanly Carcasses: Were the Burning of Old Shoes, Draymen's Stockings, the Dipping Card Matches, and a full Close Stool Pan, to be prepared in one Room, as a Nosegay to torment my Nostrils, it could not have prov'd a more effectual Punishment.'
More than once we have come across the word Garnish. The following scene will assist us in thoroughly grasping its meaning:—
Scene—Newgate.[659]
Storm. I defie the World to say I ever did an ill thing. I love my Friend—but there is always some little Trifle given to Prisoners, they call Garnish; we of the road are above it, but o' t'other side of the House, Silly Rascals that come voluntarily hither. Such as are in for Fools, sign'd their own Mittimus, in being bound for others, may perhaps want it: I'll be your faithful Almoner.
Bookwit. O, by all means, Sir. (Gives him Money.)
Storm. Pray, Sir, is this your Footman?
Bookwit. He is my Friend, Sir.