advantageous it might be to the keeper, as well as the
Jan.3761
WESLEY DESCRIBES NEWGATE
Many of us agreed to observe Friday, 31, as a day of fasting and prayer for the blessing of God upon our nation, and in particular on his present Majesty.
We met at five, at nine, at one, and at half-past eight.
I expected to be a little tired, but was more lively after twelve at night than I was at six in the morning.
Wesley Writes to the "London Chronicle"
1761. Jan. Fri. 2.—I wrote the following letter:
" To the Editor of the London Chronicle.
all the seats of woe on this side hell, few, I suppose, exceed or even equal Newgate.
If any region of horror could exceed it a few years ago, Newgate in Bristol did; so great was the filth, the stench, the misery, and wickedness, which shocked all who had a spark of humanity left.
How was I surprised then, when I was there a few weeks ago!
1. Every part of it, above stairs and below, even the pit, wherein the felons are confined at night, is as clean and sweet as a_ gentleman's house ; it being now a rule, that every prisoner wash and clean his apartment throughly twice a week.
2. Here is no fighting or brawling.
If any thinks himself ill-used, the cause is immediately referred to the keeper, who hears the contending parties face to face, and decides the affair at once.
3. The usual grounds of quarrelling are removed.
For it is very rarely that any one cheats or wrongs another, as being sure, if any thing of this kind is discovered, to be committed to a closer confinement.
4. Here is no drunkenness suffered, however advantageous it might be to the keeper, as well as the tapster.
5. Nor any whoredom ; the women prisoners