THE EUROPEAN JOURNALS 133 



walls is an extensive view of the Irish Channel. The area 

 owned by this institution is about eight acres. It is built 

 almost circular in form, having gardens in the court in the 

 centre, a court of sessions on one side and the main en- 

 trance on the other. It contains, besides the usual cells, a 

 chapel, and yards in which the prisoners take exercise, 

 kitchens, store-rooms, etc., besides treadmills. The tread- 

 mills I consider infamous; conceive a wild Squirrel in a 

 round cage constantly moving, without progressing. The 

 labor is too severe, and the true motive of correction de- 

 stroyed, as there are no mental resources attached to this 

 laborious engine of shame. Why should not these crimi- 

 nals — if so they are — be taught different trades, enabling 

 them when again thrown into the world to earn their living 

 honestly? It would be more profitable to the government, 

 and the principle would be more honorable. It is besides 

 injurious to health ; the wheel is only six feet in diameter, 

 therefore the motion is rapid, and each step must be taken 

 in quick succession, and I know a quick, short step is more 

 fatiguing than a long one. The emaciated bodies of the 

 poor fellows proved this to my eyes, as did my powers of 

 calculation. The circulation of air was much needed ; it 

 was painful to me to breathe in the room where the mill 

 was, and I left it saddened and depressed. The female 

 department is even more lamentable, but I will say no 

 more, except that my guide and companion was Miss 

 Mary Hodgson, a Quakeress of great benevolence and 

 solid understanding, whose labors among these poor un- 

 fortunates have been of immense benefit. I dined with 

 her, her sister and brother, the latter a merchant of this 

 busy city. 



Manchester, October 6. This morning after four hours' 

 rest I rose early. Again taking my boots in my hand, I 

 turned the latch gently, and found myself alone in the 

 early dawn. It was one of those mornings when not suffi- 

 ciently cold for a frost ; the dew lay in large drops on each 



