those initials, under ordinary circumstances, impart the idea of security, and Royl
possession.
The inmates and strugglers in this house of care, presented almost a various
aspects as those of a Spanish crowd. Here might be seen the turbaned debtor,
bewrapped in the dirty relics of his flannfing finery, the ci-devant man of property
creeping about in rags, and craving to do the office of menial, and the woful wife
ministering to cheat sorrow of a smile, yet heart-sick and sore. Ever and anon, doors
opened, and then came forth the revel shout and the jolly laugh - the indiscriminate
Icome, which woud have the whole world for one table, and then keep it in a roar,
They, whom curiosity tempted to stroll hither, did not soon forget the rabble roof, and
their nestling places
Whence even not the tumult of loud mirth
Was rife and perfect to the listening ear.
Alack I what "strange bedfellows" did Debt - a phase of misery - make men
acquainted with in the Fleet.
If a prisoner did not wish to go in the Common Side, (a Building apart, and to the
right of the Master's side, where he was put, with several other prisoners, into a com
mon room, divided within only cabin-fashion, for which he paid nothing), he had the
choice of going down into the "Bartholomew Fair,", the lowest and sunken story,
where he paid is.3d. for the undisturbed use of a room; or up to the better ap-
partments, where he paid the same rent, but was subject to chummage, i.e., a
fellow-prisoner punf info his room, or "chummed upon him," but who might be got rid
of by a payment of 4s.6d. per week, or more, according the the fulness of the Prison.
The latter prisoner would then provide himself with a common lodging, by letting
which prisoners in the Fleet are known to have accumulated hundred of pounds in
the course of a few years.
Deze beschrijving past uitstekend bij The Pickwick Papers:
Mr. Tom Roker, the genleman who had accompanied Mr. Pickwick into the prison,
turned sharp round to the right when he got to the bottom of the litffe flight of steps,
and led the way, through an iron gate which stood open, and up another short flight
of steps, into a long narrow gallary, dirty and low, paved wit stone. And very dimly
lighted by a window at each remote end.
"This," said the gentleman, thrusting his hands into his pockets, and looking
caqrlessly over his shoulders to Mr. Pickwick, "this here is the hall flight."
"Oh," replied Mr. Pickwick, looking down a dark and filthy staircase, which
appeared to lead to a range of damp and gloomy stone vaults, beneath the ground,
"and those, I suppose, are the little cellars where the prisoners keep treir small
quantities of coals. Unpleasant places to have to go down but very convenient, I
dare say."
"Yes, I should't wonder if they was convenient," replied the gentleman, "seein hat
a few people live fhere, pretty smug. That's the Fair, that is."
"My friend," said Mr. Pickwick, "you don't really mean to say that human beings
live down in those wretched dungeons?"
"Don't I?" replied Mr. Roker, with indignant astonishmentwhy shouldn't I?"
