had a solicitor could see him in what is called the Solicitor's-Roorn - the only
cheerful room in the whole buiding - and remain there talking with him as long as
needful. But friend or relatives can only seen in a dark and abominable place,
with benches and tables set out like a very low tavern, and to which all females
who corne to see the prisoners must repair. I was so disgusted with much that I saw
and heard in this place, that after the first or second time she came, I forbade my
wife returning again to see me
At ten o'clock, strangers were allowed to enter. For such persons, as lived in the
far west of (.ondon, or in the suburbs, this hour was far too early, particular in
winter. At twelve all strangers had to leave, but why or wherefore I never could
make out. At two they might return; but what could they do in the mean time? I
have heard again and again of poor ladies whose husband were in Whitecross-
street having to walk the streets of that loathsome neighbourhood until the prison
opened again at two, and then only to be turned out again at three
There were daily prayers said in the chapel by the chaplain of the prison, but out
of some two hundred prisoners not more than a dozen or so attended divine
service. Even on Sunday there were never more than tweny or thirty present.
You can't go to the Whitecross Street, my dear Sir," said Perker. "Impossible! There
are sixty beds in a ward; and the bolt's on sixteen hours out of the four-and-
twenty,"
De deputy yVarden van de Fleet Prison hield zich tegenover het Select Comittee
van 1819 van de domme. Er kwamen herhaaldelijk gevangenen van andere
gevangenissen naar de Fleet of King's Bench, maar hij wist niet waarom.
2. De arrestaties.
Keren wij terug naar The Pickwick Papers (ch.40):
Trinity Term commenced. On the expiration of its first week, Mr.Pickwick an his
friends returned to London; and the former gentleman, attended of course by
Sam, straightway repaired to his oldquarters at the George and Vulture.
Daar wordt hij gearresteerd door 'Namby, Officer to the Sheriffs of London'. Dus
was de Whitecross-sfreet, de gevangenis voor schuldenaren van de City, de
aange-wezen plaats om hem op te sluiten. De gevangenis viel onder hef gezag
van de Sheriffs. De Sheriffs hadden er belang bij, dat er iets aan de gevangenen
werd verdiend. De bediende van de Sheriff Namby, Smouch, brengt dan ook
mr.Pickwick (met Sam) naar de Coleman Street:
The coach having turned into a very narrow and dark street, stopped before
a house with iron bars to all the windows; the door-posts of which were graced
by the name and title of "Namby, Officer to the Sheriffs of London:" the inner
The Pickvsick Papers (ch.40): Hef advies van Perker aan de rijke schuldenaar
Mr.Pickwick om niet naar Whitecross-sfreet Prison te gaan, was dus terecht:
