Punch (72.1877)

June 16, 1877.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. 275

EVE'S CURIOSITY.

Young Wife. "I wish you'd let me go with you to the City to-morkow, Fred!" Young Husband. "Why, my Love?"
Young Wife. " Because I should so Like, just for once, to take a Walk through the Money-market/"

Repose is not inertia,—nothing less,—
But placid strength disdaining restlessness.
My Statues—well, I own they 're dummies, half,
Whose pose oft moves their mover to a laugh
Sub rosd. But I've some who tax my spell
To keep them ranked and ranged so sweetly well.
How done ? Why half my lesson you would learn,
The other half, as infra dig., would spurn.
Well, fine and fiery Greek, perhaps you 're right,
Did not your fuss so often lose the fight.

PROPOSED NEW PRISON RULES.

(See Debate in the House of Commons, Thursday, June 7.)

No prisoner is in future to be exposed to the indignity of being
conducted to his place of detention in the official van. If he pos-
sesses a conveyance of his own, he will be allowed to ride in it,
accompanied by a policeman (not in uniform); otherwise, a cab will
be supplied for his journey (the constable in plain clothes sitting
outside), and the expense defrayed jointly out of the Rates and
the Consolidated Fund.

Each prisoner on his arrival will be received by the Governor, and
accommodated with a seat in the Governor's parlour until the apart-
ment designed for his use is ready for his reception. In the case of
females, the Governor's wife will also be in attendance. Refresh-
ments will be provided.

A prisoner can refuse to occupy the apartment provided for him,
if he has reason to suspect that the sheets of his bed have not been
properly aired.

Prisoners will be allowed to wear their hair in whatever way they
please, and, except at their own request, the official hair-dresser
will not interfere with their coiffure.

After the 1st of January, 1878, all prison dresses (except those
worn by the officials) will be abolished.

All degrading punishments will be discontinued, and only such
inflicted as appeal to the best feelings of our common nature, and

cause no compromise of a prisoner's moral dignity. For instance,
the Governor is empowered to deprive a prisoner of his daily paper,
to stop (or certainly to dilute) his wine, beer, and spirits rations, to
cut him off from the companionship of any cat, dog, caged bird, or
other domesticated animal that may be cheering his solitary
moments, and to prohibit the use, for any period not exceeding
twelve hours, of his flute, accordion, concertina, &c.

Bowls, skittles, ninepins, Aunt Sallies, &c, will be provided in
the Recreation Grounds for those prisoners whose conduct has been
meritorious.

Prisoners can subscribe to a Circulating Library, on application to
the Chaplain.

Female prisoners will be allowed the use of a piano, by permission
of the Visiting Justices.

It will be the duty of the Visiting Justices to satisfy themselves,
at their weekly inspection, that each apartment is as snug and cosy
as the few simple and lenient rules which in future will be en-
forced, will permit. They must see that the Kamptulicon on the
floor is in good condition, that the pattern of the wall-paper is
cheerful and in nice taste, that the springs of the easy-chair are
sound, and that the feather-bed is perfectly comfortable.

Prisoners may see their friends once a week, but no visitor will be
allowed to remain more than two hours at a time, and no prisoner
can receive more than three visits on the same day. The interviews
will take place in.the prisoner's own private apartment, and every
precaution will be taken to guard himself and his friends from
intrusion.

No restrictions will be placed upon prisoners' private corre-
spondence. Stationery will be supplied, but not postage stamps.

When the thermometer reaches freezing point, female prisoners
will be_ supplied with hot-water bottles at bed time.

A prisoner will have full liberty to send for his own family medical
attendant, if he is not satisfied with the gaol surgeon ; and if he has
been accustomed to homoeopathic treatment, he can demand to be
visited by a practitioner of that school of medicine.

The prison diet will be such as is usually seen on the tables of the
middle classes.

Smoking allowed after four o'clock.