London and Its Environs Described, vol. 4 (of 6): Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round ItAnonymous
History
London and Its Environs Described, vol. 4 (of 6): Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round It
Anonymous
London (England) -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; London (England) -- Gazetteers -- Early works to 1800
This officer, with the under steward, assistants, and church-wardens,
are elected monthly by the suffrages of the prisoners; but all the other
officers, except the chamberlain, are appointed by the master keeper,
stewards, and assistants. These frequent elections are designed to
prevent frauds and abuses in the respective officers; but when they are
known to be men of probity, they are generally re-elected, and often
continue in their posts many months.
The under steward is an assistant to the upper steward, in whose absence
or indisposition, he performs the several functions of his office.
The assistants, who are seven in number, are chosen monthly with the
stewards, and one of them officiates daily. His business is, to attend
in the hall, to enter all charities, and keep an account of the money
taken out of the boxes, which are opened at five o’clock in the
afternoon, and at nine at night. This money he pays to the upper
steward, at the passing of whose accounts the stewards are auditors.
Every person nominated for the office of an assistant, on refusing to
serve, forfeits one shilling to the use of the public, or instead
thereof is put in fetters for three days. The officiating assistant is
invested with the power of a magistrate, and can commit a prisoner to
the stocks or shackles, for the abuse of any person. He is to see the
cellar cleared every night, by ten o’clock, of all the prisoners; for
which he receives 6d. out of the charity money; 2d. of which is for his
own use; 2d. for the upper steward; and 2d. for the running assistant.
This office was anciently in such esteem, that the assistant at his
entering upon it, used to be ushered into the hall at eight o’clock at
night, by forty or fifty great candles lighted, and carried by so many
prisoners.
The running assistant attends upon the criers at the grates to change
money; he opens the boxes; puts up candles in their respective places;
attends upon the stewards and assistants; looks after the clock; rings
the bell for prayers, and is crier at the sale of provisions. His salary
is 4s. 8d. _per_ month, and an eighth part of the garnish.
The church-wardens are chosen from among the youngest prisoners. The
upper warden’s business is to call to prayers on Sundays, after the bell
has done ringing; and the under warden’s is to call the prisoners to
prayers all other days. They likewise take cognizance of all persons
upon the charitable foundation; who in default of attendance are fined
one penny each. For this service the under warden has a salary of 4d.
_per_ month; and when duly elected, the penalty for not serving is 4d.
The scavenger’s office is to keep clean the prison, and to fetter, or
put offenders in the stocks: for which he is intitled to receive one
penny from each criminal, together with a salary of 5s. 8d. _per_ month,
and 2d. out of every sixteen pence of the garnish money.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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