Prisoner for BlasphemyFoote, G. W. (George William)
Religion
Prisoner for Blasphemy
Foote, G. W. (George William)
Blasphemy; Trials (Blasphemy) -- Great Britain
During my first day in Newgate, the officers occasionally dropped in for
a minute's chat with such an unusual prisoner. I found them for the
most part "good fellows," and singularly free from the bigotry of their
"betters." The morning papers also helped to wile away the time. I was
pleased to see that the _Daily News_ rebuked the scandalous severity
of the judge, and that the reports of our trial were reasonably fair,
although very inadequate. The _Daily Chronicle_ was under an embargo,
and could not be obtained for love or money; the reason being, I
believe, that many years ago it commented severely on some prison
scandal, and provoked the high and mighty Commissioners into laying
their august proscription upon it. All the weekly papers, or at least
the Radical ones I inquired for, were under a similar embargo, for what
reason I could never discover. Perhaps the Commissioners, who enjoy a
reputation for piety, exclude Radical and heterodox journals lest they
should impair the Christianity and Toryism of the gaol-birds.
Many letters reached me and were answered, so that my time was well
occupied until twelve, when dinner was brought in from "over the way."
Being well-nigh ravenous, I dispatched it with great celerity, washing
it down with a little mild ale. Prisoners awaiting trial are allowed (if
they can pay for it) a pint of that beverage, or half a pint of wine.
After dinner I felt drowsy, and as there was no sofa or chair, and no
back to the little three-legged stool, I was obliged to dispense with a
nap. I walked up and down my splendid hall instead, longing desperately
for a mouthful of fresh air by way of dessert, or a few minutes' chat
with my friends, who I dare say were in exactly the same predicament.
Tea, which came at five, brightened me up, and as Mr. Wheeler had by
this time sent in all my books and papers, I settled down to three
hours' hard work. The worthy Governor, a tall sedate man, did not like
the titles of some of my books, and inquired whether I really wanted
them for my defence. I replied that I did. "Then," said he to the chief
warder, "they may all be brought up, but you must take care they don't
get about." At half-past eight, according to the rules, I retired to
my precarious and uncomfortable couch; a few minutes later my gas was
turned off, and I was left in almost total darkness to seek the sleep
which I soon found. Thus ended my first day in Newgate.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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