Howard reported that 1,062 prisoners were confined here, that the wards were lofty and spacious, the airing yards large, that the meat and beer were good, but that the bread, being made with leaven, and mixed with rye, was not so good as that served out to British prisoners. He recommended that to prevent the prisoners from passing their days lying indolently in their hammocks, work-rooms should be provided. Several prisoners, at the time of his visit, were in the Dark Hole for attempting to escape, and he observed that to be condemned to forty days’ confinement on half-rations in order to pay the ten shillings reward to the men who apprehended them seemed too severe. The hospital ward was lofty and twenty feet wide. Each patient had a cradle, bedding, and sheets, and the attendance of the doctor was very good. He spoke highly of Smith, the Agent, but recommended a more regular system of War-Prison inspection. Forgery was a prevalent crime among the Winchester prisoners. In 1780 two prisoners gave information about a systematic manufacture of false passports in the prison, and described the process. They also revealed the existence of a false key by which prisoners could escape into the fields, the maker of which had disappeared. They dared not say more, as they were suspected by their fellow-prisoners of being informers, and prayed for release as reward. To the letter conveying this information the Agent appended a note: ‘I have been obliged this afternoon to take Honoré Martin and Apert out of the prison that they may go away with the division of prisoners who are to be discharged to-morrow, several prisoners having this morning entered the chamber in which they sleep, with naked knives, declaring most resolutely they were determined to murder them if they could find them, to prevent which their liberty was granted.’ In 1810 two prisoners were brought to Winchester to be hanged for forging seven-shilling pieces. I think this must be the first instance of prisoners of war being hanged for forgery. ROSCROW AND KERGILLIACK, NEAR PENRYN, CORNWALL