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.

My second day in Newgate passed like the first. Prison life affords few
variations; the days roll by with drear monotony like wave after wave
over a spent swimmer's head. We enjoyed Judge North's "opportunity" to
prepare our fresh defence in the way I have already described. We were
locked up in our brick vaults twenty-three hours out of the twenty-four;
we walked for an hour after breakfast in the courtyard; and the fifteen
minutes allowed for the "interview with two visitors" was, as before,
religiously deducted from the sixty minutes allowed for "exercise."
Mr. Wheeler sent in more books and papers, and I devoted my whole time,
except that occupied in answering letters, to preparing another speech
for Monday.

Sunday was a miserably dull day. No visits are allowed in that sacred
interval, a regulation which presses with great severity on the poorer
prisoners, whose relatives and friends a