|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 14
SHIDE, half a mile to the south, is picturesquely seated at the foot of
the steep and high down called Pan: the river Medina flows through the
grounds, and there are several respectable villas in its immediate
neighbourhood.
Westward is the NEW VILLAGE, a street of genteel and comfortable houses
(some of which are furnished for lodgings,) leading to Carisbrooke:
behind it is the hill called Montjoy's, from whose lofty summit is
obtained the most comprehensive view of Newport, its river, and the
adjacent country. There is also a small hamlet on HUNNY-HILL, north of
the town.
FAIRLEE is a principal seat, a mile north of Newport. The house is large
and of respectable appearance: standing at the head of an extensive and
beautiful lawn which slopes to the eastern bank of the river, surrounded
by close and open groves.
About a mile from Newport, on the road to West Cowes, stands the HOUSE
OF INDUSTRY, a very large building, generally containing between 500 and
600 paupers; it includes within its walls a lunatic asylum, hospital,
school, and chapel: and has an extensive garden attached.
Its internal affairs and out-door relief are regulated by a Board
of Guardians and Directors, consisting of a certain number of
respectable inhabitants, chosen from every parish in the
island,--under the provisions of an Act of Parliament obtained in
the year 1770 for the parochial consolidation of the whole island.
They are therefore independent of the Poor-law Commissioners, and
have adopted only as much as they thought proper of the general
statute.
ALBANY BARRACKS, on the opposite side of the road, are capable of
accommodating nearly 2000 troops--for a long time however the complement
stationed here seldom exceeded a few companies, and for months together
there would not be even a serjeant's guard: but latterly the depots of
several regiments have been removed hither: so that there are now often
from 1000 to 1500 men at the same time.
Westward of the Barracks, bordering the Yarmouth road, is the extensive
tract called PARKHURST FOREST, planted a few years since with oaks and
Scotch firs, by order of Government.
PARKHURST PRISON, to the north of the barracks, is an extensive range of
buildings, dedicated to the benevolent purpose of reclaiming from
infamy, if possible, a large number of juvenile criminals of the male
sex.
To accomplish this truly desirable object (as _punishment_ ought
certainly to be _corrective_ in the best sense of the word), the
boys are regularly instructed by competent tradesmen, in such
branches of popular business as may be best suited to their
respective capacities: in conjunction with the most approved course
of common school-education. Particular attention is likewise paid
to the elevation of their moral character, so likely to be
permanently influenced by means of impressive friendly admonition,
the frequent inculcation and daily observance of religious duties,
and the exciting hope of reward for good behaviour in a mitigation
of their sentence: in short, by the most encouraging and kind
treatment, as far as is compatible with the strictness of prison
discipline. None therefore, but the thoroughly incorrigible, can
leave the institution without being greatly improved in their
habits and dispositions, if not altogether reformed; since _Order,
Cleanliness, Activity_, and _Industry_, must become almost natural
to them by the time they are discharged,--their understandings
cultivated, and their minds more or less impressed with the
sentiments of virtue and religion.
It would be injudicious to enter in detail on the subject of the
routine management, or the particular discipline adopted in the
respective wards: as very probably many alterations will be
introduced from time to time, as experiment and practice may
suggest: and moreover, as a "Report" is annually published by order
of Government (at a low price), containing the most minute
particulars in every department of the Asylum. For the same reasons
we have avoided any description of the architectural plan of the
prison, a pretty good idea of which may be formed in passing by on
the high-road.--We must however mention one fact that speaks highly
favorably of the salutary system adopted, namely, that during the
five years from the opening of the institution in 1838, there
occurred but two deaths among the boys, though the number averaged
about 250 at the same time.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|