February 1795.
As soon as the Weather opens the chief part of the labourers
who otherways would be employed in picking Oakum at 2žd a day
will be turned out into the Garden and Potatoe Ground where they
will earn at least 1/6 a day each in levelling forming and dressing it
for Vegetables and Potatoes - No doubt can be entertained of
raising as many Potatoes as will be necessary for the whole prison
also every kind of Cullinary Stuff, which may be used occasionally as
substitutes for at least a part of the Bread.
It remains now to consider how for the Articles of the
Rules and Orders regarding the Chaplain have been complied with
And here, it is impossible not to feel as well as to express great
regret on Account of the prospect there is of being deprived of the
services of The Revd. Mr Owen in favour of whose zeal for every
thing that relates to the duly of an able and good Pastor it is
impossible to say too much. - His Expectations to the Prisoners are
exactly what they ought to be and their utility is proved by the
superior decency and decorum which has already placed the Chapel of
the New House of Correction
in such a point of view as to render it an
example to be imitated by every institution of the same kind in this or
any other Country. - If Mr Owen should actually determine on
quitting his present Charge it would be very desirable that his
Successor should have an opportunity of witnessing his excellent
method of exhorting his hearers that he might do so likewise.
It may be here proper to observe that as yet Mr Owen has
not received any pecuniary gratuity for his services; It is therefore
submitted to the Court whether an Order should not be made for
that purpose especially as he has now attended considerably about
a Quarter.
Having now gone over every particular which has
occurred to the Reporter as necessary to be brought under the
review of the Court either for immediate information or for the
assistance afterwards of future visiting Magistrates; two
Observations only occur, which are, that in managing this