★ Keep up to date with the latest news - subscribe to the Transcribe Bentham newsletter; Find a new page to transcribe in our list of Untranscribed Manuscripts
6
thereby give a communication at each end, with the world without doors, and
insure the Keeper against the danger of finding himself a prisoner among to his prisoners.
Should it be thought that, in this way, the Lodge would not have light
enough, for the convenience of a man of a station competent to the office, the deficiency
might be supplied, by a void space, left in the center of that apartment, that part, all the way up. You may call it
if you please the Central Area. Into this space windows may open, where they are wanted
from the apartments of the Lodge. It may be either left open at top or covered with a
light. But this expedient, though it might add, in some respects, to the convenience
of the Lodge, could not but add greatly to the expence of the building.
(So much for particular description. If you want any further assistance
towards forming a general conception of such a structure, I must ever send you, I believe
to Ranelagh: at least, if the idea that remains with me of that scene of entertainment
at I don't know how many years distance, corresponds in any tolerable degree with
the original. In the Inspector's Lodge rise those refreshing springs which stream
forth tea, orgeat, and capilliara. Ladies and Gentlemen perambulate the Intermediate
Area: and the same Ladies and Gentlemen, when
"Fatigued with the tremendous toils of walking.
Themselves do unfatigue..."
in the surrounding cells. There, are prisoners kept, not in durance but in dalliance
not repulsed by gratings, bars and tolls; but attracted by gauze, and catgut
and minionet.)
In my two last letters I gave such idea as it was in my power
to give you by words, of this new plan of construction, considered in its most simple form.+
+A few words, more
with regard to what
further extension it
may admitt of.
The upmost number of persons that could be stowed in a single building of
this sort, consistently with the purposes of each several Institution, being
ascertained, to increase the number, that of the buildings must of course be increased.
Suppose two of these Rotundas requisite: these two might, by a covered gallery
constructed upon the same principles, be united consolidated into one Inspection
-house. But, by the help of this covered gallery, the field of inspection might
be swelled out to any extent.
If The number of Rotundas were are extended to four, a regular uncovered
area might, in that way, be inclosed: and, being surrounded by covered
Galleries, would be commanded in this manner from all sides, instead of being
commanded only from one. The area thus inclosed might be either circular, like
the buildings, or square, or oblong, as one or other of these forms were but adapted
to the prevailing idea of beauty or local convenience. A chain of any length,
of Inspection-houses adapted to the same or different purposes, might in this way
be carried round an area of any extent.
On such a plan, either one Inspector might serve for two or
more Rotundas, or, if there were one to each, the inspective force, if If I may use the
expression, would be greater, in such a compound building, than in any of the
number, singly taken, of which it was composed: since each inspector might be
relieved occasionally by every other.
In the uncovered area, thus brought within the field of inspection
any out-of-door employment, or any employments requiring a greater covered Space
than the general form of construction will allow; might be carried on upon the
same principle. A kitchen-garden for instance, might then be cultivated, for the
use of the whole society, by a few members of it at a time; to whom such an
opportunity, of airing and exercising themselves, would be a refreshment, and an
indulgence.
Many writers have expatiated with great force and Justice on
the unpopular and unedifying cast of that undistinguishing discipline, which, in
situation and treatment, confounds the lot, of those who may prove innocent, with the
lot of those, who have been proved to be guilty. The same roof, it has been said, ought not to
inclose persons who stand in predicaments so dissimilar. In a combination of
Inspection-houses, this delicacy might be observed, without any abatement of that
vigilance, with regard to safe custody, which in both cases is equally indispensable.
Letter 5
|
Identifier: | JB/550/210/002 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 550.
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
550 |
|||
|
210 |
|||
|
002 |
|||