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8*
Divines will allow me
the expression / combined
with the extreme facility
of his real presence.
A collateral advantage
it possesses, and
on the score of frugality
a very material one, is
that which respects the
number of the Inspectors
requisite. If this
plan required more than
another, the additional
number would form an
objection, which, were the
difference to a certain
degree considerable, might
rise so high as to be
conclusive. So far from it,
that a greater multitude
than ever were yet lodged
in one house might
be inspected by a single
person. For the trouble
of inspection is diminished
in no less
proportion than the
strictness of inspection is
increased. I
Another very important
advantage, whatever
purposes the
plan may be applied to
doing so. It presents an answer, and that a satisfactory one, to one of the
most puzzling of political questions, Quis custodiet ipsos Custodes? And
the fulfilling of his, as well as their, duty would be rendered so much easier
than it can ever have been hitherto, so might, and so should, any departure from
it be punished with the more inflexible severity. It is this circumstance that
renders the influence of this plan not less beneficial to what is called Liberty
than to necessary coercion: not less powerfull, as a controul upon subordinate
power, than as a curb to delinquency; as a shield to innocence, than as a
scourge to guilt.
Another advantage, still operating to the same ends, is what the respects the great
of trouble and disgust, which it takes off the shoulders of those occasional
Inspectors of a higher order, such as Judges and other Magistrates, who, called down
to this irksome task from the superior ranks of life, cannot but feel a
proportionable repugnance to the discharge of it. Think how it is with
upon the present plans, and how it still must be upon the best plans that
have hitherto been devised. The Cells or apartments, however constructed,
must, if there be a
nine hundred of them, (as there were to have been upon the Penitentiary-house plan) be opened to the Visitors, one by one
do their business to any purpose, they must approach near to, and come
almost in contact with, each inhabitant, whose situation being watched over
according to no other than the loose methods of inspection at present practicable, will, on the
account, require the more minute and troublesome investigation on the part
of these occasional superintendents. By this new plan, the disgust is entirely
removed: and the trouble, of going into such a room as the Lodge, is no more than
the trouble of going into any other.
Were Newgate upon this plan, all Newgate might be inspected
by a quarter of an hour's visit to Mr .
Among the other causes of that reluctance, none at present so
forcible, none so unhappily well grounded, none which affords so natural an
excuse, nor so strong a reason against accepting of any excuse, as the danger
of infection: a circumstance which carries death in one of its most tremendous
forms from the seat of Guilt to the seat of Justice, and involving in one
common catastrophe, the violator and the upholder of the laws. But, in a
spot so constructed, and under a course of discipline so insured, how
should any infection ever arise? or how should it continue? Against every
danger of this kind what private house of the poor, one might almost say, or of
even the most opulent, can be equally secure?
Nor is the disagreeableness of the task of superintendence diminished
by this plan in a much greater degree than the efficacy of it is increased. On
all others, be the Superintendants motions, ever so unexpected, and his motions ever
so quick, time there must always be for preparations, blinding the real state of
things. But of a nine hundred Cells he can visit but one at a time, and, in the mean
while, the worst of the others may be arranged and the inhabitants threatened
and tutored how to receive him. On this plan no sooner is the Superintendent
announced, than the whole scene opens instantaneously to his view.
In mentioning Inspectors and Superintindants who are such
by office, I must not overlook that system of Inspection which, however
heeded, will not be the less usefull and efficacious: I mean that the
which individuals may be disposed to take in the business, without intending
perhaps, or even without thinking of any other effect of their visits than
the gratification of their of their own particular curiosity. What the Inspector's
or Keeper's Family are with respect to him, that or more, that or more
will the spontaneous visitors be to the Superintindant: assistants, deputies
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