Note 661 — Chapter XLI · PRISONS.

The Fleet and Ludgate were purely for debtors, in contradistinction to the others, which accommodated not only debtors but criminals. Imprisonment for debt has not very long been done away with—indeed, it now exists under the name of 'contempt of court'; and what renders it more illogical and oppressive, is that people can only be imprisoned for owing small sums, the debtors who operate on a larger scale having perfect immunity from restraint. However, in Anne's time large and small were taken indiscriminately; the smaller debtors, as being the weaker, naturally getting the worst of it; their chances of ever getting out being very remote. We have seen in Newgate that Tangier was the worst place but one in the gaol. 'The Miserable Inhabitants hereof are Debtors, who put what sorry Bedding they enjoy upon such an Ascent where Soldiers lye when on Guard at the Tilt Yard. But in this Apartment lye, besides real Debtors, such as are call'd your Thieving Debtors; who, having for Theft satisfy'd the Queen, by being Burnt in the Face, or Whipt, which is no Satisfaction to the wrong'd Subject, their Adversaries bring an Action of Trover against them, and keep them there till they make Restitution for Things stolen ... here is a lightsome Room call'd Debtor's Hall, so nam'd from such unfortunate Men lying there, where every Man shews like so many Wrecks upon the Sea; here the Ribs of £20, here the Ruins of a good Estate, Doublets without Buttons, and a Gown without Sleeves; and a pair of Stairs higher lye Women that are Fines and Debtors, thinking, like their suffering Companions below them, every Year Seven till they get abroad.'[661]