THE CLAIMANT AT DARTMOOR.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 173, 6 December 1876, Page 4

THE CLAIMANT AT DARTMOOR.

Although a considerable period lias elapsed since the Claimant to the Ticlibouvnc estates was lodged in safe and solitary confinement in the Government establishment at Dartmoor, there are many who still cherish a strong desire to know how the pnsoucr is undergoing the striking change of circumstances which the result of his tedious trial brought about. The convict rises every morning at five o’clock. He thou has to dress himself, clean his coll, get his breakfast, wash up his utensils employed therein, and then to be in readiness for chapel at a quarter to seven. The service is brief, lasting only about 15 minutes, and should the weather permit, at its conclusion the prisoner is taken out for parade. Before his day’s labour which ho is supposed to enter upon at half-past seven, ho has like the whole of Ids fellow convicts, to undergo the operation of searching. Wo should state that his daily task is to work a sewing machine at which ho has become quite an adept. After working for three-quarters of an hour lie is allowed a quarter of an hour’s rest. At the termination of this respite he is summoned to dinner, and confined to his cell until one o’clock. Previous to resuming his task he is again searched and then works the machine entrusted to hnn until ten minutes past five. His day’s employment is tlicn at an end; ho is escorted to his cell, served with tea, and at a quarter to eight on week nights and an hour earlier on Sundays, he retires to rest. The only privilege he enjoys over other convicts is an extra allowance of a quarter of a pound of bread and an ounce of moat daily, and this concession is stated to be allowed at the special direction of the doctor. It may be of interest to know what his principal daily meal consists of. On Monday he dines upon beef, on Tuesday soup, Wednesday mutton, Thursday pudding, Friday, soup, Saturday beef, and Sunday cheese. This stern dietary has naturally brought the Claimant a little nearer to Sir John Coleridge’s idea of the real Roger. We ( Birmingham Gazette) hear that his knickerbockers have had to be altered several times, and some significance may be attached to the fact that he is reduced in girth about 17 inches! Vet his general health is Stated to bo good, although he begins to assume a careworn and haggard appearance. He is uni'.omdy courteous anti obedient to the prison officials, and from six to eight marks per day for good conduct fail to his' Share. By reason of Ids exemplary behaviour he has lately been promoted, and is now what is termed a second-class prisoner. Should he continue to conform to the prison discipline and. conduct himself as heretofore, his sentence will bo reduced three months in every year, so that the entire term of IT years will be at an end in about 9 years and 11 months. The Claimant appears to be on good terms with every one around him.