Letter 224

I commend you all to God, and to the word of his grace. I am, my dear sister,

Your affectionate brother.

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CCXXIV. — To Mr.——.

SIR, BRISTOL, October 20, 1759.

SINCE I came to Bristol I heard many terrible accounts concerning the French prisoners at Knowle; as, that “they were so wedged together, that they had no room to breathe;” that “the stench of the rooms where they lodged was intolerable;” that “their food was only fit for dogs;” that “their meat was carrion, their bread rotten and unwholesome;” and that, “in consequence of this inhuman treatment, they died in whole shoals.” Desiring to know the truth, I went to Knowle on Monday, and was showed all the apartments there. But how was I disappointed!

1. I found they had large and convenient space to walk in, if they chose it all the days.

2 There was no stench in any apartment which I was in, either below or above. They were all sweeter and cleaner than any prison I have seen either in England or elsewhere.

3. Being permitted to go into the larder, I observed the meat hanging up, two large quarters of beef. It was fresh and fat, and I verily think as good as I ever desire to eat.

4. A large quantity of bread lay on one side. A gentleman took up and cut one of the loaves. It was made of good flour, was well baked, and perfectly well tasted.

5. Going thence to the hospital, I found that, even in this sickly season, there are not thirty persons dangerously ill, out of twelve or thirteen hundred.