kio' ON THE LOCAL TAXATION OF THE CITY OF DUELIN. 73 In which prisons do they not?— They do not in the sheriff's prison. I do not think they attend so well in Newgate as they do in Richmond bridewell, and Smithfield penitentiary. Are you aware why they do not?— I have heard a reason assigned. What have you heard ?— I have heard, that Mr. Morrissy has been interdicted from the performance of his sacred functions by the Roman Catholic bishop. In point of fact, are there many cases in which the prisoners express a disincli- nation, to attend Mr. Morrissy on that account ?— Many cases. Are you aware of any statement having been made to the grand juries on this subject?— I have heard, that remonstrances were made to the grand juries, to the court of King's Bench, and to the chief secretary of state. Is Mr. Morrissy the Roman Catholic curate of the parish in which the prison is situated ?— He is not. Who is the curate of the parish ?— There are several Roman Catholic curates in that parish. Are you aware, that by the provisions of the statute law of the country, the grand jury are bound to appoint the Roman Catholic curate of the parish in which the prisons are situated?— I am. Then there is a departure from the law, with regard to the appointment of the the Roman Catholic chaplain ?— Mr. Morrissy was in office prior to that law. But the appointment of Mr. Morrissy, and his continuance in office, have involved the consequence, that many of the Roman Catholic prisoners are left without religious aid, so far as the establishment is concerned?— So far as the establishment is concerned, that is the case; but we have a decided order, not to prevent any prisoner from having communication with any clergyman that he may think proper. The great proportion of prisoners in the gaol of Newgate are of the Roman Catholic persuasion?— I believe so. The continuance of Mr. Morrissy in office, therefore, as far as the establishment is concerned, deprives many of the prisoners of religious aid ?— Decidedly it does ; but it is their own act, Mr. Morrissy having been interdicted for no immoral or improper act; and 1 have Mr. Morrissy's authority to say, that all prisoners would attend him, but for external interference. Who is the Presbyterian clergyman of the prison ?— Mr. James Horner. Have you known, during your experience of the prisons, any considerable number of prisoners of that religious persuasion?— No, I have not. Have you known any ?— Yes, I have. How many do you suppose ?— I think I have known five or six in Newgate, at one time. Are there any at the present moment ?— I think, before I left home, there were two. Do you think, that the services of that officer might or might not be dispensed with ?— I think the services of that officer might be dispensed with, so far as regards his religious duties; but I wish to impress on the Committee, that Mr. Horner received his appointment as a recompence for doing the duty for twenty years gratuitously. There are, however, other duties attached to his situation. Have you any observations to make to the Committee, with regard to the state of the City Marshalsea ?— It is in much better order now than formerly, from art accident; the very accident that injured it has produced a great change for the better. A late storm blew down a stack of chimneys, and the late Act authorizes the magistrates to rebuild it, which has occasioned an improvement; but the other part of the prison still remains in the same state. Under whose directions is it exclusively?— Under that of the corporation. Have you an account of the annual expense of dieting the prisoners in the gaol of the city of Dublin, and also of the dieting of the prisons ?— I have. [ The witness delivered in the some, which is as follows:] Rev. P. R. Gamble. ( 9 May.)