In the year 1817, Mr.--afterwards Sir William--Cubitt, of Ipswich, erected a Tread-Mill at Brixton Gaol--and soon afterwards in other large prisons, as a species of _preventive punishment_, which excited much attention and terror to evil doers, and proved eminently useful in decreasing the number of commitments; the strict discipline had a most salutary effect upon the prisoners not easily to be forgotten. Yet, the inventor’s name gave rise to many jokes on the subject among such of the prisoners who could laugh at their own crimes, who said that they were now punished by the _cubit_!
In nearly all the new and fa--vour--ite comic songs of the day allusion was made to the TREADMILL OF BRIXTON as--_The Everlasting Stairs!--The Stepping Mill!--The New Dancing Academy! &c._ A street-ballad on the subject was issued from the “Catnach Press” and had a most unprecedented sale, keeping the pressmen and boys working for weeks:--
“And we’re all treading, tread, tread, treading, And we’re all treading, at fam’d Brixton Mill.”
The following punning ditty was very popular at the period:--
This Brixton Mill’s a fearful ill, And he who brought the Bill in, Is threatn’d by the _cribbing_ coves, That he shall have a _milling_. They say he shew’d a simple pate, To think of felons mending: As every _step_ which here they take, They’re still in crime _ascending_.
And when releas’d, and in the streets Their former snares they’re spreading, They swear ’tis Parliament, which wills They must their old ways _tread in_. The Radicals begin to think ’Twill touch the Constitution, For as the _wheel_ moves round and round, It brings a _Revolution_.
But though these snarlers show their teeth, And try to vex the nation, Their actions soon are _tried_ and _judg’d_, And _grinding_ is their station. The _Gambling swells_ who near St. James’ Have _play’d_ their double dealings, Say ’tis not fair that Bow-street should Thus _work_ upon their feelings.
Tom, Jerry, Logic, three prime sprigs, Find here they cannot _come_ it, For though their _fancy_ soars aloft, They ne’er will reach the _summit_. Corinthian Kate and buxom Sue Must change their _warm_ direction, For if they make one _false step_ more They’ll have _Cold Bath Correction_.