ench colonel who broke his parole wrote a book, affirming that on one
occasion an officer who came to inspect the castle, having left his
horse in the court-yard, the famished prisoners despatched the animal,
devouring it on the spot; and, by the time the owner returned, the
stirrup-irons and bit alone remained!

Portsmouth is a very healthy place, although from its level position it
might be supposed to be otherwise. It has a wide and handsome High
Street, leading down to the harbour.

The Fountain, at the end of the High Street, no longer exists as an inn,
but has been converted by Miss Robinson into a Soldiers' and Sailors'
Institute. We went over the whole establishment. At the entrance are
rooms where soldiers and sailors can see their friends; and then there
is a large bar, where, although no intoxicating drinks can be obtained,
tea, coffee, and beverages of all sorts are served. Near it is a large
coffee-room. Passing through the house, we entered a very nice garden,
on the right of which there is a bowling-green and a skittle-alley; and
we then came to a very handsome hall which serves for religious
meetings, lectures, concerts, teas, and other social gatherings. There
were also rooms in which the men can fence or box. A large reading-room
(with a good library) and Bible-classroom are on the second floor; and
at the top of the house are dormitories, making up a considerable number
of beds for soldiers, as also for their wives and families, who may be
passing through Portsmouth either to embark or have come from abroad.
There is a sewing-room for the employment of the soldiers' wives. A
Children's Band of Hope meets every week. There is even a smoking-room
for the men, and hot or cold baths. Indeed, a more perfect place for
the soldier can nowhere be found. Miss Robinson herself resides in the
house, and superintends the whole work, of which I have given but a very
slight description. I should say that this most energetic lady has also
secured several houses for the accommodation of soldiers' families, who
would otherwise be driven into dirty or disreputable lodgings.

Another philanthropist of whom Portsmouth is justly proud is John
Pounds, who though only a poor shoemaker, originated and superintended
the first ragged school in the kingdom. Near the Soldiers' Institute is
the John Pounds' Memorial Ragged School, where a large number of poor
children are cared for. It is very gratifying to know th