On viewing the elevation of the principal front, it will be seen with what success the designer has attempted to unite a simplicity of style with that character the nature of the building required, assisted by the walls on each side of the centre. The whole front externally has the appear ance of an extensive and solid edifice. By their means I have been enabled to give a just and proportional effect to the whole front, that would otherwise look mean and un finished The octagon towers at the angles afford a happy and characteristic termination to this design. At the first glance it may strike the beholder with being an expensive building ; but it must be understood, that even the building that constitutes the centre of this front is but of two sto ries, and of only one room deep, finished with a simple shed roof, the highest part of which is beneath the parapet of the Front wall, and its cave sloping to the rear wall twelve feet below the front : it must be recollected also, that the accommodations contained in this building are indispensa ble to the institution, and if erected without a front build ing, it will be attended with a cost in themselves conside rably more than by the plan here adopted. and decidedly in a more objectionable situation, for by this means we are enabled to connect convenience with a beautiful exterior, and the difference of cost but trifling to the whole expen diture, as may be judged of by a reference to the estimates.
One strong entrance in character with the architectural composition, is a conspicuous feature in the front ; it is de signed to have a strong stationary wrought iron grating or portculies over the gateway, which affords light to the en trance ; between it and the rear gate is sufficient room for a team and wagon to stand, that will admit of the keeper's securing the front gate previous to the opening of the rear one.
An alarm bell is hung in the circular tower, over the apothecary's room, with acces-, to the extreme height, or roof of this bel.'ry, from which situation you can command and overlook the whole prison.
The tria.igular lot of ground tinted green on the plan is designed for a kitchen garden, to raise vegetables for the use of the prison; it will have a salutary effect on the air of the enclosure. The watch towers command, from their height and position, the inside and outside of the external walls ; their entrance is by means of two strong doors, hung of a suLicicnt distance apart to allow of entering the out side one, and securing it previous to opening the inside one.
The exterior wall is estimated at thirty feet high from the level of the ground on the inside, and covered with an inclined coping that projects on the inside four feet, that will frustrate any atten:pt to climb over it.
Every Avinclow in the front building is constructed with an iron grating, and the doors well bolted and locked, on the most improved plan ; and every other necessary pre caution adopted to render the prison secure."