By Alfred Trumble, editor of “the collector”.

“…Charles Dickens had a deep and abiding interest in that grim accessory to civilization, the prison. He not only went jail hunting whenever opportunity offered, but made a profound study of the rules, practices and abuses of these institutions. Penology was, in fact, one of his hobbies…These papers, therefore, consist of personal knowledge, as a voluntary visitor, be it understood, of Newgate.”

Harrow and Heston Classic Reprint. London Suckling & Galloway (1896) 107 pages.