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in it the debtors are allowed to take exercise, and it is also
used as the place of nomination for the members of the
North Eiding, at which times many exciting scenes have been
witnessed. It is said to be capable of holding 40,000 persons.
Anciently the river Foss flowed quite round the
Castle walls, as well as round the keep ;
but in 1805, drawbridge,
gate towers, and rulley post were removed, and the
moat on the south side filled up. In subsequent years the
entire Castle was repaired, prison arrangements remodelled,
and the whole area surrounded by the lofty stone wall which
now exists. These improvements occupied twelve years, and
cost the county £203,530. In the Entrance Lodge are an
indictment room and record room, and every Saturday the
magistrates meet here to examine those accused of smaU
offences from the Ainsty. It is now a Government prison,
and permission to see through is only granted upon application
to the Prison Commissioners, the Home Office, who
must be satisfied that the applicant has some useful object in
view, or else that he is connected with prisons or interested
in prison discipline.
Clifford's Tovter can only be seen over by the written
introduction of a member of the Visiting Committee of
Magistrates of York Castle (for the time being), or the
former Chairman of the Visiting Justices, or of the Lord
Mayor of York. It is advisable to give 24 hours' notice,
when the Governor will forward an order fixing the hour
at which visitors will least interfere with prison duties.
Strangers having no time to wait an answer, are recommended
to apply at the gates of the Castle, between noon
and 1 p.m., when the Governor will meet their wishes, if
he can do so without breach of duty to public interests.