Besides the several regular prisons, there are various lock-up houses, commonly called spunging-houses, belonging to the sheriffs officers, who are ready to extend the accommodations of their private rooms for a valuable consideration, till the person under arrest finds the means of satisfying his creditor, or, with a view to less expense, wishes to be removed to a public prison.
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Source: Leigh's New Picture of London. Printed for Samuel Leigh, 18, Strand;
by W. Clowes, Northumberland Court. 1819