Interior of the kitchen at the city prison, Holloway

Book illustration of the interior of the kitchen at the city prison, Holloway, from page 429 of 'The criminal prisons of London and scenes of prison life' by Henry Mayhew and John Binny. While visiting the kitchen the authors noted six large boilers with copper lids. "One boiler contained a large quantity of broth, with huge pieces of beef... Another boiler contained a large quantity of potatoes which had just been cooked. They were York Regents of an excellent quality. A different boiler contained an enormous quantity of gruel, made of the best Scotch oatmeal, to be served out for supper in the evening. It was filled to the brim, with a white creamy paste mantling on the surface. Cocoa is given on alternate days, and is prepared in the other coppers we saw alongside."