treadwheel

A wheel turned by men or animals, either by climbing or pushing with the feet. In one form employed for raising water a rope is wound directly around the axle, and has a bucket and five in diameter, several such wheels being coupled together when nece ary for the accomodation of the prisoners. The circumference of each has twenty-four equi-distant steps. Each prisoner works in a separate compartment, and has the benefit of a hand-rail. The wheel makes two revolutions per minute, which is equiva lent to a ver tical ascent of thirty-two feet. The power may be utilized in grinding grain or turning machinery. The Treadmill. treadmill is a feature of English prison discipline, and sometimes is not revolved to any useful effect, a brake being simply attached to the axle, forming a seat for the warder, who regulates the work or speed by moving toward or from the outer end of the lever. Its use, as part of the machinery of "hard labor" in prisons, is now greatly restricted, as the weak and strong are by it compelled to equal exertion. *tréague, subst . [Sp., Port. & 1tal. tregua ; Low Latin treuga , from Old H. German triuwa ; Goth. triggva .] [TRUCE, TRUE.] A truce. "She them besought, during their quiet treague , Into her lodgings to repaire awhile." Spenser: F. Q. , II. ii. 33.