tion also; but I would always have them separated in the night; I believe it would conduce to the health, both of body and mind. Their being in companies during the day, tends, under proper regulations, to the advancement of principle and industry; for it affords a stimulus. I should think solitary confinement proper only in very atrocious cases; I would divide my women for a few weeks till I knew what they were; but I would afterwards regulate them as I have now mentioned.

"Has gaming entirely ceased? It has of late; they have once been found gaming since we had the care of the prison; but I called the women up, when I found that some of them had been playing at cards, and represented to them how much I objected to it, and how evil I thought its consequence was, especially to them; at the same time, I stated, that if it were true that there were cards in the prison, I should consider it a proof of their regard, if they would have the candour and the kindness to bring me their packs. I did not expect they would do it, for they would feel that they betrayed themselves by it; however, I was sitting with the matron, and heard a gentle tap at the door, and in came a trembling woman, to tell me she had brought her pack of cards, that she was not aware how wrong it was, and hoped I would do what I liked with them; and, in a few minutes, another came up, and in this way, I had five packs of cards burnt. I assured them, that so far from its being remembered against them, I should remember it in another way. I brought them a present of clothing for what they had done; and one of them, in a striking manner, said, she hoped I would excuse her being so forward, but if she might say it, she felt exceedingly disappointed; she little thought of having clothing given to her, but she had hoped I would have given her a Bible, that she might read the Scriptures herself. This had been one of the worst girls, and she had behaved so very badly upon her trial, that it was almost shameful. She conducted herself afterwards in so amiable a manner, that her conduct was almost without a flaw. She is now in the Penitentiary, and I hope will become a valuable member of society.

"You have stated three things, which to your mind are essen

tial to the reformation of a prison; first, religious instruction; secondly, classification; thirdly, employment; do you think any reformation can be accomplished without employment? I should believe it impossible; we may instruct as we will, but if we allow them their time, and they have nothing to do, they naturally must return to their evil practices.

"How many removals of female prisoners have you had in the last year, in Newgate; how many have gone to Botany Bay? Eighteen women; and thirty-seven to the Penitentiary.

"Can you state, out of what number of convicts these have been in the course of a year? I do not think I can; but of course out of many hundreds.

"In fact, there has been but one regular removal within the last year? But one. There is one very important thing which ought to be stated on the subject of women, taking care of women. It has been said, that there were three things which were requisite in forming a prison that would really tend to the reformation of the women; but there is a fourth, viz: that women should be taken care of entirely by women, and have no male attendants, unless it be a medical man, or any minister of religion; for I am convinced that much harm arises from the communication, not only to the women themselves, but those that have the care of them.

"In the present arrangement, is it not so with regard to the women? It is very nearly so: but if I had a prison completely such as I should like, it would be a prison quite separate from the men's prison, and into which neither turnkeys, nor any one else should enter but female attendants, and the Inspecting Committee of Ladies; except, indeed, such gentlemen as come to look after their welfare.

"In what does the turnkey interfere now with that prison? Very little; and yet there is a certain intercourse which it is impossible for us to prevent, and it must be where there is a prison for women and men, and there are various officers who are men in the prison; it is impossible that they should be entirely separate. In the present state of Newgate, such a plan as I have in my mind respecting the proper management of women pri

soners, cannot be put into execution. We must have turnkeys, and a governor to refer to; but I should like to have a prison which had nothing to do with men, except those who attended them medically or spiritually.

"Do you believe men to be as much excluded from all communication with the women now as is possible in the present state of Newgate? Yes; I think very nearly so. My idea, with regard to the employment of women, is that it should be a regular thing, undertaken by Government; considering (though I perhaps am not the person to speak of that), that there are so many to provide for; there is the army and navy, and so many things required for them; why should not Government make use of the prisoners? But I consider it of the utmost importance, and quite indispensable for the good conduct of such institutions, that the prisoners should have part of the earnings of their work for their own use; a part they might be allowed to take for tea, sugar, &c., but a part should be laid by, that there may be some provision for them when they leave the prison, without their returning to their immoral practices. This is the case, I believe, in all prisons well regulated, both on the continent of Europe, and in America. In a prison under proper regulations, where they had very little communication with their friends, where they were sufficiently well-fed and clothed, constantly employed and instructed, and taken care of by women, I have not the least doubt that wonders would be performed, and that many of those, now the most profligate and the worst of characters, would turn out valuable members of society After having said what I have respecting the care of the women, I will just add, that I believe if there were a prison fitted up for us, which we might visit as inspectors, if employment were found for our women, little or no communication allowed with the city, and room given to class them, with female servants only; if there were a thousand of the most unruly women, they would be in excellent order in one week; of that I have not the least doubt."

In the report of this committee, the following sentence occurs. 'The benevolent exertions of Mrs. Fry and her friends, in the

female department of the Prison, have indeed, by the establishment of a school, by providing work and encouraging industrious habits, produced the most gratifying change. But much must be ascribed to unremitting personal attention and influence.

1818.

CHAPTER X.

Return to Plashet-Capital Punishment-Case of SkeltonDuke of Gloucester and Lord Sidmouth-Queen Charlotte's Visit to the Mansion House-Letter to the Countess Harcourt-Maria Female Convict Ship-Visitors to Newgate, letter from Lady MackintoshLord Lansdowne's Speech-Scotch Journey-Letter from the Countess Harcourt.

After the arduous exertions and interests of the winter of 1817-18, it was no small relief to Mrs. Fry and her family, to find themselves in the retirement of Plashet.

Plashet, Fourth Month, 29th.-I desire thankfully to acknowledge our return to this sweet place, and all the dear children alive and well. May we more evidently live in the best sense, even unto God. Since I last wrote, I have led rather a remarkable life; so surprisingly followed after by the great, and others, in my Newgate concerns; in short, the prison and myself are become quite a show, which is a very serious thing in many points. I believe, that it certainly does much good to the cause, in spreading amongst all ranks of society, a considerable interest in the subject; also a knowledge of Friends and of their principles: but my own standing appears critical in many ways. In the first place, the extreme importance of my walking strictly, and circumspectly, amongst all men, in all things; and not bringing discredit upon the cause of truth and righteousness. In the next place, after our readings there, the ministry is a most awful calling, thus, publicly amongst men to be in season and out of season. I desire to live, (more particularly in these things,) in the fear of God rather than of man, and that neither good report nor evil report, the approbation nor disapprobation of men, should move me the least, but that my eye should be kept quite single to the great and good Shepherd and Bishop of souls; this is my continual prayer for myself.