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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/16606-8.txt b/16606-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4509d2f --- /dev/null +++ b/16606-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7087 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Elizabeth Fry, by Mrs. E. R. Pitman + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Elizabeth Fry + +Author: Mrs. E. R. Pitman + +Release Date: August 27, 2005 [EBook #16606] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELIZABETH FRY *** + + + + +Produced by Mark C. Orton, Martin Pettit and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + ++Famous Women+ + +ELIZABETH FRY. + + + + +_The next volumes in the Famous Women Series +will be:_ + +THE COUNTESS OF ALBANY. By Vernon Lee. +HARRIET MARTINEAU. By Mrs. Fenwick Miller. +MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT. By Elizabeth Robins Pennell. + + +_Already published:_ + +GEORGE ELIOT. By Miss Blind. +EMILY BRONTĖ. By Miss Robinson. +GEORGE SAND. By Miss Thomas. +MARY LAMB. By Mrs. Gilchrist. +MARGARET FULLER. By Julia Ward Howe. +MARIA EDGEWORTH. By Miss Zimmern. +ELIZABETH FRY. By Mrs. E.R. Pitman. + + + + +[Illustration: Famous Women] + +ELIZABETH FRY. + +BY + +MRS. E.R. PITMAN. + + +BOSTON: +ROBERTS BROTHERS. +1884. + +_Copyright, 1884,_ +BY ROBERTS BROTHERS. + + +UNIVERSITY PRESS: +JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE. + + + + + CONTENTS. + + + CHAPTER I. + PAGE. + LIFE AT EARLHAM, A HUNDRED YEARS AGO. 1 + + CHAPTER II. + + LIFE'S EARNEST PURPOSE. 12 + + CHAPTER III. + + ST. MILDRED'S COURT. 23 + + CHAPTER IV. + + A COUNTRY HOME. 29 + + CHAPTER V. + + BEGINNINGS AT NEWGATE. 39 + + CHAPTER VI. + + NEWGATE HORRORS AND NEWGATE WORKERS. 52 + + CHAPTER VII. + + EVIDENCE BEFORE THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. 75 + + CHAPTER VIII. + + THE GALLOWS AND ENGLISH LAWS. 97 + + CHAPTER IX. + + CONVICT SHIPS AND CONVICT SETTLEMENTS. 112 + + CHAPTER X. + + VISITS TO CONTINENTAL PRISONS. 131 + + CHAPTER XI. + + NEW THEORIES OF PRISON DISCIPLINE AND MANAGEMENT. 153 + + CHAPTER XII. + + MRS. FRY IN DOMESTIC AND RELIGIOUS LIFE. 182 + + CHAPTER XIII. + + COLLATERAL GOOD WORKS. 212 + + CHAPTER XIV. + + EXPANSION OF THE PRISON ENTERPRISE--HONORS. 228 + + CHAPTER XV. + + CLOSING DAYS OF LIFE. 253 + + CHAPTER XVI. + + FINIS. 265 + + + + +ELIZABETH FRY. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +LIFE AT EARLHAM, A HUNDRED YEARS AGO. + + +A hundred years ago, Norwich was a remarkable centre of religious, +social and intellectual life. The presence of officers, quartered with +their troops in the city, and the balls and festivities which attended +the occasional sojourn of Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester, +combined to make the quaint old city very gay; while the pronounced +element of Quakerism and the refining influences of literary society +permeated the generation of that day, and its ordinary life, to an +extent not easily conceived in these days of busy locomotion and +new-world travel. Around the institutions of the established Church had +grown up a people loyal to it, for, as an old cathedral city, the charm +of antiquity attached itself to Norwich; while Mrs. Opie and others +known to literature, exercised an attraction and stimulus in their +circles, consequent upon the possession of high intellectual powers and +good social position. It was in the midst of such surroundings, and with +a mind formed by such influences, that Elizabeth Fry, the prison +philanthropist and Quaker, grew up to young womanhood. + +She was descended from Friends by both parents: her father's family had +been followers of the tenets of George Fox for more than a hundred +years; while her mother was granddaughter of Robert Barclay, the author +of the _Apology for the People called Quakers_. It might be supposed +that a daughter of Quaker families would have been trained in the +strictest adherence to their tenets; but it seems that Mr. and Mrs. John +Gurney, Elizabeth's parents, were not "plain Quakers." In other words, +they were calm, intellectual, benevolent, courteous and popular people; +not so very unlike others, save that they attended "First-day meeting," +but differing from their co-religionists in that they abjured the strict +garb and the "thee" and "thou" of those who followed George Fox to +unfashionable lengths, whilst their children studied music and dancing. +More zealous brethren called the Gurneys "worldly," and shook their +heads over their degenerate conduct; but, all unseen, Mrs. Gurney was +training up her family in ways of usefulness and true wisdom; while +"the fear of the Lord," as the great principle of life and action, was +constantly set before them. With such a mother to mould their infant +minds and direct their childish understandings, there was not much fear +of the younger Gurneys turning out otherwise than well. Those who shook +their heads at the "worldliness" of the Gurneys, little dreamt of the +remarkable lives which were being moulded under the Gurney roof. + +One or two extracts from Mrs. Gurney's diary will afford a fair insight +into her character:-- + + If our piety does not appear adequate to supporting us in the + exigencies of life, and I may add, death, surely our hearts cannot + be sufficiently devoted to it. Books of controversy on religion are + seldom read with profit, not even those in favor of our own + particular tenets. The mind stands less in need of conviction than + conversion. These reflections have led me to decide on what I most + covet for my daughters, as the result of our daily pursuits. As + piety is undoubtedly the shortest and securest way to all moral + rectitude, young women should be virtuous and good on the broad, + firm basis of Christianity; therefore it is not the tenets of any + man or sect whatever that are to be inculcated in preference to + those rigid but divine truths contained in the New Testament. As it + appears to be our reasonable duty to improve our faculties, and by + that means to render ourselves useful, it is necessary and very + agreeable to be well-informed of our own language, and the Latin as + being most permanent, and the French as being the most in general + request. The simple beauties of mathematics appear to be so + excellent an exercise to the understanding, that they ought on no + account to be omitted, and are, perhaps, scarcely less essential + than a competent knowledge of ancient and modern history, geography + and chronology. To which may be added a knowledge of the most + approved branches of natural history, and a capacity of drawing + from nature, in order to promote that knowledge and facilitate the + pursuit of it. As a great portion of a woman's life ought to be + passed in at least regulating the subordinate affairs of a family, + she should work plain work herself, neatly; understand the + cutting-out of linen; also she should not be ignorant of the common + proprieties of a table, or deficient in the economy of any of the + most minute affairs of a family. It should be here observed that + gentleness of manner is indispensably necessary in women, to say + nothing of that polished behavior which adds a charm to every + qualification; to both which, it appears pretty certain, children + may be led without vanity or affectation by amiable and judicious + instruction. + +These observations furnish the key-note to Mrs. Gurney's system of +training, as well as indicate the strong common-sense and high +principles which actuated her. It was small wonder that of her family of +twelve children so many of them should rise up to "call her blessed." +Neither was it any wonder that Elizabeth, "the dove-like Betsy" of her +mother's journal, should idolize that mother with almost passionate +devotion. + +Elizabeth was born on May 21st, 1780, at Norwich; but when she was a +child of six years old, the Gurneys removed to Earlham Hall, a pleasant +ancestral home, about two miles from the city. The family was an old +one, descended from the Norman lords of Gourney-en-brai, in Normandy. +These Norman lords held lands in Norfolk, in the time of William Rufus, +and have had, in one line or another, representatives down to the +present day. Some of them, it is recorded, resided in Somersetshire; +others, the ancestors of Mrs. Fry, dwelt in Norfolk, generation after +generation, perpetuating the family name and renown. One of these +ancestors, John Gurney, embraced the principles of George Fox, and +became one of the first members of the Society of Friends. Thus it came +to pass that Quakerism became familiar to her from early +childhood--indeed, was hereditary in the family. + +Elizabeth tells us that her mother was most dear to her; that she seldom +left her mother's side if she could help it, while she would watch her +slumbers with breathless anxiety, fearing she would never awaken. She +also speaks of suffering much from fear, so that she could not bear to +be left alone in the dark. This nervous susceptibility followed her for +years, although, with a shyness of disposition and reserve which was but +little understood she refrained from telling her fears. She was +considered rather stupid and dull, and, from being continually +described as such, grew neglectful of her studies; while, at the same +time, delicacy of health combined with this natural stupidity to prevent +anything like precocious intelligence. Still, Elizabeth was by no means +deficient in penetration, tact, or common-sense; she possessed +remarkable insight into character, and exercised her privilege of +thinking for herself on most questions. She is described as being a shy, +fair child, possessing a poor opinion of herself, and somewhat given to +contradiction. She says in her early recollections: "I believe I had not +a name only for being obstinate, for my nature had a strong tendency +that way, and I was disposed to a spirit of contradiction, always ready +to see things a little differently from others, and not willing to yield +my sentiments to them." + +These traits developed, in all probability, into those which made her so +famous in after years. Her faculty for independent investigation, her +unswerving loyalty to duty, and her fearless perseverance in works of +benevolence, were all foreshadowed in these early days. Add to these +characteristics, the religious training which Mrs. Gurney gave her +children, the daily reading of the Scriptures, and the quiet ponderings +upon the passages read, and we cannot be surprised that such a character +was built up in that Quaker home. + +At twelve years of age Elizabeth lost her mother, and in consequence +suffered much from lack of wise womanly training. The talents she +possessed ripened and developed, however, until she became remarkable +for originality of thought and action; while the spirit of benevolent +enterprise which distinguished her, led her to seek out modes of +usefulness not usually practiced by girls. Her obstinacy and spirit of +contradiction became in later years gradually merged or transformed into +that decision of character, and lady-like firmness, which were so +needful to her work, so that obstacles became only incentives to +progress, and persecution furnished courage for renewed zeal. Yet all +this was tempered with tender, conscientious heart-searching into both +motives and actions. + +During her "teens" she is described as being tall and slender, +peculiarly graceful in the saddle, and fond of dancing. She possessed a +pleasing countenance and manner, and grew up to enjoy the occasional +parties which she attended with her sisters. Still, from the records of +her journal, we find that at this time neither the grave worship of +Quakerism nor the gayeties of Norwich satisfied her eager spirit. We +find too, how early she kept this journal, and from it we obtain the +truest and most interesting glimpses into her character and feelings. +Thus at seventeen years of age she wrote:-- + + I am seventeen to-day. Am I a happier or a better creature than I + was this day twelvemonths? I know I am happier--I think I am + better. I hope I shall be happier this day year than I am now. I + hope to be quite an altered person; to have more knowledge; to have + my mind in greater order, and my heart too, that wants to be put in + order quite as much.... I have seen several things in myself and + others I never before remarked, but I have not tried to improve + myself--I have given way to my passions, and let them have command + over me, I have known my faults and not corrected them--and now I + am determined I will once more try with redoubled ardor to overcome + my wicked inclinations. I must not flirt; I must not be out of + temper with the children; I must not contradict without a cause; I + must not allow myself to be angry; I must not exaggerate, which I + am inclined to do; I must not give way to luxury; I must not be + idle in mind. I must try to give way to every good feeling, and + overcome every bad. I have lately been too satirical, so as to hurt + sometimes: remember it is always a fault to hurt others. + + I have a cross to-night. I had very much set my mind on going to + the Oratorio. The Prince is to be there, and by all accounts it + will be quite a grand sight, and there will be the finest music; + but if my father does not wish me to go, much as I wish it, I will + give it up with pleasure, if it be in my power, without a + murmur.... I went to the Oratorio. I enjoyed it, but I spoke sadly + at random--what a bad habit! + + There is much difference between being obstinate and steady. If I + am bid to do a thing my spirit revolts; if I am asked to do a + thing, I am willing.... A thought passed my mind that if I had some + religion I should be superior to what I am; it would be a bias to + better actions. I think I am by degrees losing many excellent + qualities. I am more cross, more proud, more vain, more + extravagant. I lay it to my great love of gayety and the world. I + feel, I know I am falling. I do believe if I had a little true + religion I should have a greater support than I have now; but I + have the greatest fear of religion, because I never saw a person + religious who was not enthusiastic. + +It will be seen that Elizabeth at this period enjoyed the musical and +social pleasures of Norwich, while at the same time she had decided +leanings towards the plain, religious customs of the Friends. It is not +wonderful that her heart was in a state of unrest and agitation, that at +times she scarcely knew what she longed for, nor what she desired to +forsake. The society with which she was accustomed to mingle contained +some known in Quaker parlance as "unbelievers"; perhaps in our day they +would be regarded as holding "advanced opinions." One of the most +intimate visitors at Earlham was a gentleman belonging to the Roman +Catholic communion, but his acquaintance seemed rather to be a benefit +than otherwise, for he referred the young Gurneys in all matters of +faith to the "written word" rather than to the opinions of men or books +generally. Another visitor, a lady afterwards known to literature as +Mrs. Schimmelpenninck, was instrumental in leading them to form sound +opinions upon the religious questions of the day. They were thus +preserved from the wave of scepticism which was then sweeping over the +society of that day. + +Judging from her journal of this date, it is not easy to detect much, if +any, promise of the future self-denying philanthropy. She seemed +nervously afraid of "enthusiasm in religion"; even sought to shun +anything which appeared different from the usual modes of action among +the people with whom she mingled. A young girl who confessed that she +had "the greatest fear of religion," because in her judgment and +experience enthusiasm was always allied with religion, was not, one +would suppose, in much danger of becoming remarkable for philanthropy. +True, she was accustomed to doing good among the poor and sick, +according to her opportunities and station; but this was nothing +strange--all the traditions of Quaker life inculcate benevolence and +kindly dealing--what she needed was "_the expulsive power of a new +affection_." This "new affection"--the love of Christ--in its turn +expelled the worldliness and unrest which existed, and gave a tone to +her mental and spiritual nature, which, by steady degrees, lifted her +up, and caused her to forget the syren song of earth. Not all at +once,--in the story of her newborn earnestness we shall find that the +habits and associations of her daily life sometimes acted as drawbacks +to her progress in faith. But the seed having once taken root in that +youthful heart, germinated, developed, and sprang up, to bear a glorious +harvest in the work of reclaiming and uplifting sunken and debased +humanity. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +LIFE'S EARNEST PURPOSE. + + +There was no sharp dividing-line between worldliness and consecration of +life in Elizabeth Gurney's case. The work was very gradually +accomplished; once started into earnest living, she discerned, what was +all unseen before, a path to higher destinies. Standing on the ruins of +her former dead self, she strove to attain to higher things. The +instrument in this change was a travelling Friend from America--William +Savery. + +These travelling Friends are deputed, by the Quarterly Meetings to which +they belong, to visit and minister among their own body. Their +commission is endorsed by the Yearly Meeting of the Ministers and Elders +of the Society, before the Friend can extend the journey beyond his own +country. The objects of these visits are generally relating to +benevolent and philanthropic works, or to the increase of religion among +the members of the Society. Joseph John Gurney himself visited America +and the Continent upon similar missions, and in some of his journeys +was accompanied by his illustrious sister. + +William Savery was expected to address the Meeting of Friends at +Norwich, and most, if not all, of the Gurney family were present. +Elizabeth had been very remiss in her attendance at meeting; any and +every excuse, in addition to her, at times, really delicate health, +served to hinder attendance, until her uncle gently but firmly urged the +duty upon her. Thenceforward she went a little more frequently, but +still was far from being a pattern worshipper; and it will be conceded +that few, save spiritual worshippers, could with profit join in the +grave silence, or enjoy the equally grave utterances of ordinary +meeting. But William Savery was no ordinary man, and the young people at +Earlham prepared to listen to him, in case he "felt moved" to speak, +with no ordinary attention. Giving an account of this visit, Richenda +Gurney admitted that they liked having Yearly Meeting Friends come to +preach, for it produced a little change; from the same vivacious pen we +have an account of that memorable service. Memorable it was, in that it +became the starting-point of a new career to Elizabeth Gurney. + +The seven sisters of the Earlham household all sat together during that +eventful morning, in a row, under the gallery. Elizabeth was restless +as a rule when at meeting, but something in the tone of William Savery's +voice arrested her attention, and before he had proceeded very far she +began to weep. She continued to be agitated until the close of the +meeting, when, making her way to her father, at the men's side of the +house, she requested his permission to dine at her uncle's. William +Savery was a guest there that day, and, although somewhat surprised at +his daughter's desire, Mr. Gurney consented to the request. To the +surprise of all her friends Elizabeth attended meeting again in the +afternoon, and on her return home in the carriage her pent-up feelings +found vent. Describing this scene, Richenda Gurney says: "Betsey sat in +the middle and astonished us all by the great feelings she showed. She +wept most of the way home. The next morning William Savery came to +breakfast, and preached to our dear sister after breakfast, prophesying +of the high and important calling she would be led into. What she went +through in her own mind I cannot say, but the results were most powerful +and most evident. From that day her love of the world and of pleasure +seemed gone." + +Her own account of the impressions made upon her reads just a little +quaintly, possibly because of the unfamiliar Quaker phraseology. +"To-day I have felt that _there is a God!_ I have been devotional, and +my mind has been led away from the follies that it is mostly wrapped up +in. We had much serious conversation; in short, what he said, and what I +felt, was like a refreshing shower falling upon earth that had been +dried for ages. It has not made me unhappy; I have felt ever since +_humble_. I have longed for virtue: I hope to be truly virtuous; to let +sophistry fly from my mind; not to be enthusiastic and foolish but only +to be so far religious as will lead to virtue. There seems nothing so +little understood as religion." + +Good resolutions followed, and determined amendment of life, as far as +she conceived this amendment to be in accordance with the Bible. While +in this awakened state of mind, a journey to London was projected. Mr. +Gurney took her to the metropolis and left her in charge of a +trustworthy attendant, in order that she might make full trial of "the +world" which she would have to renounce so fully if she embraced plain +Quakerism. Among the good resolutions made in view of this journey to +London, we find that she determined not to be vain or silly, to be +independent of the opinion of others, not to make dress a study, and to +read the Bible at all available opportunities. It was perhaps wise in +her father to permit this reasoning, philosophical daughter of his to +see the gayeties of London life before coming to a final decision +respecting taking up the cross of plain Quakerism; but had her mind been +less finely balanced, her judgment less trained, and her principles less +formed, the result might have been disastrous. + +She went, and mingled somewhat freely with the popular life of the great +city. She was taken to Drury Lane, the Covent Garden theatres, and to +other places of amusement, but she could not "like plays." She saw some +good actors; witnessed "Hamlet," "Bluebeard," and other dramas, but +confesses that she "cannot like or enjoy them"; they seemed "so +artificial." Then she somewhat oddly says that when her hair was dressed +"she felt like a monkey," and finally concluded that "London was not the +place for heartful pleasure." With her natural, sound common sense, her +discernment, her intelligence and purity of mind, these amusements +seemed far below the level of those fitted to satisfy a rational +being--so far that she almost looked down on them with contempt. The +truth was, that having tasted a little of the purer joy of religion, all +other substitutes were stale and flat, and this although she scarcely +knew enough of the matter to be able correctly to analyze her own +feelings. + +Among the persons Elizabeth encountered in the metropolis, are found +mentioned Amelia Opie, Mrs. Siddons, Mrs. Inchbold, "Peter Pindar," and +last, but by no means least, the Prince of Wales. Not that she really +talked with royalty, but she saw the Prince at the opera; and she tells +us that she admired him very much. Indeed, she did not mind owning that +she loved grand company, and she certainly enjoyed clever company, for +she much relished and appreciated the society of both Mrs. Opie and Mrs. +Inchbald. This predilection for high circles and illustrious people was +afterwards to bear noble fruit, seeing that she preached often to +crowned heads, and princes. But just then she had little idea of the +wonderful future which awaited her. She was only trying the experiment +as to whether the world, or Christ, were the better master. Deliberately +she examined and proved the truth, and with equal deliberation she came +to the decision--a decision most remarkable in a girl so young, and so +dangerously situated. + +Her own review of this period of her life, written thirty years later, +sums up the matter more forcibly and calmly than any utterance of a +biographer can do. She wrote:-- + + Here ended this important and interesting visit to London, where I + learned much, and had much to digest. I saw and entered many + scenes of gaiety, many of our first public places, attended balls + and other places of amusement. I saw many interesting characters in + the world, some of considerable eminence in that day. I was also + cast among the great variety of persons of different descriptions. + I had the high advantage of attending several most interesting + meetings of William Savery, and having at times his company and + that of a few other friends. It was like the casting die of my + life, however. I believe it was in the ordering of Providence for + me, and that the lessons then learnt are to this day valuable to + me. I consider one of the important results was the conviction of + those things being wrong, from seeing them and feeling their + effects. I wholly gave up, on my own ground, attending all public + places of amusement. I saw they tended to promote evil; therefore, + even if I could attend them without being hurt myself, I felt in + entering them I lent my aid to promote that which I was sure, from + what I saw, hurt others, led them from the paths of rectitude, and + brought them into much sin. I felt the vanity and folly of what are + called the pleasures of this life, of which the tendency is not to + satisfy, but eventually to enervate and injure the mind. Those only + are real pleasures which are of an innocent nature, and are used as + recreations, subjected to the Cross of Christ. I was in my judgment + much confirmed in the infinite importance of religion as the only + real stay, guide, help, comfort in this life, and the only means of + having a hope of partaking of a better. My understanding was + increasingly opened to receive its truths, although the glad + tidings of the Gospel were very little, if at all, understood by + me. I was like the blind man, although I could hardly be said to + have attained the state of seeing men as trees. I obtained in this + expedition a valuable knowledge of human nature from the variety I + met with; this, I think, was useful to me, though some were very + dangerous associates for so young a person, and the way in which I + was protected among them is in my remembrance very striking, and + leads me to acknowledge that at this most critical period of my + life the tender mercy of my God was marvelously displayed towards + me, and that His all-powerful--though to me then almost unseen and + unknown--hand held me up and protected me. + +Self-abnegation and austerity were now to take the place of pleasant +frivolities and fashionable amusements. Her conviction was that her mind +required the ties and bonds of Quakerism to fit it for immortality. Not +that she, in any way, trusted in her own righteousness; for she gives it +as her opinion that, while principles of one's own making are useless in +the elevation and refinement of character, true religion, on the +contrary, does exalt and purify the character. Still the struggle was +not over. Long and bitter as it had been, it became still more bitter; +and the nightly recurrence of a dream at this period will serve to show +how agitated was her mental and spiritual nature. Just emancipated from +sceptical principles, accustomed to independent research, and deciding +to study the New Testament rather than good books, when on the +border-land of indecision and gloomy doubt, yet not wholly convinced or +comforted, her sleeping hours reflected the bitter, restless doubt of +her waking thoughts. A curious dream followed her almost nightly, and +filled her with terror. She imagined herself to be in danger of being +washed away by the sea, and as the waves approached her, she experienced +all the horror of being drowned. But after she came to the deciding +point, or, as she expressed it, "felt that she had really and truly got +real faith," she was lifted up in her dream above the waves. Secure upon +a rock, above their reach, she watched the water as it tossed and +roared, but powerless to hurt her. The dream no more recurred; the +struggle was ended, and thankful calm became her portion. She accepted +this dream as a lesson that she should not be drowned in the ocean of +this world, but should mount above its influence, and remain a faithful +and steady servant of God. + +Elizabeth's mind turned towards the strict practices of the Friends, as +being those most likely to be helpful to her newly-adopted life. A visit +paid to some members of the Society at Colebrook Dale, intensified and +confirmed those feelings. She says in her journal that it was a dreadful +cross to say "thee," and "thou," instead of speaking like other people, +and also to adopt the close cap and plain kerchief of the Quakeress; +but, in her opinion, it had to be done, or she could not fully renounce +the world and serve God. Neither could she hope for thorough +appreciation of these things in her beloved home-circle. To be a "plain +Quaker," she must in many things be far in advance of father, sisters, +and brothers; while in others she must tacitly condemn them. But she was +equal to the demand; she counted the cost, and accepted the +difficulties. At this time she was about nineteen years of age. + +As a beginning, she left off many pleasures such as might have +reasonably been considered innocent. For instance, she abandoned her +"scarlet riding-habit," she laid aside all personal ornament, and +occupied her leisure time in teaching poor children. She commenced a +small school for the benefit of the poor children of the city, and in a +short time had as many as seventy scholars under her care. How she +managed to control and keep quiet so many unruly specimens of humanity, +was a standing problem to all who knew her; but it seems not unlikely +that those qualities of organization and method which afterwards +distinguished her were being trained and developed. Added to these, must +be taken into account the power which a strong will always has over +weaker minds--an important factor in the matter. Still more must be +taken into account the strong, earnest longing of an enthusiastic young +soul to benefit those who were living around her. Earnest souls make +history. History has great things to tell of men and women of faith; and +Elizabeth Gurney's life-work colored the history of that age. A brief +sentence from her journal at this time explains the attitude of her mind +towards the outcast, poor, and neglected: "I don't remember ever being +at any time with one who was not extremely disgusting, but I felt a sort +of love for them, and I do hope I would sacrifice my life for the good +of mankind." Very evidently, William Savery's prophesy was coming to +pass in the determination of the young Quakeress to do good in her +generation. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +ST. MILDRED'S COURT. + + +After a visit in the north of England with her father and sisters, +Elizabeth received proposals of marriage from Mr. Joseph Fry of London. +His family, also Quakers, were wealthy and of good position; but for +some time Elizabeth seemed to hesitate about entering on married life. +Far from looking on marriage as the goal of her ambition, as is the +fashion with many young women, she was divided in her mind as to the +relative advantages of single and married life, as they might affect +philanthropic and religious work. After consultation with her friends, +however, the offer was accepted, and on August 19th, 1800, when she was +little more than twenty years of age, she was married to Mr. Fry, in the +Friends' Meeting House, at Norwich. Very quickly after bidding her +school-children farewell, Mrs. Fry proceeded to St. Mildred's Court, +London, her husband's place of business, where she commenced to take up +the first duties of wedded life, and where several of her children were +born. + +The family into which she married was a Quaker family of the strictest +order. So far from being singular by her orthodoxy of manners and +appearance, she was, in the midst of the Frys, "the gay, instead of the +plain and scrupulous one of the family." For a little time she +experienced some difficulty in reconciling her accustomed habits with +the straight tenets of her husband's household and connections, but in +the end succeeded. It seems singular that one so extremely conscientious +as Elizabeth Fry, should have been considered to fall behindhand in that +self-denying plainness of act and speech which characterized others; but +so it was. And so determined was she to serve God according to her +light, that no mortification of the flesh was counted too severe +provided it would further the great end she had in view. Her extreme +conscientiousness became manifest in lesser things; such, for instance, +as anxiety to keep the strict truth, and that only, in all kinds of +conversation. + +Thus, she wrote in her journal:-- + + I was told by ---- he thought my manners had too much of the + courtier in them, which I know to be the case, for my disposition + leads me to hurt no one that I can avoid, and I do sometimes but + just keep to the truth with people, from a natural yielding to them + in such things as please them. I think doing so in moderation is + pleasant and useful in society. It is among the things that + produce the harmony of society; for the truth must not be spoken + out at all times, at least not the whole truth. Perhaps I am + wrong--I do not know if I am--but it will not always do to tell our + minds.... I am one of those who try to serve God and Mammon. Now, + for instance, if I wish to say anything I think right to anyone, I + seldom go straight to the point, but mostly by some softening, + round-about way, which, I fear, is very much from wishing to please + man more than his Maker! + +It is evident that Elizabeth Fry dared to be singular; very possibly +only such self-renouncing singularity could have borne such remarkable +fruits of philanthropy. It required some such independent, philosophical +character as hers to strike out a new path for charitable effort. + +During the continuance of the Yearly Meeting in London, the home in St. +Mildred's Court was made a house of entertainment for the Friends who +came from all parts of the country. It was a curious sight to see the +older Friends, clad in the quaint costume of that age, as they mingled +with the more fashionably or moderately dressed Quakers. The sightseers +of London eighty years ago must have looked on amused at what they +considered the vagaries of those worthy folks. The old Quaker ladies are +described as wearing at that date a close-fitting white cap, over which +was placed a black hood, and out of doors a low-crowned broad beaver +hat. The gowns were neatly made of drab camlet, the waists cut in long +peaks, and the skirts hanging in ample folds. For many years past these +somewhat antiquated garments have been discarded for sober +"coal-scuttles," and silk dresses of black or gray, much to the +improvement of the fair wearer's appearance. These Friends were +entertained at Mr. Fry's house heartily, and almost religiously. And +doubtless many people who were of the "salt of the earth" were numbered +among Mr. Fry's guests, while his young wife moved among them the +embodiment of refined lady-like hospitality and high principle. +Doubtless, too, the quiet home-talk of these worthy folks was only one +degree less solemn and sedate than their utterances at Yearly Meeting. + +Mrs. Fry followed up her chosen path in ministering to the sick and poor +among the slums of London. She visited them at their homes, and +traversed dirty courts and uninviting alleys in the quest of individuals +needing succor. Sometimes she was made the instrument of blessing; but +at other times, like all philanthropists, she was deceived and imposed +upon. One day a woman accosted her in the street, asking relief, and +holding an infant who was suffering evidently with whooping-cough. Mrs. +Fry offered to go to the woman's house with the intention of +investigating and relieving whatever real misery may have existed. To +her surprise the mendicant slunk away as if unwilling to be visited; but +Mrs. Fry was determined to track her, and at last brought her to earth. +The room--a filthy, dirty, poverty-cursed one--contained a number of +infants in every conceivable stage of illness and misery. +Horror-stricken, Mrs. Fry requested her own medical attendant to visit +this lazar-house; but on going thither next morning he found the woman +and her helpless brood of infants gone. It then turned out that this +woman "farmed" infants; deliberately neglected them till she succeeded +in killing them off, and then concealed their deaths in order to +continue to receive the wretched pittances allowed for their +maintenance. Such scenes and facts as these must have opened the eyes of +Mrs. Fry to the condition of the poorest classes of that day, and +educated her in self-denying labor on their behalf. + +She also took an interest in educational matters, and formed an +acquaintance with Joseph Lancaster, the founder of the Monitorial +system, and quickly turned her talents to account in visiting the +workhouse and school belonging to the Society of Friends at Islington. + +About this time, one sister was married to Mr. Samuel Hoare, and +another to Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton. Other members of her family passed +away from this life; among them her husband's mother, and a brother's +wife. Some time later Mr. Fry senior, died, and this event caused the +removal of the home from St. Mildred's Court to Plashet, in Essex, the +country seat of the family. Writing of this change, she said: "I do not +think I have ever expressed the pleasure and comfort I find in a country +life, both for myself and the dear children. It has frequently led me to +feel grateful for the numerous benefits conferred, and I have also +desired that I may not rest in, nor too much depend on, any of these +outward enjoyments. It is certainly to me a time of sunshine." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +A COUNTRY HOME. + + +The delight expressed in her diary upon her removal to Plashet, found +vent in efforts to beautify the grounds. The garden-nooks and +plantations were filled with wild flowers, gathered by herself and +children in seasons of relaxation, and transferred from the coppices, +hedgerows and meadows, to the grounds, which appeared to her to be only +second in beauty to Earlham. Mrs. Fry was possessed of a keen eye for +Nature's beauties. Quick to perceive, and eager to relish the delights +of the fair world around, she took pleasure in them, finding relaxation +from the many duties which clustered about her in the spot of earth on +which her lot was cast. Her journal tells of trials and burdens, and +sometimes there peeps out a sentence of regret that the ideal which she +had formed of serving God, in the lost years of youth, had been absorbed +in "the duties of a careworn wife and mother." Yet what she fancied she +had lost in this waiting-time had been gained, after all, in +preparation. This quiet, domestic life was not what she had looked +forward to when in the first flush of youthful zeal. Still, she was +thereby trained to deal with the young and helpless, to enter into +sorrows and woes, and to understand and sympathize with quiet suffering. +But the time was coming for more active outward service, and when the +call came Elizabeth Fry was found ready to obey it. + +Towards the end of 1809 her father died, after great suffering; summoned +by one of her sisters, Elizabeth hurried down to Earlham to catch, if +possible, his parting benediction. She succeeded in arriving soon enough +to bear her much-loved parent company during his last few hours of life, +and to hear him express, again and again, his confidence in the Saviour, +who, in death, was all-sufficient for his needs. As he passed away, her +faith and confidence could not forbear expression, and, kneeling at the +bedside, she gave utterance to words of thanksgiving for the safe and +happy ending of a life which had been so dear to her. The truth was, a +burden had been weighing her down for some time past, causing her to +question herself most seriously as to whether she were willing to obey +"the inward voice" which prompted her to serve God in a certain way. +This specific way was the way of preaching in Meeting, or "bearing +testimony," as she phrased it, "at the prompting of the Holy Spirit." It +will be remembered that this is a distinguishing peculiarity of the +society which George Fox founded. Preaching is only permitted upon the +spur of the moment, as people of the world would say, but at the +prompting of the inward voice, as Quakers deem. Certainly no one ever +became a preacher among the Friends "for a piece of bread." If fanatics +sometimes "prophesied" out of the fullness of excited brains, or fervid +souls, no place-hunter adopted the pulpit as a profession. Only, +sometimes, it needs the presence of an overwhelming trial to bring out +the latent strength in a person's nature; and this trial was furnished +to Elizabeth Fry in the shape of her father's death. The thanksgiving +uttered by her at his death was also publicly repeated at the funeral, +probably with additional words, and from that time she was known as a +"minister." + +In taking this new departure she must not be confounded with some female +orators of the present age, who often succeed in turning preaching into +a hideous caricature. She was evidently ripening for her remarkable +work, and while doing so was occasionally irresistibly impelled to give +utterance to "thoughts that breathe and words that burn." Still, after +reaching the quiet of Plashet, and reviewing calmly her new form of +service, she thus wrote, what seemed to be both a sincere and +common-sense judgment upon herself:-- + + I was enabled coming along to crave help; in the first place, to be + made willing either to do or to suffer whatever was the Divine will + concerning me. I also desired that I might not be so occupied with + the present state of my mind as to its religious duties, as in any + degree to omit close attention to all daily duties, my beloved + husband, children, servants, poor, etc. But, if I should be + permitted the humiliating path that has appeared to be opening + before me, to look well at home, and not discredit the cause I + desire to advocate. + +Wise counsels these, to herself! No woman whose judgment is +well-balanced, and whose womanly-nature is finely strung, but will +regard the path to the rostrum with shrinking and dismay. Either the +desire to save and help her fellow-creatures, "plucking them out of the +fire," if need be, is so strong upon her as to overmaster all fear of +man; or else the necessities and claims of near and dear ones lay +compulsion upon her to win support for them. Therefore, while every +woman can be a law unto herself, no woman can be a law unto her sisters +in this matter. As proof of her singleness of heart, another passage may +be quoted from Mrs. Fry's journal. It runs thus, and will be by no +means out of place here, seeing that it bears particularly upon the new +form of ministry then being taken up by her:-- + + May my being led out of my own family by what appears to me + _duties_, never be permitted to hinder my doing my duty fully + towards it, or so occupy my attention as to make me in any degree + forget or neglect home duties. I believe it matters not where we + are, or what we are about, so long as we keep our eye fixed on + doing the Great Master's work.... I fear for myself, lest even this + great mercy should prove a temptation, and lead me to come before I + am called, or enter service I am not prepared for.... This matter + has been for many years struggling in my mind, long before I + married, and once or twice when in London I hardly knew how to + refrain. However, since a way has thus been made for me it appears + as if I dared not stop the work; if it be a right one may it go on + and prosper, if not, the sooner stopped the better. + +Very soon after penning these words, the Meeting of which she was a +member acknowledged Mrs. Fry as a minister, and thus gave its sanction +to her speaking in their religious assemblies. + +But, not content with this form of service, she visited among her poor +neighbors, bent on actively doing good. She secured a large room +belonging to an old house, opposite her own dwelling, and established a +school for girls on the Lancasterian pattern there. Very quickly, under +the united efforts of Mrs. Fry, the incumbent of the parish, and a +benevolent young lady named Powell, a school of seventy girls was +established, and kept in a prosperous condition. This school was still +in working order a few years ago. + +Plashet House was a depot of charity. Calicoes, flannels, jackets, +gowns, and pinafores were kept in piles to clothe the naked; drugs +suited to domestic practice were stored in a closet, for healing the +sick; an amateur soup-kitchen for feeding the hungry was established in +a roomy out-building, and this long years before public soup-kitchens +became the rage; whilst copies of Testaments were forthcoming on all +occasions to teach erring feet the way to Heaven. But her charity did +not stop with these things. + +An unsavory locality known as "Irish Row," about half a mile off, soon +attracted her attention. The slatternliness, suffering, shiftlessness, +dirt and raggedness, were inducements to one of her charitable +temperament to visit its inhabitants, having their relief and +improvement in view; while her appreciation of the warm-heartedness and +drollery of the Irish character afforded her genuine pleasure. Proximity +to English life had not refined these Irish; their houses were just as +filthy, their windows as patched and obscured with rags, their children +just as neglected, and their pigs equally familiar with those children +as if they had lived in the wilds of Connemara. Shillalahs, wakes, +potatoes, and poverty were distinguishing characteristics of the +locality; whilst its inhabitants were equally ready, with the free and +easy volatility of the Irish mind, to raise the jovial song, or utter +the cry of distress. + +The priest and spiritual director of "Irish Row" found himself almost +powerless in the presence of this mass of squalid misery. That Mrs. Fry +was a Quaker and a Protestant, did not matter to him, provided she could +assist in raising this debased little colony into something like orderly +life and decency. So he cooperated with her, and with his consent she +gave away Bibles and tracts, vaccinated and taught the children, as well +as moved among them generally in the character of their good genius. +When delicate and weak, she would take the carriage, filled with +blankets and clothes for distribution, down to Irish Row, where the +warm-hearted recipients blessed their "Lady bountiful" in terms more +voluble and noisy than refined. Still, however unpromising, the soil +bore good fruit. Homes grew more civilized, men, women, and children +more respectable and quiet, while everywhere the impress of a woman's +benevolent labors was apparent. + +It was the annual custom of a tribe of gypsies to pitch their tents in a +green lane near Plashet, on their way to Fairlop Fair. Once, after the +tents were pitched, a child fell ill; the distracted mother applied to +the kind lady at Plashet House for relief. Mrs. Fry acceded to the +request, and not only ministered to the gypsies that season, but every +succeeding year; until she became known and almost worshipped among +them. Romany wanderers and Celtic colonists were alike welcome to her +heart and purse, and vied in praising her. + +About this time the Norwich Auxiliary Bible Society was formed, and Mrs. +Fry went down to Earlham to attend the initial meeting. She tells us +there were present the Bishop of Norwich, six clergymen of the +Established Church, and three dissenting ministers, besides several +leading Quakers and gentlemen of the neighborhood. The number included +Mr. Hughes, one of the secretaries, and Dr. Steinkopf, a Lutheran +minister, who, though as one with the work of the Bible Society, could +not speak English. At some of these meetings she felt prompted to speak, +and did so at a social gathering at Earlham Hall, when all present owned +her remarkable influence upon them. These associations also increased +in her that catholicity of spirit which afterwards seemed so prominent. +Some of her brothers and sisters belonged to the Established Church of +England; while in her walks of mercy she was continually co-operating +with members of other sections of Christians. As we have seen, she +worked harmoniously with all: Catholic and Protestant, Churchman and +Dissenter. + +On looking at her training for her special form of usefulness we find +that afflictions predominated just when her mind was soaring above the +social and conventional trammels which at one time weighed so much with +her. We know her mostly as a prison philanthropist; but while following +her career in that path, it will be wise not to forget the way in which +she was led. By slow and painful degrees she was drawn away from the +circles of fashion in which once her soul delighted. Then her nature +seemed so retiring, and the tone of her piety so mystical, while she +dreaded nervously all approach to "religious enthusiasm," that a career +of publicity, either in prisons, among rulers, or among the ministers of +her own Society, seemed too far away to be ever realized in fact and +deed. Only He, who weighs thoughts and searches out spirits, knew or +understood by what slow degrees she rose to the demands which presented +themselves to her "in the ways of His requirings," even if "they led her +into suffering and death." It was no small cross for such a woman thus +to dare singularity and possibly odium. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +BEGINNINGS IN NEWGATE. + + +It is said by some authorities that in her childhood Mrs. Fry expressed +so great a desire to visit a prison that her father at last took her to +see one. Early in 1813 she first visited Newgate, with the view of +ministering to the necessities of the felons; and for all practical +purposes of charity this was really her initial step. The following +entry in her journal relates to a visit paid in February of that year. +"Yesterday we were some hours with the poor female felons, attending to +their outward necessities; we had been twice previously. Before we went +away dear Anna Buxton uttered a few words of supplication, and, very +unexpectedly to myself, I did also. I heard weeping, and I thought they +appeared much tendered (_i.e._ softened); a very solemn quiet was +observed; it was a striking scene, the poor people on their knees around +us in their deplorable condition." This reference makes no mention of +what was really the truth, that some members of the Society of Friends, +who had visited Newgate in January, had so represented the condition of +the prisoners to Mrs. Fry that she determined to set out in this new +path. "In prison, and ye visited me." Little did she dream on what a +distinguished career of philanthropy she was entering. + +And Newgate needed some apostle of mercy to reduce the sum of human +misery found there, to something like endurable proportions. We are told +that at that date all the female prisoners were confined in what was +afterwards known as the "untried side" of the jail, while the larger +portion of the quadrangle was utilized as a state-prison. The women's +division consisted of two wards and two cells, containing a superficial +area of about one hundred and ninety yards. Into these apartments, at +the time of Mrs. Fry's visit, above three hundred women were crammed, +innocent and guilty, tried and untried, misdemeanants, and those who +were soon to pay the penalty of their crimes upon the gallows. Besides +all these were to be found numerous children, the offspring of the +wretched women, learning vice and defilement from the very cradle. The +penal laws were so sanguinary that at the commencement of this century +about three hundred crimes were punishable with death. Some of these +offences were very trivial, such as robbing hen-roosts, writing +threatening letters, and stealing property from the person to the +amount of five shillings. There was always a good crop for the gallows: +hanging went merrily on, from assize town to assize town, until one +wonders whether the people were not gallows-hardened. One old man and +his son performed the duties of warders in this filthy, abominable hole +of "justice." And the ragged, wretched crew bemoaned their wretchedness +in vain, for no helping hand was held out to succor. They were +"destitute of sufficient clothing, for which there was no provision; in +rags and dirt, without bedding, they slept on the floor, the boards of +which were in part raised to supply a sort of pillow. In the same rooms +they lived, cooked, and washed. With the proceeds of their clamorous +begging, when any stranger appeared among them, the prisoners purchased +liquors from a tap in the prison. Spirits were openly drunk, and the ear +was assailed by the most terrible language. Beyond the necessity for +safe custody, there was little restraint upon their communication with +the world without. Although military sentinels were posted on the leads +of the prison, such was the lawlessness prevailing, that Mr. Newman, the +governor, entered this portion of it with reluctance." + +As Mrs. Fry and the "Anna Buxton" referred to,--who was a sister of Sir +Thomas Fowell Buxton,--were about to enter this modern Inferno, the +Governor of Newgate advised the ladies to leave their watches in his +care lest they should be snatched away by the lawless wretches inside. +But no such hesitating, half-hearted, fearful charity was theirs. They +had come to see for themselves the misery which prevailed, and to dare +all risks; and we do not find that either Mrs. Fry or her companion lost +anything in their progress through the women's wards; watches and all +came away safely, a fresh proof of the power of kindness. The +revelations of the terrible woes of felon-life which met Mrs. Fry +stirred up her soul within her. She emphatically "clothed the naked," +for she set her family to work at once making green-baize garments for +this purpose until she had provided for all the most destitute. + +To remedy this state of things appeared like one of the labors of +Hercules. Few were hopeful of the success of her undertaking, while at +times even her undaunted spirit must have doubted. In John Howard's time +the prisons of England had been distinguished for vice, filth, +brutality, and suffering; and although some little improvement had taken +place, it was almost infinitesimal. Old castles, or gate-houses, with +damp, dark dungeons and narrow cells, were utilized for penal purposes. +It was common to see a box fastened up under one of the narrow, +iron-barred windows overlooking the street, with the inscription, "Pity +the poor prisoners," the alms being intended for their relief and +sustenance. Often the jail was upon a bridge at the entrance of a town, +and the damp of the river added to the otherwise unhealthy condition of +the place. Bunyan spoke, not altogether allegorically, but rather +literally, of the foul "den" in which he passed a good twelve years of +his life. Irons and fetters were used to prevent escape, while those who +could not obtain the means of subsistence from their friends, suffered +the horrors of starvation. Over-crowding, disease, riot, and obscenity +united to render these places very Pandemoniums. + +It seemed almost hopeless to deal with ferocious and abandoned women. +One of them was observed, desperate with rage, tearing the caps from the +heads of the other women, and yelling like a savage beast. By so much +nearer as woman is to the angels, must be measured her descent into ruin +when she is degraded. She falls deeper than a man; her degradation is +more complete, her nature more demoralized. Whether Mrs. Fry felt +unequal just then to the task, or whether family affliction pressed too +sorely upon her, we do not know; her journal affords no solution of the +problem, but certain it is that some three years passed by before any +very active steps were taken by her to ameliorate to any decided extent +the misery of the prisoners. + +But the matter seethed in her mind; as she mused upon it, the fire +burned, and the spirit which had to burst its conventional trammels and +"take up the cross" in regard to dress and speech, looked out for other +crosses to carry. Doing good became a passion; want, misery, sin and +sorrow furnished claims upon her which she would neither ignore nor +deny. + +John Howard had grappled with the hydra before her, and finally +succumbed to his exertions. As the period of his labors lay principally +between the years 1774 and 1790, when the evils against which Mrs. Fry +had to contend were intensified and a hundred times blacker, it cannot +do harm to recall the condition of prisons in England during the last +quarter of the eighteenth century; that is, during the girlhood of +Elizabeth Fry. Possibly some echoes of the marvellous exertions of +Howard in prison reform had reached her Earlham home, and produced, +though unconsciously, an interest in the subject which was destined to +bear fruit at a later period. At any rate, the fact cannot be gainsaid +that she followed in his steps, visiting the Continent in the +prosecution of her self-imposed task, and examining into the most +loathsome recesses of prisons, lunatic asylums, and hospitals. + +The penal systems of England had been on their trial; had broken down, +and been found utterly wanting. Modern legislation and philanthropy have +laid it down that _reform_ is the proper end of all punishment; hence +the "silent system," the "separate system," and various employments have +been adopted. Hence, too, arose the framing of a system of education and +instruction under the jail roof, so that on the discharge of prisoners +they might be fitted to earn their own maintenance in that world which +formerly they had cursed with their evil deeds. But it was not so in the +era of John Howard, nor of Elizabeth Fry. Then, justice made short work +with criminals and debtors. The former it hanged in droves, and left the +latter to literally "rot" in prison. Two systems of transportation have +been tried: the one previous to Howard's day succeeded in pouring into +the American plantations the crime and vice of England; whilst the +other, which succeeded him, did the same for Australia. After the breach +between the American colonies and the mother-country, the system of +transportation to the Transatlantic plantations ceased; it was in the +succeeding years that the foul holes called prisons, killed their +thousands, and "jail-fever" its tens of thousands. + +Yet, in spite of hanging felons faster than any other nation in Europe, +in spite of killing them off slowly by the miseries of these holes, +crime multiplied more than ever. Gigantic social corruptions festered in +the midst of the nation, until it seemed as if a war which carried off a +few thousands or tens of thousands of the lower classes, were almost a +blessing. Alongside the horrible evils for which Government was +responsible, grew up multitudes of other evils against which it fought, +or over which it exercised a strong and somewhat tyrannical upper-hand. +In society there was a constant war going on between law and crime. +Extirpation--not reform--was the end aimed at; the prison officials of +that time looked upon a criminal as a helpless wretch, presenting fair +game for plunder, torture and tyranny. The records in Howard's journals, +and the annals of Mrs. Fry's labors, amply enlighten us as to the result +of this state of things. + +In Bedford jail the dungeons for felons were eleven feet below the +ground, always wet and slimy, and upon these floors the inmates had to +sleep. At Nottingham the jail stood on the side of a hill, while the +dungeons were cut in the solid rock; these dungeons could only be +entered after descending more than thirty steps. At Gloucester there was +but one court for all prisoners, and, while fever was decimating them, +only one day-room. At Salisbury the prisoners were chained together at +Christmas time and sent in couples to beg. In some of the jails, open +sewers ran through corridors and cells, so that the poor inmates had to +fight for their lives with the vermin which nourished there. At Ely the +prison was in such a ruinous condition that the criminals could not be +safely kept; the warders, therefore, had had recourse to chains and +fetters to prevent the escape of those committed to their charge. They +chained prisoners on their backs to the floor, and, not content with +this, secured iron collars round their necks as well as placed heavy +bars across their legs. Small fear of the poor wretches running away +after that! At Exeter the county jail was the private property of a +gentleman, John Denny Rolle, who farmed it out to a keeper, and received +an income of twenty pounds per annum for it. Yet why multiply instances! +In all of them, dirt, cruelty, fever, torture and abuses reigned +unchecked. Prisoners had no regular allowance of food, but depended on +their means, family, or charity; the prisons were farmed by their +keepers, some of whom were women, but degraded and cruel; many innocent +prisoners were slowly rotting to death, because of their inability to +pay the heavy fees exacted by their keepers; while the sleeping-rooms +were so crowded at times, that it was impossible for the prisoners to +lie down all together for sheer lack of space. Torture was prohibited by +the law of England, but many inhuman keepers used thumb-screws and iron +caps with obnoxious prisoners, for the amusement of themselves and their +boon companions. Several cases of this kind are recorded. + +So hideous an outcry arose against these horrors, that at last +Parliament interfered, and passed two bills dealing with prisoners and +their treatment. The first of these provided that when a prisoner was +discharged for want of prosecution he should be immediately set free, +without being called upon to defray any fees claimed by the jailer or +sheriff; while the second bill authorized justices of the peace to see +to the maintenance of cleanliness in the prisons. The first set at +liberty hundreds of innocent persons who were still bound because they +could not meet the ruinous fees demanded from them; while the second +undoubtedly saved the lives of hundreds more. These were instalments of +reform. + +Thus it will easily be understood that whatever the condition of +Newgate and other English prisons was, at the date of Mrs. Fry's labors, +they were far better than in previous years. Some attempts had been made +to render these pest-houses less horrible; but for lack of wise, +intelligent management, and occupation for the prisoners, the wards +still presented pictures of Pandemonium. It needed a second reformer to +take up the work where Howard left it, and to labor on behalf of the +convicts; for in too many cases they were looked upon as possessing +neither right nor place on God's earth. In the olden days, some judges +had publicly declared their preference for hanging, because the criminal +would then trouble neither State nor society any further. But in spite +of Tyburn horrors, each week society furnished fresh wretches for the +gallows; whilst those who were in custody were almost regarded as +"fore-doomed and fore-damned." + +During the interval which elapsed between Mrs. Fry's short visits to +Newgate in 1813, and the resumption of those visits in 1817, together +with the inauguration of her special work among the convicts, she was +placed in the crucible of trial. Death claimed several relatives; she +suffered long-continued illness, and experienced considerable losses of +property. All these things refined the gold of her character and +discovered its sterling worth. Some natures grow hard and sullen under +trial, others faithless and desponding, and yet others narrow and +reserved. But the genuine gold of a noble disposition comes out brighter +and purer because of untoward events; unsuspected resources are +developed, and the higher nobility becomes discernable. So it was with +Elizabeth Fry. The constitutional timidity of her nature vanished before +the overpowering sense of duty; and literally she looked not at the +seen, but at the unseen, in her calculations of Christian service. Yet +another part of her discipline was the ingratitude with which many of +her efforts were met. This experience is common to all who labor for the +public weal; and from an entry in her journal we can but conclude that +this "serpent's tooth" pierced her very sorely at times. "A constant +lesson to myself is the ingratitude and discontent which I see in many." +Many a reformer could echo these words. But the abiding trial seemed to +be the remembrance of the loss of her little daughter, Elizabeth, who +passed away after a week of suffering, and who was laid to rest in +Barking churchyard. The memory of this five-year old child remained with +her for many years a pure and holy influence, doubtless prompting her +to deal tenderly with the young strayed ones whom she met in her errands +of mercy. How often the memory of "the touch of a vanished hand, and the +sound of a voice that is still," influences our intercourse with the +living, so that while benefiting them we do it as unto and for the dead. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +NEWGATE HORRORS AND NEWGATE WORKERS. + + +About Christmas 1816, or January 1817, Mrs. Fry commenced her leviathan +task in good earnest. The world had been full of startling events since +her first two or three tentative visits to Newgate; so startling were +they, that even in the refined and sedate quietude of Quakerism there +must have existed intense interest, excitement, and possibly fear. We +know from Isaac Taylor's prolific pen, how absorbing was the idea of +invasion by the French, how real a terror was Bonaparte, and how full of +menace the political horizon appeared. Empires were rising and falling, +wars and tumults were the normal condition of society; the Continent was +in a state of agitation and warfare. Napoleon, the prisoner of Elba, had +returned to Europe, collected an army, and, contesting at Waterloo the +strength of England and Prussia, had fallen. He was now watched and +guarded at St. Helena, while the civilized world began to breathe +freely. The mushroom kingdoms which he had set up were fast tottering, +or had fallen, while the older dynasties of Europe were feeling once +more secure, because the man who hesitated not to sacrifice vast myriads +of human lives to accomplish his own aggrandizement, was now bound, and, +like a tiger in chains, could do nought save growl impotently. + +Meanwhile the tide of prison-life went on, without much variation. +Newgate horrors still continued; the gallows-crop never failed; and the +few Acts of Parliament designed to ameliorate the condition of the +prisoners in the jails had almost become dead letters. In 1815 a +deputation of the Jail Committee of the Corporation of London visited +several jails in order to examine into their condition, and to introduce +a little improvement, if possible, into those under their care. This +step led to some alterations; the sexes were separated, and the women +were provided with mats to sleep upon. Visitors were restrained from +having much communication with the prisoners, a double row of gratings +being placed between the criminals and those who came to see them. +Across the space between the gratings it was a common practice for the +prisoners to push wooden spoons, fastened to long sticks, in order to +receive the contributions of friends. Disgusting in its ways, vicious in +act and speech, the social scum which crowded Newgate was repulsive, +dangerous, and vile in the extreme. + +It is evident that the circle to which Mrs. Fry belonged was still +interested in philanthropic labors on behalf of the criminal classes, +because we find that Sir Thomas F. Buxton, Mr. Hoare, and several other +friends were busy, in the interval between 1813 and 1816, in +establishing a society for the reformation of juvenile thieves. This +matter of prison discipline was therefore engaging the attention of her +immediate circle. Doubtless, while listening to them, she remembered +most anxiously the miserable women whom she had visited some three years +previously. + +It seems that Mrs. Fry succeeded with the women by means of her care for +the children. Low as they were in sin, every spark of maternal affection +had not fled, and they craved for their little ones a better chance than +they had possessed themselves. To a suggestion by Mrs. Fry that a school +should be formed for the benefit of their little ones they eagerly +acceded. This suggestion she left with them for consideration, engaging +to come to a decision at the next visit. + +At the next visit she found that the tears of joy with which they had +welcomed the proposition were not feigned. The women had already chosen +a school-mistress from among themselves. A young woman, named Mary +Cormer, who had, although fairly educated, found her way to prison for +stealing a watch, was the person chosen. It is recorded of this young +woman that she became reformed during her stay in Newgate, and so +exemplary did she behave in the character of teacher, that Government +granted her a free pardon; which, however, she did not live long to +enjoy. + +It is pleasant to record that the officials aided and furthered this +good work. An empty cell was granted for the school-room, and was +quickly crammed with the youngest of the criminals. After this step had +been taken, a young Friend named Mary Sanderson made her appearance at +Newgate to assist, if it were possible, in the work, but was almost +terrified away again. She informed Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton of her +experiences and terrors at her first encounter with the women: "The +railing was crowded with half-naked women, struggling together for the +front situations with the most boisterous violence, and begging with the +utmost vociferation." She felt as if she were going into a den of wild +beasts, and she well recollects quite shuddering when the door was +closed upon her, and she was locked in with such a herd of novel and +desperate companions. + +Could lasting good be effected there? It seemed hopeless. Indeed, at +first it was scarcely dreamt of; but, the stone once set rolling, none +knew where it would stop. Marvellous to say, some of the prisoners +themselves asked for ministrations of this sort. Feeling that they were +as low down in the mire as they could be, they craved a helping hand; +indeed, entreated not to be left out from the benevolent operations +which Mrs. Fry now commenced. The officers of Newgate despaired of any +good result; the people who associated with Mrs. Fry, charitable as they +were, viewed her plans as Utopian and visionary, while she herself +almost quailed at their very contemplation. It also placed a great +strain upon her nervous system to attend women condemned to death. She +wrote: "I have suffered much about the hanging of criminals." And again: +"I have just returned from a melancholy visit to Newgate, where I have +been at the request of Elizabeth Fricker, previous to her execution +to-morrow at 8 o'clock. I found her much hurried, distressed and +tormented in mind. Her hands were cold, and covered with something like +the perspiration which precedes death, and in an universal tremor. The +women who were with her said she had been so outrageous before our +going, that they thought a man must be sent for to manage her. However, +after a serious time with her, her troubled soul became calmed." Another +entry in the same journal casts a lurid light upon the interior of +Newgate. "Besides this poor young woman, there are also six men to be +hanged, one of whom has a wife near her confinement, also condemned, and +seven young children. Since the awful report came down he has become +quite mad from horror of mind. A straight waistcoat could not keep him +within bounds; he had just bitten the turnkey; I saw the man come out +with his hand bleeding as I passed the cell. I hear that another who has +been tolerably educated and brought up, was doing all he could to harden +himself through unbelief, trying to convince himself that religious +truths were idle tales." Contemporary light is cast upon this matter by +a letter which the Hon. G.H. Bennett addressed to the Corporation of +London, relative to the condition of the prison. In it this writer +observed:-- + + A man by the name of Kelly, who was executed some weeks back for + robbing a house, counteracted, by his conversation and by the jests + he made of all religious subjects, the labors of Dr. Cotton to + produce repentance and remorse among the prisoners in the cells; + and he died as he lived, hardened and unrepenting. He sent to me + the day before his execution, and when I saw him _he maintained the + innocence of the woman convicted with him_ (Fricker, before + mentioned), asserting that not her, but a boy concealed, opened + the door and let him into the house. When I pressed him to tell me + the names of the parties concerned, whereby to save the woman's + life, he declined complying without promise of a pardon. I urged as + strongly as I could the crime of suffering an innocent woman to be + executed to screen criminal accomplices; but it was all to no + effect, and he suffered, maintaining to the last the same story. + With him was executed a lad of nineteen or twenty years of age, + whose fears and remorse Kelly was constantly ridiculing. + +About this time, Mrs. Fry noted in her journal the encouragement she had +received from those who were in authority, as well as the eager and +thankful attitude of the poor women themselves. Kindred spirits were +being drawn around her, ready to participate in her labors of love. In +one place she wrote almost deprecatingly of the publicity which those +labors had won; she feared notoriety, and would, had it been possible, +have worked on alone and unheralded. But perhaps it was as well that +others should learn to coöperate; the task was far too mighty for one +frail pair of hands, while the increased knowledge and interest among +the upper classes of society assisted in procuring the "sinews of war." +For this was a work which could not be successfully carried on without +pounds, shillings and pence. Clothing, books, teachers, and even +officers had to be paid for out of benevolent funds, for not an idea of +the necessity for such funds had ever crossed the civic mind. + +A very cheering item, in April, 1817, was the formation of a ladies' +society under the title of "An Association for the Improvement of the +Female Prisoners in Newgate." Eleven Quakeresses and one clergyman's +wife were then banded together. We cannot find the names of these good +women recorded anywhere in Mrs. Fry's journal. The object of this +association was: "To provide for the clothing, instruction, and +employment of the women; to introduce them to a knowledge of the +Scriptures, and to form in them, as much as possible, those habits of +sobriety, order and industry, which may render them docile and peaceable +whilst in prison, and respectable when they leave it." Thus, stone by +stone the edifice was being reared, step by step was gained, and +everything was steadily advancing towards success. The magistrates and +corporation of the city were favorable, and even hopeful; the jail +officials were not unwilling to coöperate, and ladies were anxious to +take up the work. The last thing which remained was to get the assent +and willing submission of the prisoners themselves to the rules which +_must_ be enforced, were any lasting benefit to be conferred; and to +this last step Mrs. Fry was equal. + +On a Sunday afternoon, quickly following the formation of the +association, a new and strange meeting was convened inside the old +prison walls. There were present the sheriffs, the ordinary, the +governor, the ladies and the women. Doubtless they looked at each other +with a mixture of wonder, incredulity, and surprise. The gloomy +precincts of Newgate had never witnessed such a spectacle before; the +Samaritans of the great city no longer "passed by on the other side," +but, at last, had come to grapple with its vice and degradation. + +Mrs. Fry read out several rules by which she desired the women to abide; +explaining to them the necessity for their adherence to these rules, and +the extent to which she invited coöperation and assistance in their +enforcement. Unanimously and willingly the prisoners engaged to be bound +by them, as well as to assist each other in obedience. It will interest +the reader to know what these rules were. They were:-- + +1. That a woman be appointed for the general supervision of the women. + +2. That the women be engaged in needlework, knitting, or any other +suitable employment. + +3. That there be no begging, swearing, gaming, card-playing, +quarrelling, or universal conversation. That all novels, plays, and +other improper books be excluded; that all bad words be avoided, and +any default in these particulars be reported to the matron. + +4. That there be a good yard-keeper, chosen from among the women, to +inform them when their friends come; to see that they leave their work +with a monitor when they go to the grating, and that they do not spend +any time there except with their friends. If any woman be found +disobedient in these respects, the yard-keeper is to report the case to +the matron. + +5. That the women be divided into classes of not more than twelve, and +that a monitor be appointed to each class. + +6. That the monitors be chosen from among the most orderly of the women +that can read, to superintend the work and conduct of the others. + +7. That the monitors not only overlook the women in their own classes, +but, if they observe any others disobeying the rules, that they inform +the monitor of the class to which such persons may belong, who is +immediately to report them to the matron, and the deviations be set down +on a slate. + +8. That any monitor breaking the rules shall be dismissed from her +office, and the most suitable in the class selected to take her place. + +9. That the monitors be particularly careful to see that women come +with clean hands and faces to their work, and that they are quiet during +their employment. + +10. That at the ringing of the bell at nine o'clock in the morning, the +women collect in the work-room to hear a portion of Scripture read by +one of the visitors, or the matron; and that the monitors afterwards +conduct the classes thence to their respective wards in an orderly +manner. + +11. That the women be again collected for reading at 6 o'clock in the +evening, when the work shall be given in charge to the matron by the +monitors. + +12. That the matron keep an exact account of the work done by the women, +and of their conduct. + +As these rules were read out, the women were requested to raise their +hands in token of assent. Not a hand but was held up. In just the same +manner the names of the monitors were received, and the appointments +ratified. After this business had been concluded, one of the visitors +read the twenty-first chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel; and then ensued a +period of solemn silence, according to the custom of the Society of +Friends. After that the newly-elected monitors, at the heads of their +classes, withdrew to their wards. + +The work room was an old disused laundry, now granted by the sheriffs, +and fitted up for the purpose. Repaired and whitewashed, it proved a +capital vantage-ground whereon to give battle to the old giants of +Ignorance, Crime and Vice, and ultimately to conquer them. + +The next thing was to obtain a sufficiency of work, and at the same time +funds to purchase materials. At first, the most imperative necessity +existed for clothing. For a long time the most ample help came from Mrs. +Fry's own family circle, although many others contributed various sums. +Indeed, the Sheriffs of London on one occasion made a grant of £80 +towards these objects, showing thus that, although punitive measures +were more in their way, they were really glad to uphold the hands of +anybody who would deal with the vexed problems which such hordes of +criminals presented. + +After the criminals themselves were clothed, their work went to provide +garments for the convicts at Botany Bay. Some tradesmen to whom Mrs. Fry +applied, willingly resigned these branches of their trade, in order to +afford the opportunity of turning the women's industry to account. This +was a decided step gained, as the Corporation then learnt how to make +the prisoners' labors profitable, and at the same time to avert the +mischiefs of vicious idleness. + +The ladies tried the school for a month quietly, and found it so +successful that they determined to lay a representation before the +Sheriffs, asking that this newly-formed agency should be taken under the +wing of the Corporation. They wisely considered that the efficiency and +continuance of this part of their scheme would be better ensured if it +were made part and parcel of the City prison system, than by leaving it +to the fluctuating support and management of private benevolence. + +In reply to this petition and representation, an answer was received +appointing a meeting with the ladies at Newgate. The meeting took place, +and a session was held according to the usual rules. The visiting +officials were struck with surprise at the altered demeanor of the +inhabitants of this hitherto styled "hell upon earth," and were ready to +grant what Mrs. Fry chose to ask. The whole plan, both school and +manufactory, was adopted as part of the prison system; a cell was +granted to the ladies for punishment of refractory prisoners, together +with power to confine them therein for short intervals; part of the +matron's salary was promised out of the City funds, and benedictions and +praises were lavished on the ladies. This assistance in the matter of a +matron was a decided help, as, prior to her appointment, some of the +ladies spent much of each day in the wards personally superintending +operations. So determined were they to win success, that they even +remained during meal times, eating a little refreshment which they +brought with them. After this appointment, one or two ladies visited the +prison for some time, daily, spending more or less time there in order +to superintend and direct. Some months after this a system of work was +devised for the "untried side," but for various reasons, the success in +that department of Newgate was not as marked. It was found that as long +as prisoners indulged any hope of discharge, they were more careless +about learning industrious and orderly habits. + +At this meeting with the civic authorities, Mrs. Fry offered several +suggestions calculated to promote the well-being of the prisoners, +sedately and gently explaining the reasons for the necessity of each. +They ran thus:-- + +"1. Newgate in great want of room. Women to be under the care of women, +matron, turnkeys, and inspecting committee. + +"2. As little communication with their friends as possible; only at +stated times, except in very particular cases. + +"3. They must depend on their friends for neither food nor clothing, but +have a sufficiency allowed them of both. + +"4. That employment should be a part of their punishment, and be +provided for them by Government. The earnings of work to be partly laid +by, partly laid out in small extra indulgences, and, if enough, part to +go towards their support. + +"5. To work and have their meals together, but sleep separate at night, +being classed, with monitors at the head of each class. + +"Religious instruction. The kind attention we have had paid us. + +"Great disadvantages arise from dependence upon the uncertainty and +fluctuations of the Sheriff's funds; neither soap nor clothing being +allowed without its aid, and the occasional help of charitable people." + +Two extracts from the civic records prove how warmly the authorities +received these suggestions, and in what esteem they held Mrs. Fry and +her coadjutors. + + SATURDAY, May 3, 1817. + + Committee of Aldermen to consider all matters relating to the jails + of this city. + + Present--The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs, and several + Aldermen. + + The Committee met agreeably to the resolutions of the 29th ult. at + the Keeper's House, Newgate, and proceeded from thence, attended by + the Sheriffs, to take a view of the jail at Newgate. + + The Committee, on viewing that part of it appropriated to the + female prisoners, were attended by Mrs. Elizabeth Fry and several + other ladies, who explained to the Committee the steps they had + adopted to induce the female prisoners to work and to behave + themselves in a becoming and orderly manner; and several specimens + of their work being inspected, the Committee were highly gratified. + +At another place is the following entry. After giving date of meeting, +and names of committee present, the minute goes on to say:-- + + The Committee met at the Mansion House and were attended by Mrs. + Elizabeth Fry and two other ladies, who were heard in respect of + their suggestions for the better government of the female prisoners + in Newgate. + + Resolved unanimously: "That the thanks of this Committee be given + to Mrs. Fry and the other ladies who have so kindly exerted + themselves with a view to bettering the condition of the women + confined in the jail in Newgate, and that they be requested to + continue their exertions, which have hitherto been attended with + good effect." + +Mrs. Fry's journals contain very few particulars relating to her work at +this precise time. It seemed most agreeable to her to work quietly and +unknown as far as the outside public was concerned. But a lady-worker +who was in the Association has left on record a manuscript journal from +which some extracts may fitly be given here, as they cast valuable light +on both the work and workers. + + We proceeded to the felons' door, the steps of which were covered + with their friends, who were waiting for admission, laden with the + various provisions and other articles which they required, either + as gifts, or to be purchased, as the prisoners might be able to + afford. We entered with this crowd of persons into an ante-room, + the walls of which were covered with the chains and fetters + suspended in readiness for the criminals. A block and hammer were + placed in the centre of it, on which chains were riveted. The room + was guarded with blunderbusses mounted on movable carriages. I + trembled, and was sick, and my heart sunk within me, when a + prisoner was brought forward to have his chain lightened, because + he had an inflammation in the ankle. I spoke to him, for he looked + dejected and by no means ferocious. The turnkey soon opened the + first gate of entrance, through which we were permitted to pass + without being searched, in consequence of orders issued by the + sheriffs. The crowd waited till the men had been searched by the + turnkeys, and the women by a woman stationed for that purpose in + the little room by the door of the entrance. These searchers are + allowed, if they suspect spirits, or ropes, or instruments of + escape to be concealed about the person, to strip them to ascertain + the fact. A melancholy detection took place a few days ago. A poor + woman had a rope found upon her, concealed for the purpose of + liberating her husband, who was then sentenced to death for highway + robbery, which sentence was to be put into execution in a few days. + She was, of course, taken before a magistrate, and ordered into + Newgate to await her trial. She was a young and pretty little Irish + woman, with an infant in her arms. After passing the first floor + into a passage, we arrived at the place where the prisoners' + friends communicate with them. It may justly be termed a sort of + iron cage. A considerable space remains between the grating, too + wide to admit of their shaking hands. They pass into this from the + airing-yard, which occupies the centre of the quadrangle round + which the building runs, and into which no persons but the visiting + ladies, or the persons they introduce, attended by a turnkey, are + allowed to enter. A little lodge, in which an under turnkey sleeps, + is also considered necessary to render the entrance secure. This + yard was clean, and up and down it paraded an emaciated woman, who + gave notice to the women of the arrival of their friends. Most of + the prisoners were collected in a room newly appropriated for the + purpose of hearing a portion of the Sacred Scriptures read to them, + either by the matron or by one of the ladies' committee--which last + is far preferable. They assemble when the bell rings, as near nine + o'clock as possible, following their monitors or wardswomen to the + forms which are placed in order to receive them. I think I can + never forget the impression made upon my feelings at this sight. + Women from every part of Great Britain, of every age and condition + below the lower middle rank, were assembled in mute silence, except + when the interrupted breathing of their sucking infants informed us + of the unhealthy state of these innocent partakers in their + parents' punishments. The matron read; I could not refrain from + tears. The women wept also; several were under the sentence of + death. Swain, who had just received her respite, sat next me; and + on my left hand sat Lawrence, _alias_ Woodman, surrounded by her + four children, and only waiting the birth of another, which she + hourly expects, to pay the forfeit of her life, as her husband has + done for the same crime a short time before. + + Such various, such acute, and such new feelings passed through my + mind that I could hardly support the reflection that what I saw was + only to be compared to an atom in the abyss of vice, and + consequently misery, of this vast metropolis. The hope of doing the + least lasting good seemed to vanish, and to leave me in fearful + apathy. The prisoners left the room in order. Each monitor took + charge of the work in her class on retiring. We proceeded to other + wards, some containing forgers, coiners, and thieves; and almost + all these vices were engrafted on the most deplorable root of + sinful dissipation. Many of the women are married; their families + are in some instances permitted to be with them, if very young; + their husbands, the partners of their crimes, are often found to be + on the men's side of the prison, or on their way to Botany Bay.... + + They appear to be aware of the true value of character, to know + what is right, and to forsake it in action. Finding these feelings + yet alive, if properly purified and directed it may become a + foundation on which a degree of reformation can be built. Thus they + conduct themselves more calmly and decently to each other, they are + more orderly and quiet, refrain from bad language, chew tobacco + more cautiously, surrender the use of the fireplace, permit doors + and windows to be opened and shut to air or warm the prison, + reprove their children with less violence, borrow and lend useful + articles to each other kindly, put on their attire with modesty, + and abstain from slanderous and reproachful words. + + None among them was so shocking as an old woman, a clipper of the + coin of the realm, whose daughter was by her side, with her infant + in her arms, which infant had been born in Bridewell; the + grandfather was already transported with several branches of his + family, as being coiners. The old woman's face was full of + depravity. We next crossed the airing-yard, where many persons were + industriously engaged at slop-work, for which they are paid, and + after receiving what they require, the rest is kept for them by the + Committee, who have a receipt-book, where their earning and their + expenditure may be seen at any time, by the day or week. On + entering the untried wards we found the women very different from + those we had just left. They were quarrelling and very disorderly, + neither knowing their future fate, nor anything like subordination + among one another. It resembles the state of the women on the tried + side before the formation of the Visitors' Association. Not a hand + was employed, except in mischief. One bold creature was ushered in + for committing highway robbery. Many convicts were arriving, just + remanded from the Sessions House, and their dark associates + received them with applause--such is the unhallowed friendship of + sin. We left this revolting scene and proceeded to the school-room, + situated on the untried side of the prison for want of room on the + tried. The quiet decency of this apartment was quite a relief, for + about twenty young women arose on our entrance, and stood with + their eyes cast on the ground. + +Another extract from the diary of this lady will be found to describe, +in graphic terms, the visit to the prison recorded in the Corporation +minutes. As one reads the simple and truth-like story, the scene rises +before the mind's eye:--the party of gentlemen upon their semi-official +visit; the awe-stricken prisoners, scarcely comprehending whether this +visit boded ill or well to them; and the little company of quiet, godly, +unfashionable Quaker ladies, who were thus "laying hands" upon the lost +of their sex, in order to reclaim them. Such a picture might well be +transferred to canvas. + + Rose early and visited Newgate, where most of the Committee met to + receive the Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs, several Aldermen, and some of + the Jail Committee. Even the irritable state of city politics does + not interfere with this attempt at improvement. The women were + assembled as usual, looking particularly clean, and Elizabeth Fry + had commenced reading a Psalm, when the whole of this party entered + this already crowded room. Her reading was thus interrupted for a + short time. She looked calmly on the approaching gentlemen, who, + soon perceiving the solemnity of her occupation, stood still midst + the multitude, whilst Elizabeth Fry resumed her office and the + women their quietude. In an impressive tone she told them she never + permitted any trifling circumstance to interrupt the very solemn + and important engagement of reading the Holy Scriptures; but in + this instance it appeared unavoidable from the unexpected entrance + of so many persons, besides which, when opportunity offers, we + should pay respect to those in authority over us, to those who + administer justice. She thus, with a Christian prudence peculiar to + herself, controlled the whole assembly, and subdued the feelings of + the prisoners, many of whom were but two well acquainted with the + faces of the magistrates, who were themselves touched and + astonished at being thus introduced to a state of decorum so new + within these walls, and could not help acknowledging how admirably + this mode of treatment was adapted to overcome the evil spirit + which had so long triumphed there. The usual silence ensued after + the reading, then the women withdrew. We could not help feeling + particularly glad that the gentlemen were present at the reading. + The prisoners crowded around the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs to beg + little favors. We had a long conference with these gentlemen + relative to this prison and its object, and to the wisest + regulations for prison discipline, and the causes of crime. + Indeed, we could not have received more kind and devoted attention + to what was suggested. Elizabeth Fry's manner seemed to awaken new + trains of reflection, and to place the individual value of these + poor creatures before them in a fresh point of view. The Sheriffs + came to our committee-room. They ordered a cell to be given up to + the Committee for the temporary confinement of delinquents; it was + to be made to appear as formidable as possible, and we hope never + to require it. + + The soldiers who guarded Newgate were, at our own request, + dismissed. They overlooked the women's wards, and rendered them + very disorderly.... I found poor Woodman lying-in in the common + ward, where she had been suddenly taken ill; herself and little + girl were each doing very well. She was awaiting her execution at + the end of the month. What can be said of such sights as these?... + I read to Woodman, who is not in the state of mind we could wish + for her; indeed, so unnatural is her situation that one can hardly + tell how, or in what manner, to meet her case. She seems afraid to + love her baby, and the very health which is being restored to her + produces irritation of mind. + +This last entry furnishes, incidentally, proof of the barbarity of the +laws of Christian England at that time. Human life was of no account +compared with the robbery of a few shillings, or the cutting down of a +tree. This matter of capital punishment, in its turn, attracted the +attention of the Quaker community, together with other philanthropic +individuals, and the statute book was in time freed from many of the +sanguinary enactments which had, prior to that period, disgraced it. + +By this time notoriety began to attend Mrs. Fry's labors, and she was +complimented and stared at according to the world's most approved +fashion. The newspapers noticed her work; the people at Court talked +about it; and London citizens began to realize that in this quiet +Quakeress there dwelt a power for good. Given an unusual method of doing +good, noticed by the high in place and power, together with praise or +criticism by the papers, and, like Lord Byron, the worker wakes some +morning to find himself or herself famous. But growing fame did not +agree with Elizabeth Fry's moral or spiritual nature. She possessed far +too noble a soul to be pleased with it; her responsibility and her +success, except so far as they affected the waifs she desired to bless, +were matters for her own conscience, and her God. She mentioned in her +journal her fears whether or not this publicity, and the evident respect +paid her by the people in power in the city, might not develop worldly +pride of self-exaltation in her. Highly-toned and pure as her spirit +was, it shrank from any strain of self-seeking or pride. Only such a +spirit could have conceived such a work of usefulness; only such an one +could endure the inevitable repulsion which attends such work among the +degraded, and conquer. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +EVIDENCE BEFORE THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. + + +Public attention was so far aroused on the subject of prison discipline, +and the condition of criminals, that a Committee of the House of Commons +was appointed to examine into evidence respecting the prisons of the +metropolis. On the 27th of February, 1818, Mrs. Fry was examined by this +Committee, relative to her personal experiences of this work, and her +own labors in connection with it. The clear, calm statements made by her +before this Committee cast considerable light upon her doings, and the +principles upon which she acted. There is no exaggeration, no +braggadocio, no flourish of philanthropy,--simply a straightforward +story of quiet but persistent endeavors to lessen the human misery +within the walls of the prison at Newgate; for, hitherto, her efforts +had been confined to that jail. + +"_Query_. You applied to the Committee of the Court of Aldermen?" + +"_Ans_. Not at first; I thought it better to try the experiment for a +month, and then to ask them whether they would second us, and adopt our +measures as their own; we, therefore, assembled our women, read over our +rules, brought them work, knitting, and other things, and our +institution commenced; it has now been about ten months. Our rules have +certainly been occasionally broken, but very seldom; order has generally +been observed. I think I may say we have full power among them, for one +of them said it was more terrible to be brought up before me than before +the judge, though we use nothing but kindness. I have never punished a +woman during the whole time, or even proposed a punishment to them; and +yet I think it is impossible in a well-ordered house to have rules more +strictly attended to than they are, as far as I order them, or our +friends in general. With regard to our work, they have made nearly +twenty thousand articles of wearing apparel, the generality of which is +supplied by the slop-shops, which pay very little. Excepting three out +of this number that were missing, which we really do not think owing to +the women, we have never lost a single article. They knit from about +sixty to a hundred pairs of stockings and socks every month; they spin a +little. The earnings of work, we think, average about eighteenpence per +week for each person. This is generally spent in assisting them to live, +and helps to clothe them. For this purpose they subscribe out of their +small earnings of work about four pounds a month, and we subscribe about +eight, which keeps them covered and decent. Another very important point +is the excellent effects we have found to result from religious +education; our habit is constantly to read the Scriptures to them twice +a day. Many of them are taught, and some of them have been enabled to +read a little themselves; it has had an astonishing effect. I never saw +the Scriptures received in the same way, and to many of them they have +been entirely new, both the great system of religion and morality +contained in them; and it has been very satisfactory to observe the +effect upon their minds. When I have sometimes gone and said it was my +intention to read, they would flock up-stairs after me, as if it were a +great pleasure I had to afford them." + +"You have confined yourself to reading the Scriptures, and pointing out +generally the moral lessons that might be derived from them?" + +"Yes, generally so." + +"Without inculcating any particular doctrine?" + +"Nothing but the general Scripture doctrine; in short, they are not +capable of receiving any other." + +"Nothing but the morals of the Scripture,--the duties towards God and +man?" + +"That is all; we are very particular in endeavoring to keep close to +that. We consider, from the situation we fill, as it respects the +public, as well as the poor creatures themselves, that it would be +highly indecorous to press any particular doctrine of any kind, anything +beyond the fundamental doctrines of Scripture. We have had considerable +satisfaction in observing, not only the improved state of the women in +the prison, but we understand from the governor and clergyman at the +penitentiary, that those who have been under our care are very different +from those who come from other prisons. We also may state that when they +left Newgate to go to Botany Bay, such a thing was never known in the +prison before as the quietness and order with which they left it; +instead of tearing down everything, and burning it, it was impossible to +leave it more peaceably. And as a proof that their moral and religious +instruction have had some effect upon their minds, when those poor +creatures were going to Botany Bay, the little fund we allowed them to +collect for themselves, in a small box under our care, they entreated +might all be given to those that were going, those who remained saying +that they wished to give up their little share of the profit to the +others." + +"Do you know anything of the room and accommodation for the women in +1815?" + +"I do not; I did not visit it in that year." + +"What was it in 1817?" + +"Not nearly room enough. If we had room enough to class them, I think a +very great deal more might be accomplished. We labor very much in the +day, and we see the fruit of our labor: but if we could separate them in +the night, I do think that we could not calculate upon the effect which +would be produced." + +"At present, those convicted for all offenses pass the day together?" + +"Very much so; very much intermixed, old and young, hardened offenders +with those who have committed only a minor crime, or the first crime; +the very lowest of women with respectable married women and +maid-servants. It is more injurious than can be described, in its +effects and in its consequences. One little instance to prove how +beneficial it is to take care of the prisoners, is afforded by the case +of a poor woman, for whom we have obtained pardon (Lord Sidmouth having +been very kind to us whenever we have applied for the mitigation of +punishment since our committee has been formed). We taught her to knit +in the prison; she is now living respectably out of it, and in part +gains her livelihood by knitting. We generally endeavor to provide for +them in degree when they go out. One poor woman to whom we lent money, +comes every week to my house, and pays two shillings, as honestly and as +punctually as we could desire. We give part, and lend part, to accustom +them to habits of punctuality and honesty." + +"Is that woman still in Newgate, whose husband was executed, and she +herself condemned to death, having eight children?" + +"She is." + +"Has not her character been very materially changed since she has been +under your care?" + +"I heard her state to a gentleman going through the other day, that it +had been a very great blessing to her at Newgate, and I think there has +been a very great change in her. Her case is now before Lord Sidmouth, +but we could hardly ask for her immediate liberation." + +"What reward, or hope of reward, do you hold out?" + +"Rewards form one part of our plan. They not only have the earning of +their work, but we endeavor to stimulate them by a system of marks. We +divide our women into classes, with a monitor over every class, and our +matron at the head. It is the duty of every monitor to take up to the +matron every night an account of the conduct of her class, which is set +down; and if they have a certain number of what we call good marks at +the end of any fixed period, they have for rewards such prizes as we +think proper to give them--generally small articles of clothing, or +Bibles and Testaments." + +"Be so good as to state, as nearly as you can, what proportion of the +women, without your assistance, would be in a state of extreme want?" + +"It is difficult to say; but I think we average the number of eighty +tried women. Perhaps out of that number twenty may live very well, +twenty very badly, and the others are supported by their friends in some +degree. When I say twenty who live very well, I mention, perhaps, too +large a number--perhaps not above ten. I think their receiving support +from out-of-doors is most injurious, as it respects their moral +principles, and everything else, as it respects the welfare of the city. +There are some very poor people who will almost starve at home, and be +induced to do that which is wrong, in order to keep their poor relations +who are in prison. It is an unfair tax on such people; in addition to +which, it keeps up an evil communication, and, what is more, I believe +they often really encourage the crime by it for which they are put into +prison; for these very people, and especially the coiners and passers of +bank-notes, are supported by their associates in crime, so that it +really tends to keep up their bad practices." + +"Do you know whether there is any clothing allowed by the city?" + +"Not any. Whenever we have applied or mentioned anything about clothing, +we have always found that there was no other resource but our own, +excepting that the sheriffs used to clothe the prisoners occasionally. +Lately, nobody has clothed them but ourselves; except that the late +sheriffs sent us the other day a present of a few things to make up for +them." + +"There is no regular clothing allowed?" + +"It appears to me that there is none of any kind." + +"Have you never had prisoners there who have suffered materially for +want of clothing?" + +"I could describe such scenes as I should hardly think it delicate to +mention. We had a woman the other day, on the point of lying-in, brought +to bed not many hours after she came in. She had hardly a covering; no +stockings, and only a thin gown. Whilst we are there, we can never see a +woman in that state without immediately applying to our fund." + +"When they come in they come naked, almost?" + +"Yes, this woman came in, and we had to send her up almost every +article of clothing, and to clothe her baby. She could not be tried the +next sessions, but after she had been tried, and when she was +discharged, she went out comfortably clothed; and there are many such +instances." + +"Has it not happened that when gentlemen have come in to see the prison, +you have been obliged to stand before the women who were in the prison +in a condition not fit to be seen?" + +"Yes, I remember one instance in which I was obliged to stand before one +of the women to prevent her being seen. We sent down to the matron +immediately to get her clothes." + +"How long had the woman been in jail?" + +"Not long; for we do not, since we have been there, suffer them to be a +day without being clothed?" + +"What is the average space allowed to each woman to lie upon, taking the +average number in the prison?" + +"I cannot be accurate, not having measured; from eighteen inches to two +feet, I should think." + +"By six feet?" + +"Yes. I believe the moral discipline of a prison can never be complete +while they are allowed to sleep together in one room. If I may be +allowed to state it, I should prefer a prison where women were allowed +to work together in companies, under proper superintendence; to have +their meals together, and their recreation 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 atrocious cases. I would divide every woman for a few weeks, +until I knew what they were, but I would afterwards regulate them as I +have before mentioned." + +"Has gaming entirely ceased?" + +"It has of late: they have once been found gaming since we had 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 there were cards in the prison, I should +consider it a proof of their regard if they would have the candor and +the kindness to bring me their packs. I did not expect they would do it, +for they would feel they had 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. 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 them 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 her, but she had hoped I +would give her a Bible, that she might read the Scriptures. 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 essential to the +reformation of a prison: first, religious instruction; secondly, +classification; thirdly, employment. Do you think that 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 must naturally +return to their evil practices." + +"How many removals of female prisoners have you had in the last year, in +Newgate; how many 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, has there been only 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 to those who 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, it would be a prison quite apart from the men's prison, +and into which neither turnkeys nor anyone 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 the 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 prisoners 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 +spiritually or medically." + +"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, perhaps, I 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 to provide for them; why should not the Government make use +of the prisoners? But I consider it of the utmost importance, and quite +indispensable for the conduct of these 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, etc., but a part should be +laid by that there maybe 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 America. In a prison under proper regulation, 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 +worst of characters, would turn out valuable members of society. After +having said what I have respecting the care of women, I will just add +that I believe that 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 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." + +The natural consequence of this evidence was increased publicity and +increased usefulness; the first to Mrs. Fry's sorrow, and the second to +her great joy. Much as she desired to work in secret, it was not +possible; nor, all things considered, was it for the best that she +should do so. The prison reform which she desired to see carried out was +destined to cover, and indeed, required a larger area than she could +obtain. But the fame of her improvements at Newgate, the tales of lions +being turned into lambs, and sinners into saints, by the exertions of +this woman and her band of helpers, caught the ear and thrilled the +heart of the public. The excitement produced among the community +deepened and intensified as more of the work became revealed. +Representatives of every class in society visited the gloomy precincts +of Newgate, in order to see and hear for themselves how far these +wonders extended, while at every hospital and fashionable board the +theme was ever the same. At one time Mrs. Fry was at Newgate in company +with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and other celebrities; while at +another time she appeared at the Mansion House, honored by royalty, the +"observed of all observers." The Queen of England, among others, was +anxious to see and converse with the woman who had with such quiet power +succeeded in solving a great social problem, and that where municipal +authorities had failed. + +Mrs. Fry, although belonging to that religious community which takes not +off the hat to royalty, possessed loyal feelings. Therefore, when Queen +Charlotte commanded her to appear at the Mansion House, in order to be +formerly presented to her, with true womanly grace and respect she +hastened to obey. It was intended that the presentation should have +taken place in the drawing-room, but by some mistake Mrs. Fry was +conducted to the Egyptian Hall, where a number of school-children were +waiting to be examined. Mrs. Fry occupied a post near the platform; and +after a little time the Queen, now aged and infirm, perceived her. As +soon as the examination of the children was over she advanced to Mrs. +Fry. Her Majesty's small figure, her dress blazing with diamonds, her +courtesy and kindness as she spoke to the now celebrated Quakeress, who +stood outwardly calm in the costume of her creed, and just a little +flushed with the unwonted excitement, attracted universal homage. +Around stood several bishops, peers, and peeresses; the hall was filled +with spectators, while outside the crowd surged and swayed as crowds are +wont to do. For a few moments the two women spoke together; then the +strict rules of etiquette were overcome by the enthusiasm of the +assembly and a murmur of applause, followed by a ringing English cheer, +went up. This cheer was repeated by the crowd outside, again and again, +while the most worldly butterfly that ever buzzed and fluttered about a +court learnt that day that there was in goodness and benevolence +something better than fashion and nobler than rank. This was almost, if +not quite, Queen Charlotte's last public appearance; she very soon +afterwards passed to her rest, "old and full of days." + +Ever true to her own womanly instincts, we find Mrs. Fry lamenting, in +her journal, that herself and the prison are becoming quite a show; yet, +on the other hand, she recognized the good of this inconvenience, +inasmuch as the work spread among all classes of society. Various +opinions were passed upon her, and on one occasion a serious +misunderstanding with Lord Sidmouth, respecting a case of capital +punishment, severely tried her constancy. Some carping critics found +fault, others were envious, others censorious and shallow; but neither +good report nor evil report moved her very greatly, although possibly at +times they were the subject of much inward struggle. + +This question of Prison Reform at last reached Parliament. In June, +1818, the Marquis of Lansdowne moved an address to the Prince Regent, +asking an inquiry into the state of the prisons of the United Kingdom. +He made a remarkable speech, quoting facts relating to the miseries of +the jails, and concluded with a high eulogium on Mrs. Fry's labors among +the criminals of Newgate, giving her the title "Genius of Good." This +step drew public attention still more to the matter and prison-visiting +and prison reform became the order of the day. As public attention had +been aroused, and public sympathy had been gained for the cause, it is +not wonderful that beneficial legislative measures were at last carried. + +Meanwhile the ladies continued their good work. It was one of the +cardinal points of their creed, that it was not good for the criminals +to have much intercourse with their friends outside. In past times +unlimited beer had been carried into Newgate; at least the quantity so +disposed of was only limited by the amount of ready cash or credit at +the disposal of the criminals and their friends. This had been stopped +with the happiest results, and now it seemed time to adopt some measures +which should secure some little additional comfort for the prisoners. In +order to effect this a sub-matron, or gate-keeper, was engaged, who +assisted in the duties at the lodge, and kept a small shop "between +gates," where tea, sugar, and other little comforts could be purchased +by the prisoners out of their prison earnings. This step was a +successful one, for with the decrease of temptation from without, came +an increase of comfort from within, provided they earned money and +obeyed rules. Plenty of work could be done, seeing that they all +required more or less clothing, while Botany Bay could take any number +of garments to be utilized for the members of the penal settlement +there. + +Two months after Lord Lansdowne's motion was made in Parliament, Mrs. +Fry, together with Joseph John Gurney, his wife, and her own daughter, +Rachel, went into Scotland on a religious and philanthropic tour. The +chief object of this journey seems to have been the visitation of +Friends' Meetings in that part of the kingdom; but the prison enterprise +was by no means forgotten. In her journal she records visits to meetings +of Friends held at Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and Knowsley. +At the latter place they were guests of the Earl of Derby, and much +enjoyed the palatial hospitality which greeted them. They made a point +of visiting most of the jails and bridewells in the towns through which +they passed, finding in some of them horrors far surpassing anything +that Newgate could have shown them even in its unreformed days. At +Haddington four cells, allotted to prisoners of the tramp and criminal +class, were "very dark, excessively dirty, had clay floors, no +fire-places, straw in one corner for a bed, and in each of them a tub, +the receptacle for all filth." Iron bars were used upon the prisoners so +as to become instruments of torture. In one cell was a poor young man +who was a lunatic--whence nobody knew. He had been subject to the misery +and torture of Haddington jail for eighteen months, without once leaving +his cell for an airing. No clothes were allowed, no medical man attended +those who were incarcerated, and a chaplain never entered there, while +the prison itself was destitute of any airing-yard. The poor debtors, +whether they were few or many, were all confined in one small cell not +nine feet square, where one little bed served for all. + +At Kinghorn, Fifeshire, a young laird had languished in a state of +madness for six years in the prison there, and had at last committed +suicide. Poor deranged human nature flew to death as a remedy against +torture. At Forfar, prisoners were chained to the bedstead; at Berwick, +to the walls of their cells; and at Newcastle to a ring in the floor. +The two most objectionable features in Scotch prisons, as appears from +Mr. Gurney's "Notes" of this tour, were the treatment of debtors, and +the cruelties used to lunatics. Both these classes of individuals were +confined as criminals, and treated with the utmost cruelty. + +According to Scotch law, the jailer and magistrates who committed the +debtor became responsible for the debt, supposing the prisoner to have +effected his escape. Self-interest, therefore, prompted the adoption of +cruel measures to ensure the detention of the unfortunate debtor; while +helpless lunatics were wholly at the mercy of brutalized keepers who +were responsible to hardly any tribunal. Of the horrors of that dark, +terrible time within those prison-walls, few records appear; few cared +to probe the evil, or to propose a remedy. The archives of Eternity +alone contain the captive's cries, and the lamentations of tortured +lunatics. Only one Eye penetrated the dungeons; one Ear heard. Was not +Elizabeth Fry and her coadjutors doing a god-like work? And when she +raised the clarion cry that _Reformation_, not _Revenge_, was the object +of punishment, she shook these old castles of Giant Despair to their +foundations. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE GALLOWS AND ENGLISH LAWS. + + +About this period the subject of Capital Punishment largely attracted +Mrs. Fry's attention. The attitude of Quakers generally towards the +punishment of death, except for murder in the highest degree, was +hostile; but Mrs. Fry's constant intercourse with inmates in the +condemned cell fixed her attention in a very painful manner upon the +subject. For venial crimes, men and women, clinging fondly to life, were +swung off into eternity; and neither the white lips of the +philanthropist, nor the official ones of the appointed chaplain, could +comfort the dying. Among these dying ones were many women, who were +executed for simply passing forged Bank of England notes; but as the +bank had plenary powers to arrange to screen certain persons who were +not to die, these were allowed to get off with a lighter punishment by +pleading "Guilty to the minor count." The condemned cell was never, +however, without its occupant, nor the gallows destitute of its prey. So +Draconian were the laws of humane and Christian England, at this date, +that had they been strictly carried out, at least four executions daily, +exclusive of Sundays, would have taken place in this realm. + +According to Hepworth Dixon, and contemporary authorities, the +sanguinary measures of the English Government for the punishment of +crimes dated from about the time of the Jacobite rebellion, in 1745. +Prior to that time, adventurers of every grade, the idle, vicious, and +unemployed, had found an outlet for their turbulence and their energies +in warfare--engaging on behalf of the Jacobites, or the Government, +according as it suited their fancy. But when the House of Hanover +conquered, and the trade of war became spoiled within the limits of +Great Britain, troops of these discharged soldiers took to a marauding +life; the high roads became infested with robbers, and crimes of +violence were frequent. Alarmed at the license displayed by these +Ishmaelites, the Government of the day arrayed its might against them, +enacting such sanguinary measures that at first sight it seemed as if +the deliberate intent were to literally cut them off and root them out +from the land. That era was indeed a bloodthirsty one in English +jurisprudence. + +Enactments were passed in the reign of the second George, whereby it +was made a capital crime to rob the mail, or any post-office; to kill, +steal, or drive away any sheep or cattle, with intention to steal, or to +be accessory to the crime. The "Black Act," first passed in the reign of +George I., and enlarged by George II., punished by hanging, the hunting, +killing, stealing, or wounding any deer in any park or forest; maiming +or killing any cattle, destroying any fish or fish-pond, cutting down or +killing any tree planted in any garden or orchard, or cutting any +hop-bands in hop plantations. Forgery, smuggling, coining, passing bad +coin, or forged notes, and shop-lifting; all were punishable by death. +From a table published by Janssen, and quoted from Hepworth Dixon, we +find that in twenty-three years, from 1749 to 1771, eleven hundred and +twenty-one persons were condemned to death in London alone. The offenses +for which these poor wretches received sentence included those named +above, in addition to seventy-two cases of murder, two cases of riot, +one of sacrilege, thirty-one of returning from transportation, and four +of enlisting for foreign service. Of the total number condemned, six +hundred and seventy-eight were actually hanged, while the remainder +either died in prison, were transported, or pardoned. As four hundred +and one persons were transported, a very small number indeed obtained +deliverance either by death or pardon. In fact, scarcely any extenuating +circumstances were allowed; so that in some cases cruelty seemed +actually to have banished justice. It is recorded, as one of these +cases, that a young woman with a babe at the breast, was hanged for +stealing from a shop a piece of cloth of the value of five shillings. +The poor woman was the destitute wife of a young man whom the press-gang +had captured and carried off to sea, leaving her and her babe to the +mercy of the world. Utterly homeless and starving, she stole to buy +food; but a grateful country requited the services of the sailor-husband +by hanging the wife. + +The _certainty_ of punishment became nullified by the _severity_ of the +laws. Humane individuals hesitated to prosecute, especially for forgery; +while juries seized upon every pretext to return verdicts of "Not +guilty." Reprieves were frequent, for the lives of many were +supplicated, and successfully; so that the death-penalty was commuted +into transportation. Caricaturists, writers, philanthropists, +divines--all united in the chorus of condemnation against the bloody +enactments which secured such a crop for the gallows. Men, women, girls, +lads and idiots, all served as food for it. Jack Ketch had a merry time +of it, while society looked on well pleased, for the most part. Those +appointed to sit in the seat of justice sometimes defended this state of +things. One of the worthies of the "good old times"--Judge +Heath--notorious because of his partiality for hanging, is reported to +have said: "If you imprison at home, the criminal is soon thrown back +upon you hardened in guilt. If you transport you corrupt infant +societies, and sow the seeds of atrocious crimes over the habitable +globe. There is no regenerating a felon in this life. And, for his own +sake, as well as for the sake of society, I think it better to hang." + +As a caricaturist George Cruikshank entered the field, and waged battle +on behalf of the poor wretches who swung at the gallows for passing +forged Bank of England notes. He drew a note resembling the genuine one, +and entitled it "Bank note, _not_ to be imitated." A copy of this +caricature now lies before us. It bears on its face a representation of +a large gallows, from which eleven criminals, three of whom are women, +are dangling, dead. In the upper left hand corner, Britannia is +represented as surrounded by starving, wailing creatures, and surmounted +by a hideous death's head. Underneath is a rope coiled around the +portraits of twelve felons who have suffered; while, running down, to +form a border, are fetters arranged in zig-zag fashion. Across the note +run these words, "_Ad lib., ad lib._, I promise to perform during the +issue of Bank notes easily imitated, and until the resumption of cash +payments, or the abolition of the punishment of death, for the Governors +and Company of the Bank of England.--J. KETCH." The note is a unique +production, and must have created an enormous sensation. Cruikshank's +own story, writing in 1876, is this:-- + + Fifty-eight years back from this date there were one-pound Bank of + England notes in circulation, and, unfortunately, many forged notes + were in circulation also, or being passed, the punishment for which + offense was in some cases transportation, in others DEATH. At this + period, having to go early to the Royal Exchange one morning, I + passed Newgate jail, and saw several persons suspended from the + gibbet; _two_ of these were women who had been executed for passing + one-pound forged notes. + + I determined, if possible, to put a stop to such terrible + punishments for such a crime, and made a sketch of the above note, + and then an etching of it. + + Mr. Hone published it, and it created a sensation. The Directors of + the Bank of England were exceedingly wroth. The crowd around Hone's + shop in Ludgate Hill was so great that the Lord Mayor had to send + the police to clear the street. The notes were in such demand that + they could not be printed fast enough, and I had to sit up all one + night to etch another plate. Mr. Hone realized above £700, and I + had the satisfaction of knowing that no man or woman was ever + hanged after this for passing one-pound Bank of England notes. + + The issue of my "Bank Note note not to be Imitated" not only put a + stop to the issue of any more Bank of England one-pound notes, but + also put a stop to the punishment of death for such an offense--not + only for that, but likewise for forgery--and then the late Sir + Robert Peel revised the penal code; so that the final effect of my + note was to stop hanging for all minor offenses, and has thus been + the means of saving thousands of men and women from being hanged. + +It may be that the great caricaturist claims almost too much when he +says that the publication of his note eventually stopped hanging for all +minor offenses; but certainly there is no denying that this publication +was an important factor in the agitation. + +It is said that George III. kept a register of all the cases of capital +punishment, that he entered in it all names of felons sentenced to +death, with dates and particulars of convictions, together with remarks +upon the reasons which induced him to sign the warrants. It is also said +that he frequently rose from his couch at night to peruse this fatal +list, and that he shut himself up closely in his private apartments +during the hours appointed for the execution of criminals condemned to +death. + +Tyburn ceased to be the place of execution for London in 1783; from that +year Newgate witnessed most of these horrors. + +Philanthropists of every class were, at the period of Mrs. Fry's career +now under review, considering this matter of capital punishment, and +taking steps to restrain the infliction of the death penalty. The Gurney +family among Quakers, William Wilberforce, Sir James Mackintosh, Sir +Samuel Romilly, and others, were all working hard to this end. In 1819 +William Wilberforce presented a petition from the Society of Friends to +Parliament against death punishment for crimes other than murder. +Writing at later dates upon this subject, Joseph John Gurney says: "I +cannot say that my spirit greatly revolts against life for life, though +capital punishment for anything short of this appears to me to be +execrable." And, again, "I cannot in conscience take any step towards +destroying the life of a fellow-creature whose crime against society +affects my property only. I am in possession, like other men, of the +feelings of common humanity, and to aid and abet in procuring the +destruction of any man living would be to me extremely distressing and +horrible." As a banker, Mr. Gurney felt that the punishment for forgery +should be heavy and sharp, but less than death. In the Houses of +Parliament various efforts were made to obtain the commutation of the +death penalty, and when in 1810 the Peers rejected Sir Samuel Romilly's +bill to remove the penalty for shop-lifting, the Dukes of Sussex and +Gloucester joined some of the Peers in signing a protest against the +law. The time appeared to be ripe for agitation; all classes of society +reverenced human life more than of old, and desired to see it held less +cheap by the ministers of justice. + +According to Mrs. Fry's experience, the punishment of death tended +neither to the security of the people, the reformation of any prisoner, +nor the diminution of crime. Felons who suffered death for light +offenses looked upon themselves as martyrs--martyrs to a cruel law--and +believed that they had but to meet death with fortitude to secure a +blissful hereafter. This fearful opiate carried many through the +terrible ordeal outwardly calm and resigned. + +Among the condemned ones was Harriet Skelton, a woman who had been +detected passing forged Bank of England notes. She was described as +prepossessing, "open, confiding, expressing strong feelings on her +countenance, but neither hardened in depravity nor capable of cunning." +Her behavior in prison was exceptionally good; so good, indeed, that +some of the depraved inmates of Newgate supposed her to have been +condemned to death because of her fitness for death. She had evidently +been more sinned against than sinning; the man whom she lived with, and +who was ardently loved by her, had used her as his instrument for +passing these false notes. Thus she had been lured to destruction. + +After the decision had been received from the Lords of the Council, +Skelton was taken into the condemned cell to await her doom. To this +cell came numerous visitors, attracted by compassion for the poor +unfortunate who tenanted it, and each one eager to obtain the +commutation of the cruel sentence. It was one thing to read of one or +another being sentenced to death, but quite another to behold a woman, +strong in possession of, and desire for life, fated to be swung into +eternity before many days because of circulating a false note at the +behest of a paramour. Mrs. Fry needed not the many persuasions she +received to induce her to put forth the most unremitting exertions on +behalf of Skelton. She obtained an audience of the Duke of Gloucester, +and urged every circumstance which could be urged in extenuation of the +crime, entreating for the woman's life. The royal duke remembered the +old days at Norwich, when Elizabeth had been know in fashionable society +and had figured somewhat as a belle, and he bent a willing ear to her +request. He visited Newgate, escorted by Mrs. Fry, and saw for himself +the agony in that condemned cell. Then he accompanied her to the bank +directors, and applied to Lord Sidmouth personally, but all in vain. It +was not blood for blood, nor life for life, but blood for "filthy +lucre;" so the poor woman was hung in obedience to the inexorable +ferocity of the law and its administrators. + +On this occasion Mrs. Fry was seriously distressed in mind. She had +vehemently entreated for the poor creature's life, stating that she had +had the offer of pleading guilty only to the minor count, but had +foolishly rejected it in hope of obtaining a pardon. The question at +issue on this occasion was the power of the bank directors to virtually +decide as to the doom of the accused ones. Mrs. Fry made assertions and +gave instances which Lord Sidmouth assumed to doubt. Further than this, +he was seriously annoyed at the noise this question of capital +punishment was making in the land, and though not necessarily a cruel or +blood-thirsty man, the Home Secretary shrank from meddling too much with +the criminal code of England. This misunderstanding was a source of deep +pain to the philanthropist, and, accompanied by Lady Harcourt, she +endeavored to remove Lord Sidmouth's false impressions, but in vain. +While smarting under this wound, received in the interests of humanity, +she had to go to the Mansion House by command of Her Majesty Queen +Charlotte, to be presented. Thus, very strangely, and against her will, +she was thrust forward into the very foremost places of public +observation and repute. She recorded the matter in her journal, in her +own characteristic way:-- + + "Yesterday I had a day of ups and downs, as far as the opinions of + man are concerned, in a remarkable degree. I found that there was a + grievous misunderstanding between Lord Sidmouth and myself, and + that some things I had done had tried him exceedingly; indeed, I + see that I have mistaken my conduct in some particulars respecting + the case of poor Skelton, and in the efforts made to save her life, + I too incautiously spoke of some in power. When under great + humiliation in consequence of this, Lady Harcourt, who most kindly + interested herself in the subject, took me with her to the Mansion + House, rather against my will, to meet many of the royal family at + the examination of some large schools. Among the rest, the Queen + was there. There was quite a buzz when I went into the Egyptian + Hall, where one or two thousand people were collected; and when the + Queen came to speak to me, which she did very kindly, I am told + that there was a general clapp. I think I may say this hardly + raised me at all; I was so very low from what had occurred + before.... My mind has not recovered this affair of Lord Sidmouth, + and finding that the bank directors are also affronted with me + added to my trouble, more particularly as there was an appearance + of evil in my conduct; but, I trust, no greater fault in reality + than a want of prudence in that which I expressed." + +The Society of Friends had always been opposed to capital punishment. +Ten years previously, Sir Samuel Romilly had determined to attack these +sanguinary enactments, one by one, in order to ensure success. He began, +therefore, with the Act of Queen Elizabeth, "which made it a capital +offense to steal privately from the person of another." William Alien +records in the same year, 1808, the formation of a "Society for +Diffusing Information on the Subject of Punishment by Death." This +little band worked with Sir Samuel until his painful death in 1818; +while Dr. Parr, Jeremy Bentham, and Dugald Stewart aided the enterprise +by words of encouragement, both in public and in private. In Joseph John +Gurney's Memoirs, it is stated that Dr. Lushington declared his opinion +that the poor criminal was thus hurried out of life and into eternity by +means of the perpetration of another crime far greater, for the most +part, than any which the sufferer had committed. + +The feeling grew, and in place of the indifference and scorn of human +life which had formerly characterized society, there sprang up an eager +desire to save life, except for the crime of murder. In May, 1821, Sir +James Mackintosh introduced a bill for "Mitigating the Severity of +Punishment in Certain Cases of Forgery, and Crimes connected +therewith." Buxton, in advocating this measure, says truly: + + The people have made enormous strides in all that tends to civilize + and soften mankind, while the laws have contracted a ferocity which + did not belong to them in the most savage period of our history; + and, to such extremes of distress have they proceeded that I do + believe there never was a law so harsh as British law, or so + merciful and humane a people as the British people. And yet to this + mild and merciful people is left the execution of that rigid and + cruel law. + +This measure was defeated, but the numbers of votes were so nearly +equal, that the defeat was actually a victory. + +Time went on. In 1831, Sir Robert Peel took up the gauntlet against +capital punishment, and endeavored to induce Parliament to abolish the +death-penalty for forgery; the House of Commons voted its abolition, but +the Lords restored the clauses retaining the penalty. One thousand +bankers signed a petition praying that the vote of the Commons might be +sustained, but in vain; still, in deference to public opinion, after +this the death-penalty was not inflicted upon a forger. Nevertheless, +there remained plenty of food for the gallows. An incendiary, as well as +a sheep-stealer, was liable to capital punishment; and so severely was +the law strained upon these points, that he who set fire to a rick in a +field, as well as he who found a half-dead sheep and carried it home, +was condemned without mercy. But the advocates of mercy continued their +good work until, finally, the gallows became the penalty for only those +offenses which concerned human life and high treason. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +CONVICT SHIPS AND CONVICT SETTLEMENTS. + + +More work opened before the indefatigable worker. Frequently batches of +female convicts were despatched to New South Wales, and, according to +the custom at Newgate, departure was preceded by total disregard of +order. Windows, furniture, clothing, all were wantonly destroyed; while +the procession from the prison to the convict ship was one of brutal, +debasing riot. The convicts were conveyed to Deptford, in open wagons, +accompanied by the rabble and scum of the populace. These crowds +followed the wagons, shouting to the prisoners, defying all regulations, +and inciting them to more defiance of rules. Some of the convicts were +laden with irons; others were chained together by twos. Mrs. Fry +addressed herself first to the manner of departure, and, rightly judging +that the open wagons conduced to much disorder, prevailed on the +governor of Newgate to engage hackney-coaches for the occasion. Further, +she promised the women that, provided they would behave in an orderly +manner, she, together with a few other ladies, would accompany them to +the ship. Faithful to her promise, her carriage closed the line of +hackney-coaches; three or four ladies were with her, and thus, in a +fashion at once strangely quiet and novel, the transports reached the +place of embarkation. + +There were one hundred and twenty-eight convicts that day; no small +number upon which to experimentalize. As soon as they reached the ship +they were herded together below decks like so many cattle, with nothing +to do but to curse, swear, fight, recount past crimes, relate foul +stories, or plot future evil. True, there was some attempt at order and +classification, for they were divided into messes of six each, and Mrs. +Fry eagerly seized upon this arrangement to form a basis of control. She +proposed to the convicts that they should be arranged in classes of +twelve, according to ages and criminality; to this they assented. A +class thus furnished two messes, while over each class was placed one of +the most steady convicts, in order to enforce the rules as much as +possible. She provided in this way for superintendence. + +The next arrangement concerned work for the women, and instruction for +the children. "Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do;" +accordingly the ladies looked about for plans and methods whereby the +enforced weariness of a long voyage should be counteracted. They had +heard that patch-work and fancy-work found a ready sale in New South +Wales, so they hit upon a scheme which should ensure success in more +ways than one. Having made known their dilemma, and their desires, they +were cheered by receiving from some wholesale houses in London +sufficient remnants of cotton print and materials for knitting to +furnish all the convicts with work. There was ample time to perfect all +arrangements, seeing that the ship lay at Deptford about five weeks; as +the result of Mrs. Fry's journeys to and fro, every woman had given to +her the chance of benefiting herself. In this way they were informed +that if they chose to devote the leisure of the voyage to making up the +materials thus placed in their hands, they would be allowed upon arrival +at the colony to dispose of the articles for their own profit. + +There was thus a new stimulus to exertion as well as a collateral good. +Hitherto, no refuge, home, or building of any description had existed +for the housing of the women when landed at the port of disembarkation. +There was "not so much as a hut in which they could take refuge, so that +they were literally driven to vice, or left to lie in the streets." The +system of convict-management at that date was one of compulsory labor, +or mostly so. This plan tended to produce tyranny, insubordination, +deception, vice, and "the social evil." In the case of men, Captain +Mackonochie testified that they were sullen, lazy, insubordinate and +vicious; the women, if not engaged quickly in respectable domestic +service, and desirous of being kept respectable, become curses to the +colony. But by the means adopted by Mrs. Fry each woman was enabled to +earn sufficient money to provide for board and lodging until some +opening for a decent maintenance presented itself. They thus obtained a +fair start. + +Provision was also made for instruction of both women and children on +board ship. It may be asked how children came there? Generally they were +of tender years and the offspring of vice; the authorities could do +nothing with them; so, perforce, they were allowed to accompany their +mothers. Out of the batch on board this transport-vessel, fourteen were +found to be of an age capable of instruction. A small space was, +therefore, set apart in the stern of the vessel for a school-room, and +there, daily, under the tuition of one of the women better taught than +the rest, these waifs of humanity learned to read, knit and sew. This +slender stock of learning was better than none, wherewith to commence +life at the Antipodes. + +Almost daily, for five weeks, Mrs. Fry and her coadjutors visited the +vessel, laboring to these good ends. Ultimately, however, the _Maria_ +had to sail, and many were the doubts and fears as to whether the good +work begun would be carried on when away from English shores. No matron +was there to superintend and to direct the women: if they continued in +the path marked out for them, their poor human nature could not be so +fallen after all. Mrs. Fry had a kind of religious service with the +convicts the last time she visited them. She occupied a position near +the door of the cabin, with the women facing her, and ranged on the +quarter-deck, while the sailors occupied different positions in the +rigging and on other vantage points. As Mrs. Fry read in a solemn voice +some passages from her pocket-Bible, the sailors on board the other +ships leaned over to hear the sacred words. After the reading was done, +she knelt down, and commended the party of soon-to-be exiles to God's +mercy, while those for whom she prayed sobbed bitterly that they should +see her face no more. Does it not recall the parting of Paul with the +elders at Miletus? Doubtless the memory of that simple service was in +after days often the only link between some of these women and goodness. + +As time went on, many anxious remembrances and hopes were cast after +the convicts who had been shipped to New South Wales. To her sorrow, she +found, from the most reliable testimony, that once the poor lost +wretches were landed in the colony, they were placed in circumstances +that absolutely nullified all the benevolent work which had gone before, +and were literally driven by force of circumstances to their +destruction. The female convicts, from the time of their landing, were +"without shelter, without resources, and without protection. Rations, or +a small amount of provision, sufficient to maintain life, they certainly +had allotted to them daily; but a place to sleep in, or money to obtain +shelter or necessary clothing for themselves, and, when mothers, for +their children, they were absolutely without." An interesting but sad +letter was received by Mrs. Fry from the Rev. Samuel Marsden, chaplain +at Paramatta, New South Wales, and although long, it affords so much +information on this question, that no apology is required for +introducing it here. As the testimony of an eyewitness it is valuable:-- + + HONORED MADAM, + + Having learned from the public papers, as well as from my friends + in England, the lively interest you have taken in promoting the + temporal and eternal welfare of those unhappy females who fall + under the sentence of the law, I am induced to address a few lines + to you respecting such as visit our distant shores. It may be + gratifying to you, Madam, to hear that I meet with those wretched + exiles, who have shared your attentions, and who mention your + maternal care with gratitude and affection. From the measures you + have adopted, and the lively interest you have excited in the + public feeling, on the behalf of these miserable victims of vice + and woe, I now hope the period is not very distant when their + miseries will be in some degree alleviated. I have been striving + for more than twenty years to obtain for them some relief, but + hitherto have done them little good. It has not been in my power to + move those in authority to pay much attention to their wants and + miseries. I have often been urged in my own mind, to make an appeal + to the British nation, and to lay their case before the public. + + In the year 1807, I returned to Europe. Shortly after my arrival in + London, I stated in a memorial to His Grace the Archbishop of + Canterbury the miserable situation of the female convicts, to His + Majesty's Government at the Colonial Office, and to several members + of the House of Commons. From the assurances that were then made, + that barracks should be built for the accommodation of the female + convicts, I entertained no doubt but that the Government would have + given instructions to the Governor to make some provisions for + them. On my return to the colony, in 1810, I found things in the + same state I left them; five years after my again arriving in the + colony, I took the liberty to speak to the Governor, as opportunity + afforded, on the subject in question, and was surprised to learn + that no instructions had been communicated to His Excellency from + His Majesty's Government, after what had passed between me and + those in authority at home, relative to the state of the female + convicts. At length I resolved to make an official statement of + their miserable situation to the Governor, and, if the Governor did + not feel himself authorized to build a barrack for them, to + transmit my memorial to my friends in England, with His + Excellency's answer, as a ground for them to renew my former + application to Government for some relief. Accordingly, I forwarded + my memorial, with a copy of the Governor's answer, home to more + than one of my friends. I have never been convinced that no + instructions were given by His Majesty's Government to provide + barracks for the female convicts; on the contrary, my mind is + strongly impressed in that instructions were given; if they were + not, I can only say that this was a great omission, after the + promises that were made. I was not ignorant that the sending home + of my letter to the Governor and his answer, would subject me to + the censure as well as the displeasure of my superiors. I informed + some of my friends in England, as well as in the colony, that if no + attention was paid to the female convicts, I was determined to lay + their case before the British nation; and then I was certain, from + the moral and religious feeling which pervades all ranks, that + redress would be obtained. However, nothing has been done yet to + remedy the evils of which I complain. For the last five and twenty + years many of the convict women have been driven to vice to obtain + a loaf of bread, or a bed to lie upon. To this day there never has + been a place to put the female convicts in when they land from the + ships. Many of the women have told me with tears their distress of + mind on this account; some would have been glad to have returned to + the paths of virtue if they could have found a hut to live in + without forming improper connections. Some of these women, when + they have been brought before the magistrate, and I have + remonstrated with them for their crime, have replied, "I have no + other means of living; I am compelled to give my weekly allowance + of provisions for my lodgings, and I must starve or live in vice." + I was well aware that this statement was correct, and was often at + a loss what to answer. It is not only the calamities that these + wretched women and their children suffer that are to be regretted, + but the general corruption of morals that such a system establishes + in this rising colony, and the ruin their example spreads through + all the settlements. The male convicts in the service of the Crown, + or in that of individuals, are tempted to rob and plunder + continually, to supply the urgent necessities of those women. + + All the female convicts have not run the same lengths in vice. All + are not equally hardened in crime, and it is most dreadful that all + should alike, on their arrival here, be liable and exposed to the + same dangerous temptations, without any remedy. I rejoice, Madam, + that you reside near the seat of Government, and may have it in + your power to call the attention of His Majesty's Ministers to this + important subject--a subject in which the entire welfare of these + settlements is involved. If proper care be taken of the women, the + colony will prosper, and the expenses of the mother-country will be + reduced. On the contrary, if the morals of the female convicts are + wholly neglected, as they have been hitherto, the colony will be + only a nursery for crime.... + + Your good intentions and benevolent labors will all be abortive if + the exiled females, on their arrival in the colony, are plunged + into every ruinous temptation and sort of vice--which will ever be + the case till some barrack is provided for them. Great evils in a + state cannot soon be remedied.... I believe the Governor has got + instructions from home to provide accommodation for the female + convicts, and I hope in two or three years to see them lodged in a + comfortable barrack; so that none shall be lost for want of a hut + to lie in. If a communication be kept up on a regular plan between + this colony and London, much good may be done for the poor female + convicts. It was the custom for some years, when a ship with female + convicts arrived, soldiers, convicts, and settlers were allowed to + go on board and take their choice; this custom does not now openly + obtain countenance and sanction, but when they are landed they have + no friend, nor any accommodation, and therefore are glad to live + with anyone who can give them protection; so the real moral state + of these females is little improved from what it always has been, + nor will it be the least improved till they can be provided with a + barrack. The neglect of the female convicts in this country is a + disgrace to our national character, as well as a national sin. Many + do not live out half their days, from their habits of vice. When I + am called to visit them on their dying beds, my mind is greatly + pained, my mouth is shut; I know not what to say to them.... To + tell them of their crimes is to upbraid them with misfortune; they + will say, "Sir, you know how I was situated. I do not wish to lead + the life I have done; I know and lament my sins, but necessity + compelled me to do what my conscience condemned."... Many, again, + I meet with who think these things no crime, because they believe + their necessities compel them to live in their sins. Hence their + consciences are so hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, that + death itself gives them little concern.... + + I have the honor to be, Madam, + Your most obedient humble servant, + SAMUEL MARSDEN. + +This appeal was not disregarded: in due time official apathy and +inertness fled before the national cry for reform. Meanwhile, Mrs. Fry +continued her efforts on behalf of the convicts on board the transports, +ever urging upon those in power the imperative necessity for placing the +women under the charge of matrons. They still continued on the old plan, +and were wholly in the power of the sailors, except for such supervision +as the Naval Surgeon Superintendent could afford. Some little +improvements had taken place, since that first trip to the Maria +convict-ship, but very much still remained to be done. To these floating +prisons, frequently detained for weeks in the Thames, Mrs. Fry paid +numerous visits, arranging for the instruction, employment, and +cleanliness of the women. A worthy fellow-helper, Mrs. Pryor, was her +companion, on most of these journeys, frequently enduring exposure to +weather, rough seas, and accidents. On one occasion the two sisters of +mercy ran the risk of drowning, but were fortunately rescued by a +passing vessel. Very fortunate, indeed, was it, that a deliverer was at +hand, or the little boat, toiling up the river, contending against tide, +wind and weather, might have been lost. That voyage to Gravesend was +only one among many destined to work a revolution in female convict +life. + +Alterations, which were not always improvements, began to take place in +the manner of receiving these women on board ship. The vessels were +moored at Woolwich, and group by group the miserable complement of +passengers arrived; in each case, however, controlled by male warders. +Sometimes, a turnkey would bring his party on the outside of a +stage-coach; another might bring a contingent in a smack, or coasting +vessel; while yet a third marched up a band of heavily-ironed women, +whose dialects told from which districts they came. Sometimes their +infants were left behind, and, in such a case, one of the ladies would +go to Whitehall to obtain the necessary order to enable the unfortunate +nursling to accompany its mother; but generally speaking, the children +accompanied and shared the parents' fortunes. + +Cruelties were inseparable from the customs which prevailed. In 1822, +Mrs. Pryor discovered that prisoners from Lancaster Castle arrived, not +merely handcuffed, but with heavy irons on their legs, which had +occasioned considerable swelling, and in one instance serious +inflammation. _The Brothers_ sailed in 1823, with its freight of human +misery on board, and the suffering which resulted from the mode of +ironing, was so great, that Mrs. Fry took down the names id particulars, +in order to make representations to the Government. Twelve women +arrived on board the vessel, handcuffed; eleven others had iron hoops +round their legs and arms, and were chained to each other. The +complaints of these women were mournful; they were not allowed to get up +or down from the coach, without the whole party being dragged together; +some of them had children to carry, but they received no help, no +alleviation to their sufferings. One woman from Wales must have had a +bitter experience of irons. She came to the ship with a hoop around her +ankle, and when the sub-matron insisted on having it removed, the +operation was so painful that the poor wretch fainted. She told Mrs. Fry +that she had worn, for some time, an iron hoop around her waist; from +that, a chain connected with hoops round her legs above the knee; from +these, another chain was fastened to irons round her ankles. Not content +with this, her hands were confined _every night_ to the hoop which went +round her waist, while she lay like a log on her bed of straw. Such +tales remind one of the tortures of the Inquisition. + +The "Newgate women" were especially noticeable for good conduct on the +voyage out. Their conduct was reported to be "exemplary" by the Surgeon +Superintendent, and their industry was most pleasing. Their patchwork +was highly prized by many, and indeed treasured up by some of them for +many years after. Officers in the British navy assisted in the good work +by word and deed; in fact, Captain Young, of Deptford Dockyard, first +suggested the making of patchwork as an employment on board ship. From +some correspondence which passed between Mrs. Fry and the Controller of +the Navy, in 1820, we find that the building for the women in New South +Wales was begun; while in a letter written about this time to a member +of the Government, she explains her desires and plans relative to the +female convicts after their arrival at Hobart Town, Tasmania. + +This letter is full of interesting points. After noticing the fact of +the building at Hobart Town being imperatively needed, she goes on to +suggest that a respectable and judicious matron should be stationed in +that building, responsible, under the Governor and magistrates, for the +order of the inmates; that part of the building should be devoted to +school purposes; that immediately on the arrival of a ship, a Government +Inspector should visit the vessel and report; that the Surgeon +Superintendent should have a description of each woman's offense, +character, and capability, so that her disposal in the colony might be +made in a little less hap-hazard fashion than hitherto; that the best +behaved should be taken into domestic service by such of the residents +of the colony as chose to coöperate, while the others should remain at +the Home, under prison rules, until they have earned the privilege of +going to service; and that a sufficient supply of serviceable clothing +should be provided. She further recommended the adoption of a uniform +dress for the convicts, as conducive to order and discipline, and, as a +last and indispensable condition, the appointment of a matron, in order +to enforce needful regulations. This epistle was sent with the prayer +that Earl Bathurst would peruse it, and grant the requests of the +writer. It is refreshing to be able to add that red tapeism did not +interfere with the adoption of these suggestions, but that they met with +prompt consideration. + +Every year, four, five, or six convict-ships went out to the colonies of +Australia with their burdens of sin, sorrow and guilt. Van Diemen's Land +and New South Wales received annually fresh consignments of the outcast +iniquity of the Old World. Mrs. Fry made a point of visiting each ship +before it sailed, as many times as her numerous duties permitted, and +bade the convicts most affectionate and anxious farewells. These +good-bye visits were always semi-religious ones; without her Bible and +the teaching which pointed to a better life beyond, Mrs. Fry would have +been helpless to cope with the vice and misery which surged up before +her. As it was, her heart sometimes grew faint and weary in the work, +though not by any means weary of it. As an apostle of mercy to the +well-nigh lost, she moved in and out among those sin-stricken companies. + +Captain (afterwards Admiral) Young, Principal Resident Agent of +Transports on the river Thames, forwarded the good work by every +possible means. From the pen of one of the members of his family, we +have a vivid picture of one of these leave-takings. It occurred on board +a vessel lying off Woolwich, in 1826. William Wilberforce, of +anti-slavery fame, and several other friends, accompanied the party. +This chronicler writes:-- + + On board one of them [there were two convict ships lying in the + river] between two and three hundred women were assembled, in order + to listen to the exhortations and prayers of perhaps the two + brightest personifications of Christian philanthropy that the age + could boast. Scarcely could two voices even so distinguished for + beauty and power be imagined united in a more touching engagement; + as, indeed, was testified by the breathless attention, the tears + and suppressed sobs of the gathered listeners. No lapse of time can + ever efface the impression of the 107th Psalm, as read by Mrs. Fry + with such extraordinary emphasis and intonation, that it seemed to + make the simple reading a commentary. + +We find in the annals of her life the particulars of another visit to +the _George Hibbert_ convict-ship, in 1734. She had, about this time, +pleaded earnestly with Lord Melbourne, the Home Secretary, for the +appointment of matrons to these vessels. She records gratefully the +fact, that both his lordship and Mr. Spring Rice received her "in the +handsomest manner," giving her a most patient and appreciative hearing. +She succeeded at this time in obtaining a part of the boon which she +craved. Mrs. Saunders, the wife of a missionary returning to the colony, +was permitted by the Government to fill the office of matron to the +convicts. For this service, Government gave the lady a free passage. +There was double advantage in this, because, when by reason of +sea-sickness, Mrs. Saunders felt ill, Mr. Saunders occupied her place as +far as possible, and performed the duties of chaplain and school-master. +The Ladies' British Society, formed by Mrs. Fry, for the superintendence +of this and other good works relating to convicts and prisons, united in +promoting the appointment of this worthy couple, and were highly +gratified at the result of the experiment; as appears by extracts from +the books of the Convict Ship Committee. Finally, when the voyage was +ended, the Surgeon Superintendent gave good-conduct tickets to all whose +behavior had been satisfactory, and secured them engagements in +respectable situations. Better than all, there was a proper building +which ensured shelter, classification, and restraint. The horrors of the +outcast life, so vividly described by Mr. Marsden in his letter from +Paramatta, no longer existed. The work of these ladies, uphill though it +had been, was now bearing manifold fruit. And the results of this more +humane and rational system of treatment upon the future of the colonies +themselves could not but appear in time. There were on board this very +vessel, the _George Hibbert_, 150 female convicts, with forty-one +children; also nine free women, carrying with them twenty-three young +children, who were going out to their husbands who had been transported +previously. When it is remembered that these people were laying the +foundations of new colonies, and peopling them with their descendants, +it must be conceded that in her efforts to humanize and christianize +them, Mrs. Fry's far-reaching philanthropy became a great national +benefit. With modest thankfulness, she herself records, after an +interview with Queen Adelaide and some of the royal family, "Surely, the +result of our labors has hitherto been beyond our most sanguine +expectations, as to the improved state of our prisons, female +convict-ships, and the convicts in New South Wales." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +VISITS TO CONTINENTAL PRISONS. + + +Contrary to the general practice of mankind in matters of pure +benevolence, Mrs. Fry looked around for new worlds to conquer, in the +shape of yet unfathomed prison miseries. Many, if not most people, would +have rested upon the laurels already won, and have been contented with +the measures of good already achieved. Not so with the philanthropist +whose work we sketch. Like an ever-widening stream, her life rolled on, +full of acts of mercy, growing wider and broader in its channel of +operations and its schemes of mercy. In pursuance of these schemes she +visited prisons at Nottingham, Lincoln, Wakefield, Leeds, Doncaster, +Sheffield, York, Durham, Newcastle, Carlisle, Lancaster, Liverpool, and +most other towns of any size in England. She extended these journeys, at +different times, into Scotland and Ireland, examining into the condition +of prisons and prisoners with the deepest interest. It was her usual +custom to form ladies' prison-visiting societies, wherever practicable, +and to communicate to the authorities subsequently her views and +suggestions in letters, dealing with these matters in detail. + +But her fame was not confined within the limits of the British Isles. +Communications reached her from St. Petersburg, from Hamburg, from +Brussels, from Baden, from Paris, Berlin, and Potsdam; all tending to +show that enquiry was abroad, that nations and governments as well as +individuals were waking up to a sense of their responsibilities. Both +rulers and legislators were beginning to see that _preventing_ crime was +wiser than _punishing_ it, that the reformation of the criminal classes +was the great end of punitive measures. This conviction reached, it was +comparatively easy for the philanthropists to work. + +Before proceeding to the Continent, however, we find notes of one or two +very interesting visits to the Channel Isles. Her first visit was made +in 1833, and, to her surprise, she found that the islands had most +thoroughly ignored the prison teachings and improvements which had been +gaining so much ground in the United Kingdom. The reason of this was not +far to seek. Acts of Parliament passed in England had no power in the +Channel Isles; as part of the old Duchy of Normandy, they were governed +by their own laws and customs. The inhabitants, in their appearance, +manners, language, and usages, resemble the French more than they do the +English. Nothing deterred, however, Mrs. Fry made a tour of inspection, +and then according to her custom sent the result of her inquiries, and +the conclusions at which she had arrived, in the form of a letter to the +authorities. That letter is far too long for reproduction _in extenso_, +but a few of its leading recommendations were:-- + + 1st. A full sufficiency of employment, proportioned to the age, + sex, health and ability of each prisoner. + + 2d. A proper system of classification, including the separation of + men from women, of tried from untried prisoners, and of debtors + from criminals. + + 3d. A fixed and suitable dietary for criminals, together with an + absolute prohibition of intoxicating drinks. + + 4th. A suitable prison dress with distinctive badges. + + 5th. A complete code of regulations binding on all officials. + + 6th. The appointment of a visiting committee to inspect the prison + regularly and frequently. + + 7th. Provision to be made for the instruction of criminals in the + common branches of education, and for the performance of divine + service at stated seasons by an appointed chaplain. + +After adverting to the fact that the island was independent of British +control, she alluded to "the progressive wisdom of the age" in respect +to prison discipline and management, and urged the authorities to be +abreast of the times in adopting palliative measures. The whole penal +system of the islands required to be renewed, and it promised to be a +work of time before this could be effected. We find that Mrs. Fry +exerted herself for many years to this end; but it was not until after +the lapse of years, and after two visits to the islands, that she +succeeded. + +The hospital at Jersey seemed to be a curious sort of institution +designed to shelter destitute sick and poor, as well as to secure the +persons of small offenders, and lunatics. Punishment with fetters was +inflicted in this place upon all those who tried to escape, so that it +was a sort of prison. Mrs. Fry's quick eye detected many abuses in its +management, and her pen suggested remedies for them. + +At Guernsey, the same irregularities and abuses appeared, and were +attacked in her characteristic manner. In both these islands, as well as +in Sark, she inaugurated works of charity and religion, thus sowing +imperishable seed destined to bear untold fruit. Finally, after more +visits from herself, and special inspectors appointed by Government, a +new house of correction was built in Jersey, while other improvements +necessary to the working out of her prison system were, one by one, +adopted. + +In January, 1838, she paid her first visit to France, being accompanied +on this journey by her husband, by Josiah Forster, and by Lydia Irving, +members of the Society of Friends. True to her instinct, she found her +way speedily into the prisons of the French capital, examining, +criticising, recommending and teaching. She could not speak much French, +but some kind friend always interpreted her observations. From her +journal it seems that solemn prayer for Divine guidance and blessing +occupied the forenoon of the first day in Paris; after that, visits of +ceremony were paid to the English Ambassador, and of friendship to other +persons. Among the prisons visited were the St. Lazare Prison for women, +containing 952 inmates, La Force Prison for men, the Central Prison at +Poissy, and that of the Conciergerie. The first-named, that of St. +Lazare, was visited several times, and portions of Scripture read, as at +Newgate. The listeners were very much affected, manifesting their +feelings by frequent exclamations and tears. Lady Granville, Lady +Georgina Fullerton, and some other ladies accompanied Mrs. Fry to this +prison on one visit, when all agreed that much good would result from +the appointment and work of a Ladies' Committee. Hospitals, schools, and +convents also came in for a share of attention; and after discussing +points of interest connected with the prisons with the Prefect of +Police, she concluded by obtaining audience of the King, Queen and +Duchess of Orleans. + +On the journey homeward the party visited the prisons of Caen, Rouen and +Beaulieu, distributing copies of the Scriptures to the prisoners. She +notices with much delight the united feeling in respect of benevolent +objects which existed between Roman Catholics and herself. Her own words +are "a hidden power of good at work amongst them; many very +extraordinary Christian characters, bright, sober, zealous Roman +Catholics and Protestants." + +In the commencement of 1839, the low state of the funds of the different +benevolent societies formed in connection with her prison labors, +exercised her faith. None ever carried into practice more fully the old +monkish maxim _Labor est orare_. Refuges had been formed, at Chelsea for +girls, and at Clapham for women, while the Ladies' Society and the +convict-ships demanded funds incessantly. A fancy sale was held in +Crosby Hall, "conducted in a sober, quiet manner," which realized over a +thousand pounds for these charities. After recording the fact with +thankfulness, Mrs. Fry paid her second visit to the Continent, going as +far as Switzerland on her errand of mercy. + +At Paris she was received affectionately by those friends who had +listened to her voice on her previous visit. Baron de Girando and other +philanthropists gathered around her, oblivious of the distinctions of +creeds and churches, and bent only on accomplishing a successful crusade +against vice and misery. + +Among the hospitals inspected by her were the hospital of St. Louis for +the plague, leprosy, and other infectious disorders; the Hospice de la +Maternité, and the Hospice des Enfans Trovés. This latter was founded by +St. Vincent de Paul for the bringing up of foundlings, but had fallen +into a state of pitiable neglect. From the unnatural treatment which +these poor waifs received, the mortality had reached a frightful pitch. +It seemed, from Mrs. Fry's statements, that the little creatures were +bound up for hours together, being only released from their "swaddlings" +once in every twelve hours for any and every purpose. The sound in the +wards could only be compared to the faint and pitiful bleating of lambs. +A lady who frequently visited the institution said that she never +remembered examining the array of clean white cots that lined the walls +without finding at least one dead babe. "In front of the fire was a +sloping stage, on which was a mattress, and a row of these little +creatures placed on it to warm and await their turn to be fed from the +spoon by a nurse. After much persuasion, one that was crying piteously +was released from its swaddling bands; it stretched its little limbs, +and ceased its wailings." Supposing these children of misfortune +survived the first few weeks of such a life they were sent into the +country to be reared by different peasants; but there again a large +percentage died from infantile diseases. Mrs. Fry succeeded in securing +some ameliorations of the treatment of the babes; but sisters, doctors, +superior, and all, seemed bound by the iron bands of custom and +tradition. + +The Archbishop of Paris was somewhat annoyed at her proceedings and +expressed his displeasure; it seemed more, however, to be directed +against her practice of distributing the Scriptures, than really against +her prison work. + +At Nismes, under the escort of five armed soldiers, because of the known +violence of the desperadoes whom she visited, she inspected the Maison +Centrale, containing about 1,200 prisoners. She interceded for some of +them that they might be released from their fetters, undertaking at the +same time that the released prisoners should behave well. At a +subsequent visit, after holding a religious service among these felons, +the same men thanked her with tears of gratitude. + +Much to her delight, she discovered a body of religionists who held +principles similar to those of the Society of Friends. They were +descendants of the Camisards, a sect of Protestants who took refuge in +the mountains of the Cevennes during the persecution which followed the +revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and were descended originally from +the Albigenses. Their three most distinguished pastors were Claude +Brousson, who took part in the sufferings at the general persecution of +the Protestants; Jean Cavalier, the soldier-pastor who led his flock to +battle, and who now sleeps in an English graveyard; and Antoine Court, +who formed this "church in the desert," into a more compact body. The +first of these pastors was hanged for "heresy" at Montpellier, in 1698; +but he, together with his successors, labored so devoutly and so +ardently, that the persecuted remnant rose from the dust and proved +themselves valiant for the truth as they had received and believed it. +It was not possible that the seed of a people which had learnt the +sermons preached to them off by heart, and written the texts on stone +tablets, in order to pass them from one mountain village to another, +could ever die out. The descendants of those martyrs had come down +through long generations, to nourish at last openly in Nismes. Mrs. Fry +recognized in them the kindred souls of faithful believers. After this, +the party spent a fortnight at a little retired village called +Congenies, where they welcomed many others of their own creed. A house +with "vaulted rooms, whitewashed and floored with stone," sheltered them +during this quaint sojourn, while the villagers vied with each other in +contributing to their comforts. + +At Toulon they visited the "Bagnes," or prison for the galley slaves. +These poor wretches fared horribly, while the loss of life among them +was terrible. They worked very hard, slept on boards, and were fed upon +bread and dry beans. At night they were ranged in a long gallery, and in +number from one hundred to two hundred, were all chained to the iron rod +which ran the entire length of the gallery. By day they worked chained +together in couples. + +At Marseilles a new kind of prison was inspected by her; this was a +conventual institution and refuge for female penitents, under the +control of the nuns of the order of St. Charles, who to the three +ordinary vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, added that of +converting souls. Superintending ladies in the city, who bore the title +of "directresses," were not even permitted to see the women immured +there; indeed, only one was permitted to enter the building in order to +look after the necessary repairs, and even she was strictly restrained +from seeing a penitent or sister. It seemed hopeless in the face of +these facts to expect admission, but Mrs. Fry's name and errand +prevailed. Accompanied by one of these nominal directresses, she was +admitted and shown into a large, plainly-furnished parlor. After she had +waited some little time, the Lady Superior presented herself at the +grating, and prepared to hear the communications of her visitors. In the +course of the conversation which passed, it appeared that there were +over one hundred penitents in the convent, who mostly became servants +after their reclamation. It seemed that they "were not taught to read or +write, neither was the least morsel of pencil, paper, pen, ink, or any +other possible material for writing permitted, from the fear of their +communicating with people without." The Superior admitted that portions +of the Bible were suitable to the inmates, such as the Parables and +Psalms, but said that as a whole the Scriptures were not fit to be put +into the hands of people in general. Mrs. Fry departed from this "home +of mystery and darkness," very unsatisfied and sad. She next visited a +boys' prison, conducted by the Abbé Fisceaux, which excited her +admiration. + +At the "Maison Pénitentiaire" at Geneva, the arrangements appeared to be +as complete as possible, and most praiseworthy. The treatment varied in +severity, according to the guilt of the criminals, who were divided into +four classes. They were in all cases there for long terms of +imprisonment, but were allowed either Catholic or Protestant versions of +the Scriptures, according to their faith. After paying short visits to +Lausanne, Berne, and Zurich, the party returned home. + +As her life passed on and infirmities grew apace, it seemed that Mrs. +Fry's zeal and charity grew also, for she planned and schemed to do good +with never-flagging delight. Early in 1840, she departed again for the +Continent, accompanied this time by her brother, Samuel Gurney, and his +daughter, by William Allen and Lucy Bradshaw. During this journey and a +subsequent one, she had much intercourse with royal and noble +personages. At Brussels they had a pleasant audience of the King, who +held an interesting conversation with them on the state of Belgian +prisons. A large prison for boys at Antwerp specially drew forth their +commendations; it seemed admirably arranged and conducted, while every +provision was made for the instruction and improvement of the lads. At +Hameln, in Hanover, they found one of the opposite class, a men's +prison, containing about four hundred inmates, but all heavily chained +"to the ground, until they would confess their crimes, whether they had +committed them or not." One wonders if this treatment still prevails in +the Hameln of Robert Browning's ballad. At Hanover they waited on the +Queen by special command, and during a long interview many interesting +and important subjects were brought forward. + +At Berlin they were received by royalty in the most cordial way. Mrs. +Fry's niece, in a letter, gives a vivid account of the assembly at the +royal palace specially invited to meet the Quakeress and her party. + + The Princess William has been very desirous to give her sanction, + as far as possible, to the Ladies' Committee for visiting the + prison, that my aunt had been forming; and, to show her full + approbation, had invited the Committee to meet her at her palace. + So imagine about twenty ladies assembling here, at our hotel, at + half-past twelve o'clock to-day, beautifully dressed; and, further + fancy us all driving off and arriving at the palace. The Princess + had also asked some of her friends, so we must have numbered about + forty. Such a party of ladies, and only our friend Count Gröben to + interpret. The Princess received us most kindly, and conducted us + herself to the top of the room; we talked some time, whilst + awaiting the arrival of other members of the royal family. The + ladies walked about the suite of rooms for about half an hour, + taking chocolate, and waiting for the Crown Princess, who soon + arrived. The Princess Charles was also there, and the Crown Prince + himself soon afterwards entered. I could not but long for a + painter's eye to have carried away the scene. All of us seated in + that beautiful room, our aunt in the middle of the sofa, the Crown + Prince and Princess and the Princess Charles on her right; the + Princess William, the Princess Marie, and the Princess Czartoryski + on the left; Count Gröben sitting near her to interpret, the + Countesses Böhlem and Dernath by her. I was sitting by the Countess + Schlieffen, a delightful person, who is much interested in all our + proceedings. A table was placed before our aunt, with pens, ink, + and paper, like other committees, with the various rules our aunt + and I had drawn up, and the Countess Böhlem had translated into + German, and which she read to the assembly. After that my aunt gave + a concise account of the societies in England, commencing every + fresh sentence with "If the Prince and Princesses will permit." + When business was over, my aunt mentioned some texts, which she + asked leave to read. A German Bible was handed to Count Gröben, the + text in Isaiah having been pointed out that our good aunt had + wished for, "Is not this the fast that I have chosen," etc. The + Count read it, after which our aunt said, "Will the Prince and + Princesses allow a short time for prayer?" They all bowed assent + and stood, while she knelt down and offered one of her touching, + heart-felt prayers for them--that a blessing might rest on the + whole place, from the King on his throne to the poor prisoner in + the dungeon; and she prayed especially for the royal family; then + for the ladies, that the works of their hands might be prospered in + what they had undertaken to perform. Many of the ladies now + withdrew, and we were soon left with the royal family. They all + invited us to see them again, before we left Berlin, and took leave + of us in the kindest manner. + +One result of the reception accorded Mrs. Fry by royalty was the +amelioration of the condition of the Lutherans. It came about in this +way: in the course of her inquiries and intercourse among the people of +the Prussian dominions, she discovered that adherents to the Lutheran +Church were subject to much petty persecution on behalf of their faith. +True they were not dealt with so cruelly as in former times, but +frequently, at that very day, they were imprisoned, or suffered the loss +of property because of their religious opinions. The matter lay heavily +on Mrs. Fry's benevolent heart, and, seizing the opportunity, she spoke +to the Crown Prince at the meeting just described, on the behalf of the +persecuted Christians. The Crown Prince listened most attentively, and +advised her to lay the matter before the King in any way she deemed +proper. A petition was therefore drawn up by William Allen, translated +into German, and with much fear and trembling presented to His Majesty. +The following day the King's chaplain was sent bearing the "delightful +intelligence" that the petition had been received; further, the King had +said that "he thought the Spirit of God must have helped them to express +themselves as they had done." + +About this time we find the following entry in her journal: "I have been +poorly enough to have the end of life brought closely before me, and to +stimulate me in faith to do _quickly_ what my Lord may require me." +Accordingly, engagements and undertakings multiplied, and 1841 witnessed +another brief visit to the continent of Europe. She seemed more and more +to get the conviction that she must lose no time while about her +Master's business, and such her prison, asylum and hospital labors most +assuredly were. The shadows of life's evening were gathering around her, +and heart and flesh beginning to fail, but no efforts of charity or +mercy might be found lacking. + +On this visit her brother, Joseph John Gurney, and two nieces +accompanied her. Soon after arriving at the Hague, Mrs. Fry and Mr. +Gurney, being introduced to the King by Prince Albert, were commanded to +attend at a royal audience. This the travellers did, and, after about an +hour's conversation, departed highly gratified. Another day they spent +some time with the Princess of Orange, the Princess Frederick, and other +members of the royal house: all these personages were anxious to hear +about the work of prison reform, and to aid in it. After this they +departed for Amsterdam, Bremen, and other places; but their journey +resembled a triumphal progress more than anything else. The peasantry +followed the carriage shouting Mrs. Fry's name, and begging for tracts. +Sometimes, in order to get away, she was compelled to shake hands with +them all, and speak a few words of kindly greeting. + +They extended the journey into Denmark, and were treated with marked +honor from the first. The Queen engaged apartments for the travellers at +the Hotel Royal, and on some occasions took Mrs. Fry to see schools and +other places, in her own carriage. On a subsequent day, when dining with +the King and Queen, Mrs. Fry and Mr. Gurney laid before their Majesties +the condition of persecuted Christians; the sad state of prisons in his +dominions; they also referred to the slavery in the Danish colonies in +the West Indies. Mr. Gurney having only recently returned from that part +of the world, he had much to tell respecting the spiritual and social +state of those colonies. Mrs. Fry records that at dinner she was placed +between the King and Queen, who both conversed very pleasantly with her. + +At Minden, they had varied experiences of travelling and travellers' +welcomes. "I could not but be struck," says Mrs. Fry in her journal, +"with the peculiar contrast of my circumstances: in the morning +traversing the bad pavement of a street in Minden, with a poor, old +Friend in a sort of knitted cap close to her head; in the evening +surrounded by the Prince and Princesses of a German Court." The members +of the Prussian royal family were anxious to see her and hear from her +own lips an account of her labors in the cause of humanity. The +representatives of the House of Brandenburgh welcomed Mrs. Fry beyond +her most sanguine expectations; indeed, it would be nearer the truth to +say that in her lowly estimate of herself, she almost dreaded to +approach royal or noble personages, and that therefore she craved for no +honor, but only tolerance and favor. She never sought an interview with +any of these personages, but to benefit those who could not plead for +themselves. Her letters home exhibit no pride, boastfulness, or triumph; +all is pure thankfulness that one so unworthy as she deemed herself to +be should accomplish so much. Writing to her grandchildren she says: + + "We dined at the Princess William's with several of the royal + family. The Queen came afterwards and appeared much pleased at my + delight on hearing that the King had stopped religious persecutions + in the country, and that several other things had been improved + since our last visit. It is a very great comfort to believe that + our efforts for the good of others have been blessed. Yesterday we + paid a very interesting visit to the Queen, then to Prince + Frederick of Holland and his Princess, sister to the King of + Prussia; with her we had much serious conversation upon many + important subjects, as we also had with the Queen.... Although + looked up to by all, they appear so humble, so moderate in + everything. I think the Christian ladies on the Continent dress far + more simply than those in England. The Countess appeared very + liberal, but extravagant in nothing. To please us she had apple + dumplings, which were quite a curiosity; they were really very + nice. The company stood still before and after dinner, instead of + saying grace. We returned from our interesting meeting at the + Countess's, about eleven o'clock in the evening. The royal family + were assembled and numbers of the nobility; after a while the King + and Queen arrived, the poor Tyrolese flocked in numbers. I doubt + such a meeting ever having been held anywhere before,--the curious + mixture of all ranks and conditions. My poor heart almost failed + me. Most earnestly did I pray for best help, and not unduly to fear + man. The royal family sat together, or nearly so; the King and + Queen, Princess William, and Princess Frederick, Princess Mary, + Prince William, Prince Charles, Prince Frederick of the + Netherlands, young Prince William, besides several other princes + and princesses not royal. Your uncle Joseph spoke for a little + while, explaining our views on worship. Then I enlarged upon the + changes that had taken place since I was last in Prussia; mentioned + the late King's kindness to these poor Tyrolese in their affliction + and distress; afterwards addressed these poor people, and then + those of high rank, and felt greatly helped to speak the truth to + them in love. They finished with a hymn." + +Her last brief visit to the Continent was paid in 1843, and spent wholly +in Paris. Mrs. Fry was particularly interested in French prisons, as +well as in the measures designed to ameliorate the condition of those +who tenanted them. Reformation had become the order of the day there as +in England; the Duchess of Orleans, the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg, M. +Guizot, the Duc de Broglie, M. de Tocqueville, M. Carnot, and other high +and noble personages were much interested in the subject. A bill to +sanction the needful reforms was introduced to the Chamber of Deputies +by the Minister of the Interior, and ably supported by him in a speech +of great lucidity and power. Said he, when laying it before the Chamber: +"Our subject is not entirely to sequestrate the prisoner nor to confine +him to absolute solitude. Some of the provisions of the bill will +mitigate the principle of solitary confinement in a manner which was +suggested by the Commission of 1840, and should not pass unnoticed by +the Chamber. Convicts sentenced to more than twelve years' hard labor, +or to perpetual hard labor, after having gone through twelve years of +their punishment, or when they shall have attained the age of seventy, +will be no longer separated from others, except during the night." The +bill further provided, besides this mitigation of the solitary +confinement system, that the "Bagnes," where galley slaves had hitherto +labored, should be replaced by houses of hard labor, and that smaller +prisons should be erected for minor offenses instead of sending +criminals convicted of them to the great central prisons. The bill was +certainly destined to effect a total revolution in the management of +such places as St. Lazare and similar prisons, in addition to giving +solid promise of improvement in the punitive system of France. + +During this brief final visit to the French capital, Mrs. Fry entered on +her sixty-third year, aged and infirm in body, but still animated by the +master passion of serving the sad and sorrowful. Her brother, Joseph +John Gurney, together with his wife, were with her in Paris, but they +pursued their journey into Switzerland, while she returned home in June, +feeling that life's shadows were lengthening apace, and that not much +time remained to her in which to complete her work. The impressions she +had made on the society of the gay city had been altogether good. Like +the people who stared at the pilgrims passing through Vanity Fair, the +Parisians wondered, and understood for the first time that here was a +lady who did indeed pass through things temporal, "with eyes fixed on +things eternal"; and whose supreme delight lay, not in ball-rooms, +race-courses, or courts, but in finding out suffering humanity and +striving to alleviate its woes. Doubtless many of the gay Parisians +shrugged their shoulders and smiled good-humoredly at the "illusion," +"notion," "fanaticism," or whatever else they called it; they were +simply living on too low a plane of life to understand, or to criticise +Mrs. Fry. Except animated by somewhat of fellow-feeling, none can +understand her career even now. It stands too far apart from, too highly +lifted above, our ordinary pursuits and pleasures, to be compared with +anything that less philanthropic-minded mortals may do. It called for a +far larger amount of self-denial than ordinary people are capable of; it +demanded too much singleness of purpose and sincerity of speech. Had +Mrs. Fry not come from a Quaker stock she might have conformed more to +the ways and manners of fashionable society; had she possessed less of +sterling piety, she might have sought to serve her fellow-creatures in +more easy paths. As a reformer, she was sometimes misunderstood, abused, +and spoken evil of. It was always the case and always will be, that +reformers receive injustice. Only, in some cases, as in this one, time +reverses the injustice, and metes out due honor. As a consequence, +Elizabeth Fry's name is surrounded with an aureola of fame, and her +self-abnegation affords a sublime spectacle to thoughtful minds of all +creeds and classes; for, simply doing good is seen to be the highest +glory. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +NEW THEORIES OF PRISON DISCIPLINE AND MANAGEMENT. + + +Mrs. Fry's opinions on prison discipline and management were necessarily +much opposed to those which had obtained prior to her day. No one who +has followed her career attentively, can fail to perceive that her +course of prison management was based upon well arranged and carefully +worked out principles. In various letters, in evidence before committees +of both Houses of Parliament, and in private intercourse, Mrs. Fry made +these principles and rules as fully known and as widely proclaimed as it +was possible to do. But, like all reformers, she felt the need of +securing a wider dissemination of them. Evidence given before +committees, was, in many points, deferred to; private suggestions and +recommendations were frequently adopted, but a large class of inquirers +were too far from the sphere of her influence to be moved in this way. +For the sake of these, and the general public, she deemed it wise to +embody her opinions and rules in a treatise, which gives in small +compass, but very clearly, the _rationale_ of her treatment of +prisoners; and lays down suggestions, hints, and principles upon which +others could work. Within about seventy octavo pages, she discourses +practically and plainly on the formation of Ladies' Committees for +visiting prisons, on the right method of proceeding in a prison after +the formation of such a committee, on female officers in prisons, on +separate prisons for females, on inspection and classification, on +instruction and employment, on medical attendance, diet, and clothing, +and on benevolent efforts for prisoners who have served their sentences. +It is easy to recognize in these pages the Quakeress, the woman, and the +Christian. She recommends to the attention of ladies, as departments for +doing good, not only prisons, but lunatic asylums, hospitals and +workhouses. At the same time she strongly recommends that only _orderly_ +and _experienced_ visitors should endeavor to penetrate into the abodes +of vice and wickedness, which the prisons of England at that day mostly +were. Among other judicious counsels for the conduct of these visitors +occur the following, which read as coming from her own experience. That +this was the case we may feel assured; Mrs. Fry was too wise and too +womanly not to warn others from the pit-falls over which she had +stumbled, or to permit anyone to fall into her early mistakes:-- + + "Much depends on the spirit in which the worker enters upon her + work. It must be the spirit not of judgment but of mercy. She must + not say in her heart, 'I am holier than thou'; but must rather keep + in perpetual remembrance that '_all_ have sinned,' and that, + therefore, great pity is due from us even to the greatest + transgressors among our fellow-creatures, and that in meekness and + love we ought to labor for their restoration. The good principle in + the hearts of many abandoned persons may be compared to the few + remaining sparks of a nearly extinguished fire. By means of the + utmost care and attention, united with the most gentle treatment, + these may yet be fanned into a flame; but under the operation of a + rough and violent hand they will presently disappear and be lost + forever. In our conduct with these unfortunate females, kindness, + gentleness, and true humility ought ever to be united with serenity + and firmness. Nor will it be safe ever to descend, in our + intercourse with them, to _familiarity_, for there is a dignity in + the Christian character which demands, and will obtain, respect; + and which is powerful in its influence even over dissolute + minds.... Neither is it by any means wise to converse with them on + the subject of the crimes of which they are accused or convicted, + for such conversation is injurious both to the criminals themselves + and to others who hear them; and, moreover, too frequently leads + them to add sin to sin, by uttering the grossest falsehoods. And + those who engage in the interesting task of visiting criminals must + not be impatient if they find the work of reformation a very slow + one.... Much disadvantage will accrue generally from endeavors on + the part of visiting ladies to procure the mitigation of the + sentences of criminals. Such endeavors ought never to be made + except where the cases are remarkably clear, and then through the + official channels. Deeply as we must deplore the baneful effects of + the punishment of death, and painful as we must feel it to be that + our fellow-creatures, in whose welfare we are interested, should be + prematurely plunged into an awful eternity, yet, while our laws + continue as they are, unless they can bring forward _decided facts_ + in favor of the condemned, it is wiser for the visiting ladies to + be quiet, and to submit to decrees which they cannot alter." + +In reference to the choice of officers, she strongly insists that all +officers--superior and inferior--shall be females. She prefers a widow +for the post of matron, because of her superior knowledge of the world +and of life; and never should she or her subordinates be chosen "because +the situation is suited to their wants, but because they are suited to +fill the situation." She holds it of the first importance that the +matrons should not only be of a superior station in life, but that they +should be decidedly religious. This little book was written in 1827, but +from her insistence upon this as a first requisite in proper dealing +with female prisoners, it appears likely that the then recent act of +George IV., had not been commonly complied with. This act provides that +a "matron shall be appointed in every prison in which female prisoners +shall be confined, who shall reside in the prison; and it shall be the +duty of the matron constantly to superintend the female prisoners." +Again, another clause of the Act says, "Females shall in all cases be +attended by female officers." That these provisions had only been +partially carried out, is proved by her words relative to this clause: +"Since the passing of the late Act of Parliament for the regulations of +prisons, our large jails have been generally provided with a matron and +female turnkeys; but it is much to be regretted that in many smaller +prisons no such provisions have yet been adopted. Nor ought it to be +concealed that the persons selected to fill the office of matron are, in +various instances, unsuited to their posts; and in other cases are +unfitted for its fulfillment, by residing out of prison." + +With respect to the classification of prisoners, Mrs. Fry recommends +four classes or divisions which should comprise the total:--1st. +Prisoners of previous good character, and guilty only of venial crimes. +This class, she suggests, should be allowed to dress a little better and +be put to lighter labors than the others. From their ranks, also, should +temporary officers be selected, while small pecuniary rewards might be +with propriety offered. 2d. Prisoners convicted of more serious crimes. +These should be treated with more strictness; but it should be possible +for a prisoner, by constant good conduct and obedience to rules, to rise +into the first class. 3d. In this class the privileges were to be +considerably diminished, while the 4th class consisted only of hardened +offenders, guilty of serious crimes, and of those who had been +frequently committed. "This class must undergo its peculiar privations +and hardships." Still, that hope may not entirely give place to despair, +Mrs. Fry recommends that even these criminals should be eligible for +promotion to the upper classes upon good behavior. It will be seen that +this system partook somewhat of Captain Machonochie's merit, or +good-mark system, introduced by him with such remarkable success into +Norfolk Island. + +Among other suggestions relative to the classification of prisoners we +find one recommending the wearing of a ticket by each woman. Every +ticket was to be inscribed with a number, which number should agree with +the corresponding number on the class list. Each class list was to be +kept by the matron or visitors, and was to include a register of the +conduct of the prisoners. In the case of convicts on board convict-ships +proceeding to the penal settlements, Mrs. Fry recommended that not only +should the women wear these tickets, but that every article of +clothing, every book, and every piece of bedding should be similarly +numbered; even the convicts' seats at table should be distinguished by +the same numbers in order to prevent disputes, and to promote order and +regularity. + +She considered the most thorough, vigilant, and unremitting inspection +essential to a correct system of prison discipline; by this means she +anticipated that an effectual, if slow, change of habits might be +produced. + +With regard to the instruction of prisoners, she held decided views as +to the primary importance of Scriptural knowledge. The Bible, and the +Bible alone, was to be the text-book for this purpose, while nothing +sectarian was to be admitted; but in their fullest sense, "the essential +and saving principles of our common Christianity were to be inculcated." +She recommended reading, writing, arithmetic, and needlework, the last +to carry with it a little remuneration, in order to afford the women +some encouragement. While acknowledging the wisdom of the Act of +Parliament which provided that prayers should be read daily in all +prisons, she strongly urges visitors and chaplains to teach privately +"that true religion and saving faith are in their nature practical, and +that the reality of repentance can be proved only by good works and by +an amendment in life and conversation." + +For the employment of prisoners she recommends such occupations as +patchwork, knitting stockings, making articles of plain needlework, +washing, ironing, housework, cooking, spinning, and weaving. It should +in all cases be _constant_, and in the worst cases, _disciplinary_ +labor. She recommends, under _strict limitations_, the treadmill for +hardened, refractory, and depraved women, but only for short periods. +All needleworkers especially should receive some remuneration for their +work, which remuneration should be allowed to accumulate for their +benefit by such time as their sentences expire, in order that when they +leave prison they may possess a little money wherewith to commence the +world afresh. Her words are: "The greater portion of their allotted +share of earnings, however, must be reserved for them against the time +of their leaving prison and returning to the world. The possession of a +moderate sum of money will _then_ be found of essential importance as +the means of preventing an almost irresistible temptation, the +temptation of want and money, to the renewal of criminal practices. And +if, in laboring for this remuneration the poor criminal has also gained +possession of the _habit_ of industry, and has learned to appreciate +the sweets of regular employment, it is more than probable that this +temptation may never occur again." + +Mrs. Fry quotes largely from the Act of Parliament, relative to the +matters of diet, medical attendance, clothing, bedding, and firing. It +seemed to be the fact that the provisions of this Act did not extend to +prisons which were exclusively under local jurisdiction; she therefore +recommends lady visitors and committees to see them enforced as much as +possible. While preserving even-handed justice between criminals and the +country whose laws they have outraged, by suggesting that their +treatment should be sufficiently penal to be humiliating, that their +hair should be cut short, and all personal ornaments forbidden, she +pleads earnestly for proper bedding and firing. She says: "During +inclement weather, diseases are sometimes contracted by the unfortunate +inmates of our jails, which can never afterwards be removed. I believe +it has sometimes happened that poor creatures committed to prison for +trial, have left the place of their confinement, acquitted of crime, and +yet crippled for life." + +From the same volume we find that Government had then inaugurated a +wiser, kinder system of dealing with the convicts destined for the +colonies. By the new regulations, females were allowed to take out with +them all children under the age of seven years; while a mother suckling +an infant was not compelled to leave England until the child was old +enough to be weaned. Again, the convicts were not to be manacled in any +way during their removal from the prison to the convict-ship; "but as +the rule is often infringed, it is desirable that ladies of the +committee should be vigilant on the subject, and should represent all +cases to the governor of the prison, and afterwards, if needful, to the +visiting magistrates." Further, the Government, or the boroughs, had to +provide the transports with needful clothing for the voyage; and, at the +end of it, the surgeon's or matron's certificate of good behavior was +sufficient to ensure employment for most of the women. Altogether it +seems certain that a new era for prisoners had dawned, and new ideas +prevailed in regard to them. How much Mrs. Fry's labors had contributed +to this state of things will never be fully known; but her work was +almost accomplished. + +This little book, which is a perfect _Vade Mecum_ of prison management, +was written in the interest of lady visitors, and for their use. It is +still interesting, as showing Mrs. Fry's own mode of procedure, and the +principles upon which she acted. The few quotations given in this +chapter will, however, suffice for the general reader. She concludes +with a pregnant sentence: "Let our prison discipline be severe in +proportion to the enormity of the crimes of those on whom it is +exercised, and let its strictness be such as to deter others from a +similar course of iniquity, but let us ever aim at the _diminution of +crime_ through the just and happy medium of the REFORMATION OF +CRIMINALS." + +Not only in the published page, but in other ways--in fact in every +possible way--did Mrs. Fry continue to proclaim the need of a new method +of ordering criminals, and also of so treating them, that they should be +fitted to return to society _improved_ and not _degraded_ by their +experience of penal measures. In 1832, she was called upon to give +evidence before another committee of the House of Commons, upon the best +mode of enforcing "secondary punishments" so as to repress crime. On +this occasion she dwelt particularly upon the points noticed in her book +published five years previously, and added one or two more. For +instance, while advocating complete separation at _night_, she quite as +earnestly contended against what was known as the "solitary system." On +this point she maintained that "solitude does not prepare women for +returning to social and domestic life, or tend so much to real +improvement, as carefully arranged intercourse during part of the day +with one another under the closest superintendence and inspection, +combined with constant occupation, and solitude at night." In her +evidence there occurs the following passage:-- + + Every matron should live upon the spot, and be able to inspect them + closely by night and by day; and when there are sufficient female + prisoners to require it, female officers should be appointed, and a + male turnkey never permitted to go into the women's apartments. I + am convinced when a prison is properly managed it is unnecessary, + because, by firm and gentle management, the most refractory may be + controlled by their own sex. But here I must put in a word + respecting ladies' visiting. I find a remarkable difference + depending upon whether female officers are superintended by ladies + or not. I can tell almost as soon as I go into the prison whether + they are or not, from the general appearance both of the women and + their officers. One reason is that many of the latter are not very + superior women, not very high, either in principle or habits, and + are liable to be contaminated; they soon get familiar with the + prisoners, and cease to excite the respect due to their office; + whereas, where ladies go in once, or twice, or three times a week, + the effect produced is decided. Their attendance keeps the female + officers in their places, makes them attend to their duty, and has + a constant influence on the minds of the prisoners themselves. In + short, I may say, after sixteen years' experience, that the result + of ladies of principle and respectability superintending the female + officers in prisons, and the prisons themselves, has far exceeded + my most sanguine expectations. In no instance have I more clearly + seen the beneficial effects of ladies' visiting and superintending + prisoners than on board convict-ships. I have witnessed the + alterations since ladies have visited them constantly in the river. + I heard formerly of the most dreadful iniquity, confusion, and + frequently great distress; latterly I have seen a very wonderful + improvement in their conduct. And on the voyage, I have most + valuable certificates to show the difference of their condition on + their arrival in the colony. I can produce, if necessary, extracts + from letters. Samuel Marsden, who has been chaplain there a good + many years, says it is quite a different thing: that they used to + come in a most filthy, abominable state, hardly fit for anything; + now they arrive in good order, in a totally different situation. + And I have heard the same thing from others. General Darling's + wife, a very valuable lady, has adopted the same system there; she + has visited the prison at Paramatta, and the same thing respecting + the officers is felt there as it is here. On the Continent of + Europe, in various parts--St. Petersburg, Geneva, Turin, Berne, + Basle, and some other places--there are corresponding societies, + and the result is the same in every part. In Berlin they are doing + wonders--I hear a most satisfactory account; and in St. Petersburg, + where, from the barbarous state of the people, it was said it could + not be done, the conduct of the prisoners has been perfectly + astonishing--an entire change has been produced. + +On the 22d of May, 1835, Mrs. Fry was desired to attend the Select +Committee of the House of Lords, appointed to inquire into the state of +the several jails and houses of correction in England and Wales. She +went, accompanied by three ladies, co-workers, and escorted by Sir T. +Fowell Buxton. The Duke of Richmond was chairman of the committee, which +included some twelve or fifteen noblemen. An eyewitness wrote afterwards +respecting Mrs. Fry's behavior and manner: "Never, should I think, was +the calm dignity of her character more conspicuous. Perfectly +self-possessed, her speech flowed melodiously, her ideas were clearly +expressed, and if another thought possessed her besides that of +delivering her opinions faithfully and judiciously upon the subjects +brought before her, it was that she might speak of her Lord and Master +in that noble company." + +The principal topics treated of in her evidence before this committee +were connected with the general state of female prisons. Among other +things, she urged the want of more instruction, but that such +instruction should not be given privately and _alone_ to women; that the +treadmill was an undesirable punishment for women; that matrons were +required to be suitable in character, age, and capability for the post; +that equality in labor and diet was needed; and she insisted on the +imperative necessity of Government inspectors in both Scotch and English +prisons and convict-ships. She enlarged upon these matters in the manner +the subject demanded, and gave the committee the impression of being in +solemn earnest. Her quiet, Christian dignity impressed all who listened +to her voice, while the most respectful consideration was paid to her +suggestions. In reply to a question touching the instruction of the +prisoners, she says:-- + + I believe the effect of religious and other instruction is hardly + to be calculated on; and I may further say that, notwithstanding + the high estimation and reverence in which I held the Holy + Scriptures, before I went to the prisons, as believing them to be + written by inspiration of God, and therefore calculated to produce + the greatest good, I have seen, in reading the Scripture to those + women, such a power attending them, and such an effect on the minds + of the most reprobate, as I could not have conceived. If anyone + wants a confirmation of the truth of Christianity let him go and + read the Scriptures in prison to poor sinners; you there see how + the Gospel is exactly adapted to the fallen condition of man. It + has strongly confirmed my faith; and I feel it to be the bounden + duty of the Government and the country that these truths shall be + administered in the manner most likely to conduce to the real + reformation of the prisoner. You then go to the root of the matter, + for though severe punishment may in a measure deter them and others + from crime, it does not amend the character and change the heart; + but if you have altered the principles of the individual, they are + not only deterred from crime because of the fear of punishment, but + they go out, and set a bright example to others. + +Both the _silent_ and _solitary_ systems were condemned by her as being +particularly liable to abuse. She considered the silent system cruel, +and especially adapted to harden the heart of a criminal even to moral +petrefaction. But the strongest protest was made against _solitary_ +confinement. Upon every available opportunity she spoke against it to +those who were in power. Unless the offense was of a very aggravated +nature, she doubted the right of any man to place a fellow-creature in +such misery. Some intercourse with his fellow-creatures seemed +imperatively necessary if the prisoner's life and reason were to be +preserved to him, and his mind to be kept from feeding upon the dark +past. To dark cells she had an unconquerable aversion. Sometimes she +would picture the possibility of the return of days of persecution, and +urge one consideration founded upon the self-interest of the authorities +themselves. "They may be building, though they little think it, dungeons +for their children and their children's children if times of religious +persecution or political disturbance should return." For this reason, if +for no other, she urged upon those who were contemplating the erection +of new prisons, the prime necessity of constructing those prisons so as +to enable them to conform to the requirements of humanity. + +Her opinions and reasons for and against the solitary system of +confinement are well given in a communication sent to M. de Béranger +after a visit to Paris, during which the subject of prison-management +had formed a staple theme of discussion in the _salons_ of that city. +With much practical insight and clearness of reasoning, Mrs. Fry +marshalled all the stock arguments, adding thereto such as her own +experience taught. + +In favor of the solitary system were to be urged:-- + +1st. The prevention of all contamination by their fellow-prisoners. + +2d. The impossibility of forming intimacies calculated to be injurious +in after life. + +3d. The increased solitude, which afforded larger opportunities for +serious reflection and, if so disposed, repentance and prayer by the +criminal. + +4th. The prevention of total loss of character on the part of the +prisoner, seeing that the _privacy_ of the confinement would operate +against the recognition of him by fellow-prisoners upon regaining their +liberty. + +Against it the following reasons could be urged-- + +1st. The extreme liability to ill-treatment or indulgence, according to +the mood and disposition of the officers in charge. + +2d. The extreme difficulty of obtaining a sufficiently large number of +honest, high-principled, just men and women, to carry out the solitary +system with impartiality, firmness, and, at the same time, kindness. +This reason was strongly corroborated by the governors of Cold Bath +Fields Prison, and the great Central Prison at Beaulieu. Their own large +experience had taught them the difficulty of securing officers in all +respects _fit to be trusted_ with the administration of such a system. + +3d. The very frequent result of the administration of this system by +incompetent or unfit officers would be the moral contamination of the +prisoners. + +4th. The enormous expense of providing officers and accommodation +sufficient to include all the criminals of the country. + +5th. The certainty of injury to body and mind from the continuance of +solitude for life. The digestive and vocal organs, and the reason would +inevitable suffer. In proof she quoted the notorious imbecility of the +aged monks of La Trappe: "We are credibly informed of the fact (in +addition to what we have known at home) that amongst the monks of La +Trappe few attain the age of sixty years without having suffered an +absolute decay of their mental powers, and fallen into premature +childishness." + +6th. The danger lest increased solitude instead of promoting +repentance, should furnish favorable hours for the premeditation of new +crimes, and so confirm the criminal in hardened sin. + +7th. The impossibility of fitting the prisoners for returning to society +under the system; whereas by teaching them useful employments and +trades, and training them to work in company for remuneration, habits +and customs may be induced which should aid in a life-long reformation. + +Two or three years after the enunciation of these principles and +reasons, Mrs. Fry addressed a valuable communication to Colonel Jebb in +reference to the new Model Prison at Pentonville, then (1841,) in course +of construction:-- + + We were much interested by our visit to this new prison. We think + the building generally does credit to the architect, particularly + in some important points, as ventilation, the plan of the + galleries, the chapel, etc., and we were also much pleased to + observe the arrangement for water in each cell, and that the + prisoner could ring a bell in case of wanting help. + + The points that made us uneasy were, first, the dark cells, which + we consider should never exist in a Christian and civilized + country. I think having prisoners placed in these cells a + punishment peculiarly liable to abuse. Whatever restrictions may be + made for the governor of a jail, and however lenient those who + _now_ govern, we can little calculate upon the change the future + may produce, or how these very cells may one day be made use of in + case of either political or religious disturbance in the country, + or how any poor prisoner may be placed in them in case of a more + severe administration of justice. + + I think no person should be placed in _total_ darkness; there + should be a ray of light admitted. These cells appear to me + calculated to excite such awful terror in the mind, not merely from + their darkness but from the circumstance of their being placed + within another cell, as well as being in such a dismal situation. + + I am always fearful of any punishment, beyond what the law publicly + authorizes, being privately inflicted by any keeper or officer of a + prison; for my experience most strongly proves that there are few + men who are themselves sufficiently governed and regulated by + Christian principle to be fit to have such power entrusted to their + hands; and further, I observe that officers in prisons have + generally so much to try and to provoke them that they themselves + are apt to become hardened to the more tender feelings of humanity. + They necessarily also see so much through the eyes of those under + them, turnkeys and inferior officers, (too many of whom are little + removed either in education or morals from the prisoners + themselves,) that their judgments are not always just. + + The next point that struck us was, that in the cells generally the + windows have that description of glass in them that even the sight + of the sky is entirely precluded. I am aware that the motive is to + prevent the possibility of seeing a fellow-prisoner; but I think a + prison for separate confinement should be so constructed that the + culprits may at least see the sky--indeed, I should prefer more + than the sky--without the liability of seeing fellow-prisoners. My + reason for this opinion is, that I consider it a very important + object to preserve the health of mind and body in these poor + creatures, and I am certain that separate confinement produces an + unhealthy state both of mind and body. Therefore everything should + be done to counteract this influence, which I am sure is baneful in + its moral tendency; for I am satisfied that a sinful course of life + increases the tendency to mental derangement, as well as to bodily + disease; and I am as certain that an unhealthy state of mind and + body has generally a demoralizing influence; and I consider light, + air, and the power of seeing something beyond the mere monotonous + walls of a cell highly important. I am aware that air is properly + admitted, also light; still I do think they ought to see the sky, + the changes in which make it a most pleasant object for those who + are closely confined. + + When speaking of health of body and mind, I also mean health of + soul, which is of the first importance, for I do not believe that a + despairing or stupefied state is suitable for leading poor sinners + to a Saviour's feet for pardon and salvation. + +Mrs. Fry held quite as decided opinions upon lunatic asylums and their +keepers. It was something terrible to her to know that poor demented +creatures lay pining, chained and ill-treated, in dungeons; knowing no +will but the caprice of their keepers. She spared no efforts to improve +their condition; by tongue and pen she sought to enforce new principles +and modes of action, in relation to lunatics, into the mind of those who +had to govern them. So incessant were her labors to attain the ends she +had set before her, that there was not a country in Europe which she +did not influence. Almost daily communications were coming in from +France, Denmark, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, and other countries, +detailing the success of the new plans which she had introduced and +recommended to the respective Governments. A regular correspondence was +kept up between her and Mr. Venning of St. Petersburg, by order of the +Empress of Russia, who took the greatest interest in the benevolent +enterprise. From some letters given in the _Memoirs of Mrs. Fry_ it +seems that the Empress felt a true Womanly compassion for the inmates of +the Government Lunatic Asylum, and inaugurated a system of more rational +treatment. How far her influence on behalf of the imprisoned and insane +was induced and fostered by the English Quakeress, was never fully known +until after her death, when a most interesting letter, addressed to the +children of Mrs. Fry, was published. This letter was sent to them by Mr. +John Venning, brother to Walter Venning, who had opened the +correspondence, but who had, like the benevolent lady with whom it was +maintained, "passed over to the majority." From this correspondence it +was found that the Emperor and Empress of Russia, the Princess Sophia +Mestchersky, Prince Galitzin, and many ladies of high rank, had been +stirred up to befriend those who had fallen under the strong arm of the +law, and to make their captivity more productive, if possible, of good +results. + +Not only so, but lunatics, more helpless than prisoners, had been cared +for, as the outcome of Mrs. Fry's visits to St. Petersburg, and her +communications with the powers that were at that era. With these +preliminary words of explanation, the subjoined letter speaks for +itself:-- + + I cheerfully comply with your desire to be furnished with some of + the most striking and useful points contained in your late beloved + mother's correspondence with myself in Russia, relative to the + improvement of the Lunatic Asylum in St. Petersburg. I the more + readily engage in this duty, because I am persuaded that its + publication may, under the Lord's blessing, prove of great service + to many such institutions on the Continent, as well as in Great + Britain.... I begin by stating that her correspondence was + invaluable, as regarded the treatment and management of both + prisoners and insane people. It was the fruit of her own rich + practical experience communicated with touching simplicity, and it + produced lasting benefits to these institutions in Russia. In 1827, + I informed your dear mother that I had presented to the Emperor + Nicholas a statement of the defects of the Government Lunatic + Asylum, which could only be compared to our own old Bedlam in + London, fifty years since; and that the dowager Empress had sent + for me to the Winter Palace, when she most kindly, and I may say, + joyfully, informed me that she and her august son, the Emperor, had + visited together this abode of misery. They were convinced of the + necessity, not only of having a new building, but also of a + complete reform in the management of the insane; and further that + the Emperor had requested her to take it under her own care, and to + appoint me the governor of it. I must observe that in the meantime + the old asylum was immediately improved, as much as the building + allowed, for the introduction of your dear mother's admirable + system. Shortly after, I had the pleasure of accompanying the + Empress to examine a palace-like house--Prince Sherbatoff's--having + above two miles of garden, and a fine stream of water running + through the grounds, situated only five miles from St. Petersburg. + The next day an order was given to purchase it. I was permitted to + send the plan of this immense building to your dear mother for her + inspection, as well as to ask from her hints for its improvement. + Two extensive wings were recommended, and subsequently added for + dormitories. The wings cost about £15,000, and in addition to this + sum from the Government, the Emperor, who was always ready to + promote the cause of benevolence, gave three thousand pounds for + cast-iron window-frames, recommended by your dear mother, as the + clumsy iron bars which had been used in the old institution had + induced many a poor inmate, when looking at them, to say with a + sigh, "Sir, prison, prison!" Your dear mother, also strongly + recommended that all, except the violent lunatics, should dine + together at a table covered with a cloth, and furnished with plates + and spoons. + + The former method of serving out the food was most disgusting. This + new plan delighted the Empress, and I soon received an order to + meet her at the asylum. On her arrival she requested that a table + should be covered, and then desired me to go round and invite the + inmates to come and dine. Sixteen came immediately, and sat down. + The Empress approached the table, and ordered one of the upper + servants to sit at the head of it and to ask a blessing. When the + servant arose to do this, they all stood up. The soup, with small + pieces of meat, was then regularly served; and as soon as dinner + was finished, they all rose up spontaneously and thanked the + Empress for her motherly kindness. I saw that the kind Empress was + deeply moved, and turning to me she said, "_Mon Cher_, this is one + of the happiest days of my life." The next day the number increased + at table, and so it continued increasing. After your dear mother's + return from Ireland, where she had been visiting, among other + institutions, the lunatic asylums, she wrote me a letter on the + great importance of supplying the lunatics with the Scriptures. + This letter deserved to be written in letters of gold; I sent it to + the Imperial family; it excited the most pleasing feelings and + marked approbation. The court physician, His Excellency Dr. Riehl, + a most enlightened and devoted philanthropist, came to me for a + copy of it. It removed all the difficulty there had been respecting + giving the Holy Scriptures to the inmates. I was therefore + permitted to furnish them with copies, in their various languages. + It may be useful to state the result of this measure, which was + considered by some to be a wild and dangerous proceeding. I soon + found groups collected together, listening patiently and quietly to + one of their number reading the New Testament. Instead of + disturbing their minds, it soothed and delighted them. I have + witnessed a poor lunatic, a Frenchman, during an interval of + returning reason, reading the New Testament in his bed-room, with + tears running down his cheeks; also a Russian priest, a lunatic, + collected a number together, while he read to them the Word of God. + + On one occasion I witnessed a most interesting scene. On entering + the institution, I found a young woman dying; her eyes were closed, + and she was apparently breathing her last breath. I ordered one of + the servants of the institution to read very loud to her that + verse, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten + Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have + everlasting life." Dr. K---- observed, "Sir, she is almost dead, + and it is useless." On my urging its being done, lo! to the + astonishment of all present, she opened her eyes and smiled. I + said: "Is it sweet, my dear?" She nodded assent. "Shall it be read + to you again?" A smile and nod of the head followed. She evidently + possessed her reason at that moment, and who can trace, or limit, + the operation of the Holy Spirit, on the reading of God's own Word + even in her circumstances? + + When I received a letter from your mother I always wrote it out in + French, and presented it in that language to the Empress; and when + she had read it, it was very encouraging to see with what alacrity + she ordered one of her secretaries to translate it into Russian, + and then deliver it to me to be conveyed to the asylum, and entered + into the journal there, for immediate adoption. I remember on one + occasion, taking a list of rules, at least fourteen in number, and + the same day were confirmed by the Empress. These rules introduced + the following important arrangements; viz., the treating the + inmates, as far as possible as sane persons, both in conversation + and manners toward them; to allow them as much liberty as possible; + to engage them daily to take exercise in the open air; to allow + them to wear their own clothes and no uniform prison-dress; also to + break up the inhuman system of permitting the promiscuous idle + curiosity of the public, so that no one was allowed to see them + without permission; a room, on entering the asylum, was prepared + for one at a time, on certain days, to see their relations. The old + cruel system drew forth many angry expressions from the poor + lunatics: "Are we, then, wild beasts, to be gazed at?" + + The Empress made a present to the institution of a piano-forte; it + had also a hand-organ, which pleased the poor inmates exceedingly. + On one occasion the Empress, on entering the asylum, observed that + the inmates appeared unusually dull, when she called them near, and + played on the hand-organ herself an enlivening tune. + + Another important rule of your mother's was, most strictly to + fulfill whatever you promise to any of the inmates, and, above all, + to exercise patience, gentleness, kindness, and love towards them; + therefore, to be exceedingly careful as to the character of the + keepers you appoint. These are some of the pleasing results of your + mother's work. The dowager Empress, on one occasion, conversing + about your mother, said: "How much I should like to see that + excellent woman, Madame Fry, in Russia;" and often did I indulge + that wish. What a meeting it would have been, between two such + devoted philanthropists as your mother and the dowager Empress, who + was daily devoting her time and fortune to doing good.... Although + the Empress was in her sixty-ninth year, I had the felicity of + accompanying her in no less than eleven of her personal visits to + the Lunatic Asylum, say from February to October, 1828. On the 24th + of October she died, to the deep-felt regret of the whole empire. + Rozoff, a young lunatic, as soon as he heard it, burst into tears. + She would visit each lunatic, when bodily afflicted, and send an + easy chair for one, and nicely-dressed meat for others; and weekly + send from the palace wine, coffee, tea, sugar and fruit for their + use. + + Among the many striking features in your mother's correspondence, + her love to the Word of God, and her desire for its general + circulation, were very apparent. Evidently, that sacred book was + the fountain whence she herself derived all that strength and grace + to carry on her work of faith and labor of love, which her Divine + Master so richly blessed.... In December 1827, when accompanying + the Emperor Nicholas through the new Litoffsky Prison, he was not + only well pleased to find every cell fully supplied with the + Scriptures--the rich result of his having confirmed the late + Emperor Alexander's orders to give the Scriptures gratis to all the + prisoners--but on seeing some Jews in the prison he said to me: "I + hope you also furnish these poor people with them, that they may + become Christians; I pity them." I witnessed a most touching scene + on the Emperor's entering the debtors' room; three old, venerable, + gray-headed men fell on their knees and cried, "Father, have mercy + on us!" The Emperor stretched out his hand in the peculiar grandeur + of his manner, and said: "Rise; all your debts are paid; from this + moment you are free"; without knowing the amount of the debts, one + of which was very considerable. I hope this feeble attempt to + detail a little of your dear mother's useful work may be + acceptable, leaving you to make what use of it you think proper. + +Such testimonies as these must have been peculiarly grateful to Mrs. +Fry's family, because it is natural to desire not only success in any +good work, but also grateful remembrance and appreciation, of it. +Sometimes, however, the reverse was the case; even those whom she had +endeavored to serve had turned out ungrateful, impudent and hardened. +Yet her loving pity followed even them: still, like the Lord whom she +served, she loved them in spite of their repulsiveness and ingratitude. +And when some notably ungrateful things were reported to her respecting +the female convicts on board the _Amphitrite_, she only prayed and +sorrowed for them the more. Especially was this the case when she heard +that the ship had gone down on the French coast, bearing to their tomb +beneath the sad sea waves, the 120 women, with their children, being +conveyed in her to New South Wales. Not one hard thought did she +entertain of them: all was charity, sorrow and tenderness. And if for +one little moment her new theories as to the treatment of criminals +seemed to be broken down, never for an instant did she set them aside. +She knew that perfection could only be attained after many long years of +trial and probation. While undermining the old ideas, she set herself an +equally gigantic task in establishing the new. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +MRS. FRY IN DOMESTIC AND RELIGIOUS LIFE. + + +Hitherto our little monograph has dealt mainly with Mrs. Fry's _public_ +life and work. Possibly, however, the reader may now feel curious to +know how she bore the strain of private responsibilities; how as a wife, +mother, neighbor, and Christian, she performed the duties which usually +fall to people in those positions. It does not appear that she was +wanting in any of them. + +As the wife of a city merchant, as the mistress, until reverses came, of +a large household, as the mother of a numerous family of boys and girls, +and as the plain Friend, and minister among Friends, she seems to have +fulfilled the duties which devolved upon her with quiet, cheerful +simplicity, persevering conscientiousness, and prayerful earnestness. +She was much the same in sunshine and in shadow, in losses and in +prosperity; her only anxiety was to do what was right. From the +revelations of her journal we find that self-examination caused her +frequently to put into the form of writing, the questions which +harassed her soul. There can be no reasonable doubt that she _was_ +harassed as all over-conscientious people are--with the fear and +consciousness that her duties were not half done. How few of this class +ever contemplate themselves or their works with anything like +satisfaction! A short extract from her journal penned during the first +years of her wedded life affords the key to this self-examination, a +self-examination which was strictly continued as long as reason held her +sway. This entry is entitled "Questions for Myself." + +"First.--Hast thou this day been honest and true in performing thy duty +towards thy Creator in the first place, and secondly towards thy +fellow-creatures; or hast thou sophisticated and flinched? + +"Second.--Hast thou been vigilant in frequently pausing, in the hurry +and career of the day, to see who thou art endeavoring to serve: whether +thy Maker or thyself? And every time that trial or temptation assailed +thee, didst thou endeavor to look steadily at the Delivering Power, even +to Christ who can do all things for thee? + +"Third.--Hast thou endeavored to perform thy relative duties faithfully; +been a tender, loving, yielding wife, where thy own will and pleasure +were concerned, a tender yet steady mother with thy children, making +thyself quickly and strictly obeyed, but careful in what thou requirest +of them; a kind yet honest mistress, telling thy servants their faults, +when thou thinkest it for their or thy good, but never unnecessarily +worrying thyself or them about trifles, and to everyone endeavoring to +do as thou wouldst be done unto?" + +A life governed by these principles, and measured by these rules, was +not likely to be otherwise than strictly, severely, nervously good. We +use the word "nervously" because here and there, up and down the pages +of her journal are scattered numerous passages full of such questions as +the above. None ever peered into their hearts, or searched their lives +more relentlessly than she did. Upright, self-denying, just, pure, +charitable, "hoping all things, bearing all things, believing all +things," she judged herself by a stricter law than she judged others; +condemning in herself what she allowed to be expedient, if not lawful, +in others, and laying bare her inmost heart before her God. After she +had done all that she judged it to be her duty to do, she humbly and +tearfully acknowledged herself to be one of the Lord's most +"unprofitable servants." It would be useless to endeavor to measure such +a life by any rules of worldly polity or fashions. An extract written +at this time, relative to the welfare and treatment of servants, may be +of use in showing how she permitted her sound sense and practical daily +piety to decide for her in emergencies and anxieties growing out of the +"mistress and servant" question. "At this time there is no set of people +I feel so much about as servants; as I do not think they have generally +justice done to them. They are too much considered as another race of +beings, and we are apt to forget that the holy injunction holds good +with them: 'As ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to +them.' I believe in striving to do so we shall not take them out of +their station in life, but endeavor to render them happy and contented +in it, and be truly their friends, though not their familiars or equals, +as to the things of this life. We have reason to believe that the +difference in our stations is ordered by a wiser than ourselves, who +directs us how to fill our different places; but we must endeavor never +to forget that in the best sense we are all one, and, though our paths +may be different, we have all souls equally valuable, and have all the +same work to do, which, if properly considered, should lead us to have +great sympathy and love, and also a constant care for their welfare, +both here and hereafter. We greatly misunderstand each other (I mean +servants and masters in general); I fully believe, partly from our +different situations in life, and partly from our different educations, +and the way in which each party is apt to view the other. Masters and +mistresses are greatly deficient, I think, in a general way; and so are +most servants towards them; it is for both to keep in view strictly to +do unto others as they would be done unto, and also to remember that we +are indeed all one with God." + +As the mother of a large family, Mrs. Fry endeavored to do her duty +faithfully and lovingly. Twelve sons and daughters were given to her, +trained by her more or less, with reference not only to their temporal +welfare, but their spiritual also. In all the years of motherhood many +cares attached themselves to her. Illness, the deaths of near relatives, +and of one little child, the marriage of some of her children out of the +Society of Friends, losses in business, and consequent reduction of +household comforts and pleasures, the censure which sometimes followed +her most disinterested acts, and the exaggerated praise of others, all +combined to try her character and her spirit. Through it all she moved +and lived, like one who was surrounded with an angelic company of +witnesses; desirous only of laying up such a life-record that she could +with calmness face it in "that day for which all other days are made." + +One after another the little fledglings came to the home-nest, to be +cared for, trained up, and fitted for their peculiar niches in life. But +in 1815, a new sorrow came to the fireside; the angel reaper Death cut +down the little Elizabeth, the seventh child, nearly five years of age, +and the special darling of the band. Her illness was very short, +scarcely lasting a week; but even during that illness her docile, +intelligent spirit exhibited itself in new and more endearing phases. +Death was only anticipated during the last few hours of life, and when +the fatal issue appeared but too certain the parents sat in agonized +silence, watching the darling whom they could not save. Mrs. Fry begged +earnestly of the Great Disposer of life and death that he would spare +the child, if consonant with His holy will; but when the end came, and +the child had passed "through the pearly gates into the city" she +uttered an audible thanksgiving that she was at last where neither sin, +sorrow, nor death could have any dominion. No words can do justice to +this event like her own, written in her journal at that time. The pages +recall all a mother's love and yearning tenderness, together with a +Christian's strong confidence:-- + + It has pleased Almighty and Infinite Wisdom to take from us our + most dear and tenderly-beloved child little Betsy, between four + and five years old. In receiving her, as well as giving her back + again, we have, I believe, been enabled to bless the Sacred Name. + She was a very precious child, of much wisdom for her years, and, I + can hardly help believing, much grace; liable to the frailty of + childhood, at times she would differ with the little ones and + rather loved her own way, but she was very easy to lead though not + one to be driven. She had most tender affections, a good + understanding for her years, and a remarkably staid and solid mind. + Her love was very strong, and her little attentions great to those + she loved, and remarkable in her kindness to servants, poor people, + and all animals; she had much feeling for them; but what was more, + the bent of her mind was remarkably toward serious things. It was a + subject she loved to dwell upon: she would often talk of "Almighty + God," and almost everything that had connection with Him. On Third + Day, after some suffering of body from great sickness, she appeared + wonderfully relieved ... and, began by telling me how many hymns + and stories she knew, with her countenance greatly animated, a + flush on her cheeks, her eyes very bright, and a smile of + inexpressible content, almost joy. I think she first said, with a + powerful voice,-- + + How glorious is our Heavenly King, + Who reigns above the sky; + + and then expressed how beautiful it was, and how the little + children that die stand before Him; but she did not remember all + the words of the hymn, nor could I help her. She then mentioned + other hymns, and many sweet things ... her heart appeared + inexpressibly to overflow with love. Afterwards she told me one or + two droll stories, and made clear and bright comments as she went + along; then stopped a little while, and said in the fullness of + her heart, and the joy of a little innocent child.... "Mamma, I + love everybody better than myself, and I love thee better than + anybody, and I love Almighty much better than thee, and I hope thee + loves Almighty much better than me."... I appeared to satisfy her + that it was so. This was on Third Day morning, and she was a corpse + on Fifth Day evening; but in her death there was abundant cause for + thanksgiving; prayer appeared indeed to be answered, as very little + if any suffering seemed to attend her, and no struggle at last, but + her breathing grew more and more slow and gentle, till she ceased + to breathe at all. During the day, being from time to time + strengthened in prayer, in heart, and in word, I found myself only + led to ask for her that she might be for ever with her God, whether + she remained much longer in time or not; but, that if it pleased + Infinite Wisdom her sufferings might be mitigated, and as far as it + was needful for her to suffer that she might be sustained. This was + marvellously answered beyond anything we could expect from the + nature of the complaint.... I desire never to forget this favor, + but, if it please Infinite Wisdom, to be preserved from repining or + unduly giving way to lamentation for losing so sweet a child.... I + have been permitted to feel inexpressible pangs at her loss, though + at first it was so much like partaking with her in joy and glory, + that I could not mourn if I would, only rejoice almost with joy + unspeakable and full of glory. But if very deep baptism was + afterwards permitted me, like the enemy coming in as a flood; but + even here a way for escape has been made, my supplication answered + ... and the bitter cup sweetened; but at others my loss has touched + me in a manner almost inexpressible, to awake and find my + much-loved little girl so totally fled from my view, so many + pleasant pictures marred. As far as I am concerned, I view it as a + separation from a sweet source of comfort and enjoyment, but surely + not a real evil. Abundant comforts are left me if it please my kind + and Heavenly Father to provide me power to enjoy them, and + continually in heart to return him thanks for His unutterable + loving kindness to my tenderly-beloved little one, who had so sweet + and easy a life and so tranquil a death.... My much-loved husband + and I have drunk this cup together in close sympathy and unity of + feeling. It has at times been very bitter to us both; but as an + outward alleviation, we have, I believe, been in measure each + other's joy and helpers. The sweet children have also tenderly + sympathized; brothers, sisters, servants, and friends, have been + very near and dear in showing their kindness not only to the + darling child, but to me, and to us all.... We find outwardly and + inwardly, "the Lord did provide." + +The little lost Betsey, who "just came to show how sweet a flower for +Paradise could bloom," was thenceforth a sacred memory; for from that +day they had a connecting link between their household and the skies. +Very frequently, even in the midst of her multifarious engagements, her +thoughts wandered off to the little grave in Barking burying-ground, +where rested the remains of the dear child, and, perchance, a tenderer +tone crept into her voice as she dealt with the outcast children of +prisons and reformatories. Soon after this event the elder boys and +girls went to school among their relatives, and only the youngest were +left at Plashet House with her. As a new baby came within six months +after little Betsey's death, the motherly hands were still full. She +found, however, time to write letters of wise and mother-like counsels. + + My much-loved girls:--Your letters received last evening gave us + much pleasure. I anxiously hope that you will now do your utmost in + whatever respects your education, not only on your own account, but + for our sake. I look forward to your return with so much comfort, + as useful and valuable helpers to me, which you will be all the + more if you get forward yourselves. I see quite a field of useful + service and enjoyment for you, should we be favored to meet under + comfortable circumstances in the spring. I mean that you should + have a certain department to fill in the house, amongst the + children and the poor, as well as your own studies and enjoyments; + I think there was not often a brighter opening for two girls. + Plashet is, after all, such a home, it now looks sweetly; and your + little room is almost a temptation to me to take it for a + sitting-room for myself, it is so pretty and so snug; it is newly + furnished, and looks very pleasant indeed. The poor, and the + school, will, I think, be glad to have you home, for help is wanted + in these things. Indeed, if your hearts are but turned the right + way, you may, I believe, be made instruments of much good, and I + shall be glad to have the day come that I may introduce you into + prisons and hospitals.... This appears to me to be your present + business--to give all diligence to your present duties; and I + cannot help believing, if this be the case, that the day will come + when you will be brought into much usefulness. + +As the years rolled on, her boys went to school also; but they were +followed by a loving mother's counsels. From her correspondence with +them we cull a few extracts to prove how constant and tender was her +care over them, and how far-reaching her anxieties. Two or three +specimens will suffice. + +Upon the departure of each of her boys for boarding-school she wrote out +and gave him a copy of the following rules. They are valuable, as +showing how carefully she watched over their mental and moral welfare. + +"1st. Be regular, strict in attending to religious duties; and do not +allow other boys around thee to prevent thy having some portion of time +for reading at least a text of Scripture, meditation and prayer; and if +it appear to be a duty, flinch not from bowing the knee before them, as +a mark of thy allegiance to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Attend +diligently when the holy Scriptures are read, or to any other religious +instruction, and endeavor in Meeting to seek after a serious waiting +state of mind, and to watch unto prayer. Let First Day be well employed +in reading proper books, etc., but also enjoy the rest of innocent +recreation, afforded in admiring the beauties of nature; for I believe +this is right in the ordering of a kind Providence that there should be +some rest and recreation in it. Show a proper, bold, and manly spirit +in maintaining among thy play-fellows a religious character, and strict +attention to all religious duties. Remember these texts to strengthen +thee in it. 'For whosoever shall be ashamed of Me, and My words, of him +shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He shall come in His own glory, in +His Father's, and of the holy angels.' 'But I say unto you, whosoever +shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess +before the angels of God; but he that denieth Me before man shall be +denied before the angels of God.' Now, the sooner the dread laugh of the +world loses its power, the better for you.... But strongly as I advise +thee thus faithfully maintaining thy principles and doing thy duty, I +would have thee very careful of either judging or reproving others; for +it takes a long time to get the beam out of our own eye, before we can +see clearly to take the mote out of our brother's eye. There is for one +young in years, much greater safety in preaching to others by example, +than in word, or doing what is done in an upright, manly spirit, 'unto +the Lord, and not unto man.' + +"2d. I shall not speak of moral conduct, which, if religious principles +be kept to, we may believe will be good; but I shall give certain hints +that may point out the temptations to which schools are particularly +liable. I have observed a want of strict integrity in school-boys, as it +respects their schoolmasters and teachers--a disposition to cheat them, +to do that behind their backs which they would not do before their +faces, and so having two faces. Now, this is a subject of the utmost +importance--to maintain truth and integrity upon all points. Be not +double-minded in any degree, but faithfully maintain, not only the +upright principle on religious ground, but also the brightest honor, +according to the maxims of the world. I mourn to say I have seen the +want of this bright honor, not only in school-boys, but in some of our +highly-professing society; and my belief is that it cannot be too +strictly maintained, or too early begun. I like to see it in small +things, and in great; for it marks the upright man. I may say that I +abhor anything like being under-handed or double-dealing; but let us go +on the right and noble principle of doing to others as we would have +others do to us; therefore, in all transactions, small and great, +maintain strictly the correct, upright, and most honorable practice. I +have heard of boys robbing their neighbors' fruit, etc.; I may truly say +that I believe there are very few in the present day would do such +things, but no circumstances can make this other than a shameful +deviation from all honest and right principles. My belief is, that such +habits begun in youth end mostly in great incorrectness in future life, +if not in gross sin; and that no excuse can be pleaded for such actions, +for sin is equally sin, whether committed by the school-boy or those of +mature years, which is too apt to be forgotten, and that punishment +_will_ follow." + +In a letter to her eldest son she begs him to try to be a learned man, +not to neglect the modern languages; but so to improve his time at +school that he may become in manhood a power for good; and then, by +various thoughtful kindnesses manifests her unwearying care for his +welfare. + +She gratefully acknowledges, in another communication to a sister, the +assistance which that sister rendered in educating some of the elder +girls, for a time, so enabling Mrs. Fry herself to be set free for the +multitude of other duties awaiting her. + +As years rolled by, an acute cause of sorrow to her was the marriage of +one, then another of her numerous family out of the Society. They mostly +married into families connected with the Church of England; but as the +Society of Friends disunite from membership all who marry out of it, +and as parents are blamed for permitting such unions, her sorrow was +somewhat heavy. She even anticipated being cut off from the privilege of +ministry in the Society; but to the credit of that Society, it does not +appear that it silenced her in return for the forsaking, by her +children, of "the old paths." Whether Quakerism was too old-fashioned +and strict for the young people, or the attractions of families other +than Friends more powerful, we cannot say. However, it seems that the +young folks grew up to be useful and God-fearing in the main, so that +the Church universal lost nothing by their transference into other +communions. + + When joy seems highest + Then sorrow is nighest, + +says the old rhyme. An experience of this sort came to Mrs. Fry. One of +her children had just married an estimable member of the Society of +Friends, and while rejoicing with the young couple, she appeared to be +drawn out in thankfulness for the many mercies vouchsafed to her. Her +cup seemed brimming over with joy; and after the bridal party had +departed, one of her daughters came across the lawn to remark to her +mother on the beauty of the scene, finishing by a reference to the +temporal prosperity which was granted them. Mrs. Fry could do no other +than acquiesce in the sentiments expressed, but added, with almost +prophetic insight, "But I have remarked that when great outward +prosperity is granted it is often permitted to precede great trials." +This was in the summer of 1828; before that year ended the family was +struggling in the waves of adversity, losses, and trials--struggling, +indeed, to preserve that honest name which had hitherto been the pride +of Mr. Fry's firm. + +One of the houses of business with which Mr. Fry was connected at this +time failed, and his income was largely diminished. The house which he +personally conducted was still able to meet all its obligations; but the +blow in connection with this other firm was so staggering that they were +forced to submit to the pressure of straitened means, at least for a +time. We are told, indeed, by Mrs. Fry's daughters, that this failure +"involved Mrs. Fry and her family in a train of sorrows and perplexities +which tinged the remaining years of her life." The strict principles and +the not less strict discipline of the Society of Friends rendered her +course of action at that juncture very doubtful. Occupying the prominent +positions she had before the nation--indeed before the world, for Mrs. +Fry's name was a household word--it seemed impossible to her upright +spirit to face the usual Meeting on First Day. Her sensitive spirit +winced acutely at the reproach which _might perchance_ be cast upon the +name of religion; but after a prayerful pause she and her husband went, +accompanied by their children--at least such of them as were then at +home. She occupied her usual place at the Meeting, but the big tears +rolling down her face in quick succession, testified to the sorrow and +anguish which then became her lot. Yet before the session ended she +rose, calmed herself, and spoke, most thrillingly, from the words, +"Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him," while the listeners +manifested their sympathy by tears and words of sorrow. In November of +that sad year she wrote the following letter to one of her children, in +reference to the trial:-- + + I do not like to pour out my sorrows too heavily upon thee, nor do + I like to keep thee in the dark as to our real state. This is, I + consider, one of the deepest trials to which we are liable; its + perplexities are so great and numerous, its mortifications and + humiliations so abounding, and its sorrows so deep. None can tell, + but those who have passed through it, the anguish of heart at times + felt; but, thanks be to God, this extreme state of distress has not + been very frequent, nor its continuance very long. I frequently + find my mind in degree sheathed against the deep sorrows, and am + enabled not to look so much at them; but there are also times when + secondary things arise, such as parting with servants, schools, the + poor around us, and our dear home. These things overwhelm me; + indeed, I think naturally I have a very acute sense of the sorrow. + Then the bright side of the picture arises. I have found such help + and strength in prayer to God, and highly mysterious as this + dispensation may be in some points of view, yet I think I have + frequently, if not generally, been able to say, "Not as I will, but + as Thou wilt," and bow under it. All our children and + children-in-law, my brothers and sisters, our many friends and + servants, have been a strong consolation to me. + +It was not possible, however, for Mrs. Fry to suffer without +experiencing an unwonted measure of sympathy from all classes of the +community. Many hearts followed her most lovingly in these hours of +humiliation and sorrow; and when it was known that she must leave +Plashet House, the tide of deep sympathy overflowed more than one heart. +As a preliminary step the family moved, first to St. Mildred's Court, +then to the home of their eldest son. The business which had been +carried on there by Mr. Fry and his father was now conducted by his +sons; and by this the young men were enabled to provide for the comfort +of their parents. Their bidding good-bye to Plashet, however, entailed +very much that was sad to others. The schools hitherto supported by the +Frys were handed over to the care of the vicar of the parish; many old +pensioners and servants had to be given over to the kindness of others, +or in some cases, possibly, to the not very tender mercies of "the +parish;" while she herself, who had always laid it down as an +indispensable rule to be _just_ before being generous, was compelled to +conform her manner of life to somewhat narrow means. + +Shakespeare says: "Sorrow comes not in single spies but in battalions," +and experience proves the adage to be true. William Fry, the eldest son +of the family, was thrown upon a bed of illness, as the result of an +over-strained and exhausted brain; soon after, sickness spread through +the whole family, until the house, and even Plashet,--which, being +empty, afforded them a temporary shelter,--became a hospital on a small +scale. Yet at this time the kindly letters of sympathy and condolence +received from all quarters must have comforted and cheered her anguished +spirit. From a number of such communications we give two, one from +William Wilberforce, the other from Mrs. Opie. Wilberforce wrote:-- + + You, I doubt not, will be enabled to _feel_, as well as to know, + that even this event will be one of those which, in your instance, + are working for good. You have been enabled to exhibit a bright + specimen of Christian excellence in _doing_ the will of God, and, I + doubt not, you will manifest a similar specimen in the harder and + more difficult exercise of _suffering_ it. I have often thought + that we are sometimes apt to forget that key, for unlocking what + we deem to be very mysterious dispensations of Providence, in the + misfortunes and afflictions of eminent servants of God, that is + afforded by a passage in St. Paul's Epistle to his beloved + Phillipians: "Unto you it is given, not only to believe on Him, but + also to suffer for His sake." It is the strong only that will be + selected for exhibiting these graces which require peculiar + strength. May you, my dear friend (indeed, I doubt not you will), + be enabled to bear the whole will of God with cheerful confidence + in His unerring wisdom and unfailing goodness. May every loss of + this world's wealth be more than compensated by a larger measure of + the unsearchable riches of Christ.... Meanwhile you are richly + provided with relatives and friends whom you love so well as to + relish receiving kindnesses from them, as well as the far easier + office of doing them.... + +In reply to this, it would seem that Mrs. Fry, while thankful for the +sympathy manifested on all hands, doubted the advisability of resuming +her benevolent labors among prisons and hospitals. Mr. Wilberforce +proved himself again a wise and far-seeing counsellor. He wrote:-- + + I cannot delay assuring you that I do not see how it is possible + for any reasonable being to doubt the propriety ... or, rather, let + me say _the absolute duty_--of your renewing your prison + visitations. A gracious Providence has blessed you with success in + your endeavors to impress a set of miserables, whose character and + circumstances might almost have extinguished hope, and you will + return to them, if with diminished pecuniary powers, yet, we may + trust, through the mercy and goodness of our Heavenly Father, with + powers of a far higher order unimpaired, and with the augmented + respect and regard of every sound judgment ... for having borne + with becoming disposition a far harder trial certainly than any + stroke which proceeds immediately from the hand of God. May you + continue, my dear Madam, to be the honored instrument of great and + rare benefits to almost the most pitiable of your fellow-creatures. + +The _Record_ newspaper had suggested that additional contributions +should be sent to the chief of the societies which had been inaugurated +by Mrs. Fry, and so largely supported by her. The Marquis of +Cholmondeley wrote to Mrs. Opie, inquiring of that lady fuller +particulars of the disaster, in so far as it affected or was likely to +affect Mrs. Fry's benevolent work. He had been a staunch friend of her +labors, having seconded them many times when the life of a wretched +felon was at stake; and now, continuing the interest which he had +hitherto exhibited, he was fearful lest this business calamity would put +a stop to many of those labors. Mrs. Opie, whose friendship dated from +the old Norwich days, lost no time in writing as follows to her +suffering friend:-- + + Though I have not hitherto felt free in mind to write to thee, my + very dear friend, under thy present most severe trial, thou hast + been continually, I may say, in my thoughts, brought feelingly and + solemnly before me, both day and night. I must also tell thee that, + two nights ago, I had a pleasing, cheering dream of thee:--I saw + thee looking thy best, dressed with peculiar care and neatness, and + smiling so brightly that I could not help stroking thy cheek, and + saying, "Dear friend! it is quite delightful to me to see thee + looking thus again, so like the Betsey Fry of former days;" and + then I woke. But this sweet image of thee lives with me still.... + Since your trials were known, I have rarely, if ever, opened a page + of Scripture without finding some promise applicable to thee and + thine. I do not believe that I was looking for them, but they + presented themselves unsought, and gave me comfort and confidence. + Do not suppose, dear friend, that I am not fully aware of the + peculiar bitterness and suffering which attends this trial in thy + situation to thy own individual feeling; but, then, how precious + and how cheering to thee must be the evidence it has called forth, + of the love and respect of those who are near and dear to thee, and + of the public at large. Adversity is indeed the time to try the + hearts of our friends; and it must be now, or will be in future, a + cordial to thee to remember that thou hast proved how truly and + generally thou art beloved and reverenced. + +Mrs. Fry's health failed very much during the dreary months which +followed. Nor was this all, for trials, mental and spiritual, seemed to +crowd around her. It was indeed, though on a scale fitted to her +capacity, "the hour and power of darkness." She says in her journal, +that her soul was bowed down within her, and her eyes were red with +weeping. Yet she rallied again. After spending some months with their +eldest son, William, at Mildred's Court, Mr. and Mrs. Fry removed to a +small but convenient villa in Upton Lane, nearly adjoining the house and +grounds of her brother, Samuel Gurney. This house was not only to be a +place of refuge in the dark and cloudy days of calamity, but to become, +in its turn, famous for the visits of princes and nobles, who thus +sought to do honor to her who dwelt in it. Writing in her journal, on +June 10th, 1829, Mrs. Fry said:-- + + We are now nearly settled in this, our new abode; and I may say, + although the house and garden are small, yet it is pleasant and + convenient and I am fully satisfied, and, I hope, thankful for such + a home. I have at times been favored to feel great peace, and I may + say joy in the Lord--a sort of seal to the important step taken; + though at others the extreme disorder into which our things have + been brought by all these changes, the pain of leaving Plashet, the + difficulty of making new arrangements, has harassed and tried me. + But I trust it will please a kind Providence to bless my endeavor + to have and to keep my house in order. Place is a matter of small + importance, if that peace which the world cannot give be our + portion.... Although a large garden is now my allotment, I feel + pleasure in having even a small one; and my acute relish for the + beautiful in nature and art is on a clear day almost constantly + gratified by a view of Greenwich Hospital and Park, and other parts + of Kent; the shipping on the river, as well as the cattle feeding + in the meadows. So that in small things as well as great, spiritual + and temporal, I have yet reason to ... bless and magnify the name + of my Lord. + +Two of her nieces accompanied her, in 1834, upon a mission to the +Friends' Meetings in Dorset and Hants; and recalling this journey some +time later, one of them said, speaking of her aunt's peculiar mission of +ministering to the tried and afflicted: "There was no weakness or +trouble of mind or body, which might not safely be unveiled to her. +Whatever various or opposite views, feelings, or wishes might be +confided to her, all came out again tinged with her own loving, hopeful +spirit. Bitterness of every kind died when entrusted to her; it never +re-appeared. The most favorable construction possible was always put +upon every transaction. No doubt her feeling lay this way; but did it +not give her and her example a wonderful influence? Was it not the very +secret of her power with the wretched and degraded prisoners? She could +always see hope for everyone; she invariably found or made some point of +light. The most abandoned must have felt she did not despair for them, +either for this world or for another; and this it was which made her +irresistible." + +In taking a view of this good woman's religious life and character, it +will be helpful to see her as she appeared to herself--to enter into her +own feelings at different periods of her life, and to listen to her +heart-felt expressions of humility and perplexity. Thus, in relation to +the ups and downs of life with her, we find in her journal this +passage:-- + + The difference between last winter and this winter has been + striking! How did the righteous compass me about, from the + Sovereign, the Princes, and the Princesses, down to the poorest, + lowest, and most destitute; how did poor sinners of almost every + description seek after me, and cleave to me? What was not said of + me? What was not thought of me, may I not say, in public and in + private, in innumerable publications? This winter I have had the + bed of languishing; deep, very deep, prostration of soul and body; + instead of being a helper to others, ready to lean upon all, glad + even to be diverted by a child's book. In addition to this, I find + the tongue of slander has been ready to attack me. The work that + was made so much of before, some try to lessen now. My faith is + that He will not give me over to the will of my enemies, nor let me + be utterly cast down. + +In relation to her conscientious fear of the admixture of sin with her +service of God and of humanity, she wrote:-- + + I apprehend that all would not understand me, but many who are much + engaged in what we call works of righteousness, will understand the + reason that in the Jewish dispensation there was an offering made + for the iniquity of _holy things_. + +In regard to marriage she writes:-- + + We have had the subject of marriage much before us this year; it + has brought us to some test of our feelings and principles + respecting it. That it is highly desirable to have young persons + settle in marriage, I cannot doubt, and that it is one of the most + likely means of their preservation, religiously, morally, + temporally. Moreover, it is highly desirable to settle with one of + the same religious views, habits, and education, as themselves, + more particularly for those who have been brought up as Friends, + because their mode of education is peculiar. But if any young + persons, upon arriving at an age of discretion, do not feel + themselves really attached to our peculiar views and habits, then, + I think, their parents have no right to use undue influence with + them as to the connections they may incline to form, provided they + be with persons of religious lives and conversation. I am of + opinion that parents are apt to exercise too much authority upon + the subject of marriage, and that there would be really more happy + unions if young persons were left more to their own feelings and + discretion. Marriage is too much treated like a business concern, + and love, that essential ingredient, too little respected in it. I + disapprove of the rule of our Society which disowns persons for + allowing a child to marry one who is not a Friend; it is a most + undue and unchristian restraint, as far as I can judge of it. + +As the time passed, and her family got scattered up and down in the +world, the idea occurred to her that, although members of different +sects and churches, they could unite in fireside worship and study of +the Bible, _as Christians_. Many of them were within suitable distances +for occasional or frequent meetings, according to their circumstances; +while some of the grandchildren were of an age to understand, and +possibly profit by, the exercises. In response to the motherly +communication which follows, these family gatherings were arranged, and +succeeded beyond the original expectations of she who suggested them. +They continued, under the title of "philanthropic evenings," to cement +the family circle, after Mrs. Fry had passed away. The tone of the +letter inviting their co-operation is that of a philanthropist, a +mother, and a Christian. It shows plainly that with all her engagements, +worries and trials, she had not absorbed or lost the spirit of the +docile Mary in that of the careful Martha. + + MY DEAREST CHILDREN: + + Many of you know that for some time I have felt and expressed the + want of our social intercourse at times, leading to religious union + and communion among us. It has pleased the Almighty to permit that + by far the larger number of you no longer walk with me in my + religious course. Except very occasionally, we do not meet together + for the solemn purpose of worship, and upon some other points we do + not see eye to eye; and whilst I feel deeply sensible that, + notwithstanding this diversity among us, we are truly united in our + Holy Head, there are times when, in my declining years, I seriously + feel the loss of not having more of the spiritual help and + encouragement of those I have brought up, and truly sought to + nurture in the Lord. This has led me to many serious considerations + how the case may, under present circumstances, be in any way met. + + My conclusion is that, believing as we do in the Lord as our + Saviour, one Holy Spirit as our Sanctifier, and one God and Father + of us all, our points of union are surely strong; and if we are + members of one living Church, and expect to be such for ever, we + may profitably unite in some religious engagements here below. + + The world, and the things of it, occupy us much, and they are + rapidly passing away; it will be well if we occasionally set apart + a time for _unitedly_ attending to the things of Eternity. I + therefore propose that we try the following plan: if it answer, + continue it; if not, by no means feel bound to it. That our party, + in the first instance, should consist of no others than our + children, and such grandchildren as may be old enough to attend. + That our objects in meeting be for the strengthening of our faith, + for our advancement in a religious and holy life, and for the + promoting of Christian love and fellowship. + + I propose that we read the Scriptures unitedly, in an easy, + familiar manner, each being perfectly at liberty to make any remark + or ask any questions. That it should be a time for religious + instruction, by seeking to understand the mind of the Lord, for + doctrine and practice, in searching the Scriptures, and bringing + ourselves and our deeds to the light.... That either before or + after the Scriptures are read we should consider how far we are + engaged for the good of our fellow-men, and what, as far as we can + judge, most conduces to this object. All the members of this little + community are advised to communicate anything they may have found + useful or interesting in religious books, and to bring forward + anything that is doing for the good of mankind in the world + generally. + + I hope that thus meeting together may stimulate the family to more + devotion of heart to the service of their God; at home and abroad + to mind their different callings, however varied; and to be active + in helping others. It is proposed that this meeting should take + place once a month at each house in rotation. I now have drawn some + little outline of what I desire, and if any of you like to unite + with me in making the experiment, it would be very gratifying to + me; still I hope all will feel at liberty to do as they think best + themselves. Your dearly attached mother, + + ELIZABETH FRY. + + +None but a parent whose spiritual life was pure, true, and deep, could +feel such a constant solicitude about the spiritual progress and +education of her family. Nor was this solicitude confined to the +membership of her own circle. All who in any way assisted in her special +department of philanthropy were councilled, wisely and kindly, to _act_ +rather than _preach_ the gospel of Christ. In communications of this +sort we find the newly-appointed matrons to the convict-ships advised to +show their faith more by conduct than profession; to avoid "religious +_cant_;" to be prudent and circumspect; to have discretion, wisdom and +meekness. So she passed through life; the faithful friend, the patient, +wise mother, the meek, tender wife, the succorer of all in distress. +Everyone felt free to go to her with their troubles; a reverse of +circumstances, a sick child, a bad servant, or turn of sickness, all +called forth her ready aid, and her wise, far-seeing judgment. And even +in the last months of her life, when, worn out with service and pain, +she was slowly going down to the gates of death, her children and +grandchildren were cut off suddenly by scarlet fever, she bowed +resignedly to the Hand which had sent "sorrow upon sorrow." And when she +who had been as a tower of strength to all around her, was reduced to +the weakness of childhood by intense suffering, the survivors clung yet +more closely to her, as if they could _not_ let her go. So as physical +strength declined, she actually grew stronger and brighter in mental and +moral power. The deep and painful tribulations which characterized her +later years, but refined and purified the gold of her nature. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +COLLATERAL GOOD WORKS. + + +It must be remembered that Mrs. Fry's goodness was many-sided. Her +charity did not expend itself wholly on prisons and lunatic asylums. It +is right that, once in a while, characters of such superlative +excellence should appear in our midst. Right, because otherwise the +light of charity would grow dim, the distinguishing graces of +Christianity, flat and selfish, and individual faith be obscured in the +lapse of years, or the follies and fashions of modern life. Such saints +were Elizabeth of Hungary, around whose name legend and story have +gathered, crowning her memory with beauty; Catherine of Sienna, who was +honored by the whole Christian Church of the fourteenth century, and +canonized for her goodness; and Sarah Martin, the humble dressmaker of +Yarmouth, who, in later times, has proved how possible it is to render +distinguished service in the cause of humanity by small and lowly +beginnings, ultimately branching out into unexpected and remarkable +ramifications. One can almost number such saints of modern life on the +fingers; but for all that, their examples have stimulated a host of +lesser lights who still keep alive the savor of Christianity in our +midst; and towering above all her contemporaries in the grandeur of her +deeds and words, Mrs. Fry still lives in song and story. + +Among the collateral good works which she instituted and carried on, the +first in order of time, and possibly of importance, as leading to all +the others, was the "Association for the Improvement of Female Prisoners +at Newgate." As this association and its objects were fully treated of +in a previous chapter, it is unnecessary to enlarge upon it here. It +suffices to say that it sought the welfare of the female prisoners +during their detention in prison, and, also, to form in them such habits +as should fit them for respectable life upon their discharge. Out of +twelve ladies forming the original association started in 1817, eleven +were Quakeresses. + +Nearly akin to this society, was that for "The Improvement of Prison +Discipline and Reformation of Juvenile Offenders." This society aimed at +a two-fold object: first, by correspondence and deputations to awaken +the minds of provincial magistrates and prison officials to the +necessity for new arrangements, rules, and accommodations for +prisoners; while it afforded watchful oversight and assistance to the +numerous class of juvenile offenders who, after conviction, were +absolutely thrown friendless upon the country, to continue and develop a +course of crime. At the time of the formation of this society, public +meetings were first held to further the welfare of prisoners, and to +prevent the increase of crime. The doctrine of "stopping the supplies" +first began to be understood; while even the most confirmed stickler for +conservation could understand that there could not be a constant +succession of old or middle-aged criminals to be dealt with by the law, +provided the young were reformed, and trained in the ways of honesty. At +one meeting, held at the Freemasons' Hall in 1821, in order to further +the work of this society, Lord John Russell made an eloquent speech, +concluding with the almost prophetic words: "Our country is now about to +be distinguished for triumphs, the effect of which shall be to save, and +not to destroy. Instead of laying waste the provinces of our enemies, we +may begin now to reap a more solid glory in the reform of abuses at +home, and in spreading happiness through millions of our population." + +A society possessing broader aims, and working in a wider field, was the +"British Ladies' Society for Promoting the Reformation of Female +Prisoners," formed in 1821, and really an outgrowth of Mrs Fry's efforts +to _reclaim_ the women whom she _taught_ while in prison. It existed as +a central point for communication and assistance between the various +associations in Great Britain engaged in visiting prisons. Its +corresponding committee also maintained interchanges of ideas and +communications with those ladies on the Continent who were interested in +the subject. + +The Convict Ship Committee looked after the welfare of those who were +transported, saw to the arrangements on board ship, the appointment of +matrons, furnished employment, and secured shelters in the colonies, so +that on arriving at the port of disembarkation the poor convicts should +possess some sort of a place into which they could go. Further details +of this branch of work will be given in the next chapter. + +The chief work of the society, however, lay in providing homes for +discharged female criminals. In 1824, "Homes" or "Shelters" were opened +at Dublin, Liverpool, and many other places in England, Scotland, and +the Continent. Tothill Fields Asylum, a small home for some of the most +hopeful of the discharged prisoners, was opened at Westminster. Miss +Neave, a charitable Christian lady, was fired with some of Mrs. Fry's +enthusiasm, and devoted both time and money to the carrying out of the +project. She relates that the idea first entered her mind when out +driving one morning with Mrs. Fry. That lady, speaking of her work, +said, in somewhat saddened tones: "Often have I known the career of a +promising young woman, charged with a first offence, to end in a +condemned cell. Were there but a refuge for the young offender, my work +would be less painful." As the result, Tothill Fields Asylum was opened, +with four inmates. Very soon, nine were accommodated, and within a few +years, under the new name of "The Royal Manor Hall Asylum," it sheltered +fifty women of different ages. + +Another class of discharged prisoners, viz., little girls, were also +provided for by this society. To these were added destitute girls, who +had not yet found their way into prison; and the whole number were +placed under judicious training in a "School for Discipline," at +Chelsea. This institution became most successful in training these +children up in orderly and respectable habits. At one time Mrs. Fry +endeavored to get this home under Government rule, but Sir Robert Peel +considered that the ends of humanity would be better served by keeping +it under the control of, and supported by, private individuals. + +A temporary stay at Brighton suggested the formation of the District +Visiting Society. This aimed, not at indiscriminate alms-giving, but at +"the encouragement of industry and frugality among the poor by visits at +their own habitations; the relief of real distress, whether arising from +sickness or other causes, and the prevention of mendicity and +imposture." Visitors were appointed, who went from house to house among +the poor, encouraging habits of thrift and cleanliness; whilst a savings +bank received deposits, and trained these same poor to save for the +inevitable "rainy day." + +Probably one of the most extensive works of benevolence and good-will +carried on to success by Mrs. Fry, next to her prison labors, was the +establishment of libraries for the men of the Coast Guard Service. This +arose from a circumstance which occurred during the sojourn at Brighton, +for the benefit of her somewhat shattered health, in 1824. + +During her residence there she was subject to distressing attacks of +faintness in the night and early morning. Again and again, it was +necessary to immediately throw open her chamber window for the admission +of the fresh air; and always upon such occasions the figure of a +solitary coast-guardsman was to be seen pacing the beach, on the +look-out for smugglers. Such a post, and such a service, presenting as +it did a life of hardship and danger, inevitably attracted her +sympathetic attention; and she began to take an almost unconscious +interest in the affairs of this man. Shortly after, when driving out, +she stopped the carriage and spoke to one of the men at the station. He +replied civilly, that the members of the Preventive Service were not +allowed to hold any conversation with strangers, and requested to be +excused from saying any more. Mrs. Fry, feeling somewhat fearful that +her kindness might bring him into difficulty with his superiors, gave +the man her card, and desired him to tell the man in command of the +station that she had spoken to him with the sole object of inquiring +after the welfare of the men and their families. A few days afterwards, +the lieutenant who commanded at that post waited upon Mrs. Fry, and, +contrary to her fears, welcomed her inquiries as auguries of good. He +confessed to her that the officers, men, women, and children, all +suffered much from loneliness, privation, semi-banishment--for the +stations were mostly placed in dreary and inaccessible +places--unpopularity with the surrounding people, and harassment by +constant watching, through all weather, for smugglers. The nature and +regulations of the Coast Blockade of Preventive Service precluded +anything like visiting or _personal_ kindness. There was really no way +of benefiting them except by providing them with literature calculated +to promote their intellectual and religious good, besides furnishing an +occupation for the dreary, lonely hours which fell to their portion. +This course Mrs. Fry immediately adopted. + +She first applied to the British and Foreign Bible Society; the +Committee responded with a grant of fifty Bibles and twenty-five +Testaments. These were distributed to the men on the stations in that +district, and most gratefully received. As a proof of the gratitude of +the recipients, the following little note was sent to Mrs. Fry by the +commanding officer:-- + + MY DEAR MADAM,--Happy am I in being able to make you acquainted + with the unexpected success I have met with in my attempt to + forward, among the seamen employed on the coast, your truly + laudable and benevolent desire--the dissemination of the Holy + Scriptures. I have made a point of seeing Lieutenant H., who has + promised me that if you will extend your favors to Dutchmere, he + will distribute the books, and carefully attend to the performance + of Divine service on the Sabbath Day. Also Lieutenant D., who will + shortly have a command in this division. I trust, Madam, I shall be + still further able to forward those views, which must, to all who + embrace them, prove a sovereign balm in the hour of death and the + day of judgment. With respectful compliments to the ladies, allow + me to remain, dear Madam, your devoted servant. + +This communication enclosed another little note from the seamen, which +expressed their feelings as follows:-- + + We, the seamen of Salt Dean Station, have the pleasure to announce + to those ladies whose goodness has pleased them to provide the + Bibles and Testaments for the use of us seamen, that we have + received them. We do therefore return our most hearty thanks for + the same; and we do assure the ladies whose friendship has proved + so much in behalf of seamen, that every care shall be taken of the + said books; and, at the same time, great care shall be taken to + instruct those who have not the gift of education, and we at any + time shall feel a pleasure in doing the same. + +Some ten years later, when visiting in the Isle of Wight, she conceived +the plan of extending the system by supplying libraries to all the Coast +Guard stations in the United Kingdom. The magnitude of the work may be +realized when we state that there were about 500 stations, including +within their boundaries some 21,000 men, women and children. How to set +about the work was her next anxiety, for it seemed useless to attempt it +without at least £1,000 in hand. She submitted the proposition to Lord +Althorp, at that time Chancellor of the Exchequer, and asked for a +grant of £500 from Government, in order to supplement the £1,000 which +she hoped to raise by private subscriptions. A grant could not, however, +be made at that time on account of different political considerations; +but within a few months one was obtained, and her heart rejoiced at this +new proof of appreciation of her work on the part of those high in +office. An entry in her journal in February, 1835, reads thus:-- + + The way appears opening with our present Ministers to obtain + libraries for all the Coast Guard stations, a matter I have long + had at heart. My desire is to do all these things with a single eye + to the glory of God, and the welfare of my fellow mortals; and if + they succeed, to pray that He alone who can bless and increase, may + prosper the work of my unworthy hands. Upon going to the Custom + House, I found Government had at last granted my request, and given + £500 for libraries for the stations; this is, I think, cause for + thankfulness. + +Private subscriptions were sedulously sought, and large sums flowed in; +besides these, many large book-sellers, and the chief religious +publishing societies gave donations of books. These were valued in the +aggregate at about one thousand pounds. The details of the work were +left to herself, while the Rev. John W. Cunningham, Captain W.E. Parry, +and Captain Bowles selected the books. + +The total number of volumes for the stations amounted to 25,896. Each +station possessed a library of fifty-two different books, while each +_district_, which included the stations in that part of the country, +possessed a larger assortment for reference and exchange. Most of the +parcels were sent, carriage free, in Government vessels, by means of the +Custom House. This work involved many journeys to London, and much +arduous labor. The Rev. Thomas Timpson, a dissenting minister in London, +acted most efficiently as secretary, and lightened her labors to a large +extent. During the summer of 1835, the work of distributing these +volumes was nearly all accomplished; and as during that summer Mr. Fry's +business demanded his presence in the south of England, she decided to +seize the opportunity of visiting all the Coast Guard stations in that +part of the country. In this way she journeyed along the whole south +coast, from the Forelands to Land's End, welcomed everywhere with +true-hearted veneration and love. She addressed herself principally to +the commanders of the different stations, bespeaking for the books care +in treatment and regularity in carrying out the exchanges. These +gentlemen manifested the warmest interest in the plan, and promised +their most thorough co-operation. + +At Portsmouth she visited the Haslar Hospital, and while in Portsea, +the female Penitentiary. In the latter institution she desired to speak +a few words to the inmates, who were, accordingly, assembled in the +parlor for the purpose. Mrs. Fry laid her bonnet on the table, sat down, +and made different inquiries about the conduct of the young women, and +the rules enforced. It appeared that two of them were pointed out as +being peculiarly hardened and refractory. She did not, however, notice +this at the time, but delivered a short and affectionate address to all. +Afterwards, on going away, she went up to the two refractory ones, and, +extending her hand to them, said to each, most impressively: "I trust I +shall hear better things of thee." Both of them burst into unexpected +tears, thus acknowledging the might of kindness over such natures. + +At Falmouth, during this same excursion, she supplied some of the +men-of-war with libraries. Some of the packets participated in the same +boon, so that each ship sailing from that port took out a well-chosen +library of about thirty books. These library books were changed on each +succeeding voyage, and were highly appreciated by both officers and +seamen. + +In 1836, the report of the Committee for furnishing the Coast Guard of +the United Kingdom with Libraries, appeared. From it, we find that in +addition to the £500 kindly granted by the Government at first towards +the project, Mr. Spring Rice, a later Chancellor of the Exchequer +granted further sums amounting to £460. Thus the undertaking was brought +to a successful termination. There were supplied: 498 libraries for the +stations on shore, including 25,896 volumes; 74 libraries for districts +on shore, including 12,880 volumes; 48 libraries for cruisers, including +1,876 volumes; school books for children of crews, 6,464 volumes; +pamphlets, tracts, etc., 5,357 numbers; total, 52,464 volumes and +numbers. + +These were distributed among 21,000 people on Coast Guard stations, and +to the hands on board many ships. Years afterwards, many and very +unexpected letters of thanks continued to reach Mrs. Fry from those who +had benefited by this good work. + +"Instant in season and out of season," this very trip in the south of +England produced another good work. She, with her husband and daughter, +returned home by way of North Devon, Somerset, and Wiltshire. At +Amesbury she tarried long enough to learn something of the mental +destitution of the shepherds employed on Salisbury Plain, and set her +fertile brain to contrive a scheme for the supply of the necessary +books. She communicated her desires and intentions to the clergyman of +the parish, and Sir Edward and Lady Antrobus, who unitedly undertook to +furnish a librarian. A short note from this individual, addressed to +Mrs. Fry some few months after, proved how well the thing was working. +In it he said: "Forty-five books are in constant circulation, with the +additional magazines. More than fifty poor people read them with +attention, return them with thanks, and desire the loan of more, +frequently observing that they think it a very kind thing indeed that +they should be furnished with so many good books, free of all costs, so +entertaining and instructive, these long winter evenings." + +About the same period Mrs. Fry formed a Servants' Society for the succor +and help of domestic servants. She had known instances wherein so many +of this class had come to sorrow, in every sense, for the lack of +temporary refuge and assistance, that she alone undertook to found this +institution. In an entry made in her journal in 1825, we find the +following reference to this matter:-- + + The Servants' Society appears gradually opening as if it would be + established according to my desire. No one knows what I go through + in forming these institutions; it is always in fear, and mostly + with many misgivings, wondering at myself for doing it. I believe + the original motive is love to my Master and love to my + fellow-creatures; but fear is so predominant a feeling in my mind + that it makes me suffer, perhaps unnecessarily, from doubts. I felt + something like freedom in prayer before making the regulations of + the Servants' Society. Sometimes my natural understanding seems + enlightened about things of that kind, as if I were helped to see + the right and useful thing. + +In closing this chapter, some allusion must be made to her latest +effort. It dates from 1840, and owed its foundation principally to her. +It was that of the "Nursing Sisters," an order called into existence by +the needs of every-day life. As she visited in sick-chambers, or +ministered to the needs of the poor, she felt the want of efficient +skilled nurses, and, with the restless energy of a true philanthropist, +set about remedying the want. Her own leisure would not admit of +training a band of nurses, but her desire was carried into effect by +Mrs. Samuel Gurney, her sister-in-law. Under this lady's supervision, +and the patronage of the Queen Dowager, Lady Inglis, and other members +of the nobility, a number of young women were selected, trained, and +taught to fulfil the duties of nurses. They were placed for some time in +the largest public hospitals, in order to learn the scientific system of +nursing; then, supposing their qualifications and conduct were found to +be satisfactory, they were received permanently as Sisters. These +Sisters wore a distinctive dress, received an annual stipend of about +twenty guineas, and were provided with a home during the intervals of +their engagements. There was also a "Superannuation Fund" for the relief +of those Sisters who should, after long service, fall into indigence or +ill-health. Christian women, of all denominations, were encouraged to +join the institution; while the services of the Sisters were equally +available in the palace and in the cottage. No Sister was permitted to +receive presents, directly or indirectly, from the patients nursed by +her, seeing that all sums received went to a common fund for the benefit +of the Society. These Sisters appear to have worked very much like the +modern deaconesses of the Church of England. They rightly earned the +title of "Sisters of Mercy." + +These are but examples of Mrs. Fry's good works,--done "all for love, +and none for a reward." + +Many other smaller works claimed her thoughts, so that her life was very +full of the royal grace of charity. The list might have been still +further extended, but to the ordinary student of her life it is already +sufficiently long to prove the reality of her religion and her love. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +EXPANSION OF THE PRISON ENTERPRISE.--HONORS. + + +It is an old adage that "nothing succeeds like success." Mrs. Fry and +her prison labors had become famous; not only famous, but the subjects +of talk, both in society and out of it. Kings, queens, statesmen, +philanthropists, ladies of fashion, devotees of charity, authors and +divines were all looking with more or less interest at the experiments +made by the apostles of this new crusade against vice, misery, and +crime. Many of them courted acquaintance with the Quakeress who +hesitated not to plunge into gloomy prison-cells, nor to penetrate +pest-houses decimated with jail fever, in pursuance of her mission. And +while they courted her acquaintance, they fervently wished her "God +speed." Two or three communications, still in existence, prove that +Hannah More and Maria Edgeworth were of the number of good wishers. + +In a short note written from Barley Wood, in 1826, Hannah More thus +expressed her appreciation of Mrs. Fry's character:-- + + Any request of yours, if within my very limited power, cannot fail + to be immediately complied with. In your kind note, I wish you had + mentioned something of your own health and that of your family. I + look back with no small pleasure to the too short visits with which + you once indulged me; a repetition of it would be no little + gratification to me. Whether Divine Providence may grant it or not, + I trust through Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us, that we + may hereafter meet in that blessed country where there is neither + sin, sorrow, nor separation. + +Many years previous to this, Hannah More had presented Mrs. Fry with a +copy of her _Practical Piety_, writing this inscription on the +fly-leaf:-- + + TO MRS. FRY. Presented by Hannah More, as a token of veneration of + her heroic zeal, Christian charity, and persevering kindness to the + most forlorn of human beings. They were naked, and she clothed + them, in prison, and she visited them; ignorant, and she taught + them, for _His_ sake, in _His_ name, and by _His_ word, who went + about doing good. + +No words can add to the beauty of this inscription. + +During one of Maria Edgeworth's London visits, the name and fame of Mrs. +Fry, and Newgate as civilized by her, formed such an attraction that the +lively Irish authoress must needs go to see for herself. In her +picturesque style she thus affords us an account of her visit:-- + + Yesterday we went, the moment we had swallowed our breakfast, by + appointment to Newgate. The private door opened at sight of our + tickets, and the great doors, and the little doors, and the thick + doors, and doors of all sorts, were unbolted and unlocked, and on + we went, through dreary but clean passages, till we came to a room + where rows of empty benches fronted us, and a table, on which lay a + large Bible. Several ladies and gentlemen entered, and took their + seats on benches, at either side of the table, in silence. + + Enter Mrs. Fry, in a drab-colored silk cloak, and plain, borderless + Quaker cap; a most benevolent countenance; Guido Madonna face, + calm, benign. "I must make an inquiry; is Maria Edgeworth here? And + where?" I went forward; she bade us come and sit beside her. Her + first smile, as she looked upon me, I can never forget. The + prisoners came in, and in an orderly manner ranged themselves on + the benches. All quite clean faces, hair, caps and hands. On a very + low bench in front, little children were seated, and watched by + their mothers. Almost all these women, about thirty, were under + sentence of transportation; some few only were for imprisonment. + One who did not appear was under sentence of death; frequently + women, when sentenced to death, become ill, and unable to attend + Mrs. Fry; the others come regularly and voluntarily. + + She opened the Bible, and read in the most sweetly solemn, sedate + voice I ever heard, slowly and distinctly, without anything in the + manner that could distract attention from the matter. Sometimes she + paused to explain; which she did with great judgment, addressing + the convicts--"_We_ have felt! _We_ are convinced!" They were very + attentive, unexpectedly interested, I thought, in all she said, and + touched by her manner. There was nothing put on in their + countenances; not any appearance of hypocrisy. I studied their + countenances carefully, but I could not see any which, without + knowing to whom they belonged, I should have decided was bad; yet + Mrs. Fry assured me that all those women had been of the worst + sort. She confirmed what we have read and heard--that it was by + their love of their children that she first obtained influence over + these abandoned women. When she first took notice of one or two of + their fine children, the mothers said that if she could but save + their children from the misery they had gone through in vice, they + would do anything she bid them. And when they saw the change made + in their children by her schooling, they begged to attend + themselves. I could not have conceived that the love of their + children could have remained so strong in hearts in which every + other feeling of virtue had so long been dead. The Vicar of + Wakefield's sermon in prison is, it seems, founded on a deep and + true knowledge of human nature; the spark of good is often + smothered, never wholly extinguished. Mrs. Fry often says an + extempore prayer; but this day she was quite silent; while she + covered her face with her hands for some minutes, the women were + perfectly silent, with their eyes fixed upon her; and when she + said, "You may go," they went away _slowly_. The children sat quite + still the whole time; when one leaned, her mother behind her sat + her upright. Mrs. Fry told us that the dividing the women into + classes, and putting them under monitors, had been of the greatest + advantage. There is some little pecuniary advantage attached to the + office of monitor which makes them emulous to obtain it. We went + through the female wards with Mrs. Fry, and saw the women at + various works, knitting, rug-making, etc. They have done a great + deal of needle-work very neatly, and some very ingenious. When I + expressed my foolish wonder at this to Mrs. Fry's sister, she + replied, "We have to do, recollect, Ma'am, not with fools, but with + rogues."... Far from being disappointed with the sight of what + Mrs. Fry has done, I was delighted. + +This _naļve_, informal chronicle of a visit to Newgate incidentally lets +out the fact that the gloomy prison was fast becoming attractive to +visitors--indeed, quite a show-place. That Mrs. Fry's labors were +receiving official honor and recognition also, there is plenty of +evidence to prove. In Prussia, her principles and exhortations had made +such headway that the Government was adapting old prisons and building +new, in order to carry out the modern doctrines of classification and +employment. In Denmark, the King had given his sanction to the measures +proposed by the Royal Danish Chancery for adding new buildings to the +prison. As soon as these buildings were completed the females would be +separated from the males, female warders were to be appointed, +employment found for all prisoners, and books of information and +devotion were to be supplied to each cell; while a chaplain (an unknown +official, hitherto) was to be appointed. In Germany, four new +penitentiaries were to be constructed; viz., at Berlin, Münster in +Westphalia, Ratibor in Silesia, and Königsberg. Two of these +penitentiaries were to be exactly like the Model Prison at Pentonville; +separate confinement was to be practically carried out, and the +prisoners were to be taught trades under the superintendence of picked +teachers. From Düsseldorf came information that all the female prisoners +were improving under the new _régime_; that an asylum for discharged +prisoners was effecting a wonderful transformation in the characters and +lives of those who sought refuge there; and that the inmates only left +its shelter to secure situations in service. In addition to these +cheering items she had the satisfaction of holding communications with +many princely, noble and royal personages on the Continent, respecting +the progress of her favorite work, and the new regulations and buildings +then adopted. + +To return to her home-work and its ramifications will only be to prove +how far the great principles which she had taught were bearing fruit. +The Government Inspectors were working hard upon the lines laid down by +Mrs. Fry; and if at times they found anything which clashed with their +own pre-conceived ideas of what a prison should be, they were always +ready to make allowance for the difficulties of pioneer work, such as +this lady and her coadjutors had to do at Newgate. At Paramatta, New +South Wales, where, according to a letter from the Rev. Samuel Marsden +in an earlier part of this work, the condition of female convicts had +been scandalous to the Government which shipped them out there, and +deplorable in the extreme for the poor creatures themselves, a large +factory had been erected, designed for the reception of the convicts +upon their landing. It served its purpose well, being commodious enough +to receive not only the new importations, but the refractory women also, +who were returned from their situations. It was well managed; the +inmates being divided into three classes, and treated with more or less +kindness accordingly. True, at one time, even after the erection of this +factory, from the management being entrusted to inefficient hands, a +scene of disorder and misrule had prevailed; but that had been promptly +and firmly repressed. Hard labor and strict discipline had succeeded in +reducing the temporary confusion to something like order, and made +residence there the dread of returning evil-doers, whilst it afforded a +refuge for new-comers. Sir Richard Bourke, and Sir Ralph and Lady +Darling, used every endeavor to make the place a success; while, at +home, Lord Glenelg and Sir George Grey gave the matter, on behalf of +the Government, every needful and possible aid. A good superintendent +and matron were appointed from England, and supplied with every +requisite for the instruction and occupation of the convicts at the +factory. + +This cordial co-operation of the Colonial Office in her schemes of +improvement for the female convicts at Paramatta, encouraged her to +attempt the same good work for the convicts at Hobart Town, Tasmania. It +happened that by 1843 the transportation of females to New South Wales +had ceased, the younger establishment at Hobart Town receiving all the +female convicts; but, like the hydra of classic lore, the evil sprang up +there as fresh and as vigorous as if it had not been conquered at +Paramatta. Lady Franklin and other ladies communicated with Mrs. Fry, +showing her the great need that still existed for her benevolent +exertions in that quarter. From these communications it seemed that the +assignment of women into domestic slavery still continued, in all its +dire forms. When a convict ship arrived from England, employers of all +grades became candidates for the services of the convicts. With the +exception of publicans, and ticket-of-leave men, who were not allowed to +employ convicts, anybody and everybody might engage the poor banished +prisoners without any guarantee whatsoever as to the future conduct of +the employer toward the servant, or specification as to the kind of work +to be performed. Those convicts who have behaved themselves best on the +voyage out were assigned to the best classes of society, while the +others fell to the refuse of the employers' class. As it was a fact that +a large proportion of the tradesmen applying for servants were convicts +who had fully served their time, it may be imagined how lacking in +civilization and integrity such employers often were. But if the +condition of the convicts was hopeless after their assignment to places +of service, it was, if possible, more hopeless still in the home, or +"factory," in which they were first received. Some of the letters before +referred to cast a flood of terrible light upon the condition of the +poor wretches who had quitted their country "for that country's good," +even when under supposed discipline and restraint. A passage from one of +these letters reads like an ugly story of "the good old times!" + + The Cascade Factory is a receiving-house for the women on their + first arrival (if not assigned from the ship), or on their + transition from one place to another, and also a house of + correction for faults committed in domestic service; but with no + pretension to be a place of reformatory discipline, and seldom + failing to turn out the women worse than they entered it. + Religious instruction there was none, except that occasionally on + the Sabbath the superintendent of the prison read prayers, and + sometimes divine service was performed by a chaplain, who also had + an extensive parish to attend to. + + The officers of the establishment consisted, at that time, of only + five persons--a porter, the superintendent, and matron, and two + assistants. The number of persons in the factory, when first + visited by Miss Hayter, was five hundred and fifty. It followed, of + course, that nothing like prison discipline could be enforced, or + even attempted. In short, so congenial to its inmates was this + place of custody (it would be unfair to call it a place of + punishment) that they returned to it again and again when they + wished to change their place of servitude; and they were known to + commit offences on purpose to be sent into it, preparatory to their + reassignment elsewhere. + + Yet, after visiting the factory, and hearing everybody speak of its + unhappy inmates, I could not but feel that they were far more to be + pitied than blamed. No one has ever attempted any measure to + ameliorate their degraded condition. I felt that had they had the + opportunity of religious instruction, some at least might be + rescued. I wish I could express to you all I feel and think upon + the subject, and how completely I am overwhelmed with the awful sin + of allowing so many wretched beings to perish for lack of + instruction. Even in the hospital of the factory the unhappy + creatures are as much neglected, in spiritual things, as if they + were in a heathen land. There are no Bibles, and no Christians to + tell them of a Saviour's dying love. + +Mrs. Fry laid these communications before the Colonial Secretary without +delay, praying him to alter this terrible state of things. She was at +once listened to. The building was altered, by orders from England; the +convicts were divided into classes; employment and discipline were +provided; daily instruction, both secular and religious, was imparted; +so that, by degrees, the establishment became what it should have been +from the first--a house of detention, discipline, and refuge. In +addition, a large vessel called the _Anson_ was fitted up as a temporary +prison, sent out to Hobart Town, and moored in the river. This vessel +received the new shipments of transports from England, and afforded, by +its staff of officers, opportunity for a six months' training of the +convicts, who then were not permitted to enter the service of the +colonists until after this period had expired. By these different means +Mrs. Fry had the satisfaction of knowing that the convicts had yet +another opportunity of amendment granted them after leaving the prisons +of their native land. It has already been observed that in most of the +prisons of the United Kingdom female warders were employed, while +matrons were appointed on the out-going convict ships. Contrary to the +lot of many reformers, Mrs. Fry was spared to see most of the reforms +which she had recommended, become law. + +After Mrs. Fry's death an interesting report was issued by the +Inspector-General of Prisons in Ireland, relating to the Grange Gorman +Lane Female Prison, Dublin. Mrs. Fry had taken special interest in this +prison, it having been the first erected _exclusively for women_ in the +United Kingdom, and intended, if found successful, to serve as a sort of +model for other places. The experiment had proved entirely successful +and satisfactory; matron, warders and chaplain all united in one chorus +of praise. Major Cottingham, the Inspector-General, wrote:-- + + Although I made my annual inspection of this prison on February + 18th, 1847, as a date upon which to form my report, yet I have had + very many opportunities of seeing it during past and former years, + in my duties connected with my superintendence of the convict + department. The visitors may see many changes in the faces and + persons of the prisoners, but no surprise can ever find a + difference in the high and superior order with which this prison is + conducted. The matron, Mrs. Rawlins, upon whom the entire + responsibility of the interior management devolves, was selected + some years since, and sent over to this country by the benevolent + and philanthropic Mrs. Fry, whose exertions in the cause of female + prison reformation were extended to all parts of the British + Empire, and who, although lately summoned to the presence of her + Divine Master, has nowhere left a more valuable instance of her + sound judgment and high discriminating powers than in the selection + of Mrs. Rawlins to be placed at the head of this experimental + prison, occupied alone by females; and so successful has the + experiment been, that I understand several other prisons solely + for females have been lately opened in Scotland, and even in + Australia. In this prison is to be seen an uninterrupted system of + reformatory discipline in every class, such as is to be found in no + other prison that I am aware of. + +The matron alluded to in the above extracts gratefully acknowledged that +Mrs. Fry's plan had completely succeeded in every respect, while she was +equally grateful in owning that to her instructions and wise maternal +counsel she herself owed her own fitness for that special branch of the +work. + +The testimonies to her success not only came in from official quarters, +but from the prisoners themselves. This chronicle would scarcely be +complete without a specimen or two of the many communications she +received from prisoners at home and from convicts abroad. True, on one +or two occasions the women at Newgate had behaved in a somewhat +refractory manner, for their poor degraded human nature could not +conceive of pure disinterested Christian love working for their good +without fee or reward; but even at these times their better nature very +soon reasserted itself, and penitence and tears took the place of +insubordination. To those who had sinned against and had been forgiven +by her, Mrs. Fry's memory was something almost too holy for earth. No +orthodoxly canonized saint of the Catholic Church ever received truer +reverence, or performed such miracles of moral healing. + +The following communication reached her from some of the prisoners at +Newgate:-- + + HONORED MADAM,--Influenced by gratitude to our general benefactress + and friend, we humbly venture to address you. It is with sorrow we + say that we had not the pleasure of seeing you at the accustomed + time, which we have always been taught to look for--we mean Friday + last. We are fearful that your health was the cause of our being + deprived of that heartfelt joy which your presence always diffuses + through the prison; but we hope, through the mercies of God, we + shall be able personally to return you the grateful acknowledgments + of our hearts, before we leave our country forever, for all the + past and present favors so benevolently bestowed upon what has been + termed the "most unfortunate of society," until cheered by your + benevolence, kindness and charity: and hoping that your health, + which is so dear to such a number of unfortunates, will be fully + re-established before we go, so that after our departure from our + native land, those who are so unfortunate as to fall into our + situation may enjoy the same blessing, both temporally and + spiritually, that we have done before them. And may our minds be + impressed with a due sense of the many comforts we have enjoyed + whilst under your kind protection. Honored and worthy Madam, we + hope we shall be pardoned for our presumption in addressing you at + this time, but our fears of not seeing you before the time of our + departure induce us to entreat your acceptance of our prayers for + your restoration to your family; and may the prayers and + supplications of the unfortunate prisoners ascend to Heaven for the + prolonging of that life which is so dear to the most wretched of + the English nation. Honored Madam, we beg leave to subscribe + ourselves, with humble respect, your most grateful and devoted, + + THE PRISONERS OF NEWGATE. + +The following letter was from a convict at Paramatta, New South Wales, +some time after her banishment to that colony:-- + + HONORED MADAM,--The duty I owe to you, likewise to the benevolent + society to which you have the honor to belong, compels me to take + up my pen to return you my most sincere thanks for the heavenly + instruction I derived from you, and the dear friends, during my + confinement in Newgate. + + In the month of April, 1817, that blessed prayer of yours sank deep + into my heart; and as you said, so I have found it, that when no + eyes see and no ears hear, God both sees and hears, and then it was + that the arrow of conviction entered my hard heart; in Newgate it + was that poor Harriet, like the Prodigal Son, came to herself, and + took with her words, and sought the Lord. Truly I can say with + David, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I have + learned Thy ways, O Lord."... Believe me, my dear Madam, I bless + the day that brought me inside Newgate walls, for then it was that + the ways of Divine truth shone into my dark mind.'... Believe me, + my dear Madam, although I am a poor captive in a distant land, I + would not give up having communion with God one single day for my + liberty; for what is the liberty of the body compared with the + liberty of the soul? Soon will the time come when death will + release me from all the earthly fetters that hold me now, for I + trust to be with Christ, who bought me with His precious blood. And + now, my dear Madam, these few sincere sentiments of mine I wish you + to make known to the world, that the world may see that your labor + in Newgate has not been in vain in the Lord. Please give my love to + the dear friends; the keeper of Newgate, and all the afflicted + prisoners; and although we may never meet on earth again, I hope we + shall all meet in the realms of bliss, never to part again. + + Believe me to remain your humble servant, + HARRIET S----. + +In addition to the grateful acknowledgments of "those who were ready to +perish," Mrs. Fry won an unusual meed of honorable esteem from the noble +and great. Sovereigns and rulers, statesmen and cabinet councillors, all +owned the worth of goodness, and rendered to the Quaker lady the homage +of both tongue and heart. Beside that notable visit to the Mansion House +to be presented to Queen Charlotte, in 1818, Mrs. Fry had many +interviews with royalty--these royal and noble personages conferring +honor upon themselves more than upon her by their kindly interest in her +work. + +In 1822 the Prince and Princess Royal of Denmark visited England, and +spent considerable time in inspecting public institutions, schools, and +charities tending to advance the general well-being of the people. Of +course Mrs. Fry's name was spoken of prominently, seeing that she was +then in the full tide of her Newgate labors. The Duchess of Gloucester +first introduced Mrs. Fry to the Princess, when a few words of question +and explanation were given in relation to the prison enterprise. But +some days later, the family at Plashet House were apprised of the fact +that the Princess intended honoring them with her company at breakfast. +She came at the hour appointed, and, while partaking of their +hospitality, entered fully into Mrs. Fry's work, learning of her those +particulars which she could not otherwise gain. The foundation of a firm +friendship with the Princess Royal of Denmark was thus laid, which +continued through all Mrs. Fry's after life. + +In 1831 she obtained her first interview with our gracious Queen, then +the young Princess Victoria. Then, as now, the Royal Family of England +was always interested in works of charity and philanthropy, and the +young Princess displayed the early bent of her mind in this interview. +In the most unaffected style Mrs. Fry thus tells the story: "About three +weeks ago I paid a very satisfactory visit to the Duchess of Kent, and +her very pleasing daughter, the Princess Victoria. William Allen went +with me. We took some books on the subject of slavery, with the hope of +influencing the young Princess in that important cause. We were received +with much kindness and cordiality, and I felt my way open to express not +only my desire that the best blessing may rest upon them, but that the +young Princess might follow the example of our blessed Lord; that as she +grew in stature she might also grow in favor with God and man. I also +ventured to remind her of King Josiah, who began to reign at eight years +old, and did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, turning +neither to the right hand nor to the left, which seemed to be well +received. Since that I thought it right to send the Duke of Gloucester +my brother Joseph's work on the Sabbath, with a rather serious letter, +and had a very valuable answer from him, full of feeling. I have an +invitation to visit the Duchess of Gloucester the next Fourth Day. May +good result to them and no harm to myself; but I feel those openings a +rather weighty responsibility, and desire to be faithful and not +forward. I had long felt an inclination to see the young Princess, and +endeavor to throw a little weight into the right scale, seeing the very +important place she is likely to fill. I was much pleased with her, and +think her a sweet, lovely and hopeful child." + +Some three years afterwards the Duke of Gloucester died, and his death +recalled the old times when he was quartered at Norwich with his +regiment. The biographers of Elizabeth Fry tell us that the Duke "was +amongst the few who addressed words of friendly caution and sound advice +to the young and motherless sisters at Earlham." She never forgot the +old friendship--a friendship which had been increased by the unfailing +interest of both the Duke and Duchess in her philanthropic work. As soon +as she heard of the bereavement she wrote the following letter to the +Princess Sophia of Gloucester:-- + + MY DEAR FRIEND: + + I hope thou wilt not feel it an intrusion my expressing my sympathy + with thee in the death of the Duke of Gloucester. To lose a dear + and only brother is no small trial, and for a while makes the world + appear very desolate. But I trust that having thy pleasant pictures + marred in this life may be one means of opening brighter prospects + in the life to come, and of having thy treasure increased in the + heavenly inheritance. The Duchess of Gloucester kindly commissioned + a lady to write to me, who gave me a very comforting account of the + state of the Duke's mind. I feel it cause for much thankfulness + that he was so sustained through faith in his Lord and Saviour; and + we may humbly trust, through His merits, saved with an everlasting + salvation. It would be very pleasant to me to hear how thy health + and spirits are after so great a shock, and I propose inquiring at + Blackheath, where I rather expect to be next week; or if thou + wouldst have the kindness to request one of thy ladies in waiting + to write me a few lines I should be much obliged. I hope that my + dear and valued friend, the Duchess of Gloucester, is as well as we + can expect after her deep affliction. + +Shortly after this she paid a visit of condolence to the Duchess by +appointment. + +Early in 1840 the young Queen, her present Majesty, sent Mrs. Fry a +present of fifty pounds by Lord Normanby for the Refuge at Chelsea, and +appointed an audience. On the first day of February Mrs. Fry, +accompanied by her brother, Samuel Gurney, and William Allen, attended +at Buckingham Palace. This was only a few days before Her Majesty +espoused Prince Albert. Mrs. Fry writes as follows in her journal, +respecting that interview:-- + + We went to Buckingham Palace and saw the Queen. Our interview was + short. Lord Normanby, the Home Secretary, presented us. The Queen + asked us when we were going on the Continent. She said it was some + years since she saw me. She asked about Caroline Neave's Refuge, + for which she has lately sent me the fifty pounds. This gave me an + opportunity of thanking her. I ventured to express my satisfaction + that she encouraged various works of charity, and I said it + reminded me of the words of Scripture, "With the merciful Thou wilt + show Thyself merciful." Before we withdrew I stopped, and said I + hoped the Queen would allow me to assure her that it was our prayer + that the blessing of God might rest upon the Queen and her Consort. + +In January, 1842, the Lady Mayoress pressed Mrs. Fry to attend a +banquet given at the Mansion House, in order principally to meet Prince +Albert, Sir Robert Peel, and the different Ministers of State. After a +little mental conflict she decided to go, with the earnest hope and +purpose of doing more good for the prisoners. A summary of her sayings +and doings at that banquet is best supplied in her own words:-- + + I had an important conversation on a female prison being built, + with Sir James Graham, our present Secretary of State.... I think + it was a very important beginning with him for our British Ladies' + Society. With Lord Aberdeen, Foreign Secretary, I spoke on some + matters connected with the present state of the Continent; with + Lord Stanley, our Colonial Secretary, upon the state of our penal + colonies, and the condition of the women in them, hoping to open + the door for further communications with him upon these subjects. + Nearly the whole dinner was occupied in deeply interesting + conversation with Prince Albert and Sir Robert Peel. With the + Prince I spoke very seriously upon the Christian education of their + children ... the infinite importance of a holy and religious life; + how I had seen it in all ranks of life, no real peace or prosperity + without it; then the state of Europe, the advancement of religion + in the continental courts; then prisons, their present state in + this country, my fear that our punishments were becoming too + severe, my wish that the Queen should be informed of some + particulars respecting separate confinement. We also had much + entertaining conversation about my journeys, the state of Europe, + modes of living, and habits of countries. With Sir Robert Peel I + dwelt much more on the prison subject; I expressed my fears that + jailers had too much power, that punishment was rendered uncertain, + and often too severe; pressed upon him the need of mercy, and + begged him to see the new prison, and to have the dark cells a + little altered.... I was wonderfully strengthened, bodily and + mentally, and believe I was in my right place there, though an odd + one for me. I sat between Prince Albert and Sir Robert Peel at + dinner, and a most interesting time we had.... It was a very + remarkable occasion; I hardly ever had such respect and kindness + shown to me; it was really humbling and affecting to me, and yet + sweet to see such various persons, whom I had worked with for years + past, showing such genuine kindness and esteem so far beyond my + most unworthy deserts. + +Royalty and nobility thus concurred in carrying out, although perhaps +unconsciously, the Scriptural command: "_Esteem such very highly in love +for their works' sake._" It is interesting to notice how very +frequently, in this world, the course of events does coincide with the +words of Holy Writ, and the honor which Providence showers upon a +remarkable servant of God. It is equally interesting, also, to see how +completely, in the philanthropic Quakeress, the nobility of moral +greatness was acknowledged by the highest personages in the land. + +Very soon after this meeting at the Mansion House, the King of Prussia +arrived in England, to stand as sponsor to the infant Prince of Wales; +and, speedily after his arrival, he desired to see Mrs. Fry. He neither +forgot nor ignored her visits to his dominions in the interests of +charity; and he concluded that a woman who could travel thousands of +miles upon the Continent, in order to ameliorate the condition of +prisoners and lunatics, must be worth visiting at her own home. By his +special desire, therefore, she was sent for, to meet him at the Mansion +House. After the dinner, at which no toasts were proposed, in deference +to Mrs. Fry's religious scruples, an appointment was made by the King to +meet her at Newgate on the following morning, and afterwards to take +luncheon at the house in Upton Lane. This memorable engagement was +carried out in its entirety about midday. Mrs. Fry and one of her +sisters set out to meet the party, which included the King, his suite, +the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, the Sheriffs, some of the Ministers of +State, and a large number of gentlemen. The poor women of Newgate +numbered about sixty, and doubtless their attention was somewhat +distracted by the grand company present; but Mrs. Fry, with her +accustomed common-sense, reminded them that a greater than the King of +Prussia was present, even "the King of Kings and Lord of Lords." After +this admonition she read the 12th chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, +and expounded and conducted a short devotional service. Then, she says, +"the King again gave me his arm, and we walked down together. There were +difficulties raised about his going to Upton, but he chose to persevere. +I went with the Lady Mayoress and the Sheriffs, the King with his own +people. We arrived first; I had to hasten to take off my cloak, and then +went down to meet him at his carriage-door, with my husband and seven of +our sons and sons-in-law. I then walked with him into the drawing-room, +where all was in beautiful order--neat, and adorned with flowers. I +presented to the King our eight daughters and daughters-in-law, our +seven sons and eldest grandson, my brother and sister Buxton, Sir Henry +and Lady Pelley, and my sister-in-law Elizabeth Fry--my brother and +sister Gurney he had known before--and afterwards presented twenty-five +of our grandchildren. We had a solemn silence before our meal, which was +handsome and fit for a king, yet not extravagant, everything most +complete and nice. I sat by the King, who appeared to enjoy his dinner, +perfectly at his ease and very happy with us. We went into the +drawing-room after another silence and a few words which I uttered in +prayer for the King and Queen. We found a deputation of Friends with an +address to read to him; this was done; the King appeared to feel it +much. We then had to part. The King expressed his desire that blessings +might continue to rest on our house." + +Solomon says: "Seest thou a man diligent in his business he shall stand +before kings; he shall not stand before mean men." Elizabeth Fry's life +was a living proof of the honors that a persistent, steady, self-denying +course of doing good invariably wins in the long run. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +CLOSING DAYS OF LIFE. + + +Indefatigable workers wear out, while drones rust out. As the years are +counted, of so many days, months, and weeks, many workers of this class +die prematurely; but a wiser philosophy teaches that "He liveth long who +liveth well." Into her years of life, long, eventful, and busy, +Elizabeth Fry had crowded the work of many ordinary women; it was little +wonder, therefore, that at a time when most people would have settled +down to enjoy the relaxations and comforts of a "green old age," she had +begun to set her house in order, _to die_. Her energies had been fairly +worn out in the service of humanity, and from the time that she made the +resolution to serve God, when moved by William Savery's pleadings, right +onward through forty-eight years of sunshine and shadow, vicissitudes +and labors, she had never swerved from her simple, earnest purpose. The +propelling motive to that long course of Christian usefulness may be +found in a few words uttered by her shortly before her death: "Since my +heart was touched at seventeen years old, I believe I have never +awakened from sleep, in sickness or in health, by day or by night, +without my first waking thought being, 'how best I might serve my +Lord.'" That unchanged desire ultimately became the master-passion of +her life. + +Honors clustered thickly about her declining days. She was the welcomed +guest of royalty and nobility; on the Continent, as well as in far-away +English colonies, her name was pronounced only with respectful love. Her +eldest son was appointed to the magistracy of the county; her relatives +and associates were foremost in every enterprise intended to benefit +mankind; while both in Parliament and out of it, her recommendations +were respectfully adopted. Had her years been counted on the patriarchal +scale, instead of by their own shortened number, she could have reaped +no higher honors; for titles were in her ears but empty sounds, and +wealth only meant increased responsibility. Not many nobler souls walked +this earth, either in Quaker garb or out of it. + +In 1842 her state of health appeared to be so infirm and shattered that +her brother-in-law, Mr. Hoare, offered her the loan of his house at +Cromer. She accepted the offer for a couple of months, and found a +little benefit for the bracing air. She mentioned in her diary at this +time that she had "an undue fear of an imbecile or childish state"--a +not unlikely feeling to be cherished by an energetic woman accustomed +all her life long to the work of helping others. At the end of October +she returned home, thankfully rejoicing, however, in an improved state +of health. + +But a new series of trials awaited her. Death seemed to visit the happy +family circle so often that one wonders almost where the tale will stop. +Four or five grand-children passed away in rapid succession. After the +funeral of the first grand-child, she assembled the family party in the +evening, and with a little of the old fire and yearning affection, gave +them exhortation and consolation. Then she prayed for all the members of +the three generations present. After this funeral service she paid a +final visit to France; and then returned home, to descend still further +into the valley of suffering. + +Her sister-in-law--also named Elizabeth Fry--died during this time of +weakness and pain. There had been a close bond of sympathy between these +two women; they had travelled many times together as ministers in the +Society of Friends, and had been united by the closest bonds of womanly +and Christian affection. The faithful sister-in-law preceded the +philanthropist to "the better land," by about fifteen months. + +In the summer of 1844 she attended her beloved meeting at Plaistow once +more. She had been so long in declining health, that meeting with the +associates of former years, for worship, had been of necessity an +enjoyment altogether out of the question. But Sunday after Sunday, as +the "church-going bell" resounded on the still morning air, her spirit +yearned to worship God after the manner of her sect. Still, for weeks +the attempt was an abortive one. The difficult process of dressing was +never accomplished until long after 11 o'clock, the hour when the +meeting assembled. The desire was only intensified, however, by these +repeated disappointments, and finally it was resolved that the attempt +should be made on Sunday, August 4th, at all risks. It succeeded. Drawn +by two of her children, in a wheeled chair, she was taken up to the +meeting, a few minutes after the hour for commencing worship. Her +husband, children and servants followed behind, fearing whether or no +the ordeal would be too heavy for the wasted frame. But after remaining +for some time in the wonted quiet of the sanctuary, an access of +strength seemed to be granted her, and in somewhat similar spirit to +that of the old patriarchs, when about to bid farewell to the scene of +labor and life, she lifted up her voice once more with weighty, solemn +words of counsel. The prominent topic of her discourse was "the death of +the righteous." She expressed the deepest thankfulness, alluding to her +sister-in-law, Elizabeth Fry, for mercies vouchsafed to one who, having +labored amongst them, had been called from time to eternity. She quoted +that text, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for they cease +from their labors, and their works do follow them." She dwelt on the +purposes of affliction, on the utter weakness and infirmity of the +flesh, and then tenderly exhorted the young. She urged the need of +devotedness of heart and steadfastness of purpose; she raised a tribute +of praise for the eternal hope offered to the Christian, and concluded +with these words from Isaiah: "Thine eyes shall see the King in His +beauty; they shall behold the land that is very far off." Prayer was +afterwards offered by her in a similar strain, and then the meeting +ended. Shortly after this, a removal to Walmer was effected, in the vain +hope that the footsteps of death might be retarded. + +From one of her letters, written at this date, we quote the following +passage:-- + + I walk in a low valley, still I believe I may say that the + everlasting arms are underneath me, and the Lord is very near. I + pass through deep waters, but I trust, as my Lord is near to me, + they will not overflow me. I need all your prayers in my low + estate. I think the death of my sister, and dear little Gurney, has + been almost too much for me. + +But Mrs. Fry was to pass through still deeper waters of affliction and +trial while in her suffering state. A visitation of scarlet fever +attacked the family of her son William, and, in spite of all medical +attentions, he and two of his daughters fell beneath the destroyer's +hand. A scene of desolation ensued; the servants, as they sickened, were +taken to Guy's Hospital, and the Manor House was deserted, for those +members of the household who had escaped the infection had to flee for +their lives. For a time, the dear ones who ministered to Mrs. Fry were +too terror-stricken and crushed by the trial to venture on telling their +mother all; more than that, they feared for her life also. But the +"Christian's faith proved stronger than the mother's anguish. She wept +abundantly, almost unceasingly; but she dwelt constantly on the unseen +world, seeking for passages in the Bible which speak of the happy state +of the righteous. She was enabled to rejoice in the rest upon which her +beloved ones had entered, and in a wonderful manner to realize the +blessedness of their lot." Her other children gathered around her at +Walmer, anxious to comfort her, and be themselves comforted by her in +this succession of bereavements. She had been such a tower of strength +to all her family, in the years which had gone, that they almost +instinctively clustered around her now with the old trustful, yearning +devotion; but she was, although firm in spirit, so frail in body as to +be like the trembling ivy requiring the most constant and tender +support. Writing in her journal about this time, Mrs. Fry thus expressed +her feelings: "Sorrow upon sorrow! The trial is almost inexpressible. +Oh! dear Lord, keep thy unworthy servant in this time of severe trial; +keep me sound in faith and clear in mind, and be very near to us all." +Shortly after this entry a beloved niece died; and, as if the hungry maw +of Death were not yet satisfied, Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, her +brother-in-law, friend and coadjutor in so many benevolent schemes, also +became a victim. It is certain that these numerous losses weaned her +much from life; it is also certain that her splendid reasoning powers +gave way for a time, and the infirmity of premature old age crept over +her mind. In this way she was mercifully kept from being utterly +crushed. Yet, while her mental strength remained, she thought lovingly +of those ladies who had been associated with her in her philanthropic +works and penned a few lines of parting counsel to them. The following +is the text of the last written communication addressed by her to the +Committee of the Ladies' British Society:-- + + My much-loved friends, amidst many sorrows that have been permitted + for me to pass through, and much bodily suffering, I still feel a + deep and lively interest in the cause of poor prisoners; and + earnest is my prayer that the God of all grace may be very near to + help you to be steadfast in the important Christian work of seeking + to win the poor wanderers to return, repent and live; that they may + know Christ to be their Saviour, Redeemer and hope of glory. May + the Holy Spirit direct your steps, strengthen your hearts, and + enable you and me to glorify our Holy Head in doing and suffering + even unto the end; and when the end comes, through a Saviour's love + and merits, may we be received into glory and everlasting rest and + peace. + +In the spring of 1845 she paid a last visit to Earlham Hall. She had, +with the tenacity of desire peculiar to invalids, longed intensely to +behold again the scenes amid which her youth was spent, and to welcome +once more those familiar faces yet left in the old home. While there she +was several times drawn to the meeting at Norwich, and even spoke on +different occasions with her wonted fire and persuasiveness. It seemed +as if her powerful memory was revived, seeing that the stores of +Scripture which she had made hers were now drawn upon with singular +aptness and felicity. After paying one or two farewell visits to North +Repps and Runcton she returned once more to Upton Lane. Once settled +there, she received many marks of sympathy from the excellent of all +denominations, as well as from the noble and rich. The Duchess of +Sutherland and her daughters, the Chevalier de Bunsen, and others who +had heard of or known her, called upon her with every token of +respectful affection; while, on her part, she spoke and acted as if in +the very light of Eternity. So anxious, indeed, was she still to do what +she conceived to be her Master's work, that she made prodigious efforts +to attend meetings connected with the Society of Friends and with her +own special prison work. Thus she was present at two of the yearly +meetings for Friends in London in May, and on June 3d attended the +annual meeting at the British Ladies' Society. This meeting was removed +from the usual place at Westminster to the Friends' meeting-house at +Plaistow, in deference to Mrs. Fry's infirm health and visibly-declining +strength. In a report issued by this society, some four or five weeks +after Mrs. Fry's death, the committee paid a fitting tribute to her +labors with them, and the sacred preėminence she had won in the course +of those labors. In the memorial they referred to this meeting in the +following terms:-- + + Contrary to usual custom, the place of meeting fixed on was not in + London, but at Plaistow, in Essex, and the large number of friends + who gathered around her on that occasion, proved how gladly they + came to her when she could no longer, with ease, be conveyed to + them. The enfeebled state of her bodily frame seemed to have left + the powers of her mind unshackled, and she took, though in a + sitting posture, almost her usual part in repeatedly addressing the + meeting. She urged, with increased pathos and affection, the + objects of philanthropy and Christian benevolence with which her + life had been identified. After the meeting, and at her own desire, + several members of the committee, and other friends, assembled at + her house. They were welcomed by her with the greatest benignity + and kindness, and in her intercourse with them, strong were the + indications of the heavenly teaching through which her subdued and + sanctified spirit had been called to pass. Her affectionate + salutation in parting, unconsciously closed, in regard to most of + them, the intercourse which they delighted to hold with her, but + which can be no more renewed on this side of the eternal world. + +At this time Mrs. Fry found intense satisfaction in learning that the +London prisons--Newgate, Bridewell, Millbank, Giltspur Street, Compter, +Whitecross Street, Tothill Fields, and Coldbath Fields--were all in more +or less excellent order, and regularly visited by the ladies who had +been her coadjutors, and were to be her successors. + +A few weeks later she was taken to Ramsgate, in the hope that the +sea-air would restore her strength for a little time; and while there +her old interest in the Coastguard Libraries returned, fresh and lively +as ever. It was, indeed, a proof of the ruling passion being strong in +almost dying circumstances. She attended meeting whenever possible, +obtained a grant of Bibles and Testaments from the Bible Society, +arranged, sorted, and distributed them among the sailors in the harbor, +with the help of her grandchildren, and manifested, by her daily +deportment, how fully she had learned the hard lesson of submission and +patience in suffering. + +A few days before the end, pressure of the brain became apparent; severe +pain, succeeded by torpor and loss of power, and, after a short time, +utter unconsciousness, proved that the sands of life had nearly run +down. A few hours of spasmodic suffering followed, very trying to those +who watched by; but suddenly, about four on the morning of October 13th, +1845, the silver cord was loosed, the pitcher broken at the fountain, +and the spirit returned to God who gave it. + +In a quiet grave at Barking, by the side of the little child whom she +had loved and lost, years before, rest Elizabeth Fry's mortal remains. +"God buries His workers, but carries on His work." The peculiar work +which made her name and life so famous has grown and ripened right up to +the present hour. In this, "her name liveth for evermore." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +FINIS. + + +Since the days when John Howard, Elizabeth Fry and other prison +reformers first commenced to grapple with the great problems of how to +treat criminals, many, animated by the purest motives, have followed in +the same path. To Captain Maconochie, perhaps, is due the system of +rewards awarded to convicts who manifest a desire to amend, and show by +their exemplary conduct that they are anxious to regain once more a fair +position in society. Some anonymous writers have recently treated the +public to books bearing on the convict system of our country; and +professedly written, as they are, by men who have endured longer or +shorter periods of penal servitude, their opinions and suggestions +certainly count for something. The author of _Five Years' Penal +Servitude_ seems to entertain very decided opinions upon the present +system and its faults. He speaks strongly against _long_ sentences for +first offences, but urges that they should be made more severe. He +thinks that short sentences, made as severe as possible, consistent with +safety to life, would act as a deterrent more effectually than the long +punishments, which are, to a certain degree, mild to all well-conducted +prisoners. He also most strongly advocates separation of prisoners; +insisting that "the mixing of prisoners together is radically bad, and +should at all costs be done away with. Men who are imprisoned for first +offences, whether it be in a county jail or a convict prison, should +most certainly be kept perfectly distinct from 'second-timers,' and not +on any account be brought into contact with old offenders, who, in too +many cases, simply complete their education in vice." He further states, +in a concise form, what, in his estimation, should be the aim of all +penal measures. 1st. The punishment of those who have transgressed the +laws of the country, and the deterring others from crime; 2d. The +getting rid of the troublesome and criminal class of the population; 3d. +The doing of this in the most efficient and least costly way to the +tax-paying British public. He even quotes the opinion that New Guinea +would be suitable as a place of disposal for the convict class. But many +and good reasons have been given against shipping off criminals to be +pests to other people; this system has been already tried, and failed to +a large extent, although it certainly had redeeming features. Looking +at the matter all round, it seems utterly impossible to devise a convict +system which shall meet fairly and justly all cases. Could some system +be set in operation which should afford opportunity for the thoughtless +and unwary criminal, who has heedlessly fallen into temptation, to +retrace his steps and attain once more the height whence he has fallen, +it would be a boon to society. On the other hand, the members of the +really criminal class only anticipate liberty in order to use it for +fresh crime, for, in their opinion, the shame lies in detection, not in +sinning. What can be done with such but to deal stringently with them as +with enemies against society? This writer can fully bear out Mrs. Fry's +emphatic recommendations as to the imperative necessity that exists for +complete separation and classification of the prisoners, in all our +penal establishments. Association of the prisoners, one with another, +only carries on and completes their criminal and vicious education. + +There is, however, a general _consensus_ of opinion as to the +desirability of reformatory, rather than punitive measures, being dealt +out to children and very young persons. This system has, in almost every +case, been found to work well. The authors of _The Jail Cradle, Who +Rocks It?_ and _In Prison and Out_, have dealt with the problem of +juvenile crime--and not in vain. From the latter work, the following +paragraph proves that in this matter, as in many others, Germany is +abreast of the age:-- + + In Germany, no child under twelve years of age can suffer a penal + sentence. Between twelve and eighteen years of age, youthful + criminals are free to declare whether, while committing the + offense, they were fully aware of their culpability against the + laws of their country. In every case, every term of imprisonment + above one month is carried out, not in a jail, but in an + institution specially set apart and adapted for old offenders. + These institutions serve not only for the purpose of punishment, + but also provide for the education of the prisoners, _the neglect + of education being recognized as one of the chief sources of + crime_. + +Mrs. Fry dealt with women principally, and it was only in a very limited +degree that she could benefit the children of these fallen ones. Still +there can be no doubt that she did a large service to society in taking +possession of them and educating them while with their mothers. What +that work involved has been fully told in the preceding pages; its +results no pen can compute. Woman-like, she aimed at the improvement of +her own sex; but the reform which she inaugurated did not stop there. +Like a circle caused by the descent of a pebble into a lake, it widened +and extended and spread until she and her work became household words +among all classes of society, and in all civilized countries. Most women +would have shrunk back appalled at the terrible scene of degradation +which Newgate presented when she first entered its wards as a visitor; +others would have deemed it impossible to accomplish anything, save +under the auspices of Government, and by the aid of public funds. Not +thus did she regard the matter, but with earnest, oft-repeated +endeavors, she set herself to stem the tide of sin and suffering to be +found at that period in Government jails, and so successfully that a +radical change passed over the whole system before she died. Probably it +is not too much to say that no laborer in the cause of prison reform +ever won a larger share of success. Certainly none ever received a +larger meed of reverential love. + + + + +_Messrs. Roberts Brothers' Publications._ + +FAMOUS WOMEN SERIES. + +EMILY BRONTĖ. + +BY A. MARY F. ROBINSON. + ++One vol. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00.+ + + + "Miss Robinson has written a fascinating biography.... Emily Brontė + is interesting, not because she wrote 'Wuthering Heights,' but + because of her brave, baffled, human life, so lonely, so full of + pain, but with a great hope shining beyond all the darkness, and a + passionate defiance in bearing more than the burdens that were laid + upon her. The story of the three sisters is infinitely sad, but it + is the ennobling sadness that belongs to large natures cramped and + striving for freedom to heroic, almost desperate, work, with little + or no result. The author of this intensely interesting, + sympathetic, and eloquent biography, is a young lady and a poet, to + whom a place is given in a recent anthology of living English + poets, which is supposed to contain only the best poems of the best + writers."--_Boston Daily Advertiser._ + + "Miss Robinson had many excellent qualifications for the task she + has performed in this little volume, among which may be named, an + enthusiastic interest in her subject and a real sympathy with Emily + Brontė's sad and heroic life. 'To represent her as she was,' says + Miss Robinson, 'would be her noblest and most fitting monument.'... + Emily Brontė here becomes well known to us and, in one sense, this + should be praise enough for any biography."--_New York Times._ + + "The biographer who finds such material before him as the lives and + characters of the Brontė family need have no anxiety as to the + interest of his work. Characters not only strong but so uniquely + strong, genius so supreme, misfortunes so overwhelming, set in its + scenery so forlornly picturesque, could not fail to attract all + readers, if told even in the most prosaic language. When we add to + this, that Miss Robinson has told their story _not_ in prosaic + language, but with a literary style exhibiting all the qualities + essential to good biography, our readers will understand that this + life of Emily Brontė is not only as interesting as a novel, but a + great deal more interesting than most novels. As it presents most + vividly a general picture of the family, there seems hardly a + reason for giving it Emily's name alone, except perhaps for the + masterly chapters on 'Wuthering Heights,' which the reader will + find a grateful condensation of the best in that powerful but + somewhat forbidding story. We know of no point in the Brontė + history--their genius, their surroundings, their faults, their + happiness, their misery, their love and friendships, their + peculiarities, their power, their gentleness, their patience, their + pride,--which Miss Robinson has not touched upon with + conscientiousness and sympathy."--_The Critic._ + + "'Emily Brontė' is the second of the 'Famous Women Series,' which + Roberts Brothers, Boston, propose to publish, and of which 'George + Eliot' was the initial volume. Not the least remarkable of a very + remarkable family, the personage whose life is here written, + possesses a peculiar interest to all who are at all familiar with + the sad and singular history of herself and her sister Charlotte. + That the author, Miss A. Mary F. Robinson, has done her work with + minute fidelity to facts as well as affectionate devotion to the + subject of her sketch, is plainly to be seen all through the + book."--_Washington Post._ + + + + +Famous Women Series. + +MARGARET FULLER. + +BY JULIA WARD HOWE. + + "A memoir of the woman who first in New England took a position of + moral and intellectual leadership, by the woman who wrote the + Battle Hymn of the Republic, is a literary event of no common or + transient interest. The Famous Women Series will have no worthier + subject and no more illustrious biographer. Nor will the reader be + disappointed,--for the narrative is deeply interesting and full of + inspiration."--_Woman's Journal._ + + "Mrs. Julia Ward Howe's biography of _Margaret Fuller_, in the + Famous Women Series of Messrs. Roberts Brothers, is a work which + has been looked for with curiosity. It will not disappoint + expectation. She has made a brilliant and an interesting book. Her + study of Margaret Fuller's character is thoroughly sympathetic; her + relation of her life is done in a graphic and at times a + fascinating manner. It is the case of one woman of strong + individuality depicting the points which made another one of the + most marked characters of her day. It is always agreeable to follow + Mrs. Howe in this; for while we see marks of her own mind + constantly, there is no inartistic protrusion of her personality. + The book is always readable, and the relation of the death-scene is + thrillingly impressive."--_Saturday Gazette._ + + "Mrs. Julia Ward Howe has retold the story of Margaret Fuller's + life and career in a very interesting manner. This remarkable woman + was happy in having James Freeman Clarke, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and + William Henry Channing, all of whom had been intimate with her and + had felt the spell of her extraordinary personal influence, for her + biographers. It is needless to say, of course, that nothing could + be better than these reminiscences in their way."--_New York + World._ + + "The selection of Mrs. Howe as the writer of this biography was a + happy thought on the part of the editor of the series; for, aside + from the natural appreciation she would have for Margaret Fuller, + comes her knowledge of all the influences that had their effect on + Margaret Fuller's life. She tells the story of Margaret Fuller's + interesting life from all sources and from her own knowledge, not + hesitating to use plenty of quotations when she felt that others, + or even Margaret Fuller herself, had done the work better."--_Miss + Gilder, in Philadelphia Press._ + + + + +Famous Women Series. + +MARIA EDGEWORTH. + +BY HELEN ZIMMERN. + + "This little volume shows good literary workmanship. It does not + weary the reader with vague theories; nor does it give over much + expression to the enthusiasm--not to say baseless encomium--for + which too many female biographers have accustomed us to look. It is + a simple and discriminative sketch of one of the most clever and + lovable of the class at whom Carlyle sneered as 'scribbling + women.'... Of Maria Edgeworth, the woman, one cannot easily say too + much in praise. That home life, so loving, so wise, and so helpful, + was beautiful to its end. Miss Zimmern has treated it with delicate + appreciation. Her book is refined in conception and tasteful in + execution,--all, in short, the cynic might say, that we expect a + woman's book to be."--_New York Tribune._ + + "It was high time that we should possess an adequate biography of + this ornament and general benefactor of her time. And so we hail + with uncommon pleasure the volume just published in the Roberts + Brothers' series of Famous Women, of which it is the sixth. We have + only words of praise for the manner in which Miss Zimmern has + written her life of Maria Edgeworth. It exhibits sound judgment, + critical analysis, and clear characterization.... The style of the + volume is pure, limpid, and strong, as we might expect from a + well-trained English writer."--_Margaret J. Preston, in the Home + Journal._ + + "We can heartily recommend this life of Maria Edgeworth, not only + because it is singularly readable in itself, but because it makes + familiar to readers of the present age a notable figure in English + literary history, with whose lineaments we suspect most readers, + especially of the present generation, are less familiar than they + ought to be."--_Eclectic._ + + "This biography contains several letters and papers by Miss + Edgeworth that have not before been made public, notably some + charming letters written during the latter part of her life to Dr. + Holland and Mr. and Mrs. Ticknor. The author had access to a life + of Miss Edgeworth written by her step-mother, as well as to a large + collection of her private letters, and has therefore been able to + bring forward many facts in her life which have not been noted by + other writers. The book is written in a pleasant vein, and is + altogether a delightful one to read."--_Utica Herald._ + + + + +FAMOUS WOMEN SERIES. + +GEORGE SAND. + +BY BERTHA THOMAS. + +One volume. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00 + + "Miss Thomas has accomplished a difficult task with as much good + sense as good feeling. She presents the main facts of George Sand's + life, extenuating nothing, and setting naught down in malice, but + wisely leaving her readers to form their own conclusions. Everybody + knows that it was not such a life as the women of England and + America are accustomed to live, and as the worst of men are glad to + have them live.... Whatever may be said against it, its result on + George Sand was not what it would have been upon an English or + American woman of genius."--_New York Mail and Express._ + + "This is a volume of the 'Famous Women Series,' which was begun so + well with George Eliot and Emily Brontė. The book is a review and + critical analysis of George Sand's life and work, by no means a + detailed biography. Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, the maiden, or + Mme. Dudevant, the married woman, is forgotten in the renown of the + pseudonym George Sand. + + "Altogether, George Sand, with all her excesses and defects, is a + representative woman, one of the names of the nineteenth century. + She was great among the greatest, the friend and compeer of the + finest intellects, and Miss Thomas's essay will be a useful and + agreeable introduction to a more extended study of her life and + works."--_Knickerbocker._ + + "The biography of this famous woman, by Miss Thomas, is the only + one in existence. Those who have awaited it with pleasurable + anticipation, but with some trepidation as to the treatment of the + erratic side of her character, cannot fail to be pleased with the + skill by which it is done. It is the best production on George Sand + that has yet been published. The author modestly refers to it as a + sketch, which it undoubtedly is, but a sketch that gives a just and + discriminating analysis of George Sand's life, tastes, occupations, + and of the motives and impulses which prompted her unconventional + actions, that were misunderstood by a narrow public. The + difficulties encountered by the writer in describing this + remarkable character are shown in the first line of the opening + chapter, which says, 'In naming George Sand we name something more + exceptional than even a great genius.' That tells the whole story. + Misconstruction, condemnation, and isolation are the penalties + enforced upon the great leaders in the realm of advanced thought, + by the bigoted people of their time. The thinkers soar beyond the + common herd, whose soul-wings are not strong enough to fly aloft to + clearer atmospheres, and consequently they censure or ridicule what + they are powerless to reach. George Sand, even to a greater extent + than her contemporary, George Eliot, was a victim to ignorant + social prejudices, but even the conservative world was forced to + recognize the matchless genius of these two extraordinary women, + each widely different in her character and method of thought and + writing.... She has told much that is good which has been untold, + and just what will interest the reader, and no more, in the same + easy, entertaining style that characterizes all of these + unpretentious biographies."--_Hartford Times._ + + + + +Famous Women Series. + +GEORGE ELIOT. + +BY MATHILDE BLIND. + +One vol. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00. + + "Messrs. Roberts Brothers begin a series of Biographies of Famous + Women with a life of George Eliot, by Mathilde Blind. The idea of + the series is an excellent one, and the reputation of its + publishers is a guarantee for its adequate execution. This book + contains about three hundred pages in open type, and not only + collects and condenses the main facts that are known in regard to + the history of George Eliot, but supplies other material from + personal research. It is agreeably written, and with a good idea of + proportion in a memoir of its size. The critical study of its + subject's works, which is made in the order of their appearance, is + particularly well done. In fact, good taste and good judgment + pervade the memoir throughout."--_Saturday Evening Gazette._ + + "Miss Blind's little book is written with admirable good taste and + judgment, and with notable self-restraint. It does not weary the + reader with critical discursiveness, nor with attempts to search + out high-flown meanings and recondite oracles in the plain 'yea' + and 'nay' of life. It is a graceful and unpretentious little + biography, and tells all that need be told concerning one of the + greatest writers of the time. It is a deeply interesting if not + fascinating woman whom Miss Blind presents," says the New York + _Tribune_. + + "Miss Blind's little biographical study of George Eliot is written + with sympathy and good taste, and is very welcome. It gives us a + graphic if not elaborate sketch of the personality and development + of the great novelist, is particularly full and authentic + concerning her earlier years, tells enough of the leading motives + in her work to give the general reader a lucid idea of the true + drift and purpose of her art, and analyzes carefully her various + writings, with no attempt at profound criticism or fine writing, + but with appreciation, insight, and a clear grasp of those + underlying psychological principles which are so closely interwoven + in every production that came from her pen."--_Traveller._ + + "The lives of few great writers have attracted more curiosity and + speculation than that of George Eliot. Had she only lived earlier + in the century she might easily have become the centre of a mythos. + As it is, many of the anecdotes commonly repeated about her are + made up largely of fable. It is, therefore, well, before it is too + late, to reduce the true story of her career to the lowest terms, + and this service has been well done by the author of the present + volume."--_Philadelphia Press._ + + + + +FAMOUS WOMEN SERIES. + +MARY LAMB. + +BY ANNE GILCHRIST. + ++One volume. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00.+ + + "The story of Mary Lamb has long been familiar to the readers of + Elia, but never in its entirety as in the monograph which Mrs. Anne + Gilchrist has just contributed to the Famous Women Series. Darkly + hinted at by Talfourd in his Final Memorials of Charles Lamb, it + became better known as the years went on and that imperfect work + was followed by fuller and franker biographies,--became so well + known, in fact, that no one could recall the memory of Lamb without + recalling at the same time the memory of his sister."--_New York + Mail and Express._ + + "A biography of Mary Lamb must inevitably be also, almost more, a + biography of Charles Lamb, so completely was the life of the sister + encompassed by that of her brother; and it must be allowed that + Mrs. Anne Gilchrist has performed a difficult biographical task + with taste and ability.... The reader is at least likely to lay + down the book with the feeling that if Mary Lamb is not famous she + certainly deserves to be, and that a debt of gratitude is due Mrs. + Gilchrist for this well-considered record of her life."--_Boston + Courier._ + + "Mary Lamb, who was the embodiment of everything that is tenderest + in woman, combined with this a heroism which bore her on for a + while through the terrors of insanity. Think of a highly + intellectual woman struggling year after year with madness, + triumphant over it for a season, and then at last succumbing to it. + The saddest lines that ever were written are those descriptive of + this brother and sister just before Mary, on some return of + insanity, was to leave Charles Lamb. 'On one occasion Mr. Charles + Lloyd met them slowly pacing together a little foot-path in Hoxton + Fields, both weeping bitterly, and found, on joining them, that + they were taking their solemn way to the accustomed asylum.' What + pathos is there not here?"--_New York Times._ + + "This life was worth writing, for all records of weakness + conquered, of pain patiently borne, of success won from difficulty, + of cheerfulness in sorrow and affliction, make the world better. + Mrs. Gilchrist's biography is unaffected and simple. She has told + the sweet and melancholy story with judicious sympathy, showing + always the light shining through darkness."--_Philadelphia Press._ + +_Sold by all Booksellers. Mailed, post-paid, on receipt of the price, by +the Publishers,_ + +ROBERTS BROTHERS, BOSTON. + + + + +MARGARET FULLER'S WORKS AND MEMOIRS. + +WOMAN IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, and kindred papers relating to the +Sphere, Condition, and Duties of Woman. Edited by her brother, ARTHUR B. +FULLER, with an Introduction by HORACE GREELEY. In 1 vol. 16mo. $1.50. + +ART, LITERATURE, AND THE DRAMA. 1 vol. 16mo. $1.50. + +LIFE WITHOUT AND LIFE WITHIN; or, Reviews, Narratives, Essays, and +Poems. 1 vol. 16mo. $1.50. + +AT HOME AND ABROAD; or, Things and Thoughts in America and Europe, 1 +vol. 16mo. $1.50. + +MEMOIRS OF MARGARET FULLER OSSOLI. By RALPH WALDO EMERSON, WILLIAM HENRY +CHANNING, and JAMES FREEMAN CLARKE. With Portrait and Appendix. 2 vols. +16mo. $3.00. + + MARGARET FULLER will be remembered as one of the "Great + Conversers," the "Prophet of the Woman Movement" in this country, + and her Memoirs will be read with delight as among the tenderest + specimens of biographical writing in our language. She was never an + extremist. She considered woman neither man's rival nor his foe, + but his complement. As she herself said, she believed that the + development of one could not be affected without that of the other. + Her words, so noble in tone, so moderate in spirit, so eloquent in + utterance, should not be forgotten by her sisters. Horace Greeley, + in his introduction to her "Woman in the Nineteenth Century," says: + "She was one of the earliest, as well as ablest, among American + women to demand for her sex equality before the law with her + titular lord and master. Her writings on this subject have the + force that springs from the ripening of profound reflection into + assured conviction. It is due to her memory, as well as to the + great and living cause of which she was so eminent and so fearless + an advocate, that what she thought and said with regard to the + position of her sex and its limitations should be fully and fairly + placed before the public." No woman who wishes to understand the + full scope of what is called the woman's movement should fail to + read these pages, and see in them how one woman proved her right to + a position in literature hitherto occupied by men, by filling it + nobly. + + The Story of this rich, sad, striving, unsatisfied life, with its + depths of emotion and its surface sparkling and glowing, is told + tenderly and reverently by her biographers. Their praise is eulogy, + and their words often seem extravagant; but they knew her well, + they spoke as they felt. The character that could awaken such + interest and love surely is a rare one. + +»» The above are uniformly bound in cloth, and sold +separately or in sets. + +Sold everywhere. Mailed, post-paid, by the Publishers, + +ROBERTS BROTHERS, BOSTON. + + + + +CHOICE FICTION + +FOR + +SUMMER READING. + ++TIP CAT.+ A Story. By the author of "Miss Toosey's Mission" and +"Laddie." 16mo. Cloth. 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Unlike Captain Macgregor, of 'Rob Roy' + fame, Mr. Stevenson does not make canoeing itself his main theme, + but delights in charming bits of description that, in their close + attention to picturesque detail, remind one of the work of a + skilled 'genre' painter."--_Good Literature._ + ++TRAVELS WITH A DONKEY IN THE CÉVENNES.+ + +By ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON. With Frontispiece illustration by Walter +Crane. 16mo. $1.00. + + "Charming, full of grace and humor and freshness,--such refined + humor it is, too, and so evidently the work of a gentleman. What a + happy knack he has of giving the taste of a landscape, or any + out-door impression, in ten words!" + +_Our publications are sold by all booksellers. Mailed, postpaid, on +receipt of the advertised price._ + +ROBERTS BROTHERS, BOSTON. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Elizabeth Fry, by Mrs. E. R. 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E.R. PITMAN. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + + .right {text-align: right;} + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem div {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem div.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + + /* index */ + + div.index ul li { padding-top: 0 } + + div.index ul ul ul, div.index ul li ul li { padding: 0; } + + div.index ul { list-style: none; margin: 0; } + + div.index ul, div.index ul ul ul li { display: inline; } + + div.index .subitem { display: block; padding-left: 2em; } + + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Elizabeth Fry, by Mrs. E. R. Pitman + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Elizabeth Fry + +Author: Mrs. E. R. Pitman + +Release Date: August 27, 2005 [EBook #16606] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELIZABETH FRY *** + + + + +Produced by Mark C. Orton, Martin Pettit and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>Famous Women</h1> + +<h2>ELIZABETH FRY.</h2> + +<p class='center'><i>The next volumes in the Famous Women Series will be:</i></p> + +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">The Countess of Albany.</span> By Vernon Lee.</p> +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">Harriet Martineau.</span> By Mrs. Fenwick Miller.</p> +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">Mary Wollstonecraft.</span> By Elizabeth Robins Pennell.</p> + +<p class='center'><i>Already published:</i></p> + +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">George Eliot.</span> By Miss Blind.</p> +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">Emily Brontë.</span> By Miss Robinson.</p> +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">George Sand.</span> By Miss Thomas.</p> +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">Mary Lamb.</span> By Mrs. Gilchrist.</p> +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">Margaret Fuller.</span> By Julia Ward Howe.</p> +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">Maria Edgeworth.</span> By Miss Zimmern.</p> +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">Elizabeth Fry.</span> By Mrs. E.R. Pitman.</p> + + +<p class="center"><img src="images/illus-003.jpg" width='500' height='158' alt="Famous Women" /></p> + +<h1>ELIZABETH FRY.</h1> + +<p class="center">BY</p> + +<h2>MRS. E.R. PITMAN.</h2> + +<p class="center">BOSTON:<br />ROBERTS BROTHERS.<br />1884.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Copyright, 1884,</i><br /><span class="smcap">By Roberts Brothers</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">University Press</span>:<br /><span class="smcap">John Wilson and Son, Cambridge</span>.</p> + +<hr /> +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<div class="index"> +<ul> + + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a><p><span class="smcap">Life at Earlham, a Hundred Years Ago</span></p></li> + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a><p><span class="smcap">Life's Earnest Purpose</span></p></li> + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a><p><span class="smcap">St. Mildred's Court</span></p></li> + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a><p><span class="smcap">A Country Home</span></p></li> + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a><p><span class="smcap">Beginnings at Newgate</span></p></li> + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a><p><span class="smcap">Newgate Horrors and Newgate Workers</span></p></li> + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a><p><span class="smcap">Evidence Before the House of Commons</span></p></li> + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a><p><span class="smcap">The Gallows and English Laws</span></p></li> + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a><p><span class="smcap">Convict Ships and Convict Settlements</span></p></li> + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a><p><span class="smcap">Visits to Continental Prisons</span></p></li> + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a><p><span class="smcap">New Theories of Prison Discipline and Management</span></p></li> + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a><p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Fry in Domestic and Religious Life</span></p></li> + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a><p><span class="smcap">Collateral Good Works</span></p></li> + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a><p><span class="smcap">Expansion of the Prison Enterprise—Honors</span></p></li> + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a><p><span class="smcap">Closing Days of Life</span></p></li> + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a><p><span class="smcap">Finis</span></p></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<hr /> +<h2>ELIZABETH FRY.</h2> + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>LIFE AT EARLHAM, A HUNDRED YEARS AGO.</h3> + + +<p>A hundred years ago, Norwich was a remarkable centre of religious, +social and intellectual life. The presence of officers, quartered with +their troops in the city, and the balls and festivities which attended +the occasional sojourn of Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester, +combined to make the quaint old city very gay; while the pronounced +element of Quakerism and the refining influences of literary society +permeated the generation of that day, and its ordinary life, to an +extent not easily conceived in these days of busy locomotion and +new-world travel. Around the institutions of the established Church had +grown up a people loyal to it, for, as an old cathedral city, the charm +of antiquity attached itself to Norwich; while Mrs. Opie and others +known to literature, exercised an attraction and stimulus in their +circles, consequent upon the possession of high intellectual powers and +good social position. It was in the midst of such surroundings, and with +a mind formed by such influences, that Elizabeth Fry, the prison +philanthropist and Quaker, grew up to young womanhood.</p> + +<p>She was descended from Friends by both parents: her father's family had +been followers of the tenets of George Fox for more than a hundred +years; while her mother was granddaughter of Robert Barclay, the author +of the <i>Apology for the People called Quakers</i>. It might be supposed +that a daughter of Quaker families would have been trained in the +strictest adherence to their tenets; but it seems that Mr. and Mrs. John +Gurney, Elizabeth's parents, were not "plain Quakers." In other words, +they were calm, intellectual, benevolent, courteous and popular people; +not so very unlike others, save that they attended "First-day meeting," +but differing from their co-religionists in that they abjured the strict +garb and the "thee" and "thou" of those who followed George Fox to +unfashionable lengths, whilst their children studied music and dancing. +More zealous brethren called the Gurneys "worldly," and shook their +heads over their degenerate conduct; but, all unseen, Mrs. Gurney was +training up her family in ways of usefulness and true wisdom; while +"the fear of the Lord," as the great principle of life and action, was +constantly set before them. With such a mother to mould their infant +minds and direct their childish understandings, there was not much fear +of the younger Gurneys turning out otherwise than well. Those who shook +their heads at the "worldliness" of the Gurneys, little dreamt of the +remarkable lives which were being moulded under the Gurney roof.</p> + +<p>One or two extracts from Mrs. Gurney's diary will afford a fair insight +into her character:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>If our piety does not appear adequate to supporting us in the +exigencies of life, and I may add, death, surely our hearts cannot +be sufficiently devoted to it. Books of controversy on religion are +seldom read with profit, not even those in favor of our own +particular tenets. The mind stands less in need of conviction than +conversion. These reflections have led me to decide on what I most +covet for my daughters, as the result of our daily pursuits. As +piety is undoubtedly the shortest and securest way to all moral +rectitude, young women should be virtuous and good on the broad, +firm basis of Christianity; therefore it is not the tenets of any +man or sect whatever that are to be inculcated in preference to +those rigid but divine truths contained in the New Testament. As it +appears to be our reasonable duty to improve our faculties, and by +that means to render ourselves useful, it is necessary and very +agreeable to be well-informed of our own language, and the Latin as +being most permanent, and the French as being the most in general +request. The simple beauties of mathematics appear to be so +excellent an exercise to the understanding, that they ought on no +account to be omitted, and are, perhaps, scarcely less essential +than a competent knowledge of ancient and modern history, geography +and chronology. To which may be added a knowledge of the most +approved branches of natural history, and a capacity of drawing +from nature, in order to promote that knowledge and facilitate the +pursuit of it. As a great portion of a woman's life ought to be +passed in at least regulating the subordinate affairs of a family, +she should work plain work herself, neatly; understand the +cutting-out of linen; also she should not be ignorant of the common +proprieties of a table, or deficient in the economy of any of the +most minute affairs of a family. It should be here observed that +gentleness of manner is indispensably necessary in women, to say +nothing of that polished behavior which adds a charm to every +qualification; to both which, it appears pretty certain, children +may be led without vanity or affectation by amiable and judicious +instruction.</p></blockquote> + +<p>These observations furnish the key-note to Mrs. Gurney's system of +training, as well as indicate the strong common-sense and high +principles which actuated her. It was small wonder that of her family of +twelve children so many of them should rise up to "call her blessed." +Neither was it any wonder that Elizabeth, "the dove-like Betsy" of her +mother's journal, should idolize that mother with almost passionate +devotion.</p> + +<p>Elizabeth was born on May 21st, 1780, at Norwich; but when she was a +child of six years old, the Gurneys removed to Earlham Hall, a pleasant +ancestral home, about two miles from the city. The family was an old +one, descended from the Norman lords of Gourney-en-brai, in Normandy. +These Norman lords held lands in Norfolk, in the time of William Rufus, +and have had, in one line or another, representatives down to the +present day. Some of them, it is recorded, resided in Somersetshire; +others, the ancestors of Mrs. Fry, dwelt in Norfolk, generation after +generation, perpetuating the family name and renown. One of these +ancestors, John Gurney, embraced the principles of George Fox, and +became one of the first members of the Society of Friends. Thus it came +to pass that Quakerism became familiar to her from early +childhood—indeed, was hereditary in the family.</p> + +<p>Elizabeth tells us that her mother was most dear to her; that she seldom +left her mother's side if she could help it, while she would watch her +slumbers with breathless anxiety, fearing she would never awaken. She +also speaks of suffering much from fear, so that she could not bear to +be left alone in the dark. This nervous susceptibility followed her for +years, although, with a shyness of disposition and reserve which was but +little understood she refrained from telling her fears. She was +considered rather stupid and dull, and, from being continually +described as such, grew neglectful of her studies; while, at the same +time, delicacy of health combined with this natural stupidity to prevent +anything like precocious intelligence. Still, Elizabeth was by no means +deficient in penetration, tact, or common-sense; she possessed +remarkable insight into character, and exercised her privilege of +thinking for herself on most questions. She is described as being a shy, +fair child, possessing a poor opinion of herself, and somewhat given to +contradiction. She says in her early recollections: "I believe I had not +a name only for being obstinate, for my nature had a strong tendency +that way, and I was disposed to a spirit of contradiction, always ready +to see things a little differently from others, and not willing to yield +my sentiments to them."</p> + +<p>These traits developed, in all probability, into those which made her so +famous in after years. Her faculty for independent investigation, her +unswerving loyalty to duty, and her fearless perseverance in works of +benevolence, were all foreshadowed in these early days. Add to these +characteristics, the religious training which Mrs. Gurney gave her +children, the daily reading of the Scriptures, and the quiet ponderings +upon the passages read, and we cannot be surprised that such a character +was built up in that Quaker home.</p> + +<p>At twelve years of age Elizabeth lost her mother, and in consequence +suffered much from lack of wise womanly training. The talents she +possessed ripened and developed, however, until she became remarkable +for originality of thought and action; while the spirit of benevolent +enterprise which distinguished her, led her to seek out modes of +usefulness not usually practiced by girls. Her obstinacy and spirit of +contradiction became in later years gradually merged or transformed into +that decision of character, and lady-like firmness, which were so +needful to her work, so that obstacles became only incentives to +progress, and persecution furnished courage for renewed zeal. Yet all +this was tempered with tender, conscientious heart-searching into both +motives and actions.</p> + +<p>During her "teens" she is described as being tall and slender, +peculiarly graceful in the saddle, and fond of dancing. She possessed a +pleasing countenance and manner, and grew up to enjoy the occasional +parties which she attended with her sisters. Still, from the records of +her journal, we find that at this time neither the grave worship of +Quakerism nor the gayeties of Norwich satisfied her eager spirit. We +find too, how early she kept this journal, and from it we obtain the +truest and most interesting glimpses into her character and feelings. +Thus at seventeen years of age she wrote:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>I am seventeen to-day. Am I a happier or a better creature than I +was this day twelvemonths? I know I am happier—I think I am +better. I hope I shall be happier this day year than I am now. I +hope to be quite an altered person; to have more knowledge; to have +my mind in greater order, and my heart too, that wants to be put in +order quite as much.... I have seen several things in myself and +others I never before remarked, but I have not tried to improve +myself—I have given way to my passions, and let them have command +over me, I have known my faults and not corrected them—and now I +am determined I will once more try with redoubled ardor to overcome +my wicked inclinations. I must not flirt; I must not be out of +temper with the children; I must not contradict without a cause; I +must not allow myself to be angry; I must not exaggerate, which I +am inclined to do; I must not give way to luxury; I must not be +idle in mind. I must try to give way to every good feeling, and +overcome every bad. I have lately been too satirical, so as to hurt +sometimes: remember it is always a fault to hurt others.</p> + +<p>I have a cross to-night. I had very much set my mind on going to +the Oratorio. The Prince is to be there, and by all accounts it +will be quite a grand sight, and there will be the finest music; +but if my father does not wish me to go, much as I wish it, I will +give it up with pleasure, if it be in my power, without a +murmur.... I went to the Oratorio. I enjoyed it, but I spoke sadly +at random—what a bad habit!</p> + +<p>There is much difference between being obstinate and steady. If I +am bid to do a thing my spirit revolts; if I am asked to do a +thing, I am willing.... A thought passed my mind that if I had some +religion I should be superior to what I am; it would be a bias to +better actions. I think I am by degrees losing many excellent +qualities. I am more cross, more proud, more vain, more +extravagant. I lay it to my great love of gayety and the world. I +feel, I know I am falling. I do believe if I had a little true +religion I should have a greater support than I have now; but I +have the greatest fear of religion, because I never saw a person +religious who was not enthusiastic.</p></blockquote> + +<p>It will be seen that Elizabeth at this period enjoyed the musical and +social pleasures of Norwich, while at the same time she had decided +leanings towards the plain, religious customs of the Friends. It is not +wonderful that her heart was in a state of unrest and agitation, that at +times she scarcely knew what she longed for, nor what she desired to +forsake. The society with which she was accustomed to mingle contained +some known in Quaker parlance as "unbelievers"; perhaps in our day they +would be regarded as holding "advanced opinions." One of the most +intimate visitors at Earlham was a gentleman belonging to the Roman +Catholic communion, but his acquaintance seemed rather to be a benefit +than otherwise, for he referred the young Gurneys in all matters of +faith to the "written word" rather than to the opinions of men or books +generally. Another visitor, a lady afterwards known to literature as +Mrs. Schimmelpenninck, was instrumental in leading them to form sound +opinions upon the religious questions of the day. They were thus +preserved from the wave of scepticism which was then sweeping over the +society of that day.</p> + +<p>Judging from her journal of this date, it is not easy to detect much, if +any, promise of the future self-denying philanthropy. She seemed +nervously afraid of "enthusiasm in religion"; even sought to shun +anything which appeared different from the usual modes of action among +the people with whom she mingled. A young girl who confessed that she +had "the greatest fear of religion," because in her judgment and +experience enthusiasm was always allied with religion, was not, one +would suppose, in much danger of becoming remarkable for philanthropy. +True, she was accustomed to doing good among the poor and sick, +according to her opportunities and station; but this was nothing +strange—all the traditions of Quaker life inculcate benevolence and +kindly dealing—what she needed was "<i>the expulsive power of a new +affection</i>." This "new affection"—the love of Christ—in its turn +expelled the worldliness and unrest which existed, and gave a tone to +her mental and spiritual nature, which, by steady degrees, lifted her +up, and caused her to forget the syren song of earth. Not all at +once,—in the story of her newborn earnestness we shall find that the +habits and associations of her daily life sometimes acted as drawbacks +to her progress in faith. But the seed having once taken root in that +youthful heart, germinated, developed, and sprang up, to bear a glorious +harvest in the work of reclaiming and uplifting sunken and debased +humanity.</p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>LIFE'S EARNEST PURPOSE.</h3> + + +<p>There was no sharp dividing-line between worldliness and consecration of +life in Elizabeth Gurney's case. The work was very gradually +accomplished; once started into earnest living, she discerned, what was +all unseen before, a path to higher destinies. Standing on the ruins of +her former dead self, she strove to attain to higher things. The +instrument in this change was a travelling Friend from America—William +Savery.</p> + +<p>These travelling Friends are deputed, by the Quarterly Meetings to which +they belong, to visit and minister among their own body. Their +commission is endorsed by the Yearly Meeting of the Ministers and Elders +of the Society, before the Friend can extend the journey beyond his own +country. The objects of these visits are generally relating to +benevolent and philanthropic works, or to the increase of religion among +the members of the Society. Joseph John Gurney himself visited America +and the Continent upon similar missions, and in some of his journeys +was accompanied by his illustrious sister.</p> + +<p>William Savery was expected to address the Meeting of Friends at +Norwich, and most, if not all, of the Gurney family were present. +Elizabeth had been very remiss in her attendance at meeting; any and +every excuse, in addition to her, at times, really delicate health, +served to hinder attendance, until her uncle gently but firmly urged the +duty upon her. Thenceforward she went a little more frequently, but +still was far from being a pattern worshipper; and it will be conceded +that few, save spiritual worshippers, could with profit join in the +grave silence, or enjoy the equally grave utterances of ordinary +meeting. But William Savery was no ordinary man, and the young people at +Earlham prepared to listen to him, in case he "felt moved" to speak, +with no ordinary attention. Giving an account of this visit, Richenda +Gurney admitted that they liked having Yearly Meeting Friends come to +preach, for it produced a little change; from the same vivacious pen we +have an account of that memorable service. Memorable it was, in that it +became the starting-point of a new career to Elizabeth Gurney.</p> + +<p>The seven sisters of the Earlham household all sat together during that +eventful morning, in a row, under the gallery. Elizabeth was restless +as a rule when at meeting, but something in the tone of William Savery's +voice arrested her attention, and before he had proceeded very far she +began to weep. She continued to be agitated until the close of the +meeting, when, making her way to her father, at the men's side of the +house, she requested his permission to dine at her uncle's. William +Savery was a guest there that day, and, although somewhat surprised at +his daughter's desire, Mr. Gurney consented to the request. To the +surprise of all her friends Elizabeth attended meeting again in the +afternoon, and on her return home in the carriage her pent-up feelings +found vent. Describing this scene, Richenda Gurney says: "Betsey sat in +the middle and astonished us all by the great feelings she showed. She +wept most of the way home. The next morning William Savery came to +breakfast, and preached to our dear sister after breakfast, prophesying +of the high and important calling she would be led into. What she went +through in her own mind I cannot say, but the results were most powerful +and most evident. From that day her love of the world and of pleasure +seemed gone."</p> + +<p>Her own account of the impressions made upon her reads just a little +quaintly, possibly because of the unfamiliar Quaker phraseology. +"To-day I have felt that <i>there is a God!</i> I have been devotional, and +my mind has been led away from the follies that it is mostly wrapped up +in. We had much serious conversation; in short, what he said, and what I +felt, was like a refreshing shower falling upon earth that had been +dried for ages. It has not made me unhappy; I have felt ever since +<i>humble</i>. I have longed for virtue: I hope to be truly virtuous; to let +sophistry fly from my mind; not to be enthusiastic and foolish but only +to be so far religious as will lead to virtue. There seems nothing so +little understood as religion."</p> + +<p>Good resolutions followed, and determined amendment of life, as far as +she conceived this amendment to be in accordance with the Bible. While +in this awakened state of mind, a journey to London was projected. Mr. +Gurney took her to the metropolis and left her in charge of a +trustworthy attendant, in order that she might make full trial of "the +world" which she would have to renounce so fully if she embraced plain +Quakerism. Among the good resolutions made in view of this journey to +London, we find that she determined not to be vain or silly, to be +independent of the opinion of others, not to make dress a study, and to +read the Bible at all available opportunities. It was perhaps wise in +her father to permit this reasoning, philosophical daughter of his to +see the gayeties of London life before coming to a final decision +respecting taking up the cross of plain Quakerism; but had her mind been +less finely balanced, her judgment less trained, and her principles less +formed, the result might have been disastrous.</p> + +<p>She went, and mingled somewhat freely with the popular life of the great +city. She was taken to Drury Lane, the Covent Garden theatres, and to +other places of amusement, but she could not "like plays." She saw some +good actors; witnessed "Hamlet," "Bluebeard," and other dramas, but +confesses that she "cannot like or enjoy them"; they seemed "so +artificial." Then she somewhat oddly says that when her hair was dressed +"she felt like a monkey," and finally concluded that "London was not the +place for heartful pleasure." With her natural, sound common sense, her +discernment, her intelligence and purity of mind, these amusements +seemed far below the level of those fitted to satisfy a rational +being—so far that she almost looked down on them with contempt. The +truth was, that having tasted a little of the purer joy of religion, all +other substitutes were stale and flat, and this although she scarcely +knew enough of the matter to be able correctly to analyze her own +feelings.</p> + +<p>Among the persons Elizabeth encountered in the metropolis, are found +mentioned Amelia Opie, Mrs. Siddons, Mrs. Inchbold, "Peter Pindar," and +last, but by no means least, the Prince of Wales. Not that she really +talked with royalty, but she saw the Prince at the opera; and she tells +us that she admired him very much. Indeed, she did not mind owning that +she loved grand company, and she certainly enjoyed clever company, for +she much relished and appreciated the society of both Mrs. Opie and Mrs. +Inchbald. This predilection for high circles and illustrious people was +afterwards to bear noble fruit, seeing that she preached often to +crowned heads, and princes. But just then she had little idea of the +wonderful future which awaited her. She was only trying the experiment +as to whether the world, or Christ, were the better master. Deliberately +she examined and proved the truth, and with equal deliberation she came +to the decision—a decision most remarkable in a girl so young, and so +dangerously situated.</p> + +<p>Her own review of this period of her life, written thirty years later, +sums up the matter more forcibly and calmly than any utterance of a +biographer can do. She wrote:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>Here ended this important and interesting visit to London, where I +learned much, and had much to digest. I saw and entered many +scenes of gaiety, many of our first public places, attended balls +and other places of amusement. I saw many interesting characters in +the world, some of considerable eminence in that day. I was also +cast among the great variety of persons of different descriptions. +I had the high advantage of attending several most interesting +meetings of William Savery, and having at times his company and +that of a few other friends. It was like the casting die of my +life, however. I believe it was in the ordering of Providence for +me, and that the lessons then learnt are to this day valuable to +me. I consider one of the important results was the conviction of +those things being wrong, from seeing them and feeling their +effects. I wholly gave up, on my own ground, attending all public +places of amusement. I saw they tended to promote evil; therefore, +even if I could attend them without being hurt myself, I felt in +entering them I lent my aid to promote that which I was sure, from +what I saw, hurt others, led them from the paths of rectitude, and +brought them into much sin. I felt the vanity and folly of what are +called the pleasures of this life, of which the tendency is not to +satisfy, but eventually to enervate and injure the mind. Those only +are real pleasures which are of an innocent nature, and are used as +recreations, subjected to the Cross of Christ. I was in my judgment +much confirmed in the infinite importance of religion as the only +real stay, guide, help, comfort in this life, and the only means of +having a hope of partaking of a better. My understanding was +increasingly opened to receive its truths, although the glad +tidings of the Gospel were very little, if at all, understood by +me. I was like the blind man, although I could hardly be said to +have attained the state of seeing men as trees. I obtained in this +expedition a valuable knowledge of human nature from the variety I +met with; this, I think, was useful to me, though some were very +dangerous associates for so young a person, and the way in which I +was protected among them is in my remembrance very striking, and +leads me to acknowledge that at this most critical period of my +life the tender mercy of my God was marvelously displayed towards +me, and that His all-powerful—though to me then almost unseen and +unknown—hand held me up and protected me.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Self-abnegation and austerity were now to take the place of pleasant +frivolities and fashionable amusements. Her conviction was that her mind +required the ties and bonds of Quakerism to fit it for immortality. Not +that she, in any way, trusted in her own righteousness; for she gives it +as her opinion that, while principles of one's own making are useless in +the elevation and refinement of character, true religion, on the +contrary, does exalt and purify the character. Still the struggle was +not over. Long and bitter as it had been, it became still more bitter; +and the nightly recurrence of a dream at this period will serve to show +how agitated was her mental and spiritual nature. Just emancipated from +sceptical principles, accustomed to independent research, and deciding +to study the New Testament rather than good books, when on the +border-land of indecision and gloomy doubt, yet not wholly convinced or +comforted, her sleeping hours reflected the bitter, restless doubt of +her waking thoughts. A curious dream followed her almost nightly, and +filled her with terror. She imagined herself to be in danger of being +washed away by the sea, and as the waves approached her, she experienced +all the horror of being drowned. But after she came to the deciding +point, or, as she expressed it, "felt that she had really and truly got +real faith," she was lifted up in her dream above the waves. Secure upon +a rock, above their reach, she watched the water as it tossed and +roared, but powerless to hurt her. The dream no more recurred; the +struggle was ended, and thankful calm became her portion. She accepted +this dream as a lesson that she should not be drowned in the ocean of +this world, but should mount above its influence, and remain a faithful +and steady servant of God.</p> + +<p>Elizabeth's mind turned towards the strict practices of the Friends, as +being those most likely to be helpful to her newly-adopted life. A visit +paid to some members of the Society at Colebrook Dale, intensified and +confirmed those feelings. She says in her journal that it was a dreadful +cross to say "thee," and "thou," instead of speaking like other people, +and also to adopt the close cap and plain kerchief of the Quakeress; +but, in her opinion, it had to be done, or she could not fully renounce +the world and serve God. Neither could she hope for thorough +appreciation of these things in her beloved home-circle. To be a "plain +Quaker," she must in many things be far in advance of father, sisters, +and brothers; while in others she must tacitly condemn them. But she was +equal to the demand; she counted the cost, and accepted the +difficulties. At this time she was about nineteen years of age.</p> + +<p>As a beginning, she left off many pleasures such as might have +reasonably been considered innocent. For instance, she abandoned her +"scarlet riding-habit," she laid aside all personal ornament, and +occupied her leisure time in teaching poor children. She commenced a +small school for the benefit of the poor children of the city, and in a +short time had as many as seventy scholars under her care. How she +managed to control and keep quiet so many unruly specimens of humanity, +was a standing problem to all who knew her; but it seems not unlikely +that those qualities of organization and method which afterwards +distinguished her were being trained and developed. Added to these, must +be taken into account the power which a strong will always has over +weaker minds—an important factor in the matter. Still more must be +taken into account the strong, earnest longing of an enthusiastic young +soul to benefit those who were living around her. Earnest souls make +history. History has great things to tell of men and women of faith; and +Elizabeth Gurney's life-work colored the history of that age. A brief +sentence from her journal at this time explains the attitude of her mind +towards the outcast, poor, and neglected: "I don't remember ever being +at any time with one who was not extremely disgusting, but I felt a sort +of love for them, and I do hope I would sacrifice my life for the good +of mankind." Very evidently, William Savery's prophesy was coming to +pass in the determination of the young Quakeress to do good in her +generation.</p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>ST. MILDRED'S COURT.</h3> + + +<p>After a visit in the north of England with her father and sisters, +Elizabeth received proposals of marriage from Mr. Joseph Fry of London. +His family, also Quakers, were wealthy and of good position; but for +some time Elizabeth seemed to hesitate about entering on married life. +Far from looking on marriage as the goal of her ambition, as is the +fashion with many young women, she was divided in her mind as to the +relative advantages of single and married life, as they might affect +philanthropic and religious work. After consultation with her friends, +however, the offer was accepted, and on August 19th, 1800, when she was +little more than twenty years of age, she was married to Mr. Fry, in the +Friends' Meeting House, at Norwich. Very quickly after bidding her +school-children farewell, Mrs. Fry proceeded to St. Mildred's Court, +London, her husband's place of business, where she commenced to take up +the first duties of wedded life, and where several of her children were +born.</p> + +<p>The family into which she married was a Quaker family of the strictest +order. So far from being singular by her orthodoxy of manners and +appearance, she was, in the midst of the Frys, "the gay, instead of the +plain and scrupulous one of the family." For a little time she +experienced some difficulty in reconciling her accustomed habits with +the straight tenets of her husband's household and connections, but in +the end succeeded. It seems singular that one so extremely conscientious +as Elizabeth Fry, should have been considered to fall behindhand in that +self-denying plainness of act and speech which characterized others; but +so it was. And so determined was she to serve God according to her +light, that no mortification of the flesh was counted too severe +provided it would further the great end she had in view. Her extreme +conscientiousness became manifest in lesser things; such, for instance, +as anxiety to keep the strict truth, and that only, in all kinds of +conversation.</p> + +<p>Thus, she wrote in her journal:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>I was told by —— he thought my manners had too much of the +courtier in them, which I know to be the case, for my disposition +leads me to hurt no one that I can avoid, and I do sometimes but +just keep to the truth with people, from a natural yielding to them +in such things as please them. I think doing so in moderation is +pleasant and useful in society. It is among the things that +produce the harmony of society; for the truth must not be spoken +out at all times, at least not the whole truth. Perhaps I am +wrong—I do not know if I am—but it will not always do to tell our +minds.... I am one of those who try to serve God and Mammon. Now, +for instance, if I wish to say anything I think right to anyone, I +seldom go straight to the point, but mostly by some softening, +round-about way, which, I fear, is very much from wishing to please +man more than his Maker!</p></blockquote> + +<p>It is evident that Elizabeth Fry dared to be singular; very possibly +only such self-renouncing singularity could have borne such remarkable +fruits of philanthropy. It required some such independent, philosophical +character as hers to strike out a new path for charitable effort.</p> + +<p>During the continuance of the Yearly Meeting in London, the home in St. +Mildred's Court was made a house of entertainment for the Friends who +came from all parts of the country. It was a curious sight to see the +older Friends, clad in the quaint costume of that age, as they mingled +with the more fashionably or moderately dressed Quakers. The sightseers +of London eighty years ago must have looked on amused at what they +considered the vagaries of those worthy folks. The old Quaker ladies are +described as wearing at that date a close-fitting white cap, over which +was placed a black hood, and out of doors a low-crowned broad beaver +hat. The gowns were neatly made of drab camlet, the waists cut in long +peaks, and the skirts hanging in ample folds. For many years past these +somewhat antiquated garments have been discarded for sober +"coal-scuttles," and silk dresses of black or gray, much to the +improvement of the fair wearer's appearance. These Friends were +entertained at Mr. Fry's house heartily, and almost religiously. And +doubtless many people who were of the "salt of the earth" were numbered +among Mr. Fry's guests, while his young wife moved among them the +embodiment of refined lady-like hospitality and high principle. +Doubtless, too, the quiet home-talk of these worthy folks was only one +degree less solemn and sedate than their utterances at Yearly Meeting.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Fry followed up her chosen path in ministering to the sick and poor +among the slums of London. She visited them at their homes, and +traversed dirty courts and uninviting alleys in the quest of individuals +needing succor. Sometimes she was made the instrument of blessing; but +at other times, like all philanthropists, she was deceived and imposed +upon. One day a woman accosted her in the street, asking relief, and +holding an infant who was suffering evidently with whooping-cough. Mrs. +Fry offered to go to the woman's house with the intention of +investigating and relieving whatever real misery may have existed. To +her surprise the mendicant slunk away as if unwilling to be visited; but +Mrs. Fry was determined to track her, and at last brought her to earth. +The room—a filthy, dirty, poverty-cursed one—contained a number of +infants in every conceivable stage of illness and misery. +Horror-stricken, Mrs. Fry requested her own medical attendant to visit +this lazar-house; but on going thither next morning he found the woman +and her helpless brood of infants gone. It then turned out that this +woman "farmed" infants; deliberately neglected them till she succeeded +in killing them off, and then concealed their deaths in order to +continue to receive the wretched pittances allowed for their +maintenance. Such scenes and facts as these must have opened the eyes of +Mrs. Fry to the condition of the poorest classes of that day, and +educated her in self-denying labor on their behalf.</p> + +<p>She also took an interest in educational matters, and formed an +acquaintance with Joseph Lancaster, the founder of the Monitorial +system, and quickly turned her talents to account in visiting the +workhouse and school belonging to the Society of Friends at Islington.</p> + +<p>About this time, one sister was married to Mr. Samuel Hoare, and +another to Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton. Other members of her family passed +away from this life; among them her husband's mother, and a brother's +wife. Some time later Mr. Fry senior, died, and this event caused the +removal of the home from St. Mildred's Court to Plashet, in Essex, the +country seat of the family. Writing of this change, she said: "I do not +think I have ever expressed the pleasure and comfort I find in a country +life, both for myself and the dear children. It has frequently led me to +feel grateful for the numerous benefits conferred, and I have also +desired that I may not rest in, nor too much depend on, any of these +outward enjoyments. It is certainly to me a time of sunshine."</p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>A COUNTRY HOME.</h3> + + +<p>The delight expressed in her diary upon her removal to Plashet, found +vent in efforts to beautify the grounds. The garden-nooks and +plantations were filled with wild flowers, gathered by herself and +children in seasons of relaxation, and transferred from the coppices, +hedgerows and meadows, to the grounds, which appeared to her to be only +second in beauty to Earlham. Mrs. Fry was possessed of a keen eye for +Nature's beauties. Quick to perceive, and eager to relish the delights +of the fair world around, she took pleasure in them, finding relaxation +from the many duties which clustered about her in the spot of earth on +which her lot was cast. Her journal tells of trials and burdens, and +sometimes there peeps out a sentence of regret that the ideal which she +had formed of serving God, in the lost years of youth, had been absorbed +in "the duties of a careworn wife and mother." Yet what she fancied she +had lost in this waiting-time had been gained, after all, in +preparation. This quiet, domestic life was not what she had looked +forward to when in the first flush of youthful zeal. Still, she was +thereby trained to deal with the young and helpless, to enter into +sorrows and woes, and to understand and sympathize with quiet suffering. +But the time was coming for more active outward service, and when the +call came Elizabeth Fry was found ready to obey it.</p> + +<p>Towards the end of 1809 her father died, after great suffering; summoned +by one of her sisters, Elizabeth hurried down to Earlham to catch, if +possible, his parting benediction. She succeeded in arriving soon enough +to bear her much-loved parent company during his last few hours of life, +and to hear him express, again and again, his confidence in the Saviour, +who, in death, was all-sufficient for his needs. As he passed away, her +faith and confidence could not forbear expression, and, kneeling at the +bedside, she gave utterance to words of thanksgiving for the safe and +happy ending of a life which had been so dear to her. The truth was, a +burden had been weighing her down for some time past, causing her to +question herself most seriously as to whether she were willing to obey +"the inward voice" which prompted her to serve God in a certain way. +This specific way was the way of preaching in Meeting, or "bearing +testimony," as she phrased it, "at the prompting of the Holy Spirit." It +will be remembered that this is a distinguishing peculiarity of the +society which George Fox founded. Preaching is only permitted upon the +spur of the moment, as people of the world would say, but at the +prompting of the inward voice, as Quakers deem. Certainly no one ever +became a preacher among the Friends "for a piece of bread." If fanatics +sometimes "prophesied" out of the fullness of excited brains, or fervid +souls, no place-hunter adopted the pulpit as a profession. Only, +sometimes, it needs the presence of an overwhelming trial to bring out +the latent strength in a person's nature; and this trial was furnished +to Elizabeth Fry in the shape of her father's death. The thanksgiving +uttered by her at his death was also publicly repeated at the funeral, +probably with additional words, and from that time she was known as a +"minister."</p> + +<p>In taking this new departure she must not be confounded with some female +orators of the present age, who often succeed in turning preaching into +a hideous caricature. She was evidently ripening for her remarkable +work, and while doing so was occasionally irresistibly impelled to give +utterance to "thoughts that breathe and words that burn." Still, after +reaching the quiet of Plashet, and reviewing calmly her new form of +service, she thus wrote, what seemed to be both a sincere and +common-sense judgment upon herself:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>I was enabled coming along to crave help; in the first place, to be +made willing either to do or to suffer whatever was the Divine will +concerning me. I also desired that I might not be so occupied with +the present state of my mind as to its religious duties, as in any +degree to omit close attention to all daily duties, my beloved +husband, children, servants, poor, etc. But, if I should be +permitted the humiliating path that has appeared to be opening +before me, to look well at home, and not discredit the cause I +desire to advocate.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Wise counsels these, to herself! No woman whose judgment is +well-balanced, and whose womanly-nature is finely strung, but will +regard the path to the rostrum with shrinking and dismay. Either the +desire to save and help her fellow-creatures, "plucking them out of the +fire," if need be, is so strong upon her as to overmaster all fear of +man; or else the necessities and claims of near and dear ones lay +compulsion upon her to win support for them. Therefore, while every +woman can be a law unto herself, no woman can be a law unto her sisters +in this matter. As proof of her singleness of heart, another passage may +be quoted from Mrs. Fry's journal. It runs thus, and will be by no +means out of place here, seeing that it bears particularly upon the new +form of ministry then being taken up by her:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>May my being led out of my own family by what appears to me +<i>duties</i>, never be permitted to hinder my doing my duty fully +towards it, or so occupy my attention as to make me in any degree +forget or neglect home duties. I believe it matters not where we +are, or what we are about, so long as we keep our eye fixed on +doing the Great Master's work.... I fear for myself, lest even this +great mercy should prove a temptation, and lead me to come before I +am called, or enter service I am not prepared for.... This matter +has been for many years struggling in my mind, long before I +married, and once or twice when in London I hardly knew how to +refrain. However, since a way has thus been made for me it appears +as if I dared not stop the work; if it be a right one may it go on +and prosper, if not, the sooner stopped the better.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Very soon after penning these words, the Meeting of which she was a +member acknowledged Mrs. Fry as a minister, and thus gave its sanction +to her speaking in their religious assemblies.</p> + +<p>But, not content with this form of service, she visited among her poor +neighbors, bent on actively doing good. She secured a large room +belonging to an old house, opposite her own dwelling, and established a +school for girls on the Lancasterian pattern there. Very quickly, under +the united efforts of Mrs. Fry, the incumbent of the parish, and a +benevolent young lady named Powell, a school of seventy girls was +established, and kept in a prosperous condition. This school was still +in working order a few years ago.</p> + +<p>Plashet House was a depot of charity. Calicoes, flannels, jackets, +gowns, and pinafores were kept in piles to clothe the naked; drugs +suited to domestic practice were stored in a closet, for healing the +sick; an amateur soup-kitchen for feeding the hungry was established in +a roomy out-building, and this long years before public soup-kitchens +became the rage; whilst copies of Testaments were forthcoming on all +occasions to teach erring feet the way to Heaven. But her charity did +not stop with these things.</p> + +<p>An unsavory locality known as "Irish Row," about half a mile off, soon +attracted her attention. The slatternliness, suffering, shiftlessness, +dirt and raggedness, were inducements to one of her charitable +temperament to visit its inhabitants, having their relief and +improvement in view; while her appreciation of the warm-heartedness and +drollery of the Irish character afforded her genuine pleasure. Proximity +to English life had not refined these Irish; their houses were just as +filthy, their windows as patched and obscured with rags, their children +just as neglected, and their pigs equally familiar with those children +as if they had lived in the wilds of Connemara. Shillalahs, wakes, +potatoes, and poverty were distinguishing characteristics of the +locality; whilst its inhabitants were equally ready, with the free and +easy volatility of the Irish mind, to raise the jovial song, or utter +the cry of distress.</p> + +<p>The priest and spiritual director of "Irish Row" found himself almost +powerless in the presence of this mass of squalid misery. That Mrs. Fry +was a Quaker and a Protestant, did not matter to him, provided she could +assist in raising this debased little colony into something like orderly +life and decency. So he cooperated with her, and with his consent she +gave away Bibles and tracts, vaccinated and taught the children, as well +as moved among them generally in the character of their good genius. +When delicate and weak, she would take the carriage, filled with +blankets and clothes for distribution, down to Irish Row, where the +warm-hearted recipients blessed their "Lady bountiful" in terms more +voluble and noisy than refined. Still, however unpromising, the soil +bore good fruit. Homes grew more civilized, men, women, and children +more respectable and quiet, while everywhere the impress of a woman's +benevolent labors was apparent.</p> + +<p>It was the annual custom of a tribe of gypsies to pitch their tents in a +green lane near Plashet, on their way to Fairlop Fair. Once, after the +tents were pitched, a child fell ill; the distracted mother applied to +the kind lady at Plashet House for relief. Mrs. Fry acceded to the +request, and not only ministered to the gypsies that season, but every +succeeding year; until she became known and almost worshipped among +them. Romany wanderers and Celtic colonists were alike welcome to her +heart and purse, and vied in praising her.</p> + +<p>About this time the Norwich Auxiliary Bible Society was formed, and Mrs. +Fry went down to Earlham to attend the initial meeting. She tells us +there were present the Bishop of Norwich, six clergymen of the +Established Church, and three dissenting ministers, besides several +leading Quakers and gentlemen of the neighborhood. The number included +Mr. Hughes, one of the secretaries, and Dr. Steinkopf, a Lutheran +minister, who, though as one with the work of the Bible Society, could +not speak English. At some of these meetings she felt prompted to speak, +and did so at a social gathering at Earlham Hall, when all present owned +her remarkable influence upon them. These associations also increased +in her that catholicity of spirit which afterwards seemed so prominent. +Some of her brothers and sisters belonged to the Established Church of +England; while in her walks of mercy she was continually co-operating +with members of other sections of Christians. As we have seen, she +worked harmoniously with all: Catholic and Protestant, Churchman and +Dissenter.</p> + +<p>On looking at her training for her special form of usefulness we find +that afflictions predominated just when her mind was soaring above the +social and conventional trammels which at one time weighed so much with +her. We know her mostly as a prison philanthropist; but while following +her career in that path, it will be wise not to forget the way in which +she was led. By slow and painful degrees she was drawn away from the +circles of fashion in which once her soul delighted. Then her nature +seemed so retiring, and the tone of her piety so mystical, while she +dreaded nervously all approach to "religious enthusiasm," that a career +of publicity, either in prisons, among rulers, or among the ministers of +her own Society, seemed too far away to be ever realized in fact and +deed. Only He, who weighs thoughts and searches out spirits, knew or +understood by what slow degrees she rose to the demands which presented +themselves to her "in the ways of His requirings," even if "they led her +into suffering and death." It was no small cross for such a woman thus +to dare singularity and possibly odium.</p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>BEGINNINGS IN NEWGATE.</h3> + + +<p>It is said by some authorities that in her childhood Mrs. Fry expressed +so great a desire to visit a prison that her father at last took her to +see one. Early in 1813 she first visited Newgate, with the view of +ministering to the necessities of the felons; and for all practical +purposes of charity this was really her initial step. The following +entry in her journal relates to a visit paid in February of that year. +"Yesterday we were some hours with the poor female felons, attending to +their outward necessities; we had been twice previously. Before we went +away dear Anna Buxton uttered a few words of supplication, and, very +unexpectedly to myself, I did also. I heard weeping, and I thought they +appeared much tendered (<i>i.e.</i> softened); a very solemn quiet was +observed; it was a striking scene, the poor people on their knees around +us in their deplorable condition." This reference makes no mention of +what was really the truth, that some members of the Society of Friends, +who had visited Newgate in January, had so represented the condition of +the prisoners to Mrs. Fry that she determined to set out in this new +path. "In prison, and ye visited me." Little did she dream on what a +distinguished career of philanthropy she was entering.</p> + +<p>And Newgate needed some apostle of mercy to reduce the sum of human +misery found there, to something like endurable proportions. We are told +that at that date all the female prisoners were confined in what was +afterwards known as the "untried side" of the jail, while the larger +portion of the quadrangle was utilized as a state-prison. The women's +division consisted of two wards and two cells, containing a superficial +area of about one hundred and ninety yards. Into these apartments, at +the time of Mrs. Fry's visit, above three hundred women were crammed, +innocent and guilty, tried and untried, misdemeanants, and those who +were soon to pay the penalty of their crimes upon the gallows. Besides +all these were to be found numerous children, the offspring of the +wretched women, learning vice and defilement from the very cradle. The +penal laws were so sanguinary that at the commencement of this century +about three hundred crimes were punishable with death. Some of these +offences were very trivial, such as robbing hen-roosts, writing +threatening letters, and stealing property from the person to the +amount of five shillings. There was always a good crop for the gallows: +hanging went merrily on, from assize town to assize town, until one +wonders whether the people were not gallows-hardened. One old man and +his son performed the duties of warders in this filthy, abominable hole +of "justice." And the ragged, wretched crew bemoaned their wretchedness +in vain, for no helping hand was held out to succor. They were +"destitute of sufficient clothing, for which there was no provision; in +rags and dirt, without bedding, they slept on the floor, the boards of +which were in part raised to supply a sort of pillow. In the same rooms +they lived, cooked, and washed. With the proceeds of their clamorous +begging, when any stranger appeared among them, the prisoners purchased +liquors from a tap in the prison. Spirits were openly drunk, and the ear +was assailed by the most terrible language. Beyond the necessity for +safe custody, there was little restraint upon their communication with +the world without. Although military sentinels were posted on the leads +of the prison, such was the lawlessness prevailing, that Mr. Newman, the +governor, entered this portion of it with reluctance."</p> + +<p>As Mrs. Fry and the "Anna Buxton" referred to,—who was a sister of Sir +Thomas Fowell Buxton,—were about to enter this modern Inferno, the +Governor of Newgate advised the ladies to leave their watches in his +care lest they should be snatched away by the lawless wretches inside. +But no such hesitating, half-hearted, fearful charity was theirs. They +had come to see for themselves the misery which prevailed, and to dare +all risks; and we do not find that either Mrs. Fry or her companion lost +anything in their progress through the women's wards; watches and all +came away safely, a fresh proof of the power of kindness. The +revelations of the terrible woes of felon-life which met Mrs. Fry +stirred up her soul within her. She emphatically "clothed the naked," +for she set her family to work at once making green-baize garments for +this purpose until she had provided for all the most destitute.</p> + +<p>To remedy this state of things appeared like one of the labors of +Hercules. Few were hopeful of the success of her undertaking, while at +times even her undaunted spirit must have doubted. In John Howard's time +the prisons of England had been distinguished for vice, filth, +brutality, and suffering; and although some little improvement had taken +place, it was almost infinitesimal. Old castles, or gate-houses, with +damp, dark dungeons and narrow cells, were utilized for penal purposes. +It was common to see a box fastened up under one of the narrow, +iron-barred windows overlooking the street, with the inscription, "Pity +the poor prisoners," the alms being intended for their relief and +sustenance. Often the jail was upon a bridge at the entrance of a town, +and the damp of the river added to the otherwise unhealthy condition of +the place. Bunyan spoke, not altogether allegorically, but rather +literally, of the foul "den" in which he passed a good twelve years of +his life. Irons and fetters were used to prevent escape, while those who +could not obtain the means of subsistence from their friends, suffered +the horrors of starvation. Over-crowding, disease, riot, and obscenity +united to render these places very Pandemoniums.</p> + +<p>It seemed almost hopeless to deal with ferocious and abandoned women. +One of them was observed, desperate with rage, tearing the caps from the +heads of the other women, and yelling like a savage beast. By so much +nearer as woman is to the angels, must be measured her descent into ruin +when she is degraded. She falls deeper than a man; her degradation is +more complete, her nature more demoralized. Whether Mrs. Fry felt +unequal just then to the task, or whether family affliction pressed too +sorely upon her, we do not know; her journal affords no solution of the +problem, but certain it is that some three years passed by before any +very active steps were taken by her to ameliorate to any decided extent +the misery of the prisoners.</p> + +<p>But the matter seethed in her mind; as she mused upon it, the fire +burned, and the spirit which had to burst its conventional trammels and +"take up the cross" in regard to dress and speech, looked out for other +crosses to carry. Doing good became a passion; want, misery, sin and +sorrow furnished claims upon her which she would neither ignore nor +deny.</p> + +<p>John Howard had grappled with the hydra before her, and finally +succumbed to his exertions. As the period of his labors lay principally +between the years 1774 and 1790, when the evils against which Mrs. Fry +had to contend were intensified and a hundred times blacker, it cannot +do harm to recall the condition of prisons in England during the last +quarter of the eighteenth century; that is, during the girlhood of +Elizabeth Fry. Possibly some echoes of the marvellous exertions of +Howard in prison reform had reached her Earlham home, and produced, +though unconsciously, an interest in the subject which was destined to +bear fruit at a later period. At any rate, the fact cannot be gainsaid +that she followed in his steps, visiting the Continent in the +prosecution of her self-imposed task, and examining into the most +loathsome recesses of prisons, lunatic asylums, and hospitals.</p> + +<p>The penal systems of England had been on their trial; had broken down, +and been found utterly wanting. Modern legislation and philanthropy have +laid it down that <i>reform</i> is the proper end of all punishment; hence +the "silent system," the "separate system," and various employments have +been adopted. Hence, too, arose the framing of a system of education and +instruction under the jail roof, so that on the discharge of prisoners +they might be fitted to earn their own maintenance in that world which +formerly they had cursed with their evil deeds. But it was not so in the +era of John Howard, nor of Elizabeth Fry. Then, justice made short work +with criminals and debtors. The former it hanged in droves, and left the +latter to literally "rot" in prison. Two systems of transportation have +been tried: the one previous to Howard's day succeeded in pouring into +the American plantations the crime and vice of England; whilst the +other, which succeeded him, did the same for Australia. After the breach +between the American colonies and the mother-country, the system of +transportation to the Transatlantic plantations ceased; it was in the +succeeding years that the foul holes called prisons, killed their +thousands, and "jail-fever" its tens of thousands.</p> + +<p>Yet, in spite of hanging felons faster than any other nation in Europe, +in spite of killing them off slowly by the miseries of these holes, +crime multiplied more than ever. Gigantic social corruptions festered in +the midst of the nation, until it seemed as if a war which carried off a +few thousands or tens of thousands of the lower classes, were almost a +blessing. Alongside the horrible evils for which Government was +responsible, grew up multitudes of other evils against which it fought, +or over which it exercised a strong and somewhat tyrannical upper-hand. +In society there was a constant war going on between law and crime. +Extirpation—not reform—was the end aimed at; the prison officials of +that time looked upon a criminal as a helpless wretch, presenting fair +game for plunder, torture and tyranny. The records in Howard's journals, +and the annals of Mrs. Fry's labors, amply enlighten us as to the result +of this state of things.</p> + +<p>In Bedford jail the dungeons for felons were eleven feet below the +ground, always wet and slimy, and upon these floors the inmates had to +sleep. At Nottingham the jail stood on the side of a hill, while the +dungeons were cut in the solid rock; these dungeons could only be +entered after descending more than thirty steps. At Gloucester there was +but one court for all prisoners, and, while fever was decimating them, +only one day-room. At Salisbury the prisoners were chained together at +Christmas time and sent in couples to beg. In some of the jails, open +sewers ran through corridors and cells, so that the poor inmates had to +fight for their lives with the vermin which nourished there. At Ely the +prison was in such a ruinous condition that the criminals could not be +safely kept; the warders, therefore, had had recourse to chains and +fetters to prevent the escape of those committed to their charge. They +chained prisoners on their backs to the floor, and, not content with +this, secured iron collars round their necks as well as placed heavy +bars across their legs. Small fear of the poor wretches running away +after that! At Exeter the county jail was the private property of a +gentleman, John Denny Rolle, who farmed it out to a keeper, and received +an income of twenty pounds per annum for it. Yet why multiply instances! +In all of them, dirt, cruelty, fever, torture and abuses reigned +unchecked. Prisoners had no regular allowance of food, but depended on +their means, family, or charity; the prisons were farmed by their +keepers, some of whom were women, but degraded and cruel; many innocent +prisoners were slowly rotting to death, because of their inability to +pay the heavy fees exacted by their keepers; while the sleeping-rooms +were so crowded at times, that it was impossible for the prisoners to +lie down all together for sheer lack of space. Torture was prohibited by +the law of England, but many inhuman keepers used thumb-screws and iron +caps with obnoxious prisoners, for the amusement of themselves and their +boon companions. Several cases of this kind are recorded.</p> + +<p>So hideous an outcry arose against these horrors, that at last +Parliament interfered, and passed two bills dealing with prisoners and +their treatment. The first of these provided that when a prisoner was +discharged for want of prosecution he should be immediately set free, +without being called upon to defray any fees claimed by the jailer or +sheriff; while the second bill authorized justices of the peace to see +to the maintenance of cleanliness in the prisons. The first set at +liberty hundreds of innocent persons who were still bound because they +could not meet the ruinous fees demanded from them; while the second +undoubtedly saved the lives of hundreds more. These were instalments of +reform.</p> + +<p>Thus it will easily be understood that whatever the condition of +Newgate and other English prisons was, at the date of Mrs. Fry's labors, +they were far better than in previous years. Some attempts had been made +to render these pest-houses less horrible; but for lack of wise, +intelligent management, and occupation for the prisoners, the wards +still presented pictures of Pandemonium. It needed a second reformer to +take up the work where Howard left it, and to labor on behalf of the +convicts; for in too many cases they were looked upon as possessing +neither right nor place on God's earth. In the olden days, some judges +had publicly declared their preference for hanging, because the criminal +would then trouble neither State nor society any further. But in spite +of Tyburn horrors, each week society furnished fresh wretches for the +gallows; whilst those who were in custody were almost regarded as +"fore-doomed and fore-damned."</p> + +<p>During the interval which elapsed between Mrs. Fry's short visits to +Newgate in 1813, and the resumption of those visits in 1817, together +with the inauguration of her special work among the convicts, she was +placed in the crucible of trial. Death claimed several relatives; she +suffered long-continued illness, and experienced considerable losses of +property. All these things refined the gold of her character and +discovered its sterling worth. Some natures grow hard and sullen under +trial, others faithless and desponding, and yet others narrow and +reserved. But the genuine gold of a noble disposition comes out brighter +and purer because of untoward events; unsuspected resources are +developed, and the higher nobility becomes discernable. So it was with +Elizabeth Fry. The constitutional timidity of her nature vanished before +the overpowering sense of duty; and literally she looked not at the +seen, but at the unseen, in her calculations of Christian service. Yet +another part of her discipline was the ingratitude with which many of +her efforts were met. This experience is common to all who labor for the +public weal; and from an entry in her journal we can but conclude that +this "serpent's tooth" pierced her very sorely at times. "A constant +lesson to myself is the ingratitude and discontent which I see in many." +Many a reformer could echo these words. But the abiding trial seemed to +be the remembrance of the loss of her little daughter, Elizabeth, who +passed away after a week of suffering, and who was laid to rest in +Barking churchyard. The memory of this five-year old child remained with +her for many years a pure and holy influence, doubtless prompting her +to deal tenderly with the young strayed ones whom she met in her errands +of mercy. How often the memory of "the touch of a vanished hand, and the +sound of a voice that is still," influences our intercourse with the +living, so that while benefiting them we do it as unto and for the dead.</p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>NEWGATE HORRORS AND NEWGATE WORKERS.</h3> + + +<p>About Christmas 1816, or January 1817, Mrs. Fry commenced her leviathan +task in good earnest. The world had been full of startling events since +her first two or three tentative visits to Newgate; so startling were +they, that even in the refined and sedate quietude of Quakerism there +must have existed intense interest, excitement, and possibly fear. We +know from Isaac Taylor's prolific pen, how absorbing was the idea of +invasion by the French, how real a terror was Bonaparte, and how full of +menace the political horizon appeared. Empires were rising and falling, +wars and tumults were the normal condition of society; the Continent was +in a state of agitation and warfare. Napoleon, the prisoner of Elba, had +returned to Europe, collected an army, and, contesting at Waterloo the +strength of England and Prussia, had fallen. He was now watched and +guarded at St. Helena, while the civilized world began to breathe +freely. The mushroom kingdoms which he had set up were fast tottering, +or had fallen, while the older dynasties of Europe were feeling once +more secure, because the man who hesitated not to sacrifice vast myriads +of human lives to accomplish his own aggrandizement, was now bound, and, +like a tiger in chains, could do nought save growl impotently.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the tide of prison-life went on, without much variation. +Newgate horrors still continued; the gallows-crop never failed; and the +few Acts of Parliament designed to ameliorate the condition of the +prisoners in the jails had almost become dead letters. In 1815 a +deputation of the Jail Committee of the Corporation of London visited +several jails in order to examine into their condition, and to introduce +a little improvement, if possible, into those under their care. This +step led to some alterations; the sexes were separated, and the women +were provided with mats to sleep upon. Visitors were restrained from +having much communication with the prisoners, a double row of gratings +being placed between the criminals and those who came to see them. +Across the space between the gratings it was a common practice for the +prisoners to push wooden spoons, fastened to long sticks, in order to +receive the contributions of friends. Disgusting in its ways, vicious in +act and speech, the social scum which crowded Newgate was repulsive, +dangerous, and vile in the extreme.</p> + +<p>It is evident that the circle to which Mrs. Fry belonged was still +interested in philanthropic labors on behalf of the criminal classes, +because we find that Sir Thomas F. Buxton, Mr. Hoare, and several other +friends were busy, in the interval between 1813 and 1816, in +establishing a society for the reformation of juvenile thieves. This +matter of prison discipline was therefore engaging the attention of her +immediate circle. Doubtless, while listening to them, she remembered +most anxiously the miserable women whom she had visited some three years +previously.</p> + +<p>It seems that Mrs. Fry succeeded with the women by means of her care for +the children. Low as they were in sin, every spark of maternal affection +had not fled, and they craved for their little ones a better chance than +they had possessed themselves. To a suggestion by Mrs. Fry that a school +should be formed for the benefit of their little ones they eagerly +acceded. This suggestion she left with them for consideration, engaging +to come to a decision at the next visit.</p> + +<p>At the next visit she found that the tears of joy with which they had +welcomed the proposition were not feigned. The women had already chosen +a school-mistress from among themselves. A young woman, named Mary +Cormer, who had, although fairly educated, found her way to prison for +stealing a watch, was the person chosen. It is recorded of this young +woman that she became reformed during her stay in Newgate, and so +exemplary did she behave in the character of teacher, that Government +granted her a free pardon; which, however, she did not live long to +enjoy.</p> + +<p>It is pleasant to record that the officials aided and furthered this +good work. An empty cell was granted for the school-room, and was +quickly crammed with the youngest of the criminals. After this step had +been taken, a young Friend named Mary Sanderson made her appearance at +Newgate to assist, if it were possible, in the work, but was almost +terrified away again. She informed Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton of her +experiences and terrors at her first encounter with the women: "The +railing was crowded with half-naked women, struggling together for the +front situations with the most boisterous violence, and begging with the +utmost vociferation." She felt as if she were going into a den of wild +beasts, and she well recollects quite shuddering when the door was +closed upon her, and she was locked in with such a herd of novel and +desperate companions.</p> + +<p>Could lasting good be effected there? It seemed hopeless. Indeed, at +first it was scarcely dreamt of; but, the stone once set rolling, none +knew where it would stop. Marvellous to say, some of the prisoners +themselves asked for ministrations of this sort. Feeling that they were +as low down in the mire as they could be, they craved a helping hand; +indeed, entreated not to be left out from the benevolent operations +which Mrs. Fry now commenced. The officers of Newgate despaired of any +good result; the people who associated with Mrs. Fry, charitable as they +were, viewed her plans as Utopian and visionary, while she herself +almost quailed at their very contemplation. It also placed a great +strain upon her nervous system to attend women condemned to death. She +wrote: "I have suffered much about the hanging of criminals." And again: +"I have just returned from a melancholy visit to Newgate, where I have +been at the request of Elizabeth Fricker, previous to her execution +to-morrow at 8 o'clock. I found her much hurried, distressed and +tormented in mind. Her hands were cold, and covered with something like +the perspiration which precedes death, and in an universal tremor. The +women who were with her said she had been so outrageous before our +going, that they thought a man must be sent for to manage her. However, +after a serious time with her, her troubled soul became calmed." Another +entry in the same journal casts a lurid light upon the interior of +Newgate. "Besides this poor young woman, there are also six men to be +hanged, one of whom has a wife near her confinement, also condemned, and +seven young children. Since the awful report came down he has become +quite mad from horror of mind. A straight waistcoat could not keep him +within bounds; he had just bitten the turnkey; I saw the man come out +with his hand bleeding as I passed the cell. I hear that another who has +been tolerably educated and brought up, was doing all he could to harden +himself through unbelief, trying to convince himself that religious +truths were idle tales." Contemporary light is cast upon this matter by +a letter which the Hon. G.H. Bennett addressed to the Corporation of +London, relative to the condition of the prison. In it this writer +observed:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>A man by the name of Kelly, who was executed some weeks back for +robbing a house, counteracted, by his conversation and by the jests +he made of all religious subjects, the labors of Dr. Cotton to +produce repentance and remorse among the prisoners in the cells; +and he died as he lived, hardened and unrepenting. He sent to me +the day before his execution, and when I saw him <i>he maintained the +innocence of the woman convicted with him</i> (Fricker, before +mentioned), asserting that not her, but a boy concealed, opened +the door and let him into the house. When I pressed him to tell me +the names of the parties concerned, whereby to save the woman's +life, he declined complying without promise of a pardon. I urged as +strongly as I could the crime of suffering an innocent woman to be +executed to screen criminal accomplices; but it was all to no +effect, and he suffered, maintaining to the last the same story. +With him was executed a lad of nineteen or twenty years of age, +whose fears and remorse Kelly was constantly ridiculing.</p></blockquote> + +<p>About this time, Mrs. Fry noted in her journal the encouragement she had +received from those who were in authority, as well as the eager and +thankful attitude of the poor women themselves. Kindred spirits were +being drawn around her, ready to participate in her labors of love. In +one place she wrote almost deprecatingly of the publicity which those +labors had won; she feared notoriety, and would, had it been possible, +have worked on alone and unheralded. But perhaps it was as well that +others should learn to coöperate; the task was far too mighty for one +frail pair of hands, while the increased knowledge and interest among +the upper classes of society assisted in procuring the "sinews of war." +For this was a work which could not be successfully carried on without +pounds, shillings and pence. Clothing, books, teachers, and even +officers had to be paid for out of benevolent funds, for not an idea of +the necessity for such funds had ever crossed the civic mind.</p> + +<p>A very cheering item, in April, 1817, was the formation of a ladies' +society under the title of "An Association for the Improvement of the +Female Prisoners in Newgate." Eleven Quakeresses and one clergyman's +wife were then banded together. We cannot find the names of these good +women recorded anywhere in Mrs. Fry's journal. The object of this +association was: "To provide for the clothing, instruction, and +employment of the women; to introduce them to a knowledge of the +Scriptures, and to form in them, as much as possible, those habits of +sobriety, order and industry, which may render them docile and peaceable +whilst in prison, and respectable when they leave it." Thus, stone by +stone the edifice was being reared, step by step was gained, and +everything was steadily advancing towards success. The magistrates and +corporation of the city were favorable, and even hopeful; the jail +officials were not unwilling to coöperate, and ladies were anxious to +take up the work. The last thing which remained was to get the assent +and willing submission of the prisoners themselves to the rules which +<i>must</i> be enforced, were any lasting benefit to be conferred; and to +this last step Mrs. Fry was equal.</p> + +<p>On a Sunday afternoon, quickly following the formation of the +association, a new and strange meeting was convened inside the old +prison walls. There were present the sheriffs, the ordinary, the +governor, the ladies and the women. Doubtless they looked at each other +with a mixture of wonder, incredulity, and surprise. The gloomy +precincts of Newgate had never witnessed such a spectacle before; the +Samaritans of the great city no longer "passed by on the other side," +but, at last, had come to grapple with its vice and degradation.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Fry read out several rules by which she desired the women to abide; +explaining to them the necessity for their adherence to these rules, and +the extent to which she invited coöperation and assistance in their +enforcement. Unanimously and willingly the prisoners engaged to be bound +by them, as well as to assist each other in obedience. It will interest +the reader to know what these rules were. They were:—</p> + +<p>1. That a woman be appointed for the general supervision of the women.</p> + +<p>2. That the women be engaged in needlework, knitting, or any other +suitable employment.</p> + +<p>3. That there be no begging, swearing, gaming, card-playing, +quarrelling, or universal conversation. That all novels, plays, and +other improper books be excluded; that all bad words be avoided, and +any default in these particulars be reported to the matron.</p> + +<p>4. That there be a good yard-keeper, chosen from among the women, to +inform them when their friends come; to see that they leave their work +with a monitor when they go to the grating, and that they do not spend +any time there except with their friends. If any woman be found +disobedient in these respects, the yard-keeper is to report the case to +the matron.</p> + +<p>5. That the women be divided into classes of not more than twelve, and +that a monitor be appointed to each class.</p> + +<p>6. That the monitors be chosen from among the most orderly of the women +that can read, to superintend the work and conduct of the others.</p> + +<p>7. That the monitors not only overlook the women in their own classes, +but, if they observe any others disobeying the rules, that they inform +the monitor of the class to which such persons may belong, who is +immediately to report them to the matron, and the deviations be set down +on a slate.</p> + +<p>8. That any monitor breaking the rules shall be dismissed from her +office, and the most suitable in the class selected to take her place.</p> + +<p>9. That the monitors be particularly careful to see that women come +with clean hands and faces to their work, and that they are quiet during +their employment.</p> + +<p>10. That at the ringing of the bell at nine o'clock in the morning, the +women collect in the work-room to hear a portion of Scripture read by +one of the visitors, or the matron; and that the monitors afterwards +conduct the classes thence to their respective wards in an orderly +manner.</p> + +<p>11. That the women be again collected for reading at 6 o'clock in the +evening, when the work shall be given in charge to the matron by the +monitors.</p> + +<p>12. That the matron keep an exact account of the work done by the women, +and of their conduct.</p> + +<p>As these rules were read out, the women were requested to raise their +hands in token of assent. Not a hand but was held up. In just the same +manner the names of the monitors were received, and the appointments +ratified. After this business had been concluded, one of the visitors +read the twenty-first chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel; and then ensued a +period of solemn silence, according to the custom of the Society of +Friends. After that the newly-elected monitors, at the heads of their +classes, withdrew to their wards.</p> + +<p>The work room was an old disused laundry, now granted by the sheriffs, +and fitted up for the purpose. Repaired and whitewashed, it proved a +capital vantage-ground whereon to give battle to the old giants of +Ignorance, Crime and Vice, and ultimately to conquer them.</p> + +<p>The next thing was to obtain a sufficiency of work, and at the same time +funds to purchase materials. At first, the most imperative necessity +existed for clothing. For a long time the most ample help came from Mrs. +Fry's own family circle, although many others contributed various sums. +Indeed, the Sheriffs of London on one occasion made a grant of £80 +towards these objects, showing thus that, although punitive measures +were more in their way, they were really glad to uphold the hands of +anybody who would deal with the vexed problems which such hordes of +criminals presented.</p> + +<p>After the criminals themselves were clothed, their work went to provide +garments for the convicts at Botany Bay. Some tradesmen to whom Mrs. Fry +applied, willingly resigned these branches of their trade, in order to +afford the opportunity of turning the women's industry to account. This +was a decided step gained, as the Corporation then learnt how to make +the prisoners' labors profitable, and at the same time to avert the +mischiefs of vicious idleness.</p> + +<p>The ladies tried the school for a month quietly, and found it so +successful that they determined to lay a representation before the +Sheriffs, asking that this newly-formed agency should be taken under the +wing of the Corporation. They wisely considered that the efficiency and +continuance of this part of their scheme would be better ensured if it +were made part and parcel of the City prison system, than by leaving it +to the fluctuating support and management of private benevolence.</p> + +<p>In reply to this petition and representation, an answer was received +appointing a meeting with the ladies at Newgate. The meeting took place, +and a session was held according to the usual rules. The visiting +officials were struck with surprise at the altered demeanor of the +inhabitants of this hitherto styled "hell upon earth," and were ready to +grant what Mrs. Fry chose to ask. The whole plan, both school and +manufactory, was adopted as part of the prison system; a cell was +granted to the ladies for punishment of refractory prisoners, together +with power to confine them therein for short intervals; part of the +matron's salary was promised out of the City funds, and benedictions and +praises were lavished on the ladies. This assistance in the matter of a +matron was a decided help, as, prior to her appointment, some of the +ladies spent much of each day in the wards personally superintending +operations. So determined were they to win success, that they even +remained during meal times, eating a little refreshment which they +brought with them. After this appointment, one or two ladies visited the +prison for some time, daily, spending more or less time there in order +to superintend and direct. Some months after this a system of work was +devised for the "untried side," but for various reasons, the success in +that department of Newgate was not as marked. It was found that as long +as prisoners indulged any hope of discharge, they were more careless +about learning industrious and orderly habits.</p> + +<p>At this meeting with the civic authorities, Mrs. Fry offered several +suggestions calculated to promote the well-being of the prisoners, +sedately and gently explaining the reasons for the necessity of each. +They ran thus:—</p> + +<p>"1. Newgate in great want of room. Women to be under the care of women, +matron, turnkeys, and inspecting committee.</p> + +<p>"2. As little communication with their friends as possible; only at +stated times, except in very particular cases.</p> + +<p>"3. They must depend on their friends for neither food nor clothing, but +have a sufficiency allowed them of both.</p> + +<p>"4. That employment should be a part of their punishment, and be +provided for them by Government. The earnings of work to be partly laid +by, partly laid out in small extra indulgences, and, if enough, part to +go towards their support.</p> + +<p>"5. To work and have their meals together, but sleep separate at night, +being classed, with monitors at the head of each class.</p> + +<p>"Religious instruction. The kind attention we have had paid us.</p> + +<p>"Great disadvantages arise from dependence upon the uncertainty and +fluctuations of the Sheriff's funds; neither soap nor clothing being +allowed without its aid, and the occasional help of charitable people."</p> + +<p>Two extracts from the civic records prove how warmly the authorities +received these suggestions, and in what esteem they held Mrs. Fry and +her coadjutors.</p> + +<blockquote><p class='right'><span class="smcap">Saturday</span>, May 3, 1817.</p> + +<p>Committee of Aldermen to consider all matters relating to the jails +of this city.</p> + +<p>Present—The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs, and several +Aldermen.</p> + +<p>The Committee met agreeably to the resolutions of the 29th ult. at +the Keeper's House, Newgate, and proceeded from thence, attended by +the Sheriffs, to take a view of the jail at Newgate.</p> + +<p>The Committee, on viewing that part of it appropriated to the +female prisoners, were attended by Mrs. Elizabeth Fry and several +other ladies, who explained to the Committee the steps they had +adopted to induce the female prisoners to work and to behave +themselves in a becoming and orderly manner; and several specimens +of their work being inspected, the Committee were highly gratified.</p></blockquote> + +<p>At another place is the following entry. After giving date of meeting, +and names of committee present, the minute goes on to say:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Committee met at the Mansion House and were attended by Mrs. +Elizabeth Fry and two other ladies, who were heard in respect of +their suggestions for the better government of the female prisoners +in Newgate.</p> + +<p>Resolved unanimously: "That the thanks of this Committee be given +to Mrs. Fry and the other ladies who have so kindly exerted +themselves with a view to bettering the condition of the women +confined in the jail in Newgate, and that they be requested to +continue their exertions, which have hitherto been attended with +good effect."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Fry's journals contain very few particulars relating to her work at +this precise time. It seemed most agreeable to her to work quietly and +unknown as far as the outside public was concerned. But a lady-worker +who was in the Association has left on record a manuscript journal from +which some extracts may fitly be given here, as they cast valuable light +on both the work and workers.</p> + +<blockquote><p>We proceeded to the felons' door, the steps of which were covered +with their friends, who were waiting for admission, laden with the +various provisions and other articles which they required, either +as gifts, or to be purchased, as the prisoners might be able to +afford. We entered with this crowd of persons into an ante-room, +the walls of which were covered with the chains and fetters +suspended in readiness for the criminals. A block and hammer were +placed in the centre of it, on which chains were riveted. The room +was guarded with blunderbusses mounted on movable carriages. I +trembled, and was sick, and my heart sunk within me, when a +prisoner was brought forward to have his chain lightened, because +he had an inflammation in the ankle. I spoke to him, for he looked +dejected and by no means ferocious. The turnkey soon opened the +first gate of entrance, through which we were permitted to pass +without being searched, in consequence of orders issued by the +sheriffs. The crowd waited till the men had been searched by the +turnkeys, and the women by a woman stationed for that purpose in +the little room by the door of the entrance. These searchers are +allowed, if they suspect spirits, or ropes, or instruments of +escape to be concealed about the person, to strip them to ascertain +the fact. A melancholy detection took place a few days ago. A poor +woman had a rope found upon her, concealed for the purpose of +liberating her husband, who was then sentenced to death for highway +robbery, which sentence was to be put into execution in a few days. +She was, of course, taken before a magistrate, and ordered into +Newgate to await her trial. She was a young and pretty little Irish +woman, with an infant in her arms. After passing the first floor +into a passage, we arrived at the place where the prisoners' +friends communicate with them. It may justly be termed a sort of +iron cage. A considerable space remains between the grating, too +wide to admit of their shaking hands. They pass into this from the +airing-yard, which occupies the centre of the quadrangle round +which the building runs, and into which no persons but the visiting +ladies, or the persons they introduce, attended by a turnkey, are +allowed to enter. A little lodge, in which an under turnkey sleeps, +is also considered necessary to render the entrance secure. This +yard was clean, and up and down it paraded an emaciated woman, who +gave notice to the women of the arrival of their friends. Most of +the prisoners were collected in a room newly appropriated for the +purpose of hearing a portion of the Sacred Scriptures read to them, +either by the matron or by one of the ladies' committee—which last +is far preferable. They assemble when the bell rings, as near nine +o'clock as possible, following their monitors or wardswomen to the +forms which are placed in order to receive them. I think I can +never forget the impression made upon my feelings at this sight. +Women from every part of Great Britain, of every age and condition +below the lower middle rank, were assembled in mute silence, except +when the interrupted breathing of their sucking infants informed us +of the unhealthy state of these innocent partakers in their +parents' punishments. The matron read; I could not refrain from +tears. The women wept also; several were under the sentence of +death. Swain, who had just received her respite, sat next me; and +on my left hand sat Lawrence, <i>alias</i> Woodman, surrounded by her +four children, and only waiting the birth of another, which she +hourly expects, to pay the forfeit of her life, as her husband has +done for the same crime a short time before.</p> + +<p>Such various, such acute, and such new feelings passed through my +mind that I could hardly support the reflection that what I saw was +only to be compared to an atom in the abyss of vice, and +consequently misery, of this vast metropolis. The hope of doing the +least lasting good seemed to vanish, and to leave me in fearful +apathy. The prisoners left the room in order. Each monitor took +charge of the work in her class on retiring. We proceeded to other +wards, some containing forgers, coiners, and thieves; and almost +all these vices were engrafted on the most deplorable root of +sinful dissipation. Many of the women are married; their families +are in some instances permitted to be with them, if very young; +their husbands, the partners of their crimes, are often found to be +on the men's side of the prison, or on their way to Botany Bay....</p> + +<p>They appear to be aware of the true value of character, to know +what is right, and to forsake it in action. Finding these feelings +yet alive, if properly purified and directed it may become a +foundation on which a degree of reformation can be built. Thus they +conduct themselves more calmly and decently to each other, they are +more orderly and quiet, refrain from bad language, chew tobacco +more cautiously, surrender the use of the fireplace, permit doors +and windows to be opened and shut to air or warm the prison, +reprove their children with less violence, borrow and lend useful +articles to each other kindly, put on their attire with modesty, +and abstain from slanderous and reproachful words.</p> + +<p>None among them was so shocking as an old woman, a clipper of the +coin of the realm, whose daughter was by her side, with her infant +in her arms, which infant had been born in Bridewell; the +grandfather was already transported with several branches of his +family, as being coiners. The old woman's face was full of +depravity. We next crossed the airing-yard, where many persons were +industriously engaged at slop-work, for which they are paid, and +after receiving what they require, the rest is kept for them by the +Committee, who have a receipt-book, where their earning and their +expenditure may be seen at any time, by the day or week. On +entering the untried wards we found the women very different from +those we had just left. They were quarrelling and very disorderly, +neither knowing their future fate, nor anything like subordination +among one another. It resembles the state of the women on the tried +side before the formation of the Visitors' Association. Not a hand +was employed, except in mischief. One bold creature was ushered in +for committing highway robbery. Many convicts were arriving, just +remanded from the Sessions House, and their dark associates +received them with applause—such is the unhallowed friendship of +sin. We left this revolting scene and proceeded to the school-room, +situated on the untried side of the prison for want of room on the +tried. The quiet decency of this apartment was quite a relief, for +about twenty young women arose on our entrance, and stood with +their eyes cast on the ground.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Another extract from the diary of this lady will be found to describe, +in graphic terms, the visit to the prison recorded in the Corporation +minutes. As one reads the simple and truth-like story, the scene rises +before the mind's eye:—the party of gentlemen upon their semi-official +visit; the awe-stricken prisoners, scarcely comprehending whether this +visit boded ill or well to them; and the little company of quiet, godly, +unfashionable Quaker ladies, who were thus "laying hands" upon the lost +of their sex, in order to reclaim them. Such a picture might well be +transferred to canvas.</p> + +<blockquote><p>Rose early and visited Newgate, where most of the Committee met to +receive the Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs, several Aldermen, and some of +the Jail Committee. Even the irritable state of city politics does +not interfere with this attempt at improvement. The women were +assembled as usual, looking particularly clean, and Elizabeth Fry +had commenced reading a Psalm, when the whole of this party entered +this already crowded room. Her reading was thus interrupted for a +short time. She looked calmly on the approaching gentlemen, who, +soon perceiving the solemnity of her occupation, stood still midst +the multitude, whilst Elizabeth Fry resumed her office and the +women their quietude. In an impressive tone she told them she never +permitted any trifling circumstance to interrupt the very solemn +and important engagement of reading the Holy Scriptures; but in +this instance it appeared unavoidable from the unexpected entrance +of so many persons, besides which, when opportunity offers, we +should pay respect to those in authority over us, to those who +administer justice. She thus, with a Christian prudence peculiar to +herself, controlled the whole assembly, and subdued the feelings of +the prisoners, many of whom were but two well acquainted with the +faces of the magistrates, who were themselves touched and +astonished at being thus introduced to a state of decorum so new +within these walls, and could not help acknowledging how admirably +this mode of treatment was adapted to overcome the evil spirit +which had so long triumphed there. The usual silence ensued after +the reading, then the women withdrew. We could not help feeling +particularly glad that the gentlemen were present at the reading. +The prisoners crowded around the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs to beg +little favors. We had a long conference with these gentlemen +relative to this prison and its object, and to the wisest +regulations for prison discipline, and the causes of crime. +Indeed, we could not have received more kind and devoted attention +to what was suggested. Elizabeth Fry's manner seemed to awaken new +trains of reflection, and to place the individual value of these +poor creatures before them in a fresh point of view. The Sheriffs +came to our committee-room. They ordered a cell to be given up to +the Committee for the temporary confinement of delinquents; it was +to be made to appear as formidable as possible, and we hope never +to require it.</p> + +<p>The soldiers who guarded Newgate were, at our own request, +dismissed. They overlooked the women's wards, and rendered them +very disorderly.... I found poor Woodman lying-in in the common +ward, where she had been suddenly taken ill; herself and little +girl were each doing very well. She was awaiting her execution at +the end of the month. What can be said of such sights as these?... +I read to Woodman, who is not in the state of mind we could wish +for her; indeed, so unnatural is her situation that one can hardly +tell how, or in what manner, to meet her case. She seems afraid to +love her baby, and the very health which is being restored to her +produces irritation of mind.</p></blockquote> + +<p>This last entry furnishes, incidentally, proof of the barbarity of the +laws of Christian England at that time. Human life was of no account +compared with the robbery of a few shillings, or the cutting down of a +tree. This matter of capital punishment, in its turn, attracted the +attention of the Quaker community, together with other philanthropic +individuals, and the statute book was in time freed from many of the +sanguinary enactments which had, prior to that period, disgraced it.</p> + +<p>By this time notoriety began to attend Mrs. Fry's labors, and she was +complimented and stared at according to the world's most approved +fashion. The newspapers noticed her work; the people at Court talked +about it; and London citizens began to realize that in this quiet +Quakeress there dwelt a power for good. Given an unusual method of doing +good, noticed by the high in place and power, together with praise or +criticism by the papers, and, like Lord Byron, the worker wakes some +morning to find himself or herself famous. But growing fame did not +agree with Elizabeth Fry's moral or spiritual nature. She possessed far +too noble a soul to be pleased with it; her responsibility and her +success, except so far as they affected the waifs she desired to bless, +were matters for her own conscience, and her God. She mentioned in her +journal her fears whether or not this publicity, and the evident respect +paid her by the people in power in the city, might not develop worldly +pride of self-exaltation in her. Highly-toned and pure as her spirit +was, it shrank from any strain of self-seeking or pride. Only such a +spirit could have conceived such a work of usefulness; only such an one +could endure the inevitable repulsion which attends such work among the +degraded, and conquer.</p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>EVIDENCE BEFORE THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.</h3> + + +<p>Public attention was so far aroused on the subject of prison discipline, +and the condition of criminals, that a Committee of the House of Commons +was appointed to examine into evidence respecting the prisons of the +metropolis. On the 27th of February, 1818, Mrs. Fry was examined by this +Committee, relative to her personal experiences of this work, and her +own labors in connection with it. The clear, calm statements made by her +before this Committee cast considerable light upon her doings, and the +principles upon which she acted. There is no exaggeration, no +braggadocio, no flourish of philanthropy,—simply a straightforward +story of quiet but persistent endeavors to lessen the human misery +within the walls of the prison at Newgate; for, hitherto, her efforts +had been confined to that jail.</p> + +<p>"<i>Query</i>. You applied to the Committee of the Court of Aldermen?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Ans</i>. Not at first; I thought it better to try the experiment for a +month, and then to ask them whether they would second us, and adopt our +measures as their own; we, therefore, assembled our women, read over our +rules, brought them work, knitting, and other things, and our +institution commenced; it has now been about ten months. Our rules have +certainly been occasionally broken, but very seldom; order has generally +been observed. I think I may say we have full power among them, for one +of them said it was more terrible to be brought up before me than before +the judge, though we use nothing but kindness. I have never punished a +woman during the whole time, or even proposed a punishment to them; and +yet I think it is impossible in a well-ordered house to have rules more +strictly attended to than they are, as far as I order them, or our +friends in general. With regard to our work, they have made nearly +twenty thousand articles of wearing apparel, the generality of which is +supplied by the slop-shops, which pay very little. Excepting three out +of this number that were missing, which we really do not think owing to +the women, we have never lost a single article. They knit from about +sixty to a hundred pairs of stockings and socks every month; they spin a +little. The earnings of work, we think, average about eighteenpence per +week for each person. This is generally spent in assisting them to live, +and helps to clothe them. For this purpose they subscribe out of their +small earnings of work about four pounds a month, and we subscribe about +eight, which keeps them covered and decent. Another very important point +is the excellent effects we have found to result from religious +education; our habit is constantly to read the Scriptures to them twice +a day. Many of them are taught, and some of them have been enabled to +read a little themselves; it has had an astonishing effect. I never saw +the Scriptures received in the same way, and to many of them they have +been entirely new, both the great system of religion and morality +contained in them; and it has been very satisfactory to observe the +effect upon their minds. When I have sometimes gone and said it was my +intention to read, they would flock up-stairs after me, as if it were a +great pleasure I had to afford them."</p> + +<p>"You have confined yourself to reading the Scriptures, and pointing out +generally the moral lessons that might be derived from them?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, generally so."</p> + +<p>"Without inculcating any particular doctrine?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing but the general Scripture doctrine; in short, they are not +capable of receiving any other."</p> + +<p>"Nothing but the morals of the Scripture,—the duties towards God and +man?"</p> + +<p>"That is all; we are very particular in endeavoring to keep close to +that. We consider, from the situation we fill, as it respects the +public, as well as the poor creatures themselves, that it would be +highly indecorous to press any particular doctrine of any kind, anything +beyond the fundamental doctrines of Scripture. We have had considerable +satisfaction in observing, not only the improved state of the women in +the prison, but we understand from the governor and clergyman at the +penitentiary, that those who have been under our care are very different +from those who come from other prisons. We also may state that when they +left Newgate to go to Botany Bay, such a thing was never known in the +prison before as the quietness and order with which they left it; +instead of tearing down everything, and burning it, it was impossible to +leave it more peaceably. And as a proof that their moral and religious +instruction have had some effect upon their minds, when those poor +creatures were going to Botany Bay, the little fund we allowed them to +collect for themselves, in a small box under our care, they entreated +might all be given to those that were going, those who remained saying +that they wished to give up their little share of the profit to the +others."</p> + +<p>"Do you know anything of the room and accommodation for the women in +1815?"</p> + +<p>"I do not; I did not visit it in that year."</p> + +<p>"What was it in 1817?"</p> + +<p>"Not nearly room enough. If we had room enough to class them, I think a +very great deal more might be accomplished. We labor very much in the +day, and we see the fruit of our labor: but if we could separate them in +the night, I do think that we could not calculate upon the effect which +would be produced."</p> + +<p>"At present, those convicted for all offenses pass the day together?"</p> + +<p>"Very much so; very much intermixed, old and young, hardened offenders +with those who have committed only a minor crime, or the first crime; +the very lowest of women with respectable married women and +maid-servants. It is more injurious than can be described, in its +effects and in its consequences. One little instance to prove how +beneficial it is to take care of the prisoners, is afforded by the case +of a poor woman, for whom we have obtained pardon (Lord Sidmouth having +been very kind to us whenever we have applied for the mitigation of +punishment since our committee has been formed). We taught her to knit +in the prison; she is now living respectably out of it, and in part +gains her livelihood by knitting. We generally endeavor to provide for +them in degree when they go out. One poor woman to whom we lent money, +comes every week to my house, and pays two shillings, as honestly and as +punctually as we could desire. We give part, and lend part, to accustom +them to habits of punctuality and honesty."</p> + +<p>"Is that woman still in Newgate, whose husband was executed, and she +herself condemned to death, having eight children?"</p> + +<p>"She is."</p> + +<p>"Has not her character been very materially changed since she has been +under your care?"</p> + +<p>"I heard her state to a gentleman going through the other day, that it +had been a very great blessing to her at Newgate, and I think there has +been a very great change in her. Her case is now before Lord Sidmouth, +but we could hardly ask for her immediate liberation."</p> + +<p>"What reward, or hope of reward, do you hold out?"</p> + +<p>"Rewards form one part of our plan. They not only have the earning of +their work, but we endeavor to stimulate them by a system of marks. We +divide our women into classes, with a monitor over every class, and our +matron at the head. It is the duty of every monitor to take up to the +matron every night an account of the conduct of her class, which is set +down; and if they have a certain number of what we call good marks at +the end of any fixed period, they have for rewards such prizes as we +think proper to give them—generally small articles of clothing, or +Bibles and Testaments."</p> + +<p>"Be so good as to state, as nearly as you can, what proportion of the +women, without your assistance, would be in a state of extreme want?"</p> + +<p>"It is difficult to say; but I think we average the number of eighty +tried women. Perhaps out of that number twenty may live very well, +twenty very badly, and the others are supported by their friends in some +degree. When I say twenty who live very well, I mention, perhaps, too +large a number—perhaps not above ten. I think their receiving support +from out-of-doors is most injurious, as it respects their moral +principles, and everything else, as it respects the welfare of the city. +There are some very poor people who will almost starve at home, and be +induced to do that which is wrong, in order to keep their poor relations +who are in prison. It is an unfair tax on such people; in addition to +which, it keeps up an evil communication, and, what is more, I believe +they often really encourage the crime by it for which they are put into +prison; for these very people, and especially the coiners and passers of +bank-notes, are supported by their associates in crime, so that it +really tends to keep up their bad practices."</p> + +<p>"Do you know whether there is any clothing allowed by the city?"</p> + +<p>"Not any. Whenever we have applied or mentioned anything about clothing, +we have always found that there was no other resource but our own, +excepting that the sheriffs used to clothe the prisoners occasionally. +Lately, nobody has clothed them but ourselves; except that the late +sheriffs sent us the other day a present of a few things to make up for +them."</p> + +<p>"There is no regular clothing allowed?"</p> + +<p>"It appears to me that there is none of any kind."</p> + +<p>"Have you never had prisoners there who have suffered materially for +want of clothing?"</p> + +<p>"I could describe such scenes as I should hardly think it delicate to +mention. We had a woman the other day, on the point of lying-in, brought +to bed not many hours after she came in. She had hardly a covering; no +stockings, and only a thin gown. Whilst we are there, we can never see a +woman in that state without immediately applying to our fund."</p> + +<p>"When they come in they come naked, almost?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, this woman came in, and we had to send her up almost every +article of clothing, and to clothe her baby. She could not be tried the +next sessions, but after she had been tried, and when she was +discharged, she went out comfortably clothed; and there are many such +instances."</p> + +<p>"Has it not happened that when gentlemen have come in to see the prison, +you have been obliged to stand before the women who were in the prison +in a condition not fit to be seen?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I remember one instance in which I was obliged to stand before one +of the women to prevent her being seen. We sent down to the matron +immediately to get her clothes."</p> + +<p>"How long had the woman been in jail?"</p> + +<p>"Not long; for we do not, since we have been there, suffer them to be a +day without being clothed?"</p> + +<p>"What is the average space allowed to each woman to lie upon, taking the +average number in the prison?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot be accurate, not having measured; from eighteen inches to two +feet, I should think."</p> + +<p>"By six feet?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I believe the moral discipline of a prison can never be complete +while they are allowed to sleep together in one room. If I may be +allowed to state it, I should prefer a prison where women were allowed +to work together in companies, under proper superintendence; to have +their meals together, and their recreation 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 atrocious cases. I would divide every woman for a few weeks, +until I knew what they were, but I would afterwards regulate them as I +have before mentioned."</p> + +<p>"Has gaming entirely ceased?"</p> + +<p>"It has of late: they have once been found gaming since we had 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 there were cards in the prison, I should +consider it a proof of their regard if they would have the candor and +the kindness to bring me their packs. I did not expect they would do it, +for they would feel they had 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. 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 them 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 her, but she had hoped I +would give her a Bible, that she might read the Scriptures. 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."</p> + +<p>"You have stated three things which to your mind are essential to the +reformation of a prison: first, religious instruction; secondly, +classification; thirdly, employment. Do you think that any reformation +can be accomplished without employment?"</p> + +<p>"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 must naturally +return to their evil practices."</p> + +<p>"How many removals of female prisoners have you had in the last year, in +Newgate; how many gone to Botany Bay?"</p> + +<p>"Eighteen women; and thirty-seven to the Penitentiary."</p> + +<p>"Can you state out of what number of convicts these have been in the +course of a year?"</p> + +<p>"I do not think I can; but, of course, out of many hundreds."</p> + +<p>"In fact, has there been only one regular removal within the last year?"</p> + +<p>"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 to those who have the care of them."</p> + +<p>"In the present arrangement is it not so with regard to the women?"</p> + +<p>"It is very nearly so; but if I had a prison completely such as I +should like it, it would be a prison quite apart from the men's prison, +and into which neither turnkeys nor anyone else should enter but female +attendants and the Inspecting Committee of Ladies, except, indeed, such +gentlemen as come to look after their welfare."</p> + +<p>"In what does the turnkey interfere now with the prison?"</p> + +<p>"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 prisoners 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 +spiritually or medically."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"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, perhaps, I 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 to provide for them; why should not the Government make use +of the prisoners? But I consider it of the utmost importance, and quite +indispensable for the conduct of these 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, etc., but a part should be +laid by that there maybe 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 America. In a prison under proper regulation, 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 +worst of characters, would turn out valuable members of society. After +having said what I have respecting the care of women, I will just add +that I believe that 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 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."</p> + +<p>The natural consequence of this evidence was increased publicity and +increased usefulness; the first to Mrs. Fry's sorrow, and the second to +her great joy. Much as she desired to work in secret, it was not +possible; nor, all things considered, was it for the best that she +should do so. The prison reform which she desired to see carried out was +destined to cover, and indeed, required a larger area than she could +obtain. But the fame of her improvements at Newgate, the tales of lions +being turned into lambs, and sinners into saints, by the exertions of +this woman and her band of helpers, caught the ear and thrilled the +heart of the public. The excitement produced among the community +deepened and intensified as more of the work became revealed. +Representatives of every class in society visited the gloomy precincts +of Newgate, in order to see and hear for themselves how far these +wonders extended, while at every hospital and fashionable board the +theme was ever the same. At one time Mrs. Fry was at Newgate in company +with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and other celebrities; while at +another time she appeared at the Mansion House, honored by royalty, the +"observed of all observers." The Queen of England, among others, was +anxious to see and converse with the woman who had with such quiet power +succeeded in solving a great social problem, and that where municipal +authorities had failed.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Fry, although belonging to that religious community which takes not +off the hat to royalty, possessed loyal feelings. Therefore, when Queen +Charlotte commanded her to appear at the Mansion House, in order to be +formerly presented to her, with true womanly grace and respect she +hastened to obey. It was intended that the presentation should have +taken place in the drawing-room, but by some mistake Mrs. Fry was +conducted to the Egyptian Hall, where a number of school-children were +waiting to be examined. Mrs. Fry occupied a post near the platform; and +after a little time the Queen, now aged and infirm, perceived her. As +soon as the examination of the children was over she advanced to Mrs. +Fry. Her Majesty's small figure, her dress blazing with diamonds, her +courtesy and kindness as she spoke to the now celebrated Quakeress, who +stood outwardly calm in the costume of her creed, and just a little +flushed with the unwonted excitement, attracted universal homage. +Around stood several bishops, peers, and peeresses; the hall was filled +with spectators, while outside the crowd surged and swayed as crowds are +wont to do. For a few moments the two women spoke together; then the +strict rules of etiquette were overcome by the enthusiasm of the +assembly and a murmur of applause, followed by a ringing English cheer, +went up. This cheer was repeated by the crowd outside, again and again, +while the most worldly butterfly that ever buzzed and fluttered about a +court learnt that day that there was in goodness and benevolence +something better than fashion and nobler than rank. This was almost, if +not quite, Queen Charlotte's last public appearance; she very soon +afterwards passed to her rest, "old and full of days."</p> + +<p>Ever true to her own womanly instincts, we find Mrs. Fry lamenting, in +her journal, that herself and the prison are becoming quite a show; yet, +on the other hand, she recognized the good of this inconvenience, +inasmuch as the work spread among all classes of society. Various +opinions were passed upon her, and on one occasion a serious +misunderstanding with Lord Sidmouth, respecting a case of capital +punishment, severely tried her constancy. Some carping critics found +fault, others were envious, others censorious and shallow; but neither +good report nor evil report moved her very greatly, although possibly at +times they were the subject of much inward struggle.</p> + +<p>This question of Prison Reform at last reached Parliament. In June, +1818, the Marquis of Lansdowne moved an address to the Prince Regent, +asking an inquiry into the state of the prisons of the United Kingdom. +He made a remarkable speech, quoting facts relating to the miseries of +the jails, and concluded with a high eulogium on Mrs. Fry's labors among +the criminals of Newgate, giving her the title "Genius of Good." This +step drew public attention still more to the matter and prison-visiting +and prison reform became the order of the day. As public attention had +been aroused, and public sympathy had been gained for the cause, it is +not wonderful that beneficial legislative measures were at last carried.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the ladies continued their good work. It was one of the +cardinal points of their creed, that it was not good for the criminals +to have much intercourse with their friends outside. In past times +unlimited beer had been carried into Newgate; at least the quantity so +disposed of was only limited by the amount of ready cash or credit at +the disposal of the criminals and their friends. This had been stopped +with the happiest results, and now it seemed time to adopt some measures +which should secure some little additional comfort for the prisoners. In +order to effect this a sub-matron, or gate-keeper, was engaged, who +assisted in the duties at the lodge, and kept a small shop "between +gates," where tea, sugar, and other little comforts could be purchased +by the prisoners out of their prison earnings. This step was a +successful one, for with the decrease of temptation from without, came +an increase of comfort from within, provided they earned money and +obeyed rules. Plenty of work could be done, seeing that they all +required more or less clothing, while Botany Bay could take any number +of garments to be utilized for the members of the penal settlement +there.</p> + +<p>Two months after Lord Lansdowne's motion was made in Parliament, Mrs. +Fry, together with Joseph John Gurney, his wife, and her own daughter, +Rachel, went into Scotland on a religious and philanthropic tour. The +chief object of this journey seems to have been the visitation of +Friends' Meetings in that part of the kingdom; but the prison enterprise +was by no means forgotten. In her journal she records visits to meetings +of Friends held at Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and Knowsley. +At the latter place they were guests of the Earl of Derby, and much +enjoyed the palatial hospitality which greeted them. They made a point +of visiting most of the jails and bridewells in the towns through which +they passed, finding in some of them horrors far surpassing anything +that Newgate could have shown them even in its unreformed days. At +Haddington four cells, allotted to prisoners of the tramp and criminal +class, were "very dark, excessively dirty, had clay floors, no +fire-places, straw in one corner for a bed, and in each of them a tub, +the receptacle for all filth." Iron bars were used upon the prisoners so +as to become instruments of torture. In one cell was a poor young man +who was a lunatic—whence nobody knew. He had been subject to the misery +and torture of Haddington jail for eighteen months, without once leaving +his cell for an airing. No clothes were allowed, no medical man attended +those who were incarcerated, and a chaplain never entered there, while +the prison itself was destitute of any airing-yard. The poor debtors, +whether they were few or many, were all confined in one small cell not +nine feet square, where one little bed served for all.</p> + +<p>At Kinghorn, Fifeshire, a young laird had languished in a state of +madness for six years in the prison there, and had at last committed +suicide. Poor deranged human nature flew to death as a remedy against +torture. At Forfar, prisoners were chained to the bedstead; at Berwick, +to the walls of their cells; and at Newcastle to a ring in the floor. +The two most objectionable features in Scotch prisons, as appears from +Mr. Gurney's "Notes" of this tour, were the treatment of debtors, and +the cruelties used to lunatics. Both these classes of individuals were +confined as criminals, and treated with the utmost cruelty.</p> + +<p>According to Scotch law, the jailer and magistrates who committed the +debtor became responsible for the debt, supposing the prisoner to have +effected his escape. Self-interest, therefore, prompted the adoption of +cruel measures to ensure the detention of the unfortunate debtor; while +helpless lunatics were wholly at the mercy of brutalized keepers who +were responsible to hardly any tribunal. Of the horrors of that dark, +terrible time within those prison-walls, few records appear; few cared +to probe the evil, or to propose a remedy. The archives of Eternity +alone contain the captive's cries, and the lamentations of tortured +lunatics. Only one Eye penetrated the dungeons; one Ear heard. Was not +Elizabeth Fry and her coadjutors doing a god-like work? And when she +raised the clarion cry that <i>Reformation</i>, not <i>Revenge</i>, was the object +of punishment, she shook these old castles of Giant Despair to their +foundations.</p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE GALLOWS AND ENGLISH LAWS.</h3> + + +<p>About this period the subject of Capital Punishment largely attracted +Mrs. Fry's attention. The attitude of Quakers generally towards the +punishment of death, except for murder in the highest degree, was +hostile; but Mrs. Fry's constant intercourse with inmates in the +condemned cell fixed her attention in a very painful manner upon the +subject. For venial crimes, men and women, clinging fondly to life, were +swung off into eternity; and neither the white lips of the +philanthropist, nor the official ones of the appointed chaplain, could +comfort the dying. Among these dying ones were many women, who were +executed for simply passing forged Bank of England notes; but as the +bank had plenary powers to arrange to screen certain persons who were +not to die, these were allowed to get off with a lighter punishment by +pleading "Guilty to the minor count." The condemned cell was never, +however, without its occupant, nor the gallows destitute of its prey. So +Draconian were the laws of humane and Christian England, at this date, +that had they been strictly carried out, at least four executions daily, +exclusive of Sundays, would have taken place in this realm.</p> + +<p>According to Hepworth Dixon, and contemporary authorities, the +sanguinary measures of the English Government for the punishment of +crimes dated from about the time of the Jacobite rebellion, in 1745. +Prior to that time, adventurers of every grade, the idle, vicious, and +unemployed, had found an outlet for their turbulence and their energies +in warfare—engaging on behalf of the Jacobites, or the Government, +according as it suited their fancy. But when the House of Hanover +conquered, and the trade of war became spoiled within the limits of +Great Britain, troops of these discharged soldiers took to a marauding +life; the high roads became infested with robbers, and crimes of +violence were frequent. Alarmed at the license displayed by these +Ishmaelites, the Government of the day arrayed its might against them, +enacting such sanguinary measures that at first sight it seemed as if +the deliberate intent were to literally cut them off and root them out +from the land. That era was indeed a bloodthirsty one in English +jurisprudence.</p> + +<p>Enactments were passed in the reign of the second George, whereby it +was made a capital crime to rob the mail, or any post-office; to kill, +steal, or drive away any sheep or cattle, with intention to steal, or to +be accessory to the crime. The "Black Act," first passed in the reign of +George I., and enlarged by George II., punished by hanging, the hunting, +killing, stealing, or wounding any deer in any park or forest; maiming +or killing any cattle, destroying any fish or fish-pond, cutting down or +killing any tree planted in any garden or orchard, or cutting any +hop-bands in hop plantations. Forgery, smuggling, coining, passing bad +coin, or forged notes, and shop-lifting; all were punishable by death. +From a table published by Janssen, and quoted from Hepworth Dixon, we +find that in twenty-three years, from 1749 to 1771, eleven hundred and +twenty-one persons were condemned to death in London alone. The offenses +for which these poor wretches received sentence included those named +above, in addition to seventy-two cases of murder, two cases of riot, +one of sacrilege, thirty-one of returning from transportation, and four +of enlisting for foreign service. Of the total number condemned, six +hundred and seventy-eight were actually hanged, while the remainder +either died in prison, were transported, or pardoned. As four hundred +and one persons were transported, a very small number indeed obtained +deliverance either by death or pardon. In fact, scarcely any extenuating +circumstances were allowed; so that in some cases cruelty seemed +actually to have banished justice. It is recorded, as one of these +cases, that a young woman with a babe at the breast, was hanged for +stealing from a shop a piece of cloth of the value of five shillings. +The poor woman was the destitute wife of a young man whom the press-gang +had captured and carried off to sea, leaving her and her babe to the +mercy of the world. Utterly homeless and starving, she stole to buy +food; but a grateful country requited the services of the sailor-husband +by hanging the wife.</p> + +<p>The <i>certainty</i> of punishment became nullified by the <i>severity</i> of the +laws. Humane individuals hesitated to prosecute, especially for forgery; +while juries seized upon every pretext to return verdicts of "Not +guilty." Reprieves were frequent, for the lives of many were +supplicated, and successfully; so that the death-penalty was commuted +into transportation. Caricaturists, writers, philanthropists, +divines—all united in the chorus of condemnation against the bloody +enactments which secured such a crop for the gallows. Men, women, girls, +lads and idiots, all served as food for it. Jack Ketch had a merry time +of it, while society looked on well pleased, for the most part. Those +appointed to sit in the seat of justice sometimes defended this state of +things. One of the worthies of the "good old times"—Judge +Heath—notorious because of his partiality for hanging, is reported to +have said: "If you imprison at home, the criminal is soon thrown back +upon you hardened in guilt. If you transport you corrupt infant +societies, and sow the seeds of atrocious crimes over the habitable +globe. There is no regenerating a felon in this life. And, for his own +sake, as well as for the sake of society, I think it better to hang."</p> + +<p>As a caricaturist George Cruikshank entered the field, and waged battle +on behalf of the poor wretches who swung at the gallows for passing +forged Bank of England notes. He drew a note resembling the genuine one, +and entitled it "Bank note, <i>not</i> to be imitated." A copy of this +caricature now lies before us. It bears on its face a representation of +a large gallows, from which eleven criminals, three of whom are women, +are dangling, dead. In the upper left hand corner, Britannia is +represented as surrounded by starving, wailing creatures, and surmounted +by a hideous death's head. Underneath is a rope coiled around the +portraits of twelve felons who have suffered; while, running down, to +form a border, are fetters arranged in zig-zag fashion. Across the note +run these words, "<i>Ad lib., ad lib.</i>, I promise to perform during the +issue of Bank notes easily imitated, and until the resumption of cash +payments, or the abolition of the punishment of death, for the Governors +and Company of the Bank of England.—<span class="smcap">J. Ketch</span>." The note is a +unique production, and must have created an enormous sensation. +Cruikshank's own story, writing in 1876, is this:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>Fifty-eight years back from this date there were one-pound Bank of +England notes in circulation, and, unfortunately, many forged notes +were in circulation also, or being passed, the punishment for which +offense was in some cases transportation, in others <span class="smcap">Death</span>. +At this period, having to go early to the Royal Exchange one +morning, I passed Newgate jail, and saw several persons suspended +from the gibbet; <i>two</i> of these were women who had been executed +for passing one-pound forged notes.</p> + +<p>I determined, if possible, to put a stop to such terrible +punishments for such a crime, and made a sketch of the above note, +and then an etching of it.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hone published it, and it created a sensation. The Directors of +the Bank of England were exceedingly wroth. The crowd around Hone's +shop in Ludgate Hill was so great that the Lord Mayor had to send +the police to clear the street. The notes were in such demand that +they could not be printed fast enough, and I had to sit up all one +night to etch another plate. Mr. Hone realized above £700, and I +had the satisfaction of knowing that no man or woman was ever +hanged after this for passing one-pound Bank of England notes.</p> + +<p>The issue of my "Bank Note note not to be Imitated" not only put a +stop to the issue of any more Bank of England one-pound notes, but +also put a stop to the punishment of death for such an offense—not +only for that, but likewise for forgery—and then the late Sir +Robert Peel revised the penal code; so that the final effect of my +note was to stop hanging for all minor offenses, and has thus been +the means of saving thousands of men and women from being hanged.</p></blockquote> + +<p>It may be that the great caricaturist claims almost too much when he +says that the publication of his note eventually stopped hanging for all +minor offenses; but certainly there is no denying that this publication +was an important factor in the agitation.</p> + +<p>It is said that George III. kept a register of all the cases of capital +punishment, that he entered in it all names of felons sentenced to +death, with dates and particulars of convictions, together with remarks +upon the reasons which induced him to sign the warrants. It is also said +that he frequently rose from his couch at night to peruse this fatal +list, and that he shut himself up closely in his private apartments +during the hours appointed for the execution of criminals condemned to +death.</p> + +<p>Tyburn ceased to be the place of execution for London in 1783; from that +year Newgate witnessed most of these horrors.</p> + +<p>Philanthropists of every class were, at the period of Mrs. Fry's career +now under review, considering this matter of capital punishment, and +taking steps to restrain the infliction of the death penalty. The Gurney +family among Quakers, William Wilberforce, Sir James Mackintosh, Sir +Samuel Romilly, and others, were all working hard to this end. In 1819 +William Wilberforce presented a petition from the Society of Friends to +Parliament against death punishment for crimes other than murder. +Writing at later dates upon this subject, Joseph John Gurney says: "I +cannot say that my spirit greatly revolts against life for life, though +capital punishment for anything short of this appears to me to be +execrable." And, again, "I cannot in conscience take any step towards +destroying the life of a fellow-creature whose crime against society +affects my property only. I am in possession, like other men, of the +feelings of common humanity, and to aid and abet in procuring the +destruction of any man living would be to me extremely distressing and +horrible." As a banker, Mr. Gurney felt that the punishment for forgery +should be heavy and sharp, but less than death. In the Houses of +Parliament various efforts were made to obtain the commutation of the +death penalty, and when in 1810 the Peers rejected Sir Samuel Romilly's +bill to remove the penalty for shop-lifting, the Dukes of Sussex and +Gloucester joined some of the Peers in signing a protest against the +law. The time appeared to be ripe for agitation; all classes of society +reverenced human life more than of old, and desired to see it held less +cheap by the ministers of justice.</p> + +<p>According to Mrs. Fry's experience, the punishment of death tended +neither to the security of the people, the reformation of any prisoner, +nor the diminution of crime. Felons who suffered death for light +offenses looked upon themselves as martyrs—martyrs to a cruel law—and +believed that they had but to meet death with fortitude to secure a +blissful hereafter. This fearful opiate carried many through the +terrible ordeal outwardly calm and resigned.</p> + +<p>Among the condemned ones was Harriet Skelton, a woman who had been +detected passing forged Bank of England notes. She was described as +prepossessing, "open, confiding, expressing strong feelings on her +countenance, but neither hardened in depravity nor capable of cunning." +Her behavior in prison was exceptionally good; so good, indeed, that +some of the depraved inmates of Newgate supposed her to have been +condemned to death because of her fitness for death. She had evidently +been more sinned against than sinning; the man whom she lived with, and +who was ardently loved by her, had used her as his instrument for +passing these false notes. Thus she had been lured to destruction.</p> + +<p>After the decision had been received from the Lords of the Council, +Skelton was taken into the condemned cell to await her doom. To this +cell came numerous visitors, attracted by compassion for the poor +unfortunate who tenanted it, and each one eager to obtain the +commutation of the cruel sentence. It was one thing to read of one or +another being sentenced to death, but quite another to behold a woman, +strong in possession of, and desire for life, fated to be swung into +eternity before many days because of circulating a false note at the +behest of a paramour. Mrs. Fry needed not the many persuasions she +received to induce her to put forth the most unremitting exertions on +behalf of Skelton. She obtained an audience of the Duke of Gloucester, +and urged every circumstance which could be urged in extenuation of the +crime, entreating for the woman's life. The royal duke remembered the +old days at Norwich, when Elizabeth had been know in fashionable society +and had figured somewhat as a belle, and he bent a willing ear to her +request. He visited Newgate, escorted by Mrs. Fry, and saw for himself +the agony in that condemned cell. Then he accompanied her to the bank +directors, and applied to Lord Sidmouth personally, but all in vain. It +was not blood for blood, nor life for life, but blood for "filthy +lucre;" so the poor woman was hung in obedience to the inexorable +ferocity of the law and its administrators.</p> + +<p>On this occasion Mrs. Fry was seriously distressed in mind. She had +vehemently entreated for the poor creature's life, stating that she had +had the offer of pleading guilty only to the minor count, but had +foolishly rejected it in hope of obtaining a pardon. The question at +issue on this occasion was the power of the bank directors to virtually +decide as to the doom of the accused ones. Mrs. Fry made assertions and +gave instances which Lord Sidmouth assumed to doubt. Further than this, +he was seriously annoyed at the noise this question of capital +punishment was making in the land, and though not necessarily a cruel or +blood-thirsty man, the Home Secretary shrank from meddling too much with +the criminal code of England. This misunderstanding was a source of deep +pain to the philanthropist, and, accompanied by Lady Harcourt, she +endeavored to remove Lord Sidmouth's false impressions, but in vain. +While smarting under this wound, received in the interests of humanity, +she had to go to the Mansion House by command of Her Majesty Queen +Charlotte, to be presented. Thus, very strangely, and against her will, +she was thrust forward into the very foremost places of public +observation and repute. She recorded the matter in her journal, in her +own characteristic way:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Yesterday I had a day of ups and downs, as far as the opinions of +man are concerned, in a remarkable degree. I found that there was a +grievous misunderstanding between Lord Sidmouth and myself, and +that some things I had done had tried him exceedingly; indeed, I +see that I have mistaken my conduct in some particulars respecting +the case of poor Skelton, and in the efforts made to save her life, +I too incautiously spoke of some in power. When under great +humiliation in consequence of this, Lady Harcourt, who most kindly +interested herself in the subject, took me with her to the Mansion +House, rather against my will, to meet many of the royal family at +the examination of some large schools. Among the rest, the Queen +was there. There was quite a buzz when I went into the Egyptian +Hall, where one or two thousand people were collected; and when the +Queen came to speak to me, which she did very kindly, I am told +that there was a general clapp. I think I may say this hardly +raised me at all; I was so very low from what had occurred +before.... My mind has not recovered this affair of Lord Sidmouth, +and finding that the bank directors are also affronted with me +added to my trouble, more particularly as there was an appearance +of evil in my conduct; but, I trust, no greater fault in reality +than a want of prudence in that which I expressed."</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Society of Friends had always been opposed to capital punishment. +Ten years previously, Sir Samuel Romilly had determined to attack these +sanguinary enactments, one by one, in order to ensure success. He began, +therefore, with the Act of Queen Elizabeth, "which made it a capital +offense to steal privately from the person of another." William Alien +records in the same year, 1808, the formation of a "Society for +Diffusing Information on the Subject of Punishment by Death." This +little band worked with Sir Samuel until his painful death in 1818; +while Dr. Parr, Jeremy Bentham, and Dugald Stewart aided the enterprise +by words of encouragement, both in public and in private. In Joseph John +Gurney's Memoirs, it is stated that Dr. Lushington declared his opinion +that the poor criminal was thus hurried out of life and into eternity by +means of the perpetration of another crime far greater, for the most +part, than any which the sufferer had committed.</p> + +<p>The feeling grew, and in place of the indifference and scorn of human +life which had formerly characterized society, there sprang up an eager +desire to save life, except for the crime of murder. In May, 1821, Sir +James Mackintosh introduced a bill for "Mitigating the Severity of +Punishment in Certain Cases of Forgery, and Crimes connected +therewith." Buxton, in advocating this measure, says truly:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The people have made enormous strides in all that tends to civilize +and soften mankind, while the laws have contracted a ferocity which +did not belong to them in the most savage period of our history; +and, to such extremes of distress have they proceeded that I do +believe there never was a law so harsh as British law, or so +merciful and humane a people as the British people. And yet to this +mild and merciful people is left the execution of that rigid and +cruel law.</p></blockquote> + +<p>This measure was defeated, but the numbers of votes were so nearly +equal, that the defeat was actually a victory.</p> + +<p>Time went on. In 1831, Sir Robert Peel took up the gauntlet against +capital punishment, and endeavored to induce Parliament to abolish the +death-penalty for forgery; the House of Commons voted its abolition, but +the Lords restored the clauses retaining the penalty. One thousand +bankers signed a petition praying that the vote of the Commons might be +sustained, but in vain; still, in deference to public opinion, after +this the death-penalty was not inflicted upon a forger. Nevertheless, +there remained plenty of food for the gallows. An incendiary, as well as +a sheep-stealer, was liable to capital punishment; and so severely was +the law strained upon these points, that he who set fire to a rick in a +field, as well as he who found a half-dead sheep and carried it home, +was condemned without mercy. But the advocates of mercy continued their +good work until, finally, the gallows became the penalty for only those +offenses which concerned human life and high treason.</p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>CONVICT SHIPS AND CONVICT SETTLEMENTS.</h3> + + +<p>More work opened before the indefatigable worker. Frequently batches of +female convicts were despatched to New South Wales, and, according to +the custom at Newgate, departure was preceded by total disregard of +order. Windows, furniture, clothing, all were wantonly destroyed; while +the procession from the prison to the convict ship was one of brutal, +debasing riot. The convicts were conveyed to Deptford, in open wagons, +accompanied by the rabble and scum of the populace. These crowds +followed the wagons, shouting to the prisoners, defying all regulations, +and inciting them to more defiance of rules. Some of the convicts were +laden with irons; others were chained together by twos. Mrs. Fry +addressed herself first to the manner of departure, and, rightly judging +that the open wagons conduced to much disorder, prevailed on the +governor of Newgate to engage hackney-coaches for the occasion. Further, +she promised the women that, provided they would behave in an orderly +manner, she, together with a few other ladies, would accompany them to +the ship. Faithful to her promise, her carriage closed the line of +hackney-coaches; three or four ladies were with her, and thus, in a +fashion at once strangely quiet and novel, the transports reached the +place of embarkation.</p> + +<p>There were one hundred and twenty-eight convicts that day; no small +number upon which to experimentalize. As soon as they reached the ship +they were herded together below decks like so many cattle, with nothing +to do but to curse, swear, fight, recount past crimes, relate foul +stories, or plot future evil. True, there was some attempt at order and +classification, for they were divided into messes of six each, and Mrs. +Fry eagerly seized upon this arrangement to form a basis of control. She +proposed to the convicts that they should be arranged in classes of +twelve, according to ages and criminality; to this they assented. A +class thus furnished two messes, while over each class was placed one of +the most steady convicts, in order to enforce the rules as much as +possible. She provided in this way for superintendence.</p> + +<p>The next arrangement concerned work for the women, and instruction for +the children. "Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do;" +accordingly the ladies looked about for plans and methods whereby the +enforced weariness of a long voyage should be counteracted. They had +heard that patch-work and fancy-work found a ready sale in New South +Wales, so they hit upon a scheme which should ensure success in more +ways than one. Having made known their dilemma, and their desires, they +were cheered by receiving from some wholesale houses in London +sufficient remnants of cotton print and materials for knitting to +furnish all the convicts with work. There was ample time to perfect all +arrangements, seeing that the ship lay at Deptford about five weeks; as +the result of Mrs. Fry's journeys to and fro, every woman had given to +her the chance of benefiting herself. In this way they were informed +that if they chose to devote the leisure of the voyage to making up the +materials thus placed in their hands, they would be allowed upon arrival +at the colony to dispose of the articles for their own profit.</p> + +<p>There was thus a new stimulus to exertion as well as a collateral good. +Hitherto, no refuge, home, or building of any description had existed +for the housing of the women when landed at the port of disembarkation. +There was "not so much as a hut in which they could take refuge, so that +they were literally driven to vice, or left to lie in the streets." The +system of convict-management at that date was one of compulsory labor, +or mostly so. This plan tended to produce tyranny, insubordination, +deception, vice, and "the social evil." In the case of men, Captain +Mackonochie testified that they were sullen, lazy, insubordinate and +vicious; the women, if not engaged quickly in respectable domestic +service, and desirous of being kept respectable, become curses to the +colony. But by the means adopted by Mrs. Fry each woman was enabled to +earn sufficient money to provide for board and lodging until some +opening for a decent maintenance presented itself. They thus obtained a +fair start.</p> + +<p>Provision was also made for instruction of both women and children on +board ship. It may be asked how children came there? Generally they were +of tender years and the offspring of vice; the authorities could do +nothing with them; so, perforce, they were allowed to accompany their +mothers. Out of the batch on board this transport-vessel, fourteen were +found to be of an age capable of instruction. A small space was, +therefore, set apart in the stern of the vessel for a school-room, and +there, daily, under the tuition of one of the women better taught than +the rest, these waifs of humanity learned to read, knit and sew. This +slender stock of learning was better than none, wherewith to commence +life at the Antipodes.</p> + +<p>Almost daily, for five weeks, Mrs. Fry and her coadjutors visited the +vessel, laboring to these good ends. Ultimately, however, the <i>Maria</i> +had to sail, and many were the doubts and fears as to whether the good +work begun would be carried on when away from English shores. No matron +was there to superintend and to direct the women: if they continued in +the path marked out for them, their poor human nature could not be so +fallen after all. Mrs. Fry had a kind of religious service with the +convicts the last time she visited them. She occupied a position near +the door of the cabin, with the women facing her, and ranged on the +quarter-deck, while the sailors occupied different positions in the +rigging and on other vantage points. As Mrs. Fry read in a solemn voice +some passages from her pocket-Bible, the sailors on board the other +ships leaned over to hear the sacred words. After the reading was done, +she knelt down, and commended the party of soon-to-be exiles to God's +mercy, while those for whom she prayed sobbed bitterly that they should +see her face no more. Does it not recall the parting of Paul with the +elders at Miletus? Doubtless the memory of that simple service was in +after days often the only link between some of these women and goodness.</p> + +<p>As time went on, many anxious remembrances and hopes were cast after +the convicts who had been shipped to New South Wales. To her sorrow, she +found, from the most reliable testimony, that once the poor lost +wretches were landed in the colony, they were placed in circumstances +that absolutely nullified all the benevolent work which had gone before, +and were literally driven by force of circumstances to their +destruction. The female convicts, from the time of their landing, were +"without shelter, without resources, and without protection. Rations, or +a small amount of provision, sufficient to maintain life, they certainly +had allotted to them daily; but a place to sleep in, or money to obtain +shelter or necessary clothing for themselves, and, when mothers, for +their children, they were absolutely without." An interesting but sad +letter was received by Mrs. Fry from the Rev. Samuel Marsden, chaplain +at Paramatta, New South Wales, and although long, it affords so much +information on this question, that no apology is required for +introducing it here. As the testimony of an eyewitness it is valuable:—</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Honored Madam</span>,</p> + +<p>Having learned from the public papers, as well as from my friends +in England, the lively interest you have taken in promoting the +temporal and eternal welfare of those unhappy females who fall +under the sentence of the law, I am induced to address a few lines +to you respecting such as visit our distant shores. It may be +gratifying to you, Madam, to hear that I meet with those wretched +exiles, who have shared your attentions, and who mention your +maternal care with gratitude and affection. From the measures you +have adopted, and the lively interest you have excited in the +public feeling, on the behalf of these miserable victims of vice +and woe, I now hope the period is not very distant when their +miseries will be in some degree alleviated. I have been striving +for more than twenty years to obtain for them some relief, but +hitherto have done them little good. It has not been in my power to +move those in authority to pay much attention to their wants and +miseries. I have often been urged in my own mind, to make an appeal +to the British nation, and to lay their case before the public.</p> + +<p>In the year 1807, I returned to Europe. Shortly after my arrival in +London, I stated in a memorial to His Grace the Archbishop of +Canterbury the miserable situation of the female convicts, to His +Majesty's Government at the Colonial Office, and to several members +of the House of Commons. From the assurances that were then made, +that barracks should be built for the accommodation of the female +convicts, I entertained no doubt but that the Government would have +given instructions to the Governor to make some provisions for +them. On my return to the colony, in 1810, I found things in the +same state I left them; five years after my again arriving in the +colony, I took the liberty to speak to the Governor, as opportunity +afforded, on the subject in question, and was surprised to learn +that no instructions had been communicated to His Excellency from +His Majesty's Government, after what had passed between me and +those in authority at home, relative to the state of the female +convicts. At length I resolved to make an official statement of +their miserable situation to the Governor, and, if the Governor did +not feel himself authorized to build a barrack for them, to +transmit my memorial to my friends in England, with His +Excellency's answer, as a ground for them to renew my former +application to Government for some relief. Accordingly, I forwarded +my memorial, with a copy of the Governor's answer, home to more +than one of my friends. I have never been convinced that no +instructions were given by His Majesty's Government to provide +barracks for the female convicts; on the contrary, my mind is +strongly impressed in that instructions were given; if they were +not, I can only say that this was a great omission, after the +promises that were made. I was not ignorant that the sending home +of my letter to the Governor and his answer, would subject me to +the censure as well as the displeasure of my superiors. I informed +some of my friends in England, as well as in the colony, that if no +attention was paid to the female convicts, I was determined to lay +their case before the British nation; and then I was certain, from +the moral and religious feeling which pervades all ranks, that +redress would be obtained. However, nothing has been done yet to +remedy the evils of which I complain. For the last five and twenty +years many of the convict women have been driven to vice to obtain +a loaf of bread, or a bed to lie upon. To this day there never has +been a place to put the female convicts in when they land from the +ships. Many of the women have told me with tears their distress of +mind on this account; some would have been glad to have returned to +the paths of virtue if they could have found a hut to live in +without forming improper connections. Some of these women, when +they have been brought before the magistrate, and I have +remonstrated with them for their crime, have replied, "I have no +other means of living; I am compelled to give my weekly allowance +of provisions for my lodgings, and I must starve or live in vice." +I was well aware that this statement was correct, and was often at +a loss what to answer. It is not only the calamities that these +wretched women and their children suffer that are to be regretted, +but the general corruption of morals that such a system establishes +in this rising colony, and the ruin their example spreads through +all the settlements. The male convicts in the service of the Crown, +or in that of individuals, are tempted to rob and plunder +continually, to supply the urgent necessities of those women.</p> + +<p>All the female convicts have not run the same lengths in vice. All +are not equally hardened in crime, and it is most dreadful that all +should alike, on their arrival here, be liable and exposed to the +same dangerous temptations, without any remedy. I rejoice, Madam, +that you reside near the seat of Government, and may have it in +your power to call the attention of His Majesty's Ministers to this +important subject—a subject in which the entire welfare of these +settlements is involved. If proper care be taken of the women, the +colony will prosper, and the expenses of the mother-country will be +reduced. On the contrary, if the morals of the female convicts are +wholly neglected, as they have been hitherto, the colony will be +only a nursery for crime....</p> + +<p>Your good intentions and benevolent labors will all be abortive if +the exiled females, on their arrival in the colony, are plunged +into every ruinous temptation and sort of vice—which will ever be +the case till some barrack is provided for them. Great evils in a +state cannot soon be remedied.... I believe the Governor has got +instructions from home to provide accommodation for the female +convicts, and I hope in two or three years to see them lodged in a +comfortable barrack; so that none shall be lost for want of a hut +to lie in. If a communication be kept up on a regular plan between +this colony and London, much good may be done for the poor female +convicts. It was the custom for some years, when a ship with female +convicts arrived, soldiers, convicts, and settlers were allowed to +go on board and take their choice; this custom does not now openly +obtain countenance and sanction, but when they are landed they have +no friend, nor any accommodation, and therefore are glad to live +with anyone who can give them protection; so the real moral state +of these females is little improved from what it always has been, +nor will it be the least improved till they can be provided with a +barrack. The neglect of the female convicts in this country is a +disgrace to our national character, as well as a national sin. Many +do not live out half their days, from their habits of vice. When I +am called to visit them on their dying beds, my mind is greatly +pained, my mouth is shut; I know not what to say to them.... To +tell them of their crimes is to upbraid them with misfortune; they +will say, "Sir, you know how I was situated. I do not wish to lead +the life I have done; I know and lament my sins, but necessity +compelled me to do what my conscience condemned."... Many, again, +I meet with who think these things no crime, because they believe +their necessities compel them to live in their sins. Hence their +consciences are so hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, that +death itself gives them little concern....</p> + +<p class='center'>I have the honor to be, Madam,<br /> +Your most obedient humble servant,</p> +<p class='right'><span class="smcap">Samuel Marsden</span>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>This appeal was not disregarded: in due time official apathy and +inertness fled before the national cry for reform. Meanwhile, Mrs. Fry +continued her efforts on behalf of the convicts on board the transports, +ever urging upon those in power the imperative necessity for placing the +women under the charge of matrons. They still continued on the old plan, +and were wholly in the power of the sailors, except for such supervision +as the Naval Surgeon Superintendent could afford. Some little +improvements had taken place, since that first trip to the Maria +convict-ship, but very much still remained to be done. To these floating +prisons, frequently detained for weeks in the Thames, Mrs. Fry paid +numerous visits, arranging for the instruction, employment, and +cleanliness of the women. A worthy fellow-helper, Mrs. Pryor, was her +companion, on most of these journeys, frequently enduring exposure to +weather, rough seas, and accidents. On one occasion the two sisters of +mercy ran the risk of drowning, but were fortunately rescued by a +passing vessel. Very fortunate, indeed, was it, that a deliverer was at +hand, or the little boat, toiling up the river, contending against tide, +wind and weather, might have been lost. That voyage to Gravesend was +only one among many destined to work a revolution in female convict +life.</p> + +<p>Alterations, which were not always improvements, began to take place in +the manner of receiving these women on board ship. The vessels were +moored at Woolwich, and group by group the miserable complement of +passengers arrived; in each case, however, controlled by male warders. +Sometimes, a turnkey would bring his party on the outside of a +stage-coach; another might bring a contingent in a smack, or coasting +vessel; while yet a third marched up a band of heavily-ironed women, +whose dialects told from which districts they came. Sometimes their +infants were left behind, and, in such a case, one of the ladies would +go to Whitehall to obtain the necessary order to enable the unfortunate +nursling to accompany its mother; but generally speaking, the children +accompanied and shared the parents' fortunes.</p> + +<p>Cruelties were inseparable from the customs which prevailed. In 1822, +Mrs. Pryor discovered that prisoners from Lancaster Castle arrived, not +merely handcuffed, but with heavy irons on their legs, which had +occasioned considerable swelling, and in one instance serious +inflammation. <i>The Brothers</i> sailed in 1823, with its freight of human +misery on board, and the suffering which resulted from the mode of +ironing, was so great, that Mrs. Fry took down the names id particulars, +in order to make representations to the Government. Twelve women +arrived on board the vessel, handcuffed; eleven others had iron hoops +round their legs and arms, and were chained to each other. The +complaints of these women were mournful; they were not allowed to get up +or down from the coach, without the whole party being dragged together; +some of them had children to carry, but they received no help, no +alleviation to their sufferings. One woman from Wales must have had a +bitter experience of irons. She came to the ship with a hoop around her +ankle, and when the sub-matron insisted on having it removed, the +operation was so painful that the poor wretch fainted. She told Mrs. Fry +that she had worn, for some time, an iron hoop around her waist; from +that, a chain connected with hoops round her legs above the knee; from +these, another chain was fastened to irons round her ankles. Not content +with this, her hands were confined <i>every night</i> to the hoop which went +round her waist, while she lay like a log on her bed of straw. Such +tales remind one of the tortures of the Inquisition.</p> + +<p>The "Newgate women" were especially noticeable for good conduct on the +voyage out. Their conduct was reported to be "exemplary" by the Surgeon +Superintendent, and their industry was most pleasing. Their patchwork +was highly prized by many, and indeed treasured up by some of them for +many years after. Officers in the British navy assisted in the good work +by word and deed; in fact, Captain Young, of Deptford Dockyard, first +suggested the making of patchwork as an employment on board ship. From +some correspondence which passed between Mrs. Fry and the Controller of +the Navy, in 1820, we find that the building for the women in New South +Wales was begun; while in a letter written about this time to a member +of the Government, she explains her desires and plans relative to the +female convicts after their arrival at Hobart Town, Tasmania.</p> + +<p>This letter is full of interesting points. After noticing the fact of +the building at Hobart Town being imperatively needed, she goes on to +suggest that a respectable and judicious matron should be stationed in +that building, responsible, under the Governor and magistrates, for the +order of the inmates; that part of the building should be devoted to +school purposes; that immediately on the arrival of a ship, a Government +Inspector should visit the vessel and report; that the Surgeon +Superintendent should have a description of each woman's offense, +character, and capability, so that her disposal in the colony might be +made in a little less hap-hazard fashion than hitherto; that the best +behaved should be taken into domestic service by such of the residents +of the colony as chose to coöperate, while the others should remain at +the Home, under prison rules, until they have earned the privilege of +going to service; and that a sufficient supply of serviceable clothing +should be provided. She further recommended the adoption of a uniform +dress for the convicts, as conducive to order and discipline, and, as a +last and indispensable condition, the appointment of a matron, in order +to enforce needful regulations. This epistle was sent with the prayer +that Earl Bathurst would peruse it, and grant the requests of the +writer. It is refreshing to be able to add that red tapeism did not +interfere with the adoption of these suggestions, but that they met with +prompt consideration.</p> + +<p>Every year, four, five, or six convict-ships went out to the colonies of +Australia with their burdens of sin, sorrow and guilt. Van Diemen's Land +and New South Wales received annually fresh consignments of the outcast +iniquity of the Old World. Mrs. Fry made a point of visiting each ship +before it sailed, as many times as her numerous duties permitted, and +bade the convicts most affectionate and anxious farewells. These +good-bye visits were always semi-religious ones; without her Bible and +the teaching which pointed to a better life beyond, Mrs. Fry would have +been helpless to cope with the vice and misery which surged up before +her. As it was, her heart sometimes grew faint and weary in the work, +though not by any means weary of it. As an apostle of mercy to the +well-nigh lost, she moved in and out among those sin-stricken companies.</p> + +<p>Captain (afterwards Admiral) Young, Principal Resident Agent of +Transports on the river Thames, forwarded the good work by every +possible means. From the pen of one of the members of his family, we +have a vivid picture of one of these leave-takings. It occurred on board +a vessel lying off Woolwich, in 1826. William Wilberforce, of +anti-slavery fame, and several other friends, accompanied the party. +This chronicler writes:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>On board one of them [there were two convict ships lying in the +river] between two and three hundred women were assembled, in order +to listen to the exhortations and prayers of perhaps the two +brightest personifications of Christian philanthropy that the age +could boast. Scarcely could two voices even so distinguished for +beauty and power be imagined united in a more touching engagement; +as, indeed, was testified by the breathless attention, the tears +and suppressed sobs of the gathered listeners. No lapse of time can +ever efface the impression of the 107th Psalm, as read by Mrs. Fry +with such extraordinary emphasis and intonation, that it seemed to +make the simple reading a commentary.</p></blockquote> + +<p>We find in the annals of her life the particulars of another visit to +the <i>George Hibbert</i> convict-ship, in 1734. She had, about this time, +pleaded earnestly with Lord Melbourne, the Home Secretary, for the +appointment of matrons to these vessels. She records gratefully the +fact, that both his lordship and Mr. Spring Rice received her "in the +handsomest manner," giving her a most patient and appreciative hearing. +She succeeded at this time in obtaining a part of the boon which she +craved. Mrs. Saunders, the wife of a missionary returning to the colony, +was permitted by the Government to fill the office of matron to the +convicts. For this service, Government gave the lady a free passage. +There was double advantage in this, because, when by reason of +sea-sickness, Mrs. Saunders felt ill, Mr. Saunders occupied her place as +far as possible, and performed the duties of chaplain and school-master. +The Ladies' British Society, formed by Mrs. Fry, for the superintendence +of this and other good works relating to convicts and prisons, united in +promoting the appointment of this worthy couple, and were highly +gratified at the result of the experiment; as appears by extracts from +the books of the Convict Ship Committee. Finally, when the voyage was +ended, the Surgeon Superintendent gave good-conduct tickets to all whose +behavior had been satisfactory, and secured them engagements in +respectable situations. Better than all, there was a proper building +which ensured shelter, classification, and restraint. The horrors of the +outcast life, so vividly described by Mr. Marsden in his letter from +Paramatta, no longer existed. The work of these ladies, uphill though it +had been, was now bearing manifold fruit. And the results of this more +humane and rational system of treatment upon the future of the colonies +themselves could not but appear in time. There were on board this very +vessel, the <i>George Hibbert</i>, 150 female convicts, with forty-one +children; also nine free women, carrying with them twenty-three young +children, who were going out to their husbands who had been transported +previously. When it is remembered that these people were laying the +foundations of new colonies, and peopling them with their descendants, +it must be conceded that in her efforts to humanize and christianize +them, Mrs. Fry's far-reaching philanthropy became a great national +benefit. With modest thankfulness, she herself records, after an +interview with Queen Adelaide and some of the royal family, "Surely, the +result of our labors has hitherto been beyond our most sanguine +expectations, as to the improved state of our prisons, female +convict-ships, and the convicts in New South Wales."</p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>VISITS TO CONTINENTAL PRISONS.</h3> + + +<p>Contrary to the general practice of mankind in matters of pure +benevolence, Mrs. Fry looked around for new worlds to conquer, in the +shape of yet unfathomed prison miseries. Many, if not most people, would +have rested upon the laurels already won, and have been contented with +the measures of good already achieved. Not so with the philanthropist +whose work we sketch. Like an ever-widening stream, her life rolled on, +full of acts of mercy, growing wider and broader in its channel of +operations and its schemes of mercy. In pursuance of these schemes she +visited prisons at Nottingham, Lincoln, Wakefield, Leeds, Doncaster, +Sheffield, York, Durham, Newcastle, Carlisle, Lancaster, Liverpool, and +most other towns of any size in England. She extended these journeys, at +different times, into Scotland and Ireland, examining into the condition +of prisons and prisoners with the deepest interest. It was her usual +custom to form ladies' prison-visiting societies, wherever practicable, +and to communicate to the authorities subsequently her views and +suggestions in letters, dealing with these matters in detail.</p> + +<p>But her fame was not confined within the limits of the British Isles. +Communications reached her from St. Petersburg, from Hamburg, from +Brussels, from Baden, from Paris, Berlin, and Potsdam; all tending to +show that enquiry was abroad, that nations and governments as well as +individuals were waking up to a sense of their responsibilities. Both +rulers and legislators were beginning to see that <i>preventing</i> crime was +wiser than <i>punishing</i> it, that the reformation of the criminal classes +was the great end of punitive measures. This conviction reached, it was +comparatively easy for the philanthropists to work.</p> + +<p>Before proceeding to the Continent, however, we find notes of one or two +very interesting visits to the Channel Isles. Her first visit was made +in 1833, and, to her surprise, she found that the islands had most +thoroughly ignored the prison teachings and improvements which had been +gaining so much ground in the United Kingdom. The reason of this was not +far to seek. Acts of Parliament passed in England had no power in the +Channel Isles; as part of the old Duchy of Normandy, they were governed +by their own laws and customs. The inhabitants, in their appearance, +manners, language, and usages, resemble the French more than they do the +English. Nothing deterred, however, Mrs. Fry made a tour of inspection, +and then according to her custom sent the result of her inquiries, and +the conclusions at which she had arrived, in the form of a letter to the +authorities. That letter is far too long for reproduction <i>in extenso</i>, +but a few of its leading recommendations were:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>1st. A full sufficiency of employment, proportioned to the age, +sex, health and ability of each prisoner.</p> + +<p>2d. A proper system of classification, including the separation of +men from women, of tried from untried prisoners, and of debtors +from criminals.</p> + +<p>3d. A fixed and suitable dietary for criminals, together with an +absolute prohibition of intoxicating drinks.</p> + +<p>4th. A suitable prison dress with distinctive badges.</p> + +<p>5th. A complete code of regulations binding on all officials.</p> + +<p>6th. The appointment of a visiting committee to inspect the prison +regularly and frequently.</p> + +<p>7th. Provision to be made for the instruction of criminals in the +common branches of education, and for the performance of divine +service at stated seasons by an appointed chaplain.</p></blockquote> + +<p>After adverting to the fact that the island was independent of British +control, she alluded to "the progressive wisdom of the age" in respect +to prison discipline and management, and urged the authorities to be +abreast of the times in adopting palliative measures. The whole penal +system of the islands required to be renewed, and it promised to be a +work of time before this could be effected. We find that Mrs. Fry +exerted herself for many years to this end; but it was not until after +the lapse of years, and after two visits to the islands, that she +succeeded.</p> + +<p>The hospital at Jersey seemed to be a curious sort of institution +designed to shelter destitute sick and poor, as well as to secure the +persons of small offenders, and lunatics. Punishment with fetters was +inflicted in this place upon all those who tried to escape, so that it +was a sort of prison. Mrs. Fry's quick eye detected many abuses in its +management, and her pen suggested remedies for them.</p> + +<p>At Guernsey, the same irregularities and abuses appeared, and were +attacked in her characteristic manner. In both these islands, as well as +in Sark, she inaugurated works of charity and religion, thus sowing +imperishable seed destined to bear untold fruit. Finally, after more +visits from herself, and special inspectors appointed by Government, a +new house of correction was built in Jersey, while other improvements +necessary to the working out of her prison system were, one by one, +adopted.</p> + +<p>In January, 1838, she paid her first visit to France, being accompanied +on this journey by her husband, by Josiah Forster, and by Lydia Irving, +members of the Society of Friends. True to her instinct, she found her +way speedily into the prisons of the French capital, examining, +criticising, recommending and teaching. She could not speak much French, +but some kind friend always interpreted her observations. From her +journal it seems that solemn prayer for Divine guidance and blessing +occupied the forenoon of the first day in Paris; after that, visits of +ceremony were paid to the English Ambassador, and of friendship to other +persons. Among the prisons visited were the St. Lazare Prison for women, +containing 952 inmates, La Force Prison for men, the Central Prison at +Poissy, and that of the Conciergerie. The first-named, that of St. +Lazare, was visited several times, and portions of Scripture read, as at +Newgate. The listeners were very much affected, manifesting their +feelings by frequent exclamations and tears. Lady Granville, Lady +Georgina Fullerton, and some other ladies accompanied Mrs. Fry to this +prison on one visit, when all agreed that much good would result from +the appointment and work of a Ladies' Committee. Hospitals, schools, and +convents also came in for a share of attention; and after discussing +points of interest connected with the prisons with the Prefect of +Police, she concluded by obtaining audience of the King, Queen and +Duchess of Orleans.</p> + +<p>On the journey homeward the party visited the prisons of Caen, Rouen and +Beaulieu, distributing copies of the Scriptures to the prisoners. She +notices with much delight the united feeling in respect of benevolent +objects which existed between Roman Catholics and herself. Her own words +are "a hidden power of good at work amongst them; many very +extraordinary Christian characters, bright, sober, zealous Roman +Catholics and Protestants."</p> + +<p>In the commencement of 1839, the low state of the funds of the different +benevolent societies formed in connection with her prison labors, +exercised her faith. None ever carried into practice more fully the old +monkish maxim <i>Labor est orare</i>. Refuges had been formed, at Chelsea for +girls, and at Clapham for women, while the Ladies' Society and the +convict-ships demanded funds incessantly. A fancy sale was held in +Crosby Hall, "conducted in a sober, quiet manner," which realized over a +thousand pounds for these charities. After recording the fact with +thankfulness, Mrs. Fry paid her second visit to the Continent, going as +far as Switzerland on her errand of mercy.</p> + +<p>At Paris she was received affectionately by those friends who had +listened to her voice on her previous visit. Baron de Girando and other +philanthropists gathered around her, oblivious of the distinctions of +creeds and churches, and bent only on accomplishing a successful crusade +against vice and misery.</p> + +<p>Among the hospitals inspected by her were the hospital of St. Louis for +the plague, leprosy, and other infectious disorders; the Hospice de la +Maternité, and the Hospice des Enfans Trovés. This latter was founded by +St. Vincent de Paul for the bringing up of foundlings, but had fallen +into a state of pitiable neglect. From the unnatural treatment which +these poor waifs received, the mortality had reached a frightful pitch. +It seemed, from Mrs. Fry's statements, that the little creatures were +bound up for hours together, being only released from their "swaddlings" +once in every twelve hours for any and every purpose. The sound in the +wards could only be compared to the faint and pitiful bleating of lambs. +A lady who frequently visited the institution said that she never +remembered examining the array of clean white cots that lined the walls +without finding at least one dead babe. "In front of the fire was a +sloping stage, on which was a mattress, and a row of these little +creatures placed on it to warm and await their turn to be fed from the +spoon by a nurse. After much persuasion, one that was crying piteously +was released from its swaddling bands; it stretched its little limbs, +and ceased its wailings." Supposing these children of misfortune +survived the first few weeks of such a life they were sent into the +country to be reared by different peasants; but there again a large +percentage died from infantile diseases. Mrs. Fry succeeded in securing +some ameliorations of the treatment of the babes; but sisters, doctors, +superior, and all, seemed bound by the iron bands of custom and +tradition.</p> + +<p>The Archbishop of Paris was somewhat annoyed at her proceedings and +expressed his displeasure; it seemed more, however, to be directed +against her practice of distributing the Scriptures, than really against +her prison work.</p> + +<p>At Nismes, under the escort of five armed soldiers, because of the known +violence of the desperadoes whom she visited, she inspected the Maison +Centrale, containing about 1,200 prisoners. She interceded for some of +them that they might be released from their fetters, undertaking at the +same time that the released prisoners should behave well. At a +subsequent visit, after holding a religious service among these felons, +the same men thanked her with tears of gratitude.</p> + +<p>Much to her delight, she discovered a body of religionists who held +principles similar to those of the Society of Friends. They were +descendants of the Camisards, a sect of Protestants who took refuge in +the mountains of the Cevennes during the persecution which followed the +revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and were descended originally from +the Albigenses. Their three most distinguished pastors were Claude +Brousson, who took part in the sufferings at the general persecution of +the Protestants; Jean Cavalier, the soldier-pastor who led his flock to +battle, and who now sleeps in an English graveyard; and Antoine Court, +who formed this "church in the desert," into a more compact body. The +first of these pastors was hanged for "heresy" at Montpellier, in 1698; +but he, together with his successors, labored so devoutly and so +ardently, that the persecuted remnant rose from the dust and proved +themselves valiant for the truth as they had received and believed it. +It was not possible that the seed of a people which had learnt the +sermons preached to them off by heart, and written the texts on stone +tablets, in order to pass them from one mountain village to another, +could ever die out. The descendants of those martyrs had come down +through long generations, to nourish at last openly in Nismes. Mrs. Fry +recognized in them the kindred souls of faithful believers. After this, +the party spent a fortnight at a little retired village called +Congenies, where they welcomed many others of their own creed. A house +with "vaulted rooms, whitewashed and floored with stone," sheltered them +during this quaint sojourn, while the villagers vied with each other in +contributing to their comforts.</p> + +<p>At Toulon they visited the "Bagnes," or prison for the galley slaves. +These poor wretches fared horribly, while the loss of life among them +was terrible. They worked very hard, slept on boards, and were fed upon +bread and dry beans. At night they were ranged in a long gallery, and in +number from one hundred to two hundred, were all chained to the iron rod +which ran the entire length of the gallery. By day they worked chained +together in couples.</p> + +<p>At Marseilles a new kind of prison was inspected by her; this was a +conventual institution and refuge for female penitents, under the +control of the nuns of the order of St. Charles, who to the three +ordinary vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, added that of +converting souls. Superintending ladies in the city, who bore the title +of "directresses," were not even permitted to see the women immured +there; indeed, only one was permitted to enter the building in order to +look after the necessary repairs, and even she was strictly restrained +from seeing a penitent or sister. It seemed hopeless in the face of +these facts to expect admission, but Mrs. Fry's name and errand +prevailed. Accompanied by one of these nominal directresses, she was +admitted and shown into a large, plainly-furnished parlor. After she had +waited some little time, the Lady Superior presented herself at the +grating, and prepared to hear the communications of her visitors. In the +course of the conversation which passed, it appeared that there were +over one hundred penitents in the convent, who mostly became servants +after their reclamation. It seemed that they "were not taught to read or +write, neither was the least morsel of pencil, paper, pen, ink, or any +other possible material for writing permitted, from the fear of their +communicating with people without." The Superior admitted that portions +of the Bible were suitable to the inmates, such as the Parables and +Psalms, but said that as a whole the Scriptures were not fit to be put +into the hands of people in general. Mrs. Fry departed from this "home +of mystery and darkness," very unsatisfied and sad. She next visited a +boys' prison, conducted by the Abbé Fisceaux, which excited her +admiration.</p> + +<p>At the "Maison Pénitentiaire" at Geneva, the arrangements appeared to be +as complete as possible, and most praiseworthy. The treatment varied in +severity, according to the guilt of the criminals, who were divided into +four classes. They were in all cases there for long terms of +imprisonment, but were allowed either Catholic or Protestant versions of +the Scriptures, according to their faith. After paying short visits to +Lausanne, Berne, and Zurich, the party returned home.</p> + +<p>As her life passed on and infirmities grew apace, it seemed that Mrs. +Fry's zeal and charity grew also, for she planned and schemed to do good +with never-flagging delight. Early in 1840, she departed again for the +Continent, accompanied this time by her brother, Samuel Gurney, and his +daughter, by William Allen and Lucy Bradshaw. During this journey and a +subsequent one, she had much intercourse with royal and noble +personages. At Brussels they had a pleasant audience of the King, who +held an interesting conversation with them on the state of Belgian +prisons. A large prison for boys at Antwerp specially drew forth their +commendations; it seemed admirably arranged and conducted, while every +provision was made for the instruction and improvement of the lads. At +Hameln, in Hanover, they found one of the opposite class, a men's +prison, containing about four hundred inmates, but all heavily chained +"to the ground, until they would confess their crimes, whether they had +committed them or not." One wonders if this treatment still prevails in +the Hameln of Robert Browning's ballad. At Hanover they waited on the +Queen by special command, and during a long interview many interesting +and important subjects were brought forward.</p> + +<p>At Berlin they were received by royalty in the most cordial way. Mrs. +Fry's niece, in a letter, gives a vivid account of the assembly at the +royal palace specially invited to meet the Quakeress and her party.</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Princess William has been very desirous to give her sanction, +as far as possible, to the Ladies' Committee for visiting the +prison, that my aunt had been forming; and, to show her full +approbation, had invited the Committee to meet her at her palace. +So imagine about twenty ladies assembling here, at our hotel, at +half-past twelve o'clock to-day, beautifully dressed; and, further +fancy us all driving off and arriving at the palace. The Princess +had also asked some of her friends, so we must have numbered about +forty. Such a party of ladies, and only our friend Count Gröben to +interpret. The Princess received us most kindly, and conducted us +herself to the top of the room; we talked some time, whilst +awaiting the arrival of other members of the royal family. The +ladies walked about the suite of rooms for about half an hour, +taking chocolate, and waiting for the Crown Princess, who soon +arrived. The Princess Charles was also there, and the Crown Prince +himself soon afterwards entered. I could not but long for a +painter's eye to have carried away the scene. All of us seated in +that beautiful room, our aunt in the middle of the sofa, the Crown +Prince and Princess and the Princess Charles on her right; the +Princess William, the Princess Marie, and the Princess Czartoryski +on the left; Count Gröben sitting near her to interpret, the +Countesses Böhlem and Dernath by her. I was sitting by the Countess +Schlieffen, a delightful person, who is much interested in all our +proceedings. A table was placed before our aunt, with pens, ink, +and paper, like other committees, with the various rules our aunt +and I had drawn up, and the Countess Böhlem had translated into +German, and which she read to the assembly. After that my aunt gave +a concise account of the societies in England, commencing every +fresh sentence with "If the Prince and Princesses will permit." +When business was over, my aunt mentioned some texts, which she +asked leave to read. A German Bible was handed to Count Gröben, the +text in Isaiah having been pointed out that our good aunt had +wished for, "Is not this the fast that I have chosen," etc. The +Count read it, after which our aunt said, "Will the Prince and +Princesses allow a short time for prayer?" They all bowed assent +and stood, while she knelt down and offered one of her touching, +heart-felt prayers for them—that a blessing might rest on the +whole place, from the King on his throne to the poor prisoner in +the dungeon; and she prayed especially for the royal family; then +for the ladies, that the works of their hands might be prospered in +what they had undertaken to perform. Many of the ladies now +withdrew, and we were soon left with the royal family. They all +invited us to see them again, before we left Berlin, and took leave +of us in the kindest manner.</p></blockquote> + +<p>One result of the reception accorded Mrs. Fry by royalty was the +amelioration of the condition of the Lutherans. It came about in this +way: in the course of her inquiries and intercourse among the people of +the Prussian dominions, she discovered that adherents to the Lutheran +Church were subject to much petty persecution on behalf of their faith. +True they were not dealt with so cruelly as in former times, but +frequently, at that very day, they were imprisoned, or suffered the loss +of property because of their religious opinions. The matter lay heavily +on Mrs. Fry's benevolent heart, and, seizing the opportunity, she spoke +to the Crown Prince at the meeting just described, on the behalf of the +persecuted Christians. The Crown Prince listened most attentively, and +advised her to lay the matter before the King in any way she deemed +proper. A petition was therefore drawn up by William Allen, translated +into German, and with much fear and trembling presented to His Majesty. +The following day the King's chaplain was sent bearing the "delightful +intelligence" that the petition had been received; further, the King had +said that "he thought the Spirit of God must have helped them to express +themselves as they had done."</p> + +<p>About this time we find the following entry in her journal: "I have been +poorly enough to have the end of life brought closely before me, and to +stimulate me in faith to do <i>quickly</i> what my Lord may require me." +Accordingly, engagements and undertakings multiplied, and 1841 witnessed +another brief visit to the continent of Europe. She seemed more and more +to get the conviction that she must lose no time while about her +Master's business, and such her prison, asylum and hospital labors most +assuredly were. The shadows of life's evening were gathering around her, +and heart and flesh beginning to fail, but no efforts of charity or +mercy might be found lacking.</p> + +<p>On this visit her brother, Joseph John Gurney, and two nieces +accompanied her. Soon after arriving at the Hague, Mrs. Fry and Mr. +Gurney, being introduced to the King by Prince Albert, were commanded to +attend at a royal audience. This the travellers did, and, after about an +hour's conversation, departed highly gratified. Another day they spent +some time with the Princess of Orange, the Princess Frederick, and other +members of the royal house: all these personages were anxious to hear +about the work of prison reform, and to aid in it. After this they +departed for Amsterdam, Bremen, and other places; but their journey +resembled a triumphal progress more than anything else. The peasantry +followed the carriage shouting Mrs. Fry's name, and begging for tracts. +Sometimes, in order to get away, she was compelled to shake hands with +them all, and speak a few words of kindly greeting.</p> + +<p>They extended the journey into Denmark, and were treated with marked +honor from the first. The Queen engaged apartments for the travellers at +the Hotel Royal, and on some occasions took Mrs. Fry to see schools and +other places, in her own carriage. On a subsequent day, when dining with +the King and Queen, Mrs. Fry and Mr. Gurney laid before their Majesties +the condition of persecuted Christians; the sad state of prisons in his +dominions; they also referred to the slavery in the Danish colonies in +the West Indies. Mr. Gurney having only recently returned from that part +of the world, he had much to tell respecting the spiritual and social +state of those colonies. Mrs. Fry records that at dinner she was placed +between the King and Queen, who both conversed very pleasantly with her.</p> + +<p>At Minden, they had varied experiences of travelling and travellers' +welcomes. "I could not but be struck," says Mrs. Fry in her journal, +"with the peculiar contrast of my circumstances: in the morning +traversing the bad pavement of a street in Minden, with a poor, old +Friend in a sort of knitted cap close to her head; in the evening +surrounded by the Prince and Princesses of a German Court." The members +of the Prussian royal family were anxious to see her and hear from her +own lips an account of her labors in the cause of humanity. The +representatives of the House of Brandenburgh welcomed Mrs. Fry beyond +her most sanguine expectations; indeed, it would be nearer the truth to +say that in her lowly estimate of herself, she almost dreaded to +approach royal or noble personages, and that therefore she craved for no +honor, but only tolerance and favor. She never sought an interview with +any of these personages, but to benefit those who could not plead for +themselves. Her letters home exhibit no pride, boastfulness, or triumph; +all is pure thankfulness that one so unworthy as she deemed herself to +be should accomplish so much. Writing to her grandchildren she says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"We dined at the Princess William's with several of the royal +family. The Queen came afterwards and appeared much pleased at my +delight on hearing that the King had stopped religious persecutions +in the country, and that several other things had been improved +since our last visit. It is a very great comfort to believe that +our efforts for the good of others have been blessed. Yesterday we +paid a very interesting visit to the Queen, then to Prince +Frederick of Holland and his Princess, sister to the King of +Prussia; with her we had much serious conversation upon many +important subjects, as we also had with the Queen.... Although +looked up to by all, they appear so humble, so moderate in +everything. I think the Christian ladies on the Continent dress far +more simply than those in England. The Countess appeared very +liberal, but extravagant in nothing. To please us she had apple +dumplings, which were quite a curiosity; they were really very +nice. The company stood still before and after dinner, instead of +saying grace. We returned from our interesting meeting at the +Countess's, about eleven o'clock in the evening. The royal family +were assembled and numbers of the nobility; after a while the King +and Queen arrived, the poor Tyrolese flocked in numbers. I doubt +such a meeting ever having been held anywhere before,—the curious +mixture of all ranks and conditions. My poor heart almost failed +me. Most earnestly did I pray for best help, and not unduly to fear +man. The royal family sat together, or nearly so; the King and +Queen, Princess William, and Princess Frederick, Princess Mary, +Prince William, Prince Charles, Prince Frederick of the +Netherlands, young Prince William, besides several other princes +and princesses not royal. Your uncle Joseph spoke for a little +while, explaining our views on worship. Then I enlarged upon the +changes that had taken place since I was last in Prussia; mentioned +the late King's kindness to these poor Tyrolese in their affliction +and distress; afterwards addressed these poor people, and then +those of high rank, and felt greatly helped to speak the truth to +them in love. They finished with a hymn."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Her last brief visit to the Continent was paid in 1843, and spent wholly +in Paris. Mrs. Fry was particularly interested in French prisons, as +well as in the measures designed to ameliorate the condition of those +who tenanted them. Reformation had become the order of the day there as +in England; the Duchess of Orleans, the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg, M. +Guizot, the Duc de Broglie, M. de Tocqueville, M. Carnot, and other high +and noble personages were much interested in the subject. A bill to +sanction the needful reforms was introduced to the Chamber of Deputies +by the Minister of the Interior, and ably supported by him in a speech +of great lucidity and power. Said he, when laying it before the Chamber: +"Our subject is not entirely to sequestrate the prisoner nor to confine +him to absolute solitude. Some of the provisions of the bill will +mitigate the principle of solitary confinement in a manner which was +suggested by the Commission of 1840, and should not pass unnoticed by +the Chamber. Convicts sentenced to more than twelve years' hard labor, +or to perpetual hard labor, after having gone through twelve years of +their punishment, or when they shall have attained the age of seventy, +will be no longer separated from others, except during the night." The +bill further provided, besides this mitigation of the solitary +confinement system, that the "Bagnes," where galley slaves had hitherto +labored, should be replaced by houses of hard labor, and that smaller +prisons should be erected for minor offenses instead of sending +criminals convicted of them to the great central prisons. The bill was +certainly destined to effect a total revolution in the management of +such places as St. Lazare and similar prisons, in addition to giving +solid promise of improvement in the punitive system of France.</p> + +<p>During this brief final visit to the French capital, Mrs. Fry entered on +her sixty-third year, aged and infirm in body, but still animated by the +master passion of serving the sad and sorrowful. Her brother, Joseph +John Gurney, together with his wife, were with her in Paris, but they +pursued their journey into Switzerland, while she returned home in June, +feeling that life's shadows were lengthening apace, and that not much +time remained to her in which to complete her work. The impressions she +had made on the society of the gay city had been altogether good. Like +the people who stared at the pilgrims passing through Vanity Fair, the +Parisians wondered, and understood for the first time that here was a +lady who did indeed pass through things temporal, "with eyes fixed on +things eternal"; and whose supreme delight lay, not in ball-rooms, +race-courses, or courts, but in finding out suffering humanity and +striving to alleviate its woes. Doubtless many of the gay Parisians +shrugged their shoulders and smiled good-humoredly at the "illusion," +"notion," "fanaticism," or whatever else they called it; they were +simply living on too low a plane of life to understand, or to criticise +Mrs. Fry. Except animated by somewhat of fellow-feeling, none can +understand her career even now. It stands too far apart from, too highly +lifted above, our ordinary pursuits and pleasures, to be compared with +anything that less philanthropic-minded mortals may do. It called for a +far larger amount of self-denial than ordinary people are capable of; it +demanded too much singleness of purpose and sincerity of speech. Had +Mrs. Fry not come from a Quaker stock she might have conformed more to +the ways and manners of fashionable society; had she possessed less of +sterling piety, she might have sought to serve her fellow-creatures in +more easy paths. As a reformer, she was sometimes misunderstood, abused, +and spoken evil of. It was always the case and always will be, that +reformers receive injustice. Only, in some cases, as in this one, time +reverses the injustice, and metes out due honor. As a consequence, +Elizabeth Fry's name is surrounded with an aureola of fame, and her +self-abnegation affords a sublime spectacle to thoughtful minds of all +creeds and classes; for, simply doing good is seen to be the highest +glory.</p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>NEW THEORIES OF PRISON DISCIPLINE AND MANAGEMENT.</h3> + + +<p>Mrs. Fry's opinions on prison discipline and management were necessarily +much opposed to those which had obtained prior to her day. No one who +has followed her career attentively, can fail to perceive that her +course of prison management was based upon well arranged and carefully +worked out principles. In various letters, in evidence before committees +of both Houses of Parliament, and in private intercourse, Mrs. Fry made +these principles and rules as fully known and as widely proclaimed as it +was possible to do. But, like all reformers, she felt the need of +securing a wider dissemination of them. Evidence given before +committees, was, in many points, deferred to; private suggestions and +recommendations were frequently adopted, but a large class of inquirers +were too far from the sphere of her influence to be moved in this way. +For the sake of these, and the general public, she deemed it wise to +embody her opinions and rules in a treatise, which gives in small +compass, but very clearly, the <i>rationale</i> of her treatment of +prisoners; and lays down suggestions, hints, and principles upon which +others could work. Within about seventy octavo pages, she discourses +practically and plainly on the formation of Ladies' Committees for +visiting prisons, on the right method of proceeding in a prison after +the formation of such a committee, on female officers in prisons, on +separate prisons for females, on inspection and classification, on +instruction and employment, on medical attendance, diet, and clothing, +and on benevolent efforts for prisoners who have served their sentences. +It is easy to recognize in these pages the Quakeress, the woman, and the +Christian. She recommends to the attention of ladies, as departments for +doing good, not only prisons, but lunatic asylums, hospitals and +workhouses. At the same time she strongly recommends that only <i>orderly</i> +and <i>experienced</i> visitors should endeavor to penetrate into the abodes +of vice and wickedness, which the prisons of England at that day mostly +were. Among other judicious counsels for the conduct of these visitors +occur the following, which read as coming from her own experience. That +this was the case we may feel assured; Mrs. Fry was too wise and too +womanly not to warn others from the pit-falls over which she had +stumbled, or to permit anyone to fall into her early mistakes:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Much depends on the spirit in which the worker enters upon her +work. It must be the spirit not of judgment but of mercy. She must +not say in her heart, 'I am holier than thou'; but must rather keep +in perpetual remembrance that '<i>all</i> have sinned,' and that, +therefore, great pity is due from us even to the greatest +transgressors among our fellow-creatures, and that in meekness and +love we ought to labor for their restoration. The good principle in +the hearts of many abandoned persons may be compared to the few +remaining sparks of a nearly extinguished fire. By means of the +utmost care and attention, united with the most gentle treatment, +these may yet be fanned into a flame; but under the operation of a +rough and violent hand they will presently disappear and be lost +forever. In our conduct with these unfortunate females, kindness, +gentleness, and true humility ought ever to be united with serenity +and firmness. Nor will it be safe ever to descend, in our +intercourse with them, to <i>familiarity</i>, for there is a dignity in +the Christian character which demands, and will obtain, respect; +and which is powerful in its influence even over dissolute +minds.... Neither is it by any means wise to converse with them on +the subject of the crimes of which they are accused or convicted, +for such conversation is injurious both to the criminals themselves +and to others who hear them; and, moreover, too frequently leads +them to add sin to sin, by uttering the grossest falsehoods. And +those who engage in the interesting task of visiting criminals must +not be impatient if they find the work of reformation a very slow +one.... Much disadvantage will accrue generally from endeavors on +the part of visiting ladies to procure the mitigation of the +sentences of criminals. Such endeavors ought never to be made +except where the cases are remarkably clear, and then through the +official channels. Deeply as we must deplore the baneful effects of +the punishment of death, and painful as we must feel it to be that +our fellow-creatures, in whose welfare we are interested, should be +prematurely plunged into an awful eternity, yet, while our laws +continue as they are, unless they can bring forward <i>decided facts</i> +in favor of the condemned, it is wiser for the visiting ladies to +be quiet, and to submit to decrees which they cannot alter."</p></blockquote> + +<p>In reference to the choice of officers, she strongly insists that all +officers—superior and inferior—shall be females. She prefers a widow +for the post of matron, because of her superior knowledge of the world +and of life; and never should she or her subordinates be chosen "because +the situation is suited to their wants, but because they are suited to +fill the situation." She holds it of the first importance that the +matrons should not only be of a superior station in life, but that they +should be decidedly religious. This little book was written in 1827, but +from her insistence upon this as a first requisite in proper dealing +with female prisoners, it appears likely that the then recent act of +George IV., had not been commonly complied with. This act provides that +a "matron shall be appointed in every prison in which female prisoners +shall be confined, who shall reside in the prison; and it shall be the +duty of the matron constantly to superintend the female prisoners." +Again, another clause of the Act says, "Females shall in all cases be +attended by female officers." That these provisions had only been +partially carried out, is proved by her words relative to this clause: +"Since the passing of the late Act of Parliament for the regulations of +prisons, our large jails have been generally provided with a matron and +female turnkeys; but it is much to be regretted that in many smaller +prisons no such provisions have yet been adopted. Nor ought it to be +concealed that the persons selected to fill the office of matron are, in +various instances, unsuited to their posts; and in other cases are +unfitted for its fulfillment, by residing out of prison."</p> + +<p>With respect to the classification of prisoners, Mrs. Fry recommends +four classes or divisions which should comprise the total:—1st. +Prisoners of previous good character, and guilty only of venial crimes. +This class, she suggests, should be allowed to dress a little better and +be put to lighter labors than the others. From their ranks, also, should +temporary officers be selected, while small pecuniary rewards might be +with propriety offered. 2d. Prisoners convicted of more serious crimes. +These should be treated with more strictness; but it should be possible +for a prisoner, by constant good conduct and obedience to rules, to rise +into the first class. 3d. In this class the privileges were to be +considerably diminished, while the 4th class consisted only of hardened +offenders, guilty of serious crimes, and of those who had been +frequently committed. "This class must undergo its peculiar privations +and hardships." Still, that hope may not entirely give place to despair, +Mrs. Fry recommends that even these criminals should be eligible for +promotion to the upper classes upon good behavior. It will be seen that +this system partook somewhat of Captain Machonochie's merit, or +good-mark system, introduced by him with such remarkable success into +Norfolk Island.</p> + +<p>Among other suggestions relative to the classification of prisoners we +find one recommending the wearing of a ticket by each woman. Every +ticket was to be inscribed with a number, which number should agree with +the corresponding number on the class list. Each class list was to be +kept by the matron or visitors, and was to include a register of the +conduct of the prisoners. In the case of convicts on board convict-ships +proceeding to the penal settlements, Mrs. Fry recommended that not only +should the women wear these tickets, but that every article of +clothing, every book, and every piece of bedding should be similarly +numbered; even the convicts' seats at table should be distinguished by +the same numbers in order to prevent disputes, and to promote order and +regularity.</p> + +<p>She considered the most thorough, vigilant, and unremitting inspection +essential to a correct system of prison discipline; by this means she +anticipated that an effectual, if slow, change of habits might be +produced.</p> + +<p>With regard to the instruction of prisoners, she held decided views as +to the primary importance of Scriptural knowledge. The Bible, and the +Bible alone, was to be the text-book for this purpose, while nothing +sectarian was to be admitted; but in their fullest sense, "the essential +and saving principles of our common Christianity were to be inculcated." +She recommended reading, writing, arithmetic, and needlework, the last +to carry with it a little remuneration, in order to afford the women +some encouragement. While acknowledging the wisdom of the Act of +Parliament which provided that prayers should be read daily in all +prisons, she strongly urges visitors and chaplains to teach privately +"that true religion and saving faith are in their nature practical, and +that the reality of repentance can be proved only by good works and by +an amendment in life and conversation."</p> + +<p>For the employment of prisoners she recommends such occupations as +patchwork, knitting stockings, making articles of plain needlework, +washing, ironing, housework, cooking, spinning, and weaving. It should +in all cases be <i>constant</i>, and in the worst cases, <i>disciplinary</i> +labor. She recommends, under <i>strict limitations</i>, the treadmill for +hardened, refractory, and depraved women, but only for short periods. +All needleworkers especially should receive some remuneration for their +work, which remuneration should be allowed to accumulate for their +benefit by such time as their sentences expire, in order that when they +leave prison they may possess a little money wherewith to commence the +world afresh. Her words are: "The greater portion of their allotted +share of earnings, however, must be reserved for them against the time +of their leaving prison and returning to the world. The possession of a +moderate sum of money will <i>then</i> be found of essential importance as +the means of preventing an almost irresistible temptation, the +temptation of want and money, to the renewal of criminal practices. And +if, in laboring for this remuneration the poor criminal has also gained +possession of the <i>habit</i> of industry, and has learned to appreciate +the sweets of regular employment, it is more than probable that this +temptation may never occur again."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Fry quotes largely from the Act of Parliament, relative to the +matters of diet, medical attendance, clothing, bedding, and firing. It +seemed to be the fact that the provisions of this Act did not extend to +prisons which were exclusively under local jurisdiction; she therefore +recommends lady visitors and committees to see them enforced as much as +possible. While preserving even-handed justice between criminals and the +country whose laws they have outraged, by suggesting that their +treatment should be sufficiently penal to be humiliating, that their +hair should be cut short, and all personal ornaments forbidden, she +pleads earnestly for proper bedding and firing. She says: "During +inclement weather, diseases are sometimes contracted by the unfortunate +inmates of our jails, which can never afterwards be removed. I believe +it has sometimes happened that poor creatures committed to prison for +trial, have left the place of their confinement, acquitted of crime, and +yet crippled for life."</p> + +<p>From the same volume we find that Government had then inaugurated a +wiser, kinder system of dealing with the convicts destined for the +colonies. By the new regulations, females were allowed to take out with +them all children under the age of seven years; while a mother suckling +an infant was not compelled to leave England until the child was old +enough to be weaned. Again, the convicts were not to be manacled in any +way during their removal from the prison to the convict-ship; "but as +the rule is often infringed, it is desirable that ladies of the +committee should be vigilant on the subject, and should represent all +cases to the governor of the prison, and afterwards, if needful, to the +visiting magistrates." Further, the Government, or the boroughs, had to +provide the transports with needful clothing for the voyage; and, at the +end of it, the surgeon's or matron's certificate of good behavior was +sufficient to ensure employment for most of the women. Altogether it +seems certain that a new era for prisoners had dawned, and new ideas +prevailed in regard to them. How much Mrs. Fry's labors had contributed +to this state of things will never be fully known; but her work was +almost accomplished.</p> + +<p>This little book, which is a perfect <i>Vade Mecum</i> of prison management, +was written in the interest of lady visitors, and for their use. It is +still interesting, as showing Mrs. Fry's own mode of procedure, and the +principles upon which she acted. The few quotations given in this +chapter will, however, suffice for the general reader. She concludes +with a pregnant sentence: "Let our prison discipline be severe in +proportion to the enormity of the crimes of those on whom it is +exercised, and let its strictness be such as to deter others from a +similar course of iniquity, but let us ever aim at the <i>diminution of +crime</i> through the just and happy medium of the <span class="smcap">reformation of +criminals</span>."</p> + +<p>Not only in the published page, but in other ways—in fact in every +possible way—did Mrs. Fry continue to proclaim the need of a new method +of ordering criminals, and also of so treating them, that they should be +fitted to return to society <i>improved</i> and not <i>degraded</i> by their +experience of penal measures. In 1832, she was called upon to give +evidence before another committee of the House of Commons, upon the best +mode of enforcing "secondary punishments" so as to repress crime. On +this occasion she dwelt particularly upon the points noticed in her book +published five years previously, and added one or two more. For +instance, while advocating complete separation at <i>night</i>, she quite as +earnestly contended against what was known as the "solitary system." On +this point she maintained that "solitude does not prepare women for +returning to social and domestic life, or tend so much to real +improvement, as carefully arranged intercourse during part of the day +with one another under the closest superintendence and inspection, +combined with constant occupation, and solitude at night." In her +evidence there occurs the following passage:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>Every matron should live upon the spot, and be able to inspect them +closely by night and by day; and when there are sufficient female +prisoners to require it, female officers should be appointed, and a +male turnkey never permitted to go into the women's apartments. I +am convinced when a prison is properly managed it is unnecessary, +because, by firm and gentle management, the most refractory may be +controlled by their own sex. But here I must put in a word +respecting ladies' visiting. I find a remarkable difference +depending upon whether female officers are superintended by ladies +or not. I can tell almost as soon as I go into the prison whether +they are or not, from the general appearance both of the women and +their officers. One reason is that many of the latter are not very +superior women, not very high, either in principle or habits, and +are liable to be contaminated; they soon get familiar with the +prisoners, and cease to excite the respect due to their office; +whereas, where ladies go in once, or twice, or three times a week, +the effect produced is decided. Their attendance keeps the female +officers in their places, makes them attend to their duty, and has +a constant influence on the minds of the prisoners themselves. In +short, I may say, after sixteen years' experience, that the result +of ladies of principle and respectability superintending the female +officers in prisons, and the prisons themselves, has far exceeded +my most sanguine expectations. In no instance have I more clearly +seen the beneficial effects of ladies' visiting and superintending +prisoners than on board convict-ships. I have witnessed the +alterations since ladies have visited them constantly in the river. +I heard formerly of the most dreadful iniquity, confusion, and +frequently great distress; latterly I have seen a very wonderful +improvement in their conduct. And on the voyage, I have most +valuable certificates to show the difference of their condition on +their arrival in the colony. I can produce, if necessary, extracts +from letters. Samuel Marsden, who has been chaplain there a good +many years, says it is quite a different thing: that they used to +come in a most filthy, abominable state, hardly fit for anything; +now they arrive in good order, in a totally different situation. +And I have heard the same thing from others. General Darling's +wife, a very valuable lady, has adopted the same system there; she +has visited the prison at Paramatta, and the same thing respecting +the officers is felt there as it is here. On the Continent of +Europe, in various parts—St. Petersburg, Geneva, Turin, Berne, +Basle, and some other places—there are corresponding societies, +and the result is the same in every part. In Berlin they are doing +wonders—I hear a most satisfactory account; and in St. Petersburg, +where, from the barbarous state of the people, it was said it could +not be done, the conduct of the prisoners has been perfectly +astonishing—an entire change has been produced.</p></blockquote> + +<p>On the 22d of May, 1835, Mrs. Fry was desired to attend the Select +Committee of the House of Lords, appointed to inquire into the state of +the several jails and houses of correction in England and Wales. She +went, accompanied by three ladies, co-workers, and escorted by Sir T. +Fowell Buxton. The Duke of Richmond was chairman of the committee, which +included some twelve or fifteen noblemen. An eyewitness wrote afterwards +respecting Mrs. Fry's behavior and manner: "Never, should I think, was +the calm dignity of her character more conspicuous. Perfectly +self-possessed, her speech flowed melodiously, her ideas were clearly +expressed, and if another thought possessed her besides that of +delivering her opinions faithfully and judiciously upon the subjects +brought before her, it was that she might speak of her Lord and Master +in that noble company."</p> + +<p>The principal topics treated of in her evidence before this committee +were connected with the general state of female prisons. Among other +things, she urged the want of more instruction, but that such +instruction should not be given privately and <i>alone</i> to women; that the +treadmill was an undesirable punishment for women; that matrons were +required to be suitable in character, age, and capability for the post; +that equality in labor and diet was needed; and she insisted on the +imperative necessity of Government inspectors in both Scotch and English +prisons and convict-ships. She enlarged upon these matters in the manner +the subject demanded, and gave the committee the impression of being in +solemn earnest. Her quiet, Christian dignity impressed all who listened +to her voice, while the most respectful consideration was paid to her +suggestions. In reply to a question touching the instruction of the +prisoners, she says:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>I believe the effect of religious and other instruction is hardly +to be calculated on; and I may further say that, notwithstanding +the high estimation and reverence in which I held the Holy +Scriptures, before I went to the prisons, as believing them to be +written by inspiration of God, and therefore calculated to produce +the greatest good, I have seen, in reading the Scripture to those +women, such a power attending them, and such an effect on the minds +of the most reprobate, as I could not have conceived. If anyone +wants a confirmation of the truth of Christianity let him go and +read the Scriptures in prison to poor sinners; you there see how +the Gospel is exactly adapted to the fallen condition of man. It +has strongly confirmed my faith; and I feel it to be the bounden +duty of the Government and the country that these truths shall be +administered in the manner most likely to conduce to the real +reformation of the prisoner. You then go to the root of the matter, +for though severe punishment may in a measure deter them and others +from crime, it does not amend the character and change the heart; +but if you have altered the principles of the individual, they are +not only deterred from crime because of the fear of punishment, but +they go out, and set a bright example to others.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Both the <i>silent</i> and <i>solitary</i> systems were condemned by her as being +particularly liable to abuse. She considered the silent system cruel, +and especially adapted to harden the heart of a criminal even to moral +petrefaction. But the strongest protest was made against <i>solitary</i> +confinement. Upon every available opportunity she spoke against it to +those who were in power. Unless the offense was of a very aggravated +nature, she doubted the right of any man to place a fellow-creature in +such misery. Some intercourse with his fellow-creatures seemed +imperatively necessary if the prisoner's life and reason were to be +preserved to him, and his mind to be kept from feeding upon the dark +past. To dark cells she had an unconquerable aversion. Sometimes she +would picture the possibility of the return of days of persecution, and +urge one consideration founded upon the self-interest of the authorities +themselves. "They may be building, though they little think it, dungeons +for their children and their children's children if times of religious +persecution or political disturbance should return." For this reason, if +for no other, she urged upon those who were contemplating the erection +of new prisons, the prime necessity of constructing those prisons so as +to enable them to conform to the requirements of humanity.</p> + +<p>Her opinions and reasons for and against the solitary system of +confinement are well given in a communication sent to M. de Béranger +after a visit to Paris, during which the subject of prison-management +had formed a staple theme of discussion in the <i>salons</i> of that city. +With much practical insight and clearness of reasoning, Mrs. Fry +marshalled all the stock arguments, adding thereto such as her own +experience taught.</p> + +<p>In favor of the solitary system were to be urged:—</p> + +<p>1st. The prevention of all contamination by their fellow-prisoners.</p> + +<p>2d. The impossibility of forming intimacies calculated to be injurious +in after life.</p> + +<p>3d. The increased solitude, which afforded larger opportunities for +serious reflection and, if so disposed, repentance and prayer by the +criminal.</p> + +<p>4th. The prevention of total loss of character on the part of the +prisoner, seeing that the <i>privacy</i> of the confinement would operate +against the recognition of him by fellow-prisoners upon regaining their +liberty.</p> + +<p>Against it the following reasons could be urged—</p> + +<p>1st. The extreme liability to ill-treatment or indulgence, according to +the mood and disposition of the officers in charge.</p> + +<p>2d. The extreme difficulty of obtaining a sufficiently large number of +honest, high-principled, just men and women, to carry out the solitary +system with impartiality, firmness, and, at the same time, kindness. +This reason was strongly corroborated by the governors of Cold Bath +Fields Prison, and the great Central Prison at Beaulieu. Their own large +experience had taught them the difficulty of securing officers in all +respects <i>fit to be trusted</i> with the administration of such a system.</p> + +<p>3d. The very frequent result of the administration of this system by +incompetent or unfit officers would be the moral contamination of the +prisoners.</p> + +<p>4th. The enormous expense of providing officers and accommodation +sufficient to include all the criminals of the country.</p> + +<p>5th. The certainty of injury to body and mind from the continuance of +solitude for life. The digestive and vocal organs, and the reason would +inevitable suffer. In proof she quoted the notorious imbecility of the +aged monks of La Trappe: "We are credibly informed of the fact (in +addition to what we have known at home) that amongst the monks of La +Trappe few attain the age of sixty years without having suffered an +absolute decay of their mental powers, and fallen into premature +childishness."</p> + +<p>6th. The danger lest increased solitude instead of promoting +repentance, should furnish favorable hours for the premeditation of new +crimes, and so confirm the criminal in hardened sin.</p> + +<p>7th. The impossibility of fitting the prisoners for returning to society +under the system; whereas by teaching them useful employments and +trades, and training them to work in company for remuneration, habits +and customs may be induced which should aid in a life-long reformation.</p> + +<p>Two or three years after the enunciation of these principles and +reasons, Mrs. Fry addressed a valuable communication to Colonel Jebb in +reference to the new Model Prison at Pentonville, then (1841,) in course +of construction:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>We were much interested by our visit to this new prison. We think +the building generally does credit to the architect, particularly +in some important points, as ventilation, the plan of the +galleries, the chapel, etc., and we were also much pleased to +observe the arrangement for water in each cell, and that the +prisoner could ring a bell in case of wanting help.</p> + +<p>The points that made us uneasy were, first, the dark cells, which +we consider should never exist in a Christian and civilized +country. I think having prisoners placed in these cells a +punishment peculiarly liable to abuse. Whatever restrictions may be +made for the governor of a jail, and however lenient those who +<i>now</i> govern, we can little calculate upon the change the future +may produce, or how these very cells may one day be made use of in +case of either political or religious disturbance in the country, +or how any poor prisoner may be placed in them in case of a more +severe administration of justice.</p> + +<p>I think no person should be placed in <i>total</i> darkness; there +should be a ray of light admitted. These cells appear to me +calculated to excite such awful terror in the mind, not merely from +their darkness but from the circumstance of their being placed +within another cell, as well as being in such a dismal situation.</p> + +<p>I am always fearful of any punishment, beyond what the law publicly +authorizes, being privately inflicted by any keeper or officer of a +prison; for my experience most strongly proves that there are few +men who are themselves sufficiently governed and regulated by +Christian principle to be fit to have such power entrusted to their +hands; and further, I observe that officers in prisons have +generally so much to try and to provoke them that they themselves +are apt to become hardened to the more tender feelings of humanity. +They necessarily also see so much through the eyes of those under +them, turnkeys and inferior officers, (too many of whom are little +removed either in education or morals from the prisoners +themselves,) that their judgments are not always just.</p> + +<p>The next point that struck us was, that in the cells generally the +windows have that description of glass in them that even the sight +of the sky is entirely precluded. I am aware that the motive is to +prevent the possibility of seeing a fellow-prisoner; but I think a +prison for separate confinement should be so constructed that the +culprits may at least see the sky—indeed, I should prefer more +than the sky—without the liability of seeing fellow-prisoners. My +reason for this opinion is, that I consider it a very important +object to preserve the health of mind and body in these poor +creatures, and I am certain that separate confinement produces an +unhealthy state both of mind and body. Therefore everything should +be done to counteract this influence, which I am sure is baneful in +its moral tendency; for I am satisfied that a sinful course of life +increases the tendency to mental derangement, as well as to bodily +disease; and I am as certain that an unhealthy state of mind and +body has generally a demoralizing influence; and I consider light, +air, and the power of seeing something beyond the mere monotonous +walls of a cell highly important. I am aware that air is properly +admitted, also light; still I do think they ought to see the sky, +the changes in which make it a most pleasant object for those who +are closely confined.</p> + +<p>When speaking of health of body and mind, I also mean health of +soul, which is of the first importance, for I do not believe that a +despairing or stupefied state is suitable for leading poor sinners +to a Saviour's feet for pardon and salvation.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Fry held quite as decided opinions upon lunatic asylums and their +keepers. It was something terrible to her to know that poor demented +creatures lay pining, chained and ill-treated, in dungeons; knowing no +will but the caprice of their keepers. She spared no efforts to improve +their condition; by tongue and pen she sought to enforce new principles +and modes of action, in relation to lunatics, into the mind of those who +had to govern them. So incessant were her labors to attain the ends she +had set before her, that there was not a country in Europe which she +did not influence. Almost daily communications were coming in from +France, Denmark, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, and other countries, +detailing the success of the new plans which she had introduced and +recommended to the respective Governments. A regular correspondence was +kept up between her and Mr. Venning of St. Petersburg, by order of the +Empress of Russia, who took the greatest interest in the benevolent +enterprise. From some letters given in the <i>Memoirs of Mrs. Fry</i> it +seems that the Empress felt a true Womanly compassion for the inmates of +the Government Lunatic Asylum, and inaugurated a system of more rational +treatment. How far her influence on behalf of the imprisoned and insane +was induced and fostered by the English Quakeress, was never fully known +until after her death, when a most interesting letter, addressed to the +children of Mrs. Fry, was published. This letter was sent to them by Mr. +John Venning, brother to Walter Venning, who had opened the +correspondence, but who had, like the benevolent lady with whom it was +maintained, "passed over to the majority." From this correspondence it +was found that the Emperor and Empress of Russia, the Princess Sophia +Mestchersky, Prince Galitzin, and many ladies of high rank, had been +stirred up to befriend those who had fallen under the strong arm of the +law, and to make their captivity more productive, if possible, of good +results.</p> + +<p>Not only so, but lunatics, more helpless than prisoners, had been cared +for, as the outcome of Mrs. Fry's visits to St. Petersburg, and her +communications with the powers that were at that era. With these +preliminary words of explanation, the subjoined letter speaks for +itself:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>I cheerfully comply with your desire to be furnished with some of +the most striking and useful points contained in your late beloved +mother's correspondence with myself in Russia, relative to the +improvement of the Lunatic Asylum in St. Petersburg. I the more +readily engage in this duty, because I am persuaded that its +publication may, under the Lord's blessing, prove of great service +to many such institutions on the Continent, as well as in Great +Britain.... I begin by stating that her correspondence was +invaluable, as regarded the treatment and management of both +prisoners and insane people. It was the fruit of her own rich +practical experience communicated with touching simplicity, and it +produced lasting benefits to these institutions in Russia. In 1827, +I informed your dear mother that I had presented to the Emperor +Nicholas a statement of the defects of the Government Lunatic +Asylum, which could only be compared to our own old Bedlam in +London, fifty years since; and that the dowager Empress had sent +for me to the Winter Palace, when she most kindly, and I may say, +joyfully, informed me that she and her august son, the Emperor, had +visited together this abode of misery. They were convinced of the +necessity, not only of having a new building, but also of a +complete reform in the management of the insane; and further that +the Emperor had requested her to take it under her own care, and to +appoint me the governor of it. I must observe that in the meantime +the old asylum was immediately improved, as much as the building +allowed, for the introduction of your dear mother's admirable +system. Shortly after, I had the pleasure of accompanying the +Empress to examine a palace-like house—Prince Sherbatoff's—having +above two miles of garden, and a fine stream of water running +through the grounds, situated only five miles from St. Petersburg. +The next day an order was given to purchase it. I was permitted to +send the plan of this immense building to your dear mother for her +inspection, as well as to ask from her hints for its improvement. +Two extensive wings were recommended, and subsequently added for +dormitories. The wings cost about £15,000, and in addition to this +sum from the Government, the Emperor, who was always ready to +promote the cause of benevolence, gave three thousand pounds for +cast-iron window-frames, recommended by your dear mother, as the +clumsy iron bars which had been used in the old institution had +induced many a poor inmate, when looking at them, to say with a +sigh, "Sir, prison, prison!" Your dear mother, also strongly +recommended that all, except the violent lunatics, should dine +together at a table covered with a cloth, and furnished with plates +and spoons.</p> + +<p>The former method of serving out the food was most disgusting. This +new plan delighted the Empress, and I soon received an order to +meet her at the asylum. On her arrival she requested that a table +should be covered, and then desired me to go round and invite the +inmates to come and dine. Sixteen came immediately, and sat down. +The Empress approached the table, and ordered one of the upper +servants to sit at the head of it and to ask a blessing. When the +servant arose to do this, they all stood up. The soup, with small +pieces of meat, was then regularly served; and as soon as dinner +was finished, they all rose up spontaneously and thanked the +Empress for her motherly kindness. I saw that the kind Empress was +deeply moved, and turning to me she said, "<i>Mon Cher</i>, this is one +of the happiest days of my life." The next day the number increased +at table, and so it continued increasing. After your dear mother's +return from Ireland, where she had been visiting, among other +institutions, the lunatic asylums, she wrote me a letter on the +great importance of supplying the lunatics with the Scriptures. +This letter deserved to be written in letters of gold; I sent it to +the Imperial family; it excited the most pleasing feelings and +marked approbation. The court physician, His Excellency Dr. Riehl, +a most enlightened and devoted philanthropist, came to me for a +copy of it. It removed all the difficulty there had been respecting +giving the Holy Scriptures to the inmates. I was therefore +permitted to furnish them with copies, in their various languages. +It may be useful to state the result of this measure, which was +considered by some to be a wild and dangerous proceeding. I soon +found groups collected together, listening patiently and quietly to +one of their number reading the New Testament. Instead of +disturbing their minds, it soothed and delighted them. I have +witnessed a poor lunatic, a Frenchman, during an interval of +returning reason, reading the New Testament in his bed-room, with +tears running down his cheeks; also a Russian priest, a lunatic, +collected a number together, while he read to them the Word of God.</p> + +<p>On one occasion I witnessed a most interesting scene. On entering +the institution, I found a young woman dying; her eyes were closed, +and she was apparently breathing her last breath. I ordered one of +the servants of the institution to read very loud to her that +verse, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten +Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have +everlasting life." Dr. K—— observed, "Sir, she is almost dead, +and it is useless." On my urging its being done, lo! to the +astonishment of all present, she opened her eyes and smiled. I +said: "Is it sweet, my dear?" She nodded assent. "Shall it be read +to you again?" A smile and nod of the head followed. She evidently +possessed her reason at that moment, and who can trace, or limit, +the operation of the Holy Spirit, on the reading of God's own Word +even in her circumstances?</p> + +<p>When I received a letter from your mother I always wrote it out in +French, and presented it in that language to the Empress; and when +she had read it, it was very encouraging to see with what alacrity +she ordered one of her secretaries to translate it into Russian, +and then deliver it to me to be conveyed to the asylum, and entered +into the journal there, for immediate adoption. I remember on one +occasion, taking a list of rules, at least fourteen in number, and +the same day were confirmed by the Empress. These rules introduced +the following important arrangements; viz., the treating the +inmates, as far as possible as sane persons, both in conversation +and manners toward them; to allow them as much liberty as possible; +to engage them daily to take exercise in the open air; to allow +them to wear their own clothes and no uniform prison-dress; also to +break up the inhuman system of permitting the promiscuous idle +curiosity of the public, so that no one was allowed to see them +without permission; a room, on entering the asylum, was prepared +for one at a time, on certain days, to see their relations. The old +cruel system drew forth many angry expressions from the poor +lunatics: "Are we, then, wild beasts, to be gazed at?"</p> + +<p>The Empress made a present to the institution of a piano-forte; it +had also a hand-organ, which pleased the poor inmates exceedingly. +On one occasion the Empress, on entering the asylum, observed that +the inmates appeared unusually dull, when she called them near, and +played on the hand-organ herself an enlivening tune.</p> + +<p>Another important rule of your mother's was, most strictly to +fulfill whatever you promise to any of the inmates, and, above all, +to exercise patience, gentleness, kindness, and love towards them; +therefore, to be exceedingly careful as to the character of the +keepers you appoint. These are some of the pleasing results of your +mother's work. The dowager Empress, on one occasion, conversing +about your mother, said: "How much I should like to see that +excellent woman, Madame Fry, in Russia;" and often did I indulge +that wish. What a meeting it would have been, between two such +devoted philanthropists as your mother and the dowager Empress, who +was daily devoting her time and fortune to doing good.... Although +the Empress was in her sixty-ninth year, I had the felicity of +accompanying her in no less than eleven of her personal visits to +the Lunatic Asylum, say from February to October, 1828. On the 24th +of October she died, to the deep-felt regret of the whole empire. +Rozoff, a young lunatic, as soon as he heard it, burst into tears. +She would visit each lunatic, when bodily afflicted, and send an +easy chair for one, and nicely-dressed meat for others; and weekly +send from the palace wine, coffee, tea, sugar and fruit for their +use.</p> + +<p>Among the many striking features in your mother's correspondence, +her love to the Word of God, and her desire for its general +circulation, were very apparent. Evidently, that sacred book was +the fountain whence she herself derived all that strength and grace +to carry on her work of faith and labor of love, which her Divine +Master so richly blessed.... In December 1827, when accompanying +the Emperor Nicholas through the new Litoffsky Prison, he was not +only well pleased to find every cell fully supplied with the +Scriptures—the rich result of his having confirmed the late +Emperor Alexander's orders to give the Scriptures gratis to all the +prisoners—but on seeing some Jews in the prison he said to me: "I +hope you also furnish these poor people with them, that they may +become Christians; I pity them." I witnessed a most touching scene +on the Emperor's entering the debtors' room; three old, venerable, +gray-headed men fell on their knees and cried, "Father, have mercy +on us!" The Emperor stretched out his hand in the peculiar grandeur +of his manner, and said: "Rise; all your debts are paid; from this +moment you are free"; without knowing the amount of the debts, one +of which was very considerable. I hope this feeble attempt to +detail a little of your dear mother's useful work may be +acceptable, leaving you to make what use of it you think proper.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Such testimonies as these must have been peculiarly grateful to Mrs. +Fry's family, because it is natural to desire not only success in any +good work, but also grateful remembrance and appreciation, of it. +Sometimes, however, the reverse was the case; even those whom she had +endeavored to serve had turned out ungrateful, impudent and hardened. +Yet her loving pity followed even them: still, like the Lord whom she +served, she loved them in spite of their repulsiveness and ingratitude. +And when some notably ungrateful things were reported to her respecting +the female convicts on board the <i>Amphitrite</i>, she only prayed and +sorrowed for them the more. Especially was this the case when she heard +that the ship had gone down on the French coast, bearing to their tomb +beneath the sad sea waves, the 120 women, with their children, being +conveyed in her to New South Wales. Not one hard thought did she +entertain of them: all was charity, sorrow and tenderness. And if for +one little moment her new theories as to the treatment of criminals +seemed to be broken down, never for an instant did she set them aside. +She knew that perfection could only be attained after many long years of +trial and probation. While undermining the old ideas, she set herself an +equally gigantic task in establishing the new.</p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>MRS. FRY IN DOMESTIC AND RELIGIOUS LIFE.</h3> + + +<p>Hitherto our little monograph has dealt mainly with Mrs. Fry's <i>public</i> +life and work. Possibly, however, the reader may now feel curious to +know how she bore the strain of private responsibilities; how as a wife, +mother, neighbor, and Christian, she performed the duties which usually +fall to people in those positions. It does not appear that she was +wanting in any of them.</p> + +<p>As the wife of a city merchant, as the mistress, until reverses came, of +a large household, as the mother of a numerous family of boys and girls, +and as the plain Friend, and minister among Friends, she seems to have +fulfilled the duties which devolved upon her with quiet, cheerful +simplicity, persevering conscientiousness, and prayerful earnestness. +She was much the same in sunshine and in shadow, in losses and in +prosperity; her only anxiety was to do what was right. From the +revelations of her journal we find that self-examination caused her +frequently to put into the form of writing, the questions which +harassed her soul. There can be no reasonable doubt that she <i>was</i> +harassed as all over-conscientious people are—with the fear and +consciousness that her duties were not half done. How few of this class +ever contemplate themselves or their works with anything like +satisfaction! A short extract from her journal penned during the first +years of her wedded life affords the key to this self-examination, a +self-examination which was strictly continued as long as reason held her +sway. This entry is entitled "Questions for Myself."</p> + +<p>"First.—Hast thou this day been honest and true in performing thy duty +towards thy Creator in the first place, and secondly towards thy +fellow-creatures; or hast thou sophisticated and flinched?</p> + +<p>"Second.—Hast thou been vigilant in frequently pausing, in the hurry +and career of the day, to see who thou art endeavoring to serve: whether +thy Maker or thyself? And every time that trial or temptation assailed +thee, didst thou endeavor to look steadily at the Delivering Power, even +to Christ who can do all things for thee?</p> + +<p>"Third.—Hast thou endeavored to perform thy relative duties faithfully; +been a tender, loving, yielding wife, where thy own will and pleasure +were concerned, a tender yet steady mother with thy children, making +thyself quickly and strictly obeyed, but careful in what thou requirest +of them; a kind yet honest mistress, telling thy servants their faults, +when thou thinkest it for their or thy good, but never unnecessarily +worrying thyself or them about trifles, and to everyone endeavoring to +do as thou wouldst be done unto?"</p> + +<p>A life governed by these principles, and measured by these rules, was +not likely to be otherwise than strictly, severely, nervously good. We +use the word "nervously" because here and there, up and down the pages +of her journal are scattered numerous passages full of such questions as +the above. None ever peered into their hearts, or searched their lives +more relentlessly than she did. Upright, self-denying, just, pure, +charitable, "hoping all things, bearing all things, believing all +things," she judged herself by a stricter law than she judged others; +condemning in herself what she allowed to be expedient, if not lawful, +in others, and laying bare her inmost heart before her God. After she +had done all that she judged it to be her duty to do, she humbly and +tearfully acknowledged herself to be one of the Lord's most +"unprofitable servants." It would be useless to endeavor to measure such +a life by any rules of worldly polity or fashions. An extract written +at this time, relative to the welfare and treatment of servants, may be +of use in showing how she permitted her sound sense and practical daily +piety to decide for her in emergencies and anxieties growing out of the +"mistress and servant" question. "At this time there is no set of people +I feel so much about as servants; as I do not think they have generally +justice done to them. They are too much considered as another race of +beings, and we are apt to forget that the holy injunction holds good +with them: 'As ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to +them.' I believe in striving to do so we shall not take them out of +their station in life, but endeavor to render them happy and contented +in it, and be truly their friends, though not their familiars or equals, +as to the things of this life. We have reason to believe that the +difference in our stations is ordered by a wiser than ourselves, who +directs us how to fill our different places; but we must endeavor never +to forget that in the best sense we are all one, and, though our paths +may be different, we have all souls equally valuable, and have all the +same work to do, which, if properly considered, should lead us to have +great sympathy and love, and also a constant care for their welfare, +both here and hereafter. We greatly misunderstand each other (I mean +servants and masters in general); I fully believe, partly from our +different situations in life, and partly from our different educations, +and the way in which each party is apt to view the other. Masters and +mistresses are greatly deficient, I think, in a general way; and so are +most servants towards them; it is for both to keep in view strictly to +do unto others as they would be done unto, and also to remember that we +are indeed all one with God."</p> + +<p>As the mother of a large family, Mrs. Fry endeavored to do her duty +faithfully and lovingly. Twelve sons and daughters were given to her, +trained by her more or less, with reference not only to their temporal +welfare, but their spiritual also. In all the years of motherhood many +cares attached themselves to her. Illness, the deaths of near relatives, +and of one little child, the marriage of some of her children out of the +Society of Friends, losses in business, and consequent reduction of +household comforts and pleasures, the censure which sometimes followed +her most disinterested acts, and the exaggerated praise of others, all +combined to try her character and her spirit. Through it all she moved +and lived, like one who was surrounded with an angelic company of +witnesses; desirous only of laying up such a life-record that she could +with calmness face it in "that day for which all other days are made."</p> + +<p>One after another the little fledglings came to the home-nest, to be +cared for, trained up, and fitted for their peculiar niches in life. But +in 1815, a new sorrow came to the fireside; the angel reaper Death cut +down the little Elizabeth, the seventh child, nearly five years of age, +and the special darling of the band. Her illness was very short, +scarcely lasting a week; but even during that illness her docile, +intelligent spirit exhibited itself in new and more endearing phases. +Death was only anticipated during the last few hours of life, and when +the fatal issue appeared but too certain the parents sat in agonized +silence, watching the darling whom they could not save. Mrs. Fry begged +earnestly of the Great Disposer of life and death that he would spare +the child, if consonant with His holy will; but when the end came, and +the child had passed "through the pearly gates into the city" she +uttered an audible thanksgiving that she was at last where neither sin, +sorrow, nor death could have any dominion. No words can do justice to +this event like her own, written in her journal at that time. The pages +recall all a mother's love and yearning tenderness, together with a +Christian's strong confidence:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>It has pleased Almighty and Infinite Wisdom to take from us our +most dear and tenderly-beloved child little Betsy, between four +and five years old. In receiving her, as well as giving her back +again, we have, I believe, been enabled to bless the Sacred Name. +She was a very precious child, of much wisdom for her years, and, I +can hardly help believing, much grace; liable to the frailty of +childhood, at times she would differ with the little ones and +rather loved her own way, but she was very easy to lead though not +one to be driven. She had most tender affections, a good +understanding for her years, and a remarkably staid and solid mind. +Her love was very strong, and her little attentions great to those +she loved, and remarkable in her kindness to servants, poor people, +and all animals; she had much feeling for them; but what was more, +the bent of her mind was remarkably toward serious things. It was a +subject she loved to dwell upon: she would often talk of "Almighty +God," and almost everything that had connection with Him. On Third +Day, after some suffering of body from great sickness, she appeared +wonderfully relieved ... and, began by telling me how many hymns +and stories she knew, with her countenance greatly animated, a +flush on her cheeks, her eyes very bright, and a smile of +inexpressible content, almost joy. I think she first said, with a +powerful voice,—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class='stanza'><div>How glorious is our Heavenly King,</div> +<div class='i2'>Who reigns above the sky;</div></div> +</div> + +<p>and then expressed how beautiful it was, and how the little +children that die stand before Him; but she did not remember all +the words of the hymn, nor could I help her. She then mentioned +other hymns, and many sweet things ... her heart appeared +inexpressibly to overflow with love. Afterwards she told me one or +two droll stories, and made clear and bright comments as she went +along; then stopped a little while, and said in the fullness of +her heart, and the joy of a little innocent child.... "Mamma, I +love everybody better than myself, and I love thee better than +anybody, and I love Almighty much better than thee, and I hope thee +loves Almighty much better than me."... I appeared to satisfy her +that it was so. This was on Third Day morning, and she was a corpse +on Fifth Day evening; but in her death there was abundant cause for +thanksgiving; prayer appeared indeed to be answered, as very little +if any suffering seemed to attend her, and no struggle at last, but +her breathing grew more and more slow and gentle, till she ceased +to breathe at all. During the day, being from time to time +strengthened in prayer, in heart, and in word, I found myself only +led to ask for her that she might be for ever with her God, whether +she remained much longer in time or not; but, that if it pleased +Infinite Wisdom her sufferings might be mitigated, and as far as it +was needful for her to suffer that she might be sustained. This was +marvellously answered beyond anything we could expect from the +nature of the complaint.... I desire never to forget this favor, +but, if it please Infinite Wisdom, to be preserved from repining or +unduly giving way to lamentation for losing so sweet a child.... I +have been permitted to feel inexpressible pangs at her loss, though +at first it was so much like partaking with her in joy and glory, +that I could not mourn if I would, only rejoice almost with joy +unspeakable and full of glory. But if very deep baptism was +afterwards permitted me, like the enemy coming in as a flood; but +even here a way for escape has been made, my supplication answered +... and the bitter cup sweetened; but at others my loss has touched +me in a manner almost inexpressible, to awake and find my +much-loved little girl so totally fled from my view, so many +pleasant pictures marred. As far as I am concerned, I view it as a +separation from a sweet source of comfort and enjoyment, but surely +not a real evil. Abundant comforts are left me if it please my kind +and Heavenly Father to provide me power to enjoy them, and +continually in heart to return him thanks for His unutterable +loving kindness to my tenderly-beloved little one, who had so sweet +and easy a life and so tranquil a death.... My much-loved husband +and I have drunk this cup together in close sympathy and unity of +feeling. It has at times been very bitter to us both; but as an +outward alleviation, we have, I believe, been in measure each +other's joy and helpers. The sweet children have also tenderly +sympathized; brothers, sisters, servants, and friends, have been +very near and dear in showing their kindness not only to the +darling child, but to me, and to us all.... We find outwardly and +inwardly, "the Lord did provide."</p></blockquote> + +<p>The little lost Betsey, who "just came to show how sweet a flower for +Paradise could bloom," was thenceforth a sacred memory; for from that +day they had a connecting link between their household and the skies. +Very frequently, even in the midst of her multifarious engagements, her +thoughts wandered off to the little grave in Barking burying-ground, +where rested the remains of the dear child, and, perchance, a tenderer +tone crept into her voice as she dealt with the outcast children of +prisons and reformatories. Soon after this event the elder boys and +girls went to school among their relatives, and only the youngest were +left at Plashet House with her. As a new baby came within six months +after little Betsey's death, the motherly hands were still full. She +found, however, time to write letters of wise and mother-like counsels.</p> + +<blockquote><p>My much-loved girls:—Your letters received last evening gave us +much pleasure. I anxiously hope that you will now do your utmost in +whatever respects your education, not only on your own account, but +for our sake. I look forward to your return with so much comfort, +as useful and valuable helpers to me, which you will be all the +more if you get forward yourselves. I see quite a field of useful +service and enjoyment for you, should we be favored to meet under +comfortable circumstances in the spring. I mean that you should +have a certain department to fill in the house, amongst the +children and the poor, as well as your own studies and enjoyments; +I think there was not often a brighter opening for two girls. +Plashet is, after all, such a home, it now looks sweetly; and your +little room is almost a temptation to me to take it for a +sitting-room for myself, it is so pretty and so snug; it is newly +furnished, and looks very pleasant indeed. The poor, and the +school, will, I think, be glad to have you home, for help is wanted +in these things. Indeed, if your hearts are but turned the right +way, you may, I believe, be made instruments of much good, and I +shall be glad to have the day come that I may introduce you into +prisons and hospitals.... This appears to me to be your present +business—to give all diligence to your present duties; and I +cannot help believing, if this be the case, that the day will come +when you will be brought into much usefulness.</p></blockquote> + +<p>As the years rolled on, her boys went to school also; but they were +followed by a loving mother's counsels. From her correspondence with +them we cull a few extracts to prove how constant and tender was her +care over them, and how far-reaching her anxieties. Two or three +specimens will suffice.</p> + +<p>Upon the departure of each of her boys for boarding-school she wrote out +and gave him a copy of the following rules. They are valuable, as +showing how carefully she watched over their mental and moral welfare.</p> + +<p>"1st. Be regular, strict in attending to religious duties; and do not +allow other boys around thee to prevent thy having some portion of time +for reading at least a text of Scripture, meditation and prayer; and if +it appear to be a duty, flinch not from bowing the knee before them, as +a mark of thy allegiance to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Attend +diligently when the holy Scriptures are read, or to any other religious +instruction, and endeavor in Meeting to seek after a serious waiting +state of mind, and to watch unto prayer. Let First Day be well employed +in reading proper books, etc., but also enjoy the rest of innocent +recreation, afforded in admiring the beauties of nature; for I believe +this is right in the ordering of a kind Providence that there should be +some rest and recreation in it. Show a proper, bold, and manly spirit +in maintaining among thy play-fellows a religious character, and strict +attention to all religious duties. Remember these texts to strengthen +thee in it. 'For whosoever shall be ashamed of Me, and My words, of him +shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He shall come in His own glory, in +His Father's, and of the holy angels.' 'But I say unto you, whosoever +shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess +before the angels of God; but he that denieth Me before man shall be +denied before the angels of God.' Now, the sooner the dread laugh of the +world loses its power, the better for you.... But strongly as I advise +thee thus faithfully maintaining thy principles and doing thy duty, I +would have thee very careful of either judging or reproving others; for +it takes a long time to get the beam out of our own eye, before we can +see clearly to take the mote out of our brother's eye. There is for one +young in years, much greater safety in preaching to others by example, +than in word, or doing what is done in an upright, manly spirit, 'unto +the Lord, and not unto man.'</p> + +<p>"2d. I shall not speak of moral conduct, which, if religious principles +be kept to, we may believe will be good; but I shall give certain hints +that may point out the temptations to which schools are particularly +liable. I have observed a want of strict integrity in school-boys, as it +respects their schoolmasters and teachers—a disposition to cheat them, +to do that behind their backs which they would not do before their +faces, and so having two faces. Now, this is a subject of the utmost +importance—to maintain truth and integrity upon all points. Be not +double-minded in any degree, but faithfully maintain, not only the +upright principle on religious ground, but also the brightest honor, +according to the maxims of the world. I mourn to say I have seen the +want of this bright honor, not only in school-boys, but in some of our +highly-professing society; and my belief is that it cannot be too +strictly maintained, or too early begun. I like to see it in small +things, and in great; for it marks the upright man. I may say that I +abhor anything like being under-handed or double-dealing; but let us go +on the right and noble principle of doing to others as we would have +others do to us; therefore, in all transactions, small and great, +maintain strictly the correct, upright, and most honorable practice. I +have heard of boys robbing their neighbors' fruit, etc.; I may truly say +that I believe there are very few in the present day would do such +things, but no circumstances can make this other than a shameful +deviation from all honest and right principles. My belief is, that such +habits begun in youth end mostly in great incorrectness in future life, +if not in gross sin; and that no excuse can be pleaded for such actions, +for sin is equally sin, whether committed by the school-boy or those of +mature years, which is too apt to be forgotten, and that punishment +<i>will</i> follow."</p> + +<p>In a letter to her eldest son she begs him to try to be a learned man, +not to neglect the modern languages; but so to improve his time at +school that he may become in manhood a power for good; and then, by +various thoughtful kindnesses manifests her unwearying care for his +welfare.</p> + +<p>She gratefully acknowledges, in another communication to a sister, the +assistance which that sister rendered in educating some of the elder +girls, for a time, so enabling Mrs. Fry herself to be set free for the +multitude of other duties awaiting her.</p> + +<p>As years rolled by, an acute cause of sorrow to her was the marriage of +one, then another of her numerous family out of the Society. They mostly +married into families connected with the Church of England; but as the +Society of Friends disunite from membership all who marry out of it, +and as parents are blamed for permitting such unions, her sorrow was +somewhat heavy. She even anticipated being cut off from the privilege of +ministry in the Society; but to the credit of that Society, it does not +appear that it silenced her in return for the forsaking, by her +children, of "the old paths." Whether Quakerism was too old-fashioned +and strict for the young people, or the attractions of families other +than Friends more powerful, we cannot say. However, it seems that the +young folks grew up to be useful and God-fearing in the main, so that +the Church universal lost nothing by their transference into other +communions.</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class='stanza'><div>When joy seems highest</div> +<div>Then sorrow is nighest,</div></div> +</div> + +<p>says the old rhyme. An experience of this sort came to Mrs. Fry. One of +her children had just married an estimable member of the Society of +Friends, and while rejoicing with the young couple, she appeared to be +drawn out in thankfulness for the many mercies vouchsafed to her. Her +cup seemed brimming over with joy; and after the bridal party had +departed, one of her daughters came across the lawn to remark to her +mother on the beauty of the scene, finishing by a reference to the +temporal prosperity which was granted them. Mrs. Fry could do no other +than acquiesce in the sentiments expressed, but added, with almost +prophetic insight, "But I have remarked that when great outward +prosperity is granted it is often permitted to precede great trials." +This was in the summer of 1828; before that year ended the family was +struggling in the waves of adversity, losses, and trials—struggling, +indeed, to preserve that honest name which had hitherto been the pride +of Mr. Fry's firm.</p> + +<p>One of the houses of business with which Mr. Fry was connected at this +time failed, and his income was largely diminished. The house which he +personally conducted was still able to meet all its obligations; but the +blow in connection with this other firm was so staggering that they were +forced to submit to the pressure of straitened means, at least for a +time. We are told, indeed, by Mrs. Fry's daughters, that this failure +"involved Mrs. Fry and her family in a train of sorrows and perplexities +which tinged the remaining years of her life." The strict principles and +the not less strict discipline of the Society of Friends rendered her +course of action at that juncture very doubtful. Occupying the prominent +positions she had before the nation—indeed before the world, for Mrs. +Fry's name was a household word—it seemed impossible to her upright +spirit to face the usual Meeting on First Day. Her sensitive spirit +winced acutely at the reproach which <i>might perchance</i> be cast upon the +name of religion; but after a prayerful pause she and her husband went, +accompanied by their children—at least such of them as were then at +home. She occupied her usual place at the Meeting, but the big tears +rolling down her face in quick succession, testified to the sorrow and +anguish which then became her lot. Yet before the session ended she +rose, calmed herself, and spoke, most thrillingly, from the words, +"Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him," while the listeners +manifested their sympathy by tears and words of sorrow. In November of +that sad year she wrote the following letter to one of her children, in +reference to the trial:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>I do not like to pour out my sorrows too heavily upon thee, nor do +I like to keep thee in the dark as to our real state. This is, I +consider, one of the deepest trials to which we are liable; its +perplexities are so great and numerous, its mortifications and +humiliations so abounding, and its sorrows so deep. None can tell, +but those who have passed through it, the anguish of heart at times +felt; but, thanks be to God, this extreme state of distress has not +been very frequent, nor its continuance very long. I frequently +find my mind in degree sheathed against the deep sorrows, and am +enabled not to look so much at them; but there are also times when +secondary things arise, such as parting with servants, schools, the +poor around us, and our dear home. These things overwhelm me; +indeed, I think naturally I have a very acute sense of the sorrow. +Then the bright side of the picture arises. I have found such help +and strength in prayer to God, and highly mysterious as this +dispensation may be in some points of view, yet I think I have +frequently, if not generally, been able to say, "Not as I will, but +as Thou wilt," and bow under it. All our children and +children-in-law, my brothers and sisters, our many friends and +servants, have been a strong consolation to me.</p></blockquote> + +<p>It was not possible, however, for Mrs. Fry to suffer without +experiencing an unwonted measure of sympathy from all classes of the +community. Many hearts followed her most lovingly in these hours of +humiliation and sorrow; and when it was known that she must leave +Plashet House, the tide of deep sympathy overflowed more than one heart. +As a preliminary step the family moved, first to St. Mildred's Court, +then to the home of their eldest son. The business which had been +carried on there by Mr. Fry and his father was now conducted by his +sons; and by this the young men were enabled to provide for the comfort +of their parents. Their bidding good-bye to Plashet, however, entailed +very much that was sad to others. The schools hitherto supported by the +Frys were handed over to the care of the vicar of the parish; many old +pensioners and servants had to be given over to the kindness of others, +or in some cases, possibly, to the not very tender mercies of "the +parish;" while she herself, who had always laid it down as an +indispensable rule to be <i>just</i> before being generous, was compelled to +conform her manner of life to somewhat narrow means.</p> + +<p>Shakespeare says: "Sorrow comes not in single spies but in battalions," +and experience proves the adage to be true. William Fry, the eldest son +of the family, was thrown upon a bed of illness, as the result of an +over-strained and exhausted brain; soon after, sickness spread through +the whole family, until the house, and even Plashet,—which, being +empty, afforded them a temporary shelter,—became a hospital on a small +scale. Yet at this time the kindly letters of sympathy and condolence +received from all quarters must have comforted and cheered her anguished +spirit. From a number of such communications we give two, one from +William Wilberforce, the other from Mrs. Opie. Wilberforce wrote:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>You, I doubt not, will be enabled to <i>feel</i>, as well as to know, +that even this event will be one of those which, in your instance, +are working for good. You have been enabled to exhibit a bright +specimen of Christian excellence in <i>doing</i> the will of God, and, I +doubt not, you will manifest a similar specimen in the harder and +more difficult exercise of <i>suffering</i> it. I have often thought +that we are sometimes apt to forget that key, for unlocking what +we deem to be very mysterious dispensations of Providence, in the +misfortunes and afflictions of eminent servants of God, that is +afforded by a passage in St. Paul's Epistle to his beloved +Phillipians: "Unto you it is given, not only to believe on Him, but +also to suffer for His sake." It is the strong only that will be +selected for exhibiting these graces which require peculiar +strength. May you, my dear friend (indeed, I doubt not you will), +be enabled to bear the whole will of God with cheerful confidence +in His unerring wisdom and unfailing goodness. May every loss of +this world's wealth be more than compensated by a larger measure of +the unsearchable riches of Christ.... Meanwhile you are richly +provided with relatives and friends whom you love so well as to +relish receiving kindnesses from them, as well as the far easier +office of doing them....</p></blockquote> + +<p>In reply to this, it would seem that Mrs. Fry, while thankful for the +sympathy manifested on all hands, doubted the advisability of resuming +her benevolent labors among prisons and hospitals. Mr. Wilberforce +proved himself again a wise and far-seeing counsellor. He wrote:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>I cannot delay assuring you that I do not see how it is possible +for any reasonable being to doubt the propriety ... or, rather, let +me say <i>the absolute duty</i>—of your renewing your prison +visitations. A gracious Providence has blessed you with success in +your endeavors to impress a set of miserables, whose character and +circumstances might almost have extinguished hope, and you will +return to them, if with diminished pecuniary powers, yet, we may +trust, through the mercy and goodness of our Heavenly Father, with +powers of a far higher order unimpaired, and with the augmented +respect and regard of every sound judgment ... for having borne +with becoming disposition a far harder trial certainly than any +stroke which proceeds immediately from the hand of God. May you +continue, my dear Madam, to be the honored instrument of great and +rare benefits to almost the most pitiable of your fellow-creatures.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The <i>Record</i> newspaper had suggested that additional contributions +should be sent to the chief of the societies which had been inaugurated +by Mrs. Fry, and so largely supported by her. The Marquis of +Cholmondeley wrote to Mrs. Opie, inquiring of that lady fuller +particulars of the disaster, in so far as it affected or was likely to +affect Mrs. Fry's benevolent work. He had been a staunch friend of her +labors, having seconded them many times when the life of a wretched +felon was at stake; and now, continuing the interest which he had +hitherto exhibited, he was fearful lest this business calamity would put +a stop to many of those labors. Mrs. Opie, whose friendship dated from +the old Norwich days, lost no time in writing as follows to her +suffering friend:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>Though I have not hitherto felt free in mind to write to thee, my +very dear friend, under thy present most severe trial, thou hast +been continually, I may say, in my thoughts, brought feelingly and +solemnly before me, both day and night. I must also tell thee that, +two nights ago, I had a pleasing, cheering dream of thee:—I saw +thee looking thy best, dressed with peculiar care and neatness, and +smiling so brightly that I could not help stroking thy cheek, and +saying, "Dear friend! it is quite delightful to me to see thee +looking thus again, so like the Betsey Fry of former days;" and +then I woke. But this sweet image of thee lives with me still.... +Since your trials were known, I have rarely, if ever, opened a page +of Scripture without finding some promise applicable to thee and +thine. I do not believe that I was looking for them, but they +presented themselves unsought, and gave me comfort and confidence. +Do not suppose, dear friend, that I am not fully aware of the +peculiar bitterness and suffering which attends this trial in thy +situation to thy own individual feeling; but, then, how precious +and how cheering to thee must be the evidence it has called forth, +of the love and respect of those who are near and dear to thee, and +of the public at large. Adversity is indeed the time to try the +hearts of our friends; and it must be now, or will be in future, a +cordial to thee to remember that thou hast proved how truly and +generally thou art beloved and reverenced.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Fry's health failed very much during the dreary months which +followed. Nor was this all, for trials, mental and spiritual, seemed to +crowd around her. It was indeed, though on a scale fitted to her +capacity, "the hour and power of darkness." She says in her journal, +that her soul was bowed down within her, and her eyes were red with +weeping. Yet she rallied again. After spending some months with their +eldest son, William, at Mildred's Court, Mr. and Mrs. Fry removed to a +small but convenient villa in Upton Lane, nearly adjoining the house and +grounds of her brother, Samuel Gurney. This house was not only to be a +place of refuge in the dark and cloudy days of calamity, but to become, +in its turn, famous for the visits of princes and nobles, who thus +sought to do honor to her who dwelt in it. Writing in her journal, on +June 10th, 1829, Mrs. Fry said:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>We are now nearly settled in this, our new abode; and I may say, +although the house and garden are small, yet it is pleasant and +convenient and I am fully satisfied, and, I hope, thankful for such +a home. I have at times been favored to feel great peace, and I may +say joy in the Lord—a sort of seal to the important step taken; +though at others the extreme disorder into which our things have +been brought by all these changes, the pain of leaving Plashet, the +difficulty of making new arrangements, has harassed and tried me. +But I trust it will please a kind Providence to bless my endeavor +to have and to keep my house in order. Place is a matter of small +importance, if that peace which the world cannot give be our +portion.... Although a large garden is now my allotment, I feel +pleasure in having even a small one; and my acute relish for the +beautiful in nature and art is on a clear day almost constantly +gratified by a view of Greenwich Hospital and Park, and other parts +of Kent; the shipping on the river, as well as the cattle feeding +in the meadows. So that in small things as well as great, spiritual +and temporal, I have yet reason to ... bless and magnify the name +of my Lord.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Two of her nieces accompanied her, in 1834, upon a mission to the +Friends' Meetings in Dorset and Hants; and recalling this journey some +time later, one of them said, speaking of her aunt's peculiar mission of +ministering to the tried and afflicted: "There was no weakness or +trouble of mind or body, which might not safely be unveiled to her. +Whatever various or opposite views, feelings, or wishes might be +confided to her, all came out again tinged with her own loving, hopeful +spirit. Bitterness of every kind died when entrusted to her; it never +re-appeared. The most favorable construction possible was always put +upon every transaction. No doubt her feeling lay this way; but did it +not give her and her example a wonderful influence? Was it not the very +secret of her power with the wretched and degraded prisoners? She could +always see hope for everyone; she invariably found or made some point of +light. The most abandoned must have felt she did not despair for them, +either for this world or for another; and this it was which made her +irresistible."</p> + +<p>In taking a view of this good woman's religious life and character, it +will be helpful to see her as she appeared to herself—to enter into her +own feelings at different periods of her life, and to listen to her +heart-felt expressions of humility and perplexity. Thus, in relation to +the ups and downs of life with her, we find in her journal this +passage:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>The difference between last winter and this winter has been +striking! How did the righteous compass me about, from the +Sovereign, the Princes, and the Princesses, down to the poorest, +lowest, and most destitute; how did poor sinners of almost every +description seek after me, and cleave to me? What was not said of +me? What was not thought of me, may I not say, in public and in +private, in innumerable publications? This winter I have had the +bed of languishing; deep, very deep, prostration of soul and body; +instead of being a helper to others, ready to lean upon all, glad +even to be diverted by a child's book. In addition to this, I find +the tongue of slander has been ready to attack me. The work that +was made so much of before, some try to lessen now. My faith is +that He will not give me over to the will of my enemies, nor let me +be utterly cast down.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In relation to her conscientious fear of the admixture of sin with her +service of God and of humanity, she wrote:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>I apprehend that all would not understand me, but many who are much +engaged in what we call works of righteousness, will understand the +reason that in the Jewish dispensation there was an offering made +for the iniquity of <i>holy things</i>.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In regard to marriage she writes:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>We have had the subject of marriage much before us this year; it +has brought us to some test of our feelings and principles +respecting it. That it is highly desirable to have young persons +settle in marriage, I cannot doubt, and that it is one of the most +likely means of their preservation, religiously, morally, +temporally. Moreover, it is highly desirable to settle with one of +the same religious views, habits, and education, as themselves, +more particularly for those who have been brought up as Friends, +because their mode of education is peculiar. But if any young +persons, upon arriving at an age of discretion, do not feel +themselves really attached to our peculiar views and habits, then, +I think, their parents have no right to use undue influence with +them as to the connections they may incline to form, provided they +be with persons of religious lives and conversation. I am of +opinion that parents are apt to exercise too much authority upon +the subject of marriage, and that there would be really more happy +unions if young persons were left more to their own feelings and +discretion. Marriage is too much treated like a business concern, +and love, that essential ingredient, too little respected in it. I +disapprove of the rule of our Society which disowns persons for +allowing a child to marry one who is not a Friend; it is a most +undue and unchristian restraint, as far as I can judge of it.</p></blockquote> + +<p>As the time passed, and her family got scattered up and down in the +world, the idea occurred to her that, although members of different +sects and churches, they could unite in fireside worship and study of +the Bible, <i>as Christians</i>. Many of them were within suitable distances +for occasional or frequent meetings, according to their circumstances; +while some of the grandchildren were of an age to understand, and +possibly profit by, the exercises. In response to the motherly +communication which follows, these family gatherings were arranged, and +succeeded beyond the original expectations of she who suggested them. +They continued, under the title of "philanthropic evenings," to cement +the family circle, after Mrs. Fry had passed away. The tone of the +letter inviting their co-operation is that of a philanthropist, a +mother, and a Christian. It shows plainly that with all her engagements, +worries and trials, she had not absorbed or lost the spirit of the +docile Mary in that of the careful Martha.</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">My Dearest Children</span>:</p> + +<p>Many of you know that for some time I have felt and expressed the +want of our social intercourse at times, leading to religious union +and communion among us. It has pleased the Almighty to permit that +by far the larger number of you no longer walk with me in my +religious course. Except very occasionally, we do not meet together +for the solemn purpose of worship, and upon some other points we do +not see eye to eye; and whilst I feel deeply sensible that, +notwithstanding this diversity among us, we are truly united in our +Holy Head, there are times when, in my declining years, I seriously +feel the loss of not having more of the spiritual help and +encouragement of those I have brought up, and truly sought to +nurture in the Lord. This has led me to many serious considerations +how the case may, under present circumstances, be in any way met.</p> + +<p>My conclusion is that, believing as we do in the Lord as our +Saviour, one Holy Spirit as our Sanctifier, and one God and Father +of us all, our points of union are surely strong; and if we are +members of one living Church, and expect to be such for ever, we +may profitably unite in some religious engagements here below.</p> + +<p>The world, and the things of it, occupy us much, and they are +rapidly passing away; it will be well if we occasionally set apart +a time for <i>unitedly</i> attending to the things of Eternity. I +therefore propose that we try the following plan: if it answer, +continue it; if not, by no means feel bound to it. That our party, +in the first instance, should consist of no others than our +children, and such grandchildren as may be old enough to attend. +That our objects in meeting be for the strengthening of our faith, +for our advancement in a religious and holy life, and for the +promoting of Christian love and fellowship.</p> + +<p>I propose that we read the Scriptures unitedly, in an easy, +familiar manner, each being perfectly at liberty to make any remark +or ask any questions. That it should be a time for religious +instruction, by seeking to understand the mind of the Lord, for +doctrine and practice, in searching the Scriptures, and bringing +ourselves and our deeds to the light.... That either before or +after the Scriptures are read we should consider how far we are +engaged for the good of our fellow-men, and what, as far as we can +judge, most conduces to this object. All the members of this little +community are advised to communicate anything they may have found +useful or interesting in religious books, and to bring forward +anything that is doing for the good of mankind in the world +generally.</p> + +<p>I hope that thus meeting together may stimulate the family to more +devotion of heart to the service of their God; at home and abroad +to mind their different callings, however varied; and to be active +in helping others. It is proposed that this meeting should take +place once a month at each house in rotation. I now have drawn some +little outline of what I desire, and if any of you like to unite +with me in making the experiment, it would be very gratifying to +me; still I hope all will feel at liberty to do as they think best +themselves. Your dearly attached mother,</p> + +<p class='right'><span class="smcap">Elizabeth Fry</span>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>None but a parent whose spiritual life was pure, true, and deep, could +feel such a constant solicitude about the spiritual progress and +education of her family. Nor was this solicitude confined to the +membership of her own circle. All who in any way assisted in her special +department of philanthropy were councilled, wisely and kindly, to <i>act</i> +rather than <i>preach</i> the gospel of Christ. In communications of this +sort we find the newly-appointed matrons to the convict-ships advised to +show their faith more by conduct than profession; to avoid "religious +<i>cant</i>;" to be prudent and circumspect; to have discretion, wisdom and +meekness. So she passed through life; the faithful friend, the patient, +wise mother, the meek, tender wife, the succorer of all in distress. +Everyone felt free to go to her with their troubles; a reverse of +circumstances, a sick child, a bad servant, or turn of sickness, all +called forth her ready aid, and her wise, far-seeing judgment. And even +in the last months of her life, when, worn out with service and pain, +she was slowly going down to the gates of death, her children and +grandchildren were cut off suddenly by scarlet fever, she bowed +resignedly to the Hand which had sent "sorrow upon sorrow." And when she +who had been as a tower of strength to all around her, was reduced to +the weakness of childhood by intense suffering, the survivors clung yet +more closely to her, as if they could <i>not</i> let her go. So as physical +strength declined, she actually grew stronger and brighter in mental and +moral power. The deep and painful tribulations which characterized her +later years, but refined and purified the gold of her nature.</p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>COLLATERAL GOOD WORKS.</h3> + + +<p>It must be remembered that Mrs. Fry's goodness was many-sided. Her +charity did not expend itself wholly on prisons and lunatic asylums. It +is right that, once in a while, characters of such superlative +excellence should appear in our midst. Right, because otherwise the +light of charity would grow dim, the distinguishing graces of +Christianity, flat and selfish, and individual faith be obscured in the +lapse of years, or the follies and fashions of modern life. Such saints +were Elizabeth of Hungary, around whose name legend and story have +gathered, crowning her memory with beauty; Catherine of Sienna, who was +honored by the whole Christian Church of the fourteenth century, and +canonized for her goodness; and Sarah Martin, the humble dressmaker of +Yarmouth, who, in later times, has proved how possible it is to render +distinguished service in the cause of humanity by small and lowly +beginnings, ultimately branching out into unexpected and remarkable +ramifications. One can almost number such saints of modern life on the +fingers; but for all that, their examples have stimulated a host of +lesser lights who still keep alive the savor of Christianity in our +midst; and towering above all her contemporaries in the grandeur of her +deeds and words, Mrs. Fry still lives in song and story.</p> + +<p>Among the collateral good works which she instituted and carried on, the +first in order of time, and possibly of importance, as leading to all +the others, was the "Association for the Improvement of Female Prisoners +at Newgate." As this association and its objects were fully treated of +in a previous chapter, it is unnecessary to enlarge upon it here. It +suffices to say that it sought the welfare of the female prisoners +during their detention in prison, and, also, to form in them such habits +as should fit them for respectable life upon their discharge. Out of +twelve ladies forming the original association started in 1817, eleven +were Quakeresses.</p> + +<p>Nearly akin to this society, was that for "The Improvement of Prison +Discipline and Reformation of Juvenile Offenders." This society aimed at +a two-fold object: first, by correspondence and deputations to awaken +the minds of provincial magistrates and prison officials to the +necessity for new arrangements, rules, and accommodations for +prisoners; while it afforded watchful oversight and assistance to the +numerous class of juvenile offenders who, after conviction, were +absolutely thrown friendless upon the country, to continue and develop a +course of crime. At the time of the formation of this society, public +meetings were first held to further the welfare of prisoners, and to +prevent the increase of crime. The doctrine of "stopping the supplies" +first began to be understood; while even the most confirmed stickler for +conservation could understand that there could not be a constant +succession of old or middle-aged criminals to be dealt with by the law, +provided the young were reformed, and trained in the ways of honesty. At +one meeting, held at the Freemasons' Hall in 1821, in order to further +the work of this society, Lord John Russell made an eloquent speech, +concluding with the almost prophetic words: "Our country is now about to +be distinguished for triumphs, the effect of which shall be to save, and +not to destroy. Instead of laying waste the provinces of our enemies, we +may begin now to reap a more solid glory in the reform of abuses at +home, and in spreading happiness through millions of our population."</p> + +<p>A society possessing broader aims, and working in a wider field, was the +"British Ladies' Society for Promoting the Reformation of Female +Prisoners," formed in 1821, and really an outgrowth of Mrs Fry's efforts +to <i>reclaim</i> the women whom she <i>taught</i> while in prison. It existed as +a central point for communication and assistance between the various +associations in Great Britain engaged in visiting prisons. Its +corresponding committee also maintained interchanges of ideas and +communications with those ladies on the Continent who were interested in +the subject.</p> + +<p>The Convict Ship Committee looked after the welfare of those who were +transported, saw to the arrangements on board ship, the appointment of +matrons, furnished employment, and secured shelters in the colonies, so +that on arriving at the port of disembarkation the poor convicts should +possess some sort of a place into which they could go. Further details +of this branch of work will be given in the next chapter.</p> + +<p>The chief work of the society, however, lay in providing homes for +discharged female criminals. In 1824, "Homes" or "Shelters" were opened +at Dublin, Liverpool, and many other places in England, Scotland, and +the Continent. Tothill Fields Asylum, a small home for some of the most +hopeful of the discharged prisoners, was opened at Westminster. Miss +Neave, a charitable Christian lady, was fired with some of Mrs. Fry's +enthusiasm, and devoted both time and money to the carrying out of the +project. She relates that the idea first entered her mind when out +driving one morning with Mrs. Fry. That lady, speaking of her work, +said, in somewhat saddened tones: "Often have I known the career of a +promising young woman, charged with a first offence, to end in a +condemned cell. Were there but a refuge for the young offender, my work +would be less painful." As the result, Tothill Fields Asylum was opened, +with four inmates. Very soon, nine were accommodated, and within a few +years, under the new name of "The Royal Manor Hall Asylum," it sheltered +fifty women of different ages.</p> + +<p>Another class of discharged prisoners, viz., little girls, were also +provided for by this society. To these were added destitute girls, who +had not yet found their way into prison; and the whole number were +placed under judicious training in a "School for Discipline," at +Chelsea. This institution became most successful in training these +children up in orderly and respectable habits. At one time Mrs. Fry +endeavored to get this home under Government rule, but Sir Robert Peel +considered that the ends of humanity would be better served by keeping +it under the control of, and supported by, private individuals.</p> + +<p>A temporary stay at Brighton suggested the formation of the District +Visiting Society. This aimed, not at indiscriminate alms-giving, but at +"the encouragement of industry and frugality among the poor by visits at +their own habitations; the relief of real distress, whether arising from +sickness or other causes, and the prevention of mendicity and +imposture." Visitors were appointed, who went from house to house among +the poor, encouraging habits of thrift and cleanliness; whilst a savings +bank received deposits, and trained these same poor to save for the +inevitable "rainy day."</p> + +<p>Probably one of the most extensive works of benevolence and good-will +carried on to success by Mrs. Fry, next to her prison labors, was the +establishment of libraries for the men of the Coast Guard Service. This +arose from a circumstance which occurred during the sojourn at Brighton, +for the benefit of her somewhat shattered health, in 1824.</p> + +<p>During her residence there she was subject to distressing attacks of +faintness in the night and early morning. Again and again, it was +necessary to immediately throw open her chamber window for the admission +of the fresh air; and always upon such occasions the figure of a +solitary coast-guardsman was to be seen pacing the beach, on the +look-out for smugglers. Such a post, and such a service, presenting as +it did a life of hardship and danger, inevitably attracted her +sympathetic attention; and she began to take an almost unconscious +interest in the affairs of this man. Shortly after, when driving out, +she stopped the carriage and spoke to one of the men at the station. He +replied civilly, that the members of the Preventive Service were not +allowed to hold any conversation with strangers, and requested to be +excused from saying any more. Mrs. Fry, feeling somewhat fearful that +her kindness might bring him into difficulty with his superiors, gave +the man her card, and desired him to tell the man in command of the +station that she had spoken to him with the sole object of inquiring +after the welfare of the men and their families. A few days afterwards, +the lieutenant who commanded at that post waited upon Mrs. Fry, and, +contrary to her fears, welcomed her inquiries as auguries of good. He +confessed to her that the officers, men, women, and children, all +suffered much from loneliness, privation, semi-banishment—for the +stations were mostly placed in dreary and inaccessible +places—unpopularity with the surrounding people, and harassment by +constant watching, through all weather, for smugglers. The nature and +regulations of the Coast Blockade of Preventive Service precluded +anything like visiting or <i>personal</i> kindness. There was really no way +of benefiting them except by providing them with literature calculated +to promote their intellectual and religious good, besides furnishing an +occupation for the dreary, lonely hours which fell to their portion. +This course Mrs. Fry immediately adopted.</p> + +<p>She first applied to the British and Foreign Bible Society; the +Committee responded with a grant of fifty Bibles and twenty-five +Testaments. These were distributed to the men on the stations in that +district, and most gratefully received. As a proof of the gratitude of +the recipients, the following little note was sent to Mrs. Fry by the +commanding officer:—</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">My Dear Madam</span>,—Happy am I in being able to make you +acquainted with the unexpected success I have met with in my +attempt to forward, among the seamen employed on the coast, your +truly laudable and benevolent desire—the dissemination of the Holy +Scriptures. I have made a point of seeing Lieutenant H., who has +promised me that if you will extend your favors to Dutchmere, he +will distribute the books, and carefully attend to the performance +of Divine service on the Sabbath Day. Also Lieutenant D., who will +shortly have a command in this division. I trust, Madam, I shall be +still further able to forward those views, which must, to all who +embrace them, prove a sovereign balm in the hour of death and the +day of judgment. With respectful compliments to the ladies, allow +me to remain, dear Madam, your devoted servant.</p></blockquote> + +<p>This communication enclosed another little note from the seamen, which +expressed their feelings as follows:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>We, the seamen of Salt Dean Station, have the pleasure to announce +to those ladies whose goodness has pleased them to provide the +Bibles and Testaments for the use of us seamen, that we have +received them. We do therefore return our most hearty thanks for +the same; and we do assure the ladies whose friendship has proved +so much in behalf of seamen, that every care shall be taken of the +said books; and, at the same time, great care shall be taken to +instruct those who have not the gift of education, and we at any +time shall feel a pleasure in doing the same.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Some ten years later, when visiting in the Isle of Wight, she conceived +the plan of extending the system by supplying libraries to all the Coast +Guard stations in the United Kingdom. The magnitude of the work may be +realized when we state that there were about 500 stations, including +within their boundaries some 21,000 men, women and children. How to set +about the work was her next anxiety, for it seemed useless to attempt it +without at least £1,000 in hand. She submitted the proposition to Lord +Althorp, at that time Chancellor of the Exchequer, and asked for a +grant of £500 from Government, in order to supplement the £1,000 which +she hoped to raise by private subscriptions. A grant could not, however, +be made at that time on account of different political considerations; +but within a few months one was obtained, and her heart rejoiced at this +new proof of appreciation of her work on the part of those high in +office. An entry in her journal in February, 1835, reads thus:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>The way appears opening with our present Ministers to obtain +libraries for all the Coast Guard stations, a matter I have long +had at heart. My desire is to do all these things with a single eye +to the glory of God, and the welfare of my fellow mortals; and if +they succeed, to pray that He alone who can bless and increase, may +prosper the work of my unworthy hands. Upon going to the Custom +House, I found Government had at last granted my request, and given +£500 for libraries for the stations; this is, I think, cause for +thankfulness.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Private subscriptions were sedulously sought, and large sums flowed in; +besides these, many large book-sellers, and the chief religious +publishing societies gave donations of books. These were valued in the +aggregate at about one thousand pounds. The details of the work were +left to herself, while the Rev. John W. Cunningham, Captain W.E. Parry, +and Captain Bowles selected the books.</p> + +<p>The total number of volumes for the stations amounted to 25,896. Each +station possessed a library of fifty-two different books, while each +<i>district</i>, which included the stations in that part of the country, +possessed a larger assortment for reference and exchange. Most of the +parcels were sent, carriage free, in Government vessels, by means of the +Custom House. This work involved many journeys to London, and much +arduous labor. The Rev. Thomas Timpson, a dissenting minister in London, +acted most efficiently as secretary, and lightened her labors to a large +extent. During the summer of 1835, the work of distributing these +volumes was nearly all accomplished; and as during that summer Mr. Fry's +business demanded his presence in the south of England, she decided to +seize the opportunity of visiting all the Coast Guard stations in that +part of the country. In this way she journeyed along the whole south +coast, from the Forelands to Land's End, welcomed everywhere with +true-hearted veneration and love. She addressed herself principally to +the commanders of the different stations, bespeaking for the books care +in treatment and regularity in carrying out the exchanges. These +gentlemen manifested the warmest interest in the plan, and promised +their most thorough co-operation.</p> + +<p>At Portsmouth she visited the Haslar Hospital, and while in Portsea, +the female Penitentiary. In the latter institution she desired to speak +a few words to the inmates, who were, accordingly, assembled in the +parlor for the purpose. Mrs. Fry laid her bonnet on the table, sat down, +and made different inquiries about the conduct of the young women, and +the rules enforced. It appeared that two of them were pointed out as +being peculiarly hardened and refractory. She did not, however, notice +this at the time, but delivered a short and affectionate address to all. +Afterwards, on going away, she went up to the two refractory ones, and, +extending her hand to them, said to each, most impressively: "I trust I +shall hear better things of thee." Both of them burst into unexpected +tears, thus acknowledging the might of kindness over such natures.</p> + +<p>At Falmouth, during this same excursion, she supplied some of the +men-of-war with libraries. Some of the packets participated in the same +boon, so that each ship sailing from that port took out a well-chosen +library of about thirty books. These library books were changed on each +succeeding voyage, and were highly appreciated by both officers and +seamen.</p> + +<p>In 1836, the report of the Committee for furnishing the Coast Guard of +the United Kingdom with Libraries, appeared. From it, we find that in +addition to the £500 kindly granted by the Government at first towards +the project, Mr. Spring Rice, a later Chancellor of the Exchequer +granted further sums amounting to £460. Thus the undertaking was brought +to a successful termination. There were supplied: 498 libraries for the +stations on shore, including 25,896 volumes; 74 libraries for districts +on shore, including 12,880 volumes; 48 libraries for cruisers, including +1,876 volumes; school books for children of crews, 6,464 volumes; +pamphlets, tracts, etc., 5,357 numbers; total, 52,464 volumes and +numbers.</p> + +<p>These were distributed among 21,000 people on Coast Guard stations, and +to the hands on board many ships. Years afterwards, many and very +unexpected letters of thanks continued to reach Mrs. Fry from those who +had benefited by this good work.</p> + +<p>"Instant in season and out of season," this very trip in the south of +England produced another good work. She, with her husband and daughter, +returned home by way of North Devon, Somerset, and Wiltshire. At +Amesbury she tarried long enough to learn something of the mental +destitution of the shepherds employed on Salisbury Plain, and set her +fertile brain to contrive a scheme for the supply of the necessary +books. She communicated her desires and intentions to the clergyman of +the parish, and Sir Edward and Lady Antrobus, who unitedly undertook to +furnish a librarian. A short note from this individual, addressed to +Mrs. Fry some few months after, proved how well the thing was working. +In it he said: "Forty-five books are in constant circulation, with the +additional magazines. More than fifty poor people read them with +attention, return them with thanks, and desire the loan of more, +frequently observing that they think it a very kind thing indeed that +they should be furnished with so many good books, free of all costs, so +entertaining and instructive, these long winter evenings."</p> + +<p>About the same period Mrs. Fry formed a Servants' Society for the succor +and help of domestic servants. She had known instances wherein so many +of this class had come to sorrow, in every sense, for the lack of +temporary refuge and assistance, that she alone undertook to found this +institution. In an entry made in her journal in 1825, we find the +following reference to this matter:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Servants' Society appears gradually opening as if it would be +established according to my desire. No one knows what I go through +in forming these institutions; it is always in fear, and mostly +with many misgivings, wondering at myself for doing it. I believe +the original motive is love to my Master and love to my +fellow-creatures; but fear is so predominant a feeling in my mind +that it makes me suffer, perhaps unnecessarily, from doubts. I felt +something like freedom in prayer before making the regulations of +the Servants' Society. Sometimes my natural understanding seems +enlightened about things of that kind, as if I were helped to see +the right and useful thing.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In closing this chapter, some allusion must be made to her latest +effort. It dates from 1840, and owed its foundation principally to her. +It was that of the "Nursing Sisters," an order called into existence by +the needs of every-day life. As she visited in sick-chambers, or +ministered to the needs of the poor, she felt the want of efficient +skilled nurses, and, with the restless energy of a true philanthropist, +set about remedying the want. Her own leisure would not admit of +training a band of nurses, but her desire was carried into effect by +Mrs. Samuel Gurney, her sister-in-law. Under this lady's supervision, +and the patronage of the Queen Dowager, Lady Inglis, and other members +of the nobility, a number of young women were selected, trained, and +taught to fulfil the duties of nurses. They were placed for some time in +the largest public hospitals, in order to learn the scientific system of +nursing; then, supposing their qualifications and conduct were found to +be satisfactory, they were received permanently as Sisters. These +Sisters wore a distinctive dress, received an annual stipend of about +twenty guineas, and were provided with a home during the intervals of +their engagements. There was also a "Superannuation Fund" for the relief +of those Sisters who should, after long service, fall into indigence or +ill-health. Christian women, of all denominations, were encouraged to +join the institution; while the services of the Sisters were equally +available in the palace and in the cottage. No Sister was permitted to +receive presents, directly or indirectly, from the patients nursed by +her, seeing that all sums received went to a common fund for the benefit +of the Society. These Sisters appear to have worked very much like the +modern deaconesses of the Church of England. They rightly earned the +title of "Sisters of Mercy."</p> + +<p>These are but examples of Mrs. Fry's good works,—done "all for love, +and none for a reward."</p> + +<p>Many other smaller works claimed her thoughts, so that her life was very +full of the royal grace of charity. The list might have been still +further extended, but to the ordinary student of her life it is already +sufficiently long to prove the reality of her religion and her love.</p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>EXPANSION OF THE PRISON ENTERPRISE.—HONORS.</h3> + + +<p>It is an old adage that "nothing succeeds like success." Mrs. Fry and +her prison labors had become famous; not only famous, but the subjects +of talk, both in society and out of it. Kings, queens, statesmen, +philanthropists, ladies of fashion, devotees of charity, authors and +divines were all looking with more or less interest at the experiments +made by the apostles of this new crusade against vice, misery, and +crime. Many of them courted acquaintance with the Quakeress who +hesitated not to plunge into gloomy prison-cells, nor to penetrate +pest-houses decimated with jail fever, in pursuance of her mission. And +while they courted her acquaintance, they fervently wished her "God +speed." Two or three communications, still in existence, prove that +Hannah More and Maria Edgeworth were of the number of good wishers.</p> + +<p>In a short note written from Barley Wood, in 1826, Hannah More thus +expressed her appreciation of Mrs. Fry's character:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>Any request of yours, if within my very limited power, cannot fail +to be immediately complied with. In your kind note, I wish you had +mentioned something of your own health and that of your family. I +look back with no small pleasure to the too short visits with which +you once indulged me; a repetition of it would be no little +gratification to me. Whether Divine Providence may grant it or not, +I trust through Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us, that we +may hereafter meet in that blessed country where there is neither +sin, sorrow, nor separation.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Many years previous to this, Hannah More had presented Mrs. Fry with a +copy of her <i>Practical Piety</i>, writing this inscription on the +fly-leaf:—</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">To Mrs. Fry</span>. Presented by Hannah More, as a token of +veneration of her heroic zeal, Christian charity, and persevering +kindness to the most forlorn of human beings. They were naked, and +she clothed them, in prison, and she visited them; ignorant, and +she taught them, for <i>His</i> sake, in <i>His</i> name, and by <i>His</i> word, +who went about doing good.</p></blockquote> + +<p>No words can add to the beauty of this inscription.</p> + +<p>During one of Maria Edgeworth's London visits, the name and fame of Mrs. +Fry, and Newgate as civilized by her, formed such an attraction that the +lively Irish authoress must needs go to see for herself. In her +picturesque style she thus affords us an account of her visit:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>Yesterday we went, the moment we had swallowed our breakfast, by +appointment to Newgate. The private door opened at sight of our +tickets, and the great doors, and the little doors, and the thick +doors, and doors of all sorts, were unbolted and unlocked, and on +we went, through dreary but clean passages, till we came to a room +where rows of empty benches fronted us, and a table, on which lay a +large Bible. Several ladies and gentlemen entered, and took their +seats on benches, at either side of the table, in silence.</p> + +<p>Enter Mrs. Fry, in a drab-colored silk cloak, and plain, borderless +Quaker cap; a most benevolent countenance; Guido Madonna face, +calm, benign. "I must make an inquiry; is Maria Edgeworth here? And +where?" I went forward; she bade us come and sit beside her. Her +first smile, as she looked upon me, I can never forget. The +prisoners came in, and in an orderly manner ranged themselves on +the benches. All quite clean faces, hair, caps and hands. On a very +low bench in front, little children were seated, and watched by +their mothers. Almost all these women, about thirty, were under +sentence of transportation; some few only were for imprisonment. +One who did not appear was under sentence of death; frequently +women, when sentenced to death, become ill, and unable to attend +Mrs. Fry; the others come regularly and voluntarily.</p> + +<p>She opened the Bible, and read in the most sweetly solemn, sedate +voice I ever heard, slowly and distinctly, without anything in the +manner that could distract attention from the matter. Sometimes she +paused to explain; which she did with great judgment, addressing +the convicts—"<i>We</i> have felt! <i>We</i> are convinced!" They were very +attentive, unexpectedly interested, I thought, in all she said, and +touched by her manner. There was nothing put on in their +countenances; not any appearance of hypocrisy. I studied their +countenances carefully, but I could not see any which, without +knowing to whom they belonged, I should have decided was bad; yet +Mrs. Fry assured me that all those women had been of the worst +sort. She confirmed what we have read and heard—that it was by +their love of their children that she first obtained influence over +these abandoned women. When she first took notice of one or two of +their fine children, the mothers said that if she could but save +their children from the misery they had gone through in vice, they +would do anything she bid them. And when they saw the change made +in their children by her schooling, they begged to attend +themselves. I could not have conceived that the love of their +children could have remained so strong in hearts in which every +other feeling of virtue had so long been dead. The Vicar of +Wakefield's sermon in prison is, it seems, founded on a deep and +true knowledge of human nature; the spark of good is often +smothered, never wholly extinguished. Mrs. Fry often says an +extempore prayer; but this day she was quite silent; while she +covered her face with her hands for some minutes, the women were +perfectly silent, with their eyes fixed upon her; and when she +said, "You may go," they went away <i>slowly</i>. The children sat quite +still the whole time; when one leaned, her mother behind her sat +her upright. Mrs. Fry told us that the dividing the women into +classes, and putting them under monitors, had been of the greatest +advantage. There is some little pecuniary advantage attached to the +office of monitor which makes them emulous to obtain it. We went +through the female wards with Mrs. Fry, and saw the women at +various works, knitting, rug-making, etc. They have done a great +deal of needle-work very neatly, and some very ingenious. When I +expressed my foolish wonder at this to Mrs. Fry's sister, she +replied, "We have to do, recollect, Ma'am, not with fools, but with +rogues."... Far from being disappointed with the sight of what +Mrs. Fry has done, I was delighted.</p></blockquote> + +<p>This <i>naïve</i>, informal chronicle of a visit to Newgate incidentally lets +out the fact that the gloomy prison was fast becoming attractive to +visitors—indeed, quite a show-place. That Mrs. Fry's labors were +receiving official honor and recognition also, there is plenty of +evidence to prove. In Prussia, her principles and exhortations had made +such headway that the Government was adapting old prisons and building +new, in order to carry out the modern doctrines of classification and +employment. In Denmark, the King had given his sanction to the measures +proposed by the Royal Danish Chancery for adding new buildings to the +prison. As soon as these buildings were completed the females would be +separated from the males, female warders were to be appointed, +employment found for all prisoners, and books of information and +devotion were to be supplied to each cell; while a chaplain (an unknown +official, hitherto) was to be appointed. In Germany, four new +penitentiaries were to be constructed; viz., at Berlin, Münster in +Westphalia, Ratibor in Silesia, and Königsberg. Two of these +penitentiaries were to be exactly like the Model Prison at Pentonville; +separate confinement was to be practically carried out, and the +prisoners were to be taught trades under the superintendence of picked +teachers. From Düsseldorf came information that all the female prisoners +were improving under the new <i>régime</i>; that an asylum for discharged +prisoners was effecting a wonderful transformation in the characters and +lives of those who sought refuge there; and that the inmates only left +its shelter to secure situations in service. In addition to these +cheering items she had the satisfaction of holding communications with +many princely, noble and royal personages on the Continent, respecting +the progress of her favorite work, and the new regulations and buildings +then adopted.</p> + +<p>To return to her home-work and its ramifications will only be to prove +how far the great principles which she had taught were bearing fruit. +The Government Inspectors were working hard upon the lines laid down by +Mrs. Fry; and if at times they found anything which clashed with their +own pre-conceived ideas of what a prison should be, they were always +ready to make allowance for the difficulties of pioneer work, such as +this lady and her coadjutors had to do at Newgate. At Paramatta, New +South Wales, where, according to a letter from the Rev. Samuel Marsden +in an earlier part of this work, the condition of female convicts had +been scandalous to the Government which shipped them out there, and +deplorable in the extreme for the poor creatures themselves, a large +factory had been erected, designed for the reception of the convicts +upon their landing. It served its purpose well, being commodious enough +to receive not only the new importations, but the refractory women also, +who were returned from their situations. It was well managed; the +inmates being divided into three classes, and treated with more or less +kindness accordingly. True, at one time, even after the erection of this +factory, from the management being entrusted to inefficient hands, a +scene of disorder and misrule had prevailed; but that had been promptly +and firmly repressed. Hard labor and strict discipline had succeeded in +reducing the temporary confusion to something like order, and made +residence there the dread of returning evil-doers, whilst it afforded a +refuge for new-comers. Sir Richard Bourke, and Sir Ralph and Lady +Darling, used every endeavor to make the place a success; while, at +home, Lord Glenelg and Sir George Grey gave the matter, on behalf of +the Government, every needful and possible aid. A good superintendent +and matron were appointed from England, and supplied with every +requisite for the instruction and occupation of the convicts at the +factory.</p> + +<p>This cordial co-operation of the Colonial Office in her schemes of +improvement for the female convicts at Paramatta, encouraged her to +attempt the same good work for the convicts at Hobart Town, Tasmania. It +happened that by 1843 the transportation of females to New South Wales +had ceased, the younger establishment at Hobart Town receiving all the +female convicts; but, like the hydra of classic lore, the evil sprang up +there as fresh and as vigorous as if it had not been conquered at +Paramatta. Lady Franklin and other ladies communicated with Mrs. Fry, +showing her the great need that still existed for her benevolent +exertions in that quarter. From these communications it seemed that the +assignment of women into domestic slavery still continued, in all its +dire forms. When a convict ship arrived from England, employers of all +grades became candidates for the services of the convicts. With the +exception of publicans, and ticket-of-leave men, who were not allowed to +employ convicts, anybody and everybody might engage the poor banished +prisoners without any guarantee whatsoever as to the future conduct of +the employer toward the servant, or specification as to the kind of work +to be performed. Those convicts who have behaved themselves best on the +voyage out were assigned to the best classes of society, while the +others fell to the refuse of the employers' class. As it was a fact that +a large proportion of the tradesmen applying for servants were convicts +who had fully served their time, it may be imagined how lacking in +civilization and integrity such employers often were. But if the +condition of the convicts was hopeless after their assignment to places +of service, it was, if possible, more hopeless still in the home, or +"factory," in which they were first received. Some of the letters before +referred to cast a flood of terrible light upon the condition of the +poor wretches who had quitted their country "for that country's good," +even when under supposed discipline and restraint. A passage from one of +these letters reads like an ugly story of "the good old times!"</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Cascade Factory is a receiving-house for the women on their +first arrival (if not assigned from the ship), or on their +transition from one place to another, and also a house of +correction for faults committed in domestic service; but with no +pretension to be a place of reformatory discipline, and seldom +failing to turn out the women worse than they entered it. +Religious instruction there was none, except that occasionally on +the Sabbath the superintendent of the prison read prayers, and +sometimes divine service was performed by a chaplain, who also had +an extensive parish to attend to.</p> + +<p>The officers of the establishment consisted, at that time, of only +five persons—a porter, the superintendent, and matron, and two +assistants. The number of persons in the factory, when first +visited by Miss Hayter, was five hundred and fifty. It followed, of +course, that nothing like prison discipline could be enforced, or +even attempted. In short, so congenial to its inmates was this +place of custody (it would be unfair to call it a place of +punishment) that they returned to it again and again when they +wished to change their place of servitude; and they were known to +commit offences on purpose to be sent into it, preparatory to their +reassignment elsewhere.</p> + +<p>Yet, after visiting the factory, and hearing everybody speak of its +unhappy inmates, I could not but feel that they were far more to be +pitied than blamed. No one has ever attempted any measure to +ameliorate their degraded condition. I felt that had they had the +opportunity of religious instruction, some at least might be +rescued. I wish I could express to you all I feel and think upon +the subject, and how completely I am overwhelmed with the awful sin +of allowing so many wretched beings to perish for lack of +instruction. Even in the hospital of the factory the unhappy +creatures are as much neglected, in spiritual things, as if they +were in a heathen land. There are no Bibles, and no Christians to +tell them of a Saviour's dying love.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Fry laid these communications before the Colonial Secretary without +delay, praying him to alter this terrible state of things. She was at +once listened to. The building was altered, by orders from England; the +convicts were divided into classes; employment and discipline were +provided; daily instruction, both secular and religious, was imparted; +so that, by degrees, the establishment became what it should have been +from the first—a house of detention, discipline, and refuge. In +addition, a large vessel called the <i>Anson</i> was fitted up as a temporary +prison, sent out to Hobart Town, and moored in the river. This vessel +received the new shipments of transports from England, and afforded, by +its staff of officers, opportunity for a six months' training of the +convicts, who then were not permitted to enter the service of the +colonists until after this period had expired. By these different means +Mrs. Fry had the satisfaction of knowing that the convicts had yet +another opportunity of amendment granted them after leaving the prisons +of their native land. It has already been observed that in most of the +prisons of the United Kingdom female warders were employed, while +matrons were appointed on the out-going convict ships. Contrary to the +lot of many reformers, Mrs. Fry was spared to see most of the reforms +which she had recommended, become law.</p> + +<p>After Mrs. Fry's death an interesting report was issued by the +Inspector-General of Prisons in Ireland, relating to the Grange Gorman +Lane Female Prison, Dublin. Mrs. Fry had taken special interest in this +prison, it having been the first erected <i>exclusively for women</i> in the +United Kingdom, and intended, if found successful, to serve as a sort of +model for other places. The experiment had proved entirely successful +and satisfactory; matron, warders and chaplain all united in one chorus +of praise. Major Cottingham, the Inspector-General, wrote:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>Although I made my annual inspection of this prison on February +18th, 1847, as a date upon which to form my report, yet I have had +very many opportunities of seeing it during past and former years, +in my duties connected with my superintendence of the convict +department. The visitors may see many changes in the faces and +persons of the prisoners, but no surprise can ever find a +difference in the high and superior order with which this prison is +conducted. The matron, Mrs. Rawlins, upon whom the entire +responsibility of the interior management devolves, was selected +some years since, and sent over to this country by the benevolent +and philanthropic Mrs. Fry, whose exertions in the cause of female +prison reformation were extended to all parts of the British +Empire, and who, although lately summoned to the presence of her +Divine Master, has nowhere left a more valuable instance of her +sound judgment and high discriminating powers than in the selection +of Mrs. Rawlins to be placed at the head of this experimental +prison, occupied alone by females; and so successful has the +experiment been, that I understand several other prisons solely +for females have been lately opened in Scotland, and even in +Australia. In this prison is to be seen an uninterrupted system of +reformatory discipline in every class, such as is to be found in no +other prison that I am aware of.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The matron alluded to in the above extracts gratefully acknowledged that +Mrs. Fry's plan had completely succeeded in every respect, while she was +equally grateful in owning that to her instructions and wise maternal +counsel she herself owed her own fitness for that special branch of the +work.</p> + +<p>The testimonies to her success not only came in from official quarters, +but from the prisoners themselves. This chronicle would scarcely be +complete without a specimen or two of the many communications she +received from prisoners at home and from convicts abroad. True, on one +or two occasions the women at Newgate had behaved in a somewhat +refractory manner, for their poor degraded human nature could not +conceive of pure disinterested Christian love working for their good +without fee or reward; but even at these times their better nature very +soon reasserted itself, and penitence and tears took the place of +insubordination. To those who had sinned against and had been forgiven +by her, Mrs. Fry's memory was something almost too holy for earth. No +orthodoxly canonized saint of the Catholic Church ever received truer +reverence, or performed such miracles of moral healing.</p> + +<p>The following communication reached her from some of the prisoners at +Newgate:—</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Honored Madam</span>,—Influenced by gratitude to our general +benefactress and friend, we humbly venture to address you. It is +with sorrow we say that we had not the pleasure of seeing you at +the accustomed time, which we have always been taught to look +for—we mean Friday last. We are fearful that your health was the +cause of our being deprived of that heartfelt joy which your +presence always diffuses through the prison; but we hope, through +the mercies of God, we shall be able personally to return you the +grateful acknowledgments of our hearts, before we leave our country +forever, for all the past and present favors so benevolently +bestowed upon what has been termed the "most unfortunate of +society," until cheered by your benevolence, kindness and charity: +and hoping that your health, which is so dear to such a number of +unfortunates, will be fully re-established before we go, so that +after our departure from our native land, those who are so +unfortunate as to fall into our situation may enjoy the same +blessing, both temporally and spiritually, that we have done before +them. And may our minds be impressed with a due sense of the many +comforts we have enjoyed whilst under your kind protection. Honored +and worthy Madam, we hope we shall be pardoned for our presumption +in addressing you at this time, but our fears of not seeing you +before the time of our departure induce us to entreat your +acceptance of our prayers for your restoration to your family; and +may the prayers and supplications of the unfortunate prisoners +ascend to Heaven for the prolonging of that life which is so dear +to the most wretched of the English nation. Honored Madam, we beg +leave to subscribe ourselves, with humble respect, your most +grateful and devoted,</p> + +<p class='right'><span class="smcap">The Prisoners of Newgate.</span></p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The following letter was from a convict at Paramatta, New South Wales, +some time after her banishment to that colony:—</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Honored Madam</span>,—The duty I owe to you, likewise to the +benevolent society to which you have the honor to belong, compels +me to take up my pen to return you my most sincere thanks for the +heavenly instruction I derived from you, and the dear friends, +during my confinement in Newgate.</p> + +<p>In the month of April, 1817, that blessed prayer of yours sank deep +into my heart; and as you said, so I have found it, that when no +eyes see and no ears hear, God both sees and hears, and then it was +that the arrow of conviction entered my hard heart; in Newgate it +was that poor Harriet, like the Prodigal Son, came to herself, and +took with her words, and sought the Lord. Truly I can say with +David, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I have +learned Thy ways, O Lord."... Believe me, my dear Madam, I bless +the day that brought me inside Newgate walls, for then it was that +the ways of Divine truth shone into my dark mind.'... Believe me, +my dear Madam, although I am a poor captive in a distant land, I +would not give up having communion with God one single day for my +liberty; for what is the liberty of the body compared with the +liberty of the soul? Soon will the time come when death will +release me from all the earthly fetters that hold me now, for I +trust to be with Christ, who bought me with His precious blood. And +now, my dear Madam, these few sincere sentiments of mine I wish you +to make known to the world, that the world may see that your labor +in Newgate has not been in vain in the Lord. Please give my love to +the dear friends; the keeper of Newgate, and all the afflicted +prisoners; and although we may never meet on earth again, I hope we +shall all meet in the realms of bliss, never to part again.</p> + +<p class='center'>Believe me to remain your humble servant,</p> +<p class='right'><span class="smcap">Harriet</span> S——.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>In addition to the grateful acknowledgments of "those who were ready to +perish," Mrs. Fry won an unusual meed of honorable esteem from the noble +and great. Sovereigns and rulers, statesmen and cabinet councillors, all +owned the worth of goodness, and rendered to the Quaker lady the homage +of both tongue and heart. Beside that notable visit to the Mansion House +to be presented to Queen Charlotte, in 1818, Mrs. Fry had many +interviews with royalty—these royal and noble personages conferring +honor upon themselves more than upon her by their kindly interest in her +work.</p> + +<p>In 1822 the Prince and Princess Royal of Denmark visited England, and +spent considerable time in inspecting public institutions, schools, and +charities tending to advance the general well-being of the people. Of +course Mrs. Fry's name was spoken of prominently, seeing that she was +then in the full tide of her Newgate labors. The Duchess of Gloucester +first introduced Mrs. Fry to the Princess, when a few words of question +and explanation were given in relation to the prison enterprise. But +some days later, the family at Plashet House were apprised of the fact +that the Princess intended honoring them with her company at breakfast. +She came at the hour appointed, and, while partaking of their +hospitality, entered fully into Mrs. Fry's work, learning of her those +particulars which she could not otherwise gain. The foundation of a firm +friendship with the Princess Royal of Denmark was thus laid, which +continued through all Mrs. Fry's after life.</p> + +<p>In 1831 she obtained her first interview with our gracious Queen, then +the young Princess Victoria. Then, as now, the Royal Family of England +was always interested in works of charity and philanthropy, and the +young Princess displayed the early bent of her mind in this interview. +In the most unaffected style Mrs. Fry thus tells the story: "About three +weeks ago I paid a very satisfactory visit to the Duchess of Kent, and +her very pleasing daughter, the Princess Victoria. William Allen went +with me. We took some books on the subject of slavery, with the hope of +influencing the young Princess in that important cause. We were received +with much kindness and cordiality, and I felt my way open to express not +only my desire that the best blessing may rest upon them, but that the +young Princess might follow the example of our blessed Lord; that as she +grew in stature she might also grow in favor with God and man. I also +ventured to remind her of King Josiah, who began to reign at eight years +old, and did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, turning +neither to the right hand nor to the left, which seemed to be well +received. Since that I thought it right to send the Duke of Gloucester +my brother Joseph's work on the Sabbath, with a rather serious letter, +and had a very valuable answer from him, full of feeling. I have an +invitation to visit the Duchess of Gloucester the next Fourth Day. May +good result to them and no harm to myself; but I feel those openings a +rather weighty responsibility, and desire to be faithful and not +forward. I had long felt an inclination to see the young Princess, and +endeavor to throw a little weight into the right scale, seeing the very +important place she is likely to fill. I was much pleased with her, and +think her a sweet, lovely and hopeful child."</p> + +<p>Some three years afterwards the Duke of Gloucester died, and his death +recalled the old times when he was quartered at Norwich with his +regiment. The biographers of Elizabeth Fry tell us that the Duke "was +amongst the few who addressed words of friendly caution and sound advice +to the young and motherless sisters at Earlham." She never forgot the +old friendship—a friendship which had been increased by the unfailing +interest of both the Duke and Duchess in her philanthropic work. As soon +as she heard of the bereavement she wrote the following letter to the +Princess Sophia of Gloucester:—</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">My dear Friend</span>:</p> + +<p>I hope thou wilt not feel it an intrusion my expressing my sympathy +with thee in the death of the Duke of Gloucester. To lose a dear +and only brother is no small trial, and for a while makes the world +appear very desolate. But I trust that having thy pleasant pictures +marred in this life may be one means of opening brighter prospects +in the life to come, and of having thy treasure increased in the +heavenly inheritance. The Duchess of Gloucester kindly commissioned +a lady to write to me, who gave me a very comforting account of the +state of the Duke's mind. I feel it cause for much thankfulness +that he was so sustained through faith in his Lord and Saviour; and +we may humbly trust, through His merits, saved with an everlasting +salvation. It would be very pleasant to me to hear how thy health +and spirits are after so great a shock, and I propose inquiring at +Blackheath, where I rather expect to be next week; or if thou +wouldst have the kindness to request one of thy ladies in waiting +to write me a few lines I should be much obliged. I hope that my +dear and valued friend, the Duchess of Gloucester, is as well as we +can expect after her deep affliction.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Shortly after this she paid a visit of condolence to the Duchess by +appointment.</p> + +<p>Early in 1840 the young Queen, her present Majesty, sent Mrs. Fry a +present of fifty pounds by Lord Normanby for the Refuge at Chelsea, and +appointed an audience. On the first day of February Mrs. Fry, +accompanied by her brother, Samuel Gurney, and William Allen, attended +at Buckingham Palace. This was only a few days before Her Majesty +espoused Prince Albert. Mrs. Fry writes as follows in her journal, +respecting that interview:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>We went to Buckingham Palace and saw the Queen. Our interview was +short. Lord Normanby, the Home Secretary, presented us. The Queen +asked us when we were going on the Continent. She said it was some +years since she saw me. She asked about Caroline Neave's Refuge, +for which she has lately sent me the fifty pounds. This gave me an +opportunity of thanking her. I ventured to express my satisfaction +that she encouraged various works of charity, and I said it +reminded me of the words of Scripture, "With the merciful Thou wilt +show Thyself merciful." Before we withdrew I stopped, and said I +hoped the Queen would allow me to assure her that it was our prayer +that the blessing of God might rest upon the Queen and her Consort.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In January, 1842, the Lady Mayoress pressed Mrs. Fry to attend a +banquet given at the Mansion House, in order principally to meet Prince +Albert, Sir Robert Peel, and the different Ministers of State. After a +little mental conflict she decided to go, with the earnest hope and +purpose of doing more good for the prisoners. A summary of her sayings +and doings at that banquet is best supplied in her own words:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>I had an important conversation on a female prison being built, +with Sir James Graham, our present Secretary of State.... I think +it was a very important beginning with him for our British Ladies' +Society. With Lord Aberdeen, Foreign Secretary, I spoke on some +matters connected with the present state of the Continent; with +Lord Stanley, our Colonial Secretary, upon the state of our penal +colonies, and the condition of the women in them, hoping to open +the door for further communications with him upon these subjects. +Nearly the whole dinner was occupied in deeply interesting +conversation with Prince Albert and Sir Robert Peel. With the +Prince I spoke very seriously upon the Christian education of their +children ... the infinite importance of a holy and religious life; +how I had seen it in all ranks of life, no real peace or prosperity +without it; then the state of Europe, the advancement of religion +in the continental courts; then prisons, their present state in +this country, my fear that our punishments were becoming too +severe, my wish that the Queen should be informed of some +particulars respecting separate confinement. We also had much +entertaining conversation about my journeys, the state of Europe, +modes of living, and habits of countries. With Sir Robert Peel I +dwelt much more on the prison subject; I expressed my fears that +jailers had too much power, that punishment was rendered uncertain, +and often too severe; pressed upon him the need of mercy, and +begged him to see the new prison, and to have the dark cells a +little altered.... I was wonderfully strengthened, bodily and +mentally, and believe I was in my right place there, though an odd +one for me. I sat between Prince Albert and Sir Robert Peel at +dinner, and a most interesting time we had.... It was a very +remarkable occasion; I hardly ever had such respect and kindness +shown to me; it was really humbling and affecting to me, and yet +sweet to see such various persons, whom I had worked with for years +past, showing such genuine kindness and esteem so far beyond my +most unworthy deserts.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Royalty and nobility thus concurred in carrying out, although perhaps +unconsciously, the Scriptural command: "<i>Esteem such very highly in love +for their works' sake.</i>" It is interesting to notice how very +frequently, in this world, the course of events does coincide with the +words of Holy Writ, and the honor which Providence showers upon a +remarkable servant of God. It is equally interesting, also, to see how +completely, in the philanthropic Quakeress, the nobility of moral +greatness was acknowledged by the highest personages in the land.</p> + +<p>Very soon after this meeting at the Mansion House, the King of Prussia +arrived in England, to stand as sponsor to the infant Prince of Wales; +and, speedily after his arrival, he desired to see Mrs. Fry. He neither +forgot nor ignored her visits to his dominions in the interests of +charity; and he concluded that a woman who could travel thousands of +miles upon the Continent, in order to ameliorate the condition of +prisoners and lunatics, must be worth visiting at her own home. By his +special desire, therefore, she was sent for, to meet him at the Mansion +House. After the dinner, at which no toasts were proposed, in deference +to Mrs. Fry's religious scruples, an appointment was made by the King to +meet her at Newgate on the following morning, and afterwards to take +luncheon at the house in Upton Lane. This memorable engagement was +carried out in its entirety about midday. Mrs. Fry and one of her +sisters set out to meet the party, which included the King, his suite, +the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, the Sheriffs, some of the Ministers of +State, and a large number of gentlemen. The poor women of Newgate +numbered about sixty, and doubtless their attention was somewhat +distracted by the grand company present; but Mrs. Fry, with her +accustomed common-sense, reminded them that a greater than the King of +Prussia was present, even "the King of Kings and Lord of Lords." After +this admonition she read the 12th chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, +and expounded and conducted a short devotional service. Then, she says, +"the King again gave me his arm, and we walked down together. There were +difficulties raised about his going to Upton, but he chose to persevere. +I went with the Lady Mayoress and the Sheriffs, the King with his own +people. We arrived first; I had to hasten to take off my cloak, and then +went down to meet him at his carriage-door, with my husband and seven of +our sons and sons-in-law. I then walked with him into the drawing-room, +where all was in beautiful order—neat, and adorned with flowers. I +presented to the King our eight daughters and daughters-in-law, our +seven sons and eldest grandson, my brother and sister Buxton, Sir Henry +and Lady Pelley, and my sister-in-law Elizabeth Fry—my brother and +sister Gurney he had known before—and afterwards presented twenty-five +of our grandchildren. We had a solemn silence before our meal, which was +handsome and fit for a king, yet not extravagant, everything most +complete and nice. I sat by the King, who appeared to enjoy his dinner, +perfectly at his ease and very happy with us. We went into the +drawing-room after another silence and a few words which I uttered in +prayer for the King and Queen. We found a deputation of Friends with an +address to read to him; this was done; the King appeared to feel it +much. We then had to part. The King expressed his desire that blessings +might continue to rest on our house."</p> + +<p>Solomon says: "Seest thou a man diligent in his business he shall stand +before kings; he shall not stand before mean men." Elizabeth Fry's life +was a living proof of the honors that a persistent, steady, self-denying +course of doing good invariably wins in the long run.</p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>CLOSING DAYS OF LIFE.</h3> + + +<p>Indefatigable workers wear out, while drones rust out. As the years are +counted, of so many days, months, and weeks, many workers of this class +die prematurely; but a wiser philosophy teaches that "He liveth long who +liveth well." Into her years of life, long, eventful, and busy, +Elizabeth Fry had crowded the work of many ordinary women; it was little +wonder, therefore, that at a time when most people would have settled +down to enjoy the relaxations and comforts of a "green old age," she had +begun to set her house in order, <i>to die</i>. Her energies had been fairly +worn out in the service of humanity, and from the time that she made the +resolution to serve God, when moved by William Savery's pleadings, right +onward through forty-eight years of sunshine and shadow, vicissitudes +and labors, she had never swerved from her simple, earnest purpose. The +propelling motive to that long course of Christian usefulness may be +found in a few words uttered by her shortly before her death: "Since my +heart was touched at seventeen years old, I believe I have never +awakened from sleep, in sickness or in health, by day or by night, +without my first waking thought being, 'how best I might serve my +Lord.'" That unchanged desire ultimately became the master-passion of +her life.</p> + +<p>Honors clustered thickly about her declining days. She was the welcomed +guest of royalty and nobility; on the Continent, as well as in far-away +English colonies, her name was pronounced only with respectful love. Her +eldest son was appointed to the magistracy of the county; her relatives +and associates were foremost in every enterprise intended to benefit +mankind; while both in Parliament and out of it, her recommendations +were respectfully adopted. Had her years been counted on the patriarchal +scale, instead of by their own shortened number, she could have reaped +no higher honors; for titles were in her ears but empty sounds, and +wealth only meant increased responsibility. Not many nobler souls walked +this earth, either in Quaker garb or out of it.</p> + +<p>In 1842 her state of health appeared to be so infirm and shattered that +her brother-in-law, Mr. Hoare, offered her the loan of his house at +Cromer. She accepted the offer for a couple of months, and found a +little benefit for the bracing air. She mentioned in her diary at this +time that she had "an undue fear of an imbecile or childish state"—a +not unlikely feeling to be cherished by an energetic woman accustomed +all her life long to the work of helping others. At the end of October +she returned home, thankfully rejoicing, however, in an improved state +of health.</p> + +<p>But a new series of trials awaited her. Death seemed to visit the happy +family circle so often that one wonders almost where the tale will stop. +Four or five grand-children passed away in rapid succession. After the +funeral of the first grand-child, she assembled the family party in the +evening, and with a little of the old fire and yearning affection, gave +them exhortation and consolation. Then she prayed for all the members of +the three generations present. After this funeral service she paid a +final visit to France; and then returned home, to descend still further +into the valley of suffering.</p> + +<p>Her sister-in-law—also named Elizabeth Fry—died during this time of +weakness and pain. There had been a close bond of sympathy between these +two women; they had travelled many times together as ministers in the +Society of Friends, and had been united by the closest bonds of womanly +and Christian affection. The faithful sister-in-law preceded the +philanthropist to "the better land," by about fifteen months.</p> + +<p>In the summer of 1844 she attended her beloved meeting at Plaistow once +more. She had been so long in declining health, that meeting with the +associates of former years, for worship, had been of necessity an +enjoyment altogether out of the question. But Sunday after Sunday, as +the "church-going bell" resounded on the still morning air, her spirit +yearned to worship God after the manner of her sect. Still, for weeks +the attempt was an abortive one. The difficult process of dressing was +never accomplished until long after 11 o'clock, the hour when the +meeting assembled. The desire was only intensified, however, by these +repeated disappointments, and finally it was resolved that the attempt +should be made on Sunday, August 4th, at all risks. It succeeded. Drawn +by two of her children, in a wheeled chair, she was taken up to the +meeting, a few minutes after the hour for commencing worship. Her +husband, children and servants followed behind, fearing whether or no +the ordeal would be too heavy for the wasted frame. But after remaining +for some time in the wonted quiet of the sanctuary, an access of +strength seemed to be granted her, and in somewhat similar spirit to +that of the old patriarchs, when about to bid farewell to the scene of +labor and life, she lifted up her voice once more with weighty, solemn +words of counsel. The prominent topic of her discourse was "the death of +the righteous." She expressed the deepest thankfulness, alluding to her +sister-in-law, Elizabeth Fry, for mercies vouchsafed to one who, having +labored amongst them, had been called from time to eternity. She quoted +that text, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for they cease +from their labors, and their works do follow them." She dwelt on the +purposes of affliction, on the utter weakness and infirmity of the +flesh, and then tenderly exhorted the young. She urged the need of +devotedness of heart and steadfastness of purpose; she raised a tribute +of praise for the eternal hope offered to the Christian, and concluded +with these words from Isaiah: "Thine eyes shall see the King in His +beauty; they shall behold the land that is very far off." Prayer was +afterwards offered by her in a similar strain, and then the meeting +ended. Shortly after this, a removal to Walmer was effected, in the vain +hope that the footsteps of death might be retarded.</p> + +<p>From one of her letters, written at this date, we quote the following +passage:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>I walk in a low valley, still I believe I may say that the +everlasting arms are underneath me, and the Lord is very near. I +pass through deep waters, but I trust, as my Lord is near to me, +they will not overflow me. I need all your prayers in my low +estate. I think the death of my sister, and dear little Gurney, has +been almost too much for me.</p></blockquote> + +<p>But Mrs. Fry was to pass through still deeper waters of affliction and +trial while in her suffering state. A visitation of scarlet fever +attacked the family of her son William, and, in spite of all medical +attentions, he and two of his daughters fell beneath the destroyer's +hand. A scene of desolation ensued; the servants, as they sickened, were +taken to Guy's Hospital, and the Manor House was deserted, for those +members of the household who had escaped the infection had to flee for +their lives. For a time, the dear ones who ministered to Mrs. Fry were +too terror-stricken and crushed by the trial to venture on telling their +mother all; more than that, they feared for her life also. But the +"Christian's faith proved stronger than the mother's anguish. She wept +abundantly, almost unceasingly; but she dwelt constantly on the unseen +world, seeking for passages in the Bible which speak of the happy state +of the righteous. She was enabled to rejoice in the rest upon which her +beloved ones had entered, and in a wonderful manner to realize the +blessedness of their lot." Her other children gathered around her at +Walmer, anxious to comfort her, and be themselves comforted by her in +this succession of bereavements. She had been such a tower of strength +to all her family, in the years which had gone, that they almost +instinctively clustered around her now with the old trustful, yearning +devotion; but she was, although firm in spirit, so frail in body as to +be like the trembling ivy requiring the most constant and tender +support. Writing in her journal about this time, Mrs. Fry thus expressed +her feelings: "Sorrow upon sorrow! The trial is almost inexpressible. +Oh! dear Lord, keep thy unworthy servant in this time of severe trial; +keep me sound in faith and clear in mind, and be very near to us all." +Shortly after this entry a beloved niece died; and, as if the hungry maw +of Death were not yet satisfied, Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, her +brother-in-law, friend and coadjutor in so many benevolent schemes, also +became a victim. It is certain that these numerous losses weaned her +much from life; it is also certain that her splendid reasoning powers +gave way for a time, and the infirmity of premature old age crept over +her mind. In this way she was mercifully kept from being utterly +crushed. Yet, while her mental strength remained, she thought lovingly +of those ladies who had been associated with her in her philanthropic +works and penned a few lines of parting counsel to them. The following +is the text of the last written communication addressed by her to the +Committee of the Ladies' British Society:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>My much-loved friends, amidst many sorrows that have been permitted +for me to pass through, and much bodily suffering, I still feel a +deep and lively interest in the cause of poor prisoners; and +earnest is my prayer that the God of all grace may be very near to +help you to be steadfast in the important Christian work of seeking +to win the poor wanderers to return, repent and live; that they may +know Christ to be their Saviour, Redeemer and hope of glory. May +the Holy Spirit direct your steps, strengthen your hearts, and +enable you and me to glorify our Holy Head in doing and suffering +even unto the end; and when the end comes, through a Saviour's love +and merits, may we be received into glory and everlasting rest and +peace.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In the spring of 1845 she paid a last visit to Earlham Hall. She had, +with the tenacity of desire peculiar to invalids, longed intensely to +behold again the scenes amid which her youth was spent, and to welcome +once more those familiar faces yet left in the old home. While there she +was several times drawn to the meeting at Norwich, and even spoke on +different occasions with her wonted fire and persuasiveness. It seemed +as if her powerful memory was revived, seeing that the stores of +Scripture which she had made hers were now drawn upon with singular +aptness and felicity. After paying one or two farewell visits to North +Repps and Runcton she returned once more to Upton Lane. Once settled +there, she received many marks of sympathy from the excellent of all +denominations, as well as from the noble and rich. The Duchess of +Sutherland and her daughters, the Chevalier de Bunsen, and others who +had heard of or known her, called upon her with every token of +respectful affection; while, on her part, she spoke and acted as if in +the very light of Eternity. So anxious, indeed, was she still to do what +she conceived to be her Master's work, that she made prodigious efforts +to attend meetings connected with the Society of Friends and with her +own special prison work. Thus she was present at two of the yearly +meetings for Friends in London in May, and on June 3d attended the +annual meeting at the British Ladies' Society. This meeting was removed +from the usual place at Westminster to the Friends' meeting-house at +Plaistow, in deference to Mrs. Fry's infirm health and visibly-declining +strength. In a report issued by this society, some four or five weeks +after Mrs. Fry's death, the committee paid a fitting tribute to her +labors with them, and the sacred preëminence she had won in the course +of those labors. In the memorial they referred to this meeting in the +following terms:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>Contrary to usual custom, the place of meeting fixed on was not in +London, but at Plaistow, in Essex, and the large number of friends +who gathered around her on that occasion, proved how gladly they +came to her when she could no longer, with ease, be conveyed to +them. The enfeebled state of her bodily frame seemed to have left +the powers of her mind unshackled, and she took, though in a +sitting posture, almost her usual part in repeatedly addressing the +meeting. She urged, with increased pathos and affection, the +objects of philanthropy and Christian benevolence with which her +life had been identified. After the meeting, and at her own desire, +several members of the committee, and other friends, assembled at +her house. They were welcomed by her with the greatest benignity +and kindness, and in her intercourse with them, strong were the +indications of the heavenly teaching through which her subdued and +sanctified spirit had been called to pass. Her affectionate +salutation in parting, unconsciously closed, in regard to most of +them, the intercourse which they delighted to hold with her, but +which can be no more renewed on this side of the eternal world.</p></blockquote> + +<p>At this time Mrs. Fry found intense satisfaction in learning that the +London prisons—Newgate, Bridewell, Millbank, Giltspur Street, Compter, +Whitecross Street, Tothill Fields, and Coldbath Fields—were all in more +or less excellent order, and regularly visited by the ladies who had +been her coadjutors, and were to be her successors.</p> + +<p>A few weeks later she was taken to Ramsgate, in the hope that the +sea-air would restore her strength for a little time; and while there +her old interest in the Coastguard Libraries returned, fresh and lively +as ever. It was, indeed, a proof of the ruling passion being strong in +almost dying circumstances. She attended meeting whenever possible, +obtained a grant of Bibles and Testaments from the Bible Society, +arranged, sorted, and distributed them among the sailors in the harbor, +with the help of her grandchildren, and manifested, by her daily +deportment, how fully she had learned the hard lesson of submission and +patience in suffering.</p> + +<p>A few days before the end, pressure of the brain became apparent; severe +pain, succeeded by torpor and loss of power, and, after a short time, +utter unconsciousness, proved that the sands of life had nearly run +down. A few hours of spasmodic suffering followed, very trying to those +who watched by; but suddenly, about four on the morning of October 13th, +1845, the silver cord was loosed, the pitcher broken at the fountain, +and the spirit returned to God who gave it.</p> + +<p>In a quiet grave at Barking, by the side of the little child whom she +had loved and lost, years before, rest Elizabeth Fry's mortal remains. +"God buries His workers, but carries on His work." The peculiar work +which made her name and life so famous has grown and ripened right up to +the present hour. In this, "her name liveth for evermore."</p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>FINIS.</h3> + + +<p>Since the days when John Howard, Elizabeth Fry and other prison +reformers first commenced to grapple with the great problems of how to +treat criminals, many, animated by the purest motives, have followed in +the same path. To Captain Maconochie, perhaps, is due the system of +rewards awarded to convicts who manifest a desire to amend, and show by +their exemplary conduct that they are anxious to regain once more a fair +position in society. Some anonymous writers have recently treated the +public to books bearing on the convict system of our country; and +professedly written, as they are, by men who have endured longer or +shorter periods of penal servitude, their opinions and suggestions +certainly count for something. The author of <i>Five Years' Penal +Servitude</i> seems to entertain very decided opinions upon the present +system and its faults. He speaks strongly against <i>long</i> sentences for +first offences, but urges that they should be made more severe. He +thinks that short sentences, made as severe as possible, consistent with +safety to life, would act as a deterrent more effectually than the long +punishments, which are, to a certain degree, mild to all well-conducted +prisoners. He also most strongly advocates separation of prisoners; +insisting that "the mixing of prisoners together is radically bad, and +should at all costs be done away with. Men who are imprisoned for first +offences, whether it be in a county jail or a convict prison, should +most certainly be kept perfectly distinct from 'second-timers,' and not +on any account be brought into contact with old offenders, who, in too +many cases, simply complete their education in vice." He further states, +in a concise form, what, in his estimation, should be the aim of all +penal measures. 1st. The punishment of those who have transgressed the +laws of the country, and the deterring others from crime; 2d. The +getting rid of the troublesome and criminal class of the population; 3d. +The doing of this in the most efficient and least costly way to the +tax-paying British public. He even quotes the opinion that New Guinea +would be suitable as a place of disposal for the convict class. But many +and good reasons have been given against shipping off criminals to be +pests to other people; this system has been already tried, and failed to +a large extent, although it certainly had redeeming features. Looking +at the matter all round, it seems utterly impossible to devise a convict +system which shall meet fairly and justly all cases. Could some system +be set in operation which should afford opportunity for the thoughtless +and unwary criminal, who has heedlessly fallen into temptation, to +retrace his steps and attain once more the height whence he has fallen, +it would be a boon to society. On the other hand, the members of the +really criminal class only anticipate liberty in order to use it for +fresh crime, for, in their opinion, the shame lies in detection, not in +sinning. What can be done with such but to deal stringently with them as +with enemies against society? This writer can fully bear out Mrs. Fry's +emphatic recommendations as to the imperative necessity that exists for +complete separation and classification of the prisoners, in all our +penal establishments. Association of the prisoners, one with another, +only carries on and completes their criminal and vicious education.</p> + +<p>There is, however, a general <i>consensus</i> of opinion as to the +desirability of reformatory, rather than punitive measures, being dealt +out to children and very young persons. This system has, in almost every +case, been found to work well. The authors of <i>The Jail Cradle, Who +Rocks It?</i> and <i>In Prison and Out</i>, have dealt with the problem of +juvenile crime—and not in vain. From the latter work, the following +paragraph proves that in this matter, as in many others, Germany is +abreast of the age:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>In Germany, no child under twelve years of age can suffer a penal +sentence. Between twelve and eighteen years of age, youthful +criminals are free to declare whether, while committing the +offense, they were fully aware of their culpability against the +laws of their country. In every case, every term of imprisonment +above one month is carried out, not in a jail, but in an +institution specially set apart and adapted for old offenders. +These institutions serve not only for the purpose of punishment, +but also provide for the education of the prisoners, <i>the neglect +of education being recognized as one of the chief sources of +crime</i>.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Fry dealt with women principally, and it was only in a very limited +degree that she could benefit the children of these fallen ones. Still +there can be no doubt that she did a large service to society in taking +possession of them and educating them while with their mothers. What +that work involved has been fully told in the preceding pages; its +results no pen can compute. Woman-like, she aimed at the improvement of +her own sex; but the reform which she inaugurated did not stop there. +Like a circle caused by the descent of a pebble into a lake, it widened +and extended and spread until she and her work became household words +among all classes of society, and in all civilized countries. Most women +would have shrunk back appalled at the terrible scene of degradation +which Newgate presented when she first entered its wards as a visitor; +others would have deemed it impossible to accomplish anything, save +under the auspices of Government, and by the aid of public funds. Not +thus did she regard the matter, but with earnest, oft-repeated +endeavors, she set herself to stem the tide of sin and suffering to be +found at that period in Government jails, and so successfully that a +radical change passed over the whole system before she died. Probably it +is not too much to say that no laborer in the cause of prison reform +ever won a larger share of success. Certainly none ever received a +larger meed of reverential love.</p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2><i>Messrs. Roberts Brothers' Publications.</i></h2> + +<h3>FAMOUS WOMEN SERIES.</h3> + +<h2>EMILY BRONTË.</h2> + +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">By</span> A. MARY F. ROBINSON.</p> + +<p class='center'><b>One vol. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00.</b></p> + + +<blockquote><p>"Miss Robinson has written a fascinating biography.... Emily Brontë +is interesting, not because she wrote 'Wuthering Heights,' but +because of her brave, baffled, human life, so lonely, so full of +pain, but with a great hope shining beyond all the darkness, and a +passionate defiance in bearing more than the burdens that were laid +upon her. The story of the three sisters is infinitely sad, but it +is the ennobling sadness that belongs to large natures cramped and +striving for freedom to heroic, almost desperate, work, with little +or no result. The author of this intensely interesting, +sympathetic, and eloquent biography, is a young lady and a poet, to +whom a place is given in a recent anthology of living English +poets, which is supposed to contain only the best poems of the best +writers."—<i>Boston Daily Advertiser.</i></p> + +<p>"Miss Robinson had many excellent qualifications for the task she +has performed in this little volume, among which may be named, an +enthusiastic interest in her subject and a real sympathy with Emily +Brontë's sad and heroic life. 'To represent her as she was,' says +Miss Robinson, 'would be her noblest and most fitting monument.'... +Emily Brontë here becomes well known to us and, in one sense, this +should be praise enough for any biography."—<i>New York Times.</i></p> + +<p>"The biographer who finds such material before him as the lives and +characters of the Brontë family need have no anxiety as to the +interest of his work. Characters not only strong but so uniquely +strong, genius so supreme, misfortunes so overwhelming, set in its +scenery so forlornly picturesque, could not fail to attract all +readers, if told even in the most prosaic language. When we add to +this, that Miss Robinson has told their story <i>not</i> in prosaic +language, but with a literary style exhibiting all the qualities +essential to good biography, our readers will understand that this +life of Emily Brontë is not only as interesting as a novel, but a +great deal more interesting than most novels. As it presents most +vividly a general picture of the family, there seems hardly a +reason for giving it Emily's name alone, except perhaps for the +masterly chapters on 'Wuthering Heights,' which the reader will +find a grateful condensation of the best in that powerful but +somewhat forbidding story. We know of no point in the Brontë +history—their genius, their surroundings, their faults, their +happiness, their misery, their love and friendships, their +peculiarities, their power, their gentleness, their patience, their +pride,—which Miss Robinson has not touched upon with +conscientiousness and sympathy."—<i>The Critic.</i></p> + +<p>"'Emily Brontë' is the second of the 'Famous Women Series,' which +Roberts Brothers, Boston, propose to publish, and of which 'George +Eliot' was the initial volume. Not the least remarkable of a very +remarkable family, the personage whose life is here written, +possesses a peculiar interest to all who are at all familiar with +the sad and singular history of herself and her sister Charlotte. +That the author, Miss A. Mary F. Robinson, has done her work with +minute fidelity to facts as well as affectionate devotion to the +subject of her sketch, is plainly to be seen all through the +book."—<i>Washington Post.</i></p></blockquote> + + + +<hr /> +<h3>Famous Women Series.</h3> + +<h2>MARGARET FULLER.</h2> + +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">By</span> JULIA WARD HOWE.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"A memoir of the woman who first in New England took a position of +moral and intellectual leadership, by the woman who wrote the +Battle Hymn of the Republic, is a literary event of no common or +transient interest. The Famous Women Series will have no worthier +subject and no more illustrious biographer. Nor will the reader be +disappointed,—for the narrative is deeply interesting and full of +inspiration."—<i>Woman's Journal.</i></p> + +<p>"Mrs. Julia Ward Howe's biography of <i>Margaret Fuller</i>, in the +Famous Women Series of Messrs. Roberts Brothers, is a work which +has been looked for with curiosity. It will not disappoint +expectation. She has made a brilliant and an interesting book. Her +study of Margaret Fuller's character is thoroughly sympathetic; her +relation of her life is done in a graphic and at times a +fascinating manner. It is the case of one woman of strong +individuality depicting the points which made another one of the +most marked characters of her day. It is always agreeable to follow +Mrs. Howe in this; for while we see marks of her own mind +constantly, there is no inartistic protrusion of her personality. +The book is always readable, and the relation of the death-scene is +thrillingly impressive."—<i>Saturday Gazette.</i></p> + +<p>"Mrs. Julia Ward Howe has retold the story of Margaret Fuller's +life and career in a very interesting manner. This remarkable woman +was happy in having James Freeman Clarke, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and +William Henry Channing, all of whom had been intimate with her and +had felt the spell of her extraordinary personal influence, for her +biographers. It is needless to say, of course, that nothing could +be better than these reminiscences in their way."—<i>New York +World.</i></p> + +<p>"The selection of Mrs. Howe as the writer of this biography was a +happy thought on the part of the editor of the series; for, aside +from the natural appreciation she would have for Margaret Fuller, +comes her knowledge of all the influences that had their effect on +Margaret Fuller's life. She tells the story of Margaret Fuller's +interesting life from all sources and from her own knowledge, not +hesitating to use plenty of quotations when she felt that others, +or even Margaret Fuller herself, had done the work better."—<i>Miss +Gilder, in Philadelphia Press.</i></p></blockquote> + + + +<hr /> +<h3>Famous Women Series.</h3> + +<h2>MARIA EDGEWORTH.</h2> + +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">By</span> HELEN ZIMMERN.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"This little volume shows good literary workmanship. It does not +weary the reader with vague theories; nor does it give over much +expression to the enthusiasm—not to say baseless encomium—for +which too many female biographers have accustomed us to look. It is +a simple and discriminative sketch of one of the most clever and +lovable of the class at whom Carlyle sneered as 'scribbling +women.'... Of Maria Edgeworth, the woman, one cannot easily say too +much in praise. That home life, so loving, so wise, and so helpful, +was beautiful to its end. Miss Zimmern has treated it with delicate +appreciation. Her book is refined in conception and tasteful in +execution,—all, in short, the cynic might say, that we expect a +woman's book to be."—<i>New York Tribune.</i></p> + +<p>"It was high time that we should possess an adequate biography of +this ornament and general benefactor of her time. And so we hail +with uncommon pleasure the volume just published in the Roberts +Brothers' series of Famous Women, of which it is the sixth. We have +only words of praise for the manner in which Miss Zimmern has +written her life of Maria Edgeworth. It exhibits sound judgment, +critical analysis, and clear characterization.... The style of the +volume is pure, limpid, and strong, as we might expect from a +well-trained English writer."—<i>Margaret J. Preston, in the Home +Journal.</i></p> + +<p>"We can heartily recommend this life of Maria Edgeworth, not only +because it is singularly readable in itself, but because it makes +familiar to readers of the present age a notable figure in English +literary history, with whose lineaments we suspect most readers, +especially of the present generation, are less familiar than they +ought to be."—<i>Eclectic.</i></p> + +<p>"This biography contains several letters and papers by Miss +Edgeworth that have not before been made public, notably some +charming letters written during the latter part of her life to Dr. +Holland and Mr. and Mrs. Ticknor. The author had access to a life +of Miss Edgeworth written by her step-mother, as well as to a large +collection of her private letters, and has therefore been able to +bring forward many facts in her life which have not been noted by +other writers. The book is written in a pleasant vein, and is +altogether a delightful one to read."—<i>Utica Herald.</i></p></blockquote> + + + +<hr /> +<h3>FAMOUS WOMEN SERIES.</h3> + +<h2>GEORGE SAND.</h2> + +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">By</span> BERTHA THOMAS.</p> + +<p class='center'>One volume. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Miss Thomas has accomplished a difficult task with as much good +sense as good feeling. She presents the main facts of George Sand's +life, extenuating nothing, and setting naught down in malice, but +wisely leaving her readers to form their own conclusions. Everybody +knows that it was not such a life as the women of England and +America are accustomed to live, and as the worst of men are glad to +have them live.... Whatever may be said against it, its result on +George Sand was not what it would have been upon an English or +American woman of genius."—<i>New York Mail and Express.</i></p> + +<p>"This is a volume of the 'Famous Women Series,' which was begun so +well with George Eliot and Emily Brontë. The book is a review and +critical analysis of George Sand's life and work, by no means a +detailed biography. Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, the maiden, or +Mme. Dudevant, the married woman, is forgotten in the renown of the +pseudonym George Sand.</p> + +<p>"Altogether, George Sand, with all her excesses and defects, is a +representative woman, one of the names of the nineteenth century. +She was great among the greatest, the friend and compeer of the +finest intellects, and Miss Thomas's essay will be a useful and +agreeable introduction to a more extended study of her life and +works."—<i>Knickerbocker.</i></p> + +<p>"The biography of this famous woman, by Miss Thomas, is the only +one in existence. Those who have awaited it with pleasurable +anticipation, but with some trepidation as to the treatment of the +erratic side of her character, cannot fail to be pleased with the +skill by which it is done. It is the best production on George Sand +that has yet been published. The author modestly refers to it as a +sketch, which it undoubtedly is, but a sketch that gives a just and +discriminating analysis of George Sand's life, tastes, occupations, +and of the motives and impulses which prompted her unconventional +actions, that were misunderstood by a narrow public. The +difficulties encountered by the writer in describing this +remarkable character are shown in the first line of the opening +chapter, which says, 'In naming George Sand we name something more +exceptional than even a great genius.' That tells the whole story. +Misconstruction, condemnation, and isolation are the penalties +enforced upon the great leaders in the realm of advanced thought, +by the bigoted people of their time. The thinkers soar beyond the +common herd, whose soul-wings are not strong enough to fly aloft to +clearer atmospheres, and consequently they censure or ridicule what +they are powerless to reach. George Sand, even to a greater extent +than her contemporary, George Eliot, was a victim to ignorant +social prejudices, but even the conservative world was forced to +recognize the matchless genius of these two extraordinary women, +each widely different in her character and method of thought and +writing.... She has told much that is good which has been untold, +and just what will interest the reader, and no more, in the same +easy, entertaining style that characterizes all of these +unpretentious biographies."—<i>Hartford Times.</i></p></blockquote> + + + +<hr /> +<h3>Famous Women Series.</h3> + +<h2>GEORGE ELIOT.</h2> + +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">By</span> MATHILDE BLIND.</p> + +<p class='center'>One vol. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Messrs. Roberts Brothers begin a series of Biographies of Famous +Women with a life of George Eliot, by Mathilde Blind. The idea of +the series is an excellent one, and the reputation of its +publishers is a guarantee for its adequate execution. This book +contains about three hundred pages in open type, and not only +collects and condenses the main facts that are known in regard to +the history of George Eliot, but supplies other material from +personal research. It is agreeably written, and with a good idea of +proportion in a memoir of its size. The critical study of its +subject's works, which is made in the order of their appearance, is +particularly well done. In fact, good taste and good judgment +pervade the memoir throughout."—<i>Saturday Evening Gazette.</i></p> + +<p>"Miss Blind's little book is written with admirable good taste and +judgment, and with notable self-restraint. It does not weary the +reader with critical discursiveness, nor with attempts to search +out high-flown meanings and recondite oracles in the plain 'yea' +and 'nay' of life. It is a graceful and unpretentious little +biography, and tells all that need be told concerning one of the +greatest writers of the time. It is a deeply interesting if not +fascinating woman whom Miss Blind presents," says the New York +<i>Tribune</i>.</p> + +<p>"Miss Blind's little biographical study of George Eliot is written +with sympathy and good taste, and is very welcome. It gives us a +graphic if not elaborate sketch of the personality and development +of the great novelist, is particularly full and authentic +concerning her earlier years, tells enough of the leading motives +in her work to give the general reader a lucid idea of the true +drift and purpose of her art, and analyzes carefully her various +writings, with no attempt at profound criticism or fine writing, +but with appreciation, insight, and a clear grasp of those +underlying psychological principles which are so closely interwoven +in every production that came from her pen."—<i>Traveller.</i></p> + +<p>"The lives of few great writers have attracted more curiosity and +speculation than that of George Eliot. Had she only lived earlier +in the century she might easily have become the centre of a mythos. +As it is, many of the anecdotes commonly repeated about her are +made up largely of fable. It is, therefore, well, before it is too +late, to reduce the true story of her career to the lowest terms, +and this service has been well done by the author of the present +volume."—<i>Philadelphia Press.</i></p></blockquote> + + + +<hr /> +<h3>FAMOUS WOMEN SERIES.</h3> + +<h2>MARY LAMB.</h2> + +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">By</span> ANNE GILCHRIST.</p> + +<p class='center'><b>One volume. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00.</b></p> + +<blockquote><p>"The story of Mary Lamb has long been familiar to the readers of +Elia, but never in its entirety as in the monograph which Mrs. Anne +Gilchrist has just contributed to the Famous Women Series. Darkly +hinted at by Talfourd in his Final Memorials of Charles Lamb, it +became better known as the years went on and that imperfect work +was followed by fuller and franker biographies,—became so well +known, in fact, that no one could recall the memory of Lamb without +recalling at the same time the memory of his sister."—<i>New York +Mail and Express.</i></p> + +<p>"A biography of Mary Lamb must inevitably be also, almost more, a +biography of Charles Lamb, so completely was the life of the sister +encompassed by that of her brother; and it must be allowed that +Mrs. Anne Gilchrist has performed a difficult biographical task +with taste and ability.... The reader is at least likely to lay +down the book with the feeling that if Mary Lamb is not famous she +certainly deserves to be, and that a debt of gratitude is due Mrs. +Gilchrist for this well-considered record of her life."—<i>Boston +Courier.</i></p> + +<p>"Mary Lamb, who was the embodiment of everything that is tenderest +in woman, combined with this a heroism which bore her on for a +while through the terrors of insanity. Think of a highly +intellectual woman struggling year after year with madness, +triumphant over it for a season, and then at last succumbing to it. +The saddest lines that ever were written are those descriptive of +this brother and sister just before Mary, on some return of +insanity, was to leave Charles Lamb. 'On one occasion Mr. Charles +Lloyd met them slowly pacing together a little foot-path in Hoxton +Fields, both weeping bitterly, and found, on joining them, that +they were taking their solemn way to the accustomed asylum.' What +pathos is there not here?"—<i>New York Times.</i></p> + +<p>"This life was worth writing, for all records of weakness +conquered, of pain patiently borne, of success won from difficulty, +of cheerfulness in sorrow and affliction, make the world better. +Mrs. Gilchrist's biography is unaffected and simple. She has told +the sweet and melancholy story with judicious sympathy, showing +always the light shining through darkness."—<i>Philadelphia Press.</i></p></blockquote> + +<p class='center'><i>Sold by all Booksellers. Mailed, post-paid, on receipt of the price, by +the Publishers,</i></p> + +<p class='center'>ROBERTS BROTHERS, <span class="smcap">Boston</span>.</p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2>MARGARET FULLER'S WORKS AND MEMOIRS.</h2> + +<p>WOMAN IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, and kindred papers relating to the +Sphere, Condition, and Duties of Woman. Edited by her brother, +<span class="smcap">Arthur B. Fuller</span>, with an Introduction by <span class="smcap">Horace +Greeley</span>. In 1 vol. 16mo. $1.50.</p> + +<p>ART, LITERATURE, AND THE DRAMA. 1 vol. 16mo. $1.50.</p> + +<p>LIFE WITHOUT AND LIFE WITHIN; or, Reviews, Narratives, Essays, and +Poems. 1 vol. 16mo. $1.50.</p> + +<p>AT HOME AND ABROAD; or, Things and Thoughts in America and Europe, 1 +vol. 16mo. $1.50.</p> + +<p>MEMOIRS OF MARGARET FULLER OSSOLI. By <span class="smcap">Ralph Waldo Emerson</span>, +<span class="smcap">William Henry Channing</span>, and <span class="smcap">James Freeman Clarke</span>. With +Portrait and Appendix. 2 vols. 16mo. $3.00.</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Margaret Fuller</span> will be remembered as one of the "Great +Conversers," the "Prophet of the Woman Movement" in this country, +and her Memoirs will be read with delight as among the tenderest +specimens of biographical writing in our language. She was never an +extremist. She considered woman neither man's rival nor his foe, +but his complement. As she herself said, she believed that the +development of one could not be affected without that of the other. +Her words, so noble in tone, so moderate in spirit, so eloquent in +utterance, should not be forgotten by her sisters. Horace Greeley, +in his introduction to her "Woman in the Nineteenth Century," says: +"She was one of the earliest, as well as ablest, among American +women to demand for her sex equality before the law with her +titular lord and master. Her writings on this subject have the +force that springs from the ripening of profound reflection into +assured conviction. It is due to her memory, as well as to the +great and living cause of which she was so eminent and so fearless +an advocate, that what she thought and said with regard to the +position of her sex and its limitations should be fully and fairly +placed before the public." No woman who wishes to understand the +full scope of what is called the woman's movement should fail to +read these pages, and see in them how one woman proved her right to +a position in literature hitherto occupied by men, by filling it +nobly.</p> + +<p>The Story of this rich, sad, striving, unsatisfied life, with its +depths of emotion and its surface sparkling and glowing, is told +tenderly and reverently by her biographers. Their praise is eulogy, +and their words often seem extravagant; but they knew her well, +they spoke as they felt. The character that could awaken such +interest and love surely is a rare one.</p> + +<p><img src="images/hand30-14.png" width='30' height='14' alt="pointing hand" /> +The above are uniformly bound in cloth, and sold separately or in sets.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p class='center'>Sold everywhere. Mailed, post-paid, by the Publishers,</p> + +<p class='center'>ROBERTS BROTHERS, <span class="smcap">Boston</span>.</p> + + + +<hr /> +<h3>CHOICE FICTION</h3> + +<p class='center'>FOR</p> + +<h2>SUMMER READING.</h2> + +<p><b>TIP CAT.</b> A Story. By the author of "Miss Toosey's Mission" and +"Laddie." 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p><b>SOME WOMEN'S HEARTS.</b> By <span class="smcap">Louise Chandler Moulton</span>. 16mo. Cloth. +Price, $1.50.</p> + +<p><b>GEORGE SAND'S NOVELS.</b> Mauprat; Antonia; Monsieur Sylvestre; The Snow +Man; The Miller of Angibault; My Sister Jeannie. 16mo. Cloth. Price, +$1.50 each.</p> + +<p><b>FRANCES M. PEARD'S NOVELS.</b> The Rose Garden; Unawares; Thorpe Regis. +16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.50 each.</p> + +<p><b>WENDERHOLME.</b> A Story of Lancashire and Yorkshire. By <span class="smcap">P.G. +Hamerton</span>. 12mo. Cloth. Price, $2.00.</p> + +<p><b>THE THIEF IN THE NIGHT.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harriet Prescott Spofford</span>, author +of "The Amber Gods." 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.25</p> + +<p><b>THE MARQUIS OF CARABAS.</b> A Romance. By <span class="smcap">Harriet Prescott +Spofford</span>. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p><b>WORK.</b> A Story of Experience. By <span class="smcap">Louisa M. Alcott</span>. 16mo. +Cloth. Illustrated. Price, $1.75.</p> + +<p><b>PINK AND WHITE TYRANNY.</b> A Society Novel. By <span class="smcap">Harriet Beecher +Stowe</span>. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</p> + +<p><b>MOONDYNE.</b> A Story of the Under World. By <span class="smcap">John Boyle O'Reilly</span>. +16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p><b>FOR SUMMER AFTERNOONS.</b> By <span class="smcap">Susan Coolidge</span>. 16mo. Cloth. Price, +$1.25.</p> + +<p><b>REALMAH.</b> By <span class="smcap">Arthur Helps</span>. 12mo. Cloth. Price, $2.00.</p> + +<p><b>CASIMIR MAREMMA.</b> By <span class="smcap">Arthur Helps</span>. 12mo. Cloth. Price, $2.00.</p> + +<p><b>PHANTASMION.</b> A Fairy Tale. By <span class="smcap">Sara Coleridge</span>. 12mo. Cloth. +Price, $2.00.</p> + +<p><b>VESTIGIA.</b> By <span class="smcap">George Fleming</span>, author of "Kismet," "Mirage," +"The Head of Medusa." 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.25.</p> + +<p><b>A NEWPORT AQUARELLE.</b> 12mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p><b>THE USURPER.</b> An Episode in Japanese History. Translated from the +French of Judith Gautier by <span class="smcap">Abby L. Alger</span>. 12mo. Cloth. Price, +$1.50.</p> + +<p><b>THE SAN ROSARIO RANCH.</b> By <span class="smcap">Maud Howe</span>. 16mo. Cloth. Price, +$1.25.</p> + +<p><b>SUWANEE RIVER STORIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Sherwood Bonner</span>. With illustrations +by F.T. Merrill. 16mo. Cloth. $1.25.</p> + +<p><b>TREASURE ISLAND.</b> By <span class="smcap">Robert Louis Stevenson</span>. With +illustrations by F.T. Merrill. 12mo. Cloth. Price, $1.25.</p> + +<p><b>MOODS.</b> A Novel. By Louisa M. Alcott. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</p> + +<p><b>BY THE TIBER.</b> By the author of "Signer Monaldini's Niece." 16mo. +Cloth. Price, $1.50.</p> + +<p><b>THE HEAD OF MEDUSA.</b> By the author of "Kismet" and "Mirage." 16mo. +Cloth. Price, $1.50.</p> + +<p><b>BLESSED SAINT CERTAINTY.</b> By the author of "His Majesty Myself." 16mo. +Cloth. Price, $1.50.</p> + +<p><b>DOCTOR JACOB.</b> A Novel. By <span class="smcap">Miss M.B. Edwards</span>, 12mo. Cloth. +Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p><b>OFF THE SKELLIGS.</b> By <span class="smcap">Jean Ingelow</span>. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p><b>FATED TO BE FREE.</b> By <span class="smcap">Jean Ingelow</span>. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p><b>SARAH De BERENGER.</b> By <span class="smcap">Jean Ingelow</span>. 16mo. Cloth. Price, +$1.00.</p> + +<p><b>DON JOHN.</b> By <span class="smcap">Jean Ingelow</span>. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p><b>MARGARET.</b> A Tale of the Real and the Ideal, of Blight and Bloom. By +<span class="smcap">Sylvester Judd</span>. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</p> + +<p><b>THE VICAR'S DAUGHTER.</b> By <span class="smcap">George Macdonald</span>. With +illustrations. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</p> + +<p><b>MY MARRIAGE.</b> A Novel. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p><i>Our publications are for sale by all Booksellers, and will be mailed +postpaid, on receipt of price, by the publishers</i>,</p> + +<p class='center'>ROBERTS BROTHERS, <span class="smcap">Boston</span>.</p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2>BOOKS OF TRAVEL.</h2> + +<p>"<i>It is a very good office one man does another, when he tells him the +manner of his being pleased</i>."—<span class="smcap">Sir Richard Steele</span>.</p> + +<p><b>LETTERS HOME.</b> From Colorado, Utah, and California. By <span class="smcap">Caroline H. +Dall</span>: 12mo. $1.50.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"There is a freshness about her Diary that is not often met with in +books of this sort, and a happy regard for the minor details which +give color and character to descriptions of strange life and +scenery," says the N.Y. Tribune.</p></blockquote> + +<p><b>SEVEN SPANISH CITIES, and The Way to Them.</b> By <span class="smcap">E.E. Hale</span>. +16mo. $1.25.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Mr. Hale makes Spain more attractive and more amusing than any +other traveller has done."—<i>Boston Advertiser.</i></p></blockquote> + +<p><b>GONE TO TEXAS; or, The Wonderful Adventures of a Pullman.</b> By <span class="smcap">E.E. +Hale</span>. 16mo. $1.00.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"There are few books of travel which combine, in a romance of true +love, so many touches of the real life of many people, in glimpses +of happy homes, in pictures of scenery and sunset, as the beautiful +panorama unrolled before us from the windows of this Pullman car."</p></blockquote> + +<p><b>AN INLAND VOYAGE.</b> By <span class="smcap">Robert Louis Stevenson</span>. 16mo. $1.00.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Those who have read Mr. Stevenson's delightful 'Travels with a +Donkey,' in which he told the story of a unique trip among the +mountains of Southern France, will gladly welcome this bright +account of a canoe voyage through the canals of Belgium, on the +Sambre, and down the Oise. Unlike Captain Macgregor, of 'Rob Roy' +fame, Mr. Stevenson does not make canoeing itself his main theme, +but delights in charming bits of description that, in their close +attention to picturesque detail, remind one of the work of a +skilled 'genre' painter."—<i>Good Literature.</i></p></blockquote> + +<p><b>TRAVELS WITH A DONKEY IN THE CÉVENNES.</b></p> + +<p>By <span class="smcap">Robert Louis Stevenson</span>. With Frontispiece illustration by +Walter Crane. 16mo. $1.00.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Charming, full of grace and humor and freshness,—such refined +humor it is, too, and so evidently the work of a gentleman. What a +happy knack he has of giving the taste of a landscape, or any +out-door impression, in ten words!"</p></blockquote> + +<p><i>Our publications are sold by all booksellers. Mailed, postpaid, on +receipt of the advertised price.</i></p> + +<p class='center'>ROBERTS BROTHERS, <span class="smcap">Boston</span>.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Elizabeth Fry, by Mrs. E. R. Pitman + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELIZABETH FRY *** + +***** This file should be named 16606-h.htm or 16606-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/0/16606/ + +Produced by Mark C. Orton, Martin Pettit and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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R. Pitman + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Elizabeth Fry + +Author: Mrs. E. R. Pitman + +Release Date: August 27, 2005 [EBook #16606] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELIZABETH FRY *** + + + + +Produced by Mark C. Orton, Martin Pettit and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + ++Famous Women+ + +ELIZABETH FRY. + + + + +_The next volumes in the Famous Women Series +will be:_ + +THE COUNTESS OF ALBANY. By Vernon Lee. +HARRIET MARTINEAU. By Mrs. Fenwick Miller. +MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT. By Elizabeth Robins Pennell. + + +_Already published:_ + +GEORGE ELIOT. By Miss Blind. +EMILY BRONTE. By Miss Robinson. +GEORGE SAND. By Miss Thomas. +MARY LAMB. By Mrs. Gilchrist. +MARGARET FULLER. By Julia Ward Howe. +MARIA EDGEWORTH. By Miss Zimmern. +ELIZABETH FRY. By Mrs. E.R. Pitman. + + + + +[Illustration: Famous Women] + +ELIZABETH FRY. + +BY + +MRS. E.R. PITMAN. + + +BOSTON: +ROBERTS BROTHERS. +1884. + +_Copyright, 1884,_ +BY ROBERTS BROTHERS. + + +UNIVERSITY PRESS: +JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE. + + + + + CONTENTS. + + + CHAPTER I. + PAGE. + LIFE AT EARLHAM, A HUNDRED YEARS AGO. 1 + + CHAPTER II. + + LIFE'S EARNEST PURPOSE. 12 + + CHAPTER III. + + ST. MILDRED'S COURT. 23 + + CHAPTER IV. + + A COUNTRY HOME. 29 + + CHAPTER V. + + BEGINNINGS AT NEWGATE. 39 + + CHAPTER VI. + + NEWGATE HORRORS AND NEWGATE WORKERS. 52 + + CHAPTER VII. + + EVIDENCE BEFORE THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. 75 + + CHAPTER VIII. + + THE GALLOWS AND ENGLISH LAWS. 97 + + CHAPTER IX. + + CONVICT SHIPS AND CONVICT SETTLEMENTS. 112 + + CHAPTER X. + + VISITS TO CONTINENTAL PRISONS. 131 + + CHAPTER XI. + + NEW THEORIES OF PRISON DISCIPLINE AND MANAGEMENT. 153 + + CHAPTER XII. + + MRS. FRY IN DOMESTIC AND RELIGIOUS LIFE. 182 + + CHAPTER XIII. + + COLLATERAL GOOD WORKS. 212 + + CHAPTER XIV. + + EXPANSION OF THE PRISON ENTERPRISE--HONORS. 228 + + CHAPTER XV. + + CLOSING DAYS OF LIFE. 253 + + CHAPTER XVI. + + FINIS. 265 + + + + +ELIZABETH FRY. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +LIFE AT EARLHAM, A HUNDRED YEARS AGO. + + +A hundred years ago, Norwich was a remarkable centre of religious, +social and intellectual life. The presence of officers, quartered with +their troops in the city, and the balls and festivities which attended +the occasional sojourn of Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester, +combined to make the quaint old city very gay; while the pronounced +element of Quakerism and the refining influences of literary society +permeated the generation of that day, and its ordinary life, to an +extent not easily conceived in these days of busy locomotion and +new-world travel. Around the institutions of the established Church had +grown up a people loyal to it, for, as an old cathedral city, the charm +of antiquity attached itself to Norwich; while Mrs. Opie and others +known to literature, exercised an attraction and stimulus in their +circles, consequent upon the possession of high intellectual powers and +good social position. It was in the midst of such surroundings, and with +a mind formed by such influences, that Elizabeth Fry, the prison +philanthropist and Quaker, grew up to young womanhood. + +She was descended from Friends by both parents: her father's family had +been followers of the tenets of George Fox for more than a hundred +years; while her mother was granddaughter of Robert Barclay, the author +of the _Apology for the People called Quakers_. It might be supposed +that a daughter of Quaker families would have been trained in the +strictest adherence to their tenets; but it seems that Mr. and Mrs. John +Gurney, Elizabeth's parents, were not "plain Quakers." In other words, +they were calm, intellectual, benevolent, courteous and popular people; +not so very unlike others, save that they attended "First-day meeting," +but differing from their co-religionists in that they abjured the strict +garb and the "thee" and "thou" of those who followed George Fox to +unfashionable lengths, whilst their children studied music and dancing. +More zealous brethren called the Gurneys "worldly," and shook their +heads over their degenerate conduct; but, all unseen, Mrs. Gurney was +training up her family in ways of usefulness and true wisdom; while +"the fear of the Lord," as the great principle of life and action, was +constantly set before them. With such a mother to mould their infant +minds and direct their childish understandings, there was not much fear +of the younger Gurneys turning out otherwise than well. Those who shook +their heads at the "worldliness" of the Gurneys, little dreamt of the +remarkable lives which were being moulded under the Gurney roof. + +One or two extracts from Mrs. Gurney's diary will afford a fair insight +into her character:-- + + If our piety does not appear adequate to supporting us in the + exigencies of life, and I may add, death, surely our hearts cannot + be sufficiently devoted to it. Books of controversy on religion are + seldom read with profit, not even those in favor of our own + particular tenets. The mind stands less in need of conviction than + conversion. These reflections have led me to decide on what I most + covet for my daughters, as the result of our daily pursuits. As + piety is undoubtedly the shortest and securest way to all moral + rectitude, young women should be virtuous and good on the broad, + firm basis of Christianity; therefore it is not the tenets of any + man or sect whatever that are to be inculcated in preference to + those rigid but divine truths contained in the New Testament. As it + appears to be our reasonable duty to improve our faculties, and by + that means to render ourselves useful, it is necessary and very + agreeable to be well-informed of our own language, and the Latin as + being most permanent, and the French as being the most in general + request. The simple beauties of mathematics appear to be so + excellent an exercise to the understanding, that they ought on no + account to be omitted, and are, perhaps, scarcely less essential + than a competent knowledge of ancient and modern history, geography + and chronology. To which may be added a knowledge of the most + approved branches of natural history, and a capacity of drawing + from nature, in order to promote that knowledge and facilitate the + pursuit of it. As a great portion of a woman's life ought to be + passed in at least regulating the subordinate affairs of a family, + she should work plain work herself, neatly; understand the + cutting-out of linen; also she should not be ignorant of the common + proprieties of a table, or deficient in the economy of any of the + most minute affairs of a family. It should be here observed that + gentleness of manner is indispensably necessary in women, to say + nothing of that polished behavior which adds a charm to every + qualification; to both which, it appears pretty certain, children + may be led without vanity or affectation by amiable and judicious + instruction. + +These observations furnish the key-note to Mrs. Gurney's system of +training, as well as indicate the strong common-sense and high +principles which actuated her. It was small wonder that of her family of +twelve children so many of them should rise up to "call her blessed." +Neither was it any wonder that Elizabeth, "the dove-like Betsy" of her +mother's journal, should idolize that mother with almost passionate +devotion. + +Elizabeth was born on May 21st, 1780, at Norwich; but when she was a +child of six years old, the Gurneys removed to Earlham Hall, a pleasant +ancestral home, about two miles from the city. The family was an old +one, descended from the Norman lords of Gourney-en-brai, in Normandy. +These Norman lords held lands in Norfolk, in the time of William Rufus, +and have had, in one line or another, representatives down to the +present day. Some of them, it is recorded, resided in Somersetshire; +others, the ancestors of Mrs. Fry, dwelt in Norfolk, generation after +generation, perpetuating the family name and renown. One of these +ancestors, John Gurney, embraced the principles of George Fox, and +became one of the first members of the Society of Friends. Thus it came +to pass that Quakerism became familiar to her from early +childhood--indeed, was hereditary in the family. + +Elizabeth tells us that her mother was most dear to her; that she seldom +left her mother's side if she could help it, while she would watch her +slumbers with breathless anxiety, fearing she would never awaken. She +also speaks of suffering much from fear, so that she could not bear to +be left alone in the dark. This nervous susceptibility followed her for +years, although, with a shyness of disposition and reserve which was but +little understood she refrained from telling her fears. She was +considered rather stupid and dull, and, from being continually +described as such, grew neglectful of her studies; while, at the same +time, delicacy of health combined with this natural stupidity to prevent +anything like precocious intelligence. Still, Elizabeth was by no means +deficient in penetration, tact, or common-sense; she possessed +remarkable insight into character, and exercised her privilege of +thinking for herself on most questions. She is described as being a shy, +fair child, possessing a poor opinion of herself, and somewhat given to +contradiction. She says in her early recollections: "I believe I had not +a name only for being obstinate, for my nature had a strong tendency +that way, and I was disposed to a spirit of contradiction, always ready +to see things a little differently from others, and not willing to yield +my sentiments to them." + +These traits developed, in all probability, into those which made her so +famous in after years. Her faculty for independent investigation, her +unswerving loyalty to duty, and her fearless perseverance in works of +benevolence, were all foreshadowed in these early days. Add to these +characteristics, the religious training which Mrs. Gurney gave her +children, the daily reading of the Scriptures, and the quiet ponderings +upon the passages read, and we cannot be surprised that such a character +was built up in that Quaker home. + +At twelve years of age Elizabeth lost her mother, and in consequence +suffered much from lack of wise womanly training. The talents she +possessed ripened and developed, however, until she became remarkable +for originality of thought and action; while the spirit of benevolent +enterprise which distinguished her, led her to seek out modes of +usefulness not usually practiced by girls. Her obstinacy and spirit of +contradiction became in later years gradually merged or transformed into +that decision of character, and lady-like firmness, which were so +needful to her work, so that obstacles became only incentives to +progress, and persecution furnished courage for renewed zeal. Yet all +this was tempered with tender, conscientious heart-searching into both +motives and actions. + +During her "teens" she is described as being tall and slender, +peculiarly graceful in the saddle, and fond of dancing. She possessed a +pleasing countenance and manner, and grew up to enjoy the occasional +parties which she attended with her sisters. Still, from the records of +her journal, we find that at this time neither the grave worship of +Quakerism nor the gayeties of Norwich satisfied her eager spirit. We +find too, how early she kept this journal, and from it we obtain the +truest and most interesting glimpses into her character and feelings. +Thus at seventeen years of age she wrote:-- + + I am seventeen to-day. Am I a happier or a better creature than I + was this day twelvemonths? I know I am happier--I think I am + better. I hope I shall be happier this day year than I am now. I + hope to be quite an altered person; to have more knowledge; to have + my mind in greater order, and my heart too, that wants to be put in + order quite as much.... I have seen several things in myself and + others I never before remarked, but I have not tried to improve + myself--I have given way to my passions, and let them have command + over me, I have known my faults and not corrected them--and now I + am determined I will once more try with redoubled ardor to overcome + my wicked inclinations. I must not flirt; I must not be out of + temper with the children; I must not contradict without a cause; I + must not allow myself to be angry; I must not exaggerate, which I + am inclined to do; I must not give way to luxury; I must not be + idle in mind. I must try to give way to every good feeling, and + overcome every bad. I have lately been too satirical, so as to hurt + sometimes: remember it is always a fault to hurt others. + + I have a cross to-night. I had very much set my mind on going to + the Oratorio. The Prince is to be there, and by all accounts it + will be quite a grand sight, and there will be the finest music; + but if my father does not wish me to go, much as I wish it, I will + give it up with pleasure, if it be in my power, without a + murmur.... I went to the Oratorio. I enjoyed it, but I spoke sadly + at random--what a bad habit! + + There is much difference between being obstinate and steady. If I + am bid to do a thing my spirit revolts; if I am asked to do a + thing, I am willing.... A thought passed my mind that if I had some + religion I should be superior to what I am; it would be a bias to + better actions. I think I am by degrees losing many excellent + qualities. I am more cross, more proud, more vain, more + extravagant. I lay it to my great love of gayety and the world. I + feel, I know I am falling. I do believe if I had a little true + religion I should have a greater support than I have now; but I + have the greatest fear of religion, because I never saw a person + religious who was not enthusiastic. + +It will be seen that Elizabeth at this period enjoyed the musical and +social pleasures of Norwich, while at the same time she had decided +leanings towards the plain, religious customs of the Friends. It is not +wonderful that her heart was in a state of unrest and agitation, that at +times she scarcely knew what she longed for, nor what she desired to +forsake. The society with which she was accustomed to mingle contained +some known in Quaker parlance as "unbelievers"; perhaps in our day they +would be regarded as holding "advanced opinions." One of the most +intimate visitors at Earlham was a gentleman belonging to the Roman +Catholic communion, but his acquaintance seemed rather to be a benefit +than otherwise, for he referred the young Gurneys in all matters of +faith to the "written word" rather than to the opinions of men or books +generally. Another visitor, a lady afterwards known to literature as +Mrs. Schimmelpenninck, was instrumental in leading them to form sound +opinions upon the religious questions of the day. They were thus +preserved from the wave of scepticism which was then sweeping over the +society of that day. + +Judging from her journal of this date, it is not easy to detect much, if +any, promise of the future self-denying philanthropy. She seemed +nervously afraid of "enthusiasm in religion"; even sought to shun +anything which appeared different from the usual modes of action among +the people with whom she mingled. A young girl who confessed that she +had "the greatest fear of religion," because in her judgment and +experience enthusiasm was always allied with religion, was not, one +would suppose, in much danger of becoming remarkable for philanthropy. +True, she was accustomed to doing good among the poor and sick, +according to her opportunities and station; but this was nothing +strange--all the traditions of Quaker life inculcate benevolence and +kindly dealing--what she needed was "_the expulsive power of a new +affection_." This "new affection"--the love of Christ--in its turn +expelled the worldliness and unrest which existed, and gave a tone to +her mental and spiritual nature, which, by steady degrees, lifted her +up, and caused her to forget the syren song of earth. Not all at +once,--in the story of her newborn earnestness we shall find that the +habits and associations of her daily life sometimes acted as drawbacks +to her progress in faith. But the seed having once taken root in that +youthful heart, germinated, developed, and sprang up, to bear a glorious +harvest in the work of reclaiming and uplifting sunken and debased +humanity. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +LIFE'S EARNEST PURPOSE. + + +There was no sharp dividing-line between worldliness and consecration of +life in Elizabeth Gurney's case. The work was very gradually +accomplished; once started into earnest living, she discerned, what was +all unseen before, a path to higher destinies. Standing on the ruins of +her former dead self, she strove to attain to higher things. The +instrument in this change was a travelling Friend from America--William +Savery. + +These travelling Friends are deputed, by the Quarterly Meetings to which +they belong, to visit and minister among their own body. Their +commission is endorsed by the Yearly Meeting of the Ministers and Elders +of the Society, before the Friend can extend the journey beyond his own +country. The objects of these visits are generally relating to +benevolent and philanthropic works, or to the increase of religion among +the members of the Society. Joseph John Gurney himself visited America +and the Continent upon similar missions, and in some of his journeys +was accompanied by his illustrious sister. + +William Savery was expected to address the Meeting of Friends at +Norwich, and most, if not all, of the Gurney family were present. +Elizabeth had been very remiss in her attendance at meeting; any and +every excuse, in addition to her, at times, really delicate health, +served to hinder attendance, until her uncle gently but firmly urged the +duty upon her. Thenceforward she went a little more frequently, but +still was far from being a pattern worshipper; and it will be conceded +that few, save spiritual worshippers, could with profit join in the +grave silence, or enjoy the equally grave utterances of ordinary +meeting. But William Savery was no ordinary man, and the young people at +Earlham prepared to listen to him, in case he "felt moved" to speak, +with no ordinary attention. Giving an account of this visit, Richenda +Gurney admitted that they liked having Yearly Meeting Friends come to +preach, for it produced a little change; from the same vivacious pen we +have an account of that memorable service. Memorable it was, in that it +became the starting-point of a new career to Elizabeth Gurney. + +The seven sisters of the Earlham household all sat together during that +eventful morning, in a row, under the gallery. Elizabeth was restless +as a rule when at meeting, but something in the tone of William Savery's +voice arrested her attention, and before he had proceeded very far she +began to weep. She continued to be agitated until the close of the +meeting, when, making her way to her father, at the men's side of the +house, she requested his permission to dine at her uncle's. William +Savery was a guest there that day, and, although somewhat surprised at +his daughter's desire, Mr. Gurney consented to the request. To the +surprise of all her friends Elizabeth attended meeting again in the +afternoon, and on her return home in the carriage her pent-up feelings +found vent. Describing this scene, Richenda Gurney says: "Betsey sat in +the middle and astonished us all by the great feelings she showed. She +wept most of the way home. The next morning William Savery came to +breakfast, and preached to our dear sister after breakfast, prophesying +of the high and important calling she would be led into. What she went +through in her own mind I cannot say, but the results were most powerful +and most evident. From that day her love of the world and of pleasure +seemed gone." + +Her own account of the impressions made upon her reads just a little +quaintly, possibly because of the unfamiliar Quaker phraseology. +"To-day I have felt that _there is a God!_ I have been devotional, and +my mind has been led away from the follies that it is mostly wrapped up +in. We had much serious conversation; in short, what he said, and what I +felt, was like a refreshing shower falling upon earth that had been +dried for ages. It has not made me unhappy; I have felt ever since +_humble_. I have longed for virtue: I hope to be truly virtuous; to let +sophistry fly from my mind; not to be enthusiastic and foolish but only +to be so far religious as will lead to virtue. There seems nothing so +little understood as religion." + +Good resolutions followed, and determined amendment of life, as far as +she conceived this amendment to be in accordance with the Bible. While +in this awakened state of mind, a journey to London was projected. Mr. +Gurney took her to the metropolis and left her in charge of a +trustworthy attendant, in order that she might make full trial of "the +world" which she would have to renounce so fully if she embraced plain +Quakerism. Among the good resolutions made in view of this journey to +London, we find that she determined not to be vain or silly, to be +independent of the opinion of others, not to make dress a study, and to +read the Bible at all available opportunities. It was perhaps wise in +her father to permit this reasoning, philosophical daughter of his to +see the gayeties of London life before coming to a final decision +respecting taking up the cross of plain Quakerism; but had her mind been +less finely balanced, her judgment less trained, and her principles less +formed, the result might have been disastrous. + +She went, and mingled somewhat freely with the popular life of the great +city. She was taken to Drury Lane, the Covent Garden theatres, and to +other places of amusement, but she could not "like plays." She saw some +good actors; witnessed "Hamlet," "Bluebeard," and other dramas, but +confesses that she "cannot like or enjoy them"; they seemed "so +artificial." Then she somewhat oddly says that when her hair was dressed +"she felt like a monkey," and finally concluded that "London was not the +place for heartful pleasure." With her natural, sound common sense, her +discernment, her intelligence and purity of mind, these amusements +seemed far below the level of those fitted to satisfy a rational +being--so far that she almost looked down on them with contempt. The +truth was, that having tasted a little of the purer joy of religion, all +other substitutes were stale and flat, and this although she scarcely +knew enough of the matter to be able correctly to analyze her own +feelings. + +Among the persons Elizabeth encountered in the metropolis, are found +mentioned Amelia Opie, Mrs. Siddons, Mrs. Inchbold, "Peter Pindar," and +last, but by no means least, the Prince of Wales. Not that she really +talked with royalty, but she saw the Prince at the opera; and she tells +us that she admired him very much. Indeed, she did not mind owning that +she loved grand company, and she certainly enjoyed clever company, for +she much relished and appreciated the society of both Mrs. Opie and Mrs. +Inchbald. This predilection for high circles and illustrious people was +afterwards to bear noble fruit, seeing that she preached often to +crowned heads, and princes. But just then she had little idea of the +wonderful future which awaited her. She was only trying the experiment +as to whether the world, or Christ, were the better master. Deliberately +she examined and proved the truth, and with equal deliberation she came +to the decision--a decision most remarkable in a girl so young, and so +dangerously situated. + +Her own review of this period of her life, written thirty years later, +sums up the matter more forcibly and calmly than any utterance of a +biographer can do. She wrote:-- + + Here ended this important and interesting visit to London, where I + learned much, and had much to digest. I saw and entered many + scenes of gaiety, many of our first public places, attended balls + and other places of amusement. I saw many interesting characters in + the world, some of considerable eminence in that day. I was also + cast among the great variety of persons of different descriptions. + I had the high advantage of attending several most interesting + meetings of William Savery, and having at times his company and + that of a few other friends. It was like the casting die of my + life, however. I believe it was in the ordering of Providence for + me, and that the lessons then learnt are to this day valuable to + me. I consider one of the important results was the conviction of + those things being wrong, from seeing them and feeling their + effects. I wholly gave up, on my own ground, attending all public + places of amusement. I saw they tended to promote evil; therefore, + even if I could attend them without being hurt myself, I felt in + entering them I lent my aid to promote that which I was sure, from + what I saw, hurt others, led them from the paths of rectitude, and + brought them into much sin. I felt the vanity and folly of what are + called the pleasures of this life, of which the tendency is not to + satisfy, but eventually to enervate and injure the mind. Those only + are real pleasures which are of an innocent nature, and are used as + recreations, subjected to the Cross of Christ. I was in my judgment + much confirmed in the infinite importance of religion as the only + real stay, guide, help, comfort in this life, and the only means of + having a hope of partaking of a better. My understanding was + increasingly opened to receive its truths, although the glad + tidings of the Gospel were very little, if at all, understood by + me. I was like the blind man, although I could hardly be said to + have attained the state of seeing men as trees. I obtained in this + expedition a valuable knowledge of human nature from the variety I + met with; this, I think, was useful to me, though some were very + dangerous associates for so young a person, and the way in which I + was protected among them is in my remembrance very striking, and + leads me to acknowledge that at this most critical period of my + life the tender mercy of my God was marvelously displayed towards + me, and that His all-powerful--though to me then almost unseen and + unknown--hand held me up and protected me. + +Self-abnegation and austerity were now to take the place of pleasant +frivolities and fashionable amusements. Her conviction was that her mind +required the ties and bonds of Quakerism to fit it for immortality. Not +that she, in any way, trusted in her own righteousness; for she gives it +as her opinion that, while principles of one's own making are useless in +the elevation and refinement of character, true religion, on the +contrary, does exalt and purify the character. Still the struggle was +not over. Long and bitter as it had been, it became still more bitter; +and the nightly recurrence of a dream at this period will serve to show +how agitated was her mental and spiritual nature. Just emancipated from +sceptical principles, accustomed to independent research, and deciding +to study the New Testament rather than good books, when on the +border-land of indecision and gloomy doubt, yet not wholly convinced or +comforted, her sleeping hours reflected the bitter, restless doubt of +her waking thoughts. A curious dream followed her almost nightly, and +filled her with terror. She imagined herself to be in danger of being +washed away by the sea, and as the waves approached her, she experienced +all the horror of being drowned. But after she came to the deciding +point, or, as she expressed it, "felt that she had really and truly got +real faith," she was lifted up in her dream above the waves. Secure upon +a rock, above their reach, she watched the water as it tossed and +roared, but powerless to hurt her. The dream no more recurred; the +struggle was ended, and thankful calm became her portion. She accepted +this dream as a lesson that she should not be drowned in the ocean of +this world, but should mount above its influence, and remain a faithful +and steady servant of God. + +Elizabeth's mind turned towards the strict practices of the Friends, as +being those most likely to be helpful to her newly-adopted life. A visit +paid to some members of the Society at Colebrook Dale, intensified and +confirmed those feelings. She says in her journal that it was a dreadful +cross to say "thee," and "thou," instead of speaking like other people, +and also to adopt the close cap and plain kerchief of the Quakeress; +but, in her opinion, it had to be done, or she could not fully renounce +the world and serve God. Neither could she hope for thorough +appreciation of these things in her beloved home-circle. To be a "plain +Quaker," she must in many things be far in advance of father, sisters, +and brothers; while in others she must tacitly condemn them. But she was +equal to the demand; she counted the cost, and accepted the +difficulties. At this time she was about nineteen years of age. + +As a beginning, she left off many pleasures such as might have +reasonably been considered innocent. For instance, she abandoned her +"scarlet riding-habit," she laid aside all personal ornament, and +occupied her leisure time in teaching poor children. She commenced a +small school for the benefit of the poor children of the city, and in a +short time had as many as seventy scholars under her care. How she +managed to control and keep quiet so many unruly specimens of humanity, +was a standing problem to all who knew her; but it seems not unlikely +that those qualities of organization and method which afterwards +distinguished her were being trained and developed. Added to these, must +be taken into account the power which a strong will always has over +weaker minds--an important factor in the matter. Still more must be +taken into account the strong, earnest longing of an enthusiastic young +soul to benefit those who were living around her. Earnest souls make +history. History has great things to tell of men and women of faith; and +Elizabeth Gurney's life-work colored the history of that age. A brief +sentence from her journal at this time explains the attitude of her mind +towards the outcast, poor, and neglected: "I don't remember ever being +at any time with one who was not extremely disgusting, but I felt a sort +of love for them, and I do hope I would sacrifice my life for the good +of mankind." Very evidently, William Savery's prophesy was coming to +pass in the determination of the young Quakeress to do good in her +generation. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +ST. MILDRED'S COURT. + + +After a visit in the north of England with her father and sisters, +Elizabeth received proposals of marriage from Mr. Joseph Fry of London. +His family, also Quakers, were wealthy and of good position; but for +some time Elizabeth seemed to hesitate about entering on married life. +Far from looking on marriage as the goal of her ambition, as is the +fashion with many young women, she was divided in her mind as to the +relative advantages of single and married life, as they might affect +philanthropic and religious work. After consultation with her friends, +however, the offer was accepted, and on August 19th, 1800, when she was +little more than twenty years of age, she was married to Mr. Fry, in the +Friends' Meeting House, at Norwich. Very quickly after bidding her +school-children farewell, Mrs. Fry proceeded to St. Mildred's Court, +London, her husband's place of business, where she commenced to take up +the first duties of wedded life, and where several of her children were +born. + +The family into which she married was a Quaker family of the strictest +order. So far from being singular by her orthodoxy of manners and +appearance, she was, in the midst of the Frys, "the gay, instead of the +plain and scrupulous one of the family." For a little time she +experienced some difficulty in reconciling her accustomed habits with +the straight tenets of her husband's household and connections, but in +the end succeeded. It seems singular that one so extremely conscientious +as Elizabeth Fry, should have been considered to fall behindhand in that +self-denying plainness of act and speech which characterized others; but +so it was. And so determined was she to serve God according to her +light, that no mortification of the flesh was counted too severe +provided it would further the great end she had in view. Her extreme +conscientiousness became manifest in lesser things; such, for instance, +as anxiety to keep the strict truth, and that only, in all kinds of +conversation. + +Thus, she wrote in her journal:-- + + I was told by ---- he thought my manners had too much of the + courtier in them, which I know to be the case, for my disposition + leads me to hurt no one that I can avoid, and I do sometimes but + just keep to the truth with people, from a natural yielding to them + in such things as please them. I think doing so in moderation is + pleasant and useful in society. It is among the things that + produce the harmony of society; for the truth must not be spoken + out at all times, at least not the whole truth. Perhaps I am + wrong--I do not know if I am--but it will not always do to tell our + minds.... I am one of those who try to serve God and Mammon. Now, + for instance, if I wish to say anything I think right to anyone, I + seldom go straight to the point, but mostly by some softening, + round-about way, which, I fear, is very much from wishing to please + man more than his Maker! + +It is evident that Elizabeth Fry dared to be singular; very possibly +only such self-renouncing singularity could have borne such remarkable +fruits of philanthropy. It required some such independent, philosophical +character as hers to strike out a new path for charitable effort. + +During the continuance of the Yearly Meeting in London, the home in St. +Mildred's Court was made a house of entertainment for the Friends who +came from all parts of the country. It was a curious sight to see the +older Friends, clad in the quaint costume of that age, as they mingled +with the more fashionably or moderately dressed Quakers. The sightseers +of London eighty years ago must have looked on amused at what they +considered the vagaries of those worthy folks. The old Quaker ladies are +described as wearing at that date a close-fitting white cap, over which +was placed a black hood, and out of doors a low-crowned broad beaver +hat. The gowns were neatly made of drab camlet, the waists cut in long +peaks, and the skirts hanging in ample folds. For many years past these +somewhat antiquated garments have been discarded for sober +"coal-scuttles," and silk dresses of black or gray, much to the +improvement of the fair wearer's appearance. These Friends were +entertained at Mr. Fry's house heartily, and almost religiously. And +doubtless many people who were of the "salt of the earth" were numbered +among Mr. Fry's guests, while his young wife moved among them the +embodiment of refined lady-like hospitality and high principle. +Doubtless, too, the quiet home-talk of these worthy folks was only one +degree less solemn and sedate than their utterances at Yearly Meeting. + +Mrs. Fry followed up her chosen path in ministering to the sick and poor +among the slums of London. She visited them at their homes, and +traversed dirty courts and uninviting alleys in the quest of individuals +needing succor. Sometimes she was made the instrument of blessing; but +at other times, like all philanthropists, she was deceived and imposed +upon. One day a woman accosted her in the street, asking relief, and +holding an infant who was suffering evidently with whooping-cough. Mrs. +Fry offered to go to the woman's house with the intention of +investigating and relieving whatever real misery may have existed. To +her surprise the mendicant slunk away as if unwilling to be visited; but +Mrs. Fry was determined to track her, and at last brought her to earth. +The room--a filthy, dirty, poverty-cursed one--contained a number of +infants in every conceivable stage of illness and misery. +Horror-stricken, Mrs. Fry requested her own medical attendant to visit +this lazar-house; but on going thither next morning he found the woman +and her helpless brood of infants gone. It then turned out that this +woman "farmed" infants; deliberately neglected them till she succeeded +in killing them off, and then concealed their deaths in order to +continue to receive the wretched pittances allowed for their +maintenance. Such scenes and facts as these must have opened the eyes of +Mrs. Fry to the condition of the poorest classes of that day, and +educated her in self-denying labor on their behalf. + +She also took an interest in educational matters, and formed an +acquaintance with Joseph Lancaster, the founder of the Monitorial +system, and quickly turned her talents to account in visiting the +workhouse and school belonging to the Society of Friends at Islington. + +About this time, one sister was married to Mr. Samuel Hoare, and +another to Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton. Other members of her family passed +away from this life; among them her husband's mother, and a brother's +wife. Some time later Mr. Fry senior, died, and this event caused the +removal of the home from St. Mildred's Court to Plashet, in Essex, the +country seat of the family. Writing of this change, she said: "I do not +think I have ever expressed the pleasure and comfort I find in a country +life, both for myself and the dear children. It has frequently led me to +feel grateful for the numerous benefits conferred, and I have also +desired that I may not rest in, nor too much depend on, any of these +outward enjoyments. It is certainly to me a time of sunshine." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +A COUNTRY HOME. + + +The delight expressed in her diary upon her removal to Plashet, found +vent in efforts to beautify the grounds. The garden-nooks and +plantations were filled with wild flowers, gathered by herself and +children in seasons of relaxation, and transferred from the coppices, +hedgerows and meadows, to the grounds, which appeared to her to be only +second in beauty to Earlham. Mrs. Fry was possessed of a keen eye for +Nature's beauties. Quick to perceive, and eager to relish the delights +of the fair world around, she took pleasure in them, finding relaxation +from the many duties which clustered about her in the spot of earth on +which her lot was cast. Her journal tells of trials and burdens, and +sometimes there peeps out a sentence of regret that the ideal which she +had formed of serving God, in the lost years of youth, had been absorbed +in "the duties of a careworn wife and mother." Yet what she fancied she +had lost in this waiting-time had been gained, after all, in +preparation. This quiet, domestic life was not what she had looked +forward to when in the first flush of youthful zeal. Still, she was +thereby trained to deal with the young and helpless, to enter into +sorrows and woes, and to understand and sympathize with quiet suffering. +But the time was coming for more active outward service, and when the +call came Elizabeth Fry was found ready to obey it. + +Towards the end of 1809 her father died, after great suffering; summoned +by one of her sisters, Elizabeth hurried down to Earlham to catch, if +possible, his parting benediction. She succeeded in arriving soon enough +to bear her much-loved parent company during his last few hours of life, +and to hear him express, again and again, his confidence in the Saviour, +who, in death, was all-sufficient for his needs. As he passed away, her +faith and confidence could not forbear expression, and, kneeling at the +bedside, she gave utterance to words of thanksgiving for the safe and +happy ending of a life which had been so dear to her. The truth was, a +burden had been weighing her down for some time past, causing her to +question herself most seriously as to whether she were willing to obey +"the inward voice" which prompted her to serve God in a certain way. +This specific way was the way of preaching in Meeting, or "bearing +testimony," as she phrased it, "at the prompting of the Holy Spirit." It +will be remembered that this is a distinguishing peculiarity of the +society which George Fox founded. Preaching is only permitted upon the +spur of the moment, as people of the world would say, but at the +prompting of the inward voice, as Quakers deem. Certainly no one ever +became a preacher among the Friends "for a piece of bread." If fanatics +sometimes "prophesied" out of the fullness of excited brains, or fervid +souls, no place-hunter adopted the pulpit as a profession. Only, +sometimes, it needs the presence of an overwhelming trial to bring out +the latent strength in a person's nature; and this trial was furnished +to Elizabeth Fry in the shape of her father's death. The thanksgiving +uttered by her at his death was also publicly repeated at the funeral, +probably with additional words, and from that time she was known as a +"minister." + +In taking this new departure she must not be confounded with some female +orators of the present age, who often succeed in turning preaching into +a hideous caricature. She was evidently ripening for her remarkable +work, and while doing so was occasionally irresistibly impelled to give +utterance to "thoughts that breathe and words that burn." Still, after +reaching the quiet of Plashet, and reviewing calmly her new form of +service, she thus wrote, what seemed to be both a sincere and +common-sense judgment upon herself:-- + + I was enabled coming along to crave help; in the first place, to be + made willing either to do or to suffer whatever was the Divine will + concerning me. I also desired that I might not be so occupied with + the present state of my mind as to its religious duties, as in any + degree to omit close attention to all daily duties, my beloved + husband, children, servants, poor, etc. But, if I should be + permitted the humiliating path that has appeared to be opening + before me, to look well at home, and not discredit the cause I + desire to advocate. + +Wise counsels these, to herself! No woman whose judgment is +well-balanced, and whose womanly-nature is finely strung, but will +regard the path to the rostrum with shrinking and dismay. Either the +desire to save and help her fellow-creatures, "plucking them out of the +fire," if need be, is so strong upon her as to overmaster all fear of +man; or else the necessities and claims of near and dear ones lay +compulsion upon her to win support for them. Therefore, while every +woman can be a law unto herself, no woman can be a law unto her sisters +in this matter. As proof of her singleness of heart, another passage may +be quoted from Mrs. Fry's journal. It runs thus, and will be by no +means out of place here, seeing that it bears particularly upon the new +form of ministry then being taken up by her:-- + + May my being led out of my own family by what appears to me + _duties_, never be permitted to hinder my doing my duty fully + towards it, or so occupy my attention as to make me in any degree + forget or neglect home duties. I believe it matters not where we + are, or what we are about, so long as we keep our eye fixed on + doing the Great Master's work.... I fear for myself, lest even this + great mercy should prove a temptation, and lead me to come before I + am called, or enter service I am not prepared for.... This matter + has been for many years struggling in my mind, long before I + married, and once or twice when in London I hardly knew how to + refrain. However, since a way has thus been made for me it appears + as if I dared not stop the work; if it be a right one may it go on + and prosper, if not, the sooner stopped the better. + +Very soon after penning these words, the Meeting of which she was a +member acknowledged Mrs. Fry as a minister, and thus gave its sanction +to her speaking in their religious assemblies. + +But, not content with this form of service, she visited among her poor +neighbors, bent on actively doing good. She secured a large room +belonging to an old house, opposite her own dwelling, and established a +school for girls on the Lancasterian pattern there. Very quickly, under +the united efforts of Mrs. Fry, the incumbent of the parish, and a +benevolent young lady named Powell, a school of seventy girls was +established, and kept in a prosperous condition. This school was still +in working order a few years ago. + +Plashet House was a depot of charity. Calicoes, flannels, jackets, +gowns, and pinafores were kept in piles to clothe the naked; drugs +suited to domestic practice were stored in a closet, for healing the +sick; an amateur soup-kitchen for feeding the hungry was established in +a roomy out-building, and this long years before public soup-kitchens +became the rage; whilst copies of Testaments were forthcoming on all +occasions to teach erring feet the way to Heaven. But her charity did +not stop with these things. + +An unsavory locality known as "Irish Row," about half a mile off, soon +attracted her attention. The slatternliness, suffering, shiftlessness, +dirt and raggedness, were inducements to one of her charitable +temperament to visit its inhabitants, having their relief and +improvement in view; while her appreciation of the warm-heartedness and +drollery of the Irish character afforded her genuine pleasure. Proximity +to English life had not refined these Irish; their houses were just as +filthy, their windows as patched and obscured with rags, their children +just as neglected, and their pigs equally familiar with those children +as if they had lived in the wilds of Connemara. Shillalahs, wakes, +potatoes, and poverty were distinguishing characteristics of the +locality; whilst its inhabitants were equally ready, with the free and +easy volatility of the Irish mind, to raise the jovial song, or utter +the cry of distress. + +The priest and spiritual director of "Irish Row" found himself almost +powerless in the presence of this mass of squalid misery. That Mrs. Fry +was a Quaker and a Protestant, did not matter to him, provided she could +assist in raising this debased little colony into something like orderly +life and decency. So he cooperated with her, and with his consent she +gave away Bibles and tracts, vaccinated and taught the children, as well +as moved among them generally in the character of their good genius. +When delicate and weak, she would take the carriage, filled with +blankets and clothes for distribution, down to Irish Row, where the +warm-hearted recipients blessed their "Lady bountiful" in terms more +voluble and noisy than refined. Still, however unpromising, the soil +bore good fruit. Homes grew more civilized, men, women, and children +more respectable and quiet, while everywhere the impress of a woman's +benevolent labors was apparent. + +It was the annual custom of a tribe of gypsies to pitch their tents in a +green lane near Plashet, on their way to Fairlop Fair. Once, after the +tents were pitched, a child fell ill; the distracted mother applied to +the kind lady at Plashet House for relief. Mrs. Fry acceded to the +request, and not only ministered to the gypsies that season, but every +succeeding year; until she became known and almost worshipped among +them. Romany wanderers and Celtic colonists were alike welcome to her +heart and purse, and vied in praising her. + +About this time the Norwich Auxiliary Bible Society was formed, and Mrs. +Fry went down to Earlham to attend the initial meeting. She tells us +there were present the Bishop of Norwich, six clergymen of the +Established Church, and three dissenting ministers, besides several +leading Quakers and gentlemen of the neighborhood. The number included +Mr. Hughes, one of the secretaries, and Dr. Steinkopf, a Lutheran +minister, who, though as one with the work of the Bible Society, could +not speak English. At some of these meetings she felt prompted to speak, +and did so at a social gathering at Earlham Hall, when all present owned +her remarkable influence upon them. These associations also increased +in her that catholicity of spirit which afterwards seemed so prominent. +Some of her brothers and sisters belonged to the Established Church of +England; while in her walks of mercy she was continually co-operating +with members of other sections of Christians. As we have seen, she +worked harmoniously with all: Catholic and Protestant, Churchman and +Dissenter. + +On looking at her training for her special form of usefulness we find +that afflictions predominated just when her mind was soaring above the +social and conventional trammels which at one time weighed so much with +her. We know her mostly as a prison philanthropist; but while following +her career in that path, it will be wise not to forget the way in which +she was led. By slow and painful degrees she was drawn away from the +circles of fashion in which once her soul delighted. Then her nature +seemed so retiring, and the tone of her piety so mystical, while she +dreaded nervously all approach to "religious enthusiasm," that a career +of publicity, either in prisons, among rulers, or among the ministers of +her own Society, seemed too far away to be ever realized in fact and +deed. Only He, who weighs thoughts and searches out spirits, knew or +understood by what slow degrees she rose to the demands which presented +themselves to her "in the ways of His requirings," even if "they led her +into suffering and death." It was no small cross for such a woman thus +to dare singularity and possibly odium. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +BEGINNINGS IN NEWGATE. + + +It is said by some authorities that in her childhood Mrs. Fry expressed +so great a desire to visit a prison that her father at last took her to +see one. Early in 1813 she first visited Newgate, with the view of +ministering to the necessities of the felons; and for all practical +purposes of charity this was really her initial step. The following +entry in her journal relates to a visit paid in February of that year. +"Yesterday we were some hours with the poor female felons, attending to +their outward necessities; we had been twice previously. Before we went +away dear Anna Buxton uttered a few words of supplication, and, very +unexpectedly to myself, I did also. I heard weeping, and I thought they +appeared much tendered (_i.e._ softened); a very solemn quiet was +observed; it was a striking scene, the poor people on their knees around +us in their deplorable condition." This reference makes no mention of +what was really the truth, that some members of the Society of Friends, +who had visited Newgate in January, had so represented the condition of +the prisoners to Mrs. Fry that she determined to set out in this new +path. "In prison, and ye visited me." Little did she dream on what a +distinguished career of philanthropy she was entering. + +And Newgate needed some apostle of mercy to reduce the sum of human +misery found there, to something like endurable proportions. We are told +that at that date all the female prisoners were confined in what was +afterwards known as the "untried side" of the jail, while the larger +portion of the quadrangle was utilized as a state-prison. The women's +division consisted of two wards and two cells, containing a superficial +area of about one hundred and ninety yards. Into these apartments, at +the time of Mrs. Fry's visit, above three hundred women were crammed, +innocent and guilty, tried and untried, misdemeanants, and those who +were soon to pay the penalty of their crimes upon the gallows. Besides +all these were to be found numerous children, the offspring of the +wretched women, learning vice and defilement from the very cradle. The +penal laws were so sanguinary that at the commencement of this century +about three hundred crimes were punishable with death. Some of these +offences were very trivial, such as robbing hen-roosts, writing +threatening letters, and stealing property from the person to the +amount of five shillings. There was always a good crop for the gallows: +hanging went merrily on, from assize town to assize town, until one +wonders whether the people were not gallows-hardened. One old man and +his son performed the duties of warders in this filthy, abominable hole +of "justice." And the ragged, wretched crew bemoaned their wretchedness +in vain, for no helping hand was held out to succor. They were +"destitute of sufficient clothing, for which there was no provision; in +rags and dirt, without bedding, they slept on the floor, the boards of +which were in part raised to supply a sort of pillow. In the same rooms +they lived, cooked, and washed. With the proceeds of their clamorous +begging, when any stranger appeared among them, the prisoners purchased +liquors from a tap in the prison. Spirits were openly drunk, and the ear +was assailed by the most terrible language. Beyond the necessity for +safe custody, there was little restraint upon their communication with +the world without. Although military sentinels were posted on the leads +of the prison, such was the lawlessness prevailing, that Mr. Newman, the +governor, entered this portion of it with reluctance." + +As Mrs. Fry and the "Anna Buxton" referred to,--who was a sister of Sir +Thomas Fowell Buxton,--were about to enter this modern Inferno, the +Governor of Newgate advised the ladies to leave their watches in his +care lest they should be snatched away by the lawless wretches inside. +But no such hesitating, half-hearted, fearful charity was theirs. They +had come to see for themselves the misery which prevailed, and to dare +all risks; and we do not find that either Mrs. Fry or her companion lost +anything in their progress through the women's wards; watches and all +came away safely, a fresh proof of the power of kindness. The +revelations of the terrible woes of felon-life which met Mrs. Fry +stirred up her soul within her. She emphatically "clothed the naked," +for she set her family to work at once making green-baize garments for +this purpose until she had provided for all the most destitute. + +To remedy this state of things appeared like one of the labors of +Hercules. Few were hopeful of the success of her undertaking, while at +times even her undaunted spirit must have doubted. In John Howard's time +the prisons of England had been distinguished for vice, filth, +brutality, and suffering; and although some little improvement had taken +place, it was almost infinitesimal. Old castles, or gate-houses, with +damp, dark dungeons and narrow cells, were utilized for penal purposes. +It was common to see a box fastened up under one of the narrow, +iron-barred windows overlooking the street, with the inscription, "Pity +the poor prisoners," the alms being intended for their relief and +sustenance. Often the jail was upon a bridge at the entrance of a town, +and the damp of the river added to the otherwise unhealthy condition of +the place. Bunyan spoke, not altogether allegorically, but rather +literally, of the foul "den" in which he passed a good twelve years of +his life. Irons and fetters were used to prevent escape, while those who +could not obtain the means of subsistence from their friends, suffered +the horrors of starvation. Over-crowding, disease, riot, and obscenity +united to render these places very Pandemoniums. + +It seemed almost hopeless to deal with ferocious and abandoned women. +One of them was observed, desperate with rage, tearing the caps from the +heads of the other women, and yelling like a savage beast. By so much +nearer as woman is to the angels, must be measured her descent into ruin +when she is degraded. She falls deeper than a man; her degradation is +more complete, her nature more demoralized. Whether Mrs. Fry felt +unequal just then to the task, or whether family affliction pressed too +sorely upon her, we do not know; her journal affords no solution of the +problem, but certain it is that some three years passed by before any +very active steps were taken by her to ameliorate to any decided extent +the misery of the prisoners. + +But the matter seethed in her mind; as she mused upon it, the fire +burned, and the spirit which had to burst its conventional trammels and +"take up the cross" in regard to dress and speech, looked out for other +crosses to carry. Doing good became a passion; want, misery, sin and +sorrow furnished claims upon her which she would neither ignore nor +deny. + +John Howard had grappled with the hydra before her, and finally +succumbed to his exertions. As the period of his labors lay principally +between the years 1774 and 1790, when the evils against which Mrs. Fry +had to contend were intensified and a hundred times blacker, it cannot +do harm to recall the condition of prisons in England during the last +quarter of the eighteenth century; that is, during the girlhood of +Elizabeth Fry. Possibly some echoes of the marvellous exertions of +Howard in prison reform had reached her Earlham home, and produced, +though unconsciously, an interest in the subject which was destined to +bear fruit at a later period. At any rate, the fact cannot be gainsaid +that she followed in his steps, visiting the Continent in the +prosecution of her self-imposed task, and examining into the most +loathsome recesses of prisons, lunatic asylums, and hospitals. + +The penal systems of England had been on their trial; had broken down, +and been found utterly wanting. Modern legislation and philanthropy have +laid it down that _reform_ is the proper end of all punishment; hence +the "silent system," the "separate system," and various employments have +been adopted. Hence, too, arose the framing of a system of education and +instruction under the jail roof, so that on the discharge of prisoners +they might be fitted to earn their own maintenance in that world which +formerly they had cursed with their evil deeds. But it was not so in the +era of John Howard, nor of Elizabeth Fry. Then, justice made short work +with criminals and debtors. The former it hanged in droves, and left the +latter to literally "rot" in prison. Two systems of transportation have +been tried: the one previous to Howard's day succeeded in pouring into +the American plantations the crime and vice of England; whilst the +other, which succeeded him, did the same for Australia. After the breach +between the American colonies and the mother-country, the system of +transportation to the Transatlantic plantations ceased; it was in the +succeeding years that the foul holes called prisons, killed their +thousands, and "jail-fever" its tens of thousands. + +Yet, in spite of hanging felons faster than any other nation in Europe, +in spite of killing them off slowly by the miseries of these holes, +crime multiplied more than ever. Gigantic social corruptions festered in +the midst of the nation, until it seemed as if a war which carried off a +few thousands or tens of thousands of the lower classes, were almost a +blessing. Alongside the horrible evils for which Government was +responsible, grew up multitudes of other evils against which it fought, +or over which it exercised a strong and somewhat tyrannical upper-hand. +In society there was a constant war going on between law and crime. +Extirpation--not reform--was the end aimed at; the prison officials of +that time looked upon a criminal as a helpless wretch, presenting fair +game for plunder, torture and tyranny. The records in Howard's journals, +and the annals of Mrs. Fry's labors, amply enlighten us as to the result +of this state of things. + +In Bedford jail the dungeons for felons were eleven feet below the +ground, always wet and slimy, and upon these floors the inmates had to +sleep. At Nottingham the jail stood on the side of a hill, while the +dungeons were cut in the solid rock; these dungeons could only be +entered after descending more than thirty steps. At Gloucester there was +but one court for all prisoners, and, while fever was decimating them, +only one day-room. At Salisbury the prisoners were chained together at +Christmas time and sent in couples to beg. In some of the jails, open +sewers ran through corridors and cells, so that the poor inmates had to +fight for their lives with the vermin which nourished there. At Ely the +prison was in such a ruinous condition that the criminals could not be +safely kept; the warders, therefore, had had recourse to chains and +fetters to prevent the escape of those committed to their charge. They +chained prisoners on their backs to the floor, and, not content with +this, secured iron collars round their necks as well as placed heavy +bars across their legs. Small fear of the poor wretches running away +after that! At Exeter the county jail was the private property of a +gentleman, John Denny Rolle, who farmed it out to a keeper, and received +an income of twenty pounds per annum for it. Yet why multiply instances! +In all of them, dirt, cruelty, fever, torture and abuses reigned +unchecked. Prisoners had no regular allowance of food, but depended on +their means, family, or charity; the prisons were farmed by their +keepers, some of whom were women, but degraded and cruel; many innocent +prisoners were slowly rotting to death, because of their inability to +pay the heavy fees exacted by their keepers; while the sleeping-rooms +were so crowded at times, that it was impossible for the prisoners to +lie down all together for sheer lack of space. Torture was prohibited by +the law of England, but many inhuman keepers used thumb-screws and iron +caps with obnoxious prisoners, for the amusement of themselves and their +boon companions. Several cases of this kind are recorded. + +So hideous an outcry arose against these horrors, that at last +Parliament interfered, and passed two bills dealing with prisoners and +their treatment. The first of these provided that when a prisoner was +discharged for want of prosecution he should be immediately set free, +without being called upon to defray any fees claimed by the jailer or +sheriff; while the second bill authorized justices of the peace to see +to the maintenance of cleanliness in the prisons. The first set at +liberty hundreds of innocent persons who were still bound because they +could not meet the ruinous fees demanded from them; while the second +undoubtedly saved the lives of hundreds more. These were instalments of +reform. + +Thus it will easily be understood that whatever the condition of +Newgate and other English prisons was, at the date of Mrs. Fry's labors, +they were far better than in previous years. Some attempts had been made +to render these pest-houses less horrible; but for lack of wise, +intelligent management, and occupation for the prisoners, the wards +still presented pictures of Pandemonium. It needed a second reformer to +take up the work where Howard left it, and to labor on behalf of the +convicts; for in too many cases they were looked upon as possessing +neither right nor place on God's earth. In the olden days, some judges +had publicly declared their preference for hanging, because the criminal +would then trouble neither State nor society any further. But in spite +of Tyburn horrors, each week society furnished fresh wretches for the +gallows; whilst those who were in custody were almost regarded as +"fore-doomed and fore-damned." + +During the interval which elapsed between Mrs. Fry's short visits to +Newgate in 1813, and the resumption of those visits in 1817, together +with the inauguration of her special work among the convicts, she was +placed in the crucible of trial. Death claimed several relatives; she +suffered long-continued illness, and experienced considerable losses of +property. All these things refined the gold of her character and +discovered its sterling worth. Some natures grow hard and sullen under +trial, others faithless and desponding, and yet others narrow and +reserved. But the genuine gold of a noble disposition comes out brighter +and purer because of untoward events; unsuspected resources are +developed, and the higher nobility becomes discernable. So it was with +Elizabeth Fry. The constitutional timidity of her nature vanished before +the overpowering sense of duty; and literally she looked not at the +seen, but at the unseen, in her calculations of Christian service. Yet +another part of her discipline was the ingratitude with which many of +her efforts were met. This experience is common to all who labor for the +public weal; and from an entry in her journal we can but conclude that +this "serpent's tooth" pierced her very sorely at times. "A constant +lesson to myself is the ingratitude and discontent which I see in many." +Many a reformer could echo these words. But the abiding trial seemed to +be the remembrance of the loss of her little daughter, Elizabeth, who +passed away after a week of suffering, and who was laid to rest in +Barking churchyard. The memory of this five-year old child remained with +her for many years a pure and holy influence, doubtless prompting her +to deal tenderly with the young strayed ones whom she met in her errands +of mercy. How often the memory of "the touch of a vanished hand, and the +sound of a voice that is still," influences our intercourse with the +living, so that while benefiting them we do it as unto and for the dead. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +NEWGATE HORRORS AND NEWGATE WORKERS. + + +About Christmas 1816, or January 1817, Mrs. Fry commenced her leviathan +task in good earnest. The world had been full of startling events since +her first two or three tentative visits to Newgate; so startling were +they, that even in the refined and sedate quietude of Quakerism there +must have existed intense interest, excitement, and possibly fear. We +know from Isaac Taylor's prolific pen, how absorbing was the idea of +invasion by the French, how real a terror was Bonaparte, and how full of +menace the political horizon appeared. Empires were rising and falling, +wars and tumults were the normal condition of society; the Continent was +in a state of agitation and warfare. Napoleon, the prisoner of Elba, had +returned to Europe, collected an army, and, contesting at Waterloo the +strength of England and Prussia, had fallen. He was now watched and +guarded at St. Helena, while the civilized world began to breathe +freely. The mushroom kingdoms which he had set up were fast tottering, +or had fallen, while the older dynasties of Europe were feeling once +more secure, because the man who hesitated not to sacrifice vast myriads +of human lives to accomplish his own aggrandizement, was now bound, and, +like a tiger in chains, could do nought save growl impotently. + +Meanwhile the tide of prison-life went on, without much variation. +Newgate horrors still continued; the gallows-crop never failed; and the +few Acts of Parliament designed to ameliorate the condition of the +prisoners in the jails had almost become dead letters. In 1815 a +deputation of the Jail Committee of the Corporation of London visited +several jails in order to examine into their condition, and to introduce +a little improvement, if possible, into those under their care. This +step led to some alterations; the sexes were separated, and the women +were provided with mats to sleep upon. Visitors were restrained from +having much communication with the prisoners, a double row of gratings +being placed between the criminals and those who came to see them. +Across the space between the gratings it was a common practice for the +prisoners to push wooden spoons, fastened to long sticks, in order to +receive the contributions of friends. Disgusting in its ways, vicious in +act and speech, the social scum which crowded Newgate was repulsive, +dangerous, and vile in the extreme. + +It is evident that the circle to which Mrs. Fry belonged was still +interested in philanthropic labors on behalf of the criminal classes, +because we find that Sir Thomas F. Buxton, Mr. Hoare, and several other +friends were busy, in the interval between 1813 and 1816, in +establishing a society for the reformation of juvenile thieves. This +matter of prison discipline was therefore engaging the attention of her +immediate circle. Doubtless, while listening to them, she remembered +most anxiously the miserable women whom she had visited some three years +previously. + +It seems that Mrs. Fry succeeded with the women by means of her care for +the children. Low as they were in sin, every spark of maternal affection +had not fled, and they craved for their little ones a better chance than +they had possessed themselves. To a suggestion by Mrs. Fry that a school +should be formed for the benefit of their little ones they eagerly +acceded. This suggestion she left with them for consideration, engaging +to come to a decision at the next visit. + +At the next visit she found that the tears of joy with which they had +welcomed the proposition were not feigned. The women had already chosen +a school-mistress from among themselves. A young woman, named Mary +Cormer, who had, although fairly educated, found her way to prison for +stealing a watch, was the person chosen. It is recorded of this young +woman that she became reformed during her stay in Newgate, and so +exemplary did she behave in the character of teacher, that Government +granted her a free pardon; which, however, she did not live long to +enjoy. + +It is pleasant to record that the officials aided and furthered this +good work. An empty cell was granted for the school-room, and was +quickly crammed with the youngest of the criminals. After this step had +been taken, a young Friend named Mary Sanderson made her appearance at +Newgate to assist, if it were possible, in the work, but was almost +terrified away again. She informed Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton of her +experiences and terrors at her first encounter with the women: "The +railing was crowded with half-naked women, struggling together for the +front situations with the most boisterous violence, and begging with the +utmost vociferation." She felt as if she were going into a den of wild +beasts, and she well recollects quite shuddering when the door was +closed upon her, and she was locked in with such a herd of novel and +desperate companions. + +Could lasting good be effected there? It seemed hopeless. Indeed, at +first it was scarcely dreamt of; but, the stone once set rolling, none +knew where it would stop. Marvellous to say, some of the prisoners +themselves asked for ministrations of this sort. Feeling that they were +as low down in the mire as they could be, they craved a helping hand; +indeed, entreated not to be left out from the benevolent operations +which Mrs. Fry now commenced. The officers of Newgate despaired of any +good result; the people who associated with Mrs. Fry, charitable as they +were, viewed her plans as Utopian and visionary, while she herself +almost quailed at their very contemplation. It also placed a great +strain upon her nervous system to attend women condemned to death. She +wrote: "I have suffered much about the hanging of criminals." And again: +"I have just returned from a melancholy visit to Newgate, where I have +been at the request of Elizabeth Fricker, previous to her execution +to-morrow at 8 o'clock. I found her much hurried, distressed and +tormented in mind. Her hands were cold, and covered with something like +the perspiration which precedes death, and in an universal tremor. The +women who were with her said she had been so outrageous before our +going, that they thought a man must be sent for to manage her. However, +after a serious time with her, her troubled soul became calmed." Another +entry in the same journal casts a lurid light upon the interior of +Newgate. "Besides this poor young woman, there are also six men to be +hanged, one of whom has a wife near her confinement, also condemned, and +seven young children. Since the awful report came down he has become +quite mad from horror of mind. A straight waistcoat could not keep him +within bounds; he had just bitten the turnkey; I saw the man come out +with his hand bleeding as I passed the cell. I hear that another who has +been tolerably educated and brought up, was doing all he could to harden +himself through unbelief, trying to convince himself that religious +truths were idle tales." Contemporary light is cast upon this matter by +a letter which the Hon. G.H. Bennett addressed to the Corporation of +London, relative to the condition of the prison. In it this writer +observed:-- + + A man by the name of Kelly, who was executed some weeks back for + robbing a house, counteracted, by his conversation and by the jests + he made of all religious subjects, the labors of Dr. Cotton to + produce repentance and remorse among the prisoners in the cells; + and he died as he lived, hardened and unrepenting. He sent to me + the day before his execution, and when I saw him _he maintained the + innocence of the woman convicted with him_ (Fricker, before + mentioned), asserting that not her, but a boy concealed, opened + the door and let him into the house. When I pressed him to tell me + the names of the parties concerned, whereby to save the woman's + life, he declined complying without promise of a pardon. I urged as + strongly as I could the crime of suffering an innocent woman to be + executed to screen criminal accomplices; but it was all to no + effect, and he suffered, maintaining to the last the same story. + With him was executed a lad of nineteen or twenty years of age, + whose fears and remorse Kelly was constantly ridiculing. + +About this time, Mrs. Fry noted in her journal the encouragement she had +received from those who were in authority, as well as the eager and +thankful attitude of the poor women themselves. Kindred spirits were +being drawn around her, ready to participate in her labors of love. In +one place she wrote almost deprecatingly of the publicity which those +labors had won; she feared notoriety, and would, had it been possible, +have worked on alone and unheralded. But perhaps it was as well that +others should learn to cooeperate; the task was far too mighty for one +frail pair of hands, while the increased knowledge and interest among +the upper classes of society assisted in procuring the "sinews of war." +For this was a work which could not be successfully carried on without +pounds, shillings and pence. Clothing, books, teachers, and even +officers had to be paid for out of benevolent funds, for not an idea of +the necessity for such funds had ever crossed the civic mind. + +A very cheering item, in April, 1817, was the formation of a ladies' +society under the title of "An Association for the Improvement of the +Female Prisoners in Newgate." Eleven Quakeresses and one clergyman's +wife were then banded together. We cannot find the names of these good +women recorded anywhere in Mrs. Fry's journal. The object of this +association was: "To provide for the clothing, instruction, and +employment of the women; to introduce them to a knowledge of the +Scriptures, and to form in them, as much as possible, those habits of +sobriety, order and industry, which may render them docile and peaceable +whilst in prison, and respectable when they leave it." Thus, stone by +stone the edifice was being reared, step by step was gained, and +everything was steadily advancing towards success. The magistrates and +corporation of the city were favorable, and even hopeful; the jail +officials were not unwilling to cooeperate, and ladies were anxious to +take up the work. The last thing which remained was to get the assent +and willing submission of the prisoners themselves to the rules which +_must_ be enforced, were any lasting benefit to be conferred; and to +this last step Mrs. Fry was equal. + +On a Sunday afternoon, quickly following the formation of the +association, a new and strange meeting was convened inside the old +prison walls. There were present the sheriffs, the ordinary, the +governor, the ladies and the women. Doubtless they looked at each other +with a mixture of wonder, incredulity, and surprise. The gloomy +precincts of Newgate had never witnessed such a spectacle before; the +Samaritans of the great city no longer "passed by on the other side," +but, at last, had come to grapple with its vice and degradation. + +Mrs. Fry read out several rules by which she desired the women to abide; +explaining to them the necessity for their adherence to these rules, and +the extent to which she invited cooeperation and assistance in their +enforcement. Unanimously and willingly the prisoners engaged to be bound +by them, as well as to assist each other in obedience. It will interest +the reader to know what these rules were. They were:-- + +1. That a woman be appointed for the general supervision of the women. + +2. That the women be engaged in needlework, knitting, or any other +suitable employment. + +3. That there be no begging, swearing, gaming, card-playing, +quarrelling, or universal conversation. That all novels, plays, and +other improper books be excluded; that all bad words be avoided, and +any default in these particulars be reported to the matron. + +4. That there be a good yard-keeper, chosen from among the women, to +inform them when their friends come; to see that they leave their work +with a monitor when they go to the grating, and that they do not spend +any time there except with their friends. If any woman be found +disobedient in these respects, the yard-keeper is to report the case to +the matron. + +5. That the women be divided into classes of not more than twelve, and +that a monitor be appointed to each class. + +6. That the monitors be chosen from among the most orderly of the women +that can read, to superintend the work and conduct of the others. + +7. That the monitors not only overlook the women in their own classes, +but, if they observe any others disobeying the rules, that they inform +the monitor of the class to which such persons may belong, who is +immediately to report them to the matron, and the deviations be set down +on a slate. + +8. That any monitor breaking the rules shall be dismissed from her +office, and the most suitable in the class selected to take her place. + +9. That the monitors be particularly careful to see that women come +with clean hands and faces to their work, and that they are quiet during +their employment. + +10. That at the ringing of the bell at nine o'clock in the morning, the +women collect in the work-room to hear a portion of Scripture read by +one of the visitors, or the matron; and that the monitors afterwards +conduct the classes thence to their respective wards in an orderly +manner. + +11. That the women be again collected for reading at 6 o'clock in the +evening, when the work shall be given in charge to the matron by the +monitors. + +12. That the matron keep an exact account of the work done by the women, +and of their conduct. + +As these rules were read out, the women were requested to raise their +hands in token of assent. Not a hand but was held up. In just the same +manner the names of the monitors were received, and the appointments +ratified. After this business had been concluded, one of the visitors +read the twenty-first chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel; and then ensued a +period of solemn silence, according to the custom of the Society of +Friends. After that the newly-elected monitors, at the heads of their +classes, withdrew to their wards. + +The work room was an old disused laundry, now granted by the sheriffs, +and fitted up for the purpose. Repaired and whitewashed, it proved a +capital vantage-ground whereon to give battle to the old giants of +Ignorance, Crime and Vice, and ultimately to conquer them. + +The next thing was to obtain a sufficiency of work, and at the same time +funds to purchase materials. At first, the most imperative necessity +existed for clothing. For a long time the most ample help came from Mrs. +Fry's own family circle, although many others contributed various sums. +Indeed, the Sheriffs of London on one occasion made a grant of L80 +towards these objects, showing thus that, although punitive measures +were more in their way, they were really glad to uphold the hands of +anybody who would deal with the vexed problems which such hordes of +criminals presented. + +After the criminals themselves were clothed, their work went to provide +garments for the convicts at Botany Bay. Some tradesmen to whom Mrs. Fry +applied, willingly resigned these branches of their trade, in order to +afford the opportunity of turning the women's industry to account. This +was a decided step gained, as the Corporation then learnt how to make +the prisoners' labors profitable, and at the same time to avert the +mischiefs of vicious idleness. + +The ladies tried the school for a month quietly, and found it so +successful that they determined to lay a representation before the +Sheriffs, asking that this newly-formed agency should be taken under the +wing of the Corporation. They wisely considered that the efficiency and +continuance of this part of their scheme would be better ensured if it +were made part and parcel of the City prison system, than by leaving it +to the fluctuating support and management of private benevolence. + +In reply to this petition and representation, an answer was received +appointing a meeting with the ladies at Newgate. The meeting took place, +and a session was held according to the usual rules. The visiting +officials were struck with surprise at the altered demeanor of the +inhabitants of this hitherto styled "hell upon earth," and were ready to +grant what Mrs. Fry chose to ask. The whole plan, both school and +manufactory, was adopted as part of the prison system; a cell was +granted to the ladies for punishment of refractory prisoners, together +with power to confine them therein for short intervals; part of the +matron's salary was promised out of the City funds, and benedictions and +praises were lavished on the ladies. This assistance in the matter of a +matron was a decided help, as, prior to her appointment, some of the +ladies spent much of each day in the wards personally superintending +operations. So determined were they to win success, that they even +remained during meal times, eating a little refreshment which they +brought with them. After this appointment, one or two ladies visited the +prison for some time, daily, spending more or less time there in order +to superintend and direct. Some months after this a system of work was +devised for the "untried side," but for various reasons, the success in +that department of Newgate was not as marked. It was found that as long +as prisoners indulged any hope of discharge, they were more careless +about learning industrious and orderly habits. + +At this meeting with the civic authorities, Mrs. Fry offered several +suggestions calculated to promote the well-being of the prisoners, +sedately and gently explaining the reasons for the necessity of each. +They ran thus:-- + +"1. Newgate in great want of room. Women to be under the care of women, +matron, turnkeys, and inspecting committee. + +"2. As little communication with their friends as possible; only at +stated times, except in very particular cases. + +"3. They must depend on their friends for neither food nor clothing, but +have a sufficiency allowed them of both. + +"4. That employment should be a part of their punishment, and be +provided for them by Government. The earnings of work to be partly laid +by, partly laid out in small extra indulgences, and, if enough, part to +go towards their support. + +"5. To work and have their meals together, but sleep separate at night, +being classed, with monitors at the head of each class. + +"Religious instruction. The kind attention we have had paid us. + +"Great disadvantages arise from dependence upon the uncertainty and +fluctuations of the Sheriff's funds; neither soap nor clothing being +allowed without its aid, and the occasional help of charitable people." + +Two extracts from the civic records prove how warmly the authorities +received these suggestions, and in what esteem they held Mrs. Fry and +her coadjutors. + + SATURDAY, May 3, 1817. + + Committee of Aldermen to consider all matters relating to the jails + of this city. + + Present--The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs, and several + Aldermen. + + The Committee met agreeably to the resolutions of the 29th ult. at + the Keeper's House, Newgate, and proceeded from thence, attended by + the Sheriffs, to take a view of the jail at Newgate. + + The Committee, on viewing that part of it appropriated to the + female prisoners, were attended by Mrs. Elizabeth Fry and several + other ladies, who explained to the Committee the steps they had + adopted to induce the female prisoners to work and to behave + themselves in a becoming and orderly manner; and several specimens + of their work being inspected, the Committee were highly gratified. + +At another place is the following entry. After giving date of meeting, +and names of committee present, the minute goes on to say:-- + + The Committee met at the Mansion House and were attended by Mrs. + Elizabeth Fry and two other ladies, who were heard in respect of + their suggestions for the better government of the female prisoners + in Newgate. + + Resolved unanimously: "That the thanks of this Committee be given + to Mrs. Fry and the other ladies who have so kindly exerted + themselves with a view to bettering the condition of the women + confined in the jail in Newgate, and that they be requested to + continue their exertions, which have hitherto been attended with + good effect." + +Mrs. Fry's journals contain very few particulars relating to her work at +this precise time. It seemed most agreeable to her to work quietly and +unknown as far as the outside public was concerned. But a lady-worker +who was in the Association has left on record a manuscript journal from +which some extracts may fitly be given here, as they cast valuable light +on both the work and workers. + + We proceeded to the felons' door, the steps of which were covered + with their friends, who were waiting for admission, laden with the + various provisions and other articles which they required, either + as gifts, or to be purchased, as the prisoners might be able to + afford. We entered with this crowd of persons into an ante-room, + the walls of which were covered with the chains and fetters + suspended in readiness for the criminals. A block and hammer were + placed in the centre of it, on which chains were riveted. The room + was guarded with blunderbusses mounted on movable carriages. I + trembled, and was sick, and my heart sunk within me, when a + prisoner was brought forward to have his chain lightened, because + he had an inflammation in the ankle. I spoke to him, for he looked + dejected and by no means ferocious. The turnkey soon opened the + first gate of entrance, through which we were permitted to pass + without being searched, in consequence of orders issued by the + sheriffs. The crowd waited till the men had been searched by the + turnkeys, and the women by a woman stationed for that purpose in + the little room by the door of the entrance. These searchers are + allowed, if they suspect spirits, or ropes, or instruments of + escape to be concealed about the person, to strip them to ascertain + the fact. A melancholy detection took place a few days ago. A poor + woman had a rope found upon her, concealed for the purpose of + liberating her husband, who was then sentenced to death for highway + robbery, which sentence was to be put into execution in a few days. + She was, of course, taken before a magistrate, and ordered into + Newgate to await her trial. She was a young and pretty little Irish + woman, with an infant in her arms. After passing the first floor + into a passage, we arrived at the place where the prisoners' + friends communicate with them. It may justly be termed a sort of + iron cage. A considerable space remains between the grating, too + wide to admit of their shaking hands. They pass into this from the + airing-yard, which occupies the centre of the quadrangle round + which the building runs, and into which no persons but the visiting + ladies, or the persons they introduce, attended by a turnkey, are + allowed to enter. A little lodge, in which an under turnkey sleeps, + is also considered necessary to render the entrance secure. This + yard was clean, and up and down it paraded an emaciated woman, who + gave notice to the women of the arrival of their friends. Most of + the prisoners were collected in a room newly appropriated for the + purpose of hearing a portion of the Sacred Scriptures read to them, + either by the matron or by one of the ladies' committee--which last + is far preferable. They assemble when the bell rings, as near nine + o'clock as possible, following their monitors or wardswomen to the + forms which are placed in order to receive them. I think I can + never forget the impression made upon my feelings at this sight. + Women from every part of Great Britain, of every age and condition + below the lower middle rank, were assembled in mute silence, except + when the interrupted breathing of their sucking infants informed us + of the unhealthy state of these innocent partakers in their + parents' punishments. The matron read; I could not refrain from + tears. The women wept also; several were under the sentence of + death. Swain, who had just received her respite, sat next me; and + on my left hand sat Lawrence, _alias_ Woodman, surrounded by her + four children, and only waiting the birth of another, which she + hourly expects, to pay the forfeit of her life, as her husband has + done for the same crime a short time before. + + Such various, such acute, and such new feelings passed through my + mind that I could hardly support the reflection that what I saw was + only to be compared to an atom in the abyss of vice, and + consequently misery, of this vast metropolis. The hope of doing the + least lasting good seemed to vanish, and to leave me in fearful + apathy. The prisoners left the room in order. Each monitor took + charge of the work in her class on retiring. We proceeded to other + wards, some containing forgers, coiners, and thieves; and almost + all these vices were engrafted on the most deplorable root of + sinful dissipation. Many of the women are married; their families + are in some instances permitted to be with them, if very young; + their husbands, the partners of their crimes, are often found to be + on the men's side of the prison, or on their way to Botany Bay.... + + They appear to be aware of the true value of character, to know + what is right, and to forsake it in action. Finding these feelings + yet alive, if properly purified and directed it may become a + foundation on which a degree of reformation can be built. Thus they + conduct themselves more calmly and decently to each other, they are + more orderly and quiet, refrain from bad language, chew tobacco + more cautiously, surrender the use of the fireplace, permit doors + and windows to be opened and shut to air or warm the prison, + reprove their children with less violence, borrow and lend useful + articles to each other kindly, put on their attire with modesty, + and abstain from slanderous and reproachful words. + + None among them was so shocking as an old woman, a clipper of the + coin of the realm, whose daughter was by her side, with her infant + in her arms, which infant had been born in Bridewell; the + grandfather was already transported with several branches of his + family, as being coiners. The old woman's face was full of + depravity. We next crossed the airing-yard, where many persons were + industriously engaged at slop-work, for which they are paid, and + after receiving what they require, the rest is kept for them by the + Committee, who have a receipt-book, where their earning and their + expenditure may be seen at any time, by the day or week. On + entering the untried wards we found the women very different from + those we had just left. They were quarrelling and very disorderly, + neither knowing their future fate, nor anything like subordination + among one another. It resembles the state of the women on the tried + side before the formation of the Visitors' Association. Not a hand + was employed, except in mischief. One bold creature was ushered in + for committing highway robbery. Many convicts were arriving, just + remanded from the Sessions House, and their dark associates + received them with applause--such is the unhallowed friendship of + sin. We left this revolting scene and proceeded to the school-room, + situated on the untried side of the prison for want of room on the + tried. The quiet decency of this apartment was quite a relief, for + about twenty young women arose on our entrance, and stood with + their eyes cast on the ground. + +Another extract from the diary of this lady will be found to describe, +in graphic terms, the visit to the prison recorded in the Corporation +minutes. As one reads the simple and truth-like story, the scene rises +before the mind's eye:--the party of gentlemen upon their semi-official +visit; the awe-stricken prisoners, scarcely comprehending whether this +visit boded ill or well to them; and the little company of quiet, godly, +unfashionable Quaker ladies, who were thus "laying hands" upon the lost +of their sex, in order to reclaim them. Such a picture might well be +transferred to canvas. + + Rose early and visited Newgate, where most of the Committee met to + receive the Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs, several Aldermen, and some of + the Jail Committee. Even the irritable state of city politics does + not interfere with this attempt at improvement. The women were + assembled as usual, looking particularly clean, and Elizabeth Fry + had commenced reading a Psalm, when the whole of this party entered + this already crowded room. Her reading was thus interrupted for a + short time. She looked calmly on the approaching gentlemen, who, + soon perceiving the solemnity of her occupation, stood still midst + the multitude, whilst Elizabeth Fry resumed her office and the + women their quietude. In an impressive tone she told them she never + permitted any trifling circumstance to interrupt the very solemn + and important engagement of reading the Holy Scriptures; but in + this instance it appeared unavoidable from the unexpected entrance + of so many persons, besides which, when opportunity offers, we + should pay respect to those in authority over us, to those who + administer justice. She thus, with a Christian prudence peculiar to + herself, controlled the whole assembly, and subdued the feelings of + the prisoners, many of whom were but two well acquainted with the + faces of the magistrates, who were themselves touched and + astonished at being thus introduced to a state of decorum so new + within these walls, and could not help acknowledging how admirably + this mode of treatment was adapted to overcome the evil spirit + which had so long triumphed there. The usual silence ensued after + the reading, then the women withdrew. We could not help feeling + particularly glad that the gentlemen were present at the reading. + The prisoners crowded around the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs to beg + little favors. We had a long conference with these gentlemen + relative to this prison and its object, and to the wisest + regulations for prison discipline, and the causes of crime. + Indeed, we could not have received more kind and devoted attention + to what was suggested. Elizabeth Fry's manner seemed to awaken new + trains of reflection, and to place the individual value of these + poor creatures before them in a fresh point of view. The Sheriffs + came to our committee-room. They ordered a cell to be given up to + the Committee for the temporary confinement of delinquents; it was + to be made to appear as formidable as possible, and we hope never + to require it. + + The soldiers who guarded Newgate were, at our own request, + dismissed. They overlooked the women's wards, and rendered them + very disorderly.... I found poor Woodman lying-in in the common + ward, where she had been suddenly taken ill; herself and little + girl were each doing very well. She was awaiting her execution at + the end of the month. What can be said of such sights as these?... + I read to Woodman, who is not in the state of mind we could wish + for her; indeed, so unnatural is her situation that one can hardly + tell how, or in what manner, to meet her case. She seems afraid to + love her baby, and the very health which is being restored to her + produces irritation of mind. + +This last entry furnishes, incidentally, proof of the barbarity of the +laws of Christian England at that time. Human life was of no account +compared with the robbery of a few shillings, or the cutting down of a +tree. This matter of capital punishment, in its turn, attracted the +attention of the Quaker community, together with other philanthropic +individuals, and the statute book was in time freed from many of the +sanguinary enactments which had, prior to that period, disgraced it. + +By this time notoriety began to attend Mrs. Fry's labors, and she was +complimented and stared at according to the world's most approved +fashion. The newspapers noticed her work; the people at Court talked +about it; and London citizens began to realize that in this quiet +Quakeress there dwelt a power for good. Given an unusual method of doing +good, noticed by the high in place and power, together with praise or +criticism by the papers, and, like Lord Byron, the worker wakes some +morning to find himself or herself famous. But growing fame did not +agree with Elizabeth Fry's moral or spiritual nature. She possessed far +too noble a soul to be pleased with it; her responsibility and her +success, except so far as they affected the waifs she desired to bless, +were matters for her own conscience, and her God. She mentioned in her +journal her fears whether or not this publicity, and the evident respect +paid her by the people in power in the city, might not develop worldly +pride of self-exaltation in her. Highly-toned and pure as her spirit +was, it shrank from any strain of self-seeking or pride. Only such a +spirit could have conceived such a work of usefulness; only such an one +could endure the inevitable repulsion which attends such work among the +degraded, and conquer. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +EVIDENCE BEFORE THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. + + +Public attention was so far aroused on the subject of prison discipline, +and the condition of criminals, that a Committee of the House of Commons +was appointed to examine into evidence respecting the prisons of the +metropolis. On the 27th of February, 1818, Mrs. Fry was examined by this +Committee, relative to her personal experiences of this work, and her +own labors in connection with it. The clear, calm statements made by her +before this Committee cast considerable light upon her doings, and the +principles upon which she acted. There is no exaggeration, no +braggadocio, no flourish of philanthropy,--simply a straightforward +story of quiet but persistent endeavors to lessen the human misery +within the walls of the prison at Newgate; for, hitherto, her efforts +had been confined to that jail. + +"_Query_. You applied to the Committee of the Court of Aldermen?" + +"_Ans_. Not at first; I thought it better to try the experiment for a +month, and then to ask them whether they would second us, and adopt our +measures as their own; we, therefore, assembled our women, read over our +rules, brought them work, knitting, and other things, and our +institution commenced; it has now been about ten months. Our rules have +certainly been occasionally broken, but very seldom; order has generally +been observed. I think I may say we have full power among them, for one +of them said it was more terrible to be brought up before me than before +the judge, though we use nothing but kindness. I have never punished a +woman during the whole time, or even proposed a punishment to them; and +yet I think it is impossible in a well-ordered house to have rules more +strictly attended to than they are, as far as I order them, or our +friends in general. With regard to our work, they have made nearly +twenty thousand articles of wearing apparel, the generality of which is +supplied by the slop-shops, which pay very little. Excepting three out +of this number that were missing, which we really do not think owing to +the women, we have never lost a single article. They knit from about +sixty to a hundred pairs of stockings and socks every month; they spin a +little. The earnings of work, we think, average about eighteenpence per +week for each person. This is generally spent in assisting them to live, +and helps to clothe them. For this purpose they subscribe out of their +small earnings of work about four pounds a month, and we subscribe about +eight, which keeps them covered and decent. Another very important point +is the excellent effects we have found to result from religious +education; our habit is constantly to read the Scriptures to them twice +a day. Many of them are taught, and some of them have been enabled to +read a little themselves; it has had an astonishing effect. I never saw +the Scriptures received in the same way, and to many of them they have +been entirely new, both the great system of religion and morality +contained in them; and it has been very satisfactory to observe the +effect upon their minds. When I have sometimes gone and said it was my +intention to read, they would flock up-stairs after me, as if it were a +great pleasure I had to afford them." + +"You have confined yourself to reading the Scriptures, and pointing out +generally the moral lessons that might be derived from them?" + +"Yes, generally so." + +"Without inculcating any particular doctrine?" + +"Nothing but the general Scripture doctrine; in short, they are not +capable of receiving any other." + +"Nothing but the morals of the Scripture,--the duties towards God and +man?" + +"That is all; we are very particular in endeavoring to keep close to +that. We consider, from the situation we fill, as it respects the +public, as well as the poor creatures themselves, that it would be +highly indecorous to press any particular doctrine of any kind, anything +beyond the fundamental doctrines of Scripture. We have had considerable +satisfaction in observing, not only the improved state of the women in +the prison, but we understand from the governor and clergyman at the +penitentiary, that those who have been under our care are very different +from those who come from other prisons. We also may state that when they +left Newgate to go to Botany Bay, such a thing was never known in the +prison before as the quietness and order with which they left it; +instead of tearing down everything, and burning it, it was impossible to +leave it more peaceably. And as a proof that their moral and religious +instruction have had some effect upon their minds, when those poor +creatures were going to Botany Bay, the little fund we allowed them to +collect for themselves, in a small box under our care, they entreated +might all be given to those that were going, those who remained saying +that they wished to give up their little share of the profit to the +others." + +"Do you know anything of the room and accommodation for the women in +1815?" + +"I do not; I did not visit it in that year." + +"What was it in 1817?" + +"Not nearly room enough. If we had room enough to class them, I think a +very great deal more might be accomplished. We labor very much in the +day, and we see the fruit of our labor: but if we could separate them in +the night, I do think that we could not calculate upon the effect which +would be produced." + +"At present, those convicted for all offenses pass the day together?" + +"Very much so; very much intermixed, old and young, hardened offenders +with those who have committed only a minor crime, or the first crime; +the very lowest of women with respectable married women and +maid-servants. It is more injurious than can be described, in its +effects and in its consequences. One little instance to prove how +beneficial it is to take care of the prisoners, is afforded by the case +of a poor woman, for whom we have obtained pardon (Lord Sidmouth having +been very kind to us whenever we have applied for the mitigation of +punishment since our committee has been formed). We taught her to knit +in the prison; she is now living respectably out of it, and in part +gains her livelihood by knitting. We generally endeavor to provide for +them in degree when they go out. One poor woman to whom we lent money, +comes every week to my house, and pays two shillings, as honestly and as +punctually as we could desire. We give part, and lend part, to accustom +them to habits of punctuality and honesty." + +"Is that woman still in Newgate, whose husband was executed, and she +herself condemned to death, having eight children?" + +"She is." + +"Has not her character been very materially changed since she has been +under your care?" + +"I heard her state to a gentleman going through the other day, that it +had been a very great blessing to her at Newgate, and I think there has +been a very great change in her. Her case is now before Lord Sidmouth, +but we could hardly ask for her immediate liberation." + +"What reward, or hope of reward, do you hold out?" + +"Rewards form one part of our plan. They not only have the earning of +their work, but we endeavor to stimulate them by a system of marks. We +divide our women into classes, with a monitor over every class, and our +matron at the head. It is the duty of every monitor to take up to the +matron every night an account of the conduct of her class, which is set +down; and if they have a certain number of what we call good marks at +the end of any fixed period, they have for rewards such prizes as we +think proper to give them--generally small articles of clothing, or +Bibles and Testaments." + +"Be so good as to state, as nearly as you can, what proportion of the +women, without your assistance, would be in a state of extreme want?" + +"It is difficult to say; but I think we average the number of eighty +tried women. Perhaps out of that number twenty may live very well, +twenty very badly, and the others are supported by their friends in some +degree. When I say twenty who live very well, I mention, perhaps, too +large a number--perhaps not above ten. I think their receiving support +from out-of-doors is most injurious, as it respects their moral +principles, and everything else, as it respects the welfare of the city. +There are some very poor people who will almost starve at home, and be +induced to do that which is wrong, in order to keep their poor relations +who are in prison. It is an unfair tax on such people; in addition to +which, it keeps up an evil communication, and, what is more, I believe +they often really encourage the crime by it for which they are put into +prison; for these very people, and especially the coiners and passers of +bank-notes, are supported by their associates in crime, so that it +really tends to keep up their bad practices." + +"Do you know whether there is any clothing allowed by the city?" + +"Not any. Whenever we have applied or mentioned anything about clothing, +we have always found that there was no other resource but our own, +excepting that the sheriffs used to clothe the prisoners occasionally. +Lately, nobody has clothed them but ourselves; except that the late +sheriffs sent us the other day a present of a few things to make up for +them." + +"There is no regular clothing allowed?" + +"It appears to me that there is none of any kind." + +"Have you never had prisoners there who have suffered materially for +want of clothing?" + +"I could describe such scenes as I should hardly think it delicate to +mention. We had a woman the other day, on the point of lying-in, brought +to bed not many hours after she came in. She had hardly a covering; no +stockings, and only a thin gown. Whilst we are there, we can never see a +woman in that state without immediately applying to our fund." + +"When they come in they come naked, almost?" + +"Yes, this woman came in, and we had to send her up almost every +article of clothing, and to clothe her baby. She could not be tried the +next sessions, but after she had been tried, and when she was +discharged, she went out comfortably clothed; and there are many such +instances." + +"Has it not happened that when gentlemen have come in to see the prison, +you have been obliged to stand before the women who were in the prison +in a condition not fit to be seen?" + +"Yes, I remember one instance in which I was obliged to stand before one +of the women to prevent her being seen. We sent down to the matron +immediately to get her clothes." + +"How long had the woman been in jail?" + +"Not long; for we do not, since we have been there, suffer them to be a +day without being clothed?" + +"What is the average space allowed to each woman to lie upon, taking the +average number in the prison?" + +"I cannot be accurate, not having measured; from eighteen inches to two +feet, I should think." + +"By six feet?" + +"Yes. I believe the moral discipline of a prison can never be complete +while they are allowed to sleep together in one room. If I may be +allowed to state it, I should prefer a prison where women were allowed +to work together in companies, under proper superintendence; to have +their meals together, and their recreation 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 atrocious cases. I would divide every woman for a few weeks, +until I knew what they were, but I would afterwards regulate them as I +have before mentioned." + +"Has gaming entirely ceased?" + +"It has of late: they have once been found gaming since we had 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 there were cards in the prison, I should +consider it a proof of their regard if they would have the candor and +the kindness to bring me their packs. I did not expect they would do it, +for they would feel they had 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. 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 them 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 her, but she had hoped I +would give her a Bible, that she might read the Scriptures. 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 essential to the +reformation of a prison: first, religious instruction; secondly, +classification; thirdly, employment. Do you think that 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 must naturally +return to their evil practices." + +"How many removals of female prisoners have you had in the last year, in +Newgate; how many 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, has there been only 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 to those who 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, it would be a prison quite apart from the men's prison, +and into which neither turnkeys nor anyone 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 the 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 prisoners 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 +spiritually or medically." + +"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, perhaps, I 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 to provide for them; why should not the Government make use +of the prisoners? But I consider it of the utmost importance, and quite +indispensable for the conduct of these 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, etc., but a part should be +laid by that there maybe 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 America. In a prison under proper regulation, 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 +worst of characters, would turn out valuable members of society. After +having said what I have respecting the care of women, I will just add +that I believe that 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 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." + +The natural consequence of this evidence was increased publicity and +increased usefulness; the first to Mrs. Fry's sorrow, and the second to +her great joy. Much as she desired to work in secret, it was not +possible; nor, all things considered, was it for the best that she +should do so. The prison reform which she desired to see carried out was +destined to cover, and indeed, required a larger area than she could +obtain. But the fame of her improvements at Newgate, the tales of lions +being turned into lambs, and sinners into saints, by the exertions of +this woman and her band of helpers, caught the ear and thrilled the +heart of the public. The excitement produced among the community +deepened and intensified as more of the work became revealed. +Representatives of every class in society visited the gloomy precincts +of Newgate, in order to see and hear for themselves how far these +wonders extended, while at every hospital and fashionable board the +theme was ever the same. At one time Mrs. Fry was at Newgate in company +with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and other celebrities; while at +another time she appeared at the Mansion House, honored by royalty, the +"observed of all observers." The Queen of England, among others, was +anxious to see and converse with the woman who had with such quiet power +succeeded in solving a great social problem, and that where municipal +authorities had failed. + +Mrs. Fry, although belonging to that religious community which takes not +off the hat to royalty, possessed loyal feelings. Therefore, when Queen +Charlotte commanded her to appear at the Mansion House, in order to be +formerly presented to her, with true womanly grace and respect she +hastened to obey. It was intended that the presentation should have +taken place in the drawing-room, but by some mistake Mrs. Fry was +conducted to the Egyptian Hall, where a number of school-children were +waiting to be examined. Mrs. Fry occupied a post near the platform; and +after a little time the Queen, now aged and infirm, perceived her. As +soon as the examination of the children was over she advanced to Mrs. +Fry. Her Majesty's small figure, her dress blazing with diamonds, her +courtesy and kindness as she spoke to the now celebrated Quakeress, who +stood outwardly calm in the costume of her creed, and just a little +flushed with the unwonted excitement, attracted universal homage. +Around stood several bishops, peers, and peeresses; the hall was filled +with spectators, while outside the crowd surged and swayed as crowds are +wont to do. For a few moments the two women spoke together; then the +strict rules of etiquette were overcome by the enthusiasm of the +assembly and a murmur of applause, followed by a ringing English cheer, +went up. This cheer was repeated by the crowd outside, again and again, +while the most worldly butterfly that ever buzzed and fluttered about a +court learnt that day that there was in goodness and benevolence +something better than fashion and nobler than rank. This was almost, if +not quite, Queen Charlotte's last public appearance; she very soon +afterwards passed to her rest, "old and full of days." + +Ever true to her own womanly instincts, we find Mrs. Fry lamenting, in +her journal, that herself and the prison are becoming quite a show; yet, +on the other hand, she recognized the good of this inconvenience, +inasmuch as the work spread among all classes of society. Various +opinions were passed upon her, and on one occasion a serious +misunderstanding with Lord Sidmouth, respecting a case of capital +punishment, severely tried her constancy. Some carping critics found +fault, others were envious, others censorious and shallow; but neither +good report nor evil report moved her very greatly, although possibly at +times they were the subject of much inward struggle. + +This question of Prison Reform at last reached Parliament. In June, +1818, the Marquis of Lansdowne moved an address to the Prince Regent, +asking an inquiry into the state of the prisons of the United Kingdom. +He made a remarkable speech, quoting facts relating to the miseries of +the jails, and concluded with a high eulogium on Mrs. Fry's labors among +the criminals of Newgate, giving her the title "Genius of Good." This +step drew public attention still more to the matter and prison-visiting +and prison reform became the order of the day. As public attention had +been aroused, and public sympathy had been gained for the cause, it is +not wonderful that beneficial legislative measures were at last carried. + +Meanwhile the ladies continued their good work. It was one of the +cardinal points of their creed, that it was not good for the criminals +to have much intercourse with their friends outside. In past times +unlimited beer had been carried into Newgate; at least the quantity so +disposed of was only limited by the amount of ready cash or credit at +the disposal of the criminals and their friends. This had been stopped +with the happiest results, and now it seemed time to adopt some measures +which should secure some little additional comfort for the prisoners. In +order to effect this a sub-matron, or gate-keeper, was engaged, who +assisted in the duties at the lodge, and kept a small shop "between +gates," where tea, sugar, and other little comforts could be purchased +by the prisoners out of their prison earnings. This step was a +successful one, for with the decrease of temptation from without, came +an increase of comfort from within, provided they earned money and +obeyed rules. Plenty of work could be done, seeing that they all +required more or less clothing, while Botany Bay could take any number +of garments to be utilized for the members of the penal settlement +there. + +Two months after Lord Lansdowne's motion was made in Parliament, Mrs. +Fry, together with Joseph John Gurney, his wife, and her own daughter, +Rachel, went into Scotland on a religious and philanthropic tour. The +chief object of this journey seems to have been the visitation of +Friends' Meetings in that part of the kingdom; but the prison enterprise +was by no means forgotten. In her journal she records visits to meetings +of Friends held at Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and Knowsley. +At the latter place they were guests of the Earl of Derby, and much +enjoyed the palatial hospitality which greeted them. They made a point +of visiting most of the jails and bridewells in the towns through which +they passed, finding in some of them horrors far surpassing anything +that Newgate could have shown them even in its unreformed days. At +Haddington four cells, allotted to prisoners of the tramp and criminal +class, were "very dark, excessively dirty, had clay floors, no +fire-places, straw in one corner for a bed, and in each of them a tub, +the receptacle for all filth." Iron bars were used upon the prisoners so +as to become instruments of torture. In one cell was a poor young man +who was a lunatic--whence nobody knew. He had been subject to the misery +and torture of Haddington jail for eighteen months, without once leaving +his cell for an airing. No clothes were allowed, no medical man attended +those who were incarcerated, and a chaplain never entered there, while +the prison itself was destitute of any airing-yard. The poor debtors, +whether they were few or many, were all confined in one small cell not +nine feet square, where one little bed served for all. + +At Kinghorn, Fifeshire, a young laird had languished in a state of +madness for six years in the prison there, and had at last committed +suicide. Poor deranged human nature flew to death as a remedy against +torture. At Forfar, prisoners were chained to the bedstead; at Berwick, +to the walls of their cells; and at Newcastle to a ring in the floor. +The two most objectionable features in Scotch prisons, as appears from +Mr. Gurney's "Notes" of this tour, were the treatment of debtors, and +the cruelties used to lunatics. Both these classes of individuals were +confined as criminals, and treated with the utmost cruelty. + +According to Scotch law, the jailer and magistrates who committed the +debtor became responsible for the debt, supposing the prisoner to have +effected his escape. Self-interest, therefore, prompted the adoption of +cruel measures to ensure the detention of the unfortunate debtor; while +helpless lunatics were wholly at the mercy of brutalized keepers who +were responsible to hardly any tribunal. Of the horrors of that dark, +terrible time within those prison-walls, few records appear; few cared +to probe the evil, or to propose a remedy. The archives of Eternity +alone contain the captive's cries, and the lamentations of tortured +lunatics. Only one Eye penetrated the dungeons; one Ear heard. Was not +Elizabeth Fry and her coadjutors doing a god-like work? And when she +raised the clarion cry that _Reformation_, not _Revenge_, was the object +of punishment, she shook these old castles of Giant Despair to their +foundations. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE GALLOWS AND ENGLISH LAWS. + + +About this period the subject of Capital Punishment largely attracted +Mrs. Fry's attention. The attitude of Quakers generally towards the +punishment of death, except for murder in the highest degree, was +hostile; but Mrs. Fry's constant intercourse with inmates in the +condemned cell fixed her attention in a very painful manner upon the +subject. For venial crimes, men and women, clinging fondly to life, were +swung off into eternity; and neither the white lips of the +philanthropist, nor the official ones of the appointed chaplain, could +comfort the dying. Among these dying ones were many women, who were +executed for simply passing forged Bank of England notes; but as the +bank had plenary powers to arrange to screen certain persons who were +not to die, these were allowed to get off with a lighter punishment by +pleading "Guilty to the minor count." The condemned cell was never, +however, without its occupant, nor the gallows destitute of its prey. So +Draconian were the laws of humane and Christian England, at this date, +that had they been strictly carried out, at least four executions daily, +exclusive of Sundays, would have taken place in this realm. + +According to Hepworth Dixon, and contemporary authorities, the +sanguinary measures of the English Government for the punishment of +crimes dated from about the time of the Jacobite rebellion, in 1745. +Prior to that time, adventurers of every grade, the idle, vicious, and +unemployed, had found an outlet for their turbulence and their energies +in warfare--engaging on behalf of the Jacobites, or the Government, +according as it suited their fancy. But when the House of Hanover +conquered, and the trade of war became spoiled within the limits of +Great Britain, troops of these discharged soldiers took to a marauding +life; the high roads became infested with robbers, and crimes of +violence were frequent. Alarmed at the license displayed by these +Ishmaelites, the Government of the day arrayed its might against them, +enacting such sanguinary measures that at first sight it seemed as if +the deliberate intent were to literally cut them off and root them out +from the land. That era was indeed a bloodthirsty one in English +jurisprudence. + +Enactments were passed in the reign of the second George, whereby it +was made a capital crime to rob the mail, or any post-office; to kill, +steal, or drive away any sheep or cattle, with intention to steal, or to +be accessory to the crime. The "Black Act," first passed in the reign of +George I., and enlarged by George II., punished by hanging, the hunting, +killing, stealing, or wounding any deer in any park or forest; maiming +or killing any cattle, destroying any fish or fish-pond, cutting down or +killing any tree planted in any garden or orchard, or cutting any +hop-bands in hop plantations. Forgery, smuggling, coining, passing bad +coin, or forged notes, and shop-lifting; all were punishable by death. +From a table published by Janssen, and quoted from Hepworth Dixon, we +find that in twenty-three years, from 1749 to 1771, eleven hundred and +twenty-one persons were condemned to death in London alone. The offenses +for which these poor wretches received sentence included those named +above, in addition to seventy-two cases of murder, two cases of riot, +one of sacrilege, thirty-one of returning from transportation, and four +of enlisting for foreign service. Of the total number condemned, six +hundred and seventy-eight were actually hanged, while the remainder +either died in prison, were transported, or pardoned. As four hundred +and one persons were transported, a very small number indeed obtained +deliverance either by death or pardon. In fact, scarcely any extenuating +circumstances were allowed; so that in some cases cruelty seemed +actually to have banished justice. It is recorded, as one of these +cases, that a young woman with a babe at the breast, was hanged for +stealing from a shop a piece of cloth of the value of five shillings. +The poor woman was the destitute wife of a young man whom the press-gang +had captured and carried off to sea, leaving her and her babe to the +mercy of the world. Utterly homeless and starving, she stole to buy +food; but a grateful country requited the services of the sailor-husband +by hanging the wife. + +The _certainty_ of punishment became nullified by the _severity_ of the +laws. Humane individuals hesitated to prosecute, especially for forgery; +while juries seized upon every pretext to return verdicts of "Not +guilty." Reprieves were frequent, for the lives of many were +supplicated, and successfully; so that the death-penalty was commuted +into transportation. Caricaturists, writers, philanthropists, +divines--all united in the chorus of condemnation against the bloody +enactments which secured such a crop for the gallows. Men, women, girls, +lads and idiots, all served as food for it. Jack Ketch had a merry time +of it, while society looked on well pleased, for the most part. Those +appointed to sit in the seat of justice sometimes defended this state of +things. One of the worthies of the "good old times"--Judge +Heath--notorious because of his partiality for hanging, is reported to +have said: "If you imprison at home, the criminal is soon thrown back +upon you hardened in guilt. If you transport you corrupt infant +societies, and sow the seeds of atrocious crimes over the habitable +globe. There is no regenerating a felon in this life. And, for his own +sake, as well as for the sake of society, I think it better to hang." + +As a caricaturist George Cruikshank entered the field, and waged battle +on behalf of the poor wretches who swung at the gallows for passing +forged Bank of England notes. He drew a note resembling the genuine one, +and entitled it "Bank note, _not_ to be imitated." A copy of this +caricature now lies before us. It bears on its face a representation of +a large gallows, from which eleven criminals, three of whom are women, +are dangling, dead. In the upper left hand corner, Britannia is +represented as surrounded by starving, wailing creatures, and surmounted +by a hideous death's head. Underneath is a rope coiled around the +portraits of twelve felons who have suffered; while, running down, to +form a border, are fetters arranged in zig-zag fashion. Across the note +run these words, "_Ad lib., ad lib._, I promise to perform during the +issue of Bank notes easily imitated, and until the resumption of cash +payments, or the abolition of the punishment of death, for the Governors +and Company of the Bank of England.--J. KETCH." The note is a unique +production, and must have created an enormous sensation. Cruikshank's +own story, writing in 1876, is this:-- + + Fifty-eight years back from this date there were one-pound Bank of + England notes in circulation, and, unfortunately, many forged notes + were in circulation also, or being passed, the punishment for which + offense was in some cases transportation, in others DEATH. At this + period, having to go early to the Royal Exchange one morning, I + passed Newgate jail, and saw several persons suspended from the + gibbet; _two_ of these were women who had been executed for passing + one-pound forged notes. + + I determined, if possible, to put a stop to such terrible + punishments for such a crime, and made a sketch of the above note, + and then an etching of it. + + Mr. Hone published it, and it created a sensation. The Directors of + the Bank of England were exceedingly wroth. The crowd around Hone's + shop in Ludgate Hill was so great that the Lord Mayor had to send + the police to clear the street. The notes were in such demand that + they could not be printed fast enough, and I had to sit up all one + night to etch another plate. Mr. Hone realized above L700, and I + had the satisfaction of knowing that no man or woman was ever + hanged after this for passing one-pound Bank of England notes. + + The issue of my "Bank Note note not to be Imitated" not only put a + stop to the issue of any more Bank of England one-pound notes, but + also put a stop to the punishment of death for such an offense--not + only for that, but likewise for forgery--and then the late Sir + Robert Peel revised the penal code; so that the final effect of my + note was to stop hanging for all minor offenses, and has thus been + the means of saving thousands of men and women from being hanged. + +It may be that the great caricaturist claims almost too much when he +says that the publication of his note eventually stopped hanging for all +minor offenses; but certainly there is no denying that this publication +was an important factor in the agitation. + +It is said that George III. kept a register of all the cases of capital +punishment, that he entered in it all names of felons sentenced to +death, with dates and particulars of convictions, together with remarks +upon the reasons which induced him to sign the warrants. It is also said +that he frequently rose from his couch at night to peruse this fatal +list, and that he shut himself up closely in his private apartments +during the hours appointed for the execution of criminals condemned to +death. + +Tyburn ceased to be the place of execution for London in 1783; from that +year Newgate witnessed most of these horrors. + +Philanthropists of every class were, at the period of Mrs. Fry's career +now under review, considering this matter of capital punishment, and +taking steps to restrain the infliction of the death penalty. The Gurney +family among Quakers, William Wilberforce, Sir James Mackintosh, Sir +Samuel Romilly, and others, were all working hard to this end. In 1819 +William Wilberforce presented a petition from the Society of Friends to +Parliament against death punishment for crimes other than murder. +Writing at later dates upon this subject, Joseph John Gurney says: "I +cannot say that my spirit greatly revolts against life for life, though +capital punishment for anything short of this appears to me to be +execrable." And, again, "I cannot in conscience take any step towards +destroying the life of a fellow-creature whose crime against society +affects my property only. I am in possession, like other men, of the +feelings of common humanity, and to aid and abet in procuring the +destruction of any man living would be to me extremely distressing and +horrible." As a banker, Mr. Gurney felt that the punishment for forgery +should be heavy and sharp, but less than death. In the Houses of +Parliament various efforts were made to obtain the commutation of the +death penalty, and when in 1810 the Peers rejected Sir Samuel Romilly's +bill to remove the penalty for shop-lifting, the Dukes of Sussex and +Gloucester joined some of the Peers in signing a protest against the +law. The time appeared to be ripe for agitation; all classes of society +reverenced human life more than of old, and desired to see it held less +cheap by the ministers of justice. + +According to Mrs. Fry's experience, the punishment of death tended +neither to the security of the people, the reformation of any prisoner, +nor the diminution of crime. Felons who suffered death for light +offenses looked upon themselves as martyrs--martyrs to a cruel law--and +believed that they had but to meet death with fortitude to secure a +blissful hereafter. This fearful opiate carried many through the +terrible ordeal outwardly calm and resigned. + +Among the condemned ones was Harriet Skelton, a woman who had been +detected passing forged Bank of England notes. She was described as +prepossessing, "open, confiding, expressing strong feelings on her +countenance, but neither hardened in depravity nor capable of cunning." +Her behavior in prison was exceptionally good; so good, indeed, that +some of the depraved inmates of Newgate supposed her to have been +condemned to death because of her fitness for death. She had evidently +been more sinned against than sinning; the man whom she lived with, and +who was ardently loved by her, had used her as his instrument for +passing these false notes. Thus she had been lured to destruction. + +After the decision had been received from the Lords of the Council, +Skelton was taken into the condemned cell to await her doom. To this +cell came numerous visitors, attracted by compassion for the poor +unfortunate who tenanted it, and each one eager to obtain the +commutation of the cruel sentence. It was one thing to read of one or +another being sentenced to death, but quite another to behold a woman, +strong in possession of, and desire for life, fated to be swung into +eternity before many days because of circulating a false note at the +behest of a paramour. Mrs. Fry needed not the many persuasions she +received to induce her to put forth the most unremitting exertions on +behalf of Skelton. She obtained an audience of the Duke of Gloucester, +and urged every circumstance which could be urged in extenuation of the +crime, entreating for the woman's life. The royal duke remembered the +old days at Norwich, when Elizabeth had been know in fashionable society +and had figured somewhat as a belle, and he bent a willing ear to her +request. He visited Newgate, escorted by Mrs. Fry, and saw for himself +the agony in that condemned cell. Then he accompanied her to the bank +directors, and applied to Lord Sidmouth personally, but all in vain. It +was not blood for blood, nor life for life, but blood for "filthy +lucre;" so the poor woman was hung in obedience to the inexorable +ferocity of the law and its administrators. + +On this occasion Mrs. Fry was seriously distressed in mind. She had +vehemently entreated for the poor creature's life, stating that she had +had the offer of pleading guilty only to the minor count, but had +foolishly rejected it in hope of obtaining a pardon. The question at +issue on this occasion was the power of the bank directors to virtually +decide as to the doom of the accused ones. Mrs. Fry made assertions and +gave instances which Lord Sidmouth assumed to doubt. Further than this, +he was seriously annoyed at the noise this question of capital +punishment was making in the land, and though not necessarily a cruel or +blood-thirsty man, the Home Secretary shrank from meddling too much with +the criminal code of England. This misunderstanding was a source of deep +pain to the philanthropist, and, accompanied by Lady Harcourt, she +endeavored to remove Lord Sidmouth's false impressions, but in vain. +While smarting under this wound, received in the interests of humanity, +she had to go to the Mansion House by command of Her Majesty Queen +Charlotte, to be presented. Thus, very strangely, and against her will, +she was thrust forward into the very foremost places of public +observation and repute. She recorded the matter in her journal, in her +own characteristic way:-- + + "Yesterday I had a day of ups and downs, as far as the opinions of + man are concerned, in a remarkable degree. I found that there was a + grievous misunderstanding between Lord Sidmouth and myself, and + that some things I had done had tried him exceedingly; indeed, I + see that I have mistaken my conduct in some particulars respecting + the case of poor Skelton, and in the efforts made to save her life, + I too incautiously spoke of some in power. When under great + humiliation in consequence of this, Lady Harcourt, who most kindly + interested herself in the subject, took me with her to the Mansion + House, rather against my will, to meet many of the royal family at + the examination of some large schools. Among the rest, the Queen + was there. There was quite a buzz when I went into the Egyptian + Hall, where one or two thousand people were collected; and when the + Queen came to speak to me, which she did very kindly, I am told + that there was a general clapp. I think I may say this hardly + raised me at all; I was so very low from what had occurred + before.... My mind has not recovered this affair of Lord Sidmouth, + and finding that the bank directors are also affronted with me + added to my trouble, more particularly as there was an appearance + of evil in my conduct; but, I trust, no greater fault in reality + than a want of prudence in that which I expressed." + +The Society of Friends had always been opposed to capital punishment. +Ten years previously, Sir Samuel Romilly had determined to attack these +sanguinary enactments, one by one, in order to ensure success. He began, +therefore, with the Act of Queen Elizabeth, "which made it a capital +offense to steal privately from the person of another." William Alien +records in the same year, 1808, the formation of a "Society for +Diffusing Information on the Subject of Punishment by Death." This +little band worked with Sir Samuel until his painful death in 1818; +while Dr. Parr, Jeremy Bentham, and Dugald Stewart aided the enterprise +by words of encouragement, both in public and in private. In Joseph John +Gurney's Memoirs, it is stated that Dr. Lushington declared his opinion +that the poor criminal was thus hurried out of life and into eternity by +means of the perpetration of another crime far greater, for the most +part, than any which the sufferer had committed. + +The feeling grew, and in place of the indifference and scorn of human +life which had formerly characterized society, there sprang up an eager +desire to save life, except for the crime of murder. In May, 1821, Sir +James Mackintosh introduced a bill for "Mitigating the Severity of +Punishment in Certain Cases of Forgery, and Crimes connected +therewith." Buxton, in advocating this measure, says truly: + + The people have made enormous strides in all that tends to civilize + and soften mankind, while the laws have contracted a ferocity which + did not belong to them in the most savage period of our history; + and, to such extremes of distress have they proceeded that I do + believe there never was a law so harsh as British law, or so + merciful and humane a people as the British people. And yet to this + mild and merciful people is left the execution of that rigid and + cruel law. + +This measure was defeated, but the numbers of votes were so nearly +equal, that the defeat was actually a victory. + +Time went on. In 1831, Sir Robert Peel took up the gauntlet against +capital punishment, and endeavored to induce Parliament to abolish the +death-penalty for forgery; the House of Commons voted its abolition, but +the Lords restored the clauses retaining the penalty. One thousand +bankers signed a petition praying that the vote of the Commons might be +sustained, but in vain; still, in deference to public opinion, after +this the death-penalty was not inflicted upon a forger. Nevertheless, +there remained plenty of food for the gallows. An incendiary, as well as +a sheep-stealer, was liable to capital punishment; and so severely was +the law strained upon these points, that he who set fire to a rick in a +field, as well as he who found a half-dead sheep and carried it home, +was condemned without mercy. But the advocates of mercy continued their +good work until, finally, the gallows became the penalty for only those +offenses which concerned human life and high treason. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +CONVICT SHIPS AND CONVICT SETTLEMENTS. + + +More work opened before the indefatigable worker. Frequently batches of +female convicts were despatched to New South Wales, and, according to +the custom at Newgate, departure was preceded by total disregard of +order. Windows, furniture, clothing, all were wantonly destroyed; while +the procession from the prison to the convict ship was one of brutal, +debasing riot. The convicts were conveyed to Deptford, in open wagons, +accompanied by the rabble and scum of the populace. These crowds +followed the wagons, shouting to the prisoners, defying all regulations, +and inciting them to more defiance of rules. Some of the convicts were +laden with irons; others were chained together by twos. Mrs. Fry +addressed herself first to the manner of departure, and, rightly judging +that the open wagons conduced to much disorder, prevailed on the +governor of Newgate to engage hackney-coaches for the occasion. Further, +she promised the women that, provided they would behave in an orderly +manner, she, together with a few other ladies, would accompany them to +the ship. Faithful to her promise, her carriage closed the line of +hackney-coaches; three or four ladies were with her, and thus, in a +fashion at once strangely quiet and novel, the transports reached the +place of embarkation. + +There were one hundred and twenty-eight convicts that day; no small +number upon which to experimentalize. As soon as they reached the ship +they were herded together below decks like so many cattle, with nothing +to do but to curse, swear, fight, recount past crimes, relate foul +stories, or plot future evil. True, there was some attempt at order and +classification, for they were divided into messes of six each, and Mrs. +Fry eagerly seized upon this arrangement to form a basis of control. She +proposed to the convicts that they should be arranged in classes of +twelve, according to ages and criminality; to this they assented. A +class thus furnished two messes, while over each class was placed one of +the most steady convicts, in order to enforce the rules as much as +possible. She provided in this way for superintendence. + +The next arrangement concerned work for the women, and instruction for +the children. "Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do;" +accordingly the ladies looked about for plans and methods whereby the +enforced weariness of a long voyage should be counteracted. They had +heard that patch-work and fancy-work found a ready sale in New South +Wales, so they hit upon a scheme which should ensure success in more +ways than one. Having made known their dilemma, and their desires, they +were cheered by receiving from some wholesale houses in London +sufficient remnants of cotton print and materials for knitting to +furnish all the convicts with work. There was ample time to perfect all +arrangements, seeing that the ship lay at Deptford about five weeks; as +the result of Mrs. Fry's journeys to and fro, every woman had given to +her the chance of benefiting herself. In this way they were informed +that if they chose to devote the leisure of the voyage to making up the +materials thus placed in their hands, they would be allowed upon arrival +at the colony to dispose of the articles for their own profit. + +There was thus a new stimulus to exertion as well as a collateral good. +Hitherto, no refuge, home, or building of any description had existed +for the housing of the women when landed at the port of disembarkation. +There was "not so much as a hut in which they could take refuge, so that +they were literally driven to vice, or left to lie in the streets." The +system of convict-management at that date was one of compulsory labor, +or mostly so. This plan tended to produce tyranny, insubordination, +deception, vice, and "the social evil." In the case of men, Captain +Mackonochie testified that they were sullen, lazy, insubordinate and +vicious; the women, if not engaged quickly in respectable domestic +service, and desirous of being kept respectable, become curses to the +colony. But by the means adopted by Mrs. Fry each woman was enabled to +earn sufficient money to provide for board and lodging until some +opening for a decent maintenance presented itself. They thus obtained a +fair start. + +Provision was also made for instruction of both women and children on +board ship. It may be asked how children came there? Generally they were +of tender years and the offspring of vice; the authorities could do +nothing with them; so, perforce, they were allowed to accompany their +mothers. Out of the batch on board this transport-vessel, fourteen were +found to be of an age capable of instruction. A small space was, +therefore, set apart in the stern of the vessel for a school-room, and +there, daily, under the tuition of one of the women better taught than +the rest, these waifs of humanity learned to read, knit and sew. This +slender stock of learning was better than none, wherewith to commence +life at the Antipodes. + +Almost daily, for five weeks, Mrs. Fry and her coadjutors visited the +vessel, laboring to these good ends. Ultimately, however, the _Maria_ +had to sail, and many were the doubts and fears as to whether the good +work begun would be carried on when away from English shores. No matron +was there to superintend and to direct the women: if they continued in +the path marked out for them, their poor human nature could not be so +fallen after all. Mrs. Fry had a kind of religious service with the +convicts the last time she visited them. She occupied a position near +the door of the cabin, with the women facing her, and ranged on the +quarter-deck, while the sailors occupied different positions in the +rigging and on other vantage points. As Mrs. Fry read in a solemn voice +some passages from her pocket-Bible, the sailors on board the other +ships leaned over to hear the sacred words. After the reading was done, +she knelt down, and commended the party of soon-to-be exiles to God's +mercy, while those for whom she prayed sobbed bitterly that they should +see her face no more. Does it not recall the parting of Paul with the +elders at Miletus? Doubtless the memory of that simple service was in +after days often the only link between some of these women and goodness. + +As time went on, many anxious remembrances and hopes were cast after +the convicts who had been shipped to New South Wales. To her sorrow, she +found, from the most reliable testimony, that once the poor lost +wretches were landed in the colony, they were placed in circumstances +that absolutely nullified all the benevolent work which had gone before, +and were literally driven by force of circumstances to their +destruction. The female convicts, from the time of their landing, were +"without shelter, without resources, and without protection. Rations, or +a small amount of provision, sufficient to maintain life, they certainly +had allotted to them daily; but a place to sleep in, or money to obtain +shelter or necessary clothing for themselves, and, when mothers, for +their children, they were absolutely without." An interesting but sad +letter was received by Mrs. Fry from the Rev. Samuel Marsden, chaplain +at Paramatta, New South Wales, and although long, it affords so much +information on this question, that no apology is required for +introducing it here. As the testimony of an eyewitness it is valuable:-- + + HONORED MADAM, + + Having learned from the public papers, as well as from my friends + in England, the lively interest you have taken in promoting the + temporal and eternal welfare of those unhappy females who fall + under the sentence of the law, I am induced to address a few lines + to you respecting such as visit our distant shores. It may be + gratifying to you, Madam, to hear that I meet with those wretched + exiles, who have shared your attentions, and who mention your + maternal care with gratitude and affection. From the measures you + have adopted, and the lively interest you have excited in the + public feeling, on the behalf of these miserable victims of vice + and woe, I now hope the period is not very distant when their + miseries will be in some degree alleviated. I have been striving + for more than twenty years to obtain for them some relief, but + hitherto have done them little good. It has not been in my power to + move those in authority to pay much attention to their wants and + miseries. I have often been urged in my own mind, to make an appeal + to the British nation, and to lay their case before the public. + + In the year 1807, I returned to Europe. Shortly after my arrival in + London, I stated in a memorial to His Grace the Archbishop of + Canterbury the miserable situation of the female convicts, to His + Majesty's Government at the Colonial Office, and to several members + of the House of Commons. From the assurances that were then made, + that barracks should be built for the accommodation of the female + convicts, I entertained no doubt but that the Government would have + given instructions to the Governor to make some provisions for + them. On my return to the colony, in 1810, I found things in the + same state I left them; five years after my again arriving in the + colony, I took the liberty to speak to the Governor, as opportunity + afforded, on the subject in question, and was surprised to learn + that no instructions had been communicated to His Excellency from + His Majesty's Government, after what had passed between me and + those in authority at home, relative to the state of the female + convicts. At length I resolved to make an official statement of + their miserable situation to the Governor, and, if the Governor did + not feel himself authorized to build a barrack for them, to + transmit my memorial to my friends in England, with His + Excellency's answer, as a ground for them to renew my former + application to Government for some relief. Accordingly, I forwarded + my memorial, with a copy of the Governor's answer, home to more + than one of my friends. I have never been convinced that no + instructions were given by His Majesty's Government to provide + barracks for the female convicts; on the contrary, my mind is + strongly impressed in that instructions were given; if they were + not, I can only say that this was a great omission, after the + promises that were made. I was not ignorant that the sending home + of my letter to the Governor and his answer, would subject me to + the censure as well as the displeasure of my superiors. I informed + some of my friends in England, as well as in the colony, that if no + attention was paid to the female convicts, I was determined to lay + their case before the British nation; and then I was certain, from + the moral and religious feeling which pervades all ranks, that + redress would be obtained. However, nothing has been done yet to + remedy the evils of which I complain. For the last five and twenty + years many of the convict women have been driven to vice to obtain + a loaf of bread, or a bed to lie upon. To this day there never has + been a place to put the female convicts in when they land from the + ships. Many of the women have told me with tears their distress of + mind on this account; some would have been glad to have returned to + the paths of virtue if they could have found a hut to live in + without forming improper connections. Some of these women, when + they have been brought before the magistrate, and I have + remonstrated with them for their crime, have replied, "I have no + other means of living; I am compelled to give my weekly allowance + of provisions for my lodgings, and I must starve or live in vice." + I was well aware that this statement was correct, and was often at + a loss what to answer. It is not only the calamities that these + wretched women and their children suffer that are to be regretted, + but the general corruption of morals that such a system establishes + in this rising colony, and the ruin their example spreads through + all the settlements. The male convicts in the service of the Crown, + or in that of individuals, are tempted to rob and plunder + continually, to supply the urgent necessities of those women. + + All the female convicts have not run the same lengths in vice. All + are not equally hardened in crime, and it is most dreadful that all + should alike, on their arrival here, be liable and exposed to the + same dangerous temptations, without any remedy. I rejoice, Madam, + that you reside near the seat of Government, and may have it in + your power to call the attention of His Majesty's Ministers to this + important subject--a subject in which the entire welfare of these + settlements is involved. If proper care be taken of the women, the + colony will prosper, and the expenses of the mother-country will be + reduced. On the contrary, if the morals of the female convicts are + wholly neglected, as they have been hitherto, the colony will be + only a nursery for crime.... + + Your good intentions and benevolent labors will all be abortive if + the exiled females, on their arrival in the colony, are plunged + into every ruinous temptation and sort of vice--which will ever be + the case till some barrack is provided for them. Great evils in a + state cannot soon be remedied.... I believe the Governor has got + instructions from home to provide accommodation for the female + convicts, and I hope in two or three years to see them lodged in a + comfortable barrack; so that none shall be lost for want of a hut + to lie in. If a communication be kept up on a regular plan between + this colony and London, much good may be done for the poor female + convicts. It was the custom for some years, when a ship with female + convicts arrived, soldiers, convicts, and settlers were allowed to + go on board and take their choice; this custom does not now openly + obtain countenance and sanction, but when they are landed they have + no friend, nor any accommodation, and therefore are glad to live + with anyone who can give them protection; so the real moral state + of these females is little improved from what it always has been, + nor will it be the least improved till they can be provided with a + barrack. The neglect of the female convicts in this country is a + disgrace to our national character, as well as a national sin. Many + do not live out half their days, from their habits of vice. When I + am called to visit them on their dying beds, my mind is greatly + pained, my mouth is shut; I know not what to say to them.... To + tell them of their crimes is to upbraid them with misfortune; they + will say, "Sir, you know how I was situated. I do not wish to lead + the life I have done; I know and lament my sins, but necessity + compelled me to do what my conscience condemned."... Many, again, + I meet with who think these things no crime, because they believe + their necessities compel them to live in their sins. Hence their + consciences are so hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, that + death itself gives them little concern.... + + I have the honor to be, Madam, + Your most obedient humble servant, + SAMUEL MARSDEN. + +This appeal was not disregarded: in due time official apathy and +inertness fled before the national cry for reform. Meanwhile, Mrs. Fry +continued her efforts on behalf of the convicts on board the transports, +ever urging upon those in power the imperative necessity for placing the +women under the charge of matrons. They still continued on the old plan, +and were wholly in the power of the sailors, except for such supervision +as the Naval Surgeon Superintendent could afford. Some little +improvements had taken place, since that first trip to the Maria +convict-ship, but very much still remained to be done. To these floating +prisons, frequently detained for weeks in the Thames, Mrs. Fry paid +numerous visits, arranging for the instruction, employment, and +cleanliness of the women. A worthy fellow-helper, Mrs. Pryor, was her +companion, on most of these journeys, frequently enduring exposure to +weather, rough seas, and accidents. On one occasion the two sisters of +mercy ran the risk of drowning, but were fortunately rescued by a +passing vessel. Very fortunate, indeed, was it, that a deliverer was at +hand, or the little boat, toiling up the river, contending against tide, +wind and weather, might have been lost. That voyage to Gravesend was +only one among many destined to work a revolution in female convict +life. + +Alterations, which were not always improvements, began to take place in +the manner of receiving these women on board ship. The vessels were +moored at Woolwich, and group by group the miserable complement of +passengers arrived; in each case, however, controlled by male warders. +Sometimes, a turnkey would bring his party on the outside of a +stage-coach; another might bring a contingent in a smack, or coasting +vessel; while yet a third marched up a band of heavily-ironed women, +whose dialects told from which districts they came. Sometimes their +infants were left behind, and, in such a case, one of the ladies would +go to Whitehall to obtain the necessary order to enable the unfortunate +nursling to accompany its mother; but generally speaking, the children +accompanied and shared the parents' fortunes. + +Cruelties were inseparable from the customs which prevailed. In 1822, +Mrs. Pryor discovered that prisoners from Lancaster Castle arrived, not +merely handcuffed, but with heavy irons on their legs, which had +occasioned considerable swelling, and in one instance serious +inflammation. _The Brothers_ sailed in 1823, with its freight of human +misery on board, and the suffering which resulted from the mode of +ironing, was so great, that Mrs. Fry took down the names id particulars, +in order to make representations to the Government. Twelve women +arrived on board the vessel, handcuffed; eleven others had iron hoops +round their legs and arms, and were chained to each other. The +complaints of these women were mournful; they were not allowed to get up +or down from the coach, without the whole party being dragged together; +some of them had children to carry, but they received no help, no +alleviation to their sufferings. One woman from Wales must have had a +bitter experience of irons. She came to the ship with a hoop around her +ankle, and when the sub-matron insisted on having it removed, the +operation was so painful that the poor wretch fainted. She told Mrs. Fry +that she had worn, for some time, an iron hoop around her waist; from +that, a chain connected with hoops round her legs above the knee; from +these, another chain was fastened to irons round her ankles. Not content +with this, her hands were confined _every night_ to the hoop which went +round her waist, while she lay like a log on her bed of straw. Such +tales remind one of the tortures of the Inquisition. + +The "Newgate women" were especially noticeable for good conduct on the +voyage out. Their conduct was reported to be "exemplary" by the Surgeon +Superintendent, and their industry was most pleasing. Their patchwork +was highly prized by many, and indeed treasured up by some of them for +many years after. Officers in the British navy assisted in the good work +by word and deed; in fact, Captain Young, of Deptford Dockyard, first +suggested the making of patchwork as an employment on board ship. From +some correspondence which passed between Mrs. Fry and the Controller of +the Navy, in 1820, we find that the building for the women in New South +Wales was begun; while in a letter written about this time to a member +of the Government, she explains her desires and plans relative to the +female convicts after their arrival at Hobart Town, Tasmania. + +This letter is full of interesting points. After noticing the fact of +the building at Hobart Town being imperatively needed, she goes on to +suggest that a respectable and judicious matron should be stationed in +that building, responsible, under the Governor and magistrates, for the +order of the inmates; that part of the building should be devoted to +school purposes; that immediately on the arrival of a ship, a Government +Inspector should visit the vessel and report; that the Surgeon +Superintendent should have a description of each woman's offense, +character, and capability, so that her disposal in the colony might be +made in a little less hap-hazard fashion than hitherto; that the best +behaved should be taken into domestic service by such of the residents +of the colony as chose to cooeperate, while the others should remain at +the Home, under prison rules, until they have earned the privilege of +going to service; and that a sufficient supply of serviceable clothing +should be provided. She further recommended the adoption of a uniform +dress for the convicts, as conducive to order and discipline, and, as a +last and indispensable condition, the appointment of a matron, in order +to enforce needful regulations. This epistle was sent with the prayer +that Earl Bathurst would peruse it, and grant the requests of the +writer. It is refreshing to be able to add that red tapeism did not +interfere with the adoption of these suggestions, but that they met with +prompt consideration. + +Every year, four, five, or six convict-ships went out to the colonies of +Australia with their burdens of sin, sorrow and guilt. Van Diemen's Land +and New South Wales received annually fresh consignments of the outcast +iniquity of the Old World. Mrs. Fry made a point of visiting each ship +before it sailed, as many times as her numerous duties permitted, and +bade the convicts most affectionate and anxious farewells. These +good-bye visits were always semi-religious ones; without her Bible and +the teaching which pointed to a better life beyond, Mrs. Fry would have +been helpless to cope with the vice and misery which surged up before +her. As it was, her heart sometimes grew faint and weary in the work, +though not by any means weary of it. As an apostle of mercy to the +well-nigh lost, she moved in and out among those sin-stricken companies. + +Captain (afterwards Admiral) Young, Principal Resident Agent of +Transports on the river Thames, forwarded the good work by every +possible means. From the pen of one of the members of his family, we +have a vivid picture of one of these leave-takings. It occurred on board +a vessel lying off Woolwich, in 1826. William Wilberforce, of +anti-slavery fame, and several other friends, accompanied the party. +This chronicler writes:-- + + On board one of them [there were two convict ships lying in the + river] between two and three hundred women were assembled, in order + to listen to the exhortations and prayers of perhaps the two + brightest personifications of Christian philanthropy that the age + could boast. Scarcely could two voices even so distinguished for + beauty and power be imagined united in a more touching engagement; + as, indeed, was testified by the breathless attention, the tears + and suppressed sobs of the gathered listeners. No lapse of time can + ever efface the impression of the 107th Psalm, as read by Mrs. Fry + with such extraordinary emphasis and intonation, that it seemed to + make the simple reading a commentary. + +We find in the annals of her life the particulars of another visit to +the _George Hibbert_ convict-ship, in 1734. She had, about this time, +pleaded earnestly with Lord Melbourne, the Home Secretary, for the +appointment of matrons to these vessels. She records gratefully the +fact, that both his lordship and Mr. Spring Rice received her "in the +handsomest manner," giving her a most patient and appreciative hearing. +She succeeded at this time in obtaining a part of the boon which she +craved. Mrs. Saunders, the wife of a missionary returning to the colony, +was permitted by the Government to fill the office of matron to the +convicts. For this service, Government gave the lady a free passage. +There was double advantage in this, because, when by reason of +sea-sickness, Mrs. Saunders felt ill, Mr. Saunders occupied her place as +far as possible, and performed the duties of chaplain and school-master. +The Ladies' British Society, formed by Mrs. Fry, for the superintendence +of this and other good works relating to convicts and prisons, united in +promoting the appointment of this worthy couple, and were highly +gratified at the result of the experiment; as appears by extracts from +the books of the Convict Ship Committee. Finally, when the voyage was +ended, the Surgeon Superintendent gave good-conduct tickets to all whose +behavior had been satisfactory, and secured them engagements in +respectable situations. Better than all, there was a proper building +which ensured shelter, classification, and restraint. The horrors of the +outcast life, so vividly described by Mr. Marsden in his letter from +Paramatta, no longer existed. The work of these ladies, uphill though it +had been, was now bearing manifold fruit. And the results of this more +humane and rational system of treatment upon the future of the colonies +themselves could not but appear in time. There were on board this very +vessel, the _George Hibbert_, 150 female convicts, with forty-one +children; also nine free women, carrying with them twenty-three young +children, who were going out to their husbands who had been transported +previously. When it is remembered that these people were laying the +foundations of new colonies, and peopling them with their descendants, +it must be conceded that in her efforts to humanize and christianize +them, Mrs. Fry's far-reaching philanthropy became a great national +benefit. With modest thankfulness, she herself records, after an +interview with Queen Adelaide and some of the royal family, "Surely, the +result of our labors has hitherto been beyond our most sanguine +expectations, as to the improved state of our prisons, female +convict-ships, and the convicts in New South Wales." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +VISITS TO CONTINENTAL PRISONS. + + +Contrary to the general practice of mankind in matters of pure +benevolence, Mrs. Fry looked around for new worlds to conquer, in the +shape of yet unfathomed prison miseries. Many, if not most people, would +have rested upon the laurels already won, and have been contented with +the measures of good already achieved. Not so with the philanthropist +whose work we sketch. Like an ever-widening stream, her life rolled on, +full of acts of mercy, growing wider and broader in its channel of +operations and its schemes of mercy. In pursuance of these schemes she +visited prisons at Nottingham, Lincoln, Wakefield, Leeds, Doncaster, +Sheffield, York, Durham, Newcastle, Carlisle, Lancaster, Liverpool, and +most other towns of any size in England. She extended these journeys, at +different times, into Scotland and Ireland, examining into the condition +of prisons and prisoners with the deepest interest. It was her usual +custom to form ladies' prison-visiting societies, wherever practicable, +and to communicate to the authorities subsequently her views and +suggestions in letters, dealing with these matters in detail. + +But her fame was not confined within the limits of the British Isles. +Communications reached her from St. Petersburg, from Hamburg, from +Brussels, from Baden, from Paris, Berlin, and Potsdam; all tending to +show that enquiry was abroad, that nations and governments as well as +individuals were waking up to a sense of their responsibilities. Both +rulers and legislators were beginning to see that _preventing_ crime was +wiser than _punishing_ it, that the reformation of the criminal classes +was the great end of punitive measures. This conviction reached, it was +comparatively easy for the philanthropists to work. + +Before proceeding to the Continent, however, we find notes of one or two +very interesting visits to the Channel Isles. Her first visit was made +in 1833, and, to her surprise, she found that the islands had most +thoroughly ignored the prison teachings and improvements which had been +gaining so much ground in the United Kingdom. The reason of this was not +far to seek. Acts of Parliament passed in England had no power in the +Channel Isles; as part of the old Duchy of Normandy, they were governed +by their own laws and customs. The inhabitants, in their appearance, +manners, language, and usages, resemble the French more than they do the +English. Nothing deterred, however, Mrs. Fry made a tour of inspection, +and then according to her custom sent the result of her inquiries, and +the conclusions at which she had arrived, in the form of a letter to the +authorities. That letter is far too long for reproduction _in extenso_, +but a few of its leading recommendations were:-- + + 1st. A full sufficiency of employment, proportioned to the age, + sex, health and ability of each prisoner. + + 2d. A proper system of classification, including the separation of + men from women, of tried from untried prisoners, and of debtors + from criminals. + + 3d. A fixed and suitable dietary for criminals, together with an + absolute prohibition of intoxicating drinks. + + 4th. A suitable prison dress with distinctive badges. + + 5th. A complete code of regulations binding on all officials. + + 6th. The appointment of a visiting committee to inspect the prison + regularly and frequently. + + 7th. Provision to be made for the instruction of criminals in the + common branches of education, and for the performance of divine + service at stated seasons by an appointed chaplain. + +After adverting to the fact that the island was independent of British +control, she alluded to "the progressive wisdom of the age" in respect +to prison discipline and management, and urged the authorities to be +abreast of the times in adopting palliative measures. The whole penal +system of the islands required to be renewed, and it promised to be a +work of time before this could be effected. We find that Mrs. Fry +exerted herself for many years to this end; but it was not until after +the lapse of years, and after two visits to the islands, that she +succeeded. + +The hospital at Jersey seemed to be a curious sort of institution +designed to shelter destitute sick and poor, as well as to secure the +persons of small offenders, and lunatics. Punishment with fetters was +inflicted in this place upon all those who tried to escape, so that it +was a sort of prison. Mrs. Fry's quick eye detected many abuses in its +management, and her pen suggested remedies for them. + +At Guernsey, the same irregularities and abuses appeared, and were +attacked in her characteristic manner. In both these islands, as well as +in Sark, she inaugurated works of charity and religion, thus sowing +imperishable seed destined to bear untold fruit. Finally, after more +visits from herself, and special inspectors appointed by Government, a +new house of correction was built in Jersey, while other improvements +necessary to the working out of her prison system were, one by one, +adopted. + +In January, 1838, she paid her first visit to France, being accompanied +on this journey by her husband, by Josiah Forster, and by Lydia Irving, +members of the Society of Friends. True to her instinct, she found her +way speedily into the prisons of the French capital, examining, +criticising, recommending and teaching. She could not speak much French, +but some kind friend always interpreted her observations. From her +journal it seems that solemn prayer for Divine guidance and blessing +occupied the forenoon of the first day in Paris; after that, visits of +ceremony were paid to the English Ambassador, and of friendship to other +persons. Among the prisons visited were the St. Lazare Prison for women, +containing 952 inmates, La Force Prison for men, the Central Prison at +Poissy, and that of the Conciergerie. The first-named, that of St. +Lazare, was visited several times, and portions of Scripture read, as at +Newgate. The listeners were very much affected, manifesting their +feelings by frequent exclamations and tears. Lady Granville, Lady +Georgina Fullerton, and some other ladies accompanied Mrs. Fry to this +prison on one visit, when all agreed that much good would result from +the appointment and work of a Ladies' Committee. Hospitals, schools, and +convents also came in for a share of attention; and after discussing +points of interest connected with the prisons with the Prefect of +Police, she concluded by obtaining audience of the King, Queen and +Duchess of Orleans. + +On the journey homeward the party visited the prisons of Caen, Rouen and +Beaulieu, distributing copies of the Scriptures to the prisoners. She +notices with much delight the united feeling in respect of benevolent +objects which existed between Roman Catholics and herself. Her own words +are "a hidden power of good at work amongst them; many very +extraordinary Christian characters, bright, sober, zealous Roman +Catholics and Protestants." + +In the commencement of 1839, the low state of the funds of the different +benevolent societies formed in connection with her prison labors, +exercised her faith. None ever carried into practice more fully the old +monkish maxim _Labor est orare_. Refuges had been formed, at Chelsea for +girls, and at Clapham for women, while the Ladies' Society and the +convict-ships demanded funds incessantly. A fancy sale was held in +Crosby Hall, "conducted in a sober, quiet manner," which realized over a +thousand pounds for these charities. After recording the fact with +thankfulness, Mrs. Fry paid her second visit to the Continent, going as +far as Switzerland on her errand of mercy. + +At Paris she was received affectionately by those friends who had +listened to her voice on her previous visit. Baron de Girando and other +philanthropists gathered around her, oblivious of the distinctions of +creeds and churches, and bent only on accomplishing a successful crusade +against vice and misery. + +Among the hospitals inspected by her were the hospital of St. Louis for +the plague, leprosy, and other infectious disorders; the Hospice de la +Maternite, and the Hospice des Enfans Troves. This latter was founded by +St. Vincent de Paul for the bringing up of foundlings, but had fallen +into a state of pitiable neglect. From the unnatural treatment which +these poor waifs received, the mortality had reached a frightful pitch. +It seemed, from Mrs. Fry's statements, that the little creatures were +bound up for hours together, being only released from their "swaddlings" +once in every twelve hours for any and every purpose. The sound in the +wards could only be compared to the faint and pitiful bleating of lambs. +A lady who frequently visited the institution said that she never +remembered examining the array of clean white cots that lined the walls +without finding at least one dead babe. "In front of the fire was a +sloping stage, on which was a mattress, and a row of these little +creatures placed on it to warm and await their turn to be fed from the +spoon by a nurse. After much persuasion, one that was crying piteously +was released from its swaddling bands; it stretched its little limbs, +and ceased its wailings." Supposing these children of misfortune +survived the first few weeks of such a life they were sent into the +country to be reared by different peasants; but there again a large +percentage died from infantile diseases. Mrs. Fry succeeded in securing +some ameliorations of the treatment of the babes; but sisters, doctors, +superior, and all, seemed bound by the iron bands of custom and +tradition. + +The Archbishop of Paris was somewhat annoyed at her proceedings and +expressed his displeasure; it seemed more, however, to be directed +against her practice of distributing the Scriptures, than really against +her prison work. + +At Nismes, under the escort of five armed soldiers, because of the known +violence of the desperadoes whom she visited, she inspected the Maison +Centrale, containing about 1,200 prisoners. She interceded for some of +them that they might be released from their fetters, undertaking at the +same time that the released prisoners should behave well. At a +subsequent visit, after holding a religious service among these felons, +the same men thanked her with tears of gratitude. + +Much to her delight, she discovered a body of religionists who held +principles similar to those of the Society of Friends. They were +descendants of the Camisards, a sect of Protestants who took refuge in +the mountains of the Cevennes during the persecution which followed the +revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and were descended originally from +the Albigenses. Their three most distinguished pastors were Claude +Brousson, who took part in the sufferings at the general persecution of +the Protestants; Jean Cavalier, the soldier-pastor who led his flock to +battle, and who now sleeps in an English graveyard; and Antoine Court, +who formed this "church in the desert," into a more compact body. The +first of these pastors was hanged for "heresy" at Montpellier, in 1698; +but he, together with his successors, labored so devoutly and so +ardently, that the persecuted remnant rose from the dust and proved +themselves valiant for the truth as they had received and believed it. +It was not possible that the seed of a people which had learnt the +sermons preached to them off by heart, and written the texts on stone +tablets, in order to pass them from one mountain village to another, +could ever die out. The descendants of those martyrs had come down +through long generations, to nourish at last openly in Nismes. Mrs. Fry +recognized in them the kindred souls of faithful believers. After this, +the party spent a fortnight at a little retired village called +Congenies, where they welcomed many others of their own creed. A house +with "vaulted rooms, whitewashed and floored with stone," sheltered them +during this quaint sojourn, while the villagers vied with each other in +contributing to their comforts. + +At Toulon they visited the "Bagnes," or prison for the galley slaves. +These poor wretches fared horribly, while the loss of life among them +was terrible. They worked very hard, slept on boards, and were fed upon +bread and dry beans. At night they were ranged in a long gallery, and in +number from one hundred to two hundred, were all chained to the iron rod +which ran the entire length of the gallery. By day they worked chained +together in couples. + +At Marseilles a new kind of prison was inspected by her; this was a +conventual institution and refuge for female penitents, under the +control of the nuns of the order of St. Charles, who to the three +ordinary vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, added that of +converting souls. Superintending ladies in the city, who bore the title +of "directresses," were not even permitted to see the women immured +there; indeed, only one was permitted to enter the building in order to +look after the necessary repairs, and even she was strictly restrained +from seeing a penitent or sister. It seemed hopeless in the face of +these facts to expect admission, but Mrs. Fry's name and errand +prevailed. Accompanied by one of these nominal directresses, she was +admitted and shown into a large, plainly-furnished parlor. After she had +waited some little time, the Lady Superior presented herself at the +grating, and prepared to hear the communications of her visitors. In the +course of the conversation which passed, it appeared that there were +over one hundred penitents in the convent, who mostly became servants +after their reclamation. It seemed that they "were not taught to read or +write, neither was the least morsel of pencil, paper, pen, ink, or any +other possible material for writing permitted, from the fear of their +communicating with people without." The Superior admitted that portions +of the Bible were suitable to the inmates, such as the Parables and +Psalms, but said that as a whole the Scriptures were not fit to be put +into the hands of people in general. Mrs. Fry departed from this "home +of mystery and darkness," very unsatisfied and sad. She next visited a +boys' prison, conducted by the Abbe Fisceaux, which excited her +admiration. + +At the "Maison Penitentiaire" at Geneva, the arrangements appeared to be +as complete as possible, and most praiseworthy. The treatment varied in +severity, according to the guilt of the criminals, who were divided into +four classes. They were in all cases there for long terms of +imprisonment, but were allowed either Catholic or Protestant versions of +the Scriptures, according to their faith. After paying short visits to +Lausanne, Berne, and Zurich, the party returned home. + +As her life passed on and infirmities grew apace, it seemed that Mrs. +Fry's zeal and charity grew also, for she planned and schemed to do good +with never-flagging delight. Early in 1840, she departed again for the +Continent, accompanied this time by her brother, Samuel Gurney, and his +daughter, by William Allen and Lucy Bradshaw. During this journey and a +subsequent one, she had much intercourse with royal and noble +personages. At Brussels they had a pleasant audience of the King, who +held an interesting conversation with them on the state of Belgian +prisons. A large prison for boys at Antwerp specially drew forth their +commendations; it seemed admirably arranged and conducted, while every +provision was made for the instruction and improvement of the lads. At +Hameln, in Hanover, they found one of the opposite class, a men's +prison, containing about four hundred inmates, but all heavily chained +"to the ground, until they would confess their crimes, whether they had +committed them or not." One wonders if this treatment still prevails in +the Hameln of Robert Browning's ballad. At Hanover they waited on the +Queen by special command, and during a long interview many interesting +and important subjects were brought forward. + +At Berlin they were received by royalty in the most cordial way. Mrs. +Fry's niece, in a letter, gives a vivid account of the assembly at the +royal palace specially invited to meet the Quakeress and her party. + + The Princess William has been very desirous to give her sanction, + as far as possible, to the Ladies' Committee for visiting the + prison, that my aunt had been forming; and, to show her full + approbation, had invited the Committee to meet her at her palace. + So imagine about twenty ladies assembling here, at our hotel, at + half-past twelve o'clock to-day, beautifully dressed; and, further + fancy us all driving off and arriving at the palace. The Princess + had also asked some of her friends, so we must have numbered about + forty. Such a party of ladies, and only our friend Count Groeben to + interpret. The Princess received us most kindly, and conducted us + herself to the top of the room; we talked some time, whilst + awaiting the arrival of other members of the royal family. The + ladies walked about the suite of rooms for about half an hour, + taking chocolate, and waiting for the Crown Princess, who soon + arrived. The Princess Charles was also there, and the Crown Prince + himself soon afterwards entered. I could not but long for a + painter's eye to have carried away the scene. All of us seated in + that beautiful room, our aunt in the middle of the sofa, the Crown + Prince and Princess and the Princess Charles on her right; the + Princess William, the Princess Marie, and the Princess Czartoryski + on the left; Count Groeben sitting near her to interpret, the + Countesses Boehlem and Dernath by her. I was sitting by the Countess + Schlieffen, a delightful person, who is much interested in all our + proceedings. A table was placed before our aunt, with pens, ink, + and paper, like other committees, with the various rules our aunt + and I had drawn up, and the Countess Boehlem had translated into + German, and which she read to the assembly. After that my aunt gave + a concise account of the societies in England, commencing every + fresh sentence with "If the Prince and Princesses will permit." + When business was over, my aunt mentioned some texts, which she + asked leave to read. A German Bible was handed to Count Groeben, the + text in Isaiah having been pointed out that our good aunt had + wished for, "Is not this the fast that I have chosen," etc. The + Count read it, after which our aunt said, "Will the Prince and + Princesses allow a short time for prayer?" They all bowed assent + and stood, while she knelt down and offered one of her touching, + heart-felt prayers for them--that a blessing might rest on the + whole place, from the King on his throne to the poor prisoner in + the dungeon; and she prayed especially for the royal family; then + for the ladies, that the works of their hands might be prospered in + what they had undertaken to perform. Many of the ladies now + withdrew, and we were soon left with the royal family. They all + invited us to see them again, before we left Berlin, and took leave + of us in the kindest manner. + +One result of the reception accorded Mrs. Fry by royalty was the +amelioration of the condition of the Lutherans. It came about in this +way: in the course of her inquiries and intercourse among the people of +the Prussian dominions, she discovered that adherents to the Lutheran +Church were subject to much petty persecution on behalf of their faith. +True they were not dealt with so cruelly as in former times, but +frequently, at that very day, they were imprisoned, or suffered the loss +of property because of their religious opinions. The matter lay heavily +on Mrs. Fry's benevolent heart, and, seizing the opportunity, she spoke +to the Crown Prince at the meeting just described, on the behalf of the +persecuted Christians. The Crown Prince listened most attentively, and +advised her to lay the matter before the King in any way she deemed +proper. A petition was therefore drawn up by William Allen, translated +into German, and with much fear and trembling presented to His Majesty. +The following day the King's chaplain was sent bearing the "delightful +intelligence" that the petition had been received; further, the King had +said that "he thought the Spirit of God must have helped them to express +themselves as they had done." + +About this time we find the following entry in her journal: "I have been +poorly enough to have the end of life brought closely before me, and to +stimulate me in faith to do _quickly_ what my Lord may require me." +Accordingly, engagements and undertakings multiplied, and 1841 witnessed +another brief visit to the continent of Europe. She seemed more and more +to get the conviction that she must lose no time while about her +Master's business, and such her prison, asylum and hospital labors most +assuredly were. The shadows of life's evening were gathering around her, +and heart and flesh beginning to fail, but no efforts of charity or +mercy might be found lacking. + +On this visit her brother, Joseph John Gurney, and two nieces +accompanied her. Soon after arriving at the Hague, Mrs. Fry and Mr. +Gurney, being introduced to the King by Prince Albert, were commanded to +attend at a royal audience. This the travellers did, and, after about an +hour's conversation, departed highly gratified. Another day they spent +some time with the Princess of Orange, the Princess Frederick, and other +members of the royal house: all these personages were anxious to hear +about the work of prison reform, and to aid in it. After this they +departed for Amsterdam, Bremen, and other places; but their journey +resembled a triumphal progress more than anything else. The peasantry +followed the carriage shouting Mrs. Fry's name, and begging for tracts. +Sometimes, in order to get away, she was compelled to shake hands with +them all, and speak a few words of kindly greeting. + +They extended the journey into Denmark, and were treated with marked +honor from the first. The Queen engaged apartments for the travellers at +the Hotel Royal, and on some occasions took Mrs. Fry to see schools and +other places, in her own carriage. On a subsequent day, when dining with +the King and Queen, Mrs. Fry and Mr. Gurney laid before their Majesties +the condition of persecuted Christians; the sad state of prisons in his +dominions; they also referred to the slavery in the Danish colonies in +the West Indies. Mr. Gurney having only recently returned from that part +of the world, he had much to tell respecting the spiritual and social +state of those colonies. Mrs. Fry records that at dinner she was placed +between the King and Queen, who both conversed very pleasantly with her. + +At Minden, they had varied experiences of travelling and travellers' +welcomes. "I could not but be struck," says Mrs. Fry in her journal, +"with the peculiar contrast of my circumstances: in the morning +traversing the bad pavement of a street in Minden, with a poor, old +Friend in a sort of knitted cap close to her head; in the evening +surrounded by the Prince and Princesses of a German Court." The members +of the Prussian royal family were anxious to see her and hear from her +own lips an account of her labors in the cause of humanity. The +representatives of the House of Brandenburgh welcomed Mrs. Fry beyond +her most sanguine expectations; indeed, it would be nearer the truth to +say that in her lowly estimate of herself, she almost dreaded to +approach royal or noble personages, and that therefore she craved for no +honor, but only tolerance and favor. She never sought an interview with +any of these personages, but to benefit those who could not plead for +themselves. Her letters home exhibit no pride, boastfulness, or triumph; +all is pure thankfulness that one so unworthy as she deemed herself to +be should accomplish so much. Writing to her grandchildren she says: + + "We dined at the Princess William's with several of the royal + family. The Queen came afterwards and appeared much pleased at my + delight on hearing that the King had stopped religious persecutions + in the country, and that several other things had been improved + since our last visit. It is a very great comfort to believe that + our efforts for the good of others have been blessed. Yesterday we + paid a very interesting visit to the Queen, then to Prince + Frederick of Holland and his Princess, sister to the King of + Prussia; with her we had much serious conversation upon many + important subjects, as we also had with the Queen.... Although + looked up to by all, they appear so humble, so moderate in + everything. I think the Christian ladies on the Continent dress far + more simply than those in England. The Countess appeared very + liberal, but extravagant in nothing. To please us she had apple + dumplings, which were quite a curiosity; they were really very + nice. The company stood still before and after dinner, instead of + saying grace. We returned from our interesting meeting at the + Countess's, about eleven o'clock in the evening. The royal family + were assembled and numbers of the nobility; after a while the King + and Queen arrived, the poor Tyrolese flocked in numbers. I doubt + such a meeting ever having been held anywhere before,--the curious + mixture of all ranks and conditions. My poor heart almost failed + me. Most earnestly did I pray for best help, and not unduly to fear + man. The royal family sat together, or nearly so; the King and + Queen, Princess William, and Princess Frederick, Princess Mary, + Prince William, Prince Charles, Prince Frederick of the + Netherlands, young Prince William, besides several other princes + and princesses not royal. Your uncle Joseph spoke for a little + while, explaining our views on worship. Then I enlarged upon the + changes that had taken place since I was last in Prussia; mentioned + the late King's kindness to these poor Tyrolese in their affliction + and distress; afterwards addressed these poor people, and then + those of high rank, and felt greatly helped to speak the truth to + them in love. They finished with a hymn." + +Her last brief visit to the Continent was paid in 1843, and spent wholly +in Paris. Mrs. Fry was particularly interested in French prisons, as +well as in the measures designed to ameliorate the condition of those +who tenanted them. Reformation had become the order of the day there as +in England; the Duchess of Orleans, the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg, M. +Guizot, the Duc de Broglie, M. de Tocqueville, M. Carnot, and other high +and noble personages were much interested in the subject. A bill to +sanction the needful reforms was introduced to the Chamber of Deputies +by the Minister of the Interior, and ably supported by him in a speech +of great lucidity and power. Said he, when laying it before the Chamber: +"Our subject is not entirely to sequestrate the prisoner nor to confine +him to absolute solitude. Some of the provisions of the bill will +mitigate the principle of solitary confinement in a manner which was +suggested by the Commission of 1840, and should not pass unnoticed by +the Chamber. Convicts sentenced to more than twelve years' hard labor, +or to perpetual hard labor, after having gone through twelve years of +their punishment, or when they shall have attained the age of seventy, +will be no longer separated from others, except during the night." The +bill further provided, besides this mitigation of the solitary +confinement system, that the "Bagnes," where galley slaves had hitherto +labored, should be replaced by houses of hard labor, and that smaller +prisons should be erected for minor offenses instead of sending +criminals convicted of them to the great central prisons. The bill was +certainly destined to effect a total revolution in the management of +such places as St. Lazare and similar prisons, in addition to giving +solid promise of improvement in the punitive system of France. + +During this brief final visit to the French capital, Mrs. Fry entered on +her sixty-third year, aged and infirm in body, but still animated by the +master passion of serving the sad and sorrowful. Her brother, Joseph +John Gurney, together with his wife, were with her in Paris, but they +pursued their journey into Switzerland, while she returned home in June, +feeling that life's shadows were lengthening apace, and that not much +time remained to her in which to complete her work. The impressions she +had made on the society of the gay city had been altogether good. Like +the people who stared at the pilgrims passing through Vanity Fair, the +Parisians wondered, and understood for the first time that here was a +lady who did indeed pass through things temporal, "with eyes fixed on +things eternal"; and whose supreme delight lay, not in ball-rooms, +race-courses, or courts, but in finding out suffering humanity and +striving to alleviate its woes. Doubtless many of the gay Parisians +shrugged their shoulders and smiled good-humoredly at the "illusion," +"notion," "fanaticism," or whatever else they called it; they were +simply living on too low a plane of life to understand, or to criticise +Mrs. Fry. Except animated by somewhat of fellow-feeling, none can +understand her career even now. It stands too far apart from, too highly +lifted above, our ordinary pursuits and pleasures, to be compared with +anything that less philanthropic-minded mortals may do. It called for a +far larger amount of self-denial than ordinary people are capable of; it +demanded too much singleness of purpose and sincerity of speech. Had +Mrs. Fry not come from a Quaker stock she might have conformed more to +the ways and manners of fashionable society; had she possessed less of +sterling piety, she might have sought to serve her fellow-creatures in +more easy paths. As a reformer, she was sometimes misunderstood, abused, +and spoken evil of. It was always the case and always will be, that +reformers receive injustice. Only, in some cases, as in this one, time +reverses the injustice, and metes out due honor. As a consequence, +Elizabeth Fry's name is surrounded with an aureola of fame, and her +self-abnegation affords a sublime spectacle to thoughtful minds of all +creeds and classes; for, simply doing good is seen to be the highest +glory. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +NEW THEORIES OF PRISON DISCIPLINE AND MANAGEMENT. + + +Mrs. Fry's opinions on prison discipline and management were necessarily +much opposed to those which had obtained prior to her day. No one who +has followed her career attentively, can fail to perceive that her +course of prison management was based upon well arranged and carefully +worked out principles. In various letters, in evidence before committees +of both Houses of Parliament, and in private intercourse, Mrs. Fry made +these principles and rules as fully known and as widely proclaimed as it +was possible to do. But, like all reformers, she felt the need of +securing a wider dissemination of them. Evidence given before +committees, was, in many points, deferred to; private suggestions and +recommendations were frequently adopted, but a large class of inquirers +were too far from the sphere of her influence to be moved in this way. +For the sake of these, and the general public, she deemed it wise to +embody her opinions and rules in a treatise, which gives in small +compass, but very clearly, the _rationale_ of her treatment of +prisoners; and lays down suggestions, hints, and principles upon which +others could work. Within about seventy octavo pages, she discourses +practically and plainly on the formation of Ladies' Committees for +visiting prisons, on the right method of proceeding in a prison after +the formation of such a committee, on female officers in prisons, on +separate prisons for females, on inspection and classification, on +instruction and employment, on medical attendance, diet, and clothing, +and on benevolent efforts for prisoners who have served their sentences. +It is easy to recognize in these pages the Quakeress, the woman, and the +Christian. She recommends to the attention of ladies, as departments for +doing good, not only prisons, but lunatic asylums, hospitals and +workhouses. At the same time she strongly recommends that only _orderly_ +and _experienced_ visitors should endeavor to penetrate into the abodes +of vice and wickedness, which the prisons of England at that day mostly +were. Among other judicious counsels for the conduct of these visitors +occur the following, which read as coming from her own experience. That +this was the case we may feel assured; Mrs. Fry was too wise and too +womanly not to warn others from the pit-falls over which she had +stumbled, or to permit anyone to fall into her early mistakes:-- + + "Much depends on the spirit in which the worker enters upon her + work. It must be the spirit not of judgment but of mercy. She must + not say in her heart, 'I am holier than thou'; but must rather keep + in perpetual remembrance that '_all_ have sinned,' and that, + therefore, great pity is due from us even to the greatest + transgressors among our fellow-creatures, and that in meekness and + love we ought to labor for their restoration. The good principle in + the hearts of many abandoned persons may be compared to the few + remaining sparks of a nearly extinguished fire. By means of the + utmost care and attention, united with the most gentle treatment, + these may yet be fanned into a flame; but under the operation of a + rough and violent hand they will presently disappear and be lost + forever. In our conduct with these unfortunate females, kindness, + gentleness, and true humility ought ever to be united with serenity + and firmness. Nor will it be safe ever to descend, in our + intercourse with them, to _familiarity_, for there is a dignity in + the Christian character which demands, and will obtain, respect; + and which is powerful in its influence even over dissolute + minds.... Neither is it by any means wise to converse with them on + the subject of the crimes of which they are accused or convicted, + for such conversation is injurious both to the criminals themselves + and to others who hear them; and, moreover, too frequently leads + them to add sin to sin, by uttering the grossest falsehoods. And + those who engage in the interesting task of visiting criminals must + not be impatient if they find the work of reformation a very slow + one.... Much disadvantage will accrue generally from endeavors on + the part of visiting ladies to procure the mitigation of the + sentences of criminals. Such endeavors ought never to be made + except where the cases are remarkably clear, and then through the + official channels. Deeply as we must deplore the baneful effects of + the punishment of death, and painful as we must feel it to be that + our fellow-creatures, in whose welfare we are interested, should be + prematurely plunged into an awful eternity, yet, while our laws + continue as they are, unless they can bring forward _decided facts_ + in favor of the condemned, it is wiser for the visiting ladies to + be quiet, and to submit to decrees which they cannot alter." + +In reference to the choice of officers, she strongly insists that all +officers--superior and inferior--shall be females. She prefers a widow +for the post of matron, because of her superior knowledge of the world +and of life; and never should she or her subordinates be chosen "because +the situation is suited to their wants, but because they are suited to +fill the situation." She holds it of the first importance that the +matrons should not only be of a superior station in life, but that they +should be decidedly religious. This little book was written in 1827, but +from her insistence upon this as a first requisite in proper dealing +with female prisoners, it appears likely that the then recent act of +George IV., had not been commonly complied with. This act provides that +a "matron shall be appointed in every prison in which female prisoners +shall be confined, who shall reside in the prison; and it shall be the +duty of the matron constantly to superintend the female prisoners." +Again, another clause of the Act says, "Females shall in all cases be +attended by female officers." That these provisions had only been +partially carried out, is proved by her words relative to this clause: +"Since the passing of the late Act of Parliament for the regulations of +prisons, our large jails have been generally provided with a matron and +female turnkeys; but it is much to be regretted that in many smaller +prisons no such provisions have yet been adopted. Nor ought it to be +concealed that the persons selected to fill the office of matron are, in +various instances, unsuited to their posts; and in other cases are +unfitted for its fulfillment, by residing out of prison." + +With respect to the classification of prisoners, Mrs. Fry recommends +four classes or divisions which should comprise the total:--1st. +Prisoners of previous good character, and guilty only of venial crimes. +This class, she suggests, should be allowed to dress a little better and +be put to lighter labors than the others. From their ranks, also, should +temporary officers be selected, while small pecuniary rewards might be +with propriety offered. 2d. Prisoners convicted of more serious crimes. +These should be treated with more strictness; but it should be possible +for a prisoner, by constant good conduct and obedience to rules, to rise +into the first class. 3d. In this class the privileges were to be +considerably diminished, while the 4th class consisted only of hardened +offenders, guilty of serious crimes, and of those who had been +frequently committed. "This class must undergo its peculiar privations +and hardships." Still, that hope may not entirely give place to despair, +Mrs. Fry recommends that even these criminals should be eligible for +promotion to the upper classes upon good behavior. It will be seen that +this system partook somewhat of Captain Machonochie's merit, or +good-mark system, introduced by him with such remarkable success into +Norfolk Island. + +Among other suggestions relative to the classification of prisoners we +find one recommending the wearing of a ticket by each woman. Every +ticket was to be inscribed with a number, which number should agree with +the corresponding number on the class list. Each class list was to be +kept by the matron or visitors, and was to include a register of the +conduct of the prisoners. In the case of convicts on board convict-ships +proceeding to the penal settlements, Mrs. Fry recommended that not only +should the women wear these tickets, but that every article of +clothing, every book, and every piece of bedding should be similarly +numbered; even the convicts' seats at table should be distinguished by +the same numbers in order to prevent disputes, and to promote order and +regularity. + +She considered the most thorough, vigilant, and unremitting inspection +essential to a correct system of prison discipline; by this means she +anticipated that an effectual, if slow, change of habits might be +produced. + +With regard to the instruction of prisoners, she held decided views as +to the primary importance of Scriptural knowledge. The Bible, and the +Bible alone, was to be the text-book for this purpose, while nothing +sectarian was to be admitted; but in their fullest sense, "the essential +and saving principles of our common Christianity were to be inculcated." +She recommended reading, writing, arithmetic, and needlework, the last +to carry with it a little remuneration, in order to afford the women +some encouragement. While acknowledging the wisdom of the Act of +Parliament which provided that prayers should be read daily in all +prisons, she strongly urges visitors and chaplains to teach privately +"that true religion and saving faith are in their nature practical, and +that the reality of repentance can be proved only by good works and by +an amendment in life and conversation." + +For the employment of prisoners she recommends such occupations as +patchwork, knitting stockings, making articles of plain needlework, +washing, ironing, housework, cooking, spinning, and weaving. It should +in all cases be _constant_, and in the worst cases, _disciplinary_ +labor. She recommends, under _strict limitations_, the treadmill for +hardened, refractory, and depraved women, but only for short periods. +All needleworkers especially should receive some remuneration for their +work, which remuneration should be allowed to accumulate for their +benefit by such time as their sentences expire, in order that when they +leave prison they may possess a little money wherewith to commence the +world afresh. Her words are: "The greater portion of their allotted +share of earnings, however, must be reserved for them against the time +of their leaving prison and returning to the world. The possession of a +moderate sum of money will _then_ be found of essential importance as +the means of preventing an almost irresistible temptation, the +temptation of want and money, to the renewal of criminal practices. And +if, in laboring for this remuneration the poor criminal has also gained +possession of the _habit_ of industry, and has learned to appreciate +the sweets of regular employment, it is more than probable that this +temptation may never occur again." + +Mrs. Fry quotes largely from the Act of Parliament, relative to the +matters of diet, medical attendance, clothing, bedding, and firing. It +seemed to be the fact that the provisions of this Act did not extend to +prisons which were exclusively under local jurisdiction; she therefore +recommends lady visitors and committees to see them enforced as much as +possible. While preserving even-handed justice between criminals and the +country whose laws they have outraged, by suggesting that their +treatment should be sufficiently penal to be humiliating, that their +hair should be cut short, and all personal ornaments forbidden, she +pleads earnestly for proper bedding and firing. She says: "During +inclement weather, diseases are sometimes contracted by the unfortunate +inmates of our jails, which can never afterwards be removed. I believe +it has sometimes happened that poor creatures committed to prison for +trial, have left the place of their confinement, acquitted of crime, and +yet crippled for life." + +From the same volume we find that Government had then inaugurated a +wiser, kinder system of dealing with the convicts destined for the +colonies. By the new regulations, females were allowed to take out with +them all children under the age of seven years; while a mother suckling +an infant was not compelled to leave England until the child was old +enough to be weaned. Again, the convicts were not to be manacled in any +way during their removal from the prison to the convict-ship; "but as +the rule is often infringed, it is desirable that ladies of the +committee should be vigilant on the subject, and should represent all +cases to the governor of the prison, and afterwards, if needful, to the +visiting magistrates." Further, the Government, or the boroughs, had to +provide the transports with needful clothing for the voyage; and, at the +end of it, the surgeon's or matron's certificate of good behavior was +sufficient to ensure employment for most of the women. Altogether it +seems certain that a new era for prisoners had dawned, and new ideas +prevailed in regard to them. How much Mrs. Fry's labors had contributed +to this state of things will never be fully known; but her work was +almost accomplished. + +This little book, which is a perfect _Vade Mecum_ of prison management, +was written in the interest of lady visitors, and for their use. It is +still interesting, as showing Mrs. Fry's own mode of procedure, and the +principles upon which she acted. The few quotations given in this +chapter will, however, suffice for the general reader. She concludes +with a pregnant sentence: "Let our prison discipline be severe in +proportion to the enormity of the crimes of those on whom it is +exercised, and let its strictness be such as to deter others from a +similar course of iniquity, but let us ever aim at the _diminution of +crime_ through the just and happy medium of the REFORMATION OF +CRIMINALS." + +Not only in the published page, but in other ways--in fact in every +possible way--did Mrs. Fry continue to proclaim the need of a new method +of ordering criminals, and also of so treating them, that they should be +fitted to return to society _improved_ and not _degraded_ by their +experience of penal measures. In 1832, she was called upon to give +evidence before another committee of the House of Commons, upon the best +mode of enforcing "secondary punishments" so as to repress crime. On +this occasion she dwelt particularly upon the points noticed in her book +published five years previously, and added one or two more. For +instance, while advocating complete separation at _night_, she quite as +earnestly contended against what was known as the "solitary system." On +this point she maintained that "solitude does not prepare women for +returning to social and domestic life, or tend so much to real +improvement, as carefully arranged intercourse during part of the day +with one another under the closest superintendence and inspection, +combined with constant occupation, and solitude at night." In her +evidence there occurs the following passage:-- + + Every matron should live upon the spot, and be able to inspect them + closely by night and by day; and when there are sufficient female + prisoners to require it, female officers should be appointed, and a + male turnkey never permitted to go into the women's apartments. I + am convinced when a prison is properly managed it is unnecessary, + because, by firm and gentle management, the most refractory may be + controlled by their own sex. But here I must put in a word + respecting ladies' visiting. I find a remarkable difference + depending upon whether female officers are superintended by ladies + or not. I can tell almost as soon as I go into the prison whether + they are or not, from the general appearance both of the women and + their officers. One reason is that many of the latter are not very + superior women, not very high, either in principle or habits, and + are liable to be contaminated; they soon get familiar with the + prisoners, and cease to excite the respect due to their office; + whereas, where ladies go in once, or twice, or three times a week, + the effect produced is decided. Their attendance keeps the female + officers in their places, makes them attend to their duty, and has + a constant influence on the minds of the prisoners themselves. In + short, I may say, after sixteen years' experience, that the result + of ladies of principle and respectability superintending the female + officers in prisons, and the prisons themselves, has far exceeded + my most sanguine expectations. In no instance have I more clearly + seen the beneficial effects of ladies' visiting and superintending + prisoners than on board convict-ships. I have witnessed the + alterations since ladies have visited them constantly in the river. + I heard formerly of the most dreadful iniquity, confusion, and + frequently great distress; latterly I have seen a very wonderful + improvement in their conduct. And on the voyage, I have most + valuable certificates to show the difference of their condition on + their arrival in the colony. I can produce, if necessary, extracts + from letters. Samuel Marsden, who has been chaplain there a good + many years, says it is quite a different thing: that they used to + come in a most filthy, abominable state, hardly fit for anything; + now they arrive in good order, in a totally different situation. + And I have heard the same thing from others. General Darling's + wife, a very valuable lady, has adopted the same system there; she + has visited the prison at Paramatta, and the same thing respecting + the officers is felt there as it is here. On the Continent of + Europe, in various parts--St. Petersburg, Geneva, Turin, Berne, + Basle, and some other places--there are corresponding societies, + and the result is the same in every part. In Berlin they are doing + wonders--I hear a most satisfactory account; and in St. Petersburg, + where, from the barbarous state of the people, it was said it could + not be done, the conduct of the prisoners has been perfectly + astonishing--an entire change has been produced. + +On the 22d of May, 1835, Mrs. Fry was desired to attend the Select +Committee of the House of Lords, appointed to inquire into the state of +the several jails and houses of correction in England and Wales. She +went, accompanied by three ladies, co-workers, and escorted by Sir T. +Fowell Buxton. The Duke of Richmond was chairman of the committee, which +included some twelve or fifteen noblemen. An eyewitness wrote afterwards +respecting Mrs. Fry's behavior and manner: "Never, should I think, was +the calm dignity of her character more conspicuous. Perfectly +self-possessed, her speech flowed melodiously, her ideas were clearly +expressed, and if another thought possessed her besides that of +delivering her opinions faithfully and judiciously upon the subjects +brought before her, it was that she might speak of her Lord and Master +in that noble company." + +The principal topics treated of in her evidence before this committee +were connected with the general state of female prisons. Among other +things, she urged the want of more instruction, but that such +instruction should not be given privately and _alone_ to women; that the +treadmill was an undesirable punishment for women; that matrons were +required to be suitable in character, age, and capability for the post; +that equality in labor and diet was needed; and she insisted on the +imperative necessity of Government inspectors in both Scotch and English +prisons and convict-ships. She enlarged upon these matters in the manner +the subject demanded, and gave the committee the impression of being in +solemn earnest. Her quiet, Christian dignity impressed all who listened +to her voice, while the most respectful consideration was paid to her +suggestions. In reply to a question touching the instruction of the +prisoners, she says:-- + + I believe the effect of religious and other instruction is hardly + to be calculated on; and I may further say that, notwithstanding + the high estimation and reverence in which I held the Holy + Scriptures, before I went to the prisons, as believing them to be + written by inspiration of God, and therefore calculated to produce + the greatest good, I have seen, in reading the Scripture to those + women, such a power attending them, and such an effect on the minds + of the most reprobate, as I could not have conceived. If anyone + wants a confirmation of the truth of Christianity let him go and + read the Scriptures in prison to poor sinners; you there see how + the Gospel is exactly adapted to the fallen condition of man. It + has strongly confirmed my faith; and I feel it to be the bounden + duty of the Government and the country that these truths shall be + administered in the manner most likely to conduce to the real + reformation of the prisoner. You then go to the root of the matter, + for though severe punishment may in a measure deter them and others + from crime, it does not amend the character and change the heart; + but if you have altered the principles of the individual, they are + not only deterred from crime because of the fear of punishment, but + they go out, and set a bright example to others. + +Both the _silent_ and _solitary_ systems were condemned by her as being +particularly liable to abuse. She considered the silent system cruel, +and especially adapted to harden the heart of a criminal even to moral +petrefaction. But the strongest protest was made against _solitary_ +confinement. Upon every available opportunity she spoke against it to +those who were in power. Unless the offense was of a very aggravated +nature, she doubted the right of any man to place a fellow-creature in +such misery. Some intercourse with his fellow-creatures seemed +imperatively necessary if the prisoner's life and reason were to be +preserved to him, and his mind to be kept from feeding upon the dark +past. To dark cells she had an unconquerable aversion. Sometimes she +would picture the possibility of the return of days of persecution, and +urge one consideration founded upon the self-interest of the authorities +themselves. "They may be building, though they little think it, dungeons +for their children and their children's children if times of religious +persecution or political disturbance should return." For this reason, if +for no other, she urged upon those who were contemplating the erection +of new prisons, the prime necessity of constructing those prisons so as +to enable them to conform to the requirements of humanity. + +Her opinions and reasons for and against the solitary system of +confinement are well given in a communication sent to M. de Beranger +after a visit to Paris, during which the subject of prison-management +had formed a staple theme of discussion in the _salons_ of that city. +With much practical insight and clearness of reasoning, Mrs. Fry +marshalled all the stock arguments, adding thereto such as her own +experience taught. + +In favor of the solitary system were to be urged:-- + +1st. The prevention of all contamination by their fellow-prisoners. + +2d. The impossibility of forming intimacies calculated to be injurious +in after life. + +3d. The increased solitude, which afforded larger opportunities for +serious reflection and, if so disposed, repentance and prayer by the +criminal. + +4th. The prevention of total loss of character on the part of the +prisoner, seeing that the _privacy_ of the confinement would operate +against the recognition of him by fellow-prisoners upon regaining their +liberty. + +Against it the following reasons could be urged-- + +1st. The extreme liability to ill-treatment or indulgence, according to +the mood and disposition of the officers in charge. + +2d. The extreme difficulty of obtaining a sufficiently large number of +honest, high-principled, just men and women, to carry out the solitary +system with impartiality, firmness, and, at the same time, kindness. +This reason was strongly corroborated by the governors of Cold Bath +Fields Prison, and the great Central Prison at Beaulieu. Their own large +experience had taught them the difficulty of securing officers in all +respects _fit to be trusted_ with the administration of such a system. + +3d. The very frequent result of the administration of this system by +incompetent or unfit officers would be the moral contamination of the +prisoners. + +4th. The enormous expense of providing officers and accommodation +sufficient to include all the criminals of the country. + +5th. The certainty of injury to body and mind from the continuance of +solitude for life. The digestive and vocal organs, and the reason would +inevitable suffer. In proof she quoted the notorious imbecility of the +aged monks of La Trappe: "We are credibly informed of the fact (in +addition to what we have known at home) that amongst the monks of La +Trappe few attain the age of sixty years without having suffered an +absolute decay of their mental powers, and fallen into premature +childishness." + +6th. The danger lest increased solitude instead of promoting +repentance, should furnish favorable hours for the premeditation of new +crimes, and so confirm the criminal in hardened sin. + +7th. The impossibility of fitting the prisoners for returning to society +under the system; whereas by teaching them useful employments and +trades, and training them to work in company for remuneration, habits +and customs may be induced which should aid in a life-long reformation. + +Two or three years after the enunciation of these principles and +reasons, Mrs. Fry addressed a valuable communication to Colonel Jebb in +reference to the new Model Prison at Pentonville, then (1841,) in course +of construction:-- + + We were much interested by our visit to this new prison. We think + the building generally does credit to the architect, particularly + in some important points, as ventilation, the plan of the + galleries, the chapel, etc., and we were also much pleased to + observe the arrangement for water in each cell, and that the + prisoner could ring a bell in case of wanting help. + + The points that made us uneasy were, first, the dark cells, which + we consider should never exist in a Christian and civilized + country. I think having prisoners placed in these cells a + punishment peculiarly liable to abuse. Whatever restrictions may be + made for the governor of a jail, and however lenient those who + _now_ govern, we can little calculate upon the change the future + may produce, or how these very cells may one day be made use of in + case of either political or religious disturbance in the country, + or how any poor prisoner may be placed in them in case of a more + severe administration of justice. + + I think no person should be placed in _total_ darkness; there + should be a ray of light admitted. These cells appear to me + calculated to excite such awful terror in the mind, not merely from + their darkness but from the circumstance of their being placed + within another cell, as well as being in such a dismal situation. + + I am always fearful of any punishment, beyond what the law publicly + authorizes, being privately inflicted by any keeper or officer of a + prison; for my experience most strongly proves that there are few + men who are themselves sufficiently governed and regulated by + Christian principle to be fit to have such power entrusted to their + hands; and further, I observe that officers in prisons have + generally so much to try and to provoke them that they themselves + are apt to become hardened to the more tender feelings of humanity. + They necessarily also see so much through the eyes of those under + them, turnkeys and inferior officers, (too many of whom are little + removed either in education or morals from the prisoners + themselves,) that their judgments are not always just. + + The next point that struck us was, that in the cells generally the + windows have that description of glass in them that even the sight + of the sky is entirely precluded. I am aware that the motive is to + prevent the possibility of seeing a fellow-prisoner; but I think a + prison for separate confinement should be so constructed that the + culprits may at least see the sky--indeed, I should prefer more + than the sky--without the liability of seeing fellow-prisoners. My + reason for this opinion is, that I consider it a very important + object to preserve the health of mind and body in these poor + creatures, and I am certain that separate confinement produces an + unhealthy state both of mind and body. Therefore everything should + be done to counteract this influence, which I am sure is baneful in + its moral tendency; for I am satisfied that a sinful course of life + increases the tendency to mental derangement, as well as to bodily + disease; and I am as certain that an unhealthy state of mind and + body has generally a demoralizing influence; and I consider light, + air, and the power of seeing something beyond the mere monotonous + walls of a cell highly important. I am aware that air is properly + admitted, also light; still I do think they ought to see the sky, + the changes in which make it a most pleasant object for those who + are closely confined. + + When speaking of health of body and mind, I also mean health of + soul, which is of the first importance, for I do not believe that a + despairing or stupefied state is suitable for leading poor sinners + to a Saviour's feet for pardon and salvation. + +Mrs. Fry held quite as decided opinions upon lunatic asylums and their +keepers. It was something terrible to her to know that poor demented +creatures lay pining, chained and ill-treated, in dungeons; knowing no +will but the caprice of their keepers. She spared no efforts to improve +their condition; by tongue and pen she sought to enforce new principles +and modes of action, in relation to lunatics, into the mind of those who +had to govern them. So incessant were her labors to attain the ends she +had set before her, that there was not a country in Europe which she +did not influence. Almost daily communications were coming in from +France, Denmark, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, and other countries, +detailing the success of the new plans which she had introduced and +recommended to the respective Governments. A regular correspondence was +kept up between her and Mr. Venning of St. Petersburg, by order of the +Empress of Russia, who took the greatest interest in the benevolent +enterprise. From some letters given in the _Memoirs of Mrs. Fry_ it +seems that the Empress felt a true Womanly compassion for the inmates of +the Government Lunatic Asylum, and inaugurated a system of more rational +treatment. How far her influence on behalf of the imprisoned and insane +was induced and fostered by the English Quakeress, was never fully known +until after her death, when a most interesting letter, addressed to the +children of Mrs. Fry, was published. This letter was sent to them by Mr. +John Venning, brother to Walter Venning, who had opened the +correspondence, but who had, like the benevolent lady with whom it was +maintained, "passed over to the majority." From this correspondence it +was found that the Emperor and Empress of Russia, the Princess Sophia +Mestchersky, Prince Galitzin, and many ladies of high rank, had been +stirred up to befriend those who had fallen under the strong arm of the +law, and to make their captivity more productive, if possible, of good +results. + +Not only so, but lunatics, more helpless than prisoners, had been cared +for, as the outcome of Mrs. Fry's visits to St. Petersburg, and her +communications with the powers that were at that era. With these +preliminary words of explanation, the subjoined letter speaks for +itself:-- + + I cheerfully comply with your desire to be furnished with some of + the most striking and useful points contained in your late beloved + mother's correspondence with myself in Russia, relative to the + improvement of the Lunatic Asylum in St. Petersburg. I the more + readily engage in this duty, because I am persuaded that its + publication may, under the Lord's blessing, prove of great service + to many such institutions on the Continent, as well as in Great + Britain.... I begin by stating that her correspondence was + invaluable, as regarded the treatment and management of both + prisoners and insane people. It was the fruit of her own rich + practical experience communicated with touching simplicity, and it + produced lasting benefits to these institutions in Russia. In 1827, + I informed your dear mother that I had presented to the Emperor + Nicholas a statement of the defects of the Government Lunatic + Asylum, which could only be compared to our own old Bedlam in + London, fifty years since; and that the dowager Empress had sent + for me to the Winter Palace, when she most kindly, and I may say, + joyfully, informed me that she and her august son, the Emperor, had + visited together this abode of misery. They were convinced of the + necessity, not only of having a new building, but also of a + complete reform in the management of the insane; and further that + the Emperor had requested her to take it under her own care, and to + appoint me the governor of it. I must observe that in the meantime + the old asylum was immediately improved, as much as the building + allowed, for the introduction of your dear mother's admirable + system. Shortly after, I had the pleasure of accompanying the + Empress to examine a palace-like house--Prince Sherbatoff's--having + above two miles of garden, and a fine stream of water running + through the grounds, situated only five miles from St. Petersburg. + The next day an order was given to purchase it. I was permitted to + send the plan of this immense building to your dear mother for her + inspection, as well as to ask from her hints for its improvement. + Two extensive wings were recommended, and subsequently added for + dormitories. The wings cost about L15,000, and in addition to this + sum from the Government, the Emperor, who was always ready to + promote the cause of benevolence, gave three thousand pounds for + cast-iron window-frames, recommended by your dear mother, as the + clumsy iron bars which had been used in the old institution had + induced many a poor inmate, when looking at them, to say with a + sigh, "Sir, prison, prison!" Your dear mother, also strongly + recommended that all, except the violent lunatics, should dine + together at a table covered with a cloth, and furnished with plates + and spoons. + + The former method of serving out the food was most disgusting. This + new plan delighted the Empress, and I soon received an order to + meet her at the asylum. On her arrival she requested that a table + should be covered, and then desired me to go round and invite the + inmates to come and dine. Sixteen came immediately, and sat down. + The Empress approached the table, and ordered one of the upper + servants to sit at the head of it and to ask a blessing. When the + servant arose to do this, they all stood up. The soup, with small + pieces of meat, was then regularly served; and as soon as dinner + was finished, they all rose up spontaneously and thanked the + Empress for her motherly kindness. I saw that the kind Empress was + deeply moved, and turning to me she said, "_Mon Cher_, this is one + of the happiest days of my life." The next day the number increased + at table, and so it continued increasing. After your dear mother's + return from Ireland, where she had been visiting, among other + institutions, the lunatic asylums, she wrote me a letter on the + great importance of supplying the lunatics with the Scriptures. + This letter deserved to be written in letters of gold; I sent it to + the Imperial family; it excited the most pleasing feelings and + marked approbation. The court physician, His Excellency Dr. Riehl, + a most enlightened and devoted philanthropist, came to me for a + copy of it. It removed all the difficulty there had been respecting + giving the Holy Scriptures to the inmates. I was therefore + permitted to furnish them with copies, in their various languages. + It may be useful to state the result of this measure, which was + considered by some to be a wild and dangerous proceeding. I soon + found groups collected together, listening patiently and quietly to + one of their number reading the New Testament. Instead of + disturbing their minds, it soothed and delighted them. I have + witnessed a poor lunatic, a Frenchman, during an interval of + returning reason, reading the New Testament in his bed-room, with + tears running down his cheeks; also a Russian priest, a lunatic, + collected a number together, while he read to them the Word of God. + + On one occasion I witnessed a most interesting scene. On entering + the institution, I found a young woman dying; her eyes were closed, + and she was apparently breathing her last breath. I ordered one of + the servants of the institution to read very loud to her that + verse, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten + Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have + everlasting life." Dr. K---- observed, "Sir, she is almost dead, + and it is useless." On my urging its being done, lo! to the + astonishment of all present, she opened her eyes and smiled. I + said: "Is it sweet, my dear?" She nodded assent. "Shall it be read + to you again?" A smile and nod of the head followed. She evidently + possessed her reason at that moment, and who can trace, or limit, + the operation of the Holy Spirit, on the reading of God's own Word + even in her circumstances? + + When I received a letter from your mother I always wrote it out in + French, and presented it in that language to the Empress; and when + she had read it, it was very encouraging to see with what alacrity + she ordered one of her secretaries to translate it into Russian, + and then deliver it to me to be conveyed to the asylum, and entered + into the journal there, for immediate adoption. I remember on one + occasion, taking a list of rules, at least fourteen in number, and + the same day were confirmed by the Empress. These rules introduced + the following important arrangements; viz., the treating the + inmates, as far as possible as sane persons, both in conversation + and manners toward them; to allow them as much liberty as possible; + to engage them daily to take exercise in the open air; to allow + them to wear their own clothes and no uniform prison-dress; also to + break up the inhuman system of permitting the promiscuous idle + curiosity of the public, so that no one was allowed to see them + without permission; a room, on entering the asylum, was prepared + for one at a time, on certain days, to see their relations. The old + cruel system drew forth many angry expressions from the poor + lunatics: "Are we, then, wild beasts, to be gazed at?" + + The Empress made a present to the institution of a piano-forte; it + had also a hand-organ, which pleased the poor inmates exceedingly. + On one occasion the Empress, on entering the asylum, observed that + the inmates appeared unusually dull, when she called them near, and + played on the hand-organ herself an enlivening tune. + + Another important rule of your mother's was, most strictly to + fulfill whatever you promise to any of the inmates, and, above all, + to exercise patience, gentleness, kindness, and love towards them; + therefore, to be exceedingly careful as to the character of the + keepers you appoint. These are some of the pleasing results of your + mother's work. The dowager Empress, on one occasion, conversing + about your mother, said: "How much I should like to see that + excellent woman, Madame Fry, in Russia;" and often did I indulge + that wish. What a meeting it would have been, between two such + devoted philanthropists as your mother and the dowager Empress, who + was daily devoting her time and fortune to doing good.... Although + the Empress was in her sixty-ninth year, I had the felicity of + accompanying her in no less than eleven of her personal visits to + the Lunatic Asylum, say from February to October, 1828. On the 24th + of October she died, to the deep-felt regret of the whole empire. + Rozoff, a young lunatic, as soon as he heard it, burst into tears. + She would visit each lunatic, when bodily afflicted, and send an + easy chair for one, and nicely-dressed meat for others; and weekly + send from the palace wine, coffee, tea, sugar and fruit for their + use. + + Among the many striking features in your mother's correspondence, + her love to the Word of God, and her desire for its general + circulation, were very apparent. Evidently, that sacred book was + the fountain whence she herself derived all that strength and grace + to carry on her work of faith and labor of love, which her Divine + Master so richly blessed.... In December 1827, when accompanying + the Emperor Nicholas through the new Litoffsky Prison, he was not + only well pleased to find every cell fully supplied with the + Scriptures--the rich result of his having confirmed the late + Emperor Alexander's orders to give the Scriptures gratis to all the + prisoners--but on seeing some Jews in the prison he said to me: "I + hope you also furnish these poor people with them, that they may + become Christians; I pity them." I witnessed a most touching scene + on the Emperor's entering the debtors' room; three old, venerable, + gray-headed men fell on their knees and cried, "Father, have mercy + on us!" The Emperor stretched out his hand in the peculiar grandeur + of his manner, and said: "Rise; all your debts are paid; from this + moment you are free"; without knowing the amount of the debts, one + of which was very considerable. I hope this feeble attempt to + detail a little of your dear mother's useful work may be + acceptable, leaving you to make what use of it you think proper. + +Such testimonies as these must have been peculiarly grateful to Mrs. +Fry's family, because it is natural to desire not only success in any +good work, but also grateful remembrance and appreciation, of it. +Sometimes, however, the reverse was the case; even those whom she had +endeavored to serve had turned out ungrateful, impudent and hardened. +Yet her loving pity followed even them: still, like the Lord whom she +served, she loved them in spite of their repulsiveness and ingratitude. +And when some notably ungrateful things were reported to her respecting +the female convicts on board the _Amphitrite_, she only prayed and +sorrowed for them the more. Especially was this the case when she heard +that the ship had gone down on the French coast, bearing to their tomb +beneath the sad sea waves, the 120 women, with their children, being +conveyed in her to New South Wales. Not one hard thought did she +entertain of them: all was charity, sorrow and tenderness. And if for +one little moment her new theories as to the treatment of criminals +seemed to be broken down, never for an instant did she set them aside. +She knew that perfection could only be attained after many long years of +trial and probation. While undermining the old ideas, she set herself an +equally gigantic task in establishing the new. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +MRS. FRY IN DOMESTIC AND RELIGIOUS LIFE. + + +Hitherto our little monograph has dealt mainly with Mrs. Fry's _public_ +life and work. Possibly, however, the reader may now feel curious to +know how she bore the strain of private responsibilities; how as a wife, +mother, neighbor, and Christian, she performed the duties which usually +fall to people in those positions. It does not appear that she was +wanting in any of them. + +As the wife of a city merchant, as the mistress, until reverses came, of +a large household, as the mother of a numerous family of boys and girls, +and as the plain Friend, and minister among Friends, she seems to have +fulfilled the duties which devolved upon her with quiet, cheerful +simplicity, persevering conscientiousness, and prayerful earnestness. +She was much the same in sunshine and in shadow, in losses and in +prosperity; her only anxiety was to do what was right. From the +revelations of her journal we find that self-examination caused her +frequently to put into the form of writing, the questions which +harassed her soul. There can be no reasonable doubt that she _was_ +harassed as all over-conscientious people are--with the fear and +consciousness that her duties were not half done. How few of this class +ever contemplate themselves or their works with anything like +satisfaction! A short extract from her journal penned during the first +years of her wedded life affords the key to this self-examination, a +self-examination which was strictly continued as long as reason held her +sway. This entry is entitled "Questions for Myself." + +"First.--Hast thou this day been honest and true in performing thy duty +towards thy Creator in the first place, and secondly towards thy +fellow-creatures; or hast thou sophisticated and flinched? + +"Second.--Hast thou been vigilant in frequently pausing, in the hurry +and career of the day, to see who thou art endeavoring to serve: whether +thy Maker or thyself? And every time that trial or temptation assailed +thee, didst thou endeavor to look steadily at the Delivering Power, even +to Christ who can do all things for thee? + +"Third.--Hast thou endeavored to perform thy relative duties faithfully; +been a tender, loving, yielding wife, where thy own will and pleasure +were concerned, a tender yet steady mother with thy children, making +thyself quickly and strictly obeyed, but careful in what thou requirest +of them; a kind yet honest mistress, telling thy servants their faults, +when thou thinkest it for their or thy good, but never unnecessarily +worrying thyself or them about trifles, and to everyone endeavoring to +do as thou wouldst be done unto?" + +A life governed by these principles, and measured by these rules, was +not likely to be otherwise than strictly, severely, nervously good. We +use the word "nervously" because here and there, up and down the pages +of her journal are scattered numerous passages full of such questions as +the above. None ever peered into their hearts, or searched their lives +more relentlessly than she did. Upright, self-denying, just, pure, +charitable, "hoping all things, bearing all things, believing all +things," she judged herself by a stricter law than she judged others; +condemning in herself what she allowed to be expedient, if not lawful, +in others, and laying bare her inmost heart before her God. After she +had done all that she judged it to be her duty to do, she humbly and +tearfully acknowledged herself to be one of the Lord's most +"unprofitable servants." It would be useless to endeavor to measure such +a life by any rules of worldly polity or fashions. An extract written +at this time, relative to the welfare and treatment of servants, may be +of use in showing how she permitted her sound sense and practical daily +piety to decide for her in emergencies and anxieties growing out of the +"mistress and servant" question. "At this time there is no set of people +I feel so much about as servants; as I do not think they have generally +justice done to them. They are too much considered as another race of +beings, and we are apt to forget that the holy injunction holds good +with them: 'As ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to +them.' I believe in striving to do so we shall not take them out of +their station in life, but endeavor to render them happy and contented +in it, and be truly their friends, though not their familiars or equals, +as to the things of this life. We have reason to believe that the +difference in our stations is ordered by a wiser than ourselves, who +directs us how to fill our different places; but we must endeavor never +to forget that in the best sense we are all one, and, though our paths +may be different, we have all souls equally valuable, and have all the +same work to do, which, if properly considered, should lead us to have +great sympathy and love, and also a constant care for their welfare, +both here and hereafter. We greatly misunderstand each other (I mean +servants and masters in general); I fully believe, partly from our +different situations in life, and partly from our different educations, +and the way in which each party is apt to view the other. Masters and +mistresses are greatly deficient, I think, in a general way; and so are +most servants towards them; it is for both to keep in view strictly to +do unto others as they would be done unto, and also to remember that we +are indeed all one with God." + +As the mother of a large family, Mrs. Fry endeavored to do her duty +faithfully and lovingly. Twelve sons and daughters were given to her, +trained by her more or less, with reference not only to their temporal +welfare, but their spiritual also. In all the years of motherhood many +cares attached themselves to her. Illness, the deaths of near relatives, +and of one little child, the marriage of some of her children out of the +Society of Friends, losses in business, and consequent reduction of +household comforts and pleasures, the censure which sometimes followed +her most disinterested acts, and the exaggerated praise of others, all +combined to try her character and her spirit. Through it all she moved +and lived, like one who was surrounded with an angelic company of +witnesses; desirous only of laying up such a life-record that she could +with calmness face it in "that day for which all other days are made." + +One after another the little fledglings came to the home-nest, to be +cared for, trained up, and fitted for their peculiar niches in life. But +in 1815, a new sorrow came to the fireside; the angel reaper Death cut +down the little Elizabeth, the seventh child, nearly five years of age, +and the special darling of the band. Her illness was very short, +scarcely lasting a week; but even during that illness her docile, +intelligent spirit exhibited itself in new and more endearing phases. +Death was only anticipated during the last few hours of life, and when +the fatal issue appeared but too certain the parents sat in agonized +silence, watching the darling whom they could not save. Mrs. Fry begged +earnestly of the Great Disposer of life and death that he would spare +the child, if consonant with His holy will; but when the end came, and +the child had passed "through the pearly gates into the city" she +uttered an audible thanksgiving that she was at last where neither sin, +sorrow, nor death could have any dominion. No words can do justice to +this event like her own, written in her journal at that time. The pages +recall all a mother's love and yearning tenderness, together with a +Christian's strong confidence:-- + + It has pleased Almighty and Infinite Wisdom to take from us our + most dear and tenderly-beloved child little Betsy, between four + and five years old. In receiving her, as well as giving her back + again, we have, I believe, been enabled to bless the Sacred Name. + She was a very precious child, of much wisdom for her years, and, I + can hardly help believing, much grace; liable to the frailty of + childhood, at times she would differ with the little ones and + rather loved her own way, but she was very easy to lead though not + one to be driven. She had most tender affections, a good + understanding for her years, and a remarkably staid and solid mind. + Her love was very strong, and her little attentions great to those + she loved, and remarkable in her kindness to servants, poor people, + and all animals; she had much feeling for them; but what was more, + the bent of her mind was remarkably toward serious things. It was a + subject she loved to dwell upon: she would often talk of "Almighty + God," and almost everything that had connection with Him. On Third + Day, after some suffering of body from great sickness, she appeared + wonderfully relieved ... and, began by telling me how many hymns + and stories she knew, with her countenance greatly animated, a + flush on her cheeks, her eyes very bright, and a smile of + inexpressible content, almost joy. I think she first said, with a + powerful voice,-- + + How glorious is our Heavenly King, + Who reigns above the sky; + + and then expressed how beautiful it was, and how the little + children that die stand before Him; but she did not remember all + the words of the hymn, nor could I help her. She then mentioned + other hymns, and many sweet things ... her heart appeared + inexpressibly to overflow with love. Afterwards she told me one or + two droll stories, and made clear and bright comments as she went + along; then stopped a little while, and said in the fullness of + her heart, and the joy of a little innocent child.... "Mamma, I + love everybody better than myself, and I love thee better than + anybody, and I love Almighty much better than thee, and I hope thee + loves Almighty much better than me."... I appeared to satisfy her + that it was so. This was on Third Day morning, and she was a corpse + on Fifth Day evening; but in her death there was abundant cause for + thanksgiving; prayer appeared indeed to be answered, as very little + if any suffering seemed to attend her, and no struggle at last, but + her breathing grew more and more slow and gentle, till she ceased + to breathe at all. During the day, being from time to time + strengthened in prayer, in heart, and in word, I found myself only + led to ask for her that she might be for ever with her God, whether + she remained much longer in time or not; but, that if it pleased + Infinite Wisdom her sufferings might be mitigated, and as far as it + was needful for her to suffer that she might be sustained. This was + marvellously answered beyond anything we could expect from the + nature of the complaint.... I desire never to forget this favor, + but, if it please Infinite Wisdom, to be preserved from repining or + unduly giving way to lamentation for losing so sweet a child.... I + have been permitted to feel inexpressible pangs at her loss, though + at first it was so much like partaking with her in joy and glory, + that I could not mourn if I would, only rejoice almost with joy + unspeakable and full of glory. But if very deep baptism was + afterwards permitted me, like the enemy coming in as a flood; but + even here a way for escape has been made, my supplication answered + ... and the bitter cup sweetened; but at others my loss has touched + me in a manner almost inexpressible, to awake and find my + much-loved little girl so totally fled from my view, so many + pleasant pictures marred. As far as I am concerned, I view it as a + separation from a sweet source of comfort and enjoyment, but surely + not a real evil. Abundant comforts are left me if it please my kind + and Heavenly Father to provide me power to enjoy them, and + continually in heart to return him thanks for His unutterable + loving kindness to my tenderly-beloved little one, who had so sweet + and easy a life and so tranquil a death.... My much-loved husband + and I have drunk this cup together in close sympathy and unity of + feeling. It has at times been very bitter to us both; but as an + outward alleviation, we have, I believe, been in measure each + other's joy and helpers. The sweet children have also tenderly + sympathized; brothers, sisters, servants, and friends, have been + very near and dear in showing their kindness not only to the + darling child, but to me, and to us all.... We find outwardly and + inwardly, "the Lord did provide." + +The little lost Betsey, who "just came to show how sweet a flower for +Paradise could bloom," was thenceforth a sacred memory; for from that +day they had a connecting link between their household and the skies. +Very frequently, even in the midst of her multifarious engagements, her +thoughts wandered off to the little grave in Barking burying-ground, +where rested the remains of the dear child, and, perchance, a tenderer +tone crept into her voice as she dealt with the outcast children of +prisons and reformatories. Soon after this event the elder boys and +girls went to school among their relatives, and only the youngest were +left at Plashet House with her. As a new baby came within six months +after little Betsey's death, the motherly hands were still full. She +found, however, time to write letters of wise and mother-like counsels. + + My much-loved girls:--Your letters received last evening gave us + much pleasure. I anxiously hope that you will now do your utmost in + whatever respects your education, not only on your own account, but + for our sake. I look forward to your return with so much comfort, + as useful and valuable helpers to me, which you will be all the + more if you get forward yourselves. I see quite a field of useful + service and enjoyment for you, should we be favored to meet under + comfortable circumstances in the spring. I mean that you should + have a certain department to fill in the house, amongst the + children and the poor, as well as your own studies and enjoyments; + I think there was not often a brighter opening for two girls. + Plashet is, after all, such a home, it now looks sweetly; and your + little room is almost a temptation to me to take it for a + sitting-room for myself, it is so pretty and so snug; it is newly + furnished, and looks very pleasant indeed. The poor, and the + school, will, I think, be glad to have you home, for help is wanted + in these things. Indeed, if your hearts are but turned the right + way, you may, I believe, be made instruments of much good, and I + shall be glad to have the day come that I may introduce you into + prisons and hospitals.... This appears to me to be your present + business--to give all diligence to your present duties; and I + cannot help believing, if this be the case, that the day will come + when you will be brought into much usefulness. + +As the years rolled on, her boys went to school also; but they were +followed by a loving mother's counsels. From her correspondence with +them we cull a few extracts to prove how constant and tender was her +care over them, and how far-reaching her anxieties. Two or three +specimens will suffice. + +Upon the departure of each of her boys for boarding-school she wrote out +and gave him a copy of the following rules. They are valuable, as +showing how carefully she watched over their mental and moral welfare. + +"1st. Be regular, strict in attending to religious duties; and do not +allow other boys around thee to prevent thy having some portion of time +for reading at least a text of Scripture, meditation and prayer; and if +it appear to be a duty, flinch not from bowing the knee before them, as +a mark of thy allegiance to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Attend +diligently when the holy Scriptures are read, or to any other religious +instruction, and endeavor in Meeting to seek after a serious waiting +state of mind, and to watch unto prayer. Let First Day be well employed +in reading proper books, etc., but also enjoy the rest of innocent +recreation, afforded in admiring the beauties of nature; for I believe +this is right in the ordering of a kind Providence that there should be +some rest and recreation in it. Show a proper, bold, and manly spirit +in maintaining among thy play-fellows a religious character, and strict +attention to all religious duties. Remember these texts to strengthen +thee in it. 'For whosoever shall be ashamed of Me, and My words, of him +shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He shall come in His own glory, in +His Father's, and of the holy angels.' 'But I say unto you, whosoever +shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess +before the angels of God; but he that denieth Me before man shall be +denied before the angels of God.' Now, the sooner the dread laugh of the +world loses its power, the better for you.... But strongly as I advise +thee thus faithfully maintaining thy principles and doing thy duty, I +would have thee very careful of either judging or reproving others; for +it takes a long time to get the beam out of our own eye, before we can +see clearly to take the mote out of our brother's eye. There is for one +young in years, much greater safety in preaching to others by example, +than in word, or doing what is done in an upright, manly spirit, 'unto +the Lord, and not unto man.' + +"2d. I shall not speak of moral conduct, which, if religious principles +be kept to, we may believe will be good; but I shall give certain hints +that may point out the temptations to which schools are particularly +liable. I have observed a want of strict integrity in school-boys, as it +respects their schoolmasters and teachers--a disposition to cheat them, +to do that behind their backs which they would not do before their +faces, and so having two faces. Now, this is a subject of the utmost +importance--to maintain truth and integrity upon all points. Be not +double-minded in any degree, but faithfully maintain, not only the +upright principle on religious ground, but also the brightest honor, +according to the maxims of the world. I mourn to say I have seen the +want of this bright honor, not only in school-boys, but in some of our +highly-professing society; and my belief is that it cannot be too +strictly maintained, or too early begun. I like to see it in small +things, and in great; for it marks the upright man. I may say that I +abhor anything like being under-handed or double-dealing; but let us go +on the right and noble principle of doing to others as we would have +others do to us; therefore, in all transactions, small and great, +maintain strictly the correct, upright, and most honorable practice. I +have heard of boys robbing their neighbors' fruit, etc.; I may truly say +that I believe there are very few in the present day would do such +things, but no circumstances can make this other than a shameful +deviation from all honest and right principles. My belief is, that such +habits begun in youth end mostly in great incorrectness in future life, +if not in gross sin; and that no excuse can be pleaded for such actions, +for sin is equally sin, whether committed by the school-boy or those of +mature years, which is too apt to be forgotten, and that punishment +_will_ follow." + +In a letter to her eldest son she begs him to try to be a learned man, +not to neglect the modern languages; but so to improve his time at +school that he may become in manhood a power for good; and then, by +various thoughtful kindnesses manifests her unwearying care for his +welfare. + +She gratefully acknowledges, in another communication to a sister, the +assistance which that sister rendered in educating some of the elder +girls, for a time, so enabling Mrs. Fry herself to be set free for the +multitude of other duties awaiting her. + +As years rolled by, an acute cause of sorrow to her was the marriage of +one, then another of her numerous family out of the Society. They mostly +married into families connected with the Church of England; but as the +Society of Friends disunite from membership all who marry out of it, +and as parents are blamed for permitting such unions, her sorrow was +somewhat heavy. She even anticipated being cut off from the privilege of +ministry in the Society; but to the credit of that Society, it does not +appear that it silenced her in return for the forsaking, by her +children, of "the old paths." Whether Quakerism was too old-fashioned +and strict for the young people, or the attractions of families other +than Friends more powerful, we cannot say. However, it seems that the +young folks grew up to be useful and God-fearing in the main, so that +the Church universal lost nothing by their transference into other +communions. + + When joy seems highest + Then sorrow is nighest, + +says the old rhyme. An experience of this sort came to Mrs. Fry. One of +her children had just married an estimable member of the Society of +Friends, and while rejoicing with the young couple, she appeared to be +drawn out in thankfulness for the many mercies vouchsafed to her. Her +cup seemed brimming over with joy; and after the bridal party had +departed, one of her daughters came across the lawn to remark to her +mother on the beauty of the scene, finishing by a reference to the +temporal prosperity which was granted them. Mrs. Fry could do no other +than acquiesce in the sentiments expressed, but added, with almost +prophetic insight, "But I have remarked that when great outward +prosperity is granted it is often permitted to precede great trials." +This was in the summer of 1828; before that year ended the family was +struggling in the waves of adversity, losses, and trials--struggling, +indeed, to preserve that honest name which had hitherto been the pride +of Mr. Fry's firm. + +One of the houses of business with which Mr. Fry was connected at this +time failed, and his income was largely diminished. The house which he +personally conducted was still able to meet all its obligations; but the +blow in connection with this other firm was so staggering that they were +forced to submit to the pressure of straitened means, at least for a +time. We are told, indeed, by Mrs. Fry's daughters, that this failure +"involved Mrs. Fry and her family in a train of sorrows and perplexities +which tinged the remaining years of her life." The strict principles and +the not less strict discipline of the Society of Friends rendered her +course of action at that juncture very doubtful. Occupying the prominent +positions she had before the nation--indeed before the world, for Mrs. +Fry's name was a household word--it seemed impossible to her upright +spirit to face the usual Meeting on First Day. Her sensitive spirit +winced acutely at the reproach which _might perchance_ be cast upon the +name of religion; but after a prayerful pause she and her husband went, +accompanied by their children--at least such of them as were then at +home. She occupied her usual place at the Meeting, but the big tears +rolling down her face in quick succession, testified to the sorrow and +anguish which then became her lot. Yet before the session ended she +rose, calmed herself, and spoke, most thrillingly, from the words, +"Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him," while the listeners +manifested their sympathy by tears and words of sorrow. In November of +that sad year she wrote the following letter to one of her children, in +reference to the trial:-- + + I do not like to pour out my sorrows too heavily upon thee, nor do + I like to keep thee in the dark as to our real state. This is, I + consider, one of the deepest trials to which we are liable; its + perplexities are so great and numerous, its mortifications and + humiliations so abounding, and its sorrows so deep. None can tell, + but those who have passed through it, the anguish of heart at times + felt; but, thanks be to God, this extreme state of distress has not + been very frequent, nor its continuance very long. I frequently + find my mind in degree sheathed against the deep sorrows, and am + enabled not to look so much at them; but there are also times when + secondary things arise, such as parting with servants, schools, the + poor around us, and our dear home. These things overwhelm me; + indeed, I think naturally I have a very acute sense of the sorrow. + Then the bright side of the picture arises. I have found such help + and strength in prayer to God, and highly mysterious as this + dispensation may be in some points of view, yet I think I have + frequently, if not generally, been able to say, "Not as I will, but + as Thou wilt," and bow under it. All our children and + children-in-law, my brothers and sisters, our many friends and + servants, have been a strong consolation to me. + +It was not possible, however, for Mrs. Fry to suffer without +experiencing an unwonted measure of sympathy from all classes of the +community. Many hearts followed her most lovingly in these hours of +humiliation and sorrow; and when it was known that she must leave +Plashet House, the tide of deep sympathy overflowed more than one heart. +As a preliminary step the family moved, first to St. Mildred's Court, +then to the home of their eldest son. The business which had been +carried on there by Mr. Fry and his father was now conducted by his +sons; and by this the young men were enabled to provide for the comfort +of their parents. Their bidding good-bye to Plashet, however, entailed +very much that was sad to others. The schools hitherto supported by the +Frys were handed over to the care of the vicar of the parish; many old +pensioners and servants had to be given over to the kindness of others, +or in some cases, possibly, to the not very tender mercies of "the +parish;" while she herself, who had always laid it down as an +indispensable rule to be _just_ before being generous, was compelled to +conform her manner of life to somewhat narrow means. + +Shakespeare says: "Sorrow comes not in single spies but in battalions," +and experience proves the adage to be true. William Fry, the eldest son +of the family, was thrown upon a bed of illness, as the result of an +over-strained and exhausted brain; soon after, sickness spread through +the whole family, until the house, and even Plashet,--which, being +empty, afforded them a temporary shelter,--became a hospital on a small +scale. Yet at this time the kindly letters of sympathy and condolence +received from all quarters must have comforted and cheered her anguished +spirit. From a number of such communications we give two, one from +William Wilberforce, the other from Mrs. Opie. Wilberforce wrote:-- + + You, I doubt not, will be enabled to _feel_, as well as to know, + that even this event will be one of those which, in your instance, + are working for good. You have been enabled to exhibit a bright + specimen of Christian excellence in _doing_ the will of God, and, I + doubt not, you will manifest a similar specimen in the harder and + more difficult exercise of _suffering_ it. I have often thought + that we are sometimes apt to forget that key, for unlocking what + we deem to be very mysterious dispensations of Providence, in the + misfortunes and afflictions of eminent servants of God, that is + afforded by a passage in St. Paul's Epistle to his beloved + Phillipians: "Unto you it is given, not only to believe on Him, but + also to suffer for His sake." It is the strong only that will be + selected for exhibiting these graces which require peculiar + strength. May you, my dear friend (indeed, I doubt not you will), + be enabled to bear the whole will of God with cheerful confidence + in His unerring wisdom and unfailing goodness. May every loss of + this world's wealth be more than compensated by a larger measure of + the unsearchable riches of Christ.... Meanwhile you are richly + provided with relatives and friends whom you love so well as to + relish receiving kindnesses from them, as well as the far easier + office of doing them.... + +In reply to this, it would seem that Mrs. Fry, while thankful for the +sympathy manifested on all hands, doubted the advisability of resuming +her benevolent labors among prisons and hospitals. Mr. Wilberforce +proved himself again a wise and far-seeing counsellor. He wrote:-- + + I cannot delay assuring you that I do not see how it is possible + for any reasonable being to doubt the propriety ... or, rather, let + me say _the absolute duty_--of your renewing your prison + visitations. A gracious Providence has blessed you with success in + your endeavors to impress a set of miserables, whose character and + circumstances might almost have extinguished hope, and you will + return to them, if with diminished pecuniary powers, yet, we may + trust, through the mercy and goodness of our Heavenly Father, with + powers of a far higher order unimpaired, and with the augmented + respect and regard of every sound judgment ... for having borne + with becoming disposition a far harder trial certainly than any + stroke which proceeds immediately from the hand of God. May you + continue, my dear Madam, to be the honored instrument of great and + rare benefits to almost the most pitiable of your fellow-creatures. + +The _Record_ newspaper had suggested that additional contributions +should be sent to the chief of the societies which had been inaugurated +by Mrs. Fry, and so largely supported by her. The Marquis of +Cholmondeley wrote to Mrs. Opie, inquiring of that lady fuller +particulars of the disaster, in so far as it affected or was likely to +affect Mrs. Fry's benevolent work. He had been a staunch friend of her +labors, having seconded them many times when the life of a wretched +felon was at stake; and now, continuing the interest which he had +hitherto exhibited, he was fearful lest this business calamity would put +a stop to many of those labors. Mrs. Opie, whose friendship dated from +the old Norwich days, lost no time in writing as follows to her +suffering friend:-- + + Though I have not hitherto felt free in mind to write to thee, my + very dear friend, under thy present most severe trial, thou hast + been continually, I may say, in my thoughts, brought feelingly and + solemnly before me, both day and night. I must also tell thee that, + two nights ago, I had a pleasing, cheering dream of thee:--I saw + thee looking thy best, dressed with peculiar care and neatness, and + smiling so brightly that I could not help stroking thy cheek, and + saying, "Dear friend! it is quite delightful to me to see thee + looking thus again, so like the Betsey Fry of former days;" and + then I woke. But this sweet image of thee lives with me still.... + Since your trials were known, I have rarely, if ever, opened a page + of Scripture without finding some promise applicable to thee and + thine. I do not believe that I was looking for them, but they + presented themselves unsought, and gave me comfort and confidence. + Do not suppose, dear friend, that I am not fully aware of the + peculiar bitterness and suffering which attends this trial in thy + situation to thy own individual feeling; but, then, how precious + and how cheering to thee must be the evidence it has called forth, + of the love and respect of those who are near and dear to thee, and + of the public at large. Adversity is indeed the time to try the + hearts of our friends; and it must be now, or will be in future, a + cordial to thee to remember that thou hast proved how truly and + generally thou art beloved and reverenced. + +Mrs. Fry's health failed very much during the dreary months which +followed. Nor was this all, for trials, mental and spiritual, seemed to +crowd around her. It was indeed, though on a scale fitted to her +capacity, "the hour and power of darkness." She says in her journal, +that her soul was bowed down within her, and her eyes were red with +weeping. Yet she rallied again. After spending some months with their +eldest son, William, at Mildred's Court, Mr. and Mrs. Fry removed to a +small but convenient villa in Upton Lane, nearly adjoining the house and +grounds of her brother, Samuel Gurney. This house was not only to be a +place of refuge in the dark and cloudy days of calamity, but to become, +in its turn, famous for the visits of princes and nobles, who thus +sought to do honor to her who dwelt in it. Writing in her journal, on +June 10th, 1829, Mrs. Fry said:-- + + We are now nearly settled in this, our new abode; and I may say, + although the house and garden are small, yet it is pleasant and + convenient and I am fully satisfied, and, I hope, thankful for such + a home. I have at times been favored to feel great peace, and I may + say joy in the Lord--a sort of seal to the important step taken; + though at others the extreme disorder into which our things have + been brought by all these changes, the pain of leaving Plashet, the + difficulty of making new arrangements, has harassed and tried me. + But I trust it will please a kind Providence to bless my endeavor + to have and to keep my house in order. Place is a matter of small + importance, if that peace which the world cannot give be our + portion.... Although a large garden is now my allotment, I feel + pleasure in having even a small one; and my acute relish for the + beautiful in nature and art is on a clear day almost constantly + gratified by a view of Greenwich Hospital and Park, and other parts + of Kent; the shipping on the river, as well as the cattle feeding + in the meadows. So that in small things as well as great, spiritual + and temporal, I have yet reason to ... bless and magnify the name + of my Lord. + +Two of her nieces accompanied her, in 1834, upon a mission to the +Friends' Meetings in Dorset and Hants; and recalling this journey some +time later, one of them said, speaking of her aunt's peculiar mission of +ministering to the tried and afflicted: "There was no weakness or +trouble of mind or body, which might not safely be unveiled to her. +Whatever various or opposite views, feelings, or wishes might be +confided to her, all came out again tinged with her own loving, hopeful +spirit. Bitterness of every kind died when entrusted to her; it never +re-appeared. The most favorable construction possible was always put +upon every transaction. No doubt her feeling lay this way; but did it +not give her and her example a wonderful influence? Was it not the very +secret of her power with the wretched and degraded prisoners? She could +always see hope for everyone; she invariably found or made some point of +light. The most abandoned must have felt she did not despair for them, +either for this world or for another; and this it was which made her +irresistible." + +In taking a view of this good woman's religious life and character, it +will be helpful to see her as she appeared to herself--to enter into her +own feelings at different periods of her life, and to listen to her +heart-felt expressions of humility and perplexity. Thus, in relation to +the ups and downs of life with her, we find in her journal this +passage:-- + + The difference between last winter and this winter has been + striking! How did the righteous compass me about, from the + Sovereign, the Princes, and the Princesses, down to the poorest, + lowest, and most destitute; how did poor sinners of almost every + description seek after me, and cleave to me? What was not said of + me? What was not thought of me, may I not say, in public and in + private, in innumerable publications? This winter I have had the + bed of languishing; deep, very deep, prostration of soul and body; + instead of being a helper to others, ready to lean upon all, glad + even to be diverted by a child's book. In addition to this, I find + the tongue of slander has been ready to attack me. The work that + was made so much of before, some try to lessen now. My faith is + that He will not give me over to the will of my enemies, nor let me + be utterly cast down. + +In relation to her conscientious fear of the admixture of sin with her +service of God and of humanity, she wrote:-- + + I apprehend that all would not understand me, but many who are much + engaged in what we call works of righteousness, will understand the + reason that in the Jewish dispensation there was an offering made + for the iniquity of _holy things_. + +In regard to marriage she writes:-- + + We have had the subject of marriage much before us this year; it + has brought us to some test of our feelings and principles + respecting it. That it is highly desirable to have young persons + settle in marriage, I cannot doubt, and that it is one of the most + likely means of their preservation, religiously, morally, + temporally. Moreover, it is highly desirable to settle with one of + the same religious views, habits, and education, as themselves, + more particularly for those who have been brought up as Friends, + because their mode of education is peculiar. But if any young + persons, upon arriving at an age of discretion, do not feel + themselves really attached to our peculiar views and habits, then, + I think, their parents have no right to use undue influence with + them as to the connections they may incline to form, provided they + be with persons of religious lives and conversation. I am of + opinion that parents are apt to exercise too much authority upon + the subject of marriage, and that there would be really more happy + unions if young persons were left more to their own feelings and + discretion. Marriage is too much treated like a business concern, + and love, that essential ingredient, too little respected in it. I + disapprove of the rule of our Society which disowns persons for + allowing a child to marry one who is not a Friend; it is a most + undue and unchristian restraint, as far as I can judge of it. + +As the time passed, and her family got scattered up and down in the +world, the idea occurred to her that, although members of different +sects and churches, they could unite in fireside worship and study of +the Bible, _as Christians_. Many of them were within suitable distances +for occasional or frequent meetings, according to their circumstances; +while some of the grandchildren were of an age to understand, and +possibly profit by, the exercises. In response to the motherly +communication which follows, these family gatherings were arranged, and +succeeded beyond the original expectations of she who suggested them. +They continued, under the title of "philanthropic evenings," to cement +the family circle, after Mrs. Fry had passed away. The tone of the +letter inviting their co-operation is that of a philanthropist, a +mother, and a Christian. It shows plainly that with all her engagements, +worries and trials, she had not absorbed or lost the spirit of the +docile Mary in that of the careful Martha. + + MY DEAREST CHILDREN: + + Many of you know that for some time I have felt and expressed the + want of our social intercourse at times, leading to religious union + and communion among us. It has pleased the Almighty to permit that + by far the larger number of you no longer walk with me in my + religious course. Except very occasionally, we do not meet together + for the solemn purpose of worship, and upon some other points we do + not see eye to eye; and whilst I feel deeply sensible that, + notwithstanding this diversity among us, we are truly united in our + Holy Head, there are times when, in my declining years, I seriously + feel the loss of not having more of the spiritual help and + encouragement of those I have brought up, and truly sought to + nurture in the Lord. This has led me to many serious considerations + how the case may, under present circumstances, be in any way met. + + My conclusion is that, believing as we do in the Lord as our + Saviour, one Holy Spirit as our Sanctifier, and one God and Father + of us all, our points of union are surely strong; and if we are + members of one living Church, and expect to be such for ever, we + may profitably unite in some religious engagements here below. + + The world, and the things of it, occupy us much, and they are + rapidly passing away; it will be well if we occasionally set apart + a time for _unitedly_ attending to the things of Eternity. I + therefore propose that we try the following plan: if it answer, + continue it; if not, by no means feel bound to it. That our party, + in the first instance, should consist of no others than our + children, and such grandchildren as may be old enough to attend. + That our objects in meeting be for the strengthening of our faith, + for our advancement in a religious and holy life, and for the + promoting of Christian love and fellowship. + + I propose that we read the Scriptures unitedly, in an easy, + familiar manner, each being perfectly at liberty to make any remark + or ask any questions. That it should be a time for religious + instruction, by seeking to understand the mind of the Lord, for + doctrine and practice, in searching the Scriptures, and bringing + ourselves and our deeds to the light.... That either before or + after the Scriptures are read we should consider how far we are + engaged for the good of our fellow-men, and what, as far as we can + judge, most conduces to this object. All the members of this little + community are advised to communicate anything they may have found + useful or interesting in religious books, and to bring forward + anything that is doing for the good of mankind in the world + generally. + + I hope that thus meeting together may stimulate the family to more + devotion of heart to the service of their God; at home and abroad + to mind their different callings, however varied; and to be active + in helping others. It is proposed that this meeting should take + place once a month at each house in rotation. I now have drawn some + little outline of what I desire, and if any of you like to unite + with me in making the experiment, it would be very gratifying to + me; still I hope all will feel at liberty to do as they think best + themselves. Your dearly attached mother, + + ELIZABETH FRY. + + +None but a parent whose spiritual life was pure, true, and deep, could +feel such a constant solicitude about the spiritual progress and +education of her family. Nor was this solicitude confined to the +membership of her own circle. All who in any way assisted in her special +department of philanthropy were councilled, wisely and kindly, to _act_ +rather than _preach_ the gospel of Christ. In communications of this +sort we find the newly-appointed matrons to the convict-ships advised to +show their faith more by conduct than profession; to avoid "religious +_cant_;" to be prudent and circumspect; to have discretion, wisdom and +meekness. So she passed through life; the faithful friend, the patient, +wise mother, the meek, tender wife, the succorer of all in distress. +Everyone felt free to go to her with their troubles; a reverse of +circumstances, a sick child, a bad servant, or turn of sickness, all +called forth her ready aid, and her wise, far-seeing judgment. And even +in the last months of her life, when, worn out with service and pain, +she was slowly going down to the gates of death, her children and +grandchildren were cut off suddenly by scarlet fever, she bowed +resignedly to the Hand which had sent "sorrow upon sorrow." And when she +who had been as a tower of strength to all around her, was reduced to +the weakness of childhood by intense suffering, the survivors clung yet +more closely to her, as if they could _not_ let her go. So as physical +strength declined, she actually grew stronger and brighter in mental and +moral power. The deep and painful tribulations which characterized her +later years, but refined and purified the gold of her nature. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +COLLATERAL GOOD WORKS. + + +It must be remembered that Mrs. Fry's goodness was many-sided. Her +charity did not expend itself wholly on prisons and lunatic asylums. It +is right that, once in a while, characters of such superlative +excellence should appear in our midst. Right, because otherwise the +light of charity would grow dim, the distinguishing graces of +Christianity, flat and selfish, and individual faith be obscured in the +lapse of years, or the follies and fashions of modern life. Such saints +were Elizabeth of Hungary, around whose name legend and story have +gathered, crowning her memory with beauty; Catherine of Sienna, who was +honored by the whole Christian Church of the fourteenth century, and +canonized for her goodness; and Sarah Martin, the humble dressmaker of +Yarmouth, who, in later times, has proved how possible it is to render +distinguished service in the cause of humanity by small and lowly +beginnings, ultimately branching out into unexpected and remarkable +ramifications. One can almost number such saints of modern life on the +fingers; but for all that, their examples have stimulated a host of +lesser lights who still keep alive the savor of Christianity in our +midst; and towering above all her contemporaries in the grandeur of her +deeds and words, Mrs. Fry still lives in song and story. + +Among the collateral good works which she instituted and carried on, the +first in order of time, and possibly of importance, as leading to all +the others, was the "Association for the Improvement of Female Prisoners +at Newgate." As this association and its objects were fully treated of +in a previous chapter, it is unnecessary to enlarge upon it here. It +suffices to say that it sought the welfare of the female prisoners +during their detention in prison, and, also, to form in them such habits +as should fit them for respectable life upon their discharge. Out of +twelve ladies forming the original association started in 1817, eleven +were Quakeresses. + +Nearly akin to this society, was that for "The Improvement of Prison +Discipline and Reformation of Juvenile Offenders." This society aimed at +a two-fold object: first, by correspondence and deputations to awaken +the minds of provincial magistrates and prison officials to the +necessity for new arrangements, rules, and accommodations for +prisoners; while it afforded watchful oversight and assistance to the +numerous class of juvenile offenders who, after conviction, were +absolutely thrown friendless upon the country, to continue and develop a +course of crime. At the time of the formation of this society, public +meetings were first held to further the welfare of prisoners, and to +prevent the increase of crime. The doctrine of "stopping the supplies" +first began to be understood; while even the most confirmed stickler for +conservation could understand that there could not be a constant +succession of old or middle-aged criminals to be dealt with by the law, +provided the young were reformed, and trained in the ways of honesty. At +one meeting, held at the Freemasons' Hall in 1821, in order to further +the work of this society, Lord John Russell made an eloquent speech, +concluding with the almost prophetic words: "Our country is now about to +be distinguished for triumphs, the effect of which shall be to save, and +not to destroy. Instead of laying waste the provinces of our enemies, we +may begin now to reap a more solid glory in the reform of abuses at +home, and in spreading happiness through millions of our population." + +A society possessing broader aims, and working in a wider field, was the +"British Ladies' Society for Promoting the Reformation of Female +Prisoners," formed in 1821, and really an outgrowth of Mrs Fry's efforts +to _reclaim_ the women whom she _taught_ while in prison. It existed as +a central point for communication and assistance between the various +associations in Great Britain engaged in visiting prisons. Its +corresponding committee also maintained interchanges of ideas and +communications with those ladies on the Continent who were interested in +the subject. + +The Convict Ship Committee looked after the welfare of those who were +transported, saw to the arrangements on board ship, the appointment of +matrons, furnished employment, and secured shelters in the colonies, so +that on arriving at the port of disembarkation the poor convicts should +possess some sort of a place into which they could go. Further details +of this branch of work will be given in the next chapter. + +The chief work of the society, however, lay in providing homes for +discharged female criminals. In 1824, "Homes" or "Shelters" were opened +at Dublin, Liverpool, and many other places in England, Scotland, and +the Continent. Tothill Fields Asylum, a small home for some of the most +hopeful of the discharged prisoners, was opened at Westminster. Miss +Neave, a charitable Christian lady, was fired with some of Mrs. Fry's +enthusiasm, and devoted both time and money to the carrying out of the +project. She relates that the idea first entered her mind when out +driving one morning with Mrs. Fry. That lady, speaking of her work, +said, in somewhat saddened tones: "Often have I known the career of a +promising young woman, charged with a first offence, to end in a +condemned cell. Were there but a refuge for the young offender, my work +would be less painful." As the result, Tothill Fields Asylum was opened, +with four inmates. Very soon, nine were accommodated, and within a few +years, under the new name of "The Royal Manor Hall Asylum," it sheltered +fifty women of different ages. + +Another class of discharged prisoners, viz., little girls, were also +provided for by this society. To these were added destitute girls, who +had not yet found their way into prison; and the whole number were +placed under judicious training in a "School for Discipline," at +Chelsea. This institution became most successful in training these +children up in orderly and respectable habits. At one time Mrs. Fry +endeavored to get this home under Government rule, but Sir Robert Peel +considered that the ends of humanity would be better served by keeping +it under the control of, and supported by, private individuals. + +A temporary stay at Brighton suggested the formation of the District +Visiting Society. This aimed, not at indiscriminate alms-giving, but at +"the encouragement of industry and frugality among the poor by visits at +their own habitations; the relief of real distress, whether arising from +sickness or other causes, and the prevention of mendicity and +imposture." Visitors were appointed, who went from house to house among +the poor, encouraging habits of thrift and cleanliness; whilst a savings +bank received deposits, and trained these same poor to save for the +inevitable "rainy day." + +Probably one of the most extensive works of benevolence and good-will +carried on to success by Mrs. Fry, next to her prison labors, was the +establishment of libraries for the men of the Coast Guard Service. This +arose from a circumstance which occurred during the sojourn at Brighton, +for the benefit of her somewhat shattered health, in 1824. + +During her residence there she was subject to distressing attacks of +faintness in the night and early morning. Again and again, it was +necessary to immediately throw open her chamber window for the admission +of the fresh air; and always upon such occasions the figure of a +solitary coast-guardsman was to be seen pacing the beach, on the +look-out for smugglers. Such a post, and such a service, presenting as +it did a life of hardship and danger, inevitably attracted her +sympathetic attention; and she began to take an almost unconscious +interest in the affairs of this man. Shortly after, when driving out, +she stopped the carriage and spoke to one of the men at the station. He +replied civilly, that the members of the Preventive Service were not +allowed to hold any conversation with strangers, and requested to be +excused from saying any more. Mrs. Fry, feeling somewhat fearful that +her kindness might bring him into difficulty with his superiors, gave +the man her card, and desired him to tell the man in command of the +station that she had spoken to him with the sole object of inquiring +after the welfare of the men and their families. A few days afterwards, +the lieutenant who commanded at that post waited upon Mrs. Fry, and, +contrary to her fears, welcomed her inquiries as auguries of good. He +confessed to her that the officers, men, women, and children, all +suffered much from loneliness, privation, semi-banishment--for the +stations were mostly placed in dreary and inaccessible +places--unpopularity with the surrounding people, and harassment by +constant watching, through all weather, for smugglers. The nature and +regulations of the Coast Blockade of Preventive Service precluded +anything like visiting or _personal_ kindness. There was really no way +of benefiting them except by providing them with literature calculated +to promote their intellectual and religious good, besides furnishing an +occupation for the dreary, lonely hours which fell to their portion. +This course Mrs. Fry immediately adopted. + +She first applied to the British and Foreign Bible Society; the +Committee responded with a grant of fifty Bibles and twenty-five +Testaments. These were distributed to the men on the stations in that +district, and most gratefully received. As a proof of the gratitude of +the recipients, the following little note was sent to Mrs. Fry by the +commanding officer:-- + + MY DEAR MADAM,--Happy am I in being able to make you acquainted + with the unexpected success I have met with in my attempt to + forward, among the seamen employed on the coast, your truly + laudable and benevolent desire--the dissemination of the Holy + Scriptures. I have made a point of seeing Lieutenant H., who has + promised me that if you will extend your favors to Dutchmere, he + will distribute the books, and carefully attend to the performance + of Divine service on the Sabbath Day. Also Lieutenant D., who will + shortly have a command in this division. I trust, Madam, I shall be + still further able to forward those views, which must, to all who + embrace them, prove a sovereign balm in the hour of death and the + day of judgment. With respectful compliments to the ladies, allow + me to remain, dear Madam, your devoted servant. + +This communication enclosed another little note from the seamen, which +expressed their feelings as follows:-- + + We, the seamen of Salt Dean Station, have the pleasure to announce + to those ladies whose goodness has pleased them to provide the + Bibles and Testaments for the use of us seamen, that we have + received them. We do therefore return our most hearty thanks for + the same; and we do assure the ladies whose friendship has proved + so much in behalf of seamen, that every care shall be taken of the + said books; and, at the same time, great care shall be taken to + instruct those who have not the gift of education, and we at any + time shall feel a pleasure in doing the same. + +Some ten years later, when visiting in the Isle of Wight, she conceived +the plan of extending the system by supplying libraries to all the Coast +Guard stations in the United Kingdom. The magnitude of the work may be +realized when we state that there were about 500 stations, including +within their boundaries some 21,000 men, women and children. How to set +about the work was her next anxiety, for it seemed useless to attempt it +without at least L1,000 in hand. She submitted the proposition to Lord +Althorp, at that time Chancellor of the Exchequer, and asked for a +grant of L500 from Government, in order to supplement the L1,000 which +she hoped to raise by private subscriptions. A grant could not, however, +be made at that time on account of different political considerations; +but within a few months one was obtained, and her heart rejoiced at this +new proof of appreciation of her work on the part of those high in +office. An entry in her journal in February, 1835, reads thus:-- + + The way appears opening with our present Ministers to obtain + libraries for all the Coast Guard stations, a matter I have long + had at heart. My desire is to do all these things with a single eye + to the glory of God, and the welfare of my fellow mortals; and if + they succeed, to pray that He alone who can bless and increase, may + prosper the work of my unworthy hands. Upon going to the Custom + House, I found Government had at last granted my request, and given + L500 for libraries for the stations; this is, I think, cause for + thankfulness. + +Private subscriptions were sedulously sought, and large sums flowed in; +besides these, many large book-sellers, and the chief religious +publishing societies gave donations of books. These were valued in the +aggregate at about one thousand pounds. The details of the work were +left to herself, while the Rev. John W. Cunningham, Captain W.E. Parry, +and Captain Bowles selected the books. + +The total number of volumes for the stations amounted to 25,896. Each +station possessed a library of fifty-two different books, while each +_district_, which included the stations in that part of the country, +possessed a larger assortment for reference and exchange. Most of the +parcels were sent, carriage free, in Government vessels, by means of the +Custom House. This work involved many journeys to London, and much +arduous labor. The Rev. Thomas Timpson, a dissenting minister in London, +acted most efficiently as secretary, and lightened her labors to a large +extent. During the summer of 1835, the work of distributing these +volumes was nearly all accomplished; and as during that summer Mr. Fry's +business demanded his presence in the south of England, she decided to +seize the opportunity of visiting all the Coast Guard stations in that +part of the country. In this way she journeyed along the whole south +coast, from the Forelands to Land's End, welcomed everywhere with +true-hearted veneration and love. She addressed herself principally to +the commanders of the different stations, bespeaking for the books care +in treatment and regularity in carrying out the exchanges. These +gentlemen manifested the warmest interest in the plan, and promised +their most thorough co-operation. + +At Portsmouth she visited the Haslar Hospital, and while in Portsea, +the female Penitentiary. In the latter institution she desired to speak +a few words to the inmates, who were, accordingly, assembled in the +parlor for the purpose. Mrs. Fry laid her bonnet on the table, sat down, +and made different inquiries about the conduct of the young women, and +the rules enforced. It appeared that two of them were pointed out as +being peculiarly hardened and refractory. She did not, however, notice +this at the time, but delivered a short and affectionate address to all. +Afterwards, on going away, she went up to the two refractory ones, and, +extending her hand to them, said to each, most impressively: "I trust I +shall hear better things of thee." Both of them burst into unexpected +tears, thus acknowledging the might of kindness over such natures. + +At Falmouth, during this same excursion, she supplied some of the +men-of-war with libraries. Some of the packets participated in the same +boon, so that each ship sailing from that port took out a well-chosen +library of about thirty books. These library books were changed on each +succeeding voyage, and were highly appreciated by both officers and +seamen. + +In 1836, the report of the Committee for furnishing the Coast Guard of +the United Kingdom with Libraries, appeared. From it, we find that in +addition to the L500 kindly granted by the Government at first towards +the project, Mr. Spring Rice, a later Chancellor of the Exchequer +granted further sums amounting to L460. Thus the undertaking was brought +to a successful termination. There were supplied: 498 libraries for the +stations on shore, including 25,896 volumes; 74 libraries for districts +on shore, including 12,880 volumes; 48 libraries for cruisers, including +1,876 volumes; school books for children of crews, 6,464 volumes; +pamphlets, tracts, etc., 5,357 numbers; total, 52,464 volumes and +numbers. + +These were distributed among 21,000 people on Coast Guard stations, and +to the hands on board many ships. Years afterwards, many and very +unexpected letters of thanks continued to reach Mrs. Fry from those who +had benefited by this good work. + +"Instant in season and out of season," this very trip in the south of +England produced another good work. She, with her husband and daughter, +returned home by way of North Devon, Somerset, and Wiltshire. At +Amesbury she tarried long enough to learn something of the mental +destitution of the shepherds employed on Salisbury Plain, and set her +fertile brain to contrive a scheme for the supply of the necessary +books. She communicated her desires and intentions to the clergyman of +the parish, and Sir Edward and Lady Antrobus, who unitedly undertook to +furnish a librarian. A short note from this individual, addressed to +Mrs. Fry some few months after, proved how well the thing was working. +In it he said: "Forty-five books are in constant circulation, with the +additional magazines. More than fifty poor people read them with +attention, return them with thanks, and desire the loan of more, +frequently observing that they think it a very kind thing indeed that +they should be furnished with so many good books, free of all costs, so +entertaining and instructive, these long winter evenings." + +About the same period Mrs. Fry formed a Servants' Society for the succor +and help of domestic servants. She had known instances wherein so many +of this class had come to sorrow, in every sense, for the lack of +temporary refuge and assistance, that she alone undertook to found this +institution. In an entry made in her journal in 1825, we find the +following reference to this matter:-- + + The Servants' Society appears gradually opening as if it would be + established according to my desire. No one knows what I go through + in forming these institutions; it is always in fear, and mostly + with many misgivings, wondering at myself for doing it. I believe + the original motive is love to my Master and love to my + fellow-creatures; but fear is so predominant a feeling in my mind + that it makes me suffer, perhaps unnecessarily, from doubts. I felt + something like freedom in prayer before making the regulations of + the Servants' Society. Sometimes my natural understanding seems + enlightened about things of that kind, as if I were helped to see + the right and useful thing. + +In closing this chapter, some allusion must be made to her latest +effort. It dates from 1840, and owed its foundation principally to her. +It was that of the "Nursing Sisters," an order called into existence by +the needs of every-day life. As she visited in sick-chambers, or +ministered to the needs of the poor, she felt the want of efficient +skilled nurses, and, with the restless energy of a true philanthropist, +set about remedying the want. Her own leisure would not admit of +training a band of nurses, but her desire was carried into effect by +Mrs. Samuel Gurney, her sister-in-law. Under this lady's supervision, +and the patronage of the Queen Dowager, Lady Inglis, and other members +of the nobility, a number of young women were selected, trained, and +taught to fulfil the duties of nurses. They were placed for some time in +the largest public hospitals, in order to learn the scientific system of +nursing; then, supposing their qualifications and conduct were found to +be satisfactory, they were received permanently as Sisters. These +Sisters wore a distinctive dress, received an annual stipend of about +twenty guineas, and were provided with a home during the intervals of +their engagements. There was also a "Superannuation Fund" for the relief +of those Sisters who should, after long service, fall into indigence or +ill-health. Christian women, of all denominations, were encouraged to +join the institution; while the services of the Sisters were equally +available in the palace and in the cottage. No Sister was permitted to +receive presents, directly or indirectly, from the patients nursed by +her, seeing that all sums received went to a common fund for the benefit +of the Society. These Sisters appear to have worked very much like the +modern deaconesses of the Church of England. They rightly earned the +title of "Sisters of Mercy." + +These are but examples of Mrs. Fry's good works,--done "all for love, +and none for a reward." + +Many other smaller works claimed her thoughts, so that her life was very +full of the royal grace of charity. The list might have been still +further extended, but to the ordinary student of her life it is already +sufficiently long to prove the reality of her religion and her love. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +EXPANSION OF THE PRISON ENTERPRISE.--HONORS. + + +It is an old adage that "nothing succeeds like success." Mrs. Fry and +her prison labors had become famous; not only famous, but the subjects +of talk, both in society and out of it. Kings, queens, statesmen, +philanthropists, ladies of fashion, devotees of charity, authors and +divines were all looking with more or less interest at the experiments +made by the apostles of this new crusade against vice, misery, and +crime. Many of them courted acquaintance with the Quakeress who +hesitated not to plunge into gloomy prison-cells, nor to penetrate +pest-houses decimated with jail fever, in pursuance of her mission. And +while they courted her acquaintance, they fervently wished her "God +speed." Two or three communications, still in existence, prove that +Hannah More and Maria Edgeworth were of the number of good wishers. + +In a short note written from Barley Wood, in 1826, Hannah More thus +expressed her appreciation of Mrs. Fry's character:-- + + Any request of yours, if within my very limited power, cannot fail + to be immediately complied with. In your kind note, I wish you had + mentioned something of your own health and that of your family. I + look back with no small pleasure to the too short visits with which + you once indulged me; a repetition of it would be no little + gratification to me. Whether Divine Providence may grant it or not, + I trust through Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us, that we + may hereafter meet in that blessed country where there is neither + sin, sorrow, nor separation. + +Many years previous to this, Hannah More had presented Mrs. Fry with a +copy of her _Practical Piety_, writing this inscription on the +fly-leaf:-- + + TO MRS. FRY. Presented by Hannah More, as a token of veneration of + her heroic zeal, Christian charity, and persevering kindness to the + most forlorn of human beings. They were naked, and she clothed + them, in prison, and she visited them; ignorant, and she taught + them, for _His_ sake, in _His_ name, and by _His_ word, who went + about doing good. + +No words can add to the beauty of this inscription. + +During one of Maria Edgeworth's London visits, the name and fame of Mrs. +Fry, and Newgate as civilized by her, formed such an attraction that the +lively Irish authoress must needs go to see for herself. In her +picturesque style she thus affords us an account of her visit:-- + + Yesterday we went, the moment we had swallowed our breakfast, by + appointment to Newgate. The private door opened at sight of our + tickets, and the great doors, and the little doors, and the thick + doors, and doors of all sorts, were unbolted and unlocked, and on + we went, through dreary but clean passages, till we came to a room + where rows of empty benches fronted us, and a table, on which lay a + large Bible. Several ladies and gentlemen entered, and took their + seats on benches, at either side of the table, in silence. + + Enter Mrs. Fry, in a drab-colored silk cloak, and plain, borderless + Quaker cap; a most benevolent countenance; Guido Madonna face, + calm, benign. "I must make an inquiry; is Maria Edgeworth here? And + where?" I went forward; she bade us come and sit beside her. Her + first smile, as she looked upon me, I can never forget. The + prisoners came in, and in an orderly manner ranged themselves on + the benches. All quite clean faces, hair, caps and hands. On a very + low bench in front, little children were seated, and watched by + their mothers. Almost all these women, about thirty, were under + sentence of transportation; some few only were for imprisonment. + One who did not appear was under sentence of death; frequently + women, when sentenced to death, become ill, and unable to attend + Mrs. Fry; the others come regularly and voluntarily. + + She opened the Bible, and read in the most sweetly solemn, sedate + voice I ever heard, slowly and distinctly, without anything in the + manner that could distract attention from the matter. Sometimes she + paused to explain; which she did with great judgment, addressing + the convicts--"_We_ have felt! _We_ are convinced!" They were very + attentive, unexpectedly interested, I thought, in all she said, and + touched by her manner. There was nothing put on in their + countenances; not any appearance of hypocrisy. I studied their + countenances carefully, but I could not see any which, without + knowing to whom they belonged, I should have decided was bad; yet + Mrs. Fry assured me that all those women had been of the worst + sort. She confirmed what we have read and heard--that it was by + their love of their children that she first obtained influence over + these abandoned women. When she first took notice of one or two of + their fine children, the mothers said that if she could but save + their children from the misery they had gone through in vice, they + would do anything she bid them. And when they saw the change made + in their children by her schooling, they begged to attend + themselves. I could not have conceived that the love of their + children could have remained so strong in hearts in which every + other feeling of virtue had so long been dead. The Vicar of + Wakefield's sermon in prison is, it seems, founded on a deep and + true knowledge of human nature; the spark of good is often + smothered, never wholly extinguished. Mrs. Fry often says an + extempore prayer; but this day she was quite silent; while she + covered her face with her hands for some minutes, the women were + perfectly silent, with their eyes fixed upon her; and when she + said, "You may go," they went away _slowly_. The children sat quite + still the whole time; when one leaned, her mother behind her sat + her upright. Mrs. Fry told us that the dividing the women into + classes, and putting them under monitors, had been of the greatest + advantage. There is some little pecuniary advantage attached to the + office of monitor which makes them emulous to obtain it. We went + through the female wards with Mrs. Fry, and saw the women at + various works, knitting, rug-making, etc. They have done a great + deal of needle-work very neatly, and some very ingenious. When I + expressed my foolish wonder at this to Mrs. Fry's sister, she + replied, "We have to do, recollect, Ma'am, not with fools, but with + rogues."... Far from being disappointed with the sight of what + Mrs. Fry has done, I was delighted. + +This _naive_, informal chronicle of a visit to Newgate incidentally lets +out the fact that the gloomy prison was fast becoming attractive to +visitors--indeed, quite a show-place. That Mrs. Fry's labors were +receiving official honor and recognition also, there is plenty of +evidence to prove. In Prussia, her principles and exhortations had made +such headway that the Government was adapting old prisons and building +new, in order to carry out the modern doctrines of classification and +employment. In Denmark, the King had given his sanction to the measures +proposed by the Royal Danish Chancery for adding new buildings to the +prison. As soon as these buildings were completed the females would be +separated from the males, female warders were to be appointed, +employment found for all prisoners, and books of information and +devotion were to be supplied to each cell; while a chaplain (an unknown +official, hitherto) was to be appointed. In Germany, four new +penitentiaries were to be constructed; viz., at Berlin, Muenster in +Westphalia, Ratibor in Silesia, and Koenigsberg. Two of these +penitentiaries were to be exactly like the Model Prison at Pentonville; +separate confinement was to be practically carried out, and the +prisoners were to be taught trades under the superintendence of picked +teachers. From Duesseldorf came information that all the female prisoners +were improving under the new _regime_; that an asylum for discharged +prisoners was effecting a wonderful transformation in the characters and +lives of those who sought refuge there; and that the inmates only left +its shelter to secure situations in service. In addition to these +cheering items she had the satisfaction of holding communications with +many princely, noble and royal personages on the Continent, respecting +the progress of her favorite work, and the new regulations and buildings +then adopted. + +To return to her home-work and its ramifications will only be to prove +how far the great principles which she had taught were bearing fruit. +The Government Inspectors were working hard upon the lines laid down by +Mrs. Fry; and if at times they found anything which clashed with their +own pre-conceived ideas of what a prison should be, they were always +ready to make allowance for the difficulties of pioneer work, such as +this lady and her coadjutors had to do at Newgate. At Paramatta, New +South Wales, where, according to a letter from the Rev. Samuel Marsden +in an earlier part of this work, the condition of female convicts had +been scandalous to the Government which shipped them out there, and +deplorable in the extreme for the poor creatures themselves, a large +factory had been erected, designed for the reception of the convicts +upon their landing. It served its purpose well, being commodious enough +to receive not only the new importations, but the refractory women also, +who were returned from their situations. It was well managed; the +inmates being divided into three classes, and treated with more or less +kindness accordingly. True, at one time, even after the erection of this +factory, from the management being entrusted to inefficient hands, a +scene of disorder and misrule had prevailed; but that had been promptly +and firmly repressed. Hard labor and strict discipline had succeeded in +reducing the temporary confusion to something like order, and made +residence there the dread of returning evil-doers, whilst it afforded a +refuge for new-comers. Sir Richard Bourke, and Sir Ralph and Lady +Darling, used every endeavor to make the place a success; while, at +home, Lord Glenelg and Sir George Grey gave the matter, on behalf of +the Government, every needful and possible aid. A good superintendent +and matron were appointed from England, and supplied with every +requisite for the instruction and occupation of the convicts at the +factory. + +This cordial co-operation of the Colonial Office in her schemes of +improvement for the female convicts at Paramatta, encouraged her to +attempt the same good work for the convicts at Hobart Town, Tasmania. It +happened that by 1843 the transportation of females to New South Wales +had ceased, the younger establishment at Hobart Town receiving all the +female convicts; but, like the hydra of classic lore, the evil sprang up +there as fresh and as vigorous as if it had not been conquered at +Paramatta. Lady Franklin and other ladies communicated with Mrs. Fry, +showing her the great need that still existed for her benevolent +exertions in that quarter. From these communications it seemed that the +assignment of women into domestic slavery still continued, in all its +dire forms. When a convict ship arrived from England, employers of all +grades became candidates for the services of the convicts. With the +exception of publicans, and ticket-of-leave men, who were not allowed to +employ convicts, anybody and everybody might engage the poor banished +prisoners without any guarantee whatsoever as to the future conduct of +the employer toward the servant, or specification as to the kind of work +to be performed. Those convicts who have behaved themselves best on the +voyage out were assigned to the best classes of society, while the +others fell to the refuse of the employers' class. As it was a fact that +a large proportion of the tradesmen applying for servants were convicts +who had fully served their time, it may be imagined how lacking in +civilization and integrity such employers often were. But if the +condition of the convicts was hopeless after their assignment to places +of service, it was, if possible, more hopeless still in the home, or +"factory," in which they were first received. Some of the letters before +referred to cast a flood of terrible light upon the condition of the +poor wretches who had quitted their country "for that country's good," +even when under supposed discipline and restraint. A passage from one of +these letters reads like an ugly story of "the good old times!" + + The Cascade Factory is a receiving-house for the women on their + first arrival (if not assigned from the ship), or on their + transition from one place to another, and also a house of + correction for faults committed in domestic service; but with no + pretension to be a place of reformatory discipline, and seldom + failing to turn out the women worse than they entered it. + Religious instruction there was none, except that occasionally on + the Sabbath the superintendent of the prison read prayers, and + sometimes divine service was performed by a chaplain, who also had + an extensive parish to attend to. + + The officers of the establishment consisted, at that time, of only + five persons--a porter, the superintendent, and matron, and two + assistants. The number of persons in the factory, when first + visited by Miss Hayter, was five hundred and fifty. It followed, of + course, that nothing like prison discipline could be enforced, or + even attempted. In short, so congenial to its inmates was this + place of custody (it would be unfair to call it a place of + punishment) that they returned to it again and again when they + wished to change their place of servitude; and they were known to + commit offences on purpose to be sent into it, preparatory to their + reassignment elsewhere. + + Yet, after visiting the factory, and hearing everybody speak of its + unhappy inmates, I could not but feel that they were far more to be + pitied than blamed. No one has ever attempted any measure to + ameliorate their degraded condition. I felt that had they had the + opportunity of religious instruction, some at least might be + rescued. I wish I could express to you all I feel and think upon + the subject, and how completely I am overwhelmed with the awful sin + of allowing so many wretched beings to perish for lack of + instruction. Even in the hospital of the factory the unhappy + creatures are as much neglected, in spiritual things, as if they + were in a heathen land. There are no Bibles, and no Christians to + tell them of a Saviour's dying love. + +Mrs. Fry laid these communications before the Colonial Secretary without +delay, praying him to alter this terrible state of things. She was at +once listened to. The building was altered, by orders from England; the +convicts were divided into classes; employment and discipline were +provided; daily instruction, both secular and religious, was imparted; +so that, by degrees, the establishment became what it should have been +from the first--a house of detention, discipline, and refuge. In +addition, a large vessel called the _Anson_ was fitted up as a temporary +prison, sent out to Hobart Town, and moored in the river. This vessel +received the new shipments of transports from England, and afforded, by +its staff of officers, opportunity for a six months' training of the +convicts, who then were not permitted to enter the service of the +colonists until after this period had expired. By these different means +Mrs. Fry had the satisfaction of knowing that the convicts had yet +another opportunity of amendment granted them after leaving the prisons +of their native land. It has already been observed that in most of the +prisons of the United Kingdom female warders were employed, while +matrons were appointed on the out-going convict ships. Contrary to the +lot of many reformers, Mrs. Fry was spared to see most of the reforms +which she had recommended, become law. + +After Mrs. Fry's death an interesting report was issued by the +Inspector-General of Prisons in Ireland, relating to the Grange Gorman +Lane Female Prison, Dublin. Mrs. Fry had taken special interest in this +prison, it having been the first erected _exclusively for women_ in the +United Kingdom, and intended, if found successful, to serve as a sort of +model for other places. The experiment had proved entirely successful +and satisfactory; matron, warders and chaplain all united in one chorus +of praise. Major Cottingham, the Inspector-General, wrote:-- + + Although I made my annual inspection of this prison on February + 18th, 1847, as a date upon which to form my report, yet I have had + very many opportunities of seeing it during past and former years, + in my duties connected with my superintendence of the convict + department. The visitors may see many changes in the faces and + persons of the prisoners, but no surprise can ever find a + difference in the high and superior order with which this prison is + conducted. The matron, Mrs. Rawlins, upon whom the entire + responsibility of the interior management devolves, was selected + some years since, and sent over to this country by the benevolent + and philanthropic Mrs. Fry, whose exertions in the cause of female + prison reformation were extended to all parts of the British + Empire, and who, although lately summoned to the presence of her + Divine Master, has nowhere left a more valuable instance of her + sound judgment and high discriminating powers than in the selection + of Mrs. Rawlins to be placed at the head of this experimental + prison, occupied alone by females; and so successful has the + experiment been, that I understand several other prisons solely + for females have been lately opened in Scotland, and even in + Australia. In this prison is to be seen an uninterrupted system of + reformatory discipline in every class, such as is to be found in no + other prison that I am aware of. + +The matron alluded to in the above extracts gratefully acknowledged that +Mrs. Fry's plan had completely succeeded in every respect, while she was +equally grateful in owning that to her instructions and wise maternal +counsel she herself owed her own fitness for that special branch of the +work. + +The testimonies to her success not only came in from official quarters, +but from the prisoners themselves. This chronicle would scarcely be +complete without a specimen or two of the many communications she +received from prisoners at home and from convicts abroad. True, on one +or two occasions the women at Newgate had behaved in a somewhat +refractory manner, for their poor degraded human nature could not +conceive of pure disinterested Christian love working for their good +without fee or reward; but even at these times their better nature very +soon reasserted itself, and penitence and tears took the place of +insubordination. To those who had sinned against and had been forgiven +by her, Mrs. Fry's memory was something almost too holy for earth. No +orthodoxly canonized saint of the Catholic Church ever received truer +reverence, or performed such miracles of moral healing. + +The following communication reached her from some of the prisoners at +Newgate:-- + + HONORED MADAM,--Influenced by gratitude to our general benefactress + and friend, we humbly venture to address you. It is with sorrow we + say that we had not the pleasure of seeing you at the accustomed + time, which we have always been taught to look for--we mean Friday + last. We are fearful that your health was the cause of our being + deprived of that heartfelt joy which your presence always diffuses + through the prison; but we hope, through the mercies of God, we + shall be able personally to return you the grateful acknowledgments + of our hearts, before we leave our country forever, for all the + past and present favors so benevolently bestowed upon what has been + termed the "most unfortunate of society," until cheered by your + benevolence, kindness and charity: and hoping that your health, + which is so dear to such a number of unfortunates, will be fully + re-established before we go, so that after our departure from our + native land, those who are so unfortunate as to fall into our + situation may enjoy the same blessing, both temporally and + spiritually, that we have done before them. And may our minds be + impressed with a due sense of the many comforts we have enjoyed + whilst under your kind protection. Honored and worthy Madam, we + hope we shall be pardoned for our presumption in addressing you at + this time, but our fears of not seeing you before the time of our + departure induce us to entreat your acceptance of our prayers for + your restoration to your family; and may the prayers and + supplications of the unfortunate prisoners ascend to Heaven for the + prolonging of that life which is so dear to the most wretched of + the English nation. Honored Madam, we beg leave to subscribe + ourselves, with humble respect, your most grateful and devoted, + + THE PRISONERS OF NEWGATE. + +The following letter was from a convict at Paramatta, New South Wales, +some time after her banishment to that colony:-- + + HONORED MADAM,--The duty I owe to you, likewise to the benevolent + society to which you have the honor to belong, compels me to take + up my pen to return you my most sincere thanks for the heavenly + instruction I derived from you, and the dear friends, during my + confinement in Newgate. + + In the month of April, 1817, that blessed prayer of yours sank deep + into my heart; and as you said, so I have found it, that when no + eyes see and no ears hear, God both sees and hears, and then it was + that the arrow of conviction entered my hard heart; in Newgate it + was that poor Harriet, like the Prodigal Son, came to herself, and + took with her words, and sought the Lord. Truly I can say with + David, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I have + learned Thy ways, O Lord."... Believe me, my dear Madam, I bless + the day that brought me inside Newgate walls, for then it was that + the ways of Divine truth shone into my dark mind.'... Believe me, + my dear Madam, although I am a poor captive in a distant land, I + would not give up having communion with God one single day for my + liberty; for what is the liberty of the body compared with the + liberty of the soul? Soon will the time come when death will + release me from all the earthly fetters that hold me now, for I + trust to be with Christ, who bought me with His precious blood. And + now, my dear Madam, these few sincere sentiments of mine I wish you + to make known to the world, that the world may see that your labor + in Newgate has not been in vain in the Lord. Please give my love to + the dear friends; the keeper of Newgate, and all the afflicted + prisoners; and although we may never meet on earth again, I hope we + shall all meet in the realms of bliss, never to part again. + + Believe me to remain your humble servant, + HARRIET S----. + +In addition to the grateful acknowledgments of "those who were ready to +perish," Mrs. Fry won an unusual meed of honorable esteem from the noble +and great. Sovereigns and rulers, statesmen and cabinet councillors, all +owned the worth of goodness, and rendered to the Quaker lady the homage +of both tongue and heart. Beside that notable visit to the Mansion House +to be presented to Queen Charlotte, in 1818, Mrs. Fry had many +interviews with royalty--these royal and noble personages conferring +honor upon themselves more than upon her by their kindly interest in her +work. + +In 1822 the Prince and Princess Royal of Denmark visited England, and +spent considerable time in inspecting public institutions, schools, and +charities tending to advance the general well-being of the people. Of +course Mrs. Fry's name was spoken of prominently, seeing that she was +then in the full tide of her Newgate labors. The Duchess of Gloucester +first introduced Mrs. Fry to the Princess, when a few words of question +and explanation were given in relation to the prison enterprise. But +some days later, the family at Plashet House were apprised of the fact +that the Princess intended honoring them with her company at breakfast. +She came at the hour appointed, and, while partaking of their +hospitality, entered fully into Mrs. Fry's work, learning of her those +particulars which she could not otherwise gain. The foundation of a firm +friendship with the Princess Royal of Denmark was thus laid, which +continued through all Mrs. Fry's after life. + +In 1831 she obtained her first interview with our gracious Queen, then +the young Princess Victoria. Then, as now, the Royal Family of England +was always interested in works of charity and philanthropy, and the +young Princess displayed the early bent of her mind in this interview. +In the most unaffected style Mrs. Fry thus tells the story: "About three +weeks ago I paid a very satisfactory visit to the Duchess of Kent, and +her very pleasing daughter, the Princess Victoria. William Allen went +with me. We took some books on the subject of slavery, with the hope of +influencing the young Princess in that important cause. We were received +with much kindness and cordiality, and I felt my way open to express not +only my desire that the best blessing may rest upon them, but that the +young Princess might follow the example of our blessed Lord; that as she +grew in stature she might also grow in favor with God and man. I also +ventured to remind her of King Josiah, who began to reign at eight years +old, and did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, turning +neither to the right hand nor to the left, which seemed to be well +received. Since that I thought it right to send the Duke of Gloucester +my brother Joseph's work on the Sabbath, with a rather serious letter, +and had a very valuable answer from him, full of feeling. I have an +invitation to visit the Duchess of Gloucester the next Fourth Day. May +good result to them and no harm to myself; but I feel those openings a +rather weighty responsibility, and desire to be faithful and not +forward. I had long felt an inclination to see the young Princess, and +endeavor to throw a little weight into the right scale, seeing the very +important place she is likely to fill. I was much pleased with her, and +think her a sweet, lovely and hopeful child." + +Some three years afterwards the Duke of Gloucester died, and his death +recalled the old times when he was quartered at Norwich with his +regiment. The biographers of Elizabeth Fry tell us that the Duke "was +amongst the few who addressed words of friendly caution and sound advice +to the young and motherless sisters at Earlham." She never forgot the +old friendship--a friendship which had been increased by the unfailing +interest of both the Duke and Duchess in her philanthropic work. As soon +as she heard of the bereavement she wrote the following letter to the +Princess Sophia of Gloucester:-- + + MY DEAR FRIEND: + + I hope thou wilt not feel it an intrusion my expressing my sympathy + with thee in the death of the Duke of Gloucester. To lose a dear + and only brother is no small trial, and for a while makes the world + appear very desolate. But I trust that having thy pleasant pictures + marred in this life may be one means of opening brighter prospects + in the life to come, and of having thy treasure increased in the + heavenly inheritance. The Duchess of Gloucester kindly commissioned + a lady to write to me, who gave me a very comforting account of the + state of the Duke's mind. I feel it cause for much thankfulness + that he was so sustained through faith in his Lord and Saviour; and + we may humbly trust, through His merits, saved with an everlasting + salvation. It would be very pleasant to me to hear how thy health + and spirits are after so great a shock, and I propose inquiring at + Blackheath, where I rather expect to be next week; or if thou + wouldst have the kindness to request one of thy ladies in waiting + to write me a few lines I should be much obliged. I hope that my + dear and valued friend, the Duchess of Gloucester, is as well as we + can expect after her deep affliction. + +Shortly after this she paid a visit of condolence to the Duchess by +appointment. + +Early in 1840 the young Queen, her present Majesty, sent Mrs. Fry a +present of fifty pounds by Lord Normanby for the Refuge at Chelsea, and +appointed an audience. On the first day of February Mrs. Fry, +accompanied by her brother, Samuel Gurney, and William Allen, attended +at Buckingham Palace. This was only a few days before Her Majesty +espoused Prince Albert. Mrs. Fry writes as follows in her journal, +respecting that interview:-- + + We went to Buckingham Palace and saw the Queen. Our interview was + short. Lord Normanby, the Home Secretary, presented us. The Queen + asked us when we were going on the Continent. She said it was some + years since she saw me. She asked about Caroline Neave's Refuge, + for which she has lately sent me the fifty pounds. This gave me an + opportunity of thanking her. I ventured to express my satisfaction + that she encouraged various works of charity, and I said it + reminded me of the words of Scripture, "With the merciful Thou wilt + show Thyself merciful." Before we withdrew I stopped, and said I + hoped the Queen would allow me to assure her that it was our prayer + that the blessing of God might rest upon the Queen and her Consort. + +In January, 1842, the Lady Mayoress pressed Mrs. Fry to attend a +banquet given at the Mansion House, in order principally to meet Prince +Albert, Sir Robert Peel, and the different Ministers of State. After a +little mental conflict she decided to go, with the earnest hope and +purpose of doing more good for the prisoners. A summary of her sayings +and doings at that banquet is best supplied in her own words:-- + + I had an important conversation on a female prison being built, + with Sir James Graham, our present Secretary of State.... I think + it was a very important beginning with him for our British Ladies' + Society. With Lord Aberdeen, Foreign Secretary, I spoke on some + matters connected with the present state of the Continent; with + Lord Stanley, our Colonial Secretary, upon the state of our penal + colonies, and the condition of the women in them, hoping to open + the door for further communications with him upon these subjects. + Nearly the whole dinner was occupied in deeply interesting + conversation with Prince Albert and Sir Robert Peel. With the + Prince I spoke very seriously upon the Christian education of their + children ... the infinite importance of a holy and religious life; + how I had seen it in all ranks of life, no real peace or prosperity + without it; then the state of Europe, the advancement of religion + in the continental courts; then prisons, their present state in + this country, my fear that our punishments were becoming too + severe, my wish that the Queen should be informed of some + particulars respecting separate confinement. We also had much + entertaining conversation about my journeys, the state of Europe, + modes of living, and habits of countries. With Sir Robert Peel I + dwelt much more on the prison subject; I expressed my fears that + jailers had too much power, that punishment was rendered uncertain, + and often too severe; pressed upon him the need of mercy, and + begged him to see the new prison, and to have the dark cells a + little altered.... I was wonderfully strengthened, bodily and + mentally, and believe I was in my right place there, though an odd + one for me. I sat between Prince Albert and Sir Robert Peel at + dinner, and a most interesting time we had.... It was a very + remarkable occasion; I hardly ever had such respect and kindness + shown to me; it was really humbling and affecting to me, and yet + sweet to see such various persons, whom I had worked with for years + past, showing such genuine kindness and esteem so far beyond my + most unworthy deserts. + +Royalty and nobility thus concurred in carrying out, although perhaps +unconsciously, the Scriptural command: "_Esteem such very highly in love +for their works' sake._" It is interesting to notice how very +frequently, in this world, the course of events does coincide with the +words of Holy Writ, and the honor which Providence showers upon a +remarkable servant of God. It is equally interesting, also, to see how +completely, in the philanthropic Quakeress, the nobility of moral +greatness was acknowledged by the highest personages in the land. + +Very soon after this meeting at the Mansion House, the King of Prussia +arrived in England, to stand as sponsor to the infant Prince of Wales; +and, speedily after his arrival, he desired to see Mrs. Fry. He neither +forgot nor ignored her visits to his dominions in the interests of +charity; and he concluded that a woman who could travel thousands of +miles upon the Continent, in order to ameliorate the condition of +prisoners and lunatics, must be worth visiting at her own home. By his +special desire, therefore, she was sent for, to meet him at the Mansion +House. After the dinner, at which no toasts were proposed, in deference +to Mrs. Fry's religious scruples, an appointment was made by the King to +meet her at Newgate on the following morning, and afterwards to take +luncheon at the house in Upton Lane. This memorable engagement was +carried out in its entirety about midday. Mrs. Fry and one of her +sisters set out to meet the party, which included the King, his suite, +the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, the Sheriffs, some of the Ministers of +State, and a large number of gentlemen. The poor women of Newgate +numbered about sixty, and doubtless their attention was somewhat +distracted by the grand company present; but Mrs. Fry, with her +accustomed common-sense, reminded them that a greater than the King of +Prussia was present, even "the King of Kings and Lord of Lords." After +this admonition she read the 12th chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, +and expounded and conducted a short devotional service. Then, she says, +"the King again gave me his arm, and we walked down together. There were +difficulties raised about his going to Upton, but he chose to persevere. +I went with the Lady Mayoress and the Sheriffs, the King with his own +people. We arrived first; I had to hasten to take off my cloak, and then +went down to meet him at his carriage-door, with my husband and seven of +our sons and sons-in-law. I then walked with him into the drawing-room, +where all was in beautiful order--neat, and adorned with flowers. I +presented to the King our eight daughters and daughters-in-law, our +seven sons and eldest grandson, my brother and sister Buxton, Sir Henry +and Lady Pelley, and my sister-in-law Elizabeth Fry--my brother and +sister Gurney he had known before--and afterwards presented twenty-five +of our grandchildren. We had a solemn silence before our meal, which was +handsome and fit for a king, yet not extravagant, everything most +complete and nice. I sat by the King, who appeared to enjoy his dinner, +perfectly at his ease and very happy with us. We went into the +drawing-room after another silence and a few words which I uttered in +prayer for the King and Queen. We found a deputation of Friends with an +address to read to him; this was done; the King appeared to feel it +much. We then had to part. The King expressed his desire that blessings +might continue to rest on our house." + +Solomon says: "Seest thou a man diligent in his business he shall stand +before kings; he shall not stand before mean men." Elizabeth Fry's life +was a living proof of the honors that a persistent, steady, self-denying +course of doing good invariably wins in the long run. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +CLOSING DAYS OF LIFE. + + +Indefatigable workers wear out, while drones rust out. As the years are +counted, of so many days, months, and weeks, many workers of this class +die prematurely; but a wiser philosophy teaches that "He liveth long who +liveth well." Into her years of life, long, eventful, and busy, +Elizabeth Fry had crowded the work of many ordinary women; it was little +wonder, therefore, that at a time when most people would have settled +down to enjoy the relaxations and comforts of a "green old age," she had +begun to set her house in order, _to die_. Her energies had been fairly +worn out in the service of humanity, and from the time that she made the +resolution to serve God, when moved by William Savery's pleadings, right +onward through forty-eight years of sunshine and shadow, vicissitudes +and labors, she had never swerved from her simple, earnest purpose. The +propelling motive to that long course of Christian usefulness may be +found in a few words uttered by her shortly before her death: "Since my +heart was touched at seventeen years old, I believe I have never +awakened from sleep, in sickness or in health, by day or by night, +without my first waking thought being, 'how best I might serve my +Lord.'" That unchanged desire ultimately became the master-passion of +her life. + +Honors clustered thickly about her declining days. She was the welcomed +guest of royalty and nobility; on the Continent, as well as in far-away +English colonies, her name was pronounced only with respectful love. Her +eldest son was appointed to the magistracy of the county; her relatives +and associates were foremost in every enterprise intended to benefit +mankind; while both in Parliament and out of it, her recommendations +were respectfully adopted. Had her years been counted on the patriarchal +scale, instead of by their own shortened number, she could have reaped +no higher honors; for titles were in her ears but empty sounds, and +wealth only meant increased responsibility. Not many nobler souls walked +this earth, either in Quaker garb or out of it. + +In 1842 her state of health appeared to be so infirm and shattered that +her brother-in-law, Mr. Hoare, offered her the loan of his house at +Cromer. She accepted the offer for a couple of months, and found a +little benefit for the bracing air. She mentioned in her diary at this +time that she had "an undue fear of an imbecile or childish state"--a +not unlikely feeling to be cherished by an energetic woman accustomed +all her life long to the work of helping others. At the end of October +she returned home, thankfully rejoicing, however, in an improved state +of health. + +But a new series of trials awaited her. Death seemed to visit the happy +family circle so often that one wonders almost where the tale will stop. +Four or five grand-children passed away in rapid succession. After the +funeral of the first grand-child, she assembled the family party in the +evening, and with a little of the old fire and yearning affection, gave +them exhortation and consolation. Then she prayed for all the members of +the three generations present. After this funeral service she paid a +final visit to France; and then returned home, to descend still further +into the valley of suffering. + +Her sister-in-law--also named Elizabeth Fry--died during this time of +weakness and pain. There had been a close bond of sympathy between these +two women; they had travelled many times together as ministers in the +Society of Friends, and had been united by the closest bonds of womanly +and Christian affection. The faithful sister-in-law preceded the +philanthropist to "the better land," by about fifteen months. + +In the summer of 1844 she attended her beloved meeting at Plaistow once +more. She had been so long in declining health, that meeting with the +associates of former years, for worship, had been of necessity an +enjoyment altogether out of the question. But Sunday after Sunday, as +the "church-going bell" resounded on the still morning air, her spirit +yearned to worship God after the manner of her sect. Still, for weeks +the attempt was an abortive one. The difficult process of dressing was +never accomplished until long after 11 o'clock, the hour when the +meeting assembled. The desire was only intensified, however, by these +repeated disappointments, and finally it was resolved that the attempt +should be made on Sunday, August 4th, at all risks. It succeeded. Drawn +by two of her children, in a wheeled chair, she was taken up to the +meeting, a few minutes after the hour for commencing worship. Her +husband, children and servants followed behind, fearing whether or no +the ordeal would be too heavy for the wasted frame. But after remaining +for some time in the wonted quiet of the sanctuary, an access of +strength seemed to be granted her, and in somewhat similar spirit to +that of the old patriarchs, when about to bid farewell to the scene of +labor and life, she lifted up her voice once more with weighty, solemn +words of counsel. The prominent topic of her discourse was "the death of +the righteous." She expressed the deepest thankfulness, alluding to her +sister-in-law, Elizabeth Fry, for mercies vouchsafed to one who, having +labored amongst them, had been called from time to eternity. She quoted +that text, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for they cease +from their labors, and their works do follow them." She dwelt on the +purposes of affliction, on the utter weakness and infirmity of the +flesh, and then tenderly exhorted the young. She urged the need of +devotedness of heart and steadfastness of purpose; she raised a tribute +of praise for the eternal hope offered to the Christian, and concluded +with these words from Isaiah: "Thine eyes shall see the King in His +beauty; they shall behold the land that is very far off." Prayer was +afterwards offered by her in a similar strain, and then the meeting +ended. Shortly after this, a removal to Walmer was effected, in the vain +hope that the footsteps of death might be retarded. + +From one of her letters, written at this date, we quote the following +passage:-- + + I walk in a low valley, still I believe I may say that the + everlasting arms are underneath me, and the Lord is very near. I + pass through deep waters, but I trust, as my Lord is near to me, + they will not overflow me. I need all your prayers in my low + estate. I think the death of my sister, and dear little Gurney, has + been almost too much for me. + +But Mrs. Fry was to pass through still deeper waters of affliction and +trial while in her suffering state. A visitation of scarlet fever +attacked the family of her son William, and, in spite of all medical +attentions, he and two of his daughters fell beneath the destroyer's +hand. A scene of desolation ensued; the servants, as they sickened, were +taken to Guy's Hospital, and the Manor House was deserted, for those +members of the household who had escaped the infection had to flee for +their lives. For a time, the dear ones who ministered to Mrs. Fry were +too terror-stricken and crushed by the trial to venture on telling their +mother all; more than that, they feared for her life also. But the +"Christian's faith proved stronger than the mother's anguish. She wept +abundantly, almost unceasingly; but she dwelt constantly on the unseen +world, seeking for passages in the Bible which speak of the happy state +of the righteous. She was enabled to rejoice in the rest upon which her +beloved ones had entered, and in a wonderful manner to realize the +blessedness of their lot." Her other children gathered around her at +Walmer, anxious to comfort her, and be themselves comforted by her in +this succession of bereavements. She had been such a tower of strength +to all her family, in the years which had gone, that they almost +instinctively clustered around her now with the old trustful, yearning +devotion; but she was, although firm in spirit, so frail in body as to +be like the trembling ivy requiring the most constant and tender +support. Writing in her journal about this time, Mrs. Fry thus expressed +her feelings: "Sorrow upon sorrow! The trial is almost inexpressible. +Oh! dear Lord, keep thy unworthy servant in this time of severe trial; +keep me sound in faith and clear in mind, and be very near to us all." +Shortly after this entry a beloved niece died; and, as if the hungry maw +of Death were not yet satisfied, Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, her +brother-in-law, friend and coadjutor in so many benevolent schemes, also +became a victim. It is certain that these numerous losses weaned her +much from life; it is also certain that her splendid reasoning powers +gave way for a time, and the infirmity of premature old age crept over +her mind. In this way she was mercifully kept from being utterly +crushed. Yet, while her mental strength remained, she thought lovingly +of those ladies who had been associated with her in her philanthropic +works and penned a few lines of parting counsel to them. The following +is the text of the last written communication addressed by her to the +Committee of the Ladies' British Society:-- + + My much-loved friends, amidst many sorrows that have been permitted + for me to pass through, and much bodily suffering, I still feel a + deep and lively interest in the cause of poor prisoners; and + earnest is my prayer that the God of all grace may be very near to + help you to be steadfast in the important Christian work of seeking + to win the poor wanderers to return, repent and live; that they may + know Christ to be their Saviour, Redeemer and hope of glory. May + the Holy Spirit direct your steps, strengthen your hearts, and + enable you and me to glorify our Holy Head in doing and suffering + even unto the end; and when the end comes, through a Saviour's love + and merits, may we be received into glory and everlasting rest and + peace. + +In the spring of 1845 she paid a last visit to Earlham Hall. She had, +with the tenacity of desire peculiar to invalids, longed intensely to +behold again the scenes amid which her youth was spent, and to welcome +once more those familiar faces yet left in the old home. While there she +was several times drawn to the meeting at Norwich, and even spoke on +different occasions with her wonted fire and persuasiveness. It seemed +as if her powerful memory was revived, seeing that the stores of +Scripture which she had made hers were now drawn upon with singular +aptness and felicity. After paying one or two farewell visits to North +Repps and Runcton she returned once more to Upton Lane. Once settled +there, she received many marks of sympathy from the excellent of all +denominations, as well as from the noble and rich. The Duchess of +Sutherland and her daughters, the Chevalier de Bunsen, and others who +had heard of or known her, called upon her with every token of +respectful affection; while, on her part, she spoke and acted as if in +the very light of Eternity. So anxious, indeed, was she still to do what +she conceived to be her Master's work, that she made prodigious efforts +to attend meetings connected with the Society of Friends and with her +own special prison work. Thus she was present at two of the yearly +meetings for Friends in London in May, and on June 3d attended the +annual meeting at the British Ladies' Society. This meeting was removed +from the usual place at Westminster to the Friends' meeting-house at +Plaistow, in deference to Mrs. Fry's infirm health and visibly-declining +strength. In a report issued by this society, some four or five weeks +after Mrs. Fry's death, the committee paid a fitting tribute to her +labors with them, and the sacred preeminence she had won in the course +of those labors. In the memorial they referred to this meeting in the +following terms:-- + + Contrary to usual custom, the place of meeting fixed on was not in + London, but at Plaistow, in Essex, and the large number of friends + who gathered around her on that occasion, proved how gladly they + came to her when she could no longer, with ease, be conveyed to + them. The enfeebled state of her bodily frame seemed to have left + the powers of her mind unshackled, and she took, though in a + sitting posture, almost her usual part in repeatedly addressing the + meeting. She urged, with increased pathos and affection, the + objects of philanthropy and Christian benevolence with which her + life had been identified. After the meeting, and at her own desire, + several members of the committee, and other friends, assembled at + her house. They were welcomed by her with the greatest benignity + and kindness, and in her intercourse with them, strong were the + indications of the heavenly teaching through which her subdued and + sanctified spirit had been called to pass. Her affectionate + salutation in parting, unconsciously closed, in regard to most of + them, the intercourse which they delighted to hold with her, but + which can be no more renewed on this side of the eternal world. + +At this time Mrs. Fry found intense satisfaction in learning that the +London prisons--Newgate, Bridewell, Millbank, Giltspur Street, Compter, +Whitecross Street, Tothill Fields, and Coldbath Fields--were all in more +or less excellent order, and regularly visited by the ladies who had +been her coadjutors, and were to be her successors. + +A few weeks later she was taken to Ramsgate, in the hope that the +sea-air would restore her strength for a little time; and while there +her old interest in the Coastguard Libraries returned, fresh and lively +as ever. It was, indeed, a proof of the ruling passion being strong in +almost dying circumstances. She attended meeting whenever possible, +obtained a grant of Bibles and Testaments from the Bible Society, +arranged, sorted, and distributed them among the sailors in the harbor, +with the help of her grandchildren, and manifested, by her daily +deportment, how fully she had learned the hard lesson of submission and +patience in suffering. + +A few days before the end, pressure of the brain became apparent; severe +pain, succeeded by torpor and loss of power, and, after a short time, +utter unconsciousness, proved that the sands of life had nearly run +down. A few hours of spasmodic suffering followed, very trying to those +who watched by; but suddenly, about four on the morning of October 13th, +1845, the silver cord was loosed, the pitcher broken at the fountain, +and the spirit returned to God who gave it. + +In a quiet grave at Barking, by the side of the little child whom she +had loved and lost, years before, rest Elizabeth Fry's mortal remains. +"God buries His workers, but carries on His work." The peculiar work +which made her name and life so famous has grown and ripened right up to +the present hour. In this, "her name liveth for evermore." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +FINIS. + + +Since the days when John Howard, Elizabeth Fry and other prison +reformers first commenced to grapple with the great problems of how to +treat criminals, many, animated by the purest motives, have followed in +the same path. To Captain Maconochie, perhaps, is due the system of +rewards awarded to convicts who manifest a desire to amend, and show by +their exemplary conduct that they are anxious to regain once more a fair +position in society. Some anonymous writers have recently treated the +public to books bearing on the convict system of our country; and +professedly written, as they are, by men who have endured longer or +shorter periods of penal servitude, their opinions and suggestions +certainly count for something. The author of _Five Years' Penal +Servitude_ seems to entertain very decided opinions upon the present +system and its faults. He speaks strongly against _long_ sentences for +first offences, but urges that they should be made more severe. He +thinks that short sentences, made as severe as possible, consistent with +safety to life, would act as a deterrent more effectually than the long +punishments, which are, to a certain degree, mild to all well-conducted +prisoners. He also most strongly advocates separation of prisoners; +insisting that "the mixing of prisoners together is radically bad, and +should at all costs be done away with. Men who are imprisoned for first +offences, whether it be in a county jail or a convict prison, should +most certainly be kept perfectly distinct from 'second-timers,' and not +on any account be brought into contact with old offenders, who, in too +many cases, simply complete their education in vice." He further states, +in a concise form, what, in his estimation, should be the aim of all +penal measures. 1st. The punishment of those who have transgressed the +laws of the country, and the deterring others from crime; 2d. The +getting rid of the troublesome and criminal class of the population; 3d. +The doing of this in the most efficient and least costly way to the +tax-paying British public. He even quotes the opinion that New Guinea +would be suitable as a place of disposal for the convict class. But many +and good reasons have been given against shipping off criminals to be +pests to other people; this system has been already tried, and failed to +a large extent, although it certainly had redeeming features. Looking +at the matter all round, it seems utterly impossible to devise a convict +system which shall meet fairly and justly all cases. Could some system +be set in operation which should afford opportunity for the thoughtless +and unwary criminal, who has heedlessly fallen into temptation, to +retrace his steps and attain once more the height whence he has fallen, +it would be a boon to society. On the other hand, the members of the +really criminal class only anticipate liberty in order to use it for +fresh crime, for, in their opinion, the shame lies in detection, not in +sinning. What can be done with such but to deal stringently with them as +with enemies against society? This writer can fully bear out Mrs. Fry's +emphatic recommendations as to the imperative necessity that exists for +complete separation and classification of the prisoners, in all our +penal establishments. Association of the prisoners, one with another, +only carries on and completes their criminal and vicious education. + +There is, however, a general _consensus_ of opinion as to the +desirability of reformatory, rather than punitive measures, being dealt +out to children and very young persons. This system has, in almost every +case, been found to work well. The authors of _The Jail Cradle, Who +Rocks It?_ and _In Prison and Out_, have dealt with the problem of +juvenile crime--and not in vain. From the latter work, the following +paragraph proves that in this matter, as in many others, Germany is +abreast of the age:-- + + In Germany, no child under twelve years of age can suffer a penal + sentence. Between twelve and eighteen years of age, youthful + criminals are free to declare whether, while committing the + offense, they were fully aware of their culpability against the + laws of their country. In every case, every term of imprisonment + above one month is carried out, not in a jail, but in an + institution specially set apart and adapted for old offenders. + These institutions serve not only for the purpose of punishment, + but also provide for the education of the prisoners, _the neglect + of education being recognized as one of the chief sources of + crime_. + +Mrs. Fry dealt with women principally, and it was only in a very limited +degree that she could benefit the children of these fallen ones. Still +there can be no doubt that she did a large service to society in taking +possession of them and educating them while with their mothers. What +that work involved has been fully told in the preceding pages; its +results no pen can compute. Woman-like, she aimed at the improvement of +her own sex; but the reform which she inaugurated did not stop there. +Like a circle caused by the descent of a pebble into a lake, it widened +and extended and spread until she and her work became household words +among all classes of society, and in all civilized countries. Most women +would have shrunk back appalled at the terrible scene of degradation +which Newgate presented when she first entered its wards as a visitor; +others would have deemed it impossible to accomplish anything, save +under the auspices of Government, and by the aid of public funds. Not +thus did she regard the matter, but with earnest, oft-repeated +endeavors, she set herself to stem the tide of sin and suffering to be +found at that period in Government jails, and so successfully that a +radical change passed over the whole system before she died. Probably it +is not too much to say that no laborer in the cause of prison reform +ever won a larger share of success. Certainly none ever received a +larger meed of reverential love. + + + + +_Messrs. Roberts Brothers' Publications._ + +FAMOUS WOMEN SERIES. + +EMILY BRONTE. + +BY A. MARY F. ROBINSON. + ++One vol. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00.+ + + + "Miss Robinson has written a fascinating biography.... Emily Bronte + is interesting, not because she wrote 'Wuthering Heights,' but + because of her brave, baffled, human life, so lonely, so full of + pain, but with a great hope shining beyond all the darkness, and a + passionate defiance in bearing more than the burdens that were laid + upon her. The story of the three sisters is infinitely sad, but it + is the ennobling sadness that belongs to large natures cramped and + striving for freedom to heroic, almost desperate, work, with little + or no result. The author of this intensely interesting, + sympathetic, and eloquent biography, is a young lady and a poet, to + whom a place is given in a recent anthology of living English + poets, which is supposed to contain only the best poems of the best + writers."--_Boston Daily Advertiser._ + + "Miss Robinson had many excellent qualifications for the task she + has performed in this little volume, among which may be named, an + enthusiastic interest in her subject and a real sympathy with Emily + Bronte's sad and heroic life. 'To represent her as she was,' says + Miss Robinson, 'would be her noblest and most fitting monument.'... + Emily Bronte here becomes well known to us and, in one sense, this + should be praise enough for any biography."--_New York Times._ + + "The biographer who finds such material before him as the lives and + characters of the Bronte family need have no anxiety as to the + interest of his work. Characters not only strong but so uniquely + strong, genius so supreme, misfortunes so overwhelming, set in its + scenery so forlornly picturesque, could not fail to attract all + readers, if told even in the most prosaic language. When we add to + this, that Miss Robinson has told their story _not_ in prosaic + language, but with a literary style exhibiting all the qualities + essential to good biography, our readers will understand that this + life of Emily Bronte is not only as interesting as a novel, but a + great deal more interesting than most novels. As it presents most + vividly a general picture of the family, there seems hardly a + reason for giving it Emily's name alone, except perhaps for the + masterly chapters on 'Wuthering Heights,' which the reader will + find a grateful condensation of the best in that powerful but + somewhat forbidding story. We know of no point in the Bronte + history--their genius, their surroundings, their faults, their + happiness, their misery, their love and friendships, their + peculiarities, their power, their gentleness, their patience, their + pride,--which Miss Robinson has not touched upon with + conscientiousness and sympathy."--_The Critic._ + + "'Emily Bronte' is the second of the 'Famous Women Series,' which + Roberts Brothers, Boston, propose to publish, and of which 'George + Eliot' was the initial volume. Not the least remarkable of a very + remarkable family, the personage whose life is here written, + possesses a peculiar interest to all who are at all familiar with + the sad and singular history of herself and her sister Charlotte. + That the author, Miss A. Mary F. Robinson, has done her work with + minute fidelity to facts as well as affectionate devotion to the + subject of her sketch, is plainly to be seen all through the + book."--_Washington Post._ + + + + +Famous Women Series. + +MARGARET FULLER. + +BY JULIA WARD HOWE. + + "A memoir of the woman who first in New England took a position of + moral and intellectual leadership, by the woman who wrote the + Battle Hymn of the Republic, is a literary event of no common or + transient interest. The Famous Women Series will have no worthier + subject and no more illustrious biographer. Nor will the reader be + disappointed,--for the narrative is deeply interesting and full of + inspiration."--_Woman's Journal._ + + "Mrs. Julia Ward Howe's biography of _Margaret Fuller_, in the + Famous Women Series of Messrs. Roberts Brothers, is a work which + has been looked for with curiosity. It will not disappoint + expectation. She has made a brilliant and an interesting book. Her + study of Margaret Fuller's character is thoroughly sympathetic; her + relation of her life is done in a graphic and at times a + fascinating manner. It is the case of one woman of strong + individuality depicting the points which made another one of the + most marked characters of her day. It is always agreeable to follow + Mrs. Howe in this; for while we see marks of her own mind + constantly, there is no inartistic protrusion of her personality. + The book is always readable, and the relation of the death-scene is + thrillingly impressive."--_Saturday Gazette._ + + "Mrs. Julia Ward Howe has retold the story of Margaret Fuller's + life and career in a very interesting manner. This remarkable woman + was happy in having James Freeman Clarke, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and + William Henry Channing, all of whom had been intimate with her and + had felt the spell of her extraordinary personal influence, for her + biographers. It is needless to say, of course, that nothing could + be better than these reminiscences in their way."--_New York + World._ + + "The selection of Mrs. Howe as the writer of this biography was a + happy thought on the part of the editor of the series; for, aside + from the natural appreciation she would have for Margaret Fuller, + comes her knowledge of all the influences that had their effect on + Margaret Fuller's life. She tells the story of Margaret Fuller's + interesting life from all sources and from her own knowledge, not + hesitating to use plenty of quotations when she felt that others, + or even Margaret Fuller herself, had done the work better."--_Miss + Gilder, in Philadelphia Press._ + + + + +Famous Women Series. + +MARIA EDGEWORTH. + +BY HELEN ZIMMERN. + + "This little volume shows good literary workmanship. It does not + weary the reader with vague theories; nor does it give over much + expression to the enthusiasm--not to say baseless encomium--for + which too many female biographers have accustomed us to look. It is + a simple and discriminative sketch of one of the most clever and + lovable of the class at whom Carlyle sneered as 'scribbling + women.'... Of Maria Edgeworth, the woman, one cannot easily say too + much in praise. That home life, so loving, so wise, and so helpful, + was beautiful to its end. Miss Zimmern has treated it with delicate + appreciation. Her book is refined in conception and tasteful in + execution,--all, in short, the cynic might say, that we expect a + woman's book to be."--_New York Tribune._ + + "It was high time that we should possess an adequate biography of + this ornament and general benefactor of her time. And so we hail + with uncommon pleasure the volume just published in the Roberts + Brothers' series of Famous Women, of which it is the sixth. We have + only words of praise for the manner in which Miss Zimmern has + written her life of Maria Edgeworth. It exhibits sound judgment, + critical analysis, and clear characterization.... The style of the + volume is pure, limpid, and strong, as we might expect from a + well-trained English writer."--_Margaret J. Preston, in the Home + Journal._ + + "We can heartily recommend this life of Maria Edgeworth, not only + because it is singularly readable in itself, but because it makes + familiar to readers of the present age a notable figure in English + literary history, with whose lineaments we suspect most readers, + especially of the present generation, are less familiar than they + ought to be."--_Eclectic._ + + "This biography contains several letters and papers by Miss + Edgeworth that have not before been made public, notably some + charming letters written during the latter part of her life to Dr. + Holland and Mr. and Mrs. Ticknor. The author had access to a life + of Miss Edgeworth written by her step-mother, as well as to a large + collection of her private letters, and has therefore been able to + bring forward many facts in her life which have not been noted by + other writers. The book is written in a pleasant vein, and is + altogether a delightful one to read."--_Utica Herald._ + + + + +FAMOUS WOMEN SERIES. + +GEORGE SAND. + +BY BERTHA THOMAS. + +One volume. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00 + + "Miss Thomas has accomplished a difficult task with as much good + sense as good feeling. She presents the main facts of George Sand's + life, extenuating nothing, and setting naught down in malice, but + wisely leaving her readers to form their own conclusions. Everybody + knows that it was not such a life as the women of England and + America are accustomed to live, and as the worst of men are glad to + have them live.... Whatever may be said against it, its result on + George Sand was not what it would have been upon an English or + American woman of genius."--_New York Mail and Express._ + + "This is a volume of the 'Famous Women Series,' which was begun so + well with George Eliot and Emily Bronte. The book is a review and + critical analysis of George Sand's life and work, by no means a + detailed biography. Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, the maiden, or + Mme. Dudevant, the married woman, is forgotten in the renown of the + pseudonym George Sand. + + "Altogether, George Sand, with all her excesses and defects, is a + representative woman, one of the names of the nineteenth century. + She was great among the greatest, the friend and compeer of the + finest intellects, and Miss Thomas's essay will be a useful and + agreeable introduction to a more extended study of her life and + works."--_Knickerbocker._ + + "The biography of this famous woman, by Miss Thomas, is the only + one in existence. Those who have awaited it with pleasurable + anticipation, but with some trepidation as to the treatment of the + erratic side of her character, cannot fail to be pleased with the + skill by which it is done. It is the best production on George Sand + that has yet been published. The author modestly refers to it as a + sketch, which it undoubtedly is, but a sketch that gives a just and + discriminating analysis of George Sand's life, tastes, occupations, + and of the motives and impulses which prompted her unconventional + actions, that were misunderstood by a narrow public. The + difficulties encountered by the writer in describing this + remarkable character are shown in the first line of the opening + chapter, which says, 'In naming George Sand we name something more + exceptional than even a great genius.' That tells the whole story. + Misconstruction, condemnation, and isolation are the penalties + enforced upon the great leaders in the realm of advanced thought, + by the bigoted people of their time. The thinkers soar beyond the + common herd, whose soul-wings are not strong enough to fly aloft to + clearer atmospheres, and consequently they censure or ridicule what + they are powerless to reach. George Sand, even to a greater extent + than her contemporary, George Eliot, was a victim to ignorant + social prejudices, but even the conservative world was forced to + recognize the matchless genius of these two extraordinary women, + each widely different in her character and method of thought and + writing.... She has told much that is good which has been untold, + and just what will interest the reader, and no more, in the same + easy, entertaining style that characterizes all of these + unpretentious biographies."--_Hartford Times._ + + + + +Famous Women Series. + +GEORGE ELIOT. + +BY MATHILDE BLIND. + +One vol. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00. + + "Messrs. Roberts Brothers begin a series of Biographies of Famous + Women with a life of George Eliot, by Mathilde Blind. The idea of + the series is an excellent one, and the reputation of its + publishers is a guarantee for its adequate execution. This book + contains about three hundred pages in open type, and not only + collects and condenses the main facts that are known in regard to + the history of George Eliot, but supplies other material from + personal research. It is agreeably written, and with a good idea of + proportion in a memoir of its size. The critical study of its + subject's works, which is made in the order of their appearance, is + particularly well done. In fact, good taste and good judgment + pervade the memoir throughout."--_Saturday Evening Gazette._ + + "Miss Blind's little book is written with admirable good taste and + judgment, and with notable self-restraint. It does not weary the + reader with critical discursiveness, nor with attempts to search + out high-flown meanings and recondite oracles in the plain 'yea' + and 'nay' of life. It is a graceful and unpretentious little + biography, and tells all that need be told concerning one of the + greatest writers of the time. It is a deeply interesting if not + fascinating woman whom Miss Blind presents," says the New York + _Tribune_. + + "Miss Blind's little biographical study of George Eliot is written + with sympathy and good taste, and is very welcome. It gives us a + graphic if not elaborate sketch of the personality and development + of the great novelist, is particularly full and authentic + concerning her earlier years, tells enough of the leading motives + in her work to give the general reader a lucid idea of the true + drift and purpose of her art, and analyzes carefully her various + writings, with no attempt at profound criticism or fine writing, + but with appreciation, insight, and a clear grasp of those + underlying psychological principles which are so closely interwoven + in every production that came from her pen."--_Traveller._ + + "The lives of few great writers have attracted more curiosity and + speculation than that of George Eliot. Had she only lived earlier + in the century she might easily have become the centre of a mythos. + As it is, many of the anecdotes commonly repeated about her are + made up largely of fable. It is, therefore, well, before it is too + late, to reduce the true story of her career to the lowest terms, + and this service has been well done by the author of the present + volume."--_Philadelphia Press._ + + + + +FAMOUS WOMEN SERIES. + +MARY LAMB. + +BY ANNE GILCHRIST. + ++One volume. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00.+ + + "The story of Mary Lamb has long been familiar to the readers of + Elia, but never in its entirety as in the monograph which Mrs. Anne + Gilchrist has just contributed to the Famous Women Series. Darkly + hinted at by Talfourd in his Final Memorials of Charles Lamb, it + became better known as the years went on and that imperfect work + was followed by fuller and franker biographies,--became so well + known, in fact, that no one could recall the memory of Lamb without + recalling at the same time the memory of his sister."--_New York + Mail and Express._ + + "A biography of Mary Lamb must inevitably be also, almost more, a + biography of Charles Lamb, so completely was the life of the sister + encompassed by that of her brother; and it must be allowed that + Mrs. Anne Gilchrist has performed a difficult biographical task + with taste and ability.... The reader is at least likely to lay + down the book with the feeling that if Mary Lamb is not famous she + certainly deserves to be, and that a debt of gratitude is due Mrs. + Gilchrist for this well-considered record of her life."--_Boston + Courier._ + + "Mary Lamb, who was the embodiment of everything that is tenderest + in woman, combined with this a heroism which bore her on for a + while through the terrors of insanity. Think of a highly + intellectual woman struggling year after year with madness, + triumphant over it for a season, and then at last succumbing to it. + The saddest lines that ever were written are those descriptive of + this brother and sister just before Mary, on some return of + insanity, was to leave Charles Lamb. 'On one occasion Mr. Charles + Lloyd met them slowly pacing together a little foot-path in Hoxton + Fields, both weeping bitterly, and found, on joining them, that + they were taking their solemn way to the accustomed asylum.' What + pathos is there not here?"--_New York Times._ + + "This life was worth writing, for all records of weakness + conquered, of pain patiently borne, of success won from difficulty, + of cheerfulness in sorrow and affliction, make the world better. + Mrs. Gilchrist's biography is unaffected and simple. She has told + the sweet and melancholy story with judicious sympathy, showing + always the light shining through darkness."--_Philadelphia Press._ + +_Sold by all Booksellers. Mailed, post-paid, on receipt of the price, by +the Publishers,_ + +ROBERTS BROTHERS, BOSTON. + + + + +MARGARET FULLER'S WORKS AND MEMOIRS. + +WOMAN IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, and kindred papers relating to the +Sphere, Condition, and Duties of Woman. Edited by her brother, ARTHUR B. +FULLER, with an Introduction by HORACE GREELEY. In 1 vol. 16mo. $1.50. + +ART, LITERATURE, AND THE DRAMA. 1 vol. 16mo. $1.50. + +LIFE WITHOUT AND LIFE WITHIN; or, Reviews, Narratives, Essays, and +Poems. 1 vol. 16mo. $1.50. + +AT HOME AND ABROAD; or, Things and Thoughts in America and Europe, 1 +vol. 16mo. $1.50. + +MEMOIRS OF MARGARET FULLER OSSOLI. By RALPH WALDO EMERSON, WILLIAM HENRY +CHANNING, and JAMES FREEMAN CLARKE. With Portrait and Appendix. 2 vols. +16mo. $3.00. + + MARGARET FULLER will be remembered as one of the "Great + Conversers," the "Prophet of the Woman Movement" in this country, + and her Memoirs will be read with delight as among the tenderest + specimens of biographical writing in our language. She was never an + extremist. She considered woman neither man's rival nor his foe, + but his complement. As she herself said, she believed that the + development of one could not be affected without that of the other. + Her words, so noble in tone, so moderate in spirit, so eloquent in + utterance, should not be forgotten by her sisters. Horace Greeley, + in his introduction to her "Woman in the Nineteenth Century," says: + "She was one of the earliest, as well as ablest, among American + women to demand for her sex equality before the law with her + titular lord and master. Her writings on this subject have the + force that springs from the ripening of profound reflection into + assured conviction. It is due to her memory, as well as to the + great and living cause of which she was so eminent and so fearless + an advocate, that what she thought and said with regard to the + position of her sex and its limitations should be fully and fairly + placed before the public." No woman who wishes to understand the + full scope of what is called the woman's movement should fail to + read these pages, and see in them how one woman proved her right to + a position in literature hitherto occupied by men, by filling it + nobly. + + The Story of this rich, sad, striving, unsatisfied life, with its + depths of emotion and its surface sparkling and glowing, is told + tenderly and reverently by her biographers. Their praise is eulogy, + and their words often seem extravagant; but they knew her well, + they spoke as they felt. The character that could awaken such + interest and love surely is a rare one. + +"" The above are uniformly bound in cloth, and sold +separately or in sets. + +Sold everywhere. Mailed, post-paid, by the Publishers, + +ROBERTS BROTHERS, BOSTON. + + + + +CHOICE FICTION + +FOR + +SUMMER READING. + ++TIP CAT.+ A Story. By the author of "Miss Toosey's Mission" and +"Laddie." 16mo. Cloth. 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Unlike Captain Macgregor, of 'Rob Roy' + fame, Mr. Stevenson does not make canoeing itself his main theme, + but delights in charming bits of description that, in their close + attention to picturesque detail, remind one of the work of a + skilled 'genre' painter."--_Good Literature._ + ++TRAVELS WITH A DONKEY IN THE CEVENNES.+ + +By ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON. With Frontispiece illustration by Walter +Crane. 16mo. $1.00. + + "Charming, full of grace and humor and freshness,--such refined + humor it is, too, and so evidently the work of a gentleman. What a + happy knack he has of giving the taste of a landscape, or any + out-door impression, in ten words!" + +_Our publications are sold by all booksellers. Mailed, postpaid, on +receipt of the advertised price._ + +ROBERTS BROTHERS, BOSTON. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Elizabeth Fry, by Mrs. E. R. 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