ng 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, fro