derly 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.