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