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;