“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