out, is proved by her words relative to this clause:  “Since the passing of the late Act of Parliament for the regulations of prisons, our large jails have been generally provided with a matron and female turnkeys; but it is much to be regretted that in many smaller prisons no such provisions have yet been adopted.  Nor ought it to be concealed that the persons selected to fill the office of matron are, in various instances, unsuited to their posts; and in other cases are unfitted for its fulfillment, by residing out of prison.”

With respect to the classification of prisoners, Mrs. Fry recommends four classes or divisions which should comprise the total:—­1st.  Prisoners of previous good character, and guilty only of venial crimes.  This class, she suggests, should be allowed to dress a little better and be put to lighter labors than the others.  From their ranks, also, should temporary officers be selected, while small pecuniary rewards might be with propriety offered. 2d.  Prisoners convicted of more serious crimes.  These should be treated with more strictness; but it should be possible for a prisoner, by constant good conduct and obedience to rules, to rise into the first class. 3d.  In this class the privileges were to be considerably diminished, while the 4th class consisted only of hardened offenders, guilty of serious crimes, and of those who had been frequently committed.  “This class must undergo its peculiar privations and hardships.”  Still, that hope may not entirely give place to despair, Mrs. Fry recommends that even these criminals should be eligible for promotion to the upper classes upon good behavior.  It will be seen that this system partook somewhat of Captain Machonochie’s merit, or good-mark system, introduced by him with such remarkable success into Norfolk Island.

Among other suggestions relative to the classification of prisoners we find one recommending the wearing of a ticket by each woman.  Every ticket was to be inscribed with a number, which number should agree with the corresponding number on the class list.  Each class list was to be kept by the matron or visitors, and was to include a register of the conduct of the prisoners.  In the case of convicts on board convict-ships proceeding to the penal settlements, Mrs. Fry recommended that not only should the women wear these tickets, but that every article of clothing, every book, and every piece of bedding should be similarly numbered; even the convicts’ seats at table should be distinguished by the same numbers in order to prevent disputes, and to promote order and regularity.

She considered the most thorough, vigilant, and unremitting inspection essential to a correct system of prison discipline; by this means she anticipated that an effectual, if slow, change of habits might be produced.