young teachers and their pupils had a little treat: they sat on benches round the room, with benches before them for tables. Each boy and girl brought a cup or mug, while I served them with coffee and something to eat. They had tickets of reward for diligence, which were reserved for Bibles, Testaments, and other books. This delightful privilege was mine until 1838, when a new workhouse was built, and a schoolmaster and schoolmistress appointed, and then, being no longer wanted there, I entered on teaching at the gaol every day; at which place a measure of employment for female prisoners had been first provided in 1823. One gentleman then presented me with 10s., and another, in the same week, with 1., for prison charity. It then occurred to me, that it would be well to expend it in material for baby clothes, and having borrowed patterns, cut out the articles, fixed prices of payment for making them, and ascertained the cost of a set, that they might be disposed of at a certain price, the plan was carried into effect. The prisoners also made shirts, coats, etc., and on the plan being made known, charitable persons supported it, and thus did good in two ways; for, in giving to the poor, they also supported employment for the prisoners. By means of this plan, many young women, who were not able to sew, learned the art, and, in satisfactory instances, had a little money to take at the end of the term of their imprisonment, which, in many instances, proved of great use. The fund of 17. 10s. for this purpose, as a foundation and perpetual stock, (for whilst desiring its preservation I did not

require its increase,) soon rose to 77. 7s., and since its establishment, above 4081. worth of various articles have been sold for charity.

In the absence of hard labour for male prisoners, at different periods, individuals have been occasionally employed in whatever work could be contrived or thought of; the number of prisoners then were few. They made straw hats, and at a later period bone spoons, and seals; others have made men's and boys' caps, cut into eight quarters, the material old cloth or moreen, or whatever my friends could find up to give me for them. In some instances young men, and more frequently boys, have learned to sew grey cotton shirts, and even patch-work, with a view of shutting out idleness and making themselves useful. On one occasion I showed to the prisoners an etching of The Chess-Player, by Retzch, which two men, one a shoemaker and the other a bricklayer, desired much to copy; they were allowed to do so; and being supplied with pencil, pen, paper, etc., they succeeded remarkably well. The ChessPlayer presented a pointed and striking lesson, which could be well applied to any kind of gaming, and was on this account suitable to my pupils, who had generally descended from the love of marbles and pitch-halfpenny in children, to cards, dice, etc., in men; the business of copying it had the advantage of requiring all thought and attention at the time. The attention of other prisoners was attracted to it, and for a year or two afterwards, many continued to make copies of it.

In 1827, on visiting a young woman of bad

character, who had attempted self-destruction, but was mercifully discovered before life was extinct, I found that her mind was in a state requiring employment for her hands, as well as religious instruction. By the ready help of a few friends, 21. 6s. were supplied, with which materials were purchased for shirts, coats, etc., for her to make to be sold. The book of accounts of this, bears the name of "Employment for the Destitute," and since that period it has been useful in furnishing a little to many female prisoners after their discharge; and has also afforded me the advantage of observing their conduct at the same time.

The female prisoners' employment has been greatly aided by the British Ladies' Society. "The Sinking Fund," which name its account book bears, shows the expenditure of donations from that source. Its great use was, when unable to dispose of articles made by the prisoners for their full value, to enable me to supply the poor at reduced prices.

In March, 1836, a lady of the British Ladies' Society sent me 27. for the prison, which I at once set apart for the use of male prisoners, who had earned nothing, and were destitute on their discharge. A gentleman, who has largely helped the charities under my care, gave an annual subscription of 17. to the same object; his example was followed by the visiting justices, and by several other persons since. The examples of the use made of its expenditure are numerous, and many interesting cases might be given.

In this brief glance at my life, it was once my

intention to have given a few short accounts of some prisoners, to whom God brought the truth with power to their conversion, but I forbear, from the state of my own weakness;* and should this simple relation serve for the happy encouragement of any engaging in a similar work, my object will be obtained. It is the principle of truth in their hearts, the love of Christ constraining, which can alone support and carry forward the servants of the Lord.

In my own mind, as expressive of my pleasing office at the gaol, I have called myself "an observer," and I seemed in the happy presence of God, as an insect basking in the sunbeams, in the light of peace, hope, and joy, for I have been with my directory, the Bible, gathering from it

doctrine, reproof, and righteousness," for myself and the prisoners "to persuade men," and, in thus looking for what God will work, I have not observed in vain. Many indeed have entered our gaol, have there heard the truth, have regarded it not, but have returned into the world, and re-entered the prison again and again, only to become worse. Was this a reason for despair? No. In one instance of this kind, at this moment I remember an individual who at last was converted to God, and, as the undeniable proof of it, is now living soberly, honestly, and justly; whilst a goodly number, who were as deeply sunk when they entered the gaol, have, by a regular course of attention to the Scriptures, had their hearts opened to receive the truth, and proved it

The writer was at this time in her last affliction, without hope of recovery.

on their return to the world. The sower is rewarded, when, by a power not his own, the grain arises and is still nourished by the sun and the rain from heaven: but what is that to the delight which I have known, when, in my happy course, I could "stand still and see the salvation of God?" Thus it is when the consciences of sinners are met by the law of God, when their danger is discovered and the refuge is sought; a work of God, not delegated to the creature, and in which He "will not give his glory to another."

Here I would earnestly observe, to young individuals just embracing such privileges as have been extended to me, whilst the paths to which God invites are all "pleasantness and peace,' they lead through much of an opposite nature. My own path was bright, from first to last, in the knowledge of God and the smile of his favour; yet brief clouds frequently passed before me, whilst my advance was disputed, in every step, by my adversary the devil, by his agents, and by the sins of my own heart rebelling against the grace · that held them down; but in prosecuting many a good work, God has led me through deep and dark waters, and preserved me unhurt. For a course of years, ere the public attention was led to the subject of prison discipline, and with the doors simply locked upon the prisoners, when their time was given to gaming, swearing, playing, fighting, and bad language, and their visitors admitted from without with but little restriction, I was still supported in much mercy, for the arm of God upheld me.

At that period, and up to 1838, the prisoners

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