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; the people who associated with Mrs. Fry, charitable as they
were, viewed her plans as Utopian and visionary, while she herself
almost quailed at their very contemplation. It also placed a great
strain upon her nervous system to attend women condemned to death. She
wrote: "I have suffered much about the hanging of criminals." And again: