American watchman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1814-1822, 1822-01-22
MEMOIRS OF MRS. FRY.

MEMOIRS OF MRS. FRY.
From MADAME .2aele Du 7Aous History Of the Qaakers.
Elizabeth Carney, (now Mrs. Fry) the third
daughter Of Mr.. John Quincy, of Earlhamhall, in
the county of Norfolk was born in 1880 she had
the misfortune to lose her mother when very young
and was thus, at an early age, in some measure a.
bandoned to her own guidance. Her father, tho
a member of The Society Of Friends, was by no
means strict, and suffered his children to enjoy
greater freedom than is usually permitted among
individuals of that sect Elizabeth Quincy was ac-
Customed 10 mix much with society, and she en-
ioyed all the advantages of blrh fortune and edu
cation. She was about seventeen years Of age,
when she first visited London-was anxious to see
every thing, and having participated, for period,
in all the gay amusementss Of the capital, she re.
turned to Norfolk. A short time after her return,
some members OF the society, (as is customary a
mong the Friends) came to Earham to make a
family visit. This suddenly wrought a transforma.
ton in the habits OF the whole family-all became
more serious and seemed to feel the influence Of
the holy visit-Elzabeth, in particular, was deeply
penetrated by the evangelical lectures which she
heard In a mind like hers, religious impression
was not likely to be transitory-too pious, and too
well informed, to confne herself to useless forms
OF devotion, she proved her faith by her labors,
and prevailed on her father to convert one of
the apartments Of Earlham Hall into a school
room Here she daily received four and twenty
poor Children to whom she read and explained the
Bible. She assumed the simple garb of the qua
kers, and renowned all kinds Of amusement
In 1900, she married Mr.. Fry, whose amiable
and generous character fully justiGes her choice
Far from opposing her benevolent labors, he fac.
litates them, and affords her ample means CT re-
ileyng the unfortunate, by annually placing at her
disposal considerable sum which she applies en-
'rely TO the benefit of the poor. Mrs. Frys life is
devoted to acts of virtue, and her time is almost
wholly occupied in charitable missions. She
makes no dstinction-the unfortante are brothers,
whatever be their country or relieon-sorrow is
every where the same, and benevoience should be
universal. Mrs. Fry is at once physician to The
body and the soul; she comforts and feeds the
poor, and supplies them with clothes and with
Bibles-and thus she explains and teaches the Cos.
pei. She even administers succour to crimnals-she
regards vice merely as a disease, and never with.
holds assistance from the sick.
Mrs. Fry, on being informed Of The deporable
state of the female prisoners in Eewgate, resolved
TO relieve them. She applied to the governor fol
leave of admittance-he replied that she would in
cur the greatest risk in visiting that abode Of mi
guilty and disorder which he himself scarcely dared
to enter--he observed that the language she mus
hear, would inevitably disgust her, and made us;
of every argument to prevail on her to relinquisl
her intention. Mrs. Fry said she was fully a
ware of the danger to which she exposed hersel
and repeated her solicitation for permission Il
enter the prison. The governor advised her no
to carry in with her either her purse or her watch
and Mrs Fry replied" thank thee--I am not a
fraid--I don't think l shall lose any thing" Sh
was shown into an apartment of the prison, whic
contained about 100 women-those who were cor
demned and these who had not been tried, wer
all suffered to associate together. The childre
who were brought up In this school of vice, an
who never spoke without uttering an oath, adde
= TO the horror of the picture. The prisoners att
cooked their victuals, and Slept ali in the sam
room; it might have been truly said that New
gate prison Tesembled den of savages Mrs. FIR
was not discouraged-the grace Of God is infinite
the true christian deSpars.--In spite OF a VI
ry delicate state Of health she persevered in ht
pous design. The women listened to her, g. gaze
on her with amazement--the pure and tranou
expression of her beautiful countenance speed
softened their ferocity. 1t has been remarked, tn
il virtue could be rendered visible, it would be i'm
possible to resist its inf1uence--and thus may
explained the extraordinary ascendancy whic
Mrs. Fry exercises over all whom she approache
Virtue has indeed become visible, and has assuu
ed the form of this benevolent lady, who is II
guide and consolation OF her fellow creatures
Mrs. Fry addressed the prisoners You see
unhappy said she - you are in want of clothes
would you not be pleased if some one came to r
Iieve your misery! certainly replied they; b
nobody cares tor us, and where can que expect
End friend Z" " am come with wish 10 ser
you, resumed Elizabeth Fry, land think, if Y,
second my endeavors, may be of use to you" S
addressed to them the language of peace, and
iorded them a glimmering OF hope she spo
lot Of their crimes--the minister OF an all-mt
ciful God, she came there to comfort and to PR