The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-23

tain recent undertakings which reflect honor on
our country. II would be unjust 70 omit one
which reflects honor on our sex. Jusuee, "
well MS gratitude, would be wounded, were nc
tribute 10 be paid 10 the most heroic oil women
| The reader will have anticipated that aiude
| 10 the female Howard"
The female Howard, 10 which such happy
reference is made, is Mrs. Fry, the sister OF ga,
msel and Joseph J. Quincy. She has explored
the principal prisons in this country and on the
Continent, not merely TO crafty philosophic Gu
riosty TO enlarge the boundaries Of knowledge,
but TO take the guage Of misery" and measure
the depths OF woe, that she might amelorate the
sorrows of the wretched inmates in these dreary
abodes. In this arduous and perious work. the
astonishing fortiiude, courage, skill, and Perse-
verance, she has evnced, are equalled only by
the long and lovely train Of alternating influences
which are following in the path OF her labor =
Those who best know the nature and extent Oh
her tolls, will be the most ready TO award her
the envable title Of 'the female Howard"
Though Mrs. Fry is very afable and easy OF
access, she carries herself with great dignity
having fine person and striking and noble
countenance, which, in its youth, must have
been attractive, if not decidedly handsome
On the occasion which | now have in my 'ye,
| was peculiarly pleased with her demeanor To-
wards the Duchess of Sutherland, who constr
tuted one of the party, and Of whom, word IN
passing.
When led to the altar, the Duchess of Suther-
land was reputed the most beautiful womgn in
the Kingdom. Even now she essays 10 bear
away the palm among the married ladies OF the
Court. But the rose had faded; though no
doubt the lady of the richest Duke in England,
and the mistress of her Majesty's robes, is en-
titled TO considerable constructive beauty. The
manners of her Grace are polished, and her con-
versation remarkably intelligent-for one Of her
rank. Though Graded in the lap of the an
cent arstocracy (the patent Of the Earl OF
Carlisle, her father, dates back 200 years. and
early placed in the very focus Of royal splendor,
she is decidedly American in her views of civil
and religious freedom. Indeed, she was ultra
liberal in some Of her notions. The blood OF
the Towards which puppies her veins, is deeply
tinged with Radicalism. Her brother, Lord
Morpeth, is among the most democratic young
nobemen in the country. | wish some of the
bellies Of your city could have seen her Grace
on the occasion of which | speak. She was
dressed plainly, and in good taste, and nothing
in her appearance would, to a stranger, have
marked her as anything more than an intelligent
woman, who had moved in good society, and
possessed too much sense to make herself
walking milliner's shop. But TO our heroine.
Mrs. Fry was sitting engaged in playful chat
with two or three Of her friends, when the lady
OF whom nave just peen speaking approached
to salute her. She arose and drew her tall
figure to its full height, and received the salula-
tons of the Duchess Of Sutherland, as if she
herself had been the Empress of Russia. There
was nothing stiff, affected, or repulsive in her
manner; but only an homage-exacting dignity,
which sat most becomingy on the commanding
person of an exalted woman, whose patent Of
nobility was from the King of kings. II is in
admirable contrast with the fawning airs of
several other ladies Of the company, when ad-
dressed by her Grace. These English, who
bear themselves so proudly towards their equals,
and so haughtily over their interiors, will cover
al the feet OF their superors with the cringing
humility of spaniel A profound reverence
for rank and utle is one of their national SINS.
The many fine things which Mrs. Fry and the
Duchess of Sutherland said of America, must
be reserved for our private chit-chat. Till then,
Health to thee. MANHATTAN.