so cruelly as in former times, but
frequently, at that very day, they were imprisoned, or suffered the loss
of property because of their religious opinions. The matter lay heavily
on Mrs. Fry's benevolent heart, and, seizing the opportunity, she spoke
to the Crown Prince at the meeting just described, on the behalf of the
persecuted Christians. The Crown Prince listened most attentively, and
advised her to lay the matter before the King in any way she deemed
proper. A petition was therefore drawn up by William Allen, translated
into German, and with much fear and trembling presented to His Majesty.
The following day the King's chaplain was sent bearing the "delightful
intelligence" that the petition had been received; further, the King had
said that "he thought the Spirit of God must have helped them to express
themselves as they had done."

About this time we find the following entry in her journal: "I have been
poorly enough to have the end of life brought closely before me, and to
stimulate me in faith to do _quickly_ what my Lord may require me."
Accordingly, engagements and undertakings multiplied, and 1841 witnessed
another brief visit to the continent of Europe. She seemed more and more
to get the conviction that she must lose no time while about her
Master's business, and such her prison, asylum and hospital labors most
assuredly were. The shadows of life's evening were gathering around her,
and heart and flesh beginning to fail, but no efforts of charity or
mercy might be found lacking.

On this visit her brother, Joseph John Gurney, and two nieces
accompanied her. Soon after arriving at the Hague, Mrs. Fry and Mr.
Gurney, being introduced to the King by Prince Albert, were commanded to
attend at a royal audience. This the travellers did, and, after about an
hour's conversation, departed highly gratified. Another day they spent
some time with the Princess of Orange, the Princess Frederick, and other
members of the royal house: all these personages were anxious to hear
about the work of prison reform, and to aid in it. After this they
departed for Amsterdam, Bremen, and other places; but their journey
resembled a triumphal progress more than anything else. The peasantry
followed the carriage shouting Mrs. Fry's name, and begging for tracts.
Sometimes, in order to get away, she was compelled to shake hands with
them all, and speak a few words of kindly greeting.

They extended the journey into Denmark, and wer