laim_ the women whom she _taught_ while in prison. It existed as
a central point for communication and assistance between the various
associations in Great Britain engaged in visiting prisons. Its
corresponding committee also maintained interchanges of ideas and
communications with those ladies on the Continent who were interested in
the subject.

The Convict Ship Committee looked after the welfare of those who were
transported, saw to the arrangements on board ship, the appointment of
matrons, furnished employment, and secured shelters in the colonies, so
that on arriving at the port of disembarkation the poor convicts should
possess some sort of a place into which they could go. Further details
of this branch of work will be given in the next chapter.

The chief work of the society, however, lay in providing homes for
discharged female criminals. In 1824, "Homes" or "Shelters" were opened
at Dublin, Liverpool, and many other places in England, Scotland, and
the Continent. Tothill Fields Asylum, a small home for some of the most
hopeful of the discharged prisoners, was opened at Westminster. Miss
Neave, a charitable Christian lady, was fired with some of Mrs. Fry's
enthusiasm, and devoted both time and money to the carrying out of the
project. She relates that the idea first entered her mind when out
driving one morning with Mrs. Fry. That lady, speaking of her work,
said, in somewhat saddened tones: "Often have I known the career of a
promising young woman, charged with a first offence, to end in a
condemned cell. Were there but a refuge for the young offender, my work
would be less painful." As the result, Tothill Fields Asylum was opened,
with four inmates. Very soon, nine were accommodated, and within a few
years, under the new name of "The Royal Manor Hall Asylum," it sheltered
fifty women of different ages.

Another class of discharged prisoners, viz., little girls, were also
provided for by this society. To these were added destitute girls, who
had not yet found their way into prison; and the whole number were
placed under judicious training in a "School for Discipline," at
Chelsea. This institution became most successful in training these
children up in orderly and respectable habits. At one time Mrs. Fry
endeavored to get this home under Government rule, but Sir Robert Peel
considered that the ends of humanity would be better served by keeping
it under the control of, and supported by, private individuals.