ndon,
acted most efficiently as secretary, and lightened her labors to a large
extent. During the summer of 1835, the work of distributing these
volumes was nearly all accomplished; and as during that summer Mr. Fry's
business demanded his presence in the south of England, she decided to
seize the opportunity of visiting all the Coast Guard stations in that
part of the country. In this way she journeyed along the whole south
coast, from the Forelands to Land's End, welcomed everywhere with
true-hearted veneration and love. She addressed herself principally to
the commanders of the different stations, bespeaking for the books care
in treatment and regularity in carrying out the exchanges. These
gentlemen manifested the warmest interest in the plan, and promised
their most thorough co-operation.

At Portsmouth she visited the Haslar Hospital, and while in Portsea,
the female Penitentiary. In the latter institution she desired to speak
a few words to the inmates, who were, accordingly, assembled in the
parlor for the purpose. Mrs. Fry laid her bonnet on the table, sat down,
and made different inquiries about the conduct of the young women, and
the rules enforced. It appeared that two of them were pointed out as
being peculiarly hardened and refractory. She did not, however, notice
this at the time, but delivered a short and affectionate address to all.
Afterwards, on going away, she went up to the two refractory ones, and,
extending her hand to them, said to each, most impressively: "I trust I
shall hear better things of thee." Both of them burst into unexpected
tears, thus acknowledging the might of kindness over such natures.

At Falmouth, during this same excursion, she supplied some of the
men-of-war with libraries. Some of the packets participated in the same
boon, so that each ship sailing from that port took out a well-chosen
library of about thirty books. These library books were changed on each
succeeding voyage, and were highly appreciated by both officers and
seamen.

In 1836, the report of the Committee for furnishing the Coast Guard of
the United Kingdom with Libraries, appeared. From it, we find that in
addition to the L500 kindly granted by the Government at first towards
the project, Mr. Spring Rice, a later Chancellor of the Exchequer
granted further sums amounting to L460. Thus the undertaking was brought
to a successful termination. There were supplied: 498 libraries for the
stations on shore, includi