t punishment was rendered uncertain,
and often too severe; pressed upon him the need of mercy, and
begged him to see the new prison, and to have the dark cells a
little altered.... I was wonderfully strengthened, bodily and
mentally, and believe I was in my right place there, though an odd
one for me. I sat between Prince Albert and Sir Robert Peel at
dinner, and a most interesting time we had.... It was a very
remarkable occasion; I hardly ever had such respect and kindness
shown to me; it was really humbling and affecting to me, and yet
sweet to see such various persons, whom I had worked with for years
past, showing such genuine kindness and esteem so far beyond my
most unworthy deserts.

Royalty and nobility thus concurred in carrying out, although perhaps
unconsciously, the Scriptural command: "_Esteem such very highly in love
for their works' sake._" It is interesting to notice how very
frequently, in this world, the course of events does coincide with the
words of Holy Writ, and the honor which Providence showers upon a
remarkable servant of God. It is equally interesting, also, to see how
completely, in the philanthropic Quakeress, the nobility of moral
greatness was acknowledged by the highest personages in the land.

Very soon after this meeting at the Mansion House, the King of Prussia
arrived in England, to stand as sponsor to the infant Prince of Wales;
and, speedily after his arrival, he desired to see Mrs. Fry. He neither
forgot nor ignored her visits to his dominions in the interests of
charity; and he concluded that a woman who could travel thousands of
miles upon the Continent, in order to ameliorate the condition of
prisoners and lunatics, must be worth visiting at her own home. By his
special desire, therefore, she was sent for, to meet him at the Mansion
House. After the dinner, at which no toasts were proposed, in deference
to Mrs. Fry's religious scruples, an appointment was made by the King to
meet her at Newgate on the following morning, and afterwards to take
luncheon at the house in Upton Lane. This memorable engagement was
carried out in its entirety about midday. Mrs. Fry and one of her
sisters set out to meet the party, which included the King, his suite,
the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, the Sheriffs, some of the Ministers of
State, and a large number of gentlemen. The poor women of Newgate
numbered about sixty, and doubtless their at