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Upton lane
8/15/1829
My dear friend.
I arrived safely at home last 3d day and found my dear family as well as usual but my poor
husband still in a low state and certainly events as we have passed through are very very shaking
as to this life. (6) I feel the weight of the cloud upon my return after being a little diverted from
it by the interesting objects of our journey.
I think that I engaged to give some little hinds of my view of the state of your debt prison
therefore I will endeavour to do it.
In the first place I consider the want of the separation of the sexes the most crying evil and a
must unjustifiable exposure of the morals of both parties and that something should be done at
once to remedy it at least the womens room should be locked up at night and they should have a
bell that they could ring if they want anything in the night - I think they should certainly be
allowed firing as well as bread which is after all a scanty allowance for them. There should be a
divine service at least once a week and a suitable place for it as it is wrong and hard that
prisoners for debt should be excluded the privilege of attending a place of worship. Thus far I
think that the gentleman whose place it is should be induced to have these things attended to -
then I see that much may be done by benevolent ladies or gentlemen frequently visiting these
poor creatures reading to them instructing them giving them books (as he has already done) and
endeavouring to induce the poor prisoners to make such use of their times as may prove a
blessing to them in after life also some attention might at times be paid to their families. I do not
know that I have more to say upon the subject except to express my desire that a few of my dear
friends at Sheffield may be induced to visit these poor persons because I do believe they would
find it do good and very likely be blessed to many.
I remember with gratitude thy great kindness to me also C-T's (7) attention. After all I have passed through I feel the kindness and love of my dear friends a great cordial to me -
I could send my love to may at Sheffield but particularly wish to have it given to Mary Hargrave.
My kind remembrances to the Harrisons - and believe me with feeling of much love to thee and
thy companion
thy Obliged friend,
Elizabeth Fry.
My kind remembrances to Sarah the maid.
[addressed to]
Sarah Smith
Car Wood
near
Sheffield.
[postage 11d]
NOTES
(6) Owing to the failure of the business house in which her husband
was indirectly concerned.
(7) That is, Charlotte Tomkinson, the companion of Sarah Smith
after Samuel Smith's decease. She married Wilson Burgess, of
Leicester, in 1833.
The above letters are printed form copies made from the originals in
the possession of G. Cecil Dymond.