Fry, Elizabeth Gurney, 1780-1845; Prison reformers -- Biography
and I have drunk this cup together in close sympathy and unity of
feeling. It has at times been very bitter to us both; but as an
outward alleviation, we have, I believe, been in measure each
other's joy and helpers. The sweet children have also tenderly
sympathized; brothers, sisters, servants, and friends, have been
very near and dear in showing their kindness not only to the
darling child, but to me, and to us all.... We find outwardly and
inwardly, "the Lord did provide."
The little lost Betsey, who "just came to show how sweet a flower for
Paradise could bloom," was thenceforth a sacred memory; for from that
day they had a connecting link between their household and the skies.
Very frequently, even in the midst of her multifarious engagements, her
thoughts wandered off to the little grave in Barking burying-ground,
where rested the remains of the dear child, and, perchance, a tenderer
tone crept into her voice as she dealt with the outcast children of
prisons and reformatories. Soon after this event the elder boys and
girls went to school among their relatives, and only the youngest were
left at Plashet House with her. As a new baby came within six months
after little Betsey's death, the motherly hands were still full. She
found, however, time to write letters of wise and mother-like counsels.
My much-loved girls:--Your letters received last evening gave us
much pleasure. I anxiously hope that you will now do your utmost in
whatever respects your education, not only on your own account, but
for our sake. I look forward to your return with so much comfort,
as useful and valuable helpers to me, which you will be all the
more if you get forward yourselves. I see quite a field of useful
service and enjoyment for you, should we be favored to meet under
comfortable circumstances in the spring. I mean that you should
have a certain department to fill in the house, amongst the
children and the poor, as well as your own studies and enjoyments;
I think there was not often a brighter opening for two girls.
Plashet is, after all, such a home, it now looks sweetly; and your
little room is almost a temptation to me to take it for a
sitting-room for myself, it is so pretty and so snug; it is newly
furnished, and looks very pleasant indeed. The poor, and the
school, will, I think, be glad to have you home, for help is wanted
in these things. Indeed, if your hearts are but turned the right
way, you may, I believe, be made instruments of much good, and I
shall be glad to have the day come that I may introduce you into
prisons and hospitals.... This appears to me to be your present
business--to give all diligence to your present duties; and I
cannot help believing, if this be the case, that the day will come
when you will be brought into much usefulness.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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