Record Number: 23132

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Reading Experience:

Evidence:

'in expressing our acknowledgement of the good they have done, it is our duty to point out those parts of their proceedings which appear to us inexpedient and injudicious, and to interfere materially with the laudable objects which they themselves have in view. We think the introduction of the visitors who now attend on Fridays the readings of the women highly improper. On one occasion, when we were present, there were 23 visitors; whilst owing to the want of room thus caused, only 28 prisoners could attend the lecture. Not only were there many prisoners, who might otherwise have been present, thus deprived of this opportunity of receiving instruction, but the sight of so many strangers distracted the attention even of those who were there. We observed the absence of that strict attention which is so necessary to the profitable reception of religious instruction.'

Century:

1800-1849

Date:

Between 1 Jan 1835 and 31 Dec 1836

Country:

England

Time

morning

Place:

city: London
specific address: Newgate Gaol
other location: prison

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

passive reactive unknown
single serial unknown

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Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

Elizabeth Fry

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Female

Date of Birth:

21 May 1780

Socio-Economic Group:

Professional / academic / merchant / farmer

Occupation:

wife of merchant

Religion:

Quaker

Country of Origin:

England

Country of Experience:

England

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

female prisoners, ladies and gentlemen admitted on tickets, prison inspectors William Crawford and Whitworth Russell

Additional Comments:

nee Gurney

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Text Being Read:

Author:

[n/a]

Title:

Bible

Genre:

Bible

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

n/a

Provenance

owned

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Source Information:

Record ID:

23132

Source - Manuscript:

Other

Information:

Inspectors of the Prisons of Great Britain. I. Home District. First Report (Parl. Papers, 1836, xxxv), p. 19.

Additional Information:

n/a

Citation:

Inspectors of the Prisons of Great Britain. I. Home District. First Report (Parl. Papers, 1836, xxxv), p. 19., http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=23132, accessed: 21 December 2024

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Additional Comments:

None