Page images
PDF
EPUB

It was my intention to have written, and then to have called, last week; but being detained that day by an extraordinary circumstance, at the Borough Compter, both were omitted. Business, too tedious to enter upon, occupied the two succeeding days, and I got such addition to my cold at church, as has confined me to my bed and room ever since. Mr. Thomas says, very modestly, that I am more indebted to confinement than medicine for the ease I at present enjoy from my cough and asthma.

By you, my good friend, whose life is the continued exercise of administering relief, and doing good, this heavy affliction will be borne with becoming philosophy; you will not suffer yourself to pine with unavailing sorrow, for that which is irrecoverably vanished.

Sharp as the sorrows are which arise from the loss of those we tenderly love, yet it must be observed, that affection between mortals can be contracted on no other terms, than that one must some time mourn for the other's death.

When I am well enough to venture out with safety, you will hear again from,

Dear Sir,

Yours, sincerely,

JAMES NEILD.

1

LETTER CLV.

From the same.

My Dear Friend,

Chelsea, Nov. 30, 1809.

I am at last returned safe and sound to Chelsea, after a four months excursion, in which I have visited the gaols in the counties of Essex, Herts, Northampton, Warwick, Leicester, Derby, Notts, Lincoln, York, Durham, Northumberland, Berwick; and in Scotland, Greenlaw, Jedburgh, Dunbar, Haddington, Musselburgh, Edinburgh, Leith, Dundee, Montrose, Aberdeen, Ellon, Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Banff, Cullen, Fochaber, Elgin, Forres, Nairne, Inverness, Perth, Stirling, Glasgow, Paisley, Renfrew, Ayr, Irven, Kilmarnock, Dumfries, Kircudbright, Annan. Enter England: Carlisle, Appleby, Kendall, Lancaster, Preston, Manchester, Stockport, Liverpool, Chester. Enter North Wales: Flint, Denbigh, Ruthin, Wrexham. Enter England: Shrewsbury, Worcester, Oxford. It has been a severe contest between a strong mind and a weak body, which at length became so enfeebled by constant fatigue, that I could neither get in or out of a carriage without assistance. I lay in bed two days, which greatly recruited me, and am now tolerably recovered.

I found Dr. Lettsom and his friend spoken of

every where

"Others may owe their future fame to me;

I borrow immortality from thee."

I have every where been received with the most marked and polite attentions, particularly by the Lords Provosts, Magistrates, and Council in Scotland; and I trust have excited such a general and zealous activity in the reform of their prisons, as will be attended with the best effect.

I have not yet made my appearance, because I am not fit for intense application, either of mind or of body; both want rest. In a day or two I will send for your perusal some newspapers I found on my return home, together with the high honours conferred upon me in the Freedom of the Cities of Glasgow and Perth, and the Burghs or Boroughs of Paisley and Ayr. The flattering terms in which they have been pleased to express themselves, as far exceed my merits, as that most distinguished honour did my expectations; for neither my vanity nor ambition had ever led me to expect it. I was sufficiently rewarded by the very serious and humane attention paid to my humble endeavours of alleviating human misery.

I have no Magazine since July, so I know not what has appeared. I think you had Maidstone and Oxford; but I will thank you to let me know what has appeared, and what you have by you : we must not totally drop the subject for which thousands have reason to bless you. I do not like

to make my appearance in the city yet. I am over head and ears, busy with our Society's Transactions in my absence, and it will take several days to methodize and arrange the benefactions and disbursements on the Jubilee occasion.

[blocks in formation]

I enclose you a very melancholy letter, just received from Castle Rushen; perhaps it may be in time for our next Prison Remarks; though I doubt it, if Mr. Urban intends their insertion in the Magazine for August. In your letter you chiefly treat upon Castle Rushen. I gave the six pounds I received for the relief of the prisoners there to the Rev. Mr. Ferryman, who is Chaplain to the Bishop, and he promised to expend it for their benefit, in such a manner as his Lordship and himself, after a personal visit, should deem the

best.

I sent the Bishop one of my books, and Mr. F. requested his influence to get a new prison built. I likewise desired Mr. Ferryman to tell his Lordship, I would subscribe one hundred pounds towards this work of mercy. Mr. F. assured me I should hear from the Bishop immediately on his arrival. If I receive no letter next month, I propose writing to his Lordship.

The benevolent gentleman who sent me five pounds for the prisoners in Castle Rushen, has just remitted me ten pounds; and having left it to me to appropriate the whole, or half, to Castle Rushen, I have given him my reasons for appropriating the whole to that prison.

I am just returned from a prison excursion, and brought home more company than is agreeable; but now being thoroughly cleansed and comfortable, I shall set doggedly to work, and finish my State of Prisons.

It is very late, and I am tired and sleepy, scarcely able to read what I write, which I regret, because my hand is steadier than usual.

Yours, most sincerely,

JAMES NEILD.

« PreviousContinue »