MAY 16
Thou poor sinner, stay not to be any better, but take Him just as you are! Trust Him, praise Him now, the Lord will take you with His sweet force.
Letter, 29th November, 1774
Of all the seats of woe on this side (of) hell few, I suppose, exceed or equal Newgate. If any region of horror could exceed it a few years ago, Newgate in Bristol did; so great was the filth the stench, the misery and wickedness which shocked all who had a spark of humanity left. How was I surprised, then, when Iwas there a few weeks ago! Every part of it, above stairs and below, even the pit wherein the felons are confined at night, is as clean and sweet as a gentlemen’s house. … The prison now has a new face; nothing offends either the eye or ear; and the whole has the appearance of a quiet, serious family. And does not the Keeper of Newgate deserve to be remembered full as well as the Man of Ross?
to the London Chronicle, 1761
