Page:Elizabeth Fry (Pitman 1884).djvu/179

 but within a few months one was obtained, and her heart rejoiced at this new proof of appreciation of her work on the part of those high in office. An entry in her journal in Feb. 1835, reads thus: "The way appears opening with our present Ministers to obtain libraries for all the Coast Guard Stations, a matter I have long had at heart. My desire is to do all these things with a single eye to the glory of God, and the welfare of my fellow mortals; and if they succeed, to pray that He alone who can bless and increase, may prosper the work of my unworthy hands. Upon going to the Custom House, I found Government had at last granted my request, and given £500 for libraries for the stations; this I think cause for thankfulness."

Private subscriptions were sedulously sought, and large sums flowed in; beside these, many large book-sellers, and the chief religious publishing societies gave donations of books. These were valued in the aggregate at about one thousand pounds. The details of the work were left to herself, while the Rev. John W. Cunningham, Captain W. E. Parry, and Captain Bowles selected the books.

The total number of volumes for the stations amounted to 25,896. Each station possessed a library of fifty-two different books, while each district, which included the stations in that part of the country, possessed a larger assortment for reference and exchange. Most of the parcels were sent, carriage free, in Government vessels, by means of the Custom House. This work involved many journeys to London, and much arduous labour. The Rev. Thomas Timpson, a dissenting minister in London, acted most efficiently as secretary, and lightened her labours to a large extent. During the summer of 1835,