among the Friends of that city, by which there were certain Friends
of either sex appointed to have the oversight of the prisons in
every quarter, and to take care of all Friends, the poor especially,
that should be committed thither.

This prison of Bridewell was under the care of two honest, grave,
discreet, and motherly women, whose names were Anne Merrick
(afterwards Vivers), and Anne Travers, both widows.

They, so soon as they understood that there were Friends brought
into that prison, provided some hot victuals, meat, and broth, for
the weather was cold; and ordering their servants to bring it them,
with bread, cheese, and beer, came themselves also with it, and
having placed it on a table, gave notice to us that it was provided
for all those that had not others to provide for them, or were not
able to provide for themselves. And there wanted not among us a
competent number of such guests.

As for my part, though I had lived as frugally as possibly I could,
that I might draw out the thread of my little stock to the utmost
length, yet had I by this time reduced it to tenpence, which was all
the money I had about me, or anywhere else at my command.

This was but a small estate to enter upon an imprisonment with, yet
was I not at all discouraged at it, nor had I a murmuring thought.
I had known what it was, moderately, to abound, and if I should now
come to suffer want, I knew I ought to be content; and through the
grace of God I was so. I had lived by Providence before, when for a
long time I had no money at all, and I had always found the Lord a
good provider. I made no doubt, therefore, that He who sent the