Letter from Charles Dickens, London, to Angela Burdett-Coutts, 1847 August 26 : autograph manuscript signed.

Relating news of the selection process for young women for the Institution; reporting "The Matron of that place [Mr. Chesterton's prison], who is very intelligent and has (as you may suppose) great experience, told me this morning (not knowing my strong conviction on that head) that she was sure it was of great importance to the design to hold before them, as prominently as possible, their final restoration to society and their hope of becoming wives, in another country. Nothing would touch them so much, she said, and nothing else would give them such earnest emotions of gratitude, or inspire them with such a desire to do well. To observe the effect of this upon them, is one of the most touching things you can imagine. I hope we shall be ready, very early in October, to shew you the Institution in perfect order. If you would not dislike it, I should particularly like you - you can sit in the room perfectly unnoticed and unknown - to see, at Mr. Chesterton's House of Correction, the young women who are coming from there, as they are, and in their prison dresses. You will feel so much more, afterwards, the change that with God's leave, will be worked in them;" telling her that he is returning to Broadstairs where he will remain until the end of September.