MARY CARPENTER. 93 



Fortunately the right spot was soon discovered. 

 About four miles from Bristol there was a village 

 called Kingswood, in which stood an empty building, 

 which had been erected by John Wesley with the 

 intention of using it as a school for the education of 

 the sons of ministers. The property, which included 

 a farm and farm buildings, as well as a school-house 

 containing accommodation for about a hundred child- 

 ren, covered twelve acres ; so that in all ways it was 

 admirably fitted for a "rural reformatory." Accord- 

 ingly the decision to take it was made. Mr. Russell 

 Scott, of Bath, furnished the money for the purchase, 

 Lady Byron and other friends generously helped to 

 furnish, and Kingswood Reformatory was opened. 



Kingswood was opened early in September, 1852. 

 The master and mistress were engaged, the pre- 

 mises were set in order, and all was ready. Mary 

 Carpenter was delighted. In a letter to a friend her 

 mother said, " It is quite a happiness to see Mary ; 

 she is so cheerful, and interests herself so much more 

 in her friends. Her desire is gratified, her soul finds 

 repose, and her affections expand." 



When we have aimed at something for a long 

 time, struggled with all sorts of difficulties and hin- 

 drances to gain what we wanted, and at last succeeded 

 in accomplishing our purpose, we feel at first exceed- 

 ingly glad and satisfied. But as we look closer, and note 

 how our plans work, we generally find that there is a 

 disappointment somewhere, and that things do not turn 



