Date of letter: 24 July 1886
Sir
I beg to inform you that a woman named Capon who is in a state of Lunacy has been kept in Dorking Workhouse one week without being placed under proper controle. It is a dirty case and fit only for a single room at night in a Lunatic asylum where night watches are on duty to attend to her whereas she is here warded with a few quiet industrious infirm old women who are kept awake at night to keep the said woman from rambleing about the room frightening them out of sleep which might have an injuryous efect on them. I think it is scandalous treatment of women who are not in a position to defend themselves.
The Workhouse stands in the center of pleasant Woking and well cultivated land and yet within the high and gloomy walls of the old womens airing court Bones are allowed to accumulate in a shed which at times create an offensive smell.
In the young womens airing court a large tub is kept for the reception of waste for pigs. there is also a space devoted for the reception of rubish not cleared away every day as it ought to be with such extensive accomodation outside the walls.
I suppose sanitary reform has not reached Dorking Workhouse up to the present time.
My manner may be rather blunt. But as a thorough English woman I am none the worse for that.
I am Sir your most humble servant
Hannah Pearson.
Union Workhouse
Dorking Surrey
Saturday morn
July 24th/86
Glossary
Lunatic asylum = (this is not a term we use in the modern day as it can offend) a hospital for patients who have mental health difficulties
Warded = to enter and care for someone in a hospital
Infirm = not physically or mentally strong
Cultivated = the land is worked e.g. crops are grown and the earth is ploughed