That evening was the last night of their stay in Yarmouth; the following day they rose early and took the Ashton road along the southern coast along as far as Shotwell, before turning north to Newport, where they were to spend the remainder of the week. Newport—now the largest town on the island, and its capital—enjoyed a situation central to all parts of the island, further improved by large streams on three sides, providing plenty of fresh water and power for mills and other manufactories, and its very clean, well-paved, regular streets adding to the town’s general appearance of purpose and prosperity.

The next day being Sunday, the Darcys attended the ancient church. A large, respectable dissenter community lived at Newport, with two churches of considerable size belonging to the Independents, each with a valuable library for the use of the congregation. Newport also supported two public schools—one supported by the established church and the other by the dissenters, as well as Sunday schools at all of the places of worship—in a manner which well-reflected the liberality of the town. The permanent public library, being but several years founded, was supported by voluntary subscriptions, and there newspapers, reviews, and other periodical publications were available for the convenience and pleasure of the public. Altogether, the Darcys were very much of the opinion of Mr. Sturch: “There are few places where independence may meet with more sources of rational enjoyment, or where virtuous industry is better rewarded than in this clean, healthful, and elegant town.” The inhabitants were sociable and kind, the inns large and commodious. For the cultural edification of the public, there was a large theatre, two assembly rooms, spacious and well-furnished shops, and a variety of other places of respectable diversion, that in the long summer evenings, kept the principal streets full with innocent bustle and activity.

On Monday, the Darcys drove out to Parkhurst Forest to see the House of Industry, a trade-school latterly built on a large piece of land granted by Parliament for the purpose. The large building was handsome, and provided windows sufficient for thorough ventilation and good work-lighting. There were accommodations for the seven hundred inhabitants, including a chapel, a pest house, a separate house for the small-pox, cells for delinquents, and a place of interment. The building was a model of thoughtful design and liberal intent. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth spent much of this day looking at the various structures of the school, their size and shape, and the contrivances for the comfort of the residents, and efficiency in the education of the students.