to participate in their labours of love and usefulness, we resolved to visit the scenes of wretchedness too.

We recently bent our steps to the eastern part of London. Threading our way through Artillery Lane, Artillery Street, Artillery Passage, and Gun Street, we were reminded of a description of this locality given in a map of London at the time of the great fire, in which it is represented as a square field, with the Artillery Ground on the west, and a boundary of houses nearly surrounding it. Here, at that time, and up to a much later period, were military practices carried out, and the roar of cannons heard-the Chobham of other days. But proceeding along Whitegate Alley, Bell Lane, Fryingpan Alley, and sundry other narrow avenues, bearing curious and ridiculous names, we came into Petticoat Lane. Our attention was at once arrested by the busy hum of the old-clothes dealers, most of whom, having finished their morning's perambulations in and about London, and gained not a few victories over the unwary housemaid or the economical housewife, by purchasing sundry articles of apparel at an almost nominal sum, now crowded the narrow space to sell their booty to the highest bidder. In almost every countenance-few indeed were the exceptions-we beheld indications, that we had suddenly become located in the midst of a vast colony of the seed of Abraham. Glad indeed should we have been, if we could have recognised in them the piety of that venerated patriarch. But alas! the oaths and curses, the contentions and bitter strife, arising from charges of defraud, or attempts to deceive the intemperance and lewd conversation that assailed our eyes and ears, were unmistakable indications to us, that these, who belonged to a people once highly favoured of God, and destined to be " a kingdom of priests," are now held in bondage under Satan's heavy yoke.

The streets we found to be wretched indeed in their external aspect, but the blind courts and alleys with which they are intersected in a much worse condition. The houses, if houses they can be called, are in a most dilapidated state, and devoid of accommodation and comfort, both interior and exterior being alike uninviting. In these we found a vast multitude of families crowded together inconveniently, indecently, and unhealthily. In some, and not a few, consisting of but two rooms each, two, three, and even four families reside, the chief occupant paying a rental of from one shilling to fifteen-pence per week for the cabin-like room.

From what we witnessed, and the inquiries we made among the people themselves, we were satisfied that extreme poverty prevails here; that vice, in its lowest and most revolting forms, is continually practised, having a most demoralizing tendency, and that the training and example afforded the children here are extremely lamentable. Surely we thought this locality-the Chobham of other days-has become transformed into the "mire and the gutter," in which lay engulphed a vast portion of the rising generation; a fit spot, indeed, for a Ragged School, which, by the Divine blessing, might be the means of rescuing some of the many who are teeming into the vortex of human misery. And right glad indeed were we to find that such an institution existed, and had been opened in the very midst of the rookery→ namely,

DOLPHIN COURT.

We visited this school, and inquiring into its origin and history, ascertained the following interesting facts:

A devoted City Missionary, labouring in the Artillery Street district, from the sad scenes with which his duties brought him in daily contact, felt deeply the necessity and importance of establishing a Ragged School, whereby it appeared to him probable that some at least of the destitute and depraved children might be rescued from the life of misery and wretchedness to which the neglect of their parents, and the iniquitous practices with which they were continually surrounded, were inevitably leading them. He obtained

the aid and co-operation of some gentlemen, and a room, nine feet square, was taken in Dolphin Court. About 40 children of the most depraved habits-and for ragged attire, filthy condition, and exceeding amount of ignorance, not to be excelled in all London-were admitted. The effort was novel, and the effect surprising. On the return of the children from school, groups of women of exceedingly low cast, were frequently seen surrounding some of them, while they endeavoured to describe the operations of the school, to stammer over the lessons they had been taught, and to sing the hymns they had learned. The numbers soon increased, so as to render it necessary for the committee to take the upper part of a house in the same court, and throw the two rooms into one. This enlarged room also soon became too strait for the numbers that flocked to the school, and the necessities of the case having been made known, liberal contributions were received, and a cart-house, with stable and hayloft adjoining, was taken and fitted up.

The little school thus begun in Dolphin Court has gone on and increased, until it has become an institution of no small magnitude. It was planted a slender stem, but by God's blessing, its roots have struck downwards, and its branches have multiplied and extended themselves, yielding its fruits of tem poral, spiritual, and eternal good to the surrounding neighbourhood.

There is a DAY SCHOOL, at which on the average 180 scholars attend, who are instructed in the essentials of general knowledge, based on strictly religious principles. A dinner is given them twice a week in winter, and once in summer, the expense being defrayed by a kind lady and gentleman. Those who are blessed with the good things of this life, can scarcely imagine the eagerness and joyful expectation to which "Soup Day," as they call it, is looked forward by the children, to many of whom such are the only occasions on which they enjoy a hearty meal during the whole week.

There is likewise AN EVENING SCHOOL, which is attended by costermongers, labourers, and those who are in search of casual employment during the day. INDUSTRIAL CLASSES, which are attached to the Evening School, in which girls are taught needlework, and boys tailoring or shoemaking. A SABBATH SCHOOL, morning and afternoon. Clothing is provided annually for 35 boys and 35 girls, who attend public worship morning and evening. It is lent only the first year, but given the second. A Library and a Refuge for extremely destitute girls. The latter is capable of accommodating 20, but the limited state of the funds will not allow the committee to admit more than 6 at present.

Of the class of children admitted into these schools, some idea may be formed from the following result of an examination of those present on one occasion in the day school:-7 of the scholars had no parents; 15 had stepmothers; 3 were children of convicts; 50 had no bed to sleep on; 20 were entirely shoeless; 30 had no cap, hat, or bonnet; 10 were without any portion of body-linen; and 7 admitted that they had recently been in prison.

School being over, accompanied by the master, we followed many of the scholars to their homes, where we had an opportunity of conversing with their parents. Our guide led us through a labyrinth of wretched abodes, and conducted us up not a few narrow and extremely dark staircases, the ceilings of which were so low-pitched, that it was frequently necessary to apply our hands as well as feet to the stairs, to avoid coming in contact with the woodwork above. The day being warm, and the inhabitants by no means cleanly, the state of the dwellings was here and there very offensive. Indeed, it would be a matter of great surprise had it been otherwise; for in Dolphin Court live between thirty and forty families in twelve small tenements, facing each other, without even a back window, or any means of thorough ventilation, and but one common convenience at one end of the small area for the entire colony, consisting of old-clothes dealers, translators, or cobblers, costermongers, sweeps, and not a few who have departed from the paths of virtue.

Here we conversed with a mother, whose three children had been taught in the school. She spoke very highly of the benefit it had conferred on them, stating they were now good scholars, but as for herself and husband they were unable to read at all.

Visiting another family, near the baths and washhouses in Goulston Square, we found the father lounging on what might be termed an apology for a bed. At first we were led to suppose that he had some regular employment at night, and required rest in the day; but having conversed with the wife, who is heavily afflicted, but whose superior conversation indicated that she had seen better days, which we found to have been the case, we ascertained that he was an evening ballad-singer, and practised in Whitechapel Road, and in the neighbouring public-houses. Glad indeed were we to find, that two of the children of these wretched parents had not only been taught in the school, but trained to industrial habits, and provided with situations.

In this street we were much struck with seeing so many of the women washing outside their doors, and drying their ragged clothes even alongside of that noble and spacious building of baths and washhouses. Meeting with the superintendent, we entered into conversation with him, and he kindly took us over the establishment. We beheld a goodly number of women at work, but among them were not any to be found from the immediate locality; most of them had come a considerable distance, three, four, and even five miles, thinking it worth their while to bring their basket of clothes on an omnibus, and take it back in the same way. It appears that such are the conveniences afforded, that if a woman be quick at her work, she may wash, dry, and iron the clothes of herself and her family, in about two hours and a half, at the small charge of fourpence; if she have only a small lot of clothes, and be quick at her work, she may get them all done in an hour, at the charge of only three halfpence. The wives of industrious mechanics chiefly use it, but scarcely any of the degraded wretched poor, who inhabit so thickly the neighbourhood around it. Inquiring into the reason for this, we found that such is the tattered, untidy, and wretched character of their clothes, that they will not take them where they would be contrasted with those of more industrious, frugal, and sober habits.

We presently returned to the school-house, and perused the records of the institution, in which we found many cases of individual benefit narrated,* and descriptions of general good effected, sufficient to incite gratitude for the past to Him without whose aid and blessing all efforts are in vain, and to encouragement for the future, to persevere, relying on the gracious promises with which the word of life teems. The master assured us that it is scarcely possible for any one to conceive the difference produced by the system of training and instruction adopted, both on the minds and bodies of the scholars, even in a short period of time. He pointed out to us countenances beaming with joyous and hopeful expression, which were once forlorn and dejected; minds expanding and imbibing the precious truths of the Gospel, which were exceedingly contracted; the cleanly and decently attired who were once clad in dirty, ragged garments, with their flesh begrimed with filth, and matted hair; and self-respect manifesting itself among those to whom it had ever been unknown.

To those whom God has blessed with this world's goods, the interests of this and kindred institutions present their claims. To such it is only necessary to say, "He that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord." The poor cannot recompense thee, but thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." The Lord loveth a cheerful giver."†

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* See "Reaper's Corner."

Since the above was written, we have been informed that the Committee have taken the house next the school to meet the urgent necessities of this wretched neighbourhood.-Ed.

The Reaper's Corner.

MAN is a speculative being. The anticipation of favourable results prompts him to effort. His spirit is cheered and emboldened by success, but soon dismayed by disappointment. The man of business diligently applies himself to his daily toil, and brings to bear upon his calling all his mental and physical energies and skill, to the acquirement of wealth. The hero quits his domestic hearth, and hastens to encounter the foe, hazarding his life in order to enjoy the honours of victory and fame. The laborious lapidary, conscious that there are exquisite beauties beneath the rude exterior of the pebble he has found on the sea-shore, applies his sharp and cunning instruments in the hope of developing them. The rustic ploughman cleaves the sod, prepares the ground, and casts in the precious seed, cheered by the declaration, that "while the earth remaineth, seed-time and harvest shall not cease." So, in like manner, the Christian minister, the Sabbath School teacher, and last, but not least, the Ragged School labourer, endeavour to scatter the seed of the kingdom, sowing beside all waters, in humble dependence on Divine aid and the blessing of Him who hath said, “As the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth it shall not return unto me void; but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereunto I sent it."

The following samples or gleanings from the Ragged School vineyard are practical illustrations of the faithfulness of God to his promise; and while they may be regarded as incentives to renewed exertions, they cannot fail of inciting gratitude to Him to whom alone the praise is justly due:

Dolphin Court School and Refuge.

A boy, not fourteen years of age, stole half-a-crown from his master. The money was spent in treating some companions to beer, and tickets for the theatre. When the money was gone, he was told to steal more, and on his refusal to do so, one who had shared in the spoil betrayed him, and he was taken before a magistrate. His widowed mother begged that he might not be committed till she had made another effort to save him. She applied at the school, and the next day the superintendent saw the magistrate, and obtained the boy's discharge. A week in prison had sadly hardened him, but a short time at school had such an effect upon him, that he sought for and obtained admission to the Refuge for the Destitute, from which institution he was bound apprentice to a shoemaker, and has now served above six years of his time.

A little girl was made the means of reclaiming her father, and saving a whole family from ruin. The father was a drunkard, and his family were in a deplorable state. One evening he went home drunk, as usual, and began swearing at his wife. Our poor little scholar crept from her corner, and, addressing her wretched parent, said, “ Father, my teacher says, if you get drunk and swear, you will never go where God is. The arrow struck to his heart; the man burst into tears, and from that time he has been a sober man, his family have been cared for and decently clothed, and they are taken by him to the house of God.

A boy, whose father and mother died when he was quite young, had

to job about for a living, and when work failed, became a beggar, his only home a dry arch or a butcher's block. This boy after admission went on well, had two places of work, and gained a good character in each, being now in another situation, and doing well.

M. B., aged twenty-four, left home quite young, and went to live with an aunt-came to London and got a place was taken ill and forced to leavelived by the sale of her clothing, and then went on the streets. For three years she was either on the streets or in prison-wilfully incurring imprisonment by breaking street-lamps, to get rid of the filth and vermin she gathered in her wretched course. At the end of three years, she was a servant at an infamous house at the east of London, where she became such a drunkard that she could drink a pint of gin before breakfast; but tired of her course of life, she obtained admission to the Refuge. She had been a Sabbath scholar when young, and the good seed, though buried so long, was not dead; for she became anxious about her soul, and being sent as a servant to a pious family, was enabled to improve her condition by removing to another, in which she was some months, and was subsequently taken to Australia by her third master and mistress, who paid her passage.

J. A., seventeen years of age, had run away from home several times, and after leading a very dissolute course for three years, she was forced, as is mostly the case, to seek admission to an hospital: there she heard of the Refuge, and on gaining admittance, behaved well, and was sent to service, where she still remains.

E. L., sixteen years of age. Her father and mother had separated, and left the girl to the mercy of the world. Sometimes she had paid for shelter in the corner of a room, at others had done half-a-day's washing to obtain a lodging. She obtained a situation-few people, however, are aware of what situations poor girls take to get a living. This girl's master was a Jew oldclothes-man, and, with his wife, three children, and their servant, occupied one room. When it was proposed that she should be sent out as an emigrant, a friend of the schools took her from her place, and gave her board and lodging for several weeks. Her father was informed of what was intended to be done, but never troubled himself even to call and see her. The mother, when she heard of it, went to the house, cursed and swore at the girl, and expressed the only wish she felt concerning her, which was, that the ship might sink, and the girl go to the bottom with it. This was a mother's farewell to her only child! The girl was sent to Adelaide, and was there engaged immediately as servant to a respectable family, commencing at once at £20 a-year, with board and lodging. What a contrast between the situation in England and the one in Australia! What the poor Ragged School girl may become, it is impossible to tell; what she has already attained through Ragged School training and influence, is sufficient to prove that these schools are not working in vain.

L. H. had been discharged from service, the mistress detaining her clothes, After wandering the streets two nights and days, she was directed to the Refuge, was admitted, and recovered her clothes. She behaved well, and was sent to a situation, where she conducted herself so as to obtain a good character, and was thus enabled to seek a better place, which she now retains, and is earning £8 a-year wages.

M. K., an Irish girl, came to England to look after an uncle, of whom she knew nothing but that he lived in London. The poor girl wandered about almost starving, only getting a little food occasionally, and sleeping at night in the casual wards of workhouses. She was admitted to the Refuge; a decent place offering, she was fitted out and sent to it, and there she has been for eight months. She has an excellent character.

S. F., aged eleven years, was found at the bar of a police-court charged