dark and horrid deeds. Near the "Lake d'Agnano," in Naples, there is a cavern, called Grotto del Cane, from the bottom of which rises a vapour, or mephitic air, about a foot in height, which is destructive to animal life. For the mere amusement of travellers, persons visit this cave with dogs, on which they perform the cruel experiment of holding their heads in the vapour; after which they are convulsed, and in a few minutes expire in great torture.

The grotto to which we bent our steps, and which is the subject of this paper, was once on a par with the one at Twickenham,-being a retreat in the midst of delightful parks, princely mansions, and magnificent gardens. Such were the natural beauties of this famous spot that our forefathers described it as a paradise, which designation is still retained, as we now find Paradise Street, Paradise Place, and Paradise Row, in the immediate locality. The paradisaical aspect of its site has undergone a most singular metamorphosical change. For now, within a square of 100 yards, stand 119 houses, inhabited by about 300 families- -a colony of human beings, so deeply sunk in intellectual, physical, and moral degradation, that the deadly effects of the atmosphere of the "Grotto del Cane" at Naples, may be regarded as a fitting illustration. The locality to which we allude is situated in Marylebone, and is bounded by High Street, Paddington Street, Paradise Street, and Burying Ground Passage. The houses in High Street and Paddington Street are highly respectable; so much so, that no stranger passing by would imagine for a moment that they fenced from public view such a rookery, the denizens of which are apparently shut out from the rest of the world, being seldom seen except when some of them are in the custody of the police. No less than nine courts, passages, and buildings intersect the square, in which are houses of two rooms, one over the other, built back to back, and arranged in such a maze-like form that a stranger, when once in, would have no small difficuly to find his way out. The several marinestore shops-receptacles, no doubt, for the booty of the dishonestly inclined; the groups of men, women, full-grown lads and girls, indulging in conversation most obscene, and using language the most profane and blasphemous; the ginshop, with its spangling glass doors, being constantly opened and shut by the adult dram-drinker, and the little destitute one, fetching in phial, milk-pot, and broken mug, the quartern and half-quartern of the intoxicating liquor—at once suggested that truly this spot must be one where efforts to elevate the sunken, to reclaim the guilty, and to save the innocent, are much needed.

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Passing down Grotto Passage, the first thing that attracted our attention was a crowd of persons, exceedingly low and depraved, around the entrance to the police court. We entered, and soon stood before the representative of the law, witnessed the investigation of a variety of petty cases, most of which were charges of assault, begging, and drunkenness. We were then conducted by the officer to the lock-up cells, in one of which was a man who had given himself into custody, stating he had murdered his wife. Leaving this, a mere means of punishing crime without any tendency to correct or prevent its commission, we paid a visit to GROTTO PASSAGE REFUGE and SCHOOLS, which from the following facts will be admirably adapted to meet the exigencies of the case. The Infant and Juvenile Girls' Day School is held in an upper room of a building immediately adjoining the police court. It measures 37 feet by 15; the walls were in a good state of repair, having been coloured, etc., by some of the Refuge lads. Here we found about 95 scholars, varying in age from four to twelve. Their appearance was tidy and clean, and their countenances cheerful and happy; but we soon ascertained that the clothing they wore had been supplied them by the ladies of the school. The teacher assured us that when first admitted they were in a most filthy, ragged, and ignorant condition; in fact, uncivilized, and exceedingly difficult to control, vicious, and very pugnaciously inclined. The difficulties the teacher had to encounter

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were augmented by the offensive way in which the parents received her endeavours to inculcate habits of cleanliness. For not unfrequently would the mothers come to the school-door and abuse the teacher, declaring they had something else to do than to spend their time over their children to please the fancy of the mistress. But now the parents seem to appreciate the benefits of the school, and each takes pleasure in her children appearing as tidy as others. Wednesday is set apart as mending day, and articles, such as tapes, cottons, hooks and eyes, etc., are supplied them. A great many of these children are fed by the kind benevolence of friends who send broken victuals-one friend gives a quartern loaf every day-some ladies send supplies of soup; so that from 35 to 40 have a meal on Mondays and Wednesdays, and as many as 50 on Fridays.

We remained to see the little group dine, and never did we behold a more interesting scene. When school was over, the teacher mentioned the names of the fortunate ones. Had it been for a treat of roast beef and plum pudding, they could not have shown greater indications of joy. Each hastened home and came back with a bason and spoon, and quietly, but cheerfully, waited with expectant pleasure till all were ready. Two trusty monitors exercising no small skill, and preserving perfect good humour, apportioned to each their mess. When all were served, the signal was given, and with great decorum a blessing was asked, and without any further delay each addressed himself to the task of eating his portion; one, however, had not been fortunate enough to obtain a bason. He at first gave expression to great disappointment, but the fountain of tears was quickly suppressed by one of the more fortunate, saying, “Never mind, Billy, you shall have mine when I'm done."

We hastened to the Boys' Refuge and School, held in a building but a few paces distant. We were at once ushered into a room 22 feet by 17, it was the room appropriated to cooking, mealing, and sleeping; one of Benham's cottager's stoves, 2 feet wide, 15 inches deep, and 22 inches high, merely lodged in the brick fireplace, constituted the cooking apparatus; the soup in preparation for dinner was steaming and emitting its savoury perfumes. Presently the attentions of the cook and one of the Refuge lads, who acted as scullion, were complete, and the soup was distributed to the lads, who were by no means tardy in consuming it. Cheerfulness was portrayed on every countenance, pleasant and friendly jokes were exchanged, and all went on pleasantly; we tasted the provisions, and were gratified.

Dinner ended, and the clock having struck two, the Refuge boys repaired to the upper room, measuring 47 feet by 19, and recommenced their ordinary employment. Six applied themselves to woodcutting, 3 to shoemaking, 1 to matmaking, 4 were out at their posts as Shoe-blacks, and 1 at a situation as errand boy.

The master we found to be very courteous and communicative. He entertained us by showing an almost endless variety of specimens of industrial work, ropemaking, tailoring, carpentering, matweaving, glazing, whitewashing, network, and hammock making. We were then privileged with the records of the Institution, which have been kept with accuracy and care, and from which we gathered the following interesting facts:-This Refuge was opened in the year 1849; since then 99 destitute lads have been admitted and participated in its benefits. Of these, one, and but one, had been dismissed as being apparently incorrigible, and that after four trials; but even that one having subsequently shown signs of contrition, had been again admitted, and has conducted himself well for four months. As many as 50, by the liberality of the supporters of the Institution, and the aid of the Ragged School Union, have emigrated; 1 has entered the navy; 18 gone into the merchant service, their outfits having been found by the Committee at a cost of £5 each, being in most cases apprenticed for five years; 1 having given great satisfaction at

the Shoe-black Society, has been taken by a lady as a page, and is in Paris; 1 was taken up by a lady, who exhibits great interest in the school, and is being brought up as a gardener, upon whose conduct the clergyman of the parish in which he resides reports favourably; and another is an apprentice to a shoemaker.

The importance and utility of this department is clearly demonstrated by the following figures :-Out of the 99 lads above referred to, it was ascer tained at the time of their admission that 53 were without father and mother; 29 were fatherless; 11 motherless; the remaining 6 only having both parents alive. All these were in a most destitute condition, being thieves and vagabonds. Forty had been in prison-19, once; 7, twice; 8, thrice; 3, five times; 2, eight times; 1, eleven times; and 1, twelve times,-in all making as many as 111 convictions. The cost of these convictions to the country, to say nothing of value of property stolen, was probably more than the entire expense of the operations of the Refuge. Some of the others, though never convicted, were thieves; and one had been a thief for twelve years, and a captain of a gang.

The master put into our hands a large packet of letters received from many of the above boys, They were generally most interesting and very gratifying. We give the following brief sketches of the condition and history of three of the members, when admitted, and their circumstances when last heard of, which may be regarded as specimens of the whole :→

WHEN ADMITTED.

C. P., fifteen years of age-father dead -mother in the workhouse infirmary in a state of insanity, caused by the misconduct of his brother and himself. He was quite destitute; had been in prison four times for felony; sought employment, but in vain.

W. C., fifteen years of age-mother dead -father had deserted him; wandered about the country eighteen months; taken up for sleeping on a door-step.

R. C.-mother and father both died while he was young; spent his childhood in the workhouse; gave offence to authorities by refusing to do the work imposed upon him, and was turned out. He was taken up for sleeping on door-steps; the magistrate said he had no jurisdiction in the matter, and dismissed the case.

WHEN LAST HEARD OF.

C. P. writes from Melbourne, in 1850, stating that he had got work; that there was not a boy more happy than he in all Port Philip, and expresses a wish that all the lads who hang about Blandford Mews and the Grotto were but as himself, at work in the Bush. In 1852 he states he is going on well.

W. C. having been improved and well tested in the Refuge, a member of the Committee took him into his house of business, where he had so conducted him self as to merit the entire confidence of his master.

R. C. writes from Gauler River, 1853; Had kept his place two years-was driv ing bullocks at the plough. States he was doing well; gives his thanks to master and Committee; for, as he says, "When I was hungered they fed me, and when I was naked they clothed me; so, therefore, will I thank them, and think of them all the days of my life."

We were so much interested in the Refuge and Industrial department, that we had but a few minutes left for the Boys' Day School, which is conducted in a room adjoining the Dormitory. There were about 40 boys drawn from the needy and destitute classes, but so well brought under discipline that the school was being conducted with so much quietness and effectiveness.

The afternoon recess gave us an opportunity of seeking refreshment. We however, returned to witness the operations carried on in the evening in both buildings. In the room occupied by the infants and juveniles in the day, we found about 40 female scholars, of an exceedingly low and depraved class, varying in age from 12 to 25. Notwithstanding the constant annoyance arising from the

tumult of groups in the adjacent courts, some quarrelling and fighting, and others larking, the teacher preserved good order. Many were learning to write, and nearly all who could write pretty well, we found had received their

entire instruction here.

In the Boys' School there were between 30 and 40, consisting of those belonging to the Refuge and Shoe-black Society, and some who are employed variously during the day. In the case of both schools we were horror-struck at the manifest rampant vice and rancorous dispositions which prevailed, not only in the elder, but also the younger ones, who evidently, with astonishing quickness, have become sadly familiar with gross wickedness, and that too at an age too painful for further reflection. Inquiring into the early history of these interesting schools, we learn from the City Mission Marylebone Report, that

“In July, 1815, within this square of buildings 240 children were found not attending any school, and nearly 200 adults who were unable to read. About that time the Missionary induced 32 women to promise to learn to read the Scriptures, and accordingly invited them to meet four Christian females, of different denominations, in a room situated at No. 1, Grotto Place, which had been secured for 2s. 6d. per week. At the appointed time only two of the poor women came; the Missionaries and the Teachers were a little disappointed; they, however, committed the infant cause to God in prayer, and encouraged each other by considering the words of Scripture, "Despise not the day of small things." The attendance soon increased to 7, when it was judged expedient to remove the school to a more commodious room in North Street; here the Female Adult School increased to 11, one of whom was turned eighty years of age. The neighbouring Missionaries then united their efforts, and in the same room opened a Girls' and Young Men's Evening School. The first class of young men, 7 in number, were all thieves, and the first youth who was admitted had been in prison six times. The average attendance in each of these schools, in about four months, had increased to 30 or 40: but their conduct was so refractory and noisy, that the landlady would not allow the schools to be conducted there any longer. Providentially, at this juncture, a large school-room in Grotto Passage, in the centre of the square of buildings just referred to, was to let, and the Missionaries took it, some friends having promised the rent for the first quarter. On the first night after the removal to Grotto Passage, about 60 lads and young men attended, the majority of whom were known or suspected thieves. On this occasion, to produce quietness, singing a hymn was proposed, and when the teachers pitched the tune, one would have thought a den of lions had been let loose; for such loud and hideous roaring and howling immediately followed, that the teachers could not hear their own voices, and the policemen thus warned, came quickly into the room from the streets, north and south. Some of those who had come to teach despaired of success; but feeling the value of the souls of these young men, they were induced to continue their efforts a little longer. The Missionaries then made known this movement to a few Christian gentlemen in the neighbourhood, who formed themselves into a Committee, under the auspices of Lord Kinnaird. This was nearly twelve months after the first school was opened. But the Committee, having undertaken the entire responsibilities of these Grotto Passage Ragged Schools, they from that ceased to be connected with the Mission."

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It is a matter of great thankfulness that a ray of light gleams over this dark spot; that these Ragged Schools have been planted in such a locality, and that by God's blessing resting on the efforts of an energetic Committee, and active and faithful teachers, the schools are in such a flourishing condition. They teem with life, activity, and usefulness. It is cheering to know that since they were opened, 2,875 have been admitted; 1,862 taught to read and write; 646 have participated in the benefits of the Industrial Classes; -124 been provided with situations; and 23, who had strayed from their homes, have been restored to their friends.

Such facts need no comment; they attest the efficiency of the schools, aided by the Refuge. But how are our friends supported in their work of Christian philanthropy and patriotism? The income has been far below the expenditure. Their liabilities have reached the sum of £300. The Com

mittee are desirous of extending their efforts, but with such a debt they feel they dare not advance. They, however, feel that the work is the Lord's, and they look to Him, to whom belongeth the silver and gold, and the cattle upon a thousand hills, believing that in answer to prayer He will incline the hearts of His wealthy servants to aid them in their work in His cause.

[The Committee of the Ragged School Union, fully appreciating the labours of the Local Committee, have, in addition to the £50 annually presented from the General Fund, just voted £100, to be paid as soon as the remaining £200 is received. It will afford us much pleasure to receive donations towards the liquidation of the debt, and also towards the carrying on and extending the operations of this excellent institution at 1, Exeter Hall.-ED.]

EMIGRATION.

On the 9th of April, eleven youths from the London Ragged Schools sailed in the ship Ava for Canada. Five were consigned to friends in Sherbrook, and six at Toronto. Two others will in a few days sail for New York, on their way to Indiana. A farewell breakfast meeting was held on the morning of embarkation, when suitable addresses were given, books and tokens of kindness were presented, and the youthful emigrants united with their friends and teachers in devotional exercises, perhaps for the last time. The lads were buoyed up with hope, and cheered with the breaking up of their cloudy sky, and the shining out of brighter prospects in the land they were about to adopt, than they had enjoyed in the land of their nativity. A more promising set of boys, we think, have never yet left our schools for the colonies. Seven of the number had belonged to the Shoe-black brigade. Three out of the thirteen have been in prison, two for theft, and one for tearing up his clothes in the casual ward. The ten were cases just rescued at the most critical period probably of their history, and by the hand of Christian kindness, saved from a life of crime. They were mostly crossing sweepers, match-sellers, and beggars, but do not appear to have been guilty of dishonesty; though the probability was, that was their very next step, had they not been rescued.

Some of these lads had been so successful and saving as Shoe-blacks, that they had money enough in the savings-bank to pay a part of their own outfit, which they did with a dignity and a pleasure that would have been creditable to a training superior to that they had enjoyed.

The same day these lads embarked on board the ship in the Southampton Docks, there was another vessel that left those docks, on board of which were the mother, brother, and sister of one of our former emigrants, going out to join him in Australia. The expenses of their passage had been paid by the £50 the lad had saved from his earnings in the colony, and had sent home for the family use. We referred to this lad in our number for January last, see page 3.

Our emigrants have succeeded far beyond our most sanguine expectations. The failures, as far as we can ascertain, are not two per cent.; nevertheless the altered state of the Australian Colonies, since the discovery of the Gold Fields, is such as to induce the Committee to consider how far it is desirable to continue sending out lads to that part of the world. A special Committee was appointed to examine the question, and collect whatever evidence they could obtain, elucidating the desirableness or otherwise of Australia for emigrants from Ragged Schools; and whether other colonies are not equally or more eligible for them, and if so, which; with the means and cost of transit, etc. The whole question was very carefully and extensively examined, and after much research and collection of evidence, the Committee made their Report, which we have had the privilege of reading, and should have