a consequent distraction from class duty, we brought gas down to the school. We have a "Little Ben" attached to a belfry in the roof, so that we ring our "rags' to instruction after the most approved fashion. "Little Ben," by the way, is no favourite with us teachers; he chimes inside the building as well as out, and is found to be no antidote for headache; in fact, few of us can stand it very long, though we all bear with its inconvenience on account of its utility. It is rung on the voluntary principle, the earliest comers performing the operation with more regard to noise than melody. Be this as it may, however, no sooner are its tones heard than in our 66 rags" flock as fast as they can. "Our Ragged School" is open on week evenings for secular instruction; but it is on the Sabbath that it is seen in its greatest glory. Just step in, if you please. "Little Ben" has ceased his noise, and a motley group, of all sizes, shapes, and makes, is forthwith assembled. There they are old men and women, young men, girls, lads, and infants. The sight is both painful and pleasing-painful, for in many faces the outlines of crime, the bold, unblushing look, and, more painful still, the vacant idiotic stare, are but too plainly visible. But, while we thus see God's image marred, and humanity exhibiting all its varied phases of physical suffering and moral debasement, we may meet also with noble, intellectual countenances and fine foreheads, giving tokens of a future power to be exercised for good or evil. We see men and

women who will be either the ornaments or the curses of society. May He who graciously condescends to work by human instrumentality give us to appreciate the responsibility of our office!

We have a capital superintendent at "Our Ragged School," of whom the teachers have rather a high opinion, and who has cccupied that position since the school was opened. Possessed of a proper degree of firmness to enable him to govern well, united to a gentleness that secures the affections of his charge, his voice hushes the Babel of tongues which precedes operations, and his command "to have your feet on the ground" precurses a simultaneous rising to sing the opening hymn. There are many ordinary Sabbath schools where there is not half the discipline and order which prevails in N- Street, letter S.

And now that we have fairly started, let us introduce you more particularly to our ragged work. We begin with the little infants, who generally come with their brothers and sisters. There are about 100 of these little people stowed away in a gallery, and separated from the rest during teaching time by a curtain drawn across the room. This separation is indeed absolutely necessary; for the teacher who deals with these little creatures has to make much noise in order to gain their attention.

With other classes the work is

harder. "Our Ragged School" teachers must exercise much perseverance, as well as possess strong olfactory nerves. necessity for this latter qualifi

The

cation will appear to the visitor no doubtful matter, especially if he chooses a damp, close evening for his visit. A mixture of haddocks and oranges, mortar and soot, of hearthstones and winkles, of rotten rags and herrings-not to mention anything worse-combine to produce a flavour far enough from agreeable. Then again the appearrags" is anything but prepossessing. They entertain a great objection to water, so that it is not difficult to distinguish the week-day avocations

ance of our 66

of our scholars when we meet them on the Sabbath. Boots and shoes are not known with many of them, dirt being substituted for leather. Then, as to their attire, it is a nondescript collection of rags, better imagined than described. The clothing of our scholars has always been a matter of difficulty with us; it has, indeed, been our chief care, next in importance to their moral condition. We have tried many schemes to better their ragged state; we have given away clothes, and the receivers have stopped away; we tried to establish a week-evening class to teach the lads to mend and patch for themselves, but that also failed; partly because the workers ignored the use of thimbles, choosing to mend in their own way, but chiefly because we found that nearly all came for the fun of the thing, and little else.

It is this love of fun, which seems to be the prevailing characteristic of ragged humanity, that gives us so much trouble during class instruction. We have no anxiety now respect

ing the safety of our handkerchiefs, and we are treated with a moderate degree of respect, but we cannot remove the funny element from our school. This, of course, begets inattention and listlessness, and a teacher has need of much tact and patience to do his duty properly. We are obliged to check fun in the bud; it will never do to give our "rags "the least part of an inch; and if you yourself should happen to possess a sympathy with the ludicrous, then I pity you. Visitor! you are looking at that lady teacher; you are studying her countenance, and are puzzled to account for the artificial graveness of her face. Well, then, let me tell you that she is only striving to repress her risible propensities, excited by some witty expression or original rendering of a Scripture passage. That rag there Foggy by name has acquired a habit of imitating the noises of certain animals in his throat, in emitting which he does not move a muscle of his face. Accuse him of it, and he puts on an air of injured innocence, and, in rising to vindicate his character, manages to upset the form with all its occupants. Over they all go, but the quick eye of the superintendent has detected the move, and Foggy is forthwith banished into the darkness of the street, with its concomitants of cold and rain. Next Sunday, however, Foggy is pulling with all his might at "Little Ben."

But the wandering habits of our "rags" hinder success. We export and import at our school. A novel assortment will flock in from other quarters of the me