On one side of the room there was a flight of wooden stairs, about six yards wide.

Upon these steps were seated a number of children, with books in their hands.

These youngsters were evidently restless, though not noisy; and they were not very attentive to their books.

These children were the worst clad and least clean part of the assembly; and it was natural that they should be so, for they were habitual beggars, gathered from the streets, and brought there to be taught and fed.

When they were pointed out to me, I could not help thinking that the money which has been spent upon ragged schools is an excellent investment in the sense of world-wide good.