The day was sunny, but no sunshine could ever reach that nook, nor any fresh breezes disturb the pestilent vapours that harboured there, festering in the sluggish gloom.

In one corner of the place a little worn and broken stair led up to a room of the same size above, where, I was told, there was now some straw for the family to sleep upon.

But the only furniture in the house, of any kind, was two rickety chairs and a little broken deal table, reared against the stairs, because one leg was gone.

A quiet- looking, thin woman, seemingly about fifty years of age, sat there, when we went in.

She told us that she had buried five of her children, and that she had six yet alive, all living with her in that poor place.