He has witnessed them himself; he has seen the soldiers wife absolutely starving, and from a slender purse has himself endeavored to relieve their necessities.

To present before the world the fact that there are thousands in our midst who are in _absolute beggary_, has been the object of the writer, and to call on those who are able to do so, to aid these unfortunates, is his purpose.

This book is an appeal to the Rich in favor of the Poor.

It is the voice of Humanity calling upon Wealth to rise from her sluggish torpor and wrest the hungry and threadbare victim from the grasp of Famine, and drive desolation from our midst.

If this call is answered; if the wealthy awake to their duty and save the wretched beings who are in our midst, then the Author will have gained a richer reward than all the profits accruing from this work.