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if the ill…used boy didn't … captains of the best character now

take these boys more than willingly; with no premium at all?  That

they are also much esteemed in the Royal Navy; which they prefer;

'because everything is so neat and clean and orderly'?  Or; is

there any proof in Naval captains writing 'Your little fellows are

all that I can desire'?  Or; is there any proof in such testimony

as this:  'The owner of a vessel called at the school; and said

that as his ship was going down Channel on her last voyage; with

one of the boys from the school on board; the pilot said; 〃It would

be as well if the royal were lowered; I wish it were down。〃

Without waiting for any orders; and unobserved by the pilot; the

lad; whom they had taken on board from the school; instantly

mounted the mast and lowered the royal; and at the next glance of

the pilot to the masthead; he perceived that the sail had been let

down。  He exclaimed; 〃Who's done that job?〃  The owner; who was on

board; said; 〃That was the little fellow whom I put on board two

days ago。〃  The pilot immediately said; 〃Why; where could he have

been brought up?〃  The boy had never seen the sea or been on a real

ship before'?  Or; is there any proof in these boys being in

greater demand for Regimental Bands than the Union can meet?  Or;

in ninety…eight of them having gone into Regimental Bands in three

years?  Or; in twelve of them being in the band of one regiment?

Or; in the colonel of that regiment writing; 'We want six more

boys; they are excellent lads'?  Or; in one of the boys having

risen to be band…corporal in the same regiment?  Or; in employers

of all kinds chorusing; 'Give us drilled boys; for they are prompt;

obedient; and punctual'?  Other proofs I have myself beheld with

these Uncommercial eyes; though I do not regard myself as having a

right to relate in what social positions they have seen respected

men and women who were once pauper children of the Stepney Union。



Into what admirable soldiers others of these boys have the

capabilities for being turned; I need not point out。  Many of them

are always ambitious of military service; and once upon a time when

an old boy came back to see the old place; a cavalry soldier all

complete; WITH HIS SPURS ON; such a yearning broke out to get into

cavalry regiments and wear those sublime appendages; that it was

one of the greatest excitements ever known in the school。  The

girls make excellent domestic servants; and at certain periods come

back; a score or two at a time; to see the old building; and to

take tea with the old teachers; and to hear the old band; and to

see the old ship with her masts towering up above the neighbouring

roofs and chimneys。  As to the physical health of these schools; it

is so exceptionally remarkable (simply because the sanitary

regulations are as good as the other educational arrangements);

that when Mr。 TUFNELL; the Inspector; first stated it in a report;

he was supposed; in spite of his high character; to have been

betrayed into some extraordinary mistake or exaggeration。  In the

moral health of these schools … where corporal punishment is

unknown … Truthfulness stands high。  When the ship was first

erected; the boys were forbidden to go aloft; until the nets; which

are now always there; were stretched as a precaution against

accidents。  Certain boys; in their eagerness; disobeyed the

injunction; got out of window in the early daylight; and climbed to

the masthead。  One boy unfortunately fell; and was killed。  There

was no clue to the others; but all the boys were assembled; and the

chairman of the Board addressed them。  'I promise nothing; you see

what a dreadful thing has happened; you know what a grave offence

it is that has led to such a consequence; I cannot say what will be

done with the offenders; but; boys; you have been trained here;

above all things; to respect the truth。  I want the truth。  Who are

the delinquents?'  Instantly; the whole number of boys concerned;

separated from the rest; and stood out。



Now; the head and heart of that gentleman (it is needless to say; a

good head and a good heart) have been deeply interested in these

schools for many years; and are so still; and the establishment is

very fortunate in a most admirable master; and moreover the schools

of the Stepney Union cannot have got to be what they are; without

the Stepney Board of Guardians having been earnest and humane men

strongly imbued with a sense of their responsibility。  But what one

set of men can do in this wise; another set of men can do; and this

is a noble example to all other Bodies and Unions; and a noble

example to the State。  Followed; and enlarged upon by its

enforcement on bad parents; it would clear London streets of the

most terrible objects they smite the sight with … myriads of little

children who awfully reverse Our Saviour's words; and are not of

the Kingdom of Heaven; but of the Kingdom of Hell。



Clear the public streets of such shame; and the public conscience

of such reproach?  Ah!  Almost prophetic; surely; the child's

jingle:





When will that be;

Say the bells of Step…ney!







CHAPTER XXII … BOUND FOR THE GREAT SALT LAKE







Behold me on my way to an Emigrant Ship; on a hot morning early in

June。  My road lies through that part of London generally known to

the initiated as 'Down by the Docks。'  Down by the Docks; is home

to a good many people … to too many; if I may judge from the

overflow of local population in the streets … but my nose

insinuates that the number to whom it is Sweet Home might be easily

counted。  Down by the Docks; is a region I would choose as my point

of embarkation aboard ship if I were an emigrant。  It would present

my intention to me in such a sensible light; it would show me so

many things to be run away from。



Down by the Docks; they eat the largest oysters and scatter the

roughest oyster…shells; known to the descendants of Saint George

and the Dragon。  Down by the Docks; they consume the slimiest of

shell…fish; which seem to have been scraped off the copper bottoms

of ships。  Down by the Docks; the vegetables at green…grocers'

doors acquire a saline and a scaly look; as if they had been

crossed with fish and seaweed。  Down by the Docks; they 'board

seamen' at the eating…houses; the public…houses; the slop…shops;

the coffee…shops; the tally…shops; all kinds of shops mentionable

and unmentionable … board them; as it were; in the piratical sense;

making them bleed terribly; and giving no quarter。  Down by the

Docks; the seamen roam in mid…street and mid…day; their pockets

inside out; and their heads no better。  Down by the Docks; the

daughters of wave…ruling Britannia also rove; clad in silken

attire; with uncovered tresses streaming in the breeze; bandanna

kerchiefs floating from their shoulders; and crinoline not wanting。

Down by the Docks; you may hear the Incomparable Joe Jackson sing

the Standard of England; with a hornpipe; any night; or any day may

see at the waxwork; for a penny and no waiting; him as killed the

policeman at Acton and suffered for it。  Down by the Docks; you may

buy polonies; saveloys; and sausage preparations various; if you

are not particular what they are made of besides seasoning。  Down

by the Docks; the children of Israel creep into any gloomy cribs

and entries they can hire; and hang slops there … pewter watches;

sou'…wester hats; waterproof overalls … 'firtht rate articleth;

Thjack。'  Down by the Docks; such dealers exhibiting on a frame a

complete nautical suit without the refinement of a waxen visage in

the hat; present the imaginary wearer as drooping at the yard…arm;

with his seafaring and earthfaring troubles over。  Down by the

Docks; the placards in the shops apostrophise the customer; knowing

him familiarly beforehand; as; 'Look here; Jack!'  'Here's your

sort; my lad!'  'Try our sea…going mixed; at two and nine!'  'The

right kit for the British tar!'  'Ship ahoy!'  'Splice the main…

brace; brother!'  'Come; cheer up; my lads。  We've the best liquors

here; And you'll find something new In our wonderful Beer!'  Down

by the Docks; the pawnbroker lends money on Union…Jack pocket…

handkerchiefs; on watches with little ships pitching fore and aft

on the dial; on telescopes; nautical instruments in cases; and

such…like。  Down by the Docks; the apothecary sets up in business

on the wretchedest scale … chiefly on lint and plaster for the

strapping of wounds … and with no bright bottles; and with no

little drawers。  Down by the Docks; the shabby undertaker's shop

will bury you for next to nothing; after the Malay or Chinaman has

stabbed you for nothing at all:  so you can hardly hope to make a

cheaper end。  Down by the Docks; anybody drunk will quarrel with

anybody drunk or sober; and everybody else will have a hand in it;

and on the shortest notice you may revolve in a whirlpool of red

shirts; shaggy b

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