in his booth, with a shoe in one hand and his knife in the other, while, with spectacles turned up over his brow, and head erect, he was apparently addressing a young urchin who stood before him with a book. In the back-ground was a miscellaneous collection of books, lasts, old shoes, and bird-cages, interspersed with the heads and faces of a crowd of children-the whole forming the curious combination of a school and cobblery. Beneath was the inscription, "John Pounds and his school." I was, as I have said, interested, and I resolved to know something, if possible, of John Pounds and his seminary. On making inquiries accordingly, I discovered, through the agency of a little pamphlet (sold by Green, 50, Newgate-street), who John Pounds was, and what kind of a school he conducted.

John Pounds was born of parents in a humble rank of life, in Portsmouth, in the year 1766. In early life, while working with a shipwright in the dockyard, he had the misfortune to have one of his thighs broken, and so put out of joint as to render him a cripple for life. Compelled, from this calamity, to choose a new means of subsistence, he betook himself to the shoemaking craft. The instructions he received in this profession, however, did not enable him to make shoes, and in that branch of the art he was diffident in trying his hand. Contenting himself with the more humble department of mending, he became the tenant of a weather-boarded tenement in St. Mary-street in his native town.

John was a good-natured fellow, and his mind was always running on some scheme of benevolence; and, like all other benevolent self-helpful people, he got enough to do. While still a young man, he was favoured with the charge of one of the numerous children of his brother; and, to enhance the value of the gift, the child was a feeble little boy, with his feet overlapping each other, and turned inwards. This poor

child soon became an object of so much affection with John, as thoroughly to divide his attention with a variety of tame birds which he kept in his stall. Ingenious as well as kind-hearted, he did not rest till he had made an apparatus of old shoes and leather, which untwisted the child's feet, and set him fairly on his legs. The next thing was to teach his nephew to read, and this he undertook also as a labour of love. After a time, he thought the boy would learn much better if he had a companion-in which, no doubt, he was right, for solitary education is not a good thing-and he invited a poor neighbour to send him his children to be taught. This invitation was followed by others: John acquired a passion for gratuitous teaching, which nothing but the limits of his booth could restrain. 'His humble workshop,' to follow the language of his memoir, 'was about six feet wide, and about eighteen feet in length; in the midst of which he would sit on his stool, with his last or lapstone on his knee, and other implements by his side, going on with his work, and attending at the same time to the pursuits of the whole assemblage; some of whom were reading by his side, writing from his dictation, or showing up their sums; others seated around on forms or boxes on the floor, or on the steps of a small staircase in the rear. Although the master seemed to know where to look for each, and to maintain a due command over all, yet so small was the room, and so deficient in the usual accommodations of a school, that the scene appeared, to the observer from without, to be a mere crowd of children's heads and faces. Owing to the limited extent of his room, he often found it necessary to make a selection, from among several subjects or candidates, for his gratuitous instruction; and in such cases always preferred, and prided himself on taking in hand, what he called "the little blackguards," and taming them. He has been seen to follow such to the town-quay, and hold out in his hand to them the

bribe of a roasted potato, to induce them to come to school. When the weather permitted, he caused them to take turns in sitting on the threshold of his front-door, and on a little form on the outside, for the benefit of the fresh air. His modes of tuition were chiefly of his own devising. Without having ever heard of Pestalozzi, necessity led him into the questioning system. He taught the children to read from handbills, and such remains of old school-books as he could procure. Slates and pencils were the only implements for writing, yet a creditable degree of skill was acquired; and in ciphering, the rule of three and practice were performed with accuracy. With the very young especially, his manner was particularly pleasant and facetious. He would ask them the names of different parts of their body, make them spell the words, and tell their uses. Taking a child's hand, he would say, What is this? Spell it.' it, he would say, "What do I do? Spell that." with the ear, and the act of pulling it; and in like manner with other things. He found it necessary to adopt a more strict discipline with them as they grew bigger, and might have become turbulent; but he invariably preserved the attachment of all. In this way some hundreds of persons have been indebted to him for all the schooling they have ever had, and which has enabled many of them to fill useful and creditable stations in life, who might otherwise, owing to the temptations attendant on poverty and ignorance, have become burdens on society, or swelled the calendar of crime.

this?

Spell it.

Then slapping

So

Will the reader credit the fact, that this excellent individual never sought any compensation for these labours, nor did he ever receive any? Of no note or account, his weather-boarded establishment was like a star radiating light around; but of the good he was doing, John scarcely appeared conscious. The chief gratification he felt was the occasional visit of some

manly soldier or sailor, grown up out of all remembrance, who would call to shake hands and return thanks for what he had done for him in infancy. At times also he was encouragingly noticed by the local authorities; but we do not hear of any marked testimony of their approbation. Had he been a general, and conquered a province, he would doubtless have been considered a public benefactor, and honoured accordingly; being only an amateur schoolmaster, and a reclaimer from vice, John was allowed to find the full weight of the proverb, that "virtue is its own reward." And thus obscurely, known principally to his humble neighbours, did this hero-for was he not a hero of the purest order?-spend a long and useful existence; every selfish gratification being denied, that he might do the more good to others. On the morning of the 1st of January, 1839, at the age of seventy-two years, when looking at the picture of his school, which had been lately executed by Mr. Sheaf, he suddenly fell down and expired. His death was felt severely. The abode of contented and peaceful frugality became at once a scene of desolation. He and his nephew had made provision on that day for what was to them a luxurious repast. On the little mantel-piece remained uncooked a mugful of fresh sprats, on which they were to have regaled themselves in honour of the new year. The children were overwhelmed with consternation and sorrow; some of them came to the door next day, and cried because they could not be admitted; and for several succeeding days the younger ones came, two or three together, looked about the room, and not finding their friend, went away disconsolate. John Pounds was, as he had wished, called away, without bodily suffering, from his useful labours. He is gone to await the award of Him who has said, "Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these, ye did it unto me."

TO A CHRISTIAN FRIEND IN ENGLAND.

MY DEAR FRIEND,-I send you a little chat as a small token of my love-my love to you do not forget. Probably in this world we shall not see each other, but in heaven we hope to meet. Oh! that will be a joyful meeting, for we shall be in the presence of the Lord Jesus, from sin and sorrow free. In my body I have many times been afflicted, but time after time the Lord has made me well. I often think in what way can I shew my love to Christ. Remember me in your closet prayers, that I may be preserved from the snares of satan-that I may be watchful, and walk with an upright mind in the way of the Lord. I have many dear relatives who are heathen: over them my mind often weeps and is in trouble. I have many times told them about Jesus, but they make light of my words, and prefer trusting in their idols of wood and stone to the precious name of Christ, the true Saviour of the world. Unite with me in praying for my mother, my only brother, and all my other relatives, that they may be saved from hell, and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. A short time ago two of my relatives died in their heathen state. Hearing of their death made me sorrowful. I found comfort in reading the word of God, and meditating on the mercy of God to me. At this time I read John xiv., and was made joyful, believing that my dear Saviour had prepared a place for me in heaven. How beautiful those words of Christ, "Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Pray for me, that I may increase in faith and love to Jesus. During the last year we have had much affliction in the school. One little girl, who had not been in the school a whole year, died a short time ago. When she came to school she knew nothing about God, or heaven, or hell. When sick, she was