Edgmont Hake, writing of him says:--"He lived wholly for others; his home at Gravesend was school, hospital, church, and almshouse all in one. His work more like that of a Home missionary than of a military officer. The troubles of all interested him alike, but he had a warm corner in his heart for lads." This will be seen from letters produced. Many of the lads he rescued from the slums and gutters; he cleaned them, clothed them, fed them, and gave them shelter and home, sometimes for weeks and even longer. He taught in the evenings lessons suitable to their conditions; not forgetting the moral and spiritual side of his work. And he did this work without fee or reward, and he did it with all his heart. He was as enthusiastic about this duty as he was about his military duties. He called these lads "_His kings_." Leigh Hunt's ideal of a king describes very closely Gordon's ideal:-- "'Tis not the wealth that makes a king Nor the purple colouring, Nor a brow that's bound with gold, Nor gate on mighty hinges rolled; That king is he who void of fear, Can look abroad with bosom clear, Who can tread ambition down, Nor be swayed by smile nor frown, Nor for all the treasure cares, That mine conceals or harvest wears, Or that golden sands deliver, Bosomed on a glassy river, Safe with wisdom for his crown, He looks on all things calmly down, He has no fear of earthly thing, This is it that makes a king, And all of us who e'er we be May carve us out such royalty."