London and Its Environs Described, vol. 4 (of 6): Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round ItAnonymous
History
London and Its Environs Described, vol. 4 (of 6): Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round It
Anonymous
London (England) -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; London (England) -- Gazetteers -- Early works to 1800
These children thus saved from the miseries of vice and beggary; from
becoming pick-pockets and house-breakers, and from ending their days at
the gallows; after being thus instructed and inured to labour, are put
out apprentice, the boys to the sea service or to trades, and the girls
to service in honest families.
It will be no unpleasing amusement, if we here give the speech of John
Trusty, one of these poor boys, to her Majesty Queen Anne, upon her
coming to dine at Guildhall, on Thursday the 29th of October 1702, the
Lord Mayor’s day; nor can we better conclude what we have said of these
children.
“May it please your most excellent Majesty, to pardon this great
presumption in us poor children, who throw ourselves at your royal feet,
among the rest of your glad subjects, that here in crouds appear to
behold your sacred Majesty.
“We, Madam, have no fathers, no mothers, no friends; or, which is next
to none, those who, through their extreme poverty, cannot help us. God’s
providence is our inheritance [_pointing to the motto on his breast_.]
All the support we have is from the unexhausted charities of your loyal
citizens of London, and others your good subjects, and the pious care of
our Governors, who are now teaching our little hands to work, and our
fingers to spin.
“These threads, Madam, [_holding out some yarn, which he held in his
hand_] are some of the early fruits of our industry. We are all daily
employed on the staple manufacture of England, learning betimes to be
useful to the world. And there seemed nothing wanting to complete our
happiness, but the opportunity which this day affords us, of being the
objects of your tender pity and compassion. One gracious smile from your
Majesty on this new foundation will make us live——and live to call you
blessed.
“And may God Almighty long preserve your Majesty, for the good of these
your kingdoms, and your Royal Consort the Prince. So pray we, your
little children: and let all your people say, _Amen_.”
In another part of the house, called _the Keeper’s Side_, are kept
beggars, vagrants, dissolute and abandoned sturdy fellows, who have no
honest means of support; and the lewd women who are taken up in the
streets, where they spread debauchery and contagion among unwary youth:
all these are kept to hard labour, and employed in beating of hemp and
washing of linen. Many of these have been brought to a sense of their
crimes, while others have voluntarily transported themselves to the
plantations.
All these are not only supported, but in case of sickness, broken limbs,
sores, or wounds, have advice, physic and surgery gratis.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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