The only value that can be attached to any remarks which I have to make is, that they are the result of some years’ experience; and that the plans which I have adopted, though capable of great improvement, have been to some extent successful. But the principal motive in my own mind for sending these simple narratives forth into the world is, the hope that more attention than ever may by their means be directed to that great and difficult subject, the improvement of the homes of the poor. As a few notes of a bird, the lisping of a child, the sound of the wind dying away, have sometimes been sufficient to awaken the spirit of harmony in some master-mind, and so led to the composition of the music which has thrilled and delighted all who have heard it; so, it is hoped, the suggestions here made may be of use to many minds, and that anything already effected may be as the drop to the showers, or as the first buds of spring to the luxuriance of summer. 8 LANSDOWNE CRESCENT, _May_ 10, 1859. CONTENTS. PAGE INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER I. A VILLAGE—NOT PICTURESQUE 19 CHAPTER II. ILLUSTRATIONS OF CHARACTER 39 CHAPTER III. SLOW ADVANCING 61 CHAPTER IV. SOWING SEED 81 CHAPTER V. HOMES AND NO HOMES 107 CHAPTER VI. DIFFICULTIES 125 CHAPTER VII. GIVING AND RECEIVING 143 CHAPTER VIII. LIGHT UPON A DARK SUBJECT 157 CHAPTER IX. OUR MISSIONARIES 175 CHAPTER X. OUR BABY 195 CHAPTER XI. LETTERS 213 CHAPTER XII. OBSTACLES: WHO SHALL REMOVE THEM? 237 APPENDIX 259 INTRODUCTORY. “Give all thou canst; high Heaven rejects the lore Of nicely calculated less and more.” WORDSWORTH.