feasted all the boys in London on the sweep’s holiday—May-day. Of course, there is not an atom of foundation for such a story, but practical philanthropy was then so unusual, that a reason had to be found for its observance. After her death the following verses were written: “And is all pity for the poor sweeps fled Since Montagu is numbered with the dead? She who did once the many sorrows weep, That met the wanderings of the woe-worn sweep! Who, once a year, bade all his griefs depart, On May’s sweet morn would doubly cheer his heart! Washed was his little form, his shirt was clean, On that _one_ day, his real face was seen. His shoeless feet, _now_ boasted pumps, and new. The brush, and shovel, gaily held to view! The table spread, his every sense was charmed, And every savoury smell his bosom warmed; His light heart joyed to see such goodly cheer. And much he longed to taste the mantling beer: His hunger o’er—the scene was little heaven— If riches thus can bless, what blessings might be given But she is gone! none left to soothe their grief, Or, once a year, bestow their meed of beef!” One instance, only, of the hard life of these little ones, will I give, and then pass on to pleasanter themes. _Morning Herald_, October 1, 1802: “GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. Wednesday, an interesting examination took place at this office, relative to a male child, about eight years old, charged to have been kidnapped by the foreman of Mrs. Bridges, a chimney-sweeper, in Swallow Street. It was stated by Mrs. Wilson, of No. 5 in the same street, that, on Saturday last, she was dreadfully alarmed by the cry of murder, and the screams of the child at Mrs. B.’s, which induced her to run into the house, where she found the child stripped, and the prisoner unmercifully beating him with two switches, or small sticks. She remonstrated with him, and demanded by what authority he so cruelly treated the child, as it was well known it had been inveigled from the street, and unlawfully detained by them. The prisoner threatened to strike the witness, who, nevertheless, persisted in taking away the child, and did actually take it to the workhouse, informing the committee there of the particulars, and the prisoner, in consequence, was indicted. [Illustration: “WATER CRESSES! COME BUY MY WATER CRESSES!”]