380 PAUPERS. [PART ir, 



far even as common decency requires. A 

 wretched mortal, the bare sight of whom would 

 freeze the soul of an American within him. A 

 dejected, broken down thing, that approaches 

 you bare-headed, on one knee, with a tremb 

 ling voice, with " pray bestow your charity, 

 " for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake have compas- 

 " sion on a poor soul ;" and, if you toss a half 

 penny into his ragged hat, he exclaims in an 

 extacy, " God Almighty bless your honour!" 

 though you, perhaps, be but a shoe-black your 

 self. An American beggar, dressed very much 

 like other people, walks up to you as boldly 

 as if his pockets were crammed with money, 

 and, with a half smile, that seems to say, he 

 doubts of the propriety of his conduct, very 

 civilly asks you, if you can HELP him to a 

 quarter of a dollar. He mostly states the pre 

 cise sum ; and never sinks below silver. In 

 short, there is no begging, properly so called. 

 There is nothing that resembles English beg 

 ging even in the most distant degree. 



394, I have now been here twenty months, and 

 [ have been visited by only two beggars. The 

 first was an Englishman, and what was more 

 to me, a Surrey man too ; a native of Croydon. 

 He asked me if J could help him to a quarter 

 of a dollar ; for, it is surprising how apt scho 

 lars they are. " Yes," said I, " if you will 



