52 report — 1859. 



power to put down begging. It provided for the punishment of beggars, but 

 it did not devise any mode of caring for the beggar, whether old or young, 

 or putting him in the way of supporting himself. It was passed before the 

 enactment of the present Scottish Poor Law; it did one half of the work, 

 it left the other half either not done or to be accomplished by voluntary 

 enterprise. 



This clause was employed in a way not perhaps intended by the Legisla- 

 ture, but still within the scope of the law, and which has proved most salu- 

 tary to the community. 



The intended proceeding was carefully explained to the authorities, and 

 their support and assistance were judiciously given. 



The managers of the Soup Kitchen gave the free use of their buildings, 

 and this most important social and moral experiment was commenced with 

 a sum of four pounds sterling, raised by subscription, not doubting that 

 if good resulted the necessary funds would be furnished, — and so they have 

 been. 



On 19th May 1845, instructions were given to the City Police to lay 

 hands on all the children found begging in the streets, and bring them to 

 the Soup Kitchen, and in the course of the day 75 were collected, of whom 

 only 4 could read. 



The scene was one never to be forgotten by the few who witnessed it. 

 Naturally alarmed at their capture, wholly ignorant of what fate might be 

 awaiting them, they cursed and swore, kicked and fought and bit, but by 

 firmness and kindness they were greatly subdued before night. 



The most obnoxious part of the proceedings was the compulsory washing 

 of hands and faces little accustomed to soap and water, and the only accept- 

 able part was the ample supply of good food. Teaching could scarcely be 

 said to commence on the first day, which was devoted to training. 



Gradually during the day a certain amount of order was established : the 

 boys began by degrees to understand what sort of place they had got into, 

 that the treatment was not altogether to be condemned, that though the cold 

 water might be a very unpleasant application, and the proposed lessons a very 

 wearisome infliction, still the soup was very good and the bread very abun- 

 dant ; they had never had so much good food before, and it was worth endu- 

 ring some discomfort to obtain. Some such reasoning seems to have passed 

 through most of their minds in the course of the proceedings. 



At eight o'clock they were dismissed; they were all invited to return next 

 day, when they should have the same discipline and the same feeding, toge- 

 ther with more regular teaching, and at the same time they were distinctly 

 informed that they might come or not as they pleased, but that begging in any 

 shape would not be tolerated; that their wants would be supplied as they 

 had experienced in the school; that their choice now lay betwixt starving, or 

 the prison, or the school, and they must make it for themselves. 



Next day the greater part of the boys returned, and the managers felt that 

 they had gained a great victory, and that a new and vast field of usefulness 

 now lay before them. They entered vigorously upon it, and the school has 

 been in active and useful operation down to the present day. 



This school at once produced visible effects ; the immediate removal of the 

 whole of the troublesome boys who infested the streets made an unmistake- 

 able change much to the advantage of all classes, and when it was necessary 

 to raise funds for its support the working classes gave most gratifying testi- 

 mony to their sense of its value. 



The wealthier classes of the community subscribed £150, but the working 



