Section 124. DR. GUTHRIE ON RAGGED SCHOOLS. II.

The⁠[1] cobbler was there himself, spectacles⁠[2] on nose, an old shoe between his (S. 43, N. 9) knees, the massive⁠[3] forehead and firm mouth indicating⁠[4] great determination of character, and, beneath his bushy eyebrows, benevolence⁠[5] gleamed out on a number of poor ragged boys and girls who stood at their lessons round the busy cobbler. My curiosity was awakened; and in the inscription I read how this man, John Pounds, a cobbler in Portsmouth, took⁠[6] pity on the multitude of⁠[7] poor ragged children left⁠[8] by ministers and magistrates, and ladies and gentlemen, to go to ruin in the streets—how⁠[9], like a good shepherd, he gathered in these wretched⁠[10] outcasts—how he had trained⁠[11] them to God and the world—and how⁠[12], while earning his daily bread by⁠[13] the sweat of his brow, he had rescued⁠[14] from misery and saved to⁠[15] society not less than five hundred of these gentlemen⁠[16]. I felt⁠[17] ashamed of myself. I⁠[18] felt reproved for the little I had done. My feelings⁠[19] were touched. I was astonished at the man’s achievements; and I⁠[20] well remember, in⁠[21] the enthusiasm of the moment, saying to my companion (and I have seen in my cooler and calmer moments no reason for⁠[22] unsaying the saying): “That man is⁠[23] an honour to humanity, and deserves the greatest monument ever⁠[24] raised within the shores of Britain.”