In a drizzly afternoon at the close of January, we met by appointment at
a house in Westminster with a gentleman, who had kindly undertaken to
introduce us to a very remarkable institution in that part of the
metropolis. A walk of a few minutes through the plashy streets brought
us to a wide gateway, like the entrance to a brassfounder's yard. We
soon found ourselves in a narrow court, encumbered with building
materials and surrounded with plain brick structures, which appeared to
have either been recently erected, or to be undergoing some changes
designed to adapt them to new purposes. Everything looked plain and
homely, even to rudeness; but we, nevertheless, knew well that a heart
of humanity and noble intention beat under the rough exterior of the
place.

Rather less than four years ago, the teacher of a ragged school in
Westminster encountered, in the course of his professional exertions,
three or four boys who had hitherto been thieves, but now expressed a
desire to leave their evil courses. Having some reason to repose faith
in their professions, and being humbly anxious to assist them in so good
a purpose, he received them into a poor garret-lodging, hired and paid
for out of his own resources. He supported them there, taught and
trained them, making himself their friend as well as their mentor, and
in time he succeeded in getting them passages to America, where they
have since prospered. Mr Nash--for such is the name of this
philanthropist of humble life--continued his benevolent exertions and
sacrifices, till various gentlemen, hearing of what he was doing, came
to his assistance. A little money being then collected, it was found
possible to take in a greater number of boys. In short, Mr Nash became
the head of a little institution for the reclaiming of criminal and