Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-11-17
~NOBODY,s CHILD,
Lecture by REV. 1. Nugent Pro-
posed Esnigratsom of City Arnbs
from London. = FEt4A ~ y ~ "a A

from London. 4t4l ~ ~
From the St. Louis Republican, 1sth.l
Rey n lNugent, of Isvernool ENGLAND.
lectnred last NIGHT AZ the MERCANTILE
T;hrarv Hall IN p large audience His
subject was aNobodySs Child or CITY
Arabs y MA + p Garesche presided
and tbere were on the nlatform Rev
Fathers Tobin. MeCabe. Dougherty,
Kelley B Henry Maddox Walsh M.
Wash and Raw Van Der sander. of
K;rkwood
The nres;dent in Introducing the lee,
turer made some remarks upon the gen
tleman's labors in. city mission work as
directed TO the reclamation of that nn-
merons class Of urehins known as city
Arabs He stated that in 1867. As. 900
children received their suppers at an
Institution in Jiyerpool with which Father
Nngent was nromineptly identified.
Father Nurent expressed the gratitude
he felt for the kind reception he had re-
ceiyed Although perfect stranger, he
had received kindnesses in this city
which he would remember for a long
time. That Kindness had encouraged
him in his work of saving the Irish race
from becoming paupers in the work
houses and criminals in the tails of En-
gland While he had been here he had
seen great opportunities for the indus
trions moor and he wished to inaugurate
n system of immigration by which these
neople might come here. where there is
an onnortunity for every clear and right
minded man to prosper. His duty as
chaplain of a prison had brought him
into close contact with those who were
naturally quick and clever who were
keen observers, and who were thoroughly
axner;enced in the. ups and downs Of
life His efforts for years had been to
reform those who came under his care,
and restore them with elevated purposes
and improved habits to society. The
work of reformation smong the adult
criminal class is hard, il not an i'm
nossible one. II is duty one must not
Shrink from or grow faint-hearted over
The experience of years had con
WINGED him that the most effectual
means to check crime was to strike at
its foundation. Prevention was better
than cure. Upon the authority of one
who was well Informed, he said that daily,
winter and summer within the limits Of
the vast METROPOLIS of England, the city
of London. there are wandering, destitute
of proper guardianship, clothing and
EMPLOYMENT. a hundred thousand boys
and Girls. in training for prison life and,
finally. penal servitude. In Liverpool,
according 10 the official report, they had
NJ least rs. 1872 children, between the age
~ Eve and fourteen. who attended no
school and of those %. 900 were at large
on tbe streets exposed to every vice.
He natbeticallv described the condition
of those neglected children, roaming
about the streets and dock. with no one
10 ruide them. and suffering all kinds of
hardships. hunger and absolute want
The streets were school of crime, where
the girl was converted into an outcast
and the boy into rowdy or thief Those
little ones we're immortal beings with
high future destiny, and they were en-
dowed with powers and faculties to gain
their bread and proye useful members of
society Those children properly trained,
would nut 10 the blush the upper ten
thousand He could find good match
fnr the voung aristocrats Of the Eton.
Harrow and Hngby schools among the
sellers Of fusees and the bootblacks Of
the streets of Liverpool. The reverend
gentleman then gave some anecdotes
illustrating the wit and talent Of hoy
musicians theatricais, artists and con
iurers. as they were found on the streets,
causing considerable amusement. He
went on TO saw thai in England they had
numerous institutions for orphan boys
and girls. but il was hard, and sometimes
impossibie. 10 find them situations.
There were many rural districts in this
countrv where such helpful hands would
he gladly welcomed. In England it was
estimated they had $50. 600 children I'M
der the age Of fifteen or sixteen. He
had brougbt out a number with him TO
Canada where some Of them. girls, were
placed IN excellent situations in few
DAYS He stated that he was connected
with several institution in the town of
Liverpool for the training Of boys and