The Washington times., 1905-10-08

few cronies. A good dinner precedes
bridge or a visit to the theater. You
men do not always do this, but you
all learn TO exercise your own capacities
for enjoyment And this is a better plan
than our system of nine months
work and three months slack. Better
slack in company"
Speaking of English undergraduates,
another. Rhodes scholar said:
My first week i %as bit lonely,
The. welcome was not so hearty as q
colonial one. The English young man is
a standofiish sort of person. He views
a stranger with suspicion and makes
him unconsciously hold aloof in return
He does not rush into a newcomers
arms and kiss him on both cheeks. So I
would like to forget the hrst week
After that 1 found you were good fell
lows"
Another remarked on our subdued
gentle accent: I'm my land quiet speech,
as rule, means effeminacy.s- Here a
burly athlete speaks as gentle as our
milk-and-water man.
The man was right. oxford life does
not for all mean close study. but there
are other lessons which are often quite
as important. which can be learned in
what seems idleness.
The opinion of the women who enter
tain at Oxford as to the social success
OF the Rhodes scholars was also inter-
esting. The Englishman tries TO open a
conversation with stale criticisms on the
latest novel or the must insane musical
comedy. The American or Australian
gives the women credi- for intelligence.
and starts conversation at once about
something of living interest
Whatever may. however. be the praise
or criticism bestowed on the new arri-
walls. one thing is certain, Cecil Rhodes
idea of drawing the English-speaking
world into closer relations is being real
lied. and 1t will be well If some Ameri-
can millionaire should follow in his
steps and found scholarships at some
American university in order that the
reciprocity may be complete
Child Labor Laws.
II the London county council had done
no other work, the splendid way in
which it had protected the children of
the country is worthy of the warmest
gratitude of every good citizen.
At the instance of London county
council. the home office held an equity
last June as to the employment of young
children. with the result that more strin-
gent laws will assuredly promptly be put
into force.
To take. as an instance, twenty-seven
children in a school at Walworth, 1t was
ascertained that they were employed out
of school hours in constant and arduous
employment, although the fathers of
these wee white slaves were all earning
good wages.
At Lille Road School. Fulham. sixty
nine boys revealed that, Collectively,
they had worked .270 hours in one week,
their total earnings amounting to e610.5.
One of the proposed new bylaws. If
approved. will limit the total hours of
labor in one week for child attending
school to fifteen hours The necessity
for this limitation is shown by the fol-
lowing story told by compassionate
man who met the child of whom ! write:
Il was in Ludgate Hill about II 80 D.
m, when j noticed pale, peaky-faced,
warped little specimen of humanity en-
deavoring to sell portrait medallions at
a penny each. He was not one of the
pesteringly. persistent kind With each
rebuff his face grew more sorrowful
Apparently he had reached the limits of
hh!s endurance. He accosted no more of
the passers-by, but with head nung
down stole slowly along. | hurried af-
ter him: he WAS crying silently
What is the matter, Tommy? / in
quired.
- I'm so tired. sir
Then why don't you run off home2'
L haven't got enough money yet,
sir
How much must you take homer
:. Two shillings. sir
Have you a father?
- Yes. sir
g How old are your
" Fourteen next July, sir
His face was that of a child of ten
DO yon go TO school?'
- Yes. sir
There was humorous side to the in
terview. While l was interviewing Tom
my. bibulous Irish woman who sells
matches passed. She heard one of my
questions
"A bony arm shot out, and Tommy
was being borne away.
ITS the schoo! board man. she re-
marked.
Now had promised Tommy that his
| two shillines should be made up. to-
gether with an extra penny for his bus
fare. Tommy vigorously resented bibu-
lous Biddy's well-meant attentions.
Don't take any notice of her. sir
she's had a lot OF whisky
IL gave Tommy his promised coppers.
then came surprisc-Off came his cap.
Z" Thank you very much. sir, and do
you mind II / get on this next 'bus?'
"'No. off you 60
Goodnight, sir. and thank you very
much