The Sun. — 1841-04-15 (London, England)

THE CHILDREN OF THE POOR.  (From Tait's Magazine.)  " Children were the first charge committed to the charge cf Adam, after his fall, to enable him to work back his way to the favour of the Maker he had offended. Children are the holiest trust delegated to our mortal hands ;—children are the objects whereupon we are permitted to exercise an authority approaching nearest to the power of the Creator over the created. Our responsibility is nowhere greater than in our entreatment of these hostages of God.  " Yet how audaciously do we abuse our powers ! —not as regards the children of our loins ; for if they are flogged too hard, their roaring disturbs us ; if they are starved, there is the undertaker's bill. Seriously speaking, our personal comfort is too closely embarked in their well-doing to admit of closing our hearts against their claims. But, for at least one half of the human race, these helpless beings—these chartered victims of selfishness, carelessness, and cruelty—the children of the poor, are of no more account than if they were so many earthworms crawling forth to be trod on. The children of pride contemplate the children of the poor as Pharaoh regarded the plague of flies and other abominations infesting his kingly chamber. " We confess there are more of them in -the world than the world, as at present:apportioned, Can well provide for. The anti-population question we leave. lo the abler hands of Malthus and Miss Martineau. But from the moment the children encumber the earth, we hold them to be entitled to our good offices. The children—the children— we lift up our hands and voices in intercession for the children ! The penal legislation of this moral realm is duly severe upon mothers found guilty of assisting out of the world of woe the infants they assisted into it ; and even to conceal the birth of a child of shame passes. for an act of criminality -still more shameful. When are we to direct o:Ir retribution against the authors of the death that dies daily ?'—against the concealers of the sufferings of the still unmurdered child? When shall we have to punish the parents who suffer their children's features to sharpen with want, while they infest the gin-shop—their children's frames sicken in filth and squalor, while they pursue the easy vocation of the street-beggar ?"  " EVER SINCE HE WAS A Puppy."—There was a coffee-room at the principal inn where Sterne resided, about the time he wrote "'Tristram Shandy," where gentlemen who frequented the house might read the newspapers. One of the greatest enjoyments of Sterna's life was spending an inoffensive hour in a snug corner of this room. There was a troop of horse at that time quartered in the town ; one of the officers was a gay young man, spoiled by the free intercourse of the world, but not destitute of good qualities. This young gentleman was fblig schdoctkoin heargto t e remarkable for his freedom of speech, and pointed reflec tions on couldtli the clergy. app approve, Yorick dconversations w as oten o tosses _ sliesey, and w the ear of , as frequently under Vie necessity of retrieving his seat or pretending deafness. The Catitains resolving this conduct should no longer avail him, s'etted himself b; Yorick, so as to prevent his retreat, and immediately ,i,egan a profane, indecent tale, at the expense crthe clericalr fession with his eyes steadfastly fixed on Yorick, who pretes,ed not to notice his ill manners; when that :became impOSs.e lie turned to the military intruder and gravely said, 6, tell you my story. Aly father is an officer, and brave himself, that he is fond of everything el,c the t is brave, even his dog. You must know we have at this time one of the finest creatures of his, kid in the world, the most spirited, and the best natured that can he hosgined ; so lively that he charms everybody ; but he has a cursed trick that throws a shade over all his good qualities." " Pray, what may that be?" interrogated the officer. "He never sees a clergyman, but he instantly flies at him," answered Yorick. " How long has he had that trick?" Why, Sir," replied the divine, " tver since he was puppy !" The man of war for once blushed, and, afer a pause, said, " Doctor, I thank you far your hint give me :your hand, I will never rail at a parson again."