AN APPEAL.
[To THE EDITOR o THE " SPECTATOR:1 SIR,—A few years ago, by inserting an appeal in the Spectator, you kindly helped me to keep open evening classes for the use of the poorest boys in Bethnal Green. From eighty to a hundred pupils attended these classes regularly for years, as long as the "St. John's Industries" were open—taking the greatest interest in their artistic handiwork. I know of four old pupils at least, who are earning their own living at trades they learned with us, and three of them have men or boys working under them. I think at Bethnal Green we proved two things :—(1) That even the roughest of our boys infinitely prefer evenings spent over this work, to those spent amid the noise and temptations of the London streets. (2) That such technical classes not only enable the worker while a boy to earn something in these hard times, but also open out to him a means of livelihood in the future. The "St. John's Industries" are now closed, but I have opened the same for those who live in the Mission Parish of St. Philips, Plaistow. Forty boys are already at work, others are waiting to join. An " old boy " has set up his forge amongst us and will teach others, so we are ready to receive orders for artistic forge-work, either for Churches or houses. We also supply strip-iron at 6d. per pound. We shall be most grateful if your readers will kindly send us orders in brass, iron, wood or leather. Also, as initial expenses are heavy, and as we have no " working capital," I shall be glad to receive donations to help us to perfect this work among the boys of Plaistow,—I am, Sir, &c.,
GERTRUDE BROMDY.
9 Meredith Street, St. Philip's Mission, Plaistow, London, E.
Previous page
