SLUM CHILDREN.
[To TER EDITOR Op TILE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,---A8 a lover of slum children I must thank your writer in the Spectator of December 14th for giving us the expression "the new piece." I feel sure some one will be moved to quote "trailing clouds of glory," so I will leave that alone, but I do most heartily endorse all the writer says of the children, their character, confidence, and affection. I might add their enormous influence. I told a hundred little girls of my branch of Children's Happy Evenings that I did not want them to come if they had not been vaccinated, as we were in the centre of the small-pox district. One very small mite repeated what her father said about vaccination, and the father, whom I have not the pleasure of knowing, must be a man of very decided character and powerful language. He had never allowed any of his family to be vaccinated, from con- scientious scruples, I suppose. In a week or so my little mite appeared with a bad arm, of which she was very proud,—" I kept away one week," she said, "but I could not go on with that, so I went and got done." Father bowed to the inevit, able. "The new piece" is very dignified, kindly, and certainly makes for goodness.--I am, Sir, &c., D. M. DUKE.
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