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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un soul clichA, 11 est filmA A partir de i'angSs supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut on baa, en prenant le nomlrre d'imagea nAcessaire. Las diagrammes suivants iliustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 r^ :/ <./^' il'^ e 1^ s 0, ¥ w \ » * V s^ w M d ■ ®ur (rbtl^ren IN ©It) Scotland an^ IRova Scotia, •JC '. ) *■ <■■; • '• '' ■ V \ ■>■ .' '■,* • : /' f ■ . ' ■' , * i: ■ ■ . y. ' ■ ." ' '4 » . ■■ ,'^ ' I i i "'■"■' >■■■'_ ■:'"'"•">; ■ '■,■*'.* 1 Qm Cbilbren IN ®l& Scotlanb an& IRova Scotta. BEING A HISTORY OF ITEH WORK BY EMMA M. STIRLINa, THE FOUNDER OB" THE Edinbupgh and Ueith Childfen's Aid and l^efuge Soeiety. Hontion : JOHN HADDON & CO., BouvERiB House, Salisbury Square, E.G. PREFACE. Since the year 188G three little books on "Our Chil- dren " have been published and read. Apart from the records of work already done, hints were given of many desirable improvements co'.itemplated in the way of improved accommodation, excellent farm build- ings, etc., etc. All these things having been success- fully accomplished I am in a position to extend the work. The mill and workshop are in full work daily, giving constant employment to an increasing number of boys. The orchards continue to thrive, and are most productive. The garden of small fruits spoken of in our last issue has done well. The marked success which has attended the introduction of "Our Chil- dren" into the hearts and homes of the people of the Maritime Provinces has enabled me to provide for nearly the whole of my original flock, and now I would gladly offer an invitation to friendless and destitute 7 PREFACE. children to enter my open doors. This means intro- ducing " Our Children" to fresh people in new places, and thus I am led to comply with the request often made to me to give a connected history of the work since its beginning up to the present time, with as many details of my life with and for ** Our Children" as may be desirable, without wearing out the patience of my readers. As the proceeds of the sale of this book will be given to the work, will you, my reader, try to promote this object? EMMA M. STIRLING. HiLLFOOT Farm, Aylesford, Nova Scotia. 1 XTbe Crs of tbe Cbd^ren. Brr tlie young, young chililroa, O my brothers, Tlioy are weeping bitterly ! Th>v are weeping in tlio playtime of tlie others, In the country of the free. ♦ ♦ ♦ * Anil well may the cliUdren weep before you, They are weary ere they run, They have never seen the sunshine nor the glory "Which is brighter than the sun. Tliey know the grief of man without its wisdom ; Thoy sink in man's despair, without its calm ; Are slaves without the liberty of Christendom, Are martyrs, by the pang without the balm, Are worn as ii with age. Yet unretrievingly The harvest of its memories cannot reap— Are orphans of the earthly love and heavenly. Let them weep ! Let them weep ! Elizabeth Bauuett Browning. CONTENTS. PART I. OUn CHILDREN IN OLD SCOTLAND. CHAPTER I. FisiiEU Children at St. Andiie-,vs . . • • CHAPTER U. Day Nursery Children in Edinburgh . PAGB . 17 . 26 CHAPTER III. Progress of Work for Various Classes of Children 31 CHAPTER IV. Prevention of Cruelty Cases of Esscued Children 40 CHAPTER V. 44 German Children CHAPTER VI. Homes for Homeless Children . 65 CHAPTER VII. Flower ^Iission Children 11 . . GO 12 CONTENTS, CHAPTER VIII. CorFEBHOUSES PAOB C8 Appendix 76 PART II. OVR CHILDREN IN NOVA SCOTIA. CHAPTER IX. How THEY Got there 81 CHAPTER X. What they Did on Landing there .... 88 CHAPTER XI. What we Did in 1887-8 98 CHAPTER XIT. Vi^mous Events in 1889-90 Ill CHAPTER XIII. Our Mill and Workshops 123 CHAPTER XIV. Our Children at Home and Abroad .... 129 CHAPTER XV. The Last Two Years 144 CONTENTS. n CHAPTER XVI. PA.OB What we Hope to do 148 CHAPTER XVII. Temperance Work 151 APPENDIX. Friends willing to Receive Donations of Money or Clothing 1^ THE OLD HOUSE, ST. ANDREWS. 1« CHAPTER I. FISHER CEIILDREN AT ST. ANDREWS. When I was a little girl, my home was in a large old- fashioned house close to the ruins of the Cathedral at St. Andrews (Scotland). It was a picturesque old place, standing in its own courtyard and garden, which were surrounded by high walls. These were our only defence against the inroads of our somewhat trouble- some neighbours " the Fishers," whose dilapidated dwellings formed at that time the east end of North Street, except where the line was filled up by our stietcli of high walls. From our upper windows I had ample opportunity of observing the doings, and com- passionating the misery of swarms of the fisher chil- dren, the dilapidation of whose clothing was only rivalled by that of their dwellings. Our cnief meeting- place, however, was the open sunny space between our gate and the Cathedral, which was the favourite play- ground of our troublesome neighbours. Oar gate itself was a curiosity, for over it were the Doui^las arms — the bleeding heart— and, if it could liave spoken, mio'ht have told many a tale of all who had come and B 17 i8 OUR CHILDREN. I till W' gone beueatli its arch, siuco the days of its origiual possessor, the celebrated Gavvaine Douglas, Bisliop of Dunkeld, and Dear of St. Andrews, before the Refor- mation days — whose mother is credited with lack of ambition for her sou's education in the following distich : — " Thank Heaven, ne'er a son of mine But Gawaine e'er coukl ])en a line." While the fisher children took their noisy pleasure in the open space aforesaid, our favourite playground was within the precincts of the ruined Cathedral, where my b:. ther and I played happily many a summer's clay beside an old and highly respected friend, who united in his own person the functions of custodian to the Cathedral, and factotum to my father. So it came to pass that in onr baby days our favourite stories were told us by I^avid about the Pro- testant Martyrs and John Knox, with certain grue- some details which we were enabled to realize more vividly by an occasional visit to the neighbouring Castle, with the window still remaining where Car- dinal Beatoun looked out at the spectacle of George Wishart burning in front of the Castle gate, and at which window he himself speedily met with the retri- bution due. We would then cross the Castle yard, and with fear and trembling look down into "the Bottle,"^ This vault or dungeon is what is known as an Oubliette^ . • ! r^ f; ?• If ^4 ^ ;;li! i| CHAPTER V. GERMAN CHILDREN. In 1883 a very strange thing was brought to my knowledge at the Day Nursery. It happened in this way : — One day, about the end of May, a man called to apply for the admission to the Day Nursery of his motherless child, aged about four years. He said he was a German, and could speak very little English. He gave the name of N , and said he was a chemist's labourer. The nurse supplied him with the usual certificate. He seemed unwilling to go away, and after a time made her understand he noiv wished a certificate for the Home, the existence of which he had discovered since he entered the house. She told him she must ask me for that, which she accordingly did at my next visit. It sat med to me a most neces- sary case, being, as I was led to believe, that of a little motherless foreigner, who had no other means of being taken care of. In a few days the child was brought, but instead of being four years old, looked GERMAN CHILDREN. 45 l\ I about six or seven. She remained in the Home all summer. N visited her frequently, and seemed very anxious about her; in fact, was inclined to be intrusive, and to disregard the hours at which visitors were expected. However, we made all due allowance for his ignorance of our ways, and things went on smoothly enough. All this time I had never met him, though I had several times sent him a message that I should like to talk to him. In August I was away from home, and received a letter from him, not very coherent, written partly in German, partly in broken English. So far as I could understand it, the point was to beg me to admit anotlier German child into the Home, whom he expected shortly to arrive from Germany. I felt provoked at his pre- suming to bring children from Germany for no apparent reason but to take advantage of the Home. However, as I could not decipher the letter to my own satisfaction, and was to be absent for some weeks, I thought it safer to ask our doctor to go and see him, to find out the truth of the matter, and, if necessary, receive the other child. After some correspondence Dr. Notley wrote to me that he could not understand the man ; he had changed his address once or twice j that sometimes he said one thing, sometimes another ; that the second child had dropped out of the question, and was not coming to Scotland in the meantime ; that I had better make a point of {'. 1 I 9 46 OUR CHILDREN. seeiug him (the applicant) as soon as possible, adding, he could speak English as well as any one. On my return to Edinburgh I arranged for N ■ to come and see me at the Home. He at once began the conversation by asking me to receive another little girl. I said, " Is this the one you expected in August ? " He replied, " No ; that child stopped in London, where she has been put into a Home for German orphans; this, madam, is another, a tliird little girl." Startled out of all caution, I remarked, " How very extraordinary ! What do you mean by it? What are you doing with all these children ? " He said, " Oh, madam, it is quite natural ; the first is my own child ; the second — well, her friends' plans for her are changed; the third, it is still well. I want a companion for my own child, and I prefer a German to a Scotch girl.'' I felt it was not all well. The man looked odd. I suspected something wrong, but could not tell what. I thought the best thing was to be quiet and let him go on telling me anything he chose ; so I made a good listener, and, except by a question now and then, did not interrupt him in a long and circum- stantial account of his wife's illness and death, when his little girl was born in a poor neighbourhood close by where we were then sitting. The truth of this I never doubted, and expressed my sympathy. GERMAN CHILDREN. 47 At last it occurred to ine to say, " Who helped you to take care of your little girl after her mother's death till now ? " He said, " She was with my friends in Germany." I asked, " Why didn't you leave her there ? or why don't you send her to them again ? " His English ''ailed ; he no longer understood, until at length he informed mo his object in getting the third one was to have her as his housekeeper very soon, and by-and-by to make his wife. I felt the only safety for the poor child was to receive her into the Home as quickly as possible. Accordingly I gave him the certificate required, which he got filled up, and in a few days there arrived from the German boat, a fair, pretty little child of nine years old, who could not speak a word of Eng- lish, and seemed dreadfully afraid of N . She was in the Home about a fortnight, when he claimed the privilege of taking her out, as our children were allowed to go to their friends once a week, and arrived at Burntisland with her (where I was staying for a short time). He insisted on my allowing him to send her back to Germany. This I positively refused to do ; and having warned him that I should inquire thoroughly into the circumstances, I allowed him to take the child away with him, having promised to take her straight to the Home. No sooner had I done so than I felt miserable, and after a sleepless 'I: .1 \\ 6! p; (HI 1} V d. I r: i: M 11 48 OU/! CHILDREN. night got up in timo for the early boat from Burntis- land to Granton at 8 a.m. ; drove quickly to the Home at Stockbridge, only to hear, as might bo expected, there had been no tidings of them. From thence I proceeded to a German pastor in the neighbourhood. From him I learned it was a dreadful business alto- gether. That this man had had a succession of little girls, each personating his motherless child ; that they had come and gone no one knew whither j that unless these children, now in his hands, were to have an awful fate, I must get and keep hold of them by any means, even if I had to get the police to help me. To this I not unnaturally responded, " Then will you come and help me ? " " No, he could not do that ; he was afraid." I could not understand it, and wasted a few moments in coaxing and arguing with him. Finally, he advised me to go to the German Consul, who was hound to interfere. This I did, was courteously received, but obtained no sympathy nor any promise of help. Mr. R was strongly of opinion I should leave the whole thing alone. Finding I was obstinate, he decided to tell me all he knew, and taking out a bundle of papers, translated for my benefit what sounded to me like a revelation of the greatest wickedness I had ever heard of. I need not say I left the office more determined than ever to rescue the child. GERMAN CHILDREN. 49 On returning to the Home, and finding the Nurse too frightened to be capable of helping me very much, I despatched one of the working girls to the " land," or block of houses where N lived, and told her to ask the women on the stair if they could help me, charging the girl to bring the child to me at once. E was an active, well-grown girl of about seven- teen, and set off, nothing loath. When she got to the stair where the wretched abode was, she heard a child crying piteously, and at the top of the stair the sound seemed to come from an empty attic where the poor little thing had been locked in. But there was a broken window opening on the landing ; and having satisfied herself that it was A 's voice, she, E , per- suaded her to climb up on the inside of the wall, while she could help her through the aperture, and by a good jump get free. So that in a very few minutes the little prisoner found her way back to me, having apparently cried till she could cry no more. I there- upon decided to take her to Merelton, Wardie (my own house), believing she would be perfectly safe, and no one dare to molest us there. In this I reckoned without my host. The events of the forenoon I have described took place ou Friday; and the Sunday following being the Communion Sabbath, all the grown-up people in my house wished to go to Church. To allow them to do so, a big girl was brought from one of the country Homes to cook the dinner and look 111 » p-i 9' I 0^ ! Ci 50 OUK CHILDREN. ,1 III after the little children, of whom there were three or four besides the German child. I having a very bad headache, could not go to Church, and stayed in bed. After the rest of the party had started, the children came to say their hymns to me for Sunday for a little, and then I believe I fell asleep. I was awakened by a knock at the door. " Please, ma'am, a gentleman wants to see you." I speculated in vain what gentleman it could be. Visitors are rare in Church hours in Scotland. At length the girl hit on a name not verij unllhi N . I jumped out of bed in perfect horror, and was told he was downstairs. On opening my bedroom door, I saw to my surprise the man standing at the top of the staircase close to my room door. " What do you want ? " I said. " What are you doing here? I am in my room, and can't be disturbed. You must go downstairs at once." Rather to ray surprise, and much to my relief, he obeyed me, but after getting to the bottom seemed to gain determination and proceeded to demand the child. Where was she ? Was she in the house ? A good deal followed that I did not understand. Again the question. Was she in the house ? I did not feel called on to tell him ; so contented myself with generalities and civilities, — asked him to be quiet, to see this person and that j above all things to leave the house. The truth was my real position began to dawn on II GERMAN CHILDREN. 5' inc. Here I was in a lonely liouso with no grown-up person within hearing ; ou** neighbours had all gone to Cluirr ; what could I do ? I could pray to God, not audibly. I went on speaking quietly to the man, whoso threats had now waxed furious. " He would kill us all. Ho would empty the house. He would either have my life or the child. He could take both. He had brought this with him (showing mo a stick loaded at the ends), and he would let me feel the weight of it." All this, and a great deal more, accom- panied by a perfect torrent of bad langua ^e in English, and apparently in German. I could only stand still at the top of the staircase, and try to remonstrate. I heard my own voice like a mill wheel fur off; I was getting very faint, but all the time in my heart I was talking to God, and praying Him not to let that man get the child. I believed her to be in the nursery with the other children, and the door was just at the bottom of the staircase. I prayed Him not to let the little ones open it. This went on for twenty minutes. Why N did not give me the knock on the head he said he wanted to, I don't know, except, I suppose, that God did not let him. At last help came: the children began to come home from church. The first was a little orphan girl who lived in the house, and hearing the man making a noise, and my voice speaking as if in distress, she could not bear it, but rushed past him and got upstairs to me, ill ^4 ! i jiiS I'll f If"'*' 52 OUR CHILD RE r. ¥ \ w i \^ -1 H - il and then went for a man a little way off. Then the little boys froai the Boys' Home on Granton Road, who in those days always dined with us on Sunday, came in, and when the little messenger brought the neighbour she had gone to seek, and others began to appear from church, our visitor thought, I presume, he had better make off. Then policemen came, and one of these, an old friend in the neighbourhood, insisted upon bringing it to the notice of the authorities at Leith, and for the sake of the children I felt it would be better to have a full iuquiry. In a day or two a man and his wife — Germans — who who had been supposed to be respectable, but who turned out to be accomplices, called on me separately and used every argument to dissuade me from this course. The man even again threatened my life, say- ing, " It is for your own sake, I warn you. You had better think wliile you have time," To which I replied they must do as they liked: I could not make bargains with a man like N . I am /ery thankful I made no compromise, as after a full inquiry through the Foreign Office, involving no doubt much that was painful to me, the Home Office gave instructions that the port of Leith should be watched by the police, so that no children should be allowed to land unless accompanied by their parents or well accredited people in charge of them, and that immediate notice should be given to the GERMAN CHILDREN. 53 authorities of the arrival of any such ; and thus the trade in German children was stopped in Scotland. I was the means of seven children being delivered from this man. I may mention here that no sooner was the Criminal Law Amendment Bill passed than the man N was safely lodged in prison for a similar offence, and his accomplices found it convenient to leave Edinburgh, so that the gang was broken up. The following is an extract from a personal letter re- ceived from the Procurator Fiscal for the county of Midlothian. Referring to this case, he says :^ Edinburgh, Nov. 1st, 188i. My deau Miss Stirling, — I can see no possible objection to your making reference in your paper to the case of the German children. The result fully justified your interference. And all friends of the movement for the protection of children should be indebted to you for your persevering endeavours to get to the bottom of the business. Yours very truly, EoiJEUT L. Stuart. I had also the great satisfaction of receiving the thanks of the German Government in the accompany- ing letters from Count Miinster, the German Ambassa- dor : — Imperial German Embassy, London, March 8th, 1884. Madam, — In reply to your kind note of February 26th, I beg to state that the question therein contained has received my most careful attention. The report which the Consul-General O-li 9'\ I! I It '«»' 54 OUR CHILDREN. has, on my request, just made on this matter, shows that all necessary steps have heen taken to prevent, and to cause a thorough inquiry in the matter by the competent authorities in Germany. In thanking you most sincei'ely for the great interest you take i i the fate of these poor German children, I have the honour to be, Madam, very truly yours, MONSTER. Also from the Imperial Germau Consul, Leith : — Leitii, March hst, 1884. Dear Miss Stirling. — I am directed by Burgomaster Dr. Carl Petersen, the President of the Board of Foreign Affairs at Hamburg, to in- timate to you the safe arrival in good health and spirits of the girl A. N . I am at the same time instructed to ex- press to you the best thanks, and the recognition of the High Senate of Hamburg, of the humane and carefully loving manner in which you have protected a daughter of a subject of that State. The Imperial German Consul, Adolpiie Eobinow. 1 ; t fi:i CHAPTER VI. HOMES FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN. In a former chapter, when giving an account of the progress of the work, I alluded to the rapid growth of the Homes and the number of houses required. There were eight altogether, from 1883 to 1888. These were : — f I! r 11 11 Day Nursery, 10, Mackenzie Place, Edinburgh. Girls' Home, 11, „ „ v 2, Craigholm Crescent, Burntisland. Leadburn Park. Boys' Home, Rosebank, Leadburn Park. „ „ 1, Craigbolm Crescent, Burntisland. „ „ 4, Bayton Terrace, Granton Road. The Shelter from Cruelty, 150, High Street, Edinburgh. I know that some friends objected to having so many separate houses on the score of expense and in- 55 I • m 1 1 56 OUR CHILDREN. i; I illlj m 1' h i creased difficulty in supervision, but, after all, the Home is the first necessity of a homeless child, and I am convinced, a real home, and therefore individual attention, can only Yq secured where there is a man- ageable number of children j beyond that it ceases to be a home and becomes merehj an institution, which I believe to be a very different kind of life, and which I have always been most careful to avoid for our chil- dren. The Homes, as they existed at the time I write of, may all be described together, as they were all con- ducted ou the same principle — exclusively that of a family. Each house was complete in itself, with Treasurer, some friend in the neighbourhood, who was entirely responsible for management of stores, ac- counts, etc., thus preventing any habit of waste or extravagance, which even in the best regulated (large) families is always too ready to creep in, this trea- surer at the same time fulfilling the very important duty of seeing that the stores, etc., were used in the best way, and that the children actuaUij got all that was intended for them. I had not the means to build or adapt cottage homes all conveniently close together, and so I just made use of plain, ordinary buildings in suitable situa- tions as I could find them, when the need for a fresh house arose. As to looking after them, no doubt it entailed a great deal of exertion on my part, even HOMES FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN. 57 «!\ with all the help the treasurers so kindly and will- ingly gave me. Next in authority to the Treasurer came the Nurse, whose duty it was to be mother in the Home. I did not encourage the children ii call her so, for I think anything unreal is a mistake, and many of them who remembered good, gentle mothers of their own could not have failed to resent it. They so often told us touching little stories of how happy and well cared for they were " when my mother was living," and how sadly matters changed when she was taken ill. How, for instance, " Bobbie was a bonnie bairn, with curly hair, and my mother kept him aye clean and bonnie, and syne when she took ill she could na sort him ony mair ; and she could na bide to hear him greet : and we tried to do, and we could na ; and she was taken away to the hospital, and — and " The poor little historian at this point would frequently throw itself on my lap in an agony ot grief. Some were more com- posed with a precocious gravity and care of " the baby " that was even sadder. A very troublesome baby of fourteen months was brought to us ; he was accompanied by his elder sister of nine, because, as she explained, " he won't go to any one else.'* When I saw them at Mackenzie Place, I thought they were too delicate to stay there, and took them home with me. Master baby paid me the compliment of being pleased to go to me ; and next day when I had him in fl!l i). I SIS SIS)! 58 OUR CHILDREN. \ my arms, playing with himself in the grass, Maggie stood watching us with great interest, and said in a tone of sorrowful composure, like an elderly woman, "Baby thinks you're my mother; iliai^s ivhj ho*s pleased with you." I said, " When did he see your mother, my dear ? " " About a fortnight ago, and she's died since;'* and poor little Maggie heaved a deep sigh and shook her head. But I must be done with recollections, as these Homes in Scotland are now a thing of the past, and it is only necessary to refer to them by way of giving a history of the work which would otherwise be in- complete. My views as to the management of Homes for homeless children will doubtless appear hereafter, when I tell you the story of our Homes in Nova Sco- tia, where the same plan is carried on, and where the chief object is to make the Home a real home to each member of it. Before I leave the recollections of this happy time of work in Scotland, I must mention the boarding out system, which I was obliged to have recourse to in 1884, when house accommodation failed. I was very careful in the selection of those with whom they were placed, and the children were arranged in groups of four or six, so that the friend who acted as treasurer and paid their board monthly, could see exactly how they were attended to, and look after them in every way. I beg to thank those friends in the country, especially Mrs. HOMES FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN. 59 Paterson, of Backrigg Farm, near Beattock, who so efficiently carried on this part of the work, the results of which were, to my mind, extremely satisfactory; and many were the lamentations alike of nurses and children when it proved too expensive to be continued, and our children had to be removed to other quarters, on my winding up my personal connection with the work previous to leaving Scotland. 111 I % % % < % e« I m ; M !| •^ :l CHAPTER VII. FLOWER MISSION CHILDREN. The heading of this chapter brings before me a diflfer- ent set of children from those I have been telling you about, but of whom I saw a great deal, and by whose kindness I was enabled to do a most pleasant piece of work for many years. They were the Flower Mission Children of Burntisland. I daresay many of them will read this little book, and will like to remember as well as I do, our lovely and fragrant flower mission, the fruit of which will, I doubt not, be seen many days hence. Therefore I shall take the liberty of reminding them of it, and telling strangers of a beautiful work which these children did, and which I never think of without longing that it could return, very much as in winter one thinks of last summer's flowers, and wish- ing they were with us again. The summer will come, and bring its flowers for those who are here to see them, and I cannot doubt that in the endless summer above, the seed sown by the Flower Mission children will blossom abundantly in the garden of God. 60 , ' ! FLOWER MISSION CHILDREN. 6i ill The Burntisland Flower Mission began and grow in the manner following : — When I used to drive from Wardie to the Day Nursery for my day's work there, very often, for the sake of a little more fresh air, I went round by St, Cuthbert's poorhouse, and each time I passed I felt a greater longing to get inside of that instil ution, and see if I might be allowed to take with me a little pleasure and comfort to its inmates. I always had a great fancy for visiting in poorhouses, chiefly, I think, because at that time the inmates seemed so cut off from the outside world (I fancy it is better now), so lonely, so in need of the good news of God's love — in fact, of good news of any kind, even of human love ; and in those cases where being there was most obviously their own doing, still they were the sinners Jesus came to save, and seemed to me more accessible than prosperous sinners outside. For all these reasons I had found my visits acceptable in country poor- houses, and now that my lot was cast near the city, I thought I would try there too. But what excuse could I make ? At last it occurred to me that having again become the fortunate possessor of a garden, from whicb I was careful to provide the "Sunday flower " on Saturday, I might take some flowers to the Hospital. It had been our custom all my life in my old home to have this regularly attended to, and I have great belief in the blessing that goes jii. III V !i c* si I* ' I"" !■: U .1 > ill i » ' 'I :i : I, I ! 62 OCT/! CHILDREN. with a Sunday flower, for I believe in flowers as a direct means of grace. They surely carry the message of God's love to us, and His desire for our happiness and pleasure. He would not have sown them all over the earth, as He has done, if this were not so. There- fore it occurred to me to inquire whether flowers would be acceptable, or permitted, in the poorhouse. Find- ing they would be welcomed if there were enough /or all, in the hospital for instance, so as not to excite jealousy, I speculated as to how I could get so many, and the stipulation seemed almost prohibitory, as the hospital had 250 beds, alas, apparently always full. I noticed just at this time in some periodical an ac- count of a " Flower Mission " in London. The name was new to me, but it seemed exactly the idea I wanted, and I lost no time in writing to the lady whose address was given. I forget her name, and the address of the mission now, but I believe it was the first of the kind in London, the result of which has been the spread of flower missions all over the world. In answer to my inquiry I received a most kind reply, approving highly of my idea, and giving practical information as to how to set about the work, at the same time dwelling much on the necessity for accompanying the flowers by a text from the Word of God, which was most easily conveyed by being written or printed (by hand) on a simple bouquet holder, a large number of which could be had for a nominal sum, at the headquarters of the FLOWER MISSION CHILDREN. 63 Mission. In my case it seemed to me they were supplied gratis ! It then occurred to me I should be more likely to succeed in obtaining a supply of flowers, if I made known my desires in Burntisland. To those who do not know the neighbourhood of Edinburgh intimately, I may explain that at that time, before the Forth Bridge was built, Burntisland was a place of some importance to the travelling public, being the point to which the ferryboat of the North British Railway conveyed passengers cross- ing the Forth from Edinburgh to Fife and the North of Scotland. It was a quiet little town, lying close to the Forth, well sheltered by the Fife hills, with lovely woodo stretching westward to Aderdour, and the whole country side celebrated for wild flowers. For some years previously, while I was an invalid, I was much in Burntisland, and had many friends among the children of all classes. With the assistance of twelve of the elder girls it seemed easy to have a very efficient flower mission band. We discovered Mr. Wood (bookseller) was strongly in sympathy with us, and he most kindly agreed to allow the contribu- tions to be brought to his shop on Friday, from 6 to 8 p.m., on condition that each evening two of my young friends who were known as stewardesses should attend to receive them, and pack them in the large tin box provided for that purpose,^ which was sent across ' Note.— The duties of the stewardesses did not end here. ill.] X I 11 i m\ H I t Jt 'if ill 'I 64 OUR CHILDREN. the Forth to rae early the next morning. I had thu8 plenty of time to put the finishing touches to our bouquets before taking them to the hospital at the visitors' hours. Our success was complete, and we were also able to supply the old people regularly at Kinghorn Poorhouse, about three miles from Burntis- land. The effect was most touching. The flowers were treasured from one week to another — better still, the texts were kept as a precious possession, and the simple words of love and comfort repeated to me over and over again, reverently and gratefully by quivering lips, which I fear had in the olden time been more familiar with oaths. I was assured by the nurses that the softening of many hearts was not confined to Saturday afternoon, but was very apparent at other times. One very desolate, gentle old woman, who had always been most grateful for the flowers, and had expressed most earnestly her trust in Jesus, had just passed away at my next visit. I was taken by the nurse to her bedside, and on her breast were laid the withered flowers of last Saturday, and all the little texts of weeks before. The nurse whispered, " Give They undertook to make tea and amuse the children at the happy tea-party with which we wound up the proceedings at the close of each season, after the last Friday of September. We began with primroses ! To show the popularity of the Mission, the contributors numbered over 300. FLOWER MISSIOiV CHILD REN. 65 uie ouG for hor to-Jiiy, ma'am, a white one. Sho thowjht tfo iiiur.h of thnii, and bogged to have them buried with hor." 1 believe from what she had told me she knew and loved the Saviour. The matron told mo she had never soon anything have so great an effect in softening roughness, and producing good humour in the place. She therefore asked that if I could manage it, I would bring large bunches of common flowers and stick in them a few texts mounted on wire, for the day-rooms in the main house. She was much gratified with the result, and told me sho had often seen rough, apparently callous men, irresi^stibly attracted by the flowers, and reading the texts again and again, who had never appeared to notice anything else in the way of religion. Let us hope that even in their case the promise was fulfilled, that *' Ml) word shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and prosper in the thing whereto I tient it." And did the children who did this work get no blessing, do you think ? I believe they received a great blessing — in better acquaintance with God's word — when they searched for texts most suited to the sick and sorrowful, — in greater enjoyment of their gardens when they gave their flowers to carry a message of hope and comfort to those who needed both sadly, and the blessing which the Lord Jesus Christ promised to all who should give even a cup of f ? I 9-1 s: I it tin. =i^r 1;. I . U '1 . I •'I 66 Oi/i? CHILDREN. cold water to any needy one, however humble and insignificant, if given in His name. I believe these children, who gave their play-time, sympathy, sweet flowers, and carefully selected texts, got a great bless- ing in their own souls, as all do who try to make the world better and happier for Jesus' sake. I have told this story of their lovely and successful work in the hope that some other children may be encouraged either to join or to begin a Flower Mission on their own account. Even outside hospitals and workhouses there are many to whom such a gift as a Sunday flower would be most acceptable. And there are many bright little boys and girls, who are often sadly in want of ''something to do" whose clever fingers and pretty colour-boxes might find pleasant and useful work on wet days in painting borders round bouquet holders, printing texts on the same, and when the rain is over and the sun shines, could gather many sweet flowers to rejoice sad hearts and weary eyes in less cheerful places than have fallen to their own happy lot. Dear young reader, will you try? If you will, I am sure you will find there is great pleasure in being one of the Flower Mission childreu. God might have made the earth bring forth Enough for great and small, The oak tree and the cedar tree Without a flower at all. FLOWER MISSION CHILDREN. 67 He might have made enough, enough For every want of ours ; Enough for medicme, food and toil, And yet have made no flowerb ! Then wherefore, wherefore were they made, All dyed with rainbow light, Laden with sweet and rare perfume Upspringing day and night ? Springing amid the meadows fair And on the mountains high, And in the silent wilderness Where no man passeth by ? To whisper to the heart of man, "When faith and hope are dim, That He who careth for the flowers. Will much more care for him ! Mary Howitt. ill .:j s: 1, III ( It) 3; I r mi t iiill lr»«#i CHAPTER VIII. 11 i- ' I' "1! I r COFFEE-HOUSES. Though Temperance work is not, perhaps, strictly speaking, the work required for our children, still it is practically inseparable from it, and in my experience, directly sprang out of it, for my first impulse to become a total abstainer arose from witnessing the sufferings and deprivations of poor little children in the course of my early work at the Day Nursery and Home. I was not at that time a teetotaler; I thought that many good people who were so were mistaken, and pressed a theory too far. I had been used to seeing beer, wine and spirits moderately used, and that by people for whom I had the highest respect, and I did not feel called on to take any other view of the subject. I do not suppose I was singular in this. I fancy most moderate drinkers would tell you precisely the same; hnt I had hitherto seen what may be called the right side of the drink question, with no know- ledge of the wrong side, except, I admit, the recollec- tion of the fishermen at St. Andrews, long ago, when 68 COFFEE- HO USES. 69 «1 I they had come home from the herring fishing, or for some reason were flash of money, when they too frequently became excited to maniacal frenzy, and used to make it dangerous for quiet folks to pass near their dwellings ; but these recollections were of fricrhts long '^one by, and which at the time I had accepted as a necessary ivil. Therefore, when I hcgari to work at the Day Nursery I was not a tee- totaler ! A short time, however, sufficed to entirely change my opinion. It was impossible for any moderately humane woman to witness the sights and hear the stories of sin, suffering, and sorrow, which were a considerable part of every-day life there, without feeling horror and disgust at what was only too clearly the direct came of nine-tenths of all the mischief. As time went on and the Homes increased I had to be about more and more, and thus saw more of the life and temptations of working men, railway servants, dock labourers, sailors and others ; and as my work had to be done in all weathers, and at all hours from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m., I had ample opportunities of seeing the effect of cold, wet and discomfort, on the men. What seemed to me the most fruitful source of habits of drinking was the want of proper food, at reasonable hours. This, as so many of them work at great distances from home, seemed unavoidable, as it was no part of the business of the too numerous 1:: ] l«i 3. i tin •.1 :! si 1 i^ 70 OUR CHILDREN. iff III % . 'J ii -; 1: I i ir ,ll I; , 1 P r t public-houses to supply food. I therefore thought of trying what a coffee-house at Burntisland would do to meet the want, on the plan of food versus drink. By this time, 1881, the British Public-house Com- pany in Edinburgh had been started, and the Secre- tary was most kind in giving me all information and assistance, and in helping me to an excellent man as manager. So that, suitable premises having been secured near the pier and railway station, I was in a position to begin work. I took the utmost pains to make the place attractive and pleasing in every way, with plenty of looking-glass, bright pictures, clean marble tables — in summer, flowers, and in winter, plenty of fire and gas. I also provided what seemed much valued — wash-basin and clean towels, a plentiful supply of the daily papers, tihipping Gazette, etc., and from the kindness of friends a good stock of second-hand magazines. The bookshelf was a prominent feature, and to this I added, for the sake of the boys and lads whom we induced to come in the evening, the Boys' Own Palmer, Animal World, etc., and some sets of dominoes, draughts, and other quiet games. Cards and gambling of any hind were strictly forbidden. I am sorry to say it required some firmness to carry out this rule. We also had as much music as possible in the way of accordions, flutes, etc., and found a musical box very useful in attracting customers. You will say I have left out the food question, I 4Pw.u>!»9jv«^'*^ fK^eww^rm'^vf"u\'"T*'v ■■, pww COFFEE-HOUSES. 71 II wished to tell you first how I tried to fight the public- house with its own weapons. As John Wesley said, " I don't see why the devil should have all the pretty tunes/' and I fail to s^ why the drink-shop should be brighter and more attractive than the "public-house WITHOUT the drink ! " One of our customers said to me one day, when he and some others had been admiring the arrangements, " Eh, mem, I think yo wad gie us onything but the ae thing, and that is — Whuskey ! and Fm sure we're muckle obleeged till ye ! " So they were, I am sure ; but remember the coffee- house was in no way a charity. The people paid for what they had, and I was very careful to avoid any idea of the kind, which would certainly not be accept- able in Scotland. At the same time our prices were not exorbitant, as will be seen from the fact that a man could have three excellent meals a day for Is. This was managed on the plan of the British Public- house Company aforesaid, and cheapness achieved by means of the large quantity required. We called it a cq^'ee-house, but provided a great deal more than tea and coffee, viz. — soup, cold beef, ham, eggs, bread and rolls, butter, some cakes and pastry, and plum-duff for the sailors. For these I took a great deal of pains to provide /res/t meat, but found to my surprise and dis- appointment there was no demand ! Thus the Ship Coffee-house was launched at Burntisland in July, 1881. 111; 141 ^ I ) I f I £• It P* if iWi 1[H> p Ih 1,1 72 OUR CHILDREN. .1) . f'' III ii.!- :iT i- ' !, 11 1 j ^1 1 i li 1 li ^ii .!.» Finding it likely to succeed, I ventured to try a coffee-harrow on Grauton Pier, with a view to possibly starting another Ship Coffee-house there ; and finding our earnings justify the effort, I applied to the Duke of Bucdeuch for ground on which to erect a wooden building, which was opened in December, 1881, exactly on the plan of the other, and which, since I left Scotland, has been most successfully carried on by a friend in the neighbourhood. The same mannfjer is still there, who began with the coffee-barrow in 1881, Mr. Joseph Gloag. 'i'he Burntisland house I disposed of to a suitable purchaser, on condition it should be worked on strictly Temperance principles. I may mention that in one year the earuings at Burntisland were £600, and at Gran ton, £500. Since then I hear that the Burntisland house has gradually lapsed, and finally been given up. I fear any such effort requires the active supervision of some one on the spot who is really in earnest in the work. I after- wards opened a third Ship Coffee-house at Kinghorn, at a time when the ship-yard was in full work, and several hundreds of men employed, whose habits and condition certainly seemed to require it very much ; but it never prospered so well as the others, and after two years of work I gave it up. There was a fourth house, which was successful while required, at the Binn End shale work, near Burntisland, which I helped the manager of the works to arrange and carry on chiefly ir !' 73 S o H H O >J O K I Cm fa O u w 4 1 1 1 1 I S* il'! '!|H ^1 1 !l J> ^"■*= Hi Vl^if^ fl A*' 51 H f:ip f!' jiX ."> iwH H. 1 I I'' ir r E ' «' 111 I' \ 'i •If COFFEE-HOUSES. 75 % at the expense of the Company ; but after the village was built for the men to live near their work, this was not found to be necessary, but did well for the time. The routine business of the coffee-houses was managed on the same plan as the Homes, by having a treasurer for each, who ordered and kept account of the stores, and balanced the sheet of supplies and sales every week. The Temperance tent was (and still is) a most help- ful adjunct, when fairs, games, or any other large gathering were held ; to say nothing of supplying Temperance refreshments to the cricket players on Saturday afternoons. Altogether, I am told that at this date the good effect of the coffee-houses is visible in the neighbourhoods in which they were planted eleven years ago. *' I )< ) l\ I v\ w.w p* ^ m II""' It KIM' V m 10A APPENDIX TO PART I. ' i lift . i' M f: .11 If Extracts from '' Occasional Paper;' dated Nocemhcr, 188!), of the Scottish National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Established 1884. James Grahame, Esq., chairman of the Glasgow Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Childreu, giving an account of its origin in 1884, and after noticing the formation in Liverpool of the first Society called hij that name in Great Britain, says : — In another iwirt of tliis publication there is given an account of the origin of the Children's Aid and Refuge Societ3', which is now merged in tlie Scottish Nationul Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, but which was then a private enterprise of Miss Emma M. Stirling, who deserves the utmost credit as the disinterested and self-devoted pioneer of the great movement for the protection and rescue of children in the East of Scotland. Here is the account of the Children's Aid and Refuge referred to, signed by Mr. Colston, chair- man : — This Institution was established for the protection of young people. It existed several years before there was any project put forth to form societies in our large cities and towns for the 78 APPENDIX TO PART I. 77 Prevention of Cruelty to Cliikhijn. It was practically in its own way auhae/rclmj the very purpose for which these larger organizations have been callocl into existence. The opening by Miss Emma M. Stirling of a small Croche or Day Nursery was the first inception of the scheme. Then follows a description of the Day Nursery, which it is needless to repeat. Mr. Colston con- tinues : — The Home was partly supporteil by public benevolence, but chiefly by the liberality of Miss Stirling, who generously made up the cleficiency of each year out of hor own private means. Having requostotl the aid and co-operation of a few leading citizens to act as a commit*^oe of advice in the benevolent work to which she had dedicated herself, it soon became obvious that there were many sad cases of cruelty towards children that the general public knew little about, and for which the state of the law did not afford any sufficient remedy. Miss Stirling's active exertions in the work of rescuing and befriending neglected children are now well known to the community. It is not requisite to dilate upon these further than to say that her efforts, under the committee of advice' who were associated with her, had, as their effect, in a large measure, the work of prevention of cruelty to chil- dren as now undex'stood. Then follows an account of the German children already described in Chapter V. : — " Since that time, as Mr. Henderson, the Chief of Police, and other official gentlemen in the city can testify, a number of cases of gross cruelty have been brought to light through means of the Aid and Eefugo, and have been reported to the Police, with the result that the offenders were punished. ^'1 i>. 1 :3, I r ■ 1 !•:■ ''"" It 78 OUR CHILDREN. r \ The Sholter from Cruolty was opened in 1884 by Miss Stirling and those gentlemen wlio liad by this time become associated with licr in the management. It is situated at a convenient distance from the chief police office. During the same year a Society was formed in the cit^', called " The Edinburgh Society for Prevention of Cruolty to Chil- dren." It was, however, soon found by its promoters that the work was being so well done by the Children's Aid and Refuge that there was no need for the new organization. It therefore became amalgamated with this institution. In 188G Miss Stirling thought it to be her duty to transfer her field of usefulness to across the sea to Aylesford, Nova Scotia, where she is still proving herself the friend of little children by devoting her time, attention, and private fortune to their benefit. (Signed) James Colston. M\ jili 1, " M ,-•» PART II. OUIi CniLDBEN m NOVA SCOTIA. rjil :}. I .1(1 , 1 II* I ' m p iifii ,, liw' V 79 «Ut^ I ii -It • J "J U H! "I -•I ' •iw^f^JP'* * CtlAPTER IX. now THEY GOT THERE. As I told you. ill a former chapter, I had come to the conclusion, ill 1885, somethiug must l*o done to feed and provide for the ever-increasing numbers of our children, and went again to Canada to see what could be done for them there. As I could not make up my mind to resign them to the hands of strangers for the selection of their future homes, I preferred going with them and buying a farm, where I could make a home for the little ones, and head(i[uarters for those who had ah'eady been placed ; for it would obviously be worse than useless to send boys and girls across the sea, without a home within reach of them, with their own people there to look after their interests, and to hear constantly liow they are getting on. One great trouble to us all in this was, that it divided the work and divided the workers, and in great measure broke up what had been for so many years a happy and useful Home party in Scotland. Still, for the sake of our children, we will do a great deal. I felt it was for the best to go and transfer my efforts to the new farm, where 1 81 i» i i r 1 il « I '« I I I I*, I I \m It it « ?! Inn- ,, Jijy f ii*C '^ V H. ' ]' • ' 1 J ■■! : II t, I 31 If 82 OU/^ CHILDREN. could feed the little ones at a clieaper rate than in Scotland. I told the directors eighteen months before this was the only way I could see of continuing the work, and left it to them whether they would con- tinue to co-operate with me or not. As I said before, they decided to do so. Some of ni}'- most active workers joined the party, which was divided into two sections. I may mention that complete lists of chil- dren were formally submitted to the directors before starting. In the end of IMay, 18S6, I sailed with twent3^-rive children and sufficient helpers to take care of them, leaving the rest to follow when we were ready to re- ceive them. It is said, " He that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about " ; and so it was with us. We set out, not knowing exactly where we should find a home, bat trusting in the same God who has led us and fed us all these years, and He has not disap- pointed us. Kind friends in Edinburgh asked us to breakfast the morning we started for Liverpool, and wished us God speed. After breakfast they sang with us the grand old words beginning : — " Go(T is onr Eefugc and our Strength, In sti'aits a pi'esent aid, Therefore, although the hills remove, "We will not be afraid : " wi«t<>iii m^mfmmm r'" HO IV THEY GOT THERE. S3 and read the ninety-first Psalm, the TraveUey\'i Vsahn, as some one has called it ; and ever since, if anxious or perplexed on land or sea, we seem to hear the words again, so that we have been kept from ever being afraid. It seemed very hard to leave so many kind friends that morning. It seemed as if they were sorry to have us go ; but still for '' our children" what can- not one do ? And the necessity was the same as it was in the olden time to Jacob's sons, when they heard there was corn in Egypt. Wae's me, there seemed to be little bread in Scotland, especially for " our chihlren " ; and so, when we had heard the last "■ good-bye" and '^ God bless you "on the rail- way platform, and had seen the last friendly face at the carriage window, we could only feel thankful that so many would think of and pray for us and our little ones, and would carry on the work of caring for our children while we were far away doing what we could. But we did not Itavo all our friends in Edinburgh, for at Liverpool a dear friend and constant helper suddenly appeared, to the great delight of our children (who had not expected to see her) ; and as Liverpool was to them a ''far-awa-place," almost beyond human ken, her appearance on the stair of our resting-place seemed little short of supernatural ; " no (I'theglfher canny ! " but the reality soon proved itself in the embodied spirit, full of kindness and help, and 1 1 1 1 92 OUR CHILDREN. I. \ . i# .: tillage land and pasture extends to 210 acres, well sheltered by the " Woodlot " or natural forest, and dotted here and there with clumps of spruce and de- ciduous trees, and any quantity of apples. There are also large quantities of wild raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries ; so we are at no loss for jam. By- and-by we shall cultivate small fruit as well as orchard produce. There are lovely views in every direction. Two miles oflf is the village of Aylesford, with its pretty houses, railway station, post office, and three churches. The house was a small, old-fashioned farm-house, 30 X 40 feet, with small L (or wing) for kitchen and woodshed, and one-and-a-half storeys high, the lower flat divided into a wonderful number of tiny rooms, with two staircases, so narrow and steep that it was to me a marvel how any person of ordinary proportions ever succeeded in getting up or down. I however managed to get to the top, and found myself in what is called in Nova Scotia an *' unfinished chamber," that is, an attic merely partitioned with rough boards, with no plaster, but with windows, and in warm weather quite fit to sleep in. The roof slopes down nearly to the floor. I was strongly reminded of mice, and heard one half had been used as a granary. It was evident that much must be done before the accommodation could be made in any degree sufficient for our large family. I therefore, as soon as possible, rented two fii i! 68 O u CO o 'A Q O 09 < IX ^ a? u CO 09 o I : i ■ • ■Plilppp WHAT THEY DID ON LANDING THERE. 95 I \ cottages ia the neighbourhood^ one a quarter of a mile to the east, the other half-way to Aylesford, so that we had no lack of bedrooms, and used to meet at the farm in time for breakfast. The house there being speedily in the hands of "'orkmen, we lived chiefly \ « outside ! The alterations had begun actively two or three weeks before I brought the children from Halifax. The first thing I did was to knock down almost all the partitions in the house. There is only one room left now as it was then, or nearly so, always known as the parlour. When the rest of the space was cleared, it gave us a good-sized hall and staircase in the middle, the parlour aforesaid to the west, and to the east a larger room, divided from the hall by folding doors, which, when finished, was in those days the living-room of the family. At the time I am writing of it was not finished, had not even windows in it, but the weather was fine, and we were not easily discouraged. The parlour was the only room we had. In it we had our meals, at least for the grown-np people. The children, fortunately, were content with the greater freedom of the porch. When the i'^\Q was cleared of food it was speedily replaced by sewing, clothes to be ironed, letters to be written, apples to be pared, and a host of odd jobs too numerous to men- tion — ^all had to be done in that wonderful room. No wonder I have a liking for it — for the sake of that busy struggling season. At this time I did all the 96 OUR CHILDREN. driving of express waggon necessary, having no one else to do it. The first day I was in Aylesford, after the children came, I drove fourteen hours — from 5.30 a.m. till 8.80 p.m., with very short intervals for break* fast, dinner, and tea — in order to get our goods from the station and the actual necessaries of life that we could not do without. Then the next thing was to add a storey to the house, and I was toli the easiest way was to raise the roof bodily, and build chambers in between. No sooner was this begun than I found it would be better for the sick boy to sleep on the premises. So, with my maid, I elected to stay with him. I must say I felt a little nervous when, in the course of the afternoon, I looked up and saw the roof under which we were to sleep raised on blocks About nine feet above its original position, like an umbrella. How- ever, I was told there was no danger, and in the be- lief of this we slept like tops ! I have since been thankful the nights were calm. All this time our children were leaving us and going to new homes, where they received a warm welcome, and gave great satisfaction. In September the second party arrived — thirty-six. I went to meet them in Halifax, and when we reached Aylesford the whole neighbourhood assembled at the railway station to bid us welcome, and brought their *' teams," or waggons, to help VLB to carry the party and their baggage home j WHAT THEY DID ON LANDING THERE. 97 1 and as they kindly thought I should be less comfort- able at our unfinished house, from the influx of so many of our children, they had arranged that I should visit each of the neighbours in turn until my rooms were supposed to be fit to be occupied ; and I must say their evident sympathy with, and pleasure in, the welfare of our children was very comforting and re* assuring. I remained at the farm till November, when I re- ceived very urgent requests from Scotland to go home, 80 that I gave np the idea of staying the winter. I sailed in the s.s. Carthaginian from Halifax on the 8th November, returning in April, 1887. a CHAPTER XI. WHAT WE DID IN 1887-8. M ^ I i. ■I ^¥ In the last chapter I told you of the work we had to begin on our arrival at Hillfoot Farm, of enlarging and adapting the farmhouse to the wants of its new and numerous tenants. I left r '^ in order as far as I could for completing the new wing (or L *^s it is called in Nova Scotia) to the east of the old house, and which was to contain kitchen, laundry, nursery store- room, bath-rooms downstairs ; and upstairs, six good large bedrooms, and over that the boys' attics. This part of the building was framed, roofed and finished out- side before I left, but inside much had to be done, and the inconvenience was considerable. However, with good fires, and happily a mild winter, no one seemed to sufier from it. Our children grew and throve. They were in great request, and went to homes as quickly as the necessary inquiries could be made, which, according to my plan, takes some little time. But in the spring so many had gone that there was room for 99 H O i I a" M •0 Ex 8 fa to a CO 03 ►^ H U9 CO CO ^ H 10 H CO D o H m WHAT WE DID IN 1887-8. loi another large party, and I went out in April with fifty- six children. As my friend Mr. H proposed joining a relative in British Columbia^ I took with me as farmer Mr. James Peggie, who had been in my service in Scotland for many years ; and on our arrival we set to work in earnest to complete the main building, and to make an efficient set of stone drains in order to carry off the sarface water, which at some seasons rushes down the mountain with considerable force. Besides doine this, we re-laid the pipes which conduct the water to the house from tho springs on the mountain, and then proceeded to fence the orchards and pasture. This, with the necessary work of crops and caring for the stock already on hand, was as much as we could under- take that season, and we felt it better to leave other improvements until we had completed those begun. I forgot to mention what has been of great profit, and that is an arrangement for collecting the soapsuds from the laundry, and applying it to the crops by means of a water cart. But all this time, to my great annoyance, the front side cf the house, with only the road between, was still disfigured by the old barns, stables, etc., which had to be left until we could do better. Early that fall we laid out a fruit garden to the west of the house, with strawberries and raspberries ; the black and red currants and gooseberries we brought from Scotland i ««■ 103 OUR CHILDREN. next year — and this has been mosfc productive — lo that in October, 1887, I again returned to Scotland, leaving the party at the Home wonderfully more com- fortable than any of us had been on our arrival, but still in want of more accommodation, and many comforts and conveniences which I proposed to add as oppor- tunity served. At this time I determined to wind up my personal responsibility with regard to the Homes in Scotland, and to transfer my efiforts to forwarding the interests of our children in Nova Scotia. My time in Scotland that winter was mainly occupied in carry- ing this out, and arranging for the final exodus of such workers as had decided to accompany our chil- dren to New Scotland. In this I was much aided by Mr. James Peggie, who had returned to Scotland with me in October, 1887, and in March following sailed with a party of boys and girls, who were accompanied by Mrs. Hill, matron in one of the Girls' Homes. To accommodate the boys I had again to rent a house close by. I followed in April, having now no home of my own in Scotland. As may be supposed, this was a very trying time for me, both as regards the history of the work, in leaving the Homes in Scotland, where I had worked so long, and been the means of rescuing so many children from cruelty, to be carried on by others— and trying, too, as regarded my own personal feeling. Be- member, I was literally leaving all — my own home. WHAT WE DID IN 1887-8. »03 and its comforts, country, friends and kindrec*. I was going away for at least three years, to fight a hand-to-hand battle with poverty and hard work, heavily weighted with a number of young and help- less children. Surely no one can doubt fhe love for them which induced me to do this 1 I thank the God of all mercies that I have been successful in provid- ing for so many. I cannot leave this stage in my journey without thanking my dear friend Miss Hope Johnstone for her great kindness and hospitality to me during my last fortnight at that time in Scotland, which I spent with her at her beautiful place, Marchbankwood, and there regained sufficient strength to enable me to undertake the voyage, worn out as I was by the work, care, and anxiety consequent on such an undertaking. I believe, but for this timely rest and tender nursing, I would not have been able either for the voyage or the work which lay before me on my landing ; and I shall be grateful all my life. In May another party of children were sent by the directors in charge of Mrs. Yass and Mrs. James Peggie. This party had been joined by several children from Miss CroalPs Home for Destitute Children, in Stirling. Having now mustered our party, we lost no time in using the fine weather to complete the house accommodation required for a permanent colony. In the meantime I rented a commodious farmhouse close 104 OUR CHILDREN. by for the new-comers. That summer, 1888, we actually built and adapted three houses ; one is the north wing to the main house, which was required to give schoolroom, summer kitchen, and store-rooms, large enough for our winter supplies ; for as we eat wholesale (as to numbers), I have to buy wholesale, and flour and meal by the car-load. In this north wing there are three nice bedrooms; one is known as the "Prophet's Chamber," or "Hole in the Wall," like Elisha was made welcome to long ago, just enough to hold a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamf — we don't use candlesticks! This is, as its name implies, set apart for the ministers who come by turns to preach to us once in four weeks, and thus we have service every Sunday evening. At a quarter to seven the big bell (now promoted to a cupola on the ^op of the house) rings a cheery summons, and we all assemble, with the many neighbours, who gather often to the number of one hundred, to worship God in the school- room, and hear the message the minister has to t^U us. He has probably driven a long way to deliver it, for country circuits in these parts are very extensive. A large number of young men attend these meetings, and come a long way to do so. They are now most orderly, and certainly listen with great attention to the truths of the Gospel, the free Ooapel, the Good News of the Love of God, and salvation voYf by the WHAT WE DID IN 1887-8. 105 Lord Jesus Christ offered freely to all. Our watch- word is " Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." This is every Sunday evening affection- ately pressed upon all, though no doubt from various points of view — ^for we try not to make the meeting tiresome or formal, but THE MESSAGE is always given ; and that the people are impressed is shown by the regularity and interest with which they attend the meetings. Our children lead the singing, and all join heartily. Before we had the schoolroom these meetings were held in the dining-room and hall thrown together by folding doors ; but now, having larger accommodation and a separate entrance, we can invite and provide for many more. I ought to add that the Sunday evening service is very often turned into a Temperance meeting — but this will come under the head of Temperance Work — in another chapter. As to public worship, we are three miles from the village churches, but still we go in considerable numbers. All walk who can do so, and those who cannot, drive, or take it in turn to stay at home. We are perfectly unsectarian, and are helped and referred to alike by ministers of all Pro- testant denominations — Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Methodist or Baptist. Every Sunday we have regular Sunday school with the old-fashioned concomitant of "Sunday sweeties'' and reward tickets, which are \ '!! io6 Oi/H CHILDREN. preserved carefully and pasted into a book for each child as a remembrance of " Sundays at Home." . i e have also plenty of singing all through the Sab- bath Day. So much for our north wing and its uses. Besides this wing we built, that summer of 1888, a new and pretty house for our farmer, Mr. James Peggie, in a convenient situation near the proposed site of the New Barn. Close to it is the Boys' House, which, though we did not build, we finished and adapted. This is a wonderful country for easily changing everything, even the situation of buildings ; houses, barns, and churches move along the road contentedly, and take up new quarters apparently without suffering in the process ; so our boys' house walked or Tolled> up the road nearly half a mile, and there it is as comfortable as possible — a good two- storey dwelling**; and there live our working lads and boys above ten years, with their housekeeper. So much for buildings completed. In honour of this crisis in our history as settlers, I took the opportunity of expressing my gratitude to all those friends who had so kindly welcomed and helped us on our arrival, by having a great "house warming" at Christmas, our acquaintance being large and dis- tricts scattered. I felt the utter hopelessness of sending out invitations; so the various clergymen within reach kindly announced the Sunday before Christmas that 09 ^ is 00 < > i a" O CO a" fa • as H » CO n 00 ^3 5S 107 ■■p WHAT WE DID IN 1887-8. 109 " Miss Stirling would be at Home on the 4th January, from 4 to 8 p.m., and would be glad to see any friends of our children who would like to visit her at that time." The invitation was accepted, if not from " Dan to Beersheba/' at least from a radius of over eight miles. The result was a gathering of 800 people ! But we were ready for them ! All hands in all the houses had been busy baking cakes and preparing other good things, and the men and boys had done their share in decorating the rooms. I threw open the whole lower part of the house, brought down all our pictures (including many views of Scotland, in which our friends were much interested) to the servants' hall and corridor. The schoolroom was lined with the beautiful cards of object lessons, which were given to us before leaving Scotland by the Granton Public School, and w^ich were greatly admired. We had as much music as possible. The musical boxes, and '' Bunny's performance" gave great satisfaction. Bunny is a wonderful mechanical rabbit, who is one of the most valued possessions of our children, who does wonders 1 1 There was a Christmas tree in the school- room, from which the visitors bought little things for the benefit of our children. We had fortunately provided plenty of tea, cake and fruit in the dining- room. Our more intimate friends were most kind in no OUR CHILDREN. attending to and entertaining the gaests, and helping the cause generally. And at 8 o'clock precisely the assembly broke up, declaring they had erjoyed them- selves thoroughly. CHAPTER XII. VARIOUS EVENTS IN 1889-90. At the close of the last year I had bought^ to great advantage a wood lot of fifty acres^ with a view to building the new bam; and after the Christmas holidays the men and big boys set'^ to work to chop timber for it. This they did so energetically that while some of our neighbours were lamenting they could hardly get cordwood out of the woods, by the spring we had it nearly all down in the yard, ready for the portable saw-mill which I intended to hire ; but finding the terms so high and time required so un- certain, I decided it would be cheaper to buy one and continue sawing on my own account. My share of preparing for the new barn was draw- ing the complete plan of it and arranging dimensions of timber required with the master carpenter who had undertaken to frame it, Mr. Collins, so as to give the exact size of every stick required to the sawyer when the mill began work the first week of June. That this was somewhat of an undertaking 111 iia OUR CHILDRElf. I you will understand, when I tell you the barn is one hundred feet by sixty, and everything (except piggery and sheep house added next year) is under one roof — stabling for six horses, including excellent loose box, stalls and boxes for over thirty head of cattle, coach- house, into which we drive in bad weather, and har- ness-room above, granary, silo, root cellar, and large space for farm implements ; besides, of course, large storage for hay and straw on the second storey. The improved plan in Nova Scotia is to drive into the barn floor at one end and out at the other, after unload- ing the hay and grain by a patent fork worked by a horse, which saves time enormously ; but it is some work to build these driveways of stone. I planned the barn to use a» much stone as possible, as we had more than we wanted on the place in the shape of old stone fences, negieued heaps, etc., which have now all (or very nearly so) been put out of sight in good stone drains, cement floors, and roads to barn and mill. There was also a great deal of good building stone used for the barn basement, nine feet high and six- teen inches thick, which I preferred to the cellar plan usual in Nova Scotia, as I do not see the good of keep- ing the manure underneath the stables, and thus con- verting a good barn into an unsavoury manure shed. J am glad to see my ideas on this subject lately advocated by some of the leading farming journals in Canada. The stables, cowhouse, and piggery are kept perfectly 8 00 > o 8 n Q 1-1 n o H CO ad o u ■«1 n m I. lis ^H^ VARIOUS EVENTS IN 1889-90. "5 dry by the water from the stalls being ran into a tank outside and pumped into the water-cart at the proper season for the crops. The only defect in our barn site is the lack of a sufficient water-supply. That I have remedied by three large tanks, one at each end of the barn proper, and one in the boiler house of the piggery. They are eight feet by ten, to ten feet by twelve, and eight feet deep, built solidly and cemented so as to be thoroughly watertight, and into these all the water from the immense roofs is led. It is perfectly clean soft water, having no smoke within reach, and has been amply sufficient for our large stock of animals, with the advantage oi never freezing , The stables, cowhouses and piggery, as well as sheephouses, are thoroughly lighted, and ventilated by small boxes on the roof, just above the stalls, and on the apex of each building are two large cupolas for the same purpose. In the glass turret in the middle of the barn roof I intend some time to make a little room, when we are rich enough in timber to make a stair- case up to it! The view would be really splendid. I must do Mr. Smith, mason, the justice to say he made a good job of the basement, and the fine granite blocks split and hauled off our fields make grand comer stones, and certainly the farm generally has much benefited by the stones being thus put to good use. Il6 OUR CHILDREN. Mr. George Macgregor has also great credit by the woodwork of the building, of which he was foreman. The wood required for barn alone was 115,000 feet of lumber, and this our men and boys, with very little help, cut, hauled, and sawed, since January, in time to have the barn finished by October, 1889. Of course, to collect so much stone and timber I had to get extra working oxen, and employ a few labourers for the summer, besides the carpenters required. When the frame was to be raised, we invited twenty-five neighbours to come and give us a day's work. Twenty-five more came and ofifered their services; this, with ten men of our own, made sixty for dinner in the schoolroom that wonderful day, and I was truly thankful when it was all raised (like a great skeleton on some old-world animal, against the sky) without any accident i Still more thankful when all those who had worked at the building met at a cheerful supper in the same place on the occasion of its com- pletion, when K. Sutherland, Esq., Windsor and Annapolis Bailway, took the chair, and Mr. Bobert Graves came to meet us. Our next year's (1890) experiences of building the piggery and sheep-house were so similar, on a smaller scale, that I will not trouble you with them, except to remark that, as an illustration of how" every little helps,'' it was wonderful to see how much even very little ones of six or seven years old helped the building ) I ) VARIOUS EVENTS IN 1889-90. 117 by picking up little stODes for the stone drains and cement floors. I was often amused to see half of them running after the ox-cart which was to collect the stones, and the other half carrying them inside the building to the masons. I must say the patience and good nature of these men towards our children was beyond all praise — in fact, they spoilt them dreadfully, as I often lamented to them — but in vain I Any way, the children were very happy. There was another successful effort of a different kind carried through in 1889, which is, I believe, likely to be of use to many besides our children — I mean the passing, in the House of Assembly, New Brunswick, "An Act in Addition to and Amend- ment of Chapter 70 of the Consolidated Statutes of Minors and Apprentices " — which was intro- duced by the Hon. D. L. Hannington, and received the cordial support of Sir John Allen, Chief Jus- tice of New Brunswick, and Hon. A. G. Blair, Attorney- General, New Brunswick. The object of the Act is to provide more efficiently for the protection of emigrant and other poor children in New Brunswick, as has been for some years the statute in Nova Scotia. The need of such an Act was felt in the one case of difficulty about our children in New Brunswick, on which occasion I received the utmost help and sympathy from the authorities. The following letter from the Hon. D. L. Hannington ii8 OUR CHILDREN. will show the estimation in which my work for our children is held in New Branswick : — DoRCHBSTBR, N.B., Jan. 26^A, 1892. My dear Miss Stirling, — I am very sorry to learn that your health has not been so good as usual, and that you intend removing for a time from our sister province, but trust that any temporary change in your arrangements will not hinder that most laudable and charitable work you have been engaged in among us. The children whom you have settled in these provinces, and who have been under your kind consideration and supervision, will no doubt generally be successful, and prove a blessing, we trust, to themselves, as also to the communities in which they live. They promise to be good citizens, and their comfort and success are undoubtedly due to your un- tiring care and generous liberality. It affords me great satisfaction to know that at your suggestion I had the honour to introduce into the Legislature of this province the Bill (now law) passed in 1889, which provides suitable guarantees for the proper care, control and protection of those children whom yourself and others are bringing from " home " to become residents among us. The good conduct of those in our province taking these little strangers into their homes, has, I am glad to know, been such, that the provisions of the Act have not yet had to be enforced against them. We trust it may continue. In the one case of difficulty in 1888, when you took the children back, your conduct elicited from the Chief Justice, Sir John Allen, the expression of his high esteem and ap- preciation of yourself in your good work ; and whc i the Bill came before the Legislature, the statement of tne work, and charity of yourself especially (and other of your co-workers), VARIOUS EVENTS IN 1889-90. 119 in the intercut of the unfortunate and suffering, won the unanimous support of our Legislature to your desired legislation. I sent you a copy of the Act when passed. Hoping that your health may soor. he quite restored, wishing you rest and hai/piness during your stay at home, I have the honour to be, with great respect, Yours very sincerely, D. L. HANNINGTON, M.P.P. I wish I could speak only of joy and success in 1889-90, but in many respects these were years of peculiar trial. In April, 1889, there came the greatest sorrow we have had at the Hillf oot Farm, in the sudden illness and death of my dear boy R. H , aged four- teen (he came to me at eight years old), who, from get- ting wet and heedlessly neglecting to change his damp clothes, caught rheumatic fever, and after an acute ill- ness of three weeks, passed away early in May. When he was first taken ill I went over to nurse him at the Boys' House, and watched him two nights there ; but finding this too fatiguing, and the arrangements of necessity less suitable for sickness, I had him carried over in his bed by four men, who were most tender and careful in the transit, from which he did not seem to sufier. I put him in one of the visitor's rooms to ensure quiet, and nursed him night and day, with the help of oar best nurses, but at the end of a fortnight tbe doctor told me there was imminent danger. I :;ould hardly realize that he would die. Among the • 1 ftl 120 OUR CHILDREN, many hundreds who had passed through the Homes, and whom I had nursed in all kinds of illness, I had never lost a child above two years old, and I could not expect it. But I thought, if the doctor was right, it was cruel not to tell R how near he might be to his journey's end. I hardly knew how to begin, but in the evening, when as usual I helped him to pray at bedtime like the little ones, I mustered courage to say,— " My dear, the doctor thinks you are very ill ; he thinks you may not get better. I think you will, dear ; but IF NOT, if the doctor is right, and that the message has come for you to go, are you ready, my darling ? " " Yes" said R very low. I said, " You love Jesus, don't you, R ? You would not be afraid to go to Him ? " I had risen from my knees and bent over him. I am afraid I was crying. The boy looked up in my face with such a bright sweet smile, and said in a steady and wonderfully strong voice, " Yes, I love Jesus ; I have known Him a long, long time, and Vm not a hit afraid to go home to Him now.** Then he drew my head down to him and kissed me, saying, " Don't mind, ma'am." He liked very much to have us sing to him in a low tone ; the hymn he liked best was that one of Sankey's, •' O land of rest, for thee I sigh," and often asked for it. And in about a week R was gathered home. The grief of the whole colony was most touching. I VARIOUS EVENTS m 1889-90. 121 especially the boys. His compaDions wept bitterly as we laid him to rest in the peaceful burying-groand at the Methodist Gharch, where the trees have been cleared away to give room for the white church and its peaceful God's acre. We had a short but impressive funeral service in the schoolroom, and all the women and girls, as well as man and ^'^ys, went to the grave. Truly the feeling manifested on this occasion proves how true it is that ''the Lord setteth the solitary in families." There were other trials in these years, of which 1 will speak in another chapter. But in 1890 a great help was given to me by my cousin J. H coming to stay with me, and, finding the life suit him, stayed all winter, and in spring purchased the adjoining farm, so that we have now 650 acres to look after, which is a greali field for our boys. O land of rest, for thee I sigh, When will the moment come, When I shall lay my armour by And dwell in peace at home ? Chorus— We'll work, we'll work till Jesus comes, And we'll be gathered home ! To Jesus Christ I fled for rest. He bade me ".ease to roam. And lean for succour on His breast, Till He conduct me home. 122 OUR CHILDREN. I sought at once my Saviour's side, No more my steps shall roam, With Him I'll brave death's chilling tide, And reach my heavenly home. CHAPTER XIII. OUB MILL AND W0BK8H0PS. In my last chapter^ in giving an account of prepara- tions to build the barn, I mentioned I had found it better to buy instead of hiring a saw-mill, and to con- tinue sawing on my own account. This proved a most successful venture. After sawing the lumber (Anglic^ timbers and boards) for the buildings, we had plenty of work to do for our neighbours at a fairly remunerative price, and as I added a grist mill, which could be worked by the engine by simply adjusting a different belt, we were never a day idle, as the har- vest begins almost directly after the season for sawing lumber is over. Grist is brought in the whole winter, so that the toll, or portion left as payment, goes a long way towards feeding our cattle. It makes the Hill- foot Farm a busy place, for there is always some order on hand at the mill, and in winter it is a curious sight to see, as soon as snow comes, the great logs being "hauled" along the road to the mill on ox-sleds. Sometimes horses are used, and the men, generally with long beards, in their (to Scotch eyes) strange 133 mtmrn HOH 124 OUR CHILDREN. I winter costume — fur caps which cover their ears, long coats with leather band round the waist, high boots or larrigans, which are moccasins of undressed leather, big enough to hold several pairs of stockings, and mittens. Altogether, they look more like pictures one has seen of Cossacks than anything else. For the last few ^ears we have had comparatively little snow, and when it comes, every man and boy, horse and ox, is busy getting cord wood (fuel) out of the woods and swamps, and hauling logs to the mills, so that the roads are alive with sleds of every description, taking advantage of the smooth snow making transit easy. At the old mill we saw most of them pass near the house. I say the old mill, for, alas ! last year our beautiful mill and convenient building over it, in- cluding the joinei'^s shop, was burnt to the ground, in the middle of a summer's night, in a most mysterious way. We could not account for it, and there seemed reason to fear some unfair play, but we do not know, and so cannot say anything about it ; but the loss has been very great, about $3,000 (£600 sterling). I felt that it would be better to re-build it in another situa- tion, as the wonder was how the other buildings had escaped the slightest damage. But this time it is placed beyond all risk to them, and now the mill is thoroughly insured. I was advised to replace it, as it is a very profitable adjunct, and we had established quite a small lumber trade. Will any friends help me 1 8 > o a" (4 En 1-3 M H J" i4 n ■"1 = M tr 125 I , OUR MILL AND WORKSHOPS. 127 to pay for what is an excellent method of training and providing employment for a number of boys, as this and the carpenter's shop always must be? Besides sawing lumber and grinding grist, we have a shingle mill, the proceeds of which are in constant demand, and pay well. Shingles are a sort of wooden slate used to cover roofs and walls. The engine also cuts all the firewood used in the houses, which is all ex- cellent training for the boys. Everything connected with the management of wood is valuable to them in Nova Scotia. This summer (1892) we must build a house for the sawyer close to the mill. Of course, having the wood and machinery of our own enables us to do this at less cost, but I do hope friends who have any money to spare will help those who help themselves as really we and our children do. The joiner's shop is never idle. In it we make all sorts of things, from ox-yokes and Dutch racks (a kind of rough farm waggon) to strawberry boxes, which the very little boys make on winter afternoons, and which sell well in the berry season. Besides these articles we make nice furniture for the houses as required — tables, benches, cupboards, varnished and otherwise, washing-stands, clothes screens, etc., etc., and do all the jobbing carpenter work required in most country houses. This is an item to consider, as we are now quite a small village. Friends who m 138 OC/H CHILDREN. wish to save and train destitute boys and lads of good charaoter^ from ten to fifteen or sixteen years, could not, I belie ve, have a better opening and school for them than onr farm and workshops. This, I think, is borne out by their success when they leave us. m CHAPTER XIV. OUR CHILDREN AT HOME AND ABROAD. In the last number of " Oar Children " I gave an account of their life at home at Hillfoot Farm^ so that it may be somewhat tedious to repeat ; but still, for the sake of new friends, it may be well to give a few details, and I shall then leave other friends, who have frequently visited us, to give their own account of the Home and our doings there. In summer we have to make the most of our time. The workers in the house and out of it, rise at 5 a.m., as the men and boys must have their breakfast at 6.30, after doing the morning chores. The breakfast for the various classes in the big house goes on till 8.30. Prayers in the schoolroom at 9, when the children settle to lessons and the women and girls go to the forenoon's work. I am then ready to meet them, and make a round of visits to kitchen, laundry, school- room, nursery, and bedrooms, not forgetting the poultry -house, I forgot to say our latest improvement was to make a beautiful one out of the old stable and 129 T 130 OUR CHILDREN. coach-house, which provides ample acGommodation for our turkeys, geese, ducks and hens. We then all go on with our work, and I write letters till 12. Then usually when school is over, and the men and boys are coming in to dinner — at 12 till 1 — somebody or other wants me most of the time till 1. The children dine at 12.30, the rest of the family at 1 o'clock. At 2 we all settle to the afternoon's work. The children usually go to play in the " liiiU woods,*' a pretty, shady nook across the ravine behind the barn, with somebody looking after them, or pick berries to make jam for them later en. There are immense quantities of wild strawberries^ rasps, and blackberries on the farms, and down on the Caribou Bog, as it is called, about four miles off, any amount of blueberries. Every year we have one or two picnics to go and gather these. Of course only those big enough to pick well and steadily go, to say nothing of the risk of infants being lost on the wide- spreading bog, which extends for miles. I need not say these ploys are a great delight. Few people of any age will be found doing nothing round the doors, as I have great faith in Dr. Watts* statement as to the ingenuity of somebody with a bad name providing employment for idle hands, and I never find it fail when the hands and heads are so left empty. Flay is most desirable* Idleness is destruc- OUR CHILDREN AT HOME AND ABROAD. 131 tion. All boys of eight or nine get something to do with the men, in farm work or the workshop, even bringing in kindlings and firewood. The women and girls have enough to do to cook, bake, clean house, wash, iron, and sew for such a party. Yet we have plenty of music and recreation too. Tea at 6, prayers ■at 8.30, supper at 9 ; and I expect everybody to go a bed at 10, except on Saturday nights, when a general and extensive tubbing takes place. In winter the hours are the same, except that no one rises till 6 o'clock, and of course the children must be occupied and amused indoors instead of out. They make strawberry boxes in the afternoon, when the material is to be had, which is not until February or March, our most inclement weather. And they (when there were more boys of ten and twelve years than could be employed in the barn) used to irake toy furniture, boxes, etc. When our party increases, this will be revived. At other times, in bad weather, they have what we call a *'play school," when the boys as well as the girls knit, draw, etc., and are allowed to talk quietly at the same time. There is also a collection of toys, which are given out on these occasions, and returned to the teacher when play school is over, about 4.30. Some of the bigger ones have learned to make common scrapbooks for the little ones, by cutting out pictures, advertisement;* chiefly! and pasting them on strong brown paper. ■n 132 OUR CHILDREN. stitched together. I save every mite of a picture or coloured paper for this purpose . In fine winter weather, when there is hard frost and snow, their " skdis " are a great joy and delight, as our slopes are capital for " coasting." The big boys are very kind to them in making these, and each has one. The fan seems to consist in the child throwing himself on his stomach on this arrangement, which forthwith, and without the slightest warning (it seems to me), shoots like lightning down the nearest hill, the performer uttering shrieks of rapture, and dancing like a wild Indian when he reaches the bottom. I cannot help feeling nervous, and don't like to look at them while this is in progress ; but they never seem to get hurt ; and with a lot of boys, really, if they are happy and not in mischief , I can but be happy too. And it evidently agrees with them, for a more sturdy, active, merry, independent set of little fellows you seldom see. And although they have all good appe- tites (bless them !),and will wear out their clothes, and will outgrow their boots with fearful rapidity, they are very good children. This is the almost Invariable testimony I receive from those who have taken them^ as well as the character they bear in the neighbour- hood of %e Home. I have finished the description of our winter's life when I have again alluded to our Friday evening merry-making in the schoolroom, which is begun OUR CHILDREN AT HOME AND ABROAD. IS.-J «very year at Hallow-e'en and continued till Marcli, when all in the houses are invited at 6.30. The little ones stay up till 8.30 to enjoy it, and big and little dance reels and country dances, play games and sing songs to their hearts* content. There is a general preparation in the way o! " tidying " for the occasion ; and at the close we take care to have ready some sweeties, cakes, or " jelly -pieces," and disperse at 9 o'clock, very happy. I make a point of keeping up this custom, as we have a long dull winter, and I think it positively very bad for children and young people to be kept without reasonable amusement and variety. At Christmas we have great doings. The Christ- mas shopping is a great event, and conducted with the utmost caution and secrecy — consists of gifts for everybody in the houses, not all painfully useful ! but toys, goodies, pretty things, and a great many useful things too. I find this institution will have to be oontinued, as about July requests and suggestions are made by the smaller members as to what they think ^' Santa Glaus " should bring them " at Christmas." I used to fill their stockings, but having stayed up one Christmas morning until 1 a.m. for this purpose, and having carried it out successfully (as I thought), was interrupted at the close by a perfect chorus of •congratulation. I never did it again ! My sleep is too precious to be wasted on such very wideawake people ! '34 OUR CHILDREN. I I To return to Christmas Eve. In the course of the day the boys have followed up a thorough house- cleaning, which has been going on for nearly a week, by bringing evergreens, and the house is decorated before evening, and the Christmas tree decorated and filled with its nice things in the schoolroom. When all is ready, about 7 p.m., everybody, old and young, in the various houses, every man, woman, and child on the place, assemble in the drawing-room, and I read the Christmas reading which we have read together for so many years — Isaiah ix. 1-9 and St. Luke ii. 1-20 — sing the Christmas hymn, "Once in royal David's city," and pray. Then we all go down to th& schoolroom, and admire and benefit by the Christmas tree, which is amusement enough till 9 o'clock, when, very happy and rather sleepy, most of the assembly want to go to bed, and get ready for to-morrow, with its "Merry Christmas," all good wishes all round, Christmas cards, and — Christmas dinner of roast beef and plum-pudding. Those who have left us are not forgotten, as I send everyone of them a Ch^stmaa card, with loving greeting, and receive a pile of such in reply or anticipation. This completes my story of our children's life at home. My friend, Mrs. Gee, will now give her account of it, and after her, Dr. Lawson and other friends will give their opinion of our children and their surroundings at home — at Hillfoot Farm. OUR CHILDREN AT HOME AND ABROAD. 135 Methodist Parsonage, Middleton, Annapolis Co., Nova Scotia, Fth. Uh, 1892. Passing the world-famed land of " Evangeline," and entering the Annapolis Valley by the vVindsor and Annapolis Bailway, we have often heard travellers inquiring about the picturesque group of buildings nestling at the foot of thG North Mountain, in the vicinity of Aylesford. A few times we have felt glad to have the chance of giving full information ; more frequently, however, we have been obliged to sit and hear meagre and incorrect details given about the history, past and present, of " Miss Stirling's Homes," Hill- foot Farm. As the honoured founder and supporter is about to extend the work by giving a hearty invitation to destitute children — amongst fresh people in fresh places — perhaps a few words from a disinterested and constant visitor may be received with interest. At this point in the history of the work a summary will be given by the founder herself, so that no statistics need be repeated here. It is rather of the home element in these Homes of which we would now speak. Since the commencement of the work in this country from two to three hundred children have been received into the homes of the people, the great majority of them giving satis- faction and doing well in the truest sense of the term. Again and again persons having these children have spoken to us of the constant proofs given by them of their love for Miss Stirling, and the happy recollections of their home with her ; others say " marvellous," " wonderful." Still others ask, •' Whence this strong bond of union ? " Perhaps the secret can only be discovered and understood by those who are often in their midst. It is not found in the literal " giving food to the hungry," or "clothing to the naked," though we would to God that all children everywhere could have this r 136 OUR CHILDREN. I literal work done for them. Alas, alas ! even this week we read of hundreds going to school in the city of London " without breakfast, and no prospect of dinner or tea ! " Soon after our arrival on the Aylesford circuit three and a half years ago, we were shown over the buildings by the founder. The most striking thing to us was, not the noble arrangements for the bodily comfort of the children, but l^ir own manner of dealing with the children. Now a fat rosy boy, then a happy-looking girl — scarce able to speak plainly— would appear from all corners, and with a pull at her dress exclaim, *' Tirling ! Tirling ! " but the look in the hahy eyes — who could portray it? — of fullest confidence and entreaty, for what the human heart, old or young, everywhere craves, the soft touch of a loving hand on the cheek, the hug, the kiss !— all this these children got ere they were sent off to their play. Millions in other days have given thanks to God for that precious narrative which tells of Christ and the children. Millions more will yet give thanks for it. If the children brought to Him then had needed bread or clothing, we believe those disciples would have tried to supply them willingly. But oh, that further action on the part of Christ our example— f^a^ folding to the heart ! What pen can tell of all it means to the human soul ? How the world yearns for more of it to-day ! This is the element permeating the lives of these children of whom we write ; it is shown in everything that goes to make up life to them, in the way they are taught the commandments of God, in the observance of all Christian festival seasons, down to the care of a sore toe or finger. This is the element into which other children are now invited, to enter and partake. Within and without the gospel " law of kindness " reigns ; the large stock of animals and fowls, as well as the wild birds, come in for their full share of love. If the venerable " Father Chirpie " and noble J OUR CHILDREN A7 HOME AND ABROAD. 137 1 " Uncle Toby " of Dicky Bird fame, presiding over their thousands upon thousands of captains, officers, and members, could spare time to visit the leafy shades of Hillfoot Farm, they would be very much delighted. Some of the most precious memories of our stay on the Aylesford circuit are in connection with our intimacy at their Homes — watching the effect of good food and tender <;are upon the delicate boj^ or fragile girl, until all have become alike rosy and strong, saying " Good-night" to them snugly tucked up in their warm beds, when all with folded hands and closed eyes would say, " God bless all the little ■children in the world." Eeading God's truth with them, and kneeling for prayer in the morning, sharing in their games, etc., etc. Not much more than a dozen j^ears ago we supplied daisies and buttercups to children in cities, who had never seen a daisy growing, never been in green fields, knowing nothing •of murmuring brooks or of singing birds, as they abound .around Hillfoot Farm. Much, much has been done since then in the way of trips to the country for a day or more. Still there is so much to be done, and xq can never, never forget these suffering children as wc gaze upon the luxurious abundance of flowers and fruit in these favoured provinces. We close with a prayer that God may direct His people to send of His most needy little ones to where " there is bread enough and to spare," until the doors now opened unto Christ Himself by one of His followers, shall all be filled. Bemaining the attached and devoted friend of " Our Chil- dren," Mrs. (Eev.) JOHN GEE. ^ Halifax, Nova Scotia, Qth February, 1892. In , September last I accompanied my friend, the Eev. Dean Ellis, Eector of Sackville, on a visit to Miss Stirling's 138 OUR CHILDREN, " Home for Children," at Aylesford, in this province. "We spent part of two days there, enjoying the hospitality of Miss Stirling and her cousin. We visited every part of the estab- lishment, the school and play-rooms, work and mending* rooms, washing and drying rooms, dairy, pantries, kitchen dormitories, and the large room used for worship and social meetings, which neighbours as well as the servants and children attend. The school-room was visited while^ the teacher was engaged in her work, and Mr. Ellis spent an hour in drawing out from the children the results of the useful instruction in reading and arithmetic which they were receiving. "We conversed freely with the ser- vants, male and female, while they were engaged in their everal employments, and found them to be industrious and intelligent, all working together under Miss Stirling's judicious direction in perfect harmony, with a sincere desire to do the best they could for the little ones committed to their care. The children were well and happy; they spoke affectionately to and of each other, and showed a confidence in Miss Stirling's love for them that any mother might envy. The " Home " occupies " Hillfoot Farm " ; the buildings are pleasantly situated on level ground facing the main road, and are sheltered behind by a hill range a few hundred feet high, the farm stretching up the hill, which is mostly wooded, and serves for pasturage. The level fields of the farm showed successful cultivation, the grain and root crops being in fine condition. The main building, the "Home" proper, is a commodious villa, shaded in front by old willows that were probably planted by the Acadians while Nova Scotia was a French colony, and there is an old apple orchard in rear. There are separate dwellings at some little distance off for the farm servants, The farm barn is substantial, commodious, and complete, one of the best in this country, and there is a separate piggery, commodious and well planned. Early in OUR CHILDREN AT HOME AND ABROAD. 139 the morning (before breakfast) I found several of the boys at work in the barn, feeding the cows and doing other ordinary light work, in which they took evident interest ; some I met on a pathway bringing in firewood or kindling, and others were engaged in a workshop near by. They were too young to do much effective " work," but were obtaining their early lessons in industry, and showed cheerful signs of emulation in trying to be useful. I was much pleased with what I saw on the occasion of our visit, a comfortable and happy Christian home, where. young children were being carefully brought up to habits of industry, and of regularity in the performance of daily duties, and educated for their prospective sphere in life, so as to become useful, independent, and self-respecting mem- bers of society. GEOEGE LAWSON. Professor of Chemistry in the University, and Secretary for Agriculture of Nova Scotia Government. Halifax, Nova Scotia, \htli June, 1891. My dear Miss Stirling, — Will you allow me to convey to you my best thanks for the great pleasure and profit I derived from my recent visit to your farm at Aylesford, and your large and very comfort- able Home for children there. I regret very much that you were not at home, but I nevertheless embraced the oppor- tunity to carefully go over your delightfully situated Home and well-cultivated farm, and was surprised beyond ex- pression to find that in so comparatively short a time you have brought your farm to so high a state of cultivation by many improved methods of agriculture, as is not, I believe, attained elsewhere in this province. The little ones, both boys and girls, all looked so healthy, happy, bright, and generally well kept, that I could not help- 140 OUR CHILDREN. thinking what a great change for good has been made in their lives. Tliere is every prospect that each will grow up to be a useful member of our Canadian society. I am glad that your work is already bearing good fruit, i,s those placed by you in homes in different parts of the country show, I am informed, the results of their training under your good care, and by their conduct testifj^ to the good work you are accom- plishing. I wish for you many years of continued usefulness in your .arduous, but nevertheless grand work, and trust that each year j'^ou will have greater rewards for j-our labours in the direction you have chosen for yourself. Again thanking you for the pleasure and privilege I en- joyed, I remain, yours faithfully, WALLACE Mcdonald. Barclay Webster, Esq., M.P.P. for Kings Co., N.S., writes : — Kentvillb, Feb. 6th, 1892. Dear Miss Stirling, — During my visits to Hillfoot Farm I had an opportunity of seeing how the children there under your charge were looked after and cared for. And I have much pleasure in testifying that in my opinion the well-being of the children was carefully regarded and seemed the first consideration of «,11 there. The schoolroom was under the charge of an efficient teacher and the children appeared happy, contented, well dressed, and cleanly. Yours sincerely, B. WEBSTER, M.P.P. George Whitman, Esq., M.P.P. for Annapolis Co., N.S., writes : — OUR CHILDREN AT HOME AND ABROAD. 141 Bound Hill, Annapolis, N.S., ^tn Feb., 1892. Dear Madam,— On visiting Hillfoot Farm in Aylesford, King's County, found the buildings and grounds admirably suited fo** a- school of agriculture for children. The variety of soil is well adapted to mixed farming, and gives employment to young as well as old — to the young in the care of small fruit, poulti'y, etc. The farm is protected from the cold north wind by the range of mountain along the south of the Bay of Fundy, and from the buildings you have a fine view of the valley. On visiting the schoolroom found the children comfortably situated and being taught by an efficient and painstaking teacher, and looked as though they would make themselves useful in the work for which they were being trained. Sincerely yours, GEO. WHITJIAN, M.P.P. Miss Emma M. Stirling, Hillfoot Farm, Aylesford, King's Co. Eev. A. S. Tuttle, Berwick, N.S., supernumerary minister Methodist Church, writes : — Having resided in the vicinity of Miss Stirling's Home for Children, at Hillfoot Farm, Aylesford, N.S., since it was founded, and having, had every opportunity of observing its managements, I am fully persuaded there is no institution of the kind where more ample provision is made for the physical comfort aiid religious training of the young, and where better facilities are afforded for acquiring all the elementary branches of education. The greatest care is taken to secure the best homes for the children, and in this Miss Stirling has been remarkably successful, as well as most particular and 14« OUR CHILDREN. indefatigable in seeing that the conditions made in their interest are carried out by those who adopt them or receive them in charge. There is much additional that I could say, but it is prob> ably not required. (Signed) A. S. TUTTLE. Rev. George Steel, 104, Broad Street, St;. John, N.B., writes :— St. John, N.B., Feb. 6th, 1892. Dbar Miss Stirling, — During my residence in the province of Prince Edward Island, I had great satisfaction in placing several children, who had been under your training, in suitable homes. After their adoption into those homes I visited them from time to time, and made careful inquiry about their characters. In addition to this I visited several other children, who had received the benefit of training in your institution. From all that I have both seen and heard I am most thoroughly convinced that the training you give them is admirably fitted to make good Christian men and women of those who are fortunate enough to be placed under your care. The children compare favourably in educational ability with the other children of the province. And they are also trained in habits of neatness, obedience, and reverence. Happy are the children that come under such influences. Your work is deserving of all confidence and support. May it continue to prosper ! Tours fraternally, GEOEGE STEEL, Methodist Minister. OVR CHILDREN AT HOME AND ABROAD. 143 I receive from all quarters good accounts of our •children. No doubt they are not all alike, and none of them are perfection, but they are a very well-conducted And promising set of young people, and, I must do them the justice to say, have in the vast majority of cases done what they can to do me credit and repay the care and pains bestovsed upon them. A great many have risen to positions of trust, as well as use- fulness, and are a testimony known and read of all men to the good results of the work for our children at Home and Abroad. CHAPTER XV. IHE LAST TWO YEARS. In Chapter XII. I brought the history of our work and experiences at Hilli'oot Farm down to the close of 1890. Since then there is a good deal of interest to record, but it will not be tedious. There is nothing very new as to 'aila of work done for our children at home and abroad ; but the work itself has gone on with unabated vigour. Last June we were joined by a party of children from Miss Croall's Home^ at Stirling, and except one little boy, whom I found it better to keep at home for a time, all these are now in good homes and giving satisfaction. Each year more boys and girls have been placed in suitable homes, and thus enabled to do for themselves, while leaving room for new-comers, and I rejoice to be able still to say that the reports of them which I receive from all directions are most encouraging. At Home all goes on as usual. I have reason to be thank- ful the Home element remains unbroken, and the Home feeling among those who have gone from us U4 THE LAST TWO YEARS MS seems as strong as over, judging from the piles of letters, photos, Christmas cards, and other tokens of goodwill which come from our children abroad. I have already told of the serious calamity in the destruction of the mill last year, and its rebuilding. It is now at work as busily as ever, and employs more hands. As to the farm work, we have done much to improve the stock of cattle and sheep, since there has been suitable accommodation for them in the new buildings. We have now a fine herd of registered Ayrshire cattle, and the flock of sheep has been also much im« proved. By dint of constant care and pains, we hope by-and-by it will be one of the best in the province. I must not forget the Berkshire pigs, which live in what is known as Piggy*8 Palace (which excited the admiration of Dr. Lawson), and where each family has a parlour and bedroom ! one pen for eating, the other for sleeping, with access to " Piggy's play- ground," a large sunny yard where the manure from the barn is taken, and where the pigs occupy them- selves usefully in turning it over. This part of the farm is a great amusement to visitors ; and as it is light, airy, and perfectly clean, there is nothing objec- tionable, as is too often the case where piggies are less well attended to. We have, since 1890, planted three orchards — one of 300 trees on my cousin's new farm, in a very fine K am II 146 OUR CHILDREN. situation ; one of pears, peaches, plums, and cherry trees, immediately in front of the big house (where the old barns used to stand), and which, as the ground slopes gently to the south, and is sheltered by the house to the north, bids fair to do well The third is on the tableland behind, and stretching west of the big house mentioned in my description of the farm when I bought it. We shall only be able to fill part of this ground this year, as the space is large ; but it is a gooc' piece of work to have on hand, as preparing the ground can be carried on at intervals when there is not much else to do — though that is but selJortif we find! In order to explain one great subject of interest and increased anxiety during these years, I must go back in our history to 1 886, and tell you that no sooner were we located here than my troubles began in an- other direction. A man of notoriously bad character had brought his three children to my care in 1882, and deserted them immediately after. When he applied for their admission, he stated he had been a Eoman Catholic, but was tired of the neglect and tyranny of ihe priests, and desired to have them brought up as Protestants. As I have said, he de- serted them immediately. In the course of four years he only once asked after them, and daring the same period sent £1 17^. towards their maintenance. But in 1886, finding that two of the children had been sent 'S THE LAST T^VO YEARS. M7 by the directors to Nova Scotia in tlie course of that j'ear, he consulted a priest, who recommended him to ii Roman Catholic agent, by whom he was advised to 4ipply for them. The directors then requested me to bring them home, which I did at once, but, knowing what the fate of the children would be, I was naturally unwilling to give them up if it could be avoided ; and as the father did not make any further attempt to ob- tain them, the former application to the directors was allowed to drop. After waiting five months, I sent them out again, and with them the third child, who had not been in the Homes since 1884, but had been supported at my private expense in the country, and in due course they were provided for. After eighteen months a lawsuit was instituted, which has been alike troublesome and expensive. The decision in my favour recently given by the Court in Nova Scotia in the above case has been a great relief to me. The inconvenience and outlay have been very considerable ; but, as I was advised to carry it on in the interests of poor children as well as of the Protestant cause, the risk seemed unavoidable. I cannot leave this subject without thanking my cousin J. H for his help and kindness to me all through this trying time. CHAPTER XVI. WHAT WE HOPE TO DO. This is an important chapter, but one contained in few words. I have told the story of my life's work for destitute children in the hope that many friends will be inclined to help me to carry it on, and so permanently help to save many more. I have established the Home in Nova Scotia in the hope that it will be a real home to numbers of poor children who have no other, and that it will be a safe starting-point for many boys and girls in a new coun- try, where they have the opportunity offered to them of rising in the world, as well as a home to which they can come at any time for counsel or refuge in time of trouble— to say nothing of the place where their suc- cess will always be most heartily rejoiced in by all the folks at home I We have all laboured to make the farm and work- shops an efficient training school for lads of good character, from whence they quickly obtain good situa- tions, and therefore hope that many will take advan- 148 ' > -z:::^:^ WHAT WE HOPE TO DO. 149 tage of it. We hope that the same habits of industry, faithfulness, and kindness learned in the house will help to fit many girls for being the good household helpers who are so ardently desired and warmly wel- comed on this side of the Atlantic. And I earnestly hope that this work will increase yet more and more, and that our children and their descendants will long be known as a seed whom the Lord has blessed in the maritime provinces, not to mention the States, where some of our young men and women are prospering abundantly. I trust that long after my work for chil- dren is over, they will be known as heads of godly, righteous, and sober families. I hope that God's people will consider the case of many poor children who are orphans, or worse, by reason of the cruelty of their parents. No doubt all are not suitable cases for emigration, but many are. Competent judges say the need is as great as ever in our large cities, yea, even all over the country. I, for one, dare not contradict them. Much has been done, but wiucli yet remains, and therefore I desire to open the doors of these Homes at Hillfoot Farm, N.S., as wide as possible to every destitute child. READER, "will YOU NOT HELP ME? For this .1 cry to God day and night, for this I have given my life, and I know that in this work the mimmmmmmmmmmmm IfO OU/l CHILDREN. Lord has blessed me ; so I hope by His help still to save many; body and soul^ to bring sunshine and hope into many a poor child's life^ and to lead the active steps of many young men and maidens into safe and pleasant paths. Truly, " we are not sufficient of our- selves to think anything as of ourselves, but our suffi- ciency is of God." Truly has the word been verified in our experience: "The lame shall take the prey.'* So we go on from day to day, hoping, praying, " in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord.'' CHAPTER XVII. TEMPERANCE WORK. ^ This has been a most helpful and blessed adjunct to the work for our children. We have been enabled at Hillfoot Farm to maintain a united and steady protest against drink in all its forms. It will be obvious that this is the only safety where so many young people are concerned. In it we have received cordial sympathy and support from the public generally. The Sunday evening service has very often been used to spread the cause of Temperance by the exhortations and warnings given^ and it has not unfrequently been actually a Temperance meeting, at the close of which considerable numbers of people have signed the pledge against drink, tobacco, and swearing, and the good results of this are known to all. Soon after I went to Hillfoot Farm I was asked to form a branch in Aylesford of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. I did not at first see my way 15t T 152 OUR CHILDREN. to it as a stranger, but when, two years after, the request was again preferred, I could not refuse. The members asked me to become president, to which I agreed, on condition that I should be excused if hin- dered by causes over which I had no control. To this they agreed, and have been most forbearing, and we have quite a flourishing though small Union. I have thus been privileged to take part in Temper- ance work in other places, and to give addresses, invited by the W. C. T. Unions in various towns in the province. Also to take literature of a goo^ hindf Temperance and otherwise, to the lumber camps, of which there are several every winter, near Lake George, and twenty miles from Hillfoot Farm. A large number of men are employed in these camps all winter, being thus cut off from home comfort and amusement, and are most thankful for the reading sup- plied. One winter I collected two hundred-weight of books and papers, which, as you may suppose, supplied many. I never enjoyed anything more than driving over the snow across the valley, up the South Moun- tain, and across the frozen lake, to the heart of the forest, where the lumber camps were. It took a short winter's day, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., but we received a warm welcome and a good dinner in the camp, and returned feeling we had carried what would give pleasure and profit to many through the long winter nights. Will any friends help this work by sending 4 m (i TEMPERANCE WORK. 153 any second-liaud magazines or books they may have by them ? Last November I was much honoured by being sent, at the request of Miss Willard, as the delegate from Nova Scotia to the World's Convention of the W.O.T.U., held in Boston, which can never be for- gotten by any who witnessed it, and the words spoken there by many of God's servants must surely bear fruit for many days to come. With this I close. I have told my tale, as I have been asked, of the history of my life-work for our ■children. EMMA M. STIRLING. Jwwe, 1892. APPENDIX. Donations and Bubscriptions will be received and acknowledged by — Messrs. Morgan & Scott,, office of Christian, 12jPater> noster Buildings^ London. The Bank of Nova Scotia, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Messrs. Henry L. Fell & Bros., 303, Walnut Street,. Philadelphia, U.S. Friends wishing to apply for the admission of a child from England to these Homes will please com- municate with Rev. James Paterson, Minister of Belgrave Presbyterian Church, Kent House, Wands- worth Common, London, who will also receive and acknowledge contributions of money or clothing. Any friend desiring information, or wishing to help the work, is invited to apply to Mrs. Arbuthnot, Hon. Sec. Women's Protestant Union, Plaw-hatch, East Grinstead. Any friend wishing to apply for the admission of a child from Scotland to these Homes will please com- municate with Miss Croall, The Children's Home,. Stirling, N.B. 164 ( APPENDIX. 155 Contributions of money and clothing will be re- ceived and acknowledged by Miss Auld, 62, North- umberland Street, Edinburgh, and Miss B. Thomson, St. Leonards, Wardie, by Edinburgh, who, on receipt of a post- card, will send for parcels, and from time to time forward them to Nova Scotia. These ladies will be iittppy to supply information in regard to the emigration of children to Nova Scotia. Contributions received since the last number of " Our Children " appeared in 1889 :— 1889. Edinburgh. ;- d April 8. Mrs. Murray, 13, Hattou Place, 13 boys' shirts, 6 petticoats, 2 overalls, 2 pairs stockings. Miss Kinnear, 17, Lyndoch Place, and friends,. 30 articles clothing. Miss B. Thomson, 1 dozen pairs felt shoes. Per Miss Steven, The Shelter, 150, High Street^ 1 dozen knitted petticoats. Dorcas Meeting, per Mrs. Murray, 13, Hatton Place, 3 large parcels clothing. Grange F. Ch. Work Party, per Mrs. Nixon, 4 dresses, 10 pianofores, 6 petticoats, etc. Ditto, per Mrs. Cameron, 16, Strathearn Eoad^ large parcel of clothing. Miss Jersey, 1 chemise. Per Miss Auld, 62, Northumberland Street- Mrs. Eamsay, B, Charlotte Square, £1. Juvenile Missionary Society, £1. Children of Mrs. Jordan Douglas, Barremo it,. £1. 156 OUR CHILLREN. 1889. Edinburgh. Mrs. Walter, St. Andrews, 10s. Miss Dickson, Saxe Coburg Place, lOs. Mrs. Bryson, clothing. Mrs. Adington, dresses. Miss Dickson, Saxe Coburg Place, 20 yards tweed. Drumbarrow Sewing Class, per Miss P. Bairns- father, large parcel of clothing and bed quilts. May. J. C. Durward, Esq., Whinfield, Galashiels, £2. June. Mrs. Creeke, several large parcels of clothing. July. Miss Byres, Ellon, £1. Aug. Mrs. Byres and Miss Fiddes, £4. Corstorphine F. Ch. Sunday School, £2 B«. mv. Mrs. Waldie, Trinity Eoad, £4. Miss Dickson, Saxe Coburg Place, 10s. Dec. Miss Thomson, St. Leonard's, Wardie, £2. Miss B. Thomson, from Granton Coffee House, £10. Miss Auld, 62, Northumberland Street, quantity of clothing. Messrs. Hodge, South Bridge, large quantity dress materials. Miss Anderson and friends, dolls. Misses Thomson, St. Leonard's, Wardie, dolls and Christmas goods. Miss Armstrong, knitted cuffs. B. Arder, 5s. 1890. Feb. 4. Miss Bobertson, 28, Albany Street, £1. 7. Family at Earnock, 10s. 13. Miss Davidson, 6s. 20. Miss M. Eobertson, 10s. April 12. Samuel Dickson, Esq., 12, Castle Terrace, Edin- burgh, £20. 14. Per Miss Auld, £3 10s. * APPENDIX, 157 1890. Sept. B. Mrs. and Miss Byres, Ellon, £2. Oct. 15. Miss Dickson, Saxe Coburg Place, IO5. Nov. 20. Mr. Kay, per Rev. D. Taylor, G*. 1891. Mrs. Nixon's Work Party, clothing. Mrs. "Watson, Stanmore Lodge, parcel of clothing. Miss Jane Robertson, Earnock, parcel of clothing. Miss Leishman, Linton Manse, parcel of clothing. Anon., from Alloa, 7 dozen pairs of stockings. Mrs. Stirling, Muiravonsido House, Linlithgow, 1 dozen pairs stockings. Jan. 1. Miss Thomson, St. Leonard's, Wardie, £2. Miss B. Thomson, „ „ £1. Feb. 7. Mrs. Murray, 13, Hatton Place, 105. Mrs. Russell, Kenly Green, St. Andrews, IO5, Mar. 18. Mrs. Byres, Ellon, £12 10s. May. Mrs. Watson, Stanmore Villa, 12 petticoats, 5 pairs stockings. Mrs. Russell, Kenly Green, clothing. 1892. Jan. Miss B. Thomson, 1 frock, 2 shirts, 2 pinafores, 2 pairs stays. April G. Mrs. Fremantle (don.). Hill House, Wimbledon, 10s. 23. Mrs. Byres, Ashlea, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, £1. Miss Byres, „ „ „ £1. Miss M. Robertson, 160, Union Street, Aberdeen, £1. Miss Fiddes, 154, Union Street, Aberdeen, £5. May 4. Mr. Thomas Marr, 57, Ingram Street, Glasgow, £5. Mrs. Miles, Mount Park Manse, ""iggar, box of hats and large bale of clothing. 158 OUR CHILDREN. 1892. May 4. Also from friends in Biggar — Mrs. Bobb, 5«. Mr. Paul, £1. Mrs. Mitchell, lOs. Mrs. Kay, £1. Mrs. Ovens, 2«. M. Mrs. Kello, 5«. May 12. Captain and Mrs. Stirling, 11, Harold Road, Upper Norwood, £6. 2B. The Grange (Edin.) F. Ch. Work Party, per Mrs. Nixon and Mrs. Cameron, IG, Strathearn Boad, large parcel clothing. Mrs. Watson, 11, Hatton Place, large parcel clothing. Mrs. Murray, 18, Hatton Place, large parcel clothing. June. Mrs. Watson, 11, Hatton Place (Edin.), 10*. Miss Auld, 62, Northumberland Street (Edin.), £1. A. B. D., being a contribution from Toronto and Scotland, $5. Miss Jessie Bamsay, 24, Blackwood Crescent (Edin.), Christmas gift for a special case for three years, Vbs. To the above, and all those friends t^o numerous to mention, who have helped me in so many ways, I offer my most sincere and grateful thanks. EMMA M. STIRLING. JmiBy 1892.