d young children to school, and
to apprentice those of a suitable age. During the twenty-seven years of
its existence, ending October 1st, 1870, the Society has expended in
charities the sum of $1,203,767, and has given relief to 180,000
families, or 765,000 persons. The office of the Society is in the Bible
House.

II. THE BEGGARS.

Begging is a profession in New York. The deserving poor rarely come on
the streets to seek aid, but the beggars crowd them, as they know the
charitable institutions of the city would at once detect their imposture.
A short while ago the "Superintendent of the Out-door Poor," said to a
city merchant, "As a rule never give alms to a street beggar. Send them
to me when they accost you, and not one in fifty will dare to show his
face in my office."

The New York beggars are mainly foreigners. Scarcely an American is seen
on the streets in this capacity. Every year the number is increasing.
Foreigners who were professional beggars in their own countries, are
coming over here to practise their trades, and these make New York their
headquarters. It is estimated that there are more professional beggars
here than in all the other cities of the country combined.

Broadway, and especially Fourteenth street, Union Square, and the Fifth
avenue are full of them. They represent all forms of physical
misfortune. Some appear to have but one leg, others but one arm. Some
are blind, others horribly deformed. Some are genuine cripples, but the
majority are sound in body. They beg because the business is profitable,
and they are too lazy to work. The greater the semblance of distress,
the more lucrative is their profession. Women hire babies, and post
themselves in the thoroughfares most frequented by ladies. They
generally receive a considerable sum during the course of the day.
Others again provide themselves with a basket, in which they place a
wretched display of shoestrings which no one is expected to buy, and
station themselves in Broadway to attract the attention of the charitably
disposed. The most daring force their way into private houses and the
hotels and demand assistance with the most brazen effrontery. They hang
on to you with the utmost determination, exposing the most disgusting
sights to your gaze, and annoying you so much that you give them money in
order to be rid of them. They, in their turn, mark you well, and
remember you when you pass them again.

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