ildren, who had run some hundreds of yards ahead, in order
to open a gate. At first the young, dark-eyed, swarthy damsel declared
she did not know how many brothers and sisters she had, but on being
asked to mention their names she rattled them over, in quick succession,
giving to each Christian name the surname of Smith--thus, Charley Smith,
Emma Smith, Fanny Smith, Bill Smith, and the like, till she had
enumerated either thirteen or fifteen juvenile Smiths, all of whom lived
with their parents in a tent which was pitched not far from the side of
the lane. Of education the child had had none, but she said she went to
church on a Sunday with her sister. This is a sample of the kind of
thing which prevails, and in his last generous movement Mr. Smith, of
Coalville, will be acting a good part to numerous children who, although
unable to claim relationship, rejoice in the same patronymic as himself."

In the _Derby Daily Telegraph_, under date August 16th, the following
leading article was published:--"When the social history of the present
generation comes to be written a prominent place among the list of
practical philanthropists will be assigned to George Smith, of Coalville.
The man is a humanitarian to the manner born. His character and labours
serve to remind us of the broad line which separates the real apostle of
benevolence from what may be termed the 'professional' sample. George
Smith goes about for the purpose of doing good, and--he does it. He does
not content himself with glibly talking of what needs to be done, and
what ought to be done. He prefers to act upon the spirit of Mr. Wackford
Squeers' celebrated educational principle. Having discovered a sphere of
Christian duty he goes and 'works' it. Few more splendid monuments of
practical charity have been reared than the amelioration of the social
state of our canal population--an achievement which has mainly been
brought about by Mr. Smith's indomitable perseverance and self-denial. A
few years ago we were accustomed to speak of the dwellers in these
floating hovels as beings who dragged out a degraded existence in a
far-off land. We were gloomily told that they could not be reached.
Orators at fashionable missionary-meetings were wont to speak of them as
irreclaimable heathens who bid defiance to civilising influences from
impenetrable fastnesses. Mr. George Smith may be credited with having
broken down this discreditable state of things. He brou