pirit which distinguishes this glorious undertaking.
"'Believe me, dear sir,
"'Yours respectfully,
[Signed]"'MARCEL CERRUTI,
"'Minister Plenipotentiary from Italy at Washington.'

GENERAL REMARKS.

"For brevity's sake I had to omit mentioning incidents which speak very
highly of our pupils. Nor have I space to describe the many cases of
articles and money found by them and handed to me for investigation as
to the rightful owner; and their spontaneous liberality and hearty
contributions to the Garibaldi Fund in 1859, to the New York Sanitary
Fair in 1864, and to the relief of the orphans and wounded of the late
war of Italy and Prussia against Austria. Suffice it to say that our aim
is to render them useful, honest, industrious, and intelligent citizens.
In that direction we have been laboring, and with what success has been
seen."

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE "LAMBS" OF COTTAGE PLACE.

Beyond a certain point, the history of these various schools becomes
monotonous. It is simply a history of kindness, of patience, of
struggles with ignorance, poverty, and intemperance; of lives poured out
for the good of those who can never make a return, of steady improvement
and the final elevation of great numbers of children and youth who are
under these permanent and profound influences.

In no one of the many branches whose labors and results I am describing,
has probably so much vitality been expended, so much human earnestness
been offered with such patience, humility, and faith, as in the humble
Mission of "Cottage Place."

It began with a "Boys' Meeting," under Mr. Macy, a practical
philanthropist, of whom I shall speak again.

The quarter is a very notorious one, and contains numbers of idle and
vagrant boys and girls. The success of Mr. Macy with the meeting, and
the experience he gained there of a wild class of girls induced him and
his sisters to attempt in 1859 to found a School for girls; to this was
gradually added a "Free Reading-room," a library, and various temperance
and other associations. Ladies of position and wealth were attracted to
it, as well as others, from seeing the quiet and earnest nature of the
work done; there was no show or "blowing of trumpets," or any great
expense, but ther