us withheld from
future vice.

On the other hand, the extreme position taken substantially by the New
York legislators, whereby no mother could get rid of an illegitimate
child, except by publicly entering the Alms-house, or by infanticide,
undoubtedly stimulated the crimes of foeticide and child-murder. No
doubt the new Catholic and Protestant Foundling Asylums contemplated in
New York will steer between these two extremes, will connect the mother
with the child as long as possible, and require all reasonable
conditions before admitting the infant, and, at the same time, not drive
a seduced or unfortunate woman with her babe out to take her chances in
the streets.

CHAPTER XXXV.

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION FOR STREET-CHILDREN.

The subject of applying Religion as a lever to raise up the class of
neglected children whom we have been describing, is a difficult one, but
vital to the Science of Reform. The objects of those engaged in laboring
for this class are to raise them above temptation, to make them of more
value to themselves, and to Society, and, if possible, to elevate them
to the highest range of life, where the whole character is governed by
Religion.

The children themselves are in a peculiar position. They have many of
the traits of children, and yet are struggling in an independent and
hard life, like men. They are not to be influenced as a Sunday-school
audience would be, nor as an audience of adults. Their minds are acute,
sharp, and practical; mere sentiment and the amiable platitudes of
Sunday-school oratory are not for them. Rhetoric sets them asleep.
Bombast goes by the name of "gas" among them. Sentimental and
affectionate appeals only excite their contempt. The "hard fact" pleases
them. They know when the speaker stands on good bottom. If he has
reached "hard pan," his audience is always with him.

No audience is so quick to respond to a sudden turn or a joke. Their
faculties are far more awake than those of a company of children of the
fortunate classes. And yet they are like children in many respects.
Nothing interests them so much as the dramatic: the truth given by
parable and illustration. Their education in the low theatres has
probably cultivated this taste. The genuine and strong feeling of the
heart always touches them. I have seen the quick tears drop over the
dirty cheeks at the simple tone only of some warm-hearted man who had
addressed th