following passages bearing upon the subject are extracted:

"J. L. (aged 14). The first time I was ever at the theatre
was to see _Jack Sheppard_. There were two or three boys near
to the house who were going, and they asked me. I took
sixpence from the money I used to lay up weekly for clothes.
The next time I went, which was the week after, I borrowed
the money from a boy; I returned it to him the Saturday
after. I then went many times. I took the money from my
mother out of her pocket as she was sitting down, and I
beside her. There was more than sixpence in her pocket. I got
a great love for the theatre, and stole from people often to
get there. _I thought this Jack Sheppard was a clever fellow_
for making his escape and robbing his master. _If I could get
out of gaol, I think I should be as clever as him_: but,
after all his exploits, he got done at last. I have had the
book out of a library at Dole Field. I had paid two-pence a
book for three volumes. I also got _Richard Turpin_, in two
volumes, and paid the same. I have seen _Oliver Twist_, and
think the Artful Dodger is very like some of the boys here. I
am here for picking a pocket of 25l.

"H. C. (aged 15). When we came to Manchester, I went to the
play, and saw _Jack Sheppard_ the first night it came out.
There were pictures of him about the streets on boards and on
the walls; one of them was his picking a pocket in the
church. I liked _Jack Sheppard_ much. I had not been in
prison there. I was employed in a warehouse at 6s. 6d.
a-week, and was allowed 6d. out of it for myself, and with
that I went regularly to the play. I saw _Jack Sheppard_
afterwards four times in one week. I got the money out of my
money-bag by stealth, and without my master's knowledge. I
once borrowed 10s. in my mother's name from Mrs. ----, a
shopkeeper, with whom she used to deal; I went to the play
with it.

"J. M'D. (aged 15). I have heard of _Jack Sheppard_: a lad
whom I know told me of it, who had seen it, and said it was
_rare fun_ to see him break out of prison.

"J. L. (aged 11). Has been to the play twice, and seen _Jack
Sheppard_. Went