first." On the whole, however, I was not particularly impressed with the efficiency of the amateur firemen, though there was no denying their zeal.
Lastly, but not the least pleasant sight, is the monthly red-letter day, when the boys receive their friends, and pleased and proud mothers stride about the grounds with little fellows' arms stowed away in theirs, whilst tongues—generally recounting the owners' heroic deeds in athletics—wag fast and furious. The mothers and friends are very rightly thankful for their good fortune, and indeed, if companionship, habits of order, decency, and industry, and healthy surroundings mean anything good, then the little lads of the Duke of York's School are to be congratulated.
The "Warspite."
What is being done for our future army at Chelsea is also being carried out for the navy on a smaller scale aboard the training-ship Warspite, with, however, one essential difference. At the State-supported institution in Chelsea there is no lack of funds, whilst the Warspite, which relies entirely on voluntary subscriptions, is, in common with so many other philanthropic undertakings, suffering from the loss of subscriptions and donations, which during the last year have been diverted in favour of untried and doubtful experiments. The training-ship lying some way off Woolwich Pier is a big three-decker, which in former days, as the Conqueror, saw a good deal of active service. As soon as we were sighted a boat manned by a crew of twelve little tars put off to fetch us, and as they approached the landing stage, giving us a proper naval salute, we had an opportunity of admiring the smart and steady way with which they pulled together, and on reaching alongside the training-ship, "tossed" and "laid down" oars. All the decks, as bright and neat as possible, were full of small, barefooted blue-jackets intent upon their different naval duties; and, watching their expertness at knotting, splicing, going aloft, &c., it was almost impossible to believe that not one of the boys had undergone more than nine months' training. This is, however, the case.
The boys, all of whom, though of good character, are destitute, are only admitted between the ages of 13 and 16, and are only kept on the Warspite for nine months, after which they are drafted into the navy or the merchant service.
On the day of my visit a batch of boys, many of whom had been taken from the streets, were having their first meal. They had all been washed, combed, and put into their new togs, which they wore with a mingled air of pride and embarrassment. About many of them there was a noticeably hungry expression, which made one rejoice
