ries. To show the habits of prudence
inculcated in the schools, it is only necessary to state that in
the same year ragged scholars placed in saving-banks a sum of no
less than three thousand four hundred and thirty-nine pounds!
Seventy of those who now teach in the schools, were once ragged
scholars themselves, thus imparting to others the benefits which
they had received when poor ignorant children.

But the funds of the society are by no means sufficient for the
work before it, though many of its teachers are unpaid, seeking no
reward upon earth. There are numbers of ragged children in London,
as desolate as those whom I have described, who have never known
the blessing of a ragged school, and who, if they implored the
shelter of a refuge, must implore in vain, for they would find no
room.]

CHAPTER IX.

HOW WE FOUND A FEAST.

I remained in the Zoological Gardens for a few weeks, improving my
acquaintance with the mild Zibethicus and the gentle Lemmings. As for
the German Hamster, he became so drowsy as the weather grew colder,
that it became evident that he could sleep day and night upon boards,
though he never fell into the perfectly torpid, almost dead state
that he would have done, could he have been humoured by being buried
alive.

I should willingly have remained longer in the gardens, but the keepers
were taking such stringent measures to get rid of rats, that we thought
it better to remove on our own four feet while we could, instead of
being carried in a bag, a kind of conveyance for which we had no fancy.
We therefore set out on our journey homewards.

We again chose the underland route, lest we should meet with dogs and
cats in the streets, or be crushed beneath rolling wheels. We had not
gone far, however, when Whiskerandos suddenly stopped.

"I feel hungry," said he.

"So do I," rejoined I.

"We must find our way into one of the houses," observed the bold rat;
"let's turn down this passage, it doubtless leads to some kitchen."

Down the passage we accordingly turned, Whiskerandos, as usual, going
first; but we were met, almost at the entrance, by two savage brown
rats, who did not seem disposed to allow us to pass.

"Pray, does this passage lead to a kitchen?" said Whiskerandos, not
appearing to notice their sharp teeth and gleaming eyes.

"Yes," replied one; "but the passage, and the house, and the kitchen,
belong to us, and we