Chamberss Edinburgh Journal, No. 433 | Page 3

the impulse most concerned, directly or
indirectly, though we of course knew that a religious sanction was
essential to the scheme. In a conversation, however, with our
conductress, we could not bring her to admit that mere humanity had
anything to do with it. The basis on which they proceed is simply that
text in which Christ expresses his appreciation of those who give a cup
of cold water in his name. It is professedly nothing more than an
example of those charitable societies which arise in connection with the
Catholic faith, and in obedience to its principles, and which require that
entire renunciation of the world which to a Protestant mind appears so
objectionable. We have little doubt, nevertheless, that a certain amount
of benevolence is a necessary, though it may not be a directly

acknowledged pre-requisite for the profession; for it is admitted that
some novices find that they have not the vocation, and abandon the
attempt; while others, by the grace of God, are enabled to go on. We
cannot regard this idea of 'vocation' as something entirely apart from
the inherent feelings.
So far as we could understand, the Sisters regard more expressly the
value of the act of obedience to the injunction of Christ, than the
feeling from which, we would say, the injunction sprang--an error, as
we most humbly think, though one of a kind which we do not feel
called upon to discuss in the presence of results so much in accordance
with our own best feelings. We would only say, that there is something
disappointing in finding how much the whole procedure is beheld by
these self-devoting women, as reflecting on their own destinies. It
appears that their patients often grumble both at the food and the
attendance which they receive. The Sisters say, they like to meet an
ungrateful old woman, as it tries their humility and forbearance: it
makes the greater merit towards an end in which they themselves are
concerned. Now, we would put all this aside, and think only of the
divinely recommended sentiment of the text, as calculated in some
degree to make our life on earth an approach to that of its author. It is
really hypercritical, however, even to intimate these dissenting remarks,
especially when our main end is, after all, merely to bring the public
into knowledge of an extraordinary phenomenon in human conduct,
going on in an age which seems generally of so opposite a character.
The Society of Les Petites Soeurs is, it appears, a new one, having
originated only a few years ago in the exertions of an old female
servant, who, having saved a little money, thought it could not be better
employed than in succouring the aged and infirm of her own sex. Her
idea was taken up by others of her own order, as well as by women of
superior grade. The society was formed, and establishments were
quickly set up in various parts of France. It was only in 1851 that a
detachment of the sisterhood came to England, and settled themselves
in Great Windmill Street, where, whatever be their motives, it must be
admitted they contribute in no slight degree to the alleviation of that
vast mass of misery which seems an inseparable element of large cities.

They had, at the time of our visit, forty-seven old persons under their
care.
At a subsequent period of the same day, we visited an establishment
somewhat similar at Hammersmith--at least similar in the repulsive
character of the duties, though externally much more elegant. It is
housed in a range of good buildings secluded in a garden, and is
devoted to the reception of unfortunate young women who, under
penitent feelings, wish to be restored to respectable society. The
Sisterhood of the Good Shepherd, as they are called, entertain in this
house nearly 100 such women, who, while undergoing the process of
religious and moral regeneration, employ themselves in washing, so as
to contribute to their own support. We saw the whole engaged in their
humble employment, excepting a few who were under training in a
school. At all times, in their bedrooms, at their meals, in their
work-rooms, in their play-ground, they are under the immediate eye of
some of the Sisters; but the general treatment includes as much
kindness as is consistent with the object held in view. One trait of this
kindness struck us as involving a remarkable delicacy: there is never,
from first to last, one word of reference made to their former life. They
are accepted as so many children coming to school for the first time.
Even their names are sunk out of sight, and new ones applied. The
Sisters speak of them as 'the children.' We learned that Protestant
women are welcomed, but are