that she had nine children, the eldest fifteen years, the
youngest five months, a husband out of work, and "no boots
for her children to go to school in." The Rev. STEWART HEADLAM
said that in East London they suffered a good deal through
the decisions of Mr. MONTAGU WILLIAMS, who constantly paid the
fines from the poor-box, or out of his own pocket!]

Oh, MONTAGU, this conduct is nefarious!
_You_ are, indeed, a pretty Magistrate!
Better the judgments, generous, if precarious,
Of the old Cadi at an Eastern gate.
No wonder that you madden MEREDTTH-KITSON,
And stir the bitter bile of STEWART HEADLAM.
When Justice, School-Board ruling simply "sits on,"
School-Boards become a mere annexe of--Bedlam!
Nine children! Husband out of work! No boots!
And do you really think that _these_ are reasons
For fine-remission? This strikes at the roots
Of Law, which ought to rule us at all seasons.
Oh, how shall KITSON educate the "kids,"
Or how shall HEADLAM discipline the mothers,
If you, instead of doing what Law bids,
Pay the poor creatures' fines and raise up bothers?
Law, Sir, is Law, even to Magistrates,
Not a mere chopping-block for maudlin charity.
Fining the impecunious doubtless grates
On feelings such as yours; there's some disparity
'Twixt School-Board Draconism, and regard
For parents penniless, and children bootless;
But pedagogues--ask HEADLAM--must be hard,