Poverty is a terrible thing when it bows to the very ground the pride of the strong man-a terrible thing when it leaves old age destitute: till, the strong man may yet redeem his fortunes, and that old age may have had enjoyment while it was capable of enjoying. But a child, with the step slow from weakness, which from its age should be so buoyant; a cheek thin and white from hunger, at a period which especially cares for food (for all children are greedy); a form shrivelled with cold; a growth stopped by work too laborious for such tender years; a spirit broken by toil, want, and harshness; -is not such a child poverty's most miserable spectacle? It is, however, a common one. (Letitia Elizabeth Landon)

Poverty is a terrible thing when it bows to the very ground the pride of the strong man-a terrible thing when it leaves old age destitute: till, the strong man may yet redeem his fortunes, and that old age may have had enjoyment while it was capable of enjoying. But a child, with the step slow from weakness, which from its age should be so buoyant; a cheek thin and white from hunger, at a period which especially cares for food (for all children are greedy); a form shrivelled with cold; a growth stopped by work too laborious for such tender years; a spirit broken by toil, want, and harshness; -is not such a child poverty's most miserable spectacle? It is, however, a common one.

Letitia Elizabeth Landon

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age cheek children child cold common enjoyment food form ground growth harshness hunger leaves man miserable period poverty pride should slow spectacle spirit step stop tender thin thing till toil weakness while white work yet years

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