“K.G.  AND COSTER.”

SOME ANECDOTES ABOUT LORD SHAFTESBURY.

“And where shall we write to?” asked one of the costermongers.

“Address your letter to me at Grosvenor Square,” replied Lord Shaftesbury, “and it will probably reach me; but, if after my name you put ‘K.G. and Coster,’ there will be no doubt that I shall get it!”

This conversation took place at the conclusion of a meeting which had been held by the costermongers.  They had met to talk about their grievances, and Lord Shaftesbury had attended the gathering and promised to help them, telling them to write to him if they required further assistance.

The noble Knight of the Garter was not only interested in the costermongers themselves, but in their animals too.

At one time the costers had used their donkeys and ponies shamefully, had overworked and underfed them; but gradually they were made to see how much better it was to treat their animals well.  With a good Sunday rest and proper treatment, the donkeys would go thirty miles a day comfortably; without it, they could not do more than half.

So, as Lord Shaftesbury had been kind to the costers and taken such interest in their pursuits, they invited him to a special meeting, at which they presented him with a splendid donkey.

Over a thousand costers with their friends were there, when the donkey, profusely decorated with ribbons, was led to the platform.  Lord Shaftesbury vacated the chair and made way for the new arrival; and then, putting his arm round the animal’s neck, returned thanks in a short speech in which he said:—­

“When I have passed away from this life I desire to have no more said of me than that I have done my duty, as the poor donkey has done his—­with patience and unmurmuring resignation”.

The donkey was then led down the steps of the platform, and Lord Shaftesbury remarked, “I hope the reporters of the press will state that, the donkey having vacated the chair, the place was taken by Lord Shaftesbury”.

Let us turn for a moment to the beginning of his life, and see how it was that Lord Shaftesbury was induced to devote himself so heartily to the good of the poor and oppressed.

Maria Mills, his old nurse, had not a little to do with this.  She was one of those simple-minded humble Christians who, all unknowingly, plant in many minds the good seed which grows up and brings forth much fruit.

[Illustration:  Lord Shaftesbury inspecting the Costers’ Donkeys.]

She was very fond of the little boy, and would tell him the “sweet story of old” in so attractive a manner that a deep impression was made upon his heart.  The prayers she taught him in childhood he not only used in his youth, but even in old age the words were often upon his lips.

When he was a schoolboy at Harrow came the turning point in his life.