knowledge of the English language. 

In undertaking, therefore, to describe this phase of street life,
I found, at the outset, unusual difficulty on account of my
inadequate information.  But I was fortunate enough to make the
acquaintance of two prominent Italian gentlemen, long resident in
New York--Mr.  A.  E.  Cerqua, superintendent of the Italian school
at the Five Points, and through his introduction, of Mr.  G.  F.
Secchi de Casale, editor of the well-known Eco d'Italia--from
whom I obtained full and trustworthy information.  A series of
articles contributed by Mr.  De Casale to his paper, on the
Italian street children, in whom he has long felt a patriotic
and sympathetic interest, I have found of great service, and I
freely acknowledge that, but for the information thus acquired, I
should have been unable to write the present volume. 

My readers will learn with surprise, probably, of the hard life
led by these children, and the inhuman treatment which they
receive from the speculators who buy them from their parents in
Italy.  It is not without reason that Mr.  De Casale speaks of