"There, sir, over there; come and see it." Aye! there is was, sure enough, and a pretty little thing it was in its way, built up to the wall in a quiet corner, glistening with its oyster shells, its bits of coloured china and surmounted with a little flag.
"But where are the candles ?" "Oh, sir, we haven't got any yet; we shall get candles when we get some money, and light them to-night; we have only just finished it." "Where did you get your shells ?" "From the fish-shops." "Where did you get the pretty bits of china from ?" "We saved them from last year." "Does grotto time come the same time every year, then" "Oh yes, sir." "How is that ?" "'Cos it's the time for it." "Why do you build grottos" "To get money." "Yes, but why do people give you money; what do grottos commemorate, don't you know ?" "No, sir." I looked at a poor half-paralysed boy with sharp face and said, "Well, my boy, you ought to know; do you go to Sunday School ?" "Yes, sir, both of us; St.James the Less." "Well, I shall not tell you the whole story to-day, but here is sixpence for you to buy candles with; and next Sunday ask your teacher to tell you why boys and girls build grottos; I shall be here this day week, and if you can tell me I will give you a shilling." There were at least six grottos in that street when I got there on the appointed day.

A large crowd of children with oyster shells were waiting; evidently the given sixpence and the promised shilling had created some excitement in that corner of Bethnal Green.
They were soon all round me, and a general chorus arose with hands outstretched, "Please to remember the grotto! please to remember the grotto!" I called them to silence, and said, "Can any one tell me why you build grottos ?" There was a general chorus, "To get money, sir." That was all they knew, and it seemed to them a sufficient reason.
Turning to the little cripple, I said, "Did you ask your teacher ?" "Yes, sir, but she said it was only children's play; but I bought some candles, and they are lighted now." I said, "Now, children, listen to me, for I am going to tell you about the beginning of grottos.
"A good many hundred years ago, when Jesus was on earth, He had two disciples named James; in after years one was called 'James the Greater' and the other 'James the Less.' After the death of Jesus, James the Greater was put to death, and the disciples were scattered, and wandered into many far countries.

James the Less wandered into Spain, telling the people about Jesus.

He lived a good and holy life, helping the poor and the afflicted.
"When he died, the people who loved him and reverenced him made a great funeral, and built him a costly tomb, but instead of putting up a monument to him, they built a large and beautiful grotto over the place where his body lay.

They lined it with beautiful and costly shells and other rich things, and lit it with many candles.
"Thousands of people came to see the grotto, and gave money to buy candles that it might always be lighted.
"Every year, on the anniversary of St.James's death, the people came by thousands to the grotto.