A Plea For Ragged Schools : Kessinger Publishing : 9781164543084 : 1164543083 : 10 Sep 2010 : ""A Plea For Ragged Schools: Or Prevention Better Than Cure"" is a book written in 1847 by Thomas Guthrie. In this book, Guthrie argues for the establishment of ""ragged schools"" - schools for underprivileged children who would otherwise be left without an education. Guthrie believes that the best way to prevent poverty and crime is to provide education and moral guidance to children from a young age. He argues that by providing these children with an education, they will be able to break the cycle of poverty and crime that plagues their communities. Throughout the book, Guthrie provides examples of the success of ragged schools in other countries, such as Ireland and Scotland. He also describes the harsh living conditions that many of these children face, including hunger, disease, and neglect. Guthrie's passionate plea for the establishment of ragged schools is based on his belief that prev