"This is a most stirring and pathetic story, illustrating the terrible power of human depravity on the one hand, and the importance of using the most efficient means to counteract it on the other. The author assures us that his statements are throughout nothing but sober verity; and that many of the persons whose character and experience are here described are still living in various parts of the United States. If this be really so (and we have no right to dispute the author's word), we can only say that they form the most remarkable group of personages which have ever come within our knowledge. It is a most intensely exciting book; but we do not perceive any thing that indicates ill-nature."—Boston Puritan Recorder.
"The tale is one of modern times and events; the characters and personages alluded to are those who have lived in the present century, here and elsewhere, and the story is a most exciting one, well and powerfully written."—Boston Transcript.
"The most original in its conception, the widest in its scope, the most interesting in its narrative, and the best in its execution. The characters are drawn from nature; we need no preface to tell us that, for they speak, think, and act to the life * * * The ups and downs of honest old Davy, the hero of the book, the true-hearted Rag-Picker, read us a homily on the fickleness of fortune, and furnish an example which the proudest aristocrat might do well to follow. We lay aside the volume with a sigh that there is no more of it."—N. Y. Saturday Evening Courier.
"We have read this book, which claims to be a 'record of facts' by an eye and ear-witness, with thrilling interest at a single sitting."—Boston Liberator.
"The book is well and powerfully written, and the story is a most exciting one."—Portland Transcript.
"The narrative is rapid and spirited."—N. York Evening Post.
"It is replete with incidents, its characters are natural and distinctly shown, and the interest of the narrative is well sustained."—Boston Atlas.
"A good, a useful, and a meritorious book, and one peculiarly fitted for family reading."—N. Y. Sunday Times.
"It is highly dramatic, and keeps the reader intensely interested to the end."—Portland Daily Argus.