The Express.
London, England, 1849-12-06 00:00:00

[ADVERTISEMENT )

TO THE EDITOR OT TR. MORNING CHRONICLE.
Sta.—The public have read with pai Jul interest the able
reportaof our correspoedent on the state of the labourites
clauses in England.
That there disclosure of the sufferings of the poor have
excited • general and a sincere sympathy is proved by the
many and liberal contributions which are daily forwarded
to your office fir the relief of the most suffericg of these
clews—neatly, the ceedlewomen. I njuice at this evi-
dence of a Christian spirit. It emboldens me to lay shortly
before your redeem some suggestions, which, I trust, they I
may think not unworthy of their considereion.
Let me begin, then, with the clue which has an indispub
able right to priority—the needle-worker,. Theirs is the
meet helpless sex—the most intoner poverty—the mat fear-
fel di gradat ion.
Make every allowance for the natural exaggeration of
@affirms relating their own wrongs, and for the involuntary
exaggeration ti
teeing of a benevolent an with horror to the
detail of such sufferings—strip your conespondent's letters of
all but the bare recital of facts—omit all his description of
the sufferers themselves—forget, if possible, their own shame-
stricken and despairing recieals—and what a picture is left !
33,600 women engaged in this one trade, of whom 28,500 are
under 20 years dap, and of these a large; portion living, or
attempting to live, on sums varyiag from 41d. to 21d.
• day !
I Tejon* that the ready sympathy of your readers has tent
alma to these poor creatures; that it, to those few out of the
33,500 who had the fortune to come under the observation of
year correspendent. There will be a week's food for the
children of one ; there will be clothes got out of pawn for
another; toll, in a few weeks, the alms will be exhausted—
the subject, by all but a few, forgotten—and the mane dreary
monotony of ennui= will agate be their lot.
Cannot these alma be so applied that permanent good may
be effected? Instead of palliating the symptoms, might we
not trace the causes of the malady, and make • vigorous
attempt to repress or diminish them ?
Let as see what these causes are.
"The sou," says every one, "II the mania for cheap
goods, which drives down profits and wages to tho starvation
pint."
Bat a mania for cheapness would not, in itself, enable the
purchaser to get goods cheap, unless other causes operated to
their cheep production. The will of the purchaser has, in
feet, much lees to do with the matter than the position of the
ealumen and the producer.
Every capitalist—by which I mean every man embarking
his mosey in any trade or calling, with • view to get ha
living—is trying to attract custom to himself by underselling
his neighbour.
Every labourer—i. e., every man, woman, and child work-
ing for wages—is trying to secure employment by accepting
lower wages than his neighbour ; and every purchaser, as a
matter cot course, prefers the cheapest article.
Tee truth is, our wealth and our population have both
outgrown the renew area of our country. We want more
room. We have too much capitol and too many people
Mr capital than we can employ with profit—mire people
than we can maintain in comfort.
All your reports tell the same tale is a greater or less de-
gree. In the mine, in the field, in the factory—everywhere
a fierce competition between money and money—between
man and man.
This does not apply to all trades in the same degree. In
some either wages have not fallen, in which case the la-
bower has gained an income, as the same money wages will
now command tar more of the necessaries and comforts of
life than formerly ; or elsethey have not fallen in a greater
proportion than the prices of the nee...aeries he purchases, in
which case he stands just where he did.
But in no trade does the competition of labour with
labour exist to the same extent as in all kinds of apparel-
making ; and for this reason—the labour is principal .p done
by women. But the number of women in Great Britain
greaely exceeds the number of men. In 18'21 the* females
out-numbered the males, in round numbers, by 117,000;
1831, by 213,000 ; fa 1841, by 320,000; and at this moment,
so great has been the male emigration in the last nine years,
that there cannot be less than half a million more females
than males in Great Britain. Now women have far fewer
trades in which they can engage than, men. Their choice is
very ,invited, and as their field of employment is narrower,
so se it proportionably tar more crowded. This needle-
working, which is one of the largest, is the most over-
crowded of all trades; In none, cinsequently, has the re-
duction in the price of labour and the cost of the article
produced Sono great.
Theirs, thee, is the case in which the causes I have pointed
out are is most active operation, and the effects produced the
moot baneful. What, then, is to be done for their relief ?
I bear many say—" This system of cheapness or competition
meet he put an end to." Bat how ? By whom ? By the
t ? Now, what is meant by this i Does it mean
Crlawsaliall be made to regulate the retail prices of every
anti& sold in every shop, street, and alley in every town
and village in England ? Let us suppose that this, if it were
possible, would secure a certain profit more or less to the
vendor; but, for the producer, there must be, further, a
law vegetating the amount of wages for every labouring
man, woman, and child. Due regard, of course, must be
had, not only to the different prices of the necusries of life
in diluent districts, but also to the varying skill, strength,
and application of each individual person.
This scheme is, of cows*, too absurd to be entertaisid sir
timely by any one. But I see that it has been motes*
to remedy the evil by forbidding schools under
LTC:sr:tip
purpose
to takeof ifnoonter
oedolotowoorksabenymoLlt wphatoisprfieecoresmry o
we to forbid any
.one from meriting or earning what they
an, esperially children, whose education often depends on
thesainteaance of their school by this very needlework?
An we then, to persuade people, u stutter of duty, to
give more for • thing than they can get it for—the trades.
man to pay for labour, the consumer for his goods, more
than the market price ? Is all bargain to become a matter
of charity ?
No ; social evils are neither to be cured by act of pallia-
sse% aor by attempting to contravene the laws of nature.
What, then, is to be done ?
That this plethora of capital and population suet have
seem found for them elsewhere is no new doetriae, nor do
many now dispute it. But I have shown that there are pecu-
liar circumstances affecting the female labour market which
entitle it to a priority of relief. Leave this crowd of women
here, and they will destroy one another—more and more
poverty, more and more infamy—body and soul both
destroyed. Why not give them the means of escape ? In
the southern hemisphere is a vast coatisent, which is as
much a part of the British Empire as Wales. It has been
peopled partly by forced partly by voluntary emigration. In
the fintease the disproportion of the sus (the reverse. of
course of thati which we see in England) is enormous.
Philaathropista have been shocked at the results
upon society there. Bat even in the ease of volun-
tary emigration, the greater hardihood and spirit
of adventure of the male sex have naturally brought
oat a greater number of male emigrants. In 1847 there
were in South Australia only 13,622 females to 17,531 males,
including children, the disproportion among adults being, of
course, greater. In New South Wales, in 1847, of the adult
population 83,573 were melee, and only 41,809 were females.
In Van Diemen's Land the same dbproportion exists.
A redress of this latouslity is the crytng. want of society
then; just as the redress of the opposite inequality In this
emery is the necee-ity here.
Any woman so emigrating is a woman saved ; and farther,
deny numbers go out, the statue of the remainder is bet-
tered. The competition is diminished, and wages pro tanto
improved.
The cost of a pomace for on &dolt to Australia is £l5;
wonderfully little ethos the Mork of the voyage and the
comfort. provided are assidered, bat very large when we
have to deal with the meant of numbers.
But let as suppose dna we only deal with a few. The
sums seat through yew Maas for the relief of the needle-
waken must ameset now to some hundreds of pounds.
These same have bees direelsd S. be megioysit for the benefit
of pusieular iadividaels, where male seemed le year readers
to be *penally dielfillog. Bat throe elm ant at Tart

be exhausted, end when exhausted, if the recipient has not '
been altogether removed from the trade, she will be in no
way benefited. On the contrary, she will return to her pH-
eatione with a keener sense of their intensity from the con-
trast she has known ; where's, the same sum which has thus
been almost wasted, in enabling her to continue in a trade
which can brief her nothing but suffering end temptation,
would, if applied to her emigration, have enabled her to
escape from it.
But I do not intend that we should deal with a few only.
I impose that we should offer to those who still have health
and years before them, and, above all, who still have cha-
rlotte, the means of escape from a country where their only
potailde calling brings them ruin, to a had which offers
them the prospect of a home where they may dwell in com-
fort and bacon,.
The emigration of a few is a certain and positive benefit
to those few ; but unless we enable large numbers to go, we
can effect no sensible or permanent improvement in the situ-
ation of those who remain. Whet we do must be done on •
large teals. For this a vast fund will be required ; but I
have no doubt that in this country, abounding in wealth—
abounding also, I trust, in a seltdenjing and Christian
spirit, such a fund can and will be raised.
Neither will mithintry be wanting. The clergy who, in
these poverty-stricken parishes, themselves unsupported by
wealth, are nobly fighting the battle of the ernes; the excel-
lent scerierit a which are labourine teethe spiritual and tem-
poral welfare of the poor—individuals also—men like Lord
Ashley, whose elergefic benevolence sent him yells ego
through the courts acd alleys which your correspondent has
now revisited—all these would give invaluable assistance in
administering the fund, and in *dieting email/Mee tee esni
podia.
Communications may be opened with the colonies with
the view to the reception of the emigrants on their arrival.
" Homes" may be established similar to the one founded at
Adelaide by Mrs. Chisholm, whose name is widely and
honourably known in connection with emigration. This
will secure to the emigrants protection and guidance, and
facilities (or placing themselves respectably.
Some difficulty might at first be found in the unwilling-
ness of the poor women themselves to emigrate. The long
sea-voyage—As strange country—the fear' of ills they know
nut of "—the unwil:ingnem to sever the ties which bind them
here—all are discoungementv at first. Bat at a meeting
which took place in Shadwell last night, the subject was
broached to upwards of 1,000 of these poor creatures, to
whom it appeared to be anything but distasteful.
Them things are not done in • day. But if they are to he
done, the sooner the work is begun the better.
In the selection of emigrants, one condition mutt never be
lust sight of. None but women of good character must be
assisted to go. There must be no taint or discredit upon
them to mar their proejtecte when they arrive at their new
home.

'lime, then, are my proposals; 1
That a fund be forthwith raised to assist distressed females
to emigrate.
That thi. fund be administered by a committee, with the '
assistance of the local clergy, and the religious societies in
the districts.
That measures be taken in the colonies to suture protec-
tion and guidance to the emigrants on their arrival.
This is the outline of a plan by which, as it appears to me'
permanent good can be tffected. There are many details'
upon which 1 do not touch.
Waist proportion to the whole cost of the passage of the
emigrant the assistance from this fund should bear—whether
that assistance should be by way of gift or loan, or both ?
these ere questions which the committee must decide.
In a few days I trust that sack a committee will be orga-
nised, and at work.
The names of the committee, and a list of the subscribers,
will be publisbel se soon as possible
In the meanwhile subscriptions will be received by the
gentlemen named below.*
One woed in conciusion. Let us not be scared by the
magnitude of the evil with which we have to contend; hut
rather let us make our efforts commensurate with it. We
must have vigor. us action and large means. Let those who
cannot give a large scm down, give it in instalments in
three, four, or five years. Let those who have much, give
mutt, and let all give generously according to their ability.
' Neither time nor money can be wasted which is devoted to
such a work. I have the honour to be, sir,
Your obedient servant,
SIDNEY HERBERT.
' 6, Carlton-gardens, Dec. 4, 1849.

• Subscriptions in furtherance of the objects advocated above
may be paid to the joint account of Lord Ashley, the Right
Hon. Sidney Herbert, the Hon. Arthur Kinnwrd, and the
Rev. W. Cliampneys, Rector of Whiteehapel ; to Megan.
Ransom and Co., Pall•mall ; Herrin and Farquhar, St.
James's; Mears. Hoare, Fleet-street; and Mews. Will-
Lima, Deacon, and Co., Birchin•lane, who have kindly con-
sented to receive them.
Communications on the subject may be addressed, for the
present, to W. T. Holy, Esq., 4, St. Martin'►place, Trafal-

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

THIS DAY.

BOW-STREET.

- - -
ALLEOZD ROBBERY OF LACS, BT A BROPMAN.—J.
Parker was charged with stealing several lace sleeves, the
property of his employer.
The prisoner was shopman in the service of Messrs. Shonl-
bred and Co., linendrapers, No. 15-5, Tottenham-court-road.
For some time past considerable property had been missed
from different parts of the shop, and subsequently suspicion
relied upon the prisoner. Last night, at the time the shop
was being closed, one of the partnersreceived information from
one of the shopmen, that the prisoner had been seen to
secrete some lace sleeves about his person. The prisoner was
called forward and requested to retire to a private part of
the ahop. Mr. Shoolbred then interrogated the prisoner, and
asked him what he had done with the lace he had stolen.
The prisonsr replied that they were in his drawer, but on
being threatened that he should be searched if he did not'
tell the truth, he took the lace from his pockets.
The prisoner said nothing in his defence, and
Mr. Hall said this case was made very clear, and it was
quite unnecessary to examine the shopmen, who taw the
occurrence.
The prisoner was then committed for trial.
APPREHENSION.—List night a gang of coiner., who have
long infested the metropolis, were captured by the police.
On an application to the magistrate this day by Sergeant
Thompson, of the F division of police, it appeared that such
his been the alacrity shown on the part of the police, that
they had bsen enabled to procure every necessary evidence,
but that it would be proper to await the arrival of the soli-
citor of the Mint, whose attendance was anxiously looked
for, to prcsecnte the cue on behalf of the crown.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.
ALLEOED ATTeMPT AT FILLCD —J. Hammond was re-
examined, charged with attempting to defraud Mr. Jacob-
son, gol I refiner, &c., Tottenham-court road, by offering for
sale a quantity of gold skewings.
The ease appeared in Tuesday's Ezpren.
Mr. Bingham asked complainant if he was positive
the "skimmings" produced were worthier ?
Complainant.—Yes, your worship, I am ; if they
genuine they would fetch 425., but I would not give i
farthings for them.
Thecoastable now stated that, accoraing to the magistrate's
directions, he took the " skewing. to an slayer, who put
them in the crucible, and melted them down, and the result
of that test was slump of pure gold, which he produced.
The complainant stated that the skewings, when assayed,
contained only one-fourth part gold.
Mr. Bingham—Oa Tuesday last you distinctly stated that
the skewings did not contain a single particle of gold -
whereas a lump of the purest gold was produced in cowl,
being the result of the assay of only one half of the skew-
lap. I shall therefore disekarge the defendant.
WESTMINSTER.

VIOLZIOT AISAVITES.-1. Thompson was charged with
violently immialing Ellen Murphy.
In oomincumiso of complainant's remonstrating with the
defendant's wills tit unmercifully beating a child, she abased
her In the ocursent e, and defendant rushed upon het
and struck her
Defendant said bo weevily drunk, and might have pushed
her; he could not my that he did not give her a black eye.
He was fined 31., or nix 'mite imprisonment.,
1. McMinn was tam charged with assaulting the Flies
essieshhe who boil best called in by the last complainant.
The oesibibie be seem entered than defendant said he
bad so Whom *ell, and struck kin repeatedly on the
bead, and the ether man for a time got away ; defendant had
keen drinking very truly.
Defendant said be was very sorry.—He was also ling 31.,
Of six weeks' imprisonment in default.

CITY OF LONDON LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC IN-
setvvvioN.—Last evening a coweereazions took place at this
institution, in Aldersgete-street. on which occasion an ad-
dress was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Croly illustrative of the
important *stuntmen to be derived from a pursuit of know-
ledge. The address was listened to with marked attention
throughout, and its various beauties appeared to be most
warmly appreciated. Amongst the entertainments provided
for the occasion were various recitations by member of the
English elocution rims, and of these " The death of Ma-
nion" end a some between Sairey Gasp and Betsy Prigg
wan the highest :need of praise. The latter recitation was
Riven by two brothers of the name of Grosemitb and each
distinguished himself by a degree of humour which would
have done no discredit to the stage. The performanots
were enlivenej by a concert of vocal and instrumental
music, in which W. Eanderd, with his eon and daughter,
took a prominent part ; and a fantasia on the pianoforte was
played by Herr Mangold with great delicacy and artistic
power. A variety of works of art, and objeets, of interest,
were exhibited in various rooms of the institution, and every
an was taken to render the conversation—as it proved
to be—an intellectual, as well as ea agreeable, entertain-
ment.