The Express.
London, England, 1851-12-26 00:00:00

CIIRISTMAS-DAY IN THE LONDON

WORKHOUSES.

It will be remembered that last year we presented returns
which exhibited the fact that as compared with the Christ.
mas of 1849 there bad been a decrease in pauperism in the
metropolis and its suburbs to the extent of upwards of
30,000 persons ; and, although the returns from the various
parishes do not exhibit quite so great a reduction between!
the Christmas of 18.50 and the present period, still there
is great cause fur congratulation showing as they LI.) that
with a vastly increased population, poverty and pauperism
is gradually on the decline. The following report will be
found to contain not only the fare allowed to the inmates
of tlte.workhouses, by the guardians of the respective pa-
rishes and unions, but it also shows the number in each,
distinguishing the sexes and the adults from' the children ;
and in all instances where the returns could be obtained the
number of out-door poor, the decrease or increase in each
parish is given, and the gross number summed up at the
end of the report.

Sr. MARTLEBONE.—rOpiIIatiOII of parish, 157,000; num-
ber of inmates of the workhouse 1,703, (last Christmas-day
the numbers in the house were 1,741). The Christmas fare
was half a pound of roast beef, free from bone, one pound
of plum pudding, one pint of porter, with potatoes, bread,
and other vegetables, an ounce of tea and a quarter of a
pound of sugar, with tobacco and snuff to adults, and
mange., apples, and sweetmeats with various amusements,
to the children. The directors and guardians, accompanied
by a large number of ladies and gentlemen, attended divine
service in the workhouse chapel, and then wen: through
the wards to see the poor enjoy their substantial meal.
Number of outdoor poor, 4,701; last Christmas, 4,731; in-
crease, as compared with last Christmas, 20.
PANClLtB.—Population at last census, 167,701), in-
mates of the workhouse, 1,253 (last Christmas-day, 1,321).
The Christmas-day fare was half a pound of roast beef,
free front bone, with plum pudding, and porter and vege-
tables. Tobacco, snuff, and extra tea and sugar for the
aged ; and oranges, sweetmeats, and amusements in the hall
of the new Industrial Training School, which had been
tastefully fitted up, for the children. The number of out-
door poor of this parish amounts this year to 5,198,
amongst whom hese been distributed in kind to the amount
of 421. ls. 81 , and in money 167/. 16s. ; total amount,
2091. 17s. Bd. Last year the number of out door poor was
I 0,181, and the distribution in kind was 461. 7s. 61(1., and
in money 107/. 10A. ful.; total, 203%. 18s. ON. These re-
turns show a decrease in the number of in-door poor of
68, and an increase iu the out-door poor as compared with
last year of 17. This circumstance arises from the con-
tinued ileterminatioa of the authorities to carry out the
principle of out-door relief as opposed to the workhouse
, test. Total decrease, 51. _ _

ST. MATITIN-IN-Int-FIELDS.—InMate! of the work-
house, 591, viz., 184 men, 338 women, 30 boys, and 38 girls.
Inlant poor at Norwood, 117; boys, 72, and girls, 45.
Lunatics at lianwell and other asylums, 71; children at
the Metropolitan at Margate, 3; in hospital, 2 ; total in-
mates, 790. Last Christmas, G9l. The Cliritmas fare was
roast beef and plum pudding, and a pint of porter each
adult, and half a pint to each child above 7, with tea and
sugar for all above GO years of age. A half holiday is
allowed. Out-door poor this year, 576, air., men, 96;
women, 138; children, 312. List year the out-door poor
were 601. Decrease on in-door poor, UG; increase on out-
door tour, 25. Total decrease as compared with last
year, It.
ST. JAMES'S WESTMINSTER—Inmates 512, consisting
of men 160, women 316, boys 41, girls 9, infants 8 (number
last year .597). There are children at the juvenile estab-
lishment at Brantford. The Christmas fare: roast beef,
plum pudding. &c., ad libitum and one pint of porter to
adults. All classes have two holidays, and tho aged and
weak to visit their friends if they please. The children
have, in addition, tea and bread and butter, and on boxing.
day apples and buns, and arc amused with dissolving views
and choral singing. Out-door poor 613, last year about
700. Thus it will be seen that there is in this parish a de-
crease of the in-door poor, as compared with the correspond-
ing period list year, of 5o; and with respect to the out-door
poor of 60, making a total decrease of pauperism of 115.
Sr. .MAITY, LASIIIETIL—Inmates of the workhouse this
Christmas. 936, viz., men, 381; women, l'17; bovs 33;
girls, 2:J.—Last year, 953, consisting of 390 men, bOO wo-
men, 27 bays, and 36 girls. Children at the p.a.:Oklal esta-
blishment at Norwood:—Boys, '239, girls lol—total, 423;
last year, 428. Out door pour, 4,516; at corresponding
period last year, 4,654. Holidays allowed, and to men and
women on Christmas-day hire 6 oz. baked beef free from
time, ;11b. baked potatoes, Ills, boiled plum-pudding, and
1 pint of porter for each adult, with tea morning and even-
mug. Decrease on ill-door poor, 22; increase on out-door
poor as compared with last year, 16o—total inerease, 143.
ST. MARY, ItorllMllllME.—Number of inmates, 204,
viz., GI males, 92 females and .11 children ; last Christmas,
73 men, 93 women, and, 57 children. The adult inmates
were regaled with roast beef, plum-pudding, and one hint
of ale each adult, with tobacco and snuff. Fite children at
discretion 01 master. No return as to out-door relief. De-
ers a-e this year as compared with last, 19.
ST. Many, NEWINGTON.—In-ileor poor, 104, viz, adult
males, 150 : females, 204 ; children, 41. Last year—males,
153 ; letaalca, 190; children, 35 ; total, 378. Christmas
fare : Baked beef and potatoes, plum-pudding, and a pint
of porter for dinner. In the altermion each adult received
one ounce of tea, six ounces of sugar, and six ounces of

butter ; to those who smoked an ouu;:e of tobacco and a
pipe ; and to those who took snuff an ounce of that article.
This parish have IS3 children at the North Surrey Indus-
trial School near Annerky, who were regaled in a similar
manner. The number of recipients of out relief are 1,24 ;
last year, 1,210. Increase on the in-door po,r, 26 ; and on
the out-door poor, 17. 'Total increase, 43.

ST. MAIIPM:t6DALEN, BEL0111;118EY.—IETILIIte% 591
(last year 582) ; viz. men, 171 ; women, 191 ; boys, 102 ;
girls, 121. Christmas-day fare, boiled pork, potatoes,
plum pudding, and one pint of beer for dinner. The chil-
dren fruit and oranges, instead of beer alter dinner. The '
adult inmates to receive a holiday. Out-door poor, 1,189;
last Christmas, 1,108; being an increase on the out-door
poor of 61, and 9on the indoor poor. Total increase, 90.
ST. GEoltoE'S IY TIIE E.V4T.—lnmates of workhouse,
711; viz., males, 237; females, 421 ; children, 56 (last year,
211 men ; 438 women ; 65 children ; total, 711); children
at infant establishment, Mitcham, 221 (last year, 212)
out-door poor, 1,192 (last Christmas, 1,112). The fire at
this workhouse was of very superior quality, consisting of
roast beef, potatoes, and plum pudding n 4 4isitunt, with
pint of porter,tea, &.c. fhe children similar fare, with
fruits, nuts, e. at discretion. Increase on in-door poor, 12;
on out-door poor, 80. Total increase, 92.

SrerNev UNios.—Population at census this year,
110,775. In the four workhouses of the union, 1,145—
viz.: men, 285; women, 462; children, 418. Out-door
adults, 1,678; children, ,631 ; total, 3,309. Lunatics in
asylums: Men, 57; women, 78; total, 130. Total of all
classes in receipt of relief this Christmas, 4,'i89. The num-
ber ut the corresponding period last year was—ln-door
Males, 250 ; females, 469 children, 423 ; total, 1,142
Out-dour, 3,008; lunatics, in; total, 5,161 The inmates
supplied with a good dinner of roast beef, plum pudding,
one pint of porter for each adult, and apples and oranges
for the children. Decrease of pauperism in this uniue, as
compared with last year, 1,253.
STRAND UNlON.—lnmates of union, 485 (lag Christ-
mas, 491)—viz. : Male adults, 191 • female adults, 14,5;
children under 16, 46. Christmas etre: Boiled pork, peas
pudding, and plum pudding, with one pint of porter to
each adult. The infant poor (about 120) at Millfield
House, Edmonton. Nu return of out door poor. Decrease
in the workhouse as compared with last year, 6.
WANDSWORTH AND CLAPHAM UNlON—lnmate, Of
workhouse, 381 (last year, 407), sir., men, able-bodied, '2l ;
temporarily disabled by sickness or accident, 48; old and
infirm, 129 ; youths from 7 to 15 years, 4 ; boys from 2 to
7 years, 2 ; women, able-bodied, 41 ;_ temporarily disabled,
22 ; old and infirm, 141 ; girls from 7 to 15, 2 ; infants, 11.
Number of pauper children at the North Surrey District
School at Penge, 69 (last year, 94), viz., 41 boys and 28
girls. Decrease in the workhouse, 26; in the school, 25.
Christmas fare—Roast beef without bone, Boz. ; plum
pudding, 1lb.; potatoes, 11b.; porter, 1 pint. Tobacco and
snuff for tho aged, butter and tea for all classes, and
oranges and nuts for the children. Total decrease, 51.
Otincsivried UNlON.—lnmates of workhouse, 1,097
(corresponding period last year, 1,082), viz.' men, 302;
WOlllOl, 416 ; children, 319. The Christmas fare was roast
beef and plum pudding, with one pint of London porter to
all the inmates except the children, who were supplied with
oranges in lieu of porter. Applications fur holidays, vary-
ing from one day to a fortnight, granted to all considered
deserving. Increase this year over last, 15.

SAINT OLAVE'S UNlON.—lnmates of workhouse 351 (last
Christmas 376), viz., 91 males, 133 females, and 127 chil-
dren. The Christmas fare roast beef, plum pudding, ad
libitum with porter is each adult, and sweetmeats to the
children. No return of out-dour poor. Decrease thin
Christmas as compared with the corresponding period last
year 25.
POPLAR UNlON.—lnmates of tho workhouse this Christ-
mas 52.5, of which there are—Males 157, females 24.4, chil-
i dren 161. Out-door poor—males 267, females 749, total 961.
Total in and out-door poor, 1,977. The numbers last year
were—ln the house, 169 men, 195 women, and 175 children.
Total in-door 529. Out-door poor 292 men, 801 women.
Total out-door 1,153; and gross total 2,259. The Christmas
fare was roast beef, with vegetables and plum puddings.
Holidays are allowed to inmates who are generally orderly
in their conduct on application to the master. Decrease this
year, as compared with last, of in-door pour 4, and out-door
282. Total decrease 286.
Hotuoks UNlON.—Number in the workhouse, 642,
viz.,166 men, 286 women, and 190 children. At the corre-
sponding period last year, 664 ; viz., 190 men, 280 women,
and 194 children ; 10 children at the Royal Sea Bathing
Establishment at ?dargate. Christmas fare, roast-beef,
plum-pudding, and porter. The inm,tes are allowed harp
Of absence upon application. No return of out-door poor.
Decrease, 22.

BIIENTFOILD UNION.—SUMberS in the house, 415, viz.,
men, 146 ; women, 128 ; children, 141. Last Christmas,
129 men, 142 women, and 138 children ; total, 409. Christ-
mu fare, 3-lb. roust-beef, Ilb. potatoes, Ilb. plum-pudding ,1
pint of beer, and extra tea and sugar, each adult. 'the
children regaled with fruit and sweets in the afternoon.
Extra relict to the out-door poor at work in the stone-yard.
Holidays alter the Christmas festivities. Increase, 6.
Sr. SAVlOtletl VNlON.—Numbers in the house, 415 :
males, 147 ; females, 268. Last year—males, 167 ; females,
302: total, 459. Tho children of this union, 100 in num-
ber, fumed out at the Central London District School,
Norwood. Out-door poor-75 men, 373 women, and 393'
children; total, 841. Last year—out-door poor, 862, viz.,'.
90 men, 362 women, and 410 children. Rust beef with
baked potatoes, plum-pudding, and a pint of Baelay's best

porter. Decrease in the in-door poor, 44; in out-door
poor, 21. Total decrease as compared with last yt..tr, 65.
Ilacmsar UNtoN.—lnmates, 411 (last year, 4.5;),
males, 13S; females, 161 ; children, 120. Christmas fare—
bread and butter for breakfast ; dinner, half • pound of
roast beef, with horse-radish, mustard, &c., pots-
, toes, one pint of porter, and one pound of plum-pudding ;
tea or supper, bread, butter, or tea. Decrease, 45.
EDNIONTON Umos.—lnmates, 340 (last year the num-
bers were precisely the same), via.. 200 men and 140
women. Children at establishment at Eufield. Christmas
fare—roast beef, potatoes, and one pound of plum-pudding,
and one pint of porter eaelt adult. No return etude of out-
door poor.
- .

CITY op LONDON UNlON.—lnmates of the new iind mag-
nificent workhouse of the Cite of London Unien in the
Bow-road 702, consisting of 2:J7 men, 402 wonteii, and 33
children. At the corresponding period of last year the
numbers were, males, 312; females, 463; and children, 40;
total, 813. In addition there aro 286 children belonging to
this union at the Norwood Central Indented Training
School. Christmas-day fare—Roast pork, vegetabies, plum
pudding, and one pint of Barclay and Co. s porer, with
bread and butter and tea fur morning and afternoota meals.
The children dieted according to their respective ages. No
ieturn of out-door poor given. Decrease of in-dour poor as
compared with last year 23.
EAST Lot DUN L NION.—ALDESSOATE
Number inmates, chiefly aged men, 173 (last year, 203.)
—Bisnoeseare Wonenouse-365 women and children
(chiefly infants.) The elder children at the 1 n‘lustral
School, No.wood. Fare ; plum pudding end roast beef
with a pint of porter each adult. A discretionary power is
vested in the master to let a few out who are accustomed to
meet their friends at this season of the year. No return
was obtained as to the female inmates last year, who are
allowed to go out once in three weeks. D,:creatii, as cum-
parcel with last year, 30.
UNION.—IO the workhouses of this
union : adult. and children, 910 (laitt year, 904) ; outdoor
pour re:levet], 1,387; at Christ:mu; last year, 2,220. Christ-
mas fare : roast beef, plum pudding, and vegetables. De-
crease in in-door poor, 31; decrease in out-door tom, 812.
Total decrease of pauperism in this union, as compared
with last year, 806.
itletritew, BETHNAL-QUEEN.—lnmates of work-
house, 601 (corresponding period last year, 700) ; viz. men,
210; women, 292; buys, 78; girls, 64. Christmas-day
fare: roast beef, plum pudding, and ale. Increase as corns
pared with last year, 6.
ST. JAMEs'S' CLEKKENWELL. Inmates, 487 viz. :
males, 12.2; females, 242; children, 123. Last year, 117
men. 233 ...mien, and 103 children. Number of out .door
poor of all classes, 1,340 • last Christmas, 1,431. Fare:
Adults, Sez. roust beef, lib baked potatoes, 10. z. plum
pudding, one plot of porter; children, 6 A. of beet. &c.,Sor.
of plum pudding, and all above 6 years half a pint of
porter. Those unit.r 6 years, fruit and sweets instead.
Extra tea and sugar. On application, inmates lit e holi-
days fur three, four, or seven days, according to circum-
stances. The master remarks: On the whole we are de-
cidedly on the decrease, perhaps because the workhouse is
made the test between poverty and paupet ism ; the harmer
being produced by accident, misfortune, or sicknss, over
which they had no control, and the latter Witte brought
on through vice and profligacy, or inherent trim their
parrots training them to he workhouse for ri In-
crease in in-door poor, 34 ; decrease in out-door p we, 91.
' Sr. GEOIAA.C., IIANOVIAtsskIeAIIE.-111 the workhouse,
308 (lest year the numbers were the same), viz., tutu, 160;
women, 132; boys, 13 ; girls, 3. Christmas Lei, roust beef
and potatoes, not stiuted as to weight, and on New Year's
Day roast beef and potatoes, and a pound of plum pudding
each person. Every instate received 2d. on Chris: liedS Eve,
and the same again on Now Year's Day. Thin whole of the
inmates nut under medical treatment have two days' holi-
day, and the s..iite at the new year.
Sr. Le Fie, CllELSEA.—hunates : Able-hodied men, 21;
able-bodied women, 27; temporarily disabled men, 20;
temporarily disabled vs-omen, :11 ; old and infirm me n, 100;
old and infirm women, 1133 ; children and intents, 31.
There are also 132 children at the Ninth Surrey lodustrial
Schools. This establishment is situate at Few. Legatics
in the county and other usylums, 34 ; total itedoir poor.
,39; last year, in the house' 303; children at the seated',
10J; lunatics 49; total, 531. The Christmas fate to adults,
Alb. of roast lunatics,
free from bone III). of pow. es, with
bread, :lb. of plitin pudding, with 1 pint of Itare:ay's
porter to each permit". 'I no children at the master's discre-
tion. Out-door pour thi. year 2,034; last year 1,907. It
appears that in 1819 the rates in this parish were 1.. in the
pound, but by decrease of pauperism and judiciou. manage-
meat, they have been reduced to 2s. 10. In the pound per
year. In consequence of disorderly conduct last year, the
guardians have refused a general holiday. Incr. 114 C on in-
door poor 13, and on out-door poor titl. 'fetid increase 103.

ST: MAav AIIIIUTS, liT:SSlNOTll,ll.—liiintatos el work-
house 203 Oast Christman 239), viz., 39 aged, iniirm and
sick men, 10 able-bodied, 41 bos, inclutling infant.. Total
males 113, aged infirm one tick women 83, able-No:led 30,
girls, including infants, 37. Total, females 1.30. The
Christmas diet for adults, 11b. plum pudding, itb. roast
beef, 11b. potatoes, and 1 pint Barclay and Co's. hese porter.
Children in proportion, with apples, oranges, &c. Old
men }oz. tobacco, and old women or. snuff. An al-
lewisneu of this kind is made weekly. llolidays to the de-
serviag. Out-door poor 779; vix, males 111, tem el-s 330,
children 338; lust Chri-tmas 900. Increase in in-door
poor 4 ' • decrease iu out-door poor 121. Total tletrea,e 117.
Sr. GILLS'S, CAMI{EUWELL.—Inmates of woAtiouse
379, via., 103 men, 123 women, and 151 childreo. Last
year, 110 men, 133 women, unit 132 children ; t0ta1,415.
The Christmas-day fare was a plentiful supply of roast-beef.
plum-pudding and porter. The guardians have al,o pri
catchy subscribed to treat the old people with orat.ges and
other fruit on Citristmasalay. Out-door poor, 1,010 (last
Christmas, 1,242). Decreaso on the in-dour pour, 51.; ;oa
the out-door poor, 232. Total decretisek2M.
Sr. Lear, Illinntreex.—lnutatee, 438 (last Chri4mas,
634), cousisting of 122 men, 230 women, and 112 tWildren.
Out-door poor, 845, relieved itt a cost of 571. 12s. 7;d. Lust
Christmas the out-door poor relieved were 978, at t cost of
GI/. 19s. 7:0.. Total number chargeable, including in-
door and out-door poor, together with lunatics at dif-
ferent asylums, 1,3,4. Las; year's total, 1,174. Christ-
man fare, roast-beet and plum-pudding, with '..de that
makes the wt arc blest.'' Atter dinner thochildrt a mat sick
patients, as alio the aged and infirm, were supp,ted with
oranges, and the residue with tobacco and muff. I),:crease
of in-door poor, 70, and of out-door pour, 133. Total de-
crease, 203.
.

Si, LEONARD, SHOREDITCII.—In the workhouse, t 26
men, women, and children (last year, 806). The Christmas
foe: roast beef, plum-pudding, and potatoes, and to all who
did not receive beer sick money was given instead. Tho
poor•losv commissioners refused to allow beer, hut the re-
form party have given money instead. The rates h-eve been
reduced from Is. to Bd., and the poor have many extra
comforts. Increase, 2).

ST. GEORGE-TUE-MARTYII, SOUTUWARK.—Inmates, 558
(lam year, 5:4, viz., min, 06; women, 20 ; children.
187. Fare—roast beef, plum-pudding, and vegetel.ks. &c.,
ad /ibition, and one pint of porter each. Children the same,
with oranges, &c. Increase in in-door pour, 6.
BitostLEir UNION.-Inmates, 210, viz., males, 102 ; fe-
males, 56; and 52 children; no return last year. Adults:
roast beef, plum pudding and beer. The children oranges
and nuts, &c., in addition.

ST. dII.F.S;S•IN-TIE-FIF.LI/S.—ChliSinllB fare—adults,
half a pound of beef, half u pound of plum-pudding, one
pint of porter, and potatoes ad libitum ; children in pro-
portion. No return of numbers given.
Sr. MART, ISLINGTON.—No return.
There are, in addition to the foregoing, about ono thou-
sand children ut the Industrial Schools, Norwi, I. Tho
same number at the North Surrey Industrial Se'uoirls at
I'enge, ou the line of the London and Croydon Railway,
belonging to St. Luke's (CheLsea), the Wandsworth and
Clapham, Richmond, Kingston, and Croydon and Lewis-
ham Unions, and is governed by eighteen nianagmli, se-
lected from the various boards. Drouet's establishment at
Brixton, about 700 children.
Thus it will he seen that about eighty thous.nd poor
were regaled with Christmas fare yesterday in the metro-
polis. The only ttstricts omitted arc the West London
! Union, 14ington, Paddington, and St. Margaret's and St.
John's, Westminster, on account of want of e 011141,111 cour-
tesy on the part of the autleritita applied to.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS.

On Christmas-eve, the customary gifts to the poor
inhabitants in the mctropo:is and its suburbs were distri-
buted by the parochial authorities in their respective locali-
ties. The annual gifts of several benevolent indiv'Aluals
were also issued.

KENMINGION.—The Rifts of her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Kent were distributed to the deserving poor in
the vicinity. The donation consisted of coals, meat, bread,
blankets, and warm clothing.

Kaw.—Hie Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge hu
given directions for a substantial Christmas dinner, consist-
ing of beef and plbm pudding, to be provided for each poor
family in the neighbourhood. A supply of coals w•us also
given.
- -

HAMPTON AND Hl:illY.—The usual gifts to the poor
were distributed.

LAMBETH.—In this extensive parish the clergymen of
the various district churches, assisted by the cbureliwan
dens, distributed large quantities of coals, meat, brtad, pos
toes, oatmeal. flannel, blankets, women's cloaks, and shoes,
to the deserving poor in their respective loculiti, s. The
recipients of Mr. Whiteside's bounty had their tickets,
which were issued on Monday, exchanged for beef and
mutton, the quanuty given varying in proportion to the
number in each family.

SOUTHWARL.—The Ladies' Association, consisting prin-
cipally of the Society of Friends, distributed supplies of
coals sr.d oatmeal to the poor inhabitants of the Borough
and Newington ; and in sonic cases of extreme destitution
or illness, money and warm clothing were also given. A
distribution of coals and other necessaries was also made by
the parochial authorities in their respective districts.
ST. MARTIN IN TIER FICLON.—The parochial authori-
ties iuued bread, meat, potatoes, and coals, to the poor
inhabitants, and in some instances blankets were given.
At the Soup Kitchen, Leicester-square, a good supply of
bread and soup, &c., is given to every distressed appli-
cant, witle reference to sect or parish settlement; not-
withstanding that the weather has been unusually mild for
the season, the cases of urgent distress that have como
before the committee exceed iu number that of any
prcvi-
mu winter since its institution; and, the funds being at
present very low, it is to be feared that without assistance
from the benevolent, a large portion of the applications for
food cannot be attended to.

ST. MART-LE STRAND AND THE PRECINCT OF THE
S tvov.—The churchwardens and overseers issued .sUlbs.
of coals, besides bread, meat, and potatoes, to each
poor roomkeeper in the parish and premucts. Mr. Thurs-
ton, of Catherine-street, Strand, issued his annual gifts of

k:4