The Express.
London, England, 1850-03-30 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 30, 1850.

_
V1:1 t; TO THE LONDON RAGGED

THE WESTMINSTER DISTRICTS.
p.r,,cc introducing the reader to. the namerees
eetwo:e te this neighbourhood, I wilt take a slight
n with him. I will suppose him to Immo
4.4,,:d Sato the columns of the Norma, Artesia&
Tt'ine rosiest being granted, it follows sea matter
f „one that—unless ha happens to he better le-
;o„,,td—hr has fallen into certain errors on the sob-
• •of Red wh"
rTm impotent of the onnuniseioese a that journal
sotto a, nited schools ybe shortly maned
in the tillowiag manner : wa
• three yam previous to 1844, the number of
gwd, , crisis& bad eoasiderably diminished. In
j
School Union was eamseinsed, and
oi the
the
essittitati to iscrease frees that period.
Therefor the ragged schools have bees the calm.
▪ cumber of those criminals who cannot read
iod write have diminished. Tbe nasaber of those
who cos read end write imperfectly hasp increased.
7,„iter. we bare bees oaly educating, not Wenn-
our crisieele
In ."
the Brat place, it is satisfactory to know that the
o,,bre if jerraile offinders who have repaired what
go nay bo eassidered an education, has doorooned.
sod to the other facts sod agates, it I. cvi.
deo from there that the poorer classes have pssood
thaw years through • season of unusual distrust,
the de: of which has been to lower elapses,
itd t, dote to &siltation and crime numbers who
twin edwatian me* destined to industry. Tho
fa itc cie the potato crop, the Irish immigration, the
et merge of the revalue of the rich, similar short
cr.sc:o is the profits of capital these, and not the
Rizixd tkitoo:s, must be accused of the increase of

er:mr•
.4 to the comparison between Middlesex and Wales,
d the fie that crime and learning, ignorance and
mt • •
wortF. r in swishes
together, I need only observe
the. the er me of rebbery is in properties to the
resptstyn to it, and to the property exposed to it.
4ns it, not his ignorance, but the absence of all
tsars: ,n or object to rob, that preserves the morals
of the lit:le rustic. The little vagrant of the green
ea., blown to every eye he meets, cannot live by
vstehmidso. whilst the little town vagrant finds
ii,,,:hoed in the coat-pocket of the first saunterer
down the S:rand. What has schooling or soalschool-
iaz to do with this ?
rise, indeed, with much that the writer says,
sta admit that ri ading and writing is n ot morality.
fij the Lee! of learcirg and application is a step to
torsllty. even if nothing is learned. But no small
per of it c r.,:utarr influence of a school is its discipline
in! c,. reion and it is not the fault of the founders of
t.;-shoole if they possess'not this. The want of
es septa!, :old of its active employ on railroads and
ether ea:ernes% is quite sufficient to account for the
pvtlee dowu of a barely-earning class into a begging
sr.! I :::evert; one. It is to this that I would attri-
hLte the iscresse of crime in the nretropolis,where there
is L.:ohs more destitution, but where the destitute are
mere ee.4,:v and sorely tempted to crime than else-
where. With this the rigged schools, I verily
cry, had nothing in the world to do. And I must
ksi,t. tit i: would require much more comprehensive
mat.e:.ce. curled through a far greater numb:, of
yeLre of ferine and prosperity, employ and non-
exp..7. previous to venturing upon conclusions so
archar.tab:e, and so fraught with evil cnnsequences,
sh:.:l they prove unfounded.
1 hal :e.erly forgoven another argument urged by
the ~commissioner" against ragged schools. He
lllinl re tint the mixture of the classes of boys—
toed with the bid—tends to the contamination
of the former, and thus to the spread of juvenile de-
Now. the argument cannot be negatived, any
r.-re than proved by an asserti ea, but I believe
h le::: be found to be satisfactorily answered in
the co:;rie of the evidence which I collected
d.:rthj my recent visit to the schools at Wert-
z:neer. wlich I examined in order to ascertain their
Trent.: condition—their progress since their este-
h.:shme nt—and, above all, their influence upon the
ze!..iih•-urhcod.

ft Wes:abater, at the present time, there are
sign ragged schools, exclusive of the " Dormitory"
Anne's-street, which I shall notice separately.
Tv., et these are evening schools. Of the others the
n inpwan: is the Juvenile Itefoge, and School of
lzdzery is New Pye-etreet.
I Live been favoured by Mr. Walker, the genie-
s= sproicted in 1838 by the City Mission to the
cm of the district, with a statement of that condition
of Ile Lelgtbourhood at that time. Some of the par-
Le has recently published in the form of a
PRP'

▪ Hi. Walter Park—
N.:. r Whiteeripel nw fit. Giles'. could vie la the scenes
revere which It raid ezhibi.. It was act always quite
s ash riatt.• for the stranger to Terre alone into its laby-
trlti:*riit if he did so, he would hardly be induced to psy it
eer.i..d 'ism Ihe rums of crdmhli..g houses, incrusted
w^ the t. th rd smoke of generations. and noddiag to their
on every side, nothing bat wretchednees
ri: ruin ; wie.dows loeg sire* smashed ; 'llan approached
1.! t..spida•ett and broken flights of steps, Teething on the
ate,. mnd.rwered par. mast ; dingy images, leading to
Lty ur: steamier courts, sa blink acd black as so many
r.'terianrue abides, into which the p ;lice dared hardly
*rue Thee were the sorts of streets and lases. covered
he eve every species of vegetable and saints' refuse, with
fr /sari.... of ,rgkes crockery, glare, and Farber of all
1119,7:;•.111, which nude up this wretched district. In scene
of tt• ..ear stories or cellars would be seen magus of frowsy,
and tattered rage, or perfect heaps of splint, oho
rt..reree remnants of old iron mingled with keys, nails, and
Lire, thickly arrested with yellow rust sad verdigris, sad
saws et boor fragments of broken furniture, worn-out
but sad thew, tr., and all covered over by • co nmon layer
c' tan ad foulness. Such a state of things had been
a.i:wid to exist from generation to generation ; the inbatii.
lasts. .the their dwellings, left entirely eirgleeted ; the
rare nowise up, sad the old dying away, without a hand
sa,vsterd to vault thirst to the antitype of the serpent
A•ti is tee wilderness, to which they might look and live.
i▪ ts ',Mier entering such a spot required no penetrating
we %vomitus him that his was sow in the midst of a vast
wire, roan neglected ; bet amid he imagine be was really is
lientecdom, or to some region deer Oohs whore the foot
entmtaaked man had ever trod t He could satisfy his
ez 1 on that point, for be could me plainly the abbey.
wc ix lofty lower., rising proveny fat above the stir
l'Ataciag maw Still it might be asked, "Why all these
rwlet of hatheisensed, unwashed men and women sees H-
oeft/ et the deer sad wiriewe, and the end of narrow
w‘fit Rave they amthrg to do but smoke, swear, and
se enally fight with emit ether, and these swarms of
"f• ukadt sad angles ed &hires who ea en well trained
W nesse kr\ ramp se rotas* as their elders, who
rtrt wend the lire air Newpte, and thence to some
5' '.it colony, where the state thinks they are hest suited
literate intiabitants ? Bat what establishments are there
is the niossourtio4cl for the training el all these youths ri
Ira al tie ilactilty he would find the "cock pit "—a
wet important establishment is Deek.thne, patronised by
tine who should have known better things, to witness the
Gv beitinr, sr to see so many rats killed within a given
Lai It is well knows that example is a much more
;Awful blather than precept. Tr penny theatre was
st.vter fruitful establishment far the recruiting ranks of
i•waho offenders, as • prelude to the gaol and convict
• The admire:a massy must be obtained before
et/ out receive the rend lessons which some persons tell
si ore taught In such places by those who never practise
tin. Toe merits could not supply the means to pay for
I,t a school of morals, therefore the expenses fell upon
tr tradesmen in the neighbourhood, by baying their
• roles for this purpose, or some strseger baling hie
Watt picked, i s it mattered little to the pupil from what
utrta the supply came, so rit was obtained. There were
cuter +etre too revolting to entemplate, but which ap-
p'/.4 to be the very climax of depravity ; there were
rout for both sexes to dance, in • state of nudity. All
tie (tot. d 'inkiest a single school, or any means employed
ea.,:ehtee the inlaid, or reclaim the outcast wanderer,
afforded within the walls of the prison. Bat the
.1124. curiosity might still lend him to inquire into the
social lite, and still he would And the pie's,* to
tA►'sty dark ens. Let him take a small portion of the
oce.o, and is ILO losses he would find upwards of 3,000
or 700 tenths.; of these, 200 have been lawfully
1,1,7..1. the other 500 moot.

Mr. Walker then turned his attention to provide a
its..iy for this evil. He first opened a Sunday
kilt.4l for the lowest class of children. Oa the first
dsy tie itfurme me that it wu attended by upwards
l'stl rigged boys. Ultimately the " Juvenile Re-
" slut established in its present house, which we.
"'""TIY a public-house foe thieves, but which was
r°`., 'ed 11 the Rutstein of the mineionary exertions in
uo $ igl.tr.urboad.
Here is a picture of the Refuge as it need to be, and
uitness-d by Mr. Walker :
Ll, :slot Sir for a moment with a glans at tits old public
now " The Reface !" Let us look in at the upper
!::" • IMP lb. rifle sehooL Hers were 60 youths, wet
their master (as able a ens in his calling as England
"" troduesh listening with undivided attention to his
!•••t.euecie on the "nesp"—(a pair or trowsre suspended
L the siliso—or the subject of "fohology," or pocket
•;fdr After this suns of tuition, the neat was the mock
ai its • Imitation of the 01,1 B alley Court, with afar
!sseti..oaries and ordeal, dons with very great taste,
t:culsted he sake the young reseal, not only 'spat la
4
tr 4-1111 arum the Id, or pocket, but clever in defence, To
`' )ousg novice in Ms first essay, he was supplied
"a elms below, in the tap—view the dieing reoa of

thpsise shildraa). If gilaidellft4 thou b. Mum* Asti.
of reparthai saase and Mar,
is Ns AMIN fesesd—(rwes, w tbs bays' Wger
estt
. rasepsywiptal pass saaraltlsit. mai
sebtleictsall."lpeay wetiad t WM Um expose st laaptiesetsg.
. and tost sad surta et widow ?
Nbar,V..,.. ma lA-. sawp *plows the reader ha
assay Is mesa the aspenel SW IS mile la the storm
rem whit tits SO mar the town seses..••t is 'speak el
W sissegssmo—and Itsteads : Ist ths Sot 60,
USK ; the mown SO, WU Had taw knes. bees
owl ter ths prevasdag, Imatesd of the pullets. et Mar.
what. slt what would it sat lava At those
Ma asiteeted kamettate—l wan alums shoat to say made
thieves. Why. It weld have odwattad MOO~W,
at wheat wo•M est oily hare bus rassesi lea lies s d
Maw, bat hays beams $ bigamist; lasted of • was As
aseisty.
The effect of the establishment of this school, Mr.
Walker assures ins, wee that a shallot public...house is
the asighbeerheod oleo last its amens, sad has altos
been senverted lets the " %Wag Maa's Institute,"
of which I shall have presently to speak.
Nor was this all. Besides the benefits conferred
on the children, • marked ohmage took pleas in the
parents, who, free being tediffseent to the intsteste
of the children, and neglectful of their comforts,
sulk shed the greeted anxiety to give them all the
advantages that the school weld afford.

" I have heard it said; said Mr. Walker, athe
occasion of my visit, " that the effects of not :darting
the children is an evil—that the good are oentansi-
, stated by the bid. Now, I think that in the whole
source of my experience I have not found one case
where a child has been harmed by mixing with the
other children in the school. I do not believe that
such a etas has occurred, yet I believe I can trace the
coarse of all the boys who have been in this school."
Now, this is good authority. The school, with but
few exoeptions, receives no boys who do not belong
to the neighbourhood, so that the masters Dave oppor
tunities of seeing them grow up and learning some-
thing of their future course. Indeed, the society
generally provides fur them by teaching them a trade,
assisting them to emigrate, or finding them
situations Of some kind. In the various
schools in the neighbourhood there are, I am
informed, upwards of 800 children under instruc-
tion. Of these there are about 330 who an
read, write, and cypher. The children in the Refuge
are from S to 13 years of age ; but they are taken
from prison at any age between 14 and 18. From
10 to 12, Mr. Walker informed me, was the worst
and most critical age; the age when their habits be-
come formed. " When the school was first opened,"
said this gentleman, " I knew a gang of young thieves
in the neighbourhood, aged from 10 to 12. I went
to the parents of each, and told them of my plans,
and expressed my hope of seeing their sons. One of
tbese boys had been absent from his home for six
months, and had never been seen by his parents,
though always in the neighbourh‘od. I got
hold of this boy one day, and persuaded him
to stay in the school for some weeks. By the course
I ultimately succeeded in bringing over the whole
gang, twelve in number, and every one turned out
steady and honest boy.. They have tine left the''
school, and are all doing well. They were previously
the worst gang I ever krew. They used to hunt me
front street to street, and from court to court."
I asked this gentleman particularly, if the state-
ments of the boys themselves might be relied on
He told me to receive them with very great caution,
as in nine cases out of ten I should not hear the troth.
He gave me an amusing anecdote of the governor of
a neighbouring school, who sent a boy out one day
with some cards, directing him to send any of his old
companions whom he might meet to the Refuge. The
boy happened to m-et a friend, and give hint direc-
tions accordingly—telling him to " make out a pretty
stiff ease," that is to say, to exaggerate es much es
possible—as he afterwards confessed to the governor
when examined on the subject. " The boys consid. r,
said Mr. Walker, "that the worse their ease is the
better they shall be treated."

This coincides with much that I have met with in
my own experience. Only a few days ago, the
superintendent of a ragged school infirmed me that
twenty-five of his boys had attended a meeting of
" tramps" and "cadgers" called by an enterprising
gentleman on behalf of a morning paper. They came
into school the next night with a glowing account
of how they had "humbugged " the gentleman in
question, and what "stretchers" they bad given him,
and bow they had received a shilling each for their
pains!
Of the present effective working of the Westmin-
ster Refuge I have had an opportunity of judging.
The house is humb!e enough, but it contains all neces.
eary economy. The boys are more orderly than in
most schools that I have seen. They all belong to
the neighbourhood, and are constantly under the
master's eye. Since the establishment of the school
onlyons boy has turned out badly,and there were neve-
ral unusual circumstances in his csse. The majority of
the children can read, and many are farther advanced.
The industrial department is highly interesting.
Here, in a little room set apart for them, may be seen
lad. cf from 14 years of age and upwards employed
in shoemaking, which seems to be their principal '
occupation. They make shoes fix themselves and
the children, to whom these articles are often freely'
given if the parents are too poor to purchase them,
even at the small pricy asked. The specimens of
their workmanship which were shown me were highly
creditable—some of them had been produced after
only a few months' instruction. They are also em-
ployed in making c!othes, and with, I believe, equal
success. These boys have all been in prison—some
of them several times. They are now as honest and
industrious as can well be, and seemed contented and
happy enough.
Not a stone's throw from the Refuge is another in-
stitution, conducted upon an entirely different prin-
ciple. " The Ragged Dormitory, and Colonial
Training School of Industry," is in St. Anne's-street.
It was established in 1848, for the purposes of re-
' eeiving a limited number of male thieves and beggars
lhom the age dl5 to 20 years, who are anxious to
reform.

Here there is no restr:ction as to parish or district.
Every applicant,. if there is room for him, and his
osse IS eligible, is at once admitted. There is a re-
ceiving room, where each candidate, after giving a
full detail of his past life to the governor, is kept on
probation for a fortnight, living upon bread and water
only, and not being allowed to mix with the
other boys. Daring this time he is not kept in
confinement. He is at liberty to leave the house if he
chooses, and return to his old courses; but it is un-
derstood that if he remains, he moat thoroughly re-
form, and work. I was informed that the greater
number of the applicants do tot stay sit the term of
probation; but that when they get beyond that
point, a boy is scarcely ever known to turn oat
badly. After that period any boy is at liberty to
leave on giving a week's notice, and stating his rea-
sons to the governor. The occupations of the day ere
very nicely regulated. The hour of ri'ing is six
o'clock. The Bret duty is cleansing the dormitories,
work rooms, &c. ; then singing, reeling the Scrip-
tures and prayer until breakfast. Ibis is followed by
out door exercise. The next employment is shoe-
making on Monday, Wednesday and Friday ; on Tues-
day and Thursday, school is substituted. After dinner
and tea, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the
work is tailoring ; on Tuesday and Thursday the boys
attend the Juvenile Refuge evening school. Every
boy is compelled to a•tetd a place of worship twice,
on each Sabbath, but he is not bound to any particu-
lar place ; he can go where he chooses.
Nor are the operations of the school less orderly
thin the arrangements. The boys—all of whom
have been convicted criminals—seem happy and oat-
- should

tented. They ham their trades—(l - have
added that earpenteeing is also taught)—and are io
due time furnished with the means of emigration.
This is rift; stcd by private benevolence, which indeed
furnishes the entire support of the institution. The
proficiency of the lads in one art in particular some-
what surprised me—it is that of singing. Seldom
have I heard mote harmonious execution anywhere ;
certainly never anything approaching to it among
schoolboys, even of a better clam. But lam told
that they take a delight in music, for which many
have a natural taste. Five boys oat of the 24 in the
institution are on the eve of departure far Australis,
having been enabled to emigrate through the medium
of Lord Ashley.
Of these boys, as well as of others in the school, I
heard some extraordinary statements which had been
taken from their own lips by Mr. Nash, the go-
vernor. _

That gentleman informed me that the young man,
who is now his auistant in teaching and controlling
the lads, wu for several years the leader of a gang of
thieves. He would gnat the head of 12 or 14 others
and travel the country in noorch of their

prg'• • Adist thsisf 41pitelfrineris was to
ratelt themselves • with same ally; • with
/which they would eater a ffirm-yard. Having
ought a goose, they would roll it op in the
slay end effileteally ludo it from observation until
an opus:tufty occurred for dressing and eating it
by the roadside. Sometimes they would In this way
secure two or three geese at a time. Another prac-
tice of the brotherhood was to go into a field at night
and sank a sheep. Then having pulled a quantity
of wool from his back, they would force it as far
down his throat as they could, and then leave him.
The sheep would die daring the night from suffoca-
tion—a fast which the gang would make known to
the farmer, begging at the same time the carcass
from him. The farmer, not having say nes for the
carcase of a sheep whose death arose, as be thought,
from natural issues, would in most cases agree to their
request. The leader of this gang, after having
out of this branch of the profession, took to
passed
ing in the metropolis. Here he was soon deep
in all the orb--makieg imitation sears on his breast
to excite compardon—standing with hungry eyes be-
fore 000kshops (which be described as being almost the
" beet dodge of any ")—or dropping down in the
strut, as if soddenly seised with a fir, or the cholera.
He counterfeited the latter disease very well, with
the montane* of some alum applied to his tongue.
which gave it as foal an appearance as could
be desired. It was An one of these fits of the cholera
that he was at last Imprisoced for three months.
When be came out he met my informant in the
Strand, who persuaded him to enter the dormitory.
"And lace he came here," added that gentleman,
"a better lad it is impossible to find. I should not
mind trusting him with a hundred pounds."
Of another boy in the school I was told that he
used to make sometimes a sovereign a day by beg-
ging Allot this was spent at the Bower Saloon, and
places of a similar description. With boys of this
class the taste for low theatricals amounts to a
passion. Most of them spend their day's earnings'
nightly at these places, doffing their uniform of rags,
and appearing well dressed and respectable.
I was told an interesting tale of one of the five boys
who are about to emigrate :
One day there came to the school a very respectable
lad, who presented an application for admission. The
governor objected to him that he was too respectable,
and his application was refused. He went away,
bat returned presenting a very different appearance.
He had sold his clothes, for which he bad substi-
tuted others of a very inferior kind, and urged in
very strong terms his admission, as a fit and
proper person. He was accordingly received, and
has proved in every respect a credit to the school. He
stated that he had been a member of the swell mob
for several yearn, and had in addition been a noted
burglar. But the account he gave of the life of his
companions was far from attractive. They could get
three shillings an ounce for silver at the receiving
houses, where it was melted down the moment they
presented it. For a 61. note 31. was given, the only
question asked being "how long it had been made"?—
that is to say stolen. Theonly friends he had, the only
persons who ever spoke a kind word to him for many
months, were these receivers. The regular mode of
transacing business at these houses is as follows.
The thief eat( ra the house. where the receiver is placed
behind a kind of wire blind, as he described it, or some
contrivance by which he was enabled to see the thief
without the thief being able to see him. A small
door is opened, through which the receiver takes the
property, which is immediately melted down, as
before stated. S 3 great is the caution exercised to
prevent the receiver being identified that he makes
it a role to wear a black !glove on his hand—
the only pint of his person which is visible. If the
thief is supposed to be a "green hand" the receiver
will very often keep the property (notes or plate, or
whatever it may he), and threaten to send for a
policeman unless he at once quits the place. Thus are
these unforturates frequently robbed in their tarn et
what they have obtained at so much pain and peril.
The ;ninon' who receive the stolen property are very
often a sent and of great apparent respectability ;
but never, however a thief may reform
has he been known to divulge the ad-
dress of any one of them. They are believed
to be bound to secrecy by some terrible oaths.
Houndsditch is suppcsed to be a popular neighbour.
hood for these receiver. The great oriels in a boy's
life is his first imprisonment, so great is tlr.i d fficalty
of getting respectable employment afternards. The
young man in question had before coming to the
school obtained an appointment as an attendant at a
model lodging-house, where he made three
shillings and sixpence a week, but he was dis-
missed directly it WWI found that he had
been in prison. This is the main cause of young
thieves being driven back to their former pursuits,
Ltd shows the utility of any institution which gives
them the opportunity of " turning square," es the pro-
cess of reformation is familiarly called. The young
man in question is now one of the best in the school
—which has also effected the entire reformation of
one who had been in prison no less than twenty-one
times! _

These facts surely are not without some significance
as showing results which have come immediately
under my own ob3ervation ; and I might multiply
them by the score.
One word, before concluding, with regard to the
tt Working Man's Institute" in Pear-street. This
has 126 members who pay three-halfpence a week
each. For this they have the use of a convenient
reading-room and several newspaper, besides other
advantages, such as weekly lectures, instruction, 8:c.
Since its establishment, a year Ind nine months ago,
eighty labouring men have been taught to read.

ADULT DLit AND DUMB INSTITUTION.—At •
'meeting of the committee of this institution held at the
board room on Thuredsy, en interesting report was presented
of the put operations of the s ciety, referring, however, more
particularly to thou of the past year. It appears that the
objects of the charity are—the instruction of the iltaf and
dumb in trades, the employment of these who have already
learnt a trade, and the inculcation of moral and religious
Principles among each. Several pupils have already left the
institution fully qualified to maintain themselves by their
own indutry, and the reports of their after progress and
conduct given by clergymen end others have afforded the
most gratifying proofs of the good working, of the instiss-
doe. After giving the speeches of Lord Ashley, Lord B.
Grosvenor, and other distinguished noblemen, the report
proceeds with an interesting statement from Mr. H. B.
Bingham, explanatory of the difficulties attending the in-
struction of the deaf and dumb, yet the necessity which exists '
for their tainieg and education.
LAMB AND FLAG RAGGED ScnooLe.—Yesterday I
the children attending these schools, to t►e number of 284,
were, after a sni,able address, plentifully regaled with het-
cross buns. The new Bishop of Norwich is to take the chair
on the Ist of May at the filth annual meeting of this tuff -
Intim. _ _

----
BBLIPTIFLD and REVFORD BANKING COMPANY.—
, The Molter is Chancery, Blunt, !swim settled the list of
shareholders, has made • call of 111. per share oa each, to de-
fray the outstanding liabilities of the concern, which was
started with a capital of 300,0001. in 8,000 shares of bOl. each,
ar d originally under the title of the Sheffield Borough Bank.
In 1842, a Wench was opened at Rett-rd, and bushier was
carried on until 1846, when it was discovered that affsin
were greatly embarrassed. A committee of the shareholders
was appointed to nate the meets, and discharge the liabili-
ties, but the latter, notwithstanding, were not wholly dis-
charged, and now are reported to amount to 23,0001. In
1848, actions were minnieuced against shareholders for debts'
whisk the company did not pay or compound for, aad axe-
catioa was threatened against the shareholders. The partite
on whose petition the proceedings have been taken, are
Messrs Young, Honnefleld, sad Johnson, of Sbelleld ; Mr.
Hawkiworth being the official manager.

- -
THE NORTHAMPTON FREEHOLD LAND SOCIETY
have just completed the purchase of 14 some of land,
idtnated us the north and most pleasant part of the town,
and not ten minutes' walk from its centre. The pric:u paid
are—fer four acres, 2751. per sere, and for 10 acres, 2151.
per sere. The 'mists is described en being in the most
healthy condition. Shares are being eagerly applied for.
THE BRADFORD FREEHOLD LAND SOCIETT bile
Just concluded the purchase of another field in Manning-
him, a short distsnae from that rem ntly purchased at the
top of Leundlans. The east of it is 9001 or about Is. Old.
per yard. The ground will, like the other, be exceedingly
ellg,ble for building or garden purposes; thus not only
assuring a freehold to the various allottem, but also giving
each a profitable investment. The first moralism has bees
already divided into 21 allotments, giving to each share-
holder between 400 and 600 yards of ground, far which
lots will be drawn on an early dot.—Bremiloni Observer.
The TEN HOURS BILL.—The first meeting of the
corgi
new Central Short Tinos Committee of factory o ves
was held at Manchester yesterday, when a dial of
discussion took place as to the efficiency of new bill
Lord Ashley is proposing to introduce into the Heave of
Commons, to cure the evils complained of in the present
Ten Hours Act. A letter was read from Mr. H. B. B.
Cobbett, a solicitor, who has had a good deal of legal
experience in eases reader the present set, steam; hie eon-
viction that the proposed bill would be quite ineffectual.
He says that the hours of working are not defined with suffi-
cient elevens. It appeared to be the opinion of the meet-
ing, that Lord Ashley should be requested to introduce an
amended Manse, drawn by Mr. Ce.lobett ; and that if his
lordship declined to do an, the matter should bo placed in
the hands of some other Member.

MANUFACTURING DISTRICTS.

LANCASHMB PUBLIC SCHOOL ASSOCIA-

TION.

NANcenumut, Maim 29.
A Jaffetied eireWatel meeting wee held et the
Free leek 114 Imp evades by the letlefatfloblo_
of the edileekelel sitemmeenght be be Istrodesol=
essiblee Irt Mb emeseheas. &
—gnat number of ladies were
=ixMelt genient maggot the mere
et the letter went Oimm Req. (the
ohnikDpleine. gem, M Gunge Dames, Req.,
a w.. Mos, Re, Inieseksitlear
; dm Rev. Basauel
&hear (die% In the Lesesehire Indigiandea
Cense] the Bev. Ws. %mew, the Rev. J. Z. Beard,
B& Wain I end Mans. H. J. Lapses. Nen
Miliolisk Thee. Reheat& Geo. Matt, Seers-Nam 8.
P. Rabies* vr. woo, W. wommel:ozia Mang, J.
fiteem Smith (ef Halifax), and Peter
The OMAIRKAN said—Geadimen, we ere met this
amine es Mends edseetine, Ise the puree et inviting
Meellea to that seheene of edema*. whisk has been em-
beds' is the pleas_pet forth by the Lammd,' Public
fished Aseselanies. Tsaaks to oar °presets, sad to the
disseseica whisk has takes place set the en**, me great
:Crust the penal tine rests cm the poblie egad in
te that sebum (Hear, hear.) What is that
ashen. t It pekoe., asseedieg to the publleatises of the
seeisty, to be a pies for glider a penal sender dentine,lle be summed by heel rates, and mowedtes, by legal eons-
Wilms by the ratepayers. It Sid. tea aI, se sup-
port, an one iselhiag of amistames bow t, or
8w Amy severnmeat board whatever. It as a law,
es
e *Mast Waded& whisk in my humble jeigmeat eon- I
net be eseuserted, that it is the duty of esessives not to
leave the alma= of the to M spantaasess, to
the aside gems et vol deny but that we
should emenget seessives Rive to the welds/ doses, to all
element es • !geese siesational charter, the rips to be ads.
WWI el the retitle wens* in the par4eular eseelly er din-
giest alike senely be whisk they reside. (App !kris
of eR ambiguity_ se eMeatioe that athe briesesed dis-
hiest priasiple affiree by this akeedation. Win now, gen.
times, what is the proposed seeekinery by which you seek
to teenage this, pvevided you get it Ia the ikst place, the
ratepayers an to elect nominees, who shall be under itself
own control, for the purpose of forming certain eehoels
for Si. instruction et children of the working
classes of the people. They are to provide—to be
maintained by a public rate—infant school., day schools,
for those of riper yeses ; evening schools for those whose
occupations prevent them attending dewing the day; and
industrial training schools for them who have no ostensible
means of gents( a living but by beggary sad crime; and to
each of the throe int schools I hays mentioned, and sub-
ject to certain arrangements. every child of every person,
rich or poor, if he ekeesee, shall have the right of tree ad-
mission. (Cheers.) Well, now, gentlemen, we ere at on
the very thresholdwith this stale argniest—. Why you
are seeking to raise op a number of extyporations." But
these committees, so elected, are to elect in the several hun-
dreds of the county certain boards or committees, which
shall unite smaller districts into larp ones, and for other
important purposes ; and that these boards of the hundred—
of which there would only be six, supposing the
whole scheme Is operation in the county—these hundred
committees shall elect a county board, in who's hands
shall he veiled all property bequeathed, and for other pa-
paws, end that all these shall be, to all intents and purposs,
elective. (Hear, hear.) We an told, by this means we an
raising up corporations. Why, if they are essential to the
introduction of the system, I have no objection, I candidly
s nine, to a corporation. We are told Cat this han neg. dly
...tem of enucation—(hear, boa)—but I will read what we
fay we propose to teach, and you shalludge for your-
selves how far the thane is sustained by that which
we propose to tears. In the first place, It is
stated in the publications of the society that common
day schools shall be established, in which children, from 5
to 15 years of age, shall be instructed in reading, grammar,
writing, arithmetic, geography, and itch other kinds of
awful secular information as may be deemed advisable.
(Haar, hear) Will you tell me—will anybody tell me—
what particular amount of ungodliness there is is tenhing
reading, writing, arithmetic, and grammar ? (Loud cheers
and laughter.) You are next told, that in addition to this,
a mend regard to truth, justice, kindness, end &thiamine
in oar isteroourse with our fellownerstures, will be leen-
mind. (Hear, hear.) Is that particularly ungodly ? (Great
Inman.) Also, " temperance, frugality"—how very un-
godly to be frugal :—(lsughter)—• inisutry"—moet an.
godly to be industrious !—(charre and laughter)—" and all
other virtues conducing to a proper discharge of the duties
of life." No doubt, • very ungodly and reprehensible system
of instruction is proposed in these paragraphs. (Great laugh-
ter.) "And inasmuch as Ana virtues are clearly
taught, and powerfully enforced in the Scripture.,
a selec'loa of examples and precepts inculcating
them shall be made therefrom, and read and used
in the said schools, but without reference to the peculiar
theological tonna of any religious sect or denomination."
(Loud cheering.) Now, gentlemen, who is there—what
rig.tt-minded man is there—who, after medico this, which
is a stainer nt put forth by this association, will venture to
affirm that the instruction proposed to be given in those
schools deserves the name of ungodly? We are aot op-
posed to religious teaching at the proper time, in
the proper place, and by the proper parties. We are not
for leaving children ',treed to all the temptations of life
without religious teachusg—but we do con.end that to
the schoolmaster no such duties should be entrusted; but to
the weirs, and to others, whose especial daty it is, this first
0! all duties should be confided. Having at great length
gone into a ratlstical comparison of the amount of popu'atioe,
crime, and education, the speaker went on thin: I will not say
one word which any man can construe as offensive to the right
reverend prelate who now reigns in this diocese. I will
admit, it you like, that he is a min of enlarged and liberal
views generally. (Hear, hear.) I will admit, if you like,
that he came amongst us, having acquired this position by
his enlarged and lateral sentiments and by his great abilities.
(Hear, hear.) I will admit, if you like, that no man had it
sea his peer to do more good in this district than he, with
the vast influence he had at his command, if he had chosen
to exercise it—(bear, hear)—but, gentlemen, what I com-
plain of is this, that with his great knowledge of the
advantages, aye, of the necessity uf education to all classes,
with no scheme of his own, with no announcement that, at
any future day, the world was to be favoured with any
scheme of his own—(bear, hear)—he chooses to rand up and
bring all his vast influence, all his powerful commands,
to overwhelm and crush the noble efforts of the
people to do that for themselves, which the church has
neglected to do for them—(tremendous cheering)—to lead
the Tan on the side of ignorance against men who are as
sincere, as earnest, who nave proved themselves as earnest
in benefiting the people as he himself is, is not what I think
he might patiently to submit to. (Loud cheering.) Gentle-
men, I believe his lordship his lately taken up his residence
amongst us. (Qoeetion.) I will show that representative
of the church, or the bishop, that I am not afraid of the
question. (Loud cheers.) I should like to ask that gentle-
man whether he called question last Thursday night.
(Cheers and laughter.) I believe if that gentleman likes
that his lordship would come amongst us, actuated by the
most earnest desire to do good to the vast population amongst
whom he was about to reside. I think if such wen his in-
tentions, that as he entered the town by the Birmingham
lisilway, he might have gathered a lessee from two different
objects by which he had to pass, not altogether unimportant
in reference to this subject. On the right of the rail-
way
he would see a new edifice, spumous and sub-
stantial, being erected, which it required no par-
ticular merits of observation to discover was intended
(or a gaol. (Hear, hear.) I think no man amongst us can
observe that vest structure, however much it is required,
without feelings of deep humiliation and regret. (Hear,
hear.) I believe and the Lancashire Pubic School Amnia.
tics believe, that their efforts are inteaded more especially
to prevent the increase of crime, and to render such a vast
@tractors as that tenantleen—(cheen)—and that if their sys-
tem had been in oparatkm 10 years ago no each structure as
that, even at one-half the expense, had been required (or the
crime of the district, (Cheers.) If his lordship turned to
the other side he would observe a large plot of 'toned which
the smallest observation would discover was a place of
sepulture. I. that plies he might be told that amongst
many other men, of various •cumitaness end varying
ability, there slept cue of the greatest men this country or
age, if not any country or egg, ever prodesed; that man
who, without collegiate instruction, without collegiate in-
fluence at his beck, without amain, been in comparative
obscurity is W , cams and settled exempt
us, and came to be recognised se a great lawgiver
of admen to this and all future generations, con-
descended to occupy Lis great abilities in that most
ungodly and most reprehensible practice, the maim teach-
ing of those around him. (Greet cheering.)
The secretary, Mr. SMILES, then read several letters of
apology from gentlemen invited to be present, but who had
been kept away by other engagements, though favourable to
the views of the promoters of the meeting. Amongst the
were, Richard Cobden, Req., M.P., William Brown, Re q.,
M.P., W. J. Fox, Esq., M.P., and Col. Thompson, M.P.,
and Mr. Thomas Basley, President of the Chamber of COSI.

Mr. PETER RYLAND, of Warrington, said they had been
fumed to admit, that 'gnomes was a dismiss of the body po-
litic, but like cunning doctors they claimed to =la their own
preseriptioce. marked with their own labels, administered
in small doses by their own hands. (Cheers lad laughter.)
And if the people refused these medicaments, fearing that
they might be " droued " they raised a load outcry of
alarm, end everybody else was denounced as • quack.
(Cheers and laughter.) Bat these gentlemenfereed
to
ratherlet the people perish for lack of knowledge, than
that a free system of general education should esta-
blished, which would withdraw the annul of it out of
their own particular province. He did not wish to charge
any particular emotion of their opponents with this view;
he feared it extended to many sections. He knew
almost everybody fanned himself Infallible; they might not
acknowledge It, but it was, nevertheless, the feet. -Every-
body thought they wen right, and that the opinions they
held—the particular religious sects with width they were
connected, were essential to the social welfare of the people.
They were afraid lest all should not go right manes children
were trained up with a hies is the direction Mask par-
ticular views. Now, whilst he had no objections to any man
holding his opinions finely, and wishing to promote them to
the best of kis ability, he had an objection to any man who
showed a dread of public enlightenment, lest they might be
led to 'weenie ideas contrary to the tenets he profound to
hold. (Hear, hear.) Now, the more important and valuable
he deemed those tenets to be, the more confident he should
feel that ignorance and prejudice were their greatest hairier,
and that only give him the field of public enlighten-
nett to work in, he might be satisfied that
those views would finally and speedily prevail. He did not

say that say partials, east or party would Mad their interest
remeted If .d **people were well ribrated, but whatever
might be the effect fa this respect, he thought there was
ea' dos la the eamertaky where 'arrests were all cm the
side of *disarm- whose eels falluence, whose demotic bap.
piper, would ell be promoted by a general sista=
of edscadon ; and that elms was the greet taus
of week's, men I. this district. (Chem) He thought
this masition arentially a working man's Tertian ; for rely
spealt, without edalation, although Mae might be other
snestmeals sad boats given to the workiag man, his position
might be kemt Mown, sad he miht still be the victim of
dedga sad fgeorenes. We wets told this was the age of
demearasy, and he thought we bad newer to songratulate
ourselves that may of the old preseepthe usages were done
away with ; but let us sot be carried away with a cry, for
there mold be no Mae or safe democracy that was sot bred
upon the eduestion oad Jawing:roe of the great body of the
people. (Cheers.) If we could persuade the multitude to
take advantage et the kneardge which a cheap press had
gestured over the rad, there might be more ground for
this meertios, bus that meld never hsppsa so loag as one-
third of the weehiipMismss of the country were unable to
reed, std ommase Med suable to mite. And it attack blur
this wee dhe Meet with which the people had to deal.
He jop movbris the following petition to peer
meat:

TIM; pelts et the undersigned inhabitants of Malt-
skeeter, in tin ninety of LassaMer, humbly sheweth,-
1. Tint it is this opinion of your petitiomen, that in order
V. diminish intemparaiwo, misery and crime, and to promote,
morality and the ban interests of all clams, a large extent
of education among the pew* is necessary.
2. That the principle on which the assistance of the State
is at present extendad for eiducatiocal purposes is manifestly
erroneous, inasmuch as ail is given in an inverse ratio to the
ssosssitin of the people, and is conveyed chieSy through
the medium of the views. religions denuminatiosr ; that it
must therefore be partial to km sleets, and must fail to roach
a large, and that the sere degraded portion of the commu-
nity, while It Owls to perpetuate and embitter the spirit of
seetarianins.

3. That any system of public schools likely to be generally
acceptable to the people of this country, and &omen the row
plkiated difficulties of the gnostic's, must be supported by
local raw, and managed by local authorities elected by the
=ere specially for that purpose, with right of tree ad-
to all, trader suitable regulations, and without re-
Hems distinetions.
4. That in order that the rights of emiscisnos may be
effectually secured, it should be a fundamental rule that
nothing should be taught in any of the cud schools which
fevers the peculiar tenets of any religious sect or denomina-
tion.

5. That Ibis system, tutted of injuriously affecting the
interests of religion, would materially aid the elute of the
teaeher of religion, and would do much to soften the uperi-
ties, and /111113 TO the prejudices of sects and parties.
Your petitioners, therefore, pray that, with the view of
testings the efficiency of the play proposed, an act may be
by your right honourable house for the establishment
of a general system of secular education throughout the
county palatine of Lancaster, to be supported by local rates
(levied on the same assessment as the poor's rate) and
managed by local authorities elected by the ratepayers
specially for the purpose.
And your petitioners will ever pray.
Mr. GEORGE DAWSON, in seconding the motion, was
reesived with much cheering. He said he confessed he loved '
the system put forth ty this association, because it upheld
the duties of society towards its children ; beaus' it once
more recognised that most Christian principle—the cars of
the whole of the community. The association at once
clearly said, " If the poor are not able to provide education
for themselves, we feel it our bounden duty so to tax our-
selves that our poor shall pet educated at our cost." This
was the true sort of socialism ; and in the hope that it might
prove 'Christian sort of socialism, he supported this measure
with all his heart. (Hear, hear.) We were told of the un-
doubted right of parents to educate their own children ; and
he lamented, that a necessity existed for somebody else to
teach them; schools he hold to be a accessory nuisance,
brought about by certain things which had happened in
society ; but, he had seen uglier phenomena than schools, in
his time. Alluding to the comforts introduced of late years
into the system of prison discipline, he said he felt more
interest in his friends, the honest pauper mechanics, who had
not yet committed a crime, then he entertained
fur these prisoners, for whose warnxbathe, chap-
lains, mid schoolmasters, he contributed to pay. (Hear.)
The working men of this country had a right to demand
education, and before long they would demand it. They
would ask what barred the road to it ? And he was song to
think it would be said that it was religion only. Secular
education was said to be " godless," but he had learnt to
know that everything was "godless" which:wee not accord-
ing to the little opinion cf the man who pronounced it.
Mr. BIGGS, of Leicester, in a brief address, supported the
motion, and it was carried unanimously.
The Rev. W. M'KERROW moved the second resolution
in a short but eloquent speech.
" That Messrs. Theatre Taylor, James Haughton, and
William Rigby, with Dr. John Watts, be appointed a depu-
talon to the meeting to be held in the Town Hall, on Mon-
day next, and that they be empowered to declare that this
muting desires the establishment of a system of public
schools for secular education, wherein nothing shell be
taught which favours the peculiar tenets of any religious sect
or denomination, which shall be supported by local rates,
and managed by local authorities elected by the ratepayers
specially for that purpose, with free admission to all, under
suitable regulations, and without religious distinctions."
Mr. J.B. SMITH, seconded the motion, and it was carried
with much cheering.—The meeting then separated.