Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-12-05 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL WORKHOUSE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN DAILY TIMES:.
several of the statements made by Mr.
Rountree in the Liverpool papers during the past week
may produce an exaggerated and unfiivourable impres-
sion of the Workhouse and its officers, I think it only
due to the committee and officers of the "Workhouse, as
well as to the public of Liverpool, to state, as a disinte-
rested party and as a.plergyman of the Church of Eng-
land, that I have visited the Workhouse for several hours
daily, in the absence of the chaplain, during the past
'week, and also for several weeks on a former occasion,
that Lana thoroughly familiar with the whole, and have
been most favourably impressed with the perfe4 order,
and exquisite cleanliness of every part, and alio with
the admirable sanitary arrangements, as well as those
intended to promote the social comfort and moral and,
religious well-being of the inmates. Having visited
various similar institutions, I think the Liverpool Work-;-
house in these respects will compare very favourably .
With any institution of the kind, and that the respect
and confidence of the public are due to the committee
and officers for their arrangements and exertions.
Mr. Rountree complains in his letters of a "manifest.
want of genuine sympathy between officers and the
paupers under their care." Of this lam not aware, and
think it a slight mistake, which may have arisen from a.
superficial view of that due suhordination of all and each
of the several. officers and inmates to superiors, which .
must be strictly observed in an institution where there •
are between 2,000 and 3,000 souls; while, from its size,
frequent changes of inma,es, and different classes of
social and religious character, the family principle is
rendered less apparent and-possible than in smaller
institutions. But, even here, " genuine sympathy "
is by' no means wanting ; and no stronger proof can
be given than was witnessed in the grief and con-
cern expressed throughout the house at the sudden death
of a pauper nurse on Monday morning last. A few re-
marks were made on the Subjeet in the sermon on Wed-
nesday evening, and the deep and solemn attention that
was paid by several hundreds of the inmates evinced the
interest, may I not say, "ge:iuine sympathy," that was
felt for her. Her remains were also followed to the
grave by several of the most. respectable officers.
witnessed similar, though less general, expressions of
sympathy for a nurse who.dici.suddenly two months ago
of fever. The apparent desire to prevent speaking to
the paupers, I, think, arises from a perfectly natural
readiness on the part of the officers to step forward as a
matter Of courtesy and reply to the inquiries of visitors,
and on this I make no further remark.

I am unable to say how far Mr. Rountree's sugges-
tion of other industrial employment than the corn mills
can be carried out ; the . mills, we are assured, have
worked well, and cured several of the evils which existed
before their introduction. The bread supplied to the
healthy, paupers I have frequently .tasted, and it is but
jirst'to say I never found it musty, while only a fraction
of 'that on which the thirty-three Officers are •said to
live is consumed by them ; all the children under three
years of age are supplied with it,'and also the sick, t,
the number of 300 and upwards, in the medical, surgi-
cal, and infirm wards, nurseries, and hospitals, at the
discretion of the physicians.
Thv classification of the epileptics and lunatics is
complained of as insufficient. Of these, the latter are
only here temporarily, previous.to removal to asylums ;
and of the former, frequent change, light employment,
and abundance of room,. render particular classification .
less necessary.
Mr. Rountree speaks of the condition of "those who
have been better off," and of "some who have expressed
to him how keenly they feel the change and monotony,
of their concluding days of. dependance." Such com-
plaints would arise anywhere, and' perhaps conic from-
some who never. before were so well off in their. lives.
I am happy to say I have much more frequently heard
expressions of gratitude and content,- especially from the
aged women on the Mount-pleasant side of the_ house,
and whose comfortable and retired apartments it is a.
treat to visit, and which I could almost think Mr:
Rountree had not seen. And, moreover; it •is pleasing
tuknow, and perhaps he is not aware, that the class to •
whom he alludes, both male and female, have certain
little indulgences allowed them net necessary to be
named.
Among the pleasinc, features of the establisment, to a
Christian mind, is the° fact that all the wards are supplied •
with Bibles and Prayer Books of excellent type, besides
other-useful books; periodicals, and tracts, as Hall's
" Come to Jesus," " Leisure Hour," " Sunday at Home,'
"Family'Treasury," ,'.Chambers' Journal," "All the
Year Round," Tracts of the. Christian Knowledge and
Religious Tract Societies, most of which are furnished
by the committee though sonic of the periodicals and
tracts arc the, gifts of visitors and Christian friends.
These are greatly valued by those who can read, and
who, not unfroquently, exercise their talent for the ben:fit
of others. Hence the periodicals, books, and other moral
and religious rendes employed, it may be hoped will
lead to an enlightened enjoyment and consistent practice
of that "Godliness .which is profitable for all things,
and which has the promise of the life that now is, and
of that which is to come."
In conclusion; while no one rejoices more than myself
in the welfare of the poor, I think the excellent ma-
eagement of the Liverpool Workhouse, whatever.
improvements it may
.admit of, reflects he highest
credit 'A the committee, governor, and officers ; while
the food; clothing, lodging, and general condition of '
the inmates present a strong contrast to the filthy, des-
titute, and wretched condition of many of the poor
outside. I have been induced to pen the above, as few
things are more easily evoked than a spirit of dissatis-
faction against' public bodies , and officers, and few
things more. difficult to repress.—l am, sir, yours very
truly'' W. B. KEEIL
3; Trinity-place, St, Anne-street, Dec, 3, 1859,

CORRESPONDENCE.

IVe do not hold ourselves responsible
,for the opinions of
our correspondents.]

THE RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

TO TIIE EDITOR. OF THE NORTHERN DAILY TIMES.

SlR,—i am convinced the people of Everton will give
you credit, particularly the friends of the enrolled
Volunteer Rifle Corps, for the faithful and accurate
reports given of the meeting on this subject on Wednes-
day evening, and which appeared in your journal of
Thursday morning last, at which were present the Wor-
shipful Mayor; T. B. Horsfall, Esq., M.P. ; J. J. Stitt
and F. A. Clint, Esqrs.
It is gratifying to perceive that, no matter what shades
of political differences characterise the members of the
Town Council of Liverpool, and which may cause divi-
sions on municipal matters, Messrs. Stitt and Clint have
not forgotten the well-known saying-:

In moderation, placed in all our glory,
Some would call us Whig, and others Tory.

Their speeches at the meeting in Everton show to any
caLdid mind that they are men ,of business—men of
principle ; and RIM toe, who willnet "sacrifice principle
at the shrine of expediency."

When a despot or usurper tales it into his head, that
he could fill the chair of the Macedonian monarch, who,
-after kicking the world before him,_ thought there Wlt'S
no more for him to do, only console himself with the
bitter reflections, that he had done no good and a great
deal of harm. and threatens to invade the country
that gave him'hread to cat, and apparel to put on, I do
not wonder at all why the .yonth of England, Scotland,
aye, and Irdland, too, shoul4 arise in their strength,
and tell this proud marauder that he had calculated
without his 'host.

'At the meeting referred to, our worthy mayor, who
has gained. laurels which are durable in themselves, for
the active rat he has taken in this movement since its
commencement, Mr. T. 13. Horsfall, M.P., and Messrs.
J. J. Stitt, and 'F. A. Chet expressed themselves in
speeches which must redound 'praise to their names,
d.fying any invader to attempt to put his unhallowed
fiot on our time-honoured-soil.

The people of Liverpodl, as a whole, cannot but feel
proud of such men ; and my desire is that the matter
be followed up securely.
Sir, if I don't forget-history, in 1798 when the undle
of the present Emperor of France attempted to invade
England by making Ireland his stalking-horse, he en-
deavoured to land his French troops at Killala Bay, in
the north-west of Ireland. No sooner had the gallant
Irish Volunteers learned this fact than they prepared for
the invader and his army, and, with redoubtable valour,
sent him and his French cruisers " back to where they
cline 'from." These things appeared to happen, if history
be not a fable, in "the days of my hot youth, when
George the Third was King."
I say, then, let us not fear the threatened invasion.
Hare we not, I ask, as strong-and as powerful an army
of (civilian) volunteers as the world .can produce*?
Where 'are our wooden walls ? Ready; I say; at a
_ .

moment's warning to meet the fleets of the world; and,
If attacked, would repeat the dying words of one of
England's greatest naval commanders at Trafalgar :
" England cosiessed that every man that day had done
his duty."
I glory, in my country. I admire her free institutions
and her glorious Constitution ; but I can never broach
the fact, that where the Word of God's Truth is widely
spread and disseminated ; or where 'a Great Supreme is
respected and adored by the Church tbraugh a Redeemer,
that we would be left in the hands of an invader, the

same as Philip of Spain wanted to have us when be
trimmed out his formidable armada, which was shattered
t) the winds by the breath of God's mouth.
On this account, however, we are not to "rest on our
oars." We should always be prepared for the worst.
With good men to guide the State ship, I fear not the
result. Victoria still, thank God, reigns Queen among
the nations; and, carrying out the great behests of her
grandfather, she bids defiance to the world. " The flag
that braved a thousand years, the battle and the breeze,'
ouAlt to triumph. Let the youths volunteer, which
will redound to their glory and honour hereafter ; and
should they not be called upon to fire a shot (as I think
they never will), they will have the consolation of know-
ing that, as England ()Tows stronger and greater in the
eyes of the civilised world, they have done their duty to
their Queen and to their country.—l am, sir, your obe-
dient servant, A SPECTATOR.
December Ist, 1859.

ADDRESS TO THE FRENCH EMPEROR