Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-12-27 00:00:00

CHRISTMAS AT THE WORKHOUSES AND
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

As is customary at Christmas, those who have the
management of our workhouses and various local
charities and public institutions, were sedulous in their
attention to the numerous inmates of the establishincnts
which fell under their pecit7iar care. Christmas-
day falling this year upon Sunc?ay, in most instances,
if not indeed :in all, the festivities 'of the occasion
were deferred till yesterday, when, as will be seen
from the smhjoiaed .reports, every effort was made
to secure: the happiness said gratification of the de-
pendants. In general, the entertainments provided for
the occasion consisted of the "good old English
Christmas fare," roast beef, plum-pudding, and ale,
varied, of course, in some degree, to meet the require-
ments of varying age and sex. In all, however, the
prevailing characteristic was an increasing
_anxiety to
provide' that which would. be most conducive to, the
comfort and happiness of those who received the bounty.
It is but right to . add, that the kind intentions
of managers and directors were zealously and ably car-.
ried out by the officials and their subordinates in the
different establishments. At all times it is gratifying
to observe and to record the soothing influences of be-,
nevolence, and never more so than when applied for the
amelioration—even though that should be but temporary
—of the condition of those who, from whatever cause,
have fallen under the irksome control of

Poverty's unemperable bar.
With unfeigned pleasure,
.therefore, we point attention
to the gratifying proceedings which took place yester=
day in the different charitable and other asylums in
Liyerpogl.

THE LIVERPOOL WORKHOUSE.
The usual Christmas fare of roast beef and plum-
pudding was most liberally dispensed to the inmates of
this extensive establishment yesterday. The dining-
hall on •the occasion was tastefully decorated with
wreaths of evergreens and gay festoons of artificial
flowers, and the festive and, holiday appearance of the
large apartment was enhanced by the cheerful and
happy faces of the poor people who partook
of the repast. Upwards of 800 were accommodated
in the dining-hall, but the same fare was dispensed' to
nearly twice that number in other parts of the building.
Mr. Denton, Mr. Smith, Mr. Turner, and Mr. E. By-
ford, members of the Select Vestry, and a considerable
number of ladies and gentlemen were present in the
dining room during dinner. Some idea of the magni-
tude of the feast may, be gathered from the following.
list of the articles consumed, which was handed to us
by the storekeeper :—Beef, 2,240 lbs. ; Plum-pudding,
2,100 lbs.; Bread, fine white, 2,200 lbs. ; Ale, 12 brls.
or 432 gallons ; Breakfast, Coffee and White Bread and
Butter; Sapper, Tea and White 'Bread and Butter—
Ceffee for breakfast, 60 lbe.; Tea for Supper, 20 lbs. ;
Oranges provided for the sick and children.
`At the conclusion of the repast, Mr. Scott, the chap-
lain of the workhouse, offered up thanks.
Mr. DENTON then ascended the raised platform
in the centre of, the hall and addressed a few
appropriate words to his . audience. He said he was
sure that it must be a very gratifying and pleasing
sight, not only to himself, but to all the ladies and gen-
tlemen in the gallery, to observe sce many cheerful and
happy faces. They ought to be thankful not only to
those who had taken care of them and given them this
prosision, but to Almighty God, for preserving them to
this day to commemorate so great an event as the birth
of our Lord and Saviour, who came into the world to
save all.
At the request of Mr. Denton, the whole of the pau-
pers here joined in singing the doxology.
Mr. DENTON, in resuming, said that in the happy
faces which surrounded him, he saw an earnest that they
were well taken care of; and the one to whom they were
most deeply indebted was the worthy governor, Mr. Carr.
He thought there was no workhouse in England, or any
other part of the world, which could boast of one who
was so tender-hearted, and so fit for his office as Mr.
Carr ; while at the same time great praise was due fo
the subordinate officers belonging to the establishment.
As one of the oldest members of the Select Vestry,
he (Mr. Denton) would take upon himself to wish them
all, in the name of that body, " A Merry Christmas,
and a Happy New Year,"
Three enthusiastic cheers having been given for the
governor,
Mr. CARE returned thanks. He said he could only
claim credit for having done his duty to the best of his,
ability. It afforded" him the greatest gratification
at all times to contribute to the happiness of so many
people as he saw around him. But in this instance he
was only the servant of the Select Vestry, and only
carried out their wishes ; and he was sure the more
effect he gave to those Wishes, the better pleased were ,
they. He begged to call for one hearty cheer for the
providers of the feast, the Select Vestry of Liverpool.
(Cheers.)
'Mr. DENTON, in returning thanks on behalf of the
select vestry, said, that their chief desire, their chief
aim, „and their chief end, was to give all possible, relief
to the poor who were worthy of such consideration.
It was no crime to, be poor ; but it was quite possible
that such a body as the select vestry of Liver-
pool, might , be imposed upon by those who were,
not altogether such as should be the recipients of
the funds of the parishioners. But the vestry had every
desire to confer upon the poor and the unfortunate all
the eoinforts and convenience which they could ; and
theY liad every confidence.in Mr. Carr that he would_
carry out their wishes and desires in that respect.
Three-cheers-were given for the:Rev.-Mr. Scott, the
chaplaire and, after lie had returned thanks in suitable•
tern* the interesting proceedings were' brought to a,
close.

WET DERBY WORkH01:18E.
The inmates of this workhouse, about 700 in number,
inelude-the---paupers-ohargeable-not--only to- the-West
Derby Union,. hut,. also those belonging to the extra-
parochial place of Toxteth-park. The workhouse for

the laiter,Rlacp will be soon _ ready for .occupation.
These poor people were yesterday regaled with a Christ-
mas 'consisted of a 2-lb of roast beef, an
ample, supply: of =boiled potatoes, and a pint .of
beer for each person. After dinner the men were
allowed pipes and tohacdo, and t. 4,1 old women, snuff.
In the evening each inmate had for tea a pint of tea
and a pound of bun loaf. The, Nvas splen-
didly decorated, and several of the guardians
were
amongst' the visitors who had come to welcoini the un-
fortunate. After dinner, grace was said, and
Mr. EBWAItt) GOUGH, the governor of the house,
proposed the health of the Queen, who he said was the
head of this nation both by example and by position.
Vie:toast, was responded to' by three hearty cheers
f th( -ate-

coin t inmates.
The GOVERNOR next gave the health of the guar-
dians of the poor, whose orders to him were always to
treat the poor liberally; to let them have such things
as were good for them, and those things to be of the
best quality. (Hear, hear.)

The toast was received amidst loud cheers.
Mr. PILLING, one of the guardians, responded ; and
in doiag so, said he could cordially endorse every word
the governor had said. The guardians were most
anxious to let the poor have every comfort that could be
given them, consistently with the duty which they (the
guardians) owed to the ratepayers. (Applause.)
The GOVHRNOR then proposed the health of the
chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Lester. He was sure the poor
would feel as much pain as he did in parting with that
most excellent gentleman. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. CLEAVER. the clerk to the Board of ituardians,