The National Register.
London, England, 1816-01-28 00:00:00

REFUGE FOR THE DESTITUTE.
A Meeting of the Governors and Stewards of the Society of
7'.c Rijitgefid• the Destitute took place at the City o(London
Tavern, on Thursday.
EDWARD FORSTER, Esq. in the Chair.
Theßev IL Crosby, A. M. the Secretary, opened the husi
ness of the day by reading the minutes of the last Meeting, and
also their report, which were received and agreed to on the
present occasion.
The Chairman then read the report for the last half year,
which developed, in the most striking and interesting manner,
the numerous benefits that daily arise from the establishment
of this most excellent institution. From this it appeared, that
the house at Hackney is fitted up for Gu females, who arc en;
ployed ii; the different ways to which their services arc most
applicable. During the last half year, amongst other persons
admitted to this Asylum were three women who were pardoned
by the Prince Regent, eight sent from the different prisons in
the metropolis, two convicts whose sentences were commuted,
two on the recommendation of the Magistrates, six under
neatly similar circum4ances, one taken from an hospital in a
forlorn and &stitute state, besides five who were clothed and
tent to their fi lends.
Among those sent from the Institution completely reformed,
and with the means of future livelihood, were ten in respectable
services, and eight with their parents and friends ; all of whom
Lad carefully preserved the moral character which this Society
enabled them to regain.
That part of the report which related to the male branch of
the Institution was equally satisfactory. During, the last year
t‘Aentysix men had been admitted. Like the female inmates,
they were chiefly selected from the criminal rolls of the diffetent
Courts of Justice, and had, through the means _afforded by
"The Refuge for the Destitute," attained moral reformation
and future subsistence. The men and boys were profitably
emiloved for the Institution in breaking and dressing flax, in
carventer's work, shoemaking. &c.
'The Rev. Mr. Crosby read the affecting particulars of some
of the cases of those who had been relieved by the Society.
Among the men was the case of an individual who had been
rescued from a state of ruin and despair by the Institution,
whose timely aid enabled him not only to surmount difficul-
ties, but to repay the loan which be had received, and full of
gratitude to enrol himself among their annual subscribers.
The Disbursements of the Society for the last
year aluottuLed to £9914 9 5
Their Receipts were 1t1568 5 11
In the expectation of ael. from Government, and an increase
Of voluntary solcriptions, the Institution has every prospect
of continuing to dispense its numerous benefits in the com-
munity.
—oar

On Thursday a Court of Common Council was held at G uild•
%all; to take into consideration the propriety of addressing the
Prince Regent, congratulating him on the peace concluded
between France and this country.
The Add,e,s was moved by Mr. Alderman lievgate, after
some very excellent observations on the great perils which we
bad to sumount, and the firmness and constancy with which
e met and overcame all the obstacles that stood between us
and that desirable object. Mr. Sheriff Bell seconded the Ad-

dress.
Mr. Davies, Mr. Waithman, and several other members op-
posed it ; on the ground, that we had nothing to congratulate
for ; that the country was in a state of great distress, and ,
pot at all likely to derive much advantage from the peace. Af-
ter a long debate, the motion for the address was carried by a
*mat majority, without a division. It appears, however, that
Air hen it was prepare.d, thei e was not a full Court. Mr. W AITH-
aI AN would not take advantage of the accident, but another
Member did, and the busiuess is to do over again.
There is now living in the parish of Forncett St. Mary, in Norfolk,
ti Mrs. Knights, lbb sears of age. She retains the use of all her
fatuities, and sometimes will walk a mile or two to take a cup of
tea with some old neighbour, mid tell the tale of ages past, and
411e..,c vibe the dap. of other years.