The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-17 00:00:00

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1864.

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It must have been with very different feelings
that the Central Executive Committee of the Relief
Find assembled at Manchester, on Monday last, from
those with which they met together when first
assuming their onerous duties. it was no light
task to undertake the relief of a pauperised popu-
lation of over half a million, especially when it was
quite uncertain how long the pressure might last,
and when the means of relief were principally
dependent on fluctuating sources. There was rea-
son to apprehend not only a repetition of the Irish
horrors of 1817, but to fear likewise the outbreak
of popular discontent or the deadly presence of
epidemic disease. From all these evils we have
been mercifully spared, and there is no doubt that
under Providence that exemption is due to the
promptness and efficiency of the means taken for
the relief of the distress. The contributions flowed
in faster than they were needed, and although the
committee always wisely kept a large balance on
hand, yet the receipts were still large, when they
were able to announce that henceforward local
charity would be sufficient to meet the need. And
the distribution of aid, which was a task of no
ordinary difficulty and delicacy among so many
corflictieg claims and local jealousies, has been
accomplished with a discretion and a liberality of
spirit which has preserved public harmony un-
broken. 13e, notwithstanding the readiness
and efficiency of the aid, or rather perhaps
in consequence of those characteristics, the great
danger which political economists feared to be al-
most inevitable, has been happily averted; and far
from the population becoming demoralised and
inclined to pauperism, the opportunity of again
working for their living is everywhere hailed with
joy. The operatives have shown themselves willing
to follow other occupations to which they have been
unaccustomed, they have undertaken the out-door
work provided under the Public Works Act with
promptness and cheerfulness, while in several of
the outlying unions the arrival of the cotton bales
once more called forth tears and blessings. There
is indeed great cause for thankfulness that the
country should have passed through such a crisis
with safety, that the very cause which threatened
to provoke disaffection and disturbance should only
have served to promote goodwill and kindliness,
and to draw classes nearer together by manifesting
a common sympathy and spirit of sacrifice. At
Christmas, 1863, the maximum cf distress was
reached in the startling number of 410,279 reci-
pients of relief. At Midsummer last the amount
bad fallen to 112,598, not much more than a fifth
of the previous number now relieved, is still further
reduced, being 96,295 ; and although this seems at
first a large aggregate, it is necessary to remember
that the ordinary pauperism of these unions
is very large, rising in the winter months to about
50,000, so that the average pressure on the rates is
now only about double that of 1861, which was
reckoned to be the most prosperous year which
Lancashire had ever known. Lancashire has had
cause to remember and regret those prosperous
days so quickly succeeded by such appalling dia.
tress, but brighter days are now dawning upon
her. From the relief committees of Reyton, Lees,
Salford, and Newton Heath, letters were read at
the meeting on Monday announcing the gratifying
fact that they had been enabled to eke() their ope-
rations. Each of these several bodies, in thus com-
pleting their undertaking, expressed their obliga-
tions to the Central Committee for their liberality
and attention. The present condition of affairs
manifests a steady improvement, which is more
encouraging than any sudden alteration. In the
month of June this year there were 286,869 opera-
tives at work full time, 80,066 short time, and
105,161 out of work; while in July there were
292,448 on full time, 67,660 on short time, and
101,568 out
of work. The number of recipients of
relief from all sources, too, fell in the course of

that month from 111,346 to 96,295. One thou-
sand six hundred and sixty-eight skilled operatives
sod 2,600 factory workers are at present employed
on public works; and calculating these on an
average of four Persons to a family, nearly
20,000 persons are thus kept
cif the
rates. Mr. VILLIERS's Bill has, therefore,
been productive of eubstautis good,and the good ie
nature. It was well known that,
of a lastingnot-
withstanding the wealth, the energy, and the large
population of the manufacturing districts, their
sanitary arrangements were most defective, adding
largely to the waste of life so common in such
places. They were like a man of business who is
so much engrossed:in his trade or profession that
he has no time or leisure to,bestow on the require.
meats of his own family. Engrossed in the all
absorbing interest of their trade and its belongings,
manufacturers and operatives alike were indifferent