The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-22 00:00:00

came the speakers on the other side, foremost among
them being the Home Secretary himself. He an-
nounces that it was after careful deliberation the
committee had come to the conclusion that Leeds had
the best claim, a decision arrived at without regard
to political or private interests, but with the sole
view of forwarding the cheap, speedy, and effectual
administration of justice: As for the magistrates,
he said they were mostly in favour of making no
change at all, and their opinion consequently was
not of much weight. It remained for Mr. BEECROFT,
however, to sum up the case in favour of Leeds,
which ho did so clearly and conclusively as to lease
little to be said by the other party. Leeds is the
most populous town in the whole district ; it has
270,00) inhabitants against Wakefield's 20,000, and
within a radius of ten miles Leeds numbers 600,000
persons. There aro only eight miles between the
two towns, and as Mr. BEECROFT very justly said,
common sense indicates that the small population
should go to the larger town, and not the large
population to the small town, The great railway
companies have chosen Leeds as their general ter-
minus—an additional proof that it is the natural
centre of the Riding. It has no less than 220 trains
a-day, while the vast amount of business carried on
there naturally gives rise to a large proportion of
the assize business, not, as Mr. LEATHAM jokingly
pretended, on account of the greater wickedness of
the population, but from the fair proportion of
numbers and opportunities. With regard to the
accommodation, it was asserted that Leeds had
superior advanteges, and the town had already pun.
chased land, made contracts for building, and
entered into other arrangements for facilitating the
business of the aesize. On these grounds, therefore,
we are not surprised that the House of Commons
should have resolved not to interfere with the de-
cision of the Privy Council, bat to let the matter
rest in its present position.

At this inclement season of the year there can-
not be tco many schemes set on foot for the suc-
cour of the poor and homeless. It is to be won-
dered at that there have not been more efforts
made, considering the urgent necessity that exists
for some remedial measures. Scarcely a day passes
in which seine case is not recorded of dreadful
destitution and abject misery. People read of these
cruel sufferings, and lament the fate of these
neglected wanderers on life's highway, but how
few really try t 3 do anything to put a stop to
the recurrence of the calamities ! This is the only
true way to benefit society, and gradually but
surely to introduce a new state of things. There
is now set on foot a most excellent undertaking,
which is to establish " a nightly refuge for some
of the poor outcasts of the West end of London."
The advantages of such a plan are manifold, and
it is not likely that the plan can be otherwise
than successful when it is once fairly put into
working order. Of course there are many objec-
tions raised against the adoption of the scheme,
and all the arguments that have already been
worn threadbare are again put into requisition
as 'to the futility of such notions, and the impru-
dence of doing so much for those who ought to
work, but will not. This last pretext affords a
very convenient excuse for a great many refusals
to aid and assist the poor and indigent, but a
mere unfair or unfounded accusation dies not
often exist. Only those who have had much ex-
perience in the workings of existence among the
lower orders can enter into the many and great
difficulties that lay in the way, and altogether
impede the course of their employments. Besides,
it sickness or distress has not at the 11. st
been the primary agent in throwing a family
out of work, and if there is great blame to
to be attached to the parties concerned, is it just
or reasonable that the families or relatives should
be left to starve, while the stern and inflexible
lookers-on exclaim—" It serves them right for
losing this place and not taking that situation P"
Some people are also very ready to declare that
there is already quite enough provision made for
the poor; but how truly may it be retorted that
the " parechial authorities aro most dilatory, and
often put off compliance to the urgent demand
until help is too late, and succour unavailing.
Until the arrangements for relief at workhouses are
very different to what they are at present, there
will remain much for private endeavours to accom-
plish; and it is tho unwillingness to assist that
prompts the negative answer that so frequently
damps the Efforts of the well-meaning and zealous
to better the condition of their hapless fellow-
creatures. At the east end of London an institution
of this kind has been established for some time, and
has been the means of effecting great good to the
classes for whom it was especially designed. This
new scheme for forming a " nightly refuge" at the
'West-end will only cost about £530, and will be
capable of receiving one hundred inmates of both
sexes. These outcasts are provided with food and
lodging, and the luxury of a bath. The committee
are to b 3 vigilant to guard against deception ; and
of course if duo preceutions are taken the impostors
will soon be discovered. Each party is to furnish
an account of his previous life; and if it be found
that occasion demands it, subsequent steps will be
taken to follow up the succour already afforded, by
more timely help and more lasting benefits. It is
almost impossible to overrate the beneficial and
stimulating effects that are produced on the out-
cast, driven from one place to another refused ad-
mittance here and told to " move on" there, when
admitted into the sheltering precints of such a
" city of refuge." The kindness and attention thus
bestowed will never be thrown away, and one of the
chief claims which these undertakings can urge to
public support, and public favour is that they are
often instrumental in arresting the downward pro-
gress, and in enabling the waverer to keep to the
right path. Also they are of service to the large
class of unfortunate individuals who, from ignorance
and themachinationsof others, have been led astray,
but who are not by any means confirmed criminals,
and may be in a great measure, if not altogether,
redeemed from the error of their ways, if only a
helping hand is stretched out, and all:dent means
aro employed to rescue them from their perilous
poeiticn. Many of these unhappy beings are driven
into the commission of crimes to provide themselves
with food and shelter. The law is ready and active
to pronounce where they shall not go, and what
they must net do, but says nothing as to what spot
they may seek to gain a shelter, and how they may
provide themselves with food. It is to rectify this
anomaly then that these " refuges" are designed,
and it will be a scandal to our Christian community
if they are not properly supported, and carried on
successfully. When it is contemplated how many
squander fortunes on trifles, waste fabulous
sums on business, and fling away what would
save many a family from perishing to pan-
der to their extravagant fancies, it may
well be urged upon them that they may
spare a tithe out of their abundance to bestow
upon homeless misery and starving mendicants.
The accommodation provided is suitable, and doubt-
less greatly enjoyed by the recipients, but at the
same time it is not of the class or kind thatewould

tempt the undeserving and irreniaimablo away
from the haunts where they can gain more and be
better suited to their tastes. Surely a higher end
for hurnao efforts can hardly ba found than thus to