The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-29 00:00:00

Tip; Striv. LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, DECtrgRER 29, 181V.3,

serious expense upon us. Every social ad-
vantage and every Christian feeling are
on the side of this Institiution; and now
that the want has been made known, let not
the call be unheeded. A fearful responsibility will
rest upon those whose lives are lapped in luxury,
and who leave their fellow-creatures to perish of
cold and want in the streets, still worse to grow pp
prolific in crime and fruitful in works of evil. It
may be difficult to settle which is the best means of
providing a remedy for the sad state of the adults
of our population, who are hardened in iniquity ;
but let us remember that had a helping hand been
stretched forth to them in their early years they
might now be walking their earthly course in rec-
titude, and bringing up their children in a spirit
worthy of those who hope to make their offspring
honest and faithful children in this world, and
heirs of a better inheritance hereafter. With the
young now around us no such excuse can be made ;
they are open to good impressions, and eager for a
change from their present discomforts. If the task
of providing them with help is taken up with
earnestness and good will, it cannot prove wholly
unprofitable; but must conduce to the good of all,
blessing him that gives and him that takes, and
furthering the best interests of these little pilgrims
on the world's highway here and hereafter, and
bringing the best assurance to the thinking mind
and the trasting heart that they have been given
the surest means of so passing through things tem-
poral that they finally lose not the things eternal.

The monthly report of the Central Executive
Committee of the Lancashire Relief Fund to the
General Committee will be looked at with some in-
terest. The months of winter are now sufficiently
advanced to enable us to appreciate in some degree
the effects of the inclement season upon the employ-
ment as well as the health of the people, and as yet
such statistics are tolerably satisfactory and reas-
suring. We learn from the report now before us
that during the last month there has been an in-
crease of 723 in the number of the recipients of
relief from the Board of Guardians, and of 1,957 in
those solely dependent upon the Local Committees.
At first sight these figures are somewhat startling,
but when we come to compare them with those re-
presenting the state of affairs last year at this time
we shall see no grounds for discouragement. The
total number in receipt of relief in the last week of
November,
01.
18112, whether from Guardians, Local
Committees, both conjointly, was 448,955.
During the last week of the November just past it
was 170,850, thus showing a decrease of 278,105.
Various reasons are assigned for this diminution,
such as the increase in the goods manufactured, as
well as the number of hands needed to prepare the
inferior quality of cotton; and also the natural mor-
tality among the cotton hands, which has not
been supplied by the usual relays of new
workers. No less than fourteen thousand are,
it is estimated,engaged in other employments in the
cotton districts, and we must of course add to these
the numbers who have emigrated from the country,
although this item is not alluded to in the Report.
From whatever cause it may arise, however, the
fact of the numbers in receipt of relief being re-
duced more than a quarter of a million in the
twelvemonth is one full of hope and consolation,
more especially at the season of the year which en-
tails increased wants in the way of food and
clothing, so that the condition of our metropolitan
poor has been such as to create some anxiety among
Philanthropists. The committoee, with the foresight
and good sense which have throughout distinguished
their proceedings, are not inclined to make too sure
of the continuation of the present condition of
affairs, even although they have to record a consi-
derable increase. Looking forward and beyond the
immediate sphere of action, they see reason to an-
ticipate some considerable fluctuations in the
amount of employment. The price of cotton has
hitherto risen so much as to increase largely the
amount of capital employed both in the import and
the manufacture. Various circumstances con-
nected with the importation of cotton have
increased the absorption of the precious metals,
thus producing, as we have seen, a rise in
the value of money. The natural result of the
temporary check which this rise offers to the specu-
lator is diminished employment, and at the same
time the committee look forward with some anxiety
to a fall in the price of cotton, owing to increased
imports and lessened factory work, which, however
great its ultimate advantages, might cause consi-
derable temporary embarrassment. With a view to
the increased demand on their resources, which
such an event would certainly cause, the committee
have been careful to keep a considerable sum in
hand, having now altogether a balance of
1:355,526—thus having a provision which enables
them to face the prospect of a darker day without
uneasiness. They add a hope, moreover, such as we
have often expressed, that before the sums at their

disposal shall be exhausted, and the relief given by
the public works is at an end, " a steady and per-
manent augmentation in the supply of cotton may
be expected." Such an anticipation coming from
such a quarter, and put forward on the responsi-
bility of those who have every means of obtaining

correct information, and would certainly not speak
without good authority, will, we hope, tend greatly

o re-assure those persons who persist, iv

spite of al) that has been done and is doing,
in taking a gloomy and altogether desponding view

of the prospects of cur cotton trade. We are told
that in anticipation of the coming revival a number

of new mills are now in course of construction—a

fact of itself of no slight importance, as promis,
ing favourable auguries. The workpeople them.

selves appear to entertain the same opinion; mos

of those who have emigrated into neighbouring

counties, or accepted other employments, having

made their arrangements of a temporary nature, so

as to be able to resume their old labour when the
better days come again. The Public Works Act

has not, it seems, as yet done all that was expected

of it, being cumbered with unnecessary formalities,

although the report informs us that the Govern-

ment have shown every desire to simplify matters.

More in this respect remains to be done and should
ne dove promptly, if the cotton hands are to derive

from it the relief it was intended to give. Should

the necessary alterations be made, so that a large
number of loans may be arranged without loss of

time, we may hope that the greater number of

workmen absorbed by these works may neutralise,
in some degree, any increased distress eaused by the
fluctuation of the cotton trade. Altogether the pro-
Eipects of Lancashire are as bright as we could hope,
and thanks are eminently due to the gentlemen
oaf"ll etear Y
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rt of
t the whose patriotic labours have contributed so much
relief of the distress, as well as to the allevia-
alarm or exaggerated fears on
tthwen
phee ss
public.

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table, silver of impure
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lums, the, entire pri the Medical faculty eae ea asy-

left to themselves, become adepts in crime, and
thus be burdens on the State by swelling the
ranks of the criminals whose cost entails such a