The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-06 00:00:00

No. 19,354.]

PUBLICATIONS.

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THE BEST MAPS OF THE CRIMEA can
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London : Edward Stanford, Agent for Ordnance Maps and Admi-
ralty Charts, 6, Charing Cross. -

CENTRAL ASSOCIATION in AID of the
WIVES and FAMILIES, WIDOWS and ORPHANS, of
SOLDIERS Ordered on Active Service.
Under the Joint Patronage of
Her Majesty the QUEEN.
Field-Marshal H.R.H. the PRD:CE ALBERT, K.G., and
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of KENT.
VICE PATRONS.
His Grace the Archbishop of CANTERBURY.
Lieut.-Gen. His Royal Highness the Duke of CAMBRIDGE, K.G.
Chairman of General Committee—General the Earl of Beauchamp.
Vice-Chairmen—Viscount Ingestre, Ist Life Guards ; Lord Lilford.
Trustees—Sir John Kirkland, Lord Henry Cholmondeley, M.P., and
Major the Hon. H. L. Powys.
COMMITTEE.
The Lord Bishop of London John Lettsom Elliot, Esq.
The Duke of Manchester Sir Robert Gerard, Bart.
The Marquis of Blandford, M.P. Hon. A. Kinnaird, M.P.
The Earl of Annesley, M.P. Lieut.-Col. Brownlow Knox,M.P.
The Earl of Cavan Hon. Capt. William Stuart Knox,
The Earl of Effingham M.P.
The Earl of Shaftesbury Captain Laffan, M.P.
Viscount Hill Lieut.-Col. LaWITLISOII
Viscount Mandeville, M.P. Lieut.-Col. Hon. J. Lindsay, M.P.
Lord Sondes Right Hon. Joseph Napier. M.P.
Lord Edward Howard, M.P. Colonel Sidney North, M.P.
Lord Henry Cholmondeley, M.P. Capt. Henry Owe 1, R.E.
Lord Charles Clinton, M.P. John Wilson Patten, Esq., M.P.
Lord Feversham Melville Portal, Esq., M.P.
Captain Archdall, M.P. Major the lion. H. L. Powys,
Colonel Baker 60th Royal Rifles
Colonel Boldero, M.P. Andrew Spottiswoode, Esq.
Lieut.-Col. Hunter Blair, M.P. Augustus Stafford, Esq., M.P.
Major Carton, Staff-Officer of Rev. F.J. Stainforth
Pensioners Lieut.-Col. Taylor, M.P.
Lieut.-Col. Caulfield, M P. Capt. W. F. Vernon
J. C. Colqnhoun, Esq. Sir William Verner, M.P.
Capt. J. Douglas, 60th Royal Shirley Woolmer, Esq.
Rifles General Wyndham, M.P.
Colonel Dunne, M.P.
Auditors—George William Bell,
Sowell, Esq., B
Treasurer—Sir John
Hen. Secretary—Major the Hon.
R. -
Assistant Secretary—Frederick Hayley Bell, Esq.
The following report was unanimously passed at a General Com-
mittee Meeting, on the 3d of October, 1854.
The Right Hon. the Earl of EFFINGCi4M in the chair:—
This Association originated at the National Club, on the 24th of
February, 1854, and was joined en the 25th of February by a depu-
tation from the Army and Navy Club.
It was formally instituted at a public meeting held in Willis's
Rooms, on the 7th of March, 1854 (the late deeply lamented Gene-
ral Sir Peregrine Maitland, G.C.8., in the chair), and has now com-
pleted the first half year of its operations.
The vast amount of undeserved misery that this Association has
been the means of alleviating during the past six months induces the
Committee to make a half-yearly report of their proceedings; and
this, not only to show that the noble effort made by the country en
behalf of the silent sufferers has not been a fruitless one ; but also to
direct public attention to the urgent and absolute necessity for the
establishment of some permanent national provision for the wives
and families, widows and orphans, of our soldiers.
Notwithstanding all that has been said and written on the subject,
the fact still remains in all its sadness, that for the wife and family,
widow and orphan, of our best-behaved soldiers, whether non-com-
missioned officer or private, no provision whatever is made. Nothing
but private charity keeps them from pauperism when their husbands
and fathers are taken away.
The marriage of these good men is fully permitted by military
authority; it is even granted as a rewafd for good conduct, and yet,
should they be ordered to the seat of war, or die in the service of
their country, their families are cast aside in utter destitution and
desolation.
T. prove that this is no over-statement, the Committee have se-
lected a few cases out of hundreds, all of which are those of wives
of non-commissioned officers and
had privates, who, having been mar-
ried with military sanction and approval, been placed on the
strength of the regiment.
Case 490, Mrs. B.—Wife of a sergeant of the 38th. Married with
leave. Left destitute with six children after she had spent the small
sum her husband left for her. Five of her children provided for ;
the sixth being an infant, and the mother being weakly, she received
a weekly allowance of ss. until she obtained work as a washer-
, woman, for which the Association furnished the means, and she now
earns her own livelihood, assisted by her two boys, aged 12 and 13,
for whom situations as pages have been found.
Mrs. E. F., Bth Hussars —A most respectable person, married with
leave, in delicate health. Left destitute, with six children. Earns a
little by washing, for which a donation of 21. was granted. A weekly
allowance of is.
Case 439, Mrs. W. 11. R.—Wife of a private, lath Light Dragoons.
Married with leave. Left destitute with four children, A most re-
spectable person. A situation as cook obtained for her, and all her
children provided for.
Case 73, Mrs. S. J. G.—Wife of a sergeant in the 21st Regiment.
Married with leave. Left destitute with four children, and expect-
ing her confinement. A weekly allowance of 55., in addition to the
parish out-door relief of 3s. a week and four loaves.
Case 460, Mrs. W.—Wife of a lance sergeant in the 6th Dragoons.
Married with leave. Left destitute with three children, and expect-
ing her confinement. A weekly allowance till she became a widow,
when she was granted 801., and one of her three children provided
for by the Birmingham Local Committee.
Case 193, Mrs. E. H.—Wife of a private in the 38th Regiment.
Married with leave. Left destitute with four children. One child
provided for, and a weekly allowance of 7s. a week.
Case 384, Mrs. A. F.—Wife of a private in the 77th Regiment. Mar-
ried with leave. Left destitute with five children. A weekly allow-
ance of 10s.
Case 433, 38th Regiment.—Mrs. A., the wife of a sergeant. Mar-
ried with leave. Left destitute with four children. Has been pro-
vided with a situation of 141. a year, and all her children taken care
of by the Association.
Mrs. E. F., 63d Regiment.—Married with leave. 16 years wife of
a private. Left destitute with live children. A weekly allowance
of 75.
Mrs. E. T. 46th Regiment.,-Married with leave. Left destitute
with five children under 10 years of age, unable to leave her infant.
A weekly allowance of 7s.
Mrs. T. L., 28th Regiment.—Married with leave. Wife of a
Sergeant. Leftwith five children. Her husband left her some little
money and his watch, to part with in ease of need. The watch bad
been parted with when this Association helped her out of all her
troubles, and she regularly receives money from her husband.
Mrs. E. 8., case 321.—Wife of a private, 88th Regiment. Married
with leave. Left perfectly destitute with five children. The two
youngest twins born since her: husband left. In very bad health
since her confinement. A weekly allowance of 12s.
Cases Nos. 406, 407, 408.—The wives of privates of the 55th. All
married with leave. Left destitute with ten children. A weekly
allowance to each.
Case No. 968, Mrs. C. B.—Wife of a private, Royal Artillery.
Married with leave. Left destitute with six children in great dis-
tress. A weekly allowance granted.
Case 971, Mrs.'A. C.—Wife of a Sergeant of the 38th Regiment.
Married with leave. Left destitute with six children. A weekly
allowance of 12s.
Case 592, Mrs. T.—Wife of a sergeant of the 11th Hussars. Mar-
ried with leave. Left with six children. Eldest daughter provided
with a situation,' and a weekly allowance of 105. to her mother.
This dreary catalogue of destitution might be continued almost to
an endless extent, and all the harrowing details accompanying each
case might be given; but the Committee are satisfied that a simple
statement of these facts is more than sufficient to prove the need for,
and the reality of, their work. It is true that the parish of the sol-
dier may be compelled to support hiS wife and family; but the Com-
mittee would ask whether the workhouse If a fitting place for the
families of men who can write s letters as the foliowing :
" Cauch
mp, near Varna, August 30, 1854.
" Sir, —I sincerely trust that I may not offend you by the liberty
I take in addressing you; hut, having beard of your kindness to the
wives and children of soldiers now serving in Turkey, I am induced
to request your kind assistance on behalf of my little daughter. By
the last mail from England I received the melancholy intelligence of
my wife's death, which occurred on the 9th of August, leaving my
little girl entirely nnprovlded for, &c. I therefore humbly hope that
you will kindly cause inquiries to be made, so that my child maynot
be left entirely unprotected or uncared for. I will most gladly con-
tribute, as far as my means will admit, to defray any expense which
may arise in placing her in any establishment which you select.
We expect to embark for Sebastopol to-morrow, consequently I feel
very anxious that some steps may be immediately taken to provide
for her.

sq., Law Fire Office ; and B. L.
nk of England.
.irkland, 80,•Pall-mall.
lenry Littleton Powys, 60th Royal

" I remain, sir, most respectfully,
G. H., Sergeant.
" To MWor the Hon. H. L. Powys, 60th Reg. Rifles, Hon. Sec."
The wife and child of this non-commissioned officer were entirely
supported by the Association until his wife died of cholera, in London.
His daughter is now comfortably settled at the Industrial School at
Birmingham, at the expense of the Association, and when thoroughly
trained and educated will be provided with a situation by the mana-
gers of the Industrial School.

Devno, in Turkey, July, 1854.
"My Dearest Mary,—l know you will be glad tom have this letteand
r
from your dear father. I hope and pray Almighty that you
your dear little sisters are quite well and happy and comfortable.
Give dear Fanny and dear little Margaret my very best and fondest
love, with many kisses also to your little companions. I have not
been yet where the 39th Regiment is. When I see the regiment I
will ere to go and see their fathers. I hope you are well and
happy altogether, and love each other, and be kind to one another.
But, my dear child, you must look atter and see to your youngest
sister, for she is but a baby yet, and may God bless you all and keep
you under Ills Almighty wings always is the daily prayer of your
loving father. Be kind to your dear sister Fanny, kiss her for me,
tell her I send my very best love to her, and she is to learn all shl
e
can till I come home, which I trust, please God, won't be long.
hope you are all good children, and do what you can to assist Mrs.
8., who
quite welwill, I know, be very
est kind and good te you. I hope she is
l. Give her my b respects. I hope you love and obey
your teachers. You must write to me, my dear Mary, &c. We are
all in a very largo camp. I dare say 10,000 men. We all sleep on
the ground. We have our cloaks and one blanket to cover us. There
are no houses near us for We all went to a little valley yes-
terday, and heard Divine service, and very many of us received the
sacrament of our Lord Jesus Christ afterwards. Ohl my dear child,
never forget your prayers, and be a good child, and you will have
God for your father and friend for ever. Pray for your dear sister ;
pray for your father ; and God will hear you. Re will bless and
keep us always, and bring us to Heaven at last, for Jesus Christ's
sake. And now, my darlings, good bye, and may God bless
TandD take
care of you all, is the prayer of your loving father,
" . ."
Letter addressed to the Honorary Secretary of the Dublin Assoc's.
tion

September 2, 1854.
" Sir,—Only for the relief I received weekly from you, I would have
heeu obliged to go into the workhouse with my two children, which
would have been worse than death to me ; for if we were dead, our
miserable existence would be ended here. I could not have main-
tained myself and children only for it, though I worked day and
night to do so, and tried every means in my power, yet I found it
was impossible. I was making shirts for Gilpins, in Molesworth-
street, at ss. per dozen, and I could not complete the dozen in a week;
so if I had not had that relief, what should I have done ? I never
received any money from my husband since I left him, nor had no
one to ask me or my children to have a meal of victuals since I lost
my only friend, my dear husband. And no w, through your kindness
and interest, I have got a situation ; and if you did not still allow me
a little to pay fur my children, I should not be able 1 o remain
mysel in f
tans
, as
I have not enough wages to pay for them, and clothe
them.
" I hope God will reward every one who has so kindly helped the
poor soldier's wife and child ; for most of us have been thrown out
of a comfortable home to face a frowning world. I hope the Lord will
reward you also, sir, for the kind interest you have taken in the sol-
diers' wives, " Mrs. J."
Many more letters might be quoted, showing how grateful these
fine fellows are for the care that has been extended to their wives and
children ; but quite enough, it is hoped, has been stated to satisfy
the Committee that they not only are doing what is right, but that
It is the bounden duty of England to carry out the work that has been
thus happily commenced.
Nor are the poor women themselves ungrateful for all that has
been, and is doing for them. With a few exceptions, all have
evinced I lie greatest thankflfiness, and readiness to find employment
for themselves. Two wives of soldiers who had been temporarily re-
lieved with weekly allowances, offered to repay the Association as
soon as their husbands remitted money; and one of them, directly
she received a remittance from her husband, insisted on repaying
re
a
sovereign to the Association, saying at the same time " That the
was many a poor soldier 'swife who needed it more than she did."
More than 200 hate been placed in situations as housemaids, cooks,