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

No. 193354.]

PUBLICATIONS.

CHANTREY'S "HAPPY LAND" and
"ROBIN ADAIR" are most charming PIANOFORTE
PIECES for the Drawing Room, not difficult nor lengthy, but replete
with passages of the utmost grace and brilliancy. Every pianist
should immediately order them. Price 2s. Gd. each. Also, CHAN-
TREY'S celebrated CHRISTMAS QUADRILLES. (4th Edition.)
Pi ice 35.
London : Addison and Holier, 210, Regent-street.

ALLSOPP'S INDIA PALE ALE in Bottles,
genuine and in fine condition, as recommended for In-
and the Tab e by BARON Ltrino. The undersigned has
always a supply at his Stores of the finest quality and character.
Apply to NATHANIKL EASTLY, Wine, Beer, and Brandy
Merchant, 132, Upper Thames-street.

THE BEST MAPS OF THE CRIMEA can
be procured at STANFORD'S GEOGRAPHICAL WARE-
HOUSE, 6, Charing Cross, or will be forwarded per post for 64. ad-
ditional ; via., TILE SOUTHERN PORTION, chiefly from Surveys
made by order of the Russian Government. by JOHN ARROWSMITH,
price. in two sheets, Bs.; mounted in case, 12s. THE CRIMEA, by
Jinni ARROWSMITII, one sheet, price 65.; case, 9s.—JOIINSTON'S
MAP OF TIIE CRIMEA, sheet, price Is.; cal?, 2s. 6d.
London : Edward Stanford, Ageut 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•Marsbal H.R.H. the PRINCE ALBERT, K.G., and
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of KENT.
VICE PATRONS.
His Grace tha 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, let Life Guards; Lord Lllford.
Trustees—Sir John Kirkland, Lord Henry Cholmondeley, M.P., and
Major the Hon. H L. Powys.
COMMIT AMR.
John Lettsom Elliot, Esq.
Sir Robert Gerard, Bart.
Hon. A. Kinnaird, M.P.
Lieut.-Col. BrownlowKnox,M.P.
Hon. Capt. William Stuart Knox,
M.Y.
Captain Laffan, M.P.
Lieut-Col..Lawrenson
Lieut.-Col. Hon. J. Lindsay, M.P.
Right Mon. Joseph Napier, M.P.
Colonel Sidney North; M.P.
Capt. Henry Owen, R.E.
John Wilson Patten, Esq., M.P.
Melville Portal, Esq., M.P.
Major the Hon. H. L. Powys,
60th Royal Rifles
Andrew Siiottitwoode, Esq.
Augustus Stafford, Esq., M.P.
Rey. F.J. Stainforth
Lieut.-Col. Taylor, M.P.
Capt. W. F. Vernon
Sir William Veiner, M.P.
Shirley WoMmer. k-sci.
General Wyndham, M.P.

The Lord Bishop of London

The Duke of Manchester

The Marquis of Blandford, M.P.
The Earl of Annesley, M.P.

The Earl of Cavan

The Earl or Effingham
The Earl of Shaftesbury

Viscount 11111

Viscount Mandeville, M.P.
_ _

Lord Sondes
Lord Edward Howard, M.P.

Lord Henry Cholmomieley,ll.P.

Lord Charles Clinton, M.P.

Lord Feversbara

Captain Arc Mall, M.P.

Colonel Baker

Colonel Boldero, M.P.
Liout-Col. Hunter Blair, M.P.
Major Cartan, Staff-Otlleer of

Pensioners
Lieut.:Col. Caulfield, 31 P.

J. C. Colquboun, Esq.
Capt. J. Douglas, 60th Royal

Rifles
Colonel Dunne, M.P.

Auditors—George William Bell, Esq., Law Fire Office ; and B. L•

•
Sowell, Esq., Bank of England.
Treasurer—Sir John Kirkland, 80, Pall-mall.
Hon. Secretary—Major the Hon. Henry Littleton Powys, 60th Royal

Rifles.

• Assistant Secretary—Frederick Bayley 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 EFFINGHAM in the chair:— •
This Association originated at the National Club, on the 24th of
February, 1854, and was joined on 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 Pere/rine 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 wiv,s
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 aed 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 reward fur 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.

To 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 privates, who, having been mar-
ried with military sanction and approval, had been placed on the
strength of the regiment.
Case 490. Mrs. IL —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, fur which the Association furnished the moans, 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 resbectable person, married with
Leave, in delicate health. Left destitute, with six children. Earns a

little by washing, for which a donation of 2/. was granted. A weekly
allowance of 7s.

Case 439, Mrs. W. 11. R.—Wife of a private, 13th Light Dragoons.
Married with leave. Left destitute with four children. A most re-
spectable person. A. situation as cook obtained fur 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., iu a.dition 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 wite 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.

Ca'se 193, Mrs. E. 11.—Wife of a private in the 38th Regiment.
Married with leave. Lett destitute with four children. One child
provided for, and a weekly allowaxce 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 tt 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 five children. A weekly allowance
of 7s.
'

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 case of need. The watch had
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.—Wifo 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. 90, Mrs. C. B.—Wife of a private, Royal Artillery.
Married with leave. Lett 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 les. 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 such letters as the foliowing :
" Camp, near Yarns, August 30, 1854.
" I sincerely trust that I may not offend you by the liberty
I take in addressing you; but, having heard 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 unprovided for, Ike. I therefore humbly hope that
you will kindly cause inquiries to be made, so that my child May not
be left entirely unprotected or uncared for. I will roost 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
fur her.

" I remain, Mr, most respectfully,
G. 11., Sergeant.

" To Major the lion. 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 maim-
g .rs of the Industrial School.
"Demo, in Turkey, July, 1854.

"My Dearest Mary,—l know you will be glad to have this letter
from your dear father. I hope and pray Almighty God that you and
your dear little sisters are quite well and happy and comfortable.
Give dear Fanny and dear little Margaret my very best and fendest
love, with many kisses also to your little companions. I have not
been yet where the 38th Regiment is. When I see the regiment I
will be sure 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 after and see to your youngest
sister, for she is but a baby yet, and may God bless you all and keep
you under His 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 she
can till I come home, which I trust, please God, won't be long. I
hope you are all good children, and do what you can to assist Mrs.
8., who will, I know, be very kind and good to you.' I hope she is
quite well. Give her my best respects. I hope you love and obey
your teachers. You must write to me, my dear Mary, dm We are
all in a very large 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 miles. We all went to a little valley yes-
terday, and heard Divine service, and very many of us received the
sacrament 01 our Lord Jesus Christ afterwards. Oh Imy dear child,
never forget your prayers, and be a good child, and you will have
God for your lather and friend for ever. Pray for your dear sister ;
pray for your father ; and God will hear yon. He 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 and take
care of you all, is the pra) er of your loving father, " T. D."
Letter addressed to the Honorary Secretary of the Dublin Associa-
tion :

September 2, 1854.
" Sir,—Only for the relief I received weekly from you, I would have
beets 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 mYselt 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
taus impossible. I was snaking shirts for Gilpins, in Molesworth-
st eet, at ss. per dczen, and I could not complete the dozen Ina week;
so if I had not bad that relief, what should I have done ? I ni.ver
received any money from my bus and 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 now, through your kindness
and interest. I have got a situation ; and if you did not still allow me
a little to pay for my ch ldren, I should not be able to remain in it, as
I have not enough wages to pay fur them, and clothe myself and
them.
" I hope God will reward every one who has so kindly helped the
poor &Idler's wife and child ; for must of us have been thrown out
of a comfortable home to face a frowning world. I hope the Lord will
re a and you also, sir, tor the kind interest you I. aye taken in the sol-
diers' wives, &.t. " Mrs. I."
:Many more letters might be quoted, showing how grateful these
fine tenows are for the care that has beets 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
beets, and is doing for them. With a few exceptions, all have
evinced the greatest thankfulness, and readiness to find employment
fwouives
offeredofsoldiers who had been temporarily re-
or themselves. i
ere d
with
w e T
weekly allowances,to repay the Association as
soon as their husbands remitted money; and one or them, directly
she received a remittance from her husband, insisted on repaying a
sovereign to the Association, saying at the same time "That there
was many a poor soldier 'swile who needed it more than she did."
piore than 200 hare been placed in altuatiorm 55 housemaids, cooks,