The Sun.
London, England, 1849-03-07 00:00:00

January, 1849.
The Committee of the SOCIETY for the IMPROVE3ENT of the
CONDITION of the LABOURING CLASSES feel unwilling to allow
the opening of a new year, under such unparalleled circumstances as
the present, to pass over without offering to their subscribers, and
the gentry, clergy, and middle classes of England generally, a few
Words of congratulation and of caution.
The grounds of congratulation will be obvious to every one —that
a Year of convulsions to Europe generally should have elapsed in
England almost without any serious alarm, and that this general
tranquillity should have been preserves! during the pressure of muck
?rant of employment, poverty, and privation, may well excite a feel-
ing of gratitude, and lead us to prize more deeply those institutions
Which have thus "weathered the storm ;" and, above all, that spirit
of religion, which, even partially and imperfectly diffused as it Is,
has yet shown itself, though in weakness, the best controller of na-
tional perturbations.
a But, besides these general grounds of thankfulness, the Committee
oases much case to congratulate their subscribers on the progress
Made in their own more immediate work in the course of the past
Year. Not only has the gracious patronage of her Majesty and her
Royal Consort encouraged and enabled them to commence a new
Work of magnitude and importance—the Model Lodging-house for
Families, which will shortly, it is hoped, rise from the ground in the
immediate 'vicinity of St. Giles's—but the example already set be-
gins to be extensively followed. Within the last few months the Com-
mittee have had the pleasure of witnessing efforts of a kindred na-
ture, and most of them confessedly in imitation of those carried on
by this Society, made or planned in several populous and important
Places.
In the great parish or St. Anne, Soho, the rector sad a parochial
committee have completed and opened a large lodging-house, in
Which excellent accommodation is provided for as many as 136 per-
sons of the industrious classes.
Adjoining to this, in st. James's, Westminster, the rector, with a
Parochial committee, is employed on a similar undertaking.
At Edinburgh and Glasgow model lodging-houses have been opened
and further efforts in the same direction are contemplated.
In the city of Bath a similar work has recently been undertakers
by the clergy and a local committee, and there can be no doubt of its
SPeady and complete accomplishment.
At Brighton, a lodging-house for the working-classes is planned,
and measures for its establishment have been taken by several of the
Clergy,
At Macclesfield the same object is engaging the attention of the
inhabitants, and a measure of this kind is now in progress. Several
other movements of the same description, in other tots ns, are in va-
. rions stages of maturity.
Nor ought we to forget—though an entirely independent move-
orient—the recent opening of the Metropolitan Buildings, near Old
St. Pancras Church, in which excellent lodgings are provided for as
Many as 110 families of the industrious classes.
Observing all these effolls of benevolence, commencing nearly at
the same time, the Committee feel that there is abundant ground for
congratulation; and that it is hardly too much to hope that at no
very distant day the wants and comforts of the town labourers
throughout England may be generally, or even universally, regarded
with interest.
Turning to the.agricultural districts, the Committee feel that the
Only way in which these can be effectually attended to, is by tke
active co-operation of the landed proprietors, the clergy, and gentry,
in the important work of raising from ignorance, destitution, and
discontent, a large proportion of the labourers of Great Britain,
With this view, the Committee are happy to be able to state, that
hay ng prepared plans and speci cations for several kinds of agri-
cultural cottages, they have received, since the month of June last,
' no fewer than 184 applications for copies of them; the greater part of
which applications have been made by gentlemen who avowed tneir
intenaon of immediately beginning to raise, in their ressective
neighbourhoods, better dwellings for the agricultural poor t an those
Which have hi herto teen so common in our villages. The Com-
• Inittee have a:so issued a plan for a Village Lodging-house, adapted
for unmarried agricultural labourers, quarrymen, and miners, and
they have the sati fact on of knowing that, in various places esseci-
ally at Brampton-park, near Huntingdon, and at Tuneridge-wells,
t is sort of dwelling is now in course of erection.
The Committee also receive most gratifying account, of the efforts
raking in different part of the country to improve the dwellings of
the poor, among the foremost of which they must place the recent
erection of a considerable number of excel ent cottages at Ampthill
Bud other villages, by his Grace the Duke of Bedford, who is about
to extend the same system of improvement over the whole of his
large property.
Yet, while giving utterance to these congratulations, the Com-
Mittee.feel compelled to add some words of caution. They fear that
certain erroneous notions, which have long been prevalent, are still
entertained in many quarters as to the expediency and propriety of
all or any such attempts to ameliorate the condition of the poor. It
Seems still to be thought by some, that to render the labouring
classes comfortable is to encourage their increase—that to encourage
their increase leads to the growth of pauperism—and that pauperism
is " the devouring evil which threatens to swallow up all the pro-
Iserty of the country."
A moment's glance at the statistics of the present century may
atiffice I. dissipate some of these illusions.
The population of England and Wales, in 1817, was 11,349,750;
. IthnelsBuin7
theexpended in 1817 on the relief of the poor was 6,910,9251.
population had grown to at least 17,000,000, but the
Sam expended on the reli f of the poor in that year was only
6.209,7851. Thus, in 1817 the pauperism of the kingdom was equal
s) a levy of more than 12s. on each person ; in 1847 it did not amount
to 7s. on each.
lii 1817 a sum of 6,910,9251. was raised on rateable property of the
value of 52,000,000/. In 1847 the suns cf 5,298,78:5/. was raised on
Property valaed at 67,000,0001. Thus, in 1817 the rateable property
of the country had to bear a levy of 2s. Bd. in the pound, while in
1847 that levy was reduced to Is. 7d.
Bence, whatever allowance we may make for the stricter admi-
nistration of the poor-law, or for the reduced price of the necessaries
of life, these few figures will show how ungrounded is the alarm
entertained by some, that pauperism is an ever-increasing evil, which
Must, sooner or later, swallow up all property.
To take a contrary view, is it not a striking fact, that a property-
tax of only 7d. in the pound yielded, in 1847, more money than was
expended on the whole pauperism of England and Wales ?
These few facts are adduced solely to quiet alarm, arid to restore
confidence. The Committee feel assured that nothing is now wanted
to raise the English labourer, generally, to a position of moderate
comfort, so far as his physical wants are concerned, but an increase
:f. hope and confidence—hope and confidence on the part of the
isniePloYor and proprietor, and the like feeling on the part of the
'ootirer.
It is to be feared that a sentiment of despair, naturally leading to
recklessness, is the principal cause of much of the improvidence and
Vice Still prevalent among the working classes. If the labourer is
not only poorly fed and clothed, and wretchedly lodged, but sees also
: rosect of improvement, even in the vista of years, who ean won-
er P
if the least temptation, either to sensual indulgence or to reek-
Z 5 engagements, proves too mach for his stability ? To imbue a
"'an with self-respect, or thoughtfulness for the future, it is clearly
essential that hope should brighten the prospect. It is but too pro-
able that most of the improvident marriages which occur among
the poor arise from the utter absence of all hope that marriage shall
ever be anything ease than improvident. The man who has known
the comfort of a decent home, and can look forward to the posses-
sion of such an one, will not be very likely to throw himself wilfully
"Ito Poverty and wretchedness.
Bence it may be safely regarded as one of the surest safeguards
against rash and imprudent marriage, to give the young labourer
some knowledge of the comforts of a respectable home, and to afford
hilts a prospect of acquiring such for himself, by the exercise of in-
dustry, prudence, and frugality.
The Committee wilt not further enter into details, or press their
convictions with undue confidence. But they may surely beg, with-
out blame, the attention of the gentry and ;middle classes to the
signs of the times, and to the vast importance of rendering the con-
dition of the labouring classes as comfortable as their natural posi-
e !tie 11 will allow. Everywhere the spread of knowledge and education
Clothing the working classes with power. That power they have
tiacds and are using, in various parts of Europe, to overthrow those
a_
Itholn they consider to have wronged or oppressed them. In Eng-
and, happily, there exists no real ground for such complaints. But
'yea the ordinary sufferings of poverty, if not soothed by sympathy,
arid alleviated by the hand of wealthy benevolence, may be some
titles mistaken for the inflictions of injustice. Hence the Divine
Warning and counsel can never be more seasonably applied than at
this; Moment :—`• The poor shall never cease out of the land ; there-
fore I command thee, saying, thou shalt open thine hand wide unto
thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy in the land."
In conclusion, the Committee would add a few words on their
Cwn immediate concerns. The work entrusted to them becomes
dally of increasing importance. Their correspondence with all parts
oi England rapidly extends, and appeals are continually made to theta
:Which involve an increased expenditure. The principal work, too,
in London —the Model Lodging-house for Families, now about to be
citllltnenced, will require an expenditure of at least 8,000/., while
little more than 5,0001. has yet been subscribed for that purpose.
On every ground, therefore, the Committee would earnestly ask
fa
1,71. new and enlarged contributions. No other society, they believe
eftray be safely asserted, devoting itself to the physical necessities
tilet,he Poor, has embarked in so extensive and necessary an under-
"aing as this in which they are engaged. They desire to do some-
thing to to ameliorate the condition of the whole labouring population
the kingdom ; and few and feeble as their efforts have yet been,
they still find encouragement to hope that, by perseverance, and
with the blessing of Him " who judgeth the cause of the poor and
heellY," even this great work may in a measure be accomplished.
Signed for the Committee,
ASHLEY, Chairman.

ri Most Subscriptions.
" -gost Gracious Majesty the Queen and his Royal Nigh-
bi_liiess prince Albert
.. . .. .. .. £3OO 0 0
ii;r Majesty the Queen D•Wager .. .. • • • • 150 0 0
Tlze, rt,„o.Yal Highness the Duchess of Kent .. •• 100 0 0
it "°Yal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester • .. 50 0 0
tirlight Hon.spencer .. .. .. ..
110
0
0
Th. ..usePh Copley, Bart., 2d don. • • • • •• • • t t
a' ...ictit Hon. Lord Fevershiun .. • • • •
116.7•5et0, Esq., M.l'. • • • ' • ' ..
.. 100 0 0
Hi;,. Holland • • • • ' • • • • • " 100 0 0
In. t•raee the Duke of Bedford • • • • • • • • 100 0 0
.. 100 0 0
48ortal .. .. .. • • • • • .
.. 100 0 0
I(cZniO3 Barclay and Co. • • • • • • "
st 0 E q. • • ..
::
::
.. lOO 0 0
-i...be_! nmitii,
•• 100 0 0
`▪
I,g Willoughby Dc Eresby .. 100 0 0
'l.lond, by L. Sullivan, Esq. .. • • .. .. 100 0 0
Total to Jan. 1, 1849 .. . • £5,663 3 6
The H Donations since received :
.4, " Dr. Ellerton £25 0 0 Mrs. Hugham £2O 0 0
It H. Friend •• 50 00W. P. Angell, Esq. i 5 0
Ir •• Cooke, Esq. .. 50 C Mrs. Scheel .. 20 0
A AJOr Cruiksbank • • 5 0 C ‘llss Cath. Stuart .. 2 0 0
.f.'_••• Der Nisbet • • 5 0 ( E. W. M. L. .. 5 0 0
r• .r 40 C Major Little .. 10 0
• • d,..
. ; .
aver, Esq. . 5 0 ( ',ady Murray 2 2 0
4.: calmer, Esq. .. 50 ( AT. Jennings, Esq. .• 10 10 0
„fl• Eradshaw,Esq. Wilkinson, Esq. .. 5 0 0
Williams, and annual sabscriptions will be received by Messrs.
17..1111ains. Deacon and Co., Birchin-lane ; Messrs. Herries, Farqu-
lri and Co.. St. James-street ; Messrs. Coutts aid Co., Strand;
pine""rs. Strahsn, Paul, and Co., Temple-barHatchards,
1t.'1411-113' ; Seeleys, Fleet-street and Hanover-street ; and Nisbet,
sThers-street ; or by the Secretary, at the office, 21, Exeter-hall.

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_ln bottles, sealed with the Royal Arms, labelled, and the corks branded
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014 111,,„ustrated by 26 Anatomical Coloured Engravings on Steel.
`s4YSICAL DISQUALICATIONS, GENERATIVE INCAPA-
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