The Sun.
London, England, 1849-03-09 00:00:00

January, 1849.
The Committee of the SOCIETY for the IMPROVEMENT of the
CONDITION of the LABOURING CLASSES feel unwilling to allow
the opening of a new year, under such unparalleled circumstances as
Use present, to pass over without offering to their subscribers, and
the gentry, clergy, and middle classes of England generally, a tew
words of congratulation and of caution.
The grounds of congratulation will be obvious to every one—that
year of convulsions to Europe generally should have elapsed in
England almost without any serious alarm, and that this general
tranquillity should have been preserved during the pressure of much
Waat 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.
But, besides these general grounds of thankfulness, the Committee
have much cause 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
Moral 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. Glles's—but the example already set be-
gins to be extensively followed. Within the last few mouths the Com-
mittee have had the pleasure of witnessing efforts of a kindred na-
14cre, and most of them confessedly in imitation of those carried on
this Society, made or planned in several populous and important
Places,
In the great parish of St. Anne, Soho, the rector and a parochial
committee have completed and opened a large lodging-house, in
Which excellent accommodation is provided for as many as 136 per-
lOUS of the industrious classes.
Adjoining to this, in it. 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 , ecently been undertaken
o 7 the clergy and a local committee, and there can be no doubt of its
sibtacky and complete accomplishment.
At Brighten, a ledging-hofase for the workiSg-classes is planned,
and measures for its establishment have been taken by several of the
elergy.
At Macclesfield the same object is engaging the attention of the
hihabitants, and a measure of this kind is now in progress. Several
other movements of the same description, in other to%vns, are in 'm-
iens stages of maturity.
Nor ought we to forget—though an entirely independent move-
ment—the recent opening of the Metropolitan Buildings, near Old
St. Pancras Church. in which excellent lodgings are provided tor as
Many as 110 families 6t the industrious classes.
Observing all these efforts of benevolence, commencing neariy
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 the
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 sappy to be able to state, thee.
havmg prepared plans and speci. cations for several kinds of agri-
cultural cottages, they nave received, since the month of June last,
no tower than 184 applications for copies of them, the greater part of
Which applications have been made by gentlemen who avowed their
'men, ion of immediately beginning to raise, in their res?ective
neighbourhoods, better dwellings for the agricultural poor t an those
which have hi herto been so common in our villages. The Coin-
mittee have also issued a plan for a Village Lodging-house, adapted
for unmarried agricultural labourers, quarrymen, and miners, and
they have the sati factmn of knowing that, in various places. especi-
ally at Brampton-park, near Huntingdon, and at Tun'.,-ridge-wells,
-t
is sort of dwelling is now in course of erection.
The Committee also receive most gratifying account of tl'e efforts
Making he different part of the country to improve the dwellings of
the poor, among the foremost of is eich they nr:st place the recant
vection of a considerable number of cam' ent cottages at Ampthlll
and other villages, by his Grace the I 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 Cora-
tnittee 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 labonring
classes comfortable is to encourage their increase—that to encourage
their increase leads to the growth of pauperism—and that pauperism
la " the devouring evil which threatens to swallow up all the pro-
l'ertY of the country."
A moment's glance at the statistics of the present century may
suffice to dissipate some of these illusions.
The population of England and Wales, in 1817, was 11,349,750;
the sum expended in 1817 on the relief of the poor was 6,910,9251.
In 1847 the population had grown to at Last 17,000,000, bat the
6ro expended on the reli. f of the poor in that year was only
,218,7851. Thus, in 1817 the pauperism of the kingdom was equal
to a levy of more than 12s. on each person ; in 1847 it did notamount
to 7s. on each.
In 1817 a sum of 6,910,9251. was raised on rateable property of the
Value of 52,000,000/. In 1847 the sum of 5,298,7851. was raised on
property val led at 67,000,000/. Thus, in 1817 the rateable property
°f the country had to bear a levy of 2s. Bd. in tke pound, while in
1847 that levy was reduced to Is. 7d.
Hence, 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-
tas. of only 7d. in the pound yielded, in 1847, more money than was
CZPended on the whole pauperism of England and Wales ?
These few facts are adduced solely to quiet alarm, and 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
(1 hope and confidence—hope and confidence on. the part of the
employer and proprietor, and the like feeling on the part of the
labourer.
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
no Prospect of improvement, even in the vista of years, who can won
tier if the least temptation, either to sensual indulgence or to reck-
less engagements, proves tco mach for • his stability ? To imbue a
Man with self-respect, or thoughtfulness for the future, it is clearly
essential that hope should brighten the prospect. It is but too pro-
bable 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 else 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
‘tpoverty and wretchedness.
Hence 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
hint a prospect of acquiring such for himself, by the exercise of in-
ellatrY, 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-
tion will allow. Everywhere the spread of knowledge and education
is clothing the working classes with power. That power they have
IlSed, and are using, in various parts of Europe, to overthrow those
Whom they consider to have wronged or oppressed them. in Eng-
, land, happily, there exists no real ground for such complaints. But
even the ordinary sufferings of poverty, if net soothed by sympathy,
and alleviated by the hand of wealthy benevolence, may ho some
times 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 opeh 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
own immediate concerns. The work entrusted to them becomes
daily ,of increasing importance. Their correspondence with all parts
• of England rapidly extends, and appeals are continually made to them
• Which involve an increased expenditure. The principal work, too,
lii London—the Model Lodging-house for Families, now about to be
commenced, will require an expenditure of at least 8,0001., while
little more than 5,000/. has yet been subscribed for that purpose.
On every ground, therefore, the Committee would earnestly ask
for new and enlarged contributions. No other society, they believe
it may be safely asserted, devoting itself to the physical necessities
of the poor, has embarked in so extensive and necessary an under-
taking as this lu which they are engaged. They desire to do some-
thing to ameliorate the condition of the whole labouring population
of 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 Ilini " who judgeth the cause of the poor and
needy," even this great work may in a measure be accomplished.
• Signed for the Committee,
ASHLEY, Chairman.

Subscriptions.
rl e r Most Gracious Majesty the Queen and his Royal High-
ness Prince Albert • • £3OO 0 0
Fier Majesty the Queen Dowager .. • • .. 150 0 0
Rer Royal Highness the Duchesi of Kent . • .. 100 0 0
Rer Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester • • 50 0 0
The Right Hon. Earl Spencer . • • • .. .. 100 0 0
Sir Joseph Copley, Bart., 2d don. • • • • .. 110 0 0
The Right Hon. Lord Feversham .. 100 0 0
▪R. Peto, Esq., M.P. • • • • .. 100 0 0
"r• E. Holland • • • • • • . • 100 0 0
'We Grate the Duke of Bedford .. • • • • 100 0 0
Inas Portal • • • • • • • 100 0 0
v_Ressrs. Barclay and Co. • • . • 100 0 0
nosnlas • • 100 0 0
•••••• • • • •
Abel Smith, Esq. • • • • • . • • 100 0 0
rd Willoughby De Eresby • • • • • • • • 100 0 0
•`" Friend, by L. Sullivan, Esq. • • • • .. •• 100 0 0
Total to Jan. 1, 1849 .• £5,663 3 6
Donations since received :
T.he Rev. Dr. Ellerton £25 0 0 Mrs. Ilughain • • £2O
0 0
41 Friend .. 50 00W. P. Angell, Esq. 5
R. Cooke, Esq. 50 0 Mrs Schad • • 20 0
~s
"aior Cruikshank • • 50 0 Miss Cath. Stuart .. 20 0
A., per Nisbet .. 500E.W. M. L. .. 50 0
r• T. 4 0 0 Major Little 1 0 0
C. Sayer, Esq. • . 0 C Lady Murray 22 0
-A-• Palmer, Esq. • • 50 f W Jennings, Esq. •• 10 10 0
A. R. Bradshaw, Esq. II 0 C Wilkinson, Esq. •• 50 0
Donations and annual subscriptions will b e received by Messrs.
Williams, Deacon and Co., Eirchin-lane ; Messrs. Berries, Farqu-
har, and Co., St: James-street; Messrs. Coutts and Co., Strand;
Items. Strain!), Paul, and Co., Temple-bar ; and by Hatchards,
Picadilly ; Seeleys, Fleet-street and Hanover-street ; and Nisbet,
Zerners•street ; or by the Secretary, at the office, 21, Exeter-hall.

TIC DOLOREAUX CURABLE.
TOOTHACHE.
Instantaneous relief from those excruciating complaints may be
tiad by using JAMES'S Celebrated ASTILIAN TINCTURE for
TIC DOLORRUX, TOOTHACHE, PAINS in the FACE, GUMS, &c.
[IMPOZTANT TESTIMONIALS.]
" Liverpool, Dec. 13, IBM

" To Messrs. Carson and Co,
"It is with much pleasure I communicate the great efficacy of
Your ' Astillan Tincture' for the Tie Doloreux and Toothache, it
hating cured my wife of the former in a few minutes after the ap-
plication. She suffered dreadfully for some time, and conld get no
relief till your tincture was applied.
(Signed)
" 14, Rathbone-Street, Tosteth-park."

" THOMAS GUY.

" Liverpool, Dec. 14, 1848,

" To Messrs. Carson and Co.,
"It is with feelings of gratitude that I informs you of the won-
derful cure effected by the use of James's Celebrated Astilian
Tincture' for the Tic Doloreux and Toothache, prepared by you.
" My wife had been suffering the most excruciating agony for
three weeks, night and day; she tried everything that we thought
would be of any service, but all in vain ; she was then recommended
to try your Tincture, which she did, and in four minutes after the
application she was quite cured
(Signed)
"54, Oliver-street, Windsor."

" WILLIAM REID,

" Liverpool, Dec. 23, 1848.
" Gentleraen,—After six months' experience in its sale I have
found your Astillan Tincture' to be all but uniformly success Cal
ht the cure of Tic Doloreux and Toothache ; indeed o ,ly one case of
failure de I knew •f in that time. Although generally averse to
finch things, yet you may, if you choose, make public use of this.—l
remain yours, faithfully, " THOMAS LOWE,
"Dispensing Chemist, 38, Islington, and 40, Norton-street.
"P.B.—Tou may send me another three dozen of the smaller size.
" To Messrs. Carson and Co."
Prepared by Carson and Co., it. Anne-street, Liverpoolthe, sole pro-
Prietors, front whom it may be had, or through any of Wholesale
Biases in London, Birmingham, York, Edinburgh, &c., and retail
from any respectable Medicine Vendor throughout the Kingdom.
In Bottles, at 2s. 9d., 4s. 6d., and I Is. each.

A it It 1 A. G E.
1741 One half the world are desolately single, and the other
allPposing them married, questionably contented. Diffidence, or a
sense of right determine the former, and miscalculated hopes em-
Utter the latter. Tha solitary one may shield himself under the plea
01 caution and worldly prudence, and the indissoluble, regret an-
eormrosing harry ; but the truth lies deeper. Physical incapacity,
and broken health, are the great hindrances to domestic happinvc
and social content. The dowry should not be the only marriage set-
ternent. Honour and justieedereitnd Haat health sheuldlorm aes item
In the compact; it alone dignifies the alliance. Blighted hopes er
Reglect wennd mare sorely than poverty or misibrtune. Reader, II
these surmises concern you, procure Dr. CIILVERWELL'S little
MEMOIRS "On Single and Married Life, " pub. in 2 vols., Is.
each (by nest, in stamps, Is. 6d. each). Let no imaginatively
refined, or prudish feeling deter you, by their titles, nor be hindered
or micinterpretation of their supposed contents, from obtaining
teem They are not intended certainly for mere idle curiosity, but
for the closet perusal of those mere deeply interested, to whop
tkey are offered as antagonistic to the empyrical trash put forth or.
the above subjects, by unqualified authors, which alone or
together, are a disgrace to the age. Furthermore, two other
awe publications claim your attention (same price Is. each+,
by post Is. 6(1.) called " What to Eat, Drink, and
Avoid," and " How to be Nappy." They are not merely
D'huphlets, but equal in quantity a library volume, nor are they the
mere ephemeral scribblings of the hour, but the study of the author's
life, who owes his present existence, health, and position to this ob-
servance of the maxims he would Inculcate—to do onto others as he
Would be done unto--to live atter nature's laves—and to keep am ayt
°la the " gunny side of the way." The above works may be had c,
Sherwood, 23, Paternoster-row; Carvalho, 147, Fleet•street • Mann,
Cornhtll ; Nelson. 4b7, West Strand: or direct (by post or other-
wise) from the author (who may be conferred with personally,
'mornings and eveltlngi), 10, Argyll-plate 10:cent-street; and all
110okatuers.