The Sun.
London, England, 1847-12-25 00:00:00

CHRISTMAS GIFTS.

St. Martin in-the-Fields—The donation of the
Duke of Northumberland (1001.) was distributed
amongst the deserving poor of that parish, the head
of each family receiving his Grace's bounty, being
presented with a hundred and a-half weight of coals,
with- beef, bread, and potatoes, according to the
number composing the family, and half-a-crown in
money, but where the family was numerous, five
shillings was given ; the parochial authorities like-
wise distributed a number of blankets and flannel
clothing, with tea and sugar to the aged and infirm.
St. Mary-le-Strand and Precinct of the Savoy—
The Rev. Mr. Denham, rector, as-fisted by the parish
officers, distributed a large quantity of coals, meat,
bread, and potatoes, having previously visited and
inspected the dwellings of the pour inhAbitants. Mr.
Thurston, billiard table maker,_ of Catherine. street,
Strand, gave a large quantity of meat to the poor of
the parish.
S. Mary, Lambeth—The several clergymen in this
very extensive pariah diAtibuted coals, meat, bread,
potattws, and oatmeal amongA the poor inhabitants of
their respective districts, and a distribution of blan-
kets, flannels, clothes, and women's cloaks took place
on Monday last.
St. Marylebone—The parochial authorities distri-
buted beef, bread, potatoes, and coals, and the Ladies'
Visiting Society, in addition to their customary gifts
of warm clothing, issued 1 cwt. of coals to each poor
room-keeper.
St. George's, Hanover-square—Tickets for coals
were issued as usual, and Mr. Giblett, of Bond-street,
distributed a large quantity of meat gratuitously to
the poor inhabitants.
Kensington—The gifts of her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Kent were distributed, as well as a quan-

tity of meat given by Mr. Slater, purveyor to the
Royal Family.
Kew—Their Royal highnesses the Duke and
Duchess of Cambridge have given directions to pro-
vide every poor family in the vicinity with a good Old
English dinner of beef and plum pudding; the chil-
dren in the Queen's Free-school have been clothed at
the expense of their Royal Highnesses.
Isleworth—A donation of the same amount as that
given to the poor in St. Martin-in-the-Fields by the
Duke of Northumberland, was distributed precisely in
a similar manner.
The City coals were issued from the City Kitchen,
and the ward and parochial officers distributed various
gifts to the poor in the several parishes.
Refusal of Christmas Charities to Poor Debtors—
For a series of years, on the day before Christmas-
day, in each alternate year, it has been the custom to
distribute amongst the poor debtors confined in
Horsemonger-lane Prison 1501 b. of beef, and which
was presented by the parochial authorities of All-
hallows, Lombard-street, in conjunction with the
parish of St. Andrew Undershaft, as joint trustees
under the will of one Ralph Carter; and, according
to the usual course of proceeding, Mr. C. Keene, the
governor, wrote a letter to the churchwardens of All-
hallows, to know what day the beef would be for-
warded; when he yesterday received the following
reply from Mr. Smither, the churchwarden of All-
hallows :—" Sir—ln answer to your note relative to
the gift of beef under the will of Ralph Carter, I have
to inform you that this parish, being joint distributor
under that will with that of the parish of St. Andrew
Undershaft, are satisfied that it has hitherto been
given in error, and will therefore adopt the same
course as pursued by them, of withholding the beef
from your prison in future.—l am, Sir, William
Smither, churchwarden of Allhallows." A similar
gift of 100 lb. of beef was also directed by the will of
the deceased to be distributed amongst the poor deb-
tors confined in the Queen's Bench ; that gift has also
been discontinued.