The Sun.
London, England, 1846-08-11 00:00:00

GROSS IMMORALITY

LEWISHAM UNION WORKHOUSE.

The usually quiet village of Lewisham has for some
days past been in a state of considerable excitement, in
consequence of certain very prevalent rumours respect-
ing the conduct of Mr. Burroughs, the master of the
union workhouse, towards the female inmates. On the
reporter proceeding to Lewisham on Saturday morning,
and making inquiries on the spot, the following was
related as the facts : _

On last Wednesday month, on the application of the
master to the board of guardians, permission was
granted to himself and his wife, the matron, to spend a
month at Ramsgate, and parties were named to attend
to the duties of the establishment during their absence.
The business of the matron was most efficiently per-
formed by Mrs. M'Callum, the schoolmistress, the
mildness and attention of that lady having long since
won the good opinions of the whole of the female inmates
of the establishment. A short time after the depar-
ture of the master and matron several of the females,
freed, no doubt, from apprehension by the absence
of their superiors, made a communication to Mrs.
M'Callum el such a character that it was evident scenes
of the greatest immorality had existed for a long
time in the union. Mrs. M'Callum immediately com-
municated with the board of guardians upon the sub-
ject, and a special meeting of the board was called
to take the same into consideration. A second
meeting was appointed to pursue the investigation,
and notice was given to the master, Burroughs, that his
presence would be indispensable on the day named, to
hear, and, if possible, to defend himself from the charges
that had been preferred against him. " In the evening,
'before the day of investigation, Burroughs arrived at the
workhouse, and stayed about half an hour. He then
left, and has not been seen since, although it has been
erroneously stated that he was seen walking down the
village on the day after the board was held.

According to adjournment, the board re-assembled on
the Thursday, when it was attended by J. Thackeray,
Esq., Chairman of the Board, the Hon. Major Legv,e,
Captain Foster, the Rev. A. Drummond, Captain Gos- '
sett, J. Paul, Esq., &c. The inquiry was then pursued
in the absence of the master, and several female wit-
nesses were examined at great length, and at its con-
clusion, so satisfied were the members of the Board of
the validity of the charges, that the clerk to the guar-
dians, Mr. Parker, was instructed to communicate with
the Poor-law Commissioners upon the subject.
It is stated that some time since, the schoolmistress to
vt'hom the above statements were made, had reason to
believe that improper advances were made by the master
towards a poor girl who is deaf and dumb, and engaged
' by her at needle-work in the schoolrobm. She accordingly
kept a strict watch upon her, and there can now be no
doubt that, but for her care, the same insults would have
been repeated, and her complete ruin and degradation
eventually accomplished.
An answer to the statement sent by the board of
guardians was received on Saturday evening from the
office of the Poor-law Commissioners, and it is believed,
although matters aro conducted with great secrecy,
that an Assistant Poor-la7v Commissioner will be
sent to investigate the serious charges that are in.
volved. In the meantime, the master will remain
under suspension, the duties being executed as before,
by Mr. Atkins and Mrs. M'Cullum. An order has
also been given, that after divine service on Sunday, the
whole of the inmates shall remain at the establishment,
and the usual liberty on alternate days for men and
women, has for the present been suspended. It has also
been intimated that, should Burroughs come to the union
house, he be on no account permitted to enter the esta-
blishment at the principal or front entrance, but be
passed in at the back of the workhouse, until such time
as the investigation into his conduct is concluded.
It would be premature to
allude further to the charges
until an official investigation is instituted, but it is re-
ported that gross improprieties have existed in this
establishment for upwards of three years.

We believe it has been decided that the Colonelcy of
the Royals, which has become vacant by the decease of the late
lamented Sir George Murray, is to be b.,stowed upon General the
Right Hon. Sir James Keumt, who wdl. be succeeded in the Queen's
Royals by Major-General VOyly.— Med Service Gazette.
WINCHESTER.—It is rumoured that Queen Victoria
intends honouring our ancient city with a visit shortly. We give it
as a rumour only, but from what we hear believe the rumour to be
well-founded. Her Majesty, it is said, will be the guest Of the Dean
cituing her brief stay.—llarnpshire Independent.