The Sun.
London, England, 1848-06-07 00:00:00

PO LIS.

Lord ASHLEY said that though he bad frequently
brought under the consideration of the House subjects
affecting the condition of the poor of this country, he
did not believe that he ever submitted a motion of so
much importance as the present. Of the existence of
the evil he was about to bring under their notice no per-
son could doubt who perambulated their streets and tho-
roughfares, and beheld the numbers of filthy and ragged
children who squatted around the courts and alleys of
the metropolis. When he had stated the facts respect-
ing the physical and moral condition of these persons to
the House, he thought it must come to the conclusion
that an immediate remedy ought to be applied to abate
the evil which existed. It appealed to every sentiment
of humanity and every notion of justice; and in respect
to the temper of the time and the age in which they lived
it was a matter of vital importance for the consideration of
those who consulted for the safety of the metropolis. He
brought the subject forward at present principally
with a view of exciting general interest on a matter
that must become one of the most stirring questions
that could occupy the attention of Parliament.—(Hear,
hear.) He believed he might assume that the evil was
acknowledged, though it was not fully estimated. The
evil was peculiar in every respect, and it must be met
by peculiar means. The belief generally entertained
on the subject was, that the wandering vagabonds in
their streets were a few isolated persons, who could be
easily extinguished by a little exertion on the part of
the police, or at least reformed. A little inquiry, how-
ever, showed that these persons formed a totally dis-
tinct class, with habits, pursuits, and callings peculiarly
their own: they frequented the same retreats, and dwelt
in the same localities—for though they were ever shift-
ing as individuals, they were stationary as a class—
where they perpetuated and multiplied their disorderly
and filthy life. For this information they were indebted
in a great measure to the London City missionaries, aided
by the Sunday-school teachers, whose patient and con.
stant researches fathomed the depths of these haunts of
human misery.—(Hear, hear.) The first consideration
that arose was, as to the probable number of this par-
ticular class. It was not an easy matter to arrive at a
correct estimate as to their numbers, but from all the
inquiries he was able to make, he should say that the
class of naked, filthy, deserted, roving, lawless persons,
the very seed plot of the crime of the metropolis, was not
less than 30,000. He meant this particular class as
distinct from the ordinary poor, and he believed that
30,000 was below the real numbers. He would now state
what the peculiar habits and pursuits of this class were
—the nature of their dwellings—he might say in a word,
their natural history. Upon an examination of fifteen
schools, the number of persons in the books amounted to
2,345, whose ages ranged between fifteen and seventeen
years. The average attendance, however, was not more
than 1,600. Of these 162, or one-tenth, confessed that
they were in prison several times; 116 had run away
from home ; 170 slept in lodging-houses, which were
the nests of everything abominable that the mind
of man could conceive ; 253 confessed that. they lived
altogether by begging ; 216 had no shoes or stockings ;
280 had no caps, hats, or bonnets ; 101 had no linen ;
249 never slept in a bed. He could say of his own
knowledge that many of the children could not recollect
that they ever slept in bed. 68 were the children of
convicts ; 125 had step-mothers, to whom might be
traced much of the misery that drove the children of the
poor to the commission of crime ; 306 had lost one or
both of their parents, the larger proportion having lost
year was
in sTsphrieson, abouto
66average attendance in all the schools last
4,000.
lived
Of
by
begging these
been
chil-
dren
of convicts,Nvith
respect and Btoo thohe oremadlopsltoyonmeent of this
both of their
parents.
class,
they might be distributed into street sweepers, venders
of lacifers, sellers of oranges, cakes, and providers for
marine stores, which—Honourable Members might not
be aware of the fact—was the euphonous term for the
receivers of stolen goods.—(Hear, hear.) The House
would like to know how these persons passed
their lives, and how they found shelter against the wind
and weather—under arches, bridges, viaducts, porticoes.
sheds, carts, and outhouses; some slept in the open air,
and some in lodging-houses. Ho recollected a boy who
told him that last year, during the inclement part of the
winter, he passed a great portion of his time in the iron
roller in the Regent's Park.—(Laughter.) And to show
the sympathy and good feeling which may exist, even
amongst this class, he told a companion that he would
let him in for a good thing, and communicated to him
the secret of the roller, and for the remainder of the
winter both of them passed night after night in the
iron roller.—(Hear, hear.) He would now read to the
House a description of the lodging-houses, those abo-
minable sinks of all iniquity, where many of these per-
sons slept. It was the description of a City missiT T
sary,
and it was by no means exaggerated. He says—" The
parlour ".—for be it observed they always speak
in euphonous language—" measures eighteen feet
by ten feet ; beds are ranged on each side,
composed of straw, rags, and shavings. Here, in this
room, are 27 males and females, and 31 children-53
human beings in this contracted space, from which light
and air are systematically excluded. It is impossible to
give a just idea of the state of the place. The quantity
of vermin is astonishing. In a few moments I felt them
dropping on my hat from the ceiling; they may be ga-
thered in handfuls. Of water there is nothing of the
sort; and one of the inmates broke a lamp in order to
be sent to prison, which he knew would procure him a
cleansing."—(Hear, hear.) Many of these lodging-
honses were exclusively receptacles for boys and girls of
a tender age. He need not state to the House what was
the result of such a state of things, and what a variety ,
of circumstances stood in the way of any moral im-
provement. • He believed that seven-tenths of the crime
of the metropolis was perpetrated by persons living in
these lodging-houses. The magistrates of Warwick
and the authorities of Brighton mad© reports to the

same effect. It was not alone in the lodging-houses
that temptations to vice existed. Even in the outer air
eNsVcearpee so
hopeless.delete-
rbiooyuss to wereth eeixr"mno rda It's° as
He would read a description of a court which he saw
influences
re ndr w h
any iwhich
h
himself; it was only a sample out of a hundred of others.
In one there was only three privies to 300 houses; two
to 200 in another. In those places scenes of the most
shocking character were of daily occurrence, so that all
sense of modesty and decency was entirely lost.—(Hear,
hear.) In some places several families lived in one room,
and where one family were so fortunate as to have a
room to themselves the adults and the children lay
together, so that cleanliness was impossible, and scenes
of filth, misery, and vice were frequent.—(Hear, hear.)
This description would give the House some idea
of the places where these children dwelt, because
this peculiar race was found in almost all instances
in the most filthy, destitate, and unknown parts
of the metropolis—places seldom trod by a person
of decent habits.—(Hear, hear.) These localities were
mostly in the neighbourhood of uncovered sewers, stag-
nant ditches, and nightmen's yards, from which the soil
was seldom or never removed. It was not possible fur
any language to convey an adequate idea of the poison-
ous condition of these places, occasioned by the mast; of
putrifying matter. These statements were by no means
an exaggeration of the facts.—(Hear, hear.) lie would
not assert them if he was not able to do so on his own
personal authority; for after losing his election in 1846,
he devoted a portion of his time to see what the poor
were doing in those haunts which were untrod by any
decent person.—(Loud cheers.) He believed that he
gave a description that :was below the truth, and if he
could prevail on Honourable Members of that House to
accompany him, he was sure they would say that he
had made but a weak statement, and that they would
not rest till they had swept from the face of the metro-
polis this paralysing and abominable mischief.—(Hear.
hear.) With respect to the physical and personal
condition of these children, Dr- Aldis says, " they are
emaciated, pale, and thin, depressed in spirit, with small
appetites, and pains in different parts of the body. They
seek relief in intemperance." Another person says,
" they are pale, squalid, sickly, and irritable." The
consequence was their nervous temperament was so ex-
cited that they became susceptible to the slightest im-
pressions, and possessed great aptitude for acquiring
knowledge. Mr. Champneys, of Whitechapel, says he
was struck with the acuteness and intelligence of these
children; but he makes the remark that they were
equally susceptible of learning what was bad as what
was good, and that hundreds of them were driven to
vicious' courses and died at an early age. They were
generally unfit for employment at first, owing to phy-
sical defects; and five of the picked children of the
schools, for whom he was offered employment by the
First Lord of the Admiralty, were not able to pass the
necessary examinations. When, however, they were
for six months accustomed to better food and air, they
were as fit for employment as any other persons.
'The following was the report of a City missionary
who' opened his house to all of this class who chose to
apply to him for advice and assistance:—From June to
December he received 2,343 visitors, being an average
of 332 a zuonth. Of these 39 confessed that they had
been in prieon; 11 per cent. that they were confined
once; four per cent. twice; five per cent. three times;
two per cent. four' Limes; two per cent. ten times. What
were the causes? The causes arose from desertion, the
bad example of par mats where there were parents, and
in many instances from absolute necessity. Because of
this they might be sure that there were hundreds and
thousands in this town wbo never received a meal, and
never expected a meal except what they obtained by
begging or stealing.—(Hear, bear.) Very many were
led to crime by the receivers of .stolen goods, and a great
deal of mischief arose from the sanitary condition in
which they were left.—(hear, he,e.r.) He found from
the police reports that 62,181 persons, of all ages and
both sexes, were taken into custody in 1847. Of these,
20,702 were females, and 41,479 were malt's. Those under
20 years of age were 15,698; between 10 and 15 years
3,682; under ten years of age 362. Of the entire number
22,073 could neither read nor write, and 35,227c0u1d only
read, or read and write imperfectly. He was not one of
those who thought that mere literary attainments would
be of much use in regulating the conduct of these per-
sons; but the fact showed how much these young per-
sons had been neglected; 28,113 out of the 62,181 had
no trades or calling of any kind. Depend on it that in
these days such persons would be ten times more para-
lysing than at other periods, if the House did not rouse
itself to a mitigation, if not to the overthrow of the por-
tentous evil.—(Hear, hear.) Let it be recollected that
there was a great deal of the evil that never was seen,
and he was afraid if the opportunity occurred that it
would surprise them one day with its gigantic proper-
tions.—(Hear.) He believed that the majority of these
criminals arose out of this class, and though it might
not be possible to remove crime altogether, he thougbt I
that they could do a good deal to abate it. He would
now turn to the influences to which the children were
exposed. Every description of felony had increased,
except as regarded thefts of linen, which had abated—a
result ascribable, as he firmly believed, to the provision
of baths and washhouses for the poor. Now, he wished
to point out the results of these schools. The opening
of them was absolutely a service of danger. The children
came down to them in a state of insubordination. On
the other side of the water there was one school where
sixteen young men came down smoking tobacco-pipes,
and absolutely prevented instruction being proceeded
with until they had left. In another case in Agar-town,
the children absolutely barricaded the door. In a third
case, a gentleman who went to teach in one of these
schools shook one of the boys ; the boy came behind
him and pushed him down, and had he not preserved
his dignity, by assuming that he had accidentally fallen,
the school would have been broken up. In another in-
stance that he knew, a policeman, being called in to
keep order, undertook to teach the boys, and such po-
pularity did he obtain, that he was christened " King
of the Peelers." These boys were, in fact, not to
be brought under ordinary rules. They had been sub-
ject to no domestic control, and they would have their
own way. In the summer time it was very difficult to
obtain their attendance. In the Broadway school the
number attending in winter was 200, whilst at this pe-
riod of the year the number was only 40. They could
only attend of an evening. They were also very migra-
tory. Out of 507 boys admitted into the Lambeth
school, early last year, very few attended a few months
after. A City missionary in that district declared his
belief that the population migrated every month. The
Government were surely bound to do something to meet
such an evil as this. It must bo evident that the case
was very peculiar—that there was no organizations
fit to deal with it. He had heard it said that some-
thing of a system of national education ought to
be adopted to meet these cases. But this sugges-
tion raised the vexata yucestio what the character
of that education should be ? Another suggestion

was, that grants should be made by the Educa-
tional Committee, and that schools should be established
• under an inspector. Bat where was the inspector
• to be obtained? It would be next to impossible to get a
competent person. A third plan was, that large barracks
should be built for them out of London, and that they
should be conveyed there in large numbers. But this
system was a very injurious one, and had been found in
our workhouses to be far from answering its object.
Besides, one object, under this system, was totally lost,
viz., that of endeavouring, through the children, to effect
some reformation of adults. The only way the parents
were to be approached was through the medium of
children. Hundreds upon hundreds cf instances could
be given of it. Let him tell the House how ragged
schools were carried on. There were about 60 of them
in London and the suburbs. They were, in many in-
stances, carried on in outhouses or converted stables.
Reading, writing, and casting, were taught.
The Bible was read. The managers and teachers
consisted of persons of all denominations. Ills
Right Honourable Friend (Sir James Graham)
asked what was the religious teaching. There was a
central committee called the Ragged School Union. That
central board made grants, and required that the Bible
should be read in those schools in all its integrity. In
other respects the religious teaching was left to the local
boards. All they demanded was, that the Bible, and the
whole Bible, should be read by the children. In any-
thing that might be done for the advancement of this
system, it was in the highest degree necessary to guard
against detracting from the local zeal, or damping the
ardour of the voluntary efforts of the people. But, at
the same time, such assistance might be given as would
preserve the principle of these schools in all its integrity.
The proposition that he made was, that the Government
should agree to take from these schools every year 1,000
children, 500 boys and SGO girls, and should transplant
them to South Australia or one or other of our colonies.
He proposed that this should be a reward for good con-
duct. He should not assign any time that they should
be at the schools, because one child might be better qua-
lified in a shorter space than another ; all he wanted to
secure was a recompense for moral conduct. Now the
advantages, of this would be indescribable. First, there
was the stimulus which would be given to the schools.
Ho had no doubt that they would be much better sap- •
ported if the rich saw that something practical was
gained by giving their money. Look at the benefits
that would be conferred on the children. They were
not now three months in a school without aspiring to
higher things, and what would be their feelings if still
more important advantages were held out to them?
They might be expected to walk in all the dignity of
honest men and good citizens. At present, let them re-
member, the prison was no shame to them. It con-
stantly happened now that a boy came to the school for
a few days—was then absent for a month or so—then
dhetwee expect
l . 'o' e t
t Holdo se e
the out w to cs r k t
returned, and ,on being questioned, replied " Very
sorry I could not come before, but had three weeks in
ohfem
this
hope
established, andthey
n
reformation
and a most healing influence might be 'expected to be
produced. But then he came to the d• • con awns. " Was
the plan proposed a practicable plan ?" Now
the evidence from all our Australian colonies
went to show the sad want of labour existing in
them. Mr. Cunningham, of Port Phillip, declared that
any species of labour could be employed there. Suppose
1,000 were sent out every year, how would they be dis-
posed of? He was told that for every thousand sheep
three persons were required with wages of 204 per
annum, a house, and weekly rations. If but three per-
sons were sent to each station they might send at once
to Australia 12,000 persons. For females the demand
was greater. He knew a case where a girl, just arrived
from Englund, obtained 30/. a year wages as a lady's-
maid in Sydney. In Port Phillip the males were to the
females as nine to one; whilst in this kingdom the cx •
cess of females over males, according to the last census,
was 358,164. How much good, then, might be done by
transplanting some of the poor girls of London to our
colonies. Nothing but resolution was required to effect
that object. He hoped he should not be met by the an-
swer that any system of emigration applied to these
schools must be applied to all schools, for he had shown
that the circumstances of these schools were peculiar. He
contended that crime was the most expensive state for the 1

country in which its lower population could be involved.
It was calculated by Mr. Smith, the manager of the
rogged school at Edinburgh, that every five pounds a
year paid for a child at the ragged school saved the
country, in mere money, from 111. to 17/. per annum, in
rescuing that child from becoming chargeable as a pri-
soner. There was an annual outlay of very nearly a
million of money for the prevention, detection, and
) punishment of crime in and around London, and he was
well persuaded that a large proportion of this expendi-
ture—looking at the matter merely in a pecuniary point
of view—could be saved by the measure which he pro-
posed as a means of removing our poor children from
the sphere of temptation to s. locality where they could
live honestly and happily by their own exertions. He
was convinced that it Government would take the ini-
tiative in this beneficial course, the example would be
gladly followed by the authorities in every over-popu-
lated district throughout the land. The Noble Lord
concluded by moving, " That it is expedient the
means be annually provided for the voluntary emigra-
tion, to some one of her Majesty's colonies, of a certain
number of young persons of both sexes, who have been
educated in the schools ordinarily called 'ragged schools'
in and about the metropolis."
Sir E. VERNEY cordially thanked the Noble Lord
for the proposition he had so humanely and ably brought
before the House, and expressed a hope that a similar
than
theto wn population
population,
urgently England
n
measure to that contemplated by him would be extended
to the whiofle at all, country.
less
ys'uch a relief as this. The only way to overtake
sthceaeerdeci
crimecel which so awfully weighed down the country
The rural
was by means of our youth. Remove these from the
sphere of temptation and the career of crime would at
once be interrupted.
Sir G. GREY said that no one could have listened to
the speech of his Noble Friend without a feeling of
deep interest. There could be no doubt, unhappily, of
the sadly demoralised condition of a very large propor-
tion of our juvenile population; and the greatest
credit was duo to those persons, of all classes, who,
from motives of Christian philanthropy, applied their
efforts to rescue the children of the country from their
wretched state. This was not merely a Christian or moral
question, but one affecting the political and social inter-
ests of the country, and it was clearly the duty of the
Government, as far as possible, to lend its aid in apply-
ing a remedy to the evils so truly stated by his Noble
Friend. The ragged schools were already doing much
towards the good work, and more especially in the ex•
ample they afforded of what might be accomplished by
gentle means and moral example. The Right Hon.
Gentleman adduced to the same purpose the good
effects which were achieved by the efforts of the mana-
gers and teachers at the Philanthropic School, and
passed a high eulogium individually upon Mr. Turner,
whose exertions bad been so successful in the reforma-
tion of youth. He mentioned that the Aberdeen Ragged
School, from the admirable manner in which it was
managed, had already completely abolished mendicity
from the streets of that city. The cause had been most
effectually served, too, by several excellent pamphlets
published on the subject by the Noble Lord himself; by
Mr. Dickens, and other benevolent men. At the same
time, looking at the mass of crimp which existed, it was
too evident that a long time must elapse before even the
most energetic efforts in this direction could produce any
very material diminution of that mass. To the principle
of the Noble Lord's proposal he had no objection; the
Government, indeed, were already acting upon it, by re-
moving offenders, at an age earlier than formerly, from
the danger of evil communications, to our foreign settle.
ments, and putting them in the way to earn their own
living honestly and profitably. He could assure the Noble
Lord that no exertions would be omitted by the Emigra-
tion Commissioners, and the Colonial-office, and by the
Government generally, to carry his views into operation
as rapidly and effectually as possible, and this with re-
gard to youthful offenders throughout the country, as
well as to those of the metropolis.—(Hear, hear.) He
hoped that his Noble Friend, accepting hie assurance of
the entire concurrence of the Government in his views,
and of their full intention to carry them out, would con-
sent to withdraw his motion. The Hun. Gentleman
added that already the efforts of the Government in fa-
cilitating the emigration of young females from Ireland
were producing the beat results.—(Hear, hear.)
CONOLLY fully corroborated the statement that
the emigration of young females from Ireland was effect-
ing a material benefit fur that country.
Mr. HORSMAN said that the Noble Lord, by this
roost valuable motion, had added greatly to the deep
debt of gratitude which the country already owed him.
As simply a means of economy, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer ought to have seconded the motion.
Mr. F. SCOTT expressed the hope that the Go-
vernment would, as soon as possible, take ener•
getic measures to carry out the views so ably stated by
the Noble Lord. He had himself that day waited on
Lord John Russell, to urge upon him the extension of
emigration by means of Government advances
upon local rates. The Government advanced money
to drain waste land; a not loss valuable assistance would
be to advance money to drain off waste population.
The colonies of Australia abounded in food, which was
wasted there as men were wasted here. The extent of
laud and the productiveness of the soil in those colonies
were unbounded. It was refreshing to have a subject
brought under discussion there which enlisted all sym-
pathies, and in which all party feelings were merged.
It had been said that for the Government to take up
emigration was to stifle private enterprise; but he did
nut think this objection could be brought against the
plans proposed by his Noble Friend and himself. He
had not himself gone into the places of the ragged
schools, but he had attended soup-kitchens, and on put-
ting it to a show of hands be found that in numerous
cases three-fourths of those present were willing to emi-
grate. The number of emigrants who could be sent
by means of the colonial funds was not equal
to that which the colonies could receive, for in New
South Wales alone 20,000 annually could be ab-
sorbed in the labour-markets, whilst not more than
5,000 could be sent. What was most essential was, to
ameliorate the state of society amongst those who emi-
grated, and on every ground, whether colonial or do-
mestic, he urged the Government, not only to take up
the present scheme, but to devise some plan for extended
emigration, convinced as he was that this alone would
enable the colonies to supply themselves with an ade-
quate supply of labour.
Mr. SLANEY had heard the speeches of the Noble
Lord and of Sir George Grey with great satisfaction.
He hoped the Noble Lord would not press his motion
after the encouragement he had received from the Right
Hon. Baronet.—(Hear, bear.) He would not go into the
minutix of the question, but ho would merely observe
that the great changes in the lower orders which had
occurred within the last half century demanded a similar
change of measures towards them on the part of the
Government. The population of the working classes re-
quired the care of the Government in providing them with
social institutions. These things had been too long
neglected in the struggles of party, and it was high time
to look to the domestic happiness of the people at large.
Mr. V. SMITH said that the universal acquiescence
of all parties in the projects and views of the Noble
Lord was ono of the most dangerous modes iu which
such a motion could be received, for whilst every ono
agreed in the pure philanthropy of his Noble Friend's
But his Noble Friend had
placed before the House a plan admirably adapted to
ameliorate the condition of the classes whose condition
he had so well stated to the House, and instead of being
oefnde carryingae-our s
themnoh nobody ever ever thought of the practical mode
effect.
satisfied with a general promise on the part of the Go-
vernment, he (Mr. V. Smith) only wished that ho (Lord
Ashley) had moved an address to the Crown, praying
for a definite sum of money for the purpose of carrying
into practice the views he had explained. The Under-
Secretary of the Colonies had stated that 10,0001. was
to be granted for the purposes of emigration ; and
some part of that might be given to his Noble Friend,
the great merit of whose scheme was that he had no
magnificent plans to carry out, but was willing to take
as much or as little as he could get towards effecting
his object. He thought, also, the parishes which were
to be relieved oT their surplus youthful population ought
to contribute to the expense of removing them. The co-
lonies would afford a contingent, and the Government
might very fairly be called upon to assist in supplying
the remainder. Charitable assistance also would not be
wanting, and thus the scheme would assume a practical
aspect, and the Noble Lord's endeavours would be
crowned with success. If the Noble Lord wished to
divide he would divide with him, for if he had confidence
in the Right Hon. Baronet, still that was no ground for
not strenuously pursuing to a successful issue the plans
he had proposed.
Sir T. D. ACLAND recommended the completest
unamity on the present question, as any other course
wouldin the be
Home prejudicial.
He had the strongest confidence
Secretary's assurance, that the Govern-
ment would do its best to promote the plans of the Noble
Lord.
Mr. B. HAWES regretted that his Right Hon.
Friend had cast any doubt upon the sincerity of
the Home Secretary in respect to the views of
the Government regarding the plans of the Noble
Lord. The question of emigration had repeatedly
engaged the attention of his Right Hon. Friend the
Home Secretary and himself. The question was one of
money. It was proposed to ask for 10,0001, this year
partly to defray the cost of sending out the wives and
families of convicts to Australia—a small portion would
also be applied to the purposes of emigration from the
ragged schools. 'There was another source of funds—
namely, the colonies, which might be justly called on
to contribute to such a purpose. There were funds
cable to emigration purposes. He agreed with the
arising from the sale of colonial lands also partly appli-
Noble Lord in his estimate of the importance of en-
couraging female emigration from Ireland. If the
Noble Lord allowed the Government time to mature his
plan, he (Mr. B. Hawes) thought it might be found prac-
ticable. It ought not, however, to be limited to the me-
tropolis, but it ought to be extended to the whole king-
dom. Having thus assured the Noble Laid of the bond
fide intentions of the Government, he trusted, notwith-
standing the doubts cast upon the sincerity of his Right
Hon. Friend the Home Secretary by the Right Hon.
Gentleman the Member for Northampton, that the Noble?
Lord would be contented with these assurances, and not
press his motion,
Lord MAHON said that the statement of the Under
Secretary for the Colonies with respect to the applica-
tion of the sum of 10,0001. for the purposes of emigra-
tion of convicts' wives to Van Dieinen's Land, was at
variance with the answer given to him (Lord Mahon)
on a former occasion relative to the same grant of
money.

Mr.
. - 13
t.
(Lord Ashley) to apply A)pIiVES said that it was found to be prac-
ticable
the sum in question to Australia gene-
rally, instead of confining it to Van Diemen's Land.
Sir E. N. BUXTON said that while he joined in the
eulogies passed upon the labours of the Noble Lord
the community, and the eloquence with which
in the cause of the poorer classes of
the Noble Lord had opened the question that evening,
he (Sir B. N. Buxton) must call attention to the

claims of another class of the neglected poor of
the community—he meant that class which though poor
were industrious and attentive to the education of their
children. As treasurer of the L.)ndon City Missions,
and also as connected with a school at Bethnal-green, he
was enabled to state that, even among the pour weavers
of Spitalfields and the neighbourhood, there was a great
willingness to make sacrifices for the proper bringing up
of their offspring. Their willingness in this respect was
proved by the fact, that the children attending the Beth-
nal-green school had, in 1843, contributed no less a
sum than 3471., and the amounts received from them, in
1846 and 1847, were nearly 378/. Surely this was a
class who were deserving of being included in the same
system of emigration as the Noble Lord sought to esta-
blish with respect to the children brought up in the
" ragged schools." Ile trusted the Government, in
any plan they might adopt, would not lose sight of this
suggestion.
Mr. M. MILNES supported the proposition made by
his Noble Friend the Member for Bath, and expressed
a hope that the Government would not dispose of this
all-important matter by civil words and mere compli-
mentary phrases, but would be prepared at an early pe-
riod to make great and important sacrifices on behalf of
the labouring classes of the community.
Mr. ADDERLEY wished to call the attention of the
House to the fact that in the county he represented so-
cieties had already been formed by the working men
themselves to promote the emigration of themselves and
their fellow-labourers. They had done this after retir-
ing from Chartist associations; and he mentioned this
fact to induce the Government to assist these men in the
attainment of their object.
Mr. WESTHEAD read to the House two letters he
had recently received from his agent in South Australia,
stating the demand there was in that colony for addi-
tional labour. One of the letters stated that the far-
mers could not get labour sufficient for their purposes,
and were paying 13s. to 14s. per acre for reaping, find-
ing the labourer with lodging, the best of food, and a
bottle of wine (value one shilling) per day. The letters
further stated that within a week atter an emigrant
ship arrived every emigrant found employment, and not
one remained an idler. Under such circumstances, he
(Mr. Westhead) could not but regret that so small a
sum as 10,0001. should be the amount proposed by the
Government to promote emigration to those colonies.
Lord ASHLEY said his object in moving for this
grant was to make an experiment—to get in the thin
edge of the wedge, and then to drive it further. After
the way in which his motion had been met, he would
not take so hostile a course as to divide the House, but
would continue to jog the memory of his Right Hon.
Ftiends opposite on the subject.—(Hear, hear.)
The motion was then, by leave, withdrawn.
LOWTHERSTOWN UNION.

Captain ARCHDALL rose to bring under the consi-
deration of the House the allegations contained in two
petitions of the late poor-law guardians of the Lowthers-
town Union. The elected guardians had been dismissed
on the 15th of September last by the Commissioners,
who attributed misconduct to the board for suggesting
the payment by instalments of the money advanced to
them under the Temporary Relief Act. At a meeting,
on the Bth of September, the guardians had come to this
resolution, solely with the view of alleviating the burden
on the poorer rate-payers. The Commissioners, instead
of taking into consideration the suggestions of the guar-
diens, abruptly dismissed them within a week after, and
appointed two gentlemen, Mr. Lucas and Mr. Hopper, to
take charge of the union, by which the rate-payers com-
plained that they had been put to very great unnecessary
expense. Unfavourable contracts for bread had been en-
tered into; and- in a short time these gentlemen were re-
moved and two others appointed. One of these was Mr.
Morton, a very excitable and eccentric person, whose
reports showed his total inefficiency for the manage-
ment of the workhouse. The unpaid guardians had
been reinstated in April last; and in a month from that
time they succeeded in reducing the numbers receiving
out-door relief from 2,829 to 1,767. The reinstatement
of the unpaid guardians was not considered as an
admission of error on the part of the Commissioners.
Mr. Twistleton had proved himself hasty, arrogant, and
overbearing; and such conduct was not to be tolerated
by the guardians and rate-payers. He moved the ap-
pointment of a Select Committee to inquire into the case.
Sir W. SOMERVILLE said, that atter this notice had
been several weeks on the paper, the Hon. and Gallant
Member had concluded with a different motion from that
of which he had given notice. His notice was to call
attention to a petition, which contained a direct charge
against the Commissioners of having dismissed the guar-
dians from petty spite and unworthy motives—the alleged
ground being the refusal of the guardians to dismiss
the workhouse master. The papers before the House
proved the gross, unpardonable, and scandalous neglect
of the guardians in the management of the workhouse ;
even the children were neglected, and had not sufficient
food; and if there was a case where the power of dismis-
sing the guardians was properly exercised, it was this of
the Lowtherston Union. These guardians had positively
' refused to carry out the Act of Parliament after re-
peated remonstrances from the Commissioners; and
that was the short history of the case. On the
14th of July they proposed to strike a rate of
10d., which the Commissioners decided to be insufficient;
nevertheless, the guardians persisted, although they had
pledged themselves to strike a sufficient rate before the
advance was made to them under the Temporary Relief
Act. They had not even the excuse ,of ex-
traordinary pressure, for the rate in no dis-
trict exceeded Is. 10d. in the pound. Persist-
ing in their contumacy, the board was of necessity dis-
solved; thereupon, a long correspondence ensued, which
was in the possession of the House, and which abun-
dantly showed that the power of dismissal had in this
case been most properly exercised. When the vice-
guardians took possession of the union, they found every-
thing in arrear; a large portion of the rate was uncol-
lected, and heavy sums were due to the contractors. It
was easy to appear economical on such a system; while
the difficulty of the vice•guardians' dutiea was thereby
enhanced. The Hon. and Gallant Member had spoken
harshly of Mr. Morton, whose duties had been discharged
in the most satisfactory manner and with the most dis-
tinguished ability.
Colonel CONOLLY thought the guardians justified
in their wish to impose a moderate rate. The arbitrary
and capricious regulations of the Commissioners were
raising perpetual contentions, in which six or seven
Members of that House had been involved.

Mr. F. FRENCH considered the language used to
these guardians was quite unjustifiable. Mr. Twistleton
had had no experience whatever in working the poor-
law in Ireland, and his attempts to force his views upon
the people were most offensive.
Mr. E. B. ROCHE thought the whole system must
be changed, and that the local bodies must be vested
with greater powers. This act of the central board
had not been shown to be otherwise than arbitrary and
despotic.
Sir P. NUGENT had no hesitation in saying that a
more untoward act had never been committed than the
dismissal of these boards of guardians. Mr. Twistleton
was responsible for all the evils of the system as it
was working in Ireland. He could not understand any
reason why investigation should be denied.
Sir G. GREY hoped the House would not adopt any
motion involving a vote of censure upon the Poor-law
Commissioners of Ireland without a full consideration of
all the peculiar circumstances of the case. No doubt
the Commissioners might, in some instances, have erred;
it was inevitable for men so situated to do so; but he
could:not admit that in the C4SC of the Lowtherstown
guardians the Commissioners had exhibited either undue
haste or arbitrariness. The course they adopted in the
matter had not been pursued until after several months'
temperate and conciliatory correspondence with the
parties; and most assuredly the dismissal of the guar-
dians had been most beneficial in its effects upon the
poor of the locality. As to inquiry none was neces-
sary, for the entire correspondence was already before
the House.
Colonel DUNNE could not but think that the Com-
missioners had failed to exercise a proper discretion in
their conduct towards the Lowtherstown guardians. lie
considered that those functionaries were entitled to ex-
pect that some delay should be allowed them in the col-
lection of the rate. One thing was perfectly clear, that
the law did not act well in Ireland.

Mr. REYNOLDS was as anxious as any man to see
the principle of the Irish poor-law carried out, but he
was perfectly clear, at the same time, that its details re-
quired material amendment, and he felt that such
amendments would completely defeat the object of those
who desired to get rid of the poor-law altogether. He
considered that there were strong reasons for dismissing
the Lowtherstown guardians, whose apathy—not to call
it obstinacy—in reference to the collection of the poor.
rate, endangered the lives of the poor in their locality.
He urged the Gallant Member to withdraw his motion.
Mr. MONSELL also requested Captain Archdall to
withdraw his motion.

Captain ARCHDALL said that, as such seemed to be
the general feeling of the House, he would withdraw his
motion.

The motion was then by leave withdrawn.
Mr. BROTHERTON moved that the House do now
adjourn.

Mr.
BANKES suggested that the motions on the
paper might be advantageously settled before the motion
was agreed to.

PORTUGAL.

Mr. URQUHART altered the terms of his motion on
this subject, and postponed it to another day..
RAILWAYS (IRELAND).
Mr. FRENCH brought in a Bill for securing to Ire-
land a complete system of railways, which was read a
irat time.

PUBLIC HEALTH BILL.
The report of the Committee on this Bill was brought
up, the consideration of the amendments being post-
poned.
The House then adjourned at a Qusrter to One.

HERALDS' COLLEGE.—The office of Clarenceux,
King of Arms, in this ancient corporation, is vacant by the
demise of Francis Martin, Esq., F.S.A., who expired on the
3d inst., at his official residence, at the advanced age of 82.
The appointment, which is one of some distinction, rests with
the Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal.
TDIEF DETECTED ET A PARROT.---A thief was
detected in a singular manner, in this city on Tuesday
last. Mrs. Fisher, flour-dealer, of Northgate-street,
while in the parlour adjoining her shop, was startled by
a parrot whisk she keeps in her shop, loudly calling
" Shop, Fisher, shop," and hastened into her shop to see
what was the matter. Not perceiving any person there,
however, she was about to return again to the parlour,
when the parrot again commenced screaming and re-
peating its former words. Mrs. Fisher thereupon con-
ceiving that there must be some cause for the extra-
ordinary cries of the bird, walked round the shop, and
en the inside of the counter, close to the till, she dis-
covered a little urchin, about eight years old, crouching
down to escape notice. lie had opened the till, and had
4id. in copper in his hands, which he had stolen from it.
A policeman was sent for, who recognised the boy as a
common thief, named John Lawrence, and took him
into custody,--Gloucester Chronicle.

FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE

OF TUESDAY.
COURT OF QUEEN'S tENCH.
TRINITY TERM.-11TH VICTORIA.

sth June, 1848.
This Court will, on Saturday the 17th, Monday the
19th, Saturday the 24th, Monday the 26th, Tuesday
the 27th, and Wednesday the 28th days of June instant,
and on Saturday the Ist and Wedneslay the 12th days
of July next, hold sittings, and will proceed in dis-
posing of the business in the new trial paper, special
paper, and crown paper, and give judgment in cases
previously argued. _ BY THE COURT.

OFFICE OF ORDNANCE, JUNE 5.
Royal Regiment of Artillery—Second Captain Powrie
Ellis to be Captain, Vice Greenwood, placed on retired
full-pay list ; First Lieutenant Alfred Romaine Wragge
to be Second Captain, vice Ellis ; Second Lieutenant
Reginald Onslow Farmer to be First Lieutenant, Nifty 13.
Commission by the Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk.
Thomas James Ireland, Esq., to be Deputy-Lieute-
nant, June 1.