The Sun.
London, England, 1846-10-31 00:00:00

MftritilTg

LONDON, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1846,

Who is there that has perused any of the remark-
able statements put forward by the Hon. and Rev.
S. G. OSBORNE who has not been thoroughly awakened
to the lamentable condition of the agricultural
labourers in Dorsetshire, and made feelingly alive to
the imperative necessity of some immediate step being
taken for their benefit? Even those most opposed to
that amiable and enthusiastic philanthropist, and most
deeply hurt at the exposures he has made, must giro
him credit for the purity of his motives, and deplore
the circumstances that induced him to stand forward
as the champion of the poor and needy, to abandon
the seclusion and privacy that was most congenial to
his habits, that would suit best his character and
sacred profession. The best evidence has been afforded
that the interference on his part was not unwarranted
or uncalled for, that the state of the working man was
not that which it ought to be, and that it was—in the
language of the first resolution adopted at the meet-
ing to which we are about to allude—" such as to
give occasion for the immediate efforts of an energetic
and well-directed benevolence to produce a per-
manent and effectual improvement in their condition."
On Monday a meeting was held at Dorchester for
the purpose of "establishing a Labourers' Friend
Society, with the view of bettering the condition
morally and physically of the rural labourers and
working mechanics and artizans, by carrying out the
field-garden allotment system under judicious regu-
lations," over which the High Sheriff of the county
presided, and which was attended by the Lord Bishop
of the diocese (Salisbury) and several Members of
Parliament, clergymen, magistrates, and country
gentlemen of rank and influence.

A hope was held out, in which we cordially par-
ticipate, that the working of the society would not
be limited to the objects specified in the requisition
convening the assembly, but that the sphere of its
duties would be considerably extended and enlarged,
until it comprehended everything relating to the wel-
fare or comforts of the classes for whose peculiar
benefit it was called into existence. We cannot,
however, expect to see any society in its infancy
attain the strength to which it may afterwards, in due
season, aspire, and too wide a circle in the first
instance might impair its efficiency, and prevent it
from coming to full maturity. " The child is the
father of the future man ;" and it is, perhaps, well
that for the present its exertions should be directed ex-
clusively towards " the carrying out of the field allot-

ment system," while from its very style and title,
" The Labourers' Friend Society," we may draw the
happiest auguries for the future.

Wherever the allotment system has been introduced
and judiciously acted upon, its results have been most
favourable, both morally and physically, to the parties
who have been participators in its advantages. It has
afforded a healthful and innocent occupation for those
hours of idleness that might probably have been
wasted in the beer-shop, or expended with worthless
and profligate characters, to the deep and lasting
injury of the uneducated labourer. Some occupation
is ever necessary, and the nursery hymn that states
that—