The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-27 00:00:00

Cross-examined--They have once sent biscuits before, I
but not this year to my knowledge.
Charles Cook, 54, Commercial-road, Lambeth—l was
clerk to the defendant from the middle of November to
the 20th of December, and during that time I wrote
many letters for contribstions, which the defendant
signed. I never went over the whole of the building, but
was in the office. I remember seeing flour and biscuits
coma to the place. Provisions of all kinds were sent in
large quantities just before Christmas. I never saw any
books in the establishment except a few Bibles that were,
in the office. There is one tin bath, but that was never
used while I was there. The institution was opened on
the 2d or 3d December, but it was not open in November
at all. I never saw the Lord Mayor there, nor the Mar-
quis of Bristol, nor the Earl of Malmesbnry. I remem-
ber two barrels of beer being brought to the institution.
None of it was given to the poor. It was placed in the
lobby, and I had the key of one barrel. Mr. Barber's ,
servant used to draw the beer from one of those barrels
and take it up stairs to Mr. Barber's family. The other
barrel of beer was not touched when I left. The poor
people received their soup in the kitcben, and frequently
found fault with it. The kitchen was fitted up with eight
benches and tables that would accommodate ten each.
When the poor people came they did not stay more than
a quarter of an hour. I believe a pennyworth of bread
was divided among more than four in their soup.
Sir R. W. Carden—Then the poor people went away
as hungry as they came.
Witness—Many of them did, and I heard frequent
complaints about it. I have known as many as 200
relieved in one day, but a great many who came could
get nothing.
Sir R. W. Carden—Did the poor people pass through
the lobby ?
Witness—No, sir, they went in by a private door into
the kitchen. The institution was usually opened about
3 o'clock, and closed about. 6, but I have known relief
not to be given before 4 o'clock. On Christmas-day the
poor had roast beef and plum pudding.
Re.examined—l was a servant to the institution. I
did not go over the whole of the building. lam not the
only servant. I believe towards Christmas from eight
to 16 extra hands are employed. On the Christmas-day
there was no porter given to the poor. I kept the key
of the beer-barrel, and drank some of it myself, and gave
some to the other servants, and some to the police who
were stationed outside the door to maintain order ; but
I gave none to the poor. I did not complain to Mr.
Barber that the fumes of the porter had got into my
head. On Christmas day the poor were fed with plum-
pudding, roast beef, bread, and potatoes. It commenced
about two o'clock and ended about five. The institution
was not kept open till six. During the latter part of
the day the place was not half full. Tho poor were
about half-an-hour each eating their dinner.
Mr, Horsley—Then during the day there might have
been 1,010 poor people fed ?
Witness—No, there was nothing like that number. I
wasdischarged because Mr. Barber said he did not want
me, and not because I had got drunk. I never drew
more than a quart of beer in any one day. He gave
me a week's salary in advance instead of a week's notice.
The biscuits were not pounded and put into the pud-
dings. I never saw them eaten by any one but the ser-
vants. I never saw any beer put into the puddings.
(Laughter.) Ido not believe it could have been done,
for the beer was not tapped until the day before or on
the morning of Christmas-day. I have seen on several
occasions the servants of Mr. Barber draw the beer from
the barrel, and take it upstairs to Mr. Barber's premises
in large jogs. The three female servants who were em-
ployed by the institution did Mr. Barber's work. Ido
not regard the servants of the institution as the poor
people for whom the beer was intended.
At this stage of the proceedings the learned counsel
applied for an adjournment, and the case was accordingly
postponed till Tuesday next.