The Sun.
London, England, 1868-01-02 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 1868.

It had been supposed that Herr VON GOLTZ, the
representative of the North German Confederation,
would not be present at the Tuileries on New
Year's-day at the grand reception ; but such has
not proved to be the case. On Tuesday he had an
audience of the EMPEROR for the purpose of deliver-
ing his credentials, and he then assured his MAJESTY
that the King of Pr.USSIA. was most anxious to main-
tain the good understanding between the two coun-
tries, and also to develope as far as possible the rela-
tions of " amity and confidence between France and
the Confederate States." To these startling assertions
the EMPEROR replied that he considered the Count
renewed the assurances of the friendship of the
King of PRUSSIA, in thus " notifying to him" the
new functions with which he was invested. He
begged him to be the interpreter of his senti-
ments to his Royal Master, and expressed his con-
fident belief that the good understanding which
now prevailed between France and Prussia would
continue in the future, an understanding which he
designated as " the pledge of their prosperity, and
a guarantee for the peace of Europe." There can
be no doubt that this is pod news, for in the cri-
tical state of affairs at present any intimation of
a war, or a preparation for it, would exercise a
most disastrous influence on the state of affairs
in general, and therefore it is an important con-
sideration to gain time, even if the evil be put off,
instead of its realisation at all being unlikely.

At this time of the year the claims of charitable
institutions are listened to with more willingness
than usual. The kindly influences of the social
season within, and the eloquent pleading of the
winter wind without, combine to impress the most
cynical mind, and influence the least generous heart.
The publication of the annual report of the Provi-
dence-row Night Refuge for Homeless Women and
Children, jest issued, is not therefore likely to pass
altogether unnoticed. The institution is not in-
deed by any means a solitary one of its kind. The
famous Field-lane Refuge has been long in existence,
and more recently Mrs. GLADSTONE'S humane efforts
have assisted in establishing a similar institution in
Newport Market. The Providence-row Refuge
has, however, some especial claims on the kindness
of the benevolent. It is, as its name implies, in-
tended for homeless women and children, those who
are least fitted to brave the bleakness of the winter
nights, and to pace the streets wearily without a
hope of shelter. The Refuge has been in exist-
ence for seven years, during which time it has
effected a great deal of good, and although there
is now much more liberality than heretofore in
the treatment of the casual poor, there will always
in our vast metropolis be thousands of cases to whom
the warmth, the food, and the shelter afforded by
such establishments will be an inestimable boon.
The destitution which always exists among us, more
or less, is this year more extensive and more extreme
than usual. We cannot hope, therefore, that the
number of friendless and helpless poor will be les-
sened. They will, in all human probability, be
largely increased as the cold advances. To give
food and fire and a night's shelter to such as, by
vice, or misfortune, or imprudence, are reduced to
the lowest ebb of misery and wretchedness, is
cheap and safe charity. We cannot be doing
much harm if the recipients be thus degraded by
their own faults or follies, while, in any case, we
may well shrink from the thought of refusing
such bare necessaries of life to the least deserving.
No luxuries are given to tempt the merely idle who
are not in absolute want of relief. The bill of fare,
however comfortable for the necessitous, is not par-
ticularly alluring to those who are not cold and
hungry. Here is the summary given in the report.
" In the Providence-row Night Refuge each inmate
receives, night and morning, half a pound of bread
and a large basin of gruel, and on Sundays an addi-
tional half pound of bread and a good supply of
meat soup. There is no distinction of creed, and
no question is asked respecting religion. The only
condition requisite is that the applicant be homeless
and without food and money. The poor from all parts
are received, and up to the present time 92,194 nights'
lodgings, with suppers and breakfasts, have been
given gratuitously." It will thus be seen that the
task of the association is carried on with unre-
mitting activity, and that it supplies a want that
called loudly for relief.

The report informs us that owing to the liberality
of the contributions of last year the promise of
building a new refuge will be fulfilled this winter.
The necessary site has been purchased in Crispin-
street and Raven-row, Bishopsgate-street Without,
and a large refuge is being erected there which will
be capable of receiving each night 150 women, 150
children, and 50 men. A home is also to be pro-
vided for destitute servants of the poorest class,
who will be admitted until they are provided with
work or situations. Besides these buildings, there
will be room for soup kitchens and a home for the
homeless and fallen when the funds permit. At
present there is no immediate prospect of such a
result, and therefore pert of the ground is occupied
by three houses, whose rent will help to support
the refuge, Which is the main object of the under-
taking. As the report remarks, it is needless to
dwell on the sufferings of the starving and home-
less poor. It is enough to remind the compassionate
of their existence to stimulate them to exertion
on their behalf. We may hope, therefore, that the
appeal thus made by the promoters and managers
of this meritorious scheme will be readly and cor-
dially responded to. It is often a matter of regret
to those who have no leisure or opportunity to seek
out the deserving poor that they are not able to