The Sun.
London, England, 1868-08-24 00:00:00

ECONOMIC SCIENCE AND STATISTICS.

In this section Mr, COBRANCE, M.P., read a paper " On
the condition of the labouring classes." The subject
was one, be said, upon which philanthropists and states-
men had been constantly at work, but without any great
effect. The truth was, we knew very little at present of
the labouring class. To know them in the present we
must know their past, and without this we legislated and
reasoned in the dark. But it was difficult to obtain
accurate information as to the past. It was even more
doubtful whether towards the close of the tenth century
the population of the United Kingdom amounted to
two millions or five. Two circumstances, at widely
different times, seemed to have exercised a powerful
influence over the working class. One was the Black
Death of the 14th century, by almost depopulitting which
a large portion of Europe raised the value of labour to
a hitherto unheard-of extent, and emancipated it from the
merely servile character of the past to some extent.
Another such epoch was marked by the Re-
formation and the suppression of the monasteries,
which were before that time the almoners of the poorer
classes. The paper proceeded to point out that the steam•
engine and applied sciences did more to change the servili
condition of the people than the Reformation or the Black
Death. The one great feature of the nineteenth century,
it urged, was the creation of a large wage.
paid class. During this time the old poor law remained
in force, and just in proportion as the wonderful expan:
sion of industrial power was manifested on the one
hand, so did the evil of the system and the pauperism
it fostered increase, and the poor rates became quadrupled
in amount, and this notwithstanding a large migration
from the agricultural to the manufacturing districts.
The paper then referred to the objects of friendly societies,
and it was shown that in very many instances these
societies were practically insolvent. Co-operative societies
were also described, the opinion expressed on them being,
on the whole, favourable. Building societies were also
noticed with approval. The principle of co-operation it was
stated had been tried in connection with agriculture with
a fair amount of success, but it would never superse,le
scientific agriculture. Referring next to the subject of
trades unions, Mr. Corrance said he considered the men
belonging to these unions to be bad economists, and
reckless of all except personal gain. The paper concluded
with suggestions to use the machinery of the poor laws
for the management of friendly societies, and to pass
laws based upon some higher principle than mere self.
interest could prescribe.

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THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI.
Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. WEBSTER.
Directress. Mrs. Alfred Mellon.
THIS EVENING, at 7, A ROUGH DIAMOND. Messrs.
G. i3elmore, Ashley; Mrs. Billingtou, and Miss Lennox Gray.
At a quarter to jEight, THE FLYING SCUD. Messrs. G.
Bolmore, Billington, Ashley, J. G. Taylor, C. H. Stephenson,
C. J. Smith; Miss Charlotte Saunders, Miss Louisa Moore, Miss
Maria Harris, and Miss Lennox Grey.
To conclude with THE FAST COACH. Messrs. J. G. Taylor,
B. Romer, W. H. Eburne; Miss Nelly Harris, and Miss E. Pitt.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Vining,
THIS EVENING, at 7, A. CHARMING PAIR.
After which (at 8 o'clock), Dion Boucicault's new drama, In
four acts, entitled AFTER DARK. a Tale of London Life.
Messrs, Vining, Walter Lacy, Dominick Murray, H. J. Montague,
J. G. Shore; Miss Tressy Marston, and Miss Rose Leclercq.
Entirely new Scenery by Mr. F. Lloyds and assistants.
To conclude with MASTER JONES'S BIRTHDAY.
Doors open at half-past 6, commence at 7. Box-office open
daily from 10 till 5.

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE,
Solo Lessee and Manageress, 3lrs Swanborongh.
THIS EVENING, at 7.30, SISTERLY SERVICE: Messrs,
Belford, Harcourt; Miss Sheridan
Aner which, THE FIELD 01" THE CLOTII OF GOLD.
Messrs. Thorne, James, and Robson; Mesdames Sheridan,
G,o tall. Hughes, Newton, &c.
To conclude pith MARRIAGE AT ANY PRICE.

ROYAL AA.IPIIITHEAfRE AND CIRCUS,
HOLBORN.
Ad•litional Novelties and Attractions.—The Sensation of Lon-
don.—The most brilliant success ever achieved by any artiste.

()NFU, every evening, in his Hying Trapeze Act, as performed
before their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales
amidst the most deafening applause.

ONII A.'S Terrific Flights od Two Bars.
0 NRA'O Incredible Somersaults and Pirouettes.
ONRA, the most wonderful and perfect performer ever

with, sse 1.

iwomparable Scenes in the Arena as usual, including M.
Samweli's wonderful performing Dogs.
Open at half-past Seven, commence at Eight. Morning Per-
forinanco, Wednesday and Saturday, at Half-past Two. Children
nu ler ten, half-price to morning performance only.