The Sun.
London, England, 1844-11-20 00:00:00

PUBLIC BATHS.

BIRMINGHAM, TUESDAY, FOUR O'CLOCK.—A meet-
ing was held here to-day at one o'clock in the Town
Hall, and was most influentially attended, to consider
the propriety of establishing public baths.
Amongst those present were—Lord Calthorp ; Lord
Lyttelton ; Richard Spooner, Esq., M.P. ; James
Taylor, Esq. ; G. F. Muntz, Esq., M.P. ; J. James,
Esq. ; Alderman Cutler ; Alderman Weston ; the
Rev. J. Garbett, rural dean ; the Rev. T. Lee ; the
Hon. and Rev. J. York ; J. Sturge, Esq. ; E. Lee,
Esq.; W. Phipson, Esq. ; J. Bourne, Esq., high
sheriff; and Dr. Birt Davies.
The MAYOR having opened the business by reading
letters from the Bishop of the diocese, Sir T. Gooch,
&c., approving of the object of the meeting,
Lord LYTTELTON moved the first resolution. With
that portion of the resolution which referred more im-
mediately to their locality, they were better ac-
quainted with its merits than he was ; but upon the
general principle he might, perhaps, be allowed to say
a few words. The great utility of public baths had
now become almost universally acknowledged and re-
cognised throughout the country. The principle had
been tried in Liverpool, and with such success as left
no doubt of its practicability. It was well known
that an abundant supply of good water had the most
momentous effect upon the health of a population so
dense as that of Birmingham, and, in his opinion,
every means ought to be used to afford the inhabi-
tants the most ample means of cleanliness and recre-
ation.

JAMES TAYLOR, Esq., seconded the resolution.
They would require four sets of baths for Birming-
ham, each of which would cost about 3,0001. This,
added to the purchase money of the land, would ren-
der an outlay of 15,0001. necessary. He thought
they could not confer a greater advantage on the
working classes than by first establishing baths for
them.

Mr. MASON (a Chartist) could not, in justice to
himself, or the class he represented, refrain from ex-
pressing his thanks to the nobility and gentry ho
had on that occasion come forward to co-operate in
an undertaking which could not fail to be beneficial
to the working classes. He hoped, however, they
would not stop there, but that they would continue
the work of improvement. He hoped that day might
be considered as the beginning of a new era, and that
the. Noble Lords, and others whom he saw around
him, would do in this neighbourhood as Lord Ashley
had done in Manchester, visit the abodes of wretched-
ness, and behold with their own
..eyes the wants of
the poor, and, if they did so, they would soon learn
that there were thousands in a state of destitution,
which would prevent them from availing themselves
of the advantages which the project of that day would
afford to the workmen who were in employment and
the receipt of good wages.
Other resolutions, to forward the object for which
the meeting had assembled, were moved and seconded
by Lord Calthorpe, the Rev. Mr. Garbett, the llon.
and Rev. Mr. Yorke, and R. Spooner, Esq.
The CHAIRMAN then announced the following
amongst other subscriptions, which he had received
towards the object of the meeting:—Lord Howe,
1001.; Taylor and Loyds, 2001. ; James Taylor, Esq ,
50/. ; Messrs. Attwood and Spooner, 2001. ; Chance,
Brothers, 1001.; John Whitfield, Esq., 100/. ; Thomas
Phillips, Esq., mayor, 100/. ; S. Beale, Esq., 50/. ;
J. James, Esq., 50/. ; Lord Lyttelton, 101. 10s. ;
J. Sturge, Esq., 5014; J. Bourne, 14:sq., 50/. ; Lord
Calthorpe, 100/. ; G.• F. Muntz, Esq., M.P., 50/.
There were also a variety of subscriptions varying
from 201. to IL each, making in all nearly 3,0001.
The next resolution was moved by Mr. IlaßLow
(a working man), the purport of which was an appeal
to the various benefit societies of the town, in support
of the erection of public baths.
The resolution was seconded by Mr. WHEBLEY,
supported by Mr. HILL, and carried unanimously.
C. N. NRWDIGATE, Esq., M.P., in moving a reso-
lution, said, although he concurred entirely in the
suggestion thrown out by Mr. Taylor, that they would
confine themselves, in the first instance, to the esta-
blishment of public baths, he hoped, nevertheless, that
that they would not lose sight of places of recreation
and public resort for the working classes ; and if on
any future occasion his services should be required,
most happy, indeed, would he be to afford the com-
mittee all the aid in his power.
The meeting was subsequently addressed by M. D.
HILL, Esq., recorder of the borough, in a very elo-
quent speech.

- Further subscriptions were announced, and the
meeting separated at half-past four o'clock.

ARRIVAL OF THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SAXE
COEURG.—Their Royal _Highnesses the Duke and
Duchess of Saxe Coburg, the Prince Ernest of Wurtena-
burg, and suites, arrir d this morning at Dover, at three
o'clock, from Ostc , by the Black Eagle. Captain
Seymour arrived by special train yesterday morning,
and ordered apartments at the Ship Hotel for the illus-
trious guests. After breakfast their Royal Ilighnesses
left for London by special train, and on their arrival in
tolNii left by a second for Windsor.
STATE OF TRADE.— The yarn market continues as
firm as for several weeks past, and most spinners of the
current shipping qualities arc engaged for the remainder
of the year. In goods there has been less business
done, but prices are firO3.—ROCIIDALE FLANNEL
MARKET, MONDAY, NOV. 18.—There has been some
little improvement in the demand for goods to-day, but
no alteration in the rates. The price of wool may be
quoted the same as that of last Monday, with a limited
demand for that article.—Manchester Guardian.

ENGLISH THEATRICALS 1N PARIS.—MT. Mitchell,
of Bond-street, has completed his arrangements for the
performance of English plays at the Theatre Italienne,
at Paris, the principal members of the company engaged
are Mr. Macready, Miss Helen Faucit, and Mrs. Selby,
Messrs. Dale, Graham, Ryder, Cowle, Bird, Millington,
W. Bennett, Courtney, and Woolgar, who will leave
London for Paris on Sunday next. The performances
will commence on the 2d of December, with Othello, to
be followed by representations of the principal tragedies
of Shakspeare, the Lady of Lyons, and Werner. The
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Provinces, and if arrangements nermit, proceed to St.
I retershurgh. The King of the French, who patronises
the undertaking, has taken a box for the whole series of

performance, and has signified his intention of visiting
the theatre in state.
SIR HENRY POTTINGER.—We state, on what we
conceive to be good authority, that her Majesty's Minis-
ters have advised the Sovereign to confer a high distinc
tion on Sir Henry Pottinger for his diplomatic services
in China.
YARMOUTH.—We are glad to find that an improve-
ment is evident in the shipping trade of this port. The
prices obtained for freights are steadily improved; many
of our colliers are now receiving 7s. per ton.