Star.
London, England, 1826-05-16 00:00:00

MANUFACTURING DISTRICTS.

Ildatrests ma, Sandy/ Evening.
The present distressed state of the poor in this town has, at any
rate, been productive of some good; it has united persons of every
political party and every religious creed. Radical and royalist,
churchman and dissenter, Sicinisa and Calvinist, have, .for.-a time
at least, laid aside their party and sectarian bickerings, and formed
themselves into a brotherhood for the purpose of administering to
the wants of their starving fellow creatures.
The committee for the relief of the poor here have wisely acted
upon the principle of appointing the visiters for the different districts,
into which they have divided the tome, from aU the leading religious'
sects ; so that the visitors of each district consist for the most part
of gentlemen holding different opinions both in religion and po-
litics. With the exception of one instance, there has not been
found any objections on the part of the visitors to act with each
other—this exception, I am sorry say, consists in the 'Catholic
Clergy refusing to take any part in the distribution of tickets. The
refusal of. these Gentlemen is the mere to be regretted, because the
greatest proportion of the distressed poor belongs to their Church.
'rise reason which they allege for their not undertaking the office of
visitors is, that it will interfere with the performance of their pas-
total duties; but there are not wasting persons here to attribute it
to the bigorted and unassimilating spirit of Catholicism. Your
readers will perhaps be surprised when they learn, that the Catho-
lics estimate that there are um less than 50,000 persons belonging to
their Church in Manchester. and though many think that this num-
ber is too great, yet upon the most moderate calculation there cannot
be less than 30,000.

The state of the weavers in the parish of Blackburn appears to
be even worse than that of those is Manchester. In the former
place there are about 26,000 inhabitants, .14,000 of whom are now
receiving relief. There are 700 in the poor-house ; more than double
the number that it contained last year. The Poor Rates of the
ensuing quarter will be double the amount of last quarter, and
2,0001. remain due from persons who are unable to pay. The earn-
ings of the 14,660 persons now receiving relief, do not ge more
than sd. per head. The quantity of food distributed last week con-
sisted of 11,0001bs. of bread, one ton of bacon, and 100 loads of
meal. The wages of calico weaving have been reduced 50 or 60
per cent, in Blackburn.
The result of the Coroner's Inquest on the persons killed at
Chadderton haicroated a considerable mintiest io the county.

OLD BAILEY, MAY 15.

de.•--

James Belford, an urchin, aged ten years, was indicted
for breaking and entering the dwellng house of John
Mould, and stealing therein a watch and other articles,
his property. Th• Constable who took the prisoner
deposed, that the boy acknowledged that he took the
watch from Mr. Mould, the prosecutor. The prosecutor,
however, on being recalled by the Court, would not
swear to the property, and the boy was acquitted.
T hooters Woolridge stood indicted for stealing, on the
sth of May, a purse, containing six sovereigns, the pro.
perty of Owen Davis Owen, in the dwelling house of
James Dowd. The prosecutor stated thaz on the sth
inst. he resided at Oliver's Coffee house, Westminster
Bridge. On that day he was driven there in a hackney
coach ; the coachman demanded 12s. for his fare ;
witness inquired why he made so extraordinary a de-
mand, at the same time laying his purse on the beer
counter of the coffee room ; after he had so laid it, and
while he was speaking to a Mr. Thomas, witness turned
round and saw the prisoner mating off, and he got
away with the pulse. The prisoner was apprehended
the next day by Read, when he was dressed in a new
suit of clothes. Witness did not pay his tare, nor

it since been demanded of him. Several other witnesses
that were ',resent corroborated the statement of then
preceding witness.
The prisoner, in his defence, said that he purchased
the eethes with his own money, as he was going to be
married the next day—h.• denied all knowledge of the
robbery. Several respectable hackney coach masters,
who have known the prisoner from a chiloe, gave:btu]
an uneiceptionahle character. •, •• .111111.
Mr. Baron naLLOCIt summed up the evidence. .
The Jury returned a verdict of Guil4y—Thtslls, hot strongly re-.
commended him to mercy, in which the prosecutor joined,
it to be Ids first offence.

1 hostas Provost And Thomas Burdett were indicted
for asbaultiag Andrew German on the King's !ugh-
way, and taking groin his person a watch, time gold
seals, and other articles, value 151. his property.—Mr.
ANDRIMA btated the case for the prosecution.
Several witnesses were called to give the prisoners a good
character.
The Learned Judged summed up the evidence, and the Jury
returned a verdict of Guilty—Death. against both the prisoners. '