Star.
London, England, 1826-09-23 00:00:00

EVILS OF RESIDENCE ABROAD.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.

Amongst sources to be enumerated of evils atising
from the residence of such numbers of our countrymen
on the Continent, must not be overlooked the fatal in-
fluence it has so lamentablyand sn largely produced in
the visible relAzation of morals in their indiscriminating
intercourse with the multifarious characters they meet
abroad.

The licence taken by our conn'rymen in this respect,
though it may be argued that the licence is in most
cases confined to such promiscuous assriciations while
abroad, is one upon which they would not, neither in
fact could, act at home, is however one attended with
far more serious and lasting consequences t'san is gene-
rally sopposeci. Amongst the many that emigrate from
motives of admitted economy, with the declared object
of husbanding reduced incomes, and by a few years
judicious retrenchment repairing a dilapidated rent-roll.
It must also be remembered that there are others, not
few in number, who quit their country for very different
reasons, and who'are actuated by very different grin
ciples. Without intending to enter at all, at present,
into the question of the policy or the patriotism of such
a desertion of our country, at a time above all when the
expenditure of Englishmen's resources on their native
domains would be of such essential service to the suffer-
ing labourers of their country that so urgently need all
their assistance and co-operation, we are now only argu-
ing on the effects as we see them produced by this spirit
of absenteeism.
Others, quitting their country in consequence of not
the most creditable necessity for exile, compelling them
to seek a seclusion from their creditors, and to avoid
the payment of debts they have either not the means, or
the principle to defray ;--and others, also, finding in
the licentious relaxation of Continental freedom a more
congenial soil suited to their depraved taste, Hoak abroad
AS to the general sanctuary from moral restriction and
control. What is the natural effect of this admixture
of those classes, thus brought by the points of concen-
ration in which they often meet, into a contact that
could not have occurred in their own country ? Un-
known abroad, in many instances these questionable
characters gain admission into society there in which
'hey would not even be tolerated at home ! The con-
sequence of such indiscriminating intercourse is evident,
by the imperceptible insinuation of the loose opinions
and practices, and relaxed habits and dissolution of all
those holier ties of moral restraint influencing them at
home, into the minds and morals of our Continental
countrymen.
Those who live much abroad well know the painful
fact, that on the arrival of friends yet unsullied by the
infectious influence, constantly express, not merely their
astonishment at the existence of such dissipating habits
amongst foreigners, but their bitter regret to see their
own fellow-countrymen poisoned by the demoralizing
practices. Were they perpetuated exiles, thetvil might
not be the subject of such painful regret, as they would
not thus be the propagators of the noxious seeds by re-
turning with them to their native shores. But they re-
turn, alas, thus infected, to their native hearths, nor to
remove the peaceful and innocent habits in which they
once indulgei, but come back dissatisfied with what
they now call all its triste and tasteless pleasures, to
introduce the frivolous and degenerated costumes of
foreigners in dress and manners, as foreign from Eng-
lish principle, as they are hostile and opposed to Eng-
lish feeling.—Yours, truly, PHILO-PATRIS.

P.S. The evils to which this letter adverts may be extended In
nearly its whole application to a foreign education, which must more
or less participate the debasing influence of that promiscuous inter-
mixture of characters thus insensibly insinuated into the minds of
our youthful compatriotst But on the fatal effects of a Continental
education, and some other unnoticed evils of our schools abroad, I
must reserve some further remarks to a future communication.

GLASGOW, SEPT. 21.—We are happy to learn that
trade in the manufacturing districts is gradually im-
proving. The demand for our goods is on the increase,
and our manufacturers are daily giving employment to
an additional number of operatives. The prices offered,
land the wages of labour, are, however, still very low.
Glasgow Courier.