The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-01-08 00:00:00

THE DESTITUTE POOR

Of all the towns in the British empire, we do not believe
there is one to be found wherein a greater amount of sym-
pathy exists towards the poor, than in Liverpool, If Edin-
burgh lays claim to the title of " modern Athens," Liverpool
has surely a right to that of " modern Tyre." Like that
seaport of old, she is famous for her merchants and her
great dealings—for her ships, and the industry and enterprise
of her people. But it is not in her wide streets—her costly
shops or her handsome dwellings—that she should take pride ;
it is not in her docks, where may be seen floating the flags of
all n^tions—it is not in her warehouses, where are deposited
the produce of east, west, north and south—nor her quays,
on which so much wealth is piled up— upon which she should
plume herself and set a pattern to the rest of the world.
No ; it is her excellent institutions, her religious societies, and
her charitable associations, that make her uplift her head
above her contemporaries. Let but the hint be given, and
her indwellers and townsmen put forth nobly and liberally,
the melting hand of charity—they respond at once to the
call that is made upon them, to aid their poorer brethren.
Let trade be stale, flat, and unprofitable ; let times be bad as
they will—yet Liverpool can always find money to keep her
poor from starving, and the destitute from perishing ; nor
is it done with a cold or niggardly hand, it is done in a
princely way, and with a readiness that enhances the value
of the gift. Let any one look to the soup subscriptions, see
what names are daily swelling the list with handsome sums,
every giver feeling a proud satisfaction in bestowing liberally.
We hope that this feeling of emulation will go on, and that
thousands may be subscribed for so laudable and praiseworthy
an object.
At this season of the year, however, there is another so-
ciety in Liverpool that has claims upon the benevolent—it is
that of the Strangers' Friend," the report of the annual
meeting of which will be found elsewhere. Let us draw at-
tention to that report. In perusing the cases which have
been selected out of many others, the benevolent will shud-
der at the details of misery, while even the most callous
cannot but experience some emotions at such recitals.
We implore assistance for this excellent society—from the
wealthy, who have abundance; from the merchant, whose
gains arc great ; from the tradesman, who has wherewithal
and to spare ; and from the artisan, who can at least afford
his mite. We seek assistance for the society from each and
all. One moment's reflection upon the destitute state of
thousands in this to

w the necess'

y for prompt-

cress in coming forward.
who are without CLOTHING

iere are numbers starving nov

'OOD, Or FUEL

Let thos

are seated in front of the blazing hearth, or whose warm
dwellings are furnished with all that luxury can possibly
suggest, or comfort require, to make life pass smoothly and
happily on, just picture to themselves that in the low
cellars there are hundreds of fellow-creatures starving with
cold and hunger, and that the bleak wind, that whistles and
roars without, has cut with its keen edge the exposed and
chilled limbs of some poor inmate of a garret. Let such be
not merely complacently thankful to the Creator for his
blessings, but let them give a tithe even of their incomings,
to provide for the needy. If the wealthy will but open their
purses, those less rich will follow the example, while the
artisan will not refuse a trifle, when he remembers that
though his comforts may be comparatively few, there are
many of his neighbours worse off than himself. Let him
think of the many meals he can bestow by restraining him-
self from visiting the beer-shop or the public-house, and
giving the intended sum to be spent in carousal to' some
charitable institution. He as well as the richest merchant is
as liable to beg the bread of. charity. He cannot say it will
not be his lot some day to seek relief,—his mite may save a
fellow-creature from a bitter death.
To the fair sex we appeal, nor shall we do so in vain.
Woman at all times " feels for others' woe." Who is there
that cannot exert some little influence ? Let that influence
then be used—let it now be exerted—wives beg of husbands—
sisters beg of brothers—gentle girls beg of your lovers—to
come forward in the cause of the starving, cold, and the
wretched. One smile—one kind request—will draw the
purse-strings, and bad at heart must that man be who can
give a refusal. But while you draw upon the sympathies of
the other sex you must not forget to be generous yourselves.
Are new ornaments to be obtained, new dressrs or cloak
to be made ? Purchase at half the price intended to be laid
out, and give the other half to a charity. There will be as
much comfort in a Blain garment as in a costly silk or velvet,
while the heart will become much warmer with the reflec.
tion that the humble dress has been the means of feeding the
hungry and providing fuel to the wretched and starving
creatures around.

By a recent regulation of the Board of Customs, all stone
quarried in this country is to be exempted from the coast
regulations on removal from one port in Great Britain to
another.

TELE THREE CARACCI.—We regret to see an announce-
ment that these beautiful pictures are very shortly to be re-
moved ftimn Liverpool. We strenuously advise all our read-
ers
of 'sagoall who have a lovefor art, to inspect them. Upwards
Persons have visited the Union Rooms since they
were fira exhibited.