The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-02-27 00:00:00

SCENE IN A WORKHOUSE,

(F)ont Bentley's Miscellany fitv " Oliver Twist,"
by Buz.)
. The night was bilter,cold; the snow lay upon the ground
frozen morn a haul thick crust, so that only the heaps that had
tittttrt-d into fry-ways an" corners were affected lry. the sharp
wind that how ed ~broad, which, as if expending increased fury
l
0,) Sur, h tire as it round, caught it savagely up in the clouds,
a iitl..whit hug ii into a thousand mighty
.eddies, scattered it in
aitt. bleat., dark, and piercing cold, it was a night for the
well7fututted and fed to draw round the bright lire and thank
Goo they we, eat home; and for the homeless starving wretch
lotrie. IMany hunger-wore outcasts dose their eyes in our
°ate t.treets at such tjutes, who, lel, their crimes be what they
may. cart flintily open them in a more hitter world.
Stich was the aspect or out-of-door antis when Mrs. Corney,
motion of the workhouse to which Our readers have been
'inirodueed al the birth-place of Oliver Twist, set herself dowo
herrn e a cheerful, the in her own little room, and glanced
with no small degree of complacency at at small round table, on
which Mohr' a tray of corresponding size, furnished with all
necessary materials fur the most grateful meals that matrons
enjoy. I u fact, Mrs. Cornev was about to solace herself wiih
,cup of leak and as she glanced from the table to the fireplace
where the smallest Of all possible kettles was singing a small'
song in
a small voice, her
,inward satisfaction evidently in-
creased, so much SO, indeed, that she smiled.
" '

Well," said the matron. leaning herelbow on the table, and
looking reflectively at the fire, "l am sure we have all of us a
great deal to be thankful for—a great deal, if we did but know'
it. Ah !"
Mrs. Cornet/ shook her head mournfully, as if deploring the
mental blindness of the paupers who. did not know it, and,
thursting a silver spoon (private property) into the inmost re-
cesses of a two-ounce tin tea-caddy proceeded to make the tea.
How slight a thing will disturb' the equanimity of our frail
minds! The black tea-pot, being very small aro easily filled,
ran over while Mrs. Cornet/ was moralizing, and the water
slightly scalded Mrs. Corney's hand.
" Drat the pot !" said the woithy matron, setting it down
very hastily on the hob; " a little stupid thing that only holds a
couple of cups.! What use is it of to anybody, exceed," said
Mrs. Corricy, pausing, "to a poor desolate creature like me
Oh dear!"

7 With these words the matron dropped into her chair, and,
once attire resting her elbow on the tab! tl ol for her solitary
fate. The small teapot and the hailsin.lee'crpurs awakened in
her mind sad recollections of Mr. Carney," (
dead more than five-and-twenty •
years,( had not been
';‘ihtil) she was over-
pov erea.
" I shall never get another!"
said Ms'
r Corney, pettishly,—..
" I shall never get another like hint!"
• Whether this remark bore reference_ to the husband or to the
teapot is uncertain. It might have been the latter for Mrs.
Corney looked at it as she spoke, and
with you!" said Mrs. Cornet', sharply. She had just tasted her'lirst cup, when she wast afterwards.
bedsby
come in
.soft tap at the room door.
of the riving, I .oppose; they always t_Yvkienolm'in'e
at meals. Don't stand there, letting the cold air in, don't!
What's amiss now, eh ?"
-
"Nothing, ma'am, nothing," replied a man's Voice. '
"Dear me." exclaimed the matron, in a much` sweeter tone,
is thalMr. Bumble?"
" At. your service, Ira am, said Mr..Buinlile, who had been
stopping outside to rub h;9 shoes clean, and shake the snow of
his coal, and who unit. made his appeatanee,'hea'ring the cocked
hat in one hand and a bundle in the other. •• Shall I shut
.the
door ma'am ?"
The lady modestly hesitated to reply, lest there should be any
impropriety in holding 'an interview with Mr.'Buttible with
closed doors. Mr. Bumble, taking advantage 9f the hesitation,'
and being very cold himself, shut it without further permission.
" Hard weather, Mr. Bumble," said the matron..
" Hard, indeed, tna'ain."replied the beadle. "Antiporochial
Weather an's, ma'am. We have given away, Airs. Corney,—
we hate given away a matter of twenty quartern loaves, and a
cheese and a half, this very blessed afternoon; and yet them
paupers are not Contented."
Of course not. When would they be Mr. Bumble ?" "Why,
here's on-man that, in consideration of his wife and large fa-
mily; has a quartern loaf and a good pound of cheese, full
weight. Is he grateful, ma'atn,—is he grateful.?
,Not a copper
farthing's'worth of it ! 'What does he do, ma'am, but ask for
a few coals, if it's only Pocket•handketchief full, he says !
Coals! what would he -do with coals?—'Toast his cheese with
'em, and then come back for more. That's the way with these
people, ma'am';—give 'em a apron full of coals to day, and
they'll come back for another the day after to-morrow,as brazen
as aiabastt a !"
The matron expressed her entire concurrence in this intelli-
•gible eitnjle, and the beadle went on.

" I never," said Mr. Bumble, " see anything. like the pitch
its got to: The 4ay afore 'a eqerday, a inan—vomr-have imeem-a
married woman-tua'am, and I mention it to vim —d man with
:sarmlly a rag upen his back, (here Mrs. Cory- ey looked at tile
door,)goes to our overseer's door when he has got eotnlninY
coining to . (linnet, and says he must be relieied, 11rs. Conley.
As he wouldn't go away, and shucked the comeany very much,
our overseer sent him out a pound of potatoes• and half a pint
of oatmeal. My God !' says the ungrateful villain, what's
the use or this to me? - Ymi might as well give me a pair of
iron spectacles.'—' Very good,' says our owe rs?ler, taking 'em
away again, you wont get anything, else here.'—` l'hen .
die in the streets!' says the vagrant.—' Oh no, you wo'ut,' says
our overseer."
" !ha ! —that was very good !—so.like Mr. Granett, wasn't
it?" interposed the matron. " Well, Mr. Bumble ?"
Well, ma'am," iejnined the beanie, "he went away, and
did die in the street. There's a obstinate pauper for you'!"
It beats anything I cou'al have believed I" observed the
matron emphatically. " But don't you think omit-door relief a
very bud any way, Mr Bumble? You're a gentleman
of experience, and ought to know. Come."
" Mts. Corney," said the beadle, smiling as men smile who.
are conscious or superior infomination, " out-of-door relief, pro-
. oerly managed,—prdperly managed, m'am,—is the parochial
sale-geard. Time great principle of out-of-door. relief is to give
the paupers exactly what they don't want, and then they get
tired of coming."
" Dear me !" exclaimed Mrs. Corner.
good one, tool"
" Yes. E.; eta ixt You and me, ma'am," returned Mr. Bumble,
nat's the great fit inciple, anti that's the reason why, if you look
ai aay cases that get into them owdat boos newspapers, you'd
alwa obsemve that sick .amities have been relieved whit slices
of cheese. That's the rule now, Mrs. Conley, all over the
country"--But, however, said the beadle, stooping to unpack
his beadle, •• these are official secrets, ma'am, not to be spoken
of, except as I may say, among the parochial officers, such as
ourselves. This is the port wine, ma'am, that the board ordered
tor the kill' inary.—ieal flesh genuine our, wine. only out or the
cask this afternoon,—cleat as a bell, and no sediment."
Having held the firs, bottle up to the light, and shaken it well
tolest its excellence. Mr. Bumble placed them both on the itma
of the chest of tiraweis,.folded the handkerchief in which they
bad been wrapped, nut it carefully in his liocket, and took up
his hat as if to go.
" You'll have a very cold wall, Nlr. Bumble." said the matron.
"It blows, ma'am,'' leolied Mr. Roinhie, turning up his coat
collar,," enough to cut one's ears off."
The matron looked Crum the little kettle to the beadle, who
was moving towards the door; and_as the beadle enueced• re'
paratory to bidding her good night, bashfully inquired whet het
he wouldu't take a cup or tea
Mr. Bumble instantaneously ;timed back his collar again,
lab: his hat and stick upon a cnair. anti drew another chair up
mo the table. As he slowly seatemi himself, be cooked at. the lady,
she lined her eyes upon the little teapot. Mr. Bumble coughed
again. and slightly smiled.
ti is. Cm nev muse to get ,anot:mer run and saucer from the
close.. As she sat down, hem eves once again encountered those
or the gallium. beadle; she eolOureo, ant;- applied herself to Abe
tast of making his lea. Aga'in Gullible roughed,:-Imicter
ibis lime than he had •couglied vet.
"Swee. Mt. BuniLle," inquired the matron, taking u» the,
sugar-basin.
" ery sweet, indeed, ma'am," replied Mr. .Bumble. fl e,
iixed his eves 017 Mrs Com trey as ae saint this, and ifevet a bea-
[tie lookedieudem., W.. Gullible was that beadle at that very inn-
melt f.

" Well, that is a

•
Toe tea was made, and handed in silence. Mr. Gurniole ha-
ving sor.aii a handkeri•hiefover his knees to pr event the numbs
from sullying' the splendour o;' nl5 shorts, began to eat and
orin va,ying theseainus,nten Is oecasionally,by fetching iyieep
sigh, which, howev, had no injuriods effect upon his appetite,
but, on the I ontrary, rather seemed to facilitate his operations
in ihe tea and toast apartment.,
" Von have a eat ma'am. see,"'sah; Mr. Bunilrle, glancing
Ma !op., who in the ceot re of het family, was basking befote the
ire: and kittens too, I de(

•, I am so fond Or 'ilea): M. Buml,le, von ean't. thin," 're•
Tilled tbe mat on. —They're so liappy, so frolicsome, so cheer
rid, .iiai they are quite companions for 111 P."
`• Very nice animals, ma'am, replied NI r. Bumble approvingly,
"so eery iiiimestio." .

so fond

•• Oh 'Yes!" rejoined tile matron with enthusiasm,
01. their hosts too, that it's quite a pleasure, l'in sure."
•I Mrs. Cornev, ma'am." satt, Mr. Bumble slowly. an. mark
:ng the time wifli his 1 raspoon, " I mean to say this, ma'am, that
any Cal of kitten that i•ould live with You, ma'am, and not be
hind of its home, must be an• ass, ma'am.
"Oh, Mi. Bumble lemonstrated Airs. Corney.
Its nn use' disuuising farts, ma'am," said Mr. Bumble,
slowly flou ris:ling• the teanooo with a kind of amorous diguity
that matie hitn tioublv impressive; t would 1.40wn it tu3self with
pleasure."

yOu'le a cruel man," said the matron vivaciously, as
sure 'acid out bet hand rut the beadle'i, cup, "and a very bald-
itearted matt beside."

•• Hard-hearted. Ma'am:" said Mr. Bumble, "'raid!" Mr.
resigned his cup without another word, squeezed Mrs.
Cornev's little finger as she took it, and inflicting two open.
handed slaps upon his laved waistcoat, gave a mighty sign, and
pitched his chat, a very little morsel farther float the fire,
was a round table.; and as Mrs. Corner and Mr. Bumble
cad been sitting opposite to each other, with no great space be-
tween them, and fronting the tire it will he seen that Mr.
Biimble, receding from the flie, and still keeping at the
table, increased the distance between himself anic Mrs. Corney;
which proceeding some pindent readers will doubtless be ills=
ooSed to admire, am to ciosidet an act of great heroism on Mr.
Bumble's part, lie in some sort tempted by time, place,
an opportunity to give utterance to remain soft nothings, which
however well they may become the lips of the light and thought-
iess. do seem ;mtneasurably beneath the dignity or judgrs or
roe land. members of pat liament, tninisiersof stare, lord-mayors,
ant; cc het great public runctionatie., lint more particularly. be-
neap the stattiness and gravity of a beadle, wno (as is well
t:nown l should be the sternest and most inflexible among them
all.

Whatever were Mr. Bumble's intentions, however, and no
doubt they were or the best, whatever they were, it unfortu-
nately happened. as. has Leen twice before remarked, that the
table was a round one: cOdsquentty Mr. Bumble, moving his
chair by little and little, soon began to diminish the distan,e
between himself an,. the matron. and, continuing to travel round
'he out, edge of t;te t irde. brought his I hair in time clue
. to that in which the mal• on Was ItidePd, the Iwo ,hairs
touched: and, a hen they did so, It. Bumble stopped.
•,:otv. if the mation het chair to the right, she
.vouli; have been at orehed.by the ire, and if to the left, she must
have r:Illen into Mr. Bumble's arms: so I being. a iiisi.reet. ma-
tron. anu no doubt forrseeing these consequent es at a g!ance.)
she remainet; Iv:Jere she was, and . handed Mr. Bumble another
cup of tea.
..• Card-hearted, firs. Corned ?" said Mr. Bumble, stirring
his tea, and looking on into the matron's face; are sou haid-
hearted, M rs, Co: nev
• - -

Dear ' exclaimed the matron. "what a very curious
que-tent trout a single ruad! What ran vou want to know ful
Mr Utimirle
_ .

beemle drank his tea to the last (*imp. :inished a piece of
loJst, ehisked the crumbs of his knees, wiiiped his lips, and de-
Lit)er.dely kissed the matron. .

.• M;..Bumble," cried that discreet lady ;n a whisper, for the
fright was so great that she had quite los, ;ier core, " Mr.
Bumble, I shall scream !" Mr. Bumble made ao reply, bui in
a slow and dignified manner put his arm tonna tl,e matron's
waist.

--7--7-
As the lady had stated her intention of screaming, of course
she would have screamed at this additional boldness, but that
the exertion was rendered unnecessary by a hasty knocking at
the door, which was no sooner heaid than Mr. Bumble darted
with much agility tb the wine bottles, and began dusting them
with great violence, whilst the matron sharply demanded who
was there. It i!3'worthv of remark, as
,a curious physical in%
stance.of the efficacy of a sudden surprise in counteracting the
,effects of extreme fear, that her voice had quite recovered all its
official asperity.
"If you please, mistress." said a withered old female pauper,
hidtquslV ugly, putting her head in at the door, " old Sally is
a-going fast."
" Well, what's that to me !" angrilv demanded the matron,
" I can't keep her alive, can I ?"
"No, mistressno ," replied the old woman, raising her hand,
"nobody can; she's far beyond the reach of help. I'Ve seen a
many people die, little babes and great strong men, and I know
when death's a-cooling well enough. But she's troubled in her
mind; and when befits are not on her.--:-and that's not on
'often
for she is dying very hard,—she says she has got something to
tell nhich you must hear. She'll never die quiet till you come,
mistress."

At this intelligence the worthy Mrs. Cornet/ muttered a" Vh-
riety of invectives against old women who couldn't even die
without purposely annoying their betters ; and muffling herself
in a thick shawl which she hastily caught up, briefly requested
Mr. Bumble to stop till she came back;lest anything particular
should occur, and bidding the messenger %lan: fast, and not be
all night hobbling up the stairs, followed her from the room
with a very ill grace,. scolding all the way.

One of the porters a. the railway station had his toes taken
off by the wheels of one of tile carriages, on -Saturday last. 'The
porn, fellow was immediately carried to the Infirmary, and we
understand is doing as well as can be eNpected.
MGR PO ICE OF 'Coi •,s. —We regret to perceive that, in
consequence of the seoiciiv of coals, the dealers in this port
have been compelled to raise the price of this commodity from
1:14. Gd. to 225. (d. This will fall Most heavily on the poorer
clas.r.es.

Al rt. Cr. All K E.—lt is with ninth regrrt that we learn that Mr.
Clarke, the respected manager of the Theatre-Royal, is at
present dangerously ill in Manchester. Mr. Chaplin, we un-
derstand has been appointed stage manager, pro tem.

Livter,ool. BENEVO,,CISC E. -At most be a source or much
exulla.ion 10 tile iniribilanis of Liverpool, to hear that their
liberality 501 i berrevoteoi.e tovvatils the suffering pool• has been,
antis, a sit:iject or genet al iemark tti.oughout the kingitom.
The sums subscribed towards the charities have tar exceeded
the amounts collected in London for similar purposes.

BUtISTINC: OF A Ca, eirE.—On-111onday night a gas-pipe in
front of the Amphitheatre •butst, at the time a considerable
pottion of the audience were corning out. The artitiei•tl crown
on the top or the lamp was looseneit by the heat, and fell on a
gentleman who was assisting the police toextinguish tbeflames,
injuring his race severely.
OBSEEVATOKY, MOUNT Gs r:DENS.—We are pleased to learn
that this undei taking is prospering. A very large planetary
instiument is now fitting op in theclome,
oatndshw thewoiilheinfud
mean
operation on Monday evening. It is intended
motions of the whole solai system. and will be worked by clock
machinet Y.' It will give a familiar illustration of the move-
ments of the planets, and cannot fail to prove very attractive.
The inferior of the dome has been converted into a celestial
hemisphere Iy'Mr. Hemleison.. Should the weather next week
prove favourable, most excellent telesco!iie views of the moun-
tains in the moon may obtained, as, also views of the satel-
lites of Jupiter.
.
TOKEN OF ESTEEM.—On Tuesday evening, a number of
voting men, who had received their education at the Blue Coat.
nospiial, met together at Jack's Coffee-house, Clayton-square,
where a handsome supper was provided for the occasion, tot the
purpose of presenting a silver snuffbox to Mr. William Foster,
the highlv-res:iected governor of that institution,. as a tOken of
their esteem for his kindness and benevolence shown towards
them during their residence in the school. We,can conceive
nothing more honourable to all the parties than, such a sponta-
neous expression of affection and gratitude on the part of 'Mr.
Foster's, former, pupils, many of whom are now respectably
settled in life; and we are sure that such a tribute of affection
must bare been highly. flattering to the worthy gentleman
.him-
self. It would lie well for the comfort of society, were the in-
stances more frequent, of reciprocal feelings ofkindness, amongst
thole whom Providence has called to occupy different Spheres
in the business of human.life. The. box is a very handsome
one :.on the outside is an engraving of the Blue Coat Hospital,
and on the lid, inside, is the fuliowing inscription --"Pleseuwd
to Mr. William Foster, by a tew grateful pupils, as a token of
their high esteem and regard for the moral and religious in-
struction imparted to them, while under his care." As a still
tort her proof of the esteont nr which Mr. Foster is held, we may
state, that seveial of the trustees of the institution were present
at the entertainment.