The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-01-04 00:00:00

STATISTICS OF THE DISTRICT OF VAUXHALL.

The district of Vauxhall recently set tioated by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners to form a new parish in this town, is in some respects the? W.& remarkable in the diocese.
In size it is above the average of the divisions of the parish by about one-fifth, and while the population of the districts in the parish averages about 7000, and those of the
borough about 5000, the population of this district is 13,000. On the simplest grounds of comparison, therefore, it presents unusual difficulties; end the series of facts brought
to light in the annexed table will astonish our readers. The design is that of the Rev. A. Hume, L.L.D , the minister of the district, who has examined in person all the streets
and courts marked with an asterisk, the others were in general examined by some of the young men at Birkenhead College, except those marked thus t, for which they are
jointly responsible. We have never seen such a statement before ; but it is not likely that many will be at the pains to enter upon such a minute investigation, though it places
the clergyman in such an advantageous position in respect to the knowledge of his people.
It appears by the table that the district embraces 27 streets, and 226 courts connected with these ; and when it is stated that most of the streets are private, i. e., leading
only to the houses that are in them, the nature of the inhabitants will be better understood. No fewer than 152 cellars are inhabited, and in 515 instances more than one family
occupy each house. There are more than 2300 families belonging to the labouring class, and of these 1383, containing probably 6223 individuals, are supported by casual and
ill-paid labour. There are 76 public-houses, and 51 beer-shops in the district, too many of them spreading immorality in every direction around them. One of the most start-
ling facts in the whole, however, is that there is the awful number of 9099 who attend neither church nor chapel, who use the name of God in blasphemy and impiety,
but who know neither prayer, nor preaching, nor Sabbath bell. Of these 4635 still claim a connexion with the Church, but unless something be done and that speedily, these will
all be sunk in irrecoverable infidelity. Among the members of the church alone, there are 258 bibles wanting, and 325 books of common prayer ; in a large number of cases
there is neither of them in the same family. Of the adult population, 932 parents are unable to read ; and of the juvenile population, there are more than 2000 children of
suitable age to attend school, who attend no school ! There ore 226 cases of sickness in the district, of which 77 are fever cases ; and, at the present moment, notwithstanding
the numerous removals to the country, for want of employment, there are still 13,028 of a population !! For these the Queen has appointed a minister, and the law has pro-
vided a stipend, but there is no church or licensed chapelry in all the district, and the only dissenting chapel has Welsh services. There is, probably, not in all England such a
lamentable case of destitution.

One is ready to ask what can a single clergyman do among so many ? Our own decided impression is, that the ecclesiastical commissioners did not know what a multitude
they were handing over to the charge of one man. or they would surely have divided it into two. There should be at least three clergymen for all this extent of population, two
of whom could probably find a suitable residence in the district. Where is the Pastoral Aid Society, or others for similar purposes ? Surely, they would help to wipe away
such a disgrace from our town. We have heard that the incumbent proposes to erect a temporary church, capable of containing 600, as soon as he can get a site for it. We do
not wish to disparage any efforts that may be made, but this really looks like bringing a pail of water to quench a burning house. A church for 600 people, when there are
9000 to be civilized and christianised, and 4000 more to be assisted and instructed. In our opinion there should be church accommodation for 1800 or 2000, and a vigorous
effort made to implant good habits in the people. There is not a school in the district except that connected with St. Mary's Roman Catholic chapel, yet there are 2000 waiting
to be educated. Much as the town has suffered recently, there is still money enough for all these purposes, and spirit to give it. The people of Liverpool, and the public
generally, do not suspect that such a state of things exists ; and, when they know it, we have no doubt that the sympathies of other districts, as well as of this, will be awakened.
We are glad to find that the minister of the district, on whom the missionary and monetary labours will mainly fall, is not dismayed by the task before him. He has met with
large numbers both of Roman Catholics and Dissenters, as well as of Churchmen, who are extremely anxious to have a church and schools beside them, before it be too late for

themselves and their families. To their credit be
there was not the slightest attempt at insult, unki:

it spoken too, they afforded every facility for the enquiry which has just been completed ; and, in the most immoral localities
ndness, or injury of any sort.