The Statesman.
London, England, 1818-09-25 00:00:00

EXCESSIVE DISTRESS.

GumettALL.—On Wednesday the case of Older-
sha w and family, came on again before Sir W. CUR-
TB, the sitting Alderman, when he enquired if Mrs.
Oldershaw and her children were present.
The Churchwardens of St. Gregory's parish an-
swered that they were; and to the credit of these
Gentlemen, they appeared clean sod comfortably
clothed.

To describe the miserable state of the children is a
most painful task. The *West, a boy about 10
years of age, a cripple, supported by crutches, pallid
cheeks, and hollow eyes, with famine depicted in
his countetsince ; the second, also a bny, aged seven
years, although not a cripple, exhibited more es.
pressively the want of care and proper food ; and the
third, a girl, about four years of age, nearly blind—
so much so, that she cannot bear the light, without
a handkerchief to her eyes, and this caused by neg.
lect ! The wretched mother is in the sixth mouth of
her pregnancy.

Sir Was. CURTIS, addressing Mr. Deputy Boa,
" This is a case I must speak to you about. It has
created a great sensation amongst many humane per-
sons. I have got some money in my pocket which
has been sent me for this family, and I will get more;
I want you to advise with some of your respectable
neighbours in the parish, and .to form a Committee
to receive subscriptions fur them, and apply it in a
proper way for them, to put the family in some way
of business, as 1 have no doubt but that there will
be a handsome sum subscribed for them, and when
the poor man has recovered his senses he will not be
galled by knowing they have sunk so low as to be
obliged :n take ref ge in a work•house."
The Worthy liaionet and Mr. Puny had some
cony. -sailor', the result of which was, that Older-
shaw had been for years of irregular habits, and
those of his wife not much better, ■nd that the infir-
mities of their children were caused, if not by their
disorderly conduct, by their neglect. Mr. Howard
corroborated this statement, and said he had an op.
portunity of knowing it, as Ire lived opposite to them.
Oldershaw having been brought from the Compter,
was put to the bar, and appeared in a state of great
irritation.

Sir W. CURTIS addressed him in the most en.
couraging and humane manner, so peculiar to the
Worthy Baronet. " Good morning to you. How
do you find yourself to-day ? I hope you feel more
comfortable than when I saw you last I"
Oldershaw.—" I find myself much more comfort.
able. I was shaved this morning wi'h Prince
Blucher's razor. I will prosper twenty times more
at conveyancing than ever I did; and 41 had some
powder in my hair, I could sit opposite to Lord El.
lenborough, Mr. Leach, and that other great man,
whose name I forget."
Sir W. CURTIS.—" I have no doubt, not only
from Dr. Box's certificate, but from the man's con-
duct now, that he is insane. I hand him and his fa-
mily over to you. Gentlemen Churchwardens of St.
Gregory's parish, and depend on your humane con-
duct towards them."

At the suggestion of the Worthy Baronet, some
Gentlemen who felt interested for the children now
retired to the private room, where they formvd •
Committee to receive subscriptions for them.
Mr. God%in.—" I am directed by the Commit-
tee, Sir, to request that whatever money they may
receive, that you will allow it to be paid into your
tinnklllg•houae.rr
Sir W. Custis.—r` I cannot answer for the house
which I beloug to receiving the money, but I will
answer that they will pay you that check of mine for
51. which I give with all my heart ; I have also re-
ceived a 11. note, and a check for 51. for those poor
people, which I hand over to you, and I wish you
every suceess with the subscription."
Mr. Godwin, in the name of the Committee,
thanked the Worthy Baronet, and they took their
leave.; and the poor family were conveyed to the
work house.

Bolin-sillEKT.—'lestortisy, Mr. Taylor, whn
keeps he 4atisbury Coffee and Chop-house, in Dor-
harn.strleet, Atle.lphi, was chafed with Tioientry as-
sanitinghis head-waiter, on Wednemlay afternoon.

TheProrecutor stated, that, on Weduesday,morn-
ing,: be bad occasion to go out, and, on his return, a
dispute arose .betoeen him and his master, which
ended in their agreeing to part ; and he was pre-
pay4eluto leafs the house,-hat Ilk master refused to
let him take any of his property away, except he
paid him at the rate of 301 a year for allowing him
to be waiter at the house, saying he had mule that
agreement to do so when he took the place. Ha de.
flied having milk any such. agreement, and refused
In Ivey it, 8116, paid one wliter under him 15s. a
week, and molter Gs. or. 7s. a week ; and. ke, also