The Statesman.
London, England, 1818-01-09 00:00:00

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attended as the importunes of the sobject respired.
—The evib which it is the object of this benevolent
Asseciati. t. to remote have extended themselves in
en alarmiog and unprecedented degree throughout
1111„sintrepolis. Some permanent prevision ought to
;Maid for their removal altogether. The distress is
;peat, and the number of objects craving -relief are
meenerees beyond example. Bit we do not conceive
that the diffiCulty will be so great as some per-
sons imagine in distinguishing impostors from
those who are really deserving the benevolent COO'
sideration of the Public. Cosmos beggars ate
well know• to the Police and the Parish Officers,
and their faces are even familiar to every person
who traverses the public streets. The great diffi-
catty, therefore, will be the procuring funds adequate
to the relief of those who are really indigent, and
boding employmeot for the industrious who" are
ready and willing to work. We hope the contribu-
tions of money and esertion to this fond of distin-
guishing charity will be such as to enable the Society
to free the Public from the pest of such mendicants.
The attention of the first Meeting at the City of
London Tavern has been exclusively directed to the
relief of Distressed Seamen ; and the objects of the
Meeting seem in a fair vraj to be attained. In ad-
dition to the sebscriptions of iodivideals, for this
purpose, we have great pleasure in observing that
the Corporation of the Trinity noose has sob-
scribed 2001., the East India Company 2001.,
and the Marine Society clothing for one hundred
men. These are very liberal donations, both useful
in themselves, and in the way of example. Of the
poor men who have been examiufdll this Committee,
230 have been found Seamen, chidy belonging to
King's ships; for these a temporary lodging has been
provided. Fifty more have had food administered to
them. The Committee, therefore, is in full activity.
We cordially wish all such labours to be effectual.—
But we desire also to see the attention of Govern-
ment turned a little more to the real cause of so much
distress amongst the inhabitants of this country. It
is not difficult to discover this--a considerable por-
tion of the general evil might be traced to the opera-
•tion of causes io the Government itself, which it is
still attempted to veil by the usual expedients.

Kum's THEATRE.--This Theatre was partially
opened on Wednesday night to the Subscribers, and
friends of the Proprietors, for the purpose of re-
hearsing the opera of Le No.tze di Figaro, and of
trying the effect of a new method of lighting the house
by gas. The light is of the most soft and delicate
kind, and at the same time extremely brilliant ; it
proceeds from a large glass lustre suspended from the
ceiling ; and though it contains less flame than that at
Covent-garden Theatre, evinces more taste in the
form and the manner of fitting it up. The ceiling itself
has been newly painted and adoraPd with alle,zorical
figures, in the French style of drawing, and some.
*hat obscure in their meaning, collected in groups,
with the names of the most celebrated Poets and mu-
sicians et their feet. The rust of the Theatre remains
in the same state of internal decoration, if we may
apply the word, as
.at the close of last season. The
opera of Figaro is cast nearly in the same manners,
when it was last represented. Madame FODOR, who
then played the Countess, now takes the part of
Susannah; and the new singer, Signora CORRI, fills
that of the Countess. The Theat re opens for the ins on
on Saturday with the opera of Griselda.
COVENT•GARDENTHEATRE.—The Operatic Drama
of Artaxerxes was performed last night to an over.
flowing audience. The airs are of that description in
which BRAMAN most excels. He, therefore, gave
great effect to the character of Arbaces. Moeiar's
Aft Perdonna, adapted to English words, was sung
by Mr. BRAMAN and Miss STEPHENS. with great
taste and spirit. Their efforts called forth the most
fervent approbation. The quartettes of Mild as the
Mountain, was admirably executed by the toso Per-
formers just named, with Mts. Bono? and Mr. Du-
Hunt. Miss Srcensas was compelled to repeat 77e
cruel tyrant love, and The soldier tit'd. Du ir us Er
land Isa•cs acquitted themselves with great ability as
Artaxerxes and ifrtabancs, and the Opera went off
altogether with great eclat.
Prince Lroermo, before his departure for Came,
visited the QUEEN and PRINCESSES, at Windsor, and
the Duchess of YORK, at Oatlsnds. His Serene
Highness has been so afflicted with rheumatism in
the face, that he has been out very little lately ex-
cept in a close carriage. Daring his abode at Came,
it is expected that he will occasionally visit Wey-
mouth, a place mournfully endeared to him as liar.
ing been the residence of his beloved Princess.
DEAL,JAN. B.—Arrived and remains in the Downs,
wind bound, the Hyperion, Horn, from Bombay.
Tcrunmourn, JAN. 7.—Arrived the Dove and
Unity, Mudge, from Figeara, in 12 days, brings
account of the loss of the brig Ben and Susan, Drew,
Master, belonging to this port, about the middle of
December, near Visne ; all the crew lost ; long-
boat and about 20 casks of oil, part of the cargo,
saved, from St. John's, Newfoundland.
FALMOUTH, JAN. G.—Arrived the Duke of Marl-
borough packet, Eastman, with Mails, from Lisbon,
in 11 days.
GRAVESEND, JAN. S.—Arrived the Young Wil-
liam, Doselver, from Dunkiik ; Commerce, Shottoa,
from Bombay.—Sailed the Wansteed, Young, for
Madras and Bengal; the Ann, Reynolds, for Bom-
bay ; Roebuck, Neale, for Goree and Sierra Leone ;
Edward, hi ilman, for Cadiz ; New Braganxa, Comely,
for Malta; and Lyre, Guest, for Smyrna.
Coss, Excoanna, Jar. 9.—The Wisest trade was very
heavy this manang, an Meaday% prices.—lnferior -staples of
Harley easalcaote at a redacting of Y.•.--date at a dcrhae of
Iv.—to Peas. Bee, and unser articles no &seriatim.
SMITISIFIELD MARK ET, Jots. 9.
To Oak the Offal, per stone of sins.
Beef ~,.. 36. od. us 41. 0.1. I Beam of Cattle this day s
%tattoo ..si. 44. to 4a. ad. boob
Veal ....bs. (H. to Si. Od. Sheep sod-lambs .
Port ....4s. Od. to be. J. Calve
Lamb —.Us. 04. to Oi 04. Pin ..
HAY-114l.ILET.
Hay ...... 4L Oa. ltd. mo 51. 59 N.
Clover .... 41. 0.. Od. to 61. 6-. 04.
Straw ..... /I. lis, Ud. to 2. he. 011

;At VP•Yrry) Itrr

F.

if EN D /CITY.
ireeterday a Meeting was held at the Crown and
Anchor Tavern, is the Strand, to consider of the
[nowt advisable steps to be pursued, for the immediate
Relief of the Destitete, and the ultimate Suppression
of Mendicity in the Metropolis.
Mr. WILLIAMS being called to the Chair, observed,
that thnegb placed in that situation by the kindness
of the Meeting, he mach regretted that some person
of "lore consequence than himself had not been
chosen to preside on such an occasion; for he re-
garded the objects which had induced them to as-
semble, as the most important that could engage the
attention of the friends of humanity and their
country. He should not now attempt to describe the
measures which might be calculated to accomplish the
great objects the Meeting had in view. This was not
the time for details ; but the Committee, the ap-
pointment of which it was intended to propose,
would be able to enter into the most minute con-
siderations, and mould soon come forward with a
well-digested plan. For the present, it was sufficient
to state, that the objects for which the Meeting had
been called, were the relief of immediate and press-
ing distress, and the enforcement of the laws of the
reentry with regard to Mendicity. The Duke of
Northumberland, he bad hoped, would have been
present at this Meeting; but be was sorry to state
that a letter bad been received from his Grace, stat-
ing. that in consequence of a loss in his family, he
could not attend. He bad reason to hope, however,
that another occasion would arise, in which his
Grace might have an opportunity of appearing in
that room, In support of the benevolent perposes of
the Meeting. He trusted, that the Gentlemen who
might be disposed to speak on the business submitted
to the con-ideration of the Meeting would avoid,
es much as possible, all extraneous matter; that
they would confine themselves strictly to the distress
of the Metropolis, and the means of affording di•
rent sod immediate relief; above all, he hoped they
would avoid any thing like political discussion ; for
certainly nothing could be more injurious to the
humane object they all had in view, than any attempt
to nit politics with charity.
The Advertisement for the Meeting having been
read—

Mr. METHUEN MARTIN rose to propose the first
Resolution. In offering it to the consideration of the
Meeting, he was sorry that some person or greater rank
or talent had not been found to perform that duty ;
but he believed noon' could be founi who had great'r
experience in the investigation of the evil which it
was their object to remedy. It did not need much I
argument to convince a feeling Public of the magni-
tude •f an evil which they all witnessed. It was an
evil which called forth all their humanity, and do-
served all their 'unions. He bad been long la-
bouring in this vineyard, and he bad been confirmed
in his ides, that there was such an extent of suffer-
ing, that the major pert of the poor of the metropo-
lis died prematurely, from want of those comforts
necessary to the support of intrmity, sickness, and
declining age. He alts confirmed in this opinion by
a Gentleman of great experience in the populous
parish of St. Martin's. As to the artifices of pau-
pers, there were, no doubt, a great many impostors
in the streets, and such peisons had steeled the hearts
of the loveliest and most benevolent females, by the
frauds which had been repeatedly practised upon
them. Much discrimination was necessary. The
multitude of applicants was at present surprising.— I
But what was a multitude, or any undertaking, if :
the Gentlemen whom he saw before him would unite
with their money, their influence, and their activity ?
By the division of labour great things might he done.
The first thing to be effected would be. to divide the
paupers into classes, by which they might see that it
was practicable to do much. The applicants should
be divided into parochial and non-parochial. Of the
parochial he could confidently assert, that one-third
of the beggars in the metropolis belonged to parishes
in the metropolis. It would be easy to send those
persons to their proper places, sad these parishes, if
they were relieved, as by the 'tortillas of the Society
they might be, from foreisoi applicants, whoeld have
more leisure to relieve their own paupers. As for
those beggars who had settlements or parishes in the
country, the Society should either assist in their
maintenance here, if they had means of subsisting by
trades which they could only exercise in London, r r
in conveying them to their own homes. The cases
would require to be looked into. There were others
whose settlements were uncertain, bat by the efforts
of the Committee these settlements would be ascer-
tained. As to the non-parochial paupers, they were
either Scots or Irish, or foreigners. As to the Irish,
it was to be hoped that some exertions would be
made to raise a subscription for them in their native
country, as it was very hard on some parishes in
London, St. Giles's for instance. As to the Scots'
beggars, they were few, and very industrious ; some
would be relieved by the Scuts Hospital, and others
might receive small aid to return to their native
country. The foreigners would receive some relief
by application to the Consuls ; so that when a pro.
per plan was digested, the difficulties of disposing of
all the applicants did nut seem inseparable. lie had
received much information in researrbes, is which be
co-operated with a Committee of most respectable
Noblemen and Gesstiesoeo, as the F7.4rls of Spencet,
Hardwicke, and Chichester—Lords Dyne, or and
Caltborpe—Mr. Vansittart and others. It was not
necessary to rack their hearts with needless relations
of scenes of misery. Bst.this be could say, that,l
however the giving alms in the street was to be de.
precated, there were many mendicants who, if they
did not receive alms to-day world die te.snorrow.—
(Hear !)—He hoped he should not plead in behalf of
such distress in vain. Neither should be invesigate
the causes of it. He believed one cease was the tardy
I administration of parish relief. He did not throw
blame on the parish officers, who were forced into
their gap without allowance, and who were dis-
tracted by the necessity of attending to their own
concerns. When they retired to their homes to take
their meals, after attending to the business of tbe pa-
rish, they were again besieged by applicants, and the
money was extorted from them. It would be a duty
of the Society Awn it was formed, to relieve them
of some of the business which pressed on them. A
subscription would be necessary to enable the Society
to 'Nippon the applicants, till they were finally dis-
. posed of; and be hoped, by the eaertioo of beam-

' I.,lrffl

' 4

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who bad given the matter consideration.

Den WI,

lence and 'Wavily, an sod weehl be pet st fast ty
the digest:od teak d beggieg sod imposture. Ho
concluded by/arming thoftset Reedation, statists tba
great extent of the evil of aveodielty.
Mr. HAIILOOII secooded the Ittedetien, sod said,
that if the Meeting were enabled t• awry its basa-
-1
volent object lets effect, the time would set be far
distant, whea 'totem quarter of the ales now given
iu the street would be required to relieve the des&
tote. The present state of the ateadicants most be
felt as an evil by all classes, and the *potent, espe-
cially females, were besieged in their carriages by
the most importunate claimants, who would not de.
sist from their applications till they received Money,
without there being say possibility of discrimioetiug
whether they were fit objects of relief.
The Resolution was agreed to.
Mr. (luxe said, a Resolution had been pot into
his bands, which he should propose with much plea-
sore, though he bad apt been one of those who
caPeed the Meeting. The plans for the ro.
I lief of the poor were almost as various as the persons
. .

one thing in which all had 'raid—that the Titian
should be general, and that any Committee for
temporary or partial purpose, was nut whet humia..
nity looked to. The purpose which they had in
view mest•be attained iu a grades-1 maneer,and there
was a difficulty is taking any decisive plan. When
the subject was seder the conaideration of the House
of Commons, in 1814, they Naiad the dills:6oy so
great that they did sot recommend any specific mee.
sure. This was a proof that the evil could not be
easily removed, bet every friend of bernanity, if be
could not do all the good which was to be wished,
would at least attempt to do some good. There was
a great mass of information laid before the testacy
by the Committee on the Poor Laws, and as ratios,

plaint might be suggested, he should not aster hero
details. The Institutions already existing I. this
country, if their powers were properly everted,
would, as he should be aWe to show by -a few hints,
go a great way to remedy the exit. Art object
of the Society, therefore, be conceived, should bas
to lend their assistance, by a sub-division of labour,
to the rations existing establisinnests. Sub-Commis.
tees should be established, as it was impossible that
one Committee could do all the business which
could be necessary to effect toy thing towards
the suppression of mendicity. The Sub.Cooretitthe
should cooperate aith the Parish Officers and with
the General Committee.---Re should allude to ewe
or two classes of prominent beggars, whom the Gem.
mittee might easily remove from she streets. Otte
class was formed of Me iokabitoots of Asia—chide
'Actors. Every person who brought these indi-
viduals to Europe, was obliged by the Laths Com-
pany to give sec., rity in 1000 tepees to comer Sera
back to their own country, ace limo Ind Wee Ali
Depot of the Compaey for receivieg thernSill they
were sent back. If this Depot did lot islet, there
was no doubt that the Company woeld 'peweidlierniti
if applied to. At little or no expense, therefore;
this class of persons might be reamed. Then wets
also a number of African', who were asses/ the
most distressed or importunate aneedicants. Throne
was a Society misting which directed its esertissu
to the cause of that onforteentte country, Afrree.~.
That Society week!, be hoped, opus an espies for
diatress)ed Africans, towed theta back to their owls
country. As for the sailors, there liedbeevi formed s
Society esprassly for their relief. Another branch
of the mendicants were discharged soldiers. they bed
often small pensions, and the Committee would find
by investigation, whether they required an addition
to their means of support. Ilis loyal Iliglineassises
Doke of York would, perhaps, adopt some nee.,
sores which would afford them temporary relief, by'
applying a barrack for their reception. Another
essential part of the dories of society would be the:
detection of impostors. With theee impressions its to
what it would be possible to do, he should prevent"
the second Resolution, " that a Society be ewe.
birthed. to be entitled, the Society for the Suppression''
111.-adicity, arid tha► a subscription be raised to
defray the expellees." The Sobacriplioa was pro.
posed, beasts, dimes all eiktirri iostitetioas would
be made available, yet pending the movinatiew of '
applicants, espences would be incurred. Retreated
the subscription weetd be adequate, Imam kip
foods would not be necessary. Every snap sawmill
evert himself in his perish, aid be hoped the pobiic
Papers would make known the objects of. the So-
time. Though he did not conaemplase t►e absolute
suppression of the evil, mock good might, he thseght
be dime. •

The Reverend .1. RUDGII seconded the Resole.
Linn, and said, that as the Minister of a imp sad
populous parish, where innumerable cams of distress
consently came under his notice, he should be happy
to co-operate in any plan by which the wants of a •
suffering and starving population might be relieved..
The Resolution was agreed to.
Mr. TOWLE said that the plan which bad bees •
suggested was, that a Committee should be appoisit.
ed, and that all Subscribers should be famished with
tickets to be given to beggars instead ofpenceoeshich
would entitle them to have their oases ineestigatedre.
By this: means fiend would be detected, as dew•'
who made a trade of begging would decline to go ter'
-die Cake. Those whose cases. were investigated
would be passed to their parishes, or relieved from /
the funds ss& apart for them. It appeared from the
'statements -which bad been made, that the Africans
were the Only persons destitute of any provision. If
the Public could be induced to support with vigour
such a Society, it would be attended with economy
on their own parts, as well as with benefit to their
fellow.crestures. A tythe of the money given in
alms could be sufficient, and the relief given to tit*
distressed would be much mesh more effectual.—
fie auticir.ted complete cucor4S, which a Gentleman
who had spoken (Mr. Hume), mimed so despair of.
If be did not think that it would be practicable to
supersede the necessity of giving alms, be (Mr. T.)
would not have contributed to that Society. The
time he thought might come, when the Society hawing
provided means for the relief of all who wanted re.
lief, might appeal to the public against the practice
of tiring alms. But, in the seas time, they amid
not steel their hearts; as they would rather give is
the chance of wasting money, then row the risk of
sufering fellow-creatures to perish fee mint, as they
had heard from Mr. Martin that many mast do, it
they d'ad net mein these alms lie regretted the