Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-11-09

Miller, Publishers, Auburn. N. y.
The wOrkhOuSe system Of Britain.
The English writer's generally point to the
poor-laws of their country as a proud eyi-
demos Of the m%erciful AMI benevolent char
acier Of the government. Look at those
laws so much have we done in the cause of
humanity, See how much money we ex-
pend every rear for the relief Of the poor
Our warehouses; are maintained at enormous
expense. Very well but it takes somewhat
from the character Of the doctor, to ascertain
that he gave the wound he makes a show Of
healing. What are the sources of the i'm
mcuse %pauperism of Britain? The enor-
nous monopoly Of the soil, and the vast ex-
pense Of civil and ecclesiastical aristocracy.
The first takes work from one portion Of the
people. and the latter takes the profits Of
work from the other portion. The Clio.
rious institutions" of Britain crowd the work
houses and We are now going to show the
horrible system under which paupers are
held in these establishments.
The labouring classes are constantly ex-
posed to the chance Of going TO the work
house. THEW wages are so low, or so prey
Eu uIOu ny ldACSs Audl NlHOy - ~ OppOI"
tunitv of providing for q rainy day A few
weeks sickness, n few weeks absence Of
work, and, starvation staring them in the
face, they are forced to apply to the parish
authorities for relief. Once within the gate
of the w~orkhouse, many never entertain the
idea of coming ont until they are carried
forth in their collins.
Each parish has a workhouse, which is un-
der the control Of several guardians, who,
again, are under the orders Of a Board OF
Commissioners sitting at London. Many
perhaps a majority--of the guardians OF the
parishes are persons without those humane
feelings which should belong to such officials,
and numerous petty brutalities are added to
those which are inherent in the British work
house system.
Let us look at some Of the provisions of
/, the poor-laws of England, which form the
, much Landed system Of charity.
One Of these provisions refuses relief to
!, those who will not accept that relief except
l in the character Of inmates Of the w~orkhouse,
( and thus compels the poor applicants to Ell
Their perish Of want or tear asunder all the
ties Of home. To force the wretched father
from the abode Of his family, is a piece o
I cruelty at which every humane breast mus
revolt. What wonder that many perish fo
want of food, rather than leave all that i
dear to them on earth? If they must die
they prefer to depart surrounded by afec
tomato relatives, rather than by Gallon
I, guardians Of the poor who calculate til
trouble and the expense of the burial befor
- the breath leaves the body. The Trainer
or of the poor.laws forgot-perchance-tha
is BE it ever SO humble, there's no place lk
home.'
~ Another provision of the poor,laws denit
the consultations of religion to those who's
conscientious scruples will not allow thel
nc to worship according to the forms Of the e
., tabIished church. This is totally at varianC
nc with the spirit Of true Christianity, and a mo
IL barbarous privation. One would think TIL
British Legislators doubted the supreme ef
~ cacy of the Christian faith in saving sou
OF from destruction. Why should not the bal
lei be applied, regardless Of the formal cerem
pe MES, If it possesses any healing v%irtnes?-
But the glory of the English CHURCH is
TIC iron observance Of forms; and, rather thi
relax one jot, it would permit the souls
~ millions to be swept away into the gloo
=. of eternal night.
'e' Then, there is the separation regulate
Ine dragging after it a long train Of horrors a
heart-rending MISUNDERSTANDING the Il
of holy writ Whom God hath joined
'Hu gelher, let no man put asunder-and tran
W. ~ ling upon the best feelings of human natu
we 4 X X \
Until recently an order was placed at
VI entrance to KenSington Gardens, which re
'm, as follows - No Dogs or Livery SerOd
admitted What more conclusive evideI
81 a of the degraded condition Of mental serva
uh- in Great Britain could be obtained. a
'us' bowman, of good Character necessary C
'cn, clusion from his being in a situation
oou placed on a level with brutes. The liz,
ueT seems as much the badge Of slavery in
niueteeath century As the collar of iron '
no, in the DAYS OF baron and villain. 1t is a
to the reception of a servant in any gent
lnu society, and thus constantly reminds him
the his debased condition. He can have
sup little hope Of improving that condition, wi
ave all intercourse with persons of superior
any tune or attainments is so etfe, tually prev
lot ted. A menial he is, and menials must
'uld children be, unless they should meet v
ny ! extraordinary fortune. Tic following lie
ntly of a footman recently appeared in the Tin
we're newspaper. 1t is manly, and to the poll
"Many articles have appeared in your
20 per under the term 'Flunkeyana,' all de
ciatory of poor Aunkeys, may | be Above
my claim a fair and impartial hearing on the
Mt, er side2 l am n footman, q Inverted funl
TODD a pampered menial-terms which one CT
st. tan employs to another, simply becaus
ence is, by the Almighty Dispenser of all thi
OF Of placed, in his wisdom, lower in life than
other. Not yet having seen any defenc
servants, may | trust to your candor
~ Oy your generosity to insert this humble az
| sur gy for a set Of men constrained by Giro
rrupt stances to earn their living by servitud
Ictive The present cry seems to be to lower
her wages. l will state simply a few broad {
How am a iOotuah III " iSIliy III "hlSn
services worth "a guineas a year. The
5lItea ton is, is this too much? | will strik,
on OF average of expenditure. am very econ
have cal, it is considered. / find for wash
petu- pay near E6 a year; shoes. "a los. tea
excl sugar, e. lbs. wearing apparel, say "a
70 for books-I Am a reader-I allow m
Gl Is. You will see this amounts to 81
i sun each year. Include nothing for amuse
elo- of any kind, but say lbs. yearly. / thu
count for EI9 yearly, leaving &c for saw