The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-22
The ST. Georges society-ProSession W. Per
NoEmances


formancc.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD.
Shit Is the distinguishing characteristic Of
your paper, that its columns are always open to
those who have q grievance to complain Of, or to
those whose testimony is of q nature to unmask
p'etence and to expose high sounding subterfuge.
knowing this, propose to trouble you with
Few particulars, which, if you publish them, may
be the means Of saving some persons from ann eces
saIy humiliation, and, at the same time, caution
others against too generous almsgiving to cor
poration which, can prove, does not trouble itself
in the due distribution Of funds Of which it il the
custodian, and ought to be the just dispenser.
alude to the St. Georges Society. This is an
old institution in the city It has its officers duly
elected; it annually dimes at the Astor House; It
is graced with regalia; and its profession is to
give advice to all British subjects, aud to afford
liberal pecuniary aid to the deserving" in the case
Of any unmerited distress. For the support Of
this society several thousands Of dollars are an
nualIy contributed; and i we are to believe what
the President sal at the last dinner, and what in
fact, his predecessors have said, WELL thousands
of dollars are annually appropriated to the relief
of those who require it-Britsh subjects, and
observing" of course
In the belief that the deeds of the St. Georges
Society were the same as its words, /, an English
man, under heavy cloud of misfortunes, made ap-
plication to tho President ard Committee. i told
them all I could. enumerated the distresses Of
been employed in my own country as writer on
the public press; gave the names Of men here in
New York who could attest my talent and the en-.
tire responsibility Of my. private character; and
England, where could procure honorable and suf-
fcieLt bread, instead Of being obliged to remain In
this city, in which, from causes Ineed not particu-
larize i cannot procure daily crust.
Now, sir, will tell you how my opplica-
ton wasIeceived. should say my two applications,
for / was obliged to write twice, besides waiting
on the superintendent at his office in Green
day morning was punctual In my attendance.
saw the superintendent, who, after the application
of something like workhouse test told me to call
and decide on my case. Well twelve came, and so
did l. The committee, found, consisted OF one
But, further oddly was ahead, and witnessed It,
According to the Scion before whom | appeared,
sufficiently respectful" though God knows ad-
dressed the president and committee Of the St.
Georges Society In style which an American chief
magistrate would not have objected TO. Yes, sir,
ton (strctly, you will own, within che professes)
cognizance Of the society, and so oar below the
many cases related to mo by the committee naas,
where life annuities were given, that pause was
requisite. He (the committee mani was against
me-of that there could be no doubt; but he would
be ut the Office on Monday, with another gentleman
Cwo forming quorumll Then might CALL and then
see what could be done for me. Doncs pro'eedinss
mittee Of two was to decide for me one vote
would surely 60 against me; of what service could
the other have been, even had 1t been rendered in
the affirmative?
After what had happened in the morning, and
after what had happened In the afternoon, / must
confess that ] aw0ke to sense Of what sort Of
affair this Wanted ST. Georges Society really Is.
felt that nothing could be done for me- told the
officials in Greenwich street that wanted nothing
further with them. was, however, desirous for
the restoration Of my letters, but they were denied
me-perhaps for my advantage, for, not having
them by me, can now challenge their production.
II the President, any other officer OF the associa
ton, Is willing to substantate the extraordinary
character Of my application. or the lack Of !" re-
Young to do this, even in his own paper, the
Albion. It will then be for the people who sub.
scribe the funds of the ST. Georges Society to Judge
between the applicant for relief and its recognised
| dispensers.
am sorry for the country in which I was born,
that it should be allied, even in name, with such an
| incorporation as the st. Georges Society: | am
found who, for the sake Of honorary office, ready
| to insult the distresses of w0rthier persoDs and
am sorry for myself, that should have been sub
mitted to humiliation could never have suffered
except in place like the Office Of the ST. Georges
Society, redolent Of cockney funkeyism and the
| genius Of "Jeames."
enclose my name and address for your satisfac
ton; ] may thus afford guarantee Of what | say
| Probably some good "Samaritans u Of the new
world may be induced to do for me what the pro
1 Tossing Pharisees of the old win not. God SEND
| il But l fear that have taken up too much o.
your space. / will, therefore, conclude by sub
scrbing myself, sir, Jour very obedent servant ant
| Tin reality hope), sd
"a DESERVING BRITISH SUBJECT"