The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-06-17
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are disposed to flatter ourselves with be,
ing the "smaftest peoplein creation" We
may occasionally learn allesson of prac-
teal wisdom from the cold fogy" folk
across the water, For instances some old
fashioned practical dphilanthropists IN
England became impressed with the idea
that good way to promote t mperanee
would be to fight the agencies that pro
mote mtemperance with their own weap-
ons. Straightway they acted on this idea'
after the following fashion: They de-
termihed to erect fine, spacious, inylt-
ing building, in district of the city sur
rounded by dense, poor population
Organizing into company, uhde. the
name of "The Peoples Cafe Company"
they completed the building about a
month ago, and it, together with the plan
OF operations connected with it, are thus
described by one of our English exchan-
ges. The house is a substantial one, and
is divided into several spacious apart
ments, neatly fitted and admirably adap-
ted for the accommodation of the public
Plenty Of light and ventilation adds great
ly to the comfort and cheerfulness Of the
rooms. On the ground floor is the prin-
cipal department, with what may be
termed tile bar in the center, and above
are rooms to be appropriated specially to
the gentler sex who may be disposed to
frequent the Cafe st. Lukes," 50 called
because of its location III WhiteCross-st,,
st. Luke's London. The furniture is OF
a description to be seen at more preten-
tious retreshment places not far from
Charingcross. Tables Of marble tops on
bronze supports, covered with almost
snow.white thick cups and saucers; nickel
metal teaspoons, and pretty looking milk
Jugs are here at the service Of the inhab-
itants of the Golden-lan district. The
tea, coffee, and ands are of excellent
quality, and dispensed at tariff ranging
from penny to siXpenCe, The cost OF
the building has been something over
$4,000.
The object of the practical philantho-
pists who have engaged in this undertake
ing, and who comprise in their number
many gentlemen eminent for statesman
ship and scholarship, as well as for hear
ty Christianity; was to deliver the poor
and working classes from the temptations
which beset them on every hand, by pro-
viding counter attractions superior to
those of the liquor saloons and gin pala-
Ces, by teaching and encouraging them in
habits of temperance, cleanliness, and
thrift. 10 TINS end they offer such SUI
perior inducements in Me quality and
quantity and cheapness Of food, as must
appeal irrlslstibly to the self-interest of
the laboring poor, while they contribute
other health, enjoyment, and subsan-
tial comfort,
The enterprise has been SO successful,
and the results have already proved 50
benehcent, that the cafe above described
are now erecting another i'll Whitechapel,
on a still larger scale, and which will
cost when completed $4,000, or about
twenty thousand dollars. The company
which is incorporated with capital lin
tied to 100000 (about five hundred
thousand dollars), has called in ten thou
sand shares of one pound each, which
has enabled them to build both these
cafes and retain a working capital of four
thousand pounds. And it is their inten-
ton to multiply these cafes, in the most
populous and poorest parts of the city, as
rapidly as possible.
OF course, while these practical London
Christians are providing, with such solic-
itude, for the physical side of the poor
people of the metropolis, they are not un-
mindful of their spiritual necessities.
Unobtrusively, but persistently, religion
is brought before the poor who gather
into cafes. Attractive services are de-
vised for them; music, harmless amuse
menus, pleasant and profitable reading
provided for them; they are invited to CO.
operate in plans for their mutual benefit
and are taught to be thrifty and encour
aged in the habits of industry. Mean
while, the good seed of Gods word is
sown, here and and there, in, season and
ont of season, and doubtless God will
bless the labors of these husbandmen
with an abundant increase Christian In
telhgencer.