The Sun. — 1821-12-06 (London, England)

BUCKLES, BAGSTER. and BUCHANAN, 33, Mark-lane.  SECOND ANNUAL REPORT of the COMmrrrE.Eof the BRIGHTON FRIENDLY and pnpviDENT iNsmuTioN.—Among the various expedients to lessen the sumtrf idleness and vice among the inferior classes, none-has operated with grelter success than the Institution which we -are this day met to patronize and support. It strikes at the root of pauperism and indiscriminate gratuitous bounty,--two of the most formidable obstructions to moral improvement with which the poor in general have to contend. Your CoMmittee are happy to perceive that the fundamental principle of this Institution is at length recognised and acted upon .by several parishes; and that a'spirit of inquiry, as to the best mode relieving the necessitous, is now abroad. The parish of \Valera, in Bath, has adopted a plan, which in one year reduced the parochial expenditure 1,0-251. The parishes of-Chester hearing of this system of Parochial Eer, norny, applied to the Overseers of \Valcot for information on the subject, which by the latter was readily afforded ; and which unequivocally states that, except in cases of sickness, extreme old age, and infancy, relief was never bestowed, but as the stimulus or the reward 'of industry. Nothing can be inure rational nor more productive of real advantage to the distressed poor than the plan detailed by these judicious Parish Officers, which, if universally adopted- in connection with Piovident Institutions 'supported alio•by the Parish, wilt go far to annihilate Pauperism, and to wipe off this foul reproach from.the social economy of England. This, and not suicide, has become "or Island's shame, and the mass of out population will never be virtuous, contented, or happy, until it is completely removed. By a reference to a parochial expenditure of the. past and present year in our own parish, it will be evident. that our rates have been materially reduced, while our population has beet► rapidly on the advance. This is in a great measure to lie -attributed to the wisdom, energy, and firmness of our Assistant Overseer, Mr. Chassereau, and the enc-ruragement afforded him by the Directors and Guardians; and it is only necessary for these authorities to support the Provident Institution, to render the poor-rates fur the future an insignificant bagatelle. _ . _  Your Committee report, with unmingled satisfaction, an increase of one hundred poor fatuities as subscribers to the Institution, making a total of 130, during the present year ;. comprising no less than 539 individuals, the greater part of whom, in all probability, would have required, during the winter, parochial assistance ; but who are now, in Consequence of having regularly paid their weekly money, entitled to a very liberal provision of the principal necessaries of life at a season of the year when otherwise they would have been exposed either to the moral degradation of pauperism, or to the most distressing personal privations. In.oider to supply the requisite articles of food, clothes, and fuel, of the very best quality, to these deserving families and individuals, the Committee have effected the following contracts :—M eat aid. per pound ; Flour, 164 per gallon; Coals, 154 pvi bushel; Flannel, l3d leer yard.; so that Ike poor amity which during the snowier months subscribes Is Gil per week, receives 8s Gd per week during thirteen weeks in winter, which is laid out by the Committee on the above most advantageous terms; nearly doubling the amount in the necessary articles of life. The funds of the Institution are in a flourishing state; and will enable the Committee to commence the ensuing year under the most flattering auspices ; still, however, exertions are necessary, as it may fairly be anticipated that as the advantages of the Institution become better known, the number of applicants will greatly increase. It is confidently hoped that an Institution which confers unmingled good on the objects of its benevolence; which throws every farthing of its income into the treasury of industry and economy; which draws the line bet Ween virtue and profligacy ; which lessens the parochial burthens at the very moment it is promoting, in the highest degree, the well-being of those who would otherwise increase those burthens,—will continue to enjoy the patronage of the great, the contributions of the wealthy, and the personal support of all who desire to ameliorate the condition of the pour, and to advance the interests of genuine morality. Your Committee likewise indulge sanguine expectations that a certain sone will be annually allowed by the Directors and Guardians, for the purposes of the Institution, ifeeliitp,, as they do, perfectly assured, that a stint so devoted will in a very short time treble its amount, in a saving of the poorrates. 'I hey would also respectfully suggest.to the benevoleot visitors and residents of this immense town, that if they would make the Provident Institution the chief medium of their bounty, they would protect themselves from imposture, and no longer be doomed to encounter the importunity of the idle and vicious. 'Thus wouldouv streets be freed born their worst nuisance, nhile every individual that really required assistance, and had a reasonable claim upon the compassionate, would be effectually relieved. At a GENERAL MEETING of the FRIENDLY and PROVIDENT INSTITUTION, held at the Old Ship Tavern on Thursday, the 22d Nov., Sir DAVID SCOTT, Bart., in the Chair, Resolved—l. hat this sleeting derive the highest satis• faction from the Report. of the Committee now read, as it displays.the anxiety of the deserving poor, to place themselves, by industry and economy, at the greatest possible distance front the degrading evils of pauperism ; and that the same be printed for general circulation. Resolved—ill. That the thanks of this Meeting be given to the Committee, for the important services rendered by them to this Institution, anti that they be requested to continue the same for the coming year, with power to add to their number. Resolved—lll. That this involute sincerely regrets the absence of the Rizht•Hon. t be Earl of Chichester, the President, and the most egicient friend to this Isis'itutioo,and especially that such absence is occasioned by indisposition.