ture of vices-consumes like a gangrene, I their honour, when once the affair was and like a gangrene spreads its noxious moved and understood, they came forinfluence till the constitution be under- ward with a promptitude truly exemmined, and the consequences prove fatal.plary. It is not real charity to give to real beggars; that has been an acknowledged maxim during many years, we might say, centuries; for, so far back as Queen Elizabeth's time, donations to street beggars were subjected to punishment by a fine;-and a penny given was liable to a mulct of five shillings, and costs. It was probably, owing to the natural consequences of continued impositions, with the suspicion inseparable from the mortifications attendant on detected abuse of bounty, as openly declared in the Committee's Report* on the state of mendicity in the metropolis, that the citizens of London so long endured the nuisance of the many objects which disgraced the public streets. What proportion of these was really impostors, it is impossible now to determine; but, there can be no doubt on the truth of Nor have the exertions of the London merchants, and public, been restricted to pecuniary assistance; that is indispensable; but, very often it is the smallest part of the assistance granted. The personal interest taken, the countenance, the patronage afforded, and above all, the sacrifice of invaluable time in many cases, and in this case, infinitely surpasses the highest donation which appears on the subscription list. This is real beneficence; this bespeaks the heart engaged; this is unquestionable bumanity, and charity; and this, it will be remarked, with pleasure, has been so freely offered, as to excite the explicit and grateful acknowledgements of the committee. If we assign the second place to that ready answer to the call of compassion, which raised the amount of the subscription, in a few days, to nearly twelve their taking certain posts, and relieving thousand pounds, it must not be thought each other, at those posts, exactly acto imply the smallest disrespect to this cording to the practice of beggars by effectual branch of aid. On the custom and habit. And it is a striking contrary; we admire the promptitude fact, in addition, that the principal and energy which so rapidly realized the towns within a hundred miles of the humane and patriotic suggestion. We metropolis, have witnessed a greater presume to say, that in very few capitals, influx of beggars, and have sustained if in any, could the same measure have greater losses by theft, since the enqui- obtained equal support in the time. ries in London have been active, than We know of none in which much lonthey had done for months and years ger delays would not have been interbefore. In some places, public meet-posed, between the intention and the ings have been held to discuss the best method of keeping watch and ward; and, in others-Ipswich, for instance, the sessions that usually terminates in one day's attendance, required three days, on the last occasion. deed. This partly arises from the habit of the public in the metropolis of acting for itself; uncontrouled by those formalities which in most places imply, or await the motions of government, therefore, are paralyzed till some per and The committee, however, whose Report is before us, take occasion to ob-sonage in office has obtained permission to superintend proceedings. Here the serve, that few impostors have attempted humanity and good sense of the people to impose on them; and they describe confide in the humanity and good sense those applicants whose cases they have of the government; and desire from examined, as being men who had really the ruling powers-not that they should served their country in naval capacities. take the lead, but that they should This is very satisfactory. The mer- second the efforts of those who derive chants were, therefore, in a sense their impulse from laudable motives; beholden to these men, either for ser- and who doubt not the effect of those vices, or for protection; and, much to motives on others. See Literary Panorama, N. S. vol. II. p. 1. We do acknowledge, that the citizens All who have had occasion to transact business with public Offices know, that they rarely act with that promptitude which those who are themselves independent of forms and precedents desire: public men attach much importance to the actions of their predecessors in office; and while they think themselves bound by those precedents, they are so bound. On the present occasion, no impediments of form appear to have been started; the object was laudable, and the assistance was prompt. It must be acknowledged, that War has many evils; and that after War has ceased, as to actual hostility, the afflictions it entails are not terminated. We condemn without compunction the idle and the lazy; but we compassionate those who would willingly labour but cannot find opportunity. The change from Peace to War, threw thousands into want: the change from War to Peace has produced disastrous effects no less extensive. It has been felt by those of London are favoured in point of wealth; in the possession of which, they enjoy a power of the most important kind; and we take a pleasure in marking their application of this power in modes so greatly to their honour. Notwithstanding the very many and heavy disappointments to which their benevolence has been subjected, and the delusions experienced from the maneuvres practised on it by schemers, there is scarcely an instance of a matter of real importance to the community, sanctioned by a name of known respectability, being disregarded, or treated with indifference. It is true, that many things which to those who have long meditated on them, appear to be supremely entitled to public sanction and support, are not seen in the same light by others, to whose consideration they are submitted; nor is it less true, that various obstacles are discerned by the public, and various difficulties are felt, which had not occurred to the authors of certain proposals,-which had been over-who ploughed the land, and by those looked by them, in their zeal for the who ploughed the waves; by those who exaltation of what they had undertaken. supported the Community, and by those Hence, we must not allow ourselves to who defended it. In return, the symthink hardly of persons who start an ob-pathy of the Community is due to both ject for public attention; they may have descriptions of its members; and every persuaded themselves, and their hearts humane heart will rejoice in the success may be warm in the cause; while of all Institutions devised and establishcooler heads, on more accurate investi- ed for the benefit of either. gation, and closer scrutiny, may detect imperfections which vitiate, if not impossibilities which defeat, what may have been proposed as the best of plans -plans announced as all but infallible, in point of general utility, and exten sive success. It must not be forgot, that the example and support of this exertion has induced an attempt to suppress mendicity all together. The accomplishment of that plan is most desirable; especially if it shall prove to be founded on principles which will endure the test of In the present instance, a very few experience. That Mendicity may be weeks have seen the proposition laid be- removed or banished, for a time, cannot fore the public, brought into action, di- be doubted; that it will return and rected to answer its purpose, reported on, revive must be expected; and here apand partly closed. It affords a demon- pears an advantage possessed by this stration of what may be done, when occa-interposition in behalf of distressed sion demands; and it well deserves to occupy a place in our pages, for the example and encouragement of future ge nerations. Nor let the immediate compliance of Government with the request for assistance, be overlooked. The Committee notice this, in their Report; together with an instant supply, from the same quarter, of articles wanted. Seamen; the case is not likely to recur. When the present purpose is answered the effort terminates. We hope never again to see the time when the simultaneous dismissal of a hundred thousand superfluous hands, from their ordinary course of life, shall choak up the channels of regular employment; insomuch, that for every one of them B 2 admitted into constant occupation, some other individual, equally deserving, and perhaps equally to be commisserated either in himself, or his connexions, fears to be dismissed from his daily labours. The Committee has felt the importance of this consideration, and has carefully endeavoured to obtain for the subjects of its bounty such births as do not interfere with the engagements of more fortunate competitors: a point of prudence deserving unqualitied commendation. Much might be said on the nature and extent of those evils which have been prevented by the interference of this well timed charity. It might be thought at first sight, an unmerited imputation on the characters of these sufferers, to suppose their deviating into crime. This well becomes those who never felt the pangs of distress, or the keenness of bunger. The man who thinks it impossible! that he should be tempted or driven, to transgression, by anguish and despondencey, knows little of himself, and less of human nature. These men were ignorant, from their origin and habits; they were rude, imprudent, unguarded, and boisterous. We mean them no harm, and we do them no injustice, when we insist on the propriety of considering the prevention of what mischief they might have been engaged in, or might have occasioned, as so much gain to the safety, the quiet, and the morals of the public. fifteen hundred men, not all fairly belonging to the Port of London, should be found out of employ, and therefore destitute, is perhaps less to be wondered at, than that the number was not greater. When it is considered that among these are included as well many foreigners, as others infirm, from age and various causes. When the proper deductions are made for these, and such as these, is the real number any great occasion of surprize? How many unemployed Seamen may be found in London at all times, and therefore at any time? Nor ought we to dismiss the subject without adverting to the painful, the disagreeable, and even dangerous duty of those volunteers who personally attended to the wants of the famished, the miserable, and the diseased. Only those who happen to have been conversant with such objects can conceive the painful task. We speak thus from observation; having witnessed the condition of not a few of these distressed Seamen. That their sufferings had, in too many instances, originated in personal imprudence, must be acknowledged, with regret; but, over these compassion readily draws a veil. It remains that we congratulate those beneficent gentlemen generally, who have rendered this service to humanity, and have happily seen their undertaking answer its purpose. They may rest assured that they have done their coun honour. They may lie down at night, try Those who with the pleasing conviction of having have paid even a slight attention to late reports of alarming and desperate crimes, public welfare, in conjunction with that spent their day in contributing to the must be aware, in some degree, of the of the objects of their attention. Their danger to which the individuals now relieved could not but be unavoidably sub-their recollections self-satisfactory. feelings cannot but be gratifying, and jected, had they fallen in among associates of that sanguinary description, to whose arts and example they might have yielded, or in whose company they might have become partakers of their crimes. We cannot close this Article, without submitting as a question, at least, whether under all circumstances the number of these sufferers, though considerable, in itself, is not below what might reasonably have been anticipated, in consequence of a crisis so violent and so sudden in public affairs? That The distinction conferred by the Committee, on several gentlemen whom they mention by name, forbids our more humble praise of their exertions as individuals they will not soon be forgot ; nor will they fail of their reward: not that which consists in a title, or a public token of external honour, but that which takes up its residence in the bosom, and after having been worn during life, will be more fully and more justly appreciated, when life has closed. It is far from our intention by commending the beneficence of the city of London, to discommend, in the slightest degree, the exertions of other cities, either at home or abroad.-We know that great and most honourable charities have been manifested on the continent; and we particularly distinguish those which had for their object the relief of that multitude of deluded, but much to be pitied, emigrants which filled many cities on the coast, while seeking for a passage to America. If any gentleman can oblige us by particulars of the amount, the application, and the mode of rendering most effectual, the collections at Amsterdam, Rotterdam, &c. in Holland, or elsewhere, we shall take a pleasure in extending the knowledge of such bounty among our countrymen. It is a tribute due to their humanity, and a tribute that will be paid with more than readiness, with eagerness. REPORT OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE FOR THE RELIEF Feb 6, 1818. house almost inaccessible) the Committee have continued to transact their business at his Tavern. Many Gentlemen having offered themselves as members of the Committee, (which has at length increased to the Lumber of seventy) it was judged expedient to divide and apportion the duties to be performed, among them; and accordingly the following Sub Committees were immediately formed: viz.— 1st-A Depot Committee; to whom was charged the care of providing temporary lodging and food for the men. 2nd.-An Examining Committee; (consisting principally of Captains and Officers of His Majesty's Navy; Commanders in the East India Company's Service; Elder Brethren of the Trinity House, and Masters of Merchant Ships,) to whom was entrusted the selection of such of the poor people as were really Seamen in distress. 3rd.-A Finance Committee; to receive Subscriptious, audit Accounts, and make payments. 4th-A Shipping Committee; (consisting chiefly of Nautical men) who undertook to attend to the embarking and making arrangements for the men on board the Receiving Ships; for which Ships application was made to the Lords of the Admiralty. 5th.-A Clothing and Provision Committee. 6th. A Committee of Disposal. their assistance, and advice, was as much as possible obviated; and those duties were assigned to them respectively, which, from circumstances, they were most competent, or willing to perform. In a few days it was found practicable to consolidate these Sub-Committees into Three, viz.: Examining, Shipping, and Finance. General Committee, the operations of the By whom, under the direction of the charity has since been conducted. By this arrangement, the inconvenience THE Meeting held at the City of Lon-caused by the press of Gentlemen offering don Tavern on the 5th of January last, having appointed a Committee consisting of fifty-eight Persons, (with power to add to their number;) and subscribed the sum of £250,-the Gentlemen nominated met the next day at the King's Head Tavern in the Poultry. for the purpose of arranging a Plan for carrying into immediate effect the intention of the Meeting, which was-to clear the Metropolis of the destitute and diseased persons in the garb of Seamen, who appeared in the streets and environs. As these persons were known to be numerous, the Committee were desirous of Engaging premises for temporary offices, in some convenient place; but, on the very first day of their meeting, so great was the throng, and so urgent the distress of the poor people, that every other consideration gave way to that of affording them relief in the shortest possible time; and therefore, as Mr. Bleaden liberally consented to allow the Committee to occupy the requisite sumber of rooms, on very moderate terms, (although he was exposed to serious inconvenience by the number of miserable objects who, for several days, rendered his Such was the forlorn and destitute condition of the poor people who flocked for relief, that the Committee deemed it a most fortunate circumstance that, on the first day of their meeting, they were able to engage room in a house belonging to Mrs. Hayes, of Newing.on, in which 200 could be received, and sheltered from the weather. The London Workhouse also admitted 100 of the men. In both these places, their immediate wants were attended to. While these measures were in progress, application was made to the Lords of the |