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no separation of classes, are little better than nurseries for our gaols. It is greatly to be wished that the public attention may be drawn to the noble experiment now making at the Exeter house of correction, the result of which cannot but prove highly gratifying to the benevolent characters engaged in it, and highly beneficial to the country to assist in dimi nishing the number of crimes, and thus to raise the moral character of a nation, is an effort worthy of the greatest Patriot, and the duty of every Christian.

Account of an Institution for affording Employment to Poor Women, during Winter, at West-Ham, in Essex.

To excite a spirit of industry among the poor; to keep up that independent feeling which would prompt the more deserving of them to make any lawful exertion, rather than submit to parochial relief, is one of the wisest acts of charity, and every attempt of the kind, particularly when successful, ought to be recorded for the encouragement of others: a little capital raised by subscription, and judiciously employed, may give scope to the industry of many poor per sons; and when a few respectable inhabitants of a district will bestow a little of their time in the personal inspection and guidance of the concern, it can never fail of doing extensive good. The parish of West-Ham, consisting of four wards, Stratford, Longthorn, Church Street, and Plaistow, contains a large population of miserable poor, the number of which is greatly increased by a multitude of Irish labourers, who are employed during summer in the extensive potatoe plantations, which abound in this district; many of these poor people, having no parish settlement, when thrown out of employment, or disabled by disease, end a miserable existence, in extreme want in the winter season particularly, when the labours of the field are suspended, a number of industrious poor are fre quently destitute of support.-The object of this institution is to supply poor women, who reside in the different wards, with wheels and flax at their own dwellings during that season, wherein the pressure of want is most severely felt: the experience of several years has proved the utility of this undertaking; the women admitted to spin, (from twenty to thirty each winter) seldom fail to work with zeal and diligence, and

express themselves truly grateful to those who thus enable them to procure a trifling pittance towards the support of themselves and families.

The method hitherto adopted for disposing of the yarn, has been to get it manufactured into linen of various descriptions, which is sold to the subscribers at their annual meeting; the amount of the sales, however, cannot be expected to cover the cost, as such a society must labour under many disadvantages, which will prevent it from coming in competition with the regular manufacturer: the difference must in consequence be made up from the funds, and these can only be supported by an annual subscription. To shew more clearly the nature of the charity, as well as to assist those who may feel inclined to promote similar ones in other places, we shall insert the

Regulations for the Government of the Institution.

1st. A committee chosen from the subscribers, manages the concerns of the society. It has the power of electing its own members, and of appointing a treasurer, secretary, and manager.

2d. The committee is to meet at least once in each month, when the institution is open, to examine the treasurer's accounts, and see that due attention be paid to every depart

ment.

3d. A general meeting of the subscribers is held every year, of which due notice is given, when the proceedings of the committee, and the state of the charity, is laid before them.

4th. Contributors of one guinea, and annual subscribers, may have the liberty of recommending spinners to the institution, by signing a printed ticket, addressed to the secretary; when, if possible, the person so recommended, shall be imme diately admitted; but, should there be no vacancy, she shall be taken on in rotation, as soon as opportunity offers.

5th. The treasurer is to receive all subscriptions, and monies arising from the sale of goods; to pay all demands on the institution; to keep an account of all monies received and expended; and to produce the accounts at every committee, and meeting of subscribers.

6th. The secretary is to enter in a book, the minutes of the general meeting, and of each committee; and also in a separate book, the quantity of flax purchased and delivered out to the spinners; the names of the subscribers who may have granted recommendations; and also the names of the spin

ners, the number of wheels, the quantity of flax spun, and the expense of spinning.

7th. The manager is to attend to every direction of the committee, and to apply to the treasurer for money to defray the expense of spinning; to keep an exact account of flax received, and also of that delivered out to the poor, and of the thread when brought home, to see that it is properly spun, and that there is no unnecessary waste; and if any of the spinners behave improperly, or injure, or embezzle, either wheels or flax, she is immediately to report the same to one of the committee.

N.B. The manager's accounts to be settled monthlv.

8th. Each spinner is to purchase her wheel by small instalments, paying not less than three-pence per week to the manager; but if any poor woman decline spinning, or remove out of the parish, the secretary is empowered to re-purchase the wheel, or such proportional part as has been paid for, according to its then value, but not according to prime cost.

9th. If at any time it should appear to the committee, that these regulations are inadequate to the end proposed, and that others would be more effectual, it is empowered to make such alterations.

It may be remarked, with heartfelt satisfaction, that notwithstanding the increasing miseries of the times, and the too prevalent taste for sensual pleasures and vain amusement, that beneficence to the poor, which the excellent Christian religion every where enjoins, is far from being extinct in this country. Happy those who can adopt the sublime and beautiful language of an inspired writer.- When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, then it gave witness to me; because I delivered the poor that cried, and him that had none to help him: the blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.*

An Account of the Refuge for the Destitute, originally established at Cuper's Bridge, Lambeth, but now removing to Middlesex-house, Hackney Road, Shoreditch.

THIS establishment was instituted in the year 1804, by a respectable clergyman and magistrate, the Rev. Edward Wil* Job, chap. xxix. 11–13,

liam Whitaker, Rector of St. Mildred, and All Saints, Canterbury, for the purpose of affording an opportunity of reforma tion to the criminal, and relief to the distressed, by receiving within its walls, persons discharged from penal confinement, penitent prostitutes, and others who, from loss of character, or extreme indigence, cannot procure an honest maintenance, though willing to work. The want of such an institution had long been felt by the considerate part of mankind, but none was ever established except the present, which, though wisely planned, might have failed like other benevolent schemes for the same purpose, had not the zealous Founder met with others, whose perseverance, added to his own, soon enabled him to overcome all the difficulties which it was supposed would prevent its being carried into effect.

As soon as the plan was published, a subscription was entered into, and a committee formed, which met from time to time, in order to prepare laws and regulations. A sufficient sum was at length raised, to render it prudent to engage premises for the purpose of opening the institution; this was done in 1805, at Cuper's Bridge, Lambeth, under the present title "The Refuge for the Destitute," then thought preferable to that of "An Asylum for Outcasts," originally intended by Mr. Whitaker, who readily submitted to the alteration, his only motive being to promote the welfare of the most miserable of mankind, conceiving it of little importance under what name that good was extended.

The buildings, hired at a moderate rent, were large enough to lodge all the proper objects that have applied for admission, if the funds had been sufficient to maintain them; but, as this could not be expected at so early a period, one small part was fitted up for the men under the care of a master and porter, and another entirely distinct for the women under a mistress and matrons.

The nature of the institution having been made known in the prisons and police offices in London and elsewhere, applications for admission soon became very numerous, from which were selected those who appeared most penitent, and least likely to obtain support elsewhere; temporary relief was also, in cases of very urgent necessity, afforded to distressed persons, until parochial or other assistance could be obtained; unfortunately it has since been found, that for the present, this must be withholden, " it being understood that persons discharged from penal confinement, are to be ever considered the primary objects of this institution, and that no

temporary relief be granted, but when the funds prove to be more than adequate to the relief of the objects deemed worthy of admission." As it was improper to discharge the objects admitted into the different wards of the house until they had been there a sufficient time to enable the committee to judge by their conduct whether they were sufficiently reformed to be restored to society, the number at one time increased to eighty; but it has been found by experience, that half that number is as many as can be supported until the funds are larger than at present.

The men have been employed in splitting fire-wood for sale, working in the garden, and in carpenter's work on the premises; the women in plain and slop-work, washing, knitting, spinning, making household linen, and other works for the immediate use of the house; but as washing appears to be the most profitable, the principal attention is now paid to that, though some are still continued at plain and slop-work.

"The utmost possible attention is paid to the improvement of their morals, and suitable admonition and religious instruction regularly afforded them by a clergyman of the church of England. Lenient, persuasive, and encouraging mea sures are adopted to lead them to a proper course of life, although the strictest conformity to regulations for the maintenance of order is enforced."+

"After they have acquired a due sense of religion, and such habits of industry as may render them useful members of society, reconciliation to their friends or relations (if persons of character) is attempted, and proper situations are sought for them; a certain portion of their earnings and clothing is allowed them if discharged with credit, and further rewards are bestowed on those who are found afterwards to persevere in good conduct.

"By these means, whilst they contribute by their labours during their stay, to defray the expense of the establishment, they are weaned from vicious pursuits, and enabled, after their discharge, to gain a support by occupations advantageous to themselves and to the community."||

The whole conduct of the institution is under the direction of a committee, which meet every Wednesday at the Refuge, at twelve o'clock precisely, when the cases of applicants are considered, and the most proper admitted, if there be a vacancy. Eight visitors are also appointed, whose peculiar * Short Account of the Refuge for the Destitute, p. 3. + Ibid. p. 3. Ibid. p. 4. § Ibid. p. 4.

Ibid. p. 5.

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