-The Stranger's Friend Society has, I believe, no limit; it extends throughout the whole of the metropolis.

How is it managed?-By a general committee and subcommittees, who meet weekly in their different districts.

You have stated, that the best effects have resulted from the efforts of the Spitalfields Benevolent Society; what is the general condition of the poor in Spitalfields at present? -They are still in a most destitute condition.

Can you form any idea of the number of persons out of employment at this time?-I should think at least 5,000 weavers, besides the numerous dependents on their looms; as dyers, warpers, windsters, &c. Persons out of employ, of other trades, are numerous, but it is much more difficult to ascertain how many.

What should you conceive to be the whole number of labouring poor in that district?-I have heard the whole population exceeds 100,000, I mean the population of the district usually called Spitalfields, which comprehends the parish of Christ Church Spitalfields, St. Matthew Bethnalgreen, Mile-End New Town, and part of Shoreditch.

In your estimate do you include women and children ?—

Yes.

Under the present distress in Spitalfields, there has been no disturbance?-Not the least tendency or movement towards it.

Have you heard that Spitalfields was formerly much disturbed in times of general distress?—I have understood that in some former times of distress there, it was not without considerable difficulty they were kept quiet; indeed, from the immense assemblage of poor in that quarter, so little intermixed as they are by persons of the superior classes of society, this would in all probability be the case at the present moment, did not the causes which have been mentioned hap pily correct and counteract such a tendency.

Have you reason to believe, from the increased benevolence of the respectable part of society towards the poor in Spitalfields, and the increased means of instruction afforded to the children of the poor, such disturbances have been prevented?-There can be no doubt that these causes have silently but powerfully operated to prevent them,

Do you think there are fewer poor in consequence of the establishments for education?-The state of trade in that district at the present time necessarily reduces great numbers to extreme poverty, whatever their characters may be.

Otherwise the means of instruction would better their condition?-Unquestionably...

You consider that their actual condition is bettered by the education they receive?-Certainly.

That they are more industrious and frugal in consequence? -Certainly.

Are the 5,000 weavers whom you state to be wholly out of employ in Spitalfields relieved by the parish ?—The parish of Christ Church relieves all proper applicants; we have not found that so generally to be the case in some of the other parishes. When the poor apply for relief, they too often insist upon their coming into the workhouse, to which the decent part of them feel a very material and just repugnance, and they consequently struggle on without relief. It must however be admitted, that the parishes are overburthened with applicants.

Do you conceive there has been an increase since the year 1811-There has been a considerable return from the army and navy lately, but not in such numbers as to make a striking difference. As I have so strongly insisted upon the importance of the due observance of the Sabbath, as tending to improve the moral and temporal condition of the poor, I would beg to observe, in order to obviate an objection which may be made, that it is imagined by some persons, that the poor, being confined to labour during the week, absolutely require such recreation in the air as is compatible with the strict duties of the Sabbath, by walking in the country, and such like, on the Sundays. The time, however, which ought to be spent in attendance upon divine worship, is not devoted by the idle and profligate, as some may suppose, to an innocent walk out into the suburbs of the town, but more frequently in lounging in their filth, and drinking either at home or in the public-houses; this we know, from repeated and frequent visits, is the real state of the case, with regard to a large proportion of the poor that neglect the Sabbath. If they do leave town, it is generally to join some disorderly assemblage called together about dogs or birds, a fight or a race these things, as may be supposed, often end in quarrelling and drunkenness; and instead of being refreshed and rested by the proper use of the merciful institution of the Sabbath, their health and comfort suffer; they rise on the Monday morning languid in their bodies, and, if not too insensible, with remorse in their minds; they are often unable, and always indisposed for labour after a Sunday so spent; and this I apprehend to be the reason why, among persons of this description, Monday is also a day of idleness and dissipation. We find among those poor people who are in the regular habit of frequenting public worship, and properly observing the Sabbath day, they do not, as the others do,

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make Monday a day of idleness, and a lost day to their families.

These observations you mean to apply to the lower classes of the poor in Spitalfields?—I do.

Do you imagine that Sunday schools are inconsistent with such recreation as it is necessary for the poor to have on the Sunday? By no means.

Do you think that recreation for the poor, by taking a walk on the Sunday after attendance on divine worship, is a good practice, or not?-I certainly think that poor persons may take such walks to recreate themselves, very innocently, provided they do not interfere with the proper duties of the day; but I hesitate to say that it is a good practice, because I know very few who do take them innocently, who are not led into temptation by such means, and into bad company; they too often call at public-houses, and end the day in a way which they probably did not design when they began it.

Do you think it practicable in the vicinity of Spitalfields for poor people to take walks on the Sunday without being exposed to the danger of being led into scenes of dissipation? -I think it impracticable.

Have you not found that the condition of the orderly and well-regulated poor is much improved, by the rest and refreshment of the Sabbath, and the walks that they take to and from places of worship?-Undoubtedly it is the case.

Are not their health and spirits much recruited by the rest and comfort of the Sabbath?-They are; when properly used, the Sabbath is a day both of bodily and mental rest; it is an occasion for calling off their attention from the trials and perplexities of this life to the hopes and prospects of a

better.

Mr. FREDERICK AUGUSTUS EARLE, again called in, and

Examined.

You are clerk to Mr. Parton, the vestry-clerk of St. Giles's Bloomsbury?-I am.

is.

Is there a new school building there at this time?-There

When was it begun?-In the month of March; the old premises were pulling down at that time.

for

What is the nature of that school?-It is by the will of Mr. Shelton, in 1672. He left certain houses in Parker'slane to trustees, who out of the rents were to lay out, buying on Michaelmas-day twenty gowns for twenty poor men and women of St. Giles's, 157., that was estimated at,

and ten gowns for St. Martin's, 77. 10s., and five for Covent Garden, 37. 158.; then to provide a schoolmaster to teach fifty children of the poorest sort, thirty-five of St. Giles, ten of St. Martin, and five of Covent Garden, and to pay the said master 201. a year; they were likewise to provide the master with a gown once a year, which was estimated at 17.; to provide a coat yearly for each of the scholars, 157.; to lay in two chaldrons of coals annually (that sum is not estimated); to pay the devisor's heir-at-law 10l.; and to apply the surplus in placing out some of the boys apprentices, which amounted to 721. 5s. The premises at that time appear to have been let partly in tenements to poor people, at rents amounting to between 50%, and 60l. a year, and were afterwards let on building leases at 257. 10s. per annum. school was conducted till the year 1763, when, it being greatly indebted to the parish, and the income reduced to 257. 10s., it was discontinued; the rents from that time have been laid out in the funds, to accumulate under the direction of the vestry, and the account has been annually audited. The old premises are now let from Lady-day last at 487. a year, and the consols now standing in the trustees' names, with the accumulation, amount to 7,2127. 8s. 9d. It is considered, when this school is built, it will be able to be con ducted agreeably to the testator's intentions.

The

What will be the expense of the erection of the schoolhouse? The expense of the new erection will be 8147.

How many children will it accommodate ?-Fifty.

How many rooms will there be?-I think only one large school-room, and a room for the master, which is to be his residence.

Is that building on leasehold or freehold ground?—On leasehold.

.

For what term?-Sixty-one years.

At what rent?-A rent of 401.; but the school-room is upon the first floor, and the lower part is merely a gateway, in which there is to be a large yard, in which it is in contemplation to have a stone-yard for the parish; one is now rented at 30%. a-year, so that there will be a ground-rent only of 10l. a-year.

Who are the trustees?—It is in the vestry; the trustees named under the will, were the minister and churchwardens, but the vestry have the management of this.

Of whom do the vestry consist ?-They consist of seventyeight gentlemen, with the churchwardens.

Who are the leading men among them, who take a part in the management of this business?-There are a great many of them; the Lord Chancellor is on the vestry, but he never attends; Mr. Becket of Gower-street attends, Mr.

Richard Parkes of Broad-street, Mr. Charles Stable of Highstreet, Mr. Peter Ludgate of Holborn, Mr. John Waddell of High-street, and others.

Who is the builder of the new school?-Bedall and Hanse of Holborn; it is under the direction of Mr. Edward Morley of Thornhaugh-street, who is the surveyor.

Are either Mr. Morley, or Bedall and Hanse, members of the vestry?—No, quite unconnected with the vestry.

The building is done by contract?-It is, and the lowest price taken.

Do you conceive that you are limited in the number of boys you should receive into that school?-It is considered so; and it is a question whether the funds would provide for more, in the way that it is the testator's intention they should be provided for.

How are the expenses of this new building to be discharged?-From the funded property. It was thought that when the original lease of the old school-house was out, it would be about the proper time to re-commence the school.

Mr. EDMUND LUDLOW, called in, and Examined:

HAVE you made a survey of the parish of Saint Saviour Southwark? I have made a survey of part of it lately, with a view to the building of another school for such children as may want instruction.

What is the result of your observation upon that survey? -The district that I surveyed with Mr. Fell, is about a quarter of the parish; there were upwards of 400 children in that part of it, without the means of instruction.

Was there any disposition in the parents to give them instruction? They seemed all very desirous of doing it, but. they were too poor to afford it.

How many do you estimate in the whole parish, to be without the means of instruction?-I have not seen the return yet.

Is it the poorer part of the parish which you visited?— It is. There are several schools in the parish, established schools.

Are there any foundations?-There is a grammar school founded by Queen Elizabeth.

Is that by charter ?-Yes.

How is it endowed?-By houses; I believe it is under five

trustees.

How are the trustees chosen?-They are nominated by the survivors, and chosen by twelve inhabitants, who meet and generally choose the person that the four surviving trus

tees name.