I wish I could say that it had been altogether suppressed. The parties are referred to their visitors. If they deserve relief, they have it from the visitor; if not (and in almost every case it is the worthless poor who beg in this manner), a shilling at one house, and sixpence at another, and half-pence at the rest, are no longer levied to be spent in drink, or to be their encouragement again next summer not to lay by for the winter.

And to shew that while we have thus diminished to a great extent the evil of indiscriminate charity, we have, at the same time, "opened a way through which individual benevolence may reach cases of real distress," it will only be necessary to observe, that after the establish ment of the Society, no cases of sickness attended with want or of real distress could exist without being soon known to the visitor, and therefore within the means of relief; and that charitable contributions, to the amount of seventy pounds the first year, and eighty the second (a great part of which would in other years have been spent upon the idle and vicious poor at the door), have been appropriated by our means to genuine cases of sickness and distress.

With regard to our second object, viz., "to induce the poor to lay by in the summer against the winter." In the first year, the deposits amounted to 1167. Is. 6d. In the first year, that is, we induced the poor to save 1167. out of their summer earnings for their wants in the winter. In the second year, the deposits amounted to 1807. 11s. In the second year, that is, we induced the poor to save 1801. out of their summer earnings against their wants in the winter; or, more than half as much again as in the first year; and this, let it be remembered, though the amount allowed to be deposited was half that of the first year.

In the first year the number of Depositors was
In the second year

Old Depositors

Consisting of {New Depositors.....

112

179

77

102

Out of the 112 depositors of the first year, and the 102 new depositors of the second year, very nearly half were of the class of poor who usually come upon the parish for relief-out of work during the winter, and when in work, receiving fifteen shillings a-week for wages, or under; of the rest, the great majority were not in the receipt of more than eighteen shillings a week when in work, and out of work often during the winter.

In the first year the number of separate deposits was
In the second year.........................................

122.

210

Of these, the larger part were for coals; the number of coal-depositors being, within a little, double the second year what they were the first.

It will be observed that 35 of our first year's depositors did not continue the second year. Out of these, 13 had left the place, 3 were not allowed to deposit, 3 not being allowed for coals declined for money, 7 said they could not afford it, 9 could not tell why they did I notice the reasons why these 35 did not continue to deposit

not.

the second year, because, as it is our object to encourage the habit of laying by in the poor,-to them an inclination to do so, it is well that your readers should know why we did not succeed in this respect with these 35. I should add, that out of the 19 last mentioned, 8 live directly within the operation of a Coal Society, whose practice it is to give a bushel of coals for sixpence during the winter, to any who apply for it. And as their temptation to the poor not to lay by in the summer is threepence a bushel greater than our's "to lay by," it has very probably not been without its effect upon more of our first depositors than the eight alluded to. What, however, the general feeling among our poor is of the benefit of depositing, is sufficiently shewn by the fact that we had 102 new depositors the second year; nearly as many again as we had the first.

I had intended to have noticed some of the difficulties we have met with in the working of the plan, in order to put your readers into full possession of what may fairly be expected from it; but I am afraid I have already trespassed too much upon your room. I shall, therefore, content myself with saying, generally, that it is only after a certain point in our progress that our usefulness is affected by any of the obstacles to which we are subject. And the worst therefore that can be said against us is no more than this, that we do not as much good as we might under more favourable circumstances. But these observations apply exclusively to our first object. With regard to the deposit part of our operations, I see as little hindrance to its useful working as can be well conceived. The only difficulty here is, to know where to draw the line between those who may deposit and those who may not. For to admit as depositors persons who have sufficient means to procure the necessaries of life without assistance, is to teach those who are well able to depend upon their own earnings for subsistence, not to do so, and therefore to act in direct opposition to our main object, which is "to teach all the possibility of depending upon their own earnings, and the comfort of it;" it is, in short, to draw an independent class of poor down to the dependent. The rule upon which the Society at present acts on this point is stated in [1], but the limit there assigned is generally considered not to be narrow enough, and in all probability will shortly be farther reduced. But it is only necessary to exercise a little caution in this particular to ensure the success of this part of our operations. The poor are too well aware of the great benefits they derive from depositing, not to be always ready to do so upon almost any terms that may be proposed to them. "I did not like it at first, but how glad I am now that I put by." "It comes like a gift to us." "It is like coming out of the fire to us." Such expressions as these are very common with them when spoken to on the subject of depositing. And your readers have only to imagine A, who has not deposited, seeing a sack of coals shot into B's (his next door neighbour), who has it every fortnight during the winter without anything then to pay for it, to understand how easily the inclination to deposit may be created in the poor, and continued

in them.

One word I must be allowed to add before I close. Is there not a

principle called up in the breast of the poor man by the habit of depositing, that, under judicious encouragement, might do much to deminish the evil effects of the Poor Laws? What is there in the nature of things, apart from legal enactments, to prevent parochial relief being so administered as to encourage depositing?

Upper Clapton, Nov. 7th.

I am, Sir,
Your's faithfully,

CHARLES J. HEATHCOTE. ↑

P.S. I have omitted to state, that the result of the alteration (M) adopted the second year, in the payment of the money-deposit, was, that out of 951. laid by with us for the money-deposit, 537. is to be drawn out weekly, 5s. at a time. Out of 74 money-depositors, 35 take it out weekly.

TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.

To the Editor of the British Magazine.

MR. EDITOR,-I think you have occasionally shewn an interest in the success of Temperance Societies. It does indeed appear absolutely necessary that some decisive measure should be adopted, for the pur pose of abating, if possible, the tremendous evils which intemperance is spreading through the land. Ever since the passing of those two Acts of Parliament, for licensing the sale of beer and ardent spirits, (two of the greatest blots upon our statute book,) the vice of drunkenness, and with that all other vices, have increased even beyond our gloomy apprehensions. The societies above-mentioned present the only remedy hitherto devised: they have been completely successful, as far as they have been properly supported, and would, if taken up as they deserve to be, do all that could be expected or desired. I send you an extract from the BOLTON REPORT of this year, in order that, if you deem it likely to serve the cause, it may obtain circulation through your widely-spread pages.

Your's sincerely,

J. S.

"The very decided and rapid advancement of the cause, in this town and neighbourhood, may be greatly attributed to the zeal with which it has been taken up by the working classes; nor must we omit to mention a considerable number of Sunday scholars and teachers; who have been most creditably active in publishing the good tidings of this society, and have become, in the hands of Providence, very effectual instruments in promoting its success.

"But it may here probably be asked, by some who have not yet joined us, What good has your society done? How many drunkards has it reclaimed? We answer: 1.-That the good is not to be measured, merely by the reclaiming of notorious drunkards: every body knows, that, of all evil habits, drunkenness is the most difficult to be conquered and cured; and the task is commonly given up as helpless; we have, however, been honoured with a few trophies of this kind: a few confirmed drunkards have been converted from the error of their way.' 2.-But the success of this society, in the work of reform, has been far more extensive. Many persons, who did not deserve the title of confirmed drunkards,' but yet lived in

the frequent habit of excess, have been effectually awakened from their evil and miserable practices, and have become decidedly temperate men. The happiest consequences have thus resulted both to themselves and their families: instead of want and nakedness, and dirt and disorder, which once filled their dwellings with wretchedness, they are now enjoying, with much thankfulness, plenty, and comfort, and peace. And what is still more valuable, several instances have occurred, of persons so reclaimed being brought to a vital sense of religion, to a due observance of the Sabbath, and the worship of their God. 3. A considerable impression has been made, through the medium of this society, upon the minds and habits of many who are not yet united with it. By the circulation of our tracts, and the conversations which have been excited, the evils of intemperance have been more strongly felt and acknowledged, and drinking has diminished by private consent. 4.-The principal good, however, which this society has done, relates to the temperate; and such, it should be thoroughly understood, is our main object. Hundreds of persons are now emboldened and strengthened to persevere in their resolution to lead a sober life, who might otherwise, like their thoughtless neighbours, have been unguardedly led astray. As the drunkards die off, their ranks are continually recruited from the temperate; one temperate person after another is gradually corrupted; not being sufficiently aware of the wily and insensible manner in which drunkenness fatally creeps on, nor acquainted with half the ravages which it makes upon the peace and happiness of the community, they are the more easily prevailed upon. But by reading our tracts, and attending our weekly meetings, they have become well informed on this matter: they are more alive to the horrors of this pernicious and pestilential vice; they see the danger of this besetting sin; how slowly and unsuspectedly it steals upon a man, like a thief in the night, to rob and to destroy. Thus they have signed the pledge; and their resolution is fixed far more deeply than it probably ever would have been, if they had been left to themselves and to ordinary circumstances. 5.-It should also be distinctly noticed, that a great number of young people (above the age of fourteen years) have been sincerely interested in this cause; they see the snares which are laid for their feet, and the miseries brought on by habits of intoxication; they have taken their stand on the side of religion, and wisdom, and virtue; and not only so; many of them have induced their families and friends to join it, and thus have proved instruments of blessing to numbers older than themselves. 6.-The very circumstance of several hundred persons assembling together weekly, for a moral purpose to hear instruction upon the excellency of any virtue, and the abominations of any vice-is of itself a practice of no small advantage; a spirit of brotherly kindness and good will is thereby produced and cherished; the multitudes attending are out of the way of evil, and in the way of good, and many a word in season' may be dropt, which shall find an entrance, by the divine blessing, into a careless unawakened heart, and rendered the means of saving a soul alive.'

"For it is an undeniable fact, that Temperance Societies have been signally blessed as harbingers of religion, wherever they have been effectually established; in America particularly, where they had their origin, and where the system has been most extensively and fully tried, religion has followed in their train. Numerous individuals, nay almost whole towns and districts, sunk in profligacy and sin, have been roused, and enlightened and converted; deserted churches are filled again; and the gospel is taking deeper root in the land. The same good fruit has been borne in our own country, and our own town also, in proportion to the time. For though Temperance Societies do not rest exclusively on religious ground, yet is it their acknowledged purpose to subserve the interests of religion: this principle is expressly recognised in our own pledge; and on this account we appeal, strongly and urgently, to every Christian minister and every Christian individual. It is universally agreed,

that drunkenness presents the greatest of all hindrances, the most formidable of all barriers, to the reception of spiritual instruction, and the inlet of religious knowledge; the removal therefore of this hindrance and this barrier is a work not to be despised. The guarding and forefending of our uninfected neighbours, and especially our rising generation, from this moral plague, is a decided service rendered to the gospel; it is at least preparing the way of the Lord, and making straight in the desert a high-way for our God.""

VISITING SOCIETIES.

To the Editor of the British Magazine.

SIR, Observing in your Journal of this month that a Visiting Society is about to be established at Oxford, I feel most anxious, through the same medium, to offer a few hints to those interested in the formation of it. Under judicious direction it will prove a blessing to the poor, but if entered upon without due consideration as to the possible effects, will be only productive of disappointment to the benevolent supporters of it, and very partial benefit to the objects of their kind intentions. I am a member of two district Societies, and my experience as visitor has led to this conclusion, that the systematic extension of relief has in the aggregate a decided tendency to injure the morals of the poor, in as much as it encourages idleness and profligacy. Unlooked for assistance is seldom otherwise than beneficial, but the certainty of relief which alleged poverty and distress, however produced, meets with, has nearly destroyed every feeling of the poor to support their families by labour. I have seen the greatest apparent misery decline proffered employment, from the knowledge that the hand of charity would be widely extended on relating a tale of woe.

Far be it from me to close the heart which is alive to the sufferings of real distress-there are cases, where but for the aid of charitable institutions deserving persons must perish. I would urge the most liberal subscriptions, but at the same time, it is of the utmost consequence that the money benevolently given should be judiciously applied.

I venture to suggest that two-thirds at least of any fund be expended in finding employment; needle-work should be supplied to the females, and on condition only of their earning a certain sum per week, and a small portion of that as savings deducted, should entitle them to the loan of linen during the period of their lying-in; peculiar cases of inability to fulfil the general regulation might form an exemption. A certain weekly allowance of money during that period is injudicious; it is then claimed as a right; but articles of food could be given at the discretion of the lady visiter.

Subscribers might have the privilege of sending linen to the Committee to be made by the women whose names were on the books of the Society, according to the following scale:

The subscriber of H. 1s. to be entitled to the amount of 15s. in needle work, and the privilege of recommending one sempstress. Those at 10s. to 7s. 6d., but no recommendation. At 5s. to 2s.