UC-NRLF $B 755 206 •m.lHBh :ii!!illH ifflKliilil THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESENTED BY PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2008 with funding from IVIicrosaft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/answerstoinquiriOObunnrich ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES RESPECTING FROME SELWOOD, TRANSMITTED BY THE EDITORS OP THE IMPERIAL CYCLOPEDIA, fit Eontron, AND OF THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER, FROME : PRINTED BY W. P. PENNY. 1851. FROME SELWOOD So called from the small river Frome, adjoining to which it is placed, and the extensive Selwood Forest, which hereto- fore almost surrounded the Town, and of which large portions still remain. The river and the forest existed before the town. Rivers, though apparently always flowing away, are more durable monu- ments of antiquity than the Pyramids of Egypt. In the year 1850, J. Thome, Esq., of No. 90, Fleet street, London, was en- gaged in collecting materials for the pub- lication of the Imperial Cyclopedia, and in the course of his researches, having heard of an unknown land called Frome, in Somersetshire, he wrote to an intelli- n?fli n«?.if *y gent schoolmaster who resided at Beck- ington, within three miles of Frome, to request him to make diligent researches, and communicate the result, to be in- serted in the intended publication. The Schoolmaster seldom travelled so far as Frome, but having heard that I was born in Frome, and had resided there more than three fourths of a century, thought, however ignorant I might be on all other subjects, I must, from my long residence, know something of the affairs of Frome, and forwarded the inquiries to me. I was much engaged with other concerns, and gave no attention for some months to this application. When I was released from interesting employment, I replied to these inquiries. About the same time Messrs. Blackie & Co., of Villafield, Glasgow, being engaged in preparing materials for the publication of the Imperial Gazet- teer, applied to our good friend the Rev. Charles Phillott, the Vicar of Frome, for information respecting this unknown country. He, having resided chiefly at Dawlish in Devonshire, from the same motives forwarded the inquiries respecting this terra incognita to me. I now publish the particulars of both their questions, and as there was a great similarity in the objects of their inquiries, I transmitted answers to each. These Imperial publications in quarto, are compiled with great care, and contain valuable information. I directed copies of the whole to be forwarded to me, but as they are of considerable length, and cost half a crown for each number, it is probable that not more than eleven thou- sand of our twelve thousand inhabitants will purchase them, and perhaps such of the remaining one thousand as have any curiosity to know what will be said of them, now we are to be dragged forth from our former state of obscurity, may be satisfied with reading my humble per- a2 formance, which is not very expensive. It is true that I have not yet gained as much money as the late Sir Walter Scott, who devoted his fine genius to the pur- pose of raising wealth and a title for his family, and his writings are said to have realized half a million ; but there is an old book which says ** Riches make to themselves wings and fly away." If re- port speaks truth, the money, the title, and all his family have disappeared. In 1834 I received the letter copied below from Captain Chapman, one of the Assistant Commissioners for inquiry into the state of the poor. Dear Sir, I avail myself with many thanks of your kmd offer of assistance, and shall feel much indebted to you to ascertain some of the following points. 1 am instructed, in addition to those subjects which form, strictly speaking, part of the poor laws, to make minute inquiries into emigration, and the allotment of lands. Any assistance you can give me in these investigations will not only be of great service to the inquiry, but confer an obligation upon Dear Sir, Yours very truly, J. J. CHAPMAN. Thomas Bunn, Frome. I afterwards printed " A Letter, rela- ** tive to the affairs of the poor of the ** parish of Frome Selvrood, in Somer- " setshire ; written for the information " of His Majesty's Commissioners, with ** Notes and Observations on the Extinc- ** tion of Pauperism in Great Britain, " and an Appendix, containing the opin- ** ions of various distinguished persons ** respecting the poor," but I am not aware that as many as six inhabitants of Frome read it. Her Majesty was pleased to issue a Commission for inquiry into the Health of Cities and large Towns. Sir Henry a3 6 de la Beche, one of the Commissioners, about the year 1843, resided at Frome some months, and devoted his attention to the state of Bristol, Bath, Frome, and other places. He gave me no less than sixty-two questions to which answers were required relative to Frome. I returned to him the questions with answers to all the inquiries, and the whole would have been long since printed had I not been interrupted by illness which lasted about three years. Copies of the inquiries lately trans- mitted to me by the Editors of the Im- perial Cyclopedia, and of the Imperial Gazetteer, are inserted with the answers in the following pages. INaXJIRIES. IMPERIAL ENCYCLOPEDIA, 1. General Public Improvements: — Light- ing, Watching, Sewerage, Police, Baths and Washhouses ? 2. British and National Schools ? Public Schools : — New established or old extended ? 3. Hospitals, Dispensaries, etc ? 4. Savings' Bank ? 5. Literary and Scientific Institutions ? 6. Manufactories, of a novel description } Any particular Manufacture or Occupation ? 7. Churches, new, and other Places of Worship ? Date or style of Parish Church ? Number and kind of Dissenters^ Places of Worship 1 8. Edifices connected with Public Traffic, Railway Stations, Docks ? 9. Parks, Public Gardens ? 8 10. Any remarkable Old Buildings in the town or its vicinity ? 11. Government of the Town? 12. Market day ? IMPERIAL GAZETTEER. List of Queries regarding Frome ; full and particular answers to which are re- spectfully requested. 1. What is the position of the town ? on a plain or acclivity, &c. ? 2. How many principal streets ? Are they straight and well ke|)t, or otherwise ? 3. Are the houses well built, and of what materials, stone or brick, &c. ? 4. Is the town well supplied with water ? Is it lighted with gas ? Is it improving or in- creasing, and to what extent ? 5. How many churches and chapels, and to what religious denominations do they be- long ? Any of them particularly handsome ? 6. What are the other principal public buildings, and what their style of architecture ? 7. Any objects of particular interest, or curiosity, in the town ? 8. How many schools ? Name most im- portant. 9. What are the Benevolent, Literary, and Scientific Institutions ? 10. What are the principal manufactures, and what the extent to which they are carried on ? Full and accurate information on this subject is particularly desirable. 11. Has the town any trade, and of what description is it ? 12. How are the people chiefly employed, and what is their social condition ? 13. Any public walks, gardens or cemete- ries, in the vicinity ? 14. Any eminent individuals natives of the place ? D. W. G. BLACKIE, Villafield, Glasgow. 10 ANSWERS. No. 1. Frome, Somersetshire. General Public Improvements , Lighting, Watching, SeweragCy Police, Baths and Washhouses. This town was one of the worst, if not the very worst in the county of Somerset. The thoroughfares mere lanes, so narrow that car- riages could not pass each other without ascend- ing the footways. In 1810, after having con- versed about improvement the previous twenty years, an Act of Parliament was passed for that and other purposes. The streets of Bath were measured, and, omitting those which were built for splendour of an hundred feet wide, Union street was adopted as a model for convenience, 11 the space for the carriage road being twenty six feet, and each footway seven feet, in the whole forty feet. Of this breadth the new roads have been made at Frome. There was necessarily an excavation of the road, sixteen feet in depth. The dunghills and other offen- ces were removed, and on the banks adjoin- ing the new roads, shrubs and flowers were planted. The architecture was improved, par- ticularly the West front and Gateway of the parish Church, designed by Sir Jeffry Wyatt- ville. Rook Lane Meeting House and the National School by Mr. Finden, and the Market House and a handsome room over it. In all improvements for the public good we found able and willing assistance from the Most Ho- nourable the Marquess of Bath, who resided at Longleat, and the Right Honorable the Earl of Cork, who lived at Marston. After a long opposition, the town is now lighted with gas. There is one watchman paid by subscription. The sewerage has been amended. There is no police. Pure water was found in the centre of the town, and reservoirs built to supply the inhabitants at the expense of the Marquess of «t2 Bath, but it was turned into a dirty drain, where it has been wasted more than thirty years. There are no baths nor washhouses. 2. British and National Schools. PUBLIC SCHOOLS. There is a British and National School, where children of both sexes are skilfully instructed with great care. There are about twenty-five Blue-coat School Boys, well instructed by Mr. Hearle, the master, and clothed, and about twenty girls, well taught at the Asylum by Miss Beddoes, the matron, and provided with food, lodging, and clothing. Both the master and matron are highly qualified for their respective situations, and Id approved by the Trustees. The boys are many of them apprenticed, and the girls placed in respectable service, and allowed five guineas each, if she produce a good character from her mistress. There are charities for old men and girls, and old women and boys, amounting to one thousand three hundred pounds yearly. These are Church Establish- ments and are applied by the Trustees, chiefly under the guidance of the clergy, in the most beneficial manner for the recipients. The great care and attention bestowed by the Trus- tees in the selection of proper persons, old and young from the candidates, and in the general regulation of the charities, cannot be exceeded. The estates and the money in the funds are free from debt. There are four schools attach- ed to the four churches, and as many to four dissenting meeting houses. At Whitsuntide about a thousand Church scholars, and a thousand Dissenting scholars, are collected by the different societies. There are respectable private schools for the instruc- tion of pupils of each sex, under the guidance of competent masters and mistresses. u 7. Hospitals, Dispensaries, There are no Hospitals nor Dispensaries, but the parish and some individuals subscribe to the hospitals at Bath, which are various and admirably conducted. 4, The Saving Bank. At the first institution of the Saving Bank, the Most Honourable the Marquess of Bath pre- sided as chairman. The Right Honourable Ed- mund Earl jof Cork is President, His Grace Edward Adolphus Duke of Somerset is Vice President. The balances in favour of Deposit- ors are £ 33975 18s. 3d. The surplus in hand for building a bank, when a suitable site can be obtained, amounts to £ 1480. This bank is prosperous, and there are no debts. 6. Literary and Scientific Institution. After debating the question thirty years, a Literary and Scientific Association was esta- blished in 1844. It immediately became the most popular society in the town. The rules were drawn up at the Vicarage, then occupied 15 by the Rev. W. S. O. Du Sautoy, with the friendly aid of persons of all persuasions. Lectures were given every week during the sessions in the winter season, chiefly by able and well educated subscribers, with, oc- casionally a paid lecturer for variety. There has been always a numerous and attentive audience. We had no books, no museum ; but presents poured into our apartments. Abun- dance of books, birds, and curious fossils sci- entifically arranged, more than our house can conveniently contain, chiefly from the munifi- cence of our President, the Rev. John S. H. Horner. Some of our members who have wandered to Lesser Asia, and to New Zealand, retaining their attachment to the Town, and to this Institution, have sent us interesting com- munications. Harmony has prevailed among us. Our lectures have now been continued weekly in winter for a series of years. Our funds are in good order. We have no debts. 6. Manufactories of a novel description. Any particular Manufactory or oc cupation. The clothing trade was the antient staple man- Id ufacture of Frome. The cloth was made by hand. When Machinery was introduced about fifty clothiers failed. The Messrs. Sheppard, who possess capital, mills, and machinery, con- tinued to carry on the trade with great success, and are still prosperous merchants and manu- facturers. The Messrs. Mead have built hand- some workshops and conducted a successful trade in Hats and Furs. They have connexions in America and obtain furs from thence. Mr. Thompson has extensive buildings, several hundred work people, chiefly young women, and conducts an extensive silk trade with skill, success, and liberality. Great order and good regulations are established in his manufactory. Kerseymere of the most delicate fabric, is manufactured by Mr. Houston. He is now making some for the Harem of the Grand Sul- tan at Constantinople. The superior cloth made by Messrs. Sheppard, 1 was told by one of the firm was worn by Alexander Emperor of Russia. Messrs. Sinkins and Wood conduct a successful trade in cloth for liveries and for lining of carriages. There are handsome shops, chiefly in Bath Street which was lately built. :»7 A few years since there was only one Book- seller's Shop, the chief stock of which consisted of a circulating library of dirty novels. All the branches of a bookseller's trade including bind- ing and printing are now conducted by Messrs. Penny, and Mr. Langford, and Mr. Allen, with skill and success. Churches, new, and other Places of Worship ? Date or Style of Parish Church ? Number and kind of Dis- senters' Places of Worship ? There are four churches in the parish of Frome, three in the town, and one in the country near Longleat. I have never been able to learn the date of the parish Church. It was built several centuries ago. It is a handsome Gothic struc- ture, about one hundred and fifty feet long, and with a square tower and a steeple, which to- gether, are about one hundred and fifty feet high. Forty years ago, with the aid of the 1^8 Marquess of Bath, the grandfather of the pre- sent Marquess, who was the patron, and who presided, like our good genius, in all our im- provements, the old West front, which was very mean, was cased over with stone, at a small expense, but in good taste, with an ele- gant ornamented elevation. The Marquess had previously shewn his judgment by selecting Mr. Wyatt, the best ar- chitect at that time in the kingdom, to restore and improve Longleat House. This gentleman afterwards became known, all over England as Sir Jeffiy Wyattville, the architect employed for the restoration and improvement of Windsor Castle. We availed ourselves of the oppor- tunity. The ruinous hovels which stood before the West front were removed, a spacious area opened, and a handsome gateway erected. Since that time, by the aid of the Rev. W. S. O. DuSautoy, who has left many traces of his be- neficial influence during his residence as Curate in Frome, the East end of the parish Church has been improved, and five splendid painted windows added. It would give me pleasure to commend all 1 write of; but how can I com- 19 mend the two new Churches. They are ex- amples of avoidance, not for imitation. The site of Christ Church is good. The Architect, as far as I have heard, was celebrated for no- thing but having made some improvements in Shepton Mallett gaol. After thirty years aver- sion an amendment of the architecture has com- menced. The site of Trinity Church might have been magnificent; but the Architect is said to have made his drawing at Bath for this considerable public building, without having seen the site. A view, finer than Claude Loraine could paint, is excluded from the sight of the congregation, and from the parsonage house. During what are called the barbarous ages, churches were built which will adorn the country as long as they exist. Some of the modern architects cannot even copy them. There was a great deficiency of places of burial in this populous town. During the past year, whether incited by Her Excellent Majesty^s speech, or by their own reflections, one Ceme- tery has been added to Trinity Church, and con- secrated, another has been procured by the Dissenters, and inclosed, and the lifehold in- 20 terest has been offered gratis, for a Cemetery for the parish Church. Unfortunately intra- mural burials are still permitted. The clergy are all well educated gentlemen, and examples in the sacred profession of Which they have made choice. There are five principal dissenting Meeting Houses, besides some smaller ones. There is a plentiful choice of religions ; two Baptist chapels, two occupied by Independents, two by Methodists, one by the respectable Society of Friends, and lately I have heard of Roman Catholics. There is no restriction, except, to some form of Christian belief. The handsomest chapel stands in Bath street. This the Trustees of the roads have liberally assisted by contri- buting to an ornamented gateway, and a spa- cious approach. Another very neat chapel has been lately rebuilt. A school-room of an im- proved style has been built in Badcox ; but the street is too narrow. In several instances the dissenting chapels are built in the most obscure and the worst situations, as if we still lived in the time of religious persecution, though Her Most Excellent Majesty gives unlimited free- 21 dom of opinion to all her subjects. The dis- senting ministers possess high character, and great ability. 8. Edifices connected with Public Traf- Jicy Railway Stations^ Docks, etc. There are two spacious hotels for travellers, the George and the Crown. A railway station has lately been built, which gives all the great ad- vantages attendant on that wonderful improve- ment. 9. Parks, Public Gardens ? There is little to be said on this subject. There is a site in the centre of the town, which may be applicable for such purposes, not very large. It is of about the size of Lincoln^s Inn Fields, and might be surrounded with public buildings. One thousand four hundred and eighty pounds have been raised for a building which only waits for a site. The inhabitants still incline 22 from habit, to build in narrow lanes, and places too much crowded with houses. A plan for the improvement of the only public walk was carefully prepared, but was not adopted. J 9. Any remarkable Old Buildings in the Town, or its vicinity ? There are remains of an ancient Monastery, and a Nunnery, but they are gone to decay, -v A house is celebrated as having been the resi- dence of Mrs. Rowe, a religious lady, a writer in verse and prose, when authoresses were more rare than they have been of late years. When the Duke of Monmouth marched an army to Frome, tradition tells us that he occu- pied a house still remaining in Cork street. Some of the old houses are better built than the new ; but deformed by modernizing. The poor people's houses are substantially built. Till lately, almost every person endeavoured to excel his neighbour in ugliness ; but for a few years past, some of the graces of architecture ^^f^^- ^^ /-l.^t^-/-~rj/ -/^Tla^-x^*^^ /y^A-'^f^^^ty^ 'Z<^'/^-C^ > 23 have been introduced. Longleat House, about three miles from Frome, is a splendid and re- markable building, designed in the good taste of former ages. 11. Government of the Town, The peace of the Town is preserved by unpaid and respectable magistrates, assisted by nine- teen parish constables. The County Court is held here. His Honour J. Grace Smith, Esq., is the Judge. A troop of volunteer Yeomanry reside at Frome. I had read of the campaigns of His Grace the Duke of Wellington, and of the na» val victories of Lord Nelson, but when 1 first heard that the campaigns of the North Somer- set Yeomanry Cavalry were to be published, I acknowlege that I was much amused. However, they form a very valuable corps, and have been always ready for service. When Bonaparte came vaunting to Boulogne, and threatened to invade England, the youth of the country rose 24 as one man. Some of the members of the House of Commons were afraid to trust the people with arms ; but George the Third signed the Commissions with his own hand, and or- dered arms to be sent. A distinguished mem- ber of parliament said, " They will be only a depositary for panic :'' but he was unjust; they were brave men, and some of them as good soldiers as any in the line. I remember only one man who did not like the smell of gun- powder, and he was afraid to sit on his own horse, a quiet brute, when pistols were fired. Their military exploits were few and far be- tween ; but they were always ready for efficient service. William Kelson, a genuine sportsman of the old school and a miner, called on the Lieutenant, and said, " We have a breeze among the colliers to-day. They are bolder than your manufacturers, more used to dan- ger. They have built a gallows to hang their masters upon.'^ H. H. Coxe, Esq., afterwards the member for the county, says he will pull it down before he sleeps to-night ; but we have no adequate force. Will your cavalry come ? Yes Sir. Who has the command to-morrow ? 26 The Lieutenant, no superior officer will ht present. Do not give them any notice. Half of them will not come if they think there is danger. This was an unjust suspicion; but the Lieutenant took the advice, and marched the troop to Buckland Down ; about half way. There he produced his cloak bag filled with ball cartridges, but the colliers submitted. The troop attended riots at Bristol and Bath. On one occasion there was an election riot at Frome, attended with such violence that our excellent magistrates. Admiral Edgell and the Rev. G. Rous, were obliged to order the troop to fire on the mob, to prevent such devastation as occurred at Bristol ; but the Rev. G. Rous, with a due regard to his sacred office, ordered them to fire low. This saved the rioters lives, but one or two limbs were^ shot off, and they were quelled. One riot at Frome lasted all night. Colonel Wickham was knocked off his horse, and a few others wounded with stones, who attended with their heads bound up before the magistrates next day. The rioters received some sabre wounds, but they went privately to the Surgeons' to have them dressed. On the c 26 whole there was no man killed, and no build- ing set on fire as in other places, yet there might have been if there had been no cavalry, or the magistrates had been less decisive. It is absurd to compare, as has often been done, a volunteer force with the naval and mi- litary heroes who have made arms their pro- fession. Who have visited Seringapatam in Asia, Cairo in Africa, Washington in America, Paris, Madrid, Lisbon, Rome, Copenhagen in Europe, and traversed every sea, — as conquerors. They are neither so well disciplined, nor so soldier-like in appearance. They have done what they undertook to do. They would have neglected their highest duties if they had de- serted their families, and all their important occupations. In the year 1804, when Bona- parte came to Boulogne and made preparations by land and sea for invading England, at the voice of the sovereign three hundred thousand sw^ords flew from their scabbards to defend the throne, the altar, and the domestic hearths. Some young men were satisfied with endea- vouring to ridicule those who rose to repel the invader, similar language has been repeated 27 lately. The most awkward loon in the whole volunteer force was more to be honoured than they. At an earlier period in the French revolu- tion^ application was made to government to defend Ireland from invasion. The reply was, ^^ There are no sufficient troops at our disposal ! You must defend yourselves.^^ More than half a century ago, I saw the Earl of Charlemont, a distinguished nobleman of high character, march at the head of a numerous and well appointed body of Irish cavalry into Dublin. 12. Market Day. Wednesday is the principal weekly market^ a lesser one is held on Saturday. There is an Agricultural Society, and a more considerable market held monthly. The market places are too small. The cattle are placed on the foot- ways, which no person has any right to do, more space is wanted 5 but no provision is made for it. 20 ' 13. Situation, This town is surrounded on every side by no- blemen's and gentlemen's beautiful seats, parks and pleasure grounds, and by delightful rural scenery. 14. What is the position of the Town, on a plain, or acclivity ? Great part of the town is situate on Catherine hill, which declines to the North, and on the adjoining hills. The river Frome flows through the valley beneath. The source rises in a re- cess crowned with flowers, about nine miles from Frome. Few of the inhabitants of the Town have seen it. Most of them would as soon think of exploring the sources of the Nile. 15. How many principal streets ! Are they straight and well kept, or otherwise ? The principal streets are Bath street, Christ- 29 church street, and Trinity street. Some of the others are crooked, narrow, and inconvenient. They are well kept. 16. Are the houses well huilly and of what material, stone or brick, Sfc. It was one of the worst built towns in England, with the exception of a few houses. It has been for some time improving. The materials are good. Stone, and in the neighbourhood freestone, in unlimited abundance. 17. Is the Town well supplied with water ? Is it increasing ? Providence has supplied clear springs of water in the Town; but many of the inhabitants have not yet discovered their value, nor applied them for the convenience of the people. There is a fine spring flowing through the Churchyard, as I have been informed, among coffins, and ske- do letons. Mr. Brunell remarked that he had heard it was good to have body in wine, but he had never heard it was desirable in water. An ornamental cascade is added in good taste, built by an old man, who made it a condition that he should have no advisers. So much rub- bish is thrown in as the stream passes along, that occasionally the filth is taken out, lest the drains should be stopped. There are some mean looking pumps. There was little differ- ence between the number of inhabitants at the last census ten years ago, and the preceding one. 1 8. Are there records of any eminent in- dividuals connected with Frome ? The noble family of Cork- have resided for many generations at Marston, near Frome. In justice to the memory of the Honourable Robert Boyle, who died in January 1691 — 2, one of the most distinguished, and to the public, I have collected some memorials of his munifi- cence and private character, from the records 31 of one who was well known to him. The Right Rev. Gilbert Burnet, Bishop of Salisbury. " I know,'' says the Bishop, " that I ought to tri- uraph upon the honour which belongs to reli- gion and virtue, and that appeared so eminently in a life which may be considered as a pattern of living. He studied the scriptures in their original languages with so great exactness, he could have quoted all remarkable passages rea- dily in Hebrew, and he read the New Testa- ment diligently in Greek. He never mentioned the name of God without a pause, and a visible stop in his discourse. He was at the charge of a translation of the New Testament into the Malayan language, which he sent to the East Indies. He was at seven hundred pounds charge in the edition of the Irish Bible. He never eat or drank to gratify appetite, but merely to support nature. His knowledge was of so vast an extent, that if it were not for the variety of vouchers in their several sorts, I should be afraid to say all that I know." Mrs. Rowe, who resided at Frome, died about the year 1736. She excelled in music, drawing, and poetry, those fine accomplish- 32 ments which providence has bestowed on a few to sweeten the cares of life. Her letters, moral and entertaining have been admired. Her per- son was pleasing, and her manners attractive. As her writings, and all the pursuits of her life, were directed towards the best objects, she is still held in much esteem. The house in Christchurch street, in which she lived, is re- garded with distinction. Mr. Wickham has an autograph quarto volume of her compositions. Among the remarkable persons at and near Frome, it may be mentioned that Bishop Ken, after his resignation of the Bishopric of Bath and Wells, was patronized by the noble family of Weymouth, died at their splendid residence at Longleat, was buried at Frome, and his tomb near the East end of the parish church was lately enlarged : that John Sheppard, Esq., and James Anthony Wickham, Esq., are the most distinguished authors at Frome. Mr. Sheppard in verse and prose, and both usually making choice of the best of subjects, " Reli- gious Instruction.'* A. Crocker, master of the Blue School at Frome, published in 1814, The Elements of 33 Land. Surveying, which are still valued by per- sons of that profession. Mr. Ryall wished to relinquish the pursuit of trade, for engraving, and, after some re- luctance on the part of his father, was permitted to follow his inclination. If I have been rightly informed he attained great excellence in that art, acquired one thousand pounds in the first year he practiced on his own account, and brought four hundred guineas to his father to repay the expenses of his education, which his father did not accept. Among the persons whose memory was im- printed on my mind in early days was Mr. Thomas Davis, steward of the Marquess of of Bath. He was a man of business, but so expert and ready in the pursuits of his occu- pations as was unequalled. He held the offices of both house steward and land steward of the extensive estates possessed by the Marquess in England and Ireland. I inherited, with other lands, several small leasehold estates granted by the Marquess, and, when I at- tended his office on business, he seemed to know every aci'e better than I did myself. 34 He had so much vivacity, natural talent, and varied information, that I always thought it a privilege to pass half an hour in his society. He visited the painting of the last illness of Lord Chatham in the House of Lords, by Copley, and v^^hen the artist desired him to point out the portraits of those he knew, he distinguished, I think he told me more than thirty, and my memory seldom deceives me, with whom he was personally acquainted. The Lords who associated with the noble family of Bath, had noticed his steward, on account of his fidelity and skill. The circumstance which excited my attention most, was this. The ag- ricultural society was then instituted, and the best informed persons were requested to give a detailed statement of the agricultural condition, and capability of improvement of the different counties. Each describing the county in which the writer resided. It was a call upon the ability of the people of England. I believe many of them made skilful personal surveys, and diligent inquiries, but Mr. Davis^s know- ledge was so complete, as I was informed, that, without leaving home, he wrote the description 35 of the whole county of Wilts in his own office, and his was acknowledged to be one of the best which appeared. The Lord and his Steward were both too good, in their respective capaci- ties, to part while life remained. At the death of his steward, the Marquess appointed his eldest son, who had been regularly trained to the profession of land surveyor, as his father's successor. The steward educated two other sons, one for the church, the other for the law. The attorney resided in Frome, had a portion of his father's ready wit, and equalled him in integrity. His lady is a successor to Mrs. Rowe, a poetess, a friend of every good work, and beyond others skilful and clear in the arith- metical details which arise from the arrange- ment, division, and best application of money subscribed for the wants of the poor. Protestant Sisters of Charity. More than forty years ago, the Ladies of Frome chose to unite in a society for the purposes 36 after mentioned. The first meeting was held in November, 1807. There was a heavy fall of snow. Some of the ladies were delicate in person and health. I remarked, " if they come this morning the society will prosper.^' They came, and un- fading prosperity has attended their society ever since. Their annual subscriptions are up- held and increasing. A new branch has arisen for dressing and distributing meat to the sick poor, which they seldom purchase. The ladies, instead of being waited upon by the lower class, with their own hands distribute the portions to one hundred poor persons weekly in February. One of the ladies who was living at the first meeting in 1807 still survives, and attends with regularity. It has a good effect in causing friendship be- tween the rich and the poor, and may be useful if adopted in other places. The Committee is composed both of those who attend the Church and the Dissenting Chapels. THE FOLLOWING LINES WERE PRINTED SOON AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT. 37 THE PURPOSES OF THE Frome Selwood Charitable Society, Instituted the \^th day of November, 1807. The precepts of religion, which direct perform- ance of all the charitable offices in our power, are so plain, and they are so well seconded by the feelings natural to well-disposed minds, that it requires but a few words to interest the best characters in society, in behalf of an Insti- tution which has such an object in view. The Ladies of Frome, from a wish to be- come more extensively useful, have determined to unite in a society, and on a well-regulated plan, to visit the poor, to become acquainted with their real situations, and to exercise their own personal knowledge and judgment in the relief of the distressed. Persons who are not inclined to take an active part in the society, will have the privilege of promoting its usefulness, by their subscrip- 38 lions; may recommend poor families to the attention of the committee ; and may inspect the annual accounts,, to see that the funds have been faithfully applied. As those of all persuasions can have but one opinion respecting the objects of this so- ciety, it is hoped that there will be subscribers of every denomination. Real distress, without any distinction of party or sect, will be the sole motive attended to in administering relief. THOMAS BUNN. iLVWTL \ lAo\AA.^e> A LETTER RELATIVE TO THE AFFAIRS OF THE POOR OF THE PARISH OF Frome Selwood, in Somersetshire; WRITTEN FOR THE INFORMATION OF HIS MAJESTY'S COMMISSIONERS. WITH NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS ON THE EXTINCTION OF PAUPERISM IN GREAT BRITAIN. PRINTED IN MDCCCXXXIV. SECOND EDITION. FROME : PRINTED BY W. P. PENNY. 1851. A LETTER RBLATIYB TO THE AFFAIRS OF THE PARISH OF FROME SELWOOD, &c. Dear Sir, In reply to your enquiries respecting the effects of emigration, and of home gardens in lessening the expenses of this parish, and improving the character of its inhabitants,* I think the efforts which have been made, are not on a scale suflGi- ciently large to alleviate materially the difficulties incurred by the poor having lost their usual employment. That the subject may be better under- stood, it will be necessary to state some facts, which, though well known here, are not known to persons who reside at a distance. It will be best, first, to shew the alter- * See Note I. a2 ation which has taken place in the affairs of the parish, which will appear clearly from a view of the annexed table of rates for the relief of the poor, commencing in the year 1790, and ending in the year 1850, both inclusive * By this it will be seen that the annual amount in J 791 was £1966. Ss. dd., that in the year 1831 it amounted to £11723, 9^. 4d., and in the year 1850 to £7103. 18^. 5d., and when it is recollected that this increase of more than five times the original amount is payable from rents amounting to about thirty thousand poundsf yearly, which are liable to land tax, lord's rent, highway rates, church rates, tithes, house tax, win- dow tax, and repairs, and from which are to be deducted eight thousand pounds for paupers, voids, and allowances, some idea may be formed of the situation of land- owners and owners of houses. The population of Frome Selwood, by • See Note II. f See Note III. the census, in 1831 was 12,240,* in 1841 11849, in 1851 11916. The extent of the parish is seven thou- sand one hundred and forty-two acres, one rood, and three perches. ^ The number of parishes and tithings in the hundred of Frome in 1831 was six- teen. The population of the whole amount- ed to 19,820; audit should be observed that the inhabitants of the parish of Frome exceed in number by 4660, all the people in the fifteen other parishes and tithings. There are exceptions in all places, but, generally speaking, there has been no want of liberality in the noblemen and gentlemen of the neighbourhood, nor in the inhabitants who possess property in the town. One nobleman of high rank has, through life, promoted with his purse, his land, and his influence, every object which appeared to him to be beneficial to the public, or to respectable individuals, * See Note IV. t See Note V. a and others have willingly followed his ex- ample. There is an almshouse and school for the support of old women and the education and apprenticing of boys ; and an hospital and asylum for the mainten- ance of aged men, and to provide for, educate, and place out poor girls, as ser- vants. These establishments possess landed and funded property amounting to about £ 1300. per anuum. The trustees of these charities after faithfully discharg- ing their trust, through their lives, fre- quently bequeath valuable additions to them at their deaths.* The ladies of the charitable society, which is supported by voluntary contribution, visit the sick and the aged, and relieve them to the amount of about £200. annually.'! The whole of the town is divided into fifty-two districts, aud all the poor families are visited by about seventy persons under the direction of the minister of the parish, chiefly with * See Note VI. f See Note VII. a view to their moral and religious im- provement. About one thousand poor children, including the Sunday scholars, are educated at the national school, in the principles of the church of England ; and at least an equal number by dissenters. Persons who never saw Frome, members of societies for the relief of distressed ma- nufacturers in London, Bristol, and else- where, have sent more than one thousand pounds in a year to employ the labourers of Frome. The poor appeared sensible of the interest taken in their concerns by the higher classes, and were usually dis- tinguished for peaceable and orderly con- duct, till of late, when every prejudice arising from ignorance or privations was aggravated by evil counsel, and a disturb- ance took place, which was firmly resisted by the magistrates and peace officers, and the evil consequences in some degree averted. The trade of the town has been de- 8 dining for some years. I have been in* formed that about fifty small clothiers carried on business here, each of whom employed many workmen. They have failed in succession, being unable to com- pete with those of larger capital, till scarcely one of the inferior manufactu- rers remains. The workmen, from this and other causes, are thrown out of em- ploy; and though many hundreds remain in regular work, and are punctually paid, notwithstanding the charities, notwith- standing the rates for their relief are five times their original amount, the number and privations of the poor have continued to increase. It was under these circumstances that it was first determined to try the experi- ment of emigration. To speak openly, I did not expect that, on the small scale on which we could effect it, any beneficial effect would be produced in reducing the poor's rate. I gave my willing aid, be- 9 cause I believed that the emigrants would themselves be benefitted ; and the many letters we have since received from them, some of which have been printed, fully confirm the reasonableness of this ex- pectation. All the emigrants were volunteers. As far as the principle of selection could be adopted, men were preferred who had wives and families receiving parish relief. They were of the various occupations usual among the lower classes. The num- ber who went in the Spring of 1831, were eighty-five. In the Spring of 1832, about one hundred and forty. The expenses of the last emigration about eight hundred pounds. The emigrants in 1831, were forwarded to Montreal at the expense of the parish, and experienced fewer diffi- culties than those of 1832, who were en- tangled seventeen days in the ice, by ar- riving too early, were left at Quebec,* and suffered severely from Cholera; but these * See Note VIII. B 10 events, though very unfortunate for the party, are not likely to occur again. Very few have returned, and these were drun- ken persons who could not thrive any- where. One woman, on the second emi- gration, lost her husband who was to main- tain the family, by the Cholera. Being left a widow with young children, and ex- pecting another, she has expressed an in- tention to return. The survivors find they must work ; but say it is a better country to live in than England. The most correct account of the fortunes of those who went to Canada in 1831, will be found in the copies of their own letters transmitted herewith. f The method of raising money to assist emigration which has been adopted at Frome, is preferable, in some respects to any other. It has been voted at a parish meeting, called in the usual manner, and its principal advantage is, that no perma- t See Note IX. 11 nent debt is incurred ; but the whole ex- pense is discharged with the other current expenses. Before 1 have concluded, it will appear that this parish is already so much burthened that it cannot relieve it- self by borrowing money, or any other great effort ; but must, if any thing effec- tual is done, look for assistance elsewhere. If the mode of raising money, without a loan, I have above noticed, is not law- ful, it should be made so. The letting of gardens to the poor was an experiment on a small scale. In one thousand eight hundred and twenty, the Marquess of Bath granted about six acres of excellent pasture land in Frome. It was divided in small portions, to the poor, who had seed potatoes given thein, on condition of their relinquishing, some part, some all, their parish pay. Indus- trious persons were selected. Neither rent, poor rates, nor tithes, were paid. The letting was for one year. No manure 12 Mas wanted. All went on pretty well during the first year, under careful ma- nagement. In the second year, various complaints were heard. It was said the poor robbed each other. Some of them demanded their pay as before. Some re- fused to cultivate the ground, alledging the very small portion of time at their command would be consumed in going to and from the gardens. Finally it was relinquished, as of no advantage to the parish or the paupers. Many persons are very sanguine rela- tive to the good effects of small allotments of lands to the poor. I believe it is bene- ficial in various districts ; but that it is wholly inapplicable to such a parish as Frome. The poor rate on garden ground is from three pounds to three pounds and ten* shillings per acre. The tithe twelve shil- lings. There are the land tax, the high- • In some instances, not in all. 13 way rate, the church rate, the repairs of fences and gates, if leasehold, the lord's rent. The tenant feels he has paid the value of the land in taxes, and it is im- possible for the landlord to recover his rent. If it should be asked why the pay- ment of rent is not enforced, I answer, I have myself about seven acres of garden ground, close to the town, in the possession of fifty or more tenants. If I were to adopt the legal remedies with every de- faulter, I should incur a heavier loss than the amount of their rents. Such is the situation of landlord and tenant, and these tenants are not of the poorest class. I have endeavoured to se- lect such as rent gardens for health and amusement, rather than profit. With re- spect to the poor, no attempt was made to obtain rent from them. Even the houses of many of them are not thought worth the expense of management, and they live in them without paying either rent or taxes. 14 One of your enquiries relates to spade husbandry. I have volumes of proceed- ings for the employment of the poor.* In one thousand eight hundred and nineteen, a sum was raised for this purpose, amount- ing to more than one thousand pounds, one half by subscription, another half by the parish. Premiums, amounting to about one third were given for road- making, quarrying, drainage, fences, and spade husbandry. As soon as the pre- mium ceased, the spade husbandry was discontinued. Another of your enquiries is. Has not the season been particularly unfavourable to masons and persons who derive their subsistence from building ? There never was a finer season. The true reason why building has ceased at Frome, is, that if any one expends a thousand pounds in building a house, one half of the value of the house immediately belongs to the poor.f * See Note X. f See Note XI. 15 Nothing which I have said is intended to undervalue the advantages to be de- rived from emigration, from home coloni- zation, and from cottage gardening. These, with a commutation of tithes, an exten- sion of parochial taxation, and the prin- ciple of limitation, appear to be the chief elements which the authorities have at their disposal for the relief of the poor. The evil in this parish arises from a large number of the working classes having lost their employment. The principal error, in the attempts which have been made to remove it, appears to be that it has been proposed to cure a great mis- fortune by remedies which are small and disproportioned to its magnitude. Here is a parish with a rental of about thirty thousand pounds yearly, a little more or less, in which eight thousand pounds appears to be incapable of paying any rate, called upon to pay eleven thou- sand seven hundred and twenty three 16 pounds nine shillings and four pence to the poor only, exclusive of all other rates, taxes, and disbursements. It is true a large proportion of the rate, amounting in the last year to two thou- sand five hundred and forty-six pounds three shillings and four pence remains uncollected, but this does not brighten the picture. It shews the extreme poverty of those who cannot be compelled to pay, and throws a heavier burden on others. In the year ending Lady-day one thou- sand seven hundred and ninety-two, the uncollected rates were only forty-five pounds and six shillings. It is very common to complain of the government taxes. The land-tax for the year ending twenty-fifth of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, in Frome, amounted to five hundred and seventy-seven pounds, ten shillings and two pence ; the assessed taxes, to two thousand two hundred and nine pounds 17 thirteen shillings and nine pence.* What is this compared with such an amount of parochial taxation ?t Several of the professional men, and many of the traders, have failed ; but it may be said that since one thousand seven hundred and ninety the successful portion of the professional men, and of the whole- sale and retail traders, have accumulated capital. During the same period an an- nuity of about ten thousand pounds have been charged on the land, which, at twenty-five or thirty years purchase, a- mounts to two hundred and fifty or three hundred thousand pounds.^ The industrious as well as the idle poor are without employment, and reduced to * See Note XII. f •* He was inclined to think, as he had stated more than once, that the severe pressure on the landed interest arose from the local more than from general taxation, and that they would obtain relief not only from the amendment of the poor laws, but also from the com- mutation of tithes." — The Chancellor of the Exchequer ; 7th July, 1834. t See Note XIII. C 18 a state of abject dependance from which they cannot extricate themselves ; yet no class of society is blameable. The noble- men, while the value of their property lessens, continue their liberal benefactions. The tradesmen are often called on for charitable subscriptions, and have always shewn a willing compliance. The poor, except when their evil pas- sions have been excited by mob orators, several of whom have visited Frome, have been orderly and patient. A gentleman, who visits the sick, called on an unem- ployed labourer, who had a wife and children, and was ill. He heard the sick man had been praying to die, and asked him, ** why do you pray for death, ? " ** Because I cannot live." EMIGEATION. I consider emigration to be decidedly favourable to the emigrants. As a means of lessening parochial taxation I believe 19 it to be useless, if conducted on a less scale than the removal of five hundred persons in each year. The difficulty is, that this parish has not the power to effect any thing so con- siderable. This part of the subject will be noticed under the title of *' Extension of Parochial Taxation." It may be proper to mention here a favourite opinion of many persons, that, by an alteration of the law, settlements should be acquired by a short residence. I have been informed that, on some fluc- tuation of trade, one thousand persons came from Shepton Mallet only, to reside in this parish ; and that there are now two thousand persons resident in Frome, who are not parishioners. A law for adding this number to the paupers dependant on parish rates, would probably complete the ruin of the place. HOME COLONIZATION. Unless all which has been said on this 20 subject is deceptive, some relief may be expected from home colonization ; and a suitable estate might be purchased as a colony for each county. This parish is wholly unable to make such a purchase, and I must here again refer to the pas- sage below, on the extension of parochial taxation. No person should be admitted to the advantages of such an institution, till he has signed a care fully- prepared agree- ment, the conditions of which should be practicable, and strictly enforced. It has been often remarked, that able- bodied men should not be entitled to paro- chial relief; but if well-informed persons, who have the resources of the country at their command, cannot devise employ- ment for them, how are those beneath the cloud of poverty and ignorance to find employment for themselves ? They would probably adopt some desperate expedient injurious to society. 21 But if an option can be given them, either to emigrate, or to provide for them- selves in a home colony, then relief may be, and ought to be with-held. If settlements were to be gained by a short residence in towns, all relief by emigration and home colonization, would be defeated. Instead of the selfish sys- tem of depopulating parishes when they belong to a single proprietor, by demolish- ing the cottages of the poor, and compel- ling them to take refuge in towns, it has been proposed to adapt the law to the new condition of society, by giving facility to the unemployed manufacturers to acquire settlements in rural districts, and to make it more difficult for agriculturists to gain settlements in towns. The strongest recommendation of emi- gration, and of home colonization, is, that they are calculated, in proportion to the scale on which they are conducted, not to palliate the evil, or to provide by whom 22 the increasing expenses of the present system shall be paid, but to strike at the root, to destroy pauperism.* COTTAGE GARDENING. Many persons continue to be of opinion that cottage gardening would be beneficial to this parish, and a printed paper is now in circulation to propose a meeting on this subject. I think I have already said enough to prove that no material relief is to be expected from it at Frome. If any one wishes to see more, I refer him to the note.f Many circumstances must conspire to make this scheme available. The rent and taxes must be low ; the soil good, and near home ; the labourer must be indus- trious ; manure must be provided ; the season must be favourable ; the crop must yield a remunerating price in the market ; when all these advantages are * See Note XIV. t See Note XV. 23 combined, the profit is estimated at about five pounds for a family. I am very willing to listen to informa- tion, if any can be obtained, though I do not think persons from a distance are the best qualified to instruct us respecting our own locality. If any one can tell me how the allotment, on a large scale, of small parcels of land, to a numerous and dense population living at a distance from it, can be advantageous ? If he can inforni me how they can be made to pay, first, taxes to more than the value of the land, and then rent, when these cannot be ex- acted, either by persuasion or compulsion, from a higher class of persons ? How, working as many of them do twelve hours a day, including meals, at a distance, they are, after their return, to go to and from distant gardens, and to cultivate them ? and how they are to be prevented from robbing each other ! I shall gladly learn. If done on a small scale, the effect on 24 the rates will be trivial. If so large as to require a yearly-paid superintendent, and all their taxes paid for them, it will be a gift of so much money ; but little, if any, relief to the parish.* Not the smallest objection is intended to be raised to the extensive adoption of this remedy, in parishes to which it is suitable ; but, according to my present information, those who think it a system of universal application, are deceived. COMMUTATION OF TITHES. I do not intend to use many words on this subject ; but, hearing that it was the opinion of a man of considerable talent, that this alone would provide employment for every unemployed man, I thought it well worthy of a place in this letter, and have left him to speak for himself in the annexed note.! I was the more willing • See Note XVI. f See Note XVII. 25 to insert his proposal, because it is in- tended for the mutual benefit of both par- ties, the tithe receiver, as well as the tithe payer. If only one fourth of the good effect, which his benevolence has led him to hope for, shall be realised, it will be a measure of great importance. EXTENSION OF PAROCHIAL TAXATION. 1 have heard it observed, and I believe it to be true, that, if the poor of Frome had only such comforts as every humane person would wish them to have, they would consume all the income of the pa- rish at the present time. If the rates continue to increase, as of late years, they must inevitably do so in future. Extract from the King's Speech, 1835. *' I deeply lament that the Agricultural Interest continues in a state of great depression. I recommend -to your serious consideration whether it may not be in your power, after providing for the exigencies of the public ser- vice, and consistently with the steadfast maintenance of the public credit, to devise a method for mitigating the pressure of the local D 26 It is natural to ask then, is the property of the landowners to be confiscated ? Are they to be treated as if they had com- mitted a crime ? On the other hand, though the law authorises an extension of taxation, it has never been acted upon, and the most de- termined opposition may be expected from motives of private interest. What then is the principle which will guide us to do justice to both parties, without oppressing either? I think this is to be found in the principle of limita- tion, which has seldom been attended to, as its importance deserves. A friend of mine, soon after his election as a Member of the House of Commons, sent for me to consult on the propriety of extending parochial taxation to the hun- dred, instead of the parish. He thought charges, which bear heavily on the owners and occupiers of land, and for distributing the burthen of them mora equally over other descrip- tions of property. 27 it would simplify the returns to Parlia- ment, if they were made from less than one thousand, instead of more than ten thousand districts ; that the parochial bu- siness would be better managed ; the burden more fairly distributed ; and that the expenses of litigation would be very materially reduced. The hundred, or division, of Frome comprises sixteen parishes and tithings. The parish of Frome contains twelve thousand two hundred and forty inhabi- tants, thousands of whom are in a state of abject poverty. The fifteen other pa- rishes and tithings have, altogether, a population of only seven thousand five hundred and eighty persons. Some of these parishes are heavily rated to the poor ; in others the rate is very incon- siderable. Why should the burdens of the parish of Frome be so exceedingly disproportionate to the others ? Another friend has suggested a modern division instead of the ancient division of 28 Inmdreds. I have inserted his opinion in the appendix * County rates are levied for various pur- poses. The county of Somerset contains three hundred and eighty-five parishes. Emigration on a sufficiently large scale for each county, and the purchase of an eligible estate for a county colony, might be effected, throughout the kingdom, by county rates ; but it is scarcely possible for single parishes to make such an effort t Some persons have recommended the funds to be taxed for the relief of the poor. It appears to me to be desirable that one species of property should be usually free from taxation. The late five per cents have been taxed thirty per cent 4 Every species of stock is taxed on transition by death. The taxes on stock should be applied only in redemp- tion of the principal, for it should never be forgotten that the National Debt is, by one half, too large. * See Note XVIII. f See Note XIX. : See Note XX. 29 A scheme has been published for pla- cing all the poor rates under the manage- ment of one boards of Commissioners re- sident in the Metropohs, who are to re- ceive, and disburse, for all the parishes in the Kingdom. Other taxes are raised throughout the kingdom on an impartial system of equal- ization. Whether the poor are to be sup- ported by parishes, by hundreds wards and liberties, by modern divisions, by counties, or by the nation, the injustice of sacrificing some parishes, and exempting others, is evident ; and the justice of dis- tributing this burden, like others, more equally, is clear. LIMITATION. When a parish pays more than twenty- five per cent on its rental for the relief of the poor, I think it will be admitted that some measure is necessary to be adopted for the relief of the paymasters, and to prevent the increase of pauperism. If 30 the rates should be extended to include the hundreds, wards, and liberties, a limit should again be interposed to prevent in- jury to any parish. If no expenses but those of emigration and home colonization are undertaken by the county, this will, by its nature, be a limitation. The prin- ciple of equalization would form a reason- able limit to the expenses of every parish. CONCLUSION. The chief cause of complaint at Frome is, that though about one-half of the rental of the parish is paid to the poor, they suffer more privations and make more complaints, than when they received only one-tenth. A new state of things has taken place, which requires new laws. When trading employment is lost, neither charity, nor rates will supply its place ; and I know of nothing effectual which can be substi- tuted but agriculture. 31 In England, this land of abundance, where so many ladies and gentlemen, and so many of the lower classes, die prema- turely by eating and drinking too much ; when the excesses of one portion of soci- ety are contrasted by a want of the com- mon necessaries of life in the other, the shade of the picture becomes rather too dark. Remedies should be applied which pre- vent pauperism, in preference to those which relieve it. I am no convert to the doctrines of Mr. Malthus.* I believe Great Britain could support double the present number of its inhabitants,! under a different system of cultivation. Some of its numerous colonies are thinly in- habited, and Canada alone could probably receive and maintain all the population of England.! If the extension of parochial taxation should take place, I cannot tell whether I * See Note XXI. t See Note XXII. J See Note XXIII. 32 should gain or lose, till the experiment has been tried. The quantities are small, but my family inherited more land in the adjoining parishes, than at Frome. I have not attempted to decide the questions which occur ; but have endea- voured to communicate necessary local information to men of abler minds; I have only to regret that it is not in my power to execute the task better. I am, Sir, Your's truly, Thomas Bunn. Under cover to Captain Chapman, with an envellope To the Secretary of State for the Home Department, White-Hall, London. For the Poor-Li Commissioners. iawl ^ J NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. Most of the statistical facts mentioned in the ensuing notes are taken from a valuable work en- titled '^ Taxation, Revenue, Expenditure, Power, Statistics, and Debt, of the whole British Empire, by Pablo Pebrer/' Some of the tables were copied from his official tables and authentic docu- ments, and some are received from parish officers and others. If any minute errors should be dis- covered, they must be responsible, I consider them sufficiently correct for the purposes for which they are inserted. Several of the ensuing notes were written after the letter to Captain Chapman was transmitted to him. The last note, No. 23, treats of the subjects of inquiry mentioned in his letter, not as a local, but as a national affair. In this second edition many of the details in the notes, &c. are omitted, as not applicable at the present time, and some occurrences between 1834 and 1851 are inserted. A valuable table of the annual amount of poor rates, commencing at 1790, and continued to 1851, forms note 2. Mr. Strong furnished me with the early docu- ments, and Mr. Hagley, at the office of guardians has frequently, in the most friendly and obliging manner, supplied me with continuations, I now return my acknowledgments and sincere thanks. NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. Note I. Page 3. CAPT. CHAPMAN^S LETTER. * Dear Sie^ I avail myself with many thanks of your kind offer of assistance, and shall feel much in- debted to you to ascertain some of the following points, I am instructed, in addition to those subjects which form, strictly speaking, part of the poor laws, to make minute inquiries into emigration, and the allotment of lands. EMIGRATION. To ascertain all the facts connected with every case in which emigration has been effected, and its influence on the rates 6i the parish, and on the wages and character of the remaining la- bourers ? To inquire what sort of persons were sent out; whether any, and of what character, have re- turned ? 36 To collect facts and opinions as to the propriety of an enactment enabling parishes to raise mo- ney for emigration ? What majority in number and value of tlie rate payers should have such power ? — Whether it should be with, or without the concurrence of the proprietors ?■— If with the concurrence of the proprietors, with what proportion in number and value? — And, finally, whether the sum to be raised, should be limited to a definite proportion of the rental or rates ?— the period within which such sum should be repaid ? — and the portion, if any, which should be paid by the proprietors ? As the subject of emigration has not only oc- cupied much of the attention of the inhabitants of Frome, but has been tried on a scale of some extent, I am not without hopes that much valu- able information may be derived from those gen- tlemen who have taken an active part in the management of the parochial affairs. ACQUISITION OP LAND. Under this head I am directed to ascertain the mode in which any allotments have been made. Whether the lessors are landowners, farmers, or parish officers ? 37 Whether any selection was made as to the oc- cupiers ? What terms as to rent, period of tenure, absti- nence from requiring relief, or conduct, were im- posed on the occupiers ? What assistance was received in manuring, working, or seed ? How long the practice has existed, and with what effects, as to the welfare and conduct of the labourers, and amount of rates ? Whether the poor of Frome can be beneficially- employed in spade husbandry ? Whether there are any lands in the parish which might be rendered more productive by such labour, so as to afford a means of employ- ment to those out of work ? I am quite aware that the experiment of spade husbandry is considered a failure, — but may not « the details of such failure be of use in guarding others against the causes of it? Any assistance you can give me in these in- vestigations will not only be of great service to the inquiry, but confer an obhgation upon Dear Sir, Youi-'s, very truly, J. J. Chapmax. Thomas Bunn, Frome. Note II, page 4. PROME SBLWOOD, SOMERSETSHIRE. Years No. of rates .for relief of the poor. »' Amount of each rate. Amount. 1790 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1800 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1810 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1820 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 1830 31 32 33» 34 35 36 37 38 39 1840 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 1850 .. 84 .. £. s, d. 27 7 li 27 6 21 27 7 5^ 27 8 4^ 27 8 3^ 27 9 Ai 27 11 101 27 12 6i 27 13 IH 27 13 11 111 16 8 102 5 5i 101 11 91 100 6 m 100 3 2| 100 6 1| 100 3 5§ 100 6 Oi 99 16 11 101 14 8i 100 15 7i 101 4 5 101 12 9§ 101 13 4i 103 8 9i 104 16 4i 105 2 10 106 10 9^ 106 15 8| 108 13 m 110 9 4^ 110 18 9 91 19 ei 91 S U\ 91 8 6i 91 10 51 91 8 4| 91 15 3 91 18 113 91 17 23 91 13 101 91 11 9i 91 3 0^ 91 1 lU 91 5 61 91 1 6 £. 8. d. 2297 18 6 1966 8 6 1970 18 6 2632 4 2302 14 9 3296 7 6 3311 7 6 3646 12 9 3656 5 3 3655 17 5368 7155 12 1 7HI 5 5 5418 10 l\ 3205 2 4012 5 10 4006 18 4 4413 5 10 3993 16 8 5595 8 Il§ 6046 18 9 5061 10 5590 3 6* 5591 15 7: 5171 18 6 4926 9 7i 5782 15 10 6392 7 6 6620 12 7* 7608 18 6J 6407 2 6§ 6434 7 6 6438 9 4i 6201 7 9 6216 19 5 6223 12 7 10970 7 6 9910 7 7907 12 2i 11023 7 6 10269 11 8 11723 9 4 10938 2 6 9475 10 3 8499 16 6 7104 9 5 6173 1 6192 15 3 6042 18 10 61t^8 10 6911 3 10 j 7487 11 llj 70P4 8 4 8270 17 Oi 7569 17 6646 10 2 5931 18 n 6411 5 ^ 10462 2 8007 5 73 7103 18 5 .. 72 .. .. 72 .. .. 96 ,. .. 84 .. ..120 .. ..120 .. ..132 .. ..132 ,. ..132 .. .. 48 .. .. 70 .. New Survey .. 70 .. .. 54 .. .. 32 .. .. 40 .. .. 40 .. .. 44 .. ., 40 .. .. 55 .. ,. 60 .. .. 50 .. .. 55 .. .. 55 .. .. 50 .. ....In hand, £IU6..,. .. 47 .. .. 55 .. ., 60 .. . . 62 . . .. 70 ;. .. 58 .. .. 68 .. .. 70 .. .. 68 .. New Survey .. 68 .. .. 68 .. ..120 .. ..108 .. .. 86 .. ..120 .. ..112 .. In hand, £1000.... ..128 .. . . 120 . . J Arrears left un})aid \ \ this year, £2000. / ..104 .. .. 92 .. .. 78 .. .. 68 .. .. , .. . . :::::::::;l .. — .. .•••...•.. .. — .. • The decrease may be attributed partly to the Emigration ; but chiefly to the superior nianagt'incut of the Select Vestry, Still the present amount is four times as Diuchas iu 1791. — 1834. —The mw Poor-Law, has since taken place. 39 o F S" O ... ^ I- 51 8^ ?^ St ^ Sf en 3. S § ^ 2. ffl N— 1,^ M» ^ » O o » I 00 1 CD CD CO* Ol CD oa i 5 CD O 1 GO O o 5 CD -«5 s ^ ft- V CD s ? a 2 2 2^ n "-J CD £♦ • p- S?' w CD >t CD 3 1 s R 1 1^ e. O O O o o t0 5 «> rt- ST. O* CD I )^ CD £j MM 11 CD ft P CD C* ps CD g- I g 5^ o CD *^ I. §: CD s §- CO CD s ^ ? -^ i "" © *« p « SS CD .-l p O ^. CD ri « 5 cs (O CD h- »^ ^ p »• ^ S gg a i P Z— 'z CD "vj — >— CO ^ OD ^ CO II f-I lll CD g». St t3» ST* ^ 3 » CD CS *1 1 B 3 8S p- »>rf CO CO M 4ai> 03 00 « 00 °- s- t O CD " I « S3 5- s. !•* O I I o s. I M o 40 The difference between £33,734. and £31,764. is accounted for by the decline of rents between the years 1825-6, and 1829-30. The rents have, since the last period, continued to fall, so that thirty thousand pounds is now an high estimate. The annual value of the real property in the parish of Frome, as assessed in April, 1815, in the '^ Comparative account of the population of Great Britain in the years 1801, 1811, 1821, and 1831, with the annual value of real property in the year 1815, ordered by the House of Commons to be printed, 19th October, 1831,'^ is stated at sixteen thousand and nine pounds. So great a reduction below £30,000. must have been caused by deducting the heavy parochial and other taxes, to which this property was previously liable, as the part of the income already absorbed by for* mer assessments could not be considered liable to new charges. There can be no doubt that a similar reduction was made in the return of the rental of other parishes. 41 Note IV. page 5. Frome Selwood.— Number of Inhabitants, &c. Town Tithing. . . West Woodlands. East Woodlands. . Total 2i ound8 and upwards, spent in making a footway this year at the Butts, and that must be taken as so much above the annual average. 48 Note V. page 5. ' Frome Selwood. — Number of Acres, &c. Sir, The number of acres in the parish of Frome, is 7142a. 1r. 3p. : viz. a. r. p. Lands and Woods, including the! ^^yr o 9 Town of Frome J Roads and Lanes. 116 2 34 Rivers and Brooks 50 Total 7142 1 3 I am. Sir, Your very obedient servant, Frome, H. Cruse. January 24, 1833. Thomas Bunn, Frome, Note VI. page 6. Fromb Selwood. — Bequests to Charities. These bequests have been given to the Alms- house and School. The Hospital and Asylum are comparatively modern: they were founded F 44 by Richard Stevens, who resided chiefly in London, but left nineteen thousand pounds, four per cent, bank annuities, for the benefit of the place of his nativity. All these foundations are still in want of further benefactions, without which the numbers which some of the buildings are calculated to receive cannot be maintained. Note VII. page 6. Report op the Frome Selwood Charitable Society, instituted the 19th of November, 1807, with an account op the Receipts and Disbursements, por the Year 1808. patronesses. The Most Honorable the Marchioness of Bath. The Right Honorable the Countess of Cork. President, Mrs. Ireland. TREASURERS, Mrs. Wickham. Mrs. Bunn. STEWARDS. Mrs. White. Miss A. Bunn. Secretary, Miss Wickham. 45 COMMITTED. Mrs. Ireland Mrs. H. Sheppard Mrs. G. Sheppard Mrs. T. Humphries Miss Bayly Miss Hiskett Miss Wickham Mrs. Blunt Mrs. Middleton Mrs. White Mrs. Bunn Miss Bunn REPORT. A year has now passed since this institution was established. The inhabitants of Frome, of every persuasion, as soon as they were informed of its object, seconded the plan with all the readiness and unanimity, which could be desired. It is hoped that their confidence will appear not to have been misplaced. The period is arrived when it is proper that those who were appointed by the society to take an active part, should render an account of their trust. We have inserted a statement of the ap- plication of the money placed under our care, as treasurers : but the ladies of the committee did not suppose they should perform their trust merely by distributing the subscriptions to per- sons in want; they were sensible that giving 46 money is the least part of charity. The largest portion has been applied in the purchase of use- ful articles of apparel, bedding, and linen for women during their confinement; all made up by the society, gratis. Coals have been pur- chased and distributed. No person has been re- lieved except the aged, the sick, those who are past labour, and poor married women ; and none of these without having been first visited, and the case approved by one of the committee. Where opportunities have occurred, the ladies have used that influence which is better than gifts — ^have endeavoured to render the objects of their care, worthier members of society — and to regard them as persons whom they may meet again in a better world. Though this institution is of itself very inade- quate to relieve the poverty of so populous a town, yet, in conjunction with the.other establish- ments and with private charity, it is calculated to do almost all which is desirable ; and it is hoped that no case of extreme distress can escape its notice. It supplies an attention to individual cases, which cannot be expected from overseers, or from the trustees of the different asylums; and 47 on the whole, it affords favorable opportunities for that humane attention from the higher to the lower classes of the community, which has for centuries been characteristic of this country. Each lady of the committee has received, to distribute to the poor, in money, food, or neces- sary articles, ten shillings and sixpence monthly ; which sum is often found insufficient. A sepa- rate account has been kept by each lady, for the inspection of the committee at the vestry meet- ings, or for any subscribers who may wish for further information. Every person recommended by a subscriber, if within the rules of the society, has been visited and relieved. Above one hundred and forty poor have been assisted during the past year; and linen and other necessaries furnished to fifty-four women confined. A considerable quantity of wearing apparel and bedding has been lately pur- chased, to be distributed in the ensuing year. The overseers have usually, with great libe- rality, shewn their willingness to promote the objects of the society. The persons who first recommended this in- stitution to the inhabitants of Frome, are much 48 gratified by the encouragement which has been given to it: the ladies of the committee are satis- fied of its usefulness from experience. We can- not reconcile ourselves to the thought of dropping a plan which has been so well begun, and so generally approved : on the contrary, we ear- nestly hope that it will not only continue to meet with every encouragement at present, but that it will survive us, and be as permanently attached to the town, as those of our charitable founda- tions to which buildings are annexed. The ladies of the committee will distribute the new tickets for the ensuing year, personally ; and each subscriber of a guinea will be entitled to two tickets. The annual meeting of the subscribers is fixed to take place in the vestry, on the first Friday in January next, at twelve o'clock at noon. We have great reliance on all the liberal minded inhabitants of the town, that they will exercise their influence in procuring subscriptions wher- ever it may be done with propriety. This method of administering relief to the dis- tressed, will be a better mode of celebrating the approaching festival, than the coarse sort of en- 49 joyment which we are sometimes obliged to witness. Donations are again solicited in aid of the an- nual subscription. Our advanced age will not permit us to retain our treasurership many years ; but we have never repented what we have undertaken, and we re- commend a perseverance in the same system to our successors. M. WICKHAM. JANE BUNN. The friends of this institution, who may wish to support it by legacy, are requested to make use of the following form. " I give and bequeath to the treasurers and " stewards for the time being, of the Frome Sel- *^ wood Charitable Society, instituted in the year ^^ I8O7, and meeting at Frome Selwood, in So- *^ mersetshire, the sum of to be paid *^ by my executor in months after my *^ decease, in trust, to be applied to the uses and ^^ purposes of that institution.'^ G 50 Note VIII, page 9. MONEY FOR PASSAGE FROM QUEBEC TO MONTREAL, SENT TO THE EMIGRANTS. The money for forwarding the emigrants, in 1832, to Montreal, was paid by the parish of Frome, but by some mistake in the merchant's office at Bristol it was omitted in the written in- structions given to the captain of the ship by which they were conveyed. The money has since been forwarded to the emigrants, but nothing can now compensate for their disappointment. £. s. d. 49 Adults. Passage to Montreal 77s. . 188 13 56Youths 285. 66?.. . 107 16 25 Children 2b. 6fi?.. . 26 17 6 8Infants 323 6 6 Provisions in gross 210 Allowances for Adults 49 Youths and Children . . 30 10 Clothing 65 Tools 20 Carriage 24 £721 16 6 51 There were other expenses, which, together with the above, made the whole amount to about six pounds for each person. Note IX, page 10. EMIGRATION FROM FROME TO CANADA. The parish of Frome has been placed in diffi- cult circumstances for many past years. The trade, which had collected a numerous population, having declined, could no longer support them ; and thousands have become dependent on the poor rates, and on charity, for their daily sub- sistence. The higher classes have paid great attention to their wants and comforts ; and they have shewn, by their conduct, that they are sen- sible of the kindness of their more affluent neigh- bours. Every usual expedient has been resorted to to improve the condition of the poor : — large public subscriptions ; the cultivation of land ; the establishment of manufactories; the improve- ment of the system at the parish workhouse; spade agriculture ; the alteration of roads ; and a variety of other things ; and though some have 52 been attended with success, the small scale of ^8everal of them, in proportion to the magnitude of the evil, the bad management of others, their temporaiy nature, the frequency of subscriptions; combined with a decline of trade, have contri- buted to render these measures unavailing; and the expenses of the parish have seldom, if ever, been greater, the comforts of the poor less, or their labour more useless, than at the present time. This has happened notwithstanding the liberal and willing aid of the noblemen who re- side nearest to Frome on all public occasions, the assistance of the more affluent inhabitants of the town, and the good management of the work- house by the active and very useful married couple who preside there. During the last year, and previous to the late disturbances, application was made to Parliament by petition, and, among other proposals, a well- regulated home colony for the county was re- commended : * but nothing was effected. The inhabitants of Frome have never been satisfied to see the income of the land consumed by the poor rates, and the poor at the same time sutFer- * See Appendix, letter K. 53 ing great distress^ without making decided efforts for the relief of all parties in this calamity. They considered the subject of emigration in the fall of last year, and at first determined not to send families to a foreign shore, without having esta- blished a correspondence, and the means of pro- viding for them after their arrival. The freezing of the rivers too, in Canada at an early period of the winter, formed an important objection to sending voyagers there at that season. In the year 1830, about seventy persons went to North America from the neighbouring parish of Corsley, and were provided on their arrival with a small sum of money, and then left to Providence and their own discretion. Letters continued to be received from these persons, and from other settlers in North America, during the last year and the present, all of which, without an exception, gave a favorable account of the welcome and kindness with which they were received 5 the encouragement given to their in- dustry ; their good wages and plentiful support ; and the easy terms on which an industrious la- bourer might acquire laud and independence. These letters, which are too numerous to be 54 quoted here, gradually removed the apprehension, which was at first entertained, of the conse- quences of landing poor families on a foreign shore, without previously making a provision for their support. At a meeting held the fifteenth of February last, of the Committee for the Relief and Em- ployment of the Poor, the Right Honourable the Earl of Cork in the chair, after hearing evidence on the subject of emigration, it was ordered that notice be given on Sunday next of a parish meet- ing to be held on Thursday, to consider and de- cide on raising a moderate sum of money by poor rates for the purpose of assisting proper persons and their families, now receiving relief, to emigrate from this country to Canada. At this meeting an agricultural labourer who had gone to Canada at his own expense, had obtained there good wages and maintenance, and good treatment, and who had returned to fetch his wife and family, was examined in person. At the subsequent parish meeting £300. were voted for the assistance of families receiving parish re- lief only. It appeared that the sum paid for the maintenance of a family for less than two years 55 would remove them to North America, never to be again burthensome to the parish 5 and the advantages of the poor in that country would be much superior to any which could be expected here. The three hundred pounds voted by the parish, was increased by one hundred pounds given by the JVlost Honourable the Marquis of Bath; fifty pounds by the Earl of Cork; thirty pounds by the Messrs. Sheppard; and other smaller subscriptions. As soon as it was known that assistance would be given, about two hun- dred persons, including their families, gave in their names as volunteers. From these were selected thirteen heads of families, thirteen mar- ried women, four young men under twenty, twenty-seven daughters, and twenty-eight sons, going with their parents, in all eighty-five. No influence was used. Every emigrant who at- tended was requested to say whether he went of his own choice and free-will, and every one re- plied that he went entirely of his own free choice. There was an anxiety to be permitted to go. At different meetings of the committee, it was ordered, that those who emigrated should be allowed one pound each for the heads of fa- 56 milies, and their respective wives; one pound each for tools ; one pound for any single person ; ten shillings for each child; ten shillings for clothing ; that they be conveyed in carriages ; that they leave Frome on Monday night, the 21st. of March instant; and embark, and sleep on board, Tuesday night. That their passage and provisions be paid for to Quebec, and a fur- ther passage to Montreal. That the allowances in money should be paid them after the voyage. Berths were previously secured on board the Airthry Castle, belonging to Messrs. Sheppard and Salmon, respectable merchants of Bristol. No sooner was the decision known, than all hands were at work to provide necessaries and conveniences for the poor who were to depart, and never to return. Ladies who had large fa- milies employed themselves, their children, and servants. The ladies of the Charitable Society, the numerous children of the National School, the forty girls at the Asylum, and many others, were busily engaged. Clothes, bedding, tools, and almost numberless articles, were provided, without adhering to the limit of expense. Every emigrant had his separate bag and parcel, well 57 filled, and carefully packed. All the travellers were invited to the house of the Minister of Christ Church, where they received bibles and other religious books. On the Saturday the rites of Baptism, without fees, were administered to many of the children who were to cross the ocean, at the parish church. Many attended at Christ Church on the Sunday previous to their departure, and heard a discourse, purposely pre- pared for them, well adapted to their situation, and their future prospects. Precautions were taken that Divine Service should be performed on Sundays, during the passage. One of the emigrants to whom a gentleman had given a sovereign by mistake for a shilling, was so honest as to bring it back to him. In the night of the 21st instant, eighty-five men, women, and children, with their baggage, set out in seven carriages, preceded by a band of music. Three proper persons accompanied them to pre- serve order and attend to their wants. They embarked the next evening. The captain of the vessel appeared humane and attentive to all who were placed under his care. Necessary medi- cines were provided. Towards night the little 58 children began to inquire when they were to go home ? perfectly unconscious that they were never to see their homes again ! In a family consisting of seven, the girls were grown up. One of them is said to have had an attachment at Frome. Her sister, it is reported, was averse to the water, and fainted when she came on board. Influenced by these circumstances, the parents sold part of the things given them, and returned with their family to Frome ; where they Averc received as unwelcome visitors, having pre- vented others from going who would gladly have taken their place. On the 23rd instant a gentle- man went on board. He said it was not a plea- sing sight. Their hearts seemed full, and the women were in tears at the thought of parting for ever from their native country. A lady went the next day, for the kind purpose of distributing useful gifts for the children. She said they were then more cheerful. Farmer Beauchamp, who accompanied them from Frome, proceeded a few miles on ''the voyage, and said that when he re- turned they were cheerful ; and sent grateful re- membrances to the friends they had left. The general subject of emigration has fre- 59 quently been discussed in the House of Commons. One of the bills introduced there was formed on the principle of enabling parishes to borrow, without limit, for this purpose ; and the objec- tion to it was, that it would give birth to another overwhelming burthen, like the National Debt. The objection,, if the debt should be unlimited, is just. [A small debt which can be paid off in a moderate time, and occasionally renewed and paid, is often attended with great advantages; but a large debt, which can never be paid, is a great misfortune; and instead of facilitating Emi- gration, or any thing else, must soon stop its progress.] Perhaps a power to borrow one-third of the annual amount of the poor rate, on the average of the last three years, with the imme- diate commencement of an effective system for the redemption of the principal, would be useful. This, in the case of Frome, would amount to about £3000. But this plan of wholesale emi- gration, by sending abroad large masses of peo- ple at once, does not appear to meet the emer- gence so well as a vigorous system of annual emigration, without borrowing. If the govern- ment of a country possessing ships and colonies 60 in abundance is too poor to remove industrious families from their degraded condition of parish paupers to a land of plenty, what hinders the parishes from paying the expenses of the voyage, when it is known that the cost will not exceed two years' maintenance at home ? Emigration is only one of many modes of re- lief which are suggested by the abject condition of the poor. It has been asserted, but not proved, that home colonies are unsuitable to the climate of England, and to the habits of the peo- ple. This system might be adapted to the wants of another class of industrious persons, who are unwilling to leave their native country. As it has prospered on the Continent, and the culti- vators have not only maintained themselves, but have commenced the payment of the original price of the land on which they are located, it is at least worthy of being attempted as an experi- ment in this country. It can succeed nowhere without skilful superintendence, firm and effi- cient regulations, and precautions against mi- nute subdivisions of land. Less than seven acres would be insufficient for the maintenance of a family; and more, probably, they could not 01 cultivate to advantage. A moderate advance from each parish vt^ithin its boundaries, might establish a home colony for a county. The increase of public-houses by the late Beer Act has aggravated the evils of poverty. At Frome, if the poor were comfortably maintained, it is believed that they would consume the whole income of the parish ; and nothing would be left for the landlords. As the population increased there would not be sufficient income for the poor, though they received the whole. It ap- pears neither just nor reasonable thus to sacrifice the property of a particular parish; but it is difficult to devise an adequate remedy. Frome, 2Sth March, 1831. SECOND EMIGRATION FROM FROME. Since the following letters were received, the parish of Frome has granted fifteen months pay of any poor family, now receiving parish relief, to assist them to emigrate to Canada, provided the whole does not exceed six hundred pounds. This amounts to double the sum granted last 62 year. It will probably be increased by private subscription. One of the periodical publications, extensively circulated, has recommended a taxation of the land and the emigrants in Canada, to pay the expenses of their voyage. This would be indeed to destroy the last resource of the poor. Better would it be to leave emigration to the voluntary aid of the parishes, which are equally induced to promote it by principles of oeconomy, and of humanity. Some motives should be given to eniigrants for gratitude to their King and Coun- try, that the Canadians may not, like the inhabi- tants of the United States, become estranged from Great Britain. If, by discouragement, the poor are prevented from emigration, a better provision must be made for them at home, which would be a more difficult task. Some additional facilities appear necessary for emigrants from Ireland, where there is no parochial provision for the poor ; otherwise England must receive and maintain them. An apprehension has been expressed that the flow of emigration may become too great. We know not future events ; but, at present, the 63 caution resembles that of some of our most emi- nent statesmen, who used to entertain us with their fears lest the National Debt should be paid off too fast. These annual emigrations are effected without incurring any debt. They may be continued yearly, as long as they are beneficial. Frome, March 5, 1832. The purport of the above-mentioned letters was similar to those which follow; but I have omitted all those which have already appeared in print, and inserted such only as have been re- ceived since. Frome, 11 November, 1833. 64 LETTERS FROM POOR PERSONS WHO HAVE RECENTLY EMIGRATED TO CANA- DA FROM THE PARISH OF FROME SEL- WOOD, IN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET; COPIED FROM THE ORIGINALS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF OCCASIONAL COR- RECTIONS OF SPELLING AND OMISSION OF PRIVATE AFFAIRS. Romney, September 5th, 1832. Dear Wife and Children, The letter I sent to you before, states that I'm in good health, that I sailed from Bristol on the 29th March, and arrived in Quebeck the I5th May, and that we had a very rough passage, such as the oldest man in the vessel never ex- perienced. It was 14 weeks from the time I sailed till I arrived in Romney with my luggage. I got work soon after in Gosfield, 41 miles off. I have li dollars per month, with board and lodgings in such as the country afford, such as provisions, clothing, furniture, &c. in truth such 65 as you want, with some little money. A poor man might do well here if he like work, for he can go to work and earn a little to help him for- ward, and he can go to government agent and draw 100 acres of land, which will not cost him one farthing ; but you must consider it is in the bush, or otherwise the wood ; it is not a gentle- man^s parlours, I went to the agent and he gave me 200 acres, in consequence of my being a ser- geant in His Majesty's service, in the township of Mercy, or Tolbray. I have made my choice in Tolbray, where 1 hope to see you all comfort- ably with me, should the Lord see fit, but how you will be able the Lord only knows; but I hope he will make out a way for you all to come the next spring. Let not the water trouble you, there might not be such another passage as I got in 20 years. Any man that come here can get land for asking for it, and for all the male chil- dren that is of age. Let no one fear, this is, I believe, the wholesomest climate in North Ame- rica. You have near 1 and J hour longer in the winter, and the same shorter in the summer. 1 shall, please God, have 6 acres of wood cleared by the spring, and a house built for your recep- 66 tion, 24 feet long and 14 wide, which will be 2 rooms on a floor above and below. This will be a fine thing. No house rent, fire, or candle to buy ; as you can keep as big a fire as you like night and day, such as will answer for candle, if you please. I expect to stay where I am at work till Christmas next. Dear wife and chil- dren, I every night and morning think on you when I go to bed. I consider you are there 5 hours before me, and rise the same in the morn- ing. I think on you often in the bush, as it is where I work. I get my breakfast before 1 go, and carry my dinner with me, and at sunset I come home to supper, after you are in bed ; and then a good supper. 1 get meat three times a day, which I know is hard for some poor people to get it once a week at home. I often wish you here to get part of it. I got such a supper the other night as I never got before, it consisted of bull beef steaks, stewed apples, coffee and bread. Our living is good in general. I hope to have 5 or 6 acres of grain of different sorts in ground in the spring. I did not think of doing any thing till I heard from you, as I thought you would not be able to come out, but the Lord will. 67 I believe, make a way. So on these thoughts 1 am providing, and should you come, I should be glad if you would bring as follows, if it is in your power. My father's clock, not the case, pack it well as things will get slack and loose ; Canary bird, cock and hen ; grape cuttings, black and white, packed in some wet clay in a jug or old vessel; gooseberrys and currants of all sorts; earthenware; reaphooks; knives and forks; choice flower seeds; old iron; bolts; hooks and hinges; and, if you can, some chain, such as was on the scales ; beds and bedding ; shoes and clothing ; bring some black-lead pencils, a little wheat, bar- ley, oats, and horse beans, if it is not above a thimbleful of each, and the names of it ; a little garden seed of every sort, such as a pennyworth of each ; cotton, worsted, thread, and needles ; shoes and wearing apparel ; bring all the books you can, and some old pitchfork grains, you need not mind the stems. If you can, get the bible put to rights ; get some list to make list shoes ; bring some annatto to colour cheese with; a small scale, beam, and a few small weights; if you have sold the large ones. Tell Wm. More that his son came no farther than Prescott with me. 68 He got into work at eight dollars the month, board and lodgings. He is from me about 500 miles, but we think nothing of that, no more than 20 at home, as you can go all the way by steam packets. I sent him a letter but he never answered it, for 1 should like for him to have come with me, as he might have got double the wages, and he might have got 100 acres of land likewise; and if you (William More) was here yourself you might get 200 for yourself, by pro- ducing your discharge as being discharged a Serjeant. Tell Mrs. Porter, on the hill, that Mr. and Mrs. Slade sends their love to them, and tell them that they are in good health and doing well. Likewise tell Samuel White (a shoemaker) and family the same, they live in Whittox Lane, that they believe he might do well if he was to come over, as shoes are very dear here. Give my love to your brother William, and tell him 1 think he might do well, if he was here, with 100 acres of land; and all my enquiring friends. Adieu. P. S. Bring two potatoes of every sort, and the name ; as the pigs got into the garden where I planted them 1 brought, and destroyed them all. Answer this as soon as you can, and in so 69 doing you will oblige your affectionate husband and father, WILLIAM JEANES. For Elizabeth Jeanes, at Butts, Frome. Direct as follows : For William Jeanes, in the care of Robert Slade, Romney, Talborn Road, Western District, Upper Canada, North America. October 3, 1832. My dear. When we came to Montreal we staid one week out of work, which was but a short time for a strange family in a strange place, when my father got work at 3 shillings per day where he hath remained ever since, and now the winter is coming on his master is going to take him into his house ; and 1 have work at a trade. I am not bound yet, but my master wants me very much. I have as good as 8 dollars per month. It is at the chair making. It is considered one of the best trades in Montreal. As you wished to know how I loved this country, I will tell you 70 that I love it very well ; and I should love it bet- ter if you and your mother and all the family were here. 1 tell the truth, and God forbid that 1 should ever send you a lie so many hundreds of miles to do you harm : a family with whom I have had so much connexion ; and I tell you all that it is bad with some when they come first, and so they go back and give the country a bad name; but I say it is a country where people may live if they will, young or old; but the young in particular : and it is true about the largeness of the place, as the people sent home before we left; for if all England and Ireland were to emigrate to America, the place would not be full; and as I've said I loved this country very well, I would rather be here where I can have plenty of every thing I want to eat, and plenty of money in my pocket. My mother and father have saved about 12 or 14 dollars, and not owe one copper to any person, which is enough to buy in a stove and wood for the winter, and keep them in by the fireside, when some that have had more chance, and more ways in getting money than them, will, if not j)itied, be frozen to death with the cold. Sarah Langsford is at our house, and have been there 71 ever since she landed, and the four oldest of her children is out at work ; and George Oborne comes to my mother's house every Sunday, and he has plenty of work, and is very steady, and saving money : and so no more at present. John Thomas I wish you to remember my kind love. All our kind loves to every one of you and Nancy Shorter, and tell Ann Flour that her sister is with my mother, and so no more true lovers, JOHN THOMAS. For Joseph Hilliar, Grope Lane, near Bell Inn, Frome, Somerset, England. Per Montreal,*! Capt. LeichJ Direct to Mr. Robert Matthews, Inn, Montreal, America. January, 1833. Dear Father, Brothers, and Sisters, We were blessed with a fine passage, and were but a month and three days on the 72 water, I went to work at the millinery, at a French family, my mistress taught me a great many French words. She said by next summer I should speak French enough to sell bonnets for her, as she wanted one that could speak both languages; but its being a catholic family, we could not agree upon, our religion; so T left them; but so much kindness I received from them. / feel very thankful to the Almighty that he has brought me here, tho^ nothing would give me so much pleasure as your presence ; yet [ will not deceive you, house rent is dear, some things are near the same, others much cheaper; but there are some here that soon save enough to live in- dependent, but people in general that work hard get a good living : but every one says it is better on going farther ; we are in the Spring, so please to send before we go. I have been told plumb- ing is a very good trade here, and tailoring; ca- binet makers get five shillings per day. The first summer very hot, notwithstanding I got so fat. We get more wine here than you get beer. The longer I stop the better I like it, I wish you were all here, then I should be happy. My dear Fa- ther, if you are still in the land of the living, I 73 hope the Lord will restore you, and the rest of the family to me, as he did to his servant Joseph, and send you in peace and safety from the land of famine^ to plenty, I have had a great deal of affliction, / think it was my being brought so low in England, I was so weak I could hardly bear the journey, but I now generally enjoy pretty good health. SYLVIA LAWRENCE. Dear Father, / have great reason to be thankful for the many blessings I have enjoyed since my arrival in Upper Canada, for I never enjoyed my health so well in all my life, and I think that if you were here you would be all happy and comfortable as well as myself. For this is a country that any per^ son can live in, in credit, without being beholding to a parish. And as for you my dear father, 1 know that your labour is done, but James and John say that if you can get the gentlemen of Frome to send you here that you shall never want for any thing as long as you live with us, K 74 and as for my dear sisters with their beloved husbands and families, are very much to blarney if they do not come to a land of freedom^ where they can live with their labour, and briny their families up in credit, and give them a good educa- tion, for there is a school close by our dwelling, and therefore I beg you to come for the poor little children's sake, especially Ann, for the good of her dear little ones, for their father is doing well for them, to provide a place for them and you. James sends his love to you all, and hopes to see you all here. Believe me to be your du- tiful daughter and affectionate sister, HANNAH SUTTON. Direct to John Balch, Osnabruck, near Sandy Cruse, Eastern District, Upper Canada, North America. 75 Note X. page 14. REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE APPOINTED ON THE 20TH DAY OF DE- CEMBER, 1819, BY A COMMITTEE FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE LABOURING POOR, CHOSEN AT A MEETING OF THE PAYMASTERS OF THE PARISH OF FROME.* * The particulars are omitted, as not applicable to the present time. EAST INDIES. Mr. Ward, a respectable missionary, who has resided many years in the East Indies, at Seram- pore, near Calcutta, stated that a rupee, that is a half a crown, per week, is considered good wages in that country for servants and labourers, who provide for themselves and their families. That great numbers of the poor are principally main- tained by renting and cultivating small portions of land ; that some occupy about an acre, and others a little more or less, as nearly as he could compute ; the terms used there, and the quanti- ties expressed by them being different from the English acre. The average rent per acre he be- 76 lieved to be seven shillings and sixpence. A poor man^s house, such as is used by the natives for themselves and their families, may be built for one pound. Note XI. page 14. BUILDING. OMITTED. Note XII. page 17. FROME-SELWOOD. LAND-TAX AND ASSESSED TAXES. OMITTED, Note XIII, page 17. FROME-SELWOOD. STATE OF LANDED PROPERTY AND OF THE POOR. OMITTED. Note XIV. page 22. THE MALTHUSIAN THEORY. One of the favourite fancies of Mr. Malthus, 77 and of his disciple Miss Martineau, is to describe a people whose resources are confined to an island, or other limited space. In such circum- stances it is easy to represent that the prolific powers of mankind exceed the possible supply of food, and that the modes of relief by improved cultivation and emigration are nugatory, or in Mr. Malthus*s own language, ^ The difficulty here is reduced to so narrow a compass, is so clear, precise, and forcible, that we cannot escape from it. It cannot be answered in the usual vague and inconsiderate manner, by talking of emigration and further cultivation.'* But it may be asked of any reflective person^ whether these imaginary circumstances are not the very reverse of the actual condition of Great Bri- tain ? Whether she has not the harvests of many nations at her disposal? Whether lands in every climate under heaven are not subject to her domi- nions ? Note XV. page 22. GARDENS. OMITTED. * Essay on the principle of Population by the Rev. T. R. Malthua, Vol. I, chap. 5, pages 72 73. 78 Note XVI. page 24. ALLOTMENTS OF LAND TO THE POOR. OMITTED. Note XVIL page 24. TITHE. OMITTED. Note XVIII. page 28. EXTENSION OF PAROCHIAL TAXATION. OMITTED. Note XIX. page 28. COUNTY RATES COMPARED WITH THE PAROCHIAL RATES OF FROME-SELWOOD. OMITTED. Note XX. page 28. STOCK TAXED. By the reduction of the dividend from five pounds to three pounds and ten shillings per cent. Note XXI. page 31. FAMINE, PESTILENCE, AND WAR. OMITTED. 79 Note XXII. page 31. SUMMARY OF THE POPULATION of GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.— John Rickman. 1801 1811 1821 1831 England 8,331,434 9,551,888 11,261,437 13,089,333 Wales 541,546 611,788 717,438 805,236 Scotland 1,599,068 1,805,688 2,093,456 2,365,807 Army and Navy.. 470,500 640,500 319,300 277,017 10,942,548 12,609,864 14,391,631 16,537,393 Ireland 4,500,000 6,802,093 7,734,365 Grand Total.. 10,942,548 17,109,864 21,193,724 24,271,758 17,109,864 24,271,758 Increase 4Lnine-tenth per cent, from 1811 to 1831. Note XXIII. page 31. ON THE EXTINCTION OF PAUPERISM IN GREAT BRITAIN. I have read Mr. Malthus's opinions with at- tention, I was rather surprised that a writer of such established credit for talent and probity should enter upon so wide a field of argument to establish the following plain facts. • " The increase of population is necessarily limited by the means of subsistence.^^ 80 '^ Population invariably increases when the means of subsistence increase, unless prevented by powerful and obvious checks ;*' " These checks, and the checks which keep the population down to the level of the means of subsistence, are moral restraint, vice, and misery/' The circumstances of nations addicted to can- nibalism, of those who prefer hunting to agri- culture, and of those who live upon spiders and serpents*, though they may be useful in esta- blishing a certain class of facts, cannot aid us much in providing subsistence for the in- habitants of Great Britain. It is of high im- portance to ascertain the nature of the disease, which Mr. Malthus has in some instances ably proved. It is of more importance to devise an efficient remedy. He attributes the increase of dependence and pauperism chiefly to early and incautious mar- riages ; but there are a multitude of other causes which fill our parishes with paupers. If we no- tice the most eminent characters in public life, * Malthus's Essay on the principle of Population, sixth Edition, Vol. I. pages 56 and 57. 81 one deliberately incurs a large debt which he can never discharge ; another chooses to dissipate in follies a patrimony of some thousands a year, and to become a dependent on the bounty of his friends; a third,, who had a sufficient estate if managed with prudence, chuses to overwhelm himself with embarrasments, to have his goods, even his beds, seized for debt, and to fly from his country. A fourth — but there would be no end to the enumeration of those who have prac- tised the art of sinking; who take as much pains to descend, as others do to rise. — These are men of finished education, of refined genius, of dis- tinguished eloquence, whose portraits we engrave, whom we comraemmorate by monuments, whose words and actions we preserve in hallowed re- membrance. If they are so imperfect, what are we to expect from the untaught, the ignorant, and the vicious ? — Very many bring all the evils of dependence and want on themselves, not from having large families, or insufficient means, but from adopting a scale of expense beyond their income, or from neglect of their opportunities to make some provision for the unavoidable vicis- situdes of fife. L. 88 Then the remedy to be applied is moral re- straint : but who are to teach political economy to these young students, whose attachments which end in marriage sometimes begin as early as thirteen ? They will not listen to the higher classes, for they are suspicious of advice received from them. They are most accustomed to be instructed by the clergy; but they expect to be taught by example, as well as precept. Of the willingness to comply with such advice, we may judge from the instances of men who have been refused by the other sex, sacrificing the pre- tended objects of their affections : — of men who have broken open and robbed houses to furnish the expenses of their wedding : — of two men, who committed two murders of unoffending per- sons for the same purpose, but were discovered and executed. It may be said these are rare instances. 1 hope they are : but they shew the uncontrollable nature of the passion which in- cites to such actions, and the small probability there is that young and ignorant persons will be influenced by reason on such subjects. The fol- lowers of Mr. Malthus might as well attempt to prevent the rain from falling, that they may not 83 be wet, instead of adopting the precautions in their power. Then the motive for deferring marriage is, that the wedded pair may possess the means to pro- vide for an average number of children. This may be possible to the few, but to the many it is not. If they earn a little more than is necessary for subsistence at one period of the year, at ano- ther period they are unemployed, and the months of famine consume the months of plenty. The conviction that they shall be no better off if they wait seven years, is one cause of early marriages. The impossibiUty of a labouring man^s advancing himself in this country forms one of the strong est motives for emigration. It is difficult for any one who so decidedly ad- vocates a system of opinions as Mr. Malthus, to weigh the arguments for and against them with impartiality. Thus, in speakiug on the subject of emigration,* he views it as only a ^^ slight palli- ative'^ of the evils arising from a superabundant population. In noticing the English settlements in America, he goes back to all the early difficul- ties, commencing with the settlement of Virginia, * Malthus oa Population, Vol. 2, page 49, chap. 4. Of Emigration. 84 begun by 8ir Walter Raleigh. He says neaily half the first colony was destroyed by the sa- vages, the second colony was cut off to a man : — the third experienced the same dismal fate : as if these difficulties were not long since van- quished^ and British America now in our peace- able possession. Then he details the early diffi- culties of the settlements of Barbadoes, of Gui- ana, and New Holland, all long since subdued. Afterwards he proceeds to display the warlike character of the inhabitants of Europe and Asia, and their powerful opposition if colonies were to be newly established in those countries, as if we were not already in peaceable possession of colonies of almost boundless extent. The con- clusion drawn from his premises, is, that the distressed superfluous population could not be- gin a new colony in a distant land without sup- port ; but who would think of proposing such an attempt in the present circumstances of the country ? He admits that when new colonies have been established, the dfficulty of emigration is dimi- nshed : — but says that, whatever may be the duty of government, it is perhaps too much to 85 expect that, except where particular colonial vantages are proposed, emigration should be ac- tively assisted. The present condition of the country requires that this doubt should be re- moved. No one will say that the people have not performed their part of the precept to '' be fruitful and multiply^^ ; it is for the government to comply with the remainder, and to '^ replenish the earth. '^ He speaks in most affecting terms of the pain poor people suffer when they leave their native country. 1 have assisted many emigrants to Africa, and to America, — and have seen their subsequent letters. — They usually took their fa- milies, and though, as was natural, they felt some regret, on the whole they went cheerfully. — After their arrival, these poor dependant paupers, the lowest of the low, soon became possessed of houses and gardens, and land and timber, and cattle, in short became owners of property, and independent; which they never could have been in England. — Instead of feeling permanent re- gret, they wrote to their English relations to leave the land of famine, as they called it, and come and partake of their good fortune. Many of these m letters have been published^ and I add some on the present occasion which have been lately re- ceived. Let any impartial person compare all Mr. Malthus's dismal picture of the feelings and the fate of colonists with the letters inserted in- discriminately at Note VI II, written, not by the advocates of a system, but by simple-hearted peasants, who had personally tried the experi- ment, and wrote home for the information of their friends and relations. Every resource, he remarks, from emigration, if used effectually, must be of short duration. I hope, before 1 have concluded, to prove the con- trary. The hypothesis that, under certain circum- stances, the population of Europe, excluding Russia, might increase from a hundred millions, in a single century, to eleven hundred millions, which, added to the increase of the colonies, would more than double the present population of the whole earth ; and that the uncultivated ])arts of Asia, Africa, and America, would not support them, may be left without a reply.* * Maithus on Population, Vol. 2, chap. 4, page 50. 87 As the number of people in the United King- dom of Great Britain and Ireland at the last census of 1831 was 24,271,758, it appears that the annual increase, on Mr. Malthus^s supposi- tion of duplication in twenty-five years, would be nearly one million. By another estimate, at- tributed to Mr. Wakefield, and which appears to be approved by Mr. Bulwer, the yearly increase of the inhabitants of Britain alone is estimated at eight hundred thousand.* It is difficult to ima- gine why legislators, politicians, or poUtical oeco- nomists, should perplex themselves with these hypotheses, when they have before them the actual enumeration of 1821 and 1831, by which it appears that the increase of population in the whole United Kingdom, in the interval between these years, was little more than threef millions, and consequently the increase was less than half of either of these distinguished writers imagi- nary numbers. Though there can be no perfect knowledge of the future, surely the official re- turns form a firmer foundation to build upon than any estimate founded upon opinion. t 1831, 24,271,758; 1821, 21,193,724; difference, 3,078,034. 88 Mr. Malthus finally admits, that in the present circumstances of the country, the only relief is emigration ; and the subject at the present mo- ment is well worthy the attention of the govern- ment, both as an affair of humanity and policy; but the tendency of his argument, in this chap- ter on emigration, is to shew that it can be use- ful only as a slight and temporary expedient which from its nature must soon be exhausted i I hope to make it apparent that in some of these points he is deceived. Another most important subject treated of in this essay, is the abolition of the poor laws, and the regulation proposed is this. ^^ That no child born from any marriage, taking place after the expiration of a year from the date of the Law, and no illegitimate child born two years from the same date, should ever be entitled to parish assistance."* In another chapterf he remarks, " in the pre- sent state of things there is no practical problem so difficult as to find employment for the poor.^' * Malthus on Population, Vol. 2, pages 337 338. t Vol. 2, chapter 11th, page 386. 89 Such an abolition of the poor laws as Mr. Malthus advises would remove this burthen from the wise, the rich, and the powerful, to place it on the ignorant, the poor, the comparatively helpless portion of mankind. I am of a more hopeful school than Mr. Mal- thus; but I cannot indulge much hope from a mere extinction of rates for the relief of the poor, unless combined with other measures to supply the deficiency. It] has been too much the custom of gov^ern- ments to favour the interests of the few, and to neglect the many. A new sera has commenced. Some of the chief justices might have presided in the Court of King^s Bench, and some of the chancellors in the High Court of Chancery, for centuries, before they would have removed the antiquated forms which fettered and rendered costly our legal proceedings, as has been accom- plished in one session of parliament. Others, who might be named, might have presided as long at the helm of the state, before they would have removed one link from the chain of slavery. I am not without hope, nor wholly without ex- pectation, that when the state of the poor comes M 90 under the consideration of parliament, as from the force of circumstances it necessarily must, a survey will be taken of the power and of the possessions of this mighty empire, not to inflict vengeance on our own colonies, not to exhaust the strength of the kingdom by striking a blow with its right hand on its left, not to launch the engines of destruction on the nation miscalled its natural enemy, because it happened to be our near neighbour, as has been the case in former times ; but to do all possible good to its own nu- merous subjects. With this view I proceed to state some of the disposable means, that it may be seen what a government, equally wise and benevolent, may accomplish. Mr. Malthus says, " If a tract of rich land as large as this island were suddenly annexed to it, and sold in small lots, or let out in small farms, the melioration of the state of the common people would be sudden and striking.'^ After premising that it is not necessary to the success of this speculation, that the new tract of rich land should be quite as large as Great Bri- tain, let us see whether we cannot discover an estate of sufficient magnitude to effect so de- sirable a purpose. 91 " It has lately been suggested to government to allow the cultivation of all waste lands, free from tithes and every impost whatever : the pro- prietors of such lands giving one quarter part as an equivalent, which should be sold by govern- ment, at public auction, free also from every im- post. It is calculated that this would produce more than seventy millions sterling; lessen the poor rates; give employment to the labouring poor; and check the emigration to America.^' — Bath and Cheltenham Gazette, The advantages held out by this proposal are three : first, that the poor rates are to be lessen- ed. By what means? By excluding the poor from all interest in the land. Second, that the poor are to be employed. Yes, temporary employment, in inclosing the land for the benefit of the rich. Third, that emigration will be checked. That is, the poor are to be deprived of emigration, which at present is one of the greatest benefits they can obtain. These are hypocritical modes of providing for the poor, and only calculated to keep them in their present state of abject dependance. 92 In the parish of Frome, where land is let in smal] parcels to the poor, though there is a sub- scription raised for the purpose^ and the noble Marquis and Earl who reside in the neighbour- hood, have been liberal in grants of money and permission to use their land, yet the rent is four pounds per acre, chiefly on account of the weight of taxes. The idea of essentially relieving the rates, or the poor, by letting land at this price, is erroneous. It requires the powerful arm of the legislature to arrange any plan which can be really beneficial ; and one question to be con- sidered is, whether land let to the poorest of the poor should be liable to the usual impositions ? It strongly shows the willingness of the poor to do their part to raise themselves above the state of dependance, that the applicants for land, even at four pounds per acre, are numerous, and that the rent is paid. The same good disposition has been shown by their continuing to bring abundance of deposits to the bank for savings after the interest was reduced. An arrangement of the poor in Ireland ap- pears to be necessary, among other good pur- poses, to elevate the condition of the dependant 93 poor of England, and also an arrangement to prevent an inundation of the liberated negroes. The great satisfaction 1 felt at the accomplish- ment of their freedom was not caused by any partiality for the sable portion of mankind, but from a love of justice, from a high gratification at seeing a mercantile nation sacrifice so large a sum of money to redress a wrong ; and living to witness my country free herself from so vile a stain. These people should not have been removed from their native country; races so distinct should not mingle. — Why should the English, who, on their appearance at Rome in former days, were called angels from the beauty of their com- plexions, be deteriorated to Sambos, Mulattoes, Quadroons, Mustees, and Mustiphinos. — It is questionable whether such marriages should be legal ? As the destitute poor of England are both wil- ling and able to cultivate land for their subsist- ence, it may be hoped that some ample portion will be allotted to them for this purpose, instead of merely employing them to make the fences. The uncultivated lands of Great Britain and 94 Ireland amount to 30,871,463 acres, which are nearly equal in extent to two-thirds of the lands in cultivation. Doubtless many of them are unfit for use; but it must be a bad acre of land, which, under proper culture, would not support one per- son ; and, taking the government share at one fourth, as is stated above, here are more than seven millions and a half of disposable acres. But let us suppose this resource insufficient for the purpose contemplated by Mr. Malthus, and see whether another means may not be found for the melioration of the state of the common people. ^' It has been stated that a million of horses are now employed in the transport of goods : the land required to rear and feed them would supply corn and animal food for eight mil- lions of men."* The largest portion of these horses will become unnecessary when the pro- jected rail roads are completed and steam car- riages traverse the common roads. To enable dependant paupers to provide for themselves, home colonies have been proposed: — To lease a cottage, and an allotment of land sufficient for their maintenance to each family, at * Febrer'g Statistics, &c. of the British Empire, page 307. 95 a moderate rent. Mr. Malthus^s objection is to this effect, that if this system were continued to future generations, the kingdom would be over- spread with pauper establishments : unhappily the kingdom is already overspread with pauper establishments : but why suppose such an ex- treme case. As he elsewhere observes, it is no reason against providing for many, that we can- not provide for all. The principle of limitation would obviate the evil he is apprehensive of. 1 am not sanguine in my expectations on this sub- ject; but, as it has succeeded in other countries, there is no cause why, under well devised regu- lations, the experiment should not be tried. Another scheme has been adopted of letting very small allotments to the poor in the neigh- bourhood of towns and villages, which they can cultivate without interrupting their usual em- ployments. The rent should not exceed forty shillings per acre. This has been found bene- ficial in some degree. It is absurd to collect from these gardens, leased to the poorest of the poor as a charity, poor rates, tithes, and the re- sidue of the usual charges on land. I cannot conclude this part of the subject 96 without testifying to the willingness of the poor to do their part towards this humble method of improving their condition. Even the married women, whose husbands were absent or ill, em- ployed themselves in digging the ground as well as they were able. Having noticed some of the means of support for our increasing population at home, let us proceed to a survey of our colonies, of lands in our peaceable possession, where the first diffi- culties of colonization are already overcome, and see if we could not find space and sustenance, not only for the increasing numbers which politi- cal oeconomists are anxious to provide for, but for the whole of the present population of Great Britain and Ireland, if it were necessary to re- move them. The territory of Canada is immense: the num- ber of uncultivated acres capable of cultivation is almost infinite. Twenty-seven millions of acres are occupied or granted according to the last demi-official statement, besides twenty-three mil- lions belonging to the crown, and as many to private individuals.* The Anglo-American pro- • Pebrer's Statistics, page 386. May 4th, 1833. " Colonization is not only a manifest experi- 97 vinces are stated to contain ten millions of cul- tivated, and one hundred and thirty-five millions of uncultivated acres, exclusive of an immense tract of land which has not been surveyed. In this country labour is well rewarded, land is abundant, and independence easily obtained. The distribution of land is favourable to the habits and the limited means of the labourer. Suppose he obtain a grant of one hundred acres, valued at one hundred pounds, he is allowed to pay the amount in ten annual sums often pounds each. Would it not be preferable to charge him with the interest of one hundred pounds, and grant the land to him and his heirs for ever, subject to a yearly quit rent of five pounds. It would be an advantage to the grantee, and to the government. Why should we make the annu- ities payable for the national debt interminable, and these land revenues terminable ? '' America affords a practical instance of the ment but an imperative duty in Great Britain. God seems to hold out his finger to us over the sea. But it must be a national coloni- zation, such as was that of the Scotch to America, a colonization of hope, and not such as we have encouraged and effected for the last fifty years, a colonization of despair.*'— Co/erctf^'e'* Table Talk. N 98 agricultural system in a state the most favourable to the condition of the labouring classes."* There are more than three millions of acres of uncultivated land in Jamaica and Trinidad. — In these countries the bread-fruit tree thrives. Ceylon is calculated to contain thirteen mil- lions of acres ; the English possess about three millions, of which about one million only are cultivated. The Cape of Good Hope is almost unbounded in the extent of its territory. The cultivated farms extend above six hundred miles into the interior of the country, which is described to be the most fruitful and promising ever seen ; the valleys sheltered, without being encumbered, by groves of mimosa trees, and full of herds of wild animals pasturing in undisturbed tranquility. The cultivated lands are 407,573 acres, — the un- cultivated acTinfinitum, Australia has a surface exceeding that of all Europe by three hundred and seven thousand geographical miles ; and the greater part of it is under British dominion. How little is yet known of the interior of this country. M^ould not an * Malthus, Vol. 2, page 121. 99 expedition to explore the extensive regions of this terra incognita, in a propitious climate, and its productions, be attended with more valuable results than the expedition to the ice and snow of the north ? 1 need not add a word to impress my readers with an opinion of its prodigious extent. Here are neither human beings of any capa- bility for war, nor savage beasts of fierceness and strength, to encounter. All the European pro- ductions, plants, fruits, useful animals, and many of the manufactures, have been introduced. Its greatest disadvantage, viewed as a resource for the surplus population of the United Kingdom, is its distance. Mr. Mai thus says, "The state of the poor supported by parishes, considered in all its cir- cumstances, is very miserable." Is not this a powerful motive for relieving it ? Whether we admit the rapid increase of po- pulation which he endeavours to prove, or not, shall we not arrive at the same conclusion, namely, that everything, which can with pro- priety be done, should be effected to improve their condition ? 100 When any considerable emigration takes place, I hope the plans which have been proposed, and in some degree acted on, of making the emi- grant pay the expenses of his voyage, will not be adopted. He should be landed on a foreign shore free from debt or any imposition, to reap the benefit of his own industry. Any other scheme would lay the burden on the poor, and deprive him of his last resource. If the emigrants are to incur a debt by their voyage, or to be consigned to a master on their arrival in a foreign land, the number of volun- teers will be so limited, that all the great pur- poses of emigration will be defeated ; and this J think a decisive objection to such plans. The taking possession of South America, viewed with the cruelties which accompanied it and the partial extermination of the original inhabitants, was an inglorious enterprise. The English settlement of North America, by persons driven from their country by the bigotry and persecution of the government, was inglorious. The separation of the two countries caused by the ruling powers, (in opposition to the opinions of such men as Chatham, and Burke, and Adam 101 Smith,) insisting on unlimited taxation; and un- qualified submission, and ending in the capture of the British armies, and an immense addition to the national debt, was equally so. The in- tercourse with Africa, and enslavement of her sable sons, was inglorious : but the sending forth of the sons of Britain to colonise, without blood- shed, intrusion, or oppression, the different por- tions of the globe which are already subject to her sway, accompanied as it might be, with re- lief of their bodily wants, with the means of education and religious instruction, in short with parental care; the spread of the English lan- guage and institutions over such widely-spread regions of the earth, and the preservation of the relations of peace and amity with all her nu- merous colonies, would be the most glorious enterprise which Great Britain has yet under- taken. Possessed, as the Sovereign of Britain is, of so many countries, sufficient, if divided, to form powerful empires, his future policy must be peaceful ; he can have no good motive for war, but to defend the regions which have already submitted to his sway ; or to chastise the opres- 102 sor, and set the captive free, as at the battles of Algiers and Navarino. It is a frequent expression among the poor people, ^^ If there were a bridge to Canada, many would pass over it/' The United Kingdom can build the bridge. During the late contest she had one thousand ships of war. She has now nearly four millions of tons of shipping en- gaged in foreign merchandise. The increase of population in the United King- dom during the last ten years was three millions and seventy-eight thousand and thirty-four per- sons, not quite three hundred and ten thousand in each year. It could never be necessary, but if it were, Great Britain could transport and pro- vide for the whole number of three hundred and ten thousand persons, or about sixty-two thou- sand families, yearly. I prefer kingly government, but have no ob- jection to learn from a republic. It is not be- cause there is plenty of land, and plenty of corn, in the United States, that poverty is banished from thence, but because the welfare of the many is preferred to the welfare of the few. I think Mr. Malthus has acted a most useful 103 part in clearing away many vain speculations, and displaying in a clear light the difficulties which are to be met with firmness, and as far as the case permits to be removed; but I cannot acquiesce in all his observations. When he re- fers so frequently to other countries, I cannot view them as lights to guide us in our path, be- cause no country on earth is circumstanced like Great Britain. When he censures plans which do not provide for his imaginary duplications of the species in twenty-five years, it appears to, me, that, in many instances, the persons cen- sured, finding distress, relieved it, as it was their duty to do, without extending their views to futu- rity. When Malthus recommends that the cler- gyman of each parish should, after the publication of banns, read a short address stating the im- propriety, and even immorality, of marrying without a prospect of the parties being able to maintain their own children, he proposes a pain- ful task for the clergy to perform, as it is evi- dent that protestant clergymen, who are often poor, and dissenting ministers who are poorer, marry, almost without an exception,* and whe- * Some years since an application was made to the public, to extricate the Rev. Thomas Scott from pecuniary difficulties, incur- 104 ther they can provide for their children or not. Marriage has a decided tendency to promote a life and manners consistent with the holy doc- trines which it is their duty to inculcate. The Roman Catholic clergy would be more suitable teachers of celibacy. I cannot agree with him when he says^ '^ Every resource from emigration, if used effectually, must be of short duration. *^t The facts I have stated prove the contrary. If I acquiesce in his opinion that " Man has no right to subsistence when his labour will not fairly purchase it/^ I still think that it is the duty of those who are more happily circumstanced to protect and assist the unemployed labourer, and that, if they neglect this duty, the evils arising from their neglect will recoil on themselves. If red by the publication of his valuable Commentary : Afterwards a second (if I recollect rightly) on account of some unfortunate chil- dren. Now (in 1835) there is an appeal to the public on behalf of his family. It seems that three of his sons, all Reverend Divines of the Church of England, have had one ten, another thirteen, and the third eight children ; and the public is called upon to provide for fifteen of them. All this may be right, but it would have been rather embarrassing to these Rev. Gentlemen to read Mr. Malthus's ad- dress. t Vol. 2, page &8. 105 I think the abolition of the poor rates desirable, I must be permitted to concede to every able-* bodied labourer a lease of an allotment of land, at a moderate rent, when it can be obtained, and when not, a permission to emigrate. And I must hesitate, I must see what other plan would be substituted, before I abandon the orphans, the widows, and the aged. I have assisted in the emigration of some hun- dreds of poor persons to the cape of Good Hope and to Canada, and I have not witnessed those heart-rending feelings at the separation from their native country which Mr. Malthus paints so strongly. — On the contrary, they went cheer- fully, and afterwards, as appeared by their letters which have been printed, rejoiced in having left the land of starvation for the land of plenty, and invited others to follow them. The sorrows were felt by those who were not permitted to go, and by those who separated themselves from their families; but, where our influence extended, such separation was not permitted. They did not suffer the dreadful severities and misfortunes which Mr. Malthus has related. The emigrants to the Cape of Good Hope were protected, and 106 treated with kindness by the government. The African crops were more liable to failure than the American. The voyagers to Canada were pro- vided with clothing, were forwarded to Montreal at the expense of the subscribers and the parish, except in one instance, in which a mistake oc- curred at the merchants' office. A sovereign was paid to each man, another to his wife, and a less sum for each child. Tools were given to every labourer. His strength and wilUngness to work obtained for him almost immediate employment, at higher wages than are given in England. Those who had learned any useful trade were well re- ceived, and proportionably paid. When they had made a little saving, they could, if they chose, purchase land, on which they might raise in the first year more produce than they could consume.* The expense of the emigration was about six pounds for each individual, and the whole of the increase of the population of the United King- dom of Great Britain and Ireland, so dreadful an object of apprehension to Mr. Malthus's ima- gination, might be annually transported to fo- reign climes, to found new and extensive em- * See Note VIII. 107 pires, for about one-fourth of the amount of the money collected yearly for the English poor rate. If relief to able-bodied labourers and their fa- milies should be withheld, will not this give imme- diate aid to overburdened parishes, and the raising of the same sum by a county rate, or other more equal assessment, provide the necessary means of emigration ? If considerable emigration should take place, it might be desirable to reconsider the quantities of land to be granted to each family, on account of the obvious fact, that grants of one hundred acres would provide for twice as many families as grants of two hundred acres, and grants of fifty acres for four times as many. If the allot- ments should be small, all the conveniences arising from neighbourhood, will be increased, and the land better cultivated. It seems to be a prevailing opinion, that if emigration should be promoted by the legislature, a large sum should be borrowed by parishes, and by one great effort the population which cannot be employed disposed of. Could anything be more injudicious, or ineffective ? The debt is unnecessary. When the sum proposed to be bor^ 108 rowed should be exhausted, it would soon be requisite to borrow again for a similar purpose. The sending a very large number of emigrants at once would render their advantageous location almost impossible. We need not go to political oeconomists to learn that the unemployed labour- ers are produced by annual births, and if an act of parliament should pass relative to this subject, it must provide for an annual emigration propor- tioned to the circumstances of the country, and the necessities of the different parishes. By di- viding the expenses more equally, a sufficient an- nual sum may be raised yearly, without incon- venience, and without incurring a debt. Britain and her colonies would thus receive the greatest advantage which the legislature can confer. To what do all these enquiries and remarks tend? — ^Their design is, if the legislature shall decide on altering the present state of the poor laws, that a more humane and more efficient system may be substituted ; that the course of events, which every year increases the number of dependent paupers, shall be stayed ; that want and its miseries shall be comparatively banished from the empire ; as it already has been from 109 some foreign states. That the attention of the legislature of this rich and powerful country may be less directed to the feeding of paupers^ and more to the extinction of pauperism. The im- portance of the subject must excuse the length of this note. No person has more aversion than I have to books, or speeches, unnecessarily long. W. p. Penny, Printer, &c, Frome. 14 DAY USE RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED This book is due on the last date stamped below, or on the date to which renewed. Renewed books are subject to immediate recall. 30Aug'58RH| »»r»»n m f^ f fc "«• •l*' ^Kr HV AU6 31 WH General Library LD 21-50ot-8,'57 University of California (C848l8l0)476 Berkeley iv!31 0317