t4t HOMELESS POOL

The appeal of the Times on behalf of the homeless poor has resulted in the raising of no less than 79171. 14s. 3d. in less than three weeks ! Of this large large sum 5500/. goes to the Field Lane Refuge, and the remainder to similar establishments. It is right to say that 1871. 128. Id. of this total has been raised for a poor blind gentleman on whose behalf the Reverend J. C. Hingeston appealed through the leading journal. The subscriptions came from Englishmen in all parts of the continent as well as from those at home. -

The possession of the money has quickened the enterprise of the pro- moters of the Refuge, and they are about to increase the institution to an extent that will require something like an annual subscription of above 1000/. to pay expenses. In the mean time the leading journal calls attention to "the Homes of our Poor" in an article, marked with that ability and those wide- reaching sympathies, which characterized the appeal on behalf of the homeless. Of this new paper we append some passages-

" We start from the Ragged School in connection with the Refuge for the Destitute in Field Lane, and traverse that dreary space of ground known as 'The Ruins,' where dirt and refuse litter the path, and where each heap is surmounted by a group of tiny forms probing the filth with their wan hands for thrice-burnt cinders, or scattering the piles abroad in eager search for bones. Most of them are startled as strangers approach and go whooping away in the twilight, when you hear their catcalls, slang phrases, and sometimes filthy oaths; for, alas too often their morality is no better than their food. The 'Ruins' lead to Turnmill Street—a wretched locality, where a few dingy shops sell bread, and on the shelves of one or two are seen cuttings' of bacon mixed up in little piles with the fragmentary refuse, of butcher's shops, known among the poor as pieces.' On the right is a passage like a doorway calletl Rose Alley, the entrance to which is generally blocked up with boys and girls of every age—in every grade of infamy and want. Each house in the court seems full : some have lights in the rooms, some have not, but through all the broken windows, stuffed with rags and paper, the voices of men, women, and children, in tones of suffering entreaty or complaint can always be heard, for every little den is occupied by many members of poor families I! "You pass through arches where the thieves of this quarter nightly as- semble to share the proceeds of their crime, or plan fresh deeds of violence and outrage, till at last the labyrinth terminates in a blind alley full of the filthiest refuse. At the end of this is a small smithy and two ruinous little buildings, which were old even when Jonathan Wild's house stood near them, and the Fleet ditch was a stream up which the barges came. The doors of these houses are always open, so you enter at once into a room like a cellar on the ground, where a man with his wife and four children are lying together. A few cinders which have been mercifully given them from the smithy are burning in the grate, and near the cherished warmth of this, on two old chairs—the only articles of furniture in the wretched vault —lies a fast-dying child. The other children are crouched beneath the chairs : one that fractured his arm a fortnight sgo has the little limb in splints, and wrung with pain and hunger adds his wailing to the convulsive coughs and strugglings which mark how rapidly death's hand is closing on his little brother. There needs no tale to say what these must suffer. The father, a poor object, with scarce a month's life in his worn frame, is in the last stage of consumption ; the mother is incapacitated by a racking illness from even moving about, and so with their children they aro starving slow- ly. The husband said he had told his piteous tale to the guardians of Clerk- enwell and asked for a little—for any outdoor relief ; but they replied, to use his own words, that he was a bodiedable man, who must support his wife and family, and refused even the miserable aid of one small loaf. When we saw the family the poor woman was worse than usual, for she had that day taken her dying child through fog and wet, with scam a garment to protect its thin frame from the biting air, to see the union doctor. She feared such exposure would kill the baby, but, as she truly said, what could she do ? A gentleman had called upon her a few days before and given her some tracts, and these, with medicine for the sick, were the only things ex- cept the chairs in that close and fcotid room. Not one of its miserable occu- pants had tasted ought save water for six-and-twenty hours. . . . . The alleys that wind away from this poor place, called Eagle Court, are even .lower, dimmer, and more tortuous than before, till at last they emerge near Peter's Lane, Cow Cross, where live the family who gain a wretched mei 1 a day by dragging down the bills and posters as we have already mentioned in a previous article. . . . . It is, indeed, a poor and filthy room. In one corner, upon a pile of old sacks and paper, crouching beneath their ragged clothing, lie four little naked boys—some asleep, some fretfully whining for food. In an- other corner the fatherand mother, with th ree more Children, have their miser- able bed. The rest of the room is occupied by an old table and a large pile of newly torn down bills, which are laid out to dry. The father and chil- dren are in bed, the mother is working by a rushlight, trying so to stitch the wretched tatters of her children's garments that they can put them on in the morning. They say they have a hard life—which one can well be- lieve in looking at the skeleton young forms around—and that bills now-a- days are pasted down so tight and put up so high that it is but seldom they can manage with constant labour to earn more than M. a day, and even for this poor sum the younger branches of the family have always to work standing on their parent's shoulders to reach the highest placards. The 'gentleman' who buys the fragments, too, has grown more scrupulous of late, and, in addition to requiring that the paper should be dry, will allow them no money for any scraps which have mud upon them, though the 'gentleman ' takes them also. Last winter, while the poor old man, who is now seventy, was carrying home his morning load of bills, he slipped and broke his ribs, and this accident at once so reduced the earnings of the family that he was compelled to apply to the board of guardians for out- door relief. But we must let him tell this tale in his own words. He said, I went before the board, and I says, "Gentlemen, Providence has broke my ribs, and I wants out-door relief very bad, for my children is starving." And the board sea to me, "We Mut a going to give you any relief, cos you're a living in indultry"' and I says," What do you mean by living in mdul- try ? My wife's dead and my good woman's husband's dead, and I must have somebody to look after my children and keep my bits of things to- gether." But the board sea, "It aint no matter ; you can't have no relief while you're a living in indultry" • so they turned Ime out.' It mig,ht, however, have shocked the pions feelings of the board' if this old man had told them what we can tell our readers that he was most anxious to be mar-

ried to the woman he lived with, and the benevolent managers of the Field Lane Refuge had, for this purpose, begged a clergyman to forego his marriage fees, as the poor man could nopay them, but the reverend gentle- man refused to bate a single penny. Happily, however, all were not so mercenary, and within the last few days the poor people have been married."

. . . Near the Field Lane Ragged School is a wretched house. "At the top garret of all, upon a floor so frail and shattered that it is no longer safe for any sits a poor woman with an infant across her knees and three children, huddled close to her for warmth upon the floor around her. The place is deadly cold, for there is no fire in the room, but as the child upon her lap is sick and dying the mother has borrowed a small candle from a neighbour, and by its dim light watches in silence the painful working of her infant's features. Her case is very sad. Her husband has broken a blood vessel, and is in hospital dying. She has 2s. a-week and two loaves from the parish, but le. 61.1. of this goes in rent, and she with her infants are slowly but very surely dying of starvation. But it was neither hunger, cold, nor sickness which had bowed this woman to despair—it VMS the con- duct of her eldest boy her favourite, her hope and pride, who once, she said, had been so good, but latterly had fallen into low company, and was now a thief, and constantly in prison. The term of his last imprisonment for suspicion; only for suspicion,' she said, was up that very morning, and she had written to the governor of the gaol, imploring him to make her boy come home to her at once, but it was night and still he had not come. It was early yet, she said ; he might have got work, and would be home a little late—she was sure he had got work, and turning to our kind con- ductor, she said with trembling accents, 'Don't you think he's got work, Sir ; isn't it that that keeps him out so late ? ' Still the forebodings of her own heart mis,gave her, and crying Oh ! Jemmy, Jemmy, if you have gone wrong again t'will kill me,' she hid her face upon her little child, and sobbed as if her heart was breaking."

A number of the inhabitants of Chelsea held a meeting on Tuesday, and resolved to petition Parliament for representatives. An attempt was made to supersede the resolution by one embodying the principles of the Bright reform project, but it failed.

At a meeting of the Sewers Commission on Tuesday, Deputy Obbard drew attention to the inconvenience which results from the disturbance of the pavements by public companies. The Engineer, Mr. Hayward, said they would have to pay for all damages. Deputy Obbard.—" Almost every stone in one of the leading streets was lately injured by a telegraph company, many of them having large pieces broken off them, and they remain in that state."

Mr. Abraham.—" That company have obtained powers which they ought never to have possessed. They ought never to have been allowed to disturb the pavement without our permission. Almost immediately after we have paved a street at an immense cost, which would have remained in a perfect state for eight or ten years, they have been enabled, by the powers in their Act, to tear it up without consulting us." Mr. Young.— 'It is the duty of one of the officers of the corporation to take notice of every Bill whereby the interests of the city may be damnified and if he does not know his duty he ought to be taught it." Mr. Dew (chief clerk).—" The only Act that escaped notice was that of the European and Continental Telegraph Company." Mr. Young.—" That assists my argument."

At the same time complaints were made that the supply of gas in pri- vate houses and in the public ways is inferior in quality and quantity. The Chairman, Deputy Christie, imputed this to combinations among the men," which threaten to deprive London of gaslight.

A meeting was held in the parish of Afarylebone, on Monday, to re- ceive a report from an association which has charged itself with the task of clearing certain districts of infamous houses and reforming their un- fortunate inmates. A report was read, showing the extent of the trade in importing and keeping young girls, and also of the efforts made to re- duce the nuisance in certain localities. The Association have sent eleven young women to their friends, and have received 63 in a home provided for them. They also endeavour to find places for the reformed. The interest of the meeting, however, lay in certain extraordinary state- ments. The Reverend Mr. Gamier said that while he was connected with the House of Commons (as Speaker's chaplain) he knew that noble- men and Members of Parliament, even the Speaker himself received letters soliciting them to attend and bid for recently imported girls at a sort of auction. Professor Marx made an astounding statement. He epoke of the importation of three Jewesses. "En one case alone he was enabled to take the poor creature from the abominable vice that threatened her and send her home ; and he nearly suc- ceeded with another, but with regret, ay, deep regret, he said so, he was prevented by her brother. It was indeed with great regret he said thio, considering that that brother was a legislator of the country ; and no less a sum than 2001. was given to get the girl to remain. It was a most sorrowful thing to have to make such a statement, as to whom were they to look to put down this nuisance unless to the Legislature ? How mortifying was it to look at a man holding such a position as this brother did in the country—a man of good means—a married man, having a family and daughters—acting in this way !"

It was explained that the association was formed not to punish the poor creatures who formed the great evil complained of, but to re- claim them, and at the same time use rigorous measures for suppressing their haunts.

At a full meeting bf the Royal Geographical Society on Monday, Sir Roderick Murchison in the chair, a paper was read on the Zambesi ex- pedition, by Mr. Baines and Dr. Livingstone ; and another by Mr. E. G. Squier, giving an account of Lake Yojoa or Taulebe in Honduras. This remarkable sheet of water is shut in between lofty mountains. It has ten outlets, nine subterranean, one open. A map of that part of Central America exhibiting the mountain chains as broken up in various directions, through which chasms the line for the Interooeanic Railway was traced, was suspended in the room. The summit level would be 2900 feet, but it would be a continuous ascent to that point, and the gradients would in no part be steeper than sixty feet in a mile, which is much less than many of the important railways in the United States.

The subscribers to the Dramatic College held a meeting on Wednesday to hear a statement from the Committee. It appears that Mr. Henry Dodd, who figured as the munificent donor of land as a site for the Col- lege, has desired to impose conditions that the Committee regard as in- admissible. They have, therefore, broken off all communication with Mr. Dodd. This has not stayed the measures for the execution of their scheme. They have in hand 30001.; they have received promises to build several almshouses, and the Reverend Edward Moore and the Ne- cropolis Company have offered them a site for a college superior to that offered by Mr. Dodd. The meeting unanimouly confirmed the resolu- tion of the Committee to go on without Mr. Dodd.

Mr. Clarke, a builder, culled upon the vestry of Paddington to make a sewer connecting the main sewers with certain houses belonging to Mr. Clarke. They refused, insisting that he was bound to make the link of communication. They further ordered him to discontinue the erection of the houses and threatened to demolish them if he proceeded. Mr. Clarke filed a bill in Chancery praying for an injunction. The vestry subse- quently admitted that they had no right to issue the order and no right to impose upon Mr. Clarke the obligation of making the sewer, but they com- plained bitterly of Mr. Clarke forcarrying the question into Court. Vice- Chancellor Kindersley justified the course pursued by Mr. Clarke, rebuked the vestry for its proceedings, granted a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, and imposed upon them the costs of the legal proceedings. The Vice-Chancellor could not "help adverting to the circumstance that the plaintiff is himself a parishioner of the parish of Paddington, and that the costs of this litigation, which has been improperly caused by the unjus- tifiable act of the defendants, who seem not to know what their powers are, except that they are determined to exercise to the utmost, whenever they see an opportunity, the powers which the Legislature has conferred upon them, will be discharged by a rate to be levied on the parish to which the plaintiff himself must contribute his proportion. That is a great injustice, and one which I hope the Legislature will provide the means of remedying. It cannot be consistent with justice that persons exercising public functions recklessly and by mistake should make the injured person bear his proper. tion of the costs in obtaining that very justice and seeking that remedy to which they compel him to resort in order to have his rights protected."

The Master of the Rolls gave judgment on Wednesday in the case of Swinfen versus Swinfen. This was a motion for a new trial. Old Mr. Swinfen made a will three weeks before he died, by which he bequeathed the bulk of the property to Mrs. Patience Swinfen, the widow of a son who had recently died. It was alleged by the heir-at-law that Mr. Swinfen was not at the time competent to make a will. This allegation was sustained by Dr. Evans, a distinguished medical man. On the other side, three re- spectable gentlemen, who had no interest in the will, swore that the testa- tor was competent to make the will at the time he made it. The Court, therefore, held that Mr. Swinfen was competent, and that the will was valid. He said it was proper then to remark, that Mrs. Patience Swinfen was in every respect entitled to credence, and that her conduct, both as re- gards the testator himself and in regard to the will in her favour, stood -un- impeached. She appeared to have taken no steps towards influencing the testator to make a will in her favour, and the present was a proper time for the Court to express an opinion to that effect. The verdict of the Stafford Jury appeared to the Court to have properly affirmed the capacity of the testator to make a will at the time he made the one in question, and the motion for a new-trial must, therefore, be dismissed with costs.

Mr. Herbert Ingrain has determined to move for a new trial in the case of Scully versus Ingram. On Tuesday, his counsel, Mr. Bovill, applied to the Court of Queen's Beach to enlarge the time for moving for a new trial, on the ground that a large mass of snipers have yet to be examined. The Court declined to enlarge the time. There is no precedent for it. A full Court of Divorce has decided that Mr. Robinson, co-respondent in the case of Evans versus Evans and Robinson—the gimlet case—shall pay all the costs of the proceedings in that Court.

In the same Court a motion was made for a new trial in the case of Marehmont venue Marchmont, on the ground that the verdict was against the evidence and that the Judge Ordinary misdirected the Jury. Lord Campbell, the other Judges, concurring, refused the application. The Judge had not misdirected the Jury ; and the Jury were the best judges of the value of the testimony submitted to them. Some strong expressions used by Lord Campbell characterizing the conduct of Mr. Marchmont eli- cited applause from the audience.

The Court of Probate has granted letters of administration of the property d by the late Duchess of Orleans in this eountry, to her son the rest:1;341e Paris, and also to the late Queen of the French on behalf of the

Duke de Chartres. The judge suggested that the Count do Paris should elect his grandmother as his guardian. The Queen's Advocate said that he had no doubt " his Royal Highness" would adopt that suggestion."

At a meeting in the Court of Bankruptcy for the proof of debts in re James Perkins, proof was tendered for a sum of 373/. by a stockbroker. It

was, however, shown that the sum was for brokerage in time bargain tran- sactions. Mr. Commissioner Goulburn said it was a gambling transaction. It is contrary to public policy that such debts could be recovered. All parties who in any way have been particeps' criminis cannot recover. It was objected that the bankrupt had in ins accounts debited himself with only about 8001. as profits on time bargains, whereas Mr. Tyne and Mr: Rogers could prove the payment to him of 1600/. on account of such profits,

It was also desirable to investigate the circumstances under which the bankrupt had effected the settlement. The Commissioner doubted whether in respect to the alleged difference between the 8001. and 15001., the Court could call upon the bankrupt to produce, as it were, his "betting- book." Mr. Lucas.—" But if the receipt of the money can be proved he may be called upon to account for its application." The Commissioner.— " Certainly."

Mrs. Mary Newell appealed to the Lambeth magisfrite for aid in discover- ing a missing daughter. It seemed that Jane Newell had, on her father's death, accepted an engagement as a dancer at the Olympic to eke out the scanty family income. M. 3fassol, of the Italian Opera, saw and appre- ciated her ability, and she was bound apprentice to him. When Mr. Lum- ley failed M. Massol desired to cancel the indentures, but this was at the time resisted. Afterwards, when M. llassol had prevented the girl from dancing at the ]Iaymarket, and wanted to take her abroad; the indentures were cancelled. But by that time the poor girl was shut out of a London engagement. The family were reduced to great straits; the girl was low- spirited ; and last Tuesday week she said it would be better to take a penny- worth of something to put them out of misery. She went out on the Wed- nesday to delivery a letter, and had not returned. Inquiries have proved fruitless ; Mrs Newell believes that her daughter has not been guilty of de- parture from the paths of moral propriety. But where is she ? Mr. Norton said that no more powerful aid could be given her than a notice of the ap- plication by the press. He gave the mother half a sovereign from the poor- box.

Evershed, a gallant policeman, observing suspicious signs in a house at Hackney, entered the back way. He found a burglar on the kitchen stairs and seized him by the throat. Another rushed at him, Evershed thrice knocked him down with his lantern. In the struggle the three had got outside the house, and one finding a crowbar or jemmy he struck Evershed several tunes and kicked him. The burglar he still griped by the throat, until his neck scarf gave way, and the villian fled. Evershed was found by a ser- geant, faint and bleeding. This combat took place last November. Ever- shed has identified both the men, regular thieves, and they stand committed for trial.

Mr. Broughton has again remanded Mrs. Griggs, the woman who threw her child out of window under an apprehension that the house was on fire. Some attempt has been made to show that Mrs. Griggs was "rather given to drink," and to give rise to an inference that drink not dreams impelled her to the act.

A youth, apprenticed to an engineer, summoned his master for refusing to pay him 28. 13d. This sum had been stopped by the master for Christmas day. The Thames Police Magistrate decided that Christmas day is the same as a Sunday to those who are employed and paid by the week, and that they are entitled to a week's wages without deduction. This decision en- raged the master, who at once discharged the boy, pleading that his inden- ture had been broken—the violation consisting in absenting himself from work to appeal to the Magistrate ! The master was very restive. Mr. Yardley fined him 40s. for refusing to take back the boy, and reminded him that he was liable for 408. for every day that he refused to teach the ap- prentice his trade. The master said he should appeal.

• One of the consequences of omnibus rivalry is peril to life. Thus Mary Pratt, the child of Mr. Pratt doorkeeper of the House of Commons has been killed in consequence of reckless driving. Two omnibuses were hastening along the Brixton Road. Mrs. Pratt hailed the first, as she was attempting to reach it the second dashed up and knocked her down; killing her child.

The investigation into the cause of the late fatal accident at the Poly- technic Institution was resumed on Thursday before Mr. Coroner Wakley. A number of witnesses were examined who had been concerned in the re- pair of the staircase by the insertion of iron treads, and so far as the evi- dence has gone it would appear that not sufficient precaution had been taken either in the planning or the execution of that work.

Mr. Ackerman, lately a publisher of books and prints in the Strand, killed himself by drinking prussic acid, at his house in St. John's Wood.