the whole sum raised was 1,720,316)., of
which there was expended on the poor
1,556,8041; on the average of the years
1783, 1784. and 1785, the sum raised
was 2,167,7491., expended on the poor
2,004,2381.; in 1803 the sum raised
was 5,348,2051, expended on the poor
4,267,9651.; in 1815, 7,068,9991., expended
on the poor 5,072,0281. The excess above
the sum applied to the poor, was expended
in church rates, county rates, highway and
militia; and it appears from the evidence
before your Committee, that the amount of
the sums assessed is largely increased since
those last returns; part of which increase
cannot fail to have arisen from the peculiar
pressure and difficulty of the times, aggra-
vated by the high prices incident to the
calamity of a deficient harvest. But in-
dependent of the pressure of any temporary
or accidental circumstances, and making
every allowance for an increased population,
the rise in the price of provisions and other
necessaries of life, and a misapplication of
part of these funds, it is apparent that both
the number of paupers and the amount of
money levied by assessment,
are pro-

for setting to work the able, originated | deserves your consideration;" and though without doubt, in motives of the purest complaints appear continually to have been humanity, and was directed to the equitable since made of the increasing numbers of the purpose of preventing this burthen falling poor, yet it was not till the present reign, exclusively upon the charitable. But such in the year 1776, that authentic accounts of a compulsory contribution for the indigent, this expenditure were required under the from the funds originally accumulated from authority of the legislature. From the the labour and industry of others, could Returns made under Acts passed in that aud not fail in process of time, with the in-subsequent years, it appears that in 1776, crease of population which it was calculated to foster, to produce the unfortunate effect of abating those exertions on the part of the labouring classes, on which, according to the nature of things, the happiness and welfare of mankind has been made to rest. By diminishing this natural impulse by which men are instigated to industry and good conduct, by superseding the necessity of providing in the season of health and vigour for the wants of sickness and old age, and by making poverty and misery the conditions on which relief is to be obtained, your Committee cannot but fear, from a reference to the increased numbers of the poor, and increased and increasing amount of the sums raised for their relief, that this system is perpetually encouraging and increasing the amount of misery it was designed to alleviate, creating at the same time an unlimited demand on funds which it cannot augment; and as every system of relief founded on compulsory enactments must be divested of the character of benevolence, so it is without its beneficial effects; as it proceeds from no impulse of charity, it creates no feelings of gratitude, and not unfrequently engenders dispositionsgressively increasing; while the situation and habits calculated to separate rather of the poor appears not to have been in a than unite the interests of the higher and corresponding degree improved; and the lower orders of the community; even the Committee is of opinion, that whilst the obligations of natural affection are Do existing poor laws and the system under longer left to their own impulse, but the which they are administered remain unmutual support of the nearest relations has changed, there does not exist any power of been actually enjoined by a positive law. arresting the progress of this increase, till This system, it is also to be remarked, is it shall no longer be found possible to augpeculiar to Great Britain. ment the sums raised by assessment.

What might have been the amount of assessments for the poor during the 17th or 18th centuries, the Committee have no means of ascertaining; for although the preamble of 13 and 14 Ch. II. states "The necessity, number, and continual increase of the poor to be very great and exceeding barthensome;" and in the year 1699, King William thus expressed himself in a speech from the throne:-"The increase of the poor is become a burthen to the kingdom; and their loose and idle life does in some measure contribute to that depravation of manners which is complained of, I fear with too much reason; whether the ground of this evil be from defects in the laws already made, or in the execution of them

The intention of the Legislature to bring into equal contribution all species of income, has failed in this instance, as it has done subsequently under the original land tax Act, which was designed in its first establishment as a tax on all income; and from the same cause, uamely, the difficulty of ascertaining with any reasonable pre cision, the amount of the contribution without the exercise of powers which the exigency of the State in time of war, has alone induced the Legislature to grant. The Committee conceive therefore that the House would deem the equalization of the poor rate, if practicable, purchased too dearly at such a price. There is, however, one species of income derived from personal

549]

seen that there has been the same progressive augmentation in the amount of the assessments as may be observed to have taken place in the manufacturing coun

property, the dividends payable to the
public creditor, which, though it has been
decided not to come within the existing
law, as being neither local nor visible, is
yet free certainly from the above difficulties.
ties, and if it presented no others, would
afford a facility of assessment which has
convenient
naturally suggested it as a
source of contribution. But without con-
sidering in what proportions a sum raised
by an assessment on such property should
be distributed among all the parishes of
England and Wales, to none of which it
has any local relation, it is a far more
important question for the consideration of
the House, Whether justice and good faith
to the public creditor would permit the
income derived from this one species of
personal property alone to be taxed, in
direct violation of the clause in every Loan
Act, by which the payment of the dividends
is secured, "free from all taxes, charges,
and impositions," when almost all other
property of similar description is practically
exempted?

In large towns little inequality in the mode of assessment might be expected to prevail: but various representatious have been made to your Committee, of a large proportion of property necessarily escaping its share of contribution, from tenements being of small value, rented for short periods, and the occupiers, who alone can be rated under the existing law, either quitting their residence before the rate can be collected, or being too poor to admit of the rate being levied; while, it is represented, the proprietors find no difficulty in securing a rent, which is increased in the exact proportion of the amount of the rate which is due, but impossible to collect. In these cases the deficiencies arising from this cause must be added to the succeeding rate, and paid by the more industrious class of occupiers.

The gradual increase which has taken place, both in the number of paupers and in the assessments for their support, can hardly fail to have arisen from causes inberent in the system itself, as it does not appear to have depended entirely upon any temporary or local circumstance. Scarcity of provisions, and a diminished demand for particular manufactures, have occasioned, from time to time, an increased pressure in particular parishes; and at no former time in so great a degree as during the early part of the present year. But by comparing the assessments in the two counties in this kingdom, in which the largest portion of the population is employed in agriculture, namely, Bedfordshire and Herefordshire, it will be

|

The independent spirit of mind which induced individuals in the labouring classes to exert themselves to the utmost, before they submitted to become paupers, is much impaired; this order of persons therefore are every day becoming less and less unwilling to add themselves to the list of paupers. The workhouse system, though enacted with other views, yet for a long time acted very powerfully in deterring persons from throwing themselves on the parishes for relief; there were many who would struggle through their difficulties, rather than undergo the discipline of a workhouse: this effect however is no longer produced in the same degree, as by two modern statutes the justices have power, under certain conditions, to order relief to be given out of the workhouses; and the number of persons to whom relief is actually given, being now far more than any workhouses would contain, the system itself is from necessity, as well as by law, materially relaxed.

In addition to these important considerations, it is also apparent, that in whatever degree the addition to the number of paupers depends upon their increase by birth, that addition will probably be greater than in past times, in the proportion in which the present number of paupers exceeds that which formerly existed: and it is almost needless to point out, that when the public undertakes to maintain all who may be born, without charge to the parents, that the number born will probably be greater than in the natural state.—

The consequences which are likely to result from this state of things, are clearly set forth in the petition from the parish of Wombridge in Salop the petitioners "That the annual value of land, state, mines, and houses in this parish, is not sufficient to maintain the numerous and increasing poor, even if the same were to be set free of rent; and that these circumstances will inevitably compel the occupi ers of lands and mines to relinquish them, and the poor will be without relief or any known mode of obtaining it, unless some assistance be speedily afforded them." And your Committee apprehend, from the petitions before them, that this is one only of many parishes that are fast approaching to a state of dereliction.

Your Committee forbear to expatiate on these considerations which have pressed themselves upon their attention; they have

said enough to show the grounds which in an easterly direction, and anchored induce them to think, that labouring clas-in a fine sheltered bay, on the coast of ses can only be plunged deeper and more Chinese Tartary. The natives crowded hopelessly into the evils of pauperism, by down to the beach, but shewed no inclithe constant application of additional sums of money to be distributed by the nation to go on board the Alceste; their Poor Rate: true benevolence and real language, dress, &c. indicated that they charity point to other means, which your were Chinese, though less rude and unCommittee cannot so well express as in civil than the generality of that nation. the emphatic language of Burke ;--" Patience, labour, frugality, sobriety, and religion, should be recommended to them; all the rest is downright fraud."

[To be continued.]

The ships now steered along shore to the southward; and, passing several clusters of islands, whose inhabitants are uniformly characterised as rude and inhospitable; she stretched eastward along the Chinese shore of Shan1816, anchored among a cluster of islands tong, and on the 1st of September,

on the coast of Corea. The natives exhibited, by signs and gestures, the greatest aversion to the landing of any stran

Narrative of a Voyage in his Majesty's late ship Alceste to the Yellow Sea, along the Coast of Corea, and through its numerous hitherto undiscovered islands, to the Island of Lewchew; with an account of her Shipwreck, in the Straits of Gas-gers, making cut-throat motions, by par. By John Mc Leod, Surgeon of the Alceste, 8vo. 12s. with five plates. Murray, London, 1817.

drawing their hands across their necks, and pushing the boats away from the beach; but they offered no serious vioTHIS is a volume of singular interest stood to the south, and passed a numlence. Weighing anchor again, they and entertainment, narrated without any ber of islands, with which the sea was pretension to elegance of composition. studded as far as the eye could reach from The author professes to have related, in the mast head;' and on the 4th anchored the best and shortest way he could, the in a fine bay. Here they were soon occurrences of a voyage, rendered remarkable by a combination of extraor- tended by a numerous retinue. He was visited by a chief of the district, atdinary events, and the circumstance of a communication with an interesting peo- of a venerable and majestic mien, and apparently about seventy years of age, ple; with whom, for the first time, En-his hair and beard were of a hoary ropeans have had any intercourse.' What he has attempted, it is but justice to say, he has fully performed; and though we have noticed some few flippancies and inaccuracies, which Mr. Mc Leod's good sense will doubtless lead him to correct in a future edition, yet we have been so much amused with his book, that "the mighty in criticism,” are disposed to be "merciful in censure."

whiteness. At this interview much was said, but, unfortunately, not one word was understood, the Chinese interpreter write his own language, while the Coon board the Alceste, not being able to reans, though they could write, were unable to speak the dialect which he comprehended.

Corea (or Kaoli) is tributary to the Emperor of China, and sends him triennial Passing, therefore, Mr. M.'s sketch embassadors expressive of its homage. We saw enough, however, to convince us that of the Voyage to China, we follow the the sovereign of this country governs with subsequent track of the Alceste, and most absolute sway; and that, occasionally Lyra brig, which sailed in company he makes very free with the heads of his with her. Having disembarked the subjects. The allusion to this danger could embassy, they coasted along the west-not have been so constant and uniform, in ern shore of Lea-tong, to the great wall of China. Rising from the sea, they beheld from the deck this immense barrier, mounting hill above hill until it was lost among the highest and most distant mountains. Thence they stood across

places so remote from each other, without some strong reason.

The law against intercourse with foutmost rigour. At one of the islands to reigners, appears to be enforced with the the north, where we first landed, a Corean, in an unguarded moment, accepted a but

On enquiring of them where the king On the 10th, they proceeded in a was, they said, after some hesitation, southerly direction, and passed along 10,000 miles off; and when it was hinted Sulphur Island, a volcano, situated on that it was necessary to have a party on lat. 27° 56' N. and long. 128° 11' E. shore, such as ropemakers and smiths, This island, on which they found it im-where they could have more room to work, and thereby expedite our refit; they repossible to land, does not appear to ex-quested this might not be done until they ceed four miles in circumference: it rises precipitously from the sea, except in one or two spots, to the height of about 1200 feet; and the sulphureous smell emitted, was very strong, even at the distance of two or three miles.

Four days afterwards, they made the principal island of the Lewchew Group (generally termed Lucayos or Lekeyos in charts;) and on the 16th, anchored in front of a town, with a number of vessels anchored under it in a harbour, which we were anchored, we observed this the mouth of which was formed by two chief embarking amidst a great concourse pier-heads. The astonished natives with three guns from each ship, and reof people. He was saluted on his approach were perched in thousands on the sur-ceived on board with every mark of rerounding rocks and heights, gazing on spect, He was a man about sixty years of the vessels as they entered.' In order to age, with a venerable beard: his dress a remove their fears on the arrival of two purple robe, with very loose sleeves, and

It is worthy of notice how much regularity and decorum existed among so many thousands as were here collected. A lane was formed, on the inner side of which the smallest boys (generally kneeling) were

fastened round his middle with a sash of red silk; he had sandals on his feet, with white gaiters, not unlike short stockings. His cap (the badge of his dignity) was made of some slight material, twisted neatly into folds, and covered with a light purple-placed; another row squatted behind these, coloured silk. He had a numerous suite with him; some were official people of different ranks, and the rest his personal attendants. Here the occasion of our visit was again discussed, the pumps were set to work to shew the effect of the leak; and promises, on their part, renewed, of every assistance.

After partaking of a very handsome entertainment, this personage took his leave; and on the following day, Captains Maxwell (of the Alceste) and Hall (of the Lyra) with several officers in full uniform, were rowed up the harbour to the town of Napakiang.

At the landing place the party were met

by some of the chiefs, who had been most in the habit of visiting the ships, each of whom, taking one of the officers by the hand, led him through au immense collection of spectators to the gate of a public building, where the old gentleman already mentioned, attended to welcome them into

the house. Here an entertainment was served up in a style, which a pastry-cook, or a connoiseur in eating, might describe; but which to another might be a difficult task. The utmost good-humour, however, prevailed, and a liqueur (chazzi) something Jike rosolio was passed round in abundance, so that it was quite a man's own fault if he was not cheerful.

then the men (those nearest stooping a little,) and outside, the still taller people, or those mounted on stones, &c.; so that all, without bustle or confusion, might have a complete view of the strangers. The utmost silence reigned, and not a whisper was heard. Perhaps they had purposely sent their women out of the way, but the ladies managed (as usual) to outwit them, and to gratify curiosity in defiance of every them had either been placed intentionally precaution to the contrary. A number of on the other side of the river, or left there in consequence of all the men having come over to the show, but the boats, in going out, had to pass within a few yards of their pierhead; when, finding themselves in almost exclusive possession of that bank, they left their station on a hill, ran down to the friends on the opposite shore were unable point, and had their peep, whilst their (had it been their intention) to keep them in the back ground.

began to exist between us; confidence About this period a mutual friendship took place of timidity; aud now, instead of permitting only a few to visit the shore at a time, they fitted up the garden of a temple as a sort of general arsenal for us: the habitatious of the priests were allotted as an hospital for the sick, whilst other temporary buildings of bamboo were erected for the reception of our powder, which reMany loyal and friendly toasts, applica-quired airing, and for various stores wantble to both countries, were given and drank with enthusiasm. As they had hitherto generously supplied the ships with fresh provisions, vegetables, and fruit, and constantly refused any kind of payment, either in money or by way of barter, the captains thought this a proper opportunity to offer, as a mark of their personal regard, some presents to the chiefs, consisting of various wines, cherry brandy, English broad cloths, a telescope, and other things; and on this ground only they were accepted, reserving it to themselves, at the same time, to make what personal return they might think proper to this interchange of friendship.

ng inspection and repair. The rope makers, smiths, and other artificers, were established at a convenient spot, about a mile farther along the beach. They continued their usual supplies, bringing us even fresh standing we required some wood for spars, water on board in their boats; and, underthey felled fir trees, floated them down the river, and towed them alongside, singing their usual boat song, which had a very plaintive and pleasing effect.

The island of Lewchew is about sixty miles long, and twenty broad; it is the principal of a group of thirty-six islands, subject to the same monarch, and the Our officers having expressed a wish seat of government. Mr. Mc Leod has to perambulate the city, their request given an interesting abstract of their was mildly declined. After much hila-history, from the Lettres Edifiantes, rity, therefore, the party took their whose general fidelity he attests: this, leave attended in the same way as on however, we are compelled to pass in silanding. lence, in order to present our readers