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economising human food. The receipts and directions he drew up for the latter purpose were printed, and circulated by his Majesty's Principal Secretary of State; and thus the knowledge of the system so successfully practised in the Metropolis, was diffused through out the island. He thus largely contributed to diminish the unuecessary waste and expenditure of food, at a time of scarcity; and thus, by increasing the quantity of the means of subsistence, tranquillised the feelings and soothed the minds of those who were irritated by the want and the high price of sustenance.

not be passed over in silence, or rather that should be mentioned with merited applause, that Mr. Colquhono, during this alarming period, disinterestedly abandoned every pursuit of a private nature; and not only generously cons tributed in pecuniary aid to the utmost of his power, but devoted all the time he could spare from his official duties, in obviating those evils which would arise from multitudes collected together with out the means of adequate subsistence for themselves and their children. For these services respecting the Fish Esta blishment, the Society for bettering the Condition of the Poor voted him their warm acknowledgments in the following handsome manner :

"At a meeting of the Committee, 13th Dec. 1800,

"Lord Bishop of Durham in the Chair, Resolved unanimously,

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In the same year, the unruly and populous districts of Wapping, Shadwell, and St. George's, effectually felt also the force of Mr. Colquhoun's energetic activity in their behalf. He was also well known here, as he had, pro tempore, acted as a Magistrate, in bringing to a system the Marine Police scheme. By his exertions, a large pecuniary fund was raised, by which a large Soup-house, be given to Patrick Colquhoun, Esq. was established, which, under very pressing circumstances, supplied a considerable quantity of cheap and nutritious food to a body of people who, from

their habits, would have caused troublesome riots, but who were thus tranquil lized into quictism. From the pressure of the war, and the effects of an unproductive harvest, the distresses became still more urgent in the subsequent year of 1800. There was no part of the metropolis which did not call for and receive the benefit of Mr. Colquhoun's unexampled exertions. The utmost economical care was required in dispensing cheap substitutes for bread; and he had the merit, at the close of this year, of suggesting, and of ultimately carrying into effect, a large supply of - herrings, and other cheap fish, for the relief of the poor of the metropolis, and of the districts in its vicinity. In these exertions he had the hearty cooperation of the Society for bettering the condition of the poor. This distribution of fish was afterwards, through the immediate interference of Government, extended to many of the more distressed and populous districts of England. It accords also with the strictjustice of Mr. Colquhoun's mind, that I should state the acknowledgments which are due to the great services rendered to the public at this time by Nicholas VanBittart, Esq. and other Members of the Sub-committee for conducting the Fish Establishment. It is a matter that must

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"On the motion of Sir John Cox Hippesley, Bart.

"That the thanks of the Committee

for the suggestion of his plan for the supply of corned herrings to the metropolis, and also for the arrangement with which the said plan has been carwhich the most extended and beneficial ried into execution; a measure from effects have already been, and are likely to be, experienced by the industrious labouring classes.”

Extract from the Minutes,

ROBERT GILLAM, Clerk. An in the subsequent year, as a compliment to him, as the resolution expresses it, for his unremitted and successful attention, he was voted a Member of the Society, and of the General Committee for life.

The result of these gigantic exertions, in which vast numbers of the benevo lent inhabitants of the metropolis meritoriously co-operated, both by pecuniary and personal aid, was the relief and tranquillity of vast multitudes of the lower orders of the people, who, under the pressure of extreme and universal distress, would have broken out into various destructive excesses. So extensively beneficial had Mr. Colqu houn's exertions proved, that at a General Meeting of the Merchants, Bankers, Traders, and other Iuhabitants of the Metropolis, convened at the London Tavern, by public advertisement, December 23, 1800, to consider of the most effectual means for continuing the relief heretofore so be

neficially afforded to the poor, on account of the present high price of bread, and other necessaries of life, their unanimous thanks were voted to Mr. Colquhoun for his able assistance, &c. and were transmitted to him by William Devaynes, Esq. M. P. their Chairman; and in the same year, he received the nanimous thanks of his own parish of Westminster, for his unwearied exertions, once in January and again in April, on the motion of William Wilberforce, Esq. M. P. the Rev. Dr. FINES in the Chair.

But it would be almost endless to enumerate the grateful emotion which pervaded all ranks of society in the metropolis towards him, for those multifarious and incessant occupations with which he filled all his time, in devising means and in procuring money for reheving the indigence of the labouring classes at these distressing periods. From the year 1794, down to the time of his life at which I am now writing, Viz 1801, he received the warmest expressions of gratitude from the Parishes of St. Peter and St Michael, Cornhill; From the Committee of the Society for supplying the Poor during the Win ter 1797;

From the Board of Agriculture in 1798, through Sir John Sinclair ;

From the Committee for the Relief of Labourers and others, who had been compelled to pawn their Clothes, Tools, &c. in 1797, by Sir John Call, their

Chairman;

From the Parish of Christ Church, Middlesex, in November 1800, and again in February 1801, for the many and great obligations they were under to bim, both in his magisterial and private character, they felt themselves particularly called upon to express their warmest gratitude for his most benevolent and zealous perseverance and exertions in behalf of the poor. In January of this year, the freedom of the City of Edinburgh was voted to him, "in testimony not only," as it is stated," of their esteem for his great activity as a Magistrate, but for his late polite communicatious for the relief of "It was transmitted to him in a letter, couched in the following terms, from the Provost :

the poor

"R, Edinboro, 22d Feb. 1800. "I have the honour to acquaint you, that, on the fifteenth of January last, the Magistrates and Common Council unanimously voted you the freedom of

this City-I have the pleasure to transmit you herewith your diploma.

"I have the honour to be, &c.

“JAS. STIRLING, Provost.”

"To P. Colquhoun, Esq."

Thus, if at any time the human heart has throbbed with inward satisfaction for the good its owner had done; if a just and manly pride has ever, at any time, been felt for honorary rewards justly bestowed; if a conscious and laudable dignity ever clothed the human character; Mr. Colquhoun has had the high gratification to know, that at this period in the same year, and almost on the same day, when a turbulent spirit was ready to break out on' one side, and the cry of helpless beings for sustenance was imploring society on the other, meetings were held in the different parishes of London, to distribute, by means which his exertions had mainly furnished, and upon plans which is deliberative wisdom had suggested,' the comforts of clothing and of wholesome nourishment to the poor; while at the same time, with emotions of grateful seusibility, they raised their voices with thanks to him, their benefactor and their friend. The fears which distracted the minds of the nation at this critical period, the storms which agitated the political atmosphere, the distrusts which threatened to rend asunder the Government and the people, spread over the minds of all a prospective gloom In the midst of these fearful and adverse clouds, which checquered the prosperity of the country, Mr. Colquhoun sat calm, dignified, and philosophical, watching the direc tion of the storm, and averting with masterly activity and judgment the force of its violence. In the confusion which sometimes prevails at popular meetings, he was listened to with attention, and heard with respect.

Tam pietate gravem ac merilis si forte virum quem

Consparere, silent, arrectisque auribus astant Ille regit dictis animos et pectora mulcet.

VIRGIL-Eneid, 1.

The Officers of the Hamlet of Mile End New Town had already, on the 22d November 1800, expressed their acknowledgments to him for "eminent services and seasonable relief afforded them in their distressed circumstances;" but the wretched condition of this district was so deep and awful, and multiplied in all the appalling shapes of poverty and disease, that it

required no ordinary means to combat these frightful obstacles;-eventual success, however, crowned Mr. Colquhoun's efforts, and which are so well depicted in their acknowledgments to him at this momentous crisis, and are expressed with such energy of language, that they are given entire, as transmitted to him by the Rev. JOHN COTTINGHAM, Chairman.

"Hamlet, Mile End New Town,

March 2d, 1801. "The Trustees and Managers of the Affairs of the Poor, belonging to the Hamlet of Mile End New Town. "Highly sensible of the great benefits conferred on the said Hamlet, unparalleled for its unrivalled poverty, with peculiar pleasure embrace this moment to express their most respectful gratitude, for the very seasonable succour which, through your benign exertions, has been obtained, whereby three thousand industrious indigent persons have been repeatedly relieved; who, for want of food and clothing, in all probability would have perished in their affliction. Recollecting the scenes of distress to which they have been witnesses, and the timely assistance they were enabled to administer, they are at a loss for words to express the grateful sentiments they feel; under a lively sense of which, it shall be their earnest and fervent prayer, that a life so truly devoted to the cause of suffering humanity, may long be spared to enjoy the pleasure of doing good; and that the blessing of the poor, the fatherless,and of those who were ready to perish, may come upon you, and every brauch of your worthy and respectable family, in all its richest and fullest extent." In this year, also, Mr. Colquhoun, with a view to establish a correct sys. tem for conducting the business of the Police Office in Queen-square, and for the purpose of cicarly defining the specific duties of the Magistrates, Clerks, and Constables, composed a Constitution for the Office, in which are inserted all the distinct duties required to be performed by the different functionaries. It contains full instructions, explaining at great length the functions to be performed, with the form of a very solemn oath, to be taken by each. Constable, with respect to bribery and corruption; also a table of the fees of office, authorized by law, with every other regulation necessary for the good government of the Establishment. The details go to a considerable length, and, if sanctioned by the Secretary of State,

would be of great use in producing uniformity at all the other offices.

This

When the war was renewed in 1803, Mr. Colquhoun, who, in addition to other gratuitous services, had executed the duties of Chairman at the Court of Lieutenancy for the County of Middlesex, and who has also presided at most of the numerous subdivision meetings in Westminster for nearly twenty years, having had the meetings fixed on those days when it was not his turn of duty at the Public Office, devoted his vacant time to this service. service was highly important and labo rious, not only from the pressure of the case under the critical situation of the country, but from the act then passed, for raising by ballot an army of 40,000 men: it became, therefore, necessary to make great exertions, which subjected him to much gratuitous labour and fatigue, by which his health was materially impaired yet that consideration did not deter him from a regular attendance down to the present period. Nothing connected with solacing the misfortunes of the poor, whether in their circumstances or their situation, seems to have escaped the beneficent attention of this praiseworthy Magistrate; for I find that, in this year, he received the thanks of the Committee of the Society for improving the Condition of the Infant Chimney. sweepers, transmitted to him in a handsome manner from their Chairman, John Julius Angerstein, Esq.

For the space of more than twenty-five years, Mr. Colquhoun presided at the Petty Sessions, for enforcing the pay ment of the Parochial Rates. During the first four years, he acted for the large parishes of St Luke's, Middlesex, and St. Leonard's, Shoreditch, and oc⚫ casionally for the parish of Hackney; and for the last twenty years, for the united parishes of St Margaret's and St. John's, Westminster: always fixing upon such days for this very extended employment, as did not interfere with his duties as a Magistrate at the Public Offices. During the same long period, he regularly attended the Special Meetings pointed for Licensing Public Houses in his district.

Mr. Colquhoun, as I have already had occasion to mention, and it cannot be too often enforced, on account of its great utility when adopted, was always anxious, uot only to counteract existing crimes, but to eradicate their very origin, so as to prevent their commission.

One of the most fertile sources to which the increase of crime is to be attributed, is the ignorance of that class of the lower orders of the people with whom

crimes originate, and by whom they are multiplied. By ignorance is not menat the want of the embellishments of literature or of fine writing, but of an early inculcation of those principles upon which is founded the regulation of the passions by reason, by habits of virtuous employment, and of general good conduct. Mr. Colquhoun,therefore, in contemplating the sources calculated to produce a corruption of morals among the lower orders of society, justly considered the almost total want of education among the children of the labouring classes, as tending to lead to a greater multiplication of crimes than even then existed. With anxious care, he promoted and carried into effect, in 1803, the establishment of a school in Orchard-street, Westminster, for the education of from three to four hundred male and female children, being the first school founded on the principles of the Established Church. It has since been annexed to the National School, under extended patronage; and anew building has been erected for this purpose in the Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, capable of accommodating one thousand children, who are educated according to the Rev. Dr. Bell's system. The subordinate branches as well as the higher functions of his more immediate and important duties, as a Magisfrate, also occupied his attention. Finding that constables in general are ignorant of the correct duties of their station, as peace-officers, as well as of what they ought to feel they are called upon to perform, by the rank they hold, he published, in 1803, a faller exposition of their duties, as it applies to modern practice, in a work entitled, "A Trealise on the Functions and Duties of a Constable; containing Details and Observations interesting to the Public, as they relate to the Corruption of Morals, and the Protection of the peaceful Subject against Penal and Criminal Offences."

This work, being divested of all tech nical phraseology. so as to render it easily understood, not only by all Officers of Justice and Constables, but by all his Majesty's subjects, has proved accept able to the public. it is now out of print, although a large impression was published.

(To be concluded in our next.)

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Acentive, by which we arrive to the MBITION is the most powerful ingreatest perfection in whatever art or faculty we profess; it influences the mind to use the most approved methods, and assiduous practices, to excel others of the same fraternity: I say, it makes each individual to exert his utmost ability to be distinguished above that numerous race who, living and dying in obscurity, have their memories buried with them, and are remembered no more. Though it is certain vivacity is the gift of nature, yet I know not why any tolerable capacity, prompted by a competent share of resolution and assiduity, to pursue the art which he designs to attain to, may not arrive to the greatest (known) perfection.

Every mortal, I say, is fervid to obtain a shining characteristic: one studies to be eminent for his affluent treasure, another for his noble pedigree, rich attire, &c.; whilst there are the rude, flagitious, and uncultivated. Those are only to be distinguished in this life (and that, perhaps, not to their honour); for as soon as death has made a conquest of them, their names are. forgotten, and their memories perish. Being told of any gentleman of opulent fortune residing in a seat of the greatest decoration and taste; we naturally ask, For what is he worthy of distinction? Is he charitable to the poor, benevolent to› those even of inferior degrees, goodhumoured to all men? &c. If these perfections of soul be completed with his transient estate, so that he may be the instrument of doing good thereby, he is the man that merits applause, and his memory ought to be precious. But if the man is possessed of the greatest affluence, and the seeds of virtue not inculcated in his breast, though he be descended of the most noble extraction, his name is buried with him in. perpetual oblivion.

Some there are, who, with respect to art, have carried their ambition too far, or rather in an improper path, and thereby exposed their weakness and inability too soon; from whence results a character, which many reiterated good performances cannot restore to its pristine state: I mean, those authors, who are ambitious to bear that exalted name, and not having patience or assiduity to make themselves qualified to dispense

with truth, elegance, and perspicuity, on what they write, render themselves and their performances despicable to the ingenious, and are both buried in eternal obscurity, or held in contempt to succeeding ages. There are many, also, who strive to be illuminated by borrowed rays; but those Moon gentlemen being discovered by their stolen particles, render themselves ridiculous in the highest degree, and when the copied parts are extracted from their own insipid works, it leaves a total eclipse. But to return: I remember to have heard of a very eminent mathematician, who affirmed he owed all the perfections he attained in the most difficult branch of science to a reproof of his master, when learning the rudiments of arithmetic; who told him," he was not born for an artist." This he inwardly resented to the highest degree; and that short sentence so influenced his affronted soul, that, in a very short time, he was deservedly esteemed the best scholar in the school, and at length had scarce a superior anywhere. Ani mated with ambition, joined with the influence of their country's welfare, see Britons range the limits of the globe, where even their name carries terror, and their weapons destruction, to all their antagonists.

Thus we see the great efficacy ambition has in all arts whatever, and that no possible thing can withstand it, when joined with resolution and assiduity. Let us then apply it to what may be eternally interesting, and be so animated with the thought of everlasting felicity, as to make it our most important busi ness to mitigate the just anger of that Omnipotent Being, whose conspicuous wisdom made and supported all things.

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therefore, do not hesitate a moment in enriching our "Repository" with the following letter written by Dr. Yeats, to the Right Hon. Sir John Newport the 1st May, 1818.

To the Right Honourable Sir John Newport, Bart. M.P.

SIR,

I have read with much satisfaction in the Newspapers, that Committees have been appointed by the House of Com mons for the purpose of inquiring into the state of the Contagious Fever in this country and in Ireland. In conse quence of the communication which I have had the honour to hold with you, and as you have the praiseworthy merit of being the mover of this inquiry for Ireland, I feel much pleasure in addressing a few lines to you on the subject, as it relates to that country, although the observations will be found applicable to the general question. It may be right for me to premise, that during the time I had the honour of accompany ing his Grace the Duke of Bedford, as Physician, during his Grace's Lieuten antcy in Ireland, in 1806, I went several times, by his Grace's desire, over all the Hospitals and Dispensaries in Dubin, which afforded me an opportunity of becoming professionally acquainted with the metropolis of the Sister Island. With respect to the contagious disease, such as is usually denominated low, nervous, or typhus fever, there are vari ous causes, chiefly originating with the unfortunate poor, to which it is attri butable.

From the improvement which medical science has received within these few years, these causes are very well ascertained, and are easily obviated when means can be procured for that purpose; and further, should the causes, by not having been removed, have proceeded to produce their effect in the full formation of typhus fever, such is now the greatly increased knowledge and improved method in the treatment of fever, that it will generally, with no great difficulty, be subdued, provided pains be taken to give and to pursue the necessary directions, and provided full and ample means he possessed for carrying them into effect. The contagious fever has much diminished in London, thanks to the spirited subscriptions of the public last year, to the zeal and judgment of the professional gentlemen, and of the Managing Committee of that

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