CHAPTER IX. BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. LLUDING in a former Chapter, to the benevolent exertions made on behalf of the poor in Manchester, in times of suffering and distress, we incidentally noticed the LOYAL FUND. This was a fund raised by subscription, in honour of the birth of the Prince of Wales:-1 -the privations under which the poor were suffering at that period, suggesting the happy thought, that to relieve their wants would be more seemly for the wealthy, than the usual modes of commemorating an auspicious event. The amount raised on the occasion was £3,021 13s. 11d., which was thus expended: Sheets and counterpanes ..£1965 4 6 876 11 9 3021 13 1 For which amount, distributions were made of 3,078 parcels of blankets, sheets, and counterpanes, each parcel consisting of one blanket and two sheets, or one blanket and one counterpane. 126 SOUP KITCHEN. About the same time was established a SOUP KITCHEN. This is situate near St. Peter's Church, and has proved during the winter, an invaluable blessing to the poor. The Manchester and Salford Soup Kitchen was established for the sale of cheap and nourishing soup to the poor. Some difficulty was at first experienced in procuring suitable, yet central premises; but some unoccupied premises and a yard, in Bale-street, Lower Mosley-street, were at length chosen, and the necessary apparatus for boiling the soup by steam erected, at a cost, including the necessary alteration of the premises, &c. &c. of about £160. This sum was mostly raised by private subscription. was The directors of the kitchen issued free tickets at 1s. 6d. per dozen quarts, or 1s. per dozen, the bearer to pay one halfpenny on presenting the ticket, and receiving a quart of soup; and they made an appeal to the benevolent feelings of their more opulent townsmen, on behalf of the indigent poor. This appeal was liberally responded to. From the tabular statement which we subjoin below, it will be apparent, that the demand for the soup gradually increased, until on some days, it amounted to the enormous quantity of 4,800 quarts per day; and if we take an average of two quarts for each family of four persons, we are brought to the conclusion, that no less than 9,600 persons, have in one day, received relief from this useful establishment. The whole amount of soup distributed since its opening on the 24th of January, to the 14th of April, will, by the table subjoined below, be found to amount to 191,769 quarts, making an average per week, since its establishment, of about 16,000 quarts. This, at the rate of calculation above stated, will give a result of 32,000 persons relieved per week, many of whom assured the directors, when fetching the soup, that it was their only mode of sustenance. STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF QUARTS OF SOUP DISTRIBUTED AT THE SOUP KITCHEN, BALE-STREET. RECEIPT AND MODE OF PREPARATION OF THE SOUP, (FOR 100 GALLONS.) 100 pounds of Beef (houghs and necks,) We have before observed, that the soup is boiled by steam. This is effected in casks of about 120 gallons each, into which the steam is conveyed, by a small one and a half inch pipe, descending from an iron one of about three inches bore, extending along the ceiling of the room, from a boiler in the yard. The boiler in which the steam is generated, is of about eight horse power. The mode of boiling is as follows:-The quantities of pease for each cask are enclosed in small bags of about 18 pounds each, and put in first; the beef is then put in, and enough of water run into the cask to cover all; the steam is then turned on, about six o'clock in the evening, and allowed to boil until one o'clock in the morning, when the pease are taken out, turned into a tub, and after being well mashed, they are thrown back into the cask, and more water added. About five o'clock the barley is put in, and about six, the onions well skinned and chopped, the pepper and the salt, when the cask is filled up with water, and allowed to boil till eight, when the soup is ready for delivery. 128 THE NIGHT ASYLUM. THE BOROUGHREEVE'S CHARITY Is another of those excellent means which provide for the necessities of the deserving poor at the approach of winter. The funds of this charity arise from the interest of property conveyed by Mr. George Clarke, in December, 1836, to the Boroughreeve of Manchester for the time being, in trust for the relief of aged, needy, or impotent people. To this charity has been added, the interest arising from bequests by Mr. George Marshall, dated November 18th, 1624; by Mrs. Ellen Shuttleworth, in April 20th, 1695; by Mr. Thomas Hudson, dated April 13th, 1787; by Walter and Margaret Nugent, in 1609, and by Mrs. Hartley, in 1626. The income and expenditure from the whole, is shown in the subjoined statement of the last year's accounts. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE OF THE BOROUGHREEVE'S CHARITY, FOR 1841. These accounts are annually examined by a public Accountant, and audited by the Jury of the Court-Leet for the Manor of Manchester. A similar charity exists in Salford, for the relief of the poor of that borough. The income is about £1,600 per annum. We proceed to notice consecutively, several of the principal Benevolent Institutions of this town. THE NIGHT ASYLUM FOR THE HOUSELESS POOR. This excellent institution is situate in Smithfield. It was opened on the 5th of February, 1838. Its object is to "provide an asylum, during the rain and the chill THE NIGHT ASYLUM. 129 ing blasts of a winter's night, to the aged, the destitute, and the stranger in distress." THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS THE NUMBER OF CASES ADMITTED IN THE ASYLUM, FROM ITS COMMENCEMENT TO THE CLOSE OF THE LAST YEAR. Last year, 1841, the number of strangers that were admitted was 22,397, whilst only 2,057 inmates belonged to the town. The total number included, 11,313 artizans and mechanics, and 5,622 labourers; making an amount of 16,935 persons out of employment connected with trades. THE FOLLOWING EXTRACT FROM THE NIGHT ASYLUM RECORD WILL EXHIBIT THE CHARACTERS OF THE RELIEVED. Subscriptions and In a stable.. Remarks. Blind, going to Oldham. Going to Bolton. Blind, in search of work. Macclesfield Lost in the market. Warrington Going to Bury. Knutsford.. Going to Infirmary. Manchester. Seeking work. Warrington Going to London. donations for 1841 were about £800.-Mr. Taylor is the Secretary. THE DISTRICT PROVIDENT SOCIETY, In St. James's-square. The main object of this institution is "to elevate and improve the condition of the |