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From: "Geo." <>
Subject: [TRIVVIES] From the CARLISLE PATRIOT, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17,1844 / Letter to the Editor
Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2007 00:31:54 +0800


Posted with permission of the transcriber, Barb. Baker.

Geo.


THE CARLISLE PATRIOT, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1844 / Letter to the Editor


(To the Editor of the Carlisle Patriot.)

Sir, - An inquest was held at Heversham, on Thursday last, on the body of an infant child, which was discovered by it's mother to be dead while laying at her bosom. At this inquest circumstances transpired, which, I think, ought to be laid before the public.

It seems, that the poor woman was on her way to Carlisle, at which place her husband is said to be working as a carver and gilder. He had left her at Manchester and gone to Carlisle for the purpose of seeking employment; she being unable to accompany him, on account of her approaching confinement. Anxious to be with him, she left Manchester, before her strength was sufficiently restored, with a female infant at her breast, and on foot, at this severe and inclement season. When she arrived at Heversham, the boys were just coming out of the school - she asked permission to sit by the school fire and give the breast to the infant - the permission was readily given to her - she sat down by the fire; but on placing the infant to the breast, she found to her grief, that it was dead.

Now it seems, that this poor woman, in her long wandering from Manchester towards the place of her husband's abode, had encountered great hardships. She had constantly met with difficulty in procuring a night's lodging - she had crept into barns and out-houses; and more than once had slept in the open air, near to lime-kilns, for the sake of warmth; and this during very severe weather, and with an infant in her arms. I think it well that the public should be made aware of this very painful case. These poor wandering houseless poor do not meet with that sympathy which, as professing Christians, we are all bound to bestow upon them. The sight of a poor destitute vagrant too frequently excites other feelings than those of pity. Permit me, sir, through your columns, to entreat, on the part of your readers who are blessed with the means, that they will not "turn away their face" from the houseless and destitute poor. It is a sad thing in a Christian country, that such a case of suffering as the one which I have laid before you should ever have occurred. Many persons, who are extremely benevolent to the poor whom they know, are indifferent to the sufferings of the wandering poor - this should not be - they are our fellow-creatures and fellow Christians; and whatever may be their faults, they are entitled to Christian sympathy.

In London, houses of refuge, for the destitute, have been established. Might not something of the same kind be established in this country. I am perfectly sure, that in the winter season, some institution of this kind is much needed; the funds which would be required for the purpose, would not be large, and might, I should hope, be easily raised. In London they give a night's lodging with a frugal but wholesome supper and breakfast; and the institutions are supported by the voluntary subscriptions of the charitable humane, and by means of them, many a poor, friendless creature is saved from the greatest misery, if not from actual starvation.

In justice to the authorities at Heversham, and to the Coroner, the foreman and others of the jury, I must state, that they very kindly subscribed money to help the poor bereaved woman forward on her journey.

I remain, Sir,
Your very obedient servant,
Joseph MILNER

Appleby Vicarage,
Feb. 13, 1843


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