(439) 

 THE RICH AND THE POOR. 



THE meeting held on Wednesday, the 19th, at Exeter Hall, in 

 support of the Labourers' Friend Society was, both in itself, and still 

 more, perhaps, in the reflections and hopes which it was so eminently 

 calculated to inspire, one of the most important and interesting that 

 had taken place within the whole month, not to say the whole year. 

 This did not, indeed, seem to be the opinion of the press, part of whom 

 did not condescend to notice it j while those who did, did it so 

 very slightly as scarcely to do it any service at all : a thing the more 

 to be wondered at and regretted, as they are said to be uniformly 

 favourable to its object, and a great part of the expenses of the society 

 consists in disseminating the knowledge of it by publications. It is 

 much to be regretted that the remarks of the meeting were not taken 

 more at length, which would have given a further and more lively 

 idea of the advantages of this excellent institution than any mere 

 summary statement could do. They were important and interesting 

 from the character of the speakers in a double respect. First, in 

 coming from persons who had had the largest personal experience, 

 and who were, therefore, best qualified to speak, both with knowledge 

 and feeling, on the subject ; and secondly, and still more (what is 

 particularly deserving of attention, and excited, in a degree, perhaps, 

 altogether unprecedented on any other occasion of equal importance), 

 as exhibiting a perfect co-operation and unanimity not only of spirit 

 and sentiment, but of action, in persons who differed from each other 

 on almost every other question which it was possible for good men to 

 differ in : a circumstance which was alluded to, though not in as 

 profitable a manner as it might have been, by several of the speakers. 

 It is the singular and, we believe, unique advantage of this institution, 

 that while it possesses the most powerful recommendations to all 

 well minded persons, it has not one single objection against it, as was 

 observed by the Bishop of Bath and Wells in his excellent speech at 

 the meeting. 



But any one would do great injustice to this society who would 

 imagine (what its modest title might lead many persons to do) that 

 its only object or effect was to improve the condition of the labouring 

 classes. Though this itself would be a most laudable object, yet it 

 would not be one of that powerful and commanding interest that 

 ought to excite a sensation over the whole kingdom, and make every 

 individual anxious to contribute his mite in whatever way he can 

 whether by money, influence, or publication to so excellent and 

 universally extensive an undertaking. Well did the Bishop of Bath 

 and Wells observe that it was quite astonishing and inconceivable to a 

 person who had not seen its effects what a quantity of good was pro- 

 duced by so simple and quiet a means. In whatever point of view 

 it be considered,, it will perhaps be found the most affective means 

 that has ever yet been devised for improving the whole popu- 

 lation of England not only the agricultural but the manufacturing 

 (a fact testified by the most unsuspicious authorities, namely, persons 

 interested more particularly in the latter, Lord Morpeth in par- 

 ticular at this meeting), and not only their condition but their cha- 



