Chap. 5.] TOPOGRAPHY AND AGRICULTURE. 131 



and Hothorsall. From tliat time, the yearly sum of £4 10s., which 

 was the amount of interest previously received, has heen paid out of 

 the poor's rates. No memorandum of this transaction has been entered 

 in the books. The contribution of the township of Dilworth towards 

 the building of the house was £325. 



Trustees have been from time to time appointed in writing by the 

 survivors to make up the number of three. At the time of our enquiry, 

 in August, 1825, there was one vacancy. 



The interest is received from the overseers, and is distributed by one 

 of the trustees, on the 21st December, amongst such poor persons of 

 the township and in such proportions as is determined at a meeting of 

 the trustees, held previously for the purpose. The sums given to each 

 person generally vary from Is. 6d. to 48. — Extract from " The 

 Charities in the County of Lancaster." 



This sum (£4 10s.) is not, I understand, now paid out of the rates. 

 Why, I do not know, as the papers bearing on the matter have been 

 mislaid. It is certainly a subject which demands some explanation 

 from the responsible parties. 



The population of Longridge was, in 1650, 700 (140 families) ; in 

 1801, 1000— Alston 476, Dilworth, 524 ; in 1811, 1453— Alston 592, 

 Dilworth 861; in 1821, 1727— Alston 758, Dilworth 969; in 1831, 

 1718— Alston 844, Dilworth 874; in 1841, 1652— Alston 976, Dil- 

 worth 845 ; in 1851, 1792— Alston 807, Dilworth 833 ; in 1861, 2057— 

 Alston 1098, Dilworth 959; in 1871, 3067— Alston 1337, DUworth 

 1730; in 1881, 3705— Alston 1589, Dilworth 2116; and in 1888 

 (estimated) 4160. 



