and not only grown-up persons, but very many fatherless and motherless orphans are without food, and the general misery which presses upon all alike, prevents their being provided for here, so that they are reduced to the necessity of begging their bread in the country." searching for any thing that might by chance have escaped the eagle-eye of their enemy, and wringing their hands through disappointment and despair. "From the above-stated detail, you may be enabled to form some idea of the joy which this kind and liberal donation has diffused throughout this place, Extract of a Letter from Custrin, dated and the intelligence of which has reach 29th April, 1814. "Considerable, however, as your donation (5001.) has been, it has proved utterly impracticable to make such arrangements in the distribution thereof, as to relieve every one of the immense number; on the contrary, to those only of the unhappy sufferers has it been found manageable to portion out any share, who, during the blockade, have been rendered so completely destitute, as neither to be able to procure the necessary subsistence, nor to replace out of their own means the loss they have sustained in the demolition of their houses, in cattle, in household furniture, and in working tools; hence the moderate proportions in which it has been dealt out, barely to enable the husbandman to purchase a cow, or the distiller to procure a few bushels of grain, or to the people on the river wherewith to re-establish their boats, and to the mechanic just enough to fit himself out again in a manner commensurate with the extent of his business; for while every one had more or less of a garden behind his house, he was also enabled to keep a cow, and from the joint produce, which he carried daily to market, could procure a livelihood for himself and his family. This he is now totally deprived of, inasmuch as the houses have been burnt to the ground, and the cattle driven within the fortress for the maintenance of the garrison; nor were they even suffered to enjoy the benefit of some previous communication of the calamity about to befal them: but, one morning, about four o'clock, a party was ordered to sally out by torch-light, and while some set fire to their houses, others stole and carried away whatever these miserable people had been striving to save by throwing out of the windows, so that the major part of the inhabitants in the suburbs is now, from a comparative affluence, reduced to a state of the most abject poverty. It is a heart-rending scene to see a mass of people once so decent in their appearance, and so comfortable, sitting upon the ruins of their dwellings, eagerly ed me on a day when we were threatened with the calamity of inundation. God has not forsaken us, was the uni versal cry of all, with tears in their eyes." Extract of the Report from the Association for Relief for the Environs of Leipsic, dated May 9, 1814. "The annexed table presents to our generous benefactors on the Thames, the particulars of a loss, which indeed is infinitely small in comparison with the magnitude of the gain which the whole world derives from it; but severe and irreparable to those who have therewith purchased advantages of which they are themselves deprived; and who, weeping over the grave of their departed prosperity, are prevented from partaking in the general joy of emancipated humanity. Even now, after an interval of seven months, the philanthropist wanders with horror over these fields of desolation, amidst the lamentations of families reduced to beggary. Our zeal therefore to procure for this unhappy country every possible relief, is redoubled, and with it also our gratitude to all those distant friends whe assist us to accomplish this object. "In this table are included only those villages and places comprehended in the vast field of battle*, and only such damages and losses as our country neighbours sustained during those tremendous days of October; and great pains have been taken, by the superintendants of districts, to obtain correct statements as well by making inquiries on the spot, as by the appointment of various assistants, and a diligent comparison of all accounts, and to record with the pen of truth what needs no exaggeration-a labour not less interesting in an historical point of view than necessary, for the equitable distribution of the donations received, the peculiar difficulties of which have delayed the transmission of this survey longer than we wished. The number of villages is 68. The total loss incurred by these villages is.. upwards of two millions and a half of dellars, at 4s, each. One principal head indeed could not be introduced into the table, as there was no certain standard for making a calculation; we allude to the loss arising from the devastation of the fields and country, and the indirect injury sustained by the delay or the total prevention of the operations of tilling and sowing many lands, and which is the more considerable as this battle was not, like most of those upon record, fought upon barren uncultivated heights, but extended over fertile plains, and a country in high cultivation. To various circumstances combined with this, it was owing that the last engagement inflicted so fatal a wound on the prosperity of our neighbours; and that, after so many marches and countermarches and encampments of famished troops, after so many requisitions and scenes of plunder so frequently repeated by a licentious soldiery, the sword of desolation cut off at once the yet remaining resources of the whole country. "The first breathing time occurred at a period when the country had to fulfil too important duties and possessed too limited means, to direct its attention to the misfortunes of particular districts: it was obliged to muster its last remains of strength for the general conflict. There were also duties of a secondary order to be performed: the wounded required attendance, and the dead the rites of sepulture-both in countless numbers. Individual exertions could here avail but little. The next neighbours had to struggle with their own necessities; all the stores were hausted; the boundless mass of misery deterred many a feeble attempt, and disease moreover began to make dreadful ravages. Such were the difficulties with which our association has, from its first institution, had to contend, not indeed in vain, but yet so that we have still but a distant prospect of our recovery. We pay the tribute due to benevolence, and acknowledgments to merit. Joy at the final deliverance of our country, and benevolence, the virtue of the age, have opened to us their stores both far and near. The inhabitants of our city have not only raised spontaneous contributions, but their humanity is also become industrious and ingenious, and talents have vied with wealth. Artists of both sexes have sacrificed the productions of their skill, and, by various exhibitions, have opened the hands of their friends to humanity ex in the way of pleasure. Neither have foreign countries disappointed our expectations. But above all, the donations of Britain, which has inscribed her illustrious name with indelible characters on the records of benevolence, have enabled us to make the wished-for beginning of our distributions. We have given away 26,272 bushels of seed corn and about 10,000 rix-dollars in money, in proportion to the most urgent necessities. We are about to commence à second distribution, for which fresh contributions continue to be received. But with the increase of our means, the claims upon us increase in a still greater degree, and our own wishes and plans are extended. The fate of the helpless children, who lost their parents amid the storm and horrors of the battle, still demands our particular attention. We are also desirous of contributing to the rebuilding of the churches and schools in those villages whose inhabitants have been completely impoverished, and are unable, from their own resources, to undertake their re-edification. We wish to assist them to recover, as speedily as possible, the most valuable of possessions, and to assemble them again in those sanctuaries where, in the feeble recommencement of their te:nporal prosperity, they may enjoy the celestial consolation of religion, and the blessings resulting from social worship. And yet the sight of the most pressing want claims all our aid and all our funds. Our hopes of the accomplishment of the plans to which we have alluded, flow from various near and distant sources, but our principal trust, we hesitate not to say, reposes upon England, upon a nation which alone stands unimpaired in strength and prosperity, and whose wealth is exceeded only by its magnanimity." Letter from his Majesty the King of Prussia, to the London Committee. "With particular satisfaction I have observed that my dominions have obtained a donation of 19,2007. which has been granted by the Committee for the Relief of the Distressed in Germany, and other parts of the Continent, The more important this aid has been at a time when the war left no means wherewith to relieve the evils which it produced, the more I feel myself bound to present my thanks to the Committee; but am convinced that the Committee will find, in the peace which has been conquered, their highest reward for what they have done for the welfare of the common cause." Letter from the Deputies from Ham burg, dated July 18, 1814. "The undersigned Deputies from the Free Hanseatic City of Hamburg, to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent and the Government of Great Britain, avail themselves of the earliest opportunity, conformable to the special instructions they have received from the Senate and Citizens of Hamburg, to express the unfeigned sentiments of grati fnde and veneration entertained by them for the great exertions and most extensive support afforded by the Committee and Subscribers for relieving the distresses in Germany, and the liberal share granted to their unfortunate town, whose inhabitants were once no less conspicuous for the extent of their charitable dispositions than they now are for the just feelings of esteem which they entertain towards all those good men in this country, that have saved from utter destruction so great a number of victims, by their timely assistance. As no place has suffered to the extent that Hamburg has done, so none has experienced more sympathy and interest in its favor, and which, it is trusted, they will deserve and experience the continuance of." John Hobhouse, Esq. who has lately returned from Germany, has communi. cated the following details from his personal observation, " On advancing from Laun, a town on the river Eger, in the Austrian dominions, towards the Bohehemian frontier, the effects of the long and tremendous struggle between the French and the Allies at the commencement of the late contest, begin to be seen and felt. "Between Toplitz and Dresden 500,000 men were encamped for three months; and it is at one post north of Toplitz that the most decisive signs of war are visible. Preissen, Kulm, Arbesan, Nollendorf, and several other villages in the valley in which Van damme was defeated, are all burnt to the ground. From Nollendorf across the Riesen Geberge to Peterswalda not a village is standing. Fifteen or twenty hamlets through which the road passes to Dresden are fired and gutted. Amongst the ruins of a village perhaps a single chimney is seen smoking; and around it are eight or ninet amilies in a wretched situation. In short, from Toplitz to Dresden, a distance of 70 English miles, once fertile and populous, not a single village remains. An infectious disorder is universally prevalent. The Postmaster generally warns travellers not to stop; I saw many dying, and one man actually died as I passed. "From the frontiers of Saxony to the capital, the eye is presented with one wide waste of plain littered with straw and dotted with the numerous bodies of horses. The small towns and villages on every side of Dresden are level with the ground. The fields are totally uncultivated. "The town of Dresden has suffered little or no damage; but it is crowded beyond its resources by the multitudes that have taken refuge in it from the destruction of the villages. This is the cause of much misery. Towards Meissen, two posts, there are again tremendous evidences of war. This is also the case with the portion of country towards Freyberg, which was the scene of the battle fought previously to the great events of Leipsic. Only two flocks of sheep did I see, until approaching Leipsic, and not two herds of cattle. The plains round Leipsic had the appearance of straw yards, strewed with the carcases of man and beast. The su burbs of Leipsic have greatly suffered." The field of battle comprehended more than 60 villages, all of which have been completely plundered and many burnt. In this whole range, extending to the distance of ten miles round the city, there are scarcely to be found either animals of any description, or corn, or hay, or any implements of agriculture. The houses that still remain are uninhabitable. The following is an account of the grants, that appear from these reports to have been made by the London and Westminster Committees, from the commencement of their benevolent labours. Hamburgh, Lubeck, Bremen, &c. ... Hanover Saxony and Lusatia Silesia.... Prussia L.26,150 9,200 57,950 14,750 15,900 10,750 30,500 L.165,200 Orphan Children Various places in different parts of Germany too numerous to be specified Among the means resorted to for raising the funds necessary for carrying on this charitable work, was that of instituting Ladies' Committees, both here and in Germany. "The London Committee feel it their duty, particularly to express how much they have been gratified and encouraged by the exertions made by British Ladies in behalf of sufferers in Germany; some of whom have transmitted articles of clothing, which have been peculiarly acceptable to many poor fatherless children abroad, while others have lately formed themselves into associations for the purpose of soliciting and collecting contributions from their country-women, towards affording relief to thousands who are ready to perish. In this act of benevolence they have nobly seconded the generous efforts of many ladies in various parts of Germany, who, in the hour of their country's deep distress, have voluntarily submitted to privations of every kind, made the greatest sacrifices, and even exposed themselves to personal dangers, in order to alleviate the sufferings multiplied around them by war, famine, and disease. Perhaps in no species of distress, to which these generous females have directed their attention, have their labours been more eminently beneficial than when they charged themselves with the care of forsaken and helpless children, thousands of whom have been bereft of their parents and friends, both in the field of battle and by the effects of a pestilential disease, which, while it spared infants, has generally been fatal to adults, and in many places carried off the greatest part of the adult population." It may be useful to give a specimen of the effect of these female exertions in our own country. It may shew what efficient instruments ladies are, when employed in their proper province, that of relieving indigence and consoling the wretched. "W. F. Reynolds, Esq. reported, that some young ladies at Clapham, impressed with the accounts of the unparalleled sufferings on the Continent, which have arisen from war and disease, and feeling for the forlorn situation of numberless children who have been deprived of their parents, formed them selves into a committee, and called on the female inhabitants in the parish to solicit their assistance in raising a fund for the relief of the helpless orphans ;→→→ that the call was not made in vain, for that, through the liberality of all classes, not excepting servants, who gave largely for their means, the sum of 3621. 15s. 64d. was collected, and which has been paid to the Committee. "The Ladies' Committee was formed of twelve ladies, who voluntarily gave their names for the service; they immediate. ly caused a number of those printed papers addressed to the generous Women of Germany,' to be distributed throughout the village, with a few lines expressive of the reason for sending them. The Committee divided the neighbourhood into six districts, and two ladies were allotted to each, who called at almost every house, not omitting the habitation of the labourer, as they found the lower classes feelingly alive to the sufferings of the poor unfortunate orphans, and very ready to con. tribute their mite. "The Committee feels itself called on to relate a few instances among many, which came before it, of the singular generosity and humane feelings which were displayed by some individuals. "On entering one house, the ladies explained to a servant the object of their visit; and on going out, he requested them to wait a few minutes, when he returned, and presented the sum of 11. 14s. which had been collected among the servants. Another servant asked permission of his mistress to be absent for the day, which request being granted, he went among the servants, his acquaintances, and raised the sum of 71. 7s.-His laudable example was followed by others in similar situations. "The little boys at a preparatory school collected two guineas among them; one little fellow was in possession of sixpence which he had destined to some favourite object, but on reading the printed paper he produced his whole store, and threw it into the fund. The children of a school supported by volun. tary contribution, requested the ladies would pay them a visit:-On entering their apartments they eagerly pressed forward with their little offerings, and though but ten in number they collected the sum of 2s. 10d. expressing the greatest pleasure in being permitted to con tribute their mite, several of them bestowing their whole treasure. Their generosity produced the same noble sentiments in several schools of the like description. 66 female servant, without any solicits tion, brought eleven-pence; when one of the Committee, understanding it was her all, gently remonstrated with her on giving the whole, to which she replied, · it cannot be given in a better cause.' "One poor woman on being applied to, burst into tears, at the same time exclaiming-Ah, madam! Iwell know what it is to be an orphan; and though I am very poor, I hope that you will accept my sixpence. I would give more were it in my power.' Another poor woman, expecting to receive a shilling as the fruit of her labour, proposed sending it to the Committee, who, finding it was designed for the support of her family, could not consent to receive it from her; she then insisted upon their taking three-pence, which was all she had. "Mr. Reynolds added, that these were but specimens of the anecdotes which might have been mentioned; and that the whole strongly proved that the poorer classes of society felt themselves gratified in being permitted to join in the benevolence of their country in relief of the miseries in Germany." We will close this long account with an extract from the Sixth Report of the Committee. "The confidence with which the Committee, for relieving the Distress in Germany and other parts of the Continent, has been honoured by the British Public, is entitled to its warmest acknowledgments. In proportion to the magnitude of the trust reposed in it, the Committee feels anxious for its due fulfilment, and that the liberal benefactors may be satisfied that their donations have been faithfully and wisely distributed. In the second Report, issued by the Committee, they gave a copy of the instructions to the committees of distribution. These instructions appear to have been strictly attended to, and the distributors have fulfilled their trust with high honour to themselves, having spared no pains to acquire the most minute information of the situation of the numerous applicants, to whom they have apportioned relief, with discrimination calculated to produce the greatest advantage to the sufferers. To the husbandman, they have supplied wherewith to till and sow his fields; to the mechanic, tools to resume his industry. The tables of distribution, given in the Report, may serve as specimens of the immense pains taken by these worthy continental co-operators in the noble work of charity.The London Committee respectfully offers its congratulations to the benevolent donors in the United Kingdom, on this addition to the pleasure which they doubtless received, while bestowing their bounty; in that it has been rendered so efficient to the rescue of thousands from despair, restoring them to those exertions which revived hope instantly inspired, and to the prospects of future happiness, in the actual possession of means, which, but a few months since, they had scarcely hoped to realise. : -The Committee respectfully solicits LONDON SOCIETY FOR PRO- An important change has taken place in the constitution of the Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews; of which the history will be best given in the address of that Society to the public. We hope to resume the subject in a future Number. “On Tuesday, the 28th February, an Extraordinary Meeting of this Society was held at Freemasons' Tavern, to take into consideration a proposal made by a Meeting of Dissenting Subscribers, to withdraw from the Management, and leave it in the hands of their brethren of the Church of England. |