A DINNER FOR THE POOR.

Auckland Examiner, Volume IV, Issue 230, 18 January 1860, Page 3

A DINNER FOR THE POOR.

William Fox of Nottingham was a member of the Society of Friends, and he was one ofthe true old school of Friends. His Sympathy for the poor was deeply excited by serving the office of overseer ; and seeing how poor son e were who had to pay the poor-rates, hcTresolvde to economise the parish funds, and.thus prevent their misries as much as possible. It was the custom then in many parishes ;or the overseers and tlie committee who attend 1 the weekly payments of the paupers to have a good dinner at the close of their day’s labour, and this was paid for out of the poor-rates ; but? as it was a manifest abuse- he determined to put an end to the practice-. He therefore hastened away before the close of the weekly payment to the dining room, and thus- addressed, the- master of the workhouse; —“Is the dinner- ready?” "Yes ,sir.” "Then bring it in-” “Are thegentlemen read}', sir?” “Never mind the' gentlemen ; I say bring it in.” And this was done. “Now, call all the poor people, sir; now call the poor people Dost thou not hear what I say, sir?” “This dinner is for the gentle--men.” “For the gentlemen ; oh 1 who pays, for it, then —do the gentlemen?” The work-house-master, starting most amazingly, said — “Why, no, sir, I reckon not; its paid for out of the poor-rates.” “Out ofthe poor-rates? to be sure it is, thou-thou art right. The rates are for the poor men, and not for the gentle--men. Poor-rates, eh ? I think we have no gentlemen’s rates so fetch in the poor at once and. took quick ” The workhouse-master went,, and William Fox went, too, see that he did as he was ordered, and not to give the alarm to the gentlemen and in afew seconds pa:t'huiried, in a whole host of hungry paupers, who had not for years set eyes on such a feast as that. They did not wait for a second invitation toplace themselves at table, and William Fox bade them help themselves, and at once there was a scene of activity that for the-time it lasted justified-the name of the house. It was a workhouse, indeed. William Fox all the fine stood cutting and carving and handing good pieces of pudding and meat to such as-could not get seats. In a few minutes there was a. thorough clearence of the table. Scarcely had William Fox-dismissed his delighted company when another company presented themselves, and these were the gentlemen,, who-, stood in amazement. “Why,” eclaimed they, “what is this, why is the table in this state,, where is the dinner?” “I found a very good dinner ready, and as I know that none but the poor had a right to dine out of the parish funds I have-served it out to the poor accordingly ; but if any of you is in want of a dinner.he may, come home with me and I will give him one.” The genflemen knew well the character they had to deal with, and never attempted to renew: the practice of dining at the public charge during William Fox’s year of office. — Globe.