The Connaught Journal Galway, Monday, November 24, 1823 PEASANTRY OF IRELAND The First Report of the British and Irish Ladies' Society, for improving the Condition and promoting the Industry and Welfare of the Female Peasantry of Ireland. PATRONESSES- Her Royal Highness the Princess Augusta, and her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester. PRESIDENT- The Duchess of Beaufort. We feel great pleasure in laying before our readers the First Report of the above Society.- It must, indeed, be gratifying to every individual interested in the welfare of this country, to find that the miseries of the Irish Peasantry have at length been taken into consideration by the Nobility and Gentry of the sister island; and that the respectable classes in this country are beginning to feel the necessity of joining in the benevolent undertaking. It will be seen from the Report, that much good has already been effected, the Society in London has opened a correspondence with a number of intelligent individuals here, who have formed District Associations, and have given practical effect to the benevolent intentions of the London Committee. From the statements of accounts, which we annex, it will be seen, that between four and five thousand pounds are at present at the disposal of the Committee, which we have no doubt, will be applied in the way most likely to be of lasting service to the poor. We would particularly beg to direct the attention of individuals connected with the Society, to the encouragement of that description of straw-plait which resembles Leghorn, as promising a better return for the labours of the female peasant; than any other manufacturer we know of. Indeed we should hope that much premiums will be granted by the Dublin Society for its encouragement, as will render it a very general source of employment throughout the country. For the information of those who may wish to connect themselves with the Association, or to promote its objects, we subjoin its rules and regulations:- REGULATIONS OF THE BRITISH AND IRISH LADIES' SOCIETY. FIRST REGULATION- This Society shall consist of a Central Society in London, of Cunty and District Associations in Ireland; and of Local Associations in Great Britain, formed for the purpose of collecting Funds, and increasing the general interest in the designs of Society. SECOND REGULATION- The following shall be the Rules of the Central Society.- 1. The Society shall consist of persons of all religious denominations. Every annual subscriber of one pound or upwards, and all persons who shall collect weekly in its behalf, one shilling or upwards, shall be considered as members. 2. Benefactors of ten pounds or upwards, shall be deemed Members for life. 3. The business of the Society shall be conducted by Patronesses, a President, Vice-Patronesses, a Vice-President, a Treasurer, two or more Secretaries, and a Committee of 24 Ladies, resident in and about London. The Committee shall meet on the second Tuesday of every month, or oftener if necessary, five members being competent to act. 4. The purpose of the Committee, shall be to correspond with the Ladies in Ireland; inviting them to form County and District Associations, and thus to draw into combined exertion the benevolence of the respective districts, and secure its operation upon the poor; to communicate any information which may appear to them calculated to assist the beneficent efforts of the Ladies in Ireland; and to use means to procure subscriptions and donations, as well as to encourage the formation of local associations in Great Britain, in aid of the funds of the Society. 5. The funds so obtained shall, after deducting incidental expenses be employed at the discretion of the Committee, in furthering the object of the Society, by the circulation of useful information; by occasional co-operation with the Associations in Ireland, in affording the necessary materials of work, both for domestic purposes and for simple and easy manufactures; by encouraging the cleansing and whitewashing the habitations of the poor; by supplying means for distributing presents among such as may distinguish themselves by the clean, orderly, and decent appearance of their children; and by promoting the instruction of female children in needle-work, spinning, knitting, and household work. 6. The assistance rendered by this Society to the Associations in Ireland, shall, as far as possible, be suited to the wants and situation of the different districts,and be placed at the disposal of the County Committees for distribution; and the correspondence of the Society shall be confined to such County Committees as far as circumstances admit. 7. The Committee shall be authorized to add to the number of Vice-Patronesses; to fill up vacancies as they occur in the Committee; to replace the Treasurer and Secretaries as occasion may require; to employ such subordinate officers as may be found necessary; and to prepare before the meeting in June, an annual report of the proceedings, and a statement of the receipts and expenditure of the Society, which shall be printed for the general information of the members. THIRD REGULATION- The Ladies resident in Ireland shall be solicited to assist in carrying the design of this Society into effect, by forming the County and District Associations, whose object shall be- 1. To visit the families of the poor, and obtain a knowledge of their situation under certain heads of inquiry. 2. To excite to a sense of virtue and piety, to habits of industry, cleanliness and attention to domestic duty. 3. To endeavour to procure employment for poor women at their own dwellings. 4. To visit the sick and provide temporary assistance in the loan of linen, &c. ; also to procure medical advice where necessary. 5. To encourage the poor to send their children to schools. 6. To promote the industry and improvement of the poor in any other way which local circumstances appear to require. FOURTH REGULATION- That all Associations in correspondence with the Central Committee in London, be requested to send a report of their proceedings every year before the 1st of March. 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