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244
Italian Elsewhere in Total.
Quarter. Finsbury.
Italians born in Italy 551 452 1,003
Italians born in England 200 150 350
Italians working in Finsbury
but not residing there — — 70
Total 751 602 1,423
Thus it would appear that at least 1,353 Italians were resident in the
Borough. In addition to these 1,353 we have come across about 70
Italians working in Finsbury but resident in other parts of London.
Taking all things together I am of opinion that there are resident or
at work in Finsbury at the present time not less than, 1,400-1,500
Italians, and another 30 children of mixed nationality, half-Italian.
Almost exactly half of the Italians in Finsbury live in the Italian
Quarter, and those who do not actually live within the boundaries of
this area live as near to it as they can find accommodation. About 80
or 100 of the resident Italians live in St. Luke (or Eastern) Division of
the Borough, which leaves, roughly, 1,250-1,300 Italians resident in
Clerkenwell (or Western) Division of the Borough. In 1861 there
were 128 Italians in the whole of Clerkenwell. So that during 40
years the resident Italian population of the Borough has increased
by 1,200-1,250, whilst the total population has decreased by 29,000.
From these figures it will be apparent that the number of aliens
actually and also in proportion to the population has increased
during the last forty years. But when all is said the increase is a
small one, and does not lend support to the exaggerated and sometimes
extravagant statements as to the invasion of the foreigner.
There is indeed evidence to show that the much proclaimed alien
invasion of the United Kingdom is not in accordance with the facts
of the case. The following table sets out the state of affairs according
to the latest official returns*:—
"Report of Royal Commission on Alien Immigration, 1903, vol. i, p. 21.