OF CHARITY EXERCISED IN LONDON, BETWEEN THE YEARS 1700 AND

11800.

2There is something in the composition of the British atmosphere highly congenial to human and animal life: the clouded air and frequent humidity, and consequent coolness, prevent the violent perspirations the natives of finer climates experience; hence the fluids remain in full effect, and expand every part of the frame to its full proportion.

3The habits and manner of living at various periods of our history had great influence on the exteriors of our ancestors: when men were forced into armies to repel invaders from Saxony and Denmark, the whole race of Englishmen became either hardened into almost supernatural exertion and strength, or were victims to those chronic diseases which deform the body and destroy the regularity of features; then the youth of each sex experienced privations incident to war, and the whole population must have suffered in the gracefulness of their persons. It required many years of quiet to restore the disorders of the body politic; and those of individuals recovered in the same slow proportion. In the reign of Edward III. Englishmen had again expanded into full military vigour; they marched with the front of Hercules against their enemies, and they maintained their strength and courage beyond the period of our Henry V.

4After that reign, I should imagine, their stature diminished, and their countenances assumed a less pleasing form; and we find them bending under the most profligate despotism through the reigns of Henry VII. and VIII. Elizabeth, possessed of equal power, but inclined to use it for the benefit of her subjects, as far as the confined ideas of the time permitted, raised the people nearer to manhood; and her young soldiers waited for the enemy on their coasts, not yet as _volunteers_, but as defenders of their metropolis for a virtuous arbitrary Monarch.

5The sentiments imbibed during this auspicious period, contributed to render domestic life more cheerful than it had hitherto been; the person was enlarged, and became more graceful; discontent fled from the features; and the Londoner, still nearer perfection, at last accomplished those two Revolutions which have for ever banished Despotism, and secured his home--nay made it his _castle_. See the consequences in the myriads of beautiful infants that smile on every side of him, with the regular and placid lines that mark their faces, and the strait and truly proportioned limbs that distinguish vast numbers of all ranks of people of both sexes.

6Still the deformed and pallid are numerous; but deformity and disease in London generally proceed from causes which _may be prevented_; very confined residences destroy the health of parents and their offspring; the lowest class of inhabitants drink away their comforts, and suffer their children to _crawl_ into manhood.

7The highest classes sometimes trust infants to mercenaries; crooked legs and injured spines are too often the consequence: yet we find thousands of males and females, who appear to have been nursed by the Graces, and as far surpass the celebrated statues of the Venus de Medicis and the Apollo Belvidere, as the works of the Creator ever will those of man. When a female of high rank emerges from the controul of her governess, and receives the last polish, I pronounce her an ornament to any Court in Europe.

8Those favoured with an opportunity of seeing the 30,000 volunteers assembled at Hyde-park in 1804, determined to fight for their homes, must agree with me that no nation ever produced an equal number together so finely proportioned and handsome.

9In confirmation of my assertion that part of the deformity observable in the lower class of people might be prevented, I shall insert a Parliamentary report concerning their children, and show how numbers taken from parents have been disposed of.

10"Mr. Whitworth reported from the Committee appointed to inquire into the state of the parish poor infants, under the age of 14 years, within the bills of mortality, and to report their opinion to the House; that the Committee had inquired accordingly, and had come to several resolutions which they had directed him to report to the House. The said Report was read, and is as follows:

11"The Committee having examined the registers of the several parishes referred to them by the House, have collected from them the state of the parish infant poor; and find, that taking the children born in workhouses or parish houses, or received of and under 12 months old in the year 1763, and following the same into 1764 and 1765, _only seven in one hundred_ appeared to have survived this short period.

12"That having called for the registers of the years 1754, 1755, 1761, 1762, of the children placed out apprentices by the parishes within the bills of mortality, it appears that there have been apprenticed out the number of 1419; but, upon examining the ages at which the said children so placed out were received in the seven years from 1741 till they grew up to be placed out, it appears that only 19 of those born in the workhouses, or received into them under 12 months old, compose any part of the 1419; and even of those received as far as three years old, only 36 appear to have survived in the hands of the said parishes to be placed out apprentices. It appears that the children are kept in the several workhouses in town, or in the hands of parish nurses in town, only a small portion of them being sent into the country to be nursed, and the price of 3_s._ and 2_s._ 6_d._ per week first paid, is often reduced so low as 1_s._ 6_d._ and 1_s._ per week; that it cannot be presumed to be equal to the necessary care of infants.

13"Your Committee find the conduct of parish nurses was taken notice of by Parliament in the year 1715; and upon examining also into the recent facts above related, it doth not appear to your Committee that the evil is or can be remedied, unless proper regulations are established by legislative authority. It appears from the evidence of the parish officers of St. Andrew, Holborn (called within the City liberties), and also from Mr.

14Hutton, a principal inhabitant of that parish, that the sum of 2_s._ 6_d._ a week for the article of nursing, is as little as a child can be nursed at to have justice done it; but at the same time, they being sensible of the good conduct and management of the Hospital for the maintenance and education of exposed and deserted young children, they have proposed to the governors and guardians thereof, to receive their infant parish poor at a certain rate, which, by the minutes of the general court of the said Hospital, dated Feb. 18, 1767, which was produced to your Committee and read, the said governors and guardians are ready to comply with, and likewise to forward any general purpose the Legislature may think proper to direct, in relation to the preservation of the infant parish poor within the bills of mortality.

15"It appears upon the examination of Saunders Welch, esq. that great inconveniences have been found from parish boys being placed out apprentice so long as till the age of 24; and upon reading the clause in the 43d of Elizabeth, cap. 2, intituled, 'An Act for the relief of the Poor,' in the 5th section thereof it is said, 'Parish officers are to bind their man child to the age of 24, but the woman child to the age of 21, or time of marriage.' This, your Committee thinks, checks marriage, and discourages industry. It appears to your Committee, that the usual sum given by parishes with apprentices, has been generally from 20 to 40_s._ only, which your Committee think inadequate to the procuring good masters.

16"It appears that the register directed to be made out by the Act of the 2d of His present Majesty, intituled, 'An Act for keeping a regular, uniform, and annual register of all parish poor infants under a certain age, within the bills of mortality,' is deficient, by not setting forth how children are disposed of after the age of four years.

17"Upon the whole, your Committee came to the following resolutions: That it is the opinion of this Committee, that the parish infant poor, within the bills of mortality, should be sent into the country to be nursed, at a distance not less than a certain number of miles from any part of the town: That it is the opinion of this Committee, that the parish officers should allow and pay a certain sum for nursing each child: That it is the opinion of this Committee, that a proper number of principal inhabitants should be chosen in every parish respectively, under the denomination of Guardians of the parish infant poor, to inspect into the treatment of the said children nursed as above: That it is the opinion of this Committee, that the parish officers, governors, and directors of the poor, should have the alternative of sending such children to the Hospital, for the maintenance and education of exposed and deserted young children; and the governors and guardians thereof be permitted to take them at a certain sum, and to be paid by the said officers for nursing such children out of the parish rates: That it is the opinion of this Committee, that parish children should be placed out apprentice for a shorter time than is by law prescribed: That it is the opinion of this Committee, that a proper sum should be given as apprentice fees with the said parish children: That it is the opinion of this Committee, that the register of infant poor under four years of age, should be continued on till the children are in the same manner disposed of in the world.

18"These resolutions were agreed to by the House, and a bill ordered."

19It appears from a return inserted in the Journals of the House of Commons, 1778, that, in the preceding eleven years, the following was the state of the reception and discharge of parish children in the parishes mentioned, from which an accurate estimate may be formed for the rest of London.

20Children Died. Returned Apprenticed. under 6 to their years old. parents. St. Giles in the Fields, and St. George Bloomsbury 1479 177 956 319 St. Margaret and St. John, Westminster 1109 181 766 172 St. Anne, Westminster 324 100 152 76 St. James, Westminster 861 215 250 243 St. Clement Danes 257 113 84 89 St. Andrew, Holborn, and St. George Martyr 756 137 308 207 Saffron Hill 231 30 82 95 St. James, Clerkenwell 701 104 456 116 St. Mary, Whitechapel 449 69 102 286 St. Saviour's, Southwark 539 105 205 187 St. Leonard, Shoreditch 586 99 178 185 St. John, Southwark 154 48 65 127 St. Luke, Old-street 421 103 103 234 St. Botolph, Aldgate 297 90 130 101 St. Martin in the Fields 1512 463 736 321 St. Paul, Covent-garden 51 8 27 36 ---- ---- ---- ---- 9727 2042 4600 2794 ---- ---- ---- ----

21Children, nursed as the above authentic documents prove they were, cannot but have been checked in their growth; and perhaps many of them are at this moment part of the miserable objects we daily see in the streets. The exercise of a little humanity may prevent similar evils in future.

22There is an admirable example, which has long been established for our imitation, where the offspring of vice and humble virtue, equally innocent, are received and nurtured with the utmost care, and where human nature is rescued from debasement, corporeal and mental. Let the reader reflect on the thousands originally preserved, and their descendants rendered happy, through the god-like benevolence of Captain Coram; and he will immediately recollect the _Foundling Hospital_.

23In consequence of that worthy man's petition, George II. granted a Charter of incorporation, which authorised Charles duke of Richmond, and several other eminent persons, to purchase lands, &c. in mortmain, to the annual amount of 4000_l._ to be applied to the maintenance and education of exposed and deserted infants.

24The first quarterly general meeting of the Corporation was held December 26, 1739, when subscription-books were ordered to be opened at the Bank of England and various bankers, for inserting the names of annual contributors. The governors and guardians then amounted to near 400, who unanimously determined to vote their thanks to Captain Coram; but he declined them, and modestly requested they might be transferred to those ladies whose subscriptions had enabled him to procure the Charter. This proposal was acceded to, and the benevolent Captain deputed to convey them.

25Montague house, now the British Museum, had been thought by the governors in 1740, an eligible receptacle for the objects of the intended charity; but Messrs. Fazakerly, and the Attorney and Solicitor Generals, to whom the matter was referred, gave it as their opinion that the expence of obtaining those extensive premises would be too great. The governors resolved, in consequence, to open subscriptions for the purchase of land on which to erect an hospital, and in the mean time to receive sixty children in a temporary receptacle.

26They accomplished their wishes in the following December, by obtaining 56 acres North of Ormond-street, of the earl of Salisbury, for 7000_l._ the present site of the Foundling hospital, Guildford-street, &c. On the 25th of March, 1741, 19 male and 11 female infants were received, all of whom were less than two months old; their baptism took place the ensuing Sunday, when two were honoured with the names of Thomas and Eunice Coram; others of robust frames and apparently calculated for future seamen, were called Drake, Blake, and Norris.

27John Milner, esq. vice-president of the corporation, assisted by many governors, laid the first stone of the new hospital in 1742, when a copper plate, secured between two pieces of milled-lead, was deposited in a cavity; the plate is thus inscribed: "The foundation of this hospital for the relief of exposed and deserted young children, was laid 16th September, 16 George II. 1742."

28The Corporation, laudably attentive to the future happiness of the orphans committed to their care, determined to have them inoculated for the small-pox in 1744; a process then as much condemned as vaccination is at present.

29The first stone of the Chapel was deposited by ---- Jacobson, esq. and contains the following inscription: "The foundation of this Chapel was laid the 1st day of May, A. D. 1747, and in the 20th year of his most sacred Majesty King George II." At the same time a successful attempt to obtain farther pecuniary assistance was made, by a public breakfast for ladies, at 2_s._ 6_d._ per ticket, when a collection for the Chapel amounted to 596_l._ 13_s._ and another for the hospital produced 110_l._ 9_s._ 6_d._

30The Prince and Princess of Wales honoured the governors with their presence at the Chapel, Saturday, May 27, 1749, to hear one of Handel's compositions performed for the benefit of the hospital; the audience is said to have consisted of 1000 persons, who each paid 10_s._ 6_d._ for their tickets. The King sent 2000_l._ and an unknown benefactor 50_l._

31The worthy and veteran Coram died March 29, 1751, aged 83, and was buried April 2d, in the vault beneath the chapel of _his_ hospital. The honours due to this excellent philanthropist were paid by the Corporation to the utmost extent; and the choirs of St. Paul's and St. Peter's Westminster chaunted Dr. Boyce's funeral service over the body, which was covered by a pall borne by many persons of distinction, followed by the charter of the foundation carried on a velvet cushion; and the infants preserved by his exertions closed the procession. The present governors, fully sensible of the public debt of gratitude still in arrears, have recently given his name to Great and Little Coram streets, erected on the surplus ground belonging to the charity[13:A].

32Frequent repetitions of Handel's music, and contributions of every description, enabled the governors to receive 1240 children from 1742 to 1754. They, however, thought proper to petition the legislature for assistance two years afterwards, and obtained 10,000_l._ to be applied for the reception of infants under two months old. On the 2d June, 1756, 117 were admitted[13:B].

33The governors found it necessary to publish the following notice on this occasion: "The governors and guardians of this Hospital thinking it incumbent on them to expose the falsity of what has been propagated in several newspapers, that out of 10,000_l._ granted by Parliament to this Corporation, 1200_l._ was deducted in several offices for fees; do hereby assure the publick, that all fees whatsoever were charitably remitted by all the noblemen and gentlemen through whose offices the proper warrants pass, so that the clear sum of 10,000_l._ was paid into the Bank of England on account of the Hospital. By order of the general Committee,

34_Sept. 7, 1757_.

35J. COLLINGWOOD, _Sec._"

36In 1757, the House of Commons granted the enormous sum of 20,000_l._ to enable the governors to take all children under six months of age, brought to them before Jan. 1, 1758.

37A general statement of the proceedings published in 1758, declared, that from the opening of the Hospital, March 25, 1741, to Dec. 31, 1757, 6894 children had been received, 5510 of whom were taken from the 1st of June, 1756, in consequence of the grant of 10,000_l._ The number of deaths to the 31st of Dec. 1757, was 2821. The sums presented to the charity in 1757, including 30,000_l._ from the legislature, amounted to 38,002_l._ 1_s._ 2_d._; 2806_l._ 10_s._ 3_d._ of which was bequeathed to the Hospital, 508_l._ 4_s._ 6_d._ given in annual benefactions, and 96_l._ 14_s._ 6_d._ benefactions towards the charges of the Chapel.

38The expences of this eventful year, in the annals of the charity, was 33,832_l._ 13_s._ 2_d._; 502_l._ 4_s._ 6_d._ of which was paid in fees, when passing the warrants for 20,000_l._ the _second_ grant from Parliament.

39In 1797, there were 357 children on the establishment, 175 in the house, and 182 at nurse, principally received from the metropolis. From 1770 to 1797, 1684 were received, of which number, 482 died under the age of twelve months; their age when received is generally under two months, and the limitation is twelve months, unless in particular cases or when 100_l._ is sent with the child, and except the children of soldiers or sailors in the service of their country. Children are admitted on petition, and the mother is examined as to the truth of her statements, who is placed, if practicable, in a proper situation to obtain a livelihood[15:A].

40[Illustration: _The Foundling Hospital_]

41WELSH CHARITY SCHOOL.

42This school was established in 1718 for the reception, maintenance, education, and apprenticing poor children of Welsh parents, born in and near London, who have no settlement; the school was originally held at the Hat, Shire-lane, then on Clerkenwell-green; but the trustees finding it insufficient for the purpose, and it having been patronized by the Prince of Wales, and enriched by the donations of the publick, the governors were enabled in 1772, to purchase the piece of freehold ground in Gray's-inn lane, where the school is now situated; on which and other buildings for the reception of 42 boys and 14 girls, they expended 3695_l._ From the foundation to 1779, 642 boys were entered upon the establishment, of whom, 511 were apprenticed to captains of vessels and various trades[15:B].

43Such have been part of the proceedings of the inhabitants of London, in endeavouring to preserve the lives of infants; to which might be added many collateral means, particularly those which adopt the offspring of criminals, and thus render them useful members of society.

44The subject might now be spread into various ramifications; but as brevity should be preferred when practicable, I shall confine my information and observations to the _last century_, and present the reader with the most material occurrences in the still greater work of preserving the population of London from degenerating in every point of view, and even from starvation, during their progress to maturity, and in the decline of life.

45The commencement of the century was remarkable for a grand effort of charity, not the passing charity which provides for temporary wants of the body, that may recur almost immediately upon the disposal of the gift, nor that which removes the possibility of penury from the residents of alms and workhouses; but that which rendered the infant mind the seat of innocence, morality, and knowledge. The reader will fully appreciate the importance of this event, when I mention the schools established by one divine impulse in every quarter of the metropolis, and when he compares the chaos of ideas which must have composed the minds of the poorest classes of children, previous to the existence of these institutions, with the instructed infant comfortably cloathed, clean, and regular in attending divine worship.

46The next general act of beneficence originated from a forcible appeal to the feelings of the Londoners, who beheld many hundreds of deluded Germans or Palatines, deserted by those who had promised to convey them to America, houseless, and without food, and relieved them from the pressure of those evils.

47Cavendish Weedon, esq. issued the following advertisement in 1701, which does him immortal honour: "His Majesty having been pleased by his late most gracious proclamation to signify his desires for the encouraging of piety and morality and suppression of vice, Mr. Weedon of Lincoln's-Inn, for the better promoting the honour of God and such his pious intentions, hath established a monthly entertainment of Divine Musick at Stationers-hall, on Monday, the 5th day of January next, and intended to be kept and continued there every first Monday in every month, excepting the Lent season, and the months of July, August, and September.

48The same to consist of Anthems, Orations, and Poems, in honour and praise of God, religion, and virtue, one day; and in discouragement of irreligion, vice, and immorality, the other, alternately: to be performed by the best masters in each faculty; for which purpose all ingenious persons skilled in those qualifications that shall think fit to send in any composition in prose or verse to Mr. Playford, bookseller in the Temple-change in Fleet-street, free from all manner of reflections on parties and persons in particular, such as shall be approved of, Mr. Playford shall have orders to gratify the authors, and to return the others with thanks for the Author's kind intentions. The performance to begin exactly at eleven of the clock in the morning; and tickets to be had at Mr.

49Playford's, Garraway's, the Rainbow, and at most of the chief coffee-houses in town. The benefit of the Tickets, being only 5_s._ a-piece, the common price of other Musick-tickets, is to be disposed of amongst decayed gentry, and the maintenance of a school for educating of children in Religion, Musick, and Accompts."

50Mr. Weedon advertised in the Gazette of May 4, 1702, that his Musical and other entertainments would be performed at Stationers-hall on the 7th with Anthems by Dr. Blow, an Oration by Mr. Collier, and Poems by Mr. Tate, her Majesty's Poet Laureat, in praise of Religion and Virtue. The receipts to be applied as before-mentioned.

51In 1711, British charity extended beyond the bounds of the realm, through an application from the Society for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts to her Majesty, who was pleased, in consequence, to permit a collection to be made from house to house in all the parishes and precincts within the bills of mortality, to be applied to the purposes of the institution; which was announced from the reading-desks on Trinity Sunday.

52Exclusive of the annual meetings of the charity children, there were opportunities taken to impress the publick with a due sense of the value of the institutions.

53In 1713, they were assembled in the Artillery-ground, where the duke d'Aumont the French resident, and other distinguished characters attended to inspect them; the ambassador evinced his approbation by handsome presents of money to buy them books, &c. And on the thanksgiving day 4000 of these youths were seated upon elevated benches, which extended 600 feet in the Strand, where they saluted the two Houses of Parliament and the great officers of state, with hymns sung in unison.

54The trustees adopted a plan in 1713, that seems well worth imitation at present, which was a Sermon preached by the Rev. Dr. Waugh, at St. Bride's, from the 12th verse of the 27th Psalm, "When my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord taketh me up," before 1400 of those children, of 2250 who had been placed with persons as apprentices and servants. An impressive discourse addressed to young persons, under such circumstances, must be attended with the best effects.

55The gifts of private individuals to the poor cannot often be ascertained, but, that they are generally considerable, may be accidentally collected through the death of common beggars: one of those who lived in Barbican, died in October, 1713, when 80 years of age, and seems to have perished through the chill occasioned by some sour beer given to her in Smithfield; her pockets contained eight farthings, but the rags that covered her concealed 150 broad pieces and guineas.

56In 1714, the King gave the Sheriffs 1000_l._ for the relief and discharge of poor prisoners for debt.

57Mr. Feast, brewer, of Whitecross-street, set a most brilliant example of charity in the dreadful winter of 1715-16, by purchasing 400 chaldrons of coals, which he distributed to such poor persons as were deprived of work by the severity of the winter.

58In the following year 4400 persons formed a Society for insurance upon Lives, with a monthly dividend; but that which distinguished this association, and rendered it a proper subject for this Chapter, was, their requesting the rectors, vicars, and wardens of St. Martin in the Fields, St. James, St. Margaret's, St. Giles, St. Andrew's Holborn, and St.

59Clement Danes, "to recommend two boys out of each parish to the Society, which shall be put forthwith to school, cloathed, and 10_l._ given to put them out apprentices; and as the Society receives encouragement, the same method will be used to the great parishes, within the bills of mortality, that are overburthened with poor; and that a monthly stock is kept, and security given to the trustees for the security of the stock, to put several hundred children apprentices, and the 10_l._ charity.

60Each subscriber pays only 1_s._ per week; and if the person dies in a month after entrance, you are entitled to a dividend of 500 months to be made; but, if your life should continue one year, you are entitled to 15_l._ to put out a child apprentice, or 10_l._ to be disposed of to charitable uses as you shall judge proper; and 125_l._ per month laid by as a stock to sink your weekly payments," &c. &c.[23:A]

614800 children attended the anniversary of the charity-schools in 1716, at St. Sepulchre's church; on which occasion the bishop of Lincoln preached from Dan. iii. 12. The number of schools of this description had increased from the reign of king William III. in England and Ireland to 1221, and near 30,000 children received the benefit of instruction, and in many instances food and cloathing; those of London were 124, the number of boys educated in them 3131, the girls 1789; the children apprenticed from them, boys 2513, girls 1056[24:A].

62A most dreadful fire occurred at Limehouse in the month of December, 1716, by which near 200 houses were destroyed, and infinite distress occasioned; the Prince Regent, agitated with strong sentiments of compassion, ordered the sum of 1000_l._ to be distributed immediately to the most pitiable objects; which laudable example was promptly followed by others to a considerable amount. A more disinterested charity was prosecuting at the same period for the Episcopal Protestants of Poland; towards which, 60_l._ was obtained in the inconsiderable parish of St. Helen's, Bishopsgate[24:B].

63The Prince of Wales, actuated by the same impulse which now operates in the Society for the relief of prisoners confined for Small Debts, sent 350_l._ at Christmas, for the discharge of those at Ludgate and the two Compters.

64In the year following a person, unknown, sent a 50_l._ note to the treasurer and trustees of the Blue-coat school, near Tothill-fields, the receipt of which was acknowledged in an advertisement, stating the agreeable fact, that this sum enabled them to receive four additional scholars, whom they promised to cloath at the periods mentioned in the statutes of the institution.

65Another, or perhaps the same person, released 30 persons from Whitechapel prison, in August, 1717, cloathed them, gave them a dinner, and 2_s._ 6_d._ each; six months afterwards, the same benevolent unknown, repeated his charities at Whitechapel, and released all confined for small debts, one of whom was imprisoned near six months for 5_s._ 6_d._ which had been swelled by charges and fees to 40_s._

66Jan. 1717-18, the King gave 1000_l._ for the discharge of insolvent debtors, in the gaols of London and the county of Middlesex.

67The King gave 1000_l. per annum_, towards the relief of poor housekeepers in London and Westminster[25:A]; that sum was increased to 1900_l._ in 1718, by collections under his Majesty's letters patent for the same purpose.

68The Prince appears to have given 250_l._ annually to the Charter-house.

69A repetition of the liberality of the unknown occurred again in September 1719, at Whitechapel, when he released 35 prisoners, besides giving them money.

701720, the earl of Thanet gave 1000_l._ to the widows and children of clergymen.

71The Society for the relief of the Widows and Children of Clergymen has been already noticed, in the first volume of "Londinium Redivivum;" it will therefore only be necessary to state their gifts in 1720, which amounted to 2645_l._ 10_s._ exclusive of a considerable sum expended in placing out apprentices.

72Mrs. Mary Turner, in the same year, commenced that noble foundation, which has since flourished with so much success, for the reception of incurable lunatics at Bethlehem hospital, by a handsome legacy.

73Shortly after an examination of the Marshalsea books took place, when it was found that upwards of eleven hundred persons confined for small debts had been discharged within three years, by the charitable contributions of Roman catholics.

74Amongst the charities of 1720, was that of lady Holford, who left 10_l._ each to 27 clergymen, on condition they attended her funeral; and eleven exhibitions of about 10_l._ each to as many boys, educated at the Charter-house upon the foundation.

75The collection for the Sons of the Clergy amounted to 239_l._ 10_s._ in 1720, which was distributed to 16 children, in sums from 10_l._ to 20_l._ each; the annual contributions generally average now at 1000_l._[27:A]

76The year closed with the unequalled donation of Thomas Guy, who then determined to found that hospital on the site of the antient St. Thomas's, in Southwark, which has immortalized his name.

77Certain charitable persons established an Infirmary in 1719. Two years afterwards they published one year's statement of their proceedings, from which it appears 108 patients had been received, of whom 52 were cured, 6 incurable, 8 died, 19 discharged for non-attendance, 1 for irregularity, 11 out-patients, and 11 within the infirmary, who received, with food and medicines, the exhortations of such clergymen as the Society could procure.

78The London Workhouse received from March 1720 to March 1721, 683 vagabonds, beggars, pilferers, and young vagrants, and lewd and disorderly persons, of whom 620 were discharged, 2 buried, and 61 remained. In the same period, 27 children were bound to tradesmen, 2 were buried, and 86 remained; the latter were religiously educated in the doctrines of the Established Church; and were employed in spinning wool, sewing, and knitting, and taught to read, write, and cast accompts.

79A treaty was completed in 1721, between the British Government and the Emperor of Morocco, by means of which, 280 persons were restored to their country; who went in procession, clad in the Moorish habit, to St. Paul's, where a Sermon suited to the occasion was preached by Mr. Berriman, chaplain to the bishop of London. The curiosity of the citizens to see the emancipated slaves was such, that the benevolent intentions of many charitable persons were frustrated; the collectors however obtained about 100_l._ After the Sermon, they proceeded to St. James's, and were admitted to the garden, where the King did them the honour of viewing their grateful countenances, and afterwards ordered them 500_l._ The captives went thence to Leicester-house, and received 250_l._ from the Prince of Wales.

80The newspapers of December 1721, mention the revival of an antient custom upon the eve of great festivals; which was the Lord Mayor's visiting the Markets in person, to solicit contributions of provisions for the poor. It is said that his lordship was very successful at this period.

81The spring of 1725 was extremely wet, and serious apprehensions of a total failure of the crops very generally prevailed. Those fears fortunately proved fallacious; but the useful body of labourers who resort to the neighbourhood of London as haymakers suffered dreadfully, and several actually died for want of food and lodging. One sentiment of compassion seems to have prevailed for these wretched people, and 20 and 30_l._ at a time was collected at the Exchange and in several parishes: the duke of Chandos gave 150 of them 2_s._ 6_d._ and a sixpenny loaf each, at his gate at Canons. Mr. Carey, vicar of Islington, went to every house in the parish soliciting for them; and, having received a handsome sum, he afterwards distributed it in the church.

82The following January was very propitious to the funds of Bethlehem hospital, several gentlemen having subscribed towards the erection of the wings for incurables. One of these gifts was 500_l._ a second 200_l._ and another 100_l._ with a promise of the same sum annually for four years; they unanimously concealed their names.

83M. Mahomet, a Turk, and a valet-de-chambre to George I. died in 1726, of whom it was said, "He wore the habit of a Turk, but had many Christian virtues, being profusely liberal to the poor; and is said to have discharged near 300 debtors from prison for small sums, since his coming into England."

84A Mrs. Palmer died in 1727, who bequeathed the following large sums in charities: 4000_l._ for propagating the Gospel abroad; 4000_l._ for promoting Christian knowledge in the Highlands of Scotland; 2000_l._ to queen Anne's bounty; 2000_l._ to Bethlehem hospital; 500_l._ to the charity school of St. Andrew's, Holborn; and 500_l._ to poor widows, who received no alms from the parish. She resided in the parish of St. Andrew; but was buried at St. Giles's, Cripplegate.

85The King honoured the Corporation of London with his company to dinner, in October, 1727; when on his way, a person presented him a petition, beseeching relief for the various prisoners for debt in London; this he received in the most gracious manner, and immediately ordered 1000_l._ to be paid to the Sheriffs for that purpose.

86A Committee of the House of Commons visited the various prisons of the Metropolis, by order of the House, in March, 1729, when they found 30 miserable wretches in the greatest extremity, through illness and want, at the Marshalsea; which operated so forcibly on their feelings, that they immediately contributed sufficient to procure them medical assistance, nurses, cloaths, and food.

87Bloomsbury-market, built by the duke of Bedford, was opened in March, 1730, to the great satisfaction of the neighbourhood. On the following Monday, the Duke bought all the unsold meat at the market-price, and had it distributed to the reduced housekeepers, and other necessitous persons, inhabitants of the parish of St. Giles's[31:A].

88630 chaldrons of coals were purchased in June, 1730, for the use of the poor of the several wards within the city of London.

89There were dreadfully destructive fires at Blandford and Tiverton in 1731; the sufferers from which received unusual commiseration from the whole kingdom, and large subscriptions. The King gave 100_l._ to each of those towns, and the several wards of London made considerable collections.

90In the year 1733, four Charity Sermons were preached in the parish of St. Margaret, Westminster, and a collection made from door to door, which amounted to 125_l._ intended for certain inhabitants of Saltzburg, who were persecuted for their religious opinions, and desirous of emigrating to Georgia.

91The Weekly Miscellany of May 19, 1733, contains the following account of the Charity Schools then established in London, with the rules by which they were governed; they cannot but be read with avidity.

92"The most charitable and useful design of setting up Schools, for the instructing children of the meanest and poorest of the people, was begun in the year 1698. What has now diffused itself through the whole nation, sprung from a very small seed, which was first planted in this great city, and by the blessing of the Divine Providence has, in a wonderful manner, been increased; so that there is now, within the cities of London and Westminster and bills of mortality, 132 charity schools.

93This charitable design meeting with such encouragement from the very liberal benefactions of the inhabitants almost in every parish, trustees were chosen in each district to oversee the management of the masters and mistresses, and to prescribe rules and orders for the government of each school; and treasurers were appointed, to whom all contributions were to be paid, who annually make up accounts of all money received and disbursed.

94The trustees frequently meet, to examine into the behaviour of the masters and mistresses, and whether due care is taken to preserve a regular discipline, and that the boys and girls be instructed, not only to read, but to be examined in the repetition of the Catechism, with the explanation thereof; which is brought in many schools to such perfection, that the children, upon their examination before the trustees, repeat, with great exactness, the texts in the Holy Scripture, to prove all the articles of the Creed, and other parts of the Catechism. These children are all cloathed at the expence of the trustees and subscribers; and when they have been fully taught to read, write, and cast accompts, they are then either put out to services, or to some handicraft trade.

95The girls are bred up not only to read, but to work in linen, knitting, and washing, so as to be fit for menial services.

96"These schools thus increasing, it was thought necessary, in the year 1706, that the trustees should be formed into a voluntary Society, and that a chairman should be elected to preside, and summon meetings of the trustees as often as occasion should render it necessary.

97These meetings have regularly been continued to this time, where orders from time to time have been, by the majority of votes, agreed upon; and in the year 1729, rules and orders for the better regulation of the said schools, were recommended to the several trustees of the schools in the country; which being laid before the archbishops and bishops of the several dioceses in the kingdom, the said rules and orders were by them, under their hands, approved and established; which orders are here inserted: by which it will appear that the utmost care has been taken, not only to instruct the Children in the knowledge of the Christian religion, but also to breed them up in such a manner, that, as they are descended from the laborious part of mankind, they may be bred up and enured to the meanest services.

98If these orders be candidly considered, there is no reason for the objections that are commonly made against the Charity schools; and it must be a great satisfaction to those that have engaged in this charitable and useful design, that out of so great a number of children as have been thus educated, there is but one instance that any of them have been convicted of any crime; and this person, being transported, was so far influenced by his first education, that he was so thoroughly reclaimed, that he became a very industrious and sober man, and is so sensible of the benefit of his education, that, being in good circumstances, he is an annual contributor to the school where he was educated.

99Let it be considered, that as this city has vastly increased, and by consequence the poor proportionably multiplied, what must have become of all their children, if this method had not been taken for putting them out in an honest way to get their livelihoods, either by services or trades, the happy effects whereof is very evident. For there are now in the city of London many substantial tradesmen, who are constant contributors to the schools in which they were educated.

100To this may be added, that by particular benefactions a school is established for teaching the art of Navigation, to qualify the boys, bred up in the Charity schools, to be skilful and able seamen; since which a considerable number have been actually sent to sea; and by all the accounts received from captains of the ships where they were placed, they have fully answered the intention of their benefactors.

101"In some schools, both in London, and in the country, where the benefactions would allow it, the children are both fed and cloathed; and in these both boys and girls are enured to labour, and the profit of their work applied towards their maintenance and setting them up; and in most of the schools in the country, the children in the time of harvest, are to be absent from coming to school, that they may glean, or do other work; and when they are fully taught to read, they are put out to handicraft trades, or to be servants in husbandry.

102"That great Prince the Czar took with him not only the models of English ships, but also the scheme that was then newly projected for establishing Charity schools, which upon return to his own country, he ordered to be erected in all parts of his vast Empire, which he inforced by an edict, that none should be married that could not read the Bible: so differently did this wonderful genius think from some politicians amongst _us_, who have laid it down for a maxim in government, that the _servile_ part of mankind are to be kept as _ignorant_ as possible; whereas _he_ endeavoured to promote knowledge and religion, even in the lowest conditions of life, as a means of making his Nation a flourishing and powerful people, and himself a great and glorious Monarch.

103"_Rules for the good Order and Government of Charity Schools; drawn up by the Trustees of those Schools within the Bills of Mortality._

104"I. That the directions given by the present Lord Bishop of London to the masters and mistresses of the Charity schools within the bills of mortality and diocese of London, in the year 1724 (a copy of which hath been formerly sent to the several Charity schools), be duly observed. Particularly,

105"1. The cautions there given against teaching the children any thing that may set them above the condition of servants, or the more laborious employments.

106"2. The directions laid down concerning the Psalms to be sung by the children on the days of collection, that they be taken out of the book of Psalms only, and sung in the most common and usual tunes.

107"3. The method there prescribed to the masters and mistresses in several rules, for possessing the minds of the children with the just sense of the duty and affection they owe to the present Government, and the succession in the Protestant line, and with a just dread of the persecutions and cruelties to be expected from a Popish Government.

108"II. That the trustees of every school, according to the custom of the place, or the appointment of the founder, do frequently meet, and examine into the management of the school, and report the state and condition of the same at every general meeting of the subscribers.

109"III. That they be very careful in the choice of a treasurer, who is to keep a fair account of all receipts and disbursements, for the view of all subscribers and contributors, who may desire to know how the money is disposed of.

110"IV. That the person who shall be chosen for master or mistress of any school, be a member of the Church of England, of known affection to His Majesty King George, and to the Protestant succession as by law established; of a religious life, and sober conversation, a constant communicant, understanding the grounds and principles of the Christian religion, and having a capacity for educating children, according to the rules herein recommended.

111"V. That, in training up of children, particular regard be had to the business they are most like to be employed in, either as servants, or in husbandry, or else in the woollen, iron, or such other manufactures, as are most used in those places where charity-schools are maintained. And in order thereto, that the children whilst at school be (so far as is consistent with their necessary learning, and the different circumstances of particular places) inured to some kind of work or labour, and in some measure daily employed in it; so that they may be rendered most useful to the publick; and for this end it may be proper that their earnings be applied towards finding them in diet, lodgings, and other necessaries.

112"VI. Whereas Thomas Neale, esq. deceased, did devise part of his estate to be applied for supporting of Charity schools, or for such other charitable uses as his executors thought fit; and Frederick Slare, doctor in physick, the surviving executor of the said Mr. Neale's will, hath, out of the surplus of the said estate, appointed a considerable sum of money for the payment of an annual salary for a master, to instruct poor children in such part of the mathematicks as may fit them for the sea service; and this appointment hath been established by a decree of the high court of Chancery; and a Charity-school for that purpose is erected in the City of London; and the Trustees of the said school have ordered that each boy that should be sent from any of the Charity schools, shall be taught the said science, upon the payment of twenty shillings a year for each boy: It is therefore in a particular manner recommended to the trustees of each school within the cities of London and Westminster, that such boys as may be thought fit for the sea-service, be sent to the said school, to be instructed in an art which will render them so very useful to the publick.

113"VII. That the trustees do insist upon it with parents, as a necessary condition on which their children are to be taken into school, that they send them clean washed and combed, regularly and constantly, at the hours of schooling; that they comply with all orders relating to them, and freely submit them to be chastised for their faults, without quarrelling or coming to the school on such occasions; that children be not countenanced in their faults, or masters and mistresses discouraged in the performance of their duty. But if there be any just reason of complaint, that it be made to the trustees, in whose determination they are to acquiesce; or if persons neglect, or refuse to observe these orders, then their children to be dismissed the school; and if they are cloathed, to forfeit their school cloaths.

114"VIII. That the trustees do likewise, as far as in them lies, oblige the parents of all such children as they take into their schools, to agree that their children be put out to such services, employments, or trades, as the trustees shall think most proper and advantageous to the publick, and the places where they live.

115"IX. And lastly, that the trustees do what they can to engage parents to give their children good examples at home, of a sober and religious behaviour, frequently to call upon them to repeat the Church Catechism, to read the Holy Scriptures, especially on the Lord's day, and cause prayers to be read morning and evening in their families: so that both parents and children may be the better informed of their duty, and by a constant and sincere practice thereof, promote the pious and useful design of charity schools, and so procure the blessing of God upon them.

116"_Rules proper to be observed by the Masters and Mistresses._

117"I. That the masters and mistresses do themselves attend the school at the times appointed by the founders and trustees, and keep the children diligently to their business, during the hours of schooling, suffering none to be absent at any time, but upon account of sickness, or some such reasonable excuse, unless in the time of harvest, and when the trustees think it proper that they should be employed in husbandry, spinning, carding, or some other manufactures; but, if children are kept away, the trustees to be acquainted with it, that others more conformable may be taken into their places.

118"II. That they teach the children the true spelling of words, make them mind their stops, and bring them to pronounce and read distinctly without a tone: and because it is found by experience, that in several places in the country due care has not been taken in these respects (the masters and mistresses being paid for teaching the children either by a monthly or quarterly allowance), it is proposed to such founders and trustees as shall think it requisite, that their payments be hereafter made in the following manner: The _first_ to begin so soon as each child can name and distinguish all the letters in the alphabet; the _second_, when the child can spell well; and the _third_, when it can read well and distinctly, and can repeat the Church Catechism.

119"III. That they make it their principal care to teach the children to read the Bible, to instruct them in the principles of the Christian religion, according to the doctrine of the Church of England; and that they explain the Church Catechism to them by some exposition, which, together with the Catechism, the children should publicly repeat in church, or elsewhere, so often as the minister and the trustees shall require; and be frequently examined in school, as to their improvements of every sort.

120"IV. That they teach the children those doctrines and principles of religion which are in their nature most useful in the course of a private life, and especially such as concern faith and good manners.

121"V. That they bring the children to church, so often as divine service is there performed, before it begins, and instruct them to behave themselves orderly, kneeling, or standing as the rubrick directs, and to join in the public service with, and regularly to repeat after, the minister, with an humble low voice, and in the most devout manner, in all places where the people are so directed, in such manner as not to disturb the rest of the congregation, and particularly in singing of Psalms: and that they likewise take care, that the children bring their Bibles and Common-prayer books always to church; and in order to prevent their spending the Lord's-day idly or profanely, it will be proper that every master and mistress give each child some task out of the most useful parts of Scripture, to be learnt on each Lord's-day, according to their capacities; and that they require a strict performance of it every Monday morning, and also oblige them to say the texts of the sermons preached the day before.

122"VI. That they never fail to pray morning and evening in the school, and teach the children to do the same at home, devoutly upon their knees, when they rise and go to bed, as also to say grace before and after meat.

123"VII. That they take particular care of the manners and behaviour of the children, and by all proper methods discourage idleness, and suppress the beginnings of vice; such as lying, cursing, swearing, profaning the Lord's-day, obscene discourse, stealing, &c. putting them often in mind, and obliging them to get by heart such parts of the Holy Scriptures, where those things are forbid, and where Christians are commanded to be faithful and obedient to their masters, to be diligent in their business, and quiet and peaceable to all men.

124"VIII. That they call over in school the children's names every morning and afternoon; and, if any be missing, that they put them down in rolls kept for that purpose, as tardy or absent; as also for their being guilty of breaking any of the aforesaid rules and orders; and that they lay those rolls before the founders or trustees of every school, where required so to do, or before any other person empowered by the founder, trustees, or subscribers, who have a right to enquire into their behaviour, in order to their encouragement, correction, or expulsion.

125"IX. That they take care that where the children are cloathed, they wear their caps, bands, and cloaths every day; whereby the trustees, benefactors, and others, may know and see what their behaviour is abroad.

126* * * * *

127"These rules were approved by the archbishops and bishops whose names are underwritten: and they were pleased to direct, that the same be observed by all the charity-schools in their respective dioceses.

128W. Cant. Lan. Ebor. Edm. London. W. Duresme. R. Winchester. J. Wigorn. J. Bath and Wells. Jo. Oxford. B. Sarum. E. Cov. and Lich. Sa. Roffen. Tho. Ely. R. Lincoln. Jos. Gloucester. W. Norwich. Jo. Carliol. H. Hereford. Ric. St. David's. E. Chichester. W. Bristol. Steph. Exon. Rob. Peterborough. Sam. Cestriens. Fr. Asaph. Tho. Bangor.

129"The foregoing rules for the good order and government of Charity-schools, being laid before the _Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge_, they have approved the same, as being agreeable to the rules of Charity-schools formerly published by the said Society; and have therefore directed that the same be printed, and dispersed among all the Charity-schools in South Britain."

130135 captive Britons, nine of whom were commanders of vessels, arrived in England from the States of Barbary in 1734, and were presented to the King and the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. The King gave them 100_l._ and several of the nobility and gentry five and ten guineas each, to which sir Charles Wager added 50_l._ They afterwards dined together at Ironmongers' hall.

131The practice of placing infants in baskets, and those at the doors of opulent persons, was a common trait in the characters of imprudent females previous to 1734; of which the following advertisement will be a forcible illustration:

132"Last Tuesday evening a female child of about three weeks old was left in a basket at the door of Buckingham-house. The servants would have carried it into the Park; but the case being some time after made known to the Duchess, who was told it was too late to send to the Overseers of the parish, and that the child must perish in the cold without speedy relief; her Grace was touched with compassion, and ordered it to be taken care of. The person who left the letter in the basket, is desired by a penny-post letter to inform whether the child has been baptized; because, if not, her Grace will take care to have it done; and likewise to procure a nurse for it. Her Grace doth not propose that this instance of her tenderness should encourage any further presents of this nature, because such future attempts will be found fruitless."

133It gives me great pleasure to add, that _dropping_ of children is but little known at present.

134A charitable institution called the _Stepney feast_, produced a sufficient sum, in 1734, to apprentice 16 boys at 5_l._ each, and to cloath seven, and one poor man.

135The duke of Bedford, the earl of Litchfield, and admiral Haddock, were three of the eight stewards for the year 1735; when the ensuing verses, set to music by Dr. Green, were sung at the anniversary dinner.

136"From Zembla's ever icy plain, From where eternal Summer burns, From all the terrors of the main, The wearied Mariner returns. Old Thames extends his parent arms, And all his rising towers shows, To welcome him from War's alarms To glorious ease and sweet repose. Tritons wind their coral shells, And every cliff in echo tells: Thus Britain is grateful, thus Britain bestows For a youth of brave toil, an age of repose[44:A]."

137The Hospital at Hyde-park corner was instituted Oct. 19, 1733, and has been supported by voluntary contributions from that day to the present; this is one of the many instances which might be produced of the _hereditary_ charity of the inhabitants of London; a species of benevolence silently handed from generation to generation; a bequest not inforced by forms of law, and parchment and seals.

138In the year 1734, the Prince of Wales acted as president; the Queen and Princesses became subscribers; and the most eminent physicians, surgeons, and apothecaries attended the sick, &c. _gratis_. An additional wing was voted to the building, and the following statement[45:A] published:

139"Cured from 1st Jan. to 26th Dec. 1734 379 Discharged for non-attendance, most of them supposed to be cured 196 Dead 77 Discharged incurable 26 For irregularities 15 Discharged as improper objects 4 Sent to Guy's hospital 2 Patients in the house 87 Out-patients 50 Under the care of the house in the whole 840

140Receipts for the year 1734. £. _s._ _d._ Subscriptions from Oct. 19, 1733, to Dec. 26, 1734 2277 5 6 Benefactions, ditto ditto 1859 11 0 --------------------- 4136 16 6 Disbursements 1734 2559 5 0-1/2 --------------------- Remainder 1577 11 5-1/2 ---------------------

141The necessity of Alms-houses, Hospitals, and, in short, every description of receptacles for the miserable poor, was apparent to every friend of humanity at this period; and it is to the honour of the then publick that the necessity was in a great measure removed. The parish-officers were universally negligent, and even the public papers asserted, "That the present laws (those of 1735) are defective; and that notwithstanding they impose heavy burthens on parishes, yet the poor, in most of them, are ill taken care of. That the laws relating to the settlement of the poor, and concerning vagrants, are very difficult to be executed, and chargeable in their execution, vexatious to the poor, and of little advantage to the publick, and ineffectual to promote the good ends for which they are intended."

142They proposed these remedies, which will at least explain the deficiencies of the day:

143"That a public workhouse or workhouses, hospital or hospitals, house or houses of correction, be established in proper places, and under proper regulations, in each county.

144"That in such workhouses all poor persons able to labour be set to work, who shall either be sent thither, or come voluntarily for employment.

145"That in such hospitals, foundlings, or other poor children not having parents able to provide for them, be taken care of; as also all poor persons impotent or infirm.

146"That in such houses of correction, all idle and disorderly persons, vagrants, and such other criminals as shall be thought proper, be confined to hard labour.

147"That toward the charge of such workhouses, hospitals, and houses of correction, each parish be assessed or rated; and that proper persons be empowered to receive the money so to be assessed or rated, when collected; also all voluntary contributions or collections, either given or made for such purposes," &c. &c.

148[Illustration: _The centre of Bancrofts Almshouses_]

149Whether Bancroft was influenced by having viewed the state of the poor in the same light, or whether he acted from an innate impulse of charity, is of little importance at present; but it is certain that his alms-houses were most opportunely erected in 1735, to supply part of the wants of the community, on the ground at Mile-end, where a fair was previously held. This gentleman left 28,000_l._ to accomplish his intentions; which were, that 24 houses should be built for 24 aged men, a school-room for 100 poor boys, two houses for as many masters, and a chapel, under the direction of the company of Drapers[47:A].

150A person who concealed his name gave, in May, 1736, the sum of 1000_l._ to each of the following charities: the Society for propagating the Gospel in foreign parts; for the Augmentation of poor livings; and the Corporation of the Sons of the Clergy; with 500_l._ for the promotion of Christian knowledge.

151The Prince of Wales sent the Lord Mayor 500_l._ in January 1737, to be applied in discharging poor freemen from prison, by the payment of their debts and fees.

152The governors and the publick at large had enabled the conductors of the Small-pox hospital (who at that time had two separate buildings for the purpose, the one at Islington, the other in Cold Bath Fields) to receive 500 patients in six months, so long since as 1757. Those who have seen the present elegant building at Battle-bridge, will be aware of the excellent accommodations it contains; and those who have not are referred to the view of it annexed.

153In the year 1758, another pleasing act of benevolence distinguished the natives of London, under the title of "an Asylum, or house of refuge for orphans, and other deserted girls of the poor within the bills of mortality, situated near Westminster-bridge on the Surrey side." The following notice appeared in the newspapers of the above period:

154"The guardians of this charity (the intention of which is to preserve poor friendless girls from ruin, and to render them useful members of the community) have engaged three matrons: the first to superintend the affairs of the house in general; the second a school-mistress to teach reading, knitting, sewing, making linen, &c.; the third to preside in the kitchen, and instruct the children in plain cookery, curing provisions, pickling, and other branches of housewifery.

155"The house will soon be prepared and furnished for the reception of _poor deserted girls_, from the age of eight to twelve years.

156"As in the beginning of these institutions considerable expences are necessarily incurred, the guardians hope the benevolence of the publick will be excited, to enable them effectually to carry this laudable design into present execution; and to extend their plan hereafter as they shall see occasion."

157This forcible appeal was by no means made in vain; subscriptions followed immediately, and the Asylum _now flourishes_ in full vigour.

158[Illustration: _The Small Pox Hospital_]

159The efforts of the humane at present, in attempting to cure the ruptured poor, deserve every commendation; but it should at the same time be remembered, that the community of 1759 were equally desirous of alleviating the sufferings of the miserable. Mr. Lee, of Arundel-street, surgeon, superintended the hospital at that period; and according to his statement to the committee of subscribers, 60 men, women, and children, and upwards of fifty soldiers, had been perfectly cured, without the loss of a single life, from the day of its institution.

160Mr. Paterson, secretary to a charitable fund, gave the following account of it in a letter to the editor of the London Chronicle, April 21, 1759.