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ANECDOTES
OF THE
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS
OF
LONDON
DURING THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY;

INCLUDING
THE CHARITIES, DEPRAVITIES, DRESSES, AND AMUSEMENTS,
OF THE CITIZENS OF LONDON,
DURING THAT PERIOD;
WITH A REVIEW
OF THE
STATE OF SOCIETY IN 1807.
TO WHICH IS ADDED,
A SKETCH OF THE DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE, AND OF
THE VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METROPOLIS.

ILLUSTRATED BY FORTY-FIVE ENGRAVINGS.

By JAMES PELLER MALCOLM, F. S. A.
AUTHOR OF "LONDINIUM REDIVIVUM," &c. &c.

THE SECOND EDITION.
VOLUME I.

LONDON:
PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, AND ORME.
PATERNOSTER ROW.
1810.

John Nichols and Son, Printers,
Red Lion Passage, Fleet Street, London.

CONTENTS
OF
THE FIRST VOLUME.

PLATES
TO
THE FIRST VOLUME.

PREFACE.

I beg leave to return my sincere thanks to the community, for the flattering reception with which this undertaking has been honoured:—A more convincing proof of that approbation which every Author most ardently desires seldom occurs, and still more seldom is expressed in so short a period as between the dates of the first appearance of the book and the present preface (March 1808 and May 1809.)

It had been my intention, from the moment I thought of tracing the habits of the residents of our Metropolis, to give a history of them from the earliest ages to the close of the last century: those early ages should certainly have been noticed first; but the length of time required for collecting materials, and the heavy expences attending printing, made it imperiously necessary that I should offer to the publick the least difficult portion of my labours, in order to ascertain whether I might proceed in safety with the remainder. The result has surpassed my hopes, and roused me to redoubled exertion in preparing for the press a volume including Anecdotes of Manners and

Customs from the Roman Invasion to 1700, in which will be found most of the apparent omissions discoverable in this; but I shall ever reserve a right to myself of saying nothing on a subject of which I have an imperfect knowledge, through impediments not always to be explained without a charge of prolixity. This circumstance, and the impossibility of knowing how the work would be received, compelled me to give a retrospective view, at the commencement of some chapters, that should contribute to render them satisfactory, provided the early portion never appeared. The readers of the Quarto edition of the History of the Eighteenth Century will therefore have the goodness to excuse the retrospective sketches in it; and those of the present will perceive the sketches alluded to are omitted, in order to confine each event to its proper æra in the work when completed.

It will be observed that I address myself in the above sentence solely to the liberal reader for information and amusement, and by no means to the invisible censors of the age, who kindly and charitably supply the place of Inquisitors without receiving their appointment either from the Church, the State, or the Publick. A person who honours this publication with his notice in the Eclectic Review remarks, "We should have thought the progress of learning, and the novelties in the trade of books, during the last century, well intitled to some regard; and, as Mr. M. has 'been indebted to his worthy friend Mr. Nichols for the inspection of his matchless collection of periodical publications, from which great part of his materials have been selected,' we wonder not a little how the very institution of periodical publications

could escape his notice." The history of literature did not escape my recollection as connected with that of the manners of the Metropolis; but you, Gentlemen Reviewers, being literary men, ought to have been aware that the very worthy friend you have mentioned had nearly printed his Literary Anecdotes of the same century, which would have appeared at the moment my Anecdotes were published, had not one general conflagration destroyed the whole of the impression, and a considerable number of my own books, and compelled the benevolent sufferer to recommence his labours. "Perhaps," continue the Reviewers, "Mr. M. did not know that the voracity of the publick for scandal demanded four editions, comprising 19,000 copies of the Town and Country Magazine, on its first appearance." I did know the prevailing voracity for scandal, and that it was partly supplied by Reviews. I do not mean by any particular work so termed, but by individual articles in many publications of that description.

Knowing the mischievous consequences to authors, of perversion, misquotation, and misrepresentation, before the nature of Reviews was fully understood, the enlightened and excellent Dr. Blair, whose Sermons do his head and heart so much honour, wrote thus to Mr. Bruce, the celebrated Abyssinian Traveller: "I do not get the Monthly Review, and never saw that article in it which has been so injurious to you. Indeed, I seldom see any Reviews, unless what is called The Analytical one, which a friend of mine takes, and commonly sends to me; and that Review appears abundantly favourable to you. But I entirely agree with Dr. Douglas, that the Reviews

are beneath your notice. They are always guided by the interest of some booksellers; and it is not on their opinions that the reputation of books and authors will depend. I am so much of this mind, that though I lately published a volume of Sermons, I never gave myself the smallest trouble to enquire what the several Reviewers said of it, or whether they took any notice of it at all[viii:A]."

It is well known that Dr. Blair had established a reputation which it was impossible to undermine by secret attacks: hence he naturally held those who aimed them at others in sovereign contempt. There are authors, however, who are endeavouring by every laudable exertion in their power to establish a similar reputation; and would frequently accomplish it, did not the secret envious Reviewer annihilate their hopes by exciting terrors in their minds, and by this means destroy all their vigour, substituting hesitation for energy, and trepidation for modest confidence in their abilities. Worthy and enviable pursuit, to wound the feelings of a man we never saw, and rob him not only of fame, but of that remuneration which the risk of his property in some degree demands from the publick he endeavours to please!

When an author so far forgets his moral obligations as to publish to the world sentiments or narratives dangerous to the beautiful order and simplicity of social life, it becomes the province of a Reviewer to expose his intentions, and lash him into a sense of his duty; nor should arrogance and presumptuous folly escape the reprehension of a gentleman from the

same source: but, when a work appears which demonstrates great labour and diligence in the compilation or invention, and contains nothing offensive to honour and morality, envy and malice, and the restless spirit termed ill-nature, should really be subdued in the breast of the Censor, so far as to permit him not to expose himself, and the Review his individual article disgraces. Besides, both the writer and publisher should reflect, that when they have almost forgotten the article which leaves a deep and a malignant sting, the party suffering from it lingers in hopeless melancholy; and in more than one instance even life is said to have been wasted in the decay produced by a malicious Review.

I should here apologize to the reader for having omitted the portrait of an incompetent and splenetic Reviewer in the first edition of this work; but, as it is never too late to amend, and I cannot violate my own sense of the injustice of giving information in a new edition withheld in the first, by noticing so common a character, I shall here proceed to shew him in his true colours, as part of the grand aggregate I have attempted to describe; merely observing, as a further excuse, in the words of the Critical Review on these Anecdotes: I am "more pleased with faithful delineations of general nature, than with the account of any anomalous productions." Unfortunately for the majority of authors, and most fortunately for the Reviewer, it too often happens that second editions of works are not called for; through this circumstance Reviews of Reviewers are rarely to be met with, and pamphlets refuting their strictures seldom answer any

purpose, owing to their confined sale. Happily for myself, an opportunity offers which must have full effect, as the reader of these pages will judge for himself on their merits, and between the assertions of certain Reviewers, and what I have to offer in opposition to them.

These self-important unknown persons will find me combating on the side of injured authors, not only on my own account, but on that of other individuals severely and unjustly condemned. I certainly despise them with Dr. Blair; that I do not fear them in my literary pursuits, and have no cause for so doing, my own words, and the approbation of the publick, sufficiently demonstrate. I shall be highly gratified if the following investigation leads one man to judge for himself hereafter, when he finds Reviews of a similar description connected with others of liberality and moderation.

We may venture to attribute the introduction of Modern Reviews to Edward Cave eventually; for, although the Gentleman's Magazine never assumed that exclusive character, it certainly suggested the hint of issuing monthly anonymous strictures on new publications[x:A]. All have since professed to commence their career with good humour, talents, liberality, candour, justice, mercy, and, in short, with the exercise of every virtue. Had they all strictly adhered to their professions, Literature would indeed have flourished under the moderate corrections of Criticism, which is necessary to raise a perfect stock for the great demand of England; but, instead of those tempered

reproofs, we are often surprised by floods or torrents of censure, which beat to the earth, and completely destroy, every thing within their scope. It is the authors of those torrents that I combat: the impartial and candid Reviewer I honour and admire, in proportion to the dangers and difficulties of his office.

The Critical Review for May 1808—versus "Anecdotes of the Manners and Customs of London." The writer of this article says: "The following sketch of the contents of this performance will convince the reader that he may expect much information and amusement in the perusal." This is extremely well for a preliminary assertion; and yet we shall find him contradicting it almost from page 1 to 15, where the Review terminates. The contents are then given, and the Reviewer continues: "Such is the bill of fare which Mr. M. has prepared: in which, perhaps, the generality will find many agreeable dishes and savoury ingredients. It is, however, rather a confused medley, than a well assorted or nicely selected entertainment." Here we have a simile warm from the Crown and Anchor or London Tavern. "Mr. M. has very industriously perused the public papers, periodical works, &c. of the last century; and from these he has culled as much matter as, with his own head and tail pieces of remark, explanation, and connection, compose an ample quarto of 490 pages."—"In traversing the pages of this bulky volume, we have sometimes been instructed, and often amused; but on the whole we have experienced sensations of tediousness and languor, which the author will perhaps impute to our squeamishness of appetite or apathy of temperament; but which we are more willing to ascribe to

the prolixity of the work. When the reader has taken the trouble to go through the book, we shall leave him to determine whether the critic be insensible, or the author occasionally dull." This sneering critic (for he at length appears in the singular case, speaking grammatically) affects to be unwilling to accuse me of practising the art of book-making, and of inserting every piece of information which came in my way relative to the manners of London; but really "we would willingly have dispensed with many of his details, in which there is nothing either to edify or amuse."

The single critic, or congregated critics, which the reader pleases, next introduces the following quotation: "Then, says Mr. Malcolm, (meaning before the invasion of Cæsar) the hardy native stood erect in the full dignity and grace of nature, perfect from the hands of the Creator, and tinted with those pure colours which vary with the internal feelings. Cæsar, doubtless, found the males muscular and full of energy, the females graceful in their forms, and both wild and unrestrained in his estimation of manners; though probably they were such as we now admire in the Savage, sincerity unpolished and kindness roughly demonstrated."

I shall make no comments on this passage, which the reader of the Review is requested by the critic to take as a "specimen of that affected, stiff, and verbose style in which Mr. M. sometimes thinks proper to indulge, and on which the critic or critics would fail in their duty to the publick if they did not fix the seal of their utter reprobation."—"Perspicuity and ease are

among those constituent principles of good writing, which we should be unwilling to sacrifice for any of the starched refinements and elaborate perplexities of modern composition."—"When Mr. M. tells us that Cæsar found the Aborigines of Britain 'tinted with those pure colours which vary with the internal feelings,' he seems to have forgotten that Cæsar himself tells us (B. G. lib. v.) that he found these 'hardy natives' bedizened with a coat of paint. And we leave our modern fine ladies to inform Mr. M. whether this artificial discoloration were likely to serve as a mirror for the varying emotions of the breast."

It may be presumed that he who undertakes to criticise the language of another should himself be perfect in the arrangement of his ideas, and of words to express them, and capable of composing similies that shall bear some reference to the subject illustrated. Whether the author of the Review in question is qualified for the employment he has undertaken, will appear in the elegant extracts which follow: "agreeable dishes," "savoury ingredients," "confused medley," "nicely selected," "culled as much matter," "his own head and tail pieces," "traversing the pages," "bulky volume," "squeamishness of appetite," "to go through the book," "affected, stiff," "starched refinements," "elaborate perplexities," "bedizened," and "discoloration were likely to serve as a mirror." Surely, if he asserts my style to be affected, stiff, and starched, I may venture to pronounce his extremely vulgar, incorrect, and confused.

I had not forgotten that Cæsar found the natives of England stained with the juices of plants, and partially covered with coloured earths; still I maintain that Nature had perfected her work, and given the fluids that due circulation, improved by exercise and temperance, which renders the complexion florid and beautiful. Extraneous matter at times defaced her operations; but luxury, disease, and enervation, had not dried the channels of the blood of the Aborigines, as it has those of the fine lady I am referred to, whose discoloration is to serve as a mirror to show my own folly.

"In p. 4. Mr. M. tells us what we suppose he discovered after many nights of sleepless meditation, that, 'There are in every human circle persons whose patriotism may be lulled; [the words between lulled and and, "such may be taught by invaders to execrate their chiefs or governors" are shamefully omitted by the Reviewer as well as the beginning of the first sentence] and glittering ornaments of dress, and indolence, soon produce unfavourable comparison between the former and a naked limb, and the exertions of what is termed savage and the more refined conceptions of quiet life.' Without staying to make any remarks on the phraseology or the structure of this sentence, we shall proceed to shew Mr. M. as a collector of curious anecdotes and amusing details, in which he appears to much more advantage than as a philosopher or a rhetorician."

Is it possible that an author can feel himself injured by such absurd and ridiculous spleen as those four

lines and an half produced in the breast of this miserable Reviewer?

Contemptible and futile as my information is considered by the writer, he has deigned to compress nearly the whole matter of my Anecdotes of Charity for his own purposes; and, although he denies me any share of his charity, he is delighted with the instances of it I have introduced to his notice of that of others. For once he agrees with me in opinion as to the general improvement of manners; and occupies from the 3d to the 9th page in contradicting himself in almost all the positions he has endeavoured to establish as to my incompetency for the present undertaking.

"Mr. M's 4th chapter is intituled 'Eccentricity proved to be sometimes injurious, though often inoffensive.' We could willingly have spared Mr. Malcolm the necessity of exhibiting any proofs on this occasion; most of the Anecdotes which he has scraped together are destitute of interest." The writer has been much my friend in this instance, though certainly without intending it; for he could not have more effectually convinced the publick of his incapability. Can he suppose it possible that, in describing the Manners of the Metropolis, the eccentricities of its inhabitants should be omitted? It is as impossible as that any person should agree with him in all his absurdities. As to exciting of interest, the very nature of eccentricity is such, that pity alone must predominate in the breast of the considerate reader. The sneer that my specimens of eccentricity will make the Anecdotes "a favourite of the Circulating Libraries,"

came from the same hand that could write "a bushel of coals" instead of a chaldron of coals allowed by James Austin to boil his pudding fourteen days.

The loyal reader shall comment for himself on the following extract from this admirable Review: "In 1736, a laudable attempt was made to suppress the excessive use of Gin; and the resentment of the populace became so very turbulent, that they even presumed to exclaim in the streets, 'No Gin, no King.' Whatever respect we may have for the exclamation, 'No Bishop, no King,' we do not think that either monarchy or any other government needs the support of this, pernicious distillation." This is what the Reviewer 'tells us,' and I suppose the discovery was made "after many nights of sleepless meditation;" indeed the same degree of intense thought seems to have produced another sapient piece of philosophy or rhetoric, which is offered to our consideration in p. 11 of the Review. "When a bull gives permission to a greater brute than himself to bait him to death with dogs, we will allow that something like a sanction is given to the sport." Surely these specimens of deep cogitation are almost equal to my "novel observation that 'partnerships too frequently produce dissention and a struggle for individual power';" and the Reviewer's own words, "Mr. M. might have added to the spirit and interest of his work by omitting such superfluous details." These superfluous details, good reader, relate to the disputes between Messrs. Harris and Colman in 1768, which, having excited great interest amongst those who frequented the Theatre, could not, and ought not to be omitted to gratify an invisible

individual, who is perhaps too much of a Philosopher to be pleased with Dramatic Entertainments.

The spleen of the Reviewer, having increased by indulgence, attains its acmè of virulence at the close of the article: "In his 12th Chapter Mr. M. professes to exhibit a Sketch of the present State of Society in London; in which we do not meet with much sagacity of remark, or novelty of information. Take an instance of his common-place details: 'The reader must recollect, that when a family is without visitors, it is governed by greater regularity. Many Merchants and rich Tradesmen pass much of their leisure time at Coffee-houses; and dinners are commonly given at those places'."

Now, what but blind and indiscriminating acrimony could dictate the above remarks? What sagacity was required to narrate facts as clear as noon-day? Or, what novelty of information could arise from describing the domestic occurrences of families in general? The Reviewer dared not say I have falsified a single article; perhaps he would rather I had drawn a fancied picture of present customs, that he might have added a charge of deeper dye against me. The Review of my performance, which has enabled him to earn a dinner, could not have been written if similar common-place details had not appeared during the last century. Good Sir, because you know how we all live at present, are we not to inform those who succeed us how we have lived? Taking the conclusion of sentences as a specimen of the whole, is peculiar to a certain description of Reviewers. Now, by referring to the page whence the extract is taken, it will be found I

had been describing a family as entertaining their visitors, and naturally concluded by saying, "when alone, it was governed with greater regularity." For once we have an attempt at wit, which originates from my having asserted that the dissipation common in high life, and late hours, rendered eating of breakfast a "languid operation."—"We do not believe that there is, in general, so much languor in this operation of eating, as Mr. M. seems to suppose. But, perhaps, Mr. M. will think that we judge of the morning appetite of others by our own; and that we Reviewers have appetites like wolves, and are ready to devour mountains of toast, when they come in our way."—Mountains of toast—admirable metaphor! Surely this cannot be called affected, stiff, starched, verbose, or elevated language; it is familiar enough, and will be understood perfectly by the cook or house-maid, when the article which contains it reaches the Kitchen as waste paper.

"The author ends his smooth-papered volume (a fault I must transfer to the paper-maker, as I have not had it hot-pressed) with the following sentence: 'Such are the follies of many; but, thanks to Heaven! there are numbers of our nobility and gentry who live and act for the general benefit of mankind. And now, Vale Londinium!'—We will add, Vale Mr. M. We have been indebted to you for some information and amusement; but should have been more gratified with the perusal of your work, if you had exhibited more judgment in the selection of the materials, and had not swelled the bulk by a number of futile, irrelevant, and incongruous details."

The readers of the first edition of this work, amounting perhaps to some thousands, have completely and decidedly contradicted the objections brought by the Reviewer in general terms, and supported by cavils upon four or six sentences selected from 490 pages. The readers of the present are offered all those cavils for their consideration, and will judge for themselves of their justice.

With due allowance for a small degree of asperity, for which the writer can have no good excuse, the Anti-Jacobin Review of December last contains some argumentative strictures on the arrangement of this work, as it appeared in the first edition. When a book is offered to the world, it cannot be expected that every fact in it, and the method, should meet the approbation of all descriptions of persons; as taste and opinions are acknowledged to be as various as the features of the face. That the publick at large have not disapproved of the progressive chronological manner adopted, I have the most positive evidence by the rapid sale of the work; and this I shall retain. However, as objections have been raised by individuals who act as Public Censors, I have adopted their suggestions in part, and given the Anecdotes a more connected form, by removing the breaks between each. But, while I submit to their decision in the above instance, I beg leave to deny that any of the materials are too trivial for insertion. I was to give the habits and manners of the Londoners as I found them. If their conduct was even infantile in some cases, the fault lay with them, not with me; if part

of their conduct resembles that of all the rest of the world, it is still a part of their conduct, and requires notice as much as their peculiarities; and it is mere wanton contradiction to assert the contrary.

The Reviewer next discovers, that periodical publications are not the best authorities for ascertaining the manners of the times. This I utterly deny; and I challenge the Reviewer to point out the cases where falsehood and inaccuracy are discoverable, in the use I have made of them. In truth, they are almost the only vehicles by which we obtain any thing like a correct account of the foibles of the day—nay, any account at all. What does he say to the Spectator, the Tatler, the World, the Rambler, the Guardian, the Observator, the Female Tatler? Were they not periodical publications? Do they abound in "shameful lies" (the gross words of the Reviewer)? or are they not considered as faithful sketches of those customs which escape the notice of the Historian?

Every Newspaper may contain misrepresentations and falsehoods; but those are generally confined to politics and artifices of trade: when any indifferent circumstance is to be related, there is no inducement to wilful falsehood. Besides, our ingenuous Reviewer must have allowed me to have had sufficient discernment to reject articles of that description.—Were I to act with the same candour towards him as he has evinced towards "Newspapers, Intelligencers, and Magazines" (observe, Reviews are omitted) in his rejection of them as authorities, I should charge him with declaring a deliberate falsehood in informing his readers that my excellent friend Mr. Nichols had lost

his matchless collection of periodical publications in the late burning of his warehouse and printing-office. A statement of this nature need not rest upon "we believe:" London is extensive, but surely within the compass of a Reviewer's walk, who dogmatically substitutes we believe for the simple question at Mr. Nichols's door, "Have you lost your collection?"

I shall now follow this candid gentleman's example—he damns in the Theatrical term the whole of my book, by endeavouring to mislead the publick into a belief that it contains not a word of truth; and then a high-sounding apology in these words: "That Mr. M. would intentionally pervert a single fact, or make one statement that he believed to be erroneous, we certainly have not the most distant idea of intimating; he possesses too high a sense of honour, too great a feeling of manly integrity, even to permit the supposition." Pray, good Sir, who would willingly consider me rather as a fool than as a liar, apply your own words to yourself; and let me add, I am convinced you believed Mr. Nichols's collection to have been consumed by fire, though it certainly was not.

Further let me repeat your words, "Thus have I done, and I challenge contradiction:—mine are the best authorities."—Yes, they are the best authorities; such as the Journals of the House of Commons, the Gentleman's Magazine, official publications of Charities, and various institutions, under the signatures of their Secretaries, Reports of Coroners on Inquests, the Statements of G. A. Wachsel, Sir John Fielding's official reports, Mr. Howard's letters, Acts of Parliament, Dr. Hawes's information to the Author,

Advertisements from different Speculators, the official statements of the Society for Reformation of Manners, Report of the Committee of Magistrates 1725, Letter from Secretary of State 1728, Proclamations by the King and the Lord Mayor, original Letters of Richard Smith 1732, the Police Act, Evidence before the Committee of the House of Commons 1750, Address from Justice Fielding 1759, Narrative relating to the Cock-lane Ghost, Evidence of Physicians relating to Mad-houses 1762, Examinations before Committee of Commons respecting Robberies 1770, Sir J. Fielding's Address to Grand Jury 1773, official statement of Society for suppressing Vice; Quacks' own advertisements; Addison, from the Lover; London Gazette, ceremonial for receiving George I.; Royal Proclamation, 1721, confirming the existence of scandalous Clubs, Mackay's Journey through England 1724, Switterda's Advertisements, Act for suppressing Private Balls, Report of Committee of Common Council 1761, Charge by Sir J. Fielding respecting Profane Swearing 1763, original letters between the Bishop of Bristol and his Parishioners 1768, Grosley's Tour to London, Advertisements by C. Weedon, Esq. Life of Sacheverell, Henley's Advertisements, presentment of the Grand Jury relating to him 1728, Lady E. Hamilton's advertisements, Lord Viscount Vane's advertisement, original advertisements of Lotteries and Benefit Societies, Queen Anne's communication to the Lord Mayor respecting Riots 1709, Abstract of Wild's indictment 1725, official parish letter of Christ-church Surrey 1757, Minutes of Coroners Inquest 1763, Wilkes's letter 1768, Trial of

Donald M'Lane, King's Proclamation 1768, that of Harley, Mayor, same period, Trial of J. Grainger, &c. 1768, Petition of W. Allen 1768, Presentment of Grand Jury 1701, that of Middlesex 1703; London Gazette, reformation of the Stage; the Presentment of Middlesex Grand Jury 1723, Advertisements of Figg and others, masters of defence, Notice from Wilks, &c. and Cibber's answer 1733, Notice from the Proprietor of Vauxhall-gardens, proposal from same 1738, Life of Handel, original letter from Mrs. Clive, Statements by Mr. Garrick and Mr. Beard, Letters of Messrs. Harris and Colman, Macklin's narrative, Plan of the Regatta 1775, Foote's letter to the Lord Chamberlain, Advertisements of Clothing lost, Peruke-makers' petition 1763, Sir William Davenant, original docquet to Mr. Cole for globe lamps, Act for improving London 1760, Notice from Commissioners for paving,—AND, LASTLY, PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS.

My words in the Introduction are: "It gives me pleasure to acknowledge I have been indebted to my worthy friend Mr. Nichols for the inspection of his matchless collection of periodical publications, from which great part of my materials have been selected." Whether they were the sole sources of my Anecdotes let the above list of authorities testify, which the reader may verify by turning over the following pages. If the Reviewer has read this work, I charge him on his conscience to say why he asserts my information depends wholly upon lying newspapers, &c. Where, alas! has the "full spirit of moral honesty" evaporated which he so calmly professes?

Two sentences more, and I have done with the Anti-Jacobin. I am treated with the utmost superciliousness for attempting to prove that many male and female figures are to be found in London equal to the celebrated statues of the Venus de Medicis and the Apollo Belvidere, which were alluded to by the words Grecian Apollos and Venuses.—What, am I to be told that my powers of discrimination "are far above par," because I assert the British human form is equal to the conceptions of the antient Grecians? This "Grey-beard," as he calls himself, must have studied the Arts in a Mercantile way indeed, or he would have pronounced my powers were below par in saying they were only equal, as, upon a moment's consideration, I am convinced there are hundreds of persons in London whose forms in general, and the swells of their muscles, as far surpass the statues in question, excellent as they may be, as the works of God ever did and ever must exceed those of man. Indeed, the best Artists invariably acknowledge with humility and regret how very inferior their works are to the common productions of Nature. Then how extremely ridiculous are these words of the Reviewer: "That the Metropolis can furnish many beautiful figures both male and female, from the millions of its inhabitants, we readily allow; but that perfection of form and character which characterises an Apollo and a Venus, has but few, very few resemblances." I am almost tempted to say the latter part of this paragraph is impious: The most complicated, wonderful, and beautiful specimen of the powers of the Creator, exceeded by the works of the

created; nay, so far exceeded as to leave but few even of resemblances!!! Has the Reviewer read that indefatigable and accurate author Keysler? Hear what he says of the Venus de Medicis, after paying it the just tribute due to superior excellence: "The head is by most Connoisseurs considered as too small in proportion to the rest of the body, particularly the hips; some censure the nose as too large; and possibly the furrow along the vertebræ of the back is something too deep, especially as the object represents a soft plump female; and both the bend of the arms and inclination of the body jointly conspire to lessen the depth of this furrow, if not totally to obliterate it. The fingers are remarkably long, and all, except the little finger of the left hand, destitute of joints; but this should not affect the reputation of the Artist, as it is sufficiently evident, that the hands had not received his last touches." It has often been asserted that the English Jacobin cordially hates his own countrymen, and endeavours to exalt the perfections of their enemies: the above fact seems to prove decidedly that an Anti-Jacobin treats an author with contempt, because he wished to say the truth of the Reviewer's countrymen. If the reverse was the case, and the British form was less perfect, I ought to have escaped censure merely for my amor patriæ.

It was to deprecate such criticism as the preceding, which I expected, through the experience of others, that I prescribed an Antidote in the Preface of the first edition.

And now I shall leave these two wise Reviewers "to chew the cud in their own way," according to the elegant expression of the Anti-Jacobin.

The Eclectic Review, in noticing this work, has confined itself to such observations as were highly proper, supposing the volume intended to form a complete history of the century. I have already explained the reasons why I offered it to the publick as it appeared, and shall not therefore repeat them; but I cannot avoid adding, I feel myself indebted for the offered suggestions, though they were anticipated. When gentlemanly reproof is tempered with praise, he must be an arrogant and presumptuous writer indeed who feels offended at the recital of his real or supposed errors. I shall give some commendatory extracts, and the Reviewer will permit me to refute one of his suppositions.

"We certainly approve Mr. M's choice of a subject; and highly should we have congratulated ourselves if collectors of equal diligence had performed the same task for the 17th and many preceding centuries which he has undertaken for the last."—"Mr. M. with equal modesty and prudence, intitles his volume Anecdotes."—"It presents some of the principal features of the times, and will afford amusement and knowledge to the present generation, and still more to future generations, who cannot by recollection compare the portrait with the original."—"Whoever desires to form a just estimate of the manners of the English in the 18th century will derive great assistance from Mr. M's collections."

After what has been said, I am sorry to be obliged to censure any part of this Review of my Anecdotes. Speaking of my prints of Dress, the Reviewer says, I should have consulted several works which he has

named, particularly Hogarth's labours, or family pictures, and adds: "We are very much afraid Mr. M's prints on this subject have been made up memoriter." The above sentence must be considered by every impartial person as perfectly unjustifiable, and insulting to my moral character. This instance sufficiently proves that I am personally unknown to the Reviewer, or he would also have known deceit and baseness form no part of my composition. It now remains for me to give my authorities for the sketches of dress, which are full as authentic as any the Reviewer has mentioned; and to his surprize and regret he will learn that the very Hogarth he blames me for neglecting is one of them.

Dress 1690-1715, is from a print published immediately after the coronation of William and Mary representing that event, offered to the world by one of the Heralds at Arms. Dress 1721 is from a wooden cut in a newspaper exhibiting the young beau of the day. Dress 1735 is three figures grouped from Hogarth's plates. Dress 1738 is the old maid in Covent-garden from Hogarth, the position of the figure altered. Dress 1745 from Hogarth, the attitudes different. Dress 1752, attitudes altered from a large print of Vauxhall-gardens. Dress 1766 from Rooker's view of Covent-garden Church. Dress 1773 from a Mezzotinto, figures altered. Dress 1779 the hint taken from Miss Burney's Evelina. Dress 1785 from a large Aquatinta of the interior of the Pantheon, Oxford-street, figures newly grouped. The two last the Reviewer knows to be correct.—In concluding this subject, I cannot do better than quote the words of the

Reviewer of my work in the European Magazine for June 1808. Speaking of the Anecdotes of Dress, he could not omit noticing "a Chapter" that "has in a manner fixed these fleeting meteors of public absurdity, by a series of prints, that at once serve as embellishments and elucidations of the work."—"These prints we really wish our readers could see, because they are, in many instances, extremely curious, and also because, on subjects of this nature, an artist with a few strokes of his pencil can convey ideas in a much stronger manner to the mind than an author in pages of laboured description."

As I have candidly given the reader all that the preceding Reviewers have said against me, he will indulge me in adding a few words from those who praise me. Were all Reviews formed on the liberal plan which distinguishes the article concerning my Anecdotes in the European Magazine, every author must be gratified with the prospect of having his work fairly analysed, and receiving explanatory notices for a future edition, and rejoice that Reviews are published. In proceeding through the contents of my book this worthy critic has given explanations of such passages as his knowledge of London enabled him to illustrate, which I have inserted in the form of notes in their proper places in the present edition; and in this pursuit he has, to his great credit, never once indulged in captious exceptions against particular sentences, or spoken of every thing omitted and nothing inserted. The conclusion is extremely grateful to my feelings: "When we consider the labour which Mr.

M. must have undergone in collecting such a variety of materials from such a number of volumes, pamphlets, and papers, as he must have perused (some of which are no longer accessible but to the curious) we are of opinion that he deserves great praise for his industry. As a body of information respecting the morals, the manners, the foibles, and follies of our ancestors, we think this work very useful; as a book of reference, still more so. As an amusement, therefore, to the idle, and an assistant to the industrious readers, we unequivocally recommend it to the publick."

It may, perhaps, be said this praise is venal; on the contrary, I most solemnly declare I know neither my bitter Censors nor my Panegyrists. As some other Reviews have praised the work, I shall refer the reader to the Gentleman's Magazine, the Annual Review, &c.

J. P. Malcolm.

May 1809.

FOOTNOTES:

[viii:A] Murray's Life of Bruce, p. 281.

[x:A] The previous attempts of individuals, which never exceeded a few volumes, I do not consider as cases in point.

ANECDOTES
OF THE
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS
OF
LONDON
DURING THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

CHAP. I.
STATE OF PARISH CHILDREN—ANECDOTES OF VARIOUS DESCRIPTIONS OF CHARITY EXERCISED IN LONDON, BETWEEN THE YEARS 1700 AND 1800.

There 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.

The 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.

After 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.

The 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.

Still 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.

The 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.

Those 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.

In 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.

"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:

"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.

"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 3s. and 2s. 6d. per week first paid, is often reduced so low as 1s. 6d. and 1s. per week; that it cannot be presumed to be equal to the necessary care of infants.

"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. Hutton, a principal inhabitant of that parish, that the sum of 2s. 6d. 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.

"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 40s. only, which your Committee think inadequate to the procuring good masters.

"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.

"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.

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

It 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.

Children, 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.

There 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.

In 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 4000l. to be applied to the maintenance and education of exposed and deserted infants.

The 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.

Montague 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.

They accomplished their wishes in the following December, by obtaining 56 acres North of Ormond-street, of the earl of Salisbury, for 7000l. 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.

John 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."

The 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.

The 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 2s. 6d. per ticket, when a collection for the Chapel amounted to 596l. 13s. and another for the hospital produced 110l. 9s. 6d.

The 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 10s. 6d. for their tickets. The King sent 2000l. and an unknown benefactor 50l.

The 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].

Frequent 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 10,000l. to be applied for the reception of infants under two months old. On the 2d June, 1756, 117 were admitted[13:B].

The 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 10,000l. granted by Parliament to this Corporation, 1200l. 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 10,000l. was paid into the Bank of England on account of the Hospital. By order of the general Committee,

J. Collingwood, Sec."

Sept. 7, 1757.

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

A 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 10,000l. The number of deaths to the 31st of Dec. 1757, was 2821. The sums presented to the charity in 1757, including 30,000l. from the legislature, amounted to 38,002l. 1s. 2d.; 2806l. 10s. 3d. of which was bequeathed to the Hospital, 508l. 4s. 6d. given in annual benefactions, and 96l. 14s. 6d. benefactions towards the charges of the Chapel.

The expences of this eventful year, in the annals of the charity, was 33,832l. 13s. 2d.; 502l. 4s. 6d. of which was paid in fees, when passing the warrants for 20,000l. the second grant from Parliament.

In 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 100l.

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].

WELSH CHARITY SCHOOL.

This 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 3695l. 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].

Such 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.

The 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.

The 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.

The 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.

Cavendish 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. The 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. Playford's, Garraway's, the Rainbow, and at most of the chief coffee-houses in town. The benefit of the Tickets, being only 5s. 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."

Mr. 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.

In 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.

Exclusive 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.

In 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.

The 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.

The 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.

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

Mr. 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.

In 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. Clement Danes, "to recommend two boys out of each parish to the Society, which shall be put forthwith to school, cloathed, and 10l. 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 10l. charity. Each subscriber pays only 1s. 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 15l. to put out a child apprentice, or 10l. to be disposed of to charitable uses as you shall judge proper; and 125l. per month laid by as a stock to sink your weekly payments," &c. &c.[23:A]

4800 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].

A 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 1000l. 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, 60l. was obtained in the inconsiderable parish of St. Helen's, Bishopsgate[24:B].

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

In the year following a person, unknown, sent a 50l. 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.

Another, or perhaps the same person, released 30 persons from Whitechapel prison, in August, 1717, cloathed them, gave them a dinner, and 2s. 6d. 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 5s. 6d. which had been swelled by charges and fees to 40s.

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

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

The Prince appears to have given 250l. annually to the Charter-house.

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

1720, the earl of Thanet gave 1000l. to the widows and children of clergymen.

The 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 2645l. 10s. exclusive of a considerable sum expended in placing out apprentices.

Mrs. 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.

Shortly 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.

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

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

The 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.

Certain 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.

The 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.

A 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 100l. 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 500l. The captives went thence to Leicester-house, and received 250l. from the Prince of Wales.

The 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.

The 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 30l. at a time was collected at the Exchange and in several parishes: the duke of Chandos gave 150 of them 2s. 6d. 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.

The 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 500l. a second 200l. and another 100l. with a promise of the same sum annually for four years; they unanimously concealed their names.

M. 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."

A Mrs. Palmer died in 1727, who bequeathed the following large sums in charities: 4000l. for propagating the Gospel abroad; 4000l. for promoting Christian knowledge in the Highlands of

Scotland; 2000l. to queen Anne's bounty; 2000l. to Bethlehem hospital; 500l. to the charity school of St. Andrew's, Holborn; and 500l. 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.

The 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 1000l. to be paid to the Sheriffs for that purpose.

A 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.

Bloomsbury-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].

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

There 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 100l. to each of those towns, and the several wards of London made considerable collections.

In 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 125l. intended for certain inhabitants of Saltzburg, who were persecuted for their religious opinions, and desirous of emigrating to Georgia.

The 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.

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

"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. These 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. If 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. Let 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. To 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.

"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.

"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.

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

"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,

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"Rules proper to be observed by the Masters and Mistresses.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

• W. 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.

"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."

135 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 100l. and several of the nobility and gentry five and ten guineas each, to which sir Charles Wager added 50l. They afterwards dined together at Ironmongers' hall.

The 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:

"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."

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

A charitable institution called the Stepney feast, produced a sufficient sum, in 1734, to apprentice 16 boys at 5l. each, and to cloath seven, and one poor man.

The 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.

"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]."

The 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.

In 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:

The 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."

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

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

Whether 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 28,000l. 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].

A person who concealed his name gave, in May, 1736, the sum of 1000l. 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 500l. for the promotion of Christian knowledge.

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

The 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.

In 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:

"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.

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

"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."

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

The 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.

Mr. 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.

"Sir,

"The distressed circumstances in which many of our inferior Clergy necessarily leave their numerous families, induced the piety of our ancestors to establish a Corporation for their relief; in aid of which, the stewards of the feast of the Sons of the Clergy have promoted an annual collection for putting some of their helpless orphans apprentices to reputable trades. But there being still wanting a fund for the maintenance and education of these poor children in their more helpless infant state; some gentlemen in the year 1749, formed themselves into a Society for raising such a fund by a small annual subscription, and for seeing it faithfully applied to this very humane and necessary purpose.

"The Society's income, small as it has hitherto proved, yet not being burthened with salaries of any kind, has enabled them in the course of nine years, to take care of 28 boys, selected out of the most numerous and distressed families that applied.

"Of these, 13 have been placed out apprentices, and to the remaining number the Society have agreed to add two, besides filling up the vacancies that will happen, by the placing out of others who are now properly qualified.

"The Society's general account at their last audit in February, stood as follows:

"Total receipts 971l. 15s. 6d. Disbursements, for schooling and maintenance, 713l. 11s. 6d. Children's travelling charges 32l. 15s. 10d. Printing 62l. 12s. 6d. Balance in the Treasurer's hands 162l. 16s. 8d.

"The Society's circumstances have hitherto prevented them from extending their care to the poor girls, whose situation, no doubt, is full as deserving of compassion; but this they hope the benevolence of other well-wishers to the Church of England will soon enable them to do; and in the plan and management of this branch of the Charity, they shall be glad of the advice and assistance of the ladies.

"Several Bishops and other persons of rank of both sexes have been pleased to approve of the design and conduct of the Society, and to honour the subscription with their names.

John Paterson, Sec.