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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 * published: "Cured from 1st Jan. to 26th Dec. 1734 379 Discharged for non-attendance, most of

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Under the care of the house in the whole 840

Receipts for the year 1734.

Subscriptions from Oct. 19, 1733,

to Dec. 26, 1734

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£. s. d.

2277 5 6

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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

* Treasurer's statement.

of

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

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"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 Mileend, 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 *.

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.

* See the view of this superb structure-Seymour's London.

The

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