"I was asked my reasons for visiting the gaols? I answered, I had seen and heard the distress of gaols, and had an earnest desire to relieve it in my own district as well as others. It was then asked me, if it was done at my own expence? I answered, undoubtedly. Some conversation passed relative to gaolers taking off their prisoners irons; but that was private, and not at the bar of the House.

"The above account, including that of garnish, which was from 3 and 4s. to 8s. which I said was a cruel custom, and connived at and permitted by gaolers, was the whole of what passed at the House as to myself, except the great honour they did me in their thanks nem. con."

This true Patriot addressed the printer a second time, March 7, in the same year.

" SIR,

"I shall set off for the gaols in Westmoreland, Cumberland, and Northumberland, next Monday, and also visit again some which I have already seen, likewise Lancaster, Chester, and Shrewsbury, if I am not taken off with the gaol distemper; as Dr. Fothergill says, I carry my life in my hand, and it is a wonder I have not been taken off.'

"The misery in gaols is great beyond description; Sheriffs for many years not having set foot into the prisons of most of the counties in England. There are many of them (the felons wards I mean)

VOL. I.

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I mean) dirty, infectious, miserable places; so that, instead of sending healthy useful hands to our Colonies as transports out of our gaols, they become infectious, sickly, miserable objects: half of whom die on their passage; and many of those that arrive at the places of their destination infect the families they enter into. I saw lately in your paper, what I knew our Colonies complained of from Philadelphia: An Act passed to prevent infectious diseases being brought into that Province.'

"Another great evil in gaols is, that the poor debtors on the common side in most counties have not even the felons' county allowance of bread; and I have not found twelve people that have sued out their groats in all the county gaols; that benevolent Act of 32 George II. being frustrated, as no attornies will, without pay, take a poor debtor's case in hand. These I have found some of the most pitiable objects in our gaols. "I am, &c. JOHN HOWARD." The result of the visits thus announced has long been before the publick, and that infinite improvement followed must be admitted; yet much still remains to be done, merely to obtain that order and cleanliness which the Legislature has at various periods declared should be maintained in each prison throughout the Kingdom. Mr. Neild, the worthy magistrate, has undertaken the task left incomplete by his exalted predecessor; and

there

there cannot be a doubt that he has done incredible service to the criminal, and the debtor, most unaccountably immured within the inclosures intended for the purpose of justice only.

The same distresses which accompany every severe winter recurred in 1776, and the utmost exertions were made to alleviate them; when the Corporation of London gave 1500l. and several rich Citizens from 100l. to 201. each, to be distributed to poor housekeepers. This fund was augmented by the exertions of the Sheriffs, Aldermen, and Deputies, who went from house to house soliciting contributions.

The Humane Society, instituted for the recovery of persons supposed to be dead from the effect of disease, suffocation, and drowning, had arrived to that degree of importance in 1776, as to be enabled to distribute several gold and silver medals, from a die executed by Lewis Pingo, from a design by Dr. Watkinson. The four gentlemen first honoured with this mark of distinction were Dr. Hawes, who had frequently advertised, before the Society was formed, offering a reward to those who would call for his assistance. in cases where the functions of life were suspended; and Dr. Cogan, his colleague, in establishing the first principles of the Institution; Alderman Bull, president; and Dr. Watkinson.

Since the above period, the enterprising spirit and activity of Dr. Hawes has been constantly ex

erted in promoting the continuation of the Humane Society, which, though under Royal Patronage, derives very small pecuniary aid from the publick, compared with some Institutions of less importance; nor has the Legislature granted it a farthing; though, as the Doctor once observed to me, there are benefactions recorded in the Journals of the House of Commons for a Veterinary College, to recover horses from diseases*.

Sermons, and an annual dinner, with a procession of those recovered from death by the Society, are substituted to obtain contributions; and I am happy to add, that they have always amounted, with other -voluntary gifts, to a sum which has enabled the Governors to render thousands of persons supremely blest by the restoration of their relatives from the relentless grave.

Similar Institutions now existing throughout Europe and America, are strong proofs of the honours due to the founders, Hawes and Coganhonours to be paid by posterity.

A most melancholy circumstance occurred in 1777, which deprived the inhabitants of London of one of the best orators in the cause of benevolence they had ever possessed. The reader must be aware that I allude to the ignominious death of Dr. Dodd, whose conduct cannot but be allowed to have been inconsistent beyond parallel; a

The worthy Doctor died in December 1808. See a Tribute to his Memory in Gent. Mag. vol. LXXVIII. p. 1121. teacher

teacher of the most exalted benevolence, and one who practised it to the degree he taught; and yet a luxurious spendthrift, and a violator of the penal laws of his country, to support unjustifiable extravagance and splendour of living. When we reflect on the thousands of pounds his exertions have collected, and will yet collect, for the relief of penitent Prostitutes, in the establishment (in conjunction with Mr. Dingley) of the Magdalen hospital, and the Society for the relief of prisoners confined for Small Debts; besides those, the fruits of his preaching on numerous occasions; we cannot but lament that mercy was withheld which a Nation solicited. His was a singular case-but enough--Justice required his life; and Death, the portion of forgery, closed the scene.

We have now arrived at a period within the recollection of most of my readers; it will not therefore be necessary to notice every Institution existing at present, the result of recent exertion; they are numerous beyond all former example. From the temporary relief afforded during severe winters, and the charities even to passing mendicancy, with that to individuals advertising for assistance, up to the incorporated Societies for constant duration; all are successful, and none more so than the Patriotic Fund, established for reliev ing and rewarding military and naval sufferings and merit.

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