CHAPTER XXIX.

THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, CHARITIES, AND ENDOWMENTS.

It is the pride of the inhabitants that no town in the kingdom possesses so many Public Institutions for the general well-being of the community, as Brighton.

Foremost amongst these, though a National Institution and but co-equal with similar other branches to complete its general working throughout the kingdom, is the Post Office, which, in all probability, originally formed a part of the General Postal systems as established in 1657 and 1660. We have no authority as to the primitive mode of conveyance of letters, but doubtless it was on horseback, and afterwards by mail cart, as "A Description of Brighthelmston" {337} mentions:--"During Summer the post sets out from Brighthelmston for London every morning (excepting Saturday) at nine o'clock; and arrives there every evening (excepting Monday) about seven. In the Winter season the post goes out at eleven o'clock at night on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays; and returns from London about eight on Thursday and Saturday mornings." The Post Office was then at Widgett's, afterwards Crawford's, and then Fisher's Library, Old Steine, the present premises of Mr. Shaw, confectioner, from whence, upon the throwing of the Promenade Grove into the Royal Domain, in 1803, it was removed to premises constructed in the Grove gateway at the top of Prince's Place, when Mr. J. Redifer was appointed the Post Master. During the time that Crawford was Post Master, his son, one of the present Members of Parliament for the city of London, was the only letter-carrier in Brighton. Mail coaches between London and Brighton were not put on the road till 1807. On the 22nd September, 1822, the Post Office was removed to 67, East Street, where it continued till June, 1827, when the premises, 149, North Street, were appropriated for the business. From thence, on the 23rd of September, 1831, it was removed to the house immediately south of the Unitarian Chapel, New Road, Mr Ferguson being the Post Master.

The uniform charge for letters of one penny per half ounce,--introduced in 1840, by Mr. Rowland Hill,--and afterwards the abolition of the newspaper duty, when the postage of the public journals, and subsequently and now all printed works passing at the rate of one penny for four ounces, rendering the premises in the New Road inadequate to the increase of business, the Post Office, on the 26th of March, 1849, was removed to the present site, opposite Trinity Chapel, in Ship Street. The premises there were very narrow and contracted, till August, 1858, when the present commodious structure was erected. Mr. Charles Whiting, the present Post Master, entered upon his duties in October, 1850. Previous to the postage reduction, letters in the out districts of Brighton were collected every evening by bellmen, who, for one penny, conveyed letters to the General Office. Branch offices superseded the bellmen, or collectors; and now, pillar-boxes, placed with great discretion in all parts of the town, have rendered the branch offices in some localities wholly unnecessary. The first pillar letter-box in the kingdom was erected at the corner of Fleet Street and Farringdon Street, London, in March, 1855. The Post Office Savings Bank opened at Brighton on the 10th of March, 1862.

The first Bank in Brighton--the Old Bank,--immediately opposite the premises subsequently and now the Union Bank, was established in 1787, under the firm, Messrs. Shergold, Michell, Rice, and Mills. It withstood the panic of 1825; but a few years after, transferred its declining business. The New Bank was the next established, the firm being Messrs. Wigney, Rickman, Stanford, and Vallance. Wigney, who was also a brewer, happening one day to meet the builder of the sea wall of the Junction Road, Mr Bennett, upon whom Dame Fortune rather frowned than smiled, said, "Why, Bennett, surety, if I remember right, you also, were once a brewer?" "Yes," said Bennett, "but I made a sad mistake, Wigney; I turned at the same time a builder instead of, as you did, a banker; thus I have always continued a needy man, from not having other people's money to speculate with." The rejoinder was very significant, as the sequel proved. The Bank was at first in Steine Lane, with a second public entrance by the side way to the Pavilion Shades; from whence, in 1819, it was transferred to the apartments, now the coffee room of the Pavilion Hotel, Mr. Edmund Savage, who had obtained the license in 1816, having arranged with the bankers that they should rebuild the house in the Castle Square front, so that they might have the Bank on the ground-floor of the new building, and give up the rooms in Steine Lane, in exchange. The room where the banking business had been transacted, Mr. Savage then appropriated to a smoking-room, and converted the clerks' room into a Gin-shop. But as Mrs. Fitzherbert was then living immediately opposite, in Steine Lane, he was fearful of offending her by placing any writing on the house; the thought, however, struck him, that, inasmuch as the height of Mrs Fitzherbert's house, to the south of him, prevented the _sun_ from _shining_ upon his house, he would adopt the word "Shades," and place it over the door, where had before been written "Bank," that being the only word used to publish the place. An immense trade was soon carried on in that little room, where three young men found full employment in serving at the counter, and two as porters were engaged besides. The extensive trade thus obtained soon induced other publicans to adopt the word "Shades" to their bars; and at the present time there is scarcely a public-house in the kingdom but uses the term. The only place previously where the word "Shades" was adopted was at a Vault near Old London Bridge, where nothing was sold but wine measured from the wood.

When known as Wigney's Bank, from the other partners having withdrawn from the firm, the banking business was carried on at the premises which occupied the western entrance of the Avenue in East Street. Mr. Isaac Newton Wigney, M.P., who was then sole proprietor, to the dismay and ruin of many of the inhabitants, stopped payment on the 4th of March, 1842. The chief clerk of the New Bank, as it was originally constituted, was Mr. Thomas West, who, on the 1st of August, 1805, with Messrs. Browne, Hall, and Lashmar, founded the Union Bank, their neighbour, Mr. Daniel Constable, being the first person to open an account with them; Messrs. Hall, Lloyd, Bevan, and West constitute the present firm. Mr. Lashmar left the Union Bank, and, in conjunction with Mr. Mugridge, opened the Sussex Bank, in St. James's Street, which closed its doors on the pressure of the panic of 1825.

The panic was also the death-blow to the County Bank, at the south-east corner of Castle Square, which a few years previous had been opened by Messrs. Tamplin, Creasy, and Gregory, the latter,--who was the manager of the concern,--being the noted Barnard Gregory, who alternately was a banker's clerk--at Masterman's, London, and Wigney's, Brighton,--wine merchant, chemist and druggist, editor of the _Brighton Gazette_, chapel building speculator, theatrical performer, manager of the Sussex and Brighthelmston Fire Insurance Company, and finally, as a public man, proprietor and editor of an infamous London newspaper, the _Satirist_, for a frightful calumny published in which, on the ex-Duke of Brunswick, he was incarcerated one year in Newgate. Later in a life which has but recently terminated, he speculated on a second wife, an elderly maiden lady, the daughter of Mr. Thompson, a wealthy public-house broker, of the Priory, Hampstead. The circumstance of his marriage with this poor lady is an illustration of the character of the man. He was passing the evening with some friends, when the facility of getting a wife became the topic of conversation, Gregory spoke with his usual confidence: he could get a wife whenever he pleased--at a day's notice. Being rallied on his vanity, he offered to lay a wager that he would be married, and to a woman of reputation, before the next night. The wager was accepted--the stakes deposited. Gregory was the winner. Before the next day was over he had proposed, was accepted, had a wife, and, in compliance with the conditions of the wager, had brought her to Brighton from London, where the marriage was solemnised, before the close of the twenty-four hours.

The London and County Bank, Pavilion Buildings, a branch of the London and County Joint-Stock Banking Company, Lombard Street, London, first opened in Brighton, at the south-east corner of Prince's Place, in 1838. It removed to the present premises in 1853. Mr. John Geddes Cockburn is the Manager.

The Brighton Savings' Bank was established in Duke Street, at the top of Middle Street, in 1817, with Mr. George Sawyer as Actuary. His successor, Richard Buckoll, became a defaulter, and absconded. Mr. William Hatton is the present Actuary, and the business is carried on in the New Road, upon premises erected by Mr. John Fabian, to the plan of Mr. Baxter, architect, on the site of the Royal Pavilion ice-well. Upon its removal from Duke Street, the Bank occupied a portion of the property on the east side of Prince's Place.

No other Banks are now in existence in Brighton. The Unity Joint-Stock Mutual Banking Association, about four years since, had a branch of their establishment at the north-east corner of North Street, but its business was so limited that it soon closed its doors. The National Savings' Bank Association (limited), 1, Pavilion Buildings, had for a time a puny existence, and then, on becoming amalgamated with a like institution, was lost to public notice. The Bank of Deposit,--branches of which were in all parts of the kingdom; and the Parent Office in Pall Mall, London,--on premises next to the London and County Bank, held a position in public confidence for some years; but in 1861, in consequence of Peter Morrison, the Manager, becoming a defaulter and a bankrupt, and eventually absconding, many hundreds of depositors were irretrievably ruined. The District Savings' Bank, contiguous to the Odd Fellows' Hall, Queen's Road, after enjoying an unenviable notoriety, and involving many small capitalists in pecuniary difficulties, in 1861 abruptly closed. Bill discounters and usurious money-lenders abound in the town, their business being principally amongst those whose bills and promissory notes are not recognised by the regular bankers, who abstain from transactions that afford a probability of proceedings in the County Court; hence exorbitant bonuses and interest--which no fair trading can meet--are exacted, and the non-fulfilment of payment becomes the precursor of ruin.

The Fourth Estate of the Kingdom, the Press, is, for independence of principles, well represented in Brighton. The oldest locally established of this important institution is the _Brighton Herald_, first published in September, 1806, the proprietors being Mr. Matthew Phillips and Mr. H. R. Attree. at 9, Middle Street, under the editorship of Mr. Robert Sicklemore. Its price was seven pence, and such was the size of the sheet--upon each of which there was a stamp of three pence half-penny, besides a duty of three shillings and six pence upon every advertisement,--that it did not contain more than a quarter the matter now sold for two pence. From Middle Street the publishing office was removed to 13, North Street, from whence, after between two and three years, it was removed to premises on the site now occupied by 114, in the same street, immediately opposite the North Street Brewery. Since March 25th, 1810, the _Brighton Herald_ has been printed and published in Prince's Place, by Mr. William Fleet, who, about twenty years since was joined by his son, Mr. Charles Fleet.

The first number of the _Brighton Gazette_ was printed and published on premises beneath Donaldson's Library, Old Steine, on the 22nd of February, 1821, by Mr. Edward Hill Creasy. In November of the same year the business was removed to the premises, 168, North Street, where it has ever since continued to be published. On January 22nd, 1824, Mr. John Baker became part proprietor, and on the 26th of February, 1835, it was first printed in Church Street, at the office adjoining the National Schools. The last publication of the _Brighton Gazette_ with the name of Mr. Creasy attached thereto, was on the 18th of July, 1844, only a few months prior to his decease. On the 28th of December, 1848, the paper first bore the name of the present publisher, Mr. Charles Curtis, and in the Autumn of 1852, the printing office was removed to the Pavilion Dormitories. In professed opposition to the _Brighton Gazette_, the _Brighton Chronicle_ was published on Wednesday, the 6th of June, 1821, at 3, Prince's place, by Mr. Cummins; its career, however, was very short.

The _Brighton Guardian_ made its first appearance under the management and editorship of Mr. Levi Emanuel Cohen, on the 31st of January, 1827. It was enlarged on the 30th of November, 1830, and, on the 1st of January, 1851, it appeared as an eight page--small size--publication. In its present size it was first published on the 3rd of October, 1853. From the day of its first issue to the present time, the printing and publication have taken place on the same premises, 34, North Street. For some years prior to the decease of Mr. Cohen, which took place on the 17th of November, 1860, the _Brighton Guardian_ was his sole property. His brother, Mr. Nathan Cohen, is the present proprietor. Strong party feeling, some few years since, started the _Brighton Patriot_, in opposition to the _Guardian_; but its existence was very ephemeral.

The _Brighton Examiner_, which since its first issue, January 18th, 1853, has continued the property of Mr. J. F. Eyles, was originally published at 33, Western Road; from whence it was removed to its present printing and publishing office, in North Street, opposite the Queen's Road.

Consequent upon the abolition of the newspaper duty, the _Brighton Observer_--the original of the local cheap press,--made its appearance at 54, West Street, on the 28th of November, 1856. It was first enlarged on the 27th of November, 1857. On the 28th of December, 1858, the printing and publication of the _Brighton Observer_, the property of Mr. Ebenezer Lewis, took place at 16, King Street, where, on the 30th of September, 1859, it was again enlarged; and on the 25th of July, 1862, the office was removed to the premises where it is at present printed and published, 53a, North Street, the building which was originally the first Theatre in Brighton, and, then, in 1790, the printing-office of Messrs. William and Arthur Lee.

The only other local newspaper now in existence is the _Brighton Times_, printed and published by Mr. William Pearce, Bartholomews; established the 28th of April, 1860. From time to time, since the repeal of the stamp duty, speculators have started the _Sussex Mercury_, _Brighton Chronicle_, &c., but only as errors consequent upon the lack of experience, and upon the parade of great professions.

The Alms-Houses, those termed the Percy Alms-Houses, six in number, immediately north of Hanover Crescent, and bearing along their faade "These Alms-Houses were erected and endowed at the request of the late Philadelphia and Dorothy Percy, 1796," were built by Mrs. Mary Marriott, for the reception of a similar number of poor widows, of the Church of England, who have received no parochial relief, agreeably to the testamentary instructions of Mrs. Philadelphia and Mrs. Dorothy Percy,--daughters of the Duke of Northumberland,--who endowed them with the sum of 48 per annum, which amount was doubled upon the demise of Mrs. Mary Marriott. Two gowns and a bonnet are also allowed to each widow every year, and a Duffield cloak once in three years. By a bequest of Mr. James Charles Michell, in 1833, the sum of 1 16s. is added to the endowment; and there is also 300 invested by Mr. Skinner, for repairs of vaults, and the surplus in coals. Attached to the Percy Alms-Houses are other similar dwellings, the two to the north and three nearest the south having been erected by Mr. John Fabian, for Miss Wagner, the sister of our much respected Vicar, conjointly with whom was built that which bears on its face the following inscription: "1861. In pious remembrance of the late Marquis of Bristol. M. A. W.--H. M. W." pleasingly expressive of the purport of its erection.

In unison with this grateful memento, the annexed address of condolence was presented to the present Marquis:--

The Rev. the Vicar of Brighton, to the Marquis of Bristol,

Brighton Vicarage, February 24, 1859.

My dear Lord,

Enclosed is an address of condolence on the part of the Brighton Clergy. I make myself responsible for the signature of Mr. Henry Elliott, now on the Continent, because I know his deep feeling of affectionate gratitude to your venerated Father, from whom he, like myself, received countless benefits.

I have the honour to remain, my dear Lord,

Your Lordship's ever faithful servant,

H. M. WAGNER.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BRISTOL, ADDRESS OF CONDOLENCE ON THE PART OF THE CLERGY OF BRIGHTON.

Through a long period of time we have been connected with your Father by so many holy and endearing associations, that we hope you will allow us the privilege of a fellowship with you even in the deep affliction which it has pleased God now to send upon you. We know that sympathy belongs indeed to One, and we earnestly pray that He, who only can, will make all grace and comfort abound to your own heart, and to the hearts of all your family, under your present bereavement.

But while we thus feel how little worth is all human consolation in our hours of deepest sorrow, we nevertheless trust that it may not be unacceptable to you at this time to receive, as certainly it is most pleasant to us to render, the united tribute of our respectful gratitude to the memory of your venerated father. Associated as he was with us for so many years as a parishioner, friend, and a benefactor, there are few who can appreciate, as we can, the extent and the self-forgetfulness and the humility of his singular benevolence.

It would be very difficult for us to give adequate expression to our sense of the devotedness with which he used his high station, his property, and his influence for the promotion of those holiest interests of religion and charity, of which we are in some measure the guardians and representatives in this Parish. There are very few of us who have not personally experienced, in some good word or work, the great kindliness of your father's character. To the poor, his whole life copied Him who "went about doing good." Very many are there of the humblest and most indigent, who would be the first to testify that they ever found in the Marquis of Bristol a brother's love. While the monuments of his munificence which stand forth amongst us, the record to many generations of his pious care for the souls, and bodies of his fellow men, are, we believe, well nigh unparalleled in any parish, the Sussex County Hospital, with its commodious Chapel, the Church of St. Mark, our Parish Church in its restored beauty, and our two Cemeteries, with many other noble or sacred Institutions scarcely less than these,--all associated with his name,--bear witness, not only to his vast beneficence, but to the wisdom also with which he selected the channels in which that beneficence should flow. And over all he threw such a suavity of manner and beautiful simplicity, that it was only when the action had passed that we woke up to the discovery of its greatness, which the grace of his presence had forbidden us to see.

Accept, then, at our hands the assurance of the sorrowing affection, not of ourselves alone, but of a whole parish, which feels itself, like you, bereaved; and permit us to add the prayer, that your father's God may pour upon you, and upon your children, and upon your children's children, the rich inheritance of that father's spirit of universal love.

H. M. Wagner, Vicar of Brighton. Thomas Cooke, Perpetual Curate of St. Peter's. C. E. Douglass, Curate of Brighton. John Ellerton, Curate of Brighton. W. Mitchell, Curate of Brighton. James Vaughan, Perpetual Curate of Christ Church. Thomas Trocke, Perpetual Curate of the Chapel Royal. C. D. Maitland, Perpetual Curate of St. James's. H. V. Elliott, Perpetual Curate of St. Mary's. Edward B. Elliott, Perpetual Curate of St. Mark's. Spencer R. Drummond, Perpetual Curate of St. John the Evangelist. Joseph Hurlock, Chaplain of the Sussex County Hospital. A. D. Wagner, Perpetual Curate of St. Paul's Church. J. H. North, Perpetual Curate of St. George's. Randolph Payne, Assistant Curate of St. Paul's Church. Charles Beanlands, Assistant Curate of St. Paul's Church. Thomas Scott, Assistant Curate of All Souls' Church. J. Chalmers, Perpetual Curate of St. Stephen's. H. H. Wyatt, Perpetual Curate of Trinity Chapel. Frederic A. Stapley, Assistant Curate of St. John the Evangelist. Alexander Poole, St. Mark's Church. Henry G. Cutler, Assistant Curate of Christ Church. Thomas Coombe, Perpetual Curate of All Saints'. W. Fleming, Assistant Curate of All Souls'. John Allen, Chaplain Brighton Workhouse. R. S. Smith, Perpetual Curate of All Souls' Church.

What may be very appropriately termed the Wagner Alms-Houses--which are without endowment,--are for the benefit of unmarried women,--spinsters,--above the age of fifty, and who possess, or are ensured the yearly income of 15 at the least.

Howell's Alms-Houses, which are not yet endowed, are situated in an open space of ground approached by iron gates on the west side of George Street. They are eight in number, and in the centre of the block of buildings, surmounted by a dial, is the following inscription:--

HOWELL'S ALMS HOUSES,

_Erected_ 1859.

Supported by voluntary Contributions, for the reception of reduced Inhabitants of Brighton and Hove, under the regulation of a Committee of Management.

The inmates of these houses are elected by the donors and subscribers, and all persons not under 60 years of age, who have resided in Brighton or Hove at least ten years previous to the time of election, and have not received parochial relief during such period, are eligible.

These were built by Charles Howell, Esq., Dial House, Hove, upon ground valued at 1,000. It was the original intention of this philanthropic gentleman to have bequeathed the ground and the money for the erection of the houses, by will; but with the very laudable desire of seeing his benevolent intention realized during his life time, Mr. Howell preferred perfecting his work himself, and he has vested the property in the following Trustees:--Henry Michell Wagner, Vicar of Brighton; Charles Wellington Howell, Robert Upperton, jun., John Pankhurst, and Piercy George Pankhurst. He has also conveyed to the above named trustees two houses in George Street, the rents of which, about 26 a-year, are charged, first with the repairs of the Alms-Houses, and then for the general purposes of the Charity.

The original plan provides for five more houses; for the erection of which and the endowment of the whole thirteen the co-operation of the public is solicited. May the anxious wish of Mr. Howell that the whole of the buildings be completed and permanently endowed, before it pleases the Almighty to remove him from this sphere of his benevolent acts, he speedily realised.

For mutual benevolence no institution has a firmer basis than the Manchester Unity, I.O.O.F., whose Hall for the Brighton district, forms a prominent feature of the Queen's Road, where the first stone of the building was laid on the 27th of June, 1853, by Mr. Tamplin, the then High Constable of Brighton. Mr. John Fabian was the builder of the edifice, upon a piece of ground which was purchased for 500 of the Rev. James Edwards. The building proceeded without interruption until the 27th of August, when a Bill in Chancery, to restrain the erection, was filed by Mr. Alderman Patching, who possessed property and resided immediately opposite the Hall. The building was thus delayed; but, on the 4th of November, an appearance was put in on behalf of the Building Committee, when the case, Patching _v._ Dubbins, came on for hearing before Vice Chancellor Sir Page Wood. The plaintiff's plea was, that in the covenant under which he bought the ground upon which his premises stood, it was stipulated that no building, except monuments or headstones, should be erected on the plot of land opposite, which was an unburied-in portion of the Hanover Burial Ground. Defendant's counsel argued the fact that plaintiff had permitted the erection of the Dispensary on a portion of the same ground, and had allowed two months to expire since the building was commenced before he filed his injunction; and further, that the building was not opposite, but a foot or two to the north of being opposite. The case was argued at length, and the Vice Chancellor gave a verdict for defendant, with costs.

The building then proceeded; was formally opened on the 26th of June, 1854; and its opening was shortly after celebrated with a public banquet, at which the Mayor of Brighton, Lieut.-Colonel Fawcett, presided. The total cost of the ground, building, fittings, furniture, &c., was 3,000. Four Lodges of the Order hold their meetings weekly in the Hall, and endeavours are being made to establish Schools upon the premises for the education, at a reasonable cost, of the children and orphans of members. Five other Lodges meet in various parts of Brighton and Hove. The first Lodge, 118, one of the oldest belonging to the Unity, was established in Brighton, in 1822. The Widows and Orphans' Fund, in connexion with the District, has been in existence twenty-one years, having been established in 1841, and its members, with very few exceptions, include the whole of the members in the Brighton District. It has an accumulated capital of over 6,000, chiefly invested in debentures on the rates of the town.

Lodges of the Brighton, London, and Nottingham Unities of Odd Fellows, are held in various parts of the Borough, as are also Lodges and Courts of the several Orders of Druids and Foresters.

The Free and Accepted Masons hold the Royal Clarence Lodge, No. 394; the Royal Brunswick Lodge, 1,034; the Lennox Chapter Lodge, No. 338; and the Royal Sussex Chapter Lodge, No. 1,034, at the Old Ship Hotel, where also the Lodge of Instruction is held.

The Brighthelmston Dispensary, now known as the Brighton and Hove Dispensary, from a branch being established in the latter parish, was founded under the patronage of the Prince of Wales, November 27th, 1809. The Institution was opened on January 1st, 1810, on premises in Nile Street, contiguous to the Old Vicarage, or, as it was then called, the Parsonage House. In July 1811, it was removed to North Street, at the corner of Salmon Court, opposite Ship Street, where in November, 1812, was added the Sussex General Infirmary. Early in 1819, the joint establishments were removed into Middle Street, the premises now occupied by the Young Men's Christian Association, the purchase of which property was completed the following year. The present noble building of the Institution,--which is entirely supported by voluntary contributions,--was built by Messrs. Cheesman,--Mr. Herbert Williams, architect,--and was completed and occupied in 1849, a committee of gentlemen, amongst whom Mr. Gavin E. Pocock, surgeon, was most zealous, having with untiring energy raised the means of entirely freeing the edifice from any debt.

At a meeting of the Governors and Subscribers of the Dispensary, at the Old Ship Tavern, on the 10th of February, 1813, it having been announced that the Right Honourable the Earl of Egremont, the Vice-President, had offered to contribute 1,000 towards the erection of a County Hospital, the building of that Institution for the reception of sixty patients was determined upon, and contributions from other noblemen and gentlemen to the extent of another 1,000 were at once made. It was not, however, till the 11th of December, 1824, that the erection of the building was fully determined upon; and then the subscription of the noble Earl amounted to 2,000--afterwards increased to 3,000,--and that of Thomas Read Kemp, Esq., 1,000 and the ground whereon the building stands. The foundation stone of the main building was laid on the 16th of March, 1826, by the Earl of Egremont, Sir Charles Barry being the architect. The Adelaide wing, to the east, Mr. Herbert Williams, architect, and the Victoria wing to the west, Mr. William Hallett, architect, have since been added. The Institution is supported by legacies, benefactions, dividends of stocks, and general voluntary contributions.

The Sussex and Brighton Infirmary for Diseases of the Eye was formed at a public meeting of the inhabitants of Brighton and the vicinity, held at the Bedford Hotel, August 27th, 1832, Dr. Jenks being the physician, and Mr. (now Dr.) Pickford and Mr. Seabrook, the surgeons. On the 12th of January, 1837, a resolution was passed by the Governors of the Institution that severe cases and those for operation should have admission into the house, then in Boyce's Street.

The first stone of the present building, in the Queen's Road, was laid on the 29th of June, 1846, by the Right Reverend Father in God, Ashurst Turner, Lord Bishop of Chichester, from a design after the temple of Theseus, from plans and specifications prepared by Mr. Thomas Cooper, architect, the builders being Messrs. Wisden and Anscombe. The cost of the site was 480, and of the structure 1,273 7s., and the business of the Institution was transferred from Boyce's Street to the new building on the 10th of November, 1846. At the annual meeting of the Governors, on the 14th of January, 1847, resolutions were passed:--

That the Silver Trowel, with which was laid, 29th June, 1846, by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, the first stone of the building, erected for the purposes of the Charity, be presented to

JAMES H. PICKFORD. Esq., M.D., M.R.I.A.

In acknowledgment of his successful efforts as the original promoter of the Charity, of his unceasing exertions for the general interests of the Institution, and in testimony of his talent and ability as a Medical Officer.

That the foregoing resolution be engraved on the trowel.

Dr. Pickford was, on the resignation of Dr. Jenks, appointed physician, April 4th, 1853, and Mr. George Lowdell was then elected surgeon. Upon the resignation of Dr. Pickford and Mr. Seabrook, January 27th, 1859, the former was elected a Vice-President, and the latter was appointed Consulting-Surgeon to the Institution, which is supported by voluntary contributions.

The Blind Asylum at Brighton had its origin in 1839, when Mr. Moon the eminent teacher and printer for the Blind, becoming deprived of his sight, devoted his attention to the learning of embossed reading; and such was his progress that he soon, with the benevolent assistance of a lady, advanced sufficiently to assist others in learning also, first at their own homes, and then in a small class at his residence. At length, the number becoming large, it was considered advisable to establish a daily public school for the Blind in Brighton; and the use of a portion of St. James's Sunday School-room was obtained for that purpose. This School, in which were also a few Deaf and Dumb children, was opened on the 22nd of October, 1839. In the following Summer, a Committee of Ladies made an effort to raise the means for opening an Asylum to receive as many of the Blind and Deaf and Dumb of the number thus brought together, as were desirous of partaking of the benefits which such an Institution might afford. In the Summer of 1841, it was deemed expedient to separate the Blind from the Deaf and Dumb, which latter were retained in the Institution, but the Blind pupils were re-formed into a daily school.

In 1842, the scholars were assembled for instruction in a classroom of the Central National School; and eventually the Rev. H. M. Wagner--the Vicar,--raised sufficient funds to build premises contiguous, in Jubilee Street, for the reception of twelve pupils, who were admitted to the Asylum, as it was then termed, early in January, 1846. Year by year the number of pupils increased, till at length, the accommodation on the premises being wholly inadequate to the demand, the Rev. H. V. Elliott, in the Summer of 1860, kindly gave the present site near the County Hospital, for the erection of the New Asylum, to the building fund of which the Rev. G. Oldham generously contributed the munificent donation of 2,000, while the proceeds of a Bazaar amounted to 1,000 more. The opening ceremony took place on Tuesday, 22nd October, 1861.

Mr. G. Somers Clarke is the architect of the structure, which is Italian Gothic, of Venetian character, and is built entirely of brickwork with stone dressings. The front is very fine. It has an elevation of four stories, and by a somewhat liberal use of stonework an almost palatial aspect has been imparted. The entrance is double, and in a finely sculptured medallion over the door is an Angel of Mercy teaching the Blind. The apex of the doorway arch is continued into a bracket whereon is placed a stone group of Charity Relieving the Blind. In the adjacent carving are introduced the emblems of Faith, Hope, and Charity--the two latter being personified in the anchor and the pelican feeding its young from its own body. The different stories are shown by graceful mouldings on which rest the stonework of the windows. Those belonging to the two middle stories are very massive, the elegant proportioning of the columns dividing the four lights being especially noticeable. The harmony of the whole work is extremely good.

Mr. Moon, who, for his invention of a plan for teaching the blind to read, has obtained a justly deserved world-wide fame, continues his indefatigable exertions to ameliorate the condition of his fellow-sufferers. Not only has he been enabled to emboss the whole of the Bible in the English language, but portions of it also in fifty more; and he is daily receiving testimony from various parts of the world of the high appreciation of his system, and of the rich consolations of many of the blind who are thus enabled to read the Word of God for themselves.

The Brighton Institution for the Deaf and Dumb,--established in 1840,--first located at 12, Egremont Place, in 1842, and from thence, in 1848, it was removed to the present building, in the Eastern Road, Messrs. Cheesman and Son being the architects and builders. The new wing was added in 1854, Messrs. Wisden and Anscombe being the builders.

Like the Blind Asylum, this Institution is supported by voluntary contributions. It has received several small benefactions, amongst them 300 as a tribute of respect to the memory of the late Mr. George Gainsford, by his son and daughter, "in dutiful remembrance of their father." To perpetuate also, the memory of Miss Mohun, who was deeply attached to the Institution, and unwearily devoted her useful life and benevolent exertions in its behalf, the "Hester Mohun Fund" has been commenced expressly to aid in educating or apprenticing a few poor deaf and dumb children.

The Asylum for Poor Female Orphans, instituted in 1822, and established in the Western Road, near the corner of Crown Street, for some years occupied the garden whereon now stands the north side of Glo'ster Street. It was removed to its present situation in the Eastern Road,--where so many monuments to Benevolence are reared,--in 1853. The first stone of the building was laid on the 16th of June. The design of the Asylum is to save innocent and unprotected Female Orphans from the too frequent misery attendant on idleness and poverty, to instruct them in such branches of household employment and needlework as may qualify them to become useful servants, while care is taken that their instruction and employment shall be such as it is hoped may render them honest and industrious members of Society.

The Provident and Self-Supporting Dispensary was established at 32, Middle Street, in 1837. Its object is to promote a feeling of laudable independence among the working classes, that they may help themselves, and so be prevented from seeking charitable assistance from others; to encourage habits of provident frugality; and to enable those to obtain immediate relief who are not able to pay for it in the usual way, but are not in circumstances so indigent as to justify an application to the gratuitous Dispensary.

The Brighton and Hove Lying-in-Institution and Dispensary established in High Street, in 1831, has appropriate premises at 76, West Street, and by the means of subscriptions and donations affords the requisite assistance and comfort to poor women at a time when the evils of poverty are most keenly felt.

The Dollar Society, instituted in November, 1813, is so called from every annual subscription to that amount entitling the subscriber to recommend one person yearly to become a partaker of the fund, such recipient not to be a person deriving assistance from parochial resources. The Society extends its kindness to the chamber of sickness and the abode of unforeseen calamity, and particularly to deserving persons bending beneath the pressure of years.

The Maternal Society, formed 28th July, 1813, provides childbed linen and other suitable articles of clothing, with nourishment for poor lying-in married women, and such attentions and comforts as their condition may require.

The Brighton Auxiliary Town Missionary and Scripture Readers' Society meet weekly at 25, Middle Street, with the view to extend the knowledge of the Gospel amongst the poor of the town, without regard to denominational distinctions.

The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge is a district Committee for the Deanery of Lewes, and was established in 1815, under the sanction of the Bishop of the Diocese, to promote the diffusion of the Scriptures and Religious Tracts amongst the lower orders of society. The parent Society, in London, was formed by members of the Church of England, in 1669.

The Provident and District Society, established in 1824, under most admirable arrangements, gives direct charitable assistance; encourages the poor to make deposits, which are returned to them in winter in useful articles, with the amount increased by a premium; and prevents mendicity by having an office, 108, Church street, where beggars may be referred and have their cases examined into. The Society has the town divided into districts, for the purpose of visiting and inquiring into cases of distress. The Benevolent Loan Fund, at the same office, grants pecuniary assistance to those who, by misfortune, require temporary aid; re-payments being arranged by easy instalments, and not subjecting the borrowers to the usury of trading money-lenders.

The Brighton and Sussex Mutual Provident Society, Prince Albert Street, commenced its operations in January, 1847. Its rules and tables provide weekly allowances and medical aid in sickness; sums at death; endowments; and immediate and deferred annuities; it is the only local institution of the kind.

Bowen, in his "Complete System of Geography," {353} says, "There are two considerable charity schools here, one for 50 boys, who are taught arithmetic and navigation, and 20 girls, who are put out to apprenticeship or services." These were termed Free Schools, and that for boys was founded within the precincts of the Bartholomews, in 1725, by the Rev. Anthony Springett, who, in addition to an annual subscription of 8s., in the year 1740 gave the further sum of 25 per annum, for the education of twenty poor boys belonging to the parish. In 1735, Mr. George Beach left the interest of 59 1s. 6d., and in 1781, the Right Honourable the Countess of Gower gave the interest of 234 12s. to the same charity. The money, however, having been laid out in the short annuities, the funds were not available to the intentions of the founder, the school-house, therefore, and a small parcel of land adjoining, were sold for 400, and in February, 1818, another school, established upon its foundation, in the Lanes immediately north of Black Lion Street, was opened, under the denomination "National School for Boys," the premises being sufficiently commodious to contain 300 youths, for education in reading, writing, and arithmetic, and in the principles of the Established Church.

Another Free School was founded by Mr. William Grimmett, for twenty boys, the children of parishioners, to be clothed, and instructed in reading, writing, arithmetic, merchants' accounts, navigation, and the principles of the Established Church of England. Mr. Grimmett had been instructed in the Free School founded by Mr. Springett; and having afterwards been bred to the sea, he realized by his industry above 10,000, nearly 2,000 of which--now accumulated to 2,330 11s. 6d., producing an income of 69 18s. 4d.,--he bequeathed for the endowment of his School. Some informality in his Will gave his heirs-at-law an opportunity of contesting the legality of the bequest; but his widow generously maintained against them a suit in Chancery, and the validity of the Will was confirmed. But from the nature of the bequest, and the disagreement that afterwards arose amongst the appointed Trustees, the school was not established before 1769. It is now managed according to the directions of the devisor, by sixteen Trustees, namely, the Vicar and three Churchwardens of the Parish, and twelve other inhabitants of the town, chosen at a Vestry meeting, among whom every vacancy by death, resignation, or removal from the town, is in like manner to be always supplied by public election of the majority of the parishioners, convened at a Vestry meeting the 1st day of May annually; and every vacancy in the School is supplied by the election of the Trustees, or the greater part of them, by ballot, at a public Vestry, of which notice shall be given on a Sunday at the Parish Church, ten days at least before such meeting; no boy to be received into the school under the age of eight, nor permitted to remain there after the age of fifteen years. Forty boys are now educated on this foundation, at the National School, in which it is merged.

The most remarkable man in connexion with the Free School, as founded by Mr. Springett, was Mr. John Grover, under whose care for instruction the inhabitants obtained signal benefit. He was born of poor parents in Brighton, about the year 1648, and passed his infancy and early youth in the lowest drudgeries of a country life, and it was while tending a flock on the hills adjoining the town that his youthful mind was often employed in exploring the power and relations of numbers; and when he was of sufficient strength for the more laborious employments of agriculture, the moments of his leisure were still dedicated to study. On his spade and shovel, with a lump of chalk, he worked his problems, and calculated the motions of the tides and stars. The early acquirements of this self-taught philosopher soon attracted public wonder and investigation; indeed, his intellectual powers and industry could not pass without some notice and patronage; and there is no doubt he was chiefly assisted by the Scrase family, upon whose farm he was employed, and the Rev. Mr. Falkner, the Vicar. Books, paper, and time, were the only things his indefatigable genius seemed to require; and with such aid he soon became one of the best penmen and mathematicians of his time. Not long after he had thus established his fame for useful and abstruse science, he was appointed master of the school, and his unambitious breast aspired to no higher distinction, as he was enabled to apply the enthusiasm of his genius to the cultivation of his favourite studies. This mode of instruction, being that suggested by reason, not the initiative pedantry of schools, facilitated the attainment of the several branches he taught. Navigation being the most necessary and profitable science to the inhabitants of Brighthelmston, he taught it with singular conciseness and precision. Mr. Grimmett was amongst the last of his pupils, as he died, universally respected, soon after the commencement of the present century.

In 1788, in an apartment of the old Town Hall, a School of Industry for Girls was established, under the patronage of Mrs. Nathaniel Kemp and other ladies. It consisted of 150 girls, 70 of whom were clothed in green, educated, and carefully initiated in the sentiments and practice of religion and industry. This School is that known as the National School, the central or head building of which Institution, erected in 1829 by Messrs. Stroud and Mew, and subsequently enlarged by Messrs. Cheesman, is in Church Street. The Gothic style of architecture is preserved throughout. There is a shield with a scroll over the arched doorway of the principal entrance containing the Arms of the Town and the inscription "National Schools." Entering by the grand door of the vestibule, three tiers of balconies present themselves, having staircases leading to them and conducting to the several suites of rooms. The hall, 50ft. high, is terminated by a groined roof. The Boys' School is approached by an elegant flight of stone steps, the room is 75ft long, 35ft wide, and 20ft high, well lighted from the west, and has also an entrance in Regent Street. The Girls' School-room, which is of similar dimensions to the Boys', and immediately above it, is approached by two additional flights of stone stairs. It has a branch in Warwick Street, built by Mr. Ackerson. The Infant Schools, in connection with the National Schools, are in Upper Gardner Street, Kent's Court, and Warwick Street.

Swan Downer's School was founded in 1819, under the will of Mr. Swan Downer, who in 1811 left the sum of 10,106 15s. 3d., for paying the expenses of providing a proper School-house for the instruction of 20 poor girls of the parish in needle-work, reading, and writing, and completely clothing them twice in every year, each of such girls to have two suits of clothes at or on their election or entrance. On the foundation of the said school he also provided that out of the interest and produce of the trust funds--303 4s--a salary of 40 per annum should be paid to a competent schoolmistress, and the surplus applied to the education and clothing of fifty girls, which has, since 1859, been carried on in a large room temporarily rented by the Trustees in Windsor Street. The first school was in Gardner Street, taken by the then Trustees at an annual rent of 30, and at a loss of something like 400 in appropriating the premises. A site for the erection of a New School-house has been approved by the Trustees. It is situated in North Street, adjoining Messrs. Smithers and Son's Brewery, and has a frontage to the street of 33ft., and a depth of more than 60ft. The situation thus selected combines two essentials, proximity to the Parish Church, with which the founder connected the charity, and a central position, so important to a day-school for the children of the poor. The Union Schools, in Middle Street, were founded by Mr. Edward Goff, of Scotland Yard, London; that for girls by a donation of 400, in 1807, and that for boys by a legacy of 200 the following year. These schools, which are supported by voluntary contributions, were re-erected in 1837. The other National Charity Schools, independent of Sunday Schools, are: British Schools (Boys' and Girls'), North Lane; Ragged School, Dorset Street; Ragged Schools, Spa Street and Essex Street; St. John's Schools, Carlton Hill; St. Nicholas' Church Memorial School, Frederick Street; St. Stephen's School; Bethel Arch, on the Beach, for Fishermen's children; Wesleyan Schools, Nelson Row; St. Mark's Church of England Schools, Rock Street; St. Paul's, West Street.

There are several public educational establishments in the town; the principal of which is the College. It was established January, 1847, at the top of Portland Place, on the premises now occupied by J. Jardine, Esq., LL.D., and known as Portland House Boarding School. The foundation stone of the present building, in Eastern Road, was laid on the 27th of June, 1848, by the Right Rev. Ashurst Turner Gilbert, D.D., Lord Bishop of Chichester, assisted by the architect, Mr. G. G. Scott, of London, and the builders, Messrs. Wisden and Anscombe. A bottle was deposited under the stone containing various papers connected with the College, and a copy of the _Times_ of that day. An elegant trowel, having a richly carved ivory handle, and enclosed in a handsome mahogany case, was presented to and used by the Lord Bishop on the occasion. At first the principal front, which afforded accommodation for 300 pupils, only was erected, since which has been built the Chapel and other additions. The College is divided into two departments--the senior and the junior. The pupils in the senior department wear an academical dress. Students are admitted into the two departments after nine and fifteen years of age respectively. The education is of the very highest order, and will bear a favourable comparison with that of any other Institution in England. Patron, the Bishop of Chichester: Principal, the Rev. John Griffith.

A short distance to the east is St. Mary's Hall, an institution for educating the daughters of poor clergymen, established in 1836. To the benevolence of the late Marquis of Bristol the building of this institution is principally attributable. His benefactions were not few nor small; they were, from first to last, every one of them, the unsolicited spontaneous effusion of his noble heart.

His Lordship's first gift was 500,--to purchase a site for the building, which was originally designed to look east and west, with only frontage for the present lodge and the carriage-drive to the Hall. On the land so bought St. Mary's Hall stands. But before the excavations for the first design were finished, it was judged best to turn the building, so as to look north and south, and to purchase the additional frontage to the south. The piece of land at the back was given by Mr. Enos Durant. These together cost 1,100, in addition to the munificent gift of 500 from the Marquis, which was given before a sod was turned. In September, 1849, his Lordship gave to St. Mary's Hall its drilling room, which before had been a painting room, as a free gift; and, moreover, sold to St. Mary's Hall, for 500 (about half its cost), No. 6, Hervey Terrace, which had been connected with the drilling room. In 1842-3, he gave a donation of 200, to mitigate the loss which fell on the Institution, in consequence of a secret and outstanding mortgage on the play-garden and kitchen-garden, which had been purchased for 500. The Trustees were obliged to pay 700 more to reclaim the land, after it had been walled-in and stocked. The last gift of his Lordship was a cottage and half an acre of land at the north-west extremity of the premises, together with his share of right in the road leading to it. This gift was fully worth 400, and was intended as an encouragement for the establishment of an Infant St. Mary's Hall, which has not yet been carried out. President, Lord Bishop of Chichester; Secretary and Treasurer, Rev. H. Venn Elliott.