Part 12
The qualification of an annual Governor of this charity is a subscription of three guineas or upwards _per annum_; and of a perpetual Governor, the payment of thirty guineas at one time, which intitles the subscriber to recommend, and have in the house one woman at a time. A subscription of six guineas a year, or a payment at once of sixty, intitles the subscriber to have in the house two women at a time, and so, in proportion, for larger sums.
Ladies subscribing the like sums have the privilege of recommending women in the same manner as Governors. They have likewise a right of voting in all elections at general courts, for officers and servants, by proxy, provided such proxy be a Governor of this charity; or they may send a letter to the board without a proxy, naming the person they vote for, which is regarded as their vote: but no Governor is to be proxy for more than one lady at a time.
Benefactions or subscriptions of smaller sums than those abovementioned, are thankfully received, and properly applied to the use of the charity.
A general meeting of the Governors is held every quarter; and the sole power of making laws and rules for the government of the hospital is lodged in this general court.
A committee of fifteen Governors is chosen at each quarterly general court; of whom the Treasurer for the time being is always one, and any number of these may transact business. Every Friday morning they meet at the hospital, to receive the women recommended, and to direct the ordinary affairs of the house. Temporary orders are made by this committee for the service of the hospital; but a report of these and all their other proceedings, are made to the quarterly general court. Any Governor of the charity may be present at this weekly committee; but none have a right of voting there, except those who are members of the committee, and the President or Vice-Presidents, if present. The same rule extends to all other committees.
A special general court may, on a fortnight’s notice, be called at any time between the quarterly courts, either by order of a general court, or of the weekly committee; or at the demand of the Treasurer, or of any five of the Governors; this demand being delivered in writing at the weekly board, and signed with their respective names; the business of such special court to be expressed in this writing, and in the summons to the Governors. _From the account of this hospital published by order of the Governors._ See LONDON LYING-IN HOSPITAL.
This, and the London hospital for lying-in women, must be allowed to be truly noble charities; but many have thought them too limited, as the relief afforded to poor distressed women in a situation that calls upon humanity to lend them help, ease, and comfort, is confined to those who are married: and the more unhappy women, who have the sting of guilt added to pain, are excluded from receiving the least benefit from those foundations. The following hospital has therefore been founded on a more extensive plan.
LYING-IN HOSPITAL, in Duke street, Grosvenor square, for unmarried as well as married women, who are here received and relieved, in order to prevent the unhappy consequences that too often proceed from their situation; such as perjuries, false affidavits, and that most formidable and unnatural of all crimes, the murder of their poor guiltless infants. To prevent these dreadful effects, every convenience is here amply provided for them, commodious apartments and beds, good nursing, plain, suitable diet, proper medicines, the charitable assistance of gentlemen of skill and experience in midwifery, and, on due occasions, the spiritual comfort of a sober, pious, and exemplary divine.
This hospital, which first began in Jermyn street, St. James’s, and was from thence removed into Duke street, is governed by a President, a Vice-President, and a Treasurer, annually elected out of the Governors, greatest benefactors to this charity; by a general court of Governors held in the months of March, June, September, and December, to take the reports of the committees; and by a house committee who inspect accounts and transact such business as is laid before them.
At the general quarterly courts a physical committee is appointed out of the Physicians, Men-midwives, Surgeons, and Apothecaries, who are to meet once a month to examine the medicines and drugs brought into the dispensatory, and none are suffered to be used without their approbation.
Two Physicians and two Surgeons attend twice a week on extraordinary cases; a Surgeon and Man-midwife, in great business in the neighbourhood, gives attendance at any hour of the day or night he is called for, particularly from eleven of the clock till one, every day; and such objects as come within these hours, have advice in physic and surgery, without fee or reward, whether recommended or accidental.
No officers or servants are permitted, on pain of expulsion, to take any fee, reward, or gratuity whatsoever, of patients or other persons, for any service done or to be done in this hospital.
Every Governor or subscriber is intitled to send one in-patient at a time, and out-patients without limitation. All subscriptions are during pleasure; but all persons are requested to pay at the time of subscribing. Those who contribute two guineas a year are Governors while they continue their subscription, and those who give 20l. at one payment, are Governors during life, and have a vote and interest at the committees, and their attendance is esteemed a favour; but those who subscribe less than two guineas _per annum_, are only subscribers.
The poor women recommended by the Governors and subscribers are received on Wednesdays and Fridays, from eleven o’clock till one. _From the account of this hospital published by order of the Governors._
For the other lying-in hospitals, besides the two above mentioned, see the articles LONDON LYING-IN HOSPITAL, and MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL.
LYON’S INN. See _Lion’s Inn_.
M.
MACCLESFIELD _street_, Gerrard street, Soho.
MADDOX _street_, Swallow street.†
MAGGOT’S _court_, Piccadilly.†
MAGDALEN HOUSE, for the reception of penitent prostitutes, in Prescot street, Goodman’s fields, is a plain, neat building, with a wall and a small area before it. To prevent these penitents being exposed to the public eye, the windows next the street are concealed by wood work sloping up from the bottom of each, so as to admit the light only at the top; the sides are also inclosed, so that there is no possibility of these once unhappy women either seeing or being seen by any person who passes by. This sloping projection of the blinds, placed in a regular series before all the windows in each story, and painted white like the walls, has a very singular appearance; for, at a distance, the house seems falling into the street.
Though this is one of the latest of those excellent charitable foundations that do honour to the present age, it being proposed and carried into execution in the year 1758, there is reason to believe that it will not be the least useful. It is obvious that there cannot be greater objects of compassion than poor, young, thoughtless females, plunged into ruin by those temptations to which their youth and personal advantages expose them, no less than those passions implanted by nature for wise, good, and great ends; surrounded by snares the most artfully and industriously laid; snares laid by those endowed with superior faculties, and all the advantages of education and fortune; who offer too commonly to transport the thoughtless girls from want, confinement, and restraint of passions, to luxury, liberty, gaiety and joy: but when once seduced, how soon do their golden dreams vanish! abandoned by the seducer, deserted by their friends, contemned by the world, they are not only deprived of their innocence, and every pleasing hope of domestic happiness, but are left to struggle with want, despair and scorn, and even, in their own defence, to plunge deeper and deeper in sin, till disease and death conclude a miserable being. It is too well known that this is, sooner or later, the case with most of the prostitutes, in their several degrees, from those pampered in private stews, to the common dregs infesting our streets: and that far the greatest part of those, who having taken to this dreadful life, are thus seeking disease, death, and eternal destruction, not through choice, but necessity. The seeds of virtue would frequently have exerted themselves; but alas! before this foundation was formed, the possibility was removed; and the same necessity obliging them to prey on the unwary, to diffuse contagion, to propagate profligacy, and to spread ruin, disease, and death, through a great part of the human species.
This godlike proposal of giving an opportunity of repentance to guilt and shame met with a suitable encouragement, and many were willing to afford them the means of recovering themselves from their otherwise lost state; and instead of being pests, becoming useful members of society.
Influenced by such noble motives, a set of gentlemen, distinguished by their humanity and generosity, entered into a private subscription, making themselves at the same time accountable for such benefactions as should flow in from the public. Numbers liberally contributed, and in about three or four months time, the sums advanced by the subscribers amounted to 3593 l. 19 s. while a great number of these unhappy guilty objects of commiseration solicited for admission.
At a general meeting of the subscribers, a committee was appointed, and it was determined to take the house in Prescot street which had been lately the London infirmary; which being done, it was fitted up in the manner above mentioned; and at another general meeting on the 28th of June 1758, the several officers of the house were chosen, and the rules, of which the following are an abstract, were ordered to be published.
_Rules and regulations of the Governors and Officers._
I. That a President, four Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, and committee of twenty-one, be annually chosen the last Wednesday in June, and that seven of the committee go out yearly.
II. The general courts shall consist of at least ten Governors, the President, or Vice-President, and the Treasurer. These general courts shall be held quarterly, viz. on the last Wednesday in March, June, September, and December. The annual general court, in which is to be examined all the transactions of the year, and the general state of the hospital, and at which time the officers shall be chosen, is to be held on the last Wednesday in June.
III. The general committee is to consist of twenty-one, five of whom shall constitute a quorum, and the President, Vice-President, and Treasurer shall be always of this general committee, one of whom shall be Chairman, when present; but if none of them be present, then the said committee may chuse their Chairman. They are to meet once a week, or oftener, as they shall think proper: when they shall have power to receive the persons petitioning for admittance, and to dismiss those already admitted: to give orders in relation to the manner in which the persons admitted shall be employed: to inspect the cloathing, furniture, and provisions: to examine into the conduct of all the officers and servants: and every week a sub-committee of three are jointly to visit the wards, and make their report.
IV. A subscription of twenty guineas shall be a qualification for a Governor for life: and an annual subscription of five guineas shall be a qualification for a Governor for that year; this subscription, when it shall amount to twenty-five guineas, shall be a qualification for a Governor for life, and every such subscriber be intitled to one vote only: but if any annual subscriber shall be more than two years in arrear, his power as Governor shall cease till such arrears be paid. And every lady subscribing as above, shall be intitled to vote personally, or by proxy, provided that proxy be brought by a Governor: but no Governor to be possessed of more than one proxy. Any five Governors shall have power to require a general meeting, provided they address themselves to the Treasurer by letter, expressing the business for which that meeting is required, and signed by them respectively. All elections to be by holding up of hands, except a ballot be required, and if there shall be an equality of votes, the Chairman is to have the casting vote.
V. The Chaplain is to read prayers morning and evening; to pray and preach twice every Sunday, and to administer the sacrament every month; to attend the sick and ignorant, and to instruct them in the principles and duties of the protestant religion. He is to attend all committees, and make reports of what he thinks necessary for the good conduct and benefit of the undertaking.
VI. There are two Physicians, two Surgeons, and three Apothecaries, who are required to behave with the utmost humanity and prudence. One of each is to attend the committee, and make weekly reports. They are all to attend in their own persons, and no pupil, apprentice, or servant, shall at any time be admitted into the wards; and even when the Physicians, Surgeons, and Apothecaries visit the wards, they shall be attended by the matron.
VII. The Matron is to direct the œconomy of the house, and constantly to reside in it. She is to see that all the women are neat and decent in their cloaths and persons, and properly employed; that they discharge their duty, and constantly attend divine service: she is to receive from the steward the materials for their work, and deliver it back to him. She is to take care of the houshold linen, and what belongs to the cloathing: to require from the steward such provisions as are necessary for the house, and to see that they are not given away or wasted. She is to keep the keys of the outward doors, which are to be delivered into her hands after the doors are locked, at seven in the winter, and nine in the summer; and she is to take care that the rules of the house be strictly observed, with regard to the time of rest, diet, hours of devotion, and every thing that relates to good order.
VIII. The Secretary is to keep the books, take minutes at all meetings, to collect the annual subscriptions, and to give notice to such subscribers as are more than one year in arrears, &c.
IX. The Steward is to reside constantly in the house, and to follow no other employment than what relates to this charity. He is to receive the respective provisions and materials for the employment of the women, ordered by the committee, and inspect the weight, measures and quality thereof, and to make regular entries of them; to keep an exact account of all the work done by every respective woman, as the matron shall deliver it to him.
X. The Porter is not to receive any letter, message, or other thing into the house, or send out any thing without the knowledge or inspection of the matron: he is to reside in the house, and strictly to observe the instructions that shall be given him, in regard to visitors, letters, &c.
XI. The Messenger is also to dwell in the house, and to be employed in errands, and out-door business: but he is not to bring any letter, verbal message, or other thing into the house, or to carry out any message or other thing, without the knowledge or inspection of the matron.
Neither the steward, porter, or messenger, shall have any communication with the wards.
No officer, or servant of the house shall receive any money, fee, gratuity, or reward, besides their wages.
_Rules and regulations relating to the Penitents._
I. That the method of admission be by petition to the committee, the printed form of which, with proper blanks to be filled up, may be had _gratis_ by application at the house. That every petitioner be examined as to her health, by the Physician, Surgeon, and Matron. When any petition is approved, it shall be wrote upon, _Found proper_, and signed by the Chairman. Every person upon admission shall subscribe to the rules of the house, and also enter into an agreement to pay the sum of 10l. _per annum_ for her board, lodgings, and necessaries, which is to be void, provided such person continues in the house three years, or less time, at the option of the committee. No person admitted shall be allowed to go out of the house without special leave in writing, signed by the Treasurer or Chairman, and two of the committee.
II. One or more wards are to be allotted for persons newly admitted, where they are to remain some time for a trial of their behaviour. There shall be superiority of wards, according to the education or behaviour of the persons admitted; and the inferior wards shall consist of meaner persons, and of those degraded for misbehaviour. In each ward they shall be classed, and one appointed to preside and be accountable for the conduct and behaviour of the rest; and they shall by rotation do the necessary offices in their respective wards, excepting the person appointed to preside. They are also to perform the necessary offices of the house, as they shall be directed by the matron; and an allowance shall be made to such as perform these offices, out of the general produce of the work done in the house, according to the proportion of the value of their duty and labour.
III. Each person is to lie in a separate bed, and have a chest for her cloaths and linen, under lock and key, to be kept by herself; and where the rooms will admit of it, a small closet or apartment is to be provided for the retirement of the most serious and best behaved, in the intervals of their employment, and these also considered as the reward of good conduct.
IV. Their true names must be registered, but if desirous of concealing themselves, they may have liberty to assume a feigned name. As no reproaches must be made for past irregularities, under the severest injunctions; neither shall there be any inquiries made into names or families; but all possible discouragement given to every kind of discovery that the parties themselves do not chuse to make.
V. Upon their admission, if their apparel is in any tolerable condition, it is to be cleaned, ticketed, and laid by, in order to be returned them whenever they leave the house: but if such apparel be too fine for their station, it shall be sold, and the produce brought to their account. They are to wear an uniform of light grey, and in their whole dress to be plain and neat.
VI. Each ward is to dine at a separate table. The matron is to dine at the head of the table of the superior ward; and the head of each ward is to dine at the upper end of each table, and to say grace.
VII. Each person is to be employed in some work or business according to her ability, and have such part of the benefit arising from her labour and ingenuity as the committee shall judge she deserves; which sum may be increased by the bounty of the house, as favourable opportunities may offer, for establishing them in the world. The articles proposed for their employment are, making their own cloaths both linen and woollen; knitting, spinning, making bone lace, black lace, artificial flowers, childrens toys, winding silk, drawing patterns, making women and childrens shoes, mantuas, stays, coats, &c. but no part of their labour is to be sold in the house, but at some other place appointed by the committee. In their work, as in every other circumstance, the utmost care and delicacy, humanity and tenderness will be observed, that this establishment may not be thought a house of correction, or even of hard labour, but a safe retreat from their distressful circumstances.
VIII. From Lady-day to Michaelmas they are to rise at six and be in bed at ten; and from Michaelmas to Lady-day are to rise at seven and be in bed at nine; and after that time no fire or candle shall be allowed, except in the sick ward.
IX. They are to breakfast at nine o’clock, and be allowed half an hour; and are to dine at one o’clock, and be allowed an hour; they may leave off work at six in the winter, and seven in summer.
X. No Governor, or any other person shall be permitted to visit the wards, or any of the women, without leave in writing first obtained from the Treasurer or Chairman, and two of the committee, except in cases provided for, and in all cases the matron to attend them.
XI. Abusive or reproachful language, insolence or disobedience to the officers, indecent or profane expressions, and such kind of turbulent conduct, shall subject them to confinement in a room for six hours for the first offence. For the second offence they shall be admonished publicly by the Chaplain and the Matron; and the rest of their own ward may be also appealed to for their disapprobation of such conduct. The third offence shall subject them to be confined for twelve hours, and to have but one spare meal during the whole day; and if found to be incorrigible, then to forfeit a certain proportion, or the whole of what hath been acquired by their labour, at the discretion of the committee, and be subject to the consequences of their agreement; and to be dismissed the house, and never re-admitted.
XII. After the continuance of any woman in the house for three years, upon the modest and virtuous demeanor, and industrious conduct of such woman, or upon application of her parents or friends, or any house-keeper of sufficient credit, if such friends declare they will forgive the past offences of such woman, and will provide for her; or, if such house-keeper will receive such woman as a servant; in either of these cases the Governors may discharge such woman with her consent.
XIII. Upon the discharge of such woman, her cloaths, or if sold, the produce of them, shall be returned to her, together with whatever may be due upon her account, and a certificate given her under the hands of the Treasurer, or the President, and two or more of the committee, of her conduct and behaviour during the time of her being in the house.
XIV. Every woman who shall be placed in a service from this house, and shall continue one whole year in such service to the intire approbation of such master or mistress, upon its being made appear to the satisfaction of the committee, they may give that woman a gratuity not exceeding two guineas, as a reward for her good behaviour.
XV. The committee will, upon the good behaviour of the women, interest themselves to obtain a reconciliation with their parents and friends, when their contract will be cancelled.
XVI. Besides the vouchers abovementioned, and the advantages arising from their labour, a bounty may be given, at the discretion of the committee, to such as shall be properly discharged. This gift shall be presented not only to those who marry in a manner satisfactory to the committee, but also to such as shall set up trades in whatever way they shall have gained a proficiency; so that nothing shall be omitted which can promote the great ends of preserving life, of rendering that life useful, and of recovering those who are now lost to the community.
This plan is to be improved as experience may hereafter dictate.
_St._ MAGNUS’S _Church_, at the north east corner of London bridge, owes its name to its dedication to St. Magnus, who suffered martyrdom under the Emperor Aurelian, in the city of Cæsarea, for his steady adherence to the Christian religion. The Abbots of Westminster and Bermondsey had alternately the donation of the church, till the suppression of monasteries; it then devolved to the Crown, and in 1553 was placed under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of London. The ancient edifice was laid in ruins by the dreadful conflagration in 1666; and ten years after, the present structure was erected in its room, though the steeple was not added till several years after.