Part 2

As this disease is so frightful, even in its first appearance, and at the same time contagious, and almost inevitable, families of all degrees are thrown into the utmost confusion, when it invades any person amongst them, let his or her station be what it will. To keep a servant in such a condition is, generally speaking, exceedingly inconvenient: to thrust them out of doors under such circumstances, always inhuman, commonly fatal. How agreeable, therefore, must the information prove to all considerate and charitable persons, that for removing of these difficulties, for securing private families, and for the preservation of the wretched individuals labouring under this disease, there is established, an hospital for the small-pox, where persons of both sexes, and of all ages, may be carefully provided for, both as to physic and diet, and properly attended in that calamitous condition; and this at a very easy expence to the governors, who by their charitable contributions support the fund for so glorious, and so compassionate an undertaking, which, only to mention, is to recommend. A needless pomp of words would rather obscure, than illustrate this design; the utility and humanity of which, all, who have the smallest attention or tenderness, cannot fail to comprehend.

As what has been said sufficiently shews, how well adapted a charity this is, in respect to such as are afflicted with this disease in the natural way; so the other part of the scheme, which has a tendency to preserve our species from the ravages of this infectious malady, by rendering it less malignant and less destructive, in the way of inoculation, deserves likewise public approbation and effectual encouragement.

The objections that have been made against this practice, are founded rather in an aversion to novelty, however useful, than in an adherence to reason and experience. The strange imputation that a well established method of preserving many lives, is an attempt upon the prerogative of the Almighty, will make no impression upon any, who consider that the same thing may be urged against exhibiting medicines at all, either sanative or preventive, and the extraordinary methods that are often necessary to be made use of, to stop the progress of any particular disease.

The benefits of inoculation appear every year, by fresh trials, greater and more certain. This dreadful, this destructive distemper is thereby rendered mild and manageable, and becomes rather a purgation of the body from the latent seeds of an expected disease, than creating a disease itself. It delivers people from those apprehensions, with which, till they have had the small-pox, they are always haunted. It frees them from the objections, that are continually made to their being received into any family, while they remain exposed to that disease in the natural way. It gives them courage to enter into the service of their country, either by land or sea; and protects them, while in that service, from the risque of being carried off, for want of those accommodations, which camps and ships rarely supply.

To all these, if we add the general and great consideration of preserving so many lives, which may evidently arise from these different ways of having the disease, (for upon a general calculation, twenty-five or thirty die out of one hundred and fifty patients, having the distemper in the natural way, and one only out of this number, when inoculated,) it will appear, that this is a thing of very high importance; and that it is not easy to name an undertaking more laudable in itself, or more beneficial in its consequences, than the making a provision, that those, who really stand in the greatest need of this preservative, and yet from their low, though useful stations in life, are precluded from it, should be rescued from a condition, equally injurious to them and to society.

But as the world will be often divided in sentiments, in matters of such a nature; so, by the constitution of this charity, due care is taken, that the intentions of such well disposed persons, as shall contribute to any branch of it, shall be punctually answered. For they may direct their benefactions to be bestowed upon such persons only, as are infected with the natural small-pox; or, if they judge the promoting inoculation the more beneficial, they may confine their gifts thereto; or, if given without any distinction, it will be applied to the general fund, both for natural small-pox and for inoculation.

To these considerations, it is proper to add one circumstance, which, duly considered, cannot but have great weight with all, who have any feeling for their fellow-creatures in distress; which is, that it is an hospital, in aid of all other hospitals, being calculated, by its very constitution, to receive those miserable creatures, whom the rules of all other charities expresly and prudentially exclude.

As this useful and necessary charity loudly calls for further assistance, may it not be justly hoped, that many pious and compassionate hands will bountifully contribute to the support, continuance, and enlargement of a design, which reason, good policy, humanity, and religion so powerfully recommend?

This hospital consists of two houses, at a due distance from each other in airy situations.

That for preparing the patients for inoculation is in the Lower street, Islington; and that for receiving them, when the disease appears, and for the reception of patients in the natural way, is in Cold Bath fields.

Stated general courts are held half yearly, to wit, in April and October, or within ten days before or after each of those months; notice of which is sent to each governor, as well as publicly advertised.

Two presidents, four vice-presidents, and a treasurer, are annually elected out of the governors.

A house-committee of thirteen governors is chosen half yearly, who meet the first Thursday in the month at ten in the forenoon at the hospital in Cold Bath fields, and the other Thursdays at Child’s coffee-house in St. Paul’s church-yard, at five in the afternoon, to transact the business of the hospital; at which meetings all governors present have a vote, and their attendance will be esteemed a favour.

A Physician and Surgeon attend the hospital without fee or reward.

There are a Secretary, two Apothecaries, a Messenger, Matrons, proper Nurses, &c.——No fee, reward, or gratuity, to be taken from any patients, tradesmen, or other persons, on account of the hospital, on pain of expulsion.

Thirty guineas constitutes a governor for life; five guineas _per annum_, a governor during such subscription, or after two such annual subscriptions any person, by paying not less than twenty guineas, on or before the fourteenth of October, 1760, becomes a governor for life. Smaller benefactions are accepted with gratitude.

Every governor has a vote at all general courts and committees, and is entitled to have one patient in each house at a time. Ladies have the same privilege, and may vote, by proxies, at all elections.

Every annual subscriber is entitled to have one patient in the hospital for the natural way at a time, provided there are three beds for men, and two for women patients, in reserve, for governors recommendations.

A committee of accompts of seven governors is annually held between Lady day and Michaelmas, who meet at least once a quarter to examine and audit all tradesmens bills, which are afterwards ordered by the house-committee for payment.

The accounts are regularly kept, and open at all times for the inspection of the governors.

Two governors are appointed visitors, by the house-committee, for six months, who frequently attend the hospital for inoculation; and also the hospital for the natural way, alternately; to inspect into the conduct and management of the officers, servants, and others therein.

Every person destitute of friends, or money, and labouring under this melancholy disease, or desirous of being inoculated, is a proper object of this charity.

Patients in the natural way are received every day; but enquiry must first be made if there is room to prevent the danger and expence of a disappointment.

Patients for inoculation are received about eight times in the year, of which timely notice is given in the Public Advertiser, men and boys at one time, and women and girls at another, alternately; and the governors are desired to be careful in recommending none but those who are really necessitous, as a want of that care will be an injury to proper objects. Governors are desired to send their recommendations as soon as signed to the apothecary at the house of preparation, in Islington, which will be by him immediately entered on the books, and when the turn of such person, so recommended, comes for admittance, a letter will be sent for his or her attendance, which, if punctually observed, they will be admitted.

If any persons omit to attend according to their turn on the admission days, they will be excluded, and cannot have the benefit of this charity, without first obtaining a new recommendation.

There is no charge attending the admission of patients for inoculation, but patients in the natural way, a deposit of one pound and six pence, to answer the expences of burial in case of death, or to be returned to the person who paid the same, when discharged the hospital.

For the sake of the patients, and for fear of spreading this dangerous infection, it is necessary to forbid strangers to visit them; and therefore, it is hoped that the affection or curiosity of particular persons will not be offended at this unavoidable precaution.

Proper dresses are provided for the patients, and worn by them in the hospital, while their own cloaths are fumigated with brimstone, which is always done before their discharge.

The sums received for the support of this hospital since its foundation in 1746, amount to 18,926_l._ And there have been received into the house for the natural way from the 26th of September 1746, to the 25th of March 1759, 3946 patients, of which 2916 have been cured; A very great number considering the fatality of this distemper, and that most of them were adults, often admitted after great irregularities, and some when past cure.

But what appears much more extraordinary, out of 131 who were inoculated before the 31st of December 1751, only two died, one by worms, who did not appear to have them before the inoculation, and the other apprehended to have first caught the distemper in the natural way. From that period till the 25th of March 1759, the number of inoculated amounts to 1567, out of which only four have died. An astonishing proof of the advantages of inoculation! _From the account published by the governors._

SMALL’S _rents_, Petticoat lane, Whitechapel.†

SMART’S _key_, Billingsgate.†

SMART’S _rents_, Lamb alley, St. Giles’s.†

SMITHFIELD, or WEST SMITHFIELD, though the epithet West is never used but to distinguish it from East Smithfield near Little Tower Hill. This is the greatest market for black cattle, sheep and horses, in Europe; and also a considerable market for hay and straw; for the sale of which it was famous five hundred years ago. _Maitland_ derives its name from its being originally a _smooth_ or level field; and observes that it was anciently much larger than at present, it being greatly diminished by the buildings with which it is inclosed, the whole west side extended as far as the sheep market does at present, and was called _the Elms_, from the many elm-trees growing there; this was the place of execution for offenders in the year 1219, and it seems long before.

King Henry II. granted to the priory of St. Bartholomew the privilege of a fair to be kept annually at Bartholomew tide, on the eve, the day, and the morrow, to which the clothiers of England, and the drapers of London repaired, and had their booths and standings in the church-yard within the priory, which was separated from Smithfield only by walls and gates, that were locked every night and watched, for the safety of the goods deposited there; and the narrow street or lane afterwards built where the cloth was sold, still retains the name of cloth fair.

This fair, which was appointed to be kept three days, was at length prolonged to a fortnight, and became of little other use but for idle youth, and loose people to resort to it, upon which it was again reduced to the original standard; and the booths, for drolls and plays in the middle of Smithfield, by the falling of which many persons had lost their lives, were ordered to be no longer permitted.

Smithfield was also used in very early times for jousts and tournaments, to which the King and nobility resorted, of which we find upon record several instances in the reigns of Edward III. Richard II. Henry IV. Henry V. Henry VI. and Edward IV.

In short, in the middle part of Smithfield, and in the centre of the space now enclosed with rails, many martyrs were burnt at the stake, for steadily adhering to the dictates of their own consciences, and in defence of the doctrines of the reformation, during the cruel reign of Mary.

Smithfield is surrounded by many good houses; but they are far from being regular and uniform. The author of _the Review of the public Buildings_, observes, that this vast area, is capable of great beauty; but is at present destitute of all; and a scene of filth and nastiness.

“’Tis true, the use which is made of it as a market, he adds, is something of an excuse for it, and in some degree attones for the want of that decency that would improve it so much: yet ’tis my opinion, that ways and means might be found to make it tolerable at least, and an obelisk, pyramid or statue in the centre, defended with handsome and substantial rails, would go a great way in so desirable a project.”

Indeed something of this kind has been frequently proposed, and it has been often represented to the public, that it would be proper to raise a monument on the spot where the stake was fixed for the martyrs, representing the cruelty of popish persecution, adorned with proper relivoes and inscriptions.

_East_ SMITHFIELD. See the article EAST.

SMITHFIELD _bars_, at the north end of Smithfield, by St. John’s street.

SMITH’S ALMSHOUSE, on St. Peter’s hill near Thames street was founded by Mr. David Smith embroiderer to Queen Elizabeth, in the year 1584, and consists of six rooms for the habitation of so many poor widows turned of fifty-six: but the old structure being destroyed by the fire of London in 1666, it was rebuilt by Sir Thomas Fitch, and the charge of maintaining it committed to Christ’s hospital, from which each of the alms-women annually receive 1 _l._ 9_s._ 4_d._ and also from the company of embroiderers the annual 1_l._ 14_s._ 6_d._ each, left by the founder’s daughter, as an addition to the foundation. _Maitland._

SMITH’S _alley_, 1. Joyners street, by Tooley street, Southwark.† 2. King’s street, Westminster.† 3. Ropemaker’s fields, Limehouse.†

SMITH’S _court_, 1. Aldersgate street.† 2. Brackley street, Bridgewater Gardens.† 3. Fashion street, Spitalfields.† 4. Great Windmill street, Picadilly.† 5. Holbourn.†

SMITH’S _passage_, in the Curtain, Nortain Falgate.†

SMITH’S _rents_, 1. Bank-side, Southwark.† 2. Barnaby street, Southwark.† 3. Catharine Wheel alley.† 4. Five Feet lane.† 6. St. John’s street, Smithfield.† 7. Kent street, Southwark.† 8. Petty France, Westminster.†

SMITH’S _square_, Millbank, Westminster.†

SMITH’S _street_, Marsham street, Westminster.†

SMITH’S _yard_, 1. Blue Anchor alley.† 2. Fleet lane, by Fleet Market.† 3. Maiden lane.† 4. Ratcliff Highway.† 5. Ropemaker’s field, Limehouse.†

SMOCK _alley_, 1. Hockley in the Hole: 2. Petticoat lane, Whitechapel.

SNADE’S _court_, Brick street.†

SNADER’S _court_, Moorfields.†

SNART’S _rents_, Goswell street, Aldersgate street.†

SNOW _fields_, Barnaby street.

SNOW _hill_, extends from the upper end of the Little Old Bailey to Holbourn bridge.

SNOW _street_, Snow fields.

SNOW’S _rents_, white Lion yard.†

SOAPMAKER’S. See SOPEMAKERS.

SOCIETY, _for propagating_ CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, in Bartlet’s buildings, Holbourn. This society which was founded in the year 1699, consists of several bishops, dignified clergymen, and persons of piety, rank, and fortune, who unite their endeavours, in order to diffuse a spirit of religion among the people; by dispersing little printed books among the poor, among which are small books for the use of seamen and soldiers; books of preparation for receiving the holy sacrament; and others against profaneness and debauchery.

They have bought a great number of useful books for furnishing our plantations with parochial libraries; and used means for providing catechetical libraries in the smaller parishes of this kingdom, to enable the inferior clergy the better to perform their duty of catechizing; and the greater parishes with learned libraries for the use of the poorer clergy. They have particularly applied themselves to the setting up of schools for the education of children, and work-houses for the employment of the poor.

This society in 1710, assisted the Danish missionaries at Tranquebar, and afterwards at Madras in the East Indies, for the conversion of the pagan inhabitants.

In the year 1720, they extended their regard to the Greek church in Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia, Arabia, and Egypt, and having printed an edition in Arabic on a new set of types, caused ten thousand copies of the new testament, six thousand psalters, and five thousand catechetical instructions, with an abridgement of the history of the bible annexed, to be dispersed through those countries, and in Persia.

In the year 1732, the society raised collections for the persecuted protestants of Saltzburgh, made large remittances to Germany; and some time after sent above two hundred protestant emigrants to Georgia, who built and settled at Ebenezar.

In 1743, they undertook a new edition of the bible in Welch, with the common prayer and psalms in metre, and in 1748 finished an impression of fifteen thousand copies; which they speedily dispersed; but that large impression falling far short of the demand for it: the society printed another edition of the bible, consisting of the same number of copies; and also five thousand of the new testament, and as many common prayer books in the same language: by which means the Welch had the blessing of the holy scriptures in their own tongue, wherein alone they could possibly read them, and that at an easier expence than the people of England enjoy it.

This society meets weekly to deliberate upon what appears most expedient for carrying on their pious intentions. _Stow’s Survey, last edit_.

SOCIETY _for propagating the_ GOSPEL IN FOREIGN PARTS, at the chapter house in St. Paul’s church-yard. This society was established by letters patent granted in the 13th year of the reign of King William III. by which the archbishop of Canterbury, and ninety-three of the bishops, clergy, nobility and gentry were incorporated, and impowered to purchase 2000_l._ _per annum_ inheritance, with goods and chattels of any value: and allowed a common seal, which has the representation of a ship under sail, making towards a foreign coast, where the natives near the shore, stand with their hands stretched out, or lifted up, and some on their knees: A minister in a gown, in the fore part of the ship, is looking towards them, with the gospel open in his right hand; and in a label in the middle of the seal are the words, _Transiens adjuva nos_. The sun is represented shining; and round the edge are these words, _Sigillum Societatis de promovendo Evangelio in partibus Transmarinis_.

This society has sent several ministers of the church of England to his Majesty’s colonies in the West Indies, to instruct the English and such Indians as live near them in the principles of the Christian religion; and have dispersed throughout our plantations common prayer books, and other devotional and practical tracts. They have also contributed to the propagation of the gospel in Malabar, in the East Indies, and not only sent thither an impression of the new testament in Portuguese, but a printing press, types, and paper, together with a printer.

By their charter they are annually to meet upon the third Friday in February in order to chuse a president, one or more vice-presidents, a treasurer, or treasurers, two or more auditors, one secretary, and such other officers, ministers, and servants, as should be thought convenient for the ensuing year.

No act of the society is valid, unless the president, or vice president, and seven others of the members be present, and consenting thereto.

The society is every year to give an account in writing to the Lord Chancellor, or Lord Keeper of the great seal, the Lord Chief Justice of the King’s Bench, or the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, or any two of them, of the several sums of money by them received and laid out, and of the management and disposition of the revenues and charities of the society.

The members of the society meet once a month or oftner at the late archbishop Tenison’s library in St. Martin’s in the Fields, and several committees are besides appointed to meet at the chapter house at St. Paul’s. But their annual meeting on the third Friday in February is at St. Mary le Bow church in Cheapside, at which time they have there an anniversary sermon.

SOCIETY _for the_ REFORMATION OF MANNERS. This society began in the year 1690, when five or six private gentlemen, members of the church of England, meeting and consulting together of the most advisable methods of putting the penal laws in execution against the profaneness and other public vices, practiced openly in the streets, entered into a fraternity for remedying these evils. This being afterwards made known to the lords spiritual and temporal, and to the judges, a considerable number approved of it under their hands; the society, which was continually encreasing, was also countenanced by most of the bishops in extraordinary circular letters printed in 1699; and one of the chief ministers of state laying the affair before King William, he promised the society his protection.

This design was, however, violently opposed by the champions and advocates for debauchery; yet by the favour of the above Prince, and his royal consort Queen Mary, the patronage of Queen Anne, and the countenance of the clergy of the greatest figure in the church, it soon met with prodigious success, and many virtuous and pious persons of the several denominations readily united their endeavours, and joined in the expences necessarily occasioned by putting the laws in execution against vast numbers of the vicious and profane.

This society appoints and encourages constables and others to go about the streets, markets, and other public places, to take up drunkards, and profane swearers; to suppress lewd and disorderly houses, and to prosecute, all who encourage tippling, or follow their professions on the Lord’s day.

By the endeavours of this society many thousands of lewd and scandalous persons have been brought to legal punishment: great numbers have been convicted in the court of King’s Bench, and at the sessions, for keeping houses of lewdness, and punished by fine and imprisonment, by which means the streets have been much cleared of night-walkers, and other public places of gangs of detestable sodomites. In short some thousands of good books have been dispersed through the kingdom, and put into the hands of the profane, the lewd and the vicious, which in many instances have, by the divine blessing, produced a singular reformation, even among those who seemed the most abandoned.