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formed of establishing a Public Infir- The principles on which the Infirmary. This was no sooner made mary was established, and on which known, than a subscription was en- the institution has ever since been tered into by the principal inhabitants conducted, are of the most humane of Liverpool, and some neighbouring and liberal character. Its doors are gentlemen, for carrying their design open to all proper objects in the town into execution. The corporation co- of Liverpool, without any distinction; operating in this benevolent under- and it also receives all whom sickness taking, gave a field for the purpose, for or misfortune may lead to apply for a term of 999 years. This field then assistance, of every nation, if recomlay on the eastern extremity of the mended by a subscriber, and their town, but from the increase of build-cases come within the design of the ings which have since taken place, it charity; and in cases of sudden accihas been completely enveloped by sur- dent or emergency, they dispense rounding habitations. The Infirmary with the punctilios of recommendawas begun on the same year, but it tion. was not finished until the end of 1748, and in 1749 it was opened for the admission of patients.

new street from Dale-street to the old Haymarket, and thence through the site of the present Infirmary to London Road.

But this Infirmary will soon be abandoned and demolished. A new one is now erecting contiguous to The edifice, which extends 120 Brownlow-street, on one of the most yards in front, facing Shaw's-Brow, open, airy, and elevated situations in and 190 yards in depth, is of brick, the town. When this shall be finishornamented with stone. Its situationed, it is in contemplation to open a was elevated, open, and healthy, when erected, but the buildings with which it has been since encircled, have rendered it more confined. The principal building has three stories, con- The Dispensary, is another charisisting of large wards for the accom- table institution, from which the dismodation of patients, with other ne- tressed, in seasons of sickness, have cessary apartments. It is connected derived incalculable benefit. The with two wings, by handsome colon- building appropriated to this charity, nades. In front, it has a large area is neat and commodious. It is formed enclosed with an iron gate and railing; | of brick, has a circular portico, and and behind, is an extensive garden is situated in Church-street. The which furnishes the patients with es- persons relieved are such as are reculent and physical plants. This gar- commended by the magistrates, clergy, den has lately been curtailed in its churchwardens, parish committee, or dimensions, for the purpose of en- any subscriber. The subscribers are larging the New Haymarket, which is 400 in number, and their annual conjust without its wall. The out-pa-tributions amount to about £500. The tients are at all times numerous, but, independently of these, about 1500 persons are annually received into the house.

parish also pays 300 guineas annually, and it derives assistance from several societies, and frequent benefactions and legacies.

The two wings of this building now This charity is under the direction form what is called The Seaman's Hos- of a president, two auditors, and pital. This charity, which was in-seven physicians; together with three stituted in the year 1747, and carried surgeons, and one apothecary who into execution five years afterwards, officiates as secretary. Two physiis intended for the maintenance of cians attend every day. The sick decayed seamen belonging to the port poor who cannot attend at the Dispenof Liverpool, together with their wi- sary, are regularly visited at their dows and children. It is supported dwellings. Since the institution was by the monthly allowance of sixpence, opened in August, 1778, to the end which every seaman sailing from the of December, 1819, the total number port, is obliged by Act of Parliament, of those who had been benefited, to pay out of his wages. The sea- amounted to 539,253, among whom man's hospital pays a rent of £20 per were cases of almost every descripannum to the trustees of the Infirmary. tion that can be included in the black The money expended in erecting the catalogue of human maladies. wings amounted to £1500.

A School of Industry for the Indi

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gent Blind, was established in Liverpool, in the year 1791; since which time, experience has proved that these unfortunate branches of human society, although deprived of sight, are capable of receiving instruction in many useful employments, through which they may be taught to support themselves with credit and respectability. This building stands at the corner where Duncan-street enters London-Road. It is characterized by neatness and simplicity, and is better adapted to answer the purposes of utility, than to display a magnificent exterior.

The principal occupations of the pupils are as follows:--spinning, hamper and basket making, the plaiting of sash-line, the weaving of worsted rugs for hearths, carriages, and doors, of linen and of floor cloth and sacking, the making of sacks, and list shoes, the manufacturing of twine, packthread, log lines, clothes lines, and fish lines, of stair carpeting, and of foot bears, points and gaskets from old ropes, and the learning of music. In this last department, the committee has principally aimed to qualify the pupils for the office of organists; and since the attempt has been made, forty-one have been rendered fully competent to such appointments. The number of blind persons admitted into this institution since its commencement in 1791, is 551, of whom 105 only belong to Liverpool. To the moral and religious conduct of the pupils, strict attention is paid, and their health is made an object of especial care. The state of their eyes is attentively examined by the medical committee, but no operation is performed unless the patient and friends concur in the measure.

The Blue-coat Hospital, or School, was instituted in the year 1709, and it is one of the oldest charities in Liverpool. At first a small building was erected, in which forty boys and ten girls were provided with clothes and instruction, but their board and lodgings devolved on their parents and friends. In this state things continued, until the year 1714, when the treasurer, Henry Blundell, Esq. suggested the idea of a more ample building, in which the children might be accommodated altogether, and furnished with every necessary. This plan being patronized with that libe

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rality for which Liverpool has long been rendered conspicuous, the present building was undertaken, and the design completed in 1726. A few years since, a considerable addition was made to the original edifice, which has rendered it nearly double its original dimensions. The building is of brick, ornamented with stone, and has its front in School-Lane. The number of children wholly supported by this charity is 236, of whom 170 are boys, and 66 girls. The boys are taught reading, writing, and arithmetic, and those intended for the sea are instructed in navigation. The girls are taught reading, writing, sewing, spinning, and housewifery. None are admitted under eight years of age, and they are apprenticed at fourteen. The annual expenditure amounts to about £3000. At different times it has received several handsome donations, but at present it is rather in arrear.

The House of Industry, stands on an elevated spot near the top of Brownlow-Hill, which it faces. It is a handsome building, and is every way adapted to the purposes for which it was erected. The principal building consists of four stories. It has a large hall, 90 feet long, and 24 wide, capable, with three ranges of tables, of dining 400 persons. The rooms above are for spinning, and other kinds of work. Somewhat detached from this building, are two large wings, each consisting of three covered ways, leading to twenty-four apartments, each of which having three rooms, will conveniently hold eight persons. A high brick wall encloses the whole, with the exception of the front, before which is a range of iron palisades. The whole was erected at an expense of about £8000.

The House of Recovery, or, as it is generally denominated, the Fever Ward, stands a little to the eastward of the House of Industry. This is entirely detached from every other building. It is large and commodious; and being built of stone, has a very respectable appearance. This edifice is intended for the reception of persons afflicted with fevers, which frequently prove fatal to individuals in confined and unhealthy situations, and infectious to the neighbourhood. In this house, which stands on an elevated spot, every attention is paid to

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the patient; and it has been found of essential benefit to the persons afflicted, and also to the town at large, which may be considered as remarkably healthful.

The Alms-Houses, at the head of Mount Pleasant- street, though detached from the house of Industry, are at no great distance from it. These furnish a comfortable abode to many poor persons. The buildings are low, but terminating at each extremity by two wings, with an area in front; they have a neat and pleasing appearance. The parish cemetery is at no great distance from these houses, and in this the dead are deposited in coffins, placed side by side, and piled one on another, in large excavations made in the ground to receive them.

The Ladies have a CHARITY, which was begun in 1796, for relieving at their houses poor married women in child-bed. These receive medical assistance, bed-linen, food, and every other necessary, which their situation requires. No building is exclusively appropriated to this charity. It is patronized by ladies of the first respectability, and its affairs are conducted by a committee of six ladies and seven gentlemen, with a lady patroness, president, and vice-president. In the year 1819, 1358 persons were relieved from this institution, and its expenditure amounted to £1289. 9s. 7 d.

An Institution for restoring Drowned Persons, was established in October, 1775, at the charge of the corporation, who give to those who take up a body, one guinea for each person recovered, and half-a-guinea when all efforts prove unsuccessful. By these encouragements, a great proportion of those whose bodies have been taken up within a time which might afford the least hope of re-animation, have been restored to life. To facilitate this humane design, long poles, with hooks at the ends, are distributed about the docks, for the purpose of dragging for such persons as unfortunately fall into the water.

The Stranger's Friend Society, originated with the Wesleyan Methodists in this town; and it is chiefly, though not exclusively, conducted by them. From the benefits of this institution, the members of the Methodist Society in Liverpool, are wholly excluded; but to all other denominations and deNo. 27.-VOL. III.

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scriptions of persons, its doors are always open. Distress is the only recommendation required. Few benevolent institutions established in Liverpool, have been attended with so many beneficial effects as this. The number of persons that have been relieved since its commencement in 1789, is almost incredible. Of the services which have been rendered to the unhappy sufferers, its supporters are deeply sensible, and this sensibility they have fully evinced by their liberality. It only requires to be universally known to receive universal patronage.

In March, 1804, the Welsh Charitable Society was instituted. The object of this institution, which is under the patronage of His Majesty, is to instruct, clothe, and apprentice poor children, descended from Welsh parents, and born in Liverpool, but who have no parochial settlement within the town. An extensive school, under the direction of this society, has been erected in Russel-street, where the education of 430 boys is conducted on the Madras system.

The Female School of Industry, which was begun in September, 1809, has for its object the moral and religious instruction of poor girls, in order to make them useful and industrious members of society. The children are clothed and educated at the expense of the institution. From their earnings, a certain portion is deducted towards the defraying of the current expenditure; and, under certain regulations, a fund is established, from which each receives a given sum on her marriage, on the birth of each legitimate child, or, if unmarried, an annual stipend for life, after a given age.

The Roman Catholics have a large Charity-School on Copperas - Hill, which was built by subscription. Its object is the tuition of children belonging to the Romish Church only. There is also another extensive school in Pleasant-street, for the instruction of children of Irish parents of all denominations.

The Liverpool Female Penitentiary, was projected on the day of our national jubilee, in 1809. A public meeting was afterwards held on the occasion, in the Town-Hall, and, the charity being sanctioned, it received support from the promise of annual 2 H

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Reply to Animadversions on Hutton & Bonnycastle.

subscriptions, on which it has since continued to subsist. The institution is at present carried on in a large house at Edge-Hill; but a spot on which the erection of an eligible building is in contemplation, has been procured in a more convenient situation, and some preparations are already making for the accomplishment of this benevolent purpose.

At the time of the jubilee, the debtors confined in the Borough gaol were liberated by a public subscription; but the money subscribed exceeding the sum required, the surplus, amounting to about £800, was placed out at interest, the produce to be applied, under the direction of a committee, to the relief of debtors confined in the Borough gaol. Through the investigations to which this institution has led, many fraudulent transactions, and illegal arrests, have been detected; and the institution has proved a powerful protection to the unsuspecting seaman and foreigner, against the wiles of unfeeling dishonesty.

Another benevolent institution, designed to benefit the condition of the Poor, and increase their comforts, was also established in consequence of the jubilee. Its effects are complicated and various, but all chiefly tending to teach the needy to draw their own resources from themselves. The objects which this institution has in view, are promoted by benevolent exertions, carried on in a commodious building in Bold-street.

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Reply to Animadversions on Hutton and Bonnycastle.

MR. EDITOR.

SIR,-It appears from an article inserted in your interesting work for Dec. last, col. 980, that Mr. Dunch is of opinion, I have said too much in favour of Dr. Hutton and Mr. Bonnycastle, and that the praise attributed to them, is due to Mr. A. Taylor, who, it seems, published a treatise on Arithmetic, in the year 1804; from which work, he insinuates, that those Mathematicians have derived their chief excellencies, in respect to the method of stating questions in the Rule of Three. A moment's reflection might have convinced him of the contrary, for the methods of stating are totally different; his rules, and their rules, have scarcely any thing in common.

Besides, about 30 years ago, when I was a school-boy, (and how long prior to that period, I know not,) Dr. Hutton's treatise and rule were in general use in the northern counties; and other treatises of earlier date, contain the same rule; it will be sufficient to notice only one, Mr. J. Mair's Treatise on Arithmetic, published in 1777. Mr. Bonnycastle's method is the same, but his arrangement of the terms different, and, as I think, more scientific. It is true, this method was not given in the earlier editions of his excellent treatise, it being first introduced, I believe, in the tenth edition; but it is quite ridiculous to suppose he borrowed it from Mr. Taylor's work, which agrees with it in nothing, except the arrangement of the terms, when the proportion happens to be direct. Also, there are other works well known to Mr. Bonnycastle, in which are found both the same method and arrangement. I need only mention J. Robertson's Arithmetic, prefixed to his Elements of Navigation; mine is the third edition, published in 1772. This shews that Mr. Dunch has not sufficiently attended to the subject, and his zeal for his friend has carried him beyond due decorum in his remarks.

The Auxiliary Bible Society, which was established in 1811, has its depository in Slater-street, in which also a Ladies' Branch is included. This is supported by subscriptions, donations, and public collections at the annual meetings held in May. Besides rendering assistance to the parent institution, its object is to distribute Bibles and Testaments to the poor, to seamen, and to foreigners, who visit the port. Since its establishment, this society has distributed 36,574 Bibles and Testaments, and the sum expended amounts to nearly £14,000. The annual meeting is nu- Judging from the extracts given, it merously and respectably attended. does not appear to me, that Mr. TayLike the object which it aims to pro-lor's method possesses any peculiar mote, it knows nothing of sect or party: the speakers belong to Christians of various denominations. (To be continued.)

advantages; or, that it is at all to be compared with those of Dr. Hutton and Mr. Bonnycastle. However, I never intended to be understood as