where, fhew that I have a Place in your Remem I cannot finish this Trifle, without returning my fincereft Acknow ledgments to Sir John Parnell, for the generous Affiflance he was pleased to give me, in furnishing me with many Materials, when he heard I was about writing the Life of his Uncle; as alfo to Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, Relations of our Poet; and to my very good Friend Mr. Steevens, who, being an Ornament to Letters himself, is very ready to 2ht all the Attempts of others. M us) boligy OST Ages have borne fome characteristic Mark of their Excellence and Attainments It is the peculiar Happiness of the present to be equally diftinguifhed for its Progrefs in the Arts, as for its rapid Advancements in the Duties of Humanity. The many public Buildings which have of late Years been erected, are living Monuments of the vaft Improvements that have been made in modern Architecture; and the various Purpofes for which they have been applied, as well as the known Utility which has been received from them, have alike evinced, that Charity has gone Hand in Hand with Magnificence. So many Hofpitals are now interfperfed through the whole Kingdom, that there is fcarce any Part of the Wretched, who do notɗin -drad flom 1979 w tadt god of gols A fome BA ode not shutit.10 lo stus2 modt ¿to1qze yllut Fome Degree feel their good Effects; but this Species (of which we now give an Account) feems to be the most highly entitled to our Attention and Regard, for it is founded on the foundest Principles of political Wisdom as well as Pietyis addreffed to those who from their very Occupations muft experience the utmost Rigours of inclement Elements who breathe as it were Disease from the Inftruments they ufe, and the Materials they employ, to those who in the Hand of Providence are the Bulwarks and Security of our national Welfare. And where can Relief be fo readily fupplied as in public Infirmaries? The Patients receive every requifite Help, the moft able Advice, the moft proper Medicines, and in a Manner which the Rich can rarely experience even in their own Houfes. In fhort, what do they not experience, but the most effectual Means towards the Accomplifhment of the best End? In the Infancy of this Charity a Prejudice pre vailed, (and where has it not?) that Trials of Skill were to be made, and that the Torture of the Patient was the Experience of the Phyfician-the Prejudice is as ill founded as it is illiberal, and has only been propagated by thofe who wifhed for fome fpecious Pretence for with-holding their Subfcriptions this, like most other Prejudices, carries the Height of Abfurdity on the very Face of it-for what is it but in other Words to fay, that the Skilful, affemble to defeat their own Art, and a Set of Gentlemen are employed, at a vaft Expence, to erect a Charity, to destroy the very Purposes of its Inftitution.ency wo The Poor, who have hitherto benefited by this Charity, have not proved themselves unworthy of the Care that has been fhewn for them; and we have Reason to hope that they will ever most thankfully express their Senfe of Gratitude for the Aid P 3 they 214 STATE of LEICESTER INFIRMARY. they have received in this merciful Afylum, as they are now fully convinced of its Ufe and Efficacy. Of the Continuance of fuch Bleffings little more need be faid, than that the Charity (as it was at first founded) is ftill fupported by Men of Character and Integrity, who will watch with Affiduity and Care the good Work they have begun, and enfure (as far as human Power can enfure) that the fame Care and Affiduity shall be tranfmitted to Pofterity, of which themfelves are fuch eminent Examples. Such is the Nature of that Charity we fo ftrongly recommend, a Charity beneficial to Individuals, and moft useful to the Public-for though the good Man would in every Age, from the generous Impulfe of his own Heart, in fome Degree, fupply the Want of fuch Eftablishments, by cafting his Bread upon the Waters, yet he has now the happier Confolation to reflect, that under the judicious Regulation of them, he gives that Bread to • the hungry.' A EPITAPH |