These and other considerations induced a number of Noblemen and Gentlemen, who had approved of a proposal from John Fielding, Esq; one of the Justices for the Liberties of Westminster, to hold their first meeting on the 10th of May 1758, for carrying into execution a plan of this Asylum. Several other meetings were soon after held, in which the rules and orders for the reception and management of the children were established, and the lease of a house, lately the Hercules Inn near Westminster-bridge, agreed for. This house was soon fitted up, and furnished, and the first children admitted on the 5th of July following.
The rules and orders established are as follows:
I. The qualification of a perpetual Guardian is a benefaction of thirty guineas or upwards, at one payment.
II. That of an annual Guardian is a subscription of three guineas or upwards per annum.
III. Ladies subscribing the said sums, will be considered as Guardians of this charity, and have a right of voting at all general elections, by proxy, such proxy being a Guardian, or they may send a letter to the board, naming therein the person they vote for, which shall be considered as their vote. It is esteemed by the Guardians a benefit to the charity, for the Ladies occasionally to visit the house, and inspect the management of the children; the matron being ordered to attend such Ladies, and to give them all necessary information: and, whatever observations they may then make, or whatever hints, at other times, may occur to them, for the good of the charity, if they will be pleased to transmit them by letter to the Secretary, or to the Committee, who meet every Wednesday in the forenoon at the Asylum, they will be immediately taken into consideration, and have all respectful regard shewn to them.
IV. Those Gentlemen and Ladies, who have already subscribed lesser sums than thirty guineas, by making up their subscriptions to that sum, within a year, will be entered in the subscription book as perpetual Guardians.
V. There is to be an annual general meeting of the Guardians on the second Wednesday in March.
VI. A general quarterly meeting is to be held on the second Wednesday in July, the second Wednesday in January, the second Wednesday in April, and the second Wednesday in October, for auditing the accounts, and making laws and rules for the government of the charity, and for other business.
VII. A Committee is appointed, to consist of thirty Guardians, who are to meet every Wednesday at eleven o’clock in the forenoon at the Asylum, to transact the business of the charity; and they are, from time to time, to report their proceedings to the following general court, and any three of the said gentlemen constitute a quorum. In these Committees are a President, Vice-president, and a Treasurer.
VIII. The officers and servants of the house, are a Physician, two Surgeons, an Apothecary and a Chaplain.