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.