Mrs. Mary Turner, in the same year, commenced that noble foundation, which has since flourished with so much success, for the reception of incurable lunatics at Bethlehem hospital, by a handsome legacy.
Shortly after an examination of the Marshalsea books took place, when it was found that upwards of eleven hundred persons confined for small debts had been discharged within three years, by the charitable contributions of Roman catholics.
Amongst the charities of 1720, was that of lady Holford, who left 10l. each to 27 clergymen, on condition they attended her funeral; and eleven exhibitions of about 10l. each to as many boys, educated at the Charter-house upon the foundation.
The collection for the Sons of the Clergy amounted to 239l. 10s. in 1720, which was distributed to 16 children, in sums from 10l. to 20l. each; the annual contributions generally average now at 1000l.[27:A]
The year closed with the unequalled donation of Thomas Guy, who then determined to found that hospital on the site of the antient St. Thomas's, in Southwark, which has immortalized his name.
Certain charitable persons established an Infirmary in 1719. Two years afterwards they published one year's statement of their proceedings, from which it appears 108 patients had been received, of whom 52 were cured, 6 incurable, 8 died, 19 discharged for non-attendance, 1 for irregularity, 11 out-patients, and 11 within the infirmary, who received, with food and medicines, the exhortations of such clergymen as the Society could procure.
The London Workhouse received from March 1720 to March 1721, 683 vagabonds, beggars, pilferers, and young vagrants, and lewd and disorderly persons, of whom 620 were discharged, 2 buried, and 61 remained. In the same period, 27 children were bound to tradesmen, 2 were buried, and 86 remained; the latter were religiously educated in the doctrines of the
Established Church; and were employed in spinning wool, sewing, and knitting, and taught to read, write, and cast accompts.
A treaty was completed in 1721, between the British Government and the Emperor of Morocco, by means of which, 280 persons were restored to their country; who went in procession, clad in the Moorish habit, to St. Paul's, where a Sermon suited to the occasion was preached by Mr. Berriman, chaplain to the bishop of London. The curiosity of the citizens to see the emancipated slaves was such, that the benevolent intentions of many charitable persons were frustrated; the collectors however obtained about 100l. After the Sermon, they proceeded to St. James's, and were admitted to the garden, where the King did them the honour of viewing their grateful countenances, and afterwards ordered them 500l. The captives went thence to Leicester-house, and received 250l. from the Prince of Wales.
The newspapers of December 1721, mention the revival of an antient custom upon the eve of great festivals; which was the Lord Mayor's visiting the Markets in person, to solicit contributions of provisions for the poor. It is said that his lordship was very successful at this period.