"That a public workhouse or workhouses, hospital or hospitals, house or houses of correction, be established in proper places, and under proper regulations, in each county.
"That in such workhouses all poor persons able to labour be set to work, who shall either be sent thither, or come voluntarily for employment.
"That in such hospitals, foundlings, or other poor children not having parents able to provide for them, be taken care of; as also all poor persons impotent or infirm.
"That in such houses of correction, all idle and disorderly persons, vagrants, and such other criminals as shall be thought proper, be confined to hard labour.
"That toward the charge of such workhouses, hospitals, and houses of correction, each parish be assessed or rated; and that proper persons be empowered to receive the money so to be assessed or rated, when collected; also all voluntary contributions or collections, either given or made for such purposes," &c. &c.
Whether Bancroft was influenced by having viewed the state of the poor in the same light, or whether he acted from an innate impulse of charity, is of little importance at present; but it is certain that his alms-houses were most opportunely erected in 1735, to supply part of the wants of the community, on the ground at Mile-end, where a fair was previously held. This gentleman left 28,000l. to accomplish his intentions; which were, that 24 houses should be built for 24 aged men, a school-room for 100 poor boys, two houses for as many masters, and a chapel, under the direction of the company of Drapers[47:A].
A person who concealed his name gave, in May, 1736, the sum of 1000l. to each of the following charities: the Society for propagating the Gospel in foreign parts; for the Augmentation of poor livings; and the Corporation of the Sons of the Clergy; with 500l. for the promotion of Christian knowledge.
The Prince of Wales sent the Lord Mayor 500l. in January 1737, to be applied in discharging poor freemen from prison, by the payment of their debts and fees.