Mr. H. proceeds: “Chiefly at his” (the archdeacon’s) “instance, a successful application was made to the legislature for a piece of land near the rectory, 300 feet long by 100 feet wide. This was enclosed with strong palisades, and within were erected a kitchen, or ‘soup-house,’ of stone, 30 feet long and 15 wide, a wooden house, 60 feet by 20 feet, divided into six apartments, capable of accommodating four persons in each. A well was also dug 24 feet deep, and four of the wooden houses which stood on the old site were transported to the new one. The expense of effecting these objects amounted to 1300l. currency, of which about 1000l. currency was raised by subscriptions. This establishment was opened on 8th March, 1837, under the name of the Asylum, and has been providentially raised up to meet, in the most satisfactory manner, the various cases of distress that have occurred since the general emancipation in 1834, and has effectually done away with begging in the streets of St. John’s.”
As leprosy is a frequent disease among the negroes, and, from its contagious character, doubts had arisen upon the propriety of admitting persons suffering from that dreadful complaint into the asylum, it was determined in 1836 to open a subscription list for the purpose of erecting another building for their reception. That they might have the benefit of sea-air and sea-bathing, the site chosen for it was by the sea-side. This building was commenced in 1837, and “although, from want of funds, scarcely one of the two wings could be completed, admission was given to five leprous persons on the 25th of April in that year.” The society, however, “was compelled to declare that, without parochial allowances, the institution must fall to the ground. The claim to such help was at once seen to be most reasonable and highly needful, and the desired combination of parochial with voluntary relief was speedily effected. The legislature granting 600l. currency the following year, the debts were paid off, and the building finished and publicly opened under the title of the Lazaretto, on the 20th June, 1838.”
The Lazaretto consists of “six rooms for females and six for males, capable of accommodating three in each, besides one small room for one person only. The enclosed yard has been, for the most part, converted into plots for provisions, and for keeping poultry in. Some bamboos have been planted, which will in time afford materials for making baskets, about which one of the men is industriously employed, and by the sale of his work contrives to purchase clothes for himself, at half-price, from the Ladies Clothing Society. All the inmates appear thankful and contented, and some have shewn a readiness to receive scriptural instruction that is very pleasing.” Poor creatures! some of them are, indeed, objects for the deepest commiseration, but their sufferings are alleviated as far as possible. Their residence is a delightful situation; the sea-breeze comes so pure from off the bosom of the ocean, that one would suppose disease must fly before it. From the farthest point of the land runs a causeway over to Rat Island, (the promontory already mentioned as being the site of one of the forts,) made about the year 1748, and which is passable at ebb-tide. Upon this promontory, which rises in the form of a steep mount, a lunatic asylum has been built during the past year, (1841,) the legislature having voted a sum for that purpose, for the use of such inmates of the institution as have shewn symptoms of aberration of mind.
In 1838, the legislature gave a further grant of 500l. currency to the society, for the purpose of erecting “a separate ward for the male patients, with ten apartments capable of accommodating four persons in each,” in that part of the establishment situated near the rectory, which was finished and opened on the 15th July, 1839. An iron tank, capable of holding 7000 gallons of water, has been imported from England, and placed in the yard of the same portion of the institution. In 1840, the title of the society was changed from that of “The Asylum” to “The Daily Meal Society’s Infirmary and Lazaretto,” by which latter designation it is now distinguished.
This establishment is, indeed, the only infirmary and hospital in the island, (with the exception of the cast-iron hospital at the Ridge, near English Harbour, for the use of the troops;) and not only the destitute poor of St. John’s, but the poor from all the other parishes are admitted into it, as well as distressed and destitute sailors. The best medical attendance is procured for them; wine and other strengthening nourishment administered to the sick; and three wholesome meals allowed to each individual per day. Bedsteads and bedding are also supplied, there being “in the female ward six, and in the male ward ten furnished apartments, ready for the reception of patients at the shortest notice.”
Nor are these the only accommodations this inestimable charity affords to the poor and distressed of our species, there being seven detached houses on the opposite side of the inclosure, capable of containing two, three, or four persons in each. “In these separate dwellings infirm persons are distributed, whose complaints, habits, or tempers, render it expedient that they should be kept by themselves. One house, fronting the burial-ground, is reserved for the reception of the dead previous to interment, and is used for a dissecting room when required. Eighty inmates can be comfortably accommodated at the infirmary.” The income for the last year, (1841,) including subscriptions, donations, legacies, and parochial relief, was 1361l. 0s. 4½d. currency, the expenditure, 1225l. 4s. 4d.; the latter sum would have been of greater extent was it not from the kindness of many of the Antiguan proprietors, in presenting each a barrel or two of sugar.
Thus have I gone with Mr. Holberton through the “rise and progress of the Daily Meal Society.” Perhaps some of the truly charitable inhabitants of dear old England may be induced to send their mite across the waters in aid of this society, of whose existence they may probably not have been hitherto aware; and as I knew it was out of my power to use more cogent language—language which speaks to the heart—nor advocate the cause so well as our excellent rector, I have therefore quoted so largely from his “brief review,” feeling assured he will pardon me, and hoping my readers will bear with me. In conclusion, I will once more use his words and say—“It is undeniable that the hand of God has been over it to sustain it in its small beginning, to uphold it in every difficulty, and to raise it to its present prosperity. To God, then, be all the praise; and may the success with which He has been pleased to crown the exertions of the society provoke every member and friend of it to increasing diligence in these works of charity, for which there will still be a continual call.”
The next charitable institution to be mentioned is “the Destitute Females’ Friend Society,” or, as it is now termed, “the Female Orphan Society.” This latter title is, however, a misnomer, for but few of the inmates are orphans in the true sense of the word, they being, but with few exceptions, the illegitimate children of black or coloured women, (by white or coloured persons,) whose parents, still alive, are, from penury, incompetent to maintain them, or are living in a state of concubinage, and consequently not proper guides to youth.
This society, which is invaluable, and is well known in England by its first name, although, perhaps, lost sight of in its modernized title, was established about the year 1816. The origin of it was as follows:—
“The attention of a few pious and benevolent individuals of the female sex was called to the situation of an indigent class of coloured children of their own sex, (for whom there was then no parochial relief;) and witnessing with feelings of poignant regret their moral and religious degradation still more than their bodily necessities, they were impelled to exert, in connexion with a few other friends, all their united energies for the amelioration of the condition of these unhappy children, and thereby lessen the evils resulting to the community in general from a generation growing up without religious or moral cultivation. To effect these desirable objects, it was resolved to make an immediate and bold attempt.
“The attempt was bold, because it could not be carried into execution by persons circumscribed in their means of doing it without the concurrence and aid of others like-minded, and of whose co-operation they were not assured. Encouraged, however, by one whose heart devised liberal things, though possessing himself little power to accomplish them from his own resources, but favoured with influence over some who considered themselves as stewards appointed by God to benefit their fellow creatures, and assured by him of competent aid from England, if it could not be obtained in Antigua, a commencement was made by a few subscribers, chiefly respectable coloured persons; and several children were immediately taken to be clothed, fed, and instructed; and when the plan was made known to the community at large, and to other benevolent individuals in England and Scotland, the society, by their generous assistance, grew into its present state of maturity. Such was its origin, and we cannot but observe in it the benefit resulting from a social compact to do good to our fellow creatures—the design to rescue from the paths of the destroyer, and to train in those of piety, industry, and useful occupation, the objects of their care. The success, though not in every instance unfailing, has been considerable. A few, there is reason to hope, are where sin and sorrow cannot enter. Others, as useful domestics, or conductors of their own households, testify to the truth of the fact.
“Three of the elder girls have been sent into creditable situations, with a prospect of comfort to themselves and usefulness to their employers. Four more have been admitted to fill their places. Seventeen are now in the house. The committee would not arrogate to themselves any undue merit; but they gratefully receive the meed of approbation awarded to them by the frequent application they have for the admittance of children, and for girls to fill the place of servants.”