Security to bury Patients who die in the Hoſ⯑pital, or to lodge a Depoſit equal to the Expence that ſuch Interment may amount to.

THIS regulation appears to me fraught with cruelty and inhumanity; as it is un⯑doubtedly the cauſe of ſeveral of the moſt unhappy of our fellow-creatures breathing their laſt in the poor and obſcure environs of this extenſive metropolis!

Every patient is (according to this law or regulation) obliged to find one or two houſe⯑keepers, to ſubſcribe to an undertaking to bury him, in caſe he dies in the hoſpital; and unleſs he can procure ſuch reſponſi⯑bility, or advance a ſtipulated depoſit him⯑ſelf, to defray the incidental expence, what⯑ever may be his claim to humanity, from the complicated wretchedneſs of his con⯑dition, [22]he is utterly precluded admiſſion. The degrading vice of ſelf-intereſt, which in a great meaſure pervades all deſcriptions of mankind, will immediately point out the inſurmountable difficulties which will attend—a friendleſs—ſickly—and pennyleſs individual in procuring ſuch reſponſibility! But this is not the only inſtance which ſhews a manifeſt perverſion of the inten⯑tion of thoſe temples of compaſſion!— Though it is enough to ſhew, that at pre⯑ſent the internal as well as external regula⯑tions of them are only directed to the re⯑lief of ſuch as are in part diſtreſſed, thoſe that are wholly ſo, they ſeem to think, ſhould remain ſo—as is ſufficiently evinced in the inſtance now under conſideration! Why ſhould not this inexorable law be diſpenſed with, in caſes where there is not the leaſt human likelihood of the patient's dying in the hoſpital? And in caſes where ſuch a fatality may with juſtice be apprehended— is not (though ſhocking to humanity to relate) the wretched objects body a ſuffi⯑cient forfeiture for this temporary mitiga⯑tion of the calamities which terminate with life!

Having now pointed out ſome of the Enormi⯑ties of the Servants, I ſhall take the Liberty of making ſome Obſervations on the Con⯑duct of the Gentlemen belonging to the Hoſpitals.

Immediately antecedent to a patient's diſ⯑charge from the hoſpital, he paſſes through a very ridiculous unneceſſary formality:— He is called into a room where the Phyſi⯑cians and Surgeons attend, and aſked—If he has any complaint againſt the ſiſters or nurſes, &c. In the name of common ſenſe I would aſk—admitting he had—Of what conſequence would it, or could it be, to ſay ſo then? What advantage would reſult to him, to tell the gentlemen, That he was not treated with the tenderneſs he expect⯑ed? and which from the intention, as well as conſtitution of the charity, ſhould be ſhewn him? or that the peculiar circum⯑ſtances of his complaint demanded:—Of what utility could it poſſibly be to him, juſt at the moment he was to be diſcharged, to ſay, he was not tenderly or carefully nurſ⯑ed. Such information now, would, like a malicious accuſation, eſpecially when it could not have for its object the redreſs of [24]ſuch grievances, as to himſelf! Had theſe queſtions been propoſed to him during his reſidence in the hoſpital, for inſtance (the firſt week after his admiſſion) the fear of incurring the diſpleaſure of the gentlemen might exact that tenderneſs from the ſiſters and nurſes, which the fear of violating the obligations of humanity could no. This therefore I take to be an after-piece of at⯑tention, and conſequently nugatory and unavailing: for if any thing can equal its abſurdity, it is its palpable inutility.

Without intending the leaſt diſparage⯑ment to the reſpectibility of their profeſ⯑ſion, or the integrity of their principles, I would earneſtly recommend to theſe gen⯑tlemen a more humane regard to the feel⯑ings of their unhappy patients. I have fre⯑quently heard, and beheld with aſtoniſh⯑ment, gentlemen who arrived to the higheſt pitch of eminence in their profeſ⯑ſion, uſe exceeding harſh language and ap⯑parently unfeeling treatment to their pati⯑ents, when in the moſt agitating mental anxiety, and under the moſt excruciating corporeal pain. This is a conduct which is by no means reconcileable to the dignity of the gentleman, the ſenſibility of the man, or the profeſſion of a ſurgeon. Peo⯑ple of this aſſumed or natural auſterity of [25]manners, ſhould reflect, that there are ſome conſtitutions ſo delicately conſtructed by nature, that though they have arrived to maturity in years, are but infants in the great virtues of patience and reſignation; and conſequently require the ſame cordia⯑lity and affability in their treatment.

Another prevailing practice in an hoſpital, and which, to excite general indignation, needs only to be mentioned, is, That if a Surgeon's patient has the misfortune to have a leg or an arm dangerouſly afflicted, am⯑putation is immediately propoſed, without any previous conſultation, whether a poſ⯑ſibility exiſts of effecting a cure, without having recourſe to this deſperate alterna⯑tive! Surely in a matter of ſuch magni⯑tude to human nature, as the mutilation or diſſolution (which frequently follows it) of one of our ſpecies, it merits the utmoſt profeſſional deliberation, before ſuch unre⯑lenting reſolutions are decidedly adopted.— For, excluſive of the horrible fears that an⯑ticipation unavoidably excites in the pa⯑tient's mind, preparatory to amputation, the excrutiating pain of the operation muſt be indeſcribeably great! Why then wanton⯑ly or incautiouſly condemn a fellow-crea⯑ture to ſuch intolerable pains of mind and [26]body, if there are any poſſible human means to avoid it!

But long experience and impartial obſer⯑vation ſuggeſt to me a conſideration, which at the ſame time that it accounts for this inhuman premature propenſity to amputa⯑tion, reflects very little honour on the prin⯑ciples of the chirurgical tribe, which is,— That experiments of this deſperate nature are made on the POOR, that they may be practiced with more probability of ſucceſs on the RICH. Though this is a harſh imputation, yet I conſcientiouſly believe it to be true in vari⯑ous inſtances; but, for the honour of hu⯑man nature, I hope there are a number of exceptions to it.

Indeed I am confident to aſſert, and ready to prove, that in many inſtances, there is not that attention paid to hoſpital patients that there ought to be; for, unleſs ſome ſingular affliction attracts the attention of the gentlemen, the patients frequently lan⯑guiſh under common complaints with as little proſpect of redreſs in the hoſpital, as out.

In order to the ſubſtantiating what is al⯑ledged above relating to amputation, I ſhall recite the following inſtance, which came under my own immediate knowledge.

Some few years ago there was a patient in St. Bartholomew's Hoſpital, who labour⯑ed under a violent inflammation in his left arm: a certain great profeſſional character, whoſe amputating abilities are as univerſal⯑ly known as admired, ordered amputation immediately on the firſt ſight of the arm, without ever conſulting the patient, or giv⯑ing himſelf a moment's time to enquire into his habit of body, or diſpoſition of mind, on ſo momentous an event. The man anticipated his advice from his general character, but abſolutely refuſed to comply with it, very rationally conſidering, that if a courſe of medicine was preſcribed, for the purpoſe of correcting and purifying the blood, it would probably abate the in⯑flammation, and on that event's taking place, external applications might operate more effectually. This reaſonable expec⯑tation was ſoon afterwards juſtified, for in leſs than the ſhort ſpace of a month, the patient was diſcharged from the hoſpital with his arm perfectly healed! a living mo⯑nument of the cruelty and juſtice of hav⯑ing recourſe to amputation, unleſs in caſes where the unequivocal ſymptoms of mor⯑tification make it indiſpenſibly neceſſary. I have every reaſon to apprehend the in⯑ſtances of ſuch cruel inattention are not few, nor the ſtill more cruel conſequences [28]with which they are attended; nor can the circumſtance of this unrelenting practice, not being more generally known, in the leaſt invalidate the probability of thoſe humane apprehenſions being juſt, as can be very rationally inferred from the caſe juſt mentioned.

Reſpecting the Clergyman who attends the Hoſpital.

Having now repreſented what bodily in⯑conveniencies patients labour under, I ſhall proceed to examine the inattention ſhewn to the ſtill more exalted and important concern, their ſouls.

Ingratitude, it is juſtly obſerved, is a crime of Syrian dye; but alas! it is a crime from which very few of the human race can plead an exemption; particularly to that ſupreme Being whoſe mercies to us demand our moſt animated gratitude! while in the meridian of health and proſperity we neglect thoſe great duties we ought to perform, and which, when deſcended under the clouded horizon of ſickneſs and adverſity, we cannot perform. It is in this ſtate the mind reſumes its ſalutary attribute of reflection—It is then ſhe would wiſh, by a life of prudence and penance in fu⯑ture, [29]to ward off calamities which ante⯑cedent intemperance or impiety make her dread for the preſent, both as to body and ſoul! When the human mind is in this ſuſceptible diſpoſition, a wiſe and humane clergyman ſhould avail himſelf of its ſitu⯑ation (as in it we are more inclined to hear and follow good advice than at any other time) by viſiting patients in ſuch ſituati⯑ons, and admoniſhing them to refrain from a repetition of thoſe irregularities, which perhaps laid the foundation of their preſent ſickneſs; and that ſuch ſickneſs was the conſequent puniſhment, of their criminal neglect of the performance of their religi⯑ous duty:" or in any other pathetic manner, that the love or duty of Chriſtianity might dictate.—For, as the ſtate of heat, in me⯑tallic ſubſtances, is the ſtate wherein they are made capable to aſſume new or beau⯑tiful forms, ſo the ſtate of affliction is the ſtate to mould the human mind to every purſuit that is congenial to the dignity of its nature. But, I am extremely ſorry to ſay, that there is very little attention paid to the diſcharge of this indiſpenſible duty in an hoſpital; more eſpecially at the time that it is moſt neceſſary, towards the ap⯑proach of death!—For, it is truly lamen⯑table to ſee, how ſhamefully negligent in this momentous concern, are the people [30]about an expiring wretch in an hoſpital— to whom cuſtom, joined to innate inſenſi⯑bility, has made it as indifferent to ſee a patient leaving the world, as leaving the hoſpital! This conduct is not only in⯑human, but impious in the higheſt degree; as at this awful tremendous moment, de⯑ſponding fears and infidel doubts find an eaſy conqueſt of a mind, which, though not ſtrengthened by Chriſtian philoſophy, is conſiderably weakened by diſeaſe. This, therefore, is the time to adminiſter to the exhauſted mind the lenient balſam of Chriſtianity, by infuſing into the anxious, trembling, palpitating ſoul a conviction, a hope, and a belief of its divine and merci⯑ful author's protection in a future ſtate! I would not dwell ſo long on this matter, but from an internal conviction, that vir⯑tue and good morals are as often the means of preſerving health, as medicine is in re⯑ſtoring it. A proper method of treating the minds and morals of patients ſhall be pointed out hereafter in its place; that is, immediately after ſuggeſting a plan for the removal or mitigation of all the antecedent bodily inconveniencies alluded to.

The PLAN for Reformation.

Having now ſhewn the neglect and abuſe of hoſpitals, I ſhall proceed to the method of correcting them; and in their room to recommend regulations which, if adopted, will be productive of the moſt ſalutary ef⯑fects, with very little additional expence to the inſtitutions. For the accompliſhment of this deſirable purpoſe, I would re⯑commend it to the governors, ſubſcribers, &c. to appoint a committee from amongſt themſelves, to be called, The Humane Com⯑mittee, whoſe office might be to examine minutely into the arrangement and treatment of the patients; to diſcover any neglect or inattention to the cure of their reſpective maladies, in order as well to remedy them, as trace out the ſource from which ſuch inhuman negligence originates.

This Committee ſhould have a diſcreti⯑onary power from the governors, &c. to examine, with the moſt ſcrupulous atten⯑tion, the diſpoſition and character of thoſe who are candidates for any office, internal or external, belonging to hoſpitals. In order to have ample ſatisfaction in this momentous particular, I would recommend that each candidate ſhould undergo the following, or ſome ſimilar examination, viz.

What life did they lead antecedent to this particular period? whether moral or debauched? religious or profligate?

What capacity in the commerce of ſoci⯑ety did they fill? whether they diſcharged with probity the relative duties annexed to ſuch employment?

And particularly, what was generally re⯑puted to be the natural bent of their diſ⯑pofition; whether moroſe or humane? for, from the man of humanity, the diſcharge of all ſocial obligation is as reaſonably expected, as their violation is to be appre⯑hended from a man of a contrary ſtamp.

If the candidates could undergo a liberal examination of this tendency, corroborat⯑ed by ſome reſpectable characters of their acquaintance, they might with propriety be admitted, otherwiſe not.

This would infallibly annihilate partial recommendation—the contaminated ſource from which various evils flow to the hu⯑man race—as there is no line of diſcrimi⯑nation or diſtinction drawn by it, between the worthy and unworthy, often beſtowing upon ignorance and inhumanity appoint⯑ments, to which in moral rectitude geni⯑us, [33]us and philanthropy have the juſteſt claim. I am very well convinced from my obſer⯑vations on human nature in the melancho⯑ly ſtages of perturbation of ſpirit, and cor⯑poreal pain, that a patient's cure is as much accelerated by the tenderneſs and humanity of the nurſe, as by the moſt obedient con⯑formity to the preſcriptions of the doctor; and that to effectuate a cure in the body, I hold it abſolutely neceſſary to maintain peace in the mind. It is evident from this, how eſſential it is to the health of a patient, to have an affectionate tender nurſe; and conſequently how neceſſary the precaution here recommended for the admiſſion of ſuch—as alſo the rejection of ſuch others, as do not fall under this denomination.

This committee ſhould have a power of ſuſpending any officer or ſervant already employed in the hoſpitals, on preferring and ſubſtantiating any charge of injuſtice, inattention, or inhumanity againſt them; and alſo of ſubſtituting in their room others, who, after examination, ſhould be found poſſeſſed of the qualifications already particularized.

The committee ſhould conſiſt of about eight perſons, of which number a phyſi⯑cian and ſurgeon ſhould always make two. The neceſſity of adding profeſſional gen⯑tlemen [34]will appear obvious for the follow⯑ing reaſons:

• Firſt. The patients under a phyſician may have a very juſt cauſe of complaint, and though the Humane Society might be diſ⯑poſed to remove it, yet from a want of profeſſional knowledge, they might (through the inſinuations of the ſiſters and nurſes) be induced to believe, that ſuch treatment as the patient received, was neceſſary for the correction of his diſorder; and that it was the doctor's expreſs requiſition to purſue invariably ſuch and ſuch preſcrip⯑tions: a gentleman of the faculty being of the committee, will eaſily diſcover, whe⯑ther the treatment ſuch patient receives is or was adapted to remove his complaints; or whether the proceſs preſcribed is ſancti⯑fied by experience, for being efficacious in removing maladies ſimilar to thoſe under which the patient labours. — If not, the report of the phyſician belong⯑ing to the Humane Committee to the Hu⯑mane Committee at large, would point out an abuſe, which, for want of this profeſ⯑ſional inveſtigation, would remain conceal⯑ed; and which, in my opinion, would de⯑ſerve particular reprehenſion. And if a remonſtrance, from the Humane Committee to ſuch phyſician, did not immediately [35]produce a variation in the ſubſequent treat⯑ment of his patients, a report then to be made to the governors, ſubſcribers, &c. at large, who, on the impartial confirmation of ſuch dangerous inattention, ſhould pre⯑vent a repetition of ſuch delinquency by the ſuſpenſion of its author.
• Secondly, The ſurgeon, to be added to the Humane Committee, to have an equal ſu⯑perintending controul, and unlimited pri⯑viledge of inſpection as the doctor, into the ſurgeons patients, their maladies and manner of treatment; and alſo any neg⯑lect, incapacity, or inattention in thoſe gentlemen, whoſe immediate province it ſhould be to attend this deſcription of pa⯑tients, and to make the neceſſary report as in the caſe of the phyſician.

It is a matter of no conſequence to the unhappy patient, who loſes his health for want of due care, whether his misfortune is attributable to the inhumanity of the nurſe, or the inattention or ignorance of his doctor; and here I cannot avoid obſerv⯑ing, that as much from theſe cauſes, as from any incurable obſtinacy of his diſor⯑der, the patient's diſſolution happens.—Whether abuſes of this magnitude, fraught with conſequences the moſt conſpicuouſly ſubverſive of the original intention of theſe [36]inſtitutions, demand the interpoſition of the protecting hand of humanity, I leave it to the ſenſibility of the feeling mind to determine!

I would not be underſtood here to make the moſt diſtant inſinuation, that the in⯑ſtances are many, where patients ſuffer through the ignorance of the phyſicians or ſurgeons, and even when they do it is more from negligence than any profeſſional inability; for if they will not ſedulouſly examine the patient's complaint, they un⯑doubtedly muſt be ignorant of it, and con⯑ſequently of the moſt efficacious manner of treating it. An imputation of this ſpecies of ignorance they very frequently and very juſtly deſerve. I think inclina⯑tion ſhould co-operate with duty, in expe⯑diting the cure of diſorders which time makes—multiply in malignity—to the in⯑ſupportable multiplication of the unhappy patient's afflictions!

Theſe affecting conſiderations ſhould be particularly attended to by the Humane Committee.

With reſpect to the young gentlemen who walk the hoſpital for information, that levity which is almoſt the inſeparable characteriſtic of youth in any profeſſion, pre⯑vents [37]them from paying that compaſſionate attention to the preſent diſorder (which without being radically cured lays the foundation of the future calamity) of pa⯑tients, that they ſo preſſingly demand.—To remedy this evil, it is indiſpenſibly in⯑cumbent on the ſenior practitioners to re⯑commend by precept, and enforce by ex⯑ample, the humane attention here recom⯑mended, and a doubt cannot remain of ſuch conduct being circumſpectly copied: it would not only imperceptibly introduce a profeſſional, but alſo a humane emulation amongſt them, eſpecially when they con⯑ſider, that humanity gives the higheſt poliſh to their profeſſional character. I muſt aſ⯑ſert with regret, that at preſent, the majo⯑jority of the young gentlemen who walk our different hoſpitals are very little under the dominion of the humane power of ſympathy; for it is no uncommon thing to hear ſome of them (wrapt up in all the coxcombical conſequence [...] of ſelf-admira⯑tion) hum an opera tune while an operation is performing on a fellow-creature. To this perhaps it may be replied, that the frequency of operations and amputations familiarizes them to ſuch affecting ſights, and that there is a profeſſional neceſſity for a ſurgeon's being diveſted of the feminine weakneſs of pity, in deſperate eaſes. To the propriety of this I readily ſubſcribe, ſo [38]far as courage is neceſſary to the perform⯑ance of thoſe hazardous undertakings; but this admiſſion by no means implies, that inſenſibility is a neceſſary qualification in the conſtitution of a ſurgeon: the contrary, as has been already ſhewn, is the caſe. He muſt ſet out with very little humanity in⯑deed, who has loſt it all before he has ac⯑quired ſo much knowledge in his profeſſion as will in ſome ſort apologize for the want of it. But as the conſideration of youth makes this matter as much the object of admonition as reprehenſion, I would re⯑commend it to thoſe young gentlemen to conſider, that humanity will always ſtamp a dignity on the profeſſion, which moroſe⯑neſs will rob it of; and that in their en⯑deavours to become ſurgeons, they ſhould never forget—that they are men—and gen⯑tlemen—appellations, to which a perſeve⯑rance in an unfeeling conduct of this kind, will utterly exclude them from having the leaſt pretentions.

The Humane Committee ſhould viſit the hoſpital every week, that is, a phyſician and three other members, one week; and a ſurgeon and three other members, the next; and ſo on alternately: but if the intervention of any unexpected or extraor⯑dinary circumſtance made it neceſſary, ac⯑cording as each diviſion informed the other, the whole to attend.

That in the courſe of theſe joint exa⯑minations, they ſhould make a report to the governors or ſubſcribers, &c. at their ge⯑neral meetings of every thing, which in the courſe of ſuch enquiry, preſented itſelf to them as a proper object of reformation or correction, which muſt be collected prin⯑cipally from the ſtate and information of the patients—ſuch as inattention, ſeverity, or partiality, or any other inconvenience ariſing to the patients by omiſſion or com⯑miſſion, from the ſervants, nurſes, &c. either by a cenſurable neglect, or a wanton violation of the ſacred obligations of the inſtitution.

It will probably be objected here, by ſome critic who has more imaginary wiſ⯑dom than real humanity, that giving a power of ſo extenſive a latitude to one phyſician and one ſurgeon, as to ſuperin⯑tend the practice and conduct of all the phyſicians and ſurgeons attending each re⯑ſpective hoſpital, where this regulation ſhould be eſtabliſhed, would multiply the evil it was calculated to remove, by being productive of profeſſional alteration. But this objection will be entirely obviated, when it is conſidered, that the phyſician and ſurgeon belonging to the Humane Com⯑mittee being inverted with no further au⯑thority, than to ſee that the patients are [40]not neglected in their reſpective profeſſional department, their office conſequently can⯑not be conſidered as a tribunal to bring characters of well eſtabliſhed abilities in their profeſſion, to the bar of examination. Their abilities are not the ſubject or object of the committee's enquiry: it is the im⯑partial, attentive and humane exerciſe of thoſe abilities which will fall under their inveſtigation. And as the idea of their ſuperior abilities is generally and I think juſtly acquieſced in, ſo the exerciſe of them in the line of their dute ſhould be enforced. Merit, it is true, is the principal recom⯑mendation to any public employment whatever; but it is not the only one, for next to the indiſpenſible neceſſity of know⯑ing any public profeſſional duty is that of ſaithfully performing it. But care ſhould be always taken in accurately drawing a line of diſtinction between accidental and intentional guilt. That is, acting contrary to the ſpirit of the inſtitution from igno⯑rance, or from a depravity of ſentiment. It will in ſuch caſes be in the diſcretion of the Committee to proportion the puniſh⯑ment to the crime.

This committee ſhould be perpetual, as well to prevent future, as to correct preſent abuſes. It ſhould be choſen annually, or quarterly, &c. as the wiſdom of the go⯑vernours [41]ſhould point out, or as the neceſſity of the patients might demand. A ſalary to be appointed to the uſe of the phyſician and ſurgeon, bearing proper proportion to their merit, and the fidelity with which they would be found to diſcharge the humane appoint⯑ment they ſhould be now called to.

Wiſdom and experience have found it ne⯑ceſſary in diſcharging the great commercial conſtitutional duties of the ſtate, to inſtitute reciprocal checques in the different departments of it—and to this inſtitution is principally owing the fidelity with which theſe important truſts are diſcharged. The rule will immedi⯑ately apply to the diſcharge of the offices of humanity in hoſpitals,—and ſurely the one is not leſs important than the other—conſe⯑quently demands an equal vigilance in its ad⯑miniſtration.

I would have the Humane Committee ſee that the clergyman ſhould viſit the hoſpital every day—preparing thoſe that are likely to die, for ſo tremendous a change, and admoniſhing thoſe that are likely to live, to purſue the paths of virtue, as the moſt likely means of preſerving future health, and procuring hap⯑pineſs—for it is an indelible reproach to Chriſtianity, the general neglect of this great—this important conſideration at preſent. And as divines in general are not remarkable for doing more than their duty, I would ſee that [42]in the preſent caſe they ſhould not do [...] leſs. And that this additional labour ſhould not militate againſt their intereſt, they ſhould have an additional ſalary for performing it. This would make their duty their intereſt.—and I believe (without intending any offence to the cloth) I may ſay would be one reaſon why they would perform ſuch duty with alacrity.

Obſervations to enforce the foregoing Motives of Reform.

Though the internal regulations of hoſpi⯑tals may vary in particulars, yet their general object is the ſame. They are all appropriat⯑ed to ſome benevolent purpoſe or other—for the relief of human miſery, in whatever vari⯑ety of ſhapes it may aſſume, and to comfort the comfortleſs. As this is a fact univer⯑ſally known, what I write reſpecting one ap⯑plies to all. I therefore moſt pathetically re⯑commend a general enquiry to be made into the abuſes here complained of—and ſincerely wiſh, that a general reformation may be the conſequence. There cannot be a more ample field for the exerciſe of general benevo⯑lence than ſuch an inveſtigation—and if en⯑tered upon with the ſpirit of unanimity, muſt reſcue the national character from the illiberal, though unjuſt imputation of foreigners, on the intolerable abuſe of our public charities, who ſay, "That there are very few monu⯑ments of our humanity here beſides ſtone!"

I have chalked out the foregoing line for accompliſhing this much-to be-wiſhed-for re⯑formation, without being the leaſt tenacious, whether the plan I have delineated will be literally purſued or not. To the ſuperior wiſ⯑dom of the governors, &c. I implicitly ſub⯑mit my humble efforts, in recommending a better regulation in our hoſpitals than at pre⯑ſent characterizes them, and if the moae I have ſuggeſted does not meet their approbation, as to manner, I have the pleaſure to anticipate it will be adopted as to matter. It is indifferent to me what means are purſued ſo the end is ob⯑tained. An effectual reformation of the a⯑buſes here alluded to, was my motive in tak⯑ing up my pen, and I have a ſecret pleaſure in hoping, that the co-operation of the go⯑vernors, &c. will bring, to a benevolent con⯑cluſion, what I had the good fortune to begin, not doubting, but their humanity will adopt the hint, and their wiſdom point out the moſt effectual means of carrying it into execution.

The French nation (though diſtinguiſhed for peculiar levity and national volatility) are by no means diveſted of the exalted feelings of humanity. Their hoſpitals are many, and under excellent regulations, particularly ſince a reformation of the nature here recommend⯑ed has taken place there, which brought to light a number of enormities that otherwiſe would have lain covered in the oblivion of venality. But there is not ſo extenſive a field [44]for abuſe in their charities as in ours—as in point of wealth our hoſpitals have a decided ſuperiority—and this advantage, which could be converted to the additional accommodation of theſe receptacles of affliction, is one of the ſources from whence the majority of the evils here complained of flow—for, exten⯑ſive wealth will ever give birth to peculation, and peculation to infidelity, in the diſcharge of lucrative truſts.—

As it muſt be admitted, that we frequently copy the faſhionable abſurdities of our Gallic neighbours, let us convince them and the world, that we are alſo capable of imitating their virtues, by adopting a plan ſimilar to that they have purſued, for correcting the flagrant abuſes committed in the adminiſ⯑tration of our public charities: a work, which whoever ſets on foot, that will redound no leſs to their immortal honour, than the endow⯑ments of theſe hoſpitals do to their godlike founders, and will, in conjunction with ſuch dignified names, hand theirs down to the lateſt poſterity, with the veneration and reſpect, that diſintereſtedneſs and humanity will ever re⯑ceive from a ſenſible and generous people.

Humanity is the moſt diſtinguiſhing cha⯑racteriſtic of human perfection—any man di⯑veſted of it, ſhould be diveſted of all the ſo⯑cial privileges of a rational being. It is in [45]man, what mercy is in the gracious author of our exiſtence! and the greateſt poſſible degree of excellence our nature (conſidering its inſeparable imperfections) is capable of arriving at, is to be humane—It comprehends every ſocial obligation that unites man to man. Religion is but a name, and man a two leg⯑ged monſter without it. As humanity is therefore the unadulterated religion of nature, I would wiſh to impreſs this conſequential truth on the minds of mankind; THAT AN EXTERNAL CONFORMITY TO GOSPEL IN⯑JUNCTIONS, CAN NEVER BE ACCEPTABLE TO GOD, UNACCOMPANIED BY INTERNAL MOTIVES OF HUMANITY, AND THE AC⯑TUAL DISCHARGE OF ITS OBLIGATIONS.

The love of God is religion; the love of man, humanity. So that it is evident it is no leſs a Chriſtian duty, "To love God above all things, than our neighbours as ourſelves."— The latter duty, left unperformed, makes the pretentions to the former as abſurd as impious. How neceſſary therefore to recommend and enforce this ſecondary obligation of mankind! eſpecially as our own happineſs is ſo immedi⯑ately connected with the diſcharge of this benevolent duty—as we have the moſt une⯑quivocal aſſurance, from the divine author of our redemption, that if we act with huma⯑nity towards our diſtreſſed brethren, he will act with mercy towards us; that is, if we ſhew benevolence, we ſhall find mercy. This [46]is a conſideration of the greateſt magnitude that can poſſibly attract the attention. or ex⯑erciſe the rational faculties of man! and con⯑ſequently the moſt uſeful to be preached and practiced. This is the religion which every man ſhould openly profeſs and inwardly believe; and in which no man need be aſhamed to live or afraid to die! Humanity with any ſyſtem of Chiſtian religion muſt be acceptable to hea⯑ven; any without it, an abomination!

I hope therefore the united motives of Chriſtianity and humanity will animate every generous ſpark of benevolence in the mind of the governors, &c. (in which thoſe vir⯑tues appeared to be ſuſpended by ſuffering with impunity the abuſes and neglects here complained of), and that they will accord⯑ingly take ſuch neceſſary ſteps as will guard thoſe benevolent inſtitutions from abuſe, neg⯑lect, or degeneracy. What a heart-felt con⯑gratulation it muſt be to them, in every ſub⯑ſequent ſtage of life, to reflect, that at one and the ſame time, they have diſcharged the ſacred duties of Chriſtianity, and complied with the natural dictates of humanity! but, on the contrary, how agonizing would it be to their exalted ſenſibility, to apprehend that thoſe pious and humane intentions ſhould be counteracted by the depravity of the perſons entruſted with the execution of them. The native benevolence of his own mind, prevents a good man from even ſuſpecting that ſuch [47]depraved characters as are here deſcribed, have an exiſtence—his own innate goodneſs being the ſtandard by which he charitably, tho' erro⯑neouſly, eſtimates the characters of others by: but though this unſuſpicious good-nature is the moſt infallible characteriſtic of a generous mind; yet it by no means implies a neceſſary knowledge of mankind, for it is well known, that both in principle and practice, no two diſtinct things, ſtand in more diametric op⯑poſition to one another, than man and man. It is therefore but half of a good man's duty to act well himſelf; the other half conſiſts in making thoſe under his immediate controul act well alſo.

In a matter of ſuch importance to ſociety at large, as the reſtoration of the health of perhaps ſome thouſands, ſo as to be enabled to reſume lives of independent induſtry, too much care cannot be taken, to ſee that the operations for ſo ſalutary a purpoſe are not retarded by the intervention of any ſiniſter or intereſted motives, or even by the neglect of thoſe, whoſe immediate province it is to ſee theſe benevolent purpoſes carried into execu⯑tion. Humanity is capable of degenerating into a criminal forgiveneſs in good-natured minds. From this miſguided notion of its principle, good-natured men frequently for⯑give through compaſſion, what they ought to puniſh through juſtice. This error they are inſenſibly led into by endeavouring to a⯑void [48]the oppoſite character of ſeverity. But, it ſhould be engraved with an damantine pencil, on tablets of the moſt laſting temper⯑ed ſteel, as a maxim for the regulation of the conduct of mankind—That there ſhould always be a WREATH for the ADVOCATES, and a ROD for the ENEMIES of Humanity.

I ſhall make no apology for the above di⯑greſſion, from a conviction, that my humane readers will coincide with me in the opinion, that any deviation from the immediate ſubject which is calculated to enforce the abſolute neceſſity that exiſts of a reformation in our Hoſpitals (and alſo the general good likely to ariſe from it) cannot be conſidered as un⯑intereſting or unimportant.

Should the adoption of the foregoing hints of reformation be thought likely to conduce to the obtaining the ends propoſed, The Hu⯑mane Committee would, in the exerciſe of their new-inveſted authority, inavoidably be preſent⯑ed with numberleſs objects of correction and reformation at the ſame time. This conſider⯑ation reſtrains a great many particulars; which I otherwiſe would here recommend to their attention. But ſhould I have the happineſs to ſee, that theſe labours of mine ſhould be productive of an enquiry into the abuſes al⯑luded to, and that any conſequent reſolutions ſhould be entered into for the final accom⯑pliſhment of ſo benevolent a purpoſe, I will [49]chearfully give any aſſiſtance in the power of my circumſcribed abilities, towards ſuggeſt⯑ing or digeſting a plan, for the better diſpoſi⯑tion and arrangement of the reformation here recommended; and for the facilitating and carrying into execution, ſuch a ſcheme in all its poſſible latitude, and with as little additi⯑onal expence as may be, to the reſpective in⯑ſtitutions.

There is ſhortly, it is reported, a general regulation and reformation intended to take place in our priſons and work houſes by a reviſion of the ſtatutes relating to them. I devoutly wiſh it may be true! for humanity calls loudly for it. Why ſhould the temporary legiſlators of hoſpitals be backward in ſetting or copying ſo laudable an example? The ob⯑jects in hoſpitals have a ſtronger claim to compaſſion than either the inhabitants of priſons or workhouſes, upon this very inte⯑reſting ground of humanity.—That the latter are generally in [...]ealth, and the former gene⯑rally firſt [...]or [...] pain; and it will, I think, be admi [...] without heſitation, that ſickneſs and corpo [...]al pain are the bittereſt ingredients in the [...] cup of life, and conſequently more [...] [...]m [...]diate objects of human com⯑paſſion [...] ſubordinate calamities in⯑cident [...] For—