Volume 1

An historical account of the origin, progress, and present state of Bethlem Hospital. Founded by Henry the eighth, for the cure of lunatics, and enlarged ... for the reception and maintenance of incurables / [Thomas Bowen].

  • Bowen, Thomas, -1800.
Date:
1783
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An historical account of the origin, progress, and present state of Bethlem Hospital. Founded by Henry the eighth, for the cure of lunatics, and enlarged ... for the reception and maintenance of incurables / [Thomas Bowen]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    [ >« ] Table lunatics! The good, that would arlfe from the improvement of fo excellent an inftitution, is certain and undoubted, and from that a&ive fpirit of humanity, and rational benevolence which peculiarly adorns the Britifb name, we may hope, that, this great work will not be left defedive and incomplete. The government of the royal hof- pitals, as lately eftablifbed by parliament, affords ample fecurity to the charitable benefador, that his good intentions will receive their accom- plifbment.* The wealthy and munificent city of London, affoci- ated with the guardians of each charity, cherifhes in her bofom, and folders with her care thofe endowments, which the liberality of Henry, and the piety of Edward committed to her adminifiration.— That this happy union will operate to the relief of the diftrefled poor, there can be little doubt. The friends of the hofpital of Beth- lem form the mold fanguine expedations, that their ability to alleviate the greateld of all human calamities will be enlarged and extended; they hope to effed the purpofes they have in view, and entertain full confidence, that, the generous alMance of the opulent and the good, will enable them, in an eminent degree, to lessen the evils oi HUMANITY. FINIS. * A conteft had long fubfifted between the common-council of the city of London and the a&ing governors of all the royal hofpitals; the former claiming a right to be admitted govern¬ ors in virtue of the feveral royal charters. This drfpute has been happily fettled by a compro- mife which allows the admiflion of twelve of the common-council to each hofpital. Application, was made to parliament in 1782, and a bill paffed, which fully eftablilhes this agreement, and the friends of thefe noble charities have now the fatisfa&ion to be allured that the government of them is fettled in a mode beft calculated to promote their profperity*