St. Luke’s day, when the name of that saint was given as its patron.
Though the building is convenient and well enlightened with two rows of
windows, it is a very singular structure. In the center of the west
front is the entrance, adorned with coupled Doric pilasters; and to this
door is an ascent by a small strait flight of steps. Over the entrance
is a round window, and on each side a small tower covered with a dome,
and ornamented with two windows in front, one of the usual form, and
another over it, answering to that over the door. The tower is carried
up square, and behind it the roof of the church forms to the west a kind
of pediment, broken by the rise of the tower to which it joins on each
side. The uppermost stage of the tower diminishes very considerably, and
this, which is the base of an obelisk, supports on each side a dial.
From hence rises, as a steeple, a fluted obelisk, which reaches to a
great height, diminishing slowly, and being of a considerable thickness
towards the top, the upper edges are sloped off. In short, the whole is
terminated by a ball and fane.
The advowson of this church is in the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s,
and it is not to be held _in commendam_; all licences and dispensations
for that purpose being declared void by the act abovementioned.
_St._ LUKE’S HOSPITAL _for lunatics_, a neat and very plain structure,
at the north end of Moorfields. Nothing is here expended in ornament,
and we only see a building of considerable length plaistered over and
whitened, with ranges of small square windows, on which no decorations
have been bestowed.
This hospital, which takes its name from its being situated in St.
Luke’s parish, is supported by private subscriptions, and is designed as
an improvement upon Bethlem, which was incapable of receiving and
providing for the relief of all the unhappy objects for whom application
was made.
Some of the reasons for setting on foot this kind and generous design,
were, the expence and difficulty attending the admission of a patient
into the hospital of Bethlem, which had discouraged many applications
for the benefit of that charity, particularly on the behalf of the more
necessitous objects, and of such who resided in the remote parts of this
kingdom. By this unavoidable exclusion and delay many useful members
have been lost to society, either by the disease gaining strength beyond
the reach of physic, or by the patients falling into the hands of
persons unskilled in the treatment of this disorder. And many of the
unhappy persons afflicted with it, have from this delay, and the want of
being put under the care of those experienced in guarding against their
attempts, frequently committed the most fatal acts of violence on
themselves, their relations and attendants. Had they joined this to
Bethlem hospital, it would have deprived it of two of its principal
advantages, the being under the immediate inspection and government of
its own patrons and supporters; and of introducing more gentlemen of the
faculty to the study and practice of one of the most important branches
of physic.
In this hospital patients are taken in according to the order of time in
which the petitions of their friends have been delivered to the
Secretary, without favour or partiality. They are even admitted without
any expence, except only such as are parish poor must have their bedding
provided, and this they are at liberty to take away at their discharge.
On the admission of every patient, two responsible housekeepers,
residing within the bills of mortality, must enter into a bond to the
Treasurer for the time being, in the penalty of 100l. to take away such
patient within seven days after notice given them for that purpose by
the committee, or their Secretary. These securities must leave their
names with their places of abode in writing, delivered to the Secretary
at least four days before such admission, and must be approved of by the
committee: but no Governor is to be security for any patient.
The patients in this hospital are not exposed to public view; and no
money received for the use of this charity, is expended in entertaining
the general court of committee at any of their meetings.
But no person is to be admitted who has been a lunatic above twelve
calendar months; or has been discharged as incurable from any other
hospital for the reception of lunatics; or who has the venereal disease;
is troubled with epileptic or convulsive fits, or is deemed an ideot;
nor any woman with child.
The general committee receive immediately into the hospital any patient
who shall have been discharged cured, in case such patient relapses
within two months. The general committee also take in by rotation such
patients as are discharged uncured; but each of them is to pay 5s. _per_
week, till the charity is enabled to lessen that expence: but the number
of these in the house are not to exceed twenty.
_An abstract of the rules with respect to the Governors, &c._
I. Every person paying twenty guineas or upwards, or paying five
guineas, and signing an agreement to pay the same sum for the four next
succeeding years, is admitted a Governor, except all persons acting as
Physician, Surgeon, Apothecary, or Secretary to this hospital, (other
than the six Apothecaries declared Governors at the general meeting held
on the 29th of June 1750.)
II. For transacting the business of this hospital, a general court is
held twice every year, viz. on the second Wednesday in the months of
February and August, and at such general courts as are herein after
mentioned, and every general court consists of nine Governors.
III. At the general court held annually on the second Wednesday in the
month of February, one President, four Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, a
general Committee, Physician, Surgeon, Apothecary, and Secretary, are
elected for the year ensuing. And no person acting as Physician,
Surgeon, or Apothecary to any other hospital or infirmary, can be
Physician, Surgeon, or Apothecary to this hospital.
IV. All questions are determined by the majority of Governors present,
on holding up of hands, or by a division, or by a ballot, in case it is
required by seven or more Governors before a division is begun; and in
all cases of an equality of votes, the person presiding for the time
being has the casting vote. In all debates the person speaking stands
up, and addresses himself to the chair, and no person is to speak more
than once to the same question without leave.
V. At the general court to be held annually on the second Wednesday in
August, a special committee of seven Governors, who are not of the
general committee, are appointed to audit and examine the several
accounts relating to this hospital, and report their opinion of such
accounts to the general court held on the second Wednesday in February
following,
VI. The President has power to order special general courts to be
summoned as often as he thinks necessary: and, upon every vacancy in the
office of Treasurer, Physician, Surgeon, Apothecary, or Secretary, a
general court is summoned to meet, in order to fill up the vacancy. But
no person is intitled to vote at such general court, unless he has paid
his subscription money on or before the day in which the vacancy is
declared.
VII. The general committee consists of the President, Vice-Presidents,
and Treasurer for the time being, and of the five Governors named as
lessees in the lease of the ground on which the hospital is built, and
of all persons who have paid 100l. or upwards for the use of the
hospital; and of such twenty-four Governors residing within the bills of
mortality, as are annually elected for that purpose at the general court
held on the second Wednesday in February, of which committee five at
least are necessary to do business. They meet one stated day in every
month, or oftener if they see convenient, and at such other times as the
Treasurer, or any sub-committee for the time being appoint. And have
power to hire, govern, and discharge the domestic servants of this
hospital, to keep the buildings properly repaired, and purchase
provisions, furniture, and other necessaries for the same: To admit and
discharge patients: To see that the several books relating to the
hospital be regularly kept: That all debts, legacies, annual
subscriptions, and other revenues of this hospital be received and
recovered as the same shall respectively become due: That all moneys in
the hands of the Treasurer, above what is necessary in the opinion of
the said committee for defraying the current expences of the hospital,
be from time to time placed out in transferable government securities,
and no other, in the names of the Treasurer for the time being, and two
of the Vice-Presidents, or of two such other Governors as the general
court shall appoint for that purpose: and that all just demands be
regularly discharged at least once in six months. The committee have
power to relieve any patient at his or her discharge with any sum not
exceeding 20 s.
VIII. For the more easy dispatch of business, this committee has power
to summon sub-committees, one of which is called the house committee;
and such sub-committees have power to summon the general committee as
often as they think proper.
IX. All purchases of provisions, and other materials for the use of the
hospital, are to be made as often as possible by contract. But no
contract is to be made by which any member of the committee is directly
or indirectly concerned,
X. A book intitled The Visitor’s book, is kept in the hospital, for the
Governors to enter complaints of any neglect or misconduct in the
officers or servants, these complaints being signed by such Governor’s
name, are taken into consideration, and redressed by the committee.
XI. The Physician, who is allowed to have the liberty of pupils, attends
every committee day, and one other day in the week, and as often
otherwise as there is occasion. The Surgeon also attends the hospital
every weekly committee day, and as often as there is occasion; and the
six Apothecaries who generously attend and administer their medicines
gratis, are there monthly by rotation, attending every weekly committee
day, and two other days in the week, and as often at other times as
there is occasion.
XII. That every officer or servant who shall take any fee, gratuity or
reward, directly or indirectly, from any tradesman or other person
dealing with this hospital, patient, or friend of any patient, in
respect of any service done or to be done, shall forthwith be
discharged, and rendered incapable of being received again into the
service of this hospital. Except that it shall be lawful for the
Secretary of this hospital, upon his waiting on every Governor with a
staff and a printed copy of the rules and orders of this hospital, to
accept of a fee not exceeding one guinea.
Before we conclude this article it is proper to observe, that though
this hospital was opened so lately as the 30th of July 1751, yet so
great has been the encouragement it has met with, that on the 18th of
August 1758, the clear estate of the hospital amounted to 14,502l. of
which 14,200l. were in three _per cent._ East India annuities. At that
time the number of discharged cured, amounted to 247, and those uncured
to 138. Fifty patients were in the house; besides 20 patients who had
been before discharged, and received again at 5s. _per_ week.
LUKENER’S _lane_, Drury lane.†
LUMBER _court_, West street, Soho.
LUMLEY’S _Almshouse_, in Pest-house fields, near Old street, was erected
by the Viscountess Lumley, in the year 1672, for the accommodation of
six poor women of the parishes of Bishopsgate and Aldgate; to each of
whom she granted an allowance of 4l. and twelve bushels of coals _per
annum_.
LUMLEY’S _court_, in the Strand.†
LUMLEY’S _street_, Marsham street.†
LUNN’S _court_, White’s yard.†
LUTKIN’S _corner_, Mill street.†
LYING-IN HOSPITAL, for married women, in Brownlow street, Long Acre.
Amidst the variety of charities that are the distinction and glory of
this age and nation, perhaps none has been proposed to the public more
extensive in its benefits than the hospitals in this city for lying-in
women. It is natural to observe, that the arguments for establishing any
hospital, are at least as strong when applied to these. Poverty is an
object of pity; sickness and poverty united seem to comprehend all the
natural evils of life, and how great is the calamity of those poor who
are frequently or periodically afflicted with sickness; and though their
labour is at other times a bare support, are annually disqualified for
providing for themselves and families! During the latter part of their
pregnancy, and the time of their lying-in, the needy family is wholly
taken up in attendance upon them; and the joys natural at such a season,
are suppressed by the wants which surround them. Or if they be destitute
of this attendance, how great is the hazard that the helpless mother, or
the child, or perhaps both, may by their deaths become melancholy
instances of the evils of real poverty!
By the plan of this hospital, every convenience these distressed objects
can require, is amply provided; commodious apartments and beds, good
nursing, plain suitable diet, proper medicines, the charitable
assistance of gentlemen of skill and experience in midwifery, and, on
due occasions, the spiritual comfort of a sober and pious divine.
Between the 7th of December 1749, when women were first admitted, and
the 12th of April 1751, 299 patients received orders of admission; and
the number of patients greatly increasing, four small houses contiguous
to the back of the hospital were added to it, and fitted up at a great
expence.
Women are received into this hospital in the last month of their
pregnancy, on producing a letter of recommendation from a Governor, and
making an affidavit of their marriage and their husband’s settlement,
which affidavit is prepared for them _gratis_ by the Secretary; and
where the husband cohabits with the wife, he is to join in the
affidavit, unless prevented by sickness, or some other reasonable
impediment. It is also required, that the women produce a testimonial of
their honesty and poverty, under the hands of two substantial
housekeepers in the neighbourhood where they lodge or reside, in case
the weekly board shall, on examination, doubt of their being in such
circumstances as to be proper objects of the charity.
Friday being the day appointed for the admission of women, they are to
be at the hospital by ten o’clock in the forenoon, no letters of
recommendation being received after that hour, it being necessary, for
the dispatch of the business of the hospital, that their affidavits
should be prepared and sworn to, before the weekly board sits, who enter
upon business at eleven.
During their continuance in the house, necessaries are provided for them
and their children, at the sole charge of the hospital; no money or
other gratuity is to be taken of them by the nurses, or by any of the
officers or servants of the house, on any pretence whatsoever.
That this excellent charity may be rendered more extensively useful to
the public, and that not only this great metropolis, but the remotest
parts of the kingdom may be supplied with well-instructed and
experienced midwives, four female pupils at a time are permitted to
attend the hospital, in order to their being instructed in midwifery.
These pupils must be widows or married women, not less than twenty-five
years of age, of a sober character, and such as are approved of by the
committee. These are allowed to stay and board six months in the
hospital, during which they dine at the steward’s and matron’s table.
The gentlemen of the faculty who attend the hospital, at stated times,
give them lectures in midwifery, and instruct them how to act in all
natural and difficult births. And when they are thoroughly instructed,
and sufficiently experienced, they receive from these gentlemen, on
their leaving the hospital, certificates of their qualification. The
expences of their instruction and board in the hospital have been
settled at a general court; the particulars of which any persons
desirous of becoming pupils may be informed of, by applying to the
matron of the hospital. But no pupils of the male sex are permitted to
attend this hospital.
The officers of this hospital, are, a perpetual President, four
Vice-Presidents, and a Treasurer, who are chosen annually.
Two Physicians, and two Surgeons, practising midwifery, deliver the
women in difficult cases. These gentlemen also meet at the hospital in
consultation every Tuesday morning.
A Chaplain reads divine service in the hospital, baptizes the children,
churches the women, and performs the necessary duties belonging to his
function.
An Apothecary prepares such medicines as are prescribed for the women
and children.
A Secretary keeps the accounts of the hospital, attends at general
meetings, and weekly boards, and does all other business commonly done
by the Secretaries, Clerks, or Registers at other hospitals.
A Steward takes care of the provisions and furniture, and does such
other business as belongs to his office.
A Matron, well skilled in midwifery, delivers the women in easy, natural
labours, takes care of the women, superintends the nurses, and sees
every thing necessary for the women and children provided according to
the direction of the Physicians and Surgeons. She has under her an
assistant matron.
All officers and servants of the hospital, above the rank of assistant
matron, a messenger, and nurses, are elected by ballot at a general
court of the Governors: and on any vacancy, the day of election for
filling it up is appointed at least one month, and not more than three
months, from the day such vacancy happens, unless directed otherwise by
an express order of a general court: but the inferior servants are
appointed by a weekly committee.
The qualification of an annual Governor of this charity is a
subscription of three guineas or upwards _per annum_; and of a perpetual
Governor, the payment of thirty guineas at one time, which intitles the
subscriber to recommend, and have in the house one woman at a time. A
subscription of six guineas a year, or a payment at once of sixty,
intitles the subscriber to have in the house two women at a time, and
so, in proportion, for larger sums.
Ladies subscribing the like sums have the privilege of recommending
women in the same manner as Governors. They have likewise a right of
voting in all elections at general courts, for officers and servants, by
proxy, provided such proxy be a Governor of this charity; or they may
send a letter to the board without a proxy, naming the person they vote
for, which is regarded as their vote: but no Governor is to be proxy for
more than one lady at a time.
Benefactions or subscriptions of smaller sums than those abovementioned,
are thankfully received, and properly applied to the use of the charity.
A general meeting of the Governors is held every quarter; and the sole
power of making laws and rules for the government of the hospital is
lodged in this general court.
A committee of fifteen Governors is chosen at each quarterly general
court; of whom the Treasurer for the time being is always one, and any
number of these may transact business. Every Friday morning they meet at
the hospital, to receive the women recommended, and to direct the
ordinary affairs of the house. Temporary orders are made by this
committee for the service of the hospital; but a report of these and all
their other proceedings, are made to the quarterly general court. Any
Governor of the charity may be present at this weekly committee; but
none have a right of voting there, except those who are members of the
committee, and the President or Vice-Presidents, if present. The same
rule extends to all other committees.
A special general court may, on a fortnight’s notice, be called at any
time between the quarterly courts, either by order of a general court,
or of the weekly committee; or at the demand of the Treasurer, or of any
five of the Governors; this demand being delivered in writing at the
weekly board, and signed with their respective names; the business of
such special court to be expressed in this writing, and in the summons
to the Governors. _From the account of this hospital published by order
of the Governors._ See LONDON LYING-IN HOSPITAL.
This, and the London hospital for lying-in women, must be allowed to be
truly noble charities; but many have thought them too limited, as the
relief afforded to poor distressed women in a situation that calls upon
humanity to lend them help, ease, and comfort, is confined to those who
are married: and the more unhappy women, who have the sting of guilt
added to pain, are excluded from receiving the least benefit from those
foundations. The following hospital has therefore been founded on a more
extensive plan.
LYING-IN HOSPITAL, in Duke street, Grosvenor square, for unmarried as
well as married women, who are here received and relieved, in order to
prevent the unhappy consequences that too often proceed from their
situation; such as perjuries, false affidavits, and that most formidable
and unnatural of all crimes, the murder of their poor guiltless infants.
To prevent these dreadful effects, every convenience is here amply
provided for them, commodious apartments and beds, good nursing, plain,
suitable diet, proper medicines, the charitable assistance of gentlemen
of skill and experience in midwifery, and, on due occasions, the
spiritual comfort of a sober, pious, and exemplary divine.
This hospital, which first began in Jermyn street, St. James’s, and was
from thence removed into Duke street, is governed by a President, a
Vice-President, and a Treasurer, annually elected out of the Governors,
greatest benefactors to this charity; by a general court of Governors
held in the months of March, June, September, and December, to take the
reports of the committees; and by a house committee who inspect accounts
and transact such business as is laid before them.
At the general quarterly courts a physical committee is appointed out of
the Physicians, Men-midwives, Surgeons, and Apothecaries, who are to
meet once a month to examine the medicines and drugs brought into the
dispensatory, and none are suffered to be used without their
approbation.
Two Physicians and two Surgeons attend twice a week on extraordinary
cases; a Surgeon and Man-midwife, in great business in the
neighbourhood, gives attendance at any hour of the day or night he is
called for, particularly from eleven of the clock till one, every day;
and such objects as come within these hours, have advice in physic and
surgery, without fee or reward, whether recommended or accidental.
No officers or servants are permitted, on pain of expulsion, to take any
fee, reward, or gratuity whatsoever, of patients or other persons, for
any service done or to be done in this hospital.
Every Governor or subscriber is intitled to send one in-patient at a
time, and out-patients without limitation. All subscriptions are during
pleasure; but all persons are requested to pay at the time of
subscribing. Those who contribute two guineas a year are Governors while
they continue their subscription, and those who give 20l. at one
payment, are Governors during life, and have a vote and interest at the
committees, and their attendance is esteemed a favour; but those who
subscribe less than two guineas _per annum_, are only subscribers.
The poor women recommended by the Governors and subscribers are received
on Wednesdays and Fridays, from eleven o’clock till one. _From the
account of this hospital published by order of the Governors._
For the other lying-in hospitals, besides the two above mentioned, see
the articles LONDON LYING-IN HOSPITAL, and MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL.
LYON’S INN. See _Lion’s Inn_.
[Illustration]
M.
MACCLESFIELD _street_, Gerrard street, Soho.
MADDOX _street_, Swallow street.†
MAGGOT’S _court_, Piccadilly.†
MAGDALEN HOUSE, for the reception of penitent prostitutes, in Prescot
street, Goodman’s fields, is a plain, neat building, with a wall and a
small area before it. To prevent these penitents being exposed to the
public eye, the windows next the street are concealed by wood work
sloping up from the bottom of each, so as to admit the light only at the
top; the sides are also inclosed, so that there is no possibility of
these once unhappy women either seeing or being seen by any person who
passes by. This sloping projection of the blinds, placed in a regular
series before all the windows in each story, and painted white like the
walls, has a very singular appearance; for, at a distance, the house
seems falling into the street.