John Parsons, late of the Post Office, London, did by his Will give a Farm in the Isle of Thanet, in the County of Kent, of the Yearly Value of 100l. unto the President and Governors of the Hospital of Bethlem, for the Use of the poor Lunatick Persons; and did by his Will, over and besdies 500l. to Bridewell, give the Remainder of his Estate, not before in his Will bequeathed, unto the aforesaid Hospital of Bethlem.

Sir Robert Jeffrey, Knt. and Alderman, late President of this Hospital, gave to it by Will 200l. and to Bridewell 200l. more.

'Tis by the help of such Benefactors that this Hospital is enabled to bear their great Charges; for their Yearly Revenues fall much short of their Expences; especially since they have increased the Number af the Patients so much; and whereas, formerly each Patient paid 5s. per Week, now they pay nothing.

This indeed makes a great Application of Persons to the Hospital for the getting in of their Friends, though not fit to be received; not considering, that 'tis an Hospital for Cure, and not an Alms House. Such Patients therefore the Governors think fit to be received, that are furious, raving, and capable of Cure; or if not, yet are likely to be mischievous to themselves or others, and are really Poor.

The late learned Physician Dr. Tyson informed me, that from the Year 1684 to 1703, (during which time he had been ordinary Physician there) there had been in this Hospital 1294 Patients; of which Number had been cured and discharged 890, which is above two Patients in Three; that after some Years casting up the Numbers of Men and Women Patients he found them pretty equal, and very little difference. And though several since his time have had the small Pox in this Hospital, yet not one has dyed of it.

Besides this brief Account of Bethlem, I may add a few Remarks yet farther, of which I have been informed, either from the foresaid Physician Dr. Tyson, or from Deputy Gardiner, the late Treasurer, both deceased.

The Governors of this Hospital, as also that of Bridewel, are chiefly Citizens; but yet some are Noblemen or other Gentlemen of Quality and Wealth.

The President who is the chief Governor, is usually chosen out of such Aldermen of the City as have past the Chair. He presides over all, and is President of Bridewel as well as this. His Business is on Court Days at Bridewel, to examine and judge the Prisoners sent thither, and according to their Crimes, with consent of the Court, directeth their Punishments, and there transacts other Business relating to both Hospitals. He also signeth Warrants for such Patients as are to be sent to Bethlem.

The Treasurer is chosen out of the Governors. His Business is more particularly to take care of the Revenues, as in receiving the Monies, and ordering the necessary Payments. And in the Absence of the President he taketh the Chair at the Courts held at Bridewel, and likewise signeth the Warrants for the Lunaticks to be sent to Bethlem.

And for the greater Ease and Dispatch in transacting the Affairs of both Hospitals, there is Yearly appointed out of the Governors a Committee for each Hospital. The Committee for Bethlem consisteth usually of Thirty six Persons, of whom Six are obliged to attend the Service of the Hospital for two Months, viz. Six for January and July; other Six for February and August, and so on. The usual time of the meeting of the Six is on Saturdays; when they examine the Stewards Accounts for the Week preceding, which being approved is transcribed into a Book and signed by them. They likewise take notice of the Provisions; give Directions about Repairs; view the Patients to be admitted or discharged; and do other Matters that may come before them, as was hinted before. But if any Thing of greater Import happen, it is referred to the General Court. For if they do not presently determine the Matter, they appoint the same Committee, or a larger, to examine into it, and so make their Report to that Court.

The Office of the Clerk is to enter the Names of the Lunaticks, to take the Securities of such as are admitted for Cure, and to gather all the Rents.

They have a Minister also to whom they allow 20l. a Year, whose Office is to visit the Lunaticks, and to instruct and pray with such of them as are capable of it; and to do other Spiritual Offices among them.

Now concerning the Lunaticks themselves, and the Management of them. The Method of admitting Patients into the Hospital is this; that the Patient be brought upon Saturday, when the Committee meets, to be viewed by them and the Physician; and if he be judged a fit Object for that Hospital, then there is a Warrant drawn up by the Clerk of the Hospital, to be signed by the President; or in his Absence by the Treasurer, for his Admittance. And those that put the Patient in are obliged to give Bond to be signed by two Persons, to take him away when discharged the House; or if he dyes to be at the Charge of burying him.

Now those are judged the fittest Objects for this Hospital that are raving and furious, and ca-