some of the Churches of London and Westminster, commonly on Sundays, at five or six a Clock in the Afternoon; where they have Lectures preached to them by some Godly Ministers, appointed and paid by themselves: And in some Places the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administred to them.

Now in the next Place, because shewing Compassion and the Works of Humanity, is so great a Point of Religion; and so may belong to the Spiritual Consideration of this City: I shall proceed to shew what large Provision is made for the Poor and Needy, and the several Ways used for their Relief: Besides the Publick Hospitals and Workhouses mentioned in the first Book; and the great Store of Liberal Gifts, and many of them Annual, that belong to the several Parishes, and are peculiar to the Poor thereof.

And first, to see what the Charity bestowed upon the Poor in the several Parishes was in former Times, and what it is at present. It was computed by one that lived an hundred Years ago (in the beginning of the Reign of King James I.) to arise in the City and Suburbs to 5000l. or 6000l. by the Year; that is, reckoning 120 Parishes, and one Parish with another to give in Money, Bread, Fewel, &c. 50l. per Annum.

But as to the present State of the City's Charities, the Prisons and Compters have considerable Donations sent them Quarterly from the Companies of London; which were left by Benefactors, and intrusted to those Corporations.

Many well-disposed Citizens do frequently send the Prisoners Relief, unknown who they be; and discharge poor Debtors, by agreeing with their Creditors, and paying their Debts, and setting them free. And several Ministers in London, especially such as belong to the great Parishes in the Suburbs, that abound with poor Housekeepers, have considerable Sums sent them by good Christians (often unknown) to distribute according to their Directions; and where they shall see most need.

Likewise the Bread that is found not sizable, and the Flesh brought to the Markets, that is not good, and so become forfeited, the Lord Maior is accustomed to send to the Prisons and Compters for the supply of the Prisoners there.

There is almost in every Parish a Quantity of Bread weekly, or oftner, given to the Poor of the said Parish, and Cloaths and Coals for Firing yearly bestowed, and oftentimes Money too, for their Relief and Subsistence. So that by these Charities given by the Last Wills of Persons deceased, as also by many of the Wealthier sort that are alive; and by many Hospitals and Almshouses, it is rarely or never heard of, that any die in this City merely of Famine, or perish in the Streets for Want, as in many other Countries they do.

And for the better Supply of the poor Tradesmen in the Dead of the Winter, when there is little Work stirring, and great need of Firing as well as Food, it is customary for the King or Queen, by the Motion of the Bishop of London, or Lord Maior, to send their Letter to them, to take Order that a Collection be made through London and the Suburbs, and Lines of Communication in all the Parishes, and that the Officers go from House to House to gather every Man's Charity. And the King or Queen themselves contribute also. And the Bishop accordingly sends his Letters to the respective Ministers, with the King's or Queen's. Which Letters they read to the Congregation. Whereby some Thousands of Pounds are seasonably collected in the Depth of Winter, and brought into the Chamber of London, and divided again to every Parish according as they have need.

To give an Instance of these Letters in the Year 1715, when Sir Charles Peers was Maior.

To our Right Trusty and Well-beloved, Sir Charles Peers, Knight, Lord Maior of our City of London.
GEORGE R.

RIGHT Trusty and Well-beloved, We Greet you well. Being informed that the poorer sort of our Subjects, in and about our City of London, do suffer great Hardships at this Time, and being graciously disposed to do all that lies in Us for their Relief and Support: We have thought fit to signifie Our Pleasure to the Right Reverend Father in God, John Lord Bishop of London, that he take Care for Publication to be made in all the Parish-Churches within our said City and Liberties thereof, the Lord's Day next following the Date of these Presents; for the Church-Wardens and Overseers of the Poor of each Parish, to collect the Benevolence of Charitable and Well-disposed People, at their respective Dwellings within each Parish, for and towards the Support and Relief of our said poor Sujbects; and to cause the Money so collected to be paid immediately into the Chamber of London; to be distributed to the several Parishes, as You and the said Lord Bishop shall think fit and direct. And to the end Our Intention may be the more effectual, We have thought fit to recommend the same to You, that by your Encouragement and Endeavour, our good Subjects, inhabiting in our said City and Liberties, may be induced to more than ordinary Demonstration of their Compassion and Liberality on this Occasion: And so We bid you farewel. Given at Our Court at St. James's the 21st Day of November, 1715, in the Second Year of Our Reign.
By his Majesty's Command,
TOWNSHEND.

This was accompanied with the King's Letter to the Bishop of London.

To the Right Reverend Father in God, Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Councellor, John Lord Bishop of London.
GEORGE R.

RIGHT Reverend Father in God, our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Councellor, We Greet you well. Being informed that the Poorer sort of our Subjects in and about our City of London, do suffer great Hardships at this Time; and being graciously disposed to do all that lies in Us for their Relief and Support; We have thought fit heartily to recommend it to You, and do hereby expresly require you to take care that Publication be made in all the Parish-Churches within our said City and Liberties thereof, the Lord's Day next following the Date of these Presents; that the Church-Wardens and Overseers of the Poor, do the Week following collect the Benevolence of Charitable and Well-disposed People, at their respective Dwellings within each Parish, for and towards the Support and Relief of Our said poor Subjects; and that the Ministers in each Parish do effectually excite their Parishioners to a Charitable Contribution, and to cause the several Sums so collected to be paid immediately into the Chamber of London, to be distributed to the several Parishes, as the Lord Maior of our said City and You shall think fit and direct. And that Our own Example may not be wanting, Our further Pleasure is, That you call upon our Commissioners of our Treasury for such Sum of Money as We have directed and appointed to be paid to that End, and to dispose the same as aforesaid: And so We bid you heartily farewel. Given at Our Court at St. James's, the 21st Day of November, 1715, in the Second Year of our Reign.
By his Majesty's Command,
TOWNSHEND.

In Obedience whereunto, this was the Bishop's Letter to the City Clergy.