In the distance of fourteen years, i. e. from 1626 ta 1710, the difference of numbers lefs chriftened than buried, encreased gradually from 3777 to 4500, keeping to about this medium till 1704. From thence to 1710, it went up to 9692, the chriftenings in the mean time not encreasing above 67.

The next year, 1711, the diminution is but 5927, which, upon a medium of the former year, makes it 7409; and accordingly, I find no less than 2000 dead of the fmall pox more in 1710, than in 1711.

Upon a medium of 1718 and 1719, the diminution is no less than 9075

.

Confumptions, fevers, and convulfions then prevailing in these cities, the first being a common name for those who dyed emaciated, and the laft for the death-ftroke of infants.

From

peopled as at any per

Now that it is the cuftom for fuch crowds to flock to these cities, perhaps they never were fuller than they are in the winter months; but ftill the bills of mortality at this time do not equal the bills at that time, notwithftanding the profufion of building.

From 1732 to 1740 the diminutions encreafe to 15580. For this a very natural cause is affigned, namely, the ufe of Gin, which acted like a plague, and was indeed as fatal to the offspring of the laboring part of our fellow fubjects, and to the common people of these cities.

Dr. Maddox, the good Bishop of Worcester, and Dr. Hales, that true Chriftian Philofopher, have set this calamity in such a light as will never be forgotten.

From 1740 to 1743, the medium of the annual diminution continues no less than

14165

From this time to 1750, it varies from 7 to 10000

In 1751 and 1752,

it declines to

6897

From this account one might be led to think, that from 1710, these cities contained as many inhabitants as they do now, or that they were less healthy. The advantage of country feats was lefs known, to our fore-fathers; their streets were more confined; their houses less commodious; and they devoted more hours to care and gain.

We

Efforts made in 1686 in favor of the Infant Poor.

LETTER XIV.

N 1 paffed over the remarkable year 1686, with

"OT to interrupt the continuation of the register I

fhort remark. As it was memorable for an effort. preserve Infants, the confideration of it well deferves place in this attempt to ferve them; and it will answer i fome measure, as a clew to direct us in our farther en quiries. It will produce a strong prefumptive evi dence, not only how the cafe was then circumftanced but how it hath been for many years. fince.

T

The year 1686 is the middle period between the mak ing the Poor's Law, by Queen Elizabeth, and the prefen time. The zeal of fome of our forefathers led them to confider of a remedy for a very dangerous disease, which prevailed then, as it does now, chiefly within the Bills of Mortality. A vicious careleffnefs had gained ground with the encrease of inhabitants, fo that the Poor became more numerous, whilft the virtue neceffary, to relieve them diminished. This political humanity becoming feeble in its operation, almoft loft fight of its object.

Such appears to have been the fituation, when a large houfe was built at Clerkenwell, near the fields, which

on this principle," the Juftices of the Peace for the faid county fet it apart for the reception and education of poor fatherlefs and motherless children, left to the care of parishes, to be inftructed in religion and virtue, and rendered capable of getting an honeft livelihood by their labor."

The regulations were as follows:

"I There is a Governor, one of his Majesty's Juftices of the Peace for the county of Middlesex, to whofe care the faid Juftices have committed the general nursery.

2. There is a Minifter refiding conftantly in the place, who reads prayers twice a day, before dinner and fupper; he catechifes on Sundays, and fometimes preaches in the afternoon; he sees that the Schoolmafter, and all other inferior fervants do their feveral duties; and that all the children are well provided for, and inftructed in true religion and virtue.

V

3. There is a Phyfician, an Apothecary and Chirurgeon, who attend weekly, every Thursday, in their feveral ways, to take care of, and provide for the children.

4. There is an excellent Writing-master to teach all the children to write, who alfo regifters the names of all children admitted and disposed of, and keeps the accounts of the house.

play, attends the door, and rings the bell to praye dinner, and fupper.

7. There is a Matron, or Housekeeper, who takes ca for provifion to be brought into the houfe, and dreffi thereof for the family.

8. There is an Affistant to the Master, who takes ca of all the children's cloaths, and of the beds and shee that all be mended and kept in good order.

9. There is a School Miftrefs for the girls, to rea fay their prayers and catechifm.

10. There is a Semftrefs, who teacheth all the gi to work, and make all the linen in the house.

11. There is a Cook to dress all provifions accordi to the matron's orders.

12. There is a Laundrefs belonging to the house.

13. There is an old nurfe, to take care of all fick an weak children: this nurfe hath her Affiftants, if nee requires.

14. There are feveral women to look after the cham bers, to wash and keep clean all the lodgings, make th beds, and do other neceffary work there.

15. The books are conftantly made up every f Thurfday in every month, and all officers and tradetmen and others, who are concerned in the house, are cleare

off.

16. Ther