Not far from this hospital, and still more without the precincts of the city, is another endowed by George Watson, for maintaining and educating the sons and grandsons of poor citizens. It was founded in 1738, and completed in 1741, when twelve boys were admitted. The number has been greatly augmented, and each, on leaving the hospital, receives a bounty for apprentice fee, and, on attaining the age of 25, a farther bounty, if he produce certificates of good character.
There are two hospitals, on a more limited scale, for the maintenance of young females. The first of these is the Merchants' Maiden Hospital, a plain edifice, where girls, the daughters of decayed merchants, are received. And the other, which is a more regular building, is ap propriated for the daughters of tradesmen. In the latter, there are at present 50 girls, who are maintained at an expence of between 251. and 301. yearly. Girls pay 11. 13s. 4d. as entry-money, on admission; and receive a bounty of 51. lls. ld. at leaving the hospital No entry money is paid in the other; and the bounties are 8/. 6s. 8d. to some, and 3/. 6s. 8d. to others, on quitting the in stitution.
The Orphan Hospital was planned by Andrew Gard ner, a merchant of Edinburgh, who, being supported by public bodies and individuals, it was founded in the val ley cast of the North Bridge, in 1734. Its object is more comprehensive than for the children of citizens, as orphans from any part of the kingdom may participate in the benefit of the endowment. None are admitted un der seven years of age, and they quit the hospital at the age of fourteen. In the year 1778, nearly 100 children were maintained and educated ; at present the number is greater. The building is neat and plain, and orna mented with a spire.
In the year 1461, it has already been observed, that Mary of Gueldres, queen of James II. founded a colle giate church, and an hospital for 13 poor persons, dedi cated to the Holy Trinity; but all such institutions, at that period, were more for a religious than for a moral purpose ; and, at the Reformation, the hospital was strip ped of its revenues. They were restored, however, by a subsequent transaction, and appropriated for the main tenance of decayed burgesses of Edinburgh, their wives, and unmarried daughters; none being admitted under fifty years of age. Each person has a separate apart ment, ample provisions, and sufficient clothing; they also receive a trifle annually for the purchase of necessaries, and thei e is a small librai y for their amusement. The total number presently on the establishment is 181, at an overage expence of 151. 10s. each. Of these, 56 live in the hospital ; the rest are out-pensioners, who have an annuity of 6/. The females are about five times more
numerous than the males.
Another hospital, also for the support of aged persons, was endowed by James Gillespie, a snuff-merchant in Edinburgh, who died in 1797. None are admitted un der 55 year of age; and a preference is given to persons of the founder's sirname. The total number at present supported by the institution, amounts to 49, including a housekeeper, chaplain, gardener, and four female ser vants; and the average expence of maintaining each is about 271., which testifies prudent and economical ma nagement, considering the comforts which are enjoyed. Persons of both sexes are received indiscriminately; and, of 40 now in the hospital, 29 are females. The edifice is a commodious oblong building, situated beyond the south-west verge of the city, amidst a small field, and somewhat withdrawn from the high road. It is orna mented with battlements, and small turrets at the angles, as if the same architecture common of old to a place of defence, should be suitable to an hospital. Connected with this institution is a school, also established by the charitable founder, in which there are now seventy chil dren, educated and provided with all requisites free of expellee.
There are three charity workhouses in Edinburgh; one standing on the verge of the southern district of the city, another in the Canongate, and the third belonging to the West Church parish. All are conducted nearly on the same plan, being appropriated for indigent per sons of both sexes, and also children. Those who are able to work, receive a sixth part of the value it pro duces, besides maintenance and clothing. The first of these is on an extensive scale : it was erected by volun tary contribution in 1743, and is supported chiefly from the same source, and a tax on the citizens. But the numbers relieved are so great, that however liberally the public contribute, the institution is always loaded with debt; which is levied by a new assessment on the inhabitants, and is very considerable at present. The building is large, and so mean in external appearance as sufficiently indicates its purpose. A large committee of management direct the affairs of the establishment at weekly meetings, and reports of its state are occasional ly made public. We are thus enabled to trace the in crease of poverty, arising either from the pressure of the times, by which the hands of the benevolent are re strained from the exercise of charity, or from the great er resort of indigent persons to the city. The following numbers were relieved by the aid of the institution, either in the house or out of it.