mitted to walk at times in the galleries. This is according to the custom of London. Annexed to the master's house must be the kitchen and offices.

This proceeding may be so contrived, as to be enlarged from time to time, as there shall be a fund and occasion to require additions. There is no necessity for any plans or architects; but any ordinary capacities may contrive those enlargements. Perhaps there may appear some well-disposed persons who will say, they will make this enlargement, and so others, and, by such helps, they may be sufficiently done to answer all purposes.

It

It comes just now into my head, that there is a very proper spot,* which I think the chapter of St. Patrick let to one Lee, a bricklayer or builder. lies back of Aungier Street east, comes out of York Street, down a place called the Dunghill, runs down to the end of King Street, facing William Street; at the north end of which some alms-houses are built by Dowling and others. Also there stands, to the front of the street, a large stone building, called an alms-house, made by Mrs. Mercer; though, by the by, I hear she is weary of her project, and does little in supplying that house, or endowing it. Perhaps the ground may be easily come at from Lee's heirs; and, by your application, I know not but Mrs. Mercer may give her house up to promote so good a work. This will go a good way, and being followed by subscriptions, a great and speedy progress may be made, in which I will readily join my interest and labour. If that spot fail, we will pitch upon another. Whatsoever may be your future intentions, do not deny me the consideration of the

* The ground here mentioned by Sir William Fownes, does not belong to the dean and chapter of St. Patrick, but to the corporation of vicars choral in that cathedral.-F.

good your appearance and help may now do. I would not make a step in this affair, if it shall not be agreed, that all matters which require the consent by votes, shall be determined by the method of a balloting-box, that no great folks, or their speeches, should carry what they please, by their method of scoring upon paper, and seeing who marks, &c., too much practised.

If there be nothing in this paper worth your attention, you know how to dispose of it. You have the thoughts of your assured humble servant,

W. FOWNES.

THE PROPOSAL.

I. That an hospital, called Bedlam, be built in the city of Dublin, or liberties, for the reception of lunatics from any part of the kingdom.

II. In order to promote so good a work, subscriptions to be taken in Dublin, and in every city and town in the kingdom; and that the chief magistrate of each place be desired to recommend the subscription-paper sent to him for that purpose.

III. That when public notice is given in print, that ground is secured for building the hospital of Bedlam, the subscription be collected, and sent to Dublin, and paid into the hands of (Query, Mr. Thorn, steward to the Blue-coat hospital, a very proper person?)

IV. That upon notice given by Mr. Thorn, that he has received £200, a meeting shall be held of all subscribers who happen to be in Dublin, at a proper time and place.

V. Such persons as subscribe £5 or upwards, to have a vote at such a meeting.

VI. That Mr. Thorn, giving security, be continued to receive and pay out the money subscribed for

one year, and be allowed only sixpence per pound, for receiving and paying.

VII. That the money first laid out shall be for the building of six or eight strong cells, for outrageous lunatics to be confined in, and after the form of those made at the infirmary of the Royal Hospital.

VIII. That the college of physicians be desired to contribute to this good work, by appointing two or three of their body to be present at the first meeting, and to give their opinion as to the conveniency of the cells, what boilers are proper to be set up in a kitchen, and what food is proper to be provided for such lunatics.

IX. That near the cells be made a kitchen, small at first, and in such a manner as capable to be enlarged. That over this kitchen be a middle room, and over it a garret, to lodge the cook-maid and one other maid.

X. That adjoining the kitchen may be made one room, of 18 feet by 18, which may serve for Mr. Thorn to attend in, and where the doctors, or any subscribers, may meet on occasion. And over this room another, to serve for a store-room: and a garret to lodge a porter or two, that must attend the lunatics.

XI. That these buildings be made plain and strong, with as little cost as can be.

XII. That the charge of these be computed separate, and of the inside necessaries; so that the work may go on as fast as the subscription-fund can be in. got

XIII. That the subscribers, at the first meeting, do elect seven of their number, such as are knowing in carrying on of the work, and willing to attend at needful times. That any three or more, at any meeting at the hospital, may give directions for

proceeding on the buildings agreed upon to be made at the first meeting of the subscribers; at which first meeting a second meeting may be agreed upon, and so from time to time.

The walling-in of the piece of ground intended for this use may go on as the fund will bear, without obstructing the first useful buildings. And whereas there are lunatics of several kinds, as the melancholy, &c., and some that are unruly by fits, a building must be designed for this sort; the floors not lofty, but made sufficiently airy, twenty feet wide, whereof ten for a gallery, and ten for lodges; each lodge eight or ten feet broad.

As there is a fund ****

DEAR SIR,

Herewith you have my thoughts of the affair you mentioned to me. I wish I could prevail on you to patronize it, and lay down your own scheme. I am most confident it cannot fail going on briskly. You have friends and interest enough to set it agoing, although there may be some grandees would rather other hands had the conduct of it; yet the work speaks so much for itself, they must be ashamed not to contribute, much more to obstruct it.

In the paper called The Proposal, I have considered the privatest and least expensive way of going to work, avoided public forms, and grandees interposing. Tom Thorn by chance I thought upon for that reason, and for preventing jobs, &c. Do what you please with my papers. I am just ditto.

TO MR. ALDERMAN BARBER.

MY LORD ELECT, Dublin, September 11, 1732. I ANTICIPATE your title, because perhaps it may be your due before your chaplain, Mr. Pilkington, can attend you. And, besides, I have a mind to be the first person who gives it to you. And, first, I heartily acknowledge your goodness in favouring a young gentleman who has well answered all the recommendations that have been given me of him, and I have some years watched all opportunities to do him a good office, but none of the few things in my own gift that would be proper for him have fallen in my way since I knew him; and power with others, you know, or may believe, I have none. I value Mr. Pilkington as much for his modesty, as his learning and sense, or any good quality he has. And it would be hard, after your sending us over so many worthless bishops, all bedangled with their pert illiterate relations and flatterers, if you would not suffer us to lend you, at least for one year, one sample of modesty, virtue, and good sense; and I am glad it falls to your lordship to give the first precedent. I will write to Dr. Trapp in Mr. Pilkington's favour, but whether I have any credit with him I cannot tell, although, perhaps, you will think, I may pretend to some. It is by my advice that Mr. Pilkington goes over somewhat sooner; for I would have him know a little of your end of the town, and what he is to do; but he will not give you any trouble or care till you please to command him, which I suppose will not be till you are settled in your office.

Nothing but this cruel accident of a lameness