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those who are considered proper objects of its notice, and that is, a sufficient proof of evident distress: where this is found, the person is relieved, without regard to the causes of that distress. This society is upon a plan that affords a two-fold relief to those who are the objects of it. The persons who manage it, being all of them religious characters, make it a point of conscience to instruct those they visit in the principles of the Christian religion, and never to leave them, on any of their visits, without praying with them, and administering such advice and consolation as they judge necessary. Thus their temporal necessities are relieved, at the same time they become a means of spiritual instruction to their souls. The society is supported by voluntary contributions of benevolent persons. A statement of their accounts is published annually, which may be had at the libraries.

THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND

Is an institution similar to the preceding, established by the congregation at Argyle chapel. Relief is administered with out any regard to sect or party, by visitors of approved ability and tried integrity, two of whom, every Sunday, seek out and attend the objects of distress. Subscriptions are received by Mr. Newall, the secretary, in Bridge-street, and Mr. Whit. church, Market-place.

SOCIETY for the SUPPRESSION of VAGRANTS,

RELIEF of OCCASIONAL DISTRESS, &c.

This city, the resort of the elegant, the fashionable, and the benevolent, must of course prove no small attraction to street beggars, in which class are alike mingled the insolent impostor and the real object of charity; and it is to be lamented, that the sturdy importunity of the former is frequently more suc

cessful than the diffident application of the latter, as the ge. nerality of the petitioned will give money when they will not give time to the poor, consequently in such charity there can be little enquiry, and less discrimination; and it is not what is given, but the right application of it that really makes it useful.

To remedy these abuses, to suppress the audacity of va grants, and to relieve occasional distress, was the society established in January, 1805, under the auspices of Lady Isabella King; and those who were in the habit of visiting Bath before, and have visited it since the above mentioned period, can bear testimony to the successfulness of its effects.

The following are among its supporters:

President, His R. H. the Duke of Glocester.

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Treasurer, C. Phillott, esq.

Sub-Treasurer, Rev. J. Richards.

Loan-Treasurer, J. Mackglashan, esq.
Permanent Fund Treasurer, G. Fitzgerald, esq.
Secretary, D. Thomas, esq.

and a general committee consisting of thirty members, many of whom visit and relieve the poor at their own habitations.

There is also a Ladies' Committee for the purpose of fur. nishing poor women with child-bed linen and other necessaries during their confinement.

Tickets of reference are given by the society which all per. sons are requested to give instead of pecuniary aid to every description of beggars, who may on application at the office have their cases heard and examined, and if they are found de serving will obtain every necessary relief.

Subscriptions are received at the office in Pierrepoint-place, the Pump-rooms, Banks, and public Libraries.

THE BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND SOCIETY.

The society instituted in this city for the encouragement of Agriculture, Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, under the skilful direction, persevering activity, and judicious manage. ment of Mr. William Matthews, the late secretary, has risen to an acknowledged superiority over every other establishment of the same nature in Europe.

In the year 1777, Mr. Edmund Rack, a native of the county of Norfolk, then a resident in Bath, had the honour of sug gesting the plan. This gentleman possessing exalted talents and literary abilities, conceived that, a society for promoting rural improvement, would be highly advantageous to this part of the nation; pursuing the dictates of his understanding, early in that year, he stated his ideas of such an institution in an address to the public through the medium of the newspapers; desiring a meeting of those gentlemen who should approve of the design, and wish to encourage it. In respect to this ad. dress, twenty-two gentlemen met at the York-House, on the 8th of September; the subject appeared to them to be of such general utility, that they immediately resolved to support the ingenious advertiser in his further exertions, and subscribed for defraying the present expences. The next meeting consisted of a numerous company of gentlemen of the first respectability; it was held at the Lower Rooms. These finding themselves interested in the objects held forth, entered into resolutions for the immediate establishment of a society, whose business would be to give every encouragement for the various objects now pursued. The Earl of Ilchester was appointed first president, and twenty-four vice-presidents, and committees were formed for the different departments; Mr. Rack was chosen secretary, and allowed a salary of 501. per annum, and 301. more for the occasional use of rooms in his house.

The society proceeded to publish, and annually continued. to publish the rules, regulations, and premiums of the institu tion. In the year 1780, the Earl of Ilchester having resigned, the Earl of Ailesbury was made president, which office he held till 1798; when motives of personal convenience induced him to resign; but contributed his liberal support as a patron,

His lordship was succeeded by the enlightened and patriotic Duke of Bedford, who died March 2, 1802, and whose me. mory the society have perpetuated by placing a fine bust, by Nollekins, in their room, and by giving the Bedfordean gold medal as an annual premium for some agricultural improve. ment. Sir B. Hobhouse, M. P. is now president.

This respectable society has published twelve octavo volumes of their correspondents' letters, principally on agricultural subjects, which are illustrated with copperplates; they are highly esteemed, as they form an important addition to our national literature. Mr. Ricards is the present secretary.

There are now nearly five hundred subscribers, who are members for life; they generally hold six or eight meetings in the year, besides numerous committees. The great annual meeting in December, is become famous for the resort of Noblemen, Gentlemen, Farmers, Manufacturers, and Artizans interested in various improvements.

CHAP. VII.

Of the Squares, Circus, Crescents, Parades, and principal
Streets of Bath.

UEEN.SQUARE, finely situated & 25
ground, is three hundred and sixte -

north to south, and three hundred and six

west.

elevated spot of

Get long from ad from east to

In the area is a pleasure-grooglene osed by iron palisades, in the centre of which stands an ordlisk, seventy feet high, terminating in a very acute point, with the following me. morial of its erection on the south side:

In Memory

Of Honours conferred
And in Gratitude
For benefits bestowed

In this City

By his Royal Highness

FREDERIC PRINCE OF WALES

And his

ROYAL CONSORT
In the year MDCCXXXVII
This Obelisk is erected
By RICHARD NASH, Esq.

The square is composed of elegant buildings that display the grandeur of architectural excellence. The north wing, which is of the Corinthian order, on a rustic basement, is extremely superb, having the appearance of a splendid palace. Mr. Wood, who was one of the first architects of his time, planned this and several other piles of elegant structures in this city, which was begun about the beginning of the year 1729; since which time, Bath has continued to improve in neatness, elegance. and regularity of its buildings.

From Queen-square, Gay-street leads ascending to the King's Circus; a noble, circular pile of uniform structures, adorned with every ornament of the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders. In the centre of this circle, is a fine reservoir of water surrounded by a beautiful shrubbery and green plat, girded by a gravel walk, and enclosed by light iron pa lisades.

The Royal Crescent, a majestic assemblage of buildings of an eliptical form, with a single order of Ionic pillars supporting the superior cornice, stands on the west side of the Circus; it consists of thirty houses, with an elegant lawn fronting them, declining to the Avon. This Crescent commands a most delightful prospect of the city, the valley on both sides of the river, and the opposite hills, that present a pleasing variety of charming scenes; Brock-street serves as an avenue between the Circus and Crescent. Marlborough-Buildings runs by the west end of this Crescent.

St. James's Square, situated behind the Royal Crescent, is composed of elegant houses, with a beautiful area in the centre, in the midst of which stands a tuft of trees forming a pleasant bower; a serpentine walk runs round the area, enclosed by a light iron railing. From the upper side of the Square, Park-Street and Great Bedford-Street lead to Lansdown Crescent.

Catherine-Place, a fine open area, formed by pompous

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