Continued Wednesday 30th. April 1783

Henry Cranke< no role > Esqr . and Genl . & the
Governors of the Hospitals of Bridewell &
Bethlem

The following Account of a
Charity which they Conduct with
no less Honour to themselves
than benefit to the Public is
respectfully inscribed by

Their most Grateful and
devoted Servant

Thomas Bowen< no role >

An Historical Account of the Origin
Progress and Present State of Bethlem Hospital

Those ancient Foundations which have been Esatablished
in the City of London by the numnficence of our Monarchs
for the relief and Maintenance of the diseased Poor have
always been Considered as objects worthy of Public support
The Care of Indigent Lunatics is attended with peculiar
difficulties and as much immediate evil must arise from the
neglect of them, the Community cannot but be nearly interested
in the Welfare and Prosperity of those Places which are
Provided for their Reception It may not therefore be thought
improfer to give some Account of the Origin progress and
present State of Bethlem Hospital.

The Hospital of Bethlem owes its name & original
Establishment to the Piety of a Citizen of London . In the
Year 1247, in the 39th. of Henry he 3d. Simon FitzMary< no role >
who had been Sheriff , influenced by the presenting superstition
of the Age was desirous to found a Religious House Accordingly