[41]
THE DUTY OF THE GOVERNORS, AND THE SEVERAL OFFICERS
AND SERVANTS, OF THE ROYAL HOSPITALS OF
BRIDEWELL AND BETHLEM.

THE CHARGE given to every Governor on his Admission, in the
presence of the President, or Treasurer, and other Governors,
assembled in Court.

"SIR,

"YOU have been elected, and come now to be admitted, a Governor
of the Royal Hospitals of Bridewell and Bethlem; which is a station of great
honour, trust, and influence; and will afford your many opportunities of pro-
moting the glory of God, and the welfare of your fellow-creatures: for in
these Hospitals a provision is made for employing idle and vagrant, lewd
and disorderly persons, as well as those who desire and want employment, in
honest and useful labour; and also for maintaining and curing needy, de-
plorable Lunaticks.

"The distribution of the revenues designed by royal bounty, and many
charitable persons, for those truly noble and excellent purposes, is now about
to be committed to your care. And you are hereby solemnly required, and ear-
nestly requested, to discharge your duty in this behalf with a conscientious regard;
that your may appear with joy at the judgment seat of CHRIST, when a par-
ticular account will be taken of all the offices of charity in which we have
abounded towards our poor brethren; and a peculiar reward conferred on
those who have performed them with fidelity and zeal.

"In full confidence that you will diligently attend this good work, you
are admitted a Governor of these Hospitals."

42 APPENDIX.

THE DUTIES OF THE SEVERAL OFFICERS AND SERVANTS
ARE AS FOLLOW.

THE PRESIDENT,

By the original orders in 1557, is to be held and taken as the Chief Ruler
and Governor, next to the Lord Mayor, of both Hospitals.

He is therefore to convene General Courts at the stated periods, and at such
other times as may be necessary; or, when duly required so to do by any Com-
mittee or by Nine Governors in writing; to preside there, and at any Com-
mittee which he may chuse to attend.

He is always to preserve good order and decorum, and a strict adherence to
the standing rules and orders; and generally to supervise the affairs of both
Hospitals, promote their true interests, and guard them from perversion or
abuse by every means in his power.

THE TREASURER

Is to receive all legacies, benefactions, dividends and interest on the
Orphan Stock, Publick Funds, and other securities belonging to the Hospitals;
and such cash as may remain with the Stewards above what is sufficient for
ordinary expences; and generally to superintend all receipts and payments
whatsoever on account of both Hospitals; particularly to pay all the salaries
quarterly, and all bills as soon as examined and directed.

He is to keep regular cash-books, and also to enter, in a book to be kept
for that purpose in the Clerk's office, all his receipts and payments as they may
occur on account of both Hospitals; so that any Governor may at all times
have it in his power to see what balance he hath in hand; and he is to invest
all sums of money he may at any time have in his hands, exceeding a resting
general balance of £500, in the Public Funds, for the benefit of the Hospitals,
when so required by a General Court, or by the House Committee, or by the
Committee of Auditors, or by Nine Governors, although not members of any
Committee; so as such requisition be signed by the said Governors.

He is to see that notices of legacies, as well as the time when those legacies are
paid, are duly entered by the Clerk in the proper book; and he is to produce
his general cash-book to all Courts and Committees; and report to every
Court and House Committee what legacies and benefactions have been re-
ceived since the last meeting.

He is to attend all Courts, and the Bethlem and House Committees; and to
convene and preside at Courts in the absence of the President.
To

APPENDIX. 43

To appoint and attend Grand Committees at Bethlem for making contracts
for provisions, and for other extraordinary business; and to view the House
with the Committees as often as there may be occasion.

He is to appoint and attend views of the houses and estates belonging to
these Hospitals in London and Middlesex , when necessary; and to give tem-
porary directions respecting their management.

He is to inspect and regulate the conduct of the Artsmasters and their Ap-
prentices, so long as they remain in the Hospital; to settle such disputes
as may arise between them; and to give directions for cloathing, binding, and
discharging, the apprentices, and keeping them in proper order and sub
ordination.

He is to superintend the wardrobe at Bethlem , and give directions for
bringing in, and delivering out, such bedding and cloaths as may be necessary.

He is to hire all men servants at Bethlem (if wanted; but not otherwise),
upon the death or discharge of any of the old ones; except the steward,
apothecary, porter, and barber; and generally to inspect, direct, and super-
intend, the affairs and management of both Hospitals; conformable to the true
spirit and meaning of the rules and orders; and to see that the purposes of
the charities are not in any instance perverted and abused either by the mis
conduct of any officer or servant, or otherwise.

THE CHAPLAIN (when the Offices of PREACHER and READER are united)

Is to preach one sermon, and to read prayers twice every Sunday, Christ-
mas. day, and Good-friday; and to read prayers and preach once on every
30th of January, 29th of May, and Steward's Feast; and also to read prayers
in Lent and at General Courts.

He is to solemnize marriages; to baptize children; visit the sick; bury the
dead; and keep a register, as well for the precinct, as for the Hospital.

He is to read the Charge to every Governor in open Court; to attend the
Chapel-wardens upon all collections to be made for briefs and the King's
letter; to reside constantly at the Hospital; and not to go out of town without
leave of the House Committee, President, or Treasurer.

He is particularly to admonish and instruct the prisoners from time to time,
and see that such as are able do always attend Divine Service; and generally
to perform all the duties incident to the sacred office of a Minister of the
Church of England, and a Chaplain to Bridewell Hospital and Precinct.

44 APPENDIX.

THE PHYSICIAN

Is to attend the resident officers, servants, and others actually employed at
either Hospital, when ill; and to inform the Committees of any neglects or
abuses,and suggest such reforms as he may think necessary.

He is to attend the Weekly Committee at Bethlem Hospital every Saturday
morning, to take in and discharge patients; and every Monday and Wednesday
he is to attend at the said Hospital, to examine and prescribe for the patients,
the Mondays during the bathing season excepted.

THE SURGEON

Is to attend the Prisoners at Bridewell, and the patients of both Hospitals
who have had accidents, or have disorders that require his assistance; and
particularly in winter, when mortifications are frequent.

He is also to attend all the officers and servants resident at either Hospital,
when occasion may require; and to acquaint the respective Stewards and
Committees of any neglect or abuse.

To attend the Weekly Committee at Bethlem every Saturday on the ad-
mission and discharge of patients.

And to examine and sign the Matron of Bridewell's bill for poultices and
sick messes for the prisoners, Etc.

THE APOTHECARY

Is not to follow any other business; nor is he to absent himself one day
without leave of the Bethlem Committee.

He is to furnish medicines to any of the resident officers or servants of either
Hospital. who may be actually indisposed and have occasion for them, but not
otherwise.

And he is to acquaint the Steward and Committees respectively of any neg-
lect or abuse; and to suggest necessary reforms.

He is to give all necessary attendance upon the prisoners and others at
Bridewell; and to sign the Matron's bill for sick messes to the prisoners, Etc.

At Bethlem, he is to go round the House every morning regularly, or
oftener if necessary, and report to the Physician any neglect he may observe
in the management of the patients.

To attend the administration of the medicines ordered by the Physician on
the days appointed, and see that they are properly taken; and to direct the
Keepers in their management of the patients during the absence of the
Physician.
He