profligacy, in ruining the bodies and debauching the minds of
their fellow-creatures. Moved to sympathy and compassion by these
considerations, this virtuous band of associates determined to provide
a comfortable asylum for female penitents, to which they might fly for
shelter from the receptacles of vice, the miseries of life, and the
scorn of mankind; where they might indulge the salutary sentiments of
remorse, make their peace with heaven, accustom themselves to industry
and temperance, and be profitably reunited to society, from which they
had been so unhappily dissevered. The plan of this excellent institution
being formed, was put in execution by means of voluntary subscription,
and the house opened in Goodman 's-fields, under the name of the
Magdalen-hospital, in the month of August, when fifty petitions were
presented by penitent prostitutes, soliciting admittance. Another asylum
was also opened by the hand of private charity, on the Surrey-side of
Westminster-bridge, for the reception and education of female orphans,
and children abandoned by their parents.

SOCIETY FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF ARTS.

Nor was encouragement refused to those who distinguished themselves by
extraordinary talents in any branch of the liberal and useful arts and
sciences, though no Maecenas appeared among the ministers, and not
the least ray of patronage glimmered from the throne. The protection,
countenance, and gratification secured in other countries by the
institution of academies, and the liberalities of princes, the ingenious
in England derived from the generosity of a public, endued with taste
and sensibility, eager for improvement, and proud of patronising
extraordinary merit. Several years had already elapsed since a society
of private persons was instituted at London, for the encouragement
of arts, manufactures, and commerce. It consisted of a president,
vice-president, secretary, register, collector, and other officers,
elected from a very considerable number of members, who pay a certain
yearly contribution for the purposes of the institution. In the course
of every year they held eight general meetings in a large assembly-room,
built and furnished at the common expense; besides the ordinary meetings
of the society, held every week, from the second Wednesday in November
to the last Wednesday in May; and in the intermediate time, on the first
and third Wednesday of every month. At these ordinary meetings, provided
the