from the grasp of Huzzorimal, his executor, notwithstanding the zealous interference of Warren Hastings, Esq., the Governor-General, and other eminent functionaries.

The following is a legacy of another kind. The testator was one Shirley, of Stratford in Essex.

"The whole of my Dramatic Works, consisting of nine Tragedies, one Comedy, and five smaller productions, I bequeath to the Governors of the Foundling Hospital, in trust for that greatly useful Institution, hoping their being enabled to get them performed, unaltered or mutilated, in one of the London Theatres, they being certainly not inferior to any set of such performances produced at the present age; and should they be acted, I request the repayment out of the profits to all subscribers to me, which can amount but to a small sum of money."

In 1759, William Williams, Esq., who possessed property in Jamaica, bequeathed the same to certain persons "in trust to sell the same, together with all and every the Negro, Mulatto, and other slaves whatsover to me belonging, with their future offspring, issue, or increase, and to pay the net proceeds to the Treasurer of the Foundling Hospital." His next bequest is as follows:-" Item, I give and bequeath to that most abandonedly wicked, vile, detestable rogue and impostor, who hath assumed, and now does, or lately did go by the name of Gersham Williams, pretending to be a son of mine, one shilling only, to buy him an halter, where

with to hang himself, being what he hath for a long, long, very long while past meritted and deserved from the law of the hands of the hangman, for his great and manifold villanies."

At the demise of his reputed father, this "Gersham Williams," made many attempts to compromise matters with the Governors of the Hospital regarding the legacy, but he proved a slippery character, and failed in his object. The legacy yielded to the Charity £5563.

THE BENEVOLENT FUND.

As this Memoranda was commenced with a view to its publication being made the medium for increasing the usefulness of the above Fund, it seems desirable that it should conclude with some notice of the object of its establishment.

The Fund was set on foot in the year 1845, by several of the acting Governors of the Hospital on this humane principle, viz:-That the helplessness of old age, especially when accompanied by an irreproachable life, was as worthy an object of compassion and amelioration as the helplessness of infancy, and that sickness, unprovoked by intemperance or other misconduct, deserved in the after life of the objects of the charity, as much alleviation as it received in the days of their youth. In fact, that as the Institution rescued them in childhood from want, or from the cold and compulsory charity of a parish

workhouse, so in old age or sickness should it extend its merciful hand for the same object.

The Fund is dispensed by granting weekly allowances to the aged and infirm, and by affording temporary relief to the distressed.

It is wholly supported by subscription, the revenues of the Hospital not being applicable for the purpose.

It contributes to the maintenance of ten weekly pensioners, but, although there are other claimants, its limited means will not admit at present of an extension of its operations. The aggregate ages of four of these recipients amount to 339 years.

Of one of them, aged 90 (who in manner and conduct may be taken as a specimen of the whole), the compiler is enabled to give the following interesting account in the language of an active Governor of the Hospital and a zealous and liberal friend of the Fund.

66

"St. John Street,

"10th November, 1846.

"MY DEAR MR. BROWNLOW,

During my brief stay at Warrington, I thought it a duty incumbent on me to seek out our venerable pensioner on the Benevolent Fund, Bernard Harris, for which purpose I introduced myself to the lady who takes so warm an interest in his welfare, and who, upon my expressing a desire to see him, very kindly accompanied me to his cottage. I found the poor old man in bed, to which he had been confined for the last six weeks; upon his being informed who

outcast.

I was, and the object of my visit, his feelings were much overcome; he held my hand tightly within his own, and it was some minutes ere he could speak to me; he then with much emotion, said, 'I thank God for giving me this opportunity of expressing my unbounded gratitude for all the care and attention bestowed on me in infancy: but for the protection of the Foundling Hospital, I might have been brought up in a career of misery and vice, and become an The Hospital sheltered me in childhood, gave me instruction-apprenticed me to a weaver, by means of which I have not only obtained an honest livelihood, but have brought up and maintained a family; and now, when with the exception of one daughter, all my children are dispersed, and I have reached my ninetieth year, and am about to descend into the grave, I find my last days rendered comfortable by means of the Foundling Benevolent Fund, and which has thus in my old age saved me from the horrors and degradation of the Union Poor House. I am of a great age, but I am not afraid to die, no, I am patiently waiting God's good pleasure, and my last words shall be a prayer to Him, to bless that noble institution where I was taught to love and fear him.'

"I asked him to inform me something of his history, which he cheerfully complied with; and upon enquiring if he had ever visited the Hospital since he left it, he replied that not only had he done so, but it was ever nearest his thoughts, as a proof of which he told me that some years since he addressed a let

ter to the Governors of the Hospital, and was so gratified by the feeling manifested towards him in the reply, that he had learned it by rote, and would repeat it to me, which he did without the slightest hesitation. He however gave me a much more gratifying proof of his retentive memory, by repeating without any mistake or misplacement of words, the Instructions given to Foundling apprentices upon leaving the Hospital; upon coming to that part which says, be not ashamed that you were bred in this Hospital. Own it and say that it was through the good Providence of Almighty God, that you were taken care of. Bless Him for it,' the old man lifted himself in bed, and with much energy, said, I am not ashamed of it, I do bless Him for it.'

"I then enquired into his circumstances, and found that in consequence of his now being confined to his bed, his daughter was obliged to give up her attendance at a neighbouring factory, where she had been enabled to earn a few shillings a week, in order to devote herself entirely to the care of her father, and thus their means had become more straitened since his illness. I told him that the character which I had received of himself and daughter was so satisfactory in every respect, that notwithstanding the Benevolent Fund was so limited as to prevent our carrying out its objects to the extent required, yet I would intercede with the Committee to increase his small allowance, by an additional grant of two shillings a week, for which I assure you he seemed