Page:A tour through the northern counties of England, and the borders of Scotland - Volume II.djvu/16

 monks, many more liberal institutions were established there, for the protection of the distressed, and the relief of the diseased; for the redemption of the captive; the solace of the stranger in his wanderings; the sustenance of the aged and unbeneficed clergy; and the interment of the poor. These, indeed, ceased to exist, when the causes for which they were instituted ceased to operate; but in their stead several noble foundations have arisen, the asyla of wretchedness under every shape of mental and bodily infirmity—the General Infirmary, the Lying-in Hospital, the Lunatic Asylum, the Keelmen's Hospital, the Hospitals for the Aged, and the Charity Schools. The first of these receives from ninety to one hundred invalid, and affords them assistance and support, till their pains be removed, and their vigour restored. Its funds indeed are small, but the deficiency is handsomely made up by the ready contributions of the inhabitants. An exemplary neatness, regularity, and cleanliness mark the extreme attention paid to the institution in all its departments. Two beautiful anatomical preparations, of full grown subjects, bear ample evidence to the skill of Mr. George Davidson, of Newcastle, formerly surgeon to this establishment. Convenient baths, both hot and cold, with every accommodation for the invalid,