"The following gentlemen, in addition to the former committee, viz. Sir M. W. Ridley, bart. M. P. C. J. Brandling, esq. M. P. the hon. C. Grey, M. P. T. R. Beaumont, esq. M. P. Sir R. Milbanke, bart. M. P. Rowland Burdon, esq. M P. the mayor of Newcastle, Samuel Lawton, efq. and the rev. Fred. Ekins, were appointed a committee for improvement, with full powers to carry into effect the objects contained in the report.

"The subscription was opened by a draft for 5001. inclosed in a letter to Mr. Ingham, from the duke of Northumberland, in which his grace expresses, in the most polite terms, his high opinion of the utility of the Infirmary, and his wish that the proposed improvements might be carried into effect. The sums subscribed at this court exceeded 1600l.

"On the 23d of September the foundation-stone of the new building was laid by Sir M. W. Ridley, bart. M. P. as representative, upon this occafion, of his grace the duke of Northumberland. The fubscription, at this time, amounted to 2,8171. 3s. and it is a pleasing circumstance to remark, that the representatives of the most distinguished families, connected with the interests of the three counties of Newcaftle, Durham, and Northumberland, have, with the utmost liberality, humanely contributed to carry into perfection this benevolent institution, established by their ancestors."

It is with unmixed, encreasing satisfaction, that the mind" who fuffers in another's woe," dwells upon the efforts of the charitable, and the skilfully humane, to alleviate, if not completely remove, the numerous calamities which often are the lot of fuffering

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fering humanity; and on that account we have been rather copious in our extracts from the authentic plan of the admirable institution of the public Infirmary of Newcastle, both in its original state, and in its intended improvements, which are rapidly going forward. We shall, therefore, only lay before our readers a very few more interesting observations, selected from the detailed account of this noble charity, politely communicated to us by Mr. Airey, the secretary.

In perufing the reports of the profeffional gentlemen, who, in order to procure every degree of useful information, have compared the plans of Infirmaries, not only in Great Britain, but of the most eminent in France, Germany, Italy, &c. we cannot withhold our mite of grateful acknowledgment for their laudable, and we hope successful, industry, in their reports recently published.

The neceffity and importance of the principal improvements of the Infirmary are comprehended under the following regulations.

1. Accommodation for in-patients.

2. Reduction of the number of patients in the wards.

3. Regulated ventilation.

4. Cleanliness.

5. The feparation of patients, and their division and arrangement according to disease.

6. Diseases which are proper for reception into an Infir-
mary, and those which ought not to be received.

7. Improvement of the medical science.
8. Medical library, and anatomical preparations.

Then follows a candid and plain statement of the finances of the Infirmary, and the expence to be incurred by its improvement and extenfion. From

legalegacies, benefactions, &c. the present annual income amounts to one thousand three hundred and fixty-fix pounds eighteen shillings. The new improvements will cost four thousand pounds.

The following is a list of the original subscribers towards building the Infirinary in the year 1751.

John Steavenson, efq. 52 10
Launcelot Allgood, esq. 50 0
Matthew Ridley, esq. 50
Matthew White, efq.
Dr. Rotheram, of Hex-

。

500

Mrs. Liddell, of Newton 10 to
Mr. Daniel Hodgfon 10 10
Sir Hugh Lawson, bart. 10 10

Subscribers towards the present extenfion and improvement of the Infirmary, up to Νου. 6, 1801.

D. of Northumberl. £.500 0 Dr. Clarke

Sir M. W. Ridley, bart. 100 0 James Scott, efq.

21 0

William Ingham, efq.

21 0

21

Then follow the statutes and rules for the government of this charity. These regulations, one hundred and twenty in all, do great credit to the judgment and humanity of the governors, and of the medical and furgical members.

Upon the whole, when the new erections shall be completed, if not the largest, we have no doubt it will be one of the most useful and best regulated in Europe.

The present efstablishment of the Infirmary is as follows.

Sir Tho. Hen. Liddell, bart. I Thomas Richard Beaumont, efq.

TREASURER, Thomas Maude, Esq.

The total number of patients cured fince the commencement of the Infirmary was, on the 2d of April, 1801, thirty-three thousand and twenty-seven ; befides a great number annually discharged relieved.

THE