 | Benevolence, and gratitude |  |
BENEVOLENCE, AND GRATITUDE:
A POEM.
With sentiments sublime, my bosom fire,
To sing the gifts conferr'd on human race;
With gratitude the streams of bliss to trace,
Back to the fount of inexhausted love;
Who, with all-bounteous kindness from above,
Show'rs blessings down, benevolently meant,
To make men happy, chearful, and content.
And teach me in a proper light to place
Those brightest ornaments of human race;
Who can, with great benignity of heart,
To their inferiors happiness impart:
Who, by their actions, which from pity flow,
Resemble most their Maker here below:
And when I shall the pleasing task begin,
Awake each grateful sentiment within.
With steady pace; or the unweary'd sun
Shone round the world, to give the nations light,
Confusion reign'd, and black tremendous night.
Then, e'er Omnipotence created man,
As wisdom pre-design'd the noble plan;
God's spirit mov'd wide o'er the pregnant deep,
Gave chaos laws, and lull'd uproar asleep.
Let there be gladsome light diffus'd abroad,
So spake th' omnipotent creating God:
Wide thro' all space the great command was heard,
From gloom divided heav'nly light appear'd;
And day God call'd the sweet all-chearing light,
On darkness he impos'd the name of night:
This the prime day of time, so call'd by man,
When wisdom first its wond'rous works began.
Of azure blue, and hung the roof on high;
Above the arch unbounded waters roll;
Below, earth's ocean stretch'd from pole to pole;
This was the second day, in which we read,
Creating wisdom its great pow'r display'd.
In channels roll, and let dry land appear;
Waters obedient, sunk within their bound;
The land emerg'd, with verdure yet uncrown'd:
Call'd dry land earth, and call'd the waters seas:
At his command, the world was clad around
With grass, herbs, trees, sprung from the teeming ground;
Each in its kind, seed yielding herbs for food;
Trees yielding fruit, and God beheld it good:
This was perform'd before the third day's close,
In which the wonders of creation rose.
To rule the day, and chear the gloomy shade,
And let them be for signs, days, seasons, years;
It was his will, and what he wills appears:
The sun, and moon, now first began their round,
With stars unnumber'd, Heav'n's expanse was crown'd:
Launch'd from their Maker's hand, they ceaseless glow,
Unerring roll, and send their light below:
Thro' boundless space refulgent glories shine,
And speak their Maker wise, immense, divine:
This the fourth day, by Moses we are taught,
Creating wisdom's mighty fiat wrought.
Said God, and fowls, in air aloft to soar;
Rivers brought forth, and seas, from shore to shore.
The feather'd fowls on wing, of ev'ry kind;
Created whales, and all the num'rous brood
Of moving creatures in the briny flood:
He bless'd the whole, (let men his goodness praise)
Be fruitful, multiply, fill earth, air, seas:
On this fifth day, these creatures rose to view,
When big with life the seas, and rivers grew.
Cattle, and beasts, and ev'ry creeping thing,
Each in its kind, the earth obedient heard;
Cattle, and beasts, and creeping things appear'd.
Naked to view the grand production stood,
Compleatly whole, and God beheld it good.
As if in council, thus the God-head spake;
Man let us make, divinely form'd, erect,
Him, as their Lord, let all below respect;
With winged fowls, subjected to him thrown,
Strong and fierce beasts, shall his dominion own,
With whatsoever moveth in the sea,
Or creeps on earth, shall feel his sov'reign sway;
So God created man with upright heart,
In his own image, of himself a part;
And straightway man became a living soul:
He deign'd the creature of his love to fill
With reason, mem'ry, understanding, will;
And added this great benediction too,
Be fruitful, multiply; the earth subdue;
Beasts, fishes, fowls, and ev'ry living thing,
Shall all submit, and own their earthly king:
The benediction operates we see;
For none can null Jehovah's firm decree.
Omnipotence the whole creation view'd,
Unerring wisdom saw 'twas very good:
Thus in six days the mighty fiat wrought,
And to perfection all creation brought.
With ev'ry thing delectable to sense,
Was plac'd in paradise, as lord of all,
Ruler supreme o'er this terraqueous ball.
The solitary monarch, tho' possess'd
Of all the world, was not compleatly bless'd:
Kind heav'n had yet the greatest bliss in store;
Its last best gift; and man cou'd wish no more;
He said, to whom all nature's laws are known,
It is not fit that man shou'd be alone;
For him I'll make a delicate helpmeet,
To give him joy, and render life more sweet:
God took a rib, and clos'd the harmless wound:
Beneath the Maker's hand, that rib became
Man's second self, but of a softer frame;
Wisdom seem'd pleas'd, and led her deck'd with charms
And native innocence, to Adam's arms,
Who said, when he the lovely object view'd,
Absorb'd in joy, and full of gratitude!
This is my flesh, my bone, from me she came;
Woman shall be the charming creature's name;
Fathers, and mothers, future men shall leave,
And to their wives with fond affection cleave;
They twain shall be one flesh, by friendship ty'd,
One heart, one soul, one sentiment shall guide;
One shall they be, in sacred mystic sense,
In kindness, love, and sweet benevolence:
This dear companion, charming bosom friend,
With pleasure, life's corroding cares shall blend;
Her converse shall intruding griefs alloy;
In her shall center all terrestrial joy.
And rail in rhime against that lovely sex;
Let them despise our mother Eve, and call
Her auth'ress of our father Adam's fall:
From thence, thro' ev'ry age their plan pursue,
And set the most detestable to view:
Men equally pernicious may be found;
And 'tis a bold assertion to declare,
That Adam wou'd have shunn'd the tempter's snare;
We may suppose had woman never been,
Man would no doubt have try'd this mode of sin,
Wou'd in th' unbeaten path alone have trod,
Proud to become a sublunary God:
Let this suffice to baffle all dispute,
And strike th' envenom'd tongue of slander mute,
The promis'd advocate, th' incarnate God,
Upon the serpent's head victorious trod;
Thro' her bless'd seed who for our ransom dy'd,
We rise immortal, amply justify'd.
Let th' avaricious, impotent, and old,
Whose summum bonum centers all in gold,
Let mole-ey'd stoics cold neglect assume,
Whose optics woman never cou'd illume;
Who, during life, might stupid stand and gaze
On fascinating eyes, and beauty's blaze,
Nor feel one gleam rush on their dazzled sight,
From living orbs of captivating light;
Who, never felt the least delight to hear
The conversation of the well taught fair;
But deaf as adders to the charmer's song,
Heed not the most melodious female's tongue,
Or arm'd with pleasing prattling eloquence.
Let those, t' whom niggard nature has deny'd
Th' endearing joys of passions gratify'd,
Let Farinellis and Platonics boast,
With souls engender'd on cold Greenland's coast,
Whose almost stagnant blood, from its first source,
Rolls in a languid tide its wonted course
A gelid principle, which never darts
Its animating fire, to distant parts,
That they can live with women here below,
Despise their charms, nor feel an am'rous glow;
This only will their impotence display,
Not take one jot of sterling worth away.
The brave returning from rough wars alarms,
Impatient fly to charming womens arms;
The king, the peasant, statesman, and the sage,
Have thought no joy like them in ev'ry age;
Search from the torrid to the frigid zone,
A greater pleasure never yet was known:
To meanest slaves who drudge from morn till night,
A smiling woman gives supreme delight,
Charms in the midst of toil, and on her breast,
In sweet oblivion lulls their griefs to rest.
Increase and multiply, and fill the land,
Was the benign Creator's first command:
And men in gen'ral have the gift approv'd;
The major part, have thought the fair to be
The charming summit of felicity.
Jehovah's love, (and darling woman's worth,)
Display'd his goodness, who, on wisdom's plan,
First built the world, e'er he created man,
Bespangled heav'n with stars, fill'd earth, air, seas
With ev'ry thing, to gratify, and please,
And gave to man an helpmeet, she might prove
All joys compris'd in amicable love.
Which shou'd, I think, induce us to declare,
How sensible of benefits we are,
In deeds, and words, our gratitude to shew
From creatures, to the great Creator due.
Grant me Urania! thine inspiring aid,
To sing their worth, whose ample souls we know,
Feel true seraphic charitable glow:
Where affability, and kindness meet;
With godlike mercy, and compassion sweet:
Void of detraction, calumny, and spite,
Worse than the most envenom'd adder's bite.
Those laudable good qualities display;
I shall at first an effort make to paint
Th' ingrateful person, proud, malevolent;
'Gainst which in contrast may be better view'd,
Godlike benevolence, and gratitude:
And this I dare affirm whene'er the two,
Are plac'd in any proper point of view,
This virtue, cloath'd in robes of noblest worth,
That vice, in all its turpitude set forth,
Wou'd equal in comparison be found,
No more than a neglected piece of ground,
On whose poor soil a stony surface lies,
'Mongst which thorns, thistles, nettles, Briars, rise,
Compar'd against a tract of fertile land,
Dress'd, till'd, and manag'd, by some able hand,
Where plants, fruits, flow'rs arise, the field t'adorn,
Or yellow ridges wave of standing corn.
The wretched paupers for assistance cry;
To see unmov'd, unmerited distress,
And not a sign of tenderness t'express;
To give advice with a malignant will,
Design'd to do th' advised person ill;
Full of uncharitable sland'ring guile,
To strive to lay an undeserved blame
On any one, to blast unsully'd fame,
(Which delicate possessors value more,
Than greedy misers bags of golden ore;)
To make black calumny the darling theme,
To be the foremost, loudly to proclaim
What others do, and with intention sly,
Their inadvertencies to magnify;
To construe words quite wrong, and to declare,
Unmeaning looks a fraudful meaning wear;
To wish, hope, think the worst, and grow elate,
When male or female neighbours deviate
From rectitude, and strongly tempted make
Thro' ignorance, or frailty, some mistake;
Humanum est errare to forget,
(For ev'ry living soul a sentence fit;)
Who does all this, may well be deem'd to be
Uncharitable in a great degree;
These qualities denote in truest sense,
A sordid heart fraught with malevolence;
And black ingratitude is near ally'd
To avarice, and self-sufficient pride:
An avaricious heart, full well 'tis known,
Is never satisfy'd with favours shown:
As soon will death, and th' insatiate grave,
Declare it is enough, and cease to crave,
And curs'd with avarice, be satisfy'd:
Nor will the proud of heart e'er condescend,
T'acknowledge the most gen'rous hearted friend,
Has any favours shown, or great, or small,
But what his merit far outweigh'd them all.
Such barren rude uncultivated mind,
Unmov'd by benefits bestow'd to show
Some faint expressions of a grateful glow!
But this we see, whene'er we look around,
Such monsters are 'mongst men and women found,
The parrot, daw, canary bird, and dove,
Return their benefactors love for love;
Chirp, flutter, prattle, coo, and strive t'express
By gestures apt, their inward happiness;
Grateful they bend, smooth'd by their owner's hand,
Or pearch'd thereon, exulting gayly stand.
Pards, lions, tygers, ev'ry beast of prey,
With gratitude man's kindnesses repay,
Throw off their savage fierceness at command,
Gently they crouch, and lick their feeder's hand,
And seldom, prompted by ingratitude,
Will tear the hand that gives them daily food.
The feather'd, and the quadrupeded kind,
Repeated acts of kindnesses can bind,
And make them act as nature first design'd.
On man, and woman only, we bestow
This epithet, and make th' assertion good,
Proud grov'ling monsters of ingratitude!
The genial show'rs, and Sol's warm rays produce
Throughout the spacious earth, things fit for use,
Some parts excepted, and amongst the worst,
Afric, with burning sands, and monsters curst,
Teems with rank weeds, and a vast pois'nous brood;
So ranc'rous men, fraught with ingratitude,
With base malevolence incessant glow;
And whilst their benefactors oft bestow
Great benefits, with an obliging smile,
Their gloomy hearts, like slimy muddy Nile,
O'erflow with pride, and black infernal guile!
In a thick wood, at the decline of day,
Walks slowly on, and cautiously proceeds
Through briars, thorns, and rankest noxious weeds,
Whilst savage beasts of prey, that nightly prowl,
Traverse the forest, and discordant howl:
So, cheerless I the dismal prospect view'd,
Malevolence, and black ingratitude
Op'd to my view, and like that trav'ler made
A progress thro' the barren gloomy shade;
From that drear place, and hast'ning on his way,
Enjoys the prospect fertile nature yields,
In gardens, groves, and cultivated fields;
So with that most distasteful subject cloy'd,
I make a pleasing progress overjoy'd
At the fair prospect which before me lies,
The great superior virtues of the skies,
And their benevolent possessors too,
With courteous aspects rising to my view.
How chang'd the scene! from black infernal night,
I seem t'advance towards cœlestial light!
Benevolence; shall be the pleasing theme.
To scorn revenge, and lay resentment by,
Whene'er th' offending person shall apply
For pardon, and his corresponding deeds,
Prove from conviction the request proceeds,
Makes the possessors eminently shine,
Adorn'd with virtues nearest to divine;
When men for pardon penitent implore,
Almighty justice then demands no more.
To sympathize, and gen'rous pity show,
To those, whom providence hath station'd low:
T'extend compassion with a tranquil eye,
When vanquish'd enemies at mercy lie;
To serve in any shape th' advised friend;
To shun the cause of any evil thought;
(A nod, a wink, a shrug, hath mischief wrought:)
A just report of ev'ry one to give,
And ne'er to close with but—a narrative:
When base detraction seems the gen'ral aim,
And death of characters becomes the theme;
When defamation from each busy tongue,
(With worse than venom'd Aspic's poison hung,)
Like a fierce blast of scorching lightning flies,
Wounding the destin'd victims by surprize;
Then, the bright shield of truth to interpose
'Twixt them, and base assassinating foes,
To stop th' abusive torrent, with intent
To wipe aspersions from the innocent;
Silent to sit at least, if shou'd not suit
To contradict, and raise a warm dispute;
To wish, hope, think the best of all mankind,
Tho' not to their miscarriages quite blind,
Their failings not t'explore with eagles eyes,
And magnify their faults of smallest size;
To judge with charity, and candour too,
When those we know blame worthy actions do,
(Remembring this, when harsh suspicions rise,
No mortal man can be at all times wise:
With double vigor, from a shameful fall
Some men arise, at charming virtue's call:)
Mens words, and actions, have a meaning ill,
Without sufficient cause, and shou'd there be
Sufficient cause, to judge with lenity;
(Search thro' the world, I dare affirm there's none
Whose conscience dictates thou may'st cast the stone,)
To construe not with spleen another's look;
(Gestures, and aspects, oft' have been mistook;)
To banish thoughts of supercilious pride,
And make complacency the charming guide;
Whoever shuns with care contentious strife,
And makes these virtues the chief rule of life,
May be esteem'd as one supremely blest,
Of palliating charity possest;
That robe, so pleasing in Jehovah's sight,
On which he looks with such supreme delight,
A multitude of sins are cover'd o'er;
That heart's infirmities he'll not explore;
His justice its severity abates,
Where godlike charity predominates.
Are not possess'd of this rare gift alone:
Both far, and wide, its influence divine
Is spread, and makes the rich possessors shine
With sweet superior gen'rous excellence,
The deputies of all-wise providence.
This certain mark, of being truly brave;
Ev'n whilst their martial souls are in a flame,
By honour prompted, and a thirst of fame;
With mild regret the vengeful sword they wield!
And roll destructive thunder o'er the field!
They grieve to see all humane ties made void,
Forts raz'd, towns sack'd, the peasants hopes destroy'd:
They conquer, wishing honourable peace;
With pleasure see grim war and slaughter cease.
In hottest fight, when mischief flies around,
And purple torrents drench disputed ground,
Benevolent commanders give the word,
When mercy's crav'd, to sheath the slaught'ring sword.
Arm'd in their country's cause, they rush to fight
The common foe, and do the nation right:
Meet in the field; promiscuously engage;
'Gainst troops imbody'd spend their utmost rage;
No individual's foe; the battle o'er,
The shouting ceas'd, silenc'd th' artill'ry's roar;
Banish'd each savage thought, smooth'd ev'ry frown,
And each ferocious sentiment cool'd down;
Their ardent ireful eyes now gently roll;
Godlike compassion rushes on the soul;
Mild mercy, like a cherub spreads her wings
O'er the dread spot, now drown'd in hostile blood,
Where late the vanquish'd flying forces stood:
Around the victor leaders turn their eyes,
And soft emotions in their bosoms rise;
To see the young, the strong, the gay, the brave,
Fall'n, wounded, pain'd, and verging on the grave,
To give them ease, and stop their fleeting breath,
And snatch them from the jaws of greedy death,
They give command, as time permits to bear
The wounded off, and order decent care.
This is compassion in the noblest sense;
A manly laudable benevolence;
To save their foes, ev'n whilst perhaps they feel
The recent painful wounds of hostile steel:
The truly brave, however fierce in fight,
In gen'rous acts of mercy take delight.
In ev'ry region persons may be found,
Whose souls detest uncharitable guile,
Who, with a sympathetic pity smile
Upon the poor, the friendless, and distress'd;
Who' judge with candour; most supremely bless'd
To sect, nor sex, nation, nor tribe confin'd;
Whose objects are the race of all mankind.
Britain may boast of those of noble birth,
And others, blest with smiles of prosp'rous fate,
Who, voluntary strive t' alleviate
The troubles and distresses of the poor,
Bestowing largely of their ample store:
The num'rous edifices which they raise,
Speak their benevolence, and sound their praise.
Within whose walls the meritorious poor,
Receiv'd as guests, no future want may dread;
Are decent cloath'd, and lodg'd, and daily fed.
Had fought the foe, or traded on the seas,
But now advanc'd in years, begin to feel
The sad reverse of fickle fortune's wheel,
Whose lives in general, were just, and fair,
Whose characters a scrutiny will bear,
Here live maintain'd, and bless the gen'rous man,
Who first conceiv'd the charitable plan,
And with unsparing hand his treasure spent,
To raise this edifice, with kind intent:
Here youths grow literate, are taught to know
With gratitude, from whom their comforts flow.
Are children cloath'd, and lodg'd, and fed, and taught
To know their duty, both to God, and man;
Behold, another salutary plan!
Whereby provision's made t'alleviate
Their heavy burden, plac'd in low estate:
Here, anxious parents come, oppress'd with cares,
Their children leave, and eas'd of future fears,
And bless the godlike authors of the same.
Seiz'd with that epidemic malady,
And gives a most excruciating smart;
On application made, then those forlorn,
May to a public hospital be born;
Where, gratis, ev'ry patient in the place,
Obtains whatever suits his dismal case.
When little ones want medical relief;
Then paupers may with chearful hope apply,
Where smiling pity with propitious eye,
Stands ready to receive the infant poor,
And open throws an hospitable door:
No surly janitor, with gesture rude,
Waits there, with predetermin'd will t' exclude
The plaintive supplicants, tho' they appear
But meanly clad, to beg admittance there:
Low poverty there proves of sov'reign use,
The surest passport parents can produce.
The lame, the blind: compassion keeps the door:
Within, they find a skilful friend, t'impart
The pow'rful aids of Esculapian art.
When ulcers fret, or painful cancers vex
With their corrosive pangs, the softer sex;
When thick'ning gloom obstructs all chearing light,
And threats a deprivation of the sight;
There introduce themselves without delay:
Distress, and pain, will strongly recommend
Th' unhappy wretch, who wants a pow'rful friend.
With humble confidence, th' afflicted poor,
Diurnally, may knock at either door,
Assur'd they soon some lenient shall obtain,
To cleanse the parts, and mitigate their pain.
From virtue's narrow, rugged, pleasant way,
Or basely won, in strong temptation's hour,
By bribes, or promises, or lawless pow'r;
Repentant grown, by one most noble plan,
Are shelter'd from the base deceits of man.
Shou'd nature physical assistance want,
When rank diseases grow predominant;
Two houses open stand, and seem t'invite
These wretched sufferers, to take their flight
From scenes of misery, I can't express;
And shelter there in search of happiness:
In this, a sov'reign remedy they find,
To charm, and ease each penitential mind;
For all the pains the body can endure.
Increase, and multiply, and fill the land;
The lawful wives are warn'd by pungent woes,
E'er long t'expect more sharp maternal throes,
In that distressful hour they may repair
To these abodes, and find assistance there.
When helpless hapless innocents are thrown
Out on the world; and tho' mature they grow,
Nor father, mother, brother, sister, know!
Can claim no kindred, for they were too young,
When first cast out by those from whom they sprung
These foundlings are receiv'd, Oh! noble plan;
And taught their duty, both to God, and man;
With comfort through life's rugged paths to pass;
Are useful members of the public made;
Are train'd to war, or bred in peaceful trade:
Each female's taught, as single, or as wife,
Th' incumbent duties of domestic life.
Is pleas'd to call the tender parents hence;
An azyle then, poor female orphans find,
Where foster parents, gen'rously inclin'd,
For their internal and external parts provide;
And to maturity their little charges guide.
A dislocated, or a fractur'd bone;
When febrous qualities th' ascendant get,
And with a speedy dissolution threat;
To sum up all; when death attacks our frame,
With mischiefs arm'd, for which I want a name,
Then may th' afflicted indigent apply,
Where smiling pity with propitious eye,
Shelt'ring the needy in their temp'ral home;
Alleviating ev'ry morbid woe,
As far as pow'r of medicine will go.
To kindle up an emulating flame
For war, and after, to reward the same;
We've public hospitals, design'd for those
Who serv'd the state against Great Britain's foes;
Her naval forces, and her sons of Mars,
Grown old in service, maim'd, and seam'd with scars;
Who, thro' each quarter of the wond'ring world,
Against her foes her vengeful thunders hurl'd!,
In these retreats, find wars, and tumults cease,
Securely live, and end their days in peace;
And bless that public with a grateful thought,
For which, in youth, so gallantly they fought.
Join with her gentry, in a grand design:
Nobly inspir'd by patriotic zeal,
Future events they weigh; commerce they know,
Is the chief source from whence our riches flow;
And Britain's royal navy, always bore
Her thund'ring terrors to each hostile shore;
And doubtless, will for ever prove in war,
The best defence, and most tremendous bar,
T'impede, and frustrate each attempt that's made
Against her state, or her extensive trade.
As war, and storms, destroy, and men must die,
Their motives are, to gain a fresh supply
Of hardy youths, who may in future days,
Serve in their stead, and plough the distant seas,
And prosecute their most humane intent,
T'employ, and cloath, the friendless indigent;
To send poor little vagrants from the streets,
And make them useful in our num'rous fleets.
T'assist the poor, and serve their country too.
Torn from their children, and a much lov'd wife!
When languishing for liberty they lie,
Shut up in prison; mercy hears their cry!
Compassion prompts within the gen'rous breast,
To give relief, to succour the distrest;
Many there are whose hearts with pleasure glow,
Whilst smiling, they with ready hand bestow
Part of their wealth; t'assist these useful poor,
And throw wide ope the debtors prison door,
Through which they pass; but, Oh! What pen can write
Their gratitude! And with what vast delight
They ruminate on this praise-worthy deed!
Their debts are paid! themselves from prison freed!
Their hearts conceive fond hope, they yet may live
In all the bliss, domestic joys can give!
Confus'd ideas unconnected reign,
By ready aids apply'd, 'tis often known,
Victorious reason re-assumes her throne.
This arduous task with pleasure undertake,
To spread the Christian faith from pole to pole,
And pour cœlestial knowledge on the soul.
Proofs of the founders large expanded hearts;
The charitable donors did intend.
To all, who feel benevolence of heart;
My bounty made the little ones rejoice!
The feeble plaintive sick, with chearful voice,
To health restor'd, their benefactors bless!
Recover'd females gratitude express!
The widows, orphans, and the foundlings, are
All living proofs of my indulgent care!
Poor boys I've cloath'd! And eas'd the pinching wants
Of friendless lads, or wand'ring mendicants;
Stepp'd between them, and their impending fate,
And made them serviceable to the state!
When painful throes attack the pregnant wife;
When struggling infants, launching into life,
Assistance want, I've been the happy means,
Of short'ning the duration of their pains!
Have lent assistance, till the time expir'd,
Their case, or common decency requir'd.
Of useful learning, to the needy poor!
I've dissipated the dark shades of night,
And re-illum'd th'expiring lamps of light;
Cur'd, and at ease, I've sent the lame away,
And made the blind rejoice at rising day!
What I bestow'd has giv'n felicity!
Paid a small debt! and set a pris'ner free!
He walks at large! No more a blank in life!
His children, friends, his happy grateful wife,
All join with him, with pray'rs the deed reward,
And beg omnipotence to be my guard!
Such pleasing thoughts, will fill the tranquil mind
Of ev'ry one, to charity inclin'd.
The poor deserted orphans to befriend;
To snatch from ruin, and impending wrath,
The softer sex, and to fair vertue's path,
To guide the wanderers, distress'd, forlorn!
Outcast! Diseas'd! by woes internal torn!
Who, strive t'assuage their bitterness of heart!
Ease ev'ry pang, and save their better part!
Who, kindly, ev'ry requisite provide
For wives, in bands of lawful wedlock ty'd:
Who, smile with pity on th' afflicted poor,
And strive lost health, and vigor to restore.
With affluence bless'd, and great beneficence!
For whom poor wretches, snatch'd from greedy death,
By gratitude inspir'd, employ their breath,
Imploring heav'n for double grace and wealth,
For those, who gave them vigor, ease, and health.
Words are inadequate, and prove too faint,
Their glowing flame of gratitude to paint!
The sweet anxiety, the fear t'offend;
The willingness t'oblige each noble friend!
That flush of joy! with which th' obliged meet
Their benefactors, when they kindly greet!
Speech wants the wish'd-for pow'r to make appear
Each warm emotion, and the starting tear!
The silent lucid sign, whenever view'd,
Of genuine overwhelming gratitude!
Tho' tongue, pen, pencil join, they'll ne'er impart
The sentiments of ev'ry grateful heart!
Nor can they all united, ever show
The godlike pleasures which the gen'rous know,
Those heart expanding joys, by none are felt,
But such as have compassionately dealt
Assistance to the poor, and where they saw
Submissive modest merit trodden low,
The drooping head, and give th'afflicted ease:
The merciful, humane, beneficent;
Who look around them, with a kind intent
To prop the needy, with a bounteous hand,
And prove a blessing to their native land:
Who cherish worth, in whomsoever found,
And smile with courtesy on all around:
These are the persons, providence hath blest
With wealth; of Godlike qualities possest!
Whose manly hearts exult, when they dispense
Their comforts, prompted by benevolence:
Who, with soft dove-ey'd pity view distress,
And wish they cou'd each fellow mortal bless.
These! These have seen the big emotions rise!
And all the soul come rushing to the eyes!
Have heard the fault'ring tongue attempt in vain,
The glowing dictates of the heart t'explain!
In the glad visage, with delight have read,
More than the greatest orators have said!
Th' obliger, and oblig'd, alone can know
This sweet complacence! and this grateful glow!
T'alleviate various sorts of human woes,
That great Society, may foremost stand;
Justly rever'd throughout Britannia's land:
As far as Phœbus annually surveys;
Who, from their origin, have firm pursu'd
Their first and noblest plan, the public good:
With fost'ring smiles, have call'd true merit forth,
And stamp'd their sanction on the sons of worth:
Whose words, and deeds, declare their kind intent,
By providence, for public blessings sent.
'Mongst many hundreds, in Britannia's isle,
And other parts, on whom they've deign'd to smile,
My happy lot was cast, that I might be
An object of their great benignity!
Kind providence was pleas'd my steps to guide,
Where these, munificent, oftimes reside,
Dispensing bounties, and rewards around,
To ev'ry rank, and sex, where merit's found.
When introduc'd by long known friends to these,
They soon approv'd my willingness to please;
To my endeavours paid a kind regard,
And gave my service all its wish'd reward.
The vivifying comforts they have dealt,
Which never from my mind eras'd shall be:
Giving both me, and mine, felicity!
To show how strong their benefits have wrought,
To action spurr'd, and rul'd in ev'ry thought,
Have taught my soul with ardent wish to glow,
I cou'd by service earn what they bestow,
Wing'd with desire! and proud my friends to please,
Ambitiously, I'll each occasion seize!
And prove when duty calls me to the test,
I wish to serve my benefactors best.
But how shall I for their benevolence,
Return by deeds, an ample recompence!
When largest rivers, which incessant glide,
And mix their currents with the briny tide,
Fall vastly short, and from each copious urn,
Cannot an adequate supply return;
Tho' disembogueing ages, they repay
Diurnal tribute to their parent sea.
After a life of service shall be spent,
Assiduously resolv'd to give content,
I yet shall wish if possible t'impart
In ampler sort, the dictates of my heart;
Still striving to discharge for past and present good,
The vast accumulating debt of gratitude.
The Charter-house, founded by Mr. Thomas Sutton, 1611, in which eighty decayed men, of good characters, which ought to be gentlemen, merchants, sailors, or soldiers, are allowed lodging, diet, cloaths, &c. and forty scholars are to be instructed in learning; from whence, some are sent to the universities, and others so disposed, put apprentice to trades and callings, and have necessary allowance during the time they remain at the university, or till their apprenticeship expires. This, doubtless, is the greatest charitable foundation, that ever was given by one man of his rank, especially in his life-time; for we are informed, Mr. Sutton gave the earl of Suffolk at first, for the estate, thirteen thousand pounds, besides making over estates, lands, and lordships, in divers places of considerable value, for a yearly maintenance of it for ever. For further information, vide an account of the Charter-house.
The city, at first obtained the place, called the Grey Friars, of king Henry the eighth, in the 38th year of his reign, for the relieving, and succouring of their poor: he also founded the church, called Christ church, and the city proceeded to make the hospital fit to receive poor children; and in 1552 took in 400. King Edward the Sixth, and king Charles the Second have been likewise great, and royal benefactors to this Hospital. Sir Robert Clayton, according to his accustomed charitable generosity, was a great benefactor to this hospital; as were likewise Sir Patience Ward, Sir John Frederick, Sir John Moore, knight; Mr. John Morrice, &c. and in our own times, many of our truly charitable and well disposed nobility, and gentry, have contributed largely to the support and maintenance thereof; so that some years they have had near a thousand boys and girls, and in general from about five to 700, or more. They have places in the country belonging to the foundation, to which the children are sent; where proper masters, nurses, and all necessaries are provided. In this hospital there is a grammar school, a mathematical school, a writing school, and a school for the girls; and a worthy matron always resides in the hospital, to inspect the behaviour of the nurses and servants, and to superintend the whole domestic department, which falls under the female inspection. Scholars are sent from hence to the universities, to sea, and apprenticed out to such trades and callings as shall appear suitable; and the girls are instructed in every thing necessary to make them useful members of society.
For more particular information, vide an account of Christ's hospital, and Bartholomew's hospital, adjoining; where the diseased and wounded poor are taken in to be dressed, attended, and maintained while there.
The Dispensary, for the relief of the infant poor, in East-street, Red-lion square; supported by voluntary contribution of the nobility and gentry, where many hundreds receive advice and physick gratis, and are cured of their disorders.
St. John's hospital, at No. 192, in High Holborn, at present in its infant state; but, from the unconfined utility of the plan proposed, it is to be hoped, it will meet with all the encouragement that can be reasonably expected from the nobility and gentry. It is intended to be supported by voluntary contribution of the charitable and humane, for the relief and cure of diseases of the legs, breasts, eyes, and all other cases which can be relieved and cured without rest.
Attendance to be given during the greatest part of every day: the charity to be conducted by a committee of the subscribers; such patients, as apply, to be admitted and dress'd immediately, and assisted as their cases require, without a previous recommendation; distress, pain, and poverty, being esteemed the most powerful recommendation any unfortunate person can bring. By the timely assistance which the poor have already obtained, many cancers in the breasts, and old inveterate ulcers in the Legs have been cured; and many have, from total blindness, been restored to sight; and by the timely assistance which they may in future there obtain, no doubt many will regain the use of their legs, preserve their affected sight, or recover it when lost, and be blessed with ease and sound constitutions; all which perhaps might be totally lost and destroyed by the delays which generally attend the reception of patients at hospitals.
Vide the London Lying-in hospital, in Aldersgate-street; the Lying-in hospital, in Brownlow-street; the Westminster lying-in hospital, near the Turnpike; supported by voluntary contribution of the nobility and gentry, with other places; where, through the benevolence of some humane individuals, and associations of a few, on application made, women in low circumstances are attended by proper persons, at the time of child-birth, and receive such comfortable assistance, as their cases require.
Vide Westminster Infirmary, Petty France; St. George's hospital, Hyde-park Corner; Middlesex hospital, near Tottenham-court Road; and the London hospital, Mile End; supported by voluntary contribution of the nobility and gentry; to these may be added, the London Dispensary, for the relief of the poor, in Aldersgate-street; St. Thomas's hospital, and Guy's hospital, Southwark; St. Bartholomew's hospital, Smithfield, &c. at which places the unfortunately poor are receiv'd, with the needy sick, and attended by proper surgeons to dress their wounds, reduce a dislocated, or set a fractured bone; and nurses to administer such comforts, and assistance, as patients may need, in their several conditions.
The Royal hospital, at Greenwhich; the Royal hospital, at Chelsea; where the maimed, wounded, superannuated, and worn out veteran sailors, who have served in the royal navy, and soldiers who have served in the army, are received, and maintained in peace, during the remainder of their lives. A noble recompence! Justly due to those who have ruined their constitutions, spent their youth, lost their blood, and often hazarded their lives in the defence of their country.
The supporters of the Marine society, are certainly engaged in a very laudable undertaking; and in the midst of their humane endeavours to support the friendless, and snatch poor little untaught vagrants from destruction, have an eye to futurity. They anticipate the day, when these youths, grown to maturity, shall, with gratitude, bless their benefactors, who drew them from the streets, from want, and poverty, and enabled them to earn an honest livelihood, in the merchants service, or in the service of their country; when, armed with the vengeance of a long forbearing, insulted nation; they sail forth, and in a naval thunder storm, pour destruction, with accustomed fury, on every foe of Britain.
Many of the nobility and gentry of both sexes have subscribed largely, at the Thatched-house tavern, for the relief of prisoners for small debts; and there have been already 247 discharged; and the generous undertaking still goes on, to the relief and discharge of others, who shall appear deserving of the bounty. Most of the debtors so discharged and relieved are useful manufacturers, and have large families.
At Bethlem hospital; where, when the bright lamp of reason grows dim, it is oftentimes re-illumed; and where, by the methods used, wand'ring fantastic ideas are chaced away, the mind reduced to a more solid train of reflection, and the patients are happily restored anew, to the society and conversation of their friends, and the enjoyment of life: but, if the cure should not be perfected, there is St. Luke's hospital, to which they retreat during life.
Vide the society for promoting Christian knowledge, and the society for propagating the Gospel in foreign parts: there is also an office to which clergymens widows, and children apply for relief.
There are so many schools, alms-houses, and hospitals, well endowed for the assistance and maintenance of the poor, the widows, and the fatherless, and for the education of children, in the cities of London, Westminster, and Southwark, and their invirons, that to give an account of them all, would make the work more voluminous than at present I intend. Let it suffice to say, that, wherever we walk, they appear to our view, with inscriptions on their fronts; and for further information, vide Stow, Maitland, Seymour, and others, who have written the surveys of London and Westminster.
The Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce whose generosity, munificence, and public spirit, has been exerted on so many occasions of public utility, to reward chemical, and mechanical operations, &c. and whose laudable attempts, to encourage, support, and establish the polite arts, manufactures, agriculture, and commerce of Great Britain, will always be remembered by the nation in general, and by many individuals, with gratitude and esteem.
| Benevolence, and gratitude | |