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From that time to the 22d of March, 1765, there have been received into the house,

Of these several were very young: shocking to think, even under fourteen years of age! and feveral, objects of fuch complicated diftrefs, that no man could hear their piteous complaints, or behold their deplorable miferies, without the tendereft emotions of compaffion!

The conductors of the charity have had. the happiness to fee of thefe reconciled to, and received by their friends, or placed in fervices in reputable families, and to trades,

Proved lunatics, and afflicted with incu-" able fits, who have been fent to St. Luke's hofpital, or their own parishes,

Died with all the marks of unfeigned contrition,

308

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Difmifs'd, at their own requeft, and upon reasonable views of advantage, or uneafy under confinement, tho' otherwise not blameable in their conduct,

683

75

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Never returned from hofpitals, to which they were fent to be cured,

;

Difmifs'd for irregularities, amongst which want of temper has been the common evil, S

Now in the house,

114

115

In the Whole

683

With refpect to thofe who have left the houfe with credit, we have had the pleasure to hear the moft favourable accounts in general: they turn out good fervants, and have approved themselves to the families in which they are placed, and in which we have the fatisfaction to find that they continue; a very small number only excepted.

For those who have been difmift the house, for irregularities, it is but juftice to fay, that though doubtlefs fome of them have been turned out for crimes, yet the far greater part have been difmift for faults and imprudencies; little petulance of temper and refractoriness of behaviour, which could not by any means be allowed. And -who can wonder at this, in a fociety of above an hundred young women, who have lived fo much at large; have had, many of them, fo few advantages from education or example; and been fo little accuftomed to the decency of regular and amiable conduct? Nay, we are -perfuaded, that they who confider the nature of the inftitution, and that the prefent is an account of its first eay, will rather be surprised to find, that fo few as 114, out of 683, have been difmift for irregular conduct.-At the first opening of the house, before experience had yet given in her aid, compaffion it is to be supposed, might perhaps have too great prevalence; and B 4

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from a reluctance to reject the miserable petitioners, fome not altogether proper gained admiffion. This was one fource of more frequent difmiffions at firft. And as in the firft inftitution one Matron only was provided, the multiplicity of whofe neceffary attendance upon the other bufinefs of the house, prevented her conftant prefence with the women; a proper check upon them was wanting, to ftifle little quarrels, correct refractory tempers, and difcourage petulant and opprobrious language. But fince an af fifting Matron has been chofen, whose business it is conftantly to be prefent with, and to influence the conduct and difcourfe of the women; thro' her good care, and the exemplary management of the fuperior Matron, we have had much less cause of complaint: and the difmiffions for irregular behaviour, have been far less frequent.

But we defire particularly to inform the reader, what hath given us the highest fatisfaction, that even of those who have been difmist, many have never returned to their former detefted way of life of life; but have fought to maintain themselves, in the moft laborious fervices, declaring, they would rather endure any extremities, than plunge again into guilt and shame. Nay, and fome have applied to the Lord Mayor

to

to be fent abroad, that fo they might avoid the fatal neceffity of returning to vice, thro mere want of fuftenance.

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As no man could ever fuppofe, that each individual admitted within the walls of the Magdalen-house, would prove a real penitent, and all the benefits there proposed to them; fo, certainly, it must be confeft, that these are as happy confequences, as the most fanguine efpousers of this charitable design could expect; confequences, which muft delight the heart of every humane and fincere Chriftian; who can never fail to hear with pleasure of the restoration and recovery of fo many young and helpless fellow-creatures from a ftate the moft pitiable; from fearful deftruction of body and foul, apparently inevitable, without this hofpitable fuccour. Were we allowed to mention the ticular circumftances of diftrefs, and all the mournful ftory of the woe which many of them. have fuffered, as well as the innate goodness of mind which hath discovered itself in many; the compaffion of the public would be much moved towards them; and they would rejoice with us, in having faved from diftrefs, far beyond defcription, many truly deferving, tho' moft unfortunate young women.

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For the women now in the house, we have the pleasure to affure the public, that they behave themselves, with all imaginable propriety. Nay, the public are themfelves, in fome measure, judges, by feeing their decent and commendable deportment in the Chapel, which has dispelled the doubts, and diffipated the fcruples of many hefitating objectors to this defign. Their conduct, in other refpects, is conformable to that in the Chapel; as unexceptionable as could be expected; nay, and much more fo than might generally be imagined, confidering their former ftate and circumstances.Several of them conftantly attend the Sacrament; more, we hope, in due time, and after proper inftructions, will follow the good example; and, if from external marks we may be allowed to infer the fincerity of the foul, we have every proof, which could be defired. They exprefs the greatest gratitude to their benefactors, and the most affectionate fentiments towards their friends: In proof of which, we are permitted to fubjoin a few original Letters. Nor is their regard for each other lefs confpicuous: folicituous as they fhew themselves to ferve and to recommend each other, according to their abilities, to proper places and employments. A tender zeal for the welfare of their Sifter-Magdalens hath frequently

fhewn

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