364 Public Charities. [OCT. 



parish an income of upwards of 1 50/., destined for the most part to be 

 expended in bread, sometimes on sermons, and sometimes in distributions 

 of small sums on certain days. Generally the sums are fixed ; and are 

 disposed of according to the directions of the donors. Here and there 

 those directions are neglected, but in no important instances ; and in two 

 or three cases, where the Commissioners have observed deviations, 

 they have made representations, and promises have been given of stricter 

 observance. But there are two others, of more importance, which require 

 specification. 



ST. PAUL'S FAIR. This is held, by charter, in this parish on the first of 

 March and seven succeeding days. Tolls are taken, and the profits, after 

 20s. paid to the corporation, go to the maintenance of the poor, and the 

 repair of the conduits. The average profits for ten years are 70/. 1 5s. 5%d. ; 

 and the average expenditure on the conduits 63/. 14s. 5%d. ; the balance 

 does not merge in the poor rates, but is distributed on the recommendation 

 of the vestry. 



CHURCH LANDS. The oldest deed of feoffment is of the reign of 

 Edward IV. The lands were given for the maintenance and repairing of 

 the parish church, the relief of the poor, and other good uses within the 

 parish, with the consent of the vestrymen, or the most of them, and not 

 otherwise. The rent of these estates amounts to 5571. Is. Sd. The 

 expenses of the churchwardens for some years past considerably exceed 

 the funds ; but the deficiencies will by and by be met by fines, &c. The 

 following is the average annual expenditure for ten years to Easter 1820 

 of all the rents and revenues under the controul of the vestry : 



In charities, including allowance in bread, money, gifts for ser- . s. d. 

 mons,&c 132 4 



On account of the income of St. Paul's Fair, for rent and repair 

 of water pipes, gifts to poor, and ROYALTY EXPENSES 103 7 



Repairs of church and church-yard 325 12 3 



Service of church, viz. vicar for prayers, organist, clerk, sexton, 



ringers, and incidental expences 172 6 6 



MAKING RATES, surveying, law expenses, printing, receiver of 



rents, &c 52 14 3 



Sundry expenses, including church-clerk's account, sealing, 

 DINNER EXPENSES of perambulations, DRESSING THE 

 CHURCH IN MOURNING, WATERLOO subscription, and inci- 

 dental expenses 75 6 7 



861 10 71 



In this statement we have marked by large letters certain expenses for 

 which we cannot conceive the trustees have an atom of authority, and 

 some of which rather outstep the bounds of decency, so long as there is one 

 miserable object within their reach. From the profits of the fair and the 

 church lands, it will be observed, surely with some surprise, how very 

 little the poor are benefited. 



Bristol is rich in charitable endowments we have still some to enume- 

 rate, particularly 



OLD BACHELORS AND MAIDS' ALMSHOUSE, instituted by Mrs. Sarah 

 Ridley, 1 726, for five old bachelors and five old maids, " who are not, 

 nor ever have been Roman Catholics, or inclinable to be such, and never 

 received alms." This lady left 2,200/. ; and subsequent benefactions by 

 others, particularly one of 1000/. by John Joacham, in 1768, have 

 augmented the funds. The stock is vested in Bank and South Sea Annui- 



