1827.] Public Chanties. 50) 



sion of fourteen was accordingly named ; in 1819 their number was aug- 

 mented to twenty,* with enlarged powers; and in 1824 the provisions of 

 the previous act were continued for four years. These powers extend to 

 the right of inquiry into all estates, funds, and donations, of whatever kind, 

 left for charitable uses, to the summoning of all concerned in the manage- 

 ment, and the enforcing production of documents. The commissioners 

 may examine on oath, and are themselves sworn to execute the trust com- 

 mitted to them faithfully, impartially, and truly. But there are exemp- 

 tions, and important exemptions too, why or wherefore for what honour- 

 able purpose we mean no man could ever understand. Who are the 

 parties exempted then ? The Universities of Oxford and Camhridge; the 

 Colleges of Westminster, Eton, and Winchester ; the schools of Harrow 

 and Rugby ; and the Corporation of the Trinity House ; but, besides, all 

 charities a pretty considerable number having special visitors, governors, 

 or officers, appointed by the founder ; and finally, all charities for the 

 benefit of Jews and Quakers, as well as those wholly or principally sup- 

 ported by voluntary subscription. The work has been zealously pursued, 

 and the results have been annually printed ; but, though disclosing the 

 most important information, and the most irrefragable corruptions, these 

 reports have hitherto not been taken into consideration by parliament; and 

 as to the country generally, they are so manv sealed volumes. They are 

 printed only for the use o'f the members a few copies, besides, which get 

 into circulation, do so by oblique means; but were they published for 

 general sale, their very bulk would alone preclude any considerable 

 acquaintance with them. 



Deeply impressed, as we have long been, with a sense of their importance, 

 we were on the point of analysing their contents, when we heard of a pub- 

 lication, professing to give the substance of these voluminous reports in a 

 condensed form, by a gentleman already advantageously known as the 

 Editor of the Cabinet Lawyer ; but even this publication exceedingly 

 well got Tip as we find it to be will not supersede our purpose, though it 

 will abridge our labour. An established periodical is a capital vehicle for 

 spreading information on subjects of too general or too remote an interest 

 to be immediately and personally exciting. It lays the matter before 

 the reader's eyes without waiting for the summons ; by the same act, 

 it excites curiosity and at once gratifies it. W T e propose, then, in 

 laying the subject of public charities before our readers, to take upon 

 ourselves the same office, towards the abridged reports to which we refer, 

 which the author of them has performed towards the original ones 

 convinced, that while we gratify our readers, and serve the cause we 

 have at heart, we shall only be fixing an attention, that will still more 

 effectually promote the circulation of his book, and ensure him still further 

 the reward he so justly deserves. The Editor commences his reports with 

 the London Companies, and we shall, in general, follow his arrangement. 

 These companies have the management of numerous charities all over the 

 country ; and out of the produce of these charities, we shall find, spring 

 the sources of much of those feastings, for which the city is so nobly 

 renowned. Our purpose, more specifically, is to state the object of each 

 charity the present state of the property, and its actual application. 



* Of these, ten, not in parliament, receive a 1,000 a year each; and 8,000 is annually 

 allowed for secretaries, messengers, and travelling expences. The commissioners are 

 divided into board?, we believe of two and three each af course the salaried commis- 

 sioners are the only working ones. 



