SHilEWsEURY. 225 



The eredlon of this elegant ftrudure was begun 

 m the year 1760, for the purpofe of rec jiving part 

 of the foundlings from the great hofpital iu London. 

 Thefe were to be put out to nurfe m the country ; 

 and when of proper age were to be brought into 

 the houfe, and inftrufted in fewing, knitting, card»- 

 ing, fpinning, &c. till they were old enough to be 

 put out apprentices. The hofpital in London dif* 

 continued fending children, arid in confequence the 

 building be<:ame ufeiefs as to its original purpofe. — 

 The expences of its ereflion amounted to more than 

 twelve thoufand pounds. — It was afterwards made a 

 place of confinement for prifoners of war. 



An act of parliament was obtained by the inhabit- 

 ants of Shrewfbury to enable lliem to form a houfe 

 of induftry for the poor of their feveral pariflies, and 

 this building was purchafed and opened for the re- 

 ception of its objefts in December 1783. The 

 buildings, necefiary alterations, furniture, &c. coft 

 jfeven thoufand pounds. 



The inhabitants of thefe parifhes that are rated 

 and afTeffed, and poiTelfed of property to the amount 

 of thirty pounds per annum ^ or that are rated at fif- 

 teen pounds, are incorporated as guardians of the 

 poor. From thefe there are chofen twelve diredlcrs^ 

 each of whom ferves his office for three years 5 and 

 to the board of directors the management of the 

 whole bufinefs of the houfe is entrufled. They meet, 

 in a room appropriated to their ufe, twice a week, 



VOL. IU Q The 



