EDINBURGH. 



339 



Edinburgh, other institutions of the same kind, where the numbers 

 N """Y""^ are greater. Here mattrasses of hair and wool are 

 made ; mats and baskets of all descriptions ; and some 

 of the blind have even been occupied in weaving. 

 Society for The preceding observations lead us to remark, that 

 suppression several expedients have been devised, in different coun- 

 I begging, tries, for the suppression and extirpation of mendicity. 

 So long ago as the year 1701, a pamphlet was published 

 in Edinburgh, laying down a system for the suppres- 

 sion of begging, and for alimenting the poor. It was 

 then proposed, that a general contribution should be 

 raised by voluntary subscription, for their reception 

 into hospitals or workhouses ; that they should be em- 

 ployed in useful occupations, and that the produce of 

 their labour should be sold for indemnifying those who 

 contributed to carry the system into execution. We 

 know not if this proposal was put in practice ; but 

 more than a century later, one not dissimilar has been 

 adopted, and, during its continuance, has been at- 

 tended with complete success. A society, chiefly 

 through the exertions of Mr Robert Johnstone, one of 

 the magistrates of Edinburgh, was instituted in the be- 

 ginning of the year 1813, for the suppression of beggars, 

 for the relief of occasional distress, and for the encourage- 

 ment of industry among the poor. All these different 

 objects have been effected. The city is entirely freed of 

 beggars, a great number of suffering individuals have 

 been relieved, and a considerable quantity of work pro- 

 duced by those who were willing and able to labour. 

 During the first eight months of the institution, 622 per- 

 ons applied for relief, of whom 456 were females ; and 

 it would appear, that the applicants had 481 children de- 

 pendent on them. Every case is strictly investigated, 

 both to shun the hazard of deception, and to afford the 

 proper means of relief. It is then referred to one of 

 several committees, by which it is suitably disposed of. 

 This institution is entirely supported by voluntary con- 

 tributions, and the produce of labour. 



laljnj The author above quoted also suggested, in 1701, a 

 un. plan for suppressing vice and idleness ; and in various 

 places societies have been instituted for the repressing 

 of the vices which are principally prevalent in great 

 cities, or tor recalling those to innocent pursuits who 

 are not inured to vicious habits. Youth is easily led 

 astray, and mankind too often fall a sacrifice to the art- 

 ful contaminations of their fellow creatures. In the 

 city of Edinburgh, there is only one institution, so far 

 as we are aware, for such laudable objects. This is 

 the Magdalene Asylum : an institution, of which the 

 purpose is, to shelter, and occupy in useful labour, those 

 females who may be reclaimed from prostitution, to the 

 paths of virtue. An edifice was built for their reception 

 in 1797, north of the Canongate, and they are not ex- 

 posed to common view. The work performed there, is 

 spinning, sewing, washing, and other occupations ; and, 

 unlike most charitable establishments connected with la- 

 . hour, the return nearly equals the expence of subsistence. 

 One-third of the value of the work is allowed to the fe- 

 males for clothing. From the date of die institution, in 

 I7!7, until the first of January 1813, there had been re- 

 ceived into the asylum 202 females ; 33 of whom had 

 claimed protection during the preceding year. Of all that 

 number, only 23 exceeded 24 years of age ; which per- 

 haps goes to testify, that vicious habits, when longer 

 rooted, become incurable. Most of the whole had been 

 discharged, and sent to service, or were reconciled to 

 their relations ; but some proved irreclaimable. There 

 then remained 59 in the house. It is singular to remark, 

 that although other vices are eradicated, no instance 



has yet occurred of reformation from drinking; an- Edinburgh, 

 other proof added to a thousand others, of the perni- '""Y"'^ 

 cious effects attending the use of ardent spirits. The 

 expenditure of the house for the year now referred to, 

 was L.I 081 ; while the receipt was L.I 099. Of this, 

 the expence of subsistence amounted to L. 733 ; and 

 the produce of labour to L. 528. The funds arise from 

 annual subscriptions, occasional donations, and the va- 

 lue of the work done in the asylum : But as there is no 

 more than sufficient, even with rigid economy, to sup- 

 port the establishment, cases of a very distressing and 

 urgent nature are sometimes necessarily rejected. 



There are other two institutions on a smaller scale : Repository 

 one called the Repository, which is a wareroom where a "d House 

 the better class of females may privately send their of Iniiustr y- 

 work to be disposed of; the other called the House of 

 Industry. The latter is for the purpose of affording 

 assistance to aged females wanting employment, and 

 for training the young to industry. It is divided into 

 three branches ; spinning, the manufacture of lace, and 

 a school for servants. The spinners have sometimes 

 amounted to SO, and the lace-workers to 24, several 

 under 12 years of age. Each is paid for the work per- 

 formed, after deduction for materials and the expence 

 of the institution. 



The charitable institutions of Edinburgh, which have 

 no permanent funds like those already described, or do 

 not make such a prominent figure, are extremely nu- 

 merous and useful. There is a Lancastrian School So- 

 ciety, having three large schools under its care, where 

 the children of the poor are well taught, partly gratis, 

 and partly at a very cheap rate. The Kirk Sessions 

 have also a Lancastrian School under their manage- 

 ment, and ten Sunday Schools, attended by about 600 

 poor children, who go regularly to church, and are in- 

 structed by competent masters in the principles of re- 

 ligion. A Gratis Sabbath School Society, instituted 

 many years ago, has done much good. The number 

 of their schools at present is 55, and the number of pu- 

 pils 3170. The annual expenditure is about L.I 90, or 

 1 s. 3d. for each individual. There are various other 

 charity schools. A school for the deaf and dumb is 

 taught by Mr Kinniburgh with much skill and suc- 

 cess. A Destitute Sick Society, and two Female So- 

 cieties, for the relief of aged and indigent women, have 

 rendered very meritorious services to the lower classes 

 of the community. The Edinburgh Missionary Socie- 

 ty, t!ie Auxiliary (to the London) Missionary Society, 

 the Edinburgh IJible Society, with its various subordi- 

 nate branches, the Religious Tract Society, the Society 

 for Propagating Religious Knowledge in the Highlands 

 and Islands of Scotland, the Society for Promoting Re- 

 ligious Knowledge among the Poor, the Gaelic School 

 Society, the Society for the Erection and Support of 

 Schools in Ireland, the Society for the Sons of the 

 Clergy, the African and Asiatic Society, may all be 

 mentioned as affording favourable views of the religi- 

 ous zeal and benevolent spirit of the metropolis of Scot- 

 land. 



The commercial establishments of this city, in which p u bij c com. 

 the public at large may be said to be concerned, are a merci*] M- 

 chamber of commerce, (wherein matters connected with tablish- 

 the advantage of trade and manufactures are suggested,) *>em- 

 banks, and insurance offices. There are three public 

 banks, ten private banking companies, and about twen- 

 ty-five agencies for country banks, besides the business 

 done for London. All the public banks issue notes, 

 of from one pound to one hundred in value ; and these 

 are also issued by three of the private companies, but 



