• BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. ' 163 



This could not be remedied, except by ufing an iron pipe, to cou- 

 duel the water ; for a building cannot be erected on the lame fide as 

 the fpring, without being fo remote from it, either above or below, 

 as to be liable to equal inconvenience. This is the cale with reipeit 

 to a bathing-houfe for paupers, built by the river's fide above the 

 fpring by a teflamentary donation of Peter Valette, efq; whicli is 

 at too great a diflance. This gentleman, having oblerved with re- 

 gret that many poor and fick vdiito perlons, who had come from, 

 time to time to Bath for the benefit of the waters, either died, or 

 fuffered greatly for want of fubfiftence, and the common neceflarics 

 of life, devifed the lum of lO'/. per annum, payable during 

 the term often years, from the time of his deceafe, towards the 

 relief and lupport of fuch poor perfons, not being indented iervants, 

 nor having any vifible way of maintaining themtelves, who might 

 from time to time adually refide about the Bath-fpring; directing 

 the phyfician there to deliver a weekly ftipend of 7 j. 6 cL into the 

 hands of all fuch objedls of charity; or otherwife to lay out the 

 fame for their ufe and benefit during the time of their refiuenccj 

 not exceeding three months each: and, in cafe of any overplus re- 

 maining at the end of the year, he defired that it might be expeiuled 

 in providing nurfes to attend the poor infirm people at the fpring, 

 or in building lodging- houfes and accommodations for them near 

 it. His executors performed their truft with great propriety. 

 They built an hofpital, provided nurfes, ifupported upwards 

 of one hundred paupers, who had come from different parts 

 of the ifland at various times for relief; and in 177X, when 

 the ten years term affigned by the donor expired, had a ba- 

 lance of 96/. in their hands. The aflembly, upon their repre- 

 fentation, that, without the public afliftancc, this necefl'ary relief, 

 could no longer be continued to diftrefled objects reforting to Bath, 

 benevolently granted an aid of yo l.per ann. and ordered the fame to 

 be paid into the hands of the phyfician there, to be expended, and 

 accounted for, to the fame good purpoles, and under the fame 

 provifions, as Mr. Valette's annuity. This worthy man hr.s thus 

 laid the foundation of a very ufeful charity, which is likely to be 

 permanent ; fince there is no doubt but the aflembly will continue 

 to lupport it by an annual bcnefaftion. Acls of this kind are real mo- 



Y 2 iiumcnts 



