THE BATH INSTITUTION. 5 



friends ; but a few, I believe, at first ; for, when the 

 design was made at all public, no name appeared but 

 his own as the secretary of an association which had 

 been formed. 



On the 14th of April in that year he addressed a 

 printed circular letter to such persons in Bath as he 

 thought might be disposed to join with him in carry- 

 ing on the design. One of these was directed to me, 

 who had before some acquaintance with Dr. Barlow, 

 but had never had any communication with him 

 respecting this project. 



This letter contained an outline of the scheme: 

 persons were invited to offer suggestions. It was 

 also intended to ascertain the feeling which existed 

 in Bath respecting such a design, and the amount of 

 support which might be expected. 



The scheme partook of the someivhat sanguine 

 temperament of Dr. Barlow's mind. The institution 



already sufficiently cared for in various other ways, especially by 

 the United Hospital and Dispensary, and by the privilege, 

 usually granted by the corporation to poor inhabitants, of the 

 use of the waters without payment. The General Hospital was 

 especially founded for the purpose of receiving strangers for those 

 maladies from which relief might be expected from the waters of 

 Bath. Tliere was a disinterestedness, a generosity, and a beauty 

 in this, an argument for those to use who had from year to year 

 to recommend it to the liberality of wealthier strangers who 

 resorted to the healing springs, of which I must confess I was 

 exceedingly sorry to see the hospital deprived. 



