Part 14 (2/2)

In the autumn of 1840 there was an epidemic of scarlatina, and of the 237 patients on the books, 50 were suffering from that complaint. In consequence of the additional work thus caused, the salary of the dispenser was raised from 40 to 60 a year.

Again, with regard to a new source of income, among early notices we find the following: that on Sept. 29th, 1790, the first anniversary of the Dispensary's formation, a sermon was preached, on its behalf, at a service in the parish church, by the Rev. John Dymoke, Rector of Scrivelsby, and Chaplain to his grace the Duke of St. Albans. This became an annual observance, and has continued so ever since, the preachers being selected with special care, and often from a considerable distance. For instance, at the following anniversary, in 1791, the Rev.

Everard Duckworth, LL.D., Prebendary of Canterbury, was invited to preach, and he being unable to undertake that office, the Rev. Peter Bulmer, Vicar of Thorpe, officiated in his stead. Among other preachers named we find the Rev. Basil Beridge, well-known for his works of charity, Rector of Algarkirk, near Boston; the Rev. W. Goodenough, Archdeacon of Carlisle; the Rev. E. R. Mantell, Vicar of Louth, and other prominent clergy of the county.

How widely the inst.i.tution was appreciated is shewn by the number of leading persons who gave it their patronage. Sir Joseph Banks was its warmest supporter, through life, regularly attending the committee meetings, either as a Governor or President, until his decease, June 19, 1820; and his example brought to the meetings members of the Chaplin, Ma.s.singberd, and Heneage families, Lord Yarborough, and others, at no small inconvenience, from considerable distances.

[Picture: The Bull Ring]

Among other Presidents have been the widowed Lady Banks; Lord Yarborough, on several occasions; the Honble. and Rev. John Dymoke; to whom succeeded the Honble. Henry, afterwards Sir Henry Dymoke, Bart.; Lord Worsley; the Right Honble. E. Stanhope, M.P.; J. Banks Stanhope, Esq. After the death of Mr. Stanhope, Jan. 18th, 1904, it was resolved, at a special meeting of the Governors, Jan. 28th, that the Secretary should record, among the minutes, their regret at his death, and their high appreciation of his long and generous support. The chairman was requested to send a copy of this to the Honble. Mrs. Stanhope; and at a meeting held on March 31st, following, a very kind letter in reply was read from Mrs. Stanhope, promising her support in the future, in lieu of that of the deceased gentleman. The chairman was again requested to convey to her the thanks of the Governors, and Mrs. Stanhope was elected and continued to be President until her death, October 25th, 1907.

Among Vice-Presidents have been two Earls Fortescue (father and son); Lord Worsley: Sir Joseph Hawley, Bart.; J. Ha.s.sard Short, Esq.; Earl Manvers; C. H. Ma.s.singberd Mundy, Esq.; General Sir E. Brackenbury, Knight of Hanover; J. Lewis Ffytche, Esq.; Capt. Dallas York, Lord Willoughby d'Eresby; Sir H. M. Hawley, Bart.

For many years a ball was given in aid of the funds, in the a.s.sembly Room, Bull Hotel, Horncastle, which (with the exception perhaps of the ”stuff” ball at Lincoln) was the most fas.h.i.+onably attended of any such gathering in the county. Among the stewards of this ball we find the names of G. M. Alington, Esq., of Swinhope Hall; Joseph Livesey, Esq., Stourton Hall; C. Waldo Sibthorpe, Esq., Canwick Hall; G. F. W.

Sibthorpe, Esq.; Col. Sibthorpe, M.P.; the Right Honble. C. T.

d'Egremont, M.P.; E. Heneage, Esq., M.P.; Capt. Mansell, of Well Hall; G.

B. Langton, Esq., of Langton Hall; J. Banks Stanhope, M.P.; Sir Montague Cholmondly, Bart.; Sir Charles H. J. Anderson, of Lea, Bart.; Sir William Ingilby, Bart., Ripley Castle, Yorks; Lord Yarborough; H. Handley, M.P., Sleaford; Lord Amelius Beauclerk; Capt. Boucherett, North Willingham Hall; Honble. Capt. Monson; Capt. Lionel Dymoke.

Among the lady patronesses were Lady Worsley, the d.u.c.h.ess of St. Albans, Lady Mary Christopher, Mrs. G. W. Sibthorpe, Lady Anderson, Mrs. Livesey, Lady Nelthorpe, Lady Dymoke, Lady Albinia Pye.

These b.a.l.l.s were discontinued, to the general regret, and to the loss of the dispensary, after the year 1871; and to make up for the loss Mr. J.

Banks Stanhope in that year presented the inst.i.tution with a cheque for 20.

We close this list of officials, with a brief account of the dispensers, on whom the efficiency of the inst.i.tution largely depended. They were usually qualified chemists, or surgeons and apothecaries; and generally also acted as secretaries. The first of these we have already named, Mr.

John Chislett, to him succeeded Mr. Lewis Bilton, secretary and compositor, 17931799; L. Barton, compositor, 17991801; G. Lunn, compositor, 18011807; John Lenton, compositor, 18071809; William Morley, compositor, 18091810; Thomas Taylor, surgeon apothecary, compositor, 18111826; Thomas Snaith, Surgeon, 18261834; William Ward, surgeon and apothecary, 18341839; W. Shepherd, 18391840 (ad interim); Francis Macarthur, {124} dispenser, 18401865; William Caunt, dispenser, 186575; William Betts, Chemist and Druggist, 1875, Lady-day; elected secretary Nov. 2nd, 1882; his services have extended over a longer period than those of any previous dispenser.

On the death of the Champion, Sir Henry Dymoke, Bart., April 28th, 1865, the Governors resolved to erect a new dispensary, as a memorial of his long connection with the charity. Circulars were issued inviting subscriptions, and, among other donors, Robert Vyner, Esq., of Gautby Hall, gave 200; the site of 52, North Street, was purchased, and the present building was erected in 1866. In 1867 the old house in the churchyard was sold for 142 11s. 4d., and the new premises were occupied in the autumn of that year. It was built from the designs of Messrs.

Bellamy & Hardy, Architects, of Lincoln, the contractor for the work being Mr. Robert Carter, Builder, of North Street, Horncastle. The original contract was for 765, but the ultimate cost, with furniture, lawyer's expenses, &c., amounted to 1,026 10s. 11d. It is subject to a ground rent of 1 to the Stanhope estate.

Of late years the support, by subscriptions, has on several occasions been inadequate. In January, 1899, there being a deficit of 70, the late Mr. J. Banks Stanhope gave the Governors a cheque for that amount.

In the year 1905, there being again a serious deficit, application was made to the trustees of the Hurstcroft and Snowden charity, and they contributed 20 on condition that 25 poor children should receive medical treatment free of charge. A further sum of 53 14s. remaining as a surplus, in the hands of the Soup Kitchen Committee, was also given to the funds. Canon Quarrington, formerly Vicar of Horncastle, also contributed 20; and other donations made up a relief fund of 106 (see Report for the year). The debt was thus wiped out, but death having carried off many former subscribers, increased support will be needed in the future.

Legacies have been bequeathed to the inst.i.tution by various persons, at different times, as follows: Dr. Harrison, by will dated Feb. 5th, 1820, left 100; the late H. J. Fielding, Esq., who died Aug. 10th, 1879, left by will 100; in 1884 the late Mr. T. Garfit bequeathed 100; ten 10 shares in the railway were bequeathed by Mrs. Fox Marshall in 1897; 100 was bequeathed by Mr. J. W. Hart, of Tetford, in 1900; Mr. John Bancroft left 50 in 1905; 357 were invested in Consols and 200 in railway shares, in 1899; a portion of this was sold in 1902, and 300 were invested in the Corn Exchange; the Dispensary premises were also insured for 800, instead of 600, in the County Fire Office, in 1902.

It will thus be seen that although the operations of the inst.i.tution no longer embrace the extended area of the early years of its existence, it is still doing a most valuable work in the alleviation of suffering among the poor and needy, in both town and country for many miles round, and is thoroughly deserving of the increased support, which is required, to continue its efficiency. We trust that this will be recognized by the land owners and others, and that such a.s.sistance will be forthcoming.

CHAPTER IX.

THE Ca.n.a.l.

The Horncastle Ca.n.a.l, connecting for commerce the town with the river Witham, and so with Lincoln, Boston, and the sea, though now a derelict, was formerly of much value. Its history is here given from its earliest inception.

Horncastle having been for some centuries the chief market of an important agricultural district, an a.s.sociation was formed towards the close of the 18th century, with the t.i.tle ”The Company of Proprietors of Horncastle Navigation, in the County of Lincoln.” This was, in the year 1792, incorporated by an Act of Parliament, which gave a list of the names of the original members, and secured to them, and to their successors, perpetual possession of the same, and a common seal. The ca.n.a.l was to be 11 miles long, extending from the junction of the two rivers, Bain and Waring, which traverse the town and meet at the point where now stands the public swimming bath, to the Witham at Tattershall; and pa.s.sing through the parishes of Thornton, Martin, Dalderby, Roughton, Haltham, Kirkby, Coningsby, and Tattershall.

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