1

THE

INFIRMARY;

OR,

SKETCHES OF PRACTICAL

BENEVOLENCE.

A POEM IN FOUR CANTOS.

BY J. H. MATTHIASON,
Author of The Faithful Shepherd,' &c.

London:

PUBLISHED BY G. B. WHITTAKER, AVE-MARIA LANE; W. JOY,
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD; AND J. NISBET, BERNERS
STREET, OXFORD STREET:

ALSO BY J. WEBB AND C. B. MERRY, BEDFORD; AND DICEY
AND SMITHSON, NORTHAMPTON.

1828.

280.

Havell & Son, Printers, 79, Newman-street, Oxford-street, London.

APOLOGY.

TO THE RIGHT REVEREND JOHN, LORD BISHOP OF LINCOLN,

MY LORD,

WHEN I took the liberty of presenting the proposal of the following Poem to your Lordship, it was more with a view of ascertaining how far I might even dare to look for approbation of so critical an attempt by one nøt dignified with holy orders, than with the expectation of that offer, unsolicited, and expressed with all that urbanity and grace which are the essence of genuine benevolence and the very soul of Christian feeling, of becoming a subscriber to my humble work in pursuance of the same glorious and triumphant cause of which your Lordship is so able and excellent an advocate. Feeling therefore, as I do, the deepest sense of that merit which ought well to characterize the object of so great a sanction; I have only to regret that it is not more worthy of the distinguished favour with which it has been encouraged.

I am, MY LORD,

With the highest veneration,

Your Lordship's obliged

And most humble servant,

THE AUTHOR.

Bedford, June 20, 1828.