Infirmary Engraving

[RichardB]

The Infirmary

Is a very handsome long stone building, and has two wings, with a semicircular

projection in front and a square one behind. It is finely situated, half

a mile to the north-west of the town, and commands a beautiful view of the

Old Park wood and the valley below, and looks in an oblique direction over

Bridgehouses.

As yet, there are not many buildings in the immediate vicinity,

but it is probable that if the state of trade should improve in this town,

it would soon extend itself so far as to bring the Infirmary within its precincts.

It was began to be erected in the year 1793. On Wednesday Sept. 3d, the first stone

was laid by Richard Swallow, Esq. of Attercliffe, as deputed

by Mrs. Fell, of New Hall, a lady who generously gave one thousand

pounds towards the institution. On this occasion a grand procession of

the friends of the Infirmary, the various public bodies, &c. moved slowly on

through an amazing concourse of people, who hailed the day as secured to

the best purposes of humanity. Every feeling of mind glowed with delight,

and blessed the benevolent promoters of this institution for the relief of suffering

indigence. When the procession reached the ground, the plate on

which was the following inscription, was deposited under the stone, vvjiich

was suspended by pullies for that purpose :— "

Sheffield General Infirmary, for the reception of sick and lame poor of

any county. Richard Swallow, Esq. deputed by Mrs. Fell, of New-Hall,

near Sheffield, laid the first stone, the fourth day of September, in the year

of our Lord MDCCXCIII. John Rawstorne, Architect. Glory be to

God on High ; and on Earth Peace. Good-will towards Men."

Prayer was afterwards solemnly offered up to Almighty God on the occasion

by the Rev. James Wilkinson, vicar of Sheffield, and the Rev. Mr.

Chadwick, then master of the Free Grammar-School in this town.

Several of the neighbouring nobility honoured the patrons of the institution

with their presence on this occasion.

The following are the present officers of the institution :

—President, His Grace the Duke of Norfolk.

—Vice Presidents, His Grace the Duke pf Devonshire, the Right Hon. Earl Fitzwilliam.

—Treasurers, Messrs. Parker, Shores, and Blakelock, Messrs. Walkers, Eyre, and Stanley

Dr. Benjamin Wainwright, Honorary Physician for Life.

Hugh Cheney, M. D. Honorary Surgeon for Life.

—Physicians, Dr. William Younge,

Dr. Arnold James Knight.

—Surgeons, Mr. William Staniforth, Mr. Charles Hawksley Webb, Mr. William Staniforth, jun.

—House Surgeon and Apothecary, Mr. Robert Ernest.

—Matron, Mrs. Mary Margrave.

—Secretary, Mr. John Dawson.

Among the benefactors and patrons of distinction whose names are found

in the reports of the institution, are, His Grace the Duke of Norfolk, HisGrace

the Duke of Devonshire, His Grace the Duke of Leeds, the Right

Hon. Lord Eardley, the Right Hon. Earl Fitzwilliain, the Right Hon.

Lord Milton, the Right Hon. Earl of Hare'wood, the Right Hon. Lord

Viscount Galway. the Right Hon. the Earl, of Scarborough, the Right

Hon. H. Lascelles, the Right Hon. Earl Manvers, Sir Sitwell Sitwell,

Bart., Sir Montague Burgoyne, Bart., and Sir W. G. Bagshaw, Bart.

It is impossible in this place to pass over the name of the late Dr. Brown,

whose name will be remembered by those of our readers who knew him, with

emotions nearly allied to religious veneration, as connected with this invaluable

establishment, over whose birth as well as every stage of its progress to

maturity, so long as he lived, he presided with paternal cure. His unwearied

energy of mind, the great benevolence of his heart, the engaging suavity

of his disposition, and the urbanity of his manners, gave him peculiar qualifications

for becoming very extensively useful as a medical practitioner and

a public-spirited citizen. Indeed such was his indefatigable attention to

whatever was connected with the prosperity and happiness of his own town,

that he has been called, not inappropriately, the Howard of Sheffield. A very neat

marble bust of him, executed by F. L. CHANTREY, Esq., is placed in the committee-room of the Infirmary.

Nothing, we are persuaded, is necessary but to mention as another most

invaluable friend to the Infirmary the name of the Rev. James Wilkinson,

to excite recollections of high interest and pleasure in the inhabitants of Sheffield

generally. He for many years acted with great ability, candour, impartiality,

and decision in the capacity of a magistrate for this town, and by

his ready attention to and cordial co-operation in support of every charitable

undertaking, has left indelible impressions of respect on the minds of his parishioners

of every class and condition in life.

It is now twenty-one years since the Sheffield General Infirmary was

opened for the sick and lame poor of every nation. The experience of that

period has proved the inestimable value of such an institution in this populous

neighbourhood ; and, in proportion to the means afforded by its patrons,

the benefits derived from it by many thousands of sufferers may be said to

have justified all reasonable expectations of its success. It is true that in this

magnificent structure, planned with a foresight which anticipated the increasing

wants and increasing liberality of generations to come, there are accommodations

for a larger number of patients than have at any time been recommended

for admission, yet the average of persons received into the house, 'or

relieved as out-patients, has been limited only by the funds of the charity itself.

Meanwhile it is the regular practice of the establishment to give every patient

the utmost advantage of medical or surgical assistance, with every necessary

personal comfort, for whatever length of time the case may require.