This truly benevolent institution was established in 1791, when two houses situate in Commutation-row were hired for the purpose, and afterwards the present building in London road, was erected and opened in 1800, on which occasion the number of pupils was increased. This is a neat structure, with a plain stone front, and consists of a sale room, refectories, dormitories, work shops etc.
The founders of the asylum are indeed deserving of the highest meed of praise, one of whom is said to have been the Rev. Henry DANET, at this time the minister of St John's church, and amongst the many warm and efficient patrons that have fostered this institution, the late Pudsey DAWSON Esq, stands distinguished for his assidious exertions to promote its success. This estimable gentleman died in 1816.
The objects proposed to be attained by this establishment will be gathered from a printed address, published by the committee: "At the opening of the present school, in the spring of 1800. the number of pupils was increased to seventy: in 1809 to one hundred: and the number at present in the school is one hundred and twenty. They are all of them usefully employed, and they exhibit a picture of cheerfulness and comfort which can scarcely be paralleled by an equal number of individuals of any description whatever collected under one roof
Few persons have, for the first time been eye-witnesses of the scene which it presents, without shedding tears of sympathy and delight: nor has their interest in the establishment been diminished by a more intimate aquaintance with it. To behold a number of our fellow-creatures whose previous situation was truly deplorable, become at the same time happy and useful, produces a sensation of heartfelt satisfaction which words are unable to express....... Five similar schols have been established on the plan of the one at Liverpool, namely in the cities of London, Dublin, Edinburgh, Bristol and Norwich.
The principal occupation of the pupils are spinning, hamper and basket making, the platting of sash line, the weaving of worsted rugs for hearths and carriages, and doors, of linen and of floor cloth and sacking, the making of sacks and list shoes, the manufacturing of twine, pack-thread, log-line, clothes lines, and fish lines, of stair carpeting, and of foot bears, points and gaskets from old ropes, and the learning of music.
In this department the attention of the committee is principally directed to the qualifying of pupils for the office of the organist: more than fifty of them have been rendered fully competent to such an appointment"
The pupils are also instructed in a new method, upon the principle of the Madras system established by Dr BELL, of teaching music to others, and in tuning and stringing musical instruments: a circumstance which, in country places particularly, may be an important advantage to the neighbourhood where they are introduced. By these means they are enabled to procure for themselves a comfortable livelihood, and have met with considerable encouragement. Besides the means which are adopted to instruct the pupils in these several employments, a strict attention is given paid to their religious and moral conduct.
The health of the pupils is also made an object of especial care, and medical practitioners are appointed to superintend and regulate all circumstances relating to it. The medical committee particularly direct their attention to the state of the eyes, and consider it their province to ascertain whether any means can be employed for the recovery of sight: it may be necessary to remark, that no operation of this kind is ever carried out without the express consent of the parties and of their friends.
This admirable establishment stands pre-eminent amongst numerous institutions formed in the present age of philanthropy, and claims the especial attention of every person who might visit Liverpool: for no one endued with correct feeling, can witness so much comfort and actual happiness here created and conferred on a helpless class of our fellow beings, without experiencing great sympathy and delight.
Copyright Caryl Williams Old Liverpool 2005