From Picture of Liverpool: Strangers guide Written in 1834
The first workhouse erected in this town was situate in College-lane at the corner adjoining Hanover street; but becoming too small for the number of poor applicants, the prsent one which stands on Brownlow hill was erected in 1771 at the expense of £8000 - since which time it had been enlarged This extensive establishment is conducted on excellent and economical principles, each of the inmates having all of the neccessaries of life that can be reasonably required, there being a sufficent supply of plain but wholesome food and a proper quantity of warm clothing. Besides these the old people have some additional comforts. All that are not sick are employed in some trade or useful manufacture, as joiners , blacksmith's, wheelrights, shoemakers, semptresses, knitters, spinners, &c. The boys are instructed in some trade, and the girls who are above nine years of age are taught to make straw bonnets, to knit stockings, to sew, or to weave calico's &c. By these judicious arrangements mnay of the evils arising from indigence are either partially or entirely obviated, particularly with regard to the junior portion of this vast family: for many of them are put out as apprentices, either in the town or some part of the country and thus become useful and in many instances respectable members of society
The following is the total average number of inmates with the gross expenses during the last five years ending March 25th 1831
1821..number 1411...expense £10,000 9s
1829..number 1533...expense £11,359 9s 3d
1830..number 1606...expense £14,288 10s
1831..number 1648...expense £13,790 7s 10d
1832..number 1791...expense £13,971 4s 3d
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