These and other considerations indu-
ced a number of Noblemen and Gentle-
men, who had approved of a proposal
from John Fielding, Esq; one of the
Justices for the Liberties of Westminster,
to hold their first meeting on the 10th
of May 1758, for carrying into execu-
tion a plan of this Asylum.  Several
other meetings were soon after held, in
which the rules and orders for the re-
ception and management of the chil-
dren were established, and the lease of
a house, lately the Hercules Inn near
Westminster-bridge, agreed for.  The
house was soon fitted up, and furnished,
and the first children admitted on the
5th of July following.

The rules and orders established are
as follows:

I.  The qualification of a perpetual
Guardian is a benefaction of thirty guineas
or upwards, at one payment.

II.  That of an annual Guardian is a
subscription of three guineas or upwards
per annum.

III.  Ladies subscribing the said sums,
will be considered as Guardians of this
charity, and have a right of voting at all
general elections, by proxy, such proxy
being a Guardian, or they may send a
letter to the board, naming therein the
person they vote for, which shall be con-
sidered as their vote.  It is esteemed by
the Guardians a benefit to the charity,
for the Ladies occasionally to visit the
house, and inspect the management of
the children; the matron being ordered
to attend such Ladies, and to give them
all necessary information: and, what-
ever observations they may then make,
or whatever hints, at other times, may
occur to them, for the good of the cha-
rity, if they will be pleased to transmit
them by letter to the Secretary, or to
the Committee, who meet every Wed-
nesday in the forenoon at the Asylum,