| Description | Abstracts of workmen's bills for the new building (i) relating to the estimate, and (ii) for additional work; the surveyor's statement showing how the costs amounted to less than the estimate; an abstract of bills for repairs to the old building as well as a new porter's lodge, palissades round the garden, paving of walks and yards, two warming rooms to the madhouse, and a new shed; 35 detailed bills all certified by the surveyor, some with comments; and an account for the surveyor's charges, with a note: 'I have made a present of the amount of this bill to the Corporation of the said Hospital; therefore I sign this as a receipt'.
A bricklayer's bill (1 July 1732) and a blacksmith's bill (26 March 1733) refer to 'the warm air machines', presumably some primitive form of central heating for the lunatics' cells. A furnace was involved. |
| AdminHistory | Following discussions at two previous meetings, an Extraordinary Court held on 3 February 1730/1 agreed to adopt a plan and estimate for building a kitchen and two refectories, with rooms or infirmaries above. At the same time, repairs to the original building were being carried out. The surveyor was Thomas Dubisson, who had been elected a Director at the previous Court. |