DAILY MEAL SOCIETY.
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more of bright skies and glowing sunbeams, and therefore I must proceed in my task, which the beauty of the morning drove from my thoughts ; and having already attempted a description of the buildings of St. John's, I shall now endeavour to give some account of its institutions. The first to be placed upon the list, not from the number of years it has been established, but from its extent, is the Daily Meal Society, for information respecting which I am indebted to the Rev. Robert Holberton. This society, intended for the purpose of " supplying the sick and needy of St. John's and its neighbourhood with a daily meal," was established in the year 1828, the management of its affairs being " undertaken by a committee of seven gentlemen in the town, (the present Speaker of the House of Assembly being the treasurer ;) three of the clergy, (the Rev. Robt. Holberton being the secretary ;) and five of the medical gentlemen." They hold their meetings in the churchwarden's office, and on the 18th of June, 1828, a female superintendent was appointed at a salary of 50l. currency per annum. A " soup-house" was erected in the yard attached to the superintendent's dwelling to the east of the church, the land being allowed to the society, free of rent, for the space of seven years by the heirs of " Donovan's Estate." A ship's boiler having been presented to the society, it was immediately put into requisition, and the first meal distributed the 2nd of August, 1828, to thirty-six persons. Up to that time there was no parochial relief for any black or coloured person ; and consequently, when the establishment of such a society became known, the sick and aged among those classes eagerly sought for shelter, and an alleviation of their distresses. The medical gentlemen of St. John's having offered to attend gratuitously, in monthly rotation, the cry of these unfortunate people was responded to; and five small houses, adjoining the " soup-house," having been first rented, and afterwards purchased by the society, fourteen of these afflicted ones were received and