While the wretchedness, misery and crimes, which have been developed, and detailed in this work, cannot be sufficiently deplored, it is a matter of no little exultation, that in no country or nation in the world, and certainly in no other Metropolis, does there exist among the higher and middle ranks of Society, an equal portion of Philanthropy and Benevolence.--Here are to be discovered the extremes of vice and virtue, strongly marked by the existing turpitude on one hand, and the noble instances of charitable munificence, displayed by the opulent part of the Community, on the other. Nothing can place this in a stronger point of view, and perhaps nothing will astonish strangers more than the following summary Estimate of the various Institutions, supported chiefly by Voluntary Contributions, in addition to the legal Assessments, all tending to ameliorate and better the condition of human life, under the afflicting circumstances of indigence and disease.[94] [Footnote 94: For a specific account of these Institutions, see the Chapter on Municipal Police.] ESTIMATE. 1. Asylums for the Relief of Objects of Charity £. and Humanity 30,000 2. Asylums and Hospitals, for the Sick, Lame, and Diseased 50,000 3. Institutions for Benevolent, Charitable, and Humane Purposes 205,000 4. Private Charities 150,000 5. Charity Schools for Educating the Poor 10,000 6. To which add the annual Assessments for the Poor Rates, paid by the Inhabitants of the Metropolis and its Environs 255,000 Total estimated amount of the annual Sums paid for the support and benefit of the Poor in the --------- Metropolis, &c. £.700,000 7. Besides the endowed Establishments, for which the Poor are chiefly indebted to our Ancestors 150,000 --------- Total £.850,000 In addition to this, it is highly proper to mention the noble benevolence, which has been displayed by the Opulent of all ranks, but particularly the Merchants, in the very large sums which have been, at various times, subscribed for the relief of the brave men, who have been maimed and wounded, and for the support of the widows, orphans, and relations of those who have meritoriously lost their lives in fighting the battles of their country. Such exalted examples of unbounded munificence the history of no other nation records.