On the south side of the church-yard is a building appropriated for the purposes of a Dispensary, which is supported by public subscription. Those to whom medical aid is administered are such of the sick poor, in the town and neighbourhood of Horncastle, as are recommended by subscribers; and the many to whom assistance has been afforded, evince its utility in a striking degree. The Dispensary is attended every Tuesday and Saturday morning by a physician, whose service is gratuitous, and by an apothecary who receives a salary. These gentlemen visit such patients as are unable to attend at the Dispensary. A female accoucheur also belongs to the establishment. The number of patients admitted from the commencement of the institution in September 1789, to September 1821, was 9389. In the year 1790 a Literary Society was established in this town, and which since its commencement has occupied a room at the Dispensary as a library. The property of this society is permanent and unalienable; excepting that books considered unworthy of being preserved are disposed of at the next anniversary but one after their purchase. The library contains about eleven hundred volumes, and is open to the members two days in the week. For several years the subscription was only ten shillings and sixpence per annum; it was afterwards advanced to fourteen shillings, and subsequently to one pound. Subscribers are now also required to pay one pound on their admission. The society at present consists of about forty members. In the year 1807 the inhabitants of this town in conjunction with several other towns and villages, in the county of Lincoln, made application to parliament, and obtained an act for the recovery of debts not exceeding the sum of five pounds. The commissioners hold their courts at this place every fourth Thursday. The education of the poor which has lately excited so much attention in various parts of the kingdom, has not been neglected here. A school on the Lancasterian or British system was established at a public meeting held in October, 1813; and but a few days subsequently a meeting was held at the church, when it was resolved to establish also a school on the plan of Dr. Bell. Early in the ensuing year, buildings were erected, and each system began to be acted upon. Both schools are supported by voluntary contributions, and each contains about two hundred children. Beside the established church, there are in this town a society of Wesleyan Methodists; a small congregation of Calvinistic Baptists; a society of Primitive Methodists, or ranters; and a congregation of Independents. THE SOKE OF HORNCASTLE.