3. _Society of True Britons_. This institution did not last long. It seemed not to have any very important object in view. The dignified name it assumed, with the pompous formalities of its organisation, could not therefore insure its permanence. It was established with no small parade, with _Governor_, _Deputy governor_, _Secretary_, _Sword-bearer_, &c. together with _laws_ and a _constitution_, which all the members were solemnly to _swear_ to observe, and keep inviolate. The first meetings of this memorable Society were held in the autumn of 1749; after which they were conducted for sometime in great form: but their proceedings appeared in general very much like a burlesque upon all corporate bodies and social institutions. This might be very easily exemplified, but it would probably afford the reader but little gratification, as we cannot find that the society proved of any material benefit to church or state; or to the town itself—some of whose leading families, however, such as its _Bagges_ and _Brownes_, were among its members. {1126} But we will here dismiss the subject and close this section. SECTION IV. _Brief account of the Almshouses of Lynn_; _and also of its Purse-clubs or Benefit Societies_. Of St. Mary Magdalen’s Hospital, or the _Gaywood Almshouse_, which stands a little way out of the town, a pretty long and circumstantial account has been already given, in another part of the work. (see p. 530, &c.)—Exclusive of that, there are here three almshouses, which are all within the town, but of more recent origin than the former. Of these three, by much the most ancient is the _Bede-house_, or old women’s almshouse, over against the New Burying-ground. Near to this, and seemingly about the spot now occupied by _Mr. Bonnett’s school_ and dwelling, stood formerly an almshouse for _old men_; which being the _southmost_ of the two, was probably the reason why the other, according to some old writings, went by the name of the _North-house_. These almshouses appear to have been founded in the 14th century, by some of the original members of one of our ancient Gilds, that of _St. Giles_ and _St. Julian_. It is not quite clear that they owed their origin to that gild itself, but rather to some of its most charitable and opulent members; such as _Edm. Bellyter_, (_or Bellyete_,) merchant; _Tho. Constantyn_, _Esq_; and _Margaret_, his daughter; and _Wm. Inot_, merchant. The gild was constituted in 1384, but the date of the erection of these almshouses, is involved in considerable obscurity, so that it seems uncertain whether it occurred previously or subsequently to that year.