which makes his weekly allowance 4_s._ 9_d._ The 11 lay brethren have each a chaldren of coals yearly, and the chaplain a chaldron and half. They have beside, the interest of 250_l._ which they receive half yearly. This it is presumed is a pretty correct account of the present state of these pensioners; but it must not here pass unnoticed, that Mr. _Cook_, the charitable benefactor of the other almshouses, and whose memory ought to be very dear to all our pensioners, has left to this house the sum of 2000_l._ 3 per cent stock, for the augmentation of the weekly allowance of the 12 poor occupants: when this bequest therefore is obtained, which is now very soon expected, it can not fail of considerably bettering their condition. But what an indelible disgrace is the benefaction of Mr. Cook to the memories of all those overgrown wealthy Lynn men, who have departed this life without the least apparent spark of benevolence, or one charitable thought towards their indigent neighbours. Besides its _four_ Almshouses, (including that of Gaywood,) Lynn is also distinguished for divers other charitable institutions, and particularly for a great number of those called _benefit societies_, or _purse clubs_, which amount to _upwards of twenty_. Most of them consist of _men_, but some few are made up of the other sex; {1135} which in most places we believe is rather an unusual case, as it has been generally supposed that such societies would not succeed. Here, however, they are said to have succeeded, and to have proved very beneficial. Their plans and constitutions seem well formed, and their rules and orders have been circulated in print. These societies, as might be supposed, hold their meetings in private houses, those, probably, of some of their most opulent and active patronesses. Of the societies of this description which consist wholly of _men_, some are of a superior order, and designed particularly for the benefit of females or _widows_. One of those, if we are not mistaken, is called, “The Provident Society for the benefit of widows;” and another, “The Benevolent Viduarian Society.” The latter was established Nov. 5.1807. and the former several years earlier. Both of them, if we are rightly informed, secure to each widow an annuity of twenty pounds, which to most cannot fail of being a very desirable object.