ABSTRACT
The insane were to be shown off to the better sort as an appeal to piety and charity; an inscription on the poor's box prayed that visitors should 'remember the poore Lunaticks,.13 Visitors were not only exhorted to give donations, but exhibiting the insane might also elicit benefactions and legacies. The enactment of 'show' and 'spectacle' was built into the dynamics of charity at large and was far from confined to Bethlem. The desirability of seeing an 'assembly of objects ... proper to excite ... charity and compassion', was widely emphasized.14 Spital sermons, processions and congregations held on thanksgiving days and other special occasions on behalf of the capital's hospitals and charity schools involved dignitaries, Governors, staff and poor children themselves. Impressed by pomp, the Augustans extended such spectacles as never before, confident that they were 'pleasing to God and man';15 similar displays took place at the Foundling Hospital and the Magdalen Hospital for Penitent Prostitutes. Bethlem was far from the only institution to give the public freedom of access so as to generate good will. Ned Ward also visited Bridewell, Newgate, Ludgate, the Poultry Compter, St Bartholomew's, Christ's and St Thomas's.16 Visitors admitted to Christ's Hospital were able to observe the children eating supper. The London Smallpox Hospital was conscious of breaking with traditions in the 1760s, when apologizing to the public for being forced to 'forbid Strangers to visit' its patients and hoping 'that the Affection or Curiosity of particular Persons will not be offended'.17 The pleasure gardens and other London sights experienced similar problems to Bethlem with the influx of visitors, and at similar times. IS
Besides the fund-raising function, the insane were displayed as a didactic spectacle, and it was 'a desire for instruction' that was supposed to bring the 'feeling' visitor to the hospital. I9 Not merely 'Objects of Charity', Bedlamites served as object lessons,
better lesson [to] be taught us in any part of the globe than in this school of misery. Here we may see the mighty reasoners of the earth, below even the insects that crawl upon it; and from so humbling a sight we may learn to moderate our pride, and to keep those passions within bounds, which if too much indulged, would drive Reason from her seat, and level us with the wretches of this unhappy mansion.20
