If a casualty happens, if a man is hurt by any common char if he has a fit, the first of the Misericordia who perceives the accident rings a little bell, and immediately any of the fraternity who may be within hearing flock to the summons,—it is their business to lend the sufferer al the aid in their power;
... it is also true that the policy of nations, or the bounty of individuals, formerly did much to counteract the effect of this limitation of competition, by offering eleemosynary instruction to a much larger class of persons than could have obtained the same advantages by paying their price.
the fund of a bank, commercial house, manufacturing corporation, etc.
Hamlet: Ay, marry, is't: / But to my mind, though I am native here / And to the manner born, it is a custom / More honour'd in the breach than the observance.