1 . . 3,968 18 7
1882 . . 4,888 18 9
1883 . . 5,489 9 0
1884 . . 6,062 16 6

After deducting for expenses, the yearly amounts are divided, _pro
rata_, according to their expenditures among the several hospitals and
similar charities, the proportions in 1883 being:--General Hospital.
L1,843 4s. 1d.; Queen's Hospital, L931 8s. 3d.; General Dispensary, L561
1s. 7d.; Children's Hospital, L498 0s. 4d.; Eye Hospital, L345 0s. 4d.;
Birmingham and Midland Counties' Sanatorium, L211 0s. 4d., Women's
Hospital, L193 1s. 9d.; Homoepathic Hospital, L195 5s. 3d.; Orthopaedic
Hospital, L138 13s. 6d.; Lying-in Charity, L67 6s. 5d.; Skin and Lock
Hospital, L44 14s. 8d.; Ear and Throat Infirmary, L26 12s. 8d.; Dental
Hospital, L9 5s. 3d.; and Birmingham Nursing District Society, L34 17s.
7d. The total sum thus distributed in the twelve years is L48,574 18s.
9d.

~Hospital Sunday.~--There is nothing new under the sun! Birmingham has
the honour of being credited as the birth-place of "Hospital Sundays,"
but old newspapers tell us that as far back as 1751, when Bath was in
its pride and glory, one Sunday in each year was set aside in that city
for the collection, at every place of worship, of funds for Bath
Hospital; and a correspondent writing to _Aris's Gazette_ recommended
the adoption of a similar plan in this town. The first suggestion for
the present local yearly Sunday collection for the hospitals appeared in
an article, written by Mr. Thos. Barber Wright, in the _Midland Counties
Herald_ in October, 1859. A collection of this kind took place on
Sunday, the 27th, of that month, and the first public meeting, when
arrangements were made for its annual continuance, was held in the Town
Hall, December 14th same year, under the presidency of Dr. Miller, who,
therefrom, has been generally accredited with being the originator of
the plan. The proceeds of the first year's collection were given to the
General Hospital, the second year to the Queen's, and the third year
divided among the other charitable institutions in the town of a like
character, and this order of rotation has been adhered to since.

The following is a list of the gross amounts collected since the
establishment of the movement:--

1859 General Hospital..........L5,200 8 10
1860 Queen's Hospital.......... 3,433 6 1
1861 Amalgamated Charities..... 2,953 14 0
1862 General Hospital.......... 8,340 4 7
186