The first threatenings of a huge war hung heavily over the nation, and the question as to Hiram's heirs did not appear to interest very many people either in or out of the house.

The bill, however, was read and re-read, and in some undistinguished manner passed through its eleven stages without appeal or dissent.

What would John Hiram have said in the matter, could he have predicted that some forty-five gentlemen would take on themselves to make a law altering the whole purport of his will, without in the least knowing at the moment of their making it, what it was that they were doing?
It is however to be hoped that the under-secretary for the Home Office knew, for to him had the matter been confided.
The bill, however, did pass, and at the time at which this history is supposed to commence, it had been ordained that there should be, as heretofore, twelve old men in Barchester Hospital, each with 1s.

4d.
a day; that there should also be twelve old women to be located in a house to be built, each with 1s.2d.a day; that there should be a matron, with a house and L70 a year; a steward with L150 a year; and latterly, a warden with L450 a year, who should have the spiritual guidance of both establishments, and the temporal guidance of that appertaining to the male sex.

The bishop, dean, and warden were, as formerly, to appoint in turn the recipients of the charity, and the bishop was to appoint the officers.