The new Infirmary at Leeds, now occupied by the National Art-exhibition, opened by the Prince of Wales on Tuesday, 1868. This exhibition is held mainly for the benefit of the funds of the infirmary, but the Leeds Mechanics Institution has a share in it...[The building] was designed by the architect Mr. Gilbert Scott, R.A., on the French "pavilion" or "block" system...Each of the wards being a separate detached building, light and air will be freely admitted to every sick-room; and the noxious atmosphere generated by disease will be dispersed immediately...As it was found that the total expenditure would be about ?25,000 more than the funds in hand, the Infirmary committee determined to raise the money required by holding the present Art-Exhibition, making use of the wards for picture-galleries. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.