The Sun.
London, England, 1849-01-17 00:00:00

INQUEST ON THE CHILDREN
REMOVED FROM THE TOOTING INFANT
PAUPER ASYLUM.'
Yesterday morning Mr. Wakley, M.P., resumed the
inquiry into the deaths of the four children belonging
to the Holborn Union, who had all died at the Free Hos-
pital, Gray's Inn-lane, within a day or two after their
removal from Mr. Drouet's Infant Pauper Asylum at
Tooting. Mr. Ballantine, barrister, appeared to watch
the proceedings on behalf of Mr. Drouet. Beiore the
examination of witnesses were entered upon,
Ballantine said he had an application to make to
the Coroner. He wished to mention that be had been
instructed to appear in behalf of Mr. Drouet, in the
course of this inquiry, not with a view of at all suggest-
ing a defence of a person who in fact was not even under
an accusation, but for the purpose of assisting at this in-
vestigation, which had so properly been entered upon by
the Coroner, and so creditably prosecuted so far by the
jury. It was his desire on this occasion, as on all
others upon which he appeared before a legally consti-
tuted tribunal, to act in conformity with its rules; and
he had attended other inquests where it had not
been considered there was any impropriety in counsel
attending. The coroner, however, had mentioned that
it was not the custom to hear counsel under such cir-
cumstances, and he (Mr. Ballantine) would merely state
as the ground of bis appearing, that an extremely long
statement had been made against Mr. Drouet, which he
was entirely unaware would be presented against him,
and which he was able, and could produce witnesses to
answer most conclusively. He was anxious to have an
opportunity, through a professional man, to clear him-
self before the public of the charges which had been un-
justifiably made against him, and which he was perfectly
able to answer. He would not enter into details now;
he would merely take the liberty of putting it to the
coroner and jury, whether they would permit him to as-
sist them, as:he thought he could do, in the due adminis-
tration of justice. Even if it should be contrary to the
general practice, be thought that the jury would not
think it improper, under the extraordinary circum-
stances of this case, to deviate from the usual custom,
and allow him to bring facts before them which would
tend to elucidate the truth, and fix the blew, if there
was any, upon those who ought rightly to bear it.
The CORONER said he could not allow counsel to ap-
pear as such. The case was one of much limportance,
and it was so desirable that the truth should be ascer-
tained—the whole truth, and nothing but the truth—
(Hear, hear)—that he would be very glad indeed for
Mr. Ballantine to remain in the room, and assist Mr.
Drouet, or suggest anything that he (Mr. Ballantine)
might think essential for the due administration of jus-
tice. No doubt Mr. Grainger's report, which had been
produced to the jury, was to a great extent condemna-
tory of Mr. Drouet ; at the same time he (the Coroner)
should tell the jury, in charging them, what matters
they would have entirely to discard from their minds, as
not bearing strictly on the investigation, or on the ver-
dict they ought to return. Still the accusations con-
tained in the report bore prejudicially on Mr. Drouet's
reputation; and it would be extremely unjust not to
afford him an opportunity of showing it to be unfounded,
if he could do so. Therefore, without breaking through
the rule which he (the Coroner) thought it necessary to
adopt, he hoped Mr. Ballantine would remain, and make
such suggestions with reference to Mr. Drouet as he
deemed necessary, but trusted he would not interfere
with the course the jury had laid down, and act rather in
a suggestive manner, than seek to address the jury upon
points of law.
Mr. Ballantine said it was of course the duty of coun-
sel to act in accordance with the rules of the court, and
he should certainly do so. He had a report, signed by
four or five medical officers of Mr. Drouet's establish-
ment, which he wished to present, and hoped it would
be allowed to be read, seeing that Mr. Grainger's report
had been submitted to the jury. The medical officers were
unable to attend the inquiry that day, owing to their
serious duties at the asylum; but, as he had said before,
the report in his hands bore their signatures.
The CORONER remarked that there was this difference
between the two reports, that Mr. Grainger produced
his own report, and was here to answer ' but such was
not the case with respect to the report Mr. Ballantine
wished to submit.
Mr. Ballantine replied that Mr. Kite was now present;
but Messrs. Bally, Popham, Phillips, and Penny, the
other medical officers of the establishment, could not
possibly absent themselves from the asylum, to be pre-
sent that day.
The CORONER said, at all events the jury ought first
to call somebody belonging to the board of guardians,
to ascertain what really was the nature of the contract
entered into between them and Mr. Drouet, for the
maintenance of the children at Tooting.
The examination of witnesses was then proceeded with.
W. Roberts James, solicitor and clerk to the board of
guardians of the Holborn district, deposed—About the
beginning of November, 1847. the board of guardians
entered into a contract with Mr. Drouet, to send some of
the children in the workhouse to Mr. Drouet's estab-
lishment at Tooting. No specific contract was drawn
up in writing on the subject, but all the conditions are
shown by letters, reports, and minutes of the board meet-
ings. A resolution of the board appointed a deputation
to go to Tooting, and the result was communicated to
the Poor-law Commissioners. Tho children were ac-
cordingly sent. Janet Johnson, OBC of the deceased,
was sent there in December, 1847. The deceased child
Andrews was also one of those that were sent. A report
was made to the board, on the 25th October, 1847, by .a
committee who had visited Mr. Drouet's establishment.
It spoke very favourably of the manner in which the
children were managed and provided for in that asylum,
and gave the following as a copy of the dietary:—
" BREAKFAST.
" The breakfast every day is the same—namely, pot-
tage, composed of flour, arrowroot, and milk, with water
and salt in sufficient proportions: this is for the strong
children. The infants, those newly admitted, and the
weakly, have boiled bread and milk. The allowance of
bread to the healthy children is according to age, being
six, five, and four ounces each.
" DINNER.
" There are three meat dinners in each week—viz.,
Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday. The quantity of meat,
free from bone, to each child is regulated according to
age, being five, four, and three ounces each, with three
quarters of a pound of potatoes—if with cabbage, un-
limited. On Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, soup
made from the liquor in which the meat had been boiled,
assisted with legs and shins of beef, peas, and a proper
quantity of vegetables, pepper, salt, &c.; each child one
pint, with bread, on these days, the same quantity as at
breakfast.
"On Thursday suet pudding, the quantity being
twelve, ten, and eight ounces, according to age, &c., to
each.

" SUPPER.

" The suppers every evening are either bread and
butter or bread and cheese; sometimes treacle, with milk
and water. Should milk be scarce, which sometimes may
be the case, then the children have good broth.
" Little children are dieted in the best way I can, as
no fixed diet can be adopted. Some have meat and
porter daily.
" In sickness, the diet is regulated by the doctor."
4s. 6d. per week was the sum agreed to be paid for each
child. The asylum had 800 inmates at this time, and
he understood the license extended to 1,200. 'Witness
read several letters written by him to the Poor-law
Commissioners respecting the over-crowded state of the
workhouse. One of these letters was dated Sept. 16,
and another Oct. 21, 1847. Informed the Commissioners
of the board being desirous to send some of the children
to Mr. Drouet's. Mr. llall, Asssistant Poor-law Com-
missioner, recommended the guardians to send a com-
mittee to inspect Mr. Drouet's establishment. A com-
mittee was appointed by the guardians accordingly,
who reported in favour of the removal of the children
to Tooting. On the 4th November witness wrote to
the Poor-law Commissioners, informing them that the
guardians intended to adopt the Commissioners' recom-
mendation to send the children to Tooting. The me-
dical officers of the union had reported favourably of Mr.
Drouet's dietary. On the 9th November the Commis-
sinners inquired of the guardians whether there was suf-
ficient accommodation for the reception of the children
at Mr. Drouet's, and he replied that the guardians had
resolved to send 90 boys to Mr. Drouet's, and that they
had ascertained that Mr. Drouet was able to receive
double that number. There was no mention in writing
of clothing being included within the contract of 4s. 6d.
per week for each child; but was positive that Mr.
Drouet had made it be understood verbally that he
would provide the clothing for that sum. Nu particular
description of clothing was agreed upon. The girls
went to Tooting on the 2d December, 1847; and at the
end of the year about 211 of the children in all
were there. Mr. Drouet's first quarterly account
came to 2061. 9s. 9d. The children at Tooting were
visited le/ three of the guardians once a month,of
and reports were regularly made to the
their condition. On the 9th of May,
guardians reported the result of their visit t T
but the
pota-
The report stated that the meat was good,
and
workshops
1848, tohrb;oorof,iitilige.
toes bad; the school-rooms, dormitories,
they were of opinion
were all clean and comfortable
The girls belonging;
floor had a very unhealthy 71
that the new sleeping-room to;rlyli.entfan6 on the ground
visitors were induced to ques-
tion but the boys ap-
pto e
airicodl bsoor ns
kllooked),tha
that
atrhteiculasrl,ye
About forty of them
had any complaint to make of
ma e their dissatisfaction.
tion them whether they
onduct b • 11.
this Mr. Drouet s c ecame violent; he
heldt the s supply ly-
theirof food
li aaodrs otherwise.to
Upon
The visitors that began to question the
called the boys liars, and
_described some of those who
had held up their hands as the worst boys in the
ally, and some of them com •
eAhlarr.
edthem
complained of
he
not having sufficient bread allowed them at breakfast.
boys individually,
di While
t they
becamewere pmuorrseu
violent this
Drouet's inquiry
cWonh
with acting unfairly in the mode of still;theig
inquiry,
said
they ought to be satisfied of characterr
such a proceeding, that they
had his without
inquiry in the way they were do'
no right to pursue the
doing, and that he would
.be glad to get rid of the children. To avoid further al-
terc •
ation the visitors left, without h, •
lying completed
the object their • •
of visit. This report was ent red upon
the minutes, and referred to a special committee. On
the 30th of May the committee appoinied to consider the
report of the 9th of May visited the asylum at Tooting,
taking the same gentlemen who had inspected it before
with them, and made a report, which declared the whole