The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-09-11
London's Founding Hospital.
The Founding Hospital, situated !

who became interested in the fate of the
numerous infants who, a century and
Il half since, were so frequently to be
seen exposed in the streets, where thew
were left to perish by their parents,
After seventeen years of difficulties he
obtained the grant of Il charter from
George II, October, 1880, giving him
permission to erect a hospital for the
support Of deserted infants, and in Oc-
tober, l740, there appeared Il notice on
the door OF house in 1IattOn Garden
to the effect that twenty children under
the age of two months would bu received
there, and that no questieN would be
asked of any person 50 bringing al
infant, on whose clothing some dis
tinguiShing mark, however, was to be
anivod. At the hour named crowd of
women with their babies assembled out
side the house, and the strongest
elbowcd her way to the door and depos-
tied her child in Coram's safe keeping.
This clamoring and fighting was subse-
quently ovoided by the institution of the
ballot, bags being provided with black,
white and red balls. Those women who
drew black balls were pronounced un-
successful, while those who were SO
fortunate as to secure the white were at
once relieved of their children. AS for
those who drew red; they were per-
mittcd to draw again for any vacancies
| which might occur in the event of sue
cessful children being ineligible on the
medical examination. Such was the
origin of the founding hospital In
1745, the western wing of the present
building was opened, and the House in
Hatton Garden closed, the two other
portions Of the hospital being built soon
after, and in 1747, the chapel was begun,
Il large, light structure, with some
stained glass windows, and with an
altar-piece by Benjamin West, repre-
scnting Christ blessing children. In
this chapel Mr. Coram was buried in
l75l. The organ was originally pre-
sentcd by Handel, and although it has
been greatly enlarged and altered, there
still remain some of the actual mat terials
before which the great musician sat
when he helped to fill the Golfers Of the
hospital by the gratrntous performance
OF the "Messiah." The funds of the
Founding are mainly derived from the
rents of the houses surrounding it, and
with which the hospital is endowed,
thanks to the cXertions of its benevolent
founder. Something also is obtained
from collections made in the chapel. In
the last annual report, for 1SSO-Sl, the
income was stated to be Ell $50, and
the number of children maintained by
the institution was GA.
The placing of child in the Found
ling Hospital is not Effected without
trouble. Application must he made
before the infant is Il year old, and a
printed form is then given to the
| n in, ha,.
| occupation, inability to provide for her
offspring, tho fathers name, and when
deserted. After presenting this form a
long time often clapses before the
mother is summoned to appear before
the members of the committee. Then
she is closely questioned as to her former
received into the hospital, and the
names and addresses of ladies by whom
she may have been employed. She next
| receives instructions to come again
before the committee in a fortnight, and
during the interval careful inquiries are
made us to the truth Of her statements.
Should they prove correct she is told to
bring her infant on certain date. On
| the mother, with her child, presents
|
| into the room, Wherea fire blaZes on the
hearth, and before which basket of
infant S clothes is placed. The mothers
(for three children arc usually received
at time), assisted by a female attend
ant, undreSS their babes and wrap each
one in large gray woolen shawl the
doctors present examine them thorough
! ly, after which they are clothed in the
l fror apfc nd Init
dress white nightgown is substituted
the shawl is once more placed round each
child, and it's name written on a slip of
now leaves the room, the doctor presses
a bell, three founding girls enter, and
almost before the mothers are aware,
their babes are carried away, never to be
known to them again, unless in time to
come they can prove that they are in a
position to benefit their children by TAX
ing them from the institution. The
mother is given the clothes, the child
was brought in, together with ticket
bearing II number, the date, and the
figure Of sheep holding small branch
in its mouth, and, by presenting this
learn particulars, concerning the health
of her infant. Unless it had previously
been christened, the child is brought
into the chapel the following Sunday
for that purpose, when it receives new
name, by which it is aftcrward known.
During the first year Of its existence the
child is placed out to nurse in the cOun-
try, under the supervision of paid inspec-
tors, usually with some cottagers, who
receive 3s. I'd. Il week, and a bonus of
los. Cd. at the end Of the first year if the
infant seems healthy. At the end OF
five years the child again returns to the
hospital and begins its education, lending
with apprenticeship to some trade. or
with some situation in domestic service
being found for it. The children ap.
pear at chapel twice on Sunday, and on
that day dine in public the nurseries
may then also be visited by those wish.
ing to do 50. Personal inspection and
inquiry as to tho conduct Of those who
leave the hospital for the various occu.
pations Of life are kept up, and every
year a meeting Of the apprentices takes
place, and gratuities are given to those
who can show certificates of good
conduct.
Primary education in America has
not yet produced such good results as
might be expected. OF the 50,00O,00O