been done to its general character, by deductions drawn from the returns, made during the period of general reception, between 1756, and 1760; when the dying and the dead were frequently placed in the same basket, at the hospital gate,-the object being sometimes merely to secure a gratuitous interment. The list of deaths within the hospital since that time, will furnish a very different account. The proportion of mortality in these infants, from that period, was one in four-more recently, one in six; and lately, under that proportion.

The district inspectors place the children under the care of nurses in their immediate neighbourhoods; generally the same women, as attend in town to receive them. The nurses are allowed 3s. a week for each child; but they are not permitted to have more than one wet-nurse child at once; and where the nurses are unsuccessful as to the life or health of the children, they are not further employed: there being a regulation, that no woman, who has lost two children of the hospital, shall have another child intrusted to her care, without an express order of the general committee.

They are, while at nurse, frequently visited by the inspector, and occasionally by an apothecary, who, for that purpose, has a small allowance for each child. A person is sent from the hospital

twice a year (without notice) to visit all the children of each inspection; and to make a written report, as to the state of the health and condition of each child; which is read at the committee, and entered in a book kept for that purpose.

At four years of age, the children are returned to the hospital, and are placed in the schools; where at first they learn little more than to read, knit, and to be orderly and quiet. They continue under the care of the masters and mistresses, and under the inspection of the governors, until thirteen or fourteen years old; at which time, if not sooner, application is made for them as apprentices. If no objection appears on the face of the application, it is referred for enquiry, as to the character and circumstances of the proposed master; upon which, if the report is favourable, the order of apprenticeship is made, and the indentures are prepared and executed.

Tho no apprentice fee is paid, and tho the stipulations are in favour of the apprentice, yet the applications for these children far exceed the number of those to be placed out; and it is sometimes the business of the committee, to decide between two or three desirable offers, which of them promises the greatest benefit to the apprentice. The advantage of there being no parental interference with the child, nor any other interference with the master,

except that of the governors, holds out a considerable inducement to propose for an apprentice: and the girls being well taught in the use of their needle, and moderately instructed in household work, and the boys being sufficiently advanced in reading, writing, and arithmetic, they become useful apprentices to many of the London shop-keepers; a situation, to which the governors give a general preference, founded on experience. Situations in more opulent families, where several servants are kept, are seldom accepted; and those in the country are liable to the objection of being less under the immediate view of the hospital.

Before the apprentice quits the hospital for his new service, he attends the committee; and the chairman reads to him the instructions, and presents him with a bible and prayer book.-During the period of their apprenticeship, which continues till twenty-one years of age, it is the duty of the matron and schoolmaster to visit them occasionally, and to inform themselves of their behaviour and situation; and to give them such advice and assistance, as may be useful to them. In this they receive occasional assistance from some of the governors. It sometimes, however, happens that, between the master and apprentice, the interference of the committee is necessary. If

it is the fault of the apprentice, the exhortation of the governors, or sometimes the punishment of a day or two confinement, will correct the evil; or, if it does not, the apprentice, if a boy, is sent to sea; or, if a girl, to some service of harder work.

But of the few cases of this kind that occur, it not unfrequently happens that the fault is with the master or mistress. Where that appears to be so, and the disadvantages are considerable, and not corrigible, measures are taken for removing the child to a more unexceptionable service; a change always acquiesced in by the master, who would be otherwise subject to a prosecution of an unpleasant nature; being instituted by persons who may be presumed to be actuated merely by motives of a public nature, and without any personal interest or

resentment.

Of the Foundling apprentices, there is occasionally a general report made. The result of the last report was as follows:-that of two hundred and fifty-two apprentices from the hospital, there were one hundred and sixty-six who (it appeared) were doing well;-fifteen who had turned out ill;twenty-seven whose conduct was not known, being in distant situations; but, however, well placed and without any complaint;-twenty-three apprenticed to their own friends; and the remainder,

being twenty-one, not exempt from blame, but requiring only judicious management.

The complaints as to apprentices have been considerably diminished, in consequence of a resolution (adopted near four years ago, and communicated to the apprentices) of presenting to such of them as shall have behaved well during their apprenticeships, a gratuity and a testimonial of their good conduct.

*

The duty which the governors had undertaken, is here concluded. They have, however, an extended gratification, in seeing their progress thro life; and in knowing that their own care and attention has not been applied in vain. Some instances might be stated, in which their industry and good character have been rewarded by very considerable affluence and advantage in society. Most of them attain a degree of creditable independence. A few cases of a less satisfactory kind will occur in this, as well as in every other walk of life.

It should not be unnoticed, that there occur every year instances of penitent mothers who, benefiting by the concealment of their shame, have become industrious, respectable, and prosperous

* A Copy of Advice given them, on this occasion, by the Governors, is inserted in the Appendix to this Volume, p. 38.