Foundling Hospital
Names
- Foundling Hospital
- The Hospital for exposed and deserted Children
Street/Area/District
- Lamb's Conduit Fields
Maps & Views
Descriptions
from London and Its Environs Described, by Robert and James Dodsley (1761)
Foundling Hospital
Foundling Hospital, or more properly The Hospital for exposed and deserted Children, in Lamb’s Conduit fields. This is one of the most useful among the numerous charities that are an honour to this age and nation. In the reign of her late majesty Queen Anne, several eminent merchants, filled with compassion for the many innocent children who were daily exposed to misery and destruction, proposed to erect an hospital for the reception of such infants, as either 319the misfortunes or inhumanity of their parents should leave destitute of other support; and to employ them in such a manner as to render them fit for the most laborious offices, and the lowest stations. With these laudable views they proposed a subscription, and sollicited a charter; but they sollicited in vain, from the ill-grounded prejudices of weak people, who conceived the opinion that such an undertaking would encourage persons in vice, by making too easy a provision for their illegitimate children.
However, though this suspended, it did not totally defeat this laudable design; some of these worthy persons left large benefactions for the use of such an hospital as soon as it should be erected; which coming to the ears of the humane and generous Mr. Thomas Coram, a commander of a ship in the merchants service, he left the sea to sollicit a charter for the establishment of this charity, and with unwearied assiduity spent all the remainder of his life in promoting this great design; from no other motive than his zeal for the public, and his compassion for the helpless innocents who were frequently dropped 320in the streets, or murdered to conceal the shame of their parents.
Before he presented any petition to his Majesty, he was advised to procure a recommendation of his design from some persons of quality and distinction. This he sollicited with unwearied diligence, by which means he procured the following memorial to be signed by the Ladies whose names are under-written.
“Whereas among the many excellent designs and institutions of charity which this nation, and especially the city of London, has hitherto encouraged and established, no expedient has yet been found out for preventing the frequent murders of poor miserable infants at their birth; or for suppressing the inhuman custom of exposing new-born infants to perish in the streets; or the putting out such unhappy foundlings to wicked and barbarous nurses, who, undertaking to bring them up for a small and trifling sum of money, do often suffer them to starve for want of due sustenance or care; or, if permitted to live, either turn them into the streets to beg or steal, or hire them out to loose persons 321by whom they are trained up in that infamous way of living, and sometimes are blinded, or maimed and distorted in their limbs, in order to move pity and compassion, and thereby become fitter instruments of gain to those vile merciless wretches.
“For a beginning to redress so deplorable a grievance, and to prevent as well the effusion of so much innocent blood, as the fatal consequences of that idleness, beggary, or stealing, in which such poor foundlings are generally bred up; and to enable them, by an early and effectual care of their education, to become useful members of the commonwealth: We, whose names are underwritten, being deeply touched with compassion for the sufferings and lamentable condition of such poor abandoned helpless infants, as well as the enormous abuses and mischiefs to which they are exposed; and in order to supply the government plentifully with useful hands on many occasions; and for the better producing good and faithful servants from amongst the poor and miserable cast-off children, or foundlings, now a pest to the public, and a 322chargeable nuisance within the bills of mortality; and for settling a yearly income for their maintenance and proper education, till they come to a fit age for service; are desirous to encourage, and willing to contribute towards erecting an hospital for infants whom their parents are not able to maintain, and have no right to any parish; which we conceive will not only prevent many horrid murders, cruelties, and other mischiefs, and be greatly beneficial to the public; but will also be acceptable to God Almighty, as being the only remedy of such great evils, which have been so long neglected, though always complained of; provided due and proper care be taken for setting on foot so necessary an establishment, and a royal charter be granted by the King to such persons as his Majesty shall approve of, who shall be willing to become benefactors for the erecting and endowing such an hospital; and for the receiving the voluntary contributions of charitable and well-disposed persons; and for directing and managing the affairs thereof gratis, to the best advantage, under such regulations 323as his Majesty, in his great wisdom, shall judge most proper for attaining the desired effect of our good intentions.”
|
Charlotte Somerset. S. Richmond. H. Bolton. Anne Bolton. I. Leeds. A. Bedford. M. Cavendish Portland. J. Manchester. F. Hartford. M. Harold. S. Huntington. |
|
F. Wa. & Nottingham. E. Cardigan. Dorothy Burlington. F. Litchfield. A. Albemarle. F. Biron. A. Trevor. A. Torrington. E. Onslow. A. King. |
Mr. Coram having, to the everlasting honour of the above Ladies, obtained so many names to this recommendation, procured another to the same purpose, signed by a great number of noblemen and gentlemen, and annexed both these to his petition to the King. Upon this his Majesty was graciously pleased to grant his royal charter for establishing this hospital, which was dated the 17th of October, 1739.
In pursuance of this patent, the Duke of Bedford, who was appointed the first President, summoned the several members 324of the society to meet him at Somerset House on the 20th of Nov. when most of the noblemen and gentlemen mentioned in the charter being assembled, Thomas Coram, Esq; thanked his Grace, and the rest of the noblemen and gentlemen, for their protection and assistance in promoting the patent. A committee of fifteen noblemen and gentlemen were chosen to manage the estate and effects of the hospital; and it was ordered, that accounts of several hospitals of this nature in other countries should be obtained as soon as possible; for which purpose application was made to his Majesty’s Ambassadors and Ministers abroad, and the Governors soon after received authentic accounts of the institutions and regulations of the hospitals of Amsterdam, Paris, and Lisbon, for the reception of infants; and have since also been favoured with that of Venice; and, tho’ these institutions were all accommodated to the laws and governments of their respective countries, and were therefore unfit or impracticable to be wholly executed in this kingdom, yet they afforded useful instructions towards forming a plan for the government of this hospital. Books were now opened, and the Governors 325obtained large subscriptions; the work went on with great spirit; an act of parliament was obtained to confirm and enlarge the powers granted by his Majesty to the Governors and Guardians of the hospital. A piece of ground was purchased in Lamb’s Conduit fields, of the Earl of Salisbury, which his Lordship not only sold at a very reasonable price, but promoted the charity by a noble benefaction.
As the building an hospital would necessarily take up much time, and the Governors were extremely desirous of beginning to take in children, they hired a large house in Hatton Garden, nurses were provided, and it was resolved that sixty children should be admitted. As the funds increased, more and more were received; and it was soon thought impracticable to provide a sufficient number of healthy wet nurses, therefore the children were intrusted to the care of dry nurses: but the ill consequences of this regulation soon appeared; much fewer dying in proportion to their number, among those that sucked, than among those that were weaned; and it was also found by experience, that of the young children sent into the country, 326fewer dyed in proportion to their numbers, than those who remained in the hospital. These observations determined the committee to come to a resolution to send all the children that should be taken in, as soon as possible into the country, and to allow them to remain there till three years old; and that all such as would suck, should have wet nurses only. Some time after the children were ordered to be inoculated, which was attended with great success.
In 1745, one wing of the hospital being finished, the committee ordered the children to be removed thither, and quitted the house in Hatton Garden. A chapel being now much wanted, and several Ladies of quality being desirous of contributing to it, a subscription was opened for that purpose, the first stone was laid on the first of May 1747, and a neat and elegant edifice was soon erected.
South East View of the Foundling Hospital.
Front of the Same.
S. Wale delin. J. Green sc. Oxon.
On the 29th of March 1749, the Governors at a general court being informed of the increase of benefactions to this charity, of the number of the children, and the expediency of keeping the boys separate from the girls, gave directions for building the other wing of the hospital, and the whole design has been since compleated. These wings 327are directly opposite to each other, and are built in a plain but regular, substantial, and convenient manner, of brick, with handsome piazzas. It is well suited to the purpose, and as fine as hospitals should be. On the farthest end is placed the chapel, which is joined to the wings by an arch on each side, and is very elegant within. Before the hospital is a large piece of ground, on each side whereof is a colonade of great length, which also extends towards the gates, that are double, with a massy pier between, so that coaches may pass and repass at the same time; and on each side is a door to admit those on foot. The large area between this outer gate and the hospital is adorned with grass plats, gravel walks, and lamps erected upon handsome posts: besides which there are two handsome gardens. The print shews the hospital in two different views.
In erecting these buildings particular care was taken to render them neat and substantial, without any costly decorations; but the first wing of the hospital was scarcely inhabited, when several eminent masters in painting, carving, and other of the polite arts, were pleased to contribute many elegant ornaments, 328which are placed in the hospital as monuments of the charity and abilities of these great masters.
In the court room are placed four capital pictures, taken from sacred history, the subjects of which are suitable to the place for which they were designed.
The first, which is painted by Mr. Hayman, is taken from Exodus ii. 8, 9. “The maid went and called the child’s mother, and Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away and nurse it for me, and I will give you wages.”
The following verse is the subject of the next picture, done by Mr. Hogarth, viz. “And the child grew up, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son, and she called his name Moses.”
The third picture is the history of Ishmael, painted by Mr. Highmore, the subject of which is taken from Gen. xxi. 17. “And the angel of the Lord called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, What aileth thee, Hagar? Fear not, for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.”
The fourth picture is painted by Mr. Wills, and is taken from Luke xviii. 16. 329“Jesus said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
On each side of these pictures are placed small drawings in circular frames of the most considerable hospitals in and about London, done by Mr. Haytley, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Whale, and Mr. Gainsborough.
Over the chimney is placed a very curious bas relief, done by Mr. Rysbrack, and presented by him, representing children employed in husbandry and navigation; to which employments those in the hospital are destined.
The other ornaments of the room were given by several ingenious workmen, who had been employed in building the hospital, and were willing to contribute to adorn it. The stucco work was given by Mr. William Wilton; the marble chimney piece, by Mr. Deval; the table with its frame curiously carved, by Mr. John Saunderson; and the glass by Mr. Hallet.
In the other rooms of the hospital are the pictures of several of the governors and benefactors, viz. Mr. Thomas Coram, by Mr. Hogarth; Mr. 330Milner and Mr. Jacobson, by Mr. Hudson; Dr. Mead, by Mr. Ramsey; and Mr. Emerson, by Mr. Highmore. In the dining room is a large and beautiful sea piece of the English fleet in the Downs by Mr. Monamy; and over the chimney in another room is Mr. Hogarth’s original painting of the march to Finchley.
In the chapel the altar piece is finely painted by a fine Italian painter, representing the wisemen making their offerings to the infant Jesus, who is held in his mother’s arms. And here we ought not to forget the fine organ presented by Mr. Handel, who has even made this of great benefit to the hospital, and from the most benevolent views, has enriched the foundation by a new revenue raised from the powers of harmony, and has had a sacred oratorio performed several times in the year, to crowded audiences, in which he himself played upon the organ gratis.
Several very handsome shields done in lead, were given by Mr. Ives, and placed over the charity boxes, with proper inscriptions; and other artists have contributed their labours to the ornamenting of the hospital and chapel; for which they received the thanks of 331the corporation: and an inscription is put up, to inform the public, that these ornaments were the benefactions of the several artists whose names are wrote thereon; it being a fixed resolution of the Governors, that no part of the money given to this hospital be expended in any thing that is not proper to answer the good intentions of the benefactors.
After mentioning the above benefactions, it ought not to be omitted, that the Earl Marshal of England has been pleased to honour the corporation with the grant of a coat of arms; the kings at arms, and officers of the Heralds office, being so charitable as to remit all the fees due to them on that occasion: and that Dr. Cadogan, a Physician of Bristol, has been at the pains of writing an excellent pamphlet for the use of the hospital, containing instructions for the nursing and management of children from their birth to three years of age, which is published for the benefit of the hospital.
In the infancy of this hospital, those children not exceeding two months old, who were brought first were received, till the number the Governors had agreed 332to admit was completed; but this only continued for a short time, the number that came for admittance occasioned great disturbance among the persons who brought them, every one striving to deliver her child first, for fear of being excluded by delivering it too late. This necessarily occasioned a new regulation.
The persons who brought children, were conduced into a large room; and those who brought boys were seated on benches at one end, and those who brought girls, at the other. When the hour of admittance was expired, a bell was rung and the doors shut. Two of the Governors then counted how many had boys, and how many girls; after which they put into one bag as many white balls as there were boys, and into another bag as many white balls as there were girls to be admitted; and to every twenty white balls they added four red ones, and so in proportion for any greater or lesser number; after which they added so many black balls, as together with the white and red ones made the number of the balls in each bag equal to the number of persons who brought boys or girls.
333The balls being mixed together, one of the Governors held the bag, and calling the persons one by one from their seats, each held up her hand open in view of the Governors, and then putting it into the bag drew out a ball; and if it was a black one, she was immediately led with her child out of the hospital; while the persons who drew white and red balls, were ordered into separate rooms to prevent their changing them.
When all the balls were drawn, and the persons who had drawn black balls were discharged, those who had drawn white ones were brought in again, and seated as before. Then one who had a white ball was taken into a room, and left alone, while her child was undressed and examined in the presence of the matron, and if the Physician, Surgeon, or Apothecary attending, had any reason to believe that it had any infectious disease, or if it appeared to be above the age of two months, it was dressed again in its own cloaths, returned to the person who brought it, and taken immediately out of the hospital; but if there were no such objections, it was received, and the person who brought it dismissed.
334Every child thus received, had a different letter of the alphabet tied to its wrist; and both the clerk and steward marked a billet with the letter fixed to the wrist of the child, and in this paper wrote its sex and supposed age; the day and year when inspected; the marks, if any, on its body; the particulars of its dress; and if any writing or remarkable thing was brought with it, it was mentioned in the billet, and then sealed up, marked with the letter of the child on the outside. A female servant then took the child, with the cloathing of the hospital, into the ward appointed for the taking in of children, and there delivered it to the country nurse, who had the same letter of the alphabet with that of the child.
In this manner they proceeded with respect to all who had drawn white balls, and then if any had been rejected, they took as many white balls as there were children so dismissed, put them into a bag, and added as many black balls to them, as together with the white, made up the number of persons who had drawn red balls. These were drawn in the same manner as the first; but the persons who now drew the black, might, if 335they desired it, stay in the house till they saw whether all the children of those who in the second drawing had got white balls, were received or rejected, till the whole number of the children appointed to be taken in were received.
This method of drawing balls, was doubtless as unexceptionable as any other that could possibly have been invented, since it left not the least room for partiality in the choice: yet all who wished well to this excellent charity, could not avoid being concerned for those who were disappointed in the hopes of gaining admission for a child, whom they had perhaps brought many miles out of the country for that purpose, and at an expence, which they were perhaps but little able to support. This is, however, now remedied, and the parliament has granted very considerable sums, on condition of all the children being taken in that are brought of the proper age, and free from infectious diseases.
The children who are sent into the country, are under the inspection of some person of character in the neighbourhood, and are cloathed and fed according to the directions given in Dr. Cadogan’s 336Essay upon nursing, during the three years they remain there.
Such children as have not had the small pox, are inoculated at three years of age, in a proper place out of the hospital.
From three years old to six, they are taught to read, and to learn the catechism; and at proper intervals employed in such a manner as may contribute to their health, and induce a habit of activity, hardiness and labour; and from that time, their work is to be such bodily labour as is most suitable to their age and strength, and is most likely to fit them for agriculture, or the sea service; such as digging, hoeing, ploughing, hedging, cleaving wood, and carrying burdens; many of them are employed in the gardens belonging to the hospital, where by their labour they supply the house with vegetables, and being instructed in gardening, are kept in readiness for such persons as may be inclined to take them into their service.
From six years of age, the girls are employed in common needle-work, knitting and spinning, and in the kitchen, laundry, and household work, in order to make them useful servants for such 337proper persons as may apply for them, except so many as may be necessary to be employed in the hospital; it being intended to have no other female servants in the house, but persons brought up in it when they are of proper age.
The diet of the children is plain and good of the sort; their ordinary drink is water; tea, coffee, tobacco, butter, and strong drink, are never permitted to be used by any children in the hospital. Their diversions are ordered to be such as are innocent, and require activity; and all games of chance, swearing, indecent language or behaviour, are strictly prohibited. They are constantly to attend divine service in the chapel on Sundays; and the officers of the hospital are often to remind them of the lowness of their condition, that they may early imbibe the principles of humility and gratitude to their benefactors; and learn contentedly to undergo the most servile and laborious offices; for it is considered, that notwithstanding the innocence of the children, yet, as they are exposed and abandoned by their parents, they ought to submit to the lowest stations, and should not be educated in such a manner, as to put them upon a level with the 338children of parents who have the humanity and virtue to preserve, and the industry to support them.
When any person shall claim a child, they are to leave a petition with the Secretary, directed to the Governors: this, the Secretary is to deliver to the general committee, who are to transmit it to the house committee, and to give orders, that the person petitioning attend them at a day appointed; when the house committee shall enquire, what right they have to the child; what are their circumstances; whether they are able and willing to provide for the child; what security they can give for that purpose, and what satisfaction they can make to the hospital for the expence to which it has been put, by the maintenance of the child; which committee shall report the same to the next general committee, with their opinion thereupon. If the proposal made by the parent, and the report, is satisfactory to the general committee, they are then, and not before, to order the billets to be opened, and the register searched; and if they find the child is living, may make an order to deliver such child to its parent or relation, which order is not to be delivered 339till they have complied with the terms required by the committee. Every person to whom a child is so delivered, is to provide cloathing for that child, in which it is to be dressed, and the cloathing of the hospital to be left with the steward.
When any are discharged on having attained the age appointed for that purpose, by act of parliament, that is, twenty-four for the males, or twenty-one for the females; or when any of the girls shall be married, with the consent of the committee; the general committee may, at their discretion, give them cloaths, money, or necessaries, not exceeding the value of 10l. but as it is hoped, that the males and females will be able at those years to get an honest livelihood by their industry, this charity is to be cautiously and seldom practised, except on the marriage of the girls.
from Survey of London: Volume 24, the Parish of St Pancras Part 4: King's Cross Neighbourhood (1952)
Foundling Hospital
The Foundling Hospital, which owed its inception to Captain Thomas Coram, has an honourable place in the long chain of charitable institutions, generally known as "hospitals," which extends back through the Middle Ages and reaches forward to the present day. London's hospitals were famous, and it was singularly appropriate that the Governors of the Foundling Hospital should incorporate, in the decoration of their Court Room, eight medallion paintings of the general hospitals of St. Bartholomew and St. Thomas, founded in the 12th century, Bedlam (for the insane), Christ's Hospital (for children), Charterhouse, the 17th century Royal Hospitals at Chelsea (for soldiers) and at Greenwich (for sailors), as well as the Foundling. In the first half of the 18th century illegitimacy was rife and there was an appalling increase in the number of infants abandoned by their mothers. Concealment of birth was the chief motive, since only in this way could these unfortunate women have any hope for their future. That society was not unmoved by this spectacle is proved by the wide support which Coram got for his scheme, but as so often happens, it needed the zeal and single-minded devotion of one man to point the way to a remedy and his untiring advocacy to secure its adoption. (fn. 1)
Thomas Coram was a sea-captain who spent much of his life in New England. He retired in 1719, and from the following year lived at Rotherhithe. He devoted himself to philanthropic work and his sympathies must have early turned towards the children. For many years he laboured to get support, and eventually engineered an influentially-signed petition to the King by ladies, followed by one by noblemen and gentlemen in 1735. Two years later Coram petitioned the King himself and was successful in obtaining a royal charter for incorporating his "Hospital for the Maintenance and Education of Exposed and Deserted Young Children." At a memorable meeting at Somerset House on 20th November, 1739, he presented the charter to the Duke of Bedford and a distinguished company, including William Hogarth and Dr. Richard Mead. Coram was then about 70 years old.
The interesting story of how the hospital was started, the rules for the admission of the children, the anxious consideration of their diet, upbringing, and preparation to earn their livelihood is told by R. H. Nichols and F. A. Wray in their History of the Foundling Hospital (1935). Temporary premises were taken in Hatton Garden, the first admission being on 25th March, 1741. The site for the permanent buildings in Bloomsbury Fields was purchased from the Earl of Salisbury and comprised 56 acres. The architect selected was Theodore Jacobsen, of the family long connected with the Steelyard in the City of London. He was a Fellow of the Royal
Society and his only other known architectural work was the Haslar Royal Hospital for sick soldiers at Gosport. The general superintendence of the buildings was undertaken by James Horne, who acted as surveyor without fee. Another architect employed was John Sanderson, who presented the marble table in the Court Room. The foundation stone was laid on 16th September, 1742, the buildings being completed in 1747. (fn. 9)
Although the Foundling Hospital received state recognition and at times was in receipt of public grants, it was remarkable how widespread was the private support accorded it. Men of wealth and position were honoured by election to the Board of Governors and eminent physicians helped with their professional advice and services. The patronage of the hospital by distinguished people was facilitated, too, by the benevolence of artists of high rank, and not only did the chapel become famous for its musical performances, initiated by Handel, who presented the organ and conducted his Messiah there in person, but the court room and picture gallery were filled with paintings by Hogarth, Gainsborough, Reynolds, and many other artists. These pictures drew a large number of visitors, and the artists themselves met here to confer with one another and to dine. These meetings are said to have been an important factor in the founding of the Royal Academy. (fn. 9) Both concerts and exhibitions were most useful in augmenting the funds of the Foundation.
One of the most striking things about the design for the Foundling Hospital was its lay-out, which was simple, practical, and remarkably effective as a setting to the whole scheme (Plate 12). The site was some 400 feet wide and its southern frontage to Guilford Street had a pleasant screen-wall broken in the centre by a wide stretch of gates and railings in the middle of which was the statue, by William Calder Marshall, of Coram on a high pedestal (Plate 39). This screen superseded the earlier circular wall and archways removed when Guilford Street was laid out (Plate 11). Behind the walls, and for some 350 feet on the returns northwards, was a continuous colonnade, supporting the roof of a covered walk, so that the whole of this part of the site was a wide court enclosed on three sides. The side walks, where the children were employed in rope-making, had each a central pedimented pavilion (Plate 41); on the south the walk was enclosed to form two lodges, flanking the entrance, with storerooms, etc. At each end of each section of the frontage was a small square building with pyramidal roof, the easternmost having been replaced later by a large room to accommodate the college band.
The great front court had a wide central approach between two stretches of turf around which stood trees. The main buildings formed a courtyard open to the south looking on to this approach (Plate 17), but originally closed by a dwarf wall, railings, and gates. The broad scheme of the hospital plan embraced a large chapel, built 1747–1753, forming an independent north block, and two long three-storey ranges to the east and west, the former allocated to girls and the latter to boys. The ground floor of the chapel was surrounded by an open cloister which was utilized later to support galleries above. The southern section preserved its open character and consisted of seven vaulted bays opening on to the courtyard by semicircular headed arches (Plate 23). East and west of the chapel was originally a barrel-vaulted passage, fifteen feet wide between the piers. These were later enclosed to form lobbies, the western being the main entrance. This was furnished with a two-way stair to the galleries and a pair of arches north and south of an inner lobby. The eastern section, known as the chapel cloister (Plate 23), which contained a number of memorials, was also enclosed by doors and communicated with a lobby on the north side that gave access to the chapel and to the chaplain's vestry. Another vestry was accommodated in the northern section towards the west. The east and west galleries were an extension in 1754 of the original plan.
The ground floor had three sets of enclosed pews, set longitudinally, on each side of the central aisle, facing one another. The altar, within ornamental iron altar rails (presented by Mr. Wragg, His Majesty's smith), was at the east (Plate 20). The lofty pulpit and clerk's reading desk (Plate 26) stood north and south of the central aisle respectively, and the font was placed east of the desk. The walls were lined with long panels above a moulded dado, and the doors had pediments over a carved frieze, with pairs of swags of fruit and flowers above them. Similar carved drops divided the panels. The gallery surrounded the chapel on all sides and was protected by an elaborate wooden balustrade over the wall cornice. From the balustrade rose tall Ionic columns carrying an entablature on the north and south and three arches on the east, where the columns were coupled (Plate 21), a feature repeated towards the eastern and western ends of the side galleries. The eastern gallery communicated with the side galleries by doors with pediments beneath swags of fruit and flowers. To the north and south the gallery walls were pierced by five large windows, the centre window being of Venetian type—a central circular-headed light flanked by small rectangular openings between columns carrying an entablature. The remaining windows were plain circular-headed, and all were fitted with stained glass, most of it heraldic (see p. 20 and Plate 22). The side galleries (Plate 21) and that to the east were vaulted with groined plaster vaults with enrichment, and the flat ceiling of the centre of the chapel was raised above a bold plaster cove high enough to be intersected by the arches of the eastern gallery. It had an elaborate centre design. The western gallery, which held the organ in a handsome organ case (the gift of Handel to the hospital, but rebuilt in 1769), (fn. n2) was curved in plan and was given sufficient depth in 1774–5 (enlarged in 1813) to accommodate the choir. It projected into the chapel over two columns and the main cove of the ceiling was originally carried behind it in apsidal form, but this was replaced later by a high arched vault. The chapel was designed with a view to musical performances which, as stated above, brought large sums of money to the hospital funds, and the organ was first used by Handel himself at a special performance of the Messiah.
The east and west wings were originally independent buildings, touching the chapel only at the ground floor where they adjoined the open lobbies. They were each planned in two long parallel rooms, back to back, on all floors (except the ground floor, west), and adjoined rectangular blocks, north and south, which projected very slightly from the main wings on the outer sides, and in a more pronounced manner towards the courtyard (see plans, Plates 12 and 13). The wall dividing the wings into parallel sections was not in the centre, the outer compartments being wider than the inner, nor were the two wings planned alike. On the ground floor the long room facing the courtyard had groined plaster ceilings, the west being the boys' dining room (Plate 37) and the east the girls' play room, each being over 100 feet long by 20 feet wide. The girls' dining room adjoined their play room, with a section on the south allocated to infants. A large boys' play room was added later to the north of the west wing, and the whole outer section of the west wing on the ground floor was devoted to the principal administrative rooms, the court room and sub-committee room to the south, and the picture gallery to the north of an entrance hall. These rooms are described below. In the centre of the blocks north and south of the west wing and north of the east wing were spacious staircases (Plate 38) which rose to the top of the building, with rooms on each side. In the south part of the east wing a smaller stair was planned in the north-west angle of the block. The first and second floors of the wings were occupied almost entirely by the boys' and girls' wards or dormitories respectively.
The above gives a general idea of the lay-out of the hospital, which is shown in detail in Mr. Sheppard's drawings reproduced here. The internal arrangements had no doubt been altered from time to time and additional buildings were constructed, such as the boys' play room, already mentioned, to the north of the west wing, and an infants' school-room to the east of the offices built north of the east wing.
The three principal rooms in the west wing merit a more detailed description on account of their architectural treatment, and because they have been reconstructed with all their main features in No. 40 Brunswick Square, where they can still be seen. The court room (Plate 28) was lighted by four large sash windows in its west wall, filling the space between the moulded dado that surrounded the room and the modillion cornice above. Between the two outer pairs of windows were swags of fruit and flowers overhanging the busts of Caracalla and Marcus Aurelius standing on brackets, casts from the antique presented by Richard Dalton. Between the centre windows an enriched oval frame enclosed a mirror, surmounted by a plaster design with pendants, within which hung a pair of chains. Below was a marble table, supported by a group of two children and a goat (Plate 29b), presented by John Sanderson, architect, who assisted in the construction of the hospital. In the centre of the east wall was the fireplace with a simple stone mantel, having a horizontal entablature and side pilasters, beneath a stone overmantel signed and presented by J. Devall, who was responsible for the stonework at the hospital. The centre of the overmantel had a large panel in low-relief by John Michael Rysbrack representing children engaged in navigation and husbandry, flanked by consoles and surmounted by a pediment, over which were festoons of fruit and flowers (Plate 30). Each side of the chimneybreast the wall was chiefly occupied by a large eared frame, with scrolled top and escutcheon below, in which were the paintings: (left) "The finding of the infant Moses in the bulrushes," by Francis Hayman, R.A., and (right) "Little Children brought to Christ," by James Wills. Similar frames on the north and south walls held "Moses brought to Pharaoh's daughter," by Hogarth, and "Hagar and Ishmael," by Joseph Highmore. At the sides of these four pictures were small circular frames, carved with leaf ornament with festoons above and below, depending from masks, eight in all, containing paintings of the following hospitals: North wall, St. Thomas' Hospital (Samuel Wale), St. George's Hospital (Richard Wilson); East wall, Foundling Hospital (Richard Wilson), Chelsea Hospital (Edward Haytley), Charterhouse (Thomas Gainsborough), Christ's Hospital (Samuel Wale); South wall, Bethlehem Hospital (Edward Haytley), and Greenwich Hospital (Samuel Wale) (Plate 29a). They form a beautiful series and are all dated. At the extremities of the north and south walls are two doorways (one blind in each case) with handsome frames of architrave, cornice and enriched frieze, with carved festoons over. The ceiling was an elaborate design in relief, the gift of the father of Joseph Wilton, R. A., who was an ornamental plasterer and carried out many of the ceilings of French character which were then in fashion (Plates 28 and 31). This has been re-erected in the room at Brunswick Square.
Adjoining the court room on the south was the committee room (or secretary's room) with two windows looking south and one west. A simple dado and modillion ceiling cornice surround the room and it has a good carved fireplace, the design of which is ascribed to Hogarth, beneath an overmantel framing a landscape by George Lambert, the founder of the Beef Steak Club (Plate 35).
North of the court room was a paved vestibule and then the picture gallery, a long room with six windows in its west wall. The treatment was quite simple: moulded dado, modillion cornice and plain ceiling, with sixpanelled doors within moulded architraves. The fireplace was of marble with Ionic columns supporting its entablature, and a framed overmantel with scrolled terminals enclosing a portrait of Thomas Emerson, by Joseph Highmore. Over the entrance door was an oval relief with figures. This gallery contained the important collection of pictures and statuary presented to the hospital, including Raphael's "Murder of the Innocents," Hogarth's portrait of Captain Coram, and Roubiliac's bust of Handel in the original plaster, which can be seen to the right of the fireplace in Plate 34.
In 1926, consequent upon the decision of the Governors to remove the Foundling Hospital to the country, the site was sold and the children were provisionally accommodated at St. Anne's Schools, Redhill. (fn. 9) The new hospital was built at Berkhamsted from the designs of Mr. John M. Sheppard, (whose drawings of the old hospital illustrate this volume), its foundation stone being laid in 1933 and the children transferred there in 1935. The memorials, heraldic glass, and the statue of Coram went to the new hospital, but the court room, picture gallery, etc., and the works of art were retained in a new building at No. 40 Brunswick Square. When the main buildings were removed the major part of the site was bought by Lord Rothermere and those supporting him, to be preserved as a playground for children and the Foundling Hospital re-purchased the remainder to provide for the existing infant welfare centre. (fn. 10)
Memorials
1. CAPTAIN THOMAS CORAM, 1751. The following inscription was cut in stone in the south cloister of the Chapel, and has been transcribed from a photograph:
Captain THOMAS CORAM Whose Name will never want a Monument so long as this Hospital shall subsist, was born in the Year 1668. A Man eminent in that most eminent Virtue, the Love of Mankind.
Little attentive to his Private Fortune, and resusing many Opportunities of increasing it, his Time and Thought were continually employed in Endeavours to promote the Public Happiness, both in this Kingdom and elsewhere, particularly in the Colonies of North America, and his Endeavours were many Times crowned with the desired Success.
His unwearied Solicitation, for above Seventeen Years together which would have baffled the Patience and Industry of any Man less zealous in doing Good, and his Application to Persons of Distinction of both Sexes, obtained at length the Charter of the Incorporation bearing Date the 17th. of October, 1739, FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND EDUCATION OF EXPOSED AND DESERTED YOUNG CHILDREN, by which many Thousands of Lives may be preserved to the Public, and employed in a frugal and honest Course of Industry. He died the 29th. of March, 1751, in the 84th. Year of his Age, poor in Worldly Estate, rich in Good Works, and was buried at his own Desire in the Vault underneath this Chapel (the first there deposited) at the East End thereof, many of the Governors and other Gentlemen attending the Funeral to do Honour to his Memory. READER
The Actions will show whether thou art sincere in the Praises thou may'st bestow on him, and if thou hast Virtue enough to commend his Virtues, forget not to add also the Imitation of them.
The following tablets, which were formerly to be seen in the vaulted lobbies to the east and north of the chapel and in the vault below, are now preserved at Berkhamsted. The names are given in alphabetical order.
2. CHARLES ABBOTT, first Lord TENTERDEN, 1832, Lord Chief Justice and vice-president of the hospital, 1821–1832, and his wife, MARY, daughter of John Langley Lamotte. The memorial consists of a bust on a pedestal within an architectural frame standing on a sarcophagus, and is signed by P. Sarti. The inscription is in Latin and was composed by himself. He was buried in the chapel vault. (Tablet originally on east wall of east lobby, see Plate 24a.)
3. FANNY ARDEN, 1836, wife of Richard Edward Arden (elected governor, 1834), and their daughter CLARA HIRST ARDEN, 1835, and son Alfred Mason Arden, 1836. Marble tablet surmounted by an urn, originally on west wall of east lobby (see Plate 24a).
4. ROBERT ATCHISON, 1818. He was appointed schoolmaster in 1780 and was for 39 years a "diligent and affectionate master of the boys." A plain stone; he was not buried here.
5. HENRY BLANSHARD, 1870, elected governor 1858, and his wife, Miriam, 1871. A marble tablet within a cusped pointed arch, originally on the west wall of the east lobby.
Shield of arms: gules a chevron or between two bezants in chief and a griffin's head erased or in base, a crescent for difference (Blanshard), impaling azure a chevron or between three lozenges or. Crest: a griffin's head erased.
6. JAMES KENDLE BROWN, 1854, elected governor in 1845. Plain marble tablet on dark ground, originally on north wall of east lobby (see Plate 24a), signed S. Manning.
7. JOHN BROWNLOW, 1873. He was a foundling and was employed in the secretary's office in 1814, became treasurer's clerk in 1828 and was appointed secretary in 1849 and held the office until 1872. He wrote a history of the hospital. The tablet is marble of gothic design, formerly on the west wall of the east lobby, and is signed by Burke of 17 Newman Street, London.
8. SAMUEL COMPTON COX, 1839, treasurer of the hospital for 33 years (1806–1839) and formerly a master of the High Court of Chancery. Also Anna, 1829, his wife, daughter of Percival Pott, senior surgeon of St. Bartholomew's Hospital. Samuel Cox was vice-president in 1805–6 and Colonel commanding the Bloomsbury and Inns of Court Association. His memorial is in the form of a sarcophagus with a relief depicting himself seated with three foundlings. It is signed J. Lough, whose full name was John Graham Lough (1806–1876). The memorial was formerly fixed over the door in the west wall of the north lobby (see Plate 24b).
9. HENRY DEALTRY, 1823, secondary of the Crown Office, his wife ELEANOR, 1831, their eldest son, PEREGRINE, 1842, master of the Crown Office and elected governor of the hospital, 1826, and their youngest son, WILLIAM, 1826. A marble tablet erected by Frances and Anne their surviving daughters.
10. HUGH EDWARDS, 1839. Elected governor, 1804. Plain marble tablet.
11. THOMAS EVERETT, M.P., 1810. Vice-president 1797–1810 and a generous benefactor to the hospital. A marble tablet surmounted by an urn, formerly on the west wall of the east lobby.
Shield of arms: gules a chevron ( ) between 3 mullets ( ) (Everett) impaling party per chevron or and ( ) 2 mullets ( ) in chief and a crescent ( ) in base. Cansick gives his wife, Martha, also (d. 1825).
12. PETER FADDY, 1848. A foundling apprenticed to an "Enamelled and Dial Plate Painter" in Old Street in 1808, who was afterwards employed for 20 years as messenger in the hospital. A plain stone commemorates him as "Honest Peter Faddy."
13. EDWIN JAMES FAIRLAND, Colonel A.M.S., 1909. Elected governor 1894. Lead plate mounted on marble.
Shield of arms: argent a saltire engrailed gules between four roses gules barbed and seeded proper.
14. JAMES FARRER, 1826. Elected governor 1819. Shaped marble tablet with shield of arms which Cansick gives as or cotised sable 3 horseshoes ( ) (Farrer) impaling argent a griffin sable, on a chief sable 3 stars or.
15. JOSIAH FORSHALL, 1863. Keeper of the Manuscripts (1827–1837) and secretary (1828–1850) of the British Museum. Chaplain to the hospital (1829–1863). Also his wife Frances, 1865. An arched marble tablet in the gothic manner with a Latin inscription recording his publications, formerly on the north wall of the north lobby.
16. Sir STEPHEN GASELEE, 1839, Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, elected governor, 1815, and vice-president of the hospital, 1824–1838. Also HENRIETTA, 1838, his wife, daughter of James Harris of the East India Company, and their two daughters HENRIETTA, 1840, and EMMA 1841. Plain marble tablet formerly on the west wall of the east lobby.
17. Rev. JOHN WILLIAM GLEADALL, 1882, morning preacher in the hospital chapel, 1845–1882. Marble tablet with portrait in relief by Thomas Woolner, R.A. (1825–1892). There is a bust of Gleadall by S. J. P. Haydon at the hospital.
18. CHARLOTTE JOSEPHINE GREGORY, 1859, daughter of George Burrow Gregory (see No. 19 below) and Maria Teresa his wife. Marble tablet with arched head to panel, signed J. S. Farley.
19. GEORGE BURROW GREGORY, 1892, for eighteen years M.P. for Sussex and treasurer of the hospital 1857–1892. Marble tablet enclosing alabaster escutcheon with inscription, formerly on north wall of east lobby (see Plate 24a).
20. ROBERT GREY, 1914. Treasurer of the hospital 1892–1914. Lead plate with portrait in relief on marble tablet.
22. WILLIAM HAMMOND, 1834, his wife ANN, 1824, and their son WILLIAM, 1855, elected governor of the hospital, 1824.
Tablet with scrolled pediment and shield of arms: argent a chevron sable between 3 mullets ( ) impaling argent a saltire engrailed gules between 4 roses gules (? Fairland).
23. MARK HEALEY, 1912. Private, 19th Hussars. A foundling who was drowned at Aldershot in trying to save a comrade. Brass plate.
24. JOHN HEATH, 1830, Justice of the Peace for Middlesex and elected governor 1814. Also his wife, Jane Louisa, 1834. Marble tablet shaped like a sarcophagus supporting an urn.
25. Rev. JOHN HEWLETT, 1844. Morning preacher at the hospital 1798–1826. He was a biblical scholar and professor of belles lettres at the Royal Institution. He was instituted to the rectory of Hilgay, Norfolk, in 1819.
His marble tablet bears a shield of arms: ermine on a chevron ( ) 3 hinds' heads rased, a quarter ( ) charged with a lion ( ) impaling azure 3 arrows in pale fesswise, points to chief ( ), a quarter ( ) charged with a lion ( ). (Cansick draws the coat, he does not show the arrows fesswise and the quarter in the impalement has a leopard rampant).
26. CLEMENT HUE, M.D., 1861, and his wife LUCY, 1851. He was physician to St. Bartholomew's, Christ's Hospital, and the Foundling Hospital. He was elected governor in 1819 and was vice-president, 1847–1861. The memorial, which used to be on the south wall of the north lobby, consisted of a large inscribed slab between two tall urns standing on a base supported by corbels (see Plate 24b). The hospital possesses a portrait of Dr. Hue by R. Buckner.
27. JAMES CHICHELEY HYDE, 1867. Lieut.-Colonel, Indian Army, elected governor, 1862.
Shaped marble tablet with shield of arms: azure a chevron between 3 lozenges or (Hyde). Crest: an eagle rising wings addorsed and inverted.
28. Rev. CORRIE JACKSON, 1895, chaplain to the hospital for nine years. A lead plate fixed to marble.
29. CHARLES JAMES JOHNSTONE, M.B., 1838. Attended at the hospital. He died at the age of 28. Memorial consists of an inscribed tablet surmounted by a large relief with an angel descending to the dying man.
30. JOSEPH KAY, 1847, architect. He was appointed surveyor of the hospital buildings and superintendent of the estate in 1814. He is described on the simple tablet that was on the east wall of the east lobby as a "faithful officer of this institution." The design of the east side of Mecklenburgh Square was his work (see p. 28). The tablet is signed J. S. Farley.
31. LUKE LYNCH, 1892. "Faithful Servant in the Hospital." A brass let into a stone tablet with scrolled pediment.
32. GEORGE PARDOE, M.D., 1850. Plain marble tablet with pedimental head.
33. ROBERT RAINY PENNINGTON, 1840. Elected governor, 1810. Monument in stone with carving in relief.
35. CHARLES PLUMLEY, 1860, second son of William Plumley of Shepton Mallet, elected governor, 1841. Also LOUISA, his widow, 1868. Marble tablet with shield of arms: ( ) floretty ( ), a bend checky ( ) and ( ). Crest: a dexter arm vambraced embowed holding a spear, point to dexter.
36. CHARLES POTT, 1864, treasurer, 1839–1852, vice-president, 1856–1864, and Anna, his wife, 1876. Marble tablet of gothic design formerly on north wall of north lobby.
37. DANIEL ROWLAND, 1859. Elected governor, 1810. Plain marble tablet, formerly on west wall of east lobby, signed Bedford. (Cansick gives Rowlands.)
38. WILLIAM GEORGE SIBLEY, 1807. Treasurer to the East India Company, elected governor of the hospital, 1790, and his wife, Jane AMPHILLIS, 1832.
Marble tablet with shield of arms: per pale ( ) and ( ) a griffin ( ) between 3 crescents ( ) impaling ( ) a chevron gules between in chief 3 mullets ( ) and in base 3 ermine spots. Crest: a demi-lion ( ) holding in its paws a ducal coronet.
39. JOHN STEPHENSON, 1822, elected governor 1795, and his wife, Mary, 1814. Marble tablet surmounted by urn formerly on west wall of east lobby.
Shield of arms: gules on a bend argent 3 leopards' faces ( ) (Stephenson) impaling ( ) a chevron sable.
40. JOHN THOMAS, 1849. Elected governor, 1818, and his wife, ANN, 1833, daughter of Josias le Marchant. Marble tablet surmounted by an urn, formerly on the east wall of the east lobby.
Shield of arms: or on a pale azure a lion ( ) between two oak trees ( ), a crescent for difference impaling azure a chevron or between 3 owls argent legged or (le Marchant).
41. WILLIAM WATSON, F.R.S., 1818. Serjeant at Arms attendant on the Great Seal at the House of Lords, Senior Common Pleader of the City of London. Vice-president of the hospital, 1813–1818. Also his wife, Susan, 1814. Stone tablet with urn, formerly on west wall of east lobby.
42. THOMAS WEEDING, 1856, merchant of the City of London. Elected governor 1818, also his first wife, Sarah, 1835, and his second wife, Mary, 1860. White marble tablet surmounted by an urn, formerly on the east wall of the east lobby.
Shield of arms: or 2 bars gules, in chief 3 martlets gules impaling argent on a saltire azure 5 crescents ( ) between 2 buckles ( ), and two stags' heads erased one in chief and the other in base ( ). Crests: dexter, a martlet, sinister a tower. (Cansick gives the saltire engrailed.)
Heraldic Glass
The following is a list of coats of arms of governors and others connected with the hospital, formerly in the windows of the chapel. The glass has been re-fixed in the chapel and hall at Berkhamsted and has been listed as it stands. The original position of the glass has been given wherever known. The blazon of each shield is given in a list compiled by Mr. Albert Manchester and deposited in the library of the London County Council. The dates (except those in brackets) appear with the names in the windows, and seem usually to be the year of election as governor.
Chapel
Chancel, north side. A window to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, president, 1809. Royal arms.
Chancel, south side. A window to H.R.H. Arthur, Duke of Connaught, president, 1904.
Nave, north side: Window No. 1 (from the east). Nos. 1 to 11 formed the upper part of the second window from the east on the south side of the old chapel. The remainder of the shields are now No. 21 (window north 2) and Nos. 22, 21, 23, 24 (window north 4). Centre achievement. H.R.H. Frederick, Duke of York, president 1820, royal arms of George III.
Window No. 2. This (excepting No. 21) appears to have been the second window from the east on the north side of the old chapel.
Window No. 3. This appears to have been the easternmost window on the south side of the old chapel, with additional shields.
Window No. 4. With some exceptions at the end, the shields in this window seem to correspond with the second window from the west, on the north side of the old chapel.
Nave, south side. Window No. 1 (from the east).
Centre: achievements of H.R.H. Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, president 1827, and H.R.H. George, Duke of Cambridge, president 1851.
Window No. 2. This window was the northernmost of the three windows in the east wall of the old chapel (see Plate 22).
Upper part: royal arms of King George III.
Window No. 3. This was the centre window in the east wall of the old chapel. It contains no heraldic glass but is composed of three shaped panels in the centre of which is a group of Faith, Hope and Charity by Wilmshurst.
Window No. 4. This was the southernmost of the three windows in the east wall of the old chapel. Upper part, the present royal arms.
Hall
North side (from the east). Window No. 1.
Window No. 2.
Window No. 3.
Window No. 4.
Window No. 5.
South side(from the east). Window No. 1.
Window No. 2.
Window No. 3.
Window No. 4.
Window No. 5.
| 1. | Rt. Hon. Viscount Hampden, 1934. | |
| 2. | Sir Roger Gregory (Treasurer 1914–1938). | |
n1. It is important to realize that Coram's motive was a desire to protect the mothers from ill-repute as much as to provide for the children, and for this reason anonymity was carefully secured.
n2. The organ has been re-erected at Berkhamsted.
8. J. Brownlow, The history and objects of the Foundling Hospital, with a memoir of the founder, 3rd ed., 1865.
9. R. H. Nichols and F. A. Wray, The history of the Foundling Hospital, 1935.
10. L. C. C. Minutes.