humane institution owes it establishment to the exertions of a private individual. About the year 1722, Captain Thomas Coram, the master of a merchant-ship in the American trade, a man endowed with every benevolent feeling, undertook the arduous task of establishing a Foundling hospital, and finally succeeded, after the labour of seventeen years. His Majesty, George II., being applied to, a royal charter was granted, on the 17th October, 1739, authorising the governors of this charity (among other things) to purchase, in mortmain, real estates, not exceeding in value 4000l. per annum.

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The object of this institution is, according to the char"the maintenance and education of exposed and deserted young children." They are not however, as in foreign establishments, indiscriminately received; but, in every individual case, application is necessary, subject to the consideration of the committee of management. The children of soldiers and sailors, killed in service, are also admitted under particular circumstances.

The number of children received into the hospital before the end of the year 1752, was 1040, of whom 559 were at that time maintained by the charity, at an expense to which its income was by no means adequate. In 1756, therefore, the parliament voted it the sum of 10,000l. and large sums were afterwards granted, to the average amount of 33,000l. annually, till 1771, when they ceased. It was still found, however, that the scheme of the hospital was extended too far; numerous abuses had crept in; and the governors were finally obliged to contract their views: but, at present, from the income of their landed and funded property, and the collections at the chapel, a sufficient sum is raised to maintain nearly 400 children, of whom about 180 (the youngest) are reared in cottages within twenty or thirty miles of London until they are five years of age, when they are received into the hospital.

The Foundling Hospital is a spacious and convenient edifice, with a good garden and commodious play-ground for the children. The chapel is in the centre. The east wing is appropriated to the girls, and the west to the boys. At the south extremity of the former is the treasurer's

house, and the extremity of the opposite wing is appropriated to inferior officers. Divine service is performed in the chapel twice on every Sunday, at eleven in the forenoon, and at seven in the evening. The pews are in general let at a high rent: besides which there is always a collection at the doors; and from the excellence of the music, the popularity of the preachers, and the influence of fashion, the annual sum derived from this source amounts to about 3,000l.

The kitchen of the hospital is an object worthy of inspection: it is constructed on the plan of Count Rumford, and has caused a saving to the charity of twenty-five chaldrons of coals in the year.

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Hogarth was an early benefactor, and an active promoter of the Foundling charity. He presented to it three excellent pictures; one of them is his admirable March to Finchley; and another, a portrait of the founder, Captain Coram. The collection has since been enriched by other presents from celebrated artists. The altar-piece in the chapel is by the late Mr. West. In the court-room are four pictures from sacred subjects, by Hayman, Hogarth, Highmore, and Willes. On each side of these are placed smaller pictures, in circular frames, representing the most considerable hospitals in and about London: 1. The Foundling; 2. St. George's Hospital; - by Wilson: 3. Chelsea Hospital; 4. Bethlem Hospital; — by Hatley: 5. St. Thomas's Hospital; 6. Greenwich Hospital; 7. Blue Coat Hospital;-by Wale: 8. The Charter House, by Gainsborough.

The benefits of this charity extend not only to the rearing and educating of helpless orphans, but, at the discretion of the general committee, to the providing them, on their discharge from the establishment, with clothes, money, &c. not to exceed the value of ten pounds, and to the binding them apprentices, or placing them in service.

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The Magdalen Hospital, St. George's Fields, founded for the relief and reformation of wretched young women, whose conduct had deprived them of character, and rendered them outcasts from society: the principle, therefore, on which it is founded, would alone give it

a strong title to the countenance and favour of the public, particularly of the female sex. It was opened in the year 1758. During the period that it has subsisted, more than two thirds of the women who have been admitted to its benefits have been reconciled to their friends, or placed in honest employments or reputable services. A very considerable number have married, and are at this moment respectable members of society; and, could their names and situations be disclosed, the utility of this charity would appear in the most striking light. The time the females remain in the house varies, according to circumstances. The greatest pains are taken to find out their relations and friends, in order to effect a reconciliation with them; and, if they should maintain a decent character, to put them once more under their protection. When discharged, they are for the most part under twenty years of age.

The committee consists of thirty-two governors, who meet at the hospital every Thursday, at twelve o'clock, except on the first Thursday of every month, when they assemble at eleven ; and two of them, in rotation, attend at the Chapel every Sunday, at morning and evening service, when a collection is made previously to admission. The hours of divine service are a quarter after eleven in the forenoon, and a quarter after six in the evening; and, on account of the singing, which is performed by the females, (screened by a curtain from the general eye,) few places of worship in the metropolis are more frequented. This institution is principally indebted for its origin to the unfortunate Rev. Dr. Dodd.

Companies who wish to visit this charity, may be admitted, on_addressing their request by letter to the committee any Thursday; or to the treasurer upon any day in the week. No fees are taken.

London Female Penitentiary, Pentonville. This institution, on a plan somewhat similar to that of the Magdalen, was founded in 1807, in consequence of the number of applications to the former charity which, of necessity, remained unattended to. The most prompt assistance is here afforded, to the extent the funds will allow, to all