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.
The 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.
Every 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 they 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 Essay 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 proper 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.