doned to the wide world, want that difcipline and inftruction, fo neceffary to give the mind a happy turn, and enable them to fill the ftation defigned for them., Vice naturally takes the place of virtue; and they become rather a nuifance than an advantage to the ftate. They are but two often, afterwards, punished for crimes, the natural effects of a bad education, for which we ought to blame our felves. Thefe, rather unhappy than blameable children, we propofe to make worthy and ufeful members of the public, by rendering them fit to fill the lower ftations in the arts, agriculture, the navy, and domeftic life. There is a crime in which this country bears a greater proportion than others, and that is, child-murder [337.]. An argument drawn from fact is irrefiftible. From the records of the jufticiary-court in Edinburgh, betwixt 1717 and 1729, it appears, that eighteen males, and fixteen females, were tried during that time for murder; and that fifteen of the latter were for child-murder. Confidering that this crime is in a greater prepor-, tion at the circuit-courts; confidering that it must be often perpetrated without the knowledge of the public; confidering likewife that it has increafed greatly of late, we must conclude that it confiderably furpafies all other murders in frequency, and that the terrors of the law are infufficient obftacles to it. How much more humane to prevent fo Leinous a crime! Whether the caufe lies in the dread of fhame, public repentance of their guilt, or the poverty and inability of the mother to maintain the child, we cannot but flatter ourselves, that a fecret and ready. reception for fuch children would remove every motive to take away their lives, and the public become a gainer, by preferving both child and mother; which latter might afterwards become an useful member of fociety. ing it out to nurfe, at the cheapest rate, and often to improper perfons, as he cannot be a fit judge of that affair. A child who comes into the world with a bad conftitution, from the mother's evil defigns, and often labours under a destructive difeafe, and who needs all the affiftance which art can give, is fent at a diftance from that affiftance, and given to nurfes who would deftroy more robust children. If they come into the hands of wicked women, their cafe is yet more deplorable; and it is not improbable that they may fall a facrifice to a little gain. From thefe unhappy caufes, we have good reafon to aver, that more than one half of fuch children die before they are nine months old. After thefe convincing facts, it would be unneceflary to fay more, were it not for an objection which we have fometimes heard ftated against this charitable fcheme, That it feems to encourage a certain fpecies of immorality. Fact fhows that this fuppofed confequence has not followed where fuch hofpitals have been already erected. Befides, this can be no additional encouragement, as illegitimate children, when expofed, are already ta ken care of by the public. The present plan is only propofed as an improvement on the other. But when we confider the murders, and all other kinds of immoralities incident to outcafts, no perfon can hesitate a moment in determining, that this hofpital must prove afriend to virtue. Left the late deliberations of parliament [xxiii. 285.] fhould be misunderftood or mifreprefented, we beg leave to inform the public, that the question was, Whether the reception of children from the distant parts of the kingdom was advantageous or not? Some inconveniencies arising from fuch an extension of the hofpital [xx. 382. xxi. 111.] were mentioned. The question feems to have been dubious, as the parliament gave no decifion. But the inconveniencies would be leis felt, and be attended with greater advantages, in North Britain, than in South Britain. Our funds here will never give rife to fuch an extenfion; and, if the managers please, they can eafily put a stop to it, by admitting no child above a week old; an age eafily diftinguishable. The parliament was unanimous in thinking fuch an hofpital neceflary in great cities, where general debauchery has weakened and deftroyed parental affection. Some public place of reception for foundlings appeared neceflary to the magiftrates of this town, and they appropii ated the poor-houfe for that purpofe; a proof of the humanity and inclinations of the inhabitants of Edinburgh. But this is far from anfwering all the good purpofes defigned by it, or expected from the prefent plan. The parent muft either difcover her poverty or flame, or expofe her child in fuch a manner as to endanger its life. When difcovered, the kirk-treasurer is under the difagreeable neceflity of fends. It is hoped that the public charity will follow July 1762. A plan for a foundling-hofpital in Edinburgh. follow conviction. After we have done fomething ourselves towards the relief of thefe innocents, we can then apply to parliament with a good affurance of fuccels. They granted a confiderable fum laft year [xxiii. 460. art. 48.] for the behalf of the London foundling-hofpital. We have reafon to think, that they will grant fome provision for us. An application fhall not be wanting; but we must firft fhow, that we think well of it, by eftablishing it ourselves. It cannot be expected that we shall at prefent compile a regular plan for the management of fuch an hofpital. It is neceflary, however, that we sketch out the great outlines, to give the public fome idea of its policy. A more regular fyitem of laws, with respect to the conduct of the whole, fhall be laid before the first meeting of the managers, who will enlarge, diminish, confirm, or annull them at their pleasure. The managers, on whom the conduct of the whole is to devolve, at their firft meeting, are to confift of those ladies and gentlemen who have fubfcribed five pounds annually, or made a donation of fifty pounds; the physician, treasurer, and fecretary, or clerk, thefe may aflociate in the fubcommittees any of the fubfcribers of a fmaller fum whom they think proper. Their day of meeting fhall be advertifed in the public papers; they fhall regulate the whole plan of management; their votes in all cales to be determined by ballot, and carried by a majority. Whenever the funds will admit of maintaining ten children, the hofpital fhall be opened. A proper houfe and neceflary accommodation fhall be provided. Each child, except fuch as have an infectious difeafe, is to have a wet nurfe; the only fafe method yet found out; for experience has difcovered that two of three children brought up with the fpoon, die. A fmall gratuity of ten fhillings fhall be given to each nurfe whole child lives a year under her care. A difcreet middleaged woman fhall have the care of the whole, as matron. No perfon in the houfe fhall take any fee or gratuity, except what the hofpital pays, under the penalty of being immediately difiniffed. The perfon bringing a child fhall be tarried alone into the porter's lodge, and the door fhut, that no perion may enter. No queftions fhall be asked by any one in the hofpital, under the forfeiture of their 363 place, excepting, whether the child is baptized? whether it has had the finall pox or meafles? and whether it has any diftemper? The matron thall appear on ringing a bell, and examine the child, to fee that it is not above a year old; for none above that age ought to be admitted. The matron is to give a certificate, acknowledging the receipt of fuch a child. Then the perfon bringing the child is allowed to depart, and the porter fhall take care that no molestation be given in their coming or going. The child fhall immediately be given to a nurfe approved by the physician; and if it has any infectious distemper, it shall be fent to the fick ward, at a proper diftance from the other children. The matron and clerk fhall immediately mark, in a commonplace-book, the year, hour, and day of the child's arrival, its fex, apparent age, marks of its body, cloaths, /writings or tokens left with it, and every other circumftance which can characterize it, along with its number, which fhall be hung in a ticket about its neck. The writings or tokens fhall be carefully fealed up, if not already done, laid by, nor fhall they ever be opened unless by order of the committee of managers. The dict of the children when they grow up, fhall be of the most wholesome cheapest kind. The children fhall be taught to read, and to write, if they have a genius. They fhall be inftructed in the principles of the Chriftian religion. Divine fervice fhall be performed every Sunday, and prayers every day. All games of chance, indecent language or behaviour, thall be ftrictly prohibited, and feverely punished. The boys fhall be taught fuch manufac tures as chiefly conduce to strength and activity of body, and which will oblige them to be much in the open air; fuch as, twisting of lines, twine, cordage, working in the garden, &c. Their diverfions fhall tend to the fame purpose. The girls thall be taught to manage the houfe, few, fpin, work nets, weave, &c. with a view to manufactures rather than to fervice. They thall be in feparate apartments from the boys. Both boys and girls, except thofe ufeful in the houfe, fhall be apprenticed to their different employments; and fent out of the hofpital at twelve years of age, or fooner, if thought proper. They fhall have a prefent of a Bible, and printed instructions with refpect to their future behaviour. Α 364 Of fatigued foldiers, cruelty on A phyfician fhall be appointed to the hofpital, who fhall attend without falary the hofpital every day, to take care of the fick, examine nurfes, fee they do their duty, regulate the childrens diet, cloathing, exercife, hours of riting and going to bed, and innoculate the children when he thinks proper. A furgeon fhall likewife attend gratis for manual operations. Medicines fhall be bought at the cheapest rate, until the hospital can afford an apothecary's fhop. The whole accounts of the hofpital fhall be examined and paffed by the managers once a-year, and thall be published for the fatisfaction of the public; as also the state of their funds, and the fubfcribers names, with the fum-total of fubfcriptions, donations, and legacies. All gentlemen and ladies fhall be allowed to vifit the hospital at seasonable hours; and all fubfcribers may vifit the books, and complain of mifimanagement to the managers. No perfons calling for the nurfes fhall fee them, but in the outer room along with the matron; nor fhall they be allowed to pass the outer gate, without the matron, or another commiffioned by her, be along with them. A place fhall be appointed to which they fhall carry the children for air and exercife. No perfon belonging to the hofpital hall mention or anfwer any questions to any without the hofpital, except to thofe commiffioned by law, with regard to the time and other circumftances of a child's admillion, under a pecuniary fine, to which every one admitted to serve fhall agree. If a child is claimed, the managers fhall inform themfelves with regard to the proof, circumstances, and moral character of the parent, and determine by thefe. The expences of the house must be paid before the child be removed. [The preceding plan was printed at Edinburgh about the middle of July, and given away gratis; and it was inferted in the news-papers in the end of that month.] A method which was practifed with fuccefs in the camps of Gustavus Adolphus, for recovering foldiers from their fatigue after long marches. Published by a Danish physician. T 'HE foldier's fhoes and ftockings being pulled off, his legs were well rubbed with a dry woollen cloth, and then washed with warm water, in which an ounce of gunpowder was dif folved. This never failed to refresh him extremely. account of religion, &c. Vol. xxiv. A letter from M. de Voltaire to M. d'A lembert, complaining of the cruelties exercifed, in France, and at Geneva, or account of religion. Caftle de Ferney, June 29. 1762. My very dear, and very great philosopher, So you have finished the reading of that impertinent little libel, of that impertinent little rogue of a priest, who has been fo often at my country-house, and been there made fo much of. The journal of the Encyclopædia, the best of his works, is what preferves that crackling, frittering morfel from starving. Thus you fee, my dear friend, that the Pref byterians are not a bit better than the Jefuits; and that these do not deserve to beg their bread more than the Janse. nifts. You have done to the little dirty city of Geneva an honour it did not deserve. They performed Caffandra on my stage at Ferney agreeable to your taste. The grave and auftere minifters did not dare to appear there, but they fent their daughters. I faw both men and women melt into tears; and indeed never was piece fo well performed: afterwards a fupper for 200 fpectators, and a grand ball. This is the manner I have my revenge, as often as I can, of thefe good people. At Tholoufe they lately hanged one of their preachers [126, 87.1: this rendered them a little more gentle. But one of their brethren is just now broke upon the wheel, being falfely accused of having hanged his fon out of fpite to our holy religion; to which, as fuppofed, the good father fufpected his fon had a fecret inclination. Tholoufe, more foolish yet, more fanatic than Geneva, deemed the hanged youth a martyr. They never thought of examining if he had hanged himself, according to the pious custom of the fage children of Albion: they buried him, however, pompously: the parliament was prefent at the ceremony bare-footed. The new faint was invoked: after which, the court for criminal affairs, by a plu rality of voices, eight against fix, fentenced the father to be broke on the wheel. This judgment was fo much the more catholic, as there was no proof against him. He was a good citizen, and a prolific father, having had five children, including him that was hanged. He bemoaned, in his dying hours, his executed fon; and, under Voltaire on religious cruelty. July 1762. under each stroke of the wheel, protested his own innocence: he cited the parliament to the tribunal of God! All the heretic cantons, all Christian hearts cry out aloud against this execution! All pronounce us a nation as barbarous as we are frivolous; that knows how to torture and cut capers-but have forgot how to fight; that can go from a maffacre of St Bartholomew to a comic opera; and are become the horror and contempt of all Europe. What an age do we live in! It is the dregs of all ages. What minifters! what generals! what nobility! what nation! We are immer fed in debauchery and in infamy: court and city are all one: citizens, courtiers, priefts, women,-all are prostitutes. It is a gulf of meannefs and proftitution! I am forry for it; for we were formed to be agreeable stage-dancers, fitted to divert; but we are now become the poltroon prostitutes, the fcum of the world. I promise you, my friend, not to go to Geneva, because only fmall fools, and petty tyrants dwell there ;-nor to Tholoufe, because they have none but knaves, fools, and fanatics;-nor to Paris, becaufe, very foon, none but whores, rogues, and beggars will live there. For God's fake, and for the fake of that little god Humanity, which ftill just vegetates, but with little regard, on earth, be pleased to make as execrable as you can that barbarous and fhocking fanaticilim that has condemned a father for hanging his fon, or that has broke on the wheel an innocent father, by eight rafcally counfellors and tutors to a king of cards. If I was a minifter of ftate like RichHeu, I would fend thefe eight affallins of the Fleurs de Lis, attended by all the rabble of Tholoufe, with the parliament in their front and rear, to the gallies; and there, bare-footed, with torch-inhand, they fhould annually prostitute themfelves before the thrine of this in nocently executed father, to ask pardon of God, and folemnly implore him, foon or late, to annihilate this curfed and perverfe race of Roman Catholics. Tell me, prithee, what corps in France you defpife the moft. Nota, I just hear from Marfeilles, that a criminal, condemned there for murder, with tears in his eyes, repentance in his looks, and contrition in his heart, has confefled himfelf to be the murderer of the fon of the Proteftant of Tholoufe, whom the par VOL. XXIV. 365 liament fentenced to the wheel for that crime. A book lately appears here the most singular, and another the most aftonifhing. The first is an heroic poen, intitled, The broom, or broomstick. Rabelais, Scarron, or La Fontaine had not more wit, a better ftyle, or finer imagination. Moreover, it is the work of an apoftate abbe, namely, Laurence: he published, about eighteen months fince, a work, intitled, The Jefuifticals. He is a poet formed by nature. The other is called Oriental Defpotifm, by M. Boulanger. It is a book worthy of a Montefquieu. I know you are acquaint ed with the editor: The police has let loofe all her furies to difcover them, but to no purpose, and I am glad of it. Within a month we have had fixty affaffinations, or frightful murders, confidered in their circumstances. War, luxury, and extravagance deftroy this place. You know the Jefuits have no longer their colleges; that we are at the eve of banifhing them out of the kingdom. We begin, though tremblingly, to fhew our teeth at old Grey Beard of Rome. Send me as foon as you can, your fourth canto of the Difpenfary. If my Chriftiana appears to you deferving the notice of your glorious piratical gentry, get it tranflated as faithfully as pollible. Adieu! beftir yourfelves, ingrates; praise God for all things; admire Nature; it is the only way I know to live fometimes contentedly. The original letter which the Lord Churchill, afterwards the great Duke of Marlborough, wrote to King James II. when he went over to the Prince of Orange, on his landing at Exeter, in 1688. SIR, Since men are seldom fufpected of fince rity, when they act contrary to their interefts; and though my dutiful beha. viour to your Majefly in the worst of times (for which I acknowledge my poor fervices much overpaid) may not be futfcient to incline you to a charitable interpretation of my actions; yet I hope the great advantage I enjoy under your Majefty, which I can never expect in any other change of government, may realonably convince your Majefty, and the world, that I am actuated by a higher principle, when I offer that violence to my inclination and intereft, as to defert your Majefty, at a time when your affairs 3 C feem feem to challenge the ftricteft obedience from all your fubjects, much more from one who lies under the greatest perfonal obligations imaginable to your Majesty *. This, Sir, could proceed from nothing but the inviolable dictates of my confcience, and neceffary concern for my religion, (which no good man can oppofe), and with which, I am inftructed, nothing ought to come in competition. Heaven knows with what partiality my dutiful opinion of your Majefty hath hitherto reprefented thofe unhappy defigns, which inconfiderate and felf-interested men have framed against your Majefty's true intereft and the Proteftant religion. But, as I can no longer join with fuch, to give a pretence by conqueft to bring them to ef fect, fo will I always, with the hazard of my life and fortune, (fo much your Majefty's due), endeavour to preferve your royal perfon, and lawful rights, with all the tender concern, and dutiful respect, that becomes, Sir, your Majefty's moft dutiful, and most obliged fubject and fervant. [ix. 569.] CHURCHILL. * This gentleman had been raised by K. James, from the rank of a page, to the peerage, with a great command in the army; and was befides the chief favourite of the King, by whom he was tenderly beloved. Brit. Mag. The greatest happiness of marriage depends on fo many points of agreement, that it would be a folly to think to find them all. The most important must be made fure of preferably to the reft: if the others can be procured too, fo much the better; if they cannot, they must be overlooked. Perfect happiness is not to be found in this world; but the greatest of misfortunes, and that which may always be avoided, is to be unhappy by one's own fault. There is a fuitableness which may be called natural; there is also a fuitablenefs arifing from the inftitutions of men; and a fuitableness that depends wholly on opinion. Of the two laft, parents are the proper judges: of the firft the children alone can judge. In marriages made by the authority of parents, thofe fuitableneffes that arife from civil inftitutions and opinion are alone minded; the matches are not between the perfons, but between their rank and fortunes: but both these are fubject to change; the perfons alone remain the fame in all places and at all times: the happiness or unhappiness of the marriage-ftate depends, in spite of fortune, on perfonal fuitableness. Your mother was a woman of family; I had a large fortune: these were the fole confiderations that influenced our parents A speech addressed by a father to his daugh- tune; fhe hath loft her rank: forgot by to join us together. I have loft my for ter. From the French of ROUSSEAU. γου Nothing perhaps is more difficult than the choice of a good husband, except perhaps the chufing a good wife. You, Sophy, will be this rare woman; you will be the pride of our lives, and our happinefs in old age. But however great inerit you may have, there are men who have ftill more. There is no man who ought not to think it an honour to obtain you; there are many whom it would do you honour to obtain. Among this number, the bufinels is to find one fuitable to you, to get acquainted with him, and to make him acquainted with you. her family, what doth it fignify to her, that he was born a lady? In the midst of our diftrefs, the union of our hearts made up for every thing: the conformity of our taste made us chufe this retire. ment: we live happy in our poverty; each is to the other instead of all. Sophy is our common treasure: we thank the Almighty for giving her, and taking away every thing elfe. You fee, child, whither Providence hath brought us. Thofe confiderations which occafioned our marriage are vanished; and that which was counted as nothing, makes all our happinefs. It is for man and wife to fuit themfelves. Mutual inclination ought to be their firft tie: their eyes, their hearts ought to be their first guides: for as their primary duty, after they are joined together, is to love one another; and as to love, or not to love, doth not depend on us; this duty neceffarily implies another, namely, to begin with loving one another before marriage. This is a law of nature, which cannot be abrogated: thofe whe |