18 JANUARY 1957, Page 21

Zbe bpettator

JANUARY 21, 1832

PRIOR to the Revolution, the Foundling Hospi- tal in the metropolis of France was the only one in the kingdom; from all parts children were brought to Paris to receive a life ticket, which oftener turned out a certificate for death. A porter walked through the provinces, carry- ing upon his back a padded box, capable of containing three newly-born babes, placed upright in it, supported by wadding, and breathing through a hole in the lid. This box filled, the man quietly wended his way towards Paris, careless of dust, mud, the mid-day sun, • or the bustle of inns. On opening the box, he sometimes found one of them dead. When this happened, he would throw the body by the road-side, and continue his journey with the remainder.