Foundling

a child abandoned by its parents and found by_ strangers. Even in ancient times the State made provision for the preservation of exposed children; but foundling hospitals are an institution of modern times. The foundling hospital in Paris was formaily established in 1670, and is the most famous institution of the kind in the world, It receives not only foundlings strictly so called, that is deserted children of unknown parentage, but also deserted children of known parents, and destitute children generally, as well as children pronounced incorrigible by the law courts or declared to be so by their parents. The institution also a ists poor mothers by donations and by_ sending nurses for their infants. The children received are at once sent to the country and boarded out, their foster parents recelving a certain payment from the State, which ceases after 12 years. The children are then apprenticed or employed in some way, but they do not pa from the supervision of the State till thev reach the age of 21. Foundling hospitals exist in many other countries. In the United States there is no hospital on the same plan as at Paris, and the mortality of infants in public institutions has been so great as to excite public amazement and indignation.