I hope I have not been prolix in these details. It is impossible and unjust to applaud or to censure institutions without entering into very minute particulars respecting them; besides which, as the above statements have been officially communicated to me, I flatter myself you will receive them with a greater degree of interest. For, with a very few exceptions, the account of the condition of any one hospital, contains the history of every other. By this exposure of the disgraceful decay into which one of the most important establishments in France had fallen, you will be able to guess what little thought the government devotes to such subjects. In fact, such precision is to me an economy of time, and to you an abridgment of lassitude. tion paid here to the organization of a corps de chaffeurs, than to all the hospitals of the republic put together. Indeed, the very existence of these establishments depend chiefly on the personal industry of the few good and virtuous men who live in this abandoned city. I am aware, that I might have enlivened this letter (and it is certainly in my power to do it) with sprightly anecdotes, according to the practice of most travellers; but as I came here, neither with a view of recording sallies of wit, nor of being fascinated with raree-shews, but to scrutinize, and to profit by the improvements or follies of other'

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men, I am persuaded you will not require any further apology upon this head. As all the hospitals, and other establishments for the protection of the poor of Paris, are maintained exclusively by the Government, it is proper the conduct of that Government should be fully investigated, when complaints resound from every quarter against its inattention to the fundamental principle of its establishment. There are in Paris, above 22,000 objects of charity; and the whole annual expenditure in their behalf, does not amount to 185,000l. sterling, I cannot better support these remarks, than by presenting you with a summary of the observations and requisitions of the Prefect of this Department.

"Re-establish," says he, to the queries of the Minister of the Interior, "the former sisters of Charity, place them at the head of the hospital department, authorize them to choose others, that this useful institution may be perpetuated. Employ in sedentary labours the old men and the infirm; the produce of their work may be divided between themselves and the hospital. Provide for the necessities of the hospitals, by securing on them national property, equal in value to the amount of what they formerly possessed. This restitution will supply the place of assessments, whose produce is insufficient; in the mean time, let the produce of these assessments be paid into

the treasuries of the hospitals, in order that they may never be diverted from their primitive destination. Establish houses of instruction for the reception of foundlings, when they have passed their infancy, and habituate them to industry. Repair the buildings. Provide linen, &c. Dis

charge the debts of the hospitals, and confide to a single administration, the direction of the succour to be afforded to the whole departinent, and let it be distributed in proportion to the popu lation of the Communes."

There is another circumstance connected with the hospital establishment, which merits the strongest reprobation; I mean the medical department. Never was there a more striking contrast between two countries, than between Britain and France, in this respect. In the latter, it is considered as a kind of dishonour to attend on the hospitals as a medical man; hence, the persons employed are generally of very inferiour abilities and reputation, and their pay is their principal object. In Britain, it is a matter of the highest honour, and of the supreme ambition of the most learned and experienced practitioners, to be attached to an hospital, where they rejoice to exercise their professional skill, without fee or reward. Indeed, the election of physician, surgeon, or apothecary, to most of the London hospitals, is sometimes contested with

all

all the zeal that distinguishes the suitors of a parliamentary borough; with this superadded circumstance, that peers and ladies are allowed to take an interest, and to canvas and vote for the doctor. Which of the two nations is entitled to assume the name of the good Samaritan?

LETTER XXXVII.

Humane Institutions concluded.-National Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, under the Direction of Abbé Sicard.-The Savage of Aveyron.

IT is impossible to be present at one of the public lessons given by the Abbé Sicard to this unfortunate class, without being penetrated with the liveliest emotions of compassion, anxiety, and respect. Compassion and anxiety for the immediate objects of the institution, and respect for its classical, humane, and scientific director. The lecture at which I was present, began by the Abbé's explaining the cause of dumbness, i. e. the privation of hearing, which precludes the possibility of imitating sounds, forming what is denominated articulation, or speech-and not from any absolute defect in the organs, or, (as the Abbé expresses himself) in the instrument of speech. This instrument is as perfect in the deaf and dumb as in any other person; but, similar to the Piano Forte, or other musical instrument, it requires the aid of touch, or of scientific power, to produce harmonious sound. Such, however, have been the labors of the immortal

Abbé