July 1823
London's great foundling hospital was enjoying a time of great patronage. Open for some forty years it was supported by the country's leading philanthropists, artists and musicians. It had become so well known that mothers (or the fathers of those whose partners had not survived childbirth) from all over the land arrived at its gates to leave threir unwanted babies, the product of the liberal attitudes of the day and general ignorance of the servant classes of the day, whose population swelled a city growing in fortune.
The children were assured food and reasonable healthcare. Their days were spent learning a very basic education, but never more than their station in life permitted and work which would accustom them to their lives aftre the age of eleven when they left the hospital. For the girls this meant sewing and cleaning, and for the boys work oudoors in the garden labouring. Most of the boys were sent to the Navy at eleven and they needed to be tough enough by then to survive the rigours of the hard life at sea, and the attention of the bosuns rope end or cane.
I had travelled from my home Rosewood in the countryside, on behalf of my master, Rosewood, whose family had owned the estate for nearly 400 years. When not attending to his affairs in London and his Government office, Rosewood enjoyed a quiet life in the estate. I had been in butler to the household for 4 years now and was the confidential assistant of my master.
Rosewood's wife, a lady of some fortune and high standing in her own right now lived throughout the year in venice. Things had not been rigth between husband and wife for some years previous, on account of their being no heir to the estate.
My master, older brother to a patron of the hospital, had instructed me most particularly of the purpose and intent of my visit to Mr Dewdrop, the governor of the boys ecton of the foundling hospital.
As our carriage approached the building I found it to be modern and of most pleasant appearance. By now it was approaching 3.00pm, the hour of my appointment.
Dewdrop was not what I had expceted at all. In manner he was quiet and in disposition also. In appearance he was slight. I could not imagine him being required to keep order in an instituion of three hundred and fifty boys below the age of eleven years.
We sat at last in his office, a large room clad in the newest oak. The furniture was ample though rather spartan.
I explained the prupose of my visit and dwewdrop listened carefully, glancing periodically out of the large windows and into a yard where a group of boys were parading. He remarked that parading took place every day at 3.30, come rain or shine. I smiled back, caring very little of the routine or order of the hospital, but anxious to conclude my affairs and return to Rosewood with news.
I informed Dewdrop that my master would most particular in the matter of appearance and character, as well and health. He had asked me to say that learning was of less importance as he intended to employ a tutor. He had aleady engaded a most suitable nanny.
I added that, as far as I was aware, Rosewood would like the two to look similar and that a fair complexion and hair colouring wuld be of benefit. Naturally, the boys would be tall and slim and of good build.
As to age Rosewood had not been specific.
I added at this point some of my own illumination of my masters character to assist Dewdrop in making a selection. I shall not go to deeply into the details, short of explaining that my master was a man who did not tolerate argument or disobedience in his staff and I doubted he would do so in the boys who he would take initially into his household and perhaps therafter into his family.
I informed Dewdrop of my masters patience, that it was short, and that I had seen at least one of the young stable boys bearing the marks of my masters crop on his bared buttocks on more than one occasion for nothing more than a displeasure over the grooming of his favourite chestnut mare.
I told Dewdrop that when my master visited the hospital to make his selection he would expect to spend some little time and see each boy fully. Rosewood would also insist on seeing for himself each boys response to discipline, especially to the stick. I added that this was a matter of some importance. At this point in out meeting Dewdrop replied that each and every boy in the hospital knew the stick, that it was administerd by both the matrons and housemasters liberally, and that he did not think this would represent a difficulty.
Finally I informed Dewdrop that, in addition to the generous bequest that Rosewood would make to the hopsital foundation, a confidential and personal gift of ten pounds would be made to Dewdrop, in consideration of his good offices in the matter.
We agreed that I would return some two weeks hence and I took my leave of Dewdrop, being escorted by his assistant down a series of corridors and out into the long driveway which led to the gates and the swarming bustling anonymous city beyond.
Some young boys were busy sweeping the drive as we walked along. One youngster turned and glanced up at me. He must have been about eight or nine and had the whitest blond hair. He smiled. I hurried toward my coach.
TBC