The foundling hospital was established in 1704 by the _2nd Anne, cap. 19_, and was re-constituted in 1772 by the _11th and 12th Geo. 3, cap. 11_.[95] With the exception of a small rent from property devised to it, the institution had been supported by parliamentary grants, which during the last five years had averaged 14,765_l._ The estimate for the current year was 11,255_l._ Infants were at first, and for many years subsequently, received into the hospital without payment or inquiry, the annual number varying from 1,500 to 2,000. In 1822 a deposit of 5_l._ was required with each child, which soon had the effect of reducing the admissions to below 500; and in 1829 a committee of the house of commons recommended that admissions should cease altogether, which they accordingly did in the following year. The previous admissions however had been so numerous, that on the 25th of March 1839 the dependents on the institution still amounted to 4,258, viz.— Children at nurse in the country, of whom 446 are under ten years of age 1,484 Apprentices 2,528 In course of being apprenticed, or under medical treatment in the house 40 Adults on the invalid list 206 —-— 4,258 ----- [95] Ante, pp. 35 and 45. ----- The invalid class consisted of 150 females and 56 males, and had accumulated principally since 1797, only 13 having been admitted previous to that year. “Many were blind, some crippled, others were severe cases of scrofula, and a few were deaf and dumb. They were quartered in the country, and were annually visited by the inspectors.” [Sidenote: Arrangements with regard to the house of industry and foundling hospital.]