The entire separation of the vagrant classes from the foundling children being thus provided for, it is then by the _16th section_ enacted—“that all and every poor child and children under the age of six years, who shall be found or taken up within the said city and liberties, or sent to the foundling hospital, shall be received and kept therein, or sent to nurse therefrom; and that all children presented for reception who appear to be six years old, and not exceeding eight, shall be received if there be room, and the children appear to be sound in mind and body.” The children are to be instructed in the principles of the protestant religion, and taught to read write and cast accounts, together with such other useful matters as “may tend to increase the fund for the support of the said house.” The governors may, from time to time, place out as apprentices by proper indentures any of the said children to persons being protestants and following any trade or calling, or to seafaring men, or to gentlemen or housekeepers for servants, for any term not exceeding seven years.[22] The maintenance and education afforded to these poor children, and their being thus placed out as servants, or apprenticed to a trade, naturally made the institution attractive; and it is declared to be necessary “that some further funds should be provided, as it is found by experience that the numbers of children are of late years greatly increased, and the children are brought to the hospital from all parts of the kingdom, and from his Majesty’s neighbouring dominions.” ----- [22] This limitation was afterwards removed by the _25th George 3rd, cap. 48_, which allowed of children being apprenticed for any term, provided it did not exceed the age of 21 for a male and 18 for a female. ----- Accordingly, the governors are empowered for “the better support of the said Foundling Hospital and workhouse, and for the maintenance and education of the children and other purposes of the Act,” to grant licences to persons keeping hackney coaches, stages, or other vehicles plying for hire, and to porters or messengers within the city or suburbs or seven miles thereof,—on conditions and at rates of charge prescribed in the Act; and also to charge and receive 6_d._ in the pound on the yearly rent of all houses within the city and liberties, or within two Irish miles of Dublin Castle, as the same is returned for the minister’s money, or if not so returned, on the rents payable by tenants in possession. And whenever the number of children causes the expense to exceed the revenue provided by the Act, the governors are to cause notice thereof to be inserted in the Dublin Gazette, after which no child is to be again received until notice to that effect be in like manner given.