The establishment of vast hospitals is very ancient in Rouen. The one of which I am speaking was formerly situated near the cathedral, between the _Calende square_ and the _rue de la Madeleine_. The house which is opposite the southern porch of Notre-Dame, is a part of the remains of that hospital. In 1758, it was transferred to the new building, which had been erected in 1749, on the place called _the Lieu-de-Santé_, other buildings having been afterwards added. The Hôtel-Dieu is exclusively reserved for the reception of the inhabitants of the town, excepting cases of urgency, which after having been treated during six months, are dismissed as incurable, and are admitted into the Hospice-Général, if they have dwelt during ten years in the town. More than four thousand persons are admitted into this hospital annually. About two thirds of the sick are under the care of the physicians, the remainder under that of the surgeons of the establishment. Different rooms are reserved for different maladies. One of these is alloted to soldiers; another, which is known under the name of _Gésine_, is reserved for lying in women. There is also a separate room for Children under five years of age, and several rooms for boarders. There are in all fifteen rooms, containing together more than six hundred beds, the half of which are of iron. The medical practice is divided into two distincts parts; that of physicians, that of surgeons. Their visits are made regularly twice in the day. The Hotel-Dieu, is at the western extremity of the _rue de Crosne-hors-Ville_, which is planted with trees, and offers a fine avenue. The buildings which form the hospital (properly so called), are those which are situated opposite the entrance gate which gives admittance to the vast court of the hospital. The two hospitals are under the same superintendance which is renewed by one fifth, every year. This commission acquires each day a greater right to public gratitude and especially to that of the poor. HOSPICE-GÉNÉRAL. This is situated in the lower part of the town, to the south-east, and occupies a vast portion of ground adjoining the boulevard Martainville. Gratitude causes us here to mention the name of Claude Groulard, first president of the parliament of Rouen, in 1602. From that date the establishment of an hospital, really took place for the reception of the poor sick inhabitants. Previously, there existed only a subsidy, for the relief of the poor. After Groulard, a counsellor of parliament, named Damiens, wishing to uphold more effectually the existence of the hospital; quitted his house and situation, on purpose to live within and in this way be nearer to watch over the wants of the poor.