 | Letters of Mrs. Adams, |  |
Well, my dear sister, if you are not tired with
following me, I will carry you to the Foundling
Hospital, where I attended divine service yesterday
morning. Really glad I was that I could, after so
long an absence, again tread the courts of the Most
High, and I hope I felt not unthankful for the mercies
I had received.
This hospital is a large, elegant building, situated
in a spot as airy, and much more beautiful than
Boston Common. The chapel, which is upon the
second floor, is as large as what is called the Old
South with us. There is one row of galleries; upon
the floor of this chapel there are rows of seats like
Concert Hall, and the pulpit is a small ornamented
box, near the centre. There were about two thousand
persons, as near as I could guess, who attended.
In the gallery, opposite to where I sat, was the
organ loft; upon each side an alcove, with seats,
which run up like a pyramid. Here the foundlings
sat, upon one side the boys, upon the other the girls,
all in uniform; none appeared under five, nor any
older than twelve. About three hundred attended
the service. The uniform of the boys was a brown
cloth, with a red collar, and a red stripe upon the
round the waist, a checked stomacher and apron;
sleeves turned up, and white cloth caps with a
narrow lace, clean and neat as wax; their governesses
attended with them. They performed the
vocal music; one man and woman upon each side
the organ, who sung an anthem; both blind, and
educated at this foundling hospital. When we came
down, we went into the dining-rooms, which were
upon each side of the ascent into the chapel; here
the tables were all arranged, and the little creatures
curtseying and smiling; some as sweet children as
ever you saw. There is an inscription over the
door, in gold letters; "Can a mother forget her sucking
child," &c. In a hall are placed the pictures
of many noted benefactors and founders of this institution.
(I should have mentioned that the chapel
windows are painted glass; the arms and names of
the most distinguished benefactors are in the different
squares of the glass.) We were shown into
their bed-chambers, which are long, airy chambers,
with ten or fifteen windows in each, and about fifty
or sixty beds, placed in rows upon each side, covered
with blue and white furniture check. At the
head of the chamber is a bed for the governess.
When you have seen one of them, you have a specimen
of the whole.
I dined with Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson, in company
with Messrs. Jackson, Smith, &c. Mr. Atkinson is a
very modest, worthy man, and Mrs. Atkinson a most
amiable woman. You see no parade, no ceremony.
easy a way as I could wish. As I took the carriage
for the day, after forenoon service, we rode out to
see Mrs. Atkinson's twins, who are at nurse at
Islington, about two miles from the city. It is a
fine ride. We went through a number of the great
squares. Portland Square is one of the finest. In
short, the representations, which you and I amused
ourselves with looking at not long ago, are very
near the life. When we returned, we dined, and at
six o'clock went to the Magdalen Hospital, which is
three miles from where I dined; for this is a monstrous
great city. We were admitted with a ticket.
This assembly was very full and crowded. Yet no
children or servants are admitted. In short, I begin
to hope that this people are more serious and religious
than I feared they were. There is great
decorum and decency observed. Here are only
two small galleries, which hold the unhappy beings
who are the subjects of this merciful institution.
Those who attend the service are placed upon seats
below, like Concert Hall. The building is about as
large again as Braintree church, in a most delightful
situation, surrounded by weeping willows. All
the public buildings here have large open spaces
around them, except those churches which are in
the heart of the city. I observed, upon going in, a
gallery before me, raised very high, and covered
with green canvass. Here sat these unhappy
women, screened from public view. You can discern
them through the canvass, but not enough to
of this thought. The singing was all performed by
these females, accompanied with the organ; the
melancholy melody of their voices, the solemn
sound of the organ, the serious and affecting discourse
of the preacher, together with the humiliating
objects before me, drew tears from my eyes.
The chapel to these apartments is always in the
heart of the building; the dining, working, and
lodging apartments surround them.
Returned about eight o'clock; found many cards
left for me; some from Virginians, some from
Marylanders, some from Connecticut. Colonel
Trumbull has called twice upon me, but I was so
unfortunate as not to be at home. Amongst the
Americans who called yesterday to see me during
my absence, was Mr. Joy. He left his name and
direction, with a polite billet, inviting me to dine
with him on Tuesday, if I was not engaged; and, if
I was, the first day I was disengaged. I have replied
to him that I will wait upon him on Wednesday.
Invited by Mr. Murray to the play this
evening; declined going, in hopes my best friend
will be here to attend me very soon; besides, have
no clothes yet which will do. No mail from Holland
yet arrived; the wind has been so contrary
that two are now due. Dr. Clark, our constant and
daily visiter, is just come in to drink tea with me.
Messrs. Smith and Storer are here great part of the
day. Captain Lyde did not get up the Channel
until Sunday, so that I have no occasion to repent
prevented his coming up only with the tide; his
vessel, too, had like to have been sunk by a collier
running foul of him. They did him a good
deal of damage; these are vessels that take pleasure
in injuring others. He told me many dismal
stories about coming up the Channel, which made
me determined to land at any rate.
On Saturday, Mr. Elworthy called upon me, and
tendered me any service I could wish for. I thanked
him, but Messrs. Smith and Storer and Dr. Clark
render any other assistance unnecessary, as any
and all of them are ready and willing to oblige me.
On Sunday morning, Mr. and Mrs. Elworthy came
to see me. She is a very agreeable woman, and looks
like one of us, that is, she had more of our American
neatness about her than any lady I have seen;
for I am yet so impolite as not to be reconciled to
the jaunty appearance and the elegant stoop. There
is a rage of fashion which prevails here with despotic
sway; the color and kind of silk must be attended
to, and the day for putting it on and off; no fancy
to be exercised, but it is the fashion, and that is argument
sufficient to put one in or out of countenance.
I am coming on half-way. I breakfast at nine, and
dine at three, when at home; but I rise at six. I am
not obliged to conform in that; the other hours I am
forced to submit to, upon account of company. This
morning, Dr. Clark and Colonel Trumbull are to
breakfast with me. I long for the hour, when I shall
set off for the Hague, or see Mr. Adams here. I
loth to quit the city upon that account. There
are no Americans in Holland, and the language will
prevent any sociability but what I find in my own
family; but, having a house, garden, and servants
at command, feeling at home will in some measure
compensate for the rest. I have a journey of eighty
miles to make, to Margate, before I can embark;
and, as soon as Mr. Jefferson arrives, I suppose we
must go to France. I have not executed your orders
with regard to satin, because, upon inquiry, I find
you can buy cheaper with you. I have not found
any thing, except shoes, that are lower; such a satin
as my black, you must give as much sterling for a
yard, as I gave lawful money;—no silks but lute-string,
and those which are thinner, are worn at this
season;—mode cloaks, muslin and sarsnet,—gauze
hats, bonnets, and ribbons,—every thing as light
and thin as possible,—different gowns and skirts,—
muslin skirts, flounced chintz, with borders white,
with a trimming that looks like gartering;—the silk,
which is most in taste, is what is called "new-mown
hay,"—the pattern I enclose; and this part of the
letter is for the tasty folks of my acquaintance. Mr.
Smith brings home a specimen of the newest fashioned
hats.
| Letters of Mrs. Adams, | |