By Nina Elliot and Martha Morgan

On 10 March, Year 8 went on a trip to the Foundling Museum. We had read Coram Boy, a novel by Jamila Gavin about foundlings in 18th century London. The museum is on the site of the original Coram Hospital, a home for abandoned children founded by Thomas Coram, a wealthy sea captain.On arriving, we spent time studying a picture by William Hogarth called Gin Lane. It was published in a newspaper in the 1700s, trying to show the wealthy people of Britain what was really happening on the streets. Then we had the chance to read original letters from mothers who wanted to leave their babies at the Foundling Hospital. Many of these mothers left tokens for their children and asked the governors to give then to the infants when they grew up but, unfortunately, most of the tokens were hidden and the children would never have known they were left anything. Some examples of these mementoes were a fish carved from bone, a ring and a button polisher. This part of the visit was very moving.We then went up to the Handel Room, a small red room at the top of the building, which contained the composer’s original harpsichord. One of the earliest performances of Handel’s Messiah was a benefit concert for the Coram Hospital.We then took part in a dramatic role-play exercise. We took on either the characters of the Governors of the Hospital or desperate parents petitioning for their children to be admitted to Coram’s care. We had to vote on which baby was to be accepted, a very difficult decision to make.The trip was a really amazing experience and one that made us consider how lucky we are compared to the foundling children of the eighteenth century.

Below are two examples of the girls' work during the trip to the Foundling Museum

Governor's Diary Entry - Governor Alfred Pingleton

Dear Journal,
Today has been one of the hardest days of my career. I almost started to cry in front of the mothers. Part of my job is staying strong although it is hard to show emotion. The first mother and baby I saw today, I wanted to hug the baby, as it was struggling to breathe. Because of this we sent her away. Sometimes I regret doing this, but I have to follow strict rules and guidelines. It is so busy here, we must be picky. I wish every child could be safe.

The second mother and baby had a token. A ring from her great-grandmother. It is upsetting when the mother brings a token and I always wonder to myself, why couldn’t the baby couldn’t keep the token. Most aren't given to the baby when they are older. It is so intense watching the baby part from her mother only having a token so small. That’s all the baby will ever have from her mother. I hope my children do not have such a hard life. They have everything they really need; not a lot but enough to have a good life. We also sent away a baby boy from a drunk mother. It was hard to watch when the baby was crying so hard. It was two months old and as fragile as pure gold. I wanted to leave the room at that moment but then again, we can't take in a baby that has been living off gin. Today has been hard. I hope tomorrow is easier.
By Amanda Cullen

Mother's entry

Dear Sir,

I am here before you today to ask you for a place in the Foundling Hospital for my dearest daughter. I have no money and we live on the streets of Gin Lane, where there is no food or water. I am on the death penalty for stealing food for my family and so if you do not accept my daughter, I will have to leave her on the streets to starve to death in these cold winter months.

I live in a tiny room with 7 other families all with there own children and worries, I have already asked all of the families if they would look after my child when I was gone, but they said no. My child has no diseases and has not been infected in the past; she will be no trouble to any of the governesses, she never cries or moans apart from when she is starving, like she is now. I might not be innocent but my beautiful daughter certainly is. My child has no father, he died in the war and I have no other family members around to help. This is why I am begging you to help me. Please take her in with all the kindness in your hearts.
By Saskia Moss