eee 
provides for the reception and care of foundlings is, therefore, 
of ineftimable public utility, and decided!y entitled to the warm- 
eft fupport and patronage of the nation. 
Let us now inquire how an inftitution of this kind fhould 
be modified, fo as to extend the utmoft poffible advantage to 
the community. 
First, the admiffion of infants to the benefits of this infti- 
tution fhould be accomplifhed with eafe to the mothers, and 
fafety to the children. 
In proportion to the difficulty of difpofing in this way of 
fuch children as their parents are either unable or unwilling 
to maintain, will be the temptation to difpofe of them in fome 
other, and that a worfe way. Accefs to a receiving-cradle fhould 
therefore be as eafy as poflible. Mothers who are opprefled 
with poverty, mothers who fkulk to hide a furreptitious birth, 
can, neither of them, make long journeys to depofite their in- 
fants in a place of fecurity. 
In Scotland the people are, in comparifon of the reft of 
Europe, undebauched. But it is the nature of woman to. for- 
feit the fenfe of virtue before the fenfe of fhame. In Scotland 
therefore there are women who privately give up their chatftity, 
but whom no confideration could induce to avow their tranf- 
greflion. There is no foundling hofpital in that kingdom. 
It is in many cafes impoflible to convey the fruit of intrigue 
(C2) to 
