A brief record of the Female Orphan House, North Circular Road, Dublin, for over one hundred years, from 1790 to 1892 / compiled by Nemo.

Date:
[1893]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A brief record of the Female Orphan House, North Circular Road, Dublin, for over one hundred years, from 1790 to 1892 / compiled by Nemo. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    28/76 page 16
    November 20th to January 20th, at 8 o’clock; from January 20th to March 2oih, at 7 o’clock.” These regulations, although seemingly trivial, display a erood deal of consideration. Then it is ordered next, that— “As soon as the children are dressed they are to say the morning prayer aloud, the Matron being present, or in case of her absence, her assistant; which must be only in case of absolute necessity. They are then to make their beds, and take it by turns weekly; to sweep and keep the rooms clean ; as soon as they are able, they are to scour the sleeping rooms once in ten days in summer, and once a month in winter, unless the season be particularly damp, and then a fire shall he lighted before they begin to clean itl' There is a touch of kind, considerate thoughtfulness in this last proviso. “Aii'hour after rising the children are to have their breakfast, the two elder (in turns weekly) to assist in serving ; not to begin to eat till they say grace, and all to be called by the sound of the bell, and if any one comes in after grace is said, to have nothing but dry bread and a draught of water; the same at every other meal; and a strict silence to be observed during their repast in general. “ After every meal, half-an-hour’s recreation, and then to proceed to their daily employment. As soon as they are all called into the school-room in the morning, the Matron herself being present, shall read some portion of Scripture, chiefly from the New Testa- ment, each girl who is capable having her own book to fix her attention ; after (as may be thought proper) a prayer appointed for the school, or some part of the liturgy as shall be marked to be said by the reader. Then they shall go to their several employ- ments. In the mornings, those who are able to be put to plain work, and in the afternoon, knitting and spinning. To leave off work at one at noon, and six in the evenings ; to dine at two, and return to their work at three. “As soon as they have supped, and the room is cleared as before mentioned by the two elder girls, they shall be washed and combed every night before they go to their rooms, and if the weather is not too senere, shall say their prayers in the sleeping- room, as in the morning, and not allowed to talk when in bed.” “ Every Saturday afternoon is to be a half-holiday, when the bigger girls must prepare their clothes for Sunday, and assist them who are not able to do as much for themselves; to have their feet washed every Thursday after the clothes are washed, and the little ones to be put into the bathing-tub weekly—the bigger ones
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3