[Illustration: BIRDS-EYE VIEW OF A UNION WORKHOUSE FOR THE ACCOMMODATION
OF EIGHT HUNDRED PERSONS OR UPWARDS.]
The entrance front building, forming a distinct structure, is placed
about 150 feet in advance of the main building, and consists of one
door (above the ground), on which the Board-room and clerk’s office are
placed; underneath these are the waiting-hall, in which applicants for
relief are received, and a room for a porter, who has charge of the
paupers on their admission, for the purpose of seeing that they are
washed, cleaned, and clothed in the workhouse dress; he is therefore
placed near the probationary wards. Distinct wards are also provided for
vagrants receiving temporary relief. This arrangement of the probationary
and vagrant wards secures the vicinity of the body of the house from
the risk of infection from persons previous to their being examined and
declared free from disease.
The main building is separated from the entrance front by a courtyard
and garden, which divide the two front yards for the boys and girls; the
centre of the main building contains the master’s house, which is placed
immediately among all classes, and from which ready access is had to any
of the rooms; the kitchen offices are close under the master and matron’s
inspection, as well as the several stores.
The wash-house and kitchen offices are placed in a situation distinct
from the paupers in the yards, and none but those immediately employed in
them have access thereto; on each side the master’s house are placed the
rooms for children, who have separate staircases, used also by the master
and matron; the extreme wings contain on the ground floor rooms for the
old and infirm people, and some accommodation also for the able-bodied,
which class, however, being employed (the women in the wash-house, &c.,
and the men at a mill, in breaking stones, or other useful occupation,)
the same extent of day room is not requisite. The chapel and dining hall
answers three purposes, inasmuch as it also serves, by means of a double
partition, for day rooms for able-bodied men and women, should occasion
require it. The situation of this building as a dining-hall is, from its
central position, best suited for all classes, and is most convenient as
regards the serving the food from the kitchen; the two rooms for boys
and girls will also serve the purpose of a chapel, if required.
The Infirmary is placed at the back of the building, occupying a position
distinct from the wards of the house, and sufficiently convenient for the
supply of food from the kitchen offices without entailing the necessity
of a separate establishment.
Wards are placed on each end of the infirmary buildings for idiots,
epileptics, and lunatics, in which cells are provided for those for whom
occasional restraint is unavoidable, or whose habits render distinct
accommodation necessary.
The arrangement of the building is made with true regard to ventilation.
At each end, in the centre of the building, a large hall, containing a
superficial area of 425 feet, is carried up to the roof of the house,
on which is constructed a large ventilator, containing windows hung on
centres, and moveable with a line, to admit any circulation or change of
air required. The several rooms throughout are arranged to open at once
into the landing of the stone stairs, which are carried up in this space.
The several doors have semicircular arches above them to be opened as
occasion may require; and which, without producing any strong current,
would always effect an extensive ventilation during the occupation of
the rooms. The usual manner of ventilating the common sleeping rooms, is
by placing the windows on each side of the room, which are very useful,
but chiefly so after the paupers have left the apartment. The windows
throughout are constructed with the upper part hinged, and to fall
inside, which allows them to be opened during rainy weather.
Cast-iron air-gratings are to be inserted in small flues formed in the
walls, and fixed a few inches above the floors, for obtaining, when
required, an admission of external air.
A A A A, yards.
B, women’s yard.
C, men’s yard.
D, girls’ yard.
E, garden.
F, boys’ yard.
G and H, small yards.