This is situated in the lower part of the town, to the south-east, and
occupies a vast portion of ground adjoining the boulevard Martainville.
Gratitude causes us here to mention the name of Claude Groulard, first
president of the parliament of Rouen, in 1602. From that date the
establishment of an hospital, really took place for the reception of the
poor sick inhabitants. Previously, there existed only a subsidy, for the
relief of the poor. After Groulard, a counsellor of parliament, named
Damiens, wishing to uphold more effectually the existence of the
hospital; quitted his house and situation, on purpose to live within and
in this way be nearer to watch over the wants of the poor.
The Hospice-General has been successively enlarged at different periods.
Lately, they have made a considerable purchase of land, and erected vast
buildings. Its population is of about two thousand individuals. Although
under the same administrative commission as the Hotel-Dieu, it has its
particular director, who acts under the superintendance of the
commission, which commission is subject to the public administration.
The care of foundlings is one of the principal attributes of the
Hospice-General. Orphans, who are found without means of existence, are
brought up in the same way as those who are abandoned; excepting, that
they are maintained at the expence of the _communes_ to which they
belong; while at the same time the others are chargeable to the
departement; excepting however the assistence of the communes. The
establishment provides the baby linen and clothing for the use of the
foundlings; it likewise pays all the expenses of feeding and education
of these children, as long as they remain in the hospital. When they are
sent into the country, the amount of board, and nurses charges, till
they attain the age of twelve years, is paid out of the funds of the
departement. The Hospice-General, receives each year on an average
about five or six hundred foundlings. A _tour_ is always ready at one of
the entrances to receive them. Once a week, two coaches filled with
these unfortunate little creatures, are sent off one into the country
called the _pays de Bray_, the other to that called the _Roumois_, where
they are left with agents who are charged to leave them with the nurses.
In each of those _communes_, doctors are employed by the administrative
commission to visit them in case of sickness.
We perceive, the front of the church of the hospital, from the boulevard
Martainville. In 1785, the ancient chapel belonging to this hospital
being found too small to contain the population, it became necessary to
erect the present for that purpose. This church was dedicated on the
25th march 1790. The architecture has been much criticised. Perhaps
more harmony on the whole might have been desirable; but nevertheless,
the different parts of it are handsome, and the edifice, such as it is,
still does honour to its author, the late Mr Vauquelin.
The principal entrance to this hospital is situated in the rue
Bourgerue.