[Hardy-l] Kittens

[Eric Christen]

    Not all unwanted children were dealt with so drastically. A large number
were just abandoned or left on the doorsteps of public or private charitable
organisations (think of so many Victorian stories based on this). This had
been going on for many years in large cities. According to the French
naturalist Buffon, in 1772 18 713 children were recorded to be born in
Paris, out of which number 7 676 were abandoned or 'found' = 41 %. One in
seven was legitimate. About 70 % of the abandoned children died in their
first year. In 1760, on roughly 7 000 abandoned children , only about 1 200
lived beyond the age of 5. The survivors were sent to the country to serve
as labourers or were pressed into the army or the navy.
    When criticizing Victorian morality and its hypocrisy, one should
remember that the churches and lots of middle class people were trying to
help put an end to such suffering and misery. Dito when criticising the
class system in the past (the present is different).
    Eric Christen 
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