Chapter 5

3.See an account lately published, entitledÆdes Walpolianæ.

ChelseaHospital, a noble edifice erected for the invalids in the land servive. The original building on this spot was a college founded by Dr. Sutkliff, Dean of Exeter, in the reign of King James I. for the study of Polemic divinity, and was endowed in order to support a Provost and Fellows, for the instruction of youth in that branch of learning. The King, who laid the first stone, gave many of the materials, and promoted the work by a large sum of money, and the clergy were very liberal upon the same occasion; but the sum settled upon the foundation by Dr. Sutkliff being far unequal to the end proposed, the rest was left to private contributions; and these coming in slowly, the work was stopped before it was finished, and therefore soon fell to ruin. At length the ground on which the old college was erected, becoming escheated to the crown, Charles II. began to erect the present hospital, which was carried on by James II. and completed by William and Mary.

The whole edifice, which was builtby the great Sir Christopher Wren, consists of a vast range of buildings. The front toward the north opens into a piece of ground laid out in walks for the pensioners; and that facing the south, into a garden which extends to the Thames, and is kept in good order. This side affords not only a view of that fine river, but of the county of Surry beyond it. In the center of this edifice is a pediment supported by four columns, over which is a handsome turret, and through this part is an opening which leads through the building. On one side of this entrance is the chapel, the furniture and plate of which was given by K. James I. and on the other side is the hall, where all the pensioners dine in common, the officers by themselves. In this hall is the picture of King Charles II. on horseback, with several other pieces as big as the life, designed by Signior Vario, and finished by Mr. Cook. These were presented by the Earl of Ranelagh. The pavement of both the chapel and hall are black and white marble. The altar piece in the chapel is the resurrection, painted by Sebastian Ricci.

The wings, which extend east and west, join the chapel and hall to thenorth, and are open towards the Thames, on the south; these are near 360 feet in length, and about 80 in breadth, they are three stories high, and the rooms are so well disposed, and the air so happily thrown in by means of the open spaces, that nothing can be more pleasant. On the front of this square is a colonade extending along the side of the hall and chapel, over which upon the cornice is the following inscription in capitals.

In subsidium et levamen emeritorum senio, belloque fractorum, condiditCarolus II.AuxitJacobus II.PerfecereGulielmusetMaria,Rex et Regina, MDCXC.

And in the midst of the quadrangle is the statue of King Charles II. in the ancient Roman dress, somewhat bigger than the life, standing upon a marble pedestal. This was given by Mr. Tobias Rustat, and is said to have cost 500l.

North Front of Chelsea Hospital.

South Front of the Same.S. Wale delin.J. Green sc. Oxon.

There are several other buildings adjoining, that form two other large squares, and consist of apartments for the officers and servants of the house; for old maimed officers of horse and foot, and the infirmary for the sick. None of these are shewn in the two views wehave given, which only represent the two principal fronts of the hospital.

An air of neatness and elegance is observable in all these buildings. They are composed of brick and stone, and which way soever they are viewed, there appears such a disposition of the parts as is best suited to the purposes of the charity, the reception of a great number, and the providing them with every thing that can contribute to the convenience and pleasure of the pensioners.

Chelsea Hospital is more particularly remarkable for its great regularity and proper subordination of parts, which is very apparent in the north front. The middle is very principal, and the transition from thence to the extremities, is very easy and delightful.

The expence of erecting these buildings is computed to amount to 150,000l.and the extent of the ground is above forty acres.

In the wings are sixteen wards, in which are accommodations for above 400 men, and there are besides in the other buildings, a considerable number of apartments for officers and servants.

These pensioners consist of superannuated veterans, who have been at leasttwenty years in the army; or those soldiers who are disabled in the service of the crown. They wear red coats lined with blue, and are provided with all other cloaths, diet, washing, and lodging. The Governor has 500l.a year; the Lieutenant Governor 250l.and the Major 150l.Thirty-six officers are allowed 6d. a day; thirty-four light horsemen, and thirty serjeants, have 2s.a week each; forty-eight corporals and drums have 10d. per week; and three hundred and thirty-six private men, are each allowed 8d. a week. As the house is called a garrison, all the members are obliged to do duty in their respective turns; and they have prayers twice a day in the chapel, performed by two chaplains, who have each a salary of 100l.a year. The physician, secretary, comptroller, deputy treasurer, steward, and surgeon, have also each 100l.per annum, and many other officers have considerable salaries. As to the out-pensioners, who amount to between eight and nine thousand, they have each 7l.12s.6d. a year.

These great expences are supported by a poundage deduced out of the pay of the army, with one day’s pay once a year from each officer and common soldier;and when there is any deficiency, it is supplied by a sum raised by parliament. This hospital is governed by the following commissioners; the President of the council, the first Commissioner of the treasury, the Principal Secretary of state, the Pay master general of the forces, the Secretary at war, the Comptrollers of the army, and by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the hospital.

ChelseaWater-works, are under the management of a society incorporated by act of parliament in the year 1722, by the name ofThe Governor and Company of the Chelsea Water-works. They have a common seal, and power to purchase lands, &c. in mortmain to the value of 1000l.per annum, with a right to alienate and dispose of the same as they shall think proper. These works are divided into two thousand shares. The company’s affairs are managed by a Governor, Deputy Governor, and thirteen Directors.

Cheltoncourt, Bedfordbury.

Cheney’salley, Shoreditch.†

Cheney’swharf, Lower Shadwell.†

Chequeralley, 1. In the Borough.* 2. Great Old Bailey.* 3. Old Bethlem. 4. Whitecross street, Cripplegate.*

Chequercourt, 1. Charing Cross.* 2. Catharine’s lane.* 3. Golden lane.*

Chequeryard, 1. St. Catharine’s lane.* 2. Dowgate hill.* 3. Golden lane. 4. St. Martin’s lane, Charing Cross.* 5. Old street.* 6. Whitechapel.*

Cherry Gardenlane, Rotherhith.‡

Cherry Gardenstairs, Rotherhith.‡

Cherry Gardenstreet, Rotherhith Wall.‡

Cherry Treealley, 1. Bunhill row.‡ 2. Golden lane.‡ 3. Ship street.‡ 4. Whitecross street.‡

Cherry Tree AlleySchool, was founded by Mr. William Worral in Cherry Tree alley, Golden lane, in the year 1689, and endowed by him with the annual revenue of 30l.for educating and cloathing forty boys, whose livery is an orange colour, in commemoration of the revolution by the Prince of Orange in 1688.

Cherry Treecorner, Horseferry.

Cherry Treecourt, 1. Aldersgate street. 2. Gardiner’s lane. 3. Piccadilly. 4. Cherubin court, Angel alley. 5. White’s alley.

Chertsey, a town in Surry, nineteen miles from London, carries on a considerable trade in malt, which is sent in barges toLondon. Here was once an abbey, in which was deposited the corpse of Henry VI. who was stabbed in the Tower, but his body was afterwards removed by Henry VII. to Windsor. Out of the ruins of this abbey Sir Henry Carew, master of the buckhounds to King Charles II. built a very fine house. To this village Cowley, the Poet, retired after being weary of attending on the court, and there ended his days. Here is a bridge over the Thames to Shepperton, and a handsome free-school erected by Sir William Perkins, who had a seat here.

Chesham, a market town in Buckinghamshire, situated on the borders of Hertfordshire, twenty-nine miles from London. It had formerly a chantry, and has now a charity school.

Cheshire’srents, 1. Fleet lane, by the Fleet market.† 2. Shipwright’s street, Rotherhith.†

Cheshunt, with its park and wash, are situated about fifteen miles from London near the river Lea in Hertfordshire. Here was formerly a convent of nuns; and King Edward III. gave Cheshunt the privilege of a market, which has been long discontinued.

Ld.Egremont’s

Chesterfield House.S. Wale del.B. Green sculp.

Chesterfield House, in May fair, a very elegant structure, built by the Nobleman from whom it derives its name. The stone colonades leading from the house to the wings on each side are very beautiful. The print exhibits the body of the house with part of the colonade, but the wings are hid by the intervening houses. This view was taken from the end next Hyde Park, of the street which is opposite the great gate which leads to the house.

Chester’skey, Thames street.†

Cheswick.SeeChiswick.

Chever’scourt, Limehouse.†

Cheyney, near Flounden in Buckinghamshire, formerly belonged to the Cheyneys, but has been the manor and seat of the Russels, now Dukes of Bedford, for about 200 years.

Chichesterrents, Chancery lane, from the Bishop of Chichester’s house near it.Maitland.

Chicklane, West Smithfield.

Chidley’scourt, Pall mall.†pm odChigwell, a village in Essex, situated between Waltham Abbey and Rumford. The rectory and parish church are united to the prebend of St. Pancras in St. Paul’s cathedral. Here is a charityschool; and at a small distance are two hamlets named Chigwell-Dews and Chigwell-Row.

Chigwellhill, Ratcliff highway.

Chigwellstreet, Ratcliff highway.

Chile’scourt, 1. Eagle court, Strand.† 2. In the Strand.†

Chimneyalley, Coleman street.

Chimney-Sweepersalley, Barnaby street.

Chingford, a village in Essex, near Woodford, and not far from Epping Forest, so agreeably situated for privacy and retirement, that the remotest distance from the metropolis can hardly exceed it. The church, which was erected in the reign of King Richard II. is a neat little building dedicated to St. Peter and Paul.

Chipping Ongar, a town in Essex, twenty miles from London, was formerly the manor of Richard Lacy, who being Protector of England, while Henry II. was absent in Normandy, he built a church and a castle here with other fortifications, the remains of which are still to be seen.

Chislehurst, a town near Bromley, in Kent, where the family of the Walsinghams resided for several generations; and are interred in the church. HereMr. Camden composed the principal part of his annals of Queen Elizabeth.

Chiswick, in Middlesex, situated on the Thames on the south-west side of Hammersmith. Here are two manors, one belonging to the Prebendary of Cheswick in St. Paul’s cathedral, and the other call’d the Dean’s manor, from its belonging to the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s. In this village there is a charity school, and it is adorned with several elegant seats, as the Earl of Shrewsbury’s, the Earl of Grantham’s now Col. Elliot’s, the late Lord Wilmington’s, &c. But the most remarkable of the kind is the late Earl of Burlington’s, which was a plain, commodious building, with good offices about it; but a part of the old edifice being some years ago destroyed by fire, his Lordship erected near it a beautiful villa, which, for elegance of taste, surpasses every thing of its kind in England. The court in the front, which is of a proportionable size with the building, is gravelled and constantly kept very neat. On each side are yew hedges in panels, withTerminiplaced at a proper distance; and in the front of these hedges, are two rows of Cedars of Libanus, which, at a smalldistance have a fine effect, the dark shade of these solemn ever-greens affording a pleasing contrast to the whiteness of the elegant building that appears between them, the view of which from the road surprizes you in a most agreeable manner.

The ascent to the house is by a noble flight of steps, on one side of which is the statue of Palladio, and on the other that of Inigo Jones. The portico is supported by six fine fluted columns of the Corinthian order, with a pediment very elegant, and the cornice, frize and architrave, as rich as possible. This magnificent front strikes all who behold it with an uncommon pleasure and surprize.

The octagonal saloon finishing at top in a dome, through which it is enlightened, is also very elegant. The other rooms are extremely beautiful, and are finely furnished with pictures of the great masters; an account of which is here annexed. It were to be wished this house had been built to a larger scale, that the grandeur might have equalled the elegance.

Though the other front towards the garden is plainer, yet it is in a very bold, noble and masterly stile, and has at thesame time a pleasing simplicity, as hath also the side front towards the serpentine river, which is different from the two others. In making the drawing of this house, it was viewed by the angle, by which means the print here given of it, shews it more perfectly than if only the principal front had been given. The inside of this structure is finished with the utmost elegance; the ceilings are richly gilt and painted, and the rooms adorned with some of the best pictures in Europe. In the gardens, which are very beautiful, the vistos are terminated by a temple, obelisk, or some such ornament, which produce a most agreeable effect.

The gardens are laid out in the finest taste: on descending from the back part of the house you enter a verdant lawn planted with clumps of ever-greens, between which are two rows of large stone vases. At the ends next the house are two wolves in stone, done by the celebrated Scheemaker, the statuary; at the farther end are two large lions, and the view is terminated by three fine antique statues, dug up in Adrian’s garden at Rome, with stone seats betweenthem, and behind a close plantation of ever-greens.

On turning to the house on the right hand, an open grove of forest trees affords a view of the orangery, which is seen as perfectly as if the trees were planted on the lawn; and when the orange trees are in flower, their fragrance is diffused over the whole lawn to the house. These are separated from the lawn by a fossee, to secure them from being injured by the persons admitted to walk in the garden.

On leaving the house to the left, an easy slope covered with short grass leads down to the serpentine river, on the side whereof are clumps of ever-greens, with agreeable breaks, between which the water is seen; and at the farther end is an opening into an inclosure, where are a Roman temple, and an obelisk, with grass slopes, and in the middle a circular piece of water.

From hence you are led to the wilderness, through which are three strait avenues terminated by three different edifices; and within the quarters are serpentine walks, through which you may ramble near a mile in the shade. On each side the serpentine river, areverdant walks, which accompany the river in all its turnings. On the right hand of this river is a building that is the exact model of the portico of the church of Covent garden, on the left is a wilderness laid out in regular walks, and in the middle is a Palladian wooden bridge over the river.

With the earth dug from the bed of this river, his Lordship has raised a terrace, that affords a prospect of the adjacent country; which, when the tide is up, is greatly enlivened by the view of the boats and barges passing along the river Thames.

Chiswick House.S. Wale delin.B. Green sc. Oxon.

Pictures, &c. in the new house at Chiswick.

In the Portico.

Augustus, a busto.

Saloon.

Lord Burlington and three of his sisters, Elizabeth, Juliana, and Jane, by Sir Godfrey Kneller.

Rape of Proserpine, Sconians.

Anne of Austria, Frederick Elde.

Morocco Ambassador in the reign of Charles II. figure by Sir Godf. Kneller; the back ground and horse, by Wyke.

King Charles, his Queen, and two children, Vandyke.

Judgment of Paris, Cav. Daniele.

Lewis XIII. Fred. Elde.

Apollo and Daphne, Cav. Daniele.

Bustos.

Antinous. Lucius Antinous.

A Bacchanalian.

Socrates.

Faustina.

Britannicus.

Plautilla.

Antoninus.

Apollo.

Bust unknown.

Domitian.

Adrian.

Red Velvet Room.

Madonna della Rosa, by Domenichino.

Noah sacrificing, Carlo Maratti.

Painting and designing, Guido Rheni.

The holy family, Carlo Maratti.

King Charles I. Cornelius Johnson.

Pope Innocent IX. Diego Velasques.

St. Gregorio, Cavidoni.

Pope Clement IX. Carlo Maratti.

The holy family, Giacinto Brandi.

The holy family, Salviati.

Duchess of Somerset, Vandyke.

Bacchus and Ariadne, Sebastiano Ricci.

A woman, school of Rubens.

Three statues, chiaro oscuro, Nic. Poussin.

A man, school of Rubens.

Venus and Cupid, Seb. Ricci.

St. John in the wilderness, Franc. Mola.

A portrait, Langians.

First Countess of Burlington, Vandyke.

Cardinal Baronius, Frederico Barocci.

A portrait, Rembrandt.

Mr. Killegrew, Vandyke.

First Earl of Burlington, Vandyke.

Salmasis and Hermaphroditus, Francisco Albano.

The holy family, Andrea del Sarto.

Mary Queen of Scotland, Fred. Zucchero.

The holy family, Pietro da Cortona.

The procession of the Dogesse, Paolo Veronese.

Bronzes.

A young Hercules.

Three pictures of incense lamps, Benvenuto Celini.

Blue Velvet Room.

A chymist’s shop, by David Teniers.

A landscape and figures, Franc. Mola.

A landscape and figures, Gaspar Poussin.

A Magdalen’s head, Guido Rheni.

A landscape with figures hawking, Wouwerman.

A landscape and figures, Franc. Mola.

A landscape and figures, Gasp. Poussin.

A march, Bourgognone.

The passage of the Red sea, ditto.

The Jesuits church at Antwerp, Geringh.

A landscape and figures, Bott.

A landscape, Gaspar Poussin.

A landscape, ditto.

A landscape with horsemen, Vander Meulen.

A landscape, Bott.

Lord Sandwich in a round, Sir Pet. Lely.

A woman frying fritters, Schalcken.

The holy family, Carlo Maratti.

A tent, Wouwerman.

A landscape with fishermen, Phill. Laura.

The flight into Egypt, Nicolo Poussin.

A ferry boat and cattle, Berchem.

A woman feeding children, Schalcken.

The holy family, Andrea Sacchi.

Ditto, Camillo Procacini.

Inigo Jones in a round, Dobson.

Red closet next the blue room.

Lot and his two daughters, Rottenhammer.

A landscape and ruins, Viviano, the figures by Mich. Angelo.

Jupiter and Io, Francesco Imperiali.

Spanish lady, D. Velasques.

Fishermen, Rubens.

The Presentation, Giuseppe Chiari.

A man hawking, Inigo Jones.

A sea-port, Marco Ricci.

A landscape, Velvet Brughel.

A Flora, Francesco Albano.

Temptation of St. Antonio, Annibale Carracci.

A landscape, Patel.

Lady Dorothy Boyle, Lady Burlington.

A landscape, Velvet Brughel.

The holy family, Sebastian Bourdon.

The inside of a church, Perino del Vaga.

A sea piece, Vandervelde.

A landscape, Marco Ricci.

Christ in the garden.

The holy family, Schidoni.

A crucifixion of a saint, Seb. Bourdon.

A landscape, Rysdal.

The holy family, Denis Calvert.

The Samaritan woman, Paolo Veronese.

A boy’s head, Holbein.

Cleopatra, Leonardo da Vinci.

A landscape, Swanevelt.

The holy family, Passari.

Earl of Essex.

A portrait, Fran. Hals.

Inside of a church, Vandyke.

A landscape, Gaspar Poussin.

A man and vases, Benedetto Castiglione.

A landscape, Francisque Meli.

Green Velvet room.

Mars and Venus, Albano.

Acis and Galatea, Luca Giordano.

Constantine’s arch, Gio. Paolo Panini.

Romulus and Remus, Pietro da Cortona.

A woman bathing, Rousseau.

Mr. Rogers, Vandyke.

Our Saviour in the garden, Guercino.

A man half length with a dog, Dobson.

Rembrant in his painting room, Gerrard Dow.

Ruins, Viviano.

A view of Florence, Gasparo degli Occhiale.

Diana and Endymion, Sebastiano Ricci.

Flowers by Baptiste the boy, Seb. Ricci.

Ponte Rotto, Gasparo degli Occhiale.

The holy family, Francesco Mola.

A landscape, Mons. Verton.

Buildings, Rousseau.

A Magdalen, Carlo Maratti from Guido.

A man half length, Rembrant.

A Madona and St. Catharine, Pietro da Cortona.

The Jews scourging our Saviour, Giacomo Bassano.

Piazza del Popolo, Gasparo degli Occhiale.

A landscape with fishermen, Salvator Rosa.

Belisarius, Vandyke.

Earl of Pembroke and his sister, Vandyke.

Bed chamber.

Earl of Cumberland in a round.

Mr. Pope in a round, Kent.

Lady Burlington in a round, Aikman.

Gallery.

Susanna and P. Veronese.

* * * * Bassan.

* * * * Ditto.

Landscapes.

Ditto.

Middle of the ceiling, Paolo Veronese.

Two statues, Guelphi.

Two ditto, Scheemaker.

Two little heads, Guelphi.

Two porphyry vases, from Rome.

Closet within the bed chamber.

Lord Clifford and his family, painted in 1444 by John Van Eyk, called John of Bruges.

A woman in a hat, Blomaert.

Lady Dorothy Boyle, in crayons, Lady Burlington.

Henry IV. of France, Mosaick.

A head, a sketch, Vandyke.

Ditto, ditto.

Flowers upon glass, Baptiste.

A woman selling fish and herbs.

Hagar and the angel.

A boy’s head.

A man’s head.

A woman combing her head.

A satyr whipping a woman.

A head, Holbein.

A Venus sleeping.

Dutch figures.

A man reading.

The ascension, Albano.

The new dining room.

Twelfth night, Jordans.

The finding of Moses, Seb. Ricci.

Jephtha, Seb. Ricci.

Good Samaritan, Giacomo Bassan.

A flower piece, Baptiste.

Ditto, ditto.

A portrait, Rubens.

Ditto, unknown.

Buildings and cattle, Wenix.

First Lady Halifax, Sir Peter Lely.

The marriage of Cupid, &c. Andrea Schiavone.

A landscape, Gio. Franceso Bolognese.

Mars and Venus, Le Fevre.

A landscape, Gio. Franceso Bolognese.

A Madona, Parmegiano.

Woman taken in adultery, Allesandro Veronese.

Liberality and Modesty, Guido, after

Chiswellstreet, near the Artillery ground, Moorfields.†

Chitterlingalley, Beer lane, Tower street.

Chiver’scourt, Nightingale lane, in Limehouse, Fore street.‡

Choirister’srents, near the Almonry.

Cholmondeley’sAlmshouse, in Church entry, Black Friars, was founded by the Lady Cholmondeley for three poor women, each of whom receives 2s.a week.

Christopher’salley, 1. in the Borough. 2. Lombard street. 3. St. Martin’s le Grand. 4. Middle turning, Shadwell. 5. Upper Moorfields.

St.Christopher’salley, St. Christopher’s court, Threadneedle street.☐

St.Christopher’sChurch, by the Bank of England in Threadneedle street, is dedicated to a Jewish convert and martyr, named before his conversion Reprobus, but having, it is pretended, carried our Saviour over a river, was thence named Christopher. Mention is made of a church in this place so early as the year 1368. The present edifice suffered greatly by the fire of London; but not so much as to occasion its being rebuilt, and therefore being thoroughly repaired, it continues on the ancient foot. The body is well enlightened, and the toweris crowned with four handsome pinacles. It is a very plain edifice, and indeed had it been ever so well ornamented, it could not, in its present situation, have been seen to advantage.

This church is a rectory, the patronage of which has been for above three hundred years in the Bishop of London. The Rector, besides other considerable advantages, receives 120l.a year in lieu of tithes.

Christopher’scourt, 1. Cartwright street. 2. Rosemary lane.

St.Christopher’scourt, Threadneedle street.

Christopher’sInn yard, 1. Barnaby street. 2. St. Margaret’s hill.*

Christ’s Church, Church street, Spitalfields. The district in which this edifice stands was till lately considered as a hamlet in the parish of Stepney: but the kind reception given to the persecuted French protestants, greatly increased the number of the inhabitants of this spot, and these refugees bringing the silk manufacture along with them, soon brought affluence to the place, and with it a multitude of new inhabitants. Hence this was constituted a distinct parish from Stepney in the year 1728, and oneof the fifty new churches was ordered to be built here. The foundation was laid in 1723, and it was finished in four years.

The body of this church is solid and well proportioned; it is ornamented with a Doric portico, to which there is a handsome ascent by a flight of steps; and upon these the Doric order arises supported on pedestals. The tower over these rises with arched windows and niches, and on its diminishing for the steeple, is supported by the heads of the under corners, which form a kind of buttresses: from this part rises the base of the spire, with an arcade; its corners are in the same manner supported with a kind of pyramidal buttresses ending in a point, and the spire is terminated by a vase and fane. This is the character given of this edifice in theEnglish Architect: who asserts that solidity without weight is its character, and that though this structure is not without faults, yet it is worthy of great praise; it being singular, and built for ages. It has however been severely censured by the author ofThe Critical Review of Buildings, who says that it is one of the most absurd piles in Europe.

This church is made a rectory, but is not to be held in commendam. For the maintenance of the Rector and his successors the Parliament granted the sum of 3000l.to be laid out in the purchase of lands and tenements in fee simple: besides which provision the Churchwardens are by that act appointed to pay him annually the sum of 125l.to be raised by burial fees.Maitland.

Christ’s Church, in Bennet street, Southwark, is a regular and well-constructed building, erected with little expence, since the year 1737, when the foundation of the old church gave way. It consists of a plain body enlightened by two ranges of windows, and a square tower with a turret.

This church is a rectory, the patronage is in the heirs and assigns of John Marshal of the Borough of Southwark, Gent. who caused the old church to be built, by leaving, in the year 1627, the sum of 700l.for that purpose, with an estate of 60l.a year towards the maintenance of a Minister, and the inhabitants applying to parliament in 1670, it was made a distinct parish independent of that of St. Saviour’s.

Christ’s Church, behind the northernrow of houses in Newgate street. This is a vicarage, or impropriation, and the right of advowson is in the Governors of St. Bartholomew’s hospital. The old spacious church being consumed by the fire of London, this edifice was erected in its room, and by an act of parliament constituted the place of public worship, both for this parish and that of St. Leonard’s Foster lane.

This church is a plain edifice, neatly ornamented on the inside; it has a square tower of a considerable height, crowned with a light and handsome turret, which is so concealed by the houses, that it can scarce any where be seen to advantage. The Incumbent receives 200l.per annum in lieu of tithes.

Christ’s Hospital, for the education and support of the fatherless children of freemen, is an establishment of considerable antiquity; for Henry VIII. in the last year of his reign gave the city both the priory of St. Bartholomew’s, and the convent of Gray Friars, which anciently belonged to that priory, for the relief of the poor. He also in the same year founded two churches out of these religious houses, the one to be called Christ Church, out of the Gray Friars, and theother Little St. Bartholomew’s, out of the hospital of that name. By the above grant the city was obliged to establish here a settled and regular provision for the poor, which was not done till some years after, when King Edward VI. being extremely moved at a sermon preached by Bishop Ridley, wherein that good Prelate expatiated on the obligations of the rich to assist the poor and miserable, his Majesty expressed his hearty desire to concur in promoting so laudable a work, and by the Bishop’s advice, immediately caused a letter to be wrote to the Lord Mayor, to obtain his assistance; and this letter his Majesty signed with his own hand, and sealed with his signet. The good Bishop, who, by the young King’s desire, stayed till the letter was finished, was the messenger dispatched on this important business. The chief Magistrate was pleased with the honour done the city, and after several consultations with the Aldermen and Common Council, several charitable plans were formed for the carrying on of this and other charities; and while the diseased were provided for at St. Thomas’s, and the idle at Bridewell, it was resolved that the youngand helpless should be educated at Christ Church.

This being reported to the King, his Majesty voluntarily incorporated the Governors of these houses by the title ofThe Mayor, Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, Governors of the possessions, revenues and goods of the hospitals of Edward VI., King of England, &c. as his Majesty desired to be esteemed their chief founder and patron. To promote and continue this work, he granted the city certain lands that had been given to the house of the Savoy, founded by King Henry VII. for the lodging of pilgrims and strangers, but which was now only used by vagabonds and strumpets. These lands amount to the yearly value of 600l.He also commanded, that after reserving a sufficient quantity of the linen, which had been used in the times of popish superstition, to each church within the city and suburbs of London, the remaining superfluous great quantities should be delivered to the Governors of this hospital, for the use of the poor children under their care. And one of the last actions of that good Prince’s life, was signing a licence for this corporation to purchase lands in mortmain.

In 1552 the house of the Gray Friars was prepared for the poor fatherless children, and the same year 340 were admitted. Soon after, several considerable private benefactions were left to this hospital, and at length Charles II. by a well judged liberality, founded and endowed a mathematical school for the instruction of forty boys in that study, in order to fit them for the sea, and for this purpose he ordered 1000l.a year to be paid out of the Exchequer for seven years. This institution is executed in a manner suitable to the intention of the founder. Every year ten of these boys are put out apprentices to masters of ships, and ten more are received in their room. The master is not only expected to be a good mathematician, but to understand the learned languages. Afterwards the Governors appointed forty other boys to be taught mathematics in the same manner. The other schools are a grammar school, a writing school, and a school for the girls who learn reading and needle work, and there have been lately added a master to teach the boys drawing, an art of the greatest use in many mechanical arts.

This charity is so very extensive, that there are sometimes above a thousandchildren supported here at a time. The youngest, for whom there is not room in the house, and who are not of an age to understand the lessons taught there, are, at the expence of the charity, sent to Hertford and Ware, where there are schools erected and masters employed at handsome salaries for that purpose. As the eldest are put out apprentices, and these grow more fit for the place, they are brought in.

The boys are cloathed in blue coats, with petticoats of the same colour, yellow stockings, and bonnets instead of hats. And on their being put out apprentice, they have 10l.given with each.

The edifice is concealed by the contiguous houses, and cannot be seen entire. It is spacious, and though built in the old manner, is not ill contrived. The principal buildings form the four sides of a large area, which have porticoes continued round them. These have Gothic arches, and the walls are supported by abutments. The front of the building is, however, more modern than the rest, and has Doric pilasters supported on pedestals.

Among the ancient buildings that still remain, is an old cloister, which was apart of the priory. This was repaired by the direction of Sir Christopher Wren, and serves both for a thoroughfare, and place of recreation for the boys, especially in rainy weather.

The writing school is, however, a neat modern edifice, built with brick and stone in the year 1694, at the end of the great hall. It was founded by Sir John Moore, one of the Aldermen of the city, and President of the house, whom it is said to have cost 5000l.It contains long writing boards sufficient for 300 boys to sit and write upon, and at the upper end of the room is Sir John’s statue in white marble.

The inner distribution of the rooms and wards is very good. There is a spacious hall built at the expence of Sir John Fenwick after the fire of London, in which the boys dine and sup. At the upper end of this room is a large picture representing King James II. sitting with his Nobles, the Governors, &c. with the half figures of King Edward VI. and Charles II. hanging as pictures in the same piece. There is also a piece representing the mathematical school done by Vario, and reckoned worth 1000l.At the other end is a large piece representing King Edward VI. delivering thecharter to the Lord Mayor, who kneels, with the Aldermen behind him; the young King is accompanied by Bishop Ridley and several others, who stand about him. Here also is a fine piece of the pool of Bethesda, which is very large, and painted in a masterly stile by Mr. Hogarth. In this hall there is likewise a good organ, which plays on Sundays, when the boys sing psalms and anthems.

A great room where the Governors meet, is also adorned with the pictures of the royal founder, and of all the chief benefactors.

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