1714; he was an eminent physician. Matthew Mead, his father, was a
celebrated Nonconformist divine. Dr. Mead had a house also in Great
Ormond Street, which became a repository for all that was curious in
nature and art. He built a gallery for his pictures and antiquities,
which, when sold, produced as follows:—
57 days’ sale of books £5,518 10 11
3 ditto pictures 3,417 11 0
14 ditto prints and drawings 1,908 14 6
8 ditto coins and medals 1,977 17 0
5 ditto antiquities 3,246 15 6
The world was deprived of this distinguished physician in 1754. To the
poor he gave money as well as advice.
* * * * *
Sir Francis Windham had a house in Queen’s Road West, about 1700. He
entertained Charles II. at Trent, after the battle of Worcester, where
the king remained concealed for several days.
* * * * *
The Rev. James Miller was born in 1703. He wrote the oratorio of “Joseph
and his Brethren,” and translated and adapted to the English stage, the
“Mahomet” of Voltaire, which met with great applause; but on the third
night of its representation, being for his own benefit, he died suddenly
at his house at Chelsea, in 1743.
* * * * *
Dr. Alexander Blackwell, a physician, resided in a house near the Botanic
Garden; he became involved in his circumstances, and was taken to prison
for debt. Mrs. Blackwell possessed by nature a fine genius for drawing
and painting, and being told that a Herbal was wanted, she drew from the
life several of the physical plants. These were shewn to several eminent
men, who being pleased with the undertaking she proceeded with the work,
and at length procured her husband’s liberty. She not only made the
drawings, but engraved them on copper plates, and coloured them. This
celebrated work was completed in 1739. Mr. Rand, who had the care of the
Botanic Garden, rendered her every assistance in his power.
Unfortunately Dr. Blackwell left Chelsea and went to Sweden, where he was
appointed physician to the king. Sometime afterwards, however, he was
found guilty of high treason “in plotting to overturn the constitution of
the kingdom, and sentenced to be broken alive on the wheel.” {184} It is
further said that “he prayed with great devotion; but, having laid his
head wrong, he remarked jocosely that, being his first experiment, no
wonder he should want a little instruction.” Such jocularity, at such an
awful moment, does not accord with earnest prayer.
* * * * *
The Rev. Thomas Stackhouse, a learned and pious divine, resided in
Queen’s Road West, about the year 1750; he was the author of “The History
of the Bible,” &c.
* * * * *
Mr. John Collett, the painter, resided here for a long period. The
favourite subjects of his pencil were pieces of humour, somewhat in
imitation of Hogarth. Collett died here in 1780.
* * * * *
Mr. John Giles Eccardt had a house here for some years, and died in 1779;
he was a painter of some eminence. The portrait of Gay, the poet, in
Lord Orford’s works, now almost extant, is from a painting by Eccardt.
* * * * *
Mr. W. Hamilton, a pleasing artist, resided also here for several years;
his most capital work was “The Queen of Sheba entertained at a banquet by
Solomon.”
* * * * *
Mr. Samuel Cotes lived in Queen’s Road West, where he died in 1818. He
painted miniatures both in enamel and water colours, and was in great
practice.
* * * * *
Mary, Duchess of Ormond, resided in a large house, near Chelsea Hospital,
in 1730. She was a daughter of the Duke of Beaufort, and the second wife
of James, Duke of Ormond. This house was for many years afterwards
occupied as a school. It enjoyed a distinguished reputation for maritime
education. The novelty of having a ship built on the play-ground,
completely rigged, with sails bent, and of capacity sufficient to admit
of twenty-four of the young gentlemen going aloft at one time, attracted
general notice. This ship moved round on swivels, which enabled her to
represent the evolutions of wearing or tacking. She was under the care
of an old naval lieutenant, and was named “The Cumberland.”
* * * * *
Sir Robert Walpole had a house and garden “next the College.” He built
here an octagon summer-house and a large greenhouse, the latter filled
with fine exotics by Lady Walpole; he had also a curious grotto. Nell
Gwynn is said to have lived in this house when it was Crown property. It
was taken down about 1808. On the site of this house is now a spacious
infirmary for the sick and aged pensioners of Chelsea Hospital.
* * * * *
SCHOOL OF DISCIPLINE.—This is the oldest Reformatory for young girls in
London. It was opened by Mrs. Elizabeth Fry, who, with some Christian
friends, brought six other children from Newgate to a small house at
Chelsea, in 1825. Since that time a larger house has been taken in
Queen’s Road West, near to Chelsea Hospital, and the number of children
increased. They are daily instructed in the love and fear of God,
carefully trained in all useful branches of household work, needlework,
and the usual subjects of elementary secular education. The number of
children now boarded, clothed, and educated in the school is 42. It is a
“Certified Industrial School,” for the purpose of receiving, by
magistrates warrants, girls who are either found begging, homeless, or
frequent the company of thieves, &c. Twenty-one of such, in 1869, were
under detention. They are paid for by the Home Office, the parents,
where possible, contributing to their maintenance. The others are such
as need restraint and discipline, and the parents are required to pay
sums varying from 6d. to 5s., according to their means. It is conducted
by a Ladies’ Committee, Mrs. Cromwell, the lady of the Principal of St.
Mark’s College, kindly discharging the duties of honorary secretary.
* * * * *
Mr. Thomas Faulkner, to whom this work is so greatly indebted, lived at
the corner house, opposite the grounds of Chelsea Hospital. He was one
of the principal booksellers in the parish, and possessed great literary
attainments. As a local historian none have excelled him, and in private
life no parishioner was more respected. He was interred in the Brompton
Cemetery, where there is the following inscription to his memory:—“Thomas
Faulkner, the historian of Chelsea, and an inhabitant of that parish 60
years. Born 1777, died 1855. Lector si monumentum requiris libros ejus
diligenter evolve.”
* * * * *
Mr. Richard Suett, who acquired considerable repute as a low comedian,
died at his lodgings here in 1805, aged 47. He made his first appearance
at Drury Lane in the character of Ralph, in the Maid of the Mill. He was
buried on the north side of St. Paul’s Cathedral, where he had been
educated as one of the choir; his disposition was amiable, and the needy
always shared his mite.
* * * * *
DURHAM HOUSE.—It appears that a large house was standing on this spot in
1694, it was then called the Ship House, and is said traditionally to
have been a tavern, and frequented by the workmen whilst the Royal
Hospital was building. The present structure, which was built in the
beginning of the last century, has been distinguished for a great number
of years as an eminent school. It is at present in the occupation of the
Rev. John Wilson, D.D., of Holy Trinity Church, Knightsbridge.
* * * * *
Durham Place was built in 1790, by Mr. Richardson, who was for many years
steward to the Lord of the Manor; he resided in the detached house
adjoining, on the north, which had extensive grounds, and was called by
him Manor House.
* * * * *
Green’s Row, a little eastward, was built in 1765. It was for many years
the property of a Mr. Green, an extensive brewer. In one of these houses
Henry Blunt, Esq., father of the late Rev. H. Blunt, resided for a
considerable period. Mr. Blunt, sen., was universally respected in the
parish. He held a commission in Queen Charlotte’s Chelsea Royal
Volunteers.
* * * * *
In Rayner Place resided Philip Burrard, Esq., for many years. He served
the office of churchwarden of the parish, &c., and was a captain in the
old Chelsea Volunteers.
* * * * *
Mr. Robert Farrier, a celebrated artist and portrait painter, has resided
in Hemus Terrace for some years. He is a very old inhabitant, and much
respected.
Chelsea Royal Hospital.
On the site of this noble establishment—the home of our military
veterans—was originally a college or place of education for controversial
divines. It was projected by Dr. Sutcliffe, Dean of Exeter, in the reign
of James I. The king was one of its best patrons, and supported it by
various grants and benefactions; he himself laid the first stone of the
edifice, in 1609; gave timber requisite for the building, and ordered
that when erected it should be called “King James’s College at Chelsey.”
Thus fortified, Dean Sutcliffe experienced no difficulty in obtaining
from Charles, Earl of Nottingham, an advantageous lease of a plot of land
which the latter held under the Crown, and which was called “Thame Shot,”
for which he paid the yearly rent of seven pounds ten shillings. A
charter of incorporation was granted, which limited the number of its
members to a provost and nineteen fellows, of whom seventeen were to be
in holy orders, the other two might be laymen. Their employment was to
consist in noticing and recording the principal historical and religious
events which might occur during the time they remained in office; but
none of the members, on being elected bishops, could be permitted to
retain their fellowships; by this charter, also, the college was enabled
to use a corporate seal. The building, however, progressed but slowly.
The Dean’s funds became exhausted; the proceeds of the king’s letter
proved small. Out of two quadrangles which it was contemplated to erect,
and of which the lesser was to be internally surrounded by a piazza, only
a portion of one side was completed. Still the number of those who took
an interest in the matter daily increased, and were far from despairing.
“The work we confess,” says Darley, “hitherto proceeded slowly; and no
marvel, seeing great works are not easily achieved. Noah’s Ark, God’s
Tabernacle and Temple, &c., were long in building; and do we wonder that
this college is not finished?”
* * * * *
Several causes contributed to render the king’s appeal through the medium
of the bishops of slight avail. In the first place, the expenses
attending the collection of briefs were then inordinate. The money,
after it had been gathered, passed through many hands, each of which took
care to attach a portion to itself; while the efforts made about the same
time to push forward the building of St. Paul’s Cathedral stood very much
in the way of the completion of King James’s College. {188} With James
I. died the only conscientious supporter, excepting the founder, and a
few churchmen; the death of Sutcliffe was a deadly blight upon the
prospects of his infant college. It was afterwards converted into a
place for prisoners of war; and, with the manor, of which the Parliament
took forcible possession, was ultimately put up to sale. Darley says,
“It became a cage of unclean beasts, a stable for horses; and not only a
place to make leaden guns in, but desired also for a palcestra to manage
great horses and to practise horsemanship.” A print of the original
design of this college was prefixed to a small book, called “The Glory of
Chelsey College,” by John Darley, B.D., Rector of Northill, Cornwall.
1662. Archbishop Laud called it sneeringly “Controversy College.”
* * * * *
In 1667, Charles II. resolved on granting this college to the Royal
Society, which was about that time incorporated. And as a grant of the
manor of Chelsea had been made to the Duke of Hamilton by Charles I., the
heirs of that nobleman now conveyed it to Andrew Cole, in trust, for that
learned body. The Society, however, did not hold their sittings in it,
probably from its dilapidated state; they ultimately conveyed it, in
1681, to Sir Stephen Fox, for the king’s use, in order to build Chelsea
Hospital, for the sum of £1,300.
* * * * *
I will now give a description of the establishment of Chelsea Hospital.
The building, as it now stands, was begun by Charles II., continued
during the short reign of his successor, and completed by William and
Mary.
* * * * *
It has been just stated that the site of King James’s College was
purchased of the Royal Society for the purpose of erecting this Hospital;
but not being found sufficient, the lands lying between the College and
the river Thames, and that in front of the present Hospital, now called
Burton’s Court, were also purchased of Lord Cheyne and Sir Thomas
Grosvenor, for about the sum of £1100. About twenty-two acres of this
land, lying on the eastern side, were, in 1690, granted by the Crown to
the Earl of Ranelagh.
* * * * *
There are several pleasing legends told as to the origin of Chelsea
Hospital. The following is one of them:—The King was sitting in his
chariot, with poor Nell Gwynne, when observing her unusually pensive, he
asked:
“What ails thee, Nell?”
She replied: “A dream I had last night, troubleth me sore.”
“What _was_ thy dream, Nell?”
“Methought I was in the fields at Chelsea, and slowly and
majestically there rose before mine eyes, a beautiful palace of a
thousand chambers; and in and out thereat walked divers many old and
worn-out soldier-men. Some had lost a leg, some an arm, others were
blind of an eye, many bore piteous scars of old wounds in the wars,
upon their wrinkled faces, and all of them were aged, and past
service. But none of them looked ill-at-ease, and as they went out,
and as they came in, the old men cried, ‘God bless King Charles!’ and
I awoke, and was sore discomfitted, that it was only a dream!”
“Cheer up, Nelly,” said the King. “Thy dream shall be fulfilled,
mayhap, thou shalt yet see old soldiers come in, and go out, crying,
‘God bless King Charles!’ The monarch did violence to his infirmity,
and kept his word.”
No appeal seems to have been made to the public at large, as was the case
with King James’s College; but while the voluntary contributions of the
charitable were received with gratitude, the troops were, to a certain
extent, burdened with the expenses of the asylum from which they were
themselves to derive the sole benefit. From the pay given to these, a
deduction was made of one shilling in the pound; which, being divided
into three equal parts, was one to defray the expenses of the Paymaster’s
office, one to the general use of the soldiers, and one to the
accumulation of a fund, first, for the building, and ultimately for the
maintenance of the hospital. By giving to this a retrospective effect,
so as to include the whole of the year 1680, and strengthened by
donations of £1,300 from Sir Stephen Fox, of £1,000 from Tobias Rustas,
Esq., of £1,000 from Sancroft, Archbishop of Canterbury, and of nearly
£7,000 from the Secret Service Fund, the projectors of the establishment
had at their disposal a sum of £17,012 14s. 7d. with which they
determined to make a beginning.
The edifice was consequently begun in the year 1682, but was not
completed till 1690. King Charles II., attended by a great number of the
principal nobility and gentry, laid the first stone of this magnificent
structure on the 16th of February, 1682. The whole expense of the
building is computed to have amounted to £150,000.
* * * * *
Sir Christopher Wren, to whose genius and abilities we owe the grandest
edifices of which our metropolis can boast, gave the original design, and
conducted the building to its completion.
* * * * *
Chelsea Hospital is generally considered to be a fine specimen of Sir
Christopher Wren’s professional abilities. It possesses a superior air
of grandeur, more spacious arrangement of the principal parts, greater
attention to the central points, for grace and effect, and a higher
degree of chastity maintained in the whole structure than any public
design entered into by Sir Christopher Wren, or his immediate successors.
* * * * *
At the grand entrance, from the King’s Road, are four detached stone
piers, with breaks, with an entablature, on which are military trophies.
These piers, by their disposure, give three passes; the iron gates much
modernised; dwarf walls, having cornices in succession, containing small
door-ways. Two lodges, right and left, carry on the line, containing
four compartments, or blank windows each.
* * * * *
The central approach, from the King’s Road to the north general front of
the Hospital, including the Royal Avenue, has a very imposing effect,
with trees on either side.
* * * * *
It would be impossible to give in this work an architectural description
of Chelsea Hospital, or of its arrangements. It is within the reach of
every inhabitant of London, and now as our country friends have the
benefit of frequent railway excursions, almost every person in the
country, may at any time give this home of England’s worn out and gallant
defenders a personal inspection. Still it is necessary that a general
sketch of the building and grounds should be given. I have therefore
extracted most of the following particulars from Mr. Gleig’s admirable
work.
* * * * *
Chelsea Hospital occupies, with the buildings, courts, gardens, and
offices attached, an area of something more than 54 square acres. Its
principal courts, or quadrangles, are three in number; of which the
central alone existed in 1690, though the good taste of a modern
architect has provided that no discordance in style should be anywhere
perceptible between the nucleus and the additions which have, from to
time, gathered round it. Over the whole, there hangs an air of sobered
and collegiate repose, as far removed from gloom on the one hand, as from
garishness on the other; a character every way suitable to the purposes
to which the edifice has been set apart, and in strict accordance with
the habits and condition of its inmates.
* * * * *
The central court, which is open towards the south, and separated from
what are called the water-gardens only by an iron railing, is closed in
on the east and west by two ranges of buildings 365ft. in length by 40 in
width; on the north and south by the hall and chapel, divided one from
the other by a handsome cupola and gateway. In these long buildings, or
wings, to the extent at least of 200ft. the old soldiers are chiefly
housed—that is to say, such of them as are rated in the hospital books as
privates, corporals, and sergeants. Sixteen wards or barracks arranged
each into 26 bed places, furnish the men with adequate accommodation;
while the sergeants occupy cabins, closed in, one at each extremity of
the ward, in which it is their duty to preserve order. For the captains
and light-horse distinct lodgings are provided. At the southern
extremity of each wing, so as to project into the water-gardens, are the
apartments of the Governor and the Lieutenant-Governor, both comfortable
dwellings, altogether free from ostentation, yet well fitted for the uses
of the distinguished officers to whom the honour of presiding over the
first of England’s military establishments may be assigned.
“Go with old Thames, view Chelsea’s glorious pile,
And ask the shatter’d hero whence his smiles;
Go view the splendid domes of Greenwich—go,
And own what raptures from reflection flow.”—ROGERS.
The Chapel and Hall present, when examined from without, a perfect
uniformity of appearance. Each has its plain brick front, indented with
tall arched windows; and each appears to lean upon the noble stone
pillars that flank the central gateway; while along that face that looks
in upon the square, is a piazza, or covered gallery. Beneath are
benches, on which the old men may occasionally be seen smoking their
pipes in the heat of a summer’s day; while from either end branches off a
passage, opening out a communication with the lesser or flanking
quadrangles. Moreover, the cornice of this piazza bears a neat
inscription, indicative of the purpose which the hospital is meant to
serve, and partly commemorative of the names of the sovereigns to whom
the country stands indebted for so noble an institution.
* * * * *
The Hall is 110 ft. in length, and 30 in width; an oblong of the best
proportions, in length, width, and height, befitting the purposes of the
Royal Institution. Wainscotting with compartments rise to the sills of
the windows, and is continued to the high pace. At the entrance end,
compartments also, with a gallery supported by ornamented cantalivers; on
the centre of the gallery a large ornamental shield with the Royal Arms
of Charles II. most exquisitely carved.
* * * * *
Over the gallery is a large allegorical picture, painted by Ward,
representing Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington, in a triumphal car,
trampling upon the emblems of War, Anarchy, and Rebellion, whilst Victory
is crowning him, and Peace and her attendant deities are following in her
train. It was purposely painted for the Hospital, and a present from the
British Institution. Concerts, in honour of Queen Anne’s coronation,
were performed in the great Hall of the Hospital, in the year 1702, under
the direction of Mr. Abel, singing master.
* * * * *
There is a statue of Charles II. in the centre of the square, cast in
bronze, in the garb of a Roman warrior, and facing the north. It is said
to be the production of Gibbons; but as a mere work of art, it cannot be
very highly commended.
* * * * *
With respect to the lesser or flanking squares, they are given up
entirely to the lodgings of the officers of the establishment, to public
offices, including clerks’ chambers, board-room, &c., and, as has just
been stated, to the accommodation of a certain number of captains and
light-horsemen. In both, the buildings are lower and less solid than
those which surround the principal square. But the general character is
the same throughout. Brick walls, inlaid with a profusion of square
windows, all of them deep seated, and carefully touched in the mouldings;
free-stone finishings to each angle, gateways flanked by free-stone
pillars, and a roof universally high, and covered with grey shining
slate, point to a period when, in the arrangement of such edifices, every
approach to a classic model was in this country carefully eschewed.
Let us return to a further description of the Hall, and also notice some
events which have taken place in it.
* * * * *
Over the high table, and occupying the whole length of the western face,
is another painting, which was designed and begun by Verrio, though
finished by Henry Cook, representing Charles II. on horseback, surrounded
by groups of heathen gods, with a distant view of Chelsea Hospital in the
background. This painting was the gift of one of the Earls of Ranelagh.
Flags and trophies, taken in battle, are suspended round the hall. These
occupy, in a double row, the spaces that intervene between the windows,
while in front of the music gallery, elevated above a bundle of spear
handles, waves the Union jack. In the hall are double rows of tables,
generally covered, as if all the inhabitants of the pile took here their
meals; but the practice of dining together has long since died out.
Among the officers it ceased in 1796; among the men some years
previously.
* * * * *
TRIAL OF GENERAL WHITELOCKE.—On Thursday, Jan. 30, 1808, this hall was
prepared for the trial of this officer. The charges against him were in
substance four, viz.:—
1. Having, contrary to the tenor of instructions, in the summons to
Buenos Ayres, required that the civil officers and magistrates should be
prisoners.
2. Exposing the army, in marching against Buenos Ayres, to a destructive
discharge of musketry from the town.
3. Not being present personally on the advance against Buenos Ayres.
4. Surrendering the Fortress of Monte Video without necessity.
The Court, after having proceeded with the trial for several days,
allowed the General a week for his defence; and on the 24th of March, the
Secretary to H.R.H. the Commander-in-Chief communicated officially to
General Whitelocke the sentence of the Court Martial, as approved by his
Majesty, as follows:—“That the said Lieutenant-General Whitelocke be
cashiered, and declared totally unfit and unworthy to serve his Majesty
in any military capacity whatever.”
* * * * *
There have been two or three Courts of Inquiry, &c., convened at
subsequent periods, but they created nothing like the interest that was
shewn at the time of the above trial.
* * * * *