[Illustration: ST. GEORGE'S HOSPITAL.]
All who enjoy the luxury of doing good (and who does not, in some way
or other?) will be happy to learn that the above is the elevation of the
new St. George's Hospital, at Hyde Park Corner. It is already a splendid
monument of British benevolence; but is only a portion of the original
plan, which is to complete another front towards Hyde Park; this will
extend even further than the old hospital.
St. George's Hospital, we learn from a printed "Account," "was set
on foot soon after Michaelmas, 1733, by some gentlemen who were
before concerned in a charity of the like kind, in the lower part of
Westminster. They judged this house convenient for their purpose, on
account of its air, situation, and nearness to town; procured a lease
of it, and opened a subscription for carrying on the charity here.
The subscriptions increased so fast, that on the nineteenth of October
they were formed into a regular society, and actually began to receive
patients on the first of January following." The Establishment was,
therefore, prosperous at its commencement, and the same good fortune
has subsequently attended its progress. It is supported by Voluntary
Contributions. The resources are considerable in property, and have been
greatly enriched by legacies. Indeed, the legacies which fell to the
Hospital during last year, exceeded 11,000l.
The building of the new Hospital, in the Engraving, was first proposed
at a meeting held in the year 1827, at which the open-hearted Duke
of York was chairman; and at a subsequent meeting, the Archbishop of
Canterbury presided. A "Building Fund" was raised, to which the late
King munificently contributed £1,000. This Fund is entirely separate
from the General Funds of the Hospital: "the sums already subscribed"
says the Report of 1830, "have been expended in erecting a part of
the building which is now occupied by 140 patients, and the public are
earnestly requested to keep in view the importance of continuing their
benevolent contributions, until the great object of re-building the
entire Hospital has been effected." It is well known that the closeness
of the wards in the old building has long been a subject of the deepest
regret to the physicians and surgeons, who have observed its effect in
preventing or retarding the cure of their patients; and this evil must,
in some degree, be increased by the new building partially obstructing
the ventilation of the old.
From the Report of 1829, we also learn that the subscriptions were
£3,439. the Dividends £3,798. and the Legacies £1,781. and the expenses
of the year £9,731. including £709. for bedding, &c. for the new
building.
The new building is from the designs of W. Wilkins, Esq. R.A. architect
of the London University, &c. The Engraving represents the grand front
which faces the Green Park, and consists of a centre and two wings, in
all 200 feet in length. Part of the north wing, which we have referred
to as facing Hyde Park, or stretching towards Knightsbridge, is also
erected. The south wing is finished, and occupied by patients, as is
also the south end of the east front. The theatre for lectures on
surgery and medicine will accommodate 150 students. Immediately
adjoining it is the museum of anatomical preparations. The entire
edifice is faced with compost, coloured and checkered in imitation of
stone. The hospital, when complete, will contain 29 wards, and 460 beds.
The contracts for building the whole amount to about £41,000.
The grand front, seen from the Green Park, has a handsome appearance,
and the architecture is simply elegant. Viewed in association with
the costly arch entrance to the Gardens of Buckingham Palace, and the
classic screen and gates to Hyde Park--the New Hospital gives rise to
a grateful recollection of national benevolence as well as cultivation
of fine art--of soothing life's ills as well as embellishing its
enjoyments--in short, of nurturing the first and best feelings of our
nature as well as encouraging taste and talent. May England never halt
in raising such monuments of her real greatness!
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