in number, two of which were to be laymen, and the rest in holy orders. The persons who were immediately appointed to these dignities were already distinguished by their piety and learning. This college, therefore, began with the happiest omens of success, and the fairest prospect of future prosperity.

The scite of the proposed edifice was a piece of ground, called "Thame Shot," containing about six acres, at that time in the possession of the Earl of Nottingham, who granted a lease of his term to Doctor Sutcliffe. The college, according to the original plan, was to have consisted of two quadrangles of different dimensions, with a piazza along the four sides of the smaller court; but not an eighth part of it was completed. The whole, if it had been erected, would have involved an expence of thirty thousand pounds.

Doctor Sutcliffe, who seems to have regarded this institution with a parental fondness, not only devoted himself to promote its success during his life, but bequeathed his very large property, for the purposes of its support and advancement, at his death. The king also continued his protection; nevertheless, its funds failed, and it finally sunk into a state of decay.

There are two prints of this edifice as it was originally designed. The one prefixed to a a small pamphlet, entitled, "The Glory of Chelsea new revived," printed in 1662; and the other in Grose's Military Antiquities. The form and exterior of the building appears, from these representations of it, to be in the uncouth style and bad taste which prevailed in the reign of the first James, so that the admirers of classical architecture have no cause to regret that not a vestige of it remains. A curious description of that part of the college which was actually erected, as it stood in the year 1652, has been found among the papers of the Augmentation Office. It is there mentioned as a brick building, one hundred and thirty feet in length, from east to west, and thirty-three in breadth; consisting of a kitchen, two butteries, two larders, an hall, and two large

parlours below stairs. On the second story, four fair chambers, two drawing rooms, and four closets: the same on the third story; and, on the fourth, a very large gallery, having at each end a little room, with turrets, covered with slates. The whole of the premises is there described as occupying twenty-eight acres.

This property, after having been applied to various purposes, reverted to the crown, when it was employed as a prison, and made a receptacle for Dutch seamen. In the' year 1669, Charles the Second gave the ground and buildings to the Royal Society, which had been incorporated seven years before; but they were afterwards purchased by Sir Stephen Fox for the king's use, with a view to the erection of Chelsea College. Nor can it be considered but as a' very curious circumstance, that the spot which was set apart for an institution to encourage and support the war of words, and the contests of the pen, should subsequently become the situation of an asylum for those who had lived amidst the din of arms, and were to repose there from the conflicts of the sword.

This magnificent structure may be truly said, both from its figure and its object, to dignify the Thames which flows before it. Its situation commands the river, with a pleasing view of the distant hills of Kent and Surry; and, if we may trust the opinion of that eminent physician Sir Hans Sloane, who resided in its vicinity, it may be considered as a spot of uncommon salubrity.

Charles the Second, attended by a long train of the principal nobility and gentry, laid the first stone of this superb fabric, on the twelfth day of March, 1682. The architect was Sir Christopher Wren.

There is a tradition which cannot be passed by unnoticed, that this hospital is indebted for its establishment to Nell Gwynn, the most amiable of the beauties of Charles the Second, by her benevolent instigation of that monarch to form this noble and necessary charity. The anonymous author of her life, on what authority we know not, relates this circumstance with all the confidence of truth. It is

indeed remarkable that there is a public-house in the vicinity of the hospital, whose sign displays her portrait, and attributes to her the honour of the foundation. Mr. Lysons has, also, cited a paragraph in a newspaper of the day, which gives its little aid in support of this opinion. At all events, however, it may be reasonably believed, that this fascinating favourite, who has been represented as possessing the most amiable qualities of the heart, might have employed her winning influence towards the advancement of a design so replete with good, and so honourable to her royal protector.

Collins, in his peerage, ascribes this splendid work to Sir Stephen Fox, and it is, indeed, well known that he was one of its most liberal benefactors. With a princely spirit of generosity, he contributed upwards of thirteen thousand pounds towards defraying the expences of its erection. He was a lord of the treasury, and was named in the joint commission with the Earl of Ranelagh, paymaster-general, and Sir Christopher Wren, surveyor-general of the works, to superintend the building of Chelsea Hospital.

Archbishop Sancroft contributed also one thousand pounds. An equal sum was likewise given by Mr. Tobias Rustat, under-keeper of the royal palace of Hampton Court, and yeoman of the robes to King Charles the Second. He also presented two bronze statues, the one of his royal master, and the other of his successor, James the Second. The former of which is placed in this hospital, and the other in Whitehall; and while we display these acts of patriotic beneficence, we feel no common pleasure in contemplating the virtues of a life, the whole of which was past in doing good. Mr. Peck, in his Desiderata curiosa, has given a catalogue of the many public benefactions and charitable acts of this excellent man.

This edifice, which was begun in the year 1682, was not completed till 1690; and the whole expence of it is computed at £150,000. The character of the building, which is of brick, is a noble simplicity. The sparingness of ornaments, which, indeed, it does not seem to want, was probably an

œconomical consideration. It is contrived, however, in a very superior manner to fulfil the design of its establishment. The different wards are light and airy; the chapel and the hall are well disposed, and the house appointed for the governor is a suitable residence. The colonnade and portico towards the river display an handsome appearance and pleasing proportions, and afford a covered communication between the two wings; nor is the north front of an inferior appearance in the general arrangement and disposition of its parts. The structure is of brick-work, which is far superior to what is practised in the present day, and is enlivened by coins, cornices, and columns of Portland stone.

The hospital consists of three courts, the principal of which is open to the south: in the centre of it is the bronze statue, which has been just mentioned, of the royal founder. Mr. Horace Walpole very properly hesitates in attributing it to Grinling Gibbons, as it is by no means worthy his genius. The superior skill and spirit, however, that appear in the statue of James the Second, in Whitehall, are decisive of the latter being the work of that eminent sculptor.

The eastern and western wings of this court are each three hundred and sixty-five feet in length, and forty feet wide, and are chiefly occupied by the wards of the pensioners. At the extremity of the eastern wing is the house of the governor, which is a large and commodious residence. It contains a noble state apartment, in which are the portraits of Charles the First, his Queen and two sons, Charles, Prince of Wales, and James, Duke of York; of Charles the Second; William the Third; and their present Majesties.

The south side is distinguished by an handsome portico of the Doric order, and a colonnade continued along the whole of it; on the frieze of which is the following inscription :

IN SUBSIDIUM ET LEVAMEN, EMERITORUM, SENIO BELLOQUE FRACTORUM, CONDIDIT CAROLUS SECUNDUS, AUXIT JACOBUS SECUNDUS, PERFECERE, GULIELMUS ET MARIA, REX ET REGINA, M.DC.XC.

This part of the building is divided into a chapel and an hall, with a central vestibule, terminated by a cupula of considerable altitude. The chapel is one hundred and ten feet in length, and thirty in breadth. It is paved with black and white marble, and wainscotted with Dutch oak. The altar-piece presents an admired work of Sebastian Ricci. The subject is the resurrection of Christ. The hall is on the opposite side of the vestibule, and of the same dimensions as the chapel. At the upper end is a large portrait of Charles the Second on horseback, in which various allegorical figures are introduced. It was designed by Verrio, and finished by Henry Cook. On the frame is the following inscription:-CAROLO SECUNDO, REGI OPITMO, HUJUS HOSPITII FUNDATORI, DOMINOQUE SUO CLEMENTISSIMO, RICARDUS JONES, COMES DE RANELAGH, HANC TABULAM POSUIT. The eastern and western courts are principally occupied by the officers of the establish

ment.

The north front is of great extent, and from the judicious adjustment of its parts, produces a very impressive effect. Before it is an enclosure of about fourteen acres, planted with avenues of limes and horse-chesnuts. The ground to the south of the building contains the gardens, which extend to the river, and finish with an elevated terrace.

The establishment of the Royal Hospital consists of a governor, lieutenant-governor, major, two chaplains, physician, surgeon, and apothecary, with a treasurer, comptroller, clerk of the works, steward, organist, and various subordinate officers.

The ordinary number of pensioners is four hundred and seventy-two; which, with the officers and household servants, make the whole to amount to upwards of five hundred persons. The funds for the maintenance of this national institution are provided from the poundage of the army, besides one day's pay annually from each officer and private the remainder of the expences are defrayed by an annual vote of parliament.

The number of out-pensioners has greatly increased