Dean Sutcliffe, besides being the founder and benefactor to the college, employed, during his life-time, his utmost endeavours to promote its success; and in his will, dated November 1, 1628, bequeathed to the society the farms of Kingston, Hazard, Appleton, and Kemerland, in the parishes of Staverton, Harberton, Churchton, Stoke Rivers; all situated in Devonshire; the yearly rent of which amounted to three hundred pounds; the benefit likewise of an extent on Sir Lewis Stukeley's estate, valued at four thousand pounds; a tenement at Stoke Rivers, and other premises, in addition to a share in the Great Neptune, a ship belonging to Whitby, in Yorkshire; his books and goods then in the college, and part of his library at Exeter; he appointed Dr. John Prideaux, and Dr. Thomas Clifford, feoffees in trust, to settle these bequests upon the college; but the whole of the legacies were subject to this proviso, "that the work should not be hindered or stopped by wicked men of corrupt minds.”

Notwithstanding Sutcliffe's liberal bequests, the building, for want of a sufficient sum, went on but slowly; and the whole of the ready money, amounting to three thousand pounds, being expended, it was at last totally at a stand; but the king, still farther to support the undertaking, sent a letter to Dr. Abbot, archbishop of Canterbury, to encourage the clergy of his diocese to contribute towards the comple tion of the design.

A copy of his majesty's letter was accordingly sent to the bishops, with another from the archbishop. Similar letters were written to the lord chancellor, and the lord mayor of London. In consequence, collections were made throughout the parishes of England; but their produce was small, and nearly swallowed up in charges and fees due to the col lectors. The public subscriptions also, which were at the same time raising for the repairs of St. Paul's cathedral, probably contributed, in no small degree, to the failure of the subscription; and the success of Sir Hugh Middleton's project for supplying London with water by means of the New River, and which was just then sanctioned

sanctioned by act of parliament, together with a total want of money requisite for carrying on the project of the water-works, destroyed all hopes of success from that quarter. Notwithstanding these numerous obstacles, provosts and fellows were from time to time appointed. When any vacancy occurred, the member was to be named and recommended by the vice-chancellor and heads of colleges, in the two universities, and approved by the archbishop of Canterbury, the chancellor of each university, and the bishop of London.

The king, by his letters patent, had appointed many of the most celebrated divines to become members of this society; and it had to boast some of the soundest scholars, and most excellent bishops, that the church of England has seen. Camden also, the father of English antiquaries, and the learned Sir Henry Spelman, may be enrolled among its members*.

Notwithstanding these advantages, the college did not succeeed; many reasons were assigned for its failure; and, in 1645, it was converted to a prison, a riding house, and to other mean purposes.

The present magnificent structure, called CHELSEA HOSPITAL, dedicated to Benevolence and Public Spirit,

We subjoin a list of the first provost, fellows, and professors.

PROVOST. Dr. Mark Sutcliffe, dean of Exeter. FELLOWS. Jolm Overall, dean of St. Paul's; afterwards bishop of Norwich. Thomas Morton, dean of Winchester; afterwards bishop of Durham. Richard Field, dean of Gloucester. Robert Abbot, D. D. afterwards bishop of Salisbury. John Spencer, D. D. afterwards president of Corpus Christi college, Oxford. Miles Smith, D. D. afterwards bishop of Glocester. William Covitt, D.D. John Howson, D. D. educated at St. Paul's school, afterwards bishop of Durham. John Layfield, D. D. Benjamin Charyer, D. D. Martin Fotherby, D.D. afterwards bishop of Salisbury. John Boys, D.D. Richard Brett, D. D. Peter Lilly, D. D. Francis Burley, D. D. John White, fellow of Manchester college. TREASURER, William Helyer, archdeacon of Barnstaple. HISTORIANS. William Camden, Clarencieux; educated at St. Paul's school, and author of the Britannia. John Haywood, or Hayward, LL. D. Sir John Hayward was a considerable historian.

VOL. VI. No. 144.

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was

was begun by Charles II. carried on by James II. and completed by William III. The first projector of this magnificent structure was Sir Stephen Fox, grandfather to the late right honourable Charles James Fox. "He could

not bear," he said, "to see the common soldiers, who had spent their strength in our service, reduced to beg;" and to this humane project he contributed 13,000l.* It was

* There is a tradition that this institution owes its rise to the benevolent exertions of Mrs. Eleanor Gwyn, the celebrated mistress of Charles II. Mr. Lysons nas cited a paragraph in a newspaper of the day, which seems to give some little strength to the supposition; and a public house still exists, at no great distance from the hospital, having her portrait for its sign, and an inscription, ascribing to her the merit of the foundation. The anonymous author, also, of the life of Mrs. Gwyn, states, that it was at her instigation that this noble charity was established.

We will give the writer's own words :-" Another act of generosity, which raised the character of this lady above every other courtezan of these or any other times, was her solicitude to effect the institution of Chelsea Hospital. One day, when she was rolling about town in her coach, a poor man came to the coach door, soliciting charity, who told her a story, whether true or false is immaterial,of his having been wounded in the civil wars, in defence of the royal cause. This circumstance greatly affected the benevolent heart of Miss Gwyn; she considered that, besides the hardships of their being exposed to beggary by wounds received in defence of their country, that it seemed to be the most monstrous ingratitude in the government to suffer those to perish who stood up in their defence, and screened them from the most hazardous attempts at patriotism.

"Warm with these reflections, and in the overflow of pity, she hurried to the king, and represented the misery in which she had found an old servant; entreated that she might suffer some scheme to be proposed to him towards supporting those unfortunate sons of valour, whose old age, wounds, or infirmities, rendered them unfit for service: so that they might not close their days with repining against fortune, and be oppressed with the misery of want.

"This observation she communicated to personages of distinction, who were public-spirited enough to encourage it, and to Nell Gwyn is now owing the comfortable provision which is made for decayed soldiers, and that pleasant retreat they find at Chelsea."

We know not if any just degree of credit can be given to the work just cited, and it must still, therefore, remain a doubtful point to whose kind exertions our brave veterans owe their present comfortable asylum. It is, however, well known that Sir Stephen Fox was one of its most liberal and - zealous benefactors.