| 104 | C H E | |
north, 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 ex-
tending along the side of the hall and
chapel, over which upon the cornice is
the following inscription in capitals.
In subsidium et levamen emeritorum se-
nio, belloque fractorum, condidit Ca-
rolus II. Auxit Jacobus II. Per-
fecere Gulielmus et Maria,
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.
There are several other buildings ad-
joining, 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 we
|
| | have |
|
| C H E | 105 |
have given, which only represent the two
principal fronts of the hospital.
An air of neatness and elegance is ob-
servable in all these building. 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 transi-
tion from thence to the extremities, is
very easy and delightful.
The expence of erecting these build-
ings 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 accomodations for above
400 men, and these are besides in the
other buildings, a considerable number
of apartments for officers and servants.
These pensioners consist of superanu-
ated veterans, who have been at least
|
| | twenty |
|
HomeVolume IIPage Group 100 - 119
