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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/45854-0.txt b/45854-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..470fa18 --- /dev/null +++ b/45854-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11179 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Chelsea, by George Bryan + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Chelsea + In the Olden & Present Times + + +Author: George Bryan + + + +Release Date: June 1, 2014 [eBook #45854] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHELSEA*** + + +Transcribed from the 1869 edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org + + + + + + CHELSEA, + IN THE OLDEN & PRESENT TIMES. + + + * * * * * + + BY GEORGE BRYAN. + + * * * * * + + “It is not given to all to have genius—it is given to all to have + honesty of purpose; an ordinary writer may have this in common with + the greatest—that he may compose his works with a sincere view of + administering to knowledge.”—BULWER LYTTON. + + * * * * * + + Entered at Stationers’ Hall. + + * * * * * + + CHELSEA: + PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, + 4, ALFRED COTTAGES, CAMERA SQUARE, KING’S ROAD. + MAY BE HAD OF ALL BOOKSELLERS. + + * * * * * + + 1869. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +THERE are circumstances in connection with the publication of this volume +which I deem it necessary to mention. Some persons probably have thought +that such an undertaking should have devolved on an individual possessing +greater literary attainments, and occupying a higher position in the +parish than I do in it. To this impression I willingly give my assent. +But this has not been the case; and the length of time (upwards of forty +years) since the late Mr. Faulkner published his “History of Chelsea,” +and the consequent difficulty of procuring a copy—independently of the +fact that much contained in that work is now altogether devoid of +interest, and also that, from the great improvements and alterations in +the parish, there required many additions to be made to it—induced me, in +the decline of life, to undertake the present task. + +As an additional justification for the course I have pursued, it must not +be forgotten that Chelsea is my native parish, and that I have possessed +peculiar facilities for acquiring the necessary information; and, +moreover, that in early life I composed in type a great portion of Mr. +Faulkner’s first edition, and at a subsequent period was employed as the +printing-office reader of his edition in two volumes. This gave me +frequent opportunities of seeing him, and witnessing his laborious +exertions to produce a work as complete “as the utmost diligence, care, +and patience enabled him to collect.” I cannot but think that these +considerations—combined with the fact of my having been, for many years +since that period, connected with the press in London—will remove all +impressions of assumption, on my part, for submitting the present volume +to the impartial judgment of the parishioners and the public. + +I have purposely avoided all dry details of parochial management, &c., as +being foreign to the nature of the work and rendered now unnecessary in +consequence of the voluminous Annual Vestry Reports, which may easily be +obtained. My object has rather been to make the volume interesting, as +far as possible, without being guilty of “book-making.” + +The work embodies all the essential and interesting information that +could be obtained, with a great amount of original matter, and should the +volume not appear so bulky as some might have expected, it is simply +owing to the rejection of extraneous subjects. + +That the intelligent working-man, and persons of limited means, might +possess the work, I published a certain number of copies at a very great +sacrifice, trusting that the motive would be rather an inducement than +otherwise for others to purchase the volume. Local histories, unlike +other works, can only have a small circulation, and the price charged for +them must be necessarily regulated by the probable number that will be +sold. + +In conclusion, I beg to offer my grateful acknowledgments for the +kindness and assistance which I have received from several gentlemen, and +now submit the result of my labours to the favourable criticism, and I +trust remunerative patronage of the inhabitants and others interested in +a parish which, in many points of view is unusually interesting and +instructive. + +AUGUST, 1869. + + + + +INDEX. + + + (The figures at the end of each line denote the page. Notices of + Distinguished Residents are interspersed throughout the volume.) + +Alston House, 92 + +Aston, the Misses, 152 + +Ashburnham House, 55 + +Atterbury, Dr., 78 + +Arbuthnot, Dr. John, 80 + +Astell, Mrs. Mary, 183 + +Atkyns, Sir Robert, 219 + + * * * * * + +Boundaries of Chelsea, 8 + +Bray, Lord, 5 + +Bell, The Ashburnham, 10 + +Bowes, Thomas, 15 + +Buckingham House, 35 + +Buckingham, First Duke of, 35 + +Buckingham, Second Duke of, 36 + +Bristol, Earl of, 36 + +Beaufort House, 37 + +Beaufort, Second Duke of, 37 + +Beaufort Street, 39 + +Battersea Bridge, 39 + +Belle Vue House, 44 + +Bælar, Pætrus, 47 + +Brunel, Sir Mark Isombard, 51 + +Boscawen, Mr. 61 + +Balloon Ascent in 1784, 62 + + Chelsea Steam Captive, 169 + + Centenarian Trip in ditto, 224 + +Boyle, Robert, Esq. 64 + +Balchen, Admiral Sir John, 65 + +Bowack, Mr. 82 + +Burney, Dr. 104 + +Baths, Dr. Dominiceti’s, 117 + +Butler, Rev. Weeden, sen., 117, 152 + +Blunt, the late Rev. Henry, 139 + +Blunt, Rev. G. A. 140 + +Bentley, Mr. 168 + +Bedford, Mr. Paul, 168 + +Blackwell, Dr. Alexander, 183 + +Bunhouse, the Original Chelsea, 200 + +Burial Ground, St. Luke’s, 141 + + King’s Road, 151 + + Moravian’s, 46 + + Jew’s, 74 + + Royal Hospital, 195 + +Burial of a Female Dragoon, 196 + +Burgess, Rev. R. 210 + +Botanic Gardens, Queen’s Road, 177 + +Borough of Chelsea, 1st Election, 222 + + * * * * * + +Church, The Old Parish, 3 + + St. Luke’s, 125 + + Christchurch, 180 + + St. Jude’s, 207 + + Trinity, Sloane Street, 209 + + St. Saviour’s, 214 + +Cugnac, The Marquis de, 5 + +Cheyne, Lady Jane, 9 + +Cheyne, Charles, Esq. 9 + +Chamberlayne, Dr. 14, 81 + +Cadogan, the Hon. and Rev., 20 + +Clock House, 49 + +Cremorne House, 54 + +Cope, Sir John, 64 + +Carlyle, Thomas, Esq. 91 + +Clarendon, 3rd Earl of, 66 + +China Manufactory, 86 + +Cheyne Walk, 93 + +Clare, Rev. Thomas, 106 + +Chalmer, Francis, Esq. 113 + +Cook’s Ground, 92, 165, 170 + +Cadogan, Lieut.-Col. 135 + +Clark, Rev. George, 137 + +Cipriani, John Baptist, 151 + +Coffee House, Don Saltero’s, 108 + +Church Street, 75 + +Chelsea Common, 215 + +Cadogan Place, 214 + +Chelsea Chapel, 208 + +Cancer Hospital, 219 + +Consumption Hospital, 221 + + * * * * * + +Dacre, Lord and Lady, 11 + +Davies, Rev. R. H. 22 + +Sir John Danvers, 42 + +Duke Street, 44 + +Duel, Fatal, 66 + +Denyer, John, Esq. 91 + +Dodd, Dr. 118 + +Doggett’s Coat and Badge, 121 + +Dispensary, Chelsea, 160 + +Durham House, 186 + +Dudmaston House, 55 + +Dilke, Sir C. Wentworth, Bart. 211 + + * * * * * + +Etymology of Chelsea, 2 + +Ellesmere, Rev. Dr. Sloane, 152 + +Eggleton, The Misses, 113 + + * * * * * + +Flood, Luke Thomas, Esq. 44, 137 + +Fraine, Mr. J. 114, 115 + +Flowers and Fashion, 161 + +Flood Street, 164 + +Faulkner, Mr. Thomas, 185 + +Farrier, Mr. Robert, 186 + + * * * * * + +Gervoise, Richard, Esq. 6 + +Guildford, Richard, Esq. 9 + +Gorges, Sir Arthur, 12, 34 + +Gregory, Lord Dacre, 33 + +Gough House, 181 + +Gibson, Patrick, the Centenarian, 52 + + * * * * * + +Hamey, Dr. Baldwin, 7, 66 + +Heber, Rev. Reginald, 20 + +Hatchett, Charles, Esq. 44 + +Harding, Bishop, 69 + +Hargrave, Francis, Esq. 75 + +Haworth, A. H. 77 + +Hoadly, Bishop, 100 + +Hunt, Leigh, Esq. 113 + +Hutchins, Mrs. (Daring Robbery and Murder at her house) 156 + +Hoblyn, Thomas, Esq. 211 + +Hans Place, 213 + + * * * * * + +Indian Esquimaux, 48 + + * * * * * + +Jennings, Henry C. Esq. 49 + +Justice Walk, 86 + +Jubilee Place, 164 + + * * * * * + +Kingsley, Rev. Charles, 137, 140 + +King’s Road, 153, 155, 169 + +King, Rev. Dr. 19 + +Kent, Duke of, 182 + + * * * * * + +Littleton, Rev. Dr. Adam, 6, 19 + +Lawrence, Sir John, 8 + +Lindsey House, 45 + +Lindsey Row, 49 + +Lordship’s Place, 91 + +Lawrence Street, 88 + +Lowry, Wilson, 167 + + * * * * * + +Monuments in Old Church, 4 + +More, Sir Thomas, 5, 30 + +Milman, Sir W. 13 + +Manor House, Description of the, 105 + +Martin, John, R.A., 51 + +Moravians, the, 45 + +Mazarin, Duchess of, 182 + +Markham Sq. Con. Church, 174 + +Marlborough Chapel, 216 + +Mead, Dr. Richard, 183 + +Mellon, Mr. Alfred, 167 + +Monsey, Dr. 195 + + * * * * * + +Northumberland, Duchess of, 12 + +North, the Hon. Brownlow, 102 + +Neild, James, Esq. 120 + + * * * * * + +Ormond, Duchess of, 185 + +Orrery, 4th Earl of, 65 + +Owen, Rev. J. B. 207 + + * * * * * + +Park Chapel, 67 + +Parish Registers, 144 + +Petyt, William, Esq. 85 + +Pavilion, the, 212 + +Presentation of Colours to the Old Volunteers, 198 + + * * * * * + +Queen’s Elm, 73 + +Queen’s Road West, 177 + +Queen’s Road East, 202 + + * * * * * + +Royal Hospital, 187 + +Royal Military Asylum, 203 + +Ranelagh, Old, the Rotunda, 197 + +Roman Catholic Chapel, 215 + + * * * * * + +Stanley House, 56 + +St. Mark’s College, 58 + +Stanley, Sir Robert, 13 + +Sloane, Sir Hans, 14, 37, 173 + +Swift, Dean, 79 + +Shadwell, Thomas, Esq. 80 + +Smollett, Dr. 89 + +Sailing Matches, 41 + +Sloane Terrace Chapel, 210 + +School of Discipline, 185 + + * * * * * + +Turner, J. M. Wm., R.A., 53 + +Trelawney, Bishop, 99 + +Trimnell, Bishop, 100 + + * * * * * + +Winchester Palace, 97 + +Walpole, Sir Robert, 185 + +Wellesley, Hon. and Rev. Dr., 138 + +Woodfall, Henry, Esq. 15 + +Whitelocke, Gen., Trial of, 193 + +Whitelands Training Institution, 176 + +Whitlock, Rev. G. S., 181 + +West Brompton Con. Church, 60 + +Warren, Henry, Esq. 217 + + * * * * * + +Vestry Hall, The, 171 + +Varley, Mr. John, 167 + +Victoria Hospital, 181 + + + + +BOOK I. + + +The Etymology and Boundaries of the Parish—The Old Church: its Monumental +Inscriptions; Remarkable Spring Tides, taken to Church in a Boat, +Penance, &c.—Ancient Manor Houses, and Distinguished Residents—Moravian +Chapel and Burial Ground—Park Chapel—St. Mark’s College—The New West +Brompton Congregational Church—Loss of Sir John Balchen and 1100 Seamen +in the “Victory”—Ascent in a Balloon in 1784—Fatal Duel—The Knight and +the Poor Carpenter—Jews’ Burial Ground, to which is added an Amusing +Anecdote—The Queen’s Elm—Singular Tavern Signs, &c.—The old Embankment of +the Thames. Interspersed with Notices of many of the most Eminent +Residents in the Parish in the “Olden Times,” and other Interesting +Particulars. + +LORD BROUGHAM, in the course of some remarks on modern English +literature, incidentally observed that “local histories were not only +interesting to the residents in the districts to which they referred, but +such minor works would be found of immense value to future national +historians.” This was also the avowed opinion of Mr. Faulkner, when he +published his invaluable “HISTORY OF CHELSEA,” upwards of 40 years since, +and my motive in undertaking the present work is to carry forward the +great object which that laborious local historian contemplated. The +defects, and no doubt there will be many discovered in it, are submitted +to the kind and impartial consideration of the reader. My humble +position in life will not in the slightest degree, I feel confident, tend +to depreciate my long-cherished desire—especially as the shades of +evening are fast closing the day-light of my earthly life—to add to the +information which has already been given respecting a parish to which I +am much attached, both by birth and early associations. + + * * * * * + +The earliest mention of Chelsea is to be found in the Saxon Chronicle, in +the year 785; from which record it appears that a Synod was then held in +it, and at which period it was the residence of Offa, king of the +Mercians. As regards the etymology of its name both ancient and modern +writers have expressed different opinions. Mr. Lysons says, he has seen +it written Cealc-hylle, in an old charter of Edward the Confessor, and +hence objected to the obvious etymology, as there is neither chalk nor +hill in the parish. Mr. Faulkner considers, however, that “hylle” is an +evident mistake for “hythe;” and Cealc-hythe signifies not a place +abounding in chalk, but a wharf or landing-place for chalk brought from +other quarters. This amended definition seems at once to remove the +previous objection, particularly as large quantities of chalk and lime +were formerly, and even now at times, landed at a wharf by the river-side +at Chelsea. In the ancient record of Domesday, it is written Cherchede +and Chelched. The parish was called Chelchethe in the taxation of Pope +Nicholas, in 1291; and this was the common way of spelling it for several +centuries. Among the manorial records of the time of Edward II. it is +spelled Chelcheya and Chelchuthe. Mr. Norden says, “It is so called from +the nature of the place, whose strand is like the Chesel, (ceosel, or +cesel,) which the sea casteth up of sand and pebble stones, thereof +called Cheselsey, briefly Chelsey.” How altered is the state of the +strand or shore at the present time! Would that there were now only the +sand and pebble stones! But there is a probability that this complaint +will be remedied. The long expected embankment from Battersea Bridge to +Chelsea College, it is said, really _is_ to be commenced and completed, +and those old and dilapidated houses in that narrow and dangerous +thoroughfare, known as Duke Street and Lombard Street, are to be pulled +down. If this should be the case, the parishioners will then possess one +of the finest promenades, with Battersea Park opposite to it, which may +be found along the entire banks of the river Thames. + +Having made this slight digression, to infuse a little of what is +popularly called “new life” into our subject, we will here mention that +the county of Middlesex received its name from having been inhabited by a +party of Saxons, who, being located in the midst of the three kingdoms of +the East, West, and South Saxons, were called by their neighbours +Middlesaxons, which, in common conversation, was soon abbreviated to +Middlesex. + +The parish of Chelsea is bounded on the north by the Fulham Road, which +separates it from Kensington. On the east at the entrance into Sloane +Square, at which place there was an open rivulet, which divided it from +St. George’s, Hanover Square, and was said to rise at or near to +Hampstead; and, after crossing Hyde Park, where it formed the Serpentine +River, and Knightsbridge, flowed behind Cadogan Place (along a portion of +Lowndes’ Square) into the Thames, at Ranelagh, which adjoined Chelsea +College. In January, 1809, this rivulet overflowed its banks, and caused +great devastation for several days. The waters formed a complete lake, +and were of considerable depth. Boats were employed in carrying +passengers from Chelsea Hospital to the old Bunhouse, on their way to +London. On the west, the parish is divided from Fulham a little beyond +St. Mark’s College; and on the south it is bounded by the Thames. + +That portion of the parish at Kensal New Town, which is near to Wilsden, +will be briefly noticed again in reference to the “Ancient Manor Houses.” +This land, as held by the parish, is about 173¾ acres. + + + +The Old Parish Church. + + +IT will soon be seventy years since I was first taken to this venerable +Church. The most trifling incidents in childhood often bring to +remembrance, when arrived at mature age, events of an important and +interesting character. Such was the case with regard to my earliest +conscious attendance at Chelsea Old Church. At the period to which I +allude, residing at the other part of the parish, we had to go across +what was then called the “Common,” situated to the east of the present +new St. Luke’s Church, a portion of which was at that particular time +covered with new-mown grass to dry previously to being carried away. +Most young persons love to toss and tumble about the hay when such an +opportunity is afforded them, and certainly I felt as delighted with the +sport as others of my own age. Often afterwards, when there was a +disposition not to take me, I earnestly pleaded to go with the rest to +the Church, but my youthful thoughts were more fixed on some anticipated +enjoyment on the road to it. As I advanced in years, however, my native +Old Parish Church became gradually endeared to me, and nothing connected +with it scarcely ever escaped my notice. + +The exact period when the Church was erected is a question of great +uncertainty. In the Domesday Survey of the Parish no mention is made of +any endowment for a priest, which is considered by some writers a proof +that there was no Church existing. This conclusion is doubtful. There +is no record relative to the Rectory previous to the reign of Edward II., +therefore it is conjectured that the Church was first founded about that +period. + +Mr. Bowack says, “In the year 1667, the old Church, which was much +decayed, being too small to contain the congregation, grown large by the +vast increase of buildings about that time in the town,” (what would he +now think, in 1869, of the immense number of houses, and 70,000 +inhabitants!) “it was agreed by the parishioners that part of it should +be demolished, and that such alterations and additions should be made as +were necessary for decent accommodation. Accordingly the shattered tower +and west end of the Church were pulled down, and the north and south +aisles carried several yards towards the west, by two brick walls, being +in all about 80 ft. from the ground. The walls of the Church were +raised, the windows enlarged, the old parts beautified, the inside new +paved, the churchyard considerably raised, and enclosed with a high wall +of brick; and most of this done at the voluntary charge of the +inhabitants, and the whole roof, lead, timber, &c., at the sole cost of +the Lady Jane Cheyne. The Church was furnished with all the necessary +ornaments, and the steeple with a good ring of six bells, by the bounty +of the inhabitants.” + +From this statement it would appear that the Church was originally of +small dimensions. + + + +MONUMENTS, &c. + + +It will not be asserting too much if we say that the Old Parish Church +contains more magnificent monuments, to the memories of distinguished +individuals, than are to be found in any other church in the metropolis. + +LORD BRAY.—In the chancel, the most ancient monument is that of Lord +Bray, and of his son Lord John Bray. It is an altar-tomb, now much +defaced, but was originally ornamented with the effigies in brass of +these two noble lords, and with escutcheons of their arms. According to +Weever, there was the following inscription in his time:—“Of your +charitie pray for the soul of Edmund Bray, knight, Lord Bray, cosin and +heire to Sir Reginald Bray, Knight of the Garter.” There is a very long +and curious account of the funeral of Lord John Bray in the Herald’s +College, 1557. + + * * * * * + +SIR THOMAS MORE.—Against the south wall of the chancel is the monument of +Sir Thomas More, erected according to his own desire, in the year 1532. +The tablet on which the inscription is engraved is under a Tudor arch, +the cornice of which is ornamented with foliage, and in the centre of it +is his crest, viz., a Moor’s head. The spandrils of the arch are +ornamented with branches of the vine, and in the midst are his arms and +those of his first wife, and on each side are the arms of himself and his +two wives. The eventful history of More, and the termination of his +earthly career, must be familiar to the reader. After he was beheaded, +his body is said by some to have been interred in the church, but others +have contended that it was buried in St. Peter’s, in the Tower. There +are many legends respecting the head, but Mr. Brayley asserts positively +that it was finally deposited in St. Dunstan’s, near Canterbury, and that +he saw the head there many years ago. The inscription on the tablet is +of considerable length. + + * * * * * + +THE MARQUISE DE CUGNAC.—Near the Communion Table, against the south wall, +on a square ornamental slab, is an inscription to the memory of +Elizabeth, the wife of the Marquis de Cugnac. As a proof of his unshaken +love he erected this monument. She died in 1653, aged 20 years. The +marquis was of a Protestant family, famous in the reigns of Henry IV., +Lewis XIII. and XIV. + + * * * * * + +THE SEDILE.—In the south wall of the chancel, near the altar, was usually +placed the “_Sedile_” a seat for the use of the priest at certain +intervals during the celebration of the Mass, but when the church was +almost rebuilt, in 1667, this ancient architectural ornament, and many +others were removed, and not a vestige of them now remains. + + * * * * * + +THOMAS HUNGERFORD, Esq.—In the upper chancel is the monument of the +above-named gentleman, having the effigies of himself and his two sons in +armour kneeling on one side of an altar, and his wife and daughter on the +other. The entablature is supported by three Corinthian pillars, resting +on pedestals. + + * * * * * + +REV. JOHN RUSH.—On the right of the one above are tablets to the memory +of the Rev. John Rush and family. He was Curate of the Parish for a +great many years, and when the new Parish Church was completed, Mr. Rush +became Minister of the Old Church, and resigned the curacy. He was one +of the Directors of the Waterloo Bridge Company, and took a great +interest in everything connected with the construction of that bridge. +He died in 1855, aged 85, and was buried in the Brompton Cemetery. + + * * * * * + +TWO DAUGHTERS OF WILTON, THE SCULPTOR.—Against the east wall is a +monument, composed of two urns of white marble, to the memory of Lucy +Smith and Anne Wilton, two sisters, 1781. Wilton, their father, was the +sculptor. + + * * * * * + +The Original Altar Piece was very plain, formed by an obtuse arch +ornamented slightly with foliage, &c. In the centre was painted the +Decalogue; while the north side displayed the Camp of Israel, and the +south side Moses on the Mount, receiving the two tables of the Law. + + * * * * * + +Rev. ADAM LITTLETON, D.D.—On a square marble tablet, against the north +wall of the lower chancel, is an inscription to the memory of this +eminent divine, who was rector of this parish for 24 years. He died in +1694, aged 66. + +On the east wall, on plain marble slabs, are inscriptions to the memory +of Martha Denyer, who died in 1795, John Denyer, in 1806, and Elizabeth +Denyer, in 1824. This family was very benevolent. Amongst a few other +inscriptions is one to the memory of Edward Holl, Esq., who was a regular +attendant at the church, and much respected. He died in 1823. + + * * * * * + +RICHARD GERVOISE, Esq.—Between the north aisle and lower chancel is a +large monument raised in the form of an arch open at both sides, about 10 +ft. in height, ornamented with roses, branches, and fluted carving, +erected to the memory of Richard Gervoise, Sheriff of London, who died in +1557, and also in memory of his son. + + * * * * * + +BALDWIN HAMEY, M.D.—On a pillar, near the preceding, are inscriptions to +the memory of Dr. Baldwin Hamey, Ralph Palmer, Esq., and Alice, his wife. +Mr. Palmer was a kind benefactor to the church. He died in 1715. + +On the west side of the same pillar is an inscription to the memory of +Henry Powell, Esq., who was a great friend to the widow and fatherless. + + * * * * * + +COLOURS OF THE OLD VOLUNTEERS.—Over the nave are suspended the colours of +the two battalions of Queen Charlotte’s Royal Volunteers, which were +placed there on the disbandment of the regiment. These banners were +presented by her Majesty in 1804, at a time when the country was +threatened with invasion. {7} One or two of them are almost in ribbons, +but it is to be hoped they will remain untouched in their present +position as long as possible. There are still living some few old people +in the parish who remember, when boys, marching by the side of these +colours with all the heroic consequence of supposed military triumph. + +The PULPIT is composed of oak, divided into panels, and ornamented with +carved foliage and fruit. There was formerly a massive sounding board to +correspond with it, but which was necessarily taken away when the pulpit +was judiciously placed in its present central position in the middle +aisle. + + * * * * * + +Having noticed the chancel and nave, we will proceed to that part which +is called the LAWRENCE CHAPEL, at the north side. This chapel is +considered by many to be coeval with the first endowment of the church. +It was built by the then Lord of the Manor, whose mansion stood near it, +the site of which is now occupied by Lawrence Street, so called after the +Lawrence family. The old manor house was pulled down by Henry VIII., who +built another in Cheyne Walk, to which allusion will have to be +frequently made. The Lawrence chapel was many years ago in the +possession of Mr. Offley, who bequeathed it to Colonel Needham, of whom +it was bought in the year 1789, with part of the east side of Lawrence +Street, to which it is an appendage, by Mr. Lewer. It is still private +property. + + * * * * * + +THOMAS LAWRENCE, Esq.—Against the north wall of this chapel is the +monument of the father of Sir John Lawrence, on which are represented +himself, his three sons, Elizabeth his wife, and six daughters, all +kneeling. On the cushion on which Mrs. Lawrence kneels are two babes, +wrapped up close to the chin, with their faces only visible. The cornice +is supported by three fluted Corinthian columns. Underneath are the +following lines:— + + “The yeares wherein I lived were fifty-fower, + October twenty-eight did end my life; + Children five of eleven God left in store, + Sole comfort of they’re mother and my wife. + The world can say what I have been before, + What I am now examples still are rife; + Thus Thomas Lawrence spekes to tymes ensving + That Death is sure, and Tyme is past reneving.” + +SIR JOHN LAWRENCE, Bart.—On a large ornamented tablet of black marble, +against the east wall, is an inscription to the memory of Sir John +Lawrence, Bart., who died in 1638, aged 50. Attached to it are these +quaint lines:— + + “When bad men dye and turn to their last sleep, + What stir the poets and engravers keep, + By a feigned skill to pile them up a name, + With terms of Good, and Just, out-lasting fame: + Alas! poor men, such most have need of stone + And epitaphs; the good, indeed, lack none, + Their own true works enough do give of glory + Unto their names, which will survive all story: + Such was the man lies here, who doth partake + Of verse and stone—but ’tis for fashions sake.” + +On the same wall is the monument of Sarah Colvile, daughter of Thomas +Lawrence, Esq., and wife of Richard Colvile, of Newton, in the Isle of +Ely. From small trusses, ornamented with human heads, rise two Doric +pillars, with a curved entablature which supports a pediment. The soffit +of the cornice is decorated with clouds, stars, and a dove; and on the +edge of the cornice is a passage of Scripture (1 Cor. xv. 52). Between +the pillars is a half-length figure of a female, wrapped in a winding +sheet, with her hands in a supplicating posture, and as rising from the +tomb. The inscription states she was the happy mother of eight sons and +two daughters. She died in 1631, in the 40th year of her age. + + * * * * * + +There is also an inscription on the floor of this chapel to the memory of +Henry, youngest son of Sir John Lawrence, who died in 1661, aged 30. + + * * * * * + +LADY JANE CHEYNE.—This stately monument is placed against the wall of the +north aisle, but before we proceed to give a description of it, we will +notice the inscription that was placed at the entrance to the vault of +the Cheyne family, at the bottom of the chancel:— + + “Charles Cheyne, Esq., Lord of this Manor of Chelsea, which was + purchased by the rich dowry of his wife, erected this burial-place + for his most excellent wife, the Lady Jane Cheyne, eldest daughter of + William Duke of Newcastle, not long deceased, and for his own use, + when he shall die. It was consecrated the 3rd day of November, 1669. + I beseech thee, Almighty God, that she may quiety rest here till the + resurrection of the flesh. Amen.” + +The monument consists of a semi-circular temple, the façade supported by +two Corinthian columns of Scagliola marble, rising from a plinth and +pedestals, with a proper entablature, surmounted by an elliptical +pediment, the tympanum of which is ornamented with scroll work and +foliage, and the soffit of the upper cornice consists of panels, with +rosettes and foliage, and dentals, with pendant guttæ placed alternately. +To give the latter a resemblance of their original intention, the base of +the pediment was justly decreased in width in the centre. From acrotini +at the shoulders rise flaming urns, and in the centre is a richly +ornamented cross. In the interior of this temple is a large black +sarcophagus, resting on pedestals of Scagliola marble. On this +sarcophagus is represented Lady Cheyne, in white marble, lying upon her +left side, and reclining upon a tesselated cushion, holding a book; at +her feet lies a coronet. This monument was executed by the celebrated +Bernini, and cost £500. It is generally considered to be a _chef +d’œuvre_ of art. Lady Cheyne died in 1669, aged 48. + + * * * * * + +On the sarcophagus, under the figure of Lady Jane Cheyne, is an +inscription to the memory of Charles Cheyne, Viscount Newhaven, and Lord +of the Manor of Chelsea, who was buried in the same vault. He departed +this life in 1698, aged 74, being 29 years after Lady Jane Cheyne, his +first wife’s death. + + * * * * * + +RICHARD GUILDFORD, Esq.—On a marble tablet, near the preceding, is this +inscription:—“Richard Guildford, who died 16th Nov. 1680, and also his +two wives, Abigail and Elizabeth. He gave to this parish for ever a +yearly sum of £10, to be distributed on the 5th of December, the day of +his wedding with his wife Elizabeth.” + + * * * * * + +HENRY RAPER, Esq.—Near this spot are deposited the remains of this +gentleman, who died in 1789, and of his wife Katherine Raper, who died in +1823. This family was greatly respected. + + * * * * * + +At the west end of the north aisle formerly stood the old font, and in a +book case close to it a large folio Bible, Fox’s Book of Martyrs, a folio +Common Prayer Book, and the Homilies of the Church of England, each +secured with a chain. The books are now placed at the south side of the +church, and the present marble font stands at the entrance to the middle +aisle. + + * * * * * + +On the left of the great western entrance is an inscription on a marble +tablet to the memory of Mrs. Bayley, who died in 1828, aged 45. This +tablet was placed by her uncle, Wilton, the sculptor. + + * * * * * + +THE ASHBURNHAM BELL.—This bell originally in the steeple that was taken +down for security in 1815, is now placed in the porch, as a relic of +former days. On a board near the bell are recorded the following +particulars:— + + “This bell was given to the Old Parish Church of Chelsea by the Hon. + Wm. Ashburnham in the year 1679. It was a grateful offering on his + part to commemorate his escape from drowning in the Thames, into + which he had wandered during a dark night of the above year, and from + which he was saved by hearing the clock of this church strike the + hour of nine. Many changes in the church having taken place since + then, and this bell having long remained unused and nearly forgotten, + it is here preserved as an interesting Chelsea antiquity, having been + removed from the Clock Tower and placed in its present position by + order of the Church Trustees, and under the direction of + + A. GERALD W. BLUNT, M.A., Rector. + + R. HENRY DAVIES, B.A., Incumbent of the Church. + + T. B. DIPLOCK, M.D., G. W. RICHARDS, } Churchwardens. + + _March_ 1862.” + +There was another account given of this bell many years ago. It was that +the Hon. W Ashburnham was returning home from Lambeth in a boat at night, +when almost suddenly there came a dense fog over the river, which +prevented him seeing any object whatever. He became alarmed, and allowed +the boat to drift for some distance, expecting every moment it would run +foul of some barge or craft, and that he would be plunged into the river, +when to his great joy he heard Chelsea Church clock strike nine, and, +judging from the sound that he was nearly opposite the church, he seized +the oars and pulled away as direct as he could towards it, and at length +landed safely on shore. It afterwards appeared that had the boat drifted +much further it would have been upset, and in all probability Mr. +Ashburnham would have met with a watery grave. The family, considering +the striking of the clock to have been a most providential means of +saving his life, gave the bell, and made certain conditions that it +should be rung every evening during the winter months, in case of any +future similar event. The sexton paid 5s. to the bell-ringer for +attending at nine o’clock, as stated, for the season. + + * * * * * + +On the right of the western entrance, in the south aisle, is an +inscription to the memory of Teak S. Edwards, Esq., F.L.S., who died in +1819, aged 50. “As a faithful delineator of nature few equalled, and +none excelled.” + + * * * * * + +Near to where now the Homilies are placed was originally fixed the +monument of Lt.-Col. the Hon. H. Cadogan, executed by Chantrey, a fine +specimen of that celebrated sculptor’s chisel. It was removed to the New +Parish Church, some years since, and consequently it must be noticed in +the account of that beautiful architectural edifice. + + * * * * * + +LORD AND LADY DACRE.—This is one of the most magnificent monuments that +can be found in any parish church in London, and my only surprise is that +so few of the inhabitants of the parish, comparatively, have inspected +it. It stands against the wall of the south aisle, and was erected to +the memory of Gregory, Lord Dacre, and Anne, his wife. They are +represented in white marble, lying on a sarcophagus, under an arch +supported by marble pillars of the Corinthian order. Lord Dacre is in +armour, with a long beard and short hair; her ladyship is habited in a +gown and long cloak with a ruff. A dog is at the feet of each. On +either side is a lofty obelisk. Over the arch are the arms of the +family; the whole is richly ornamented with flowers and several pieces of +elaborate Mosaic work. + +The parish of Chelsea, by Lady Dacre’s will, have some presentations to +her Almshouses in Westminster, on condition of keeping the monument in +repair. It has been lately painted and beautified. Lord Dacre died in +1594, and Lady Dacre in 1595. This monument was originally placed in Sir +T. More’s chapel, it is so described in Lady Dacre’s will. When the +church was almost rebuilt in 1667, it was placed in its present +situation. + + * * * * * + +On a marble tablet, against the same wall, is an inscription to the +memory of Catherine, wife of the Rev. T. Mahon, Rector of Newport, Co. of +Mayo, Ireland, who died in 1822, aged 20. + + * * * * * + +SIR ARTHUR GORGES.—Bowack, in his “Antiquities of Middlesex,” mentions a +monument raised about 4 ft. from the ground, with the effigies of Sir +Arthur Gorges, his lady, three sons, and five daughters, in brass plates +fixed thereon, no trace of it can now be discovered. There is, however, +on a black slab, fixed against the north wall of Sir Thomas More’s +chapel, an inscription to the memory of Arthur Gorges, Esq. (eldest son +of Sir Arthur Gorges), who died in 1668. He married Mary, daughter of +Lord Bayning. This was her third marriage. She is here buried with her +husband. + + * * * * * + +SIR THOMAS MORE’S CHAPEL, which was built by him, belonged to the +proprietor of his house until it was sold by Arthur Gorges, Esq., to +Lionel, Earl of Middlesex, when he reserved the chapel to himself, as he +continued to reside at Chelsea in another house. In 1664, when he sold +the last-mentioned house, he only renewed a right of burial for his +family. The chapel passed therefore with the house, through various +owners, to Sir William Milman, and ultimately it became the freehold +property, for many years, of the late Mr. Mann, of Paradise Row, now +called Queen’s Road West. It is still private property. A large Gothic +arch opens into the chancel, and is supported by pillars, the capitals of +which are ornamented with human heads, rudely but curiously carved, +together with bundles of rods resembling the fasces or badges of the +ancient Roman magistrates; on the entablature of the easternmost is the +date 1527. + + * * * * * + +DUCHESS OF NORTHUMBERLAND.—The venerable monument of Lady Jane Guildford, +Duchess of Northumberland, is placed against the north wall of this +chapel. This interesting memorial consists of an altar-tomb under an +arched recess, crowned by four canopies and supported by five reticulated +pillars, the bases of which rest on the altar-tomb as on a plinth. The +faces of the tomb are divided into panels, containing quatrefoils +enclosing shields, and one coat of arms remains. The back of the recess +is divided into three compartments by small graduated buttresses; that on +the west contained the arms, and sons, while that on the east displays +the effigies of the Duchess and her daughters. The soffit of this recess +is richly groined, the canopies are divided by graduated buttresses with +pinnacles at their apices; they consist of a trefoiled arch with angular +pediments crocketed, and terminating in rich finials, and the spandrils +are panelled. The frieze, formed by two cavittoes, is ornamented, the +lower with rosettes, and the upper with portcullis and rosettes arranged +alternately. The whole is surmounted by a cornice of foliage. The +Duchess appears in the front, kneeling, habited in a surcoat, with her +arms richly emblazoned, originally in enamel. Behind her are her +daughters, with their Christian names engraved over their heads in Gothic +letters. On the left side were represented, on a brass plate, (now long +torn off) the effigies of her sons. The inscription states that the +Duchess had issue thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters. She +died “at her maner of Chelsey, ye 22 daye of January, in ye second yere +of ye reigne of our Sovereyne Lady Queene Mary the first, and in A.D +MDLV., on whose soul Jesus have mercy.” + + * * * * * + +SIR W. MILMAN.—On the same wall as the preceding is the monument of this +gentleman, who died in 1713. There is also another to the memory of +several of the same family. + + * * * * * + +SIR ROBERT STANLEY.—The monument of this distinguished resident is at the +east end of the chapel. Two figures, representing Justice and Fortitude, +support the arms of Stanley, and three large urns; on the centre one, on +a medallion, is the bust of Sir Robert in alto relievo, who is +represented with whiskers but no beard. On the urns, on each side, are +medallions of two of his children, whose deaths are noticed on the +monument. He died in 1632, and was the second son of the “Earle of +Darbie.” + + * * * * * + +Near the principal window here is a small brass plate fixed into a marble +tablet to the memory of Humphrey Peshall, Esq., who died in 1650. + + * * * * * + +There are a few other inscriptions in different parts of the church, but +the principal and most ancient ones have been all noticed. We will now +proceed, therefore, to describe some of the monuments in the old +churchyard. + +DR. CHAMBERLAYNE.—On the south side, fronting the river, there are +several monuments to the memory of this family, for the erection of which +and for making a vault Dr. Chamberlayne obtained a grant from the parish, +in consideration of a benefaction which will probably be mentioned +hereafter. He was buried here in 1703. On the left side of the western +window, on a large mural slab, is an inscription to his memory. The +latter part of it is remarkable:—“He was so studious of doing good to all +men, and especially to posterity, that he ordered some of his books, +covered with wax, to be buried with him, which may be of use in times to +come. God preserve thee, O traveller! go, and imitate him. This +monument, not to be rashly violated, his friend, Walter Harris, Doctor of +Physic, caused to be erected as a testimony both of his respect and +grief.” + +“Dr. Harris evinced some singularity of opinion,” says Mr. Faulkner, “in +supposing that posterity would gain any information from works thus +entombed with the body of their author; but whatever might have been the +intention, his views in depositing the books in the tomb of his friend +have been frustrated, as, some years since, Dr. Chamberlayne’s tomb +yielded to the injuries of time, and, on examination, it was discovered +that the damp and moisture admitted by the general decay, had totally +obliterated almost every appearance of them; his seal, with his arms, was +however still perfect.” + + * * * * * + +A FEMALE HEROINE.—One of the inscriptions to the memory of the +Chamberlayne family is as follows:—In a vault hard by lieth Anne, sole +daughter of Edward Chamberlayne, LL.D., who long declining wedlock, and +aspiring above her sex and age, fought under her brother, with arms and +manly attire, in a fire-ship, against the French, for six hours, on the +30th June, 1690. After returning home she married Sir John Spragg, with +whom she lived very affectionately for eighteen months, but, giving birth +to a child, she died a few days after in 1691! + + * * * * * + +On the north side of the churchyard, on a mural monument, is an +inscription to the memory of John Pennant, Esq., who died in 1709. + + * * * * * + +SIR HANS SLOANE, Bart.—In the south-east corner is a large and handsome +monument to the memory of this distinguished resident in the parish, and +of his lady. As frequent notices are taken of Sir Robert Stanley in this +work, it is only necessary here to give a brief description of the tomb. +It is composed of Portland stone, on the top of which, under a portico, +supported by four pillars, is placed a vase of white marble, with four +serpents entwined around it, executed out of one piece; on each side is +an entablature, the arms on one, and the crest on the other. It was +executed by Wilton, the statuary, and was caused to be erected there by +his two daughters, Elizabeth Cadogan and Sarah Stanley. Sir Hans Sloane +died in 1753, in his 92nd year. Lady Sloane died in 1724. + + * * * * * + +HENRY S. WOODFALL, Esq.—Near the north-east corner of the churchyard, on +a flat stone, was some years since an inscription to the memory of Henry +S. Woodfall, the celebrated printer of the Letters of Junius, who spent +the latter part of his life in calm retirement amongst his Chelsea +friends. He was an associate of many distinguished literary characters, +and died in 1805. + + * * * * * + +PHILIP MILLER, Esq.—Close to the preceding spot is an obelisk to the +memory of Philip Miller, Curator of the Botanic Gardens, Chelsea, and +Author of the Gardeners’ Dictionary, &c. He died in 1771, aged 80. This +monument was erected by the Fellows of the Linnæan and Horticultural +Societies in 1815. + + * * * * * + +Against the wall of the old Vestry Room (now School Room) are tablets to +the memory of Thomas Bowes, M.D., F.R.S., William Moncrieff, Professor of +Humanity at St. Andrew’s, and Mrs. Methuen. The dates of these are 1723 +and 1732. + + * * * * * + +These are the principal raised cenataphs and mural tablets in this +ancient churchyard. + + + +ERECTION OF AN ORGAN. + + +On the 22nd of January, 1818, the following resolution was unanimously +carried at a meeting in Vestry assembled:—“Resolved that this meeting +sensibly feels the propriety as well as the necessity of an organ being +placed in the parochial Church, and that the best means to effect this +desirable object will be by voluntary subscription, and that it be +immediately entered into.” A committee was appointed to carry this +resolution into effect, and Luke Thomas Flood, Esq., was requested to +become the treasurer, but, although a great many contributions were +received, the aggregate sum was insufficient for the purpose, and the +money was tendered back to the subscribers. This failure, and the offer +made, occasioned considerable amusement amongst some of the parishioners, +and many laughable squibs were printed and circulated. The most +ludicrous of these was a poetic effusion, written by a gentleman of +education and who was not altogether a stranger in literary circles. It +was entitled “_The Organ in the Suds_,” and embodied much of that wit and +humour which is so frequently displayed in “PUNCH.” Sometime afterwards, +however, the effort was successfully renewed, and an organ was purchased. +The two principal candidates for organist were Mr. Goss, then +comparatively unknown in the musical world, but who has since risen to +eminence as a composer, and is now organist at St. Paul’s Cathedral, and +Mr. Ling, who had become a great favourite with many of the subscribers. +The feeling amongst the friends of these gentlemen was very strongly +manifested, and the proceedings on the day of election were characterized +by much excitement. Mr. Ling obtained the greatest number of votes from +the subscribers, and consequently was elected. Mr. Goss, however, was +appointed organist of the New Church, when it was completed, by the +Church Trustees, agreeably to the decision of Dr. Crotch, Mr. Attwood, +and some others, who were requested to decide on the relative +qualifications of the candidates. There were a great many parishioners +present on this occasion. + +From the Report of the Old Church Organ Committee, dated Feb. 16, 1819, a +copy of which is now before me, it appears that the entire amount +received was £325 4_s._ 6_d._; that the organ cost £200, and that the +expenses altogether were no less than 125 4_s._ 6_d._, including £24 +4_s._ for a Faculty, and £25 to Mr. H. Bevington, for removing the organ +and keeping it in repair for twelve months, as per agreement. The +remaining expenditure was for necessary alterations in the gallery, and +for fittings, &c. The organ had been previously erected in a private +mansion, which will explain the charge for removal, and the sum paid for +the organ was considered at that time to be a great bargain. + +The singing, prior to the erection of the organ, was indeed very bad, +being almost entirely confined to the school children, who were placed in +galleries specially erected for them, at the extreme western part of the +church, and so close to the ceiling that a grown person could scarcely +stand upright in them. + + + +SPRING TIDES.—TAKEN TO CHURCH IN A BOAT. + + +A circumstance occurred at the church, about the year 1809, of a singular +character. There had been some very high tides during the week, and on +the following Sunday morning the waters rose several feet against the +southern boundary wall, which rendered the employment of a boat necessary +to convey those of the congregation who resided in the neighbourhood near +to Battersea Bridge to the western entrance of the church. Although +there have been some very high spring tides since that time, I am happy +to say, the congregation have always been enabled to walk to the Old +Church without the least fear of being drowned on their way to it! The +raising of the road, and other alterations, have no doubt checked such +overflowings at this particular spot. + + + +DOING PENANCE. + + +The next event is one of unusual interest. The statement may be relied +upon as authentic, and the circumstance of its not having gained +publicity has been owing to the few persons who witnessed it and the +secrecy enjoined, but after nearly sixty years have elapsed, and the +individuals concerned being long since deceased, the particulars may now +be fairly disclosed without any breach of confidence. + +A short time after the conclusion of Divine Service, on a Sunday morning, +a gentleman alighted from a carriage and proceeded to the Vestry Room, +where two others were waiting his arrival. As soon as the congregation +had dispersed, the parties, with two or three parochial officers, &c., +went to the entrance of the middle aisle, and the inner door being +closed, the person especially referred to hurriedly knelt down. A paper +was then placed in his hand, which was a recantation of certain +opprobrious epithets that he had applied to a lady in one of the streets +in the parish, stigmatizing her publicly by a term which the reader can +easily supply. When he recited the offensive words he laid particular +emphasis on them, evidently in a spirit of bravado and not of contrition. +Penance and penitence were not in any way, apparently, considered by him +as synonymous terms. There is scarcely an individual who would suppose +that such an event occurred, at so comparatively recent a period as sixty +years ago, in the old Parish Church of St. Luke, Chelsea. + + + +SACRILEGE. + + +On Wednesday night, the 27th of December, 1827, this church was +sacrilegiously broken into, and the following articles stolen, viz., two +plated flagons, two plated chalices, two plated salvers, a blue cloth +covering the Communion Table, and a table cloth and napkin for the same; +a crimson cushion and hanging for the pulpit, the brass branches from the +pulpit and those from the chandeliers in the middle aisle. On Thursday +night, the 1st of February following, the church was again entered and +robbed of the chandeliers, the brass curtain rods, and the cushions from +the churchwardens’ and overseers’ pews. + +A reward of £100 was offered by the Secretary of State, and £70 by the +parish, for the discovery of the robbers, who were soon after taken, +tried at Newgate, and condemned to be transported for life. + + + +RECTORS AT THE OLD CHURCH. + + +The following is a list of the names of most of the rectors, commencing +with the earliest one recorded, and terminating with the Hon. and Rev. G. +V. Wellesley, D.D., who continued of course rector when the new St. +Luke’s Church was completed. The list of subsequent rectors will be +found placed in the notice of that church:— + + Patrons. Name. Institution. +Edward II. Roger de Berners 1316 + „ Nicholas Hosbound 1339 +Edward III. Martyn de Moulish 1348 + „ William Palmer 1368 +Abbot & Conv. West. Thomas de Preston 1368 + There were altogether 29 Rectors instituted by the Abbot and Convent + of Westminster. +Sir Thomas More John Larke {19a} 1530 + „ John Richardson {19b} 1543 +Duchess of Somerset Richard Ward {19c} 1585 +C. Cheyne, Esq. Adam Littleton, D.D. 1669 +Viscount Cheyne John King, D.D. 1694 +Sir Hans Sloane Sloane Elsmere, D.D. 1732 + „ Reginald Heber, M.A. 1766 +Earl Cadogan and Henry Thomas Drake, D.D. 1770 +Stanley +Lord Cadogan W. B. Cadogan, M.A. 1775 +Lady Mendip and Mrs. D’Oyley Charles Sturgess, 1797 + M.A. +Earl Cadogan Hon. and Rev. Dr. 1805 + Wellesley + +The Rev. Dr. Littleton was educated at Westminster School, under the +celebrated Dr. Busby, and afterwards became Prebendary of Westminster. +He was well skilled in the Oriental languages and in rabinnical learning. +He died at Chelsea in 1694, in the 67th year of his age. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. Dr. John King was a divine of considerable literary eminence. +Amongst a variety of works he published a sermon, entitled, “The Divine +Favour the best Alliance; or, Repentance the Safest Sanctuary in Times of +Danger; preached at the Parish Church of Chelsey,” in 1701. There is in +the British Museum a small quarto volume, in manuscript, by Dr. King, +containing “Remarks on the Life of Sir Thomas More,” and a letter, +designed for Mr. Hearne, respecting Sir T. More’s house at Chelsea. He +died in this parish in 1732, aged 80, much respected, and was buried at +Pertenhall. The family of Dr. King bear the same arms with Robert King, +the first Bishop of Oxford. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. Dr. Sloane Elsmere died in 1776, and left behind him a volume of +sermons to be published for the benefit of the “Girls’ Charity School,” +of which he was the original founder. He was a relation of Sir Hans +Sloane. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. Reginald Heber received his school education at the Free School, +Manchester, from whence he removed to Brasenose College, Oxford. Mr. +Heber, in 1766, succeeded to a considerable estate (his elder brother +dying unmarried) at Hodnet, in Shropshire; and in the same year he was +inducted to the rectory of Chelsea, the presentation to which had several +years before been purchased for him by his brother. He found the +rectoral house in bad condition, and partly rebuilt and greatly improved +the whole of it. In 1770 he exchanged the rectory of Chelsea with Dr. +Drake, rector of Amersham, Bucks, for Malpas, in Cheshire. Mr. Heber +married, in 1773, the daughter of the Rev. Martin Bayly, which lady died +the following year, leaving an infant son, Richard Heber, who became +Member for the University of Oxford. Eight years after he married, +secondly, the daughter of Dr. Cuthbert Allanson, by whom he had two sons, +Reginald, the late lamented Bishop of Calcutta—a prelate whose memory is +revered by Christians of all denominations—the other son was Thomas +Cuthbert Heber, and he had also one daughter. Mr. Heber died at Malpas +in 1804, in his 76th year. + + * * * * * + +The Hon. and Rev. William Bromley Cadogan, second son of Lord Cadogan, +was born in 1751, and had his education at Westminster School, from +whence he was removed to Christ Church College, Oxford. He obtained +several prizes at the University for classical knowledge. On the death +of Dr. Drake he was presented to the rectory of Chelsea. He also became +vicar of St. Giles’s, Reading. Mr. Faulkner gives a singular anecdote +relating to the unsolicited offer of this vicarage to Mr. Cadogan. Lord +Bathurst, who was then Chancellor, called at Lord Cadogan’s house, and +desired to see him. His lordship was not at home; and the servants, +seeing Lord Bathurst very plainly dressed, admitted him into the hall +only, having no suspicion of his high rank. The Chancellor therefore +wrote a note at the hall table, requesting Lord Cadogan to accept the +vicarage of St. Giles’s, Reading, for his son. The offer of so valuable +a preferment, and so near to the family seat at Caversham, was peculiarly +acceptable to Lord Cadogan. It appeared, however, that the parishioners +were deeply affected by the death of the Rev. Mr. Talbot, their late +vicar, and equally grieved at the appointment of his successor; but they +flattered themselves that the new vicar, being a young gentleman of noble +family, would feel no disposition to do the duties himself, and that the +Rev. Mr. Halward, who had been recently appointed, and towards whom they +already were much attached, might be continued in the curacy. A petition +for this purpose was presented to Mr. Cadogan, but it was rejected with +strong marks of disapprobation. The old congregation therefore became +dispersed. Some of them, under the patronage of the Countess of +Huntingdon, opened a place for Divine worship for themselves, while +others, who were unwilling to leave the church altogether, thought that +they perceived marks of sincerity in his conduct and preaching, +attempted, by frequent admonitory letters, to convince Mr. Cadogan of +what they considered to be his “errors,” and to set him “right.” On this +occasion several letters passed between him and Mrs. Talbot, the widow of +the previous vicar, whose house was opened for religious exercises, and +where prayer was occasionally offered up for his conversion. Mr. Cadogan +is said to have been highly offended, but at length, humbled and subdued, +he fell at the feet of accumulated kindness, and confessed to the last +moment of his life, that “Mrs. Talbot’s letters and example were the +principal means of leading him to the saving knowledge of Christ.” It +produced, it appears, a great change in his manner of preaching, and led +the way to his intimacy with the Rev. Mr. Hill, Mr. Romaine, and others, +who were distinguished by the title of popular preachers. He likewise +offered the curacy to Mr. Halward, who previously he had but “lightly +esteemed,” but that gentleman had then accepted some preferment which +prevented him from acceding to the offer. Mr. Cadogan divided his time +between Chelsea and Reading; but finding his labours in both places too +arduous, he let the rectory-house, and left Chelsea in charge of the Rev. +Mr. Middleton, his curate, except at the season of Lent, and of the +Sacrament, on which occasions the church was crowded. Mr. Cadogan was +seized at Reading on a Thursday evening, after his lecture, with an +inflammation of the bowels, and departed this life on the following +Tuesday, expressing with his lips that which was his “glorious theme, the +unbounded love of Christ.” He died in 1797, aged 46. + +A monument, designed by Bacon, is erected in the church at Reading. +Beneath the inscription are the crosier or pastoral staff; the rod of +Aaron, which budded and yielded almonds; and the book mentioned in the +Revelations, as sealed with seven seals. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. Charles Sturges was presented to this rectory in 1797. +Respectful mention is made of him in Mrs. Trimmer’s publication on the +Sunday Schools of Old Brentford. He has a copy of Latin verses in the +Musæ Etonenses, and another in the Academiæ Cantabrigiensis Luctus, on +the death of George II. The sudden death of Mr. Sturges was another +verification of that passage in our Burial Service, “In the midst of life +we are in death,” &c., which he had read many times at the graves of the +parishioners. He expired on the 22nd of April, 1805, after only half an +hour’s illness, from an apoplectic seizure, immediately before the hour +of dinner, at the rectory of Loddington, Northamptonshire, and his +remains were interred in the chancel of that church. + + * * * * * + +The Hon. and Rev. Gerald Valerian Wellesley, D.D., succeeded Mr. +Sturgess. A notice of him will be found in the account of the New Parish +Church. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. R. H. Davies, M.A., who had been previously senior curate of the +new Parish Church, succeeded the Rev. John Rush when he died in 1855, as +Incumbent of the Old Church. Through his exertions and instrumentality, +a small vestry, or robing room, has been attached to the church. The +great inconvenience and injury to the Minister’s health, arising from his +having to walk across the churchyard in his robes, and also to change +them, especially in the winter months, had been sadly experienced and +justly complained of by almost every officiating clergyman in my +recollection. Very considerable alterations and great improvements have +likewise been made in the interior of the church, during the fourteen +years that Mr. Davies has been the Incumbent, without interfering greatly +with its ancient architecture. Perhaps the best way to convey an +adequate idea of what has been accomplished will be to give an account of +the expenses, taken from a Report recently published. + +The New Gallery £395 11 0 +Re-pewing 420 13 6 +New Stoves, &c. 44 15 0 +Iron Railing 65 0 0 +Ventilators 32 18 9 +East Window 83 18 7 +Reading Desk 5 3 6 +New Vestry, &c 94 14 3 +Corona in Chancel 12 0 0 +Alterations to Organ 60 0 0 + +A great part of the cost of these extensive and essential alterations was +contributed by the Trustees for building the new St. Luke’s Church; a +very large portion by the liberal contributions of the congregation, and +a part also by the Rev. Mr. Davies’s own friends not connected with the +church, and others to whom he applied. The schools, as will be seen, +have been greatly benefitted, and various charitable societies +established, by which means vast blessings have been conferred on the +poor in the neighbourhood. + + + +PETYT’S SCHOOL ROOM AND VESTRY. + + +In the year 1706, a Vestry Room and School Room, with apartments for a +master, were erected at the expense of W. Petyt, Esq. {23} There is a +descriptive inscription upon the west front of the school room, which +records the donation, at the conclusion of which it is added, “To all +which may God give a blessing. Soli Deo Gloria.” The original deed of +gift is entered in the Vestry minutes. Mr. Petyt resided in Church +(lane) Street, and died there in 1707, aged 71, but was buried in the +Temple Church. He was a member of the Inner Temple, and Keeper of the +Records in the Tower of London. + +In 1819 there were 100 boys and girls educated and clothed free of any +expense to their parents. The girls at that period were instructed in a +house rented in Lordship’s Place, near Cheyne Row. These schools, with +the master and mistress, were transferred to the new School Rooms, at the +back of the present Parish Church. + +The Rev. Mr. Davies recently appealed to the Vestry for a grant of £100 +to make considerable repairs in this old building, it being in a most +dilapidated condition (the ground floor, which was the Vestry Room, was +for some time previously used as a fire-engine station), and the one +school room altogether inadequate for the proper accommodation of the +children of the district, promising himself to be answerable for the +deficiency in the amount of the expenditure. The Vestry, in +consideration of its having been bequeathed to the parish, complied with +the request. Mr. Davies likewise obtained for the same laudable object a +grant of £20 from the Ragged School Union, the congregation generously +contributing the remaining sum required to put the building in thorough +repair. The entire cost was rather more than £279. There are now three +good school-rooms instead of one, as was formerly the case, and +consequently the number of children attending the schools has been +greatly augmented. + + * * * * * + +It may here be mentioned that the “watchhouse,” and the “stocks” for +vagrants, formerly stood close to the river, opposite the church. + + + +History of the Manor. +ROYAL AND DISTINGUISHED RESIDENTS. + + +BLACKSTONE, in his “Commentaries,” says that manors are, in substance, as +ancient as the Saxon Constitution. The manor of Chilchell, or Chelcheya +(Chelsea), was given it appears, in the reign of Edward the Confessor to +the Abbot and Convent of Westminster, by Thurstan, the governor of the +king’s palace, who held it of him. This gift was confirmed by a charter, +which transfers the manor, with all its rights and appurtenances, as +fully as it was held by Thurstan: “besides, together with this manor, as +a free gift, every third tree, and every third horse load of fruits grown +in the neighbouring wood at Kyngesbyrig” (now called Knightsbridge). +This charter, which is in the Saxon language, is still preserved in the +British Museum. It is sealed with a waxen seal, suspended by a silken +string, after the Norman fashion, in the front of which are the effigies +of the king, holding in his right hand a cross, and in his left a globe; +on the reverse is the same image, holding in his right hand a spear +surmounted by a dove, and bearing in his left a sword, with this +inscription on both sides, “The seal of Edward King of England.” + +King William, by a charter dated at Westminster, confirmed the land to +the Monastery of Westminster. + +The Record of Domesday Book, to which we are so greatly indebted, was +begun in 1080, and completed in 1086. In it is mentioned the lands in +Chelsea, then in possession of the Church of Westminster. + +The general description given of menial persons, including those in the +manor of Chelsea, at the period when the survey of the land belonging to +the lords, or great landowners, was taken, shows the lamentable state of +thousands of our fellow-creatures. Slaves were allowed nothing but +subsistence and clothes, and were distinguished from freemen by a +peculiar dress. Long hair was a mark of dignity and freedom; for that +reason, slaves, (menial persons,) were obliged to shave their heads, by +which they were reminded of their inferiority of condition. At length +Henry VIII. granted manumission to two of his slaves and their families, +for which he assigned this just reason: “God at first created all men +equally free by nature, but many had been reduced to slavery by the laws +of men. We believe it, therefore, to be a pious act, and meritorious in +the sight of God, to set certain of our slaves at liberty from their +bondage.” The granting of leases, which afterwards followed, almost +completely emancipated the “villain-slave,” so that at the time of +Elizabeth, scarcely any person existed to whom the former laws applied. + +Gervace, abbot of Westminster, aliened the manor of Chelchithe, to his +mother Dameta and her heirs. Afterwards it was held by the heirs of +Bartholomew de Fontibus. + +Several court rolls of this manor, during the reigns of King Edward III. +and Richard II. are among the records of the Dean and Chapter of +Westminster. + +A brewer, of the name of North, was presented at one of these courts for +not putting up a sign as was customary; and at another the wife of Philip +Rose was fined 6_d._ for being a common babbler. + +Simon Bayle appears to have been lessee of the manor house, 33 Hen. VI., +and from that period there is a total deficiency of records till the +reign of Henry VII. + + * * * * * + +Sir Reginald Bray was now in possession of the manor. He was Receiver +General to Sir Henry Stafford, a younger son of the Duke of Buckingham, +who married the widow of the Earl of Richmond, and mother of Henry VII. +There are many interesting historical particulars respecting Sir Reginald +Bray. He was buried in the chapel of St. George, Windsor. + + * * * * * + +From Sir Reginald Bray the manor descended to Margaret, only child of his +next brother, John, who married Sir William Sandys, created afterwards +Lord Sands. He was one of those peers who subscribed the articles +exhibited to Henry VIII. against Cardinal Wolsey; and the next year was +also one who signed the declaration to the Pope, intimating the danger of +losing his supremacy, in case he did not comply with the king’s wishes in +regard to his divorce from Queen Catherine. He died in 1542. + +There have been various surmises as to the correct definition of “Sands +End,” in Fulham parish, which immediately adjoins Chelsea, and is called +such for a short distance. I venture to suggest the following +explanation. Lord Sands, being Lord of the Manor of Chelsea, his rights +terminated at the spot just mentioned, and to record this fact the people +of Fulham called it Sands End, signifying thereby that Lord Sands’s +jurisdiction and property ended there. Perhaps this idea is not +original, but I have never heard it thus explained, and therefore I have +given it. + +This Lord Sands, a few years previous to his death, conveyed to Henry +VIII. the manor of Chelsea, with certain closes or land situated at +Kensal Green, near Wilsden, containing about 137¾ acres. {26} In 1861 +there were in that part of Kensal which belongs to this parish 591 houses +and 3223 inhabitants. The number of houses has since increased, and the +present population may be estimated at 3500 persons. There are a great +many highly respectable residents, and a large number of superior new +houses are continually being erected in the adjoining wealthy parishes, +which will ultimately increase the trade and value of property in the +entire district. There are also several new Churches and Chapels built +within the last few years in the neighbourhood. The Paddington Canal, +which passes through the detached parts of Chelsea and Kensington, was +opened with an aquatic procession on the 10th of July, 1801, in the +presence of a vast concourse of spectators. + + * * * * * + +“Henry VIII. was probably induced to possess this manor,” says Mr. +Faulkner, “from having observed, in his frequent visits to Sir Thomas +More, the pleasantness of the situation on the banks of the Thames; and +from the salubrity of the air, deeming it a fit residence for his infant +daughter, the Princess Elizabeth, then between three and four years of +age. But, on his obtaining it, finding that the manor house was ancient, +and at that time in possession of the Lawrence family, {27} he erected a +new manor house on the eastern side of Winchester House,” which stood on +the site of the river-side entrance to Oakley Street, Cheyne Walk. It +was “here the young Princess was nurtured, and it most probably was her +chief residence during her father’s reign. In 1540, Sir Francis Bryan +was made ‘Keeper of Chelsey’ for life, by patent, 31 Hen. VIII.” + + * * * * * + +On the marriage of Henry with Catharine Parr, this manor was assigned to +that Queen as part of her jointure. Most unfortunately for her future +welfare, Catharine, after the decease of the king, placed her affections +upon the brother of Jane Seymour, Thomas Lord Seymour, to whom she was +subsequently married. Whatever she might have dreaded from the temper of +her previous royal husband, was realized in the accumulated injuries she +received from Seymour, whose turbulent passions and uncontrolled ambition +led him to aspire to the hand of the Princess Elizabeth, who then resided +at Chelsea under the Queen’s care. She died at Sudeley Castle in 1548, +not without suspicion of poison. + + * * * * * + +After the death of Catharine Parr, the manor was bestowed on the Duke of +Northumberland by Edward VI. On the accession of Mary, the duke was +impeached, attainted of high treason, and beheaded in 1553. + +Jane, Duchess of Northumberland, was a most singular instance of the +vicissitudes of fortune, having been the wife of one of the greatest men +of that age, she lived to see her husband lose his head on a scaffold; to +see one son share his father’s fate, another die in a prison, and the +rest of her children live only by permission. Amidst this accumulated +distress, which was heightened by the confiscation of her property, she +displayed great firmness of mind, though left destitute of fortune and +friends, till the arrival of some of the Spanish nobility, who interested +themselves so warmly in her favour, that they prevailed on the Queen to +reinstate her in some of her former possessions. She made a will, +written with her own hand, unassisted by the advice of any learned in the +laws. Amongst a variety of other bequests, she left to Sir Henry Sidney +the gold and green hangings in the manor house, “water side, at Chelsey.” +“My will,” she says, “is earnestly and effectually, that little +solemnities be made for me, for I had even have a thousand foldes my +debts to be paide, and the poore to be given unto, than anye pompe to be +shewed upon my wretched carkes; therefore to the wormes will I goe, as I +have afore wrytten in all poyntes, as you will answer yt afore God; and +you breke any one jot of it, your wills hereafter may chaunce be as well +broken.” Notwithstanding the strict injunctions contained in her will, +she was buried with great funeral pomp, in February, 1535; two heralds +attending, with many mourners, six dozen of torches, and two white +branches, and “a canopy borne over her effigies in wax, in a goodly +hearse to the church of Chelsey.” + + * * * * * + +Ann of Cleves, after her divorce from Henry VIII., appears to have +resided in this manor house, where, it is said, she died in 1557, and was +buried in Westminster. + + * * * * * + +Queen Elizabeth, in 1559, leased this manor to Ann, Duchess of Somerset, +widow of the late Protector, for life. Her Majesty afterwards granted +the manor to John Stanhope, Esq., vice-chamberlain of her household. On +the accession of James I. he was created Lord Stanhope, of Harrington. + +After several families had held the manor, we find it in possession of +the Cheyne family. + + * * * * * + +Charles Cheyne, afterwards Viscount Newhaven, married Lady Jane, eldest +daughter and co-heir of William Duke of Newcastle, with whom he obtained +an immense fortune. This lady is celebrated for her excellent +endowments, which she exhibited in a distinguished manner during the +civil wars in the reign of Charles I., in her keeping the garrisoned +house of her father, where she was left with one of her sisters, against +the enemy, till, overpowered by their force, she was made prisoner, but, +by the success of the royal arms, it was retaken. Her duty and piety to +her exiled father, in making repeated remittances, which she effected by +the sale of some rich jewels left her by her grandmother, the Lady Ogle, +after the vain efforts she had made for his pardon, deserve to be +remembered. Lord Cheyne, as we learn from the inscription on Lady Jane’s +monument, purchased the manor of Chelsea with a part of the large dower +she brought him on his marriage. His lordship very highly embellished +the house and gardens, and they excited some curiosity at the time. Mr. +Evelyn, in his Diary, thus notices them: “I made my Lord Cheyney a visit +at Chelsea, and saw those ingenious water-works invented by Mr. +Winstanley, in which were some things very surprising and extraordinary.” +This Mr. Winstanley was the ingenious architect who built the Eddystone +Lighthouse, and perished in it when blown down by the great storm in +1703. When Lord Cheyne died in 1698, he was succeeded by William, his +son and successor. + + * * * * * + +Sir Hans Sloane, Bart., purchased the manor of William Lord Cheyne, the +second and last Viscount Newhaven, in the year 1712. Sir Hans was +descended from a family originally of Scotland, but settled in the north +of Ireland, where he received his first education. At that early age he +evinced a very strong inclination to study the works of Nature, which he +pursued with uncommon application through the rest of his life. Being +desirous of improving himself in the several branches of physic, to the +profession of which he was ardently devoted, he came to London, and +resided in a house adjoining to the laboratory of Apothecaries’ Hall. +Here Mr. Sloane acquired a perfect knowledge of the preparations and uses +of most chemical medicines; and at the same time prosecuted his favourite +science of botany in the Apothecaries’ Gardens at Chelsea. He ultimately +became President of the Royal College of Physicians, London, and +associated and corresponded with most of the eminent men of his day. He +had been previously Secretary to the Royal Society, which he held for 20 +years without any salary, and was the intimate friend of Sir Isaac +Newton. In the last sickness of Queen Anne he was called in to her +assistance, as one of her physicians, as he had been on some former +occasions. He was created a baronet by George I., an honour which had +never before been conferred upon any physician in England. Upon +purchasing the manor of Chelsea, he gave a portion of the ground of his +garden to the Apothecaries’ Company, in order to perpetuate it for the +improvement of botanical knowledge, and to communicate to others that +instruction which he had himself received there. Besides the donation of +so large and valuable a piece of ground, in a delightful situation on the +banks of the Thames, and near the metropolis, he contributed largely +towards building the stairs at the water-side gate, and an additional sum +towards the expenses of the garden. When Sir Isaac Newton died, Sir Hans +Sloane was chosen as President of the Royal Society, and continued in +that high office for fourteen successive years. His decay was very +gradual, and foretold that he would one day “drop like a fruit fully +ripe.” He died in 1753, and was interred in the churchyard of Chelsea, +in the same vault with his lady. His funeral was attended by many +persons of distinction, and several Fellows of the Royal Society. He has +been styled “the father of natural history in these realms.” + +Sir Hans Sloane’s invaluable Museum, sold to the nation at his decease +for £20,000, being about a fourth of its value, was the nucleus, and so +far the first foundation, of the British Museum. He bequeathed one +moiety of the manor of Chelsea to his daughter Sarah, the wife of George +Stanley, Esq., of Paultons, in Hampshire, and the remainder to his second +daughter, the lady of Charles Lord Cadogan, in which family the property +still remains. Hence the names of Cheyne Walk, Hans Place, Sloane +Street, Cadogan Place, Oakley Street, and Paultons Square. The eldest +son of Earl Cadogan takes his father’s second title, Viscount Chelsea. + +Mrs. Stanley, daughter of Sir Hans Sloane, left one son and two +daughters; Hans Stanley, Esq., the son, who died in 1780, and bequeathed +to his sisters, Anne, the wife of W. Ellis, Esq., afterwards Lord Mendip, +and Sarah, the wife of Christopher D’Oyley, Esq., his moiety of this +manor, with the reversion to Lord Cadogan and his heirs. + + + +Sir Thomas More’s House. + + +SIR THOMAS MORE purchased an estate at Chelsea, about the year 1520, and +built himself a house, as Erasmus describes it, “neither mean nor subject +to envy, yet magnificent and commodious enough.” The site of this house +has been long disputed. The Rev. Dr. King, (who is noticed amongst the +rectors of the Old Church), in his “Letter designed for Mr. Hearne,” +relative to Sir Thomas More’s house, and which is in the British Museum, +says, “As seven cities in Greece contended for the birthplace of Homer, +so there are no fewer than four houses in this parish which lay claim to +Sir Thomas More’s residence, viz.: that which is now the Duke of +Beaufort’s; that which was lately Sir Joseph Alstone’s; that which was +once Sir Reginald Bray’s, and afterwards William Powell’s, which is now +built into several tenements; and that which was lately Sir John +Danvers’s, which is also now pulled down; and on part of the ground a +small street is built, called Danvers Street, and some other houses. Now +of all these, in my opinion, Beaufort House bids fairest to be the place +where Sir Thomas More’s stood.” He then proceeds to give his reasons for +arriving at this conclusion, which, when considered in connection with +the statements of other writers on the subject, clearly establishes the +correctness of Dr. King’s opinion. Sir Thomas More’s house, therefore, +we will conclude stood almost on the site of what is now called Beaufort +Street, facing Battersea Bridge. After his death, however, very +considerable alterations and additions were made by succeeding occupants, +both in regard to the house and grounds attached to it. The house, in +its altered state, was pulled down about 140 years ago. + + * * * * * + +Erasmus gives a pleasing description of the manner of More’s living with +his wife and family at Chelsea. “There he conversed with his wife,” says +he, “his son, his daughter-in-law, his three daughters and their +husbands, with eleven grand-children. There is not a man living so +affectionate to his children as he; he loveth his old wife as well as if +she was a young maid.” Fox, in his Martyrology, however, throws a sad +blast over the character of More. He states that More used to bind +heretics to a tree in his garden, called “The Tree of Troth,” but this +was denied by More himself. Henry VIII., to whom he owed his rise and +fall, frequently came to Chelsea to visit him. Sometimes the king would +ascend to the house-top with him to observe the stars and converse on +astronomy. Amongst the illustrious foreigners entertained and patronised +by Sir Thomas More, may be mentioned Hans Holbein, a celebrated painter, +who lived with him for nearly three years painting portraits of him, his +relations, and friends. It is generally admitted that he had a house in +Chelsea for aged people, whom he daily relieved. + + * * * * * + +More delighted in telling the following “merrie story,” as he termed +it:—A friar while preaching “spyed a poore wyfe of the paryshe whysperyng +to her pew-fellow, and he fallyng angry thereto, cryde out unto her +aloude, ‘Hold thy babble, I byd thee, thou wyfe in the red hood!’” He +regularly attended Chelsea Church, and very often assisted at the +celebration of Mass, and at times he would put on a surplice and join the +quire. + + * * * * * + +The pathetic story of More’s wit was never so touchingly illustrated as +on the day after he resigned the Great Seal. He went to Chelsea Church +as usual with his wife and family, none of whom he had yet informed of +his resignation. During the service, as was his custom, he sat in the +choir, in a surplice. After service it was the custom for one of his +attendants to go to her ladyship’s pew, and say, “My Lord is gone +before.” But this day the Ex-Chancellor came himself, and making a low +bow, said, “Madam, my Lord is gone.” Then, on their way home, to her +great mortification, he unriddled his mournful pleasantry by telling her +his lordship was gone, in the loss of his official dignities. + + * * * * * + +Sir Thomas had four children, three daughters and one son; the latter was +the youngest. His first wife wished very much for a boy; at last she +brought this son, who proved to be of slender capacity; upon which he +said to her, “You have prayed so long for a boy, that now you have got +one that will be a boy as long as he lives.” The good lady walked away +from him. + + * * * * * + +By indefatigable application, More cleared the Court of Chancery of all +its causes. One day, having ended a cause, he called for the next, and +was told there was “no other depending in the Court.” He was delighted +to hear it, and ordered it to be inserted on the records of the Court. +It gave rise to the following epigram, not the worst in the English +language:— + + “When More some time had Chancellor been + No More suits did remain; + The same shall never More be seen + Till More be there again.” + +The pitiful story of More’s daughter, Margaret, parting with her beloved +father, on the morning of his cruel execution, is truly affecting. She +followed him to the scaffold—embraced him, implored his blessing, wept +upon his cheek, bidding him in anguish adieu. A second time she went +forward to him, clung round his neck and kissed him, when at last, +notwithstanding his apparent gravity, tears fell from his eyes * * * and +soon afterwards she was severed from him for ever! It appears that his +original intention to be interred in the Old Church, was unhappily not +fulfilled. Dr. King states that “his body was buried in the chapel of +St. Peter, in the Tower, and his head, after some months, was bought by +his daughter, Margaret, and taken down from London Bridge, where it was +fixed upon a pole, and was buried,” probably as stated, in St. Dunstan’s, +near Canterbury. Aubery, however, asserts that “after he was beheaded, +his trunke was interred in Chelsey Church, near the middle of the south +wall, where was some slight monument erected, which being worne by time, +Sir John Lawrence, of Chelsey, at his own proper costs and chardges, +built to his memorie a handsome one, with inscription, of marble.” This +statement, as regards the interment of Sir Thomas More’s body, does not +accord with the opinion of most other writers on the subject. + + * * * * * + +After the death of More, his mansion was granted in the 28th of Henry +VIII. to Sir William Paulet, afterwards Marquis of Winchester, to whom +Edward VI. granted in fee both that and all other premises in Chelsea and +Kensington, forfeited by his attainder. + + * * * * * + +The Marquis of Winchester, who was so much of a courtier as to +accommodate himself to princes as well as to subjects of very different +characters, was, from his natural and acquired abilities, perfectly +qualified to act with propriety in the highest offices of the state. In +the reign of Edward VI. he was made Lord High Treasurer of England. It +is said that by his councils, in a great measure, the Duke of +Northumberland’s design of setting the Lady Jane Grey on the throne was +prevented; for which good office of loyalty to them, the Queens, Mary and +Elizabeth, continued him in the Treasurer’s Office, which he enjoyed for +thirty years; and on being asked how he preserved himself in that place +through so many changes of government, he answered, “By being a willow, +and not an oak.” He died in 1572, aged 97 years. The marquis greatly +enlarged and improved the house, and, according to Norden, “adorned +Chelsea with stately buildings.” His eldest son, John, second Marquis of +Winchester, died at Chelsea in 1576. The widow of the first marquis died +in 1586. + + * * * * * + +Gregory, Lord Dacre, soon afterwards had possession of Sir Thomas More’s +house. He was the son of Thomas Fynes Lord Dacre, who succeeded his +grandfather in the 26th of Henry VIII.; and who, in 1541, was engaged +with some other persons in chasing the deer in Sir Nicholas Pelham’s +park, when a fray arising between them and the keepers, in which one of +the latter was killed, he was found guilty of being accessary to the +murder, and suffered death accordingly; but his children were restored to +their honours in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Gregory, Lord Dacre, died +at Chelsea in 1594, without issue; and his sister Margaret, the wife of +Samuel Lennard, Esq., claimed the barony, and was allowed it in the +second of James I. + + * * * * * + +Lady Dacre survived her husband but a few months, and bequeathed her +house at Chelsea, with all its appurtenances, to the great Lord Burleigh, +with remainder to his son Robert, afterwards Earl of Salisbury, and Lord +High Treasurer. “I have seen,” says Lysons, “among the records at the +Rolls Chapel, a pardon of alienation to Sir Robert Cecil, dated June 21, +39th Elizabeth, for acquiring these premises of Thomas Lord Buckhurst.” +This distinguished nobleman, afterwards Earl of Dorset, was brother to +Lady Dacre, and resided frequently with his sister at Chelsea, but it is +not known whether he had any interest in the estate. + + * * * * * + +The Earl of Salisbury is supposed to have rebuilt Sir Thomas More’s +house, as the initials of his name were to be seen on the pipes and in +several of the rooms. + + * * * * * + +Henry Clinton, Earl of Lincoln, bought the house of the Earl of +Salisbury, and probably came immediately to reside in it, as there are +some entries respecting his family in the Parish Register in the +beginning of the year 1609. By his first wife, Lady C. Hastings, +daughter of Francis, Earl of Huntingdon, he had two sons, Thomas, his +successor in the title, and Edward; and by his second wife, widow of W. +Norris, Esq., he had a daughter, Elizabeth, who married Sir Arthur +Gorges, and also two sons, Henry and Robert. The latter died in 1609, +and was buried at Chelsea. + + * * * * * + +Sir Arthur Gorges, on the death of Henry, Earl of Lincoln, became the +possessor of the house, and he and Lady Elizabeth, his wife, in +consideration of £4300, sold it to Sir Lionel Cranfield, afterwards +created Earl of Middlesex. It was described as the “greatest house at +Chelsea, with two fore great courts adjoining, environed with brick +walls, also a wharf (landing-place for a pleasure boat, &c.) lying in +front, having a high brick tower on the east and west ends, and a high +water tower, standing upon the west corner of the wharf, and the +watercourse belonging thereto. An orchard, a garden, having a peryment +standing up in the middle, and a terrace on the north end thereof, with a +banquetting house at the east end of the terrace, having a marble table +in it. A great garden, dovecote close, containing five acres, the +kitchen garden, brick-barne close, containing ten acres.” Lord Middlesex +held the mansion till 1625, when he sold it to Charles I., who, in 1627, +granted the said house, &c., to the Duke of Buckingham. + + * * * * * + +George Villiers, first Duke of Buckingham, the son of Sir George +Villiers, was born in 1592. By the elegance of his person, and the +courtliness of his address, he gained as great an ascendance over King +James as the favourite of any other prince is known to have done by a +long course of assiduity and insinuation. The Earl of Clarendon says, +that the duke “was of a most flowing courtesy and affability to all men +who made any address to him, and so desirous to oblige them, that he did +not enough consider the value of the obligation, or the merit of the +person he chose to oblige; from which much of his misfortune resulted.” +He married Lady Catherine Manners, the daughter of Francis, Earl of +Rutland, by whom he had three sons and a daughter; he was assassinated at +Portsmouth in 1628, by one Felton. The eldest son, George, who succeeded +him in his title and estates, being very young at the time of his +father’s murder, was sent to travel during the civil wars; and returning +to England whilst Charles I. was under restraint, he and his brother, +Lord Francis Villiers, thought themselves obliged to venture their lives +and fortunes for the king at the first opportunity. Soon after, the +Parliament voted that he should be proceeded against as a traitor, and +that his estates should be sequestered. + + * * * * * + +Sir Thomas More’s house, for such it ought still to be considered, +notwithstanding the great alterations made in it, was now known as +Buckingham House, in consequence of its having been granted to the first +Duke of Buckingham. It appears by the following extract from a +periodical paper after that duke’s death, to have been in possession of +his daughter Mary, who married James, Duke of Richmond and Lenox: “The +Duchess of Lenox, daughter of the Duke of Buckingham, being then at +Oxford, petitioned the Lords for leave to come to London, or to her house +at Chelsey, to be under Dr. Mayerne’s hands for her health; a pass was +ordered for her, and the concurrence of the Commons desired.” + + * * * * * + +Buckingham House, in 1649, having been seized by the Parliament, was +committed to the custody of John Lisle, one of the Commissioners of the +Great Seal. This gentleman’s own estates were afterwards confiscated, +and he then retired to the continent. He was shot by some unknown person +as he was going to church at Lausanne. A short time after the house was +granted to Sir Bulstrode Whitlock, who resided with his family at Chelsea +for some years. + + * * * * * + +Sir Bulstrode Whitlock was the son of a Judge of the Court of King’s +Bench; he wrote a memorial of English affairs from the latter part of the +reign of Charles I. to the Restoration. + + * * * * * + +George, the second Duke of Buckingham, soon after the Restoration, +recovered his father’s estates, and was the possessor of this house for a +few years, but was soon obliged to dispose of it for the benefit of his +creditors. + + * * * * * + +Dryden, in his poem of Absalom and Achitophel, has drawn the following +portrait of this nobleman in the character of Zimri:— + + “A man so various, that he seemed to be + Not one, but all mankind’s epitome: + Stiff in opinions, always in the wrong, + He’s every thing by starts, and nothing long; + But in the course of one revolving moon, + Was Chymist, Fidler, Statesman, and Buffoon. + In squandering wealth, was his peculiar art, + Nothing went unrewarded but desert. + Beggar’d by fools, when still he found, too late + He had his jest, and they had his estate.” + +James Plummer, one of the Duke of Buckingham’s principal creditors, was +the person in whose name this house was aliened in 1674, in trust, for +George, Earl of Bristol, who is said to have died at Chelsea, and to have +been buried in the church, but there is no memorial of him, or entry of +his interment in the Parish Register. + + * * * * * + +George Digby, Earl of Bristol, was born in 1612, and was educated at +Oxford; he soon became distinguished by his remarkable advancement in all +kinds of elegant literature. In the beginning of the Long Parliament he +was disaffected to the Court; shortly afterwards he appeared a declared +enemy to the Parliament; and having testified his dislike of their +proceedings against Lord Strafford, he was expelled the House of Commons +in 1641. Upon the death of the king his lordship was exempted from +pardon by the Parliament, and obliged to live in exile till the +restoration of Charles II., when he recovered all he had lost; he grew +very active in public affairs, spoke frequently in Parliament, and made +himself conspicuous for his enmity to Lord Clarendon. Lord Bristol died +in 1677, “neither loved nor regretted by any party.” The house at +Chelsea he bequeathed to his Countess, Lady Ann Russell, daughter of +Francis, Earl of Bedford, who sold it in 1682, to the Marquis of +Worcester, created Duke of Beaufort, and who died in 1699. + + * * * * * + +The name of the house was now changed to Beaufort House. Mr. Evelyn, in +his Diary, makes frequent mention of it:—“I went with my Lady Sunderland +to Chelsey (1679), and dined with the Countess of Bristol (her mother) in +the great house, formerly the Duke of Buckingham’s, a spacious and +excellent place for the extent of ground and situation, in a good air. +The house is large, but ill-contrived, though my Lord of Bristol expended +much money upon it. There were divers pictures of Titian and Vandyke, +and some of Bassans, very excellent, especially an Adonis and Venus, a +Duke of Venice, a Butcher in his shambles selling meat to a Swiss, and of +Van Dyck, my Lord of Bristol’s picture, with the Earl of Bedford’s at +length. There was in the garden a rare collection of orange trees, of +which she was pleased to bestow some upon me.” Again, in 1683, Mr. +Evelyn says, “I went to see what had been done by the Duke of Beaufort on +his house at Chelsey; he had made great alterations, but might have made +a better house with the materials and the cost he had been at.” + + * * * * * + +Henry, second Duke of Beaufort, by his will, dated in 1712, left all his +estates, in trust, to be sold, and the produce appropriated according to +a settlement made at his marriage. The house, however, continued to be +the residence of that noble family till about the year 1720. Mary, +relict of the first duke, died here in 1714, at the good old age of 85 +years. + + * * * * * + +It may here be observed that Chelsea, not only in former times, but at +the present period, 1869, is admitted to be generally a very healthy +parish. This assertion is proved by the weekly reports given to the +Vestry by Dr. Barclay, the medical officer of health, and which is +confirmed by other gentlemen of the medical profession. The reports read +at the meetings of the Chelsea Board of Guardians, also, shew that a +great many of the inmates of the workhouse live to a very advanced age; +and from peculiar facilities I possessed, many years ago, I can +positively assert that the number of aged persons, who had for a long +period been residents, was greater than in most of the other suburban +parishes. + + * * * * * + +Sir Hans Sloane, after the mansion had stood empty for several years, +purchased it in 1736, for the sum of £2,500 at a public sale, and had it +pulled down in 1740. The gate, which was built by Inigo Jones for the +Lord Treasurer Middlesex, he gave to the Earl of Burlington, who removed +it to his gardens at Chiswick, which occasioned the following lines by +POPE:— + + PASSENGER. + + O Gate, how com’st thou here? + + GATE. + + I was brought from Chelsea last year, + Batter’d with wind and weather; + Inigo Jones put me together; + Sir Hans Sloane, + Let me alone, + Burlington brought me hither. + +This gate was placed in an avenue near the house at Chiswick, and +consisted of a portico, supported by two columns of the Doric order on +one side, and pilasters on the other. On two stone tablets were +inscribed: “Builded by Inigo Jones, at Chelsea, MDCXXI.” “Given by Sir +Hans Sloane, baronet, to the Earl of Burlington, MDCCXXXVII.” + + * * * * * + +Bowack thus describes Beaufort House in 1705: “This house is between two +and three hundred feet in length, has a stately ancient front towards the +Thames, also two spacious court yards, and behind it are very fine +gardens. It is so pleasantly situated, that the late Queen Mary had a +great desire to purchase it before King William built Kensington, but was +prevented by some secret obstacles.” + + * * * * * + +Attached to the house was a chapel, which appears to have been attended +by a few of the inhabitants. In various marriage licenses, granted in +1722, and in other years, persons were to be married in the Parish +Church, in the chapel of Chelsea College, or the chapel of Beaufort +House. + + * * * * * + +The above account of this celebrated mansion cannot fail to be highly +interesting to the generality of readers. Mr. Faulkner has truly +observed, “that few houses can boast of having been the residence of such +a succession of noble and distinguished characters.” + + * * * * * + +Beaufort (row) Street, which was begun to be built about 1766, takes its +name from the Duke of Beaufort. A portion of his vast estate was the +property of Mr. Long, a very old and respected parishioner, partly +leasehold, under Earl Cadogan, and some of it, if not all, is still held +by that family. + + + +Battersea Bridge, Sailing Matches, &c. + + +To meet the tastes of all classes of readers, I shall occasionally +deviate from the prescribed order which it was my original intention to +have pursued; by doing so it will remove the weariness that frequently +arises, especially in works of this description, from dwelling too long +on one particular subject. This motive, I trust, will be accepted as an +apology for apparent digressions. + + * * * * * + +There was formerly a Ferry a little eastward of the spot where now stands +Battersea Bridge, and consequently not far distant from the distinguished +mansion just described. It belonged to Thomas, Earl of Lincoln, who sold +it in 1618 to William Blake. After some time it became the property of +Sir Walter St. John, and passed with the Bolingbroke estate to Earl +Spencer, under whom it was held in 1766, when an Act of Parliament was +obtained for building a bridge over the Thames, from Chelsea to +Battersea, and empowering Lord Spencer to build the same. Fifteen +proprietors having subscribed a sum of money each, it was accordingly +begun in 1771, was opened for foot-passengers in the same year, and in +the following year was ready for carriages. From 1772, when the bridge +was finally erected, to the present time, 1869, is exactly 97 years, and +this is the precise age of it. It is a most unsightly structure of wood, +about one furlong in length, 28 ft. wide, and its cost rather more than +£20,000. The proprietors have a vote for the counties of Middlesex and +Surrey. + + * * * * * + +Lamps were first placed on the bridge in 1799, and in 1821 and 1822 an +iron railing 4-ft. high, on the western side, was substituted for the +original wooden railing, and in 1824, the eastern side was completed. So +far apart were the original wooden railings, which were placed crossways, +that the body of a child might have passed through them, and, if not +observed, no person cognizant of the fatal accident. There were also, at +the above period, eight projecting recesses, four on each side, +constructed for the safety of foot-passengers, and a slightly raised +pathway made. + + * * * * * + +The number of lives that have been sacrificed at this bridge, together +with the barges sunken at it, even within the last few years, is really +painful to contemplate. It is a sad contrast, in every respect, to the +elegant structures that now span the river, and it is to be hoped there +will soon be erected another one in its place—one that will be an +ornament to Chelsea, Battersea, and the metropolis. + + + +HYDE PARK ON THE THAMES. + + +That part of the river, known as Chelsea Reach, was so fashionable a +rendezvous of pleasure boats and barges in the reign of Charles II. that +some persons have described the scene as being a sort of Pall Mall +Afloat, and it was called “Hyde Park on the Thames,” in that king’s +reign. The reach is the widest of any part westward of London Bridge, +which rendered it peculiarly suitable for such grand aquatic displays. +There were dukes and duchesses, marquises, earls, and barons, with a +similar fashionable throng to that which may still be witnessed in Hyde +Park. The watermen were arrayed in dresses of all colours, and the whole +presented a scene of grandeur which cannot be adequately described. + + * * * * * + +Fishing, at the above period, was carried on to a very considerable +extent at Chelsea; but, owing to the fishermen using unlawful nets, and +other causes, it fell into decay, and, finally, proved an unprofitable +speculation. In my earlier days two or three fishermen earned a scanty +living by selling the fish they caught, and a few lovers of angling also +occasionally “pulled up” some very fine roach and dace, in the prime +season, at Battersea Bridge. + + + +SAILING MATCHES. + + +The river at Chelsea, some years since, presented in the summer season a +very animating and pleasing scene. The sailing matches attracted numbers +from London, and excited great interest amongst the inhabitants. As aged +men, however, are said to see nothing now equal to “the days when they +were young,”—and lest it should be thought I was magnifying the scene, +making the sailing matches of former days something like, for excitement +and enthusiasm, the present renowned Oxford and Cambridge Boat Races—I +will endeavour to avoid the possibility of being charged with giving an +exaggerated description of them. But, seriously speaking, it may be +said, with truth, that Cheyne Walk and Battersea Bridge, on such +occasions, were crowded with many of the nobility, and a vast number of +ladies and gentlemen, either in carriages or on horseback. The fleet of +sailing boats, with the little _Spitfire_ generally ahead, and “Tom +Bettsworth,” {41} the owner, on board, when seen at a short distance +approaching Chelsea, with the sun shining on the white canvas sails, and +other pleasure boats decorated with flags, in many of which were +musicians playing various lively popular tunes, presented a sort of +miniature resemblance to those delightful spectacles which are now only +to be seen off Erith, &c. The steamboats have rendered such displays +impracticable for some years past at Chelsea, and pleasures of this kind +must give way to the transactions of business and public convenience. +Commodore Capt. Harrison, a distinguished member of one of the first +Yacht Clubs, took a great interest in the Chelsea Sailing Matches. He +resided in the parish, and was highly esteemed for his conviviality and +gentlemanly deportment. His remains were interred in the Brompton +Cemetery. + + * * * * * + +I will now renew the notices of distinguished residents in this part of +the parish, occasionally giving a short description of new public +erections, and other interesting particulars. + +Henry Sampson Woodfall, Esq., was born in Little Britain, in 1739, and +when he retired from the active affairs of life, he took a house in +Lombard Street, near the Old Church. At a very early age he had the +honour of receiving from Mr. Pope half-a-crown for reading to him, with +much fluency, a page of Homer. When twelve years old he was sent to St. +Paul’s School, on leaving which he was apprenticed to his father, a +printer in Paternoster Row; and at the age of nineteen he had committed +to his charge the whole business of editing and printing the “Public +Advertiser.” From this period till the beginning of 1793, he continued +constantly in the exercise of this laborious function. During so long a +time, when parties ran extremely high in politics, it is not surprising +that a printer should have gotten into some difficulties. He used +jocularly to say to his Chelsea friends that he had been fined and +confined by the Court of King’s Bench; fined by the House of Lords and +Commons, and indicted at the Old Bailey. He laid particular emphasis on +the words “fined” and “confined.” His conduct respecting those +celebrated letters, signed JUNIUS, displayed great integrity and +disinterestedness of character. He associated much with Garrick, +Coleman, Bonnel, Thornton, Smollett, Goldsmith, and other wits of his +day, and his own conversation overflowed with interesting anecdotes. + + * * * * * + +In this street resided for many years Mr. W. Lewis, bookbinder, the +intimate friend of Dr. Smollett, and his fellow companion, on their +journey from Edinburgh to London. It was by the advice of Smollett that +he settled at Chelsea; he is pourtrayed in the novel of “Roderick +Random,” under the character of Strap the Barber, and many facetious +anecdotes are there related of his simplicity, vanity, and ignorance of +the world. Mr. Lewis died about 1785. + + * * * * * + +Danvers Street was begun to be built in the latter end of the 17th +century, on the site of Danvers Gardens, and from thence takes its name. +Danvers House adjoined Sir Thomas More’s estate, if it was not actually a +part of his property, or that of his son in-law, Roper; there existed +anciently a thoroughfare or private way between the houses in Lombard +Street, on the north side, towards the King’s Road, but to what extent +cannot now be ascertained. + + * * * * * + +Sir John Danvers, who possessed this property as early as the reign of +Elizabeth, was the younger brother of Sir H. Danvers, created Earl of +Danby in 1625, and by reason of his noble birth was made Gentleman Usher +to King Charles the First. In this promotion, having more pride than +wit, he lived above his income, and finding himself plunged deeply in +debt, and discarded by his family and his Sovereign for associating with +the seditious, and propagating their principles about the Court, he, with +hopes of gain, and of protection from his creditors, joined the rebels, +always embraced the religion of the prevailing party, and at last +submitted to that base office, to assist with his presence in the mock +court of justice, and, with his hand and seal to the warrant annexed, to +take away the life of that king whose bread he had eaten; being induced +thereto (as a writer of that period states) chiefly through an +expectation of ousting his brother, and seizing upon his estate for his +own use, by the same authority and power as so unjustly cut off his +Majesty’s head. He died a natural death in 1659, before the restoration. + + * * * * * + +Sir John married Magdalen, daughter of Sir Richard Newport, and relict of +Sir Richard Herbert, by whom she was mother of the famous Lord Herbert of +Cherbury. + + * * * * * + +After the death of her first husband this lady continued a widow twelve +years, and was highly esteemed for her great and harmless wit, cheerful +gravity, and obliging behaviour, which gained her an acquaintance and +friendship with most people of eminent worth or learning in the +University of Oxford, where she lived four years, to take care of the +education of her eldest son, her children being all young at the death of +their father. She died in 1627, and was buried at Chelsea. The Dean of +St. Paul’s, whilst preaching her funeral sermon, could not refrain from +tears, as Walton reports, who was present. + + * * * * * + +Danvers House passed from the Danvers family to the Hon. T. Wharton, who, +by Queen Anne, in 1714, was created Marquis of Wharton. The house was +pulled down about 1716. The garden and grounds extended to the King’s +Road; considerable remains of this house were discovered on the site of +Paultons Square in 1822, consisting of the foundations of walls, the +remains of the great bath, and various fragments of stone pillars and +capitals, the whole covering a great space of land, but being considered +by the proprietor, Mr. Shepherd, nurseryman, too extensive to take up, +they were again covered with earth. It was Sir John Danvers who first +introduced into this country the Italian method of horticulture, of which +his garden was a most beautiful specimen. Against the wall of the house +at the south end of Danvers Street, is placed a stone thus +inscribed:—“This is Danvers Street, begun in ye year 1696 by Benjamin +Stafford.” In 1742 this was a public house, the sign of the Bell, which +was suspended across the street. The house at the south-west corner was +also, it is said, formerly a public house, known by the sign of the +Angel. + + * * * * * + +Duke Street, as already indirectly intimated, was first built at the time +when the Duke of Buckingham resided at the “greatest house in Chelsea,” +and was thus named in compliment to that nobleman. There is nothing +clearly known as to the origin of Lombard Street. + + * * * * * + +Luke Thomas Flood, Esq., first resided in Cheyne Walk, but afterwards +removed to the spacious house at the western corner of Beaufort Street, +fronting the river. He was a very great benefactor to the parish, an +active and intelligent magistrate, and interested himself in promoting at +all times whatever was conducive to the welfare and improvement of +Chelsea. He was treasurer of the Parish Schools for many years, and, in +1818, through his indefatigable exertions, he succeeded in nearly +doubling the number of children that had attended them, and who were +clothed and educated free of expense to their parents. Towards the close +of his life he went to Brighton, where he remained till his death, which +occurred about 1860. His munificent annual gifts to the poor of this +parish, as bequeathed in his will, but which he desired to be at once +carried into effect, during his remaining days, will cause his memory to +be revered in this parish by all future generations. Mr. Flood possessed +some valuable pictures by the most eminent Masters. + + * * * * * + +Charles Hatchett, Esq., resided in the adjoining house, known as Belle +Vue House. It was built by his father, in 1771. In it was a small but +choice collection of pictures, amongst which were two landscapes, by +Salvator Rosa; a Madonna and Child, by Andrea del Sarto; a beautiful +small landscape, by Van Goen; another by Ferg, and a large one by George +Barrett, R.A., with cattle, by the elder Mr. Gilpin. A very excellent +portrait of Mrs. Hatchett, by Gainsborough; and a picture, supposed to be +by Giovanni Bellini, the subject “a Dead Christ and Holy Family.” The +library was very extensive, containing many valuable editions of the +Greek and Latin Classics, a numerous series of historical works, and the +voluminous Transactions and Memoirs of the Royal Society. The collection +of manuscript and printed music was also very considerable. Mr. Hatchett +was the author of several works on chemical science, and was a magistrate +for the county. He contributed to most of the local charities, and as a +private gentleman was much respected. He died in 1846, at an advanced +age. + + + +Lindsey House, the Moravians, &c. + + +This ancient mansion stands also in front of the river, and adjoined Sir +Thomas More’s. It was erected by the Earl of Lindsey, in the reign of +Charles II., on the site of a house originally built by Sir Theodore +Mayerne, an eminent physician, and the only instance on record of a +physician who was retained in that character by four kings. He lived +many years in Chelsea, and died here at the age of 82. At his death, +Robert, Earl of Lindsey, purchased the house, which he pulled down, and +erected the present edifice; it has, however, undergone great alterations +by subsequent proprietors, and is now divided into five houses. The Earl +of Lindsey died in 1701, but his widow resided here till 1705. In the +same year Lindsey House was occupied by Ursula, Countess Dowager of +Plymouth, and by her son, Lord Windsor. It was afterwards in the +possession of Francis, Lord Conway, the second son of Sir E. Seymour, who +was created a peer in 1703. By his third wife, Charlotte, sister to Lady +Walpole, he had Francis, Marquis of Hertford, who was born at Chelsea in +1718. The house continued in the Ancaster family till 1750, when it was +purchased for the Moravian Society. + + * * * * * + +Count Zinzendorf, who was the purchaser, formed an intention of +establishing a settlement at Chelsea for the Moravians, and took a plot +of ground to erect a large building for the reception of three hundred +families, to carry on a manufactory; and, besides possessing Lindsey +House, he also purchased a piece of ground, part of the gardens of +Beaufort House, for a burial ground, together with the stables belonging +to that old mansion, and likewise a slip of ground to erect a chapel. +The chapel was fitted up, but the settlement, which was to be called +Sharon, failed. The house was, however, inhabited by some of the +society. Count Zinzendorf himself lived there, and presided over the +community as long as he dwelt in England. In 1754 an English provincial +Synod was held here, at which the minister of the brethren’s church at +London, John Gambold, a divine greatly esteemed for his piety and +learning by several English bishops, who were his cotemporaries at +Oxford, was consecrated a bishop of the church of the brethren; he had +previously published a hymn book for the children belonging to the +brethren’s congregation, printed entirely with his own hands at Lindsey +House. The inmates of the house consisted chiefly of Germans and +missionaries, for whose use the Count principally intended the +establishment, that they might make it a sort of caravansera or resting +place when they arrived in this country, in passing to or from their +various missionary establishments in the British dominions. The panels +of the great staircase, being wainscotted, were painted by Haidt, a +celebrated German artist; there were also in the house several admirable +portraits. The house was sold by the society in 1770. There has not +been any other settlement for the Moravians since that period. Their +church is episcopal and has been acknowledged as such by Parliament. +They live, in their settlements, like members of one large family; the +most perfect harmony prevails amongst them, and they seem to have but one +wish at heart, the propagation of the Gospel and the general good of +mankind. + + * * * * * + +The Moravian Burial Ground, the entrance to which is at the north end of +Milman’s Row, occupies about two acres of ground. The whole is divided +into four distinct compartments. The brethren are buried in separate +divisions from those of the sisters; for, as in their public assemblies, +they still adhere to the ancient custom of separating the sexes, the men +occupying one, and the women the other side of the chapel, so they retain +it even in their burying ground. The tomb-stones are all flat, placed on +turf, raised about six inches above the ground, in regular rows. The +inscriptions in general record only the names and age of the persons +interred. Amongst them are the following:— + + * * * * * + +William Hammond, 1783, formerly a clergyman of the Church of England; he +was of St. John’s College, Cambridge, and was the author of a book, +entitled, “The Marrow of the Gospel,” being the substance of some sermons +preached before the University. He was a man of considerable learning, +and an excellent Greek scholar, in which language he wrote his own life. +The late Rev. Mr. La Trobe had the manuscript in his possession some +years ago. + + * * * * * + +James Fraser, aged 63, 1808, who made fifty-six voyages between England +and Labrador, in the service of the Moravian Missions on that coast. + + * * * * * + +James Hutton, 1795, of whom there is an engraved portrait in mezzotinto, +with a trumpet to his ear. This worthy and well-known character was +accustomed to pay morning visits to some of the first families in +Chelsea; he used likewise to seek out objects that were in distress, and +relieved them according to their necessities. The character of Albany, +in Miss Burney’s celebrated novel of Cecilia, is said to be meant for his +portrait. He died in the 80th year of his age. + +The Rev. C. J. La Trobe succeeded him as secretary to the brethren. + + * * * * * + +James Gillray, 1799, forty years sexton at this cemetery, father of +Gillray the celebrated caricaturist, whose works are so much admired for +their spirit and effect. + + * * * * * + +Pætrus Bæhler, 1770. A very active Minister among the Moravians, and one +of their bishops. He came to England in 1738, was very intimate with +Wesley and Whitfield, whom he visited at Oxford, and who were in the same +ship with him when he went to America as Minister of the Colony of +Georgia. + + * * * * * + +Benjamin La Trobe, 1786, father of the Rev. C. J. La Trobe, a man of +distinguished excellence as a preacher, the editor of several religious +works, and for a long time superintendent of the congregation in England. +He removed many “absurdities which prevailed in their religious +proceedings, and which had subjected the whole community to unmerited +scandal.” + + * * * * * + +Christian Renatus, Count of Zinzendorf, May 28, 1832. There is against +the south wall of the chapel a tablet to his memory. He was the only son +of the celebrated Count Zinzendorf. + + * * * * * + +Mary Theresa Stonehouse, daughter of Sir John Crisp, Bart., and wife of +the Rev. George Stonehouse, 1751. This monument is on the right of the +preceding. + + * * * * * + +In this cemetery also lies buried an Esquimaux Indian, called Nunak. As +he had not been baptized, he was not permitted to lie in the same +division with the community, but was placed outside the walk under an elm +tree, having an inscription to his memory in the same style as the rest +of the Brethren. + + * * * * * + +The burial service of the church is particularly impressive. The coffin +being deposited in the middle of the chapel, a hymn is sung by the +congregation, for they value and carefully cultivate music as a science, +and the responses of their liturgies are attended with peculiar effect. +The Minister then delivers a discourse, in which some account is given of +the deceased, with suitable exhortations. The form of service contained +in their Liturgy is next read, and the congregation then follow the +corpse, the men walking together, and the women the same. A scriptural +passage is read, commencing as follows. “Meanwhile none of us liveth to +himself; for whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, +we die unto the Lord,” &c. The following is then sung by the +congregation:— + + “Now to the earth let these remains + In hope committed be, + Until the body, chang’d, obtains + Blest immortality.” + +While the above verse is being sung the body is let down into the grave. +A prayer is then offered, and the whole is concluded by singing a verse +of another hymn. + + * * * * * + +The chapel at the north side of the burial ground occupies the site of +the old stables of Beaufort House. It is a plain building, displaying no +architectural adornments, and it is now upwards of fifty years since +Divine service was performed in it by the brethren. For a long time it +has been occupied as a schoolroom for the boys belonging to Park Chapel +National and Sunday Schools, and most of the annual meetings of the +numerous societies, which are supported by the congregation of Park +Chapel, are at present held in it. + + * * * * * + +The house adjoining the entrance to the Moravian Chapel and Burial +Ground, some few years since pulled down, was for many years in the +occupation of the Howard family, of the Society of Friends. The elder +Mr. Howard was gardener to Sir Hans Sloane; his brother having a natural +genius for mechanics, became a clockmaker, and made the clock in the Old +Church, in 1761, for the sum of £50. In the front of Howard’s house was +placed a large clock, and hence the origin of the appellation, “Clock +House,” as now applied to what was once the Moravian chapel. + + + +LINDSEY ROW. + + +It was mentioned at the commencement of the description of Lindsey House, +that it had been divided into five houses, called Lindsey Row. These +houses still remain, and are inhabited at the present time by families of +great respectability. They command a most delightful prospect of the +Thames, which here forms a sort of bay; the view from the upper stories +is bounded on the south by the Surrey Hills, and Putney Heath on the +north. + + * * * * * + +Henry Constantine Jennings, Esq., a most eccentric and unfortunate +gentleman, resided in the first house on the east. He was born in 1731, +and was descended from a very ancient and illustrious family, the Nevils. +The celebrated Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, he reckoned among his +progenitors. At an early age he obtained a commission in the first +regiment of Foot Guards, and afterwards went abroad on his travels. +While in Italy, he formed an acquaintance with the Duke of Marlborough, +then Marquis of Blandford, and it is said he suggested the idea of the +cabinet of antiques, afterwards engraved by Bartolozzi, and so well known +as the Marlborough Gems. It was at this period, doubtless, that Mr. +Jennings acquired a passion for objects of taste. On his return to +England, he repaired to his seat at Shiplake, in the county of Oxford, +and unfortunately for him became addicted to the pleasures of the turf, +and the result was that his fortune was soon dissipated. Mr. Jennings +now withdrew from society and lived in obscurity. A sudden change of +fortune seems, however, to have released him from pecuniary difficulties, +for we find him collecting, with great ardour, every object of antiquity, +&c., that was presented to his notice, and which he could purchase. He +also possessed a most valuable library. But, again, he became reduced in +his circumstances, and had to dispose of his books and collections at a +vast loss. + +From this time but few particulars are known of Mr. Jennings, until he +settled at Lindsey Row, about 1792. Here he continued to reside, fully +occupied as an antiquary, a virtuoso, and an author, until, at length, +his health began to decline, and his fortune daily became deteriorated, +in consequence of his inordinate passion for collecting objects of taste; +at last he closed his eccentric career a prisoner within the rules of the +King’s Bench, where he expired February 7, 1819, aged 88. + +This remarkable gentleman, whom I well remember, seemed more properly to +belong to some distant generation rather than the one in which he +lived—his character, dress, and manners, were so different in every +respect. The fate of such a man, to a certain extent, awakens our +sympathy, for his pursuits were generally throughout his life most +refined; and the disasters which befel him is a warning to many in the +present day. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Jennings’s Museum well deserves to be noticed. It consisted of a +rare and valuable collection of the most chosen specimens of taste, and +probably the completest collection of shells. Many fine specimens of +minerals and scarce coloured gems, cameos, and intaglios; crystals, and +other choice productions of nature, such as diamonds of almost every +colour, rubies, emeralds, pearls, sapphires, &c.; not to omit many +excellent specimens of well-preserved birds and quadrupeds. Old, and +first-rate impressions of prints from Raphael, and others of the Roman +school; some fine specimens of sculpture, both ancient and modern; many +fine and scarce impressions of first editions, classical and of the +entertaining kind, with many original drawings and pictures; in short, +all that could interest one who had been long a real amateur. Among the +portraits was a fine one of Mary, Queen of Scotland, and another of +Titian and his Mistress, the Mary in her fourteenth year; likewise +several rare enamel miniatures of interesting characters; among which was +one of the Princess Elizabeth, about seventeen years of age, this latter +by Holbein; with some well-preserved medals in gold and silver. + + * * * * * + +This collection was disposed of by auction, by Mr. Phillips, in 1820; the +shells, and most valuable articles, being removed to Bond Street, and the +preserved birds, quadrupeds, and other articles of rarity, together with +the furniture, were sold at Lindsey Row. + + * * * * * + +T. Bonner, Esq., a gentleman much respected in the parish, resided in +Lindsey Row for many years. Mrs. Bonner was at all times most active in +relieving the necessitous and deserving poor. She occupied the house +some time after the death of her husband, and died a few years ago. + + * * * * * + +Sir Mark Isombard Brunell, the originator and designer of the Thames +Tunnel, resided for a considerable period in the centre house. His +public works will immortalize his name to the latest posterity, as being +one of the most eminent engineers of the present century. + + * * * * * + +John Martin, R.A., K.L., so well known for those grandly-conceived and +sublime compositions, “Joshua commanding the Sun to stand Still,” “The +Fall of Nineveh,” “The Last Judgment,” &c., also resided in Lindsey Row +for some years. The late Prince Consort was a frequent visitor to his +Studio, and it is a pleasing fact to record that Mr. Martin kindly +permitted the neighbouring inhabitants, and others, to have access +occasionally to it, accompanied by an attendant, during his absence from +home. He died, as will be remembered, not many years since. + + * * * * * + +Timothy Bramah, Esq., a distinguished engineer, likewise occupied a house +in Lindsey Row, for some years. The family was always greatly respected, +and a member of it still resides in a house near the one where Mr. Bramah +resided. The “Bramah Lock” at once denotes the celebrity of the firm. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. James Hutchins, M.A., who succeeded his father, the Rev. John +Hutchins, as Evening Lecturer at the Old Church, resided for some years +at a house at the western corner of Milman’s Row, fronting the river. +Mr. Hutchins, the son, was also Evening Lecturer at the new St. Luke’s +Church for several years. The Lecturer was remunerated by voluntary +contributions, chiefly, collected from the inhabitants throughout the +parish, the average amount altogether being about £60 per annum. + + * * * * * + +Milman’s Row, which nearly adjoins Lindsey Row, and which might now with +great propriety be called Milman Street, leads to the King’s Road. It +derives its name from Sir William Milman, who died in 1713, the estate +having been for some years in his possession. The ancient +parsonage-house and grounds, which were exchanged by the Rector in 1566, +with the Marquis of Winchester, for the present Rectory, stood upon this +spot. Strewan House, which is on the western side of Milman’s Row, has +been occupied at different periods by many highly-respectable families. +It is now in the possession of George Berry, Esq. + + * * * * * + +The foundry, which belonged to a person of the name of Janeway, was +situated near World’s End Passage. It was very extensive, and here the +old bells of the Church were re-cast in 1759. Riley Street, which stands +on part of the foundry ground, was built principally in 1790. + + * * * * * + +Patrick Gibson, aged 111 years, lived in a house near the old World’s End +Tavern. For many years this remarkable man was a purser in the navy, in +the reign of George III., and on all occasions he was invariably found in +the thick of the battle, fighting with the most determined bravery. He +assisted in conveying General Wolfe off the field, and served under Lord +Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar. William IV., when Duke of Clarence, +visited him at Chelsea, and took great interest in his affairs. He +resided in the parish 20 years, and died in 1832, at the remarkable age +of 111 years, which was proved to be correct from official dates and by +particular events. An exceedingly striking portrait of Patrick Gibson, +by McNaughten, adorns the walls of Greenwich Hospital. + + * * * * * + +The World’s-End Tavern was a noted house of entertainment in the reign of +Charles II.; the tea-gardens and grounds were extensive, and elegantly +fitted up for the reception of company. The origin of the sign of the +house is uncertain. It was probably so named on account of its then +considered distance from London, and the bad and dangerous state of the +roads or pathways to it. Most of the visitors came in pleasure boats +along the Thames. This ancient tavern is particularly mentioned in +Congreve’s comedy of “Love for Love,” in a dialogue between Mrs. +Foresight and Mrs. Frail, in which the former accuses the latter of +having been seen at the “World’s End.” + + _Mrs. Foresight_.—I suppose you would not go alone to the World’s + End? + + _Mrs. Frail_.—The World’s End! what, do you mean to banter me? + + _Mrs. Foresight_.—Poor innocent! you don’t know that there is a place + called the World’s End. I declare you can keep your + countenance—surely you’ll make an admirable player. + + _Mrs. Frail_.—I declare you have a great deal of impudence, and, in + my mind, too much for the stage.. + + _Mrs. Foresight_.—Very well, that will appear who has most. You + never were at the Word’s End? + + _Mrs. Frail_.—No. + + _Mrs. Foresight_.—You deny it positively to my face? + + _Mrs. Frail_.—Your face, what’s your face? + + _Mrs. Foresight_.—No matter for that, it is as good a face as yours. + + _Mrs. Frail_.—Not by a dozen years wearing. But I do deny it, + positively, to your face, then. + + _Mrs. Foresight_.—I’ll allow you now to find fault with my face; for + I declare your impudence has put me out of countenance. But look you + here now; where did you lose this gold bodkin? Oh, sister! oh, + sister! + + _Mrs. Frail_.—My bodkin! + + _Mrs. Foresight_.—Nay, it is yours—look at it. + + _Mrs. Frail_.—Well, if you go to that, where did you find this + bodkin? Oh, sister! sister! sister every way! + + _Mrs. Foresight_.—Oh! bother on’t that I could not discover her + without betraying myself. (_Aside_.) + +Joseph Mallard W. Turner, Esq., R.A., resided for some time in a small +house directly facing the Thames, in the road leading to Cremorne, where +he died in 1851. No doubt he selected this spot on account of the +attractive scenery on the river, and the fine view of some parts of +Surrey, as also to enjoy for a time the benefits arising from a more +secluded life. At the age of thirty years, Mr. Turner was recognised as +the first landscape painter of the day. For a period of sixty years he +contributed to every exhibition of the Royal Academy, sending in all 259 +pictures. For many years he refused to part with some of the choicest +specimens of his art, and after his death it was found that he had left +those to the English nation, together with a great number of drawings and +engravings. Mr. Turner, while residing here, lived in almost entire +seclusion. He would not see any person, excepting a few very intimate +friends, and, in fact, was extremely anxious not to be recognized. This +inclination, at the close of his life, was very natural. The world is +indebted to him for his productions, and Chelsea is proud to add his name +to its list of distinguished residents. + + * * * * * + +The roadway in front of the house occupied by Mr. Turner, and along the +front of that part of the river, has been considerably widened, and now +presents a well-formed embankment. A handsome terrace has been erected, +besides a number of houses on the adjoining ground. + + + +CREMORNE HOUSE. + + +This villa was first formed by Theophilus, Earl of Huntingdon, who died +in 1746. It afterwards belonged, successively, to Richard, Viscount +Powerscourt; to the Countess Dowager of Exeter, relict of Brownlow, the +eighth Earl; and to Sir Richard Lyttleton, who married the Dowager +Duchess of Bridgewater, and died in 1770. + + * * * * * + +After the death of the Duchess, in 1777, Thomas Dawson, Viscount +Cremorne, at that time Baron Dartrey, purchased the villa in 1778. He +considerably enlarged and embellished the premises, under the skill of +the eminent Mr. James Wyatt. His lordship died in Stanhope Street, +Mayfair, in 1813, in his 89th year, greatly respected, and bequeathed the +estate to his relict, the late Viscountess. It is stated, in an account +published shortly after Lord Cremorne’s death, that “his generosity was +unbounded, and his heart, in the most comprehensive sense, charitable. +But his most excellent character is, that he was a Christian in mind and +practice.” + + * * * * * + +The Dowager Viscountess Cremorne, born in Philadelphia in 1740, died at +her house in Stanhope Street in 1825, in the 86th year of her age. Her +ladyship resided at Chelsea a great portion of the year, and kept a large +establishment. She was one of the most kind-hearted residents in the +parish. For years it was her custom to entertain annually the children +of the parochial and other schools, and she patronized the tradesmen of +Chelsea as far as it was practicable, giving special orders to that +effect to her household. Queen Charlotte occasionally visited her in the +summer months, when the children again attended, and received tokens of +her benevolent regard for them. She was buried by the side of her +husband in the family vault at Stoke. The carriages of the Royal Family +followed in the funeral procession for some distance, and most of the +tradesmen closed their shops. She bequeathed the villa to her first +cousin and executor, Granville Penn, Esq., second surviving son of Thomas +Penn, and brother of John Penn, Esqrs., of Stoke Park, Bucks, Hereditary +Governors and Proprietaries of the Province of Pennsylvania. Granville +Penn, Esq., resided in it for a few years. It would occupy too much +space to give a sketch even of the history of this distinguished family. + +Lord and Lady Cremorne possessed a very fine and extensive collection of +paintings, which were sold by auction, on the premises, in 1827. Amongst +them was a copy of Correggio’s picture of the Madonna and Child, and St. +Jerome at Parma, by Copley, full size, and accounted the best copy of +that celebrated picture. The late Lord Lyndhurst purchased it. The +grounds, &c., are now known as Cremorne Gardens, but this once pretty +villa can scarcely now be recognised as the favourite residence of Lord +and Lady Cremorne. + + * * * * * + +Ashburnham House is situated to the west of the late Lord Cremorne’s +premises. Dr. Benjamin Hoadley built the house, in 1747, for his own +residence, but it has since been greatly altered by different occupiers. +He was the eldest son of the Bishop of Winchester, and was a Fellow of +the Royal Society when very young. In the learned world he was known as +a philosopher. Dr. Hoadley was also an eminent physician. At his death +Hoadley House was purchased by Sir Richard Glynn, who sold it to the Earl +of Ashburnham, and thence it obtained the name of Ashburnham House. It +was next in possession of that learned physician, Dr. Cadogan, who +resided in it for a few years, and planted in the garden a large quantity +of medicinal herbs. Lady Mary Coke resided here for about ten years, and +sold it to Mr. Brown, who occupied a house near to it, called Ashburnham +Cottage. Mr. Stevens at length possessed the house, and resided in it +for many years. Afterwards it was the residence of the Hon. Leicester +Stanhope, subsequently Earl of Harrington. + + * * * * * + +On the banks of the river, in front of Ashburnham House, was a piece of +land, called the Lots. The Lammas rights of the parishioners, with +respect to this land, are now extinct. Those who wish to know the +particulars, will find them fully recorded in the Annual Vestry Reports, +which may be obtained at the Vestry Hall, and which will render many +parochial details in this work quite unnecessary. + + * * * * * + +On the south side of the King’s Road, and near to the boundary line which +divides the parishes of Chelsea and Fulham, is Dudmarton House, which was +for a considerable period the residence of Samuel Gower Poole, Esq., who +erected a chapel on the premises, where he occasionally preached, and +amongst others the Rev. Dr. Jay, of Bath, the Rev. John and Charles +Hyatt, the Rev. Dr. Collyer, &c. The Rev. Dr. Raffles, it is stated, +preached his first sermon there when he was quite a youth. Mr. Poole +also established a school for the education of poor boys, many of whom +were clothed through his exertions. + + + +Stanley House, St. Mark’s College. + + +Near to what is now the Chelsea Railway Station, on the north of the +King’s Road, is Stanley House. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth this was +part of the estate of Sir Arthur Gorges, who was knighted in 1597, and +died in 1625, and who built a house on this site for his own residence. +Rowland White, writing to Sir Robert Sidney, Nov. 15, 1599, says, “As the +Queen passed by the faire new building, Sir Arthur Gorges presented her +with a faire jewell.” The family of Gorges at this period possessed very +considerable property in Chelsea, which they afterwards gradually +disposed of to the Cheyne family and others. + + * * * * * + +Sir Arthur Gorges was the intimate friend of Spenser, who lamented the +death of the first Lady Gorges, daughter of Viscount Bindon, and who died +in 1590, in a beautiful elegy, entitled Daphnaida; he has recorded +likewise the conjugal affection and the talents of her husband, under the +name of Alcyon, in the following elegant lines:— + + “And there is sad Alcyon, bent to mourne + Though fit to frame an everlasting dittie; + Whose gentle spright for Daphne’s death doth tourne + Sweet lays of love to endlesse plaints of pittie. + Ah! pensive boy, pursue that brave conceipt + In thy sweet eglantine merriflure; + Lift up thy notes unto their wonted height, + That may my muse and mates to mirth allure.” + +Sir Arthur married, secondly, Lady Elizabeth, daughter of Henry, Earl of +Lincoln, by which marriage he became possessed of Sir Thomas More’s +house, which, in 1619, he conveyed to Lionel, Lord Cranfield. He died in +1625, leaving by his second wife six children. Lady Elizabeth Gorges, +his widow, in 1637, sold this estate to her daughter, Lady Elizabeth +Stanley, widow of Sir Robert Stanley, and confirmed the same by her will +in 1643, in which year she died. The family of Stanley appear to have +held possession of this estate, and resided here till the latter end of +the seventeenth century, when this branch of it became extinct, in the +male line, by the death of William Stanley, Esq. in 1691. The house was +rebuilt about this period; and, being left in an unfinished state, was +for several years unoccupied. It belonged, in 1724, to Henry Arundel, +Esq. Admiral Sir Charles Wager died here in 1743. It is said that this +gallant officer was educated a Quaker, and that though he left that +society, he was always particularly kind to its members. + + * * * * * + +After passing through several hands, Stanley House became the property of +Miss Southwell, afterwards the lady of Sir James Eyre, Lord Chief Justice +of the Common Pleas, who sold it in 1777 to the Countess of Strathmore, +one of the most intelligent female botanists of the age. Her ladyship +had begun to build extensive hothouses and conservatories, brought +exotics from the Cape, and was continually raising an increase to her +collections, when, by an unfortunate marriage, the cruel spoiler came, +and threw them like loathsome weeds away. The Countess married A. R. +Bowes, Esq., whose barbarities to her exceeded every thing recorded in +the annals of crime, and drew upon him the execrations of the whole +country. {57} After suffering innumerable indignities from her husband, +the Countess exhibited articles of the peace against him in the Court of +King’s Bench, and obtained a separation, under heavy securities. She +passed the remainder of her days in much affliction, both in body and +mind, and departed this life on the 20th April, 1800. Bowes died +miserably in a jail. + + * * * * * + +Stanley House was purchased of the Countess of Strathmore, by Mr. Lochee, +who kept the Military Academy at Little Chelsea, and was for some time in +the occupation of Richard Warren, M.D. This eminent physician was the +son of the Rev. Richard Warren, Archdeacon of Suffolk. He died in 1797, +and was buried in the chancel of Kensington Church, where a monument, +with a Latin inscription, was erected to his memory. + +About the year 1815, Stanley House was purchased by William Hamilton, +Esq., who resided in it for some time, and made great additions to the +original structure, by building a picture gallery on the east side. He +had a good collection of paintings, a capital portrait of his father, the +Rev. Dr. Hamilton, Vicar of St. Martin’s in the Fields, and many fine +casts of the Elgin marbles. In 1822, Mr. Hamilton was appointed Envoy to +the Court of Naples, and during his absence from Chelsea, he let the +house to some distinguished families, amongst them may be mentioned the +Marquis of Queensbury. Mr. Hamilton afterwards sold the estate to the +National Society. + + + +ST. MARK’S COLLEGE. + + +Stanley House, as it was formerly called, became the residence of the +Principal of St. Mark’s College, which was established by the National +Society, in the year 1841, as a Training Institution for Schoolmasters, +in connexion with the Church of England. To the Rev. Derwent Coleridge, +M.A., the first Principal of the College, must be attributed the eminent +position it has attained among the educational institutions of the +country. He was the Principal of the College for a period of +twenty-three years, and greatly beloved by the Students, popular among +his Colleagues and Assistants, and enjoyed the respect and confidence of +the Council, who had the pleasant task of co-operating with him. In +January, 1864, he was presented by the late Bishop of London to the +Rectory of Hanwell, which occasioned his resignation. + + * * * * * + +Many candidates of great eminence were desirous to become the Rev. Mr. +Coleridge’s successor, and from among them the Rev. John G. Cromwell, +M.A., Hon. Canon of Durham, and formerly Scholar of Brasenose College, +Oxford, was selected, his testimonials being of the very highest order, +and his successful administration of the Training College at Durham, +during 12 years, appeared to the Council a sufficient guarantee for his +success at St. Mark’s. This expectation has now been happily fully +realized. + +The Vice-Principal is the Rev. C. F. Eastburn, M.A., Fellow of St. John’s +College, Cambridge, and the Rev. C. S. Dawe, B.A., is the Normal Master +in the College, and Head Master of the School, and, from the testimony of +those who are well-qualified to form an impartial opinion, they most +efficiently discharge their respective arduous duties, and this just +acknowledgment equally applies to the Tutors, Mr. W. Lawson, F.R.G.S., +and Mr. O. Breden. + + * * * * * + +On the west side of the house the National Society added a quadrangle, +built in the Italian style, and in the grounds, near the chapel, an +octagon building as a Practising School, for teaching children who reside +in the locality. The grounds of the College consist of eleven acres of +garden and grass land. + + * * * * * + +The Upper School gives a superior education to 160 boys, who are +instructed in all the usual branches of an English education, and also in +Latin and French. + + * * * * * + +The Middle School gives a similar education, with the exception of Latin +and French, to 180 boys. + + * * * * * + +The Lower School is intended for the sons of the humbler classes, and +gives sound instruction in elementary subjects to 200 boys. + + * * * * * + +There is accommodation in the College for 100 Students, who are being +trained here for Schoolmasters. + + * * * * * + +The Chapel stands close to the Fulham Road, and is open to the public +twice every day, at 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. On Sundays the Services begin at +11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The seats are free, and the expenses are defrayed by +voluntary contributions. There is no endowment of any kind. The +exterior of the building is unpretending. The interior has a distinctive +character given to it by the windows of stained glass, which produce an +impression of warmth and beauty. There is an excellent organ and a full +choir, composed of the Students and a certain number of boys from the +schools. The Services are all choral, and on Sundays are usually well +attended. On the anniversary of the College foundation, St. Mark’s Day, +April 25, a sermon is preached and a collection made on behalf of the +Chapel Funds, and the surrounding gentry and clergy, together with the +former Students, are invited to a banquet. At the last Anniversary +Festival the sermon was preached by the Dean of St. Paul’s, the text +being selected from Luke iv. 16. In the evening, in the Lecture Hall of +the College, selections from an Oratorio and other pieces were admirably +rendered by the Students, under the direction of the Rev. T. Helmore, +precentor, and John Hullah, Esq., to a crowded and most fashionable +audience, and many of the old Students of the College. We must also +mention E. C. May, Esq., to whom much of the proficiency of the choir may +be justly attributed. + + * * * * * + +We will pass by Mr. Veitch’s Royal Exotic Nursery, and the extensive Show +Establishment belonging to Messrs. Weeks & Co., both of which will +probably be noticed in a subsequent part of this work, when a more +general notice will be taken of the entire King’s Road, and merely +observe that a great number of villas, and many superior dwelling houses, +have been erected within the last few years in this immediate locality. +As examples of such instances it is only necessary to mention the +splendid house built by John Weeks, Esq., in Edith Grove, and those in +Gunter Grove, Maude Grove, &c., in addition to which many more well-built +houses are now being erected in the neighbourhood. + + + +WEST BROMPTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. + + +This structure is worthy of special notice. It stands on a valuable +freehold site, and was erected in 1866, at a cost of between £5000 and +£6000, exclusive of the site. It has sittings for 1100, and owes its +existence to the exertions of the present pastor, the Rev. C. Winter, who +had previously preached for some time in a small chapel in Gunter Grove. +The style adopted is Gothic, of the geometric decorative period. The +building is faced with Kentish ragstone, and all the dressings are of +Boxhill buttstone. The design consists of three central door-ways, with +a large five-light traceried window over, and traceried side light; +separate entrances to the staircases with panelled parapets and side +roofs over; the sides and chancel end of the building are of brick; the +windows in two tiers with stone dressings; the upper tier consists of +circular traceried windows, and the whole design is such as to produce a +very pleasing effect, which will be much increased when the tower and +spire are carried up as intended. The building is entered in front by +the doors before mentioned, and a spacious vestibule leads through inner +lobbies to the body of the church, which occupies an area of 70 ft. by 50 +ft., but including chancel and entrance lobbies its length is 106 ft. +The building is surrounded on three sides with spacious galleries, +supported by iron columns, handsomely decorated, running up to and +supporting the roof. The ceiling is divided into bays by wood spandril +arches springing from column to column, and from the columns to the +walls. The chancel arch is a very effective piece of coloured brickwork, +and the chancel recess is arranged with its windows and angular plan so +as to add much to the general effect, which is considerably increased by +a very handsome memorial window, the gift of the family of Mr. Pitts, one +of the deacons of the church. The building is lighted by star-lights of +an improved design suspended from the roof. The pulpit, which is +spacious and handsome, is of Caen stone and stands on a platform, around +which the seats are arranged concentrically, a great improvement on the +ordinary rectangular pewing. The larger room under the chancel is +devoted to a variety of useful purposes, such as Infant School, Sunday +Schools, Day School, &c. The chapel in Gunter Grove has been converted +into a Public Hall, and ultimately no doubt will prove of general use to +the neighbourhood. The Sunday Schools, one of which is held at the Hall, +number about 300 children. + + + +LITTLE CHELSEA, OR WEST BROMPTON. + + +Proceeding a little to the north-west, we arrive at what was formerly +called Little Chelsea, but which is now designated West Brompton. +Without wishing to remove our neighbour’s land-mark, or to trespass +beyond the precise boundaries of Chelsea, the parish of Kensington being +on the north side of West Brompton, we will notice the residence of +William Boscawen, Esq., who resided near to those spacious mansions now +being erected on the grounds formerly known as Walnut-Tree Walk, now +called Redcliffe Gardens. Mr. Boscawen was the younger son of General +George Boscawen, and was born in 1752. At an early age he was sent to +Eton, where he obtained the particular notice and favour of the +celebrated Dr. Barnard. From Eton he removed to Exeter College, Oxford, +and afterwards studied the law, became a member of the Middle Temple, and +was called to the bar. His legal studies were not unfruitful, as he +published an excellent book under the title of “A Treatise of Conviction +on Penal Statutes,” &c., 1792, 8vo. In 1785 he was appointed a +Commissioner of the Victualling Office, in consequence of which he soon +after quitted the bar, and in the following year married a daughter of +Dr. Ibbetson, Archdeacon of St. Albans. Being an excellent classical +scholar, and warmly attached to literary pursuits, Mr. Boscawen +published, in 1793, “A Translation of the Odes of Horace,” which, being +much approved of, was soon followed by a Translation of the Satires, +Epistles, and Art of Poetry. In 1801 he published a small volume of +Poems, which displayed an elegant taste, a poetical mind, and a correct +versification, and he was for several years an able coadjutor to the +British Critic. He died, after a short illness, in 1811. That excellent +institution, the Literary Fund, he considered almost as his child, and +his affection to it was testified not only by contribution, but by annual +verses in its praise, and assiduous attendance at its meetings. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Lochee’s Military Academy was established at this place about the +year 1770, and enjoyed a high degree of reputation; many of our most +eminent military characters received their education under him. The +premises, which were laid out as a regular fortification, and were opened +to view, excited much attention at the time. Mr. Lochee afterwards, +unfortunately, engaged in the revolutionary troubles which agitated +Flanders in the year 1790, and being taken prisoner by the Austrians, was +condemned to be hanged; he, however, obtained permission to come to +England, to settle his affairs, upon condition of leaving his only son as +a hostage; and upon his return to the Continent he suffered the +punishment of death. His son, afterwards, married a daughter of the late +Mr. King, an eminent book auctioneer, of King Street, Covent Garden, and, +lamentable to relate, fell by his own hands. + + * * * * * + +BALLOON ASCENT IN 1784.—On the 16th of October, in the above year, an +immense concourse of people assembled at Mr. Lochee’s Military Academy, +to witness Mr. Blanchard’s ascent in his balloon. The fields, for a +considerable distance round the spot, were crowded with horse and foot, +in consequence of which, a general devastation took place in the gardens, +the crops being either trampled down or torn up; the turnip grounds were +totally despoiled by the multitude; all the windows and houses were +filled with company, and every roof and tree was crowded with spectators. +At twelve o’clock Mr. Blanchard, and Mr. Sheldon, a surgeon, stepped into +the car, and the cords being loosened, the balloon slowly ascended, when +it was discovered that it would be requisite to throw out some ballast; +but before this could be accomplished, it struck some trees and descended +to the ground. Being lightened, it again ascended, and moved +horizontally about a quarter of a mile, when it made a rapid direction +towards Sunbury, where they alighted, and Mr. Sheldon reluctantly quitted +the car. Mr. Blanchard re-ascended, and pursued his aerial excursion to +Rumsey, Hants, where he descended, at half-past four in the afternoon, in +a meadow, and still standing in his car. The balloon was first seen over +Abbotswood Common, and appeared about the size of a small hogshead. Upon +his alighting he was jovially entertained. The day being rather dark, +and the atmosphere low, the balloon was out of sight in about thirty +minutes. + + * * * * * + +About the year 1699, the Earl of Shaftesbury purchased an estate at +Little Chelsea, which had formerly been the property of Sir James Smith, +whose widow resided there in 1695. The Earl rebuilt the house, and +generally resided in it during the sitting of Parliament. He was first +charged to the parish rates in 1700. Locke here wrote part of his +“Essay,” and Addison several of the Spectators. + + * * * * * + +Anthony Astley Cooper, third Earl of Shaftesbury, the learned author of +“The Characteristics,” was born in 1671, in the house of his grandfather, +who took such care of his education, that, at the age of eleven, he is +said to have read with ease both Latin and Greek. In 1683, he was placed +at Winchester School, where he continued till 1686, when he made the tour +of Italy and France. About five years after his return from Italy, he +visited Holland, where he passed much of his time in the society of +Bayle, Le Clerc, and other ingenious men. Soon after his arrival in +England, he became Earl of Shaftesbury, by the demise of his father, but +did not attend the House of Lords during the first session after he had +succeeded to the peerage; nor did he appear there till his friend, Lord +Somers, sent a messenger to acquaint him with the pending partition +treaty in February, 1701. On the accession of Queen Anne he retired to +Chelsea, to continue his favourite course of study; here he resided till +1711, when he set out for Italy, and died at Naples in 1719. His +lordship’s philosophical writings are generally known. Of his letters +there are several extant, dated from Chelsea in 1708. + + * * * * * + +The house was afterwards the residence of Sergeant Wynne, and of his son, +Edward Wynne, author of several Tracts, whose knowledge and proficiency +in polite literature could only be exceeded by his charity and +benevolence. Dying a bachelor in 1785, his estates, together with his +house at Little Chelsea, and his very valuable library, collected chiefly +by his father, devolved to his brother, the Rev. Luttrell Wynne. This +house was alienated by him to William Virtue. + + * * * * * + +The parish of St. George, Hanover Square, purchased it in the year 1787, +as an additional workhouse for the poor. An Act of Parliament passed +that year, declares it to be in St. George’s Parish, so long as it shall +continue to be appropriated to its present use. The same act exempts it +from all dues and rates demandable by the Rector and the parish of +Chelsea, on condition of paying to the former £3 3_s._ per annum, and to +the latter £6 13_s._ 4_d._ + + * * * * * + +Sir John Cope, Bart., about the year 1700, resided in a large house at +Little Chelsea, according to Bowack, which was subsequently occupied as a +private mad house. The house has been pulled down, and its site is now +called Odell’s Place. Sir John sat for Oxfordshire and Banbury in +several Parliaments. He married Anne, daughter of Mr. William Booth, by +whom he had seven sons, and one daughter. There are some entries of +their baptisms in the Parish Register. Sir John died January 11th, 1721. +His fourth son, Galen, born at Chelsea, resided there about the time of +his father’s death. The worthy baronet was a magistrate for this county, +and his name regularly appears for a series of years affixed, in +confirmation of the parochial rates. + + * * * * * + +Robert Boyle, Esq., a most distinguished philosopher and chemist, the +seventh son of Richard, Earl of Cork, resided, in 1661, at Little +Chelsea, and there he was visited by the learned and eminent of his time. +Monsieur de Monconys, in his Travels, thus mentions a visit which he made +to Mr. Boyle at this place:—“I went after dinner with Mr. Oldenburg and +my son, two miles from London, in a stage coach, for five shillings, to a +village called Little Chelsea, to visit Mr. Boyle.” After giving an +account of several experiments which Mr. Boyle made in his presence, he +thus proceeds:—“He has a very fine laboratory, where he makes all his +extracts, and other operations, one of which he shewed me with salt, +which being put in quite dry with gold leaves sixteen times thicker than +that used by gilders into a crucible on a slow fire, even over a lighted +candle, the salt calcined the gold so perfectly that water afterwards +dissolved them both, and became impregnated with them in the same manner +as with common salt. He possesses a very fine telescope, and two +excellent microscopes, which are larger than mine.” Mr. Evelyn, in his +Diary, has also recorded a visit to the same place. “I went with that +excellent person and philosopher, Sir Robert Murray, to visit Mr. Boyle +at Chelsea, and saw divers effects of the Eolipile for weighing air.” +Bishop Burnet, in Mr. Boyle’s funeral sermon, has given an eloquent +account of this great philosopher and scholar. + + * * * * * + +Charles, fourth Earl of Orrery, grand-nephew to Mr. Boyle, was born at +Little Chelsea in 1676. He was author of a comedy, entitled, “As you +Find it,” and of some verses which discover his wit and poetical genius. +Queen Anne created him a peer of Great Britain in 1711, by the title of +Lord Boyle, of Marston, in the county of Somerset. His lordship died in +1737. He was the improver of that noble instrument the Orrery, which, in +honour of him, was called after his name. + + * * * * * + +Sir James Wishart resided in Little Chelsea, and died in May, 1723. He +was a native of Scotland, and was made an Admiral by Queen Anne; in 1710 +he became a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty, in which year he was +returned Member of Parliament for Portsmouth. The Queen also conferred +the honour of knighthood upon him; but, in the following reign, he lost +all his places, and was dismissed from the service, for favouring the +interest of the Pretender. + + * * * * * + +Admiral Sir John Balchen, another distinguished naval officer, resided in +Little Chelsea about 1723. He was lost in the “Victory” in the year +1744. Sir John sailed, in July, from Spithead with a strong squadron, in +quest of an opportunity to attack the French fleet at Brest, under the +command of M. de Rochambault. In the Bay of Biscay he was overtaken by a +violent storm that dispersed the ships, and drove them up the English +Channel. Admiral Stewart, with the greater part of them, arrived at +Plymouth; but Sir John Balchen’s own ship, the Victory, which was at that +time considered to be the most beautiful first rate in the world, +foundered at sea; and this brave officer perished, with all his officers, +volunteers, and crew, amounting to eleven hundred choice seamen. + + * * * * * + +The Right Hon. Edward Hyde, third Earl of Clarendon, died at his house at +Little Chelsea in 1723. He married Catherine, daughter to Henry Lord +O’Brien, eldest son and heir to the Earl of Thomond, of Ireland, by whom +he had a son and two daughters. The title descended to the Earl of +Rochester, and soon after became extinct. + + * * * * * + +FATAL DUEL.—In January, 1784, a duel was fought in a field near Little +Chelsea, between Captain Charles Mostyn, of the navy, and Captain Clarke, +of the African Corps, which terminated in the death of the former, who +was shot through the heart. The quarrel originated in defence of a Jew, +who went about diverting company, by taking off Mr. Fox. Some words +arising, Captain Clarke demanded an apology, which Captain Mostyn +declined to make to him. Mr. Mostyn was a gallant officer, only 25 years +of age, who, for his intrepid behaviour, had been made post-captain in +the Solitaire, a French ship of the line, taken by the Ruby. Happily for +the humanity of England, such dark blots on its history are now for ever +erased, by the adoption of more stringent laws and the advancement of +religious and moral principles. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Baldwin Hamey was born in 1600. He retired to Little Chelsea from +the hurry of his profession the year before the Fire of London, saving +thereby his library; he also escaped from the direful effects of the +plague in London. At Chelsea he contributed largely towards the erection +of the church steeple, and gave the great bell which had his name on it. +I may here state that the first large bells are mentioned by Bede, in the +year 680. Before that period the early British Christians made use of +wooden rattles (sacra ligna) to call the congregation of the faithful +together. Dr. Adam Littleton, in gratitude to Dr. Hamey for the above +benefactions, printed at the end of the first edition of his Latin +Dictionary, a copy of Latin verses which he dedicated to him. Dr. Hamey +was a great scholar, a philosopher, and an eminent physician. At his +death he bequeathed to the College of Physicians the estate of Ashlins, +in Essex, besides money and books. There is a manuscript life of him, +written about 143 years ago, by his relation, Mr. Palmer. “Chemistry,” +says the biographer, “now began to come into vogue, which Dr. Hamey could +not well be reconciled to, from his Galenical principles, and at his age. +It seemed to him to be a stroke of quackery.” He declined a knighthood, +and the offer of being first physician to Charles II. after his +restoration. The same modesty made him waive the offer of being +President of his beloved College of Physicians, although he had held all +other subordinate offices in it. He died in 1676, and was buried in the +Old Church. + + * * * * * + +The Goat and Boots Tavern still stands at the eastern corner of Park +Walk, West Brompton, or Little Chelsea, although from its age it seems +probable that in a few years a new house will be substituted for it. The +sign was originally painted by Morland, to pay his tavern bill. In old +deeds it is called the Goat. Perhaps poor Morland added the “Boots” to +the sign to make it more attractive, and to get a better price from the +proprietor, but this is mere conjecture. + + * * * * * + +Park Walk, in a very old map of Chelsea, is called Lovers’ Walk, and it +appears to have been planted with trees, but from some unknown +cause—surely all the loving lads and lasses had not left the parish—it +degenerated into Twopenny Walk. After dark, from its retirement and +seclusion, it was dangerous for persons passing that way. It has been +now for many years a good thoroughfare from the King’s Road to West +Brompton, having Park Chapel in a central position, and houses on both +sides of the road. When the improvement at the bottom of Milman’s Row is +entirely completed, there will then be an excellent and continuous +roadway to the river-side. + + + +Park Chapel, &c. + + +This Chapel was so called from being situated within the precincts of +Chelsea Park, which originally formed the northern part of Sir Thomas +More’s grounds. It was built in 1718, by Sir Richard Manningham, who, in +1730, granted a lease of it to the Rev. William Lacey, of Battersea. At +that period there was only the Old Church, and an additional episcopal +place for Divine worship was needed for the convenience of the residents +in Little Chelsea. + + * * * * * + +The following is a complete list to the present period of the Clergymen +who have been Ministers at Park Chapel:— + +1730 Rev. William Lacey, Battersea. +1736 — Dr. Sloane Ellesmere, Rector of Chelsea. +1766 — Mr. Gower, Chelsea. + — — Mr. Jacobs, Rector of St. Dunstan’s in the West. +1785 — Dr. Kelly, Vicar of East Mere, Hants. +1792 — Jas. Ward, Fellow of Queen’s Col., Cambridge. +1797 — Thomas Ellis. +1800 — J. Manning. +1802 — J. Gee Smyth, Rector of Chellesworth, Suffolk. +1812 — John Owen, Rector of Paglesham, Essex. +1822 — Henry John Owen, son of the preceding. +1834 — John Harding. +1836 — Henry Vaughan. +1836 — Thomas Vores. +1841 — John C. Miller. +1846 — W. Cadman. +1852 — C. J. Goodhart. +Dec. 1868 — J. G. Gregory. + +The Rev. J. Gee Smyth, M.A., who it will be seen possessed Park Chapel in +1802, made very considerable alterations in it about 1810. It may be +said to have been almost rebuilt by him. The late Mr. Richard Mann, of +Chelsea, took a very correct sketch of the chapel, as altered by Mr. +Smyth. Since 1810, at different times, it has undergone great repairs +and some material improvements. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. John Owen, M.A., was born in London in 1765. He received his +education at St. Paul’s School, and removed from thence to Corpus Christi +College, Cambridge, where he prosecuted his studies with such success as +to obtain several prizes, and to be elected a Fellow of his College. +After taking holy orders, he soon distinguished himself as a preacher, +and attracted the notice of Bishop Porteus, who bestowed on him the +living of Paglesham, in Essex, having previously recommended him to the +Curacy of Fulham, which he held until the decease of that venerable +prelate; and, on his resigning the Lectureship, in 1813, the inhabitants +of that parish presented Mr. Owen with a handsome testimonial of their +attachment, as an acknowledgment of the faithful manner he had discharged +his duties. He was one of the distinguished founders of the British and +Foreign Bible Society, and acted as honorary secretary for eighteen +years. During the whole of this period he most zealously advocated, in +every possible way, the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, in +conjunction with the Rev. Dr. Steinkoff, and the Rev. Joseph Hughes, +M.A., of Battersea. Mr. Owen possessed great mental talents, both as an +extempore preacher and a writer. He was remarkably quick and correct in +his conceptions, extremely thoughtful in forming his conclusions, and +kind and considerate whenever a sense of duty compelled him to differ +from others in opinion. He wrote the History of the British and Foreign +Bible Society, and other works; and continued to discharge his sacred +duties as Minister of Park Chapel as long as his health permitted. He +died at Ramsgate, the 26th of September, 1822, in the 57th year of his +age. He resided at Fulham during nearly the entire period of his active +life. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. Henry John Owen, M.A., succeeded his father in 1822. While at +Park Chapel he was much esteemed by the congregation, and when he left +many deplored the loss of him. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. John Harding, M.A., was appointed Minister of Park Chapel in +1834. Some time after he became the Rector of St. Ann’s, Blackfriars. +In both parishes he was much beloved by his congregations, and greatly +esteemed by the parishioners. At length he was consecrated Bishop of +Bombay, and, having remained in India for many years, he returned to +England, and a short time since preached on a Sunday evening at Park +Chapel. An affecting scene took place on that occasion, as his lordship +left the chapel. A great number of persons had assembled outside to shew +the respect they entertained towards him, notwithstanding his long +absence from Chelsea. When Bishop Harding approached, he seemed almost +overpowered with the kind recollection manifested by so many of the +congregation and other inhabitants, and, after a slight pause, he said, +with considerable emotion, “My dear friends, I thank you from my heart +for your kind remembrance of me. May God bless every one of you!” It +should here be mentioned that Bishop Harding, previously to his ministry +at Park Chapel, had been at St. Luke’s New Parish Church, with the late +revered Rev. H. Blunt, M.A., father of the present respected Rector, at +which Church he was also greatly esteemed. + +The Rev. Henry Vaughan, M.A., did not long remain at Park Chapel, as the +state of his health rendered it impossible for him to continue. Some +short time afterwards he was called to his eternal rest. I heard it once +stated that Christian love was engraved on his forehead. + +The Rev. Thomas Vores, M.A., who was next in succession, was, like his +predecessors, much beloved. About five years after his appointment he +vacated it, and went to Hastings. + +The Rev. Dr. Miller, the Rev. W. Cadman, M.A., and the Rev. C. J. +Goodhart, M.A., were equally respected as being zealous and faithful +ministers. The two former are, at the present time, in the full vigour +of life, and actively engaged in discharging their sacred duties in large +parishes. With respect to Mr. Goodhart, who has only recently left the +chapel, and whose ministry there extended over so many years, it would be +a difficult task to notice him adequately in a given space; the best +summary will be to state that on his retirement he was presented with a +silver salver and a purse containing about £540, as a testimony of the +high respect entertained by the congregation for his long and faithful +ministrations. + +The Rev. J. G. Gregory, M.A., succeeded Mr. Goodhart at the close of the +year 1868. The body of the chapel, since his appointment, has been +entirely re-pewed, the old high pews having been all removed, and the +seats made more commodious by additional width being given to them. +Several other alterations have been made, and a few more are said to be +in contemplation. The whole interior of the chapel is therefore now +greatly improved, both as regards comfort and appearance. The exterior +of the structure, however, requires to be altogether rebuilt, as soon as +practicable, so as to accord with the ecclesiastical architecture of the +present day, especially in such a locality as West Brompton and South +Kensington. In the Vestry Room are portraits of the different Ministers +of Park Chapel, commencing with the Rev. John Owen, and terminating with +the Rev. Mr. Goodhart, with only one exception, the portrait of Mr. +Vaughan, the absence of which may be attributed to the short period of +his ministry, in consequence of his illness and death, and the difficulty +afterwards of procuring a correct likeness of him. It would be well if +this memorial portrait could be added to the others. + +Their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of Kent and Sussex attended this chapel +in 1812, when a collection was made for the benefit of the schools, on +which occasion a guard of honour, selected from Queen Charlotte’s Royal +Volunteers, was stationed at the doors on their arrival and departure. + + * * * * * + +Adjoining the chapel a building was erected, in 1828, by subscription, +and the profits of a sale of fancy work, for the reception of the +children of Park Chapel Schools, &c. The whole charge originally was +£900. Several alterations, however, have since been made in the +arrangement of this building. The Girls’ Day and Sunday Schools, and the +Infant School, are now only held in it, besides a few occasional meetings +in connection with the numerous benevolent societies supported by the +liberal contributions of the congregation. The boys’ school was +transferred to the Clock House some years since. This latter school owes +its origin to Samuel Gower Poole, Esq., who once resided in Dudmaston +House, King’s Road, and to whom reference has already been made. The +annual meetings. &c., are also held in the Clock House schoolroom. + + + +CHELSEA PARK. + + +This was part of the property of Sir Thomas More, and is called, in old +deeds, the “Sand Hills;” was originally open fields, with a footpath +across to Little Chelsea. The whole was enclosed with a brick wall, in +1625, by the Lord Treasurer, Cranfield, and converted into a park, which +name it has retained ever since, but the walls have gradually given way +to the erection of buildings. The park originally consisted of 32 acres, +situated north of the King’s Road, between Park and Upper Church Street. +{71} + + * * * * * + +In 1721 a patent was obtained for a manufactory of raw silk, and this +park was taken for the purpose, and planted with mulberry trees. It +attracted a considerable share of public attention at the time, but +proved unsuccessful. The premises of the Raw Silk Company were rated in +the parish books at £200. + + * * * * * + +In Walpole’s Catalogue of Engravers, it is stated that James Christopher +le Blon, in 1734, set up a project for copying the cartoons in tapestry, +and made some fine drawings for the purpose. Houses were built, and +looms erected, on the above mulberry ground, but either the expense was +too great, or the contributions did not arrive fast enough. The bubble +burst, several suffered, and Le Blon was heard of no more. + + * * * * * + +INTERESTING PARTICULARS OF SIR HENRY AND LADY WILSON. On the northern +border of the old park, just described, is a capital mansion in which Sir +Henry Wright Wilson resided for many years, the entrance to it being in +the Fulham Road, and which is still designated as Chelsea Park. The +pleasure grounds attached to it were some years since much more extensive +than they are at present. Sir Henry married a daughter of the Earl of +Aylesbury, who was left a valuable estate in Hampshire, said to be worth +about £3000 a year, under the most singular circumstances. Lady Frances +Wilson was informed in the year 1824, while at breakfast, that an +eccentric person named Wright, who had died a few days previously at an +obscure lodging in Pimlico, had appointed her and Mr. C. Abbot his +executors, and after some legacies had bequeathed to Lady Frances the +residue of his property by a will dated as far back as 1800. As Lady +Frances declared herself unacquainted with the name of the testator, she +at first concluded that there was some mistake. After further +explanation, the person of Mr. Wright was described to her, and Lady +Frances recollected that the description answered that of a gentleman she +had remembered as a constant frequenter at the Opera many years +previously. To satisfy herself of the identity she went to Mr. Wright’s +late lodgings, and saw him in his coffin, when she recognised the +features as those of the person whose eyes had so often persecuted her +when she was Lady Frances Bruce, but who had never spoken to her, and of +whom she had no knowledge whatever. {72} Lady Francis was never +considered by her friends to be beautiful, and the general opinion at the +time was that the legacy was intended for a lady who occupied a box next +to that in which Lady Frances sat when at the Opera. Sir Henry was in +Parliament when the above estate came into his wife’s possession, but he +afterwards had to contest his seat, and lost it. + + * * * * * + +SIR HENRY WRIGHT WILSON AND THE POOR CARPENTER.—The following anecdote +will no doubt amuse many readers. Sir Henry’s establishment was large, +and he had been accustomed to employ at times a jobbing carpenter, who +had at one period been in better circumstances. This person had received +specific instructions to do certain work, which required a little +trifling assistance, such as to help him to remove something which stood +in the way, and which the carpenter could not possibly do without +temporary aid. He asked several of the grooms and others to assist, but +they all made frivolous excuses, and consequently the work was not done +by the appointed time. When Sir Henry returned home he noticed that his +orders had been neglected, and, on ascertaining the particulars, without +making any remarks, he quietly entered the house. The next morning, +however, he gave instructions for his carriage with four horses to be +immediately got ready. He then sent for the carpenter, and after a short +time the carriage was at the entrance door, when, to the great surprise +of the servants, he desired him to take a seat in it. Sir Henry then +mounted his horse, and, notwithstanding the dirty state of the roads, +took them through Fulham, over Putney Bridge, round by Wandsworth and +Battersea, back to Chelsea. On their return he insisted that the horses +and carriage should be immediately cleaned, or else to be dismissed from +his service. Sir Henry being esteemed a good master they preferred +obedience, and it was said that although the carpenter was afterwards +subject to an occasional jeer, he never had again to complain of their +conduct towards him. + + * * * * * + +QUEEN’S ELM.—This is situated at the top of Upper Church Street, but the +spot for some time past seems to be merged into the Fulham Road, and is +either so called, or else it is described as being near to it. The +original name, Queen’s Elm, which it is to be hoped will still be +retained, is said traditionally to have derived its origin from the +following circumstance. Queen Elizabeth was walking out with the great +Lord Burleigh, and being overtaken with a heavy shower of rain, took +shelter under an elm tree growing on this spot. After the shower was +over, she said, “Let this henceforth be called the Queen’s Tree.” This +tradition is remarkably confirmed, as will be seen by the following +extract:—“It appears by the Church Book, beginning 1586, and in the 28th +Elizabeth, that the tree at the end of the Duke’s Walk is in Chelsea +parish called the Queen’s Tree; and that there was an arbour built round +it by one Bostocke, at the charge of the parish.” + + + +The Jews’ Burial Ground, &c. + + +The Jews’ Burial Ground is at Queen’s Elm, and was erected in 1816 by the +individuals whose names are inscribed on the wall of the entrance +building, and to their descendants. There is also inscribed the 16th +Psalm in Hebrew. The lower part of the building is called the hall, the +upper part is intended for the keeper. Unlike the arrangement in the +Moravians’ Burial Ground, the graves are in rows, without any distinction +as to sex. At burials the mourners do not approach the grave, but stand +at a distance, so that they may hear sufficiently to join in the prayers. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. J. B. Owen, M.A., Vicar of St. Jude’s Church, Chelsea, in an +admirable lecture delivered by him in 1862, in the Vestry Hall, King’s +Road, related the following anecdote:—“An Hebrew friend amused and +puzzled me with a sentiment he had once given at a festival of one of the +London Guilds. Being pressed for a toast, he gave ‘The Queen of the +Jews, and of no other nation.’ Many conjectures were hazarded, as wide +of the mark as Jezebel and the Queen of Sheba. The company confessed +themselves beaten, and at last my friend gave the answer—‘Queen +Victoria.’ But this only darkened the enigma more than ever. After some +time, he said, J. (or I.) E. W. S. makes Ireland, England, Wales, and +Scotland, and J. E. W. S. spells Jews, and makes Victoria ‘Queen of the +Jews, and of no other nation.’” + + * * * * * + +“England,” said Mr. Owen, “owes a great national debt of amends to their +Hebrew brethren. For several centuries they were bought and sold as +chattels, plundered and exiled, as if they were outlaws. In the +sixteenth year of Edward I. all the Jews in England were imprisoned, and +though they redeemed themselves for a vast sum, three years after, the +fraudulent tyrant banished them all; and they remained in banishment 364 +years, till the rough justice of old Oliver Cromwell restored them to +their trade and worship. The proverb ‘worth a Jew’s eye’ alludes to the +barbarities practiced on the Jews, whose money was commonly extorted from +them by drawing their teeth, or putting out their eyes. There are no +judgments in Scripture more terrible than those denounced against the +oppressors of Judah. We may be thankful that we have lived to witness +the last vestige of injustice to our Hebrew fellow-citizens erased from +our statutes. Have we also honestly received the social and religious +interests of the Jews into the unreserved sympathy of Christian hearts?” + + * * * * * + +Francis Hargrave, Esq., a barrister, resided in York Place, (the houses +of which are now nearly all converted into shops, and which is situated +near to the Jews’ Burial Ground), for a considerable period. He +particularly distinguished himself in the _Habeas Corpus_ case of James +Somerset, a negro, for whom he was counsel, and his argument was the +occasion of a precedent being established for the freedom of slaves the +moment they set foot on English land. He possessed a very extensive and +most valuable library, which Parliament purchased for £8000, in order +that it might be placed in the British Museum. He died here in 1821, +aged 80. + + * * * * * + +Sydenham Edwards, Esq., F.L.S., an eminent botanical draughtsman, lived +in Charles Street, Queen’s Elm, and afterwards removed to Barrossa Place, +where he died in 1819. The Flora Londinensis, Rees’ Encyclopædia, &c., +were greatly indebted to his masterly pencil. + + + +CHURCH STREET. + + +Alexander Stephens, Esq., built and resided in Park House, Upper Church +Street, for a great many years. He was the author of several popular +works, was born at Elgin, about 1757, and completed his education at the +University of Aberdeen, which he left at the early age of 18 years, for +the purpose of proceeding to the West India Islands, principally with a +view to add to his stock of useful information and knowledge of the +world. Mr. Stephens purchased a Commission in the 84th regiment, but +never joined in consequence of the sudden reduction of that corps. At +the age of 21, he entered himself a member of the Middle Temple, where he +continued his vigorous pursuit of legal studies for several years. His +earliest production was “Jamaica,” a descriptive poem; and his next, +published within a few years afterwards, “The Temple,” a kind of law +journal. But of his printed works, undoubtedly, the most approved are +the volumes of the “Public Characters;” also a “Life of John Horne Took,” +and the “History of the Wars, which arose out of the French Revolution.” + + * * * * * + +The industry of Mr. Stephens in the collection of the materials for his +biographical works has not often been surpassed. He was accustomed to +commit to paper the most trifling memoranda illustrative of the history +of any eminent individual the moment they were communicated to him. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Stephens enjoyed the confidential friendship of the late Duke of +Kent, and was in habits of unreserved intimacy with many other +distinguished characters of the age. He was related to the Duke of +Roxburgh, whose claim to that title he pleaded with memorable success in +the House of Lords. + + * * * * * + +Although generally of retired habits, Mr. Stephens often felt interested +in the parochial concerns of Chelsea, and distinguished himself by the +manliness and zeal with which he supported measures which to him appeared +likely to prove beneficial. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Stephens wrote much and well for the periodical press. The pages of +the Analytical Review abound in important articles from his pen. To the +Monthly Magazine, also, he was a frequent contributor. Besides the +composition of papers on the Belles Lettres, he was in the habit of +furnishing biographical notices for that journal. In extent of +information touching the lives and actions of the cotemporary generation, +he was equalled by few writers of his age. Mr. Stephens’s sound +constitution was gradually impaired by intense study, added to the +immoderate use of coldiam, on the efficacy of which he placed implicit +reliance. For the last two years of his life he suffered severely from +the gout, and at last died somewhat suddenly at his house in Upper Church +Street, in 1821, aged 64, and was interred in the burial ground attached +to St. Luke’s Church. + + * * * * * + +A. H. Haworth, Esq., occupied a house in Upper Church Street in 1825, and +for some time previous to that year. He possessed an unrivalled Museum +of Entomology and Natural History, the collection of 40 years laborious +research. It would be impossible here to give any thing like an adequate +notice of what it contained. There were about 40,000 insects, arranged +in systematic order, and about 20,000 dried plants, arranged in natural +order, and glued. His contributions to the Linnæan Society and +Horticultural Society, Philosophical Magazine, &c., were greatly +esteemed. + + * * * * * + +I. N. Sartorius, Esq., so long celebrated for his faithful delineations +of animal life, resided in this street in 1830, and for some years. + + * * * * * + +Philip Reinagle, Esq., R.A., celebrated for his beautiful specimens of +landscape paintings, and whose family were eminent for their proficiency +in the fine arts, resided also here about the same period. + + * * * * * + +W. H. Davis, Esq., at a much later period, resided also for many years in +Upper Church Street, near the King’s Road; he was considered to be one of +the best animal portrait painters, and was constantly employed every +Smithfield Cattle Show, his works being very highly prized. + + * * * * * + +Crossing the King’s Road, we enter into that portion of Church Street +which leads direct to the Old Church. This ancient thoroughfare was +built upon at a very early period, and many eminent persons have resided +here at various times; but principally since the Rectory was removed +hither, in 1569, from Milman’s Row. + + * * * * * + +William Tebbs, Esq., Proctor, resided nearly opposite the Rectory House, +in Church Street, for many years; he was highly respected professionally, +and much esteemed for his kindness and liberality to the poor. Mr. +Tebbs, sen., dwelt here in 1819, and his name appears subsequently and +previously for a long time as a contributor to most of the local +charities. + + * * * * * + +Henry Virtue Tebbs, Esq., son of the preceding, and who was in +partnership with his father, resided in a commodious detached house, with +large enclosed garden, in Cooks’ Ground, for a long time. Like the rest +of his family he was greatly respected by the inhabitants, and ever ready +to promote every good work in the parish. Of him it may truly be said +that he was the constant friend of the needy and helpless. He was a +zealous supporter of the Chelsea Auxiliary Bible Society, and he devoted +most of his leisure hours in promoting the various societies connected +with Park Chapel, especially the Day and Sunday Schools. Some few years +since he removed from the parish to the deep regret of a numerous circle +of friends, whose sincere hope is that his benevolent heart may still +beat for many a year to come. + + * * * * * + +One of the most ancient mansions (pulled down some few years ago) was +called Church Place. It was said to have been the residence of various +eminent persons; and some have confidently asserted that it was the +palace of the Earl of Essex. It was also said to have been used by Queen +Anne as a laundry. In the back front there was a date, cut in brick, +“1641.” This old house is first mentioned in the parish books in 1696; +it is also mentioned repeatedly in the Inquests of Court Leet, and Court +Baron, before and after that period. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Atterbury resided facing the river, near the Old Church, in 1695, as +appears by the parish books, and afterwards in Church Street, for several +years; one of his letters is dated from hence in 1698. There he became +acquainted with Swift, in 1711, to whom he was before unknown. + + * * * * * + +Francis Atterbury, Bishop of Rochester, was born in 1662, and was +educated in Westminster School, and afterwards was elected a Student of +Christ Church, Oxford, where he soon distinguished himself by his wit and +learning, and gave early proofs of his poetical talents. In 1687, he +made his first essay in controversial writing, and shewed himself an able +and strenuous advocate for the Protestant religion. In 1691 he took holy +orders, and was elected in the same year Lecturer of St. Bride’s, London, +and Preacher of Bridewell Chapel. + + * * * * * + +Upon the accession of Queen Anne, in 1702, Dr. Atterbury was appointed +one of her Majesty’s Chaplains in Ordinary; and in 1704 was advanced to +the Deanery of Carlisle. In 1713, at the recommendation of Lord +Chancellor Harcourt, the Queen promoted him to the Bishopric of +Rochester. + + * * * * * + +In 1722, Dr. Atterbury, on suspicion of being concerned in a plot in +favour of the Pretender, was apprehended and committed to the Tower. +Shortly afterwards he was condemned to perpetual exile. Just before +this, a large fine dropped to him as Dean of Westminster, but he could +have no right to receive it without the seal being set to it in full +chapter. Sir Robert Walpole earnestly enquired whether a Chapter could +not be held in the Tower, that he might receive the benefit of the fine. +A chapter was accordingly there held, and the Bishop received a £1000 for +his share. This anecdote, which is well authenticated, does great credit +to the liberality of Walpole. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Atterbury, in his private character, was most amiable and exemplary; +as a preacher he was eloquent, and as a writer, his sermons, letters and +other tracts, proved most decidedly that he possessed piety, genius, and +erudition. On the 18th of June, 1723, having the day before taken leave +of his friends, this eminent prelate embarked on board the Aldborough +man-of-war, and landed on the Friday following at Calais. + + A prelate for wit, and for eloquence fam’d, + Apollo soon miss’d, and he need not be nam’d; + Since amidst a whole bench, of which some are so bright, + No one of them shines so learn’d and polite.—_Sheffield_, 1719. + +The celebrated Dean Swift came to Chelsea in the year 1711, and took up +his residence facing Dr. Atterbury’s house in Church Street. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Jonathan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick, in Dublin, an illustrious poet, +and political and satirical writer, was born in Dublin in 1667, and died +in 1745. Of a life so various and so full of business as Swift’s, we +know not what part we could select consistent with the limits of this +work that would not excite rather than gratify curiosity. + +The company of Swift was courted by persons of the first rank in life and +literature; the following peculiarities may be related:—He made to +himself a rule never to speak more than a minute at a time, and to wait +for others to take up the conversation. He was singularly happy in +punning; and used to say, that none despised that talent but those who +were without it. He also greatly excelled in telling a story; but, in +the latter part of his life, used to tell the same rather to often. +Though to strangers he appeared churlish, and austere to his servants, it +is said he was a kind and generous master; he was also very charitable to +the poor. + +Swift has been very minute and circumstantial in describing the +particulars relative to his residence here, and his acquaintance with Dr. +Atterbury. I will select one instance of it:—“I got here,” says he, +“with Patrick and my portmanteau for sixpence, and pay six shillings a +week for one silly room, with confounded coarse sheets. I lodge just +over against Dr. Atterbury’s house; and yet, perhaps, I shall not like +the place the better for that.” + + * * * * * + +Thomas Shadwell, Esq., Poet Laureat, another resident of Church Street, +was born at Stanton Hall, Norfolk, and received his education at Bury +School, and Caius College, Cambridge. His father, who held a place of +profit and distinction in the law in Ireland, bestowed the learning and +exercises of a gentleman upon him. Notwithstanding that, Lord Rochester +has said, + + “None seem to touch true Comedy + But hasty Shadwell and slow Wycherlye,” + +yet that lord had a better opinion of his conversation than his writings +when he said “that if Shadwell had burned all he wrote, and printed all +he spoke, he would have shewn more wit and humour than any other poet.” +In the reign of William III. he succeeded Dryden, as Poet Laureat, under +whose lash he had previously fallen. His works, consisting of seventeen +plays, were published in three volumes 12mo. in 1720, with a short +account of his life written by his son, Sir John Shadwell, Knight, who +was physician to Queen Anne, and resided in a house at Chelsea, which had +been previously occupied by Dr. Arbuthnot. Shadwell died at Chelsea in +1692, aged 52, and was buried in the Church, November 24, when a funeral +sermon was preached by his friend Dr. Nicholas Brady, in which he assures +us that “his natural and acquired abilities made him sufficiently +remarkable to all that he conversed with, very few being equal to him in +all the becoming qualities and accomplishments of a gentleman.” His +widow, who had been an actress, survived him, and resided at Chelsea some +years. + + * * * * * + +Dr. John Arbuthnot, a native of Scotland, had his education in the +University of Aberdeen, where he took the degree of Doctor of Physic. He +came to London about the year 1695, and at first taught the mathematics +for his support. His facetious and agreeable conversation introduced him +by degrees into practice; and he became eminent in his profession. Being +at Epsom when Prince George of Denmark was suddenly taken ill, he was +called in to his assistance; his advice was successful, and his Highness +recovering, employed him ever afterwards as his physician. + + * * * * * + +The Queen’s death, and the disasters which fell upon his friends on that +occasion, deeply affected his health and spirits; and, to divert his +melancholy, he paid a visit to his brother, a banker, at Paris. He +returned to London, and continued his medical profession with great +reputation, employing his leisure hours in writing papers of wit and +humour. + + * * * * * + +About this time Dr. Arbuthnot took a house in Church Street, where he at +times entertained a select number of his friends. He died in 1735 in +Cork Street, Burlington Gardens. In his writings he has shewn himself +equal to any of his cotemporaries in humour, wit, and learning. Sir John +Shadwell, son of the Laureat, afterwards occupied the house. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Edward Chamberlayne, it appears from the land tax book of this +parish, anno 1704, resided next door to Dr. King, the rector, in a house +that is still standing, and which is a few doors north of the White Horse +public house, in Church Street. He was descended from an ancient family, +and born at Odington, in Gloucestershire, in 1616. During the civil war +he made the tour of Europe. After the Restoration he was chosen F.R.S.; +and, in 1669, attended Charles, Earl of Carlisle, as secretary to the +embassy to Stockholm, with the order of the Garter for the King of +Sweden. Shortly afterwards the degree of LL.D. was conferred on him at +Cambridge, and also the same at Oxford at a later period. About the year +1679, he received the appointment of tutor to the Duke of Grafton, one of +the natural sons of Charles II.; and subsequently he instructed Prince +George of Denmark, consort to Queen Anne, in the English language. He +died at his house in Church Street in 1703, having been an active +magistrate in this parish for many years. + + * * * * * + +John Chamberlayne, (son of Dr. Chamberlayne,) who resided in the house +formerly occupied by his father, was a learned and worthy man. He was +admitted into Trinity College, Oxford, in 1685, and was gentleman usher +to George Prince of Denmark. He translated, from the French and Spanish: +1. The Manner of making Tea, Coffee, and Chocolate. 2. From Italian into +English, A Treasure of Health, written by Castor Durant de Gualdo, +physician of Rome. 3. The Arguments of the Books and Chapters of the Old +and New Testaments, with Practical Observations, written originally in +French by the Rev. Mr. Ostervald, Professor of Divinity, and one of the +members of the church at Neufchatel, in Switzerland, and by him presented +to the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, of which society he was +a member. 4. The Lives of the Members of the Royal Academy of Sciences; +translated from the French of M. de Fontenelle; republished since, in +1721, under the title of “Memoirs of the Royal Academy of Sciences of +Paris, Epitomized, with the Lives of the late Members of that Society.” +5. The Religious or Christian Philosopher; or, The right Use of +Contemplating the Work of the Creator; translated from the Dutch of Dr. +Nieuwentyt, with cuts. 6. History of the Reformation in and about the +Low Countries; translated from the Low Dutch of Gerard Brandt. 7. The +Lord’s Prayer, in 100 Languages. 8. Dissertations, Historical, +Theological, and Critical, on the most memorable events of the Old and +New Testaments, wherein the Spirit of the Sacred Writings is shewn, their +authority confirmed, &c. Mr. Chamberlayne was Fellow of the Royal +Society, to whom he communicated several papers on important subjects. +He augmented and improved his father’s book of “The Present State of +Great Britain,” to the latter editions of which his name is prefixed. He +was not only learned but pious, earnest at all times in promoting and +disseminating religious principles. In the old churchyard, facing the +river, are inscriptions to the memory of this distinguished family. {82} + + * * * * * + +Mr. Bowack, to whom we are so much indebted for his valuable information, +resided near Dr. Chamberlayne’s house in Church Street. In 1705 he began +to publish, in folio numbers, “The Antiquities of Middlesex; being a +Collection of the several Church Monuments in that County; also an +Historical Account of each Church and Parish, with the Seats, Villages, +and names of the most eminent Inhabitants.” The work extended through +the parishes of Chelsea, Fulham, Kensington, Chiswick, and Acton, and was +then discontinued. It is much to be regretted that he could not complete +his design. He has preserved many monumental inscriptions, since +destroyed. Mr. Bowack was writing master to Westminster School. “I +have,” says Mr. Faulkner, in reference to his own work, “carefully +embodied the greater part of the information contained in his (Bowack’s) +folio volume, now become extremely scarce.” + + * * * * * + +John Martyn, Esq., who resided in Church Street, next door to Dr. +Chamberlayne, was the son of a merchant of London. He was born in 1699. +With him it was a subject of frequent exultation, in after-life, that +Providence had thrown him into a country, and produced him at a period so +fertile in genius and literary accomplishments. “It was truly the golden +age of learning,” says Mr. Faulkner, “and to converse with those heroes +who adorn it was deemed no mean privilege, or glory, by one who well knew +how to value mental wealth.” He was sent by his father to a private +school (his mother died when he was scarcely a twelvemonth old), and here +by his own industry rather than by any advantage of instruction, he made +a tolerable proficiency in school learning, but was taken away from his +beloved books to engage in the business of a counting house. Most youths +of his age, in such an occupation, would have found their minds +sufficiently employed, but he, insatiate of knowledge, after the labours +of the day, dedicated most of those hours which are usually given to +bodily rest to the improvement of his understanding. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Martyn’s propensity to the science of botany was first excited by an +acquaintance with Mr. Wilmer, an apothecary, who afterwards became the +reader in the Botanic Garden at Chelsea, and by an intimacy contracted +with Dr. Blair and Dr. Sherard. In the year 1732, he published a +translation of “Tournefort’s History of Plants about Paris,” and in the +same year a “Catalogue of the Plants about London,” but he did not +complete it. From a strong conviction that observations made upon plants +in their natural places of growth were the least liable to error, he +about the same time began his botanical excursions, which were mostly +performed on foot, and were continued for a long period with unwearied +diligence. His “Hortus Siccus,” containing 1,400 specimens, is a +sufficient testimony of his industry. Nor did he confine himself wholly +to the contemplation of vegetables, and their hidden virtues; the +numerous insect tribe began to attract no small share of his attention. +In 1721, he principally instituted the Botanical Society, in London. Dr. +Dillenius was president, and Mr. Martyn was secretary. This society kept +together till 1726. About this time he became a member of the Royal +Society, and now began to apply himself most seduously to the practice of +physic. For this purpose he was admitted of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, +and kept five terms, with an intention to have proceeded regularly with +his degrees, but from peculiar circumstances he was prevented from +finishing his design. He had now lived and practised physic in Great St. +Helen’s, Bishopsgate Street, during three years; but, finding the air of +London disagree with his constitution, he embraced a favourable +opportunity which offered of removing to Chelsea, where he practised +physic with success and great reputation for above twenty years. + +In 1733, he was chosen Professor of Botany in the University of +Cambridge, where he had given several courses of lectures, and had +greatly restored the study of that science. + +Mr. Martyn, in 1723 (as is stated in a preceding page), married Eulalia, +youngest daughter of the Rev. Dr. John King, Rector of Chelsea, by whom +he had three sons and five daughters, all of whom were born in Church +Street, Chelsea, in the same house wherein their mother was born and +died, and in which her father, Dr. King, lived and died. Mrs. Martyn +died in 1749, from a cancer in her breast, occasioned by a violent blow +given her as she was walking in London. + + * * * * * + +In 1750, Mr. Martyn married, secondly, a daughter of Claude Fonnereau, +Esq., merchant of London, who bore him one son and survived him. Soon +after this he retired to Streatham, Surrey. In 1761 he resigned his +professorship of botany; and some time after presented to the University +his library of botanical books, amounting to above 200 volumes. + + * * * * * + +Chelsea, notwithstanding the happiness he enjoyed at Streatham, seems +after all to have been his favourite place of abode, as he removed back +again to his former residence in Church Street, and at last, by the most +gradual and gentle decay, died there in 1768. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Martyn’s benevolence was that of a Christian, diffusive and +unconfined; he was considered as the father of the poor in the parish, +and gave constant attention to the sick, both in and out of the +workhouse. He was the author of many works, two of which we shall +notice:— + + “An Account of an Aurora Australis, seen at Chelsea, March 18, 1738–9.” + This was the first account which had ever been given of that + phenomenon. + + “An Account of an Earthquake felt in London, February 8, 1749–50.” + +The following extract from the latter account will no doubt interest the +reader: “At 40 minutes after noon, all the houses were violently shaken, +especially those nearest the river. A maid servant, passing from one +under office to another, felt the ground, which was six feet below the +surface, shake. Of those who were in the street, or on the river, some +felt, others not. It was felt at Fulham, but not at Hounslow, Brentford, +nor Richmond, nor farther westward than Kensington Turnpike; it seemed to +terminate in the west, about two miles beyond Chelsea.” + + * * * * * + +Mr. Martyn was also engaged in a weekly paper, called “The Grub Street +Journal,” which had a large sale, about the year 1736. It was one of the +most curious of the periodical papers of that period. In a fine vein of +irony it attacked the heroes of the Dunciad, and tells some secrets of +their obscure quarrels. {85} The papers he contributed are distinguished +by the signature “B.” + + * * * * * + +William Petyt, Esq., to whom we have already slightly referred, in the +account of his gift to the parish of the School Room at the Old Church, +resided in Church Street, and died there in 1707, aged 71 years. Of his +progress through life there is no information, except that he enjoyed +considerable reputation as a writer on the laws and constitution of +England, which are preserved in the Inner Temple Library. There is a +long Latin epitaph to his memory in the Temple Church. It was the year +before his death that he built the schoolrooms and vestry. + + * * * * * + +The White Horse Inn in Church Street, which was burnt down some years +since, and a new one substituted for it, was a very ancient house, built +in the style which prevailed in the reigns of Henry VIII. and Queen +Elizabeth. The disposition of the rooms, the ancient panelling, and the +various grotesque ornaments and carving, especially of human figures in +the form of brackets, were well worthy of inspection, and excited the +attention of most strangers who visited the house. + + * * * * * + +The old Parochial Guardian Society mostly held their meetings at the old +White Horse Inn. The principal room was large and consequently +well-adapted for such purposes; and when the parishioners met in open +vestry, the house being opposite to the Vestry Room where they assembled, +it was particularly convenient on such occasions for the accommodation of +the ratepayers generally. The above society comprised a great many +members, and acted in conjunction with a large number of the resident +gentry of the parish. + + * * * * * + +Justice Walk, which extends from Church Street to Lawrence Street, took +its name from a magistrate who lived in it. An avenue of lime trees +formerly adorned it, and, being kept in good order, it was a very +agreeable footway for passengers. There is now in it a commodious +Wesleyan Chapel, built in 1841. The exterior is plain and unpretending. +The interior is neat, comfortable, and well ventilated. Beneath the +chapel is a spacious school room, in which the Sunday School is held. +This school is very well attended. Through the exertions of the members, +and other friends, the interior of the chapel has recently been painted, +and rendered more comfortable in many respects. + + * * * * * + +The Chelsea China Manufactory was situate at the corner of Justice Walk, +and occupied the houses to the upper end of Lawrence Street. Several of +the large old houses were used as shew-rooms. It has been discontinued +for nearly 90 years. + + * * * * * + +The manufactory of Chelsea porcelain was set on foot and carried on by a +Mr. Spremont, a foreigner. The establishment employed a great number of +hands; but the original proprietor having acquired a large fortune +retired from the concern, and his successors, wanting his enterprise and +spirit, did not so well succeed, and in a few years finally abandoned it. +Previous to the dissolution, the proprietors presented a memorial +respecting it to the Government, requesting protection and assistance, in +which they stated that “the manufacture in England has been carried on by +great labour and a large expense; it is in many respects to the full as +good as the Dresden; and the late Duke of Orleans told Colonel York that +the metal or earth had been tried in his furnace, and was found to be the +best made in Europe. It is now daily improving, and already employs, at +least, 100 hands, of which is a nursery of thirty lads taken from the +parishes and charity schools, and bred to designing and painting: arts +very much wanted here, and which are of the greatest use in our silk and +printed linen manufactories.” + +Specimens of this porcelain have always been much esteemed, and still +retain a great value. At the sale of the effects of Queen Charlotte, the +articles in Chelsea china, of which her Majesty had a large collection, +brought very high prices. Mr. Watkins, in his Life of Queen Charlotte, +says, “I beheld with admiration a complete service of Chelsea china, +porcelain, rich and beautiful in fancy beyond expression. I really never +saw any Dresden porcelain near so fine.” + + * * * * * + +Mr. A. Stephens, whom we have already noticed, was told by the foreman of +the Chelsea China Manufactory (then in the workhouse of St. Luke’s, +Middlesex), that Dr. Johnson had conceived a notion that he was capable +of improving on the manufacture of china. He even applied to the +directors of the Chelsea China Works, and was allowed to _bake_ his +compositions in their ovens in Lawrence Street, Chelsea. He was +accordingly accustomed to go down with his housekeeper, about twice a +week, and stop the whole day, she carrying a basket of provisions with +her. The Doctor, who was not allowed to enter the _mixing_ room, had +access to every other part of the premises, and formed his composition in +a particular apartment, without being overlooked by any one. He had also +free access to the oven, and superintended the whole of the process; but +completely failed, both as to composition and baking, for his materials +always yielded to the intensity of the heat, while those of the Company +came out of the furnace perfect and complete. Dr. Johnson retired in +disgust, but not in despair, for he afterwards gave a dissertation on +this very subject in his works; but the overseer assured Mr. Stephens, in +1814, that he was still ignorant of the nature of the operation. He +seemed to think that the Doctor imagined one single substance was +sufficient, while he, on the other hand, asserted that he always used +sixteen, and he must have had some practice, as he had nearly lost his +eye-sight by firing batches of china, both at Chelsea and Derby, to which +the manufacture was afterwards carried. + + * * * * * + +Chelsea china, originally patronised by the Duke of Cumberland, and +afterwards by Sir R. Faulkner, was a long time in such repute as to be +sold by auction, and as a set was purchased as soon as baked, dealers +were surrounding the doors for that purpose. {87} + + + +LAWRENCE STREET, &c. + + +Lawrence Street derives its name, as previously intimated, from its +having been the site of the residence of the Lawrence family for many +years. On this spot stood the first old Manor House, until Lord Sandys +alienated the manor to Henry VIII., when that king sold it to Sir Thomas +Lawrence, and erected another in Cheyne Walk. + + * * * * * + +The ancient family of Lawrence first came into England with William the +Conqueror, and settled at Ashton Hall, in the county of Lancaster, where +they resided for 300 years, and possessed an immense property, which, in +the year 1591, included 34 manors, the rental of which amounted to £6000 +per annum. It is uncertain when this family first came to Chelsea, but +as the Lawrence chapel in the Old Church is built in the style of +architecture which prevailed at the beginning of the fourteenth century, +they were probably settled here about that period, and some time before +they purchased the manor house. Some of the family who were buried in +the chapel have already been mentioned. + + * * * * * + +The chief branches of this eminent family resided in Chelsea, in London, +and at Iver, Bucks. Sir John Lawrence, knight, was Lord Mayor of London +in 1665. + + * * * * * + +Some “Pious Contemplations,” on the arms of the Lawrence family, are +written in the margin of their pedigree. They are supposed to have been +affixed to it in 1664, but the author is not known. The following are +the concluding lines:— + + “The way to Heaven is not with roses spread, + But throng’d with thorns, as was Thy sacred head; + Our peace is hack’d and hew’d, our life’s a war, + We, for our Cross, must many crosses bear— + Or, a red sea our passage doth withstand, + Or, fiery serpents, or, a barren sand, + Ere we can reach the truly Holy Land.” + + “Christ’s Cross the ladder is that leads to bliss, + Blest Jacob’s vision was a type of this; + Who climbs by other steps is at a loss— + To Heaven the only ladder is the Cross.” + +Ann, Duchess of Monmouth and Buccleugh, relict of James, Duke of +Monmouth, resided in the “great house” in Lawrence Street about 1714, and +from that time it was called Monmouth House. The following item appears +in the Churchwardens’ accounts for the year 1716: “Paid the ringers, when +the Princess (afterwards Queen Caroline) visited the Duchess of Monmouth, +six shillings.” The Duchess was, it is said, for her agreeable person, +good sense, and irreproachable character, one of the most amiable ladies +about the Court. During the first years of her marriage she seems to +have been as happy, and as much envied as any woman in the kingdom; but +this happiness was of short duration; she was unfortunately supplanted in +the Duke’s affections by Lady Harriet Wentworth, daughter of the Earl of +Cleveland, whose personal charms were superior to her own. Her Grace +died in 1732, aged 90 years. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Gay was for some time secretary to the Duchess, as stated in +Johnson’s Life of Gay. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Smollett afterwards resided in the same house in Lawrence Street. He +came to Chelsea on account of the bad state of health of his beloved +daughter, who was at that time in a consumption, under which she finally +sank in the year 1763. The house and premises were extensive, and well +suited for the residence of a person of rank. There are few men of real +genius who have written more voluminously than Dr. Smollett. His +entertaining novels are so well known that it seems almost unnecessary to +mention Roderick Random, the Adventures of Peregrine Pickle, Ferdinand +Count Fathom, and Sir Launcelot Greaves, the Expedition of Humphry +Clinker, &c. + + * * * * * + +He was bred to the medical profession, and in the early part of his life +served as a surgeon in the navy. It is said that before he took a house +at Chelsea he attempted to settle as a practitioner, at Bath, but was +unsuccessful, chiefly because he could not render himself agreeable to +the ladies. This, however, was a little extraordinary, for Smollett was +as graceful and handsome a man as any of the age; besides, there was a +certain dignity in his manner which could not fail to inspire respect +whenever he appeared. Abandoning physic altogether as a profession, he +fixed his residence at Chelsea, and turned his thoughts entirely to +writing. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Smollett’s History of England has had a most extensive sale. He is +said to have received £2000 for writing it and the continuation. During +the last years of his life he was employed in abridging the Modern +Universal History, great part of which he had originally written himself. +In the year 1755 he set on foot the Critical Review, and continued the +principal manager of it till he went abroad for the first time, in the +year 1763. He had made some very severe remarks on a pamphlet published +by Admiral Knowles, who commenced a prosecution against the printer; and, +just as sentence was going to be pronounced, he came into Court, and +avowed himself the author; upon which he was fined £100, and condemned to +three months’ imprisonment in the King’s Bench. It is there he is said +to have written the Adventures of Sir Launcelot Greaves, in which he has +described some remarkable characters, then his fellow-prisoners. When +Lord Bute was called to the chief administration of affairs, he was +prevailed upon to write in defence of that nobleman’s measures, in a +weekly paper called the Briton. This gave rise to the well-known North +Briton, wherein he was rather baffled. + + * * * * * + +Smollett’s constitution being at last greatly impaired by a sedentary +life, and assiduous application to study, he went abroad for his health +in 1769. He wrote accounts of his travels, in a series of letters to his +friends, which were afterwards published. + + * * * * * + +During that time he appears to have been occasionally in a distressed +state of mind. In his first letter he writes:—“In gratifying your +curiosity, I shall find some amusement to beguile the tedious hours; +which, without some such employment, would be rendered insupportable by +distemper and disquiet. You knew and pitied my situation: traduced by +malice, persecuted by faction, abandoned by false patrons, and +overwhelmed by domestic affliction.” He here alludes to the loss of his +only daughter. In another letter, addressed to Mr. Reid, of this parish, +he desires to be remembered to his Chelsea friends, wishing them that +health and happiness to which he himself was a stranger, and adds, “I am +very glad to know your concert was so brilliant, and I hope all your +Chelsea societies will continue to flourish.” + + * * * * * + +Dr. Smollett returned to England, but afterwards went back to Italy, +where he died in 1771. + + * * * * * + +The old Chelsea Stage Coaches started from Lawrence Street and Church +Street, between which places there were extensive stabling, and a +residence for the proprietor in the centre of the yard. The fare for +inside passengers was 1_s._ 6_d._, outside 1_s._, and no intermediate +fare at a lower sum was taken. Thanks to the General Omnibus Company, to +the Steamboat, and the Railway Companies, we can now go to almost the +extremity of London for 6_d._ and a shorter distance for 3_d._ + + * * * * * + +Lordship Place takes its name from having been the site of the barns, +&c., of the Lord of the Manor. It is a short street, near the river, +connecting Lawrence Street with Cheyne Row. In the early Parish +Registers occur many lamentable details of poor people being found dead +in these barns, where they had taken refuge from the inclemency of the +weather. + + * * * * * + +Cheyne Row was built in 1708, and was named after the Lord of the Manor. + + * * * * * + +John Denver, Esq., resided in Cheyne Row for the last twenty years of his +life. He devoted his time to study, and the forming of a collection of +early printed Bibles, manuscripts, and missals, which was at last one of +the most valuable in England. His daughter, Miss Denyer, was very clever +in painting and illuminating on vellum, &c. Her drawings and miniatures +were equal to the finest specimens of the middle ages. Mr. Denyer died +at the age of 71, and was buried in the Old Church, and his affectionate +daughter was also interred near her father and mother. This family was +distinguished for their benevolence to the poor. + +In Cheyne Row, within my recollection, many old and influential families +have resided there, who were greatly respected. Amongst them may be +mentioned Edmund Chalmers, Esq., Thomas Chalmers, Esq., John Hulme, Esq., +Edward Holl, Esq., the benevolent Mrs. Hebert, Richard Draper, Esq., +George Blyth, Esq., and Isaac Wrentmore, Esq. + +Thomas Carlyle, Esq., who is so well-known in literary and other +distinguished circles, and who is certainly one of the most profound +writers of the present age, has resided in Cheyne Row for a great many +years. The University of Edinburgh, last year, conferred on him the +highest honour it could bestow. His habits of life at Chelsea are +naturally secluded, but he is nevertheless greatly respected by those who +have an opportunity of acquiring a knowledge of his social worth. Mr. +Carlyle begins now to bend with age, although apparently in tolerable +health, and, notwithstanding his recent severe bereavement, not a cloud +seems to dim the vigour of his intellectual faculties. + +In Upper Cheyne Row there was formerly a manufactory for melting gold and +silver in crucibles, which was said to produce the best articles of the +kind in England. + + * * * * * + +Cook’s Grounds was formerly a back way to Alston House, Cheyne Walk. + + * * * * * + +Cook’s Ground Chapel was originally built for the use of the French +Protestants, who had taken refuge in this country after the revocation of +the edict of Nantes, in the year 1685. Several French gardeners settled +upon this spot, and the Rev. Dr. King, the rector, mentions them in terms +of great kindness, and strongly recommends them to the protection of his +successors. The chapel was for many years in the Independent Connexion. +The Rev. Benjamin Fielder, in 1773, succeeded the Rev. Mr. Trail, and +died in 1803. His death was very affecting; he had seated himself in the +pulpit, and, after a hymn had been sung, he was observed with his head +reclining, and without any signs of life. He was immediately removed, +but never spoke afterwards. The Rev. John Bunce, who was well known and +respected in Chelsea, was minister at this chapel for many years, and +subsequently Dr. Tracey, Mr. Webb, and at the present time Mr. Hayward. + + + +Alston House, Cheyne Walk. + + +Shrewsbury, or Alston House, a capital mansion, built about the latter +end of the reign of Henry VIII., was situated in Cheyne Walk, to the west +of the present “Pier Hotel.” This house was considered for a long time +to have been the residence of Sir Thomas More; but Dr. King has proved, +from the most authentic documents, that it never had any just pretensions +to that honour. + + * * * * * + +It was an irregular brick building, forming three sides of a quadrangle. +The principal room was one hundred and twenty feet in length, and was +originally wainscotted with carved oak. One of the rooms was painted in +imitation of marble, and appeared to have been originally an oratory. +Certain curious portraits on panel, which had ornamented the large rooms, +were destroyed some few years since; this is to be regretted, as, in all +probability, they represented its former owners, or, at least, some +persons of note. + + * * * * * + +Leading from the premises, towards the King’s Road, there is a +subterranean passage, which has been explored for a short distance. It +is said, traditionally, to have communicated with a cave or dungeon, +situated at a considerable distance from the house; but for what purpose +made, no one now in its vicinity confidently presumes to guess. + + * * * * * + +The following information concerning this subterranean passage, is +obtained from a letter of Miss Gulston to Miss Tate, who was the +proprietor of the estate:— + + “I have found an old man, now living at Chelsea, who worked at the + paper manufactory when a lad, and who has established the facts. I + have always been laughed at when I have mentioned the story. I have + gotten two drawings of the room and passage. + + “The entrance to this passage was from the room used by the paper + stainers as a drying place. It had no fire-place in it; the + dimensions were nearly as follows: 25 feet high, 50 long, 36 wide; + the ceiling was strong with beams, to sustain the upper floors, but + without any plastered ceiling. You descended into it by a wide + winding staircase, through a circular-top door, strongly fortified + with rivets and four large hinges: this door was so contrived, that + it opened far enough back to hide the approach to the hole, and could + there be fastened so as to have the appearance of belonging to the + large room, and the circular steps leading to it caused the more + deception. + + “The side walls are all brick. This man never could proceed with his + light more than a distance of thirty yards, when the light invariably + went out. The passage is free from any incumbrance of earth, or from + any part of the side walls having given way; as far as could be + ascertained, its direction was towards the river. + + “It is regularly paved with two flag stones, leaving a border of six + inches of earth; width 3 feet, length 5½ feet. + + “This passage was discovered, owing to the proprietor having been + robbed of a quantity of paper for years. The man now alive + volunteered to detect the thief; the paper was found on the staircase + descending to the passage. + + “E. GULSTON.” + +Alston House was for many years the residence of the Shrewsbury family. + + * * * * * + +George, Earl of Shrewsbury, succeeded his father in the title, June 28th, +the 13th Edward IV., while a minor. In the reign of Henry VIII. he was +in high favour with that monarch, was steward of the household, and a +privy counsellor, and accompanied the King at his interview with Francis +I. at Guisnes. + + * * * * * + +In 28 Henry VIII., on the rebellion in the North, called “the pilgrimage +of grace,” occasioned by the dissolution of the lesser monasteries, he +was constituted the King’s Lieutenant, to march thither with a powerful +army, he himself having raised a number of men at his own expense, when +the Earl, and the Duke of Norfolk, succeeded in bringing the rebels to +submission, and obtained for them the King’s pardon. This nobleman +resided occasionally at Chelsea; and here his sixth son, by his first +wife, was born. The Earl died 1538; he is characterised by Polydore +Virgil, “as a person noble, prudent, and moderate through the whole +course of his life.” + + * * * * * + +Francis, his son and heir, is mentioned among the freeholders in the +court rolls of the Manor of Chelsea, 35 Henry VIII. This nobleman also +enjoyed the favour of his sovereign during three succeeding reigns. In +1545 he was appointed the King’s Lieutenant in the North; and in the +following year was installed one of the Knights Companions of the most +noble order of the Garter. In 2 Edward VI. he had the command of a large +army that was sent into Scotland, and in 1st of Queen Mary was made +President of the Council of the North. He died September 21, 1560. + + * * * * * + +George, Earl of Shrewsbury, son of the preceding, was installed a Knight +of the Garter, May 17, 1562. In 1568 the custody of the Queen of Scots +was committed to his charge. In 1573, he presided as Lord High Steward +at the trial of the Duke of Norfolk; and on the death of his Grace, which +happened soon after, he was constituted Earl Marshal of England. He died +1590, and was buried at Sheffield, in the county of York. “An +inquisition, taken at Derby, 3rd April, 33 Elizabeth, on the death of +George, Earl of Shrewsbury; after reciting lands, &c., in many counties, +adds Middlesex, one capital messuage, &c., in Chelsea. The value is +lumped in many manors, into a gross sum of £800 a year.” The inscription +on his monument, among other things, sets forth, “That, as he excelled in +mind, so was he skilled in the affairs of war.” On the arrival of Mary, +Queen of Scots, in England, she was again put under his care, and so +continued till 1584. His behaviour to her was ever generous and +honourable, sparing no cost for her entertainment. Words cannot fully +express the care and concern he had for her, nor can envy itself say +otherwise than he was a faithful and prudent person; in a word, his +integrity in his high office was not to be suspected, although evil +disposed persons secretly and vaguely gave out that he had used too much +familiarity with his royal prisoner. Thus, noble by descent, he was more +noble and illustrious in his actions; famous at home and abroad; loyal to +his prince and true to his country; and he resigned his soul in “a good +old age.” The Earl married to his second wife, Elizabeth, widow of Sir +William St. Loo, Captain of the Guards to Queen Elizabeth, who survived +him, and to whom he probably bequeathed his house at Chelsea, as it +appears to have descended to her son William, first Earl of Devonshire. +In “Lodge’s Illustrations of English History,” is a letter of this +nobleman, dated from Chelsea, in 1585. + + * * * * * + +Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury. This lady, who was much celebrated +for her beauty and accomplishments, and still more for her extraordinary +fortune in the world, was daughter of John Hardwick, Esq., of the county +of Derby. At the age of fourteen she was married to Robert Barley, Esq., +who, in about two years, left her a very rich widow. The next husband +was Sir William Cavendish, ancestor of the Duke of Devonshire. Her third +was Sir William St. Loo. In this third widowhood she had not survived +her charms of wit and beauty, by which she captivated the then greatest +subject of the land, George, Earl of Shrewsbury, whom she brought to +terms of considerable honour and advantage to herself and children; for +he not only yielded to a very large jointure, but to a union of families, +by marrying Mary, her youngest daughter, to Gilbert, his son and +afterwards his heir, and giving the Lady Grace, his youngest daughter, to +Henry, her eldest son. In 1590 she was a fourth time left, and continued +a widow till her death. Her’s was a change of conditions that, perhaps, +never fell to any one woman before or since: to be four times a +creditable and happy wife, and to rise by every husband to greater wealth +and higher honours; and, after all, to live seventeen years a widow in +absolute power and plenty. She built three of the most elegant seats +that were ever raised by one person in the same county—Chatsworth, +Hardwick, and Oldcoates; all transmitted entire to the first Duke of +Devonshire. The Countess died in 1607, aged 87. She bequeathed all her +estates to her son William, Earl of Devonshire; and we find this nobleman +to have been in possession of this mansion at Chelsea soon after her +death. + + * * * * * + +William, Earl of Devonshire, received his education with the sons of the +Earl of Shrewsbury, his father in-law; and, being distinguished for +eminent abilities, was advanced to the dignity of Baron Cavendish, by +James I. in the third year of his reign; at which time of his creation +his Majesty stood under a cloth of state in the hall at Greenwich, +accompanied by the princes and the greatest part of the nobility, both of +England and Scotland. In 1618 he was created Earl of Devonshire. He +died at Hardwick in 1625. The Earl married, to his second wife, +Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Boughton, Esq., of the county of Warwick, +and widow of Sir Richard Wortley. This lady survived him, and continued +to reside at Chelsea till her death, which happened in 1643, as appears +by the parish book, in which are also entries of the burials of some of +her domestics. + + * * * * * + +After the death of the Countess of Devonshire, this ancient house became +the property of Sir Joseph Alston, who was created a baronet by Charles +II. in 1682. Mrs. Mary Alston, the wife of this gentleman, died here in +1671, and her funeral sermon was preached by Dr. Littleton, who published +it shortly after, in quarto. Sir Joseph was in possession of this house +in 1664; it afterwards came into the possession of Mr. Tate, and was +occupied as a stained paper manufactory. + + * * * * * + +In 1813 it was pulled down, and the materials sold by a builder, who had +obtained possession; and now not a stone remains to show where it once +stood. + + * * * * * + +The family of Tate were originally of Chelsea, and had at one time large +property here, which they parted with by degrees. They attained property +also in Leicestershire, through a marriage with the daughter of Lord +Zouch. + + + +Bishop of Winchester’s Palace. + + +The Bishop of Winchester’s Palace, which was pulled down some years +since, adjoined the gardens of Alston House, on the east, and on the site +of which is now Oakley Street, and a terrace of well-built houses, +fronting the river. The houses erected in Oakley Street are throughout +of a superior class, and as the road is of considerable width, with a +good pavement, it now forms the most respectable and important direct +thoroughfare from the King’s Road to the centre of Cheyne Walk. The +contemplated embankment and Albert Bridge will be noticed at the +conclusion of this work, so as to get correct information. + + * * * * * + +The ancient palace of the Bishops of Winchester, in Southwark, having +been dilapidated and laid waste, an Act of Parliament was passed in the +year 1663 empowering George Morley, Bishop of Winchester, to lease out +the houses in Southwark, and for other purposes. In the ensuing year the +Bishop, in pursuance of this Act of Parliament, purchased a new brick +house at Chelsea, then lately built by James Duke of Hamilton, and +adjoining to the Manor House, Cheyne Walk, on the east, and Alston House, +on the west, for £4250, to be the future residence of the bishops of this +see, and to be called Winchester House. By the Act it was held to be +within the diocese of Winchester. + + * * * * * + +The Bishopric of Winchester is of good antiquity, and has never changed +the see since its foundation. The Bishops are Chancellors of the see of +Canterbury, and Prelates of the most noble Order of St. George, called +the Garter, which office was vested in them by King Edward III. at the +establishment of that noble Order, and has continued with them ever +since. Anciently, they were reputed Earls of Southampton, and are so +styled in the Statutes of the Garter, made by Henry VIII. + + + +BISHOPS SINCE THE RESTORATION OF KING CHARLES II. + +1662. George Morley, Bishop of Worcester. +1684. Peter Mews, Bishop of Bath and Wells. +1707. Sir Jonathan Trelawney, Bart., Bishop of Exeter. +1721. Charles Trimnell, Bishop of Norwich. +1723. Richard Willis, Bishop of Salisbury. +1734. Benjamin Hoadly, Bishop of Salisbury. +1761. John Thomas, Bishop of Salisbury. +1781. Hon. Brownlow North, Bishop of Worcester. +1820. George Tomline, Bishop of Lincoln. + +Dr. Tomline was the last Bishop of Winchester who had possession of this +ancient house, but he never resided in it. + + * * * * * + +George Morley, chaplain to Charles I., was a great scholar and an eminent +divine. After the death of the king he retired to the Hague, where he +attended on Charles II. At the Restoration he was made Dean of Christ +Church, and in the same year Bishop of Worcester, whence he was +translated to Winchester. His constant practice was to rise at five +o’clock in the morning, to go to bed at eleven, and to eat but once a +day. By these rules he preserved his health with very little +interruption through the course of a long life. He died in 1684. + + * * * * * + +Peter Mews was born at Parscandle, in Dorsetshire, in 1618, and was +educated at Merchant Tailors’ School, under the care of Dr. Winiffe, then +Dean of St. Paul’s, and afterwards Bishop of Lincoln. From school he was +elected scholar to St. John’s College, Oxford, and became Fellow of the +same College at the commencement of the civil war. Soon afterwards he +left Oxford, entered the royal army, and was promoted to the rank of +captain; he served for some time, and then went to Holland. + + * * * * * + +During the Interregnum he took holy orders, and at the Restoration +returned to his college, where he took the degree of D.D. On the death +of Dr. Bailey he was made President of St. John’s College. In 1669 he +was chosen Vice-Chancellor of Oxford, and in 1673 he was promoted to the +see of Bath and Wells, which he held for about twelve years, till he was +translated to Winchester. He died 1706, aged 88. + + * * * * * + +SINGULAR PREDICTIONS.—In 1706, John Needs, a Winchester scholar, foretold +the deaths of Mr. Carman, chaplain to the College, of Dr. Mews, Bishop of +Winchester, and of himself, within that year, to several of his +school-fellows, among others, to George Lavington. This declaration +exposed him naturally to much raillery in the school, and he was +ludicrously styled “Prophet Needs.” Mr. Carman died about the time he +mentioned. For this event, however, he had little credit, it being said, +that the death of such an old man might reasonably be expected. Within +the time prefixed Bishop Mews also died by a strange accident. He was +subject to fainting fits, from which he soon recovered by smelling +spirits of hartshorn. Being seized with a fit whilst a gentleman was +with him, and perceiving its approach, he pointed eagerly to a phial in +the window; the visitor took it, and in haste poured the contents down +the Bishop’s throat, which instantly suffocated him. As the time +approached which Needs had prefixed for his own dissolution, of which he +named even the day and the hour, he sickened, apparently declined, and +kept to his chamber, where he was frequently visited and prayed with by +Mr. Fletcher, second master of the school, and father of the Bishop of +Kildare. This gentleman reasoned and argued with the youth, but in vain; +for with great calmness and composure the patient resolutely persisted in +affirming that the event would verify his prediction. On the day he had +fixed, the house-clock being kindly put forward, struck the hour before +the real time; he saw through the deception, and told those who were with +him, that when the church clock struck he should expire—he did so! + + * * * * * + +Mr. Fletcher left a memorandum in writing to the above purpose; and +Bishop Trimnell, about the year 1722, having heard this story at +Winchester, wrote to New College, of which Mr. Lavington was then Fellow, +for further information. His answer was, that “John Needs had indeed +foretold that the Bishop of Winchester (Mews) and old Mr. Carman should +die that year; but then they being very aged men, he had foretold, for +two or three years before, that they should die in that number of years. +As to foretelling the time of his own death, I believe he was punctually +right.” Dr. Lavington gave the same account to his friends after he was +Bishop of Exeter. + + * * * * * + +Jonathan Trelawney was a younger son of Sir J. Trelawney, of Petynt, +Cornwall; but his elder brother dying in 1680, he inherited the title. +He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, where there is a portrait of +him. He was in succession Bishop of Bristol, Exeter, and Winchester; a +man of polite manners, competent learning, and uncommon knowledge of the +world. + + * * * * * + +Bishop Trelawney was one of the seven prelates committed to the Tower by +James II. for their efforts to maintain the Protestant cause. When the +news of his probable peril of life reached Cornwall, the miners proposed +coming up to London in a vast body to demand the bishop’s release. The +song in every mouth was— + + “And shall Trelawney die? + And shall Trelawney die? + Then twice five hundred Cornish men + Will know the reason why.” + +It is said that the bishop was open, generous, and charitable, a good +companion, and a good man. He died in 1721. {100} + + * * * * * + +Charles Trimnell, son of the Rev. Charles Trimnell, Rector of Repton +Abbotts, Huntingdonshire, was educated at Oxford. He was consecrated +Bishop of Norwich in 1707; was made Clerk of the Closet to George I., and +translated to the see of Winchester in 1721. This bishop, naturally of a +weak constitution, did not long survive his last promotion. He died at +Farnham in 1723, aged 40. This prelate was a steady partizan of the +revolution, which he defended by his pen; warm, yet temperate; zealous, +yet moderate; and his piety did not prevent him from gaining a perfect +knowledge of mankind. + + * * * * * + +Richard Willis, Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, was promoted to the +deanery of Lincoln, by King William; and in 1714 was consecrated Bishop +of Gloucester, translated in 1721 to Salisbury, and thence to Winchester +in 1723, where he resided till his death, which happened suddenly at +Winchester House, Cheyne Walk, in 1734, aged 71; his wife was buried in +Chelsea Church, in 1727, but he himself was buried in his own Cathedral. + + * * * * * + +Bishop Hoadly, a prelate of great merit, was the son of the Rev. Samuel +Hoadly, Master of the Public Grammar School at Norwich; he was educated +at his father’s school till he went to Catherine Hall, Cambridge, where +he afterwards became College Tutor, and appears to have been held in high +esteem throughout the whole course of his academical studies. Although +he applied to study with an intensity of application that made him +eminent, he acquired at the same time considerable proficiency in music. +In 1698 he was ordained, and about three years afterwards he married Miss +Curtis, a great proficient in the art of painting, many of her portraits +exciting public attention, particularly one of Bishop Burnet. + + * * * * * + +In 1704 Mr. Hoadly obtained the rectory of St. Peter le Poor; he began +writing as soon as he came to London; and in 1709 the following vote was +passed in the House of Commons:—“Resolved, That the Rev. Benjamin Hoadly, +having often justified the principles on which his Majesty and the nation +proceeded in the late happy revolution, hath justly merited the favour +and recommendation of this House. That an humble address be presented to +her Majesty, that she would be graciously pleased to bestow some dignity +in the church on Mr. Hoadly, for his eminent services, both to the Church +and State.” A change of Ministry prevented any benefit arising to him +from this address; but he afterwards had bestowed on him, by the +grandmother of the Duke of Bedford, the rectory of Streatham, Surrey. +Soon after the accession of George I. he was made Bishop of Bangor. From +thence he was successively translated to those of Hereford, Salisbury, +and Winchester, which last he enjoyed nearly twenty-seven years. + + * * * * * + +It is somewhat a singular circumstance, that when Bishop Hoadly went to +Court to kiss the King’s hand on his promotion, he did not know the way +up stairs, the attendants being all busily engaged at the moment, and by +mistake he sat down in an outer room unobserved, and some affirm that he +lost the honour of being presented on that occasion to his Majesty. + + * * * * * + +The doctrines contained in his publications gave such offence to the +clergy, that they produced the famous Bangorian Controversy. On the 16th +of December, 1761, having supped, he retired to bed in perfect health, +but in the middle of the night he was seized with a fit of vomiting, of +which the violence abated in about an hour. Medical assistance was +immediately sent for, and the bishop seemed better, but about two o’clock +the following even, his lady found him dead, without knowing the precise +moment of his departure. As a writer, he possessed powerful talents; his +greatest defect, perhaps, was in extending his periods to a disagreeable +length; for which Pope has thus recorded him:— + + “But, sir, of writers? Swift for closer style, + But Hoadly for a period of a mile.” + +Amongst the most celebrated writers of modern times, who have possessed +great argumentative powers, this “defect” is generally a natural +consequence. Lord Brougham, for instance, was remarkable for the length +of his periods, or final sentences, but with him it evidenced deep +thought, and enabled him to impart into his writings and speeches that +eloquence and force of language for which he was so highly extolled. +Bishop Hoadly might have been one of those “powerful” writers. + + * * * * * + +Dr. John Thomas was born in 1696, and in 1733, being then Fellow of All +Souls College, Oxford, he was presented by the Dean and Chapter of St. +Paul’s, to the united parishes of St. Benedict’s and St. Peter’s, Paul’s +Wharf, London. In 1742 he became Canon Residentiary of St. Paul’s, and +was sworn in one of his Majesty’s Chaplains in Ordinary. He was +consecrated Bishop of Peterborough in 1747, and four years after was +appointed Preceptor to the Prince of Wales. On the death of Bishop +Hoadly he was presented to the see of Winchester. Dr. Thomas died at his +episcopal palace, Cheyne Walk, in 1781, aged 85, having sustained +throughout life the character of an exemplary prelate. {102} + + * * * * * + +The Hon. Brownlow North was born in 1741, was the younger son of the +first Earl of Guildford, and brother to that Lord North who became twice +Prime Minister of this country, once during the American war, and, +secondly, in conjunction with Mr. Fox. Mr. North was first educated at +Eton, and afterwards at Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1770 he was +promoted from a canonry at Christchurch, to the deanery of Canterbury. +His elder brother being now Prime Minister he obtained the mitre of +Lichfield and Coventry in 1771, at the early age of 30. In 1744 he was +promoted to the see of Worcester, soon after which he was promoted to the +rich see of Winchester. By his wife, formerly Miss Bannister, a lady +previously well known in the fashionable world, he had a very numerous +family, of whom both sons and sons-in-law were amply provided with +valuable livings in the church. The bishop with his family went to +Italy, and shortly after their return his lady died; his lordship died at +his palace at Chelsea, after a long illness, accompanied with blindness, +at the age of 79, July 12, 1820. + + * * * * * + +Bishop North was kind and charitable. The present writer gladly embraces +this opportunity to testify to the truth of this statement. The bishop +was walking in front of his palace, as was his frequent custom, when the +writer, then quite a youth, fell accidentally with considerable force on +the shore of the river, it being at the time “low water.” The bishop +observing the accident, and perceiving the injury sustained, gave +immediate instructions for his being carried home, compensating the men, +and offering to pay any additional expenses. This may appear no more +than an act of duty on the part of the bishop, but the writer cannot +refrain from remembering it as a deed worthy of a “good Samaritan.” + + * * * * * + +Winchester Palace was of humble exterior, and displayed little of +grandeur or of magnificence. It was two stories in height, and built +with red bricks, without pilasters or any other architectural ornament; +but, however plain in its exterior, it comprised every convenience and +comfort that could be required for a large establishment. The building +formed a quadrangle, and its principal entrance was in the south front, +the ground floor of which comprised the great hall, kitchen, and chapel, +the latter being of moderate dimensions, plainly but neatly fitted up. +The great staircase at the eastern end of the hall led to three grand +drawing rooms, which extended the whole length of the south front, and +which, during the residence of Bishop North, were splendidly furnished. +The walls were covered with beautiful paper, having gold borders, the +ceilings were richly ornamented in stucco work, and the chimney-pieces +composed of various coloured marbles, put up at considerable expense by +the bishop after his return from Italy. The sleeping rooms, and other +domestic chambers, occupied the whole north front, commanding fine views +over the gardens adjoining. On the ground floor of this front were two +libraries, and other apartments, bounded on the east by a great gallery, +leading to the gardens. + + * * * * * + +Having been obliged in the year 1791, by the bad health of part of his +family, to seek the climate of Italy, Bishop North collected there many +curious articles of undoubted antiquity, of modern art, and of natural +history, of which the principal were, Greek sepulchral vases, specimens +of ancient marbles used in the Roman villas, mural paintings from +Herculaneum, beautiful works in Mosaic, fine bronzes, splendid gems, +curious china, &c. These were disposed with much taste in various +apartments of the house, and some of them we will notice. + + * * * * * + +The great entrance hall was 40 ft. long, and 20 ft. wide; on a table +stood an antique juvenile bust of Bacchus, which was much admired. + + * * * * * + +The grand staircase was of noble proportions, and was ornamented with a +variety of objects of taste, disposed in glass cases, consisting of +specimens of all the articles of domestic use among the ancient Romans. +Here likewise stood a sepulchral Roman vase of white marble, ornamented +with rams’ heads and elegant festoons of white flowers, with the +following inscription:— + + Semproniæ + Elegantiorib. choreis + Psallendoq; Præstantis + Suæ viridis in medio juventæ + E. Vivis + Per crudelia fata direptæ + Sodaliu. Sibi. Choors. Dilecta + D.O.M. + Moer. M.P. + + * * * * * + + In bloom of youth, midst sweet companions dwelling, + With elegant and tuneful arts excelling, + Fate did Sempronia suddenly remove: + Submissive to the wise behests of Heaven, + Those lov’d companions (full of hope) have given + To her this token of their loss and love. + + W. B. + +Near the preceding was a plaster cast of Dr. Burney, author of the +History of Music, taken from the original bust by Nollekens. The three +drawing-rooms were of the same dimensions as the hall; the first was +ornamented with several mosaic and fresco paintings from Herculaneum, and +other works of ancient arts. In the next apartments were portraits of +Bishop North, and his lady. Along the gallery which led to the garden +were disposed, in glass cases, a rich variety of beautiful shells, with +spars and ores, and a large collection of Italian marbles. The house was +also adorned with many specimens of modern art, in modelling and +painting, executed by Miss North, the Hon. Mr. Brownlow North, and by +others of his lordship’s family. + + * * * * * + +Winchester House was well and expensively supplied with water, conveyed +by pipes from a conduit, built by Henry VIII., situated in the King’s +forcing grounds at Kensington. + + * * * * * + +Upon pulling down the palace a singular discovery was made. In a small +room, to the north front, and at the north-west corner, were found on the +plaster of the walls, nine figures of the size of life, viz., three men +and six women, drawn in outline with black chalk in a bold and animated +style. Various opinions have been given respecting these spirited +sketches. They displayed much of the _manner_ of Hogarth, who lived on +intimate terms with Bishop Hoadly, and it was supposed that these figures +applied to some domestic incident in the bishop’s family, or to some +scene in a play. His lordship’s partiality for the drama was great. A +near relative, who resided in Chelsea, wrote the comedy of “The +Suspicious Husband.” + + * * * * * + +The palace remained unoccupied after the death of Bishop North; for Lady +Tomline, the wife of Bishop Tomline, conceived a dislike to the place +altogether. His lordship, in consequence, applied to Parliament and +obtained an Act to enable him to sell the premises. The Lord of the +Manor became the purchaser; and subsequently the whole fabric was sold by +auction. + + + +Description of the Manor House. + + +As full particulars have already been given of the distinguished +occupiers of the ancient Manor House, Cheyne Walk, it is here only +necessary to describe the structure of this once celebrated residence. +{105} + + * * * * * + +Immediately adjoining Winchester Palace, on the east, was situated the +ancient Manor House and lands. It was a spacious house, built by Henry +VIII., the original consisting of a rather plain brick structure, one +storey above the ground floor, with irregularly-shaped windows, and +divided by four buttresses of great width, carried up considerably higher +than the roof, either as ornaments or concealed flues. The parapet of +this part was castellated. Two additions, on the east, seems to have +been subsequently added to the original; one of them being three stories +in height, the other of two, without either buttress or embrasures. The +number of windows in the entire front was thirty-four, and the entrance +door accorded with the period of Henry VIII. The whole presented an idea +of monastic antiquity. + +Sir Hans Sloane, it is said, was buried from the eastern end of the Manor +House. A man, named Howard, who was employed in the removal of his +books, stated that they amounted to nearly 40,000 volumes. + + * * * * * + +On part of the site of the old Manor House, and adjoining Winchester +Palace, in the first house eastward in Cheyne Walk, resided for a long +time the Rev. Thomas Clare. When the destruction of the episcopal domain +took place, Mr. Clare, with some difficulty, obtained a portion of the +land upon which the gardens of the above venerable edifice stood, in the +arrangement and disposition of which he omitted nothing which might do +justice to the memory of its former illustrious owners and occupiers, or +excite the approbation of visitors of judgment and taste. + + * * * * * + +Sir Richard Steele appears, from the parish books, to have rented a house +by the water-side, rated at £14 per annum. In a letter from Sir Richard +to Lady Steele, dated Chelsea, 14th of February, 1716, he says, “Mr. +Fuller and I came hither to dine in the air, but the maid has been so +slow that we are benighted, and chuse to lie here rather than go this +road in the dark. I lie at our own house, and my friend at a relation’s +in the town.” + + * * * * * + +Sir Richard was born about the year 1676, in Ireland, but of English +parents. At a very early age he was sent from Dublin to London, and was +educated with Addison at the Charter House; from hence he removed to +Merton College, Oxford; he left the University without taking a degree, +and entered the army, a step highly displeasing to his friends. However, +as he had a constant flow of good nature, a generous frankness of spirit, +and a sparkling vivacity of wit, these qualities rendered him the delight +of the soldiery, and having made choice of a profession which set him +free from all the ordinary restraints in youth, he indulged his +inclinations in the wildest excesses. He became Secretary to Lord Cutts, +who obtained for him the rank of captain in Lord Lucas’s regiment of +Fusileers; and, in the beginning of Queen Anne’s reign, he was appointed +to the profitable place of Gazetteer, to which he had been recommended by +Mr. Addison. Steele had already exhibited his talents as a dramatic +writer with success, and in 1709 he began to publish “The Tatler,” which +was undertaken by him in concert with Dr. Swift, and others; and by this +work his reputation was perfectly established. This was followed by “The +Spectator,” which was carried on chiefly by the assistance of his friend +Addison, and the success of this paper being still superior to that of +the former, encouraged him to proceed in the same design in the character +of “The Guardian.” + + * * * * * + +In 1710 Sir Richard was made a Commissioner of the Stamp Duties, which +office he resigned in 1713; and from a placeman he became a violent +oppositionist. He took his seat in the House of Commons as Member for +Stockbridge, in Hampshire, but was expelled thence in a few days after +for writing several seditious libels. From this time till the death of +Queen Anne his attention was wholly engrossed in writing and publishing +political tracts. {107} + + * * * * * + +On the accession of George I. he was again taken into favour; was +appointed Surveyor to the Royal Stables at Hampton Court, had the honour +of knighthood conferred upon him, and during the whole of this reign +continued to receive many marks of the royal bounty. + + * * * * * + +It might now naturally be imagined that, taught by ample experience, Sir +Richard would pay some attention to economy: such, however, was the power +of habit, and such was his thoughtless profusion, that scarcely a +twelvemonth had passed before he was obliged to sell his share in a +theatre to relieve the oppressive exigencies of want. In 1725 he +surrendered the whole of his property to his creditors, and retired to +Wales, where, in the following year, he was seized with a paralytic +stroke, which rendered him incapable of any further literary effort. + + * * * * * + +By the indulgence of the mortgagee he resided on his estate, near +Carmarthen, which he had formerly acquired on his marriage with his +second wife. After lingering nearly two years in this secluded +situation, he died September 21, 1729. Such was the chequered life of +Steele, at one time exulting on the wing of prosperity; at another +depressed by all the evils of the most embittered poverty. His frailties +were not the offspring of vice, but the effects of habitual carelessness +and the want of prudence. Compassionate in his heart; unbounded in his +benevolence; no object of distress that he could relieve ever left him +with a murmur; and in the hour of prosperity he was ever ready, both with +his influence and property, to promote the views of literature and +science, and to assist the efforts of unprotected genius. Mental wealth, +however poor and humble the possessor, was esteemed by him to be of +invaluable worth. {108} + + + +Don Saltero’s Coffee House. + + +This well known coffee-house was first opened in the year 1695, by one +Salter, who had been a servant to Sir Hans Sloane, and had accompanied +him on his travels. The collection of curiosities, which were +principally the gift of his master, being the duplicates of his various +curious collections, drew from London a multitude of spectators. It +existed for more than a century, and was at length sold by public auction +in the year 1799. + + * * * * * + +In “The Tatler,” No. 34, Sir Richard Steele has given the following +humorous description of this once far-famed collection of rarities, and +of its eccentric proprietor:— + + “Being of a very spare and hective constitution, I am forced to make + frequent journies of a mile or two for fresh air; and indeed by this + last, which was no further than the village of Chelsea, I am farther + convinced of the necessity of travelling to know the world; for, as + it is usual with young voyagers, as soon as they land upon a shore, + to begin their accounts of the nature of the people, their soil, + their government, their inclinations, and their passions, so really I + fancied I could give you an immediate description of this village + from the Five Fields, where the robbers lie in wait, to the + coffee-house, where the _literati_ sit in council. A great ancestor + of ours, by the mother’s side, Mr. Justice Overdo, (whose history is + written by Ben Johnson,) met with more enormities by walking + _incognito_ than he was capable of correcting; and found great + mortifications in observing, also, persons of eminence, whom he + before knew nothing of: thus it fared with me, even in a place so + near the town as this. When I came into the coffee-house, I had not + time to salute the company, before my eye was diverted by 10,000 + gimcracks round the room, and on the ceiling. When my first + astonishment was over, comes to me a sage, of thin and meagre + countenance, which aspect made me doubt whether reading or fretting + had made it so philosophic; but I very soon perceived him to be of + that sect which the ancients call Gingivistæ, in our language, + tooth-drawers. I immediately had a respect for the man; for these + practical philosophers go upon a very rational hypothesis, not to + cure, but to take away the part affected. My love of mankind made me + very benevolent to Mr. Salter; for such is the name of this eminent + barber and antiquary. Men are usually, but unjustly, distinguished + rather by their fortunes than their talents, otherwise their + patronage would make a great figure in that class of men which I + distinguish under the title of Odd Fellows; but it is the misfortune + of persons of great genius to have their faculties dissipated by + attention to too many things at once. Mr. Salter is an instance of + this; if he would wholly give himself up to the string, instead of + playing twenty beginnings to tunes, he might, before he dies play + _Roger de Caubly_ quite out. I heard him go through his whole round; + and, indeed, I think he does play the Merry Christ Church Bells + pretty justly; but he confessed to me, he did that rather to show he + was orthodox than that he valued himself upon the music itself. Or + if he did proceed in his anatomy, why might he not hope in time to + cut off legs, as well as draw teeth? + + “The particularity of this man put me into a deep thought, whence it + should proceed that, of all the lower order, barbers should go + further in hitting the ridiculous than any other set of men: watermen + brawl, cobblers sing; but why must a barber be for ever a politician, + a musician, an anatomist, a poet, and a physician. The learned + Vossius says, his barber used to comb his hair in iambics; and indeed + in all ages, one of this useful profession, this order of cosmetic + philosophers, has been celebrated by the most eminent hands. You see + the barber, in Don Quixote, is one of the principal characters in the + history, which gave me satisfaction in the doubt, why Don Saltero + writ his name with a Spanish termination; for he is descended in a + right line, not from John Tradescant, as he himself asserts, but from + that memorable companion of the Knight of Mancha; and I hereby + certify, to all the worthy citizens who travel to see his rarities, + that his double-barrelled pistols, targets, coats of mails, his + sclopeta, and sword of Toledo, were left to his ancestor, by the said + ancestor to all his progeny down to Don Saltero. Though I go thus + far in favour of Don Saltero’s merit, I cannot allow a liberty he + takes of imposing several names (without my licence) on the + collections he has made, to the abuse of the good people of England, + one of which is particularly calculated to deceive religious persons, + to the great scandal of the well-disposed, and may introduce + heterodox opinions: he shows you a straw hat, which I know to be made + by Madge Peskad, within three miles of Bedford, and tells you it is + Pontius Pilate’s wife’s chambermaid’s sister’s hat. To my knowledge + of this very hat, it may be added, that the covering of straw was + never used among the Jews, since it was demanded of them to make + bricks without it. + + “Therefore this is really nothing, but, under the specious pretence + of learning and antiquity, to impose upon the world. There are other + things which I cannot tolerate among his rarities, as the china + figure of a lady in the glass case, the Italian engine for the + imprisonment of those who go abroad with it; both of which I hereby + order to be taken down, or else he may expect to have his + letters-patent for making punch superseded, be debarred wearing his + muff next winter, or ever coming to London without his wife. + + “It may be thought, perhaps, I have dwelt too long upon the affairs + of this operator; but I desire the reader to remember that it is my + way to consider men as they stand in merit, and not according to + their fortune or figure; and if he is in a coffee-house at the + reading hereof, let him look round, and he will find there may be + more characters drawn in this account than that of Don Saltero; for + half the politicians about him, he may observe, are, by their place + in nature, of the class of tooth-drawers.” + +The curiosities of this collection were deposited in glass-cases, and +consisted of a great variety of petrifactions, corals, chrystals, ores, +shells, animals preserved in spirits, stuffed animals from various parts +of the world, idols, curious Chinese manuscripts, missals, birds, snakes, +butterflies, medals, models, fire-arms, fishes, portraits, prints, &c. + +A catalogue of the whole was printed, with the names of the donors +affixed; and under the management of skilful hands this collection could +not have failed to produce ample remuneration and profit. + + * * * * * + +Such collections, aided by those of Tradescant, Ashmole, and Thoresby, +cherished the infancy of science, and should not be depreciated now, as +the playthings of a boy are scorned after he has arrived at manhood. Mr. +Pennant’s ancestor, who lived at Chelsea, often took his great nephew, +Mr. Pennant’s father, to the coffee-house, where he used to see poor +Richard Cromwell, a little and very neat old man, with a most placid +countenance, the effect of his innocent and unambitious life. He +imagines this was Don Saltero’s coffee-house, to which he was a +benefactor, and has the honour of having his name mentioned in the +collection. {111} + + * * * * * + +Mr. Pennant, when a boy, saw “his uncle’s gift to the great Saltero,” +which was “a lignified hog.” What Mr. Pennant thus facetiously +denominates, is called, in the edition of Saltero’s catalogue that we +have seen, “a piece of a root of a tree that grew in the shape of an +hog.” He feared this matchless curiosity was lost; at least, it is +omitted in the last, or forty-seventh edition of the catalogue. + + * * * * * + +What author, except Mr. Pennant, can flatter himself with delivering his +works down to posterity in impressions so numerous as the labours of Don +Saltero? + +The name of Don Saltero made its first appearance in the newspaper, June +22nd, 1723; whence the following account of himself and his rarities is +extracted. + + “Sir, fifty years since to Chelsea great, + From Rodman, on the Irish main, + I stroll’d, and maggots in my pate, + Where, much impro’d, they still remain. + Through various employes I’ve past, + A scraper, virtuos’, projector, + Tooth drawer, trimmer, and at last + I’m now a gimcrack-whim collector. + Monsters of all sorts here are seen, + Strange things in nature as they grow so, + Some relics of the Sheha queen, + And fragments of the fam’d Bob Crusoe. + Knick-knacks, too, dangle round the wall, + Some in glass cases, some on shelf, + But what’s the rarest right of all, + Your humble servant shows himself. + On this my chiefest hope depends, + Now if you will the cause espouse, + In journals pray direct your friends + To my Museum Coffee-House: + And, in requital for the timely favour, + I’ll gratis bleed, draw teeth, and be your shaver. + Nay, that your pate may with my noddle tarry, + And you shine bright as I do—marry, shall ye + Freely consult your Revelation Molly. + Nor shall one jealous thought create a huff, + For she has taught me manners long enough.” + + CHELSEA KNACKATORY. + + DON SALTERO. + +Dr. Franklin, in his Life, mentions coming to Chelsea to see Don +Saltero’s collection:—“We one day (says he) made a party to go by water +to Chelsea, in order to see the College, and Don Saltero’s curiosities. +On our return, at the request of the company, I undressed myself, and +leaped into the river. I swam from near Chelsea the whole way to +Blackfriars Bridge, exhibiting, during my course, a variety of feats of +activity and address, both upon the surface of the water as well as under +it. The sight occasioned much astonishment and pleasure to those to whom +it was new. In my youth I took great delight in this exercise.” + + * * * * * + +This noted coffee-house was for many years, in the present century, +conducted in a most respectable manner. There was a subscription room, +where gentlemen met and conversed, and which was frequently visited by +men of literature and science, many of whom are still living, but of late +years it had lost the celebrity of former days. It was rebuilt in 1867, +is now a capital private residence. + + * * * * * + +Henry Redhead Yorke, Esq.—This accomplished scholar died at his +residence, at No. 19, Cheyne Walk, in 1813, in the 41st year of his age. +He was a great classical scholar. In his youth as he himself expressed +it, he was “madly in love with ideal liberty.” He became an officer in +the French army, and a member of the National Convention, and personally +acquainted with all the leading characters of the French Revolution. He +was denounced by Robespierre; and but for a friendly hint from the +celebrated Condorcet, must have been guillotined, had he been one hour +longer in making his escape. + + * * * * * + +In the month of March, 1798, he was liberated from Dorchester Castle, +after an imprisonment of four years, for a seditious libel. He had paid +a fine of £200, and entered into securities for £2,000. + + * * * * * + +Some years previous to his death his political ideas became moderated, +and he manifested a strong sense of the value of the British +constitution. He had been called to the bar; a profession for which he +was highly qualified, and in which there was every reason to hope he +would have risen to high eminence, had his life been prolonged. Indeed, +the zeal with which he devoted himself to his various professional +pursuits, hastened, if it did not bring on, the disorder which put a +period to his existence at the comparative early age of forty-one years. +As a classical scholar, and nervous elegant writer, he has left few +equals. His letters, under the signature of “Galgacus,” have scarcely +been surpassed since the days of Junius. In private life, Mr. Yorke was +distinguished for benevolence and liberality of sentiment, openness of +character, and his company was courted by men of all parties. + + * * * * * + +Francis Chalmer, Esq., (son of Edmund Chalmer, Esq.,) resided in Cheyne +Row for a great many years. He was a magistrate for the county, and +highly esteemed in the parish. As a gentleman he was affable and +courteous, and kind to the poor. He died at his house in Cheyne Row, in +July, 1859, and was interred in the Brompton Cemetery. + + * * * * * + +Leigh Hunt, Esq., the well-known author of many interesting works, and +who was the associate of the most distinguished political as well as +literary men of the earlier part of the present century, occupied a house +in Upper Cheyne Row for a considerable time. + + * * * * * + +Miss Frances Elizabeth Eggleton, and Miss Christian Mary Eggleton, lived +in Cheyne Walk. They were the daughters of Mr. David Eggleton, of Church +Street, a very old Chelsea family. The former lady died in 1861, and the +latter in 1867. Miss Frances Eggleton bequeathed a sum of money, to be +given at her sister’s death to the Rector and Churchwardens, in trust, +for them to give, on Christmas Eve, “a shoulder of mutton of not less +than seven pounds in weight, and not exceeding eight pounds in weight, +and four pounds of bread, to each of twenty poor persons of Chelsea, +being married persons and having a family.” An extract from her will, +respecting this gift, will be inserted amongst the other parochial +legacies. + + * * * * * + +Charles Rawlings, Esq., who resided in Cheyne Walk for many years, was +much respected in the parish, and was of a most benevolent disposition. +His deed of gift in 1862, and the legacies in 1864, will be found in the +list of Chelsea Charities. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Bayford, a distinguished proctor, and father of the present Dr. +Bayford, resided with his family in a spacious house, within a few doors +of Manor Street. His sons, in their younger days, were particularly +attached to aquatic exercises. + + * * * * * + +Nathaniel Handford, Esq., an old and respected parishioner, resided also +in Cheyne Walk, where he died. Mrs. Sarah Handford, his relict, who did +not very long survive him, left several small legacies, in 1865, to +various charitable societies in the parish. + + * * * * * + +W. Carpenter, Esq., well-known in literary circles, and who has long been +connected with the press, resided likewise within the last few years in +Cheyne Walk. + + * * * * * + +R. E. N. Lee, Esq., occupied the house at the corner of Manor Street, +(now in possession of Dr. Sannemann,) for a considerable period. He was +Steward of the Manor for eighteen years. He died in 1833, and in St. +Luke’s Church there is a tablet to his memory. No family was more +respected in Chelsea. + + * * * * * + +Mr. J. Fraine, a solicitor, resided at No. 13, in Cheyne Walk, and died +in 1785, aged 70. The history of this gentleman and his family was +marked by some very uncommon circumstances. He was himself afflicted +with a continual gnawing pain in his left arm, which he carried on a +board in a sling; and by pinching his jaws and throat, and beating his +right cheek through the violence of the pain, he had marked them very +much. He compared the sensation to a worm in the marrow of the upper +bone of his arm, and used to keep a boy to beat it with a stick whenever +the pain returned, and to tap on the back of his head with a piece of +wood covered with cloth. Mr. Fraine’s death was occasioned by the fall +on his right thigh of a leaden weight, with which he was exercising as a +remedy for his complaint; the injury brought on a speedy mortification. +This extraordinary case was fully described in a letter, subsequently +written by Dr. Monsey. The calamities of this unhappy gentleman extended +also to his son and daughter, both of whom fell by their own hands. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Fraine’s only son. King Samuel, an amiable, accomplished young man, +who received his education at Christ Church, Cambridge, put an end to his +existence at his chambers in the Temple, in 1799, aged 22 years, for +which no reason can be assigned but disappointment in love. + + * * * * * + +Miss Fraine, whose duteous attention to her tortured and frequently +impatient father was most exemplary, after the dreadful catastrophe of +her brother’s suicide, not wholly unaccountable from hereditary +irregularities of system, seemed to have a dread (not aversion) of +marriage. The tendency of her social feelings, strictly regulated and +controlled by the reserve of modesty and the dignity of virtue, almost +irresistibly inclined her best affections towards wedlock; whilst her +extremely sensitive forethought shunned the general result of engagements +ennobling to mankind in general, but appalling in many lights to herself. + + * * * * * + +During this state of mind, repeatedly avowing her contempt for birds, +cats, and dogs, she expressed great attachment for infant children. Miss +Fraine, in 1780, frequently expressed to a very near neighbour her ardent +wish that a particular child were placed under her own sole and immediate +management. “I cannot safely marry,” she would often observe, “but I +shall undertake the charge of an infant’s education with delight.” + + * * * * * + +After making many serious colloquial attempts to reason against such an +intention, the Rev. Weeden Butler sent some sportive lines to the highly +gifted and unfortunate lady. It succeeded so far as to repress any +further application by the lady, but her feelings remained the same. The +following elegant jeu-d’esprit was written with similar effect. She +appears to have possessed great sensibility of feeling without adequate +reflection. + + + +SALE OF A DAUGHTER, + + + In fairy guise and playful mood, + Euphrania, young and fair, and good, + Vows, if her friends a price would set + Upon their daughter Harriet, + Herself the gift of Heaven would buy, + And cherish it beneath her eye. + Does, then, Euphrania mean to say, + (If we would cast our young away, + Like ostriches) she’d prove a mother, + And rear the nestling of another? + + Ye powers, it is a strange temptation! + Let us not treat it with flirtation. + Come, think upon it well, dear wife; + We love our offspring as our life. + Euphrania’s offer is adoption: + Take it, or leave it, is our option. + + Heigho! I read your tearful eye, + “For the babe’s good we must comply.” + ’Tis said, ’tis done. Now, in a trice, + Let us determine well the price; + And, shunning all superfluous joke, + Settle the worth of infant folk. + The bargain is as clear as water; + Full many a one has sold a daughter. + +The consent of the parents having thus been obtained, the price to be +given for the infant daughter is the next consideration. The following +is a summary of the supposed value of the child:— + + Imprimis. For a hazel eye, £52 10 0 +And tongue that never told a lie, &c. + Item, for pranks and wanton wiles, 80 0 0 +Nods and becks, and wreathed smiles, &c. + Item, for filial obedience, 100 0 0 +One of our daughter’s chief ingredients, &c. + Then, item, for her race and name, 200 0 0 +Nearly in value both the same, &c. + Item, for every hope and fear 67 10 0 +That hitherto hath chequer’d care, &c. + £500 0 0 + + For such a sale, to us are due + A Bond, and final Judgment too; + From you the former may be given, + The latter must be left to . . . Heaven. + +Advised, pressed, solicited, nay, perhaps, commanded by an anxious +father, this lady at last married. Soon afterwards she grew melancholy +and desponding, and fell by her own hand, at her residence at Richmond, +in the year 1785. She married Captain Fortescue. + + * * * * * + +DR. DOMINICETI’S BATHS.—The dwelling house afterwards occupied by the +Rev. Weeden Butler, a few doors from Flood Street, Cheyne Walk, was once +inhabited by one Dominiceti, an Italian physician, of very considerable +notoriety and talents. At this house he established medicinal baths for +the cure of all diseases; and it was fitted up with pipes, &c., for the +accommodation of numerous patients, who might choose to reside with him +while they were under his care. In 1765 it is described as a large, +pleasant, and convenient house, which contains four spacious and lofty +parlours, two dining rooms, and thirteen bed chambers. On the east side +of the garden, and directly communicating with the house, was erected an +elegant brick and wooden building, 100-ft. long, and 16-ft. wide, in +which were the baths and fumigatory stoves, etc. It appears, from his +own account, that he expended about £37,000 altogether in erecting, +contriving, and completing his house, and baths in Cheyne Walk. + + * * * * * + +Among his visitors and patients, at Chelsea, was his Royal Highness +Edward Duke of York, who entrusted the preservation of his life to +Dominiceti’s sole direction for above a month; and that in direct +opposition to the advice of the Physicians and Surgeons of the Royal +household. Sir John Fielding, having experienced the good effects, as he +considered, of these baths, wrote a “Vindication of Dr. Dominiceti’s +Practice of removing various afflicting diseases by medicated baths, +stoves, fumigations, and frictions, founded on facts.” + + * * * * * + +Dominiceti resided for several years in Chelsea. He became bankrupt in +the parish in 1782, and at length disappeared, overwhelmed with debt. + + * * * * * + +We will now notice one of the most distinguished scholars and clergymen +of the early part of the present century, the Rev. Weeden Butler, who +resided in the above-mentioned house for a great many years, and also one +of his sons, etc., until a comparatively recent period, and which cannot +fail to be highly interesting to a large number of readers. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. Weeden Butler was born at Margate, in 1742. When aged fourteen, +he lost both his parents; and with his own free will was articled as +clerk to Mr. Rosewell, a respectable solicitor, in Angel Court, +Throgmorton Street, London. At the expiration of his term, he was +offered by his considerate late master and constant friend till death, a +share in the business; but he had determined to renounce for ever the +profession of the law, and resolved, by intense study and application, to +improve his superior intellectual powers, and ardently to prepare himself +for holy orders. About this time, he frequented all the churches and +chapels within and around the vast metropolis, as an enquirer after +truth. The result of his search fixed his choice, and he devoted his +time thenceforth, as a firm member of the Establishment, upon the fullest +conviction of its excellence. The course of his classical and +theological reading was directed by that splendidly and variously gifted, +but most unhappy character, Dr. William Dodd, to whom, for a salary of +small extent, he acted as an assiduous amanuensis, till his patron’s +ignominious death, in 1777. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Dodd’s “Commentary on the Holy Bible,” was partly compiled, and +wholly written out for the press, by the then unknown Rev. Weeden Butler, +who also greatly assisted in editing the four last volumes of “The +Christian’s Magazine,” and corrected the proof sheets of the poem, in +blank vase, “Thoughts in Prison,” of which Dr. Dodd’s own MS. was in the +possession of Mr. Butler’s eldest son in 1829–30. In this last +singularly affecting composition occur lines indicative of the worth of +the person eulogized, and of the author’s gratitude:— + + “But I am lost! a criminal adjudg’d! + A guilty miscreant! can’st thou think, my friend! + Oh! BUTLER ’midst a million faithful found; + Oh! can’st thou think, who know’st, who long hast known, + My inmost soul; oh! can’st thou think, that life,” &c. + +Dr. Dodd resigned his office of Morning Preacher, in Charlotte Street +Chapel, Pimlico, in February, 1776, and at his strong recommendation, Dr. +Courtney nominated the deserving Reader, Mr. Butler, who was licensed +Morning Preacher accordingly; and afterwards by purchase he became +proprietor of the chapel, officiating therein up to the year 1814. When +the subject of the present article retired from Chelsea, to Gayton; where +he piously discharged the duties of curate to his second son, till his +increasing infirmities compelled him to resign this his last charge, and +he finally withdrew to Greenhill, in the neighbourhood of Harrow, where +he died. + + * * * * * + +He was master of the school in Cheyne Walk for forty years; where many +persons of considerable rank had been so thoroughly grounded in morality +and general learning as to become bright ornaments to their country. +Amongst other scholars, the Rev. Weeden Butler had the gratification of +seeing his two sons treading assiduously in his own paths. The Rev. G. +Butler, D.D., in 1805, was chosen Head Master of Harrow School, and +continued as such, with great reputation, for many years. + + * * * * * + +The elder Mr. Butler was one of the earliest institutors of the “Society +for the Discharge and Relief of Persons imprisoned for small debts,” and +most materially assisted James Neild, Esq., his next door neighbour, in +firmly establishing that excellent Institution. The friendship, indeed, +which existed between these two benevolent characters, cannot be better +exemplified and attested than by the following few extracts from a letter +written by Mr. Neild, dated Chelsea, January 1, 1808. + + * * * * * + +“When I look back to the distant period of our lives, and observe, that, +of the first Committee of the Society, you, Rev. Sir, and myself, remain +the only survivors, I cannot but feel the most powerful, and, at the same +time, the most humble gratitude to the Great Disposer of all human +events, for having suffered me to live and witness the happy result of +our early and well-meant endeavours. * * * * With growing and +well-merited esteem, Sir, I witnessed your successful exertions in behalf +of the Society, at its earliest institution. Often have I felt the +influence acknowledged by all who have heard the eloquent and impressive +discourses which you have delivered from the pulpit, in recommendation of +the objects embraced by this Charity, and never can the gratifying +recollection be effaced which beamed from every countenance around you, +when you mentioned the receipt of £100 from an eminent advocate for +suffering humanity.” Mr. Neild concludes by referring to the promotion +of Mr. Butler’s son (Dr. Butler), which he considers to be the reward of +his virtues; of those early advances which his father’s tuition enabled +him to make in literature, and to the purity of his Christian principles. + + * * * * * + +In 1787 he instituted the Chelsea Sunday Schools, with the sanction of +the Rev. W. B. Cadogan. His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent had a great +regard for Mr. Butler, and appointed him one of his domestic chaplains. +Hardly one charitable Society in London existed, to which his popular +oratory did not essentially contribute credit and profit. He died in a +good old age, and his remains were placed in the family vault at Chelsea. +The Rev. Weeden Butler, his eldest son, occupied the same house for many +years afterwards, as also the son of the latter, Thomas Butler, Esq., who +was much esteemed by a numerous circle of friends while he resided in +Cheyne Walk. The whole of this family were remarkable for their +classical attainments and love of literature. The Rev. T. Helmore, +Precentor, St. Mark’s College, has since resided in Mr. Butler’s house. + + * * * * * + +A very fine portrait of Dr. Dodd, painted by Gainsborough, and a large +quarto volume of the doctor’s unedited poems, in MS., bound, including a +tragedy, called “The Syracusans,” and a comedy, called “Sir Roger de +Coverly,” were left by Mr. Butler, to his legatees. The portrait is the +only likeness extant The Rev. Philip Dodd, and the Rev. Weeden Butler +(eldest son of Mr. Butler), possessed all the Doctor’s unprinted sermons. + + * * * * * + +James Neild, Esq., who resided at No. 4, Cheyne Walk, was born in 1744, +at Knutsford, in Cheshire, in the neighbourhood of which his family had +some good estates. He came to London, and was placed with Mr. Hemming, +the King’s goldsmith, but after a short time, he removed to a jeweller’s. +In 1770 he settled in St. James’s Street, and continued there till the +year 1792, when finding his health declining, and having recently lost +his wife, he retired from business to Chelsea, with an ample fortune. + + * * * * * + +The attention of Mr. Neild, very early in life, was drawn to the +distressed state of persons imprisoned for debt; the endeavour to +alleviate which soon became his favorite pursuit, and one which he +followed with intense application. + + * * * * * + +In 1773, having previously visited most of the prisons in England, and +many on the continent, he was, together with his benevolent friends, Dr. +John C. Lettson, and the Rev. Weeden Butler, chiefly instrumental in +instituting the Society for the Relief and Discharge of Persons +imprisoned for small debts. In 1812 he published “The State of the +Prisons,” in a quarto volume, a work teeming with valuable information. +Mr. Neild died in 1814, and was buried in Battersea Church. He married a +daughter of John Camden, Esq., of that parish. + + * * * * * + +John Camden Neild, Esq., was a magistrate for the county, and the son of +the preceding. He resided in his late father’s house in Cheyne Walk, and +bequeathed half a million of money to Queen Victoria. He died in 1852. + + * * * * * + +John Goss, Esq., the present organist of St. Paul’s Cathedral, lived at +No. 3, Cheyne Walk. He was appointed Organist of St. Luke’s New Church, +when that sacred edifice was completed. His proficiency, even at that +early period of his musical life, excited general admiration, and large +portions of the congregation frequently waited in the Church, at the +close of Divine Service, to listen to his concluding performances. + + * * * * * + +There are several highly respectable families, who have for many years +resided in Cheyne Walk, of whom it would have been only an act of justice +to notice, but the strict rules of propriety prevent my discharging an +otherwise pleasing duty, which, in some instances especially, is much to +be regretted, as they take a deep interest in the promotion of whatever +tends to enhance the welfare of the parish. + + + +DOGGETT’S COAT AND BADGE. + + +Mr. Thomas Doggett, a native of Ireland, was an actor, and made his first +appearance in Dublin; but his efforts not meeting with sufficient +encouragement he removed to London, where he performed with great +reputation, and by his talents, industry, and economy, acquired a +competent fortune, and quitted the stage some years before he died. He +was also a patentee and manager of the theatre with Wilks, Booth, and +Cibber; the latter of whom gives Doggett the following character:—“He was +the most original and the strictest observer of nature of all his +cotemporaries. He borrowed from none of them; his manner was his own, he +was a pattern to others, whose greatest merit was that they had sometimes +tolerably imitated him. In dressing a character to the greatest +exactness, he was remarkably skilful; the least article of whatsoever +habit he wore seemed in some measure to speak the different humour he +presented, a necessary care in a comedian, in which many have been too +remiss or ignorant. His greatest success was in characters of lower +life, which he improved from the delight he took in his observations of +that kind in the real world. In songs, and particular dances too of +humour, he had no competitor. Congreve was a great admirer of him, and +found his account in the characters he expressly wrote for him. In those +of Fondlewife in his Old Bachelor, and Ben in Love for Love, no author +and actor could be more obliged to their mutual masterly performances. +He was very acceptable to several persons of high rank and taste, though +he seldom cared to be the comedian, but among his more intimate +acquaintances. + + * * * * * + +He is highly spoken of in the Spectator. He wrote one play, called “The +Country Wake,” a comedy, acted with great applause; and out of this play +were made two farces, “Hob, or the Country Wake,” and “Hob’s Wedding.” +The first has been acted often with great success, and likewise several +songs have been added to it in imitation of the Beggar’s Opera, since +which it has been acted under the title of Flora. + + * * * * * + +In his political principles he was, in the words of Sir Richard Steele, +“a Whig up to head and ears;” and he took every occasion of demonstrating +his loyalty to the house of Hanover. One instance, among others, is well +known; which is, that in the year after King George I. came to the +throne, in 1715, Doggett gave a waterman’s orange-coloured coat and +silver badge to be rowed for; on the latter is represented the Hanoverian +horse. + + * * * * * + +This contest takes place on the 1st day of August, being the anniversary +of that King’s accession to the throne, between six young watermen, who +had just completed their apprenticeship; the claimants starting off on a +signal being given at that time of the tide when the current is strongest +against them, and rowing from the Old Swan, near London Bridge, to the +White Swan, at Chelsea. This tavern adjoined the Apothecaries’ Botanical +Garden, on the east, and enjoyed a great share of public favour for many +years; but in the year 1780, it was converted into a Brewhouse. Since +this period, the place of landing the victor has been at a house bearing +the same sign, near to Cheyne Walk. I have been favoured with the +following chorus, said to be written by a waterman:— + + “Let your oars, like lightning flog it, + Up the Thames as swiftly jog it, + An’ you’d win the prize of Doggett, + The glory of the river! + Bendin’, bowin’, strainin’, rowin’, + Perhaps the wind in fury blowin’, + Or the tide agin you flowin’, + The coat and badge for ever!” + +Mr. Doggett, at his death, left a sum of money, the interest of which was +to pay for the same for ever. + + * * * * * + +The “Yorkshire Grey” public house stood at the west corner of Old Manor +Street, opposite the river. It was a very old tavern, mostly frequented +of late years by the watermen who plied at the stairs opposite to it. It +has recently been pulled down, and two good private dwelling houses now +occupy the site. + + * * * * * + +In the year 1824, a new road was opened, connecting Old and New Manor +Street, forming a direct communication from Cheyne Walk to the King’s +Road, and St. Luke’s Church. Prior to that period a large garden crossed +the street, with a wall and iron railing, so that the two streets were +entirely detached. + + * * * * * + +With respect to the embankment of the shores of our parish, this was +certainly the work of ages, much posterior to the Norman Conquest, nor +was it even completed before the latter end of the seventeenth century, +for, from the manorial records, we find them to have been frequently +imperfect, whilst the keeping them in repair and good order, was a +subject of vexatious dispute between the Lord of this Manor and his +tenants; and hence sometimes by the parish and the turnpike trust; +sometimes by those persons who inhabited houses immediately in front of +the River, to the extent of their own frontages; and sometimes by the +Lords of the Manor themselves, to the extent of their frontages. This +uncertainty respecting the right of repair was attended with many evils, +the walls being often out of order, and in a dangerous state. In +December, 1822, upon the trial of an indictment on the prosecution of the +Kensington turnpike trust, against the Lords of the Manor, in the Court +of King’s Bench, the Chief Justice ruled at _nisi prius_, that the _onus_ +rested on the latter, unless and until they could show on whom by right +of tenure, or otherwise, the burthen lay. + + * * * * * + +Having now arrived at the conclusion of Book I., in which are described +all that is worthy of special notice in a great portion of the western +extremity of the parish, I shall commence Book II., with a description of +that beautiful architectural structure, St. Luke’s Church. + + + + +BOOK II. + + +Consecration and other interesting particulars of St. Luke’s Church and +Burial Ground—Its Monuments, &c.—Rectors, Curates, and +Lecturers—Parochial National Schools, &c.—The Workhouse and the Old +Burial Ground—The Origin and Condition of the King’s Road in the “Olden +Times:”—Its state at the commencement of this Century, together with some +notices of the New Buildings, and its thriving Trade at the present +Time—Markham Square Congregational Church—Savings’ Bank—Chelsea +College—Charles II. and Nell Gwynne—The Royal Military Asylum—Old +Ranelagh—The Original Bunhouse—The whole interspersed with many other +interesting notices of Distinguished Residents, &c. + + + +St. Luke’s Church and the Burial Ground. + + +IT will be necessary before we give a description of this beautiful +edifice to state some particulars respecting the Burial Ground, or, more +properly speaking, the Cemetery, in the centre of which the Church is +erected. The Act of Parliament for providing this additional Burial +Ground for the parish was passed in 1810, and certain Trustees therein +named were appointed to carry it into effect. They accordingly purchased +of Earl Cadogan, the Lord of the Manor, a piece of ground, in the present +central situation, containing rather more than four acres, and enclosed +it with a substantial wall and strong iron railing. + + * * * * * + +As I was present at the consecration of this Burial Ground, and also of +the Church, a brief account of which I published at the time, the +following particulars I can fully authenticate. With respect to many +circumstances which I shall mention, in connexion with the Church, they +may be relied upon as being accurately stated from my own personal +observation. + +In November, 1812, the enclosure of the spacious new Burial Ground having +been in every respect completed, with a small Chapel erected close to the +entrance on the north side, designed exclusively for reading the Funeral +Service, on Saturday, the 21st of the above month, the same were +consecrated by the Bishop of London, accompanied by his Chaplains, the +Chancellor and Registrar of the Diocese, the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Wellesley, +rector, the Churchwardens, Trustees, and a large number of the +inhabitants. + + * * * * * + +The preliminary prayers were offered at the Old Church, and the Bishop +having declared his assent to the petition presented to him for +consecrating the new ground, the procession proceeded from the Church. +On their arrival there was an immense assemblage to witness the +consecration. The Bishop then perambulated the ground, reading such +portions of the Service as is specially appointed, and afterwards +completed the consecration in the Chapel. + + * * * * * + +In the year 1819, an Act of Parliament, 59 Geo. III., cap. 35, May 19, +was obtained for building a new Church, and the Rector and Churchwardens, +and 59 other inhabitants of the parish, were appointed to carry the same +into effect. The central portion of the new Burial Ground was +appropriated for this purpose, and on the 12th of October, 1820, the +first stone of the new Church was laid by the Hon. and Rev. Dr. +Wellesley, as proxy for his brother, the Duke of Wellington, who was +prevented from performing the ceremony by receiving “the King’s commands +to attend him on public business that day at his palace in Pall Mall.” +Many of the vast assemblage of spectators having waited a long time for +His Grace’s arrival felt somewhat disappointed, and some of them +attributed his absence to the political excitement which prevailed just +at that period, but this was far from being the general opinion. + + * * * * * + +A procession was at last formed in the following order:—His Royal +Highness the Duke of York’s Band; the Beadles of the Parish; Mr. James +Savage, the architect; the Builder, with a silver trowel on a crimson +velvet cushion; the Treasurer, with a metal box and sundry coins, and a +brass plate, on a velvet cushion. The Hon. and Rev. Dr. Wellesley, +rector, supported by the Churchwardens; the Curates and Lecturer of the +Parish, and the Trustees appointed under the Act of Parliament for +building the Church. + +The service used on similar occasions having been read by the Rector, the +box with the coins, and the brass-plate were deposited by the Rector upon +the stone prepared for the purpose, which was then lowered down and +secured with the customary formalities. The inscription on the stone was +as follows:—“This stone was laid on the 12th day of October, A.D., 1820, +by Field Marshal His Grace the Duke of Wellington, the Hon. and Rev. +Gerald Valerian Wellesley, Rector; Richard Rattenbury and Richard Mann, +Churchwardens.” The day was remarkably fine, and the spectacle +altogether produced a very imposing effect, notwithstanding the +disappointment experienced by the absence of the Duke of Wellington. A +spacious amphitheatre was erected for the accommodation of ladies, and +the ceremony concluded with a beam of satisfaction on the countenances of +nearly all present. + + * * * * * + +The Church is built of Bath stone, in the Gothic style of the 14th +century, and is approached by a sweep carriage way and flagged footpath. +The west front has an arcade, extending the whole breadth of the +frontage. From the centre of this arcade rises a lofty tower, the upper +part panelled and crowned with an open battlement. It is strengthened at +the four corners by octagonal buttresses, which are finished by +open-worked pinnacles, of a form which gives the exterior of the edifice +a very picturesque appearance, and when seen at a distance is very +attractive. The height from the ground to the top of the pinnacle is 142 +feet, and the view from the tower on which these pinnacles rise, affords +a very fine view of the parish and its surrounding scenery. From the +tower, the body of the building is seen to extend, embraced and supported +by its flying buttresses, which stretch their airy fronts from between +the Clerestery windows to the outer wall of the side aisles, when they +are continued solidly down to the ground. The walls of the side aisles +and Clerestery are both finished with perforated parapets of elegant +forms. + +At the eastern end, the principal feature is the altar window, 32 ft. +high and 16 ft. wide, divided by mullions into seven bays in width, and +four stories in height, exclusive of the pointed arched head, which has a +beautiful wheel centre. This end has also two octagonal turrets, the +upper stories of which are ornamented with open-worked panels and +crocketted domes. There are also two porches communicating with lobbies +and staircase, to afford the most ample entrance and exit. In the middle +part, and below the great window, the Vestry Room is projected. + +On the flanks the buttresses project about six feet, and their +extremities are connected by a dwarf wall, which defends an open area, +giving light and air to the crypt under the Church. The unbroken line of +this wall makes a solid base for the whole building, which gets lighter +and lighter as it ascends to the top, where numerous feathery pinnacles +impart softness and richness to the extremity that meets the sky. + + * * * * * + +From the great western arcade you enter by three sets of folding doors to +the vestibule, at the sides of which are placed the principal staircases +to the galleries. The principal or middle aisle of the Church is entered +from the centre of the entrance lobby by lofty folding doors, glazed with +plate glass, and as there is no western gallery to project before these +doors you have at once the full effect of the interior. In this Church, +unlike most others, the western gallery is obtained by a recess over the +vestibule, and is principally occupied by a splendid organ by Nicholls, +comprising the great organ, choir organ, and swell organ, containing +thirty-three stops and 1876 pipes. The organ is considered one of the +finest and most powerful in London. The bellows, when charged, contains +70 cubic feet of wind. {128} The King’s Arms, placed in front of the +organ, is executed in a solid piece of mahogany, and is a masterly +production. + + * * * * * + +The inside of the Church is 130 feet long, and 61 feet wide, divided into +a nave and two side aisles, separated by clustered columns and pointed +arches. The small column in front of the cluster continues up to the +vaulted ceiling, and there branches out into numerous ribs, which spread +their airy lines in the most graceful manner over the ceiling, tied +together at their numerous intersections by carved pendant bosses, the +principal light being from the clerestery windows gives an aerial effect +to the ceiling, which hardly appears to belong to “mid earth,” although +actually built of solid stone, whose power of gravitation appears here to +be suspended by the magic of art, of which this is said to be the only +instance of the kind attempted for the last 300 years. From the pavement +to the crown of the vault is 60 ft., clear height, a greater height than +is to be found in any edifice in London, excepting St. Paul’s Cathedral +and Westminster Abbey. The lofty position of the windows diffuses a +clear and calm light throughout. The church was for some years lighted +by oil-lamps in the three really magnificent chandeliers, but for a long +time gas has been very judiciously substituted. + + * * * * * + +A circumstance occurred in reference to these massive and splendid +central chandeliers, at nearly the conclusion of one of the Sunday +Evening Services, which occasioned great excitement amongst the +congregation, and it was feared at the time would be attended with loss +of life, but fortunately only one elderly person was seriously injured. +These chandeliers were obliged to be lowered by means of a windlass, and +men from the contractor for lighting the church, by oil-lamps, had to +attend and lower them both before and after Divine Service, in the first +instance for the purpose of lighting, and secondly to extinguish the +lights. It was the practice of these men, who came from London, and were +anxious to return home as soon as possible, to lower the weighty +chandeliers on a certain signal being given to them at the belfry door, +as soon as the organist commenced “playing the congregation out,” but on +this occasion it was a sermon in aid of a charity, and the organ was only +played previous to the singing of a hymn while the collection was being +made. This caused the mistake. Some of the congregation in the +galleries, perceiving that one of the chandeliers was unsteady and slowly +descending, rushed forward to make their exit, which created great +confusion and alarm, the result being the accident previously mentioned. +The Hon. and Rev. Dr. Wellesley, rector, being present, although not +officiating, immediately explained the circumstances, and soon afterwards +the alarm was allayed and the service concluded. The lighting of these +oil-lamps was attended with great expense and much labour. A +considerable saving is now effected by the introduction of gas, labour on +the Sunday is lessened, and the dirt occasioned by the trimming of the +lamps altogether obviated. + + * * * * * + +The galleries, south and north, are well constructed. There is breadth +of surface and simplicity of outline throughout. From some positions the +columns of the nave, which impart such a grandeur to the entire interior, +impedes the view of the preacher, even from the northern gallery, but +this is unavoidable in Gothic architecture. + + * * * * * + +At the eastern end, the great window, 32 ft. high, and 16 ft. wide, is a +most conspicuous feature. The bottom of the window, being 22 ft. from +the pavement, affords ample space for the altar-piece, which is designed +in the manner of a Gothic shrine or screen. + + * * * * * + +The altar, or communion, is ascended by three steps, and is enclosed by a +Gothic railing. The chairs and stools are designed in character, and are +good specimens of wood carving; they were executed by Mr. Relph, from the +designs of the architect. + + * * * * * + +The altar-piece is “The Entombing of Christ,” by Northcote. It had been +previously exhibited at the British Institution, Pall Mall. + + * * * * * + +For some years after the church was completed the large eastern window +was glazed simply with plain glass, as will be seen from the following +Vestry Minute, dated April 24, 1823:—“It is the opinion of this Vestry +that it would be expedient to have a stained-glass window at the east +end, &c., and that the money necessary for the same be attempted to be +raised by voluntary subscriptions.” This effort proved unsuccessful, and +on the 29th of August, in the same year, Thomas Bryan, Esq., of. Cadogan +Place, transmitted the following letter to a subsequent Vestry meeting: +“Since I had the honour of being appointed treasurer for the purpose of +receiving voluntary contributions for the purchase of a stained-glass +window, I beg to announce that I have not received any money but what has +been duly returned to the parties.” This great defect has since been +remedied, and a very handsome and appropriate stained-glass window, +representing the apostles, &c., now adds materially to the beautiful +appearance of the interior of the church. + + * * * * * + +The vestry is a large room, 28 ft. square, and is finished in character +with the general style of the building. For some years the meetings of +the parishioners were held in it. The proceedings on some occasions were +very noisome, and as they frequently took place on Wednesday mornings, or +on special days for prayer, there was at times such an interruption as +rendered it impossible for the clergyman to proceed. The Act of +Parliament since passed, and the erection of the Vestry Hall, in the +King’s Road, have happily for ever removed that cause of complaint. In +this vestry room, at the church, there is an exceedingly good portrait of +Mr. Flood, an oil painting, in a large and handsome frame. It is an +admirable likeness. + + * * * * * + +The following is another description of the interior of this edifice, +written by a gentleman who has favoured the public with an accurate +detail of most of the modern Churches erected some few years since in the +vicinity of London. It will be seen that this account, as regards some +of the architectural particulars, supplies several deficiencies in the +preceding description, while at the same time there are inserted in the +former many interesting details which could not possibly be included in a +second notice of the interior of the church. + + * * * * * + +At the west end is a vestibule, extending across the whole building, and +occupying the space beneath the organ gallery and staircase. This is +separated from the church by a fine stone screen, consisting of a large +pointed arch, flanked by square open buttresses, and ornamented above +with a range of upright divisions, finished with a blank cornice; in the +centre is a bow, or projection in the corbel style, in the front of which +is a dial. The doorway is formed of carved oak, representing tracery +work and mullions, the upper part of the panelling being pierced and +glazed. Above this screen is the organ, in a carved oak case, the design +of which is an assemblage of three towers, with pinnacles at the angles, +and united by flying buttresses, the wood work ornamented with upright +arched panels. + + * * * * * + +On each side of the church are seven arches, resting upon six octangular +columns, to each of which four small pillars are attached, an additional +one being placed upon the capitals of those which are situated towards +the body of the church, and carried up towards the vaulting. At each of +the extreme ends of the arcade a semi column is attached to the walls, to +complete the number necessary for sustaining the arches. The main +pillars and arches are ornamented with a simple ogee moulding. The +aisles are occupied by galleries that hide the lower divisions of the +windows, which are only seen externally, no light being admitted below +the galleries through the outer walls. Between the clerestery windows +and the arcades below is the metzonine story, fronted by four cinque-foil +headed arches, and finished with a cornice of roses in enriched quatre +foils, designed as in imitation of the ancient trifolium. + + * * * * * + +The eastern window does not fill up the entire wall as we find in all +ancient buildings, but a considerable portion of plain masonry is left +round it. The space below is occupied by a splendid stone altar-screen +of a beautiful antique design. It consists of five upright divisions, +formed by the buttresses, the central being the width of two of the +others; they are covered by ogee arches, with cinque foil sweeps in each, +the centre one having a canopy of the same sort, but more highly enriched +with a greater number of sweeps. From the canopies rises a series of +upright divisions, with trefoil heads; and above is an entablature; the +frieze of foliage in alto relievo; the cornice of various mouldings, and +the whole is fronted by seven demi angels, in ancient costume, crowned; +one hand of each is placed on the breast, the other held up in the +attitude of benediction. The screen is flanked on each side by a +magnificent composition of niche work, ranging above two small doorways +leading to the vestry, the arches of which are obtuse, and the +architraves entirely formed of mouldings. Above the point of the arch of +each door case is an hexagonal canopy, highly enriched, and supporting +the pedestal of a large and similarly formed niche above it, crowned with +a like canopy, which rises above the rest of the screen, and occupies a +portion of the wall on each side of the window. The pierced stonework, +elegant buttresses, and minute pinnacles of this elegant composition, +form an assemblage of architectural ornament which would not disgrace any +age in which the pointed style prevailed; the scale of grandeur in which +they are executed, and the general tastefulness that marks the design, +together with the correct style of the elaborate details, would do honour +to a cathedral. + + * * * * * + +The centre division of the church is roofed with stone from east to west. +The style of vaulting is, however, full two centuries earlier than the +building: the nave of Westminster Abbey seems to have been the prototype. +That part of the roof immediately above the altar is groined in a +different manner, the surface of the cove being filled with long panels +separated by arched ribs, springing from corbels, and crossing the church +from side to side; the same is repeated above the organ; the corbels are +all sculptured with figures of angels, which at the altar are represented +in the act of prayer, and over the organ appear to be chanting the hymn +of praise; though these portions are well executed, the conceit of +varying the design is too novel to be admired. + +From the groined roof depend three elegant brass chandeliers, suspended +on gilt chains. + +The pulpit of wainscot is octangular, and stands on a frame work of +pointed arches; it is not wanting in ornament but it falls short of the +ancient oak carvings. The reading desk, also of wainscot, which is +situated on the opposite side of the nave, is similar in design. The +fronts of the galleries are set off with panelling, having cinque-foil +heads; but wanting that boldness of relief which distinguishes the +ancient specimens of carved wood work; to the altar chairs, the same +remark applies. + + * * * * * + +The font is situated in the centre aisle, near to the pulpit and reading +desk; it is of an octangular form, and sustained on a pillar of the same +shape. The different sides are panelled, each containing a shield in an +enriched quatrefoil, and the pillar is ornamented with upright panels. +It is executed in marble, and the carving appears to be highly deserving +of praise. + + * * * * * + +Within the last few months there has been placed in the church a lectern, +which corresponds with the general character of the edifice. + + * * * * * + +The entire edifice is highly creditable to the parish, and may be +considered as a lasting monument to the memory of Mr. James Savage, the +architect. + + * * * * * + +The crypt or vaults under the church are well worthy of inspection. They +are conveniently approached, on the north side, by a flight of steps, and +are lofty, light, and thoroughly ventilated. Here may be seen the +foundation of the tower, which is an inverted dome, and all the columns +of the nave are likewise built on and connected by inverted arches. No +doubt the construction of these numerous vaults added considerably to the +aggregate cost of the edifice, and when interments were prohibited in the +metropolitan parishes the anticipated return was at once stopped, still +they strengthen the entire fabric, and ensure a freedom from damp, which +is most desirable. In several of these vaults are deposited the remains +of some of the most respected parishioners. + +The fees for burials in the vaults were as follow:— + + Single Coffin. Parishioner. Non-Parishioner. +An Adult £13 0 0 £19 10 0 +Children, 7 to 14 yrs. 8 0 0 12 0 0 +„ under 7 yrs. 5 10 0 8 5 0 + +None but leaden coffins, enclosed in wood, were allowed to be deposited +in the vaults, nor of less thickness than 5 lb. to a foot superficial. + +Length from East to West of the body of the 130 ft. +Church, including the recess of the altar and +organ gallery, in the clear of the walls inside +Length of Side Aisles, in the clear inside 108 ft. +Breadth from North to South 61 ft. +Breadth of the Nave 27 ft. 5½ in. +Height of the Nave, inside 60 ft. +Height of the Side Aisles, inside 31 ft. 9 in. +Whole length outside from East to West, including 186 ft. 10½ in. +Tower and Vestry +Height from the ground to the top of the pinnacle 142 ft. + +There are ten bells, which were cast at Mr. Mears’s Foundry, +Whitechapel:— + +The weight of the first 6 cwt. 1 qr. 8 lb. + „ „ second 6 cwt. 1 qr. 18 lb. + „ „ third 6 cwt. 3 qr. + „ „ fourth 7 cwt. 16 lb. + „ „ fifth 7 cwt. 2 qr. 9 lb. + „ „ sixth 8 cwt. 2 qr. 9 lb. + „ „ seventh 10 cwt. 3 qrs. 19 lb. + „ „ eighth 12 cwt. 1 qr. 11 lb. + „ „ ninth 15 cwt. 3 qrs. 14 lb. + „ „ tenth 23 cwt. 9 lb. + +The church was consecrated on the 18th of October, 1824, and as the +foundation stone was laid on the 12th of October, 1820, the building of +the edifice occupied about four years. + + + +MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS IN THE CHURCH. + + +There are many neat and well-designed marble tablets placed on the walls +in different parts of the church, and one monument in particular which +will be specially noticed. It would have afforded me great satisfaction +to have transcribed all the tributes of affection there recorded, and +also those in the Burial Ground, but the limited nature of this work +would only admit of noticing a few of them. By adopting this course it +will enable me to refer to a variety of interesting subjects, which +otherwise in all probability must have been omitted. + +The monument, to which allusion has just been made, commemorates a hero +who distinguished himself during the Peninsular war:— + + To the Memory of + Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Henry Cadogan, + of his Majesty’s 71st Regiment, + who fell in the Battle of Vittoria, on June 1st, 1813, + in the 33rd year of his age. + The Officers of his Regiment have erected this Monument, + In token of their esteem and regret. + +This beautiful production of the chisel of Chantrey, which is placed in +the north gallery, represents two soldiers lamenting the death of their +heroic commander, whose portrait is on a medallion surrounded with flags, +with the Imperial eagle of France underneath; the letter “N.” is on the +top of the pillar which supports the eagle. On the pedestal which +supports the sarcophagus is the word “VITTORIA,” encircled with a +laurelled crown; the sarcophagus is ornamented with a guilloche moulding. +Chastity of design and delicacy of execution are the special +characteristics of this admirable specimen of art. There is another +monument to the memory of this gallant officer, erected at the public +expense, in St. Paul’s Cathedral, and also a third in the Cathedral of +Glasgow. + + * * * * * + +During the battle Colonel Cadogan had been detached to an important +position; and when it was discovered that he had been mortally wounded, +it was proposed to take him off the field. “No,” said he, “my death is +now certain, and very near; suffer me to conclude my life with the +pleasure of seeing the continuation of our triumph; carry me to an +height, from whence I can observe it.” He was carried to one, when his +back was placed against a tree, and there he expired, after expressing +his gratitude to those around him. + + * * * * * + +In a vault near this spot lies the remains of the Right Hon. Charles +Henry Cadogan, Earl Cadogan, Viscount Chelsea, in the county of +Middlesex, Baron Cadogan, of Oakley, in the county of Buckingham. Born +17th Nov. 1749, and died on the 23rd Dec. 1832. + +Honoria Louisa Countess Cadogan, died September 12, 1845, aged 58. + +Sophia Lucy Cadogan, wife of Lieut.-Col. Hon. Geo. Cadogan, Grenadier +Guards. Born March 5, 1812; died Jan. 26, 1852. + + Sacred to the Memory of + Admiral the Right Honourable George Earl Cadogan, + Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, + Knight of the Imperial Order of Maria Theresa, of Austria. + Born May 5, 1783: died Sept. 15, 1864. + + * * * * * + +There are inscriptions on marble tablets to the memory of the following +respected parishioners, amongst some others:— + + General Wilford, who resided for many years at Ranelagh, departed + this life in 1822, aged 69. + + Mr. William Terwin, died Feb. 24, 1826, in the 74th year of his age. + Also, his brother, Mr. John Terwin, died Jan. 8, 1827, in his 69th + year. + + Joseph How, Esq., of Swan Walk, Paradise Row, (Queen’s Road West,) + died in 1825, aged 72. He was much respected. + + Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, widow of T. Smith, Esq., of No. 1, Manor + Terrace (now No. 167, King’s Road), who, by will, in 1828, bequeathed + £500 three per cent. consols, to be expended annually as specified + therein. + + Thomas Bryan, Esq., of Cadogan Place, a magistrate for the county, + died in 1830, aged 66. He was much respected, and was for some time + treasurer of the Parochial Schools, and ever ready to promote a + charitable object. + + G. H. Hopkinson, Esq., died in the year 1829, and Charles Hopkinson, + Esq., in 1830 (banker), resided in Cadogan Place for many years. + + R. E. N. Lee, Esq., resided for many years in Cheyne Walk, and died + in 1833. For 18 years he was Steward of the Manor. + + Richard Harmer, Esq., of Sloane Street, died in 1840, aged 80 years. + He was benevolent, and his death was much deplored by many of the + tradesmen in the locality. + + The Rev. G. Clark, M.A., chaplain at the Royal Military Asylum, a + clergyman universally esteemed, died in 1848. + + Peter Burrard, Esq., of Rayner Place, departed this life in 1842. He + was a captain in Queen Charlotte’s Chelsea Volunteers, served the + office of churchwarden, and was greatly esteemed by a large number of + the parishioners. + + Luke Thomas Flood, Esq., was a magistrate for the county, and for a + great number of years treasurer of the Parochial Schools. There is a + marble monument to his memory, near to the vestry door, in the + church, which is a fine specimen of the sculptor’s art. His + munificent annual gifts to the deserving and aged poor parishioners, + however, is a memorial of greater value than the most costly + monument. He died at Brighton, in 1860, at a very advanced age. + + The Rev. Charles Kingsley, M.A., the late rector, and father of the + Rev. C. Kingsley, the popular author, died in 1860, aged 78. A + notice of this kind-hearted clergyman is given in the brief record of + the Rectors of this church. + + + +COST OF BUILDING THE CHURCH, &c. + + +The original sum for the building of the Church, as agreed to at a Public +Vestry, held on the 20th of August, 1818, was not to exceed in all +£30,000, including every other advance that may be made from the +Commissioners of Churches, and others. The interest of this sum, +together with the principal, was to be paid out of a church rate, and the +rate for this purpose was not to exceed one shilling in the pound. {137} +From a statement I possess, shewing the various amounts received and paid +by the Trustees for building the church, and including the charges for +constructing a sewer from it to the river Thames, from the 21st of July, +1819, to the 27th of October, 1824, it appears that the total sum +expended to that period was £34,716 14s. 3d. This amount includes £2,020 +paid for the sewer, and £3,595 for interest on annuities, up to the time +of the above statement. The entire cost of building the church, &c., is +generally estimated as being rather more than £40,000. It is calculated +that it will very well accommodate 2,000 persons. + + * * * * * + +There was a petition signed against the New Church Bill, in which it was +acknowledged that there was a total inadequacy of church accommodation in +the parish—the population of which the petitioners stated to be 20,000 +souls—but they submitted that “it would be better to erect two chapels, +capable of holding 1,500 persons each, one to be situated at each +extremity of the parish, which might be done for one half the church +would cost.” Dr. Anthony Todd Thomson, of Sloane Street, who was one of +the most able speakers in the parish, most powerfully advocated the +erection of two chapels, but the opposition entirely failed. + + + +RECTORS AT THE NEW ST. LUKE’S CHURCH. + + +In the account of the Old Church a list of the Rectors connected with +that ancient edifice was given, we will now refer to those since the +completion of the new Parish Church. + +The Hon. and Rev. G. V. Wellesley, D.D., who had been for many years +previously Rector, was a brother of the Duke of Wellington, “the great +hero of many a hard-fought battle.” Making a deduction for some slight +difference in the corporeal appearance of them, there was a great +resemblance of features, and in quickness of conception, correctness of +judgment, and general determination of character, there was an +astonishing similarity. Dr. Wellesley was quick in forming his +conclusions, and appeared at times to be somewhat hasty, but generally it +would be found that his views were founded on truth and justice. This +remark applies more especially to the part he took as chairman of many of +the “open vestry” parish meetings, at which there was frequently much +contention. It was admitted, however, by those who were at times opposed +to his views that his conduct was impartial and conciliatory, and the +natural result was that he gained the respect of all classes of the +ratepayers, and thus allayed much of that asperity of feeling which is +too often manifested by contending parties. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Wellesley’s appointment of the Rev. Henry Blunt, M.A., then a young +clergyman who had gained the esteem of a large portion of the +parishioners, as Morning Preacher and Senior Curate, gave great +satisfaction, and, as presently will be seen, shewed the correct opinion +he had entertained of Mr. Blunt’s piety, zeal, and qualifications to +discharge the sacred duties he had so wisely entrusted to him. Dr. +Wellesley, after some years had elapsed, resigned, and died at +Bishopwearmouth, at an advanced age. + + * * * * * + +Some few particulars respecting the Rev. H. Blunt may here be very +appropriately mentioned. The following opinion of him, as a preacher, +given by an avowed infidel, will convey a tolerably good idea of his +impressive manner of delivery. I will give it as nearly as possible in +the individual’s own words. “I went,” said he, “to your place yesterday, +(meaning the church,) and if ever I go again anywhere it shall be to hear +Mr. Blunt. I went in and meant to come out shortly, but I had no sooner +looked at him than his keen eyes seemed fixed on mine, and as he appeared +so sincere in what he said, I remained till he had finished. He +certainly was most persuasive, and it spoilt my dinner.” This was +afterwards mentioned to Mr. Blunt, who smiled, and said, “I hope there +were many others who went home to their dinners equally impressed.” + + * * * * * + +When Trinity Church, Sloane Street, was completed, the Rev. Mr. Blunt +became the Incumbent (the parish at that time was not as at present +divided into ecclesiastical divisions). Here he was again greatly +beloved by his large congregation, including both rich and poor. Some +years afterwards he accepted the Rectory of Streatham, Surrey, where he +at length died, as much esteemed by the inhabitants there, as he had been +previously at Chelsea. Mr. Blunt was the chief founder of the first +Benevolent Society established in this parish, in 1829, entitled the +Chelsea Relief Association, and principally through his exertions no less +a sum than £163 was collected within a very short period. Hence arose +other similar societies, whose benevolent objects are well deserving of +support. The Infant School, in Markham Street, might be considered as +Mr. Blunt’s cherished offspring, and the National Schools at all times +were regarded by him with feelings of deep regard. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. Mr. Lockwood, M.A., succeeded the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Wellesley, +as rector, and manifested great interest in promoting the welfare of the +parish, but after a comparatively short period he resigned. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. Charles Kingsley, M.A., next became Rector, and continued as +such for many years. He was but seldom absent from the parish, and +exhibited on all occasions a kind and benevolent disposition. He died in +the year 1860, aged 78. Mrs. Kingsley was very active in establishing +the Rectory Girls’ School, and in promoting a variety of charities to aid +the poor. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. G. A. Blunt, M.A., (son of the late Rev. H. Blunt,) succeeded +Mr. Kingsley, and is the present Rector. He has evinced the greatest +desire to promote the religious, moral, and intellectual advancement of +the working classes, and takes a deep interest in promoting the Parochial +National and Infant Schools, &c. There is one charitable society, of +such a humane and practical character, that it deserves to be specially +noticed. It is called “The Sick Kitchen.” In a printed “Letter +addressed to the Congregation and Parishioners of St. Luke’s, Chelsea,” +1869, Mr. Blunt states that it is “carried on in a building erected for +the purpose in 1861, in the Rectory Garden. Its object is to provide +nutritious dinners for the poor who are recovering from sickness. It is +supported by voluntary contributions, the early Communion alms, and half +the contents of the church boxes at St. Luke’s. An average of thirty +poor people are thus supplied daily for nine months in the year. There +is no charge made, the orders being given by the Curates and District +Visitors, among the cases they visit. The dinners consist of roast meat +three times a week, soup, puddings, &c., on the alternate days; beef tea +daily.” + + * * * * * + +The advowson anciently belonged, as already stated, to the Abbot and +Convent of Westminster, till they exchanged it, 17th July, 28 Henry +VIII., together with their manors of Neyte and Hyde, with the king, for +the priory of Hurley. It continued in the possession of the Crown till +Queen Elizabeth, by letters patent, dated July 3rd, second year of her +reign, demised to Ann, Duchess of Somerset, the advowson of the parish +church and rectory for her life, the reversion to the Queen. After the +death of the duchess it was granted to the Earl of Nottingham and his +Countess for three lives. King Charles I. granted the advowson, with the +manor, to James Duke of Hamilton, and in the next reign Charles Cheyne, +Esq., purchased the manor, to which the rectory has ever since been +annexed. + +In the year 1327, 1st of Edward III., the rectory was rated at thirteen +marks, and in the king’s books at £13 6s. 8d., and the yearly tenths £1 +6s. 8d. + + * * * * * + +Among Dr. King’s original papers is the following account of the rectory: +“The ancient parsonage-house, with 14 acres and 22 perches of land, stood +west of the Duke of Beaufort’s, then the Marquis of Winchester’s. In +lieu of which, upon an exchange, the present house, and land about it, +was given to the rectory for ever, by the consent of the Queen, the then +patron, Dr. Edmund Grindall, Bishop of London, and Robt. Richardson, +Rector of Chelsea, who conveyed the old house and land to the Marquis by +writing, bearing date May 3, 1566.” + + * * * * * + +In 1650, it was reported to the Commissioners appointed by the +Parliament, that the parsonage-house of Chelsea, with twenty acres of +glebe, belonging to the same, were valued at £60 per annum, and the +tithes worth £60 more. + + * * * * * + +The Rectory House, situated in Church Street, is very plain as regards +its exterior appearance. The grounds are enclosed by a wall, and there +are carriage entrances to the house. The interior is commodious, but +scarcely adequate to the requirements of a large establishment in the +present day. + + + +THE BURIAL GROUND, OR CEMETERY. + + +In the south and north portions of the ground there are a great number of +memorial stones, and a few brick vaults. That portion, situated at the +north-eastern division, near to Bond Street and Marlborough Square, the +ground of which is raised above the general surface, may be considered +almost as one huge grave, containing a mass of interments. It was +originally called “The Poor Ground,” on account of its being devoted +exclusively for those who were buried at the expense of the parish. It +would display much good feeling and sympathy, if some simple but +appropriate record was placed there. It might be done by subscription, +should there be no funds available for such a purpose. + + * * * * * + +With respect to the numerous inscriptions, it would be impossible, as +already stated, to notice more than a very few of them, and they contain +generally only the name and age of the person interred. And, after all, +we may say with the poet, + + “The best concerted schemes men lay for fame, + Die fast away; only themselves die faster. + The far-famed sculptor and the laurelled bard, + Those bold insurancers of deathless fame, + Supply their little feeble aids in vain.” + + BLAIR’S GRAVE. + +William Jones, Esq., aged 83, resided in Manor Street, Cheyne Walk. He +was a good Hebrew and Greek scholar, but it is in the character of a +naturalist that he must be principally regarded, Mr. Jones having painted +from nature about 1,500 species of butterflies in a most masterly manner, +and not only painted but arranged and characterized them in Latin. + +Matthew Yatman, Esq., of Lindsey Row, died in 1814; he was a most +accomplished gentleman. + +Signor Carlo Rovedino, an Italian, died in this parish Oct. 6, 1822, aged +71; he was well known on the continent and in this country as a bass +singer. + +Thomas Raven, a pupil in St. George’s Hospital, died in his sleep in +1826, aged 20. + +Dr. John M‘Leod, the companion of Sir Murray Maxwell, and the author of a +voyage in H.M. ship “Alceste,” to the Yellow Sea, and of her shipwreck in +the Straits of Gaspar; he died in the King’s Road in 1820, aged 38. + +Thomas Davey, Esq., of the King’s Road, died in 1833; he was a celebrated +florist, and resided opposite Royal Avenue Terrace. This gentleman +served most of the old parochial offices, and his general good-natured +disposition gained for him the respect of all parties in the parish. + +William Tebbs, Esq. died in 1831, aged 59; he was beloved by a large +circle of friends, and esteemed by all who knew him. + + * * * * * + +Most of the old and respected parishioners of Chelsea, who once occupied +a prominent position in it, have passed away from the scenes of this +world, to enjoy, it is hoped, that pure and unalloyed happiness which can +only be realized in that kingdom where there is neither poverty, anxiety, +sorrow, or pain. Some of them no doubt are interred in this ground, but +it would have displayed partiality to have noticed some and emitted +others. + +From an official statement, dated Dec. 22, 1823, shewing the receipts and +disbursements under each head, from the incorporation of the Burial +Ground Trustees, April 10, to September 1823, it appears that the whole +amount of expenditure, during the above period, was £17,243 8s. 6d. This +amount included £4,713 1s. 0¼d., for enclosing the ground, and £1,135 5s. +7½d., for building the temporary chapel, which was erected at the +northern entrance, for reading the Funeral Service, previously to the +erection of the Church. + + * * * * * + +In concluding the account of St. Luke’s Church, and Burial Ground, I +venture to insert, at the request of some subscribers to this work, the +following lines:— + + + +REMINISCENCES OF ST. LUKE’S CHURCH. + + + Whene’er I view that beauteous tower, + Built with artistic taste and power + Upon yon sacred sod, + My heart awakes, with thankful strain, + For in old age I see again + That temple of my God. + + Once in that Church I bent the knee, + And join’d the holy minstrelsy + That lifts the soul above:— + The powerful organ swell’d on high, + And many felt that God was nigh, + Inspir’d by faith and love. + + I’ve seen there a bride, in rich attire, + Receive the ring from her loving sire, + And sign the marriage book:— + Then when they left the bells were rung, + And the porch fill’d with old and young, + To see their happy look. + + I’ve stood beside the baptismal font, + Where children oft to Christ were brought, + And th’ cross mark’d o’er their brow:— + And it was a joyful after-sight + To see them, in emblematic white, + Confirm their sponsor’s vow. + + The preacher, by his earnest way, + Fill’d the Church on the Sabbath day, + And touch’d their hearts within:— + He told them of the bleating sheep, {144} + Of Saul’s deceit, and crime so deep, + And warn’d them of his sin. + + And there have aged pilgrims stood, + (Now safely pass’d o’er Jordan’s flood, + And gain’d blest Canaan’s shore,) + Each burthen there they seem’d to cast, + As if each danger they had pass’d, + And all their toil was o’er. + + And last I’ve seen the funeral train, + Like mourners on a desert plain, + Come slowly with their load:— + I’ve stood beside the silent bier, + And watch’d the trickling kindred tear + Fall in death’s drear abode. + + Oh! when I view that sacred tower, + At morning or at evening hour, + By pure devotion led, + I love to meditate awhile— + I think I see some angels smile + Above the peaceful dead! + +_Chelsea_, 1867. + + GEORGE BRYAN. + + + +PARISH REGISTERS. + + +We now come to an exceedingly interesting subject, interesting alike, +both to old and young, when we consider the very small population of the +parish three centuries back compared with the present time now numbering +about 70,000. Many of the early records of Parish Registers, will be +found often written in so quaint a style as to be almost amusing, still +they carry with them solemn thoughts, if rightly regarded, which ought to +produce a salutary effect. When we read, too, the inscriptions on the +monuments in our cathedrals, old churches, and in our cemeteries, and +find ourselves actually walking over the remains of noblemen, statesmen, +and others—some celebrated for their noble and gallant conduct, or for +hospitality and munificence, and many for their devotion to the study of +theology, literature, the fine arts, &c.—we become, as it were, rivetted +to the sacred spot, and whatever pleasing historical associations may +occur to the mind, they are involuntarily mingled with reflections of a +far more solemn character. + + * * * * * + +The first institution of Parish Registers in England commenced in 1501, +16th of Henry VIII., although the keeping of them was not strictly +enjoined till the injunction of Lord Cromwell, 30th of Henry VIII., but +he being considered as a favourer of innovations in religion, the good +intent of them was much misrepresented, and his order rarely attended to +by the clergy. A second order of this kind was issued in the second year +of Edward VI., 1547, though perhaps little complied with. A third order +is found in the statutes of the National Synod, by Cardinal Pole, about +1555, and the last and most successful in the 1st, 7th, and 39th years of +Elizabeth. + + * * * * * + +The first Chelsea Parish Register Book is a small folio, vellum, a great +part of which is beautifully written. It commences with the year 1559, +and appears to be accurately kept, except that it is imperfect during the +Interregnum; and there are some omissions in the burials between 1564 and +1591, and between 1644 and 1652, the year in which it ends. In the first +leaf there is this memorandum: “A Booke begun in the House of God for +Regestringe of all Christenings, Marages, and Burialls within the Parishe +of Chelsey, provided for that purpose by J. Tomkins and Thomas Saunders, +Church Wardens, the 19 daye of Feburarie 1559, and new in the time and +yeare of Richard Warde, Parson of Chelsey, 11 March, 1599.” + + * * * * * + +The following are a few selected from the Baptisms, Marriages, and +Burials:— + + + +BAPTISMS. + +1559. William Hitchcock was baptized the 19th day of Februarie. + (This is the first registered.) +1576. Gabriel, the son of Thomas Browne, Parson, 3rd April. +1593. Elizabeth, filia Johis. Stanhope, armi. and Margaritæ + uxoris ejus, 14th August (afterwards married to Sir Lionel + Talmash.) +1594. Margaret Stanley, 17th April. +1595. Carolus filius Johs. Stanhope, armi. April 27. (afterwards + second Lord Stanhope.) +1597. Charles, a boy, by estimacon x or xii yeares old, brought + by Sir Walter Rawlie from Guiana, Feb. 13. +1599. William, the sonne of Sir Arthur Gorge, Kt., 31st May. +1600. Timoleon, sonne of Sir Arthur Gorge, and Lady Elizabeth, + his wife, baptized primo Octobris. +1612. Frances, the daughter of Sir Walter Alston, Knight, 26th + April. +1613. Fielde, a poor man child, found in the east field of + Chelsey, 13th October. +1639. Chelsey, a child born in the west fields, was baptized Feb. + 1. + +The remaining baptismal entries, and some of those omitted, include the +sons or daughters of the Earl of Nottingham, Lord Cranfield, Earl of +Lincolne, Sir John Danvers, Sir G. Wentworth, Lord Commissioner +Whitelocke, Charles Cheyne, Esq., Charles Stanley, Esq., Sir Henry +Herbert, Earl of Lindsey, &c. + + + +MARRIAGES. + +1559. W. Harris and Eliz. Buger. (This is the first marriage + registered.) +1560. In this year there were four marriages, and a very few + afterwards until 1600. +1582. T. Mansell, esquier, son and heir to Sir Edward Mansell, + and Mary Mordant, daughter of Lord Mordant, July 30. +1589 Johannes Stanhope, armiger, et Margaritta Mackwilliams, + alias Cheecke, 6 die Maii. (He was created a Baron in + 1606.) +1607. Richard Warde, Parson, and Elizabeth Fisher, Jan. 29. +1648. Sir John Danvers and Mrs. Grace Hewet, Jan. 6. + + No entry of marriages from 1648 to 1652, when there were + three. +1675. W. Cheyne, Esq., only son of Charles Cheyne, Lord of this + Manor, and Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, both of this parish, Dec. + 16. +1703. Lord Windsor and Lady Dowager Jeffreys, relict of Judge + Jeffreys. +1711. The Hon. Algernon Grevile and the Hon. Mary Somerset, + grand-daughter to the Duchess Dowager of Beaufort, Dec. 24. +1713. The Duke of Grafton and Lady Somerset, April 10. + +BURIALS. + +1565. None were buried—not a single person died in the parish, + during this year. +1593. Thomas Larrance de civitate, London, goldsmith.—John + Edwards and Thomas Evans, servants, buried both together, + died of the plague. Three more died of the plague about + the same time. +1594. Alice Griffin, a poore washwoman, buried 2nd Feb.—Ann, a + poore woman, buried from a stable. +1594. Gregorie Fynes, Lord Dacre of the South, 25th Sept., whose + funeralls and burial were kepte the 5th Novemb. at + Chelsey.—The Lady Anne, wife of Lord Dacre, was buried 15th + of May, whose funeralls were solemnized at Chelsey, the + 19th June, 1595. +1603. Catharyne, the Countess of Nottingham, was buried at + Chelsey the 28th of Feb., and her funeralls were honourably + kepte at Chelsey, the 28th March.—George, a poore boye, was + buried 2nd March; he died in the Lordship’s Yarde. +1604. Thomas Younge, a Yeoman of the Guards, Sept. 29, who hath + given to the parishes of Chelsey, Willsden, and Kensington, + xx_s._ apiece yearly for ever to the use of the poore + there. +1605. Catherine, wife of Richard Warde, Parson of Chelsey. +1606. Richard Munden, the Clerk, buried of the plague; also his + son, Thomas, of the plague. {147} +1608. Thomas Forrest, a godly preacher, Feb. 7.—Richard Eryth, + our poore Schoolmaster, March 26. +1609. William Gulley was buried out of the Erle of Lincolne’s + stable, 14 Augusti—One William Morgan, a poore man died in + a straw house, and buried Oct. 1. +1610. There were six buried of the plague this year. +1613. Jana, a poore woman, out of the barn, Dec. 25.—A poore + woman found dead at the Earl of Lincoln’s, and another in + the Lordship’s barn, buried the same day. +1615. The Lord of Effingham buried.—Richard Ward, Parson, Sept. + 2. +1620. Katharin, Countesse of Huntingdon, Aug. 14. She was + daughter of John, Duke of Northumberland. +1625. Sir Arthur Gorges, Oct. 10.—Twenty-two persons died of the + plague. +1627. Magdalen Danvers, wife of Sir John Danvers, June 8. +1632. Sir Robert Stanley, buried Jan. 23. +1636. Eight died of the plague this year. +1638. Sir John Lawrence, Knt., Nov. 14. +1643. Lady Elizabeth Gorges, buried July 29th.—Six died of the + plague in the parish this year. +1668. Arthur Gorges, Esq., April 8. +1669. Lady Jane Cheyne, Nov. 1. +1688. Sir Joseph Alston, Knight, May 31. +1692. Thomas Shadwell, Esq., Poet Laureat, Nov. 24. +1694. Dr. Adam Littleton, rector, July 3. +1698. Charles, Viscount Cheyne, Lord of the Manor, July 13. +1703. Dr. Edward Chamberlayne, May 27. +1714. Sir Thomas Lawrence, Bart., April 25.—Countess Dowager of + Radnor, sen., July 15. +1731. Mrs. Mary Astell, May 14; she published an Essay in Defence + of the Fair Sex, &c., and resided in Chelsea the greatest + part of her life. +1753. Sir Hans Sloane, Jan. 18. +1775. Henry Mossop, January 1st; he made his appearance at Drury + Lane Theatre in 1752, and was one of the first actors of + his time; he died in great distress in this parish, but, + after his death, his brethren paid him every respect; his + remains were followed by all the theatrical corps at that + time in London, at the head of whom was Garrick, to Chelsea + Church. +1799. Dr. William Kenwick, June 13, the author of several + dramatic and poetical works. +1780. Sir John Fielding, September 13; he was half-brother to the + celebrated Henry Fielding, author of “Tom Jones,” and + succeeded him to the presidency at Bow Street, which, + although nearly blind from his youth, he filled with great + sagacity for many years. +1785. John Baptist Cipriani, December 21. +1804. Catherine Ruini Galli, December 30. This lady died at her + lodgings in Chelsea, in the 81st year of her age. She was + the last surviving scholar of Handel, who composed some of + his airs for her. Galli had a mezzo soprano voice, and + first appeared at the Opera House. +1805. Dr. Bisset, May 21; he kept an academy in Sloane Street, + and published several works. +1805. Henry Sampson Woodfall, Esq., Dec. 11. + + (It would occupy a volume to give even a selection of the Baptisms, + Marriages, and Burials that have since taken place.) + + + +THE OLD PARISH BOOKS. + + +The original books, previous to the year 1696, are all lost; and the +parishioners are indebted to the industry of Lord Cheyne for the +preservation of many of these historical fragments. The following few +extracts from the early dates, taken from amongst many others, are +singular:— + +1595. Of Richard Munden, wch he gained to the Church by the Wheel + of Fortune, xxix_s._ viii_d._ +1697. Gave a poore man by the College, having just buried his + wife and left with 3 small children, and in great agony and + dispair, fearing he would with himself make away, 1s. + + Payd for a truss of straw to put in the Cage, for a poore + woman to lye on, and gave her two pence, 8d. + + Payd Mr. Tuley for cureing Charles Matthews’s toes of a + mortification, £2 5s. + + Gave Stacey, for shaving a child’s head, 6d. +1707. Ordered, in Vestry, that the weekly pensioners shall wear + badges, according to the Act of Parliament, or else be + excluded from the said weekly pension. +1782. Resolved to employ a number of labourers to cut off all the + little twigs, in order to destroy certain insects which + appear everywhere in our trees and hedges; and from which + the most dreadful consequences are apprehended if they are + suffered to remain. +1795. Resolved, that a bounty of twenty guineas be offered and + paid to eight men, agreeably to Act of Parliament, for the + service of his Majesty’s navy; and, if not sufficient, the + churchwardens to have power to augment the same. +1796. Resolved to make a rate of 4d. in the pound to defray the + necessary expenses of raising eleven men for the service of + his Majesty’s navy. + +As the population increased the records of the parish naturally became +more voluminous, and for many years past the proceedings of the +vestrymen, and also of the Board of Guardians, are kept in the most +admirable manner. This, it is true, is the effect of the improved state +of society, the passing of the Metropolis Local Management Act, 1855, and +the introduction of better Laws for the relief and maintenance of the +poor. + + + +THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS. + + +These schools are situated at the east side of the Cemetery. The pointed +style was adopted on account of the contiguity of the building to the +Parish Church. It consists of a centre, with low wings. The wings are +occupied by the schools, and the centre as residences intended for the +master and mistress; a large pointed arch connects the two divisions. +The first stone was laid on the 18th of June, 1824, by the Hon. and Rev. +Dr. Wellesley, rector, with the customary formalities, at which there +were present the late Rev. Henry Blunt, and several other clergymen, +besides a vast number of the parishioners, including many ladies. In +1826 the entire building was finished, and the children were admitted. + + + +CHELSEA WORKHOUSE. + + +Before the year 1723 there were no workhouses in England. It was the +custom to relieve the able-bodied at their own dwelling places, and the +aged and infirm were, in many cases, supported by the alms given at the +church. In 1727, it was “agreed that the churchwardens should be +empowered to take, with all convenient speed, a proper house upon lease, +in the name of the parish, for the use of the poor.” In 1733 it was +resolved, at a vestry, “That a committee be appointed to find out the +most proper method to procure a workhouse for the poor, and an additional +burial ground.” The result was that Sir Hans Sloane gave the present +ground for both purposes, and the first erection of the workhouse took +place about 1737. + + * * * * * + +The building, at the early part of this century, contained but few +dwelling rooms, besides those occupied by the master and mistress. It +had two wings, however, the one to the south-west was built in 1792, and +the south-east wing in 1797. The whole did not occupy much space. There +was a garden, tastefully laid out, with a neat box-edging around each +compartment. {150} An aged inmate was the gardener, and he took great +delight in keeping it in good order. How altered is now the appearance +of the workhouse! The pretty garden, where once I plucked a flower, has +long since disappeared, and on its site are erected extensive buildings, +to afford necessary accommodation for the vast increase of inmates. +Since the period to which I first alluded many additions have been made +to the original workhouse, and consequently it was altogether devoid of +uniformity; but as it has been within the last few years almost rebuilt, +under the direction of G. Handford, Esq., architect and surveyor, of the +King’s Road, the defect mentioned is no longer apparent. Indeed, unless +it had been an entire new erection, no further improvement, as regards +the exterior, could have been made. The interior is well arranged, both +for comfort and convenience. There are at the present time upwards of +560 inmates, and the Guardians afford every reasonable indulgence to the +aged and deserving amongst them. Thomas Symons, Esq., the Chairman of +the Board, is highly esteemed by the parishioners, and they have recently +presented to him a very handsome testimonial of respect. + + + +THE KING’S ROAD CEMETERY. + + +This cemetery adjoins the workhouse, and the ground was the gift of Sir +Hans Sloane. It was consecrated in 1736, by Edmund Gibson, Bishop of +London. In 1790 it was enlarged by a grant from Lord Cadogan. + + * * * * * + +The obelisk, near the centre, was erected to the memory of Andrew Millar, +an eminent bookseller in London, who died in 1768, aged 61 years; he had +little pretensions to learning, but possessed a very nice discrimination +in selecting his literary counsellors. + + * * * * * + +On a flat stone, on the north side, is an inscription in memory of John +Martyn, F.R.S., Professor of Botany at Cambridge, and Eulalia, his wife, +youngest daughter of the Rev. Dr. King, rector. She died in 1748–9, and +Mr. Martyn in 1768. + + * * * * * + +John Baptist Cipriani, the celebrated artist, and one of the earliest +members of the Royal Academy, was interred in this burial ground. On the +north side is a tomb to his memory. Cipriani excelled in delineating the +human figure, and was much employed by the printsellers in making +drawings, which are well known by Bartolozzi’s beautiful engravings from +them; he died in 1785, aged 58. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. Philip Withers, D.D., July 1790. In 1779 he published proposals +for a splendid edition of the Table of Cebes, with plates and notes, +intended for the benefit of the Sons of the Clergy, but owing to some +misunderstanding with Archbishop Cornwallis, the work never appeared; he +lived in Sloane Square in 1789, and imprudently published several +libellous pamphlets, for which he was convicted. He was committed to +Newgate for twelve months, fined £50, and died there of a fever. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Sloane Ellesmere, rector, was buried here in 1766; and Lady Rous, +aged 90, widow of Sir W. Rous, Alderman of London, in 1777. + + * * * * * + +Hannah Aston and Anne Aston, two sisters, died in 1806. These +unfortunate young women were daughters of Mr. Aston, of Robinson’s Lane +(now Flood Street), and had been with a party to Richmond. On their +return the boat struck on a barge near Putney Bridge, by which accident +they were both drowned, together with Mr. Isaac Van Butchell, son of the +eccentric Dr. Van Butchell. + + * * * * * + +In this ground is the family vault of the Rev. Weeden Butler, whom we +have noticed amongst the residents in Cheyne Walk. + + * * * * * + +Mr. John Fraser, nurseryman, who resided many years in the King’s Road, +close to Sloane Square; he was ardently attached to botanical researches, +and several times explored the wilds of North America; he died in 1811. + + * * * * * + +Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, of the King’s Road, died in 1828, in the 49th year +of her age, after a short but severe illness. + + * * * * * + +There have been but few interments in this burial ground for many years. +When the new St. Luke’s cemetery was completed, in 1812, this ground was +closed, excepting to those who had relatives previously buried in it. +The population of the parish, from the year just mentioned, rapidly +increased, and the burials, about 1832, amounted in the year to upwards +of 600, but many of these belonged to the adjoining parishes, and a large +proportion were children. + + + +The King’s Road: +ITS ORIGIN, EARLY CONDITION, AND PRESENT STATE. + + +As this road is the central great thoroughfare through Chelsea, some +early particulars respecting it cannot be otherwise than interesting. It +was originally only a footway through the fields, for the use of the +farmers and gardeners to get access to their lands; but soon after the +restoration of Charles II. it was found a convenient way for his Majesty +to go to Hampton Court Palace, and thus it was, after some discussion +between the Government and the parishioners of Chelsea, converted into a +coach road. The following extracts from the petition of Sir Hans Sloane, +Bart., Lord of the Manor, and other freeholders, will give a sufficient +detail of its history and origin, and from which it appears that disputes +had arisen concerning the right of way; and after the claims of the +inhabitants had been considered by the Lords Commissioners of his +Majesty’s Treasury, the matter was finally decided in their favour in the +year 1719, the 5th of George I.:— + + TO THE RT. HON. THE LORDS OF HIS MAJESTY’S TREASURY, &c. {153a} + + “That before the restoration of King Charles the Second, and some + time after, the fields of Chelsea were open fields; and that the + bridge, called Bloody Bridge, {153b} was only a foot-bridge, with a + plank or board; and the way leading thence to the lane facing + Blackland House, {153c} was then only a foot-path of about five feet + wide, and the lands on each side were plowed and sowed close up to + the same; and that from the said lane to the town gate was only a + baulk, or head land, of about ten or twelve feet broad, or + thereabouts; and the lands on each side of the said head-lands were + also ploughed up to the edges thereof; and that the said head-land + was used by the owners and occupiers of the said lands for a way, + egress and regress, to their lands, with ploughs and other utensils + of husbandry, and to carry off their crops from their lands, time out + of mind. That some time after the restoration, King Charles II. + built Bloody Bridge, as it now stands; and, as we are informed, + agreed with the then Lord of the Manor, and others concerned, for the + said head-land, for his Majesty’s private road, allowing the + freeholders their ancient way through the same. Whereupon the king + made the road with gravel, and the landowners ditched out their lands + on each side of the same; and the king took upon him the repair of + the gate at the town end (which before was maintained by the + parishioners), and as soon as the fields were sown, was hung up and + shut, and, after harvest, was always open until seed time returned + again, as many yet alive well remember. And ever since the + landholders of the said parish have been in possession of a free way + and passage to their lands through the said road, (some persons + having no other way,) and were never denied it during the reigns of + King Charles the Second, King James, King William, and Queen Anne, as + we can make appear by sufficient evidence. Now, whereas, upon his + present Majesty’s repairing the said road, the present + Surveyor-General has given orders to shut the gates against the + landholders of Chelsea, to their great detriment, and, as we + conceive, to the debarring them of their right. We humbly beg your + Lordships will take the matter into your consideration, hear our + evidence, and grant us such relief as, in your great wisdom, you + shall think fit. That the late Duchess Dowager of Beaufort (to whose + stables and offices there is no other way), about five or six years + ago, ordered her stewards and servants to cut down a turnpike, which + Mr. Manly, the Surveyor-General, had set up between the walls at the + corner, next Church Lane (Street); and they carried the posts away, + being set up, as she said, upon her ground.” + +To this petition was attached the evidence of several of the freeholders, +in confirmation of what was stated in the above petition. One of these +was given by Mr. Matthew Hutchins, gardener, of the King’s Road. + + * * * * * + +The above petition was referred to Hugh Cholmley, Esq., Surveyor-General, +and William Watkins, Esq., Surveyor of his Majesty’s private roads. The +reports from these two official gentlemen were evasive and +unsatisfactory, and consequently a second statement was sent to the +Commissioners, in reply to the objections. This last statement from Sir +Hans Sloane was dated May 6, 1719. + + * * * * * + +On the same day (May 6) the following letter was received:—“My Lords +direct Mr. Watkins to permit the tenants of the lands adjoining to the +King’s Road, through Chelsea, to have free passage through the same, with +their carts and horses, in the manner they have been accustomed to; and +that the ditches which belong to the land, and lately filled up, be +opened again.” + + * * * * * + +The above particulars explain the origin of placing the gates, or bars, +at different parts of the King’s Road, and which many of the parishioners +at the present time well remember. + + * * * * * + +Daring robberies and murders appear to have been very frequent about this +period, especially in the Five Fields, (now Eaton Square, &c.) and along +the whole line of the King’s Private Road. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Timbs, F.S.A., says, “In the King’s Road, near the spot where is now +the Vestry Hall, the Earl of Peterborough was stopped by highwaymen in +what was then a narrow lane; and the robbers, being watched by some +soldiers, who formed a part of the guard at Chelsea College, were fired +at from behind the hedge; one of these highwaymen turned out to be a +student in the Temple, whose father having lost his estate, his son lived +by ‘play, sharping, and a little on the highway,’ the desperate resources +of the day.” + + * * * * * + +In September, 1753, a Mr. Crouch, cook to the Earl of Harrington, was +attacked at night by two men who took his watch and money, and then +stabbed him with a knife and beat him till he died. {155} + + * * * * * + +The following most diabolical and remarkable case of burglary and murder +occurred in the King’s Road in 1771:— + +On the site of the King’s Parade (near to Oakley Square) stood an ancient +farm, which was in the occupation of the family of Mrs. Hutchins for many +years. She was a widow, and some Jews it appeared made inquiries as to +her circumstances, and considering there was a chance of obtaining +valuable booty, determined on robbing the house. In June, 1771, they +sauntered about the fields till 10 o’clock at night, and then went and +knocked at the door, which was opened by a female servant, when +immediately eight Jews entered the house. They seized the girl and +treated her with great severity. Mrs. Hutchins went to her servant’s +assistance, but one of them, Levi Weil, called Dr. Weil, compelled her to +sit in a chair, after which he threw part of her clothes over her head to +prevent her seeing their faces, and threatened to murder her if she made +any resistance. They then went up stairs to a room, where Joseph Slow +and William Stone, two men servants, were in bed, and in a sound sleep. +Dr. Weil gave Stone a violent blow on the breast, when Slow instantly +started up, on which the others cried out “Shoot him!” and a pistol was +fired, the ball from which entered the body of Slow, who exclaimed, “Lord +have mercy upon me! I am murdered! I am murdered!” They then dragged +him to the stairs, which, being observed by Stone, he made his escape out +of the window. They then robbed the house, and demanded money of Mrs. +Hutchins, one of them struck her violently, and threatened to kill her. +She was compelled at length to give her watch and 64 guineas, after which +they quitted the house. Mrs. Hutchins then went to see her servants. +She found the two maid-servants bound together; and no sooner had she +given them their liberty than the wounded man said, “How are you, madam, +for I am dying.” These words were scarcely uttered, when he fell down on +the floor, and having suffered the most excruciating pain, expired on the +following day, leaving a wife and two children to lament his loss. + + * * * * * + +The robbery and murder was no sooner known than a reward was offered from +the Secretary of State’s office, for the apprehension of the gang. The +offer was seconded by that of a much larger reward from the City of +London; and also another of £50 from the parishioners of Chelsea. + + * * * * * + +The murderers, however, remained undiscoverd for a considerable time till +Daniel Isaacs, one of the gang, became the means of discovering his +accomplices, in the following manner:—Isaacs, being touched with remorse +of conscience, &c., sent for a friend and acknowledged himself to be one +of the nine men concerned in the robbery and murder at Mrs. Hutchins’s, +at Chelsea. He desired his friend to inform some magistrate of it; and +having told him the names and places of abode of his accomplices, his +friend went immediately to Sir John Fielding, at Bow Street, who sent the +officers after them, by which means seven of them were taken. The cause +of this confession and remorse of conduct, on the part of Isaacs, was +distress. He applied for relief to the elders of the Jewish synagogue, +but the treasurer refused him any immediate assistance, urging as a +reason that he should not have left his native country, Holland, where he +might have obtained probably an honest living. At that time a great +number of Jews came to this country, and a selection of cases could only +be relieved. Isaacs, in consequence of the refusal, became greatly +distressed, and, in order to gain the reward, offered by the City of +London, made the above confession. + + * * * * * + +Isaacs was admitted to give evidence against his accomplices, six of whom +were soon apprehended, but the other made his escape. There appears to +have been some discrepancy as regards the number of the gang, one account +states eight, while another mentions nine. + + * * * * * + +At the Old Bailey Sessions, in December, 1771, Levi Weil, Asher Weil, +Marcus Hartogh, Jacob Lazarus, Solomon Porter, Hyam Lazarus, and Abraham +Linewill, (the man who had absconded) were indicted for the robbery and +murder, when the two of the name of Weil, with Jacob Lazarus and Solomon +Porter, were capitally convicted, and Marcus Hartogh and Hyam Lazarus +were acquitted. + + * * * * * + +Mrs. Hutchins deposed on the trial, that about six weeks before her house +was robbed, Hyam Lazarus came to it, inquiring for one Beetham, a weaver, +when she said she knew no such person; that on the 11th of June, the +night of the robbery she heard the dog bark, about ten o’clock at night, +her men being then gone to bed; that she called to one of her two +maid-servants to see what was the matter with the dog, and shortly after, +hearing a noise, she ran herself to see, and found her maid, Mary +Hodgkin, with her cap off, and some men using her extremely ill; that to +the best of her remembrance, she recollected Levi Weil and Hyam Lazarus +to be among these men; and though her fright was exceedingly great, she +did her endeavour to assist her maid, but that Levi Weil (called the +Doctor,) pushed her into a chair, and pulled her upper petticoat over her +face, which hindered her seeing any of the rest. Hearing her cook cry +very much, one of them said, “Cut her throat;” another, “If you don’t +hold your tongue, I will cut your throat.” Then coming to her (Mrs. +Hutchins) they offered to tie her legs, and she begged they would not, as +she would not stir; whereupon they all went to another room, the door of +which being locked, they said they would break it, if not immediately +opened, and returned from it in about five minutes; that then going up +stairs, she shortly after heard somebody cry “fire!” and after much +swearing, heard also a pistol go off, and a man cried out, and begged +they would not; that, endeavouring to get out at the back door, she was +prevented by some men on the outside, who told her if they were not her +friends they would blow her brains out; that then returning to her chair, +she heard a very great noise above stairs, as if they were throwing the +servant down, and a little while after she heard another pistol go off; +that the wounded man, endeavouring to get down, came to her, and said, +“How are you ma’am, for I am a dead man;” on which, turning short, he +fell on the ground; that his shirt was on fire close to the wound just +under the shoulder, which she put out, that he groaned very much, and +complained of being cold; that the people in the house, running from room +to room, came down to her, and Levi Weil, to the best of her knowledge, +took the buckles out of her shoes, and two others attempted to put their +hands into her pockets; she begged they would not, saying she would give +them something worth their acceptance, and accordingly gave them her +purse and watch; that asking where her plate was, she told them, and they +took it out of the cupboard, and gave it to their companions at the back +door. That going into the parlour, where there was a cupboard, they +broke it open; and she following, told them there was nothing in it worth +having but paper; but that one of them, a short, thick, elderly man, +struck her on the face with a pistol, and would have shot her, had not +the Doctor turned the pistol with his hand. + + * * * * * + +The Recorder prefaced the sentence with a judicious and just compliment +to the principal Jews, for their very laudable conduct in the course of +the prosecution, and hoped no person would stigmatize a whole nation for +the villanies of a few. + + * * * * * + +These men, as was customary formerly in cases of murder, were tried on a +Friday, and on the following day (the Jewish Sabbath) they were +anathematized in the Synagogue. + + * * * * * + +As their execution was to take place on the following Monday, one of the +Rabbies went to them in the press-room of Newgate, and delivered to each +of them a Hebrew book, but declined attending them to the place of death, +nor even prayed with them, at the time of his visit. Their wives and +children were admitted to take their leave of them before they set out +for Tyburn, where executions took place. {159} + + * * * * * + +An immense number of people attended the execution. They prayed +together, sung an hymn in the Hebrew language, and soon afterwards were +launched into eternity. + + * * * * * + +The following anecdote, in reference to this daring robbery, was very +frequently related many years ago, and I do not remember that its +veracity was ever questioned. Soon after the conviction of the Jews, the +Queen paid a visit to Mrs. Hutchins, and, after expressing the deepest +sympathy for her sufferings, desired to be informed whether she could +advance the interests of any member of the family. A circumstance was +mentioned to her Majesty, which resulted in one of the junior branches +being ultimately educated at one of the Universities. + + * * * * * + +We will now briefly notice the King’s Road, as it was at the earlier part +of the present century. At the entrance into Chelsea parish, at the +eastern end of Sloane Square, the bridge, to which we have several times +referred, was at that period probably about 14 or 16ft. wide, on both +sides of which there was a wall of sufficient height to protect +passengers from falling into the narrow rivulet which it spanned, and +which belonged to the commissioners of sewers. There were two little +cottages near to this stream, and immediately contiguous to them was Mr. +Burgess’s premises, who carried on a very good business, as a coach +builder, &c. The houses around Sloane Square were nearly the same as +they are at the present time, but the square was an open space, simply +enclosed by wooden posts, connected by iron chains, where boys frequently +played at cricket, &c. Here, too, Queen Charlotte’s Royal Volunteers +often assembled, and marched off in military order to Hyde Park, +accompanied by an excellent band. + +In 1812 the Chelsea and Brompton Dispensary was established in Sloane +Square, principally through the great exertions of the Rev. George Clark, +M.A., the then chaplain of the Royal Military Asylum. At the meeting +convened for that purpose, the late W. Wilberforce, Esq., M.P., presided, +whose name will be ever associated with the abolition of slavery, and as +the advocate of almost every humane society in this country. This +admirable institution indicates the rapid growth of the population. The +earliest annual average of patients did not exceed 1200, in 1860 it was +upwards of 6000, and since the last date the number has greatly +increased. The first physicians were Dr. Ainsley and Dr. Adam Black, and +its first surgeons Robert Smith and Anthony Todd Thomson, Esqrs. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Fraser’s Botanical Grounds adjoined Sloane Square. He explored +distant parts of the world several times, so ardently attached was he to +botanical researches. He was patronized by a large number of the +nobility and gentry. His death took place, in 1811, at his residence. + + * * * * * + +It will be seen shortly that if the King’s Road, in the “Olden Times,” +was almost exclusively occupied by farmers and gardeners, that, for a +number of years afterwards, one of the principal attractions to it was +the many celebrated nursery and floricultural grounds. + + * * * * * + +The high wall at the Royal Military Asylum, which formed the back of the +boys’ lavatory, &c., and which stood more forward than the present +enclosure, had no pathway whatever against it, and the road being at one +part very narrow, it was not only inconvenient but at times dangerous. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Colvill’s Nursery Ground stood on the site of Colvill Terrace, and +the entrance to it was at the eastern corner. His display of flowers +excited general admiration, and consequently an immense number of the +gentry generally paid him a daily visit during the summer season.. The +grounds, however, were only enclosed with an old wooden fence, and here +again there was no footway for passengers. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Thomas Davey was also a celebrated florist, and his ground was +opposite what was called the White Stiles, now known as the Royal Avenue +to Chelsea College. The origin of the former name arose from there being +an ornamental stile at the entrances. + + * * * * * + +The grounds of Mr. Colvill were detached from those of Mr. Davey by a +footpath, on both sides of which there were neatly-trimmed hedges, and as +butterflies abound in floricultural gardens, this passage was called +“Butterfly Alley.” Some houses have since been built on this site, and, +although the road is narrow, it now assumes the name of Keppel Street, +connecting the King’s Road with the Fulham Road. Opposite the +above-named alley there was a bar placed across the road, to prevent +waggons, &c., from passing unless the driver produced proof that he was +going to some resident in it. The origin of these bars has just been +fully detailed. + +Mr. Pratt, a friend of Mr. Faulkner, wrote the following lines, “Flowers +and Fashion,” in reference to the above two celebrated floricultural +grounds:— + + Where smiling Chelsea spreads the cultur’d lands, + Sacred to Flora a pavilion stands, + And yet a second temple neighb’ring near + Nurses the fragrance of the various year; + Of Davey this, of Colvill that, the care, + While both the favour of the goddess share. + But not for her—the deity of flowers— + _Alone_ the incense breathes, still higher Powers:— + Fair Venus marks each temple for her own, + And FASHION sits upon a blossom’d throne. + She, pow’r supreme! bids vanquish’d Flora kneel, + And drags proud Beauty at her chariot wheel. + The Cyprian Queen asserts her loftier sway, + And blushing rivals with a smile obey. + At Fashion’s shrine unnumber’d suppliants bow, + And to their idol chaunt the sacred vow. + A thousand Eves, each as their mother fair, + To these gay Edens every hour repair: + And though the wreaths boast but a fleeting bloom, + And often press at eve a twilight tomb, + Still, as by magic, we behold each morn + A fresh supply the pillag’d scenes adorn; + And though the lovely plunderers bear away + The fairy sweets that open’d with the day; + Though one fair Paradise is lost each night, + Another blooms with the returning light. + Thus, strange to tell! near London you behold + The age of FASHION, BEAUTY, and of GOLD. + +The old White Hart public-house and tea-gardens, situated on the opposite +side of the road to Mr. Davey’s grounds, was a rather ancient-looking +place of resort. It was well-conducted, and occasionally a great many +persons visited it. On its site is now a very respectable tavern. + + * * * * * + +Near to this house, a little to the east, about 1818, a poor man was +sitting by the roadside, apparently in the most pitiable state of hunger +and destitution. A pensioner belonging to Chelsea Hospital, a man of +colour, was passing along at the time with a can of soup and a small loaf +of bread, which he had just previously received as his dinner allowance, +some of the men being allowed to have private lodgings. The pensioner +gazed for a moment at the wretched object of misery, and then, with a +heart full of sympathy, gave him some of the soup and bread. Such an act +of benevolence excited the attention of a very young man, who, whenever +he met the kind-hearted black pensioner, always felt a feeling of respect +for him. Some time afterwards it came to the knowledge of this youth +that the pensioner had been convicted of a certain crime, not now a +capital offence, and sentenced to be executed. This communication very +much surprised him, but he could not erase from his memory the humane +conduct he had witnessed. Accordingly, he went to Newgate on the +following day, unknown to his friends, to see the condemned malefactor. +On his arrival at the prison the turnkey at the entrance door refused him +admittance, and told him, in a gruff manner, that he must get an order. +He then went direct to the Sheriff’s residence, and, after some +conversation, obtained a special order for admission. The turnkey now +became very respectful, and the young man was immediately conducted to +the yard where the condemned prisoners took the benefit of the fresh air. +The aged convict’s appearance was much altered, and during nearly the +whole time of the visit tears rolled down his cheeks. He was thus +visited several times, and, at length, through a petition presented by +the authorities at Chelsea Hospital, and another from some of the +parishioners, the unhappy black man’s sentence was mitigated to +transportation for life. At one of the interviews, the culprit asked for +some memorial of the young man’s kindness, having been previously told +that his life would be spared, and a Bible was given to him, with the +name of the youthful donor written in it. An assurance was given that he +would see him again that week, but when the young man went the poor black +pensioner had been removed from the prison, and he never heard of him +afterwards. The evidence produced at the trial fully justified the +verdict of being guilty of the charge, but there was gross culpability on +the part of the prosecutrix. + + * * * * * + +A little beyond the old White Hart tea gardens, to the west, on the same +side of the road, was the residence of the elder Mr. Downing. It stood +in a neatly laid out garden, and resembled very much in appearance one of +those old but comfortable retreats which may still be seen by the +roadside in some parts of the country. Adjoining the garden was his +extensive Floor Cloth Manufactory (on the site of which is now Wellington +Square). This spacious building was situated a short distance from the +road, and the approach to it was by a carriage-way on each side, the +centre being a grass plat. In this manufactory were held most of the +earlier annual meetings of the Chelsea Auxiliary Bible Society, which +were invariably crowded. Amongst the speakers were the Rev. G. Clark, +M.A., the Rev. John Owen, M.A., the Rev. Joseph Hughes, M.A., the Rev. +John Morison, D.D., the Rev. R. H. Shepherd, the Rev. John Bunce, and +several others. Mr. Downing, sen., was a gentleman esteemed alike for +his piety and benevolence, and his sons and other branches of the family +have at all times maintained a similar respect. + + * * * * * + +The residence and manufactory which we have just described was pulled +down some years ago, and the present one was then erected. A deplorable +event occurred, about 38 years since, at Messrs. Downings’ new Floor +Cloth Manufactory, which it is requisite to notice in a work of this +description. A young man, whose name was Butler, the son of very worthy +parents, and who had borne a tolerably good character previous to the +fatal event we are about to mention, was convicted and executed at +Newgate, for setting fire to a portion of the premises. The fire broke +out in or near to the stables, and as it occurred on the Sunday morning, +between the hours of twelve and one o’clock, the horses were of course +locked in them. It was with great difficulty that they were rescued. +The evidence, although principally circumstantial, resulted in the jury +finding a verdict of “Guilty.” Notwithstanding the most strenuous +efforts to save the life of the young man, he suffered the extreme +penalty of the then law. A Wesleyan minister, who attended him at his +last moments, published a pamphlet stating his reasons for believing that +he was innocent. He was interred in St. Luke’s Burial Ground, and the +Church was crowded to excess. + + * * * * * + +On the same side of the road, and opposite Wellington Square, was +formerly the Nursery belonging to Mr. Moore. A little further westward +was the residence of Mr. Evans, sen., known as Box Farm. For many years +he lived there, and was much respected in the parish. + + * * * * * + +Smith Street was begun to be built in 1794, by the late Thomas Smith, +Esq., of Manor Terrace, but it was not finally; completed until about +1807. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Little’s Nursery Ground was established many years since, and at the +present time it is celebrated for the production of some of the choicest +plants and flowers. + + * * * * * + +Jubilee Place was first opened in 1809, and named in commemoration of +that event in the annals of the reign of George the Third. + + * * * * * + +Flood Street, it appears, by ancient documents, was originally called +Pound Lane, probably from the pound of the manor standing on or near its +site. It was known for some years by the name of Robinson’s Lane, and +since the buildings were continued to the King’s Road, it was, by an +order from the magistrates, called Queen Street. It has recently been +altered to Flood Street, so named as a tribute to the memory of Luke +Thomas Flood, Esq., for his munificent annual gifts to the poor of this +parish, and by doing which many mistakes are now obviated, as there was +and is still Queen’s Road West adjoining Cheyne Walk. + + * * * * * + +Upper Manor Street was originally called Wellesley Street, in honour of +the Rev. Dr. Wellesley, the then rector of the parish. A murder was +committed in this street about forty years since, which created great +excitement throughout Chelsea. An elderly female resided in one of the +houses, and she was found dead early one morning under circumstances +which left no doubt whatever that the dreadful crime just mentioned had +been perpetrated. Two men were apprehended, who lived in the +neighbourhood, and who had been seen standing near the house at about 12 +o’clock the preceding night, but beyond that fact no further evidence was +adduced. It appeared they were both at a public house that evening, and +left when it was closed, but they produced no witnesses to prove that +they went afterwards direct to their homes. The evidence in support of +the charge being insufficient, the magistrate discharged them. One of +them was a second time charged with the murder, but the result was the +same. The name of the street was then altered. + + * * * * * + +Robert Street, and the adjacent streets, have all been built in the +course of the present century. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Roll’s Nursery Grounds were situated two or three doors from that old +established house, the “Six Bells,” and joined Argyll House. His son +carried on the business for many years, and the family were greatly +respected. + + * * * * * + +Edward James Mascall, Esq., a gentleman who occasionally took a very +active part in parochial affairs, resided in what is now called Argyll +House for many years. + + * * * * * + +The entrance to Cook’s Grounds, from the King’s Road, was anciently a +back way to the stable-yard of Alston House, in Cheyne Walk. Some years +ago the stone frame-work of the gate was visible in a garden in Upper +Cheyne Row. Formerly the parishioners had only the privilege of a +footway through the glebe land from the King’s Road, as appears from the +following extract from the Vestry Minutes:— + + * * * * * + +“1755. Sept. 18. Whereas the road leading from the north end of Great +Cheyne Row over the glebe land to the King’s Private Road, is the proper +right of Mr. John Narbonne, of this parish, and whereas the inhabitants +of this parish do frequently pass and repass that way, not only with +corpse to the New Burying Ground, but to the Workhouse contiguous, as +well as to other places; and as the privilege is only upon sufferance, by +consent, and during the pleasure of Mr. Narbonne, therefore we +unanimously agree to pay him and his heirs, as long as this privilege +shall continue, upon the 1st day of May in every year, being from the day +the Burying Ground was consecrated, the sum of one shilling, which we +order shall be paid by the churchwardens for the time being.” There have +been no material alterations made from its recent state during my +remembrance; but Cook’s Grounds will soon be no longer recognised as it +was in 1868, as many very superior houses are now being erected, which +will be presently noticed. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Pamplin, another celebrated nurseryman, resided at the western corner +of Cook’s Grounds. The old dwelling-house has just been pulled down. + + * * * * * + +The King’s Parade, opposite Cook’s Grounds, was erected in 1810. It is +no longer known as the “Parade”—principally so called on account of the +stone-pavement, which was considered then a luxury to walk on at that +part of the road—but is now included under the general appellation of the +King’s Road. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Edward Wright, comedian, of the Adelphi Theatre, lived at Merton +Villa, Trafalgar Square, opposite Cook’s Grounds, for some time. He died +in France some few years ago. + + * * * * * + +On the site of Oakley Square there still remained a portion of Mrs. +Hutchins’s market garden. The road at this spot was very narrow, and no +pathway for passengers on that side. Here, again, there was an +obstructive bar placed across the road. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Faulkner mentions a singular circumstance that occurred just at this +place. He says, “About the year 1796, I was present at a stag-hunt in +Chelsea. The animal swam across the river from Battersea, and made for +Lord Cremorne’s grounds; and upon being driven from thence ran along the +water-side as far as the Church, and turning up Church Lane (street), at +last took refuge in Mrs. Hutchins’s barn, where he was taken alive.” + + * * * * * + +A little on the west of Oakley Square, in a spacious house, Mrs. Kelly, +the author of several novels, conducted a most respectable school. It +was subsequently taken for the reception of invalid soldiers, who came to +pass the Board at Chelsea Hospital, previous to their discharge from the +army. This house, long since pulled down, was said to have been built +about the year 1715. + + * * * * * + +Adjoining the preceding house, and at the corner of Upper Church Street, +was the “Rose and Crown,” a small road-side public-house, standing much +below the level of the road, and, from its appearance, had evidently been +built at an early period. At the entrance was a wooden bench, on which +many a weary traveller took rest. On the site of this house is now the +Cadogan Arms. + + * * * * * + +Passing Church Street, and proceeding westward, the road was extremely +narrow. At the south corner of Church Street there was an additional +house to what there is at the present time, and the old residence on the +opposite side, lately pulled down, projected several feet forward on the +road, without any pathway for foot-passengers. There is now a capital +carriage-road and a good pavement, with some commanding shops at the +northern corner. + + * * * * * + +Adjoining, on the north side of the King’s Road, are the extensive +premises of Messrs. Ransome and Co., the eminent saw-mill engineers, &c. + + * * * * * + +On the opposite side were the Nursery Grounds belonging to Mr. Shepard, +the main portion of which now forms Paultons Square, and the remainder, +formerly in the occupation of Mr. H. Larner, has recently been purchased +by Mr. Gray, the horticultural builder, in addition to his extensive +works in Danvers Street. He is making very considerable alterations, +and, when completed, it will no doubt be an ornament to this fashionably +frequented road. + + * * * * * + +The late Mr. Alfred Mellon, so celebrated for his concerts, and musical +entertainments, lived for a considerable time in what is known as “The +Vale,” which is situated on the opposite side to Paultons Square, where +he died some two or three years since. He was buried in the Brompton +Cemetery, and his funeral was attended by a great many of his private +friends, and by a large number of the most eminent men in the musical and +theatrical world, by all of whom he was highly respected. + + * * * * * + +Mr. John Varley, the celebrated water colour painter, and principal +founder of the old Society now in Pall Mall East, whose works are well +known to the world, lived at 10, Beaufort Row, now Beaufort Street, about +the year 1810. His town house was in Conduit Street, Regent Street. +During the time he resided here he made a very excellent drawing of the +Old Church, from near the Bishop of Winchester’s Palace, in Cheyne Walk, +the property of J. H. Chance, Esq., which was lent and exhibited at the +Great Exhibition of 1862. Many other beautiful sketches of Chelsea were +made by Mr. Varley from the shores, as well as from one of Mr. +Bettsworth’s boats, which was always at his service. Some of the family +have long been and are now residents in Chelsea and Brompton. Mr. John +Varley was born in 1778, and died in 1842. + + * * * * * + +When Mr. Varley left Chelsea, Mr. Dorrell, the artist, took the house, +and afterwards Mr. J. Stark, the well-known oil painter of woodland +scenes, occupied it. Two prettily painted pieces, although small, are +now to be seen at the South Kensington Museum. Mr. Stark was born in +1794, and died in 1859. + + * * * * * + +Wilson Lowry, F.R.S., M.G.S., lived near to Battersea Bridge, about the +year 1809. He was known not only for his eminence as an engraver, but +also for his extensive knowledge of anatomy, natural philosophy, +mathematics, mineralogy, and geology, added to an extraordinary talent +for metaphysical discussion, which placed him on terms of intimacy with +the first philosophers and most scientific men of his day, and in the +year 1812, unsolicited, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, next +to Sir Joshua Reynolds, the only artist who was honoured by such a +conferment. He died in 1824, in his 63rd year. Mr. Lowry’s only +daughter by his second wife was Mr. John Varley’s second wife. + + * * * * * + +Mr. John Galt, the author of “Sir Archibald Wylie,” and the “Ayrshire +Legatees,” lived in Beaufort Row about 1809. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Ralph Wedgwood, (of the firm of Josiah Wedgwood and Co.,) the +celebrated manufacturers of the Queen’s Ware, died at Chelsea in 1837. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Bentley, one of Mr. Wedgwood’s partners, superintended a branch +establishment at Chelsea, about 1770, for finishing and painting the best +pieces. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Paul Bedford, the popular comedian, late of the Adelphi and Haymarket +Theatres, resides in Lindsey Place. He is much respected in private +life, and as an actor few have obtained greater celebrity. + + * * * * * + +Returning to the King’s Road, and proceeding from Beaufort Street, we +arrive at “the Man in the Moon” tavern. There are many conjectures +respecting the origin of the sign of this house, but nothing certain has +been elucidated. As a celebrated neighbouring tavern was called the +“World’s End,” perhaps the original proprietor thought he would give his +house an equally singular sign. + + * * * * * + +We have already noticed the Clock House, Lord and Lady Cremorne’s Villa +(now known as Cremorne Gardens), Ashburnham House, Stanley House, St. +Mark’s College, &c.; but there are one or two others to which we will now +briefly allude. The first of these is Messrs. Christie’s Flour Mills, +established a great many years ago. The premises are situated at the +western extremity of the parish, and close to the Chelsea Railway +Station. Mr. Ormson, horticultural builder, resides at Dudmaston House, +which is opposite the entrance to St. Mark’s College. + + * * * * * + +The King’s Road, at the commencement of this century, was by no means a +place for general business. There were here and there, it is true, +tradesmen who succeeded very well, but, generally speaking, the line of +road was almost exclusively occupied by nurserymen and florists, and thus +it became a fashionable resort for the nobility and gentry. The road, in +most parts, was very narrow, and the different grounds were mostly +enclosed by wooden palings. There was nothing like a good pathway for +passengers, excepting at certain places. At night there were only a few +gloomy oil-lamps, and the lives and property of the inhabitants were +principally entrusted to a small number of private watchmen. When +disturbances or robberies in the streets occurred in the daytime, the +tradesmen-constables of the parish had the onerous and sometimes the +dangerous duty to quell them, and take into custody the offenders or +perpetrators. It need scarcely be added that when sent for, on such +occasions, the constables were frequently—“_Not at home_!” + + * * * * * + +Let us now take a glance at the present state of the King’s Road, and a +few more of the vast improvements which have been made in it. But, +before doing so, we will give some particulars descriptive of a novel +enterprise which is attracting a large share of public attention at the +present time. + + * * * * * + +THE CHELSEA STEAM CAPTIVE BALLOON.—This monster aerial balloon ascends +daily, weather permitting, from a part of the grounds known as the +Ashburnham estate, a little beyond Cremorne Gardens. The balloon itself +is 93 feet in diameter, and has a cubical capacity for gas of 421,161 ft. +It is capable of taking up into the air no less than 30 passengers, and +is attached to one strong rope, 2000 ft. long, which passes round a +balance wheel, and thence to a large cylinder worked by an engine of 200 +horse power. These appliances are all fitted in a kind of amphitheatre, +from the centre of which the ascents take place. The supposed altitude +to which the rope allows ascent is 2000 feet, but as a rule the height is +generally less. The cost of the balloon alone is stated to be £24,000, +and the value of the gas required (pure hydrogen) £600. It is composed +of linen and India rubber, made of five thicknesses, and is the property +of a French gentleman well known for his attachment to scientific +experiments. + + * * * * * + +On the opposite side of the road, and adjoining St. Mark’s College, is +Mr. Veitch’s Royal Exotic Nursery. These grounds for a great many years +belonged to Mr. Knight, who possessed a most choice collection of Cape +plants, &c., and who was patronized by nearly all the nobility and gentry +in this country. Mr. Veitch has fully sustained the celebrity acquired +by his predecessor. + + * * * * * + +A little further eastward is Mr. W. Bull’s Nursery, and on the opposite +side is the Ashburnham Park Nursery, belonging to Mr. J. W. Wimsett. +Both of them are distinguished cultivators of rare and valuable plants. + + * * * * * + +Near to Cremorne Gardens, on the opposite side of the road, is the +extensive Show Establishment belonging to John Weeks and Co., +Horticultural Builders and Hot-Water Apparatus Manufacturers, Engineers, +and Iron Founders. The Horticultural Building and Engineering department +is carried on near to Messrs. Downing’s Floor Cloth Manufactory, in the +King’s Road. + + * * * * * + +Proceeding on, eastward, we arrive once more at Cook’s Grounds, which +was, as previously stated, a private way originally to the stabling of +Sir Joseph Alston’s House, in Cheyne Walk. The old house, for so many +years occupied by Mr. Pamplin, the nurseryman, on the western entrance in +the King’s Road, has recently been pulled down, and two commanding shops +erected on the site, by Mr. Leete, the builder, of Little Cadogan Place. +They contain thirteen rooms each, built with white bricks and +compo-dressings, with enrichments and cornices. On the right-hand side +of Cook’s Grounds, from the King’s Road, about 30 superior-looking +private dwelling houses are now being built, each of which will contain +eight rooms. These are also built with white bricks, and will have what +is termed “cant” windows. The road opposite them is intended to be 50 +ft. wide, and there will be a good pavement. When this great improvement +is finally completed, and carried forward to Cheyne Walk, which no doubt +is the intention, this new street will then scarcely be surpassed by +Oakley Street. In Trafalgar Square, likewise, there are a number of very +superior dwelling-houses now in course of erection, and, when the entire +square is finished, there will be an excellent road from Cheyne Walk to +the South Kensington Museum. + + + +THE VESTRY HALL. + + +This building is situated on the south side of the King’s Road, and is +nearly opposite Robert Street. The foundation stone was laid on the 12th +of December, 1859. The arrangements for the accommodation of the public +were under the superintendence of W. W. Pocock, Esq., the architect, and +notwithstanding it was a very inclement day, there were at least a +thousand persons present. + + * * * * * + +In a bottle were deposited a suitable inscription on vellum, a list of +the parish officers for the year, one copy of each of the three Annual +Reports of the Vestry, a copy of the “Metropolis Local Management Act,” +with its Amendments, and of the “Nuisances Removal Act,” and one of each +of the Coins of the present Reign. The band of the Royal Military Asylum +attended, and played several popular airs, which added greatly to enliven +the proceedings. + + * * * * * + +The following particulars are extracted from the “MORNING ADVERTISER,” +Tuesday, December 13th, 1859, and which were inserted in the Fourth +Annual Report of the Vestry, 1860. + + * * * * * + +The foundation stone was laid by Viscount Chelsea in due form, in the +presence of Robert Hanbury, Esq., and the Hon. G. Byng, the Members for +Middlesex, W. Tite, Esq., M.P., the Rev. C. Kingsley, the Rector of the +Parish, the Members of the Vestry, and a large number of the influential +inhabitants of the parish. + + * * * * * + +The building is in the Italian style, with stone facings. The length is +about 140 ft., and between 60 and 70 feet in breadth. The great hall is +64ft. in length, and 40 ft. wide, and accommodates upwards of 1000 +persons. The board room is about 45 ft. by 30. + + * * * * * + +The time appointed for the ceremonial was two o’clock in the afternoon, +and at half-past one o’clock the gentlemen invited to take part in the +day’s proceedings assembled in the Vestry-Room of St. Luke’s Church, and +proceeded from thence to the site of the proposed building, headed by the +juvenile band of the Royal Military Asylum, playing national and other +appropriate airs. The procession, on arriving at the spot, was received +with loud cheers by a large number of the inhabitants who were admitted +within the grounds. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Tite, M.P., opened the business of the day in an appropriate speech, +in the course of which he alluded to the kind gift of the freehold site +by Earl Cadogan, the money for the erection of the building having been +voted by the Vestry. The new hall, he said, when built, would not only +be useful as regarded parochial purposes, but it would be an ornament to +that locality. He was not disposed to introduce politics into a matter +so purely parochial, but he could not help saying that, in the event of +Chelsea obtaining a right to send representatives to Parliament—to which +it is fully entitled on account of the number, respectability, and +intelligence of its inhabitants—they could meet in their new hall, and +there canvass and consider the claims of the candidates who presented +themselves for their suffrages. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Hanbury and Mr. Byng then severally addressed the numerous assemblage +in suitable speeches. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Charles Lahee, the respected Vestry Clerk, then read the following +document, which was afterwards deposited in the bottle previously +referred to:—“This building, the foundation stone of which was laid by +the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Chelsea, on the 12th day of our Lord one +thousand eight hundred and fifty nine, is intended for the transaction of +the parochial and municipal business of Chelsea, which contains at the +present time a population, by estimation, of seventy thousand persons. +It is built by the Vestry constituted by an Act for the better Local +Management of the Metropolis (18th & 19th Victoria, cap. 120) upon +freehold land presented them by the Lord of the Manor, and his heirs, +from the designs of Mr. Willmer Pocock, architect, by Thomas Piper and +Sons, builders. Contract sum £5630. Lord of the Manor, George, 3rd Earl +of Cadogan.” To which was attached the names of the Rector, +Churchwardens, Vestrymen, &c., &c. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. Richard Burgess, of Trinity Church, Sloane Street, then offered +an appropriate prayer, after which, + +Mr. W. Rabbits, one of the vestrymen, presented a silver trowel to +Viscount Chelsea, to be used in laying the first stone, and to be kept by +his lordship as a token of the respect of the parishioners for him. + + * * * * * + +Viscount Chelsea having expressed his acknowledgments for the compliment +paid him, + +Mr. Pocock, the architect, then placed the bottle containing the +documents, &c., in the cavity of the under stone, which was covered with +mortar. The other portion of the stone was then let down, and Viscount +Chelsea having gone through the usual “masonic” operations in a +workmanlike manner, his lordship declared the Vestry Hall to be in due +course of erection amidst the loud cheers of all present. + + * * * * * + +The erection of the entire building was completed in 1860, and, occupying +such a central position, it adds materially to the respectability of the +King’s Road. It is an attractive structure, and its architectural design +reflects great credit on Mr. Pocock. The estimate laid before the Vestry +Finance Committee on the 21st of February, 1861, by Mr. Charles Lahee, +the Vestry Clerk, of the total probable cost of the Vestry Hall +buildings, including the fittings and furniture, was altogether £12,059 +16s. 2d. + + * * * * * + +A portion of the building is occupied by the Chelsea Literary and +Scientific Institution, for the use of which a rental is paid. T. L. +Bull, Esq., was the original founder, and to his indefatigable efforts, +for a considerable time, may be attributed the advantages that have been +derived from it. It appears, however, that the receipts of this useful +and admirable institution are unfortunately just now insufficient to meet +the necessary expenditure, but it is gratifying to record that at a late +influential meeting, held at the Vestry Hall, to consider the “present +position and future prospects of the Institution,” and at which Lord +George Hamilton, M.P., presided, it was unanimously resolved to extricate +it from temporary difficulties. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Charles Lahee, who has been Vestry Clerk for many years, has a +private dwelling-house at the Vestry Hall. The offices are on the ground +floor, and the large hall is at the rear of the building. The spacious +room above the offices, and which fronts the road, is where the vestrymen +weekly assemble, adjoining it are committee rooms, &c. The whole +interior is well-arranged and admirably adapted for the requirements of +the parish, which has now become one of the most populous and important +in the metropolis. + + * * * * * + +In Flood Street, near to the King’s Road, is a small Chapel belonging to +the Primitive Methodists. + + * * * * * + +METHODIST NEW CONNEXION CHAPEL.—This Chapel, which is situated in Radnor +Street, King’s Road, was originally attached to the Commercial Tavern. +After some time had elapsed it was converted into a place for Divine +Worship, having undergone material alterations and made a distinct +building. The Rev. Clifford Hooper was the Pastor, and the Congregation +rapidly increasing they ultimately erected the Congregational Church in +Markham Square. When that structure was completed, Radnor Street Chapel +was purchased by the Methodist New Connexion Society, and to that body of +the Christian church it still belongs. There is a very excellent Sabbath +School, and the members and friends have expended, at different times, +considerable sums in making it both commodious and comfortable. + + * * * * * + +The Savings’ Bank is situated on the north side of the King’s Road. It +was established in the year 1819. The benefits derived by the labouring +classes, and others of limited means, by the establishment of such banks, +are now so well known and appreciated that it would be needless to +enumerate them. The Chelsea Savings’ Bank is one of the most secure and +best conducted in London. + + + +CHELSEA CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, +MARKHAM SQUARE. + + +The foundation stone of this Chapel was laid on Tuesday, October 5th, +1858, and the building was opened for public worship on April 3rd, 1860, +the Honourable and Rev. Baptist Noel, M.A., preaching at noon, and the +Rev. Newman Hall, LL.B., in the evening. The Rev. Clifford Hooper was +the first Pastor. He resigned the pastorate on account of failing health +on the 3rd of June, 1863, and died on March 6th, 1864. The Rev. R. +Brindley, of Bath, then accepted the pastorate, commencing his ministry +on November 22nd, 1863, and on October 19th, 1865, was suddenly and +unexpectedly called to his rest, in the very prime of life and in the +midst of his labours. The Rev. Andrew Mearns, of Great Marlow, was then +invited to become Pastor, and commenced his ministry, at Chelsea, on +September 16th, 1866, where his pulpit ministrations and pastoral labours +have been greatly blessed. + + * * * * * + +The Chapel stands in a very prominent position, covering a large piece of +ground at the north end of Markham Square, forming a very conspicuous and +beautiful object from the King’s Road. + + * * * * * + +The form of the building is slightly cruciform, having transepts +projecting about five feet from the body of the Chapel. The prominent +feature of the exterior is a tower and spire, rising from the west side +of the southern transept to the height of 138 feet. + + * * * * * + +The proportions are well-conceived, and the effect good. The dimensions +in the clear, are, length 85 ft. 2 in.; length, including apse, 93 ft. 6 +in.; width 41 ft. 3 in.; width across transept 51 ft. 3 in.; height from +floor of chapel to ridge of open roof, 49 ft.; height from floor to roof, +on the wall line, 22 ft.; and the height of school rooms 13 ft. + + * * * * * + +The style of the building is in the second period of the Gothic. The +exterior is entirely of stone; the interior, will accommodate on the +ground and gallery floors, 1,150 adults, besides an additional gallery in +the apse for the organ and choir. + + * * * * * + +The ground floor is raised about four feet above the footway, and beneath +are lofty and spacious schoolrooms for about 850 children, with requisite +offices. The building was erected from a design by John Tarring, Esq., +of Bucklersbury, and Messrs. Myers, of Lambeth, were the contractors who +undertook the erection. + + * * * * * + +The Sabbath School is well attended, and the labours of the teachers and +superintendent very successful. Above 380 children are registered as +scholars, and, on Feb. 28, the actual attendance was 256 in the morning +and 356 in the afternoon, taught by 33 teachers. + + * * * * * + +The various institutions and agencies connected with this Church are +likewise flourishing under the oversight of the Pastor, who, we trust, +may be long spared to a beloved and loving people. + + + +WHITELANDS TRAINING INSTITUTION. + + +The old house now attached to these extensive premises was for many years +a boarding school, conducted by the Misses Babington. Previous to that +period it had no doubt been a scholastic establishment for young ladies, +as I find that a discourse was delivered here, about 1772, by the Rev. +John Jenkins, A.M., on Female Education and Christian Fortitude under +Affliction. + + * * * * * + +In the year 1842 the house and grounds were taken on a long lease by the +National Society, and in 1850 a public meeting was held in London to +raise funds for the erection of the present buildings. + + * * * * * + +The Institution provides for the education, maintenance, and training of +more than 100 young women, between the ages of 18 and 25, who purpose to +become teachers of National Schools; and, secondly, for the daily +instruction of children of the neighbourhood, in four schools. + + * * * * * + +In one of these schools the charge of 10s. per quarter is made. It is +attended by children whose parents would not wish to send them to the +National Schools. + + * * * * * + +The vast improvements which are everywhere conspicuous throughout the +length of the King’s Road, as regards that portion of it which is within +the boundaries of Chelsea, are far more numerous than in any other road +in the metropolis. At the eastern and western extremities of the parish, +there are Railway Stations, then there are the steamboats, besides these +there are the omnibuses traversing the road every quarter of an hour. +What a contrast does the King’s Road now present when compared with what +it was at the commencement of this century! + + * * * * * + +I now return to the bank of the Thames, passing through Flood Street, +proceeding eastward along Queen’s Road West, (formerly called Paradise +Row,) the residence of many of the Nobility and Gentry in the “Olden +Times.” + + + +Queen’s Road West. + + +In the year 1664, Mr. James Hamilton, probably by order of the Lord of +the Manor, made a survey of this parish. It was further continued, till +the year 1715, by the Rev. Dr. King, the rector, to whose labours this +work is much indebted. + + * * * * * + +From Hamilton’s survey, it appears that the Earl of Radnor resided in +Paradise Row, {177} adjoining Robinson’s Lane. He entertained his +Majesty King Charles II. most sumptuously on the 4th of September, 1660, +at this house. When the above survey was taken, his relict, Lady Radnor, +was in possession of the premises. There are in the Parish Register +several entries of baptisms and deaths of this family. Lord Radnor died +at this house July 17, 1685, and Lady Radnor, his second wife, who +survived him, resided at Chelsea till her death in 1714. His son, +Francis, by his second wife, who was a gentleman of general learning and +good abilities, was buried at Chelsea. + + * * * * * + +At the north end of George Place, Queen’s Road West, formerly stood an +old white house, called “Queen Elizabeth’s Larder,” which was pulled down +to erect the present houses. + + + +THE BOTANIC GARDEN. + + +On the south side of Queen’s Road West, near to the river, is situated +the garden belonging to the Company of Apothecaries. The earliest record +that we possess of a Botanical Garden in England, was that of the +celebrated John Gerarde, the father of English botany. The next in order +of time was that of the elder Tradescant, who, about 1630, established a +garden for the cultivation of exotic plants at South Lambeth; this +collection was presented, in 1667, to the University of Oxford. The next +garden in succession is this at Chelsea. + + * * * * * + +Of these premises, containing three acres, one rood, the first lease was +taken by the Company in the year 1673, for the term of 61 years, at a +ground rent of £5 per annum. Mr. Evelyn thus mentions a visit he paid +it:—“1685, August 7th, I went to see Mr. Watts, keeper of the +Apothecaries’ garden of simples at Chelsea, where there is a collection +of innumerable rarities of that sort particularly; besides many rare +annuals, the true-bearing Jesuits’ Bark, which had done such wonders in +quartan agues. What was very ingenious was the subterranean heat, +conveyed by a stove under the conservatory, all vaulted with bricks, so +as he has the doors and windows open in the hardest frosts, secluding all +the snow.” Mr. Watts was succeeded by Mr. Doody, who enjoyed +considerable eminence as a botanist, and he continued to superintend it +till 1717, when the celebrated Petiver was appointed, who had officiated +as demonstrator of plants since 1709. He accumulated so large a +collection of natural history, that, some time before his death, Sir Hans +Sloane is said to have offered him £4000 for it. After his death, Sir +Hans Sloane purchased it, and it went eventually to the British Museum. + + * * * * * + +Sir Hans Sloane granted the freehold of these premises, in 1722, upon +conditions that the Company should pay a quit rent of £5 per annum for +ever, and employ the same as a Physic Garden; that the Company should +deliver to the Royal Society fifty specimens, the growth of the garden, +till the number should amount to three thousand. + + * * * * * + +It was here that Sir Hans Sloane first studied his favourite science; and +he continued a friend to this establishment, continually enriching it +with scarce and curious plants, besides contributing largely towards the +building, &c. As a tribute of gratitude the Company of Apothecaries +employed the celebrated Rysbrach on a marble statue of their benefactor, +which stands in the middle of the garden. He is represented in a +Doctor’s gown, with a full-bottomed peruke, and a roll in his right hand. +It displays much dignity, and conveys a most pleasing impression of the +learned person whom it represents. On the north side of the pedestal is +the following inscription:—“In honour and perpetuation of the memory of +Sir Hans Sloane, Bart., an eminent physician, and great encourager of the +science of botany, this statue was erected by the Company of Apothecaries +of London, 1733.” On the west side, “They being sensible how necessary +that branch of science is to the faithful discharging the duty of their +profession, with grateful hearts and general consent, ordered this statue +to be erected in the year of our Lord 1733, that their successors and +posterity may never forget their common benefactor. Placed here in the +year 1737.” There is another inscription, similar in purport, on the +south side of the pedestal. + + * * * * * + +The garden is laid out in divisions, in which the plants, shrubs, and +trees, are arranged systematically. On the south side of the garden, +facing the Thames, formerly stood two large cedars of Lebanon. Lysons +says, that Sir Joseph Banks made an accurate admeasurement of these +trees, in 1793, and found the girth of the larger to be twelve feet +eleven inches and a half, that of the smaller twelve feet and half an +inch. Upon being measured again, in 1809, they had increased twelve +inches in girth since 1793. There is now only one of these trees. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Philip Miller resided many years in the house at the garden, and +rendered himself particularly distinguished by his botanical works. He +succeeded to the office of curator of this establishment in 1722, and +resigned a little before his decease, which took place in 1771. He was +buried in Chelsea churchyard, where a monument has been since erected to +his memory by the Fellows of the Linnean and Horticultural Societies of +London. He was succeeded in the management of the garden by his pupil, +Mr. Forsyth, who, in 1784, was appointed chief superintendent of the +Royal Gardens at Kensington, which he held till his death in 1804. Mr. +Anderson was subsequently curator, and Mr. Wheeler demonstrator. + + * * * * * + +Having thus endeavoured to give a brief sketch of the rise and progress +of this establishment, it only remains to mention a few particulars in +reference to its present condition. + + * * * * * + +Within the last twenty-five years the garden has been in a great measure +remodelled, and in consequence has become better adapted to the purpose +for which it is maintained, namely, the instruction of medical students. +Several of the old hot-houses and greenhouses have been removed, and new +ones erected in their place; new arrangements of medicinal plants have +been formed; and groups representing the natural orders of plants have +been brought together to facilitate their study. Formerly two cedars of +Lebanon, some of the first planted in England, were conspicuous objects +from the river, but in 1853 one of these, which had become much decayed, +was blown down, the other still remains, but is gradually decaying, being +not only injuriously affected by the smoke of London, but like all the +other large trees in the garden, more or less damaged by the deprivation +of water caused by the construction of the deep sewer in the Queen’s +Road. A fine specimen of a rare tree, the Salisburia adiantifolia, the +Ginkgo of Japan, with leaves resembling those of the Maidenhair Fern in +form, may be seen towering above the wall in the Queen’s Road. The +alterations in this garden were commenced in 1846 by Mr. Robt. Fortune, +the Chinese traveller, who was succeeded, in 1848, by Mr. Thomas Moore, +the present Curator. + + * * * * * + +Near to the Botanic Garden, in front of the river, stood a capital +mansion, erected in the reign of Queen Anne, which was for many years +inhabited by Mrs. Banks, the mother of Sir Joseph Banks. + + + +CHRIST CHURCH. + + +This Church was consecrated on the 26th of June, 1839. It stands on a +piece of ground for many years previously a market garden, and is +situated in Paradise Street, Queen’s Road West. The exterior is +particularly plain, and would admit of great improvements were there +funds available for such a purpose. The interior will probably seat +about 1000 persons. On the opposite side of the street there are +neatly-designed schoolrooms, in which the children belonging to the +National, Infant, and Sunday Schools assemble for instruction. Each of +these schools is very well attended. The residents in a great portion of +the immediate locality are poor, and consequently the most strenuous +efforts are necessary to raise sufficient funds to meet the expenditure. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. W. H. Howard, M.A., was the first Incumbent of the Church, and +was much esteemed. He was a kind-hearted clergyman, and made every +effort in his power to promote the spiritual and temporal welfare of the +numerous poor in his district. He resigned in 1845. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. W. W. Robinson, M.A., was, as is well known, most zealous in his +exertions to accomplish the same great object. He was likewise a most +strenuous supporter and advocate of Total Abstinence Societies from all +intoxicating liquors. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. G. S. Whitlock, M.A., succeeded Mr. Robinson. He displays an +untiring zeal in the discharge of his sacred duties, and there are +gratifying testimonies to prove that his ministerial labours have been +blessed. Under his energetic administration of affairs a large amount of +voluntary subscriptions have been collected, and many important +improvements in the interior of the Church have been effected, and should +he be spared to the District, no doubt the exterior will soon likewise +have a more imposing appearance. + + * * * * * + +GOUGH HOUSE was erected at the commencement of the last century by John, +third Earl of Carberry. He died in his coach, as he was returning from +London to this house in 1713, and was interred in Westminster Abbey. +After his death the house and premises were in possession of the Gough +family, several of whom resided here. Sir Richard Gough was a merchant +in London; he died in 1727. Sir Henry Gough took the name of Calthorpe, +in compliance with the will of his uncle, Sir Henry Calthorpe, K.B., and +was created a peer, in 1796, by the title of Baron Calthorpe. + + * * * * * + +The house was at length occupied by Mrs. Pemberton, who conducted an +establishment for the education of young ladies for many years. The Rev. +Richard Wilson, D.D., subsequently resided in it for a considerable +period. At the present time the approach to this old mansion presents a +melancholy contrast to what it was in former days. + + * * * * * + +Gough House is now the Victoria Hospital for Sick Children, established +in 1866. The frontage is otherwise occupied, and consequently the +originally attractive appearance is entirely destroyed. The youthful +patients come from all parts of the metropolis, and several from the +country. The objects of the institution are as follow:— + +1. The treatment, as in-patients, of children between the ages of two +and twelve years. + +2. The treatment, as out-patients, of children under sixteen years of +age. + +3. The training of nurses for children. + +The Rev. A. G. W. Blunt, M.A., Rector of Chelsea, takes a deep interest +in promoting this much-needed and admirable institution. The committee +are now earnestly making an appeal for contributions to create a Building +Fund, and when it is known that there is not in all the metropolis a +single hospital BUILT for the special reception of children, it is to be +hoped that such a noble charity will receive the liberal assistance of +all benevolent persons. + + * * * * * + +Edward Montague, first Earl of Sandwich, resided in this neighbourhood in +1663. Mr. Pepys, in his Diary, has recorded a visit he paid to that +nobleman. “March 28, 1663. To Chelsea, where we found my lord all +alone, with one joint of meat at dinner, and mightily extolling the +manner of his retirement, and the goodness of his diet; the mistress of +the house hath all things most excellently dressed; amongst other things +her cakes admirable, and so good, that my lord’s words were, they were +fit to present to Lady Castlemaine . . . ” + + * * * * * + +Archbishop Sharpe resided here about 1691; he preached the sermon at the +coronation of Queen Anne. Mackay says, “He is one of the greatest +ornaments of the Church of England, of great piety and learning, a black +man, and 55 years old.” + + * * * * * + +Charles, Duke of St. Albans, natural son of Charles II. by Eleanor Gwynn, +had a house here about 1692. + + * * * * * + +Fitton Gerrard, the last Earl of Macclesfield of that family, died at his +house in Chelsea, in 1702. A law-suit was commenced about the right of +succession to his property, between Lord Mohun and the Duke of Hamilton, +who had married his niece. A duel was fought between the competitors in +Hyde Park, which proved fatal to both parties. The Duchess lived in +Chelsea till 1714. + + * * * * * + +Henry, Duke of Kent, had a house in Queen’s Road West, about 1715. On +his Grace’s death, in 1740, the Dukedom of Kent became extinct. + + * * * * * + +The beautiful Duchess of Mazarin resided in Queen’s Road West, and died +there in 1699, aged 52. Her dramatic routs and musical entertainments +were celebrated for their magnificence. The singers were from the +theatres, and the instrumental performers the most eminent masters of the +time. It is said that the design of introducing the Italian Opera into +England was first concerted in this assembly. Lysons was told that it +was usual for the nobility and others who dined at her house to leave +money under their plates to pay for their entertainment. She appears to +have been in arrears for the parish rates during the whole time of her +residence at Chelsea. + + * * * * * + +Mrs. Mary Astell resided here the greater part of her life, which was +spent in writing for the advancement of learning, religion, and virtue. +“The good Christian,” she would say, “only hath reason to be cheerful in +this world.” She died at her house in 1731, in her 63rd year, beloved by +all who knew her, and greatly esteemed by the inhabitants. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Richard Mead, it appears by the parish books, resided here about +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. + + * * * * * + +The remains of the late Duke of Wellington were laid in great state in +this hall for several days in September, 1852. Thousands of persons from +all parts of the country, as well as many distinguished foreigners, came +to witness the splendid but mournful spectacle. Such exhibitions, +however, seem rather to belong to past ages than to the present period. + + * * * * * + +From the Hall to the Chapel the visitor passes across a noble vestibule +lighted from above by a cupola, and which, besides serving as a +communication to both apartments, constitutes the principal entrance into +the Hospital itself. Over the altar is a fresco painting, which +represents the Resurrection of our Saviour, sublimely described in the +28th chapter of St. Matthew’s Gospel. It is the production of Sebastian +Ricci. The chapel bears the same proportions as the dining hall. It was +consecrated by Dr. Compton, Bishop of London, on the 13th of October, +1691. The service of plate, for the use of the altar, was given by King +James II. + + * * * * * + +The first organ was the gift of Major Ingram; but, in 1817, a new one was +placed in the original case, built by Gray, at the expense of four +hundred guineas. It contained at that time 704 pipes with 12 pedal +pipes. + + * * * * * + +In the chapel are deposited the standards of Tippoo Saib, the whole of +the eagles, thirteen in number, that were taken during the war with +France, &c. Both the chapel and hall must be visited to be fully +appreciated, and this remark equally applies to the different wards, the +water-garden, and indeed every part of this noble establishment. + + * * * * * + +Chelsea Hospital is, of course, designed to furnish an asylum for those +members of the regular army alone, whom wounds, sickness, or old age, may +have totally disabled. Its inmates are therefore, in some way or other, +invalids, that is to say, men affected by some infirmity, which, though +not visible to the eye of the common spectator, is by the patient himself +abundantly felt. For the reception of those who require admission into +it, a spacious Infirmary has been erected, where the aged patients +receive the best medical treatment and every requisite comfort. + + * * * * * + +Amongst the chaplains during this century may be mentioned the Rev. W. +Haggitt, M.A., the Rev. Richard Yates, D.D., the Rev. G. R. Gleig, M.A., +and the Rev. G. Matthias, M.A., who at the present time holds the +appointment. + + + +THE HOSPITAL BURIAL GROUND, &c. + + +On the east side of the Hospital, adjoining Queen’s Road East, originally +called Jews’ Row, is the cemetery, formerly used for the interment of the +officers and pensioners belonging to the establishment. Near the +entrance, on the right, is the tomb of Simon Box, the first pensioner +there buried in 1692. + + * * * * * + +There is a very droll epitaph in this burial ground, to the memory of +William Hiseland, which states that “when an hundred years old he took +unto him a wife.” It appears he had served in the army 80 years. He was +born in 1620, and died in 1732, so that at his decease he was 112 years +old. A literary gentleman, referring to the above marriage, exclaimed, +“Oh, the centenarian wooer and antidiluvian bridegroom—of what chronology +was his bride? Let us hope she was as silly at one end of the mortal +story, as he was in his second childhood, at the other!” + + * * * * * + +In this ground was buried General Sir William Fawcett, K.B., Governor of +the Hospital, who died in 1804, aged 76. His remains were attended to +the grave by the Prince of Wales, the Dukes of York, Clarence, Kent, and +Cambridge, and by several noblemen and general officers. + + * * * * * + +Although Dr. Monsey was not buried here, yet, as he died in the Hospital, +we must not omit to notice so remarkable a character. Sir Robert Walpole +assiduously cultivated his acquaintance, and the celebrated Earl of +Chesterfield acknowledged with gratitude the benefits he had derived from +his medical assistance. + + * * * * * + +The character of Dr. Monsey, in point of natural humour, is thought to +have borne a near resemblance to that of Dean Swift. His classical +abilities were indeed enviable, and his memory wonderfully retentive; +insomuch that he was allowed to be a storehouse of anecdote. The +exuberance of his wit, which, like the web of life, was of a mingled +yarn, often rendered his conversation exceedingly entertaining, sometimes +rather offensive, and at other times pointedly pathetic and instructive. +Sir Robert Walpole knew and valued the worth of his “Norfolk Doctor,” as +he called him; but though he knew it, he neglected it. The Prime +Minister was very fond of billiards, at which his friend very much +excelled him. “How happens it,” said Sir Robert, in a social hour, “that +nobody will beat me at billiards, or contradict me, but Dr. Monsey?” +“They get places,” said the Doctor, “I get a dinner and praise.” + + * * * * * + +The following anecdote is very characteristic of the Doctor’s turn of +temper, and is said to be well attested. He lived so long in his office +as physician to Chelsea Hospital, that, during many changes of +Administration, the reversion of his place had been successively promised +to several medical friends of the Paymaster-General of the Forces. +Looking out of his window one day, and observing a gentleman below, +examining the hospital and gardens, who he knew had secured the reversion +of his place, the Doctor came down stairs, and going out to him, accosted +him thus:—“Well, sir, I see you are examining your house and garden, that +ARE TO BE, and I will assure you they are both very pleasant and very +convenient. But I must tell you one circumstance—you are the fifth man +that has had the reversion of the place, and I have buried them all. And +what is more,” continued he, looking very scientifically at him, “there +is something in your face that tells me I shall bury you too!” The event +justified the prediction, for the gentleman died some years after; and, +what is still more extraordinary, at the time of the Doctor’s death there +was not a person who seems to have even solicited the promise of a +reversion. He died in 1788, aged 94. + + * * * * * + +On a table monument is an inscription to the memory of John Wilson, Esq., +Deputy Treasurer of Chelsea Hospital, and Lieutenant-Colonel of the Royal +Volunteers. He died of apoplexy in 1812, aged 56. The monument was +erected by the officers of his regiment, as a token of their esteem. + + * * * * * + +Benjamin Moseley, M.D., thirty years physician to the hospital, was +buried here in 1819, aged 73. + + * * * * * + +General Sir David Dundas, Governor of Chelsea Hospital, was buried here +in 1820. His funeral was attended by the Duke of York, accompanied by +his Staff. + + * * * * * + +BURIAL OF A FEMALE DRAGOON.—Christiana Davis died at Chelsea in 1739. +For several years she served as a dragoon, undiscovered, in the Royal +Irish Enniskillen Regiment; but receiving a wound in her body she was +then discovered, though her comrades had not the least suspicion of her +being a woman. She behaved with great valour afterwards in Flanders, and +was very useful in a battle to supply the soldiers with water and other +necessaries, even to the mouth of a cannon. She had an allowance of one +shilling per day, which she received till her death. She was interred, +according to her desire, amongst the old pensioners, and three vollies +were fired over her grave. + + * * * * * + +Hannah Snell was also buried in this ground by her own desire. She +enlisted, in 1745, in Guise’s Regiment of Foot, in which she served for +some time, but deserted and enlisted in the Marines. She was severely +wounded, and, on her recovery, sent to England. Her heroic conduct +procured for her an annual pension of £30 for life. She also procured a +pension from Chelsea Hospital, and after her discharge continued to wear +her uniform. At length this poor creature became insane, and was placed +in Bethlehem Hospital, where she died. + + * * * * * + +Charles Burney, Mus.D., author of the History of Music, &c., was buried +here in 1814, aged 88; he was organist at Chelsea Hospital, and father of +Madame D’Arblay, the authoress of Evelina, Cecilia, and Camilla. She was +also for many years the organist. + + * * * * * + +Many a distinguished officer and old veteran have been interred in this +ground. Amongst the pensioners some have lived to a great age. Thomas +Asbey, buried in 1737, aged 112.—John Rogers, 1764, aged 103.—Robert +Cumming, 1767, aged 116.—Peter Dowling, 1768, aged 102.—Peter Burnet, +1773, aged 107.—Joshua Cueman, 1794, it is stated, aged 123.—Richard +Swifield, 1805, aged 105.—Abraham Moss, 1805, aged 106.—John Wolf, 1821, +aged 107.—John Salter, 1827, aged 104. I have frequently conversed with +the latter centenarian. In his youth he must have been a fine-built man, +standing upwards of six feet high. He might often be seen, even within a +short time of his death, sweeping away the autumn leaves in the walks of +the hospital grounds, as a matter of choice. Such a circumstance +suggests many serious reflections, which I leave to the reader to supply. +There is also said to be an inmate at the present time, aged 106. + + + +OLD RANELAGH GARDENS. + + +Adjoining the Royal Hospital, on the eastern side, stood the mansion of +Richard, Earl of Ranelagh. This nobleman, about the year 1690, obtained +from the Crown a large grant of land; he built a house thereon, and made +it his principal residence till his death in 1712. In 1730 an Act was +passed vesting this estate in trustees, and three years after the house +and premises were sold in lots. About this period, Lacy, the patentee of +Drury Lane Theatre, projected a plan for establishing a place of public +entertainment on a large and splendid scale; and, in pursuance of this +scheme, he took a lease of these premises. But it appears he soon gave +up the undertaking, as in 1741, when the Rotunda was built, there were +two other lessees, one of whom became a bankrupt. The property was then +divided into 36 shares of £1000 each, the greater number of which were +held by Sir Thomas Robinson, who built for himself a house adjoining to +Ranelagh Gardens. Several of his friends took shares in the concern, and +it became for a time prosperous. + + * * * * * + +The Rotunda was opened with a public breakfast, &c., in 1742. It was an +imitation of the Pantheon at Rome. The external diameter was 185 ft., +the internal 150 ft. The entrances were by four Doric porticos opposite +each other, and the first story was rustic; round the whole, on the +outside, was an arcade, and over it a gallery, the stairs to which were +at the porticos. The interior was fitted up with great taste, and from +the ceiling descended 28 chandeliers, in two circles. Music and dancing +were the principal attractions. From the branches of the trees that +shaded every walk festoons of coloured lamps hung down. Royalty, +nobility, and gentry visited it. + + + +PRESENTATION OF COLOURS TO THE CHELSEA VOLUNTEERS. + + +On the 4th of January, 1804, a brilliant scene was displayed at Ranelagh, +on the presentation of Colours to the Chelsea Royal Volunteers. About +noon the trumpet announced the arrival of the Courtly party in three of +his Majesty’s carriages, followed by others belonging to different +noblemen. The company having alighted, Lady Harrington was conducted to +her box by the Vice-Chamberlain. The Countess being seated two pairs of +Colours were introduced, and placed on each side of the royal box. The +King’s Colours of each regiment consisted of a plain Union standard, but +the regimental one, which was designed and executed by the Queen and +Princesses, was a superb piece of needlework, the ground being a rich +purple silk, having in the centre his Majesty’s arms, embroidered and +surrounded with sprigs of variegated tints and figures. At the lower +corners were the letters “C. R.,” and under the armorial bearings the +words, “Queen’s Royal Volunteers.” {199} After prayers and a suitable +discourse, Lady Harrington thus addressed the officers:— + + “Gentlemen,—Her Majesty having been graciously pleased to confer upon + me the honour of presenting to you these Colours, I am anxious to + express how highly I am flattered by this distinguished mark of the + Queen’s favour. At a time of all others the most awful, when our + country is threatened with the unprovoked attack of a most implacable + enemy, and when you have evinced your readiness to stand forward in + the defence of everything that is most dear to us all, what can be + more gratifying to you than being so particularly distinguished by + her Majesty, and receiving your Colours from her? Animated as your + hearts must be in gratitude to the Queen, in addition to every other + noble sentiment that has guided you, from the moment of the first + offer of your services, it would not only be superfluous, but + presumptuous in me, to add anything more upon the occasion than the + expression of every fervent wish for your success in the event of the + enemy carrying his threats into execution; confident that no power, + however strenuously exerted, will ever wrest these Colours from you + while there is yet left a man in your corps to defend them.” + +To this speech a suitable answer was made by Lord Hobart, who expressed, +in behalf of the corps, the most patriotic and grateful sentiments. + + * * * * * + +Subsequent Directors turned Ranelagh into mere Assembly and Concert +Rooms, and the gardens for a display of fire-works. It soon ceased to be +an attractive promenade, and the brilliant display of beauty it had made +for years was seen no more. + + * * * * * + +In 1805 an order was made for taking down Ranelagh House, which had been +the residence of Sir Thomas Robinson, and the Rotunda. The furniture was +sold by auction, and the entire buildings. General Wilford became the +purchaser of a portion of the land, on which he erected a large house, +and resided in it for many years. The ruins of some of the original +buildings belonging to Ranelagh Gardens remained for a considerable time +afterwards. In the front of General Wilford’s house, on the north, some +excellent cricket matches were played, for Chelsea then abounded with +first-rate cricketers. + +At length the Crown purchased General Wilford’s house and the land +adjoining it, whereon the Rotunda formerly stood, for the use of Chelsea +Hospital, and when Lord John Russell (now Earl Russell) became +Paymaster-General, he caused the Ranelagh field, which was near the +river, to be laid out into portions or lots, for the old men to occupy, +each as his private garden. The remaining portion of the land of +Ranelagh, on the east, has since been added to the Hospital Gardens, and +presents one of the most picturesque specimens of gardening in the +vicinity of London. To these gardens the public have free access. Along +the side of them there is an excellent road leading to the Suspension +Bridge, and on the opposite side a splendid range of Barracks erected +within the last few years. + + + +THE ORIGINAL CHELSEA BUNHOUSE. + + +Chelsea was famous for its buns from the commencement of the last +century. Swift, who lodged in Church Lane (street), and used to walk to +and from town, “two good miles, and just 5748 steps,” writes to Stella, +in 1712, “Pray, are not they fine buns sold here in our town? * * * Was +it not r-r-r-r-r-r rare Chelsea buns? I bought one in my walk.” This +old bunhouse was a rather long building of one storey, with a colonnade +in front, projecting over the pavement, the dwelling-house attached to it +standing in the rear, with a large and well-kept garden behind it. It +was situated in what was called Grosvenor Row, known as such at the time +the bunhouse was pulled down, the site of which is a little eastward +beyond the boundary line of this parish, and not far distant from Chelsea +Hospital. George II. and Queen Caroline, and the princesses, bought buns +here; as did George III. and Queen Charlotte, who presented to the +proprietor a silver half gallon mug, and five guineas in it. Here, on +Good Friday morning, £250 has been taken for buns; and so lately as 1839 +no less than 240,000 buns were sold here on Good Friday. This may appear +to many an incredulous number; but few persons at the present time can +form an adequate idea of the immense demand for them. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. J. B. Owen, of St. Jude’s, Chelsea, in one of his admirable +lectures, delivered in 1860, humourously observed, “There is no poetry +more delicate, nor was street music more popular, than the old bellman’s +cry—‘Smoking hot, piping hot, Chelsea buns!’ Picture the enthusiasm of a +local rhymer thus immortalising the article:— + + O flour of the ovens! a zephyr in paste! + Fragrant as honey, and sweeter in taste! + Hail to the bellman, who sings as he runs, + ‘Smoking hot, piping hot, Chelsea buns!’ + + As flaky and white as if baked by the light, + As the flesh of an infant, soft, doughy, and slight; + The public devour thee like Goths and Huns, + ‘Smoking hot, piping hot, Chelsea buns!’ + + Prelates, and princes, and lieges, and kings, + Hail for the bellman, who tinkles and sings, + Bouche of the highest and lowliest ones, + ‘Smoking hot, piping hot, Chelsea buns!’ + + Like the home of your birth, or the scent of a flower, + Or the blush of the morning on field or bower, + There’s a charm in the sound which nobody shuns, + Of ‘Smoking hot, piping hot, Chelsea buns!’ + +This bunhouse had become so famous, not only throughout London, but for +several miles round it, that not to visit Chelsea on Good Friday, and +purchase some of the “rare buns,” was considered as unaccountable amongst +a certain class—such as the servants of the nobility and gentry, shopmen, +mechanics, and apprentices—as it would have been for them to acknowledge +that they had never heard of Greenwich Fair. But this part of Chelsea, +and the adjoining “Five Fields,” now Eaton and Belgrave Squares, actually +did represent a minor Greenwich Fair. From my own personal observation I +should say, provided the weather was favourable, there were generally on +Good Fridays nearly 200,000 persons collected in the immediate +neighbourhood. It was a fair to all intents and purposes. In the “Five +Fields” there were drinking booths, swings, gingerbread stalls, nine-pins +being played, gaming, and all the other vicious “entertainments” which +annually disgraced the metropolis in former times. Such was the pressure +of the immense crowd at the bunhouse, from about three o’clock in the +morning till five in the afternoon, that the only mode of supplying the +demand for buns was by obtaining them through apertures in the shutters. +The bunhouse, however, was very respectably conducted, and such scenes as +I have described were only to be witnessed on the day previously named—a +day set apart to commemorate the most momentous event, as regards its +consequences, in the history of the world. + + * * * * * + +There were many things very attractive at the original bunhouse. In it +was a collection of pictures, models, grotesque, figures, and modern +antiques. In a conspicuous position were two leaden figures of +grenadiers of 1745; a plaster figure of William, Duke of Cumberland; a +painting of the King and Queen seated; a model of the bunhouse, and of +the exploits of a bottle conjurer. This celebrated building was pulled +down some years since, and with it the olden charm fled. + + * * * * * + +Having thus arrived at the eastern boundary of the parish, I trace my +steps through Queen’s Road East, formerly called Jews’ Row. Many years +ago this road, for scenes of depravity, was as bad as any part of the +East end of London; but it happily was confined to this limited locality, +and arose from the circumstance that the Out-Pensioners from nearly all +parts of the country had to come to Chelsea Hospital to receive their +pensions, and disabled soldiers to pass the Board, &c., previously to +being discharged from the army. The Government at length wisely altered +the arrangement for paying the Out-Pensioners, and they now receive their +pensions in districts nearer to where they dwell, which prevents their +being put to the expense of coming to London, being robbed by “sharpers,” +or beset by prostitution. Jews’ Row, and its former scenes, +comparatively speaking, have passed away, and what remains of vice and +crime, in some of the crammed courts leading from it to Turks’ Row, is +gradually disappearing, through the exertions of the Rev. J. B. Owen, +M.A., of St. Jude’s Church, the District Visitors, and other agencies. +These courts will probably be cleared away before many years have +elapsed, and Queen’s Road East will then become one of the leading and +most attractive thoroughfares in the parish of Chelsea. + + * * * * * + +One very great improvement took place some few years since. The Burial +Ground was enclosed by a high dismal-looking old wall, which was pulled +down, and a new one built, not more than three feet high, on which a neat +iron-railing is placed, thus removing much vice and preventing many +robberies, and rendering the road perfectly safe. + + * * * * * + +In the year 1793 a horrible murder was committed in a house fronting the +North Court of the Royal Hospital. The victims were Mr. Silva and Mary +Williams, his servant. It appears to have been perpetrated in the +morning, between half-past eight and twelve o’clock. + + * * * * * + +George Saunders, at the inquest, stated that when the alarm was given he +entered the house, and, on lifting up the servant, Mary Williams, there +were signs of life, but she expired in two or three minutes. Mr. Silva +was alive, but speechless, and died shortly afterwards. He found in a +closet in the kitchen two iron chests, unlocked, and empty. In the front +room, one pair of stairs, a bureau open, with the drawers out, and the +papers in confusion, and on the floor a quantity of bedding, folded up. + + * * * * * + +Mr. North, surgeon, gave a fearful account of the wounds received, and +the jury, after a lengthened investigation, found a verdict of wilful +murder by persons unknown. + + * * * * * + +A nephew of Mr. Silva was taken up on suspicion, and examined at Bow +Street. He shewed, by respectable evidence, that he was at home when the +murder was committed, and was discharged. This person, however, +afterwards committed suicide, and he was buried in the highway at +Chelsea, leaving great doubts of his innocency of the crime. + + + +Royal Military Asylum. + + +On the site of the Royal Military Asylum stood a capital mansion, the +residence for many years of the Cadogan family, and afterwards the +property of Sir Walter Farquhar, Bart., of whom it was purchased for the +purpose of erecting the present Institution. + + * * * * * + +The Royal Military Asylum for the children of soldiers of the regular +army is situated near the Royal Hospital, on the north east. It was +built by Mr. Copland, from the designs of Mr. Sanders. On the 19th of +June, 1801, the first stone of this structure was laid by the Duke of +York, accompanied by many general officers, and a considerable number of +the nobility. The motives which gave rise to the establishment, and the +principles upon which it is founded, are alike honourable to the present +enlightened age, and congenial with the soundest maxims of policy, +humanity, and benevolence. “The necessity of such an Institution will +appear obvious,” says Mr. Faulkner, “when we consider the helpless and +forlorn condition of many among these orphan objects of commiseration, +who in this comfortable asylum are clothed, have good wholesome food, +acquire a decent education, are taught the principles of Christianity, +and, finally, are made useful in whatever course of life they may be +enabled to adopt.” + + * * * * * + +The ground in front of this spacious building is laid out in grass plots +and gravel walks, and planted with trees. The edifice forms three sides +of a quadrangle; it is built of brick, with an elegant stone balustrade +in the centre of the western front, which is ornamented with a noble +portico of the Doric order, consisting of four columns, which support a +large and well-proportioned pediment. On the frieze is the following +inscription:—“The Royal Military Asylum for the Children of Soldiers of +the Regular Army.” Over it are the Imperial arms. The north and south +wings are joined to the principal front by a colonade, which forms a good +shelter for the boys in wet weather. + + * * * * * + +The vestibule is in the centre of the grand front. On the left and right +are the dining halls, 80 ft. long and 30 ft. wide. Over these are the +schoolrooms, of the same dimensions. The committee-room is over the +vestibule. + + * * * * * + +The north wing contains the apartments of the Commandant, Surgeon, +Quartermaster, and dormitories for the boys; the south wing, apartments +for the Adjutant and Secretary, the Masters of the Normal and Model +Schools, and dormitories. + + * * * * * + +On the south of the grounds stands the Normal School of the Royal +Military Asylum, in which reside the Students who are being trained for +Schoolmasters in Her Majesty’s army. + + * * * * * + +The Chapel was consecrated in 1824, and is calculated to contain the +whole of the establishment, with accommodation for upwards of 100 +visitors. + + * * * * * + +The girls were removed to Southampton in 1823, and the boys in that +institution removed to Chelsea, so that now the latter contains only +boys, and the former only girls. + + * * * * * + +On the 20th of June, 1805, George III., the Queen, with the Princesses +and Royal Dukes, visited the R.M. Asylum. They inspected several of the +apartments, dining hall, &c., and his Majesty said it was one of the best +institutions in the country. This was a regular gala day for the +children. + + * * * * * + +The King and Queen of the Sandwich Islands paid a visit to the Royal +Military Asylum in the year 1824. Their Majesties were attended by +Major-General Sir Willoughby Gordon, and appeared much delighted with the +establishment, the nature of which was explained to them by the +interpreter. They were received by the full band playing “God save the +King,” and were highly gratified with the skill of the juvenile +musicians. After having seen the children at dinner, their Majesties +witnessed the various gymnastic exercises, and at their departure were +saluted by the hearty cheers of the youthful regiment, which was drawn up +before them. + + * * * * * + +His late Royal Highness the Duke of York was the founder of this +Institution, and constantly bestowed his best exertions in promoting the +welfare, and increasing the comforts, of the helpless inmates nurtured +within its walls. On his last visit, the children crowded round their +benefactor, and gave him three hearty cheers. Such was the effect +produced by it that the Duke could not refrain from shedding tears; and, +patting the head of the foremost boy, he ejaculated, as he passed down +the steps, “God bless you, my lads.” + + * * * * * + +On the 7th of January, 1827, a sermon was preached by the Rev. G. Clark, +M.A., chaplain, on the demise of the Royal Founder, at the conclusion of +which he thus addressed the children:—“I need not tell you that it has +pleased Almighty God to take away from this world the President of this +Institution, the Duke of York. He was the firm friend of your fathers, +and also a kind and steady friend to you, their children. Whatever +advantages you enjoy in this Asylum, you owe, under Divine Providence, to +the Duke of York. He was the founder of this Institution, and by his +recommendations and exertions it was begun and completed. Many of you +will remember this good friend who is now taken from us. A few months +ago you beheld him walk through your ranks; you saw in his countenance +the pleasure he felt from witnessing the healthy and creditable +appearance of so many children of British soldiers. I exhort you to hold +his memory in your hearts and affections; show your gratitude by +improving the advantages he has given to you in this Asylum, and by doing +your duty to God and man when you go forth into the world.” + + * * * * * + +The following tribute to the memory of the Duke of York was written by +Dr. Veitch, at that time physician to the Chelsea Dispensary:—“The +knowledge which his late Royal Highness possessed of human nature, and +what was becoming the character of British soldiers, induced him to +impress on their minds a system of discipline at once correct and +conveying lofty feelings; so that men thus trained were at all times +ready to prefer death to subjugation. We may here say, with truth, that +to the love of his country and the army he has prematurely fallen a +victim. No self-gratification, no pleasures, were ever by him allowed to +interfere with the duties he owed to the army and his country, and +however late his hour of going to rest, he was invariably the first man +at his post in the morning. We find individuals who are distinguished as +statesmen, as admirals, as generals, but who are without the smallest +pretensions to true greatness, because their talents and their courage +are not blended with the chivalrous, the gallant, and finer inspirations +flowing from the heart. Such men are generally anxious enough that their +services should be appreciated by their Sovereign, while they overlook +what they owe to others who have mainly contributed to their fame and to +their fortune. The late illustrious Duke had no such narrowness; his +soul was surrounded with generous and delicate attributes, rendering all +periods of his splendid career utterly inaccessible to deeds of darkness, +and also ever ready to expand to the light of truth, to the claims of +justice and of humanity; and he is therefore eminently entitled to the +character of a great man; because his high attainments in military +affairs were combined with an exalted and refined sense of courage and of +honour.” + + * * * * * + +Lieutenant-Colonel George Williamson, the first Commandant of the Royal +Military Asylum, died Sept. 6, 1812, and his remains were interred in the +Burial Ground of the Royal Hospital on the 11th of that month. In +consequence of the respect in which his memory was held by his Royal +Highness the Commander in Chief, and the Commissioners of the Asylum, it +was determined that he should be honoured with a military funeral; and +his body was followed to the grave by the above-mentioned royal and +illustrious personages. The procession was received, at the front +entrance of the Royal Hospital, by the officers of that establishment, +and conducted by the chaplains to the Chapel, where the funeral service +was read by the Rev. G. Clark, and several psalms were sung by the +children. The body was then carried to the burial ground in the same +order, and the remaining part of the ceremony performed; the Duke of +York, the Commissioners, officers, and children of the Institution, +surrounding the grave. The whole was conducted with the greatest order +and solemnity, and presented a very impressive scene. Since the erection +of the Chapel, a handsome monument has been placed therein to the memory +of this meritorious officer. + + * * * * * + +About the year 1810 part of the glebe opposite to the Royal Military +Asylum was purchased, under the authority of an Act of Parliament, for +the use of this Institution; and other land, at Merton, in Surrey, was +bought with the money as glebe to the Rectory of Chelsea. + + * * * * * + +In concluding this brief description of the Royal Military Asylum, it may +justly be observed that the contemplation of such a noble fabric is +calculated to excite the liveliest emotions of gratitude for having been +born in a country which abounds with charitable institutions. To the +soldier it must continually afford the most pleasing prospects for the +comfort and support of his infant children, and it will induce him to +serve, if possible, with greater confidence and energy, feeling assured +that if he falls in battle his country has provided a home for his +helpless children. + + + +ST. JUDE’S CHURCH. + + +This Church is situated in Turks’ Row, almost adjoining the extreme +southern side of the Royal Military Asylum. The first stone of the +edifice was laid in August, 1843, and it was consecrated and opened for +Divine Service in June, 1844. The Rev. John Patterson, M.A., was the +first Incumbent, and on his leaving Chelsea, the Rev. Shadwell Morley +Barkworth, M.A., succeeded him. The present Incumbent is the Rev. J. B. +Owen, M.A., who has laboured most zealously in the District some years. +To his indefatigable exertions, and to the visitations of the District +Visitors, &c., connected with the Church, much of the demoralization +which generally prevailed in the numerous crowded courts, lying between +Turks’ Row and Queen’s Road East, has been removed. Attached to the +Church are National, Free, and Infant Schools, each of which are very +well attended. A portion of the children belonging to the Hans Town +Industrial School are here accommodated with sittings. The Church will +hold about 900 persons. + + * * * * * + +Proceeding in an easterly direction we arrive at what was formerly known +as White Lion Street. Here very considerable improvements have been +effected. The whole of one side of this street has been pulled down, by +which means there is now a good road from the Suspension Bridge to +Knightsbridge. + + + +CHELSEA CHAPEL. + + +This Chapel was erected in 1865, and is situated on a part of the site we +have just described, adjoining Lower Sloane Street. The Church +worshipping within its sacred walls formerly occupied Paradise Chapel, +Queen’s Road West, which still remains, and which was originally a school +room belonging to a scholastic establishment, which occupied for many +years the site of Calthorpe Place. It is still retained by the members +of the above Church as a Ragged School. + + * * * * * + +The Chapel is a plain white brick building, without any particular +attempt at architectural display. Mr. James Cubitt was the architect. +It will seat probably 1000 persons. There is a schoolroom underneath the +Chapel, which will contain about 600 adults, in which there is a Day +School for Girls and Infants in the week, and the Sunday School is also +held in it, which numbers about 200. The Rev. Frank H. White, who +resides in Hemus Terrace, is the Minister, and is much esteemed not only +by the members of the church, but by all with whom he is associated in +life. + + * * * * * + +I must now proceed to Sloane Street, where first “I drew the breath of +life,” and which is consequently endeared to me by recollections of the +very earliest events of my life. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Holland, in the year 1777, took a lease of one hundred acres of land, +called in old records Blacklands, of Charles, Lord Cadogan, which now +consists of Sloane Street, Cadogan Place, Hans Place, Exeter Street, +Ellis Street, D’Oyley Street, Sloane Square, George Street, &c. The +buildings were begun just at the commencement of the American war, owing +to which their progress was much impeded. + + * * * * * + +A very great improvement has at last been made at Grosvenor Bridge, in +ancient times called Blandel Bridge. Its name was probably corrupted to +“Bloody Bridge,” in consequence of the numbers of robberies and murders +formerly committed on this spot. The entrance here into the parish, at +the eastern end of Sloane Square, has been after years of delay +considerably widened, and some spacious shops erected. There is also now +an Underground Railway Station, and the West London Commercial Bank has +likewise extensive premises in Sloane Square, both of which will confer +very great advantages on the inhabitants of Chelsea, and the public in +general. + + + +Trinity Church, Upper Chelsea. + + +This Church is situated at the south end of Sloane Street, near Sloane +Square. It is a brick structure of Gothic architecture, the western +front consisting of a centre flanked by two wide towers rising to a level +with the roof, and terminating with lofty octagonal spires. A large +entrance door occupies the space from tower to tower to the height of the +first division, giving access both to nave and aisles, over which stands +a large window separated by two mullions, with trefoil headings slightly +ornamented; above this is placed a circular stone surrounded by tracery, +intended, probably, at some future period for a clock. The towers to the +first blocking course are plain, but above they are enriched with +trefoil-headed windows, divided into two compartments, slender buttresses +separating the towers octagonally to the summit, crowned by a battlement +and surmounted by obtuse-headed pinnacles. At each side of the centre +great door there is a smaller one for ingress and egress to the aisles +and galleries. + + * * * * * + +The interior of the Church presents no peculiar feature requiring special +notice, at the same time it possesses in its design all that is essential +to impress the mind with the sacred character of the edifice. Those who +are unable to pay for a sitting have comfortable free seats provided for +them. The Church will probably accommodate 1500 persons. Attached to +it, on the right, is a spacious schoolroom, designed to correspond with +the architecture of the exterior of the Church. The whole of the schools +are very well attended. + + * * * * * + +The late Rev. H. Blunt, M.A., was the first Incumbent, and when he +resigned the Rev. Richard Burgess, B.D., the present Rector of the +Church, succeeded him. Trinity Church, from its consecration in 1830, +has always been very numerously attended. + + * * * * * + +In the Church are several tablets, amongst them is one to the memory of +the Rev. H. Blunt. + + + +SLOANE TERRACE WESLEYAN CHAPEL. + + +This Chapel was built in 1811. It is a neat and substantial edifice. +The galleries extend round three sides of the interior, and the whole +will accommodate about 1200 persons. The erection of this place of +worship is to be attributed to the liberality of several beneficent +gentlemen, among whom may be especially mentioned Joseph Butterworth, +Esq., who, at that time, had summer apartments in Chelsea. The attention +of these Christian friends had been arrested by observing a large number +of the middling and poorer classes, in the vicinity of Jews’ Row, +wandering about upon the mornings of the Sabbath. They accordingly took +a large room, or small chapel, at nearly the end of George Street, and +subsequently erected Sloane Terrace Chapel. The congregation and the +members rapidly increased, and at various times many alterations have +been made so as to render the chapel and schoolrooms more commodious. It +is a pleasing thought, that, amidst a vast amount of Sabbath desecration, +there is not a Church or Chapel in the parish, where the Sabbath School +is not well attended. + + * * * * * + +Nearly opposite to Sloane Terrace, in Sloane Street, resided for many +years H. W. Burgess, Esq., a most accomplished artist. His gentlemanly +deportment and piety endeared him to a large circle of friends. There +was scarcely a benevolent society in the parish to which he was not a +contributor. + + * * * * * + +Thomas Hoblyn, Esq., who for many years was the Rector’s Churchwarden at +St. Luke’s Parish Church, occupied a house at the corner of Cadogan +Street, Sloane Street. He was one of several newly-appointed +magistrates, about the time of the passing of the first Local Act of +Parliament for the better assessing and collecting the Poor’s Rate, &c. + + * * * * * + +The above house is now occupied as an Industrial Home for Girls, one of +the many admirable institutions which reflect so much credit upon that +part of Chelsea. + + * * * * * + +Captain G. Bague, R.N., resided also in Sloane Street, nearly opposite +Cadogan Place, for a long period. He was made a magistrate for the +county at the same time as Mr. Hoblyn. + + * * * * * + +The late Rev. H. Blunt, M.A., resided for a considerable time in Sloane +Street. + + * * * * * + +The late Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke, Bart., resided for some years at +72, Sloane Street. He died in 1869, at St. Petersburgh, after a short +illness, which unexpectedly proved fatal, at the age of 58. He was born +in London in 1810, was the only son of the late Mr. Charles Wentworth +Dilke, chief proprietor and at one time editor of the _Athenæum_ +newspaper, and subsequently the manager of the _Daily News_, and who died +about eight years ago. His mother was Maria, daughter of Mr. E. Walker. +He was educated at Westminster School, and subsequently at Trinity Hall, +Cambridge, where he took his degree in Law instead of Arts. In early +life he was associated with the literary labours of his father, whom he +largely aided by his cultivated tastes, his wide range of information, +sound judgment, and habits of business. He was one of the earliest +promoters of the first Great Exhibition, and, indeed, acted as the +leading member of the Executive Committee. The fact of his occupying +such a position naturally brought Mr. Dilke into close and frequent +contact with the late Prince Consort, who was much struck with the +ability he displayed, and at whose suggestion the honour of knighthood +was offered to him in recognition of his services. That honour, however, +he declined; and with it refused all pecuniary remuneration, wishing his +services to be purely honorary. Her Majesty, however, resolved that he +should not be wholly unrewarded, sent to Mrs. Dilke a handsome +diamond-bracelet, which, no doubt, will become an heirloom in the Dilke +family. Mr. Dilke was also associated with the second Great Exhibition +as one of the five Royal Commissioners appointed by Her Majesty. It has +always been understood also that the resuscitation of the Royal +Horticultural Society of London has been in a very great measure due to +his exertions as one of the most active of its vice-presidents. It will +be remembered that almost immediately after the death of the Prince +Consort Her Majesty was pleased to confer a baronetcy on Mr. Dilke in +recognition of the Prince’s friendship and personal regard for him. Sir +Charles Wentworth Dilke sat in the last Parliament in the Liberal +interest for Wallingford, defeating Mr. Serjeant Malins (who has since +attained the Judicial Bench), but he lost his seat at the last general +election. The late baronet, who was a magistrate for Westminster and for +the county of Middlesex, married in 1840 Mary, a daughter of Captain +Chatfield, but was left a widower a few years ago. By her he has left a +son, born in 1843, Mr. (now Sir) Charles Wentworth Dilke, of Trinity +Hall, Cambridge, who was returned at the last election as one of the +members, in the Liberal interest, for the newly-enfranchised constituency +of Chelsea, and another son, Mr. Ashton Wentworth Dilke, born 1850. + + * * * * * + +The present Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke, Bart., M.P., resides at his late +father’s house in Sloane Street. He has extensively travelled in +America, and has published a very interesting work, entitled “Greater +Britain,” and is the author of several pamphlets on social and political +topics. + + * * * * * + +THE PAVILION, HANS PLACE.—A few particulars respecting this once +beautiful estate will no doubt be interesting to many of the readers of +this work. When Mr. Holland took the lease of the land, formerly known +as “Blacklands,” now Upper Chelsea, he reserved to himself 21 acres of +it, on which he built an elegant house for his own residence. This was +called the Pavilion, and it was purchased of Mr. Holland’s executors by +Peter Denys, Esq., and became afterwards the property of his relict, the +Right Hon. Lady Charlotte Denys, who resided in it with her family for +some years afterwards. It consisted of three sides of a quadrangle, open +to the north, and the approach was from Hans Place. The house was +superbly furnished. + + * * * * * + +In the library, on two mahogany pedestals, stood two busts in statuary +marble of Pitt and Fox, by Nollekens. In the dining room were two +excellent pictures by Fuseli; one a vision of Lady Jane Grey, before her +execution, from a manuscript letter of Bishop Latimer to Dr. Bullinger; +the other a scene from the tragedy of King Lear. To which might be added +many others of equal worth. + + * * * * * + +The south front faced an extensive and beautifully-planted lawn, gently +rising to the level of the colonnade and principal floor. This front was +originally built as a model for the Pavilion at Brighton, and was +ornamented by a colonnade of the Doric order, extending the whole length +of the building. + + * * * * * + +On the west side of the lawn was an Ice-house, round which was erected an +admirable representation of the ruins of an ancient Priory, in which the +appearance of age and decay was strikingly faithful. The Gothic +stone-work was brought from the ancient demolished residence of Cardinal +Wolsey, at Esher, in Surrey. The lawn was ornamented by a fine sheet of +water, which produced a most pleasing effect. The Priory displayed +considerable variety of fanciful intricate paths and scenery, profusely +ornamented with shrubs, and had a private communication with the house by +the walks of the shrubbery. + + * * * * * + +Lady Charlotte Denys gave annually a treat to the children of the “Hans +Town Schools,” &c., and had booths erected in which they partook of tea, +whilst others contained fruit and playthings to amuse them. On these +occasions the inhabitants were admitted to witness the pleasing juvenile +scene. + + * * * * * + +HANS PLACE, SLOANE STREET.—Miss Landon (L.E.L.) was born in “snug Hans +Place” in 1802, and spent the greater portion of her life in it. She +went to school at No. 22, kept by Miss Rowden, who published “A Poetical +Introduction to the Study of Botany,” and “The Pleasures of Friendship,” +and at length became the Countess of St. Queutin. + + * * * * * + +Among the inmates of the same house have been Lady Caroline Lamb, who +married the Hon. W. Lamb, afterwards Viscount Melbourne, Miss Mitford, +Lady Bulwer, &c. + + * * * * * + +Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Wigan, the talented artistes, resided for some time +in Hans Place. + + + +ST. SAVIOUR’S CHURCH. + + +This Church is situated a little to the north of Hans Place, and near to +Walton Street. The exterior has no particular pretensions to +architectural display. The interior is neat, and possesses a greater +degree of architectural design. It will seat probably more than 1000 +persons. The Rev. W. Niven, M.A., was the first Incumbent, and retained +it until recently, when the Rev. George Weldon, M.A., succeeded him. Of +Mr. Niven it may justly be said that he was zealous and faithful, kind to +the poor, and respected by all classes. There are excellent schools and +many charitable societies which are liberally supported by the +contributions of the congregation. + + * * * * * + +CADOGAN PLACE.—These capital houses were principally erected by Mr. W. +Whitehead, sen., on part of the land leased originally to Mr. Holland, as +previously mentioned. Amongst the residents at different periods may be +selected the names of Capt. Acklom, R.N.; Thomas Bryan, Esq.; W. B. +France, Esq.; each of whom were made magistrates for the county at the +same time as Mr. Hoblyn and Capt. Bague; C. Hopkinson, Esq.; H. +Warburton, Esq., M.P.; Sir William Clay, M.P.; Dr. Veitch; the Rev. +Richard Burgess, and the Rev. J. B. Owen. + + * * * * * + +In Little Cadogan Place Mr. William Whitehead, jun., lived for a great +many years. He was an extensive builder, and occupied a very prominent +position in the parish. + + * * * * * + +BOTANIC GARDENS, SLOANE STREET.—This garden was first planned and laid +out in 1807, by Mr. Salisbury. The extent of ground was about six acres, +and formed a delightful promenade for company. In the original plan the +whole collection of plants was arranged according to the system of +Linnæus, and was disposed of in seventeen different compartments. When +Mr. Tate, in the year 1820, took possession of the premises, the +inhabitants, wishing to make it a public promenade, the above arrangement +was entirely superseded, and the interior of the ground laid out and +converted into a Nursery. Mr. Tate, however, still devoted the hothouses +and greenhouses to the raising of curious and rare exotics. Mr. Tuck, +nurseryman and seedsman, is now in possession of a portion of the ground, +but the whole presents a very different appearance to what it did many +years ago. + + * * * * * + +THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL, situated in Cadogan Street, was built in 1811, +by voluntary subscriptions. Previous to the erection of this Chapel, the +Irish poor and others in Chelsea, as well as the Roman Catholic veterans +in the Royal Hospital, had not any place to resort to on Sundays, or at +such other times as they deemed it necessary to attend. Besides, there +were several families in the locality who considered the erection of the +Chapel indispensable. The Clergyman’s house adjoins the Chapel, and was +built at the expense of the Rev. Abbé Voyaux de Franous, D.D. On the +south of Cadogan Street, some short distance west of the Chapel, are the +Convent, the Schools, and the Burial Ground, the latter being now closed +for interments. + + * * * * * + +Upon the site of the west end of Cadogan Street stood an ancient house, +inhabited, in Bowack’s time, by Lady Matthews; it was afterwards known +for many years as the Marlborough Tavern and Cricket Grounds. It is +probable that the house was first established as a tavern during the +life-time of the great Duke of Marlborough, who, it is said, resided at +one time in Chelsea; hence Blenheim Street, &c., all contiguous. + + * * * * * + +The old Admiral Keppel Inn, with its tea gardens, was pulled down in +1856, on the site of which is now a large tavern. + + * * * * * + +CHELSEA COMMON was called in ancient records Chelsea Heath. It was +bounded on the north by the Fulham Road; on the east by Blacklands Lane, +now Marlborough Road; on the south by College Place, abutting on the +King’s Road; and on the west by Sydney Street. It was attached to the +Manor. Certain ancient houses, cottages, and farms, had a right of +pasturage for forty cows and twenty heifers. To keep these there was +always a cowkeeper, whose business it was to mark the cattle, to drive +home the cows at night to the several owners, and to impound all cattle +unmarked, or any horses which broke into the Common, or were found there. + + * * * * * + +When the Old Church was to be rebuilt, the Common was enclosed by the +consent of Charles Cheyne, Esq., Lord of the Manor, and the several +proprietors, for 21 years, to defray part of the charges, by a lease +bearing date March 1674, and thereby let to George Hill and Francis +Guildford, who enclosed it, and quietly enjoyed it till 1695, when it was +thrown open again. It would be an unnecessary waste of space to notice +what took place for some years afterwards. + + * * * * * + +At the commencement of the present century, however, the Lords of the +Manor, the Rector, and the other proprietors, let the Common on building +leases; after which the leases were found defective, by reason of one of +the proprietors being under age, and it being considered that the then +Rector could not bind his successors. An Act of Parliament was therefore +obtained, which confirmed the leases and made them effectual. + + * * * * * + +The Common (as was) has been for many years covered with houses, +comprising Keppel Street, Whitehead’s Grove, College Street, Marlborough +Square, Leader Street, &c. + + * * * * * + +The principal entrance to the Brompton County Court is in Whitehead’s +Grove. The house was formerly occupied by the Rev. Dr. Roberts, who gave +instruction to a limited number of young gentlemen who resided with him. + + * * * * * + +The Catholic Apostolic Church is situated in College Street, near to +Whitehead’s Grove. The exterior has some claim to architectural design, +although the entrance at the side is small, and there are no windows to +give relief to its massive appearance. There is ample light, however, in +the interior of the structure, and it is in every respect commodious. + + * * * * * + +The spacious Drill Hall belonging to the 1st Middlesex Engineer +Volunteers is also in College Street, near to the Fulham Road, where +recruits are enlisted. + + + +MARLBOROUGH CHAPEL. + + +The old saying, “Where there is a will there is a way,” was never more +clearly exemplified than in the erection of this chapel, which occupies +the northern corner of Marlborough Square, and fully warrants the +inscription engraven on its summit, “This is the Lord’s doing, it is +marvellous in our eyes.” The necessity of having a place of worship in +the Methodist connexion had long been felt by many in the neighbourhood, +and a room was consequently taken in Pond Place, but as it proved +unsuitable for the purpose, Mr. Cripps, of Keppel Street, was induced to +open his large workshop for a Thursday evening service, and having +obtained a minister from the Hinde Street Circuit to preach the first +sermon, was amply repaid for his kindness by a very crowded and attentive +congregation. Mr. Hunt, an active and zealous member, commenced a class +on the following Sunday afternoon, which increased so rapidly as to make +him extremely anxious for the purchase of a spot of ground for a chapel, +and after many disappointments, and much discouragement, succeeded in +obtaining the present site. The difficulty of raising funds for its +erection was a subject of great moment, but, on communicating with many +friends, their offers of assistance were so numerous, and accompanied +with such generosity, that all doubt as to the result was at once +removed. In a few weeks promises were made, and fulfilled, of all kinds +of materials for its erection, both externally and internally, and, aided +by the gratuitous labours of many devoted followers, was completed and +opened July 30, 1849, about five months from its commencement. It is a +neat and commodious structure, and will hold about 400 persons. It has +lately undergone several alterations and improvements. There is an +excellent Sunday School attached to the chapel, at which there is an +average attendance of nearly 300 children. + + * * * * * + +The Brompton District Letter Sorting Post Office is situated nearly +opposite to the northern side of St. Luke’s Cemetery. It was erected a +few years ago, and is well adapted and arranged for the intended +purposes. + + * * * * * + +Near to Sydney Street, and to the north of St. Luke’s Church, was +formerly situated a solitary small house, known as Cock’s Hall. It was +said to have been built by Captain Cock, a petty officer in the Royal +Hospital. On a stone in the front of it was an inscription, “Built in +1710, rebuilt in 1767.” + + * * * * * + +Dr. Biber, author of “The Life of Pestalozzi,” and editor of the _John +Bull_ newspaper, resided for some time in Sydney Street, as did also +Thomas Wright, Esq., the antiquary and historical writer. + + * * * * * + +Henry Warren, Esq., President of the New Society of Water Colour +Painters, resided for some time opposite St. Luke’s Church, and at a +subsequent period at the corner of Church Street, which house has been +recently pulled down. + + * * * * * + +From the periodical publications of the time, and from other sources, it +appears the following persons have resided in this parish at various +periods:— + +Robert Ratcliffe, the first Earl of Sussex of that family, and Lord High +Chamberlain of England, died at his palace at Chelsea, November 26, 1542. + +Robert Viscount Fitzwalter was created Earl of Sussex by Henry VIII. in +1527. He married first, Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Stafford, Duke of +Buckingham; secondly, Margaret, daughter of Thomas, Earl of Derby; +thirdly, Mary, daughter of Sir John Arundel. + + * * * * * + +John Pym, a distinguished Member of the House of Commons, resided at +Chelsea for several years. {218} He was Member for Tavistock, and was a +remarkable instance of what wonders, strength of parts, and force of +eloquence, could effect. His influence was superior to authority, but by +many he was thought to have made a very bad use of power; his intent was +to reform, not to abolish the Government; and yet he was a principal +engine in bringing about a revolution, which he never intended, and which +he did not live to see; he died December 8, 1643. His excessive +application to public affairs is supposed to have hastened his death. +“He was a man,” says Hume, “as much hated by one party as respected by +the other. At London, he was considered as the victim of national +liberty, who had abridged his life by incessant labours for the interest +of his country. At Oxford, he was believed to have been struck with an +uncommon disease, and to have been consumed with vermin, as a mark of +Divine vengeance for his multiplied crimes and treasons. He had been so +little studious of improving his private fortune in those civil wars, of +which he had been one principal author, that the Parliament thought +themselves obliged from gratitude to pay the debts which he had +contracted.” + + * * * * * + +Count D’Estrades, who came to England to negociate the sale of Dunkirk, +as ambassador from Lewis XIV., resided at Chelsea during the years 1661 +and 1662. This fact appears by the dates of his letters, of which a +translation appeared in 1755. He had his first audience of his Majesty +King Charles II. on the 27th of July of the former year. It was usual +for the Foreign Ambassadors at that time to make their public entry from +the Tower of London, but on this occasion the King sent his own coaches +to Chelsea, to carry the Ambassador, and the Count was accompanied by the +equipages of the whole of the diplomatic corps at that time in London. + +Count D’Estrades was invited by letters from the Chancellor himself, in +order to conclude the bargain; £900,000 were demanded, £100,000 were +offered. By degrees the English lowered their demands, and the French +raised their offers. The bargain was concluded at £400,000. + + * * * * * + +Sir Robert Atkyns, either Chief Baron of the Exchequer, or his son, the +historian of Gloucestershire, appears by the Parish Books to have resided +in Chelsea in 1684. + +Sir Robert Atkyns, K.B., was Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer under +William III., which office he held with distinguished ability and +integrity. This gentleman, by his influence, promoted the Revolution, +and by his pen defended it in tracts replete with legal knowledge. + + * * * * * + +The Hon. Colonel Rieutort died at his house, Chelsea, on the 24th +January, 1725–6, in his 66th year. He was born of a good family, at +Montpelier, in France, where he early bore arms; and, having left his +native country, on account of the Protestant religion, he attended +William III. in the wars of Ireland. He afterwards served the Crown of +Great Britain in Piedmont; and in 1703 assisted Count de Frise in the +vigorous defence of Landau, then besieged by the French. In 1704, he +went into Portugal with the Earl of Galway, who sent him to the relief of +the Prince of Hesse, then closely beset in Gibraltar, where he +contributed very much to the preservation of that important place. He +was interred in Chelsea Church. + + + +THE CANCER HOSPITAL. + + +This hospital is situated in the Fulham Road, almost facing the +Consumption Hospital. The ceremony of laying the foundation stone was +performed on Monday, May 30, 1859, by Miss Burdett Coutts, in the +presence of a very numerous and respectable company, including Dr. Tait, +Bishop of London, Archdeacon Sinclair, Rev. D. Coleridge, Rev. J. B. +Owen, the Rev. Fathers Ballard and Bagshawe, Priests of the Oratory, at +Brompton, &c. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. Thomas Pearson commenced the proceedings with prayer, after +which the Bishop of London addressed the assemblage, and said they were +met to lay the foundation stone of a most excellent institution, destined +to bestow great blessings on a large portion of the community—a house for +the reception of persons afflicted with a most painful disease, demanding +the greatest sympathy from all friends of humanity. His Lordship, at the +close of his address, prayed for its permanency and success. + + * * * * * + +Miss Coutts having deposited the bottle, with the usual contents, in a +cavity in the lower stone and spread the mortar, the upper stone was duly +lowered into its place, after which Miss Coutts gave the customary knocks +and declared the stone duly laid. + + * * * * * + +The Rev. J. B. Owen next addressed the assembly, after which John Abel +Smith, Esq., proposed thanks to Miss Coutts for having done them the +honour of laying the foundation stone of the hospital. The Bishop of +London said that he had been requested by Miss Coutts to acknowledge the +compliment paid her, and to assure them that she should continue to take +the greatest interest in the prosperity of the Institution. + + * * * * * + +The building has a frontage of 130 ft. and a depth of 50 ft., surrounded +by an area of 10 ft., securing to the building the means of convenient +external communication and ventilation. It is constructed of plain white +Suffolk bricks, relieved with bands of red brick, keystones, and cornices +of stone dressing. The lower story contains the kitchens, larders, and +the rooms for the out-patients. The principal ground floor is approached +by a flight of steps, and this contains the hall and a handsome staircase +of stone, apartments for the house-surgeon and medical officers, and +wards for patients. Apparatus for heating and ventilating the building +is provided—everything, in short, that is calculated to add to the +comforts and assist the recovery of the patients. On the first story are +the wards. In the males it appears this direful disease shows itself +more frequently in the face, lip, and tongue, and among some of them in +the breast. Of the females nearly five-sixths suffer in the breast. + + * * * * * + +The building, in all its details, has been open about six years. It was +erected from the design of David Mocatta, Esq., by Messrs. Lawrence, at a +cost of £7,000. William Marsden, M.D. was the founder. + + + +HOSPITAL FOR CONSUMPTION. + + +This is another admirable Institution, and, although it is situated just +beyond the boundary of Chelsea parish, on the north of the Fulham Road, +it has a very strong claim to be noticed in this work. It is a beautiful +Elizabethan structure, built in the shape of the letter H, the depth of +each wing being 190 ft., and the width of the building 200 ft. It stands +in a square piece of ground covering three acres, and faces the public +road. On entering the Lodge-gate there are three broad drives, one to +the central entrance, which opens to a cheerful hall upon the first +floor; another to the east entrance, which leads to the offices for the +transaction of the hospital business; and the third to the west entrance, +which is for the use of inmates and the friends of the in-patients on +visiting days. + + * * * * * + +The ground floor is on a level with the gardens. The west wing and part +of the centre of this floor contain the Dispensary and Out-patient-rooms, +Laboratory, Museum, and Sitting-rooms of the Resident Clinical +Assistants. The east wing contains the apartments of the Resident +Medical Officer and Matron, Linen-room, Store-room, Secretary’s Office, +Board-room, &c. + + * * * * * + +The first floor is devoted exclusively to Female Patients, saving small +rooms for the Chaplain, and for each of the two Head Nurses, and the two +requisite Sculleries, Baths, and Lavatories. + + * * * * * + +The arrangements of the second floor are precisely the same as those on +the first floor; the wards being occupied by Male Patients, for whom +there are about 107 beds. + + * * * * * + +The attic floor has comfortable dormitories for the Nurses and Servants, +and in the Tower-rooms are the sleeping apartments of the Resident +Clinical Assistants. + + * * * * * + +The Chapel stands on the north side of the hospital, and parallel with +the centre portion. The approach is by a corridor opposite the front +entrance, to which the patients have immediate access from their +respective galleries. The chaplain is the Rev. E. B. Allen, B.A., whose +faithful exhortations and kind manner of addressing the patients have +gained for him the esteem of all who know his worth. + + * * * * * + +His late R.H. the Prince Consort laid the foundation stone of the +hospital in 1844. + + * * * * * + +THE HOME.—This Institution is conducted and maintained by a few +benevolent Ladies, as an auxiliary to the above hospital, for persons who +are either waiting their turns for admission to the hospital, or after +leaving it, during the necessary time occupied in the full +re-establishment of their health and their search for employment. This +excellent “Home” is at Manor House, near Durham Place, Chelsea. + + + +CHELSEA IMPROVEMENTS. + + +The Metropolitan Board of Works (Loans) Bill, empowering the Metropolitan +Board of Works to raise money to construct the Chelsea Embankment, and to +effect other improvements, having received the Royal assent, there is now +no doubt that the Chelsea Embankment works will be very shortly +commenced. + + * * * * * + +The Bills for the “Belgrave Market,” which will remove the unsightly +block of buildings between Turk’s Row and Jew’s Row, and the “Belgravia +and South Kensington New Road,” which will open a direct communication +from Eaton Square to the South Kensington Museum, have also become law. + + * * * * * + +The works of the Albert Bridge are still suspended, but there is reason +to hope that they will shortly be recommenced, and rapidly completed. + + + +FIRST ELECTION OF MEMBERS FOR THE BOROUGH OF CHELSEA. + + +I will now endeavour to record a few impartial particulars respecting the +proceedings on the day of election, with the ultimate state of the poll, +when the two first members for the Borough of Chelsea were elected. The +nomination took place on Tuesday, the 17th of November, 1868, and the +election on the following day. + +The hustings were erected in an open and central place near the South +Kensington Museum, and was capable of holding about 200 or 300 persons. +C. A. Bannister, Esq., of Chelsea, was the Returning Officer, and he +performed his duty with the utmost courtesy and fairness. + + * * * * * + +The candidates originally were C. Wentworth Dilke, Esq., {223} Sir Henry +Hoare, Dr. Russell, and C. J. Freake, Esq. Mr. Odger, a working man, who +was warmly supported by a large number of the constituency, retired +previous to the nomination from what may be fairly considered the most +honourable motives. + + * * * * * + +R. Freeman, Esq., of Kensington, proposed Mr. C. W. Dilke, and John Boyd, +Esq., of Argyll House, King’s Road, seconded the nomination. + + * * * * * + +Wingfield Baker, Esq., proposed Sir H. A. Hoare, and James Heywood, Esq., +seconded. + + * * * * * + +The Hon. E. C. Curzon proposed Mr. Freake, and the Hon. Capt. Maude +seconded the nomination. + + * * * * * + +General Sir A. S. Wangle proposed Dr. Russell, and Captain Morley +seconded. + + * * * * * + +The show of hands was then taken, and there being a large majority for +Mr. C. W. Dilke and Sir H. A. Hoare, the two liberal candidates, a poll +was demanded on behalf of Dr. Russell and Mr. Freake, which took place on +the following day, the 18th of November, 1868. The proceedings were of +the most orderly character, generally speaking, at all the thirteen +polling booths. + + * * * * * + +The state of the poll was declared to be as follows:— + +Dilke 7,357 +Hoare 7,183 +Russell 4,177 +Freake 3,929 + +About 2,000 persons were present, and the four candidates with their +friends. + + + +SINGULAR ASCENT IN THE CAPTIVE BALLOON. + + +A female inmate of St. George’s Workhouse, Fulham Road, named Hogg, +having completed her hundredth year, August 3, 1869, was asked by Mr. +Godrich, the medical officer, if, at her advanced age, there was any +particular wish he could gratify. Her reply was that she should like to +go up in the balloon, and see the world once more. Arrangements were +made for the following Thursday, and, accompanied by the Matron and a few +of Mr. Godrich’s friends, they ascended, and after enjoying themselves +for some considerable time descended quite safely, the centenarian +expressing herself much delighted with the aerial trip. + + * * * * * + +I have at length arrived at the conclusion of my work, and it now only +remains for me to bid the reader a respectful FAREWELL. + + * * * * * + +ERRATA.—At page 68, line 10, _read_ “East Meon, Hants,” instead of “East +Mere, Hants.” + + * * * * * + + * * * * * + + FREDERICK BELL, PRINTER, KING’S ROAD. + + + + +Footnotes + + +{7} For on account of the presentation of these colours, see “Ranelagh,” +in a subsequent part of this work. + +{19a} In 1534 he was attainted for denying the King’s supremacy, and +executed at Tyburn, the 7th of March in that year.—_Holinshed’s +Chronicle_. + +{19b} He was ejected from the Rectory in 1554, for being a married +priest, but was restored by Queen Elizabeth.—_Strype’s Stowe_. + +{19c} He gave, by will, £15 to the poor of this parish, and to the +repairing of the lead of the church. He was buried at Chelsea in 1615. + +{23} From Dr. King’s MSS. it appears there had been a Clerk’s house and +school-rooms on this site previous to the erection of the present +building. + +{26} There is on accidental mistake at page 3. The number of acres at +Kensal, belonging to the parish, should have been, as above, 137¾ acres. + +{27} This ancient manor house stood on the site of Lawrence Street, near +the Old Church, and derived its name from having been the residence of +the Lawrence family for a long period. + +{41} Mr. Thomas Bettsworth was well known to the parishioners and much +respected. He was Churchwarden at the New Church, and took an active +part in parochial affairs. + +{57} Life of A. R. Bowes, Esq., by Jesse Foot. + +{71} Earl Cadogan’s Records. + +{72} I was well acquainted with these particulars, but for the sake of +accuracy I have taken an extract from “A Walk from Loudon to Fulham,” by +the late T. C. Croker, Esq., a work of great worth and highly +interesting. Published by William Tegg, London, 1860. + +{82} See Old Church, page 14. + +{85} Gent. Mag., 1753. + +{87} Stephensiana, Monthly Magazine. + +{100} Granger, vol. iv., p. 293. + +{102} Gent. Mag. May, 1781. + +{105} See History of the Manor, p. 24. + +{107} Biog. Dram. + +{108} Dr. Drake’s Essays. + +{111} Pennant’s History of Whitford and Hollywell, p. 16. + +{128} Mr. Goss, the present Organist of St. Paul’s Cathedral, was then +Organist of the Church. + +{137} The Act specifies £20,000 and a Sixpenny Rate. + +{144} In allusion to a very impressive sermon preached by the late Rev. +H. Blunt, from 1 Sam. xv. 14. + +{147} The number that died of the plague this year in London was 30,578. + +{150} The Writer’s father was one of the two Overseers of the Poor in +1805. + +{153a} Drawn up in the hand-writing of the Rev. Dr. King, Rector. + +{153b} We find mention of Bloody Gate and Bridge as early as the reign +of Queen Elizabeth. This spot was situated at the eastern entrance into +Sloane Square, and where Chelsea is divided from St. George’s, Hanover +Square. + +{153c} The whole of the land, now the site of Sloane Street, was +anciently called “Blackland.” It extended as far as the Marlborough +Road, some few years since known as Blackland Lane. + +{155} Gent. Mag., 1753. + +{159} Annual Register, 1771, p. 160. + +{177} Queen’s Road West was formerly called Paradise Row. + +{184} Gent. Mag. 1747. pp. 298, 400. + +{188} Rev. G. R. Gleig’s “Chelsea Hospital.” + +{199} These Colours are deposited in the Old Church. + +{218} Granger’s Biog. Hist., vol. ii. p. 211. + +{223} Now Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke. + + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHELSEA*** + + +******* This file should be named 45854-0.txt or 45854-0.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/4/5/8/5/45854 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Chelsea + In the Olden & Present Times + + +Author: George Bryan + + + +Release Date: June 1, 2014 [eBook #45854] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHELSEA*** +</pre> +<p>Transcribed from the 1869 edition by David Price, email +ccx074@pglaf.org</p> +<h1>CHELSEA,<br /> +<span class="smcap">In the Olden & Present Times</span>.</h1> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p style="text-align: center">BY GEORGE BRYAN.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<blockquote><p>“It is not given to all to have +genius—it is given to all to have honesty of purpose; an +ordinary writer may have this in common with the +greatest—that he may compose his works with a sincere view +of administering to knowledge.”—<span +class="smcap">Bulwer Lytton</span>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p style="text-align: center">Entered at Stationers’ +Hall.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p style="text-align: center">CHELSEA:<br /> +PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR,<br /> +<span class="GutSmall">4, ALFRED COTTAGES, CAMERA SQUARE, +KING’S ROAD.</span><br /> +MAY BE HAD OF ALL BOOKSELLERS.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p style="text-align: center">1869.</p> +<h2><a name="pagev"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +v</span>PREFACE.</h2> +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> are circumstances in +connection with the publication of this volume which I deem it +necessary to mention. Some persons probably have thought +that such an undertaking should have devolved on an individual +possessing greater literary attainments, and occupying a higher +position in the parish than I do in it. To this impression +I willingly give my assent. But this has not been the case; +and the length of time (upwards of forty years) since the late +Mr. Faulkner published his “History of Chelsea,” and +the consequent difficulty of procuring a copy—independently +of the fact that much contained in that work is now altogether +devoid of interest, and also that, from the great improvements +and alterations in the parish, there required many additions to +be made to it—induced me, in the decline of life, to +undertake the present task.</p> +<p>As an additional justification for the course I have pursued, +it must not be forgotten that Chelsea is my native parish, and +that I have possessed peculiar facilities for acquiring the +necessary information; and, moreover, that in early life I +composed in type a great portion of Mr. Faulkner’s first +edition, and at a subsequent period was employed as the +printing-office reader of his edition in two volumes. This +gave me frequent opportunities of seeing him, and witnessing his +laborious exertions to produce a work as complete “as the +utmost diligence, care, and patience enabled him to +collect.” I cannot but think that these +considerations—combined with the fact of my having been, +for many years since that period, connected with the press in +London—will remove all <a name="pagevi"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. vi</span>impressions of assumption, on my +part, for submitting the present volume to the impartial judgment +of the parishioners and the public.</p> +<p>I have purposely avoided all dry details of parochial +management, &c., as being foreign to the nature of the work +and rendered now unnecessary in consequence of the voluminous +Annual Vestry Reports, which may easily be obtained. My +object has rather been to make the volume interesting, as far as +possible, without being guilty of “book-making.”</p> +<p>The work embodies all the essential and interesting +information that could be obtained, with a great amount of +original matter, and should the volume not appear so bulky as +some might have expected, it is simply owing to the rejection of +extraneous subjects.</p> +<p>That the intelligent working-man, and persons of limited +means, might possess the work, I published a certain number of +copies at a very great sacrifice, trusting that the motive would +be rather an inducement than otherwise for others to purchase the +volume. Local histories, unlike other works, can only have +a small circulation, and the price charged for them must be +necessarily regulated by the probable number that will be +sold.</p> +<p>In conclusion, I beg to offer my grateful acknowledgments for +the kindness and assistance which I have received from several +gentlemen, and now submit the result of my labours to the +favourable criticism, and I trust remunerative patronage of the +inhabitants and others interested in a parish which, in many +points of view is unusually interesting and instructive.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">August</span>, 1869.</p> +<h2><a name="pagevii"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +vii</span>INDEX.</h2> +<p style="text-align: center">(The figures at the end of each +line denote the page. Notices of Distinguished Residents +are interspersed throughout the volume.)</p> +<p>Alston House, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page92">92</a></span></p> +<p>Aston, the Misses, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page152">152</a></span></p> +<p>Ashburnham House, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page55">55</a></span></p> +<p>Atterbury, Dr., <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page78">78</a></span></p> +<p>Arbuthnot, Dr. John, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page80">80</a></span></p> +<p>Astell, Mrs. Mary, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page183">183</a></span></p> +<p>Atkyns, Sir Robert, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page219">219</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Boundaries of Chelsea, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page8">8</a></span></p> +<p>Bray, Lord, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page5">5</a></span></p> +<p>Bell, The Ashburnham, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page10">10</a></span></p> +<p>Bowes, Thomas, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page15">15</a></span></p> +<p>Buckingham House, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page35">35</a></span></p> +<p>Buckingham, First Duke of, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page35">35</a></span></p> +<p>Buckingham, Second Duke of, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page36">36</a></span></p> +<p>Bristol, Earl of, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page36">36</a></span></p> +<p>Beaufort House, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page37">37</a></span></p> +<p>Beaufort, Second Duke of, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page37">37</a></span></p> +<p>Beaufort Street, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page39">39</a></span></p> +<p>Battersea Bridge, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page39">39</a></span></p> +<p>Belle Vue House, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page44">44</a></span></p> +<p>Bælar, Pætrus, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page47">47</a></span></p> +<p>Brunel, Sir Mark Isombard, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page51">51</a></span></p> +<p>Boscawen, Mr. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page61">61</a></span></p> +<p>Balloon Ascent in 1784, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page62">62</a></span></p> +<p> Chelsea Steam Captive, <span +class="indexpageno"><a href="#page169">169</a></span></p> +<p> Centenarian Trip in ditto, <span +class="indexpageno"><a href="#page224">224</a></span></p> +<p>Boyle, Robert, Esq. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page64">64</a></span></p> +<p>Balchen, Admiral Sir John, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page65">65</a></span></p> +<p>Bowack, Mr. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page82">82</a></span></p> +<p>Burney, Dr. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page104">104</a></span></p> +<p>Baths, Dr. Dominiceti’s, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page117">117</a></span></p> +<p>Butler, Rev. Weeden, sen., <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page117">117</a></span>, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page152">152</a></span></p> +<p>Blunt, the late Rev. Henry, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page139">139</a></span></p> +<p>Blunt, Rev. G. A. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page140">140</a></span></p> +<p>Bentley, Mr. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page168">168</a></span></p> +<p>Bedford, Mr. Paul, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page168">168</a></span></p> +<p>Blackwell, Dr. Alexander, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page183">183</a></span></p> +<p>Bunhouse, the Original Chelsea, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page200">200</a></span></p> +<p>Burial Ground, St. Luke’s, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page141">141</a></span></p> +<p> King’s Road, <span +class="indexpageno"><a href="#page151">151</a></span></p> +<p> Moravian’s, <span +class="indexpageno"><a href="#page46">46</a></span></p> +<p> Jew’s, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page74">74</a></span></p> +<p> Royal Hospital, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page195">195</a></span></p> +<p>Burial of a Female Dragoon, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page196">196</a></span></p> +<p>Burgess, Rev. R. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page210">210</a></span></p> +<p>Botanic Gardens, Queen’s Road, <span +class="indexpageno"><a href="#page177">177</a></span></p> +<p>Borough of Chelsea, 1st Election, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page222">222</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Church, The Old Parish, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page3">3</a></span></p> +<p> St. Luke’s, <span +class="indexpageno"><a href="#page125">125</a></span></p> +<p> Christchurch, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page180">180</a></span></p> +<p> St. Jude’s, <span +class="indexpageno"><a href="#page207">207</a></span></p> +<p> Trinity, Sloane Street, <span +class="indexpageno"><a href="#page209">209</a></span></p> +<p> St. Saviour’s, <span +class="indexpageno"><a href="#page214">214</a></span></p> +<p>Cugnac, The Marquis de, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page5">5</a></span></p> +<p>Cheyne, Lady Jane, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page9">9</a></span></p> +<p>Cheyne, Charles, Esq. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page9">9</a></span></p> +<p>Chamberlayne, Dr. 14, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page81">81</a></span></p> +<p>Cadogan, the Hon. and Rev., <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page20">20</a></span></p> +<p>Clock House, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page49">49</a></span></p> +<p>Cremorne House, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page54">54</a></span></p> +<p>Cope, Sir John, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page64">64</a></span></p> +<p>Carlyle, Thomas, Esq. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page91">91</a></span></p> +<p>Clarendon, 3rd Earl of, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page66">66</a></span></p> +<p>China Manufactory, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page86">86</a></span></p> +<p>Cheyne Walk, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page93">93</a></span></p> +<p>Clare, Rev. Thomas, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page106">106</a></span></p> +<p>Chalmer, Francis, Esq. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page113">113</a></span></p> +<p>Cook’s Ground, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page92">92</a></span>, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page165">165</a></span>, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page170">170</a></span></p> +<p>Cadogan, Lieut.-Col. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page135">135</a></span></p> +<p>Clark, Rev. George, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page137">137</a></span></p> +<p>Cipriani, John Baptist, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page151">151</a></span></p> +<p>Coffee House, Don Saltero’s, <span +class="indexpageno"><a href="#page108">108</a></span></p> +<p>Church Street, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page75">75</a></span></p> +<p>Chelsea Common, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page215">215</a></span></p> +<p>Cadogan Place, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page214">214</a></span></p> +<p>Chelsea Chapel, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page208">208</a></span></p> +<p>Cancer Hospital, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page219">219</a></span></p> +<p>Consumption Hospital, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page221">221</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Dacre, Lord and Lady, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page11">11</a></span></p> +<p>Davies, Rev. R. H. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page22">22</a></span></p> +<p>Sir John Danvers, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page42">42</a></span></p> +<p>Duke Street, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page44">44</a></span></p> +<p>Duel, Fatal, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page66">66</a></span></p> +<p>Denyer, John, Esq. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page91">91</a></span></p> +<p>Dodd, Dr. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page118">118</a></span></p> +<p>Doggett’s Coat and Badge, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page121">121</a></span></p> +<p>Dispensary, Chelsea, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page160">160</a></span></p> +<p>Durham House, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page186">186</a></span></p> +<p>Dudmaston House, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page55">55</a></span></p> +<p>Dilke, Sir C. Wentworth, Bart. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page211">211</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Etymology of Chelsea, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page2">2</a></span></p> +<p>Ellesmere, Rev. Dr. Sloane, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page152">152</a></span></p> +<p>Eggleton, The Misses, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page113">113</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="pageviii"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +viii</span>Flood, Luke Thomas, Esq. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page44">44</a></span>, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page137">137</a></span></p> +<p>Fraine, Mr. J. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page114">114</a></span>, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page115">115</a></span></p> +<p>Flowers and Fashion, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page161">161</a></span></p> +<p>Flood Street, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page164">164</a></span></p> +<p>Faulkner, Mr. Thomas, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page185">185</a></span></p> +<p>Farrier, Mr. Robert, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page186">186</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Gervoise, Richard, Esq. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page6">6</a></span></p> +<p>Guildford, Richard, Esq. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page9">9</a></span></p> +<p>Gorges, Sir Arthur, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page12">12</a></span>, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page34">34</a></span></p> +<p>Gregory, Lord Dacre, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page33">33</a></span></p> +<p>Gough House, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page181">181</a></span></p> +<p>Gibson, Patrick, the Centenarian, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page52">52</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Hamey, Dr. Baldwin, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page7">7</a></span>, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page66">66</a></span></p> +<p>Heber, Rev. Reginald, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page20">20</a></span></p> +<p>Hatchett, Charles, Esq. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page44">44</a></span></p> +<p>Harding, Bishop, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page69">69</a></span></p> +<p>Hargrave, Francis, Esq. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page75">75</a></span></p> +<p>Haworth, A. H. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page77">77</a></span></p> +<p>Hoadly, Bishop, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page100">100</a></span></p> +<p>Hunt, Leigh, Esq. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page113">113</a></span></p> +<p>Hutchins, Mrs. (Daring Robbery and Murder at her house) <span +class="indexpageno"><a href="#page156">156</a></span></p> +<p>Hoblyn, Thomas, Esq. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page211">211</a></span></p> +<p>Hans Place, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page213">213</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Indian Esquimaux, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page48">48</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Jennings, Henry C. Esq. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page49">49</a></span></p> +<p>Justice Walk, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page86">86</a></span></p> +<p>Jubilee Place, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page164">164</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Kingsley, Rev. Charles, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page137">137</a></span>, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page140">140</a></span></p> +<p>King’s Road, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page153">153</a></span>, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page155">155</a></span>, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page169">169</a></span></p> +<p>King, Rev. Dr. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page19">19</a></span></p> +<p>Kent, Duke of, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page182">182</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Littleton, Rev. Dr. Adam, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page6">6</a></span>, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page19">19</a></span></p> +<p>Lawrence, Sir John, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page8">8</a></span></p> +<p>Lindsey House, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page45">45</a></span></p> +<p>Lindsey Row, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page49">49</a></span></p> +<p>Lordship’s Place, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page91">91</a></span></p> +<p>Lawrence Street, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page88">88</a></span></p> +<p>Lowry, Wilson, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page167">167</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Monuments in Old Church, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page4">4</a></span></p> +<p>More, Sir Thomas, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page5">5</a></span>, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page30">30</a></span></p> +<p>Milman, Sir W. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page13">13</a></span></p> +<p>Manor House, Description of the, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page105">105</a></span></p> +<p>Martin, John, R.A., <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page51">51</a></span></p> +<p>Moravians, the, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page45">45</a></span></p> +<p>Mazarin, Duchess of, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page182">182</a></span></p> +<p>Markham Sq. Con. Church, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page174">174</a></span></p> +<p>Marlborough Chapel, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page216">216</a></span></p> +<p>Mead, Dr. Richard, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page183">183</a></span></p> +<p>Mellon, Mr. Alfred, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page167">167</a></span></p> +<p>Monsey, Dr. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page195">195</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Northumberland, Duchess of, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page12">12</a></span></p> +<p>North, the Hon. Brownlow, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page102">102</a></span></p> +<p>Neild, James, Esq. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page120">120</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Ormond, Duchess of, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page185">185</a></span></p> +<p>Orrery, 4th Earl of, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page65">65</a></span></p> +<p>Owen, Rev. J. B. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page207">207</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Park Chapel, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page67">67</a></span></p> +<p>Parish Registers, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page144">144</a></span></p> +<p>Petyt, William, Esq. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page85">85</a></span></p> +<p>Pavilion, the, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page212">212</a></span></p> +<p>Presentation of Colours to the Old Volunteers, <span +class="indexpageno"><a href="#page198">198</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Queen’s Elm, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page73">73</a></span></p> +<p>Queen’s Road West, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page177">177</a></span></p> +<p>Queen’s Road East, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page202">202</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Royal Hospital, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page187">187</a></span></p> +<p>Royal Military Asylum, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page203">203</a></span></p> +<p>Ranelagh, Old, the Rotunda, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page197">197</a></span></p> +<p>Roman Catholic Chapel, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page215">215</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Stanley House, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page56">56</a></span></p> +<p>St. Mark’s College, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page58">58</a></span></p> +<p>Stanley, Sir Robert, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page13">13</a></span></p> +<p>Sloane, Sir Hans, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page14">14</a></span>, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page37">37</a></span>, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page173">173</a></span></p> +<p>Swift, Dean, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page79">79</a></span></p> +<p>Shadwell, Thomas, Esq. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page80">80</a></span></p> +<p>Smollett, Dr. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page89">89</a></span></p> +<p>Sailing Matches, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page41">41</a></span></p> +<p>Sloane Terrace Chapel, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page210">210</a></span></p> +<p>School of Discipline, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page185">185</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Turner, J. M. Wm., R.A., <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page53">53</a></span></p> +<p>Trelawney, Bishop, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page99">99</a></span></p> +<p>Trimnell, Bishop, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page100">100</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Winchester Palace, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page97">97</a></span></p> +<p>Walpole, Sir Robert, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page185">185</a></span></p> +<p>Wellesley, Hon. and Rev. Dr., <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page138">138</a></span></p> +<p>Woodfall, Henry, Esq. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page15">15</a></span></p> +<p>Whitelocke, Gen., Trial of, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page193">193</a></span></p> +<p>Whitelands Training Institution, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page176">176</a></span></p> +<p>Whitlock, Rev. G. S., <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page181">181</a></span></p> +<p>West Brompton Con. Church, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page60">60</a></span></p> +<p>Warren, Henry, Esq. <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page217">217</a></span></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Vestry Hall, The, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page171">171</a></span></p> +<p>Varley, Mr. John, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page167">167</a></span></p> +<p>Victoria Hospital, <span class="indexpageno"><a +href="#page181">181</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="page1"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 1</span>BOOK +I.</h2> +<p class="gutsumm">The Etymology and Boundaries of the +Parish—The Old Church: its Monumental Inscriptions; +Remarkable Spring Tides, taken to Church in a Boat, Penance, +&c.—Ancient Manor Houses, and Distinguished +Residents—Moravian Chapel and Burial Ground—Park +Chapel—St. Mark’s College—The New West Brompton +Congregational Church—Loss of Sir John Balchen and 1100 +Seamen in the “Victory”—Ascent in a Balloon in +1784—Fatal Duel—The Knight and the Poor +Carpenter—Jews’ Burial Ground, to which is added an +Amusing Anecdote—The Queen’s Elm—Singular +Tavern Signs, &c.—The old Embankment of the +Thames. Interspersed with Notices of many of the most +Eminent Residents in the Parish in the “Olden Times,” +and other Interesting Particulars.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Lord Brougham</span>, in the course of +some remarks on modern English literature, incidentally observed +that “local histories were not only interesting to the +residents in the districts to which they referred, but such minor +works would be found of immense value to future national +historians.” This was also the avowed opinion of Mr. +Faulkner, when he published his invaluable “<span +class="smcap">History of Chelsea</span>,” upwards of 40 +years since, and my motive in undertaking the present work is to +carry forward the great object which that laborious local +historian contemplated. The defects, and no doubt there +will be many discovered in it, are submitted to the kind and +impartial consideration of the reader. My humble position +in life will not in the slightest degree, I feel confident, tend +to <a name="page2"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +2</span>depreciate my long-cherished desire—especially as +the shades of evening are fast closing the day-light of my +earthly life—to add to the information which has already +been given respecting a parish to which I am much attached, both +by birth and early associations.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The earliest mention of Chelsea is to be found in the Saxon +Chronicle, in the year 785; from which record it appears that a +Synod was then held in it, and at which period it was the +residence of Offa, king of the Mercians. As regards the +etymology of its name both ancient and modern writers have +expressed different opinions. Mr. Lysons says, he has seen +it written Cealc-hylle, in an old charter of Edward the +Confessor, and hence objected to the obvious etymology, as there +is neither chalk nor hill in the parish. Mr. Faulkner +considers, however, that “hylle” is an evident +mistake for “hythe;” and Cealc-hythe signifies not a +place abounding in chalk, but a wharf or landing-place for chalk +brought from other quarters. This amended definition seems +at once to remove the previous objection, particularly as large +quantities of chalk and lime were formerly, and even now at +times, landed at a wharf by the river-side at Chelsea. In +the ancient record of Domesday, it is written Cherchede and +Chelched. The parish was called Chelchethe in the taxation +of Pope Nicholas, in 1291; and this was the common way of +spelling it for several centuries. Among the manorial +records of the time of Edward II. it is spelled Chelcheya and +Chelchuthe. Mr. Norden says, “It is so called from +the nature of the place, whose strand is like the Chesel, +(ceosel, or cesel,) which the sea casteth up of sand and pebble +stones, thereof called Cheselsey, briefly Chelsey.” +How altered is the state of the strand or shore at the present +time! Would that there were now only the sand and pebble +stones! But there is a probability that this complaint will +be remedied. The long expected embankment from Battersea +Bridge to Chelsea College, it is said, really <i>is</i> to be +commenced and completed, and those old and dilapidated houses in +that narrow and dangerous thoroughfare, known as Duke Street and +Lombard Street, are to be pulled down. If this should be +the case, the parishioners will then possess one of the finest +promenades, with Battersea Park opposite to it, which may be +found along the entire banks of the river Thames.</p> +<p>Having made this slight digression, to infuse a little of what +is popularly called “new life” into our subject, we +will here mention that the county of Middlesex received its name +from <a name="page3"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 3</span>having +been inhabited by a party of Saxons, who, being located in the +midst of the three kingdoms of the East, West, and South Saxons, +were called by their neighbours Middlesaxons, which, in common +conversation, was soon abbreviated to Middlesex.</p> +<p>The parish of Chelsea is bounded on the north by the Fulham +Road, which separates it from Kensington. On the east at +the entrance into Sloane Square, at which place there was an open +rivulet, which divided it from St. George’s, Hanover +Square, and was said to rise at or near to Hampstead; and, after +crossing Hyde Park, where it formed the Serpentine River, and +Knightsbridge, flowed behind Cadogan Place (along a portion of +Lowndes’ Square) into the Thames, at Ranelagh, which +adjoined Chelsea College. In January, 1809, this rivulet +overflowed its banks, and caused great devastation for several +days. The waters formed a complete lake, and were of +considerable depth. Boats were employed in carrying +passengers from Chelsea Hospital to the old Bunhouse, on their +way to London. On the west, the parish is divided from +Fulham a little beyond St. Mark’s College; and on the south +it is bounded by the Thames.</p> +<p>That portion of the parish at Kensal New Town, which is near +to Wilsden, will be briefly noticed again in reference to the +“Ancient Manor Houses.” This land, as held by +the parish, is about 173¾ acres.</p> +<h3>The Old Parish Church.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> will soon be seventy years since +I was first taken to this venerable Church. The most +trifling incidents in childhood often bring to remembrance, when +arrived at mature age, events of an important and interesting +character. Such was the case with regard to my earliest +conscious attendance at Chelsea Old Church. At the period +to which I allude, residing at the other part of the parish, we +had to go across what was then called the “Common,” +situated to the east of the present new St. Luke’s Church, +a portion of which was at that particular time covered with +new-mown grass to dry previously to being carried away. +Most young persons love to toss and tumble about the hay when +such an opportunity is afforded them, and <a +name="page4"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 4</span>certainly I +felt as delighted with the sport as others of my own age. +Often afterwards, when there was a disposition not to take me, I +earnestly pleaded to go with the rest to the Church, but my +youthful thoughts were more fixed on some anticipated enjoyment +on the road to it. As I advanced in years, however, my +native Old Parish Church became gradually endeared to me, and +nothing connected with it scarcely ever escaped my notice.</p> +<p>The exact period when the Church was erected is a question of +great uncertainty. In the Domesday Survey of the Parish no +mention is made of any endowment for a priest, which is +considered by some writers a proof that there was no Church +existing. This conclusion is doubtful. There is no +record relative to the Rectory previous to the reign of Edward +II., therefore it is conjectured that the Church was first +founded about that period.</p> +<p>Mr. Bowack says, “In the year 1667, the old Church, +which was much decayed, being too small to contain the +congregation, grown large by the vast increase of buildings about +that time in the town,” (what would he now think, in 1869, +of the immense number of houses, and 70,000 inhabitants!) +“it was agreed by the parishioners that part of it should +be demolished, and that such alterations and additions should be +made as were necessary for decent accommodation. +Accordingly the shattered tower and west end of the Church were +pulled down, and the north and south aisles carried several yards +towards the west, by two brick walls, being in all about 80 ft. +from the ground. The walls of the Church were raised, the +windows enlarged, the old parts beautified, the inside new paved, +the churchyard considerably raised, and enclosed with a high wall +of brick; and most of this done at the voluntary charge of the +inhabitants, and the whole roof, lead, timber, &c., at the +sole cost of the Lady Jane Cheyne. The Church was furnished +with all the necessary ornaments, and the steeple with a good +ring of six bells, by the bounty of the inhabitants.”</p> +<p>From this statement it would appear that the Church was +originally of small dimensions.</p> +<h3>MONUMENTS, &c.</h3> +<p>It will not be asserting too much if we say that the Old +Parish Church contains more magnificent monuments, to the +memories of distinguished individuals, than are to be found in +any other church in the metropolis.</p> +<p><a name="page5"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 5</span><span +class="smcap">Lord Bray</span>.—In the chancel, the most +ancient monument is that of Lord Bray, and of his son Lord John +Bray. It is an altar-tomb, now much defaced, but was +originally ornamented with the effigies in brass of these two +noble lords, and with escutcheons of their arms. According +to Weever, there was the following inscription in his +time:—“Of your charitie pray for the soul of Edmund +Bray, knight, Lord Bray, cosin and heire to Sir Reginald Bray, +Knight of the Garter.” There is a very long and +curious account of the funeral of Lord John Bray in the +Herald’s College, 1557.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Sir Thomas More</span>.—Against the +south wall of the chancel is the monument of Sir Thomas More, +erected according to his own desire, in the year 1532. The +tablet on which the inscription is engraved is under a Tudor +arch, the cornice of which is ornamented with foliage, and in the +centre of it is his crest, viz., a Moor’s head. The +spandrils of the arch are ornamented with branches of the vine, +and in the midst are his arms and those of his first wife, and on +each side are the arms of himself and his two wives. The +eventful history of More, and the termination of his earthly +career, must be familiar to the reader. After he was +beheaded, his body is said by some to have been interred in the +church, but others have contended that it was buried in St. +Peter’s, in the Tower. There are many legends +respecting the head, but Mr. Brayley asserts positively that it +was finally deposited in St. Dunstan’s, near Canterbury, +and that he saw the head there many years ago. The +inscription on the tablet is of considerable length.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">The Marquise de Cugnac</span>.—Near +the Communion Table, against the south wall, on a square +ornamental slab, is an inscription to the memory of Elizabeth, +the wife of the Marquis de Cugnac. As a proof of his +unshaken love he erected this monument. She died in 1653, +aged 20 years. The marquis was of a Protestant family, +famous in the reigns of Henry IV., Lewis XIII. and XIV.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">The Sedile</span>.—In the south wall +of the chancel, near the altar, was usually placed the +“<i>Sedile</i>” a seat for the use of the priest at +certain intervals during the celebration of the Mass, but when +the church was almost rebuilt, in 1667, this ancient +architectural ornament, and many others were removed, and not a +vestige of them now remains.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page6"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 6</span><span +class="smcap">Thomas Hungerford</span>, Esq.—In the upper +chancel is the monument of the above-named gentleman, having the +effigies of himself and his two sons in armour kneeling on one +side of an altar, and his wife and daughter on the other. +The entablature is supported by three Corinthian pillars, resting +on pedestals.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Rev. John Rush</span>.—On the right +of the one above are tablets to the memory of the Rev. John Rush +and family. He was Curate of the Parish for a great many +years, and when the new Parish Church was completed, Mr. Rush +became Minister of the Old Church, and resigned the curacy. +He was one of the Directors of the Waterloo Bridge Company, and +took a great interest in everything connected with the +construction of that bridge. He died in 1855, aged 85, and +was buried in the Brompton Cemetery.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Two Daughters of Wilton</span>, <span +class="smcap">the Sculptor</span>.—Against the east wall is +a monument, composed of two urns of white marble, to the memory +of Lucy Smith and Anne Wilton, two sisters, 1781. Wilton, +their father, was the sculptor.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Original Altar Piece was very plain, formed by an obtuse +arch ornamented slightly with foliage, &c. In the +centre was painted the Decalogue; while the north side displayed +the Camp of Israel, and the south side Moses on the Mount, +receiving the two tables of the Law.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Rev. <span class="smcap">Adam Littleton</span>, D.D.—On +a square marble tablet, against the north wall of the lower +chancel, is an inscription to the memory of this eminent divine, +who was rector of this parish for 24 years. He died in +1694, aged 66.</p> +<p>On the east wall, on plain marble slabs, are inscriptions to +the memory of Martha Denyer, who died in 1795, John Denyer, in +1806, and Elizabeth Denyer, in 1824. This family was very +benevolent. Amongst a few other inscriptions is one to the +memory of Edward Holl, Esq., who was a regular attendant at the +church, and much respected. He died in 1823.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Richard Gervoise</span>, +Esq.—Between the north aisle and lower chancel is a large +monument raised in the form of an arch open at both sides, about +10 ft. in height, ornamented with roses, branches, and fluted +carving, erected to the memory of Richard Gervoise, Sheriff of +London, who died in 1557, and also in memory of his son.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page7"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 7</span><span +class="smcap">Baldwin Hamey</span>, M.D.—On a pillar, near +the preceding, are inscriptions to the memory of Dr. Baldwin +Hamey, Ralph Palmer, Esq., and Alice, his wife. Mr. Palmer +was a kind benefactor to the church. He died in 1715.</p> +<p>On the west side of the same pillar is an inscription to the +memory of Henry Powell, Esq., who was a great friend to the widow +and fatherless.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Colours of the Old +Volunteers</span>.—Over the nave are suspended the colours +of the two battalions of Queen Charlotte’s Royal +Volunteers, which were placed there on the disbandment of the +regiment. These banners were presented by her Majesty in +1804, at a time when the country was threatened with invasion. <a +name="citation7"></a><a href="#footnote7" +class="citation">[7]</a> One or two of them are almost in +ribbons, but it is to be hoped they will remain untouched in +their present position as long as possible. There are still +living some few old people in the parish who remember, when boys, +marching by the side of these colours with all the heroic +consequence of supposed military triumph.</p> +<p>The <span class="smcap">Pulpit</span> is composed of oak, +divided into panels, and ornamented with carved foliage and +fruit. There was formerly a massive sounding board to +correspond with it, but which was necessarily taken away when the +pulpit was judiciously placed in its present central position in +the middle aisle.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>Having noticed the chancel and nave, we will proceed to that +part which is called the <span class="smcap">Lawrence +Chapel</span>, at the north side. This chapel is considered +by many to be coeval with the first endowment of the +church. It was built by the then Lord of the Manor, whose +mansion stood near it, the site of which is now occupied by +Lawrence Street, so called after the Lawrence family. The +old manor house was pulled down by Henry VIII., who built another +in Cheyne Walk, to which allusion will have to be frequently +made. The Lawrence chapel was many years ago in the +possession of Mr. Offley, who bequeathed it to Colonel Needham, +of whom it was bought in the year 1789, with part of the east +side of Lawrence Street, to which it is an appendage, by Mr. +Lewer. It is still private property.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page8"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 8</span><span +class="smcap">Thomas Lawrence</span>, Esq.—Against the +north wall of this chapel is the monument of the father of Sir +John Lawrence, on which are represented himself, his three sons, +Elizabeth his wife, and six daughters, all kneeling. On the +cushion on which Mrs. Lawrence kneels are two babes, wrapped up +close to the chin, with their faces only visible. The +cornice is supported by three fluted Corinthian columns. +Underneath are the following lines:—</p> +<blockquote><p>“The yeares wherein I lived were +fifty-fower,<br /> + October twenty-eight did end my life;<br /> +Children five of eleven God left in store,<br /> + Sole comfort of they’re mother and my wife.<br +/> +The world can say what I have been before,<br /> + What I am now examples still are rife;<br /> +Thus Thomas Lawrence spekes to tymes ensving<br /> +That Death is sure, and Tyme is past reneving.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p><span class="smcap">Sir John Lawrence</span>, Bart.—On a +large ornamented tablet of black marble, against the east wall, +is an inscription to the memory of Sir John Lawrence, Bart., who +died in 1638, aged 50. Attached to it are these quaint +lines:—</p> +<blockquote><p>“When bad men dye and turn to their last +sleep,<br /> +What stir the poets and engravers keep,<br /> +By a feigned skill to pile them up a name,<br /> +With terms of Good, and Just, out-lasting fame:<br /> +Alas! poor men, such most have need of stone<br /> +And epitaphs; the good, indeed, lack none,<br /> +Their own true works enough do give of glory<br /> +Unto their names, which will survive all story:<br /> +Such was the man lies here, who doth partake<br /> +Of verse and stone—but ’tis for fashions +sake.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>On the same wall is the monument of Sarah Colvile, daughter of +Thomas Lawrence, Esq., and wife of Richard Colvile, of Newton, in +the Isle of Ely. From small trusses, ornamented with human +heads, rise two Doric pillars, with a curved entablature which +supports a pediment. The soffit of the cornice is decorated +with clouds, stars, and a dove; and on the edge of the cornice is +a passage of Scripture (1 Cor. xv. 52). Between the pillars +is a half-length figure of a female, wrapped in a winding sheet, +with her hands in a supplicating posture, and as rising from the +tomb. The inscription states she was the happy mother of +eight sons and two daughters. She died in 1631, in the 40th +year of her age.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>There is also an inscription on the floor of this chapel to +the memory of Henry, youngest son of Sir John Lawrence, who died +in 1661, aged 30.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page9"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 9</span><span +class="smcap">Lady Jane Cheyne</span>.—This stately +monument is placed against the wall of the north aisle, but +before we proceed to give a description of it, we will notice the +inscription that was placed at the entrance to the vault of the +Cheyne family, at the bottom of the chancel:—</p> +<blockquote><p>“Charles Cheyne, Esq., Lord of this Manor of +Chelsea, which was purchased by the rich dowry of his wife, +erected this burial-place for his most excellent wife, the Lady +Jane Cheyne, eldest daughter of William Duke of Newcastle, not +long deceased, and for his own use, when he shall die. It +was consecrated the 3rd day of November, 1669. I beseech +thee, Almighty God, that she may quiety rest here till the +resurrection of the flesh. Amen.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>The monument consists of a semi-circular temple, the +façade supported by two Corinthian columns of Scagliola +marble, rising from a plinth and pedestals, with a proper +entablature, surmounted by an elliptical pediment, the tympanum +of which is ornamented with scroll work and foliage, and the +soffit of the upper cornice consists of panels, with rosettes and +foliage, and dentals, with pendant guttæ placed +alternately. To give the latter a resemblance of their +original intention, the base of the pediment was justly decreased +in width in the centre. From acrotini at the shoulders rise +flaming urns, and in the centre is a richly ornamented +cross. In the interior of this temple is a large black +sarcophagus, resting on pedestals of Scagliola marble. On +this sarcophagus is represented Lady Cheyne, in white marble, +lying upon her left side, and reclining upon a tesselated +cushion, holding a book; at her feet lies a coronet. This +monument was executed by the celebrated Bernini, and cost +£500. It is generally considered to be a <i>chef +d’œuvre</i> of art. Lady Cheyne died in 1669, +aged 48.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>On the sarcophagus, under the figure of Lady Jane Cheyne, is +an inscription to the memory of Charles Cheyne, Viscount +Newhaven, and Lord of the Manor of Chelsea, who was buried in the +same vault. He departed this life in 1698, aged 74, being +29 years after Lady Jane Cheyne, his first wife’s +death.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Richard Guildford</span>, Esq.—On a +marble tablet, near the preceding, is this +inscription:—“Richard Guildford, who died 16th Nov. +1680, and also his two wives, Abigail and Elizabeth. He +gave to this parish for ever a yearly sum of £10, to be +distributed on the 5th of December, the day of his wedding with +his wife Elizabeth.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page10"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 10</span><span +class="smcap">Henry Raper</span>, Esq.—Near this spot are +deposited the remains of this gentleman, who died in 1789, and of +his wife Katherine Raper, who died in 1823. This family was +greatly respected.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>At the west end of the north aisle formerly stood the old +font, and in a book case close to it a large folio Bible, +Fox’s Book of Martyrs, a folio Common Prayer Book, and the +Homilies of the Church of England, each secured with a +chain. The books are now placed at the south side of the +church, and the present marble font stands at the entrance to the +middle aisle.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>On the left of the great western entrance is an inscription on +a marble tablet to the memory of Mrs. Bayley, who died in 1828, +aged 45. This tablet was placed by her uncle, Wilton, the +sculptor.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">The Ashburnham Bell</span>.—This +bell originally in the steeple that was taken down for security +in 1815, is now placed in the porch, as a relic of former +days. On a board near the bell are recorded the following +particulars:—</p> +<blockquote><p>“This bell was given to the Old Parish +Church of Chelsea by the Hon. Wm. Ashburnham in the year +1679. It was a grateful offering on his part to commemorate +his escape from drowning in the Thames, into which he had +wandered during a dark night of the above year, and from which he +was saved by hearing the clock of this church strike the hour of +nine. Many changes in the church having taken place since +then, and this bell having long remained unused and nearly +forgotten, it is here preserved as an interesting Chelsea +antiquity, having been removed from the Clock Tower and placed in +its present position by order of the Church Trustees, and under +the direction of</p> +<p>A. <span class="smcap">Gerald W. Blunt</span>, M.A., +Rector.</p> +<p>R. <span class="smcap">Henry Davies</span>, B.A., Incumbent of +the Church.</p> +<p>T. B. <span class="smcap">Diplock</span>, M.D., G. W. <span +class="smcap">Richards</span>, } Churchwardens.</p> +<p><i>March</i> 1862.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>There was another account given of this bell many years +ago. It was that the Hon. W Ashburnham was returning home +from Lambeth in a boat at night, when almost suddenly there came +a dense fog over the river, which prevented him seeing any object +whatever. He became alarmed, and allowed the boat to drift +for some distance, expecting every moment it would run <a +name="page11"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 11</span>foul of some +barge or craft, and that he would be plunged into the river, when +to his great joy he heard Chelsea Church clock strike nine, and, +judging from the sound that he was nearly opposite the church, he +seized the oars and pulled away as direct as he could towards it, +and at length landed safely on shore. It afterwards +appeared that had the boat drifted much further it would have +been upset, and in all probability Mr. Ashburnham would have met +with a watery grave. The family, considering the striking +of the clock to have been a most providential means of saving his +life, gave the bell, and made certain conditions that it should +be rung every evening during the winter months, in case of any +future similar event. The sexton paid 5s. to the +bell-ringer for attending at nine o’clock, as stated, for +the season.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>On the right of the western entrance, in the south aisle, is +an inscription to the memory of Teak S. Edwards, Esq., F.L.S., +who died in 1819, aged 50. “As a faithful delineator +of nature few equalled, and none excelled.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Near to where now the Homilies are placed was originally fixed +the monument of Lt.-Col. the Hon. H. Cadogan, executed by +Chantrey, a fine specimen of that celebrated sculptor’s +chisel. It was removed to the New Parish Church, some years +since, and consequently it must be noticed in the account of that +beautiful architectural edifice.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Lord and Lady Dacre</span>.—This is +one of the most magnificent monuments that can be found in any +parish church in London, and my only surprise is that so few of +the inhabitants of the parish, comparatively, have inspected +it. It stands against the wall of the south aisle, and was +erected to the memory of Gregory, Lord Dacre, and Anne, his +wife. They are represented in white marble, lying on a +sarcophagus, under an arch supported by marble pillars of the +Corinthian order. Lord Dacre is in armour, with a long +beard and short hair; her ladyship is habited in a gown and long +cloak with a ruff. A dog is at the feet of each. On +either side is a lofty obelisk. Over the arch are the arms +of the family; the whole is richly ornamented with flowers and +several pieces of elaborate Mosaic work.</p> +<p>The parish of Chelsea, by Lady Dacre’s will, have some +presentations to her Almshouses in Westminster, on condition of +keeping the monument in repair. It has been lately painted +and beautified. Lord Dacre died in 1594, and Lady Dacre in +1595. This monument was originally placed in Sir T. +More’s <a name="page12"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +12</span>chapel, it is so described in Lady Dacre’s +will. When the church was almost rebuilt in 1667, it was +placed in its present situation.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>On a marble tablet, against the same wall, is an inscription +to the memory of Catherine, wife of the Rev. T. Mahon, Rector of +Newport, Co. of Mayo, Ireland, who died in 1822, aged 20.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Sir Arthur Gorges</span>.—Bowack, in +his “Antiquities of Middlesex,” mentions a monument +raised about 4 ft. from the ground, with the effigies of Sir +Arthur Gorges, his lady, three sons, and five daughters, in brass +plates fixed thereon, no trace of it can now be discovered. +There is, however, on a black slab, fixed against the north wall +of Sir Thomas More’s chapel, an inscription to the memory +of Arthur Gorges, Esq. (eldest son of Sir Arthur Gorges), who +died in 1668. He married Mary, daughter of Lord +Bayning. This was her third marriage. She is here +buried with her husband.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Sir Thomas More’s Chapel</span>, +which was built by him, belonged to the proprietor of his house +until it was sold by Arthur Gorges, Esq., to Lionel, Earl of +Middlesex, when he reserved the chapel to himself, as he +continued to reside at Chelsea in another house. In 1664, +when he sold the last-mentioned house, he only renewed a right of +burial for his family. The chapel passed therefore with the +house, through various owners, to Sir William Milman, and +ultimately it became the freehold property, for many years, of +the late Mr. Mann, of Paradise Row, now called Queen’s Road +West. It is still private property. A large Gothic +arch opens into the chancel, and is supported by pillars, the +capitals of which are ornamented with human heads, rudely but +curiously carved, together with bundles of rods resembling the +fasces or badges of the ancient Roman magistrates; on the +entablature of the easternmost is the date 1527.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Duchess of +Northumberland</span>.—The venerable monument of Lady Jane +Guildford, Duchess of Northumberland, is placed against the north +wall of this chapel. This interesting memorial consists of +an altar-tomb under an arched recess, crowned by four canopies +and supported by five reticulated pillars, the bases of which +rest on the altar-tomb as on a plinth. The faces of the +tomb are divided into panels, containing quatrefoils enclosing +shields, and one coat of arms remains. The back of the +recess is divided into three compartments by small graduated <a +name="page13"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 13</span>buttresses; +that on the west contained the arms, and sons, while that on the +east displays the effigies of the Duchess and her +daughters. The soffit of this recess is richly groined, the +canopies are divided by graduated buttresses with pinnacles at +their apices; they consist of a trefoiled arch with angular +pediments crocketed, and terminating in rich finials, and the +spandrils are panelled. The frieze, formed by two +cavittoes, is ornamented, the lower with rosettes, and the upper +with portcullis and rosettes arranged alternately. The +whole is surmounted by a cornice of foliage. The Duchess +appears in the front, kneeling, habited in a surcoat, with her +arms richly emblazoned, originally in enamel. Behind her +are her daughters, with their Christian names engraved over their +heads in Gothic letters. On the left side were represented, +on a brass plate, (now long torn off) the effigies of her +sons. The inscription states that the Duchess had issue +thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters. She died +“at her maner of Chelsey, ye 22 daye of January, in ye +second yere of ye reigne of our Sovereyne Lady Queene Mary the +first, and in <span class="GutSmall">A.D</span> MDLV., on whose +soul Jesus have mercy.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Sir W. Milman</span>.—On the same +wall as the preceding is the monument of this gentleman, who died +in 1713. There is also another to the memory of several of +the same family.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Sir Robert Stanley</span>.—The +monument of this distinguished resident is at the east end of the +chapel. Two figures, representing Justice and Fortitude, +support the arms of Stanley, and three large urns; on the centre +one, on a medallion, is the bust of Sir Robert in alto relievo, +who is represented with whiskers but no beard. On the urns, +on each side, are medallions of two of his children, whose deaths +are noticed on the monument. He died in 1632, and was the +second son of the “Earle of Darbie.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Near the principal window here is a small brass plate fixed +into a marble tablet to the memory of Humphrey Peshall, Esq., who +died in 1650.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>There are a few other inscriptions in different parts of the +church, but the principal and most ancient ones have been all +noticed. We will now proceed, therefore, to describe some +of the monuments in the old churchyard.</p> +<p><a name="page14"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 14</span><span +class="smcap">Dr. Chamberlayne</span>.—On the south side, +fronting the river, there are several monuments to the memory of +this family, for the erection of which and for making a vault Dr. +Chamberlayne obtained a grant from the parish, in consideration +of a benefaction which will probably be mentioned +hereafter. He was buried here in 1703. On the left +side of the western window, on a large mural slab, is an +inscription to his memory. The latter part of it is +remarkable:—“He was so studious of doing good to all +men, and especially to posterity, that he ordered some of his +books, covered with wax, to be buried with him, which may be of +use in times to come. God preserve thee, O traveller! go, +and imitate him. This monument, not to be rashly violated, +his friend, Walter Harris, Doctor of Physic, caused to be erected +as a testimony both of his respect and grief.”</p> +<p>“Dr. Harris evinced some singularity of opinion,” +says Mr. Faulkner, “in supposing that posterity would gain +any information from works thus entombed with the body of their +author; but whatever might have been the intention, his views in +depositing the books in the tomb of his friend have been +frustrated, as, some years since, Dr. Chamberlayne’s tomb +yielded to the injuries of time, and, on examination, it was +discovered that the damp and moisture admitted by the general +decay, had totally obliterated almost every appearance of them; +his seal, with his arms, was however still perfect.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>A <span class="smcap">Female Heroine</span>.—One of the +inscriptions to the memory of the Chamberlayne family is as +follows:—In a vault hard by lieth Anne, sole daughter of +Edward Chamberlayne, LL.D., who long declining wedlock, and +aspiring above her sex and age, fought under her brother, with +arms and manly attire, in a fire-ship, against the French, for +six hours, on the 30th June, 1690. After returning home she +married Sir John Spragg, with whom she lived very affectionately +for eighteen months, but, giving birth to a child, she died a few +days after in 1691!</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>On the north side of the churchyard, on a mural monument, is +an inscription to the memory of John Pennant, Esq., who died in +1709.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Sir Hans Sloane</span>, Bart.—In the +south-east corner is a large and handsome monument to the memory +of this distinguished resident in the parish, and of his +lady. As frequent notices are taken of Sir Robert Stanley +in this work, it is only necessary here to give a brief +description of the tomb. It is composed of Portland stone, +on the top of which, under a portico, supported <a +name="page15"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 15</span>by four +pillars, is placed a vase of white marble, with four serpents +entwined around it, executed out of one piece; on each side is an +entablature, the arms on one, and the crest on the other. +It was executed by Wilton, the statuary, and was caused to be +erected there by his two daughters, Elizabeth Cadogan and Sarah +Stanley. Sir Hans Sloane died in 1753, in his 92nd +year. Lady Sloane died in 1724.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Henry S. Woodfall</span>, Esq.—Near +the north-east corner of the churchyard, on a flat stone, was +some years since an inscription to the memory of Henry S. +Woodfall, the celebrated printer of the Letters of Junius, who +spent the latter part of his life in calm retirement amongst his +Chelsea friends. He was an associate of many distinguished +literary characters, and died in 1805.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Philip Miller</span>, Esq.—Close to +the preceding spot is an obelisk to the memory of Philip Miller, +Curator of the Botanic Gardens, Chelsea, and Author of the +Gardeners’ Dictionary, &c. He died in 1771, aged +80. This monument was erected by the Fellows of the +Linnæan and Horticultural Societies in 1815.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Against the wall of the old Vestry Room (now School Room) are +tablets to the memory of Thomas Bowes, M.D., F.R.S., William +Moncrieff, Professor of Humanity at St. Andrew’s, and Mrs. +Methuen. The dates of these are 1723 and 1732.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>These are the principal raised cenataphs and mural tablets in +this ancient churchyard.</p> +<h3>ERECTION OF AN ORGAN.</h3> +<p>On the 22nd of January, 1818, the following resolution was +unanimously carried at a meeting in Vestry +assembled:—“Resolved that this meeting sensibly feels +the propriety as well as the necessity of an organ being placed +in the parochial Church, and that the best means to effect this +desirable object will be by voluntary subscription, and that it +be immediately entered into.” A committee was +appointed to carry this <a name="page16"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 16</span>resolution into effect, and Luke +Thomas Flood, Esq., was requested to become the treasurer, but, +although a great many contributions were received, the aggregate +sum was insufficient for the purpose, and the money was tendered +back to the subscribers. This failure, and the offer made, +occasioned considerable amusement amongst some of the +parishioners, and many laughable squibs were printed and +circulated. The most ludicrous of these was a poetic +effusion, written by a gentleman of education and who was not +altogether a stranger in literary circles. It was entitled +“<i>The Organ in the Suds</i>,” and embodied much of +that wit and humour which is so frequently displayed in +“<span class="smcap">Punch</span>.” Sometime +afterwards, however, the effort was successfully renewed, and an +organ was purchased. The two principal candidates for +organist were Mr. Goss, then comparatively unknown in the musical +world, but who has since risen to eminence as a composer, and is +now organist at St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Mr. Ling, who had +become a great favourite with many of the subscribers. The +feeling amongst the friends of these gentlemen was very strongly +manifested, and the proceedings on the day of election were +characterized by much excitement. Mr. Ling obtained the +greatest number of votes from the subscribers, and consequently +was elected. Mr. Goss, however, was appointed organist of +the New Church, when it was completed, by the Church Trustees, +agreeably to the decision of Dr. Crotch, Mr. Attwood, and some +others, who were requested to decide on the relative +qualifications of the candidates. There were a great many +parishioners present on this occasion.</p> +<p>From the Report of the Old Church Organ Committee, dated Feb. +16, 1819, a copy of which is now before me, it appears that the +entire amount received was £325 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i>; that +the organ cost £200, and that the expenses altogether were +no less than 125 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i>, including £24 +4<i>s.</i> for a Faculty, and £25 to Mr. H. Bevington, for +removing the organ and keeping it in repair for twelve months, as +per agreement. The remaining expenditure was for necessary +alterations in the gallery, and for fittings, &c. The +organ had been previously erected in a private mansion, which +will explain the charge for removal, and the sum paid for the +organ was considered at that time to be a great bargain.</p> +<p>The singing, prior to the erection of the organ, was indeed +very bad, being almost entirely confined to the school children, +who were placed in galleries specially erected for them, at the +extreme western part of the church, and so close to the ceiling +that a grown person could scarcely stand upright in them.</p> +<h3><a name="page17"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 17</span>SPRING +TIDES.—TAKEN TO CHURCH IN A BOAT.</h3> +<p>A circumstance occurred at the church, about the year 1809, of +a singular character. There had been some very high tides +during the week, and on the following Sunday morning the waters +rose several feet against the southern boundary wall, which +rendered the employment of a boat necessary to convey those of +the congregation who resided in the neighbourhood near to +Battersea Bridge to the western entrance of the church. +Although there have been some very high spring tides since that +time, I am happy to say, the congregation have always been +enabled to walk to the Old Church without the least fear of being +drowned on their way to it! The raising of the road, and +other alterations, have no doubt checked such overflowings at +this particular spot.</p> +<h3>DOING PENANCE.</h3> +<p>The next event is one of unusual interest. The statement +may be relied upon as authentic, and the circumstance of its not +having gained publicity has been owing to the few persons who +witnessed it and the secrecy enjoined, but after nearly sixty +years have elapsed, and the individuals concerned being long +since deceased, the particulars may now be fairly disclosed +without any breach of confidence.</p> +<p>A short time after the conclusion of Divine Service, on a +Sunday morning, a gentleman alighted from a carriage and +proceeded to the Vestry Room, where two others were waiting his +arrival. As soon as the congregation had dispersed, the +parties, with two or three parochial officers, &c., went to +the entrance of the middle aisle, and the inner door being +closed, the person especially referred to hurriedly knelt +down. A paper was then placed in his hand, which was a +recantation of certain opprobrious epithets that he had applied +to a lady in one of the streets in the parish, stigmatizing her +publicly by a term which the reader can easily supply. When +he recited the offensive words he laid particular emphasis on +them, evidently in a spirit of bravado and not of +contrition. Penance and penitence were not in any way, +apparently, considered by him <a name="page18"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 18</span>as synonymous terms. There is +scarcely an individual who would suppose that such an event +occurred, at so comparatively recent a period as sixty years ago, +in the old Parish Church of St. Luke, Chelsea.</p> +<h3>SACRILEGE.</h3> +<p>On Wednesday night, the 27th of December, 1827, this church +was sacrilegiously broken into, and the following articles +stolen, viz., two plated flagons, two plated chalices, two plated +salvers, a blue cloth covering the Communion Table, and a table +cloth and napkin for the same; a crimson cushion and hanging for +the pulpit, the brass branches from the pulpit and those from the +chandeliers in the middle aisle. On Thursday night, the 1st +of February following, the church was again entered and robbed of +the chandeliers, the brass curtain rods, and the cushions from +the churchwardens’ and overseers’ pews.</p> +<p>A reward of £100 was offered by the Secretary of State, +and £70 by the parish, for the discovery of the robbers, +who were soon after taken, tried at Newgate, and condemned to be +transported for life.</p> +<h3>RECTORS AT THE OLD CHURCH.</h3> +<p>The following is a list of the names of most of the rectors, +commencing with the earliest one recorded, and terminating with +the Hon. and Rev. G. V. Wellesley, D.D., who continued of course +rector when the new St. Luke’s Church was completed. +The list of subsequent rectors will be found placed in the notice +of that church:—</p> +<table> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: center">Patrons.</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: center">Name.</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: center">Institution.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Edward II.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Roger de Berners</p> +</td> +<td><p>1316</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: center">„</p> +</td> +<td><p>Nicholas Hosbound</p> +</td> +<td><p>1339</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Edward III.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Martyn de Moulish</p> +</td> +<td><p>1348</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: center">„</p> +</td> +<td><p>William Palmer</p> +</td> +<td><p>1368</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Abbot & Conv. West.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Thomas de Preston</p> +</td> +<td><p>1368</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="3"><p style="text-align: center">There were +altogether 29 Rectors instituted by the Abbot and Convent of +Westminster.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p><a name="page19"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 19</span>Sir +Thomas More</p> +</td> +<td><p>John Larke <a name="citation19a"></a><a +href="#footnote19a" class="citation">[19a]</a></p> +</td> +<td><p>1530</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: center">„</p> +</td> +<td><p>John Richardson <a name="citation19b"></a><a +href="#footnote19b" class="citation">[19b]</a></p> +</td> +<td><p>1543</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Duchess of Somerset</p> +</td> +<td><p>Richard Ward <a name="citation19c"></a><a +href="#footnote19c" class="citation">[19c]</a></p> +</td> +<td><p>1585</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>C. Cheyne, Esq.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Adam Littleton, D.D.</p> +</td> +<td><p>1669</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Viscount Cheyne</p> +</td> +<td><p>John King, D.D.</p> +</td> +<td><p>1694</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Sir Hans Sloane</p> +</td> +<td><p>Sloane Elsmere, D.D.</p> +</td> +<td><p>1732</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: center">„</p> +</td> +<td><p>Reginald Heber, M.A.</p> +</td> +<td><p>1766</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Earl Cadogan and Henry Stanley</p> +</td> +<td><p>Thomas Drake, D.D.</p> +</td> +<td><p>1770</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Lord Cadogan</p> +</td> +<td><p>W. B. Cadogan, M.A.</p> +</td> +<td><p>1775</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Lady Mendip and Mrs. D’Oyley</p> +</td> +<td><p>Charles Sturgess, M.A.</p> +</td> +<td><p>1797</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Earl Cadogan</p> +</td> +<td><p>Hon. and Rev. Dr. Wellesley</p> +</td> +<td><p>1805</p> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p>The Rev. Dr. Littleton was educated at Westminster School, +under the celebrated Dr. Busby, and afterwards became Prebendary +of Westminster. He was well skilled in the Oriental +languages and in rabinnical learning. He died at Chelsea in +1694, in the 67th year of his age.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Rev. Dr. John King was a divine of considerable literary +eminence. Amongst a variety of works he published a sermon, +entitled, “The Divine Favour the best Alliance; or, +Repentance the Safest Sanctuary in Times of Danger; preached at +the Parish Church of Chelsey,” in 1701. There is in +the British Museum a small quarto volume, in manuscript, by Dr. +King, containing “Remarks on the Life of Sir Thomas +More,” and a letter, designed for Mr. Hearne, respecting +Sir T. More’s house at Chelsea. He died in this +parish in 1732, aged 80, much respected, and was buried at +Pertenhall. The family of Dr. King bear the same arms with +Robert King, the first Bishop of Oxford.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Rev. Dr. Sloane Elsmere died in 1776, and left behind him +a volume of sermons to be published for the benefit of the +“Girls’ Charity School,” of which he was the +original founder. He was a relation of Sir Hans Sloane.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page20"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 20</span>The +Rev. Reginald Heber received his school education at the Free +School, Manchester, from whence he removed to Brasenose College, +Oxford. Mr. Heber, in 1766, succeeded to a considerable +estate (his elder brother dying unmarried) at Hodnet, in +Shropshire; and in the same year he was inducted to the rectory +of Chelsea, the presentation to which had several years before +been purchased for him by his brother. He found the +rectoral house in bad condition, and partly rebuilt and greatly +improved the whole of it. In 1770 he exchanged the rectory +of Chelsea with Dr. Drake, rector of Amersham, Bucks, for Malpas, +in Cheshire. Mr. Heber married, in 1773, the daughter of +the Rev. Martin Bayly, which lady died the following year, +leaving an infant son, Richard Heber, who became Member for the +University of Oxford. Eight years after he married, +secondly, the daughter of Dr. Cuthbert Allanson, by whom he had +two sons, Reginald, the late lamented Bishop of Calcutta—a +prelate whose memory is revered by Christians of all +denominations—the other son was Thomas Cuthbert Heber, and +he had also one daughter. Mr. Heber died at Malpas in 1804, +in his 76th year.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Hon. and Rev. William Bromley Cadogan, second son of Lord +Cadogan, was born in 1751, and had his education at Westminster +School, from whence he was removed to Christ Church College, +Oxford. He obtained several prizes at the University for +classical knowledge. On the death of Dr. Drake he was +presented to the rectory of Chelsea. He also became vicar +of St. Giles’s, Reading. Mr. Faulkner gives a +singular anecdote relating to the unsolicited offer of this +vicarage to Mr. Cadogan. Lord Bathurst, who was then +Chancellor, called at Lord Cadogan’s house, and desired to +see him. His lordship was not at home; and the servants, +seeing Lord Bathurst very plainly dressed, admitted him into the +hall only, having no suspicion of his high rank. The +Chancellor therefore wrote a note at the hall table, requesting +Lord Cadogan to accept the vicarage of St. Giles’s, +Reading, for his son. The offer of so valuable a +preferment, and so near to the family seat at Caversham, was +peculiarly acceptable to Lord Cadogan. It appeared, +however, that the parishioners were deeply affected by the death +of the Rev. Mr. Talbot, their late vicar, and equally grieved at +the appointment of his successor; but they flattered themselves +that the new vicar, being a young gentleman of noble family, +would feel no disposition to do the duties himself, and that the +Rev. Mr. Halward, who had been recently appointed, and towards +whom they already were much attached, might be <a +name="page21"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 21</span>continued in +the curacy. A petition for this purpose was presented to +Mr. Cadogan, but it was rejected with strong marks of +disapprobation. The old congregation therefore became +dispersed. Some of them, under the patronage of the +Countess of Huntingdon, opened a place for Divine worship for +themselves, while others, who were unwilling to leave the church +altogether, thought that they perceived marks of sincerity in his +conduct and preaching, attempted, by frequent admonitory letters, +to convince Mr. Cadogan of what they considered to be his +“errors,” and to set him “right.” +On this occasion several letters passed between him and Mrs. +Talbot, the widow of the previous vicar, whose house was opened +for religious exercises, and where prayer was occasionally +offered up for his conversion. Mr. Cadogan is said to have +been highly offended, but at length, humbled and subdued, he fell +at the feet of accumulated kindness, and confessed to the last +moment of his life, that “Mrs. Talbot’s letters and +example were the principal means of leading him to the saving +knowledge of Christ.” It produced, it appears, a +great change in his manner of preaching, and led the way to his +intimacy with the Rev. Mr. Hill, Mr. Romaine, and others, who +were distinguished by the title of popular preachers. He +likewise offered the curacy to Mr. Halward, who previously he had +but “lightly esteemed,” but that gentleman had then +accepted some preferment which prevented him from acceding to the +offer. Mr. Cadogan divided his time between Chelsea and +Reading; but finding his labours in both places too arduous, he +let the rectory-house, and left Chelsea in charge of the Rev. Mr. +Middleton, his curate, except at the season of Lent, and of the +Sacrament, on which occasions the church was crowded. Mr. +Cadogan was seized at Reading on a Thursday evening, after his +lecture, with an inflammation of the bowels, and departed this +life on the following Tuesday, expressing with his lips that +which was his “glorious theme, the unbounded love of +Christ.” He died in 1797, aged 46.</p> +<p>A monument, designed by Bacon, is erected in the church at +Reading. Beneath the inscription are the crosier or +pastoral staff; the rod of Aaron, which budded and yielded +almonds; and the book mentioned in the Revelations, as sealed +with seven seals.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Rev. Charles Sturges was presented to this rectory in +1797. Respectful mention is made of him in Mrs. +Trimmer’s publication on the Sunday Schools of Old +Brentford. He has a copy of Latin verses in the Musæ +Etonenses, and another in the Academiæ Cantabrigiensis +Luctus, on the death of George II. <a +name="page22"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 22</span>The sudden +death of Mr. Sturges was another verification of that passage in +our Burial Service, “In the midst of life we are in +death,” &c., which he had read many times at the graves +of the parishioners. He expired on the 22nd of April, 1805, +after only half an hour’s illness, from an apoplectic +seizure, immediately before the hour of dinner, at the rectory of +Loddington, Northamptonshire, and his remains were interred in +the chancel of that church.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Hon. and Rev. Gerald Valerian Wellesley, D.D., succeeded +Mr. Sturgess. A notice of him will be found in the account +of the New Parish Church.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>The Rev. R. H. Davies, M.A., who had been previously senior +curate of the new Parish Church, succeeded the Rev. John Rush +when he died in 1855, as Incumbent of the Old Church. +Through his exertions and instrumentality, a small vestry, or +robing room, has been attached to the church. The great +inconvenience and injury to the Minister’s health, arising +from his having to walk across the churchyard in his robes, and +also to change them, especially in the winter months, had been +sadly experienced and justly complained of by almost every +officiating clergyman in my recollection. Very considerable +alterations and great improvements have likewise been made in the +interior of the church, during the fourteen years that Mr. Davies +has been the Incumbent, without interfering greatly with its +ancient architecture. Perhaps the best way to convey an +adequate idea of what has been accomplished will be to give an +account of the expenses, taken from a Report recently +published.</p> +<table> +<tr> +<td><p>The New Gallery</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">£395</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">11</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Re-pewing</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">420</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">13</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">6</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>New Stoves, &c.</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">44</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">15</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Iron Railing</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">65</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Ventilators</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">32</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">18</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">9</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>East Window</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">83</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">18</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">7</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Reading Desk</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">5</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">3</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">6</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>New Vestry, &c</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">94</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">14</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">3</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Corona in Chancel</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">12</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Alterations to Organ</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">60</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p><a name="page23"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 23</span>A great +part of the cost of these extensive and essential alterations was +contributed by the Trustees for building the new St. Luke’s +Church; a very large portion by the liberal contributions of the +congregation, and a part also by the Rev. Mr. Davies’s own +friends not connected with the church, and others to whom he +applied. The schools, as will be seen, have been greatly +benefitted, and various charitable societies established, by +which means vast blessings have been conferred on the poor in the +neighbourhood.</p> +<h3>PETYT’S SCHOOL ROOM AND VESTRY.</h3> +<p>In the year 1706, a Vestry Room and School Room, with +apartments for a master, were erected at the expense of W. Petyt, +Esq. <a name="citation23"></a><a href="#footnote23" +class="citation">[23]</a> There is a descriptive +inscription upon the west front of the school room, which records +the donation, at the conclusion of which it is added, “To +all which may God give a blessing. Soli Deo +Gloria.” The original deed of gift is entered in the +Vestry minutes. Mr. Petyt resided in Church (lane) Street, +and died there in 1707, aged 71, but was buried in the Temple +Church. He was a member of the Inner Temple, and Keeper of +the Records in the Tower of London.</p> +<p>In 1819 there were 100 boys and girls educated and clothed +free of any expense to their parents. The girls at that +period were instructed in a house rented in Lordship’s +Place, near Cheyne Row. These schools, with the master and +mistress, were transferred to the new School Rooms, at the back +of the present Parish Church.</p> +<p>The Rev. Mr. Davies recently appealed to the Vestry for a +grant of £100 to make considerable repairs in this old +building, it being in a most dilapidated condition (the ground +floor, which was the Vestry Room, was for some time previously +used as a fire-engine station), and the one school room +altogether inadequate for the proper accommodation of the +children of the district, promising himself to be answerable for +the deficiency in the amount of the expenditure. The +Vestry, in consideration <a name="page24"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 24</span>of its having been bequeathed to the +parish, complied with the request. Mr. Davies likewise +obtained for the same laudable object a grant of £20 from +the Ragged School Union, the congregation generously contributing +the remaining sum required to put the building in thorough +repair. The entire cost was rather more than +£279. There are now three good school-rooms instead +of one, as was formerly the case, and consequently the number of +children attending the schools has been greatly augmented.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>It may here be mentioned that the “watchhouse,” +and the “stocks” for vagrants, formerly stood close +to the river, opposite the church.</p> +<h3>History of the Manor.<br /> +<span class="GutSmall">ROYAL AND DISTINGUISHED +RESIDENTS.</span></h3> +<p><span class="smcap">Blackstone</span>, in his +“Commentaries,” says that manors are, in substance, +as ancient as the Saxon Constitution. The manor of +Chilchell, or Chelcheya (Chelsea), was given it appears, in the +reign of Edward the Confessor to the Abbot and Convent of +Westminster, by Thurstan, the governor of the king’s +palace, who held it of him. This gift was confirmed by a +charter, which transfers the manor, with all its rights and +appurtenances, as fully as it was held by Thurstan: +“besides, together with this manor, as a free gift, every +third tree, and every third horse load of fruits grown in the +neighbouring wood at Kyngesbyrig” (now called +Knightsbridge). This charter, which is in the Saxon +language, is still preserved in the British Museum. It is +sealed with a waxen seal, suspended by a silken string, after the +Norman fashion, in the front of which are the effigies of the +king, holding in his right hand a cross, and in his left a globe; +on the reverse is the same image, holding in his right hand a +spear surmounted by a dove, and bearing in his left a sword, with +this inscription on both sides, “The seal of Edward King of +England.”</p> +<p>King William, by a charter dated at Westminster, confirmed the +land to the Monastery of Westminster.</p> +<p><a name="page25"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 25</span>The +Record of Domesday Book, to which we are so greatly indebted, was +begun in 1080, and completed in 1086. In it is mentioned +the lands in Chelsea, then in possession of the Church of +Westminster.</p> +<p>The general description given of menial persons, including +those in the manor of Chelsea, at the period when the survey of +the land belonging to the lords, or great landowners, was taken, +shows the lamentable state of thousands of our +fellow-creatures. Slaves were allowed nothing but +subsistence and clothes, and were distinguished from freemen by a +peculiar dress. Long hair was a mark of dignity and +freedom; for that reason, slaves, (menial persons,) were obliged +to shave their heads, by which they were reminded of their +inferiority of condition. At length Henry VIII. granted +manumission to two of his slaves and their families, for which he +assigned this just reason: “God at first created all men +equally free by nature, but many had been reduced to slavery by +the laws of men. We believe it, therefore, to be a pious +act, and meritorious in the sight of God, to set certain of our +slaves at liberty from their bondage.” The granting +of leases, which afterwards followed, almost completely +emancipated the “villain-slave,” so that at the time +of Elizabeth, scarcely any person existed to whom the former laws +applied.</p> +<p>Gervace, abbot of Westminster, aliened the manor of +Chelchithe, to his mother Dameta and her heirs. Afterwards +it was held by the heirs of Bartholomew de Fontibus.</p> +<p>Several court rolls of this manor, during the reigns of King +Edward III. and Richard II. are among the records of the Dean and +Chapter of Westminster.</p> +<p>A brewer, of the name of North, was presented at one of these +courts for not putting up a sign as was customary; and at another +the wife of Philip Rose was fined 6<i>d.</i> for being a common +babbler.</p> +<p>Simon Bayle appears to have been lessee of the manor house, 33 +Hen. VI., and from that period there is a total deficiency of +records till the reign of Henry VII.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Sir Reginald Bray was now in possession of the manor. He +was Receiver General to Sir Henry Stafford, a younger son of the +Duke of Buckingham, who married the widow of the Earl of +Richmond, and mother of Henry VII. There are many +interesting historical particulars respecting Sir Reginald +Bray. He was buried in the chapel of St. George, +Windsor.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>From Sir Reginald Bray the manor descended to Margaret, only +child of his next brother, John, who married Sir William <a +name="page26"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 26</span>Sandys, +created afterwards Lord Sands. He was one of those peers +who subscribed the articles exhibited to Henry VIII. against +Cardinal Wolsey; and the next year was also one who signed the +declaration to the Pope, intimating the danger of losing his +supremacy, in case he did not comply with the king’s wishes +in regard to his divorce from Queen Catherine. He died in +1542.</p> +<p>There have been various surmises as to the correct definition +of “Sands End,” in Fulham parish, which immediately +adjoins Chelsea, and is called such for a short distance. I +venture to suggest the following explanation. Lord Sands, +being Lord of the Manor of Chelsea, his rights terminated at the +spot just mentioned, and to record this fact the people of Fulham +called it Sands End, signifying thereby that Lord Sands’s +jurisdiction and property ended there. Perhaps this idea is +not original, but I have never heard it thus explained, and +therefore I have given it.</p> +<p>This Lord Sands, a few years previous to his death, conveyed +to Henry VIII. the manor of Chelsea, with certain closes or land +situated at Kensal Green, near Wilsden, containing about +137¾ acres. <a name="citation26"></a><a href="#footnote26" +class="citation">[26]</a> In 1861 there were in that part +of Kensal which belongs to this parish 591 houses and 3223 +inhabitants. The number of houses has since increased, and +the present population may be estimated at 3500 persons. +There are a great many highly respectable residents, and a large +number of superior new houses are continually being erected in +the adjoining wealthy parishes, which will ultimately increase +the trade and value of property in the entire district. +There are also several new Churches and Chapels built within the +last few years in the neighbourhood. The Paddington Canal, +which passes through the detached parts of Chelsea and +Kensington, was opened with an aquatic procession on the 10th of +July, 1801, in the presence of a vast concourse of +spectators.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>“Henry VIII. was probably induced to possess this +manor,” says Mr. Faulkner, “from having observed, in +his frequent visits to Sir Thomas More, the pleasantness of the +situation on the banks of the Thames; and from the salubrity of +the air, deeming it a fit residence for his infant daughter, the +Princess Elizabeth, then between three and four years of +age. But, on his obtaining it, finding that the manor house +was ancient, and <a name="page27"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +27</span>at that time in possession of the Lawrence family, <a +name="citation27"></a><a href="#footnote27" +class="citation">[27]</a> he erected a new manor house on the +eastern side of Winchester House,” which stood on the site +of the river-side entrance to Oakley Street, Cheyne Walk. +It was “here the young Princess was nurtured, and it most +probably was her chief residence during her father’s +reign. In 1540, Sir Francis Bryan was made ‘Keeper of +Chelsey’ for life, by patent, 31 Hen. VIII.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>On the marriage of Henry with Catharine Parr, this manor was +assigned to that Queen as part of her jointure. Most +unfortunately for her future welfare, Catharine, after the +decease of the king, placed her affections upon the brother of +Jane Seymour, Thomas Lord Seymour, to whom she was subsequently +married. Whatever she might have dreaded from the temper of +her previous royal husband, was realized in the accumulated +injuries she received from Seymour, whose turbulent passions and +uncontrolled ambition led him to aspire to the hand of the +Princess Elizabeth, who then resided at Chelsea under the +Queen’s care. She died at Sudeley Castle in 1548, not +without suspicion of poison.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>After the death of Catharine Parr, the manor was bestowed on +the Duke of Northumberland by Edward VI. On the accession +of Mary, the duke was impeached, attainted of high treason, and +beheaded in 1553.</p> +<p>Jane, Duchess of Northumberland, was a most singular instance +of the vicissitudes of fortune, having been the wife of one of +the greatest men of that age, she lived to see her husband lose +his head on a scaffold; to see one son share his father’s +fate, another die in a prison, and the rest of her children live +only by permission. Amidst this accumulated distress, which +was heightened by the confiscation of her property, she displayed +great firmness of mind, though left destitute of fortune and +friends, till the arrival of some of the Spanish nobility, who +interested themselves so warmly in her favour, that they +prevailed on the Queen to reinstate her in some of her former +possessions. She made a will, written with her own hand, +unassisted by the advice of any learned in the laws. +Amongst a variety of other bequests, she left to Sir Henry Sidney +the gold and green hangings in the manor house, “water +side, at <a name="page28"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +28</span>Chelsey.” “My will,” she says, +“is earnestly and effectually, that little solemnities be +made for me, for I had even have a thousand foldes my debts to be +paide, and the poore to be given unto, than anye pompe to be +shewed upon my wretched carkes; therefore to the wormes will I +goe, as I have afore wrytten in all poyntes, as you will answer +yt afore God; and you breke any one jot of it, your wills +hereafter may chaunce be as well broken.” +Notwithstanding the strict injunctions contained in her will, she +was buried with great funeral pomp, in February, 1535; two +heralds attending, with many mourners, six dozen of torches, and +two white branches, and “a canopy borne over her effigies +in wax, in a goodly hearse to the church of Chelsey.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Ann of Cleves, after her divorce from Henry VIII., appears to +have resided in this manor house, where, it is said, she died in +1557, and was buried in Westminster.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Queen Elizabeth, in 1559, leased this manor to Ann, Duchess of +Somerset, widow of the late Protector, for life. Her +Majesty afterwards granted the manor to John Stanhope, Esq., +vice-chamberlain of her household. On the accession of +James I. he was created Lord Stanhope, of Harrington.</p> +<p>After several families had held the manor, we find it in +possession of the Cheyne family.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Charles Cheyne, afterwards Viscount Newhaven, married Lady +Jane, eldest daughter and co-heir of William Duke of Newcastle, +with whom he obtained an immense fortune. This lady is +celebrated for her excellent endowments, which she exhibited in a +distinguished manner during the civil wars in the reign of +Charles I., in her keeping the garrisoned house of her father, +where she was left with one of her sisters, against the enemy, +till, overpowered by their force, she was made prisoner, but, by +the success of the royal arms, it was retaken. Her duty and +piety to her exiled father, in making repeated remittances, which +she effected by the sale of some rich jewels left her by her +grandmother, the Lady Ogle, after the vain efforts she had made +for his pardon, deserve to be remembered. Lord Cheyne, as +we learn from the inscription on Lady Jane’s monument, +purchased the manor of Chelsea with a part of the large dower she +brought him on his marriage. His lordship very highly +embellished the house and gardens, and they excited some +curiosity at the time. Mr. Evelyn, in his Diary, thus +notices <a name="page29"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +29</span>them: “I made my Lord Cheyney a visit at Chelsea, +and saw those ingenious water-works invented by Mr. Winstanley, +in which were some things very surprising and +extraordinary.” This Mr. Winstanley was the ingenious +architect who built the Eddystone Lighthouse, and perished in it +when blown down by the great storm in 1703. When Lord +Cheyne died in 1698, he was succeeded by William, his son and +successor.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Sir Hans Sloane, Bart., purchased the manor of William Lord +Cheyne, the second and last Viscount Newhaven, in the year +1712. Sir Hans was descended from a family originally of +Scotland, but settled in the north of Ireland, where he received +his first education. At that early age he evinced a very +strong inclination to study the works of Nature, which he pursued +with uncommon application through the rest of his life. +Being desirous of improving himself in the several branches of +physic, to the profession of which he was ardently devoted, he +came to London, and resided in a house adjoining to the +laboratory of Apothecaries’ Hall. Here Mr. Sloane +acquired a perfect knowledge of the preparations and uses of most +chemical medicines; and at the same time prosecuted his favourite +science of botany in the Apothecaries’ Gardens at +Chelsea. He ultimately became President of the Royal +College of Physicians, London, and associated and corresponded +with most of the eminent men of his day. He had been +previously Secretary to the Royal Society, which he held for 20 +years without any salary, and was the intimate friend of Sir +Isaac Newton. In the last sickness of Queen Anne he was +called in to her assistance, as one of her physicians, as he had +been on some former occasions. He was created a baronet by +George I., an honour which had never before been conferred upon +any physician in England. Upon purchasing the manor of +Chelsea, he gave a portion of the ground of his garden to the +Apothecaries’ Company, in order to perpetuate it for the +improvement of botanical knowledge, and to communicate to others +that instruction which he had himself received there. +Besides the donation of so large and valuable a piece of ground, +in a delightful situation on the banks of the Thames, and near +the metropolis, he contributed largely towards building the +stairs at the water-side gate, and an additional sum towards the +expenses of the garden. When Sir Isaac Newton died, Sir +Hans Sloane was chosen as President of the Royal Society, and +continued in that high office for fourteen successive +years. His decay was very gradual, and foretold that he +would one day “drop like a fruit fully ripe.” +He died in 1753, and was interred in the <a +name="page30"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 30</span>churchyard of +Chelsea, in the same vault with his lady. His funeral was +attended by many persons of distinction, and several Fellows of +the Royal Society. He has been styled “the father of +natural history in these realms.”</p> +<p>Sir Hans Sloane’s invaluable Museum, sold to the nation +at his decease for £20,000, being about a fourth of its +value, was the nucleus, and so far the first foundation, of the +British Museum. He bequeathed one moiety of the manor of +Chelsea to his daughter Sarah, the wife of George Stanley, Esq., +of Paultons, in Hampshire, and the remainder to his second +daughter, the lady of Charles Lord Cadogan, in which family the +property still remains. Hence the names of Cheyne Walk, +Hans Place, Sloane Street, Cadogan Place, Oakley Street, and +Paultons Square. The eldest son of Earl Cadogan takes his +father’s second title, Viscount Chelsea.</p> +<p>Mrs. Stanley, daughter of Sir Hans Sloane, left one son and +two daughters; Hans Stanley, Esq., the son, who died in 1780, and +bequeathed to his sisters, Anne, the wife of W. Ellis, Esq., +afterwards Lord Mendip, and Sarah, the wife of Christopher +D’Oyley, Esq., his moiety of this manor, with the reversion +to Lord Cadogan and his heirs.</p> +<h3>Sir Thomas More’s House.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">Sir Thomas More</span> purchased an estate +at Chelsea, about the year 1520, and built himself a house, as +Erasmus describes it, “neither mean nor subject to envy, +yet magnificent and commodious enough.” The site of +this house has been long disputed. The Rev. Dr. King, (who +is noticed amongst the rectors of the Old Church), in his +“Letter designed for Mr. Hearne,” relative to Sir +Thomas More’s house, and which is in the British Museum, +says, “As seven cities in Greece contended for the +birthplace of Homer, so there are no fewer than four houses in +this parish which lay claim to Sir Thomas More’s residence, +viz.: that which is now the Duke of Beaufort’s; that which +was lately Sir Joseph Alstone’s; that which was once Sir +Reginald Bray’s, and afterwards William Powell’s, +which is now built into several tenements; and that which was +lately Sir John Danvers’s, which is also now pulled down; +and on <a name="page31"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +31</span>part of the ground a small street is built, called +Danvers Street, and some other houses. Now of all these, in +my opinion, Beaufort House bids fairest to be the place where Sir +Thomas More’s stood.” He then proceeds to give +his reasons for arriving at this conclusion, which, when +considered in connection with the statements of other writers on +the subject, clearly establishes the correctness of Dr. +King’s opinion. Sir Thomas More’s house, +therefore, we will conclude stood almost on the site of what is +now called Beaufort Street, facing Battersea Bridge. After +his death, however, very considerable alterations and additions +were made by succeeding occupants, both in regard to the house +and grounds attached to it. The house, in its altered +state, was pulled down about 140 years ago.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Erasmus gives a pleasing description of the manner of +More’s living with his wife and family at Chelsea. +“There he conversed with his wife,” says he, +“his son, his daughter-in-law, his three daughters and +their husbands, with eleven grand-children. There is not a +man living so affectionate to his children as he; he loveth his +old wife as well as if she was a young maid.” Fox, in +his Martyrology, however, throws a sad blast over the character +of More. He states that More used to bind heretics to a +tree in his garden, called “The Tree of Troth,” but +this was denied by More himself. Henry VIII., to whom he +owed his rise and fall, frequently came to Chelsea to visit +him. Sometimes the king would ascend to the house-top with +him to observe the stars and converse on astronomy. Amongst +the illustrious foreigners entertained and patronised by Sir +Thomas More, may be mentioned Hans Holbein, a celebrated painter, +who lived with him for nearly three years painting portraits of +him, his relations, and friends. It is generally admitted +that he had a house in Chelsea for aged people, whom he daily +relieved.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>More delighted in telling the following “merrie +story,” as he termed it:—A friar while preaching +“spyed a poore wyfe of the paryshe whysperyng to her +pew-fellow, and he fallyng angry thereto, cryde out unto her +aloude, ‘Hold thy babble, I byd thee, thou wyfe in the red +hood!’” He regularly attended Chelsea Church, +and very often assisted at the celebration of Mass, and at times +he would put on a surplice and join the quire.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The pathetic story of More’s wit was never so touchingly +illustrated as on the day after he resigned the Great Seal. +He went to Chelsea Church as usual with his wife and family, none +<a name="page32"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 32</span>of whom he +had yet informed of his resignation. During the service, as +was his custom, he sat in the choir, in a surplice. After +service it was the custom for one of his attendants to go to her +ladyship’s pew, and say, “My Lord is gone +before.” But this day the Ex-Chancellor came himself, +and making a low bow, said, “Madam, my Lord is +gone.” Then, on their way home, to her great +mortification, he unriddled his mournful pleasantry by telling +her his lordship was gone, in the loss of his official +dignities.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Sir Thomas had four children, three daughters and one son; the +latter was the youngest. His first wife wished very much +for a boy; at last she brought this son, who proved to be of +slender capacity; upon which he said to her, “You have +prayed so long for a boy, that now you have got one that will be +a boy as long as he lives.” The good lady walked away +from him.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>By indefatigable application, More cleared the Court of +Chancery of all its causes. One day, having ended a cause, +he called for the next, and was told there was “no other +depending in the Court.” He was delighted to hear it, +and ordered it to be inserted on the records of the Court. +It gave rise to the following epigram, not the worst in the +English language:—</p> +<blockquote><p>“When More some time had Chancellor been<br +/> + No More suits did remain;<br /> +The same shall never More be seen<br /> + Till More be there again.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>The pitiful story of More’s daughter, Margaret, parting +with her beloved father, on the morning of his cruel execution, +is truly affecting. She followed him to the +scaffold—embraced him, implored his blessing, wept upon his +cheek, bidding him in anguish adieu. A second time she went +forward to him, clung round his neck and kissed him, when at +last, notwithstanding his apparent gravity, tears fell from his +eyes * * * and soon afterwards she was severed from him for +ever! It appears that his original intention to be interred +in the Old Church, was unhappily not fulfilled. Dr. King +states that “his body was buried in the chapel of St. +Peter, in the Tower, and his head, after some months, was bought +by his daughter, Margaret, and taken down from London Bridge, +where it was fixed upon a pole, and was buried,” probably +as stated, in St. Dunstan’s, near Canterbury. Aubery, +however, asserts that “after he was beheaded, his trunke +was interred in Chelsey Church, near the <a +name="page33"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 33</span>middle of the +south wall, where was some slight monument erected, which being +worne by time, Sir John Lawrence, of Chelsey, at his own proper +costs and chardges, built to his memorie a handsome one, with +inscription, of marble.” This statement, as regards +the interment of Sir Thomas More’s body, does not accord +with the opinion of most other writers on the subject.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>After the death of More, his mansion was granted in the 28th +of Henry VIII. to Sir William Paulet, afterwards Marquis of +Winchester, to whom Edward VI. granted in fee both that and all +other premises in Chelsea and Kensington, forfeited by his +attainder.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Marquis of Winchester, who was so much of a courtier as to +accommodate himself to princes as well as to subjects of very +different characters, was, from his natural and acquired +abilities, perfectly qualified to act with propriety in the +highest offices of the state. In the reign of Edward VI. he +was made Lord High Treasurer of England. It is said that by +his councils, in a great measure, the Duke of +Northumberland’s design of setting the Lady Jane Grey on +the throne was prevented; for which good office of loyalty to +them, the Queens, Mary and Elizabeth, continued him in the +Treasurer’s Office, which he enjoyed for thirty years; and +on being asked how he preserved himself in that place through so +many changes of government, he answered, “By being a +willow, and not an oak.” He died in 1572, aged 97 +years. The marquis greatly enlarged and improved the house, +and, according to Norden, “adorned Chelsea with stately +buildings.” His eldest son, John, second Marquis of +Winchester, died at Chelsea in 1576. The widow of the first +marquis died in 1586.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Gregory, Lord Dacre, soon afterwards had possession of Sir +Thomas More’s house. He was the son of Thomas Fynes +Lord Dacre, who succeeded his grandfather in the 26th of Henry +VIII.; and who, in 1541, was engaged with some other persons in +chasing the deer in Sir Nicholas Pelham’s park, when a fray +arising between them and the keepers, in which one of the latter +was killed, he was found guilty of being accessary to the murder, +and suffered death accordingly; but his children were restored to +their honours in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Gregory, +Lord Dacre, died at Chelsea in 1594, without issue; and his +sister Margaret, the wife of Samuel Lennard, Esq., claimed the +barony, and was allowed it in the second of James I.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page34"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 34</span>Lady +Dacre survived her husband but a few months, and bequeathed her +house at Chelsea, with all its appurtenances, to the great Lord +Burleigh, with remainder to his son Robert, afterwards Earl of +Salisbury, and Lord High Treasurer. “I have +seen,” says Lysons, “among the records at the Rolls +Chapel, a pardon of alienation to Sir Robert Cecil, dated June +21, 39th Elizabeth, for acquiring these premises of Thomas Lord +Buckhurst.” This distinguished nobleman, afterwards +Earl of Dorset, was brother to Lady Dacre, and resided frequently +with his sister at Chelsea, but it is not known whether he had +any interest in the estate.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Earl of Salisbury is supposed to have rebuilt Sir Thomas +More’s house, as the initials of his name were to be seen +on the pipes and in several of the rooms.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Henry Clinton, Earl of Lincoln, bought the house of the Earl +of Salisbury, and probably came immediately to reside in it, as +there are some entries respecting his family in the Parish +Register in the beginning of the year 1609. By his first +wife, Lady C. Hastings, daughter of Francis, Earl of Huntingdon, +he had two sons, Thomas, his successor in the title, and Edward; +and by his second wife, widow of W. Norris, Esq., he had a +daughter, Elizabeth, who married Sir Arthur Gorges, and also two +sons, Henry and Robert. The latter died in 1609, and was +buried at Chelsea.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Sir Arthur Gorges, on the death of Henry, Earl of Lincoln, +became the possessor of the house, and he and Lady Elizabeth, his +wife, in consideration of £4300, sold it to Sir Lionel +Cranfield, afterwards created Earl of Middlesex. It was +described as the “greatest house at Chelsea, with two fore +great courts adjoining, environed with brick walls, also a wharf +(landing-place for a pleasure boat, &c.) lying in front, +having a high brick tower on the east and west ends, and a high +water tower, standing upon the west corner of the wharf, and the +watercourse belonging thereto. An orchard, a garden, having +a peryment standing up in the middle, and a terrace on the north +end thereof, with a banquetting house at the east end of the +terrace, having a marble table in it. A great garden, +dovecote close, containing five acres, the kitchen garden, +brick-barne close, containing ten acres.” Lord +Middlesex held the mansion till 1625, when he sold it to Charles +I., who, in 1627, granted the said house, &c., to the Duke of +Buckingham.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page35"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 35</span>George +Villiers, first Duke of Buckingham, the son of Sir George +Villiers, was born in 1592. By the elegance of his person, +and the courtliness of his address, he gained as great an +ascendance over King James as the favourite of any other prince +is known to have done by a long course of assiduity and +insinuation. The Earl of Clarendon says, that the duke +“was of a most flowing courtesy and affability to all men +who made any address to him, and so desirous to oblige them, that +he did not enough consider the value of the obligation, or the +merit of the person he chose to oblige; from which much of his +misfortune resulted.” He married Lady Catherine +Manners, the daughter of Francis, Earl of Rutland, by whom he had +three sons and a daughter; he was assassinated at Portsmouth in +1628, by one Felton. The eldest son, George, who succeeded +him in his title and estates, being very young at the time of his +father’s murder, was sent to travel during the civil wars; +and returning to England whilst Charles I. was under restraint, +he and his brother, Lord Francis Villiers, thought themselves +obliged to venture their lives and fortunes for the king at the +first opportunity. Soon after, the Parliament voted that he +should be proceeded against as a traitor, and that his estates +should be sequestered.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Sir Thomas More’s house, for such it ought still to be +considered, notwithstanding the great alterations made in it, was +now known as Buckingham House, in consequence of its having been +granted to the first Duke of Buckingham. It appears by the +following extract from a periodical paper after that duke’s +death, to have been in possession of his daughter Mary, who +married James, Duke of Richmond and Lenox: “The Duchess of +Lenox, daughter of the Duke of Buckingham, being then at Oxford, +petitioned the Lords for leave to come to London, or to her house +at Chelsey, to be under Dr. Mayerne’s hands for her health; +a pass was ordered for her, and the concurrence of the Commons +desired.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Buckingham House, in 1649, having been seized by the +Parliament, was committed to the custody of John Lisle, one of +the Commissioners of the Great Seal. This gentleman’s +own estates were afterwards confiscated, and he then retired to +the continent. He was shot by some unknown person as he was +going to church at Lausanne. A short time after the house +was granted to Sir Bulstrode Whitlock, who resided with his +family at Chelsea for some years.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page36"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 36</span>Sir +Bulstrode Whitlock was the son of a Judge of the Court of +King’s Bench; he wrote a memorial of English affairs from +the latter part of the reign of Charles I. to the +Restoration.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>George, the second Duke of Buckingham, soon after the +Restoration, recovered his father’s estates, and was the +possessor of this house for a few years, but was soon obliged to +dispose of it for the benefit of his creditors.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Dryden, in his poem of Absalom and Achitophel, has drawn the +following portrait of this nobleman in the character of +Zimri:—</p> +<blockquote><p>“A man so various, that he seemed to be<br +/> +Not one, but all mankind’s epitome:<br /> +Stiff in opinions, always in the wrong,<br /> +He’s every thing by starts, and nothing long;<br /> +But in the course of one revolving moon,<br /> +Was Chymist, Fidler, Statesman, and Buffoon.<br /> +In squandering wealth, was his peculiar art,<br /> +Nothing went unrewarded but desert.<br /> +Beggar’d by fools, when still he found, too late<br /> +He had his jest, and they had his estate.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>James Plummer, one of the Duke of Buckingham’s principal +creditors, was the person in whose name this house was aliened in +1674, in trust, for George, Earl of Bristol, who is said to have +died at Chelsea, and to have been buried in the church, but there +is no memorial of him, or entry of his interment in the Parish +Register.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>George Digby, Earl of Bristol, was born in 1612, and was +educated at Oxford; he soon became distinguished by his +remarkable advancement in all kinds of elegant literature. +In the beginning of the Long Parliament he was disaffected to the +Court; shortly afterwards he appeared a declared enemy to the +Parliament; and having testified his dislike of their proceedings +against Lord Strafford, he was expelled the House of Commons in +1641. Upon the death of the king his lordship was exempted +from pardon by the Parliament, and obliged to live in exile till +the restoration of Charles II., when he recovered all he had +lost; he grew very active in public affairs, spoke frequently in +Parliament, and made himself conspicuous for his enmity to Lord +Clarendon. Lord Bristol died in 1677, “neither loved +nor regretted by any party.” The house at Chelsea he +bequeathed to his Countess, Lady Ann Russell, <a +name="page37"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 37</span>daughter of +Francis, Earl of Bedford, who sold it in 1682, to the Marquis of +Worcester, created Duke of Beaufort, and who died in 1699.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The name of the house was now changed to Beaufort House. +Mr. Evelyn, in his Diary, makes frequent mention of +it:—“I went with my Lady Sunderland to Chelsey +(1679), and dined with the Countess of Bristol (her mother) in +the great house, formerly the Duke of Buckingham’s, a +spacious and excellent place for the extent of ground and +situation, in a good air. The house is large, but +ill-contrived, though my Lord of Bristol expended much money upon +it. There were divers pictures of Titian and Vandyke, and +some of Bassans, very excellent, especially an Adonis and Venus, +a Duke of Venice, a Butcher in his shambles selling meat to a +Swiss, and of Van Dyck, my Lord of Bristol’s picture, with +the Earl of Bedford’s at length. There was in the +garden a rare collection of orange trees, of which she was +pleased to bestow some upon me.” Again, in 1683, Mr. +Evelyn says, “I went to see what had been done by the Duke +of Beaufort on his house at Chelsey; he had made great +alterations, but might have made a better house with the +materials and the cost he had been at.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Henry, second Duke of Beaufort, by his will, dated in 1712, +left all his estates, in trust, to be sold, and the produce +appropriated according to a settlement made at his +marriage. The house, however, continued to be the residence +of that noble family till about the year 1720. Mary, relict +of the first duke, died here in 1714, at the good old age of 85 +years.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>It may here be observed that Chelsea, not only in former +times, but at the present period, 1869, is admitted to be +generally a very healthy parish. This assertion is proved +by the weekly reports given to the Vestry by Dr. Barclay, the +medical officer of health, and which is confirmed by other +gentlemen of the medical profession. The reports read at +the meetings of the Chelsea Board of Guardians, also, shew that a +great many of the inmates of the workhouse live to a very +advanced age; and from peculiar facilities I possessed, many +years ago, I can positively assert that the number of aged +persons, who had for a long period been residents, was greater +than in most of the other suburban parishes.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Sir Hans Sloane, after the mansion had stood empty for several +years, purchased it in 1736, for the sum of £2,500 at a <a +name="page38"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 38</span>public sale, +and had it pulled down in 1740. The gate, which was built +by Inigo Jones for the Lord Treasurer Middlesex, he gave to the +Earl of Burlington, who removed it to his gardens at Chiswick, +which occasioned the following lines by <span +class="smcap">Pope</span>:—</p> +<blockquote><p style="text-align: center"><span +class="GutSmall">PASSENGER.</span></p> +<p>O Gate, how com’st thou here?</p> +<p style="text-align: center"><span +class="GutSmall">GATE.</span></p> +<p>I was brought from Chelsea last year,<br /> + Batter’d with wind and weather;<br /> + Inigo Jones put me together;<br /> + Sir Hans Sloane,<br /> + Let me alone,<br /> + Burlington brought me hither.</p> +</blockquote> +<p>This gate was placed in an avenue near the house at Chiswick, +and consisted of a portico, supported by two columns of the Doric +order on one side, and pilasters on the other. On two stone +tablets were inscribed: “Builded by Inigo Jones, at +Chelsea, <span class="GutSmall">MDCXXI</span>.” +“Given by Sir Hans Sloane, baronet, to the Earl of +Burlington, <span class="GutSmall">MDCCXXXVII</span>.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Bowack thus describes Beaufort House in 1705: “This +house is between two and three hundred feet in length, has a +stately ancient front towards the Thames, also two spacious court +yards, and behind it are very fine gardens. It is so +pleasantly situated, that the late Queen Mary had a great desire +to purchase it before King William built Kensington, but was +prevented by some secret obstacles.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Attached to the house was a chapel, which appears to have been +attended by a few of the inhabitants. In various marriage +licenses, granted in 1722, and in other years, persons were to be +married in the Parish Church, in the chapel of Chelsea College, +or the chapel of Beaufort House.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The above account of this celebrated mansion cannot fail to be +highly interesting to the generality of readers. Mr. +Faulkner has truly observed, “that few houses can boast of +having been the residence of such a succession of noble and +distinguished characters.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page39"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +39</span>Beaufort (row) Street, which was begun to be built about +1766, takes its name from the Duke of Beaufort. A portion +of his vast estate was the property of Mr. Long, a very old and +respected parishioner, partly leasehold, under Earl Cadogan, and +some of it, if not all, is still held by that family.</p> +<h3>Battersea Bridge, Sailing Matches, &c.</h3> +<p>To meet the tastes of all classes of readers, I shall +occasionally deviate from the prescribed order which it was my +original intention to have pursued; by doing so it will remove +the weariness that frequently arises, especially in works of this +description, from dwelling too long on one particular +subject. This motive, I trust, will be accepted as an +apology for apparent digressions.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>There was formerly a Ferry a little eastward of the spot where +now stands Battersea Bridge, and consequently not far distant +from the distinguished mansion just described. It belonged +to Thomas, Earl of Lincoln, who sold it in 1618 to William +Blake. After some time it became the property of Sir Walter +St. John, and passed with the Bolingbroke estate to Earl Spencer, +under whom it was held in 1766, when an Act of Parliament was +obtained for building a bridge over the Thames, from Chelsea to +Battersea, and empowering Lord Spencer to build the same. +Fifteen proprietors having subscribed a sum of money each, it was +accordingly begun in 1771, was opened for foot-passengers in the +same year, and in the following year was ready for +carriages. From 1772, when the bridge was finally erected, +to the present time, 1869, is exactly 97 years, and this is the +precise age of it. It is a most unsightly structure of +wood, about one furlong in length, 28 ft. wide, and its cost +rather more than £20,000. The proprietors have a vote +for the counties of Middlesex and Surrey.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Lamps were first placed on the bridge in 1799, and in 1821 and +1822 an iron railing 4-ft. high, on the western side, was +substituted for the original wooden railing, and in 1824, the +eastern <a name="page40"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +40</span>side was completed. So far apart were the original +wooden railings, which were placed crossways, that the body of a +child might have passed through them, and, if not observed, no +person cognizant of the fatal accident. There were also, at +the above period, eight projecting recesses, four on each side, +constructed for the safety of foot-passengers, and a slightly +raised pathway made.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The number of lives that have been sacrificed at this bridge, +together with the barges sunken at it, even within the last few +years, is really painful to contemplate. It is a sad +contrast, in every respect, to the elegant structures that now +span the river, and it is to be hoped there will soon be erected +another one in its place—one that will be an ornament to +Chelsea, Battersea, and the metropolis.</p> +<h3>HYDE PARK ON THE THAMES.</h3> +<p>That part of the river, known as Chelsea Reach, was so +fashionable a rendezvous of pleasure boats and barges in the +reign of Charles II. that some persons have described the scene +as being a sort of Pall Mall Afloat, and it was called +“Hyde Park on the Thames,” in that king’s +reign. The reach is the widest of any part westward of +London Bridge, which rendered it peculiarly suitable for such +grand aquatic displays. There were dukes and duchesses, +marquises, earls, and barons, with a similar fashionable throng +to that which may still be witnessed in Hyde Park. The +watermen were arrayed in dresses of all colours, and the whole +presented a scene of grandeur which cannot be adequately +described.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Fishing, at the above period, was carried on to a very +considerable extent at Chelsea; but, owing to the fishermen using +unlawful nets, and other causes, it fell into decay, and, +finally, proved an unprofitable speculation. In my earlier +days two or three fishermen earned a scanty living by selling the +fish they caught, and a few lovers of angling also occasionally +“pulled up” some very fine roach and dace, in the +prime season, at Battersea Bridge.</p> +<h3><a name="page41"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +41</span>SAILING MATCHES.</h3> +<p>The river at Chelsea, some years since, presented in the +summer season a very animating and pleasing scene. The +sailing matches attracted numbers from London, and excited great +interest amongst the inhabitants. As aged men, however, are +said to see nothing now equal to “the days when they were +young,”—and lest it should be thought I was +magnifying the scene, making the sailing matches of former days +something like, for excitement and enthusiasm, the present +renowned Oxford and Cambridge Boat Races—I will endeavour +to avoid the possibility of being charged with giving an +exaggerated description of them. But, seriously speaking, +it may be said, with truth, that Cheyne Walk and Battersea +Bridge, on such occasions, were crowded with many of the +nobility, and a vast number of ladies and gentlemen, either in +carriages or on horseback. The fleet of sailing boats, with +the little <i>Spitfire</i> generally ahead, and “Tom +Bettsworth,” <a name="citation41"></a><a href="#footnote41" +class="citation">[41]</a> the owner, on board, when seen at a +short distance approaching Chelsea, with the sun shining on the +white canvas sails, and other pleasure boats decorated with +flags, in many of which were musicians playing various lively +popular tunes, presented a sort of miniature resemblance to those +delightful spectacles which are now only to be seen off Erith, +&c. The steamboats have rendered such displays +impracticable for some years past at Chelsea, and pleasures of +this kind must give way to the transactions of business and +public convenience. Commodore Capt. Harrison, a +distinguished member of one of the first Yacht Clubs, took a +great interest in the Chelsea Sailing Matches. He resided +in the parish, and was highly esteemed for his conviviality and +gentlemanly deportment. His remains were interred in the +Brompton Cemetery.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>I will now renew the notices of distinguished residents in +this part of the parish, occasionally giving a short description +of new public erections, and other interesting particulars.</p> +<p><a name="page42"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 42</span>Henry +Sampson Woodfall, Esq., was born in Little Britain, in 1739, and +when he retired from the active affairs of life, he took a house +in Lombard Street, near the Old Church. At a very early age +he had the honour of receiving from Mr. Pope half-a-crown for +reading to him, with much fluency, a page of Homer. When +twelve years old he was sent to St. Paul’s School, on +leaving which he was apprenticed to his father, a printer in +Paternoster Row; and at the age of nineteen he had committed to +his charge the whole business of editing and printing the +“Public Advertiser.” From this period till the +beginning of 1793, he continued constantly in the exercise of +this laborious function. During so long a time, when +parties ran extremely high in politics, it is not surprising that +a printer should have gotten into some difficulties. He +used jocularly to say to his Chelsea friends that he had been +fined and confined by the Court of King’s Bench; fined by +the House of Lords and Commons, and indicted at the Old +Bailey. He laid particular emphasis on the words +“fined” and “confined.” His conduct +respecting those celebrated letters, signed <span +class="smcap">Junius</span>, displayed great integrity and +disinterestedness of character. He associated much with +Garrick, Coleman, Bonnel, Thornton, Smollett, Goldsmith, and +other wits of his day, and his own conversation overflowed with +interesting anecdotes.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In this street resided for many years Mr. W. Lewis, +bookbinder, the intimate friend of Dr. Smollett, and his fellow +companion, on their journey from Edinburgh to London. It +was by the advice of Smollett that he settled at Chelsea; he is +pourtrayed in the novel of “Roderick Random,” under +the character of Strap the Barber, and many facetious anecdotes +are there related of his simplicity, vanity, and ignorance of the +world. Mr. Lewis died about 1785.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Danvers Street was begun to be built in the latter end of the +17th century, on the site of Danvers Gardens, and from thence +takes its name. Danvers House adjoined Sir Thomas +More’s estate, if it was not actually a part of his +property, or that of his son in-law, Roper; there existed +anciently a thoroughfare or private way between the houses in +Lombard Street, on the north side, towards the King’s Road, +but to what extent cannot now be ascertained.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Sir John Danvers, who possessed this property as early as the +reign of Elizabeth, was the younger brother of Sir H. Danvers, +created Earl of Danby in 1625, and by reason of his noble <a +name="page43"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 43</span>birth was +made Gentleman Usher to King Charles the First. In this +promotion, having more pride than wit, he lived above his income, +and finding himself plunged deeply in debt, and discarded by his +family and his Sovereign for associating with the seditious, and +propagating their principles about the Court, he, with hopes of +gain, and of protection from his creditors, joined the rebels, +always embraced the religion of the prevailing party, and at last +submitted to that base office, to assist with his presence in the +mock court of justice, and, with his hand and seal to the warrant +annexed, to take away the life of that king whose bread he had +eaten; being induced thereto (as a writer of that period states) +chiefly through an expectation of ousting his brother, and +seizing upon his estate for his own use, by the same authority +and power as so unjustly cut off his Majesty’s head. +He died a natural death in 1659, before the restoration.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Sir John married Magdalen, daughter of Sir Richard Newport, +and relict of Sir Richard Herbert, by whom she was mother of the +famous Lord Herbert of Cherbury.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>After the death of her first husband this lady continued a +widow twelve years, and was highly esteemed for her great and +harmless wit, cheerful gravity, and obliging behaviour, which +gained her an acquaintance and friendship with most people of +eminent worth or learning in the University of Oxford, where she +lived four years, to take care of the education of her eldest +son, her children being all young at the death of their +father. She died in 1627, and was buried at Chelsea. +The Dean of St. Paul’s, whilst preaching her funeral +sermon, could not refrain from tears, as Walton reports, who was +present.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Danvers House passed from the Danvers family to the Hon. T. +Wharton, who, by Queen Anne, in 1714, was created Marquis of +Wharton. The house was pulled down about 1716. The +garden and grounds extended to the King’s Road; +considerable remains of this house were discovered on the site of +Paultons Square in 1822, consisting of the foundations of walls, +the remains of the great bath, and various fragments of stone +pillars and capitals, the whole covering a great space of land, +but being considered by the proprietor, Mr. Shepherd, nurseryman, +too extensive to take up, they were again covered with +earth. It was Sir John Danvers who first introduced into +this country the Italian method of horticulture, of which his +garden was a most beautiful specimen. Against the wall of +the house at the south <a name="page44"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 44</span>end of Danvers Street, is placed a +stone thus inscribed:—“This is Danvers Street, begun +in ye year 1696 by Benjamin Stafford.” In 1742 this +was a public house, the sign of the Bell, which was suspended +across the street. The house at the south-west corner was +also, it is said, formerly a public house, known by the sign of +the Angel.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Duke Street, as already indirectly intimated, was first built +at the time when the Duke of Buckingham resided at the +“greatest house in Chelsea,” and was thus named in +compliment to that nobleman. There is nothing clearly known +as to the origin of Lombard Street.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Luke Thomas Flood, Esq., first resided in Cheyne Walk, but +afterwards removed to the spacious house at the western corner of +Beaufort Street, fronting the river. He was a very great +benefactor to the parish, an active and intelligent magistrate, +and interested himself in promoting at all times whatever was +conducive to the welfare and improvement of Chelsea. He was +treasurer of the Parish Schools for many years, and, in 1818, +through his indefatigable exertions, he succeeded in nearly +doubling the number of children that had attended them, and who +were clothed and educated free of expense to their parents. +Towards the close of his life he went to Brighton, where he +remained till his death, which occurred about 1860. His +munificent annual gifts to the poor of this parish, as bequeathed +in his will, but which he desired to be at once carried into +effect, during his remaining days, will cause his memory to be +revered in this parish by all future generations. Mr. Flood +possessed some valuable pictures by the most eminent Masters.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Charles Hatchett, Esq., resided in the adjoining house, known +as Belle Vue House. It was built by his father, in +1771. In it was a small but choice collection of pictures, +amongst which were two landscapes, by Salvator Rosa; a Madonna +and Child, by Andrea del Sarto; a beautiful small landscape, by +Van Goen; another by Ferg, and a large one by George Barrett, +R.A., with cattle, by the elder Mr. Gilpin. A very +excellent portrait of Mrs. Hatchett, by Gainsborough; and a +picture, supposed to be by Giovanni Bellini, the subject “a +Dead Christ and Holy Family.” The library was very +extensive, containing many valuable editions of the Greek and +Latin Classics, a numerous series of historical works, and the +voluminous Transactions and Memoirs of the Royal Society. +The collection of manuscript <a name="page45"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 45</span>and printed music was also very +considerable. Mr. Hatchett was the author of several works +on chemical science, and was a magistrate for the county. +He contributed to most of the local charities, and as a private +gentleman was much respected. He died in 1846, at an +advanced age.</p> +<h3>Lindsey House, the Moravians, &c.</h3> +<p>This ancient mansion stands also in front of the river, and +adjoined Sir Thomas More’s. It was erected by the +Earl of Lindsey, in the reign of Charles II., on the site of a +house originally built by Sir Theodore Mayerne, an eminent +physician, and the only instance on record of a physician who was +retained in that character by four kings. He lived many +years in Chelsea, and died here at the age of 82. At his +death, Robert, Earl of Lindsey, purchased the house, which he +pulled down, and erected the present edifice; it has, however, +undergone great alterations by subsequent proprietors, and is now +divided into five houses. The Earl of Lindsey died in 1701, +but his widow resided here till 1705. In the same year +Lindsey House was occupied by Ursula, Countess Dowager of +Plymouth, and by her son, Lord Windsor. It was afterwards +in the possession of Francis, Lord Conway, the second son of Sir +E. Seymour, who was created a peer in 1703. By his third +wife, Charlotte, sister to Lady Walpole, he had Francis, Marquis +of Hertford, who was born at Chelsea in 1718. The house +continued in the Ancaster family till 1750, when it was purchased +for the Moravian Society.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Count Zinzendorf, who was the purchaser, formed an intention +of establishing a settlement at Chelsea for the Moravians, and +took a plot of ground to erect a large building for the reception +of three hundred families, to carry on a manufactory; and, +besides possessing Lindsey House, he also purchased a piece of +ground, part of the gardens of Beaufort House, for a burial +ground, together with the stables belonging to that old mansion, +and likewise a slip of ground to erect a chapel. The chapel +was fitted up, but the settlement, which was to be called Sharon, +failed. The house was, however, inhabited by some of the <a +name="page46"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +46</span>society. Count Zinzendorf himself lived there, and +presided over the community as long as he dwelt in England. +In 1754 an English provincial Synod was held here, at which the +minister of the brethren’s church at London, John Gambold, +a divine greatly esteemed for his piety and learning by several +English bishops, who were his cotemporaries at Oxford, was +consecrated a bishop of the church of the brethren; he had +previously published a hymn book for the children belonging to +the brethren’s congregation, printed entirely with his own +hands at Lindsey House. The inmates of the house consisted +chiefly of Germans and missionaries, for whose use the Count +principally intended the establishment, that they might make it a +sort of caravansera or resting place when they arrived in this +country, in passing to or from their various missionary +establishments in the British dominions. The panels of the +great staircase, being wainscotted, were painted by Haidt, a +celebrated German artist; there were also in the house several +admirable portraits. The house was sold by the society in +1770. There has not been any other settlement for the +Moravians since that period. Their church is episcopal and +has been acknowledged as such by Parliament. They live, in +their settlements, like members of one large family; the most +perfect harmony prevails amongst them, and they seem to have but +one wish at heart, the propagation of the Gospel and the general +good of mankind.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Moravian Burial Ground, the entrance to which is at the +north end of Milman’s Row, occupies about two acres of +ground. The whole is divided into four distinct +compartments. The brethren are buried in separate divisions +from those of the sisters; for, as in their public assemblies, +they still adhere to the ancient custom of separating the sexes, +the men occupying one, and the women the other side of the +chapel, so they retain it even in their burying ground. The +tomb-stones are all flat, placed on turf, raised about six inches +above the ground, in regular rows. The inscriptions in +general record only the names and age of the persons +interred. Amongst them are the following:—</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>William Hammond, 1783, formerly a clergyman of the Church of +England; he was of St. John’s College, Cambridge, and was +the author of a book, entitled, “The Marrow of the +Gospel,” being the substance of some sermons preached +before the University. He was a man of considerable +learning, and <a name="page47"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +47</span>an excellent Greek scholar, in which language he wrote +his own life. The late Rev. Mr. La Trobe had the manuscript +in his possession some years ago.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>James Fraser, aged 63, 1808, who made fifty-six voyages +between England and Labrador, in the service of the Moravian +Missions on that coast.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>James Hutton, 1795, of whom there is an engraved portrait in +mezzotinto, with a trumpet to his ear. This worthy and +well-known character was accustomed to pay morning visits to some +of the first families in Chelsea; he used likewise to seek out +objects that were in distress, and relieved them according to +their necessities. The character of Albany, in Miss +Burney’s celebrated novel of Cecilia, is said to be meant +for his portrait. He died in the 80th year of his age.</p> +<p>The Rev. C. J. La Trobe succeeded him as secretary to the +brethren.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>James Gillray, 1799, forty years sexton at this cemetery, +father of Gillray the celebrated caricaturist, whose works are so +much admired for their spirit and effect.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Pætrus Bæhler, 1770. A very active Minister +among the Moravians, and one of their bishops. He came to +England in 1738, was very intimate with Wesley and Whitfield, +whom he visited at Oxford, and who were in the same ship with him +when he went to America as Minister of the Colony of Georgia.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Benjamin La Trobe, 1786, father of the Rev. C. J. La Trobe, a +man of distinguished excellence as a preacher, the editor of +several religious works, and for a long time superintendent of +the congregation in England. He removed many +“absurdities which prevailed in their religious +proceedings, and which had subjected the whole community to +unmerited scandal.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Christian Renatus, Count of Zinzendorf, May 28, 1832. +There is against the south wall of the chapel a tablet to his +memory. He was the only son of the celebrated Count +Zinzendorf.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mary Theresa Stonehouse, daughter of Sir John Crisp, Bart., +and wife of the Rev. George Stonehouse, 1751. This monument +is on the right of the preceding.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page48"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 48</span>In this +cemetery also lies buried an Esquimaux Indian, called +Nunak. As he had not been baptized, he was not permitted to +lie in the same division with the community, but was placed +outside the walk under an elm tree, having an inscription to his +memory in the same style as the rest of the Brethren.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The burial service of the church is particularly +impressive. The coffin being deposited in the middle of the +chapel, a hymn is sung by the congregation, for they value and +carefully cultivate music as a science, and the responses of +their liturgies are attended with peculiar effect. The +Minister then delivers a discourse, in which some account is +given of the deceased, with suitable exhortations. The form +of service contained in their Liturgy is next read, and the +congregation then follow the corpse, the men walking together, +and the women the same. A scriptural passage is read, +commencing as follows. “Meanwhile none of us liveth +to himself; for whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and +whether we die, we die unto the Lord,” &c. The +following is then sung by the congregation:—</p> +<blockquote><p>“Now to the earth let these remains<br /> + In hope committed be,<br /> +Until the body, chang’d, obtains<br /> + Blest immortality.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>While the above verse is being sung the body is let down into +the grave. A prayer is then offered, and the whole is +concluded by singing a verse of another hymn.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The chapel at the north side of the burial ground occupies the +site of the old stables of Beaufort House. It is a plain +building, displaying no architectural adornments, and it is now +upwards of fifty years since Divine service was performed in it +by the brethren. For a long time it has been occupied as a +schoolroom for the boys belonging to Park Chapel National and +Sunday Schools, and most of the annual meetings of the numerous +societies, which are supported by the congregation of Park +Chapel, are at present held in it.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The house adjoining the entrance to the Moravian Chapel and +Burial Ground, some few years since pulled down, was for many +years in the occupation of the Howard family, of the Society of +Friends. The elder Mr. Howard was gardener to Sir Hans +Sloane; his brother having a natural genius for <a +name="page49"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 49</span>mechanics, +became a clockmaker, and made the clock in the Old Church, in +1761, for the sum of £50. In the front of +Howard’s house was placed a large clock, and hence the +origin of the appellation, “Clock House,” as now +applied to what was once the Moravian chapel.</p> +<h3>LINDSEY ROW.</h3> +<p>It was mentioned at the commencement of the description of +Lindsey House, that it had been divided into five houses, called +Lindsey Row. These houses still remain, and are inhabited +at the present time by families of great respectability. +They command a most delightful prospect of the Thames, which here +forms a sort of bay; the view from the upper stories is bounded +on the south by the Surrey Hills, and Putney Heath on the +north.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Henry Constantine Jennings, Esq., a most eccentric and +unfortunate gentleman, resided in the first house on the +east. He was born in 1731, and was descended from a very +ancient and illustrious family, the Nevils. The celebrated +Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, he reckoned among his +progenitors. At an early age he obtained a commission in +the first regiment of Foot Guards, and afterwards went abroad on +his travels. While in Italy, he formed an acquaintance with +the Duke of Marlborough, then Marquis of Blandford, and it is +said he suggested the idea of the cabinet of antiques, afterwards +engraved by Bartolozzi, and so well known as the Marlborough +Gems. It was at this period, doubtless, that Mr. Jennings +acquired a passion for objects of taste. On his return to +England, he repaired to his seat at Shiplake, in the county of +Oxford, and unfortunately for him became addicted to the +pleasures of the turf, and the result was that his fortune was +soon dissipated. Mr. Jennings now withdrew from society and +lived in obscurity. A sudden change of fortune seems, +however, to have released him from pecuniary difficulties, for we +find him collecting, with great ardour, every object of +antiquity, &c., that was presented to his notice, and which +he could purchase. He also possessed a most valuable +library. But, again, he became reduced in his +circumstances, and had to dispose of his books and collections at +a vast loss.</p> +<p><a name="page50"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 50</span>From +this time but few particulars are known of Mr. Jennings, until he +settled at Lindsey Row, about 1792. Here he continued to +reside, fully occupied as an antiquary, a virtuoso, and an +author, until, at length, his health began to decline, and his +fortune daily became deteriorated, in consequence of his +inordinate passion for collecting objects of taste; at last he +closed his eccentric career a prisoner within the rules of the +King’s Bench, where he expired February 7, 1819, aged +88.</p> +<p>This remarkable gentleman, whom I well remember, seemed more +properly to belong to some distant generation rather than the one +in which he lived—his character, dress, and manners, were +so different in every respect. The fate of such a man, to a +certain extent, awakens our sympathy, for his pursuits were +generally throughout his life most refined; and the disasters +which befel him is a warning to many in the present day.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Jennings’s Museum well deserves to be noticed. +It consisted of a rare and valuable collection of the most chosen +specimens of taste, and probably the completest collection of +shells. Many fine specimens of minerals and scarce coloured +gems, cameos, and intaglios; crystals, and other choice +productions of nature, such as diamonds of almost every colour, +rubies, emeralds, pearls, sapphires, &c.; not to omit many +excellent specimens of well-preserved birds and quadrupeds. +Old, and first-rate impressions of prints from Raphael, and +others of the Roman school; some fine specimens of sculpture, +both ancient and modern; many fine and scarce impressions of +first editions, classical and of the entertaining kind, with many +original drawings and pictures; in short, all that could interest +one who had been long a real amateur. Among the portraits +was a fine one of Mary, Queen of Scotland, and another of Titian +and his Mistress, the Mary in her fourteenth year; likewise +several rare enamel miniatures of interesting characters; among +which was one of the Princess Elizabeth, about seventeen years of +age, this latter by Holbein; with some well-preserved medals in +gold and silver.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>This collection was disposed of by auction, by Mr. Phillips, +in 1820; the shells, and most valuable articles, being removed to +Bond Street, and the preserved birds, quadrupeds, and other +articles of rarity, together with the furniture, were sold at +Lindsey Row.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page51"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 51</span>T. +Bonner, Esq., a gentleman much respected in the parish, resided +in Lindsey Row for many years. Mrs. Bonner was at all times +most active in relieving the necessitous and deserving +poor. She occupied the house some time after the death of +her husband, and died a few years ago.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Sir Mark Isombard Brunell, the originator and designer of the +Thames Tunnel, resided for a considerable period in the centre +house. His public works will immortalize his name to the +latest posterity, as being one of the most eminent engineers of +the present century.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>John Martin, R.A., K.L., so well known for those +grandly-conceived and sublime compositions, “Joshua +commanding the Sun to stand Still,” “The Fall of +Nineveh,” “The Last Judgment,” &c., also +resided in Lindsey Row for some years. The late Prince +Consort was a frequent visitor to his Studio, and it is a +pleasing fact to record that Mr. Martin kindly permitted the +neighbouring inhabitants, and others, to have access occasionally +to it, accompanied by an attendant, during his absence from +home. He died, as will be remembered, not many years +since.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Timothy Bramah, Esq., a distinguished engineer, likewise +occupied a house in Lindsey Row, for some years. The family +was always greatly respected, and a member of it still resides in +a house near the one where Mr. Bramah resided. The +“Bramah Lock” at once denotes the celebrity of the +firm.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Rev. James Hutchins, M.A., who succeeded his father, the +Rev. John Hutchins, as Evening Lecturer at the Old Church, +resided for some years at a house at the western corner of +Milman’s Row, fronting the river. Mr. Hutchins, the +son, was also Evening Lecturer at the new St. Luke’s Church +for several years. The Lecturer was remunerated by +voluntary contributions, chiefly, collected from the inhabitants +throughout the parish, the average amount altogether being about +£60 per annum.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Milman’s Row, which nearly adjoins Lindsey Row, and +which might now with great propriety be called Milman Street, +leads to the King’s Road. It derives its name from +Sir William Milman, who died in 1713, the estate having been for +some years in his possession. The ancient parsonage-house +and grounds, which were exchanged by the Rector in 1566, with the +<a name="page52"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 52</span>Marquis of +Winchester, for the present Rectory, stood upon this spot. +Strewan House, which is on the western side of Milman’s +Row, has been occupied at different periods by many +highly-respectable families. It is now in the possession of +George Berry, Esq.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The foundry, which belonged to a person of the name of +Janeway, was situated near World’s End Passage. It +was very extensive, and here the old bells of the Church were +re-cast in 1759. Riley Street, which stands on part of the +foundry ground, was built principally in 1790.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Patrick Gibson, aged 111 years, lived in a house near the old +World’s End Tavern. For many years this remarkable +man was a purser in the navy, in the reign of George III., and on +all occasions he was invariably found in the thick of the battle, +fighting with the most determined bravery. He assisted in +conveying General Wolfe off the field, and served under Lord +Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar. William IV., when Duke +of Clarence, visited him at Chelsea, and took great interest in +his affairs. He resided in the parish 20 years, and died in +1832, at the remarkable age of 111 years, which was proved to be +correct from official dates and by particular events. An +exceedingly striking portrait of Patrick Gibson, by McNaughten, +adorns the walls of Greenwich Hospital.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The World’s-End Tavern was a noted house of +entertainment in the reign of Charles II.; the tea-gardens and +grounds were extensive, and elegantly fitted up for the reception +of company. The origin of the sign of the house is +uncertain. It was probably so named on account of its then +considered distance from London, and the bad and dangerous state +of the roads or pathways to it. Most of the visitors came +in pleasure boats along the Thames. This ancient tavern is +particularly mentioned in Congreve’s comedy of “Love +for Love,” in a dialogue between Mrs. Foresight and Mrs. +Frail, in which the former accuses the latter of having been seen +at the “World’s End.”</p> +<blockquote><p><i>Mrs. Foresight</i>.—I suppose you would +not go alone to the World’s End?</p> +<p><i>Mrs. Frail</i>.—The World’s End! what, do you +mean to banter me?</p> +<p><i>Mrs. Foresight</i>.—Poor innocent! you don’t +know that there is a place called the World’s End. I +declare you can keep your countenance—surely you’ll +make an admirable player.</p> +<p><i>Mrs. Frail</i>.—I declare you have a great deal of +impudence, and, in my mind, too much for the stage..</p> +<p><a name="page53"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 53</span><i>Mrs. +Foresight</i>.—Very well, that will appear who has +most. You never were at the Word’s End?</p> +<p><i>Mrs. Frail</i>.—No.</p> +<p><i>Mrs. Foresight</i>.—You deny it positively to my +face?</p> +<p><i>Mrs. Frail</i>.—Your face, what’s your +face?</p> +<p><i>Mrs. Foresight</i>.—No matter for that, it is as good +a face as yours.</p> +<p><i>Mrs. Frail</i>.—Not by a dozen years wearing. +But I do deny it, positively, to your face, then.</p> +<p><i>Mrs. Foresight</i>.—I’ll allow you now to find +fault with my face; for I declare your impudence has put me out +of countenance. But look you here now; where did you lose +this gold bodkin? Oh, sister! oh, sister!</p> +<p><i>Mrs. Frail</i>.—My bodkin!</p> +<p><i>Mrs. Foresight</i>.—Nay, it is yours—look at +it.</p> +<p><i>Mrs. Frail</i>.—Well, if you go to that, where did +you find this bodkin? Oh, sister! sister! sister every +way!</p> +<p><i>Mrs. Foresight</i>.—Oh! bother on’t that I +could not discover her without betraying myself. +(<i>Aside</i>.)</p> +</blockquote> +<p>Joseph Mallard W. Turner, Esq., R.A., resided for some time in +a small house directly facing the Thames, in the road leading to +Cremorne, where he died in 1851. No doubt he selected this +spot on account of the attractive scenery on the river, and the +fine view of some parts of Surrey, as also to enjoy for a time +the benefits arising from a more secluded life. At the age +of thirty years, Mr. Turner was recognised as the first landscape +painter of the day. For a period of sixty years he +contributed to every exhibition of the Royal Academy, sending in +all 259 pictures. For many years he refused to part with +some of the choicest specimens of his art, and after his death it +was found that he had left those to the English nation, together +with a great number of drawings and engravings. Mr. Turner, +while residing here, lived in almost entire seclusion. He +would not see any person, excepting a few very intimate friends, +and, in fact, was extremely anxious not to be recognized. +This inclination, at the close of his life, was very +natural. The world is indebted to him for his productions, +and Chelsea is proud to add his name to its list of distinguished +residents.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The roadway in front of the house occupied by Mr. Turner, and +along the front of that part of the river, has been considerably +widened, and now presents a well-formed embankment. A +handsome terrace has been erected, besides a number of houses on +the adjoining ground.</p> +<h3><a name="page54"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +54</span>CREMORNE HOUSE.</h3> +<p>This villa was first formed by Theophilus, Earl of Huntingdon, +who died in 1746. It afterwards belonged, successively, to +Richard, Viscount Powerscourt; to the Countess Dowager of Exeter, +relict of Brownlow, the eighth Earl; and to Sir Richard +Lyttleton, who married the Dowager Duchess of Bridgewater, and +died in 1770.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>After the death of the Duchess, in 1777, Thomas Dawson, +Viscount Cremorne, at that time Baron Dartrey, purchased the +villa in 1778. He considerably enlarged and embellished the +premises, under the skill of the eminent Mr. James Wyatt. +His lordship died in Stanhope Street, Mayfair, in 1813, in his +89th year, greatly respected, and bequeathed the estate to his +relict, the late Viscountess. It is stated, in an account +published shortly after Lord Cremorne’s death, that +“his generosity was unbounded, and his heart, in the most +comprehensive sense, charitable. But his most excellent +character is, that he was a Christian in mind and +practice.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Dowager Viscountess Cremorne, born in Philadelphia in +1740, died at her house in Stanhope Street in 1825, in the 86th +year of her age. Her ladyship resided at Chelsea a great +portion of the year, and kept a large establishment. She +was one of the most kind-hearted residents in the parish. +For years it was her custom to entertain annually the children of +the parochial and other schools, and she patronized the tradesmen +of Chelsea as far as it was practicable, giving special orders to +that effect to her household. Queen Charlotte occasionally +visited her in the summer months, when the children again +attended, and received tokens of her benevolent regard for +them. She was buried by the side of her husband in the +family vault at Stoke. The carriages of the Royal Family +followed in the funeral procession for some distance, and most of +the tradesmen closed their shops. She bequeathed the villa +to her first cousin and executor, Granville Penn, Esq., second +surviving son of Thomas Penn, and brother of John Penn, Esqrs., +of Stoke Park, Bucks, Hereditary Governors and Proprietaries of +the Province of Pennsylvania. Granville Penn, Esq., resided +in it for a few years. It would occupy too much space to +give a sketch even of the history of this distinguished +family.</p> +<p><a name="page55"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 55</span>Lord +and Lady Cremorne possessed a very fine and extensive collection +of paintings, which were sold by auction, on the premises, in +1827. Amongst them was a copy of Correggio’s picture +of the Madonna and Child, and St. Jerome at Parma, by Copley, +full size, and accounted the best copy of that celebrated +picture. The late Lord Lyndhurst purchased it. The +grounds, &c., are now known as Cremorne Gardens, but this +once pretty villa can scarcely now be recognised as the favourite +residence of Lord and Lady Cremorne.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Ashburnham House is situated to the west of the late Lord +Cremorne’s premises. Dr. Benjamin Hoadley built the +house, in 1747, for his own residence, but it has since been +greatly altered by different occupiers. He was the eldest +son of the Bishop of Winchester, and was a Fellow of the Royal +Society when very young. In the learned world he was known +as a philosopher. Dr. Hoadley was also an eminent +physician. At his death Hoadley House was purchased by Sir +Richard Glynn, who sold it to the Earl of Ashburnham, and thence +it obtained the name of Ashburnham House. It was next in +possession of that learned physician, Dr. Cadogan, who resided in +it for a few years, and planted in the garden a large quantity of +medicinal herbs. Lady Mary Coke resided here for about ten +years, and sold it to Mr. Brown, who occupied a house near to it, +called Ashburnham Cottage. Mr. Stevens at length possessed +the house, and resided in it for many years. Afterwards it +was the residence of the Hon. Leicester Stanhope, subsequently +Earl of Harrington.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>On the banks of the river, in front of Ashburnham House, was a +piece of land, called the Lots. The Lammas rights of the +parishioners, with respect to this land, are now extinct. +Those who wish to know the particulars, will find them fully +recorded in the Annual Vestry Reports, which may be obtained at +the Vestry Hall, and which will render many parochial details in +this work quite unnecessary.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>On the south side of the King’s Road, and near to the +boundary line which divides the parishes of Chelsea and Fulham, +is Dudmarton House, which was for a considerable period the +residence of Samuel Gower Poole, Esq., who erected a chapel on +the premises, where he occasionally preached, and amongst others +the Rev. Dr. Jay, of Bath, the Rev. John and Charles Hyatt, the +Rev. Dr. Collyer, &c. The Rev. Dr. Raffles, it is <a +name="page56"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 56</span>stated, +preached his first sermon there when he was quite a youth. +Mr. Poole also established a school for the education of poor +boys, many of whom were clothed through his exertions.</p> +<h3>Stanley House, St. Mark’s College.</h3> +<p>Near to what is now the Chelsea Railway Station, on the north +of the King’s Road, is Stanley House. In the reign of +Queen Elizabeth this was part of the estate of Sir Arthur Gorges, +who was knighted in 1597, and died in 1625, and who built a house +on this site for his own residence. Rowland White, writing +to Sir Robert Sidney, Nov. 15, 1599, says, “As the Queen +passed by the faire new building, Sir Arthur Gorges presented her +with a faire jewell.” The family of Gorges at this +period possessed very considerable property in Chelsea, which +they afterwards gradually disposed of to the Cheyne family and +others.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Sir Arthur Gorges was the intimate friend of Spenser, who +lamented the death of the first Lady Gorges, daughter of Viscount +Bindon, and who died in 1590, in a beautiful elegy, entitled +Daphnaida; he has recorded likewise the conjugal affection and +the talents of her husband, under the name of Alcyon, in the +following elegant lines:—</p> +<blockquote><p>“And there is sad Alcyon, bent to mourne<br +/> +Though fit to frame an everlasting dittie;<br /> +Whose gentle spright for Daphne’s death doth tourne<br /> +Sweet lays of love to endlesse plaints of pittie.<br /> +Ah! pensive boy, pursue that brave conceipt<br /> +In thy sweet eglantine merriflure;<br /> +Lift up thy notes unto their wonted height,<br /> +That may my muse and mates to mirth allure.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>Sir Arthur married, secondly, Lady Elizabeth, daughter of +Henry, Earl of Lincoln, by which marriage he became possessed of +Sir Thomas More’s house, which, in 1619, he conveyed to +Lionel, Lord Cranfield. He died in 1625, leaving by his +second wife six children. Lady Elizabeth Gorges, his widow, +in 1637, <a name="page57"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +57</span>sold this estate to her daughter, Lady Elizabeth +Stanley, widow of Sir Robert Stanley, and confirmed the same by +her will in 1643, in which year she died. The family of +Stanley appear to have held possession of this estate, and +resided here till the latter end of the seventeenth century, when +this branch of it became extinct, in the male line, by the death +of William Stanley, Esq. in 1691. The house was rebuilt +about this period; and, being left in an unfinished state, was +for several years unoccupied. It belonged, in 1724, to +Henry Arundel, Esq. Admiral Sir Charles Wager died here in +1743. It is said that this gallant officer was educated a +Quaker, and that though he left that society, he was always +particularly kind to its members.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>After passing through several hands, Stanley House became the +property of Miss Southwell, afterwards the lady of Sir James +Eyre, Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, who sold it in 1777 +to the Countess of Strathmore, one of the most intelligent female +botanists of the age. Her ladyship had begun to build +extensive hothouses and conservatories, brought exotics from the +Cape, and was continually raising an increase to her collections, +when, by an unfortunate marriage, the cruel spoiler came, and +threw them like loathsome weeds away. The Countess married +A. R. Bowes, Esq., whose barbarities to her exceeded every thing +recorded in the annals of crime, and drew upon him the +execrations of the whole country. <a name="citation57"></a><a +href="#footnote57" class="citation">[57]</a> After +suffering innumerable indignities from her husband, the Countess +exhibited articles of the peace against him in the Court of +King’s Bench, and obtained a separation, under heavy +securities. She passed the remainder of her days in much +affliction, both in body and mind, and departed this life on the +20th April, 1800. Bowes died miserably in a jail.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Stanley House was purchased of the Countess of Strathmore, by +Mr. Lochee, who kept the Military Academy at Little Chelsea, and +was for some time in the occupation of Richard Warren, M.D. +This eminent physician was the son of the Rev. Richard Warren, +Archdeacon of Suffolk. He died in 1797, and was buried in +the chancel of Kensington Church, where a monument, with a Latin +inscription, was erected to his memory.</p> +<p><a name="page58"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 58</span>About +the year 1815, Stanley House was purchased by William Hamilton, +Esq., who resided in it for some time, and made great additions +to the original structure, by building a picture gallery on the +east side. He had a good collection of paintings, a capital +portrait of his father, the Rev. Dr. Hamilton, Vicar of St. +Martin’s in the Fields, and many fine casts of the Elgin +marbles. In 1822, Mr. Hamilton was appointed Envoy to the +Court of Naples, and during his absence from Chelsea, he let the +house to some distinguished families, amongst them may be +mentioned the Marquis of Queensbury. Mr. Hamilton +afterwards sold the estate to the National Society.</p> +<h3>ST. MARK’S COLLEGE.</h3> +<p>Stanley House, as it was formerly called, became the residence +of the Principal of St. Mark’s College, which was +established by the National Society, in the year 1841, as a +Training Institution for Schoolmasters, in connexion with the +Church of England. To the Rev. Derwent Coleridge, M.A., the +first Principal of the College, must be attributed the eminent +position it has attained among the educational institutions of +the country. He was the Principal of the College for a +period of twenty-three years, and greatly beloved by the +Students, popular among his Colleagues and Assistants, and +enjoyed the respect and confidence of the Council, who had the +pleasant task of co-operating with him. In January, 1864, +he was presented by the late Bishop of London to the Rectory of +Hanwell, which occasioned his resignation.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Many candidates of great eminence were desirous to become the +Rev. Mr. Coleridge’s successor, and from among them the +Rev. John G. Cromwell, M.A., Hon. Canon of Durham, and formerly +Scholar of Brasenose College, Oxford, was selected, his +testimonials being of the very highest order, and his successful +administration of the Training College at Durham, during 12 +years, appeared to the Council a sufficient guarantee for his +success at St. Mark’s. This expectation has now been +happily fully realized.</p> +<p><a name="page59"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 59</span>The +Vice-Principal is the Rev. C. F. Eastburn, M.A., Fellow of St. +John’s College, Cambridge, and the Rev. C. S. Dawe, B.A., +is the Normal Master in the College, and Head Master of the +School, and, from the testimony of those who are well-qualified +to form an impartial opinion, they most efficiently discharge +their respective arduous duties, and this just acknowledgment +equally applies to the Tutors, Mr. W. Lawson, F.R.G.S., and Mr. +O. Breden.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>On the west side of the house the National Society added a +quadrangle, built in the Italian style, and in the grounds, near +the chapel, an octagon building as a Practising School, for +teaching children who reside in the locality. The grounds +of the College consist of eleven acres of garden and grass +land.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Upper School gives a superior education to 160 boys, who +are instructed in all the usual branches of an English education, +and also in Latin and French.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Middle School gives a similar education, with the +exception of Latin and French, to 180 boys.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Lower School is intended for the sons of the humbler +classes, and gives sound instruction in elementary subjects to +200 boys.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>There is accommodation in the College for 100 Students, who +are being trained here for Schoolmasters.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Chapel stands close to the Fulham Road, and is open to the +public twice every day, at 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. On Sundays the +Services begin at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The seats are free, +and the expenses are defrayed by voluntary contributions. +There is no endowment of any kind. The exterior of the +building is unpretending. The interior has a distinctive +character given to it by the windows of stained glass, which +produce an impression of warmth and beauty. There is an +excellent organ and a full choir, composed of the Students and a +certain number of boys from the schools. The Services are +all choral, and on Sundays are usually well attended. On +the anniversary of the College foundation, St. Mark’s Day, +April 25, a sermon is preached and a collection made on behalf of +the Chapel Funds, and the surrounding gentry and clergy, together +with the former Students, are invited to a banquet. At the +last Anniversary Festival the sermon was preached by the Dean of +<a name="page60"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 60</span>St. +Paul’s, the text being selected from Luke iv. 16. In +the evening, in the Lecture Hall of the College, selections from +an Oratorio and other pieces were admirably rendered by the +Students, under the direction of the Rev. T. Helmore, precentor, +and John Hullah, Esq., to a crowded and most fashionable +audience, and many of the old Students of the College. We +must also mention E. C. May, Esq., to whom much of the +proficiency of the choir may be justly attributed.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>We will pass by Mr. Veitch’s Royal Exotic Nursery, and +the extensive Show Establishment belonging to Messrs. Weeks & +Co., both of which will probably be noticed in a subsequent part +of this work, when a more general notice will be taken of the +entire King’s Road, and merely observe that a great number +of villas, and many superior dwelling houses, have been erected +within the last few years in this immediate locality. As +examples of such instances it is only necessary to mention the +splendid house built by John Weeks, Esq., in Edith Grove, and +those in Gunter Grove, Maude Grove, &c., in addition to which +many more well-built houses are now being erected in the +neighbourhood.</p> +<h3>WEST BROMPTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.</h3> +<p>This structure is worthy of special notice. It stands on +a valuable freehold site, and was erected in 1866, at a cost of +between £5000 and £6000, exclusive of the site. +It has sittings for 1100, and owes its existence to the exertions +of the present pastor, the Rev. C. Winter, who had previously +preached for some time in a small chapel in Gunter Grove. +The style adopted is Gothic, of the geometric decorative +period. The building is faced with Kentish ragstone, and +all the dressings are of Boxhill buttstone. The design +consists of three central door-ways, with a large five-light +traceried window over, and traceried side light; separate +entrances to the staircases with panelled parapets and side roofs +over; the sides and chancel end of the building are of brick; the +windows in two tiers with stone dressings; the upper tier +consists of circular traceried windows, and the whole design is +such as to produce a very pleasing effect, which will be much +increased when the tower and spire <a name="page61"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 61</span>are carried up as intended. The +building is entered in front by the doors before mentioned, and a +spacious vestibule leads through inner lobbies to the body of the +church, which occupies an area of 70 ft. by 50 ft., but including +chancel and entrance lobbies its length is 106 ft. The +building is surrounded on three sides with spacious galleries, +supported by iron columns, handsomely decorated, running up to +and supporting the roof. The ceiling is divided into bays +by wood spandril arches springing from column to column, and from +the columns to the walls. The chancel arch is a very +effective piece of coloured brickwork, and the chancel recess is +arranged with its windows and angular plan so as to add much to +the general effect, which is considerably increased by a very +handsome memorial window, the gift of the family of Mr. Pitts, +one of the deacons of the church. The building is lighted +by star-lights of an improved design suspended from the +roof. The pulpit, which is spacious and handsome, is of +Caen stone and stands on a platform, around which the seats are +arranged concentrically, a great improvement on the ordinary +rectangular pewing. The larger room under the chancel is +devoted to a variety of useful purposes, such as Infant School, +Sunday Schools, Day School, &c. The chapel in Gunter +Grove has been converted into a Public Hall, and ultimately no +doubt will prove of general use to the neighbourhood. The +Sunday Schools, one of which is held at the Hall, number about +300 children.</p> +<h3>LITTLE CHELSEA, OR WEST BROMPTON.</h3> +<p>Proceeding a little to the north-west, we arrive at what was +formerly called Little Chelsea, but which is now designated West +Brompton. Without wishing to remove our neighbour’s +land-mark, or to trespass beyond the precise boundaries of +Chelsea, the parish of Kensington being on the north side of West +Brompton, we will notice the residence of William Boscawen, Esq., +who resided near to those spacious mansions now being erected on +the grounds formerly known as Walnut-Tree Walk, now called +Redcliffe Gardens. Mr. Boscawen was the younger son of +General George Boscawen, and was born in 1752. At an early +age he was sent to Eton, where he obtained <a +name="page62"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 62</span>the +particular notice and favour of the celebrated Dr. Barnard. +From Eton he removed to Exeter College, Oxford, and afterwards +studied the law, became a member of the Middle Temple, and was +called to the bar. His legal studies were not unfruitful, +as he published an excellent book under the title of “A +Treatise of Conviction on Penal Statutes,” &c., 1792, +8vo. In 1785 he was appointed a Commissioner of the +Victualling Office, in consequence of which he soon after quitted +the bar, and in the following year married a daughter of Dr. +Ibbetson, Archdeacon of St. Albans. Being an excellent +classical scholar, and warmly attached to literary pursuits, Mr. +Boscawen published, in 1793, “A Translation of the Odes of +Horace,” which, being much approved of, was soon followed +by a Translation of the Satires, Epistles, and Art of +Poetry. In 1801 he published a small volume of Poems, which +displayed an elegant taste, a poetical mind, and a correct +versification, and he was for several years an able coadjutor to +the British Critic. He died, after a short illness, in +1811. That excellent institution, the Literary Fund, he +considered almost as his child, and his affection to it was +testified not only by contribution, but by annual verses in its +praise, and assiduous attendance at its meetings.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Lochee’s Military Academy was established at this +place about the year 1770, and enjoyed a high degree of +reputation; many of our most eminent military characters received +their education under him. The premises, which were laid +out as a regular fortification, and were opened to view, excited +much attention at the time. Mr. Lochee afterwards, +unfortunately, engaged in the revolutionary troubles which +agitated Flanders in the year 1790, and being taken prisoner by +the Austrians, was condemned to be hanged; he, however, obtained +permission to come to England, to settle his affairs, upon +condition of leaving his only son as a hostage; and upon his +return to the Continent he suffered the punishment of +death. His son, afterwards, married a daughter of the late +Mr. King, an eminent book auctioneer, of King Street, Covent +Garden, and, lamentable to relate, fell by his own hands.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Balloon Ascent in</span> 1784.—On +the 16th of October, in the above year, an immense concourse of +people assembled at Mr. Lochee’s Military Academy, to +witness Mr. Blanchard’s ascent in his balloon. The +fields, for a considerable distance <a name="page63"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 63</span>round the spot, were crowded with +horse and foot, in consequence of which, a general devastation +took place in the gardens, the crops being either trampled down +or torn up; the turnip grounds were totally despoiled by the +multitude; all the windows and houses were filled with company, +and every roof and tree was crowded with spectators. At +twelve o’clock Mr. Blanchard, and Mr. Sheldon, a surgeon, +stepped into the car, and the cords being loosened, the balloon +slowly ascended, when it was discovered that it would be +requisite to throw out some ballast; but before this could be +accomplished, it struck some trees and descended to the +ground. Being lightened, it again ascended, and moved +horizontally about a quarter of a mile, when it made a rapid +direction towards Sunbury, where they alighted, and Mr. Sheldon +reluctantly quitted the car. Mr. Blanchard re-ascended, and +pursued his aerial excursion to Rumsey, Hants, where he +descended, at half-past four in the afternoon, in a meadow, and +still standing in his car. The balloon was first seen over +Abbotswood Common, and appeared about the size of a small +hogshead. Upon his alighting he was jovially +entertained. The day being rather dark, and the atmosphere +low, the balloon was out of sight in about thirty minutes.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>About the year 1699, the Earl of Shaftesbury purchased an +estate at Little Chelsea, which had formerly been the property of +Sir James Smith, whose widow resided there in 1695. The +Earl rebuilt the house, and generally resided in it during the +sitting of Parliament. He was first charged to the parish +rates in 1700. Locke here wrote part of his +“Essay,” and Addison several of the Spectators.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Anthony Astley Cooper, third Earl of Shaftesbury, the learned +author of “The Characteristics,” was born in 1671, in +the house of his grandfather, who took such care of his +education, that, at the age of eleven, he is said to have read +with ease both Latin and Greek. In 1683, he was placed at +Winchester School, where he continued till 1686, when he made the +tour of Italy and France. About five years after his return +from Italy, he visited Holland, where he passed much of his time +in the society of Bayle, Le Clerc, and other ingenious men. +Soon after his arrival in England, he became Earl of Shaftesbury, +by the demise of his father, but did not attend the House of +Lords during the first session after he had succeeded to the +peerage; nor did he appear there till his friend, Lord Somers, +sent a messenger to acquaint him <a name="page64"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 64</span>with the pending partition treaty in +February, 1701. On the accession of Queen Anne he retired +to Chelsea, to continue his favourite course of study; here he +resided till 1711, when he set out for Italy, and died at Naples +in 1719. His lordship’s philosophical writings are +generally known. Of his letters there are several extant, +dated from Chelsea in 1708.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The house was afterwards the residence of Sergeant Wynne, and +of his son, Edward Wynne, author of several Tracts, whose +knowledge and proficiency in polite literature could only be +exceeded by his charity and benevolence. Dying a bachelor +in 1785, his estates, together with his house at Little Chelsea, +and his very valuable library, collected chiefly by his father, +devolved to his brother, the Rev. Luttrell Wynne. This +house was alienated by him to William Virtue.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The parish of St. George, Hanover Square, purchased it in the +year 1787, as an additional workhouse for the poor. An Act +of Parliament passed that year, declares it to be in St. +George’s Parish, so long as it shall continue to be +appropriated to its present use. The same act exempts it +from all dues and rates demandable by the Rector and the parish +of Chelsea, on condition of paying to the former £3 +3<i>s.</i> per annum, and to the latter £6 13<i>s.</i> +4<i>d.</i></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Sir John Cope, Bart., about the year 1700, resided in a large +house at Little Chelsea, according to Bowack, which was +subsequently occupied as a private mad house. The house has +been pulled down, and its site is now called Odell’s +Place. Sir John sat for Oxfordshire and Banbury in several +Parliaments. He married Anne, daughter of Mr. William +Booth, by whom he had seven sons, and one daughter. There +are some entries of their baptisms in the Parish Register. +Sir John died January 11th, 1721. His fourth son, Galen, +born at Chelsea, resided there about the time of his +father’s death. The worthy baronet was a magistrate +for this county, and his name regularly appears for a series of +years affixed, in confirmation of the parochial rates.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Robert Boyle, Esq., a most distinguished philosopher and +chemist, the seventh son of Richard, Earl of Cork, resided, in +1661, at Little Chelsea, and there he was visited by the learned +and eminent of his time. Monsieur de Monconys, in his +Travels, thus mentions a visit which he made to Mr. Boyle at this +place:—“I went after dinner with Mr. Oldenburg <a +name="page65"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 65</span>and my son, +two miles from London, in a stage coach, for five shillings, to a +village called Little Chelsea, to visit Mr. Boyle.” +After giving an account of several experiments which Mr. Boyle +made in his presence, he thus proceeds:—“He has a +very fine laboratory, where he makes all his extracts, and other +operations, one of which he shewed me with salt, which being put +in quite dry with gold leaves sixteen times thicker than that +used by gilders into a crucible on a slow fire, even over a +lighted candle, the salt calcined the gold so perfectly that +water afterwards dissolved them both, and became impregnated with +them in the same manner as with common salt. He possesses a +very fine telescope, and two excellent microscopes, which are +larger than mine.” Mr. Evelyn, in his Diary, has also +recorded a visit to the same place. “I went with that +excellent person and philosopher, Sir Robert Murray, to visit Mr. +Boyle at Chelsea, and saw divers effects of the Eolipile for +weighing air.” Bishop Burnet, in Mr. Boyle’s +funeral sermon, has given an eloquent account of this great +philosopher and scholar.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Charles, fourth Earl of Orrery, grand-nephew to Mr. Boyle, was +born at Little Chelsea in 1676. He was author of a comedy, +entitled, “As you Find it,” and of some verses which +discover his wit and poetical genius. Queen Anne created +him a peer of Great Britain in 1711, by the title of Lord Boyle, +of Marston, in the county of Somerset. His lordship died in +1737. He was the improver of that noble instrument the +Orrery, which, in honour of him, was called after his name.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Sir James Wishart resided in Little Chelsea, and died in May, +1723. He was a native of Scotland, and was made an Admiral +by Queen Anne; in 1710 he became a Lord Commissioner of the +Admiralty, in which year he was returned Member of Parliament for +Portsmouth. The Queen also conferred the honour of +knighthood upon him; but, in the following reign, he lost all his +places, and was dismissed from the service, for favouring the +interest of the Pretender.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Admiral Sir John Balchen, another distinguished naval officer, +resided in Little Chelsea about 1723. He was lost in the +“Victory” in the year 1744. Sir John sailed, in +July, from Spithead with a strong squadron, in quest of an +opportunity to attack the French fleet at Brest, under the +command of M. de Rochambault. In the Bay of Biscay he was +overtaken by a violent storm that dispersed the ships, and drove +them up <a name="page66"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +66</span>the English Channel. Admiral Stewart, with the +greater part of them, arrived at Plymouth; but Sir John +Balchen’s own ship, the Victory, which was at that time +considered to be the most beautiful first rate in the world, +foundered at sea; and this brave officer perished, with all his +officers, volunteers, and crew, amounting to eleven hundred +choice seamen.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Right Hon. Edward Hyde, third Earl of Clarendon, died at +his house at Little Chelsea in 1723. He married Catherine, +daughter to Henry Lord O’Brien, eldest son and heir to the +Earl of Thomond, of Ireland, by whom he had a son and two +daughters. The title descended to the Earl of Rochester, +and soon after became extinct.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Fatal Duel</span>.—In January, 1784, +a duel was fought in a field near Little Chelsea, between Captain +Charles Mostyn, of the navy, and Captain Clarke, of the African +Corps, which terminated in the death of the former, who was shot +through the heart. The quarrel originated in defence of a +Jew, who went about diverting company, by taking off Mr. +Fox. Some words arising, Captain Clarke demanded an +apology, which Captain Mostyn declined to make to him. Mr. +Mostyn was a gallant officer, only 25 years of age, who, for his +intrepid behaviour, had been made post-captain in the Solitaire, +a French ship of the line, taken by the Ruby. Happily for +the humanity of England, such dark blots on its history are now +for ever erased, by the adoption of more stringent laws and the +advancement of religious and moral principles.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Dr. Baldwin Hamey was born in 1600. He retired to Little +Chelsea from the hurry of his profession the year before the Fire +of London, saving thereby his library; he also escaped from the +direful effects of the plague in London. At Chelsea he +contributed largely towards the erection of the church steeple, +and gave the great bell which had his name on it. I may +here state that the first large bells are mentioned by Bede, in +the year 680. Before that period the early British +Christians made use of wooden rattles (sacra ligna) to call the +congregation of the faithful together. Dr. Adam Littleton, +in gratitude to Dr. Hamey for the above benefactions, printed at +the end of the first edition of his Latin Dictionary, a copy of +Latin verses which he dedicated to him. Dr. Hamey was a +great scholar, a philosopher, and an eminent physician. At +his death he bequeathed to the College of Physicians the estate +of Ashlins, in Essex, besides money and books. There is a +<a name="page67"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 67</span>manuscript +life of him, written about 143 years ago, by his relation, Mr. +Palmer. “Chemistry,” says the biographer, +“now began to come into vogue, which Dr. Hamey could not +well be reconciled to, from his Galenical principles, and at his +age. It seemed to him to be a stroke of +quackery.” He declined a knighthood, and the offer of +being first physician to Charles II. after his restoration. +The same modesty made him waive the offer of being President of +his beloved College of Physicians, although he had held all other +subordinate offices in it. He died in 1676, and was buried +in the Old Church.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Goat and Boots Tavern still stands at the eastern corner +of Park Walk, West Brompton, or Little Chelsea, although from its +age it seems probable that in a few years a new house will be +substituted for it. The sign was originally painted by +Morland, to pay his tavern bill. In old deeds it is called +the Goat. Perhaps poor Morland added the +“Boots” to the sign to make it more attractive, and +to get a better price from the proprietor, but this is mere +conjecture.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Park Walk, in a very old map of Chelsea, is called +Lovers’ Walk, and it appears to have been planted with +trees, but from some unknown cause—surely all the loving +lads and lasses had not left the parish—it degenerated into +Twopenny Walk. After dark, from its retirement and +seclusion, it was dangerous for persons passing that way. +It has been now for many years a good thoroughfare from the +King’s Road to West Brompton, having Park Chapel in a +central position, and houses on both sides of the road. +When the improvement at the bottom of Milman’s Row is +entirely completed, there will then be an excellent and +continuous roadway to the river-side.</p> +<h3>Park Chapel, &c.</h3> +<p>This Chapel was so called from being situated within the +precincts of Chelsea Park, which originally formed the northern +part of Sir Thomas More’s grounds. It was built in +1718, by Sir Richard Manningham, who, in 1730, granted a lease of +it to the Rev. William Lacey, of Battersea. At that period +there <a name="page68"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 68</span>was +only the Old Church, and an additional episcopal place for Divine +worship was needed for the convenience of the residents in Little +Chelsea.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The following is a complete list to the present period of the +Clergymen who have been Ministers at Park Chapel:—</p> +<table> +<tr> +<td><p>1730</p> +</td> +<td><p>Rev. William Lacey, Battersea.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1736</p> +</td> +<td><p>— Dr. Sloane Ellesmere, Rector of Chelsea.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1766</p> +</td> +<td><p>— Mr. Gower, Chelsea.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: center">—</p> +</td> +<td><p>— Mr. Jacobs, Rector of St. Dunstan’s in the +West.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1785</p> +</td> +<td><p>— Dr. Kelly, Vicar of East Mere, Hants.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1792</p> +</td> +<td><p>— Jas. Ward, Fellow of Queen’s Col., +Cambridge.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1797</p> +</td> +<td><p>— Thomas Ellis.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1800</p> +</td> +<td><p>— J. Manning.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1802</p> +</td> +<td><p>— J. Gee Smyth, Rector of Chellesworth, Suffolk.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1812</p> +</td> +<td><p>— John Owen, Rector of Paglesham, Essex.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1822</p> +</td> +<td><p>— Henry John Owen, son of the preceding.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1834</p> +</td> +<td><p>— John Harding.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1836</p> +</td> +<td><p>— Henry Vaughan.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1836</p> +</td> +<td><p>— Thomas Vores.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1841</p> +</td> +<td><p>— John C. Miller.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1846</p> +</td> +<td><p>— W. Cadman.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1852</p> +</td> +<td><p>— C. J. Goodhart.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Dec. 1868</p> +</td> +<td><p>— J. G. Gregory.</p> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p>The Rev. J. Gee Smyth, M.A., who it will be seen possessed +Park Chapel in 1802, made very considerable alterations in it +about 1810. It may be said to have been almost rebuilt by +him. The late Mr. Richard Mann, of Chelsea, took a very +correct sketch of the chapel, as altered by Mr. Smyth. +Since 1810, at different times, it has undergone great repairs +and some material improvements.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Rev. John Owen, M.A., was born in London in 1765. He +received his education at St. Paul’s School, and removed +from thence to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he +prosecuted his studies with such success as to obtain several +prizes, and to be elected a Fellow of his College. After +taking holy orders, he soon distinguished himself as a preacher, +and attracted the notice of Bishop Porteus, who bestowed on him +the living of Paglesham, in Essex, having previously recommended +him to the Curacy of Fulham, which he held until the <a +name="page69"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 69</span>decease of +that venerable prelate; and, on his resigning the Lectureship, in +1813, the inhabitants of that parish presented Mr. Owen with a +handsome testimonial of their attachment, as an acknowledgment of +the faithful manner he had discharged his duties. He was +one of the distinguished founders of the British and Foreign +Bible Society, and acted as honorary secretary for eighteen +years. During the whole of this period he most zealously +advocated, in every possible way, the circulation of the Holy +Scriptures, in conjunction with the Rev. Dr. Steinkoff, and the +Rev. Joseph Hughes, M.A., of Battersea. Mr. Owen possessed +great mental talents, both as an extempore preacher and a +writer. He was remarkably quick and correct in his +conceptions, extremely thoughtful in forming his conclusions, and +kind and considerate whenever a sense of duty compelled him to +differ from others in opinion. He wrote the History of the +British and Foreign Bible Society, and other works; and continued +to discharge his sacred duties as Minister of Park Chapel as long +as his health permitted. He died at Ramsgate, the 26th of +September, 1822, in the 57th year of his age. He resided at +Fulham during nearly the entire period of his active life.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Rev. Henry John Owen, M.A., succeeded his father in +1822. While at Park Chapel he was much esteemed by the +congregation, and when he left many deplored the loss of him.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Rev. John Harding, M.A., was appointed Minister of Park +Chapel in 1834. Some time after he became the Rector of St. +Ann’s, Blackfriars. In both parishes he was much +beloved by his congregations, and greatly esteemed by the +parishioners. At length he was consecrated Bishop of +Bombay, and, having remained in India for many years, he returned +to England, and a short time since preached on a Sunday evening +at Park Chapel. An affecting scene took place on that +occasion, as his lordship left the chapel. A great number +of persons had assembled outside to shew the respect they +entertained towards him, notwithstanding his long absence from +Chelsea. When Bishop Harding approached, he seemed almost +overpowered with the kind recollection manifested by so many of +the congregation and other inhabitants, and, after a slight +pause, he said, with considerable emotion, “My dear +friends, I thank you from my heart for your kind remembrance of +me. May God bless every one of you!” It should +here be mentioned that Bishop Harding, previously to his ministry +at Park Chapel, had <a name="page70"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +70</span>been at St. Luke’s New Parish Church, with the +late revered Rev. H. Blunt, M.A., father of the present respected +Rector, at which Church he was also greatly esteemed.</p> +<p>The Rev. Henry Vaughan, M.A., did not long remain at Park +Chapel, as the state of his health rendered it impossible for him +to continue. Some short time afterwards he was called to +his eternal rest. I heard it once stated that Christian +love was engraved on his forehead.</p> +<p>The Rev. Thomas Vores, M.A., who was next in succession, was, +like his predecessors, much beloved. About five years after +his appointment he vacated it, and went to Hastings.</p> +<p>The Rev. Dr. Miller, the Rev. W. Cadman, M.A., and the Rev. C. +J. Goodhart, M.A., were equally respected as being zealous and +faithful ministers. The two former are, at the present +time, in the full vigour of life, and actively engaged in +discharging their sacred duties in large parishes. With +respect to Mr. Goodhart, who has only recently left the chapel, +and whose ministry there extended over so many years, it would be +a difficult task to notice him adequately in a given space; the +best summary will be to state that on his retirement he was +presented with a silver salver and a purse containing about +£540, as a testimony of the high respect entertained by the +congregation for his long and faithful ministrations.</p> +<p>The Rev. J. G. Gregory, M.A., succeeded Mr. Goodhart at the +close of the year 1868. The body of the chapel, since his +appointment, has been entirely re-pewed, the old high pews having +been all removed, and the seats made more commodious by +additional width being given to them. Several other +alterations have been made, and a few more are said to be in +contemplation. The whole interior of the chapel is +therefore now greatly improved, both as regards comfort and +appearance. The exterior of the structure, however, +requires to be altogether rebuilt, as soon as practicable, so as +to accord with the ecclesiastical architecture of the present +day, especially in such a locality as West Brompton and South +Kensington. In the Vestry Room are portraits of the +different Ministers of Park Chapel, commencing with the Rev. John +Owen, and terminating with the Rev. Mr. Goodhart, with only one +exception, the portrait of Mr. Vaughan, the absence of which may +be attributed to the short period of his ministry, in consequence +of his illness and death, and the difficulty afterwards of +procuring a correct likeness of him. It would be well if +this memorial portrait could be added to the others.</p> +<p><a name="page71"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 71</span>Their +Royal Highnesses the Dukes of Kent and Sussex attended this +chapel in 1812, when a collection was made for the benefit of the +schools, on which occasion a guard of honour, selected from Queen +Charlotte’s Royal Volunteers, was stationed at the doors on +their arrival and departure.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Adjoining the chapel a building was erected, in 1828, by +subscription, and the profits of a sale of fancy work, for the +reception of the children of Park Chapel Schools, &c. +The whole charge originally was £900. Several +alterations, however, have since been made in the arrangement of +this building. The Girls’ Day and Sunday Schools, and +the Infant School, are now only held in it, besides a few +occasional meetings in connection with the numerous benevolent +societies supported by the liberal contributions of the +congregation. The boys’ school was transferred to the +Clock House some years since. This latter school owes its +origin to Samuel Gower Poole, Esq., who once resided in Dudmaston +House, King’s Road, and to whom reference has already been +made. The annual meetings. &c., are also held in the +Clock House schoolroom.</p> +<h3>CHELSEA PARK.</h3> +<p>This was part of the property of Sir Thomas More, and is +called, in old deeds, the “Sand Hills;” was +originally open fields, with a footpath across to Little +Chelsea. The whole was enclosed with a brick wall, in 1625, +by the Lord Treasurer, Cranfield, and converted into a park, +which name it has retained ever since, but the walls have +gradually given way to the erection of buildings. The park +originally consisted of 32 acres, situated north of the +King’s Road, between Park and Upper Church Street. <a +name="citation71"></a><a href="#footnote71" +class="citation">[71]</a></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In 1721 a patent was obtained for a manufactory of raw silk, +and this park was taken for the purpose, and planted with +mulberry trees. It attracted a considerable share of public +<a name="page72"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 72</span>attention +at the time, but proved unsuccessful. The premises of the +Raw Silk Company were rated in the parish books at +£200.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In Walpole’s Catalogue of Engravers, it is stated that +James Christopher le Blon, in 1734, set up a project for copying +the cartoons in tapestry, and made some fine drawings for the +purpose. Houses were built, and looms erected, on the above +mulberry ground, but either the expense was too great, or the +contributions did not arrive fast enough. The bubble burst, +several suffered, and Le Blon was heard of no more.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Interesting Particulars of Sir Henry and +Lady Wilson</span>. On the northern border of the old park, +just described, is a capital mansion in which Sir Henry Wright +Wilson resided for many years, the entrance to it being in the +Fulham Road, and which is still designated as Chelsea Park. +The pleasure grounds attached to it were some years since much +more extensive than they are at present. Sir Henry married +a daughter of the Earl of Aylesbury, who was left a valuable +estate in Hampshire, said to be worth about £3000 a year, +under the most singular circumstances. Lady Frances Wilson +was informed in the year 1824, while at breakfast, that an +eccentric person named Wright, who had died a few days previously +at an obscure lodging in Pimlico, had appointed her and Mr. C. +Abbot his executors, and after some legacies had bequeathed to +Lady Frances the residue of his property by a will dated as far +back as 1800. As Lady Frances declared herself unacquainted +with the name of the testator, she at first concluded that there +was some mistake. After further explanation, the person of +Mr. Wright was described to her, and Lady Frances recollected +that the description answered that of a gentleman she had +remembered as a constant frequenter at the Opera many years +previously. To satisfy herself of the identity she went to +Mr. Wright’s late lodgings, and saw him in his coffin, when +she recognised the features as those of the person whose eyes had +so often persecuted her when she was Lady Frances Bruce, but who +had never spoken to her, and of whom she had no knowledge +whatever. <a name="citation72"></a><a href="#footnote72" +class="citation">[72]</a> Lady Francis was never considered +by her friends to be beautiful, and the general opinion at the +time was that <a name="page73"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +73</span>the legacy was intended for a lady who occupied a box +next to that in which Lady Frances sat when at the Opera. +Sir Henry was in Parliament when the above estate came into his +wife’s possession, but he afterwards had to contest his +seat, and lost it.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Sir Henry Wright Wilson and the Poor +Carpenter</span>.—The following anecdote will no doubt +amuse many readers. Sir Henry’s establishment was +large, and he had been accustomed to employ at times a jobbing +carpenter, who had at one period been in better +circumstances. This person had received specific +instructions to do certain work, which required a little trifling +assistance, such as to help him to remove something which stood +in the way, and which the carpenter could not possibly do without +temporary aid. He asked several of the grooms and others to +assist, but they all made frivolous excuses, and consequently the +work was not done by the appointed time. When Sir Henry +returned home he noticed that his orders had been neglected, and, +on ascertaining the particulars, without making any remarks, he +quietly entered the house. The next morning, however, he +gave instructions for his carriage with four horses to be +immediately got ready. He then sent for the carpenter, and +after a short time the carriage was at the entrance door, when, +to the great surprise of the servants, he desired him to take a +seat in it. Sir Henry then mounted his horse, and, +notwithstanding the dirty state of the roads, took them through +Fulham, over Putney Bridge, round by Wandsworth and Battersea, +back to Chelsea. On their return he insisted that the +horses and carriage should be immediately cleaned, or else to be +dismissed from his service. Sir Henry being esteemed a good +master they preferred obedience, and it was said that although +the carpenter was afterwards subject to an occasional jeer, he +never had again to complain of their conduct towards him.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Queen’s Elm</span>.—This is +situated at the top of Upper Church Street, but the spot for some +time past seems to be merged into the Fulham Road, and is either +so called, or else it is described as being near to it. The +original name, Queen’s Elm, which it is to be hoped will +still be retained, is said traditionally to have derived its +origin from the following circumstance. Queen Elizabeth was +walking out with the great Lord Burleigh, and being overtaken +with a heavy shower of rain, took shelter under an elm tree +growing on this spot. After the shower was over, she said, +“Let this henceforth be called the Queen’s +Tree.” <a name="page74"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +74</span>This tradition is remarkably confirmed, as will be seen +by the following extract:—“It appears by the Church +Book, beginning 1586, and in the 28th Elizabeth, that the tree at +the end of the Duke’s Walk is in Chelsea parish called the +Queen’s Tree; and that there was an arbour built round it +by one Bostocke, at the charge of the parish.”</p> +<h3>The Jews’ Burial Ground, &c.</h3> +<p>The Jews’ Burial Ground is at Queen’s Elm, and was +erected in 1816 by the individuals whose names are inscribed on +the wall of the entrance building, and to their +descendants. There is also inscribed the 16th Psalm in +Hebrew. The lower part of the building is called the hall, +the upper part is intended for the keeper. Unlike the +arrangement in the Moravians’ Burial Ground, the graves are +in rows, without any distinction as to sex. At burials the +mourners do not approach the grave, but stand at a distance, so +that they may hear sufficiently to join in the prayers.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Rev. J. B. Owen, M.A., Vicar of St. Jude’s Church, +Chelsea, in an admirable lecture delivered by him in 1862, in the +Vestry Hall, King’s Road, related the following +anecdote:—“An Hebrew friend amused and puzzled me +with a sentiment he had once given at a festival of one of the +London Guilds. Being pressed for a toast, he gave +‘The Queen of the Jews, and of no other +nation.’ Many conjectures were hazarded, as wide of +the mark as Jezebel and the Queen of Sheba. The company +confessed themselves beaten, and at last my friend gave the +answer—‘Queen Victoria.’ But this only +darkened the enigma more than ever. After some time, he +said, J. (or I.) E. W. S. makes Ireland, England, Wales, and +Scotland, and J. E. W. S. spells Jews, and makes Victoria +‘Queen of the Jews, and of no other +nation.’”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>“England,” said Mr. Owen, “owes a great +national debt of amends to their Hebrew brethren. For +several centuries they were bought and sold as chattels, +plundered and exiled, as if they were outlaws. In the +sixteenth year of Edward I. all the <a name="page75"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 75</span>Jews in England were imprisoned, and +though they redeemed themselves for a vast sum, three years +after, the fraudulent tyrant banished them all; and they remained +in banishment 364 years, till the rough justice of old Oliver +Cromwell restored them to their trade and worship. The +proverb ‘worth a Jew’s eye’ alludes to the +barbarities practiced on the Jews, whose money was commonly +extorted from them by drawing their teeth, or putting out their +eyes. There are no judgments in Scripture more terrible +than those denounced against the oppressors of Judah. We +may be thankful that we have lived to witness the last vestige of +injustice to our Hebrew fellow-citizens erased from our +statutes. Have we also honestly received the social and +religious interests of the Jews into the unreserved sympathy of +Christian hearts?”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Francis Hargrave, Esq., a barrister, resided in York Place, +(the houses of which are now nearly all converted into shops, and +which is situated near to the Jews’ Burial Ground), for a +considerable period. He particularly distinguished himself +in the <i>Habeas Corpus</i> case of James Somerset, a negro, for +whom he was counsel, and his argument was the occasion of a +precedent being established for the freedom of slaves the moment +they set foot on English land. He possessed a very +extensive and most valuable library, which Parliament purchased +for £8000, in order that it might be placed in the British +Museum. He died here in 1821, aged 80.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Sydenham Edwards, Esq., F.L.S., an eminent botanical +draughtsman, lived in Charles Street, Queen’s Elm, and +afterwards removed to Barrossa Place, where he died in +1819. The Flora Londinensis, Rees’ +Encyclopædia, &c., were greatly indebted to his +masterly pencil.</p> +<h3>CHURCH STREET.</h3> +<p>Alexander Stephens, Esq., built and resided in Park House, +Upper Church Street, for a great many years. He was the +author of several popular works, was born at Elgin, about 1757, +and completed his education at the University of Aberdeen, which +he left at the early age of 18 years, for the purpose of <a +name="page76"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 76</span>proceeding to +the West India Islands, principally with a view to add to his +stock of useful information and knowledge of the world. Mr. +Stephens purchased a Commission in the 84th regiment, but never +joined in consequence of the sudden reduction of that +corps. At the age of 21, he entered himself a member of the +Middle Temple, where he continued his vigorous pursuit of legal +studies for several years. His earliest production was +“Jamaica,” a descriptive poem; and his next, +published within a few years afterwards, “The +Temple,” a kind of law journal. But of his printed +works, undoubtedly, the most approved are the volumes of the +“Public Characters;” also a “Life of John Horne +Took,” and the “History of the Wars, which arose out +of the French Revolution.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The industry of Mr. Stephens in the collection of the +materials for his biographical works has not often been +surpassed. He was accustomed to commit to paper the most +trifling memoranda illustrative of the history of any eminent +individual the moment they were communicated to him.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Stephens enjoyed the confidential friendship of the late +Duke of Kent, and was in habits of unreserved intimacy with many +other distinguished characters of the age. He was related +to the Duke of Roxburgh, whose claim to that title he pleaded +with memorable success in the House of Lords.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Although generally of retired habits, Mr. Stephens often felt +interested in the parochial concerns of Chelsea, and +distinguished himself by the manliness and zeal with which he +supported measures which to him appeared likely to prove +beneficial.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Stephens wrote much and well for the periodical +press. The pages of the Analytical Review abound in +important articles from his pen. To the Monthly Magazine, +also, he was a frequent contributor. Besides the +composition of papers on the Belles Lettres, he was in the habit +of furnishing biographical notices for that journal. In +extent of information touching the lives and actions of the +cotemporary generation, he was equalled by few writers of his +age. Mr. Stephens’s sound constitution was gradually +impaired by intense study, added to the immoderate use of +coldiam, on the efficacy of which he placed implicit +reliance. For the last two years of his life he suffered +severely from the gout, and at last died somewhat suddenly at his +house in Upper Church Street, in 1821, aged 64, and was interred +in the burial ground attached to St. Luke’s Church.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page77"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 77</span>A. H. +Haworth, Esq., occupied a house in Upper Church Street in 1825, +and for some time previous to that year. He possessed an +unrivalled Museum of Entomology and Natural History, the +collection of 40 years laborious research. It would be +impossible here to give any thing like an adequate notice of what +it contained. There were about 40,000 insects, arranged in +systematic order, and about 20,000 dried plants, arranged in +natural order, and glued. His contributions to the +Linnæan Society and Horticultural Society, Philosophical +Magazine, &c., were greatly esteemed.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>I. N. Sartorius, Esq., so long celebrated for his faithful +delineations of animal life, resided in this street in 1830, and +for some years.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Philip Reinagle, Esq., R.A., celebrated for his beautiful +specimens of landscape paintings, and whose family were eminent +for their proficiency in the fine arts, resided also here about +the same period.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>W. H. Davis, Esq., at a much later period, resided also for +many years in Upper Church Street, near the King’s Road; he +was considered to be one of the best animal portrait painters, +and was constantly employed every Smithfield Cattle Show, his +works being very highly prized.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Crossing the King’s Road, we enter into that portion of +Church Street which leads direct to the Old Church. This +ancient thoroughfare was built upon at a very early period, and +many eminent persons have resided here at various times; but +principally since the Rectory was removed hither, in 1569, from +Milman’s Row.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>William Tebbs, Esq., Proctor, resided nearly opposite the +Rectory House, in Church Street, for many years; he was highly +respected professionally, and much esteemed for his kindness and +liberality to the poor. Mr. Tebbs, sen., dwelt here in +1819, and his name appears subsequently and previously for a long +time as a contributor to most of the local charities.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Henry Virtue Tebbs, Esq., son of the preceding, and who was in +partnership with his father, resided in a commodious detached +house, with large enclosed garden, in Cooks’ Ground, for a +long time. Like the rest of his family he was greatly +respected by the inhabitants, and ever ready to promote every <a +name="page78"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 78</span>good work in +the parish. Of him it may truly be said that he was the +constant friend of the needy and helpless. He was a zealous +supporter of the Chelsea Auxiliary Bible Society, and he devoted +most of his leisure hours in promoting the various societies +connected with Park Chapel, especially the Day and Sunday +Schools. Some few years since he removed from the parish to +the deep regret of a numerous circle of friends, whose sincere +hope is that his benevolent heart may still beat for many a year +to come.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>One of the most ancient mansions (pulled down some few years +ago) was called Church Place. It was said to have been the +residence of various eminent persons; and some have confidently +asserted that it was the palace of the Earl of Essex. It +was also said to have been used by Queen Anne as a laundry. +In the back front there was a date, cut in brick, +“1641.” This old house is first mentioned in +the parish books in 1696; it is also mentioned repeatedly in the +Inquests of Court Leet, and Court Baron, before and after that +period.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Dr. Atterbury resided facing the river, near the Old Church, +in 1695, as appears by the parish books, and afterwards in Church +Street, for several years; one of his letters is dated from hence +in 1698. There he became acquainted with Swift, in 1711, to +whom he was before unknown.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Francis Atterbury, Bishop of Rochester, was born in 1662, and +was educated in Westminster School, and afterwards was elected a +Student of Christ Church, Oxford, where he soon distinguished +himself by his wit and learning, and gave early proofs of his +poetical talents. In 1687, he made his first essay in +controversial writing, and shewed himself an able and strenuous +advocate for the Protestant religion. In 1691 he took holy +orders, and was elected in the same year Lecturer of St. +Bride’s, London, and Preacher of Bridewell Chapel.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Upon the accession of Queen Anne, in 1702, Dr. Atterbury was +appointed one of her Majesty’s Chaplains in Ordinary; and +in 1704 was advanced to the Deanery of Carlisle. In 1713, +at the recommendation of Lord Chancellor Harcourt, the Queen +promoted him to the Bishopric of Rochester.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In 1722, Dr. Atterbury, on suspicion of being concerned in a +plot in favour of the Pretender, was apprehended and committed to +the Tower. Shortly afterwards he was condemned to <a +name="page79"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 79</span>perpetual +exile. Just before this, a large fine dropped to him as +Dean of Westminster, but he could have no right to receive it +without the seal being set to it in full chapter. Sir +Robert Walpole earnestly enquired whether a Chapter could not be +held in the Tower, that he might receive the benefit of the +fine. A chapter was accordingly there held, and the Bishop +received a £1000 for his share. This anecdote, which +is well authenticated, does great credit to the liberality of +Walpole.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Dr. Atterbury, in his private character, was most amiable and +exemplary; as a preacher he was eloquent, and as a writer, his +sermons, letters and other tracts, proved most decidedly that he +possessed piety, genius, and erudition. On the 18th of +June, 1723, having the day before taken leave of his friends, +this eminent prelate embarked on board the Aldborough man-of-war, +and landed on the Friday following at Calais.</p> +<blockquote><p>A prelate for wit, and for eloquence +fam’d,<br /> +Apollo soon miss’d, and he need not be nam’d;<br /> +Since amidst a whole bench, of which some are so bright,<br /> +No one of them shines so learn’d and +polite.—<i>Sheffield</i>, 1719.</p> +</blockquote> +<p>The celebrated Dean Swift came to Chelsea in the year 1711, +and took up his residence facing Dr. Atterbury’s house in +Church Street.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Dr. Jonathan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick, in Dublin, an +illustrious poet, and political and satirical writer, was born in +Dublin in 1667, and died in 1745. Of a life so various and +so full of business as Swift’s, we know not what part we +could select consistent with the limits of this work that would +not excite rather than gratify curiosity.</p> +<p>The company of Swift was courted by persons of the first rank +in life and literature; the following peculiarities may be +related:—He made to himself a rule never to speak more than +a minute at a time, and to wait for others to take up the +conversation. He was singularly happy in punning; and used +to say, that none despised that talent but those who were without +it. He also greatly excelled in telling a story; but, in +the latter part of his life, used to tell the same rather to +often. Though to strangers he appeared churlish, and +austere to his servants, it is said he was a kind and generous +master; he was also very charitable to the poor.</p> +<p><a name="page80"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 80</span>Swift +has been very minute and circumstantial in describing the +particulars relative to his residence here, and his acquaintance +with Dr. Atterbury. I will select one instance of +it:—“I got here,” says he, “with Patrick +and my portmanteau for sixpence, and pay six shillings a week for +one silly room, with confounded coarse sheets. I lodge just +over against Dr. Atterbury’s house; and yet, perhaps, I +shall not like the place the better for that.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Thomas Shadwell, Esq., Poet Laureat, another resident of +Church Street, was born at Stanton Hall, Norfolk, and received +his education at Bury School, and Caius College, Cambridge. +His father, who held a place of profit and distinction in the law +in Ireland, bestowed the learning and exercises of a gentleman +upon him. Notwithstanding that, Lord Rochester has +said,</p> +<blockquote><p>“None seem to touch true Comedy<br /> +But hasty Shadwell and slow Wycherlye,”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>yet that lord had a better opinion of his conversation than +his writings when he said “that if Shadwell had burned all +he wrote, and printed all he spoke, he would have shewn more wit +and humour than any other poet.” In the reign of +William III. he succeeded Dryden, as Poet Laureat, under whose +lash he had previously fallen. His works, consisting of +seventeen plays, were published in three volumes 12mo. in 1720, +with a short account of his life written by his son, Sir John +Shadwell, Knight, who was physician to Queen Anne, and resided in +a house at Chelsea, which had been previously occupied by Dr. +Arbuthnot. Shadwell died at Chelsea in 1692, aged 52, and +was buried in the Church, November 24, when a funeral sermon was +preached by his friend Dr. Nicholas Brady, in which he assures us +that “his natural and acquired abilities made him +sufficiently remarkable to all that he conversed with, very few +being equal to him in all the becoming qualities and +accomplishments of a gentleman.” His widow, who had +been an actress, survived him, and resided at Chelsea some +years.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Dr. John Arbuthnot, a native of Scotland, had his education in +the University of Aberdeen, where he took the degree of Doctor of +Physic. He came to London about the year 1695, and at first +taught the mathematics for his support. His facetious and +agreeable conversation introduced him by degrees into practice; +and he became eminent in his profession. Being at Epsom +when Prince George of Denmark was suddenly taken <a +name="page81"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 81</span>ill, he was +called in to his assistance; his advice was successful, and his +Highness recovering, employed him ever afterwards as his +physician.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Queen’s death, and the disasters which fell upon his +friends on that occasion, deeply affected his health and spirits; +and, to divert his melancholy, he paid a visit to his brother, a +banker, at Paris. He returned to London, and continued his +medical profession with great reputation, employing his leisure +hours in writing papers of wit and humour.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>About this time Dr. Arbuthnot took a house in Church Street, +where he at times entertained a select number of his +friends. He died in 1735 in Cork Street, Burlington +Gardens. In his writings he has shewn himself equal to any +of his cotemporaries in humour, wit, and learning. Sir John +Shadwell, son of the Laureat, afterwards occupied the house.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Dr. Edward Chamberlayne, it appears from the land tax book of +this parish, anno 1704, resided next door to Dr. King, the +rector, in a house that is still standing, and which is a few +doors north of the White Horse public house, in Church +Street. He was descended from an ancient family, and born +at Odington, in Gloucestershire, in 1616. During the civil +war he made the tour of Europe. After the Restoration he +was chosen F.R.S.; and, in 1669, attended Charles, Earl of +Carlisle, as secretary to the embassy to Stockholm, with the +order of the Garter for the King of Sweden. Shortly +afterwards the degree of LL.D. was conferred on him at Cambridge, +and also the same at Oxford at a later period. About the +year 1679, he received the appointment of tutor to the Duke of +Grafton, one of the natural sons of Charles II.; and subsequently +he instructed Prince George of Denmark, consort to Queen Anne, in +the English language. He died at his house in Church Street +in 1703, having been an active magistrate in this parish for many +years.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>John Chamberlayne, (son of Dr. Chamberlayne,) who resided in +the house formerly occupied by his father, was a learned and +worthy man. He was admitted into Trinity College, Oxford, +in 1685, and was gentleman usher to George Prince of +Denmark. He translated, from the French and Spanish: 1. The +Manner of making Tea, Coffee, and Chocolate. 2. From +Italian into English, A Treasure of Health, written by Castor +Durant de Gualdo, physician of Rome. 3. The Arguments of +the Books and Chapters of the Old and New Testaments, with +Practical <a name="page82"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +82</span>Observations, written originally in French by the Rev. +Mr. Ostervald, Professor of Divinity, and one of the members of +the church at Neufchatel, in Switzerland, and by him presented to +the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, of which society +he was a member. 4. The Lives of the Members of the Royal +Academy of Sciences; translated from the French of M. de +Fontenelle; republished since, in 1721, under the title of +“Memoirs of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Paris, +Epitomized, with the Lives of the late Members of that +Society.” 5. The Religious or Christian Philosopher; +or, The right Use of Contemplating the Work of the Creator; +translated from the Dutch of Dr. Nieuwentyt, with cuts. 6. +History of the Reformation in and about the Low Countries; +translated from the Low Dutch of Gerard Brandt. 7. The +Lord’s Prayer, in 100 Languages. 8. Dissertations, +Historical, Theological, and Critical, on the most memorable +events of the Old and New Testaments, wherein the Spirit of the +Sacred Writings is shewn, their authority confirmed, +&c. Mr. Chamberlayne was Fellow of the Royal Society, +to whom he communicated several papers on important +subjects. He augmented and improved his father’s book +of “The Present State of Great Britain,” to the +latter editions of which his name is prefixed. He was not +only learned but pious, earnest at all times in promoting and +disseminating religious principles. In the old churchyard, +facing the river, are inscriptions to the memory of this +distinguished family. <a name="citation82"></a><a +href="#footnote82" class="citation">[82]</a></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Bowack, to whom we are so much indebted for his valuable +information, resided near Dr. Chamberlayne’s house in +Church Street. In 1705 he began to publish, in folio +numbers, “The Antiquities of Middlesex; being a Collection +of the several Church Monuments in that County; also an +Historical Account of each Church and Parish, with the Seats, +Villages, and names of the most eminent Inhabitants.” +The work extended through the parishes of Chelsea, Fulham, +Kensington, Chiswick, and Acton, and was then discontinued. +It is much to be regretted that he could not complete his +design. He has preserved many monumental inscriptions, +since destroyed. Mr. Bowack was writing master to +Westminster School. “I have,” says Mr. +Faulkner, in reference to his own work, “carefully embodied +the greater part of the information contained in his +(Bowack’s) folio volume, now become extremely +scarce.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page83"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 83</span>John +Martyn, Esq., who resided in Church Street, next door to Dr. +Chamberlayne, was the son of a merchant of London. He was +born in 1699. With him it was a subject of frequent +exultation, in after-life, that Providence had thrown him into a +country, and produced him at a period so fertile in genius and +literary accomplishments. “It was truly the golden +age of learning,” says Mr. Faulkner, “and to converse +with those heroes who adorn it was deemed no mean privilege, or +glory, by one who well knew how to value mental +wealth.” He was sent by his father to a private +school (his mother died when he was scarcely a twelvemonth old), +and here by his own industry rather than by any advantage of +instruction, he made a tolerable proficiency in school learning, +but was taken away from his beloved books to engage in the +business of a counting house. Most youths of his age, in +such an occupation, would have found their minds sufficiently +employed, but he, insatiate of knowledge, after the labours of +the day, dedicated most of those hours which are usually given to +bodily rest to the improvement of his understanding.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Martyn’s propensity to the science of botany was +first excited by an acquaintance with Mr. Wilmer, an apothecary, +who afterwards became the reader in the Botanic Garden at +Chelsea, and by an intimacy contracted with Dr. Blair and Dr. +Sherard. In the year 1732, he published a translation of +“Tournefort’s History of Plants about Paris,” +and in the same year a “Catalogue of the Plants about +London,” but he did not complete it. From a strong +conviction that observations made upon plants in their natural +places of growth were the least liable to error, he about the +same time began his botanical excursions, which were mostly +performed on foot, and were continued for a long period with +unwearied diligence. His “Hortus Siccus,” +containing 1,400 specimens, is a sufficient testimony of his +industry. Nor did he confine himself wholly to the +contemplation of vegetables, and their hidden virtues; the +numerous insect tribe began to attract no small share of his +attention. In 1721, he principally instituted the Botanical +Society, in London. Dr. Dillenius was president, and Mr. +Martyn was secretary. This society kept together till +1726. About this time he became a member of the Royal +Society, and now began to apply himself most seduously to the +practice of physic. For this purpose he was admitted of +Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and kept five terms, with an +intention to have proceeded regularly with his degrees, but from +peculiar circumstances he was prevented from finishing his +design. He <a name="page84"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +84</span>had now lived and practised physic in Great St. +Helen’s, Bishopsgate Street, during three years; but, +finding the air of London disagree with his constitution, he +embraced a favourable opportunity which offered of removing to +Chelsea, where he practised physic with success and great +reputation for above twenty years.</p> +<p>In 1733, he was chosen Professor of Botany in the University +of Cambridge, where he had given several courses of lectures, and +had greatly restored the study of that science.</p> +<p>Mr. Martyn, in 1723 (as is stated in a preceding page), +married Eulalia, youngest daughter of the Rev. Dr. John King, +Rector of Chelsea, by whom he had three sons and five daughters, +all of whom were born in Church Street, Chelsea, in the same +house wherein their mother was born and died, and in which her +father, Dr. King, lived and died. Mrs. Martyn died in 1749, +from a cancer in her breast, occasioned by a violent blow given +her as she was walking in London.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In 1750, Mr. Martyn married, secondly, a daughter of Claude +Fonnereau, Esq., merchant of London, who bore him one son and +survived him. Soon after this he retired to Streatham, +Surrey. In 1761 he resigned his professorship of botany; +and some time after presented to the University his library of +botanical books, amounting to above 200 volumes.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Chelsea, notwithstanding the happiness he enjoyed at +Streatham, seems after all to have been his favourite place of +abode, as he removed back again to his former residence in Church +Street, and at last, by the most gradual and gentle decay, died +there in 1768.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Martyn’s benevolence was that of a Christian, +diffusive and unconfined; he was considered as the father of the +poor in the parish, and gave constant attention to the sick, both +in and out of the workhouse. He was the author of many +works, two of which we shall notice:—</p> +<p class="gutindent">“An Account of an Aurora Australis, +seen at Chelsea, March 18, 1738–9.” This was +the first account which had ever been given of that +phenomenon.</p> +<p class="gutindent">“An Account of an Earthquake felt in +London, February 8, 1749–50.”</p> +<p><a name="page85"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 85</span>The +following extract from the latter account will no doubt interest +the reader: “At 40 minutes after noon, all the houses were +violently shaken, especially those nearest the river. A +maid servant, passing from one under office to another, felt the +ground, which was six feet below the surface, shake. Of +those who were in the street, or on the river, some felt, others +not. It was felt at Fulham, but not at Hounslow, Brentford, +nor Richmond, nor farther westward than Kensington Turnpike; it +seemed to terminate in the west, about two miles beyond +Chelsea.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Martyn was also engaged in a weekly paper, called +“The Grub Street Journal,” which had a large sale, +about the year 1736. It was one of the most curious of the +periodical papers of that period. In a fine vein of irony +it attacked the heroes of the Dunciad, and tells some secrets of +their obscure quarrels. <a name="citation85"></a><a +href="#footnote85" class="citation">[85]</a> The papers he +contributed are distinguished by the signature +“B.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>William Petyt, Esq., to whom we have already slightly +referred, in the account of his gift to the parish of the School +Room at the Old Church, resided in Church Street, and died there +in 1707, aged 71 years. Of his progress through life there +is no information, except that he enjoyed considerable reputation +as a writer on the laws and constitution of England, which are +preserved in the Inner Temple Library. There is a long +Latin epitaph to his memory in the Temple Church. It was +the year before his death that he built the schoolrooms and +vestry.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The White Horse Inn in Church Street, which was burnt down +some years since, and a new one substituted for it, was a very +ancient house, built in the style which prevailed in the reigns +of Henry VIII. and Queen Elizabeth. The disposition of the +rooms, the ancient panelling, and the various grotesque ornaments +and carving, especially of human figures in the form of brackets, +were well worthy of inspection, and excited the attention of most +strangers who visited the house.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The old Parochial Guardian Society mostly held their meetings +at the old White Horse Inn. The principal room was large +and consequently well-adapted for such purposes; and when the +parishioners met in open vestry, the house being <a +name="page86"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 86</span>opposite to +the Vestry Room where they assembled, it was particularly +convenient on such occasions for the accommodation of the +ratepayers generally. The above society comprised a great +many members, and acted in conjunction with a large number of the +resident gentry of the parish.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Justice Walk, which extends from Church Street to Lawrence +Street, took its name from a magistrate who lived in it. An +avenue of lime trees formerly adorned it, and, being kept in good +order, it was a very agreeable footway for passengers. +There is now in it a commodious Wesleyan Chapel, built in +1841. The exterior is plain and unpretending. The +interior is neat, comfortable, and well ventilated. Beneath +the chapel is a spacious school room, in which the Sunday School +is held. This school is very well attended. Through +the exertions of the members, and other friends, the interior of +the chapel has recently been painted, and rendered more +comfortable in many respects.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Chelsea China Manufactory was situate at the corner of +Justice Walk, and occupied the houses to the upper end of +Lawrence Street. Several of the large old houses were used +as shew-rooms. It has been discontinued for nearly 90 +years.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The manufactory of Chelsea porcelain was set on foot and +carried on by a Mr. Spremont, a foreigner. The +establishment employed a great number of hands; but the original +proprietor having acquired a large fortune retired from the +concern, and his successors, wanting his enterprise and spirit, +did not so well succeed, and in a few years finally abandoned +it. Previous to the dissolution, the proprietors presented +a memorial respecting it to the Government, requesting protection +and assistance, in which they stated that “the manufacture +in England has been carried on by great labour and a large +expense; it is in many respects to the full as good as the +Dresden; and the late Duke of Orleans told Colonel York that the +metal or earth had been tried in his furnace, and was found to be +the best made in Europe. It is now daily improving, and +already employs, at least, 100 hands, of which is a nursery of +thirty lads taken from the parishes and charity schools, and bred +to designing and painting: arts very much wanted here, and which +are of the greatest use in our silk and printed linen +manufactories.”</p> +<p><a name="page87"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +87</span>Specimens of this porcelain have always been much +esteemed, and still retain a great value. At the sale of +the effects of Queen Charlotte, the articles in Chelsea china, of +which her Majesty had a large collection, brought very high +prices. Mr. Watkins, in his Life of Queen Charlotte, says, +“I beheld with admiration a complete service of Chelsea +china, porcelain, rich and beautiful in fancy beyond +expression. I really never saw any Dresden porcelain near +so fine.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. A. Stephens, whom we have already noticed, was told by the +foreman of the Chelsea China Manufactory (then in the workhouse +of St. Luke’s, Middlesex), that Dr. Johnson had conceived a +notion that he was capable of improving on the manufacture of +china. He even applied to the directors of the Chelsea +China Works, and was allowed to <i>bake</i> his compositions in +their ovens in Lawrence Street, Chelsea. He was accordingly +accustomed to go down with his housekeeper, about twice a week, +and stop the whole day, she carrying a basket of provisions with +her. The Doctor, who was not allowed to enter the +<i>mixing</i> room, had access to every other part of the +premises, and formed his composition in a particular apartment, +without being overlooked by any one. He had also free +access to the oven, and superintended the whole of the process; +but completely failed, both as to composition and baking, for his +materials always yielded to the intensity of the heat, while +those of the Company came out of the furnace perfect and +complete. Dr. Johnson retired in disgust, but not in +despair, for he afterwards gave a dissertation on this very +subject in his works; but the overseer assured Mr. Stephens, in +1814, that he was still ignorant of the nature of the +operation. He seemed to think that the Doctor imagined one +single substance was sufficient, while he, on the other hand, +asserted that he always used sixteen, and he must have had some +practice, as he had nearly lost his eye-sight by firing batches +of china, both at Chelsea and Derby, to which the manufacture was +afterwards carried.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Chelsea china, originally patronised by the Duke of +Cumberland, and afterwards by Sir R. Faulkner, was a long time in +such repute as to be sold by auction, and as a set was purchased +as soon as baked, dealers were surrounding the doors for that +purpose. <a name="citation87"></a><a href="#footnote87" +class="citation">[87]</a></p> +<h3><a name="page88"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +88</span>LAWRENCE STREET, &c.</h3> +<p>Lawrence Street derives its name, as previously intimated, +from its having been the site of the residence of the Lawrence +family for many years. On this spot stood the first old +Manor House, until Lord Sandys alienated the manor to Henry +VIII., when that king sold it to Sir Thomas Lawrence, and erected +another in Cheyne Walk.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The ancient family of Lawrence first came into England with +William the Conqueror, and settled at Ashton Hall, in the county +of Lancaster, where they resided for 300 years, and possessed an +immense property, which, in the year 1591, included 34 manors, +the rental of which amounted to £6000 per annum. It +is uncertain when this family first came to Chelsea, but as the +Lawrence chapel in the Old Church is built in the style of +architecture which prevailed at the beginning of the fourteenth +century, they were probably settled here about that period, and +some time before they purchased the manor house. Some of +the family who were buried in the chapel have already been +mentioned.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The chief branches of this eminent family resided in Chelsea, +in London, and at Iver, Bucks. Sir John Lawrence, knight, +was Lord Mayor of London in 1665.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Some “Pious Contemplations,” on the arms of the +Lawrence family, are written in the margin of their +pedigree. They are supposed to have been affixed to it in +1664, but the author is not known. The following are the +concluding lines:—</p> +<blockquote><p>“The way to Heaven is not with roses +spread,<br /> +But throng’d with thorns, as was Thy sacred head;<br /> +Our peace is hack’d and hew’d, our life’s a +war,<br /> +We, for our Cross, must many crosses bear—<br /> +Or, a red sea our passage doth withstand,<br /> +Or, fiery serpents, or, a barren sand,<br /> +Ere we can reach the truly Holy Land.”</p> +<p>“Christ’s Cross the ladder is that leads to +bliss,<br /> +Blest Jacob’s vision was a type of this;<br /> +Who climbs by other steps is at a loss—<br /> +To Heaven the only ladder is the Cross.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p><a name="page89"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 89</span>Ann, +Duchess of Monmouth and Buccleugh, relict of James, Duke of +Monmouth, resided in the “great house” in Lawrence +Street about 1714, and from that time it was called Monmouth +House. The following item appears in the +Churchwardens’ accounts for the year 1716: “Paid the +ringers, when the Princess (afterwards Queen Caroline) visited +the Duchess of Monmouth, six shillings.” The Duchess +was, it is said, for her agreeable person, good sense, and +irreproachable character, one of the most amiable ladies about +the Court. During the first years of her marriage she seems +to have been as happy, and as much envied as any woman in the +kingdom; but this happiness was of short duration; she was +unfortunately supplanted in the Duke’s affections by Lady +Harriet Wentworth, daughter of the Earl of Cleveland, whose +personal charms were superior to her own. Her Grace died in +1732, aged 90 years.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Gay was for some time secretary to the Duchess, as stated +in Johnson’s Life of Gay.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Dr. Smollett afterwards resided in the same house in Lawrence +Street. He came to Chelsea on account of the bad state of +health of his beloved daughter, who was at that time in a +consumption, under which she finally sank in the year 1763. +The house and premises were extensive, and well suited for the +residence of a person of rank. There are few men of real +genius who have written more voluminously than Dr. +Smollett. His entertaining novels are so well known that it +seems almost unnecessary to mention Roderick Random, the +Adventures of Peregrine Pickle, Ferdinand Count Fathom, and Sir +Launcelot Greaves, the Expedition of Humphry Clinker, &c.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>He was bred to the medical profession, and in the early part +of his life served as a surgeon in the navy. It is said +that before he took a house at Chelsea he attempted to settle as +a practitioner, at Bath, but was unsuccessful, chiefly because he +could not render himself agreeable to the ladies. This, +however, was a little extraordinary, for Smollett was as graceful +and handsome a man as any of the age; besides, there was a +certain dignity in his manner which could not fail to inspire +respect whenever he appeared. Abandoning physic altogether +as a profession, he fixed his residence at Chelsea, and turned +his thoughts entirely to writing.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Dr. Smollett’s History of England has had a most +extensive sale. He is said to have received £2000 for +writing it and the <a name="page90"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +90</span>continuation. During the last years of his life he +was employed in abridging the Modern Universal History, great +part of which he had originally written himself. In the +year 1755 he set on foot the Critical Review, and continued the +principal manager of it till he went abroad for the first time, +in the year 1763. He had made some very severe remarks on a +pamphlet published by Admiral Knowles, who commenced a +prosecution against the printer; and, just as sentence was going +to be pronounced, he came into Court, and avowed himself the +author; upon which he was fined £100, and condemned to +three months’ imprisonment in the King’s Bench. +It is there he is said to have written the Adventures of Sir +Launcelot Greaves, in which he has described some remarkable +characters, then his fellow-prisoners. When Lord Bute was +called to the chief administration of affairs, he was prevailed +upon to write in defence of that nobleman’s measures, in a +weekly paper called the Briton. This gave rise to the +well-known North Briton, wherein he was rather baffled.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Smollett’s constitution being at last greatly impaired +by a sedentary life, and assiduous application to study, he went +abroad for his health in 1769. He wrote accounts of his +travels, in a series of letters to his friends, which were +afterwards published.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>During that time he appears to have been occasionally in a +distressed state of mind. In his first letter he +writes:—“In gratifying your curiosity, I shall find +some amusement to beguile the tedious hours; which, without some +such employment, would be rendered insupportable by distemper and +disquiet. You knew and pitied my situation: traduced by +malice, persecuted by faction, abandoned by false patrons, and +overwhelmed by domestic affliction.” He here alludes +to the loss of his only daughter. In another letter, +addressed to Mr. Reid, of this parish, he desires to be +remembered to his Chelsea friends, wishing them that health and +happiness to which he himself was a stranger, and adds, “I +am very glad to know your concert was so brilliant, and I hope +all your Chelsea societies will continue to flourish.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Dr. Smollett returned to England, but afterwards went back to +Italy, where he died in 1771.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The old Chelsea Stage Coaches started from Lawrence Street and +Church Street, between which places there were extensive +stabling, and a residence for the proprietor in the centre of the +<a name="page91"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +91</span>yard. The fare for inside passengers was +1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i>, outside 1<i>s.</i>, and no intermediate +fare at a lower sum was taken. Thanks to the General +Omnibus Company, to the Steamboat, and the Railway Companies, we +can now go to almost the extremity of London for 6<i>d.</i> and a +shorter distance for 3<i>d.</i></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Lordship Place takes its name from having been the site of the +barns, &c., of the Lord of the Manor. It is a short +street, near the river, connecting Lawrence Street with Cheyne +Row. In the early Parish Registers occur many lamentable +details of poor people being found dead in these barns, where +they had taken refuge from the inclemency of the weather.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Cheyne Row was built in 1708, and was named after the Lord of +the Manor.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>John Denver, Esq., resided in Cheyne Row for the last twenty +years of his life. He devoted his time to study, and the +forming of a collection of early printed Bibles, manuscripts, and +missals, which was at last one of the most valuable in +England. His daughter, Miss Denyer, was very clever in +painting and illuminating on vellum, &c. Her drawings +and miniatures were equal to the finest specimens of the middle +ages. Mr. Denyer died at the age of 71, and was buried in +the Old Church, and his affectionate daughter was also interred +near her father and mother. This family was distinguished +for their benevolence to the poor.</p> +<p>In Cheyne Row, within my recollection, many old and +influential families have resided there, who were greatly +respected. Amongst them may be mentioned Edmund Chalmers, +Esq., Thomas Chalmers, Esq., John Hulme, Esq., Edward Holl, Esq., +the benevolent Mrs. Hebert, Richard Draper, Esq., George Blyth, +Esq., and Isaac Wrentmore, Esq.</p> +<p>Thomas Carlyle, Esq., who is so well-known in literary and +other distinguished circles, and who is certainly one of the most +profound writers of the present age, has resided in Cheyne Row +for a great many years. The University of Edinburgh, last +year, conferred on him the highest honour it could bestow. +His habits of life at Chelsea are naturally secluded, but he is +nevertheless greatly respected by those who have an opportunity +of acquiring a knowledge of his social worth. Mr. Carlyle +begins now to bend with age, although apparently in tolerable +health, and, notwithstanding his recent severe bereavement, not a +cloud seems to dim the vigour of his intellectual faculties.</p> +<p><a name="page92"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 92</span>In +Upper Cheyne Row there was formerly a manufactory for melting +gold and silver in crucibles, which was said to produce the best +articles of the kind in England.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Cook’s Grounds was formerly a back way to Alston House, +Cheyne Walk.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Cook’s Ground Chapel was originally built for the use of +the French Protestants, who had taken refuge in this country +after the revocation of the edict of Nantes, in the year +1685. Several French gardeners settled upon this spot, and +the Rev. Dr. King, the rector, mentions them in terms of great +kindness, and strongly recommends them to the protection of his +successors. The chapel was for many years in the +Independent Connexion. The Rev. Benjamin Fielder, in 1773, +succeeded the Rev. Mr. Trail, and died in 1803. His death +was very affecting; he had seated himself in the pulpit, and, +after a hymn had been sung, he was observed with his head +reclining, and without any signs of life. He was +immediately removed, but never spoke afterwards. The Rev. +John Bunce, who was well known and respected in Chelsea, was +minister at this chapel for many years, and subsequently Dr. +Tracey, Mr. Webb, and at the present time Mr. Hayward.</p> +<h3>Alston House, Cheyne Walk.</h3> +<p>Shrewsbury, or Alston House, a capital mansion, built about +the latter end of the reign of Henry VIII., was situated in +Cheyne Walk, to the west of the present “Pier +Hotel.” This house was considered for a long time to +have been the residence of Sir Thomas More; but Dr. King has +proved, from the most authentic documents, that it never had any +just pretensions to that honour.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>It was an irregular brick building, forming three sides of a +quadrangle. The principal room was one hundred and twenty +feet in length, and was originally wainscotted with carved +oak. One of the rooms was painted in imitation of marble, +and appeared to have been originally an oratory. Certain +curious <a name="page93"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +93</span>portraits on panel, which had ornamented the large +rooms, were destroyed some few years since; this is to be +regretted, as, in all probability, they represented its former +owners, or, at least, some persons of note.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Leading from the premises, towards the King’s Road, +there is a subterranean passage, which has been explored for a +short distance. It is said, traditionally, to have +communicated with a cave or dungeon, situated at a considerable +distance from the house; but for what purpose made, no one now in +its vicinity confidently presumes to guess.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The following information concerning this subterranean +passage, is obtained from a letter of Miss Gulston to Miss Tate, +who was the proprietor of the estate:—</p> +<blockquote><p>“I have found an old man, now living at +Chelsea, who worked at the paper manufactory when a lad, and who +has established the facts. I have always been laughed at +when I have mentioned the story. I have gotten two drawings +of the room and passage.</p> +<p>“The entrance to this passage was from the room used by +the paper stainers as a drying place. It had no fire-place +in it; the dimensions were nearly as follows: 25 feet high, 50 +long, 36 wide; the ceiling was strong with beams, to sustain the +upper floors, but without any plastered ceiling. You +descended into it by a wide winding staircase, through a +circular-top door, strongly fortified with rivets and four large +hinges: this door was so contrived, that it opened far enough +back to hide the approach to the hole, and could there be +fastened so as to have the appearance of belonging to the large +room, and the circular steps leading to it caused the more +deception.</p> +<p>“The side walls are all brick. This man never +could proceed with his light more than a distance of thirty +yards, when the light invariably went out. The passage is +free from any incumbrance of earth, or from any part of the side +walls having given way; as far as could be ascertained, its +direction was towards the river.</p> +<p>“It is regularly paved with two flag stones, leaving a +border of six inches of earth; width 3 feet, length 5½ +feet.</p> +<p><a name="page94"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +94</span>“This passage was discovered, owing to the +proprietor having been robbed of a quantity of paper for +years. The man now alive volunteered to detect the thief; +the paper was found on the staircase descending to the +passage.</p> +<p style="text-align: right">“E. <span +class="smcap">Gulston</span>.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>Alston House was for many years the residence of the +Shrewsbury family.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>George, Earl of Shrewsbury, succeeded his father in the title, +June 28th, the 13th Edward IV., while a minor. In the reign +of Henry VIII. he was in high favour with that monarch, was +steward of the household, and a privy counsellor, and accompanied +the King at his interview with Francis I. at Guisnes.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In 28 Henry VIII., on the rebellion in the North, called +“the pilgrimage of grace,” occasioned by the +dissolution of the lesser monasteries, he was constituted the +King’s Lieutenant, to march thither with a powerful army, +he himself having raised a number of men at his own expense, when +the Earl, and the Duke of Norfolk, succeeded in bringing the +rebels to submission, and obtained for them the King’s +pardon. This nobleman resided occasionally at Chelsea; and +here his sixth son, by his first wife, was born. The Earl +died 1538; he is characterised by Polydore Virgil, “as a +person noble, prudent, and moderate through the whole course of +his life.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Francis, his son and heir, is mentioned among the freeholders +in the court rolls of the Manor of Chelsea, 35 Henry VIII. +This nobleman also enjoyed the favour of his sovereign during +three succeeding reigns. In 1545 he was appointed the +King’s Lieutenant in the North; and in the following year +was installed one of the Knights Companions of the most noble +order of the Garter. In 2 Edward VI. he had the command of +a large army that was sent into Scotland, and in 1st of Queen +Mary was made President of the Council of the North. He +died September 21, 1560.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>George, Earl of Shrewsbury, son of the preceding, was +installed a Knight of the Garter, May 17, 1562. In 1568 the +custody of the Queen of Scots was committed to his charge. +In 1573, he presided as Lord High Steward at the trial of the +Duke of Norfolk; and on the death of his Grace, which <a +name="page95"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 95</span>happened soon +after, he was constituted Earl Marshal of England. He died +1590, and was buried at Sheffield, in the county of York. +“An inquisition, taken at Derby, 3rd April, 33 Elizabeth, +on the death of George, Earl of Shrewsbury; after reciting lands, +&c., in many counties, adds Middlesex, one capital messuage, +&c., in Chelsea. The value is lumped in many manors, +into a gross sum of £800 a year.” The +inscription on his monument, among other things, sets forth, +“That, as he excelled in mind, so was he skilled in the +affairs of war.” On the arrival of Mary, Queen of +Scots, in England, she was again put under his care, and so +continued till 1584. His behaviour to her was ever generous +and honourable, sparing no cost for her entertainment. +Words cannot fully express the care and concern he had for her, +nor can envy itself say otherwise than he was a faithful and +prudent person; in a word, his integrity in his high office was +not to be suspected, although evil disposed persons secretly and +vaguely gave out that he had used too much familiarity with his +royal prisoner. Thus, noble by descent, he was more noble +and illustrious in his actions; famous at home and abroad; loyal +to his prince and true to his country; and he resigned his soul +in “a good old age.” The Earl married to his +second wife, Elizabeth, widow of Sir William St. Loo, Captain of +the Guards to Queen Elizabeth, who survived him, and to whom he +probably bequeathed his house at Chelsea, as it appears to have +descended to her son William, first Earl of Devonshire. In +“Lodge’s Illustrations of English History,” is +a letter of this nobleman, dated from Chelsea, in 1585.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury. This lady, who was +much celebrated for her beauty and accomplishments, and still +more for her extraordinary fortune in the world, was daughter of +John Hardwick, Esq., of the county of Derby. At the age of +fourteen she was married to Robert Barley, Esq., who, in about +two years, left her a very rich widow. The next husband was +Sir William Cavendish, ancestor of the Duke of Devonshire. +Her third was Sir William St. Loo. In this third widowhood +she had not survived her charms of wit and beauty, by which she +captivated the then greatest subject of the land, George, Earl of +Shrewsbury, whom she brought to terms of considerable honour and +advantage to herself and children; for he not only yielded to a +very large jointure, but to a union of families, by marrying +Mary, her youngest daughter, to Gilbert, his son and afterwards +his heir, and giving the Lady Grace, his youngest daughter, to +Henry, her eldest son. In 1590 she was a fourth <a +name="page96"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 96</span>time left, +and continued a widow till her death. Her’s was a +change of conditions that, perhaps, never fell to any one woman +before or since: to be four times a creditable and happy wife, +and to rise by every husband to greater wealth and higher +honours; and, after all, to live seventeen years a widow in +absolute power and plenty. She built three of the most +elegant seats that were ever raised by one person in the same +county—Chatsworth, Hardwick, and Oldcoates; all transmitted +entire to the first Duke of Devonshire. The Countess died +in 1607, aged 87. She bequeathed all her estates to her son +William, Earl of Devonshire; and we find this nobleman to have +been in possession of this mansion at Chelsea soon after her +death.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>William, Earl of Devonshire, received his education with the +sons of the Earl of Shrewsbury, his father in-law; and, being +distinguished for eminent abilities, was advanced to the dignity +of Baron Cavendish, by James I. in the third year of his reign; +at which time of his creation his Majesty stood under a cloth of +state in the hall at Greenwich, accompanied by the princes and +the greatest part of the nobility, both of England and +Scotland. In 1618 he was created Earl of Devonshire. +He died at Hardwick in 1625. The Earl married, to his +second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Boughton, Esq., of the +county of Warwick, and widow of Sir Richard Wortley. This +lady survived him, and continued to reside at Chelsea till her +death, which happened in 1643, as appears by the parish book, in +which are also entries of the burials of some of her +domestics.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>After the death of the Countess of Devonshire, this ancient +house became the property of Sir Joseph Alston, who was created a +baronet by Charles II. in 1682. Mrs. Mary Alston, the wife +of this gentleman, died here in 1671, and her funeral sermon was +preached by Dr. Littleton, who published it shortly after, in +quarto. Sir Joseph was in possession of this house in 1664; +it afterwards came into the possession of Mr. Tate, and was +occupied as a stained paper manufactory.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In 1813 it was pulled down, and the materials sold by a +builder, who had obtained possession; and now not a stone remains +to show where it once stood.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The family of Tate were originally of Chelsea, and had at one +time large property here, which they parted with by +degrees. They attained property also in Leicestershire, +through a marriage with the daughter of Lord Zouch.</p> +<h3><a name="page97"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 97</span>Bishop +of Winchester’s Palace.</h3> +<p>The Bishop of Winchester’s Palace, which was pulled down +some years since, adjoined the gardens of Alston House, on the +east, and on the site of which is now Oakley Street, and a +terrace of well-built houses, fronting the river. The +houses erected in Oakley Street are throughout of a superior +class, and as the road is of considerable width, with a good +pavement, it now forms the most respectable and important direct +thoroughfare from the King’s Road to the centre of Cheyne +Walk. The contemplated embankment and Albert Bridge will be +noticed at the conclusion of this work, so as to get correct +information.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The ancient palace of the Bishops of Winchester, in Southwark, +having been dilapidated and laid waste, an Act of Parliament was +passed in the year 1663 empowering George Morley, Bishop of +Winchester, to lease out the houses in Southwark, and for other +purposes. In the ensuing year the Bishop, in pursuance of +this Act of Parliament, purchased a new brick house at Chelsea, +then lately built by James Duke of Hamilton, and adjoining to the +Manor House, Cheyne Walk, on the east, and Alston House, on the +west, for £4250, to be the future residence of the bishops +of this see, and to be called Winchester House. By the Act +it was held to be within the diocese of Winchester.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Bishopric of Winchester is of good antiquity, and has +never changed the see since its foundation. The Bishops are +Chancellors of the see of Canterbury, and Prelates of the most +noble Order of St. George, called the Garter, which office was +vested in them by King Edward III. at the establishment of that +noble Order, and has continued with them ever since. +Anciently, they were reputed Earls of Southampton, and are so +styled in the Statutes of the Garter, made by Henry VIII.</p> +<h3>BISHOPS SINCE THE RESTORATION OF KING CHARLES II.</h3> +<table> +<tr> +<td><p>1662.</p> +</td> +<td><p>George Morley, Bishop of Worcester.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1684.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Peter Mews, Bishop of Bath and Wells.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1707.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Sir Jonathan Trelawney, Bart., Bishop of Exeter.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1721.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Charles Trimnell, Bishop of Norwich.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1723.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Richard Willis, Bishop of Salisbury.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1734.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Benjamin Hoadly, Bishop of Salisbury.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1761.</p> +</td> +<td><p>John Thomas, Bishop of Salisbury.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1781.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Hon. Brownlow North, Bishop of Worcester.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1820.</p> +</td> +<td><p>George Tomline, Bishop of Lincoln.</p> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p><a name="page98"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 98</span>Dr. +Tomline was the last Bishop of Winchester who had possession of +this ancient house, but he never resided in it.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>George Morley, chaplain to Charles I., was a great scholar and +an eminent divine. After the death of the king he retired +to the Hague, where he attended on Charles II. At the +Restoration he was made Dean of Christ Church, and in the same +year Bishop of Worcester, whence he was translated to +Winchester. His constant practice was to rise at five +o’clock in the morning, to go to bed at eleven, and to eat +but once a day. By these rules he preserved his health with +very little interruption through the course of a long life. +He died in 1684.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Peter Mews was born at Parscandle, in Dorsetshire, in 1618, +and was educated at Merchant Tailors’ School, under the +care of Dr. Winiffe, then Dean of St. Paul’s, and +afterwards Bishop of Lincoln. From school he was elected +scholar to St. John’s College, Oxford, and became Fellow of +the same College at the commencement of the civil war. Soon +afterwards he left Oxford, entered the royal army, and was +promoted to the rank of captain; he served for some time, and +then went to Holland.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>During the Interregnum he took holy orders, and at the +Restoration returned to his college, where he took the degree of +D.D. On the death of Dr. Bailey he was made President of +St. John’s College. In 1669 he was chosen +Vice-Chancellor of Oxford, and in 1673 he was promoted to the see +of Bath and Wells, which he held for about twelve years, till he +was translated to Winchester. He died 1706, aged 88.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Singular Predictions</span>.—In +1706, John Needs, a Winchester scholar, foretold the deaths of +Mr. Carman, chaplain to the College, of Dr. Mews, Bishop of +Winchester, and of himself, within that year, to several of his +school-fellows, among others, to George Lavington. This +declaration exposed him naturally to much raillery in the school, +and he was ludicrously styled “Prophet Needs.” +Mr. Carman died about the time he mentioned. For this +event, however, he had little credit, it being said, that the +death of such an old man might reasonably be expected. +Within the time prefixed Bishop Mews also died by a strange +accident. He was subject to fainting fits, from which he +soon recovered by smelling spirits of hartshorn. Being +seized with a fit whilst a gentleman was with him, and perceiving +its approach, he pointed eagerly to a phial in the window; the +visitor took it, and in haste poured the contents <a +name="page99"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 99</span>down the +Bishop’s throat, which instantly suffocated him. As +the time approached which Needs had prefixed for his own +dissolution, of which he named even the day and the hour, he +sickened, apparently declined, and kept to his chamber, where he +was frequently visited and prayed with by Mr. Fletcher, second +master of the school, and father of the Bishop of Kildare. +This gentleman reasoned and argued with the youth, but in vain; +for with great calmness and composure the patient resolutely +persisted in affirming that the event would verify his +prediction. On the day he had fixed, the house-clock being +kindly put forward, struck the hour before the real time; he saw +through the deception, and told those who were with him, that +when the church clock struck he should expire—he did +so!</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Fletcher left a memorandum in writing to the above +purpose; and Bishop Trimnell, about the year 1722, having heard +this story at Winchester, wrote to New College, of which Mr. +Lavington was then Fellow, for further information. His +answer was, that “John Needs had indeed foretold that the +Bishop of Winchester (Mews) and old Mr. Carman should die that +year; but then they being very aged men, he had foretold, for two +or three years before, that they should die in that number of +years. As to foretelling the time of his own death, I +believe he was punctually right.” Dr. Lavington gave +the same account to his friends after he was Bishop of +Exeter.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Jonathan Trelawney was a younger son of Sir J. Trelawney, of +Petynt, Cornwall; but his elder brother dying in 1680, he +inherited the title. He was educated at Christ Church, +Oxford, where there is a portrait of him. He was in +succession Bishop of Bristol, Exeter, and Winchester; a man of +polite manners, competent learning, and uncommon knowledge of the +world.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Bishop Trelawney was one of the seven prelates committed to +the Tower by James II. for their efforts to maintain the +Protestant cause. When the news of his probable peril of +life reached Cornwall, the miners proposed coming up to London in +a vast body to demand the bishop’s release. The song +in every mouth was—</p> +<blockquote><p>“And shall Trelawney die?<br /> +And shall Trelawney die?<br /> +Then twice five hundred Cornish men<br /> +Will know the reason why.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p><a name="page100"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 100</span>It is +said that the bishop was open, generous, and charitable, a good +companion, and a good man. He died in 1721. <a +name="citation100"></a><a href="#footnote100" +class="citation">[100]</a></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Charles Trimnell, son of the Rev. Charles Trimnell, Rector of +Repton Abbotts, Huntingdonshire, was educated at Oxford. He +was consecrated Bishop of Norwich in 1707; was made Clerk of the +Closet to George I., and translated to the see of Winchester in +1721. This bishop, naturally of a weak constitution, did +not long survive his last promotion. He died at Farnham in +1723, aged 40. This prelate was a steady partizan of the +revolution, which he defended by his pen; warm, yet temperate; +zealous, yet moderate; and his piety did not prevent him from +gaining a perfect knowledge of mankind.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Richard Willis, Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, was +promoted to the deanery of Lincoln, by King William; and in 1714 +was consecrated Bishop of Gloucester, translated in 1721 to +Salisbury, and thence to Winchester in 1723, where he resided +till his death, which happened suddenly at Winchester House, +Cheyne Walk, in 1734, aged 71; his wife was buried in Chelsea +Church, in 1727, but he himself was buried in his own +Cathedral.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Bishop Hoadly, a prelate of great merit, was the son of the +Rev. Samuel Hoadly, Master of the Public Grammar School at +Norwich; he was educated at his father’s school till he +went to Catherine Hall, Cambridge, where he afterwards became +College Tutor, and appears to have been held in high esteem +throughout the whole course of his academical studies. +Although he applied to study with an intensity of application +that made him eminent, he acquired at the same time considerable +proficiency in music. In 1698 he was ordained, and about +three years afterwards he married Miss Curtis, a great proficient +in the art of painting, many of her portraits exciting public +attention, particularly one of Bishop Burnet.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In 1704 Mr. Hoadly obtained the rectory of St. Peter le Poor; +he began writing as soon as he came to London; and in 1709 the +following vote was passed in the House of +Commons:—“Resolved, That the Rev. Benjamin Hoadly, +having often justified the principles on which his Majesty and +the nation proceeded in the late happy revolution, hath justly +merited the favour and recommendation of this House. That +an humble <a name="page101"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +101</span>address be presented to her Majesty, that she would be +graciously pleased to bestow some dignity in the church on Mr. +Hoadly, for his eminent services, both to the Church and +State.” A change of Ministry prevented any benefit +arising to him from this address; but he afterwards had bestowed +on him, by the grandmother of the Duke of Bedford, the rectory of +Streatham, Surrey. Soon after the accession of George I. he +was made Bishop of Bangor. From thence he was successively +translated to those of Hereford, Salisbury, and Winchester, which +last he enjoyed nearly twenty-seven years.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>It is somewhat a singular circumstance, that when Bishop +Hoadly went to Court to kiss the King’s hand on his +promotion, he did not know the way up stairs, the attendants +being all busily engaged at the moment, and by mistake he sat +down in an outer room unobserved, and some affirm that he lost +the honour of being presented on that occasion to his +Majesty.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The doctrines contained in his publications gave such offence +to the clergy, that they produced the famous Bangorian +Controversy. On the 16th of December, 1761, having supped, +he retired to bed in perfect health, but in the middle of the +night he was seized with a fit of vomiting, of which the violence +abated in about an hour. Medical assistance was immediately +sent for, and the bishop seemed better, but about two +o’clock the following even, his lady found him dead, +without knowing the precise moment of his departure. As a +writer, he possessed powerful talents; his greatest defect, +perhaps, was in extending his periods to a disagreeable length; +for which Pope has thus recorded him:—</p> +<blockquote><p>“But, sir, of writers? Swift for +closer style,<br /> +But Hoadly for a period of a mile.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>Amongst the most celebrated writers of modern times, who have +possessed great argumentative powers, this “defect” +is generally a natural consequence. Lord Brougham, for +instance, was remarkable for the length of his periods, or final +sentences, but with him it evidenced deep thought, and enabled +him to impart into his writings and speeches that eloquence and +force of language for which he was so highly extolled. +Bishop Hoadly might have been one of those “powerful” +writers.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Dr. John Thomas was born in 1696, and in 1733, being then +Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, he was presented by the <a +name="page102"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 102</span>Dean and +Chapter of St. Paul’s, to the united parishes of St. +Benedict’s and St. Peter’s, Paul’s Wharf, +London. In 1742 he became Canon Residentiary of St. +Paul’s, and was sworn in one of his Majesty’s +Chaplains in Ordinary. He was consecrated Bishop of +Peterborough in 1747, and four years after was appointed +Preceptor to the Prince of Wales. On the death of Bishop +Hoadly he was presented to the see of Winchester. Dr. +Thomas died at his episcopal palace, Cheyne Walk, in 1781, aged +85, having sustained throughout life the character of an +exemplary prelate. <a name="citation102"></a><a +href="#footnote102" class="citation">[102]</a></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Hon. Brownlow North was born in 1741, was the younger son +of the first Earl of Guildford, and brother to that Lord North +who became twice Prime Minister of this country, once during the +American war, and, secondly, in conjunction with Mr. Fox. +Mr. North was first educated at Eton, and afterwards at Trinity +College, Cambridge. In 1770 he was promoted from a canonry +at Christchurch, to the deanery of Canterbury. His elder +brother being now Prime Minister he obtained the mitre of +Lichfield and Coventry in 1771, at the early age of 30. In +1744 he was promoted to the see of Worcester, soon after which he +was promoted to the rich see of Winchester. By his wife, +formerly Miss Bannister, a lady previously well known in the +fashionable world, he had a very numerous family, of whom both +sons and sons-in-law were amply provided with valuable livings in +the church. The bishop with his family went to Italy, and +shortly after their return his lady died; his lordship died at +his palace at Chelsea, after a long illness, accompanied with +blindness, at the age of 79, July 12, 1820.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Bishop North was kind and charitable. The present writer +gladly embraces this opportunity to testify to the truth of this +statement. The bishop was walking in front of his palace, +as was his frequent custom, when the writer, then quite a youth, +fell accidentally with considerable force on the shore of the +river, it being at the time “low water.” The +bishop observing the accident, and perceiving the injury +sustained, gave immediate instructions for his being carried +home, compensating the men, and offering to pay any additional +expenses. This may appear no more than an act of duty on +the part of the bishop, but the writer cannot refrain from +remembering it as a deed worthy of a “good +Samaritan.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page103"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +103</span>Winchester Palace was of humble exterior, and displayed +little of grandeur or of magnificence. It was two stories +in height, and built with red bricks, without pilasters or any +other architectural ornament; but, however plain in its exterior, +it comprised every convenience and comfort that could be required +for a large establishment. The building formed a +quadrangle, and its principal entrance was in the south front, +the ground floor of which comprised the great hall, kitchen, and +chapel, the latter being of moderate dimensions, plainly but +neatly fitted up. The great staircase at the eastern end of +the hall led to three grand drawing rooms, which extended the +whole length of the south front, and which, during the residence +of Bishop North, were splendidly furnished. The walls were +covered with beautiful paper, having gold borders, the ceilings +were richly ornamented in stucco work, and the chimney-pieces +composed of various coloured marbles, put up at considerable +expense by the bishop after his return from Italy. The +sleeping rooms, and other domestic chambers, occupied the whole +north front, commanding fine views over the gardens +adjoining. On the ground floor of this front were two +libraries, and other apartments, bounded on the east by a great +gallery, leading to the gardens.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>Having been obliged in the year 1791, by the bad health of +part of his family, to seek the climate of Italy, Bishop North +collected there many curious articles of undoubted antiquity, of +modern art, and of natural history, of which the principal were, +Greek sepulchral vases, specimens of ancient marbles used in the +Roman villas, mural paintings from Herculaneum, beautiful works +in Mosaic, fine bronzes, splendid gems, curious china, +&c. These were disposed with much taste in various +apartments of the house, and some of them we will notice.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The great entrance hall was 40 ft. long, and 20 ft. wide; on a +table stood an antique juvenile bust of Bacchus, which was much +admired.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The grand staircase was of noble proportions, and was +ornamented with a variety of objects of taste, disposed in glass +cases, consisting of specimens of all the articles of domestic +use among the ancient Romans. Here likewise stood a +sepulchral Roman vase of white marble, ornamented with +rams’ heads <a name="page104"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +104</span>and elegant festoons of white flowers, with the +following inscription:—</p> +<blockquote><p style="text-align: center">Semproniæ<br /> +Elegantiorib. choreis<br /> +Psallendoq; Præstantis<br /> +Suæ viridis in medio juventæ<br /> +E. Vivis<br /> +Per crudelia fata direptæ<br /> +Sodaliu. Sibi. Choors. Dilecta<br /> +D.O.M.<br /> +Moer. M.P.</p> +</blockquote> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<blockquote><p>In bloom of youth, midst sweet companions +dwelling,<br /> +With elegant and tuneful arts excelling,<br /> + Fate did Sempronia suddenly remove:<br /> +Submissive to the wise behests of Heaven,<br /> +Those lov’d companions (full of hope) have given<br /> + To her this token of their loss and love.</p> +<p style="text-align: right">W. B.</p> +</blockquote> +<p>Near the preceding was a plaster cast of Dr. Burney, author of +the History of Music, taken from the original bust by +Nollekens. The three drawing-rooms were of the same +dimensions as the hall; the first was ornamented with several +mosaic and fresco paintings from Herculaneum, and other works of +ancient arts. In the next apartments were portraits of +Bishop North, and his lady. Along the gallery which led to +the garden were disposed, in glass cases, a rich variety of +beautiful shells, with spars and ores, and a large collection of +Italian marbles. The house was also adorned with many +specimens of modern art, in modelling and painting, executed by +Miss North, the Hon. Mr. Brownlow North, and by others of his +lordship’s family.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Winchester House was well and expensively supplied with water, +conveyed by pipes from a conduit, built by Henry VIII., situated +in the King’s forcing grounds at Kensington.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Upon pulling down the palace a singular discovery was +made. In a small room, to the north front, and at the +north-west corner, were found on the plaster of the walls, nine +figures of the size of life, viz., three men and six women, drawn +in outline with black chalk in a bold and animated style. +Various <a name="page105"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +105</span>opinions have been given respecting these spirited +sketches. They displayed much of the <i>manner</i> of +Hogarth, who lived on intimate terms with Bishop Hoadly, and it +was supposed that these figures applied to some domestic incident +in the bishop’s family, or to some scene in a play. +His lordship’s partiality for the drama was great. A +near relative, who resided in Chelsea, wrote the comedy of +“The Suspicious Husband.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The palace remained unoccupied after the death of Bishop +North; for Lady Tomline, the wife of Bishop Tomline, conceived a +dislike to the place altogether. His lordship, in +consequence, applied to Parliament and obtained an Act to enable +him to sell the premises. The Lord of the Manor became the +purchaser; and subsequently the whole fabric was sold by +auction.</p> +<h3>Description of the Manor House.</h3> +<p>As full particulars have already been given of the +distinguished occupiers of the ancient Manor House, Cheyne Walk, +it is here only necessary to describe the structure of this once +celebrated residence. <a name="citation105"></a><a +href="#footnote105" class="citation">[105]</a></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Immediately adjoining Winchester Palace, on the east, was +situated the ancient Manor House and lands. It was a +spacious house, built by Henry VIII., the original consisting of +a rather plain brick structure, one storey above the ground +floor, with irregularly-shaped windows, and divided by four +buttresses of great width, carried up considerably higher than +the roof, either as ornaments or concealed flues. The +parapet of this part was castellated. Two additions, on the +east, seems to have been subsequently added to the original; one +of them being three stories in height, the other of two, without +either buttress or embrasures. The number of windows in the +entire front was thirty-four, and the entrance door accorded with +the period of Henry VIII. The whole presented an idea of +monastic antiquity.</p> +<p><a name="page106"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 106</span>Sir +Hans Sloane, it is said, was buried from the eastern end of the +Manor House. A man, named Howard, who was employed in the +removal of his books, stated that they amounted to nearly 40,000 +volumes.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>On part of the site of the old Manor House, and adjoining +Winchester Palace, in the first house eastward in Cheyne Walk, +resided for a long time the Rev. Thomas Clare. When the +destruction of the episcopal domain took place, Mr. Clare, with +some difficulty, obtained a portion of the land upon which the +gardens of the above venerable edifice stood, in the arrangement +and disposition of which he omitted nothing which might do +justice to the memory of its former illustrious owners and +occupiers, or excite the approbation of visitors of judgment and +taste.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Sir Richard Steele appears, from the parish books, to have +rented a house by the water-side, rated at £14 per +annum. In a letter from Sir Richard to Lady Steele, dated +Chelsea, 14th of February, 1716, he says, “Mr. Fuller and I +came hither to dine in the air, but the maid has been so slow +that we are benighted, and chuse to lie here rather than go this +road in the dark. I lie at our own house, and my friend at +a relation’s in the town.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Sir Richard was born about the year 1676, in Ireland, but of +English parents. At a very early age he was sent from +Dublin to London, and was educated with Addison at the Charter +House; from hence he removed to Merton College, Oxford; he left +the University without taking a degree, and entered the army, a +step highly displeasing to his friends. However, as he had +a constant flow of good nature, a generous frankness of spirit, +and a sparkling vivacity of wit, these qualities rendered him the +delight of the soldiery, and having made choice of a profession +which set him free from all the ordinary restraints in youth, he +indulged his inclinations in the wildest excesses. He +became Secretary to Lord Cutts, who obtained for him the rank of +captain in Lord Lucas’s regiment of Fusileers; and, in the +beginning of Queen Anne’s reign, he was appointed to the +profitable place of Gazetteer, to which he had been recommended +by Mr. Addison. Steele had already exhibited his talents as +a <a name="page107"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +107</span>dramatic writer with success, and in 1709 he began to +publish “The Tatler,” which was undertaken by him in +concert with Dr. Swift, and others; and by this work his +reputation was perfectly established. This was followed by +“The Spectator,” which was carried on chiefly by the +assistance of his friend Addison, and the success of this paper +being still superior to that of the former, encouraged him to +proceed in the same design in the character of “The +Guardian.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In 1710 Sir Richard was made a Commissioner of the Stamp +Duties, which office he resigned in 1713; and from a placeman he +became a violent oppositionist. He took his seat in the +House of Commons as Member for Stockbridge, in Hampshire, but was +expelled thence in a few days after for writing several seditious +libels. From this time till the death of Queen Anne his +attention was wholly engrossed in writing and publishing +political tracts. <a name="citation107"></a><a +href="#footnote107" class="citation">[107]</a></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>On the accession of George I. he was again taken into favour; +was appointed Surveyor to the Royal Stables at Hampton Court, had +the honour of knighthood conferred upon him, and during the whole +of this reign continued to receive many marks of the royal +bounty.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>It might now naturally be imagined that, taught by ample +experience, Sir Richard would pay some attention to economy: +such, however, was the power of habit, and such was his +thoughtless profusion, that scarcely a twelvemonth had passed +before he was obliged to sell his share in a theatre to relieve +the oppressive exigencies of want. In 1725 he surrendered +the whole of his property to his creditors, and retired to Wales, +where, in the following year, he was seized with a paralytic +stroke, which rendered him incapable of any further literary +effort.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>By the indulgence of the mortgagee he resided on his estate, +near Carmarthen, which he had formerly acquired on his marriage +with his second wife. After lingering nearly two years in +this secluded situation, he died September 21, 1729. Such +was the chequered life of Steele, at one time exulting on the +wing of prosperity; at another depressed by all the evils of the +most embittered poverty. His frailties were not the +offspring of vice, but the effects of habitual carelessness and +the want of <a name="page108"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +108</span>prudence. Compassionate in his heart; unbounded +in his benevolence; no object of distress that he could relieve +ever left him with a murmur; and in the hour of prosperity he was +ever ready, both with his influence and property, to promote the +views of literature and science, and to assist the efforts of +unprotected genius. Mental wealth, however poor and humble +the possessor, was esteemed by him to be of invaluable worth. <a +name="citation108"></a><a href="#footnote108" +class="citation">[108]</a></p> +<h3>Don Saltero’s Coffee House.</h3> +<p>This well known coffee-house was first opened in the year +1695, by one Salter, who had been a servant to Sir Hans Sloane, +and had accompanied him on his travels. The collection of +curiosities, which were principally the gift of his master, being +the duplicates of his various curious collections, drew from +London a multitude of spectators. It existed for more than +a century, and was at length sold by public auction in the year +1799.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In “The Tatler,” No. 34, Sir Richard Steele has +given the following humorous description of this once far-famed +collection of rarities, and of its eccentric +proprietor:—</p> +<blockquote><p>“Being of a very spare and hective +constitution, I am forced to make frequent journies of a mile or +two for fresh air; and indeed by this last, which was no further +than the village of Chelsea, I am farther convinced of the +necessity of travelling to know the world; for, as it is usual +with young voyagers, as soon as they land upon a shore, to begin +their accounts of the nature of the people, their soil, their +government, their inclinations, and their passions, so really I +fancied I could give you an immediate description of this village +from the Five Fields, where the robbers lie in wait, to the +coffee-house, where the <i>literati</i> sit in council. A +great ancestor of ours, by the mother’s <a +name="page109"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 109</span>side, Mr. +Justice Overdo, (whose history is written by Ben Johnson,) met +with more enormities by walking <i>incognito</i> than he was +capable of correcting; and found great mortifications in +observing, also, persons of eminence, whom he before knew nothing +of: thus it fared with me, even in a place so near the town as +this. When I came into the coffee-house, I had not time to +salute the company, before my eye was diverted by 10,000 +gimcracks round the room, and on the ceiling. When my first +astonishment was over, comes to me a sage, of thin and meagre +countenance, which aspect made me doubt whether reading or +fretting had made it so philosophic; but I very soon perceived +him to be of that sect which the ancients call Gingivistæ, +in our language, tooth-drawers. I immediately had a respect +for the man; for these practical philosophers go upon a very +rational hypothesis, not to cure, but to take away the part +affected. My love of mankind made me very benevolent to Mr. +Salter; for such is the name of this eminent barber and +antiquary. Men are usually, but unjustly, distinguished +rather by their fortunes than their talents, otherwise their +patronage would make a great figure in that class of men which I +distinguish under the title of Odd Fellows; but it is the +misfortune of persons of great genius to have their faculties +dissipated by attention to too many things at once. Mr. +Salter is an instance of this; if he would wholly give himself up +to the string, instead of playing twenty beginnings to tunes, he +might, before he dies play <i>Roger de Caubly</i> quite +out. I heard him go through his whole round; and, indeed, I +think he does play the Merry Christ Church Bells pretty justly; +but he confessed to me, he did that rather to show he was +orthodox than that he valued himself upon the music itself. +Or if he did proceed in his anatomy, why might he not hope in +time to cut off legs, as well as draw teeth?</p> +<p>“The particularity of this man put me into a deep +thought, whence it should proceed that, of all the lower order, +barbers should go further in hitting the ridiculous than any +other set of men: watermen brawl, cobblers sing; but why must a +barber be for ever a politician, a musician, an anatomist, a +poet, and a physician. The learned Vossius says, his barber +used to comb his hair in iambics; and indeed in all ages, one of +this useful profession, this order of cosmetic philosophers, has +been celebrated by the most eminent hands. You see the +barber, in Don Quixote, is one of the principal characters in the +history, which gave me satisfaction in the doubt, why Don Saltero +writ his name with a Spanish termination; for he is descended in +a <a name="page110"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 110</span>right +line, not from John Tradescant, as he himself asserts, but from +that memorable companion of the Knight of Mancha; and I hereby +certify, to all the worthy citizens who travel to see his +rarities, that his double-barrelled pistols, targets, coats of +mails, his sclopeta, and sword of Toledo, were left to his +ancestor, by the said ancestor to all his progeny down to Don +Saltero. Though I go thus far in favour of Don +Saltero’s merit, I cannot allow a liberty he takes of +imposing several names (without my licence) on the collections he +has made, to the abuse of the good people of England, one of +which is particularly calculated to deceive religious persons, to +the great scandal of the well-disposed, and may introduce +heterodox opinions: he shows you a straw hat, which I know to be +made by Madge Peskad, within three miles of Bedford, and tells +you it is Pontius Pilate’s wife’s chambermaid’s +sister’s hat. To my knowledge of this very hat, it +may be added, that the covering of straw was never used among the +Jews, since it was demanded of them to make bricks without +it.</p> +<p>“Therefore this is really nothing, but, under the +specious pretence of learning and antiquity, to impose upon the +world. There are other things which I cannot tolerate among +his rarities, as the china figure of a lady in the glass case, +the Italian engine for the imprisonment of those who go abroad +with it; both of which I hereby order to be taken down, or else +he may expect to have his letters-patent for making punch +superseded, be debarred wearing his muff next winter, or ever +coming to London without his wife.</p> +<p>“It may be thought, perhaps, I have dwelt too long upon +the affairs of this operator; but I desire the reader to remember +that it is my way to consider men as they stand in merit, and not +according to their fortune or figure; and if he is in a +coffee-house at the reading hereof, let him look round, and he +will find there may be more characters drawn in this account than +that of Don Saltero; for half the politicians about him, he may +observe, are, by their place in nature, of the class of +tooth-drawers.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>The curiosities of this collection were deposited in +glass-cases, and consisted of a great variety of petrifactions, +corals, chrystals, ores, shells, animals preserved in spirits, +stuffed animals from various parts of the world, idols, curious +Chinese manuscripts, missals, birds, snakes, butterflies, medals, +models, fire-arms, fishes, portraits, prints, &c.</p> +<p><a name="page111"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 111</span>A +catalogue of the whole was printed, with the names of the donors +affixed; and under the management of skilful hands this +collection could not have failed to produce ample remuneration +and profit.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Such collections, aided by those of Tradescant, Ashmole, and +Thoresby, cherished the infancy of science, and should not be +depreciated now, as the playthings of a boy are scorned after he +has arrived at manhood. Mr. Pennant’s ancestor, who +lived at Chelsea, often took his great nephew, Mr. +Pennant’s father, to the coffee-house, where he used to see +poor Richard Cromwell, a little and very neat old man, with a +most placid countenance, the effect of his innocent and +unambitious life. He imagines this was Don Saltero’s +coffee-house, to which he was a benefactor, and has the honour of +having his name mentioned in the collection. <a +name="citation111"></a><a href="#footnote111" +class="citation">[111]</a></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Pennant, when a boy, saw “his uncle’s gift to +the great Saltero,” which was “a lignified +hog.” What Mr. Pennant thus facetiously denominates, +is called, in the edition of Saltero’s catalogue that we +have seen, “a piece of a root of a tree that grew in the +shape of an hog.” He feared this matchless curiosity +was lost; at least, it is omitted in the last, or forty-seventh +edition of the catalogue.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>What author, except Mr. Pennant, can flatter himself with +delivering his works down to posterity in impressions so numerous +as the labours of Don Saltero?</p> +<p>The name of Don Saltero made its first appearance in the +newspaper, June 22nd, 1723; whence the following account of +himself and his rarities is extracted.</p> +<blockquote><p>“Sir, fifty years since to Chelsea great,<br +/> + From Rodman, on the Irish main,<br /> +I stroll’d, and maggots in my pate,<br /> + Where, much impro’d, they still remain.<br /> +Through various employes I’ve past,<br /> + A scraper, virtuos’, projector,<br /> +Tooth drawer, trimmer, and at last<br /> + I’m now a gimcrack-whim collector.<br /> +<a name="page112"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 112</span>Monsters +of all sorts here are seen,<br /> + Strange things in nature as they grow so,<br /> +Some relics of the Sheha queen,<br /> + And fragments of the fam’d Bob Crusoe.<br /> +Knick-knacks, too, dangle round the wall,<br /> + Some in glass cases, some on shelf,<br /> +But what’s the rarest right of all,<br /> + Your humble servant shows himself.<br /> +On this my chiefest hope depends,<br /> + Now if you will the cause espouse,<br /> +In journals pray direct your friends<br /> + To my Museum Coffee-House:<br /> +And, in requital for the timely favour,<br /> +I’ll gratis bleed, draw teeth, and be your shaver.<br /> +Nay, that your pate may with my noddle tarry,<br /> +And you shine bright as I do—marry, shall ye<br /> +Freely consult your Revelation Molly.<br /> +Nor shall one jealous thought create a huff,<br /> +For she has taught me manners long enough.”</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Chelsea Knackatory</span>.</p> +<p style="text-align: right">DON SALTERO.</p> +</blockquote> +<p>Dr. Franklin, in his Life, mentions coming to Chelsea to see +Don Saltero’s collection:—“We one day (says he) +made a party to go by water to Chelsea, in order to see the +College, and Don Saltero’s curiosities. On our +return, at the request of the company, I undressed myself, and +leaped into the river. I swam from near Chelsea the whole +way to Blackfriars Bridge, exhibiting, during my course, a +variety of feats of activity and address, both upon the surface +of the water as well as under it. The sight occasioned much +astonishment and pleasure to those to whom it was new. In +my youth I took great delight in this exercise.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>This noted coffee-house was for many years, in the present +century, conducted in a most respectable manner. There was +a subscription room, where gentlemen met and conversed, and which +was frequently visited by men of literature and science, many of +whom are still living, but of late years it had lost the +celebrity of former days. It was rebuilt in 1867, is now a +capital private residence.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Henry Redhead Yorke, Esq.—This accomplished scholar died +at his residence, at No. 19, Cheyne Walk, in 1813, in the 41st +year of his age. He was a great classical scholar. In +his youth as he himself expressed it, he was “madly in love +with ideal liberty.” He became an officer in the +French army, and <a name="page113"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +113</span>a member of the National Convention, and personally +acquainted with all the leading characters of the French +Revolution. He was denounced by Robespierre; and but for a +friendly hint from the celebrated Condorcet, must have been +guillotined, had he been one hour longer in making his +escape.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In the month of March, 1798, he was liberated from Dorchester +Castle, after an imprisonment of four years, for a seditious +libel. He had paid a fine of £200, and entered into +securities for £2,000.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Some years previous to his death his political ideas became +moderated, and he manifested a strong sense of the value of the +British constitution. He had been called to the bar; a +profession for which he was highly qualified, and in which there +was every reason to hope he would have risen to high eminence, +had his life been prolonged. Indeed, the zeal with which he +devoted himself to his various professional pursuits, hastened, +if it did not bring on, the disorder which put a period to his +existence at the comparative early age of forty-one years. +As a classical scholar, and nervous elegant writer, he has left +few equals. His letters, under the signature of +“Galgacus,” have scarcely been surpassed since the +days of Junius. In private life, Mr. Yorke was +distinguished for benevolence and liberality of sentiment, +openness of character, and his company was courted by men of all +parties.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Francis Chalmer, Esq., (son of Edmund Chalmer, Esq.,) resided +in Cheyne Row for a great many years. He was a magistrate +for the county, and highly esteemed in the parish. As a +gentleman he was affable and courteous, and kind to the +poor. He died at his house in Cheyne Row, in July, 1859, +and was interred in the Brompton Cemetery.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Leigh Hunt, Esq., the well-known author of many interesting +works, and who was the associate of the most distinguished +political as well as literary men of the earlier part of the +present century, occupied a house in Upper Cheyne Row for a +considerable time.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Miss Frances Elizabeth Eggleton, and Miss Christian Mary +Eggleton, lived in Cheyne Walk. They were the daughters of +Mr. David Eggleton, of Church Street, a very old Chelsea +family. The former lady died in 1861, and the latter in +1867. Miss Frances Eggleton bequeathed a sum of money, to +be given <a name="page114"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +114</span>at her sister’s death to the Rector and +Churchwardens, in trust, for them to give, on Christmas Eve, +“a shoulder of mutton of not less than seven pounds in +weight, and not exceeding eight pounds in weight, and four pounds +of bread, to each of twenty poor persons of Chelsea, being +married persons and having a family.” An extract from +her will, respecting this gift, will be inserted amongst the +other parochial legacies.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Charles Rawlings, Esq., who resided in Cheyne Walk for many +years, was much respected in the parish, and was of a most +benevolent disposition. His deed of gift in 1862, and the +legacies in 1864, will be found in the list of Chelsea +Charities.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Dr. Bayford, a distinguished proctor, and father of the +present Dr. Bayford, resided with his family in a spacious house, +within a few doors of Manor Street. His sons, in their +younger days, were particularly attached to aquatic +exercises.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Nathaniel Handford, Esq., an old and respected parishioner, +resided also in Cheyne Walk, where he died. Mrs. Sarah +Handford, his relict, who did not very long survive him, left +several small legacies, in 1865, to various charitable societies +in the parish.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>W. Carpenter, Esq., well-known in literary circles, and who +has long been connected with the press, resided likewise within +the last few years in Cheyne Walk.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>R. E. N. Lee, Esq., occupied the house at the corner of Manor +Street, (now in possession of Dr. Sannemann,) for a considerable +period. He was Steward of the Manor for eighteen +years. He died in 1833, and in St. Luke’s Church +there is a tablet to his memory. No family was more +respected in Chelsea.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. J. Fraine, a solicitor, resided at No. 13, in Cheyne Walk, +and died in 1785, aged 70. The history of this gentleman +and his family was marked by some very uncommon +circumstances. He was himself afflicted with a continual +gnawing pain in his left arm, which he carried on a board in a +sling; and by pinching his jaws and throat, and beating his right +cheek through the violence of the pain, he had marked them very +much. He compared the sensation to a worm in the marrow of +the upper bone of his arm, and used to keep a boy to beat it with +a stick <a name="page115"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +115</span>whenever the pain returned, and to tap on the back of +his head with a piece of wood covered with cloth. Mr. +Fraine’s death was occasioned by the fall on his right +thigh of a leaden weight, with which he was exercising as a +remedy for his complaint; the injury brought on a speedy +mortification. This extraordinary case was fully described +in a letter, subsequently written by Dr. Monsey. The +calamities of this unhappy gentleman extended also to his son and +daughter, both of whom fell by their own hands.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Fraine’s only son. King Samuel, an amiable, +accomplished young man, who received his education at Christ +Church, Cambridge, put an end to his existence at his chambers in +the Temple, in 1799, aged 22 years, for which no reason can be +assigned but disappointment in love.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Miss Fraine, whose duteous attention to her tortured and +frequently impatient father was most exemplary, after the +dreadful catastrophe of her brother’s suicide, not wholly +unaccountable from hereditary irregularities of system, seemed to +have a dread (not aversion) of marriage. The tendency of +her social feelings, strictly regulated and controlled by the +reserve of modesty and the dignity of virtue, almost irresistibly +inclined her best affections towards wedlock; whilst her +extremely sensitive forethought shunned the general result of +engagements ennobling to mankind in general, but appalling in +many lights to herself.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>During this state of mind, repeatedly avowing her contempt for +birds, cats, and dogs, she expressed great attachment for infant +children. Miss Fraine, in 1780, frequently expressed to a +very near neighbour her ardent wish that a particular child were +placed under her own sole and immediate management. +“I cannot safely marry,” she would often observe, +“but I shall undertake the charge of an infant’s +education with delight.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>After making many serious colloquial attempts to reason +against such an intention, the Rev. Weeden Butler sent some +sportive lines to the highly gifted and unfortunate lady. +It succeeded so far as to repress any further application by the +lady, but her feelings remained the same. The following +elegant jeu-d’esprit was written with similar effect. +She appears to have possessed great sensibility of feeling +without adequate reflection.</p> +<h3><a name="page116"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 116</span>SALE +OF A DAUGHTER,</h3> +<blockquote><p>In fairy guise and playful mood,<br /> +Euphrania, young and fair, and good,<br /> +Vows, if her friends a price would set<br /> +Upon their daughter Harriet,<br /> +Herself the gift of Heaven would buy,<br /> +And cherish it beneath her eye.<br /> +Does, then, Euphrania mean to say,<br /> +(If we would cast our young away,<br /> +Like ostriches) she’d prove a mother,<br /> +And rear the nestling of another?</p> +<p> Ye powers, it is a strange temptation!<br /> +Let us not treat it with flirtation.<br /> +Come, think upon it well, dear wife;<br /> +We love our offspring as our life.<br /> +Euphrania’s offer is adoption:<br /> +Take it, or leave it, is our option.</p> +<p> Heigho! I read your tearful eye,<br /> +“For the babe’s good we must comply.”<br /> +’Tis said, ’tis done. Now, in a trice,<br /> +Let us determine well the price;<br /> +And, shunning all superfluous joke,<br /> +Settle the worth of infant folk.<br /> +The bargain is as clear as water;<br /> +Full many a one has sold a daughter.</p> +</blockquote> +<p>The consent of the parents having thus been obtained, the +price to be given for the infant daughter is the next +consideration. The following is a summary of the supposed +value of the child:—</p> +<table> +<tr> +<td><p> Imprimis. For a hazel eye,<br /> +And tongue that never told a lie, &c.</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">£52</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">10</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p> Item, for pranks and wanton wiles,<br /> +Nods and becks, and wreathed smiles, &c.</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">80</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p> Item, for filial obedience,<br /> +One of our daughter’s chief ingredients, &c.</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">100</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p> Then, item, for her race and name,<br /> +Nearly in value both the same, &c.</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">200</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p> Item, for every hope and fear<br /> +That hitherto hath chequer’d care, &c.</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">67</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">10</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p> </p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">£500</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +<blockquote><p>For such a sale, to us are due<br /> +A Bond, and final Judgment too;<br /> +From you the former may be given,<br /> +The latter must be left to . . . Heaven.</p> +</blockquote> +<p><a name="page117"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +117</span>Advised, pressed, solicited, nay, perhaps, commanded by +an anxious father, this lady at last married. Soon +afterwards she grew melancholy and desponding, and fell by her +own hand, at her residence at Richmond, in the year 1785. +She married Captain Fortescue.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Dominiceti’s +Baths</span>.—The dwelling house afterwards occupied by the +Rev. Weeden Butler, a few doors from Flood Street, Cheyne Walk, +was once inhabited by one Dominiceti, an Italian physician, of +very considerable notoriety and talents. At this house he +established medicinal baths for the cure of all diseases; and it +was fitted up with pipes, &c., for the accommodation of +numerous patients, who might choose to reside with him while they +were under his care. In 1765 it is described as a large, +pleasant, and convenient house, which contains four spacious and +lofty parlours, two dining rooms, and thirteen bed +chambers. On the east side of the garden, and directly +communicating with the house, was erected an elegant brick and +wooden building, 100-ft. long, and 16-ft. wide, in which were the +baths and fumigatory stoves, etc. It appears, from his own +account, that he expended about £37,000 altogether in +erecting, contriving, and completing his house, and baths in +Cheyne Walk.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Among his visitors and patients, at Chelsea, was his Royal +Highness Edward Duke of York, who entrusted the preservation of +his life to Dominiceti’s sole direction for above a month; +and that in direct opposition to the advice of the Physicians and +Surgeons of the Royal household. Sir John Fielding, having +experienced the good effects, as he considered, of these baths, +wrote a “Vindication of Dr. Dominiceti’s Practice of +removing various afflicting diseases by medicated baths, stoves, +fumigations, and frictions, founded on facts.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Dominiceti resided for several years in Chelsea. He +became bankrupt in the parish in 1782, and at length disappeared, +overwhelmed with debt.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>We will now notice one of the most distinguished scholars and +clergymen of the early part of the present century, the Rev. +Weeden Butler, who resided in the above-mentioned house for a +great many years, and also one of his sons, etc., until a +comparatively recent period, and which cannot fail to be highly +interesting to a large number of readers.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page118"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 118</span>The +Rev. Weeden Butler was born at Margate, in 1742. When aged +fourteen, he lost both his parents; and with his own free will +was articled as clerk to Mr. Rosewell, a respectable solicitor, +in Angel Court, Throgmorton Street, London. At the +expiration of his term, he was offered by his considerate late +master and constant friend till death, a share in the business; +but he had determined to renounce for ever the profession of the +law, and resolved, by intense study and application, to improve +his superior intellectual powers, and ardently to prepare himself +for holy orders. About this time, he frequented all the +churches and chapels within and around the vast metropolis, as an +enquirer after truth. The result of his search fixed his +choice, and he devoted his time thenceforth, as a firm member of +the Establishment, upon the fullest conviction of its +excellence. The course of his classical and theological +reading was directed by that splendidly and variously gifted, but +most unhappy character, Dr. William Dodd, to whom, for a salary +of small extent, he acted as an assiduous amanuensis, till his +patron’s ignominious death, in 1777.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Dr. Dodd’s “Commentary on the Holy Bible,” +was partly compiled, and wholly written out for the press, by the +then unknown Rev. Weeden Butler, who also greatly assisted in +editing the four last volumes of “The Christian’s +Magazine,” and corrected the proof sheets of the poem, in +blank vase, “Thoughts in Prison,” of which Dr. +Dodd’s own MS. was in the possession of Mr. Butler’s +eldest son in 1829–30. In this last singularly +affecting composition occur lines indicative of the worth of the +person eulogized, and of the author’s gratitude:—</p> +<blockquote><p> “But I am lost! a criminal +adjudg’d!<br /> +A guilty miscreant! can’st thou think, my friend!<br /> +Oh! <span class="smcap">Butler</span> ’midst a million +faithful found;<br /> +Oh! can’st thou think, who know’st, who long hast +known,<br /> +My inmost soul; oh! can’st thou think, that life,” +&c.</p> +</blockquote> +<p>Dr. Dodd resigned his office of Morning Preacher, in Charlotte +Street Chapel, Pimlico, in February, 1776, and at his strong +recommendation, Dr. Courtney nominated the deserving Reader, Mr. +Butler, who was licensed Morning Preacher accordingly; and +afterwards by purchase he became proprietor of the chapel, +officiating therein up to the year 1814. When the subject +of the present article retired from Chelsea, to Gayton; where he +piously discharged the duties of curate to his <a +name="page119"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 119</span>second son, +till his increasing infirmities compelled him to resign this his +last charge, and he finally withdrew to Greenhill, in the +neighbourhood of Harrow, where he died.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>He was master of the school in Cheyne Walk for forty years; +where many persons of considerable rank had been so thoroughly +grounded in morality and general learning as to become bright +ornaments to their country. Amongst other scholars, the +Rev. Weeden Butler had the gratification of seeing his two sons +treading assiduously in his own paths. The Rev. G. Butler, +D.D., in 1805, was chosen Head Master of Harrow School, and +continued as such, with great reputation, for many years.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The elder Mr. Butler was one of the earliest institutors of +the “Society for the Discharge and Relief of Persons +imprisoned for small debts,” and most materially assisted +James Neild, Esq., his next door neighbour, in firmly +establishing that excellent Institution. The friendship, +indeed, which existed between these two benevolent characters, +cannot be better exemplified and attested than by the following +few extracts from a letter written by Mr. Neild, dated Chelsea, +January 1, 1808.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>“When I look back to the distant period of our lives, +and observe, that, of the first Committee of the Society, you, +Rev. Sir, and myself, remain the only survivors, I cannot but +feel the most powerful, and, at the same time, the most humble +gratitude to the Great Disposer of all human events, for having +suffered me to live and witness the happy result of our early and +well-meant endeavours. * * * * With growing and well-merited +esteem, Sir, I witnessed your successful exertions in behalf of +the Society, at its earliest institution. Often have I felt +the influence acknowledged by all who have heard the eloquent and +impressive discourses which you have delivered from the pulpit, +in recommendation of the objects embraced by this Charity, and +never can the gratifying recollection be effaced which beamed +from every countenance around you, when you mentioned the receipt +of £100 from an eminent advocate for suffering +humanity.” Mr. Neild concludes by referring to the +promotion of Mr. Butler’s son (Dr. Butler), which he +considers to be the reward of his virtues; of those early +advances which his father’s tuition enabled him to make in +literature, and to the purity of his Christian principles.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In 1787 he instituted the Chelsea Sunday Schools, with the +sanction of the Rev. W. B. Cadogan. His Royal Highness the +<a name="page120"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 120</span>Duke of +Kent had a great regard for Mr. Butler, and appointed him one of +his domestic chaplains. Hardly one charitable Society in +London existed, to which his popular oratory did not essentially +contribute credit and profit. He died in a good old age, +and his remains were placed in the family vault at Chelsea. +The Rev. Weeden Butler, his eldest son, occupied the same house +for many years afterwards, as also the son of the latter, Thomas +Butler, Esq., who was much esteemed by a numerous circle of +friends while he resided in Cheyne Walk. The whole of this +family were remarkable for their classical attainments and love +of literature. The Rev. T. Helmore, Precentor, St. +Mark’s College, has since resided in Mr. Butler’s +house.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>A very fine portrait of Dr. Dodd, painted by Gainsborough, and +a large quarto volume of the doctor’s unedited poems, in +MS., bound, including a tragedy, called “The +Syracusans,” and a comedy, called “Sir Roger de +Coverly,” were left by Mr. Butler, to his legatees. +The portrait is the only likeness extant The Rev. Philip Dodd, +and the Rev. Weeden Butler (eldest son of Mr. Butler), possessed +all the Doctor’s unprinted sermons.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>James Neild, Esq., who resided at No. 4, Cheyne Walk, was born +in 1744, at Knutsford, in Cheshire, in the neighbourhood of which +his family had some good estates. He came to London, and +was placed with Mr. Hemming, the King’s goldsmith, but +after a short time, he removed to a jeweller’s. In +1770 he settled in St. James’s Street, and continued there +till the year 1792, when finding his health declining, and having +recently lost his wife, he retired from business to Chelsea, with +an ample fortune.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The attention of Mr. Neild, very early in life, was drawn to +the distressed state of persons imprisoned for debt; the +endeavour to alleviate which soon became his favorite pursuit, +and one which he followed with intense application.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In 1773, having previously visited most of the prisons in +England, and many on the continent, he was, together with his +benevolent friends, Dr. John C. Lettson, and the Rev. Weeden +Butler, chiefly instrumental in instituting the Society for the +Relief and Discharge of Persons imprisoned for small debts. +In 1812 he published “The State of the Prisons,” in a +quarto volume, a work teeming with valuable information. +Mr. Neild died in 1814, and was buried in Battersea Church. +He married a daughter of John Camden, Esq., of that parish.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page121"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 121</span>John +Camden Neild, Esq., was a magistrate for the county, and the son +of the preceding. He resided in his late father’s +house in Cheyne Walk, and bequeathed half a million of money to +Queen Victoria. He died in 1852.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>John Goss, Esq., the present organist of St. Paul’s +Cathedral, lived at No. 3, Cheyne Walk. He was appointed +Organist of St. Luke’s New Church, when that sacred edifice +was completed. His proficiency, even at that early period +of his musical life, excited general admiration, and large +portions of the congregation frequently waited in the Church, at +the close of Divine Service, to listen to his concluding +performances.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>There are several highly respectable families, who have for +many years resided in Cheyne Walk, of whom it would have been +only an act of justice to notice, but the strict rules of +propriety prevent my discharging an otherwise pleasing duty, +which, in some instances especially, is much to be regretted, as +they take a deep interest in the promotion of whatever tends to +enhance the welfare of the parish.</p> +<h3>DOGGETT’S COAT AND BADGE.</h3> +<p>Mr. Thomas Doggett, a native of Ireland, was an actor, and +made his first appearance in Dublin; but his efforts not meeting +with sufficient encouragement he removed to London, where he +performed with great reputation, and by his talents, industry, +and economy, acquired a competent fortune, and quitted the stage +some years before he died. He was also a patentee and +manager of the theatre with Wilks, Booth, and Cibber; the latter +of whom gives Doggett the following character:—“He +was the most original and the strictest observer of nature of all +his cotemporaries. He borrowed from none of them; his +manner was his own, he was a pattern to others, whose greatest +merit was that they had sometimes tolerably imitated him. +In dressing a character to the greatest exactness, he was <a +name="page122"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 122</span>remarkably +skilful; the least article of whatsoever habit he wore seemed in +some measure to speak the different humour he presented, a +necessary care in a comedian, in which many have been too remiss +or ignorant. His greatest success was in characters of +lower life, which he improved from the delight he took in his +observations of that kind in the real world. In songs, and +particular dances too of humour, he had no competitor. +Congreve was a great admirer of him, and found his account in the +characters he expressly wrote for him. In those of +Fondlewife in his Old Bachelor, and Ben in Love for Love, no +author and actor could be more obliged to their mutual masterly +performances. He was very acceptable to several persons of +high rank and taste, though he seldom cared to be the comedian, +but among his more intimate acquaintances.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>He is highly spoken of in the Spectator. He wrote one +play, called “The Country Wake,” a comedy, acted with +great applause; and out of this play were made two farces, +“Hob, or the Country Wake,” and “Hob’s +Wedding.” The first has been acted often with great +success, and likewise several songs have been added to it in +imitation of the Beggar’s Opera, since which it has been +acted under the title of Flora.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In his political principles he was, in the words of Sir +Richard Steele, “a Whig up to head and ears;” and he +took every occasion of demonstrating his loyalty to the house of +Hanover. One instance, among others, is well known; which +is, that in the year after King George I. came to the throne, in +1715, Doggett gave a waterman’s orange-coloured coat and +silver badge to be rowed for; on the latter is represented the +Hanoverian horse.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>This contest takes place on the 1st day of August, being the +anniversary of that King’s accession to the throne, between +six young watermen, who had just completed their apprenticeship; +the claimants starting off on a signal being given at that time +of the tide when the current is strongest against them, and +rowing from the Old Swan, near London Bridge, to the White Swan, +at Chelsea. This tavern adjoined the Apothecaries’ +Botanical Garden, on the east, and enjoyed a great share of +public favour for many years; but in the year 1780, it was +converted into a Brewhouse. Since this period, the place of +landing the victor has been at a house bearing the same sign, <a +name="page123"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 123</span>near to +Cheyne Walk. I have been favoured with the following +chorus, said to be written by a waterman:—</p> +<blockquote><p>“Let your oars, like lightning flog it,<br +/> +Up the Thames as swiftly jog it,<br /> +An’ you’d win the prize of Doggett,<br /> + The glory of the river!<br /> +Bendin’, bowin’, strainin’, rowin’,<br /> +Perhaps the wind in fury blowin’,<br /> +Or the tide agin you flowin’,<br /> + The coat and badge for ever!”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>Mr. Doggett, at his death, left a sum of money, the interest +of which was to pay for the same for ever.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The “Yorkshire Grey” public house stood at the +west corner of Old Manor Street, opposite the river. It was +a very old tavern, mostly frequented of late years by the +watermen who plied at the stairs opposite to it. It has +recently been pulled down, and two good private dwelling houses +now occupy the site.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In the year 1824, a new road was opened, connecting Old and +New Manor Street, forming a direct communication from Cheyne Walk +to the King’s Road, and St. Luke’s Church. +Prior to that period a large garden crossed the street, with a +wall and iron railing, so that the two streets were entirely +detached.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>With respect to the embankment of the shores of our parish, +this was certainly the work of ages, much posterior to the Norman +Conquest, nor was it even completed before the latter end of the +seventeenth century, for, from the manorial records, we find them +to have been frequently imperfect, whilst the keeping them in +repair and good order, was a subject of vexatious dispute between +the Lord of this Manor and his tenants; and hence sometimes by +the parish and the turnpike trust; sometimes by those persons who +inhabited houses immediately in front of the River, to the extent +of their own frontages; and sometimes by the Lords of the Manor +themselves, to the extent of their frontages. This +uncertainty respecting the right of repair was attended with many +evils, the walls being often out of order, and in a dangerous +state. In December, 1822, upon the trial of an indictment +on the prosecution of the Kensington <a name="page124"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 124</span>turnpike trust, against the Lords of +the Manor, in the Court of King’s Bench, the Chief Justice +ruled at <i>nisi prius</i>, that the <i>onus</i> rested on the +latter, unless and until they could show on whom by right of +tenure, or otherwise, the burthen lay.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Having now arrived at the conclusion of Book I., in which are +described all that is worthy of special notice in a great portion +of the western extremity of the parish, I shall commence Book +II., with a description of that beautiful architectural +structure, St. Luke’s Church.</p> +<h2><a name="page125"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 125</span>BOOK +II.</h2> +<p class="gutsumm">Consecration and other interesting particulars +of St. Luke’s Church and Burial Ground—Its Monuments, +&c.—Rectors, Curates, and Lecturers—Parochial +National Schools, &c.—The Workhouse and the Old Burial +Ground—The Origin and Condition of the King’s Road in +the “Olden Times:”—Its state at the +commencement of this Century, together with some notices of the +New Buildings, and its thriving Trade at the present +Time—Markham Square Congregational +Church—Savings’ Bank—Chelsea +College—Charles II. and Nell Gwynne—The Royal +Military Asylum—Old Ranelagh—The Original +Bunhouse—The whole interspersed with many other interesting +notices of Distinguished Residents, &c.</p> +<h3>St. Luke’s Church and the Burial Ground.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> will be necessary before we give +a description of this beautiful edifice to state some particulars +respecting the Burial Ground, or, more properly speaking, the +Cemetery, in the centre of which the Church is erected. The +Act of Parliament for providing this additional Burial Ground for +the parish was passed in 1810, and certain Trustees therein named +were appointed to carry it into effect. They accordingly +purchased of Earl Cadogan, the Lord of the Manor, a piece of +ground, in the present central situation, containing rather more +than four acres, and enclosed it with a substantial wall and +strong iron railing.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>As I was present at the consecration of this Burial Ground, +and also of the Church, a brief account of which I published at +the time, the following particulars I can fully +authenticate. With respect to many circumstances which I +shall mention, in connexion with the Church, they may be relied +upon as being accurately stated from my own personal +observation.</p> +<p><a name="page126"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 126</span>In +November, 1812, the enclosure of the spacious new Burial Ground +having been in every respect completed, with a small Chapel +erected close to the entrance on the north side, designed +exclusively for reading the Funeral Service, on Saturday, the +21st of the above month, the same were consecrated by the Bishop +of London, accompanied by his Chaplains, the Chancellor and +Registrar of the Diocese, the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Wellesley, +rector, the Churchwardens, Trustees, and a large number of the +inhabitants.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The preliminary prayers were offered at the Old Church, and +the Bishop having declared his assent to the petition presented +to him for consecrating the new ground, the procession proceeded +from the Church. On their arrival there was an immense +assemblage to witness the consecration. The Bishop then +perambulated the ground, reading such portions of the Service as +is specially appointed, and afterwards completed the consecration +in the Chapel.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In the year 1819, an Act of Parliament, 59 Geo. III., cap. 35, +May 19, was obtained for building a new Church, and the Rector +and Churchwardens, and 59 other inhabitants of the parish, were +appointed to carry the same into effect. The central +portion of the new Burial Ground was appropriated for this +purpose, and on the 12th of October, 1820, the first stone of the +new Church was laid by the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Wellesley, as proxy +for his brother, the Duke of Wellington, who was prevented from +performing the ceremony by receiving “the King’s +commands to attend him on public business that day at his palace +in Pall Mall.” Many of the vast assemblage of +spectators having waited a long time for His Grace’s +arrival felt somewhat disappointed, and some of them attributed +his absence to the political excitement which prevailed just at +that period, but this was far from being the general opinion.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>A procession was at last formed in the following +order:—His Royal Highness the Duke of York’s Band; +the Beadles of the Parish; Mr. James Savage, the architect; the +Builder, with a silver trowel on a crimson velvet cushion; the +Treasurer, with a metal box and sundry coins, and a brass plate, +on a velvet cushion. The Hon. and Rev. Dr. Wellesley, +rector, supported by the Churchwardens; the Curates and Lecturer +of the Parish, and the Trustees appointed under the Act of +Parliament for building the Church.</p> +<p><a name="page127"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 127</span>The +service used on similar occasions having been read by the Rector, +the box with the coins, and the brass-plate were deposited by the +Rector upon the stone prepared for the purpose, which was then +lowered down and secured with the customary formalities. +The inscription on the stone was as follows:—“This +stone was laid on the 12th day of October, A.D., 1820, by Field +Marshal His Grace the Duke of Wellington, the Hon. and Rev. +Gerald Valerian Wellesley, Rector; Richard Rattenbury and Richard +Mann, Churchwardens.” The day was remarkably fine, +and the spectacle altogether produced a very imposing effect, +notwithstanding the disappointment experienced by the absence of +the Duke of Wellington. A spacious amphitheatre was erected +for the accommodation of ladies, and the ceremony concluded with +a beam of satisfaction on the countenances of nearly all +present.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Church is built of Bath stone, in the Gothic style of the +14th century, and is approached by a sweep carriage way and +flagged footpath. The west front has an arcade, extending +the whole breadth of the frontage. From the centre of this +arcade rises a lofty tower, the upper part panelled and crowned +with an open battlement. It is strengthened at the four +corners by octagonal buttresses, which are finished by +open-worked pinnacles, of a form which gives the exterior of the +edifice a very picturesque appearance, and when seen at a +distance is very attractive. The height from the ground to +the top of the pinnacle is 142 feet, and the view from the tower +on which these pinnacles rise, affords a very fine view of the +parish and its surrounding scenery. From the tower, the +body of the building is seen to extend, embraced and supported by +its flying buttresses, which stretch their airy fronts from +between the Clerestery windows to the outer wall of the side +aisles, when they are continued solidly down to the ground. +The walls of the side aisles and Clerestery are both finished +with perforated parapets of elegant forms.</p> +<p>At the eastern end, the principal feature is the altar window, +32 ft. high and 16 ft. wide, divided by mullions into seven bays +in width, and four stories in height, exclusive of the pointed +arched head, which has a beautiful wheel centre. This end +has also two octagonal turrets, the upper stories of which are +ornamented with open-worked panels and crocketted domes. +There are also two porches communicating with lobbies and +staircase, to afford the most ample entrance and exit. In +the middle part, and below the great window, the Vestry Room is +projected.</p> +<p><a name="page128"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 128</span>On +the flanks the buttresses project about six feet, and their +extremities are connected by a dwarf wall, which defends an open +area, giving light and air to the crypt under the Church. +The unbroken line of this wall makes a solid base for the whole +building, which gets lighter and lighter as it ascends to the +top, where numerous feathery pinnacles impart softness and +richness to the extremity that meets the sky.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>From the great western arcade you enter by three sets of +folding doors to the vestibule, at the sides of which are placed +the principal staircases to the galleries. The principal or +middle aisle of the Church is entered from the centre of the +entrance lobby by lofty folding doors, glazed with plate glass, +and as there is no western gallery to project before these doors +you have at once the full effect of the interior. In this +Church, unlike most others, the western gallery is obtained by a +recess over the vestibule, and is principally occupied by a +splendid organ by Nicholls, comprising the great organ, choir +organ, and swell organ, containing thirty-three stops and 1876 +pipes. The organ is considered one of the finest and most +powerful in London. The bellows, when charged, contains 70 +cubic feet of wind. <a name="citation128"></a><a +href="#footnote128" class="citation">[128]</a> The +King’s Arms, placed in front of the organ, is executed in a +solid piece of mahogany, and is a masterly production.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The inside of the Church is 130 feet long, and 61 feet wide, +divided into a nave and two side aisles, separated by clustered +columns and pointed arches. The small column in front of +the cluster continues up to the vaulted ceiling, and there +branches out into numerous ribs, which spread their airy lines in +the most graceful manner over the ceiling, tied together at their +numerous intersections by carved pendant bosses, the principal +light being from the clerestery windows gives an aerial effect to +the ceiling, which hardly appears to belong to “mid +earth,” although actually built of solid stone, whose power +of gravitation appears here to be suspended by the magic of art, +of which this is said to be the only instance of the kind +attempted for the last 300 years. From the pavement to the +crown of the vault is 60 ft., clear height, a greater height than +is to be found in any edifice in London, excepting St. +Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. The lofty +position of the windows diffuses a clear and <a +name="page129"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 129</span>calm light +throughout. The church was for some years lighted by +oil-lamps in the three really magnificent chandeliers, but for a +long time gas has been very judiciously substituted.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>A circumstance occurred in reference to these massive and +splendid central chandeliers, at nearly the conclusion of one of +the Sunday Evening Services, which occasioned great excitement +amongst the congregation, and it was feared at the time would be +attended with loss of life, but fortunately only one elderly +person was seriously injured. These chandeliers were +obliged to be lowered by means of a windlass, and men from the +contractor for lighting the church, by oil-lamps, had to attend +and lower them both before and after Divine Service, in the first +instance for the purpose of lighting, and secondly to extinguish +the lights. It was the practice of these men, who came from +London, and were anxious to return home as soon as possible, to +lower the weighty chandeliers on a certain signal being given to +them at the belfry door, as soon as the organist commenced +“playing the congregation out,” but on this occasion +it was a sermon in aid of a charity, and the organ was only +played previous to the singing of a hymn while the collection was +being made. This caused the mistake. Some of the +congregation in the galleries, perceiving that one of the +chandeliers was unsteady and slowly descending, rushed forward to +make their exit, which created great confusion and alarm, the +result being the accident previously mentioned. The Hon. +and Rev. Dr. Wellesley, rector, being present, although not +officiating, immediately explained the circumstances, and soon +afterwards the alarm was allayed and the service concluded. +The lighting of these oil-lamps was attended with great expense +and much labour. A considerable saving is now effected by +the introduction of gas, labour on the Sunday is lessened, and +the dirt occasioned by the trimming of the lamps altogether +obviated.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The galleries, south and north, are well constructed. +There is breadth of surface and simplicity of outline +throughout. From some positions the columns of the nave, +which impart such a grandeur to the entire interior, impedes the +view of the preacher, even from the northern gallery, but this is +unavoidable in Gothic architecture.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>At the eastern end, the great window, 32 ft. high, and 16 ft. +wide, is a most conspicuous feature. The bottom of the +window, being 22 ft. from the pavement, affords ample space <a +name="page130"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 130</span>for the +altar-piece, which is designed in the manner of a Gothic shrine +or screen.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The altar, or communion, is ascended by three steps, and is +enclosed by a Gothic railing. The chairs and stools are +designed in character, and are good specimens of wood carving; +they were executed by Mr. Relph, from the designs of the +architect.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The altar-piece is “The Entombing of Christ,” by +Northcote. It had been previously exhibited at the British +Institution, Pall Mall.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>For some years after the church was completed the large +eastern window was glazed simply with plain glass, as will be +seen from the following Vestry Minute, dated April 24, +1823:—“It is the opinion of this Vestry that it would +be expedient to have a stained-glass window at the east end, +&c., and that the money necessary for the same be attempted +to be raised by voluntary subscriptions.” This effort +proved unsuccessful, and on the 29th of August, in the same year, +Thomas Bryan, Esq., of. Cadogan Place, transmitted the +following letter to a subsequent Vestry meeting: “Since I +had the honour of being appointed treasurer for the purpose of +receiving voluntary contributions for the purchase of a +stained-glass window, I beg to announce that I have not received +any money but what has been duly returned to the +parties.” This great defect has since been remedied, +and a very handsome and appropriate stained-glass window, +representing the apostles, &c., now adds materially to the +beautiful appearance of the interior of the church.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The vestry is a large room, 28 ft. square, and is finished in +character with the general style of the building. For some +years the meetings of the parishioners were held in it. The +proceedings on some occasions were very noisome, and as they +frequently took place on Wednesday mornings, or on special days +for prayer, there was at times such an interruption as rendered +it impossible for the clergyman to proceed. The Act of +Parliament since passed, and the erection of the Vestry Hall, in +the King’s Road, have happily for ever removed that cause +of complaint. In this vestry room, at the church, there is +an exceedingly good portrait of Mr. Flood, an oil painting, in a +large and handsome frame. It is an admirable likeness.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page131"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 131</span>The +following is another description of the interior of this edifice, +written by a gentleman who has favoured the public with an +accurate detail of most of the modern Churches erected some few +years since in the vicinity of London. It will be seen that +this account, as regards some of the architectural particulars, +supplies several deficiencies in the preceding description, while +at the same time there are inserted in the former many +interesting details which could not possibly be included in a +second notice of the interior of the church.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>At the west end is a vestibule, extending across the whole +building, and occupying the space beneath the organ gallery and +staircase. This is separated from the church by a fine +stone screen, consisting of a large pointed arch, flanked by +square open buttresses, and ornamented above with a range of +upright divisions, finished with a blank cornice; in the centre +is a bow, or projection in the corbel style, in the front of +which is a dial. The doorway is formed of carved oak, +representing tracery work and mullions, the upper part of the +panelling being pierced and glazed. Above this screen is +the organ, in a carved oak case, the design of which is an +assemblage of three towers, with pinnacles at the angles, and +united by flying buttresses, the wood work ornamented with +upright arched panels.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>On each side of the church are seven arches, resting upon six +octangular columns, to each of which four small pillars are +attached, an additional one being placed upon the capitals of +those which are situated towards the body of the church, and +carried up towards the vaulting. At each of the extreme +ends of the arcade a semi column is attached to the walls, to +complete the number necessary for sustaining the arches. +The main pillars and arches are ornamented with a simple ogee +moulding. The aisles are occupied by galleries that hide +the lower divisions of the windows, which are only seen +externally, no light being admitted below the galleries through +the outer walls. Between the clerestery windows and the +arcades below is the metzonine story, fronted by four cinque-foil +headed arches, and finished with a cornice of roses in enriched +quatre foils, designed as in imitation of the ancient +trifolium.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The eastern window does not fill up the entire wall as we find +in all ancient buildings, but a considerable portion of plain +masonry is left round it. The space below is occupied by a +splendid stone altar-screen of a beautiful antique design. +It consists of five upright divisions, formed by the buttresses, +the <a name="page132"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +132</span>central being the width of two of the others; they are +covered by ogee arches, with cinque foil sweeps in each, the +centre one having a canopy of the same sort, but more highly +enriched with a greater number of sweeps. From the canopies +rises a series of upright divisions, with trefoil heads; and +above is an entablature; the frieze of foliage in alto relievo; +the cornice of various mouldings, and the whole is fronted by +seven demi angels, in ancient costume, crowned; one hand of each +is placed on the breast, the other held up in the attitude of +benediction. The screen is flanked on each side by a +magnificent composition of niche work, ranging above two small +doorways leading to the vestry, the arches of which are obtuse, +and the architraves entirely formed of mouldings. Above the +point of the arch of each door case is an hexagonal canopy, +highly enriched, and supporting the pedestal of a large and +similarly formed niche above it, crowned with a like canopy, +which rises above the rest of the screen, and occupies a portion +of the wall on each side of the window. The pierced +stonework, elegant buttresses, and minute pinnacles of this +elegant composition, form an assemblage of architectural ornament +which would not disgrace any age in which the pointed style +prevailed; the scale of grandeur in which they are executed, and +the general tastefulness that marks the design, together with the +correct style of the elaborate details, would do honour to a +cathedral.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The centre division of the church is roofed with stone from +east to west. The style of vaulting is, however, full two +centuries earlier than the building: the nave of Westminster +Abbey seems to have been the prototype. That part of the +roof immediately above the altar is groined in a different +manner, the surface of the cove being filled with long panels +separated by arched ribs, springing from corbels, and crossing +the church from side to side; the same is repeated above the +organ; the corbels are all sculptured with figures of angels, +which at the altar are represented in the act of prayer, and over +the organ appear to be chanting the hymn of praise; though these +portions are well executed, the conceit of varying the design is +too novel to be admired.</p> +<p>From the groined roof depend three elegant brass chandeliers, +suspended on gilt chains.</p> +<p>The pulpit of wainscot is octangular, and stands on a frame +work of pointed arches; it is not wanting in ornament but it <a +name="page133"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 133</span>falls short +of the ancient oak carvings. The reading desk, also of +wainscot, which is situated on the opposite side of the nave, is +similar in design. The fronts of the galleries are set off +with panelling, having cinque-foil heads; but wanting that +boldness of relief which distinguishes the ancient specimens of +carved wood work; to the altar chairs, the same remark +applies.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The font is situated in the centre aisle, near to the pulpit +and reading desk; it is of an octangular form, and sustained on a +pillar of the same shape. The different sides are panelled, +each containing a shield in an enriched quatrefoil, and the +pillar is ornamented with upright panels. It is executed in +marble, and the carving appears to be highly deserving of +praise.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Within the last few months there has been placed in the church +a lectern, which corresponds with the general character of the +edifice.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The entire edifice is highly creditable to the parish, and may +be considered as a lasting monument to the memory of Mr. James +Savage, the architect.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>The crypt or vaults under the church are well worthy of +inspection. They are conveniently approached, on the north +side, by a flight of steps, and are lofty, light, and thoroughly +ventilated. Here may be seen the foundation of the tower, +which is an inverted dome, and all the columns of the nave are +likewise built on and connected by inverted arches. No +doubt the construction of these numerous vaults added +considerably to the aggregate cost of the edifice, and when +interments were prohibited in the metropolitan parishes the +anticipated return was at once stopped, still they strengthen the +entire fabric, and ensure a freedom from damp, which is most +desirable. In several of these vaults are deposited the +remains of some of the most respected parishioners.</p> +<p>The fees for burials in the vaults were as follow:—</p> +<table> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: center">Single Coffin.</p> +</td> +<td colspan="3"><p style="text-align: center">Parishioner.</p> +</td> +<td colspan="3"><p style="text-align: +center">Non-Parishioner.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>An Adult</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">£13</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">£19</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">10</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Children, 7 to 14 yrs.</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">8</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">12</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>„ under 7 yrs.</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">5</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">10</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">8</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">5</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p>None but leaden coffins, enclosed in wood, were allowed to be +deposited in the vaults, nor of less thickness than 5 lb. to a +foot superficial.</p> +<table> +<tr> +<td><p><a name="page134"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +134</span>Length from East to West of the body of the Church, +including the recess of the altar and organ gallery, in the clear +of the walls inside</p> +</td> +<td><p>130 ft.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Length of Side Aisles, in the clear inside</p> +</td> +<td><p>108 ft.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Breadth from North to South</p> +</td> +<td><p>61 ft.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Breadth of the Nave</p> +</td> +<td><p>27 ft. 5½ in.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Height of the Nave, inside</p> +</td> +<td><p>60 ft.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Height of the Side Aisles, inside</p> +</td> +<td><p>31 ft. 9 in.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Whole length outside from East to West, including Tower +and Vestry</p> +</td> +<td><p>186 ft. 10½ in.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Height from the ground to the top of the pinnacle</p> +</td> +<td><p>142 ft.</p> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p>There are ten bells, which were cast at Mr. Mears’s +Foundry, Whitechapel:—</p> +<table> +<tr> +<td><p>The weight of the</p> +</td> +<td><p>first</p> +</td> +<td><p>6 cwt. 1 qr. 8 lb.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: center">„ „</p> +</td> +<td><p>second</p> +</td> +<td><p>6 cwt. 1 qr. 18 lb.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: center">„ „</p> +</td> +<td><p>third</p> +</td> +<td><p>6 cwt. 3 qr.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: center">„ „</p> +</td> +<td><p>fourth</p> +</td> +<td><p>7 cwt. 16 lb.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: center">„ „</p> +</td> +<td><p>fifth</p> +</td> +<td><p>7 cwt. 2 qr. 9 lb.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: center">„ „</p> +</td> +<td><p>sixth</p> +</td> +<td><p>8 cwt. 2 qr. 9 lb.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: center">„ „</p> +</td> +<td><p>seventh</p> +</td> +<td><p>10 cwt. 3 qrs. 19 lb.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: center">„ „</p> +</td> +<td><p>eighth</p> +</td> +<td><p>12 cwt. 1 qr. 11 lb.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: center">„ „</p> +</td> +<td><p>ninth</p> +</td> +<td><p>15 cwt. 3 qrs. 14 lb.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: center">„ „</p> +</td> +<td><p>tenth</p> +</td> +<td><p>23 cwt. 9 lb.</p> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p>The church was consecrated on the 18th of October, 1824, and +as the foundation stone was laid on the 12th of October, 1820, +the building of the edifice occupied about four years.</p> +<h3>MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS IN THE CHURCH.</h3> +<p>There are many neat and well-designed marble tablets placed on +the walls in different parts of the church, and one monument in +particular which will be specially noticed. It would have +afforded me great satisfaction to have transcribed all the +tributes of affection there recorded, and also those in the +Burial Ground, but the limited nature of this work would only +admit of noticing a few of them. By adopting this course it +will enable me to refer to a variety of interesting subjects, +which otherwise in all probability must have been omitted.</p> +<p><a name="page135"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 135</span>The +monument, to which allusion has just been made, commemorates a +hero who distinguished himself during the Peninsular +war:—</p> +<blockquote><p style="text-align: center">To the Memory of<br /> +Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Henry Cadogan,<br /> +of his Majesty’s 71st Regiment,<br /> +who fell in the Battle of Vittoria, on June 1st, 1813,<br /> +in the 33rd year of his age.<br /> +The Officers of his Regiment have erected this Monument,<br /> +In token of their esteem and regret.</p> +</blockquote> +<p>This beautiful production of the chisel of Chantrey, which is +placed in the north gallery, represents two soldiers lamenting +the death of their heroic commander, whose portrait is on a +medallion surrounded with flags, with the Imperial eagle of +France underneath; the letter “N.” is on the top of +the pillar which supports the eagle. On the pedestal which +supports the sarcophagus is the word “<span +class="smcap">Vittoria</span>,” encircled with a laurelled +crown; the sarcophagus is ornamented with a guilloche +moulding. Chastity of design and delicacy of execution are +the special characteristics of this admirable specimen of +art. There is another monument to the memory of this +gallant officer, erected at the public expense, in St. +Paul’s Cathedral, and also a third in the Cathedral of +Glasgow.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>During the battle Colonel Cadogan had been detached to an +important position; and when it was discovered that he had been +mortally wounded, it was proposed to take him off the +field. “No,” said he, “my death is now +certain, and very near; suffer me to conclude my life with the +pleasure of seeing the continuation of our triumph; carry me to +an height, from whence I can observe it.” He was +carried to one, when his back was placed against a tree, and +there he expired, after expressing his gratitude to those around +him.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>In a vault near this spot lies the remains of the Right Hon. +Charles Henry Cadogan, Earl Cadogan, Viscount Chelsea, in the +county of Middlesex, Baron Cadogan, of Oakley, in the county of +Buckingham. Born 17th Nov. 1749, and died on the 23rd Dec. +1832.</p> +<p><a name="page136"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +136</span>Honoria Louisa Countess Cadogan, died September 12, +1845, aged 58.</p> +<p>Sophia Lucy Cadogan, wife of Lieut.-Col. Hon. Geo. Cadogan, +Grenadier Guards. Born March 5, 1812; died Jan. 26, +1852.</p> +<blockquote><p style="text-align: center">Sacred to the Memory +of<br /> +Admiral the Right Honourable George Earl Cadogan,<br /> +Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath,<br /> +Knight of the Imperial Order of Maria Theresa, of Austria.<br /> +Born May 5, 1783: died Sept. 15, 1864.</p> +</blockquote> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>There are inscriptions on marble tablets to the memory of the +following respected parishioners, amongst some others:—</p> +<blockquote><p>General Wilford, who resided for many years at +Ranelagh, departed this life in 1822, aged 69.</p> +<p>Mr. William Terwin, died Feb. 24, 1826, in the 74th year of +his age. Also, his brother, Mr. John Terwin, died Jan. 8, +1827, in his 69th year.</p> +<p>Joseph How, Esq., of Swan Walk, Paradise Row, (Queen’s +Road West,) died in 1825, aged 72. He was much +respected.</p> +<p>Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, widow of T. Smith, Esq., of No. 1, Manor +Terrace (now No. 167, King’s Road), who, by will, in 1828, +bequeathed £500 three per cent. consols, to be expended +annually as specified therein.</p> +<p>Thomas Bryan, Esq., of Cadogan Place, a magistrate for the +county, died in 1830, aged 66. He was much respected, and +was for some time treasurer of the Parochial Schools, and ever +ready to promote a charitable object.</p> +<p>G. H. Hopkinson, Esq., died in the year 1829, and Charles +Hopkinson, Esq., in 1830 (banker), resided in Cadogan Place for +many years.</p> +<p>R. E. N. Lee, Esq., resided for many years in Cheyne Walk, and +died in 1833. For 18 years he was Steward of the Manor.</p> +<p><a name="page137"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +137</span>Richard Harmer, Esq., of Sloane Street, died in 1840, +aged 80 years. He was benevolent, and his death was much +deplored by many of the tradesmen in the locality.</p> +<p>The Rev. G. Clark, M.A., chaplain at the Royal Military +Asylum, a clergyman universally esteemed, died in 1848.</p> +<p>Peter Burrard, Esq., of Rayner Place, departed this life in +1842. He was a captain in Queen Charlotte’s Chelsea +Volunteers, served the office of churchwarden, and was greatly +esteemed by a large number of the parishioners.</p> +<p>Luke Thomas Flood, Esq., was a magistrate for the county, and +for a great number of years treasurer of the Parochial +Schools. There is a marble monument to his memory, near to +the vestry door, in the church, which is a fine specimen of the +sculptor’s art. His munificent annual gifts to the +deserving and aged poor parishioners, however, is a memorial of +greater value than the most costly monument. He died at +Brighton, in 1860, at a very advanced age.</p> +<p>The Rev. Charles Kingsley, M.A., the late rector, and father +of the Rev. C. Kingsley, the popular author, died in 1860, aged +78. A notice of this kind-hearted clergyman is given in the +brief record of the Rectors of this church.</p> +</blockquote> +<h3>COST OF BUILDING THE CHURCH, &c.</h3> +<p>The original sum for the building of the Church, as agreed to +at a Public Vestry, held on the 20th of August, 1818, was not to +exceed in all £30,000, including every other advance that +may be made from the Commissioners of Churches, and others. +The interest of this sum, together with the principal, was to be +paid out of a church rate, and the rate for this purpose was not +to exceed one shilling in the pound. <a name="citation137"></a><a +href="#footnote137" class="citation">[137]</a> From a +statement I possess, shewing the various amounts received and +paid by the Trustees for building the church, and including the +charges for constructing a sewer from it to the river Thames, +from the 21st of July, 1819, to the 27th of October, 1824, it +appears that the total sum expended to that period was +£34,716 14s. 3d. This amount includes £2,020 +paid for the sewer, and £3,595 <a name="page138"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 138</span>for interest on annuities, up to the +time of the above statement. The entire cost of building +the church, &c., is generally estimated as being rather more +than £40,000. It is calculated that it will very well +accommodate 2,000 persons.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>There was a petition signed against the New Church Bill, in +which it was acknowledged that there was a total inadequacy of +church accommodation in the parish—the population of which +the petitioners stated to be 20,000 souls—but they +submitted that “it would be better to erect two chapels, +capable of holding 1,500 persons each, one to be situated at each +extremity of the parish, which might be done for one half the +church would cost.” Dr. Anthony Todd Thomson, of +Sloane Street, who was one of the most able speakers in the +parish, most powerfully advocated the erection of two chapels, +but the opposition entirely failed.</p> +<h3>RECTORS AT THE NEW ST. LUKE’S CHURCH.</h3> +<p>In the account of the Old Church a list of the Rectors +connected with that ancient edifice was given, we will now refer +to those since the completion of the new Parish Church.</p> +<p>The Hon. and Rev. G. V. Wellesley, D.D., who had been for many +years previously Rector, was a brother of the Duke of Wellington, +“the great hero of many a hard-fought battle.” +Making a deduction for some slight difference in the corporeal +appearance of them, there was a great resemblance of features, +and in quickness of conception, correctness of judgment, and +general determination of character, there was an astonishing +similarity. Dr. Wellesley was quick in forming his +conclusions, and appeared at times to be somewhat hasty, but +generally it would be found that his views were founded on truth +and justice. This remark applies more especially to the +part he took as chairman of many of the “open vestry” +parish meetings, at which there was frequently much +contention. It was admitted, however, by those who were at +times opposed to his views that his conduct was impartial and +conciliatory, and the natural result was that he gained the +respect of all classes of the ratepayers, and thus allayed much +of that asperity of feeling which is too often manifested by +contending parties.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page139"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 139</span>Dr. +Wellesley’s appointment of the Rev. Henry Blunt, M.A., then +a young clergyman who had gained the esteem of a large portion of +the parishioners, as Morning Preacher and Senior Curate, gave +great satisfaction, and, as presently will be seen, shewed the +correct opinion he had entertained of Mr. Blunt’s piety, +zeal, and qualifications to discharge the sacred duties he had so +wisely entrusted to him. Dr. Wellesley, after some years +had elapsed, resigned, and died at Bishopwearmouth, at an +advanced age.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Some few particulars respecting the Rev. H. Blunt may here be +very appropriately mentioned. The following opinion of him, +as a preacher, given by an avowed infidel, will convey a +tolerably good idea of his impressive manner of delivery. I +will give it as nearly as possible in the individual’s own +words. “I went,” said he, “to your place +yesterday, (meaning the church,) and if ever I go again anywhere +it shall be to hear Mr. Blunt. I went in and meant to come +out shortly, but I had no sooner looked at him than his keen eyes +seemed fixed on mine, and as he appeared so sincere in what he +said, I remained till he had finished. He certainly was +most persuasive, and it spoilt my dinner.” This was +afterwards mentioned to Mr. Blunt, who smiled, and said, “I +hope there were many others who went home to their dinners +equally impressed.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>When Trinity Church, Sloane Street, was completed, the Rev. +Mr. Blunt became the Incumbent (the parish at that time was not +as at present divided into ecclesiastical divisions). Here +he was again greatly beloved by his large congregation, including +both rich and poor. Some years afterwards he accepted the +Rectory of Streatham, Surrey, where he at length died, as much +esteemed by the inhabitants there, as he had been previously at +Chelsea. Mr. Blunt was the chief founder of the first +Benevolent Society established in this parish, in 1829, entitled +the Chelsea Relief Association, and principally through his +exertions no less a sum than £163 was collected within a +very short period. Hence arose other similar societies, +whose benevolent objects are well deserving of support. The +Infant School, in Markham Street, might be considered as Mr. +Blunt’s cherished offspring, and the National Schools at +all times were regarded by him with feelings of deep regard.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Rev. Mr. Lockwood, M.A., succeeded the Hon. and Rev. Dr. +Wellesley, as rector, and manifested great interest in promoting +the welfare of the parish, but after a comparatively short period +he resigned.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page140"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 140</span>The +Rev. Charles Kingsley, M.A., next became Rector, and continued as +such for many years. He was but seldom absent from the +parish, and exhibited on all occasions a kind and benevolent +disposition. He died in the year 1860, aged 78. Mrs. +Kingsley was very active in establishing the Rectory Girls’ +School, and in promoting a variety of charities to aid the +poor.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Rev. G. A. Blunt, M.A., (son of the late Rev. H. Blunt,) +succeeded Mr. Kingsley, and is the present Rector. He has +evinced the greatest desire to promote the religious, moral, and +intellectual advancement of the working classes, and takes a deep +interest in promoting the Parochial National and Infant Schools, +&c. There is one charitable society, of such a humane +and practical character, that it deserves to be specially +noticed. It is called “The Sick Kitchen.” +In a printed “Letter addressed to the Congregation and +Parishioners of St. Luke’s, Chelsea,” 1869, Mr. Blunt +states that it is “carried on in a building erected for the +purpose in 1861, in the Rectory Garden. Its object is to +provide nutritious dinners for the poor who are recovering from +sickness. It is supported by voluntary contributions, the +early Communion alms, and half the contents of the church boxes +at St. Luke’s. An average of thirty poor people are +thus supplied daily for nine months in the year. There is +no charge made, the orders being given by the Curates and +District Visitors, among the cases they visit. The dinners +consist of roast meat three times a week, soup, puddings, +&c., on the alternate days; beef tea daily.”</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>The advowson anciently belonged, as already stated, to the +Abbot and Convent of Westminster, till they exchanged it, 17th +July, 28 Henry VIII., together with their manors of Neyte and +Hyde, with the king, for the priory of Hurley. It continued +in the possession of the Crown till Queen Elizabeth, by letters +patent, dated July 3rd, second year of her reign, demised to Ann, +Duchess of Somerset, the advowson of the parish church and +rectory for her life, the reversion to the Queen. After the +death of the duchess it was granted to the Earl of Nottingham and +his Countess for three lives. King Charles I. granted the +advowson, with the manor, to James Duke of Hamilton, and in the +next reign Charles Cheyne, Esq., purchased the manor, to which +the rectory has ever since been annexed.</p> +<p><a name="page141"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 141</span>In +the year 1327, 1st of Edward III., the rectory was rated at +thirteen marks, and in the king’s books at £13 6s. +8d., and the yearly tenths £1 6s. 8d.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Among Dr. King’s original papers is the following +account of the rectory: “The ancient parsonage-house, with +14 acres and 22 perches of land, stood west of the Duke of +Beaufort’s, then the Marquis of Winchester’s. +In lieu of which, upon an exchange, the present house, and land +about it, was given to the rectory for ever, by the consent of +the Queen, the then patron, Dr. Edmund Grindall, Bishop of +London, and Robt. Richardson, Rector of Chelsea, who conveyed the +old house and land to the Marquis by writing, bearing date May 3, +1566.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In 1650, it was reported to the Commissioners appointed by the +Parliament, that the parsonage-house of Chelsea, with twenty +acres of glebe, belonging to the same, were valued at £60 +per annum, and the tithes worth £60 more.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Rectory House, situated in Church Street, is very plain as +regards its exterior appearance. The grounds are enclosed +by a wall, and there are carriage entrances to the house. +The interior is commodious, but scarcely adequate to the +requirements of a large establishment in the present day.</p> +<h3>THE BURIAL GROUND, OR CEMETERY.</h3> +<p>In the south and north portions of the ground there are a +great number of memorial stones, and a few brick vaults. +That portion, situated at the north-eastern division, near to +Bond Street and Marlborough Square, the ground of which is raised +above the general surface, may be considered almost as one huge +grave, containing a mass of interments. It was originally +called “The Poor Ground,” on account of its being +devoted exclusively for those who were buried at the expense of +the parish. It would display much good feeling and +sympathy, if some simple but appropriate record was placed +there. It might be done by subscription, should there be no +funds available for such a purpose.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>With respect to the numerous inscriptions, it would be +impossible, as already stated, to notice more than a very few of +<a name="page142"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 142</span>them, +and they contain generally only the name and age of the person +interred. And, after all, we may say with the poet,</p> +<blockquote><p>“The best concerted schemes men lay for +fame,<br /> +Die fast away; only themselves die faster.<br /> +The far-famed sculptor and the laurelled bard,<br /> +Those bold insurancers of deathless fame,<br /> +Supply their little feeble aids in vain.”</p> +<p style="text-align: right"><span class="smcap">Blair’s +Grave</span>.</p> +</blockquote> +<p>William Jones, Esq., aged 83, resided in Manor Street, Cheyne +Walk. He was a good Hebrew and Greek scholar, but it is in +the character of a naturalist that he must be principally +regarded, Mr. Jones having painted from nature about 1,500 +species of butterflies in a most masterly manner, and not only +painted but arranged and characterized them in Latin.</p> +<p>Matthew Yatman, Esq., of Lindsey Row, died in 1814; he was a +most accomplished gentleman.</p> +<p>Signor Carlo Rovedino, an Italian, died in this parish Oct. 6, +1822, aged 71; he was well known on the continent and in this +country as a bass singer.</p> +<p>Thomas Raven, a pupil in St. George’s Hospital, died in +his sleep in 1826, aged 20.</p> +<p>Dr. John M‘Leod, the companion of Sir Murray Maxwell, +and the author of a voyage in H.M. ship “Alceste,” to +the Yellow Sea, and of her shipwreck in the Straits of Gaspar; he +died in the King’s Road in 1820, aged 38.</p> +<p>Thomas Davey, Esq., of the King’s Road, died in 1833; he +was a celebrated florist, and resided opposite Royal Avenue +Terrace. This gentleman served most of the old parochial +offices, and his general good-natured disposition gained for him +the respect of all parties in the parish.</p> +<p>William Tebbs, Esq. died in 1831, aged 59; he was beloved by a +large circle of friends, and esteemed by all who knew him.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Most of the old and respected parishioners of Chelsea, who +once occupied a prominent position in it, have passed away from +the scenes of this world, to enjoy, it is hoped, that pure and +unalloyed happiness which can only be realized in that kingdom +where there is neither poverty, anxiety, sorrow, or pain. +Some of them no doubt are interred in this ground, but it would +have displayed partiality to have noticed some and emitted +others.</p> +<p><a name="page143"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 143</span>From +an official statement, dated Dec. 22, 1823, shewing the receipts +and disbursements under each head, from the incorporation of the +Burial Ground Trustees, April 10, to September 1823, it appears +that the whole amount of expenditure, during the above period, +was £17,243 8s. 6d. This amount included £4,713 +1s. 0¼d., for enclosing the ground, and £1,135 5s. +7½d., for building the temporary chapel, which was erected +at the northern entrance, for reading the Funeral Service, +previously to the erection of the Church.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>In concluding the account of St. Luke’s Church, and +Burial Ground, I venture to insert, at the request of some +subscribers to this work, the following lines:—</p> +<h3>REMINISCENCES OF ST. LUKE’S CHURCH.</h3> +<p class="poetry">Whene’er I view that beauteous tower,<br +/> +Built with artistic taste and power<br /> + Upon yon sacred sod,<br /> +My heart awakes, with thankful strain,<br /> +For in old age I see again<br /> + That temple of my God.</p> +<p class="poetry">Once in that Church I bent the knee,<br /> +And join’d the holy minstrelsy<br /> + That lifts the soul above:—<br /> +The powerful organ swell’d on high,<br /> +And many felt that God was nigh,<br /> + Inspir’d by faith and love.</p> +<p class="poetry">I’ve seen there a bride, in rich +attire,<br /> +Receive the ring from her loving sire,<br /> + And sign the marriage book:—<br /> +Then when they left the bells were rung,<br /> +And the porch fill’d with old and young,<br /> + To see their happy look.</p> +<p class="poetry">I’ve stood beside the baptismal font,<br +/> +Where children oft to Christ were brought,<br /> + And th’ cross mark’d o’er their +brow:—<br /> +And it was a joyful after-sight<br /> +To see them, in emblematic white,<br /> + Confirm their sponsor’s vow.</p> +<p class="poetry"><a name="page144"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +144</span>The preacher, by his earnest way,<br /> +Fill’d the Church on the Sabbath day,<br /> + And touch’d their hearts within:—<br /> +He told them of the bleating sheep, <a name="citation144"></a><a +href="#footnote144" class="citation">[144]</a><br /> +Of Saul’s deceit, and crime so deep,<br /> + And warn’d them of his sin.</p> +<p class="poetry">And there have aged pilgrims stood,<br /> +(Now safely pass’d o’er Jordan’s flood,<br /> + And gain’d blest Canaan’s shore,)<br /> +Each burthen there they seem’d to cast,<br /> +As if each danger they had pass’d,<br /> + And all their toil was o’er.</p> +<p class="poetry">And last I’ve seen the funeral train,<br +/> +Like mourners on a desert plain,<br /> + Come slowly with their load:—<br /> +I’ve stood beside the silent bier,<br /> +And watch’d the trickling kindred tear<br /> + Fall in death’s drear abode.</p> +<p class="poetry">Oh! when I view that sacred tower,<br /> +At morning or at evening hour,<br /> + By pure devotion led,<br /> +I love to meditate awhile—<br /> +I think I see some angels smile<br /> + Above the peaceful dead!</p> +<p><i>Chelsea</i>, 1867.</p> +<p style="text-align: right"><span class="smcap">George +Bryan</span>.</p> +<h3>PARISH REGISTERS.</h3> +<p>We now come to an exceedingly interesting subject, interesting +alike, both to old and young, when we consider the very small +population of the parish three centuries back compared with the +present time now numbering about 70,000. Many of the early +records of Parish Registers, will be found often written in so +quaint a style as to be almost amusing, still they carry with +them solemn thoughts, if rightly regarded, which ought to produce +a salutary effect. When we read, too, the inscriptions on +the monuments in our cathedrals, old churches, and in our +cemeteries, and find ourselves actually walking over the remains +<a name="page145"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 145</span>of +noblemen, statesmen, and others—some celebrated for their +noble and gallant conduct, or for hospitality and munificence, +and many for their devotion to the study of theology, literature, +the fine arts, &c.—we become, as it were, rivetted to +the sacred spot, and whatever pleasing historical associations +may occur to the mind, they are involuntarily mingled with +reflections of a far more solemn character.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The first institution of Parish Registers in England commenced +in 1501, 16th of Henry VIII., although the keeping of them was +not strictly enjoined till the injunction of Lord Cromwell, 30th +of Henry VIII., but he being considered as a favourer of +innovations in religion, the good intent of them was much +misrepresented, and his order rarely attended to by the +clergy. A second order of this kind was issued in the +second year of Edward VI., 1547, though perhaps little complied +with. A third order is found in the statutes of the +National Synod, by Cardinal Pole, about 1555, and the last and +most successful in the 1st, 7th, and 39th years of Elizabeth.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The first Chelsea Parish Register Book is a small folio, +vellum, a great part of which is beautifully written. It +commences with the year 1559, and appears to be accurately kept, +except that it is imperfect during the Interregnum; and there are +some omissions in the burials between 1564 and 1591, and between +1644 and 1652, the year in which it ends. In the first leaf +there is this memorandum: “A Booke begun in the House of +God for Regestringe of all Christenings, Marages, and Burialls +within the Parishe of Chelsey, provided for that purpose by J. +Tomkins and Thomas Saunders, Church Wardens, the 19 daye of +Feburarie 1559, and new in the time and yeare of Richard Warde, +Parson of Chelsey, 11 March, 1599.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The following are a few selected from the Baptisms, Marriages, +and Burials:—</p> +<h3><span class="smcap">Baptisms</span>.</h3> +<table> +<tr> +<td><p>1559.</p> +</td> +<td><p>William Hitchcock was baptized the 19th day of +Februarie. (This is the first registered.)</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1576.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Gabriel, the son of Thomas Browne, Parson, 3rd April.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1593.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Elizabeth, filia Johis. Stanhope, armi. and +Margaritæ uxoris ejus, 14th August (afterwards married to +Sir Lionel Talmash.)</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1594.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Margaret Stanley, 17th April.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p><a name="page146"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +146</span>1595.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Carolus filius Johs. Stanhope, armi. April 27. (afterwards +second Lord Stanhope.)</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1597.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Charles, a boy, by estimacon x or xii yeares old, brought +by Sir Walter Rawlie from Guiana, Feb. 13.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1599.</p> +</td> +<td><p>William, the sonne of Sir Arthur Gorge, Kt., 31st May.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1600.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Timoleon, sonne of Sir Arthur Gorge, and Lady Elizabeth, +his wife, baptized primo Octobris.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1612.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Frances, the daughter of Sir Walter Alston, Knight, 26th +April.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1613.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Fielde, a poor man child, found in the east field of +Chelsey, 13th October.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1639.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Chelsey, a child born in the west fields, was baptized +Feb. 1.</p> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p>The remaining baptismal entries, and some of those omitted, +include the sons or daughters of the Earl of Nottingham, Lord +Cranfield, Earl of Lincolne, Sir John Danvers, Sir G. Wentworth, +Lord Commissioner Whitelocke, Charles Cheyne, Esq., Charles +Stanley, Esq., Sir Henry Herbert, Earl of Lindsey, &c.</p> +<h3><span class="smcap">Marriages</span>.</h3> +<table> +<tr> +<td><p>1559.</p> +</td> +<td><p>W. Harris and Eliz. Buger. (This is the first +marriage registered.)</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1560.</p> +</td> +<td><p>In this year there were four marriages, and a very few +afterwards until 1600.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1582.</p> +</td> +<td><p>T. Mansell, esquier, son and heir to Sir Edward Mansell, +and Mary Mordant, daughter of Lord Mordant, July 30.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1589</p> +</td> +<td><p>Johannes Stanhope, armiger, et Margaritta Mackwilliams, +alias Cheecke, 6 die Maii. (He was created a Baron in +1606.)</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1607.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Richard Warde, Parson, and Elizabeth Fisher, Jan. 29.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1648.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Sir John Danvers and Mrs. Grace Hewet, Jan. 6.</p> +<p style="text-align: center">No entry of marriages from 1648 to +1652, when there were three.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1675.</p> +</td> +<td><p>W. Cheyne, Esq., only son of Charles Cheyne, Lord of this +Manor, and Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, both of this parish, Dec. +16.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1703.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Lord Windsor and Lady Dowager Jeffreys, relict of Judge +Jeffreys.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1711.</p> +</td> +<td><p>The Hon. Algernon Grevile and the Hon. Mary Somerset, +grand-daughter to the Duchess Dowager of Beaufort, Dec. 24.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1713.</p> +</td> +<td><p>The Duke of Grafton and Lady Somerset, April 10.</p> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +<h3><a name="page147"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +147</span><span class="smcap">Burials</span>.</h3> +<table> +<tr> +<td><p>1565.</p> +</td> +<td><p>None were buried—not a single person died in the +parish, during this year.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1593.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Thomas Larrance de civitate, London, goldsmith.—John +Edwards and Thomas Evans, servants, buried both together, died of +the plague. Three more died of the plague about the same +time.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1594.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Alice Griffin, a poore washwoman, buried 2nd +Feb.—Ann, a poore woman, buried from a stable.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1594.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Gregorie Fynes, Lord Dacre of the South, 25th Sept., whose +funeralls and burial were kepte the 5th Novemb. at +Chelsey.—The Lady Anne, wife of Lord Dacre, was buried 15th +of May, whose funeralls were solemnized at Chelsey, the 19th +June, 1595.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1603.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Catharyne, the Countess of Nottingham, was buried at +Chelsey the 28th of Feb., and her funeralls were honourably kepte +at Chelsey, the 28th March.—George, a poore boye, was +buried 2nd March; he died in the Lordship’s Yarde.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1604.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Thomas Younge, a Yeoman of the Guards, Sept. 29, who hath +given to the parishes of Chelsey, Willsden, and Kensington, +xx<i>s.</i> apiece yearly for ever to the use of the poore +there.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1605.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Catherine, wife of Richard Warde, Parson of Chelsey.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1606.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Richard Munden, the Clerk, buried of the plague; also his +son, Thomas, of the plague. <a name="citation147"></a><a +href="#footnote147" class="citation">[147]</a></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1608.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Thomas Forrest, a godly preacher, Feb. 7.—Richard +Eryth, our poore Schoolmaster, March 26.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1609.</p> +</td> +<td><p>William Gulley was buried out of the Erle of +Lincolne’s stable, 14 Augusti—One William Morgan, a +poore man died in a straw house, and buried Oct. 1.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1610.</p> +</td> +<td><p>There were six buried of the plague this year.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1613.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Jana, a poore woman, out of the barn, Dec. 25.—A +poore woman found dead at the Earl of Lincoln’s, and +another in the Lordship’s barn, buried the same day.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1615.</p> +</td> +<td><p>The Lord of Effingham buried.—Richard Ward, Parson, +Sept. 2.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1620.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Katharin, Countesse of Huntingdon, Aug. 14. She was +daughter of John, Duke of Northumberland.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1625.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Sir Arthur Gorges, Oct. 10.—Twenty-two persons died +of the plague.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p><a name="page148"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +148</span>1627.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Magdalen Danvers, wife of Sir John Danvers, June 8.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1632.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Sir Robert Stanley, buried Jan. 23.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1636.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Eight died of the plague this year.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1638.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Sir John Lawrence, Knt., Nov. 14.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1643.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Lady Elizabeth Gorges, buried July 29th.—Six died of +the plague in the parish this year.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1668.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Arthur Gorges, Esq., April 8.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1669.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Lady Jane Cheyne, Nov. 1.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1688.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Sir Joseph Alston, Knight, May 31.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1692.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Thomas Shadwell, Esq., Poet Laureat, Nov. 24.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1694.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Dr. Adam Littleton, rector, July 3.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1698.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Charles, Viscount Cheyne, Lord of the Manor, July 13.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1703.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Dr. Edward Chamberlayne, May 27.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1714.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Sir Thomas Lawrence, Bart., April 25.—Countess +Dowager of Radnor, sen., July 15.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1731.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Mrs. Mary Astell, May 14; she published an Essay in +Defence of the Fair Sex, &c., and resided in Chelsea the +greatest part of her life.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1753.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Sir Hans Sloane, Jan. 18.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1775.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Henry Mossop, January 1st; he made his appearance at Drury +Lane Theatre in 1752, and was one of the first actors of his +time; he died in great distress in this parish, but, after his +death, his brethren paid him every respect; his remains were +followed by all the theatrical corps at that time in London, at +the head of whom was Garrick, to Chelsea Church.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1799.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Dr. William Kenwick, June 13, the author of several +dramatic and poetical works.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1780.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Sir John Fielding, September 13; he was half-brother to +the celebrated Henry Fielding, author of “Tom Jones,” +and succeeded him to the presidency at Bow Street, which, +although nearly blind from his youth, he filled with great +sagacity for many years.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1785.</p> +</td> +<td><p>John Baptist Cipriani, December 21.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1804.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Catherine Ruini Galli, December 30. This lady died +at her lodgings in Chelsea, in the 81st year of her age. +She was the last surviving scholar of Handel, who composed some +of his airs for her. Galli had a mezzo soprano voice, and +first appeared at the Opera House.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1805.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Dr. Bisset, May 21; he kept an academy in Sloane Street, +and published several works.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1805.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Henry Sampson Woodfall, Esq., Dec. 11.</p> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p style="text-align: center">(It would occupy a volume to give +even a selection of the Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials that +have since taken place.)</p> +<h3><a name="page149"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 149</span>THE +OLD PARISH BOOKS.</h3> +<p>The original books, previous to the year 1696, are all lost; +and the parishioners are indebted to the industry of Lord Cheyne +for the preservation of many of these historical fragments. +The following few extracts from the early dates, taken from +amongst many others, are singular:—</p> +<table> +<tr> +<td><p>1595.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Of Richard Munden, w<sup>ch</sup> he gained to the Church +by the Wheel of Fortune, xxix<i>s.</i> viii<i>d.</i></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1697.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Gave a poore man by the College, having just buried his +wife and left with 3 small children, and in great agony and +dispair, fearing he would with himself make away, 1s.</p> +<p>Payd for a truss of straw to put in the Cage, for a poore +woman to lye on, and gave her two pence, 8d.</p> +<p>Payd Mr. Tuley for cureing Charles Matthews’s toes of a +mortification, £2 5s.</p> +<p>Gave Stacey, for shaving a child’s head, 6d.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1707.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Ordered, in Vestry, that the weekly pensioners shall wear +badges, according to the Act of Parliament, or else be excluded +from the said weekly pension.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1782.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Resolved to employ a number of labourers to cut off all +the little twigs, in order to destroy certain insects which +appear everywhere in our trees and hedges; and from which the +most dreadful consequences are apprehended if they are suffered +to remain.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1795.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Resolved, that a bounty of twenty guineas be offered and +paid to eight men, agreeably to Act of Parliament, for the +service of his Majesty’s navy; and, if not sufficient, the +churchwardens to have power to augment the same.</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>1796.</p> +</td> +<td><p>Resolved to make a rate of 4d. in the pound to defray the +necessary expenses of raising eleven men for the service of his +Majesty’s navy.</p> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p>As the population increased the records of the parish +naturally became more voluminous, and for many years past the +proceedings of the vestrymen, and also of the Board of Guardians, +are kept in the most admirable manner. This, it is true, is +the effect of the improved state of society, the passing of the +Metropolis Local Management Act, 1855, and the introduction of +better Laws for the relief and maintenance of the poor.</p> +<h3><a name="page150"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 150</span>THE +PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS.</h3> +<p>These schools are situated at the east side of the +Cemetery. The pointed style was adopted on account of the +contiguity of the building to the Parish Church. It +consists of a centre, with low wings. The wings are +occupied by the schools, and the centre as residences intended +for the master and mistress; a large pointed arch connects the +two divisions. The first stone was laid on the 18th of +June, 1824, by the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Wellesley, rector, with the +customary formalities, at which there were present the late Rev. +Henry Blunt, and several other clergymen, besides a vast number +of the parishioners, including many ladies. In 1826 the +entire building was finished, and the children were admitted.</p> +<h3>CHELSEA WORKHOUSE.</h3> +<p>Before the year 1723 there were no workhouses in +England. It was the custom to relieve the able-bodied at +their own dwelling places, and the aged and infirm were, in many +cases, supported by the alms given at the church. In 1727, +it was “agreed that the churchwardens should be empowered +to take, with all convenient speed, a proper house upon lease, in +the name of the parish, for the use of the poor.” In +1733 it was resolved, at a vestry, “That a committee be +appointed to find out the most proper method to procure a +workhouse for the poor, and an additional burial +ground.” The result was that Sir Hans Sloane gave the +present ground for both purposes, and the first erection of the +workhouse took place about 1737.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The building, at the early part of this century, contained but +few dwelling rooms, besides those occupied by the master and +mistress. It had two wings, however, the one to the +south-west was built in 1792, and the south-east wing in +1797. The whole did not occupy much space. There was +a garden, tastefully laid out, with a neat box-edging around each +compartment. <a name="citation150"></a><a href="#footnote150" +class="citation">[150]</a> An aged inmate was the gardener, +and he took great delight in <a name="page151"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 151</span>keeping it in good order. How +altered is now the appearance of the workhouse! The pretty +garden, where once I plucked a flower, has long since +disappeared, and on its site are erected extensive buildings, to +afford necessary accommodation for the vast increase of +inmates. Since the period to which I first alluded many +additions have been made to the original workhouse, and +consequently it was altogether devoid of uniformity; but as it +has been within the last few years almost rebuilt, under the +direction of G. Handford, Esq., architect and surveyor, of the +King’s Road, the defect mentioned is no longer +apparent. Indeed, unless it had been an entire new +erection, no further improvement, as regards the exterior, could +have been made. The interior is well arranged, both for +comfort and convenience. There are at the present time +upwards of 560 inmates, and the Guardians afford every reasonable +indulgence to the aged and deserving amongst them. Thomas +Symons, Esq., the Chairman of the Board, is highly esteemed by +the parishioners, and they have recently presented to him a very +handsome testimonial of respect.</p> +<h3>THE KING’S ROAD CEMETERY.</h3> +<p>This cemetery adjoins the workhouse, and the ground was the +gift of Sir Hans Sloane. It was consecrated in 1736, by +Edmund Gibson, Bishop of London. In 1790 it was enlarged by +a grant from Lord Cadogan.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The obelisk, near the centre, was erected to the memory of +Andrew Millar, an eminent bookseller in London, who died in 1768, +aged 61 years; he had little pretensions to learning, but +possessed a very nice discrimination in selecting his literary +counsellors.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>On a flat stone, on the north side, is an inscription in +memory of John Martyn, F.R.S., Professor of Botany at Cambridge, +and Eulalia, his wife, youngest daughter of the Rev. Dr. King, +rector. She died in 1748–9, and Mr. Martyn in +1768.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>John Baptist Cipriani, the celebrated artist, and one of the +earliest members of the Royal Academy, was interred in this +burial ground. On the north side is a tomb to his +memory. <a name="page152"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +152</span>Cipriani excelled in delineating the human figure, and +was much employed by the printsellers in making drawings, which +are well known by Bartolozzi’s beautiful engravings from +them; he died in 1785, aged 58.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Rev. Philip Withers, D.D., July 1790. In 1779 he +published proposals for a splendid edition of the Table of Cebes, +with plates and notes, intended for the benefit of the Sons of +the Clergy, but owing to some misunderstanding with Archbishop +Cornwallis, the work never appeared; he lived in Sloane Square in +1789, and imprudently published several libellous pamphlets, for +which he was convicted. He was committed to Newgate for +twelve months, fined £50, and died there of a fever.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Dr. Sloane Ellesmere, rector, was buried here in 1766; and +Lady Rous, aged 90, widow of Sir W. Rous, Alderman of London, in +1777.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Hannah Aston and Anne Aston, two sisters, died in 1806. +These unfortunate young women were daughters of Mr. Aston, of +Robinson’s Lane (now Flood Street), and had been with a +party to Richmond. On their return the boat struck on a +barge near Putney Bridge, by which accident they were both +drowned, together with Mr. Isaac Van Butchell, son of the +eccentric Dr. Van Butchell.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In this ground is the family vault of the Rev. Weeden Butler, +whom we have noticed amongst the residents in Cheyne Walk.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. John Fraser, nurseryman, who resided many years in the +King’s Road, close to Sloane Square; he was ardently +attached to botanical researches, and several times explored the +wilds of North America; he died in 1811.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, of the King’s Road, died in 1828, +in the 49th year of her age, after a short but severe +illness.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>There have been but few interments in this burial ground for +many years. When the new St. Luke’s cemetery was +completed, in 1812, this ground was closed, excepting to those +who had relatives previously buried in it. The population +of the parish, from the year just mentioned, rapidly increased, +and the burials, about 1832, amounted in the year to upwards of +600, but many of these belonged to the adjoining parishes, and a +large proportion were children.</p> +<h3><a name="page153"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 153</span>The +King’s Road:<br /> +<span class="GutSmall">ITS ORIGIN, EARLY CONDITION, AND PRESENT +STATE.</span></h3> +<p>As this road is the central great thoroughfare through +Chelsea, some early particulars respecting it cannot be otherwise +than interesting. It was originally only a footway through +the fields, for the use of the farmers and gardeners to get +access to their lands; but soon after the restoration of Charles +II. it was found a convenient way for his Majesty to go to +Hampton Court Palace, and thus it was, after some discussion +between the Government and the parishioners of Chelsea, converted +into a coach road. The following extracts from the petition +of Sir Hans Sloane, Bart., Lord of the Manor, and other +freeholders, will give a sufficient detail of its history and +origin, and from which it appears that disputes had arisen +concerning the right of way; and after the claims of the +inhabitants had been considered by the Lords Commissioners of his +Majesty’s Treasury, the matter was finally decided in their +favour in the year 1719, the 5th of George I.:—</p> +<blockquote><p style="text-align: center"><span class="smcap">To +the Rt. Hon. the Lords of His Majesty’s Treasury</span>, +&c. <a name="citation153a"></a><a href="#footnote153a" +class="citation">[153a]</a></p> +<p>“That before the restoration of King Charles the Second, +and some time after, the fields of Chelsea were open fields; and +that the bridge, called Bloody Bridge, <a +name="citation153b"></a><a href="#footnote153b" +class="citation">[153b]</a> was only a foot-bridge, with a plank +or board; and the way leading thence to the lane facing Blackland +House, <a name="citation153c"></a><a href="#footnote153c" +class="citation">[153c]</a> was then only a foot-path of about +five feet wide, and the lands on each side were plowed and sowed +close up to the same; and that from the said lane to the town +gate was only a baulk, or head land, of about ten or twelve feet +broad, or thereabouts; and the lands on each side of the said +head-lands were also ploughed up to the edges thereof; <a +name="page154"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 154</span>and that +the said head-land was used by the owners and occupiers of the +said lands for a way, egress and regress, to their lands, with +ploughs and other utensils of husbandry, and to carry off their +crops from their lands, time out of mind. That some time +after the restoration, King Charles II. built Bloody Bridge, as +it now stands; and, as we are informed, agreed with the then Lord +of the Manor, and others concerned, for the said head-land, for +his Majesty’s private road, allowing the freeholders their +ancient way through the same. Whereupon the king made the +road with gravel, and the landowners ditched out their lands on +each side of the same; and the king took upon him the repair of +the gate at the town end (which before was maintained by the +parishioners), and as soon as the fields were sown, was hung up +and shut, and, after harvest, was always open until seed time +returned again, as many yet alive well remember. And ever +since the landholders of the said parish have been in possession +of a free way and passage to their lands through the said road, +(some persons having no other way,) and were never denied it +during the reigns of King Charles the Second, King James, King +William, and Queen Anne, as we can make appear by sufficient +evidence. Now, whereas, upon his present Majesty’s +repairing the said road, the present Surveyor-General has given +orders to shut the gates against the landholders of Chelsea, to +their great detriment, and, as we conceive, to the debarring them +of their right. We humbly beg your Lordships will take the +matter into your consideration, hear our evidence, and grant us +such relief as, in your great wisdom, you shall think fit. +That the late Duchess Dowager of Beaufort (to whose stables and +offices there is no other way), about five or six years ago, +ordered her stewards and servants to cut down a turnpike, which +Mr. Manly, the Surveyor-General, had set up between the walls at +the corner, next Church Lane (Street); and they carried the posts +away, being set up, as she said, upon her ground.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>To this petition was attached the evidence of several of the +freeholders, in confirmation of what was stated in the above +petition. One of these was given by Mr. Matthew Hutchins, +gardener, of the King’s Road.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The above petition was referred to Hugh Cholmley, Esq., +Surveyor-General, and William Watkins, Esq., Surveyor of his +Majesty’s private roads. The reports from these two +official gentlemen were evasive and unsatisfactory, and +consequently a second statement was sent to the Commissioners, in +reply to <a name="page155"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +155</span>the objections. This last statement from Sir Hans +Sloane was dated May 6, 1719.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>On the same day (May 6) the following letter was +received:—“My Lords direct Mr. Watkins to permit the +tenants of the lands adjoining to the King’s Road, through +Chelsea, to have free passage through the same, with their carts +and horses, in the manner they have been accustomed to; and that +the ditches which belong to the land, and lately filled up, be +opened again.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The above particulars explain the origin of placing the gates, +or bars, at different parts of the King’s Road, and which +many of the parishioners at the present time well remember.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>Daring robberies and murders appear to have been very frequent +about this period, especially in the Five Fields, (now Eaton +Square, &c.) and along the whole line of the King’s +Private Road.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Timbs, F.S.A., says, “In the King’s Road, near +the spot where is now the Vestry Hall, the Earl of Peterborough +was stopped by highwaymen in what was then a narrow lane; and the +robbers, being watched by some soldiers, who formed a part of the +guard at Chelsea College, were fired at from behind the hedge; +one of these highwaymen turned out to be a student in the Temple, +whose father having lost his estate, his son lived by +‘play, sharping, and a little on the highway,’ the +desperate resources of the day.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In September, 1753, a Mr. Crouch, cook to the Earl of +Harrington, was attacked at night by two men who took his watch +and money, and then stabbed him with a knife and beat him till he +died. <a name="citation155"></a><a href="#footnote155" +class="citation">[155]</a></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The following most diabolical and remarkable case of burglary +and murder occurred in the King’s Road in 1771:—</p> +<p><a name="page156"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 156</span>On +the site of the King’s Parade (near to Oakley Square) stood +an ancient farm, which was in the occupation of the family of +Mrs. Hutchins for many years. She was a widow, and some +Jews it appeared made inquiries as to her circumstances, and +considering there was a chance of obtaining valuable booty, +determined on robbing the house. In June, 1771, they +sauntered about the fields till 10 o’clock at night, and +then went and knocked at the door, which was opened by a female +servant, when immediately eight Jews entered the house. +They seized the girl and treated her with great severity. +Mrs. Hutchins went to her servant’s assistance, but one of +them, Levi Weil, called Dr. Weil, compelled her to sit in a +chair, after which he threw part of her clothes over her head to +prevent her seeing their faces, and threatened to murder her if +she made any resistance. They then went up stairs to a +room, where Joseph Slow and William Stone, two men servants, were +in bed, and in a sound sleep. Dr. Weil gave Stone a violent +blow on the breast, when Slow instantly started up, on which the +others cried out “Shoot him!” and a pistol was fired, +the ball from which entered the body of Slow, who exclaimed, +“Lord have mercy upon me! I am murdered! I am +murdered!” They then dragged him to the stairs, +which, being observed by Stone, he made his escape out of the +window. They then robbed the house, and demanded money of +Mrs. Hutchins, one of them struck her violently, and threatened +to kill her. She was compelled at length to give her watch +and 64 guineas, after which they quitted the house. Mrs. +Hutchins then went to see her servants. She found the two +maid-servants bound together; and no sooner had she given them +their liberty than the wounded man said, “How are you, +madam, for I am dying.” These words were scarcely +uttered, when he fell down on the floor, and having suffered the +most excruciating pain, expired on the following day, leaving a +wife and two children to lament his loss.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The robbery and murder was no sooner known than a reward was +offered from the Secretary of State’s office, for the +apprehension of the gang. The offer was seconded by that of +a much larger reward from the City of London; and also another of +£50 from the parishioners of Chelsea.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The murderers, however, remained undiscoverd for a +considerable time till Daniel Isaacs, one of the gang, became the +means of discovering his accomplices, in the following +manner:—Isaacs, being touched with remorse of conscience, +&c., sent for a friend <a name="page157"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 157</span>and acknowledged himself to be one +of the nine men concerned in the robbery and murder at Mrs. +Hutchins’s, at Chelsea. He desired his friend to +inform some magistrate of it; and having told him the names and +places of abode of his accomplices, his friend went immediately +to Sir John Fielding, at Bow Street, who sent the officers after +them, by which means seven of them were taken. The cause of +this confession and remorse of conduct, on the part of Isaacs, +was distress. He applied for relief to the elders of the +Jewish synagogue, but the treasurer refused him any immediate +assistance, urging as a reason that he should not have left his +native country, Holland, where he might have obtained probably an +honest living. At that time a great number of Jews came to +this country, and a selection of cases could only be +relieved. Isaacs, in consequence of the refusal, became +greatly distressed, and, in order to gain the reward, offered by +the City of London, made the above confession.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Isaacs was admitted to give evidence against his accomplices, +six of whom were soon apprehended, but the other made his +escape. There appears to have been some discrepancy as +regards the number of the gang, one account states eight, while +another mentions nine.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>At the Old Bailey Sessions, in December, 1771, Levi Weil, +Asher Weil, Marcus Hartogh, Jacob Lazarus, Solomon Porter, Hyam +Lazarus, and Abraham Linewill, (the man who had absconded) were +indicted for the robbery and murder, when the two of the name of +Weil, with Jacob Lazarus and Solomon Porter, were capitally +convicted, and Marcus Hartogh and Hyam Lazarus were +acquitted.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mrs. Hutchins deposed on the trial, that about six weeks +before her house was robbed, Hyam Lazarus came to it, inquiring +for one Beetham, a weaver, when she said she knew no such person; +that on the 11th of June, the night of the robbery she heard the +dog bark, about ten o’clock at night, her men being then +gone to bed; that she called to one of her two maid-servants to +see what was the matter with the dog, and shortly after, hearing +a noise, she ran herself to see, and found her maid, Mary +Hodgkin, with her cap off, and some men using her extremely ill; +that to the best of her remembrance, she recollected Levi Weil +and Hyam Lazarus to be among these men; and though her fright was +exceedingly great, she did her endeavour to assist her maid, but +that Levi Weil (called the Doctor,) pushed her into a chair, and +pulled her upper petticoat <a name="page158"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 158</span>over her face, which hindered her +seeing any of the rest. Hearing her cook cry very much, one +of them said, “Cut her throat;” another, “If +you don’t hold your tongue, I will cut your +throat.” Then coming to her (Mrs. Hutchins) they +offered to tie her legs, and she begged they would not, as she +would not stir; whereupon they all went to another room, the door +of which being locked, they said they would break it, if not +immediately opened, and returned from it in about five minutes; +that then going up stairs, she shortly after heard somebody cry +“fire!” and after much swearing, heard also a pistol +go off, and a man cried out, and begged they would not; that, +endeavouring to get out at the back door, she was prevented by +some men on the outside, who told her if they were not her +friends they would blow her brains out; that then returning to +her chair, she heard a very great noise above stairs, as if they +were throwing the servant down, and a little while after she +heard another pistol go off; that the wounded man, endeavouring +to get down, came to her, and said, “How are you +ma’am, for I am a dead man;” on which, turning short, +he fell on the ground; that his shirt was on fire close to the +wound just under the shoulder, which she put out, that he groaned +very much, and complained of being cold; that the people in the +house, running from room to room, came down to her, and Levi +Weil, to the best of her knowledge, took the buckles out of her +shoes, and two others attempted to put their hands into her +pockets; she begged they would not, saying she would give them +something worth their acceptance, and accordingly gave them her +purse and watch; that asking where her plate was, she told them, +and they took it out of the cupboard, and gave it to their +companions at the back door. That going into the parlour, +where there was a cupboard, they broke it open; and she +following, told them there was nothing in it worth having but +paper; but that one of them, a short, thick, elderly man, struck +her on the face with a pistol, and would have shot her, had not +the Doctor turned the pistol with his hand.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Recorder prefaced the sentence with a judicious and just +compliment to the principal Jews, for their very laudable conduct +in the course of the prosecution, and hoped no person would +stigmatize a whole nation for the villanies of a few.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>These men, as was customary formerly in cases of murder, were +tried on a Friday, and on the following day (the Jewish Sabbath) +they were anathematized in the Synagogue.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page159"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 159</span>As +their execution was to take place on the following Monday, one of +the Rabbies went to them in the press-room of Newgate, and +delivered to each of them a Hebrew book, but declined attending +them to the place of death, nor even prayed with them, at the +time of his visit. Their wives and children were admitted +to take their leave of them before they set out for Tyburn, where +executions took place. <a name="citation159"></a><a +href="#footnote159" class="citation">[159]</a></p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>An immense number of people attended the execution. They +prayed together, sung an hymn in the Hebrew language, and soon +afterwards were launched into eternity.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The following anecdote, in reference to this daring robbery, +was very frequently related many years ago, and I do not remember +that its veracity was ever questioned. Soon after the +conviction of the Jews, the Queen paid a visit to Mrs. Hutchins, +and, after expressing the deepest sympathy for her sufferings, +desired to be informed whether she could advance the interests of +any member of the family. A circumstance was mentioned to +her Majesty, which resulted in one of the junior branches being +ultimately educated at one of the Universities.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>We will now briefly notice the King’s Road, as it was at +the earlier part of the present century. At the entrance +into Chelsea parish, at the eastern end of Sloane Square, the +bridge, to which we have several times referred, was at that +period probably about 14 or 16ft. wide, on both sides of which +there was a wall of sufficient height to protect passengers from +falling into the narrow rivulet which it spanned, and which +belonged to the commissioners of sewers. There were two +little cottages near to this stream, and immediately contiguous +to them was Mr. Burgess’s premises, who carried on a very +good business, as a coach builder, &c. The houses +around Sloane Square were nearly the same as they are at the +present time, but the square was an open space, simply enclosed +by wooden posts, connected by iron chains, where boys frequently +played at cricket, &c. Here, too, Queen +Charlotte’s Royal Volunteers often assembled, and marched +off in military order to Hyde Park, accompanied by an excellent +band.</p> +<p><a name="page160"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 160</span>In +1812 the Chelsea and Brompton Dispensary was established in +Sloane Square, principally through the great exertions of the +Rev. George Clark, M.A., the then chaplain of the Royal Military +Asylum. At the meeting convened for that purpose, the late +W. Wilberforce, Esq., M.P., presided, whose name will be ever +associated with the abolition of slavery, and as the advocate of +almost every humane society in this country. This admirable +institution indicates the rapid growth of the population. +The earliest annual average of patients did not exceed 1200, in +1860 it was upwards of 6000, and since the last date the number +has greatly increased. The first physicians were Dr. +Ainsley and Dr. Adam Black, and its first surgeons Robert Smith +and Anthony Todd Thomson, Esqrs.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Fraser’s Botanical Grounds adjoined Sloane +Square. He explored distant parts of the world several +times, so ardently attached was he to botanical researches. +He was patronized by a large number of the nobility and +gentry. His death took place, in 1811, at his +residence.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>It will be seen shortly that if the King’s Road, in the +“Olden Times,” was almost exclusively occupied by +farmers and gardeners, that, for a number of years afterwards, +one of the principal attractions to it was the many celebrated +nursery and floricultural grounds.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The high wall at the Royal Military Asylum, which formed the +back of the boys’ lavatory, &c., and which stood more +forward than the present enclosure, had no pathway whatever +against it, and the road being at one part very narrow, it was +not only inconvenient but at times dangerous.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Colvill’s Nursery Ground stood on the site of +Colvill Terrace, and the entrance to it was at the eastern +corner. His display of flowers excited general admiration, +and consequently an immense number of the gentry generally paid +him a daily visit during the summer season.. The grounds, +however, were only enclosed with an old wooden fence, and here +again there was no footway for passengers.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Thomas Davey was also a celebrated florist, and his ground +was opposite what was called the White Stiles, now known as the +Royal Avenue to Chelsea College. The origin of the former +name arose from there being an ornamental stile at the +entrances.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page161"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 161</span>The +grounds of Mr. Colvill were detached from those of Mr. Davey by a +footpath, on both sides of which there were neatly-trimmed +hedges, and as butterflies abound in floricultural gardens, this +passage was called “Butterfly Alley.” Some +houses have since been built on this site, and, although the road +is narrow, it now assumes the name of Keppel Street, connecting +the King’s Road with the Fulham Road. Opposite the +above-named alley there was a bar placed across the road, to +prevent waggons, &c., from passing unless the driver produced +proof that he was going to some resident in it. The origin +of these bars has just been fully detailed.</p> +<p>Mr. Pratt, a friend of Mr. Faulkner, wrote the following +lines, “Flowers and Fashion,” in reference to the +above two celebrated floricultural grounds:—</p> +<blockquote><p>Where smiling Chelsea spreads the cultur’d +lands,<br /> +Sacred to Flora a pavilion stands,<br /> +And yet a second temple neighb’ring near<br /> +Nurses the fragrance of the various year;<br /> +Of Davey this, of Colvill that, the care,<br /> +While both the favour of the goddess share.<br /> +But not for her—the deity of flowers—<br /> +<i>Alone</i> the incense breathes, still higher Powers:—<br +/> +Fair Venus marks each temple for her own,<br /> +And <span class="smcap">Fashion</span> sits upon a +blossom’d throne.<br /> +She, pow’r supreme! bids vanquish’d Flora kneel,<br +/> +And drags proud Beauty at her chariot wheel.<br /> +The Cyprian Queen asserts her loftier sway,<br /> +And blushing rivals with a smile obey.<br /> +At Fashion’s shrine unnumber’d suppliants bow,<br /> +And to their idol chaunt the sacred vow.<br /> +A thousand Eves, each as their mother fair,<br /> +To these gay Edens every hour repair:<br /> +And though the wreaths boast but a fleeting bloom,<br /> +And often press at eve a twilight tomb,<br /> +Still, as by magic, we behold each morn<br /> +A fresh supply the pillag’d scenes adorn;<br /> +And though the lovely plunderers bear away<br /> +The fairy sweets that open’d with the day;<br /> +Though one fair Paradise is lost each night,<br /> +Another blooms with the returning light.<br /> +Thus, strange to tell! near London you behold<br /> +The age of <span class="smcap">Fashion</span>, <span +class="smcap">Beauty</span>, and of <span +class="smcap">Gold</span>.</p> +</blockquote> +<p>The old White Hart public-house and tea-gardens, situated on +the opposite side of the road to Mr. Davey’s grounds, was +<a name="page162"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 162</span>a rather +ancient-looking place of resort. It was well-conducted, and +occasionally a great many persons visited it. On its site +is now a very respectable tavern.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Near to this house, a little to the east, about 1818, a poor +man was sitting by the roadside, apparently in the most pitiable +state of hunger and destitution. A pensioner belonging to +Chelsea Hospital, a man of colour, was passing along at the time +with a can of soup and a small loaf of bread, which he had just +previously received as his dinner allowance, some of the men +being allowed to have private lodgings. The pensioner gazed +for a moment at the wretched object of misery, and then, with a +heart full of sympathy, gave him some of the soup and +bread. Such an act of benevolence excited the attention of +a very young man, who, whenever he met the kind-hearted black +pensioner, always felt a feeling of respect for him. Some +time afterwards it came to the knowledge of this youth that the +pensioner had been convicted of a certain crime, not now a +capital offence, and sentenced to be executed. This +communication very much surprised him, but he could not erase +from his memory the humane conduct he had witnessed. +Accordingly, he went to Newgate on the following day, unknown to +his friends, to see the condemned malefactor. On his +arrival at the prison the turnkey at the entrance door refused +him admittance, and told him, in a gruff manner, that he must get +an order. He then went direct to the Sheriff’s +residence, and, after some conversation, obtained a special order +for admission. The turnkey now became very respectful, and +the young man was immediately conducted to the yard where the +condemned prisoners took the benefit of the fresh air. The +aged convict’s appearance was much altered, and during +nearly the whole time of the visit tears rolled down his +cheeks. He was thus visited several times, and, at length, +through a petition presented by the authorities at Chelsea +Hospital, and another from some of the parishioners, the unhappy +black man’s sentence was mitigated to transportation for +life. At one of the interviews, the culprit asked for some +memorial of the young man’s kindness, having been +previously told that his life would be spared, and a Bible was +given to him, with the name of the youthful donor written in +it. An assurance was given that he would see him again that +week, but when the young man went the poor black pensioner had +been removed from the prison, and he never heard of him +afterwards. The evidence produced at the trial fully +justified the verdict of being guilty of the charge, but there +was gross culpability on the part of the prosecutrix.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page163"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 163</span>A +little beyond the old White Hart tea gardens, to the west, on the +same side of the road, was the residence of the elder Mr. +Downing. It stood in a neatly laid out garden, and +resembled very much in appearance one of those old but +comfortable retreats which may still be seen by the roadside in +some parts of the country. Adjoining the garden was his +extensive Floor Cloth Manufactory (on the site of which is now +Wellington Square). This spacious building was situated a +short distance from the road, and the approach to it was by a +carriage-way on each side, the centre being a grass plat. +In this manufactory were held most of the earlier annual meetings +of the Chelsea Auxiliary Bible Society, which were invariably +crowded. Amongst the speakers were the Rev. G. Clark, M.A., +the Rev. John Owen, M.A., the Rev. Joseph Hughes, M.A., the Rev. +John Morison, D.D., the Rev. R. H. Shepherd, the Rev. John Bunce, +and several others. Mr. Downing, sen., was a gentleman +esteemed alike for his piety and benevolence, and his sons and +other branches of the family have at all times maintained a +similar respect.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The residence and manufactory which we have just described was +pulled down some years ago, and the present one was then +erected. A deplorable event occurred, about 38 years since, +at Messrs. Downings’ new Floor Cloth Manufactory, which it +is requisite to notice in a work of this description. A +young man, whose name was Butler, the son of very worthy parents, +and who had borne a tolerably good character previous to the +fatal event we are about to mention, was convicted and executed +at Newgate, for setting fire to a portion of the premises. +The fire broke out in or near to the stables, and as it occurred +on the Sunday morning, between the hours of twelve and one +o’clock, the horses were of course locked in them. It +was with great difficulty that they were rescued. The +evidence, although principally circumstantial, resulted in the +jury finding a verdict of “Guilty.” +Notwithstanding the most strenuous efforts to save the life of +the young man, he suffered the extreme penalty of the then +law. A Wesleyan minister, who attended him at his last +moments, published a pamphlet stating his reasons for believing +that he was innocent. He was interred in St. Luke’s +Burial Ground, and the Church was crowded to excess.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>On the same side of the road, and opposite Wellington Square, +was formerly the Nursery belonging to Mr. Moore. A little +further westward was the residence of Mr. Evans, sen., known as +Box Farm. For many years he lived there, and was much +respected in the parish.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page164"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 164</span>Smith +Street was begun to be built in 1794, by the late Thomas Smith, +Esq., of Manor Terrace, but it was not finally; completed until +about 1807.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Little’s Nursery Ground was established many years +since, and at the present time it is celebrated for the +production of some of the choicest plants and flowers.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Jubilee Place was first opened in 1809, and named in +commemoration of that event in the annals of the reign of George +the Third.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Flood Street, it appears, by ancient documents, was originally +called Pound Lane, probably from the pound of the manor standing +on or near its site. It was known for some years by the +name of Robinson’s Lane, and since the buildings were +continued to the King’s Road, it was, by an order from the +magistrates, called Queen Street. It has recently been +altered to Flood Street, so named as a tribute to the memory of +Luke Thomas Flood, Esq., for his munificent annual gifts to the +poor of this parish, and by doing which many mistakes are now +obviated, as there was and is still Queen’s Road West +adjoining Cheyne Walk.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Upper Manor Street was originally called Wellesley Street, in +honour of the Rev. Dr. Wellesley, the then rector of the +parish. A murder was committed in this street about forty +years since, which created great excitement throughout +Chelsea. An elderly female resided in one of the houses, +and she was found dead early one morning under circumstances +which left no doubt whatever that the dreadful crime just +mentioned had been perpetrated. Two men were apprehended, +who lived in the neighbourhood, and who had been seen standing +near the house at about 12 o’clock the preceding night, but +beyond that fact no further evidence was adduced. It +appeared they were both at a public house that evening, and left +when it was closed, but they produced no witnesses to prove that +they went afterwards direct to their homes. The evidence in +support of the charge being insufficient, the magistrate +discharged them. One of them was a second time charged with +the murder, but the result was the same. The name of the +street was then altered.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Robert Street, and the adjacent streets, have all been built +in the course of the present century.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page165"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 165</span>Mr. +Roll’s Nursery Grounds were situated two or three doors +from that old established house, the “Six Bells,” and +joined Argyll House. His son carried on the business for +many years, and the family were greatly respected.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Edward James Mascall, Esq., a gentleman who occasionally took +a very active part in parochial affairs, resided in what is now +called Argyll House for many years.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The entrance to Cook’s Grounds, from the King’s +Road, was anciently a back way to the stable-yard of Alston +House, in Cheyne Walk. Some years ago the stone frame-work +of the gate was visible in a garden in Upper Cheyne Row. +Formerly the parishioners had only the privilege of a footway +through the glebe land from the King’s Road, as appears +from the following extract from the Vestry Minutes:—</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>“1755. Sept. 18. Whereas the road leading +from the north end of Great Cheyne Row over the glebe land to the +King’s Private Road, is the proper right of Mr. John +Narbonne, of this parish, and whereas the inhabitants of this +parish do frequently pass and repass that way, not only with +corpse to the New Burying Ground, but to the Workhouse +contiguous, as well as to other places; and as the privilege is +only upon sufferance, by consent, and during the pleasure of Mr. +Narbonne, therefore we unanimously agree to pay him and his +heirs, as long as this privilege shall continue, upon the 1st day +of May in every year, being from the day the Burying Ground was +consecrated, the sum of one shilling, which we order shall be +paid by the churchwardens for the time being.” There +have been no material alterations made from its recent state +during my remembrance; but Cook’s Grounds will soon be no +longer recognised as it was in 1868, as many very superior houses +are now being erected, which will be presently noticed.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Pamplin, another celebrated nurseryman, resided at the +western corner of Cook’s Grounds. The old +dwelling-house has just been pulled down.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The King’s Parade, opposite Cook’s Grounds, was +erected in 1810. It is no longer known as the +“Parade”—principally so called on account of +the stone-pavement, which was considered then a luxury to walk on +at that part of the road—but is now included under the +general appellation of the King’s Road.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page166"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 166</span>Mr. +Edward Wright, comedian, of the Adelphi Theatre, lived at Merton +Villa, Trafalgar Square, opposite Cook’s Grounds, for some +time. He died in France some few years ago.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>On the site of Oakley Square there still remained a portion of +Mrs. Hutchins’s market garden. The road at this spot +was very narrow, and no pathway for passengers on that +side. Here, again, there was an obstructive bar placed +across the road.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Faulkner mentions a singular circumstance that occurred +just at this place. He says, “About the year 1796, I +was present at a stag-hunt in Chelsea. The animal swam +across the river from Battersea, and made for Lord +Cremorne’s grounds; and upon being driven from thence ran +along the water-side as far as the Church, and turning up Church +Lane (street), at last took refuge in Mrs. Hutchins’s barn, +where he was taken alive.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>A little on the west of Oakley Square, in a spacious house, +Mrs. Kelly, the author of several novels, conducted a most +respectable school. It was subsequently taken for the +reception of invalid soldiers, who came to pass the Board at +Chelsea Hospital, previous to their discharge from the +army. This house, long since pulled down, was said to have +been built about the year 1715.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Adjoining the preceding house, and at the corner of Upper +Church Street, was the “Rose and Crown,” a small +road-side public-house, standing much below the level of the +road, and, from its appearance, had evidently been built at an +early period. At the entrance was a wooden bench, on which +many a weary traveller took rest. On the site of this house +is now the Cadogan Arms.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Passing Church Street, and proceeding westward, the road was +extremely narrow. At the south corner of Church Street +there was an additional house to what there is at the present +time, and the old residence on the opposite side, lately pulled +down, projected several feet forward on the road, without any +pathway for foot-passengers. There is now a capital +carriage-road and a good pavement, with some commanding shops at +the northern corner.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Adjoining, on the north side of the King’s Road, are the +extensive premises of Messrs. Ransome and Co., the eminent +saw-mill engineers, &c.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page167"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 167</span>On +the opposite side were the Nursery Grounds belonging to Mr. +Shepard, the main portion of which now forms Paultons Square, and +the remainder, formerly in the occupation of Mr. H. Larner, has +recently been purchased by Mr. Gray, the horticultural builder, +in addition to his extensive works in Danvers Street. He is +making very considerable alterations, and, when completed, it +will no doubt be an ornament to this fashionably frequented +road.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The late Mr. Alfred Mellon, so celebrated for his concerts, +and musical entertainments, lived for a considerable time in what +is known as “The Vale,” which is situated on the +opposite side to Paultons Square, where he died some two or three +years since. He was buried in the Brompton Cemetery, and +his funeral was attended by a great many of his private friends, +and by a large number of the most eminent men in the musical and +theatrical world, by all of whom he was highly respected.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. John Varley, the celebrated water colour painter, and +principal founder of the old Society now in Pall Mall East, whose +works are well known to the world, lived at 10, Beaufort Row, now +Beaufort Street, about the year 1810. His town house was in +Conduit Street, Regent Street. During the time he resided +here he made a very excellent drawing of the Old Church, from +near the Bishop of Winchester’s Palace, in Cheyne Walk, the +property of J. H. Chance, Esq., which was lent and exhibited at +the Great Exhibition of 1862. Many other beautiful sketches +of Chelsea were made by Mr. Varley from the shores, as well as +from one of Mr. Bettsworth’s boats, which was always at his +service. Some of the family have long been and are now +residents in Chelsea and Brompton. Mr. John Varley was born +in 1778, and died in 1842.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>When Mr. Varley left Chelsea, Mr. Dorrell, the artist, took +the house, and afterwards Mr. J. Stark, the well-known oil +painter of woodland scenes, occupied it. Two prettily +painted pieces, although small, are now to be seen at the South +Kensington Museum. Mr. Stark was born in 1794, and died in +1859.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Wilson Lowry, F.R.S., M.G.S., lived near to Battersea Bridge, +about the year 1809. He was known not only for his eminence +as an engraver, but also for his extensive knowledge of anatomy, +natural philosophy, mathematics, mineralogy, and geology, <a +name="page168"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 168</span>added to an +extraordinary talent for metaphysical discussion, which placed +him on terms of intimacy with the first philosophers and most +scientific men of his day, and in the year 1812, unsolicited, was +elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, next to Sir Joshua +Reynolds, the only artist who was honoured by such a +conferment. He died in 1824, in his 63rd year. Mr. +Lowry’s only daughter by his second wife was Mr. John +Varley’s second wife.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. John Galt, the author of “Sir Archibald +Wylie,” and the “Ayrshire Legatees,” lived in +Beaufort Row about 1809.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Ralph Wedgwood, (of the firm of Josiah Wedgwood and Co.,) +the celebrated manufacturers of the Queen’s Ware, died at +Chelsea in 1837.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Bentley, one of Mr. Wedgwood’s partners, +superintended a branch establishment at Chelsea, about 1770, for +finishing and painting the best pieces.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Paul Bedford, the popular comedian, late of the Adelphi +and Haymarket Theatres, resides in Lindsey Place. He is +much respected in private life, and as an actor few have obtained +greater celebrity.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>Returning to the King’s Road, and proceeding from +Beaufort Street, we arrive at “the Man in the Moon” +tavern. There are many conjectures respecting the origin of +the sign of this house, but nothing certain has been +elucidated. As a celebrated neighbouring tavern was called +the “World’s End,” perhaps the original +proprietor thought he would give his house an equally singular +sign.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>We have already noticed the Clock House, Lord and Lady +Cremorne’s Villa (now known as Cremorne Gardens), +Ashburnham House, Stanley House, St. Mark’s College, +&c.; but there are one or two others to which we will now +briefly allude. The first of these is Messrs. +Christie’s Flour Mills, established a great many years +ago. The premises are situated at the western extremity of +the parish, and close to the Chelsea Railway Station. Mr. +Ormson, horticultural builder, resides at Dudmaston House, which +is opposite the entrance to St. Mark’s College.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page169"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 169</span>The +King’s Road, at the commencement of this century, was by no +means a place for general business. There were here and +there, it is true, tradesmen who succeeded very well, but, +generally speaking, the line of road was almost exclusively +occupied by nurserymen and florists, and thus it became a +fashionable resort for the nobility and gentry. The road, +in most parts, was very narrow, and the different grounds were +mostly enclosed by wooden palings. There was nothing like a +good pathway for passengers, excepting at certain places. +At night there were only a few gloomy oil-lamps, and the lives +and property of the inhabitants were principally entrusted to a +small number of private watchmen. When disturbances or +robberies in the streets occurred in the daytime, the +tradesmen-constables of the parish had the onerous and sometimes +the dangerous duty to quell them, and take into custody the +offenders or perpetrators. It need scarcely be added that +when sent for, on such occasions, the constables were +frequently—“<i>Not at home</i>!”</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>Let us now take a glance at the present state of the +King’s Road, and a few more of the vast improvements which +have been made in it. But, before doing so, we will give +some particulars descriptive of a novel enterprise which is +attracting a large share of public attention at the present +time.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">The Chelsea Steam Captive +Balloon</span>.—This monster aerial balloon ascends daily, +weather permitting, from a part of the grounds known as the +Ashburnham estate, a little beyond Cremorne Gardens. The +balloon itself is 93 feet in diameter, and has a cubical capacity +for gas of 421,161 ft. It is capable of taking up into the +air no less than 30 passengers, and is attached to one strong +rope, 2000 ft. long, which passes round a balance wheel, and +thence to a large cylinder worked by an engine of 200 horse +power. These appliances are all fitted in a kind of +amphitheatre, from the centre of which the ascents take +place. The supposed altitude to which the rope allows +ascent is 2000 feet, but as a rule the height is generally +less. The cost of the balloon alone is stated to be +£24,000, and the value of the gas required (pure hydrogen) +£600. It is composed of linen and India rubber, made +of five thicknesses, and is the property of a French gentleman +well known for his attachment to scientific experiments.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page170"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 170</span>On +the opposite side of the road, and adjoining St. Mark’s +College, is Mr. Veitch’s Royal Exotic Nursery. These +grounds for a great many years belonged to Mr. Knight, who +possessed a most choice collection of Cape plants, &c., and +who was patronized by nearly all the nobility and gentry in this +country. Mr. Veitch has fully sustained the celebrity +acquired by his predecessor.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>A little further eastward is Mr. W. Bull’s Nursery, and +on the opposite side is the Ashburnham Park Nursery, belonging to +Mr. J. W. Wimsett. Both of them are distinguished +cultivators of rare and valuable plants.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Near to Cremorne Gardens, on the opposite side of the road, is +the extensive Show Establishment belonging to John Weeks and Co., +Horticultural Builders and Hot-Water Apparatus Manufacturers, +Engineers, and Iron Founders. The Horticultural Building +and Engineering department is carried on near to Messrs. +Downing’s Floor Cloth Manufactory, in the King’s +Road.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Proceeding on, eastward, we arrive once more at Cook’s +Grounds, which was, as previously stated, a private way +originally to the stabling of Sir Joseph Alston’s House, in +Cheyne Walk. The old house, for so many years occupied by +Mr. Pamplin, the nurseryman, on the western entrance in the +King’s Road, has recently been pulled down, and two +commanding shops erected on the site, by Mr. Leete, the builder, +of Little Cadogan Place. They contain thirteen rooms each, +built with white bricks and compo-dressings, with enrichments and +cornices. On the right-hand side of Cook’s Grounds, +from the King’s Road, about 30 superior-looking private +dwelling houses are now being built, each of which will contain +eight rooms. These are also built with white bricks, and +will have what is termed “cant” windows. The +road opposite them is intended to be 50 ft. wide, and there will +be a good pavement. When this great improvement is finally +completed, and carried forward to Cheyne Walk, which no doubt is +the intention, this new street will then scarcely be surpassed by +Oakley Street. In Trafalgar Square, likewise, there are a +number of very superior dwelling-houses now in course of +erection, and, when the entire square is finished, there will be +an excellent road from Cheyne Walk to the South Kensington +Museum.</p> +<h3><a name="page171"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 171</span>THE +VESTRY HALL.</h3> +<p>This building is situated on the south side of the +King’s Road, and is nearly opposite Robert Street. +The foundation stone was laid on the 12th of December, +1859. The arrangements for the accommodation of the public +were under the superintendence of W. W. Pocock, Esq., the +architect, and notwithstanding it was a very inclement day, there +were at least a thousand persons present.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In a bottle were deposited a suitable inscription on vellum, a +list of the parish officers for the year, one copy of each of the +three Annual Reports of the Vestry, a copy of the +“Metropolis Local Management Act,” with its +Amendments, and of the “Nuisances Removal Act,” and +one of each of the Coins of the present Reign. The band of +the Royal Military Asylum attended, and played several popular +airs, which added greatly to enliven the proceedings.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The following particulars are extracted from the “<span +class="smcap">Morning Advertiser</span>,” Tuesday, December +13th, 1859, and which were inserted in the Fourth Annual Report +of the Vestry, 1860.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The foundation stone was laid by Viscount Chelsea in due form, +in the presence of Robert Hanbury, Esq., and the Hon. G. Byng, +the Members for Middlesex, W. Tite, Esq., M.P., the Rev. C. +Kingsley, the Rector of the Parish, the Members of the Vestry, +and a large number of the influential inhabitants of the +parish.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The building is in the Italian style, with stone +facings. The length is about 140 ft., and between 60 and 70 +feet in breadth. The great hall is 64ft. in length, and 40 +ft. wide, and accommodates upwards of 1000 persons. The +board room is about 45 ft. by 30.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The time appointed for the ceremonial was two o’clock in +the afternoon, and at half-past one o’clock the gentlemen +invited to take part in the day’s proceedings assembled in +the Vestry-Room of St. Luke’s Church, and proceeded from +thence to the site of the proposed building, headed by the +juvenile band of the Royal Military Asylum, playing national and +other appropriate airs. <a name="page172"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 172</span>The procession, on arriving at the +spot, was received with loud cheers by a large number of the +inhabitants who were admitted within the grounds.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Tite, M.P., opened the business of the day in an +appropriate speech, in the course of which he alluded to the kind +gift of the freehold site by Earl Cadogan, the money for the +erection of the building having been voted by the Vestry. +The new hall, he said, when built, would not only be useful as +regarded parochial purposes, but it would be an ornament to that +locality. He was not disposed to introduce politics into a +matter so purely parochial, but he could not help saying that, in +the event of Chelsea obtaining a right to send representatives to +Parliament—to which it is fully entitled on account of the +number, respectability, and intelligence of its +inhabitants—they could meet in their new hall, and there +canvass and consider the claims of the candidates who presented +themselves for their suffrages.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Hanbury and Mr. Byng then severally addressed the numerous +assemblage in suitable speeches.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Charles Lahee, the respected Vestry Clerk, then read the +following document, which was afterwards deposited in the bottle +previously referred to:—“This building, the +foundation stone of which was laid by the Right Hon. Lord +Viscount Chelsea, on the 12th day of our Lord one thousand eight +hundred and fifty nine, is intended for the transaction of the +parochial and municipal business of Chelsea, which contains at +the present time a population, by estimation, of seventy thousand +persons. It is built by the Vestry constituted by an Act +for the better Local Management of the Metropolis (18th & +19th Victoria, cap. 120) upon freehold land presented them by the +Lord of the Manor, and his heirs, from the designs of Mr. Willmer +Pocock, architect, by Thomas Piper and Sons, builders. +Contract sum £5630. Lord of the Manor, George, 3rd +Earl of Cadogan.” To which was attached the names of +the Rector, Churchwardens, Vestrymen, &c., &c.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Rev. Richard Burgess, of Trinity Church, Sloane Street, +then offered an appropriate prayer, after which,</p> +<p>Mr. W. Rabbits, one of the vestrymen, presented a silver +trowel to Viscount Chelsea, to be used in laying the first stone, +and to be kept by his lordship as a token of the respect of the +parishioners for him.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page173"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +173</span>Viscount Chelsea having expressed his acknowledgments +for the compliment paid him,</p> +<p>Mr. Pocock, the architect, then placed the bottle containing +the documents, &c., in the cavity of the under stone, which +was covered with mortar. The other portion of the stone was +then let down, and Viscount Chelsea having gone through the usual +“masonic” operations in a workmanlike manner, his +lordship declared the Vestry Hall to be in due course of erection +amidst the loud cheers of all present.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The erection of the entire building was completed in 1860, +and, occupying such a central position, it adds materially to the +respectability of the King’s Road. It is an +attractive structure, and its architectural design reflects great +credit on Mr. Pocock. The estimate laid before the Vestry +Finance Committee on the 21st of February, 1861, by Mr. Charles +Lahee, the Vestry Clerk, of the total probable cost of the Vestry +Hall buildings, including the fittings and furniture, was +altogether £12,059 16s. 2d.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>A portion of the building is occupied by the Chelsea Literary +and Scientific Institution, for the use of which a rental is +paid. T. L. Bull, Esq., was the original founder, and to +his indefatigable efforts, for a considerable time, may be +attributed the advantages that have been derived from it. +It appears, however, that the receipts of this useful and +admirable institution are unfortunately just now insufficient to +meet the necessary expenditure, but it is gratifying to record +that at a late influential meeting, held at the Vestry Hall, to +consider the “present position and future prospects of the +Institution,” and at which Lord George Hamilton, M.P., +presided, it was unanimously resolved to extricate it from +temporary difficulties.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Charles Lahee, who has been Vestry Clerk for many years, +has a private dwelling-house at the Vestry Hall. The +offices are on the ground floor, and the large hall is at the +rear of the building. The spacious room above the offices, +and which fronts the road, is where the vestrymen weekly +assemble, adjoining it are committee rooms, &c. The +whole interior is well-arranged and admirably adapted for the +requirements of the parish, which has now become one of the most +populous and important in the metropolis.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>In Flood Street, near to the King’s Road, is a small +Chapel belonging to the Primitive Methodists.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page174"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 174</span><span +class="smcap">Methodist New Connexion Chapel</span>.—This +Chapel, which is situated in Radnor Street, King’s Road, +was originally attached to the Commercial Tavern. After +some time had elapsed it was converted into a place for Divine +Worship, having undergone material alterations and made a +distinct building. The Rev. Clifford Hooper was the Pastor, +and the Congregation rapidly increasing they ultimately erected +the Congregational Church in Markham Square. When that +structure was completed, Radnor Street Chapel was purchased by +the Methodist New Connexion Society, and to that body of the +Christian church it still belongs. There is a very +excellent Sabbath School, and the members and friends have +expended, at different times, considerable sums in making it both +commodious and comfortable.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Savings’ Bank is situated on the north side of the +King’s Road. It was established in the year +1819. The benefits derived by the labouring classes, and +others of limited means, by the establishment of such banks, are +now so well known and appreciated that it would be needless to +enumerate them. The Chelsea Savings’ Bank is one of +the most secure and best conducted in London.</p> +<h3>CHELSEA CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,<br /> +<span class="GutSmall">MARKHAM SQUARE.</span></h3> +<p>The foundation stone of this Chapel was laid on Tuesday, +October 5th, 1858, and the building was opened for public worship +on April 3rd, 1860, the Honourable and Rev. Baptist Noel, M.A., +preaching at noon, and the Rev. Newman Hall, LL.B., in the +evening. The Rev. Clifford Hooper was the first +Pastor. He resigned the pastorate on account of failing +health on the 3rd of June, 1863, and died on March 6th, +1864. The Rev. R. Brindley, of Bath, then accepted the +pastorate, commencing his ministry on November 22nd, 1863, and on +October 19th, 1865, was suddenly and unexpectedly called to his +rest, in the very prime of life and in the midst of his +labours. The Rev. Andrew Mearns, of Great Marlow, was then +invited <a name="page175"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +175</span>to become Pastor, and commenced his ministry, at +Chelsea, on September 16th, 1866, where his pulpit ministrations +and pastoral labours have been greatly blessed.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Chapel stands in a very prominent position, covering a +large piece of ground at the north end of Markham Square, forming +a very conspicuous and beautiful object from the King’s +Road.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The form of the building is slightly cruciform, having +transepts projecting about five feet from the body of the +Chapel. The prominent feature of the exterior is a tower +and spire, rising from the west side of the southern transept to +the height of 138 feet.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The proportions are well-conceived, and the effect good. +The dimensions in the clear, are, length 85 ft. 2 in.; length, +including apse, 93 ft. 6 in.; width 41 ft. 3 in.; width across +transept 51 ft. 3 in.; height from floor of chapel to ridge of +open roof, 49 ft.; height from floor to roof, on the wall line, +22 ft.; and the height of school rooms 13 ft.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The style of the building is in the second period of the +Gothic. The exterior is entirely of stone; the interior, +will accommodate on the ground and gallery floors, 1,150 adults, +besides an additional gallery in the apse for the organ and +choir.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The ground floor is raised about four feet above the footway, +and beneath are lofty and spacious schoolrooms for about 850 +children, with requisite offices. The building was erected +from a design by John Tarring, Esq., of Bucklersbury, and Messrs. +Myers, of Lambeth, were the contractors who undertook the +erection.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Sabbath School is well attended, and the labours of the +teachers and superintendent very successful. Above 380 +children are registered as scholars, and, on Feb. 28, the actual +attendance was 256 in the morning and 356 in the afternoon, +taught by 33 teachers.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The various institutions and agencies connected with this +Church are likewise flourishing under the oversight of the +Pastor, who, we trust, may be long spared to a beloved and loving +people.</p> +<h3><a name="page176"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +176</span>WHITELANDS TRAINING INSTITUTION.</h3> +<p>The old house now attached to these extensive premises was for +many years a boarding school, conducted by the Misses +Babington. Previous to that period it had no doubt been a +scholastic establishment for young ladies, as I find that a +discourse was delivered here, about 1772, by the Rev. John +Jenkins, A.M., on Female Education and Christian Fortitude under +Affliction.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In the year 1842 the house and grounds were taken on a long +lease by the National Society, and in 1850 a public meeting was +held in London to raise funds for the erection of the present +buildings.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Institution provides for the education, maintenance, and +training of more than 100 young women, between the ages of 18 and +25, who purpose to become teachers of National Schools; and, +secondly, for the daily instruction of children of the +neighbourhood, in four schools.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In one of these schools the charge of 10s. per quarter is +made. It is attended by children whose parents would not +wish to send them to the National Schools.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>The vast improvements which are everywhere conspicuous +throughout the length of the King’s Road, as regards that +portion of it which is within the boundaries of Chelsea, are far +more numerous than in any other road in the metropolis. At +the eastern and western extremities of the parish, there are +Railway Stations, then there are the steamboats, besides these +there are the omnibuses traversing the road every quarter of an +hour. What a contrast does the King’s Road now +present when compared with what it was at the commencement of +this century!</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>I now return to the bank of the Thames, passing through Flood +Street, proceeding eastward along Queen’s Road West, +(formerly called Paradise Row,) the residence of many of the +Nobility and Gentry in the “Olden Times.”</p> +<h3><a name="page177"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +177</span>Queen’s Road West.</h3> +<p>In the year 1664, Mr. James Hamilton, probably by order of the +Lord of the Manor, made a survey of this parish. It was +further continued, till the year 1715, by the Rev. Dr. King, the +rector, to whose labours this work is much indebted.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>From Hamilton’s survey, it appears that the Earl of +Radnor resided in Paradise Row, <a name="citation177"></a><a +href="#footnote177" class="citation">[177]</a> adjoining +Robinson’s Lane. He entertained his Majesty King +Charles II. most sumptuously on the 4th of September, 1660, at +this house. When the above survey was taken, his relict, +Lady Radnor, was in possession of the premises. There are +in the Parish Register several entries of baptisms and deaths of +this family. Lord Radnor died at this house July 17, 1685, +and Lady Radnor, his second wife, who survived him, resided at +Chelsea till her death in 1714. His son, Francis, by his +second wife, who was a gentleman of general learning and good +abilities, was buried at Chelsea.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>At the north end of George Place, Queen’s Road West, +formerly stood an old white house, called “Queen +Elizabeth’s Larder,” which was pulled down to erect +the present houses.</p> +<h3>THE BOTANIC GARDEN.</h3> +<p>On the south side of Queen’s Road West, near to the +river, is situated the garden belonging to the Company of +Apothecaries. The earliest record that we possess of a +Botanical Garden in England, was that of the celebrated John +Gerarde, the father of English botany. The next in order of +time was that of the elder Tradescant, who, about 1630, +established a garden for the cultivation of exotic plants at +South Lambeth; this collection was presented, in 1667, to the +University of Oxford. The next garden in succession is this +at Chelsea.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Of these premises, containing three acres, one rood, the first +lease was taken by the Company in the year 1673, for the term <a +name="page178"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 178</span>of 61 +years, at a ground rent of £5 per annum. Mr. Evelyn +thus mentions a visit he paid it:—“1685, August 7th, +I went to see Mr. Watts, keeper of the Apothecaries’ garden +of simples at Chelsea, where there is a collection of innumerable +rarities of that sort particularly; besides many rare annuals, +the true-bearing Jesuits’ Bark, which had done such wonders +in quartan agues. What was very ingenious was the +subterranean heat, conveyed by a stove under the conservatory, +all vaulted with bricks, so as he has the doors and windows open +in the hardest frosts, secluding all the snow.” Mr. +Watts was succeeded by Mr. Doody, who enjoyed considerable +eminence as a botanist, and he continued to superintend it till +1717, when the celebrated Petiver was appointed, who had +officiated as demonstrator of plants since 1709. He +accumulated so large a collection of natural history, that, some +time before his death, Sir Hans Sloane is said to have offered +him £4000 for it. After his death, Sir Hans Sloane +purchased it, and it went eventually to the British Museum.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Sir Hans Sloane granted the freehold of these premises, in +1722, upon conditions that the Company should pay a quit rent of +£5 per annum for ever, and employ the same as a Physic +Garden; that the Company should deliver to the Royal Society +fifty specimens, the growth of the garden, till the number should +amount to three thousand.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>It was here that Sir Hans Sloane first studied his favourite +science; and he continued a friend to this establishment, +continually enriching it with scarce and curious plants, besides +contributing largely towards the building, &c. As a +tribute of gratitude the Company of Apothecaries employed the +celebrated Rysbrach on a marble statue of their benefactor, which +stands in the middle of the garden. He is represented in a +Doctor’s gown, with a full-bottomed peruke, and a roll in +his right hand. It displays much dignity, and conveys a +most pleasing impression of the learned person whom it +represents. On the north side of the pedestal is the +following inscription:—“In honour and perpetuation of +the memory of Sir Hans Sloane, Bart., an eminent physician, and +great encourager of the science of botany, this statue was +erected by the Company of Apothecaries of London, +1733.” On the west side, “They being sensible +how necessary that branch of science is to the faithful +discharging the duty of their profession, with grateful hearts +and general consent, ordered this statue to be erected in the +year of our Lord 1733, that their successors and posterity may +never forget their common <a name="page179"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 179</span>benefactor. Placed here in the +year 1737.” There is another inscription, similar in +purport, on the south side of the pedestal.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The garden is laid out in divisions, in which the plants, +shrubs, and trees, are arranged systematically. On the +south side of the garden, facing the Thames, formerly stood two +large cedars of Lebanon. Lysons says, that Sir Joseph Banks +made an accurate admeasurement of these trees, in 1793, and found +the girth of the larger to be twelve feet eleven inches and a +half, that of the smaller twelve feet and half an inch. +Upon being measured again, in 1809, they had increased twelve +inches in girth since 1793. There is now only one of these +trees.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Philip Miller resided many years in the house at the +garden, and rendered himself particularly distinguished by his +botanical works. He succeeded to the office of curator of +this establishment in 1722, and resigned a little before his +decease, which took place in 1771. He was buried in Chelsea +churchyard, where a monument has been since erected to his memory +by the Fellows of the Linnean and Horticultural Societies of +London. He was succeeded in the management of the garden by +his pupil, Mr. Forsyth, who, in 1784, was appointed chief +superintendent of the Royal Gardens at Kensington, which he held +till his death in 1804. Mr. Anderson was subsequently +curator, and Mr. Wheeler demonstrator.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Having thus endeavoured to give a brief sketch of the rise and +progress of this establishment, it only remains to mention a few +particulars in reference to its present condition.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Within the last twenty-five years the garden has been in a +great measure remodelled, and in consequence has become better +adapted to the purpose for which it is maintained, namely, the +instruction of medical students. Several of the old +hot-houses and greenhouses have been removed, and new ones +erected in their place; new arrangements of medicinal plants have +been formed; and groups representing the natural orders of plants +have been brought together to facilitate their study. +Formerly two cedars of Lebanon, some of the first planted in +England, were conspicuous objects from the river, but in 1853 one +of these, which had become much decayed, was blown down, the +other still remains, but is gradually decaying, being not only +injuriously affected by the smoke of London, but like all the +other large trees in the garden, more or less damaged by <a +name="page180"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 180</span>the +deprivation of water caused by the construction of the deep sewer +in the Queen’s Road. A fine specimen of a rare tree, +the Salisburia adiantifolia, the Ginkgo of Japan, with leaves +resembling those of the Maidenhair Fern in form, may be seen +towering above the wall in the Queen’s Road. The +alterations in this garden were commenced in 1846 by Mr. Robt. +Fortune, the Chinese traveller, who was succeeded, in 1848, by +Mr. Thomas Moore, the present Curator.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>Near to the Botanic Garden, in front of the river, stood a +capital mansion, erected in the reign of Queen Anne, which was +for many years inhabited by Mrs. Banks, the mother of Sir Joseph +Banks.</p> +<h3>CHRIST CHURCH.</h3> +<p>This Church was consecrated on the 26th of June, 1839. +It stands on a piece of ground for many years previously a market +garden, and is situated in Paradise Street, Queen’s Road +West. The exterior is particularly plain, and would admit +of great improvements were there funds available for such a +purpose. The interior will probably seat about 1000 +persons. On the opposite side of the street there are +neatly-designed schoolrooms, in which the children belonging to +the National, Infant, and Sunday Schools assemble for +instruction. Each of these schools is very well +attended. The residents in a great portion of the immediate +locality are poor, and consequently the most strenuous efforts +are necessary to raise sufficient funds to meet the +expenditure.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Rev. W. H. Howard, M.A., was the first Incumbent of the +Church, and was much esteemed. He was a kind-hearted +clergyman, and made every effort in his power to promote the +spiritual and temporal welfare of the numerous poor in his +district. He resigned in 1845.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Rev. W. W. Robinson, M.A., was, as is well known, most +zealous in his exertions to accomplish the same great +object. He was likewise a most strenuous supporter and +advocate of Total Abstinence Societies from all intoxicating +liquors.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page181"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 181</span>The +Rev. G. S. Whitlock, M.A., succeeded Mr. Robinson. He +displays an untiring zeal in the discharge of his sacred duties, +and there are gratifying testimonies to prove that his +ministerial labours have been blessed. Under his energetic +administration of affairs a large amount of voluntary +subscriptions have been collected, and many important +improvements in the interior of the Church have been effected, +and should he be spared to the District, no doubt the exterior +will soon likewise have a more imposing appearance.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Gough House</span> was erected at the +commencement of the last century by John, third Earl of +Carberry. He died in his coach, as he was returning from +London to this house in 1713, and was interred in Westminster +Abbey. After his death the house and premises were in +possession of the Gough family, several of whom resided +here. Sir Richard Gough was a merchant in London; he died +in 1727. Sir Henry Gough took the name of Calthorpe, in +compliance with the will of his uncle, Sir Henry Calthorpe, K.B., +and was created a peer, in 1796, by the title of Baron +Calthorpe.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The house was at length occupied by Mrs. Pemberton, who +conducted an establishment for the education of young ladies for +many years. The Rev. Richard Wilson, D.D., subsequently +resided in it for a considerable period. At the present +time the approach to this old mansion presents a melancholy +contrast to what it was in former days.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Gough House is now the Victoria Hospital for Sick Children, +established in 1866. The frontage is otherwise occupied, +and consequently the originally attractive appearance is entirely +destroyed. The youthful patients come from all parts of the +metropolis, and several from the country. The objects of +the institution are as follow:—</p> +<p>1. The treatment, as in-patients, of children between +the ages of two and twelve years.</p> +<p>2. The treatment, as out-patients, of children under +sixteen years of age.</p> +<p>3. The training of nurses for children.</p> +<p>The Rev. A. G. W. Blunt, M.A., Rector of Chelsea, takes a deep +interest in promoting this much-needed and admirable <a +name="page182"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +182</span>institution. The committee are now earnestly +making an appeal for contributions to create a Building Fund, and +when it is known that there is not in all the metropolis a single +hospital <span class="GutSmall">BUILT</span> for the special +reception of children, it is to be hoped that such a noble +charity will receive the liberal assistance of all benevolent +persons.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Edward Montague, first Earl of Sandwich, resided in this +neighbourhood in 1663. Mr. Pepys, in his Diary, has +recorded a visit he paid to that nobleman. “March 28, +1663. To Chelsea, where we found my lord all alone, with +one joint of meat at dinner, and mightily extolling the manner of +his retirement, and the goodness of his diet; the mistress of the +house hath all things most excellently dressed; amongst other +things her cakes admirable, and so good, that my lord’s +words were, they were fit to present to Lady Castlemaine . . . +”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Archbishop Sharpe resided here about 1691; he preached the +sermon at the coronation of Queen Anne. Mackay says, +“He is one of the greatest ornaments of the Church of +England, of great piety and learning, a black man, and 55 years +old.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Charles, Duke of St. Albans, natural son of Charles II. by +Eleanor Gwynn, had a house here about 1692.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Fitton Gerrard, the last Earl of Macclesfield of that family, +died at his house in Chelsea, in 1702. A law-suit was +commenced about the right of succession to his property, between +Lord Mohun and the Duke of Hamilton, who had married his +niece. A duel was fought between the competitors in Hyde +Park, which proved fatal to both parties. The Duchess lived +in Chelsea till 1714.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Henry, Duke of Kent, had a house in Queen’s Road West, +about 1715. On his Grace’s death, in 1740, the +Dukedom of Kent became extinct.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The beautiful Duchess of Mazarin resided in Queen’s Road +West, and died there in 1699, aged 52. Her dramatic routs +and musical entertainments were celebrated for their +magnificence. The singers were from the theatres, and the +instrumental performers the most eminent masters of the +time. It is said that the design of introducing the Italian +Opera into <a name="page183"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +183</span>England was first concerted in this assembly. +Lysons was told that it was usual for the nobility and others who +dined at her house to leave money under their plates to pay for +their entertainment. She appears to have been in arrears +for the parish rates during the whole time of her residence at +Chelsea.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mrs. Mary Astell resided here the greater part of her life, +which was spent in writing for the advancement of learning, +religion, and virtue. “The good Christian,” she +would say, “only hath reason to be cheerful in this +world.” She died at her house in 1731, in her 63rd +year, beloved by all who knew her, and greatly esteemed by the +inhabitants.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Dr. Richard Mead, it appears by the parish books, resided here +about 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:—</p> +<table> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: right">57</p> +</td> +<td><p>days’ sale of books</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">£5,518</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">10</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">11</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: right">3</p> +</td> +<td><p>ditto pictures</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">3,417</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">11</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: right">14</p> +</td> +<td><p>ditto prints and drawings</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">1,908</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">14</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">6</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: right">8</p> +</td> +<td><p>ditto coins and medals</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">1,977</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">17</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">0</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p style="text-align: right">5</p> +</td> +<td><p>ditto antiquities</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">3,246</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">15</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">6</p> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p>The world was deprived of this distinguished physician in +1754. To the poor he gave money as well as advice.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Dr. Alexander Blackwell, a physician, resided in a house near +the Botanic Garden; he became involved in his circumstances, <a +name="page184"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 184</span>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.” <a +name="citation184"></a><a href="#footnote184" +class="citation">[184]</a> 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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page185"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 185</span>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.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">School of Discipline</span>.—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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. Thomas Faulkner, to whom this work is so greatly indebted, +lived at the corner house, opposite the grounds of <a +name="page186"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 186</span>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.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Durham House</span>.—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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> +<h3><a name="page187"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +187</span>Chelsea Royal Hospital.</h3> +<p>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?”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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 <a name="page188"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +188</span>forward the building of St. Paul’s Cathedral +stood very much in the way of the completion of King +James’s College. <a name="citation188"></a><a +href="#footnote188" class="citation">[188]</a> 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.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page189"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 189</span>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:</p> +<blockquote><p>“What ails thee, Nell?”</p> +<p>She replied: “A dream I had last night, troubleth me +sore.”</p> +<p>“What <i>was</i> thy dream, Nell?”</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>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.</p> +<p><a name="page190"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 190</span>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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; <a name="page191"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +191</span>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> +<blockquote><p>“Go with old Thames, view Chelsea’s +glorious pile,<br /> +And ask the shatter’d hero whence his smiles;<br /> +Go view the splendid domes of Greenwich—go,<br /> +And own what raptures from reflection flow.”—<span +class="smcap">Rogers</span>.</p> +</blockquote> +<p>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 <a +name="page192"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +192</span>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> +<p><a name="page193"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 193</span>Let +us return to a further description of the Hall, and also notice +some events which have taken place in it.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Trial of General +Whitelocke</span>.—On Thursday, Jan. 30, 1808, this hall +was prepared for the trial of this officer. The charges +against him were in substance four, viz.:—</p> +<p>1. Having, contrary to the tenor of instructions, in the +summons to Buenos Ayres, required that the civil officers and +magistrates should be prisoners.</p> +<p>2. Exposing the army, in marching against Buenos Ayres, +to a destructive discharge of musketry from the town.</p> +<p>3. Not being present personally on the advance against +Buenos Ayres.</p> +<p>4. Surrendering the Fortress of Monte Video without +necessity.</p> +<p>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.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page194"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 194</span>The +remains of the late Duke of Wellington were laid in great state +in this hall for several days in September, 1852. Thousands +of persons from all parts of the country, as well as many +distinguished foreigners, came to witness the splendid but +mournful spectacle. Such exhibitions, however, seem rather +to belong to past ages than to the present period.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>From the Hall to the Chapel the visitor passes across a noble +vestibule lighted from above by a cupola, and which, besides +serving as a communication to both apartments, constitutes the +principal entrance into the Hospital itself. Over the altar +is a fresco painting, which represents the Resurrection of our +Saviour, sublimely described in the 28th chapter of St. +Matthew’s Gospel. It is the production of Sebastian +Ricci. The chapel bears the same proportions as the dining +hall. It was consecrated by Dr. Compton, Bishop of London, +on the 13th of October, 1691. The service of plate, for the +use of the altar, was given by King James II.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The first organ was the gift of Major Ingram; but, in 1817, a +new one was placed in the original case, built by Gray, at the +expense of four hundred guineas. It contained at that time +704 pipes with 12 pedal pipes.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In the chapel are deposited the standards of Tippoo Saib, the +whole of the eagles, thirteen in number, that were taken during +the war with France, &c. Both the chapel and hall must +be visited to be fully appreciated, and this remark equally +applies to the different wards, the water-garden, and indeed +every part of this noble establishment.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Chelsea Hospital is, of course, designed to furnish an asylum +for those members of the regular army alone, whom wounds, +sickness, or old age, may have totally disabled. Its +inmates are therefore, in some way or other, invalids, that is to +say, men affected by some infirmity, which, though not visible to +the eye of the common spectator, is by the patient himself +abundantly felt. For the reception of those who require +admission into it, a spacious Infirmary has been erected, where +the aged patients receive the best medical treatment and every +requisite comfort.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Amongst the chaplains during this century may be mentioned the +Rev. W. Haggitt, M.A., the Rev. Richard Yates, D.D., the Rev. G. +R. Gleig, M.A., and the Rev. G. Matthias, M.A., who at the +present time holds the appointment.</p> +<h3><a name="page195"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 195</span>THE +HOSPITAL BURIAL GROUND, &c.</h3> +<p>On the east side of the Hospital, adjoining Queen’s Road +East, originally called Jews’ Row, is the cemetery, +formerly used for the interment of the officers and pensioners +belonging to the establishment. Near the entrance, on the +right, is the tomb of Simon Box, the first pensioner there buried +in 1692.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>There is a very droll epitaph in this burial ground, to the +memory of William Hiseland, which states that “when an +hundred years old he took unto him a wife.” It +appears he had served in the army 80 years. He was born in +1620, and died in 1732, so that at his decease he was 112 years +old. A literary gentleman, referring to the above marriage, +exclaimed, “Oh, the centenarian wooer and antidiluvian +bridegroom—of what chronology was his bride? Let us +hope she was as silly at one end of the mortal story, as he was +in his second childhood, at the other!”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In this ground was buried General Sir William Fawcett, K.B., +Governor of the Hospital, who died in 1804, aged 76. His +remains were attended to the grave by the Prince of Wales, the +Dukes of York, Clarence, Kent, and Cambridge, and by several +noblemen and general officers.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Although Dr. Monsey was not buried here, yet, as he died in +the Hospital, we must not omit to notice so remarkable a +character. Sir Robert Walpole assiduously cultivated his +acquaintance, and the celebrated Earl of Chesterfield +acknowledged with gratitude the benefits he had derived from his +medical assistance.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The character of Dr. Monsey, in point of natural humour, is +thought to have borne a near resemblance to that of Dean +Swift. His classical abilities were indeed enviable, and +his memory wonderfully retentive; insomuch that he was allowed to +be a storehouse of anecdote. The exuberance of his wit, +which, like the web of life, was of a mingled yarn, often +rendered his conversation exceedingly entertaining, sometimes +rather offensive, and at other times pointedly pathetic and +instructive. Sir Robert Walpole knew and valued the worth +of his “Norfolk Doctor,” as he called him; but though +he knew it, he neglected it. The Prime Minister was very +fond of billiards, at which his friend <a +name="page196"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 196</span>very much +excelled him. “How happens it,” said Sir +Robert, in a social hour, “that nobody will beat me at +billiards, or contradict me, but Dr. Monsey?” +“They get places,” said the Doctor, “I get a +dinner and praise.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The following anecdote is very characteristic of the +Doctor’s turn of temper, and is said to be well +attested. He lived so long in his office as physician to +Chelsea Hospital, that, during many changes of Administration, +the reversion of his place had been successively promised to +several medical friends of the Paymaster-General of the +Forces. Looking out of his window one day, and observing a +gentleman below, examining the hospital and gardens, who he knew +had secured the reversion of his place, the Doctor came down +stairs, and going out to him, accosted him +thus:—“Well, sir, I see you are examining your house +and garden, that <span class="GutSmall">ARE TO BE</span>, and I +will assure you they are both very pleasant and very +convenient. But I must tell you one circumstance—you +are the fifth man that has had the reversion of the place, and I +have buried them all. And what is more,” continued +he, looking very scientifically at him, “there is something +in your face that tells me I shall bury you too!” The +event justified the prediction, for the gentleman died some years +after; and, what is still more extraordinary, at the time of the +Doctor’s death there was not a person who seems to have +even solicited the promise of a reversion. He died in 1788, +aged 94.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>On a table monument is an inscription to the memory of John +Wilson, Esq., Deputy Treasurer of Chelsea Hospital, and +Lieutenant-Colonel of the Royal Volunteers. He died of +apoplexy in 1812, aged 56. The monument was erected by the +officers of his regiment, as a token of their esteem.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Benjamin Moseley, M.D., thirty years physician to the +hospital, was buried here in 1819, aged 73.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>General Sir David Dundas, Governor of Chelsea Hospital, was +buried here in 1820. His funeral was attended by the Duke +of York, accompanied by his Staff.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Burial of a Female +Dragoon</span>.—Christiana Davis died at Chelsea in +1739. For several years she served as a dragoon, +undiscovered, in the Royal Irish Enniskillen Regiment; but +receiving a wound in her body she was then discovered, though her +comrades had not the least suspicion of her being a woman. +<a name="page197"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 197</span>She +behaved with great valour afterwards in Flanders, and was very +useful in a battle to supply the soldiers with water and other +necessaries, even to the mouth of a cannon. She had an +allowance of one shilling per day, which she received till her +death. She was interred, according to her desire, amongst +the old pensioners, and three vollies were fired over her +grave.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Hannah Snell was also buried in this ground by her own +desire. She enlisted, in 1745, in Guise’s Regiment of +Foot, in which she served for some time, but deserted and +enlisted in the Marines. She was severely wounded, and, on +her recovery, sent to England. Her heroic conduct procured +for her an annual pension of £30 for life. She also +procured a pension from Chelsea Hospital, and after her discharge +continued to wear her uniform. At length this poor creature +became insane, and was placed in Bethlehem Hospital, where she +died.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Charles Burney, Mus.D., author of the History of Music, +&c., was buried here in 1814, aged 88; he was organist at +Chelsea Hospital, and father of Madame D’Arblay, the +authoress of Evelina, Cecilia, and Camilla. She was also +for many years the organist.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Many a distinguished officer and old veteran have been +interred in this ground. Amongst the pensioners some have +lived to a great age. Thomas Asbey, buried in 1737, aged +112.—John Rogers, 1764, aged 103.—Robert Cumming, +1767, aged 116.—Peter Dowling, 1768, aged 102.—Peter +Burnet, 1773, aged 107.—Joshua Cueman, 1794, it is stated, +aged 123.—Richard Swifield, 1805, aged 105.—Abraham +Moss, 1805, aged 106.—John Wolf, 1821, aged 107.—John +Salter, 1827, aged 104. I have frequently conversed with +the latter centenarian. In his youth he must have been a +fine-built man, standing upwards of six feet high. He might +often be seen, even within a short time of his death, sweeping +away the autumn leaves in the walks of the hospital grounds, as a +matter of choice. Such a circumstance suggests many serious +reflections, which I leave to the reader to supply. There +is also said to be an inmate at the present time, aged 106.</p> +<h3>OLD RANELAGH GARDENS.</h3> +<p>Adjoining the Royal Hospital, on the eastern side, stood the +mansion of Richard, Earl of Ranelagh. This nobleman, about +<a name="page198"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 198</span>the year +1690, obtained from the Crown a large grant of land; he built a +house thereon, and made it his principal residence till his death +in 1712. In 1730 an Act was passed vesting this estate in +trustees, and three years after the house and premises were sold +in lots. About this period, Lacy, the patentee of Drury +Lane Theatre, projected a plan for establishing a place of public +entertainment on a large and splendid scale; and, in pursuance of +this scheme, he took a lease of these premises. But it +appears he soon gave up the undertaking, as in 1741, when the +Rotunda was built, there were two other lessees, one of whom +became a bankrupt. The property was then divided into 36 +shares of £1000 each, the greater number of which were held +by Sir Thomas Robinson, who built for himself a house adjoining +to Ranelagh Gardens. Several of his friends took shares in +the concern, and it became for a time prosperous.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Rotunda was opened with a public breakfast, &c., in +1742. It was an imitation of the Pantheon at Rome. +The external diameter was 185 ft., the internal 150 ft. The +entrances were by four Doric porticos opposite each other, and +the first story was rustic; round the whole, on the outside, was +an arcade, and over it a gallery, the stairs to which were at the +porticos. The interior was fitted up with great taste, and +from the ceiling descended 28 chandeliers, in two circles. +Music and dancing were the principal attractions. From the +branches of the trees that shaded every walk festoons of coloured +lamps hung down. Royalty, nobility, and gentry visited +it.</p> +<h3><span class="smcap">Presentation of Colours to the Chelsea +Volunteers</span>.</h3> +<p>On the 4th of January, 1804, a brilliant scene was displayed +at Ranelagh, on the presentation of Colours to the Chelsea Royal +Volunteers. About noon the trumpet announced the arrival of +the Courtly party in three of his Majesty’s carriages, +followed by others belonging to different noblemen. The +company having alighted, Lady Harrington was conducted to her box +by the Vice-Chamberlain. The Countess being seated two +pairs of Colours were introduced, and placed on each side of the +royal box. The King’s Colours of each regiment +consisted of a plain Union standard, but the regimental one, +which was designed and executed by the Queen and Princesses, was +a superb piece of needlework, the ground being a rich purple +silk, having in the centre his Majesty’s arms, embroidered +and surrounded with sprigs of variegated tints and figures. +At the lower corners were the letters “C. R.,” and +under the <a name="page199"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +199</span>armorial bearings the words, “Queen’s Royal +Volunteers.” <a name="citation199"></a><a +href="#footnote199" class="citation">[199]</a> After +prayers and a suitable discourse, Lady Harrington thus addressed +the officers:—</p> +<blockquote><p>“Gentlemen,—Her Majesty having been +graciously pleased to confer upon me the honour of presenting to +you these Colours, I am anxious to express how highly I am +flattered by this distinguished mark of the Queen’s +favour. At a time of all others the most awful, when our +country is threatened with the unprovoked attack of a most +implacable enemy, and when you have evinced your readiness to +stand forward in the defence of everything that is most dear to +us all, what can be more gratifying to you than being so +particularly distinguished by her Majesty, and receiving your +Colours from her? Animated as your hearts must be in +gratitude to the Queen, in addition to every other noble +sentiment that has guided you, from the moment of the first offer +of your services, it would not only be superfluous, but +presumptuous in me, to add anything more upon the occasion than +the expression of every fervent wish for your success in the +event of the enemy carrying his threats into execution; confident +that no power, however strenuously exerted, will ever wrest these +Colours from you while there is yet left a man in your corps to +defend them.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>To this speech a suitable answer was made by Lord Hobart, who +expressed, in behalf of the corps, the most patriotic and +grateful sentiments.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Subsequent Directors turned Ranelagh into mere Assembly and +Concert Rooms, and the gardens for a display of fire-works. +It soon ceased to be an attractive promenade, and the brilliant +display of beauty it had made for years was seen no more.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In 1805 an order was made for taking down Ranelagh House, +which had been the residence of Sir Thomas Robinson, and the +Rotunda. The furniture was sold by auction, and the entire +buildings. General Wilford became the purchaser of a +portion of the land, on which he erected a large house, and +resided in it for many years. The ruins of some of the +original buildings belonging to Ranelagh Gardens remained for a +considerable time afterwards. In the front of General +Wilford’s house, on the north, some excellent cricket +matches were played, for Chelsea then abounded with first-rate +cricketers.</p> +<p><a name="page200"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 200</span>At +length the Crown purchased General Wilford’s house and the +land adjoining it, whereon the Rotunda formerly stood, for the +use of Chelsea Hospital, and when Lord John Russell (now Earl +Russell) became Paymaster-General, he caused the Ranelagh field, +which was near the river, to be laid out into portions or lots, +for the old men to occupy, each as his private garden. The +remaining portion of the land of Ranelagh, on the east, has since +been added to the Hospital Gardens, and presents one of the most +picturesque specimens of gardening in the vicinity of +London. To these gardens the public have free access. +Along the side of them there is an excellent road leading to the +Suspension Bridge, and on the opposite side a splendid range of +Barracks erected within the last few years.</p> +<h3>THE ORIGINAL CHELSEA BUNHOUSE.</h3> +<p>Chelsea was famous for its buns from the commencement of the +last century. Swift, who lodged in Church Lane (street), +and used to walk to and from town, “two good miles, and +just 5748 steps,” writes to Stella, in 1712, “Pray, +are not they fine buns sold here in our town? * * * Was it not +r-r-r-r-r-r rare Chelsea buns? I bought one in my +walk.” This old bunhouse was a rather long building +of one storey, with a colonnade in front, projecting over the +pavement, the dwelling-house attached to it standing in the rear, +with a large and well-kept garden behind it. It was +situated in what was called Grosvenor Row, known as such at the +time the bunhouse was pulled down, the site of which is a little +eastward beyond the boundary line of this parish, and not far +distant from Chelsea Hospital. George II. and Queen +Caroline, and the princesses, bought buns here; as did George +III. and Queen Charlotte, who presented to the proprietor a +silver half gallon mug, and five guineas in it. Here, on +Good Friday morning, £250 has been taken for buns; and so +lately as 1839 no less than 240,000 buns were sold here on Good +Friday. This may appear to many an incredulous number; but +few persons at the present time can form an adequate idea of the +immense demand for them.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Rev. J. B. Owen, of St. Jude’s, Chelsea, in one of +his admirable lectures, delivered in 1860, humourously observed, +“There is no poetry more delicate, nor was street music +more <a name="page201"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +201</span>popular, than the old bellman’s +cry—‘Smoking hot, piping hot, Chelsea +buns!’ Picture the enthusiasm of a local rhymer thus +immortalising the article:—</p> +<blockquote><p>O flour of the ovens! a zephyr in paste!<br /> +Fragrant as honey, and sweeter in taste!<br /> +Hail to the bellman, who sings as he runs,<br /> +‘Smoking hot, piping hot, Chelsea buns!’</p> +<p>As flaky and white as if baked by the light,<br /> +As the flesh of an infant, soft, doughy, and slight;<br /> +The public devour thee like Goths and Huns,<br /> +‘Smoking hot, piping hot, Chelsea buns!’</p> +<p>Prelates, and princes, and lieges, and kings,<br /> +Hail for the bellman, who tinkles and sings,<br /> +Bouche of the highest and lowliest ones,<br /> +‘Smoking hot, piping hot, Chelsea buns!’</p> +<p>Like the home of your birth, or the scent of a flower,<br /> +Or the blush of the morning on field or bower,<br /> +There’s a charm in the sound which nobody shuns,<br /> +Of ‘Smoking hot, piping hot, Chelsea buns!’</p> +</blockquote> +<p>This bunhouse had become so famous, not only throughout +London, but for several miles round it, that not to visit Chelsea +on Good Friday, and purchase some of the “rare buns,” +was considered as unaccountable amongst a certain +class—such as the servants of the nobility and gentry, +shopmen, mechanics, and apprentices—as it would have been +for them to acknowledge that they had never heard of Greenwich +Fair. But this part of Chelsea, and the adjoining +“Five Fields,” now Eaton and Belgrave Squares, +actually did represent a minor Greenwich Fair. From my own +personal observation I should say, provided the weather was +favourable, there were generally on Good Fridays nearly 200,000 +persons collected in the immediate neighbourhood. It was a +fair to all intents and purposes. In the “Five +Fields” there were drinking booths, swings, gingerbread +stalls, nine-pins being played, gaming, and all the other vicious +“entertainments” which annually disgraced the +metropolis in former times. Such was the pressure of the +immense crowd at the bunhouse, from about three o’clock in +the morning till five in the afternoon, that the only mode of +supplying the demand for buns was by obtaining them through +apertures in the shutters. The bunhouse, however, was very +respectably conducted, and such scenes as I have described were +only to be <a name="page202"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +202</span>witnessed on the day previously named—a day set +apart to commemorate the most momentous event, as regards its +consequences, in the history of the world.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>There were many things very attractive at the original +bunhouse. In it was a collection of pictures, models, +grotesque, figures, and modern antiques. In a conspicuous +position were two leaden figures of grenadiers of 1745; a plaster +figure of William, Duke of Cumberland; a painting of the King and +Queen seated; a model of the bunhouse, and of the exploits of a +bottle conjurer. This celebrated building was pulled down +some years since, and with it the olden charm fled.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>Having thus arrived at the eastern boundary of the parish, I +trace my steps through Queen’s Road East, formerly called +Jews’ Row. Many years ago this road, for scenes of +depravity, was as bad as any part of the East end of London; but +it happily was confined to this limited locality, and arose from +the circumstance that the Out-Pensioners from nearly all parts of +the country had to come to Chelsea Hospital to receive their +pensions, and disabled soldiers to pass the Board, &c., +previously to being discharged from the army. The +Government at length wisely altered the arrangement for paying +the Out-Pensioners, and they now receive their pensions in +districts nearer to where they dwell, which prevents their being +put to the expense of coming to London, being robbed by +“sharpers,” or beset by prostitution. +Jews’ Row, and its former scenes, comparatively speaking, +have passed away, and what remains of vice and crime, in some of +the crammed courts leading from it to Turks’ Row, is +gradually disappearing, through the exertions of the Rev. J. B. +Owen, M.A., of St. Jude’s Church, the District Visitors, +and other agencies. These courts will probably be cleared +away before many years have elapsed, and Queen’s Road East +will then become one of the leading and most attractive +thoroughfares in the parish of Chelsea.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>One very great improvement took place some few years +since. The Burial Ground was enclosed by a high +dismal-looking old wall, which was pulled down, and a new one +built, not more than three feet high, on which a neat +iron-railing is placed, thus removing much vice and preventing +many robberies, and rendering the road perfectly safe.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page203"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 203</span>In +the year 1793 a horrible murder was committed in a house fronting +the North Court of the Royal Hospital. The victims were Mr. +Silva and Mary Williams, his servant. It appears to have +been perpetrated in the morning, between half-past eight and +twelve o’clock.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>George Saunders, at the inquest, stated that when the alarm +was given he entered the house, and, on lifting up the servant, +Mary Williams, there were signs of life, but she expired in two +or three minutes. Mr. Silva was alive, but speechless, and +died shortly afterwards. He found in a closet in the +kitchen two iron chests, unlocked, and empty. In the front +room, one pair of stairs, a bureau open, with the drawers out, +and the papers in confusion, and on the floor a quantity of +bedding, folded up.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. North, surgeon, gave a fearful account of the wounds +received, and the jury, after a lengthened investigation, found a +verdict of wilful murder by persons unknown.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>A nephew of Mr. Silva was taken up on suspicion, and examined +at Bow Street. He shewed, by respectable evidence, that he +was at home when the murder was committed, and was +discharged. This person, however, afterwards committed +suicide, and he was buried in the highway at Chelsea, leaving +great doubts of his innocency of the crime.</p> +<h3>Royal Military Asylum.</h3> +<p>On the site of the Royal Military Asylum stood a capital +mansion, the residence for many years of the Cadogan family, and +afterwards the property of Sir Walter Farquhar, Bart., of whom it +was purchased for the purpose of erecting the present +Institution.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Royal Military Asylum for the children of soldiers of the +regular army is situated near the Royal Hospital, on the north +east. It was built by Mr. Copland, from the designs of Mr. +Sanders. On the 19th of June, 1801, the first stone of this +structure was laid by the Duke of York, accompanied by many +general officers, and a considerable number of the +nobility. The motives which gave rise to the establishment, +and the principles <a name="page204"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +204</span>upon which it is founded, are alike honourable to the +present enlightened age, and congenial with the soundest maxims +of policy, humanity, and benevolence. “The necessity +of such an Institution will appear obvious,” says Mr. +Faulkner, “when we consider the helpless and forlorn +condition of many among these orphan objects of commiseration, +who in this comfortable asylum are clothed, have good wholesome +food, acquire a decent education, are taught the principles of +Christianity, and, finally, are made useful in whatever course of +life they may be enabled to adopt.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The ground in front of this spacious building is laid out in +grass plots and gravel walks, and planted with trees. The +edifice forms three sides of a quadrangle; it is built of brick, +with an elegant stone balustrade in the centre of the western +front, which is ornamented with a noble portico of the Doric +order, consisting of four columns, which support a large and +well-proportioned pediment. On the frieze is the following +inscription:—“The Royal Military Asylum for the +Children of Soldiers of the Regular Army.” Over it +are the Imperial arms. The north and south wings are joined +to the principal front by a colonade, which forms a good shelter +for the boys in wet weather.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The vestibule is in the centre of the grand front. On +the left and right are the dining halls, 80 ft. long and 30 ft. +wide. Over these are the schoolrooms, of the same +dimensions. The committee-room is over the vestibule.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The north wing contains the apartments of the Commandant, +Surgeon, Quartermaster, and dormitories for the boys; the south +wing, apartments for the Adjutant and Secretary, the Masters of +the Normal and Model Schools, and dormitories.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>On the south of the grounds stands the Normal School of the +Royal Military Asylum, in which reside the Students who are being +trained for Schoolmasters in Her Majesty’s army.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Chapel was consecrated in 1824, and is calculated to +contain the whole of the establishment, with accommodation for +upwards of 100 visitors.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The girls were removed to Southampton in 1823, and the boys in +that institution removed to Chelsea, so that now the latter +contains only boys, and the former only girls.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page205"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 205</span>On +the 20th of June, 1805, George III., the Queen, with the +Princesses and Royal Dukes, visited the R.M. Asylum. They +inspected several of the apartments, dining hall, &c., and +his Majesty said it was one of the best institutions in the +country. This was a regular gala day for the children.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The King and Queen of the Sandwich Islands paid a visit to the +Royal Military Asylum in the year 1824. Their Majesties +were attended by Major-General Sir Willoughby Gordon, and +appeared much delighted with the establishment, the nature of +which was explained to them by the interpreter. They were +received by the full band playing “God save the +King,” and were highly gratified with the skill of the +juvenile musicians. After having seen the children at +dinner, their Majesties witnessed the various gymnastic +exercises, and at their departure were saluted by the hearty +cheers of the youthful regiment, which was drawn up before +them.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>His late Royal Highness the Duke of York was the founder of +this Institution, and constantly bestowed his best exertions in +promoting the welfare, and increasing the comforts, of the +helpless inmates nurtured within its walls. On his last +visit, the children crowded round their benefactor, and gave him +three hearty cheers. Such was the effect produced by it +that the Duke could not refrain from shedding tears; and, patting +the head of the foremost boy, he ejaculated, as he passed down +the steps, “God bless you, my lads.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>On the 7th of January, 1827, a sermon was preached by the Rev. +G. Clark, M.A., chaplain, on the demise of the Royal Founder, at +the conclusion of which he thus addressed the +children:—“I need not tell you that it has pleased +Almighty God to take away from this world the President of this +Institution, the Duke of York. He was the firm friend of +your fathers, and also a kind and steady friend to you, their +children. Whatever advantages you enjoy in this Asylum, you +owe, under Divine Providence, to the Duke of York. He was +the founder of this Institution, and by his recommendations and +exertions it was begun and completed. Many of you will +remember this good friend who is now taken from us. A few +months ago you beheld him walk through your ranks; you saw in his +countenance the pleasure he felt from witnessing the healthy and +creditable appearance of so many children of British +soldiers. I exhort you to hold his memory in your hearts +and affections; <a name="page206"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +206</span>show your gratitude by improving the advantages he has +given to you in this Asylum, and by doing your duty to God and +man when you go forth into the world.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The following tribute to the memory of the Duke of York was +written by Dr. Veitch, at that time physician to the Chelsea +Dispensary:—“The knowledge which his late Royal +Highness possessed of human nature, and what was becoming the +character of British soldiers, induced him to impress on their +minds a system of discipline at once correct and conveying lofty +feelings; so that men thus trained were at all times ready to +prefer death to subjugation. We may here say, with truth, +that to the love of his country and the army he has prematurely +fallen a victim. No self-gratification, no pleasures, were +ever by him allowed to interfere with the duties he owed to the +army and his country, and however late his hour of going to rest, +he was invariably the first man at his post in the morning. +We find individuals who are distinguished as statesmen, as +admirals, as generals, but who are without the smallest +pretensions to true greatness, because their talents and their +courage are not blended with the chivalrous, the gallant, and +finer inspirations flowing from the heart. Such men are +generally anxious enough that their services should be +appreciated by their Sovereign, while they overlook what they owe +to others who have mainly contributed to their fame and to their +fortune. The late illustrious Duke had no such narrowness; +his soul was surrounded with generous and delicate attributes, +rendering all periods of his splendid career utterly inaccessible +to deeds of darkness, and also ever ready to expand to the light +of truth, to the claims of justice and of humanity; and he is +therefore eminently entitled to the character of a great man; +because his high attainments in military affairs were combined +with an exalted and refined sense of courage and of +honour.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Lieutenant-Colonel George Williamson, the first Commandant of +the Royal Military Asylum, died Sept. 6, 1812, and his remains +were interred in the Burial Ground of the Royal Hospital on the +11th of that month. In consequence of the respect in which +his memory was held by his Royal Highness the Commander in Chief, +and the Commissioners of the Asylum, it was determined that he +should be honoured with a military funeral; and his body was +followed to the grave by the above-mentioned royal and +illustrious personages. The procession was received, at the +front entrance of the Royal Hospital, by the officers of that +establishment, and conducted by the chaplains <a +name="page207"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 207</span>to the +Chapel, where the funeral service was read by the Rev. G. Clark, +and several psalms were sung by the children. The body was +then carried to the burial ground in the same order, and the +remaining part of the ceremony performed; the Duke of York, the +Commissioners, officers, and children of the Institution, +surrounding the grave. The whole was conducted with the +greatest order and solemnity, and presented a very impressive +scene. Since the erection of the Chapel, a handsome +monument has been placed therein to the memory of this +meritorious officer.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>About the year 1810 part of the glebe opposite to the Royal +Military Asylum was purchased, under the authority of an Act of +Parliament, for the use of this Institution; and other land, at +Merton, in Surrey, was bought with the money as glebe to the +Rectory of Chelsea.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In concluding this brief description of the Royal Military +Asylum, it may justly be observed that the contemplation of such +a noble fabric is calculated to excite the liveliest emotions of +gratitude for having been born in a country which abounds with +charitable institutions. To the soldier it must continually +afford the most pleasing prospects for the comfort and support of +his infant children, and it will induce him to serve, if +possible, with greater confidence and energy, feeling assured +that if he falls in battle his country has provided a home for +his helpless children.</p> +<h3>ST. JUDE’S CHURCH.</h3> +<p>This Church is situated in Turks’ Row, almost adjoining +the extreme southern side of the Royal Military Asylum. The +first stone of the edifice was laid in August, 1843, and it was +consecrated and opened for Divine Service in June, 1844. +The Rev. John Patterson, M.A., was the first Incumbent, and on +his leaving Chelsea, the Rev. Shadwell Morley Barkworth, M.A., +succeeded him. The present Incumbent is the Rev. J. B. +Owen, M.A., who has laboured most zealously in the District some +years. To his indefatigable exertions, and to the +visitations of the District Visitors, &c., connected with the +Church, much of the demoralization which generally prevailed in +the numerous <a name="page208"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +208</span>crowded courts, lying between Turks’ Row and +Queen’s Road East, has been removed. Attached to the +Church are National, Free, and Infant Schools, each of which are +very well attended. A portion of the children belonging to +the Hans Town Industrial School are here accommodated with +sittings. The Church will hold about 900 persons.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Proceeding in an easterly direction we arrive at what was +formerly known as White Lion Street. Here very considerable +improvements have been effected. The whole of one side of +this street has been pulled down, by which means there is now a +good road from the Suspension Bridge to Knightsbridge.</p> +<h3>CHELSEA CHAPEL.</h3> +<p>This Chapel was erected in 1865, and is situated on a part of +the site we have just described, adjoining Lower Sloane +Street. The Church worshipping within its sacred walls +formerly occupied Paradise Chapel, Queen’s Road West, which +still remains, and which was originally a school room belonging +to a scholastic establishment, which occupied for many years the +site of Calthorpe Place. It is still retained by the +members of the above Church as a Ragged School.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Chapel is a plain white brick building, without any +particular attempt at architectural display. Mr. James +Cubitt was the architect. It will seat probably 1000 +persons. There is a schoolroom underneath the Chapel, which +will contain about 600 adults, in which there is a Day School for +Girls and Infants in the week, and the Sunday School is also held +in it, which numbers about 200. The Rev. Frank H. White, +who resides in Hemus Terrace, is the Minister, and is much +esteemed not only by the members of the church, but by all with +whom he is associated in life.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>I must now proceed to Sloane Street, where first “I drew +the breath of life,” and which is consequently endeared to +me by recollections of the very earliest events of my life.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page209"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 209</span>Mr. +Holland, in the year 1777, took a lease of one hundred acres of +land, called in old records Blacklands, of Charles, Lord Cadogan, +which now consists of Sloane Street, Cadogan Place, Hans Place, +Exeter Street, Ellis Street, D’Oyley Street, Sloane Square, +George Street, &c. The buildings were begun just at the +commencement of the American war, owing to which their progress +was much impeded.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>A very great improvement has at last been made at Grosvenor +Bridge, in ancient times called Blandel Bridge. Its name +was probably corrupted to “Bloody Bridge,” in +consequence of the numbers of robberies and murders formerly +committed on this spot. The entrance here into the parish, +at the eastern end of Sloane Square, has been after years of +delay considerably widened, and some spacious shops +erected. There is also now an Underground Railway Station, +and the West London Commercial Bank has likewise extensive +premises in Sloane Square, both of which will confer very great +advantages on the inhabitants of Chelsea, and the public in +general.</p> +<h3>Trinity Church, Upper Chelsea.</h3> +<p>This Church is situated at the south end of Sloane Street, +near Sloane Square. It is a brick structure of Gothic +architecture, the western front consisting of a centre flanked by +two wide towers rising to a level with the roof, and terminating +with lofty octagonal spires. A large entrance door occupies +the space from tower to tower to the height of the first +division, giving access both to nave and aisles, over which +stands a large window separated by two mullions, with trefoil +headings slightly ornamented; above this is placed a circular +stone surrounded by tracery, intended, probably, at some future +period for a clock. The towers to the first blocking course +are plain, but above they are enriched with trefoil-headed +windows, divided into two compartments, slender buttresses +separating the towers octagonally to the summit, crowned by a +battlement and surmounted by obtuse-headed pinnacles. At +each side of the centre great door there is a smaller one for +ingress and egress to the aisles and galleries.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page210"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 210</span>The +interior of the Church presents no peculiar feature requiring +special notice, at the same time it possesses in its design all +that is essential to impress the mind with the sacred character +of the edifice. Those who are unable to pay for a sitting +have comfortable free seats provided for them. The Church +will probably accommodate 1500 persons. Attached to it, on +the right, is a spacious schoolroom, designed to correspond with +the architecture of the exterior of the Church. The whole +of the schools are very well attended.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The late Rev. H. Blunt, M.A., was the first Incumbent, and +when he resigned the Rev. Richard Burgess, B.D., the present +Rector of the Church, succeeded him. Trinity Church, from +its consecration in 1830, has always been very numerously +attended.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In the Church are several tablets, amongst them is one to the +memory of the Rev. H. Blunt.</p> +<h3>SLOANE TERRACE WESLEYAN CHAPEL.</h3> +<p>This Chapel was built in 1811. It is a neat and +substantial edifice. The galleries extend round three sides +of the interior, and the whole will accommodate about 1200 +persons. The erection of this place of worship is to be +attributed to the liberality of several beneficent gentlemen, +among whom may be especially mentioned Joseph Butterworth, Esq., +who, at that time, had summer apartments in Chelsea. The +attention of these Christian friends had been arrested by +observing a large number of the middling and poorer classes, in +the vicinity of Jews’ Row, wandering about upon the +mornings of the Sabbath. They accordingly took a large +room, or small chapel, at nearly the end of George Street, and +subsequently erected Sloane Terrace Chapel. The +congregation and the members rapidly increased, and at various +times many alterations have been made so as to render the chapel +and schoolrooms more commodious. It is a pleasing thought, +that, amidst a vast amount of Sabbath desecration, there is not a +Church or Chapel in the parish, where the Sabbath School is not +well attended.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page211"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +211</span>Nearly opposite to Sloane Terrace, in Sloane Street, +resided for many years H. W. Burgess, Esq., a most accomplished +artist. His gentlemanly deportment and piety endeared him +to a large circle of friends. There was scarcely a +benevolent society in the parish to which he was not a +contributor.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Thomas Hoblyn, Esq., who for many years was the Rector’s +Churchwarden at St. Luke’s Parish Church, occupied a house +at the corner of Cadogan Street, Sloane Street. He was one +of several newly-appointed magistrates, about the time of the +passing of the first Local Act of Parliament for the better +assessing and collecting the Poor’s Rate, &c.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The above house is now occupied as an Industrial Home for +Girls, one of the many admirable institutions which reflect so +much credit upon that part of Chelsea.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Captain G. Bague, R.N., resided also in Sloane Street, nearly +opposite Cadogan Place, for a long period. He was made a +magistrate for the county at the same time as Mr. Hoblyn.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The late Rev. H. Blunt, M.A., resided for a considerable time +in Sloane Street.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The late Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke, Bart., resided for some +years at 72, Sloane Street. He died in 1869, at St. +Petersburgh, after a short illness, which unexpectedly proved +fatal, at the age of 58. He was born in London in 1810, was +the only son of the late Mr. Charles Wentworth Dilke, chief +proprietor and at one time editor of the <i>Athenæum</i> +newspaper, and subsequently the manager of the <i>Daily News</i>, +and who died about eight years ago. His mother was Maria, +daughter of Mr. E. Walker. He was educated at Westminster +School, and subsequently at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he +took his degree in Law instead of Arts. In early life he +was associated with the literary labours of his father, whom he +largely aided by his cultivated tastes, his wide range of +information, sound judgment, and habits of business. He was +one of the earliest promoters of the first Great Exhibition, and, +indeed, acted as the leading member of the Executive +Committee. The fact of his occupying such a position +naturally brought Mr. Dilke into close and frequent contact with +the late Prince Consort, who was much struck with the ability he +displayed, and at whose suggestion the honour of knighthood was +offered to him in recognition of his services. That honour, +however, he declined; and with it <a name="page212"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 212</span>refused all pecuniary remuneration, +wishing his services to be purely honorary. Her Majesty, +however, resolved that he should not be wholly unrewarded, sent +to Mrs. Dilke a handsome diamond-bracelet, which, no doubt, will +become an heirloom in the Dilke family. Mr. Dilke was also +associated with the second Great Exhibition as one of the five +Royal Commissioners appointed by Her Majesty. It has always +been understood also that the resuscitation of the Royal +Horticultural Society of London has been in a very great measure +due to his exertions as one of the most active of its +vice-presidents. It will be remembered that almost +immediately after the death of the Prince Consort Her Majesty was +pleased to confer a baronetcy on Mr. Dilke in recognition of the +Prince’s friendship and personal regard for him. Sir +Charles Wentworth Dilke sat in the last Parliament in the Liberal +interest for Wallingford, defeating Mr. Serjeant Malins (who has +since attained the Judicial Bench), but he lost his seat at the +last general election. The late baronet, who was a +magistrate for Westminster and for the county of Middlesex, +married in 1840 Mary, a daughter of Captain Chatfield, but was +left a widower a few years ago. By her he has left a son, +born in 1843, Mr. (now Sir) Charles Wentworth Dilke, of Trinity +Hall, Cambridge, who was returned at the last election as one of +the members, in the Liberal interest, for the newly-enfranchised +constituency of Chelsea, and another son, Mr. Ashton Wentworth +Dilke, born 1850.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The present Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke, Bart., M.P., resides +at his late father’s house in Sloane Street. He has +extensively travelled in America, and has published a very +interesting work, entitled “Greater Britain,” and is +the author of several pamphlets on social and political +topics.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">The Pavilion, Hans Place</span>.—A +few particulars respecting this once beautiful estate will no +doubt be interesting to many of the readers of this work. +When Mr. Holland took the lease of the land, formerly known as +“Blacklands,” now Upper Chelsea, he reserved to +himself 21 acres of it, on which he built an elegant house for +his own residence. This was called the Pavilion, and it was +purchased of Mr. Holland’s executors by Peter Denys, Esq., +and became afterwards the property of his relict, the Right Hon. +Lady Charlotte Denys, who resided in it with her family for some +years afterwards. It consisted of three sides of a +quadrangle, open to the north, and the approach was from Hans +Place. The house was superbly furnished.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page213"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 213</span>In +the library, on two mahogany pedestals, stood two busts in +statuary marble of Pitt and Fox, by Nollekens. In the +dining room were two excellent pictures by Fuseli; one a vision +of Lady Jane Grey, before her execution, from a manuscript letter +of Bishop Latimer to Dr. Bullinger; the other a scene from the +tragedy of King Lear. To which might be added many others +of equal worth.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The south front faced an extensive and beautifully-planted +lawn, gently rising to the level of the colonnade and principal +floor. This front was originally built as a model for the +Pavilion at Brighton, and was ornamented by a colonnade of the +Doric order, extending the whole length of the building.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>On the west side of the lawn was an Ice-house, round which was +erected an admirable representation of the ruins of an ancient +Priory, in which the appearance of age and decay was strikingly +faithful. The Gothic stone-work was brought from the +ancient demolished residence of Cardinal Wolsey, at Esher, in +Surrey. The lawn was ornamented by a fine sheet of water, +which produced a most pleasing effect. The Priory displayed +considerable variety of fanciful intricate paths and scenery, +profusely ornamented with shrubs, and had a private communication +with the house by the walks of the shrubbery.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Lady Charlotte Denys gave annually a treat to the children of +the “Hans Town Schools,” &c., and had booths +erected in which they partook of tea, whilst others contained +fruit and playthings to amuse them. On these occasions the +inhabitants were admitted to witness the pleasing juvenile +scene.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Hans Place, Sloane +Street</span>.—Miss Landon (L.E.L.) was born in “snug +Hans Place” in 1802, and spent the greater portion of her +life in it. She went to school at No. 22, kept by Miss +Rowden, who published “A Poetical Introduction to the Study +of Botany,” and “The Pleasures of Friendship,” +and at length became the Countess of St. Queutin.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Among the inmates of the same house have been Lady Caroline +Lamb, who married the Hon. W. Lamb, afterwards Viscount +Melbourne, Miss Mitford, Lady Bulwer, &c.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Wigan, the talented artistes, resided for +some time in Hans Place.</p> +<h3><a name="page214"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 214</span>ST. +SAVIOUR’S CHURCH.</h3> +<p>This Church is situated a little to the north of Hans Place, +and near to Walton Street. The exterior has no particular +pretensions to architectural display. The interior is neat, +and possesses a greater degree of architectural design. It +will seat probably more than 1000 persons. The Rev. W. +Niven, M.A., was the first Incumbent, and retained it until +recently, when the Rev. George Weldon, M.A., succeeded him. +Of Mr. Niven it may justly be said that he was zealous and +faithful, kind to the poor, and respected by all classes. +There are excellent schools and many charitable societies which +are liberally supported by the contributions of the +congregation.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Cadogan Place</span>.—These capital +houses were principally erected by Mr. W. Whitehead, sen., on +part of the land leased originally to Mr. Holland, as previously +mentioned. Amongst the residents at different periods may +be selected the names of Capt. Acklom, R.N.; Thomas Bryan, Esq.; +W. B. France, Esq.; each of whom were made magistrates for the +county at the same time as Mr. Hoblyn and Capt. Bague; C. +Hopkinson, Esq.; H. Warburton, Esq., M.P.; Sir William Clay, +M.P.; Dr. Veitch; the Rev. Richard Burgess, and the Rev. J. B. +Owen.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>In Little Cadogan Place Mr. William Whitehead, jun., lived for +a great many years. He was an extensive builder, and +occupied a very prominent position in the parish.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Botanic Gardens, Sloane +Street</span>.—This garden was first planned and laid out +in 1807, by Mr. Salisbury. The extent of ground was about +six acres, and formed a delightful promenade for company. +In the original plan the whole collection of plants was arranged +according to the system of Linnæus, and was disposed of in +seventeen different compartments. When Mr. Tate, in the +year 1820, took possession of the premises, the inhabitants, +wishing to make it a public promenade, the above arrangement was +entirely superseded, and the interior of the ground laid out and +converted into a Nursery. Mr. Tate, however, still devoted +the hothouses and greenhouses to the raising of curious and rare +exotics. Mr. Tuck, nurseryman and seedsman, is now in +possession of a portion of the ground, but the whole presents a +very different appearance to what it did many years ago.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page215"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 215</span><span +class="smcap">The Roman Catholic Chapel</span>, situated in +Cadogan Street, was built in 1811, by voluntary +subscriptions. Previous to the erection of this Chapel, the +Irish poor and others in Chelsea, as well as the Roman Catholic +veterans in the Royal Hospital, had not any place to resort to on +Sundays, or at such other times as they deemed it necessary to +attend. Besides, there were several families in the +locality who considered the erection of the Chapel +indispensable. The Clergyman’s house adjoins the +Chapel, and was built at the expense of the Rev. Abbé +Voyaux de Franous, D.D. On the south of Cadogan Street, +some short distance west of the Chapel, are the Convent, the +Schools, and the Burial Ground, the latter being now closed for +interments.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Upon the site of the west end of Cadogan Street stood an +ancient house, inhabited, in Bowack’s time, by Lady +Matthews; it was afterwards known for many years as the +Marlborough Tavern and Cricket Grounds. It is probable that +the house was first established as a tavern during the life-time +of the great Duke of Marlborough, who, it is said, resided at one +time in Chelsea; hence Blenheim Street, &c., all +contiguous.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The old Admiral Keppel Inn, with its tea gardens, was pulled +down in 1856, on the site of which is now a large tavern.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Chelsea Common</span> was called in +ancient records Chelsea Heath. It was bounded on the north +by the Fulham Road; on the east by Blacklands Lane, now +Marlborough Road; on the south by College Place, abutting on the +King’s Road; and on the west by Sydney Street. It was +attached to the Manor. Certain ancient houses, cottages, +and farms, had a right of pasturage for forty cows and twenty +heifers. To keep these there was always a cowkeeper, whose +business it was to mark the cattle, to drive home the cows at +night to the several owners, and to impound all cattle unmarked, +or any horses which broke into the Common, or were found +there.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>When the Old Church was to be rebuilt, the Common was enclosed +by the consent of Charles Cheyne, Esq., Lord of the Manor, and +the several proprietors, for 21 years, to defray part of the +charges, by a lease bearing date March 1674, and thereby let to +George Hill and Francis Guildford, who enclosed it, and quietly +enjoyed it till 1695, when it was thrown open again. It +would be an unnecessary waste of space to notice what took place +for some years afterwards.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page216"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 216</span>At +the commencement of the present century, however, the Lords of +the Manor, the Rector, and the other proprietors, let the Common +on building leases; after which the leases were found defective, +by reason of one of the proprietors being under age, and it being +considered that the then Rector could not bind his +successors. An Act of Parliament was therefore obtained, +which confirmed the leases and made them effectual.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Common (as was) has been for many years covered with +houses, comprising Keppel Street, Whitehead’s Grove, +College Street, Marlborough Square, Leader Street, &c.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The principal entrance to the Brompton County Court is in +Whitehead’s Grove. The house was formerly occupied by +the Rev. Dr. Roberts, who gave instruction to a limited number of +young gentlemen who resided with him.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Catholic Apostolic Church is situated in College Street, +near to Whitehead’s Grove. The exterior has some +claim to architectural design, although the entrance at the side +is small, and there are no windows to give relief to its massive +appearance. There is ample light, however, in the interior +of the structure, and it is in every respect commodious.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The spacious Drill Hall belonging to the 1st Middlesex +Engineer Volunteers is also in College Street, near to the Fulham +Road, where recruits are enlisted.</p> +<h3>MARLBOROUGH CHAPEL.</h3> +<p>The old saying, “Where there is a will there is a +way,” was never more clearly exemplified than in the +erection of this chapel, which occupies the northern corner of +Marlborough Square, and fully warrants the inscription engraven +on its summit, “This is the Lord’s doing, it is +marvellous in our eyes.” The necessity of having a +place of worship in the Methodist connexion had long been felt by +many in the neighbourhood, and a room was consequently taken in +Pond Place, but as it proved unsuitable for the purpose, Mr. +Cripps, of Keppel Street, was induced to open his large workshop +for a Thursday evening service, and having obtained a minister +from the Hinde Street <a name="page217"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 217</span>Circuit to preach the first sermon, +was amply repaid for his kindness by a very crowded and attentive +congregation. Mr. Hunt, an active and zealous member, +commenced a class on the following Sunday afternoon, which +increased so rapidly as to make him extremely anxious for the +purchase of a spot of ground for a chapel, and after many +disappointments, and much discouragement, succeeded in obtaining +the present site. The difficulty of raising funds for its +erection was a subject of great moment, but, on communicating +with many friends, their offers of assistance were so numerous, +and accompanied with such generosity, that all doubt as to the +result was at once removed. In a few weeks promises were +made, and fulfilled, of all kinds of materials for its erection, +both externally and internally, and, aided by the gratuitous +labours of many devoted followers, was completed and opened July +30, 1849, about five months from its commencement. It is a +neat and commodious structure, and will hold about 400 +persons. It has lately undergone several alterations and +improvements. There is an excellent Sunday School attached +to the chapel, at which there is an average attendance of nearly +300 children.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>The Brompton District Letter Sorting Post Office is situated +nearly opposite to the northern side of St. Luke’s +Cemetery. It was erected a few years ago, and is well +adapted and arranged for the intended purposes.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Near to Sydney Street, and to the north of St. Luke’s +Church, was formerly situated a solitary small house, known as +Cock’s Hall. It was said to have been built by +Captain Cock, a petty officer in the Royal Hospital. On a +stone in the front of it was an inscription, “Built in +1710, rebuilt in 1767.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Dr. Biber, author of “The Life of Pestalozzi,” and +editor of the <i>John Bull</i> newspaper, resided for some time +in Sydney Street, as did also Thomas Wright, Esq., the antiquary +and historical writer.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Henry Warren, Esq., President of the New Society of Water +Colour Painters, resided for some time opposite St. Luke’s +Church, and at a subsequent period at the corner of Church +Street, which house has been recently pulled down.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page218"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 218</span>From +the periodical publications of the time, and from other sources, +it appears the following persons have resided in this parish at +various periods:—</p> +<p>Robert Ratcliffe, the first Earl of Sussex of that family, and +Lord High Chamberlain of England, died at his palace at Chelsea, +November 26, 1542.</p> +<p>Robert Viscount Fitzwalter was created Earl of Sussex by Henry +VIII. in 1527. He married first, Elizabeth, daughter of +Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham; secondly, Margaret, daughter +of Thomas, Earl of Derby; thirdly, Mary, daughter of Sir John +Arundel.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>John Pym, a distinguished Member of the House of Commons, +resided at Chelsea for several years. <a +name="citation218"></a><a href="#footnote218" +class="citation">[218]</a> He was Member for Tavistock, and +was a remarkable instance of what wonders, strength of parts, and +force of eloquence, could effect. His influence was +superior to authority, but by many he was thought to have made a +very bad use of power; his intent was to reform, not to abolish +the Government; and yet he was a principal engine in bringing +about a revolution, which he never intended, and which he did not +live to see; he died December 8, 1643. His excessive +application to public affairs is supposed to have hastened his +death. “He was a man,” says Hume, “as +much hated by one party as respected by the other. At +London, he was considered as the victim of national liberty, who +had abridged his life by incessant labours for the interest of +his country. At Oxford, he was believed to have been struck +with an uncommon disease, and to have been consumed with vermin, +as a mark of Divine vengeance for his multiplied crimes and +treasons. He had been so little studious of improving his +private fortune in those civil wars, of which he had been one +principal author, that the Parliament thought themselves obliged +from gratitude to pay the debts which he had +contracted.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Count D’Estrades, who came to England to negociate the +sale of Dunkirk, as ambassador from Lewis XIV., resided at +Chelsea during the years 1661 and 1662. This fact appears +by the dates of his letters, of which a translation appeared in +1755. He had his first audience of his Majesty King Charles +II. on the 27th of July of the former year. It was usual +for the Foreign Ambassadors at that time to make their public +entry <a name="page219"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +219</span>from the Tower of London, but on this occasion the King +sent his own coaches to Chelsea, to carry the Ambassador, and the +Count was accompanied by the equipages of the whole of the +diplomatic corps at that time in London.</p> +<p>Count D’Estrades was invited by letters from the +Chancellor himself, in order to conclude the bargain; +£900,000 were demanded, £100,000 were offered. +By degrees the English lowered their demands, and the French +raised their offers. The bargain was concluded at +£400,000.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Sir Robert Atkyns, either Chief Baron of the Exchequer, or his +son, the historian of Gloucestershire, appears by the Parish +Books to have resided in Chelsea in 1684.</p> +<p>Sir Robert Atkyns, K.B., was Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer +under William III., which office he held with distinguished +ability and integrity. This gentleman, by his influence, +promoted the Revolution, and by his pen defended it in tracts +replete with legal knowledge.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Hon. Colonel Rieutort died at his house, Chelsea, on the +24th January, 1725–6, in his 66th year. He was born +of a good family, at Montpelier, in France, where he early bore +arms; and, having left his native country, on account of the +Protestant religion, he attended William III. in the wars of +Ireland. He afterwards served the Crown of Great Britain in +Piedmont; and in 1703 assisted Count de Frise in the vigorous +defence of Landau, then besieged by the French. In 1704, he +went into Portugal with the Earl of Galway, who sent him to the +relief of the Prince of Hesse, then closely beset in Gibraltar, +where he contributed very much to the preservation of that +important place. He was interred in Chelsea Church.</p> +<h3>THE CANCER HOSPITAL.</h3> +<p>This hospital is situated in the Fulham Road, almost facing +the Consumption Hospital. The ceremony of laying the +foundation stone was performed on Monday, May 30, 1859, by Miss +Burdett Coutts, in the presence of a very numerous and +respectable company, including Dr. Tait, Bishop of London, +Archdeacon Sinclair, Rev. D. Coleridge, Rev. J. B. Owen, the Rev. +Fathers Ballard and Bagshawe, Priests of the Oratory, at +Brompton, &c.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page220"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 220</span>The +Rev. Thomas Pearson commenced the proceedings with prayer, after +which the Bishop of London addressed the assemblage, and said +they were met to lay the foundation stone of a most excellent +institution, destined to bestow great blessings on a large +portion of the community—a house for the reception of +persons afflicted with a most painful disease, demanding the +greatest sympathy from all friends of humanity. His +Lordship, at the close of his address, prayed for its permanency +and success.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Miss Coutts having deposited the bottle, with the usual +contents, in a cavity in the lower stone and spread the mortar, +the upper stone was duly lowered into its place, after which Miss +Coutts gave the customary knocks and declared the stone duly +laid.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Rev. J. B. Owen next addressed the assembly, after which +John Abel Smith, Esq., proposed thanks to Miss Coutts for having +done them the honour of laying the foundation stone of the +hospital. The Bishop of London said that he had been +requested by Miss Coutts to acknowledge the compliment paid her, +and to assure them that she should continue to take the greatest +interest in the prosperity of the Institution.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The building has a frontage of 130 ft. and a depth of 50 ft., +surrounded by an area of 10 ft., securing to the building the +means of convenient external communication and ventilation. +It is constructed of plain white Suffolk bricks, relieved with +bands of red brick, keystones, and cornices of stone +dressing. The lower story contains the kitchens, larders, +and the rooms for the out-patients. The principal ground +floor is approached by a flight of steps, and this contains the +hall and a handsome staircase of stone, apartments for the +house-surgeon and medical officers, and wards for patients. +Apparatus for heating and ventilating the building is +provided—everything, in short, that is calculated to add to +the comforts and assist the recovery of the patients. On +the first story are the wards. In the males it appears this +direful disease shows itself more frequently in the face, lip, +and tongue, and among some of them in the breast. Of the +females nearly five-sixths suffer in the breast.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The building, in all its details, has been open about six +years. It was erected from the design of David Mocatta, +Esq., by Messrs. Lawrence, at a cost of £7,000. +William Marsden, M.D. was the founder.</p> +<h3><a name="page221"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +221</span>HOSPITAL FOR CONSUMPTION.</h3> +<p>This is another admirable Institution, and, although it is +situated just beyond the boundary of Chelsea parish, on the north +of the Fulham Road, it has a very strong claim to be noticed in +this work. It is a beautiful Elizabethan structure, built +in the shape of the letter H, the depth of each wing being 190 +ft., and the width of the building 200 ft. It stands in a +square piece of ground covering three acres, and faces the public +road. On entering the Lodge-gate there are three broad +drives, one to the central entrance, which opens to a cheerful +hall upon the first floor; another to the east entrance, which +leads to the offices for the transaction of the hospital +business; and the third to the west entrance, which is for the +use of inmates and the friends of the in-patients on visiting +days.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The ground floor is on a level with the gardens. The +west wing and part of the centre of this floor contain the +Dispensary and Out-patient-rooms, Laboratory, Museum, and +Sitting-rooms of the Resident Clinical Assistants. The east +wing contains the apartments of the Resident Medical Officer and +Matron, Linen-room, Store-room, Secretary’s Office, +Board-room, &c.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The first floor is devoted exclusively to Female Patients, +saving small rooms for the Chaplain, and for each of the two Head +Nurses, and the two requisite Sculleries, Baths, and +Lavatories.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The arrangements of the second floor are precisely the same as +those on the first floor; the wards being occupied by Male +Patients, for whom there are about 107 beds.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The attic floor has comfortable dormitories for the Nurses and +Servants, and in the Tower-rooms are the sleeping apartments of +the Resident Clinical Assistants.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Chapel stands on the north side of the hospital, and +parallel with the centre portion. The approach is by a +corridor opposite the front entrance, to which the patients have +immediate access from their respective galleries. The +chaplain is the Rev. E. B. Allen, B.A., whose faithful +exhortations and kind manner of addressing the patients have +gained for him the esteem of all who know his worth.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>His late R.H. the Prince Consort laid the foundation stone of +the hospital in 1844.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p><a name="page222"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 222</span><span +class="smcap">The Home</span>.—This Institution is +conducted and maintained by a few benevolent Ladies, as an +auxiliary to the above hospital, for persons who are either +waiting their turns for admission to the hospital, or after +leaving it, during the necessary time occupied in the full +re-establishment of their health and their search for +employment. This excellent “Home” is at Manor +House, near Durham Place, Chelsea.</p> +<h3>CHELSEA IMPROVEMENTS.</h3> +<p>The Metropolitan Board of Works (Loans) Bill, empowering the +Metropolitan Board of Works to raise money to construct the +Chelsea Embankment, and to effect other improvements, having +received the Royal assent, there is now no doubt that the Chelsea +Embankment works will be very shortly commenced.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Bills for the “Belgrave Market,” which will +remove the unsightly block of buildings between Turk’s Row +and Jew’s Row, and the “Belgravia and South +Kensington New Road,” which will open a direct +communication from Eaton Square to the South Kensington Museum, +have also become law.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The works of the Albert Bridge are still suspended, but there +is reason to hope that they will shortly be recommenced, and +rapidly completed.</p> +<h3>FIRST ELECTION OF MEMBERS FOR THE BOROUGH OF CHELSEA.</h3> +<p>I will now endeavour to record a few impartial particulars +respecting the proceedings on the day of election, with the +ultimate state of the poll, when the two first members for the +Borough of Chelsea were elected. The nomination took place +on Tuesday, the 17th of November, 1868, and the election on the +following day.</p> +<p><a name="page223"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 223</span>The +hustings were erected in an open and central place near the South +Kensington Museum, and was capable of holding about 200 or 300 +persons. C. A. Bannister, Esq., of Chelsea, was the +Returning Officer, and he performed his duty with the utmost +courtesy and fairness.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The candidates originally were C. Wentworth Dilke, Esq., <a +name="citation223"></a><a href="#footnote223" +class="citation">[223]</a> Sir Henry Hoare, Dr. Russell, and C. +J. Freake, Esq. Mr. Odger, a working man, who was warmly +supported by a large number of the constituency, retired previous +to the nomination from what may be fairly considered the most +honourable motives.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>R. Freeman, Esq., of Kensington, proposed Mr. C. W. Dilke, and +John Boyd, Esq., of Argyll House, King’s Road, seconded the +nomination.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Wingfield Baker, Esq., proposed Sir H. A. Hoare, and James +Heywood, Esq., seconded.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The Hon. E. C. Curzon proposed Mr. Freake, and the Hon. Capt. +Maude seconded the nomination.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>General Sir A. S. Wangle proposed Dr. Russell, and Captain +Morley seconded.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The show of hands was then taken, and there being a large +majority for Mr. C. W. Dilke and Sir H. A. Hoare, the two liberal +candidates, a poll was demanded on behalf of Dr. Russell and Mr. +Freake, which took place on the following day, the 18th of +November, 1868. The proceedings were of the most orderly +character, generally speaking, at all the thirteen polling +booths.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>The state of the poll was declared to be as +follows:—</p> +<table> +<tr> +<td><p>Dilke</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">7,357</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Hoare</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">7,183</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Russell</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">4,177</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><p>Freake</p> +</td> +<td><p style="text-align: right">3,929</p> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p>About 2,000 persons were present, and the four candidates with +their friends.</p> +<h3><a name="page224"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +224</span>SINGULAR ASCENT IN THE CAPTIVE BALLOON.</h3> +<p>A female inmate of St. George’s Workhouse, Fulham Road, +named Hogg, having completed her hundredth year, August 3, 1869, +was asked by Mr. Godrich, the medical officer, if, at her +advanced age, there was any particular wish he could +gratify. Her reply was that she should like to go up in the +balloon, and see the world once more. Arrangements were +made for the following Thursday, and, accompanied by the Matron +and a few of Mr. Godrich’s friends, they ascended, and +after enjoying themselves for some considerable time descended +quite safely, the centenarian expressing herself much delighted +with the aerial trip.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p>I have at length arrived at the conclusion of my work, and it +now only remains for me to bid the reader a respectful <span +class="GutSmall">FAREWELL</span>.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p><span class="smcap">Errata</span>.—At page 68, line 10, +<i>read</i> “East Meon, Hants,” instead of +“East Mere, Hants.”</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p style="text-align: center"><span class="GutSmall">FREDERICK +BELL, PRINTER, KING’S ROAD.</span></p> +<h2>Footnotes</h2> +<p><a name="footnote7"></a><a href="#citation7" +class="footnote">[7]</a> For on account of the presentation +of these colours, see “Ranelagh,” in a subsequent +part of this work.</p> +<p><a name="footnote19a"></a><a href="#citation19a" +class="footnote">[19a]</a> In 1534 he was attainted for +denying the King’s supremacy, and executed at Tyburn, the +7th of March in that year.—<i>Holinshed’s +Chronicle</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote19b"></a><a href="#citation19b" +class="footnote">[19b]</a> He was ejected from the Rectory +in 1554, for being a married priest, but was restored by Queen +Elizabeth.—<i>Strype’s Stowe</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote19c"></a><a href="#citation19c" +class="footnote">[19c]</a> He gave, by will, £15 to +the poor of this parish, and to the repairing of the lead of the +church. He was buried at Chelsea in 1615.</p> +<p><a name="footnote23"></a><a href="#citation23" +class="footnote">[23]</a> From Dr. King’s MSS. it +appears there had been a Clerk’s house and school-rooms on +this site previous to the erection of the present building.</p> +<p><a name="footnote26"></a><a href="#citation26" +class="footnote">[26]</a> There is on accidental mistake at +page 3. The number of acres at Kensal, belonging to the +parish, should have been, as above, 137¾ acres.</p> +<p><a name="footnote27"></a><a href="#citation27" +class="footnote">[27]</a> This ancient manor house stood on +the site of Lawrence Street, near the Old Church, and derived its +name from having been the residence of the Lawrence family for a +long period.</p> +<p><a name="footnote41"></a><a href="#citation41" +class="footnote">[41]</a> Mr. Thomas Bettsworth was well +known to the parishioners and much respected. He was +Churchwarden at the New Church, and took an active part in +parochial affairs.</p> +<p><a name="footnote57"></a><a href="#citation57" +class="footnote">[57]</a> Life of A. R. Bowes, Esq., by +Jesse Foot.</p> +<p><a name="footnote71"></a><a href="#citation71" +class="footnote">[71]</a> Earl Cadogan’s Records.</p> +<p><a name="footnote72"></a><a href="#citation72" +class="footnote">[72]</a> I was well acquainted with these +particulars, but for the sake of accuracy I have taken an extract +from “A Walk from Loudon to Fulham,” by the late T. +C. Croker, Esq., a work of great worth and highly +interesting. Published by William Tegg, London, 1860.</p> +<p><a name="footnote82"></a><a href="#citation82" +class="footnote">[82]</a> See Old Church, page 14.</p> +<p><a name="footnote85"></a><a href="#citation85" +class="footnote">[85]</a> Gent. Mag., 1753.</p> +<p><a name="footnote87"></a><a href="#citation87" +class="footnote">[87]</a> Stephensiana, Monthly +Magazine.</p> +<p><a name="footnote100"></a><a href="#citation100" +class="footnote">[100]</a> Granger, vol. iv., p. 293.</p> +<p><a name="footnote102"></a><a href="#citation102" +class="footnote">[102]</a> Gent. Mag. May, 1781.</p> +<p><a name="footnote105"></a><a href="#citation105" +class="footnote">[105]</a> See History of the Manor, p. +24.</p> +<p><a name="footnote107"></a><a href="#citation107" +class="footnote">[107]</a> Biog. Dram.</p> +<p><a name="footnote108"></a><a href="#citation108" +class="footnote">[108]</a> Dr. Drake’s Essays.</p> +<p><a name="footnote111"></a><a href="#citation111" +class="footnote">[111]</a> Pennant’s History of +Whitford and Hollywell, p. 16.</p> +<p><a name="footnote128"></a><a href="#citation128" +class="footnote">[128]</a> Mr. Goss, the present Organist +of St. Paul’s Cathedral, was then Organist of the +Church.</p> +<p><a name="footnote137"></a><a href="#citation137" +class="footnote">[137]</a> The Act specifies £20,000 +and a Sixpenny Rate.</p> +<p><a name="footnote144"></a><a href="#citation144" +class="footnote">[144]</a> In allusion to a very impressive +sermon preached by the late Rev. H. Blunt, from 1 Sam. xv. +14.</p> +<p><a name="footnote147"></a><a href="#citation147" +class="footnote">[147]</a> The number that died of the +plague this year in London was 30,578.</p> +<p><a name="footnote150"></a><a href="#citation150" +class="footnote">[150]</a> The Writer’s father was +one of the two Overseers of the Poor in 1805.</p> +<p><a name="footnote153a"></a><a href="#citation153a" +class="footnote">[153a]</a> Drawn up in the hand-writing of +the Rev. Dr. King, Rector.</p> +<p><a name="footnote153b"></a><a href="#citation153b" +class="footnote">[153b]</a> We find mention of Bloody Gate +and Bridge as early as the reign of Queen Elizabeth. This +spot was situated at the eastern entrance into Sloane Square, and +where Chelsea is divided from St. George’s, Hanover +Square.</p> +<p><a name="footnote153c"></a><a href="#citation153c" +class="footnote">[153c]</a> The whole of the land, now the +site of Sloane Street, was anciently called +“Blackland.” It extended as far as the +Marlborough Road, some few years since known as Blackland +Lane.</p> +<p><a name="footnote155"></a><a href="#citation155" +class="footnote">[155]</a> Gent. Mag., 1753.</p> +<p><a name="footnote159"></a><a href="#citation159" +class="footnote">[159]</a> Annual Register, 1771, p. +160.</p> +<p><a name="footnote177"></a><a href="#citation177" +class="footnote">[177]</a> Queen’s Road West was +formerly called Paradise Row.</p> +<p><a name="footnote184"></a><a href="#citation184" +class="footnote">[184]</a> Gent. Mag. 1747. pp. 298, +400.</p> +<p><a name="footnote188"></a><a href="#citation188" +class="footnote">[188]</a> Rev. G. R. Gleig’s +“Chelsea Hospital.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote199"></a><a href="#citation199" +class="footnote">[199]</a> These Colours are deposited in +the Old Church.</p> +<p><a name="footnote218"></a><a href="#citation218" +class="footnote">[218]</a> Granger’s Biog. Hist., +vol. ii. p. 211.</p> +<p><a name="footnote223"></a><a href="#citation223" +class="footnote">[223]</a> Now Sir Charles Wentworth +Dilke.</p> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHELSEA***</p> +<pre> + + +***** This file should be named 45854-h.htm or 45854-h.zip****** + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/4/5/8/5/45854 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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