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ready been noticed) copied from an original in the possession of lord Aylmer, a former governor, at the expence of the hospital, by Degard. A whole-length portrait of lord Torrington, by Davison; and of admiral Sir John Jennings, a former governor. Near the window at the upper end of the room is a three quarters oval of captain Clements, by Greenhill, pupil of Lely. At the lower end the head of a venerable old man, said to have been the first pensioner who was admitted into the hospital.

In the pannel opposite the chimney is a spring clock, by Holmes, ornamented with the signs of the Zodiac, beauti

per yard, exclusive of gilding, had wine daily allowed him, lodgings in the palaces; and, when his eye-sight failed him, a pension of 2001. per ann. and allowance of wine for his life.

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Signior Rizzi had of the present duke of Portland for three rooms 1000 For the little chapel at Bulstrode

600

Of the lord Burlington for his staircase

700

Signior Pellegrini of the duke of Portland for work at his house
And for a small picture over a chimney

800

50

Of the earl of Burlington for the sides of his hall

200

All which prices are by measure, more than signior Varrio's; and I was lately paid for a ceiling at Hampton Court, upon a reference from the right honourable the lords commissioners of his majesty's treasury to the honourable board of works, 31. 15s. per yard, including gilding. And, although these painters were foreigners, yet since the several ingenious gentlemen painters and artists, to whom your honours have been pleased to refer this for a parallel to be drawn, have not thought this inferior in performance, and more full of work, I have no reason to apprehend any discouragement from your honours, but that you will be pleased to allow me as good a price as any of these modern painters, especially since I have spent six years of the prime of my life therein; and, though I have in that time done several small works, yet they have chiefly served to enable me by experience and money to carry on this great one, which must otherwise necessarily have required a considerable imprest for which a large interest would have been paid.

And also hope that this being an hospital will make no difference, since royal hospitals are as well embellished as palaces, and with as much expence. Therefore humbly submit myself to your honours justice herein, and am, your honours most faithful,

24th August, 1717.

And obedient humble servant,

JAMES THORNHILL.

fully

fully carved and gilt, from a design of the late Mr. Stuart, when surveyor of the hospital.

Under several of the above pictures are some of Sir James Thornhill's original sketches, for the paintings in the Great Hall, presented by the said Mr. Stuart, and Mr. Cox of Badbey, Northamptonshire.

Near the door of the ANTICHAMBER is a month equation clock with a double pendulum, by Quire; and, in different parts of the room, the following paintings, viz. Two large sea pieces, given by Philip Harman, Esq. representing the naval exploits of his ancestor, captain Thomas Harmar, in the reign of king Charles II.; one, at the upper end of the room, being an engagement between the Tyger frigate, commanded by captain Harman, and eight Dutch privateers, in opposition to which he conducted a large fleet of colliers into the river Thames, without the loss of one, when there was the greatest want of coals in London. The other, over the door at the lower end, being an engagement between the same captain, in the same frigate, and a Dutch man of man, in the bay of Bulls; in which the latter was taken and towed into the harbour of Cadiz, in sight of a squadron of Dutch ships riding there. In other parts of the room are six small pictures, representing the loss of the Luxemburgh galley, commanded by William Kellaway, (which was burnt in the year 1727, on her passage from Jamaica to London) and the subsequent distresses of part of her crew; the gift of Mr. Parker, executor to captain Maplesden, late lieutenant-governor of the hospital. The circumstances of this disaster are interesting and extraordinary, as related by captain Boys himself, late lieutenantgovernor of the hospital, who was second mate of the ship at that time*. They are inserted in the account of the Hospital by the rev. Messrs. Cooke and Maule.

In 1763 it was submitted to the general court by the directors, whether it would not be adviseable to build an

* Lieutenant-governor Boys was accustomed to pass annually in prayer and fasting the number of days the ship's crew were in distress, in commemoration of his wonderful deliverance.

INFIRMARY

INFIRMARY without the walls of the Hospital, in order that more pensioners might be added to the establishment, and the sick taken care of with greater convenience and more comfort to themselves.

A work so necessary was immediately concluded upon, and a building ordered to be erected for that purpose; which was designed by Mr. Stuart, the late surveyor, and completed under the direction of Mr. Robinson, then clerk of the works.

As nothing has been omitted which was judged necessary to render this building convenient and comfortable to the patients, so all possible care is taken that the diet is adapted to their particular cases; the drugs and medicines are bought of the Apothecaries Company, in order that they may be the best of their kinds; and, when it is necessary for any of the patients to go to Bath, or the salt-water, or, in cases of insanity, to Bethlem or other places of confinefinement, they are immediately sent thither; the hospital paying all necessary expences.

The SCHOOL. Agreeable to the tenor of king William's commission, and the Register Act, which direct some provision to be made for the maintenance and education of the sons of seamen, is solely under the management of the directors, who in rotation nominate the boys for admission; prior to which it must be made appear, by proper certificates, that they are sons of seamen, between eleven and thirteen years of age, objects of charity, of sound body and mind, and able to read; and their parents or friends must give security that they shall be at the directors disposal, and to indemnify the hospital for the value of their clothes, &c. if they should run away with them.

The boys are lodged, clothed, and maintained, at the expence of the hospital, for three years. Five nurses are appointed to keep them clean, to take care of their clothes, to make their beds, attend at their meals, &c. And a guardian and four assistants, are appointed to superintend them when out of school. They are instructed in the principles of religion by the chaplains, and in writing, arith

2

metic

metic, and navigation, by a schoolmaster appointed for that purpose; who also instructs those in drawing who shew a genius for it. Each boy, on his admission, is supplied with a Bible and Common Prayer book; and with all necessary books and instruments for his instruction, which he is allowed to take with him when he is bound out.

All the boys attend the directors, once a year to be viewed, when they bring specimens of their several per formances; and three of them who produce the best drawings after nature, done by themselves, are allowed the following premiums, according to their respective degrees of merit, viz.

A Hadley's quadrant,

1st prize.

A case of mathematical instruments, 2d ditto.

Robertson's Treatise on Navigation, 3d ditto. They are bound out for seven years, to the sea-service only, for the better improvement of their talents, and that they may become able seamen and good artists.

In 1783, it was recommended by the directors to the general court, to build a school and dormitory for the boys, without the walls of the hospital, which was built from the designs of Mr. Stuart. This building is one hundred and forty-six feet in length, and forty-two in breadth, exclusive of its Tuscan colonade, intended for a play place and shelter for the boys in bad weather, which is one hundred and eighty feet long, and twenty feet broad. This excellent charity is calculated for the double purpose of providing for the sons of poor seamen, and making them useful to their country, by training them up to a seafaring life, is solely supported by money arising from the following incidental funds, viz. Shewing the Painted Hall, chapel, and other parts of the hospital. Mulcts, absences, cheques, &c. of pensioners, and nurses, visions purchased of the pensioners *.

Profits on proSale of old hous

By this excellent plan, those who find it more convenient for their families to have money in lieu of their provisions, are prevented from exposing them to sale elsewhere; and though the hospital derives a profit, are allowed full as much if not more than they can otherwise make of them.

VOL. V. No. 106.

hold

hold stores. Unclaimed property of deceased pensioners and nurses. Interest of money in the stocks, being savings from the above-mentioned funds. The clothing of the boys, as well linen as woollen, is of the same quality as that of the pensioners; and when bound out, are supplied with two complete suits, and other necessaries.

The following Table shewɛ the number of wards and beds in the several parts of the building:

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We shall conclude this article with an account of the respective sources whence the whole revenue of the Hospital is at present derived, and also the principal articles of its expenditure.

REVENUE.-1st, Sixpence per man per month for all seamen and marines belonging to his majesty's ships, including those in ordinary. 2d, Ditto for all seamen employed in the merchants' service. 3d, The duties arising from the North and South Foreland lighthouses. 4th, The half-pay of several of the officers of the hospital who are entitled thereto. 5th, The wages, with the value of provions and other allowances, of the two chaplains of Woolwich and Deptford dock-yards. 6th, The rents and profits of the Derwentwater estates, including lead mines. 7th, The rents of the market at Greenwich, and of the houses there and in London. 8th, Interest of money invested in the public funds. 9th, Fines for fishing in the river Thames with unlawful nets, and other offences. 10th, Forfeited and unclaimed shares of prize and bounty money.

EXPENDITURE.-1st, Cloathing, victuals, necessaries of all kinds, and weekly allowance of money to the pensioners and nurses; together with salaries and allowances to the officers and clerks, and wages and allowances to cooks,

scullery

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