The million-peopled city
Garwood, John
1853
The Interest of William the Third and Fourth in the College.
" The expulsion of the house of Stuart produced no in- jurious effect upon the fortunes of . The project had been from the first approved of by the country, and , himself a soldier, was not disposed to stop short in an undertaking which had for its object the comfort of his soldiers' latter days. On the contrary, he sanctioned a still farther increase to the building, pressed it forward till it was completed, issued an order for the filling up of all vacancies in the establishment, and signed a warrant in favour of , , and , giving them authority 'to settle and ascertain the proportions and kinds of victuals they should judge most convenient for the said persons; to make contracts for the same and for clothing; to nominate and put in such under- officers as are wanting; and to propose rules, orders, and regulations.' This was followed by a new grant of 'one day's pay yearly out of the payments to be made to the guards, garrisons, and land forces, to be applied towards the building and furnishing the near , and towards the better maintenance of such superannuated and disabled officers and soldiers as should be provided therein;' while the original donation was put upon a more | |
138 | certain footing, 12,000l. a-year being allotted in lieu of the fraction of the poundage of army-pay which had secured to the Hospital." [1] |
The three-cornered hat of the time of . is still worn by the in-pensioners. The very colour of the red coat which is the Sunday livery of the old men, and the cut of the blue coat which is reserved for every day wear, remind us also of the same age. The inscription in the front of the College shows that it was completed in that reign. It runs thus,- | |
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The decorations of the chapel, presented by ., were, on the accession of ., superseded by new decorations, presented on that occasion by his late Majesty, and which still continue in use. | |
Footnotes: [1] Gleig's " Chelsea Hospital," pp. 25-29. |