The whole edifice, which was built by the great Sir Christopher Wren, consists of a vast range of buildings. The front toward the north opens into a piece of ground laid out in walks for the pensioners; and that facing the south, into a garden which extends to the Thames, and is kept in good order. This side affords not only a view of that fine river, but of the county of Surry beyond it. In the center of this edifice is a pediment supported by four columns, over which is a handsome turret, and through this part is an opening which leads through the building. On one side of this entrance is the chapel, the furniture and plate of which was given by K. James I. and on the other side is the hall, where all the pensioners dine in common, the officers by themselves. In this hall is the picture of King Charles II. on horseback, with several other pieces as big as the life, designed by Signior Vario, and finished by Mr. Cook. These were presented by the Earl of Ranelagh. The pavement of both the chapel and hall are black and white marble. The altar piece in the chapel is the resurrection, painted by Sebastian Ricci. The wings, which extend east and west, join the chapel and hall to the north, and are open towards the Thames, on the south; these are near 360 feet in length, and about 80 in breadth, they are three stories high, and the rooms are so well disposed, and the air so happily thrown in by means of the open spaces, that nothing can be more pleasant. On the front of this square is a colonade extending along the side of the hall and chapel, over which upon the cornice is the following inscription in capitals. _In subsidium et levamen emeritorum senio, belloque fractorum, condidit_ CAROLUS II. _Auxit_ JACOBUS II. _Perfecere_ GULIELMUS _et_ MARIA, _REX ET REGINA_, MDCXC. And in the midst of the quadrangle is the statue of King Charles II. in the ancient Roman dress, somewhat bigger than the life, standing upon a marble pedestal. This was given by Mr. Tobias Rustat, and is said to have cost 500_l_. [Illustration: _North Front of Chelsea Hospital._ ] [Illustration: _South Front of the Same._ _S. Wale delin._ _J. Green sc. Oxon._ ] There are several other buildings adjoining, that form two other large squares, and consist of apartments for the officers and servants of the house; for old maimed officers of horse and foot, and the infirmary for the sick. None of these are shewn in the two views we have given, which only represent the two principal fronts of the hospital.