London and Its Environs Described, vol. 2 (of 6): Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round ItAnonymous
History
London and Its Environs Described, vol. 2 (of 6): Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round It
Anonymous
London (England) -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; London (England) -- Gazetteers -- Early works to 1800
An air of neatness and elegance is observable in all these buildings.
They are composed of brick and stone, and which way soever they are
viewed, there appears such a disposition of the parts as is best
suited to the purposes of the charity, the reception of a great
number, and the providing them with every thing that can contribute to
the convenience and pleasure of the pensioners.
Chelsea Hospital is more particularly remarkable for its great
regularity and proper subordination of parts, which is very apparent
in the north front. The middle is very principal, and the transition
from thence to the extremities, is very easy and delightful.
The expence of erecting these buildings is computed to amount to
150,000_l._ and the extent of the ground is above forty acres.
In the wings are sixteen wards, in which are accommodations for above
400 men, and there are besides in the other buildings, a considerable
number of apartments for officers and servants.
These pensioners consist of superannuated veterans, who have been at
least twenty years in the army; or those soldiers who are disabled in
the service of the crown. They wear red coats lined with blue, and are
provided with all other cloaths, diet, washing, and lodging. The
Governor has 500_l._ a year; the Lieutenant Governor 250_l._ and the
Major 150_l._ Thirty-six officers are allowed 6_d_. a day; thirty-four
light horsemen, and thirty serjeants, have 2_s._ a week each;
forty-eight corporals and drums have 10_d_. per week; and three
hundred and thirty-six private men, are each allowed 8_d_. a week. As
the house is called a garrison, all the members are obliged to do duty
in their respective turns; and they have prayers twice a day in the
chapel, performed by two chaplains, who have each a salary of 100_l._
a year. The physician, secretary, comptroller, deputy treasurer,
steward, and surgeon, have also each 100_l._ _per annum_, and many
other officers have considerable salaries. As to the out-pensioners,
who amount to between eight and nine thousand, they have each 7_l._
12_s._ 6_d_. a year.
These great expences are supported by a poundage deduced out of the
pay of the army, with one day’s pay once a year from each officer and
common soldier; and when there is any deficiency, it is supplied by a
sum raised by parliament. This hospital is governed by the following
commissioners; the President of the council, the first Commissioner of
the treasury, the Principal Secretary of state, the Pay master general
of the forces, the Secretary at war, the Comptrollers of the army, and
by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the hospital.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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