MORDEN COLLEGE, on the east side of Blackheath, for the support of poor decayed and honest merchants, was erected by Sir John Morden, Bart. a Turky merchant, several years before his death, which happened in the year 1708. It consists of a large brick building, with two small wings, strengthened at the corners with stone rustic. The principal entrance, which is in the center, is decorated with Doric columns, festoons, and a pediment on the top, over which rises a turret, with a dial; and from the dome, which is supported by scrolls, rises a ball and fane. To this entrance there is an ascent by a flight of circular steps; and having ascended them, and passed through this part of the building, we enter an inner square, surrounded with piazzas. The chapel is neatly wainscoted, and has a costly altar-piece. This structure Sir John erected at a small distance from his own habitation, in a place called Great Stone Field, and endowed it, after his Lady’s decease, with his whole real, copyhold, and personal estate, to the value of about 1300_l._ _per annum_. The founder of this noble charity placed in this hospital twelve decayed Turky merchants in his life time; but after his decease, the Lady Morden, finding that the share allotted her by Sir John’s last will was insufficient for her decent support, some parts of the estate not answering so well as was expected, she was obliged to reduce the number to four. But upon her death the whole estate coming to the college, the number was increased, and there are at this time thirty-five poor gentlemen; and, the number not being limited, it is to be increased as the estate will afford; for the building will conveniently hold forty. The Treasurer, who receives the rents and revenues, and keeps the books of the accounts and disbursements of the college, has 40_l._ a year; and the Chaplain, who reads prayers twice a day, and preaches twice every Sunday, had at first a salary of 30_l._ _per annum_, which the Lady Morden doubled at her death. She was, in other respects, a benefactress of the college, and, as she put up her husband’s statue in a niche, over the gate, the trustees put up her’s in another niche, adjoining to that of her husband. The pensioners have each 20_l._ a year, and at first wore gowns, with the founder’s badge; but this badge has not been worn for some years. They have a common table in the hall to eat and drink together at meals; and each has a convenient apartment, with a cellar. The Treasurer, Chaplain, and Pensioners, are obliged to reside in the college; and, except in case of sickness, no other persons are to reside, live, or lodge there; but no person can be admitted as a pensioner, who cannot bring a certificate to prove his being upwards of sixty years of age.