Though the great fire of London in 1666 spared this hospital, it destroyed a great part of its possessions, and two others which happened a few years after in Southwark added to the distress. By these accidents the hospital of St. Thomas was almost reduced to ruin. The building was old, and wanted great repairs, and the funds that should have supported it were exhausted; but the benevolence of the principal persons in the city interposed for its preservation; the governors in 1699 set on foot a voluntary subscription, which they opened by large donations from themselves and their friends, and the public followed the example. The building was begun upon a larger and more commodious plan, and erected at different times by the assistance of different benefactors, till it became entirely completed, and consists in the whole of three quadrangles or square courts. Next the street is a handsome pair of large iron gates, with a door of the same work on each side for the convenience of foot passengers. These are fastened on the sides to a stone pier, on each of which is a statue representing one of the patients. These gates open into a very neat square court, encompassed on three sides with a colonade, surrounded with benches next the wall, for people to sit down. On the south under an empty niche is the following inscription, This building on the south side of this court, containing three wards, was erected at the charge of THOMAS FREDERICK of London, Esq; a worthy governor and liberal benefactor to this hospital, _Anno 1708_. Under the same kind of niche on the opposite side is this inscription, This building on the north side of this court, containing three wards, was erected at the charge of THOMAS GUY, Esq; Citizen and Stationer of London, a worthy governor and bountiful benefactor to this hospital, _Anno 1707_. The centre of the principal front, which is on the west side, facing the street, is of stone. On the top is a clock under a small circular pediment, and beneath that a niche with a statue of Edward VI. holding a gilt sceptre in his right hand, and the charter in his left. A little lower in niches on each side is a man with a crutch, and a sick woman: and under them, in other niches, a man with a wooden leg, and a woman with her arm in a sling: over the niches are festoons, and between the last mentioned figures the King’s arms in relievo. Under which is the following inscription, KING EDWARD the SIXTH, of pious memory, in the year of our Lord 1552 founded and endowed this HOSPITAL of St. THOMAS the Apostle, _together with the Hospital of Christ and Bridewell in London_.