London (England) -- Description and travel; London (England) -- History -- 18th century
This hospital is built about a large quadrangle, with a cloister or
piazza on the inside of it, which is said to be part of the monastery of
the Grey Friars; but most part of the house has been rebuilt since the
Fire, and consists of a large hall, and the several schools and
dormitories for the children; besides which there is a fine house at
Hertford, and another at Ware, twenty miles from London, whither the
youngest orphans are usually sent, and taught to read, before they are
fixed at London.
The College of Physicians is situated on the west side of Warwick Lane.
It is a beautiful and magnificent edifice, built by the society anno
1682, their former college in Amen Corner having been destroyed by the
Fire. It is built of brick and stone, having a fine frontispiece, with a
handsome doorcase, within which is a lofty cupola erected on strong
pillars, on the top whereof is a large pyramid, and on its vertex a crown
and gilded ball. Passing under the cupola we come into a quadrangular
court, the opposite side whereof is adorned with eight pilasters below
and eight above, with their entablature and a triangular pediment; over
the doorcase is the figure of King Charles II. placed in a niche and
between the door and the lower architrave the following inscription,
viz.:—
VTRIVSQVE FORTVNÆ EXEMPLAR INGENS ADVERSIS REBVS DEVM PROBAVIT PROSPERIS
SEIPSVM COLLEGIJ HVJUSCE, 1682.
The apartments within consist of a hall, where advice is given to the
poor gratis; a committee-room, a library, another great hall, where the
doctors meet once a quarter, which is beautifully wainscoted, carved, and
adorned with fretwork. Here are the pictures of Dr. Harvey, who first
discovered the circulation of the blood, and other benefactors, and
northward from this, over the library, is the censor’s room.
The theatre under the cupola at the entrance is furnished with six
degrees of circular wainscot seats, one above the other, and in the pit
is a table and three seats, one for the president, a second for the
operator, and a third for the lecturer; and here the anatomy lectures are
performed. In the preparing room are thirteen tables of the muscles in a
human body, each muscle in its proper position.
This society is a body-corporate for the practice of physic within
London, and several miles about it. The president and censors are chosen
annually at Michaelmas. None can practise physic, though they have taken
their degrees, without their license, within the limits aforesaid; and
they have a power to search all apothecaries’ shops, and to destroy
unwholesome medicines.
By the charter of King Charles II. this college was to consist of a
president, four censors, ten elects, and twenty-six fellows; the censors
to be chosen out of the fellows, and the president out of the elects.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account