North Front of Chelsea Hospital.
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.
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 150,000l. 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 500l. a year; the Lieutenant Governor 250l. and the Major 150l. Thirty-six officers are allowed 6d. a day; thirty-four light horsemen, and thirty serjeants, have 2s. a week each; forty-eight corporals and drums have 10d. per week; and three hundred and thirty-six private men, are each allowed 8d. 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 100l. a year. The physician, secretary, comptroller, deputy treasurer, steward, and surgeon, have also each 100l. 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 7l. 12s. 6d. 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.