The boys are cloathed in blue coats, with petticoats of the same colour, yellow stockings, and bonnets instead of hats. And on their being put out apprentice, they have 10l. given with each.
The edifice is concealed by the contiguous houses, and cannot be seen entire. It is spacious, and though built in the old manner, is not ill contrived. The principal buildings form the four sides of a large area, which have porticoes continued round them. These have Gothic arches, and the walls are supported by abutments. The front of the building is, however, more modern than the rest, and has Doric pilasters supported on pedestals.
Among the ancient buildings that still remain, is an old cloister, which was a part of the priory. This was repaired by the direction of Sir Christopher Wren, and serves both for a thoroughfare, and place of recreation for the boys, especially in rainy weather.
The writing school is, however, a neat modern edifice, built with brick and stone in the year 1694, at the end of the great hall. It was founded by Sir John Moore, one of the Aldermen of the city, and President of the house, whom it is said to have cost 5000l. It contains long writing boards sufficient for 300 boys to sit and write upon, and at the upper end of the room is Sir John’s statue in white marble.
The inner distribution of the rooms and wards is very good. There is a spacious hall built at the expence of Sir John Fenwick after the fire of London, in which the boys dine and sup. At the upper end of this room is a large picture representing King James II. sitting with his Nobles, the Governors, &c. with the half figures of King Edward VI. and Charles II. hanging as pictures in the same piece. There is also a piece representing the mathematical school done by Vario, and reckoned worth 1000l. At the other end is a large piece representing King Edward VI. delivering the charter to the Lord Mayor, who kneels, with the Aldermen behind him; the young King is accompanied by Bishop Ridley and several others, who stand about him. Here also is a fine piece of the pool of Bethesda, which is very large, and painted in a masterly stile by Mr. Hogarth. In this hall there is likewise a good organ, which plays on Sundays, when the boys sing psalms and anthems.
A great room where the Governors meet, is also adorned with the pictures of the royal founder, and of all the chief benefactors.
Christ’s-Church Hospital.
S. Wale delin. J. Taylor sc.
There are eight wards for the children’s beds; that of the girls is separated from the rest; and there is also a ward for the sick. Each of the masters have 100l. a year, and the grammar master an additional salary of 20l. for catechising the boys, and his usher has 50l. a year; in short, 12 or 1300l. a year is expended in salaries to the officers, clerks, and servants; and the sum expended for the support of the hospital, amounts to between 11 and 12,000l. a year. To defray this expence, the hospital has a great annual revenue in houses and lands; the benefit of licensing and looking after the 420 carts allowed in the city, each of which pays a certain sum for sealing. The hospital has likewise a duty of about three farthings upon every piece of cloth brought to Blackwell hall, where clerks are kept to receive it. The Governors, amount to about three hundred, and these chuse their officers and servants, both men and women, and also the President and Treasurer.
The building of this hospital is partly Gothic and partly modern, being built at various times, and has very little regularity. That part represented in the print belongs to the mathematical school, and is in Gray Friars. The niche contains a statue of Charles II. in the royal robes, which, considering the difficulty the statuary had to encounter, is a very good one. At a distance is the steeple and part of the front of the church, which was rebuilt, after being burnt down by the fire of London, by Sir Christopher Wren.