Sir Robert Atkyns, either Chief Baron of the Exchequer, or his son, the historian of Gloucestershire, appears by the Parish Books to have resided in Chelsea in 1684.
Sir Robert Atkyns, K.B., was Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer under William III., which office he held with distinguished ability and integrity. This gentleman, by his influence, promoted the Revolution, and by his pen defended it in tracts replete with legal knowledge.
The Hon. Colonel Rieutort died at his house, Chelsea, on the 24th January, 1725–6, in his 66th year. He was born of a good family, at Montpelier, in France, where he early bore arms; and, having left his native country, on account of the Protestant religion, he attended William III. in the wars of Ireland. He afterwards served the Crown of Great Britain in Piedmont; and in 1703 assisted Count de Frise in the vigorous defence of Landau, then besieged by the French. In 1704, he went into Portugal with the Earl of Galway, who sent him to the relief of the Prince of Hesse, then closely beset in Gibraltar, where he contributed very much to the preservation of that important place. He was interred in Chelsea Church.
THE CANCER HOSPITAL.
This hospital is situated in the Fulham Road, almost facing the Consumption Hospital. The ceremony of laying the foundation stone was performed on Monday, May 30, 1859, by Miss Burdett Coutts, in the presence of a very numerous and respectable company, including Dr. Tait, Bishop of London, Archdeacon Sinclair, Rev. D. Coleridge, Rev. J. B. Owen, the Rev. Fathers Ballard and Bagshawe, Priests of the Oratory, at Brompton, &c.
The Rev. Thomas Pearson commenced the proceedings with prayer, after which the Bishop of London addressed the assemblage, and said they were met to lay the foundation stone of a most excellent institution, destined to bestow great blessings on a large portion of the community—a house for the reception of persons afflicted with a most painful disease, demanding the greatest sympathy from all friends of humanity. His Lordship, at the close of his address, prayed for its permanency and success.
Miss Coutts having deposited the bottle, with the usual contents, in a cavity in the lower stone and spread the mortar, the upper stone was duly lowered into its place, after which Miss Coutts gave the customary knocks and declared the stone duly laid.
The Rev. J. B. Owen next addressed the assembly, after which John Abel Smith, Esq., proposed thanks to Miss Coutts for having done them the honour of laying the foundation stone of the hospital. The Bishop of London said that he had been requested by Miss Coutts to acknowledge the compliment paid her, and to assure them that she should continue to take the greatest interest in the prosperity of the Institution.
The building has a frontage of 130 ft. and a depth of 50 ft., surrounded by an area of 10 ft., securing to the building the means of convenient external communication and ventilation. It is constructed of plain white Suffolk bricks, relieved with bands of red brick, keystones, and cornices of stone dressing. The lower story contains the kitchens, larders, and the rooms for the out-patients. The principal ground floor is approached by a flight of steps, and this contains the hall and a handsome staircase of stone, apartments for the house-surgeon and medical officers, and wards for patients. Apparatus for heating and ventilating the building is provided—everything, in short, that is calculated to add to the comforts and assist the recovery of the patients. On the first story are the wards. In the males it appears this direful disease shows itself more frequently in the face, lip, and tongue, and among some of them in the breast. Of the females nearly five-sixths suffer in the breast.
The building, in all its details, has been open about six years. It was erected from the design of David Mocatta, Esq., by Messrs. Lawrence, at a cost of £7,000. William Marsden, M.D. was the founder.