WHITELANDS TRAINING INSTITUTION.
The old house now attached to these extensive premises was for many years a boarding school, conducted by the Misses Babington. Previous to that period it had no doubt been a scholastic establishment for young ladies, as I find that a discourse was delivered here, about 1772, by the Rev. John Jenkins, A.M., on Female Education and Christian Fortitude under Affliction.
In the year 1842 the house and grounds were taken on a long lease by the National Society, and in 1850 a public meeting was held in London to raise funds for the erection of the present buildings.
The Institution provides for the education, maintenance, and training of more than 100 young women, between the ages of 18 and 25, who purpose to become teachers of National Schools; and, secondly, for the daily instruction of children of the neighbourhood, in four schools.
In one of these schools the charge of 10s. per quarter is made. It is attended by children whose parents would not wish to send them to the National Schools.
The vast improvements which are everywhere conspicuous throughout the length of the King’s Road, as regards that portion of it which is within the boundaries of Chelsea, are far more numerous than in any other road in the metropolis. At the eastern and western extremities of the parish, there are Railway Stations, then there are the steamboats, besides these there are the omnibuses traversing the road every quarter of an hour. What a contrast does the King’s Road now present when compared with what it was at the commencement of this century!
I now return to the bank of the Thames, passing through Flood Street, proceeding eastward along Queen’s Road West, (formerly called Paradise Row,) the residence of many of the Nobility and Gentry in the “Olden Times.”
Queen’s Road West.
In the year 1664, Mr. James Hamilton, probably by order of the Lord of the Manor, made a survey of this parish. It was further continued, till the year 1715, by the Rev. Dr. King, the rector, to whose labours this work is much indebted.
From Hamilton’s survey, it appears that the Earl of Radnor resided in Paradise Row, [177] adjoining Robinson’s Lane. He entertained his Majesty King Charles II. most sumptuously on the 4th of September, 1660, at this house. When the above survey was taken, his relict, Lady Radnor, was in possession of the premises. There are in the Parish Register several entries of baptisms and deaths of this family. Lord Radnor died at this house July 17, 1685, and Lady Radnor, his second wife, who survived him, resided at Chelsea till her death in 1714. His son, Francis, by his second wife, who was a gentleman of general learning and good abilities, was buried at Chelsea.