It ought to be added that the Prince had already presided at a festival of the "Railway Benevolent Association," where he spoke with equal warmth and sympathy for all classes of railway servants. There are now other institutions with similar objects, partly provident and partly benevolent, and it is an excellent kind of charity. The directors of companies do their part, and, where there is any just cause, can be made to do more, under the Employers' Liability Act. For unavoidable accidents the men themselves contribute their money, on the principle of mutual insurance, but there is need also for more of the benevolent gifts of those who travel by rail.
CONVALESCENT HOME AT SWANLEY.
July 13th, 1885.
On the 8th of July, 1872, the Prince of Wales, as President of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, formally opened a new Convalescent Home, in connection with that Hospital. This was an institution much needed at the time, and its advantages had long been urged on the Governors by Mr. Foster White, the Treasurer. At several existing Homes, such as at Walton-on-Thames, and Bognor, patients from St. Bartholomew's had been received, but it was desirable to have an establishment of its own, and conducted by its own officers. The carrying out of this scheme would require large expenditure, and a suitable building could not be provided for a considerable time. A temporary home was obtained at Highgate, through the generous munificence of Sir Sydney Waterlow, one of the Governors of the Hospital. He presented as a free gift the lease, for several years, of Lauderdale House, a mansion with many historical associations, somewhat old, but with every convenience for use as a temporary home for convalescent patients, and so it continued for thirteen years. On the 13th of July, 1885, the Prince, accompanied by the Princess of Wales, and the Princesses Louise, Victoria, and Maude, visited Swanley, in Kent, to open the permanent Home, erected through the generosity of Mr. Charles T. Kettlewell, one of the Governors of the Hospital. It is a spacious building, with accommodation for forty-five male and twenty-five female patients, standing in the middle of beautiful grounds, comprising an area of fifteen acres.
Their Royal Highnesses having taken their places on the daïs at the end of a tent, Sir Sydney Waterlow, who had for several years given the use of Lauderdale House at Highgate, read an address, which gave a summary of the facts relating to the new institution. Besides the gift of £15,000 by Mr. Kettlewell for the building, an anonymous donor, a governor of the Hospital, contributed £500 for the site; Mr. Homan, another governor, and Mrs. Homan had built a chapel and provided its furniture and communion plate; and Sir James Tyler had given an organ to the chapel, and built the lodge at the entrance of the grounds.
Sir Sydney having finished his address, the Prince of Wales said:—
"Sir Sydney Waterlow, Ladies, and Gentlemen,—You have given us a most interesting account of the history of the institution you wish me to open. I can only say on behalf of the Princess of Wales and myself that we are extremely happy to have an opportunity of assisting at the inauguration of an institution such as this, where the patients ought to feel very grateful for the manner in which every plan for their comfort has been carried out through the munificence of Mr. Kettlewell. Nothing can be of greater importance than that convalescent homes such as this should exist, especially in connection with large hospitals such as St. Bartholomew's. The spot now chosen, with its healthy aspect and beautiful scenery, will, I am sure, meet all requirements. It affords me great pleasure to be here to-day, and I feel proud to be the president of such an institution as St. Bartholomew's, and to be able to assist Sir Sydney Waterlow, who takes such interest in, and devotes so much of his time and energies to, the prosperity of the hospital. I have great satisfaction in declaring the home to be now open."
The ceremony over, the Rev. S. Kettlewell, who had offered the dedicatory prayer, and his son, Mr. C. T. Kettlewell, donor of the building, were presented to the Prince of Wales by Sir Sydney Waterlow. Before leaving, the Royal party visited the home, and also inspected the adjacent laundry buildings which have been erected for use as a washing establishment for St. Bartholomew's Hospital.