old. They were baptized the ensuing Sunday; when two were honoured with the names of Thomas and Eunice Coram; others, of robust frames, and apparently calculated for future seamen, were called Drake, Blake, and Norris.

The first stone of the new Hospital was laid in 1742, by John Milner, Esq. Vice-President of the Corporation, when a copper plate, secured between two pieces of milled lead, was deposited in a cavity: the plate is thus inscribed:

"The foundation of this Hospital, for the relief of exposed and deserted young children, was laid 16th September, 16 George II. 1742."

The first stone of the Chapel contains the following inscription:

"The foundation of this Chapel was laid the 1st of May, A. D. 1747, and in the 20th year of his inost sacred Majesty King George II."*

It is not requisite to trace the means and the progress of the funds of this admirable Charity: and its objects are already suffi. ciently indicated. It only remains that I attempt a description of the present building, in which the reader will be assisted by the annexed engraving.

THE FOUNDLING HOSPITAL is composed of two wings, constructed of brick, in a plain and regular manner; these are ornamented by piazzas. The Chapel forms a centre, joined to the wings by arches.

The building is hidden in a great measure from the public view by the high wall in Guildford Street. The gate, however, of Grecian architecture, has a very handsome appearance; and the surrounding trees, and adjoining Square, give the whole place a delightful appearance.

There

Malcolm's "Anecdotes of the Manners and Customs of London during the Eighteenth Century," p. 10.

Here are good gardens, and a play-ground for the children. Before the Hospital is a large area, on each side of which are enclosed colonnades, where the children are instructed and employed. The gates admit carriages so as not to interrupt each other; and there are portals for foot-passengers. The area is adorned with grass-plots and gravel-walks, and is well lighted with lamps.

The interior, both of the house and chapel, are richly decorated with several excellent paintings, the gifts of artists and others friendly to the charity. Here are some of Hogarth's best pictures in the serious style: the altar-piece, in the chapel, i a fine painting, by West, of "Suffer Little Children, &c." The windows have the armorial bearings of the principal benefactors, in stained glass. Hogarth's March to Finchley, an original painting, is over the chimney, in one of the rooms. There is also a very curious basso-relievo, by Rysbrack, representing children employed in husbandry and navigation. Many of the most respectable hospitals in and about London are delineated by Wilson, Wale, Gainsborough, &c. fixed in small circular frames.

The interior of the Chapel is not only very handsome, but substantial; its chief ornaments are, nevertheless, the order, cleanliness, and healthy appearance of the hundreds of children that fill the western gallery, during divine service, which is enlivened by the vocal powers of some truly excellent and scientific singers. The preachers at the Foundling Hospital are also chosen from among the most eloquent and learned the church of England has to boast; and perhaps no national church had ever a more respectable, learned, or moral body of clergy than those of our own church and our own time.

The Welsh Charity School, in Gray's Inn Lane, naturally excites our attention in the next place. This was established in 1718, for the reception, maintenance, education, and apprenticing poor children of Welsh parents, born in and near London, and who have no settlement. The origin of the Society, called PART III. CONTIN. 2 Z "The

"The Most Honourable and Royal Society of Ancient Britous," was, on the 1st of March,* 1714, being the birth-day of her Royal Highness Caroline, then Princess of Wales, which fortunately happened to be St. David's Day, the titular saint of the Principality. The School was originally held at the Hat, in Shire Lane, and afterwards on Clerkenwell Green. The expence of the purchase, &c. of the present commodious premises amounted to 3,6957. 18s. 11d. and they are sufficient to accommodate one hundred children. Upwards of 1700l. per annum are expended in supporting the School.+

The house contains some curious valuable MSS. relating to the history of the Ancient Britons; particularly an accurate copy of the Laws of Howel Dha.

Not far distant from the School is Providence Chapel, erected after the one was burnt in Titchfield Street, belonging to the same people, or rather to the same person, the late Mr. Huntingdon, S. S. [Sinner Saved, commonly called, both by himself and others, The Coal Heaver. This is a very large and commodious building, but almost as destitute of ornament as was the preaching of its late minister. The congregation consists of highlywrought Calvinists, approaching, indeed, to absolute Antinomians. At the top of Gray's Inn Lane is Chad's Well Bath, now nearly deserted, and, indeed, not worth a description.‡

Near

Mr. Malcolm, "Anecdotes, &c. of the Eighteenth Century," p. 12, note, says, February, 1715. Sir Thomas Jones, their first treasurer and secretary, who published his Account of the Rise and Progress of this Society in 1717, is, however, better authority; and him I have followed, as eited in Pietas Londinensis, p. 906.

+ Honest Mr. Pennant, to whom both myself, and all other historians of London, whether they acknowledge it or not, have been under infinite obligation, had intended the profits of his great work on British Zoology for the benefit of this School; but the great expences attendant on the undertaking frustrated that design, and he afterwards gave 100l. which he had received from Mr. White, the bookseller, for the 8vo. edition.-Lysons, Vol. III. p. 330.

The reader, however, may look into Lysons's Environs, where he will find all that can be known on the subject.