others, who had strengthened the Lord Treasurer's recommendation, to be Governors, for the better managing and settling the new foundation. The project originated, it is said, with that prince of benefactors Sir Robert Clayton, knight, who took a seasonable opportunity of recommending the subject to the notice of the Lord Treasurer, and he to the King.

King Charles endowed the Mathematical School with 1000l. for seven years, and an annuity of 370l. 10s. payable out of the Exchequer, for the express purpose of educating and placing out yearly ten boys in the sea service. Five of them pass an examination before the Elder Brethren of the Corporation of the Trinity every six months, previous to their entering the naval profession.

These boys were annually presented by the President to the King upon New Year's Day, when that festival was observed at Court, and afterwards upon the Queen's birth-day; but the practice was discontinued at the commencement of his late Majesty's last lamentable illness. They wear a badge upon the left shoulder, the figures upon which represent Arithmetic, with a scroll in one hand, and the other placed upon a boy's head; Geometry with a triangle in her hand; and Astronomy with a quadrant in one hand and a sphere in the other. Round the plate is inscribed, "Auspicio Caroli Secundi Regis, 1673." The dye is kept in the Tower.

This instance of Royal munificence came most opportunely for the Hospital, which had suffered grievously by the Fire of London in 1666; and, as in the case of the original grant, was followed by corresponding acts among the wealthy citizens.

In case the foundation of King Charles should fail of producing the stipulated number, Mr. Stone, a Governor, left a legacy for the maintenance of twelve boys, who are to be taught Navigation, &c. the same as the King's boys. This has, by subsequent arrangements, been made an introductory step to King Charles's foundation. The boys are distinguished from the King's boys by wearing the badge upon the right shoulder instead of the left, as worn by the others; and the foundation is called the Twelves on account of its number.

The building of the south front (the most uniform part) of the Hospital was undertaken about this period, the whole expence of which was borne by Sir Robert Clayton, knight. The building was under the superintendance of Mr. Thomas Firmin, a gentleman whose charitable disposition was so well known, that various sums of money were entrusted to his disposal by persons who wished their names to remain concealed. The following anecdote is related by the Historians of London as the immediate cause of this magnificent

structure:

Sir Robert Clayton, in the year 1675, had a very severe fit of illness, and, upon his recovery, was

fully impressed with the necessity of making some acknowledgments to Almighty God for his late merciful goodness towards him. Mr. Firmin, an intimate friend of the Knight's, was consulted upon the subject, who proposed that something should be done for Christ's Hospital, which, since the Fire of London, had been left in its ruins. The expence was estimated at 5000l. which was to be borne jointly by Sir Robert and Mr. Morice his partner; and Mr. Firmin had a strict injunction laid upon him to keep concealed the names of the benefactors. Further improvements were afterwards projected, and in part adopted, which nearly doubled the original estimate; and Mr. Morice dying in the interval, the whole expence fell upon Sir Robert.

About this time the political factions in the City caused a great ferment in the public mind, and party spirit ran so high, that it ended in the loss of their charter, and the removal of this public-spirited Magistrate from the government of the Hospital as well as the City. This it was that called forth the manly zeal of Mr. Firmin, who took an opportunity of letting the remaining Governors know, that he whom they had displaced was the very man that had borne the expence of the improvements which had for some years been carrying on in the Hospital; and that, had not this act of ingratitude been committed, his name had for ever remained concealed.

In 1680 Sir John Frederick, knight, at that time President, caused a Survey to be taken of the building called the Great Hall, when it was found in so ruinous a condition from the effects of the late fire, that he ordered it to be pulled down, and re-built it at his own expence. The sum is said to have exceeded 50002.

In 1683 the revenues of the Hospital enabled the Governors to erect a handsome building in the town of Hertford, which consists of three sides of a quadrangle, with the addition of a square building erected in 1800 at the north-west angle of the original edifice, containing a Hall 100 feet long by 40 wide; there is besides a lofty and airy Infirmary.

The Hertford establishment is confined to the younger children, among whom the much-approved system of Dr. Bell has been introduced. The eighty girls belonging to this foundation are likewise kept there, and are taught (besides reading, writing, and arithmetic) all kinds of plain needle-work, and to knit the boys' stockings. The establishment, when full, contains 400, which, added to those in London, makes a total of 1150, including the 80 girls; but there is no limitation as to the number, which varies according to the revenues of the Hospital.

In 1694 Sir John Moore, Knt. and Alderman, added greatly to the beauty and utility of the Hospital by the foundation of the Writing-school.

In 1724 Samuel Travers, esq. gave the residue

of his estate by will to the Hospital, for the maintenance of as many sons of Lieutenants in the Navy as the income would support, which is between 40 and 50.

In 1780, John Stock, esq. by will bequeathed 3000l. to the Hospital, for the support and maintenance of four boys, two of whom are to be taught Navigation, and the other two to be brought up to Trades. The regulations will be best understood by the following extract from the will of Mr. Stock:

"Also I give to the President, Treasurer, and Governors of Christ's Hospital, London, the sum of 3000l. 3 per cents. Consolidated Annuities, to be paid to them by my executors within one year or eighteen calendar months next after my decease; but nevertheless, the said 3000l. is so given for the uses following: that is to say, that the interest and dividends arising therefrom be paid and applied upon the trusts, terms, and conditions following; that the President, Treasurer, and Governors of Christ's Hospital aforesaid, or a Committee of them, do or shall, within six or nine calendar months next after my decease, make and enter into an agreement in writing with my executors and residuary legatees (and which they have promised and agreed with me in writing to do, in consequence of a proposal made by me to them, and since approved by a General Court,) to accept, have, and take, and do accordingly take