Providence, to the Duke of York; he was the founder of this Institution, and by his recommendations and exertions, it was begun and completed. Many of you will remember this good Friend who is now taken from us. A few months ago you beheld him walk through your ranks; you saw in his counte→ nance the pleasure he felt, from witnessing the healthy and creditable appearance of so many children of British Soldiers. I exhort you to hold his memory in your hearts and affections; shew your gratitude by improving the advantages he has given to you, in this Asylum; and by doing your duty towards God and man, when you go forth into the world.

Let us, brethren, who are more advanced in years, show our gratitude, by copying the example, which this first Prince of the empire has set before us, in the just and faithful administration of his high office.

The following elegant tribute to the memory of His Royal Highness, is from the pen of Dr. Veitch, Physician to the Chelsea Dispensary:

"The knowledge which his late Royal Highness possessed of human nature, and of what was becoming the character of British soldiers, induced him to impress on their minds a system of discipline, at once correct, and conveying lofty feelings; so that men thus trained were at all times ready to prefer death to subjugation. We may here with truth say, that to the love of his Country and the Army, he has prematurely fallen a victim. No self-gratification, no pleasures, were ever by him allowed to interfere with the duties he owed to the Army and his Country. However late his hour of going to rest, he was invariably the first man at his post in the morning. We find individuals who are distinguished as Statesmen, as Admirals, as Generals, but who are without the smallest pretensions to true greatness, because their talents and their courage are not blended with the chivalrous, the gallant, and finer inspirations flowing from the heart. Such men are generally anxious enough that their own services should be appreciated by their Sovereign, while they overlook what they owe to others who have mainly contributed to their fame and to their fortune. The late illustrious Duke had no such narrowness; his soul was surrounded with generous and delicate attributes, rendering all periods of his splendid career

utterly inaccessible to deeds of darkness, and also ever ready to expand to the light of truth, to the claims of justice and of humanity; and he is therefore eminently entitled to the character of a great Man; because his high attainments in Military Affairs were combined with an exalted and refined sense of courage and of honor." Lieutenant-Colonel George Williamson, the first Commandant of the Royal Military Asylum, died September 6, 1812, and his remains were interred in the Burying-ground of the Royal Hospital, on the 11th of that month.

In consequence of the respect in which his memory was held by his Royal Highness the Commander in Chief and the Commissioners of the Asylum, it was determined that he should be honoured with a military funeral; and his body was followed to the grave by the abovementioned royal and illustrious personages. The procession was received, at the front entrance of the Royal Hospital, by the Officers of that establishment, and conducted by the Chaplains to the Chapel, where the funeral service was read by the Rev. George Clark, and several psalms were also sung by the children. The body was then carried to the Burying-ground in the same order, and the remaining part of the ceremony performed; the Duke of York, the Commissioners, Officers, and Children of the Institution, surrounding the grave. The whole was conducted with the greatest order and solemnity, and presented an awful and impressive scene. Since the erection of the Chapel, a handsome monument has been placed therein to the memory of this meritorious officer.

About the year 1810, part of the glebe opposite to the Royal Military Asylum was purchased, under the authority of an Act of Parliament, for the use of this Institution; and other land, at Merton, in Surrey, was bought with the money, as glebe to the rectory of Chelsea.

In concluding this brief description of the Royal Military Asylum, it may justly be observed, that the contemplation of such a noble fabric as this, is calculated to excite the liveliest emotions of gratitude towards those

illustrious personages, under whose immediate patronage it was planned and completed.

To the soldier it must continually afford the most pleasing prospects for the comfort and support of his infant children, and it will induce him to serve, if possible, with greater confidence and energy; at least, it will incite him to enter the field against the enemies of his King and Country, with a full and complete assurance that, if he falls in battle, his family will never feel the pangs of misery, famine, or want. There indeed

can exist but one opinion of the utility and necessity of such an Institution as the Royal Military Asylum for the Children of Soldiers of the Regular Army; which appears to have entirely realized the benevolent intentions of its original projectors.

Proceeding Northwards, across the King's Road, we arrive at Blacklands Lane. Here is situated Blacklands House, formerly inhabited by Lord Cheyne, Viscount Newhaven.' This old mansion is now used as a receptacle for insane persons.

Whitelands, a large and spacious old mansion, is now in the occupation of Messrs. Hinchliffe and Co. as a Stained-paper Factory. It was for some time in the possession of Messrs. Eckhardts, who first established it, in partnership with Mr. Woodmason, in the year 1786.

In 1791, Mr. A. G. Eckhardt, F.R.S. and his brother Mr. Frederick Eckhardt, natives of Holland, well known in this country for their ingenious inventions, established at Whitelands House a new and beautiful manufactory of painted silk, varnished linen, cloth, paper, &c. for the hangings and furniture of rooms; the paper, silk, leather, &c. was for the most part stamped, some of the pieces were very highly finished by hand. The linen was painted entirely by hand, and done by girls from eight or nine to fourteen years of age; above forty of these had constant employ, and worked in a room, kept in a proBowack's Antiquities of Middlesex, p. 16.