in early life, so conspicuous as a naturalist that he obtained the friendship and patronage of Boyle and Ray. He visited the continent, and his pursuits were advanced by the friendly interest of many distinguished literary and professional characters. Shortly after his return to London he was elected a member of the Royal Society; and in 1687, he was chosen Fellow of the College of Physicians. He visited Jamaica as Physician in the suite of the Duke of Albemarle; and still, in every travel, he was attentive to the cultivation of natural history. On his return, he settled in his profession; at London, where he attained high eminence.

At different periods he was chosen Physician to Christ's Hos pital; was elected secretary to the Royal Society; and was admitted a foreign member of the Royal Academy at Paris. Shortly after the accession of George I. he was created a Baronet, being, as we believe, the first physician that ever attained that honour. At subsequent periods he filled the of fices of physician in ordinary to his Majesty (George II.) president of the College of Physicians, and President of the Royal Society. In this latter situation he immediately succeeded Sir Isaac Newton.

It was in January 1741, that he first began to remove to the manor house of Chelsea that fine library and truly valuable cabinet of natural curiosities, which he had been collecting through life, by the exercise of every opportunity, and with unlimited expense. In this village he passed the contented evening of an honourable life. But no spot could be, to à man so generally admired, and so easy of access, a perfect retirement. At Chelsea he was sought by the learned and inquisitive of his own and every other country; and all who approached found a cordial reception. Among the visitors at tracted by the celebrity of his museum, must be noticed the Prince and Princess of Wales, parents of his present Majesty. The particulars of this visit are honourable to each party :

"Dr.

"Dr. Mortimer, secretary to the Royal Society, conducted the Prince and Princess into the room, where Sir Hans was sitting, being ancient and infirm. The Prince took a chair, and sat down by the good old Gentleman some time; when he expressed the great esteem and value he had for him personally; and how much the learned world was obliged to him for having collected such a vast variety of curious books, and such immense treasures of the valuable and instructive productions of nature and art.”*

The manor house was well calculated for the disposal of such a large collection as that of Sir Hans Sloane. The chief Gallery was 110 feet in length, and the rooms were equally numerous and spacious. In his latter years this estimable man became so weak and infirm, as to be entirely confined to his house and gardens, through which he was sometimes wheeled in a chair. The circumstances attending the bequest of his collection to the nation, and the subsequent disposal of this treasure in Montague House (the British Museum) are stated in our third volume.

The following eminent persons are likewise interred within the walls of this church yard, although without suitable memorials. Thomas Shadwell, poet laureat; Mrs. Mary Astell, noticed in our account of the literary inhabitants of this village; Abel Boyer, author of a Life of Queen Anne, and other works; Philip Miller, the well known author of the Gardener's Dictionary; Henry Mossop, the actor; William Kenrick, L. L. D. editor of the London Review; and Sir John Fielding, half brother to the celebrated novelist, and distinguished as an active magistrate.

Adjoining the workhouse in the King's road, and at the distance of about one quarter of a mile from the church, is an additional

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* Gent. Mag. July 1742, where see an account of many circumstances connected with this distinguished visit.

ditional ground for the purpose of burial, given to the parish by Sir Hans Sloane, in 1733, and enlarged in 1790, by a grant from Lord Cadogan. A second auxiliary burial ground, centrally situated, and containing about four acres, was also consecrated in the year 1813. This place of sepulture is sur rounded with high iron rails, and possesses à decorous chapel for the performance of burial service. The ground, buildings, &c. cost the parish the sum of eleven thousand pounds.

The Church of Chelsea is a rectory within the diocese of London, and the archdeaconry of Westminster. The present rector is the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Wellesley, brother to his Grace the Duke of Wellington, and the Marquis Wellesley.

Before we enter on an account of the Royal Hospital at Chelsea, it is necessary to notice a collegiate building which formerly occupied the site of this great national edifice. Shortly after the commencement of the 17th century, Dr. Sutcliffe, Dean of Exeter, instigated the foundation of a college for the study of polemical divinity, to consist of a stated number of learned Divines, whose time and talents were to be employed in the controversial defence of the reformed religion. King James I. was a warm patron of this institution, and supported it by various grants and benefactions. His Majesty laid the first stone of the edifice, May 8, 1609, and bestowed on it the name of "King James's College at Chelsey." According to the charter, the number of members was limited to a provost and nineteen fellows, seventeen of whom were to be in holy orders; the other two might be either laymen or divines, and they were to be employed in recording the chief historical events of the era. Dr. Sutcliffe was himself the first Provost; and Camden and Haywood were the first historians.

The buildings were intended to combine two quadrangles, of different but spacious dimensions, with a piazza along the