CHELSEA HOSPITAL is an asylum for disabled or superannuated soldiers. The building was commenced in 1609, as a Protestant theological seminary, by Dr. Matthew Sutcliffe, dean of Exeter; and James L gave it a charter in 1610, as King jaws's college. When Sutcliffe died in 1629, the building was less than half finished, and the students were only 15 in number. Shortly after this, the scheme was abandoned, and the build ing used for various purposes. It was then rebuilt, and made into an hospital for dis abled soldiers by Charles II. By a warrant issued in 1684, one day's pay per year, and two in leap-years, were deducted from soldiers' pay, for supporting C. H. This deduc tion has long ceased; the hospital being maintained by parliamentary grant. The hospital has accommodation for about 600 persons besides officers. Attached to it are about 40 acres of land, used as public gardens and exercise ground. It is governed by a board of commissioners, comprising ex officio the lord president of the council, the first lord of the treasury, and the secretaries of state; but the more immediate manage ment is in the hands of about 120 persons, of whom 20 are military officers, 20 civil officers, and the rest subordinates.
The establishment is maintained for the in-pensioners of the British army, who, in the army estimates for 1876-77, are set down at 538. These in-pensioners, besides
board, lodging, clothing, washing, medical aid, etc., receive a small sum in money, varying from 5s. 3d. per week for a color-sergeant, down to 7d. per week for a private soldier. They are all dressed in uniform—red, with blue facings—and are treated as a garrison, in respect to guards, sentinels, etc. There is a certain degree of .choice open to the men, as to whether they will be in or out pensioners. The out-pensioners, who are more than a hundredfold as numerous as the others, receive sums of money varying from 1,14. to 3s. 10d. per day for life, as .a reward for past services. Vacancies in the hospital are filled up once a quarter; and every person admitted must give up his out pension before he can become an in-pensioner. The cost of the hospital for 1876-77 was estimated at £28,916. This is exclusive of out-pension charges. Doubts have fre quently been expressed as to the usefulness of this expenditure; it is exceptional in its character, and the arrangement to which it refers is not in much favor among the soldiery.