Sir Arthur Gorges was the intimate friend of Spenser, who lamented the death of the first Lady Gorges, daughter of Viscount Bindon, and who died in 1590, in a beautiful elegy, entitled Daphnaida; he has recorded likewise the conjugal affection and the talents of her husband, under the name of Alcyon, in the following elegant lines:—
“And there is sad Alcyon, bent to mourne
Though fit to frame an everlasting dittie;
Whose gentle spright for Daphne’s death doth tourne
Sweet lays of love to endlesse plaints of pittie.
Ah! pensive boy, pursue that brave conceipt
In thy sweet eglantine merriflure;
Lift up thy notes unto their wonted height,
That may my muse and mates to mirth allure.”
Sir Arthur married, secondly, Lady Elizabeth, daughter of Henry, Earl of Lincoln, by which marriage he became possessed of Sir Thomas More’s house, which, in 1619, he conveyed to Lionel, Lord Cranfield. He died in 1625, leaving by his second wife six children. Lady Elizabeth Gorges, his widow, in 1637, sold this estate to her daughter, Lady Elizabeth Stanley, widow of Sir Robert Stanley, and confirmed the same by her will in 1643, in which year she died. The family of Stanley appear to have held possession of this estate, and resided here till the latter end of the seventeenth century, when this branch of it became extinct, in the male line, by the death of William Stanley, Esq. in 1691. The house was rebuilt about this period; and, being left in an unfinished state, was for several years unoccupied. It belonged, in 1724, to Henry Arundel, Esq. Admiral Sir Charles Wager died here in 1743. It is said that this gallant officer was educated a Quaker, and that though he left that society, he was always particularly kind to its members.
After passing through several hands, Stanley House became the property of Miss Southwell, afterwards the lady of Sir James Eyre, Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, who sold it in 1777 to the Countess of Strathmore, one of the most intelligent female botanists of the age. Her ladyship had begun to build extensive hothouses and conservatories, brought exotics from the Cape, and was continually raising an increase to her collections, when, by an unfortunate marriage, the cruel spoiler came, and threw them like loathsome weeds away. The Countess married A. R. Bowes, Esq., whose barbarities to her exceeded every thing recorded in the annals of crime, and drew upon him the execrations of the whole country. [57] After suffering innumerable indignities from her husband, the Countess exhibited articles of the peace against him in the Court of King’s Bench, and obtained a separation, under heavy securities. She passed the remainder of her days in much affliction, both in body and mind, and departed this life on the 20th April, 1800. Bowes died miserably in a jail.
Stanley House was purchased of the Countess of Strathmore, by Mr. Lochee, who kept the Military Academy at Little Chelsea, and was for some time in the occupation of Richard Warren, M.D. This eminent physician was the son of the Rev. Richard Warren, Archdeacon of Suffolk. He died in 1797, and was buried in the chancel of Kensington Church, where a monument, with a Latin inscription, was erected to his memory.
About the year 1815, Stanley House was purchased by William Hamilton, Esq., who resided in it for some time, and made great additions to the original structure, by building a picture gallery on the east side. He had a good collection of paintings, a capital portrait of his father, the Rev. Dr. Hamilton, Vicar of St. Martin’s in the Fields, and many fine casts of the Elgin marbles. In 1822, Mr. Hamilton was appointed Envoy to the Court of Naples, and during his absence from Chelsea, he let the house to some distinguished families, amongst them may be mentioned the Marquis of Queensbury. Mr. Hamilton afterwards sold the estate to the National Society.
ST. MARK’S COLLEGE.
Stanley House, as it was formerly called, became the residence of the Principal of St. Mark’s College, which was established by the National Society, in the year 1841, as a Training Institution for Schoolmasters, in connexion with the Church of England. To the Rev. Derwent Coleridge, M.A., the first Principal of the College, must be attributed the eminent position it has attained among the educational institutions of the country. He was the Principal of the College for a period of twenty-three years, and greatly beloved by the Students, popular among his Colleagues and Assistants, and enjoyed the respect and confidence of the Council, who had the pleasant task of co-operating with him. In January, 1864, he was presented by the late Bishop of London to the Rectory of Hanwell, which occasioned his resignation.
Many candidates of great eminence were desirous to become the Rev. Mr. Coleridge’s successor, and from among them the Rev. John G. Cromwell, M.A., Hon. Canon of Durham, and formerly Scholar of Brasenose College, Oxford, was selected, his testimonials being of the very highest order, and his successful administration of the Training College at Durham, during 12 years, appeared to the Council a sufficient guarantee for his success at St. Mark’s. This expectation has now been happily fully realized.
The Vice-Principal is the Rev. C. F. Eastburn, M.A., Fellow of St. John’s College, Cambridge, and the Rev. C. S. Dawe, B.A., is the Normal Master in the College, and Head Master of the School, and, from the testimony of those who are well-qualified to form an impartial opinion, they most efficiently discharge their respective arduous duties, and this just acknowledgment equally applies to the Tutors, Mr. W. Lawson, F.R.G.S., and Mr. O. Breden.
On the west side of the house the National Society added a quadrangle, built in the Italian style, and in the grounds, near the chapel, an octagon building as a Practising School, for teaching children who reside in the locality. The grounds of the College consist of eleven acres of garden and grass land.
The Upper School gives a superior education to 160 boys, who are instructed in all the usual branches of an English education, and also in Latin and French.
The Middle School gives a similar education, with the exception of Latin and French, to 180 boys.
The Lower School is intended for the sons of the humbler classes, and gives sound instruction in elementary subjects to 200 boys.
There is accommodation in the College for 100 Students, who are being trained here for Schoolmasters.
The Chapel stands close to the Fulham Road, and is open to the public twice every day, at 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. On Sundays the Services begin at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The seats are free, and the expenses are defrayed by voluntary contributions. There is no endowment of any kind. The exterior of the building is unpretending. The interior has a distinctive character given to it by the windows of stained glass, which produce an impression of warmth and beauty. There is an excellent organ and a full choir, composed of the Students and a certain number of boys from the schools. The Services are all choral, and on Sundays are usually well attended. On the anniversary of the College foundation, St. Mark’s Day, April 25, a sermon is preached and a collection made on behalf of the Chapel Funds, and the surrounding gentry and clergy, together with the former Students, are invited to a banquet. At the last Anniversary Festival the sermon was preached by the Dean of St. Paul’s, the text being selected from Luke iv. 16. In the evening, in the Lecture Hall of the College, selections from an Oratorio and other pieces were admirably rendered by the Students, under the direction of the Rev. T. Helmore, precentor, and John Hullah, Esq., to a crowded and most fashionable audience, and many of the old Students of the College. We must also mention E. C. May, Esq., to whom much of the proficiency of the choir may be justly attributed.
We will pass by Mr. Veitch’s Royal Exotic Nursery, and the extensive Show Establishment belonging to Messrs. Weeks & Co., both of which will probably be noticed in a subsequent part of this work, when a more general notice will be taken of the entire King’s Road, and merely observe that a great number of villas, and many superior dwelling houses, have been erected within the last few years in this immediate locality. As examples of such instances it is only necessary to mention the splendid house built by John Weeks, Esq., in Edith Grove, and those in Gunter Grove, Maude Grove, &c., in addition to which many more well-built houses are now being erected in the neighbourhood.
WEST BROMPTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
This structure is worthy of special notice. It stands on a valuable freehold site, and was erected in 1866, at a cost of between £5000 and £6000, exclusive of the site. It has sittings for 1100, and owes its existence to the exertions of the present pastor, the Rev. C. Winter, who had previously preached for some time in a small chapel in Gunter Grove. The style adopted is Gothic, of the geometric decorative period. The building is faced with Kentish ragstone, and all the dressings are of Boxhill buttstone. The design consists of three central door-ways, with a large five-light traceried window over, and traceried side light; separate entrances to the staircases with panelled parapets and side roofs over; the sides and chancel end of the building are of brick; the windows in two tiers with stone dressings; the upper tier consists of circular traceried windows, and the whole design is such as to produce a very pleasing effect, which will be much increased when the tower and spire are carried up as intended. The building is entered in front by the doors before mentioned, and a spacious vestibule leads through inner lobbies to the body of the church, which occupies an area of 70 ft. by 50 ft., but including chancel and entrance lobbies its length is 106 ft. The building is surrounded on three sides with spacious galleries, supported by iron columns, handsomely decorated, running up to and supporting the roof. The ceiling is divided into bays by wood spandril arches springing from column to column, and from the columns to the walls. The chancel arch is a very effective piece of coloured brickwork, and the chancel recess is arranged with its windows and angular plan so as to add much to the general effect, which is considerably increased by a very handsome memorial window, the gift of the family of Mr. Pitts, one of the deacons of the church. The building is lighted by star-lights of an improved design suspended from the roof. The pulpit, which is spacious and handsome, is of Caen stone and stands on a platform, around which the seats are arranged concentrically, a great improvement on the ordinary rectangular pewing. The larger room under the chancel is devoted to a variety of useful purposes, such as Infant School, Sunday Schools, Day School, &c. The chapel in Gunter Grove has been converted into a Public Hall, and ultimately no doubt will prove of general use to the neighbourhood. The Sunday Schools, one of which is held at the Hall, number about 300 children.
LITTLE CHELSEA, OR WEST BROMPTON.
Proceeding a little to the north-west, we arrive at what was formerly called Little Chelsea, but which is now designated West Brompton. Without wishing to remove our neighbour’s land-mark, or to trespass beyond the precise boundaries of Chelsea, the parish of Kensington being on the north side of West Brompton, we will notice the residence of William Boscawen, Esq., who resided near to those spacious mansions now being erected on the grounds formerly known as Walnut-Tree Walk, now called Redcliffe Gardens. Mr. Boscawen was the younger son of General George Boscawen, and was born in 1752. At an early age he was sent to Eton, where he obtained the particular notice and favour of the celebrated Dr. Barnard. From Eton he removed to Exeter College, Oxford, and afterwards studied the law, became a member of the Middle Temple, and was called to the bar. His legal studies were not unfruitful, as he published an excellent book under the title of “A Treatise of Conviction on Penal Statutes,” &c., 1792, 8vo. In 1785 he was appointed a Commissioner of the Victualling Office, in consequence of which he soon after quitted the bar, and in the following year married a daughter of Dr. Ibbetson, Archdeacon of St. Albans. Being an excellent classical scholar, and warmly attached to literary pursuits, Mr. Boscawen published, in 1793, “A Translation of the Odes of Horace,” which, being much approved of, was soon followed by a Translation of the Satires, Epistles, and Art of Poetry. In 1801 he published a small volume of Poems, which displayed an elegant taste, a poetical mind, and a correct versification, and he was for several years an able coadjutor to the British Critic. He died, after a short illness, in 1811. That excellent institution, the Literary Fund, he considered almost as his child, and his affection to it was testified not only by contribution, but by annual verses in its praise, and assiduous attendance at its meetings.
Mr. Lochee’s Military Academy was established at this place about the year 1770, and enjoyed a high degree of reputation; many of our most eminent military characters received their education under him. The premises, which were laid out as a regular fortification, and were opened to view, excited much attention at the time. Mr. Lochee afterwards, unfortunately, engaged in the revolutionary troubles which agitated Flanders in the year 1790, and being taken prisoner by the Austrians, was condemned to be hanged; he, however, obtained permission to come to England, to settle his affairs, upon condition of leaving his only son as a hostage; and upon his return to the Continent he suffered the punishment of death. His son, afterwards, married a daughter of the late Mr. King, an eminent book auctioneer, of King Street, Covent Garden, and, lamentable to relate, fell by his own hands.
Balloon Ascent in 1784.—On the 16th of October, in the above year, an immense concourse of people assembled at Mr. Lochee’s Military Academy, to witness Mr. Blanchard’s ascent in his balloon. The fields, for a considerable distance round the spot, were crowded with horse and foot, in consequence of which, a general devastation took place in the gardens, the crops being either trampled down or torn up; the turnip grounds were totally despoiled by the multitude; all the windows and houses were filled with company, and every roof and tree was crowded with spectators. At twelve o’clock Mr. Blanchard, and Mr. Sheldon, a surgeon, stepped into the car, and the cords being loosened, the balloon slowly ascended, when it was discovered that it would be requisite to throw out some ballast; but before this could be accomplished, it struck some trees and descended to the ground. Being lightened, it again ascended, and moved horizontally about a quarter of a mile, when it made a rapid direction towards Sunbury, where they alighted, and Mr. Sheldon reluctantly quitted the car. Mr. Blanchard re-ascended, and pursued his aerial excursion to Rumsey, Hants, where he descended, at half-past four in the afternoon, in a meadow, and still standing in his car. The balloon was first seen over Abbotswood Common, and appeared about the size of a small hogshead. Upon his alighting he was jovially entertained. The day being rather dark, and the atmosphere low, the balloon was out of sight in about thirty minutes.
About the year 1699, the Earl of Shaftesbury purchased an estate at Little Chelsea, which had formerly been the property of Sir James Smith, whose widow resided there in 1695. The Earl rebuilt the house, and generally resided in it during the sitting of Parliament. He was first charged to the parish rates in 1700. Locke here wrote part of his “Essay,” and Addison several of the Spectators.
Anthony Astley Cooper, third Earl of Shaftesbury, the learned author of “The Characteristics,” was born in 1671, in the house of his grandfather, who took such care of his education, that, at the age of eleven, he is said to have read with ease both Latin and Greek. In 1683, he was placed at Winchester School, where he continued till 1686, when he made the tour of Italy and France. About five years after his return from Italy, he visited Holland, where he passed much of his time in the society of Bayle, Le Clerc, and other ingenious men. Soon after his arrival in England, he became Earl of Shaftesbury, by the demise of his father, but did not attend the House of Lords during the first session after he had succeeded to the peerage; nor did he appear there till his friend, Lord Somers, sent a messenger to acquaint him with the pending partition treaty in February, 1701. On the accession of Queen Anne he retired to Chelsea, to continue his favourite course of study; here he resided till 1711, when he set out for Italy, and died at Naples in 1719. His lordship’s philosophical writings are generally known. Of his letters there are several extant, dated from Chelsea in 1708.
The house was afterwards the residence of Sergeant Wynne, and of his son, Edward Wynne, author of several Tracts, whose knowledge and proficiency in polite literature could only be exceeded by his charity and benevolence. Dying a bachelor in 1785, his estates, together with his house at Little Chelsea, and his very valuable library, collected chiefly by his father, devolved to his brother, the Rev. Luttrell Wynne. This house was alienated by him to William Virtue.
The parish of St. George, Hanover Square, purchased it in the year 1787, as an additional workhouse for the poor. An Act of Parliament passed that year, declares it to be in St. George’s Parish, so long as it shall continue to be appropriated to its present use. The same act exempts it from all dues and rates demandable by the Rector and the parish of Chelsea, on condition of paying to the former £3 3s. per annum, and to the latter £6 13s. 4d.
Sir John Cope, Bart., about the year 1700, resided in a large house at Little Chelsea, according to Bowack, which was subsequently occupied as a private mad house. The house has been pulled down, and its site is now called Odell’s Place. Sir John sat for Oxfordshire and Banbury in several Parliaments. He married Anne, daughter of Mr. William Booth, by whom he had seven sons, and one daughter. There are some entries of their baptisms in the Parish Register. Sir John died January 11th, 1721. His fourth son, Galen, born at Chelsea, resided there about the time of his father’s death. The worthy baronet was a magistrate for this county, and his name regularly appears for a series of years affixed, in confirmation of the parochial rates.
Robert Boyle, Esq., a most distinguished philosopher and chemist, the seventh son of Richard, Earl of Cork, resided, in 1661, at Little Chelsea, and there he was visited by the learned and eminent of his time. Monsieur de Monconys, in his Travels, thus mentions a visit which he made to Mr. Boyle at this place:—“I went after dinner with Mr. Oldenburg and my son, two miles from London, in a stage coach, for five shillings, to a village called Little Chelsea, to visit Mr. Boyle.” After giving an account of several experiments which Mr. Boyle made in his presence, he thus proceeds:—“He has a very fine laboratory, where he makes all his extracts, and other operations, one of which he shewed me with salt, which being put in quite dry with gold leaves sixteen times thicker than that used by gilders into a crucible on a slow fire, even over a lighted candle, the salt calcined the gold so perfectly that water afterwards dissolved them both, and became impregnated with them in the same manner as with common salt. He possesses a very fine telescope, and two excellent microscopes, which are larger than mine.” Mr. Evelyn, in his Diary, has also recorded a visit to the same place. “I went with that excellent person and philosopher, Sir Robert Murray, to visit Mr. Boyle at Chelsea, and saw divers effects of the Eolipile for weighing air.” Bishop Burnet, in Mr. Boyle’s funeral sermon, has given an eloquent account of this great philosopher and scholar.
Charles, fourth Earl of Orrery, grand-nephew to Mr. Boyle, was born at Little Chelsea in 1676. He was author of a comedy, entitled, “As you Find it,” and of some verses which discover his wit and poetical genius. Queen Anne created him a peer of Great Britain in 1711, by the title of Lord Boyle, of Marston, in the county of Somerset. His lordship died in 1737. He was the improver of that noble instrument the Orrery, which, in honour of him, was called after his name.
Sir James Wishart resided in Little Chelsea, and died in May, 1723. He was a native of Scotland, and was made an Admiral by Queen Anne; in 1710 he became a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty, in which year he was returned Member of Parliament for Portsmouth. The Queen also conferred the honour of knighthood upon him; but, in the following reign, he lost all his places, and was dismissed from the service, for favouring the interest of the Pretender.
Admiral Sir John Balchen, another distinguished naval officer, resided in Little Chelsea about 1723. He was lost in the “Victory” in the year 1744. Sir John sailed, in July, from Spithead with a strong squadron, in quest of an opportunity to attack the French fleet at Brest, under the command of M. de Rochambault. In the Bay of Biscay he was overtaken by a violent storm that dispersed the ships, and drove them up the English Channel. Admiral Stewart, with the greater part of them, arrived at Plymouth; but Sir John Balchen’s own ship, the Victory, which was at that time considered to be the most beautiful first rate in the world, foundered at sea; and this brave officer perished, with all his officers, volunteers, and crew, amounting to eleven hundred choice seamen.
The Right Hon. Edward Hyde, third Earl of Clarendon, died at his house at Little Chelsea in 1723. He married Catherine, daughter to Henry Lord O’Brien, eldest son and heir to the Earl of Thomond, of Ireland, by whom he had a son and two daughters. The title descended to the Earl of Rochester, and soon after became extinct.
Fatal Duel.—In January, 1784, a duel was fought in a field near Little Chelsea, between Captain Charles Mostyn, of the navy, and Captain Clarke, of the African Corps, which terminated in the death of the former, who was shot through the heart. The quarrel originated in defence of a Jew, who went about diverting company, by taking off Mr. Fox. Some words arising, Captain Clarke demanded an apology, which Captain Mostyn declined to make to him. Mr. Mostyn was a gallant officer, only 25 years of age, who, for his intrepid behaviour, had been made post-captain in the Solitaire, a French ship of the line, taken by the Ruby. Happily for the humanity of England, such dark blots on its history are now for ever erased, by the adoption of more stringent laws and the advancement of religious and moral principles.
Dr. Baldwin Hamey was born in 1600. He retired to Little Chelsea from the hurry of his profession the year before the Fire of London, saving thereby his library; he also escaped from the direful effects of the plague in London. At Chelsea he contributed largely towards the erection of the church steeple, and gave the great bell which had his name on it. I may here state that the first large bells are mentioned by Bede, in the year 680. Before that period the early British Christians made use of wooden rattles (sacra ligna) to call the congregation of the faithful together. Dr. Adam Littleton, in gratitude to Dr. Hamey for the above benefactions, printed at the end of the first edition of his Latin Dictionary, a copy of Latin verses which he dedicated to him. Dr. Hamey was a great scholar, a philosopher, and an eminent physician. At his death he bequeathed to the College of Physicians the estate of Ashlins, in Essex, besides money and books. There is a manuscript life of him, written about 143 years ago, by his relation, Mr. Palmer. “Chemistry,” says the biographer, “now began to come into vogue, which Dr. Hamey could not well be reconciled to, from his Galenical principles, and at his age. It seemed to him to be a stroke of quackery.” He declined a knighthood, and the offer of being first physician to Charles II. after his restoration. The same modesty made him waive the offer of being President of his beloved College of Physicians, although he had held all other subordinate offices in it. He died in 1676, and was buried in the Old Church.
The Goat and Boots Tavern still stands at the eastern corner of Park Walk, West Brompton, or Little Chelsea, although from its age it seems probable that in a few years a new house will be substituted for it. The sign was originally painted by Morland, to pay his tavern bill. In old deeds it is called the Goat. Perhaps poor Morland added the “Boots” to the sign to make it more attractive, and to get a better price from the proprietor, but this is mere conjecture.
Park Walk, in a very old map of Chelsea, is called Lovers’ Walk, and it appears to have been planted with trees, but from some unknown cause—surely all the loving lads and lasses had not left the parish—it degenerated into Twopenny Walk. After dark, from its retirement and seclusion, it was dangerous for persons passing that way. It has been now for many years a good thoroughfare from the King’s Road to West Brompton, having Park Chapel in a central position, and houses on both sides of the road. When the improvement at the bottom of Milman’s Row is entirely completed, there will then be an excellent and continuous roadway to the river-side.
Park Chapel, &c.
This Chapel was so called from being situated within the precincts of Chelsea Park, which originally formed the northern part of Sir Thomas More’s grounds. It was built in 1718, by Sir Richard Manningham, who, in 1730, granted a lease of it to the Rev. William Lacey, of Battersea. At that period there was only the Old Church, and an additional episcopal place for Divine worship was needed for the convenience of the residents in Little Chelsea.
The following is a complete list to the present period of the Clergymen who have been Ministers at Park Chapel:—
1730 |
Rev. William Lacey, Battersea. |
1736 |
— Dr. Sloane Ellesmere, Rector of Chelsea. |
1766 |
— Mr. Gower, Chelsea. |
— |
— Mr. Jacobs, Rector of St. Dunstan’s in the West. |
1785 |
— Dr. Kelly, Vicar of East Mere, Hants. |
1792 |
— Jas. Ward, Fellow of Queen’s Col., Cambridge. |
1797 |
— Thomas Ellis. |
1800 |
— J. Manning. |
1802 |
— J. Gee Smyth, Rector of Chellesworth, Suffolk. |
1812 |
— John Owen, Rector of Paglesham, Essex. |
1822 |
— Henry John Owen, son of the preceding. |
1834 |
— John Harding. |
1836 |
— Henry Vaughan. |
1836 |
— Thomas Vores. |
1841 |
— John C. Miller. |
1846 |
— W. Cadman. |
1852 |
— C. J. Goodhart. |
Dec. 1868 |
— J. G. Gregory. |
The Rev. J. Gee Smyth, M.A., who it will be seen possessed Park Chapel in 1802, made very considerable alterations in it about 1810. It may be said to have been almost rebuilt by him. The late Mr. Richard Mann, of Chelsea, took a very correct sketch of the chapel, as altered by Mr. Smyth. Since 1810, at different times, it has undergone great repairs and some material improvements.
The Rev. John Owen, M.A., was born in London in 1765. He received his education at St. Paul’s School, and removed from thence to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he prosecuted his studies with such success as to obtain several prizes, and to be elected a Fellow of his College. After taking holy orders, he soon distinguished himself as a preacher, and attracted the notice of Bishop Porteus, who bestowed on him the living of Paglesham, in Essex, having previously recommended him to the Curacy of Fulham, which he held until the decease of that venerable prelate; and, on his resigning the Lectureship, in 1813, the inhabitants of that parish presented Mr. Owen with a handsome testimonial of their attachment, as an acknowledgment of the faithful manner he had discharged his duties. He was one of the distinguished founders of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and acted as honorary secretary for eighteen years. During the whole of this period he most zealously advocated, in every possible way, the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, in conjunction with the Rev. Dr. Steinkoff, and the Rev. Joseph Hughes, M.A., of Battersea. Mr. Owen possessed great mental talents, both as an extempore preacher and a writer. He was remarkably quick and correct in his conceptions, extremely thoughtful in forming his conclusions, and kind and considerate whenever a sense of duty compelled him to differ from others in opinion. He wrote the History of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and other works; and continued to discharge his sacred duties as Minister of Park Chapel as long as his health permitted. He died at Ramsgate, the 26th of September, 1822, in the 57th year of his age. He resided at Fulham during nearly the entire period of his active life.
The Rev. Henry John Owen, M.A., succeeded his father in 1822. While at Park Chapel he was much esteemed by the congregation, and when he left many deplored the loss of him.
The Rev. John Harding, M.A., was appointed Minister of Park Chapel in 1834. Some time after he became the Rector of St. Ann’s, Blackfriars. In both parishes he was much beloved by his congregations, and greatly esteemed by the parishioners. At length he was consecrated Bishop of Bombay, and, having remained in India for many years, he returned to England, and a short time since preached on a Sunday evening at Park Chapel. An affecting scene took place on that occasion, as his lordship left the chapel. A great number of persons had assembled outside to shew the respect they entertained towards him, notwithstanding his long absence from Chelsea. When Bishop Harding approached, he seemed almost overpowered with the kind recollection manifested by so many of the congregation and other inhabitants, and, after a slight pause, he said, with considerable emotion, “My dear friends, I thank you from my heart for your kind remembrance of me. May God bless every one of you!” It should here be mentioned that Bishop Harding, previously to his ministry at Park Chapel, had been at St. Luke’s New Parish Church, with the late revered Rev. H. Blunt, M.A., father of the present respected Rector, at which Church he was also greatly esteemed.
The Rev. Henry Vaughan, M.A., did not long remain at Park Chapel, as the state of his health rendered it impossible for him to continue. Some short time afterwards he was called to his eternal rest. I heard it once stated that Christian love was engraved on his forehead.
The Rev. Thomas Vores, M.A., who was next in succession, was, like his predecessors, much beloved. About five years after his appointment he vacated it, and went to Hastings.
The Rev. Dr. Miller, the Rev. W. Cadman, M.A., and the Rev. C. J. Goodhart, M.A., were equally respected as being zealous and faithful ministers. The two former are, at the present time, in the full vigour of life, and actively engaged in discharging their sacred duties in large parishes. With respect to Mr. Goodhart, who has only recently left the chapel, and whose ministry there extended over so many years, it would be a difficult task to notice him adequately in a given space; the best summary will be to state that on his retirement he was presented with a silver salver and a purse containing about £540, as a testimony of the high respect entertained by the congregation for his long and faithful ministrations.
The Rev. J. G. Gregory, M.A., succeeded Mr. Goodhart at the close of the year 1868. The body of the chapel, since his appointment, has been entirely re-pewed, the old high pews having been all removed, and the seats made more commodious by additional width being given to them. Several other alterations have been made, and a few more are said to be in contemplation. The whole interior of the chapel is therefore now greatly improved, both as regards comfort and appearance. The exterior of the structure, however, requires to be altogether rebuilt, as soon as practicable, so as to accord with the ecclesiastical architecture of the present day, especially in such a locality as West Brompton and South Kensington. In the Vestry Room are portraits of the different Ministers of Park Chapel, commencing with the Rev. John Owen, and terminating with the Rev. Mr. Goodhart, with only one exception, the portrait of Mr. Vaughan, the absence of which may be attributed to the short period of his ministry, in consequence of his illness and death, and the difficulty afterwards of procuring a correct likeness of him. It would be well if this memorial portrait could be added to the others.
Their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of Kent and Sussex attended this chapel in 1812, when a collection was made for the benefit of the schools, on which occasion a guard of honour, selected from Queen Charlotte’s Royal Volunteers, was stationed at the doors on their arrival and departure.
Adjoining the chapel a building was erected, in 1828, by subscription, and the profits of a sale of fancy work, for the reception of the children of Park Chapel Schools, &c. The whole charge originally was £900. Several alterations, however, have since been made in the arrangement of this building. The Girls’ Day and Sunday Schools, and the Infant School, are now only held in it, besides a few occasional meetings in connection with the numerous benevolent societies supported by the liberal contributions of the congregation. The boys’ school was transferred to the Clock House some years since. This latter school owes its origin to Samuel Gower Poole, Esq., who once resided in Dudmaston House, King’s Road, and to whom reference has already been made. The annual meetings. &c., are also held in the Clock House schoolroom.
CHELSEA PARK.
This was part of the property of Sir Thomas More, and is called, in old deeds, the “Sand Hills;” was originally open fields, with a footpath across to Little Chelsea. The whole was enclosed with a brick wall, in 1625, by the Lord Treasurer, Cranfield, and converted into a park, which name it has retained ever since, but the walls have gradually given way to the erection of buildings. The park originally consisted of 32 acres, situated north of the King’s Road, between Park and Upper Church Street. [71]
In 1721 a patent was obtained for a manufactory of raw silk, and this park was taken for the purpose, and planted with mulberry trees. It attracted a considerable share of public attention at the time, but proved unsuccessful. The premises of the Raw Silk Company were rated in the parish books at £200.
In Walpole’s Catalogue of Engravers, it is stated that James Christopher le Blon, in 1734, set up a project for copying the cartoons in tapestry, and made some fine drawings for the purpose. Houses were built, and looms erected, on the above mulberry ground, but either the expense was too great, or the contributions did not arrive fast enough. The bubble burst, several suffered, and Le Blon was heard of no more.
Interesting Particulars of Sir Henry and Lady Wilson. On the northern border of the old park, just described, is a capital mansion in which Sir Henry Wright Wilson resided for many years, the entrance to it being in the Fulham Road, and which is still designated as Chelsea Park. The pleasure grounds attached to it were some years since much more extensive than they are at present. Sir Henry married a daughter of the Earl of Aylesbury, who was left a valuable estate in Hampshire, said to be worth about £3000 a year, under the most singular circumstances. Lady Frances Wilson was informed in the year 1824, while at breakfast, that an eccentric person named Wright, who had died a few days previously at an obscure lodging in Pimlico, had appointed her and Mr. C. Abbot his executors, and after some legacies had bequeathed to Lady Frances the residue of his property by a will dated as far back as 1800. As Lady Frances declared herself unacquainted with the name of the testator, she at first concluded that there was some mistake. After further explanation, the person of Mr. Wright was described to her, and Lady Frances recollected that the description answered that of a gentleman she had remembered as a constant frequenter at the Opera many years previously. To satisfy herself of the identity she went to Mr. Wright’s late lodgings, and saw him in his coffin, when she recognised the features as those of the person whose eyes had so often persecuted her when she was Lady Frances Bruce, but who had never spoken to her, and of whom she had no knowledge whatever. [72] Lady Francis was never considered by her friends to be beautiful, and the general opinion at the time was that the legacy was intended for a lady who occupied a box next to that in which Lady Frances sat when at the Opera. Sir Henry was in Parliament when the above estate came into his wife’s possession, but he afterwards had to contest his seat, and lost it.
Sir Henry Wright Wilson and the Poor Carpenter.—The following anecdote will no doubt amuse many readers. Sir Henry’s establishment was large, and he had been accustomed to employ at times a jobbing carpenter, who had at one period been in better circumstances. This person had received specific instructions to do certain work, which required a little trifling assistance, such as to help him to remove something which stood in the way, and which the carpenter could not possibly do without temporary aid. He asked several of the grooms and others to assist, but they all made frivolous excuses, and consequently the work was not done by the appointed time. When Sir Henry returned home he noticed that his orders had been neglected, and, on ascertaining the particulars, without making any remarks, he quietly entered the house. The next morning, however, he gave instructions for his carriage with four horses to be immediately got ready. He then sent for the carpenter, and after a short time the carriage was at the entrance door, when, to the great surprise of the servants, he desired him to take a seat in it. Sir Henry then mounted his horse, and, notwithstanding the dirty state of the roads, took them through Fulham, over Putney Bridge, round by Wandsworth and Battersea, back to Chelsea. On their return he insisted that the horses and carriage should be immediately cleaned, or else to be dismissed from his service. Sir Henry being esteemed a good master they preferred obedience, and it was said that although the carpenter was afterwards subject to an occasional jeer, he never had again to complain of their conduct towards him.
Queen’s Elm.—This is situated at the top of Upper Church Street, but the spot for some time past seems to be merged into the Fulham Road, and is either so called, or else it is described as being near to it. The original name, Queen’s Elm, which it is to be hoped will still be retained, is said traditionally to have derived its origin from the following circumstance. Queen Elizabeth was walking out with the great Lord Burleigh, and being overtaken with a heavy shower of rain, took shelter under an elm tree growing on this spot. After the shower was over, she said, “Let this henceforth be called the Queen’s Tree.” This tradition is remarkably confirmed, as will be seen by the following extract:—“It appears by the Church Book, beginning 1586, and in the 28th Elizabeth, that the tree at the end of the Duke’s Walk is in Chelsea parish called the Queen’s Tree; and that there was an arbour built round it by one Bostocke, at the charge of the parish.”
The Jews’ Burial Ground, &c.
The Jews’ Burial Ground is at Queen’s Elm, and was erected in 1816 by the individuals whose names are inscribed on the wall of the entrance building, and to their descendants. There is also inscribed the 16th Psalm in Hebrew. The lower part of the building is called the hall, the upper part is intended for the keeper. Unlike the arrangement in the Moravians’ Burial Ground, the graves are in rows, without any distinction as to sex. At burials the mourners do not approach the grave, but stand at a distance, so that they may hear sufficiently to join in the prayers.
The Rev. J. B. Owen, M.A., Vicar of St. Jude’s Church, Chelsea, in an admirable lecture delivered by him in 1862, in the Vestry Hall, King’s Road, related the following anecdote:—“An Hebrew friend amused and puzzled me with a sentiment he had once given at a festival of one of the London Guilds. Being pressed for a toast, he gave ‘The Queen of the Jews, and of no other nation.’ Many conjectures were hazarded, as wide of the mark as Jezebel and the Queen of Sheba. The company confessed themselves beaten, and at last my friend gave the answer—‘Queen Victoria.’ But this only darkened the enigma more than ever. After some time, he said, J. (or I.) E. W. S. makes Ireland, England, Wales, and Scotland, and J. E. W. S. spells Jews, and makes Victoria ‘Queen of the Jews, and of no other nation.’”
“England,” said Mr. Owen, “owes a great national debt of amends to their Hebrew brethren. For several centuries they were bought and sold as chattels, plundered and exiled, as if they were outlaws. In the sixteenth year of Edward I. all the Jews in England were imprisoned, and though they redeemed themselves for a vast sum, three years after, the fraudulent tyrant banished them all; and they remained in banishment 364 years, till the rough justice of old Oliver Cromwell restored them to their trade and worship. The proverb ‘worth a Jew’s eye’ alludes to the barbarities practiced on the Jews, whose money was commonly extorted from them by drawing their teeth, or putting out their eyes. There are no judgments in Scripture more terrible than those denounced against the oppressors of Judah. We may be thankful that we have lived to witness the last vestige of injustice to our Hebrew fellow-citizens erased from our statutes. Have we also honestly received the social and religious interests of the Jews into the unreserved sympathy of Christian hearts?”