Benjamin West, R. A.

Mention has been already made, that, on the finishing of the Chapel, Chevalier Casali presented the Governors with an altar-piece, the subject being "The Offering of the Wise Men." This picture occupied its appropriate place till 1801, when two of the Vice-Presidents, John Wilmot, Esq., and Thomas Everett, Esq., M. P., together with Sir Thomas Bernard, Bart., (the Treasurer) and John Puget, Esq., agreed to purchase and present to the Hospital a picture by West, namely-Christ presenting a little Child.* This picture had been in the hands of a party, by whose mismanagement it had suffered some injury, and therefore West, in his determination to make it fully acceptable to the Governors, almost entirely repainted it. "The care" (he says) "with which I have passed that picture, I flatter myself has now placed it in the first class of pictures from my pencil; at least, I have the satisfaction to find that to be the sentiment of the judges of painting who have seen it."

For this act of generosity, the Governors resolved to elect West one of their corporate body.

He appears to have been highly flattered by this compliment, and in acknowledging it, states that his professional duties will not permit him to become an

"And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

"And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

"And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me.”

active member of the Corporation, but to shew his respect and good wishes for the establishment in the only way he could make a return, he intended to add to the embellishments of the Chapel as follows:

"There are" (he says), " on each side the place of Communion in the Chapel, opposite the Governors' and Governors' Ladies' seats, two panels, well calculated to receive paintings. If the Governors will concur, at my leisure I propose to paint two pictures from sacred history to fill those panels, which I shall beg the Corporation to accept of, as a mark of my respect for the Institution, at the same time, to ask of them the exclusive right of having prints taken from those pictures."

It need not be added that the Governors immediately accepted this munificent and charitable offer, but it is to be lamented that the leisure of the artist never arrived, and that the work remains undone. If perchance any modern artist should read this and have a laudable desire to establish his fame, he cannot do better than carry out the intention of West.

In 1816, the Chapel being then under repair, West had the Altar-Piece taken to his house and again re-touched it, returning it to its place with strong expressions towards this favourite work of his hand.

The Governors had been early taught by Handel, that their Chapel (which was built for the exclusive use of the children and household), was capable of being converted into a source of pecuniary means

for increasing the usefulness of the work they had in hand. What Handel began, other eminent musicians continued, and the Governors having received several blind children into the establishment (during the general and indiscriminate admission), they were instructed in music, and became a fruitful source of advantage to the funds of the Charity.* For nearly one hundred years the Chapel has been established, and if the taste of the public for sacred music has increased, and that taste has any beneficial influence on the minds of the people, this Chapel has been one of the humble instruments for effecting it.

The expenses for supporting the Chapel are very considerable, and the only return is from the pew rents and contributions of the public at the Chapel doors.

THE CATACOMBS.

Beneath the Chapel are capacious Vaults, in which were deposited, in 1751, the remains of the Founder, at his own request; since which many of the Governors have also been buried here. The coffins, which are of lead, are enclosed in stone catacombs. Amongst the departed, who were dis

There are those remaining of the present generation who, doubtless, recollect Mr. Grenville (the organist), Mr. Printer, Miss Thetford, and "Jenny Freer" (the singers), all blind Foundlings, whose talents were much appreciated by the public; by the exercise of which, the expense bestowed upon these orphans in infancy and youth was returned fifty-fold into the coffers of the charity!

tinguished for their zeal in the cause of the Charity, within whose walls they now rest, the following may be specially noticed, viz. :

1803.-The Rev. Samuel Harper, M. A. Thirtysix years Chaplain and afterwards a Governor of the Hospital. He was also one of the Under Librarians of the British Museum.

1807.- William George Sibley, Esq. Many years Treasurer of the Honourable East India Company. (Jane Amphillis, his wife, is buried in the same vault.)

1808.-Anthony Van Dam, Esq.

1810.-Thomas Everett, Esq., M. P. A most active Vice-President of the Hospital. By his personal zeal he collected several thousands of pounds for the Charity. (Martha, his wife, is also buried in the same vault.)

1813.—Michael Heathcote, Esq. A Vice-Presi

dent.

1818.- William Watson, Esq., F.R.S. Serjeantat-Arms, Attendant on the Great Seal and the House of Lords. Chairman of the Sessions for Middlesex and Westminster. Senior Common Pleader of the City of London, and a Vice-President of the Hospital. (Susanna, his wife, is buried in the same vault.)

1818.-Sir Thomas Bernard, Baronet. Eleven years Treasurer of the Hospital, and afterwards a

Vice-President.* (Lady Margaret, and Lady Charlotte Matilda Bernard, are also buried in the same vault.)

1819.-John Owen Parr, Esq. (Elizabeth Mary, his wife, is buried in the same vault.)

1820.- William Nanson, Esq.

1822.-John Stephenson, Esq. (Mary, his wife, is buried in the same vault.)

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1823. Robert Raynsford, Esq. Many years one of the stipendiary magistrates of the metropolis, and an active Vice-President of the Hospital. (Elizabeth, his wife, is buried in the same vault.)

1827.-Philip Jackson, Esq.

1830.-John Heath, Esq.† A justice of the peace for the county of Middlesex. (Jane Louisa, his wife, is buried in the same vault.)

1831.-Thomas Smith, Esq. (Maria, his wife, is buried in the same vault.)

1831.-Richard Smith, Esq. (Elizabeth Ann, his wife, is buried in the same vault.)

Sir Thomas did not confine his charitable labours to the Foundling Hospital. He was indefatigable in forming Societies for bettering the condition of the poor, and in promoting the views of Charitable and Literary persons of all classes.

+ Brother of the late Judge Heath, and father of John Benjamin Heath, Esq., His Sardinian Majesty's Consul General, and Governor of the Bank of England for the time being.