It Was At First
Governed By A Master, Eight Brethren, And Four Sisters, Who Had The
Care Of The Sick And Infirm That Were Brought Thither.
King Henry
VIII.
Endowed it with a yearly revenue of five hundred more yearly
for the relief of one hundred infirm people. And since that time
the hospital is so increased and enlarged, by the benefactions given
to it, that it receives infirm people at present from all parts of
England. In the year 1702 a beautiful frontispiece was erected
towards Smithfield, adorned with pilasters, entablature, and
pediment of the Ionic order, with the figure of the founder, King
Henry VIII., in a niche, standing in full proportion; and the
figures of two cripples on the pediment: but the most considerable
improvements to the building were made in the year 1731, of the old
buildings being pulled down, and a magnificent pile erected in the
room of them about 150 feet in length, faced with a pure white
stone, besides other additions now building.
There are two houses belonging to this hospital, the one in Kent
Street, called the Lock, and the other at Kingsland, whither such
unfortunate people as are afflicted with the French disease are sent
and taken care of, that they may not prove offensive to the rest;
for surely more miserable objects never were beheld, many of them
having their noses and great part of their faces eaten off, and
become so noisome frequently, that their stench cannot be borne,
their very bones rotting while they remain alive.
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