Star.
London, England, 1806-08-27 00:00:00

•••• ••=m••••••m.
RIIIIAT P 4014 Tilt LOH RP rnitT PF
SIOMP ill of
ROYAL HOSPrTAI, AT GREENWICH.
his extremely ibtio-faftory to Its, to have it in our
power to Rate, that ip the entitle of our invefligation
info the effiirs of this great National Intlitution, we
dikovrred bbt feervinhantes of abufe or irregularity.
It appears by the trident: of the Steward, that he
hi• tome occafions received premiums on the ap•
pint meat of Clef ks.. to the mina ant of about one year's
relay, and that he is in the praftice of receiving pre•
tents of wine and other articles from Coatrooms. The
...teteard's Firfe Cleric silo receives fees from the Con
treftors. for making ant their bills for articles fupplied
ti the Hofpital. Altho' the amount of thefe precuts
and fees is Rated to be trifling, we think they are
highly objeftienahle. It molt have been the object
of the Direaqrs, inregniring the Conuattors to make
out bills previodly to their receNing payment for
their goods, to efriblifb a check upon the accounts
kept by the Officers of the Hofpital—and this pre-
caution is entirely defeated, if filch bilk are m ple.out
by the Clerks tram the Hotrital hooks; we therefore
recommend that this praftice be dircontinticd, and
that the Civil Officers and Clerks be Itriftly prohi-
bited from receiving any fee or gra:aity of any kind
whatever.
The Charter, by which the C mmiffioners and
Governors of the Hofpital are inc poi ated, pofitive.
ly requires, that 44 all Officers employed in the Hof-
pitals (hall be feafaring men, or inch w' n have log
their or been otherwife difebled in th tea let.
vim" From a lilt of the Officers and cthe • perfrms
now belt aging to the Hofpital, who bare not been
employed in the tea terrier, it appears that this rule
has been departed from in many inftances.
It may perhaps be imprailicable to comply with
this regolation in all cafes; but we think, that with
the exception of very few initiates, perfons adequate
tcnhe Smith-ins might hare been felefted from that
clefs which the Charter has declared to be folely eti•
gible for fuch appoinunents.
The Secretary to the Hofpital and his Affiftants.
have nor been feafaring men. Their places might
be eafily filled by perfons either in the military or ci-
vil line of naval fervice. Thefe fitovions hare, how-
ever, been frequently given to perfons in the As
rally Office ; and the prefent Secretary, and his
Fora Affiftant, are Clerks in that Office.
The place of Barber, which is, in a great meafitre.
a finecure, might be held by any feafaring men ;
the duty is aftually performed by feme of the pen.
lioness: the prefent Barber is neither a feafaring man,
nor by birth a Dritith fuhjeft. The fnm he receives,
after paying his affilants, appears to * about one
bunched and thirty-two pounds. He has aflo
apartments in the Hofpital.
We einem omit noticing, that neithet of the Chap-
lains of the Hofpital have been at fem. A deviation
from the hale itliecntrarly improper in this cafe, can.
fsdering the very few halation's to which the 10eritD:
sinus clafs rf Navy C. slaini can lopk fawned as a
retirement, when incapable of attending to- the
more waive duties of their profeflion.
. After the abfavatinns which we have made on this
!abject, it teems hardly natality far unto geom.
nyend, that the Chatter (bouldrin aHreCticable cafes,
be ttrietly silvered to. It would. peels hard on indi-
vals, who may bare been induced to eater into the
I.pital with the profpeauf (wallows to the /Pere*
Rations in their refpettive departments. to be pre-
cluded hem promotion 1 but we think that in future
nq Landman Ibould be appointed to any &action in
reenwich Hofplial, unlefs, after notice of the
tasty fhall have been given in the public papers for',
at leaft a month, no perfon in the lea fervice, duly
qualified, and forniflred with proper tettimnatials of
his charcher, fhould apply for the appointment.
The places of Fri Cleik to the Stewatd, and Frit
Mate tq the Butler, are held by the fame perfra.--r
The duties to be performed in there office. are in-
compatible, as the office of the one is intended to be
a cheek on- that of the other. and therefore ought
not to be &Umtata) the fame perfon.
We had, in the Gauge of nut inquiries.occafionto
talkie.% that the prefent bye lowa and regulations,
for.the Government of the Hofpital, were, in forge
inttoncer, whally'negletted, ahch in.others, no longer
adequate to the purpofes for vihich.they here intend-
ed. Thee, 'tow believe, woe drattq up in the yt er
1776, and have *ot been fince reviled, We, there-
fole, reecanmenf a revitlon ssf thole bye-laws and
'qui-farm.,.and that a eligen be made of (uchaS are
pOpet to * saittino; together wish the gestial or-
ders tihic hive (ince been Miest ; and that a new
P•cle he thence formed, fuitcd to the prefent.circum
linnet of the Hnfpitil. 'f his meafure is rendeted
One inallectiately neCiffery, holes what is Rated by
life Indent ficretary, that, in the time of his prede•
thfors, topiet of the 'ninnies of the /3riard Wee tint
Ittfarly ftrnillted to the OffiCernOvhore eeinrittet
hey wets: intended tq regulate.
"There are two livings belonging to te
It vicarage, or perpetual curacy of Al on. an tits 1
•ellry of Simor.bui tr. To the Isomer, the Cogpri,lf•
[inters and Governors of the Hufpital prefent two out'
(if farce wins • the two next prelentations are in the
Hofpital. the annual value of it is Rated at ciE,lsty
or eighty-five pounds per annum. ,
-'llte reCtory of Sinumburuis volued, in tire return
ram the Clerk of the Checque, at two thoufaud
pounds per annum ;'but according to the reprefenta:
von made by Dr. Scott, the Reelor, to one of the
Commiffic,ners on the late fumy, the prefent value of
the living is three thonfand pounds per annum ; sail,
from vinous inelofures • hich have lately taken place,
ie is etipefted that it will hereafter be confides ably
advanced.
There are three pieces of worship in the parifh of
Simnnburn ; the church at Simonburn. anetwo
chapels ; one at Billingham, and one at Falftene. A
hook for the Minitter is laid to be much wanted ar
Dillingham ; Felfione is a perpetual curacy, endowed
Qeen Anne's bounty, and in the gift of the lice-
;or ofZimonburn.
The prefent incumbent of Alfion tea nnt prefented.
ry the Hofpital, it not hiving been their turn to pre.
'cnt cm the !aft vacancy. The Rector of Simonburn
Mat preferred h; the Commiffianers and Governors
e •
if the tiotrltai in 177 i.
We are of -opinion that this living flinnld be ren-
lcii.d fubfer tient to the intentius of the_lnftitution. It