The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-02-11
NOTABLE ENGLISH CHARITY.
A Home for Old Gentlemon Fit,ingly
Described.

"A y y
oco in Savannah, in company with the
rTopriator of the MORNING NEWS, I took
walk. Our way led us by the lntirmary,
nv the Abrams Widows Home, and the
asylum for fallen women, the gift of a noble
christian lady. The conversation naturally
tnrned upon public charities, and my friend
laid that he had been revolving the idea of
iraupurating a movement for a home for
I'D Gentlemen. 1t was a noble suggestion,
and whetherm kind hearted friend has ever
,.soIized his idea of that hour | know not,
Init the thought has fingered with me- |
have found no such home, and the eStab-
Ishment of such an institution would com
nlete the list of noble charities which adorn
Savannah. Her charitable institutions ex-
coed those of any other community in this
State. and these charities are sustained
without ostentaton or blowing of trumpets,
and people living outside would be aston
Shed at their extent, were they to examine
into them. This is due to a people who are
as modest ashley are generous in the bestow
ment Of their charities
During my recent sojourn in London |
was conVersing one day with Mr.. Geo. j.
stevenson, the author and philanthropist,
and the conversation with my friend in
savannah came up. "Do you want to see
model home for impoverished gentle
mem asked Mr.. Stevenson. l assured him
that did. Them" said he, come with
me-"
Smithfield, consecrated by the blood of the
MARTYRS He showed me the spot where
the Stake was planted, and where John
Rogers. John Bradford and John Philpot
were burned on their refusal to renounce
their religious principles. Just across Long
Lane is the largest meat market in London.
We hurried by this and came upon a beau
tiful green circle known as Charterhouse
square, and passing half way round my at
tention was called to an archway, which my
friend assured ME was closed by the oldest
gates in the city, having been in use over
400 years. This gateway led us into the en-
closure known as the Old ChaIterhouse, and
the location of the old mems home.
This spot has a history.
THE WHOLE PLAT OF GROUND,
with tine beautiful park in front, was
known about 500 years ago as the Pest
House Field, and in one year. more than
10000 of ''the better sort of people," who
had died of the pestilence, were buried here.
In 1871 Sir Walter Mauny came into pos
session Of fourteen acres of this ground, and
erected a monastery for the Carthusian
monks. When King Henry VIII. failed to
rule the Pope at Rome, in his Indignation
he suppressed all the mCnaSterieS within his
realm. The ancient prior refused to regard
the imperial decree, so far as this one was
concerned, and the King ordered him hung,
and set his head on London bridge and his
right arm was suspended under the arch to
the monastery. The arch still remains
King Henry gave the property to Lord
Audley In 1911, after the property had
passed through many hands, Thomas Sutton
bought the estate for $4,000 from Lord
Suffolk, and the same year endowed it as a
Home for Decayed Old Gentlemen"
There was provision made for eighty
pensioners. Their admission depended on
the following conditions: They were to be
nominated by one of the governors of the
institution-we would call them trustees
The applicant must be an old bachelor, or
widower, of good repute, and who is unable
to care for himself, and must consent to the
discipline of the home. When once in they
have lifetime lease. They are at liberty
to depart, but that makes a vacancy, and
he who goes no longer has any claim upon
the institution.
In connection with this ancient house was
also a school. A certain number of boys
were appointed after examination, just as
the inmates of the house were, and were
called Foundation Scholars" Some of the
most eminent Englishmen have been edu-
Gated in the ''Chartreux School, which has
been corrupted into Charterhouse school.
Among them Addison, Blackstone, Steele
John Wesley and William M. Thackeray.
In company with my friend, Mr.. Steven
son, we passed under the archway and into
an open court, where everything has an hir
of cleanliness and comfort. We were first
led into the chapel. Just at the doorway
we pass over the grave of William Make
peace Thackeray. He made this place
memorable by making it the scene of one of
his most entertaining books, 1.-THE New
bac u ara i1sb N
which remains i'll its general appointments
just the same as it was over 400 years ago.
Here lies buried Thomas Sutton, the founder,
there the seats where the eighty old gentle
men SIT and yonder in the corner is where
the school boys sat, all sharing the bounty
OF the benevolent founder.
WE WE'RE SHOWN THROUGH
the quaint old building which is filled with
curioSities of Queen Elizabeth's day. Her
room remains as it was as she used to be
an inmate here before her coronation. The
tapestry and oak carving are very elaborate
Finally we were ushered into the sold
court room" where the great Duke used to
entertain his guests. This is a large hal
finished in the style of the Fourteenth cen
tury, with a gallery ON one side and end
where the musicians and servants sat tC
witness the revelries below. But Thomas
Sutton put an end to all this, by making ii
wants he was supplying, and where now on
the 18th of every December the anniversa
~ of the founders death is celebrated
The old Carthusian song used to be sung
with the following chorus.
''Then blessed be the memory
OF good old Thomas Sutton,
Who gave us lodging, learning,
AS well as beef and mutton"
The portrait of this noble Englishmar
Still remains on the wall, and is the only
guest allowed in this room during the din
hsr hour of the poor brethren" We
entered just a few minutes before dinner
was ready, and saw the tables spread, and
witnessed the abundance these unfortunate
Old gentlemen were soon to sit down to
everything was scrupulously clean. They
nave nay reason to bless the memory Of good Ole
inomas Sutton. Just as we passed out al
the front door, for we tarried longer thar
We should have done, the old brethren com
menced to file in at the side door, each to his
accustomed place. 1t was an impressive
silght, although we had but glimpse, fol
She door was soon closed and locked be
hind us.
HERE THESE OLD GENTLEMEN
hye together in collegiate style, provided
Win comfortable apartments and all neces
sarles, except clothing, in lieu Of which they
receive &25-about $l20-a year, and {
gown each. There are about six acres o.
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