Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-19
IN THE PRETTY OAKLAND DISTRICT.

latter years of his reign. find on visit to
the old place that there is much to justify
the American statesman's eulogy Of this in
stitution, which has grown away from the
pill box and plaster into broad plan OF
relief and advancement for the young rather
than the old, as in times past.
The grounds are no longer filled with men
disabled by the hardships of a naval life,
but with laughing, mischievous and manly
boys, who are following in their fathers
footsteps toward the quarter deck and the
mainsail. Why this ideal school for the
education of British seamen should be called
a hospital do not know, except the caprice
of the English mind, which always prefers
to preserve interesting traditions rather than
destroy them, no matter how anomalous
they may be.
ONLY AN INSIGNIFICANT HOSPITAL.
There is one old yellow building just in
side the iron fence, which has been named
the DroadAaught Hospital, where the sea-
men Of all nations are still admitted without
money and without price; but it cuts small
uSuEe III Iuc lOTce Or purpose Oh the place
Here again the sentiment of the over-con-
servative Englishman is observed in keep
ing alive the name of the old war ship, which
| recalls the victories of Nelson and Britain's
commanding position on the high seas ever
since the days of Trafalgar.
The whole world begins at this point. The
marks on every geography which indicate
longitude or direction start from the spot
upon which 1 am standing. Every time you
take out your watch, look at the dial on the
church steeple, or hear the clock strike, you
are dealing with Greenwich, and therefore
may be interested in its history and
and present condition. Two great schools
arc maintained at this place which come
closer in contact with the world at large
every day than all others in the old world
They were practically founded by an acci-
dent When Charles II. ascended the
throne there was an old castle at Greenwich
that had fallen into decay during the Com
monwealth, when Cromwell put his heavy
hand upon so many pet royal palaces.
When the merry Monarch" succeeded him
and tell under the
INFLUENCE OF NELL GwYNNE,
after he had abandoned half dozen other
women, she induced him to tear down the
old place, aud build on its sight charitable
institution to perpetuate his name. It was
only completed during the reign of Mary of
Orange. when she followed out the inten-
tions of her festive uncle, and dedicated the
building in 1894 for the noble purpose for
which 1t was begun. The delay in finishing
and dedicating it has caused conflict Of
statement about Nell Gwynne's having es-
tablished this charity. many people assert
ing that the Chelsea Hospital on the Upper
Thames for disabled soldiers was her work. |
and not the sailors resting place at Green |
wich.
This doubtless arises from the fact that |
Nell Gwynne's portrait is displayed at |
Chelsea, and not at the Home for the Sea-
men. But as the two institutions were
identical in their establishment, it is now
contended that she suggested them both,
and really laid the foundation for two of the
"holiest charities that ever blessed man
kind" instead of one. Be that as it NAV. if
there is any one thing certain in history. it
is that she exerted good influence over the
most wayward and jolly King that England
ever had, and turned his mind toward many
charitable deeds now much reverenced.
THE SCHOOL EQUIPMENT.
Across the roadway from this old relic on
he lower Thames is a tull-rigged shin. and
its hulk Is securely built into the ground.
Around it are beautifully laid out grounds.
with gravelei walks and fowered beds, As
/ background there is row of old build.
ngs linked together by long covered cause.
ways dotted here and there with cannon. In
hose houses 1000 boys are being educated
or the royal navy, and on this ship in the
yard they are receiving practical training
Tor the life which awaits them when they
cave the school.
vkz1a ,I
'titution is a model school for all nations.
The training is so careful and so thorough
IN land, that the boys get no experience at
sea until they are turned out full fiedeed
'eamen ready to take their places on man
':-war. Beside the dummy in the yard.
where they are taught the use Of all the net
work Of ropes that belong to big ship, the
study rooms in the houses are fitted with
III clases Of vessels from a small safIboat
Up; so that the lad begins at the very bot
ON round of the ladder and is Taught how
% man, make and repair every class Of yes.
el that floats the sea.
BROAD EDUCATION. TOO.
Besides this he is given a thorough En-
,llsh education, the British iGea being that
he more intelligent man is the better SOL
Iier or seaman, il well disciplined. he will
.e. Perhaps nothing could better illustrate
he power and purpose of this Government, /
far as its water commerce is concerned,
han this school devoted to the mental and {
hysical training of young boys for its men,
f-war and merchant marine. The hospital
7hich Nell Gwynne made possible by her in :
uencs with Charles II. created all this.
hat Institution grew very rich through do
ations and small assessments upon the
men in the royal naval service.
he idea of school was part of the orig
,al conception, and 1t was carried ut a. t
apidly as possible.
1t has grown immensely, and while the e
ew buildings which are built around fhe
rst one, now used as picture gallery, have