Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1892-08-13

Among Old Chelsea Pensioners-His.
toric Home of British Army vete-
rams Beside the Thames-Pension.
ers' Daily Lives-Scenes in Ward
Rooms, Chapel and Hall-Interest-
ing Traditions and "Reminiscences.
LONDON, England, Aug. 1.
To the Editor OF the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
In olden times discharged and destitute
veterans of the English army wandered
from door to door, usually from tap room
door to door, and secured food and drink
by exhibiting their scars or spinning de-
lectable yarns for the entertainment of
any who might bestow charity upon them.
They could also knock at the doors of mo-
nastic houses with the assurance of re-
ceiving bread and ale and lodging for the
night.
After the Restoration their condition
was scandal to King Charles II. and the
country. Authorities differ not only
widely but vituperously as to the origin of
practical effort for their betterment.
Some hold that the English were piqued
into action through the establishment by
Louis XIV. of the Invalides in Paris as a
retreat for French veterans. There is rec
ord that as early as 1866 scheme for an
infrmary for disabled English sailors had
been submitted to Pepys, as clerk of ad.
miralty. Others contest that the second
Charles had a lazy sort of design to house
and comfort the ragged old veterans who
had been loyal to his father before the lat
ter had lost his kingly head.
But sometimes tradition has longer legs
I than history. British folk will never ceas,
believing the tradition that rough, kind
hearted Nell Gwynne had all to do will
the founding of Chelsea hospital for Brit
ish pensioners. There are two pretty sto
ries of how it finally came about that al
army of savage old critics and iconoolast
can never disparage among the Britisl
masses.
One is that one day Nell was sitting witt
Charles in her summer house at Chelsea
one of whose windows overlooked the fin
meadows surrounding King James college
when the paymaster of the forces entered
and the subject of the projected hospits
and the difficulty of finding proper sit
was resumed. "Your majesty could nc
do BETTER" said Sir Stephen Fox, "tha
give ND for the purpose your recent pul
chase from the Royal society" This com
prised King James college and ground
which had Just been bought as a gift I
, Nell at O cost of thirteen hundred pound
s"Tis we'll thought Of" replied the king
casting his eye over the beautiful plot
, ground. "You shall have it," but reco
iecting himself, heinstantly added, GODS
, / forgot have already given this land
Nell here" "Have you so, Charlesr O.
claimed Nell gaily; then will return it
/ Won again for so good q purpose" The @
, fer was accepted, and Nell was transferrt
{ to a mansion built for her in Pail Mall I
Q the king.
/ Another more romantic version is tn
= kings gilded coach, and being most di
;. consolate the king rallied her, when 81
: confessed that her distress was owing
;, the following dream:
1 "Methought I was in the fields of Oh,
o sea, and slowly there rose before my ey
y a beautiful palace of thousand ohal
bers; and in and out thereof walked {
Ie yers many old and worn out soldier m
,s with all kind- of scars, and many MAIN
,e "a to their limbs. All of them were ag
% and past service; and as they went 9
ss and came in the old men cried: 'G
v bless King Charlesr And swoke, ant
is was sore discounted that 1t was only
n dream" .,
The story goes that the king was touch
in by Nell's dream and then and there sw'
of a great oath that it should come to reali
To- And 80 1t did. The king hardly saw M
o. than the corner stone laid by Sir Chris