Gaspey, William [Editor]: Tallis's illustrated London: in commemoration of the Great Exhibition of all nations in 1851 (Band 2) (London, 1852)

CHRIST S HOSPITAL. O

at an outlay of £7,000, was commenced in 1675. The
writing school was originated in 1694 by Sir John
More, knight and alderman, and finished at his own
expense. It stands at the west side of the play-ground,.
and rests upon columns, the space under which is allotted
for play and exercise. This school contains a desk at
which 300 boys may write at the same time. The hos-
pital comprehends several buildings, which extend from
east to west on the northern side of Newgate-street. The
most magnificent part of this hospital is the New Hall,
the first stone of which was laid by his royal highness the
late Duke of York in 1825, and it was opened in 1829.
It is in the Elizabethan style, and was built from designs
by the late Mr. Shaw, the architect of St. Dunstan's-in-
tne-'West. It is partly raised on the old wall of London,
and partly on the foundations of the refectory of the
Grey Friars. Its southern part faces Newgate-street. It
is sustained by buttresses, and at each extremity an
octagon tower is erected- The summit is embattled and
ornamented with pinnacles; and the upper part of the
western tower is used as an observatory. On the grand
storv is an open arcade 187 feet long and 16^ wide,
for the shelter or recreation of the boys in hot or wet
weather; a meeting-room for the governors, &c, with
the staircases and passages of communication. The
dining-room, with its lobby and organ-gallery, occupies
the entire upper story, which is 187 feet long, 51 wide,
and 47 high. On the south side are nine large and
handsome windows ; at the east end is a dais or stage for
the governors, and along the west and north sides are
galleries for the accommodation of visitors. The arcade,
under the hall, is built with blocks of Haytor granite,
highly wrought; the remainder of the front is of Portland
stone. The two leading classes in the school are called
Grecians and Deputy-Grecians. Several university ex-
hibitions or fellowships are attached to the Hospital, the
revenues of which proceeding from royal and private do-
nations, and from a grant by the city of various pri-