The site of this building had long been memorable for the charitable house raised on it. St. Barthomew's is situated on the south-east side of Smithfield, and was incorporated in the last year of the reign of Henry VIII. It formerly belonged to the priory of St. Bartholomew, in Smithfield, founded by a person named Rahere, about the year 1102.
This hospital, having escaped the dreadful fire in 1666, was repaired and beautified by the governors in 1691. But the buildings became by length of time so ruinous and dangerous, that a subscription was entered into in 1729, for the rebuilding on a plan comprehending four detached piles of buildings, to be joined by stone gateways, about a court or area. Four piles were accordingly erected. One of these piles contains a large ball for the resort of governors at general courts, a countinghouse for the committees, and other necessary offices. The other three piles contain wards for the reception of patients. it is furnished with three physicians, three surgeons, three assistant surgeons, an apothecary, and chaplain. It is capable of accommodating 420 patients.
The present building is capacious, appropriate, and sightly ;—it is surrounded by a square. The great staircase is admirably painted, and was done by Hogarth at his own expense. The subjects, the Good Samaritan, and the pool of Bethesda. In another part is the pious RAHERE laying the foundation-stone; and a sick man carried on a bier attended by monks. The hall is at the head of the stair-case, a very large room, ornamented with a full length of HENRY VIII. That monarch, with all his faults, was entitled to be complimented on this occasion, as he presented this House to the citizens. Over the chimney-piece is a portrait of the patron-saint; and in the windows is painted Henry VIII., delivering the charter to the lord mayor, Prince Arthur, and two noblemen with white rods standing near him.
The extensive good done may be inferred from the recent annual returns :—
In-Patients Cured and discharged last Year 2,751
Out-Patients Cured and discharged last Year 2,619
Buried last Year............................................... 197
Remaining under cure, In-Patients..................... 363
Remaining under cure, Out-Patients................... 303
So that there has been under the cure of this
hospital last year........................................... 9523
Source: New Picture of London, Printed for Samuel Leigh, 18, Strand; by W. Clowes, Northumberland Court. 1819
Source: Leigh's New Picture of London. Printed for Samuel Leigh, 18, Strand;
by W. Clowes, Northumberland Court. 1819