KING EDWARD the SIXTH, of pious memory, in the year of our Lord 1552 founded and endowed this HOSPITAL of St. THOMAS the Apostle, _together with the Hospital of Christ and Bridewell in London_.
Underneath is a spacious passage down several steps into the second court, which is by far the most elegant. It has colonades like the former, except at the front of the chapel which is on the north side, and is adorned with lofty pilasters of the Corinthian order, placed on high pedestals which rise from the ground, and on the top is a pediment, as there is also in the centre of the west and east sides: and above the piazzas the fronts of the wards are ornamented with handsome Ionic pilasters.
In the midst of this court is a good brass statue of King Edward VI. by Mr. Scheemakers, and behind him is placed upon a kind of small pedestal his crown laid upon a cushion. This statue is surrounded with iron rails, and stands upon a lofty stone pedestal, upon which is the following inscription in capitals:
This statue Of King EDWARD the Sixth, A most excellent Prince, Of exemplary Piety and Wisdom above his years; The glory and ornament of his age, and most munificent founder Of this hospital, Was erected at the expence Of CHARLES JOYCE, Esquire, in the year MDCCXXXVII.
On the opposite face of the pedestal is the same inscription in Latin.
In the middle of the east side of this court is a spacious passage into the next, the structure above being supported by rows of columns. The buildings in the third court are older than the others, and are entirely surrounded with a colonade, above which they are adorned with a kind of long slender Ionic pilasters, with very small capitals. In the centre is a stone statue of Robert Clayton, Esq; dressed in his robes as Lord Mayor, surrounded with iron rails, upon the west side of the pedestal is his arms in relievo, and on the south side the following inscription:
To Sir ROBERT CLAYTON, knight, born in Northamptonshire, Citizen and Lord Mayor of London, president of this hospital, and vice president of the new work-house, and a bountiful benefactor to it; a just magistrate, and brave defender of the liberty and religion of his country. Who (besides many other instances of his charity to the poor) built the girls ward in Christ’s hospital, gave first toward the rebuilding of this house 600_l._ and left by his last will 2300_l._ to the poor of it. This statue was erected in his life time by the governors, _An. Dom._ MDCCI. as a monument of their esteem of so much worth; and to preserve his memory after death, was by them beautified _Anno Dom._ MDCCXIV.