Proceeding a little to the north-west, we arrive at what was formerly called Little Chelsea, but which is now designated West Brompton. Without wishing to remove our neighbour’s land-mark, or to trespass beyond the precise boundaries of Chelsea, the parish of Kensington being on the north side of West Brompton, we will notice the residence of William Boscawen, Esq., who resided near to those spacious mansions now being erected on the grounds formerly known as Walnut-Tree Walk, now called Redcliffe Gardens. Mr. Boscawen was the younger son of General George Boscawen, and was born in 1752. At an early age he was sent to Eton, where he obtained the particular notice and favour of the celebrated Dr. Barnard. From Eton he removed to Exeter College, Oxford, and afterwards studied the law, became a member of the Middle Temple, and was called to the bar. His legal studies were not unfruitful, as he published an excellent book under the title of “A Treatise of Conviction on Penal Statutes,” &c., 1792, 8vo. In 1785 he was appointed a Commissioner of the Victualling Office, in consequence of which he soon after quitted the bar, and in the following year married a daughter of Dr. Ibbetson, Archdeacon of St. Albans. Being an excellent classical scholar, and warmly attached to literary pursuits, Mr. Boscawen published, in 1793, “A Translation of the Odes of Horace,” which, being much approved of, was soon followed by a Translation of the Satires, Epistles, and Art of Poetry. In 1801 he published a small volume of Poems, which displayed an elegant taste, a poetical mind, and a correct versification, and he was for several years an able coadjutor to the British Critic. He died, after a short illness, in 1811. That excellent institution, the Literary Fund, he considered almost as his child, and his affection to it was testified not only by contribution, but by annual verses in its praise, and assiduous attendance at its meetings.
Mr. Lochee’s Military Academy was established at this place about the year 1770, and enjoyed a high degree of reputation; many of our most eminent military characters received their education under him. The premises, which were laid out as a regular fortification, and were opened to view, excited much attention at the time. Mr. Lochee afterwards, unfortunately, engaged in the revolutionary troubles which agitated Flanders in the year 1790, and being taken prisoner by the Austrians, was condemned to be hanged; he, however, obtained permission to come to England, to settle his affairs, upon condition of leaving his only son as a hostage; and upon his return to the Continent he suffered the punishment of death. His son, afterwards, married a daughter of the late Mr. King, an eminent book auctioneer, of King Street, Covent Garden, and, lamentable to relate, fell by his own hands.