ST. CROSS HOSPITAL, WEN/CHESTER.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " Sercraroa."]
Sra,—St. Cross Hospital, Winchester, is no doubt well known to many of your readers, but it may not be realized that it is a combination of two foundations for different classes of deserv- ing people. First, there is the original charity known as the Hospital Foundation, which was re-endowed by Henry de Blois, brother of King Stephen, Bishop of Winchester, for it was an ancient charity even in King Stephen's time. Secondly, there is the Almshouse of Noble Poverty, a comparatively modern foundation, created by Cardinal Beaufort in 1446. For this branch of the charity there is occasionally a lack of candidates as residents in the hospital from the class of person whom the Cardinal desired to help, and benefits intended for those of gentle birth are in danger of being usurped by others for whom numerous charities already exist.
No more charming quarters can he imagined for a person
who in his youth may have been accustomed to collegiate surroundings in which to end his days, and it is surprising that there is not more competition for the vacancies for resi- dence in the hospital as they from time to time occur. To be qualified as an inmate an applicant should have occupied a good position in life and should have reached the age of sixty, and must have been reduced by misfortune from independence to poverty. Besides securing a separate tenement in the quad- rangle a brother enjoys other advantages; such as coal, light, medical attendance, and a money allowance, which at present Is fixed at el Is. 9d. a week. Gowns and hats are also supplied. The trustees give a preference to married men, and if a brother dies leaving a widow a small pension is usually allotted to her. Further particulars, with which I need not encumber this letter, and forms of application can be obtained from the Receiver of St. Cross, Bank Chambers, Winchester. St. Cross Hospital is not, as is sometimes thought, a local charity. It is a national institution with benefits open to anyone owing allegiance to the King, and my fear is that there are persons of the class for which the Noble Poverty Foundation was created who- are losing its benefits through ignorance, which must be my excuse for venturnig to ask you to spare some of your valuable space for this letter.—I am, Sir, &c., Master's Lodge, St. Cross Hospital. P. T. CAMITOW.
[We are delighted that our columns should be used to draw attention to the advantages conferred by this historic House of Alms. A better haven of quiet and rest for the storm-shattered vessels of life's seas can hardly be imagined.—En., Spectator.]
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