arly stated in terms derived from the English
language exclusively, will generally be both intelligible and
interesting to the lower classes. They do not want acuteness, or power
of attending; it is their vocabulary only which is confined, and if we
address them in such words as they understand, we may tell them what
truths we please, and reason with them as subtlely as we can."
_Chelsea Heroines._--In the year 1739 was interred in the college
burying-ground, Christian Davies, alias Mother Ross, who, according to
her own narrative, served in several campaigns under King William and
the Duke of Marlborough, and behaved with signal bravery. During the
latter part of her life she resided at Chelsea, where her third husband
was a pensioner in the college: at this time she subsisted, as she tells
us, principally on the benevolence of the quality at court, whither she
went twice a-week in a hackney-coach, old age and infirmities having
rendered her unable to walk. The famous Hannah Snell, whose history is
recorded in various publications of the year 1750, was actually at that
time put upon the out-pensioners list at Chelsea, on account of the
wounds which she received at the siege of Pondicherry. Her singular
story excited a considerable share of public attention; and she was
engaged to sing, and perform the military exercises at various places of
public entertainment: soon afterwards she married one Eyles, a carpenter
at Newbury. A lady of fortune, who admired the heroism and eccentricity
of her conduct, having honoured her with particular notice, became
godmother to her son, and contributed liberally to his education. Mrs.
Eyles, to the day of her death, continued to receive her pension, which,
in the year 1786, was augmented by a special grant to a shilling a day.
In the latter part of her life she discovered symptoms of insanity, and
was admitted a patient into Bethlehem-hospital, where she died, Feb. 8,
1792, aged 69 years.
_Longevity of Chelsea Pensioners_.--The following records are collected
from among the epitaphs in the college burying-ground:
Thomas Azbey, died .. 1737 aged .. 112
Captain Laurence .... 1765 ........ 95
Robert Cumming ...... 1767 ....... 116
Peter Dowling ....... 1768 ....... 102
A soldier who had fought
at the battle of the
Boyne ............... 1772 ....... 111
Peter Bennet, of Tinmouth
.................... 1773 ....... 107
_Cholera._--During the lat
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