Memorials of Old Chelsea: a new history of the village of palaces ... With numerous illustrations by the author

Preface

. A place of such exceptional interest as Chelsea has naturally had many historians, among whom may be mentioned Bowack, 1705, slight but useful for contemporary details ; Rev. Daniel Lysons, M.A., 1795 (supplement, 1799), accurate and full of research; Hughson, 1809; Nightingale; Brewer and Norris, 1815 ; Thomas Faulkner, 1809, second edition, 1829, to whom we must all own a heavy debt ; Bryan, 1869, who continues the record, though very imperfectly ; Isabella Burt, 1875 ; Rev. A. L'Estrange, 1879, wno treats the biographical side in a very interesting manner ; and Dr. Martin, 1887, who gives a sympathetic and picturesquely written sketch. But notwithstanding this array of authors, which might well deter other aspirants in the same field, it has been felt by many that a new history of Chelsea, covering the whole ground, including the latest researches, and amply illustrated, was a want distinctly felt by those who take an interest in this fascinating subject ; and when it was suggested by some old Chelsea residents that I should undertake the task, I bent myself to it with alacrity.

So great is the mass of material available, that though I have kept as strictly as possible to the title, ' Memorials of Old Chelsea,' yet it has been necessary to discard much interesting matter, because well known, in order to include other matter previously unedited or not given due prominence. This course necessarily involves a certain incongruity of treatment, giving an apparently undue importance in some cases to certain persons and incidents. A work of this class, however, is valuable, rather for its research and historic accuracy than for its literary style ; and to ensure this accuracy, as far as may Preface. VIII be, I have summoned to my aid 'a cloud of witnesses,' and allowed them to speak for themselves. With regard to the meagre treatment of recent history, which may be dis appointing to some (particularly local readers), as the necessity of it was to myself, I must plead the difficulty of space.

Two bulky volumes would barely have sufficed had this part been written in any detail. Early in the course of my work I found it would be necessary to limit the field of treatment, and therefore it was that the present title was chosen. I cannot close this preface without expressing my thanks to several gentle men who have assisted me in the progress of this work, particularly to the Right Hon. Sir Charles Dilke, Bart., Right Hon. L. H. Courtney, M.P., Dr. J. S. Phene, F.S.A., Mr. Walter Rye, Mr. R. F. Sketchley, M.A., Mr. C. J. Quinn, Mr. J. R. S. Clifford, Mr. C. D. Sherborn, Mr. John Scott, B.A., Mr. J. C. Feret, F.R.Hist.S., Mr. W. Lovell, Mr. G. P. Boyce, R.W.S., and Mr. David Hodge. Chelsea, May, CHELSEA IN 1738, FROM A PRINT BY THOMAS PREIST, OF CHELSEA. HISTORICAL