Note on the divining Rod. 467 



but on account of Dr. H's new residence, and of his having dis- 

 covered plenty of water, his situation was preferred : accordingly 

 the whole of Woolwich Common was purchased from the parish, 

 and the new college was placed very near the first or cubical 

 house built by Dr. H. 



After the new college was completed, the King came down to 

 view it, having a good taste in architecture, having indeed him- 

 self made choice of the drawings for the front of it, being in 

 the handsome Gothic style. It happened that when standing be- 

 fore the building, and looking down towards the beautiful Military 

 Barracks, at the lower or opposite end of the common, he per- 

 ceived that some new buildings partly intercepted the view of the 

 barracks. His Majesty immediately remarked the impropriety, 

 and said that the obstructing buildings might be removed. He 

 was then told that it was not in their power to remove them ; that 

 they were private freehold property, and belonged to Dr. H. the 

 head master of the Academy. *' But," said His Majesty, " they 

 may be bought ; let the whole be purchased, and the obstructing 

 parts removed." 



This was an order not to be neglected by the Board of Ord- 

 nance ; and accordingly Dr. H. soon received a message from 

 them, desiring him to transmit what price he demanded for his 

 whole estate, houses and land. Dr. H. replied, That though he 

 well knew they must have the property at any rate, yet he scorned 

 to take any advantage of that circumstance, desiring not to have 

 any thing bevond the bare and fair value of the estate ; and 

 agreeably to that resolution he requested the Board to send down 

 their own surveyor to set a value on the estate, and whatever 

 that valuation might be, he would accept it. The Board replied; 

 There could be nothing more fair and liberal on his part. Ac- 

 cordingly, very soon after they sent down their own surveyor, 

 Mr. Wyatt, for that purpose; who examined the property, both 

 houses and land, said the buildings were very well executed, asked 

 all the tenants what rent they paid; then adding all the rents 

 together into one sum, multiplied it by 20: thus allowing twenty 

 years purchase for the whole, both fields and land, which will 

 certainly not be thought a high valuation. The surveyor reported 

 to the Board his estimate, with which they immediately ac- 

 quainted Dr. H., who said he was quite satisfied; and the busi* 

 ness was concluded, with thanks and compliments to Dr. H. for 

 his liberal conduct. Immediately six of the largest obstructing 

 houses were taken down. 



After all this was done, and the estate conveyed and paid for. 



Lady M. honoured Dr. H. with her visit; not to find hira a 



spring of water, for that he had found himself long before, but 



tp satisfy his curiosity as to the manner in which her ladyship 



X X 2 performed 



