Nelson & His World

On another thread, I mentioned David Morrice, author of The Young Midshipman's Instructor, who comments that pupils leaving Christ's Hospital were sent to be ship's schoolmasters.

Does anyone know any more about this connection between the navy and Christ's Hospital? I suppose a poor boy leaving such a school would have few options in life; Morrice talks of boys being 'sent'. Maybe they had no choice in the matter?

I have been in touch with the archivist of Christ's Hospital who was able to tell me that there is a significant connection between Christ's Hospital and the Royal Navy which is well described in Chapter 1V of the Rev.William Trollope's 'History of Christ's Hospital' published in 1834.

He also told me that he believes the book is available on Googlebooks.