Clock and Watchmakers Asylum, Colney Hatch, Southgate, Middlesex: panoramic view. Coloured wood engraving by J. Knight.

"… The asylum is intended to provide a retreat for the decayed and deserving aged men or widows of the trade, irrespective of all questions of country or religious opinion. The Christian and the Hebrew, the workmen of London or any other town in the United Kingdom, or even of America, may become occupants of this healthy and quiet abode, and side by side pass their declining days. The cost of the asylum has been: land £700; building, £2500; grounds, &c. £100, including drainage, &c. The houses are now quite fit for occupation, and only wait the accumulation of the necessary funds for the maintenance of the inmates. The surrounding ground is duly levelled, and the paths are gravelled; but the fencing is only temporary, a more ornamental kind being in operation. The building is situated on an eminence at the junction of the East Barnet and. Southgate roads. The front, which has a southern aspect, faces the latter road, which is shaded by some fine old trees. The scenery, looking northwards, is varied and beautitul; and in the distance the view is closed by the hills at East Barnet, crowned with woods and studded with magnificent mansions. Whichever way the eye turns, it is delighted with beautiful objects; and one cannot imagine a more charming retreat for persons in their old age, when, worn out by the struggles of life, they sigh for repose. The Clock and Watch Makers' Asylum consists at present of thirteen houses, in the Tudor style, and a board-room and clock-tower in connection with the central houses. The committees have secured ample builindg [sic] ground, and it is in contemplation at a future period to add to the present edifice two wings. Each house contains a parlour and kitchen on the ground floor, and a good-sized bed-room on the first floor, with suitable outhouses. Due attention has been paid to the important matter of drainage, and a copious supply of water has been obtained from the Colney Hatch Waterworks. The architect is Mr. Palgrave, of West Brompton; and the architect Mr. Batterbury, of Fitzroy-road, Camden-town. The completion of the asylum was celebrated by an inaugural dinner at the Albion Tavern, Alciersgate-street, on Tuesday last, when more than one hundred gentlemen assembled, under the presidency of Lord Ebury, to do honour to the occasion. His Lordship, on proposing the toast of the evening, "Success to the Clock and Watch Makers' Asylum," eloquently advocated the claims of the asylum on the benevolence of the influential watch and. clock makers of London, and on the public generally. The result of his Lordship's appeal was a collection of nearly £600."-- Illustrated London news, loc. cit.