The Express.
London, England, 1864-01-27 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOS OP THE MUSS.

Sts,—lf may judge from the criticism of some
of the London and provincial papers, there seems
to be a very erroneous opinion abroad about the
real object and plan of the Stratford-on-Avon Com-
mittee.

It i, constantly stated that the townspeople of
Stratford-on-Aron have originated the idea of
raising n statue, or some kind of monument, to the
memory of Shakespeare, and are now appealing to
the public to provide funds for carrying it out.

Permit me to say, once for all, through your
columns, to both friendly awl unfriendly critics,
that their criticism is founded on a mistake.

It is quite true that Stratford did originally pro-
pose to have a monument of some kind ; but when
it was suggested, under the sanction of some of the
beat names in England, that a national monument
should be erected elsewhere, Stratford relinquished
its intention.

Subsequently a flood of requests and demands
poured in upon us from the large provincial towns
of England (accompanied by otters of money), to
the elect that we should erect a statue or monu-
ment of some kind in Stratford, and accordingly
we were compelled to return to our original idea.
The inhabitants of Stratford were neither conceited
nor foolish enough to imagine that the people of Eng-
land would submit to the dictation or taste of asmall
country town in a matter of so much importance.
The public have asked them to put up a memo-
rial in their town, and they now ask the public to
enable them to do so, and they will continue to do
their best to obtain a generous response to that
appeal.
So entirely do they regard the town of Stratford-
on-Avon in the light of national property that they
have formed a sub-committee of gentlemen of re-
puted taste and judgment, not one of whom is a
resident of Stratford, to decide upon all matters
relating to this question.
To those who object to our doing anything in this
matter, let toe put the question—What would
they have said of Stratford-on-Avon if it 114 chur-
lishly refused to respond to the appeal, which I
May fairly call national 1 In other matters, lam
not aware that we have been misunderstood, but it
may be as well to state briefly our plane. First,
that the Stratford-on-Avon Committee have them-
selves decided upon endowing a scholarship and ex-
tending the school of the town. Secondly, to moot
the public wish by achieving a celebration on a
suitable scale. Thirdly, the public have decided
for us that a monument shall be erected at Strat-
ford-on-Avon, and we of the town are only obeying
their call in organising a system for collecting
fends throughout the country, in order to carry out
this object worthily.—l am, lee.,
E. F. FLOWER,
Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon.

Jan. W.

THE THANES ENEANKMENT.—Active measures
are being taken for the prosecution of the works of the
Thames Embankment en the northern aide of the river. At
a few yards east of Westminster-bridge piles of immense
size have been driven in, and machinery of a very formidable
character introduced, upon which large numbers of men
are actively employed. Operations on a somewhat smaller
scale are going on immediately behind the Duke of Hue-
clench's entombed inansine in Whitehall-gardens, and at
the bottom of Whitehallatairs. Works of a more extended
character have been raised to the west of Charing-crom-
bridge, and preparations hare also been made between
Charing-moss and Waterloo-bridges. Another contract is
for that part of the Embankment between Waterloo and
Blackfrian bridges, and that will be proceeded with with-
out delay.
PIIoPOSED EXTENSION OT THE PENNY POSTAGE
SVBTE/4 TO l'adtc•i.s.—At a arced meeting of the council
of the Liverpool Chamber COMIOACCO yesterday. Mr.
IL'Fie brought forward a Warms for extending the penny
postage system to parcels. Mr. Mlle contended that, tf
the measure was carried out, as great a boon as that conferred
by the adoption of the pussy postage would be realised by
the country. He thought the delivery of paresis might be
made remunerative, and that the system would not 'evolve
an endue_prassurs upon the preseat staff et deliverers.
TuE ParrNsmvseia.--This vessel, which=
into Malta wane time sines with screw dimmed,
from that port cm the 2.tith teat., all right.
HORNINAN'S TEA is choice and strong, moderato
h price, sad wholesome to uses These advantages Ash asewriml
ter his Tea a general preference. It Is sold Is paeitah by MED ,
sigents.—(Adverateement.