The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-01-05 00:00:00

~bewhole of the interval, of nearly four hours, that
were in consultation. At a quarter past seven
.the jury returned to the box, finding " No bills."
youneement was received with a burst of applause,
we do not remember to have heard on any similar
1, It was communicated to the crowd, by whom it
echoed. The news spread rapidly through the city,
s the subject of general rejoicing among the numer-
ends of Mr. ()Connell, from whom the Learned
man received many visits of congratulation in the
of the evening. General joy appeared to be
jyroughout the metropolis by the result. A public
to congratulate Mr. 0 Connell on the event is already
emplation. It will in all likelihood be most re-
ylv and numerously attended. It is almost impoo.
be here a day without catching some of the popular
which is here felt towards him. It is not true
le. O'Connell dined with Mr. Plunkett on the day of
rest They have since met in the course of profes-
business, and have interchanged the civilities of ordi-
equaintance. Neither Mr. O'Connell nor any of his
'driers have been permitted to see the bill/ of in-
eat; thmughout the whol. business he has not expe-
ilt:ie slightest courtesy, nor hail any favour shown to
y the Attorney-07eral.
IRE OF ST. BRIDE'S, FLEET-STREET.
ogie Meeting of the citizens and other friends to the 2m.
neat of the Metropolis was held at the London Tavern, Bi-
:ste.street, yesterday, to take into consideration the best
of reserving the View, which had been eccuientally opened
public by the recent destruetive tire, of that beautiful edifice
'orer and Spire of St. Bride's Church, and which till then
ten concealed in obscurity by a range of houses for more

centure.
two o'clock upwards of one hundred Gentlemen were assern.
among whom we noticed the Right Honourable the Limed
mobsmas Wilson, Esq., ribM.P. NV. Williams, Esq., M.P. the
rlain, Sir 1. Laurie, a Slade, Mr. Samuel Dixon,
lalloway, Mr. :Barrett, due.
LARD 31avoa having been called to the Chair, his Lord..
ordeessed the meeting by observing, that be regretted ex-
ly that it had, on this occasion, fallen to his lot to take the
which CiTeUTOSIATICe he could atttibute to no other cause than
, his having the honour to fill the office of Chief Magistrate
City, because he was conscious there were many other gen-
possessed a considerably larger portion of
i now present, who
edge of the tine arts than he himself did, and whose trate was
r[rior to his own ; but he would not suffer these co,isiderations
od his exertions on an °caution like the present, and should
that any conduct on his part should operate to damp the
r which was evinced by the public, in promoting the object
tow had in contemplation. As he wits aware there were many
men present who felt deeply interested in the renown of their
ry in the advancement of the arts, and who would address the
rag much better than he could, it would not become him to
them long with any observations on the subject they were
met to discuss. The object of the present meeting was, to
he public opinion on the propriety of keeping open the beau.
Spire of St. Bride's Church to the view of the public.
ppmed that that great ornament of hie country, whose
was now the object of their solicitude—that moat mess.
architect, Sir Christopher Wren, at the time he it
th proud monument of his fame, did not contemplate its
,thrown open to public view; if he had, there could be
suit that the church would have been as beautiful and as
'inmate an evidence of his genius as the spire itself. There
many gentlemen, he understood, living in the vicinity of the
h, who felt anxious to see this monument of British art pre-
ti to the general eye ; but he sincerely trusted there were
s sho,who. as lovers of the fine arts, and as well-wishers to the
th metropolis, would give their support to the measure about
to them. The city of London did not abound with
ono
tietuildings, and it would, therefore, be most seriously
regretted were this tine structure, which for nearly 140 years had
ti y beep seentbeing to be viewed only from Mackinac* Bridge,
t Surrey side of the water), once more to be consigned to obscuri-
t wee wellknown that our city WAS at this time visited by various
gnus, who would judge of our national taste from the circum-
e, whether we did or did not avail ourselves of the opportunity
iccidentilly afforded us, of drawing forth to their admiration the
piece of architecture which had hitherto been altogether hid
them. If the public should feel the propriety of this mea-
, he should, for one, be highly gratified, as well for the credit it
drefiect on us, for the progress of British feeling in matters of
anti oraamental improvement, as for the advantage that would
rived by the more open and free circulation of air in the city.
her circumstance which made it desirable that the plan now
t'itirlated should be carried into effect was, that there were only
steeples of equal height in the kingdom, which therefore
t the preservation of that of St. Bride's the more desirable;
is the structure was of the chastest description, being after the
an order, it would be an act of justice, which had long been
gto its eminent architect, to rescue it front the obscurity in
Ii it had hitherto been buried. The question, he thought,
not merely a local, but a general one, as regarded public
. The expense likely Ira accrue in accomplishing this
• bad been calculated at about 7,0001. This certainly ap-
t( at first view to be a very great sum, but when the'
lAN for which it was to be incurred should be con.
rod it would perhaps be felt a very trifling sum indeed. lie
11 now sit down, with the hope that the Resolutions about to
oral would accord with the sentiments of the meeting.
HOMAN WILSON, Esq. rose and said, that he had been ap.
to some time since to take a part in the business now before
meting; but feeling that he was not competent to take a lead-
put in a matter of such importance' both to the comfort and
aunt of the city, and to the credit of the country at large, he
lotted that which would, in his opinion, have been the means
miring success to any measure that concerned the interests of
metropolis. He recommended that application should be made
lir Rm. Curtis,—he said, Sir Will Curtis, for he was
red that anything confided to his hands would have been done
effect ; but understanding that Sir William was at Ramagate,
am induced to take upon himself the duty of attending this
ring. After what had fallen from his Lordship, little was left for
:to say. He did think there was much improved taste in the
airy, particularly at the West end of the town ; as a proof of
he begged to instance the circumstance of the buildings which
[been erected near Westminster Abbey; these having being
etted to, as being conceived in bad taste. they had, notwith-
;ding the expense incurred, been since lulled down ; and the
Et:that emanated from the Board of Worhs had been superseded
we from a Board of Taste. This was a time peculiarly suited
suional improvement. During the war our attention was called
ay to other objects, and our means were devoted to very different
roam We had more taxes than we could well bear, and which
old scarcely allow us to appropriate anything towards the ad.
icemen of science, or of the fine arts; but now, in time of
are. these were the principal objects to which the public mind
ould be directed, and as we lived in a season of prosperity, there
aid be no fears as to the ability of the country to elect them.
had been well observed by his Lordship, that foreighem came to
is country and expressed their surprise at the very small number
beautiful buildings to be found among us. If, maid they, you
mass in the arts of war, in scienc:, and philosophy, you are
r behind us in architecture; even the few good buildings that
,11 possess are so little valued by you, that they are kept I idden
en the public eye by an uncouth mass of brick and stone. These
nervations were perhaps too true ; and since we had accomplished
rivalry with thou in the other branches of art, he did not see why
should not rival them in the htautiful buildings of our metro-
An opportunity was now given to commence this laudable
aviation. As to the circumstances which produced this, although
e all lamented it, yet h is a thing which our foresight could not
mot, nor our anxiety now undo, and therefore we must do that
inch alone is left us to perfurni--convert the calamity into a public
wd. The object deserved oar best consideration ; the beauty. of
a steeple of St. Bride's we all knew; the architect and his ins.
mishable fame we all knew, and it would be holding up his name
our rlorrity, act commanding their highest respect, at the
ore time that it would redeem us faint the charge of' apathy in
stem of taste, were we to seise the occasion now given to show
a respect both to the master and his work. He did think that
brevet we could do this, it really did become us to do it. He
!geed to conclude with proposing the first resolution.
•• That one of the strongest proofs of the high degree of advance.
lett in a taste fur the fine arts, which the people of England have
ruined. is to be found in that desire fur the improvement and em-
ellisionent of the Metropolis, which so honourably distinguishes
at present ere..,
A. Scot TIIROOD. Esq. in seconding the resolution, took the
pportunity of exnrcosing a hope that as a beginning was now
Mot to take place in practically evincing our high regent for the
rchitectural beauties of time metropolis, and particularly for the
Pieuvenent of the city, it would be the forerunner of other and
:realer impmvements which were very much required. (Hear).
The Climax/at read the resolution, and was about to put at to
he roe. when
Mr. hex het Dixole rose, and lulled his Lordship Would allow
WI Weak whether any other resoltatior.s were to follow the one
ttal because if so, he did think that they should all be first
Tau, to that every gentleman might know the general object of
and what it was they were about to have proposed for
nth'aeoption, and then the resolutions might afterwards be put,
xis br ore.
The CHAIRMAN said, he would with pleasure do as the Gentle-
rot had required of him. His Lordship then read the whole
if the resolution,.
The first resoluticm was afterwards put, and adopted unanimously.
W. Wit.trame, Esq. said, although he felt there were many
!her individuals much more worthy to have moved the Resolution
hewn, about to propoee to the Meeting than himself; yet, as it had
Dram Tut into his hands, and as he was anxious, as an English.
Pl'hn• that this country should excel every other country, in matters
r.f `We as in every thing else, he came forward without hesitation
toc•rr.•rhute hia•humble effuses towards effecting so desirable an
:612.40. During the whole period of his life. we had been engaged
Pat--a war pas all wars were) most destructive in its effects, and
',‘
°thl:y subversive of all that tended to esalt the mind, or give a
a
i ,:t•g renown to a people, notwithstanding we had vanquished
et enemies. and displayed to them and to the world our superiority
t 1 the held and ass the wave. But we were now met in dines of
ince. and he hoped we should excel them in the arts of refire,
▪ 4.! in those of war. Each gentleman present had, no doubt.
P-,%1 TV: Steeple of olt. Bride's, since the opening had Ip.en made,