The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-24 00:00:00

THE UGLIEST SIGHT IN EUROPE.

[From the current No. of Punch (April 25, 1863)
we extract the following capital skit upon a pro-
jected Vandalism. A Vandalism that after this
crashing blow from Mr. Punch's baton, we take it,
will hardly now be ventured upon by its projectors.
—ED. SVN.]
The subjoined passage, extracted from a City Article in
the Times, is recommended to the consideration of ParliA-

went
:
"A large deputation of the inhabitants of Ludgate-hill
and its vicinity has waited on the Chief Commissioner of
Public Works to ascertain if there is any poss,bility of the
Government preventing the London, Chatham, and
Dover Railway from making the proposed budge
over Ludgate-hill, a nuisance which, in front of
St. Paul's, would constitute a national disgrace far worse
than that of the hideous construction which has already
been allowed to spoil the Southwark approach to London-
bridge. Unfortunately, the unanimous feeling of the resi-
dents, as well as the public upon the matter, was not
.dis-
covered until after the passing of the bill, which now gives
the company power to take their own course, and to disre-
gard any opposition."
The late Mr. Daniel O'Connell used to boast that he
could drive a coach-and-six through any Act of Parlia-
ment. if ever there was an Act of Parliament through
which it was desirable that a coach-and-six should be
driven, such an Act is this for throwing a frightful railway
bridge over the Ludgate-hill cartive way. It must surely
be safer, if not easier, to drive a coach with any number of
horses through an act of Parliament than to drive a pony-
phaeton under a viaduct over which a train is rushing and
roaring above a crowded thoroughfare. Parliament, in the
interest of railway companies, perpetually sanctions the
violation of the mpg sacred rights of individuals for the
benefit of the public. It might just as well, and a great
deal bettor, gratify the public at the expense of a railway
company. Why should it not summarily repeal the per-
mission which, during the sleep or absence of every one
of its members endowed with an eye that can feel an
eyesore, or indeed with any sensibility above that of a
hog, it has given a society of sordid money-grubbers
to perpetuate an atrocious Vandalism ? The interpo-
sition of an unsightly screen on Ludgate-hill, beneath the
eye and St. Paul's, is a brutality which will take its place
among the ridiculous wonders of the world. It will render
us deservedly the laughing-stock of Europe. The London,
Chatham, and Dover Railway was made for the public, and
not the public for the London, Chacham, an Dover Rail-
way. The Legislature has etultified itself; very well; let
it destultify itself ; if necessary, by making the London,.
Chatham, and Dover Railway an example to all,rsilwry
tso,
teaching them to mind how they contrive eurreptinitolonuw
procure any bill empowering them to perpetrate. adic ableyouass
public nuisance. Would not that nuisance bemifnort
it
would
such by any neighbouring resident, whose co
destroy ?

THE FRENCH OCCUPATION OF ROME.---,The Rain
of Turin announces that Viterbo has just been
evacuated by the French troops. They are to be replaced
by a garrison exclusively composed of Papal sotlodietrhst:
Viterbo is a town of 15,000 inhabitemts, situated
north of Mount Sariano, and 17 kilometres south of f
sRi
gonmi
fie.,
Thie evacuation would appear to have a
ea
cance. It seems that the French occupatioPn°
is
political
manoeuvr-
ing its sphere of action to the line from ci
Rome. By successive movements these vita Vecchia to
eventually be the wily Ques held. two Poinu3 will