The Sun.
London, England, 1854-05-16 00:00:00

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VACAN2'rzLAND NEAR AT. PAUV&

A deputation from the committee appointed at the
Institute of British Architects attended the Improve.
ment Committee of the Corporation yesterday, by
ap-
pointment, at one o'clock, on this very important sub.
jest. They were accompanied by Mr. Masterman and
Sir James Duke, members for the City. and consisted of
the following gentlemen :—Mr. Tits (chairman), Mr.
Hardwick, Mr. Smirke, Mr. Scott, Professor Donaldson,
Mr. Mocatta, Mr. Penrose, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Sooles,
Mr. Bellamy, and Mr. Baker (the honorary secretary).
Mr. T. H. HALL (the chairman of the Improvement
Committee), in addressing the deputation, said the
que-tion was an entirely open one, and that the City
had not taken any steps either to let or build upon the
land. He then called upon Mr. Tits to state the ob-
jects of the deputation.
Mr. TITE, on the part of the deputation, explained the
part the architects had taken. He said they had bad
considerable public agitation of the question, and deemed
it their first duty to submit the matter to the improve-
Int,nt committee ; that Sir Christopher Wren's idea of
having the cathedral surrounded by a large open area
had been defeated, but that circumstances had now ac.
curred which rendered that possible which was for-
merly believed to be impossible ; that the leaving this
:pace open would give air and increased accommodation,
so much required in a public point of view, and that it
would furnish the most splendid view of one of the
finest works of architecture in the world. Mr. Tite
then explained the financial part of the question, and
stated that the effect of not selling this land would
simply be to diminish the credit to be derived from the
sales of surplus property. He then urged the adoption
of this suggestion, as a most graceful conclusion to im-
portant and well-executed public duties, in which the
committee, it appeared, were likely soon to be super-
seded. He ended by saying that he was in a condition
to show that this was not a mere dilettante movement
on the part of the architects, but was really desired by
the inhabitants of the metropolis.
Mr. HARDWICK followed Mr. Tite, and read a letter
from Lord John Russet', expressing his lordship's entire
concurrence in the objects of the deputation, which he
stated he had supported in the House of Commons. He
advocated the improvement, and observed that Dance
and Mylne had in vain laboured in the same cause ;
that the south-east view of the cathedral was the most
important, because of the exquisite light and shadow, and
that the present opportunity, if once lost, could never
be regained.
Mr. SIDNEY SUIRKE spoke of the artistic value of the
opening, and suggested that if the land were given up it
-441R-U.r.e4r.oa,,llA.c9sporation from much of the reproach
of jobbing.
Mr. MASTERMAN said the concession would be grate-
fully received by the public, and that the subject had
excited great interest.

After some able remarks from Sir James Duke, Pro.
lessor Donaldson, Mr. Bellamy, and Mr. Penrose, the
architect of the cathedral,
The CHAIRMAN stated that the improvement com-
mittee were most anxious to listen to all the arguments
that had been urged, but that as trustees they must pro-
teed cautiously ; that they bad already sanctioned a
branch street to Blackfriars, and the plan for raising
Hulborn-hill, and with these great schemes before them,
the loss of 60,0001. was an important item ; that two
penny and threepenny rates for improvements were
talked of, but that 60,0001. would require the whole
of a shilling rate on a very large district to replace it ;
that the committee felt the artistic question very strongly,
avid that they had resolved to have all the hoards re-
moved in order to give the committee and the public
the best opportunity of judging of the probable effect
or giving up the whole ur a p only of the area in ques-
tion.
On the latter point he requested information, which
was given by Mr. Penrose, and the deputation retired,
much grrtified at the reception they had met with, and
with an understanding that an opportunity of a full in-
spection would be afforded.
Mr. Penrose produced a very large and striking pho-
tograph of the view of the cathedral from a scaffold
raised high enough to clear the ruins and the hoardings,
and this view was much admired by the committee.