The Sun.
London, England, 1854-11-09 00:00:00

TIIE M TROPOLITAN BRIDGES.

Some weeks back we drew attention to the Report
of the Select Committee of the House of Commons on
the Bridges of the Metropolis ; but the evidence taken
before the committee, which has only just been pub-
lished, and which constitutesthe most valuable portion of
their labour, induces us to recur to the subject. In fact,
it scarcely required much senatorial wisdom to arrive at
such conclusions as that the present bridges are inade-
quate to the traffic of London, and that, as there are
several toll-paying bridges, which are little used, it might
be as well, before building
new ones,
cannot mto
oseeswhether, by
some means or other, we ak
the existingsti
a 11,
bridges free. On reading these very obvious
we thought that Parliamentary time had beseungug
ably spent on propositions as simple as the Ponfilro'fiet.
rliT4 itself. Some curious things, however, came ountn' -
the evidence. Father Thames is, we regret to say, be-
coming
a vast public nuisance. Besides being a cesspool
of malaria and of all unutterable foulness, it robs us of
time, temper, and income. To cross the Thames is
almost as serious a matter as to cross the Alma. Once
our noble river was called the silent Highway—now, we
fear, it only stands in the way. What with the inland
aoilities of traffic afforded by the railways, which
superseded it as an artery of communication, and
what with the positive instructions and abominations
.connected with it, we are surprised that some enter-
Prising engineer does not propose to divert the Thames
'l".o_i_n London, or to fill it up. Anyhow, it is a social
difficulty of the day. Its lack of bridges is, however,
the grievance we have now to do with. It is remark-
able that, as compared with the amount of population
and traffic, London is, perhaps, worse supplied in this
respect than any other city in the world. We find the
bridge ae"nata •
daon of Paris reckoned at ten times
that of London.nmetropolis were as Lyons bas nineteea bridges. If the
well
bridged as Glasgow, we ought to
to have 18, iestear,
f five below Westminster. The
only free accommodation
in width of roadway over the
Thames, for a population of two millions and a half, is
138 feet, Across London-bridge alone 63,000 persons,
114 single horses, and 11,5,00 vehicles are forced in the
course of a single day.
We may, therefore, assume that it is incontestable
Walker, the engi-
that we want more bridges.
increase our accom-
neer, tells us that we might easilr.
modation 150 per cent, by purebyasn addition to
West-
our three free bridges —London, Blactrilan
ones—_Southwark, and
ater-
minster—thethree toll-paying
00, and Vauxhall. Perhaps it sea eelyar—' W
r
great engineer to make this suggestion ; butt the required a
14 not quite so easy as it appears. The toll matter
.PaYiug
bridges, it is superfluous to remark, have not urve,
very profitable speculations. In some cases, after 30
years' experience, they ret—rn less than when they were
opened. Southwark-bridge, in its first clear year,
brought in 5.0001. of toll--last year, its receipts were
under 3,0001. The income of Waterloo-bridge has
risen from 9,0001. to 19,0001., thanks to the South-
Western Railway. The dividends paid by the Vauxhall
Company are stiiPvery small ; and the Hungerford Sus-
pension-bridge is not a paying concern. But the pro-
prietors of all these structures refuse, and we think
fairly, to part with their property at its present rental.
If they cannot reasonably expect to sell on their origi-
nal we at least doubt whether they would be

justly treated if forced to adopt their present receipts
as a basis of valuation. As a mere matter of common
sense, however, the three toll-paying bridges ought to
be redeemed ; and it will be strange indeed if a fair and
equitable bargain between the proprietors and the pub-
lic is found impossible. Of course the proprietors
assess their value high ; and some even go to the ex-
tent of saying that the worth of Waterloo-bridge is
what it cost, because no similar bridge could be
constructed for less. Others propose to appraise the
bridges by throwing them open for a year to ascertain
the traffic, and making this a standard valuation.
Which view is more preposterous it would be hard to
say. On the one hand, the proprietors have no right to
be reimbursed for a bad speculation— on the other, the
traffic over a free bridge is no measure of the utmost
possible traffic over a toll bridge. The difficulties of
dealing with the proprietors are, in some quarters,
thought so insurmountable that it is proposed to construct
new bridges at the public expense, close to the existing
private ones—which would, of course, reduce the value
of the latter to nothing. This piece of mischievous
retaliation would no doubt succeed ; but the joke would
be rather expensive to the public, and its ingenious
contrivers have not, perhaps, considered its results on
the navigation of the river.
When we come to the sources from which additional
bridge accommodation is to be paid for the witnesses
differ, and, of course, view the matter according to
their own interests. The City people, with the Bridge-
house Estates in their hands, decline to do mare than
provide for London bridge. But they forget that, when
their property was originally granted to them, the City
was London, and London-bridge was sufficient for the ac-
commodation of the population ; and the object of en-
trusting these funds to the corporation was to provide
for the whole population of London—not a fraction of it.
The Bridge-house Estates ought unquestionably to be
exhausted in providing bridges for the whole metro-
polis before we go further. The Parliamentary Com-
mittee seem to acquiesce in the suggestion that the taxa-
tion for the purpose should be local, extending over an
area of twenty miles ; and the existing coal-tax, which
fulfils these conditions, is suggested as the source from
which the expense of the proposed improvements ought
to be levied. Mr. Lambert Jones assures us that a most
unnecessary fuss has been made about this tax ; and
that it is really a very pleasant impost. Others contend
that London, to say nothing of St. Alban's and Croydon,
ought not to be exclusively taxed for what will be a
benefit to the whole country, and that the extension
ought to be charged on the Consolidated Fund, because
as many country people as Londoners use the bridges.
However specious, and to some extent true, the objec-
tion may be, its answer consists in the danger of aban-
doning the principle of local taxation for local objects.
A great many Londoners cross the Liverpool streets ;
but a proposition to tax London for Liverpool improve.
ments would scarcely be thought of. The very notion
of redeeming toll bridges has, however, raised up
a host of claimants on public generosity. So large
is the prospective liberality of the Committee that
they suggest the redemption of all the bridges, inclu-
sive of, and below, Staines—though why we are to
stop short of Windsor, Maldenhead, and Hen-
ley, does not appear. Foley-bridge is already prac-
tically included in this wild suggestion. The notion of
the public purchasing Staines-bridge, which is mortgaged
to the toll collector, or those hideous structures at
Chelsea and Fulham, could only enter into the mind of
a Parliamentary Committee, which deals as liberally
with public funds as Mr. Brunel does, in this matter, with
private resources. This gentleman, with a refinement
which could only suggest itself to so eminent an en-
gineer, strongly objects to the idea of the Government
buying the existing bridges, because he thinks "that if
the public were left to themselves, they would soon build
new bridges, which, when erected, would pay"—Mr.
Brunel and his professional brethren.
To one proposition we strongly demur—namely, Mr.
B. unning's scheme for widening London-bridge by hang-
ing out a sort of cast-iron verandah for a footway outside
the parapet of the present structure. Mr. Bunning,
with some candour, "is free to admit that it does not
improve the appearance of the bridge ;" and he tells us
with all simplicity that Sir John Rennie, who built the
bridge, " certainly did not appear to like the scheme at
all." We shall be very much surprised if the public
judgment on this matter differs from Sir John Rennie's.
—Morning Chronicle.

COMMERCE AND WAR.

(Prom the Journal of Commerce.)

These, one would think, were two antagonistic ele-
ments in a nation's progress ; for commerce is essentially
an operation of peace, and war is calculated not only to
derange its system, but to impair its resources. Com-
merce undoubtedly has the fullest and freest course
when all is tranquil. The fields of its enterprises are in
in that case open and unobstructed ; there is nothing
to check its advance—nothing to stand in the way of
its success. And we have seen the force of this very
signally illustrated during the almost 40 years of peace
which, with slight exceptions, Europe has enjoyed since
the downfal of Napoleon I. The course of commerce
in that period has been rapid and extensive beyond all
previous calculation ; and for this reason, that all the
impediments which war created were removed, and the
nations were left at liberty to pursue a successful ca-
reer of industry and art—to give effect to the appliances
of science and invention, and to develope and appropriate
their manifold resources, while more of the markets
of the world were thrown open to their merchants'
energies. Moreover, the science of trade had time and

opportunity to be cultivated. As the operations of trade
kept extending and as the necessity for the still greater
extension kept gradually pressing upon public attention,
its whole system had to be reconstructed and made more
free and self-reliant. We speak now with reference more
especially to England. Most of the European Govern.
ments have, in some degree, had to adapt their commer-
cial systems to the altered circumstances of the times.
But England has done it boldly, comprehensively, and
judiciously, and she is now reaping the benefit in time of
war of what she did in time of peace. Notwithstanding
the pressure upon her national finances, the distraction
of her public mind, and the diversion, more or less, of
her people's means, not only is her commerce unim-
paired, but it is still progressive and prosperous.
This is a subject in which America could not but feel
deeply interested, seeing that it concerned the consump-
tion, upon a scale of hitherto increasing magnitude, of
some of her most important staple products. We have,
on this account, adverted to it from time to time, and it
has always been in our power to show how satisfactorily
the trade of Great Britain kept up under the war, and
how unaffected were the springs of her enterprise and
industry by its influences. The last intelligence we have
received is of the same encouraging character. We sub-
mit a few details of it, as bearing out, or rather going
beyond, the most sanguine anticipations.
We have the Board of Trade returns before us of the
declared value of the exports for the eight months ending
the sth of September, and their aggregate for that period
of the last three years—that is, the present year, the year
1853, and the year 1852—is as follows :—for 1852, they
were 47,009,1461.; for 1853, 58,158,7291. ; and for
1854, 59,653,1501. So that, notwithstanding the coun-
try is now in the thickest of the fight, and all the usually
disparaging influences of war might naturally be expected
to be in full operation, there is still a progressive in-
crease. Not large, it is true—some million and a half or
thereabouts; but it is an increase, whereas a decrease
might rather have been expected ; and under the old
contracted system, in all probability, there would have
been one. Besides, last year was itself one of enormous
increase. It will afford, therefore, a fairer criterion to
compare it with that of 1852, which comparison gives an
increase of upwards of 12,500,0001. namely, from
59,653,1501. for the last eight months, and 47,007,1461.
for the same period two years since. A. more signal tes-
timony to the successful working of the new system of
trade could not be desired.
If we examine the details, there are special reasons
why America should be satisfied with it. We are, for
instance, deeply interested in the prosperity of the cot-
ton manufactures of Great Britain. Well, the exports
of those manufactures for the single month ending sth
of September, amounted to 2,298,1311., being an in-
crease to the amount of more than one-third of a mil-
lion on the same month in 1852, and of upwards of
100,0001. on that of 1853. The last month, it is
true, exhibits for the first time for many months a de-
crease as compared with the corresponding month of
last year. But this is accounted for by the shipments for
Australia having in that month of 1853 been of extraor-
dinary amount. The imports of wheat and flour which
have been principally of late from this country, were
larger by double the amount in the corresponding month
of last year, as compared with that ending last sth of
September. But this is indicative of prosperity rather
than otherwise ; it shows that England has, by her late
harvest, drawn upon her own resources for those impor-
tant products, and what we lose in that we shall doubt-
less gain in something else.
figures The inferences
are, in
fa to be drawn
fact, most
ene from theuuragiugts
bwhole
countries.detail o f
The consumption of the leading articles of food—
both of the comforts as well as necessaries of life—
is shown to be very large and to be augmenting, which
tells us that the industrious classes, who form the great
bulk of the population, are well employed and well re-
munerated ; and we all know that the more this is the
case, the better market there is for most of our own
great staple products.
There is another Board of Trade return which is sot
without interest—viz., that of the shipping entered in-
ward, and the clearance outward. The whole tonnage
inward for the month ending sth of September last is
922,889, while that of the same time in 1852 was 741,710,
an increase upon the two years of about
1 showingso:ooo
tons. This is for one month. But the most re-
markablepleasing feature
intheun iistetdhsist—attehsa,
sthtihpes, greatest
item of the a inndc rea se ia
nage of which amounts to nearly twice
wicesassthen mucbhuta7ss,it6d7i4,d
in that period two years ago, w
while now it is 144,230—a very satisfactory indication
indeed of our rapidly augmenting commercial in-
tercourse with the old country. The clearances
outward are, in the aggregate, less favourable to the
British shipping trade ; but to our own they are most
encouraging, presenting a tonnage of 101,658 in the
month this year, to stand against one of but 80,302
two years since ; showing an increase of nearly 25,000
tons per month. So that we are pushing our maritime
interests with more and more successful effect into Bri-
tish perls.
These are gratifying facts. They tell a tale that is
auspicious for us as well as for Old England, and may
wellnewedanhimopaetse. o ujr
hmne hu
lal n tit ias nedvidsheniptowisneinrs a with t
iroen-
to sustain himself, both financially and 'commercially, in
this formidable war i • and all we have to do is to go on
extending
and improving our relation with him, as our
largest and most reliable,
us tot
st
o
profitable
and, in any time of need, a
letd uraenecruosus and
customer
considerate friend.

THE NETVSFENDORS' FRIENDLY AND
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.

On Tuesday a number of influential members of the
news trade connected with these two societies dined
together at the Highbury-barn Tavern, to meet Mr. and
Mrs. Wild, of Catherine-street, Strand, who had been
invited in order that a testimonial 'might be presented to
Mr. Wild, who has lately tendered his resignation of
the chairmanship of the societies over which he has pre-
sided with honour to himself and benefit to the institu-
tion for some years.

After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts
Mr. STANDFAST, the hon. secretary, said it now be,
came his pleasing duty to present Mr. Wild with a mark
of esteem from several members of the Newsvendors'
Friendly Society over which he had so worthily presided
for the last seven years.

The testimonial was here handed to Mr. Wild. It
was a very elegant silver teapot, bearing on the one side
the initials " L. R. W." and on the reverse the following
inscription :—" Presented by a few friends to Mr. L.
Wild, as a mark of their esteem, upon his retirement
from the Chairmanship of the Newsvenclors' Friendly
Society.—October, 1854."
The CHAIRMAN having proposed "The Health of Mr.
Wild," which was drunk with loud cheers,
Mr. WILD said he had now the grateful and most
pleasing task of returning the ladies and gentlemen pre-
sent his most sincere thanks for the very kind and hand-
some manner in which his health had been drunk, and
the more especially for the very handsome mark of their
esteem which then stood before him. It was many years
since he first had the honour and privilege of taking
part in the formation of the Newsvendors Benevo!ent
Society, of which he had been now the chairman for
fifteen years. The Friendly Society was more immedi-
ately connected with watching the interests of the trade,
and he had seven years since received the honour and
pleasure of being elected as its chairman. The Benevo-
lent Society was now most prosperous, having upwards
oflsoo/.funded—a large amount he considered for the
news trade ; and the Friendly Society was also at least
in as good, if not better, position than when he first
became the chairman. (Cheers.) Mr. Wild then alluded

various measures for the benefit of the trade which

the Frießdly Society had been instrumental in effecting
since he had been in office, and concluded by again
thanking the company for the ♦ery handsome testimo-
nial presented to him, and for their presence that
evening.
A number of other toasts were then drunk, and the
company passed a very pleasant evening, the business of
which was interspersed with some excellent music.