The Sun.
London, England, 1825-01-05 00:00:00

ST. BRIDE'S CITURCII, FLEET-STREET

'Yesterday a very numerous and respectable
Meeting took place at the Old London Tavern, to consider the
possibility of laving open the Steeple of St. Bride's to the pub-
Tie view from Fleet-street, where a considerable portion of
ground is at present cleared, owing to the late extensive fire.
On the Loan Al AYoit being called to the Chair, his Lord-
ship observed, that he was sorry that his place was not occu-
pied by some Gentleman, distinguished for his encouragement
of the Fine Arts; he certainly should have mentioned as much
to the Gentlemen who had proposed the office to him, but that
he falt, as the -Chief Magistrate of the City, it might appear
mo his part as throwing cold water on the plan, had he declined
ccocurring with their wishes. The object for which they had
met was to consider how far it was practicable to delight the
public eye by opening to view a spire which might be consi-
dozed as one of the most beautiful in the whole kingdom, and
which might now, owing to circumstances, be formed into a
.'accost striking coup irceil. This improvement was not only
Wight by the inhabitants of the immediate district, but every
lover of the Fine Arts would feel desirous in promoting the
uncoil/ • g of such a vista, that would reflect great credit on the
whole of the metropolis, for, with the exception of Bow
church, it scarcely had a single spire to boast of that was not
entirely excluded from the public view. It was a national feel-
' ing that led to this improvement, for foreigners not unfre-
,Tsently visited us to see our beauties of art ; and it could not
lint excite surprise in them to find one of the most beautiful
. gems of the city so totally excluded. He understood that the
esnence of the projected improvement was estimated at about
701101., which sum might, at first sight, appear considerable,
butt it should he considered that an opportunity like the pre.
scat was not again likely to occur.
Mr. Winson, M.P., said, that he had been called upon to
take a part in the present proceedings, but he had hoped, that
ae it was so likely to be an ornament to the City, the elder
-Member, Sir William Curtis, would have been induced to
-.cense forward on this occasion, but as he understood the Hon.
Baronet was at Ramsgate, he was happy to do whatever lay in
his power. He looked upon the taste of the country as pro-
gressively improving, and had hailed with much satisfaction
the removal of a new building in the neighbourhood of West-
minster Abbey, because it was considered as unworthy of the
beautiful style of architecture that surrounded it ; and the ma-
• chine known by the name of the Board of Works, was now
nearly put aside, to make room for at least a more valuable
institution—the Committee of Taste. During the war the na-
tion had been at an immense expence, and whatever had been
done in the way of architectural improvement, had been done
with an ill-will, for people felt that at that time they could
ill afford it, but now, in the time of peace, he thought that
the rich could not do better than give a portion of their
--wealth to so material an object. It had been well observed
by his Lordship, that foreigners expected much from us, and
having excelled them in other things, it was hut reasonable
to expect that we should rival them in our buildings. We
; had done much in our hospitals and other charitable build-
ings, then why not in other edifices ? It was an ill wind
.that blew nobody good, and tiiough nobody could lament
more than he did the calamitous fire that had taken place,
yet he could not but rejoice that an opportunity was thereby
affbrded to expose so bright a gem to the public view ; it was a
duty they owed to the great Architect who had given them so
beautiful an object to gaze upon, and a duty they owed to pos-
terity, to skew the estimation in which they held the works of
__genius. lie was happy in moving—
" That one of the-strongest proofs of the high degree of ad-
vancement in a taste,for the:fine-arts, which the people of Eng-
_ land have attaind, is to be found in that desire for the improve-
ment and embellishment of the Metropolis, which so honour-
ably distinguishes the present age."
Mr. Wiennems, in seconding this Resolution, had always
. observed that in every instance in which he had been concerned,
- he had always found that any attempt at improvement had been
met with that desire which was the best proof of co-operation.
The Resolution was then put and carried unanimously. After
the Right Hon. Chairman had read the whole of the resolutions
• over at the suggestion of Mr. S. Dixon,
Mr. WILLI...ors, M.P. as an Engieliman, was ambitious
that his country should rival in works of taste, its neighbours,
as it did in every other respect. Ile was convinced that his
countrymen would not allow this opporunity to escape with-
out evincing their good taste by carrying the plan into execu-
tion. During the early years of his life the country had been
engaged in a war almost unequalled in its expence and devasta-
tion, and then little could be expected, but now, in the times of
peace; he was glad to see the Gaily steps that were made to-
wards improvement, and he considered the present only as a
forerunner to many more such examples. The Hon. Gentle-
man concluded by moving,
" That the view recently opened of the tower and spire of St.
Bride's Church, by the demolition of several houses in Fleet-
street, which had obscured it from public sight for upwards of
a century, having clearly shown that this building may be made
highly conducive to the beauty and ornament of the metropo-
'_ lis, and particularly when the adjoining buildings are made to
enter into architectural combination with it, as shown in the
plan, it appears to this Meeting very desirable that the view
thus obtained should be preserved."
On this motion being seconded by Mr. Cutler, Mr. S. Dtxoet
observed that, though he was glad to see the crowded state of
our streets, inasmuch as they indicated the abundance of the
commerce that was going on in the metropolis, yet he was not
the less anxious that every encouragement should be given to
such plans as the present, and he was hurt at the doubt that
seeemed to be expressed relative to the sum required; for lie
arusted, that if the money required were to a much greater ex-
. tent, it would be forthcoming on such an occasion—( Applause.)
—lt-was a public question, and as such lie thought it the duty
of the Corporation, and of every corporate body to contribute
.their quota, so that the undertaking might be done well and
done liberally ; and that a sufficient sum would be subscribed
to leave a residue for keeping the building in repair.—(Hear,
hear I )—The motion was then put and carried in the affirmative,
Mr. Ilnenns said, his opinion coincided with that of the last
Speaker, in thinking that every Corporate body would conic
forward on the occasion : he had spoke on the subject to the
Eest India Directors, and intended to introduce it there again ;
_ if; as was proposed, he had the honour of being their treasurer,
he would take care that the money should be laid out both
economically and liberally. He moved—" That this structure,
which for proportion, symmetry, and grandeur of effect, is not
surpassed, if equalled, by any spire in .this country, also poe..
esesses this strong claim upon the public attention, that it was
designed by one of the most eminent architects England ever
. produced, Sir. Christopher Wren."
On this Resolutien being seconded,
Mr. GALLOWAY said, that it was the pride of England, that
io questions like the present, all party feeling was discarded ;
and that every person was anxious to co-operate in so desirable
a measure—all personal feelings yielding to the sense of public
utility, and the only rivalry being who should be of most ser-
viee. There was no doubt that the Spire of St. Bride's was
most beautiful in proportion, and elegant in construction, and
the time had now arrived when the rich gems of England should
be exposed to the public eye ; and though the present attempt
emightbe circumscribed, yet, if it were followed throughout the
country, it would lead to great results. Whatever sum might
-besubscribed, lie was sure it would be well applied ; and though
• .he had considerable interest in two of the houses that had been
_burnt down, he was very willing to make some sacrifices to-
wilds the accomplishment of so desirable an object. (applause.)
Me would not conclude without observing, that with respect to
. Mr. John Tapwell, who, he understood, was appointed the
architect, he was every thing that could be done would be
done ; and that if Sir Christopher Wren were to rise from his
grave, he would not have occasion to find fiiult with the avenue
that was to lead to his beautiful design.
Mr. hlwastioT had likewise great interest in the property on
she spot, but he was also very eager that the project now in
. agitation should be carried into efl'ect ; and in order to advance
au object of such public utility, he would most willingly sub-
mit to any reasonable arbitration with respect to his property,
and, add his mite to the subscriptions for that purpose.
The motion was then carried unanimously.
AL% SLADE observed, that the present purpose harmonized
so much with his feelings that he should have been disappoint-
ed if he had not had an opportunity afforded him of saying a
few words on the subject. It appeared that the public had long
been in possession of a rich mine of taste, though it was now,
for the first time, about to be explored. He now, therefore,
tzusted'that the public would follow the example of the epitaph
af Sir Christopher Wren, in St. Paul's, which was,
" Monumentum, si quieris, cireumspice ;"
Jr you look for his monument, gaze around; and in like man-
' nee he hoped shortly all the works of that great man would be
made the lasting menmria's of his genius. He concluded by
• neaving—,, That the carrying into effect the plan now proposed
will, in
,one instance, at least, rescue the national taste from the
reflection so often cast on it by foreigners, that while the me-
tropolis,of the British empire contains; public edifices which
would not have been unworthy the proudest era of the arts, they
are so completely concealed by the surrounding buildings, that
_a view of them can scarcely be obtained."
Mr. SMITH seconded this Resolution, which was carried
mein. con.
Sir P. LAURIE observed, it appeared that an accident
had brought the most beautiful Bride of Fleet-street forth
from her nunnery, and the only question now was, whether
she should again be restored to her veil, and concealed
- from the eyes of her admirers ? Seeing a Member of Parlia-
ment among them, he hoped that the Ministers would bespoken
• to on the subject; and that, if it were necessary, Government
would be 'numd willing to make them a grant for carrying it
wto effee;-. weaned as if there had formerly been a conspt.