The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-15 00:00:00

PROPOSED REMOVAL OF 'WEST-

11/4_ iluu

the4rnat a fortnight back, a banker at the head of
tl4,_ nee of Paris, received an anonymous letter
~,ertztening him with deatn unless he deposited in a
theme &pot a sum of 16,000 f. The letter stated that
foie were four persons bound together by the strictest
'hiP, who having lost large sums of money by
themaY shares, required the above-named sum to save
eon— from dishonour. " If," said the letter, " you
h;z7nt to lend us this sum, we shall for ever bless your
tZet but if
.. not, -- you pronounce your own sen-
:of death 1" The communication concluded by
Ln
~.pn'niencling the banker to bring on a certain day,
hore:Prid persona, the sum demanded in thirteen
andlof 1,000 francs each, and 3,000 francs in gold,
Illeep,lll,,ltee, it at the foot of the third lamp-post on the
Tape me la Bourse, on leaving the Rue des Filles Saint
Litricas, oposite the Restaurant Chapapeaux. The.
of.
the
,handed the letter to the Commissary of Ponce
ark,„: district, and measures were immediately taken to
reet; whatever person might come to take away the
app. ; but no person appeared. The whole matter
t0..-ared to be a hoax, when a few days after the dire-
tis general of one of the most important public admid-
sefiviu/eauttii7s,svcsoeived a letter of a similar description, an
soil
srethe
or4itten by the same person :—" If you con-
10_ seto our dera,_ _l;9
uo said the letter, " you have only to
of your hotel on such. a day, between six
and ave" ins he evening, in token of your acquiescence,
letter will designate
are to de"°4
pare to
ter to
ciPo?!t the money,
.The the place where you
police. until na
• his Prlßej 11° merely showed the le -
If you refuse our request, pre:
functionary
the Pa. secretary and did not send it. to the
s° days had-e'lapsed. Two days after this
battle:lel/rated banker received a second letter, of the same_
16,000 f, the first, but demanding 17.000 F. in place of
Mira The money to laced at the foot of the
was be d
Vaudeville
post on the Place de la Bourse, opposite the
-uueville theatre. This letter was also handed to the
ett°lte raissary of Police, and measures being taken to
teettsit any person that might come, about eight in
htla
Ste 'ri a young man was taken prisoner, just as he d
eeerped under the lamp as if to read a letter, and at er,.
rno lr't with his foot below, had picked up a bag
he
de ilieY that had been left there. Being interrogate.d,
Lic4,4red himself to he a student of the University of
4", and said that he had deen employed by t,e) per-
tohom he did not know, er a reward of 2011, !o go
at tT,""111,, t•ost already mentioned, and bring to tie,
len,
eii,"e oat Villetio, Rue, Montilla:lre, the thi
citi"Uld tind therear:it. His lodgings being ,
~f papers were found there, evident:y .vrnrt!
,„`"e same tia:id as the letters, a pistol, a art
I
hivaPer containing arsenic. Finding this proof againt
it% to be considered conclusive, he acknowledged that
he and he alone who had devised the whole
theme,se: having been urged to it by want. He has, in con-
puence, been delivered over to the authorities to take
e.l4trisl. The prisoner is a man of 30 years of age,
FR 'se father was director of the ,NJensive printing-
oe' founded by NI a, Lie :e. (he the el.
(Ii•
ro f, r. tits ..Joito, s,lff r•,el pri-
Wl' and this is suppos. d to ~:ev, tr Uie e l:••• • , .so •.
taLtirt&proaD FACTORY GlRL,.—Steps are now heist
A"ti for fitting-up lodging-houses for these opera.hti.vre,s.,
At etrintyg.oufpgentlemen have undertaken the ri.sponsi ity
one lodging house in a commodious manner,
Where a number of factory girl. will be heiged in a
comfortable manner, and cheaply.—Leeds Mercury
Shock
Lwell•—On Monday last, at two A.M , a elight
.
at of earthquake was left in this own. , we,
'ill:ended with a very slight tremor and a terrible noi:se
2inetpthe rolling of several carriages. ending in a whiz-
sounds It took an horiz total direction over the
Part of the town. The cattle in the neighbourhood
an
re the shock was felt seemed terrified, and ran to
Bud fro. As this phenomenon is always preceded and
,f:eeded by frequent and singular epeeerances, such
W4_. the case here ; a variety of meteors was witnessed
_the early part of the week, one in particular, which
stationary for two minutes, and ran its course due
nth 7, *here it burst with a rippling noise.—Carnarvon
'"n,

MINSTER-BRIDGE.
„ses ssoi sespeetable pubhc meeting of the
oe Loess to pit-per:a-, and other inhabitants of Lambsth,
We, onto•ter. nod tali - parts in the vicinity of West-
inioster• btitige, was heft'. lest, evening, at seven o'cl ak, at
the New in the Westaninster-road, tat{ RlC.,talreS
ssinn a praises, of wltish roe:icy has
.oit ninctilig a new bridge owe; tosseo,_.
os to the York-soad, instead of the present structure.
. linaaasits Hawes, Fnq M.P., was unanimously
oat. Ili th,, chair.
Mr, S.!att,t,eft, the secretary to the(!"mmittee, appointed
at a late meettleg to watch the matter. mad letters tram
Sir iSsey seating that he would be most
teaoy Is co-operate with Mr. Hawes in whatever
course root ht resolved upon by the meeting ; and
kern Mr 'Ferny, M.P. for West Surrey ; Mr. Kemble,
M.P.. and Mr. T. D'Eyecourt, M.P., regretting their in-
ability to attend, from various reasons:
Mr. Hawes, M.P., who was receivtol with loud tips
plaese, psteateded to address the meeting. Be said he
thought it et odd be hardly necessary for blin to attempt
to explain to the meeting, numerous and crowded as it
was, the obi' et Inch had brought them together; but
ae there rugs ht be suite present who had riot attended to
the matter as notch as he and many of those
around hilt, had, it mieht be desirable to offer some
distinct reot,on for the adoption of the course they had '
met to consider the propriety of taking, namely, .to op-
pose the proposed new bridge from some point on this
side of the river to Charing Cross. If he had had any
doubt at all upon the matter it would have been removed
by the rondo of conduct which the promoters of the
new bridgo had adopted. Now, when one heard
the proposition for constructing a new bridge across the
Thames ; the first question which naturally- occurred
to the mind was-- had the public in any way expressed
a desire to have a new bridge erected some distance
trona e site of the old one—(Cheers)—but, another,
and ha insi necessary question, also presented itself—
who wss it pay- for the new structure?—(Loud cheers.)
He teolt leave to reply to the first question—that there
had been no manifestation of public feeling at all in
favour of it—none in the least.—(Loud cheers.) Had
any puboe meeting's been held on the subject?—hed
any subscription list been framed?—and had any engi-
neering plies been published to show any absolute ne-
cessity for so serious a change? There had not --and
they had no security that even if the bridge were built
that ii, would receive the support of the public,
Well, but who was to pay for it? The money,
of course, weind have to come out of the public
funds—out of the public taxation ; and he must say, in
the present state of affairs, they had pretty nearly as
many claims upon the revenue as they could afford to
meet. They had to afford relief to the famishing people
of Ireltnd at the present moment, and at that time
were consequently not in a condition to incur an enor-
mous sum for the construction of a new bridge which the
public re cessities did not call far.—(hear.) The bridge
appeared to be put forth with the sanction and patronage
of the Government. New he had every reason to believe
that this was not so—(Loud cheers)—and that all that
had been done was thus :—That a public department
had consented to the publication of certain notices for
the introduction of the Bill, but beyond that no sort
of sanction had been given—(Loud cheers)—and
that the Govettore-nt was perfectly free to oppose the
project ; and he for one, should join his friends about
him in giving the measure the most determined opposi-
tion.—(llear, hear.) It appeared so objectionable, that
he hardly thought any Member of Parliament for Lam-
beth, Westminster, Middlesex, or Surrey, would be
found to back the Bill ; and it would be very strange if
a great metropolitan measure should be introduced into
Parliament without the support of some local Member
o' Parliament who possessed a knowledge of the affairs
of those whom he represented. But, supposing the
Biel
introduced, he skeet this question of those who advo-
cated the measure, and he should ask the same question
ott the floor of the House of Commons—What neces-
sity is there to build a bridge which no one desires—and
what, public reasons are assigned for it ? He was told
that the architect of the new Houses of Parliament
thought the bridge an " eyesore" to that great,
public work. He (Mr. Hawes) admitted that
the bridge was an " eyesore" as it stood, but it could
either be repaired or rebuilt on its present site, and in
harmony with the new Houses of Parliament, so that
there was no reason for removing the bridge on
that score. But a great many reasons might be
advanced in favour of retaining the bridge in its pre•
sent position. He took it for granted that even some
repairs were necessary to render the present bridge suit-
able for the traffic; or that if it were necessary to re-
build it, that the erection should take place on the pre-
sent site—that he took it was admitted on all sides. If
a new bridge was necessary, he was prepared to show
clearly that the present site was one on which it could
be made with the greatest economy, and with the
greatest advantage.—(Loud cheering.) And the first
reason was, that the approaches to the bridge were the
property of the Commissioners, and that it would there-
fore be unnecessary to expend one shilling in making ap-
proaches to it if it remained in its present position.—
(Cheers.) And therefore, if the public money was to
be spent on Westminster bridge (and he said as a Mem-
ber of Parliament, quite independent of Lambeth or
Westminster, and he had a right to say it, that this was
not a time to squander public money unless it was abso-
lutely
necessary) it should be spent in improving or
building a rutw bridge in the place of the old one, in
order, it there were no other reason, to effect the alter-
ation with gut the enormous expense of making en-
tirely new approaches. Well, then, suppose for a mo-
ment that the site if the bridge was changed. and a new
bridge built lower down the river, it would, in the first
place, be much larger, and consequently more
expensive, and, secondly, new approaches would
!save, to be purchased on both sides of the river.
But was that all ? Was it quite just to
,uild it where it was proposed ? Were there no
reasons agArist the plan. The magnificent gentlemen
w.. 0 proj,cted it seemed quite indifferent to the fact that
two bridt'es extsted closely adjoining each other; two
bridges built by two companies at. enormous expense ;
one of them (Waterloo-bridge) almost ruinous to the
company which invested its money in it, and the other
(Charing Cross-bridge) hardly paying. Both were built
by private companies, but if a free bridge were built
within two hundred yards of them the effect would be
utter ruin to both.—(Hear, hear.) Why, such a propo-
sition
could not stand for a moment, and did not deserve
to stand.—(Loud cheers.) The Hon. Member here pro-
&aced a plan tit. the proposed and existing bridges, which
he exhibited to the meeting. To any one standing at
the foot ofChariug-cross bridge, the proposed bridge with
the existing enes would appear like the letter " V;"
the proposed bridee forming the second line of the
letter, in consequence of its contiguity with the Charing-
cross-bridge, and which, besides, would not be more than
200 yards from the corninencstuent of both Waterloo and
Charing•cross bridges. Would anybody tell him that
such a bridge was required ?—(Cries of " No, no," and
ridiculous.) They took away Westminster-bridge, and
left the public without any accommodation between
Vauxhell-bridge and the proposed one. Who advocated
? He was told that no one did so but the architect
tft.oaturir of
(imiu,l:iihatatrito,(oMenadßmarirrayt)i,onfortiiwanhohsee
works 0 lot censent to allow Mr. Barry
had ; but he
rof this sort, which, if done at all,
ai'le'd by his determined body
but
'itadwou(l)b.,,hlielsil'el;dYone undoubtedly at the expense of
topwroi
would
have;
tiieui
h e would not consent to let
coadjutstrs,
thi, Bill pass through the Parliamentary ordeal
without itpsp
(I,oud cheers,) When it came
him the most for-
midable o
Commons
into the House of Cam
t I Present in the Com
gress should escape
(Hear, hear)—and if he was 110 1)
he was sure those
tee appoints d to discuss its merits,
withoufnt'h"enolhogslietittnagef.roetfn ithsiPnar—e-
gentleman would sanction such an uncap %%the were would do so ; for he could no.tuteiedl_itseovre
carried out, would
tune of public money, and which,ethxpaet
nfidvie_
!eferred. When Westminster-bridge Was
cause the utter ruin of the other bridges to efiihsi:hb.!ai;thtande
site was just as much an object of discussionr
of the projected bridge ; but, after the most care
which the
aribvleercsohnosuhliceirbaetitemrososfedt,hethevapriroeussenptoints
point was selected
a s tfhuel and Site
as most beneficial to the public at large, even at that
period.—(Hear, and applause.) It was urged in fa-
your of the new bridge, that it would reach to
Charingscross,and every one would have to go to the cor-
ner of the York-road; but whether they went by the present
bridge or the new one, would not maks a difference of
more than 20 yards ; and for this every shopkeeper and
0w1,..r of property in the neighbourhood of the present
bridge, was to be ruitied,—(Hear.) The proposition was
so perfeetly absurd, that it was an intolerable nuisance to
have Iseession to meet there to oppose it. But he had
no doubt. if -they set themselves vigorously to the work
of opposition, that their object would be obtained, and he
knew little of his friends on that side of the water, if then
did not organise a formidable opposition. They
the bridge was not wanted, and the onus lay on the sat
jectors of the new bridge to show that it 'Wt.:-
But he defied them to do so,—(Applause.) A very
large proportion of the present traffic went to the western
part of the metropolis, which the projectors of the
seheme wished to divert to Piccadilly. lie wished some.
hel y w-e, t.h ereit. spsak for it, because he was perfectly
rsuoy cue-sit-lee lien if hatel.—(Laughter.) He con,
sidsred that. it was riee,ssitty to have a bridge near to the
lament, and for the accoruapld:ition of the
,in ;111. nut . Mr. Barry and his frieeds stated
thot b,idga on the I resout site would ruin the view of
tses Reuses el Parlienitsat ; but he (Mr. Hawes)
wishost 10 know where they could have a better view
than from the present bridge, which would not cost two
millions of money like the new one. Now he
thought he had stated reasons enough why they
should oppose the Bill.—(Hear, hear.) The matter
however, was in their hands, and he trusted they would
,-one- .11;v tollew up the tetpesition they had already
--tad ; and if they tstotitenti es la ,letis. ;he
they heti etisesle hi to that e,enitig
th,,a coeol ,f 'to sosee,,l ; test
Iseeie met then) .ti t`qv r•it,:o. he
,0-tould lotv,t to co“gratukt.- 0,,u1 ,Weesitul
of th„ „,„test. The hoeeutattle gt, tleaaan resumed his
seat: areitist letal aid genera,' cheering.
Mr. EDWARDS wished to ask Mr. Hawes one single
question. He beheved he was one of the committee
who recommend,-d the removal of the old bridite ?
Mr. HawEs should have thought that every one in
thet ratio knew that members were put upon
ainintittees whose reports might not cohtchle with
their individual opinions, but of the majority
composing it ; he did not find his name in the
majority of the committee who voted for the removal of
the bridge.—(Ch.:ers.) Many- measures had been pro-
posed by the Legislature for which it would be absurd to
make him respoesible.
A VotcF.--But you signed the T.:Tort.
Mr. EDWAnDS—Did you agree to this report or did
you not ?
Mr. HANVES—No.—(Cheers).
ZPWAI;PS-stOp 6 bit.—(Laughter.) He was

fcw watching and

11. which

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