Star.
London, England, 1825-01-05 00:00:00

ST.' BR !DG'S CHURCH.

Yesterday a Public Meeting was held at the London
Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, to take into consideration
the means of preserving the •iew of St. Bride's Church,
in Fleer-street, which has been accidentally opened by
the recent fire.
The LORD MAYOR took the Chair at two o'clock.—
The object of the Meeting was, he said, to ascertain how
far the Public would be inclined to support and carry
into effect a plan for making an opening from Fleet-
street to St. Bride's Church, so as to exhibit that building
to the view of the passengers through that great
thoroughfare. The great architect of that building
had not contemplated that it would ever be exposed to
public view, or he would probably have added some
ornaments to render the coup doll more striking. But
in its present simple state, the edifice was one of the
most beautiful of wbiob the metropolis could boast. It
was natural to suppose, that every lover of art would
be anxious to see carried into effect a measure which
would reflect credit on the metropolis. During the last'
14.0 years, untirthe present moment, it had been im-
possible to see the spire of the Church (which was one
art ;he most beautiful in the kingdom), except from
illackliiars-bridge, or some other elevated position.—'
Surely it was desirable, even in a national point of view,
that foreigners who came to view the beauties of the
metropolis, should have an opportunity of beholding
such a
.monument of the genius of Sir Christopher
Wren. It the Meeting felt as he did on the subject,
they would cheerfully contribute to raise a fund to carry
this national object into effect. A plan of the proposed
alterations was tying on the table for the inspection of
those who were desirous of examining it. The expense
which was likely to accrue from the undertaking was
estimated at about 70001. The sum might, to some,
appe ir large, but it should be recollected, that such an
opportunity of effecting the measure so cheaply would
perhaps never occur again.-4,lpplause). - I lis Lordship
lien read the Resolutions about to be submitted to
the Meeting.
T. Vzi.soN, Esq. M.P. expressed his Fleasure at
observing that the taste of the country was improving.
This had lately been evinced by the ridicule which had
been heaped upon certain awkward buildings erected
near Westminster Hall, which it had been found neces-
sary to pull down. It had always been remarked by
foreigners, that the people of London possessed few
public buildings worthy of admiration. In charitable
institutions, for the relief of distress of every descrip-
tion, England surpassed all nations of the world; and
he trusted that she would soon rival any of them in
works of art. It was a common saying, that it was an
ill wind which blew nobody good ; the truth of which
had been exemplified with respect to the subject under
discussion. But for the late unfortunate .fire, which all
must lament, the public attention would not have been
called to the beautiful spite which it was the object of
the present meeting to pr event being again bidOen from
view. There could not be a fairer opportunity for the
esercise of liberality and gourd taste than the present,
and under that impression he cordially wished success
to the undertaking. The worthy Gentleman concluded
by moving the first resolution.
" That one of the strongest proofs of the high degree of advance-
ment in a taste tor the Fine Arts, which the people of England have
attained, is to be found in that desire fur the improvement and
embellishment of the Metropolis, which so honourably distinguishes
the present age."
Mr. WILLIAMS seconded the Resolution, which was
carried unanimously.
W. WILLIAMS, Esq. M.P. observed, that, as an Eng-
lishman, he felt anxious that his countrymen, who ex-
Celled surrounding nations in most other things, should
Also rival them in purity of taste in matters of art—
(//ear.) During a long and expensive war, it was im-
possible to direct the national attention to such objects ;
but now that peace prevailed, he hoped that English-
men would thew foreigners that they could cultivate
the liberal arts and sciences with as much success as
they had wielded arms in the field. He did not think
it necessary to trouble the meeting with any further
observations ; but was convinced that no man of good
taste had passed the spite of St. Bride's sinse it had
accidentally been exposed to the public gaze, without
wishing that such a beautiful object should be seen by
his children's children—(Hear.) He moved the second

resolution.
" That be view recently opened of the tower and spire of St.
Bridt's alurch, by the demolition of several houses in Fleet-street,
which had obscured it from the public eight, for upwards of a cen-
tury. having clearly shown that this building may be made highly
conducive to the beauty and ornament of thb Metropolis, and par-
ticularly when the adjeinitg buildings are made to enter into archi-
tectural combination with it, as shown in the plan, it appears to
this Meeting very desirable, that the view thus obtained should be
preserved."
Mr. CUTLER seconded it.
- - -

Mr. S. DIXON thought that the alterations should be
made on the most liberal scale, and that the lowest
estimate of expense should not be approved of: In his
opinion, the Corporate and Public Companies in the City
should subscribe towards such a praiseworthy under-
taking— (Hear).
Mr. BLADES expressed a hope that the Public Com-
panies would act upon the suggestion thrown out by
the last speaker, and subscribe liberally towards the
work. He moved

"That this structure, which, for proportion, symmetry, and gran.
deur of effect, is not surpassed, if equalled, by any spire in this
country, also possessed die strong claim upon the public attention,
that it was designed by ease et the most endneot architects Ragland
ever produced, Sir Christopher Wren."
Mr. GALLOWAY said, that he was personally cos-
cerned in two of the houses which had been destroyed ;
but he would willingly sacrifice his private interest to
promote an improvement which he thought so useful
and creditable to the City. He had been accused of
not entertaining any strong predilections for the Church,
but on the present occasion, it would be seen that he
was anxious that it should be exhibited to the Public in
the most favourable point of view—(Hear, and a laugh.)
Mr. MARRIOTT took credit to himself for having been
the first to ptopose the intended improvement. He be-
lieved that he possessed twice as much
property on the
scite of the late conflagration ; but, in order that no
.uppeclimeot might stand in the way of such a litichiblt

•

undertaking, he would submit every question
his property to the arbitration of an indifferent person,
The Resoled= was awn earried4
Mr. SLA DI rose to propose the fourth resolution.
epitaph on Sir C. Wren's tomb, in St. Pours.
priate--44 Si monstmenium quer*, circusupice t"
.swilied that inscription to have.: more ettensive
cation, and that the passer by might behold in
part of the metropolis ' the monuments which
carry down the fame of that great man to posterit)
(Hear.) He moved a resolution.

" That the carrying into effect the plan now ,
one instance at leastoremue the national taste front u.
often cast on It by foreigners, that while the M
tish empire contains public edifices which wt::=
unworthy the proudest era of the arts, they are so
iealed by the surrounding buildings that a view of them
be obtained."
Mr, Surrn seconded the resolution, which was
Sir P. Lonna took occasion to condemn what
be the bad taste of rendering prisons ornamental,
" That relying upon the encouragement usually gig
to works of national ornament and utility, a subacripiinn
opened, to which the public be respectfully invited to ce•
Mr. Buvreftwoarn seconded the resolution, which •
Mr. Poynnea moved the sixth resolution.
Mr. CLoaxa, the Chamberlain of the City of London,
that the improvement of the City bad been an
heart for mere than half a century—(Hear).
On the motion of Mr. Writs s, Mr. ATWOOD
elected Honorary Secretary.
Thanks were then voted to the LORD MAYOR, •
separated.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

scion regarding
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resolution.
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which wood.'
an to posterity.
r proposed, wi11.%
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ald not have asui
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them can scarcely
3 canted.
he conceived to
:al, and moved-.
:iven by the puhtio
ibscription he now
ted to contribute."
hich was carried.
London, observed,
object near to his
WOOD SMITH Was
, and the Meeting
idieea.
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And. Baird, Wm.
nd. Smith (h),
Eti w. Smith (VI,
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