Star.
London, England, 1829-11-20 00:00:00

THE METROPOLITAN ROADS.

The commissioners of the metropolitan turnpike trusts
north of the river Thames held a public meeting yesterday at their
offices in Whitehall-place, for the purpose of letting by public sale
the, several trusts, pursuant to the act of parliament passed In The
3d Geo. IV. for regulating turnpike-roads.
The meeting was fully attended, and at twelve o'clock Lord
Lowther took The chair.
•
The first lot offered was the ,Les-bridge-road tolls, forming the
sixteenth district of the metropolis to.aili. The commissioners in-
formed the bidders..that there was no alteration in the bars.
These tolls last year were let for £2,085. They were now put ep
at 41,800; and Mr.. Levy, tfiii, *ell-known toll-collector, led
the Giddings, atul, after a :eery smart competition, the lot was
knocked down at 41,995, being .60 less than last year's rent.
The, second ion comprised the tnlie,,en the Kilburn or kdgware
road. with, that part, of the filary-la-bonne-roads froth the carriage-
bridge over the Regent's-canal. The razed price of thC•se was
. X 1,400, and they were knocked down at £1,300, being 8E255 under

the sum obtained last year. . •
. The third trust put up was denominated the Lower o:bridge-
road. Thew tolls were put up at £2,800. Before the bidding
commenced, however,
1%.1r. Levy said it would 'be but fair and candid on the part
of the commissioners to inform the public what these tolls produced
last year. • . .
The commissioners, having coosoltrd,together„ overruled :he
question, but. as,* *Wings proccedetLthe question vitas again
repeated. The bidding, proceeded bile* updi 4,105 were
offered, when an additional .85 were offered $ but it wes coots:odes)
thit the bid was too late, tbe.gius. baningrun Mite The lot was
again put up, and,. after an hour and a half's competition, it was
4 kunckest deseiklit ALPO.. .
(earth, lm comprised the Brentford-hridge tolls, Cranford-
. bridge tolls, and the roads on (be Islewortk Void: They
were put up at £6,600, mil were knocked dopro.stlr/Mo.. ,
• Tfte Harrow trusts, sod other lots put up, brought nearly last
yeet'o.pricesr:t r
The sale was not over till past' itee o'clock. The prod
rally was much less than last year.

-

Yesterday the copies of the works of the old masters
were ezibited to public inspection in the gallery of the British In;
stitution, Pall-mall. The Earl of Essex, Mr. Peel, and severs
distinguished patrons of, British art, were present in the room.
The (*play of copies
.was numerous, and manifested no incoosi-
derable_improvement over future years. The eopiests, however,
have not been alone the aspirants in the profession ; among them
are several of established fame. , The picture most in favour with
the artists appear io have been " The Holy Family," by Sir Joshua
Reynolds, the Vandyke, the Titian, the Cuyp, and the Rembrandt.
Of the Sir Joshua the greater number of copies have been made.
but they vary materially in every point, as If each artist bad felt
the peculiar difficulty under which he laboured in the attempt to •
imitate the great British master. It must have been evident to
all who visited the Gallery, that the oritnals of every other painter
had been copied with greater accuracy and with more spirit. We
meat, however, rscept.so•—that by Miss Sharpe. a Vater4oksur
•drawing of great size, as faithful as it Is beautiful. Unless this
wprk be narrowly inspected, the observer will have no other idea
but that, it is in oil; we understand even the president of the Royal
Academy wm, yesterday, for a moment deceived; and, on per
ceiving his error, paid to the fair artist the compliment of charac-
terising her work as an " innovation on the rights of oil-painters."
" The Holy Family" has also been ably copied by Mr. Boaden,
Mr. Hastings, Mr. Middleton, Mr. Fisk, and Mrs. Pearson.
The picture by this lady is upon too limited a mate, and conse-
quently will not attract much notice; it is, however, a work of
great merit, and must add to the reputation she has so universally
acquired. Two copies of the Cuyp demand especial notice, the
one by J. R. Lee, the other by W. R. Earl. Placed as they are
beside an original of great celebrity they scarcely suffer by com-
parison, and, with a few years of age, the difference_ would
be apparent only to the eye of a connoisseur. Mr. Lee is, we
believe, a candidate to fill up the vacancy among the associates of
the Royal Academy.. To Mr. Earl we have often had occasion to
recur, and it is with pleasure we find the high opinion we hive
long given of his talents completely borne out by that of the most
competent judges of art in the kingdoM. Mr William Fisk, to
whose c,py of Sir Joshua we have referred, has also in the col-
lection several other works that do him great credit. Our
attention was particularly directed to several copies by Miss Fanny
and Miss Louisa Corbaux, neither of whom have, we understand,
numbered fifteen years. Their productions are amazing, and
justify us in anticipating for them much fame as they grow
older. . Miss ,Alabaktwr exhibits an excellent copy of De
Hoogit's " Kitchen." The best copy of the Vandyke is un-
questionably,that by Mr. Morton, an artist of great ability, who
is, we are infOrmed, engaged in painting a full-length portrait of
his Royal Highness the• Duke of Clarence. Mr. Bum and Mr.
'Simpson hive Made admirable copies of the Rembrandt, and Mr.
Johnson and Mr. Simpson of the, Titian. A painting by Mr.
Scarktt Davis excited great attention ; it is a picture of the gal-
lery, with sketches of the various pictures introduced. At present
it is unfinished, but when completed will,We have no doubt, be an
extras/Minify work of art. In looking over so many copier many
of great merit have probably escaped our notice. We can only
attempt to do justice to those that more especially attracted our

attention; but it is our duty to bear testimony, not only to the
skill, but to the industry, displayed by the many artists who are
rapidly rising into fame.

RYEGAMROAD:

A meeting of trnsteee-of the road from Foxley-hatch to
Ryegate Wu belt at theGreyhottad. at Croydon, on Monday last.
which was numerously intended. .After they had sat about half an
hour, Mr. Alderman Waitliman, who ern in attendance, was re
quested to, walk in.
The Chairman (litnisaur Sam: mason, Esq.) add d the Alder- ,
man,and said that the attention of the trustees had been drawn to
a letter which the Trot thy Alderman bad addressed through one of
the newspapers respecting thestite of the road, and they were de-
siroui of hearing any thing he might wish vs state.
Mr. AderMan Wanamix.-uld, that hewn actuated by no per-
sonal feeling whatever. The trustees, be knew, were gentlemen -
highly respeetable but Andlifihials did not fell atemaelves respon-
sible for the act Of a body. and belled been taught by experience
that public bodietwere poly to be kept straight by having the public
eye kept upon them;' that hiving long witnessed the shameful
state nf the% read, •and residing near the spot where the late
Mr. Morris. unfortunately lost his life, and likewise having
made a complaint Only two or three weeks before that acci-
dent, and particularly of that part of the road .where it had '
qcqurred, he felt it to be a public duty to attend the meeting of the
trustees when last called ; and having gone the dlitanzeof ten miles
and back, there not having been a sufficient attendance to.form a
board,he gave his statement through the public press. He pow came
the same distance, making a journey of 40 mites, personally to verify
that statement. The danger, he said, to the lives of his Majesty's
subjects, and the great public nuisance of laying between SOO and
900 heaps of stones upon the sides of a road, narrow in several
parts. and of only eight miles extent, must be quite obvious to
every trustee. Many of these heaps had, to his knowledge, re-
mained there more than a year; they were placed where they could
be bast wanted, and could not be required for a-year to come;
while thoseparts of the road that were in-the worst condition had
not even a threat of repair; none having been placed there ex-
cepting some heaps that had been there' twelve' months, and
quite covered with -grass. Two other accidents had come to his
knowledge,—one where a Brighton coach had .been overturned,
and a cart had been overturned not 'above a week ago. A general
opinion prevailed that part of this road was purposely neglected to
favour a new branch, and he believed not without foundation, for
be could prove that men who worked upon the road had been told
by the surveyor that they bestowed too much labour upon it, and
he did net want so much done there. The worthy Alderman ob-
served upon the impropriety of the trustees holding their meetings
four miles from the commencement and eleven from the termination
of their trust, when the Act required the meetings to be held on or
near the road.; there were only two private knd two public houses
Within eight miles of the place oftneeting, and if persons came from
Mersttiam, which was eight miles, or-frum. Ryegate, which was.
11 miles, to complain, they bad the chance of there being a board
formed, and they must travel two miles further 'out of the main
road for the chance of seeing the surveyor. He observed that suf-
fering the road to get into so dilapidated a state, end then, instead
of timely reparation, laying a thick covering of gravel, was contrary
to the known principles of ,repairing, a great waste of money, as
well as a nuisance. The water-ways were quite choked up, the
footpaths totally neglected, and the currents of water in many parts
of the middle of the road.
'Nit.. Col.'s. the Treasurer, said that severe illness, by which he
was confined-to his bed, had alone prevented him attending the
misting last called. The placing the stones in the manner de-
scribed was vcry,improper and dangeroua. The worthy Alderman,
he said, had referred to a print. Act, which required the meetings
to be held on or near the toad ; but there was a recent Act, which
• authoitted them to meet at the Greyhound., n Croydon.

. .
• Mr. Alderman Weentwagt said, so much the worse; and he
was-4=IIBIO,LE any one ntemben bad‘Obaeryed pod pointed out such
a tlause‘chc Oqiwe inner !odd have pasmdit..
1 Mr. Crag fully admitted the Impropriety of it, and said that
they _certainly might to meet In a more coovioient plate..
. *me further coniersation, in. *Melt odic: trustees ta-
pir• ihtlr concurrence,
eCtiiitas as .said; that the truitem felt tbemselver much
obligedth Mr. Aidistanas Walthosan .for sly.athobleshelattrtsken,
sad.,airired him ibis) Islet 4serticatatioa• •Rti suggestions. V 90141
meet with their serious Stigation.. •

-.3..-..

.4t-: •

a. -

The first open vestry meeting of the parishioners paying
scot and lot in the parishes of St. Giles, and St. George, Blooms-
bury, with the churchwardens and overseers, was held in St. Giles's
church yesterday morning, at ten o'clock. to take into consideration
the amount of the assessment for the necessary relief of the poor in
the two parishes, and to levy a rate to defray the expenses of the new
system of police. The privilege of meeting in open vestry to consult
upon and discuss parochial affairs was gained by the inhabitants by
a verdict in the Court of King's Bench in July last. However, an
appeal has been made to set aside the verdict by those who consi-
dered themselves the select, and the rule has been granted, so that
the right is still at issue ; but the parishioners baying elected, on
last Raster Tuesday, four independent and liberal-minded church•
wardens,tkose gentlemen determined to act upon the verdict already
pronounced by a jury of their countrymen, and convened this
meeting by notice read aloud in the parish church.on last Sunday.
Mr. Ratans, she senior churchwarden of St. Gies's, was unani-
mously called to the ehair, and Mr. Minunarru appointed deputy-
clerk for tbe morning.
The Castanets then addressed the meeting as follows :—' Gen-
tlemen, in the first onset of our proceedings I ought to inform you
bow this meeting originated. It was convened at the special request
of the overseers of the united parishes of Sc. Giles and Se. George,
who, upon looking into the state of the funds. expressed themselves
anxious about them, and desirous of making another rate. I was
asked if I would assist at a meeting for this purpose of the late select
vestry ? I told the inquirer that I knew of no such body as a select
vestry in the parish, for the act of parliament declared every inhabit-
ant paying scot and lot to be a vestryman, but upon this point the
select might think as they thought proper. They then expressed
themselves very desirous of making a rate hi the best manner pos-
sible, both as to the amount and the mode in which it should be
collected. The overseers intimated their desire to do nothing rashly,
`but were Wishful to consult with their friends, the parishiocus, to
make up their minds what to do. It was therefore at their special
request that the meeting was called for this day. This was their
own proposal, and made without any solicitations on the part of the
churchwardens. They proposed that a rate should be made at a
meeting called by notice read In the Church, that all the avenues to
the vestry-room should be ieftopen,and that all the inhabitants who
considered themselves vestrymen, that is, Raying scot and lot, should
be at liberty to attend. On this express wish of the overseers I
acted. Notice was given publicly in the Church, stating that it was
with the special consent of those individuals that the meeting was
celled, and that matterawere to be discussed in the same manner as
at a similar meeting last year. The meeting is therefore clearly
assembled by the sanction of the overseers of .the united parishes
of St. Giles and St. George. It bb necessary for you to know how
we are here assembled, for I have just received a letter from the
overseers, stating that they cannot consistently attend, under the
impressions they entertained as to the legality of the proceedings.
(Great signs of disapprobation.) The letter is addressed, both
outside and inside, simply to the chairman of the meeting, without
either St. Giles or St. George being mentioned. However, taking
it for granted it is intended for the chairman of thisassembly,
will read it to you.

"TO TO CHAIRMAN or THE magma.

" Having on Wednesday last agreed with the Churchwardens to
join their meeting on the following day, we deem it necessary to
state why we do not attend. As there iambi difference of opinion
as to the legality of such proceedings, the case has been submitted to
Mr. Adolphus, who has decisively declared that a select vestry of
the present overseen alone are entitled to make a rate.
" We are, Sir, Sm.
(Signed) " E amiss, W. LulDrigup,
W. E. LoaLutz. ISAMU RVDDocK,
Gso. Las, G MUGS Jahn,
M. Mown's, PHILUP Emmett."
J. Peon,

(Hereupon the hisses and groans were tremendous.) The worthy
Chairman, in resuming. called the company to order. Let the con-
duct of others, said he, be what it may, it is for us to persevere in
our steady, independent, and, at the same time, civil course, which
is ever connected with liberal feelings. Our motto, when we first
united, was " Spirit with temper ;" and I trust it will never be
lost. sight of until we finally triumph. (Great applause.) The gen-
ttemen whose mimes are attached to the letter have their reasons
for what they do. I am only sorry that men should change their
mind's as if they. were not aware of what they were.abuut. They
seem to forget ;bat our wish to have a rate is only the duty imidsed
upon us to remember the Mintier the poor, and toast with justice
towards the parishes by which we are elected—(Applause.)
Another letter was then read from Mr. Ratcliffe,one of the over-
seers:who had not signed the first obnoxious epistle. It ran thus :
" On my ratan from the board on Wednesday last. I found that
it was necessary for me to leave town, and therefore I have not the
power of meeting my fellow-parishioners, to take into considera-
tion the poor rates, &c. Our enemies rare again abroad, creeping
from their dark holes and corners; but by the invincible spirit .of
independence, they will soon be driven back to their filthy caves
and fastnesses. Unless at the point of death, or suffering under
some bodily infirmity, nothing shall prevent my meeting them at
the neat meeting, (Immense applause.)
Mr. Preexatort—Are worn understand that the gentlemen who
signed the first letter are at war with the parish at large ?
.
Cl4/JOMAN-1 can only say that the meeting was called by their
express desire, and the first intimation I received that the overseers
had changed their minds was last night at eight o'clock. One of
them then told me they intended to leave the liberal side and go
over to the other.--(Great laughter.) . . .
Mr. Puseantosz—By the liberal side I have stood, and with It
I will rise or fall—( Applause.)
Air.. Mesta hereupon produced an address to the inhabitants of
the parishes, signed by T. D. Robinson, as vestry clerk, stating
that the present meeting had not authority to makes rate, and in-
timating that the payment of any emanating from they to-oceedings
would be illegal, which, no doubt, was the reason why the overseers
had been frightened out of their former intentions.
The CHAILMAN then read a statement of the parochial accounts.
There appeared to be due by the parishes for the workhouse ac-
count

Frtint the two county-rates
For pulice-rate and poor-cess, about
One half-year's contingencies up to next t
Lady-day, about
!Slaking a total between • £22 and 23,000 0 0
According to the calculations made it was considered that a rate
of VA. 2d. in the pound would be sufficient to meet ibis expenditure ;
that is, sd. in the pound for the police-rate, and Is. 9d. for 'bayou-
cess. The ;sleeting (continued the chairman) will bear it in mind
• that the watch-rate was formerly 4d. in the pound for the half-year,
which was taken from the poor's-rate. The act of parliament for
the support of the new police grants that the rate may be as high u
Bd. The watch-rate bas been accustomed to produce about £6,400;
the demand now made for the police from the secretary's Ake is
nearly if 9 000 for the half-year, so that the new system is nearly
half as much more as the old :one.
Parishioner—ls it the intention of the select to male a rate
themselyes' because it appears that they are afraid of losing the
loaves and fishes? A son of one of them bas ;ot a situation of
£l,OOO per annum ; another one of 4500, who is before you tak-
ing notes (alluding to Mt. Robinson, jun.) for the edification of his
father and the select.
Cateturau—ln giving vent to these expressions we forget the ties
of humanity. The poor we ought to provide for. I will make one
or two observations more, and then put the question as to the rate art
25.2 d. I call the attention of the meeting to a paper put forth
amongst the parishioners, stating that a rule nisi had b. en obtained
to set aside the, verdict lately given in favour of the parish. which
has very much alarmed a number of its well-wishers ; but this rule
is merely an aparte statement, to make us show eau-e why a new
trial should not be granted. It is the saike as when a person is
allowed to tell his own story, without any one to contradict him.
Happening to know something of the representation by which rile
rule nisi was obtained, I unhesitatingly pronounce it tq be as fun
of falsehoods as ever proceeded from a lawyer's sprecti—( Hear,
hear, hear). The statements put forth by their advocate (Sir Jae.
&arisen) are such notorious falsehoods (they thesualxis Jimmying
them to bele) that they must have blushed for his /pouch, if bias i.
hag qualities be yet left among them. I do.not know with whom
the sentiments originated, whether with the select or their •advor
cats—whether they wen written in his brief, or emanated from
himself to serve his clients ; het such mistatements were never be-
fore made in t¢iuft prf Justice. .• . ;•
Some obberestions were then mad: by Mr. Rasterby that the
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