The New York herald., 1874-10-11

refuse 20 let the horse cars enter the city. mo
alleged reason Tor the refusal is that the streets
are too narrow and overcrowded TO excess al
ready. The companies have tried In vain TO OBJ
tam permission 10 run cars along the embank-
ment; they have been refused point blank. 1t was
their intention TO cross the bridges, run along the
embankment and down Victoria street. the new
wide thoroughare leading direct to the heart OF the
city. This plan carried out 1t would establish COM
petition between hack drivers and stage drivers
Cabs and omnibuses would run along the embanK-
ment and thus relieve the trafic in Fleet street
and the strand.
STORES AND CAFES.
But 1t will be necessary for the Metropolitan
Board OF Works to encourage the erection OF
stores and cafes along the embankment II 1t Is to
be success, and here again they are likely to
meet with considerable opposition. True. already
one magnificent hotel has been erected at tho
Ludgate Hill end and several stores hage
been built, but at present the Board Of
Works appears to be adverse to open
business rhoroughfare which shah
rival the Strand. Experienced men villa
however, readily see that even the boulevards OF
Paris would be unattractive were 1t not for the
stores and cafes with which they abound. Now.
the Board will gradually come 10 see that II the
embankmenti is to divert the trannc 1t must attract
pedestrians by the spiendor OF Its buildings and tho
variety OF the goods to be obtained there. Pretty
gardens and seats are all very well in their way.
but in the winter people care little i0r
strolllng among snow covered Dartecres or
sitting still to De half frozen. stores. well
lighted ana well filled, will attract when nothing
else will, and houses OF relreshment are stno qua
non II the trafllc Is large. Very naturally the
tradesmen OF the Strand object to seeing their
customers take another line OF route, and as they
pay heavy rents and taxes their objections will bs
powerful for some time to come. But even in
conservative England progress eventually
comes and in time we shall, doubtless.
see the embankmcnt become great business
thoroughfare. Already the land in It's vicinity
mas risen greatly in value, and clubs OF great i'm
portance are preparing to move thther. st.
Stephens Club abuts upon II. ana the New Lib
eral Club Is negotiating for land at the point
where the new road through Northumberland
House will join the embankment With the ad@
vent Of clubs Will come stores; with stores vehcu
lar traffic. The tramways will speedily follow
and the embankment will be success. or the
GOOD RESULTS
which have already accrued, something moro
ought to be said. Granted that the narrowing OF
the river has increased the danger Of our being
oyernowed by spring tides it has also certainly
added to the ease with which the stream Is navt-
boats which continually ply between London
Bridge and Chelsea, the handsome stone wall and
the long lines OF lime trees present an appear
ance Of the most pleasing character. The EOrdes
OF wretched men. women and poys who used TO
gain miserable livelihood by raking in the mud
are gone for the very SUFFICIENT reason that there
is now no mud to rake in. No crowds or thieves
and disreputable persons crowd under the
bridges by night The handsome emrank-
ment is patrolled oy police, whose mot d'ordre OF
sMove on ~ must be unhesltatingly obcycd. The
wretched tenements which extended to the
water's edge have all been removed, and In their
places are gardens or plots OF land on which
eventually splendid buildings will rise. 1t would
be difncult TO estimate all the good which haa
already been accomplished, and when the altera-
tions I have sketcned out have been COM
peted the benefits will be still greater. Ono
thing more is needed. ard to this Londoners look
every bridge possessed its tolgate, at which every
passenger had to pay his quota. Now only three
are thus taxed-Waterloo, Lambeth and Chelsea
! To free these bridges forever sum OF
| f1,5O0OOO is required but this is not
| thought too much for the boon which freedom Of
| traffic would confer upon the metropolis, and al
| ready the Metropolitan Board OF Works Is prepar~
| ing bill to be brought before Parliament in the
course OF next session to enable IL TO raise loan
| and buy the bridges. When this is completed .
great step will have been taken in the direction ol
progress and another incentive given to the more
general use or the Thames EmDankment.