1829.] Metropolitan Improvements. 157 
being one of the finest monuments of this kind in the world, it is well 
worth while to open it as much as possible to the public view. A dry 
arch might be carried over Thames Street, so as to prevent any interrup- 
tion in that great thoroughfare to the water-side wharfs, and Sir 
Christopher Wren’s Church of St. Magnus, might become the principal 
ornament of a large space to be appropriated as a quay for the accom- 
modation of the passengers and luggage of the numerous steam packets, 
which has been a desideratum long since wished by every body. For 
the further accommodation of these vessels, a dock might be formed, and 
by such means this site would be rendered an ornamental appendage to 
hie bridge, as well as a great commercial convenience. Such appear to 
be the outlines of the best plan yet submitted for the consideration of 
the city, as they are detailed in Mr. Allen’s pamphlet, and we heartily 
hope the Committee will be induced to adopt it. 
By devoting the site contiguous to St. Magnus Church to the above 
purposes, two very important objects will be attained ; “ First, that a 
new description of trade and traflic will be supplied to the inhabitants 
of Fish Street Hill and the parts of Thames Street adjacent; and, 
secondly, that the city would derive from the vessels resorting thereto, 
a very considerable source of revenue in the way of pier and quay duties.” 
These are two great objects attainable: and the ornamental is so blended 
with the useful, that the very decoration will tend to fill, instead of empty, 
the coffers of the good City of London. 
» “The resort of steam vessels to this quay,” continues Mr. Allen, “ would 
likewise form an interesting and animated object, which would not only 
much enhance the effect of the New Bridge, but would convey an idea 
of the beauty and commercial importance of the British metropolis, 
both in embarking from, and landing on the British shore.” Such a 
quay and dock too, would also obviate the danger and serious incon- 
venience which has been found of late years to arise from the difficulty 
of obtaining access to the numerous steam vessels which now lay off the 
Tower, and which at present form such frequent subjects of dispute 
and complaint, and not unfrequently endanger the lives of boatmen and 
passengers. Under all these circumstances, and deeply anxious for the 
_ advancement of the commercial interests of the City of London, so far 
as they may depend on the improvement of the public avenues, and 
solicitous to promote its architectural magnificence, and economize its 
funds, Mr. Allen has submitted to the board, models, plans and illus- 
trations of a design embracing the above objects ; and we heartily hope 
that those who have any influence in the affairs of the bridge, will 
neither be blind to the advantages or deaf’ to the arguments which such 
a plan presents, as a claim to their favourable consideration. 
Having entailed upon themselves the difficulties which must naturally 
arise from their having commenced their undertaking without having 
contemplated its end, these seem to be the best plans for obviating them, 
since it is now impossible for them to obtain, what ought to have been 
their first object—namely, magnificent streets on each side the river in 
a direct line with the new bridge. 
Such a want of foresight is a little extraordinary, but it is still more 
extraordinary, that the same neglect has characterized the proceedings 
of those concerned in the construction of Waterloo and Southwark 
bridges ; both of which, on the north side of the river, are still without 
any direct line of communication to those parts of the town, to which it 
was originally intended they should lead. S. S. 
