1826.) . [ 357 J 
METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMENTS: N° II. . 
In the midst of all that real or apparent prosperity which distinguished 
the year 1824, and which ended in the panic at the latter part of 1825, 
_ projects of improvement in the interior of our country, and for the embel- 
lishment of our metropolis, kept pace with those for digging the bowels 
of the peaceful earth in Mexico, and other parts of the world, in search of 
gold and diamonds. New canals were excavated—new rail-roads laid 
down in the country—and new streets planned in town. One projected 
an opening from Blackfriars’ Bridge into the North Road, to the utter 
demolition of that assemblage of sweets collected for a century in Fleet 
Market, and of the pickpockets in Saffron Hill. A second projector 
planned a street—certainly very much wanted—to lead from Waterloo 
Bridge to the same point ; and a third proposed another, equal in width 
and magnificence to Regent Street, to lead from Charing Cross to the 
British Museum. This last has likewise been taken into the considera- 
tion of Mr. Nash, and is now partly in progress—an act of parliament 
having been obtained to carry it into execution as far as Chandos Street. 
Two new bridges, in addition to those which have been built, and the 
one which is now building, were among the different projects ; while 
others, not contented with going over the water (the general path, by- 
the-by, of most projectors), determined to go under it ; and the Thames 
and its finny tribe, not being sufficiently annoyed by the gas, was con- 
demned to be bored with a tunnel—at which attempt it appears to have 
been so indignant, that it has completely revenged itself upon the vio- 
lators of its peaceful bed, by stopping the project in the midst of its 
execution. That this was a bold undertaking, conceived in the true 
spirit of scientific speculation, and a work of art that, had it been com- 
pleted, would have remained to posterity a noble example of the science, 
and industry, and perseverance of the present day, and a wonder the 
more for the lion-hunters of the metropolis, nobody can doubt. But a 
sober consideration of the subject (and where water is alone concerned, 
we ought to give it no other) must convince any dispassionate person 
that it was only fit to be admired as a work of art, and could never have 
realized either utility or profit at all commensurate with the immense 
expense of the undertaking. This was, however, a circumstance which 
only concerned the subscribers ; it did not deteriorate from the nobleness 
of the project itself, or the ingenuity of the scientific projector ; and we 
are among those who are exceedingly sorry that the want of money has 
condemned us to be contented with only half a tunnel. 
While Mr. Brunel was working under the Thames, Colonel Trench, 
with his usually active mind, was labouring to adorn the north bank of 
the river with terraces and quays—which, certainly, could his plan have 
been accomplished, would have ranked among the greatest and the 
grandest improvements of the metropolis. : 
Colonel Trench, sanguine as to the realization of his plan, came into 
the field of projection backed by the support of royalty. Dukes and 
duchesses, peers and M.P.s, graced the meeting at which he proposed 
and described his magnificent intentions ; and, that every thing might go 
on swimmingly, this first meeting was held on the water, in the state- 
barge of the Merchant Tailors’ Company. 
A direction, containing some of the first names in the country, was 
speedily formed, and bankers, architects, and engineers appointed—the 
first of which appointments was certainly rendered a sinecure, by the 
want of subscribers, 
