1829.] The Bridges of London. 41 



London, a bridge was projected from Charing Cross to Pedlar's Acre. 

 This bridge was intended to start from the side of Northumberland 

 House, and such a plan would, indeed, have formed a magnificent 

 entrance, as well as proved a very great convenience to that part of the 

 metropolis. The government, however, is already involved too deeply 

 in expense, to attempt any thing beyond what they are doing at present; 

 and it is well known that their fimds are far from sufficient even to com- 

 plete their present plans. In some instances the Woods and Forests are 

 paying five per cent, interest on the amount of purchases they are unable 

 to complete, and in others they are entering into negociations to pay for 

 houses and premises abeady condemned, by the exchange of crown 

 property. For the great improvement therefore of a bridge at Charing 

 Cross, we fear the good citizens of Westminster may look in vain. The 

 immense increase of buildings, however, and the great improvements at 

 Pimlico, and in the lower parts of Milbank and the Horseferry-road, have 

 suggested to several, the convenience of, if not the necessity for, a bridge 

 between those of Vauxhall and Westminster, and for this purpose several 

 committees have been formed, and several plans have been laid before 

 the parties interested in the execution of such a scheme. The improve- 

 ments which have taken place under the auspices of government, seem 

 intended to be bounded in this direction by the houses of parliament ; 

 and we are therefore glad to see that some spirited individuals are willing 

 to extend them, where they are so much wanted, as a private specula- 

 tion. The lower parts of Westminster have, for a very long period, been 

 quite a disgrace to a neighbourhood so immediately contiguous to so many 

 of our principal public buildings, and to those buildings, too, which are 

 sure to attract the visits and the attention of foreigners. 



The new palace at Pimlico has, however, given a consequence to the 

 whole of this neighbourhood, of which the proprietors are taking rapid 

 and essential advantage. The agents of Lord Grosvenor have already 

 let the principal part of his estate to speculative builders ; and the minor 

 proprietors following the example, squares, streets, and buildings, are 

 gradually extending from Knightsbridge to the Thames ; and Tothill- 

 fields, the Horseierry-road, and the adjacent neighbourhood, are 

 becoming ornaments, instead of nuisances, to this quarter of the metro- 

 polis. 



The increase of the respectability of this neighbourhood, and the great 

 increase of inhabitants and traffic, which has been the resvilt of these 

 building speculations, have naturally led to the idea of a more direct com- 

 munication with the other side of the water, and thus obviate the incon- 

 venience of going round either by Westminster or Vauxhall Bridges, to 

 arrive at Lambeth. 



The most natural place at which to form this communication is the 

 old Horseferry, leading directly from the Archiepiscopal Palace and 

 church, at Lambeth, into the heart of the new improvements, and thus 

 forming a direct line of communication between two distant and popu- 

 lous neighbourhoods, and giving the inhabitants of Belgrave-square and 

 Pimlico an easy outlet to the counties of Kent and Surrey, without the 

 circuitous route which they are at present obliged to take. 



During the last two or three years several plans for this improvement 

 have been suggested, and one or two attempts have been made to bring 

 a bill into Parliament for the purpose of accomplishing it. 

 AI.M. New Series.— Voi.. yUl. No. 43. G 



