74 MEMOIR OF ALFRED SMEE. [CHAP. VIII. 



supplied to the metropolis; for it may be remembered that the 

 cholera in that part of London was attributed to the drinking of 

 impure water. Into this question Mr. Smee entered with his 

 usual enthusiastic temperament, and spoke at various meetings on 

 the subject. Moreover, some of the daily newspapers contained 

 several letters from his pen. For his opinions on the subject see 

 the Appendix, No. XXV. 



During five years, from 1860 to 1865, we were greatly dis- 

 mayed at finding Finsbury Circus was threatened to be taken 

 away from us by a railway. Headed by Alfred Smee, the inha- 

 bitants determined to resist this encroachment. The fight com- 

 menced by resolutions passed by the inhabitants on the 12th of 

 December, 1860, who viewed 



with surprise and dismay the proposed demolition of Finsbury Circus, 

 which comprises by far the most beautiful open space in the city of London. 

 Whilst affording a choice spot for exercise and recreation, both to the poor 

 of the district and also to the higher class of residents in the City, it is 

 used by the professional and mercantile men compelled to live within the 

 precincts of the City, as one of the few places where houses available for 

 residence are left. This meeting pledges itself to use its utmost influence 

 to preserve it in its present state, and to oppose any attempts to encroach 

 upon it by railroads. That the directors of the Circus be requested to pre- 

 pare a memorial in accordance with the foregoing resolution, to be presented 

 to the Aldermen and Common Council, to her Majesty's Government, to the 

 members for the city of London, and to both Houses of Parliament. 



This was followed by the accompanying letter from Mr. Smee, 

 which appeared in the ' Times,' Christmas Day, 1860, as well as 

 in the ' City Press.' For this letter, in which all the beauties of 

 Finsbury Circus Gardens are highly coloured, he was greatly ban- 

 tered by his friends. Everybody read the letter ; and everybody 

 who knew my father and the Circus, smiled. In one of the 

 journals of the day (the ' Athenaeum ') Finsbury Circus was termed 

 Mr. Smee's " Paradise," and this term ever clung to him. But he 

 said he intended to highly colour the beauties of the garden, and 

 he certainly did so. It was this letter, followed by energetic 

 action, which has saved Finsbury Circus from being converted 

 into a huge, unsightly railway station. 



THE PROPOSED DEMOLITION OF FINSBURY CIRCUS. 

 To the Editor of the City Press. 



SIR, I trust that the importance of the subject will excuse the occupa- 

 tion of your space with this letter, to call public attention to the proposed 

 demolition of Finsbury Circus, the most important spot of the city of 

 London. 



