76 MEMOIR OP ALFRED SMEE. [CHAP. VIII. 



In 1869, the unfortunate Circus was threatened by no less 

 than three railways, as is shown by the following resolutions : 



That the inhabitants of Finsbury Circus regard with surprise and 

 regret, after the determination of the Legislature to protect the gardens 

 of the squares of the metropolis, that no less than three railroads, includ- 

 ing the Metropolitan, are projected, which involve the reckless spoliation 

 of the gardens of Finsbury Circus. 



That a committee of the House of Lords having carefully framed rules 

 for the guidance of railroad projectors in the formation of lines through- 

 out London, it is the opinion of this meeting that the wilful neglect of 

 these rules is not only disrespectful to the Legislature, but a wanton dis- 

 regard of private rights; and that the repeated parliamentary notices 

 which year by year have harassed the inhabitants of Finsbury Circus, 

 inflict great and unnecessary injury upon them. 



That the inhabitants request the Committee of Management to oppose 

 the Metropolitan and other railway lines seeking to spoliate the garden, 

 and in conformity with the above views to present petitions to both Houses 

 of Parliament, the Board of Trade, the Board of Works, and to petition 

 that the railroad projectors who seek parliamentary powers to construct 

 lines, in contravention of principles laid down by the Legislature, may be 

 made amenable for any injury inflicted upon individuals by loss of trade 

 and deterioration of property caused by their act. 



The fight between the inhabitants of Finsbury Circus and the 

 promoters of the railways waxed yearly more fierce. It was 

 proposed in 1864 that one of the railways should contribute 12 

 annually for the maintenance of the gardens. In consequence of 

 this paltry sum being offered, the following handbill was imme- 

 diately sent round to all interested in the matter. 



FINSBURY CIRCUS SPOLIATION. 



The committee of the House of Commons yesterday declared the 

 preamble to the Metropolitan Extension Bill proven. 



They recommended clauses for the protection of the garden, and a 

 sum to be paid of 12 annually for its maintenance. 



The practical effect of this decision is to give to the Metropolitan 

 Railroad land worth many thousand pounds for the paltry pittance of 

 12 a year, and to destroy the garden, which is so attractive to the neigh- 

 bourhood. 



The City of London, who engaged to defend the garden, neglected to 

 call more than three witnesses ; but it is hoped that so great a violation of 

 private rights, and so great a public injury, may not receive the sanction 

 of the House of Lords. 



ALFRED SMEE. 

 July 6th, 1864. 



Various petitions against these railways were presented from 

 the owners, lessees, and occupiers of house property in Finsbury 



