Mr. Hobhouserose to present a Petition from certain inhabitants of Westminster, in reference to a subject which had been lately more than once alluded to in this House,—he meant the propriety of making an opening from Waterloo-place into St. James's-park. This Petition was extremely worthy the attention of the House. It was most respectably signed, as any hon. Member might perceive by looking at the signatures attached to it, amongst which were the names of some hon. Members of this House. The petitioners stated, that they did not believe that there had been any specific promise given that the opening in question would be made; but they added, that the genera] impression certainly had been that such an opening would be effected. They further stated, that if they thought the accommodation in question would at all encroach upon the royal privacy, or give the public admission to parts of the Park from which they were at present excluded, they would not seek for it. The accommodation, however, which they sought, would only afford to the public a more easy means of access to those parts of the Park already open to them, and the petitioners expressed their reliance that if a proper representation of the matter were made to his Majesty, he would not deny to the public this means of access to the privileges which they already enjoyed. The petitioners truly stated that this opening would be a great improvement, not only in the way of a public accommodation, but also in point of appearance; for that while the wall remained there, that part of Pall-mall opposite to it was sunk down, and only a part of the Park could be seen from the Terrace; but, as they suggested, if this opening were made, it might be so contrived as to com- 1276 bine an useful object with a noble architectural design, and in that way form a beautiful termination to a street which already justly commanded the public admiration. He would recommend this Petition to the notice of his Majesty's Government: he trusted it would meet with attention in the proper quarter. He would take the opportunity to give notice, that after the holidays, unless something should occur in the mean time, he would move an address to the Crown on the subject.
§ The Petition, which was from certain inhabitants of Westminster, was then read, and ordered to be printed.