HL Deb 30 July 1858 vol 151 cc2283-5
THE EARL OF HARRINGTON

My Lords, in passing by St. Paul's this morning, I saw a triangular piece of ground on the east end of the churchyard, placarded "To be let on a building lease." Supposing this barbarous measure carried out, it would mask the only fine view of two sides of the noblest temple ever raised for the worship of God. I, therefore, give notice that, on a future day, I shall put the following question to Her Majesty's Government:— The Earl of Harrington to put a question to Her Majesty's Government, concerning a plot of ground at the east end of Saint Paul's Churchyard, which is advertised and placarded to be built on, which, if carried out, will mask a fine angular view of two sides of that magnificent building. After having put this question on the Record of the House, I learnt from Mr. Richardson, the distinguished architect engaged on my Brompton estate, that great efforts had been made by artists and others to prevent these buildings being erected, but that all appeals had proved hopeless, for the estimated value of the plot of ground was £60,000; and one acre of land opposite the Bank of England had been estimated at £1,000,000 sterling. I said it mattered not, for the Corporation, with a noble generosity, had given up a portion of the said ground in front of the Exchange, and the country would not allow St. Paul's to be bricked up. I allowed this question to remain on the Notices of the House for some days, in order that it might command the attention of the House and the country that, on the 28th July, I would put the question to the Prime Minister.

THE EARL OF DERBY

rose and said, I entirely concur with the noble Earl in his wish to prevent these buildings from being raised, but the land was valued at £60,000, and I have no power to stop their erection.

THE EARL OF HARRINGTON

The remarks made by the noble Earl on the mere announcement of my intention to put the question were very discouraging. I am aware, indeed, of the great sacrifice the Corporation was called on to make, but I feel confident, first, because I know the magic power and influence possessed by the noble Earl; and secondly, because from experience I anticipate that the Corporation is ever ready to make great sacrifices for the public good. I hope, therefore, that the noble Lord will not consider me presumptuous in putting the question on the day announced. Just previous to my putting the question on the 28th of July, the Earl of Derby had the kindness to place a plan in my hands, and told me that the Corporation had agreed to make a great sacrifice, namely, to build only on one half of the open space, so that a fine angular view of both sides of the Cathedral might be seen from the unoccupied spot. Having been privately and unexpectedly favoured by this communication, I shall limit my remarks.

My Lords, agreeable to notice given, I now venture to put a question to Her Majesty's Government. I solicit the noble Earl of Derby's powerful influence to prevent a piece of Ground at the East end of St. Paul's Church Yard, from being built on, and thereby securing the only fine view of the most sublime Temple ever raised to the glory of God and of our Protestant faith—for there it is that the open Bible reigns and universal charity is preached. I do well remember many years back, passing St. Paul's Cathedral in company with the famous Marquess of Hastings. He told me that Charles Fox had intended to have moved Parliament to pull down a part of the buildings on the Thames side of St. Paul's, but that a change in the administration had prevented it. My Lords, the thoughts of illustrious men should be recorded in history, fixed in our memories, and acted on. I call, therefore, on the noble Marquess of Lansdowne, the friend of Charles Fox, to assist me in this work. Depend upon it, nothing would so much tend to embellish London, and to promote religion and the arts, as the opening of St. Paul's to the constant gaze of three millions of its inhabitants. I have seen many fine buildings—St. Peter's, at Rome; the Domo, at Milan; the Cathedral, at Cologne; the lovely Targe, in British India; and at Athens, the noble Parthenon; but after all, St. Paul's is the wonder of the world. To preserve the fame of the great dead is a sacred duty. Now, Sir Christopher Wren was one of the foremost men this country ever produced; not inferior to Michael Angelo, as scholar, mathematician, architect, and artist of high classical taste. We are, therefore, bound to protect the fine monument he has erected to immortalize his fame.

THE EARL OF DERBY

said, that he had applied to the Lord Mayor to ask what was about to be done in this matter. He had been favoured by his Lordship with a plan from which it appeared that only half the site to which the noble Earl referred was to be built upon; and as the building to be erected would have a semi-circular front, the view of the cathedral would be very little interfered with. He thought that great credit was due to the Corporation of London for their conduct in this matter. The piece of ground in question had cost them £90,000; and by surrendering one half of it, with the advantage of a double frontage to St. Paul's and Cannon Street, they had sacrificed no less than £45,000 to £50,000 for the public convenience.