The proposed erection of the new Mint on the site
facing the Embankment, between Waterloo Bridge and Adelphi Terrace, is exciting a good deal of opposition, both on local and on general grounds. Of course, the rather poor district of the Savoy does not wish to have sites so good occupied by a Government build- ing, which will be rated, as Government buildings are, at a much lower proportional contribution than private property pays. But this objection is one which would probably apply just as much, wherever the new building may be built, as it does there. The solid objection to this site is that the Mint, according to the designs, will be apparently a very ugly building,—a large, low, -engineering factory, with very tall chimneys, to carry the smoke well beyond the range of Covent Garden,—and yet planted on a site now nearly the best, architecturally, in London, where noble buildings ought to rise, if the fine effects of the Embankment are not to be seriously injured. From Waterloo Bridge the view of St. Paul's, .of Somerset House, and of the various splendid buildings of West- minster, with the magnificent river-wall which runs the whole distance, is one of which few capitals in Europe can boast. And last, not least, the proposals of the " Mint " Bill, if carried, will for ever prevent the construction of one of those most need- ful additional approaches from the Strand to the Embankment 'Which are so greatly needed to relieve the traffic of that crowded street. Why cannot the Mint be rebuilt where it is, and leave one of the finest sites of the metropolis open for more attractive build- ings? A long, low shed cannot be made ornamental by any human device.
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