The plan I have pursued of taking the old foundations as well in the literal as the figurative sense of the words, to build upon and that to the utmost of their extent, is liable to no objections that I can see. The having recourse to a new choice is liable, as will be seen, to very forcible objections, such as nothing short of absolute necessity would compel me to encounter with.

1. Unavoidable and indefinite delay: delay to the very commencement of the play, to say nothing of its completion. The former choice consumed upwards of three years. 2. Superior hardship to any other proprietors on whom the lot might fall in the event of a new choice. The Archbishop of York in whom the fee simple is in right of his See has no objections: he has no ground for objection. His interest is small: his income could not sustain any diminution: it could not but receive an increase. Earl Spencer (Lessee under the See for lives) Earl Spencer when he came to his Estate (which was since the valuation) found it with this lieu on it. He took it subject to this lieu: of which being so notorious, it is impossible he should not have been apprised. From this burden it has never been discharged: the stop put to the execution of the plan was considered not as final but momentary: two years afterwards it was still considered as such by the Committee of the House of Commons [See Report 1784.] At no time has the final dereliction of it been declared by Administration. It has all along, if I am not much misinformed, been kept upon the Carpet. M r Pitt & Lord Thurlow may perhaps recollect the audiences given by them to the intended Architect, the late M r Blackburn.

To any other unwilling proprietors a similar burthen would be new and unexpected: and of willing proprietors with fit land belonging to them I have neither any knowledge nor any tolerable hope.

Thus it stands as between proprietor and proprietor: and as far as neighbourhoods may be supposed to be concerned, thus also does it stand as between neighbourhood & neighbourhood.

A new choice (as far as the Proposer were to be concerned in making it a power from which he could not be wholly precluded as will be seen presently) a new choice would lodge a very strong and extensive power in the hands of an individual, who were he to listen to the suggestions of personal interest or affections might be under temptation to abuse it. He might pick out situations adapted to his own interest or caprice to the disregard of much superior interests on the part of great numbers of individuals. By