A PLEA FOR NEWTON HOUSE.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "Sezr-raroa."] SIR,—The Spectator has so consistently fought for the pre- servation of buildings of historic interest that I hope you will allow rue space to plead for the rescue of Newton House, in St. Martin's Street, now threatened with demolition. Its association with "England's greatest philosopher" has been well set forward in the Daily Telegraph of September 1st, and its other interesting associations spoken of; but as the recorder of the life of Fanny Burney and her family in that very house, I would especially put forward its claims to be preserved on her account. Its rooms are associated with the meetings of Garrick, Dr. Johnson, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Mrs. Thrale, and indeed of all the brilliant men and women of the late eighteenth century, whose hold upon us grows stronger instead of weaker as time goes on There Fanny Burney wrote her two epoch-making novels of
" Evelina " and "Cecilia," and there she wrote a large ; art of her inimitable "Diaries," chronicling the events that passed in the "House in St. Martin's Street." No serious alterations have been made in the building, and by a small expenditure the rooms could be restored to their exact appearance in the days of Sir Isaak Newton and of the Burneys. Surely if the imminent peril of Newton House can be made widely known both Englishmen and Americans will step forward to rescue it !—I am, Sir, &c.,
Grove Cottage, Frognal, Hampstead. CONSTANCE HILL.
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