The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1825-03-02 00:00:00

11 1 ashkr, hi si i ' had 1 o f hiroi bia3—if !I iion. AI A t hi s ease they were tiolaipa ; het what, he begged leave to would be the consequence if the course marked out by the ~ Playtime opposite had been pursued ? If the Lord Chancellor abed • Member of the House before him, and had inquired if he used certain expressions, which had been imputed to ,cif this were the conduct of the Chancellor, would not the Bon. Member deem it to be a subject of parliamentary censure ? and would not he require an explanation on the subject, as it ins sued& breach of the privileges of that House? It would be most ; e ve' to deny the Lord Chancellor, or any other individual, an o pportunity of defending himself (and his conduct upon this =- ca meo amounted merely to a defence) against a charge which had a ppeared in all the newspapers, and had been eirculae.d to the re. w .,test corner of the empire. lie would therefore, under the in. &owe of this feeling, vote against the motion ; and if it were car ried, he could rot hel t thinking that the House would be its. flitting the deepest wound upon its dignity and privilege. 51r. SCAR LETT said it would not, in his opinion, be a breach cf the privilege of the House, nor mild it be considered as such, if the Chancellor had informed any ;Member of the House that a par. eealar statement could not be the fact, as it was inconsistent with th e practice of the House. Mr. W. WILLIMIS said he was not one of those persons w ho wished the House to adhere closely and strictly to ( heir h eir p-- s iteges ; but if there was ever an individual question in which their prielleg...e ought to be maintained, it was the present. An im. portant charge had been made against an individual filling no less a station than that of Lord High Chancellor of England. The ,e ar ee was, that he had committed a breach of the privileges of the Howse; and he would think it his duty to agree with that mo doe, and assent to the propwition that an attack had been made upon their pr,vileges, if the Lord Chancellor did not send to and communicate to tile House, by the mouth of a friend, who was also a Member of the House, that he had no intention of assailing any privilege whatever. This was the only way in which, as he con. ceived, the case could be got over, consistently with the support of their privilegess and independence. A ilember of Parliament had risen in his seat, and declared that a grave charge had been made against a 3letnber for what he uttered in that House. If, there- fora any inquiry was to be granted, under a charge of this de scription, it ought not certainly be denied in this instance, because I the person accused was the Lord High Chancellor. He could not refrain from expressing his surprise st the argument used by lion. Members at the opposite side—that the proceeding called for was not Constitutional. This he denied; and for his part, he would not consider himself= acting in behalf of the Constitution of the House orof the osentry, if he were wanting in respect io the pri vilege% of the House, and did not support them when attacked; and if ever there was a time when the support of these privileges was called for, and when it was most desirable and satisfactory that the character of the House should be upheld and maintained, it was when a Member rose in his place, and made a complaint of the Lord Chancellor: and he would most certain!) , assent to the Tote of the Hon. Member, if upon their next meeting, and previous to the hearing of evidence, be (the Lord Chancellor) did not pursue that line of conduct which, so consistently with the honour of the country. and his own, he was bound to pursue—if he did not de clare to the Mouse by a member of it. that he did not mean to make any attack either upon the independence or the privileges of the House—that he had acted under the influence of mistaken feelings. By this means alone he thought thecharacter of the House would be supported ; and its privileges would be compromised if this were not done. lie would support the motion, and if the House did not support it, it would be tantamount to the abauden. ment and desertion of the whole of their privileges. He there fore thought that the motion should not be at present discussed, to give the Lord Chancellor an opportunity of stating the mistaken feelings under which he acted, and of admitting that his words in the Court of Chancery were uttered under wrong impressions, and of lamenting they should be offeneive to the honour of any Ho nonmb le Member. Mr. A BERCROMBY felt himself bound to return his sincere thanks to the lion. Members at the opposite side of the House, for the frank and candid Manner in which they concurred with the lion. Members around him, that he had not, in the motion sub mitted by him, given utterance to any expression which could be deemed worthy of animadversion. It was agreed upon all hands, that the account which had appeared in the newspaper did not con tain a comet and true repr:sentation of his sentiments. He was also grateful for the support which he had received against the manner In which he had been exhibited in another quarter. (ilear.) AR to the mode of proceeding which he adopted on the subject, he thought it the wisest and most prudent he could pursue. Be was well aware there were other modes to which he was com petent. He might have taken that which, though not regular. was not without precedent in the House. He might have considered the question as affecting himself alone; but he could not look upon the question in that point of view : he could not separate it from the consideration of the privileges of the entire House. He had wand the question as fairly and as impartially as he could, when it was considered that he was making a statement in which he was personally concerned. lie had been influenced by his sense of duty alone ; and he would readily and most freely admit, that be sides his sense of what he felt was due to that House, he was also influenced by a sense of what he owed to his profession ; nor did he in any respect act for himself alone, he was not led away by his own sense of the case ; •he sought the assistance and *vire of those in whose experience he confided, and those persons lied pointed out to him the course which he followed. lie neither bad or would deliver any opinion upon the subject; but would leave the matter entirely to the judgment of the House. The question being loudly sailed for, the House divided, when the numbers were— For the original motion, 102; against it, 151 ; majority, 49. SUPPLY. The House having resolved itself into a Committee of Supply, upon the question that the sum of, 40,0001. be granted for the coa st:action and repairs of public bhildings for the year 1824, Mr. B.ANKS could not refrain from asking, whether certain repairs, which took place in the neighbourhood, were included in the grants ? and if the repairs were finished, how much money was , to be still expended on them ? lie would be inclined to give his o position to the vote, until he ascertained what limit and what were to be put to the system of destruction which was at t carried on, and in his opinion carried much too far, against th and ancient building, in the neighbourhood of that House. 01this he was certain, that if the House was aware last year of t he use. to which the money would be applied, they would not have grunted it. Ile was most sorry to have reason to under stand that the system of destruction was to reach the Painted Chamber : fot.this he was most sorry ; this room was not less ad mirable for its beauty than for its antiquity; it was erected in the reign of Edward Alp Third ; it was unnecessary to destroy it; its preaervation was i. 'most easy matter ; all that was required was, M give the floor the necessary degree of elevation. He also wished to he informed what the expense was of constructing that strange and anomalous chamber, which was said to be for the purpose of making the House of Lords more accessible to his Majesty. This stricture was a most serious inconvenience to both houses, as it obstructed the approach of the carriages. Ile had another ob jection to this edifice; it was built in front and view of objects which could not be looked upon without disgust. He also would take the liberty of inspecting the accounts of buildings now in grogrets; and he would make a strict inquiry into their expenses, as be considered them exclusively of the sort to be degrading to the national taste. (Hear.) Hewes aware the courts of justice constituted a distinct item; and when they came before the House be would inquire into their state. But in the meantime he wished to know what had been done for else money which had been laid out. Mr. BENNET, in addition to the subject of the discussion im mediately before the House, wished to be informed of the name of the architect under whose direction these buildings had been erected. He wished to know this for the sake of the public, that lie might be avoided, and how they would get again into a scrape , by the construction of such buildings. He also wished to know who those persona were who granted the money, as he would be , most anxious to avoid them, if he possibly could. (Laughing.) I He wished to know the name of the architect, and also the Com mittee of taste. Mr. HERR lES said the account of the money which was ex. petaled, and of that which was intended to be expended, should be submitted to the House. Mr. BENNET insisted upon knowing the name of the ar chiteet. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, he waszot surprised that these considerations should attract the intention of the House; and for his part, he was ready and willing to admit that there should be an alteration in the mode in which works of this nature was carried on. With regard to the .question put to ' hint by the Honourable Member for Shrewsbury, the name of the architect employed was Soule. The important alteration he sought for referred to the Board of Works; it was, in his opinion, a mat. ter much to be desired that in works of this description there should be a real essential responsibility attached to some person, es there was to himself in that House. (Hear.) This responsibility did not exist at present in the Board of Vl'orks. In his opinion it should be vested in the Treasury. This was not the case at pre sent. lie, and those with whom he acted, had not at prevent that responsibility ; they had no controul whatever. The Board ei Works ought to be satisfied with, and ought to be confined to the keeping of public works in repair; and the responsibility should be lodgal in the Treasury, the only public office in which thought it could be properly vested. He would in a short time, an his place, endeavour to frame some resolution on the subject, and submit it to the House. His object would be to have some Honourable Members in the House, who would, with himself, have the entire responsibility. Mr. TENNISON begged to return his grateful acknowledge ments to the Right lion. Gentleman, not only for his opinion of the manner in which the money ought to be appropriated, but for the responsibility which he wished to take upon hituself; this was a matter of the greatest importance to the feelings of the public, who took a lively interest in the preservation of her ancient build. cogs, particularly those of Westminster Hall: these were sacred in their estimation ; it was there the Rings of England had lived and died; it was the re th e P ar li aments o f t h e country h a d b een h o ld en from the remotest periods; and he would sincerely lament and de. plore the destruction of these buildings. He wished to know what new edifice would be given to the public in place of the Painted Chamber; the one which was at present close to it was totally in. congruous ; it would in truth be difficult to match it ; it was of the pure Gothic style of architecture, and was incomparably the finest room in London ; with this Gothic style was mingled something which was called the Grecian, in defiance of, and in direct opposi tion to all the rules of architecture of which he had read. With respect to the Courts, he thought the style moat appropriate to the arts of this country was the Saxon and the Gothic; the Grecian . style was entirely inappropriate; it was not known or introduced into this co untry until the period of Henry VIII. He repeated but opinion that the Gothic style of building should be persevered s W e h ,and "as Mr. ybuimpngtrilerz ich ode which was lately introduced, end 111 , Mb called the attention of the Right lion. Gentleman to the state o f the Record-office at the back of Abingdon-street. If . WI• • • the records should be kept, it was equally clear L I no right that the record; -;hOitia-blie they should be taken case of,.and they shnold be kept so as to be of free and easy access. He, as a member of a Committee of the House, had gone some time since to inspect these records, and I though the building had the advantage of being tire-proof, it was otherwise so badly constructed, that he and his friends were obliged to enter by single tiles ; and it would require th e d e l ay o f some weeks to see the recor d s for which he sought. The walls of this building were seven feet thick, and contained more brick and mos. tar than would be necessary for all the buildings which were at pre. sent under repair. He trusted the House would consider what the plan of this building should be, and suggest a remedy for the pre sent inconvenience. Mr. ('ROKER coincided with the other Honourable Members in the opinion that the matter before the House was highly import ant, in respect not only to the amount of the money Which was granted, but as to the manner in which it was appropriated. It was highly important that this money should not be expended, as it was well observed, to the disgrace of the national taste. He agreed perfectly with the Right Honourable Gentleman that the responsibility necessary upon the subject would be most properly vested in the Treasury. lie was glad to be able to say, that, front the adoption of his plan, he felt confident, not only in the restor ation of good taste by the adoption of what was in itself good, but by the rejection of that which was bad, and which tended to our disgrace: and he would indulge himself in the freedom of mak ing one remark, which he made with the more readiness from what he had heard tall from the Right Honourable the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that Government would abstain from the destruction of that most ancient and venerable building, the Painted Chamber. Five hundred years had elapsed since this Chamber was dignified with the appellation of Prrillestie. It was even then illustrious, as being the most splendid effort of the arts of that day ; it was considered to be the oldest work in which were blended and united the arts of agriculture and painting. He should therefore ' , fitness its destruc tion with regret and sorrow ; it had been celebrated for the space of 500 years, and its state of preservation was truly surprising; its co lours were still fresh ; its gilding was still as t on i s hi ng ly vivid, and its walls were as sound and unimpaired as if they were built yesterday. He was sure the destruction of this chamber would be a source of the greatest pain to the public. He would venture to assert, that if the sums granted for purposes of this description were expended with judgment and taste, the public would not re pine ; they would get rid of that niggardliness with which they' had been falsely accused, and which they had never shewed except in the case of works which reflected disgrace upon themselves and the taste of the country. He did expect, and he felt he had a right to expect from the Right Honourable Gentleman, that he would not tolerate the destruction of the P a inted Chamber unless some reason better than any as vet alleged were advanced. Mr. HUME asked, if the expenses tar the repair of St. James's Palace were included in the sum of 40,0001. at present before the House. Mr. HERRIES answered in the negative. Sir J. MACKINTOSH thought the highest respect and vene ration should be paid to the royal buildings, especially of West minster. He sincerely hoped the system of destruction would no be carried too far with respect to them. Those venerable and an-t cient buildings should be held in the highest reverence and regard in which the spirit and principles of a free Constitution were first inculcated. These buildings should be considered as the spot of all others in which the rights and exi s ten ce of th a t assem bly origi nated, and the destruction of them would not give a very exalted proof of the value we set upon our ancestors. It would not be a convincing proof that we possessed those m ora l f ee li ngs w hich taught us that veneration which was due to the memory of our an cestors, and that gratitude which was due for the benefits they con ferred upon us. The Painted Chamber continued for three hundred years to be the scene of the conferences between the two branches of the Legislature; no other building would have lasted for one-third of the time, and he sincerely trusted that no rude and profane hand would he ever raised for its destruction. With rtspett to the Courts of Justice, he would, when it was ne cessary, ary a few words of them, more especially of that part which had the impudence to chew its face immediately at the western front of the Abbey: this piece of architecture was styled Grecian, because, he presumed, it was not so (laugh); it was denominated Grecian, because it was not English, because it was not national. He was sorry this ornament was not removed to the north side of the Hall; that it was not removed from the western side, now completely deformed by the addition of what was called Grecian, but which was not Grecian, or, if there was anything of Greece about it, it should be called (if such a style existed) the Birotian and Barbarous! Mr. HUME said he wished that a palace was built for the King of this country worthy of them and of the country. There was not a petty Sovereign on the Continent who had not a more splendid residence. Besides, it would be a saving; there was more money granted every year for repairs than would be sufficient for the pur pose; b these annual grants the money was frittered away. TheCHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER . agreed with the Honourable Member, that there was no palace in London ade quate to the wealth and dignity of the country. He would not agree with the Honourable Member, that the character of St. James's had been injured by the mode of repair it had undergone; 1 on the contrary, the character of the building had been preserved. The repairs were advantageous to the public, as the public had a aces • t to have free ac, , .!ss to the royal palaces. Though the were not commensurate with the dignity of the country, , did not deem it advisable, a few years since, to come fbrward , with a vote of a million or • million and a half, which would be 'onsidered as entailing a great and unnecessary expense upon the 1 country. As to the report's of St. James's, they were renderell lie- 1 tomary by the fire which took place throe a few years since, .and the impropriety was in leaving the panacisolong unrepaired. • The , repair; took place principally in the part where the fire happened, 1 and 'were of course intended for the comfort and convenience Of i hose who resided in that part of the palace. 1 Colonel DAVIES said, the King's Palaces in London looked more like alms-houses than royal residences. Sir T. BA 111 NG said that there were many palaces in existence; though he agreed with the Hon. Member for Worcester (Colonel Davies) that not one of them was worthy the recep tion of the Mo- notch of such a country as England—Kew and M indoor, and that singular specimen of architecture (he knew not how to term it) the Pavilion at Brighton : 3110,0001. was granted for Windsor. We might build for his Majesty, in some more appropriate situation, and at a much less expense, a palace worthy of his reception and of Cue nation who conferred it. 31r. BRIGHT objected to the erection of palaces during the areduuance of an oppressive taxation. MO M.W. Ridley and Mr. James rose at the same moment. Mr. JAM ES agreed with hie lion. Friend (the Member for Bris tol) that at least the war taxes should be reduced before Ministers contemplated the building of palaces. Sir 31. W. RIDLEY differed altogether with his Honourable Friend the economical Member for Bristol. It was not the dispo sition of the English people to allow their Sovereign to be more inadequately lodged than his subjects; and however it might serve the purposes of a vain popularity to profess such sentiments as the Honourable Member for Bristol had adopted on that night, he . might rest satisfied that the people of England were not uninte rested in the residence of their Sovereign. Lord MILTON was not precisely initiated into this new course of policy which the Ministers bad on this night adopted. They seemed to vie with each other in extravagance, which while he condemned, he could not avoid expressing a hope, that, in the rage for the demolition of palaces, which seemed commensurate with the expensive disposition of Ministers, the Palace of Hampton Court would not be sacrificed; it was the scene where William the Third lived, and its memory was enshrined in the hearts of Eng lishmen. An Host. MEMBER, whose name we could not learn, observed, that though there were three palates under repair, not one of them was fit for the reception of the Monarch. Sir C. LONG protested against being considered responsible for any of those improvements, which were attributed to what was termed the Committee of Taste. The Board of Works had no controul over these matters beyond the selection of drawings sub mitted to their inspiration. Sir J. NEWPORT hoped that the work would be stopped until the expenses were ascertained. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER explained. The vote was agreed to. The sum of 10,0(101. for the College of Edinburgh was granted. It was then proposed that the sum of 13,041. should be granted for the works of Portpatrick. Sir ISAAC COFFIN protested against this useless expense, and the equally pernicions exhaustion of the public money upon a pitiful place called Donaghadee. The tides were most difficult to be guarded against. Mr. PEEL justified the proposed grant. Mr. Rennie, who was the artist employed originally in that work, had most accurately estimated the effect of the rides. Sir I. COFFIN reprobated it as a job, similar to that of Dun leery. Sir JOHN NEWPORT said, that with respect to Howth he would assert, that there was no job mixed up with that trans action. Mr. GOULBURN reminded the Gallant Admire' that the packets much more often made Howth than nunnery. Sir ISAAC COFFlN—Because they are ordered to go there. — (A laugh.) It was next proposed, that for the completion of the Caledonian Canal a sumof 23,0001. should be granted. Sir 31. W. *IDLE V asked for what purposes the money was intended ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied, foi the purpose of sinking the canal to the depth of twenty feet throughout. Sir J he wished for Sir SMITH did not object to the grant, but -_ some assurance that this would be the last sum required. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied—That the Commissioners were of opinion that the sum now proposed would be Sufficient. Sir J. SMITH—I understand that the Right Hon. Gent. him self is a Cominissioner. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—If I am, it is merely a Commissioner ex qicio. I am not acquainted with the circumstances of this canal. 111 r. fIUME observed, that the Canal had already cost 03,0001. aod in all probability its expense will exceed a million. Wee there any prospect of its ever paying ? Mr. IiEIIRIES hoped there was such • prospect. At present, trout its insufficient depth, there could be but little traffic on this canal. Mr. WARD considered it a very useless undertaking. Mr. WILSON moved that the vote should be suspended until an account could be taken of the probable expense of completing this undertaking. Mr. W. SMITH opposed the amendment. The plan as I originally adopted was good ; no doubt considerable expenses had occurred not contemplated by its projectors, but still it was a most noble undertaking. TheCIIANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that stopping the vote would have the effect of throwing back the work for a r ear. L... ._••_%._ _ ~t The Amendment Was, at the engraft° n.of tbe CluszCZALon of !tilt! EXClitQll'Eß, withdrawn. Mr. HUME was exceedingly desirous that the Canal should be disposed of to some company. In such an ag e of speculation, go. veenment would not long want a desirable MI. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER would assure the Honourable Member for Aberdeen, that he would be most willing I to receive a tender from him on that subject (a laugh.) The sum of 30,0001. was then proposed for building and repair ingl Westminster Mr. BANKS rose to object, not to the amount, but to the I outrages that had lately been perpetrated upon this ancient edifice, 1 and he was exceedingly glad that his Hight Honourable Friend (Sir C. Long), had exculpated the Based of Taste from any par ticipation in this abominable undertaking. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER regretted as much as his Honourable Friend these outrages upon taste; with whom they originated he could not determine. His first visit to the Hall certatnly surprised him; the foundations were already laid, and all he could now fromise was, that no such structure should disgrace the opposite aide. Mr. NVILIA.S.NIS proposed that this objectionable structure should be razed, and not one stone of it left on another. BENETT trustful Whitehall was not speedily to undergo improvement. 'l'he CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he was certainly unprepared for such a question. lie (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) distinctly stated, that any alterations for which Parliament might allow hint a //mot wonld be made under the directions of a Committee. He did not believe there was the slightest project of the kind alluded to by the lion. Member. Mr. WILL T.131S proposed that the motion should be pos tponed to a future ni g ht, w h en t h ere wou ld b e more ti me to inquire into the subject. Mr. BERNAL knew that there was considerable anxiety among the legal Gentlemen, several of whom were in the House, to have the building finished • and if it were to be pulled down, and then built up again, it would cause considerable delay and inconvenience to them and to the public business. Mr. 14' ILLJA thought' that the subject had nothing to do with the Courts of Law ; they were in a totally different part of the building ; and it wa s n o t hi 3 w i s h th a t they should be touched. But in his opinion it was better that the public should suffer a tem porary inconvenience than that a building disgraceful to the country should be suffered to remain for posterity to wonder at. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said, that his approbation of ' the beilding was not very great," lint the quapion was, Whether or ' not we should delay the public husinal of tEe zatmtryltrta kin g ' it down to build a better one. 31r. BARING made some remarks, which were almost inaudible in the gallery ; we understood him to ask some questions relative to the plan of the new post-office. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he be lieved he could answersatisfactorily on this subject (respecting the Post-office.) It had been agreed on by the Committee that designs should be given in for the purpose of choosing one from the number; yet of all those which were laid before theM, not one would exactly do, because so few were acquainted with all the departments necessary for the object. The Committee then di rected their own architect to send one in, and transmitted it to the Treasury. lie (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) did not think it exactly the thing required, and conceived that it would not an swer. The one then given in by Mr. timirke was chosen. It ap peared to be a design which united to utility sufficient grandeur and ornament, without being festooned or any thing of that kind. On the outside were porticos, and the windows were very large. In short it was such a design as appeared to him to unite taste and use, with as much ornament as was allowable, from (what should be always recollected) the nature of the place in which It was to be built. Mr. WILLIAMS trusted that, at least, some alteration would be made in the building, for certainly it was required. Agreed to. On theresolution being put, that the sum of 40,0001. should be granted to pay for alterations, and additions to the British Museum, Mr. BEAUMONT alluded to the magnificent donation which had been presented by Sir George Cockburn. It should be known that the collection of paintings so [riven contair.ed a great many moat admirable specimens. The gift would have been a noble one if it had been bequeathed by Sir George Cockburn at his death; but it was much more so, his having given it while living. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that no one was more anxious than himself to follow the Hon. Member (Mr. Beaumont) in his compliment to Sir G. Cockburn. He (the Lord Chancellor) had from delicacy refrained from mentioning the cir cumstance on a former night. lie was convinced there was not a man in the kingdom who did not agree with him in praising the spirited individual, who, during his lifetime, had presented the country with so magnificent a gift. Sir T. BARING thought that a better place should be pro vided for receiving the pictures presented by Sir 0. Cockburn than the British Maseum. He thought Somerset house would be much more eligible. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER observed, that if such were the case, all the other collections must accompany them. When he recollected the intimate connection there was between the sister arts.—painting and sculpture—he thought it more than desirable that they should be together. It was his opinion that Somerset-house would not be found to answer, because of its situa tion, which was near :he water, and might be destructive to the picturg ; it would not be well to run even the risk of it. Then it would be necessary to find other . places for the public o ffi ces, be cause the side facing the water is the only one which could at all answer. He would observe, with regurd to dtktronation of Si G. Cockburn, that it was' given specifically to the British Museum, and it must, therefore, remain there. Sir T. BARING supposed that the pictures of Sir G. Cock burn were not given to the British Museum, but to the coun try; and he wis sure that there could not be any objection on the part of the giver to have them placed in a better house. He (Sir T. Baring) would suggest Whitehall. Considering the in crease and improvement in the art of painting in this country, every advantage should be provided for its encouragement. Sir C. LONG thought that Somerset House would be a very unfit place, because of its exposure to the smoke of the gas ; which, he could state from good authority, was extremely prejudi cial to paintings. Mr. W. SMITH thought that Somerset-house was the last place which should enter into people's heads, because it was not large enough to contain much, and was divided into so many dif ferent apartments. He thought the best plan would be to finish the eastern wing of this building, and place the pictures there. It had been nearly thirty years unfinished, and to persons going down the river, it presented a wretched appearance; there was SO much beauty to be seen on one side, and so much deformity on the other. It was his most earnest wish th at y this should be done. Mr. CROKER observed, that every one in the House must be aware that the most famous collection of paintings which had ever .been in England had been kept in irhirelmtlorhich was very near the water. Ile was quite sure that means might he used to pre serve the pictures from damp. In the finishing of the eastern wing attention might be paid to the Royal Academy, which was at present very much confined for room ; obliged to place their paint ings up three floors, and inconvenienced in every way. There was also much injustice complained of in the arrangement of the pic tures. The artists frequently complained that good places were un fairly given to some and bad to others. lie trusted that some atten tion would be paid to this, and that ,he rooms at present occupied for this exhibition of the Royal Academy might be given to them ter a Library.—Agreed to. 41,0001. for the harbour of George IV., at Kingston.— Agreed to. 1.8,4671. for the Harbour at Donaghadee.—Agreed to. 24,0001. for the Penitentiary at Milibank. Mr. GORDON wished to know why this sum was applied for to a greater extent than last year. Mr. PEEL said, that it was in consequence of the removal of several of the inmates from the Penitentiary, and that it was an Act, on the necessity of which there could be but one opinion. Common humanity dictated it for the preservation of the health of those who had been confined there. Prisoners were not sent to the Penitentiary without the strictest inquiry having been first made. lie (Mr. Peel) intended moving for a Committee on this subject, but he would withhold it because he saw the Honourable Member for Shrewsbury. who had promised to move on the same subject, was not in his place. Mr. GORDON trusted that this vote would he postponed, because no arrangea ,. ..nt had been made respecting the Peni tentiary. Mr. PEEL observed, that it was time, but that provision must he made for the prisoners. It was not for the Penitentiary but for Its inmates that the House was culled upon to vote. Me. HL 3I said, that last year the vote was only for MAIL that now they were called upon to grant a consitierable sum test. He knew no reason for this. Sir M. W. RIDLEY wished to know from the Home Secretary If he had any objection to lay before the House the proceedings of the Committee which had been appointed to inquire into the state of health of the inmates of the Penitentiary. It had been stated that the diseases were of long standing in the Penitentiary, hut be report had ever been laid 'store the House. He was sure that when it was, the house would think the Penitentiary would btter be applied to some other purpose than the one at first intended. He did not, however, wish to press the matter. Mr. PEEL—Of course such a document will be laid before the Committee, when appointel—Agreed to. The following resolutions were then agreed to :- 25,5001. to make up the deficiency of the Fee Fund of his Mi nty's Treasury. 15,0001. for the deficiency in the department of the Home Se- cretary. . for the deficiency in the department of the Foreign Se al:l24l. for the deficiency In the department of the Colonial Se cretary. 15.422 L for the deficiency in the Fee Fund of the Privy Council. , r/1.0001. for the contingent expenses and messenger's' bill in the Treasury department. 9,7371. for the contingent expenses and messengers' bills in the Secretary of State's department. for tbe contingent expenses and messengers' bills in the Foreign Secretary's office. 7,5001. for the contingent expenses and messengers' bills in the ColJnial Secretary's Office. 2,9141. for the contingent expenses and messengers' bills in the department of the Privy Council. 5,6r.11. for salaries to officers in the Exchequer. to clerks in the Insolvent I)ebtms' Court. 11,91;61, to defraythe e7penses 11ouseAiOf Lords and Commons. 21,6191. to the officers of the Houses of Lords and Commons. 4.11001. for the office of the Lord Chamberlain, and his 3lajes t y's llousehold. 6.0001. to the Commissioners of the Irish Revenue. 3,11001. for printing 750 copies of the 73th vol. of the Journals of the House. Mr. HUME thought the charge enormous. Mr. HER It iii reply, said that the charge for that volume corresponded with the others, and had bisen carefully audited at the Treasury in the presence of experienced printers ; but he would undertake that every attention should be paid to that charge. Mr. HUME was quite convinced,that if another individual were employed, the charge would be one-half what it now was. 3,5001. for printing the votes of the two Houses of Parliament. 96,3101. for stationery, printing, and binding, including the ex penses of the stationery office. 1.7001. for law charges. 67,5:41. for defraying the expenses of convicts at home. 1,1711. for salaries to professors of Oxford and Cambridge, for reading lectures. 38,04X11. fur foreign and other secret services. 5,0001. for deflnying the expense of prosecutions relating to the coin of the kingdom. 10,01MH. for snaking the gold coinage. 100,0001. for loss on'the Irish silver tokens. Mr. HUM& thought at that late hour (past 12) It wossld U. de sirable to postpone the further consideration of these estimitei: The CHAIRMAN then left' the Chair, reported progress, and asked leave to sit again on Wednesday. The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the, House adjourned at Half-past Tweive. Paid into the Exchequer, in the years ended the sth January, 1823, and bth January, 1824, I Year Ended the 3th Ji nuary, 1821 rear Ended the sth Ja nuary, 1024. On Window Duty . Douse Duty - s. d. 2,387,403 9 4 1,172,409 13 0 TAXES. .C. s. d. 1,894,20010 0 1,273,427 12 4 An Account of Duty received for Taxes under the Afanagement of the Commissioners of Taxes in England and Scotland, in the Year ended sth January, 1824, together with the Charges ono], leetion ; separating one Country from the other. ENGLAND. I SCOTLAND. I TOTAL. Oroisßeceipt of Taxes un der the Ma nagement o £ s. d.I s. d. £ a. d. the Commis stoners of .Tc.xes ,175,4.-1 6 9i, 429,111 8 MI 6,604,539 15 6 Charges of Collection 301,820 11 61. 31,248 15 2 333,070 6 PRICES OF BRITISH Rank Stock 09 401 i per Cent. Reduced. 94j 4 3 per Cent. Cont. 931 j j 35 per Cent. 4 per Cent. 102 j 3 2i New 4 per Cents. 107 f 8 7i Long Annuities.23j 3 348 Imperial 3 per Cents. Bank for Account 241 Cons. for Act. 93a 94 3 1 India Stock 200 79 • iTOCKS Y ESTE RDA V. India Bonds, rll 73 72 pr. India for Account, South Sea Stock. 103 South Sea ()Id Annuities South Sea New .►nnuities Ex. Bills. 1,0001. 39 40 37 pr. Ditto, bOOL 40 47 pr. Ditto, Small, 41 37 pr. Indorsed ditto Lottery Tickets, 191. 10s. PRICES OF FOREIGN Austrian *rip, II i 12 111 pr Ditto for Ac. 12 Ili 121 121 pr. Ditto paid in full Chiliad floods, 82/ 4 24 Ditto for Acct. Colombian Bonds, 64 8 I 7i ' Do. for Account, 6 9 81 71 Danish Bonds, 994 Ditto Marks Banco, 95 41 Mex. Scrip, 81 9 8/ 9 84 k if pr. Do. for Ac. 91 9 a 819 a 9 Biipr. Neapolitan Bonds, 7 8 Ditto for Account 87 Portuguese Bonds 91 Ditto Sail), 4i 4 1 P l 9. Prussian Bondy, 974 84 Ditto for Account Ditto Bonds own) 94 3 Russian Bonds, 944 4 ~4 ex. tilt. STOCKS EST ER DA Y. Russian for Acct. 9 46 6 46 3/ 4 Russian Inscription Egchange per ruble Ditto Metallic Stock Spanish Cons. 241 Ditto for Account 24 I Ditto 170 & 253 Bonds, Ditto 83 Bonds 2ti 6 Do. S per Cts. (1823) 196 8,1 Ditto for Acct. Anglo Mex. Mines 6 pr. UnuADitto 14 pr. Fr. Rentes, litlf. 30c. Do. Scrip, 131 3 Ditto for the Acct. 13i 3 pm. Do. Ex. 23f. .50c. 45c. lireikScriF• 3 iii 4iiii Peruvian Scrip Tns laawv.—lt is said, that Major. : General Lord Fred. Bentinek, M.P. from the Grenadier Guards,-will be ap pointed Colonel of one of the three regiments of foot, that are shortly to be raised.—lt is stated that Major-General Sir James Lyon, K.C.B. and G.C.H. will be appointed Colonel of another of the said Regiments. It is also un-' derstood that MAjor-General Conran will be appointed Co lonel of another of the said Regiments. M: The great majority of the next Chamber of Deputies in France, like that of 1816, will in all probability be Royalist. Every effort of influence, coiriiption, and me nace, has been put in ac ion, by the present Ministry, tc secure the return of such a Chamber, and Villele and hit party are likely to be ruccessful. Of one hundred aid twelve deputies already returned, 103 are Royalist, and of the returns, nine only as yet contained the names of de cided Libe rals, including General Foy, who has been re turned for three separate arrondissements. The well-known bankers who stand so high among the liberal party, Messrs. Lafitte and De Lassert, have lost their election; Wit Cat siinir Perrier, Benjamin Canstant ((so formidable in the tri 'tune) and Foy, have beaui elected, and will lead the Celt stitutional party. Tbe renerable La' Fayette has lost hiS election at Meaux, in despite of his high character and his early services to the cause of liberty in that country ; but the rejected patriot is about to revisit America, for whose freedom more thsii forty years sineo be fought with Ro.: chambeau and Kosciusko, in arms; and his reception there will more than compensate his present tejection from the French Chamber. put the Elections is yet, through every department of France, baye been carried, by injustice and corruption. The "Coestitutiona;/ of Saturday, shackled as the pees of that country is, yet contains several striking instances of the unworthy means resorted to against tie Liberal candidates. Eight electorsof Limoges, have signed a document inserted iri that paper, complainin that they, without any 'just cause, were struck off the 'list of electors of the twelfth arrendissement, and preeeetii from voting, though their names remained inscribed to the 20th of Febt'uary, the day on ivbieb the roll pall? lished. The rejected ejectors of Liinggel F: o * aflauP4 the arbitrary proceeding by which they were prevent from voting. They state that In all cash every Vrettch man who proves his having paitr thre hundred franc, direct taxes, that be is thirty years of ag, and in the' en: joyment of all civil riehts, and residing in the deptait z mint, has a right to incribe his name en 'the roll of elegers. They assert that they were thus qualOed, and their mine! notwithstanding Were arbitrarily eraSed from the lelecion4 . libt. This is only' one flagrant instance, out of the many, of the same sort, that have marked the present eleloloar, • through France, The CoustitationiLel contains the 4441 of another tragrant abuse ef' the same sort,. in the perepn of M. Bompierre a wine -merchant, in the ` Rue Vaeten Villiers," and whose trade in tbe place be rail it OR was suppressed by the arbitrary interference Vorerunzeok agent, under the most unauthorised priteneese 'bee:Wore he was about to give his vote for a Liberal DAntty.. 'l•here ia all end to every thing like the Charter and 4ustice in France. It is ridiculous to talk of flu iaje name Of iton stitutional Monarchy, if acts of gross and arbitrary injus , rice such as this • can be exercised without redress. At Meaux, for the department of Seine and Alertly, the Mar quis L a: Fayette lost his election by only tweety-threi votes ;he had 161 in his fayour, and Fluted/le Ceram, President of die College, opposed to him, 184 'General Foy was chosen fel St. Quentin also, by the Electoral _Cel e lege of Verrins, and in the four sections of Paris he' oh tune:,Bls votes, while the Royalist 'cattaidate, Leh* • wpeaed to him, hall but 70Q. The Geeeral of teeth* ill - take his scat as a Deputy for Paris, ilia new - deatiotia will take place for St. Qtlentie and Verrill! where Liheng Deputies will probably be elected. N. .tafitte lost ?its return by a majority only of six: this enlightened can e didete had 698 voices in his favour, and I 1.. Baguenot 704. Corbiere, the Minister of the Interior, be, been chosen foe the arrondissement of Isle and Vilidne. According to this calculation, the exertions of 'M. de Villele and his associates are likely to be crowned with success ; and of the 330 Deputies i t irnfd from the de partments, the great majority will probably .be Royalist. Thus the proposition for compensation to the emi grants, and all other measures the present Ministry may wish to carry, will find large majorities to support them. We have heard nothing ite yet of the intrepid Manuel, whose arbitrary and unjust expulsion created during the last Session so strong a ferment through France. Will La Vendee elect this dauntless Deputy again ? And if elected, will the French Ministry (a second time) hazard his expulsion? Old Louis, the best of his family, is now sinking fast to his grave; but the succession of his brother, or nephew, is likely at 'present to be undisturbed. The fact is, a vast majority in France support the present order of things, merely from a love of tranquillity. The nation in general is sick of foreign wars: trade and manu factures are both growing under peace. The Bourbons arc thought to be pacific, and it forms their best hold, in the support of the French nation, to whom the preservation of peace is just as essential as to this country. The languor that has hung as yet around the present Session was last night completely dispelled in the Lower house. Mr. Abercromby, early in the evening, brought a most important charge, involving even a breach of privi lege against no less a personage than the Lord Chancellor, for language said to have been used by that high person age in Lincoln's Inn Hall, on last Saturday, when, from the Chancery Bench, he was reported to have char ged Honourable Member for Caine with direct falsehood. A most animated discussion succeeded for several hours, at the close of which Mr. Abercromby's motion for calling the short-hand writer, Mr. Farquharson, who reported what the Chancellor said, before the House, was ne gatived on a division, but not by a very large majo rity. Ministers, of course, threw the broad shield of protection round their colleague, as fully as possiVe, and Mr. Abercromby lost his motion, not by argu ment but by numbers. There can be no question, if the Chancellor made use of the langupge invuted to him on Saturday, that it was every way most nnjustitiable: All freedom of debate must cease if allusions of this anti can be made, and with impunity. if the Chancy/I.p wished to refute or deny any of the c.hargcs made against him during the late debate in the Lower Howie, he had other means and opportunities 'of doing so. The subject might have Lein introdneid by any of his friends in thb House of Lords ; and Lord Eldon could then quit the woolsack, to other any explanation of his judicial conduct he pleased. But the judgment seat of the high Cou r t where he presides was the last place from whence coarse aspersions of thii description should have issued. The hasty ebullitions of temper should • there at least be restrained. A lengthened possession of almost un controlled power, political and legal, for more than twenty years, seems to have persuaded Lord Eldon that he may now say or do almost any thing he thinks ft?. I.But high as his elevation is, there is a power yet abo him, to which even he must bend ; he cannot grossly woluad r , -fitamoo _ 2,0191. -foe the Vaccine gstablishmePt. 4,8721. for the Kalarks at the Alien Office. 4.11321._ thr the Superannuation List and Retirxl Allowances. for Cor;iean and Dutch emigrants, St. Domingo 1;f: ferers, and French and others having special claims. Colonel DAVIES wondered how the house, year after year, could let this vote pass without inquiry into it. If the French sufferers had sacrificed to the Bourbons, let the Bourbons reward them. So long as that Emily were exiles, they could .not offer assistance to these persons ; but now they were in a situation to reward them without the assistance of this country, he should move that the vote be reduc ed to 10 - Cll. _ ...... The CHANCEL - COB of the EXCHEQUER said, that the emigrants were now supported by the French Government; but the people mentioned in this vote differed from those who were support ed by the French Government. They had rendered essential ser vice to the British Government in the conduct of the war, and there fore had a claim upon it. Col. DAVIES observed, that this country had shed its blood and expended its treasure in re-instating the House of Bourbon, and therefore it was bound to take care of those who assisted this Govern ment in that contest. Many of the persons who now received pen sions from this Government were serving under the French Govern ment. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER assured the gal lant Officer that. no officer serving 'under the French Government received any part of this grant • the applicants for which were obliged to prove that they received no other pension, had no means of support, and no employment. Col. DAN'Ik;S said, there were officers serving in the French guards who were receiving pensions front this country. Sir. ARBUTHNOT stated, thin the list was under considera tion; but he would assure the Honourable Member that the indi viduals who enjoyed the grant had done good service to this country. Mr. HUME thought if there was money to spare, it could be applied better than by giving it to these foreigners. Sir F. 01131.1NNEV wished the House would consider the widows and orphans of British sailors, rather than the claims of these foreigners. The House ought to look at home before it squandered the money of the public on these aliens. The House then divided on Colonel Davis's motion, when there appeared—For the motion, 21—Against it, 49Majority against the diminution of the grant, 211. to defray the expenses of Criminal Lunatics at the Lu natic Asylum at Bethlem. Mr. 111.'31E wished to know what had been done respecting a lunatic named Mackvinroy,and, if he was still detained in custody, by what authority he was so kept? Mr. Secretary I'EELobserved that the Hon. Gent. was no doubt aware that the person in question was one of the individuals who had been acquitted by a Jury on the ground of insanity ; but he was left at the disposal of the Crown in consequence of the charge made against; him. It was not intended to keep Mackvinroy as a prisoner when he was restored to health, but it was necessary to as certain that fully previous to his liberation. The first report he read of 31ackvinroy being well was on the 25th December last. On the 25th March 1323, the report was, that he was sane since the last report, 'bat subject to eveiy symptom of insanity should excitement take place. On the 24th June it was reported that he was sane and would so continue until exposed to excitement. On the 29th September he received the same re port, and on the 25th December he was reported sane; but he thought it was proper, for the public safety, and for that of the in dividual, that be should remain some time longer in confinement. His crime, to be sure, was not oee attended with violence ; it was for forgery, and he should be disposed, as soon as he thought he could do so consistently with his duty, to recommend the person alluded to to the Crown for liberation. 6,5721. for Protestant Distenun . ten and French Refugee Ministers. 111 r. HUME asked how long this grant was to be continued ? Mr. HERMES said that it was a very ancient grant, and had been most serviceable in various instances. Mr. 111: wished to know if the consequences of the Edict of Nantes, in which it had its origin, were to last to all eternity ? 17,0001. for printing Acts of Parliament 'sent to acting Justices in Great Britain. 7,8331. for printing Acts of Parliament sent to Sheriff's and Clerks of the Peace in , treat Britain. 4,0421. 12a. 10d. for printing Records. 8491. for printing Solemnization of Marriage Act. 13,4331. for defraying the deficiency of printing Bills and other Papers in 18Z. 3,5001. for printing 750 copies of the 79th vol. of the Journals of the 110U3C. • • TIMATRE. This Evening, TUESDAY, Man* 2, bill be perforbsei IL FANATICO PER LA MUSICA. Principal Performers—Madame Catalani, Signor Curionl, S fp, nom Caradori, Signora Rosichi, Signora Graziani. Signor Fran cescl.i, and Signor De Begnis. Between the Acts, the Ballet Divertissement Peruvien, L'ADORATION AU SOLIEL. To conclude with LA NOCE DU VILLAGE. The Free List trill positively be suspended on all occasions ot 31adameCatalani's performance, and no orders Odniltted. • Applications for Boxes and Single Subsegiptions' for the Sea son to be made to Mr. Seguin, Opera °like, 105, Quadrant, Regent -street. •.* The Opera will begin on Tuesdays at half-put serer, anu on Saturdays at seven o'clock preci. , ely. • ----- NNW THEATRE RDYAL, DRURI-LANR. BE SPECIAL DESIRE. This Evening, TifEgirif — Mo;rs; 27 will be THE MERRY W YES OF WlNDSOr fned . Fenton, Mr. Brehm; Sir John Falstaff; Mr. Douton ; Mrs. For* Miss Stephens; Mrs. rage, Mint Cubits.. To - conclude with THE CATARACT QF THE GANGES : To-tnorrOw there will be no Peffornmuce. THEATRE ROkAL, COVENT-GARDRA: This &piing, TUESDAY, March 2, will he perforated MAID MARIAN. Richard the Fleet, Mr. T. P. Cooke; Friar Michael, Mr. C. Kaable. Lady Matilda Fitzwater. Miss M. Tree. After which, THE POACHERS. To-morrow there still be no Performance. gin OvOtg# iprrgi: The Berrien Pazes eeromenceit pelilishing yesterday raorni:•g It half-pest five ecl.:ck. LONDON. TUESDAY, Maucit 2, 182$. NOTICES OF . 711OTION§ THIS DAY. 1. Mr. Hobhouse,—Resdutiona regarding proposed reduction of Taxation, and mode of repealing the Window Taz 2. Sir Robert Heron,—Bill to prevent the necessity of renewal of official appointments on the demise or the Crown. PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. WINDOW AND HOUSE TAX. . Return of the Amount of the Tax on iVindows and on llouses, for the years ending on the bet of January, 1823, and on the bth of January, 1824; distinguishing the House from the Window Tax. i ,~, ... 1, f i i rl n 'i ,i ~► 't K ■ ) N f Sr i 1 . . I 4, s \