The Express.
London, England, 1864-06-14 00:00:00

NATIONAL GALLERY.

Mr. HIBBERT asked the Pint Commissioner of Works,
whether, as the vote for the New National Gallery at BUZ*
lington-house had been rejected, it woe his intention to
take any steps to obtain poseession of the rooms now 00C11.
pied by the Royal Academy in Trafalgar-square, so as to
render the same available for the exhibition of the national
pictures; and
Mr. GREGORY inquired of the right hon. gentleman
whether it was the intention of the government to take
immediate steps to procure the buildings to the rear of the
National Gallery, inasmuch as the present structure was
not lugs enough properly to exhibit all the national pe-
trel and selections from the national drawings.
Mr. COWPER mid it wee admitted by all the com-
mittees and commissions which had investigated this
subject that it would be necessary to acquire either
all or • great part of the area space which was in the
rear of the present National Gallery in Trafal.
garequare, consisting of the workhouse, Archbishop
Treeces library, the schools, some houses on the
western side of St. Martin's-place and the barracks.
His impression was that ultimately the whole
of that apace would be required to make such a gallery as
that house and the country would be satisfied with. (Hear,
hear.) As far as one could judge, the parish of St. Martin
would be willing to come to an arrangement with the go-
vernment about the workhouse. They would require that
a new workhouse out of the parish should be substituted in
lieu of the old one, but not far away. They would also
require an office in the parish, and a ward for the casual
poor, and Archbishop Tennisoo's library would have to be
rebuilt. Then the houses alluded to ought to be purebred
to complete the area, and to give • proper frontage on the
eastern side. The barmoks were considered very important
by the military authorities, but they might assume that it
would be possible to provide soother barrack of equal size
in • central and convenient situation. The expenses of the
alteration would not be less than 300,0100 L, which
would be required to be spent in obtaining
a site of an equal area to that already powered at Bur-
begtonhouse. Consequently that sum would be required
to be provided by parliament in addition to anything that
would have been required if they had taken Burlington-
house. With regard to the building on the two sites,
there was not any such different* as would require any
special remark. Of course the buddies oo the Trafalgar-
square site would be more costly than the other buildurg,
because it would have more architectural fronts. (Order,
order.) Then they had to consider that if the National
Gallery were built on—(order, order.) He thought the
house wished him to explain, for if he was not permitted
to do so he should have some difficulty in answering the
questions. (Hear, bear.) It was right that the hour should
carder that if the National Gallery were at once deter-
mined to be placed on the Trafalgar-square site the
amount of building would be reduced by the extent of
the existing building. (Hear.) But on the other hand, if the
same accommodation were provided elsewhere, at Burlington-
house, for instance, although the building would not be
diminished, the oast would be diminished by 80,0001, or any
other sum which the Rua' Academy might think it right to
contribute. Under these circumstances he thought the
house would not expect that he should be at once able to
state the views of the government upon this mint, because
those were matters that required great care and fall cone.
deratioo. He was unable to state that any notice would be
immediately given to the Royal Academy to vacate.
Mr. H. SEYMOUR wanted to know whether there
would be any objection to lay on the table the plans pre-
pared by Sir Clue. Barry, and also by Mr. Wilkins, who
built the National Gallery, showing the plan of the bar-
rack site as intended for the future extension of the
building
Mr. COWPER had never seen Sir Chas. Barry's plans,
and, as far as he could learn, they were Delver transmitted
to the office. He believed they were breaths before • com-
mittee is 1836, and that at the suns time Mr. Wilkins' plans
were mentioned. There were so records in the °lnce with
respect to those plans, and he was totally usable to give
any information upon the subject.
MAJOR GORDON'S INSTRUCTIONS.

In reply to Mr. LIDDELL,
Mr. LAYARD refened the hon. gentleman to the Blue-
book last laid on the table of the house, " Affairs of China,
Noe. 31 s 37," from which it would be seen under what
authority Major Gordon took the command of Chinese
troops. The authority was given by Brigadier Steveley, on
condition of bis retiring on half-pay ; and by order in
council and other iestructions officers on half-pay were per-
mitted, under certain circumstances, to tave service beyond
the thirty-mile radius.
...... . .

Mr. LII)DELL—Was that sanctioned by Sir F. Bruce
Mr. LAY AHD believed it was.
V-
- - kCCINATION _ _

Sir J. PAKINGTON asked the Vice-President of Com-
mittee of Council on Education whether, in scoordaine
with the statement of the Lord President lank year, that
"the government were considering the beat means of effect-
ing an improvement in the Vaccination Law," and having
regard to the great loss of life from smallpox which bad
lately occurred in London, it was the intention et her Ma-
jesty's government to introduce any measure on that sub-
ject in the present session.
Yr. BRUCE said no doubt there wu a lugs and un-
Deaconry lose of life from neglect of the provisions of the
Vaccination Act. The right boo. gentleman waswell aware
that the suJoessful application of the act depended upon the
active concurrence of boards of guardians, the vaccinating
supra; and the parents of the children. Where that wu
given the act h.d been tolerably enecenful, but when it
wee wanting deaths had been frequent. When a similar
question wee put to the President of the Camellia the other
house be anted that in his opinion there were only two
methods by which the defects of the present law could be
counted, one by incrouing the compulsory powers of the
&et, and the other by increasing the pecuniary in-
ducement to the vaminating surgeons. The noble lord
stated as his opinion that parliament would not
meant to greater compulsory powers, and be did cot see
his way to the uplicatien of the other alternative. On the
other hand, the noble lord had given notice of his ii.tention
to bring in a bill which would be referred to a select cum-
, niittee, and he hoped it would ha.• the effect of remedying
the evils to which his right hon. friend referred.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND F.iTATES BILL AND
UNIFORMITY ACT AIILNDZEINT BILL.

I:11 441 g to Mr: W.ALPOLE.,

H. ;EYNIOUR said it was his intention to proceed
with the Church of England Estates Bill. notwithstanding
the iatituatien that the Home Secretary w•a about to tying
iv • bill on the same subject. tie proposed to take it on
Wedneadvy week instead of tomorrow.
Mr. HOUVEIiI E postponed the Uniformity Act Amend-
ment Bill till the :list inst.
WESTMINSTER BRIDGE.

Sir J. SHELLLT rose to put a question to the Fint
Commissioner of Wolk. with reference to the traffic on
Westininater•bridge. Two tramw►ys bad been laid down
for the purpose of cerry log the heavy and slew traffic, and
',rashly the right hoe. gentleman was aware of the admir-
able ■rrangemont made by the City with regard to London-
bridge, where tho division of traffic bad the best effect.
When Westminster•bralge was first opened there were
policemen to regulate the traffic, but they had lately been
removed. and great disuousfort and delay bad been oc.,issioned.
What Le wanted to know was why the police were taken
off, and whether the right boo. gentleman would maks in-
quiries, so that the present iucoovenience might be put an
eud tic.

Mr. COWPER said be understood that the roux bad been
originally placed ou the bridge to guide the tratiir. He was Out
aware of auy incoorenience arising Irma their removal, but
he ma►e inquiry into the matter.

THE CONF•ERENCE.

Mr. OSBORNE wished to know %healer the attention of
the noble lord at the bead of her Majesty's government had
been called to a statement, no doubt commutliostel by au-
thority, andappearing in what on such a subject should be the
beet soar.* of information—he meant the Morning Post—
whether the noble lord had *soothe declaration of the Danish
plenipotentiary at the last sitting of the Coeference ; and if
he had seen it. and it was authentic, whether he was pre-
pared to lay it on the table of the house
Lord PALMERSTON—I must plead ignorance.
Mr. OsBORNE—The Mom Yung Pest 1 mean. (laughter.)
Lord PALMERSTON-16mm not read tholf Urn+ ng Post
to-day, and therefore I have uut seen the statement to
which my hon. friend refers.
Mr. OSBORNE—I will put the same question to-morrow.