The Express.
London, England, 1858-08-10 00:00:00

TILE NATIONAL GALLERY AND MR. OTTO
MUDDLER.

This morning was leaned, as a return to parlia-
ment, a copy of a letter addressed by Sir Charles Fostleke,
to the trustees of the National Gallery, defending Mr. Otto
Musdier from certain statements which were recently made
in parliament during the dismission which ended in the
suppression of the oaks of travelling agent for the National
Gallery. 81r Charles does not admit that the employment
of a travelling agent, has, necessarily, any greater effect in
edging the price of pictures than the presence of an addi-
tional bidder in an auction room can be said to hare such an
elfeet—it bring strictly tree that, with the exception of the
Pissed picture, the agent referred to has not been directed
to exceed ordinary and average pricer,. Could a comparison
be instituted between the prime given by primae colleraen
and theme paid by the !sabots of lrte years, the result, he
says, would show the truth of this statement. He further
write*

With regard to the pikes of picture', when It is consi-
dered that the best examplag are being gradually ebeortel
into public pilgrim, and that the knowledge of art, and the
passion for collecting its beet specimens Lave of late years
earadl it is quite tntelligible—the conditions of a
nt dig supply sod an incremiag demand being sr
ranted to produce their usual result—that the prices at really
good Omura must continue to rise. The removal of. laik
spat censor, I conceive, effect the progress of sueh ewes,
and I must still maintain that a better method outset be de-
vised than to employ • competent person to mod out pietism
which, whea emu by the director, may be purchased or not,
as the director's enthority end reepreisibility. But if the
it.... of the system be liable to question, no such &Stream
of opiates am, on due Inquiry, exist with regard to the me-
rits of the iedivkleal whom office has bees brought to •
ekes I have endesvoured, I trust sucomsfully, to ahoy
that so see whatever bee been made out against Yr. Hued-
ler. I beg Isem farther to state that I hove arms bed
say Tema to gaieties his veracity or Wag*, j
that I it.,. always found him active sad sealess, and
that be has regularly fulfilled his prescribed duties. He was,
in my singularly fitted for the office be bald, *sok-
* the principal European itlllll4lllB well;
mrood by obeervetien sad &lady in the hiatory of
and a consamtly improvlog caranoisseur. Hie dlsiMy to
which allusion we. nob Ea 'ornament, as they canasta
modem of eligible taiorse, me at promos for the sole Ise of
Ike treetwee ; but a dm may ems ohms them &Ms=
be mina to es sentolgieg simodees and amen%
whittling be mil der the Mawr' of mt. Per the sheer
resarri heihrin es 1 as WA Kr 14 usher imoronilseed
servitor hi the t, I whet& that be le
satltLd le mneremilist grtr burble been abruptly dimellesd
*OM terisky. Is kW4 soder rue ponce the fore-
going mewl stersimat, I have thresher, my lords send
pavilion, dm to call your lineation to the ems cf Mr.
Klindler, mad to request that you will be pleased to support
this appeal or hie behalf,"

MR. BERNAL OSBORNE AND HIS
CO.VBTITUANTB AT DOM.

On Friday evening last this hon. and gallant
guithaisa, who, ae will be remembered, occupied the poet
ef Secretary to the Admiralty la the Palmerston and Aber-
dews adshilatrutiona, met a party of hie constituent. at the
Bond Oak Inn, Dover, in order to communicate to them the
benefit of hie views on the state of public affairs, and the
position of parties, as well u to justify his political career
since the tut general election. Mr. Frtrirts occupied the
chair.

Mr. Oesoarn, whose reception was very hearty, having,
is the grit 'nuance, dealt with certain topics of exclusively
local interest, aoudad to say :—I shall now, with your
permission, make a few iibeetvations upon matters of a gene-
ral interest. Great changes hive taken plaoe since I had
last the plea/ars of meeting you. I bad then the happiness of
being sefoompaided by my hen. and gallant colleague, whose
conduct in sing like • true Briton to the poet of danger, I
cannot aufiluently eulogise. (Cheers.) He has gone to a
distant land to do tattle with the enemies of his country, and
I carol help feeling that It le much to his credit and to
yours, that you hare so kindly accorded to him leave of ab-
autos for that purpose. Bat, as I said, peat chirps have
been brought about. I wee thin amongst what ere called
the " Ins," I am now numbered amongst the " Our"
(Laughter.) I however am caroled for the change, by the
tosepintiliat the enterprises of my having been
tad from the zeinistasial to the
benches has not lest an your favour. Witt
I trust that in my new situation I shall be able to_prome to
you that I am now. as I was when • member of her Majesty's
government, your Mend, and that I have your interests and
tree of the country at large as much at heart now as at any
former period of my life. (Cheese.) But, in order to dis-
cover the causes of the change to which I have alluded, it is
necessary that we should trace back the occurrence, of the
few months preceding the past session. We all know that
the last general election was based upon • false issue. There
was then a cry of " Palmerston;" which I think meant, in
the minds of those who started as candidates fir the
favour of constituencies upon the credit of his name,
simply Gila, " Every one for himself and Pelmets-
ton for us all." (Cheers and laughter.) That was
the prevailing sentiment at the time, and it bee been, I
em afraid, bat too literally carried out; for having watched
the propose of affairs in the present House of Commons, I
am disposed to believe that • great many persons have been
admitted to sets in parliament on the faith of the cry which
I have just mentioned, who entertain no decided opt:ions
(hear, hear)—who are latitudinarians in political principle,
who are indifferent to party ties, and who, like all parliamen-
tary shiners, are animated but by one strong feeling—a
horror of a dissolution. (Cheers and laughter.) That is
the sort of parliament which it appears to me has been col-
lected together under the influent» of the "Palmerston" ory.
(Hear, hear.) Permit me now to say a few words in refe-
rence to that noble lord. I am no idolater of his.
I never was his parasite while in office ; still less ern I con-
descend to be his detractor in the hour of his misfortune.
(Cheers.) I thought, and I still think, that his popularity
was somewhat exaggerated; but I caned at the same time
help feeling that his fall from power has been in some mea-
sure undeserved. (Cheers.) The unfortunate meet with but
few sympathisers in this world. It has been maid that
" Men's evil measures live in bras,
Their good are writ In water.'
(Hear, bear.) And It has, lam afraid, been forgotten that
the country owes 80030 gratitude to Lord Palmerston.
(Hear, hear.) He ought, however, not to lose sight of the fact
Qat the old statesman—for he is unfortunately now an old
man—was the only person who could be found to
stick to his colours in • moment of pat peril.
He, when his country was engaged in a great
and dangerous war, was the only man who stood
fast at the helm, and rhea you complain of 10010 of the ap-
pointments which be has Ml* you meet beer in mind that
rct, and recollect also that those appointments have been oast
upon him, inasmuch as he was to agrest extent deserted by
all other stablemen. (Hear, hear.) I have deemed it but just
to give espreselon to those sentiments, became I am of
opinion that but smell coasidention had been shown to the
virtues of Lord Palmeratoa, end that much enmity bee been
attracted by his merits. We all know that

" Tits sunshine at the falling statesman's door
Pours oa the morning worshipper no more."

But although I never (spat to serve Lord Palmerston
again—notwithstanding that it was previous to the downfall
of his dministr licst my intention, for reasons which it is
unnacesury to disclose, to resign the oaks I lad in h—
a circumstance which, as it was known to many of my private
Mends, I see no faun why I should conceal from you. Yet
I should feel ashamed of myself if I were to &Wide from
tarring some tribute of praise to a nobleman who has now
ceased to be muter of his country, and from making some
attempt to defend him from the attacks of those who have
assailed his political conduct. (Cheers.) Lord Palmerston
then has fallen; and though the causes which led to his
downfall are In themselves sutHUntly remarkable, yet I
would not feel juatified in entering upon the subject at any
length on the present occasion. It is not my intention to
detain you by discussing the merits of the Conspiracy Bill.
The policy of that measure, I may, however, be permitted to
my appears to me to have been at best of a some-
what questionable character. Still there might have
been reasons of sate unknown to the subordinate
members of the government which might have justified the
introduction of such • measure. But that which I wish more
particularly to bring under your notice le the oourse,
with respect to It, of the conservative party. Yon must all
remember that the Conspiracy Bill was introduced into the
House of Commons amid the acclematioes of that party, and
that they not only voted in • body In favour of its being
brought in, but that some of those who now hold high office
in the government went out of their way to prove that it was
• perfectly legitimate measure. (Haar, bear.) Well, what
subsequently took phioe ? At a moment when distrust in
public men so much prevails, it is desirable that you should
mark well their vadat. Whet then, I repeat, waned
Why, ten days after the Conspiracy Bill had been introduced
said the acchimations of the conservative party, they turned
soddenly round, and having that with
the essietance of some seventy or eighty liberal members
they might defeat the government, they joined
them In opposition to the DMIIIIION and effected their
object. Now I have nothing to say as to the course which
the 70 or 80 gentlemen I have just referred to took upon that
occasion. They wen no doubt afinenced by motives which
did them honour, but I may observe that I have minor Ewer.
mined that whilst the abet of their policy was to knot* oat
the brains, their intention was simply to rap the knuckles of
the ministers. (Laughter) They had no ides that a new
light would have fallen upon that Conservative party which
but • few days before had been so unanimous in their support
of the bill. But that new light did dawn upon them, and
there was an end of the Palmerston administration. Now
eo far u I wee personally concerned having
been about to take leave of office I annot ay
I regarded the event with much regret. I did,
however, feel some regret at finding that • noble-
men, in hie 74th year, who had rendered great services
to his country, should all at once be told that those esevlor
were fogottetn, while all his demerits should be written In
large brazen characters.
i„(Cheers.) Well, Lord Palmerstat
defeated, what nest took ace f One would naturally sup-
pose that Lord J. Russel would have been sent for by her
klejeety to form a sew adminiatnnion. Parliamentary etiquette,
however, decided in favour of the first proposal being made
to the Earl of Derby. Re oonstrooted a ministry, and that
niinistry is called Conservative. (A laugh.) Now, that is a
long word of font syllables, end ought to have some meaning
attached to it, end I for one should be mach obliged to any
gentleman In this room, holding conservative opinions,
or to any one of theme old toga who had prin-
ciples, and also knew what those principles were,
to tell me what is turd by • onwervative ministry. (Hear,
hear.) One thing, et an MN* Y perketly clear, that bar
Majesty's present soleleas held like dimply by a tacit skew
donment of their creed—• though abeegation of their pod-
tical faith. (Cheers.) An thaw anwaree of which they ware
the ardent supporters while in tion are quietly
(Hear, bear.) But, In addition le that, this conservative
ministry is composed of materials as anasir sly aperoalie
that you may ring anything est dm yes=
(Leughter.) It an, I be best imbed es •
which affects change without ini askerigenialehate
without grace. (Cheers.) In sheet, far lib phis epeakimg,
I believe • mom-wive whiney to be MOW else
but • gross imposture. (Cheers and laughter.) When
their great leader, the late Sir Robert Peel, ihitorniamil to
repeal the cote lawn, and to take of • tax WWI least
people of this country from estleg cheap bread, thsy
round upon biro end insesed Ira with welenthr
to the close of his lli for him osier with MP* be what
was after all • purely heal reastioa, bat or, howeear.letdoh
also touched the pockets of these morratre gentlemen.
(Beer, hear.) New, however, when this ludas asenat
esseaeres which year after yser try had eprod, not he
daemon decal reser*, but oa oilers groore, they al
by lb. while, their woe Orly f—comlinag • Uri
testy Gni thee, el OS" and sill lisnerems •
orolOtesoi/O alliongh loins reowileg medical
annesse. , Whir re Orr onire with sampeet
do bale Mid Theft
realb • edger Apes mirk I megoil bald
afire= ennewliel r I en not or el thane who, MI
Vern bilibhd the the. reirmuit el that ony hae
loot loon taken er hole lithe orprg. bores I wax
elrengit woe wog Os= to its slot-
abasdValdeees the der sem aleasterce sawedfro h.
roe the middle roams li dore helarrie. se atearesaaralo re:
weir
le anaseragly doubtfulveterAbee raw the
new eyelema. (Hear, beer.) Bat to roar lei seem
eye
by the essorratlve petty as goer
Sas. Ha 0 the
far-drgi yard spret Ulm or
01 big Lida ill the Farr or
ice ai I, they no loom moo Into Ape
than they bring in an India bill al their ors.
Now there Is nothing which you bare ever are
la Pieori—whin* I may jot *berm 0 pores, monellon

pays me the compliment of eluding to me—that is half so
farcical as that bill of Lord Ellenburemith's which wee re-
ceived with derision from all sides of the Hones of Commons.

Of that production I hardly know whet has become. A
formal oration was pronounced over it, and it has Paned
away. Meantime, in stepped Lord John Russell with his
resolutions, and I must confess I think that zoble lord has
bean ill-treated by the Royal Humane Society—(laughter)—
for if ever • man was entitled to receive • medal from
that body, surely his lordship deserves one for having
saved a whthe cabled from drowning. (Cheers and laughter.)
Had not he stepped is with his drags and Ine-pressr=rs we
should sot, I am sfudd, have a conservative ministry m that
high state of preservation in which we find it at the present
moment. (Laughter.) The medal:loco framed at the sug-
gestion of the noble lord were in some sort disoussod, end
eventually s third India bet was introduced. Now, it has
been irked why I took no active pert In the debates upon
that meow,; the foot is, I was so disgusted with the con-
duct of the Howe of Commona—with their running first in
use direction, end then in mother; their roadinesa
to laud Lord Palmerston to the skies when he
was in power, and their desertion of him in the
moment of his downfall—that I did not feel disposed
to enter very warmly into the diacumions upon the Indian
mestlan, The bill trensferrireg the government of that
comtry to the crown passed into • law' but I have eneroely
meta single person now amongstt those who voted for it who
doer sot say it is siren Miura, and thee, before the end of
two marsh mut be rephmed by mother measure. I tent,
however, that the hstroduction of each • measure may
not VA to tie lot of her Majesty's present advisers.
ant justified in entortaining that hops, imnmseY any flail(
to the line of_poility which they have mewed ahem their leo•
emit* offios, we'actually fin not btheir in *hellhalr
principles certain. (lime, isnx.) The comerek-
tire rump lons hitherto borne a vod deal of Wing
(A laugh.) Whether the kicks vr they have of late
maned will tend to show them that their loaders see hat
drawing them into radicalism, it fa impossible for mats say.
There was indeed one !waren which caused a l ado grumbling
among the old tory school—l mean the leather-beeeches end
top-boots' school. (Great laughter.) The Property gasifi-
cation B W was posed into • law ; but the bill was, efter all,
• mire show, for it wes accompanied by • measure which
was Introduced in a most insidious manner at the fag-end of
the souks, and the operation of which will be so to increase
the expenses at elections, that notwithstanding the property
guathicetioa may be abolished, it will be utterly im-
possible for any man to contest a county especially,
unless he happens to have • large balance at his bankers.
(Rear, hear.) Now, I for one, have no wish to see parlia-
ment converted into • sort of rabbit-warren tor the rich ; 1
am, on the contrary, desirous that it should be open to ell
and It is, therefore, that • measure such as that to
which have just alluded, I am most strenuously opposed.
It involves • retrograde principle, and the tact that there
existed so much apathy amongst the members of the liberal
party as to render it possible that such a measure could pan,
makes me think that the best thing for the country which
could happen would be • dissolution, for I am confident the
present House of Commons is remarkable, and that many of
Ica members had already forgotten the pledgee which they
made from the hustings. Well, 1 have given you an instance
of conservative measures, making change without program •
let ms now furnish you with an example of conssion
without grace. For the last 12 or 13 years the liberal party
have been constant In their advocacy of that which has
been called the coping-stone of religious liberty—the ad-
minion of Jews to parliament. What course has conserva•
the ministry taken with respect to that important question?
A bill in reference to it was last session introduced
into parliament by Lord J. Russell ; It was discussed
as usual, and carried as usual by • large majority bothe
Rouse of Commons. It weal rap to the House of
Lords—
there, after • long debate, It was rejected, and rejected, too,
for no petty reasons but apes the highest grounds, namely,
that its effect would be to unchristianiss the legle The
present Lord Chancellor, who, when Sir Fred Theedger,
stood forth in the House of Commons In opposition to the
claims of the Jews, took up • 'most lofty position, end did
that which, for • lawyer. was a bold thing—quoted scrip-
ture In support of his views. Yea, the Lord Chancellor of
England, the keeper of the Queen's COMICienCt, bad the teme-
rity to do this. But be was not satisfied with making a
speech in opposition to the claims of the Jews. 'He published
it, and I had the good fortune the day before I came down
here to have had a copy sent me, not indeed by the noble
lord himself, but no doubt by some friend of his. In that
speech the following wasp occurs :—" This la no common '
question—it is • question of conscience and religious duty,
and I hope that whatever threats may be used to intimidate
your lordships yon will proceed in the path of duty,
and throw out the bill.' Well, the house mainly at
that instigation did throw out the bill. Subsequently, how-
ever, the House of Commons appointed Baron Rothschild to
serve on one of their committees, the Lord Chancellor must
then have felt roles. awkward ; but be still continued to
advise their lordships not to yield. By some extraordinary
conjuring process, however--for conjuring hakes place in the
House of Lords as well as elsewhere—a bill was brought in
by a supporter of the government, who bad always opposed
the claim of the Jews, empowering the Rouse of Commons
to seat Baron Rothschild by resolution. This bill was
brought into oho Roues of Lords, and sent down to the
Roue of Commons with their lordships' reasons for not ad •
mining Baron Rothschild to • seat he the legislature.
Among those reamer' was one to the effete that the
Jerre in rejecting our Saviour were morally unfit to take part
in legislating for a Christian community. Well, what think
you of • minister who, having pat forward reasoning such as
this, should in silence await to the adoption of • measure
such as that which afterwards received the support of his
government ? 1 can feel a sort of modified reopect for the
sincere intelligence of Messrs. Spooner end Newdegate. 1
prefer their consistency to the shabby tergiversation of some
conservative converts. I thiek, for instance, that Mr.
Walpole, having opposed the claims of the Jews
upon the very serious grounds which he advanced, was
bound to follow up his opinions by the resignation
of his office. The wee remark applies to the Lord Chancel-
lor, who was, I think, bound to resign his place in the
mhdiery, and to prove to the world that he, the keeper of the
Queen's conscience, had not a conscience as pliable and yield-
ing as the woolsack upon which he sits. (Laughter.) For
my own part I must eay I am disposed to &iv. no credit to
Lord Derby for his import of this mem% It has been
thrown like • bone to a dog, sad not passed as a Tameable
concession to reasoning beings. We shall, however, go
farther next session, and do away with that procedure
by resolution ; and I trust that we shall be castled
to carry out the principle of allowing every man, provided he
be • good citizen and obedient to the laws, to take his seat
in parliament, entirely independent of the religious opinions
whkh he may profess. Now one would suppose that when
this conservative government found themselvee called upon
to frame the Queen's speech they would have made some
allusion in that document to the Property Qualificatiou Bill
and to the bill enabling the Jews to take their seats fa the
Rome of Commons—the only two romenres having even the
. .

appearance of liberalky. which hod bee; paaeed
under their supine. Such, however, was not the case.
No Queen's speech. as you are aware, is remarkably
good Oases, ; but the last was, in this respect, u well as
11111.111111114 a the abeam* of all matter, the worst that was
otterPRMIMOMI. (Laughter.) There was no allusion made
la ft to the two toessnree to which I Rare alluded; the reason
Wog, no doubt, the government wen afraid that in men-
tioning them they would be offering an affront to the members
of thefr own party. It must also be horns is mind that par-
Illment wee prorogued by communion, and that the lot of
reading the royal speech fell to the Lord Crouicellor, who no
doubt would find it sotnewhatawkward to Ondsliosion matfett,
topics to delicate. (A laugh.) I may observe, in passing, of that
Wide and learned lord, that he Ms blown the trumpet to such
an extent of late when dining out that it would bs e sum
convenience to himself if he could for the future make see
spa sate ecouicas of that larger end more powerful inllon
mot called the opbieleide. (Great laughter.) I has
we=well, I think. summed up the past acts of aim
rs ministry , there ie, however, a great ratite
Were to • we are, It seam, to have a conservative Rehm
JUL What the nature of that measure may be It would
pasee • ormiumr to divine. If I were inclined to indulge in
not lonrems of prophecy, I should my that I think It !m-
-ast the ministry will again meet Fathomed ea
coestitutsd. • The cabinet appeen to be
afield rks two difthest masa ; on the cue !nod you have
eistamy arsenal es Mewed section, which wastes of
• Diermil, Lad ebeakry. sad Sir J. Pakiegton ; while
Won the ether yea have what may be termed a dreg-chain
hi the shape as de
sthy. Lard Chancellor, the Marquis of Salle-
tam aunt,. NiEves now great dlfiereeses mama
in the oaths between tether and sea, and what they
grace to to mfbody sea
predict where diaagranasst may
Iseseineas. For my am }Raj leek moo bawd Saab, as
Wag the beet sad the nest liberal man a the
miniary, and I hone to me him at some futon day
at disbud of alike& govammeat la this musky. (Chess.)
Ea is no Casseevaim. 1141 km mammas, of that kid taint
(Laughter). Nor do I believe Mr. Disraeli to be a
Conservative. Imbed, my ophdon of dat riot hem pude-
man is that he will do whatever you preen Ida to do ; and
I have no doubt that he. US filaakey, -ate sad Sir J. Pakington,
vlll eventually milt the emspany y they now dad
themealma. Dm I am mama to see what this new Barges
Bill will be. It is laid down by a writer eammehies that
every man la the course of his life time eats • soh ti dirt.
(Laughter.) Now if that statemest he tam of as
fa genera), it is, I think, perkil IMAM rat Peet
awsber or the coserstis eating _suet haw 11111111101161
at leer four peeks of diet In the 00111111 of the pmeemi year.
(Oast k ter.) They hare at all emote sass all thdr
eon ptlreeims, sad that beyond all doubt sesdainedaa
arse gregortica of that esmemdiall, Isiggimg by re
sissy set girt they say do; my chatesmd
• IPPVGIMISMIT, 4111,011611 V. I would wet be Ww•
plod to bow at any sews that Lad Chshiebed_bell
ease Its usealai Moused Baridaglea Paisee at No IMO
dtMO,en 1101111.11., had as they say Is I math
theali they Sites ia • good RAM Bill, glee my M*.
that 4011101111 mask es Tap dishe its gathers.
thiredue a Sinai ateeme, wed I Mend setalalyYrei /118 Z
sach oarigeity to the her of Mess dreser. Neal
Newish, gad aim Ina of that dim. were thy =

• leaders of the coneervadve Arty bringing forward what the', mustregard ass revolutionary Reform Bill. Having mid thus
much with_ respect to the coneervative ministry, It is due to
the great liberal party that I should not pass it over altogether
without notice. It is now, unfortunately, like that noble
river of which mention was made in the Queen's speech, in
slate of decomposition. But though that may be the case I for
one do not despair of the advance of liberal principki. They are
In the ascendant; but If I may be allowed to give a hint to
the party by which they are upheld, I would say to them
that, in order to betas* a compact bodT, they must get rid
of all private jealousies end personal mum. (Hear, bear.)
The old whip and the modern been moat enita together,
for without union we are but as men of straw. I, for me
own part, shall adhere to those principles which, under aft
circumstances, I have ever supported :
° True as the dial to the inn,
Although it be not sheen ups."—(Cheer.)
The hon. gentleman then proceeded to advocate the meinte-
' nano* of an efficient Channel fleet, sad concluded his ob-
servations amidst loud and general applause.
A resolution expressive of the confidence of the meeting in
the hon. gentleman's political principles was then put from
the chair, and was tutaninweely agreed to.