The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-27 00:00:00

DIRECTORS.
CITAIRMAN-Sir JOHN P. GRANT, K.C.B.

Colonel Balfour, C.B.
George Henry Money, Esq.
Geo. Palmer Robinson, k.sq.
Xichard Spooner, Esq.

Lt.-Col. F. A. V. Thurburn.
henry Young, Esq.
George el,rthew, Esq.
Robert G. Lancaster, Esq.

The Credit Fonder of Mauritius (Limited), duly authorised
to borrow to the extent of the money invested on mortgage,
18 now prepared to issue debentures, with coupons attached,
for terms to be agreed upon, in amounts from £2O upwards, at
ilper cent. per annum, payable half yearly by the Alliance
Lank, on the 15th of June and 15th of December.
The security to deb nture holders wil be the whole of the
assets of the Company, including the paid and uncalled capi-
tal, 'iad in addition the property mortgaged to the Company.
The state of the law of Mauritius, including the system of
registration of mortgage and other c alms upon land, is pecu-
liarly conducive to the security of mortgagea.
Applications for debentures to made to the Secretary of
The ompany, 17, Change-alley; to the Alliance Bank, 5,
Lothbury; or to Messrs. J. and A. Scrimgeour, the brokers
of the Company, 10, Old Broad-street.

WILLK G. DICK, Secretary.

.N°. 22,520.

Now ready, at all the Libraries, in 3 vols.

S 0 N

A N
NOVEL

II E I U

"A story a no ordinary merit. It cannot tail to attract
the novel-reading public. The principal scenes are remark.
able ior their intense passion and vivid reality."—Messen.
ger.

Hurst and Blackett, 12, Great Marlborough-street.

Now ready at all the Libraries, in 3 role.,

SYBILL A LOCKWOOD.
fly NOELL RADECLIFTE,
Author of "Alice Wentworth," " Wheel within Wheel," &c.
" A story that illustrates an idea is always more or less
worth attention."—Saturday Review.
"This book is very cleverly written."—Sun.
Hurst aed Blackett, 13, Great Marlborough street.

r I.i eLfltti()NS SEEKING LANDEI)
ATES, TOWN AND COUNTRY RESIDENCES,
FREEHOLD AND I,EASEHOLD INVESTMENTS, AND
PROPER VIES GENERALLY—

To BE HAD GRATIS, at the principal Rai! way Bookstalls
throughout tic kingdom, or at the Auction and Estate Offices,
No. 67, Chancery-lane, London, Messrs. E. and 11. Lumley's
"FREE PROPERTY EEGISTER," containing a varied selection
of landed and house properties now in the market, from
the nobleman's mansion, with its manorial domain, to the
cottage with its few acres.
OWNERS OF PROPERTIES wishing to Sell or Let can em-
brace the opportunity that the medium of this ltegisfer
affords, by sending the particulars of their properties to the
Estate Offices, 67, Chancery-lane, London, as the Messrs.
Lumley can in most cases introduce immediate customers,
where the property is of an eligible Ohara ter, thereby avoid-
ing the disadvantages of delay and its attendant incon-
veniences.

TriERE IS NO CHARGE incurred, unless a tenant or pur-
chaser is introduced through 31essrs. Lumley's Agency,
and then only the usual moderate commission.
Auction and Land Offices, 67, Chancery-lane, London.

Now Ready, in Crown Svo.,
FOOTPRINTS ON THE ROAD.
By CHARLES KENT.

VURNITURE, CARPETS, BEDDING, and
FLOORCLOTH, CARRIAGE-FREE to any house in
the kingdom, regardless of amount or diatanoe. First-class
goods at second-class prices. Terms peculiarly liberal to
Clergymen and Gentlemen. An immense stock to select
from, displayed in Showrcoms occupying an acre of ground.
Every article warranted.
CLERGYMEN and GENTLEMEN ABOUT TO FUR-
NISH are respectfully informed that Messrs. Cobbett and
are publishing an entirely New Edition of their un-
equalled HOUSE FURNISHING GUIDE, illustrated by4lo
ddm,^able engravings of every description of Furniture and
r;easteads, with prices attached. A copy sent gf atis and
post-free on application. This costly work also contains
complete estimates for furnishing on the following revised
tale

Chapman and Hall, 193, PLcadilly.

NEW WORK BY MR. CHARLES DICKENS.
In Monthly Parts, unitorm with the Original Editions of
" Pickwick," "David Copperfield," &c.
On August 31st will be published Part V., price Is., of
OUR MUTUAL FRIEND,
By CHARLES DICKENS.

To be completed in Twenty Monthly Parts.
With Illustrations by MARCUS STONE.
Chapman and Hall, 193, Piccadilly.

SECOND EDITION.—Now Ready, with Frontispiece by F.
Gilbert, toned paper, crown Bvo., price 65.,

BEAUTIES OF TROPICAL SCENERY;
LYRICAL SKETCHES, and LOVE SONGS. With
Notes.

By R. N. DUNBAR.

" We add our voice to the chorus of praise which has been
called forth by these very pleasant and harmonious poems.
There is in the language a luxuriance, and a gorgeousness of
of colouring; and the. love-songs glow with a warmth not
unworthy of •the tropics."—lllustrated London News.

London: Robert Ilardwicke, 192, Piccadilly.

INTOTICE.— BERTIE BRAY. —The Second
Edition of this new Novel, by the Author of "Sir
Victor's Choice," is now ready. Also by same Author,
THE CROSS OF HONOUR. Price 2s.
John Maxwell and Co., Publishers, 122, Fleet-street.

PARLIAMENTARY DESPATCH AND AGENCY OFFICE,
No. 5, Upper Charles-street, Parliament-street.
AN ANALYTICAL INDEX to the DIVISIONS
of the present SESSION (1864) is in course of compila-
tion by Mr. GNo. M. MITCHELL, and will be ready for circu-
lation at the prorogation of Parliament. Th s work will
show members and their constituents how each member
voted, whether for or against public and private measures
during the session; total number of times, with majorities
for and against, &c.
Subscription, One Guinea.
Members can have their Divisions for the whole Parlia-
ment in extenso upon application to the above office.

QT. JAMES'S HALL, September 5, 1864.
First appearance these seven years cf the world-
renowned PROFESSOR ANDERSON, Great Wizard of the
North.

First appearance of Miss ANDERSON, the Second-sight
Sybil, and Retro-reminiscent Orthngraphist. Spiritualists,
Beware. Volunteers, look for the Great Rifle Experiment.
The Psychomantheum Opens at St. James's Hall, Sept. 5.

lINTHROPOGLOSSOS.-ST.JAMES'S
HALL, Piccadilly.—Great Success !—Extraordinary
Excitement. - The AN THROPOGLOSSOS, Automaton
Vocalist, Wonder of the World. [Registered according to
Acts 1843 and 1850, 6 and 7 Vic., c. 65, 13 and 14 Vic., c. 1(4,
and copyright secured an i entered at Stationer's Hall.]
OPEN DAILY, from 12 till 10 o'clock. The Exhibitions
take place ar the commer cement of each hour, viz., 12, 1,2,
3,4, 5,6, 7. 8, and 9 o'clock. Admission, One Shilling.
Tickets at Mr. Austin's office, St. James's H,l', 2d, Picca-
dilly, W.

11HE 0 X F ORD,
6, OXFORD STREET, W.

THE OXFORD and CANTERBURY HALL COMPANY
(Limited,.

During this week will be performed, Selections from the
following Operas, viz., THE TROVATORE, NABUCO,
UN BALLO IN MAS('HERA, LA Pi fiRZA DEL
DESTINO, by Verdi; and THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF
VERONA, by Sir H. 1 ishop. Principal Artistes ; —Misses
Russell, Tyrrell, Walmsley, Fitz-Henry, and Barrie; Messrs.
Marini, Hush, Green M ,rcello, and Albert.
Comedy by UNSWORTH, EUGENE, W. Randall, C.
Burton, and Mlle. Cavallo, the celebrated Comedienne
and Mimic.

Admission—Area, 6d. ; stalls and balcony, le. ; private
boxes, 10s. 6d.

A Six-roomed Parsonage £74 3 0
An Eight-roomed ditto
A Ten-roomed ditto ........
A Twelve-roomed ditto

Together with a Price List of purified Bedding, and a mass
of valuable informationto all requiring househ 31d furniture,
carpets, or bedding. References kindly permitted to Clergy-
men and gentlemen in or near Great Malvern, Southampton,
Chichester, Bury, Ely, Preston, Grimsby, Ryde, Plymouth,
Wells, Oxford, Brighton, Gainsborough, Margate. Kidder-
minster, Wellington, Croydon. Cambridge, Staines, Dorking,
St. Aiban's, Worcester, Ipswich, Peterborough, St. David'u;-
Wrexham, and above 500 other places in all parts of Great
Bran L.
COBBETT and CO.. General House Furnishers, Deptford-
bridge, London. S.E.

Stainsby-road, Limehouse.—Detached Freehold Residence.
MR. ANDREW HIND is instructed by the
proprietor to SELL by AUCTION, at GARRA-
WAY'S, Change-alley, Cornhill, on MONDAY, August 29,
1861, at One o'c ock, the very superior FREEHOLD HOUSE,
known as Paradise Cottage, pleasantly situate in the Stains-
by-road, near the East India-road, Limehouse, and contain-
ing large drawing, dining, and breakfast rooms, six bed-
rooms, capital kitchen, and offices, three w.c.'s, &c. The
principal rooms have stained glass windows and French
casements, opening to ornamental verandahs, which extend
the entire length of the but' ding. In the rear is a beautifully
laid-out flower garden, with greenhouse, summer house, large
and handsome foun ain, kc. The whole enclosed by walls,
and thoroughly screened from observation by well-grown
evergreens and other trees. May be viewed by cards from the
auctioneer only, and particulars, with conditions of sale, had
at Garraway's ; of T. Price, Esq., solicitor, 21, Abchurch-
lane, E.C. ; and at the auctioneer's offices, corner of Little
Carter-lane, St. Paul's.

CANTERBURY HALL,
Westminster-road, London.
OXFORD and CANTERBI RY HALL COMPANY
(Limited).
GRAND OPTICAL ILLUSIONS.
PRINCE BLOSSOM;
OR, THE FAIRIES OF THE MAGIC FOUNTAIN AND THE
FOREST OF SHADOWS!
Prince Blossom, Miss Townley.
Also, the New and successful Illusion, entitled THE
TERCEN TENA BY ; or, a NIGHT WITH SHAKSPERE.
Operatic Selections, Glees, &c., by the whole of the talented
Artistes. Comedy by Mr. Arthur Lloyd, with his new song,
a decidedhit ; Mr. W. Randall ; Mrs. W. Randall; and those
marvellous Gymnasts, Mears. TALLIOTT and BURNELL'
(from the Principal Cirque, Madrid).
" THE ANTHROPOPHAGINIAN 1"
"Go, knock, and call ; he'll speak like an Anthropopha-
ginian unto thee knock. I say."—Shakspere.
Merry Wives of Windsor. 4 act, sc. 5.
THE WONDER OF THE DAY
Will be Illustrated by Mr. W. Hilton.
Director. Mr. F. Jonghmans.
A dmission—Area, Bd. ; Stalls and Balcony, is.

MADAME TUSSAUD'S HISTORICAL
GALLERY; established 28 years at the Bazaar,
Baker-street.

NEW ADDITION. A full length portrait model of
DR. COUTY DE LA POMMERAIS, the Poisoner, taken
from the original phot graph, by Mons. Trinquart, of Paris,
from life, is now added to the Chamber of Physiognomy.
Admittance, Is. ; Napoleon Rooms and Chamber of Horrors,
6d. extra.
Open from 11 in the morning till 10 at night.

QOllO ESTATE. HOUSE, AND GENERAL
BUSINESS AGENCY OFFICES.—Persons requiring'
Freehold or Leasehold Property, or having Business and
Houses to be dispose," of, should apply to Mr. CHARLES
MURRAY, Auctioneer and Valuer, 26, Gerrard-street,
Soho, W.
Valuations for Probate Administration, Fire Claims, Rail-
way Compensations, &c. Rents Collected.

TMEET H. - IMPROVED MECHANICAL
DENT'S TRY.- Professional abilities and great artistic
skill have been most successfully combined in the production
of Alt FIFICIAL T EET tt upon a new principle. The real
value of the perfection of the art of Dentistry will be experi-
enced by all wishing to avail themselves of professional
assistance by consulting Mr. AL ItEltT, 34, Great Russell-
street, Bloomsbury. whose experience has enabled him to
effect such admirable, convenient contrivances by artificial
means, and which are so perfectly efficb nt.

VRNAMENTS for the Drawing-room, Library,
and Dining-room, consisting of a new and eiegant assort-
ment of VASES, Figures, Groups, Candlesticks, Obelisks, Ink-
stands, beautiful inlaid Tables, Paper weights, &a, in Italian,
Alabas er, Parian, Marble, Bronze, Derbyshire Spar, &c.
Imported and manufactured by JAMES TENNANT, Mine•
ralogist to her Majesty, 149, Stand, W.C., Lonaon.
Mr. Tennant arranges elementary collections of SHELLS,
lIINERALS, ROCES, and FOSSILS, which will greatly
facilitate the interesting study of INEALOGY, CON-
caOLOGY, Ind GEOLOGY, at 2, 5,M 10, 20,R 50, to 100 guineas
cad'.
is given by Mr. TENNANT, at 149, Strand. W.C.
PRACTICAL; INSTRUCTION in GEOLOGY and MINE-
itALO(.3

i ‘-‘ 1,1) RIDGE'S BALM of COLUMBIA
r
: -as unrivalled as a toilet requisite. It has been
‘fstagy
---s. and is the best and only certa n remedy
established 40 ye— , --wing, strengthening, beautifying,
ever discovered for press.. ^r Moustaches, and pre-
or restoring the Hair, Whiskers, ~. Q.ld in bottles,
venting them turnin<2; gray or fa ling oti.—_, ",,ding-
3s, Gd., 6s. and I is. by C. acd A. OLDRIDGE, 22, i, , _
ton-street,, Strand, W.C. • and all chemists and perfumers.
for Children's and Ladies' Hair it 18 most efficacious and
1111.1.,.
—Nralled,

New Barnet.—Freehold Semi-detached Villas.

Ityft. ANDREW HIND will SELL by AUC-
±vi_ TION. at GARRAWAY'S, Ch Cornhill,
on TUESDAY, August 30, 1864, at One o'clock, the conve-
nient FREEHOLD Seven-roomed HOUSES, Nos. 1 and 2,
Lancaster-road, New Barnet, near the railway station, with
f rent 'and back gardens, now let at £44 per annum, but pos-
session of one may be had if desired. May be viewed and
particulars, with conditions of sale, had at Garraway's ; and
at the auctioneer's offices, corner of Little Carter-lane, St.
Paul's.

0t54400
.f.m.-4"1":,;;;,---...r •
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4.

.THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, AUGUST 27, 1864.

I by the souvenirs of the past, distrusts the future of every
governo,ent, shows itself preoccupied in inaeceuvring every
eventuality, and is surprised, on each occasion of public emo-
tion, in the act of secretly stretching out its hazel to the
enemies of the Slate. Hence, in order that the liberty of the
press may be a real benefit, it is necessary that in a country
newly constituted a new political generation, young, vigo-
rous, and independent, should spring up to replace those
spirits enervated by revolutions. Now, gentlemen, let us
look at the theory, pure and simple, of the liberty founded
by the Empire. As authority and liberty cannot be in the
hands of the same class as in England, in place of subordi-
nating them one to the other, it is natural to render them
independent; and here is the fundamental principle of our
institutions. From the moment indeed that a vast admi-
nistration is with us in possession of all the instruments of
authority, and is alone charged with the duty of maintain-
ing order and public security—reason, good sense, and pa-
triotism, in accord with experience, said very emphatically
that it was necessary to assure before everything the bene-
fits of authority, and no longer snake it the prize. of the am-
bitions, of vanities, and of desires which liberty can set in
motion ; in other words, it was indispensable that the inde-
pendence of the executive power, intrusted by the will of the
whole people to the hands of the Sovereign, should be
henceforth a reality. It was necessary then that the chiefs
of the various branches of the administrative hierarchy, the
Ministers, being in the exclusive nomination of the chief of
fain, is
should no longer be responsible before the Chem•
bers—that is to say, removable by the Chambers; that the
Prince alone should be responsible to the people, as the
father of a family to his children; and that, finally, the man
most interested in the public order ant! security should be
invested with the force necessary to #iecure this first of all
blessings to the nation. Such then isiauthority established
upon foundations solid, natural, and agreeable to the orga-
nisation of the country. Let us see how liberty, in its
, organised, and' 0154%115f -if eiieFfaireall'ussigned
to the Executive Government, or the independence of au-
thority, is established at the expense of liberty. Universal
suffrage—that is to say, the will of a whole people—which
constitutes public authority in the person of the
Emperor, produces in its turn every liberty—com-
munal liberty by the municipal council, at the side of the
mayor, the delegate of authority; departmental liberty by
the General Council, at the side of the prefect; and national
liberty by the Legislative Body, at the side of the Sovereign.
Now, if it is considered that these public councils, which
all together form the hierarchy of liberty by the side of the
hierarchy of authority, are not only councils but delibera-
tive bodies ; that they exercise the enormous power of dis-
cussing and voting budgets, approving or prohibitin,g
ex-
penses; that in consequence they are possessed of all the
means of control and influence which really constitute
modern liberty; that, finally, it is in the hands of the prin-
cipal of these bodies that the veritable legislative power
resides, every man of sense and good faith will recognise
that, in assuring the reciprocal independence of authority
and liberty, the Napoleonic theory has virtually salved the
problem of liberty in France. Gentlemen, I have not the
simplicity to believe that tnose who are interested in criti-
cising everything, in denying everything, in distorting
everything, that these who wish only to play with authority,
and not to submit to it, ever approve a liberty which takes
away from them the means of overturning Ministers and
usurping authority. But the country, which knows what
ambitions and vanities of this kind have cost it, will never
be of their opinion. It is besides curious to listen to the
argument which is given to the public in place of the real
one as the reason for the presence of Ministers in the Chains
bers. It is, said this year in the Corps Legislatif one of the
eminent chiefs of the so-called Liberal school, because
"there is always great benefit and great instruction in dis-
cussing affairs with those who transact them." What I
It is because it may be a little mere advantageous, a little
more convenient for the orators to discuss with Ministers
rather than with intermediaries—it is for this reason that
the re-establishment of a regime which has been so fatal to
the country is demanded I It is not then liberty itself which
claims the presence of Ministers in the Chambers. And, in-
deed, how should liberty be concerned ? What can the So-
vereign do with the exception of right of declaring peace
and war, and the right of pardon, which are not in question,
being inscribed in the national charter as well as in the Im-
perial Constitution—what can he do without the concur-
rence of the public bodies and the will of the country ?
Nothing. What, on the contrary, with the country? Every -
thing. Now, I demand of you, is not that liberty the true
liberty, the only liberty ? And not only is that liberty such
as it has been always understood—that is to say, the reign of
opinion; but the particular form which it assumes with us
gives it an evident superiority to all the liberties of our time.
For, on the one hand; proceeding from universal suffrage, it
does not wound the dignity of a people like those privileged
liberties made for the profit of a class ; and, on the other, in
assuring to the country by the independence of authority
the invaluable benefit of a perfect security for all, it does not
reproduce, in spite of universal suffrage, the vice of Ameri-
can Constitutions, which, superb in appearance, magnificent
by the principles which they display, offer in reality the only
coarse domination, often violent and odious, of majorities
over minorities. And see, however, what men, considerable
by genius and talent, affect not to see I Those very persons
who should bless the hand which has drawn them from the
abyss, who enjoy the most the security and independence
which the liberty of the Empire assures them, are the first
to deny it. They forget that the greatest affirmation of this
liberty is the right which they use and abuse in protesting
against it. Like the atheists, who make use of the reason
God has given them in denying God,
they blaspheme the
liberty which covers them with its shield. And now, gen-
tlemen, let me be allowed to consider an important point in
the mechanism of our institutions. The principle of our
Constitution reposing upon the reciprocal independence of
authority and liberty, it was needful at once to assure that
independence, and establish in lieu of responsible Mi-
nisters new relations between the Government and the
Chambers. Now you are aware that the Constitution has
provided for this double object by the creation of two
great bodies—the Senate, guardian of the funda-
mental pact, and of the public liberties, alone charged
with the duty of applying to the Constitution the
modifications which time may render necessary, and the
Council of State formed, according to the text of the Con.
stitution, of distinguished men, in order to prepare laws,
and support the discussion of them in the Chambers. Tells
last body is one of the characteristic innovations of our.
Constitution, for it is to that belongs the duty of serving
as a link between the executive and legislative powers ; it
is it which is placed to receive the observations of the
Chambers and the explanations of Ministers ; in a word, it
is in its bosom authority and liberty ought to join hands.
If one is placed at the point of view of the preceding con-
siderations, I will be pardoned for believing that, in order
that such a body may fulfil its lofty mission in all its extent
it is not sufficient that it be composed of eloquent orators,
wise jurisconsults, and experienced administrators, but that
it should have, as regards both Ministers and the Chambers,
all the independence which the two other bodies of the State
enjoy. How, indeed, could such a body have authority in
the Chambers if it was at the discretion of Ministers, and
how could it inspire confidence in the Ministers, if it was
ruled by the Chambers ? The independence of the Council
of State appears to me then indispensable to the free work-
as there is no body indepen-
dent, not accorded to each of its
also no independence for the
imCnoegumonbfc.eioflrulsot: Councillor ;sr jeiSigettmuha tttsieo,antli ssf
also
hptiehsNeeocroffihewcisse is not sufficient to give him
the right of speaking, or remaining silent in the Chambers.
But it is not in a day that the spirit of new institutions
penetrates into practice. We are, perhaps, in regard to the
Constitution and the Empire, like the generation which has
seen the decimal system established, and can only form an
idea of the new measures by mental reference to the old. Is
it not under the dominion of this preoccupation that we have
seen the Council of State absorbed little by little, and per-
sonified in a President, then in the Ministers without port-
folios, then again in vice.presidents,waiting perhaps farther
incarnations? But I understand well the spirit of our in-
stitutions. lam authorised to believe that after the inevit-
able trials during their period, experience will cause to be
renounced combinations which partly present the inconveni•
ences of the parliamentary regime without having its
advantages. I am, then, convinced that, soon or late, the
Council of State, which, in the spirit as in the letter of the
Constitution, is charged with sustaining discussions before
the Chambers, will no longer be personified but by itself;
that restored to the independence, which alone gives wings
to talent, under a new regulation, easily introduced in prac-
tice, it will suffice for every exigency, and that then not only
will it be at the level of every discussion, but Will be able to
redeem every responsibility. Whatever it may be with epy
particular views upon this point, time, which is necessary
to found Governments, is also necessary to develops the
liberties of a country. But from the present moment we
can boldly say that our institutions rest upon the Most prac-
tically liberal principle which ever was, that in separating
authority and liberty, that in rendering them inde-
pendent of each other, that in permitting the one to de-
velope freely without checking the other, our Constitution
has realised the greatest benefit which a people can rppeivp.
' Already Europe, which bee seen with asiOnishrtent all the
greatness of this reign—the glory of arms united to internal
prosperity—begins to contemplate with not less astonish-
ment the spectacle of our liberty, and cannot prevent herself
admiring that order, as security at
0!-1!.'s tie admirably
assured by our organisation and io brilliantly ennobled by
' our public discussions. As for the country, happy in having
at length found its natural path, proud of feeling that its
liberty is worth to it all the liberties of the world, it rept:Nes
with confidence upon the strength of its institutions, It
comprehends, now that it is destined to see realised, that
beautiful thought of Moatesquieu, that great men make
great institutions, and in their turn great, institutions make
groat men. I have then ihe honour to propose to you this
toast—" To the 4mpe'ror Napoleon 111., to the founder of
liberty in France,"

The Patent Office.

The report of the Commons' Select Committee appointed
to inquire as to tho mo -t suitable arrangements to be made
respecting the Patent-efThe, library, and museum has been
printed. The committee, in the first place, made inquiries
as to the Patent-office and library is Southampton-buildings,
with the view to ascertain whether they are adequate to carry
out the provisions of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1352.
Upon this point the committee have found that, in the
opinion of all the witnesses they have examined, and, so far
as they could collect from the evidence of all those who have
devoted attention to the subject, the present office, is totally
wanting in the accommodation requisite for giving full
effect to that Act and the patent system generally. For
this purpose suitable apartments for the Commissioners,
law officers, and clerks, with a record-office and rooms for

inspecting provisional specifications, drawings, and scien-
tific publications, should be at once provided ; the place
' now used for the inspection of classifications and draw-
ings is little better than a dark passage, in which there is
barely standing room. With regard to the library, the cora-
mitte have found that it is one of great value and utility,
but that its utility is seriously impaired by its crowded state
and the want of sufficient attendants; the books are now
stowed away in a number of small rooms, or rather closets,
some on floors, some on tables, some fn passages, and some
on shelves ; while the storerooms are so .verloaded that the
floors have already sunk, and the surveyor of the Board of
Works has refused to allow them to be loaded any more lest
they should break down. The inconvenience to those who
frequent the office and library arising from this state of
things is enhanced by the want of a sufficient staff of atten-
dants. The committee consider that the want of increased
accommodation in respect of the Patent-office and library is
so much felt as to prejudice the due administration of the
patent law, and they therefore recommend that sufficient
office room with an additional reading room and ext-ension
of the library, should be provided with the bast possible de-
lay. The committee further recommend that the library
should on no account be separated from the office. All
witnesses concur in this opinion.

The second point to which the committee directed their
attention was that of the Patent Museum, having- regard
especially to its formation, its present state, its relation to
the Patent-office and library, and the nature of its contents,
so as to render it practically useful. The committee found
that the Patent Museum was formed by Mr Woodcroft,the
superintendent of specifications, by the request of the Com-
missioners of Patents, and that it consists of models and
machines, belonging partly to the Commissioners-of Patents
partly to the Commissioners of the Exhibition of 1851, and
partly to Mr Woodcroft himself, and various private per-
sons. This collection has been exhibited since 1857 in the
iron building at South Kensington. It occupies a floor
space of only 6,700 feet, and is too much overcrowded for
classification or for due inspection by visitors. The com-
mittee are of opinion that the term "Patent Museum,"
which is generally applied to this collection, tends to give
an erroneous impression as to its character and object.
Various suggestions have been made by witnesses respect.•
ing the nature of a museum connected with the mechanical
arts, which may be summed up as follows :—That it should
illustrate the history or those arts by a collection of original
machines from an early period to the present time ; that it
should exhibit all known inventions respecting machinery
and manufactures; that it should show the present state of
all machinery and manufactures. Some of the witnesses
suggested that the collection should be restricted to the
machinery and manufactures of the United Kingdom,
while others proposed that it should be extended to those of
foreign countries. Some, again, prcposed that the collection
should contain all the objects of each class, while others
proposed that a selection only of the most important objects
should be exhibited. There was no less diversity of opinion
respecting the primary purpose for which any collection or
exhibition should be made, some of the witnesses consi-
dered that it should be for the purpose of conveying instruc-
tion in the mechanical arts, either in a cursory way to people
who might visit the museum, or to students in mechanics,
or to persons desirous of applying themselves to the dis-
covery of improvements in machinery and manufactures.
Other witnesses deemed the museum chiefly desirable for
the information of persons intending to take out or purchase
patents in aid of the information afforded by books and spe-
cifications, to assist them in ascertaining whether the con-
templated patent would be valid as a new invention. On the
other hand, two witnesses, Mr Carpmael and Mr Johnson,
gave it as their opinion that for all purposes of the patent
law a museum of models would be practically useless. The
committee are of opinion that any special collection of pa..
tented inventions made for the purpose of evidence, illustra-
tion, or record of patent rights, is not so connected with a
general museum of mechanical inventions as to render the
neighbourhood of such a museum to a patent-office and
library or law courts necessary. It appears to the committee
that the purpose of a general museum is to illustrate and ex-
plain the commencement, progress, and present positions of
the most important branches of mechanical inventions; to
show the chief steps by which the most remarkable machines
hove reached their present degree of excellence; to convey
interesting and useful information, and to stimulate inven-
tion.

At this part of the report it was proposed to add—" The
committee are not prepared to express any opinion as to the
advisability of such a general museum of mechanical inven-
tions, nor do they consider that the funds derived from
patent fees are applicable to such an object; but the pro-
posal was negatived by five votes against four, the chairman
not voting. The committee proceeded to say that, in forming
an illustrative collection of inventions, it would be necessary
to adopt the principle of selection. This, however, does
not appear to the committee to be an insuperable objection,
especially as no one proposes to substitute models for specifi-
cations, which, for all the purposes of administering the
patent law, would still have to be consulted, and bear the
stamp of authority. Such a collection should contain a
selection of models of moderate size which should illustrate
different departments of inventions, and also a selection of
models of current patented inventions. This collection
should be exhibited in connection with the Patent-office.

The attention of the committee has been given to the
most eligible situation for the buildings, in connection with
the Patent -office—that is to say, the office, library, and
such last-mentioned collection, and the following are the
sites respecting which their inquiries have been chiefly
directed.-1. Chancery-lane.--This is a block of land oc-
cupied principally by old and delapidated houses, and
surrounded by Southampton-buildings, Chancery-lane,
Cursitor-street, and Took's-court. It is most conveniently
placed, being in close proximity to the law courts at Lin-
coln's-inn, the Inns of Court, and the new Record Office.
Another site immediately adjoining the last named was
suggested ; it extends to the north side of the Record-office.
Should the plan for concentrating all the law courts in the
neighbourhood of Chancery-lane, which has been recently
under the consideration of Government, be carried into
effect, it will afford an additional argument in favour of
either site. The cost of the first named site, amounting to
5,878 yards, was estimated at £205,C00. 2. Fife-house..—
This block consists of Fife-house (in which the East India
Museum is now placed) an adjoining garden, and some small
houses. It contains in all about two acres, and appears to the
committee to be well situated for the buildings in question.
The committee, however, do not consider that it offers as
many advantages as the Chancery-lane site would afford,
being more distant from the law courts and offices. This has
been estimated at the price of £52,800 per acre. 3. Victoria-
street—This consists of a block of land in Victoria-street
which would afford sufficient space for the proposed build-
ings, but the committee do not consider the situation would
be as convenient as either of the two last named sites for in-
ventors, professional men, and others who would principally
resort to it. This site is estimated at £66,000. It contains
an area of nearly an acre and a quarter. 4. Trafalgar-square,
—This has been recommended by some witnesses; but,
having regard to the recent decision of the House upon the
subject of the National Gallery, the committee did not (eel
justified in entertaining the proposition. 5. South Ken-
sington—Ample space may be afforded in the vicinity of
the present museum for a general museum of mechanics'
inventions. The land of this site is vested in Government
for local purposes connected with science and art, but the
committee have ascertained that land in this neighbour-
hood is of a high value. This part of the report, as origi-
nally proposed by the chairman (Mr Dillwyn) contained the
following clause t—" The committee are of opinion that this
site is too far removed from the business parts of the me-
tropolis to render it a desirable situation for institutions of
a practical or industrial oharaoter." This clause was
struck out on a division by five against four; but, as the
chairman did not vote, the opinions of the members
present would seem to have been equally divided. The
report proceeds to state that upon a full consideration of the
advantages and disadvantages of these sites the committee
have, arrived at the conclusion that the balance of advan-
tages in favour of the neighbourhood of Chancer Hana out-
weighs that of the others, and they theteiora recommend it
for adoption. The conitnittee And that the surplus of receipt,
beyond e*Pentlituro on the balance of accounts of tiny fees
payable by btamps under the Provisions of the -',,tent Law
Amendment Act, 1852, has amounted to £i73,044,
up to
the end of 1862, and that the snrplus for tke year 1863, of
which the accounts have not yet beer published, is estimated
to amount to £37,100, makirt; up to the end of last year a
total surplus revenue of £120,044 [the Patent-office report
just issued states last year's surplus to be £53,968.] The
committee consider that the principal object of the fees pay-
able under the Provisions of the Patent Law Amendment
Act was t 0 provide for the proper working of that measure,
and not for the purpose of increasing the general revenue
of the country. Without entering upon the qestion whether
or not a claim exists to have the surplus exclusively devoted
to the purposes of the Act of 1852, the Committee are of
opinion that for the future the annual surplus revenue ac-
cruing from the operation of that act should be supplied to
the extent which way be necessary.