The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-02 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 2, 1861

The flogging of the girl with a birch rod, alluded to by the
hon. gentleman, was an act which he did not stand up to
vindicate, either in his own name or in that of the executive
committee—(hear, hear)—and he begged to state that
steps had been taken to prevent the recurrence of any
such punishment. In the early days of the institution
several practices had been carried out which could
not be approved of; but he believed that no blame
attached to the lady superintendent or to the chaplain.
Tho management of the school was vested in the executive
committee, who had appointed from among their number a
house committee. The flogging of the girl had occurred as
far back as January, 1862 ; and it was in the beginning of
1862 that the melancholy accident had occurred, which
caused the death of the girl by fire. The hon. member for
Chichester had thought proper to impugn the verdict of
the jury, who returned accidental death; but he thought,
under the circumstances, no verdict was ever more
thoroughly justified. The hon. member had spoken of his
holding communications with some of the jurymen, who
stated they were not satisfied with the finding ; but surely
the hon. member should know they could not take cogni-
zance in that house of anything which did not appear on
executive of
the face of the verdict. The hon, gentleman was correct in
executiveto d differ
ffecommitteer in opinion
with
committee
the saying that the event of last year led to the appointment by
the
was
l adi ladies,
committeewhose
act
such an extent as to threaten to resign unless their recom-
mendal ions were carried out; and most of them were, how-
ever, adopted. At the commencement of the inquiry the
ladies, he regretted to say, adopted a corm o that was both
injudicious and uncourteous, by communicating to the
committee that the majority of them would not continue
to act on the committee
unless the executive committee
dismissed the lady superintendent and the chaplain.
That, of course, placed the committee in a painfully em-
barrassing position. It gave the committee the chance of
two alternatives, either to dismiss those persons because
the ladies' committee had told them to do so on pain
of losing their services ; or, on the other hand,
the committee, having a responsible duty to dis.
charge, were to go judicially into the investigation of
their conduct, and come to such conclusion as their serve
of justice might dictate. They deeply regretted the inti-
mation they received from the ladies, but their determina-
tion was to hear what the lady superintendent and the
chaplain bad to say, and dismiss them or not, as they
thought the justice of the case required. The inquiry lasted
from the beginning of March till the 9th of May, when the
executive committee adopted a resolution disapproving of
the punishment that had been inflicted by the lady super-
intendent and the chaplain in some instances, but that under
the circumstances of the new regulations that had been
adopted for the future superintendence and regulation of the
school it was necessary to call on them to resign their situa-
tions. That resolution was unanimously agreed to by the
members of the committee present, and it was confirmed
unanimously at a subsequent meeting. The next step was
the presentation of the report, embracing the resolution, to
the Royal Commissioners; and Earl Grey, who was not
satisfied with the decision of the committee, moved a reso-
lution, expressing the opinion of the Royal Commissioners
in an opposite sense, viz„ that the two officials ought to
have been dismissed. The resolution was fully considered
by the Royal Commissioners present, and on a division
two only supported it, and seven opposed ; the hon. mem-
ber for North Lancashire, who had accidently left the
room, observed on his return that, if he had been present,
he should have voted against it. Lord St. Leonards was
one of those who supported Earl Grey's resolution, and it
was but right to say that at a meeting of the Royal Com-
missioners held ten or fourteen days ago, Lord St. Leonards
said he had, since the motion above referred to was discussed,
gone over the establishment at Wandsworth, and he had
never seen greater improvement in the building or a public
institution in a more satisfactory condition. (Hear, hear.)
The executive committee had taken every precaution to
prevent a recurrence of what had occurred. They had
abolished the sub-committee, and every thing now devolved
upon the executive committee which had been recast with
competent men. Regular monthly meetings had been estab-
lished at the asylum, together with weekly inspection by
the various members of the committee. He hoped, there-
fore, the hon. gentleman would admit that the committee
had shown an anxiety, so far as they could, to place the
management of the establishment in a satisfactory condition,
without having recource to the dismissal of the two officials.
Although the ladies had thought it their duty to resign, he
could not help thinking that they would rejoice to hear that
the management of the institution had been placed on so
satisfactory a footing, without the Commissioners being
obliged to inlict a stigma or cast reflection on two most
respectable and deserving individuals. The punishment
was not left to their discretion, a punishment book being
regularly kept; the punishment being restricted to three
stripes on the hand with the cane. That regulation had been
adopted unanimously by the Commissioners, except Lord
Colchester, who had resigned. The cane, the Commissioner
found on examination, was used in three or four of the great
public schools.

Mr. KINNAIRD said the explanation of the right hon.
baronet would give great satisfaction, and he suggested that
the schools should have the assistance of a committee of
ladies.

Sir J. PAKINGTON Raid there were seven only out of
the thirteen had resigned. They had never ceased to be
superintended by ladies.

Mr. KINNAIRD objected to the use of canes in schools
of this character, and urged a milder punishment as more

effective.

Mr. BRISCOE was pleased to hear the explanation
that had been given. He was also in favour of the super-
intendence of a committee of ladies. He referred to the case
of the two children that had been sent up to be mesmerised,
and hoped it would not be again repeated.
Mr. CORRIE said a medical officer was attached to the
hospital, and visited every day. No case would be treated
in future in the way referred to by the last speaker.
The subject then dropped, and the house went into
SUPPLY.

On the vote of £30,643, balance of vote of £45,243 for
royal palaces,
Mr. W. WILLIAMS called attention to the large amount
of this vote. He had no objection to vote any sum that was
absolutely required for the comfort and dignity of the
Queen, bat he thought they ought to object to this vote,
which was an increasing annual one to the extent of £lO,OOO.
Mr. A, SMITH complained of the bad arrangement of the
details of the vote, things being mixed up in it that ought
to have been charged to other departments, such as furni-
ture. The savings from the civil list ought to be sufficient
to defray their kind of expense, and observed that he should
like to see a detailed account of that list. He feared they
would get little redress from any remonstrance they might
make. He called attention to the handsome iron gates that
were removed from Hampton Court Palace, and taken to
Brompton as specimens of English ironwork; and he asked
if they were still there, and why they were not repaired and
returned to Hampton Court Palace ?
After some remarks from Sir J. SHELLEY, relative
hteor
the admirable manner in which the furniture department
was managed by the chief clerk,
Sir M. PETO called attention to the inadequacy of St.
James's Palace for State occasions, and hoped the noble lord
would shortly, turn his attention to the subject.
Mr. COWPER. defended the manner in which the ac-
counts were presented. Tho vote for the royal palaces
was divided into three heads. Palaces occupied
Majesty; palaces partly so occupied, but used for State
occasions, such as St. James's Palace ; and palaces that were
not in any respect in the occupation of her Majesty. There
was no charge for furniture in the palaces occupied by her
Majesty, as that came from the Lord Chamberlain's depart.
ment ; but there were charges in the vote for furniture for
the State palaces and State rooms. The ornamental railings
were removed from Hampton Court Palace, and had been
removed with a view to their preservation, and were now in
the Kensington Museum. It was considered better to keep
them there as specimens of early English art rather than
replace them at Hampton Court Palace, and by exposure to
the weather destroy them.
the vote was then agreed to.
On the sum of £82,750, balance of the vote for public
buildings and supplying them with water,
M
r Wuh.aWrgeldLLfulrAthMeSsucpalplleyd
of
nto the
othe
Housesesumoftf p
10, oaoro
being -
engines, pumps, pipes,algar-square, an d to other
plivabmleientb,utihldeings,
fountainsfor and in
&c. There
was also a charge of £750 rent of a house for the fortifica-
tion branch of the War Department, and another sum for
the furniture ; that ought not to have been put into this
vote, but should have been charged to fortifications.
Mr. COWPER said the War Department in Pall-mall
was not large enough for the fortification branch to be taken
there, and that was why the charge was in this vote. He
believed a very economical arrangement had been come to.
Mr. W. WILLIAMS also complained of the charge of
£9OO rent for a house in St, James's-square for the tithe
copyhold commission, that commission having been closed
for many years.

Mr. CHILDERS regretted the small number of mem-
bers present to discuss those estimates. He complained
of the inadequate superintendence exercised by the Go-
vernment of this country over public works and build-
' ings, compared with that adopted by our Continental
neighbours in this engineering age. This country had lost
ground rapidly during the last 20 years in that respect, and
unless something were done to retrieve our position we
should fall far behind our continental neighbours. The
practical result of our arrangement was that the First Com-
missioner of Works had not the general superintendence of
the works of the country. He had certainly occasionally to
trol
superintend the erection of a few buildings in the metropolis,
to look over the parks, and see that furniture was economi-
cally purchased and supplied. The superintendence of the
public works and buildings connected with the Government
ever
thrseible to
was so scattered about that it tvas ditlicult to know whom
t° apply to. Some were under the control of the Treasury,
each as harbours and piers; railways, which required so
.1:a care
change
i;
tleporeeend mkt
pPlailarll
of
the
_in their supervision, were placed under the con •
tkrox to
~.. president of the Board of T;ade, who had func-
:ork,:erul ge of a totally different character, and other
as such a",,..tuider the control of the Home Secretary. There
was fru '°ll7 ill the .
take then.
some
have
e discharge of their functions that it
het.",
.11 efficient and economical control
sub,„o. ~..p,—aneetore long some hon member would
naluepnetrtvoicsio.onsider whether
works and buildings tight net to to
made. nnefooounsTereld

they ought to be concentrated under the superintendence of
one department, which would be more economical than
now, and tend to an improved style of architecture.

Lord PALMERSTON said that his hon. friend's pro-
position went to a very material change in our system
that was not congenial to our constitution. It was true
that in France and other countries the Government exer-
cised great control over all works, whether public or pri-
vate, but that was not in accordance with the feelings of
this country, or with the general arrangement that pre-
vailed. He could not admit that this country was behind
other countries in architectural development, and he in-
stanced the public and private buildings of Liverpool,
Manchester, and Leeds, or any of the great towns, which
abounded with buildings of the most beautiful description,
erected by persons not under the control of the Govern-
ment, but employed by the municipality, which were an
honour to the country, and equal in beauty to anything
that could be found on the Continent. Tho hon. gentle-
man proposed that an officer of the Government should con-
trol and direct the action of municipal corporations in the
erection of town-halls.

Mr. CHILDERS said no. Only public buildings con-
nected with the Government,

Lord PALMERSTON said such were suporintended by
the First Commissioner of Works, except such as military
buildings and harbour works, which required special ar-
rangements for their construction, In conclusion, the noble
lord repeated his belief that the arrangement suggested
could not be adopted compatibly with the Constitution.
Mr. A. SMITH complained that the items of all the
votes were lumped together, and that it was consequently
impossible to check them,
. lie wished to know upon what
principle rent was paid for public property? The system
was vicious, and he should therefore move the reduction of
the vote by £7,000, on account of such rents,
Mr. BRISCOE thought that the item of £25,441 for re-
pairs should be more detailed, and that the charge for water
of £3,000, and for engines, pumps, &c., in case of fire, of
£4,000 was excessive,

Sir M. PETO pointed to the increase which was yearly
growing in the item for rent. Last year it was £24,748, this
year £26,358. In his opinion it would be more economical
and more convenient to build proper offices than to continue
the system of renting houses in different parts of the metro-
lis for the purpose, and he hoped that the right hon. gentle
man, the First Commissioner, would take the subject into
consideration during the recess.
Mr. COWPER explained that the sum for repairs com-
prised 1,830 separate items, and that it would be trifling
with the house to attempt to detail them all in the vote.
The charge for water for all the public buildings was
£3,000 a year; but he had inquired into the matter, and
found that if they were to buy the water from the compa-
nies it would cost £BOO a year more. In regard to the item
of £4,000 for engines, pumps, &c,, in case of fire, he be-
lieved it would be a wise and economical expenditure. The
Government did not insure, and it was therefore necessary
that proper provision should be made for the accident of fire
It was first contemplated to erect a reservoir on Primrose-
hill, but as the cost of the plan would be £20,000 he had
abandoned the idea. The second plan which was suggested,
and which was eventually adopted, was to make the Ser-
pentine the reservoir. It would be sufficient to cover all the
buildings down to Whitehall, and the intention was to
place in connection with it pipes which would afford them
an abundant supply of water at any moment in case of fire.
In regard to the amendment of his hon. friend (Mr. A.
Smith), he believed it would lead to much confusion, and
hoped it would not be pressed.
Lord J. MANNERS reminded the hon. baronet the
member for Finsbury that the suggestion which ho had
thrown out was not altogether new to the house. The idea
had been mooted before, but was abandoned by the house
when it was found that its execution would cost £1,000,000,
He admitted that the scheme would bethe most economical
in the end, but he believed that the house would still object
to so large and immediate an outlay. He wished to know
what was to be done with Burlington House.
Mr. COWPER explained that he was not then prepared
to say what would be done with it.
The amendment was then withdrawn, and the vote
agreed to.
On a vote of £13,879 balance of the estimate for furni-
tare, &c., for the public offices,
Mr. A.
,SMITH moved that it be reduced by £1,611,
being the unappropriated balance of last year.
Mr. CO SVPER replied that there was no balance now
outstanding, it having been paid into the Exchequer in
March.

Lord J. MANNERS called attention to the item on ae-
coust of the South Kensington Museum, and suggested
that the expenditure on account of the institution required
to be carefully revised.
Sir J. SHELLEY maintained that there was no expen-
diture which afforded so:much gratification and information
to a large mars of the people as that on account of the
South Kensington Museum. (Hear, hear.) No man
could object to it.
Mr. Alderman SALOMONS urged that it would be ad-
visable to be keep all the votes on account of the Museum
together. Its expense might then be accurately ascer-
tained.
Mr. AYRTON admitted the advantage of the institu-
tion, but contended that it would have been much more
beneficial if it had been erected within the metropolis. The
votes on its account were divided in order to disguise its
expenditure.
After some observations from Mr. COWPER,
The committee divided—
For the amendment 23
Against it .................... 66
Majority
The vote was then agreed to.
The next vote was a sum of £97,9s2—part of which
had been already voted on account—to defray the expenses
of the royal parks and pleasure gardens.
Sir H. VERNEY, while recognising the great advantages
that had been gained by the public in the opening of Batter-
sea and Victoria Parks, said it was incumbent on the right
hon. gentleman at the bead of the Department of Works to
do still more for the public. For instance, a great conveni-
ence would be afforded by opening a communication from
Cockspur-street to the north side of the Mall in St. James's-
park; then the southern end of Park-lane was in a very
dangerous condition; and omnibuses ought to be allowed to
traverse the road by the Serpentine as well as carriages.
Mr. SELWYN called attention to the unfinished con-
dition of the conservatory at Kew Gardens, and asked
whether it was the intention of the Government to proceed
with the work.

Mr. TITS, fully coinciding in the opinion that the gardens
at Kew were a great success, thought it was an exceeding
pity that the wings of the conservatory remained unfinished.
Colonel FRENCH complained of the extravagant ex
•
Pendituro on the parks.
Mr. DILLWYN thought they were entitled to demand
more information as to the details of the expenditure on the
parks. No less a sum than £25,000 was asked on account
of St. James's, the Green, and Hyde-parks, exclusive of
Kensington-gardens.
Colonel BARTTELOT moved that the vote be reduced
by a sum of £7,952. How could a sum of nearly £30,000
be required to keep these parks in order ? He had heard,
indeed, that the sum of £5,000 was spent annually upon
perishable flowers, the production of which could afford no
enjoyment to the general public.
Mr. COX ridiculed the notion of designating the few
acres enclosed at Kennington as a park. A sum of £1,500
Was actually expended upon the keeping up of this so •called
park, the grass part of which was devoted to the pasturing
of Sheep, while the children were driven to play on the
gravel walks.

Sir J, PAKINGTON said these votes were an annual
,cause of astonishment to him, for he could never understand
holy the money was spent. (Hear, hear.) Richmond Park
was said to cost £7,000 a year, and St. James's, the Green,
and Ryde Parks cost £25,000 a year. Why, any private
Proprietor would be ruined if ho spent money in such a
Way.

Mr' CAVE wished to direct the attention of the right
hen. gentleman to the monolith at the Eastern part of the
Serpentine, and which took the place of the spring which
was formerly there, People wondered very much Where
whether it had roe fro h
used to be there. (
that monolith came f m whether it was from Egypt, or
whether it had
Secretary for Foreign Affairs, or whether it was from the
been rb' ght rou from Assyria by the Under
Summer Palace at Pekin. He wanted to know where it
spring whic
came from how ranch it cost, and what had become of the
removed to the
Mr. SCLATER..
1300TII denounced the playing of the
band of the commissionaires in the Cambridge Enclosure.
He had the best authority for saying that these musical
Laughter.)
performances were regarded as a most serious nuisance by
many of the surrounding householders, If the band were
Col. SYKES; having
away without being a nuisance to anyone.
Mr: W. I'IVART could not understand what were the
functions of the deputy-ranger of the park, and why the
Centre of the enclosure they might play
public should not have access to the ground occupied by his
residence close to the Serpentine.
resided fur 30 years in the vicinity
of Hyde Park, was able to afford testimony in favour of the
extraordinary improvement in the condition of the Park,
compared with what it was formerly.
Lord J.NAT
---,,ERS said no comparison could be insti-
tuted betweenMA the maintenance of private parks and the
r. CO
public parka of r
lAndon • and further, the more like they
made them to gardens 'the more expense would they cause.
He regretted that the 'structure for the use of the band had
been erected in the Regent's Park without a little more pre-
liminary discussion in that house.
and the consequence
for a moment be compared with the parks of private
gentlemen. The parks of London were frequented by an
enormous WP
-Ell said that the London parks could not
Population who were perpetually doing damage;
to be employed to keep order. With regard to the item of
L 13,000, which
Was the entire cost of the maintenance of the
three parks, it Should be kept in mind that there were eight
'was that a staff of 46 constables had
miles of roads to be maintained, and 25 miles of gravel walks.
The cost of a macadamised road, like that of Regent-street
costs about 4000 a mile, and if they were to apply such a
calculation to the roads in' Hyde-park, Green-park, and St.
James's, it would give a very large item. But there were
also 25 miles of gravel walks which had to be kept in very
good order. If there were pebbles on the walks the public
complained, and what was worse than complaint they left
the walks and went upon the grass, making a Sahara deser t

of the parks. The distinction between the Ranger and the
First Commissioner of Works was, that the gatekeepers
were considered to be under the Ranger's department, and
the external boundaries came under the Office of Works.
There were 14 gatekeepers, who were paid something over
£l,OOO in the aggregate. With regard to the flowers, the
cost was very trifling, as they were reared in pits in the
vicinity of Kensington-gardens. As to the proposed ride
in Battersea-park, permission was given to builders and
contractors to deposit earth in a portion of the park to make
an embankment, and ho proposed to form a ride upon the
surface, after the plan of Rotten-row. With regard to the
band in Regent's-park, he thought it right to have a stand
made for it; for he saw that a band had been performing
for several years in that park, which had been attended by
thousands of persons without the slightest inconvenience or
abuse of the authority of the Government. (Hear.) lie be-
lieved the braid answered the purpose very well, and he was
told the audience were delighted with it. The right hon.
gentleman then referred to the expenditure at Kew, and said
that the pori ion of the consenatory already completed cost
£32,000, The expense of the wings, if they should bo erected
according to the original design, would cost £14,000, and the
Government did not feel themselves justified in undertaking
that expenditure. Ile had bean asked what had become of
the spring in Hyde Park. He really could not tell how it
disappeared ; but in point of fact it was not a spring, and
when the gravel through which the water had Percolated
was cut the water took another channel. As to the monolith
erected in the place, and which gave so much offence to the
taste of hon. members opposite, it was nothing else than a
boulder of granite from Cornwall, which was placed there
without any attempt at ornament. tie thought it excited
great admiration. (Laughter.) rho cost of it was about
£2OO, which was almost entirely for the carriage of it from
Cornwall to its present position. He was rather astonished
to hear the hon. gentleman opposite complain of the band
which played in the Cambridge Enclosure, St. James's
Park, for he believed it was greatly admired.
Mr. PEACOCKE wished to put a question in the name
of the great riding interest, and that was whether the grass
would be opened to equestrians on the north side of the
Serpentine, and whether Kensington Gardens would be also
thrown open to them ?
Mr. G. BENTINCK said there was no greater farce
than was enacted year after year in committees of supply in
that house. The members of the Ministerial bench were
pledged to stringent economy, and the members of the front
Opposition bench, who desired to go across, were pledged
to still more stringent economy, and thus the whole thing
became a farce. He knew his appeal was all in vain, but
still he would ask was it right, was it decent, in a time of
great general distress, to waste thousands of pounds upon
the luxurious adornment of the metropolis, and in orna-
menting the park for the idle and indolent ? (Hear, hear.)
Mr. SCLATER-BOOTH wished to explain that he did
not object to the band, but to the place selected for the per
formance, which, being close to the houses, gave offence to
a great many people.

Sir M. RIDLEY wished to know the cost of the boy and
dolphin in Hyde Park ?
_ _

Mr. COWPER said he was not able to tell the cost, but
he would make inquiry. With regard to opening the grass
on the north side of the Serpentine, the experiment had
been tried last year, and it was found that it interfered
with the free enjoyment of persons on foot, and therefore
they only proposed to open the south side. And as to Ken-
sington Gardens, no arrangements could be made for the
accommodation of equestrians in consequence of the road by
the bridge being thrown open to carriages. (Hear, hear.)
Lord R. CECIL said that he concurred in the observa
tions of the hon. member for West Norfolk (Mr. Dentinek)
that their committees of supply were a farce. Ireland was
starving, and Lancashire was being kept up at the public
expense, and yet there was an increase for " luxurious
adornment" of £200,000 ; the estimates in this respect hav-
ing been raised from £700,000 to £900,000.
Lord PALMERSTON defended the votes, and said the
reascn wby hon. members were so angry was, that the ac-
counts were so well managed and so carefully investigated,
that it was found they were not susceptible of reduction. If
they looked at the cost of the Bois de Boulogne, in Paris,
they would find that it was something like £l4O a day, or
£70,000 a year, nearly as much as the whole of the parks
of the metropolis. He believed that the enjoyment derived
by the people from the parks was an equivalent for the ex-
penditure. (Hear, hear.)
The committee divided. The numbers were—
For the vote....

Against 67
Majority -48
The vote was then agreed to.
On the vote of £36,444 to complete the sum of £46,444 for
the Houses of Parliament,
Mr. COWPER, in answer to a question from Lord
John Manners, said he had deferred coming to any deci-
sion with respect to the enclosing New Palace-yard from
the Clock Tower until the buildings on the southern side
of Bridge-street were pulled down, and which would be
finally cleared away by the end of this year, or at latest
in the course of next year. If the building was continued
along from the Clock Tower, it might be employed ad
vantageously for public offices. Nothing, however, would
be done for the present, and an opportunity would be given
to the house for deciding on whether it should be enclosed
or thrown open.

Captain KNOX inquired if it was intended to widen Par.
liament-street from the Treasury to the Houses of Parlia-
ment

llr. COWPER said the report of the committee on this
subject was still under consideration.
Col. FRENCH urged the necessity of something being
done towards improving the dining-rooms. Mr. Barry's
estimate was too high for the committee to take upon itself
to recommend that it should be carried out. It was useless
to complain of the contractor if he had not the means of sa-
tisfying the demands of hon. members. If the Government
were not disposed to move in the matter, it would be neces-
sary to bring the subject in a definite form before the house.
He did not wish to press the right hon. gentleman (Mr.
Cowper) for a reply then if he was not prepared to give an
answer.

Mr. HUNT asked the Chiof Commissioner of Works if
it was possible to construct an underground passage from
the Clock Tower to the North side of Bridge-street, so as to
avoid the dangerous crossing at the end of Westminster-
bridge, for the convenience of hon. members and those at-
tending the Houses of Parliament.
Sir J. SHELLEY called attention to the state of the
stonework of the Houses of Parliament. Ho had been over
the building and minutely examined it, and unless some-
thing were done to preserve it, the ornamentation of the
houees would be entirely destroyed. Several experiments
had been tried, and all of them had failed but one—viz.,
Daines's process for vulcanising stonework. That process
had been favourably reported on by Mr. Sydney Smirke,
Mr. George Gilbert Scott, and Mr. Arthur A.shpital. He
understood Mr. Daines had been told that he might go on
applying his own process at his own expense, but he (Sir
J. Shelley) thought that as so many had been assisted in
their experiments at the expense of the Government, and
had failed, it was but right that the Government should
assist Mr. Daines with a grant of public money.
Mr. ROGERS expressed a hope that whatever alterations
were made in the refreshment rooms, nothing would be
done that would interfero with the proper ventilation of that
part of the building.
Sir M. PETO called attention to the decay observable in
the frescoes, and hyped that means would bo adopted to
discover its cause and arrest its progress.
Mr. SCLATER-BOOTH wished to know if the item of
£6,530 for the Speaker's stables would cover the whole ex-
pense.

Sir M. RIDLEY asked for explanation with regard to
the twelve statues of British sovereigns in chronological
series which were to be placed in the Royal Gallery.
Mr. G ItEGORY pressed for a like explanation, and also
for information with regard to the progress of Mr. Dyce's
fresco. He wished to know if any representation had been
made to Mr. Dyce as to the necessity of carrying out the
engagement for which ho had been paid. If Mr. Dyce were
net, then he should be prepared to characterise his conduct
as scandalous. (Hear, hear.) In regard to the statues, by
means of which British art was to have been advanced, it
appeared to him that they were about to be monopolised by
Mr. Monroe and Mr. Thornycroft.
Mr. COWPER admitted that it was desirable that some
means should be adopted to preserve the stone of the house,
but the report of the scientific commission, which had been
appointed in the matter, would not justify him in proceed-
ing with any of the plans which had been suggested for the
purpose. He admitted also that the report of the commis.
sion, as to the enlargement of the dining-room, deserved
attention, but he should require some time before deciding
on it. A tunnel across Bridge-street could only be made
when the embankment was being constructed ; and as to
the Speaker's stables, the whole expense would be covered
by the vote. Mr. Dyce had assured him that he was going
on with his work as rapidly as the state of the wall on
which he was engaged would allow ; and as to the statues,
of the six which had been sanctioned four were distributed
between Messrs. Brown, Woolmer, Thernycroft, and
Monroe. The remainder would be given to other sculp-
tors.

Mr. TITE, as a member of the committee to whom had
been entrusted the investigation of the decay of the stone
of which the houses of Parliament were built, could state
that as yet the committee had been able to come to no con-
clusion upon the subject. It would seem, however, as if
the decay, after proceeding to a certain point, stopped.
Mr. CONINGHAM ridiculed the application of oil and
sulphur to stopping the decay of the stone.
Lord R. CECIL condemned the system of paying tho
artists employed about the decorations of the house in ad-
vance. He had no doubt that if Mr. Dyce had not been
paid in advance ho would have been done long ago.
The vote was then agreed to, the chairman reported pro-
gress, and the house resumed.

VICE ADMIRALTY COURTS BILL.
This bill passed through committee.
CAYMAN ISLANDS BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
ALKALI WORKS REGULATION BILL.

This bill was read a second time.
CORRUPT PRACTICES AT ELECTIONS BILL.
On the motion for the consideration of the Lords' amend-
ments,

Mr, HUNT moved that the house should disagree with

the Lords' amendment with reference to the clause throw-
ing the expense upon the boroughs.
Mr, VANCE seconded the motion.
The house divided. The numbers were—
For the amendment.
Against it
Majority --21
The amendment was therefore lost, and the Lords'
amendment was agreed to,

PORT ERIN HARBOUR (ISLE OF MAN):
This bill was read a second time.
AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE TREATY BILL.

On the second reading of this bill,

Lord PALMERSTON said it was but right to the
United States Government to point out why this bill had
been introduced. It was well known that for many years
the African slave trade was sheltered by the protection of
the American flag. Last year the United States Govern-
ment, in the handsomest manner, agreed to a treaty by
which that protection was to bo no longer given. (Hear.)
It was agreed by that treaty to give mutual right of search,
and constituting mixed tribunals for the trial of vessels
caught in the slave trade, and other means connected with
their adjudication. (Hear.) It was found that the extent
of the range to which these operations applied was not
sufficient, and this year the Government of the United
States agreed to a supplemental article which extends to
the neighbourhood of the Island of Madagascar the right of
search, which was confined in the first instance to the
narrower limits. It was but due to the liberality of the
United States Government to point out to the country c.nd
the house that the bill which passed last year as a matter of
form, and without attracting sufficiently the attention of
the country—it was but just to that Government which had
behaved in so liberal a manner, that a matter of so much
interest to this country as this second treaty should be
marked by some attention being paid to it by that house.
(dear, hear.)
After a few words from Mr. Cave, Mr. Coningham, Mr.
Buxton, Mr. Torrens, and Mr. Kinnaird, all of whom ex-
pressed gratification at the measure,

The bill was read a second time.
OFFENCES (SOUTH AFRICA) BILL.

This bill was re-committed, for the purpose of amend-
ment.

The New Zealand Boundaries and Courts of the Church
of Scotland Bills were read a third time and passed.
The Admiralty Court (Ireland) Bill was wtthdrawn.

TIIE EXHIBITION BUILDING.

Lord PALMERSTON gave notice that he should move
the vote in regard to the purchase of the Exhibition Build-
ing on Thursday week, instead of next Monday, as he first
intimated.

The house adjourned at twenty minutes to two o'clock.

ST. THOMAS'S HOSPITAL.

A public meeting was held yesterday evening at
the Bridge-house Hotel to consider the insufficient
provision now made to fulfil the objects of the
charity of St. Thomas's Hospital, the unnecessary
delay in fixing the site for the future hospital, and
the equal unreasonable desire on the part of some
of the governors to remove the hospital to a dis-
tance from the poor of the neighbourhood. The
chair was taken by Mr. John Locke, M.P., and
there were present Air. herdic., guardian and ves-
tryman of St. George's, Southwark ; Mr. Goddard,
vestryman of Lambeth ; Dr. Allen, Rector of St.
George's, Southwark; Dr. Evans, Dr. F. Jones,
vestryman of Christchurch; Mr. Freeman, guar-
dian of Camberwell ; Mr. Legge, member of the
Metropolitan Board of Works ; Mr. Vickars, Mr.
Newman, vestryman of St. Saviour's ; Mr.
Denny) vestryman of Camberwell; Mr. Park,
vestryman and Guardian of St. George's; and many
other inhabitants of the parishes surrounding the
locality in which the hospital has hitherto been es-
tablished>

The CHAIRMAN said the question to which the at-
tention of the meeting was about to be called had
been for two or three years befotrheethinehpabuibtlains ci Irotf
Was one of great Importance to
that densely populated district. It referred, as those
Present w ere aware, to the future site of St. Thomas's
Hospital. The rights claimed by the inhabitants of
Southwark, in regard to that hospital, were unde-
niable. The hon. gentleman then traced the his-
tory of St. Thomas's Hospital from the year 1213
down to the present day, and showed that by vari•
ous charters and grants the building and lands
called St. Thomas's Hospital were granted for the
benefit of the poor of Southwark. He considered
it right to enforce this point. In The Sun
newspaper the other day it was stated that it was a
strong point in the consideration of the question,
and that if it could be established, as he (Mr. Locke)
had no doubt it could, that the poor of Southwark
had a right to the benefit of the hospital, it would
very materially affect the question at issue. But,
setting aside the legal rights of the people of South-
wark, he would refer to their social claims. St.
Thomas's Hospital had hitherto existed amidst a
dense population—upwards of 190,000 in South-
wark, and, joined to the borough of Lambeth, not
less than half a million. It was obvious that no
portion of the metropolis was better entitled to
retain that establishment among them. By the
charter of Edward VI. the hospital belonged to
the people of Southwark, and there was no pre-
text whatever for removing it from them. In
looking into the records of the City of London he
found that as late as 1808 the Corporation upheld
its right and authority over the hospital ; but a dis-
pute had arisen between the governors of the hos-
pital and the corporation, and it was finally enacted
by the 22d of George 111., chap. 77, that 12 gover-
nors should be appointed by the city to assist in
the governing of the hospital. He would say with
regard to the question more immediately before the
meeting, that a short time ago, at a meeting of the
governors of the hospital, his friend Alderman
Lawrence came forward and boldly reversed a
decision of the Grand Committee, and by that
reversal it was decided that the Grand Committee
could not carry or take the Hospital of St.
Thomas out of Southwark unless they had the
sanction of the whole body of the governors. But
when they found that the whole body consisted
of 208, and that only 50 attended the meeting
at which Alderman Lawrence carried his motion,
it was quite obvious that unless the meeting he
was then addressing aroused the dormant feeling
that seemed to affect all that concerned St. Thomas's
Hospital, nothing would be done to advance the ob
ject they all desired to see accomplished. He
trusted that the people of Southwark would speak
out:and tell the Grand Committee, as it was called,
that they knew what their rights were, and that
they were determined to see them enforced. The
hospital had been taken down, and the question
was, where is it to be rebuilt ? It was for that
meeting, by their united voices, to decide that ques-
tion. It was for them to determine whether they
would assist those who wished to benefit the poor
inhabitants of Southwark, or whether they would
tamely submit to be overriden by the Governors of
St. Thomas's Hospital. (Cheers.)
Dr. RENDLE then moved the following resolu-
tion :

" That St. Thomas's Hospital, named in the
Charter of Ed ward The House of Poor People
in Southwark,' having been established in South-
wark now more than 300 years as 'a place and house
for poor people to be there relieved and maintained,
and having before its removal afforded relief an-
nually to upwards of 40,000 persons, mostly of the
immediate neighbourhood, suffering from illness
and accidents--it is the opinion of this meeting that
the hospital should be rebuilt upon a site as near as
possible to the poorer population of the neighbour-
hood in which it has always been, and to which it
has done so much good service; and that in no case
should it be rebuilt more distant from the old hos-
pital than the site now occupied by Bethlem, that
behind Newington Church, or that known as the
Surrey Gardens?'
He believed that if the Governors had been pleased
to do so, they might have kept St. Thomas's
Hospital in perfect safety. The railway company
did not wish to touch the hospital, and what-
ever little injury was done the company was quite
prepared to remedy. They offered to build new
wards if the Governors had wished to have them
erected; but since the hospital had been taken
down it was their duty to have it erected elsewhere.
He strongly advocated the site on which Bethlem
Hospital now stood. There was no excuse at all for
removing the building into the country. As to the
proposition for dividing the hospital into two, one
part in town and the other is the country, he hoped
that that would never be entertained. In referring
to the list of governors, Dr. Rendle observed that
the greater portion of the 208 governors of St.
Thomas's Hospital were merely honorary members,
and that the really governing body resolved itself
into the grand committee, which IVLIN controlled by
the officials, and he then referred to the opinion

formerly expressed by Mr. The against the removal
of the hospital from its present site, and asked why
that gentleman should aow be so strong an advocate
for the erection of the hospital elsewhere.
Mr. NEwmaN:seconded the resolution.
Mr. LEGGE suggested that the words "Surrey—
gardens" should be left out of the resolution. He,
indeed, did not approve suggesting any particular
site, as there were many other sites from which
they might make a choice. There were places in
the New Kent-road a few hundred yards from the
Elephant and Castle; but his anxiety was that the
hospital should be kept in the borough of South wark.
Mr. BRICKNELL said the Surrey-gardens was as
central a spot as could be found.
Mr. VICKERS complained of the great delay that
had been allowed to take place in the settling of this
question by the governors of St. Thomas's Hospital,
and said it became the duty of the people to bring
it to a close.

Dr. E. B. JONES observed there was no reason
why St. Thomas's Hospital should have been re-
moved'. The railway could have been made without
touching the building ; but he at the same time
approved the site of Bethlem for St. Thomas's Hos-
pital, which, under all the circumstances, he con-
sidered the best plan to be adopted.
Mr. FREEMAN strongly deprecated the removal
of the hospital any distance from the borough of
Southwark.

The resolution was then put and carried unani-
mously.

Dr. FREDERICK JONES MOVOd--

" That a deputation be appointed by this meeting
to join the Committee of Parishes for the purpose
of waiting upon the Governors of St. Thomas's Hos-
pital with a copy of the resolutions now passed, and
that the deputation be instructed respectfully, but
firmly, to request their most serious attention to the
subject, and also a second interview, as soon as con-
venient, for their decision. That, if it should be
deemed necessary, the deputation should also seek
an interview with the governors of Bethlem, and that
afterwards another public meeting should be called,
if in the opinion of the Committee of Parishes it
should appear desirable."
He mentioned some statistics, showing that before
the removal of the hospital there were 496 beds, and
that now there were only 207 beds. In May, 1862,
there were medical casesi admitted 66, surgical cases
23 ; but in May, 1863, there were only 16 medical
cases and 10 surgical cases. Applications for ad-
missions had been proportionally reduced. He
strongly supported the scheme for obtaining the
site of Bethlem Hospital.
Mr. M. GODDARD seconded the resolution,which
was unanimously adopted. _ _

A vote of thanks was then passed to Dr. Rendle
for the exertions he had made in carrying cat the
objects of the meeting, and a similar vote havinC
been carried to the chairman the meeting separated.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

..r._..,M,~...-_-----~

GLOUCESTER—MAY 30.
To-day there was a moderate supply of English wheat
from the farmers, which sold at the extreme prices of last
week. Foreign wheat in less demand, and the advance
on Russian wheat checked sales. Spring corn unchanged
in value.

COLCHESTER—MAY 30.
At this corn exchange to-day there was a small:show
of grain, with a firm trade. Prices at fully former rates.
Spring corn in small supply, but sales slow.
Wheat, white 46s 56s Beans, Mazagan..3os 330
red 42s 52s middle & small.3ss 42s
Barley —s —s Peas, white ...... 40s 423
Oats

THE ENGLISH AND RUSSIAN BANK
(Limited).
To be established under the Companies Act, 1862, for carry-
ing on business in Russia by virtue of an exclusive Conces-
sion granted by the Imperial Russian Government.
Capital £2,500 000, in 25,000 Shares of £IOO each,
With power to increase.
£5 per Share to be paid on Allotment.
BANKERS.

Messrs. Robarts, Lubbock, andOKERS. Co., 15, Lombard-street, T.C.
BR

Messrs. Ricardo, 11, Angel-court, Throgmorton-street, E.C.

SOLICITORS.

Messrs. Ashurst, Morris, and Knight, 6, Old Jewry, E.O.
This Bank will be established under an exclusive conces-
sion from the Imperial Russian Government (limiting the
liability of the shareholders), with permission to open estab-
lishments in such cities and towns throughout the Russian
Empire as the Court of Directors may deem proper.
This Bank will be the first established in the Russian Em-
pire on Eng.ish principles of banking. In fact, in the interior
of Russia, with the exception of Moscow, the e is virtually
no banking accommodation whatever; although, in order to
keep pace with the rapidly increasing production and com-
mercial development of the Russian Empire, banking facility
has become an absolute necessity.
The exports of Russia dur,ng the last thirty-five years
have trebled in amount and the average exports to England
alone, in the years 1800, 1861, and 1862, amounted to nearly
£14,000,000 sterling per annum.
The rate charged by the State Bank at the present moment
is Si per eent., and in the open m ,rket the best mercantile
paper cannot be discounted under 7 per cent. When the high
standing of the firms engaged in the Russian trade is borne
in m nd. it is evident that the St. Petersburgh trade alone
will yield a large profit to a well-regulated Bank; and when
it is remembered that in the interior interest rules (according
to districts) at from 8 to 15 per cent., it may fairly be assumed
that the prospects of this Bank are even better than those of
the London Joint-Stock Banks, of which the four principal
have, as is well known, paid Dividends of from 15 to 24 per
cent. per annum on their paid-up Capital.
The Court of Directors will be formed from the most in-
fluential of the shareholders in accordance with the terms of
the preliminary concession already obta ned. No payment
will be required nor liability incurred instil the Shares hive •
been duly allotted. . ,
In the meantime applications in the annexed form will be
received by the Brokers, Messrs. Ricardo, 11, Angel-court,
Throgmorton-street, E.C. ; and at the Temporary Offices of
the Company, 69, Lombard-street, E.C., at both of which
places the forms may be obtained.
GEORGE WARD CHALLIS, Secretary, ad int.
FORM OF APPLICATION FOR SHARES.

To the Directors of the English and Russian Bank (Limited).
Gentlemen,—l request yon to allot me shares in
the English and Russian Bank (Limited), and I hereby agree
to accept such shares, or any less number that may be allotted
to me, and I request you to place my name on the Register of
Shareholders in respect of the shares allotted me. on the
understanding that I come under no liability, for preliminary
expenses or otherwise, until the Court of Directors has been
formed and the shares duly allotted.

I am, Gentlemen, your obedient servant,
Name in full
Address in full
Reference
Date

THE LONDON AND LISBON CORK WOOD
COMPANY (LIMITED).

CAPITAL. £lO,OOO, IN 20,000 SHARES or £5 EACH.
Deposit on Application, 10s. per Share, and £2 on Allotment.
No further call except at Three Months' Notice.

Incorporated under the Companies' Act, 1862, by which the
liability of each Shareholder is limited to the

amount of his Shares.

DIRECTORS.

Sin HENRY J. LEEKE, K.H., M.P., Chairman,

London.
George Braginton, Esq., Director of the London and Pro-
vincial Marine Insurance Company, London
Thomas Cotterell, Esq., Director of the Bank of Ilindostan,
China, and Japan, London.
William Loeder, Esq., Messrs. Loeder, Knapp, & Co., Mer-
chants, New Broad-street, London.
Michael Rimington, Esq., Banker, Torrington, London.
Count de Peniche, Peer of Portugal, K.C,C.. &e., Member of
the Portuguese
Legislature, Lisbon.
Viscount de Montforte, Peer of Portugal, K.C.C., Member of
the Portftuese Legislature, Lisbon
Viscount da Praya, Peer of Portugal, K.C.C., Member of the
Portuguese Legislature, Lisbon.
C
Senr. MM. Couto. D'Alberga. Freyre, Counsellor toA.M.the King of Portugal, ex-Member of the Cortex, KC
. .Mll ,
K.T S., Managing Director in Portugal, Lisbon.
(With power to add to their Number.)
BANKERS.
Messrs. Barnett, Mares, and Co., 62, Lombard-street.
SOLICITORS.
Messrs. Lumley and Lumley, 2, Moorgate-street, Bank.
SECRETARY.
Samuel i ildfield, Esq.
BROKER.
Joseph Sebag, Esq., 12, Throgmorton-street, Bank.
AUDITORS.
Messrs. Johnstone, Cooper, Wintle and Co., 5, Lothbury.
OrricEs.
12, St. Genet's-place, Gracechurch-street.
This Company is formed under the highest auspices in Por-
tugal, to carry on the Cori Trade on a large scale, with
ad-
vantages that hitherto have never been combined.
The Directors have secured a large monot,° ly in supply for
terms of years, on Leases extending over
the largest and
most renowned Cork-producing districts. These Leases
grant the sole right to take Cork in 142 forests, some contain-
ing as many as 15,000 to 30,0' 0 Cork Trees, in the districts of
Alontemor, Evora, Arraiollos, Es remoz, Portel, Vianna, and
Fronteira, in the province of Alem-1 cjo.
The title and extent of these Leases have been ver fled by
an independent agent at Lisbon deputed by the Solicitors of
a London Bank.
The South-Eastern Railway of Portugal will place this
large district of Cork-producing country in immediate com-
munication with the Port of Lisbon. The It ilwav is open
to Vendee Novas, and is about to be opened to St. Jago, and
in the present year the Branch Lines to Evora and Beja will
also be completed.
The Directors have secured for 96 years ample land adjoin-
ing the Railway Junction at St. Jago, for the erection of
Warehouses and other necessary Buildings.
The Cork Trade is at present carried n through the in-
strumentality of the Algraveos, persons who, travelling frum
forest to forest,purchase on the ground parcels of
Cork,which,
at great labour and expense, they carry to Lisbon and ~they
places, where it is prepared for export. The nr these
purchases is usually borrowed by them at high ratesr of in-
terest, frequently at 20 to 30 per cent. thereby considerably
increasing the cost of the Cork by (his large item of ex p ruse.
The waste attending the preparation of the Corkfore the
market is about one-halt. The Company having lame dis-
tricts of Cork Forest, with a central depot at the Railway
Junction at St. Jago, and the establishments in the heart of
this Cora-producing country, already in full wort, at Azarula,
Igrejinha, Alcacovas, and Portel, will be enabled to effect a
large saving in the waste and transport alone, as the cost of
carrying Cork to the chief preparing and shipping ports, in a
rough state, adds very considerably to the first cost of the
Cork in the Forests, and the present large waste in prepar-
ing the Cork will be very greatly reduced in the amount.
The Forests secured by this Company now produce with
the inadequate and imperfTt means hitherto employed, the
estimated annual value of £12,500, in marketable Cork, as
established by the average shipments of the produce during
the last four years, and which it is calculated will be in-
created by the superior available means of the Company to
at least double the amount formerly obtained.
_ The demand I
and consumption of c<rk in England hincrased since the I
year 1848 three hundred per cent is still increasing far
beycnd the actual means of sup,p'lailh
Cu:l*ring a certain
basis for the profitable employmenl'of
of Raw Cork,
The Directors have secured last year'sPcrop
estimated at 1,100 tons, which is in preparation
therefore enabled to commence business at once, and llve
Sales of Cork which have already been e fleeted from the COW
about V.OO net,
patty's Stock, consisting of about 170 tons, have realised
in addition to which a cargo of 5o ton., ex
steamer Mavrocordatus, arrived at the London Docks on the
15th of May.
The Purchase Money for the whole of the Leases, together
with the Plant in Portugal, and
thewill last year's
exceedyear's X 30,000,
Of Cork, now preparing o
Of this £B,f 00 only
being
lr
market,less than the estimated value of
the Company's Plant and Cork in hand. will be paid for in
cash, the remainder is to be taken inSharescaoflis asthe Caollmoptahney,
half-Paid up, with the same liability for
Shares.
The Directors will submit the following statement for the
first year, with the greatest confidence in the result,
The prese t Crop willproduce in London,
n Mouths—. within Six
At least 500 tons of Cork, of an average value
of £3O per ton Gross
'i15,000 0 0
At a cost of—For Labour in Portugal,ooo 0 0
£3,
••Part Rent
Freight and Landing, 2,000 0 0
~ Rent, Salaries, &0.,. 1,100 0 0

6,500 0 0

Estimated Commission 0.500 0 0
on Consiernments expected by the
Company, say £1,500.
Equal to 16i per c:nt. upon the entire Capital about to be
called up.
The advantages posses-ed. by this Company
are-
1.
The exclusive right of taking Cork
overavast extent
of Country.
2. The co-operation of the Landed Proprietors, Members
of the Foreign Direction.
3. The present Crop of 500 tons, which is coming forward
°
from the Company's Forests (about 220 tonsfwhich
have already arrived in London and
elsewhere); and
at the first Public Sale of a part thereof, by Mr. T.
SIDNEY SMITH, of No. 42, Lombard-street, it realised
considerably m re than the Price stated by the Di-
rectors in the above Statement.
The chief management of the affairs of this Company will
be vested in the Directors in London, and subject to the fu lure control of the Shareholders.
The Foreign Directors have stipulated that not lees than
10,000 of the Shares (but including those raid on purchase ac-
cOunt)shall be offered for allotment to Subscribers in Portugal.
If no allotment be made the deposits will be returned in full.
Applications for Shares must be made in the Form annexed
to the Prospectus, end accompanied by a Banker's Draft or
Cheque upon a Banker, for a deposit of 10s. per share.
Prospectuses and Forms of Application for Shares may be
Obtained at the offices of the Company, also of the Solicitors
and Bcokere of the Comm'.