The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-08 00:00:00

1,400,000 square miles,or in other words of upwards
of 896,000,000 acres—,.a good part of the soil of
which is wonderfully fertile, bearing wheat and
other cereal crops in abundance—ought assuredly,
for the national good, for the general advantage
even of mankind, to be turned to a little better
account than the comparatively poor and humble
account to which we have hitherto turned it.

The resolution moved by Mr. COCHRANE last
evening appears on the whole to be an advisable
one. The terms were as follow :—" That the large
sums annually voted for public buildings and im-
provements in the metropolis are not expended in a
satisfactory manner, and that with a view to the
efficiency of the Office of Works, it should be consti-
tuted on a different basis." Mr. COCHRANE explained
that his object was that the Government might con-
sider the subject during the recess, so that arrange-
ments might be made which would enable the
Office of Works more adequately to carry out the
requirements of the public service. The hon. gen-
tleman truly said that he thought theftaectioe asfwtheiar
having had so many discussions on this topic
reason why the resolution should be moved.
not the fault of that House that the architecture It
w ao
sf
the country was so indifferent,tified their marked disapproval
inhdyetehdetihrevyetheaedf ttehse-
of Commons,
the House
other night. The country
inawsmasucmhuacsh thinedsetbrtuecdturteo
the country. Instea
at South Kensington wdasefnhg "a joy fe
oteiteorem aionadr visegrearc;
to
Mfaru.l
tCyoacrEtr
arrange-
merits ! e
i t
ewn ot uel
nd htea veer
ibt
ieeeina e aant i
lnecnughtuhs .t
the
a
w
Merits at present in vogue. He thought many in-
consistencies accrue from the First Commissioner
being constantly changed, the average term of office
by that individual being seldom more than two
years. The consequence was each new official de-
ranged the plans, and overthrew what had been
done by their predecessors. He blamed no particu-
lar commissioner, bat what he blamed was the sys.
tem. He then enumerated some of the vast sums
voted for different purposes, which seemed never
applied in a right form. So much as LBO,OOO had
been voted for putting a floating light on the Little
Bass's Rock, Ceylon, which was a reckless and
extraordinary proceeding. •He then referred to a
remark made by the noble lord at the head of the
Government—" Our streets are narrow, our open
spaces seem small, our public buildings not
showy. What is the reason of the inferiority of
this city as compared with other first-rate towns in
regard to the condition of the space occupied and
the character of the buildings ?" The noble lord
had argued that the inferiority was attributable to
the Board of Works. Mr. GLADSTONE had also
said that for a long time it had been observed, and
with rare unanimity, that every possible evil of
vacillation, uncertainty, delay, and expense, and
many others, attended our method of management
of these great questions of public works. The hon.
member concluded his impressive speech with the
following words—" Was this state of things to go
on for ever ? Perhaps the house was not aware of
the amount of money which was spent on these
public works with such unsatisfactory results.
Since 1848 no less than £2,273,000 had been ex-
pended in that way, and all they got for the money
were the Brampton boilers,' the National Gallery,
and the additions to the British Museum. The
hon member for Finsbury had proposed that the
First Commissioner should, as in France, be sur-
rounded by a body of practical advisers. Had such
a system been in operation he did not believe that
the scene of Thursday last would have been possible.
Either the council would have appreciated the
objections to the buildings, or they would have
recommended :he purchase with such authority
that it would have been at once agreed to." Mr.
COWPER, of course, was at some pains to do awa y
with the impression made by Mr. COCHRANE'S
speech, but be did not succeed very well. He denied
that the department of the Office of Works was
responsible for the public buildings referred
to by Mr. COCHRANE. The question that naturally
suggests itself to the mind on hearing this state-
ment is, of what use is that establishment at all;
and ought it not to be responsible ? He considered
that the office ought to be increased in authority
instead of being diminished, and he thought that a
great part of the faults complained of in regard to
public buildings was owing to the Government not
having sufficient authority. This is quite absurd,
because the Government of the day can always
control these matters at the outset, and when Mr.
COWPER referred to the nostrums of gentlemen who
thought they knew better than their neighbours,
he had better have looked at home, among his
friends and coadjutors, who glory in the erection of
frightful buildings, and appear to think all archi-
tectural objects are satisfied provided large sums of
money are spent in their construction. It is a pity
that some redeeming point should not appear in the
history of this wasted session. The House might
have, at least, agreed to a resolution which urged
the Government to reconsider its ways and to
amend its faults and imperfect arrangements. Mr.
CowPER has had his way, but it ought not really
to be matter of rejoicing to him or any of his col-
leagues that more immunity is accorded to them to
deface the metropolis of the world with hideous
structures, and to lavish sums that might rebuild
ruined cities or works that no continental capital
would allow to remain a day to disgrace their na-
tional taste, and to be a scandal to their reputation
as critics
a
of the excellent admirers of the beautiful
and architecture.
sculpturein

It is highly satisfactory to all who have taken
part in forwarding the Public Works (Manufac-
turing Districts) Bill, to find so eminent an autho-
rity as the Earl of DEBBY raising his voice in its
favour. Few men have had more opportunity than
the noble earl of arriving at sound and just con-
clusions with respect to the extent and the character
of the Lancashire distress. His position in the
county, and long residence among them, must have
familiarised him long ago to the peculiarities of the
quick-witted " hands" of the neighbouring dis
tricts ; while the liberality, the energy, and the
readiness which he has displayed on their behalf
since the first signs of
general distress, have set a
noble example to his compeers. One of the first
who assembled in deliberation at Bridge water
House, he was speedily elected by his associates to
fill the vacancy unexpectedly caused by the death
of their noble chairman, and since he has assumed
the presidency of this important and powerful
organisation he has allowed no claims to interfere
with his fulfilment of its onerous and laborious
duties, The large subscriptions -which he has added
to the coffers of the Relief Fund have been less re-
markable gifts, than the time, thought, and labour
he has so readily accorded. His efforts in the cause
have been universally appreciated and respected,
awl the expression of his opinion in any matter
connected with the Lancashire distress carries with
it very great weight. It is, therefore, satisfactory
to find the noble earl expressing his decided ap.
proval of the measure introduced by Mr. VILLIERS,
and remarking that he considered it to be founded
upon reasonable principles, and calculated to give
considerable relief to the manufacturing districts.
Lord DERBY then proceeded to give some particu-
lars respecting the present conditio a of the relief
fund. He remarked that he belie ,ed the extent