The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-05 00:00:00

THE CRYPT.

Mr. NEWDEGATE asked the First Commissioner of
Works what sum had been expended upon the Crypt con-
nected with that house, under what heading of the esti-
mates that sum was voted, and to what use or purpose it
was intended to apply the Crypt as now embellished.
Mr. W. COWPER said the restoration of the crypt
formed a portion of the original contract for restoring the
houses of Parliament, entered into many years ago,
and the money that had been expended on
it had been paid out of the vote annually
taken to meet the expenses of rebuilding the Houses of
Parliament. There was one item, however, on which he
could give the hon. member some information, viz., the
decorative painting and gilding contract was £630. No
doubt hon. members were surprised at the smallness of
the cost, but then he must tell them that it cost a little
more than that sum in consequence of Mr. Crace being a
man of taste, and desirous of carrying out the work in the
best manner. As to the uses of the crypt, he thought the
house would agree with him that as there was now a great
taste for architecture it would be exceedingly useful and
desirable that one of the best specimens of the architecture
of the 13th century should be presented for contemplation
and instruction. (Hear, hear.) It was not intended to
turn it to the use it was made in the days of King Stephen,
but it had been thought it would be very convenient if
persons could attend public worship in it as the chapel of
the Palace at Westminster. (Hear, hear.)
THE BOROUGH FRANCHISE BILL.
Sir G. GREY said it would perhaps be convenient if he
now proposed that the debate on the Borough Franchise
Bill be fixed for Monday next, provided the resolutions
with respect to the Budget were disposed of that evening.
(Hear, hear.) It was highly desirable that a decision should
be taken on the bill one way or the other at the earliest
period of time.
Mr. BAINES expressed his approbation at the arrange-
ment.

THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
HER MAJESTY'S REPLY TO THE ADDRESS.
Lord PROBYN, Controller of her Majesty's Household,
brought up her Majesty's answer to the address voted by
the house on Monday last. [Her Majesty's answer was
much the same as that in the Lords' report.]
THE BUDGET.—THE TEA DITTIES.

The house then went into committee of ways and means

for the purpose of considering the proposals of the Chan.
cellor of the ExchNuer.
Mr. MOFFATT rose and moved the amendment of th.o
resolution relative to the tea duties by omitting the words
" 6th of May," and inserting the words "Ist day of June."
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER defended,
the course he had pursued, but said he would not oppe,a,
that which appeared to be the general desire of the house.
He therefore, as the tea duties would expire on the Ist
of August, would agree to the date being struck
out altogether, and then he should not object to
the hon. member moving a resolution making the day
for the new duties coming into effect on the first of June,
because the reasons could then be stated which led to a
departure from the general principle.
The amendment on that understanding was then wit', ..
drawn.