The Sun.
London, England, 1853-08-24 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, AUGATST 24, 185 3.

THE NATIONAL GALLERY.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

(From the Times.)
. Among the lesser labours of the session of Par-
liament which has just terminated, the report of
the Select Committee to inquire into the manage-
ment of the National Gallery is one of the most
interesting results. That inquiry included the con-
stitution of the National Gallery under its present
anomalous and irresponsible form of government,
the management of the gallery as specially connected
with picture-cleaning, and the site on which new
galleries for the reception of our collections of
monumental antiquity and fine arts may most fitly
be erected. On all these subjects the committee
examined a large number of gentlemen, either
prof:assionally connected with the fine arts or well
k rAown for their experience and taste ; and, after
full deliberation, a definite answer has been given
to most of the questions raised in the course of the
inquiry.

PORTSMOUTH, AUG. 23.

The Stromboli, 6, paddle sloop, one of the advanced
steam squadron, was commissioned this morning by
Commander Robert Hall, and has been placed in the
south dock to have her bottom examined.
The Vesuvius, 6, Addle sloop, Commander Powell,
will be paid advance at Spithead to-morrow, preparatory
to sailing for South America.
The Nile, screw steam-packet, belonging to the Bri-
tish and Irish Company, which left Liverpool at half-
past 12 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, and arrived here
this afternoon, reports passing a fleet of steamers, sup-
posed to be the Royal squadron, which sailed from the
Isle of Wight on Sunday evening for Holyhead. The
Nile saw them all day on Monday ; a long low steamer
(the Fairy) was ahead with fore and aft sails set ; then
other steamers, followed by a 30-gun screw frigate (the
Tribune) with a low funnel, under fore and aft sail and
jib ; two paddle steamers, a barque and a brig, were in
the rear. At 6 o'clock yesterday evening the headmost
vessel was bearing away for the Tuskar Light, and the
stern steamer was some 12 or 14 miles north of the
Longships. The weather was perfectly calm.
The Ocean Queen, American liner, arrived here this
morning from the Thames, to embark passengers and
stores from Lloyd's agents at this port, the Messrs.
Garratt and Gibbon, after which she sails for New
York.

The National Gallery has, in fact, had up to this
time no regular constitution at all. The powers
and duties of the trustees and officers belonging to
the establishment have never been defined by rules.
The most important business has been conducted
in a haphazard manner. The gallery has had no
funds at its disposal except what it could obtain
from the occasional liberality of the Chancellor of
the Exchequer ; and the consequence of this ab-
sence of regular control has been, that whenever a
blunder is committed, which has not unfrequently
happened, it is impossible to lay the blame with
certainty on any single responsible agent. It was
never clear whether the keeper was to be considered
as the servant of the trustees or as their chief ad-
viser, though, by a Treasury minute of 1845, that
officer was expressly relieved from all responsibility
whatever in regard to the purchase of pictures.
But one result of this system has been that works
of art have been purchased without plan or method,
and sometimes with very indifferent judgment,
while at other times important opportunities have
slipped by without our deriving the advantage
from them which the country had a right to anti-
cinate.

Conflict, 8, screw, under the direction of Captain H.
H. Henderson, went again to the measured mile this
day. Sho has undergone several trials, with a view to
ascertain what advantage the centre boss would be, as
in Griffiths' propeller. The blades of the old screw
have been cut into various shapes, and on each occasion
a trial has taken place. The average, however, has
been about 9.5 knots per hour after about eight trials.
The last three trials have been—first, with the old
blade, and a boss or wooden ball added thereto ; the
second, with part of the boss and the corners of the old
blade cut off ; the third (that of to-day), the boss entirely
taken off, and the blades cut nearly square, a trifling
more vibration being perceptible.

- Min. Sec. Knots.
First run with tide 5 58 or 10.055
Second run against tide 7 6 or 8.450
Third run with tide 5 36 or 10.714
Fourth run against tide 7 39 or 7.843
Fifth run with tide 5 20 or 11.250
Sixth run against tide 8 6 or 7.407
Being a mean of 9.425 knots per hour.
A new iron propeller is casting at the factory, with
rather a coarser pitch, which will be ready in a few days,
when the Conflict will have another trial.
PORTSMOUTH DOCKYARD BATTALION.

The management of the gallery, especially with
reference to the cleaning of_ the
pictures, is a sub-
ject on which it might at least have been expected
that the best professional experience and judgment
would invariably have been exercised. But on this
part of the inquiry the committee soon found that
they had to deal with irreconcilable differences of
opinion, between witnesses who lay claim to equal
authority on the matter. It is unfortunate that the
OlbrdsolLe, the fervent love of admissible in society,
gentlemen who engage in discussions on these sub-
jects allow themselves a latitude and exaggeration
and,of
as
the language which
committee i s hardly
art kindles some personal animosity which is wholly
beside the question. There is, however, no doubt that
the great preponderance of opinion is adverse to
Mr. Seguier's operations, and the mere fact that
he actually cleaned nine pictures, some of them of
large size, in six weeks, warrants a strong belief
that they did not receive all the attention works of
such extreme value and interest required. Cuii-
ously enough, none of the trustees appear ever to
have ascertained what varnish was ever applied to
the pictures when cleaned, though that is a point
of the utmost importance to their effect and pre-
servation ; and it turned out that Mr. Seguier
employed a mixture of mastic varnish and linseed
oil, which he has since been instructed to abandon.
Hereafter no picture is to be cleaned without a
written report from the Director of the Gallery,
and a commission is then to be appointed to con-
sider the state of the picture and the nature of the
cleaning required.
To place the whole establishment on a more sa-
tisfactory footing, the committee recommend that
the management by a Board of Trustees be con-
tinued, but that the number of them be reduced ;
and that a Director of the Gallery be appointed,
with a salary of 1,0001. a-year, for a limited time,
on whose recommendation alone pictures should
be selected for purchase, and that such recom-
mendation be in writing. With these arrange-
ments, the Director will become primarily and
directly responsible to Parliament and the public
for the acts of the Board, and it is further
recommended that a fixed annual sum for the
purchase of pictures be placed at the disposal
of the trustees, who will then be ready to avail
themselves of every opportunity which occurs
in the market, within the limit of the funds in
their possession. If the director is only to be
appointed for five years at a time, the continuance
of his office will of course depend on the ability he
may have shown in it, and, though he will pro-
bably hold one of the most troublesome posts in
the country, he will certainly have the strongest
incentives to the performance of his duty.
These measures for the improved management
and extension of the national collection of pictures
must, however, still prove very inadequate to
satisfy the taste for art now awakened in this
country, unless they be accompanied by the erec-
tion of a public building suited to the reception of
the works of art we possess. The present National
Gallery is by universal assent wholly unfit for this
purpose, and, even if it were practicable to
rebuild a more extensive edifice on the same
site, it has been shown that the deterioration of
paintings exhibited in the densest portion of this
metropolis would be fatal to the very works
we are anxious to preserve. The committee
decided, by a majority of 10 votes to 1, that
the site of the present National Gallery is not
well adapted for the construction of a new gallery,
and they then proceeeded to consider the different
sites which have been proposed for the purpose.
These are five in number—three of them being in
different parts
of Kensington-gardens, which the
public would not willingly
see invaded by any new
'
building whatever • a fourth behind the Kensington
turnpike ; and, lastly, the estate at Kensington-
gore, already purchased bythe Commissioners of
the Great Exhibition,assisted by a vote from Par-
liament. The committee recommend the accept-
ance of this last-mentioned site for the National
Gallery, and they express a strong opinion that no
further time ought to be lost in setting about a
work of so much importance to the progress of the
arts in this country. Before, however, the plans
for such a building can fairly be considered, it must
be decided what this museum of art is to contain.
The committee, therefore, recommend that the
question of combining the various artistic and ar-
chaeological collections in the British Museum with
the National Gallery be referred to a Royal
commission, and, if the Government adopts this
opinion, there is no reason why such a commission
should not proceed to investigate this subject at
a very early period. It is certain that long before
the buildings of the British Museum were finished
they had become too small to contain the vast mis-
cellaneous collections which are now heaped to-
gether in that receptacle. Further space is abso-
lutely necessary to provide even for the reception
of the annual additions to the library; and the re-
moval of some considerable portion of these collec-
tions is the most obvious mode of giving effect and
increased utility to the whole. We do not, how-
ever, venture to prejudge the question of the for-
mation of a grand united museum of sculpture and
painting, which has as yet been but little considered
by the public, though Colonel Mure's committee
evidently favours this idea. But, whatever the
building may be which is to be erected on the site
designated for the National Gallery, it is evident
that its plan ought to include very large means of
subsequent addition and extension. We cannot,
in our generation, expect to erect and bring to per-
fection a gallery of art which shall at once rival
collections already formed abroad by centuries of
munificent patronage. But, in order to arrive at
some such result hereafter, we can at least lay a
broad and sound foundation, proceeding with the
work as far as our present means and collections
require, and leaving room for our posterity to com-
plete it. The time is happily arrived when it is
unnecessary to demonstrate that the improvement
of the taste of the nation, by extending to every
class the refined enjoyments of art, is the duty and
the interest of the Government, and that the
maintenance of these national institutions is a part
of the work of national education which can only
be obtained with the co-operation of the State.
The subjects considered by this committee are re-
garded gmbayartdvta
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isttthueedassnstdroofcintugbeeesstti
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in promoting that love of these ennobling pur-
suits, and that tolerant admiration of them,
which are the surest signs of a highly cultivated
people.

On the termination of the drills for the present season
the Colonel Commanding-in-Chief (Rear-Admiral Fan-
shawe, C. 8.) has just promulgated the following well-
earned order :

"Portsmouth Dockyard, August 19.
" The Admiral-Superintendent, as Colonel Commandant
of the Dockyard Brigade, avails himself of the earliest op-
portunity which has been afforded him on the conclusion
of the respective drills and practice for 1853, to express to
the officers and men generally the great satisfaction he has
derived from witnessing for the first time the performance
of the different battalions; on every occasion they have ap-
peared to be alike desirous of maintaining their previously
established character for zeal and attention.
" The manoeuvres of the infantry battalion having been
witnessed by the Major-General commanding the district,
he is enabled to add the opinion of an officer of his distin-
guished experience as to the steadiness and accuracy with
which they were performed, as well as to the appearance
of the corps, and of the proof it afforded that the unre-
mitting and able exertions of Adjutant Long and his
assistant sergeants had been well bestowed and duly ap-
preciated.
" The state of perfection to which the artillery battalion
has arrived is also most creditable to it, and the excellent
practice at the targets by the respective companies from
both battery and field guns proves how useful an auxiliary
it would be found if required for the defence of the town
and arsenal.

" The boat brigade has, if possible, added to its former
reputation for activity and steadiness, and the accuracy of
their fire from boats and batteries has again attracted much
attention. In the expression of his approbation he has
therefore to add his best thanks to Lieutenant-Colonels
Abethell (Master Shipwright of Portsmouth Dockyard)
and Davies (Master attendant of Clarence Yard), to Major
Edwards (Storekeeper of Portsmouth Dockyard), and to
the whole of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and
men under their orders, and his confident feeling that the
same spirit and order will be manifested by all who may be
permitted to assemble again on parade in 1854.
" ARTHUR FANSHAWE, Admiral-Superintendent."

PLYMOUTH, AUG. 23.
Her Majesty's ship Sybille, 40, Captain the Hon. C.
G. Elliot, sailed at 8 o'clock this morning for the East
Indies, to relieve the Fox frigate, which is ordered home
to be paid off. The Sybille takes out supernumeraries.
On leaving the sound she bore away to the eastward.
Wind, north-west.

Those officers and seamen of the screw steam-ship
Ajax, 58, who have been three years in commission will
be paid off on the Ist of September, and others appointed
in their place.

DEPTFORD, AUGUST 23.

The Right Hon. Sir James Graham. Bart., First Lord
of the Admiralty ; Rear-Admiral the Hon. Richard
Dundas, C. 8., and Captain Alexander Milne, Lords of
the Admiralty ; Captain Sir Baldwin Walker, K.C.8.,
Surveyor of the Navy ; Lieutenant-Colonel Greene,
Director of Engineering and Architectural Works •, and
Captain William A. B. Hamilton, R.N., Second Secre-
tary at the Admiralty, paid an official visit of.inspection
to Deptford Dock and Victualling-yards to-day.
Their Lordships arrived at the west-end entrance of
the Victualling-yard at half-past 10 o'clock a.m., and
immediately proceeded to the Captain-Superintendent's
offices, where they were received by Captain George B.
Martin, C. 8., Superintendent of the Victualling and
Dockyards ; Mr. E. J. P. Pearn, Master-Attendant ;
and Mr. John Breaks, Storekeeper. After remaining
about an hour in the Captain-Superintendent's offices to
inspect the books and vouchers of the various depart-
ments of the establishments, and the inventories of the
stores on hand, and other matters, their Lordships pro-
ceeded on their tour of inspection, and, after passing
over the rum stores, the men were mustered, and passed
through the Pay-office, that their Lordships might see
each person on the establishment individually. At the
conclusion of the muster of the men the Lords of the
Admiralty visited the medical storerooms, the wine,
sugar, soap, lemon-juice, and vinegar stores, going over
every part of them. They also visited the old brewing-
house, which has now been well lighted and ventilated,
and converted into a depot for sea-biscuit, which is kept
ready for use in casks. On entering the biscuit-baking
department they witnessed the whole process, and each
partook of a portion of the newly-baked biscuits. The
steam machinery for kneading, rolling, and stamping
the biscuits is capable, with three or four hands,
of making 16,8001 b. of biscuits per day, and,
were it necessary, on an emergency, to work
night and day, the machinery could make 40,0001 b.
of biscuits in 24 hours. Adjoining the bakery
are the flour mills, in which six pairs of stones have been
put up on a new patented principle, each pair of stones
being capable of grinding ten bushels of wheat per hour.
A very large room has been made into a depot for serving
out the clothing, blankets, and bedding used in the Royal
Navy, and it is so high in the roof and well ventilated
as to be admirably adapted for the preservation of the
articles from dampness, hot-air pipes being conducted
over every part of the building. Great improvements
were commenced in the Victualling-yard during the pe-
riod Captain (now Rear-Admiral) Hon. R. S. Dundas
was Superintendent, and Captain G. B. Martin is judi-
ciously following in the steps of his predecessor, and
much valuable property, which for a considerable period
has remained comparatively unused, is now so improved
and well arranged as to render it available to a very
great extent for naval stores and many other useful pur-
poses connected with the extension of the resources of
the Royal Navy.
At a quarter before two o'clock their lordships passed
from the Victualling into the Dock yard, where they
were attended by Mr. F. L. Mouchet, storekeeper ; Mr.
A. Couch, store-receiver; Surgeon William Bruce, M.D.;
and the heads of the various departments, and immedi-
ately proceeded to the Pay-office, at the east end of the
yard, to inspect the men of the dockyard, who were all
mustered for the occasion. When the inspection of the
men was completed, their lordships expressed their in-
tention of paying another visit to the dockyard, for the
purpose of inspecting it on a subsequent day, and then
again proceeded to the Victualling-yard, to complete their
inspection of it. After passing through the pork stores,
where improvements are to be effected, they ordered two
tierces of salt beef and one of salt pork to be opened, and
the entire contents of each to be emptied into separate
troughs, that they might minutely examine every portion
of the salt food kept in store for the use of her Majesty's
naval service. The beef and pork appeared in excellent
and well-keeping condition. On entering the coop-
erage department, the new saw mills for making staves
were inspected, and the various other branches of the
establishment, including the seasoning of tho casks when
completed and ready for use. At the west end of the
cooperage an extensive range of buildings is in s progressuhter
of being repaired and put in proper order .
n for
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commence
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and the navy on the spot, where
in October next. It
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ling-yard on their return to town.

THE STEAM SQUADRON.
The squadron under Commodore H. B. Martin are ex-
pected to put to sea to-day, for three weeks' cruise
across the Bay. The squadron will consist of—
The Duke of Wellington, 131, screw, Commodore
Henry Byam Martin, C.B.
The Agamemnon, 91, screw, Captain Sir Thomas
Maitland.
The Imperieuse, 51, screw, Captain Rundle B. Wat-

THE WAGES MOVEMENT.—A deputation of the men
employed by Messrs. Abbot, builders, Great Pulteney-
street, Golden-square, yesterday morning waited on
their employers, to request an advance of sixpence a
day. Messrs. Abbot courteously received the party,
and stated that they would be prepared to give an an-
swer in the course of two or three hours. About the
hour of five o'clock, the deputation waited on them
again for their answer, when Messrs. Abbot stated that
they would accede to the wishes of their workmen.
ENLARGEMENT OF THE GENERAL POST-OFFICE.—A
spacious and lofty room, extending from the vestibule to
the north-east angle of the General Post-office, has just
been completed. It is situate at the top of the building,
and is to be appropriated to the letter-carriers, for the
purpose of telling over the letters of their respective
walks. The letters, newspapers, and other correspond-
ence will be, as heretofore, sorted in districts, in the
lower rooms, and thence conveyed by the railway appa-
ratus to the letter-carriers' room, where each will re-
ceive those addressed to persons residing in his walk,
and will there be sorted in the most convenient manner
for delivery,

son.
The Arrogant, 47, screw, Captain S. G. Fremantle.
The Odin, 16, paddle, Captain Francis Scott.
The Desperate, 8, screw. Captain W. W. Chambers.
The Magicienne, 16, paddle, Captain Thomas Fisher.

the Jason and Amphion. He was made a commander
for that service ; but not being either a young Hyde,
or an old Hyde Parker, or even a Berkeley, he remained
a commander till he was forced into retirement, after
being 37 years on the active list.
Commander the Hon. A. R. Tumour (1851), on the
reserved half-pay list, died on the 20th instant, in as
66th year of his age. He was second son of the second
Earl of Winterton ; entered the navy in 1799, and
served 17 years afloat, all during the war, Ile was in
the Cwaar, with Sir James Saumarez, in his Algesiras
actions, and was constantly in active service on all
stations.

Commander James Howard Turner (1852), died at
Haslar Hospital, on the 20th inst., aged 58. He en-
tered the navy in 1811, was made a lieutenant in 1825,
and for eight years commanded the Falmouth packet
Ranger. His last service was command of the Merlin
steam-packet, in the Mediterranean.