The Sun.
London, England, 1841-10-01 00:00:00

FINE ARTS.

Mr. HAW begged leave to ask the Right 119 n.
Baronet (Sir Robert Peel) whether it was the iateption
of her Majesty's Government to act upon the irom-
inzndation of the Com:nittee which sat last Session to
eampider how the fine arts could be protected. That
recommendation was, that the investigation should be
further prosecuted by the present Parliament.
Sir R. PEEL had read with great interest the Report
of the Committee of last Session, and the very important
evidence taken before it—(Hear)--and he thought
that the opportunity afforded by the building of the new
Houses of Parliament for encouraging the fine arts ought
to be taken advantage of.--(Hear, hear.) It ought, at
least, to be considered whether or not the building might
be made conducive to the purpose of encouraging the
arts.—Gear.) He thought the Gommitte had conducted
the inqiiry in .a very satisfactory manner, and the result
of their labour would, at all events, be a very great as-
sistance to any future inquiry.—(Hear, hear.) He be-
lieved that there were many persons whose opinions ne
Committee would be glad to receive, and miinyinnts -of in,.
quiry into which they would have entered if. their 1a e
teours
had not been paematurely terminated. 1-4 the close of the
Session. Ho should have no objee:oon to the reappoint-
ment of that Committee on ':..ccount of the manner in
which they conducted tb-- inquiry, but as the labours
of the Committee ''."ould not be continued beyond
the,. sitting of
.Parliament, he thought a Commission
appointed by ',,tie Crown, without reference to party,
would be 4.,'ne best means of carrying on the inquiry.
The budding was intended for the accommodation of
both houses of Parliament, and he thought that both
Houses should be represented in any body they all-
-1 potnted. to make inquiries Welrecting it.—(iJear.)
But Joint-Committees of both Houses were cumbrous
and inconvenient, and, besides, not easily resorted to.
Hz thought. therefore, that there' would be an advantage
in a Omission appointed by the Crown, consisting of
Members of bqh Houses, mid not conined to one party.
There would also be an advantage in making inquiries
irespecting the progress of the Arts in other countries ;
which inquiries could be made more satisfactorily and
effectually under a Royal Commission than by a
Com-
mittee of both Houses, and, besides, the labours of a
C,9minivion would not be terminated by the prorogation
el Parliament. This was a matter not at all connected
with party, and the building had formerly been part' of
the ancient Palace of Westminster. Prince Albert had
expressed his willingness to form a part ()Ism+ Com-
mission—(Cheers)—and from the great talents and ac-
complishments of his Royal Highness, and his intimate
knowledge of every department of the fine arts, his
assistance would tend extremely to promote the useful-
ness of the Commission.—(Cheers.)

Mr. HAWES hoped the Cominission would be an
unpaid oue.—( Hear, hear, and laughter,)
Sir R. PEEL thought that there were Members or
both Housm of Parliament who would willingly give
assistance from mere love of the fine arts—(Hear)—and
it would be necessary a,:so to have the assistance
of perivms not in Parliament, whose love of the fine arts
would be a sufficient inducement, without any pecuniary
recompense for their services.—(Hear.)
Mr. HAWES had only wished the public to be satiz
fied that the Cotnznisiion ivould not be expensive.
Sir R. PEEL was happy to inform the 'Hon. Member
or Latnbeth 4nd the public, that there was no prosrect
of any remuneration being required.
Lord SANDON moved for the fUllowing.retupns
:
Anglo-Spanish Legion—Date when the Legion 'was
disbanded ; Copy of the mixed British and Spanish
Commission, relatintr to the' Claims of the British
Auxiliary Legion in the service of Spain Copy
of Rules for the guidance of the Commissioners ;
the date when the Commission commenced the reception
of claims ;
die number of claims sent in aled