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

FINE ARTS.

Mr. HAWES begged leave to ask the Right Hon.
Baronet (Sir Robert Peel) whether it was the intention
of her Majesty's Government to act upon the recom-
mendation of the Committee which sat last Session to
consider how the fine arts could be protected. That
recommendation was, that the investigation should be
further prosecuted by the preseet Parliament.
Sir It. 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.—(Hear.) He thought the Committe had conducted
the inquiry 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 the
Committee would be glad to receive, and manypoints of in-
quiry into which they would have entered if their labours
had not been prematurely terminated by the close of the
Assion. He should have no objection to the reappoint-
ment of that Committee on account of the manner in
which they conducted the inquiry, but as the labours
of the Committee could not be continued beyond
the sitting of Parliament, he thought a Commission
appointed by the Crown, without reference to party,
. would be the best means of carrying on the inquiry.
The building was intended for the accommodation of
both Houses of Parliament, and he thought that both
Houses should be represented in any body they ap-
pointed to make inquiries respecting it.—(Ll-ear,)
But Joint-Committees of both Houses were cumbrous
and inconvenient, and, besides, not easily resorted to.
He thought, therefore, that there would be an advantage
in a Commission appointed by the Crown, consisting of
Members of both Houses, and not confined to one party.
There would also be an advantage in making inquiries
respecting 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
Commission would not be terminated by the prorogation
of Parliament. This was a matter not at all connected
with party, ar.d the building. had formerly been part of
the ancient Palace of Westminster. Prince Albert had
expressed his willingness to form a part of such 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 Commission would be an
unpaid one.—(Hear, hear, and laughter.)
Biv FEEL thought that there were Members of
both Houses of Parliament who would willingly give
assistance from mere love of the fine arts--_,(Hear)—and
it would be necessary also to have the assistance
of persons not in Parliament, whose love of the fine arts
would be 4 stillicient inducement, without any pecuniary
recompense for Oleic sepvices,-.-7(1i0410
Mr, II4WES 110 only wished the public to he satis-
fied titat the eniiiinis§inn would not be expensive,
Sir R. PEEL wits happy to Inform the Hon, Member
or Lambeth and the public, that there was no prospect
of any remuneration being required.
T.erd SANDON moved for the following returns :
An'glo!Spanisl; Jegion—Date when the Legion was
disbanded ;' Copy of foe British and Spanish
Commission, -relat.i64- Clams of the British
*uejlliaq'''LegiOn in 'the' 'service' Copy
"9f15113,41,e.# PO,' guidance' .the' Commissioners ;
the date wh,e4 th 4 PenimiSsi9.ConnilenCed the reception
of claims the number of olnino sent in aid 4144icii,te4