The Sun.
London, England, 1870-05-21 00:00:00

NAVY ESTIMATES.

In reply to an hon. member, Mr. CHILDERS said he pro
posed to go on with the navy estimates on Monday.
NEW NATIONAL GALLERY .

Mr. BERESFORD HOPE called attention to the delay
which had occurred in proceeding with the building of the
new National Gallery. The question of having a Na-
tional Gallery worthy of this country had been before the
public for thirty years. On a recent occasion the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer held out some bright hopes,
having stated that a large portion of land had been
bought, upon which sooner or later, and he hoped
sooner than later, the new building would be
erected. It was time that the long continued
disgrace of a national gallery not suited to the
pictures they had, still less the pictures they would have,
and still less suited to the character of this great nation
as a civilised, enlightened, and artistic country, should be
removed. A great institution like the National Gallery
could not be "tinkered " without bringing disgrace upon
the nation. He did not propose that they should
be lavish or extravagant in their outlay; but
just expend as much as the great necessity
of the case required. The hon. gentleman pointed
out that the building was peculiarly liable to fire.
Some parts were fire proof more or less ; but the roof was
wooden, and had been scorched and baked by the sun for
thirty or forty years, and was probably reduced to the
condition of touchwood. A spark from the great ugly
chimney close by would set it on fire. He concluded by
moving for the correspondence between her Majesty's Office
of Works and the architect of the New National Gallery in
continuation of the returns ordered by the House of Com-
mons in 1869, and the report of the architect to the First
Commissioner of Works.
Mr. W. H. GREGORY observed that the pictures were
huddled together in the most unseemly manner, and any
person acquainted with pictures knew perfectly well the
extremely bad effect which was produced by the exhibition
of works of art all thrust together. He hoped that the
building would be erected on the ground which they now
possessed, and which had been bought for the purpose.
He called attention to the fact that almost every other
country multiplied their galleries, and museums of art
and science, and pointed to the advance which France
and little Belgium were making in fancy articles in which
taste was involved, and which he really be-
lieved was produced by the citizens of those countries
being familiarised with objects of art.
Mr. ATRTON said that there would be no opposition to
the motion of the hon. member for the University of
Cambridge. At the same time he observed that the
First Commissioner of Works had no authority whatever
to embark in a great undertaking, but merely performed
the duty of fulfilling the instructions received from time
to time from her Majesty's Government. He briefly re-
viewed the leading circumstances connected with
the National Gallery, and alluded to various
grants which had been made by Parliament,
It was necessary that the Government and the House
should consider what demands were made upon the
public treasury for the construction of public buildings ;
and supposing they were all anxious for a new National
Gallery, they must consider which was of the greatesi
public necessity. At no period had the Govern-
ment been called upon to undertake such a
number of important public works as at the
present time. They were imperatively demanded
for the effective administration of public affairs. The
Government were not asleep as regarded institutions of
science and art, and he called attention to the work in
progress at South Kensington. The hon. member for the
University of Cambridge had referred to a statement
made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but his words
had reference to the British Museum. If they took a
reasonable view of the matter they would come to the
conclusion that the British Museum was more over-
crowded than the National Gallery. In the latter one
room was appriated to the exhibition of the pictures of
one artist, and he maintained that they were under no
ohligation to exhibit more than was enough to illus.
trate his paarticular style of art, If they wanted to
prevent fire, it would be wise to " clear out " those who
resided in the gallery. At the same time they guarded
against fire so much dreaded by the member for the Uni-
versity of Cambridge they would increase the accommoq
dation,

Lord J. MANNERS remarked that votes of money hs4
been granted readily by the Liberal Government for the
purpose of becoming the possessars of the land in question
for the specific purpose of constructing a new
gallery, and for the last few years the
House had been duped if these had been
no intention of doing so, In point of fact the right hon.
gentleman had told them that after all grants and inquiries
by Royal Commission and Select Committee, everything
was at sea again.

Mr. COWPER-TEMPLE thought the first Commissioner of
Works was the only man in the House who would be
willing to let the National Gallery remain with its pre-
sent limited accommodation, He thought it would be a
paltry saving to allow the gallery to remain in its present
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