The Sun.
London, England, 1856-04-22 00:00:00

•
shipowners in Liverpool, praying for the repearof the
lAMEN T• pot tioneof the Mercantile-Marine Act which makes it
imperative to ship and pay off crews at the Government
shipping office.
Mr. WYNDHAM presented fsur petitions from Sus,
sex against 'he admission of Jews into Parliament.
Mr. MURROUGH presented a petition from the
Turners' Company against the City of London Corpora-
tion Bill.
Mr. sIILNES presented a petition from the married
women of Wakefield, in favour 'of an alteration of the
law affeetieg- the property of married women.
DAY OF THANKSGIVING.
In answer to the question of an Hon. Member,
Sir G. GREY said the question was rather prema-
ture. It was not usual to appoint a day of thanksgiving
until after the ratifications of peace, and these ratifica-
tions had not yet been received.
THE FIREWORKS TO CELEBRATE PEACE.
Mr. L. VERNON asked whether the fireworks would
be charged to the estimates this year, or whether a
special vote would be taken for the subject ? (Laughter.)
Mr. MONSELL said no estimate for the fireworks
would be taken thiseyear. - (Hear, hear.) Captain
Boxer had certainly received 3rders to manufacture a
quantity of fireworks at Woolwich, and the erections
now going on in the parks was certainly being carried
on under his superintendence. The reason that the Chief
Commissioner of Works was not carrying out these
arrangements was that the hon. baronet had represented
to Lord Panmure that such duties would interfere with
other important works, and Lord Pentium had directed
Capt. Boxer to superintend- the works.
Mr. ROEBUCK--By whose authority are the ar-
rangements for these fireworks being carried out?
(Laughter, and loud cries of "Hear hear.")
Mr. MONSELL—Bv the Secretary of State. •
•- • Mr.-ROEBUCK--What Secretary of State? (Loud
laughter )
Mr. MONSELL—The Secretary of State for the War
Department. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. ROEBUCK begged to ask the Chancellor of the
Exchequer whether he had been consulted as to the ex
penses of these squib's and crackers—(loud laughter)—and
whether he ehought it was proper to put such a charge
in 'he civil contineencies? (Loud laughter.)
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
that he had been consulted, and he was guided by the
course that was adopted at the last celebration of peace.
(Loud laughter.) The cost he thought would not exceed.
8,0001 , and he thought it was a proper one to charge to
the civil contingencies. •
Lord J. MANNERS wished to ask whether these de-
monstrations were to take place immediately on receiv-
ing the ratifications of the peace, or whether they were
to be postponed till after the House of C immons had
expres.ed its opinion on the treaty of peace ? (Laughter.)
Sir G. GREY said it was usual, on the conclusion of
an honourable peace, to have those demonstrations. The
hon. member would find that, on the occasion of the
Treaty of Amiens, the demonstrations took place on the
very day peace was proclaimed. If these demon-
strations were postponed till after the ratification
the 'people would be disappointed. (Laughter.) Fire-
wOrks would be discharged in the Green-park, Hyde-
park, and Victoria-park.
Mr. BRADY wished t I know whether there was to
e any disnlav ? (Loud laughter.)
Sir G. GREY must refer the hon. member to the
Lord-Lieutenant. (Laughter.)
Col. KNOX asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer
when be would lay upon the table of the house an esti-
mate of the probable cost of the contemplated fireworks
and buildings now in course of erection in the
several parks of the metropolis, and of any other
expenditure contemplated on the occasion of peace.
He thought these rejoicings for peace were premature,
the country not being aware of the nature of the
terms of peace. The feeling out of doors was that the
people would soon be called upon by the tax-gatherer to
pay for the Frenchman's peace. Great mischief must, re-
sult to the parks and the trees from so many persons
being congregated at night in the park.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
could only repeat what he had already stated, on this
subject. The Government believed they were justified
in the course proposed. It was not the intention of
the Government to lay an estimate of the expenses before
the hone, 'hut defray it out of the sums annually placed
at the disposition of the Executive Government for the
payment of extraordinary charges.
After some remarks from Lord J. MANNERS, who
said that neither the house nor the people were prepared
to welcome theepeace that had been male,
Sir G. GREY said that this celebration of the peace
would not prevent hon. gentlemen from dissenting
afterwards front the terms of peace, make war again upon
Russia, or impeach Ministers.
In to a qaestion,
Sir G. GREY said that no fairs would be held in the
parks.
DUNCOMBE asked when peace was to be pro-
claimed, and th it if the proposed rejoicings were to
take place how long they were to continue ? Public
rumour said they were to last from three days to a week.
The public ((inked upon these rejoicings with apathy and
enntempt—(hear, hear) —the feeling in this war being
that if energy and vigilance had been exercised no war
would have taken place, and that when it was by the
Aberdeen Government it was with great insincerity, and
had been Conducted with incliffrence and cruelty. The
neopienlse believed that by the diplomacy and intrigue
of Austria, Russia bad obtained by these means
what her arms could not achieve in the field
Nothing had been done to restore the n ttionalities of
Europe, but, on the contrary, to sink them lower, and
the people of England therefore considered they had
nothing to rejoice at. (Hear.)
Mr. BENTINCK said the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer had mistaken the purport of the question that had
been put to him, viz., that the eonntry should not be
called on to rejoice at a peace of the details of which
they were in ignorance. It would have been
better to have 'deferred those rejoicings until after the
details were known to the country.
The subject then dropped.
THE NAVAL REVIEW.
Mr. STANLEY called attention to the accommoda
tion that had been provided for the members of the house
to view the naval review in comparison with tbat pro-
vided for the Government departments.
Sir C. WOOD said that the ratifications of peace could
not be received for three weeks. The Government had
no knowledge or intention of having three days' rejoicing
for peace, bdt only fireworks, at a -time when
the people had left work, and they would not last
probably longer than three, hours; With regard
to the accommodation provided for the meinbers of the
House of Commons to • view' the naval review, ample.
provision had been made to accommedate every mem-
ber of the house. There need be no apprehension as to
the personal safety of bon. members, although the
Perseverance had been selected for the particular service.
Mr..GROGAN hoped the Under Secretary for Ire-
land would take a note of what had occurred in the house
with reference to the rejoicing., and call the Lord-Lieu-
tenant's attention to it, that the people of Ireland might
have a night's enjeyrrel% The same privilege ought to
be extended to Scotland,
'Mr. HORS NUN Raid' if justice to Ireland required it
he thought that the Dublin members were remiss in not
calling the attention of the Lord-Lieutenant to it (Cries
of "nh, oh.")
LONDON CORPORATION REFORM BILL.
, Lord J. RUSSELL asked the Home Secretary when
the London Corporation Reform Bill would be pro-
..
cee led, with.
Sir G. GREY said there was no chance of its being
pr needed: with this evening, and he must post Pone it
till Friday week, the next Government day on which he
could brine it on. It would not come on for considera-
tion before that day, and if he foiled it could not be
proceeded with he would eive due notice to the house.
THE NAVAL REVIEW.
Mr. M. CHAMBERS asked what provision bad been
made for the artisans of the dockyard who bad been en-
gaged in constrnoting portions of the fleet ?
Sir C. WOOD—Certain accommodation has been
made. •

HOUSE OF LORDS—(YES DAY).
the LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat an the woolsack
at five o'clock.

THE NAVAL REVIEW.
The Earl of MALMESBURY begged to draw the
attention of the noble and learned lord on, the woolsack to
a complaint which had been made by certain Irish peers,
not members of that house, that they were .not included
in the acooinmodatiori provided fur their lordships for
the purpose of witnessing the review. He wished to
know whether those Irish Peers would not have tickets
issued to them ?
• Lord CAMPBELL hoped the same privilege would
be extended to the Scotch Peers.
The Lord CHANCELLOR said he would use his
best endeavour to have both the Irish and Scotch peers
accommodated on the occasion.
- ADJOURNAENT OF 'rah: HOUSE.
On the motion of Eirl GRANVILLE it was agreed
that the house at its rising adjourn till Thursday.
The,Marquis of CLA.NRIOARDE presented a peti-
tion is favour of marriage with a deceased wife's sister.
The noble marquis took occasion to express his entire
satisfaction that her Majesty's Government had not
• adopted the recommendation of the committee of the
- House of Commons to remove the column of the Duke
of York on Carlton:terrace, and making a road into St.
James's-park.
After a brief conversation the subject dropped.
A. great many 'petitions were presented azainst the.
Church Discipline Act by the Duke of Newcastle,
Lord'Lyttelton, the Arch bish ip of Canterbury, the Earl
of Carnarvon, Lord Redesdale, and several other noble
peers.

- Petitions were also presented against the Oath of
Abjuration Bill, and against the abolition of Church
rates.
On the inotiou. of Lord REDESDAL g, the Hasling-
den and Rawtenstall Water Bill, and the Southport
Wa-er Bill were severally read a second time.
The Lambeth Water Bill was read a third time and
passed.

THE INDIAN CURRENCY.
The Earl of ALBEMARLE presented a petition
from the European, the Chinese, and other Asiatic
mercbante of Singapore, remonstrating against the
. introduction by the Government of India of a novel and
bighly in-convenient currency instead of a long esta-
blished, convenient, and satisfactory one ; thereby
throwing confusion into the commerce of that and the
associated British settlements in the Straits of Malacca-
The-noble earl thennereferred to the currency of Singa-
, pere, which was on the decimal system, and was of a
moat perfect kind. Its imports and exports
amounted to seven millions sterling. There was no
land tax, no torture, and no moturpha, and, therefore,
it contrasted most favourably with the continent
of
India. The currency affairs of Singapore were in most
admirable order until the Government introduced its
barbarous metallic currency, and interfered most
unwarrantably with the- commercial operations of
tha colony. The noble earl then went into the
details to show the inferiority of the currency about to
be forced upon the inhabitant,' of Singapore.
Earl GRANVILLE explained that the Spanish cur-
rency which had prevailed in that colony was not a
legal tender, and the officers of the Government were
paid their salaries in Indian rupees.
CHURCH DISCIPLINE BILL.
The LORD CEANCELEOR, in moving the second
reading of the Church Discipline Bill, denominated it as
the third and concluding portion of his measures for in-
troducing uniform practice into our Ecclesiastical Courts,
which exercised authority in granting probates and de-
termining the validity of wills—in matrimonial disputes
se-and, finally, in matters purely ecclesiastical. The
bills for the first two purposes had not passed, and an
objection had been urged against their being brought
forward without this final and conclusive measure. There-
- fore the present bill was introduced. There were at
presentnot only the courts diocesan and provincial, but
300 smaller courts scattered over the kingdom. Until
the reign of George IV:, the course of proceeding had
been an appeal from the courts to the archbishop, and
from the archbishop to the King--or rather, as late as
Henry VIII.'s time, to the Pope. The appeal, alter
that date, lay to the King in Chancery - in fact, to cer-
tain delegates appointed by the Lord Chancellor.' Tors
bad been altered in 1840 by empowering a bishop to
issue a commission of inquire,- consisting of five persons,
whose business it was to ascertain the validity of the
charges preferreet,'And .report accordingly. Then the
matter dropped or inquiry followed, as the case might
be, by the bishop and three assessors, from whose judg-
ment there was an appeal to the Privy Council. The
cumbrous forms and delays, and expease- of those pro-
ceedings, had been found intolerable ; hence the present
hill. It had been submitted to the Archbishop of Can-
terbury, and by his grace to the clergy. But it did not
meet with the,r approbation, and the Bishop of London
had resuscitated a former few proposed by himself in
1817 S It was comelamed by the bishops of the Go-
vernment bill net it would take the power from the
bishop and give it to the archbishops, from whom it
would pass te the Crown, and they desired a court of
appeal such as had been submitted to Convocation.
His lordship then entered into details as to his objec-
tions to the jurisdiction of the bishop, and pointed
out that the chancellor of a diocese was not in general a
fit person to try such questions as would come before
these ecclesiastical tribunals. The questions that must
occur were really not, of doctrine, but of fact, not of
opinion, but of uniformity in the canons, articles,
and other ecclesiastical laymen, not ecc'esiastics,
must decide. The GJverninent bill provided that a
c enpetent a-Isessor or judge should sit with, the
bishop. Two chancellors were to sit for England, and
two for Ireland, the four being appointed by the Arch;
bishops of England arid Ireland, and the Bishop of Lon-
don. They were to have salaries varying from 5,0001.
to 2,0001. per annum. In cases of disputes as to doc-
trine, the bishop of the diocelse was to sit with them,
bat in matters of fact, he might delegate to the Chan-
cellor, who in such cases was to suann in a jury of four
persons, not clergymen, as in the Bishop of London's
b;11, but selected from the roll of special jurors. The
Committee of Privy C 'until, as now, was to cocst.tute
tha-Court of Appeal, with some addition to meet the
case of Ireland. Tao object of the bill was to render
proceedings cheap and expeditious, and he was sorry
that in such an attempt he could not hope for The sup-
port-of the bench of.bi hops.
the Archbishop of CANTERBURY compleined that
the Lord Chancellor should introduce such a bill with-
out consulting those who were eo greatly affected by its
provisions. He moved the bill be read a second time
that day six months.
The Bishop of DERRY spoke in-support of the bill,
and expressed the opinion of the Irish bishopS and arch-
bishops in its favour.
Tice B;sh3p of EXErER did not object to the prin-
ciple of A final appeal. for the United Church of England
and Ireland, but entertained objections to the bill.- tie
would not, corisent to withdraw all authority from
the bishops, and vest it in the archbishops ; rather than
do that he would -withdraw from communion with the
Irish Churc'i, whose bishops were so ready to give up
the sanctity and divine right of episcopacy. The Go-
vei nment ha .I unCourteously favoured the Irish bishops
with an examination of the bill, while from the English
bishops it Lad been studiously withheld. Why give such
power to the archbishop,?: It would produce great bitter-
neeSS Toe archbishop was an institute of the Church ;
the bishop rested on the word of God itself. There was
good reason fur not giving extraordinary power to an
archbishop in this country. They were perfectly irre-
sponsible, and could not be restrained if they were even
to teach atheism. This he said not as of offence to the
archbishops, but to show the house that.they should be-
sitate'in empowering the archbish fps with authority to
trample Mr the bishops. He bad been promised that
the power's of the bishops should be preserved, but he
fouud this objectionable clause introduced durine his
abeence from Lon ion. He called
,the
attention of the
house to the 10th clatters whieli authorised the Church
to-commit for conteMpt' a privilege which the Church
had at all times declined to ex, rcisee and refused to re-
ceive:- His lordship then went through the various
clauses of the bill, discuseing them seriatim. He de-
clared thee the removal of the authority of the bishops
would be a fatal blow to the'Church. The central re-'
pistry was-another matter of difficulty and inconverrience.
He dissented from the arrangement and_ amount of tne
respeetivesaliiiies of the secretaries and officers. The
bill was so constructed that it could never be put into
practice. Ile should give it his-decided oppositi ,n.
The Bishop of BANGOR spoke, but -was not b ard,
againiethe hilt, except that he denounced it-as- "an abo-
minable job."
Thu Earl of FIARROWBY dfended the bill, and
stated that the clauses now objec'ed to by the Bishop of
Exeter were introduced to meet his objection last year to
the want of such clauses in a former bill. The bishop
wished to get rid of the supremacy of the Crown by a
side-wind. He trusted their lordships would not perm it
this. The Objections the bill were rather in d
„.
than leenriticiple, and Therefore should be considerede"liCii committee.

Mr. MA.LINS, before the Speaker put the motion
for the' adjosurnan.rit Of the bruise, called the attention
~01 the house to the charge made by the Clerk of the
Oionat.ce a,ain.t Messrk. Griseell of having iaserted
pieces 'of iron in the mortars made by them, in ()Her that
trio flioVe3 in the materials they bad ueed might escape
observation. The'bon. and barned gentleman said that
the Government bei press() t for tn,rtars, Messrs.
Grissell underto,}k to riihnufacture eight mortars
'if five tons e,ch at 241. per ton, . aid proceeded.
t) detail bow the contractors had acted in order to pro-
duce the hest article that possibly could be manufac-
tured. The boles which had been plugged were made
purposely in the process of .manufacture, and did not
arse from any flaw in the metal, nor were t'=e plugs
ineerted for the purpose of concealment. He com-
plained of the conduct of the Government in making
such serious charges against respectable men without
giving them ae opp,,rtunity of explanation.
Mr. MONSELL said that the boles which were
pingged up were, in the opinion of the officers of
the ordnance, serious and grievous defects in the
Workmanship. He believed he-
.had made a mistake
in saying that the material was' defective ; but thin
he did say, and all who knew . anything of ord-
nance knew, that a bole in the breach of a mortar
was a most serious defect, and much more dangerous
thud a 'bore on the face. He complained that when the
flag was discovered in- one mortar and complained of
Messrs. Grissell did not explain that the same defect ex•
isted in the other three.
Mr. G. DUNDAS defended the conduct of Messrs.
Grissell, and explained at some length how the holes in
gatentthleerne
the 'nor are occurref).
c mndpbiayullitont.h •
miLe
_?.rd LOVAINE protested against the course pur•
inor thatwork
of
fh otthsee.
Government
vwerans
ma
ecommon
s
managed in the mot extravagant manner; that in the
contracts fpr the army, navy,
and Ordnance the Go-
vernment were constantly cheated. And yet no sooner
was a contractor detected sending •inferior
. . work to the
Government, when up started hon. gentlemen protesting
that there wag not &slur noon their honour, and com-
p loining that the inspectors were unnecessarily particular.
He, for one, would be no party to such conduct.
Colonel I3OLDERO acquitted , the s contractors of
fraud, but he could not acquit them of culpable negli•
gence.
Mr. Eveljn, Mr. Alderman Cubitt, Sir John Peking,
ton, and Mr. Tite, bore testimony to the high character
of- the Messrs. Grissell, and acquitted them of all inten-
tional fraud.
The motion for the adjournment of the house to Thurs-
day was then agreed to.

Toe Earl of DERBY said this was no Party question.
He hail come there earnest to listen to argument and
learn the truth. His impression had been to support
Via Church discipline, as now administeredwm
not satisfacory. The bishops were called upon
to
erxerci43 their' authority, but they had no power to carry
it into'effect. • After listening to the Chancellor on one
side, and 'the' Bisl:op of Exeter on the other, be bad
blade rip Ida -mind that there was no use in discussing
the bill. It could not pass through a committee. The
expenses, as suggested by the Bishop of Exeter, were
enormous, and would create a deficiency of 24,000 to be
roa.ie good.
~11,3 would not consent to the bill.
The Bishop of CASHEL supported the second read-
ing.

The Bishop of OXFORD said that, without imputing
motives to these who supported this measure, he must
not lay.itate to express his opposition. The spirit of the
bill rwas subversive of the Church of England. The so-
pre-macy of the bishop in his own diocese was a part of
tk,e Christian practice. The bill was objectionable in
practice as in principle. It could tot be remodelled—
it must be rejected.
After a few words of explanation from the LORD
CiLusratrton, their lordships decided—
For the amendment
Against it 33
Majority
Their Lordships then adjourned.

HO USE OF COMMONS. —(TESTERDAY.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at the usual hour.
NEW MEMBER.
Captain HANDCOCK took the oaths and his seat for
Athlone:

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS.
On the order f.r g.iing committee of supply,
Sir F. BARING ailed a'Aention to the subject of
public accounts, complaining of the manner in which
they were made U. The system which was adopted

PETITIONS.
RORSFALL presented a petition frora certain

s!io,Actconsiderbte balances, which, be feared, did not
exi=t

Mr. WILSON, after referring to the:mode adopted by
Mr. tiladAtone in a bill which he submitted while in
office, said there h'ad been no changes in the_ plan
Litho;rto adopted, with some very unimportant excep-
ti n 9.

of the duties of his office, and these are essential qualities-
Loos for the chief officer of the establishment. (Hear.)
I should be sorry for the gommittoe to rely upon my evi-
dence alone, aml, therefore, I will read extracts from three
letters which the trust- es received previous to our selectio,
of Mr. Panizzi. The first letter is from a gentleman well-
known—he is now one of the canons of Westminster—l
mean-Mr. Cureton, a gentleman whose testimony is most
valuable, not only in consequence of his connection with
literature, but because he was for thirteen years upon the
stablishr

After a few words frcm Mr. WILLIAMS, the sub
kct dropped.

SUPPLY.

.
establishment of the Museum. Mr. Curetbn said--" You
The house then went into committee of supply. must naturally be most anxious that the vacant office of
BRITISH MUSEUM. principal librarian should be filled by the most efficient
Lord J. RUSSELL moved a vote of 60,0001. for the sale- parson who is best qualified to discharge its duties for the
ries and expenses of the British Museum establishment
advantage of the public. You are doubtless fully aware He said that the sum proposed thisyear was somewhat in.
of the long and valuable services of Mr. Panizzi, of his
great talents, his extensive knowledge, his ardent zeal and
creased from that taken last year. After rendering distin-
u
guished services to the Museum for 56 years, Sir H. Ellie untiring energies, which have been most faithfully exerted
had retired on an allowance of 1,2001. a-year —that sum during the quarter .of a century for the benefit of the
being the full amount of his salary, to which his services British Museum. There ie
which you may not have he' however, one point respecting
d the means of being so fully
had justly entitled him. There had been a determination
arrived at by the trustees, at the suggestion of the Govern-
years has made me well acquainted with. I mean Mr. informed, but which the constant observation of nearly 20
meat, to appoint a superintendent of natural history, and
Panizzi's great administrative powers and capacity of go-
it was probable the person nominated, whose name was
welt known ia this country, would fill his office in a man-
venting a large body of subordinate pers. ars. I have never
ner which would redound to the benefit of the Museum known any one in authority so strict and precise in main-
itself and the public generall. For some years past taming order and discipline—so rigid and exact in requir-
it had been matter of observation
ing the full amount of dutiea to be performed, who, at the
that the departments
of natural history and science had not received the atten-
same time, had the singular happiness of gaining the respectd esteemud securing the warm attachment and affec-
tion which ought to have been paid to them, and he felt an
tion of all ; ahose placed under his authority From my own
assured that the gentleman to whom he had alluded would
endeavour so to arrange those departments as that they experience of 13 years' service in the British Museum, I
,
am sure that no qualification is more essential to insure a
shculd be of great use, not only to the natives of this coun-
due performance of public service in such an establishment
try, but to foreigners. It was thought, likewise, that there
should be a keeper of minerals. A gentleman had, there-
than this of which I have last spoken." The next letter I
fore, been appointed, who had paid particular attention to shall trouble the committee with is from a gentleman who
h
mineralogy, and to that gentleman a salary of 5001. a yearas for many years devoted all his possible time and atten-
tion to the British Museum, alai iavary well known to many
had been allotted. There was also an increase of 275/. for
the'purchase of printed books, and there was likely Co be members of the house--I mean Mr. W. Hamilton. He was
an increase of 5001. for the purchase of manuscripts. There one of those spoken of in the report of the commissioners
as being one of the trustees who have shown the deepest
had been some Arabic manuscripts collected, of which he
(Lord J. Russell) had the particulars, but which he
interest and the utmost zeal in the management of the
would net trouble the committee with. There was
Museum, and I may add that Mr. Hamilton, by his con-
also a sum of 1751. for bookbinding, 1001. for reparations stunt attendance, fully deserves the commendations
b‘iestowed upon him. Now, he ape tics thus of Mr Panizzi
in the natural history department, and 5031 for fixing,
Ma., Egyptian antiquities lately arrived in this country. You will of course have beard that there is likely to be
Public, attention bat lately bean much drawn to these eery soon. an important change in the staff of the British
antiquities, and it was desirable that access should be Museum—Sir H. Ellis, the principal librarian, having,
had te them. (Hear, hear.) He believed his hon. friend the
after a very long service, given in his i esionatSon, and the member for Pontefract intended to call the attention of the choice of one or two persons named by the principal trus-
committee to the subject of patronage in connection with
tees will fall to the Crown. I know that it is hardly necess
the Museum, and also to the report of the commission
sary to trouble you on this subs ect, but Ici nue t refrain from
which had sat sotne years ago. Without wishing to anti-
stating it as my earnest conviccern, that the name of Mr.
cipate his hon. friend, he might state that it had been Panizzi, now keeper of the print el hooks iepartment,ought
thought that a large body was not the" fittest governing on every account to be one of the two submitted‘to the
Queen and I fervently hope that he may be selected. There
lady, and the commission, at the head of whom had been
can be no doubt whatever—and I believe that this is the
the present Duke of Somerset, proposed that a small num-
ber of persons should form the governing body of the insti- universal o' inion among my co-trustees—that of all the
tution. It was proposed, also, that the office of chief officnrs.n,pw engaged in the serval, of the Museum, Mr.
librarian should be abolished, ha the Government, in the Prim= is by far the most capatle on every imaginable
first instance, declined to act until the trustees of the ° °Tomei to fulfil efficiently the duties of this situation. To a
Museum had considered the proposition. The trustees perfect acquaintance with the general duties of all the dif-
ferent departments, great experience ia the details of the
took this recommendation into consideration, and the late
management of the establishment, he adds, in a peculiar
Sir-R. Peel advised that they should not recommend the
degree, great knowled.e of rnanOind, a most happy mode
Government to adopt the report of the commission, but
that a body mach less numerous should be elected to of extracting from all under him the greatest amount of
be called the standing committee, and that to that
efficient services, and of exacting the strictest regularity
committee should be entrusted the general direction of attendance, great impartiality, a deep sense of moral
of the Museum. Tho then existing; officers were to be ,justice, and an honest devotion of his whole time to the
piratic service. He has also been mainly instrumental in
maintained precisely as they were,. but practical changes
introducing very many of the improvements by which the
were to be introduced. That plan was adopted ;
and, on the retirement of Sir H. Ellis, it was stated by the service of the Museum has been grs atly benefited. He is
Chancellor of the Exchequer that it was not intended any also most liberal in his views of extending its benefits to
t alteration should be made. The trustees, therefore, con- the largest number of the publie on the most liberal and
s eluded that the Act of Parliament was not to -be altered, safe terms. He must, therefore, be thought fully entitled
and the consequence was that the principal trustees named to the promotion contemplated," There is only one other
a uccessor to Sir H. Ellis. Those principal trustees were letter with which I will trouble the committee, and this is
s
the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, and a letter from a nobleman, formerly a member of this house,
the Speaker of the House of Commons. The arrangement and whose talents and eloquence still live in our recollec.
of S:r ft Peel was considered satisfactory.: The officers Lion, and who enjoys the respect and esteem of every one
of the Museum acted with great zeal, and there had been who has the honour of his acquaintance—l mean the Earl
of Ellesmere. (Sear.) This letter deserves the greatest con-
nl reason to complain of the general management of the ,
Mnseent. With regard to the number of persons who
had frequented the Museum daring the past year, there
cart only had been a falling off, but that falling off chairmanfidanc because
the it
tisthecommission testimony
whoi inquired utihreend°ibni et
onitahnew li °
govern.w a atheht. and managemeiLtlouf
ethdeerßstrietirthMatustehuemee:l—tjeTehteefEtahrel
of Ellesmere says :
' might be ascribed to accidental circumstances, and it was
likely that next year the 'attendance would be more
select on of a successor to Sir H. Ellis, at the British Mu-
numeroue. With respect to readers, about 1,100 volumes seam. is -now under your consideration. I am entirely-
i
a day had been consulted by those visiting the library of
enorant of what claims may be before you for that impor-
thetint
Mostum, and it was undoubted that the library had
proved of very great use to students generally. There by the experience acquired in the chair of the commission
were other general questions affecting the Museum of inquiry, to obtrude an opinion on the relative merits.
into which he did not propose now to enter. All that th : Teat experience. however, I think may justly be in sae-
t -ustees could do was to carry on the management accord- ing this much, that should your choice fall on Mr. Panizzi,
I ralieuld be prepared to speak .of that decision as one, in
act upon any improvement which could be suggested. J
ing to the mode at present adopted, and at the same eaTeet
my opinion, than which no better could be made for the
year an order was given that at a certain hour on the ts•after -
interests of the public service and for those of the subordi-
eofar of Saturday the public ehonld be admitted for three or , nate officers of the Museum. The latter are, in my
opinion, 'an interesting class of man, and I have reason to
four hours. About 3,000 or 2,000 persons had attended, but
Satur lay was not a day on which the working classes were believe that Mr. Panizzi, in his dealings with those hither-
likelyto rind, r his authority, has contrived consideration and
to attend, and ho (Lord J. Russell) did not know
that any great benefit had accrued from the alteration. benevolence with great energy in the exaction of duty."
Bat the trustees intended to persevere iu that order during (Hear, hear.) I will not trouble the committee with any
the present year, aryl on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fri- more
.letters, but I will venture to read a passage from the
(Lays the Museum would be open as usual. The noble lord radon et tie commissioners with reference to the state of
concluded by moving the vote. the library. In speaking of the department of printed
Mr. M. MILNES said that he thought some circum- books, the commissioners say, "that it was the best regu-
stances had occurred with regard to the manaeement and laded library in the world”--tr books more uarded and the
We have thergefore, the testi-
patronage of the Museum, which rendered itpinaurnbent visitors better supßlita. .
upon the House of Coin mons to take some notice of the mat- monv of the comrnmissioners themsel;es as to then2a presided,age "
izzi
te`r. 'lh; ea: mission wh ca htd sat was a continuation of a meat of the department over which Mr.Fs
cerranittee of the house, whose labours might be inferred to and the testimony of three persons abundantly. qualified to
f
be imari tent ; for they had lasted a whole year. It soon form a good opinion cf the sense which they entertained o
weenie apparent to that commission that themanagement his merits; and, under these circumstances, we did not feel
was conducted in a way prejudicial to the public interest ; the smallest hesitation in selecting Mr. Panizzi as one of the
frr it depended entirely upon the chance attendance of any gentlemen for_ the favolir of the Queen. As to the patron-
number of trustees, who were notnat the same time con- age of the, Unseen], I have no doubt that my colleagues
nected with literature and art. Those trustees originally and myself would have no objection to be relieved from
consisted of official trustees, family trustees, and 15 trus- the trouble and inconvenience resulting from it ; but so
tees elected by others. In the year 1755 a committee was long as we retain it, I hope we shall, as hitherto, exert
d
appointed from a selection of the trustees, but owing to ourselves to promote the best interests of the public, an
endeavour, as we have done by the appointment of :Sr.
, the practice of allowing members who dint not attend to
record their votes, the gimt effects of this arrangement were P
~,,..uizzi,toseeu (Loud cheers.)
re the future good government of the
neutralised. Now, with regard to the question of patron- ms " _Museum.
?g.e The patronage of the British Museum, as established Mr. LAYARD thou4ht the committee wee much in-
ty alt of Parliament, c. 22, Geo. 11., from the selection of debted to the hon. gentleman for bringing this subject be.
principal librarian to the housemaid, vested in the Arch- fore them. Ha had intended to bring the matter before
bishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor; and the Speaker the house in a definite form ; but ha had postponed his
of the House of Commons. These three distinguished per- motion in consequence of the many important matters be-
sons were also formerly entrusted with the management, fore the house. From all that had fallen from his hon.
for the benefit of the Museum. (Laughter.) Although friend, there must be something radically wrong in the
1 there might have been differences of opinion in the commis- management of the Museum. They had a large number of
slop upon points of detail, there was no disagreement as trustees, some ex officio members, and others appointed,
to the remedy to be applied. Above all things, they were and after all only a few gentlemen devoted themselves to
of opinion that, instead of having this fluctuating body, the management of the institution. He thought the heads
an executive council or committee should be formed, who of the departments ought to have some means of commu-
should be responsible for their conduct in governing that nication with the trustees. At present that could not hap-
institution. There were some differences of opinion as to pen. His hon. friend's objection to Mr. Panizzi was because
the constitution of this council. The' majority thought he was a foreigner; but he (Mr. Layard) was inuehsurprised
that one branch of the committee should undertake the to hear that objection mentioned. He would state that
dapartment of art, and the other the department of seine •. clinic's Mr. Panizzi's absence from the establishment every
Over this subdivded committee it was proposed to plane member of his department subscribed for a bust to be pre-
a paid head, and, again, over these superintendents there seated to him on his return to England, and it was pre-
snuuld be a chairman. Th• trustees were to act with seated as a testimonial of the feeling entertained towards
these committees. But the minority were averse• to this him by three who had long served antler him. (Hear.) lllr.
subdivision. The principal question, however, had re. Panizzi, as chief librarian, was the responsible person, and
ferenco to the managing *body, and every member of the he had been appointed secretary by the trustees. He
commission was in favour of a limited body, who should thought the mode of transacting the business of the estab-
lie responsible to the house and to the country. The lishment led to unfortunate results. The whole establish-
commission said in their report that the question of the went was a great mistake. The building itself cost about
constitution of the governing body was rather a question 800.0001.:, while the collection cost only itabout 340,0001., so
fur the advisers of the Crown than fur the trustees them- that the box was about double the !Wee of the treasure.
selves. It could not be said, then, that Sir R. Peel, who Of the cellection, he would say that it was, on the whole,
might be considered the author of the report, was in opposi- complete, bat it wanted sequence-in its arrangement to
tion to the wishes of the committee. The result of the re- prevent those who sought for instruction being misled.
commendation was the appointment of the Archbishop of The objets of science ought to be separated from those of
Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, and the Speaker of the art, and if that were accomplished, the British Museum
House of Commons, and 15 trustees— and these constituted would be a most useful instrument of education. .
the governing body. Did that body represent what a
cone. Lord ELCHO advised that the artistic and archmelogical
'mittee or council would have represented ? He thought collection should be made to form part of the new National
j they dal not, for the governing body, as at present consti- Gallery, as the British Museum would soon scarcely suffice
tilted, were occupied in various ways and sc,uld not devote for the purposes of the library, which was increasing at the
ethereselvea solely to the management of the Museum. rate of 16,000 volumes a year.
,Under these circumstances he could not think the govern- Mr. T[TE complained that it was at present necessary
went of the British Museum a desirable one. lie was of to consult five different catalogues to discover whether a
opinion her Majesty's Ministers would do well to bring in a book ayes or was not in the library. He should like to
. bill to place the gone:emelt of the British Museumon a know when the catalogue would be complete!, and he
1 agar and more comprehensive b tsis. The commission had thought that it would be of great importance that it
r ecomeoended that the executive council should consist of should be printed. It was, too, a matter of regret that the
one representative of literature, another of science, and an- museum was open so fey days in each. week, and the ex-
'other of art—men most eminent in their respective depart- erase for the exclusion of the public on the remaining days
meats; but the recommendations of the commission had was, that it 'was necessary that the students should not be
. net been followed up. .It was reserved fur the present interruptel while drawing from the antique, but the open-
. Government to carry out that portion of the recom-
mendations of the commission. As to the question of pa- ,ing of the schools of design had in a great measure drafted
art students from the Museum, so that objection was no
tronage, that, too, had been reported on by the commis. longer valid. . .
sion. The hon. gentleman read an extract from the re• The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
port, and stated that the present distributors of the pa- the first met principal recommendation of the royal cow-
tronage were the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord mission of 1830 was, that the offices of principal librarian
Chancellor, and the Speaker of the House of Commons, and secretary, as they then existed, should be remodelled,
mud they made all the appointments. ' These high func- and that was carried into effect by the ebolition of the
tionaries, from their important and serious avocations, secretaryship as a distinct office, and its consolidation with
could not by any possibility devote the needful attention that of the principal librarian, and the duties thus nem-
, to. those appointments. They could not, in fact, scrutinise bineaSis H. Ellis continued for several years to discharge,
the qualifications of the candidates, and mast take them
at sesond hand. Before the retirement of the principal and it was to that conjoined office that Mr. Panizzi had
appoint-
librarian, Sir H. Ellie Mr. Panizzi was keeper of the succeeded. The co
rniniesiolers also suggested the
inant of an executive re mud" ; and that suggestion the late
printed books. This department Mr. Panizzi had adm - Sir R. Peel in a manner carrie i out,
aietered with great ability, and was very fit to discharge ine comm;ttee of the trustees, which had been found to be
it's duties, but he must say he thought the literary and = by appointing a stand-
mucceestul in practice, and to work well. Another recominen-
scientific men of this country had just re own to complain dation of the royal commissioners was, that the superin-
that a fereigner had been appciuted to the highest post in tendence Of the department of natural history should be di-
the administration of the first national literary institetit a vided ; and that was now b lug carried out. As to the tri-
al England. The hon. gentleman then adverted to the section of tie establishment proposed by the hon member
smaller number of visitors to the Museum in latter as com- for•Ayl shury, there could es yet be no necessity for it, for
pared - with earlier years. In 1 49-1 '5O there were the library accomm dation was at present being greatly in-
-1,0 `8,000; in .853-P5l, 2,527,1)00 ;in 1.4:i2.- W7,0)0 ;ie ere used, and would be completed in about 10 months flora
1e53 and 1454 there had been a decrease; in 1855 the nun:- the present time; besides which it would incur an enor-
bert were 334,00). If there had been energy shown by moues acrifice t f money, which the present state of the
the trustees such a diminution as that to which he had nation would not at all justify. In reply to the hon. alluded could could hardly have taken place, (Hear, hear.) ber for Betio :he had to observe that the catalogue would be
The SPEAKER—Sir, I should be very, unwilling to completed in 18110 ; but he could not undertake to say that
trespass upon the committee, but I trust, after the allusion it ought to he printed, as the advantages would be scarcely
which has been so pointedly made to the conduct of my commensurate wi h the great expense.
colleagues and myself in the appointment of Mr. Panizzi, Mr. DISRAELI thought the present constitution of the
that the committee will permit me to make one or two British Museum was open to many obj ctimis and incon-
veniences. but these objections and inconveniences might
remarks upon that appointment. (Hear.) lam not going be found in the orinin of the institution. The British Mu-
te discuss with the hon. gentleman (Mr. M. Milton) what- scum had originally been the museum of.
...virtuoso,
Hans Sloane,
may be the future government of the British Museum. He
nately, awl the original idea might be traced • the 11 G
in co a •-•
who collected articles of curiosity indiscrimi-
has fairly stated the principal recommendations of the
tion of the present day; and it was his opinion that no
commission appointed in 1850, of which he was a member, satisfact try solution of the difficulty could be arrived at
and the noble lord (Lord J, Russell) has fairly stated until they glee to literature, to science, and to art, each a
what steps have been taken by the trustees of the separate temple. Sooner or later they would have to do so.
British Museum in carrying out the recommendations of Their.e lliebahrale institution,
library was presentat
nd notno
unworthy doubt a mostof
the i m peoarttiaenet,
the commissioners with regard to some extensive altera-
it anv
was note first-rat library, for there were in second-
a
tions, but it is my duty to state by what considerationsbut d
the rate German capit ds libraries not only more numerous, hut
principal trustees were actuated in selecting Mr. Panizzi also of a value more than double that of the British Museum.
for the office of principal librarian to the Museum. (Hear.) There was now an opportunity afforded, by the purchase of
The committee will emember that the Act of Parliament
'n templeand recentlyr the reception of our collections of art and
made by the royal commission, of erecting a
requires that, when a vacancy takes place in that office, the
ga li efo s
of sculpture, which would be not unworthy of the
principal trustees have to select two names to be forwarded
nation. With regard to the diffusion of science, the ap-
to the Secretary of State, who submits them to the Crown pointment of Professor
with
was one which he hail no
as the two names from which a selection must be made for droeut wotualealtebefhailedesse•ttcopnesirteleeriatebletsiametisifetecrteioe%d Tdilree.
the office of librariaa. For my own part, lam quite pre-
gcovariegs which hard scientific
made, and the general popularity
pared to take upon myself, as well as to assume for my
colleagues, the responsibility of the appointment of Mr. of scientific subjects, would render it absolutely necessary
for those collections to be preserved under one roof. He
Paeizzi, for I do not believe it was possible for the Crown
(Hr. Disraeli) would not have presumed to address the
to have made a better appointment. (Hear, hear.) My
hon. friend has alluded to his (Mr. Panizzi's) appointment committee on,this subject had be not felt it his duty to
as one that is very unusual in the case of the British express his great regret that the hon. gentleman the
member for Coventry, in calling the attention, of the corn-
Museum. Now, since its first formation, in 1776. there
mittee to the subject of the constitution of the British
have been five persons appointed principal librarians Museum, should have felt it convenient to connect with
before Mr. Pauizzi's nomination, and of those five two
those observations an attack upon the principal librarian.
were foreigners, one being Dr. --, a native of Holland,
fie could not understand from the hon. geotlem an that
and the other Dr. Planta, a native of Switzerland; so that
he had brought a single charge against that eminent
the trustees were quite justified in selecting a foreigner for
and meritorious officer. His whole argument against
the office. He also found that it had been 'an itivariable Mr. Panizzi amounted to the fact that Mr. Panizzi was a
rule, in the appointment of principal librarian, to select
foreigner, and, strangely enough, he followed up that tire-
some officer of the establishment for the office, and the sertion by oue to the effect tht he did not disapprove of
committee will at once see how essential it is for the good foreigners being employed lusher Majesty's service. He
conduct of the British Museum to reward deserving offi-
-1%1 be first, ;Tit;
ei in
.c command. would not object to a foreigner being second, but he must
cre sof that establishment. For my own part,!-ate the corn-
No one denied that Mr. Panizzi
mittee may readily suppose, I have not had it in my power
onipaerlyi, and, he might add, admirably,
to devote that time to the interests of the British VI user= die :barged the duty of keeping the books. The hon. mem-
which I count have wished ; but from what I have seer,
tier for Coventry however, thought that an Englishman of
during ley connection wish the institution, I can fairly
say that I have found in Mr. Panizzi great talents, great literary ability should have been appointed, but was equally
ready to admit that Mr. Panizzi perfectly fulfilled the du-
honesty of purpose, and great power in the administration

ties of his position, that he was quite entitled to hold that
position, and that in every way be had obtained publics
oonfitience by the manner in whicli, during a long series of
years, he had discharged those duties. The position which
Mr. Panizzi held, he(2dr. Disraeli) would inform the house,
did not demand mere literary attainments. It was an
office of administration, and demanding great firmness
of character and energy. All those qualities Mr. Panizzi
had long been found to possess ; and he (Mr. Disraeli)
considered that if the committee had not appointed that
gentleman to the post which he now held, as a reward of
his intelligence an i meritorious qualities, they would have
acted with great injustice, and in a manner to discourage
public servants, and their conduct %%out! have required the
interp 'sition of Parliament, and not for proceeding as they
had dine in the present case, in a manner entitled to the
entire commendation and confidence of that house. (licar,
hear.)

could be afforded, but the district must do as well as it
could withtait any.
The vote having been put,
AI-. MILES moved that the vote be reduced by the sum
of 300/.
The committee then divided, when the numbers were—
For the amendment 63
Against it
--91

filejority
The vote was then agreed to
Mr. W. WILLIAMS moved that the chairman repor
progress, and
The hours, resumed.!
FIRE INSURANCE BILL. •
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in moving
the second reading of this bill, said that, under the existing
act, there was no power by which agencies for insurance
offices abroad, using insurances in this country, were liable
to the duties imposed upon English insurances. The object
of the present bill was to supply that deficiency. It would
be impossible for offices, in this country to compete with
offices in foreign countries hiving agencies here without a
previ ion of this nature.
Mr. WILKINSON believed that the present bill would
only have the effect of driving away a very lucrative busi-
ness from this country to foreign countries. By taking
means fur reducing the insurance duty the right hon. gen-
tleman would increase the revenue which he received at
present. (Hear.) He begged to propose that the bill be
read a second time that day six months.
Mr. E. DENISON greatly feared that the result of the
measure would be that described by the hon. gentleman
who now proposed its rejection. We invited France to
freedom of trade and free communication with this coun-
try, and yet the moment anything arose that offered an
iadvantage to France the Government interfered with a bill
of this kind. (Hear.) Hebelieved the bill would be entirely
inoperative. They might object to having accredited agents
' in this country, but they could not prevent communica-
tion by letter, and therefore they would only drive away
the insurance business from this country. The duty had for
a long time been liable to strong objections, and in his
opinion the bill would be inoperative.
Mr.BAXTER hoped the right hon. gentleman the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer would not press the second reading
of the bill on that evening. The measure was felt in mer-
cantile circles to be impolitic and unjust.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER had well
considered the course which he had taken on this bill. He
had receivee deputations from insurance offices, who urged
him to lose no time in bringing forward such a measure as
this. He, however, resolved to be satisfied, upon inquiries
of his own, that there was a real danger of foreign com-
peting agencies, and that English houses would suffer
through it. The bill to.whlch he asked the house to con-
sent would protect English companies against the corn:
petition of agents of foreign houses established in
England. They could not prevent Englishmen from in-
swing abroad. There never had been any such law. But
yet Englishmen had never, as a rule, incurred the risk of
insuring in Paris or Hamburg. This certainly had not
been the case hitherto. At all events, the worst that could
be said of this bill would be, that it might prove inopera-
tive.- As to reducing the duties upon tire insurance, he
could only 84 that a case might be established against
each tax. This produced 1,652.0001., and where could a
substitute be provided? In 178'2, the tax was imposed at
the rate of ls. 61. per 1001. The tax, and the proceeds of
it, went on increasing regularly up to this time. The pro-
position now was to reduce the taxtols. The wholeamount
of property insured paying duty was 870,676,0J0/. This
amount paid a duty of 3s. per 100/. ; but farming stock,
in consequence of the fires which occurred in 18 +3, was
exempted from duty. The amount of farming stock which
did not pay duty was 64,812,000/., and the produce of the
duty, according to the prevent rate, would be 9J,000/. per
annum. Thus, were the wholerate of duty to be reduced to
is per cent., and that Is. per cent. imposed on farming
stock, as well as upon all other descriptions of property
insured, the proceeds of the tax would be only 600,0001,
or less than half of what it at present was. He had stated
the arguments which seemed to have determined the course
of hon. members in opposing the tax, and all he could say
was, that whenever au opportunity occurred of considering
the appropriation of any surplus revenue, this sex should
not be forgotten. Many of the stamp duties heed under-
gone a revision, but the fire insurance duty hal not. It
was a duty producing 1,300w00/. a-year, and it had never
been the subject of much complaint. Under all the cir-
cawstauces, he could only hope that the house would con-
sent to the second reading of the bill, and leave the reduc-
tion of the tax to a future time.
Mr. HENLEY said the question before the house did
not rest exactly as the right hon. gentleman considered it
did. No doubt the loss of 1,300,000/. a-year was a matter
for serious consideration, but the question was, would they
not have to submit to a loss without deriving a corres-
ponding benefit if the tax were not revised ? Looking at
the bill with the best attention he could give to it, he con-
fessed he thought it would be inoperative, and, to use a
common phrase, any person would be able to drive a coach-
and-six through it or round it as he pleased. (Hear.)
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER explained
that this bill was all the Legislature could do with regard
to agencies in this country, but with regard to insurances
in other countries it would not meet that case.
Mr. KINNAIRD thought this was a matter which re=
quired much more consideration. The duty was at present
200 per cent. upon agricultural property, and in spite of
the gloomy anticipations of the right lion gentleman the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, he (Itr. Kinnaird) felt confi-
dent that although there might be a loss for a year or two,
yet the tax would is the end be much increased. He
begged to move the adjournment of the debate.
Mr. M. GIBSON said this debate would be in itself an
advertisement to the whole country of the advantages of
insuring in other countries. He begged to say that he was
one of a deputation alluded to, who waited upon the right,
hon. gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and asked
for a remedy in regard to this matter. The deputation
being too delicate, add wishing to spare the feelings of the
right hon. gentleman, did not say in plain terms what they
wished. The right hon. gentleman now offered a remedy,
but not the one which they wanted. The bill would not
settle the question. The country entertained great expec-
tations of what the right hon, gentleman would do now
peace was restored. The house had in late years seen
Chancellors of the Exchequer bold enough to repeal obnoxi-
ous duties in a falling revenue, where a benefit would re-
sult to the people, and ho hoped the right-hon. gentleman
would pursue a bold and philosophical course in this mat-
ter. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. BE NTINCK wee reedy to support the principle of
protection avowed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
and he hoped it was an omen of a return to the former
commercisl policy of the country. (Laughter )
Mr. TITE supported the motion for adjournment, as he
did not think the question was yet fully understood. Hon.
membere, for instance, perhaps never heard of the " ave-
rage clause," which was a condition in every French and
Dutch policy, to the effect that the insurer, in the event of
the assured suffering loss by fire, did not make good to hires
that loss in its entirety, even if less than the amount
named in the policy, but only the proportion which the
property destroyed bore to the whole property in ured.
If such a clause were introduced into the English policies,
the normal rate of insurance would be considerably re-
due, d.
Sir S. BIGNOLD, as representing a large fire assurance
company, supported the second reading of the bill, which
would, he
thought,
both satisfy the several companies and
protect_ the revenue.

Mr. W. J. FOX wished to call the attention of the com-
mittee to the feasibility of rendering the library of the
British Museum accessible to the public during the even-
ing. He did not intend to suggest that it should be
thrown open to ordinery readers; his suggestion bore re-
ference to one particular and most meritorious class to
which large numbers of young men iu London belonged.
He alluded to those earnest and self-educated students of
science whose time during the day 'was occupied in other
pursuits. To that lass the throwing open of the library
during the evenings would be an immense benefit; and he
trusted that when the time came for the separation of the
collecti JIM of science and art from the library, the claims
of the class which he advocated might be successfully en-
tertained.
Mr. BALL urged upon the trustees the consideration of
a plan for the'opening of the libra.:y .of the Museum in the
evening.
Mr. YELLATT wished to see the Museum and the Na-
tional Gallery also open during five days in the week.
Mr. H. VERNON suggested that the works of art in the
British Museum should be placed in a 1-.ss crowded situa-
tion, so that they might be viewed in their historical se-
quence.
Mr. WILLIAMS complained of the want of detail in
-the vote, and expressed a hope that the Museum might be
open more frequently, and generally made more accessible
to the public.
Lord J. RUSSELL thought that unless there were
practically some objections to it, a great advantage would
be gained by the opening of the reading rooms of the'
Museum in the evening, as there were many persons in
every class of life who could then avail themselves of its
benefits who were now prevented doing so. With regard to
the allusion that had been made to the government of the
Museum, he might observe that there was generally a full
attendance of trustees, who consulted not merely with the
principal librarian, but with the heads of all the depart-
ments. He thought it would be impossible to have greater
literary merit than that of Mr. Macaulay, or business apti-
tude than that of the Duke of Somerset, to assist the
trustees in theirlabours. It had been said that the Museum
embraced too many subjects, and he agreed that it might
be advisable to provide other accommodation for some of
thidepartments. The Museum was partly of a literary and
partly of a scientific character, and it included a collet-
lion of natural history which was declared by Profeesor
Owen to be equal to any collection that existed in the
world. There was also a collection of ancient art, and also
what was called modern antiquity. He (Lor IJ. Russell)
owned that he had some denote whether the building as it
at present existed was the most convenient place for the
exhibition of ancient works of art. It was a very import-
ant question, and was one which should froni time to time
be considered by the Government. He did not know whe-
ther there was any intention at present of building a new
and spacious National Gallery. If such an intention did
exist, he thought it was worthy of consideration whether
these beautiful specimens of ancient art might not be re-
moved to a better place, and re-arrange I in a better manner
than they were at present. With respect to the complaints
which had been male as to architecture, he thought
that should hardly be placed upon the heads of the trus-
tees. We had from time to time built many publicplaces,
but seldom with success, an example of which was the
National Gallery, which some time since was erected at a
great expense, and the site of which was now proposed to
be given up to an hotel company. He was thankful for the
suggestions which had that evening been thrown out, and
was sure they would meet with every attention from the
ti ustees. He thought that the decrease in the numbers of
persons who had visited the institution was to be attri-
buted to the increase of other institutions in the metropo-
lis. He was surprised at the objections which had been
raised to the appointment of Mr. Pan izzi as chief librarian.
One hon. gentleman seemed to think that the office of
priucip ,1 librarian ought to be left as a retireweet for men
of letters, but in the present day some proof of qualifica-
tion was required before a person could be appointed to an
office of business. Would the house be satisfied with a
gentleman as chief commissioner of excise because he was
an excellent poet ? (A laugh.) Such things used to be done
in former times, bat they were not done now, and he be-
lieved no man was better qualified for the office of chief
librarian of the Museum than Mr. Panizzi.
Mr. M. MILNES said although he would not oppose the
vote, he must still maintain the simple principle, that
where there were few putelic offices which could be allowed
to be filled by literary men of public ability, it was not
fitted that the post of chief librarian of the British Mu-
seum should be given to any other than literary men of
this country. He felt sure that such an appointment as
the present would not be made in any other country.
The vote was then agreed to.
• THE GENERAL BOARD OF HEALTH.
Upon a vote of 18,626'. to defray the expenses of the
General Board of Health,
Mr. MICHELL opposed the vote. He objected princi-
pally to the largo salaries paid to some of the officers of
the board. He thought the president, and likewise the
medical officer and the secretary, were too highly paid.
ED should therefore move that the vote be reduced down
to 6,2 61. 2s. 4 1., the amount which had been already ex-
pended.
Mr. WILLIAMS thought the salary of the medical offi-
cer had been unnecessarily raised to 1,5001. a-year.
The',CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER explained
that tbe eentleman who had received the appointment of
medical oficer, Mr. Si moo, had formerly been employed in
the City of London, with a salary cf 8001. a-year.
Mr. MILES thought they were paying rather dearly for
Mr Simon's services.
Sir B. HALL said if Mr. Simon had been allowed to
follow his profession he would have made a larger income,
and the remuneration was not inadequate.
Mr. MOWBRAY thought the salary of Mr. Simon com-
paratively high, oven as compared with the county court
judges and oh eite We trusts' conina:ssioners.
Mr. BLACKBURN thought some explanation of the
duties of the medical officer to the Board of idealth ought
to be given, and a reason for his high salary.
Mr. G. VERNON wanted to know why the five clerks in
the Board of Health were to receive 870 g. a-year ?
Sic B HALL sail the number of clerks was not more
than sufficient, nor ti4'ir salary more than adequate.
Mr. BELLEW thought the vote ought to be postponed.
Mr „WILSON defended the vote, and explained the
duties which Mr, Simon discharged.
Mr. BOWYER supported the vote. ' •
Lord W. GRAHAM desired to know why the expenses
caused by the cholera in 1854 were not brought into the
estimates of last year ?
Sir B. HALL said the Medical Board was appointed in
August, 1854, and the members of it ware not pai i until
April, 1855, when the estimates for the year were made up.
Sir H. WILLOUGHBY complained of the amount of
the salary proposed. He thought that 1,500/. a-year was
much too large ; and further, that the whole of the sala-
ries in the present estimates were too high.
Mr. WILSON read an officiel letter from the Board of
Health to the Treasury, showing that the services of Mr.
Simon could not be' retained for less than the salary pro-
posed.
Sir F. BARING begged to call the attention of the com-
mittee to the system of checking the accou its. The vote
showed that the checks 'were not sufficiently accurate. lire
chairman of the Audit Board stated, in the papers laid upon
the table, that in the commissariat estimates the board could
not check the peyuieuts upon the civil votes.
fe
ora b loe
a si
um e t
ofo the a nar
formvote o Mr. WILSON explained that when the cholera epidemic
is
in ctiolf co line tia lri
broke out the President of the Board of Health, in order to
n
gt he ,u
ohjaet,l , to
whichask for
ul
dan
be repaid in the April following out of the next moneys
granted by Parliament. The practice at the 'Treasury was
perfectly regular
Mr.- F. BARING'S objection was, that these items did
not appear in the civil contingencies.
The CHANCELLOR, of the EXCHEQULR thought his
hon. friend's explanation perfectly correct, for if the items
were to appear in both the civil contingencies and in the
estimates, Government would be charging twice for them.
Mr. 118NLEY thought the whole system a regular cir-
cumbendibus or circumlocution—(laughter)— and ceusider-
ed the additional charges for the Board of Health, in cense
quence of the revisitation of the cholera belonged wore to
the' head of contingencies than
(rid the outfit of an ambas-
sador; but he objected to the delay in bringing the matter
before the house. Ile Faye, too, that the sum mentioned
was to defray threcost ref the medical council, and the pre-
peratien of reports. Now, the Board of Health was very
prolific of reports, and he should, therefore, like to know
how much was paid to the medical council, and how mach
for the reports.
elr. WILSON wished the house clearly to understand
that the vote for civil contingencies was of the nature of a
balance at a banker's, ottt of which extraordinary charges
were paid, but which were afterwards brought into the
general account, the sum originally paid for them having
been refunded to the balance.
Lord LOVAINE wished to know if it were true th

Mr. WILSON thought the Louse were discussing ques-
tions foreign to those which were really b fore them, which
were, what was the amount of direct duty they ought to
charge on fire assurance, and should that charged on foreign
p,licies be the same as what was charged on English.
The object of the bill was simply to i impose a duty upon firs,
insurances effected in this country by (ureic' offices, and
had notbing to do with the question of finance.
Mr. E. BALL thought the principle of the bill was per-
fectly sound, and he should support it.
Mr. WILKINSON consented to the adjournment. His
only object in proposing a reduction of the duty was to
make the bill operative, by withdrawing the inducement
to insure in fors'ign offices.
Sir W. JOLLIFFE suggested that the property tax
should be reduced by the amount of duty arising from fire
insurance.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
the pres-nt bill would be just as necessary if the duty were
reduced to ls., as it simply gave to the English offices that
protection to which they were fairly entitled. If the hou'e
thought that a decision could not then be come to, he
should not oppose the adjournment of the debate. (Rear,
hear.) At the same time, he must say that he had heard.
retiring which in the smallest degree altered his opinion
respecting the bill.
The debate was then adjourned till Friday next.
BANKRUPTCY (SCOTLAND) BILL.
The third reading of this bill was postponed till Thurs-
day next.

THE FRENCH EXPFDITION TO MADAGASCAR. —The
French exp dition to Madagascar is preparing at Br,st
It will not. however, be on the large scale that was
intended ; 20 000 men were at fir.t spoken of, but the
moment is not yet come when such a number can be
spared, and, moreover, they may be wantinz for some
more pressing purpose. All that will now be done is
to de-patch a single regiment to occupy the western
point of the island, and protect the French subjects and
any establishments that may be formed there from
the attacks of the natives. The expedition takes place
with the approval of th-, En‘zl,4l G,,verninent.
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BURIAL-GROUNDS (IRELAND) BILL.
This bill was committed pro forma.
SPIRIT TRADE (IRELAND) BILL.
Mr. BRADY obtained leave, in a committee of the whole
house, to bring i❑ a bill to amend the laws relating to the
sale of wines, spirits, beer, and cider, by retail, in Ireland.
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT (ARMY) COMMITTEE.
Upon the motion of Mr. STAFFORD, the following
were appointed members of this committee :—Mr. Stafford,
Mr. Bellew, Col. Boldero, Sir James Fergusson, Sir Henry
Davy, Sir John Hanmer, Col. Kingscote, Mr. Leveson
Gower, Capt. Laffan, Mr. Leah, Mr. Noel, Col. North,
Mr. Peel, Mr. Percy, and Sir John Trollops.
The house adjourned at a quarter to two o'clock till
Thursday next.

Mr. Bazslgette, whose plan for the drainage of Nandgate
sae
bad been reported agaiust by the medical council of the
Board of Hea:th, had been appointed chief engineer of the
Metropolitan Board of . Works r
Mr. J. G. PHILLIMORE could say the t the system of
drainage adopted in Sandgate was so bad that the whole
town had been infected by it.
Sir B. HALL, in reply to Lord Lovaine's question, said
that Goveinment had nothing to do with the apktointment
to which he had referred.
Sir H. WILLOUGHBY reminded the right hon. baro-
net (Sir B. Hall) that the question he had put with refer-
ence to superannuation had not been anawered.
Sit B. JEIALL said that the present Board of Health was
established in 1854. Mr. Chadwick, who was connected
with the old board, had a retiring allowance of 1,0001.
a-year ' • and subsequently the house sanctioned a proposal
that Dr. Southwood Smith should have an allowance of
3001. per annum.
Mr. S. FITZGERALD complained that a gentlemin
who held a situation similar to Dr. S. Smith's, in Ireland,
had, after 32 years of arduous public service, and at the
age of 84, been discontinued without any pension. He
could nut refrain from calling attention to the difference
between the manner in which the officers of the Board of
Health were treated in this country and in Ireland. (:sear.)
Mr. MULL:NS said he should take an opportunity to
move for a return of all the joarneys that the medical of
cer in question had made in pursuance of his office.
Mr. MICHELL said that there was no advantage which
could be derived from this act th..t could not also be ob-
tained from the Nuisances Reinoval Act of last Sear.
These expenses were all raishievoasly thrown away, and
he should like to see the Board of Health abaishect alto-
gether.

Mr. WILSON said that the medical officer had a great
number of professional and scientific duties to perfo, in be-
longing to his office; such as those relating to quarantine,
cemeteries, the qualifications of medial practitioners, and
epidemics. It was for this and ott or similar appoint-
ments that so much credit was given a year or two ago,
when a fearful epidemic raged in the country. It was
impossible to govern a country at all so as to provide
against accidental circumstances; for as soon as the dan-
ger had passed., measures for protection for the future were
obj -cted to and condemned. (Hear.'
Captain DUNCOAILIE said that at a time when the
,inallpox raged iu the district of the coutitly where he
resided, he felt it his duty to write to the Board of Health I
for assistanco ;and, in reply, he was informed that none