The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-10 00:00:00

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.

Earl DERBY asked the noble earl opposite whether ha
would to-morrow move a resolution as to the urgency of
passing other bills, as it would be very important that such
a resolution should be moved in order that the necessity of

such urgency should be considered previously to some noble
Lords leaving town.

Earl GRANVILLE said it would be impossible to move
such a resolution with reference to bills to come up from the
Commons, and with reference to which urgency might be
required.
Earl DERBY asked whether the noble earl would give
notice with reference to those bills to-morrow.

The LORD CHANCELLOR said that doing so would
give rise to two discussions: one on the motion and another
on the bills.

The subject then dropped, and the house adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(YESTERDAY.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at 20 minutes past one
o'clock.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Hamilton and Strathaven Railway Bill was read a
third time and passed.

PUBLIC BUSINESS.
Mr. LAING, on moving that the house go into com-
mittee, appealed to hon. members who had motions on the
paper lo postpone them until the evening sitting. There
were 200 votes still to be taken, and the only chance of
getting through the business in reasonable time was fur
hon. memters in future to adopt the course he suggested
should be taken this day.
THE NATIONAL GALLERY.
Mr. ADDERLEY, who had a motion on the paper for
the production of a plan and estimate made for the National
Gallery by Captain Fowkes—said that the plan and es-
timate in question were in possession of the First Commis-

sioner of Works, and he understood it was to be rejected on
the ground of official etiquette,' hile another of an inferior
character was about to be adopted. The National Gallery
was built under most unfortunate circumstances for the
architect, and the consequence was that it was a very de-
fective: building, considering the purpose to which it was
devoted. In order to afford more accommodation a pro-
posal was made to the Government of Lord Derby..
Captain Fowkes was well known for his architectural
talent, and he understood the objection to his plan
proceeded from the Royal Academy, who had no right to
interfere at all, as they were merely tenants at will. The
hon. member concluded by moving for the production of the
plan and estimate of Captain Fowkes, or any other plan for
alteration in the National Gallery now under consideration
of the First Commissioner of Works, and of any cones.
pondence thereon.
Mr. CONINGHAM protested against the course pursued
in reference to Captain Fowkes, which he attributed to
occult influence. The result was that the public interest
was endangered, and he suggested that any alterations in
the National Gallery should be postponed until next

session.
Mr. COWPER said he was glad this question was put,
because it gave him an opportunity oi! making some ex-
planations in respect to this subject. Capt.Fowkes' plan had
been rejected by him (Mr. Cowper), not on the ground of
official etiquette, for there was no etiquette that would pre-
vent the Board of Works employing C'apt. Fowkes ; in-
deed, from what he had already performed there could b
no doubt of his architectural ability. He had not rejected
the plan of Capt. Fowkes for any other real ton than that he
considered it a bad one. (Hear.) He th, ought, with re-
gard to the National Gallery pictures, that they could not
long remain in their present position, and there should be
a gallery erected purposely for them in Tz .afalgar-square,
Burlington House, or elsewhere. He consic tered that what
they should now do was to provide for the a ccommodation
of these pictures for some time, and it was p. "oposed to use
the central hall for that purpose. His noble friend at the
head of the Government had made a suggestion I to that effect
last year, and accordingly Mr. Pennethorne 1 m epared and
sent in the plan. ItTothing further, however, ha el been done,
and Capt. Fowkes submitted his plan to tl ie Board of
Works. At first he approved of that plan, ar el referred it
to the members of the Royal Academy, whit b. was com-
posed not only of eminent painters, but also c tf architects
practically acquainted with the subject. Their' remarks in
reference to it were not made in a spirit of dicta lion, but to
afford all the assistance in their power to enable the Govern.
The
ment to come to a correct conclusion on the r.
in atte
plan would certainly introduce some, architectural in 3135 did
prove-
plan
in the building, but he objected to it be [muse it
not go far enough, or it went too far. The rigb ,t hon. gen-
tleman, having referred in detail to the plan in. support of
his opinion, said that the estimated. cost would be £30,000,
but he believed it would really be about £50,000. He
could not comply with all the hon. member required, but
he promised that he would produce the correapondenoe
alluded to, if the hon. member would allow the amendment
to be negatived.
After a few words from Lord J. MANNERS,
Lord PALMERSTON oak 1 he thought it 'would ba
readily admitted that thehole space of the National Gal-
lery should be given up forthe' pictures it contained. How-
ever, any alterations for that pt upose must be merely of a
temporary use, as the bequests which might be looked for-
ward to would increase the nut aber of pictures to an extent
that would render the Nation al Gallery unsuited to their
exhibition. The question cam le simply to this, that by an
outlay of £13,000 or £14,000 t
hey would make the gallery
suitable for the pictures for so
me years. (Hear.)
After some further diseussi, on the amendment was with"
drawn, and the subject dropped.
AUDIT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
Sir F. BARING moved thE , following :—" That tkte ap-
propriation and audit of the moneys voted for the Civil Ser.
vice Estimates are insufficient wad unsatisfactory, and re-
quire early amendment." The i ight hon. baronet said he
didnot bring this motion for the
purpose of
of the Government, but in order to
induce the
house to record their op anion on the subject.
complaining
The house was aware that the • report of the select commit-
tee on public motleys bad eat( gl that the present system of