The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-16 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(This DAY.)

The SPEAKER took the chair at a quarter-past 12 o'clock.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The following bills were read a third time and passed :
Athenry'and Ennis Junction Railway, and Viscount Lor-
ton's Estate.

THE NATIONAL GALLERY.
Mr. E. JAMES presented a petition, signed by 400
working men, in favour of opening the National Gallery
on Sundays.
THE HIGH SHERIFF OF SURREY AND THE •

JUDGES.
Col. FRENCH gave notice that, on going into commit-
tee of supply to-morrow at the day sitting, he would call
the attention of the house to what had occurred between
her Majesty's judges and the high sheriff of Guildford, and
asked for the production of any correspondence in posses-
sion of the Government on this subject.
STAMP DUTIES (No. 2) BILL.
_ _ _

This bill was read a third time and passed.
EXCISE DUTIES BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
CUSTOMS (No. 2) BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
DEFENCE OF THE REALM BILL.

The house went into committee of supply.
Mr. WALPOLE, in moving a vote of £80,850 to com-
plete the whole vote of £100,850 for the British Museum,
said that this year there was an alteration in the form in
which the estimate was presented, as all the charges
connected with the institution were brought under one
head. The expenses were reduced to £2,000 in some
branches of the expenditure, and though there was an in-
crease in the item for building, on the whole there was a
saving of £147 this year. This saving had been effected,
notwithstanding that a collection of pictures the property
of Lord Norclifie, and a collection of valuable MSS., be-
longing to the Duke of Lauderdale, as well as a mineralo-
gical collection, had been purchased. The right hon. gen.
tlernan concluded by stating that a valuable collection of
medals and coins had been presented to the institution dur-
ing the past year.
Mr. DANBY SEYMOUR asked whether it was pro-
posed to make any alteration in regard to the hours of ad-
mission, which at present excluded professional men and
the working classes.
Mr. SPOONER objected to the vote, on the ground that
the institution was of a local and not a national character.

Mr. E. JAMES also complained of hours of admis-
sion, and said that there had been a large diminution in
the number of persons visiting the institution last year as
compared with 1857, which he attributed to the inefficient
arrangements for attracting visitors.
Mr. WALPOLE said that, in 1857, there was an in-
crease in the average number of visitors to the British
Museum in the May of that year in consequence of the
library being then opened, which would account for the
falling-off last year. It would be found that there Rai an
increase in the number of those who attended the institu •
tion since the new arrangements had been carried out, which
was a very gratifying fact.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER contended
that this institution was national, and not local, as described

by the hon. member (Mr. Spo'oner.) At present those
who frequented the reading-room could pursue their
studies with greater luxury than any gentleman could
do in hie owu libreny, and they inoluded in their number
persons from all parts of the country.
Mr. AYRTON complained of the manner in which the
Museum and National Gallery in this country were man-
aged as regarded classification and other points.
Mr. BUTT drew attention to the salaries of the officers
of the British Museum, which were lower than those of
any other department of the public service, and were, he
contended, most inadequate for the duties they were called
on to perform. He trusted that the memorial which had
been presented by these officials to the Treasury, calling
attention to the subject would receive careful consideration.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
these salaries had been revised within the last six years.
It was quite true that there was a memorial before the
Treasury, but the subject to which it relates had been re-
ferred to the trustees, as the best qualified to decide the
question. He deprecated discussions of this character,
when comparisons in regard to salaries were instituted be-
tween the British Museum and different Government
departments, which could lead to no benefit, as
the particulars oonnected with the duties required
relatively were not generally known, and no fair conclusion
could be drawn as to:the justice of the remuneration respec-
tively given. He would mention that there was no one
officer in the British Museum who did not receive more than
was promised to him.
Some further discussion ensued, in the course of which
Sir G. LEWIS stated that the appointments in the in-
stitution were not made by the executive, but were vested
in the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, and
the Speaker of the House.

The vote was agreed to.
A vote of £4,300, for civil establishments at Bermuda,
was agreed to.
On the vote of £6,228 for ecclesiastical establishments in
the British North American Colonies,

Mr. HADFIELD objected to the vote on the ground
that the colonies could support these establishments with-
out aid from :this country.
Mr. C. FORTESCUE explained that the country could
not in honour discontinue this vote, which belonged to what
were called expiring votes, and were to terminate with the
lives of the individuals who were benefited by the same.
There was no intention on the part of the Government to
continue the vote beyond the lives of these individuals.
Mr. HADFIELD considered that Canada was wealthier
than many parts of England and Ireland, and persisted in
his objection to the ]vote. He moved that the vote be re-
duced by £2,393, the amount granted for foreign mis-
sionaries.
The amendment was negatived without a division, and
the vote was agreed to.
£1,600 was voted for the Indian Department in Canada.
on the vote of £15,000 to complete the vote of .C 30,000 to
defray the expenses of British Columbia,
Mr. WILLIAMS asked for some information as to the
revenue of the colony.
r, ronzectiz Raid that the Mining for the rear