The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-14 00:00:00

[LEFT SPEAKING.I

•
HOUSE OF COMMONS—CIing Evening.)
The S. PLUM took the chair at the usual hoar.
Sir J. FAKINGTON• presented a petition from the
Australian Association, praying that her Majesty would
be graciously pleased to order that proper steps be im-
mediately taken for the establishirent of a regular
monthly postal onninunication with Australia.
Sir E. PERRY presented a petition signed by 3,000
ladies complaining of the state of the law as it affected
the earnings and property of married women, and pray-
ing the hove to apply a remedy. The hon. member
gave notice that after Easter he shotild call the attention
of the house to tho Sohj,.ict.
THE CLOCK TOWER.
Mr. T. lIANKEI asked the President of the Board
of Works whether it was intended to have a dial•plate
in the Clock Tower of a description that would
enable the public to ascertain at all times
the hour of the day l (Hear.) The dial-plate at
present in the Tower, he thought, was not calculated
to effeot that olject.
Sir B. ['ALL said it was intended to have a dial-plate
that would be legible. It was true the present one was
not so, as it was mer2'y the frame Work erected for the
purpose of trying xn experiment.
PAINTING BY PAOLO VERONESE.
Mr. °TWAY asked the Secretary of the Treasury if
it was true that 1,9771. was paid fir the picture of
"':he Adoration of the Magi," recently placed in the
National Gallery, and whether that sum included all
the expenses occasioned to the country by the acquisi-
tion .of that picture ; by whose recommendation the
picture was purchased, and on what authority it was
stated to be'painted by Paolo Veronese ?
Mr. WILSON said the sum of 1,9771. included the
whole cost, with the exception at 121. carriage from
Paris. The picture was purchased at the recominenda-
• tion of a director of the ii-ational Gallery, and there
could be r.o doubt as to its authenticity.
WORKS OF ART IN TUE NATIONAL
GALLERY. ,

Mr. EWART inquired of the First Lord of the Trea-
sury whether any progress had been made in carrying
into effect the suggestion made during the last session
of Parliament, that there should be affixed or appended
to the paintings, statues, and other works of art, to spe-
cimens or illustrations of science, antiquities, public
monuments, and historical memorials in our public in-
stitutions, explanatory inscriptions, giving a brief ac-
count of the subject, date, history, and author of the
work, so as to afford some general instruction to the
public, and spare them the expense of purchasing a
catalogue ?
Lord PALMERSTON—The suggestion was a
very excellent one, and had been almost entirely
csrried ont at the National Gallery, and the
British Museum. lie was not sure whether it had been
carried out at Hampton Court, but he would make
inquiry.
SEATS IN KENSINGTON GARDENS.
Mr. EWART inquired of the President of the Board
of Works whether means would be adopted for giving
the public the accommodation of a greater number of
seats round the trees in different parts of Kensington-
garden% as well as in the Park.
Sir B. HALL said if Parliament would vote the
money more seats would immediately be erected.
, LOCAL CHARGES ON SHIPPING.
Mr: BRA.M.LEY-MOORE asked the Secretary of
the Treasury what had been the total expense incurred
under the Royal Commission, dated the 19th day of
March, 1853, to icquire into the local charges upon
shipping, from the date of the commission to the pre-
sent time ?
Mr. WILSON said the- commission extended over
two years, and the whole cost 7,0931.
INDIAN SALT DUTY.
Sir .J. PAKINGTON asked the President of the
Board of Control, whether ho bad yet received, the re-
port of the Commission appointed by the Governor-
General to isquire into the mode of collecting the
duties on salt in India.
Mr. V. SMITH sail the whole of the correspond-
ence had now been received. It was in the press, and
would be presented as speedily as possible. It was very
voluminous, and would be some time before it was ready.
CENTRAL AMERICAN AFFAIRS.
In answer to a tiuestion from Mr. H. BAILLIIC and
al-;o from Vr..POEBIJCIC,
Lord P:ILMERSUON said that he hoped to lay the
papers relative to the Central American question on
the table of the-house shortly after the Easter recess.
[the Usher of the Black Rod appeared at the table o'
the House, and summoned the Speaker and member
to attend the House of Lords, to hear the Royal asses
given by commission to several bills that had pail('