The Sun.
London, England, 1859-07-22 00:00:00

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY.

Lord HOTHAM asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer
for an explanation of the following paragraph in the
report of the trustees of the National Portrait Gal-
lery to the Lords of the Treasury,. dated 15th April, 1859 :
" Her Majesty's Government have offered to the collection,
and the trustees have, with thanks, accepted the great pic-
ture of the House of Commons at the opening of the first Re-
formed Parliament in January, 18:33, as painted by Sir
George Hayter, and as recently secured to the nation by a
vote of the House of Commons."
Mr. LAIN G entered into an explanation, from which it
appeared that the purchase of the picture had been agreed
on by their predecessors in office, and therefore he could
not strike it out of the estimates. When the item came
before the house it could be discussed with more propriety.
Mr. DISRAELI said that the picture had been recom-
mended by two-thirds of the members of the House of
Commons, and the memorial presented stated that it was
considered a work of great historical interest, and that the
house was anxious to possess it.
MAGISTRATES AT GREAT YARMOUTH.
Mr. MELLOR called the attention of the house to the
recent appointment of justicekof the peace for the borough.
of Great Yarmouth; and inquired of her Majesty's Mi-
nisters whether it was their intention to introduce any mea-
sure for regulating the appointment of justices of the pea.2e
for the boroughs in England and Wales. He complained that
the appointments of the late Government to the magistracy
of Great Yarmouth were influenced by political feeling, and
most unjust to the community at large.
Sir. H. STACEY denied that on examination it would
be found there was any ground for co mplaint in the appoint-
ments alluded to.
Sir G. GREY said that it was not the intention
of Government to propose any measure such
as that referred to. He agreed that nothing
would be more prejudicial to the just and impartial
administration of justice if appointments to the magistracy
were made solely on the ground of political sentiments.
He believed that in some cases appointments had
been made with reference to the wante of a locality,
or the number of its inhabitants. He believed also that
an unnecessary number of magistrates had been appointed
in Lancashire, and the selections in that county were
vested in the Chancellor of the Duchy, who was a political
officer, and not in the lord-lieutenant of the county.
ASSISTANT SECRETARYARD. TO THE POOR-LAW
BO

Mr. E. P. BOUVERIE asked whether it was proposed
to fill up the office of assistant secretary to the Poor-law
Board. He considered it was quite unnecessary to fill up
the office, and an opportunity was now afforded of making
a step in the right direction, that of retrenchment, though
in a comparatively small matter.
Sir J. TROLLOPE agreed with the hon. gentleman.
Mr. VILLIERS said that when he acceded to office he
found the situation in question vacant, and applied to the
Earl of Devon and the hon. member for Wiltshire, as well
as other parties best informed and without any interest, and
they unanimously recommended the continuance of the ap-
pointment.

ROYAL ENGINEERS.
Captain VERNON called the attention of the house to
an order issued from the Horse Guards materially affecting
the organisation of the Corps of Royal Engineers, and to
move for all correspondence respecting the same.
Mr. S. HERBERT said that there was a select commit-
tee oA tjie, subject under the presidency of the right hon.
member for Carlislei and he thought, therefore, that it