The Sun.
London, England, 1850-07-05 00:00:00

most central that could be chosen. There was no rail-
way nor canal near it. He further believed that there
would be no end t accidents, for pedestrians, eques-
trians, and carriages would be mingled together in most
wonderful confusion. When there were so many fo-
reigners brought to the place the neighbours would have
to tike care of their silver spoons and forks, as well as
their servant maids.—(Laughter.) Who would thoy
disappoint if they put off this exhibition? Not the
English people—no one but , the foreigners. There
ought to have been in the first instance a Select Com-
mittee to determine whether there ought to be such an ex-
hibition or not; next, if there should be,what was Ultimo:at
proper site for it. He was it,form( d, upon good autho-
rity, that instead of 100,0001. for. the erection of the
building, it would cost 240,0001. Where the money
was to come from he knew not, unless the Chancellor
of the Exchequer was to supply it. A more wild-
goose chase, a more delusive undertaking, never was
projected by man. Who was to give the prizes? John
Bull. Who was to get the prizes? Those who came to
look for t hem —thome who competed v ith the industrious
English artisans.—(Cries of " Divide.") He supposed
that those who were crying " Divide" were some of the
Commissioners, or some of those who had given their
shillings. Feeling that the proposed exhibition would
be deeply injurious to the country, he should submit his
moion to the House.

lonel Sibthorp.) But his Hon. Friend had not put the
question before the House in a lair shape. The question
was, whether Hyde-park was the best place for the ex-
hibition?—(licar, hear.) If any doubt existed on that
point. he attributed it to tha conduct of the Commission.
It was all very well to road a long list of names, and
say they were all practical men, but the Commission,
in their report published only the other day, in the
first instance only took into consideration three sites—
the north-eastern portion of Hyde-park, the Regent's-
park, and the present site; Battersea-fields and Isling,
ton were never thought of.--(Hear, hear.) He main•
tained the best situation to be the Regent's-park. What
was the objection to that site? Certain covenants, which
precluded the erection of any buildings there. He be-
lieved it l e no such thing. He had made inquiries,
and he believed the question was settled in the cases of
the Zoollgical Gardens and the Botanical Gardens, in
which it was foand that temporary buildings could be
erected. He fully believed that a better site could not
be selected than the Regent's-park, taking into consi-
deration the proximity of the canal and the London and
North-Western Railway. He could not but imagine
that the arguments used by the Hen. Baronet the
\lember fur Marylebone, as to the distaste of the inha-
bitants, would have but little weight with the House,
which was disposed to pay so little attention to the ob-
'actions urged on the part of Belgravia. The Hon.

Mr. ALCOCK, in seconding the motion, said he had aleanber for Whitby said the locality of Battersea was
not the slightest hostility to the proposition itself, which neither salubrious nor eligible for building. What,
did honour to the illustrious Prince from whom it ema- then, was the meaning of the report in 1846 upon
irate I. He thought the Battersea-field: would be a better which the Government were empowered to putchase
place for the exhibition than Hyde-park. land there for the purpose of forming a park, in which
Sir B. HALL understood the Noble Lord to request it was stated that the site was not only salubrious but
of the House not to come to a conclusion until they had most eligible for building ?—(Hear, hear.) He had
seen the report of the Commissioners. lie said thrt he made inquiries of the surveyor-general, M. Adamson,
had no objection to the exhibition, but he had to the who had informed him that the foundations there were
site. The moment the public saw the depredations that most excellent, being on a gravel soil. But he had no
were being committed, they objected to them. He was perticul-r fancy for Battersea, but he preferred
afraid to say a word against H) de-park in the first in- the Regent's-park. The Right Hon. Gentleman had
tance, lest the Commissioners should have transferred spoken of the boon offered to the inhabitants of the dis-
the exhibition to Regent's-park. He found that trict by the opening of Prince's Gate; but he might also
clauses in the leases prevented the exhibition in Regent's- have told the House that they had to pay 4,0001. for the
park. The excuse of the Commissioners for cutting down boon, and were obliged to subscribe a certain sum of
one clump was that another clump would be planted. money to maintain a gatekeeper there. Oa the faith
That which took 50 years to grow was destroyed, and that no building would be erected there very large ape-
another clump would be planted which would be full culation3 had been entered into to the amount of
grown 50 years hence, when they were all dead and 150,0001, and what would be the consequence to these
gone.—(Laughter.) Ile found that Lord Granville and parties? It was said that the building was not to be per-
Mr. Labouchere waited on Lord Carlisle on the 21st, manent, but who would take any of these houses for the
and then they determined on the site in Hyde-park. next two years? He understood that a Learned Judge of
On that day they had the authority of her Majesty, high reputation had pronounced a very decided opinion
sanctioning this site. Some time since that they heard on the subject.
that a Mr. Munday was to have the contract, and to do Mr. HU ME—He has bought a house there.
the whole at his expense. Was the park then to be Mr. OSBORNE—The Hon. Member said he bad
given up to a private individual? But then it was said, bought a house there, but he should be sorry to think
it the Commissioners had not the site the exhibition that the judges cf the land were to be influenced by such
must be given up.—(" Hear, hear," from Lord John considerations. That Learned Judge, be believed, re-
Russell.) Why, this was acting like a spoiled child, who, garded the proceeding as totally illegal, and as requira-
because he was not indulged in one point refused to do ing an Act of Parliament te legalise it.—(Hear, hear.)
that which he had wished for.—(Bear.) Now before he If it should be the pleasure of the House to put this
sat down he would move an address to her Majesty, building into Hyde-park, he advised his Hon. Friend the
praying that she would not sanction the erection of any Member for Marylebone not to go to a division.
buildings in Hyde Park. He suggested Kensington- Mr. GLADSTONE would deeply regret if the im-
park. Another place suited for it was near Kicg's-cross, pression should get abroad that the Commission were dis-
at the back of Maiden-lane, and near the Great North- posed to adopt a sic volo sic jubeo tone. Speaking for
ern, and Landon and North-Western Railways. By himself individually, and he believed he might say on
adhering to the site of Hyde-park, there would be de- behalf of his fellow-Commissioners, he was ready un-
stroyed some of those fine trees which tended equivocally to admit that that House was the natural
to render the park itself one of the finest in Europe. and constitutional guardian, not only of the rights and
They could not have main walls and other buildings liberties, but also of the enjoyments of the people. But
erected on and in the midst of those trees-280 trees— this was a matter in which the House could not lightly
without destroying them. They could not live after interfere, for if they listened to the recommendations
this. It was proposed by the plan before them, that the which had been given them they must be prepared to
park should be occupied for two years. In what state take the responsibility of destroying the scheme. The
and condition would the park be left in after all this— Hon. Gentleman had said that the Commissioners had neg-
with the digging of trenches and cross-trenches, and the lected their duty. He respectfully begged to demur to end
constant passage of the people? Why, it would be dispute that assertion. He said the Commissioners only
scarified—the whole would be nothing more than a referred to three sites. Why? Because it was assumed
ploughed field, and never could be like what it was by the Commissioners as entirely beyond dispute that
at present, with a sward that was formed by a this exhibition, in accordance with the announcement
century. He did not desire to put an end to the made, was to be held in London, and not six miles off.
exhibition, but he desired that nothing should be The distance might probably not be of so much import-
done calculated to bring unpopularity upon it. He ante if this were an exhibition to which a single visit
should, therefore, move an humble address to her Ma- would suffice; but to one of this nature embracing se
jesty praying that she would be graciously pleased to vast a variety of objtcte, two, three, four, or fire visits
direct that no building be erected in Hyde-park for the would be necessary. With reference to the difficulties
purposes of the exhibition of 1851.—(Rear, hear.) in the way of making the Regent's-park the site of the
Mr. RICE said that the Hon. Baronet (Sir B. Hell) proposed exhibition, he must be permitted to entertain
had, in his extracts from the Commissioners' letter, more confidence in the legal opinions taken by the Go-
omitted to notice the following passage:—" They (the vernment, than the authorities ;upon which the Hon.
Commissioners) cannot, however, but express their de- Member for Middlesex relied. Then it must be temente
tided opinion that the renouncement of the selection of bered that the proposition had been before the world for
the most beautiftil park in London for the scene of the seven months. The conduct of the Commission in re-
exhibition * * * * would materially detract from sisting the appeal made to them had been compared to
that appearance of hospitality on the part of England that of a spoiled child, but he assured the House that
which has been one great cause for the very favourable no efforts had been made to overcome the difficulties
reception which this proposal has everywhere secured." which were to be encountered; and if the arrangements
That was a sentiment in which he (Mr. Rice) cor- made by them were to be undone, the same length of
dially concurred. As to the main objection of the time must be again consumed in making arrangements
Honourable Baronet, that of the carting of materials, for the new site. They were told that the honour and
it was an open question, and he saw no reason why, credit of England were involved ; but of this he was
instead of bricks and mortar, corrugated iron or zinc sure, that if they changed their site England would, for
might not be used for the erection, at two-thirds the the first time, acquire a character for light-mindedness
expense, while all the materials could be most and instability of purpose. Thousands of labourers in
readily disposed of subsequently. The objectors to the this and other countries were at work preparing goods
proposed scheme had been silent until a few weeks pest, which they confidently expected to exhibit on the day
and it was now too late to listen to their objections.— now appointed. Were they prepared to frustrate all
(No, no.) The Commissioners were warranted in say- these plans and expectations which they had allowed to
into that a change of site would be tantamount to the be formed in this country and in the world? lie would
abandonment of the exhibition, for which the honour of oppose the withdrawal of any portion of the park from
the country was pledged to Europe and the world. the enjoyment of the public; but he denied that such
Mr. R. STEPHENSON felt desirous to correct some would be the effect of holding the exhibition there. It
erroneous impressions which existed inalon.Gentlemen's would be only the substitution of one kind of enjoyment
minds with respect to his opinion on the subject. It was for another,—a substitution of an enjoyment on a eery
true when Battersea-fields were first suggested for the small scale for an enjoyment on a very large scale; for
site he acquiesced in it, as possessing some advantage on every trial, woman, and child, whonow used this particular
account of its contiguity to the river. However, on ex- spot of ground for recreation—and it was a very smell
amining that site, he found the advantages of it counter- number—at least a hundred, nay, a thousand, would re-
' balanced by the ditativantagee of its being situated be- sort thithor to this great exhibition fe- the purpose
low high-water mark, being badly drained, and beirg at both of recreation and instruction.—(Hear, hear.)
times fi toiled; while the more remote perti ,n of the Sir DE LACY EVANS thought himself entitled to
seine tract which had been suggested by the Hon. the indulgence of the House for a short time, both as *
Member for Surrey would be half a mile from the metropolitan Member, and as having presented a petit'
river, and would be completely insulated by tion signed by seventy householders, praying that the
ptivata property, all approach through which to the site a the exhibition might be changed. No one would
site of' the txhibitien would be a matter of sufferance, regret more than himself to interpose obstacles in the
and they knew how private individuals acted in such way of the exhibition, of which he approved, and which
cases. With respect to the destruction of the public reflected the greatest credit on the illustrious person
way which it was alleged would be cause 1, let them look who had originated it; but he could not believe that
at the traffic over Hungerford-market Suspension-bridge such would be the result of a mere change of site.
where 15,000 persons daily passed through a narrow Mr. STANFORD thought the whole error had 06'
turn-stile, and 25,000 persons to awl from the river nated in having entrusted the management of a great nag
steamers in summer, each (Lay, in all, 40,000 persons, tional undertaking to a body of private ger,tlemen, It
without the least inconvenience or obstruction of the was said filet the expense would be defrayed by pri"
public thoroughfare. Again, as to the alleged inconvc- vate subscription, but he thought that exti emely doubt.-
niences resulting from conveying 40,000 tons of mate. tel. The responsibility would at last naturally devolve
rids, let them see if there was ground for any appre- upon the Legislature. They were about to expend, la
hensions on the subject. At the Camden-town station the lowest calculation, 100,0001. on a temporary build-
the goods traffic amounted to 8,003 tons a week, exclu- ing, and he could see no reason why it should not be 0
sive of the conveyance of coals and coke, and yet no in triennial or quinquennial exhibition, as, among foreign
convenience was experienced by the inhabitants of the nations.
neighbourhood. As to the number of the trees that Mr. T. DUNCOMBE wished to correct a mistake
would be cut down, it would not amount to one-tenth whi:h had been made with reference to a statement
the number that the Hon. Baronet supposed. He could made by him on a former occasion. The corporation 0'
only say, that if from any delay thrown in the way Wisbe'ich telt chagrined because he was supposed t°
the exhibition was prevented taking place at intended, it have stated that they had only voted five guineas to-
would be a disgrace to the nation. wards the exhibition. What he had stated their cootri-
Mr. A. B. HOPE said it wis too bad—(Hear, hear) butioa to be was twenty-five and not five guineas, and
—when the inhabitants of Belgrave,quare and Grosve- the fault was not his but that of the newspapers. With
nor-place complained of the inconvenience to which they reference to the question before them, his vote would be
would be subjected, they should be told that the neigh- in favour of having the exhibition in Hyde-peek. ge
bourhood of their places of residence would not be more had read with great pleasure and satisfaction the reasons
inconvenienced than that of Huugerford-bridge and the given for that course by the Commission, and be tfootigh6
Camden-town station of the North-Western Railway. them conclusive. In his opinion Hyde-park wi is not
lie suggested that there were two other sites which only a good site, but the best site. That it shouad be
were particularly eligible—one at the north of the any infringement on the enjoyment of the you r Was
Regent's canal, and the other beside the Islington cattle totally impossible. That might have been a good argir
market. ment if Victoria park or Primrose-hill had be ?,n sal
Mr. HUME was -surprised to find such narrow and lected. Neither would it interfere with Rotten-y:OW,
selfish views advanced in opposition to this great and the Hon. Baronet the Member for Maryleboue, who
national undertaking, to which the whole of the nations was accustomed to disport himself there—(A lay g'11)--"
of Europe had responded so zealously. would find that only a very small portion of the grass
Mr. L taBOUCHER.E said the reasons given by the would be taken away, and he would be almost able to
Commissioners for the selection of the site in Hyde- view-the exhibition from the back of his horse.
park were so conclusive that he would be content to Lord D. STUART hoped that there would tet no di'
give a silent vote. He concurred in the opinion that vision. One thing was clear, that with the sol nary ex'
they ought not to abandon so great a project on account ception of the H.
on;and Gallant' Member leer Lincolei
of the clamour of a feveindividuals. To show how com- all were in favt. ur ofthe exhibition. of 'lBs.l.—(He.
pletely the public of thit and foreign countries must hear.) lie could not help thinking that as the ittnaistb have been from the beginning aware that Hyde-perk ants in the vicinity of Hyde-park were very 'flitch or
would be the locality chosen for the exhibition, he posed to having the exhibition near them,- an. , the io*
would read an extract from the Times of Oct. 18, 1849. habitants of other parts of the metropolis were a quell);
In that paper it was said "There seems, thee, l, anxious to have it in tihnetierudneedighsbioteurhnoodd, it wot
couldw
no reason to doubt that in 1851 Hyde-park will witness better to charge h
an assemblage more numerous, more brilliant, more be- not be called
central—it was in one corner oef-ptahrek eace
neficial, and more intimately associated with the fortunes pelis—Hyde,.park corner.—(Laughter.) loss
of this empire, than the aristocratic array in which some or Copenhagen-fields would be a better and more eery
observers are wont to read the rise and fall of our na- tral position, to which all classes would have re
tional prosperity." The inhabitants had at all events a,ece.s,
been a long time in finding out the grievance. He held Mr. STUART was not prepared to concur in ol3,er; in his hand a requisition, signed by the inhabitants of thing which would imperil the exhibition of 1851; u° Chelsea, to the rector of St. Luke's, expressing their he was perfectly prepared, if driven to it, to support ;4"
opinion that the object in view was worthy of all encou- motion of tie Hon. Baronet the Member for Mar Ple,;
ragement, and that it would be highly advantageous to bone. It was not the province of that House to in ash
the inhabitants of the metropolis, particularly the west- fere in legal matters, but still he thought they could . las
ern portion, and requesting him to preside at a public omit fromtheir consideration the circumstance tl hisd
meeting for the purpose of promoting it. It was signed property to the amount of 150,0001 might be risked
by many dittinguished names, but he would mention adherin to the original plan. The Hon. and Learr,et
but one—that of the Hon. W. F. Campbell.—(dear, Attor pg
hear.) It was a consolation to find that the alarms ex- General had stattd that the site was Irigia
unless public interfered.—(Hear, hear.) Now this
pressed as to its being a permanent building were now was rather a startling proposition coming- from suet •
being quieted. No one could be more opposed than
himself to such a project. The House had been vet source. The Hon. and Learned Gentlemen represey ,fed
the public interest, and it was his duty, if tray of tbe
naturally misled by the apparent durability if the matey- constituents of the Hon. Member for Westminster, or of
vials to be used. Nothing had yet been decided as to the
materials, but there was reason for believing that these the Hon. Member for Middlesex, as relators, oar .ed 01!
materials which had the appearance of durability would him to do so, ex debito justitice, to appear tom row, °"
be in reality the most economical and the most easibly any other day, before the Lord Chancellor, anti ask the
transportable. A curious instance
Wwa.scguibvietnt.ofuthis y interference of his court to stop the acts tithe. Commis
sioners on the ground of their illegality. .! if. the leg 0
a very competent authority, Mr.
e said question was raised, therefore, it would be rt• ailed by tbe
the other day that he had erected somewhere near Lon- Attorney-General. The radical Commiss Loners wet'
don a temporary church, which was to last for three to over-ride the interest of property ; and the H°ll.
years, and that he found the cheapest, most economical, Member for Finsbury said it would be sanctie Ine,d by bite'
and most transportable material for the purpose would because it was not over-riding the property 'of the pall.
be bricks.—(Hear, hear.) The apprehensionmenhes ofa me rle (Mr. r. Stuart),. however, held the law to Ise the saes_._
appeared still to haunt some Hon. , but with- for. all parties, and that it did not alter ale case in the out venturing to pledge the Commission he had a very slightest degree that the Chief Justice of E case
had is
strong impression that the phantom would. vanish into local interest in the decision of the oteest;ee a He deare
the empty air.—(Hear, hest,) a e,meluiton he could cited a division on the subject
only say he believed that the fieunciofthe al success un- division was forced on the Houoe, feht ?me should hive
dertaking d, pended on the acee lite of the site, and to support the resolution. IT' est.that.r cage; but if
if they woul permitthe -"
•proceed • h Commwston to with debate should be adjourner)
Gentleman
R GROSVENr: therefore me rood that the
their design he had a confident hope that it, would never
de
dwiistpho-
sede.rato,
be obliged to ask the House- for ono farthing, but that
the design would be carried out by the unaided contri- ft:tt:l=Zll
denied that the
At said if the non. and Itemise:it)
tutions of the people. It the House, tin the contrary, no )%,.ore right in his fat v than in Ve
over-ride the
insisted on the exhibition being held at a distance of five gra.c3l;egall'tCboemsmafieslsyioPraz:Leseewdeet
or six miles from the metropolis, they would deprive the boa for Fir rights of property, or that tie a lion. Me
humbler classes of an opportunity of seeing and exanin- tb, is'7ury 4.1 agreed to ever-ride all rights To
ing this na ot interesting speet tele, and t ,ke a c ,urse vd, ee of the poor, If the exhibition vas placedvet
s.ta.;tebursiettess
which would by no means redound ei her to the credit let e- park, it would be perfectly accessible ; but if ()
or the honour of the country.—(Hear, hear.)
required foe '
,mitadeeouvlt.l. be 01 her wise. Wiih r. LuLt',.
Mr. OSBORNE complained that his Hon. Friend the
hgerdiog the grant pent ray of loam,
Member for Montrose should asserne the sic vote° e building, the arguments ..of an ?lid
tern
who Hari preceded him in debate ful:r y ststl'etea
jubeo tone, and denounce eve rybliy who prestunr4 to I
would '
(Jitter from hire. In the first place, he must steee that tern on that head. Fie had not heard a ~,aisle tt
he agreed with his Hen.titi as to the object being ! ounde objection to Hyde-park as a site. .NI) di be
highly desirable, and that he differed from the Hon, and oe a stattifirre ; but it wet a sacrifice tater% eu,s ea'
Gallant Member for Lincoln, who wished to get rid of j e("23ll''
vaisiti:e
„rue itwwoulai e'er on this couetry.--( bear '
the exhibition altogether.—(" Hear, hear f
EOM CO. II as steel ter by the honour, c.e glory. and the
Het
; - . ILLULTI ,C111,13Y said the Roperty of P 4