The Sun.
London, England, 1844-08-22 00:00:00

ittniAtilUX sAnt

LONDON, THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 1844.

The Third Report of the " Commissioners on the
Fine Arts," with Appendix, has just been issued from
the Printed Vote-office. It is one of the most in-
teresting papers in some respects, one of the most
whimsical in others, which has ever issued from that
eicinu libellorum. The importance of the objects of
the Commission itself; the valuable articles which
one or two of its members have contributed to the
Appendix now printed ; and the travelling out of in-
structions which characterise one, at least, of the
pieces attached to the Report, combine to give it a
character of peculiar interest, which will not allow of
our dismissing it with a single notice. Before making
any extracts from this remarkable document, how-
ever, we shall recur, for a moment, to the progress of
the magnificent works at Westminster, destined to
comprise the New Houses of Parliament.
When the invitation of the Legislature to the
architects of Great Britain to furnish designs, plans,
&c., for the fabric which was to replace the ancient
edifice which had been destroyed by fire on the night
of the 16th of October, 1834, had been responded to
by numerous parties, candidates for the premiums
offered, we were satisfied, at a first inspection of the
drawings exhibited, that, taken as a whole, the eleva-
tions furnished by Mr. BARRY had left the Commis-
sioners scarcely any alternative but that preference
which they had accorded to him over all his competi-
taollruesd Among the other designs, however (and we
especially to those of DONALDSON, RFPTON,
RAILTON, MOCATTA, &c.), there were some which,
in respect of internal arrangements and accommoda-
tion, appeared to us, from an examination of the sec-
tions and ground plans, far more eligible and better
composed than Mr. BARRY'S. The roofs of the pro-
posed Legislative Chambers we thought much more
characteristic and natural in one or two sets of these
plans than those projected by Mr. BARRY ; and we
found this opinion, to some extent, confirmed by the
First Report of the Commissioners themselves to
whom they were referred, and in a still greater
degreeprofes-
sional
by the critical judgments of many competent
authorities, who had taken no part in the con-
test for the work, or the struggle for the premiums.
But when, after being selected as the architect for
the New Palace, the building began to grow into
stately proportions under Mr. BARRY'S superinten-
dence, none of his well-wishers watched their pro-
gress with greater interest or solicitude than our-
selves. It would be absurd to deny that many faults,
which did not strike the eye in the mere elevations
(carefully, and even pictorially got up, as these had
been), began to develop themselves when brought

out in their full proportions in substantial masonry.
f':l.' y,. cWbesqlwrere, from time to time, incidentally—not un-
- dly-i::rdticed in Parliament. By some recent
totter* ad'ressed, probably, by some injudicious
frien4 of Ali% BARRY, to certain of our Contem7
poratie.a, perceive that all objectors and cavillers

run great risk of being very cavalierly dealt with as
"ignorant intermeddlers," "unqualified critics," &c.
And when, some little time since, it became a ques-
tion whether or not a new Westminster-bridge should
be built, and Mr. BARRY subjected himself to a little
legitimate quizzing for the naive simplicity and
oisnie with which he had strenuously urged in a
report of his own, that Parliament should direct the
removal of the existing structure, because, especially,
the span and dimensions of its arches were too large
and simple not to overpower and destroy the effect of
the broken lines and diminutive arches of his ew
Palace's river front—backing this recommenda-
tion by other considerations, the validity of which
Mr. WALKER, the engineer, demolished, in a
responsive report, in a few sentences, remark-
able alike for their strong good sense, and
unruffled good feeling, we were sorry to per-
ceive that Mr. BARRY exhibited some symptoms
of impatience under the criticism he had provoked—
as if his own work was so faultless, or so important,
that all others ought to give place to it; or his own
opinions so infallible, that those of no other men could
with any propriety be alleged against them. But all
this time it had become apparent that Mr. BARRY had
erred in not giving greater height to an edifice with
so extended a front, and to be flanked by so over-
whelming a tower. The menagerie of heraldic mon-
sters in stone was found to be overcrowded, obtrusive,
overdone—the niches and canopies, and statues of his
enriched wings, pitifully small. Still there was so
much of effect in the general composition of the build-
ing, that it retained a character of gran-
deur and appropriateness, so far as the
works had yet been carried, when Mr. BARRY ven-
tured on a most unheard-of departure from the cer-
tified plans, illustrated and explained by himself, and
settled and confirmed by the approbation and signa-

tures of the Lords' Committees. - To whatever foolish
and presumptuous suggestions, from whatever quar-
ter, Mr. [BARRY may have listened, before he al-
lowed himself to be seduced into the costly and un-
meaning excresence of the new gallery conducting
to the robing-room, he has, doubtless, now had lei-
sure to lament his indiscretion. The Lords' Com-
mittees examined him on this point so home, a nd ex-
pressed themselves (Lord SUDELEY in particular) in
terms of such significant censure, that we have no
wish to recur to the matter more particularly. But
it is necessary, for the purpose of some remarks we
shall have to offer on matters comprised in the Re-
port now before us, to remind our readers that the
noble personage in question assured the House of
Lords, that by the unauthorised addition to his plan
which Mr. BARRY had thus carried into execution,
he had deprived the interior courts of the New Pa-
lace of the great advantages of light and ventilation
they would have derived from the adoption of
the original design. Thus the walls of an ex-
crescent gallery, never heard of or contemplate d by
their Lordships, or proposed to them by Mr. BARRY,
was proved to have been carried up to the height of
the parapet of the main fabric. All the plea that
Mr. BARRY could offer, to excuse this expensive and
foolish caprice, was that " somebody" had observed to
him, with deep regret, that the original design did
not offer sufficient space for fresco paintings and
decorative enrichments. So, " upon this hint," he
built what might be called " BARRY'S Folly."
The Commissioners state in their Report that, " con-
sidering the inexperience even of the best artists in
the practice of fresco-painting, they are satisfied with
the promise of superior skill which has been afforded by
the artists who had contributed for public exhibition, in
compliance with the invitation embodied in their for-
mer Report specimens of fresco-painting on portable
frames.' " The Commissioners further propose to
commission six artists, to be selected by them from
among the present exhibitors in Westminster Hall, to
furnish designs, coloured sketches, and specimens "of
this kind for certain subjects proposed by the Com-
missioners to be executed in the House of Lords."
They proceed in these terms :
"Being desirous to give a further opportunity to
artists, other than the above artists, to offer specimens of
their ability in cartoon-drawing and fresco-painting, we
propose to advertise the subjects already referred to for
general competitibn."
And again—
" We have also humbly to state to your Majesty, that
having invited an exhibition of models for sculpture, in
order to assist us in the selection of sculptors to be em-
ployed in the Palace at Westminster, and having been
satisfied with the evidence of ability displayed by many
of the exhibitors, we are prepared to recommend the
Artists, whose names are contained in a subjoined Report,
as worthy to be employed on such works, to be placed
in the Palace at Westminster, and for such remunera-
tion as may hereafter be determined. At the same time,
we wish to be understood that the selection now made
does not imply the exclusion of other sculptors, whether
they may or may not as yet have submitted to us speci-
mens of their ability.
" We also humbly state to your Majesty that having,
in furtherance of the objects proposed by us in our last
Report, invited artists to submit for our inspection, and
for exhibition, specimens of arabesque-painting, and
likewise specimens of glass-painting, wood-carving, orna-
mental metal-work, and ornamental pavement, accom-
panied by designs ; we have now humbly to state to
your Majesty that the exhibition of such specimens and
designs has taken place, and that we are prepared to re-
commend the artists whose names are contained in sub-
joined Reports, as worthy to be employed oa such works
in the Palace at Westminster, and for such remunera-
tion as may hereafter be determined ; but we again wish
it to be understood that such selection does not imply
the exclusion of other artists, whether they may or may
not as yet have submitted to us specimens of their
ability. - _ _

" We have further humbly to state to your Majesty,
that having in former Reports announced our intention
of considering the claims of candidates for employment
in oil-painting, we now propose that artists should be
invited to enter into competition in that branch of art,
and we have prepared the draft of an anouncement on
this subject, offering premiums of public money, to which
we request the sanction of your Majesty."
These extracts may suffice to give a general idea
of the topics to which the interesting papers in the
Appendix are addressed. We conclude our present
notice with an enumeration of these papers, printed
so as to follow the QUEEN'S Commission, the warrant
appointing additional Commissioners, and the "Re-
port" of the Commission. These papers are—

"1. Notice of the appointment of artists to execute
frescos intended for the decoration of the House
of Lords.
2. Notice on the subject of the intended exhibition of
oil-paintings in Westminster Hall.
3. Declaration of the Commissioners respecting the
models for sculpture exhibited in Westminster
Hall.
4. Letter from the Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel, Bart.,
respecting public monuments to men distinguished
for civil services.
5. Mr. Barry's Report respecting the localities in the
new Houses of Parliament which may be adapted
for the reception of works of sculpture.
G. Extract from the Report of the Committee ap-
pointed to examine the localities in the New Houses
of Parliament, which may be adapted for the re-
ception of works in painting and sculpture.
7. Reports of the Committee appointed to inspect the
works of decorative art exhibited in King-street,
St. James's, in the months of April and May, 1844.
8. Observations on the principles which may regulate
the selection of subjects for painting in the Palace
of Westminster, by Mr. Hallam.
9. Resolutions, relating to the same subject, proposed
by Mr. Gaily Knight.
10. Letter on the same subject, from the Right Hon.
Viscount Mahon to the Right Hon. Sir Robert
Peel, Bart.
11. Letter en the same subject, from Mr. Hallam.
12. Tho same subject considered with reference to the
nature and various styles of the formative Arts ;
by the Secretary.
13. Dimensions of frescos in the Sistine Chapel and in
the Vatican.
14. Methods of painting adapted to mural decoration.
15. Description of the Patent Kalsomine Tempera.
16. Letter from the Right Hon. the Secretary of State
for the Home Department."

Madrid journals of the 13th have been received,
and contain the long-talked of decree for suspending
the sale of church lands. It is given in the Gazette
in these words :

" Art. 1. The sale of the property of the secular
clergy and of religious communities shall be suspended
until the Government, in accordance with the Cortes,
shall determine on the most suitable course to be pur-
sued.

" Art. 2. The revenues of the said lands are to be
appropriated to the support of the secular clergy and of
religious communities.

r of Finance is charged with the
execution of the above decree."
This decree has caused great dissatisfaction among
all classes. Original purchasers begin to fear for
their property, and even the clergy receive the boon
with a bad grace, as it deprives them of the admi-
nistration of the property. True it must be sanc-
tioned by the Cortes ; but that is a matter of no diffi-
culty. The elections are going on in favour of the
Government, few Opposition candidates dare show
their faces, and, in all probability, the next Cortes
will be the most obsequious assembly ever sum-
moned.

Madrid Bourse on the 13th.—.-Three per Cents.