The Sun.
London, England, 1818-05-28 00:00:00

BRITISH MUSEUM.

General THORNTON, after stating how very desirable it
was ilia the facilities of admission to the Literary of: the'
British Museum should be increased, muted fur Cupiics of the

Regulations respecting Admission to the Reading Room of
the British Museum, and of Students to the Gallery.
Mr. BANKES agreed that it was desirable every facility
should be given to the public, consistently with the secority
of the hooks ; but it was to be remembered, that any arrange-
rhent for throwing it more open to the public must be at-
tended with additional expense in officers and buildings.
Mr. GURNEY called the attention of the House to the
great danger of. the books and manuscripts of the Museum
from fire, and theenecessity of -putting that great national re-
pository in a state of safety against such an accident.
Mr. WYNNE also observed, t bat from the construction of
the Museum, the roof being supported by a large wooden
cornice, which rendered it- improbable, if the building once
tout fire, that ally great part of the books and manuscripts
could be saved, the subject was well worth attention.
The motion. was agreed to.
BANKRUPT LAWS.

Mr. J. Smith rose to move for leave to bring in
a Bill to alter and mend the Bankrupt Laws. A
Petition was last Session presented from a nume-
rous body of the Mercantile Interest, complain-
ing of a great number of grievances which they
have suffered from the present. Bankrupt Laws.
The
,allegations in those Petitions (for others
were also presented) were sufficiently proved be-
fore the Committee. Mr. Basil Montagu, Mr.
Cullen.. and Mr. Cooke, Commissioners of Bank-
rntits, had all proved that there wet e persons who,
for a sum of money, would swear to false debts
under the Commission of any Bankrupt who
would employ them. He cnumerated the differ-
ent trades and professions not liable to tine Boik-
nipt Laws ; and stated, that the opteiou ot the
Commitree was, that a Bill should be brought in
to extend the Bankrupt Law* to atl persens to
trade or business. With tespee to acts of Bank-
ruptcy, the only mode a as, at present, V"- a lean
to deny his b, ing at eome to a creditor, e hen he
knows he is one. These acts were frequently
concerted, Hod therefor,. the Committee has
thought it would he advisable, toat when a man
feels liitiffelf insolvent, tie sPould have the power
of inking hi oself a Bankrupt, by lodging a de-
claration to that eff•et with the Secretary ot Bank-
rupts ; or by a general stoppage of his business
for seven days. The Committee also considered,
that a man staving abroad for the purpose of
avoiding his creditors should be declared a Batik-
nip! ; or if he sit mid remain in prison 14 days Ott
civil procesi. The Committee also thoeght, that
more care should be taken of Bank nip's' propet ty,
instead of putting in a needy man for 3s. a-day to
take care of it. The prole.sitiou, therefore, was
to put the Messelq.teis of the Commissioners of
Bankrupts into possession of the Bankrupt's Imo-
perry. e giant evil of all was, the facility of
proving debts under a -commission. He com-
plained that Guildhall was not a fit place, from
the confusion which prevailed in it, to transact
.the Bankrupt business in. The Committee there-
fore proposed, that ,some proper building should
be erected forthwith, for the accommodation of
the Commissioners of Bankrupts ; and also that
an :vomit in writing, of every debt intended to
be proved, should be given in four days before
the Bankrupt's examination. The system of
Bankruptcy in Scotland was altogetheit free
from the objections, and the manifest evils
which prevailed in this country. In Scotland
there was a provisional Assiguee who collect, d
the debts of the Bankrupt, gave a regular account
of them, and gave security for the careful dis-
charge of his duty The Committee recommended
that such an Officer should be appointed by the
creditors. subject to the approbation of the Com-
missioners. This Bill would also require the
Bankrupt to attend all the meetings of his credi.,
tors, and give every assistance in his power, under
pain of losing the protection of the Commissioners.
The Commissioners were also to beempowered to
make enquiry into the mode in which the bank-
rupt shall have contracted his debts, before he
should receive his certificate. The canital pu-
nishe.ent for a bankrupt concealing his pro•
perty operated in a great measure to prevent
prosecution, for that offence. In the case of a
bankrupt acting honestly and fairly, a liberal allow-
ance stronld be made to him out of his estate The
Committee recommended, therefore, that 5 per
cent. or not less than 2 per cent. should be al-
lowed to the Bankrupt out of the property which
he should assist in recovering. The Committee had
also expressed a wish that the Commissioners
themselves should be regulated, especially those
in the country, which were in many cases com-
plete
,jobs, and by which very often there were no
dividends made. Tate reason why he brought
forward this Bill at so hate a period of time Session
was, t het the question was surrounded by so many
legal subtleties, which had consumed so much
time that it tvas impossible to bring it forward
sooner. He then moved for leave to bring in his
Bill.
Sir J. NEWPORT said the Committee conceived, and with
reason, that the present Bankrupt Laws were worse than no
laws at all, as they afforded protection only to the fraudulent,
and enabled the fraudulent to cheat every honest man in the
country. Some alteratiotrhe held to be absolti,elynecessary.
Mr. WROTTESLEY complained of the want of accommo-
dation for the Commissioners and the Public in Guildhall ;
and recommended it to the Members of the City to provide
additional accommodation somewhere about Furnivars Inn.
Mr. Veto, who built the Custom-house, had obtained a lease
of Ftirnival's Inn, and was willing to build a ball and record-
rooms, taking the money by instalments.
Mr. LOCKII.UIT supported the motion, as one of great.
promise

Mr. FINLAY considered this as one of the most important
systems of Law that ever was proposed for the adoption of
the House, and would be of the greatest benefit to the
country.

Leave was then given to bring in the Bill.
A Message fro►u the Lords brought up the Queen's Council.
Bill.

Lord CASTLEREAGH moved the first reading of the Bill,
and proposed that the second reading should he fixed for
Monday next.
The Bill WAS then read a first time, and ordered to be read
a second time on Monday.