Star.
London, England, 1824-03-02 00:00:00

102
151 s
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' Majority agairst the Motion • 4
SUPPLY.—PUBLIC BUILDINGS IN WESTMINSTSR.

Mr. HERICI ES moved the first Resolution' which was £40,000
to defray the expense of Works and Repairs of Public Buildings
for the year 1824.
Mr. BANKES wished to know whether the repairs or altera-
tions goink on in that neighbourhood, were included in the grant?
for he was sure, if that were the case, the House, considering the
very unsatisfactory manner in which these alteratiobs were con-
ducted, would be desirous to know what further changes were con-
templated before they proceeded to any vote upon the subject—
( I fear, hear). They would wish to know particularly Bow far it
was intended to carry the repairs of the. House of Lords; fur, had
they been aware of what was to be done last year, with respect to
that building in particular, they never would have consented to
Sanction it by any proceeding of theirs. He was himself a witness
to the destruction of that venerable old place called the Prince's
Chamber, which was substituted by a building as tasteless as any
that could be mentioned. Besides the destruction was, as be MP-
ceived, unnecessary. He vraadesirous to know what was the actual
expense of that strange anomalous building constructed for the re-
ception of his Majesty? Whatever the intention might have been,
it was not only a .wretched specimen of architecture, but was ex-
tremely-inconvenient to the Members of either House, by encroach-
ing on that space which was intended PO their carriages. It was
altogether a most miserable contrivance, and a' disgrace to the na-
tional taite—(Hear, hear). • -
Mr. BENNET was anxious to be informed who the architect
was, that the Public might know whom they were to applaud—(A
laugh)—and who the Committee of Taste were, under whose sanc-
tion the plan was adopted, that the Public might be prepared to
applaud them also. There were three questions therefore to be an-
swered. First, as to the expense; secondly, as to the Committee;
and thirdly, um the name of the Architect?
Mr. HERRIF.S said, that the expense of these repairs and alte-
rations would be laid before the House in a separate shape. It
consisted of about £10,850.
The CHANCELLOR of. the EXCHEQUER confessed that '
he was not at all surprised at finding that the subject had attracted
the attention of the House. He thought it would be necessary to
make some alteration as to the manner in which public works were
carried on—( Hear, hear). With respect to the name of the arehi-
tect, the Honourable Gentleman and the Houser could probably an- .
ticipate him—the architect was Mr. Soane. The plan had been
approved of by the Board of Works, and conducted under their
superintendence, but be was of optnion,that it would be well to
take that power from the Board, and vest it in the Treasury. They
were not responsible for what had taken place upon this occasion,
for they could not controul the Board of Works, nor the taste of
the architect, according to the present syttem. The proper duty of
the Board of Works, ai it appeared to him, was to keep the build-
ings in repair, and to see that such works as were ordered to be
executed should he performed in the best manner, and agreeably to
the directions that were gives. They ought not to have the power
of originating works themselves : be would therefore endeavour to
frame such regulations as would insure to the Public that in future
nothing of the kind should be undertaken but by persons sitting in
that House, and responsible for their conduct—(Hear, hear).
Mr. TENNYSON agreed in the importance of this subject. He
thought the true Gothic architecture was the best toted for an en-.
trance to a House of Lords, instead of the extraordinary architec-
ture of the new entrance.
Mr. HUME wished to direct the attention of the Chancellor of
the Exchequer to the building in Abingdon-street, in which the re-
cords are kept. It. was true that the building was fire-proof, but it
was constructed so inconveniently, that in order to get a sight of the
records, persons were obliged to enter in single files, and when at
last they made their entrance good, the documents were so disposed
as to require the labour of weeks to discover what they wanted
under the imperfect arrangement. He hoped that the Chancellor
of the Exchequer would direct his attention to that subject, for
nothing could be worse than the manner in which they-were dis-
posed of at present, and nothing more inconvenient or objectionable
than the place appropriated for their reception.
Mr. CHOKER said he was sure the House bad heard with plea.
sure the intention expressed by his Right Honourable Friend (the
Chancellor of the Exchequer) to propose an alteration in the present
mode of originating public works, which should secure the superin-
tendance of persons over whom they could exercise a controul.—
The declaration would please them, not merely because the expense
of such works required the strictest scrutiny, but because their ex-
ecution, as in the present itutancc, might become a disgrace to the
national taste—(Hear). He bad always thought that this power
should he vested in the Treasury, and he was sure, that when it was
done, the best consequences would result from Amongst others,
when the Public saw that the principles of good taste were respected'.
and preserved, they would nut expose themselves to be charged with
niggardliness, by refusing money as they bad done, merely because
they were unwilling to contribute to their own disgrace—(Hear).
He had seen in the newspapers, that it was the intention of the pre-•
sent operators to destroy the Painted Chamber, notwithstanding
its antiquity and the proud associations connected with it. It was
now five hundred years since that very Chamber bad been desc.ribed
by foreigners with the epithet per Wustrer The House could not but
feel great regret at the destruction of 'an ancient building, which
had been the 'Object of enthusiastic praise five hundred years ago,
and war still in a condition to last for ages. If Gentlemen
would take the trouble to inspect it, they would find, that even the

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paintlag bad retained its colour in a manner that was really ;ttr-
priiddg, when they Considered the dor tbar had elapsed since it
was executed. They would find that asp Walls were as sound as if
they were built but yesterday, and in-ever, respect superior to the
modern gew-gaws by which they were intended to he replaced.—
Under these eircamstanies he was glad, and he bad no doubt that
the Hower would join him in the same feeling, that his Right Hon.
Friend had opposed himself to this meditated destruction, and de-
vised a method for preventing such outrages upon taste in future.
Sir J. MACKINTOSH thought the Palace of Westminster
was to be cotisidered as most venerable, it being the scene of the
gradual improvement of our free Constitution.- Ile complained
bitterly that that which was called Grecian, or, as his lion. Friend
had said, Bworiaa, because it was not English nor Gothic, had been
added to the fine new front of Westminster Hall.
Mr. HUME objected to the mode pursued to repairing the P4f.
lace of St. James's, and said that there was no Royal Palace fitted
for the dignity of the Monarch and the country.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXC II EQCJF.R said, the repairs
were carried on in the original taste of the building. He agreed
that there was not a proper Palace in London, but be brlieved if a
million and a half were asked for a new Palace, it would meet
considerable opposition.
Air. DAVIES wished the fire bad burnt down the whole of Si.
James's Palace, which looked like a workhouse or alms.house,
instead of a Palace.

Sir THOS. BARING thought a sale of the difFeretit useless
Palaces, such as that at prighton, might enable a good Palace to be
erected.
Mr. BRIGHT did not wish to see any of those expensive Pa-
laces in this country, which distinguished the Continental nations.
Sir M. W. RIDLEY was sorry to bear that from the Member
for Bristol, as he thought the country could well afford a suitable
residence for the Sovereign.
Lord MILTON could not say that be admired the disposition
manifested by so many Honourable Members, to run, as it were, a
race, in the solicitude to spend the public money ott the first revival
' of prosperity ; but, at all events, he trusted the country would never
consent to the sale or demolition of one Palace, namely, Hampton
Court—(Hear, hear)-ewhen it 'was recollected that it was the fa-
vourite reAdence of the founder of our liberties, King William.
Sir C. LONG obserVed, that \he Resolution stated that the ex-
pense was incurred in the repairs -of the public buildings. It was
therefore obvious, that while these buildings were continued they
must be kept in repair. Ile had been reproached with very bad
taste as to certain designs, with which he assured the House he had
nothing whatsoever to do-:- (Hear, hear).—llis duty as a trustee was
merely to inspect the drawings ofothe national monuments.
The Vote was agreed to—as were the following:
• r£lo,ooo for the College of Edinburgh.
5t:13,85.5 for the Harbour of Port-patrick.
£5,006 for completing the Caledonian Canal.
£30,000 for the New Court of dtbtice.
BRITISH MUSEUM.

sC4o,ooowas proposed for the new buildings at theßritish Museum. '
Mr. BEA ON't took this opportunity of bearing testimony
Ito the liberality of Sir George Beaumont, who had presented a col-
lection of pictures to the Museum. The collection, though small,
contained some specimens of the finest 'description; and he (Mi.
Beaumont) hoped that it would form the foundation of an exten-
sive and valuable gallery..
The CHANCELLOR of the ExcnEQUER said, no man in
the country could entertain a higher opinion thah he did of the -ex-
traordinary liberality of the Honourable Geitleman who had made
this present.
Sir T. BARING wished that Somerset House, rather than the
British Museum, had been made the receptacle for a national gallery
of pictures.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER observed, the gift
of Sir George Beaumont had been to the British Museum expressly.
Sir CHARLES LONG said that the gilt was expressly to the
trustees of the British Museum; but, for a variety of reasons,
Somerset-house was an onfit place.
Dlr. W. SMITH, independent of a picture gallery, wished, for
the credit of London, that Somcrset•howe were' completed.
Mr. CROKER said, that those who proposed to carry the pic-
tures to Somerset-house had intended to build the east _wing for
their reception. As it was, he wished that wing could be built, fbr
the acco:nmodation of the Royal Academy, the present provision
for which was very inadequate.—Vote agreed to.
£41,000 was voted for the Ilarbotu at Kinsale.
£14,467 for that of Donaghadee.
MILL BANK PENITENTIARY.

- -
,8 43,0.00 was proposed for the Millbank Penitentiary.,
- Mr. GORDON, before this vote was agreed to, wished to know
what was to be the ultimate fate of the Penitentiary ?
Mr. PEEL did not think it necessary to enter into the policy of
first building that prison, nor could he say, at the present moment,
what ultimately would become of it. This was certain, that it
must be after very frill inquiry and investigation, if ever he was in-
duced to send prisoners there again. He understood it to be the
intention of the Hon. Member for Shrewsbury to revive the Com-
mittee of last Session upon the subject; but for that information,
be should have moved for the Committee himself.
Mr. HUME hoped that the Committee, when it was revived,
would review the heavy charge in the vote for salaries to officers.
The salaries of the officers amounted to £6,000 a-year ; the main-
tenance of 1,000 convicts to something under £B,OOO. There
was an item, too, for repairs, which, in the present state of things,
he did not understand. _ _

Sir Al. W. El DLEY wished the medical report with respect to
the, Penitentiary to be laid before the House. He understood that
the prevailing complaint, diarrhoea; had appeared in the very outset
of the establishment.
. Mr. PEEL said that the report, with a variety of other in-forma-
tion, would be before the Committee. With respect to the charge
for repairs, none should be undertaken which were not immediately
necessary.
X 25,500 was granted for deficiency of the fee fund in the depart-
ment of the Treasury.
X 15,000 for the same in the department of the Irome Secretary
of State. •

£20,538 for the same, Foreign Secretary of State.
£l4,soo—Secretary of State for the Colonies.
£ls,42S—Privy Council and Council of 'Trade.
£B,OOO for Contingent Expenses and Messengers Bills in the

£9,75'7 for the same, Department of the Home Secretary.
£38,450 for the same, Foreign Secretary.
£7,500 for the same Secretary for the Colonies.
£4,964 for the same, Privy Council.
£5,665, expenses of the Court and receipt of Exchequer.
£8,640, Commissioners of the Insolvent Debtors' Court, clerks,
ad incidental expenses.
£11,966, expenses of the Houses of Lords and Commons.
£21,619, Salaries and Allowances to Officers of the Houses of
ords and Commona.

£4,800, Fittings and Furniture to the two Houses of Parliament.
£6,000, Compensation to the Commissioners for inquiring into
the Collection of the Revenue in Ireland.
3,000, National Vaccine Establishment.
£4,972, Superintendence of Aliens, and Superannuation from
such duty.
£10,190, (or Superannuation Aliovrances to persons formerly em-
ployed in public offices:
£16,520 fur the Relief of Tnutonese and Corsican Emigrants.
£6,500 for the Am6rican Loyalists.
5006 10s. tor maintaining Criminal Lunatics.
£6,512 for Allowances to Protestant Dissenting Ministers Eng.
land, poor French Protestant Refugee Clergy and Laity, and sun-
dry oilier Allowances.'
X 17,000 for printing Acts of Parliament, Bills, Reports, Evi-
demo, &c. for the House of Lords.
£7,831 for the Deficiency of the same Grant in I Bp.
£4,047 for Printing the Itecotis of the Kingdom.
£Bl9 for Printing Copies of the Marriage Act for the nse of the

aC2o,ooo.for Printing Bills, Ece. for the House of Commons.
£13,433 for Deficiency of the same Grant last year.
£5,5'.0 for Printing 1,750 Copies of the 79th Volume of Journals.
£1,597 for Deficiency of same Grant (for 78thVolunie) last year.
£670 was granted tur printing deficiencies in 18:22.
£,500 fur printing Votes for the present year.
A 96,310 for Stationery, Printing, and Binding.
£17,000 fur Law Expenses.
£60,754 for maintaiuing Convicts at home.
£1,171 for Salaries of Lecturers at Oxford and Cambridge.
£38,000 fur Secret Service Money.
£lO,OOO for the Extraordinary Expenses of- the Mint in the.

Gold Coinage. • • •
setoo,nod for the loss upon the Irish Silver. Tokens recoined. .
The House then resumed, the Chairman reported progress, and
askt.ll leave to sit again, which was granted: •
The Cattle 111-treatment Dill was read a first time, ..Committed
on Tuesday.
The 'Revenue Inquiry Bill, the Usitry'Lsivisßepeal Bill, and the
.Austrian Loan Convention Bill, passed through: Committees,
The lichee hiving resumed,
On the biotic/0 of Mr. Bringer, a Select Committee was
formed to inquire into the itate of the Getni al Pcuitttithirjr. •
Tie other Orders of the Day.were thets..disposed and the
Nouse stijoitrisod at (Lail-peat

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