The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-03-09 00:00:00

MEMORIALS, &C.

The M Avon said the first thing to lay before them was a
memorial signed by Mr. Morris Felton, Surgeon, respecting
the creatioiyora picture gallery, for the benefit and access of
the. public:-:.The memorialist wished the subject to be referred
to a-committee=of the council with the hope that a respectable
comMittee critght be the-nest egg for forming a good picture
gallery.
'The MAvrrit"read the memorial, which was to the following
effect : —"Fjord the controversy which had been going on in'
the Liverpoirl rie*spapers for the last three or four mouths, the
writers interred that there exists considerable dissatisfaction
respectinglh'e' Liverpool annual exhibition of pictures anti. the
constitution of,the Academy of Arts. lie had not interferred .
in the dispute, and knew not which party was right, yet his
anxiety fortbe prosperity of the fine arts induced him to make
that application-to the council. He had formerly sent in a me.
'Burial, praying for the appeihtment of a committee to consider
the propriety establishing a permanent public picture gal-
lery, Which was declined, on the ground that the corporation
bad no Nods tri apply to such a design. He proved in his for-
mer memorial that the object sought might be easily attained,
without any tuna fide appropriation of Corporate Revenue. It
now appeared that there were a considerable number of private
gentlemen ready. to come forward in support and encourage-
ment of the fine arts, by establishing a public gallery, and who
also bad the object of attaining an exhibition on a more mag-
nificent scale than hitherto. These individuals, though ready.
to support such a scheme by money and co-operation, shrink
from the trial of commencing an undertaking of such magni-
tude, feeling that it is necessary to the continuance and pros-
perity of the enterprise that it should be managed; superin-
tended, and governed. The memorialist prayed the council to
consider the propriety of appointing from their body a com-
mittee in reference to the following °Ejects. To inquire into
the best means of establishing, on a liberal scale, a permanent
gallery of art in Liverpool, a more extensive and popular
annual exhibition; also into the possibility of enlarging the
sphere and increasing the utility of the present Liverpool Aca-
demy of arts, and whether all these objects are not attainable
without any mal-appropriation of the corporate funds. The
profits of a well ordered and econemically managed exhibition
of the works of old masters, would do much towards purchasing
good pictures for the formation of a Permanent gallery, and
with the addition of bequests, gifts, subscriptions, tkc., there
would soon be ample means for the formation of it bright and
lasting ornament to the town of Liverpool."—Probably the
council would refer this to the Improvement committee.
Mr Councillor Henry Ilor,siEs.—No the Finance Com-
mittee. ( A laugh.) _ _

Mr. Alderman EVANS considered that there was a snake in
the grass; sod the council would never be asked to interfere
iu this if there was not an eye to the corporate fonds. Ile re-
comuiended the council to have nothing to do with it. If they
had a picture -gallery in Live' pool it would be by voluntary
means It was quite -clear they were not ripe for it, and the
community did not require
Mllr. Councillor LA SSW. thought assistance might be offered
without any call on the emporation funds. There was a long
lease of the exhibition rooms which might be granted. Ile
thought mrny would lend their pictures to a gallery like this,
having a respectable coininittee, hich might form a nucleus to
a nobto ornament to the town. During the visit of the British
Assoeiation to Liverpool, a nnhte picture gallery had been got
up in this way at the Royal Institution. There hail I,rti a si-
milar exhibition recently got up at Manchester, which had
been visited by W.,990
,people. showing that there was a very
great taste fur the arts. lie kriew of nothing that coulthaise a
higher tone of moral and intellectual feeling among the popu-

Rya:*:-.. wr. ~r~► ~

latiou. Ile should not like to see the subject passed over so
catelessly, as if it was very immaterial whether it was referred
to the finance committee or the improvement committee, but
should like to see a special committee appointed. (Cries of
•' Move.") He begaed to move, that a committee be appoint-
ed to take into consideration Mr. Felton's memorial, and see
what can he done.

Councillor Dr. CARSON should he very happy to second that
motion. He thought the corporation might on many occasions
lead their patronage to things of this kind. And the reason
why there were no funds was, because the corporation would
not give their patronage. He had, therefore, great pleasure in
seconding the motion for the appointment of a special commit-
tee. for this purpose.
Whilst Mr. Lassen was preparing his motion in writing,
The Mayon proceeded to read-a memorial from the inhabit-
ants of Hood-street, praying against any opening from the New
Market into Whiteehapel.
This was referred to the finance committee.
THE BONDING SYSTEM.

The MA yon said, attention had been called by a member of
that council to some proceedings iu parliament intending to
extend the bonding system to 'the inland towns, which, as the
council was aware, would involve about £2,000:000 of the pro-
perty that the corporation had a reversionary interest in, and
about £2,000,000 of property in which it bait no interest. Pro-
bably, as it was a matter of some delicacy, it had better be refer-
red to the finance committee to take the necessary steps?
Mr. Councillor H. Hot.ssas made a motion, that the intro-
duction of the inland bonding system be referred to the finance
committee, with instructions to take the necessary measures."
Mr. Alderman LEATHOM seconded this, which Mr. Holmes
was requested to put in writing.
The YOlt then read Mr. Lassell's resolution, "that a com-
mittee be appointed to take into consideration the letters of Mr.
Felton, on the subject of the establishment of a Picture gallery,
.and that the following gentlemen be members of the committee."
This was carried.

The following gentlemen were finally nominated on the corn-
mittee:—Messrs. Earle, Brown, Currie, H. Lawrence, Dr.
Carson, H. Hornbv, Lassell, Barclay, and the Mayor.
Mr. Councillor CURRIE did not like to rise on an occasion of
this'sort, but it was frotwhii perfect ignorance of pictures that
he must decline being on the committee. begged to nomi-
nate Mr. Brown instead.

'Mr. Alderman Bitow N said, if Mr. Currie put it on that prin-
ciple, lie felt a delicacy in acting: Lie had no knowledge of
pictures.
Mr. Councillor LASSEIII, made a shnilar statement.
Mr. Councillor CoGLAN moved, that Mr. Earle be on the
committee as a " travelled" man.

. •
The above gentlemen were then appointed on the committee.
Mr. Alderman EVANS said, he saw they had got their own
way on the committee, and, therefore, if he were wilting to
his friends, be should say the question was settled. (A laugh.)
The MAYOR said, " if our facetious Alderman will allow us,
we will go to more important business." (A laugh.)
Mr. Councillor H. HOLMES' resolution was then read,, with
the addition, that the committee do what was deemed expedient
for the protection of the property of the town.
This resolution was carried, and was understood to authorize
a deputation to London for the furtherance of these objects if
this should be required.
Mr. Alderman EviN's wished to know how it pressed on
them, was there any bill before parliament.
Mr. Councillor Henry liormEs said it had been mentioned
that it was apprehended that Powlet Thompson would smuggle
it through attached to some private bill. He had attempted it
last year.

11-1 V. LI V VAPOOL sT A'l DA=